After the success of the alpha team. Vince had come to a decision with several other teachers, to allow the students to celebrate, thrust embracing their status as wrestling school. Instead of normal classes, there would be different areas for the students to enjoy themselves. In the gym, members of the Beta and Alpha teams would be putting on mini shows throughout the day at scheduled times. In the drama classroom, would be where students could choose their own entrance music and create the matching video as if they were apart of a show. Some lucky students even being able to act as a manager or valet to the two teams, offering them support and encouragement during matches, while also getting a close up view of the matches. Another classroom had been converted into a design studio, where those who participated could design ring gear or general clothes. Another had been set up for the merchandise designing.
The sports hall had been converted into a party hall, music blasting through the speakers placed around the room, often escaping via the doors open, as did the bubbles. Food and drinks had been set up on a bar like way, with a few members of the canteen staff acting as servers. Vince had also arranged for the wrestling teams to be in the spotlight, ensuring his hope for each of them shone through brightly. Even when he gave their parents a tour of the school, during the festivities. Linda too also there as was Booker, although the team coach had been paired with Sting once more to watch over the two teams. By the time Vince and Linda made it to the quad, neither were surprised to see the Alpha team out there, seemingly laughing and joking as they bounded further. All while doing as asked of them. Some members of the Senior year photography club around to snap a few pictures, it being clear they had ideas for the photos taken.
A few weeks later seen the two teams being sent to different places again. The Beta team going to the same sports hall as the Alpha had visited for the first round, Sting as their coach when they went to face their first real opponents, the fourteen students having been told of their matches upon entering the bus that morning. The Alpha team on the other hand would be going to the school of their opponents in ROH college. Something Seth wasn't looking forward to, mainly because he knew it would lead him to come face to face with his ex and his once best friend, both had ended on bad terms. At this moment both teams had been bundled on the buses and had left the school grounds with their respected coaches.
Once again each of them had a small bag with them in the overhead storage units and their other bag containing their wrestling gear in the large compartment below. Each of the students apart of the Alpha team spread out around the large bus. The leather seats cold at first but soon the girls settled on them. Once again Dave and Hunter laid claim to the back of the bus, the pair extending an invite to Tamina and Aleister. Beth and Natalya took the front table seat. Where as Brie joined her sister this time, sharing a table with Dean and Roman. AJ and Morgan sat with their partner, Punk and AJ deciding to go backwards, which Morgan and Seth opposite them, Booker also nagging himself a table seat, ensuring he had space to look over everything and an outlet should he be in need of one. As normal the bus was full of chatter, the team having bounded further since their last set of matches, almost considering each other friends, to the point those once at war had since settled it a little bit. Where their had been almost hatred now laid respect.
"I feel sorry for anyone whom has to face you to" commented Dean as Roman was content on texting Mariah again, those around the school knew it was her birthday. The dark haired teen had all but shouted it from the school rooftop. Nikki and Brie looked to each other with an ire of amusement, knowing like the Jimmy and Jey, they were identical twins and near impossible to tell them apart unless you knew them personally. A wicked grin appeared on Nikki's lips as she thought over what was to come, strongly suspecting the girls they were to face only believed they were sisters, likely not thinking any more of it. The Samoan teen soon sighed from beside his best friend. It being clear something was bothering him. That very thing gaining the attention of those sat with him.
"Girl trouble?" asked Brie, knowing Mariah was no walk in the park. The teenager often acting entitled, most of the time throwing a tantrum when things didn't go her way. Much like she did when she butted heads with Stephanie, normally when Mariah acted as if she was the senior year queen, even when everyone knew the title belonged to Stephanie, everyone accepted it, never questioning it due to beig happy with the status quo and knowing their place. "She still annoyed about you being dragged on the bus by Booker?" questioned the younger of the twins, witnessing the princess sized tantrum the slightly older teen had thrown when Booker had all but gotten hold of Roman's collar and thrown him on the bus, stopping her from going with him as she wasn't apart of the team.
