Chapter Three.
One of Orlando's drunks.
August 2,2016
12:07am.
Leaning back against the headboard,Alex's grey eyes were focused intently on her laptop as she studied the amazing moves the guys from the Cruiserweight Classics performed and she had to admit that they were amazingly talented and extremely athletic.
The flips,the finishers,the submission holds-it was all so extremely amazing that it left the Spanish native in shock. At the moment,she had to admit that her favorite-other than Teddy of course-would have to be Rich Swann. He was active,happy,always came out dancing and he was extremely humble. Alex admired his fighting style and his sportsmanship - the fact that he was friends with Teddy was also a bonus.
Teddy.
She let out a breath at the thought of the man,pausing the match she was watching and removing her headphones with a soft groan. She couldn't resist dragging her hand down her face with a frown tugging her lips down, thoughts of the-almost-two weeks that passed coming to mind.
The Tuesday night of the draft was probably the most fun she had in a while. Simply just hanging out with him at the diner until it was nearly 3am and just getting to know him was something she trt enjoyed, then exchanging numbers with him during the afternoon before he flew out to Orlando and surprisingly sharing a hug as well as a kiss on the cheek-one which had her blushing for nearly the entire day-before they parted ways was also something she really enjoyed - even if Alex spent the rest of the day with Renee and The Bella's who kept teasing her because they saw the two of them at the club the night before.
For the days that followed that Tuesday night,the two couldn't stop texting back and forth. It always seemed to brighten her day especially with their texts ranging from getting to know each other better to admitting embarrassing things about one another -like how she stalked him on social media-, to sharing childhood memories-like how Teddy grew up in Los Angeles and would always go to the airport with his parents and get into trouble-and even to their matches which both of them would always make time to look up and watch after a conversation.
During the 13 days that they've been speaking - not that she kept count or anything - Alex could feel herself falling for the Filipino-American and while she really wanted to, she couldn't speak to Renee about it with all the cameras always following her around, so she stuck to sharing a room with Becky where they would Skype Mercedes and Ashley and Alex would tell the three girls everything that's been happening between herself and the CruiserWeight.
The flirting,the complements,the chocolates he sent her one night-those were all the things she told her friends about and it always made her happy as soon as she was able to get everything off her chest.
That night she was sadly in a hotel room alone seeing as they only had single rooms left so she couldn't sit and speak to Becky all night, she also couldn't Skype Mercedes or Ashley because they were probably exhausted from the nights RAW taping or they were out partying it up with some of the other superstars apart of the red brand - it left her with nothing to do but watch old wrestling matches, not that she was bothered by it.
The sound of her phone buzzing on the bedside table had Alex leaning over and blindly reaching for it, swiping her thumb across the screen and bringing it to her ear without bothering to check the caller ID.
"What's the situation?"She answered and heard a soft chuckle on the other end of the line,the muffled sound of music in the background not really a problem as she focused on the familiar voice of the man who constantly occupied her thoughts.
"Alright,Kim Possible,shouldn't you be out saving the world?"Teddy teased,a soft laugh falling from her pink lips while she reached up to tuck a strand of hair from her face.
"If I'm Kim does that make you Ron?"
"If it means I get to kiss you at the end of the day than yeah."The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop them and as much as he didn't regret them,he squeezed his eyes shut and waited for the Spanish beauty to hang up on him but instead she breathed out a laugh.
"Well I wouldn't really mind."Her teeth softly sunk into her bottom lip as she tried to keep her smile from stretching across her entire face.
It was silent on both ends of the line,their breathing the only sound being heard and it was oddly comforting to both parties.
In Orlando, Teddy glanced behind him at the club a few of the other Cruiserweights decided to hit up that night. He knew that they were probably searching for him but he honestly didn't care at the moment because talking to Ally-like he called her-was way more important than getting drunk off his ass.
Alex released her bottom lip,running her tongue across it before she letting out a soft sigh,brushing her bangs out of her face - because they simply wouldn't work with her that night - and breaking the silence that fell between them.
"So how has Orlando been treating you?From the bass in the background,it sounds like you're having a blast."She teased and could practically hear the smile in his voice when he replied to her.
"Yeah, it's surprisingly colorful and really loud."He smiled,eyes finding the ground for a few seconds before looking up again."It's also populated with a whole lot of drunk people and can I just say I'm really surprised you're not one of them."
