"Are you alright, Muz?"AJ asked.
"Fine. Just fine." Muz answered stiffly. After a few seconds later, there was still no answer. AJ knocked again. Still no answer.
"This better not be one of Bri's jokes,"AJ said. Muzic was tired of waiting. She was real impatient. She sighed.
"That's it. If they're not coming out, we're coming in,"Muzic said hesitantly reaching for the door knob. When she was a couple of centimeters a way she slightly closed her eyes and the door opened without her touching the knob. She screamed when she saw Kevin on the other side. Kevin gasped slightly and took a step back. AJ started laughing.
"Kevin you scared me,"Muzic said, her heart pounding.
"Muzic!" Kevin gave Muzic a big hug,"Thank you for saving us, oh great one! You have saved us from AJ's whining!!"Kevin bowed down.
"You don't get out much do you?" Muz joked patting his back.
"Yo Kev, get your own women,"AJ said jokingly.
"Come in, we're just about to go to the mall,"Kevin said grinning at their faces when they lit up. He let them in and they sat down. We saw Howie flipping some channels. When he saw Muzic he ran up to her and gave her a big hug.
"Gee, I'm getting a lot of attention from men lately,"Muzic joked.
"You're here, finally. You've -"
"Saved us from AJ's whining. So I've heard,"Muzic finished his sentence. He nodded looking at AJ. AJ had his arms crossed.
"Ok, let's move,"Kev said putting his Kentucky hat on. They drove to the mall and the first thing they saw was the Merry- Go- Round.
The Merry- Go- Round....She remembered the way JC pulled her and held her in the Merry- Go- Round at the mall. She quickly erased the memory from her head. They walked around the mall when they finally stopped in front of a store called *Shoe City*. They went inside and the crowd was not that many. AJ found a pair, immediately. Muzic watched him try it on while Howie and Kevin looked around. When AJ put both pairs on her started walking around.
"You know its weird when you try shoes on in the store it feels perfect, but then when you're back at home and you try them they feel all wrong,"AJ stated. Muzic laughed.
"If you don't mind, oh great cheap skate....,"Muzic grinned. AJ glared. "Anyway,"she continued,"If you don't mind, I'll just browse around for a little. We'll little AJ be alright by then?"Muzic said pinching his cheek. AJ put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him.
"I don't mind,"he whispered. Muzic smiled. AJ let her go. She didn't go far from AJ. She looked around when someone tapped on her shoulder. When she turned around she saw an awesomely cute guy, brown hair that went slightly down his ears, part in the middle and his grey eyes glittering. Aw shit, Muzic thought, why me? Why me, dammit! She looked at his shirt. It appeared that he worked here.
"Can I help you with something,"he asked. 'That's not all you can do,' Muzic thought, 'Shut up! Shut up, shut up! Great, I'm talking to myself.'
"Umm, no, thanks anyway,"Muzic said cupping one hand to the side of her eye so she wouldn't see him.
"Are you sure miss?"he asked putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yes,"she quickly said,"yes, I'm sure."She took his hand off her shoulder. AJ was sneaking a peek of Muzic. He immediately knew that she was weak over men. He decided to have a little fun with her. He walked over to them and did a little acting.
"What is going on here?"he asked
"Nothing, nothing at all. Let's go AJ,"Muz said walking out. But AJ stopped her.
"Uh-uh,"he said shaking his head. "That'll be all, Benson,"AJ said dismissing the employee. He left. AJ crossed his hands.
"What?"she asked hesitantly. Still, AJ stared. "Ok, so I'm weak over men! Is that such a cruel thing?" AJ started to speak but she interrupted. "I know what you're gonna say. Muzic, I band you from facing another guy-"
"Muzic, chill! I'm just playing with ya,"AJ said. Muzic's mouth hung open.
"If you weren't so cute, I'd kill you,"Muzic said.
"I'm sorry,"AJ said laughing, walking towards her and giving her a hug.