"She wanted me to be there with her" muttered the Samoan in response. Wondering when things had gone down hill for them. Ever since Mariah had transferred to WWE High, things had been different, not only did she act like someone he didn't know but she had become controlling and angry without any warning. Instead of being treated like her partner, she acted like he was a slave in her service. Never listening to a word he spoke unless it was in agreement to something she wanted. Made evident when she ignored him telling her the second round of the tournament was on her birthday thrust he wouldn't be there. "I thinking of breaking it off" spoke Roman, almost as if he was unsure of his words, guilty even. Yet instead of the looks of hated and disappointment he was expecting to receive for such words, he was met with knowing even supportive ones.
"You do what's best for you" spoke Nikki, her wicked grin turning soft as she reached across the table, offering her support as so many had done for her when she split with Cena, the break up a messy one, everyone knew of it, even Morgan did although the midnight haired teen hadn't judged anyone by the things she heard, instead keeping out of it and being there when Nikki had needed someone. "You did the first step my admitting your thinking of ending the relationship. If things aren't working out and you don't think they can fix it then end things and move on" added the older of the twins, happy to give a little advice to someone whom was in need of it.
"Steph will keep us updated on what your girl does. Any thing you need to be kept an eye on" voiced Hunter from the back of the bus. Knowing Stephanie seen Mariah not only as an enemy but a coward as well. Her thoughts were made even more evident when the Queen B didn't take a shine to Mariah as she had done with Morgan merely weeks before hand. Yet no one had known what that truly meant at the time. Hunter soon stuck his head over the seats in front of him, as did Dave from the opposite side, Aleister and Tamina on the other hand acted as if they hadn't heard anything said, although both found it hard to ignore the conversations going on around them.
"Yeah. I ordered something to be delivered to the school for her. A present since I couldn't be there" admitted Roman, showing he wanted to know not only how she reacted to the present but what she would do with it. Hunter merely nodded before returning to his seat, shooting a message of to Stephanie with the information on, knowing the popular teen would keep her word and keep an eye on everything concerning Mariah. Roman soon began to think, how he saved up the money for just over a year to get her the present, doing odd jobs for his neighbours and even a summer job so he could earn enough for what he deemed as the perfect present. He'd be heartbroken if she destroyed it and yelled or complained even more. Much like her reaction would seal their relationship's fate.
Soon enough the bus pulled through the gates of a school. The building was larger than most yet seemed to be absent of nature around it. The alpha team members soon looked out of the window as the bus went up the single drive way. The main multi story school building on one side where a smaller two story house sat on the other side, compete with a fenced off garden and stairs leading down to it. A large sign on the side of the house saying "Speed House". Students walked around the grounds, it being clear it was their break, that alone suggesting to the fourteen on board they had been travelling for quiet some time yet not noticed. The students of ROH College, seemingly intrigued by the arriving coach, as if they were unaware of the tournament or forgotten the next round took place at their own school rather than somewhere else. Some even confused about the black bus arriving, others quickly moving from the road to avoid any accidents.
Seth merely looked over to Punk. Almost stunned by the avenger sized school, for so long he'd been under the impression it was bigger than WWE High, or at least that was the impression he got from Lacey's messages before their break up. Only now he was beginning to see she had once again exaggerated, no doubt another attempt to make him jealous of something he cared little for. Upon exiting the bus, each of the fourteen felt uncomfortable as those who attended the school all but gawked at them, as if they were some sort of attraction in a local zoo or something they'd never seen before. Booker soon lead the group to the main entrance of the school, being sure to sign each of them in, knowing they had a few hours before the scheduled matches.
It was made evident how unprepared the school was for their arrival. As a teacher ran down a corridor in order to find an empty room for them to use, while extending an invitation to Booker to join the teachers in the staffroom on the first floor. The room itself being an ordinary one, with a quickly drawn map on one of the white boards, red marked X to say where things relevant to the fourteen students were. Including changing rooms, bathrooms, the canteen and sports hall where the matches would be taking place later in the afternoon. Computers had also been turned on in a haste, much like the main laptop did. The same unidentified middle aged man whom served as a teacher of the college, soon told the fourteen students from WWE High, not to leave the room unless for breaks or toilet trips, emphasising the point someone would fetch them when it come time for the tournament.
