"All I said was that maybe we should take things slower!" Jessica yelled.
"Yeah and next it'll be, maybe we should see other people!" Nick came back.
"I never said that, Nick."
"You didn't have to."
Nick and Jessica were in the den. It was about three thirty. Jessica had just suggested that they take it slower in their relationship. Howie walked in the room.
"You two are always arguing when I'm around. You're getting worse than Julie and A.J.," Howie said.
"Please just leave us alone, Howie," Nick told him.
"Fine," Howie said and walked out.
"Jessica, I don't understand," Nick continued.
"Me either. Just forget I said anything."
"If you want to move slower then we need to talk about it. I don't see why we should, but fine. If you think it's a good idea, then sure. I guess. But, I really-"
Jessica stopped him mid sentence with a kiss. Then, she pulled away. "You're babbling," she said, "I just thought it would help if we moved slower. But, if you think we can-"
"No, no, wait! What would it help?" he asked.
" I just don't want us to jump into things. That's all, Nick."
"I don't think we're jumping into things."
"Okay. I'm sorry that I suggested."
"Don't apologize," he said, "it's the way you feel. You shouldn't apologize for that."
"Well, I feel differently now. I want to forget about it."
"Are you sure?" he asked, wanting to make sure that she was telling the truth and not just trying to please him. He continued," Cause if you want to seriously talk about it, then I will."
"I'm sure. As long as you don't think we're jumping into things."
"I don't"
"Okay. Let's go out and have some fun today," she said.
"Alright. Let's go."
***Change of Scene***
Julie walked around the living room, trying to come up with a way to break it off with A.J. She had to. They couldn't get along. It had become impossible to stay around each other. Although, it was going to be really hard to tell him.
As if on cue, A.J. walked in the door. "What's wrong, Julie? You look worried," he said.
"A.J., we have to talk."
"Okay." He went over and stood by Julie.
"Maybe we should sit down," she said. So they did.
"Listen, A.J.," she began. "I've been thinking. And . . . this is really hard. But, I don't think we should see each other anymore."
"I just can't believe this. I wasn't expecting it."
"I'm really sorry. I don't want it to be this way, but I can't go on with this relationship. It's too much. Know what I mean?"she said.
"But, Julie, I think we can work things out. Just give it some time."
"It's been two months now. I don't know how we've lasted this long."
"Fine."
"A.J., don't be mad."
"What do you expect me to be? Happy? I think not. You just throw this on me and expect me not to be mad. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. You could've talked to me about it first before you just decided."
"Why can't you understand?"
"You're the one that doesn't. You've hurt me Julie."
"Please, I'm sorry. This is just how I feel."
"Okay. Now I know. It was fun while it lasted." Then he got up and walked out the door.
Julie got up and ran out the door after him. "Don't let it end this way!" she yelled walking behind him. He started to walk around the house to the pool and she kept following him. "A.J! Listen to me. Stop so I can talk to you!" she she said.
A.J. stopped and turned around. "You've already talked!"
"I just want us to be friends."
"No. We can't be friends."
"Why not?"
"Because, it's like you didn't even consider my feelings in this whole situation. Almost as if you really didn't care how it would affect me. I don't appreciate that." He turned around and started to walk away again.
"It's not my fault this ended the way it did!" she yelled after him.