"Well, who says I'm not?We met,saw each other once and never again after that. I could totally be one of Orlando's drunk people and you wouldn't even know it. I mean I did live there for a few years."She joked,a small laugh following her words which caused him to chuckle.
"I guess you're right."He murmured,teeth running across his bottom lip for a few seconds before he spoke again."Maybe you could tell me more about you supposedly being one of Orlando's drunks over diner whenever you find yourself here again."
"Like a date?"She couldn't stop the huge smile from spreading across her face this time, her left hand coming up so that her fingers were resting on her mouth in an attempt to hide her smile-From what?She had no idea.
"Y-Yeah."He shuffled his feet,his nerves suddenly kicking in and causing him to lamely stutter-something which he mentally kicked himself for."I mean,if you want to."He cleared his throat,her answer coming without a moments hesitation and causing him to visibly relax.
"I'm supposed to come down to the Performance Centre next week Thursday to help train some of the girls down there. I'll be in town until the 21st."She murmured,grinning at the thought of going on a date with Teddy."I'd love to go on a date with you during those 2 weeks."
"Awesome!"He exclaimed,coughing a bit to try and hide his excitement."I mean, how does diner and a movie sound on Friday after you get here?You can show me all of your favourite places."
"Can't wait."She breathed,playing with the wire of her headphones."I guess I'll let you get back to the colorful and loud city of Orlando, I wouldn't want your friends thinking I'm trying to stealing you away."
"I wouldn't mind. Talking to you is way better than having insecure women shamelessly throwing themselves at me."He said and her smile widened, her dimples deepening when she heard the honesty in his voice.
"I'm flattered."She said,placing a hand over her pounding heart."But you deserve a night out after all the crazy moves you're doing in the ring - well,at least that's what Nikki always tell me. I'd rather just stay in and watch Nickelodeon or something."
Laughing,Teddy placed a hand over his mouth to muffle the sound when people walked past his little hiding spot behind the club.
"I can actually imagine you doing that. Like you'll be sitting in bed, so engrossed in the TV, wearing your Superman t-shirt and just getting your nerd on."
"Okay,first of all Its a Batman t-shirt because everyone knows Batman is way better than Superman,"she joined in with his laughter for a moment before continuing - not being able to keep the amusement out of her voice."and secondly,you're one to talk about 'getting your nerd on' when you do the freaking dab and wear nerds during your ring entrance."
"Don't hate,babe, I can always teach you how to dab."He teased,neither one worrying about the pet name he unconsciously called her.
"And I'm gonna hang up now."She laughed which was cut off by a large yawn that escaped her mouth."I'll talk to you tomorrow,T."
"Yeah,uh,sweet dreams,Ally."
Pulling her phone away from her ear,she hesitantly ended the call before breathing out a giddy laugh, grabbing a hold of one of the pillows on the bed and releasing a squeal in it, feeling extremely happy all of a sudden - the type of happy a high school girl felt when her crush asked her out and Alex supposed her situation could actually be compared to that cenario since she was going on a date with TJ freaking Perkins.
Later that night.
A smile was plaster on Alex's face ever since she woke up that morning, the thought of her phone call with Teddy completely taking over her mind and while most people didn't find it strange seeing as the Spanish native was just a naturally happy person, the people that really knew Alex could immediately tell that this wasn't her usual happy smile. This was a smile that she only wore one other time in her life and it was a smile filled with nothing but pure, innocent, happiness.
As she stood backstage in the arena, she could already hear the DC crowd going crazy in their seats - the sound pumping her up more than she already was. Looking down for a second, her eyes fell on the neon green,high top Nike's she wore and it caused her to smile a bit as she hopped from foot to foot, ready for Smackdown to start.
Hearing a laugh coming from the side, the brunette turned her head to see non other than Becky standing next to her, playing with the younger females phone she had placed down to stretch, a smile on her face as she stared at her best friend. Setting the phone down on the production crate behind them, the fiery haired woman hopped on it and nodded at her best friend.
"We need to talk."She said,the Irish accent that Alex loved so much flowing from her lips causing a smile to curl the brunette's lips upwards as she hopped on the crate next to her friend, drawing her leg up to her chest and resting her chin on her knee.
