Chapter 2

I was splayed out on the floor in a full splits, AJ was timing me. I was stretching as I had another match. I was dressed in a red and black version of my outfit from before. This time my hair was in a bun.

"Nice set, Ali!" AJ said, handing me my iPhone 5s.

"Thanks, so give me the run down again." I said, slipping my phone into my bag.

"Okay, so basically, you're up against Aksana, you win the match then I come down, give my promo and ba-bam! We go HAM!" She laughed, I had to laugh too. AJ caught wind of me appearing in Total Divas, she doesn't like it. But then again, can't say no to the bosses, they scare me!

"Great, well no, not great but.. Y'know what I mean!" I exclaimed, she nodded.

"I do, well. Kick some butt!" She said, leaving the locker room. I looked at my phone and saw that my followers on Twitter and Instagram had went up to 260,986, I was excited for more progress, especially after Total Divas. As I was walking out, getting ready, I bumped into a tall figure.

"Oh god, I am SO SORRY!" I said, covering up my face. He chuckled and shrugged.

"No problem, Ali" Randy laughed, I sighed and smiled.

"I am such a klutz." I say, he shrugs and claps his hand over my shoulder lightly.

"Ali, chill, its okay! No harm done." He said before giving me a smile. God, his eyes bro! He sauntered off.

I smiled to myself and got into position. My theme hit and I was greeted by huge screams and shouts. I raced down the ramp, slapping hands then entered the ring. Aksana had a dirty look on her face.

This'll be fun, I thought as the bell rung. We grappled, Aksana managed to get me into a headlock before taking me over.

"Do you give up?" The ref asked, I shook my head no. I rose up and slammed Aksana into a turnbuckle. I landed in some good forearms and a monkey flip. I went in for a pin. 2 count. I whipped Aksana into the ropes and attempted a hip toss when Aksana yanked me back by my hair and put me into a chin lock.

"Do you give up?"

"No"

The crowd clapped as I stood and drove Aksana back into the turnbuckle. I recuperated then impaled Aksana with some kicks before yanking her by her hair out the corner and performing a Full Nelson Bulldog, The Diva Dropper.

"1,2,3!" The crowd cheered as my arm was rose in the air. Just then, AJ's theme hit, and she skipped out and in the ring. Sitting in her "web" of the ring ropes.

"Oh, Ali, you don't know the half of anything! I will still be Diva's champion. You cannot take that away from me!" AJ said, her voice raising.

"I can beat you anytime and anyplace! You're nothing but an interchangeable reality star!" She growled, stepping down from her web of ropes. I launched myself at her, grabbing a good handful of hair, then whipping her across the ring. As she ran at me, I landed a spinebuster.

I grabbed the mike AJ dropped and leaned down towards her.

"AJ, believe when I say it. You're not gonna be champion much longer. " Then I was grabbed from behind and thrown to the ground.

Tamina just attacked me from behind, she then scoop slammed me. Then AJ came too and joined the abuse.

. . .SHIELD

The Shield? The heck are they doing here? The men jumped over the barricades and slipped into the ring causing AJ and Tamina to flee.

I was picked up and helped out the ring. The 2 large hands left my back and- I'm guessing- refs and meds walked up.

I blanked out for quite some time, my head was throbbing. I was sitting in the trainer's room. I kept hearing it in my head.

. . .SHIELD

. . .SHIELD

. . .SHIELD

But why? Why did they come and "save me"? Who said I needed saving?

The doc came in, a conflicted look on his face.

"So, there appears to be nothing wrong, just try and take it easy for now." He said, I nodded, feeling the grog set in. I limped off the table. Since when was I supposed to be attacked by from behind by Tamina? Like did AJ even bring that up? And The Shield, why them? What was going on?

I limped to Stephanie's office and knocked on the door, she opened the door and gave a slight smile.

"We can uh… explain." She said, ushering me inside. I was beyond upset and confused but the grogginess couldn't stay calm. I was hurting.

"We thought putting you in with The Shield would boost your character, so we had the first "attempt" tonight." She said, as if it was that easy. Like I wasn't attacked..

"But, Tamina.." I said, resting a hand over my face. God, I was sore.

"That was apart of it. I am so sorry, I should've told you but, the better you sell it, the better it is for business." She said simply before leaving her office.

I was stunned at how blatant she was. Did she legit care or what..? I dunno, I left the room and headed back into the locker room, but of course I was in so much pain, I had no idea where I was going.