"Honestly I thought this place would be bigger" muttered Punk, noticing quickly Seth appeared far more uncomfortable about his surroundings, not a word escaped his lips as he looked around the room considered to be their prison for the next few hours. Roman stood close by picking upon the reference, remembering his former friend well and how she'd been. Her descriptions of the school seemingly far different from what actually was. Yet the girls didn't seemed to be paying any attention, instead they did their own thing. Natalya found a computer, quickly deciding to check a few things, where as Beth sat nearby with the intention of continuing her texting conversation with Edge. Tamina on the other hand bung her fists against the window, successfully scaring those who stared through them away, a grin coming to her lips moments later. Much to the amusement of Nikki and Brie who had gladly watched.
Yet AJ's attention had turned to Seth. One of the two other original members of her social group. The memories of when the group started back in their sophomore year, even how Lacey had broken his heart mere months later. Only now did she wonder if Morgan knew of Lacey, or if she did. How much did she know. Similar to Nikki's break up with Cena, when Lacey and Seth had broken up, everyone at WWE High knew about it. Mainly thanks to Lacey being popular and posting about it across her social media, the break up itself happening in a group chat, thrust being available for all to see.
"You okay" asked AJ, being careful not to press the duel haired teen all that much. The smaller dark haired teen could tell by his tense stature, he wanted to be anywhere but there. Even preferring not to come across his ex-girlfriend and former best friend again. It being clear the wounds she had inflicted, that both had caused, had yet to truly heal, even when Seth was moving on and forward now. The duel haired teen merely shook his head as he noticed Morgan's attention turn to him, her blue eyes alight with worry and concern. Yet also showing she hadn't quite connected the dots yet. In truth he didn't mind being in the same school as Lacey again, what bothered him more was knowing he would be in the same match as her. Ironically facing her and his former best friend.
"The sooner this is over the better" muttered Seth in response, only receiving a more concerned look from the midnight haired teen, he got to call girlfriend, much like he got a knowing look from everyone else in the room. As if they knew what awaited him when the matches finally took place. Yet in that very instant it was as if something had hit Morgan and she had finally worked something out, the reason he'd been dreading this round of the tournament, ever since he'd found out whom it was against and who was on the opposing team. In the same moment Hunter had walked over to Roman in silence, handing over the phone as if to show him something, thrust taking the attention from Seth and putting it on someone else.
"Lacey and Jimmy" whispered Morgan, not wishing for the attention to be back on Seth, the duel haired teen merely nodding in response before pulling her closer to him, almost as if she was the only thing holding his sanity together and anchoring him to earth. "What happened?" questioned the midnight haired woman, curious if he would finally open up to her now. His active intention to avoid the questions of the past hadn't gone unnoticed, even when she knew of a few details. She still wanted to know what had happened to break him. What Lacey had done. Yet the entire room was soon distracted by a loud roar to escape from Roman, followed by Brie making her thoughts on something clear, the simple two words of That Bitch, all but echoing through the room.
"We split on bad terms. When Lacey left, she ripped out my heart and tore it apart in front of me. As if it was all part of a game. All of it happened before our third anniversary" whispered Seth, as if it hurt him to remember what had happened. How they had been together since middle school. Yet he never suspected she was anything but the sweet innocent girl she portrayed herself as. "After she transferred here, she sent me a picture of herself and my then best friend Jimmy Jacobs. When I confronted both of them, he revealed they'd been dating for around six months before she transferred" revealed the duel haired teen, yet he knew Lacey would be expecting him to be lost and heartbroken still. "The pair of them are our opponents this afternoon" finished Seth, quickly noticing the wickedness to glimmer in her blue eyes, as if she hoped to meet the infamous Lacey.
"Something tells me Lacey will be regretting wanting to met your new girl" muttered Aleister from across the room. He could only imagine Lacey would be expecting someone who was a damsel in distress and easily beaten. "She's gonna have a wake up call when she's in the ring with our resident Demon there" added the Dutch teen, his normal calm persona radiating from him. A grin appearing on his lips as Morgan sent a cheeky wink in his direction, showing those around her she intended on living up to the name. Seth could only grin, knowing deep down Aleister was right. To him, Morgan was everything Lacey wasn't. Yet in those seconds, he recalled the words Morgan had spoken to him just days after their first date. I'm not perfect but I'll keep trying.
