Disclaimer: Same shit, different smell.

The Day Is: Friday - Raw is tomorrow!

THE NEIGHBOUR I THOUGHT I KNEW

The beautiful morning sun was shining brightly as Shane Helms walked out his front door to retreive the morning paper for his Mother. He noticed his next door neighbour, Amy Dumas, sitting on her lawn, pen to paper in her journal. Her vibrant red hair was tied up in a ponytail and she was still in her pajamas, but she didn't seem to care. In fact, her hazel eyes were glued to the page as her hand moved across, writing down her deepest thoughts. Shane just stood there, the newspaper in his hand, watching her. He couldn't help. Amy had been his friend for as long as he could remember, but this time, she seemed different. Sure, she was the same Amy Dumas that used to help him with his Biology homework last year. Sure, she was the same Amy that he used to help rake leaves with every fall. But there was something different about her. He just couldn't put his finger on it.

Amy's Journal

Is it weird to feel like this? It's as if Shane isn't the same Shane anymore. Everytime I see him, I get butterflies in my stomach and I find it hard to say things that I would normally say to Matt, Jeff and Shannon. I even said those things to Shane, but now it feels different around him. Last night, I walked in to my room and saw him sitting on his bed, reading a comic book. I used to always think his love for comic books was a bit dorky, but now I was drawn to him. His window was closed and mine was open, but I didn't even attempt to throw something at it to get his attention. He was so deeply interested in his comic book and I didn't want to disturb him. Instead, I just leaned against my door and watched him. Is this normal? Why am I feeling this way about Shane?

I remember, about a year ago, when it was fall, he was helping me rake leaves. It was just a normal day, with him mostly doing all the work. I know, it sounds mean, but he didn't mind. That's what I loved about Shane. He was always so kind and always so helpful. Now, I can't even get the courage to ask him to help me clean up the garage after rehersal. I'm so nervous around him. During practice yesterday, I kept on screwing up on the words to 'Take Me Away', which we had decided to use for the Raw audition. We've been working on that song for almost a year and I was forgetting the words like an amateur. I knew it was because Shane was there, being the fantastic guitarist he is, and I just couldn't do my thing. Matt began to take notice, questioning me about it when I was alone in the garage after practice. I hate lieing to my best friends, but I couldn't tell him the truth. I told Matt that I was just nervous about the Raw audition, even though that seems to be the last thing on my mind.

Ugh! Raw! I just thought about it now and how am I going to be able to concentrate with Shane being there? I'm just going to humiliate myself and let Evolution win, again. I just wish things were the way they used to be. When I didn't have these feelings for Shane. I just can't have these feelings for Shane. He's Shane Helms. One of my best friends. My next door neighbour. I can't help it though...

Amy let her thoughts trail off and she looked up, seeing that Shane was walking over. Quickly, she shut her journal and capped her pen. Standing up, she waved nervously. Inside her body, her heart was beating furiously. "Hey Shane. What are you doing out here?"

"Picking up the paper for my mom." He answered, holding up the newspaper with a silly grin on his face. "What about you?"

"Oh, just doing some song writing." Amy lied, not wanting Shane to question about her journal.

"Cool! Can I read?" Amy quickly shook her head, almost panicking.

"They're not done yet. I'll let you read them when they're done, with the rest of the guys. I've got to go inside now. Mom's making me help her clean the house. I'll see you at practice. Remember, two o'clock!" Amy exclaimed, smiling, even though she was shaking inside.

"I'll be there. See ya, Ames." He waved, walking back to his house. Amy waved back and rushed in to her house, shutting the door behind her. With her back leaned against the door, she let out a huge sigh of relief.

"That was close." She said to herself, running up the stairs to her bedroom.

When Shane got back in to his house, he dropped the newspaper off to his Mother and then headed upstairs to his room. Both Amy and Shane's windows were open and Shane found Amy pacing around in her room. He stuck his head out the window and called out, "Ames! What are you doing?"

Surprised, Amy turned her head to find Shane with his head out the window. Her eyes went wide. "Uhh...I thought I forgot something outside, but I didn't! I'm going to help my Mom clean the bathroom now. Bye!" In a flash, Amy had run out of her room and in to the bathroom, where she knew she'd be safe.

Shane raised his eyebrows, a bit confused, but he shrugged it off. Reaching underneath his matress, he pulled out a sketchbook which he used to draw his own comic book characters. After flipping through pages of his created superheroes, like one he called 'The Hurricane', he came upon a sketch he had made late last night. It was of Amy, floating on clouds. She had a golden halo around her head. It was how Shane saw Amy. Amy was Shane's Angel.