Okay so hear me out first...I know I have NO BUSINESS doing another fanfic when I have 2 that I just put on hold but this story WOULD NOT LEAVE ME ALONE so I had to write it. I am pretty far along in it so far and I do have it posted on another site but I figured I would post it here too. So please DON'T judge me. This chapter is REALLY long but the rest are not this long I promise! I don't own any of these characters with the exception of Melanie and a few others that are not real people and do NOT work for WWE :) As always please comment and let me know what you think.
I gripped the steering wheel tightly before taking a deep breath. I looked in the rearview mirror at the green eyes that were reflecting back at me. Today was the day where people were going to see what I was made of. Today it was time that everyone was going to remember my name. I released my grip on the steering wheel and opened the door stepping out into the warm breeze of New Jersey. I tossed my curly hair over my shoulder as the breeze whipped back and forth. The show had already started but I wasn't the first up anyway. Steph wanted my entrance to be a complete surprise. I quickly pulled my phone out of my pocket and text her.
Me: Hey Steph the phoenix has landed and is headed into the Arena
Steph: lol awesome Sasha is already in Gorilla. We sent her there early so she wouldn't see you. This is going to be amazing for everyone. Make sure you stay out of sight, we don't want to many people seeing you and saying something to Sasha about you being here.
Me: Got it Boss Lady :)
Steph: After the show we need to catch up I haven't had a chance to talk to you much and I miss you!
Me: Sounds good to me but you know Sasha is going to want to come
Steph: Yeah I know I guess for tonight I will share you
Me: Awww look at that the Billion Dollar Princess agreeing to share I'm so proud of you! It has only taken you 32 years to grasp that concept but better late than never! :)
Steph: Shut up smartass lol
Me: Yeah but you wouldn't have it any other way! lol
Steph: True – gotta go I will see you soon Mel
Me: k
I shoved my phone in my pocket I couldn't hide the smile that spread across my face and to be honest I didn't want to. Stephanie and I had literally grown up together. She was one of my best friends and we figured out early a great balance of friend/employee and we made sure that the line was never blurred. In fact it is just recently that people even knew we were friends outside of work. There are a very select number of people that actually know how far back we actually go, but then again that is the way I want to keep it. I want to make it in this business on my own merits. Not riding off of my Dad's accomplishments unlike my cousin who at every chance talks about how genetically superior she is. God even sometimes I find it hard to believe that she and I are related. I flashed my badge to the security guys backstage who nodded and smiled at me. I asked them where Gorilla was and they gave me the easiest route to get there. I proceeded to walk down the hallway. I still had about 15 minutes to kill so I decided to take a small tour away from Gorilla to put some distance in-between me and Sasha and to try and settle my nerves. I passed by a few of the crew members who knew me from NXT and smiled and exchanged pleasantries. I didn't get far before I was grabbed from behind by the waist and hoisted into the air. I looked down at the hands around my waist and immediately recognized the gloves, but I decided to teach him a quick lesson so I swiftly raised my right arm and elbowed him in the head. I quickly spun around to see Seth stumble backwards into stage crates against the wall as he gripped his head. He raised his hands in defeat as a smile spread across his face. He stood up straight and opened his arms. I quickly walked into his embrace as he again lifted me off of the ground.
"What are you doing here? Sasha didn't tell me you were coming."
I giggled "Sasha doesn't know I'm here" I said as he placed me back onto the ground.
"What do you mean; you tell her everything why doesn't she know you are here?"
"It's a surprise" I said as I winked at him and flashed him a smile.
He paused for a minute before looking at me the realization of what was going on finally dawning on him. "You got the call?" he said excitedly as he picked me up and twirled me in the air.
"Who got the call and why do you have your arms around another woman, I hope you know I'm snitching and telling Sasha the minute she gets back from the ring." This set of questions and accusations came from a voice behind me that I didn't recognize. I turned around and came face to face with the 6 foot tall Samoan who was smirking and looking between me and Seth. I could tell he was half kidding and half serious about his comment about telling Sasha and I couldn't help but chuckle.
Seth laughed and held one hand up but still kept one arm wrapped around me.
"Relax dude this is Melanie – Sasha's best friend"
"Oh so you are cheating on her with her best friend" Roman said with a raised eyebrow and smirk on his face.
Seth rolled his eyes and broke into an all-out laughter "Dude you and I know if I ever thought about cheating on Sasha she would kick my ass. And trust me this one" he said pointing at me "Wouldn't be too far behind her."
"Facts!" I said as I placed a kiss on his cheek. "Trust me you have nothing to worry about from me, this dude here is like my brother, a brother I never asked for but a brother none the less" I said as Seth sucked his teeth and gave me a little nudge in the side.
