Written by: Amy.

Fifteen minutes later Mrs. Myers, Amy, and Lexie had to literally drag a reluctant AJ back to the park. Now he was wearing a white rabbits suit. It was hilarious. The three girls were stifling laughs trying to assure him that he didn’t look ridiculous. The moment his back was turned they burst into giggles.

Mrs. Myers explained the Easter Egg Hunt to everyone and introduced them the Easter Bunny (AKA AJ). Then, she asked “the Easter Bunny” if he had any words of wisdom.

“Not really... I’m a dumb rabbit...” AJ mumbled.

However, AJ eventually warmed up to his costumed. He was great with the kids and Lexie was really impressed. She was use to seeing AJ partying and flirting. This was a side of him that she had never seen before. He was sweet, caring, sensitive, playful, and mature all in one. He was attentive with the kids and they seemed to really like him.

Lexie walked up to AJ after he finished talking to a kid. “You’re really good with the kids,” she commented.

AJ stood up. “Thanks. I love kids. They’re so full of life.”

Lexie smiled. “Is that a smile see behind that bunny face?” she teased.

“No...” AJ denied, obviously lying.

“Is it possible that you might be having fun dressed up as an Easter rabbit?” she asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about...” AJ stammered.

Lexie stepped closer to him. “AJ... Come on.. Admit it...”

“Alright, I’m having fun,” AJ admitted, “I really enjoyed making these kids smile.”

Lexie smiled. “They’re not the only ones you made smile,” she confessed.

AJ took off his rabbit’s head so that he could see her clearly. “Oh really?”

Lexie nodded, slightly blushing. “You’re really good with the kids. I was really impressed,” she said, “I know you didn’t want to do this, but you did, for them, and I admire you for that.”

“You won fair and square,” AJ pointed out.

“Yeah, but you didn’t have to if you really didn’t want to and you know that. I know you hate Easter, but you stood by your word. Basically, what I’m saying is that I have a newfound respect for you...” Lexie explained, then she stopped herself, “I’m rambling..”

“No, no it’s okay... I don’t mind the complement,” AJ assured her, “Actually, you’re not the only who gained a newfound respect. I was really impressed with all that you’ve done here. You’ve been one major busybody and had a radiant smile on your face through it all. And you’re not even wearing a bunny suit and the kids adore you!”

Lexie laughed. “You’ve really grown since I saw you,” Lexie commented, “Or maybe you were grown and I was having too much ‘fun’ to notice.”

“I think both,” AJ replied, “I’ve grown up a little, but I’ll be honest, I’m still young.. I’m only 21.”

Lexie nodded and chuckled. “Hey, I’m only 20. I know how you feel.”

There was a short pause, then AJ started laughing. “What’s so funny?” Lexie asked confused.

“I just find it kind of ironic that we’re talking about how much I’ve grown, and your newfound respect for me, while I’m dressed like a bunny rabbit,” AJ explained between giggles.

Lexie started laughing with AJ. It was pretty hilarious. Eventually, the laughter died and AJ and Lexie were left with huge smiles on their faces.

“We did have a lot of fun together,” AJ stated.

Lexie nodded. “We had a blast.”

AJ and Lexie stared at each other. They’re bright expressions slowly turned solemn. They were both thinking the same thing, but were afraid to say it.

“Would it be okay if I kissed you?” AJ asked her bashfully.

Lexie smiled and nodded. “I thought you’d never ask,” she replied slightly blushing.

AJ smiled. He put his “paw” on her cheek and leaned over to give her one of the most memorable kisses she ever had. Lexie closed her eyes deepening into the kiss.

Suddenly, they heard a chorus of kids chanting, “The Easter Bunny’s got a girlfriend,” forcing them to quickly pull apart.

AJ looked in Lexie’s eyes and smiled. “He does now.”

Lexie gave AJ a quick peck on the lips before facing the chanting children. She turned around only to see a beaming Amy, who was directing the chant. ____________________________________________________

JQ sighed. “What if I never find someone.”

“Here we go again,” Nick groaned throwing his hands up in the air.

“JQ, that’s ridiculous. You’re smart, beautiful, confident... You have a better chance of not finding someone,” Howie replied sincerely.

JQ smiled. “Thanks. You’re such a sweet guy. I’m surprised you don’t have anyone.”

“Can I make a suggestion?” Nick offered, “Maybe if you stopped worrying about finding someone, you’d see what is in front of your face the whole time.”

“It’s hard to remember that you don’t have someone when you’re 28 years old and very single,” Howie pointed out, completely missing Nick’s point.

“I’m with Howie, here,” JQ agreed, “Today, all the good guys are taken and the other guys are losers or gay.”

