29. One Year and Four Corners
"Beautiful, Charlie. Now tilt your head further this way."
The new and improved NXT Diva Jada Moore gave a bright smile and gladly acquiesced to the photographer's demands. It was as if she as a natural to the game, the way she moved in perfect tune to every flash of the camera. From the new extensions in her hair to her full face of makeup, nobody would ever think that the nervous and self-conscious woman who had first walked into FCW almost a year ago was the same woman stood posing comfortably for the cameras now.
"And that's a wrap. Great job, Charlie; these are going to look fantastic on the website."
She beamed and thanked the photographer before kicking off the stilettos the stylist had suggested and breezing off the set. Great job, Charlie. She gave a proud sigh. How many times had she heard that recently? And now with her re-debut coming up, she could not wait to hear those words from the gatekeeper of the developmental system; the one and only Triple H.
She had waited with baited breath to hear back about how the 'COO' felt about the new 'Jada Moore' character following the package of promos and NXT house show matches he had been sent about her. When after days of anguish he had finally given it his stamp of approval, Charlie felt like she was on cloud nine; and just in time for the TV tapings. He had called her into his office to give her words of congratulations and to personally let her know that he was ready to put her on NXT TV. They were starting small: she would have a simple debut by going over in a quick squash match against a local talent. In the following episode, Triple H wanted her to cut a promo about said debut and then she would go on to enter a programme with the popular fan favourite Emma. To her surprise, in all the time they spoke, not once had he uttered a word about the TNA controversy.
Since the incident with Danielle at training, her co-workers had become wise enough to stay far, far away from the issue. After some time, even Colby had become quiet on the subject. It seemed like the whole wrestling world had waited with baited breath to see what the fall-out from Austin Aries's promo would be the following week; as much as she refused to admit it, Charlie was more than anyone. For all that transpired since the previous Thursday, she could barely believe that it had only been a week.
"I know it's a shitty situation, and I hate that I'm in the middle of it."
Jada had always liked Patrick. He was a good guy with a great, positive attitude, who treated other people well and most importantly, he was in love with her friend. It had been close to a week since Charlie had gone to stay with her, and she still showed no signs of wanting to see or speak to him. She sure as hell couldn't understand why, but who was she to get involved?
"I practically begged Charlie to come and do this herself but..."
Patrick sighed and shook his head. He rested his elbows on the dining table between them and put his head in his hands. Jada looked nervously into her coffee mug.
"Every time something's happened between us she's always been the one to make the first move. I must have fucked up majorly this time around."
"Oh Pat..." Jada lay a comforting hand over Patrick's.
"It's not even about that stupid promo; I know it isn't. It's more than that and I just wish I knew what. She's been off with me for months, Jada. Okay, I get it. I need to grow up. I need to be there for her more. So why won't she give me the chance to?!"
He looked up at her with imploring eyes but she could do nothing but give him kind, understanding ones back.
"You know she said she's not in love with me anymore?"
Jada nodded sadly.
"Do you think it's true?"
"It's not my place to say."
"I know," he sighed. "And I know that it's not fair to put you in the middle of all of this... But I just need to know, Jay."
Jada looked down.
"Is something going on between them?"
"Patrick..."
"Please, Jada."
She slowly looked up at him and could feel her heart breaking at the sight of him. His peroxide faux-hawk was fading into a dull blonde; his eyes were baggy and bloodshot and the look on his face, much like the tone in his voice, screamed of desperation and anguish. Jada had no other choice but to be level with him.
"Please believe me when I tell you she was never once unfaithful. I know in your heart of hearts you already know that, but don't you dare even think of that as a possibility. That woman loved you with all of her heart since day one and that's not going to disappear overnight. If you want me to be honest with you, I will be. Do I think there's a part of her that may have feelings for Jon? As much as it sucks, yes. But I don't know if anything's happened. Honestly, I don't think anything has. And knowing Charlie, I don't know if it will. That's not her. She's not breathed a word about him. Right now all she's focused on is her career and by the sounds of things she's doing well."
