Tears in the Rain
Disclaimer: Vince owns the personas, people own themselves.. I own pocket lint and the story idea.
Spoilers: Nope… it's A/U.
Rating: M.. upped to be on the safe side as there's some stuff that's not so happy ahead.
Summary: A high school reunion answers questions and stirs up countless memories. When all is said and done, can they survive the aftermath? Or has the drama only just begun?
Characters: Lita, Trish, Victoria, Dawn, Lillian, Stacy; Jeff Hardy, John Cena, Batista, Randy, Chris Jericho, Tyson Tomko, Triple H and Christian. Many others will also be making an appearance, but, my main characters are the ones previously listed.
Notes: Nope.. Nothing new to add yet.
-x-x-x-
While she certainly wanted to question one of her cousins about what was going on, Dawn currently found her thoughts otherwise pre-occupied. And, unlike the rest of the Tandem Alumni, it wasn't about the years they had spent together… rather, it was about one person sitting at the table…three seats down from herself. It wasn't like she hadn't expected to see him at all, but a part of her had thought he wouldn't be there. Lance Storm…the one guy she had a crush on, from middle school to graduation from Tandem… the one guy she never mentioned when they'd have sleepovers at Lita's house to bitch and complain about stupid boys, gossip about their crush…and on rare occasion, ramble on endlessly about how perfect their boyfriend was. Of course, that usually only applied to Trish or Lillian.. Victoria and Lita both claiming that there were no guys at Tandem, in Waynesboro or nearby Charlottesville that they'd ever want to date. And then when she and Trish would drill the two about crushes.. The two would just say they weren't interested in dating anyone. But, as Dawn recalled, that was a total lie.. Since Victoria had dated someone from Charlottesville high for most of Senior year and that Lita had actually dated a freshman from the University of Virginia during her Senior year. Now that she was actually thinking about it, Victoria and Lita had more than a few boyfriends during their time at Tandem…they just opted not to talk about it.. Or the relationship would end when the guy did something utterly stupid. But, going back to the subject -- or person -- at hand…the brunette found herself tuning out the rest of the conversation.. Reliving the one camping trip that happened over Spring Break of their Junior year.
- Flashback -
Spring Break, Junior Year
When Dean Ross had mentioned a camping trip over Spring break…most of the Junior class expected to be in tents. Given their proximity to the Shenandoah Valley, there were plenty of campgrounds to go to. And just as the administration had requested, each student arrived to the parking lot on the Saturday before Spring Break with toiletries, pillows, towels, clothing for the week and bathing suits. They had then gotten on the bus, many of the students questioning Shane and Stephanie about where they would be going. But, Headmaster McMahon had chosen to keep this year's camping trip a secret from his own children…leaving the entire Junior class that much more wary of the trip. Like most field trips, they Junior class was arranged like they would be in the classroom…and that was always alphabetically. And, just like they usually did, many of the students switched seats so they could sit near someone they wanted to sit near…or to avoid someone they didn't want to sit with. From her seat near the back of the bus, Dawn could see Kurt and Dave in the front, Adam was sitting with Chris Benoit -- a recent transfer student -- while the brunette teen could see one of her cousins sitting with Lita. She could also see Bubba and Devon across the aisle from them, while the Hardy twins were behind them with Jillian Hall and Molly Holly sitting behind John and the strawberry blonde teen. Everyone else, from that point back, had switched seats…leaving the alphabetical order out of order. Trish had asked her cousin if she would switch seats with her…putting the blonde teen with her current boyfriend, while Dawn was sitting with Lance Storm.
"So.." Dawn smoothed back her hair, the brunette unsure of what to say since she had never really spoken to Lance. "How are you?"
He offered her a polite, if not shy smile. "I am doing good, thanks…and yourself?"
Dawn smiled warmly, "better now that school is out."
Lance inclined his head, "but weren't in school before last week.. I am curious as to why they would send us on a camping trip when we just arrived back from Italy.."
Dawn nodded shortly, "yeah.. My cousin John was telling me about that.."
"John Cena, correct?" he threaded a hand through his short brown hair. "I admit, that I was quite surprised to see him in Latin for the third year straight after Middle School."
She couldn't help but smirk at that, "you aren't the only one. I always thought he would've done what most of us did…stop taking Latin and just take Spanish or French when we got to the High School."
