Disclaimer: Same as before. Oh, and this is just my idea of what the
wrestlers would be like. I don't know if they are like that or not. I
also know nothing about Beth. And the character Casey is based on myself.
After sitting in the room for 5 minutes with Jeff staring at me, I started to get bored like any normal person would have. Finally he reached out his hand to me and nodded towards the door. I stood and took his hand. We walked out the door and he led the way.
"Okay, not that I don't LOVE being led by you or anything, but where the hell are we going?"
"We're going to get an ice pack for that bruise and I'm goin to introduce you to some of my friends."
"Ah, I see. I really appreciate the pants." I tried to make conversation with him as he dragged me along. He really was a quiet person, which really wasn't a good mix with me since I'm just as quiet.
"No problem. I see you had to roll them up. Were they that big?"
"Um...kinda. But that's aight. They're really comfortable. So, is tonite your ladder match with the Undertaker?"
"Yeah. It's gonna be brutal. I haven't worked with a ladder in a long time so it should be interesting." We walked into a locker room that was set up with a bunch of safety kits and things like that. Jeff grabbed an ice pack off a bench and some bandage wrap. He took my hand again and we walked out. We sat on the floor outside the room and he wrapped the ice pack to my arm.
"Thanks, I'm sure it'll be killing me in the morning." He continued to wrap the bandage around my arm. "How long had you and Beth been going out?"
"If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about her right now." I nodded understandingly and watched him as he helped me off the floor. He took my hand once again and we walked towards the stage area. "So, where are ya from? Why'd you runaway?"
"I ran from a small ass town in Maine. I guess I ran because of the town, the people, and my parents. They never supported me in anything. I think if I told them I was a rocket scientist they would have been disappointed in me. I would have left when I was younger, but I was too scared. I finally pushed all my fears aside and went for it. Nothing could be as bad as my old life," I explained. He seemed to be at a loss for words. As I walked next to him, holding his hand, I imagined what everyone in Maine would think of this. I know that if I told someone they would never believe me. Something like this would never happen to me. It was just too good to be true, but it was true. I wasn't dreaming anymore. This was reality.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I had more to say; I've just never met anyone who has runaway from home. I've never wanted to runaway, so it's kinda weird for me to hear someone who did." We walked up to the ring that was set up in the middle of the arena. There were tons of wrestlers walking around, talking, and practicing in the ring. I was in awe and couldn't believe that I was standing here with all these people that I've cheered for and booed. And to think I had my parents and the rain to thank for this.
"Hey Jeff," a voice from inside the ring said. It was calm and cool. I knew right away that it was Rob Van Dam. We walked closer to the ring and Jeff shook Rob's hand. "Hey, I'm Rob."
"I'm Casey." I shook his hand as he smiled that cool, relaxed smile of his.
"It's nice to meet you. You and Jeff related or something?" he asked as Jeff went to gather more of his friends.
"No. Actually I just met him like an hour ago. Matt rescued me from the rain," I explained as he looked at my arm.
"What happened to your arm? I know the rain couldn't have been that hard!"
"I got stopped by a security guard when I came in the back door thinking I could get dried off in here. I seriously had no clue where I was. He decided that I might be a problem and tried to throw me out. He had a hold of my arm a little too tightly. So, a bruise has started and it began to swell. Jeff was kind enough to wrap an ice pack onto my arm," I explained.
"Yeah, we have to keep those security guards under a more careful watch. Wouldn't want them to hurt anymore beautiful and sweet girls," he said in that whatever tone of his. I just smiled at him as Jeff walked back to me.
"I hope Rob didn't give you a hard time," Jeff said. He was followed by a group of people.
"Me give someone a hard time? Never!" Rob laughed and walked back to the middle of the ring to continue practicing.
"Casey, I'd like you to meet Trish Stratigais, Marc Lomonica, Matt Hyson, Nora Greenwald, and Mark Callaway. Everyone, this is Casey Piniarski," Jeff introduced me to them and I just stood there and smiled. Trish stepped up and reached out a hand.
"Hey Casey. It's nice to meet you. Jeff kind of explained your situation. I hope everything turns out alright for you." I shook her hand and nodded politely. I continued to get acquainted with the wrestlers and was having a good time. They really seemed to except me and we really nice. I think the one that was the nicest was Trish. She was really sweet and likeable. She even told me some stories about Jeff that I was made to promise to keep quiet. I suppose I could use the information I have on him for blackmail, if I need to in the future. After Jeff was sure that I had met everyone, he took my hand and we walked back to the locker room. It was 5:00 and Matt still wasn't back with Amy.
"You must be really bored," Jeff said breaking the silence.
"No, not at all. I'm really excited to be here. I've been watching the WWE for a few years now and it was so awesome to meet the wrestlers I've always cheered for or booed at. In fact, you and Matt were the whole reason I began to watch wrestling. You two were the first match I ever watched and since then I've been hooked. My sister took me to my first live event in November for my 18th birthday present. It was the best nite of my life. Unfortunately I was looking forward to seeing you guys wrestle and you were in Cleveland or Canada or someplace. But it was still awesome. I became a fan of a bunch of people that I never liked before."
