Chapter 9- So What?!

I had spent the entire day so far lying on the couch in the locker room that I shared with Amy and Trish. I couldn't bring myself to do much of anything today except workout and perform. Being away from Brian on his birthday was killing me, and as much as I had been coping while I was back, I subconsciously knew that today would put me through the wringer, and take me to hell and back before I was able to wake up tomorrow morning in one piece again.

"Gina, are you ok sweetie?"

"Hmm." Was the only reply I could muster as I looked up and saw Trish walk farther into the room followed by Chris and Matt.

"Hey, Gina what's wrong with you today?" Matt asked.

I didn't answer, only ran my hands through my hair and down my face before letting out an exasperated sigh. When I looked up Amy and Trish were hovering over me and the boys were sitting on the floor leaning up against the lockers.

"Sweetie, you got to tell us what's wrong." Amy coaxed.

"I'm here, that's what's wrong," I sighed. "I'm here and not with Brian on his birthday!"

"Today's his birthday?" Amy asked, looking at me with sad eyes and placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Yea, he's 26 today and instead of being home and doing something special like making him a cake I know he won't eat, or going out to the beach with everyone for a bon fire, or taking that cake and having a food fight, or," I paused for a second to look at the girls before continuing my speech; taking a deep breath and finishing. "Or even having sex, sex that I know would be so mind blowing because it's his birthday!" I laughed, saying the last part.

"You would!" Chris yelled from the floor.

"Alright that's enough of that," Trish laughed. "Girlie I know you wanna be with Brian, believe me I understand, but we all have a job to do and we all want to be home with our families at the same time."

"I know, and I love my job, more than I could ever imagine, but I love him too!"

"I know sweetie," Amy said, sitting down next to me. "I know how it feels to be in love, I mean I love Matt and that takes a whole lot of love."

I chuckled at that and looked over to Matt, whose head had suddenly snapped up from the game he was playing on his phone.

"I resent that!" He pouted.

"She's making a statement you ass," Chris groaned. "Just go with it."

"I know what you guys mean, and I appreciate it a lot." I smiled.

"Anytime sweets, anytime." Trish smiled, leaning over to give me a hug.

"Alrighty boys, time to scoot," Amy said while pushing them out the door. "We all have to get ready for our match."

They left with groans of protest, and made their way to their own locker room to prepare for their own matches.

I knew what the girls were telling me was right but in my heart of hearts I knew I was in the wrong place. I couldn't necessarily leave right this moment, but I did know that I could catch a late flight out of Florida after my match and see Brian for the last few hours of his birthday. I knew he and everyone else would be watching my tag match with Amy against Trish and Candace, and I wanted to do something special for him before I got into the ring.

"Hey I'm gonna call Brian real quick before the match, you guys wanna say happy birthday?" I yelled into the bathroom area.

"Yea, sure!" Amy yelled back.

I quickly dialed his number and put it on speaker phone, waiting for him to answer.

i"Hello?" He answered.

"Hey birthday boy!" I answered, a smile forming on my lips.

"Hey baby! Aren't you supposed to have a match soon?"

"Yea, in about fifteen minutes, the girls are just finishing up and I wanted to give you a call before Trish kicked my ass."

"Well I love your ass so I hope she doesn't kick it too hard." He laughed.

"Don't worry Brian I wont!" Trish yelled into the phone.

"Hi Trish!" He laughed.

"Hello there Brian!" She shouted back

"Right." I laughed. "Well Trish and Amy wanted talk to you for a second."

"Alright, let's hear it girls." He chuckled.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN!" They both shouted at the same time.

"Now that I'm deaf, thanks girls." He chuckled.

"Ok sweetie, we're gonna head towards the ring, you better be watching."

"We are, don't worry."

"Great!" I smiled. "I'm going to finish up here so I'll call you later."

"I love you Gina."

"I love you too Bri." /i

I hung up and put my phone back in my duffle bag before doing a double check on my ring gear and makeup. When I was sure I was ready I met Amy and Trish at the door and we made our way to the curtain for our match.

