A/N: Yo dudes, remember me? It's been a hot minute since I've been near FF let alone posted anything, but a recent review on another story brought me back here and I remembered my little Randy/Trish saga that I started years ago. What can I say? Reading through this ignited my fire for this story and wrestling in general again. So, without further ramble, on with the story!
"Ow…ow…OW!" Riley barked in pain, eyes screwing shut whilst Melody in turn winced as she eased her friend's arm out into a stretch. Riley clamped the ice pack to her shoulder, wishing the caress of cold was doing something to lessen the burning pain in her limbs that was much worse fifteen hours later than when she'd originally gotten the injury.
It was the morning after her birthday party, after her successful attempt to join World Wrestling Entertainment and she was on a serious come down after her monumental high. She'd woken in full bruise bloom, ugly purple and red welts marking her body from her shoulders to her lower back and even her cheeks. Thankfully her mother had gone out early to work and hadn't seen the state her daughter was in otherwise it would have led to difficult conversations she couldn't face when Riley wasn't exactly feeling her best. How exactly she was meant to explain the state of her battered and bruised body when she'd officially only attended her own birthday party was a screaming match for another time.
Melody had come over at Riley's whimpering insistence, armed with pain killers, chick flicks and copious amounts of ice cream. Cooped up on Riley's bed, together they'd worked out the kinks in Riley's lower back and assessed the remainder of the damage to her body. It was only really now her right arm that was giving her real trouble and the slow circles that Melody twisted the limb was starting to ease out the tension.
"The hell were you wrestling against?" Melody muttered as she worked Riley's arm socket into another slow loop. "An eighteen wheeler? You are going to have to cover that bruise on your face with something and just pray your momma doesn't notice the limp!"
Riley smirked, lowering her arm as Melody released her, still clutching the ice pack to her shoulder. "Relax Dee. My mother is far too busy being concerned with her own self-importance to even notice I've been through the ringer. By the time she remembers me I'll have worked most of this out."
"Yeah," Melody snorted, reaching for the bag of chips she'd brought with her, "like anything ever gets by Trish Orton. She'll have the other guy up on assault and battery charges when she finds out." She stopped mid crunch, eyeing Riley inquisitively. "It was a guy who beat you up, right? You didn't finish telling me last night."
The Orton's daughter swiped at her friend with a pillow, instantly regretting it due to the lick of flame running up the length of her arm. "Yes, it was a guy I beat last night. He was wrestling under the name Desperado. Dickhead would have been more fitting based on the 'tude he gave me. I've never met a more arrogant, pompous misogynistic asshole in my entire life. And I've been babysat by Ric Flair!"
"Too many syllables," Melody waved her hand, "big words. Ugh. Brain dying." Melody flailed her arms dramatically, much to Riley's amusement. "Let's get down to the important stuff. Would you take him round back and ride him like a dime store pony?"
"Melody!" Riley squeaked in scandalized horror. "Do you ever think with any part of your anatomy other than your freakin' doo-dah? There are more important things in life than taking a guy to bed you know!" Riley rolled her eyes, sinking back into the throne of pillows she'd artfully constructed for herself to ease her consistently painful sitting position.
"Please. Guys exist for exactly three reason." Melody moved to sit up on her knees, raising a finger to list of each point of her theory on men. "Financial security. Buying me pretty shit. Busting the headboard when they bang you through the bed. All you need in life my friend, all you need." Melody nodded, satisfied that she'd made her point crystal clear to Riley. "And you never answered the question, by the way, so don't think you can get out of it with your mock shock at my potty mouth. Lord knows you've heard me say worse. Most of it about your fine piece of ass father."
"True," Riley shrugged, reaching for a chip out of the bag. "And yes. This guy was beautiful. Like, easily the most physically attractive man I've ever seen in my entire life. Problem is, he knows it and acts like he's God's gift to pretty much everything around him. You know he had the nerve to call me a bitch just because I screwed up his try-out? They even gave him a place at the training camp and everything, but he still acted like I'd come into his house on Christmas morning and crapped on his new puppy."
Melody made a face, replacing the chip she'd been about to eat. "First of all, the most disgusting mental image in the history of mental images." She shuddered, which only made Riley giggle a little more. "But really Ri, you know how fragile boys are. They can't stand losing, and you not only kicked his ass but basically stole his man card at the same time. You may as well have cut off his balls and made them into earrings. All 'cos you're a girl."
"Just because I'm a girl? Why does everything have to come down to what body parts I have!" Melody could tell from the way Riley was scaling the octaves that she was about to have a temper tantrum and rushed to intervene before the wrath of the Stratus-Orton hybrid was unleashed all over California.