"Like who?"
"Like Rob and the Hurricane. It was really great. They put on a really good show considering that it was in the Bangor auditorium and the sound system sucked!" Jeff kinda chuckled as Matt walked through the door with Lita right behind him.
"Hey bro. How ya doin Amy?" Jeff asked giving her a hug.
"I'm doing alright. You must be Casey. Matt told me about you. I'm Amy Dumas." I shook her hand as she looked at my clothes. "I see Jeff and Matt gave you some clothes. They're bigger than they look, huh?
"Yeah they are. But they're comfortable and that's all I care about. I was so upset to hear about your neck. I hope everything is okay."
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll be back as good as new, if not better!" She smiled and picked up a bottle of water.
"Are we goin to Dennys tonite?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah man! I'm dying to get some good breakfast food," Amy said. "Casey, ya wanna come with us?"
"I would love to, but I don't have the money too and I need to find that cheap hotel so I can get a room. But thanks for the offer," I said sadly. I really wanted to go, but how could I? I knew I needed to save up money. I knew it was gonna be hard to get some if I needed it. "Oh come on. You should come. A bunch of us go after a show. It would be tons of fun," Matt tried to persuade me. He began to look at me with puppy dog eyes and I kinda snickered at him. "If money's all you're worried about, it's on me."
"I can't let you do that. You've already done too much for me. I should probably get changed back into my other clothes and leave. It's getting late and I don't want to have any trouble finding a hotel. But thank you anyways." I stood up and tried to find the driest clothes I could. I wasn't having much luck.
"You can keep the shirt. I have more and plus I can get a new one at anytime. Being that I'm a Hardy, I can get any of my own merchandise for free." Matt smiled. I continued to look for a pair of pants.
"Don't worry about the pants. Keep them for now," Jeff said. I sat back down on the bench and looked at him.
"But I probably wont ever see you again. Won't you want them?" I asked hoping he would say no. It seemed all my clothes were wet.
"If I want them, I'll come and find ya!"
"Thanks again for all that you've done. It was really nice of you and you didn't have to do it any of it." I looked at Jeff then at Matt. I never imagined I would find friends in these people. But I had. I really felt like I had gotten close to them and I think they felt the same way about me. Then it dawned on me that if my clothes were wet, so were the rest of my things. "Oh shit!!! Damn!"
"What? What's the matter?" Matt asked at I threw open my messenger bag. It held all of my important things and if they had gotten ruined, it would kill me! I began to take out random things like my journals, c.d.s, c.d. player, pictures, and my story. All of them meant the world to me and I hoped they were all right. Jeff, Matt, and Amy just sat and watched me take out all my stuff. I picked up my Simba and his head had soaked up a lot of water. Tears began to roll down my cheek. It meant so much to me. My oldest sister had given it to me and it was there for me to hold onto when I was scared, sad, or lonely. This meant the most to me and I couldn't lose it!
"Are you okay?" Amy asked getting up and sitting next to me. She placed an arm on around my shoulders and I just stared at the stuffed animal that had gotten me through my grandfather's death.
"My stuff..I didn't want any of it to get ruined. Are any of my papers or pictures ruined?" I asked as a tear dropped off my face. I didn't have the courage to look at that stuff. I gripped my Simba tightly hoping for their answers to be no. Jeff picked up my journals and began to look through them as Matt went through my pictures. Amy continued to sit there with me.
"Your pictures are fine. Charlie's Angels, that's cute." Matt looked at the picture of me, Jessy, and our friend Amy doing the Charlie's Angels pose. He showed it Amy and Jeff and they smiled. "You must have been close. They didn't try to stop you from leaving?"
"They didn't know and I was only really close to the blond. I really didn't leave much behind." I finally drug up the courage to look at my story as Jeff began to read my lyrics and poems journal. "They suck, don't they?"
"No, actually they're very good. Did you write them all?" Jeff asked.
"Yup. Every single poem and song." I said relieved that he actually liked them. It's really nice to hear compliments about your stuff from someone who writes as well. I flipped through my story and everything was dry and well. Jeff then picked up my c.d.s and looked at them.
"You've got an eclectic taste in music. I think the only type you don't have in here is country. Oh, and they seem to be fine." Jeff said as I let out a sigh of relief. Music was everything to me and I don't know what I'd do with out my c.d.s. I probably would have gone postal or something. I wiped away the last tear and sat there feeling better that the only thing that was wet was my stuffed animal. I figured it would dry.
"Did you draw that?" Amy asked pointing to a Taz that I had glued to a piece of paper and stuck it on my binder.
"Yeah, I love to draw. I've always been very artistic. I'm very creative." I pushed my hair behind my ears and realized that if I didn't put it up soon I was gonna rip it all out! I grabbed my brush and schruncii and began brushing and back.
