“Alex...you don’t take that blindfold off and I’ll scream rape.” Destiny warned
“Destiny, you have hands. You can take it off but it’ll ruin the surprise.” AJ explained as he drove in the familiar streets. He changed the radio station and moved his leg to the rhythm.
“I know but if you take it off then you would be the one ruining it.” Destiny smiled, proud of her transposed logic.
“I’m not planning on taking it off. Patience is a virtue, my dear.” AJ tightened the blind fold, and twisted it until the knot was at the back of her head.
“Which I do not posses.” Destiny licked her lips, trying to restrain herself.
“A few more minutes, Des. Don’t pee your pants.” He joked as he swerved into a U-Turn and entered the small parking lot the shopping area offered. As soon as he found an empty spot, he parked.
“Why did I have to wear a blindfold to begin with?” She asked
“Because you’re a backseat driver and I didn’t feel like having my driving criticized today.” AJ fiddled with the knot and finally untied it.
Destiny shook her head and moved her hand through her hair to straighten and tidy it a bit.
“I don’t criticize your driving unless you drive like a maniac and that’s well, most of the time.” Destiny squinted, overwhelmed by the sun’s bright light.
“I’m a good driver!” AJ insisted.
“If your definition of good driving is turning on two wheels instead of four, then yeah, you’re a great driver.” Destiny looked around, trying to figure out where she was.
“You behave, young lady, or I’m turning this car back.” AJ looked her in the eye and opened his door. Destiny followed his example.

~~

“No, no, no!” AJ repeated in a disappointed voice.
“What?” Destiny asked, confused.
“Get back in the car.” He ordered.
“Why?” She grew more confused by the moment.
“Because I wanted to open the door for you. Come on! Get back in!” He stomped his leg on the ground.
“Okay, fine.” Destiny opened the door and sat in the leather seat.
Pleased by her actions, he ran to the other side of the car and opened the door for her.
“Thank you.” She grabbed a hold of his hand.
“You’re quiet welcome.” He grinned and shut the door behind her. He pressed the button attached to his key and locked the doors of the vehicle.
“Puppies!” Destiny squealed when the dogs greeted them with barking as they passed the store’s window.
“We’re going in.” AJ stated and opened the door for her.
“Into the pet store?” She asked, still fascinated by the dogs.
“No Des, I’m just opening the door for other customers. It’s my new job. I’m going to be their doorstop.” He said, sarcastically.
“Nah, you’d make a better dummy. You can stand in the window, pointing at doggie treats.” Destiny reminisced on her favorite Three’s Company episode.
“Mechanical man, Des.” AJ played along with her.

~~

“NICK! Where are you going?” Lin hollered as she heard the front door open.
“I am allowed to go outside, right? House arrest wasn’t in that scroll you gave me.” Nick rubbed the back of his head, waiting for another lecture. He had tried to escape and would have succeeded if it wasn’t for the creaking door.
“Don’t exaggerate. I only gave you a page. That’s barely a scroll.” Lin rolled her eyes.
“My bad. Can I go now?” He leaned on the door.
“Not until you tell me where you’re going.” She asked, squeaking the last word in the sentence.
“You’re not my mom.” Nick tried to mimic her tone of voice.
“I don’t need your attitude. I have one of my own.” Lin growled.
“Excuse me for resenting being treated like the dirt on your shoes. I’m going to hang out with AJ. Is that okay with you oh mighty one? Or would you like to black mail me to stay with you every minute of the day?” Nick frowned in the realization he might have given her new ideas.
“No, you can go.” Lin shooed him out with hand gestures.
“Come back later. We’re going to dinner.” She added as he was out the door.
“I can’t. I have to go to my parents tonight.” Nick returned into the house and looked down at the floor, avoiding eye contact.
“Take me with or don’t go.” Lin shrugged.
“I can’t cancel on my family and I don’t really think they want you to touch their property.” He cringed, remembering how bad the two parties involved argued.
“What is that supposed to mean? It’s not my fault they decided to hate me.” Lin defended herself.
“Lin, you insulted them the first them I introduced you.” Nick stepped back outside, not wanting to get into a conversation over this topic.
“That’s because they were dressed badly. They were just asking for criticism because last time I checked, circus wear was not in fashion.” Lin said loudly.
“I’ll be here.” Nick said, waved a goodbye and hopped into his car.

