Written by: Amy.

“Alexandra Marie Covington, where have you been?” Nikki interrogated the moment Lexie tried to quietly sneak up the stairs of the dorm.

“Hi to you too,” she replied trying to lighten Nikki up.

Nikki was pissed. “Answer the question.”

“I was with AJ. We were at a party,” she answered.

“Do you know what time it is?” Nikki asked sternly, “It’s 3:00 AM. 3:00 AM! Way passed curfew!”

“I’m sorry,” Lexie apologized sincerely.

“Sorry for what? Being late or getting caught?” Nikki pointed out.

Lexie chuckled. “Actually, to be honest, getting caught...”

“I swear you girls are going to force me to go gray of these days,” Nikki complained, her Chinese eyes fuming, “Lex, despite what you unruly college students think, rules aren’t meant to be broken.”

“I know.. I’m sorry.. It’ll never happen again,” she promised.

“That’s what you keep saying, but it keeps happening. Next time you’ll be cleaning this place from top to bottom.”

“What’s the big deal?” Lexie asked, “I’m 19. I’m an adult.”

“Are you undermining my authority?” Nikki growled furiously.

Lexie stepped back afraid. “No.. I’m so not.. .I take it back.”

“As long as you are living under my roof, you will abide by my rules!” Nikki hissed, “Is that clear?!”

Lexie nodded in fear. “Yup.. Uhuh... Completely..”

“Good night, Alexandra!” Nikki said through clenched teeth.

“Good night,” Lexie replied and quickly headed to her room.

Nikki began massaging her forehead as she headed to her room. “Oh God,” she murmured, “I’m beginning to sound like my mother...” ____________________________________________________

“I just find it hard to believe that this same naive 18 year old is getting married,” Nikki continued, “It’s not easy, but you guys will do fine. You both have grown through the years. More importantly, you learned how to grow together. Though, I have to admit, after the first six months I thought that’d be the last we’d hear of AJ... It’s not exactly a relationship you guys took seriously...” ____________________________________________________

“Hey, Lex, can you pass me the salt?” Nikki asked as she continued cooking a gourmet meal for her fiancee, Scott.

“Sure,” Lexie replied passing the salt. The girls would come into Nikki’s room all the time seeking advice, for a shoulder to cry on, or just to talk about nothing

“So, who’s this AJ guy that’s always making you miss curfew?” Nikki asked with a teasing smile.

“Who said AJ had anything to do with me missing curfew?... I have a mind of my own.”

Nikki raised her eyebrow. “I’d hate to think that you’ve been breaking curfew out of your own free will and not because of the influence of this wonderful prince charming...”

“Oh! Umm.. .Yeah, right... It’s all AJ’s fault...” Lexie stammered.

“Sure,” Nikki nodded in disbelief, “So you’ve been dating this guy, what, 5 months now?”

Lexie shrugged. “Something like that...”

“Isn’t he in that Backstreet Boys group?” Nikki inquired.

Lexie nodded. “Yeah, that’s the one...” she replied nonchalantly.

“You don’t seem that excited,” Nikki commented.

Lexie shrugged. “What’s to be excited about? It’s not like we’re getting married.”

Nikki gave Lexie a skeptical look. “You’ve been dating for five months. As I recall, we couldn’t get enough of Josh the first six months you two started dating...”

“Well I learned from my mistake and AJ isn’t Josh... Thank God...”

“What do you mean you learned from your mistakes?” Nikki inquired.

“I took that Josh thing way too seriously.. AJ and I are just having fun... You’re only young once.”

“That’s quite an extreme from what you once were,” Nikki commented.

Lexie shrugged. “Like I said, I learned from my mistakes.”

“You know just because Josh broke your heart doesn’t mean you have to shut out all other guys,” Nikki pointed out.

“Just because I didn’t automatically declare AJ my soulmate doesn’t mean I’m shutting him out,” Lexie replied defensively.

“I didn’t say that,” Nikki said.

“Well that’s what it sounded like,” Lexie snapped.”

Nikki held her hands up. “You’re getting awfully defensive, Lex.”

Lexie rolled her eyes. “Whatever... I’m just sick of everyone making me feel like some kind of horrible person because I’m having some fun,” Lexie explained frustrated, “You know, it works both ways. It’s not like AJ has professed his undying love for me or anything...”

“Sounds to me like you don’t want to admit that you like him until he does first,” Nikki analyzed.

“Thank you, Ms. Psychologist,” Lexie replied, “but you really should stick to insurance. I’m just looking for a good time and I don’t think I’m a bad person for that.”

“You’re not,” Nikki agreed, “It’s just not like you not to care.”

“Like I said,” Lexie said, “I learned from my mistakes.”

Nikki sighed. “Maybe a little too well.” ____________________________________________________

A month later..

