Written by: Amy.

“I wanted Chinese and you wanted macaroni and cheese.. So how did we end up here?” Howie asked JQ as they dug into a cheese pizza.

JQ thought about it for a second. “Well... Chinese food is from Asia and macroni and cheese is an American food... What’s between Asia and America? Europe.. What’s in Europe? Italy.. Where does pizza come from?...”

Howie shook his head and laughed at the pathetic attempt for a reason.. “That makes no sense whatsoever.”

“Besides I didn’t feel like walking anymore,” she added.

Howie shrugged. “Works for me.”

JQ laughed. “So, do you think we should bring Nick back some food.”

“The guy threw us out of his house,” Howie retorted, “He get can his own food.”

JQ chuckled. “Works for me,” she agreed, “But, you know, we did drive him crazy...”

“He kicked us out his house,” Howie insisted, “It’s not like he’s starving. He’s got a full fridge.”

JQ shook her head. “No... I think we should bring him back something... Hey, waiter,” she called.

The waiter turned around. “Can I help you?”

JQ nodded. “Yes, I’d like to order a medium pizza with anchovies, hot peppers, pineapple, and mushrooms.”

Howie looked at JQ and smiled, realizing her plan. “Oh, and can you also add any vegetables you can find on it,” he added.

“Like what we put on a veggie pizza?” she asked.

JQ nodded. “Yeah.. And could you put pepperoni’s too, but dip the pepperoni’s in hot sauce and pepper.”

The waiter looked at JQ like she was crazy. “I’ll, uh, see what I can do... It, uh, should be ready in about 45 minutes,” she said, then she glanced at her pad, “Make that an hour.”

Howie smiled. “Thanks,” he replied as the waiter left in disgust.

Howie and JQ began to laugh hysterically. After the giggles died down JQ and Howie began talking about their lives; past, present, and future

“You know, when you think about it, you really can’t talk about the future,” Howie said.

“What the hell are you talking about??” JQ asked confused, “Of course you can!”

Howie shook his head. “No. You can talk about what you want to happen in the future, but you can’t talk about the future itself because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”

“What if you’re a fortune teller?” JQ challenged.

Howie thought about it for a second. “Well, okay the average person can’t talk about the future.”

“What makes a fortune teller non-average?” JQ asked.

“I.. Well.. See.. .. The difference is...” Howie stammered, “Oh, nevermind!”

JQ smiled triumphantly. “You know,” she said, her smiling fading, “I’m going to miss having these conversations with you.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, ever since AJ and Lexie got engaged we’ve had to spend practically every awakening moment of our social lives together.. In a couple days they’ll be married and I won’t get to see you as much,” JQ explained, “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’m going to miss you too.. But JQ, just because Lex and AJ get married doesn’t mean we can’t see each other as often. Through these last eight months we’ve become pretty good friends,” Howie said patting her hand, “My door is always opened to you and I want to see you using it.”

JQ smiled brightly. “Thanks, Howie, or should I say Sweet-D?” she replied, “You know, I’m glad we got thrown together because we’ve become really good friends... I mean, who else am I going to complain about the sorrows of single life with?”

Howie laughed. “I know, seeing as how everyone else in the world has someone..Hey, you ever wonder why we never got together? I mean, why we never considered it.”

“Because I was too into Kevin to notice you existed! Too bad he was taken. I was never even give a chance,” she joked.

Howie chuckled. “Well are you glad you weren’t?”

JQ shrugged. “I guess.. I mean I believe in soulmates, and I’m obviously not his seeing as how he already has one. Last time I checked he was married with kids,” she replied, “Besides, he’s too judgmental. I like my guys more laid back... It wasn’t that big of a disappointment. Usually the dreams are better than the reality.”

“Knowing you, I don’t even want to know what the dreams were,” Howie teased.

JQ chuckled. “Let’s just say there was hot chocolate and whip cream... No, I’m just kidding,” she assured him.

Howie nodded his head and winked. “Sure you were...”

Then, the waiter came with the pizza. “Here you go,” she said quickly dropping the pizza and handing them the check.

“How much is it?” JQ asked as Howie took the check.

Howie waved his hand as to dismiss the remark. “I got it.”

“No way,” JQ argued, “I’m a travel agent, I think I can afford to split a pizza.”

“I’ll tell you what, next time I take a vacation you can help me out and we’ll call it even.”

JQ shook her head. “No, let me at least pay half,” she insisted, “Besides, it would make this seem too much like a date if I let you pay.”

Howie quickly looked up at her and looked her straight in the eye. “I’ll pay,” he stated stubbornly, and JQ decided to let it go.