"I guess we've found the female version of you, little bro." Matt grinned.
"Oh no. I'm not that good. Trust me. Jeff, you are so much more talented than I could hope to be."
"Thanks, but I only write what's in my head at the time. Most people don't even understand it half the time."
"Those people just don't know poetry. They probably don't understand anything like that." Jeff nodded towards Matt and laughed.
"I knew there was a problem with you!!! That explains why you can't understand my work. You don't know poetry!" Jeff continued to laugh as Matt glared at him. Amy chuckled. I started to put the schruncii around my hair. I went around for the second time when I heard a snap and felt my schruncii give way.
"Damn!! It was my only schruncii!!!" I exclaimed. "That's okay. I have one you can borrow. We'll just go to the Diva's locker room and get it. That'll give the boys time to get dressed and ready for the show," Amy said as we stood. We walked to the door and Amy stopped to give Matt a kiss on the cheek. Jeff just rolled his eyes and I began to laugh.
"Oh and get Casey a backstage pass while you're gone so she can stay watch the show in the back. You might want to take something to do because you wont be able to get back in here for a while. I think some of the other guys may want to get ready," Matt said as I grabbed my c.d.s and c.d. player. Amy and I walked out the door and walked towards the Diva's locker room.
"They're really great, aren't they?" Amy asked.
"Yeah they are. Actually, everyone that I've met so far is really nice. Jeff took me to the ring to meet some of the others. Trish seems like a really great person."
"I'm glad that Jeff took you around. Everyone is really caring around here. We're all like a family. Very close. Trish is a really great person. We've been close friends for quite some time now." Amy and I walked into the locker room. Trish and Nora were the only ones in there and it seemed like they were the only ones using the room.
"Hey Amy. Hey Casey," Trish said applying her makeup.
"Hey. Where's my bag?" Amy asked as she searched the room. "Ya know what? I had brought my bag into the guys' locker room. Do either one of you have a schruncii Casey could use?"
"Yeah. I've got one. You have really awesome hair. Looks like it needs to be died again, though." Trish ran her hand through my hair. "Can I French braid your hair? You would look awesome with a French braid."
"Don't you have a show to do?" I asked as I sat on a chair. Trish stood behind me and began messing with my hair.
"Yeah, but this wont take long."
A few minutes later, Trish finished the French braid. I had never had a French braid and I really liked it. I thanked her and started to walk out the room with Amy to get a backstage pass.
"Casey, you going to be watching the show?" Nora asked.
"Yeah. We're goin to get a backstage pass right now," I replied.
"I've got one. My brother was supposed to come, but he couldn't make it. You can have it if you want it," Nora said reaching into her bag. She handed me a pass and I put it around my neck.
"Thanks. Good luck tonight!" I started to walk out the door again when Amy stopped me.
"Where ya goin? I thought we could get to know each other or something," Amy said.
"I was going back to the locker room. Just wait until the guys finish in there. I kinda wanna just sit and listen to my music if that's okay?" Amy took the hand that was on my shoulder off and nodded. I continued out of the room and down the hall to the boys' room.
After searching for what seemed forever, I found it and sat on the floor outside the door. I heard voices from inside and listened to them talk for a while.
"Casey seems really cool," I heard Rob say. "I think she has a crush on you man!"
"Casey? A crush on me? No. I don't think so," I heard Jeff reply.
"Casey? Is that that girl that was walking down the hall with Amy?" I heard another voice question. I didn't really recognize the voice. I assumed I hadn't met him.
"Did she have glasses and beautiful dark blond hair?" Jeff asked.
"Yes, I believe she did. She seemed quite nice. She smiled at me and I just figured that she was Amy's sister or a family member of someone."
"That would be Casey. She really is nice. Scott, I think you'd like her," Matt said.
"Well, someone will have to introduce us tonite. I'd really like to meet her," the unfamiliar voice requested. I decided to stop my ease dropping and began to listen to my mixed c.d.
I had been listening to my c.d. for quite sometime and was off in my own world. People would pass me and smile as I sang along to some of the songs. I didn't even realize the crowd of wrestlers start to form around me. I guess I was just too into singing along with the music. Then, all of a sudden I slipped back into reality when a strong hand tapped my shoulder. I gasped as I saw the horde of men standing over me. I looked up at the man with the hand on my shoulder and saw Raven's black outlined eyes.
"You are quite the rocker! You've got a good voice. You must be Casey. I'm Scott." He took his hand off my shoulder and shook my hand.
"Yeah, we all enjoyed your show. You'll have to put on another one for us sometime," smiled Marc Lomonica. I just sat there with my jaw resting on the floor. I was completely shocked. I couldn't believe I had been heard.
"Ummm...thanks. I didn't really realize I was singing out loud. I just get into it sometimes." Marc helped me off the floor and I just stood in the middle of the wrestlers and looked around me.
"Jeff had me read some of your work. I must say, you are quite talented," Scott said.
