Saturday

Alexa was cruising down the street to AJ's house, Disney music blaring through her car speakers. She was singing along to Little Mermaid's Poor Unfortunate Souls, one of her favorite songs from the movie, or in general really.

As she sang, she thought about what AJ and she were going to do. She never really hung out with anyone other than Carmella, and she's not sure he's the gossiping type.

A part of her wanted to turn around and return home. That she shouldn't get too close to him. But…the other part wanted her to continue driving, see what will happen with her and AJ.

AJ.

He's…different. He's…nice to her. Doesn't look at her like she's scum, even when he knows she's a thief. Even asking her to retrieve a precious item for him. He puts a lot of trust in her, but why? Why trust trash? They stink for a reason.

No, this meeting was strictly business. She needed some suspects to start the hunt with. And she needed to return the thing to him.

She parked in front of the house, taking a deep breath before grabbing the container and heading for the front door. She hesitated for a moment, gathering herself before ringing the doorbell. She was surprised to hear quick footsteps inside, and the door practically swinging open. AJ's bright smiling face made her blush. He looked so happy to see her.

"You came!" he cheered in delight.

She managed a nod through her surprise, entering the house when he stepped aside. When he shut the door, she turned to him and handed the container over to him.

"..Here.." she mumbled. "I uh…I washed it before coming over. Figured I uh…would do that for you…" She blushed a darker red as she spoke.

AJ nodded as he took it from her. "Thank you very much. Hope you enjoyed the food."

"Yes, it was very good. Thank you again for making it."

AJ smiles, motioning for her to take a seat in the living room as he makes a brief trip to the kitchen to put away the container.

Alexa sits on the couch as she glances around the living room. Not much to it: a television against the wall near the front door, a couch and a loveseat across from each other, between those was a long coffee table with some things on it, and a huge mantle along the last wall. It was filled with photo frames and random knickknacks. The pictures were the ones she saw before when she first entered the house days prior. Now looking at it more closely, most of the photos features the man with short, dirty blonde hair. Wonder who the man is to AJ? Brother maybe? They do look related.

This feels so weird for her, being invited like this. Sure, she's gotten somewhat used to the concept of hanging out through Carmella. But…this was different, wasn't it?

Before she could ponder further, AJ returned and stood next to her.

"Like the photos?"

She jumped slightly, she didn't hear him approach her. "S-Sorry." she stammered.

He chuckled, "Don't worry, it's all good. They're all very close friends of mine." He pointed to each person as he pointed them out in the photos, "The short bald guy is Karl, the slightly taller bald guy is Luke, the girl with the orange hair is Becky and the other male is Dean."

Dean? As in the Dean that gave AJ the friendship pendent? So that's what he looks like. Kind of cute if she was being honest.

"Anyway, I should give you some suspects yes? I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner when I explained the task to you."

"Would help." she giggled.

"I have three people that kind of don't like me very much. We all participate in this bi-monthly pool tournament at Piper's Pit. Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and John Cena are three people that grew to hate me over our time doing these tournaments."

Seth Rollins. Now why does that name sound familiar?

Wait…

"Think I have a friend who knows Seth."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He's in one of her classes. I can ask her to do some recon for me."

"If she's all right with that. He also hangs out at the library a lot so you could go there if your friend doesn't want to do it."

"I think she'll be excited." she smiles. "Anyway, what of the other two?"

"Roman I know works as a lifeguard for the community pool. As for John…I'm not too sure. He used to be a regular at the bar, but since the incident, he hasn't been around. Some say he's staying home more to train his girlfriend for an upcoming tennis competition overseas."

"Guess we'll worry about him if the other two come up clean." she shrugs.

"Guess we don't have a choice huh?"

Alexa smiles and turns to head out, "Well, I'll get going I guess."

"Wait!" AJ starts, "Want to walk around the park with me? It's really nice out."

Alexa stopped, turning around to face him. Should she? It was just a walk, right? Can't hurt…right?

"…Okay. Yes, we can do that if you want."

AJ's bright smile made Alexa's heart flutter. That smile…it looked so…genuine. She…wants to see it more on him.

"Awesome! I'll grab us some water bottles. It's supposed to be really hot today."

Alexa nodded as he went back to the kitchen, returning with a backpack with the two bottles, she assumes anyway.

He leads her outside, walking a few blocks before reaching Dove Grove park. They walk through, Alexa seeing children playing on the playground and other people jogging around or sitting on the various benches scattered around. It feels…peaceful here. Like you could sit down and let everything go, enjoy the gentle breeze and the laughter of children.

"It's so nice." she mumbles.

"Dean found this place." AJ comments. "He says he usually comes here to relax and calm down if he's upset or stressed about something."

"Found a good place. Hey uh…how did you meet him anyway?"

Question came out before she thought about it. She was curious how the two met and became such close friends. So close to warrant friendship necklaces.

AJ directed her to the nearest bench to rest a bit as he told the story.

"It was some years ago. I own an auto repair business and was closing for the day when I noticed something in the street. I look up the street to see Dean limping, holding his midsection. I sent Luke to retrieve him and bring him back to the shop. He looked horrible: bruises and cuts decorating his whole body, blood leaking out his nose, black eye, he was a mess. We patched him up as best we could before calling our friend Finn Balor, who's a doctor, to take a look at him. As we waited, I asked Dean what happened. He said he was returning to an alleyway he lived in when these thugs threatened him for taking their spot. He fought them, but was quickly outnumbered."

Wait, alleyway?

"He…he was homeless?"

"Yeah." AJ frowns. "Anyway, after hearing this, I offered my place to him, as well as an assistance job at my shop. He would live with me until he was able to live on his own. We've been best friends since."

Holy crap. Was this man a superhero or something? He's so quick to help anyone in trouble. Some people would not have made the offered, only healing him and sending him back to the streets. But AJ allows him to live in his house as well as hand him a job on the spot.

Heart of gold this man has.

"You're quite the helper, aren't you?" she smiles.

AJ blushes, "I couldn't send him back. I didn't want him there anymore. And now look at him? He's a manager at my shop, lives in a nice house and is in a relationship."

"Wow, you really turned his life around huh?" she giggles.

"I wouldn't word it like that." he blushed. "I think I more just added a good chapter in his book you know?"

"I was close."

He chuckled, "Anyway, you have any hobbies?"

"Hmm, I'm a huge Disney fan. I've seen all the movies at least twice. Carmella calls me a Disney buff or something like that." she laughs. "I also like to play pool."

"Really?"

"Yeah. There's a table at my apartment complex's game room. I go there a lot and play."

"Maybe you would like an opponent." he smirks.

She matches his smirk, "That a challenge?"

"Could be. But going back to the Disney thing, which movie is your favorite?"

"Beauty and the Beast." she answered quickly. "I adore the movie. I always watched it as a kid, always singing along to the songs and even attempted the dance they did in the ballroom. I watched it so much that the VHS broke."

AJ smiled as he listened to Alexa gush over the movie, loving how excited she seemed.