~~

AJ was in a deep conversation with one of the store’s workers. Destiny walked from cage to cage, upset by the small space each living creature had to live in. She tapped the glass and the puppy shoved his nose into the glass, making a smile appear on her face. Strong arms wrapped around her and she turned around.
“Come on.” AJ led her through the ‘staff only’ door.
“What’s up?” She questioned as he pulled her down on his lap.
“We’re going puppy shopping.” He winked at her.
“We’re getting a puppy?” Destiny’s eyes widened.
“And people say guys are dense?” AJ shook his head.
“That’s cause they are. I’m just excited. I always wanted a dog.” Destiny mumbled.
“I know...And I’m going to get you one.” AJ said, repeating his plans again.
“Why are we in the back?” Destiny looked around, only able to see the back of the cages.
“Is the blood finally flowing back into your brain?” He teased her.
“Be nice.” She playfully punched his arm.
“I used my Backstreet powers.” AJ wiggled his eyebrows.

~~

“You have powers?” Destiny asked, doubtfully.
“Yep, I can elevate things and shoot fire bullets out of my ears but other than that, I just promised the girl backstage passes to the next tour and she’s basically emptying out the store for half n hour so you can choose the perfect pup.” “You’ll have to show me those powers later but right now I’m off to see some puppies!” Destiny jumped out of his lap and landed on his foot.
“OUCH!” He yelped.
“Sorry...” She flashed him a nervous smile.
“Remind me never to get you excited again. Your reaction is too much for me to handle. You’re plain reckless.” AJ bent over and rubbed his foot through his shoe.
“That sounds so bad.” Destiny tucked her hair behind her ears.
AJ replied by sticking his tongue out.
“That’s not helping the whole ‘not exciting Destiny’ procedure we’re going through.”
He stuck his tongue back into his mouth and walked with her toward the front of the store.

~~

Finally arriving at their destination, Brian parked in Coral’s driveway. Coral searched through overnight bag in order to find her make up kit. She felt her cheeks with her fingers. The tears had dried and built a crusty layer on her face. Coral wet her face with the bottled water she kept from the last gas station they stopped at. She carefully applied the makeup to her face, not wanting to overdue it and receive criticism from her father. Coral sniffed and cleared her throat. Brian was sitting peacefully in his seat, waiting for her word.
“How do I look?” Coral asked, brushing her hair into a messy ponytail.
“You look heavenly, as always.” Brian offered her a comforting smile.
“Ready?” She winced her eyes.
“As I’ll ever be.” He nodded and got out of the car.
“Hopefully Cheyenne is the only one home.” Coral drank the remaining water, trying to revive her vocal chords.
“Cor, you’ll be okay.” Brian held her hand and squeezed it tightly.
“I just wish he would be more understanding. Since mom died he’s been so overprotective but hasn’t even taken a moment to learn who I was. I’ve changed since I was five but I don’t think he realizes it.” Coral poured her heart out.
“Come on.” He wrapped his arm around her and led her to the front door.

~~

Breathlessly, Coral knocked on the familiar front door. Snuffles began barking and pawed the door, anticipating the arrival of his owner. Muffled voices could be heard from inside the house and seconds later, footsteps neared the door.
“Coral?” A middled age man asked.
“Hey dad.” Coral’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Honey! What are you doing here?” The man embraced his daughter tightly.
“Just came to update you on my life.” Coral licked her dry lips.
“Come right in!” Her father was so excited, he hadn’t noticed Brian yet.
“Dad, this is Brian.” Coral pointed at her husband.
Brian stared at her, anger appearing in his eyes. He didn’t know why she hadn’t mentioned the most important part. The part about them being married.
“Hello, son.” Richard held out his hand.
“Nice to meet you Mr. Grant.” Brian said politely. He took the hand and gave it a firm shake.
“Richard will do just fine.” He nodded and opened the door wider.
“Where’s Cheyenne?” Coral asked as she entered her childhood abode.
“She moved out.” Richard informed the two.
“She what??” Coral asked in shock.
“She’s older than you, Coral. Don’t you think it was time for her to start a life of her own? I’m not that old. I’m pretty able to take care of myself. But I guess it’s all for the better because now Brian can have a comfortable room of his own. Instead of sleeping in that awful guest room.” Richard smiled, patting Brian on the back.
Brian gave Coral another glare.