"Thanks. And to think, I only wrote those because if I hadn't I probably would have killed someone!" I smiled as Matt walked up to me. "Amy's still in the Diva's locker room."
"How'd you know I was gonna ask where she was?"
"I don't know. I guess I kinda just figured, ya know?" Matt walked off as did some of the other men.
"Well, Jeff is still getting ready, but I think your safe to go back in there," Marc said as he and Scott left me standing there. I walked into the room and saw Jeff sitting on a bench in his black Hardy's pants and he was pulling on his boots. I noticed he was shirtless and kind of just stood there watching him.
"Umm..they said it'd be alright if I came back in here," I said to make him aware that I was in there.
"Yeah, that's cool. Your hair looks good. Did Trish do it?" he asked looking at me.
"Yeah, she did a good job. It's a new look for me." I smiled and he returned with one of his own.
"Since you're a fan, can I ask you a question?" I nodded my head. "What do you think about me coming out in the paint?"
"I love it. I think it's awesome. Oh, and us fans like what you've done with your hair."
"Really? That was my next question." He pulled a wife beater over his head and began to stretch. "Would you still watch if Matt and I split up? Like, if he went to Smackdown and I stayed here on RAW." "Why would you guys do that? The only way that would happen would be if one of you won the Undisputed Championship. Or the Women's Championship. Oh my God! You're gonna win tonite??!!!" I began to get excited and ran with it. I jumped up and flung my arms around Jeff's neck for a hug. He pulled back and the expression on his face seemed to be one of confusion. 'Oh my God. What the hell did I just do?' I thought to myself when I saw his expression. I backed away and sat back down on the bench. He stood there not changing his facial expression. 'He must think I'm some sort of idiot' I thought again.
"That's not what I meant. Never mind. You'll find out eventually what I mean. I just have a bad feeling and I wanted to get the opinion of a fan." He went back to his stretching.
"Well, if you guys did split, I would definitely continue to watch. I mean you are both excellent wrestlers. I love watching you two. In singles matches or as a team. And I'm sorry about that hug. It just kinda came out of now where." He looked up at me and smiled. I had no idea why he was smiling at me, but I smiled back.
"Don't worry about it. And thanks for your opinion. I think it made me feel better." Matt and Amy walked back into the room talking and immediately came to a stop when they noticed Jeff and I in there.
"Casey, ya wanna take a walk with me? We can let Jeff and Matt stretch and finish getting ready," Amy said taking my hand. I nodded and left with her. We started to walk down the hall and stood beside the ramp in the back before anyone spoke. "Look at everyone out there. Isn't it amazing? Just think, in a half hour this place is going to erupt with screams, cheers, and booing. I really miss all that."
"It is amazing. I always wanted to be in the center of all that. I've always wanted to be a star. I love being the center of attention. It just gives you such a good feeling to hear all those people clapping for you." I smiled at the thought of being on a stage. I remembered always getting the lead parts in the musicals we use to do in third, fourth, and fifth grade. I loved all that attention.
"You're gonna watch Jeff's match with me here, right? It's so much better live than on t.v."
"Yeah, definitely. I can't wait for his and Matt's match. I always wanted to see them live." She smiled at me as we watched people try to find their seats. "Is Jeff always like that?"
"Like what?"
"So quiet and laid back. He's not big into talking is he?"
"That's the shy Jeff. Being that I've known him for such a long time, I know better. It's only because you're a stranger. Once he gets to know you better, he has a problem shutting up." She began to laugh and I just smiled.
"Gees, that sounds familiar. I'm just like that."
"Amy, Casey, ya wanna watch Jeff do his promo?" Matt asked running up behind us. We walked back with him and Jeff stood with Terri. They began to talk about the match and I wanted a better look. I tried to walk around a trunk and tripped on the corner of it. You could hear a loud crash as Jeff took off jumping around the place on different things. Matt walked over to me and helped me up as I made sure the camera had been shut off.
"God! I'm such a cluts!"
"Casey, are you okay?" Matt asked trying not to laugh.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Go ahead. Laugh all ya want!" Matt burst open, laughing hysterically.
Amy and I sat next to the ramp and watched the show. It was so good. Jeff got his ass kicked, but the Undertaker came back and held his hand up in respect. I just kept thinking how I know all these people and most of them are the complete opposite of their characters. At the end of the show I said goodbye to everyone and thanked them. I grabbed my bags and set off in search of the hotel. I made my way out into the dark streets of Boston and walked cautiously listening for every sound that was threatening. I found a rundown hotel and assumed this would be the best place to go to for the nite at least. I walked into the lobby and behind the desk was a man in his 40's. He was starting to bald and wore a ripped up wife beater. His arms were covered in tattoos and he was slightly scary looking. I summoned up all my courage and asked for a room. I paid him 25 bucks for the nite and walked back outside to find my room. On the second floor I found room 22 and walked in. The place was trashed, but what do you expect to get for paying 25 dollars. I set my stuff down on the bed and sighed, readying myself for my first nite in what was certainly to be hell!
