Sarah took another sip of her drink as she searched the crowd again, still no sign of her friend, Erica. They were supposed to meet at the bar ‘Ice’ at ten. She glanced at the entrance again, the door swung open suddenly and a breeze of summer night’s wind filled the room.

AJ looked around the club; his attention was caught immediately by the woman sitting at the bar. Alone. Her hazelnut hair was pinned up into a loose bum, leaving a few strand of it falling loosely around her face. AJ wondered what it would be like to have that beautiful hair spilled across his pillow. He shook his head, getting that tempting thought out of his mind as he approached her.

Sarah couldn’t help but stared at the man that just entered the club. His hair was crazy, wild and spiked hair, hinting that he was a man looking for adventure. Dressed in completely black, black pants, black leather jacket covering the wifebeater he has one underneath. Sarah found herself concentrating on his muscular chest under the thin layer of clothing. She tore her eyes off him as he started towards her.

“Hey.” AJ smiled at her. Now he was closer to her, he couldn’t help but gaze at her, taking in all details. Sarah tried to act naturally, but failed when she realized that he has the most amazing eyes she’d ever seen. They were like two pool of chocolate syrup, so sweet, welcoming and rich with life. AJ’s eyes traced every curve of her body; she shivered. Sarah could almost feel his hands going over the same routine as his eyes did.

“Hey.” Sarah squeezed out a smile as she took another sip from her glass.

“I’m AJ.” He held out his hand, making a first move.

“Sarah, Sarah Ford.” Sarah put down her glass and placed her hand inside his.

“Are you looking or waiting for someone, Miss Ford?” AJ asked politely, wanting to make a good first impression. Many people had judged him by his clothing and thought he was a wild and unstable young man. Even though that’s who he is, he had an urge to make this woman next to him like him.

“Yeah, and it’s Sarah, calling me Miss Ford makes me feel like the car.” Sarah chuckled; her brown eyes flickered with delight and ease. Her day wasn’t the best one in her twenty years of life. She was fired, got into an accident and kicked out of her apartment for not able to pay rent. But somehow, this strange man, one whom she had never known in her life until now, found a way to calm her down and regained her sense of humor.

“So, Sarah,” AJ rolled her name across his tongue, it gave him a funny feeling, he felt like he was back in third grade again. Finding joy in just saying his crush’s name. “Would that someone you’re waiting for happens to be a male?” AJ asked, trying to get that warm, fuzzy feeling out of his body. He was suppose to be on rebound, even himself knew that. Yet Sarah, the petite, innocent Sarah had make his heart raced and his palm sweaty.

“Nope, it’s my best friend Erica.”

“Oh, then may I buy you a drink?” He offered, didn’t even make the effort to hide the relief and happiness in his voice.

”Why not? As long as you’re not trying to drug me.” Sarah giggled as she finished what’s left in her glass.

“Do I look like a type of person who would do that?” AJ gasped, pretending to be hurt by her comment.

“No, but you can’t tell a person by the looks.” Sarah replied, thinking back to the times when she’d believed whether a person was good or not by their appearance. And boy, was she wrong!

They both fell silence after her statement, until the bartender broke in by asking what they would like to drink.

“I would like to try the new drink called ‘Dragon Flames’ and the same for the lady.” AJ told the young man as he turned his gaze to Sarah. He spend the last minutes, wondering what could have caused that painful and vulnerable look in her eyes when she answered his question. Her answer surprised him, he learned that the hard way, first his management then his previous girlfriends. From Sarah’s tone, he could say that she too, had learned the hard way. ‘She must have been hurt before, Her friends? Her boyfriend? Or...’ He began to list his possibilities in his mind when Sarah patted him on the shoulders.

“You okay? You were staring off in space.”

“Yeah, fine.” AJ lied, putting on a fake smile, the kind of smile he does during photo shoots, even though they hardly want him to smile, he was suppose to be the rebel, wasn’t he? He was sick and tired of people telling him what to do, even after he and his band-mates had switched management, he didn’t feel completely free. There were always rules and limitation, people would find it hard to believe, but his only wish was to be able to live one day as the unpopular, plain Alex McLean.

Studying the expression on AJ’s face, Sarah found herself being drown to him, she wanted to smooth the lines on his face. “Do you want to sit down?”

“I’m sitting down.” AJ gave her a weird look.

Tilting her head, Sarah pointed at the small table in the corner surrounded by soft cushions. “I’m talking about there. You seems to be uncomfortable.” She added shortly.

“I never defy a lady’s order.” AJ smiled as they hopped off the stools and sat down.

They spent the rest of the night, cuddling next to each other, talking about their experiences from the past and dreams for the future.

