Keep Reaching

1. The Start

"I welcome you all to another - hopefully - productive SB Projects meeting," said the man behind it all. "We have plenty of things to discuss. Namely, the duet between Justin and Ariana."

Justin spoke. "What about it?"

"Well, for starters, when will we release it?"

Ariana cut in. "In any case, after 'Focus' has hit the charts. I don't want any competition."

"Smart move," said Justin, taking a sip of water. "I'm glad you know a song with me could and will top your other single."

"Don't start," she said, shooting him a dirty glance.

"Start what?" he said, chewing on his bottle cap. "I'm only stating facts. After all, who's the one who got the Billboard Hot 100 #1 - "

"You, I, and Scooter all know damn well 'Problem' would've debuted at #1 without a sweat had he released the music video earlier. Besides, I've already got two UK #1's, and you just got your first..."

"Yeah? I'd be jealous if 'One Last Time' hadn't flopped despite the music video, which was released."

"You're one to talk about flopping when we all know how well your shitty diary album did," she hissed. "Not to mention your crappy movie, which barely sold at all."

"Which one?" he said easily. "Never Say Never or Believe? Because I have two...and that reminds me! You have none!"

"Mop-bucket pisser," she snapped.

"Donut licker," he said right back.

"You two always do this!" Scooter sighed. "Every single time I bring up the collab this petty conversation about sales gets started. Calm down, you two. You're both successful, great artists."

Justin muttered something under his breath, which, to Ariana, sounded suspiciously like, "Maybe, but I'm better."

Ariana ignored him. "Why don't we just forget about this collab. The last time we interacted physically, this pervert groped me on stage while I was dating a classy man."

"Stop," warned Scooter. He turned to Justin. "And you. Don't even begin. I'm ending this right here."

"Classy man," Justin mimicked, disregarding his manager. "Yeah, you sure love class! That's why you're dating a pile of expired mayonnaise..."

"Don't come at me when you don't even have a girlfriend," she snarled. "You just hop from pussy to pussy. I'm surprised you haven't infected anyone with a deadly sickness."

"I'm surprised you haven't gotten a deadly sickness after hanging around that infested mole rat," he said.

"Ahem," said Scooter. "I hate to, ah, break this up, but Ricky is a topic we need to discuss."

"There's nothing to discuss," Ariana said acidly. She hated people bringing up Ricky. It was her life, her choices. She did what she wanted.

"Except there is," he said. "We are releasing the collab some time soon, and to hype up sales, we will be planning a PR stunt. The simplest and smartest way to go would be for the two of you to - how do I put this? - date."

"Sign me out," Justin said automatically. "Who needs sales. I'm fine. I got my money. I got my yacht. I got my mansion. I got my Ferrari - "

"We get it, douchebag," Ariana said. "You're rich. Shut up."

Scooter continued, unfazed. "I'm aware that, though the difference in skills is wide, you two are both equipped with a history in acting. Ariana, from your experience on Nickelodeon; Justin, with your various skits and appearances over the years. So it shouldn't be too much of a feat to pull off this 'fake dating scheme.' Are you two in?"