After sitting in the room for 5 minutes with Jeff staring at me, I started to get bored like any normal person would have. Finally he reached out his hand to me and nodded towards the door. I stood and took his hand. We walked out the door and he led the way.
"Okay, not that I don't LOVE being led by you or anything, but where the hell are we going?"
"We're going to get an ice pack for that bruise and I'm goin to introduce you to some of my friends."
"Ah, I see. I really appreciate the pants." I tried to make conversation with him as he dragged me along. He really was a quiet person, which really wasn't a good mix with me since I'm just as quiet.
"No problem. I see you had to roll them up. Were they that big?"
"Um...kinda. But that's aight. They're really comfortable. So, is tonite your ladder match with the Undertaker?"
"Yeah. It's gonna be brutal. I haven't worked with a ladder in a long time so it should be interesting." We walked into a locker room that was set up with a bunch of safety kits and things like that. Jeff grabbed an ice pack off a bench and some bandage wrap. He took my hand again and we walked out. We sat on the floor outside the room and he wrapped the ice pack to my arm.
"Thanks, I'm sure it'll be killing me in the morning." He continued to wrap the bandage around my arm. "How long had you and Beth been going out?"
"If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about her right now." I nodded understandingly and watched him as he helped me off the floor. He took my hand once again and we walked towards the stage area. "So, where are ya from? Why'd you runaway?"
"I ran from a small ass town in Maine. I guess I ran because of the town, the people, and my parents. They never supported me in anything. I think if I told them I was a rocket scientist they would have been disappointed in me. I would have left when I was younger, but I was too scared. I finally pushed all my fears aside and went for it. Nothing could be as bad as my old life," I explained. He seemed to be at a loss for words. As I walked next to him, holding his hand, I imagined what everyone in Maine would think of this. I know that if I told someone they would never believe me. Something like this would never happen to me. It was just too good to be true, but it was true. I wasn't dreaming anymore. This was reality.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish I had more to say; I've just never met anyone who has runaway from home. I've never wanted to runaway, so it's kinda weird for me to hear someone who did." We walked up to the ring that was set up in the middle of the arena. There were tons of wrestlers walking around, talking, and practicing in the ring. I was in awe and couldn't believe that I was standing here with all these people that I've cheered for and booed. And to think I had my parents and the rain to thank for this.
"Hey Jeff," a voice from inside the ring said. It was calm and cool. I knew right away that it was Rob Van Dam. We walked closer to the ring and Jeff shook Rob's hand. "Hey, I'm Rob."
"I'm Casey." I shook his hand as he smiled that cool, relaxed smile of his.
"It's nice to meet you. You and Jeff related or something?" he asked as Jeff went to gather more of his friends.
"No. Actually I just met him like an hour ago. Matt rescued me from the rain," I explained as he looked at my arm.
"What happened to your arm? I know the rain couldn't have been that hard!"
"I got stopped by a security guard when I came in the back door thinking I could get dried off in here. I seriously had no clue where I was. He decided that I might be a problem and tried to throw me out. He had a hold of my arm a little too tightly. So, a bruise has started and it began to swell. Jeff was kind enough to wrap an ice pack onto my arm," I explained.
"Yeah, we have to keep those security guards under a more careful watch. Wouldn't want them to hurt anymore beautiful and sweet girls," he said in that whatever tone of his. I just smiled at him as Jeff walked back to me.
"I hope Rob didn't give you a hard time," Jeff said. He was followed by a group of people.
"Me give someone a hard time? Never!" Rob laughed and walked back to the middle of the ring to continue practicing.
"Casey, I'd like you to meet Trish Stratigais, Marc Lomonica, Matt Hyson, Nora Greenwald, and Mark Callaway. Everyone, this is Casey Piniarski," Jeff introduced me to them and I just stood there and smiled. Trish stepped up and reached out a hand.
"Hey Casey. It's nice to meet you. Jeff kind of explained your situation. I hope everything turns out alright for you." I shook her hand and nodded politely. I continued to get acquainted with the wrestlers and was having a good time. They really seemed to except me and we really nice. I think the one that was the nicest was Trish. She was really sweet and likeable. She even told me some stories about Jeff that I was made to promise to keep quiet. I suppose I could use the information I have on him for blackmail, if I need to in the future. After Jeff was sure that I had met everyone, he took my hand and we walked back to the locker room. It was 5:00 and Matt still wasn't back with Amy.
"You must be really bored," Jeff said breaking the silence.
"No, not at all. I'm really excited to be here. I've been watching the WWE for a few years now and it was so awesome to meet the wrestlers I've always cheered for or booed at. In fact, you and Matt were the whole reason I began to watch wrestling. You two were the first match I ever watched and since then I've been hooked. My sister took me to my first live event in November for my 18th birthday present. It was the best nite of my life. Unfortunately I was looking forward to seeing you guys wrestle and you were in Cleveland or Canada or someplace. But it was still awesome. I became a fan of a bunch of people that I never liked before."