On his way home, AJ was delighted to find last night wasn’t what he had expected at all. What he had in mind was a one-night stand and he’d never see that woman again. But Sarah amazed him with her wits and her dazzling smiles. He remembered that light that glowed on her angelic features when he had asked for her number and a second date at another club tomorrow. It made his heart jumped just by thinking about her.

Sarah lay on her bed, staring up to the ceiling, recalling the events happened last night. AJ was like no one she had met before; he was wild and not afraid of showing his feelings. A smile appeared on her face as she thought about how adorable he had looked when he asked for her number and another date at the club called Lock & Key. Sarah closed her eyes in exhaustion; it was her first time being in a nightclub, in high school, she was known for being quiet and a nerd. “Looks like my life’s gonna change.” Sarah drifted off to sleep with that thought in her mind.

Rays of sunshine that peeked though the curtains flashed in Sarah’s eyes when she woke up. She blinked once or twice before getting out of bed and took a shower. She finger combed through her iron-curled hair, trying to brush out the curls. After checking her image in the mirror she walked down the street to the market. Stopping chat with her friends and neighbors while shopping for groceries. She paid for the vegetables and was smiling brightly as she entered the indoor market. Sarah wandered down the aisles, looking at the jewelry, the different drinks and the various handmade bags. She fondled with the beaded necklaces for a while then left the store.

Sarah climbed up the wooden stairs that seemed to gave away whenever she step on them and stopped in her tracks when she saw the small mountain of stuffed animals and a single pink rose on top of it all. She opened carefully, without tripping over the white teddy bear. Warily, she carried her presents inside. She sat back on the couch and drank in the fragrance of the roses that are now put neatly in the glass vase as she picked up the card tied around one of the bunny’s ears. In a sloppy but readable handwriting it said, ‘Dear Sarah, I can not wait to see you tonight, here’s some presents to show my affection for you. I don’t know if you like them or not, but I’m open to suggestions. AJ

Sarah couldn’t help but smile as she held the card close to her heart. She felt like she was flying, soaring though the air, floating off the ground and into heaven. She pinched herself on the arm; the pain shot through her proved that it wasn’t a dream! Looking at the clock, it reads 6:49. That’s when she realized that she had been sitting there for hours now. She practically ran to her room as she reached into her closet and pulled out her black bell-bottom pants, her black long coat and her glittery dark purple tank top.

AJ took his place in the club and waited for Sarah. His eyes caught her face as he mentioned her to walk towards him and patted the seat next to him. But Sarah didn’t seem to notice him. AJ had light purple glasses covering his eyes, shielding him from the ever-changing light on the dance floor. The frame of his glasses glistening as the bright lights hit it.

Sarah searched the crowd and came to settle on AJ’s eyes; the eyes she saw in her dreams last night and the eyes that seemed to look deep into her soul. He smiled softly at her. AJ watched her pony tail with curls on the top swing on her back and dance as she nodded her head to the beat of the music.

“Hey.” She smiled brightly as she sat down next to him.

“Did you get the animals?”

“Yeah, now my house is like a zoo, only with stuff animals.”

“And is that good or bad?” AJ asked.

“Good, now I can charge the little kids in my neighborhood to come into my apartment.” Sarah joked.

“Do I get some of the profit? After all, it is my animals!” AJ laughed. Whenever he’s with Cadi, she was always bossing him around, yet he was too weak and softhearted to tell her so, she was his high school sweetheart as well as one of the first supporters for the Backstreet Boys. Where would she go if he broke up with her? Cadi didn’t have a job or a place to call her own. She toured with the band and lives in the guest room in AJ’s house or her friends’ houses. Her parents had died during middle school, even since then, she was pushed around her relatives, they all treated her like a plague, couldn’t wait to get rid of her. His train of thoughts were cut off when his cell phone rang abruptly. “Excuse me.”

“Sure.” Sarah smiled, “and you do get half of the profit I make.” She added.

“Yeah?” AJ answered his phone.

“AJ?”

“Cadi? What’s wrong?”

”I’m sorry.”

Her words hit AJ like lightning. “What?” He questioned, checking his hearing.

“I’m sorry for being a brat, you have been nothing but a sweetie to me. Forgive me?”

“Yeah, you know it.” In his mind, AJ wanted to say no, but the words just slipped out of his mouth.

“Great! I’ll stop by tomorrow and maybe we can do something together!”

“Sounds great, I’ll see you.” Hanging up the phone, AJ knew that he’s in a deep hole, one that he couldn’t get out of. What was he to do with Sarah? Should he be honest, confess all his sins and secrets, or hide them from her?

