A tragedy has befallen our idol, ladies. John Cena got involved in a melee in a Boston bar, and he got several puncture wounds. There is a segment in WWE's official website where fans can send their get well wishes and he'll be able to read it as soon as he convalesces. Last I heard, he was recovering. So send yours, I already sent mine a few minutes ago.

My prayers are on him. Read this chapter for a while.(gets tissue)

FCK YOU CARLITO CARRIBEAN COOL!!!!

"So what do you want to do now, esse?" Eddie asked, his voice carrying over the noise in the mall. The two of us sat on an empty bench, and backing up, I sat down a little lower, my legs simply giving out.

"You're asking me?" I said, surprised. "I think you've exhausted this place long enough."

Eddie motioned from his shopping bag, holding his short sleeved madras shirt that he bought earlier. "Obviously."

The party after the Eagles' win last night had gone on forever, and I'd spent most of this morning sleeping it off. It had been fun, of course, and there had been a lot more spreading of rumors that I'm gonna be the next MVP. I doubted it, but it'll definitely an honor. By the time I had left, my head pounding and my clothes reeking of cigarette smoke, I already decided that I wouldn't go to another one this year anymore. Besides, it was always the same. There were a lot of conceited guys bragging about how great they were and a lot of delusional girls sucking up to them.

Now, the Saturday afternoon was incredibly hot, and it gave me a nice idea to go and stroll around in a nice air-conditioned mall. I asked Rey to come with me, but he explained that he must go and visit his folks back home and turned down my last-minute invitation. Eddie was free today, so he went with me. After a few hours of walking around, my stomach started to rumble.

"I was thinking of going to Sam's Diner," I said, referring to a 50's style restaurant where both SC and RRC students hang out in this mall. For us, the diner stays at second place after The Danger Zone.

"You want to eat?" Eddie objected. "I was thinking of going to a record store and buy a CD."

"Buy your CD, and I'll buy the food."

Eddie smirked. "Thanks holmes! I was actually going for your treat!"

The jackass ran off laughing, while I shook my head. "Damn it, Eddie..."

I skulked inside Sam's Diner and sat on an empty booth near the counter. The black-and-white checkerboard floor was as shiny as always, and the aroma of delicious food hung in the air. The jukebox on the other side of the room blared out oldies, mixing with the sounds of laughing and chatting from the teenagers. The waitress appeared and I placed two orders: fried chicken and an open-face steak sandwich complete with side dishes and refillable beverages. The waitress nodded and walked away while I waited for Eddie, my fingers tapping on the red table until they had a rhythm of their own.

Finally, Eddie walked inside the diner and looked around until he found me. He sat across me with a new shopping bag in hand.

"Hey, holmes," Eddie greeted me. "Was I gone that long?"

I shrugged. "You're not missing a thing."

"Hora le, Eduardo." a girl's sultry voice said behind our booth.

The voice belonged to Vicky Taylor. Today, RRC's drama club phenomenon was wearing a frilly white blouse and a green wraparound skirt—nothing really loud. She let her long dark strands of hair fall dramatically into place, and her skin was also smooth and creamy. Vicky was short—probably 5"4, but it was impossible to think of her as any other than petite.

"Hi there, my little drama queen," said Eddie, checking her out. "Looking good."

Vicky giggled, her little apple cheeks flushed. Eddie reached over to poke her in the ribs. She squirmed, but instead of twisting away, she threw herself into his arms. Eddie already introduced Vicky to me since the very first semester, but I was still in the same awe that a loon like Eddie knew a babe like Vicky. Until I saw the kiss Vicky laid on his lips...

There was absolutely no space between their bodies. Eddie's hands were everywhere, and Vicky was practically climbing into his lap. I suddenly realized that I stopped breathing. I averted my eyes and sucked in air as the blood flooded into my cheeks. For fuck's sake, even in Sam's Diner.

Not that I was embarrassed. Not really. It just seemed so wrong, perhaps, sitting across a kissing couple. I feel so out of place. They finally broke their lip lock and my breathing started to go back in normal places.

Vicky glanced at me, her brown eyes going misty. "What's wrong John? So red all of a sudden."

I gave her a weak smile. "I'm fine," I said, grateful to spot the meal arriving. I got the chicken, and Eddie chose the sandwich. I dug the down-home meal, wolfing down the food as if I haven't eaten for weeks.