It was Saturday night and Lexie had decided to go to a beach party with some friends. AJ had just flew in from California the night before and told her that he was still pretty worn out from the trip, but might drop by. Lexie was having the time of her life, partying like there was no tomorrow.

“You’ve been hanging out Shawn a lot lately, especially tonight,” JQ commented.

Lexie smiled. “He’s a really cool guy, cute too.”

“What about AJ?”

“Who?” Lexie asked.

“AJ... You’re boyfriend...” JQ answered.

“Oh! Right!” Lexie exclaimed, “AJ’s great... Shawn and I are just friends.”

A couple hours into the party Lexie and Shawn decided to take a break from dancing and get a bite to eat. They were eating hot-dogs, laughing, and talking.

“You, uh, have ketchup on your nose,” Shawn told her shyly.

Lexie giggled and tried to wipe the ketchup off with her finger. “Here, let me get it,” he offered as he wiped the ketchup off her nose. There was a bolt of electricity between them.

“Thanks,” Lexie whispered.

“Your welcome,” Shawn murmured as he leaned over and kissed her on the lips. Lexie closed her eyes and washed all her thoughts away, afraid of what she’d think about if didn’t.

Suddenly, the kiss was interrupted by a familiar and disturbing voice. “Well, well what do we have here?”

Lexie quickly pulled away. For a second she was afraid to turn around and when she did, she saw AJ. Her heart plummeted to her stomach when she saw AJ’s angry and bitter face.

“Hi AJ,” she said sheepishly.

“Hello,” he replied coldly.

“Umm.. I think I better get going,” Shawn stated suspecting that this was Lexie’s boyfriend.

“Bye, Shawn,” Lexie said not budging her eyes from AJ.

AJ waved and gave a bitter smile. “Bye, Shawn.”

“I’m so sorry,” Lexie said with pleading eyes..

"I think we need to talk,” AJ stated.

Lexie nodded, “Yeah, I think we do,” she agreed, then she motioned to the beach.

“Come on... Let’s take a walk.”

Lexie and AJ had been walking in silence for about a half hour. AJ hadn’t yelled or screamed, he had decided to take the silent approach. Finally, Lexie couldn’t take the silence any longer.

“I’m sorry,” she said.

AJ nodded. “That’s nice.”

They kept walking in silence. “AJ, please say something.. Anything... Yell. Scream. Get mad,” Lexie pleaded, “Please, just give me some kind of reaction.”

AJ stopped walking. “I guess I should be mad,” he stated, “But I’m not.”

“You’re not?” Lexie asked surprised.

AJ shook his head, then looked Lexie directly in the eye. “I cheated on you too,” he confessed.

“You what?!” Lexie exclaimed.

AJ took a deep breath. “When I was in Los Angeles, I went to partying. I met this girl and one thing led to another and I kissed her... I’m sorry.”

“You cheated on me!?” Lexie exclaimed in a mixture of shock and anger.

“Well, you cheated on me!” AJ pointed out.

Lexie sighed and took a seat on the sand. AJ sat next to her. “What’s happened to us?” AJ asked her.

“You make it sound like there was much of an ‘us’ there to begin with,” Lexie pointed out.

AJ nodded. “As much as I hate to admit it, you’re right,” he agreed, “Let’s face it, this was never anything incredibly serious.”

Lexie nodded. “And let’s face it, it’s never going to be anything serious.”

“Hey, it was fun,” AJ said, “We had a good time.”

Lexie looked over at him and smiled. “Yeah we did,” she agreed, “And now it’s over.”

“Did it ever really begin?”

Lexie paused, then nodded. “Yeah, it did, and it was fun.. But that’s all it ever really was.. Fun.” ____________________________________________________

“Is the rumor true?” JQ asked, “Is your boyfriend coming for the wedding?”

Lexie’s younger sister nodded . “He’s flying in tonight.”

“He’s flying from Rhode Island to see your sister’s wedding? Sounds serious,” Howie commented.

“We’ve been for a year and a half,” Amy gushed, “He’s wonderful.”

“What’s his name, again?” Nick asked as he set up the camera, “Brian?”

“Brandon,” Amy corrected him.

Nick shrugged. “Whatever. Same thing..”

“It’s good to have you back, Amy,” Howie commented.

“Thanks. It’s good to be back.”

“So are we going to get this show on the road, or what?” JQ asked.

“In a second...” Nick answered.

Howie shook his head. “How sad is this JQ? We’re the oldest people in the room and the most single.”

“Not to mention that one of the people here has a boyfriend that’s like Brad Pitt, Bill Gates, and the Pope all rolled up in one.”

“Still single?” Amy guessed.

“Damn, you’re quick,” JQ retorted, “Way to show off that IV League education.”

“Please don’t get them started,” Nick pleaded.

