"We all begin with good intent
Love was raw and young
We believed that we could change ourselves
The past could be undone
But we carry on our backs the burden
Time always reveals
The lonely light of morning
The wound that would not heal
It's the bitter taste of losing everything
That I have held so dear."

Fallen by Sarah McLachlan

"What's going on with you and Orton?" Mr. Santiago said staring down at his student as he leaned against the door to the teacher's cafeteria.

Riley shifted from one foot to the next, not really wanting to lie to one of her favorite teachers.

"Look Riley…"

"Why are you calling me Riley?" She asked. Ms. De had told the girls that he called them by their last name to keep that business like relationship so no one would get any ideas.

"Because…I don't know why. The whole fact of the matter is I know you better then I know most of my students. I know more of what's going on in your life, and the whole idea of you dating a wrestler is kind of…iffy with me" he replied

"Mr. Santiago…." Riley began and allowed herself to slide down the wall, finally sitting down. She looked up at him and began again. "I appreciate the concern. I honestly do. But…there's crap going on that you, hell that I don't know or even understand. For some reason Randy is…there for lack of better words. I like him, and I'm going to see where this takes me." Riley felt at a lost for words. She hadn't exactly lied to the teacher but she still felt horrible.

Mr. Santiago shifted his weight. "Look, I may not understand it, but if I am here if you do need to talk, or scream, which you usually do anyway"

"Talk?" Riley said curiously

"Scream" He replied grinning

Riley laughed and got up.

"Oh. Ms.Smith…what the hell is up with the whole Bella thing?"

"Oh that….My full name is Riley Jessica Isabelle Smith. Only guys that are really really close to me call me Bella. Like John and his brothers and his dad." She replied

"Or Randy"

"Or Randy" she repeated and followed him into Youth Ministry. Riley sat down in a chair next to Ms. De, and rested her head down on the teacher's desk.

"Long day Ri?" Ms.Jameson asked

"Really long day. I think I need to go home."

"So go" Missy said

Riley lifted her head up and looked at the blonde girl. "Nah that's alright, I'ma just chill here for a while. Not like I have anyone waiting for me"

"Oh that's right, Randy he's where is it now?" Missy replied

"Not down the hill in a car. See I can actually get home myself like a big girl."

"Awww what's wrong, jealous that my dad actually gives a rat's ass bout me and picks me up from school"

"And that I don't have to call him to tell him when to come get me? I think not"

"Ladies!" Mr. Santiago said, not really believing that the two girls were going at it like this.

Missy and Riley looked at one another. Riley rolled her eyes, grabbed her coat and bag and left. As soon as she left the building she hit 2 on her phone and send.

"Yo" John said

"John"

"Whose ass I'm kicking?" John said quickly causing Randy to sit up

"No one's. I'm just…"

"Hold on a sec Bella, Randy wants to talk to you"

"Hello?" Randy said

"Hey"

"Sit tight aight princess? It's what 6 month's till you graduate, and then it will all be over"

"This is just so"

"I know. Look I spoke to my mom and turns out her and dad were heading up to New York to visit people anyway. So I'll fly up after Raw tonight, and meet you tomorrow" he said

"Ok" she responded quietly and hung up.

Florida, John and Randy

"What in the fuck is wrong with her?" John said

"Dude don't get so hyper. It's just…"

"Drama. Fucking drama. If that child has to deal with anymore drama in her life, she might as well win an Oscar" John said beginning to pace

"Look" Randy started, standing up

John suddenly spun around and shoved Randy against the wall. He held him by his throat. "No, you look Orton. I swear to God if you have anything but pure intentions towards Riley, you better back out right fucking now. I hate seeing that girl hurt, and if I could hurt that girl that's doing this to her right now, I would. But I can't. Do not do anything stupid."

The next day

Riley grabbed her cup of coffee and her keys, and slid on her shoes. Turning off the hallway light, she opened the door, looked up and dropped her coffee.

"RANDY!" she squealed jumping on him. Randy laughed and held her tightly. Riley clung to him, backpack on her shoulders and all, and suddenly she couldn't help herself. She began to cry. Randy quickly backed back in to the house, shutting and locking the door behind them. Taking her backpack off her shoulders he tossed it aside, and picked the sobbing girl up. He took her into the living room, placed her on his lap and just let her cry until she fell asleep.