Vicky helped herself to Eddie's fries while he sipped his shake. "That was a great game last night! I can't believe you guys did it."

"Well, everything was just so smooth last night, you know?" I gloated. "My catching, my running. Everything clicked. I was just so...smooth."

She nodded. "I know. Half of the RRC girls who had just watched the game last night are falling for you."

I smiled noncommittally and sighed. "So many girls..."

"Vicky's serious, holmes," Eddie reminded me. "It was great to see the end of the Lions' reign. That was real smooth"

Vicky laughed. "Yeah, sure. Anyway I just came out here to tell you about our new play. It's called Autumn of the 70's."

She handed us flyers and saw the play will be held at the upcoming Spring Night. Vicky had the lead role, as usual, as a painter who is considered as a terminal patient with leukemia that made her life unromantic. That had to be really awesome.

"You guys will come at Spring Night, right?" Vicky asked.

"Of course we will," Eddie replied. "I know it would kill you without me there."

Vicky blushed, while I pretended to gag. I noticed a few girls calling Vicky from our table.

"Oops, gotta go," Vicky said quickly. "Play practice."

"I'll call you later, my pretty," Eddie said. Vicky flashed him a smile and wiggled her fingers over one shoulder.

They were a cute couple, an innocent bystander would think. Anyone could tell that they liked each other. A lot.

Eddie had five girlfriends, got dumped three times, but of all those women, he was able to make a real relationship last with Vicky. Eddie first met her at fall, when the RRC started their new play of the year entitled Blankets, where she portrayed a nerdy yet sensitive vegetarian. Vicky's performance was great, but the whole thing made Eddie fall head-over-heels with her. Now, I kept telling Eddie that he might be in love with the character Vicky was playing, but when he introduced himself to her almost way too quickly and and asked her out, and she even said yes, I've been so wrong.

At least, Eddie dated her not only for her looks. Vicky was happy, down-to-earth, and a friend to everyone. But if you actually see them together, you will start thinking something like "Woah! That Latino jackass was smart to snag her!"

Hey, don't look at me. Go figure.

Eddie suddenly sighed and licked his lips. "I still can't believe I bagged her. It seems so...unreal."

I gave him a dirty look. "You can tell me that. With the two of you making out, you're making everybody run for a fire drill."

Eddie smiled wryly. "Oh? Then why are you red, esse? You're not the one doing it."

My face was still hot enough to fry pancakes on, so I stood up abruptly, taking my milkshake glass with me. "I think I'll go for a free refill."

I walked off, Eddie's laughter pelting in my back, but it's only Eddie, and I can always shoot him later.

I gave my milkshake glass to a pimply, redheaded teenager on the counter, but instead of going to the blender and making a milkshake like a normal person, he just stared at the glass as if it was going to bite him. I tapped my foot on the polished floor, impatient.

"Uh, sir? You're glass is still half-full." the boy said.

I stared him down, and then realized he was right. Going to this counter and having an encounter with this geek was merely an excuse to leave the table from my lingering embarrassment.

Really, idiot, idiot. Stupid.

"Yeah? Ever considered looking at it closely?" I said, making it up as I spoke. "I think I tasted a fly in there."

The boy peered to the glass. "I see no fly, sir."

I looked at his name tag. His name was AJAX. I wanted to laugh out loud. This poor boy was going to get it.

"Look, you've got about ten seconds to fill up that glass or I'm gonna stuff you with cleanser. Oh wait, you're already one."

A few people snickered from their work stations, while Ajax turned red. "Right away, sir." Then he scurried off.

Ruthless teasing. Works every time.

Ajax went back with a fresh chocolate shake. I fished out ten dollars from my back pocket and pushed it towards him.

"Sir, the shake's free of charge." Ajax mumbled.

"It's a tip. Take it before I change my mind." I insisted.

"Really, sir. I don't want it."

"I insist. Now take it, Mr. Clean."

Ajax absolutely beamed. He looked at his ten dollars now, lifting his prize to the light. "Thank you, sir."

I walked off, sipping my shake as I made my way back to the table. My thoughts were interrupted by the welcome sight of Torrie Wilson crossing to the counter.