"What's going on,Lucky Charms"The childhood nickname had the orange haired woman's lips twitching as she reached out and playfully pushed her friends arm, the two sharing a laugh."I feel like we haven't spoken in a while."
"That's because you've been too busy texting your Cruiserweight hottie to make time for me."Becky teased watching in amusement as the smile that the dark haired woman wore for the entire day made its way back onto her face.
After knowing each other for 14 years,it was easy to tell what the other was feeling by simply glancing at their facial expressions. But after knowing each other for so long, they could even tell what the other was feeling by just taking a look at their body language and subtle relations to certain things. So, while Alex's huge smile at the mention of 'her Cruiserweight hottie'-as Becky,Mercedes and Ashley took to calling him-was a dead giveaway, the way she fiddled with the edge of her braid and the way her eyes kept scanning their surroundings was just some other clues for the Irish Lass Kicker.
"He's also the reason for that beautiful smile on your face,isn't he?"Becky questioned and although Alex knew her friend was well aware of the answer to her question, she rested her cheek on her knee and turned to face the woman with her smile still in place, nodding her head as best she could with the position she was sat in.
"We're going on a date the Friday after I land in Orlando."She breathed with a happy laugh."He asked me last night when he called."
"It's about time."The Irish beauty exclaimed, her friend giggling as she jumped off the crate and happily threw her hands up."You two met 2 weeks ago and have been talking more than Nikki Bella and John Cena have sex."
It was silent between the two, after the Irish woman's words with Becky trying to contain her excitement while Alex scrunched her nose up with a small grin on her face - amusement clear on her face as she locked eyes with her friend.
"'Talking more than Nikki Bella and John Cena have sex.' Really,Rebecca?"The two couldn't help but fall into fits of laughter at the simile Becky decided to use, people passing by and smiling at the sight of the best friend's who were using each other as support, their laughter echoing in the hallway."Oh My God I-I can't."Alex waved her hand, trying her best to catch her breath as small bursts of laughter still fell from her lips.
It was a while before they calmed down but they did,the two now taking more about Alex's phone call with Teddy,their heads bent together and smiles on both their faces.
That was how Shane found the two a few minutes before Smackdown would be starting, his small smile widening at the sight of the two gossiping superstars who -in that moment- looked so much like teenagers.
"Alex,Becky."He said,moving closer to the pair and catching their attention.
"What's up,Mr Mc-"Seeing the look she was being sent,Alex coughed with an amused smile."What's up,Shane?"
"I just wanted to let you know about tonight's changes."He said and watched the smiles slip off the two's faces -already knowing that they thought they're match was being cut like most of the woman wrestlers' matches."Instead of opening up SmackDown Live! Becky Lynch and Alex Morgan will be main eventing tonight's show."
Alex nearly tipped over at the news, grabbing a hold of her best friend's shoulders to keep her steady before she could fall, her grey eyes widening as she stared at their commissioner in shock - Becky wearing the same expression on her face.
"You're kidding,right?"Alex asked, a smile even wider than the one she wore before growing on her face when the man shook his head."We're main eventing?"
"Yep. It's Becky Lynch vs Alex Morgan for a spot in the six-women match for the Smackdown Women's Championship."Shane said and as he watched the happy gleam in Alex's eyes, he knew his next words would no doubt dim that light and completely break her heart."Although Alex, Becky will be the winner of the match."
He waited for her smile to drop, for the look of utter disappointment or even anger to appear on her face but all she did was shake her head with her smile still in place - and if possible, he was pretty sure it widened.
"I honestly don't care about who wins or loses,Shane."She brushed a few stray strands of hair from her face with her smile turning soft."Just the fact that you think I'm good enough to be given this opportunity is enough for me."
"Besides,Alex's time as champion will come soon enough." The orange haired woman slid her hand over her friend's. "She's extremely talented, a 3 times - and the longest reigning - NXT Woman's Champion as well as a Diva's champion. I have no doubt in my mind that she'll be getting her title reign soon."Becky patted her friends leg affectionately, the two of them sharing a smile, both looking at Shane soon after - the man wearing a proud smile on his face as he watched them.
"I wish everyone could be like the two of you"He shook his head making them chuckle softly."You make my life so much easier."