A few hours later seen the round of the tournament about to begin. Those who ROH college had finally been clued into on who they would be facing, like those of WWE High, almost surprised to find tag team matches included. Even more so when the previous round for both schools consisted of singles matches. Lacey had grinned widely upon finding out she'd be facing off against Seth and a random girl. She was certain she and Jimmy would win with little to no hassle, after all they had the benefit on the home field, much like she hoped he'd still be hung up on her, despite her having long since moved on with Jimmy. Yet her confidence turned to arrogance upon not recognising the girl she'd be facing in the tag match, even when she recognised every other name with ease. Even she seemed confused on why her sister wasn't on the team and who Morgan actually was.
Upon both teams entering the sports hall. They were greeted with their first official sight of their opponents. Although the gym was empty except those whom were taking apart. It didn't stop the students looking on from the locked glass doors. Nor did it stop them making it known they supported their own school team. Dean and Roman stood before their opponents, almost amused by their unsure reactions, how the confidence left Zack McGowan instantly upon realising Roman towered over him, where as Joey Matthews merely went silent upon noticing Dean grinning at him as if he were some sort of maniac. Lacey however huffed loudly upon noticing Seth seeming confident, holding the hand of the midnight hair girl she correctly assumed was Morgan, the name tag of each with the nicknames they had earnt written on them. She wasted little time in pointing it out to Jimmy who only seemed intrigued by the names. Yet understood some of them. Why Seth was the Architect. Yet he almost knew instantly when he seen the two known as the Devil and the Demon, only hell would be awaiting their opponents.
Yet when the matches began, it was soon revealed why some of them had be bestowed with such nicknames. Punk had made light work of Jay Lethal, although Hunter and Dave had lost their match, they made the Brisco Brothers work for it, their match being one of the longest and showing great talent for both schools. Tamina had given Sumie Sakai a war to remember moments after, ensuring both showed their set of skills, even if Sumie walked off with the win via a brutal submission. Natalya followed, against the first of the Maria's in Maria Maniac. The woman almost appearing as ROH College response to Dean. Her unpredictable nature had quickly overwhelmed Natalya and thrust gotten her an equally fast win. Dean and Roman pulled one back, showing their effortless team work and brotherhood as they took down the two they had almost intimidated earlier. Lacey's disappointed yell her minions had fallen so easily clear to hear, yet still she had confidence.
Aleister had levelled the playing field with his calm persona, almost confusing Flip Gordan. Although the high flyer had quickly discovered why Aleister's name badge had Devil written on it. The teen may be calm but he could also torture and torment his opponent in the ring. Yet the match had ended following the Black Mass. With Aleister calmly sitting cross legged in the ring after it. The Bella twins were up next, against the mix and match team of Angelina Love and Mandy Leon. The two girls appearing more of enemies thrown together as a team. Hence it was no surprise when they had been effortless caught out by Twin Magic and effortless received a Bella Buster each. Their match was followed by Jenny Rose taking on the much more determined Beth Phoenix. The girly teen standing little chance as she displayed the Damsel in Distress persona she'd been stuck with, falling victim to the Glam Slam moments into the match.
AJ was the next one, standing opposite her was Maria Kanellis, Punk's loud mouth ex. Maria hatred burnt in her eyes, yet it didn't stop the red head from walking to the corner of the ring with confidence and blow a kiss towards Punk. AJ's crazy look had appeared instantly, to which Punk happily pointed out before turning away from her, instead talking with Aleister as if ignoring Maria. Even when he knew she'd be way over her head in a match with his crazy AJ, the same geeky girl Maria had once bullied and victimised for no reason other than jealousy. The match ended when AJ delivered her Shinning Wizard, although she insisted Maria tap out, something she was successful in when she locked in her Black Widow submission. A wicked grin on her lips as she did so. After which she repeated Maria actions by blowing a kiss over to Mike Bennett, who stood in the shadows of the hall.
