Keep Reaching

6. What Goes Around Comes Around

AN: I want to thank you all for commenting, it really makes my day to see your funny reactions & sweet words in my notifications <3

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"You know, I'm really of tired of this dictator angle Scooter's been trying to pull off," Justin commented to Ariana, while on the way to the movie theater for their fifth "date."

"I think I actually agree with you," Ariana mused.

"He acts like he's doing it for our good but who does it affect the most? Him. Because our success is based off of him. He is our manager, after all. So if we lose, he loses bigger. I mean, it's great to be rich. But not at a price like this." He looked at Ariana and grimaced.

Ariana rolled her eyes. "What's your point?"

"I think we need to get back at Scooter. For making us suffer like this," he said dramatically. "We need revenge."

"You're right. After all, it's only fair that if we go down, he goes down with us," Ariana said cooperatively.

"Yeah, and, when he lands at the bottom, he should be there to cushion our fall," Justin said deviously.

She rolled her eyes another time. "I think you're getting a little out of hand. You were talking about...revenge?"

"Yeah, revenge," he told her. "So here's the plan. It's so simple." He allowed for a moment of silence, then said, "We break up."

Ariana mulled it over. "Wait. No. I mean yeah, but first we should date, really seriously, and pretend we're really into it, so he falls for our act and thinks we're obeying him. We get him to trust us. We weaken his assets. Then, right when our relationship is getting to its adorable, 1000% goals, lovey-dovey peak - that's when we break up. We shatter the world. We ruin Scooter."

"You're a devil on the inside of that little angelic, good girl look, aren't you?" Justin had a hint of a smile on his face. "I'm in. Let's get down to it."

"Whatever you say, babe," Ariana said, a lovesickness dripping off her words.

"You're so sweet," Justin answered, wrapping his free arm around her shoulders and planting a kiss on her forehead. "I'm so lucky to have you."

She giggled. "Lucky ducky," she cooed.

"I'd rather drive into a tree than hear you say that again," Justin groaned, dropping the act.

"Don't think the feeling isn't mutual," Ariana warned.

"I love that song," Justin said, grinning.

"What song?"

"That song. The Feeling. My song? Track 9 off of my globally popular album Purpose? Sold millions worldwide? Ringing any bells?"

Ariana bit her lip to hold back a snarky reply, instead deciding to discuss business. "You know, if you would stop being an asshat for a moment, maybe you could consider why Scooter is forcing us to keep playing this stupid lovers' game. You're right," she said, trying her best to hold down her disgust, "you are successful. Your album did do well. And he told me my career already started rising, so what's the point?"

"What?" Justin nearly swerved off the road and quickly drove back on. "That's not what he told me. He said my career hadn't changed at all." He let out a small, nearly imperceptible cough. "Not that it needed any changes, anyways."

"Either our careers are experiencing different impacts or Scooter's lying to one of us to keep us committed," Ariana realized. "Okay. The first option is probably more reasonable. Scooter really isn't some criminal mastermind."