Hi all! I'm back with some new material! Roman Reigns is my latest "crush" & I've been feeling a little motivated to write again (having more free time definitely helps!) So I hope you all enjoy my latest work! Hope to hear feed back & read some reviews! Let me know what you think! Enjoy :) xoxo -Jessa

Chapter One

"Get up, Ava! Come on girl let's move, move, move!" Breathing heavily I jump up, only to land flat on my back once more via yet another hard clothesline to the chest.

Being a "newbie" wasn't easy. I was currently training in WWE's NXT program in Orlando, Florida. Becoming a wrestler was always a dream of mine, but the physical demands we're taking their rightful toll on my slim frame. I'd always been into sports- and even if it sounds a tad self absorbed, I was damn good at them. So needless to say, staying in good shape was never an issue for me. Yet still, when I stepped foot into the squared circle, my cocky "I can do it all" attitude had a major wake up call. It was a reality check without question, but I was instantly hooked on the rush.

It was like nothing I'd ever felt before. Harder than any sport I'd ever played. The bruises I wore as a badge of honor, it was my time to shine now. I'd been in developmental with WWE for just under a year. I had wrestled in the indies for about five- when I was scouted by Bill Demott, the head coach of WWE's talent relations. After he saw what I could do, I was signed to NXT, where I've been getting my ass handed to me on a silver platter every day since.

"Ava take ten, good job kid!" Bill shouted from the corner. Exhaling deeply I peeled myself off the mat, sweat misting from every part of my body. I nod in his direction with a smirk, "Really trying to kill me today, aren't you?" Grinning widely he nods, "Every day."

Gingerly I roll out of the ring, grabbing a towel on my way to wipe the sweat from my face. Damn, I was sore. But the pain was beginning to feel like pleasure. In fact not a day went by that I didn't feel achey. It was worth it. I was in the best shape of my life, and I felt I was making real progress in the ring. I was noticing it, and my trainers were noticing it as well. There was faint whispers of talent being brought up to the main roster soon, and I knew I had to be ready for anything.

Grabbing my water bottle I lazily plop next to Jenny, another female wrestler who was brought in shortly after me. We hit it off quickly, becoming fast friends and travel buddies. We are mainly stationed in Orlando where the performance center is located, but lately we've been lucky enough to travel and preform at live events. Of course our matches were dark- code for not televised, but to us it didn't matter. Performing in front of all those people was further validation for me that I LOVED this business.

"Damn is Bill on one today. I'm getting my fucking ass kicked out there," Jenny grumbled. I nod in agreement, "You and me both. Check out this shiner," I said with a smile as I pointed to a huge black and blue mark on my shoulder. Raising her eyebrows she examines the bruise, "Ohhh girl... That will look beautiful tomorrow".

Chuckling I take a huge sip of my water, loving the way the cool liquid revives me. "So... I hear the rumor mill is really turning this week." Jenny says with a smirk. I shrugged, "I try not to pay too much attention to that shit, it just distracts."

"Listen to you, all business! Come on girl, you know you pay a little bit of attention to that. Especially when there is talk of moving up to the main roster! I heard some of the WWE superstars are going to be coming to the performance center to check it out."

I shifted awkwardly, nervous at the thought. Having WWE talent around was a huge deal. The wrestling business is all about respect. Respect to those who are in it now, and respect to those who have been there before you. If you aren't humble in this business, you won't last.

"Of course I think about it. I just don't like to get my hopes up, thats all I'm saying." We looked at each other, smiles wider than ever, sharing the feeling of hope- and the sense of excitement and expectation in a future that is so uncertain. One thing is for sure, you never know where this business will take you; and the feeling you get from that uncertainty is one we could never explain.

All we knew was, we liked it.

In that instant, almost like a sign from the wrestling Gods, the doors to the performance center swing open- and in walks three larger than life men. All were dressed in sweats, their eyes covered with sunglasses. As they looked around they were each greeted happily by all members of the staff, shaking hands, laughing and talking.

"Holy shit," Jenny says excitedly as she slaps my shoulder. "Ow! Bruise, Jen! Jesus!" I whimper as I rub my sore spot. She pouts, "Sorry. But do you know who that is?" I squint and shrug my shoulders, "Hard to tell with the sunglasses on."

"It's the fucking shield!"

I glance over again and my mouth drops in shock. It was the shield! One of the biggest stables in WWE currently. They were blowing up, their popularity sky rocketing. We had the opportunity to see them in action last week, and they were a very impressive bunch.

Jen and I watch anxiously as Bill makes his way over to the three men, embracing each of them as they make small talk. Slowly they all make their way over to where we are sitting, and as they do so, Jen and I clumsily stand up.

"Guys, this is Ava and Jenny, two of our best in the women's NXT division. Big futures for these two," Bill says proudly as he motions his hand towards us. Smiling we each shake hands with all three. When I get to the largest of the group, known to most as 'Roman Reigns'- he takes his sunglasses off and I find myself gazing into stone grey eyes. "Joe," he says as his hand engulfs mine in a firm handshake.

"Ava," I choke out, my voice hardly a whisper.

Swallowing the lump in my now dry throat, I reluctantly let go of his hand. Holy shit he was gorgeous. Perfect jaw line, tan skin, long black hair, and muscles on top of muscles. A dream.

Grinning, he must have picked up on my nervousness as he flashed a smile. Leaning in closer he mumbles, "Nice to meet you, Ava. Don't be nervous, we just came here to see what you've all got..."