“Fine, but don’t expect me to be easy just because you paid for my meal,” JQ joked.

Howie chuckled and put the money on the table. “Feisty... I like that,” Howie teased, “Come on, let’s go.”

JQ took the pizza and opened it to get a smell. “Eww! This is disgusting!”

“Perfect!” JQ and Howie exclaimed with devilish smiles.

“Oh, Nick’ll love this,” JQ said, “You know, we’re not the only people driving someone crazy. He hasn’t exactly been this wonderful delight.”

Howie nodded. “Hey, JQ, what did you think of that comment Nick made about us earlier? About being like an old married couple?”

JQ laughed. “I think Nick was dropped on his head as baby,” she replied, “I mean come on, us an old married couple? I never even thought about ‘us,’ let alone married...Why?”

Howie shrugged as he held the door open for her. “I don’t know.. Just curious,” then he gave an uneasy chuckle, “It is pretty funny, though.”

JQ nodded as she exited the restaurant. “I’ll say... We sure don’t act like a couple...”

“Yeah.. Right.. I don’t know what Nick was thinking,” Howie agreed nervously as he closed the door behind him. ____________________________________________________

Nick was fixing the camera when there was a knock at the door. “Coming!” he exclaimed. He took the camera and opened the door only to see Amy’s best friend, Laura. She had long, thin, blonde hair and blue eyes. She was 5’6 and about 120 lbs

“Hey, Laura, what’s up?” Nick asked.

“Hi, Nick.. Not much. I was in the neighborhood and Amy told me she would be here, so I decided to drop by... We wanted to catch a movie tonight, but nothing was for sure..”

“She left a couple of hours ago,” Nick replied, “I think she went to help her sister with last minute wedding plans. You know how Lex is going crazy these last couple days.”

Laura chuckled. “When you see someone flip out because you asked them what movie they should rent, you know their a little stressed out,” she said, then she notice the video camera in Nick’s hand, “So what exactly are you guys doing?”

“It’s a video for AJ and Lexie, as like a wedding present,” Nick explained, “Hey! You’ve known Lex practically all your life. Want to add a message?”

Laura smiled brightly. “Sure!,” she exclaimed, “I practically lived at her house from the ages of 3 to 18.”

“Great,” Nick replied, turning on the camera, “Ready? Action!”

Laura waved at the camera. “Hi Lex! Remember me? Let’s hope so! I lived at your house for about 15 years! You’ve been like the big sister I never had.. Always there to give me advice with guys, and you know I needed plenty!... You’re a really good person, and patient! You’d have to be to put up with me and Amy’s antics for 15 years, and then some... Actually, maybe you’re not so patient, it’s not like you sat their a tolerated them..Well, anyway, I can’t believe the same girl that yelled at me and her sister for finger painting is going to get married! I give you and AJ my best wishes. After everything you guys have been through---”

Laura paused and turned around, interrupted by Howie and JQ, who were chatting up a storm. “We’re back,” JQ stated, carrying a box of pizza and pushing past, Laura, “Oh, hi, Laura. What brings you here?”

“Hi... I just decided to drop by and Nick asked me if I wanted to add anything to the video,” she explained.

“You guys brought back pizza!” Nick exclaimed excitedly, passing Howie the camera and grabbing the pizza box from JQ. He was starved. Howie turned the camera and focused it on Nick. Nick quickly grabbed a slice and took a huge bite. Nick’s expression went from hunger to disgust. He hastily spit the pizza back in the box and started yelling for water.

JQ and Howie laughed hysterically. “You don’t like?” JQ asked sweetly.

Nick gave her an evil glare as he chugged down water. “What the hell is in that??”

“What’s so horrible about the pizza?” Laura asked taking a bite out of a slice. Everyone looked at her in amazement as she quickly spit it out and grabbed another glass of water.

“Oh my God! What’s in that!?” she exclaimed.

“Laura, you just saw Nick spit it out in disgust, so you take a bite!?” JQ asked in disbelief, “Where’s the logic?”

Laura shrugged. “I don’t know.. I just figured Nick had bad taste..”

They all looked at her like she was crazy. “You know there’s something wrong with the world when a girl who once thought AMTRAK was boat company, attends Corneal University,” Howie teased.

“So I’m not exactly filled with common sense...”

“I’m beginning to wonder if you have any at all,” Nick retorted, “But, anyway, what was in that pizza?!”

JQ and Howie looked at each other with demoniac expressions. “Anchovies, ham, pineapples, vegetables, hot peppers, pepperoni’s--”

“Dipped in hot sauce and pepper,” JQ added.