Patrick nodded and smiled sadly.
"I can't believe I was so stupid. This whole thing happened because of my jealousy. I just couldn't bear the thought of her spending so much time with someone like..." he paused with a sigh. "When I barely got to spend five minutes with her each week. And the whole time I could just imagine him mocking me with it, loving every single second of winning. Hell, he's probably loving it now."
"Patrick, stop. I mean it. Why are you still thinking about him? What's he got to do with anything? You've got to focus on the fact that your relationship is in jeopardy, and from what I hear, your career is too. Focusing your energy on what some guy may or may not be doing isn't going to fix your relationship with Charlie."
"I know."
"Then do something about it, Pat!"
"What can I do?!"
Jada groaned and massaged her temples. This was exactly what she was trying to avoid.
"Let Charlie have her space for as long as she needs it. But for now, you've got to keep moving forward; just like she's trying to do. You've got to drive out to Orlando tonight, right? So go and have a shower and a shave, go to work and keep doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing."
"Is it really that easy?"
Jada shrugged.
"Who knows? But it's a start, right? Now, come on. I'm gonna grab this stuff and get home and you're gonna stop moping." She stood and placed both of their mugs in the dishwasher. "Call me if you need anything. I'm here for you just as much as I am for Charlie. Okay?"
Patrick nodded gratefully and helped her carry Charlie's things to her car. He waved her off with the bravest face possible before returning to the empty house and shutting the door behind him with a sigh.
Another day, another dark match. Jon rolled his eyes at the match card placed in the backstage area. He continued scanning the sheets and paused when he came across the first Divas segment of the tapings. So, 'Jada Moore' had finally made her way onto the card. Jon found himself scoffing at the thought of it. Much like she had claimed him to have done several days earlier, she had finally gotten what she wanted.
"Well, I hope you're happy," he murmured under his breath.
With a sigh, Jon walked casually through the bustling backstage area to an outside porch area. He pulled up a chair and lit up a cigarette. He couldn't help but feel a little bitter knowing that for the first time in what seemed like forever, he had been played at his own game. Was that Charlie's agenda from the beginning? Befriend him like the poor sap he was and eventually get him in the sack to teach him a lesson? Hell, for all he knew her and her boyfriend might not even have broken up. As far as everyone else knew, the couple were still together and working through their problems. But again, she had confessed another one of her secrets to him and cried about the two of them splitting up. As if he cared? Why would he? By the looks of things she had already decided that he was a scumbag who was only out to fuck her, so why not live up to that? Despite all that had happened over the past year, she still refused to think anymore of him than many others in the wrestling world did. And he was sure he knew why.
But, it wasn't like Jon to play the victim. He was over it. Charlie and her drama were finally out of his hair, and now he could focus on all that was ahead. Like another dark match before the NXT TV tapings. And the women who would throw themselves at him in the bar after the show.
The rest of the afternoon was passed in his typically chilled out fashion. He kept his cool, casual demeanour throughout his afternoon workout; throughout his various conversations with various people backstage; throughout the talent meeting that took place before every set of tapings. Once again, Triple H stood grinning at the front of the room as it filled with the NXT roster. Jon had entered the room flanked by Colby and Matt, both of whom were busy chatting with each other as Jon's eyes scanned the room. Somebody else across the room was evidently doing the same; he noticed this as Charlie's eyes met his and seemed to look right through him. Without a bit of reaction, she continued her conversation with Saraya as the two sat by some of the other Divas. Jon's jaw clenched as he took his own seat several rows back.
His eyes hovered between the back of her head and Triple H as the man in charge spoke. It began with the usual pep talk about how great the roster is, how hard they've been working, how good the show was going to be. He enthused about the debuts that would be taking place tonight – including Charlie's – and the big news about the first ever NXT Champion being crowned. All eyes turned to Colby, who everyone knew by this point was sure to win. The man in question smirked to himself. Jon shook his head with a smile, but his interest was suddenly peaked by another 'huge announcement' from Paul.