“Yeah, meanwhile all the good girls are taken and the others are either sluts or lesbians.”

“Why is it so important for you guys to find someone, anyway?” Nick asked.

“Hello!” JQ exclaimed standing up, “I’m 25 years old! I’m not getting younger! My biological clock is ticking...”

“I know!” Howie agreed, “I don’t want to be eighty years old, alone with no grandchildren.”

“Yeah, when I die I want to know someone is walking around with genes I gave them.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Great,” he said, “Just what we need... A miniature JQ.”

“Better me than you,” JQ retorted, “I don’t want to end up alone with my eleven cats.”

“Exactly!” Howie replied, “Finally, someone who understands!”

Howie and JQ began going on and on and on over the troubles of single life. Finally, Nick couldn’t take it anymore. “Aren’t you guys hungry? It’s dinner time...” he said.

Both of them shook their head. “Not really...”

“There’s a pizza place around the corner... Or a Burger King a couple blocks...”

Nick suggested, “Come on.. I need a break... Leave.. I’ll pay!”

“Are you implying that you want us to leave?” Howie inquired.

“No,” Nick replied, “I’m saying it straight out! Go away! You guys are driving me crazy! You have one thing on your mind and frankly I’m sick of hearing it. If I keep listening to you I’m going to start thinking I’m single.”

JQ looked over at Howie. “I think we’re not wanted.”

“I’m getting that impression,” Howie agreed.

“Leave!” Nick exclaimed pointing to the door.

JQ and Howie laughed as they got up. “Alright, we can take a hint,” Howie said, “Come on, let’s get a bite to eat.”

“Thank God!”

Just as they opened the door they saw Kevin just about to knock, along with Faye, another bridesmaid.

“Hi guys,” JQ said cheerfully.

“Hi,” Kevin said, “Were you guys just leaving?”

“Yes they were!” Nick exclaimed practically pushing them out the door.

“It’s nice to feel wanted,” Howie commented sarcastically.

“Unfortunately, with Nick you don’t know how that feels,” JQ added.

“There’s such a thing as wearing out your welcome... Bye,” he said as he shut the door.

“Did we miss something?” Faye asked.

Nick shook his head. “There’s only so much one person can take,” Nick replied,

"You guys ready?”

They both nodded and got seated on the couch. “Ready,” Faye said with a smile. She had thin, straight, brown hair that fell a little over her shoulders. Her eyes were big and gray.

“Action!” Nick exclaimed.

“Hi you two love birds,” Faye began smiling brightly, “Wow, there’s so much to say. I don’t even know where to begin...”

“Well, AJ I’m impressed... You beat Howie to the alter,” Kevin teased.

Nick laughed. “Oh, Howie’s going to love this...”

“Yeah, but it did take them awhile to get there,” Faye pointed out, “Honestly, I didn’t think they were going to make it, at least not at first”

“Actually, neither did I,” Kevin admitted.

“Let me tell you, you guys really aren’t alone on that theory,” Nick assured them.

Faye chuckled. “Probably not... I was pretty surprised when Lex told me that she and AJ got back together the first time.”

“Yeah, that was pretty out of the blue. And then 6 months later they broke up, again, which kind of surprised me even more. Once again, I just didn’t see it coming. You guys seemed so happy.”

“By that point I was having trouble keeping track,” Faye teased... ____________________________________________________

Lexie giggled. “What’s this surprise you have for me?” she asked. AJ had covered her eyes with his hands as he guided her into his apartment.

Finally, AJ uncovered her eyes. “Surprised,” he whispered, tickling her ear and wrapping his arms around her waist.

Lexie stood in shock. There was a round little table in the middle of the living room floor with a vase with a dozen roses in the middle of it. There were two lit candles on each side of the vase. The lights were dimmed and “I Do (Cherish You)” (her favorite song) was playing softly on the stereo.

“Wow,” she murmured stunned, “What’s all this for?”

“Our anniversary,” AJ replied.

“Anniversary?” Lexie repeated. Out of the whole time that Lexie and AJ were going out they hadn’t celebrated one anniversary, so this was a big surprise to her. Maybe a little too big.

“Yeah. It’s a milestone. Six months,” AJ told her smiling.

“Oh wow...” was all Lexie could say.

AJ took Lexie’s hands and pulled her toward the candlelit dinner. He pulled out her chair and she sat down, still speechless.

“Happy anniversary,” AJ whispered after he gave her a sweet kiss on the lips.

The night had been perfectly romantic. AJ had cook an incredible dinner of all Lexie’s favorites, he bought expensive champagne, and even serenaded her. Through it all Lexie was a little quiteter than usual. AJ thought she was just overwhelmed with happiness.

