Thursday 22nd March
''So, how was everyone? I know you must have missed me terribly, but it seems you survived."
"Just barely... Shaul called me every night sobbing." Saraya said dramatically, shaking her head. "It was quite tragic."
Alexa snorted and turned as she heard someone call out to them, smiling when she saw Colby and Matt heading their way. Having nothing else to do, she had decided to tag along with her housemate to the FCW show that night. ''Hey, guys.''
Both men gave her a quick hug, Colby was the first to speak. ''We watched the show, you were great.''
''Thanks. It was awesome, I really didn't expect the crowd to react like that.''
''Yeah, they popped hard.'' Matt nodded, smirking as he wiggled his eyebrows. ''You looked pretty hot too.''
Colby sighed, shaking his head in disapproval. ''Seriously, dude?''
''What? I can't appreciate a good-looking woman when I see one?''
''Just wait until you see my new ring-gear.'' She teased, wiggling her eyebrows.
''Hey, have you read all those rumours about them closing this place down?'' Saraya suddenly asked her.
''What?''
''It's all over the dirt sheets.'' Matt supplied. ''You heard anything about it?''
''Uh...''
Colby quickly spoke up. ''Are we still on that? Paul already released a statement saying it's a load of bull.''
Saraya shrugged, a defensive look crossing her features. ''I was just asking.''
They all turned to look expectantly at Alexa, who sighed. ''You didn't hear this from me, okay, but FCW will be closing down in a few months and-''
''What?!"
''Seriously?''
''Are you kidding?''
''Jesus, calm the fuck down!" She hissed, looking around to make sure nobody had heard their panicked shouts. ''They're just rebuilding the whole developmental system, not getting rid of it completely, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Trust me, it's going to be amazing when it all comes together.''
In the words of an immortal New Orleans bounce music legend circa 1998, ''Follow Me Now.''
Alexa's eyes skimmed over the words on her screen, glancing up at Ettore with a chuckle. ''Awesome, dude. I'm glad you finally popped your Twitter-cherry.''
''I learned it in the Twitter class we had yesterday.'' He told her sarcastically.
After the show that night a few of them had decided to head to the local bar; the first round of beers had been downed quickly and before they knew it, they were on their fifth round. Claudio, who had never been out drinking with her before, was being very vocal in his surprise at how well she was handling her alcohol.
''You shouldn't underestimate her, man.'' Colby warned, swiging his beer.
She shot a sly grin in his direction. ''Yeah, didn't I beat you in a drinking contest?''
''Hey, I let you win.'' He corrected haughtily.
''Sure you did.''
Ettore stared across at him. ''Dude, after you barfed, you stood in the toilet and tried to flush yourself into the ministry of magic." The table erupted into laughter at the revelation; Alexa taking great delight in Colby's embarrassment, until Ettore turned to her. ''And you... you were such a mess that Jon had to practically carry you home. He told me that when you walked past a hobo who had a scraggy white beard, you hugged him, and said 'Dumbledore, I'm so glad you're back'.''
Everyone laughed again and Alexa scowled at Colby. ''That was your fault.''
He laughed. ''What?''
''Remember? We were arguing over what the best Harry Potter book was when you decided to challenge me to a drinking contest. It obviously stuck in our minds...''
''Takes two to tango, baby.''
''I'm going to go piss.'' Jon announced, pushing the chair back and rising to his feet.
Colby and Claudio started to try to goad each other into another drinking contest, Ettore making occasional comments to rile them up. But Alexa wasn't really paying them any attention, fiddling with her beer bottle as her thoughts turned to Jon.
He had been ignoring her for almost two weeks now, ever since she'd called a few people together to tell them about her return. Well, she assumed he was ignoring her, that's what it felt like to her. She had sent him countless texts and tried to call, receiving nothing in response. That morning she had bumped into him in the hallway, Jon had just mumbled an apology before quickly walking away from her.
And tonight, he hadn't even so much as looked at her.
''So, Lex, when are you leaving again?'' Matt asked.
''I'm heading to Atlanta on Monday for Raw. Then I've got a flight back here right after the show. Then two days off before all the Wrestlemania press starts.''
''You doing Axxess?'' Ettore piped up.
''Yeah, Phil and I are doing a signing together on Thursday. You guys are all going to be around, right?'' Alexa grinned, seeing the excitement in their eyes as they nodded. ''What about the Hall of Fame?''
''Yeah, I think we're all going.'' Colby told her. ''I'm betting we'll get stuck at the back in the cheap seats...''
''Do you have a date, Lex?'' Claudio questioned.
''Pfft, no. I'll probably just tag along with Chris, I think I'm sitting next to him anyway.''
''What colour's your dress?'' Ettore and Colby turned to look a the Swiss incredulously, who shrugged. ''What?''
''It's black.'' Alexa informed him with a laugh before finishing off her drink and standing. ''I'll leave you ladies to talk fashion while I go to the bathroom.''
''What for?'' Matt asked cluelessly.
''To open the Chamber of Secrets... what do you think?" Smirking, she grabbed her purse and patted Matt lightly on the head before making her way towards the toilets. Luckily, there was only a small line and she was in and out within a few minutes. She had just taken a few steps when her eyes landed on something that ruined her whole night.
Jon was leaning against the wall just outside the men's bathroom; a leggy blonde wrapped around him as she whispered something in his ear. Alexa felt nausea start to rise when she watched his hand slide further down her back, but she couldn't stop herself from staring. She knew she had no right to feel jealous; she had been the one who cut him off and even before that, they were free to do what, or who, they wanted. If he wanted to sleep with some random skank he met in a bar, he had every right to.
As if sensing her gaze on him, Jon glanced up, locking eyes with her. She saw a flash of surprise across his face before he schooled his expression into one of nonchalance, turning back to the woman in his arms.
Alexa gritted her teeth together, feeling tears start to pool in her eyes as she quickly backed away, making a beeline for the exit.
''Lex!" She spun around to find Colby jogging after her, his eyes full of concern when he saw her face. ''Are you okay?''
Avoiding his gaze, she nodded and tried to force a smile on her face. ''I'm fine, I'm just heading home.''
He frowned, brows furrowing in confusion. ''Why? What's wrong?''
''Nothing.'' She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, biting down hard to try to stop herself from crying. ''I just… I just want to leave.''
''I don't understand...'' Colby trailed off as she glanced over his shoulder, turning around to see what had caught her attention. His jaw tightened when she saw Jon and some woman pressed up against the wall by the restrooms. ''Lex, look-'' He turned around, only to find that she'd already left. ''Shit.'' He muttered, running a hand through his hair as he grudgingly made way back to the table.
''What happened to Lex?" Claudio asked as he sat down. They had all seen her darting towards the exit before Colby had ran after her.
Ettore leaned forward. ''She alright?''
''She's fine.'' Colby told them, offering a small smile. ''She just went home, said she wasn't feeling too good.''
