"Jamie, you did great out there" Cody encouraged. After every match I had he would wait for me backstage with confident words. He would share his wisdom once and while with me and I learned from it; "when pinned by an opponent, wait last minute to jump back up, it makes the crowd hold its breath. Or "when put in a situation that isn't planned, improvise." I looked to him for unknown answers; Cody was the only friend I could trust completely. Without him I wouldn't have gotten into this business. "Thanks Cody, I almost lost it when she grabbed at it again though." I had never told anyone about my accident before Cody came along; he didn't even look away when I showed him my face, that's when I knew he wasn't just another disgusted individual. "I know, she'll get what's coming to her." I slumped into a chair and pulled my knees to my chest. Cody bent down beside me; "Jamie don't let a bitch like her get to you, I'll make sure she pays." I lifted my head suddenly, frustration filling inside me. "Cody, I don't want you to be on her hit list too. If you try to retaliate you'll get nothing but revenge. He shifted his feet and grasped each side of the chair, within inches of my face. "I'm not just going to sit here and watch her do this to you." he whispered. "It's ok Cody, I'm a big girl, I can handle it." He kept his gaze on me; his eyes were filled with worry. "There you are Runnels! You're on in five." I looked up to see our producer, Rick; his graying hair had thinned and his cheeks were riddled with wrinkles. I nodded when Cody didn't. "Hey roadrunner, you're up next."Cody blinked away his trance and stood slowly, his bare chest flexed and contracted. "Will you be alright back here by yourself Jamie?" "Cody, I've been back here hundreds of times by myself; go get em' tiger." He nodded and reluctantly pulled back the curtain; the only thing keeping us from the disorderly crowd. I abruptly remembered something. "Cody, wait!" I hollered. He turned around alarmed. "Jamie, what's-"I cut off Cody's words. It's ok Runnels; you just forgot your mask." I placed the clear plastic like material gently on his chiseled face; it fit perfectly on him, never harming a single feature. My arms grazed his chest as I veal crowed the straps to the mask; his eyes lay firmly with mine. I stepped back and admired my work. "Your all set Runnels, make me proud." Thanks Jamie, I don't know what I'd do without you." I smiled as he opened the curtain and winked at me before he fully disappeared from view, leaving me alone with my thoughts.


Cody had been in the ring for quite some time now. He was up against Mike "The Miz" Mizanin and it was clear to me Cody was exhausted. His eyes were pale and flushed and sweat seemed to pour off him by the gallons. Mike was supposed to win this match but he was making it last longer than it had to. I shifted in my seat wear I lay glued to the backstage television in front of me. "Come on Cody, hang in there." Each minute seemed to tick by slower than the next; Cody was drained and was hanging on the best he could. "Rick!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I thrusted up off the chair and thundered towards him. "Why is this match not over yet? Cody is barely hanging on out there." Rick just shook his head. "We need this match to go on until Randy Orton and Kane are up." "This is ridiculous! I'm not just going to stand here and watch Cody suffer." I marched towards the curtains and was about to open them when I heard an annoying squeal. "Rachael Rowdy to the rescue; Cody must be desperate if you're going to help him." I swung around and saw Maryse facing me; her fake plastic body within inches of me. "Get lost Barbie." I tried to leave but she grabbed me by the hair." At least I'm not a freak like you." Maryse yanked harder at my curls as I nailed her in the stomach with my fist. She flinched long enough for me to get away and I scrambled for the curtains. She ambushed me from behind and scratched my bare skin. "Come back here you skank!" I plunged my whole weight against her and attacked. "You just don't know when to give up you son of a bitch." I snarled my hateful words at her, she had messed with me at the wrong time and I sure as hell was gonna teach her a lesson. She raised a lethal fist right to my jaw and hit dead on; I punched her in the eye with all my might. I felt someone lift me up onto their shoulders; the view of a battered Maryse was getting harder and harder to see as I was being carried away. After I had calmed down I realized who was carrying me. "Cody please let me down; you need to rest for a while." Jamie, I'm not putting you down until we are out of the building." Cody's voice was firm but weak; I could hear his breathing, hard and quick. I steadied my hands on his back as he picked up the pace. "Cody I was trying to get out there so that I could help you but then she assaulted me." Cody let out a raspy sigh before he spoke. "I believe you Jamie, it's just I don't know if Vince will." Vince McMahon was the man in charge; he decided who to keep and who to toss. "Cody, I don't care what Vince thinks; all I care about right now is your well being." When we reached his rental car he gently placed me in it, shutting the door behind him. Once he got in and started the engine, I felt it was safe to speak. "Cody I really think you should get checked out by a doctor, you-""Jamie trust me I'm fine, stop worrying." I slumped in my seat and crossed my arms; he refused to set within feet of a hospital and always thought he had things under control. I fished through my bag and found my iPod, I scrolled down until I found what I wanted. Cody glanced over at me and shook his head. "Elvis isn't going to solve your problems Braxton." I ignored his comment and looked out the window; the music taking me to a better place.