APOLOGIES! It has be almost 3 months since I updated last… 3 MONTHS! Gosh I am so deeply, deeply sorry! It was just one of those times where I just didn't have the erg to write!
But on the other hand… *tears* You guys gave me wonderful WONDERFUL comments… 12 of them! *sobs with joy* You guys are just the greatest people in this world! :)
mrsdashing, (quite possible the funniest review ever!), AliceJericho, Captain Flame, CBLovness, humanoidaspect, PSNC100502, viperbarrettgirl86 (great choice of pen-name!), L.A. Williams, RICANPRINCESS18, AliceFCW, gothicxxbitchxxfromxhell, JLynn-Mizanin, CenaCandiceFan4Life, Neurotic-Idealist, XxSimplyXFlawlessxX, emXatXtheXdisco, sasha-hawkins, AubreeAngel, XXxAJzGirlxXX, Lava Puppy, and JasmineChyanne (Cheyenne's my name!…just spelled differently!) are the people who reviewed, favorited, story alerted and author alerted, and are the ones who I love and thank the most!
On with chapter 12! Oh!, and I suggest re-reading the last chapter so everyone remembers what has happened.
Enjoy! :)
-xoxo pajama_pants5
"What is happening right now…? All I can feel is this amazing sensation on my lips… almost like a tingling sensation. It was absolutely wonderful, like a heavenly bliss."
Sophia's thoughts were running wild, her heart was racing just as fast as her mind. Her eyes remained closed despite her confusion, which in all honestly wasn't anywhere near a problem for the 24 year old on the floor. Besides that tingling sensation on her lips, Sophia could feel the slight push of a certain man against her lower extremities. She knew who this was, but did that make it okay?
It sure felt that way.
Sophia couldn't help but wonder if Alex Riley was feeling the same way…
"Oh. My. God. Am I dreaming right now? I have the most beautiful, amazing girl (not that I would ever tell anyone that), underneath me, kissing me, or rather, me kissing her. Sure, I've kissed plenty of girl's before, but nothing that had given me this kind of feeling before. I have no idea what it is… It's almost like a… tingling sensation."
Alex could have sworn he was dreaming right now. He could feel Sophia beneath him, her rhythmic heartbeat against his chest, which was beating just as fast as hers.
As much as Alex wanted to deepen the kiss into something more intimate, he did no such thing, not wanting to push the boundaries. He kept the kiss gentle and soft, but intimate at the same time. AKA… the perfect first kiss.
Sophia was daydreaming of many different scenarios within the depths of her mind. They were running wild like stallions on an open plain. It was no surprise that the Varsity Villain was thinking along the lines of the same things.
As much as Sophia wanted more, she could not help but think of the repercussions of their actions.
1) If someone were to catch them, namely Randy, they would be dead meat.
2) They only met each other a few days ago, not exactly an 'ideal' relationship.
3) Vince finds out, Alex Riley could be kicked off of NXT, or the whole wrestling business in general.
These things = bad.
After a few, but seemingly long moments, Alex began to slowly lean away, hesitating a few times, not wanted to break the moment. His lips still remained parted only slightly, and his eyes were closed until he was back into a complete push up position.
The NXT rookie looked down towards the woman under him. Her face was still exactly as he had left it. Her eyes closed, and lips parted.
It took a few seconds for Sophia to compose herself and open her eyes. They were met with the deep blue ones of Alex Riley. His face was expressionless yet beautiful at the same time. It seemed like as the moments past by, he became more and more like a man, rather than just a ill-humored jackass like she had thought in the beginning.
But once again, those repercussions were creeping back into her mind.
1) Randy
2) Just met
3) Vince…
Alex could see Sophia's eyes begin to widen, almost as if she was having a mental debate within herself. Her body tensed and her mouth closed, her eyes still searching for answers unknown to the 29 year old.
"…Sophia…?"
Sophia snapped out of her dazed and quickly glanced at the man above her. His was puzzled and his eyebrows were only raised a little.
She quickly looked away, avoiding his eyes and began to wiggle beneath him, trying to break free of the cage his arms were creating.
