Authors Note- HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! Yes I know it has been a while since I updated, I do apologize. One of my five goals this year is to make sure I keep up with updates on this story like I used to, as well as finish my other Fanfiction. I also want to at least try and catch up to where I left off by July 2nd but we shall see. Last year wasn't a great year for me, probably the worse and honestly I pray for this year to be better. I was at the top of my game writing this so I just hope to get there again. Thank you guys for staying me, those who did stick around. I appreciate it and for you all understanding that I am also human and life can hit me hard to!

SO HERE IS TO A BETTER YEAR WITH MORE UPDATES.

Straight Edge Sister

Battleground backstage, 'Off screen'

"You have got to let this go."

"I shall not," Rebecca hands were on her hip. "I was singing that song well in the car and you switched it on purpose. You have hated on my singing since we've met."

Pharya jaw dropped to the floor. "I literally sneezed!"

"Oh that's what they all say," Rebecca didn't want to hear it.

"Unbelievable." She throws up her hands. "I offered to go back."

"You already ruined the moment during the high note, Phar." Rebecca says. "I can't get that energy back."

"It's just no pleasing you is there?" Pharya head tilts.

"You buy me a smoothie bowl and I'll think hard on it." Rebecca nods.

Devitt shakes his head. "Exactly how are you two going to get a long in a car forever?"

"We don't know." Both of them admit.

"Candice isn't here to balance us out so I might kill Becky." Pharya nods.

"Hey, hey, don't kill my ring character. Kill yours."

"Ehhh, no." Pharya says.

Devitt chuckles, nodding his chin up. "You both excited about tonight?"

"I'm nervous." Pharya raised a hand.

"You'll be fineee." Rebecca arm slings over. "Trust me you got this. You performed on big stages like this already. It's a just a different company."

"Different company but same energy."

"That's my girl." Rebecca gives her. "Come on so we can finished getting ready. Bye Finn,"

"Bye, Rebecca. I'll catch you both after the show."
He waves to Pharya who was practically dragged away by Rebecca and laughs to himself. "You'll be alright Pharya..." he says more so to himself.

Pulling out his phone, he stops when Colby strolls pass him—talking to a stage hand.

"Rollins." Devitt waves.

Colby double takes and shows a hand—he excuses himself from the guy and heads over to him. Dressed in his ring gear and t-shirt but hair pulled back in a low half bun.

"Hey, man." Colby smiles giving him a handshake into a slight hug. "What are you doing here?"

"For a meeting and to watch the PPV." Devitt leans against the crate. "Thought it would be good for Pharya to, it's her first WWE PPV. So many people expecting a good turn out—so you know how that goes."

"Yeah I do, but she's got this." Colby says with no hesitation. "She's got no reason to be scared. But I guess even the best have their insecurities. I know I think every time I climb to the top rope I think my death awaits in one slip."

Devitt points. "You to?" The two of them share a laugh. "You're right though we all have them. Pharya just needs to go out there this one time and she'll be alright after that."

"I agree." Colby nods. "Where is she by the way?"

"Finishing getting ready." Devitt says. "You happy to be working with her again?

"Of course," Colby nods. "We got a different thing now but it's great to know the person I'm teaming up with on screen is her."

"She's a good other half," Devitt admits. "Having her in Japan was a game changer for both of us. Hope it works for you."

"Thanks man," Colby nods. "I got a question for you. Did you know her and Ross broke up?"

There was a change in Devitt's features but Colby could see it wasn't directed towards him but from the name he decided to bring up.

"Yeah," Devitt nods. "Yeah, I knew. Good riddance to the bastard to. He deserves anything he ever gets, I'll tell ya that."

Colby brows pulled. "What happened between them?"

"It isn't my place to tell you." Devitt says in an apologetic tone. "Your a good friend Rollins but she is my best friend. If she hadn't told you, she may not be ready to. Have you asked her?"

"Afraid of that answer actually. I don't want it to bring up anything painful for her." He says.

"Just ask," Devitt tells him. "She'll tell you the truth when she is ready, trust me. Just know though—she hates him."

"I got most of that." Colby says. "But I'll ask her."

"Good." A faint smile. "One last thing because we are all good friends and adults. Now I'm not judging you based off your past but I do remember how much you liked Pharya before. It's alright if you still do but don't drag her in any drama you may have over there. Wouldn't be good for her career and she honestly doesn't need that."

Colby brows pull. "I'd never do that to her."

Devitt nods slow. "Just a reminder."

"Why did you think I needed a reminder?"

Devitt leans up. "Because you didn't deny what I said."

"I'm in a relationship. Are you aware of that?" Colby asks him.

