A/N: Songs to set the scene:

Still Love You by Sofía Carson

Easy On Me by Adele (flashback scenes)

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Sofia's POV

AJ slowly pulls away from me and wipes her face, "I'm sorry about that. I don't know why I got so emotional." I run my fingers over the picture on the wall, "I should be the one apologizing. We've been avoiding everything for so long that we never really sat down and talked about it like adults. Then every time we do try and talk about it, I always get upset and throw the past in your face. That isn't fair of me." AJ tuns towards me and runs her hands through her short hair sighing. "I'm sorry AJ and when you're ready, I'd really like to talk about everything," I nod at the picture before turning towards AJ. "Yeah, that sounds like a great idea right now actually."

~~

I glance over at AJ, who is quietly sitting in the driver's seat driving us to an unknown destination. "So, what happened?" I ask seeing her tense up. I pull the hem of my hoodie sleeve since it is colder today in mid-March in Florida than usual. "With Dove, I mean," I see AJ's demeanor relax a little at my clarification. She grips the steering wheel a bit tighter exposing the whites of her knuckles. "Nothing really happened. Remember the first time you brought me to meet the cast?" I hum at the memory. "You had just flown in from New York. It was the first week of recording, and I was so nervous I almost threw up in the booth," I chuckle thinking of my younger self. I hear AJ chuckle next to me, "Yeah, and at first, she would just compliment me. I just assumed she was trying to be friendly since you two would be working together and were becoming friends. I figured that she was trying to make a good first impression on me to help y'all's friendship since I was always around."

She pauses as we pull into a parking lot and puts the Jeep into park. "Well, then it went from friendly compliments to more flirtatious comments," she states, and I look at her confused. "Why didn't you ever say anything?" I ask but hear her huff. "I always did. My time bringing it up, we were out on a date in Canada. You told me that she was just being nice and trying to be friends. I knew better than to keep pushing it so instead of arguing about it I just decided to avoid Dove as best as I could. It seemed like no matter how I tried to avoid her, the harder she tried to get near me," I could see the irritation all over AJ's face as she recalls those moments. I couldn't help but start thinking about all the times that we spent with Dove. AJ would always stay quiet, or she would simply stay away from Dove in those situations. All the times AJ made excuses not to go out with us. Then I start thinking of Dove, and if there were signs I could've missed with her. Trying to piece together any signs that confirms what AJ is telling me.

~Flashback~

I wrapped the blanket tighter around me as we all sat around the small firepit on the beach. We had finished filming today and the cast figured it would be great to have a beach day regardless of the freezing temperatures. I sat on the log waiting for them to get started on the bonfire as I watched AJ playing tag football with Cameron. I smiled at the two trying to show the other up with their fancy catches. She never complained about being here with me. She made friends with most of the cast and crew, she was always polite greeting everyone when she'd enter a room. Everyone simply loved her. I was happy that we both were developing some lifetime friendships during this experience. AJ mostly hung around Cameron and Zachery Gibson, which was funny since Doug is Evie's love interest in the movie. Whenever we'd all come together, she was either somewhere playing with those two or stuck by my side quietly. She never had trouble being around many people, which is why I couldn't figure out why she wouldn't talk much whenever we were around everyone. It seemed like she always had her guard up, but I couldn't put my finger on what was causing it.

I sat quietly twisting my engagement ring on my finger deep in thought. "Trouble in paradise?" I furrowed my brow before looking over at Dove. I looked down at my ring and shook my head, "No. Everything's great, perfect even. I'm really happy, and excited about the wedding." She tilted her head giving me a small smile. "Have you two decided on a date?" She asks as she turns her attention towards AJ running with the ball avoiding Booboo and Mitchell Hope trying to tag her. "We haven't yet. I want to wait until everything with Descendants finishes up, and she completely understands me not wanting the additional stress right now," she turns her attention back to me. "You two are so perfect together. I don't understand, how did you know" Her question confused me. "Know?" "Know she was the one?" She clarifies. I smile back down at the beautiful ring on my finger. "I don't know. From the moment we met we just clicked. We've never been apart since," as I say these words my attention gets drawn to my boisterous fiancée chest bumping Cameron. Her antics making me giggle. "You've never had a problem with one another? No arguments? Potential break-ups?" I ponder her question and shake my head, "I mean we've been together since we were thirteen, so eight years and we've had plenty of disagreements and arguments but nothing to break us up. Every obstacle thrown our way; we've overcome together." I think back to Dove's question. I mean we did have petty arguments, jealous fights, and disagreements that left both of us in tears but that never kept us apart from long. "Eight years is a long time with someone," Dove pulls me from my thoughts. "Not if that's someone you plan on spending forever with," I say looking at the girl I plan on spending every day with, and there's absolutely no one else I'd rather do it with.