~~

“I don’t think that’ll be necessary, Dad.” Coral responded to Brian’s looks.
“You don’t expect me to let you share a room?” Richard asked in amusement.
“Actually, I was hoping you would.” She avoided eye contact and stared at the family portrait in the living room.
“Don’t be silly. Show him to your sister’s room.” Richard gently shoved the two towards the right direction.
“Coral...” Brian exhaled deeply.
“I tried.” She gulped down the spit in her throat.
“Not hard enough. You could have explained we were married for Christ sakes.” Brian was slowly losing his patience.
“Brian, please don’t be mad with me. I’ll tell him. I promise.” Coral was close to tears again.
“I’m sorry.” Brian rubbed his temple and followed his wife into a room.
He dropped his overnight bag and sat down on the bed only to be nudged by Coral.
“This isn’t your room, Bri.” Coral held out her hand. He sighed and grabbed it.
Together they walked down the hall into a room painted in baby pink, baby blue and light yellow. The carpet was a spotless white. The bed had sheets and covers that matched the walls. It was a girls room but for as many nights as needed for Coral to get over her fears, it was Brian’s room.

~~

AJ and Destiny walked out of the pet store. AJ was holding a large box filled to it’s full capacity with dog food, treats and toys. Destiny was holding a 2 month old pug. The same puppy that shoved his face into the glass earlier in the day. It was love at first sight. Even though they showed her many other puppies, he was the only one she wanted.
“What are you gonna call him?” AJ asked, unable to see where he was walking due to the box he was carrying.
“I don’t really know yet...” Destiny looked into the puppy’s eyes.
“What’s your name, sweetie?” She asked him.
The nameless puppy wagged his tail and licked her nose.
“I think you should name him Nick.” A voice was heard from behind them.
“What are you doing here, Carter?” Destiny felt a shiver, recognizing the voice.
“I’ll put this back in the car and be right back.” AJ informed them and Destiny nodded.
“What’s up, hon?” Nick smiled.
“Don’t call me that.”
“I wasn’t calling you that, I was calling you hon.” Nick took the puppy from her and wrapped him in his arms.
“You’re a lucky thing. You get to go home with this pretty lady. I go home and am faced with a witch.” Nick talked to the dog.
“A witch? Are you calling Carrie a witch?” Destiny felt the anger rise in her.

~~

“No. I’m not seeing Carrie anymore and a shame it is cause she wasn’t painful on the eyes.” Nick returned the puppy to Destiny.
“And you’re already seeing someone else?” Destiny asked in disgust, impatient for AJ’s return.
“Yeah...speaking of, I should be getting back to her. I spent so much time looking for you guys I wasted all my free time.” Nick licked his lips.
“Well, you found us. What do you want?” Destiny asked, carelessly.
“More you than AJ.” Nick grinned.
“Okay, what do you want from me?” Destiny pet the top of the pug’s head.
“You said you would call.” Nick looked around and let out a sigh of relief when AJ was out of sight.
“I got distracted.” Destiny explained.
“I bet you did.” Nick grunted.
“Nick, just tell me what you...” She was cut off by his mouth on hers.
Her first reaction was surprise. Destiny didn’t really know what was happening because everything was occurring so fast. Unable to release her grip on the dog she lifted her knee and kicked Nick in the crotch. He collapsed on the floor, moaning in pain.
“Don’t EVER do that again!” Destiny gave him a warning look and ran toward the car.

~~

AN: Ooooh and the plot thickens LOL