"Honey, you could be the best wrestler in the history of wrestling but the fact that you've got tits would make it the most unforgiveable insult in the world. It's like the way of the world. We women are just second class citizen when it comes to like, everything." Riley continued to glower as Melody attempted to explain. "Boys are like bi-polar when it comes to this stuff and their ego. The love us, but can't take it when we're better than them. It's like genetics or something. Like you remember me and Bobby Owen last year?" Riley nodded, recalling the few weeks that her friend had dated the captain of the basketball team. "The simple fact that I made his ex-girlfriend orgasm better than he did was like unacceptable. Never mind the fact he's got two hotties going at it right in front of his eyes, just because I had to the tongue talent to make her squeal like a piglet and he couldn't was something he couldn't handle. It meant we had to break up and it was a shame because his joystick was thicker than my entire arm."
By now Riley had covered her face with a pillow, half trying to smother herself whilst blocking out the details. "Dee, I do not need to know this stuff. I didn't know you'd gone for girl on girl action. And I don't need to know anymore," she quickly continued as she saw Melody about to launch into a more detailed explanation of her other female exploits. "But you're probably right. Still, it annoys me that just because I'm better than him he gets to pass me off as a bitch and pitch a fit over it. Why is it we have to be bitches and sluts just because we can handle ourselves and look hot doing it?"
"If I knew the answer to that I'd be richer than Oprah." Melody decided.
Riley smirked. "Well I can't wait to get to training just so I can kick his ass."
"Yeah about that," Melody bit down onto her bottom lip, looking a little unsure of herself and not wanting to tempt the wrath of Riley, "how is that going to work exactly? Won't your parents kinda notice that you've disappeared for a few days and come back looking like you've been mugged? Not to mention the fact that your dad is heading up then try outs? I'm pretty sure he'd be able to pick you out from the crowd."
"I've got it all covered," Riley said with a knowing grin, crossing her legs in front of her. "I'm going to tell my mom that I'm staying the weekend with you as a late birthday present. Your mom will be too deep in her vodka valium mocha latte induced coma to contradict if the almighty Patricia Orton calls up to check, right?"
Melody nodded. "This is true. I could be wearing Lady GaGa as a hat and she wouldn't flinch. What about your dad though? I'm pretty sure he'll notice when he sees his daughter rocking up to training."
"I doubt he'll be that hands on," Riley offered, fiddling with the hem of the shorts she was wearing, "besides, from what Lucas told me, these try outs are more like boot camp anyway with a bunch of drill instructors putting you through your paces. The guys in charge only really come in at the end for the final product and the ring time. And when I get to that stage, I'll have my awesome Dita disguise ready. Ready and willing to kick that Desperado's butt three ways from Sunday."
"What's with that, anyway? Desperado. Didn't you say he wore a mask?" Riley nodded in confirmation. "If he's half as hot as you say, why cover up a beautiful face like that?"
"Dunno. It was weird, I mean I think he pulled it off because he was so pissed at me, but then when that creepy booker dude came over he couldn't get it back on again fast enough, like me with my wig. Maybe he didn't want to be recognised."
"Makes you wonder why. Did you recognise him?" Melody enquired, twisting a strand of her hair back into place. "Maybe he's an escaped convict or something and he's on American's Most Wanted. Or he could be a superhero. Or he could be a celebrity."
"All likely scenarios," Riley grinned, "but I'm not sure. There was something familiar about his face, but I can't put my finger on what." Riley's mind trailed along through her memory, trying to place the beautiful face behind the mask. There was something familiar that, although she couldn't work out what. She was fairly certain they'd hadn't met before, it wasn't that sort of feeling. Although that didn't exactly make the situation any clearer.
"Maybe he put his finger in you," Melody suggested, giving her friend a wicked grin with her shocked expression. "Oh come on Ri, we've all be there. You've met a guy at the club, let his hands go for a wander and forgotten his face the next day. Makes it really awkward during your Fourth of July barbecue when he has to slip his fingers into your panties for you to recognise him."
"You are shameless!" Riley squealed, covering her face as he cheeks burned with embarrassment at her friends frank admission of one her many sexual conquests.
"Oh shush, shame is for losers. I happen to be a young, free, powerful woman who takes pleasure in sex. Y'all are just jealous." A haughty hair flip brought Riley into a fit of giggles as she stretched her legs out in front of her again. A silence fell between them for a moment, and Melody shifted to lean on one side and prop her head up on one hand. "Are you sure you're ready for this Ri? It's going to take a lot of plotting to pull this off. I mean what happens if you're successful and get called up to regionals? Or FCW even? What then?"
Riley shrugged her shoulders. "One thing at a time Dee. I need to pass next weekend before I worry about what happens next. I'm sure if I get to that stage I'll have more than enough time to worry about it then. Maybe I'll call Lucas and get him to go to bat for me against my mother. We'll figure something out." It hadn't escaped Riley's notice that her friend physically reacted every time she mentioned Luca Cena's name. From what she'd gathered, something had happened between her best friend and the guy who was like her brother from another mother. Something at her party, if her instincts were correct. Melody couldn't keep still whenever the name was brought up. "So what's with you and Lucas, anyway? You twitch every time I say his name."
