CHAPTER 11
No longer able to take the pessimism in the air, the girl tried a new approach. "I'll tell you what," and in a much more cheery and upbeat tone, she continued, "I'll bet you a hundred bucks, your parents are probably panicking to death searching for you everywhere! God, they might have even called the police and send a search party to look for you! I mean, it's Vince and Linda McMahon we're talking about here…"
It was now Shane's turn to be wide-eyed. "You know my parents?!"
The girl looked at him funnily. Was he serious with his question? "Yeah… well… who doesn't? The whole freakin' world knows who the hell they are, you know? Wrestlemania was shown globally, remember?!" She didn't want to sound rude but, How naïve could he be?
"Well, I… I just didn't expect you to be a part of that… so… you're a fan?" Great! A change of topic… just what I need… "Any favorites?" Any conversation about their family business seemed to have him e more lively and engrossed. As young as he was, he knew he would one day be a part of their family business, because he loved it so much. He had decided that he would make a living out of this since he was three!
But it seemed that his new friend wasn't that interested. "Nah… I don't really watch. But my brother and my dad do. And it's all they talk about at our dining table—whether it's breakfast, lunchtime or dinnertime. It's crazy! So I know a little bit and am quite familiar with the who's who… but please don't start a trivia thing on me… I'm not THAT exposed to pro-wrestling!" She had sensed Shane's sudden change in mood, and if their sudden shift in topic had caused that, then she won't insist on going back to discussing his problems at home.
"Fine then… just happy to know we've got fans across the street!" Shane couldn't stop smiling. It's as if the weight he had been carrying earlier had vanished, and it's as if all his anxieties had been washed away.
"My brother would be so jealous knowing I got to talk to you—Vince McMahon's son." She didn't know that her next statement would surprise Shane. "And I'm sure my father will be thrilled to know that his baby girl spent most of the night with WWF's heir apparent, Shane McMahon…" She teased.
Shane went wide-eyed for a second time. "Woah!"
She let out a laugh she barely could contain. His reaction was just priceless. "Don't worry, he won't kill you. He's a cool dad, so you're fine…"
He let out a sigh of relief. "Good to know… Whew! You got me there!"
She just couldn't stop laughing. "Your face was priceless!"
"Hey, drop it now… I've had enough of making myself look like a fool tonight. You barely know me, yet I'm making a joke out of myself in front of you…"
"You're fine… I know you… you're Shane. Shane Brandon McMahon. So, it's really no problem."
That's another surprise to him. "Wait! How exactly do you know my whole name? I mean, I understand how you know my parents… but me??"
"I heard your mom calling out your name when you and your friends came home one day after getting into a little prank in school that your mom surprisingly found out about… the one wherein you guys set the urinal on fire?!" She looked so innocent, yet he knew she was teasing him.
"YOU HEARD THAT?!" Shane had lost count of how many times he had been surprised in the short time he's been there.
"I was outside my house when it all happened…"
"Oh man… I'm sure my reputation's been all stained in your book…" He placed his face into his hands, to cover up his face. He was beyond embarrassed already.
"What?! You're what, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen maybe? It's normal." She didn't want to scare him away—she wanted them to be friends (neighbors would make great friends after all), and she had to assure him that she has no problem with anything he's done in the past.
He seemed to not hear her last comment, when he decided he would no longer risk getting embarrassed anymore. "You know what, maybe we should go home now… it's getting late. And we can't have your dad coming here threatening to suplex me to death, now can we?" Great idea! Divert the conversation back to a comfort zone—WWF…
"Fine, fine…" The girl started to stand up slowly, zipping her jacket up as they prepare to leave the gazebo. Then she turned to serious mode. "Are you sure you're ready to go home now?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Yeah… somehow, I still have to, right?" He started to feel the uneasiness again, but he knew he could make it.
With a tender expression, she assured him one last time, "You're gonna be fine. They love you, and that's enough…"
Shane gave her a shy smile. "Thanks Marissa… I mean it…"
Patting his back, she proceeded to lead the way out of the gazebo, and back home. How did he know my name, though? Guess I have to find out for myself next time…