"Not as sorry as I am,"Muzic mumbled smiling. They caught up with Howie and Kevin and after a little more shopping they left for the hotel. They went to AJ's room and sat down, flipping channels. In the meanwhile, Muzic was checking out the outfits she bought.
"AJ, what do you think of this outfit?"Muzic asked holding up a long black dress with curled trimmings and a thin strap. Attached to the collar was a gold chain.
"It's beautiful, but its pretty tiny though,"he said.
"You think Nick would like it?"Muzic asked
"When did you start liking Nick?"AJ demanded.
"This dress is not for me, it's for Megan. Well?"
"Well what?"
"Your some help,"Muzic mumbled.
"What else did you buy?"AJ asked
"A matching outfit of Meg's dress. Just different,"Muzic said. She held up a knee length black dress absolutely sleeveless. The collar was attached to a thick gold necklace that you attach to your neck.
"Wow. When are you wearing that?" he asked.
"Whenever I feel like it,"she grinned. She put it down and yawned.
"Come here,"AJ said. Muzic obeyed. She leaned on his chest and fell asleep.
When she woke up she saw AJ smiling. "You alright?" he asked. Muzic nodded. She got up, when something fell from her pocket. JC's necklace... "What's this?"AJ asked picking it up.
"What else does it look like. A necklace,"Muzic tried to cover up. AJ turned it over ad found their names engraved.
"JC Chasez?"he whispered.
"No wait, AJ I can explain everything,"Muzic said walking over to him. She didn't think he heard her. He was stunned. His eyes were hurt. He gave Muzic a long stare and left, slamming the door. Muzic cried, whispering, no, no this is not happening, please no. The door knocked. Her legs wobbled as she stood up. She walked over to the door and answered it.....On the other side she saw her ex-boyfriend...Eric...
She shot up and screamed.
"Muzic, are you ok?"AJ asked alarmed. Muzic was breathing loudly.
"I'm alright. Really, I am,"Muzic said. AJ kissed her cheek and she smiled.
Then the door opened.
"Hey Muzic, hey AJ,"Nick greeted.
"What are you doing here?"AJ said
"It's my room, too. And, hell AJ, look what time it is. I'm tired,"she said. Muzic got her stuff and waved goodbye. AJ kissed Muzic's forehead and said goodnight. When she reached her room she showed her the dress she bought her. She loved it. They couldn't wait for a special evening when they can wear those dresses. Then they went to sleep.
~The next morning~
Megan woke up on a clinking noise. The noise of the clinking of Muzic's cup. She looked at the clock. It read: 5:26. She stretched her arms and yawned.
"Muzic? What are you doing up so early?"Megs asked
Muzic sighed. "Just thinking."
"About what?"Megs asked
"About Eric."she answered.
"That lousy pervert. Don't tell me you're getting on to him."
"Are you nuts?"Muzic sighed again,"I hate him. I still can't believe what he did to me."
"Is there going to be a flashback coming?"Megs asked
"I hope your comfortable,"Muzic said,"He said he loved me. He tried to rape me and beat me. Love? That's not love. I hate him. Hate him, hate him, hate him. He lied like a dog, that pig."
"Is he a dog or a pig?"
"Worse. He's a man. Megs can you keep a secret?"Muzic asked
"Unlike you, yes."
"Well, I've been having this dream for a while. About Eric. I mean I'm in this alley, right? And out of no where he just jumps out. He has that look in his eyes, that he was going to beat me again. And I'm just running toward him, like I'm cooperating with him. That I'll do anything he says. I mean, every now and then, I might think he's following me."
"Wow. You should of told me before. Look, Eric is like thousands of miles away, he doesn't know where you are. And plus, I bet AJ will protect you."she put a little humor into the sentence.
Muzic smiled. "Thanx Megs. I'm glad I have a great friend sticking right by me. Thanx Meg,"she said and the two girls hugged.