“Took you long enough.” Sarah grinned when he returned.

“Sorry, management wants to take away my personal life.” Unnoticed, AJ let out a heavy sigh.

“That bad?”

“Hmm?”

“The management.” Sarah answered as she took a sip of her water.

“Oh, yeah... I’m sorry, I’m not all here right now.” AJ was a good liar, but somehow he couldn’t get any of his lies out when Sarah’s chocolate brown eyes were looking at him so innocently and trustingly.

“It’s okay. Do you want to go? The lights are making me blind.” Sarah suggested.

“Yeah, let’s get out here.” AJ agreed.

Somehow, they ended up at AJ’s apartment, he had managed to cook up a candle lit meal of spaghetti.

“I didn’t know you cook.” Sarah exclaimed.

“I don’t, thanks to the wonderful microwave cooked meals, now I can cook and have time to enjoy it with my wife.” AJ imitated the commercial.

“Do you mean it?” Sarah gazed into his eyes.

“Meant what?”

“Never mind.” Sarah shook her head.

“Are you sure about this?” AJ groaned as Sarah ran her hands over his chest as a sign of yes.

“More than anything.”

“You do know that there’s no turning back once I got you on that bed.” AJ warned.

“When did I say that I want to turn back?” Sarah smiled smugly.

AJ didn’t reply, he simply picked her up and threw her down on the bed.

“I have a confession to make, I’ve never done this before.” Sarah said.

“I know you are not a one night stand.” AJ began to fondle with her top, wanting to get it off her.

“No, I meant, I’ve never... you know, have sex before.” Sarah blurted out.

AJ stopped what he was doing instantly; he wasn’t sure anymore. When he had been with other women behind Cadi’s back, he didn’t felt guilt. They were all whores from what he could tell, their moans and movements in bed was perfect, perfect for a practiced woman. But there Sarah was, pure and sweet yet he was about to rob her greatest treasure in order to get the thought of Cadi out his head. “Are you sure?” He asked again.

“Yeah, I wasn’t backing out, I just want to let you know that I might do something wrong.”

“You can’t do anything wrong, trust me.” AJ insisted as he covered her mouth with his. Her lips were soft and tasted like raspberry, he groaned against them when she opened her mouth, welcoming him.

“I love you.” Sarah whispered, but it was muffled by her moan following her statement when AJ kissed her throat as they both rolled off to the center of the bed.

AN: This link contains the visual part of the story. If you are under the age of 17, or not mature enough to handle its content, please just skip it. Visual

Afterwards, they lay in each other’s arms. “I love you.” Sarah muttered as she nuzzled closer to him and fell asleep.

AJ stared at the ceiling, those three little words were the most beautiful thing he’d ever heard. He needed to be honest with her, as soon as morning comes. He closed his eyes and soon followed her to the dream world too.

AJ’s eyes flew wide open as he sat up abruptly. His dream was horrifying, Sarah found out about Cadi and she left him. AJ exhaled as he turned to his side, supporting his head with his elbow. Looking at the woman sleeping next to him, AJ’s mouth formed a smile. He remembered about their love making last night, how beautiful and how right it had been when he’s with her. For the first time in his life, he wanted to be loved, held, and cared for by someone.

AJ brushed a piece of hair off the back of Sarah’s neck, even little touches from her can make his heart jump in joy, it felt like the world around had stopped. AJ stared at Sarah for a while, in the past few days, his world was turned upside down. He felt everything that ever existed was never whole until now, until he met Sarah. Slowly and quietly, AJ stood up and got dressed, he glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand, it was eight twenty-three. As he search for his wallet, AJ decided that he would get breakfast then confess to Sarah. He couldn’t stand lying to her and keeping a secret from her anymore. After all, love was based on honesty and trust, wasn’t it?

Cadi rang the doorbell impatiently as she knocked on the door at the same time. ‘AJ should be up by now.’ She thought, the last time she checked her watch was nine-eleven.

Cadi was determined of avoiding AJ, but when he stopped calling; she began to worry that maybe their relationship would come to an end which is why she gathered her courage to call him last night. When she got home after stormed off and left AJ at the park because of a tiny disagreement of whether she should feed the squirrels or not, she didn’t know what to do. Her heart was hurting more than she imagined possible. They had been together for over five years now, and she wasn’t going to let it slid away just cause they had an argument. Cadi remembered that she went to her bed and laid down staring at the ceiling, she found herself reviewing all the memories her and AJ shared together. She could hear the phone ringing and stopped then repeat the same pattern and the way her heart stopped beating when the room became silent.

Cadi raised her hand again, but the door swung open and a woman wearing AJ’s robe was standing there.

