Annabel rolled over and looked at the clock on the nightstand next to her bed. 2:24 am. Jeff still wasn't home yet.
He had picked her up at the airport, dropped her off at the house and then told her he was going out with his buddies before driving off. She gave his car the finger as it drove down the street. "Thanks for helping me carry in my bags, you dick." She said aloud as she drug her luggage through the door. She knew Jeff was mad at her for so many stupid things. She sighed as she unpacked her luggage. He's such an ass.
That was at six o'clock. Now she lay in bed alone with her thoughts. She missed Brian. Why did she just leave like that without at least saying good-bye? Annabel sighed. It doen't matter now anyway. She knew she was never going to see him again. What she didn't know was why that made her feel so depressed.
It was beautiful outside. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. It was a good day for new beginnings.
Serena sat in the chair next to the window in her room smoking a cigarette. AJ's face kept appearing in her mind. Earlier she went to his room and told him she couldn't go back home with him. She's been hideing out in her room since then. He stood outside her door for a long time trying to get her to talk to him. See couldn't do it. Eventually he gave up and left knowing he had to pack and get ready to go home.
Serena sighed and let out of puff of smoke. She really needed to quite smoking. She looked at her bed with her half packed suitcase. What she really needed to do was finish packing. Just then the door opened and Brooke walked in.
She sat on the bed across from Serena and watched her put out her cigarette in the ash tray on the windowsill. "I was just talking to AJ and he told me that you aren't going home with him. I know you probaby have a good reason so I'm gonna spare you the fact that I think you're making a mistake because you two belong together."
"It's complicated. Can we not talk about that? I only get to be your roomate for like another half hour and then I'm gone."
Brooke sighed. "I know and it sucks. What will I do without you when I leave in two days and have to go back home to my parents? I can't deal with them anymore."
Serena scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Brooke. "That's my cell number and my apartment number. If you need to talk just call me. And if you ever need to get away and out of Arizona let me know. Maybe you can come stay with me for a little while."
Brooke got up and hugged Serena. "Thank you." She whispered before pulling away and smiling. She looked at her watch and then back up at Serena. "AJ should be leaving any minute. Are you gonna go down and say good-bye?"
Serena shook her head and stood. "I can't. I really need to finish packing. My cab's gonna be here soon."
Brooke sighed. "You're really just gonna end things this way?"
Serena nodded, trying to stay strong. Inside, her heart was breaking. "Yeah Brooke. We're better off going our seperate ways."
Brooke bit her lip and sighed again. "I'll be back up in a little bit to help you carry your stuff down."
Serena smiled slightly and watched Brooke turn and leave the room. She then went into the bathroom and collected all her toiletries before placing them in ther bag. She heard a car pull up outside and she turned and looked out the window. AJ appeared by the cab followed by Denise and Brian. Serena's heart stopped as she watched him put his luggage in the trunk. She felt like she couldn't breathe. He was leaving and she was probably making the biggest mistake of her life by not going with him. What if they did belong together and she didn't at least try? Serena turned, grabbed the rest of her clothes and smashed them in her bag. She took a quick look around the room before picking up her bags and running out the door.
"Wait!" She screamed as she ran down the stairs to the lobby. She ran out the doors past the people standing out front waving good-bye. She dropped her bags on the ground and ran after the cab that started pulling away. It stopped and AJ jumped out of the backseat. They stood staring at each other for a moment before Serena walked closer towards him.
"Yeah?" AJ asked with much hope in his eyes.
Serena bit her lip and smiled. "I'm in love with you."
AJ chuckled. "Yeah, no shit. Tell me something I didn't know."
Serena rolled her eyes. "You gonna let me finish or do you want to be a smartass?"
AJ smirked. "Okay, continue."
"You go on tour in two weeks." Serena said. AJ nodded. "How about I come home with you for that long? When you go on the road I'll go back to Philly. I'll spend time with my sister, quite my job and when you get home I'll move out and move down to Orlando with you."
"You sure about this? Cause just a little while ago you were pretty much set on not wanting to be with me." AJ stated.
"Yes I'm sure." Serena sighed and moved closer to AJ. "I never said I didn't want to be with you. I'm just afraid we'll hurt each other."
AJ smiled down at Serena as he cupped her face in his hands. "That'll never happen." With that he dipped his head down and kissed her softly.
"Sorry to interupt this beautiful moment but we got a plane to catch." Brian shouted from the cab. "Serena, are you coming or going?"
Serena smiled up at AJ.
"I'm coming."
Lyrics from "Open Arms" by Mariah Carey
