Brooke walked down the path and saw AJ sitting on a bench by the lake. "Hey McLean." She said as she sat down next to him. "Hey Cutie." He said as he lit his cigarette.
AJ McLean had only been at the Serenity Lake Rehabilitation center for two days but was already feeling at ease. Although he missed the boys and being on the road, he knew this is just what he needed.
AJ had become good friends with Brooke, the cute 19 year old blonde who's room was across the hall from his. Although he found her very attractive, he considered her more like a little sister then anything else.
"So, whats up?"
"I got a new roommate today. She's pretty cool. Totally your type." Brooke said smirking.
AJ took a puff of his cigarette. "How would you know what my type is?" He watched as she shrugged and took one of his cigarettes and lit it up for herself.
"She's the mysterious looking type. I just figured you like that. Ya know? Long raven hair, big pouty lips, deep brown eyes."
"Well then, when do I get to meet her?" AJ asked smiling. Brooke laughed as she turned her head and looked up the path and saw Serena come out of the store. Brooke grabbed AJ's hand and pulled him up. "You can now. Come on."
As they walked up the path Brooke saw Serena drop the bag she was holding and all the candy from inside fell out. Serena dropped to the ground and started to pick up the candy. "Hey Serena, I want you to meet someone." Brooke said as she and AJ walked towards her. Serena finshed picking up the candy and stood. Her heart beat quickened when she saw the man infront of her.
"Reni? What are you doing here?" AJ asked as a look of shock spread over his face.
"Wait. You two know each other? How?" Brooke said before Serena could answer.
Serena bit her lip. "I, uh, was a dancer for their 'Millennium' tour." She informed her. Brooke's gaze moved back and forth between the two. Something was there. Was it love? Maybe. She was about to say something when she remembered the time. "Oh, I gotta go see my counselor. Why don't you two go somewhere to catch up?" She smiled and before either could protest she quickly walked away.
AJ pulled out his cigarettes and handed one to Serena. She let out a breath and smiled widely. "Thank you so much." AJ just shrugged not knowing what to say. He wasn't prepared to see her. Too many feelings were there and he didn't know how to handle it. "No problem." He finally managed to say. "So, you wanna go somewhere and talk?" He asked as he motioned his hand out infront of him. Serena nodded and followed him to the bench by the lake where he was seated only a few moments ago.
"This is one hell of a coinicedence, ain't it?" She said with a smile. AJ's lips slowly curled into his own smile. He didn't realize until then how much he missed her smile...how much he missed her. "How long are you here for?" He asked, trying to fill the silence that came over them.
"Court ordered for 28 days." She said as she let out a puff of her cigarette. "Court ordered? What did you do?" AJ asked.
Serena bit her lip and looked over at him. "I drove my car through the front of a 7-11. They told me either to take jail time or come here. I figured anyone who does something like that needs help, so I decided to come here."
"I'm guessing you were drunk when this happened." AJ said stairing back at her. She nodded and sighed. "To tell ya the truth I don't even remember doing it. I woke up in the hospital and saw my sister looking down at me with this pissed off look on her face."
"You haven't resolved anything with your sister yet?"
"No, and probably never will. I made things worse and I really don't feel like talking about it." She said as she flicked her cigarette away. "How are things with you?"
AJ shrugged and let out a small chuckle. "Considering the fact that I'm here? Fine I guess."
They were both silent again. After a moment Serena stood and moved closer to the lake. AJ got up and followed her. She stood staring out at the water with her arms crossed. AJ's gaze was on her. Things were uncomfortable between them and he didn't want them to be. He didn't know it until then but she was the one person who could save him. And he could save her. Softly he spoke. "Serena, I'm sorry for how things ended."
"AJ, don't." She interupted. "It was just a touring fling. We both knew that going into it and we knew it when it was over."
"You know it was more than that. At least I hope you do. We helped each other so much. No one understands me like you. I just wish we kept in touch for the past year."
Serena didn't say anything. She just continued to stair out onto the lake. AJ studied her face as he stood next to her. She looked worn out. AJ couldn't even remember if he ever saw her look so tired as she did right then.
"It hurts me to see you in here, Reni. You're so much better then this. What happened? It wasn't because of me was it?" He asked, afraid of her answer.
Serena sighed and looked over at him. "AJ, I'm not gonna lie. I got hurt, okay? I admit it. Over the past year I've thought about you a lot. But you aren't the reason why I started drinking though."
AJ nodded. He wanted to know why things got too much for her over the past year. He knew that if he didn't push her that she'd tell him eventually. She had a hard life, he knew that, but she was always stong. So, why now did she falter?
He continued to stair at her. His gaze moved to her lips and wished he could kiss them. What he would give to just feel them on his own. All their passion filled nights flooded his mind. He remembered what her skin felt like against his. The pleasure filled faces she would make as she layed beneath him. The soft moans that would escape her mouth. The way she fit perfectly in his arms as they would lay in the dark just holding each other. He needed her.
"I need you."
Serena looked over at him confused and stunned. He couldn't be doing this. Didn't he know how much she needed him too? Things are to difficult and he was just making it harder for her to run away. AJ took her hand and staired deeply into her eyes. "I need to have you in my life. A friend, a lover, whatever. I just need you."
Serena squeezed his hand tightly. "All I need right now is a friend." AJ nodded and smiled. "Then I'll be your best friend." Serena pulled him in for a hug and buried her face in his shoulder. It had been so long since someone held her. It felt good being in his arms again.
"I don't know what brought us both here together but I'm glad it did." He heard her say although her voice was muffled by his shoulder. "I need you too AJ, cause I don't think I can get through this by myself." She didn't want to cry but she couldn't help it.
AJ pulled back to look at her. He brushed a stray hair out of her face and smiled slightly at her. "Don't cry. I'm here now and everything is going to be fine. I promise."