"I-I have to go." She stuttered.
Alex leaned over to the side, holding his position with just one arm with ease, allowing Sophia slide out from under him. It seemed to him that she was running away from a hungry beast rather than just having to go.
The Varsity Villain tried to say something as Sophia began to frantically look across the room for nothing in particular.
Sophia paced from one side of the room to the other, her eyes scanning every corner for her cell phone. She was able to find it on the floor next to Alex. She must have dropped in during their tussle on the floor.
Sophia stepped over, quicker than usual, and grabbed her phone, not bothering to even look at the man just inches from her body.
Alex on the other hand, couldn't take his eyes off of her. She was still so beautiful and puzzling to him. Why was she acting this way? Did he do something wrong?
Sophia dashed over towards the door and reached for the door handle. Before she was able to pull it open, she heard someone from the other room.
"Wait! Where are you going! What's wrong!" Alex frantically said, standing up from his place on the floor.
Sophia only took a moment to stop and answer.
"I have to go. I'm sorry…"
With that and only that, Sophia opened the door and left the room, not even looking an inch at the room behind her.
Alex heard the door click behind Sophia, along with the fading footsteps from her feet taping down the hallway.
Had he screwed up? Should he have not have acted on his impulses and realized that a beautiful girl like that would never fall for a guy like him?
Sighing to himself, Alex fell back onto the couch, looking up to the ceiling as if hoping that answers to his problems were written on there.
"What did I do…?"
Sophia was rapidly walking down the hall, hoping to find someone or something to take her mind off of what just happened. She kept her head held low, her eyes watching only her feet on the floor.
Upon reaching the end of the hall, she looked for a room leading to her number one distraction. Room 100.
Quickly knocking on the door, quite loud enough for the entrant to hear, Sophia pleaded silently for this person to be home. She took her hand away from the door, satisfied that they had heard her. She continued to stare at her feet, seeming the only thing interesting to young women.
The clicking of a door handle snapped Sophia back into realization, her attention now to the woman standing at the door.
"Sophia?"
The occupant of the room to which Sophia was staring was wearing a tight white cami with an equally as tight pink jacket zipped up half way, coincidentally from the 'Pink' designer brand. Her long blond locks hung loosing on her shoulders in bouncing curls. Her blue skinny jeans hugged her toned legs perfectly. She wore no shoes.
She could see that Sophia was wearing baggy sweatpants and sweatshirt, obviously slept in. Her hair was in a messy bun and she too wore no shoes, despite having been walking around in the hallway.
The women's blue eyes looked into Sophia's worryingly.
"Sophia, what's wrong? Venez me parler."
"Thanks Maryse…"
The French-Canadian moved towards the wall, holding the door open and gesturing for Sophia to come in. She did not hesitate.
Maryse closed the door behind them and placed a hand on Sophia's back, leading her to the nicely made bed by the wall.
"Come here and sit." She said, her accent think and noticeable.
Sophia and Maryse sat down on the edge of the bed. Maryse watched as the younger woman crossed her legs Indian style and looked down at them absent-mindedly.
"Hun, your scaring me. What's wrong?" She asked concerned.
Sophia took a few moments before answering, not sure yet if she should tell Maryse or not, even if she was one of her best friends.
"I-It's nothing. Just an awkward moment…" Sophia took a long breath and sighed. "I just need some girl time to get my mind 'offa things…"
Maryse nodded and looked towards the wall, then back at Sophia, whose eyes had still not met hers.
"Well, I was just about to go down to the diner downstairs and get some breakfast. You can tell me what's going on over a few pancakes."
Maryse sent Sophia a reassuring, friendly smile, which Sophia returned, finally looking at the blonde next to her.
"Thanks 'Ryse. You're the best." The 24 year old said.
"Oh, and I'm not finished yet, Mademoiselle. I'll even let you borrow some clothes so when we go eat you wont look like a slob who just crawled out of a dumpster."
Sophia gave the blonde a crazed look before peering down to her outfit. She blushed.