Lance nodded forwards, to the general direction of John. "He actually has one of the better grades for Latin.. Though I am inclined to believe it is because of Lita.."
"Probably," Dawn agreed, full well knowing that was the case. "You know… I don't think I've ever talked to you until now.. Why is that?"
"Perhaps it is our friends?" Lance shrugged his shoulders marginally. "I mean you no offense, but I normally don't speak with many of the people that you do."
Dawn couldn't help but laugh. "No offense taken.. Sometimes I wonder why I hang out with some of them."
He rested his hands on his thighs, "have you given any thought to your schedule for next year?"
She shrugged, "I can't say I really have.. I usually just wait until I see the guidance counselor. I do know that we have the Senior project but other than that? I haven't given much thought to next year."
"At times, I am finding it hard to believe that we will be Senior's next year." Briefly, Lance turned his attention to the passing landscape. "My mother had wished that I would have graduated early."
"But you would've missed out on a lot.." Dawn kept her attention forwards, "I mean, all of the stuff they plan for Senior year.. And the stuff for the rest of this year."
"Correct," he turned his attention back to her. "Mother was just thinking of what would be best for me.."
Dawn raised an eyebrow at that, "you don't get any say in that?"
He nodded quickly, "I do.. It's just, mother feels it's best that I focus on college."
She almost rolled her eyes that. "I'm glad my parents aren't like that.. I mean, sure, they want me to think about college and what I'll do, ya know? But, I don't see the point in worrying about it constantly."
"Attention students," Dean Ross stood as the bus pulled into a parking lot. "After you have retrieved your belongings from the luggage compartments, please line up in the parking lot so we can tell you where your cabins are."
John stuck out his tongue, "see? I told ya we were at Camp Jellystone."
"Shut up," Lita replied with a roll of her eyes. "You said it just as the bus was pulling into the parking lot, which means we passed by the sign.."
Torrie Wilson raised an eyebrow, "Jellystone? Who goes to a place like this?"
Stacy Keibler tossed her hair over her shoulder, "oh you know Torrie… this is where all of the losers go for the summer."
From behind the two blonde girls, Victoria stood. "You're so stupid.. We go to Timber Ridge for summer camp, ditz. This is just where our families happen to take us.. And just who are you calling a loser, toothpick?"
"Yeah," Trish removed herself from Randy's lap. "Just because we aren't spoiled enough to go to Virginia Beach every summer…no offense to Stephanie and Shane…how are we losers?"
"Because… summer camp is for babies." Stacy crossed her arms over her chest, glaring down at Trish. "I seriously thought you would've outgrown that, like, four years ago or something."
Lita arched an eyebrow at that, "so first we're losers and now you're calling us babies? I don't think so.." She climbed out of the seat she had been in, starting to make her way to the back of the bus. "Say that again.. To my face, skinny bi--"
"Hey, hey, hey.." An arm reached out, dragging the strawberry blonde back. "Save it.."
Lita made a face, promptly removing said arm from around her waist. "Why should I?"
John rolled his eyes, smirking slightly before he whispered to her…Trish raising an eyebrow at the devilish smirk on that appeared on Lita's face.
"Come on Vicki," Lita beckoned for the raven haired teen to join her, "let's get off this bus and find our cabin."
Torrie frowned at her friend, "great going Stace.."
Dawn exited her seat as Trish passed by, "ya know.. I almost feel sorry for Stacy and Torrie."
Trish blinked, "when have you ever felt sorry for them?"
The brunette rolled her eyes as they exited the bus, "did you see the looks on Vicki and Li? They are so gonna kick some ass."
"Or they're gonna have green hair for a week.." Trish nodded to a cluster not far off, "I see Matt and Jeff are plotting, it looks like Chris and Christian are helping them too.."
"Which means, we should get over there and make sure we don't get caught in the war."