Devitt shrugs. "Kind of. Which is another reason you should just watch what you say. You know? It's already going to be hard that you're working with another woman who isn't your girlfriend. I'm sure she's not happy about it."

"She actually brushed it off, thinks Pharya is a pretty nice girl."

"You told her about Pharya?"

"I told her who she was."

"Right." Devitt smirks a bit. "Did you tell her that you liked her at one point."

"Didn't see the need to. It was in the past."

Devitt hums. "You sure?"

"Yeah, I am." Colby head tilts slight. "There a reason your concerned about me and Pharya?"

"Yeah," Devitt nods. "She's my best friend."

"That it?" Colby brow quirks. Devitt gives him a certain smile that made Colby nod. "Good to question me but it's different for you huh?" Devitt looks off for a brief moment. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt her. If that's what you're worried about. She's my friend to, believe it or not," Devitt eyes travel over to him. "and I respect the hell out of her. So trust me, I'd be the last."

"Okay, Rollins."

Colby nods. "Well I gotta get going. Nice talking to you, Finn."

"You to," Devitt gives a certain smile.

Devitt watched him leave and for a moment he thought about saying more to him but a certain amount of damage was already done. As much as he wanted to believe that Colby didn't look at Pharya in the way he always seen her. He saw it clear as day.

They both had the same look when talking about her...

Later, backstage...

Pharya adjusted her fishscale braid over her shoulder as a few strands curled to frame her face. The makeup she wore done light as she didn't care for too much of it on her face while in the ring.

Black leather shorts, black knee pads, and black and pair of all black long Chuck-Taylor's. Black fishnets, and a black and silver 'The Authority' t-shirt cropped. It perked up her cleavage a bit from the deep cut as slits decorated the spine.

A leather black fingerless glove, a silver, half heart choker around her neck alone with a black strapped one. Her two good luck charms.

Taping up her wrist like a cuff, she rips it with her teeth.

"There she is." Paul Levesque ( Triple H ) walked over to her.

"Hey," Pharya smiles, putting the tape down. "Sorry I didn't have time to find you earlier."

"Don't worry about it I had got pulled into a last minute meeting anyway. How we feeling about tonight? You good?"

"Nervous but breathing." Pharya sighs. "I don't know why I always do this but this feels different."

"New stage, new fans." Paul reminds her. "You know? Some of them know you and then some don't because some of them only stick to WWE as their wrestling platform. At least when you're wrestling in the indies there is a chance that majority of the fans already expand and know you." Pharya nods. "Listen just give it what you got from start to finish. Don't overthink, don't do what you wouldn't. Just be the Ellie Brooks I had to hunt down to get here."

Pharya chuckles. "Will do. I never did thank you for bringing me in and voicing for me. I'm sure I wasn't the first on the list."

"Not at all," Paul admits. "You were for me and William Regal, and Mick Foley. But then Ric also recalled his times with you and a few others you met back in TNA."

"Yes, I saw Ric earlier to. Got my head talked off of course." Pharya sighs.

"He told me about the Fortune days, with you guys and AJ Styles." Paul laughs. "I remember seeing the clip of you whacking him with what, your heel?"

Pharya laughs. "Yes! He said he didn't mind but it was a crazy setup with Fortune but they let me have it. I think it's where me and Allen grew close the most."

"You two were great on screen and in ring." Paul nods. "That's uncommon to have. Maybe if we get him here we can bring that up again."

"I'm sure neither of us would mind." Pharya shakes her head. "I just really look forward into bringing back some things around here. Matches with the guys, interacting with more. I know it'll mean something or go somewhere."

Paul smiles, patting her back. "I agree with you. The idea about the Diva name, and all the others. We just got to show more out there and come WrestleMania, we'll make some things happen. That's my promise to you. I just need you to give me the best you got out there."

"I can do that."

"I know you can," Paul says. "I could have put you in NXT, but I don't need you there." He points down. "This is where I need you right now."

Pharya smiles. "I got ya."

"Good luck out there." Paul gives her shoulder a comforting squeeze before heading off.

Pharya walks the halls but stops when she sees Colby with his back turned.

Creeping up, she poked his spine.

"Whoa-hey," Colby spins around to a laughing Pharya. "Okay. Now what if I was drinking something."

"You would have been, S-O-L and I feel sorry for the poor soul who would have been in front of you." Pharya folds her arms.

Colby chuckles. "This what I have to look forward to. You scaring me?"

"A few times," Pharya smirks. "Got to admit you were to easy. The little scream made it obvious."

"I was texting, and it was manly yell thank you." Colby waved his phone.

"Ah-uh." Pharya playfully rolls her eyes. "That's what it was."

"Hush." Colby zips, Pharya snickers. "You ready?"