"Gee… Thanks for putting that lightly…"
Maryse just shrugged and jumped up towards the wardrobe next to them. She grabbed a blue cami with a pink V-neck T-shirt and tossed it towards the younger women. Sophia caught it from hitting her face in just enough time to see a pair of black running shorts coming at her. They had a white and pink stripe on the side.
Sophia noticed as she put the shirt on that it was quite, actually, really small on her, just barely able to cover her belly button. She raised an eyebrow and directed it Maryse's way.
She looked back with her own questioning look. "What? After breakfast we are heading over to the arena for Superstars. I have a match tonight with Ted."
Sophia nodded in realization and finished dressing herself. She noticed Maryse grab socks and matching black and pink running shoes and laid them next to her.
"Thanks. I think a good day at work is the perfect thing to keep my mind off of things."
Sophia slipped on both of her shoes and walked over to Maryse who was waiting at the door.
"Good. Now lets go. We're going to jog down there. No elevator crap." Maryse commanded, holding the door open for them to squeeze through.
Sophia only smiled and sprinted out of the room, ready and raring to go. "Race ya!"
Almost as soon after Sophia had left the room, Alex heard his phone buzz from on the coffee table. His confused eyes turned to the table and scanned the screen. He sat up on the couch to read it better.
'Mike Mizanin' flashed across the screen with a little symbol of a phone just above it. Alex sighed before picking up.
"Yeah, Alex." The Varsity Villain said unenthusiastically.
"Hey man. I'm heading down to eat at the diner downstairs. You should come along man."
"…I don't know, man. I just ate."
"Well come anyway! We have to train afterwards for next Tuesday. It's the first elimination, and we don't want it to be you because you got fat and lazy."
Alex sighed once more, not really in the mood to do anything. "Alright… Be down in five."
"Sweet!" Mike said. "Meet you in the lobby."
Without even saying goodbye, Mike hung up the phone, leaving Alex to listen to the tone dial. It took him a few seconds before shutting his phone and tossing it back on the table. He ran his hand through his hair, not wanting to even continue with the day, still puzzled with his innocent with Sophia.
Nevertheless, Alex stretched out his limbs and proceeded over to his bag to get dressed. He grabbed a pair a basketball shorts and a loose white tee before grabbing his phone and room key and headed out the door.
His thoughts were racing with 'what if's'.
What if he didn't kiss Sophia… Would she still hate him? Did she recent him for it? Was it all his fault? What if it was? It probably was… it certainly wasn't her fault. And cupid doesn't torture poor souls until February.
"Way to go Riley…" Alex mumbled to himself.
Luckily, it wasn't long before he reached the lobby and found Mike waving like a child in his direction. He was the only person in the world who could make him chuckle in the worst of moments… or so he thought.
"Hey A-Ry! You ready to go?" The older man asked.
Riley smiled and nodded. "All set."
The men walked down together towards the diner inside the hotel. Neither of them spoke, but it wasn't awkward in anyway. It was just that none of them really had anything to say. They had just seen each other yesterday so nothing new had really happened… or at least nothing that needed to be talked about.
Upon reaching the diner, Mike and Alex picked out a small two person square table in the middle of the room. Alex sat facing the door and Mike sat opposite of him.
A young female waitress came up to both of them, her short brown hair just barely able to reach her shoulders.
"May I take you order Gentlemen?" She asked sweetly.
"Why yes you can… Stacy." Mike said, looking at the woman's nametag before continuing. "I'll have the eggs and waffles combo with orange juice please. And my friend here will have…"
Mike looked over towards Alex who seemed to be zoning out. It was a good few seconds of tension before he realized he was being addressed.
"Oh, Uh… Just a coffee thanks."
The waitress nodded and jotted down their order on her notepad before smiling and walking off to retrieve their order.
Mike looked over to his protégée with a concerned expression. He leaned over slightly.
"You okay man? You seem real out of it today."
Alex looked into his teacher's eyes and gave the best semi-smile he could.
"Yeah… yeah I'm good. Just not used to the schedule I guess." He lied.
Mike only shrugged and smiled at the waitress brought them their food. She set down Mike's food first and then handed Alex his mug of coffee and a few creamers.
"That was fast." Mike said astonished.
Stacy giggled. "Well, not a lot of people come before 12 o'clock."
The men looked around the diner to see only an elderly couple in the corner and a middle aged man reading the newspaper on the other side of them. When they turned back, the waitress had left back into the back of the diner, leaving the men to their meal.
Mike didn't waste time before digging into his breakfast. Alex on the other hand, sluggishly poured some sugars and crème into his mug and stirred it slowly. Mike could tell something was on his mind, but he knew it would only be a matter of time before he found out.
Halfway through with their meal, Alex could hear feminine voice coming closer towards the door. It didn't take long from him to decipher them.
Jogging into the diner was non other than Maryse Oullet in a tight pink sweatshirt and skinny jeans. A few moments later, Sophia Marie Orton entered through the door, panting heavily with sweat dripping down her brow.
"Ge…Geez 'Ryse… Could you always run that fast?"
Sophia short breaths were echoing through the room, audible to everyone listening.
"J'ai utilisé pour excuter le suivi au lycée."
"…What?"
Maryse sighed. "I used to run track in high school."
Sophia nodded and leaned over, placing her hands on her knees, trying to regain her breath. Her breathing had began to go back to normal, but she still had to breathe through her mouth.
"Oh, you're so over dramatic… Could sit over here. It's a window seat."
Maryse began to walk over to the seat with Sophia closely behind. The same waitress who took the guy's orders, took the lady's as well. Sophia only asked for water while Maryse wanted a few blueberry pancakes.
A few tables over, Mike noticed Alex's distant gaze towards the other side of the room. He raised his brow before turning his head and looking in the same direction. He smiled when he saw Maryse and Sophia receiving their order from Stacy.
"Well look who it is… Hey girls!" Mike shouted.
Maryse and Sophia looked over to where the voice came from. Maryse instantly smiled back and waved happily towards the Superstar. Sophia began to smile and wave when she saw another body behind Mike's… the body of Alex Riley.
Her smile quickly faded and turned into a look of pure awkward… if there was such a thing.
Neither Mike nor Maryse noticed Sophia's diverted gaze back down to her bottle of water, the only one who picked it up was Alex. He too looked back down to his drink and began to stir his coffee mindlessly.
When Maryse turned back to the table to finish her food, she couldn't help but notice the odd looks Sophia and Alex would make each other occasionally, but only to look back down and blush just barely.
Maryse was able to put the pieces of the puzzle together eventually, around the time she finished her food.
"Ohhhhh I see… The reason you came over to my room asking for girl time was because of Alex?" The French-Canadian said this more as a statement than a question. Sophia's brow twitch proved her right. "Don't tell me… You two had sex didn't you!"
"W-What, NO!"
Sophia's yell caused the guys, along with the other guests of the diner, turn around and look at her quizzically. She blushed profusely.
She turned back to Maryse. "No." She said much more quietly in a whispered tone. "I would never do such a thing. You know I'm still a… you know…"
"Virgin."
"SHHHH! Not so loud! God do you want everyone to know!"
Maryse rolled her eyes and giggled. "Sorry. But its not something to be ashamed of. It's a great thing."
"Well thanks Dr. Phil. But it doesn't mean I want everyone to know."
"So then what IS up with you and Mr. Alex Riley over there." Maryse secretly pointed to Alex's table, luckily he didn't noticed.
Sophia proceeded to tell her best friend everything from the night they met to what happened in the last hour, even about the encounter with the man in the alleyway. Throughout her explanation, Maryse listened intently, sometimes sipping on her OJ when she felt the need. She never interrupted.
Once Sophia's rant was over. Maryse put her glass down and nodded her head once more before speaking.
"Well I can see why that would be awkward for you… But it seems you two like each other."
Sophia sighed. "I don't know 'Ryse… He seems like a nice guy. But you know how I am with relationships… I want to make sure before a make any… defining… moves."