The final match soon got under a way. Seth started the match against Jimmy, both men noticing Lacey's near refusal to even enter the ring with Morgan at ring side, much to the alternative teen's amusement. Although the two boys were evenly matched, Jimmy got the upperhand, pushing Seth back, causing him to tumble into the corner and make contact with Morgan. Contact the referee considered to be a tag. Morgan entered the ring without fear, even when Jimmy hadn't moved, despite Morgan asking him to tag Lacey in so the match and tournament to continue. Instead he stood there almost mocking her and refusing to tag the blonde in. Only to regret his actions when Morgan stamped on his foot with enough force and malice to force him to take notice, yet she followed up the foot shot with a short and sweet slap to the face. Seth re-entering the ring moments later to drop kick Jimmy, forcing him backwards. The referee saying a tag had been made despite Lacey's arguments no such thing had taken place. Much like she was insistent she wasn't getting into the match, despite her fellow team mates cheering her on, almost as if they were trying to remind her the team needed this match to stand a chance at getting through to the finals of the tournament.
The midnight haired teen merely rolled her eyes before storming over to Lacey's corner. There she pulled the blonde through the ropes, forcing her into the match. Although she gave the arrogant teen a chance to get to her feet before delivering any moves. Upon Lacey reaching her feet, she held her hands up as if to surrender or ask for a time out. Only to be met with a well placed drop kick, followed by a few stomps upon Lacey reaching the corner with the intention of resting, to those of WWE High, they knew Morgan was merely playing with the other teen, seeing she could end the match at any time yet chose not to, almost as if her mind games were allowing the other team to believe they had a chance at winning. Yet soon enough Jimmy reappeared quickly yanking Morgan off Lacey by her midnight hair, yet regretting in instantly upon noticing the death glare she threw at him. Yet Seth soon threw Jimmy from the ring, following him with a risky suicide dive. Where as Morgan quickly set up for the Demons End and delivered it. Although she soon locked Lacey in her submission rather than going for the pin, ensuring the blonde would be facing Jimmy as he struggled to re-enter the ring. Instead she tapped out, ending the chances of ROH getting through to the finals of that years tournament. Morgan released her hold soon after, all but jumping out of the ring to join her team mates and coach in a flurry of cheers. Knowing WWE High were in the finals.
The coach trip home was quiet. Booker confirming to them they had made it through to the finals and would thrust face TNA Academy, with a few cheers the peacefulness returned to the group. Each content on doing their own thing, from listening to music, chatting and sleeping. Roman sat alone this time, more than happy to switch places with Aleister. There he watched the video one of the Cheerleaders had filmed earlier in the day. The one of Star receiving her birthday present, the one he'd saved up to get so she didn't miss out. When the poor delivery boy arrived, Mariah had been stunned at first, but that soon turned to raging anger as she screamed and yelled at him upon him saying they were from Roman. She'd unwrapped the box with such haste, seen torn the paper and bow off, opening the box she'd quickly grabbed the silver necklace from its cushioned spot. Yelling before throwing it across the grassy area she'd been located, the bouquet of twelve long stemmed red roses, she effortless thrown into the bin as she tore up the card. All while screaming it was the worst birthday ever and the presents were ever worse.
The video had shown Cross picking up the necklace carefully, wiping the mud away before returning it to its box. Much like it showed Stephanie picking up the roses and apologising to Roman via the video, as if she knew he'd see it. For that reason Roman had thrust far refused to answer any of Mariah's phone calls, not even bothering to read any of her text messages, instead just deleting them. Angered and hurt by her actions, he didn't see any way of fixing their relationship and now turned to finding a way to end things with her for good. Yet he couldn't help but listen to the voicemail she'd left. Regretting it almost instantly. She only yelled two words in the voice message. I'm Pregnant.
Yet the voice was loud enough those around him had heard the message. The only ones whom seemed oblivious to it were Booker, Beth and Natalya at the front of the bus. All others around him seemingly as stunned as he was to hear those words. Yet all Roman could think was how? Nothing had been the same since her transfer, thrust their relationship had quickly turned sour in the romance department. So many questions ran through the Samoan's mind, was he the father? How father along was she? Was she ready to be a mother? Was he ready to be a father? Was this real? What was he going to do now? They were both teenagers in their senior year at school, both had their future careers planned out, how were they supposed to raise a kid with life on the road, it was an impossibility. Yet he soon began to wonder if it was a ploy. If Mariah had realised he was distancing himself from her and thrust this was her way of drawing him back in again. He guessed only time would tell.