Chapter 1

She is everything to me

The unrequited dream

A song that no one sings

The unattainable, she's a myth that I have to believe in

All I need to make it real is one more reason

I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do when she makes me sad.

There were whispers in school about him even before he had stepped foot.

They said he was from the swamp, that he lived in it. Then there was his family. Two adopted brothers and a missing sister. No mention of parents or relatives.

Seventeen year old Roman Reigns tried not to pay attention to rumors. He was not into conspiracies and myths the way his best friend, Dean Ambrose was.

He was too busy with the school annual drama production to care. It was his lifelong dream to be a director for films and this would be a good chance for him to showcase his talent.

They had chosen Alice in Wonderland this year and though it wasn't the sort of genre that interest him, he was willing to give it a shot.

He needed this. He couldn't afford to screw it up.

As he scribbled notes in his notebook about costumes that needed to be altered, Dean jumped in the seat beside him. "Rome! He's here!"

Roman continued writing. "Who's here?"

"The Eater of Worlds."

"Who?"

"That Wyatt chap."

Roman closed his book and laughed. "You're still hung up on this guy?"

"Everyone in school is, Rome. Everyone but you."

"That's because I don't care for such things. He's just a new guy and we need to welcome him instead of believing in hearsay."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Whatever you say, Roman. I'm glad Seth believes me."

"Of course he would. As your adoptive brother, I don't think he has a choice."

"Hater." Dean drummed his fingers on the table. "You're still going to Kevin's party, right?"

"I never said I was going, Dean."

"But you have to! It's the-"

"Party of the year," Roman finished his sentence. "You know they say that for every party in this school, right?"

"But it is," Dean insisted.

"Whatever you say, Dean." Roman leaned back in his chair. "I'm still not going."

Dean gave up. "You're boring, Roman."

"And yet, I'm still your best friend."

"Someone has to take care of you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The bell rang then and students started walking into class. Until there was a young man with a Fedora hat wearing a Hawaiian shirt and khaki pants strolling in.

He looked around the classroom before his eyes met Roman's. Then he gave Roman a slight smile.

Dean frowned. "Why is he smiling at you? Who is this kid?"

Mr Regal, their English teacher, walked in then. "Aaah have a seat, Mr Wyatt. Bray Wyatt, isn't it?"

"Yes," the young man whispered.

Roman smiled at Dean. "I think that's the new kid."

"He's got his eyes on you, Rome."

"Maybe cuz I'm not judging him."

Bray walked to the back of the class and took the seat by the corner. Immediately there were whispers.

"Alright, let's start!" Mr Regal announced. "Today we will discussing Ernest Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls. I trust you've read chapters one and two."

Roman had but just as he was about to put up his hand, there was a sing song voice.

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."

The voice belonged to Bray Wyatt and there was just silence. Mr Regal smiled at him. "That was a beautiful recitation of John Donne's poem, Mr Wyatt. Thank you."

"Thank you," Bray replied.

The rest of the lesson proceeded with very little participation from the class. Dean was snoring as usual, something Mr Regal ignored.

Roman looked over his shoulder at Bray who as if sensing Roman's eyes were on him, looked up from a drawing he was working on.

Roman gave him a small smile before turning back to his book.

The bell rang then, marking the end of the lesson. Mr Regal assigned them to read chapter three.

Dean woke up, rubbing his eyes. "Lesson's over?" he yawned.

"Yes, Sleeping Beauty. Now you have World History."

"Aaah another class to rest in."

"I'm still surprised that you manage to pass your classes."

"It's a gift."

Dean walked out briskly - probably to meet up Seth. In his hurry, he bumped into Bray who was strolling slowly. Roman reached out his hand and helped him up. Up close, Roman noticed that Bray had a little goatee growing.

"Thank you, kind Sir."

"It's not a problem," Roman replied, smiling. "Sorry about Dean. His brother's in the next class and they always sit beside each other there. They're very close." He extended his hand. "I'm Roman."