Roman smiled as I looked back up at him and he extended his hand "Well since I know your name it's only fair you know mine I'm Leati Joesph Anoa'i but you can call me Roman, or Joe or Leati if you like." I placed my hand in his and returned his handshake.
"Nice to meet you."
Seth cleared his throat "Now that we have the introductions out of the way when did you get the call up to the main roster? That has got to be why you are here" he prodded.
I tilted my head and gave him a sly smile.
"Maybe, maybe not" I said as I shrugged nonchalantly.
"Come on, don't hold out on me" he said
"Alright I got the call 2 days ago but it's a surprise no one knows except for me, Steph and Hunter"
"And now us" Roman added. Before I could say anything else we were interrupted by Hunter who was jogging towards us.
"Melly its time" he said as he smiled and extended his hand out to me.
I kissed Seth on the cheek and handed him my cell and car keys "Gotta go pretty boy, hold these for me, watch and learn boys" I said as I winked at the both of them leaving them smiling as I took Hunters hand and quickly walked with him towards gorilla.
As we were walking up we heard Sasha's music hit and heard the pop of the crowd. They loved her and I couldn't be more proud. She started her promo and was hitting everything spot on based on the reaction of the crowd.
Stephanie found me and Hunter standing behind gorilla.
"You ready?"
"As ready as I am going to be" I said smiling nervously as Steph put her hands on my shoulders and turned me to look her in the eyes.
"Listen to me, you earned this Mel YOU! not your dad, YOU did this on your own, you fought tooth and nail for this so YOU go out there and you cut the promo of your life." I nodded and hugged her tightly as Hunter kissed the top of my head. I looked down the hallway and saw my cousin and her little crony slowly making their way down the hall. Stephanie and Hunter followed my gaze and lightly laughed as they saw who I was staring at. They guided me behind a stack of crates and had me stand there as to not blow my cover. They greeted them warmly and made small talk until my cousins music hit and she and her crony made their way out to the stadium to interrupt Sasha. Unlike Sasha they were greeted by a mix of boos and cheers more boos than cheers and I had to smile at that. I knew it was petty but I didn't give a damn. I stepped out from behind the crates and watched as Stephanie lined up to get ready for her cue. As soon as her music hit I took her place in Gorilla waiting for my music. I smoothed out my black off the shoulder long sleeve top that rested snugly on my hips and tapped my hands on my soft leather skinny pants before wringing my hands together nervously. I felt someone staring at me, I looked to my right and saw Seth and Roman gazing back at me smiling. Roman twirled a water bottle in his hand and just looked at me with this boyish lopsided grin as Seth game me the thumbs up sign. I smiled back and nodded and continued to wring my hands together before shaking them out. I repeated that process a few times before I closed my eyes and forced myself to listen to Steph's portion of the promo.
"You know I've watched as you two have repeatedly week after week come out here and attacked Sasha banks. You know I'm usually not one to mind a good beat down or two, but you guys have gotten completely carried away. You have no respect for anyone (WHAT? – the crowd chanted), not me (WHAT?), not this company (WHAT?) not the WWE Universe (WHAT?) and clearly not the WWE Women's Champion (WHAT?)
"Stephanie that's not true" my cousin started but she was cut off by Stephanie who was having none of her bull shit.
"I'm sorry did I breathe and give you the impression that I was done talking?" she said in the snide tone that helped make her famous.
I could imagine Stephanie's face and I couldn't help but crack up laughing.
"So in the interest of what's best for business I made a call to get some back up for you Sasha."
The Audience started cheering and went crazy as I exhaled out the breath I had been holding. I kicked each one of my feet out to shake out the nerves and slightly jumped from side to side as they began their chants
"WE WANT AJ! WE WANT AJ! WE WANT AJ! WE WANT AJ!"
I felt someone tug on my left arm before whispering "You got this Mel believe in yourself" I nodded in acknowledgement but didn't open my eyes I needed to focus but I did turn my head in the direction that the voice came from.
"Thanks Paulie" I said in a low voice. Not only was I close with Stephanie but naturally I was close to her husband Hunter. He chuckled at the nickname that he hated but allowed me to call him anyway because when it came down to it he was a big softy when it came to me. I was pulled out of our conversation when the crowd died down and allowed Stephanie to finish her sentence.
"Oh I have someone better than AJ" she said to large cheer of Boo's
I rolled my eyes, great thanks for making this a hostile intro Steph. I made myself stand in place as my nerves grew more and more.