Amy ignored the comment. “Whatever happened to you and that Tim guy?”

JQ rolled her eyes. “He loved me too,” she replied an annoyed tone.

“Ow,” Amy, Nick, and Howie mumbled at the same time.

JQ was about to say something when Nick yelled, “Ready!”

Amy sat on the couch and smiled to the camera. Amy had your basic dark brown hair and brown eyes. Her hair was medium length and thick. You could do a million things with it, but she usually choose to blow dry it straight. If it wasn’t for their all too similar personalities, it was hard to believe that Amy and Alexandra were sisters.

“Hi, Lexie and AJ. It’s the little sister here. Well, I’m not so little anymore.. I know to you I’ll always be, ‘Little Ames.’ I hate that nickname, by the way... Well, I just want to wish you guys the best for your marriage. I can’t believe my big sister is getting married! This is the same girl that ripped my barbie dolls head off..”

“She must have been a really troubled child,” Howie joked.

“If you don’t know, AJ, and I think you might, let me warn you. I know first hand that Lexie is not a morning person... Also, never chew with your mouth open. She will take away your food!... And when she’s watching TV don’t dare change the station. I can’t count the times she’s beat me up for that one... Don’t leave water in the sink when you’re done with the dishes... Oh, and God forbid you leave the toilet paper unrolling under. My dad and I never got that one. It was something between Lexie and mom... And if you really want to piss her off put the salt on the left and the pepper on the right. I never got that one, but her salt and pepper shakers always have to be in order...”

“Damn she’s picky!” Nick exclaimed.

“Tell me about it,” Amy agreed, “and I had to live with it for 14 years! But now it’s time to pass on the torch to someone else, thank God. AJ, enjoy, she’s all yours!”

“Warms your heart, doesn’t it?” JQ teased.

“I know... Anyway... AJ, I know you’ve been an only child all your life, but like it or not you’re getting your first and only sister. I bet you never thought you’d see this day coming...”

“Evidently, neither did anyone else,” Howie piped up.

“I remember when Lexie first told me she was dating AJ from the Backstreet Boys.. I was 15 and my first thought was, ‘Alright, I’m finally going to get to meet Nick Carter!’”

“Really?” Nick asked, suddenly very interested.

Amy rolled her eyes. “Don’t flattered yourself... I was 15 years old with a teeny bopper obsession,” she explained, “Anyway, after 6 months I hadn’t met AJ and I realized I wasn’t going to because they broke up. Lexie didn’t seem all that devastated about the break up...”

“Oh she wasn’t,” JQ assured them.

“Oh, neither was AJ,” Howie replied.

“Far from it....” Nick added, “A week later it was like, ‘Lexie who?’”

“And this is suppose to be a video to show how Lexie and AJ are a match made in heaven?” Amy asked.

“It is in theory,” Nick teased.

Amy chuckled. “Anyway... I did, obviously, get to meet AJ eventually. It was about six months after the break up...” ____________________________________________________

“Amy, can you help me over here?” Lexie asked her sister. They were at the annual Easter egg hunt that they went to every year. Unfortunately, after twelve years old you’re not allowed to participate in the egg hunt, so Lexie and Amy had been volunteering ever since.

“Sure,” Amy replied hurrying over to hide the eggs with her.

As they began hiding the eggs more people started coming to the park. It was a beautiful day, with the birds chirping and the sun shining.

“Hey, Lex, isn’t that AJ?” Amy asked as they hid their last egg behind a bush. Amy had never met AJ, but she was very familiar with what he looked like.

“What?” Lexie inquired, thinking she was hearing things.

“Isn’t that AJ?” Amy repeated pointing.

Lexie looked over the bush to the direction where her sister was pointing. Sure enough there was AJ. In the six months that she dated him this was the first time she saw him wearing something so... simple. He was wearing khakis pants and a white button-down collar shirt. Also, no sunglasses. He looked good

“Oh my God!” Lexie exclaimed in shock. She never thought she’d see him again unless it was on MTV.

“I’m taking that as a yes,” Amy replied.

“What is he doing here?”

“It appears he’s taking that little girl to the Easter egg hunt,” Amy answered referring to the cute little 6 year old girl AJ was carrying.

“Oh...”

“So aren’t you going to talk to him?” Amy asked as the two of them got up from behind the bush.

Lexie shrugged, trying to brush it off. “I don’t think so... I’m really busy helping..Maybe later...”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Just talk to him. What’s the big deal?”

“Nothing,” Lexie replied, “He’s my ex-boyfriend. It’s a little awkward...”

“Come on,” Amy pleaded, “I never got to meet him. Give me what I was deprived of.”

Lexie shook her head. “Amy, we have work to do.”

“You suck.”

Lexie smiled. “I know.”