In school

"Where's Riley?" Mr. Santiago asked in class

"Not here" Madison replied

"Not here?" he repeated

"Is there an echo?" Jackie asked

"Is she sick?"

"No clue" Chrystal shook her head

The teacher sighed and went on with his class. Later he cornered Ms. Jameson.

"Hey!" he called down the hall to her

"What?" She replied

"Bad mood much?"

"Sorry" she laughed

"Riley's out."

"So? It's common for students to sometimes be absent" The teacher replied

"But when she's fighting with someone?" Ms. De chimed in

They all looked at one another and Ms. De reached for the phone

Riley's house

Ring

"Crap" Riley groaned

"Crap?" Randy repeated his arm slung around her waist

"The phone" she said, moving closer to him and burying her head into his neck

"Want me to get it?"

"I'm not moving"

"Right, answering the phone then" he laughed and answered it

"Hello?" he asked

"Hi, this is Ms.DeLeon, Riley's religion teacher…"

"Oh...Hold on a second" Randy said quickly passing the phone of to Riley

"Hello?" Riley said

"Riley"

"Oh...hey Ms.De"

"Why are you home Riley" Ms.De asked

"Because…I don't know. I had a breakdown this morning….I didn't wanna be there you know?"

"When have you ever missed school because of drama?" The teacher asked

"Uhhh, third grade, me and Dianne got into the biggest fight…" Riley began, and Randy groaned, dropping his head back down on her shoulder

"Riley!"

"I'm a good girl 95 of the time DeDe. Please just let me have this one day?" She asked

"It was Randy who answered the phone wasn't it?"

"Yes" Riley said quietly

Ms.De stayed silent for a moment gazing at her two co-workers, one of whom had her hand propped in her chin with a slight smile on her face, the other pacing in front of her looking like he was either gonna kill someone or hit something.

"Ok Riley. But Mr. Santiago is gonna have a fit" she said looking at the male. He looked up when he heard his name and raised an eyebrow.

"Since when does he care so much?"

"Since you started dating someone his age"

Riley laughed. "Oh and Riley. No grandkids for me please" Ms.De continued causing the young girl to laugh, and the two teachers to look at her.

"Well she's ok. For now" Ms.De said

"She's with Randy?" Ms. Jameson asked raising an eyebrow

"Yes" was the reply

"I don't trust him" Mr. Santiago said

"Why not?" Ms. Jameson asked him

"Why…why is a 20-something year old male dating an 18 year old? He travels all the goddamed time. Groupies. I don't know" he said rubbing his head

Back at Riley's

"Got it. Bye" She clicked the off button on her phone and turned back to Randy. "You know this couch is way small for the both of us"

"Mmmhmmm" Randy mumbled.

"And I'm still in my uniform"

"I always thought Catholic school girl uniforms were sexy" he said shifting so she was able to hear him

"That's nice. I should change" She replied distractedly

"What did Ms.De say?" Randy asked kissing her cheek

"That she didn't want any grandkids"

"Oh…me either…not for a while"

"Randy for you to have grandkids, you'd need to have kids" Riley said staring at the roof

"Funny"

"Thanks. I'm getting up now" she said attempting to lift her body up, but quickly stopped by Randy putting his arm around her waist and pushing her back down. He rolled over so he was on top of her.

"Bella, what are we doing?" he asked

"Damned if I have a clue" she replied

"Are we?"

"I don't know"

"You won't even let me say it" he argued

"Fine. Say it" she gave in

"Are we together?"

"I still don't know" She said looking him in the eye. Randy suddenly leaned down and kissed her. Riley's eyes slammed shut and all other thoughts vanished from her mind. She allowed her hands to come around his neck and play with the hair at the base of his skull.

"Well?" Randy asked pulling away

"I…I don't know if I can…" she asked breathless

"Why not?"

"It wouldn't be fair to you, when ½ the time I'm looking for revenge"

"I want to be with you"

"That's a song you know"

"You are so random" he said leaning down and kissing her neck.

"Ok" she replied softly

"Ok?" he asked

"We're together." Randy suddenly broke out into a grin and kissed her again. Riley smiled and kissed him back.

"Now all we have to do is tell John" Riley said

"And your teachers" Randy replied

"And still get my revenge"

"And still get your revenge" Randy said placing his head on her shoulder. I got what I wanted. Now what do I do?