"What if I told you that the person who I called is not only better than AJ but it is someone who is going to light the Womens divison on fire!? "She received some cheers so she continued "It is someone who has been so dominate in NXT that you would be hard pressed not to think she is immediately in the title hunt based on her name alone. What if the person I called is someone that you Sasha" she said as she pointed towards her "know and trust more than anyone in the world?" she paused as the cheers grew louder. What if I told you that this person is someone that you know" she said as she pointed towards my cousin "Quite personally I must say, seeing that the two of you are related." Steph said as the cheers grew impossibly louder. I could almost hear the smile on Stephs face as she finished her last sentence which was also the cue for my music "What if I told you the person I called was none other than the Queen of Souls MELANIE!" She screamed into the mic.
My Music Hell and Back by Kid Ink hit (See attached YT clip) and the cheers were almost deafening the pop was so loud; I let the beginning of my music play through before walking out onto the ramp.
"You can tell em that I been through.... When the heat is on...
You can tell em back I been through hell and Back
When the heat is on I fire back! In this cold world where your lighters at
Lets burn it down Fire back!"
I walked out on ramp to the loudest pop I had ever heard. I looked at the crowd and smiled and looked from my left to right before clapping my hands to my music every time the words fire back were heard. Then I set my sights on the ring and saw Sasha going crazy in the ring smiling from ear to ear singing my entrance song walking back and forth in the ring. I walked confidently to the ring stopping to grant high fives, hug the crowd and participating in a few pictures along the way as I proceeded to the ring. I slowly walked around the ring while my song played.
"Let's take it to the ground Don't too many make it coming through our town
Looking for a detour nowhere to be found When the pressure's on seems nobody's around
Uh, but I won't let 'em see me sweat Yeah it took a little time,
But can't really be upset Long way to the top,
I can barely see the steps Yeah, they sleeping on me still
But I barely need to rest See me standing here head high
Face up, I don't need no X-Ray Show you what I'm made of"
I grabbed a mic before walking up the stairs on on the left back corner of the ring. I stepped on the mat and looked around the arena. The crowd was going absolutely berserk! I stepped under the middle rope to get into the ring and as soon as I was all the way in the ring Sasha had me wrapped up in a hug. I hugged her back tightly and we stood that way for a moment before she pulled away and looked at me with tears in her eyes before allowing another huge smile to return to her face. I returned her smile and turned my attention back to the crowd as we continued to bop along to my music in the ring. I kissed her cheek and took her hand in mine. I motioned for them to cut the music by swiping my hand across my throat but the crowd kept singing. All I could do was stand there and listen to them singing MY song.
"Tell 'em I paid my dues and You can check the pay stubs
Never had a chance so I had to go and make one
Say some, you can tell them that I've been through hell and back
But I'm home, can't really complain when It's the life that I chose
Sacrificed it all and everything that I owned Say what doesn't kill me can only make me stronger"
I decided to enjoy the moment as they continued to sing and I walked to the corner and stood on the turnbuckle and sung it with them.
You can tell them that I've been from hell and back
When the heat is on I fire back
In this cold world Where your lighters at?
Lets burn it down Fire back
Yeah, can you feel the heat The block is hot as ever
In these city streets You only get one shot
Keep your arm steady They tried to make me wait
But I'm more than ready To go and get mine, grind like an in-line
Skater check your wrist watch you'll see that This time it's my time,
And I don't need no inviteTo the party, got roll over minutes and it
Feels like my calling, oou I'm just doing what I can
With a whole lot of drive Trying to make my own path
Take a chance, can't sit and worry about No five year plan gotta live for the day
'Cause I could die where I stand Tell 'em
I looked over and I saw Sasha standing on the turnbuckle behind me doing the same thing. I smiled. She always had my back. As the crowd continued to sing my eyes finally rested on my cousin who stood in the middle of the ring with her crony Dana fuming. I smirked at her and glared in return. There was absolutely no love lost between her and I. I stood their sizing her up as the crowd continued to sing. I knew it infuriated her that I got a larger welcome than any welcome she had ever gotten and you can call me petty but again I don't give a damn, I loved that it got under her skin.
You can tell them that I've been through hell and back
But I'm home, can't really complain when It's the life that I chose
Sacrificed it all and everything that I owned Say what doesn't kill me can only make me stronger
You can tell them that I've been from hell and back When the heat is on I fire back
In this cold world Where your lighters at?
Lets burn it down Fire back
Soon I was joined by Sasha as the last verse of my song was sung by the crowd. I looked around focusing my gaze on them and smiled brightly waving to each side of fans.
You can tell them that I've been from hell and back
When the heat is on I fire back
In this cold world Where your lighters at?
Lets burn it down Fire back
As my song ended they didn't stop there they started up a chant "QUEEN OF SOULS! QUEEN OF SOULS!"