My hands shook as I pulled myself from the ring ropes onto the apron. I wiped my feet on the canvas, like my father always showed me, before stepping into the ring. Why am I so nervous? I was practically born in a wrestling ring. I couldn't tell you how many times I have stepped through the ring ropes before, but this time is different.
"Come on, Brooks. Get in here." My trainer, Jason, encouraged.
I toss my braid over my shoulder, chewed on the inside of my cheek for a moment, before squaring off my shoulders. Nothing to be nervous about, right? I was born for this.
I could feel my parents eyes on me from the corner of the gym. I knew they weren't trying to distract, but it was all too easy to do. When you're the oldest daughter of two well-known wrestlers, it didn't take much. I gave a quick glance over at my parents. Dad was staring intently, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. Mom sat beside him, as usual, their pinkie fingers were linked. I never quite understood that, but that's always been a thing for them.
"Sandy? Are you with us?" Jason pulled my attention back towards him.
"Sorry." I said.
From the row of chairs on the floor, I could hear a snicker. "Can it, Jeremy." I snapped.
"Aw, look at Sandy, being nervous." The boy my age with dirty blonde hair said.
"Those who can't get in the ring shouldn't make fun of those who are." Jason said.
That shut him up. I tossed him a smug look before beginning my first training lesson. Jason showed me how to properly take a fall, or bump from wrestling terminology. First from a seated position, then using the middle rope from bended knees. By the end of the lesson, I could bump from a standing position.
"Again." Jason ordered.
I tucked my head in like I was shown, landing properly on my back.
"Again." Jason repeated.
Same as before. "Kick your feet out so you land completely flat. You can be fancy later. This is about safety." Jason told me.
"Okay." I said before taking another bump.
"Very good. Let's try with a clothesline." Jason said.
"What?" I looked over at him in surprise.
"Nothing to it. I'll hit you safely across the chest, like so." Jason stuck his arm across my chest, indicating where he would land. "And you bump."
I nod, readying myself. Jason grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. The clothesline landed perfectly. However, I did not.
"Sandy!" Jason said as he checked on me.
My vision blurred temporarily. I blinked several times before it returned to normal.
"Now what didn't you do?" Jason asked.
"Tuck my head." I answer.
Jason offered his hand, helping me to my feet. "What will you do next time?"
"Tuck my head." I answer.
"I think we're done for the day." Jason said, patting me on the shoulder.
"Not bad, not bad." Dad said as he handed me a water bottle.
"Sandy got her bell rung." Jeremy said in a sing-song tone.
"Shove it, Cena." I snap.
Jeremy waved his hands in front of him, making motions like he was scared. I took a step towards him, balling my fist. Dad cleared his throat, shaking his head.
"Knock it off, both of you." Dad said.
I glared over at Jeremy but shrugged it off. "Fine."
Jeremy Cena and I used to be best friends. We both grew up in the wrestling business together; his father being best friends with my mother. I'm not sure what happened, but recently everything changed. Ever since his father, John Cena, sent Jeremy up to visit and train, Jeremy has been different towards me, to the point of being mean at times.
I missed my friend, but often thought about knocking out the brat he's been lately. If only I could have known then what I know now.