"Bray."

"So you just moved here, huh?"

"Yeah. In that house by the swamp."

"That's a big house," Roman said, good natured. "The old owners were nice people. A shame they had to move to London."

"Yes. More's the pity."

"What do you have next?"

"Chemistry."

"I have the same thing too. Come on. I'll walk with you."

After school, Roman waited as patiently as he could for Dean to drive him home. It sucked that his car was undergoing repair currently.

His phone had a beeping sound then. A text message from Dean: Sorry, Rome. Corey and I are going to look for Bigfoot. This is my chance to tell him. You understand, don't you? I'll call you later!

Roman's heart sank for two reasons: one, he now had to beg for a ride from other schoolmates and two, that if it did work out, Dean would be taken and Roman would have lost the chance to tell him how he felt.

He was in love with Dean and it sucked that Dean didn't see him as anything else but a friend.

"All alone?"

Roman smiled up at the face of Bray Wyatt. "Yeah. My ride home cancelled on me. I may have to take a bus."

"My truck is not far from here. I can give you a lift."

Relief washed over Roman. "Really? Thanks, Bray. I appreciate it."

"It's not a problem, Roman."

Roman slung his bag over his shoulder and walked with Bray towards the end of the school where a beat up black Great Wall Beard was parked.

He saw Dean walking with Corey towards his Toyota, laughing. The sight made his heart ache.

Roman got in the passenger seat and buckled himself. Bray turned on the ignition and then his CD player and began to drive.

She seemed dressed in all of me, stretched across my shame.
All the torment and the pain
Leaked through and covered me
I'd do anything to have her to myself
Just to have her for myself
Now I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do when she makes me sad.

Roman recognised the song. "Vermillion Part 2," he said.

Bray cast a glance at him. "You know this song?"

"I love Slipknot. Cradle of Filth, Dark Tranquillity..."

"So do I." Bray let out a small laugh. "I think you and I are going to get along just fine, Roman…. Just fine."

Dean Ambrose was a happy guy.

Over the moon in fact.

As Corey Graves and him walked through the Fear Forest looking for unusual prints, he couldn't push down the nervous feeling inside him.

Dean liked Corey a lot. They both liked to walk on the wild side. They both liked unusual things. They both loved thrills.

He felt bad for abandoning Roman but he couldn't passed on the opportunity. He knew it was the right time.

"So Uh… Dean," Corey said, sounding nervous as he lit a cigarette. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Yeah?"

"Are Reigns and you…?"

Roman and him? Dean had liked Roman from sixth to eighth grade. But he never got any hints that Roman felt the same and if he were being honest, Roman was out of his league. The guy was drop dead gorgeous - though he seemed unaware of that fact - and he was so consumed with his career goals.

When he met Corey in ninth grade, they became fast friends over their love of all things paranormal and supernatural.

He got over his infatuation with Roman but still stuck by his side.

"No," Dean replied, shaking his head. "We are best friends and always will be."

"Good. That's good."

"It is?"

"Yeah. I really like you, Dean. I was wondering if you'd like to make it official that you and I are together."

Dean squeezed his hand. "I'd love to."

Dean called Roman later that night, just before he was about to turn in for bed. "How did it go with Corey?" he asked against his better judgement.

"Perfect," Dean replied.

"You mean-"

"Yep." He sounded giddy. "Rome, pinch me in English tomorrow when you see me. I think I'm dreaming."

"That's great, Dean. I'm happy for you." No, he was not. He recognised his own lie. I'm too late, he thought in dismay.

"You know, Rome, I can always hook you up with Seth."

"No thanks. He's got a thing for Finn Balor and two, he's not my type."

"So what is your type?"

You're my type, he thought. But he couldn't say it. "I still haven't figured it out yet."

"Well, when you do, let me know, okay? We can do those double dates thingy."

"Yeah. Sure."

He was starting to wish he could get out of this small town.