Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story. Don't own the characters.
Just Like Before
They closed in and their lips met. They closed their eyes. Her arms rested upon his shoulders while his arms were wrapped around her waist. It started as a soft kiss, which grew deeper every second. As the kiss grew deeper, they felt their surroundings disappear. To them the clock was inaudible, as the second hand ticked... and ticked... and ticked.
3 seconds passed... 5 seconds passed... 10 seconds passed... They were still into that passionate kiss. At last they stopped for oxygen. They got ready to continue it but Maria got to her senses. She stood up and started to collect her things.
"I'm sorry." She told John quietly, not even looking at him.
"I'm sorry, too." John was looking at her. He was just sitting down. Maria made her way to the door.
"Maria, wait. Forgive me." John called to her. This time, he tried to follow her.
"Good night, John." Maria bid her farewell without even turning back.
John was left staring at his door.
What have I done? I shouldn't have done that. My gosh, this could change everything.
Maria thought as she ran to her hotel room.
I told myself to concentrate on my work. Great job. I had a wonderful friendship with John! What would happen to that? What about my storyline? I wouldn't feel comfortable if we had to do romantic stuff.
Maria entered her room and lied down on her bed. She covered her face with her pillow.
"Agggh!!" She screamed through her pillow. She closed her eyes and soon, she fell asleep.
"I blew it. I lost my best friend. How are going to work well?" John asked himself. He lay on his bed, looking at the ceiling. He blinked. Am I falling for Maria? John asked himself. He looked backed at the times after he returned from his injury. He remembered when he would daydream about her, how he was stupid around her, and the time when Maria had a little crush on Jeff Hardy (he smiled a bit there) he was pissed. Was he really falling for Maria? A smile formed on his face.
"Maria Kanellis, you watch out. I'm in love with you and I'll do everything I can to make you happy." He said as though Maria was there. "But, first I should make up with you."
Yeah. That's what I'll do.
And he fell asleep.
Maria bolted up. She woke up from a nightmare. Glancing at the clock, she realized she woke up just on time. Instantly, memories of last night played in her head. They played when she looked at herself in the mirror. They played when she was in the shower. They played when she was dressing up.
She heard someone knock on the door. "Who is it?" She asked.
"It's Mickie. Are you ready for breakfast?" The muffled voice of Mickie was heard.
"Yeah, sure." She said as she opened the door. "Come in. I'll just fix my hair."
Mickie sat down on Maria's bed. "So, how was the cleaning?" She asked Maria. She was grinning.
"The cleaning?" Maria stiffened up. "Oh... It was... great. Everything was clean." Her voice was shaky and she looked jumpy.
Mickie noticed this and concernedly asked her friend "Maria, are you okay?"
"Of course, I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Maria said. She was now smiling.
Mickie shrugged. "C'mon, I'm hungry."
"C'mon." Maria repeated.
They passed by Candice's room, but she wasn't there. They supposed she was already in the dining room. Sure enough, she was there, along with Randy, Jeff and John. Candice saw them and waved to them. Maria locked eyes with John. He smiled at her, but she didn't respond. Mickie pulled her to the table. They took the two remaining seats. Maria was right across John. When they were eating, Maria looked at nothing but her plate. Her friends noticed this.
"Maria, are you okay?" Candice asked the same question Mickie asked Maria earlier.
"Of course I am. I just slept late." Maria said.
"You let her do all the work, didn't you, John?" Randy joked. Jeff snickered while giving Randy a high five.
"No way. I helped." John said. At the sound of John's voice, Maria looked up. She saw him smiling at her. It made her smile, too. She looked down on her plate and continued eating her food. When they were done, John went up to Maria and tapped her shoulder. She looked at him.
"Can we talk?" He asked her quietly. Maria just nodded and followed him.
"About last night..." John started. "I'm sorry. I just got carried away. I... uh... remembered our kiss last February 2006. I'm sorry about that. Are we okay?"
"You were thinking of our kiss before? Me too!" Maria said, grinning at him. Somehow, she felt comfortable with him again. "Sure we're okay."
Yes!!
"Cool." John said. He was relieved that they are friends again. Of course, he wanted to be more than friends, but still, friendship is a thing he loves. They were best friends. No one wants to lose a best friend.
"Yeah." Maria agreed and gave him a hug, friendly hug. John hugged back. Right now, being friends with Maria was on his mind. It seems I'm gonna make my move later than I planned. He thought. But he didn't care.
"Hey, I got to go for now. See yah later." Maria said as she walked away, waving at him.
"See yah." John waved back, smiling.
Candice gasped as someone from behind poked her side.
"Gosh! Jeff! You startled me." She said, relieved it was just Jeff.
"I meant to do that." Jeff nodded. He was wearing a mischievous smile, receiving a playful slap on the arm.
"Yeah. Hahaha." Candice rolled her eyes. "Jeff, can I ask you a favor?"
"Sure. What?" Jeff asked, ready to help his friend.
"My trainer's gone on a vacation... Could you train me for the meantime?"
"Candice, I don't usually train people. I mean, I do high flying stuff." Jeff was hesitant.
"Pleeeaaaaase? Besides, I wanna learn how to you stuff Jeff. 'cept for the Swanton Bomb. I don't wanna do that. Besides, you know almost every move there is." Candice pleaded, puppy eyes and all.
"Geez, thanks. Well, fine. How could I turn down someone like you?" Jeff smiled as he nodded.
"Thank you so much. It's just for two weeks anyway." Candice continued.
"Sure." He said Candice gave him a tight hug.
Candice broke the hug. She turned around and saw Mickie going another way.
"Ooooo there's Mickie. Gotta go! Bye Jeff!" And with that, he gave Jeff a soft peck on the cheek. Jeff stood there staring at nothing.
It all came back to him. He remembered the time in his life when he was crushing on Candice Michelle. He remembered what made him attracted to her: her friendliness, her beauty, her charm, everything about her. What he felt for her faded little by little each day because he valued their friendship. She had been one of the people who helped him overcome his problems. Since then, he loved her as a friend.
But, it all came back. Jeff Hardy found himself in a situation he had been in before.
Jeff Hardy found himself crushing on Candice Michelle.
AN: I know, short. I hope you enjoy it anyway. Reviews please.
