“What would I give to be wearing sneakers right about now.” Destiny mumbled to herself as she uncomfortably squirmed around in her seat.
Her eyes wandered from person to person, observing their reaction to the movie playing on the big screen in front of them. She couldn’t get herself to look straight ahead. Watching herself seemed to weird for words. Hearing her own voice blast through a multitude of speakers placed around the theater was bad enough. She sighed in relief as she recognized the last scene and sunk in her seat, waiting for the lights to reappear so she could escape. Eventually, her wishes came true and people were slowly starting to stand up, talking among themselves.
“Destiny, did you enjoy seeing the movie in its entirety?” The smiling director came up to her.
“Yeah, it was really something.” Destiny looked at him nervously, hoping he wouldn’t ask her any questions since she couldn’t even recall five minutes of the movie she had just seen.
“Time to face the music.” He put his arm around her shoulder and led her into a large room. In the corner stood a refreshment table, which looked pretty peaceful. One or two people were standing beside it, drinking and eating to their fulfilment. Straight across from it was the definition of mayhem. Flashlights were blinding her eyes. Photographers were calling her name, trying to turn her attention towards them. Destiny forced a smile and waved shyly towards the strangers. Before she could get a word out four people approached he. Compliments were heard from the harshest critics mouths, bringing the entire cast and crew to a surprised yet satisfied feeling.

~~

“You really did it! There wasn’t a dull moment in that movie. I was just so absorbed, any side comment from people surrounding me got me irritated.” A man, wearing glasses and a black suit addressed Derek Love, the director, still standing next to Destiny.
“Thank you, Jonathan. I’m sure you recognize Destiny.” He pointed at her.
“Of course. Great job, young lady. You have a promising future in this business. Have you always been interested in acting?” The critic turned his gaze to Destiny who was balancing her weight from one tired foot to the other.
“I wish I had some interesting story about always wanting to act and it being my life’s goal but that’s not really the case. I guess it was luck.” Destiny answered honestly. She was a dancer not some Hollywood actress, why were people treating her like one?
“Not luck, miss. It was talent. What was your favorite scene?” The man refused to accept her answer and changed the subject.
“Any scene I was in, obviously.” Destiny didn’t care if she sounded witty or cocky but she just wanted to get away from this scene. She needed to think.
“And she has a sense of humor too. Maybe for her next movie she can star in a comedy.” The critic nodded and continued his chitchat with the director while Destiny considered the entire process she went through. She knew she liked the acting and she throughly enjoyed filming the movie but this whole press thing just wasn’t her. But after all, it was a small sacrifice.

~~

The photographers started yelling a familiar name that brought butterflies to Destiny’s stomach. She turned around looking for him in the crowd. As always, he found her first, circling his arms around her waist. Before she could let a shrill scream out he twirled her around, reassuring her of who he was.
“Hey Des.” AJ smirked.
“Hey weirdo.” Destiny snickered, trying to pretend she didn’t care.
“We’re getting out of here.” He lowered his baseball cap to cover his eyes.
“What? No, I need to stay here.” Destiny insisted.
“Right, I’m not blind, Des. I know you want to bail so come on, lets go.” He exhaled in frustration.
“Where?” Destiny questioned, tempted to leave the room that was slowly making her claustrophobic.
“Wherever life takes us.” AJ winked at her.
“Where, AJ?” Now wasn’t the time for jokes, especially not from him. Maybe she wasn’t as mad as she was a few months ago but she was far from forgiving and letting everything return to the way it was. This was the man who promised she would never have to see him again. Destiny chuckled at the thought. It was a promise neither one of them could keep. They were attached to eachother, even if they didn’t want to admit it.
“My house.” He answered her after a long, uncomfortable silence.
“Fine.” She agreed and held on to his hand he was offering her.
They both forgot about the cameras in the background and made their way out of the hall. Destiny had no clue that AJ had planned this ever since she accompanied him to the release party. Having her there by his side returned peacefulness and fulfilment into his life. He needed and wanted her back so badly. And what AJ wanted, he got, or so he hoped. Destiny cringed when she saw his car was parked right in front of the entrance to the theater.
“That has to be illegal.” Destiny pointed out as she sat in the passengers seat.
“A ticket won’t hurt.”He shrugged as he started the car.
“We’ll see if you still say that when they suspend your license.” Destiny tapped her fingers on the arm rest.
“They can’t do that.” AJ was about to reverse but stopped after considering her words again. He turned to face her and saw her peach-colored lips curl into a smile.
“Can they?” He asked.
“Did you ever read your driver’s manual?” Destiny laughed at his obliviousness.
“Um...Sure?” A confused look appeared on his face.
“Then he wonders why he kept failing his drivers test. Just drive.” Destiny shook her head and removed the high heeled shoes from her feet.

~~

Destiny ran her hand through her hair, reminiscing on all the events that happened at the house they were driving up to. It was like a magnet. The hardest she tried to back away from it, she was always pulled back. As much as she tried to deny it, she didn’t mind it. He parked the car in back of the van and waited for Destiny to open the door so he could lock the car. As if they were in slow motion, they walked toward the entrance slowly. Neither saying a word. All that could be heard was a faint barking from inside.
“I guess he missed you.” AJ referred to the puppy he had bought her.
“The feeling was mutual.” Destiny waited while AJ looked for the right key.
He opened the front door and she followed him into the living room. They sat on opposite sides of the couch. Buttercup was wagging his tail, trying to decide which person to jump on first. Not a word was heard from either one of them. Both waiting for the other to begin a conversation. Destiny tried to ease the uncomfortableness by turning on the TV. She flipped through the channels and landed on the news. Destiny watched as the anchorwoman read the latest stories. AJ bit down on his lip, knowing it was time to make a move.
“Des, we’re meant to be together.” He blurted out.
“What?” Destiny didn’t remove her gaze from the large screened TV.
“You heard me.” AJ scooted over to sit closer to her.
“I might have heard you but I don’t agree with you.” She shrugged, looking at him for the first time.
“Why not?” He looked at her with a painful look.

