Hey, everyone! So, I need to make an important announcement with regards to when this fanfic will be updated.
As much as I love writing fanfiction, my work schedule is going to become overwhelming. Between my retail job, interviews for jobs in my field, and trying to find paid freelance writing positions, I'm stretching myself quite thin; and that doesn't take into account the other things I need to do in my regular life! So with that said, I'm afraid that updates for Olivia In NXT are now going to be sporadic. I can't do regular weekly updates; instead, starting next week, I will update this fanfic whenever I can. Follow me on Tumblr and Twitter to stay notified on when I update this fanfic and upload other stories!
Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing related to WWE.
Anyways, please read & enjoy! :D
By the next morning, Olivia was no longer an emotional basket case from dealing with the anniversary of her parents' deaths. She left her room to work out in the empty hotel gym alone. The hour or so spent doing weight lifting and cardio lifted any lingering depression and sadness left in her mind and heart. When she had finally exited the gym, she felt lighter than before. Sweat trickled down her forehead and neck, but she paid no mind as she trudged back to her room.
I don't have too much to do today, she thought, so maybe I'll just take it easy. After yesterday…I think I've earned it.
A couple hours later, Olivia had showered, thrown on a light layer of makeup, and changed into a plain red sweatshirt, black leggings and black-and-white Nikes. She didn't bother doing her hair, choosing instead to brush it out and let it air dry for a change. Just as she was about to head down to grab some breakfast, her phone went off. Surprised, she glanced at the screen to see that she'd received a new text from a familiar name.
Nic: Hey, Liv. Hope I didn't wake you or something. Just wanted to know how you're doing.
He probably think I'm a wreck, Olivia thought. She bit her lip while she typed out a reply.
Olivia: It's okay, I've been up for a while. I'm fine though, thanks for asking. How are you?
Nic: I'm good…just about to grab something to eat. Wanna meet down in the lobby?
Olivia: Sure. Are we going out, or staying here?
Nic: I'd rather stay here, if that's okay with you.
Olivia: I'll be down in a few minutes!
As she hustled down to the hotel lobby, Olivia ran one hand through her short red hair in a feeble attempt to tame it. She even tried to fix it as she rode the otherwise empty elevator down. It wasn't great, but it still looked better than it had moments ago by the time she reached the lobby. A heavy sigh left her as she waited for Nic to show up. Fortunately, he arrived just a few minutes later, wearing jeans, a white T-shirt, and sneakers. He didn't waste time greeting her with a hello and a large hug.
"You definitely look better," he remarked.
"I am," Olivia insisted.
The pair headed into the dining area and made plates of food for themselves before finding a table. It was getting full where they were, but they still managed to find a seat away from most other patrons.
"I was worried about you after we had our talk," Nic admitted.
"You mean after I blabbed about my sob story?" Olivia paused and shrugged nonchalantly. "I appreciate it, but there was really no need. I'm usually back to normal by the next morning."
Nic looked stunned by her demeanour. He raised his eyebrows while struggling to find the right thing to say.
"I know I seem like I don't care, and that's sort of true," Olivia added. "It's an annual thing that I've gotten used to, that's all. I'm hoping that one day it won't affect me like that ever again. Until then…there's not a whole hell of a lot I can do."
Again, Nic was rendered mute by her blasé attitude. He recovered quickly this time around by clearing his throat after swallowing what food had been in his mouth.
"I don't know how to respond to that," he said with a nervous chuckle.
"That's okay," Olivia replied. "There's no way to really reply to that. I don't mean to come off cold or emotionless. It's kinda how it's been since my parents died. I don't think you or anyone else can understand until you lose a parent that some days your emotions are a rollercoaster— and all you can do is hold on until the ride finally ends."
"Well, I'm not gonna pretend that I know what you're going through because I don't. I still have my parents, thankfully. Shit, that sounded rude. Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
"No, don't apologize. It didn't bother me at all. I know I'm kinda alone when it comes to this, so I've just accepted it as fact. Honestly, I just feel embarrassed that I bawled my eyes out in front of you last night. I've never done that before…burst into tears in the middle of training like that."
Nic frowned a bit, but kept his concerned expression at the forefront. "Please stop that, Liv. You had every reason to be upset yesterday. I'm glad you told me just so I could understand why you were off. I knew something was wrong, but I had no way of knowing what until you said so."
"I must be easier to read than I thought," Olivia remarked, "considering that we hardly know each other."
"I guess," Nic commented with a shrug. "We don't have to keep talking about this if you don't want to."
"I'd love to change the subject, actually."
"Yeah, absolutely. So…I heard a rumour that you have a match next week. But I have no idea who, or if you're going against a Rookie or another Pro."
Olivia brightened up at the prospect of having a match at the next taping. "That's okay! I'm just excited to hear that I'll be facing someone. Truthfully, I kinda hope it's someone I haven't faced on NXT yet. Do you happen to know when the next elimination is? If you can't tell me, that's fine."
Nic shook his head. "No, there won't be an elimination next week. I don't know when the next one will be, to be honest."
"That's fine," Olivia said. "Perhaps you and I can get into a ring before the taping begins? To make up for yesterday, I mean."
"We can if you want."
"I really want to."
At this, Nic smirked. "You really love to roll around in the ring with me, huh?"
"Don't flatter yourself," Olivia teased.
Nic cackled despite having a mouthful of food, causing Olivia to laugh as well. She raked a hand through her hair as their laughter died down a few moments later.
"No, I get what you mean," she added. "Like I've said, I want to get as much in-ring practice as I can. I really enjoy rolling around in the ring with you, too. You're really good at letting me know how to improve, and you're not afraid of getting your hands dirty."
"Is that so? I'm kinda surprised to hear that, considering I'm not one of the Divas. I mean, I'm a lot bigger than you, and I don't do highflying stuff like you."
"That's fine. Also, everyone's bigger than me. I'm five foot nothing and 100 pounds, so I'm always the smaller one in a fight. So it doesn't matter who I'm facing in a match or in training— guy, girl, highflyer, non-highflyer— they're all taller and stronger than me. I might as well just accept it."
Nic mused this idea for a moment. "Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. Wait…you're only five feet tall? And 100 pounds?"
Olivia nodded. "Just to give you some context, I'm smaller than April. She's five foot two, if I remember correctly. Don't ask me how much she weighs 'cause I have no idea. But yeah, I'm the smallest Rookie on NXT."
"Wow…I didn't realize that. So I guess I'm not the biggest person you've been in the ring with?"
"That's right. I've wrestled plenty of bigger women, and trained with bigger guys than you… No offence."
"None taken," Nic remarked. "Well then, maybe continuing to work together in the ring would be a good idea after all. I was getting concerned that it wasn't really benefitting you, but I can tell that it has, and it'll continue as well. Let's do it next week at the arena. I heard we're gonna be in Calgary next week, so I hope you're looking forward to that."
"Oh believe me," Olivia said, "I'm looking forward to more than just that."
There you go! I hope you all enjoyed it. (:
Please review, and don't forget to stay tuned for chapter 14! :D
- Elizabeth