Her blond hair was shining, her expression as cool as ice cream. Somehow I felt as if the whole room was watching. I stared at her, my shake forgotten. Time stopped, all the unnecessary noises disappeared, but the only sound I heard was the jukebox, blaring out an old familiar song:

Why do birds suddenly appear?

Every time you are near

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

Why do stars fall down from the sky?

Every time you walk by

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

"Hey holmes! Watch out!" I heard Eddie yell.

The next sound I heard were clattering plates and utensils, and the next thing I saw was a waitress giving me an accusing look. My head snapped back to reality, and I felt a cold, wet chill on my belly. What did just happen?

The clattering sound was actually the full tray of food the waitress was carrying. I happened to bump her, which set all the gourmet dishes into disgusting ooze on the floor. Oh, and the chill on my belly? That was the shake, already making an ugly brown splash on my new Red Sox sweater. My eyes went to the harried-looking waitress, then back at my soggy clothes.

"Are you all right, sir?" the waitress asked with obvious concern.

Not wanting to hear another word, I immediately raced my steps to the men's bathroom before anyone saw anything. Luckily, the shiny, white-tiled room was immaculately empty, so I locked the door shut. After a few deep breaths, I walked to the sinks and examined myself in the mirror. I silently groaned.

When my face was once red as tomatoes, it immediately turned pale as flour. My eyes were sallow and glazed over. I slapped my face a couple of times.

Did I just look tired or is it just me?

I shrugged, opened the faucet and washed the bottom part of my sweater with hand sanitizers to clean the stain, but it was no use. The brown color started to spread even more so to the top, looking like it was some victim of roadkill. Sighing, I took off my sweater, thankful that I wore a navy, tight-fitting shirt inside. I backed up a few steps, surveying my reflection to the mirror, cursing to myself.

Why is it that whenever I see Torrie I always end up looking stupid? First, this. What's next? My funeral?

My eyes returned to the mirror and shook my head. Is this what a person feels like when he likes someone? Giddy yet stupid-looking? If that's what it is, I don't like it at all.

I must be really—and I mean really…uh…screwed.

After my cheeks returned to a fairly normal color, I walked out the bathroom and propped myself acroos Eddie on the booth. He flashed me a cynical smile, which gave me the creeps.

"What happened to you, holmes?" Eddie asked innocently as if he didn't know. Then he looked at the counter from where Torrie stands, then back at me with a doubly cynical smile. "Oh…I get it."

I rolled my sweater into a fat little sausage and stuffed it in my front throwbacks pocket, glaring at Eddie the whole while.

"I'm warning you Eddie…"

"Don't be such a wet towel, John." Eddie joked. "I have seen her around and I do admit she is pretty cute, but isn't she a wee bit off your league?"

Million retorts sprang into my mind, but I managed to say only one. "Then why did you date her, Eddie? After you're little one-on-one last summer, I'm sure you remember."

Eddie only smirked. "I guess were even, then."

"Even?" I screeched. "At least I'm not dumb enough to ask her out when she's still becoming a freshman."

"Dumb enough?" Eddie echoed. "Don't you mean man enough?"

I didn't say anything. He was obviously hinting that I can't do it.

"Don't get me wrong, John. Yeah, Torrie Wilson is a good kisser, but other than that she's a very good girl. She didn't want to have sex until she's married."

I stared at him, stunned. "She wasn't banged by anyone yet? What did you do?"

Eddie shrugged. "I respected her decision. We've been on dates, a few smooches, but that's about it."

I went silent again.

"You don't have to panic, holmes." Eddie said immediately. "It's not like you're in love with a slut or anything. Other than Vicky, Torrie's one of the nicest girls I ever met."

"Love!" I exclaimed wistfully. "I'd settle for like and a movie."

Eddie snorted. "How cheap."

"Oh, now what's this? The Springville Inquisition?"

"I wasn't thinking of anything!"

I couldn't think of a comeback. "You're no help, Eddie." I said instead.

Eddie's eyes were wide, then he laid a hand on my shoulder. "You really want to know what your problem is, John?"

I grunted. "Please tell me."

"You don't trust anyone. You happy now, ice king?"

"Yeah. Thanks a lot."

Eddie was right. And I hate it when he's always right. Because when he's right I always felt useless to speak. Silence descended once again on the table as he returned to finishing his food, while I toyed the green beans with my fork.

