AN: So, thanks guys for the reviews. I really appreciated them, so please review this chapter as well. Thanks. (:

Can't You Feel The Weight of My Stare

CHAPTER TWO:

Strangers Making The Most of The Dark

"Phil?" I whispered as I snuck back into my hotel room. I heard something drop as I approached the kitchen area. Apparently Phil was trying to make something of some sort. Once he spotted me, he paced over to me, his expression full of curiosity.

"Ria, did you have a good time?" If he was trying to sound casual, it wasn't working. I could always tell when Phil was concerned or actually interested. The only thing he might be interested in is if I'm sober or not.

"Um," I hesitated. "Yeah, I had a pretty decent time." I said as I slid off my black leather coat. His expression flashed to one I've never seen before. And so were the words that came out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry," he said, trying hard not to hold his head down. I threw him an utterly confused look.

"For what?" I asked. His eyes met mine.

"For ruining your fun, you know. You could have drank if you wanted to," he said flatly.

I smiled, trying to ease whatever tension was growing.

"It's okay, Phil. I survived without it." As I walked into the kitchen, he followed. I motioned my hands to the counter, it looked like refridgerator threw up. As I looked over at him he looked suddenly amused.

"Okay, so you know Jeff's birthday is in like a couple of weeks, right?" He asked, his smirk rising. My mind flashed back over to what happened earlier. I couldn't speak, so I just nodded.

"Yeah, well, he's put me in charge of the cake. Apparently that wasn't such a good idea," he chuckled, almost choking on his last words.

"It's okay hon, I can't do any better," I replied, giving him a peck on the cheek. "Besides, Jeff's a do-all-for-himself kind of guy. I'm sure there's a lot more important things than a cake." My sudden knowledge of Jeff scared me.

"Since when do you know about Jeff?" He asked, his voice playful, yet still curious.

"Since you always come home telling me his stories," I clarified. He just nodded.

"Well, you do have an interview with him tomorrow, don't you?" He asked, turning to me.

"Yeah," I gulped. "Why?"

"Maybe you can break the news to him," he said, eyeing the destroyed 'cake'.

I laughed, "Sure." He moved in closer to give me a quick peck on the lips.

"Goodnight, Ria," he shouted, heading out the door, to his hotel room.

"'Night," I said, fully aware that he couldn't hear me.

--

As I reached the Raw arena, I sighed in annoyance as I saw Ashley talking to Jeff. His back was facing me, so I was clearly safe. That was until big mouth Ashley gave it away.

"Hey, Maria!" She shouted, as soon as she spotted me. My heart began racing as I saw Jeff slowly turn his body to face me. His expression was unreadable. It looked like he was nervous, he was twitching. He turned back to Ashley and muttered something before walking away, not moving his face an inch to look at me again.

"What's up with him?" I asked, as soon as I thought he was gone. She snapped her head back to the way he left.

She shrugged, "I don't know. Ever since last night he's been extremely weird. Especially whenever I mention you." I wasn't sure why, but I stiffened.

"That's um... Disturbing," I muttered. I glared at her as soon as I sensed she was smirking.

And she was.

"Don't think I forgot what you did," I said, my teeth clenched. She put on a fake offended look.

"And what did I do?" She asked, still smirking.

"You probably told Jeff some lie," I concluded. She chuckled.

"That's not true. Believe me, everything I told him was the absolute truth. Of course if Phil knew, he wouldn't be too happy," she said, clucking her tounge.

I was more than glaring now.

"And why not?" I asked, fully annoyed.

"You'll never admit it, so what's the point?" She teased.

"Don't irratate me, Massaro. You know how crazy I can get."

She chuckled again. "Maria Kanellis: Crazy. Now that's a word to describe you," she said, sarcasim lit her voice.

I lightly punched her on the arm. "Ow, that really hurt," she joked.

I sighed, ignoring her ingnorance. "Let's just get in the arena so I can prepare."

"Yeah, cause you've got your big session with Jeff," she laughed. I rolled my eyes.

"It's not session. It's an interview," I explained. She was the one to roll her eyes.

"Whatever you say, Ria."