“I have a gift for you,” AJ told her.

“Wow,” Lexie said, “I didn’t even know we were celebrating our anniversary...”

“That’s okay,” AJ assured, “This was suppose to be a surprise. Besides, this is a small gift.” He pulled out a little, ring sized box and handed it to her.

Lexie looked at him a little perplexed. She opened the box to see a key. “A key,” she stated a little surprised, “Wow...”

“It’s a key to my heart,” and AJ replied with a smile, “And my apartment.”

“You’re apartment key?” Lexie repeated taking the key out of the box.

AJ nodded excitedly. “Yeah. That way you can come in and out of here whenever you want to or need to.”

Lexie put the key in the box and pushed it towards AJ. “AJ, I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this.”

AJ pushed the key back to Lexie. “But I want you to have it.”

“But I don’t want it.. It’s too much.” Lexie insisted as nicely as she could as she pushed it back.

AJ took the key out of the box and placed in her hand. “Take it.”

Lexie slammed the key on the table and stood up. “AJ, you’re not listening, I don’t want it.”

AJ stood up. “What’s your problem?”he asked confused.

“What is this, AJ?” she asked, “This is going way too fast.”

“What are you talking about? We’ve been dating six months.”

“Last time we were dating, we broke up because we were cheating on each other,” Lexie pointed out frustrated, “This time you’re giving me your apartment key???”

“This isn’t the same thing,” AJ replied.

“You told me so yourself that you’re still young. That you’re only 21,” she retorted, “I thought it was going to be like last time.”

“People change. I thought you did,” AJ said a little too coldly.

“I thought you didn’t,” Lexie retorted just as cold, “I know people change, but you never gave me the impression you wanted more.” Then, she held up the key and dangled it. “This is more than what I bargained for. You can’t stand here and tell me that six months ago you were looking for something serious.”

“Well I’m sorry for falling for you,” he replied icily, “I didn’t mean to.”

“I’m just saying you need to slow down.”

“How slow? You make it sound like you want it like last time. Why are you wasting my time?” AJ said, regretting it the moment it came out, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it...”

The comment stung Lexie. “I didn’t know I was wasting your time,” she replied bitterly, “I’m sorry for not wanting things the way you want them.”

“I didn’t mean it like that, but you pretty much did want a relationship that was going nowhere.”

“So did you!” Lexie exclaimed, “It’s not my fault you changed your mind and I didn’t.”

“Well if it makes you feel any better, I’m beginning to regret it.”

Lexie and AJ stared at each in silence. Thier eyes were filled with a thousand emotions from hurt to anger. “I think I better go,” Lexie finally whispered.

Lexie began to head to the door. “If you walk out that door I can’t promise I’ll wait for you,” AJ said.

Lexie turned around and walked up to him. “I didn’t expect you to,” she replied softly. Then, she turned around and left, shutting the door behind her. AJ stood frozen in the middle of the room with the key in his hand and a hole in his heart. ____________________________________________________

“I’m so excited,” Faye gushed, “Tomorrow is going to be me and David’s two year anniversary.”

“That’s wonderful,” Nikki replied.

Nikki, Faye, and Lexie were at Nikki’s apartment. Even though Nikki was no longer their dorm director, she was still their confidant, mother, and friend. The girls still came to her as though she had never left.

Lexie rolled her eyes. “People together for two years? Who knew that was possible...”

“Hey, I’ve been with Scott for five years. We’ve been happily married for almost a year. Believe me, it’s possibly,” Nikki replied, fiddling with her wedding ring.

“Yeah,” Faye agreed, “Just because you haven’t had a relationship longer than six months, doesn’t mean it’s not doable.”

Lexie gave Faye an annoyed look. “I’ve had a relationship that was longer than six months,” she mumbled, “It was just a really crappy one.”

“You know, just because Josh was a jerk doesn’t mean every other guy you meet is,” Faye pointed out, cutting right to the chase. She could see right through Lexie. She may be one year younger, but she sometimes acted ten years older.

Nikki nodded. “I know this guy hurt you, but don’t you think it’s time you opened your shell again.. It’s been over a year and a half since it happened...”

“I’m over Josh,” Lexie stated sternly.

“Oh, I don’t doubt you’re over Josh,” Faye said, “But are you over what he did to you?”

Nikki and Faye stared at Lexie waiting for an answer, but Lexie couldn’t give them one, knowing they’d see right through her. ____________________________________________________

It was about three months since Lexie and AJ’s break up. About a month after they had broken up AJ had gotten back into the partying scene. As of now the group was in England and AJ was savoring every moment.