"Like who?"
"Like Rob and the Hurricane. It was really great. They put on a really good show considering that it was in the Bangor auditorium and the sound system sucked!" Jeff kinda chuckled as Matt walked through the door with Lita right behind him.
"Hey bro. How ya doin Amy?" Jeff asked giving her a hug.
"I'm doing alright. You must be Casey. Matt told me about you. I'm Amy Dumas." I shook her hand as she looked at my clothes. "I see Jeff and Matt gave you some clothes. They're bigger than they look, huh?
"Yeah they are. But they're comfortable and that's all I care about. I was so upset to hear about your neck. I hope everything is okay."
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I'll be back as good as new, if not better!" She smiled and picked up a bottle of water.
"Are we goin to Dennys tonite?" Jeff asked.
"Yeah man! I'm dying to get some good breakfast food," Amy said. "Casey, ya wanna come with us?"
"I would love to, but I don't have the money too and I need to find that cheap hotel so I can get a room. But thanks for the offer," I said sadly. I really wanted to go, but how could I? I knew I needed to save up money. I knew it was gonna be hard to get some if I needed it. "Oh come on. You should come. A bunch of us go after a show. It would be tons of fun," Matt tried to persuade me. He began to look at me with puppy dog eyes and I kinda snickered at him. "If money's all you're worried about, it's on me."
"I can't let you do that. You've already done too much for me. I should probably get changed back into my other clothes and leave. It's getting late and I don't want to have any trouble finding a hotel. But thank you anyways." I stood up and tried to find the driest clothes I could. I wasn't having much luck.
"You can keep the shirt. I have more and plus I can get a new one at anytime. Being that I'm a Hardy, I can get any of my own merchandise for free." Matt smiled. I continued to look for a pair of pants.
"Don't worry about the pants. Keep them for now," Jeff said. I sat back down on the bench and looked at him.
"But I probably wont ever see you again. Won't you want them?" I asked hoping he would say no. It seemed all my clothes were wet.
"If I want them, I'll come and find ya!"
"Thanks again for all that you've done. It was really nice of you and you didn't have to do it any of it." I looked at Jeff then at Matt. I never imagined I would find friends in these people. But I had. I really felt like I had gotten close to them and I think they felt the same way about me. Then it dawned on me that if my clothes were wet, so were the rest of my things. "Oh shit!!! Damn!"
"What? What's the matter?" Matt asked at I threw open my messenger bag. It held all of my important things and if they had gotten ruined, it would kill me! I began to take out random things like my journals, c.d.s, c.d. player, pictures, and my story. All of them meant the world to me and I hoped they were all right. Jeff, Matt, and Amy just sat and watched me take out all my stuff. I picked up my Simba and his head had soaked up a lot of water. Tears began to roll down my cheek. It meant so much to me. My oldest sister had given it to me and it was there for me to hold onto when I was scared, sad, or lonely. This meant the most to me and I couldn't lose it!
"Are you okay?" Amy asked getting up and sitting next to me. She placed an arm on around my shoulders and I just stared at the stuffed animal that had gotten me through my grandfather's death.
"My stuff..I didn't want any of it to get ruined. Are any of my papers or pictures ruined?" I asked as a tear dropped off my face. I didn't have the courage to look at that stuff. I gripped my Simba tightly hoping for their answers to be no. Jeff picked up my journals and began to look through them as Matt went through my pictures. Amy continued to sit there with me.
"Your pictures are fine. Charlie's Angels, that's cute." Matt looked at the picture of me, Jessy, and our friend Amy doing the Charlie's Angels pose. He showed it Amy and Jeff and they smiled. "You must have been close. They didn't try to stop you from leaving?"
"They didn't know and I was only really close to the blond. I really didn't leave much behind." I finally drug up the courage to look at my story as Jeff began to read my lyrics and poems journal. "They suck, don't they?"
"No, actually they're very good. Did you write them all?" Jeff asked.
"Yup. Every single poem and song." I said relieved that he actually liked them. It's really nice to hear compliments about your stuff from someone who writes as well. I flipped through my story and everything was dry and well. Jeff then picked up my c.d.s and looked at them.
"You've got an eclectic taste in music. I think the only type you don't have in here is country. Oh, and they seem to be fine." Jeff said as I let out a sigh of relief. Music was everything to me and I don't know what I'd do with out my c.d.s. I probably would have gone postal or something. I wiped away the last tear and sat there feeling better that the only thing that was wet was my stuffed animal. I figured it would dry.
"Did you draw that?" Amy asked pointing to a Taz that I had glued to a piece of paper and stuck it on my binder.
"Yeah, I love to draw. I've always been very artistic. I'm very creative." I pushed my hair behind my ears and realized that if I didn't put it up soon I was gonna rip it all out! I grabbed my brush and schruncii and began brushing and back.
"I guess we've found the female version of you, little bro." Matt grinned.