"I do not!" Melody retorted, having the sense to look shocked and offended at the mere suggestion as she pulled herself up.
Riley leaned closer. "Lucas." Twitch. "Lucas." Twitch. "Lucas, Lucas, Lucas!" Twitch, twitch, twitch.
"Will you stop that!" Melody cried, slapping her friend's thigh with her hand. "You're going to give me brain damage or something." She placed her hand over her eye, massaging it to try and stop it from giving her away so readily.
"I knew something was up with you two at my party. Spill it Dee, and don't leave out any of the details," Riley instructed, realising who she was talking to and not wanting to be given too graphic a retelling of the night, "okay, maybe some of the mature details you can leave out. Just give me a flavour of what happened."
Melody paused, staying silent for a long time. In all the years they had been friends, Riley had never known Melody to react like this to a potential new lover. She couldn't say the idea of two of her friends screwing around was something she wanted to know the intimate details of, but even for Melody, this was behaviour she was unaccustomed to. Melody positively revelled in discussing all the sordid bit and pieces. Sometimes Riley was sure she did it just to make her blush and Melody got a real kick out of it most of the time. Now that she was so coy, it really made her want to know more about what had transpired.
"It was…sensational," Melody managed at last. "I've always thought he was hot, but last night…damn! I was like putty in his hand…and mouth." Melody saw the look on Riley's face and smiled. "We almost…but nothing happened. Your mother walked in looking for you before we got anywhere. He had me naked, on a table and he was…well, you don't want to know, but suffice to say it was the most sexual experience of my life. And we didn't even screw."
"Wow," Riley offered, shocked by her friend's candour. That was certainly high praise indeed, coming from Melody.
"Wow it was," Melody agreed, "no guy has ever gotten me that hot and bothered before. He was in complete control of my body, I couldn't resist. And he didn't even force me down on his him, he just made me feel awesome…" Melody trailed off, clearly lost in the memory of Lucas' mouth pressed against her skin. The shudder brought her back to her senses and apparent clarity. "And this one ain't going to get the chance to do it again."
"Why not?" Riley' brow creased in confusion. "You said you always found him attractive, and now you know he makes you feel good, what's the problem?"
"Get serious, Ri." Melody shook her head, smiling at her friend's lack of worldly experience. "There's no way I could let a guy that hot have such a hold over me. I do the humping and dumping, not the other way around. His little tongue twist in Melody land will be his one and only visit. I need to get back on it and break a few hearts and remind everybody who is in the driving sea, y'know?"
Riley remained silent, but inwardly screamed. Melody hated to be vulnerable, it was a trait they shared but they expressed it in such different ways. Despite Melody's experience sexually, she seemed to avoid real closeness like the plague. It was a shame, really, as the more she thought about it the better a match she could see her two friends becoming. At least there was something Riley could do about that, if she planned it right. It was about time Melody stepped up to a grown up relationship, even if she needed just a little nudging in the right direction. Making a mental note to call Lucas later and get his assessment of the situation, she tuned back in to what her friend was saying.
"Besides, it's nothing I have to seriously worry about. Lucas and his little wrestling tribe will roll out of town in a few days and I won't have to see him until the next blue moon when they show up again." Melody sighed, sounding suspiciously like one of relief as she lay down onto the bed.
"Yeah, about that?" Riley smirked, hiding the small look of triumph she already wore as the Universe already conspired along with her. "You know he's going to be there at the McMahon ball, don't you?"
"What?" Melody sat bolt upright. "He's what? No. No. No. I couldn't possibly-"
"You promised me. You've bought your dress. You're coming." It was said simply, and Melody knew she couldn't really argue. She had indeed promised to be Riley's date to the ball after Jeremy had announced that it clashed with a scouting visit from a college with a great athletic programme. Melody had agreed to fill in which mean she was duty bound to accompany Riley even if it meant she had to be faced with the guy she was still hot for and wanted to be several states away from right now. Perhaps it was time to plead her way out of the promise.
"Are you sure there's nobody else you could take instead of me? What about your brother? I'm sure he'd accompany you. Or Lucas, even. I bet he'd be a great date." Melody smiled her best convincing grin, but it was wasted on Riley who was already imagining the potential 'accidental' meeting she could engineer between her friend and Lucas.
"Parker is already going, and Luca is taking Madison. And even if they were available you're my best friend and I need you there to protect me from the diabolical presence of my dastardly mother." Melody spluttered, clearly ready to object and throw a myriad of excuses her way. Desperate times required desperate measures. "Don't make me pull out the BFF card." Riley's tone became deadly serious as Melody's eyes widened with shock.