Nick and Laura looked completely appalled. “I need more water!” Laura exclaimed heading to the kitchen.

“That’s disgusting!” Nick exclaimed.

Howie nodded smiling. “Yup,” he agreed, and then he gestured to the camera, “And we got all on film for the Kodak moment... Say cheese!” ____________________________________________________

Jacob and Tori Covington made themselves comfortable on Nick’s couch. It was the next day, a beautiful Wednesday afternoon.

Nick turned to Howie and JQ. “Okay, guys, new rule.. Today you’re not allowed to talk about your pathetic single lives.”

Howie rolled his eyes. “Nick, stick to being a cameraman,” he ordered, “We’ll be the directors.”

Nick clenched his teeth and glared at them. “Nick, think about this way, the sooner we finish this, the sooner we’re out of your hair,” JQ replied.

Nick clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. “Okay guys that’s enough chit-chat! Let’s get this done! I don’t have all day!”

Howie and JQ got out of the way as Nick yelled, “Action!”

“I can’t believe my baby girl’s getting married. It seems like just yesterday I was changing your diaper,” Lexie’s mom said already getting misty, “But I know you guys will do wonderful because you love each other.”

“AJ I know you must be a pretty good guy if you managed to get pass my wrath,” Jacob teased, “In a couple of days I’m going to be giving you my daughter, don’t make me regret that. Treat my little girl right. Lexie, no matter what happens, how much you’ve grown, how old you get, even if you’re married with a child, you’ll always be my little girl.”

Tori wiped her eyes with a tissue. “Yes, and don’t you ever forget that, Lex,” she replied, “Also, remember, children are not something to rush into, however, that doesn’t mean I don’t want you to have any. I’m counting on you two to give my first grandchild.”

Jacob nodded. “You two have come a long way and proved that through trail and error, love can prevail.”

“There’s nothing wrong with taking your time,” Tori continued, “You guys had lessons you needed to learn and even though there was a time we didn’t think you’d make this far, we’re glad you did...”

“And boy did they have a lot of lessons to learn,” Howie mumbled.

“And a couple of words of wisdom along the way to give them a nice slap upside the head,” JQ added... ____________________________________________________

JQ and Lexie had been sitting on the couch talking for hours. These two never ran out of things to talk about. From the moment they met they clicked and their friendship has been strong ever since.

“It’s so depressing, Lex,” JQ complained, “My love life is like non-existent.”

Lexie shrugged. “What’s the big deal about finding true love anyway?” she asked, “I’d rather do without.”

JQ rolled her eyes. “Do you always have to be so cynical about love?”

“I’m not cynical, I’m realistic,” Lexie retorted.

“You know, I never did completely understand why you broke up with AJ,” JQ said, “You seemed to really like him.”

“He was moving too fast,” Lexie answered, “He was rushing... We wanted different things... I didn’t want to waste his time...”

“You know Lexie, I know you backwards and forwards, but there’s one thing I just don’t get it...”

Lexie raised her eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

“Why are you so afraid to fall in love?” she asked.

The question really got Lexie’s attention. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re really pessimistic about it,” JQ explained, “I can’t stand how you push it away.”

“Well its a good thing I didn’t ask you for your opinion,” Lexie replied coldly.

“You’re getting quite defensive,” JQ retorted equally icy, “You usually do when someone brings this up.”

“I’m just tired of hearing.”

“Well how about listening for once,” JQ shot back

Lexie rolled her eyes. “Whatever... You’re only--”

“Young once,” JQ interrupted, “You’re only 21.. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you... Blah, blah, blah... Who cares?!”

“Its true! Why should I rush?!” Lexie pointed out defensively.

“You know I never said anything because I thought you’d figure it out on your own. Because I thought it wasn’t my place to say anything, but I don’t care.. I’m going to say something. Its about time someone did instead of rolling their eyes and letting it go--”

“A word of advice, JQ, before you say something you’ll regret,” Lexie interrupted, “Usually when someone doesn’t ask for your opinion, it usually means they don’t want it.”

“Well I don’t care. You’re going to hear it... ,” JQ retorted, “Love isn’t something that you plan around. It’s not something you fit into your schedule, it just happens. It may not happen when you want it, it may not be the perfect timing, but it happens and you can’t push it away, which is what you do.. Which is what you did.”

“I didn’t push anything away, I wasn’t ready,” Lexie stated.