What is love, anyway? Never felt it, never wanted it. I'm the kind who believes in superficial stuff unless I experience it.

Other than that, is this love the feeling I have for Torrie? Or is she just some well-formed molecule that I constantly thought of and constantly fought over by every perv?

Or: does she even think of me? If she does, then what? I'd have a rosebush in a wasteland, a jewel set on tin. In other words, not much. She must think I'm an insensitive dweeb.

Whoopee. Wouldn't anyone just love that?

"Maybe that's it," I suddenly said. "I'm just infatuated. I must be."

Eddie gave me an incredulous look. "Infatuated? You think that's what you look like?"

"Oh, don't have it so tough. You almost stalked Vicky the last time when—"

"It's not stalking when you're in love, holmes."

"Yeah? That's not what the victims in juvie say."

Eddie rubbed his palms together, the breadcrumbs littering in his plate. "That's just about enough then. Ready to go?"

I stood up and slipped my hands into my back pockets, starting to walk ahead. "Whatever."

We walked out the diner and went past the toy stores to the antique shops. The sarcasm and the adrenaline wore off every minute as I walked alongside Eddie, feeling relaxed than ever.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you something, esse," Eddie blurted out. "More cheesy talk."

"Perfect." I muttered. "Where did it come from this time?"

"Angle. He tried to look for you at the party last night but you already left."

"What about?"

"The new recruits are going to be introduced on Monday. Small program, the whole student body involved. It's gonna be held at lunchtime in the school cafeteria."

I nodded mutely, but I noticed Eddie was looking at me expectantly.

I felt distracted. "What?"

Eddie shrugged, all false innocence. "Don't you get it, John? Angle's gonna get us bored to death if every one of them recruits from Red River are going to introduce themselves."

I didn't get it. "So?"

He shrugged again. "I was kind of thinking of you planning some of your nasty tricks on them. Just to get things, well, you know…lively."

I shook my head. "I don't even know what to think anymore. I'd rather eat lunch at the bleachers."

"You think so?" Eddie asked.

"Better fried than dead."

But deep down in my gut, Eddie had a point. Shouldn't I, John Cena, football stud extraordinaire, think of something that would serve as a threat to the whole school? That's the way it always has been at the start of the schoolyear.

Like the time I when I stole a "human hand' from the criminology group of SC and placed it on Paul Heyman's table last Halloween.

And the time when I hired a midget to mimic Kurt Angle as a present on his last birthday party.

Oh, and the other time when I asked the daughter of the Big Boss, Stephanie McMahon, to pull the tube top off the cheerleader Sable, the one who was rumored sleeping with Vinnie Mac himself.

Yeah…that had been a whole lot of fun. I've been so full of myself back then, in fact that the whole student population asked for more. It was like the meaner I get, the more popular I become. Their reverse psychology is pathetic.

Now I could barely think of anything to do to them. I hate myself.

"Why don't you do the honors, Eddie?" I said, feeling generous all of a sudden. "I bet you have thousands of plots in that thick head of yours."

Eddie only shook his head, an easy smile on his face. "No, I'll just let this thing slide. It would be better if I let them breathe tomorrow."

"Lumpy lectured you, right?"

"More like threatened!"

I laughed out loud, Eddie joining on cue. We didn't even notice that we're already at the secluded section of the mall. There were bargain sale stalls, health food restaurants, and small cloth stores.

But what caught our attention was a sex paraphernalia shop on the far corner.

"Thinking of buying the Playmates' special?" Eddie quipped.

I gave him an irritated look. "You know I don't read any of that stuff."

"Oh? Then what are you going to think about that?"

My eyes followed the direction from where Eddie's finger was pointing. It was a hot pink poster screaming from the glass windows, belonging there for everyone to read. I winced as I read the words posted on it in heavy black marker.

50 off sex toys.

"Lesbian and gay artifacts for sale? So?"

Eddie flashed me a canary-eating grin. "Any bright ideas, holmes?"

At first my mind was the plainest blank as ever. Then it hit me.

My eyes widened. I have a plan. A plan that Eddie didn't know. A plan that would make the recruits' first night here as hellish as it could be. I smirked as I started to walk inside the sex shop.

"Well…there is one thing…"

(t.b.c.)