"You…you wouldn't!" She chocked, blindly looking for the nearest exit.
"Oh I would," Riley replied, reaching her hand into the neck of her tee-shirt to pull out an invisible but very real card that she mimed tossing down in front of her between herself and Melody. It was a game the girls had come up with in the first few months of knowing each other. They'd written a charter of sorts, of what being the other's best friend meant. One thing they had been clear on was the BFF card. It symbolised their friendship in such a way that when it was played, the other friend had no choice but to bow to the other's wishes, even if it was something they really didn't want to do. Of course Melody had played the card last which meant it was firmly in Riley's 'possession'. They had created a rule whereby the card couldn't be replayed in response to a playing, so there would be no such loophole where Melody could play it in response to Riley's playing and thus get herself out of the deal.
It represented an iron clad contract, meaning Melody was given no choice in the matter. She reached down and scooped up the imaginary card and mimed tucking it into her shirt. "Oh I'll get your for this, Riley Kendall Orton. You just wait."
Melody sat with a pout, whilst Riley merely grinned. "Oh come on Dee, there will be music and food and champagne, you'll have a great time." Melody looked les than convinced. "And after the couple of days I've had? I need some serious moral support." She swallowed, and cast her eyes downwards. The memory of the shock revelation of her boyfriend and arch enemy came flooding back "Have…have you heard anything about Jeremy and Savannah?"
Her friend nodded, suddenly feeling bad for having created such a fuss when she knew what a tough time her best friend had been dealing with. "Apparently Savannah has been crowing about your suspension and the fact she and tiny dick have gotten together." Riley's eyes bulged in their head. "Apparently they're an item now, Jeremy has said he's moving on with her because of last night. It's all over Facebook."
Icicles of pain stabbed themselves into Riley' heart at the thought of her boyfriend dating Savannah. What had she done to deserve his infidelity? Because she wouldn't sleep with him? Hell, it hadn't even been that. She would have slept with him, when she felt ready. Couldn't he have been just a little more patient? She really was going to do it.
Would you? A voice said in the back of her mind. Riley couldn't help but wonder if the reason she'd held off going to bed with Jeremy for so long had been because deep down she knew that maybe he wasn't the love of her life that she'd once thought he was. Perhaps that why it never felt like the right time, because she hadn't been with the right guy. If that were true thought, then why did his betrayal hurt her so much now? On cue, her lips started to wobble and tears stung her eyes. Maybe she should have just given it up to keep Jeremy with her. Riley loved him, she was sure of that, and now she was without him and probably the laughing stock of the entire school.
"Don't cry over that butt crack," Melody said softly, scooting up the bed to wrap an arm around her friend and gently brush away the tear that left a wet streak over Riley's bruised cheek. "He and Savannah dropped a few dozen friends on Facebook when it all became public. Everybody knows he did the dirty on you, and nobody really likes Savannah anyway. Plus, I heard the entire boy population of the school is dying for you to come back to school so they can ask you out."
Melody's beaming smile did nothing to lift Riley's dampened spirit. It didn't matter if every guy from here to New York wanted to take her out on a date. They just weren't the one she wanted to be with. "They're not Jeremy though, are they? He's the first boy that I've ever loved and I guess he just didn't love me. I don't know how I'm supposed to get over that."
More tears, and Melody's squeezed her friend tighter. "You know what they say. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone new. And failing that, I know like a ton of places we can bury Savannah's body. No-one would ever find her." That brought a smile to Riley's face, giving her friend a small sense of satisfaction as she pondered the ways to make Riley see she really was better off without that jerk. "We will get through this Riley. I promise you. And they'll get theirs, just you wait."
Riley certainly hoped that were the case, even if it was difficult to believe right now. At least she didn't have to worry about going back to school yet. Those pitiful glances and whispered conversations in hallways as people talked about her would be too much to deal with. Time away would help, even if it was under a suspension, as would focusing on her FCW try out matches and manoeuvring Lucas and Melody together. If nothing else, getting suspended meant she really was her father's daughter.
"Come on Orton, let's see what I can do to that face of yours." Melody chuckled maniacally as she reached for her make up bag, already scheming what she could do to cover up the bruises.
Perhaps Riley could get through this. It would take some artful deception on her part, not to mention a whole heap of luck. But if she could fight her way the weekend try outs and make it to FCW maybe she wouldn't even have to think about going back to school and facing everyone again. She could leave all the gossip and Jeremy and Savannah behind in the past. Better still, if Lucas and Melody did get it together perhaps her best friend could come along for the ride. They could go on the road together and it would all work out. It was clear that the next few week were going to be all about the timing. Everything needed to be planned to perfection and Riley vowed that one way or another, she was going to make it work.