Dawn grabbed her cousin's hand.. The two soon joining the group of Matt, Jeff, Chris, Christian, Victoria, Lita and John. And just as Trish had predicted, the group of teens were currently planning their strategy for a series of practical jokes and pranks. Just as Victoria had stated, their parents often took them to Jellystone for weekend trips during the school year and for a week between the end of the school year and the beginning of summer camp. Of course, all that really meant, was that they were more familiar with the layout of the campground. But, that did put them at an advantage over their fellow students who hadn't been there… the group of teens using that advantage when they planned out their week of pranks and practical jokes. Trish and Dawn knew that Victoria, Lita, Chris and Christian were more than capable of pulling some of the worst pranks.. But when their cousin was added to that.. The two found themselves extremely thankful that they weren't on the receiving end. During the one sided practical joke and prank war, Dawn had actually gone out of her way to avoid the conspiring group…if only to avoid getting caught up in the cross fire. That had inadvertently resulted in her spending most of the week around Lance.
- End Flashback -
-x-x-x-
Once the dinner had ended, the Alumni expected for the first night of the reunion to be over.. But Headmaster McMahon informed them that there was one more activity planned for the evening…and to please convene in the school's gymnasium. Much like the cafeteria, the gym was decorated in school colors, the walls lined with banners from various tournaments that the teams had participated in. A few of the trophies from the display case had been set up on a table in the middle of the gym, folding chairs lined up underneath one of the basketball hoops instead of the usual fold down bleacher rows. Three cardboard boxes were underneath the table, a podium to the right of the table. The alumni filed into the gymnasium, taking note that the reunion committee had not assigned seats this time around. As a result, Dawn found herself sitting with Victoria, Trish, Lita, Ashley and Lillian with Dave, Matt, Jeff, Chris, Christian and John sitting behind them. Granted, Lita seemed more than a little distant when she sat down.. Trish, Dawn and Victoria making plans to question her about that later. At first, the alumni thought that Headmaster McMahon was going to launch into another speech about the athletic programs and how proud he had been.. But, instead of Headmaster McMahon taking the spot at the podium, it was Molly Holly.
"I won't take up too much of your time, but.. I just wanted to go over the schedule for tomorrow." The petite brunette glanced down at her notes, "in the reunion packets that were sent out, we included a brief itinerary of the reunion weekend. Tomorrow, we are planning on an air balloon ride courtesy of Bear Balloon here in Charlottesville. To participate in this activity, please be in the parking lot, no later than 5:30 a.m." She paused, glancing over to Lita before continuing: "A trip to the Amherst ATV trails has also been planned…please see Lita Dumas or Ivory Moretti for more information."
Jeff leaned forwards, "I should've know you would lead something like that.."
Lita smirked, leaning back slightly to address her step-brother: "It was either that or sky diving.. But, since we didn't know the weights of most of the alumni.. Skydiving was out."
"For the second morning activity, myself and Jillian Hall have scheduled a tour of the Luray Caverns. Alternately, Ivory Moretti and Lita Dumas, will be heading to the Out of Bounds Adventure Center in Wintergreen. Lunch will be provided at both locations."
Trish shook her head, an eyebrow raising at the redhead. "And now I understand why you're on the reunion committee."
"Well duh," Lita rolled her eyes, absently toying with a loose strand of hair. "You should've seen the schedule before Ivory and I got a hold of it."
Molly cleared her throat, squinting slightly at the notes in front of her. "The afternoon activities are as follows.. Golfing at Birdwood Golf Course here in Charlottesville or river tubing at Adventure Challenge in Richmond. Both will be starting at 1:00 p.m."
Victoria looked interested in the latter, "I'm surprised you didn't go for rafting.."
Lita sent her a smile, "it's on for tomorrow.. Early bird breakfast in Richmond, with the raft trip scheduled for 9:00."
"Tomorrow evening, the reunion dance will take place in Keswick Hall at Monticello." Molly glanced up from her notes, "the dance is scheduled to start at 8:00 p.m., with dinner at the Ivy Inn starting at 6:00 p.m."
The alumni waited while Molly stepped back, Jillian Hall taking the podium next. "The activity schedule for Sunday… for the more adventurous, Ivory and Lita have planned an early bird breakfast and rafting trip on the Jamestown River. Alternately, Molly and myself have planned a brunch at the Keswick Hall." She sent a bright smile to the gathered, "we have also planned a trip to Paramount Kings Dominion for those of you who have the time and wish to stick around."
Lita sent a glance over to Victoria, Trish, Lillian and Dawn. "That was the one thing that Ivory and I actually agreed on with them."