"Oh no. I'm not that good. Trust me. Jeff, you are so much more talented than I could hope to be."
"Thanks, but I only write what's in my head at the time. Most people don't even understand it half the time."
"Those people just don't know poetry. They probably don't understand anything like that." Jeff nodded towards Matt and laughed.
"I knew there was a problem with you!!! That explains why you can't understand my work. You don't know poetry!" Jeff continued to laugh as Matt glared at him. Amy chuckled. I started to put the schruncii around my hair. I went around for the second time when I heard a snap and felt my schruncii give way.
"Damn!! It was my only schruncii!!!" I exclaimed. "That's okay. I have one you can borrow. We'll just go to the Diva's locker room and get it. That'll give the boys time to get dressed and ready for the show," Amy said as we stood. We walked to the door and Amy stopped to give Matt a kiss on the cheek. Jeff just rolled his eyes and I began to laugh.
"Oh and get Casey a backstage pass while you're gone so she can stay watch the show in the back. You might want to take something to do because you wont be able to get back in here for a while. I think some of the other guys may want to get ready," Matt said as I grabbed my c.d.s and c.d. player. Amy and I walked out the door and walked towards the Diva's locker room.
"They're really great, aren't they?" Amy asked.
"Yeah they are. Actually, everyone that I've met so far is really nice. Jeff took me to the ring to meet some of the others. Trish seems like a really great person."
"I'm glad that Jeff took you around. Everyone is really caring around here. We're all like a family. Very close. Trish is a really great person. We've been close friends for quite some time now." Amy and I walked into the locker room. Trish and Nora were the only ones in there and it seemed like they were the only ones using the room.
"Hey Amy. Hey Casey," Trish said applying her makeup.
"Hey. Where's my bag?" Amy asked as she searched the room. "Ya know what? I had brought my bag into the guys' locker room. Do either one of you have a schruncii Casey could use?"
"Yeah. I've got one. You have really awesome hair. Looks like it needs to be died again, though." Trish ran her hand through my hair. "Can I French braid your hair? You would look awesome with a French braid."
"Don't you have a show to do?" I asked as I sat on a chair. Trish stood behind me and began messing with my hair.
"Yeah, but this wont take long."
A few minutes later, Trish finished the French braid. I had never had a French braid and I really liked it. I thanked her and started to walk out the room with Amy to get a backstage pass.
"Casey, you going to be watching the show?" Nora asked.
"Yeah. We're goin to get a backstage pass right now," I replied.
"I've got one. My brother was supposed to come, but he couldn't make it. You can have it if you want it," Nora said reaching into her bag. She handed me a pass and I put it around my neck.
"Thanks. Good luck tonight!" I started to walk out the door again when Amy stopped me.
"Where ya goin? I thought we could get to know each other or something," Amy said.
"I was going back to the locker room. Just wait until the guys finish in there. I kinda wanna just sit and listen to my music if that's okay?" Amy took the hand that was on my shoulder off and nodded. I continued out of the room and down the hall to the boys' room.
After searching for what seemed forever, I found it and sat on the floor outside the door. I heard voices from inside and listened to them talk for a while.
"Casey seems really cool," I heard Rob say. "I think she has a crush on you man!"
"Casey? A crush on me? No. I don't think so," I heard Jeff reply.
"Casey? Is that that girl that was walking down the hall with Amy?" I heard another voice question. I didn't really recognize the voice. I assumed I hadn't met him.
"Did she have glasses and beautiful dark blond hair?" Jeff asked.
"Yes, I believe she did. She seemed quite nice. She smiled at me and I just figured that she was Amy's sister or a family member of someone."
"That would be Casey. She really is nice. Scott, I think you'd like her," Matt said.
"Well, someone will have to introduce us tonite. I'd really like to meet her," the unfamiliar voice requested. I decided to stop my ease dropping and began to listen to my mixed c.d.
I had been listening to my c.d. for quite sometime and was off in my own world. People would pass me and smile as I sang along to some of the songs. I didn't even realize the crowd of wrestlers start to form around me. I guess I was just too into singing along with the music. Then, all of a sudden I slipped back into reality when a strong hand tapped my shoulder. I gasped as I saw the horde of men standing over me. I looked up at the man with the hand on my shoulder and saw Raven's black outlined eyes.
"You are quite the rocker! You've got a good voice. You must be Casey. I'm Scott." He took his hand off my shoulder and shook my hand.
"Yeah, we all enjoyed your show. You'll have to put on another one for us sometime," smiled Marc Lomonica. I just sat there with my jaw resting on the floor. I was completely shocked. I couldn't believe I had been heard.
"Ummm...thanks. I didn't really realize I was singing out loud. I just get into it sometimes." Marc helped me off the floor and I just stood in the middle of the wrestlers and looked around me.
"Jeff had me read some of your work. I must say, you are quite talented," Scott said.