“You weren’t ready to fall in love, but it happened. AJ wasn’t planning on it either, but he fell for you... Don’t sit there and tell me that he couldn’t have been the one because I saw you guys together. I saw the way you looked at him, how your whole face lit up when he held your hand. I saw the way he looked at you, how he’d hang on to your every word... You guys just worked so well together. It was like missing pieces to a puzzle, you guys just fit... I would love to find what you and AJ had. It’s so frustrating.. Here I am, on this world wide quest to find my true love, and you, you find yours and push it away because you’re scared... I know you, and I could tell, just by looking at you that you were falling for him, hard and that scared you. It scared you to death.”

“So what if I was scared!” Lexie admitted, “I have a right to be. Every time I ever fall for someone it doesn’t work, he ends up breaking my heart.”

“So you’re just going to push it away for the rest of your life. To protect your heart, your going to live your life alone?” JQ pointed out, “I know you were really hurt about Josh, but that was almost two years ago. You can’t blame everything on the infamous Josh anymore.”

“It’s not what Josh did that scared me, it’s that I let him,” Lexie confessed, “I let him take advantage of me. I was blinded by him. I’m a strong, independent woman and I don’t want to have that taken away from me again.”

“So you’re never going to trust anyone again?” JQ asked, “Lex, you can’t go through life being afraid that one day you’re going to lose yourself. If you’re as strong as you claim that won’t happen.”

Lexie looked at JQ with sad eyes. There was a long pause. “If it was anyone else...” Lexie stammered, “See the thing is... AJ’s really something special... I really believe that I could lose myself in AJ, and I didn’t want to let that happen...”

JQ gave Lexie a comforting hug. “Lex, that wouldn’t happen, because the difference between AJ and Josh is that AJ fell for you too,” she assured her friend as a she wiped away a tear that trickled down Lexie’s cheek.

“There’s a always a chance...” Lexie trailed off.

JQ nodded. “Yes there is,” she agreed, “and if that were to happen, you are strong, Lex... You’d find yourself again, and be even stronger.”

Tears began to roll down Lexie’s cheek. She shook her head. “I’m not as strong as I make myself out to be.”

JQ nodded. “I know... And I know you don’t want to end up alone, but at the rate you’re going you just might.” Lexie didn’t say anything, so JQ continued, “You use to be such an incurable romantic. You believed that everyone had a soulmate and that they’d eventually end up together.”

“I still do,” Lexie admitted.

JQ smiled. “I use to roll my eyes at your theory. The thought that there’s one perfect person for everyone seem too unrealistic... Something for fairytales.. But I saw you and AJ together and I don’t know... Maybe your little love-sick theory isn’t that far off base.”

Lexie chuckled. “You think we’re soulmates?”

JQ thought it for a second, then nodded. “Yeah.. I guess I do.”

“I didn’t want to admit it to myself, but since we’re ‘growing’ here... So did I,” she confessed, then she sighed, “But it’s too late now. I blew it. We’re over and he’s not coming back.”

JQ shook her head and gave a teasing smile. “Tsk, tsk.. You forget, you’re soulmates.. That automatically means you’ll find each other again.”

Lexie laughed. “Oh that’s right.. One day I’ll be walking in the park, and I’ll see AJ McLean, we’ll run into each other arms, and we’ll live happily ever after... Because things like that happen all the time,” she said sarcastically.

JQ chuckled. “Well if you’re going to be unrealistic about your soulmate...” she teased, “You know, you could always call him...”

“Yeah right... It’s been five months, he’s probably moved on.. He’d probably hang up on me,” she replied, then paused, “I really regret letting AJ go... I wish I hadn’t been so afraid.. But if it’s something I’ve learned through my trials with men, you can’t dwell on the past... Live and let live.”

JQ chuckled. “So much talk...”

“I’ll always remember him, but the only thing I can do is learn from my mistakes. After the way I treated AJ, after everything he did for me, there’s no way he’d ever forgive me. I know I wouldn’t if I were him, so why should I expect him to?” Lex pointed out, then she let out a deep sigh, “I think I’m just going to have to find myself a new Romeo... But I’ll never forget him, that’s inevitable.”

JQ gave Lex a sympathetic smile. “And he’ll never forget you.”

Lexie smiled back. “Thanks. You’re a good friend.”

JQ nodded. “Yes I am!” she agreed, “I’m a good person and I’m so single, it’s sad. You found someone and you couldn’t even appreciate it, while I’m searching high and low... What do you say we drown our single sorrows in a drink?”

Lexie nodded as JQ passed her a beer. “I’ll drink it to that.” ____________________________________________________

“Ugh! How many more people do we have to tape?” Nick complained.