"We aim to please Mr O'Mac."Alex playfully saluted,her phone buzzing next to her which caused her to glance down at it and smile almost shyly, a blush coating her cheeks as she hopped off the crate.
"Uh-I've gotta take this."She murmured,sliding her thumb across the screen and bring the phone to her ear."Twice in one day? You either really like talking to me or you're just extremely bored."
The two heard her say into the phone before disappearing around a corner causing Becky to laugh softly and Shane to look at her in confusion.
"Boyfriend?"He questioned and Becky grinned,amusement dancing across her face as she shook her head.
"No but he might as well be."She played with the edge of the belt before turning to face him."She's talking to TJ Perkins."
"The Cruiserweight?"
"Mom. They met the night of the draft when she went out with The Bella's,Renee and they're men."She admitted and while most people would find it weird to talk about relationships to their boss, Shane was a great guy and treated all of his employees kindly and as his equals so they all found it easy to talk to him -Becky and Alex especially."They slipped away from the club and went to a diner in Seattle where they were together until nearly the am - or so I've heard. They've been texting so much in the past 2 weeks that I was beginning to think they were secretly dating."
"I was wondering why she seemed happier then usual,this explains everything."
"He makes her happy and seeing someone I consider a sister at her happiest is really all I can ask for."
"I've got to go over a few things before my match but I promise I'll text you as soon as I get to the hotel."
That was what Alex told him earlier and when she said that, he honestly just thought that she would be involved in a simple match against someone like Nikki Bella but when her head shot was shown next to Becky Lynch's with the words 'Contender for Smackdown Live! Women's Champion 6 Woman Elimination match' underneath it, he couldn't believe it.
Yeah,she sounded more excited than usual and he was wondering why but this - the main event and a match against her best friend - was something he honestly didn't expect.
Letting out a shocked laugh,he stared at her head shot and couldn't help but smile because it was honestly something that just screamed who she was. Alex stood in her ring gear which consisted of a black tank top with 'AM' written on it in red - which he found out is her favorite color - and he was pretty sure she was wearing a pair of black cut off shorts with Nike's like she usually would, while her hands were wrapped in red tape and positioned in front of her in the perfect stance for MMA - her lips curled up in a smirk.
She looked both dangerous and beautiful at the same time - an exact description of what he knew she was.
"Hey man,isn't that your girl?"Rich asked, pointing to the screen from his position lounging across the sofa, his brown eyes studying the TV with a small grin on his lips.
"She's not my girl, man."Teddy shook his head as Smackdown went on a commercial break, looking away from the dark skinned man to his former trainer who sat down on the sofa next to him with a teasing smile.
"Yet."He pointed out,his hair in a low bun while he chilled with his friends."You're taking her on a date next Friday and a lot of things could happen during or after that."
"Yeah and besides,I'm sure as hell that if you asked her to be your girlfriend she'd say yes without hesitation. No person in their right mind would stay on the phone until 2am with someone they didn't like."
"He's right."
Waving them off,the three of turned their attention back to the TV as Smackdown Live! came back from commercial break.
"Before the break it was announced by Smackdown Live! Commissioner Shane McMahon that the Lass Kicker,Becky Lynch will be going against longtime friend Alex Morgan for an opportunity to be apart of the six-women match for the first ever Smackdown Live! Women's title."
"Yeah and I'm sure this will be an amazing match between these of them having been trained by RAW's very own Finn Bálor and the NWA UK seen in the past-their fighting styles are very similar"
"That may be true but Alex has spent nearly her entire life in New Japan training under the best of the best which includes out The Phenomenal One : AJ Styles."
"Damn,she must be one hell of a fighter then."Brian whistled and Teddy had to agree,his eyes on the screen as Becky made her entrance,her orange hair -which Alex claimed was way brighter in person- braided on one side with the rest left down made him smile because Alex would always tell him about how Becky would make sure she was the one that did it ,never letting any of the hairstylists or other girls even touch it.
It wasn't long before the lights all went out and Alex's theme hit, the girl making her way out to an incredibly loud crowd and Teddy couldn't tear his eyes from her as the lights once again flashed on. She was dressed in her usual ring attire with only difference being the print on her t-shirt which was a neon green to match her sneakers and her tape was a similar color. A letterman jacket was placed over that -it was surprisingly black but unsurprisingly had 'AM' in red on the front and 'Alex - 24' in red on the back- and she wore a black and red snapback to complete the outfit.
