CHAPTER 9:

Over the next few weeks, AJ worked more and more closely with Seth in the preparing for their storyline debut. Only their partners knew about their storyline as Stephanie wanted to surprise the rest of the team. AJ enjoyed working with Seth, as it got her at times just a little bit closer to Roman. It was now March 4th, the day before their storyline was all set to launch and she and Seth were in the training facility where of course a conversation began.

"You know, you're not as nearly as crazy as I thought you were" said Seth. "Um thanks?" said AJ. "You know that it's just a character that I am playing right?" "Of course" said Seth. "But as they say, sometimes lines can become blurry". "So what inspired your blond hair?" asked AJ. "Getting into character" said Seth with a smile. With that AJ laughed as Roman walked in. "Hey you two, how are you guys doing?" he asked. "Are you nervous for tomorrow night?" "I'm never nervous" said AJ. "Oh come on now, that can't be true" said Roman as he handed Seth a bottle of water. "Where's my bottle of water?" asked AJ. "I didn't know that you'd be here" said Roman. "He's lying" said Seth. "He can see outside on the sign-in chart".

"I apologize April. I'll get you a bottle" said Roman. "No it's ok" said AJ. "I've already went through three". "Girl you're bladder is going to explode soon" said Seth. "Not quite" said AJ. "Hey whatever you say" said Roman. "My flight just arrived 2hrs ago and Dean should be here tonight if not tomorrow morning". "Looking forward to that match up against Phil?" asked AJ. "You're ex is quite the little fighter" said Roman. AJ sighed as she noticed Nikki entering.

"Hey Nicole over here!" said Seth. "Hi there Seth, Joe" she said. "Ooh I guess someone doesn't like you" said Seth. "That's no big secret" said AJ. "She's hated me ever since I kissed John last year and she hasn't let it go yet". "But that was like months ago" said Roman. "Nikki holds the world's longest grudges" said AJ. "That's your business" said Roman. "Ima go ahead and get changed into my workout clothes". With that Roman walked out before giving another hello jester to Nikki again.

"Why does she hate me so much?" asked AJ. "I dunno" said Seth. "I would thought you girls would all be close considering you all have birthdays in November". "Yeah well clashes can happen amongst your own sign" said AJ. "She's 4 years older than me, yet she acts as if she's 8 years younger than me". "You'll work it out one day" said Seth. "You can't be hating on each other forever".

And he was right. You can't go on like that forever. Nikki began her daily regimen as she and Seth resumed their workouts. "So you wanna try out some improving?" he asked. "Sure" said AJ as they both walked over to the makeshift ring. "Ok so how about when after all of you guys come make your entrances and when I make my entrance I stop at the beginning of the walkway and just gaze at you, then I slowly walk on over to you?" said AJ. "Sure" said Seth. "Whatever makes you feel comfortable?"

As the two continued talking, Nikki walked over. "So what are you two like dating now?" she asked. "Nicole" said Seth. "Trust me nothing serious is going on here. We're just doing a little chatting around, that's all". "Seth, I wasn't born yesterday" said Nikki. "Yeah and neither was I" said Seth. "Whatever" said Nikki as she turned around and walked away.

"My God she is a piece of work and not in the good way" he said. "Trust me I would know" said AJ. "So let's continue up on our conversation". Seth nodded as the two began talking. Unbeknownst to them, Nikki was watching from afar.

"Something's going on between the two of them and I'm gonna find out" she said as she resumed her exercising.