"You girls ready?" Trish asked.

"Always." I answered.

"Of course." Amy replied.

"Alright, let's do this," Trish smiled. "See you out there!"

She gave us one last smile and disappeared through the curtains as soon as her music began booming through out the arena. From the small monitor in the backstage area I could see her warming the crowd up and doing her usual pre match warm-up, helping Candace out in her lack of ring presence since she was fairly new. She was bouncing from every rope and pointing out into the crowd, giving them something to cheer about.

"You ladies ready?" One of the stagehands asked us?

We both nodded and proceeded to make our way to the edge of the curtain. My music boomed out of the speakers and I heard the crowd go wild. I made my way down to the ring making sure to point to people and run along the floor seats, slightly catching Amy out of the corner of my eye doing the same. I climbed into the ring and jumped up onto the top rope, throwing my arms up into the rock on sign, and giving the cameras a clear view of my new deathbat tattoo under my right arm. I knew everyone at home would see it too.

I quickly jumped down and settled into mine and Amy's corner of the ring. The bell rang and Amy ran out to meet Candace in the middle of the ring. She made quick work of the new comer and tagged me into the match to take Trish out. She gave me a subtle grin and began beating up on me. She continued throwing me down and kicking me before I got the chance to get up. When I finally did get up I quickly threw her into the opposite corner of the ring and then threw my body into hers, giving the illusion that I took all the air out of her. She quickly got back up and made a clear kick at my jaw, and instead of hitting my shoulder like she was supposed to, she lost her footing and kicked me square in the jaw. I stumbled back a few steps before landing on my ass, and making a tag to Amy who was leaning over the rope for me. The ref didn't see the tag and kept trying to get Amy out of the ring but instead she gave Trish one hell of a ddt, causing her fall into the center of the ring; and before I knew what I was doing I began going through the motions to end the match. Amy quickly pulled herself out of the ring and I set myself up for a high flying maneuver and landed right on top of Trish's shoulders, who was just standing up. She fell and I made a quick cover; ending the match and declaring me and Amy the winners.

I didn't stick around long in the ring, but made a fast dash to my locker room to change and get my bags together. Amy and Trish bolted into the room after me and saw me changing into jeans and one of Brian's hoodies, while I stuffed my ring gear into my duffle bag and threw the bag over my shoulder.

"Where are you going? What happened out there!" Trish asked.

"I don't know, it was like I wasn't really there." I answered, rummaging through my purse for my wallet and keys.

"So where are you going? We have a plane to catch in the morning to New Orleans!" Amy protested.

"I'm going home," I stated simply, looking between the two of them. "I need to go home."

"I don't see anything good coming from this."

"I don't care," I said looking at her seriously. "I have love waiting for me on the other side of the country and I need to be there, I'll sort things out with work when I decide to come back."

"I hope you know what you're doing." Trish sighed.

"I promise, I'll figure everything out." I smiled, giving them each a hug before walking out of the locker room.

I quickly made my way out of the arena to avoid being stopped by anyone else, and quickly threw my bags into the trunk of my rental car. I started it up and heard the engine purr to life, before stepping on the gas and driving off towards the airport.

Once I was there I bought a ticket for back home and sat to wait, which leaves me where I am now. Sitting in that stiff orange chair sipping on the last little bits of my coffee, waiting for my plane to be called. After a few minutes of waiting and observing the people around me I heard them call my flight. Flight 732 to Orange County, California is now boarding. I threw out the rest of my coffee and proceeded to make my way to the gate, and after handing the giddy stewardess my ticket, I found my seat and slumped down in it. In the middle of trying to get comfortable I felt my phone vibrate. I opened it to see a text message from my brother: be strong =] Johnny. I smiled and flipped the phone shut, knowing that Amy and Trish had probably called him. I finally relaxed in the seat and put my i-pod on, listening to the soothing sounds of Brian's guitar over Matt's nasally voice. I giggled slightly before drifting off to sleep, remembering exactly why I was leaving one dream and going to get my other.