She threw up a 'too sweet' sign and slapped a few fans hands, stopping in front of one of the little girls in the front row and kissing the girls head before placing her snapback on the girl's head with a wink then slid into the ring where she eyed Becky.
He knew it was gonna be an intense match between the two,both of them loving what they do and always putting their best into their matches. It was a match that would be worthy of a main event and he was sure about that.
Alex and Becky could feel the exhaustion settling in as they used the ropes to pull themselves to their feet. The main event was always something they went all out in -and the fact that it was a really long match was another reason for them to up their game.
The crowds chants of "This is Awesome", "Let's Go Alex" and "Becky Lynch" was absolutely deafening but it helped by pumping the two of them up. It was the reason why Alex got to her feet and turned around, arching her back in time to dodge one of Becky's deadly kicks and instead hit her Irish friend with a step up Enzuigiri that just caused her to stumble - the brunette taking a second before hitting her with a pelé kick straight after, stunning the Irish Woman enough that Alex could lift her in a Fireman's carry.
Using the carry to her advantage, and remembering all the Cruiserweight matches she watched, she dropped the Fireman's carry into an overhead kick which sent Becky down to the mat and the crowd cheering like crazy when they recognized the move.
A chant for "TJ Perkins!" started and Alex mentaly cursed her mind for thinking of the man at such a time - covering Becky and noticing the twitch in her best friend's lips when she kicked out, using both of their positions to her advantage and rolling Alex up into the Disarm bar causing the girl to groan in pain- but also letting her know that it was about time to end the match.
So, struggling to get to the bottom rope for a while, Alex felt Becky give her arm a tug which caused her to scream in pain before she brought her hand down on the mat - successfully tapping out to her best friend.
"Your winner and the final contender for the Smackdown Live! Women's Championship : Becky Lynch!"
JoJo's announcement caused half of the crowd to cheer, the other half having been hoping that Alex would've won the Woman's title.
Just as Becky's hand was dropped, Alex managed to pull herself up and approach her best friend, an exhausted smile on both of their faces as they met each other in the middle of the ring - Becky sticking a hand out for Alex which the crowd cheered at but the brunette slapped it away and instead pulled her friend in for a hug with the cheers getting louder.
"Isn't the detonation kick your Cruiserweight hottie's signature move?"Becky murmured into her friend's ear causing her to laugh and pull away with a blush coating her cheeks.
"Shut up."She grinned,grabbing her fiery haired friends right arm and raising it in victory,knowing that Smackdown Live! went off air.
Alex Morgan AM_WWE
Shout out to WWERollins AJStylesOrg and FinnBalor with that step up Enzuigiri and Pelé kick,your training didn't go to waste. #SmackdownLive #BeckyvsAlex
Becky Lynch BeckyLynchWWE
AM_WWE Don't forget the shout out to your Cruiserweight hottie #ImWatchingYou #I'mRightNextToYou
Sasha Banks SashaBanksWWE
Come on AM_WWE don't be shy,we all know you want to.
Seth Rollins : WWERollins
One of the greatest matches I watched. AM_WWE couldn't be more proud of you,sis #SmackdownLive #BeckyvsAlex
Seth Rollins : WWERollins
BeckyLynchWWE What Cruiserweight hottie? AM_WWE Are we keeping secrets again
Alex Morgan : AM_WWE
Another HUGE shout out to MegaTJP for that Detonation Kick. I hope I did you proud,T.
TJ Perkins : MegaTJP
AM_WWE I couldn't have done it better myself. Congrats on an amazing match,Ally. #Smackdown #BeckyvsAlex
Becky Lynch : BeckyLynchWWE
AM_WWE MegaTJP I know you're in different places but please get together already,I'm begging you.
Sasha Banks : SashaBanksWWE
I couldn't agree more BeckyLynchWWE MegaTJP AM_WWE
Charlotte Flair : MsCharlotteWWE
SashaBanksWWE BeckyLynchWWE Is this the TJ that Alex keeps gushing about?
TJ Perkins : MegaTJP
AM_WWE You gush about me?Well,I gush about you too
Alex Morgan : AM_WWE
MegaTJP Dé Ja Vu much?