~End of Flashback~

I thought it was normal for Dove to always ask questions about our relationship. I figured it was just her way of checking in and making sure I was happy. Something friends do for each other. I never saw it as someone secretly plotting to ruin my relationship.

"Then you started going out every night with her and you wanted me to tag along so I would drag Cameron too. It got to the point I was so uncomfortable I left to come back here to Florida for the weekend," AJ pulls me from my thoughts to her getting out of the car. We were at the beach, and not just any part of the beach. This was our spot. The spot we told each other 'I love you' for the first time, and most importantly the spot we got engaged. "You told me you came back to Florida that weekend because you didn't want my mom to be alone since my dad had flown out to see us that same weekend," I go to sit on the hood of the car waiting for her to lock the Jeep. "It's not like I could say I was leaving because I was uncomfortable. You never listened so I thought it would be easier to lie than arguing with you."

~Flashback~

I leaned back into AJ as we talked to Kenny, who had treated us all to dinner tonight. It was just the main four cast and AJ since she had been here since the beginning, and we were a package deal Kenny couldn't turn down. "So, have you ever thought of becoming a Music Coordinator, AJ? I've seen you in the studio with Jack, so I figured that was your spot," Kenny asked AJ. "It's something I've looked into, but I figured that I would try and finish school first. Jack allows me to hang around and watch him so I can learn the ropes," AJ rests her hand on my thigh as she answers him. Everyone was having their own conversations which made me wonder if she had talked to Cameron or Zachary about any of this. I knew that Cameron confided in AJ and vice versa, but did she consider anyone else here a friend? "Well, whenever you're ready, you can always work for me?" Kenny poses the opportunity and AJ gripped my thigh in shock. I beamed at her with pride knowing that she always wanted to work with music. "That would be amazing. Imagine working in another Descendants film together," she says to me, and I smile at the thought. That would be the ultimate goal, so we'd be together more rather than separated due to work.

"That would be perfect!" Dove entered our conversation, "Any other secret talents, AJ?" Dove's comment and question caught the attention of Booboo and Cameron. "Not really," AJ mumbled not liking all this attention from the table now. "She's just being modest. She's a killer dancer, and she can draw anything! I've seen her animating some of our characters and they look amazing," Cameron boasted about his best friend, bumping her shoulder. "He's right! She's been animating all of the Descendants characters," I lean into AJ more and feel her shift uncomfortable with the conversation. I glance up at her confused and notice Dove staring at her. "I'd love to see these animations when you finish, AJ. You might be onto something," AJ nods an 'okay' towards Kenny before pressing a kiss to my forehead. "If you'll excuse me, I need to run to the restroom. I'll be right back," I move my chair over slightly so she can get out easier.

I lean over towards Kenny after AJ leaves, "She's something special." Kenny's comment makes me proudly beam. "She is truly amazing. She's so passionate about her art and music. I hate that she transferred to online classes, but since she's been able to work with Jack and be a little hands-on, things have gotten better. In a way, she's still learning and getting the experience she needs," I say as Kenny leans back in his chair deep in thought. "AJ is very good and a hard worker. I've seen her in action and honestly, I think I have something in mind for her. The movie isn't even finished yet, but the excitement and publicity that it's receiving have been phenomenal. If AJ's work is as good as you say it is and she's comfortable sharing it with me, I'd love to pitch her idea of an animated Descendants series to the Disney executives," Kenny's remarks make my jaw drop in surprise. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "Oh wow! I don't know what to say except thank you! AJ is going to be so excited and blown away by your offer," AJ hurrying back to the table catches my eye.

"We need to go, Sofia," I look at her confused. "Why?" I ask as she's already sliding her jacket back on. I look behind back at the table and see that Dove and Cameron were still missing. "Babe, please," she gestures with my jacket in her hands. Cameron quickly walked back to the table annoyed and pulled AJ aside as Dove walked up shortly after. "Leaving already?" She asks retaking her seat. "Yeah, AJ's ready to leave," I slip on my jacket AJ dropped back on my chair. "Sorry to hear that," she gives me a sad smile before turning to talk to Booboo.