AJ had agreed to take his 6 year old cousin to the annual Easter Egg Hunt. He hated Easter and was trying to hard to put on a happy face for his cute cousin.

“When’s the Easter bunny coming?” she asked, tugging on his shirt.

AJ skimmed the park looking for a big, white bunny. Instead his eyes stopped at 5’7 brunette with red highlights. She looked even more beautiful than what he remembered. She was very casual looking with blue jeans and a white shirt with a bunny rabbit. She was helping with the food. She seemed light hearted and free.. Just happy to be alive.

AJ’s little cousin, Emily tugged on his shirt. “Cousin AJ, who are you looking at?”

“No one,” AJ quickly answer turning to his cousin.

“Is that your girlfriend?” Emily asked in a teasing voice.

“Ex-girlfriend,” AJ corrected her.

“Why don’t you go talk to her?” she inquired.

AJ shrugged. “Because... She’s busy,” he replied, lying.

Suddenly, AJ noticed the 5’4 brunette that was coming toward him. He had purposely downplayed himself today so not to get recognized. It was Easter and he wasn’t in the mood for signing autographs, however, one wasn’t a big deal.

“Hi,” the girl said when she finally reached him, “Are you AJ McLean?”

AJ nodded and smiled. “That’s me, in the flesh.”

The girl smiled and nodded. “I thought so. I noticed you from my sister’s pictures.”

That last sentenced caught AJ’s attention. “Your sister’s?” he repeated.

The girl’s smile grew and she nodded again. “Yeah. My name is Amy Covington-”

“Alexandra Covington,” AJ interrupted, “Is that your sister?”

Amy nodded. “You remember,” she stated, “You guys dated like six months ago.”

“Yeah, I remember.. That was one of my better break ups,” AJ replied with a smile, “So how is she?”

“Lexie’s good,” Amy replied, then she paused, “She talks about you all the time..Non stop.”

Amy was straight out lying. Lexie rarely ever talked about AJ and Amy knew in about two seconds Lexie (who Amy knew would be listening to their conversation) would have to say something.

“I do not!” Lexie exclaimed barging into the conversation, “That’s such a lie!”

“Oh, hi, Lexie,” Amy said smiling, “You remember AJ...”

Lexie looked sheepishly from her sister to AJ. “Oh, hi AJ,” she replied trying to hide her embarrassment.

AJ smiled, quite amused. “Hey, Lex,” he said, “How have you been?”

“I’ve been pretty good, you?”

“Great,” AJ answered, “What are you doing here?”

Lexie shrugged. “Helping out. We do this every year. What are you doing here? And who’s your cute little friend?” she asked tickling Emily’s stomach.

“This is my little cousin Emily, who my mother insisted I take to this Easter Egg Hunt.”

AJ and Lexie began talking about what they had been up to the last six months and things going on in their life. Amy eventually left the conversation with Emily, not that they noticed they were gone.

Suddenly, Mrs. Myers (the woman in charge of the Easter Egg Hunt) came rushing to Amy. “There’s a big problem,” she told Amy. Lexie and AJ overheard her and went over to them. “My grandson, Christian, was suppose to be the Easter bunny this year. However, he just called me telling me he can’t make it... We have an emergency.”

“Oh no!” Lexie exclaimed, “What’s Easter without the Easter bunny?”

“That’s horrible,” AJ agreed.

“Well, you still have the costume, right?” Amy asked.

Mrs. Myers nodded. “Yes.”

“How about AJ or Lexie dress up as the Easter bunny?” Amy suggested with a devilish smile.

“No way!” AJ and Lexie exclaimed in unison.

Mrs. Myers gave AJ and Lexie a long pensive look. “That’s not a bad idea.. With a couple alterations it could fit either one of them..”

“There’s no way you’re getting me in a bunny suit.. When I was younger my mom used to make me dress up as the Easter bunny and give out eggs to little kids,” AJ said, “It was traumatizing and because of it Easter is my least favorite holiday. I’m not reliving that.”

“Well I’m not dressing up in a furry white suit hopping around like little bunny Fu-Fu,” Lexie replied, “I love Easter, I don’t want to start hating it now.”

“Come on, guys,” pleaded Mrs. Myers, “For the children...”

Lexie and AJ sighed. Mrs. Myers was a sweet old woman that no one could resist saying no to. “Rocks, paper, scissors?” Lexie suggested.

AJ nodded. “Rocks, paper, scissors,” they chanted. When it came down to it Lexie got paper and AJ choose rock.

“Paper kills rock,” Amy said happily. AJ looked like he was about to shoot her.

Lexie chuckled. “Come on AJ... It won’t be that bad.. Just think of this as facing your fears,” she replied cheerfully.

AJ looked at Lexie annoyed. “Next Easter I’m just going into hiding.”

[ part 03]