“Alright, I’m out, guys. I’m going clubbing. Hopefully I’ll find a girl to hook up with,” he told Kevin. AJ, Howie, and Kevin were sharing a hotel room, but Howie had locked himself in the bathroom.

“Again?” Kevin asked, “Didn’t you just hook up with some girl yesterday?”

AJ shrugged. “What can I say? There’s enough of me to go around,” he replied with a devilish smile. “Are you sure that’s smart?” Kevin inquired.

AJ sighed. “Don’t worry dad,” he replied, “I’m not sleeping with any of them...”

Kevin rolled his eyes. “That’s not what I meant,” he retorted, “But now that you mention it... What I meant was you’ve become even more of a party animal ever since you and Lex broke up...”

“What’s your point?” AJ asked annoyed. Kevin had pushed the wrong button.

“Well it seems like you’re doing all of this off the rebound,” he observed.

“We broke up four months ago,” AJ pointed out.

Kevin shrugged. “Doesn’t mean anything,” he replied, “I guess after this break up I figured you’d learn from your mistakes.”

AJ rolled his eyes. “Spare me the fatherly advice,” he said as he left the hotel room.

Just as AJ left, Howie came out of the bathroom. “Did AJ just leave?”

Kevin nodded. “Off partying again...” he trailed off and got back to working on a song.

“You sound like you don’t agree with it,” Howie commented.

Kevin shrugged. “I don’t know, but he’s not going to listen to---”

Before Kevin could finish his sentence AJ barged back into the hotel. “What did you mean by your little comment?!” AJ demanded.

“What comment?” Kevin asked a little startled.

“‘I just figured you’d learn from your mistakes,’” AJ repeated, “What did you mean by that?”

“I just meant that you go out looking for a fling and looking for someone who’s okay with that, but eventually you change your mind and realize you want more and get pissed when they don’t...” Kevin replied.

AJ looked at Kevin confused. “Run that by me again...”

“Just don’t get mad at your next girlfriend when you decide you want more than a fling and she doesn’t,” Kevin said.

“You are so out of line,” AJ retorted angrily, “Isn’t he Howie?”

Howie stepped back. “Hey, this is between you and Kevin. I’m not getting involved.”

AJ waved his hands as to dismiss Howie. “I didn’t fall for Lexie because I wanted to, I just did.”

“But you did fall for her,” Kevin pointed out, “Do you even know why she was so commitment phobia?”

“What are you talking about?” AJ asked confused.

“AJ, the way you told it she seemed pretty afraid of commitment, ever thought there might be a reason?”

AJ shrugged. “Honestly, I never really thought about it...”

“Well maybe you should. In my opinion, you weren’t exactly Mr. Understanding.”

“Well I didn’t ask you for your opinion, now did I?” AJ retorted coldly.

“Why not? Because I might be wrong?” Kevin asked tauntingly, “Or because I might be right?”

Kevin and AJ gave each other evil stares. Kevin was tired of AJ’s immaturity when it came to woman. He didn’t want to see AJ make the same mistake twice. AJ just didn’t want a lecture.

“Okay, guys, let’s break it up now,” Howie said cutting in.

AJ shrugged. “Whatever... I’m out.. Bye,” he said leaving the hotel room.

“Can’t you just feel the love?” Howie joked trying to lighten the mood. Kevin just rolled his eyes and got back to his song.

The next day the guys were on the tour bus heading for a long trip. Brian, Nick, and Kevin were playing video games in the back of the bus. AJ was reading a book and Howie was replying to some fan mail.

“So did you party like it’s 1999?” Howie asked AJ.

AJ shrugged. “Not exactly...”

Howie raised his eyebrow and looked up. “Oh really?”

“I didn’t go clubbing,” AJ admitted.

“Why not?”

AJ shrugged. “I didn’t feel like it,” he replied, “Hey, Howie, tell me honestly, do you think Kevin was right in what he was saying?.. Do you think I was being selfish with Lex?”

Howie looked at AJ hesitantly. He wasn’t one to inflict his opinion, but since he was asked... “I think she is overly commitment phobic and I think she was being kind of insensitive after all you did for her.. But I think you were kind of insensitive yourself and you weren’t being that understanding.”

“So you agree,” AJ stated disappointed.

“I don’t think you’re as wrong as Kev made you out to be. You were trying to be a good boyfriend and what you did for her was really sweet, but you did kind of spring it on her. At least, I could see how she could feel like that. You could have been a little more sensitive to her feelings.”

“So you agree,” AJ repeated.

Howie sighed and slowly nodded. “Yeah, I somewhat agree.”

AJ sighed and leaned his back against the wall. “Yeah, me too...”

[ part 04 ]