"And at next week's live events, we're putting some NXT talent on the road."
Jaws dropped and the room buzzed with excitement and anticipation.
"Rollins, Graves, Kruger, Ambrose, Paige and Emma: pack your bags, kids, you're hitting the road."
Squeals came from the group of Divas and a splatter of high fives spread across the room. Paul smirked in response, watching from his powerful stance at the front.
"I'm planning on making this a regular thing," he continued through the quiet celebrations. "I want to slowly expose the NXT standouts to WWE crowds. I need all of you to keep stepping it up and standing out, and before long you'll be working up there with the main roster. Congrats to the six of you've I've chosen this time around and I'm looking forward to watching you on the grand stage. And now on to tonight..."
Jon couldn't help but smile to himself, continuing to do so even as he left the room. On the one hand it made no sense: why would Triple H put him in WWE live events but keep him off of NXT? But on the other hand, why complain?
"Hey, congrats guys!"
Jon mustered up the energy to fold his arms casually across his chest as he watch Charlie hug Colby and Matt.
"Man, between your debut," Matt gestured towards Charlie, "this asshole winning the title," a nod in Colby's direction, "and the three of us going on the road, I feel like we've got cause to celebrate."
Colby grinned as he put his arm tighter around Charlie's shoulder.
"The Filth Parade on tour," he said in a sing-song voice.
Jon's eyes bore through Charlie, who purposefully avoided his gaze by keeping it on the other two.
"Or, we hit Orlando tonight," Matt suggested. "Hey, the TNA guys are in town," he added with a grin. "Charlie, you should hit up Patrick and find out what his crew's doing tonight."
Jon smirked, raising his eyes at her.
"Um, yeah," she said quickly. "Yeah, I'll do that."
Jon shook his head, out of eyesight of Matt and Colby. Charlie clearly noticed, as she flinched and dropped her smile for a brief moment.
"Speaking of which," Matt continued as the group kept walking back to the locker rooms. "You must be psyched for Impact tonight."
"Yeah," Colby chuckled. "Please tell me you're preparing to kick someone's ass if that bullshit from last week continues."
She shrugged and giggled, quickly excusing herself as they reached the women's locker room. Jon shook his head at disbelief, quickly drifting out of the conversation taking place between Colby and Matt. They could not stop talking about TNA and even back in the locker room the situation was the same. It didn't take long for Jon to slink back out of the room and head to his usual spot.
"So you got all the stuff?"
His body froze at the sound of Charlie's voice, coming from the spot where he usually went to smoke. He hung by the glass doors, unable to resist the temptation to listen in to her phone conversation.
"Did he seem... okay? Did he say much? Oh. Okay. Well, whatever. Thanks for doing it for me Jay. Thanks, I'll do my best. See you later. Bye."
Jon hung back, watching her as she put her head down and wiped her eyes. When she turned to go back inside, she froze at the sight of Jon. She knew that he had heard at least some of her conversation, and that was more than enough.
"You're not being fair, Jon," she said quietly, still barely even making eye contact.
"I know. I'm sorry."
She remained silent, wiping her face.
"I thought you were doing alright," he murmured. "You've got your debut and your photo shoots and all that shit."
"Yeah," she said with a dry chuckle. "I've got all the shit I've ever wanted, right?"
He shrugged, trying to feign disinterest. She shook her head and scoffed in disbelief.
"You just have no idea, do you?"
"I guess I don't. Sorry about that."
"Quit apologizing."
"What else am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know."
"Are we going to act like it never happened?"
"Yes."
He paused.
"Do you think about it much?"
Now it was her turn to pause.
"Yes. But not like that."
He nodded in understanding.
"So... It meant nothing?"
"Yes. I thought the feeling was mutual."
"I've never felt more used."