“Relax... Not many more,” Howie assured him.

“Yeah, but don’t forget, after this, we all have to edit it,” JQ pointed out.

Nick plopped on the couch. “Way to rain on my parade.”

JQ gave a teasing smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”

“That’s okay.. My girlfriend can cheer me up... Who are you going to run to when someone rains on your parade?” Nick shot back.

“Howie,” JQ replied. She seemed kind of startled with herself at how the answer came to her like second nature.

“Of course,” Howie agreed a little uneasy as he headed to the kitchen, “Us single people gotta stick together.”

“Of course...” JQ trailed off a little doubtful.

Nick raised his eyebrows at them. “Yeah.. Right...” he replied sarcastically.

“So who’s coming next?” JQ asked, obviously changing the subject, which was clearly making her uncomfortable.

Nick rolled his eyes. “You tell me.”

“I believe it’s Denise and Robert,” JQ said, answering her own question just as Howie came back from the kitchen with two cups of coffee and a sprite.

“A sprite for Nick,” Howie said passing him the sprite.

“I asked for coke,” Nick complained.

Howie nodded. “But you don’t have caffeine free, and if you think I’m going to be around you stocked on caffeine...”

JQ laughed. “Smart thinking.”

“And for you,” Howie continued, “Coffee black.”

“You know the way I like my coffee?” JQ asked surprised.

Howie nodded. “Yeah... After spending so much time with a person, you know these things.”

JQ just looked at Howie thoughtfully, and he stared at her. “It’s not like it’s that hard to remember,” Nick replied, bringing the two out of their gaze.

“Nick, you haven’t gone,” Howie pointed out.

“Me?” Nick repeated.

“Are there any other Nick’s in this room?” Howie retorted, “Of course you!”

“I wouldn’t know what to say...” Nick stammered.

JQ rolled her eyes. “Nick, you’ve been listening to all these people talk to the camera and you don’t know what to say?”

“Yeah!” he exclaimed, “All the good stuff was taken!”

JQ and Howie laughed. “Come on, Nick, it’s your turn,” JQ ordered as she got up and started fiddling with the camera, “How does this thing work?”

Howie chuckled and walked over to her as Nick got comfortable on the couch. “This is the ‘on’ button.. This is the ‘unpause’ button... Ready Nick?” he asked. Nick nodded. “Action!”

Nick waved to the camera. “Hey you two lovebirds. Do you mind prying yourselves away from each other to listen to me for a sec? Well, I really don’t know what to say, especially without being cliched... I always knew you guys would make it!

“You’re such a liar!” Howie exclaimed.

“So what? After that, there’s no way I can be cliched... On serious note, AJ, you’ve been like an older brother to me. We’ve fought like brothers! But, hey, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and there were times we almost killed each other.”

“They had a literal fist fight!” Howie added.

JQ rolled her eyes. “Men...” she mumbled, then she nudged Howie, “Who won?”

Nick nodded. “But we got passed it and that’s what counts! You’ve become one of my best friends, and don’t worry.. I’m not insulted that I wasn’t best man at your wedding. I think JQ and Howie are the perfect match...”

“Excuse me?” JQ and Howie said in unison.

Nick cleared his throat. “As maid of honor and best man, of course.. They get the job done well. Anyway... I want to wish you guys the best in your marriage. You will do great. I’ve heard stories about you two throughout this thing and you guys definitely did a lot of growing. You must have to get AJ to the alter--”

“Getting Lexie there wasn’t exactly as easy as a little nudge either,” JQ added.

“Well, it seems the theme of this video is, ‘Didn’t Think You Guys Would Make It,’” Nick said.

“Actually, I like mine better,” Howie interrupted, “‘You Sure Surprised Me.’”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Howie, nobody cares..Anyway,” he continued, “I’ve heard some sad stories about you guys, some happy ones, some funny ones.. A lot of funny ones! The things you find out about people... Well, I’m going to tell the ultimate happy one, because I’m a happy kind of guy! See I always believed you two would get back together again,”

“Liar,” Howie accused.

“Alright, I never really gave it much thought,” Nick admitted, “But I wanted you to. I could tell you guys were perfect together.” Then, Nick looked straight at Howie and JQ. “It’s funny how the people who are so perfect for each other are always the last ones to realize it.”

JQ and Howie looked at each other with uncomfortable expressions. They quickly shifted their gaze back to Nick as he continued, “Well, I was there when Lex and AJ got back together for the last time! It was beautiful! It was emotional! It was touching! It was wet...”

[ part 05 ]