"Getting there."

Colby walks with her as they start down the hall.

"What's making you so nervous? Besides the new scenery." He asks her. "You are the last person who should be debating about your ring skills."

Pharya scoffs. "I'm not perfect Colby."

"To me you are." Colby says with no hesitation. Pharya eyes look over but he kept his gaze ahead. He meant it. "Sometimes it's best to think that way for ourselves as well. It lessens the stress. You know how good you are. You'll make mistakes out there but it doesn't change the fact you're good out there."

Pharya smiles. "That's a lot coming from you, Tyler Black."

Colby grins stealing a glance to her. "I changed since the last time we've seen each other, Pharya."

"I see," Pharya nods, a smile of her own. "I'm happy to see it. You were never a bad guy, just a had a few rough edges like I always said."

"I got most of them ironed out."

"Yeah, you do." Pharya agrees. "I knew you would."

"You might have been the only one on that road, Pharya."

"I don't mind." Pharya says. "I like taking bets on certain people."

"So you won your bet about me?"

"Almost."

Colby brows pulled. "What do you mean almost?"

"That's between me and my knowing conscious, Colby."

"Well can I come in for a visit?"

Pharya laughs. "No, you can't." He laughs with her. "It's nothing bad. Trust me." Colby gives her a look. "Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Trust me."

Colby smiles and looks ahead. "Probably more than you think." Pharya eyes wander over to him but she only smiles to herself. "You feel any better, or are you still nervous?"

"I think I'm okay." Pharya stops with him. "Like you said, confidence starts with me. Right?"

"That's right."

"Thank you," Pharya says to him. "I would hug you but I'm not for breaking personal space."

"Pharya hush, and come here." Colby held his arm out. Giggling she walked into his one arm hugged that turned into both as he held her right. "You got this."

Pharya nods, giving him a gentle squeeze as she was buried in his hug for a brief moment but she didn't mind. It was one she desperately needed at the moment and it did it's job well. All those nerves she had were slipping away with ease and she was so happy for it and even grateful to the person who helped the most.

A certain pine and ember coming from the cologne he had on. One hug made the difference and so did his words. If only the guy everyone judged knew how much power he had when it came to the simplest things. Just in that moment he made a difference.

Something he always did for her, whether he knew it or not...

Pharya struggles to do so but knew she had to as she pulls herself away.

"Thank you, Colby."

"Anytime." He tells her. "You know where to find me when it gets the best of you. I still remember how nerve wrecking it can be." Colby fixed the strands that came from tucked behind her ear. "And if you ever need to talk about anything else..." Pharya eyes meet his. "I'm here."

Giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you," a genuine smile lifts her lips. "I don't know if anyone told you but, I'm proud of the guy you became."

Colby smirks. "I had a nice girl tell me to fix my damn attitude. Then she kicked me in my face in the ring that same night."

"By accident!"

"Uh-huh."

Pharya giggles, shaking her head—she stops when she notice him staring down at her.

"What?"

"Nothing at all." Colby says.

Pharya knew he was lying but didn't press it. "Well I should get going. I'll catch up with you later,"

"Catch you later, Brooks."

Pharya leaves letting her hand slip from his as she makes her way down the hall.

Colby let his hand fall by his side. That touch of hers still lingering. He didn't know if she was aware of the warmth she carried around with her but she made those moments mean something.

The words of Devitt playing in his mind. As much as he wanted to tell him stay out of it, he had a point. Pharya didn't need to be pulled into any of his mess when it came to dating. He could never do that to her. It still amazed him how when she showed up, it made him forget everyone else. It was just her. Just like before it was always just her.

He didn't want to hurt Zhara or anyone else, and especially not Pharya. Not off a whim from a crush he had years ago. There was a good chance Pharya still only looked at him as a friend and he didn't want to ruin that. Having her in his life is better than not having her in it at all.

Still, he meant what he said about being there for her. Just like he remembered, she took care of everyone but herself and was her own biggest critic. Even if it's just as a friend—he'd be there to help her.

A crush...

That hug from earlier still lingering when she let him hold her for a brief moment. The way she looked, she felt safe there and he would always create that for her.

The ache of them meeting at the wrong time still being more present in the future.

A part of 'What if' wandered in his mind but it wasn't any point in thinking about it. It is where it had to stop.

Pharya didn't need a distraction in her career and he didn't need to mess things up for himself—not when he came so far from the disasters of before.

A smile to himself when Pharya's smile played in repeat.

Still to this day,

She's the real one that got away...

Sorry for the short chapter! Didn't want to leave you guys hanging for too long but next chapter is on screen. I shall see you all then! Don't forget to leave a review if you liked the chapter!