--

Breathe, breathe. I reminded myself as I sat in my locker room, waiting for my call. This wasn't such a big deal, except for the whole talking to Jeff part. I couldn't even find him after my conversation with Ashley. It's like he disappeared. Now that I expected.

The knock on the door broke my thoughts.

It was time.

"Um, Maria?" The camera man asked.

"Yes?"

"Sorry for making you practice and everything, but..." He trailed off. "Vince canceled the segment. He's going to have Michael interview Jeff."

"Cole? Michael Cole?" I asked, laughing to hide my disbelief. A frown appeared on his face.

"Yes, Michael Cole. He's going to be replacing you."

"Why?"

"Apparently someone convince Vince to replace you."

Now, I wonder who that could have been. So much for hyping me up for nothing but utter disappointment.

"Um, thanks." I said, pushing past him to head for Vince's office.

"There's no point of that Ms. Kanellis! He won't change his mind," he shouted. I wasn't listening.

Why was I doing this? Why was I trying to embarrass myself even more? The answer; I don't know why. Maybe I was possessed or something.

After about five knocks on the office door and about two "Hold on's," I finally waited, still inpatient. As I played with the pleats of my dark denim mini skirt, I didn't even notice the door swing open, although that somewhat familiar, sweet, musky scent sent shivers down my spine. As I slowly looked up, I was face to face with Jeff Hardy.

We both just stood there.

Silent.

Staring.

Impatiently.

He began shaking again, almost twitching. I could tell that he was struggling to get the words out. Or maybe he just wanted me to move out of the way.

As soon as I thought he was going to speak, he found someway to get through me and was already down the hall. Still murmuring the same thing I heard earlier. What was his issue?

I sighed as I stepped into 's office. Regretting it all the way.

"And what would you want ?" His aggressive, raspy voice musky.

"I want to know why you've changed my segment with Jeff," I said. Being polite wasn't exactly going to make Vince so happy.

"Now is that any of your business, Maria?" He asked, as soon as I was about to answer, he cut me off. "No, it's not. So you can leave now," he said, shooing me with his hand.

"Have a good day, Sir," I said, full sarcasim hitting my voice. Asshole.

Could this day get any worse? No doubts about it.

As I walked out of Vince's office, I could see Matt, obviously texting on his phone.

He abruptly looked up from the text and glanced at me.

"Hey, Maria," he said.

"Um, hi, Matt," I said, uneasy. Everyone was keeping some sort of secret communication from me. Both Hardy's looked angry with me for what reason I do not know.

He pushed himself of the wall and he stood straight.

"Can I ask you something?" He said, apparently in a rush.

"Um... Sure," I replied. I had to brace myself.

"Have you recieved an invite to Jeff's party?" He asked.

"...Well no, but Phil's going..."

He reached into his back pocket and slid out a folded piece of paper. He hesitated, and then handed it to me.

"Here. But don't tell Jeff or anything. I don't think he'd want you there." Gulp. That hurt. I tried to hide my saddened expression.

"Well, he restated, it would be best. But if Phil's going he'd want you to be there with him right?"

"It's likely. But if Jeff doesn't want me there, I can always stay home," I offered.

He chuckled. "Stay home? At a hotel? That's no way to spend your day off. Just come," he insisted.

I thought about it for a moment. Jeff doesn't think it's best if I come. Yet, Matt thinks I should. Phil would want me there, too right? And who else would Ashley annoy other than me? Three over rules one.

"Okay," I said. "I'll come."

His smile faded as he looked over my shoulder.

"I'll see you around, then." He said, before walking away.

What was with him? What was up with his brother?

"You'll see, Ria, soon." I heard a voice from behind me. As I spun around I rolled my eyes at Ashley.

"See what?"

"Maybe Jeff'll tell you what's wrong," she replied, putting her hand on my shoulder.

"Maybe not."

"And you won't? What did you even tell him?"

"I told him the truth. Maybe if you listen to your feelings, you'll know what I said. Until then... You'll just need more signs."

Yeah, like I haven't got those before.

--

AN: Review? Please and thank you. (: