A/N: A special shout out goes to Dark Angel Yuki, WilliamTA, and Emmy Love for the nice reviews, thanks guys :D So enjoy the chapter, and leave your opinon in review form :)

Chapter Twelve: Strangers

Three and a half weeks have passed since Randy told me we needed a break. I've been counting the days since, I can't get him out of my mind.

My life sucks.

That's the conclusion I've come to. Jeff's told me a million times that it's not my fault, but I can't believe him. He's just saying that to make me feel better. It usually does, but it doesn't take away any of the pain.

I was sitting in my dressing room, still thinking about him, when John Cena came in.

"Hey baby," he said smiling.

There's nothing for me to smile about, so I don't smile back.

John and I have been dating for two weeks, he asked me out when he heard Randy and I were on a break.

I said yes, but I don't know if I should have. I'm only lying to myself, and to him.

"Riley?" His voice was soft and sweet.

"Yeah?" I looked up, coming out of my daze.

"What's wrong? You seem depressed." He looked at me with sympathetic eyes.

"Because I am," I said bluntly.

"Why?"

"No reason." I didn't want to look at him anymore, so I turned away.

"No reason? Why won't you tell me? Please tell me," he begged. I knew he just wanted to know, so he could try to help, but I pushed him away.

"Can we just drop it? I just don't want to talk about it."

His face instantly became solemn, he didn't understand why I wasn't opening up to him, quite frankly, I don't know why I'm not either.

I think he and I both knew, deep down, that I couldn't get Randy off my mind. Neither one of us wanted it to be true, so we ignored it. He wanted me to want him, but I can't, I just can't.

"Fine," his voice was filled with silent rage now. "Whatever, I'm leaving," he took a deep breathe and exhaled, "are you coming?"

"Yeah," I got up quietly.

I followed him all the way to the barrier, I'm going to be in his corner tonight. When we go out, John does his normal thing, but I don't prance around or slap hands, or even smile like I normally do. I can't even put on an act, I try, but I can't. Because that would be lying to the fans, telling them I'm happy and cheerful, when I'm not.

As we waited in the ring, I was expecting Chavo's music to play, since he is the one John's supposed to be facing tonight.

Surprisingly, Vickie Guerrero walked out, and a chorus of boo's filled the arena.

"Excuse me!" She yelled over the fans, "I said excuse me!"

The crowd went silent.

"Thanks you. John Cena, I had put you in this match tonight so Chavo could get some well-deserved revenge on you for what you said last week." I chuckled a little, remembering the things he said. The people cheered as well, also remembering how John mercilessly mocked Chavo. "However, he's sick, so I'm making a new match."

The fans started with their boo's again, they know she's lying. Chavo isn't sick, he's cowardly. And that's that.

John grabbed a mic, he had stern look on his face. I knew he wouldn't be making jokes.

"So, what's the new match then?" His eyes were intense, as was his face.

She snorted.

"Well first off, princess Riley over there," everyone calls me that, considering the fact that my dad calls himself a king, "will be a special referee tonight."

The fans cheered with mass approval, I stood unmoved by the comment. I didn't care.

John glanced over at me, he knew I wasn't going to say anything, so he continued.

"Okay, so who's in it?"

"Well it will be John Cena verse Randy Orton."

I ripped the microphone out of John's hand upon hearing that. My emotions seem to be working faster than my mind.

"No! You can't do that!" I could feel my eyes welling up with tears. "I won't do it." This match seemed to be more of a punishment for me, than him.

"Oh you will," she laughed, "you have to or your fired. Oh, and it's a hardcore match."

John carefully took the mic back out of my hand.

"Fine," his eyes were hard and cold, "we'll do it."

I hated when people spoke for me, I didn't want to do this match, he shouldn't have accepted. I'm not ready to see his face again.

I'm not ready.

I walked back up the ramp, slowly. In the back, Vickie handed me the ref shirt, without saying a word. I put it on in the bathroom and stared into the mirror. I have to see him again, I have to be near him again. I don't know if I can handle this.

*****

I'm in the ring now, waiting. There is so many thought running through my head, I can't make any sense of them. And emotions too, an overload of emotions actually. John is just warming up in the corner, prepping himself for the match.

I suddenly feel frozen, like I can't move my feet. That's when I see him, coming down the ramp, and it makes me feel worse.

I look into his eyes once he's completely in the ring. Their determined, angry, but mostly sad. I shake my head to get out of the daze I found myself in.

"Are you two ready?" I asked over top of the rambunctious crowd. We're in St. Louis, Randy's hometown, he's got an advantage. But some people think that John's got the advantage, being that his girlfriend is the ref and all. They think I'll play favorites, but I won't.

"Yeah," John answers, with a slight growl in his voice. He hates Randy, you can just tell.

"Yes," he looks at me, deep into my eyes. I want to forgive him, but I can't.

I signal for the bell, and the match starts.

"Bring it on!" John called out to Randy.

Here we go.

How will Riley handle this matchup of Randy Vs. John? Will she play fair, or will she interfere? Come back to find out :D