"Thanks. And to think, I only wrote those because if I hadn't I probably would have killed someone!" I smiled as Matt walked up to me. "Amy's still in the Diva's locker room."
"How'd you know I was gonna ask where she was?"
"I don't know. I guess I kinda just figured, ya know?" Matt walked off as did some of the other men.
"Well, Jeff is still getting ready, but I think your safe to go back in there," Marc said as he and Scott left me standing there. I walked into the room and saw Jeff sitting on a bench in his black Hardy's pants and he was pulling on his boots. I noticed he was shirtless and kind of just stood there watching him.
"Umm..they said it'd be alright if I came back in here," I said to make him aware that I was in there.
"Yeah, that's cool. Your hair looks good. Did Trish do it?" he asked looking at me.
"Yeah, she did a good job. It's a new look for me." I smiled and he returned with one of his own.
"Since you're a fan, can I ask you a question?" I nodded my head. "What do you think about me coming out in the paint?"
"I love it. I think it's awesome. Oh, and us fans like what you've done with your hair."
"Really? That was my next question." He pulled a wife beater over his head and began to stretch. "Would you still watch if Matt and I split up? Like, if he went to Smackdown and I stayed here on RAW." "Why would you guys do that? The only way that would happen would be if one of you won the Undisputed Championship. Or the Women's Championship. Oh my God! You're gonna win tonite??!!!" I began to get excited and ran with it. I jumped up and flung my arms around Jeff's neck for a hug. He pulled back and the expression on his face seemed to be one of confusion. 'Oh my God. What the hell did I just do?' I thought to myself when I saw his expression. I backed away and sat back down on the bench. He stood there not changing his facial expression. 'He must think I'm some sort of idiot' I thought again.
"That's not what I meant. Never mind. You'll find out eventually what I mean. I just have a bad feeling and I wanted to get the opinion of a fan." He went back to his stretching.
"Well, if you guys did split, I would definitely continue to watch. I mean you are both excellent wrestlers. I love watching you two. In singles matches or as a team. And I'm sorry about that hug. It just kinda came out of now where." He looked up at me and smiled. I had no idea why he was smiling at me, but I smiled back.
"Don't worry about it. And thanks for your opinion. I think it made me feel better." Matt and Amy walked back into the room talking and immediately came to a stop when they noticed Jeff and I in there.
"Casey, ya wanna take a walk with me? We can let Jeff and Matt stretch and finish getting ready," Amy said taking my hand. I nodded and left with her. We started to walk down the hall and stood beside the ramp in the back before anyone spoke. "Look at everyone out there. Isn't it amazing? Just think, in a half hour this place is going to erupt with screams, cheers, and booing. I really miss all that."
"It is amazing. I always wanted to be in the center of all that. I've always wanted to be a star. I love being the center of attention. It just gives you such a good feeling to hear all those people clapping for you." I smiled at the thought of being on a stage. I remembered always getting the lead parts in the musicals we use to do in third, fourth, and fifth grade. I loved all that attention.
"You're gonna watch Jeff's match with me here, right? It's so much better live than on t.v."
"Yeah, definitely. I can't wait for his and Matt's match. I always wanted to see them live." She smiled at me as we watched people try to find their seats. "Is Jeff always like that?"
"Like what?"
"So quiet and laid back. He's not big into talking is he?"
"That's the shy Jeff. Being that I've known him for such a long time, I know better. It's only because you're a stranger. Once he gets to know you better, he has a problem shutting up." She began to laugh and I just smiled.
"Gees, that sounds familiar. I'm just like that."
"Amy, Casey, ya wanna watch Jeff do his promo?" Matt asked running up behind us. We walked back with him and Jeff stood with Terri. They began to talk about the match and I wanted a better look. I tried to walk around a trunk and tripped on the corner of it. You could hear a loud crash as Jeff took off jumping around the place on different things. Matt walked over to me and helped me up as I made sure the camera had been shut off.
"God! I'm such a cluts!"
"Casey, are you okay?" Matt asked trying not to laugh.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Go ahead. Laugh all ya want!" Matt burst open, laughing hysterically.
Amy and I sat next to the ramp and watched the show. It was so good. Jeff got his ass kicked, but the Undertaker came back and held his hand up in respect. I just kept thinking how I know all these people and most of them are the complete opposite of their characters. At the end of the show I said goodbye to everyone and thanked them. I grabbed my bags and set off in search of the hotel. I made my way out into the dark streets of Boston and walked cautiously listening for every sound that was threatening. I found a rundown hotel and assumed this would be the best place to go to for the nite at least. I walked into the lobby and behind the desk was a man in his 40's. He was starting to bald and wore a ripped up wife beater. His arms were covered in tattoos and he was slightly scary looking. I summoned up all my courage and asked for a room. I paid him 25 bucks for the nite and walked back outside to find my room. On the second floor I found room 22 and walked in. The place was trashed, but what do you expect to get for paying 25 dollars. I set my stuff down on the bed and sighed, readying myself for my first nite in what was certainly to be hell!