"You don't understand, Jon. You don't understand what it's like to be in love with someone."
He resisted the urge to laugh out loud. Now who had no idea?
"Why do you think so little of me?"
"I don't know." She paused, hesitating "Ask Lorraine and Joey."
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. It was all beginning to make sense.
"I guess you're right."
She frowned as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a pack of cigarettes.
"I came out here for a smoke. Sorry to disturb you."
She nodded uncertainly and eyed him as he stepped past her onto the porch; fully turned away from her as he lit up a cigarette.
Across Orlando, Florida the excitement of wrestling was abound. With a live TNA Impact show taking place just a short way away from the NXT Full Sail tapings, the business seemed to have taken over the city. And it was a big night for many. The X-Division's number one contender Alex Shelley sat alone in a corner of his locker room, taping his wrists and preparing to deal with the fall-out of the previous week. Charlie Rogers sat alone in a corner of her locker room, taping her wrists and preparing to become Jada Moore. Dean Ambrose sat alone in a corner of his locker room, taping his wrists and preparing for something that not even he could put his finger on.
Ambrose's match took place without a hitch. Jada's first match took place without a hitch. Across town, Alex Shelley's match was set to take place in less than thirty minutes. His mind was racing. He had spent the past week thinking about this day and what it meant for him, and now was his chance to make it happen. It had been a long time coming. And now Bischoff had made the decision an easy one to make. It had taken some persuasion but Josh had reluctantly come onboard. Just out of fairness he had explained his intentions to Austin Aries, too. Reluctantly, he had taken himself to Dixie Carter and begged for her understanding. What other choice did he have? How many times had he been screwed over? Who was to say it was not about to happen again?
"You're up!"
He nodded at the producer and took a deep breath. He shook out his limbs and headed through the curtain. The match went on for less than seven minutes; just a quick one intended to put Alex Shelley over. Afterwards Austin Aries came out to talk more smack, but this time there was no mention of Charlie. But that didn't matter.
"Charlie!"
She was drifting through the backstage area still on a high from her successful debut match when Saraya came rushing after.
"Okay, you have to come with me right now and not ask any questions."
"'Raya, what the hell are you talking about?"
Saraya had Charlie by the hand was practically dragging her to the locker rooms, ignoring her protests.
"Saraya, can you please tell me what's going on?"
Before long they had reached the men's locker room, which, to Charlie's surprise, Saraya had entered with ease.
"Saraya," she hissed, stopping in her tracks as she looked up and saw the crowd gathering around a laptop screen.
"I think you should probably see this..."
Austin "Xavier Woods" Watson ushered Charlie over. The crowd cleared and stood around nervously as she approached the screen. It was the worst kind of déjà-vu, and Charlie could already tell she did not want to see whatever she was about to see.
"See, last week, here live on Impact Wrestling, I was taken a little by surprise. So this week, I've come up with a little surprise of my own."
Alex Shelley stood firmly in the centre of the ring, staring into the camera.
"As of right now, I am relinquishing my X-Division title shot. Because, as of right now, I am officially announcing my departure from TNA. Or in other words-"
A satisfied smirk spread across his face.
"I quit."
He dropped the mic and left the ring, walking straight past a stunned Austin Aries through a sea of confused murmurs and the occasional 'boo' from the crowd. The satisfaction remained on his face all the while. It was clear to all that there was nothing fake about this.
Charlie stared at the screen, stunned. The wrestlers around her had the same reaction. Not knowing what else to do with herself, she rushed out of the room and found herself in a secluded corner backstage. She dropped to the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees. She sat there rocking and hyperventilating for what seemed like a century. As the night went on she could hear the cheers and music from the arena; as well as the announcement signalling that the main event for the NXT Championship was now taking place. It had been one year since her WWE career began and one week since her relationship had ended and roughly one hour since her NXT debut. And now, she had watched Patrick end his TNA career in the space of one minute. Sometimes time worked in the most mysterious of ways.