Sophia then turned her direction towards the guys table. She noticed that Alex was looking the other direction out a window, seeming at nothing, just as a distraction. Mike on the other hand, had his eyes glued to Maryse.
"What is going on with you and Mike?" Sophia finally said. "This whole breakfast he has been giving you googly eyes."
Maryse snapped her head in Mike's direction. Noticing he was being stared at, her turned around. The girl's could not see him blush, but they could feel it.
The French-Canadian turned back around and giggled like a nervous school girl crushing over the Quarter Back of the Varsity Football Team.
Sophia smirked. "You SO like him."
"Do not!" Maryse gasped.
"Do to! I see the blush on your cheeks. It's obvious he likes you too."
"…Really? You think so?"
"Oh most definitely." Sophia assured. "I'm one of his best friends. He hasn't come out a directly said it, but its obvious."
Maryse smiled and looked back over to Mike. He was talking to Alex about something, most likely NXT or whatever guys talk about.
"It's only a matter of time, girl." Sophia took one more sip of her water before the bell attached to the diner doors began to ring.
Sophia and Maryse turned to look at who was entering the building, curious to see if it was any of the superstars. But unfortunately for them, it was one they hoped not to see.
Standing tall and proud was none other than Wade Barrett, leader of Nexus. His black hair was slicked back to its normal position, and his signature Nexus shirt and armband were displaced with pride on his torso and bicep.
The Englishman looked around the room before his eyes fell upon the ladies. A smirk played across his lips.
"Well well well, what do we have here? Two beautiful gals like yourselves at the rundown diner such as this? I should have figured as much."
Sophia rolled her eyes and turned around, Maryse looked back down at her finished place. They could feel Wade's eyes on them, but prayed that he would leave them alone.
Their prayers were not answered.
"Oh don't be that way ladies." Wade said, placing a hand on their table and leaning down close to them. "I just came to eat brunch. Seeing you two was just a bonus."
Sophia scuffed. "What do you want Barrett."
"Why, didn't you just listen? I came to eat." He said smirking. "But while I'm here, I might as well give you some news on tomorrow's Friday Night Smackdown."
Wade took a long pause, and looked right into Sophia's eyes, not even bothering to waste his time with Maryse.
"Well? Are you going to speak or stand there like a lost puppy without your Nexus boyfriends."
Wade snarled at Sophia's smart mouthed comment. In return, the 24 year old sent him a cheeky smirk, almost as if daring Wade to challenge her.
"Actually, this news does involve you, Orton. But, considering your sharp tongue, you'll have to wait until tomorrow."
Sophia chuckled under her breath. "So I was right. You have to wait for your butt-buddies to team up on me. Sorry I forgot about that."
Wade advance closer to her face, just millimeters from her. Sophia could feel his hot breath on her skin. She would never admit it, but Wade was quite possibly the scariest person she had ever met. Not even her brother could scare her the way Wade did.
Maryse watched on from the other side of the booth, leaning as far back as she could, trying her best to get a far away from Wade as possible.
Wade bared his teeth like a wild animal stalking it's pray. "Why you petty little Bit-"
Before he could finish, he felt a strong, forceful tug on the back of his shirt, pulling him away from the ladies and back into a standing position.
Wade whipped around and looked into the piercing eyes of Alex Riley. Even though he was a few inches shorter than Wade, Alex never showed any sign of fear or backing down. They stood face to face. Chests puffed out trying to assert their dominance.
Sophia slid towards the corner of the booth away from the men who could possibly start a brawl at any moment.
Maryse didn't take her eyes off of Wade and Alex until a pull was felt on her left arm. She snapped her head to the side to see Mike Mizanin gently tugging on her arm. He had a look of worry in his eyes.
Come on! He mouthed silently towards her.
He helped her slide out of the booth and pushed her behind him, to keep her a safe distance from the Englishman. Maryse hung on to the back of Mike's shirt in fear, staring at the two men having a stare down in the middle of the diner.
"Is there a problem here… Barrett?"