~~

As much as it hurt her to look at him in that state she knew she had to remain strong.
“Our relationship is a roller coaster, AJ.” Destiny nervously crossed and uncrossed her legs.
He was about to talk but she cut him off.
“There are only so many times you can ride it without getting nauseated. And I’m already there and beyond.” She concluded.
“Yeah Des, but our ups were so good.” AJ tried to remind her.
“And our downs were too low.” She argued with him.
“I know I made mistakes, Destiny but can’t we get through them?”
“AJ, it’s not over because you made mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s over because one more break up and I don’t think I can bare being around you. One more breakup and we’ll start hating eachother. I don’t want that to happen.” Destiny’s eyes twinkled. All of the thoughts and fears that she had stored deep inside her for the past few months were coming out. She wished she knew how to handle herself better in front of him but no matter how much she practiced and told herself that she was strong, she still felt so nervous around him. He made her knees tremble. Her tongue refused to pronounce words that had perfectly fit the situation. All she was left with was the emotional truth.
“I’ll never hate you.” He licked his lips and ran his hand across her arm. Destiny shivered at the effect his touch had on her.
“That’s what you say now.” She looked down at her lap.
“No, that’s what I’ll always know.” He rubbed his eyes.
“Alex, I’m scared.” Destiny confessed, tugging at the dress she was wearing, trying to get it to cover more skin than it was. “Of what?” AJ stopped her from fidgeting by taking her hands into his and holding them tightly.
“Of you.” Destiny looked him in the eyes.

~~

“I wish I never heard that.” He let her hands go.
“It’s the truth. You wanted to hear it, didn’t you?” Destiny looked pale. She thought he wanted to hear what she had to say but all she managed to do was hurt him.
“Yeah but that’s not really what a guy is dying to hear.” In frustration, he through his head back, hitting it against the wall.
“I’m sorry.” Her eyes widened as a yelp of pain escaped his lips.
“Don’t be. I’m the one who caused you to feel that way.” He scolded at himself. A warm feeling entered him as Destiny massaged his sore scalp.
“You hurt me...” She stopped her actions and scooted back.
“I know. I regret that every single day.” He nodded, trying to think of how to get her to understand him. Trying to get her to change her mind about the person he was.
“I’m trying to forget but it just keeps repeating in my mind over and over again.” Destiny on the other hand was trying to get him to understand the situation from her point of view. She could forgive but he wasn’t taking the right approach.
“You didn’t deserve it. Never did you do anything wrong. I was an idiot with a major problem and I got help. I changed and I just wish you could see the difference. I’ve been trying to mold myself into a better person for you.” He thought that’s what she wanted to hear. All his struggles were worth it if he could see her every morning when he woke up. If he could hold her in his arms whenever he wanted. He made every change for her first and for him second.
“It’s not that you’re not good enough. I never ever said that. You’re perfect. I just...” Destiny kept trying to hint at what she wanted but he wasn’t following.
“I don’t know what you want of me.” AJ shrugged.
“I want one thing.” She stressed.
“I know I screwed up and I’ll probably screw up again...” He was about to start another lecture but she silenced him with her finger on his lips. She heard her name being read by the entertainment reporter on the TV.

~~

“Destiny Thompson, talented actress or just the lucky girlfriend of Backstreet Boy, AJ McLean? Entertainment Tonight found pictures of the happy couple at a release party a week ago and at today’s movie premiere. They left early, leaving the anxious critics and the supporting cast wondering where they were. Our sources inform us that Destiny Thompson wasn’t driven to make it big. She didn’t have any impressive story of how hard she worked to reach the comfortable position she’s in today. Could we just assume that Mr. McLean had a lot to do with the success of this actress? A few phone calls, a few meetings and she’s on top of the world. A lot to be thankful for because today’s business is not about how talented you are but about who you know. Isn’t that right, Destiny?” The reporter’s voice could be heard while pictures of them together were flashing across the screen. Scenes from the movie were also shown. Destiny sat in silence. Her jaw slightly open in shock.
It was happening again. It was never her own success. No one could ever assume that she could actually make it on her own. It always had to be someone else. First her father and now AJ, who wasn’t even her boyfriend.
“And I screwed up again.” AJ sighed as he sunk in his seat.
“It’s not your fault. They jumped to conclusions.” Destiny cleared her throat.
“Destiny...I don’t know what to say. I wish I could make this up to you.” He saddened as he realized she was standing up, preparing to leave.
“I’ll say this one more time and then I’ll let it go. It’s not your fault. Forget about it. I’m used to it. This is just another sign in the long chain that has already been presented to us, hinting that we don’t belong together. It’s just time we both face it. We can’t keep fighting for a relationship that just isn’t working out. I should leave. I have some interviews I have to do...Thanks for getting me out of that place.” Destiny scratched the dog behind his ear and he panted in response. She smiled, showing her pearly white teeth. AJ gasped at the infamous smile and watched her as she closed to the door to their relationship again. Over and over, he kept watching her walk out of his life. He winced in pain, shut the TV and cussed the media.

~~

AN: Just a little note, I already wrote the epilogue so I know what happened. Na, Na , Boo, Boo. LOL I’m being dumb yet again.