~~

"What was that?" I drop my bag on the table in the hotel room. "What do you mean?" AJ asks from the bed taking off her shoes. "Why did we have to leave? Do you know how embarrassing that was? Kenny had just pitched me a great idea involving your animations that I'm sure you would have loved if you would've given him the chance to tell you if we stayed," I turn back around to her standing a few feet away from me. "We left because I was uncomfortable, Sofia. I think that we should keep our distance from Dove," AJ's words made me roll my eyes and scoff. "Dove has done nothing wrong, AJ! If you didn't want to come with me tonight you could've just told me," my words made her groan frustrated. "Are you not listening to me, Sofia? I was uncomfortable because your friend keeps flirting with me and I don't appreciate it," frustrated I push past her towards the bathroom. "She isn't flirting with you, AJ. She's just friendly. She's the same way with Cameron and Booboo. If it bothers you so much then maybe," I pause and take a deep breath turning back around, "maybe you shouldn't be around."

~End of Flashback~

"Did she ever physically try something?" I ask both of us sitting on the hood looking out at the ocean. "Yeah, twice. Only difference was she claimed that I had tried something with her. The day we ended our engagement," her words made tears well up in my eyes. I dop my head down defeated. "Fuck," I whisper. What type of fiancée would let that happen? It was awful. I wipe my face and slide off the hood of the car. I stand in front of AJ and take her hands into my own, "I'm so sorry. I never took the time to listen to you, or even consider the fact that you were telling the truth. I ignored you and made you go through it alone." AJ pulls her hands away from mine and hops off the hood. "Let's go for a walk," she starts walking towards the small path leading to the beach.

We slowly walk next to the water not saying a word. "After everything happened, I ran to Europe, more specifically England. It was beautiful and London made me feel like Sherlock Holmes most days. No one knew the people they were passing on the streets, and it was nice. I got tired of the big city about two months in and found this small town on the outskirts called Alfriston in East Sussex. They had these cute cottages, and I saw one for sale, so I bought it with what money I had earned working for the small cinematography studio in London," AJ finally says after we had been walking for a while now. "London?" I ask thinking about the large city. "London. Well, we had talked about going to England a lot when we were sixteen," I say towards the silent girl next to me. "We talked about traveling all of Europe after we retired, and for some reason after our break-up that's where I ran to," I smile at her explanation. "I was hurt. I felt betrayed because you didn't believe me. I lost my best friend and the love of my life for something I didn't even do. I was broken, and for some reason the only thing I worried about was you hating me. I was so afraid that you hated me, or that you weren't taking care of yourself properly," my guilt deepened at her words. "I should've believed you. I feel so stupid that I trusted her! You tried telling me repeatedly," I was frustrated. I messed up my entire relationship, my life, for a friendship that had been nothing but a game.

"Sofia, I'm not made or upset. I know how your heart is and I know that you always try to see the best in everyone. It's been years, I figured that maybe we just needed to talk things out. I didn't want you to keep seeing me as some big-time cheater and thinking the worst of me," I shake my head at her words. "I never thought the worst of you, AJ. I was just hurt. I thought you cheated and was embarrassed." AJ shrugs stopping and turning towards the horizon watching the waves. "So, what does this change?" I ask moving next to her and she turns her attention to me. "I don't know. We're still stuck working together, so you can't get rid of me just yet, but" she pauses looking behind me to gather her thoughts, "but I still have to figure things out with Sarah. We can be friends now though, especially now that I know you don't hate me," she finishes bumping shoulders pushing me a little. I smile, "I could never hate you." I lean into her, and she wraps her arms around me. "What are we going to do about Dove?" I look up at and see her already looking down at me. Those hazel, green eyes I fell in love with thirteen years ago still give me butterflies. "Nothing. I'm not upset about it anymore. I couldn't let myself hold on to something in the past I couldn't change," she says putting her chin on my head. I could live in this moment forever. "I'm glad that you let it go, but she's going to get what's coming for her. I promise, mi amor," I mumble the words into her chest and feel her heartbeat speed up at the old nickname. With that, I pat her chest and slowly back away making my way to the car. "Last one to the car, owes the loser ice cream!" I yell knowing I already have a head start.

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