Sophia could hear Alex's voice clearly. It was deeper than usual, much more serious and menacing.
Wade snarled, but dared not to speak a single word.
Alex smirked. "Didn't think so. I suggest you leave… Now."
"I was just telling dear Sophia here that a surprise is waiting for her tomorrow night."
Wade smirked with satisfaction and turned around, taking a few steps towards the door. But before he left, he turned his back towards the group of people by the table.
"Oh, by the way, Orton. Bring your brother. You'll need him there."
With that, Wade's booming laugh was heard all the way out the door until it faded into obscurity down the street.
The silence left in the diner was overbearing. Alex still stood tall and strong, not budging an inch. Mike still stood protectively over Maryse, his arm holding her to his side so he knew where she was at all times.
Mike was the first to speak.
"Are you alright?"
The question was directed at everyone. He looked back at Maryse, their faces inches apart. She let out a small, 'yeah' along with a head nod. He and Alex, who had finally back down into a normal standing position, looked over to Sophia, still curled up in the corner.
Her mouth was open slightly in fear and surprise. She slowly nodded, not sure if she was truly okay or not.
A look of concern spread across Alex Riley's face. He looked into Sophia's distant eyes. To him, they weren't the same deep, beautiful eyes he saw earlier this morning. They were different, almost… empty.
He took a step to the side and looked directly at her. He held out his hand slowly.
At first, Sophia looked at it frightfully. Her eyes dashed back from his hand to his eyes. They were soft. Trusting.
She took his hand and allowed him to help her out of the booth.
"It's okay." He whispered, just enough for only the two of them to hear.
Her wrapped a protective arm around her waist, much like Mike was doing with Maryse. Every singly one of their eyes were on the door, almost as if they were waiting for Wade and the rest of Nexus to walk back into the door. Thankfully, after several tense moments, nothing of the sort happened.
Maryse held onto Mike, one hand on his chest and the other on his lower back, obviously still scared.
Mike tighten his grip on her torso.
"I think it's time to go to the arena. I don't think they are scheduled to be there."
Mike nudged Maryse to walk towards the door, but he made not attempt to remove his arm from her waist. As the two of them walked back, Alex then followed behind with Sophia on his arm.
Out on the street with cars rushing by, he whispered in her ear.
"Are you alright?"
Sophia looked down at her feet and nodded. "Yeah… yeah I'm fine."
Alex nodded. "Good. Cause if not, I would have killed the bastard."
Sophia looked up at the man leading her to Mike's rental car. He was looking at the road in front of him, a protective arm still wrapped around her waist. He didn't need to be looking at the younger woman to know she was staring at him, but he didn't feel he had the courage to look her in the eye after the awkward tension earlier that morning.
The men lead the ladies into the rental car. Mike held the door open for Maryse, as Alex did for Sophia in the back seat. Mike would be driving of course, with Maryse in the passengers seat, leaving Alex and Sophia in the back.
As the car started, Maryse put in her iPod and turned up her music, trying to drain out her thoughts with Beyonce. Mike was focused on the road ahead of him, and the radio was not playing.
From the back of the car, Alex looked over to the woman sitting next to him. She was staring absentmindedly out the window. It didn't even appear that she was watching the cars go by, she was just looking out the window at nothing.
Alex reached over his hand and grabbed hers gently. Sophia jumped at the sudden contact and whipped her head around to look at him.
His deep blue eyes looked lighter in the bright sunlight peering through the windows.
Alex could see deep into Sophia's eyes. To any average person, they looked normal, but he could see much more than the façade they were putting on. She was scared, and trying to hide it. Wade was a pretty terrifying guy, especially to someone as small as Sophia was.
He squeezed her hand lightly, his eyes never leaving hers.
Sophia looked at Alex Riley and squeezed his hand back, knowing that he could see her fear. And for once in her life, she felt like he was the person that could be her everything…
Thank you all for being so patient with me! I hope you all liked this chapter! If you want to comment/review (or yell at me for the horrible updating) please do so!
Love yous!
-xoxo pajama_pants5