"If you will not be staying for the trip to Kings Dominion, the reunion officially ends after brunch or the river rafting trip." Jillian set her notes aside, motioning to the boxes. "Before you leave tonight, please make sure you receive your reunion t-shirt. A commemorative yearbook will be sent in two months time."
Lita let out a sigh, "that's my cue to go up there…hafta hand out those dumb shirts, plus stick around to answer questions about the trips that Ivory and I are leading."
Stephanie McMahon managed to be at the front of the line, receiving her shirt from the redhead. "Sign me up for your list."
Ivory grinned from her spot next to Lita, writing Stephanie's name on the sign up sheet. "Done.. We'll see you tomorrow morning at 9:00."
"Ivory, Red.." Rob Van Dam grinned, reaching across the table to hug the two. "I'll take my shirt.. And a spot on that sign up list."
Lita handed him his shirt, "we already have you down on the list, Van Dam."
Thirty minutes later found the four members of the planning committee with three empty boxes and two filled sign up sheets.
"Alright," Molly seated herself on the table, "we've got John Layfield, Rena Mero, Scott Steiner, Andrew Martin, Torrie and Billy Kidman, Stacy Keibler, Hunter Helmsley, Shane McMahon, William Regal, Orlando Jordan, Charlene and Rodney Mack, Booker and Sharmell Huffman, Dave Batista and Lillian Garcia and Jackie and Charlie Haas.."
Ivory held out the other sign up sheet, "we have Chris Jericho, Christian Reso, Stephanie McMahon, Kurt Angle, Bubba and Devon Dudley, Rob Van Dam, Trish Stratus, Victoria Varon, Matt and Jeff Hardy, Dawn Psaltis, Lance Storm--" the brunette blinked, "that's a shocker…moving on.. Chris Benoit, Adam Copeland, Terri is coming with us and--"
"Sign me up for that list."
Ivory grabbed a pen before glancing up to see who it was, "ah.. John Cena. Congrats, you have our last spot."
John smiled winningly, "yeah well.. After hearing what you all had planned, I couldn't pass that up." Glancing quickly to Molly and Jillian he added: "no offense."
"None taken," Molly replied with a bright smile, "that's why we have four activity planners.. Make sure there's something for everyone."
"Well, I don't know about the rest of y'all but," Ivory yawned broadly, her shirt draped over one shoulder. "I've had enough reunion for one day." She waved to the four remaining, "good night."
Jillian grabbed her shirt and purse, "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Molly." Glancing between John and Lita, she offered a smile. "Good night."
Lita rolled her eyes, grabbing her shirt and the sign up sheet. "Well.. They just left us with all of the clean up."
Molly yawned, "that they did… It shouldn't take us too long though, if we split up the work."
Lita reached up a hand, removing bobby pins from her hair. "I'll take care of the dining hall.. Then how about we both tackle the assembly hall?"
"Sure," Molly started stacking boxes, "I'll see ya in the assembly hall, Lita."
The redhead raised an eyebrow as soon as they were in the hallway. "Is there a reason you haven't left yet?"
"Seems to me that you could use some help," John rolled his shoulders, "but if you'd rather do all that cleaning up crap by yourself then--"
Lita shook her head, taking a moment to remove her high heels. "I just figured you'd want to get out of here or something." She paused, eyeing him warily…debating if she should say something but…"if you could just call the house, let Jeff know what's going on."
He nodded easily, "no problem."
The redhead watched as he made his way to the front entrance of the building, exiting shortly….she assuming that he was calling Jeff. And while he did that, she made her way to the assembly hall.. Wondering why John had chosen to stick around. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew why, but that didn't mean that she wanted to know. Whatever the case though, it looked like they would be here for a good hour or two to clean up the mess from the reunion. And since it was already going on 10:30, that meant that it would be close to midnight before she got home. Wrinkling her nose, the redhead started the task of removing banners from the wall.. Perching on tip toe to remove one, until a pair of hands reached above hers. The rest of the clean up process in the dining hall continued like that, the two eventually meeting Molly in the assembly hall to take down pictures. Needless to say, by the time they got back to the Dumas house, Lita was more than ready to go bed.. But, just as she was going upstairs, Trish, Victoria and Dawn appeared at the top of the stairs.. The four then heading to Lita's room to talk, while Felix went downstairs to keep the body on the couch company.