“May I help you?” Sarah rubbed her eyes as she studied the person outside the door. She saw the note AJ left her on the counter that told her he’s out to get breakfast. She was in the shower when the doorbell rang.

“Yes, you can start by explaining who the hell you are!” Cadi yelled.

“What? Why don’t you start first?” Sarah shot back, upset at the manners of the strange woman.

“I’m AJ McLean’s girlfriend, and you are?” Cadi paused as an idea dawned upon her – this woman wrapped in AJ’s robe was the reason that he gave up calling. “A one night stand? Or a ho?” She added.

“What do you mean ‘his girlfriend’?” Sarah asked, she’s wide-awake now.

“I’m sure you know what it means. I have seen girls like you before, believing that you and AJ share something special, let me tell you something, you don’t! Because him and me does and we will always do. I know AJ was cheating behind my back, and this is not the first time, and you know why we are still together? Because he loves me.” Cadi said.

“Try pity.”

“At least he’s with me, isn’t he?” Cadi grinned. When Sarah didn’t reply, Cadi turned around and walked back to her car. On her way, she saw AJ driving in. Knowing Sarah was staring at her every move, Cadi stopped as AJ parked his car.

“Hey, hon.” Cadi pecked him on the cheek.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” AJ held a look of confusion on his face; he didn’t see Sarah at the door.

“I was just dropping by to see how you were doing. I’ll leave you to take care of your ‘business’ now.” Cadi smiled sweetly as she kissed AJ fully on the lips then sped off.

AJ stood there, stunned. When he finally came to his senses, he remembered Sarah and Cadi’s reference of ‘business’. AJ looked up, and his eyes met Sarah’s.

Her gaze was chilling and he understood why. The message Cadi gave Sarah had made everything clear, crystal clear. Sarah didn't react. She felt it was useless to. What she heard and saw was betrayal, pure and simple. Here she was pouring her heart out to him and gave him what she thought was the most precious gift, but she had caught him red-handed. She had believed that their relationship was going somewhere. Then here was the proof that she had deceived herself all along. She opened her heart to him and he hadn't even spared it a glance.

‘Well,’ She vowed grimly, ‘that's going to end right now.’ She walked back to the room with a look of determination in her eyes. AJ stood there, dumbfounded. After a few seconds, he came out his daze and ran into the house.

“Sarah, please say something.” AJ begged as Sarah pick up her clothing.

“There’s nothing to say, except good-bye.” Sarah stared at him for a while then walked out the door without looking back. Sarah walked back to her car, not looking back in fear that she would just break down and cry. She was already on the edge and the tears were at the corner of her eyes, but she wasn’t going to let it go. On her way home, she thanked for insisting on driving her own car last night when AJ offered a ride. If she had accepted it, how could she leave now? It was hard enough leaving AJ. Sarah knew that she had done the right thing. That thought didn’t stop the pain in her heart, it just made it worst, but she knew that she was going to heal in time. Even if that would take her entire lifetime, she did know that she would always live remembering him in her thoughts and in her heart.

AJ slouched after Sarah left. Why couldn’t he tell her the truth sooner? That he has a girlfriend? Honesty had always been at the top of his list on relationships, and yet he contradicted himself. It wasn’t a rebound! He wanted to shout out. But he let the only chance that he’ll ever find happiness in his life slipped away because of his stupidity. And that’s when it finally hit him, he couldn’t let her walk away and out of his life. He needed her more than anything he’d ever desired. Sarah was different, she cared for what he was, not ‘who’ he was. AJ jumped to his feet, knowing where Sarah would probably go, he ran to his brand new explorer then sped off.

The still, dusk, air welcomed the cool breeze as it created a relief outside the bus station. The wind tingled in Sarah’s hair; she raised her hand to hold her hair down, but dropped her hand. What’s the use? She’ll be on a bus to Oregon in less an hour. AJ wasn’t going to be here, he’ll be too busy explain to his girlfriend that she’s just a fling, that she doesn’t matter. Sarah gathered the power to push that idea out of her mind. But her strength was too small, that painful thought stayed. Torturing her in ways she never imagined before. The dim light lit around the station, rays of light danced about, creating shadowy images on the stained walls. Showing the shadow of herself, alone, her disposition for the rest of her life. Sarah knew that she would never find anyone like AJ, but the wound he caused was too deep to be forgivable.

AJ hurried down the sidewalk. He couldn’t find a parking space near by, it took him a good half-hour to find a spot and another ten minutes to get to the station by foot. Looking up to the sky, he prayed silently that he wasn’t too late. That he wasn’t too late from stopping Sarah leaving him. The thoughts of Sarah meeting another man had torn his insides apart.