I bumped into someone and landed sharply on my butt.

"Ow.." I said, rubbing my head, for some reason it hurt more than my butt.

"Whoa, Ali!" A large hand reached out for me to take. I looked up and met the eyes with a long haired, tribal-sleeved man.

Roman Reigns or Joe Anoa'i to others.

I took his hand, cautiously rising to my feet. He smiled but I didn't return it.

"Did you hear about.." I started, Roman nodded as Dean and Seth swam into view.

"Yeah, she and big boss man think that if you "joined" The Shield it could help all of us." Dean said, hoisting his title over his shoulder.

"We don't know how but.. If it isn't going to damage our image or yours," Seth shrugged, smiling a little.

"Besides, we like you, and your skills. You're impressive in the ring, Y'know." Roman said.

"Thanks, you guys are good, too." I said, trying to regain my balance.

"Well, after our match, we're all due back in Stephanie's office to figure out our next moves." Dean said, simply, I nodded and watched as they trotted off. I limped into the locker room and changed into a crop top, shorts, knee high socks and converse. I looked in the mirror, My face was flushed red.

"Alison?" I turned to the voice and saw AJ walk in, her eyes sullen. I gritted my teeth, and turned towards her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I said, the calm in my voice startling me.

"Y'know what Stephanie said. The better you sell it.." She groaned, placing her title on the bench near her.

"But.. why did you join her, AJ!?" I groaned, trudging to my bag, grapping Aspirin.

"Stephanie wanted me to, I'm telling you. We had to sell it.." She said, smoothing her hair back.

"Whatever.." I muttered under my breath, swallowing down the pills.

AJ nodded, not knowing what to do with herself. She stashed her title in her bag and left the room, sniffles following close behind. I knew she'd cry, she is the closest friend I have here. Maybe we need to chill out from eachother. I dunno.

I tied my hair back and drew out breath. I was supposed to ride back to the Monitor Hotel with AJ and I made this huge crater-full of awkwardness and tension between us. I grabbed my ring gear and stuffed it in the bag, wiping my eyes. I set out to find AJ, our rental car keys in hand.

"Hey, Phil.." I said, hugging Phil, CM Punk to fans, who also doubled as AJ's boyfriend.

"Hey, Alison.." He said, shifting uncomfortably. Great, he's seen her. My face dropped and I got serious.

"Where'd she go?" I said, emotionless. He awkwardly scratches the back of his head.

"Back there.." He said, pointing to the women's restroom. I nodded and walked in.

"April?" I said, tentatively pushing open the stalls. I opened one to find April shriveled up, wiping her eyes.

"God, I am so, so sorry!" I mumbled, pulling her from the stall and into my arms as she cried the last of her tears.

"No, I should.. I should have told you, Alison." She murmured, I wet a paper towel and handed it to her. She wiped her eyes and cheeks. Her face returning to its tan like shade.

"I honestly don't even know. If Stephanie told you and you didn't want to disappoint her then I understand." I said, rubbing her back. She nodded limply before hugging me. I returned the hug, we headed back into our locker room and got our stuff together.

"Hey April, I have to meet with Stephanie and The Shield, you mind hanging back some time?" I asked, she nodded.

I gave her one more hug and headed off, feeling the ache and pain in me leave. I turned corner after corner, following stagehand's instructions. Soon, I reached Stephanie's office the same time as the boys: Roman/Joe, Dean/Jonathon and Seth/Colby.

"Hey guys." I said, slight chirpiness hinted in my voice. The boys smiled in return as Stephanie opened the door.

"Hello everyone, come on in." She said ushering us in. I sat in the middle chair with Roman and Jonathon at my sides.

"So, the next moves, huh?" Jonathan stated, ruffling his drying-wet hair.

"Yes, we are gonna plan out what's happening in the next few weeks." Stephanie said, her hands clasped like a student in class. I drew out a creaky breath and gasped for another one. She smiled brightly.

"Okay, Ali. In the pursuit of the Divas Championship, I need you to become a bit more hellacious. We'll still have you be face but after winning the Divas Championship, you'll be a heel. Attacking AJ even after AJ." She said, pointedly at me.

"What about us? How doe we fit with her?" I heard Seth say, smoothing back his wet hair. I flickered from him to Stephanie.

"Okay. So, you guys are supposed to take a liking towards Ali. You offer to be her "mentors" and one falls for her." After Stephanie said this, she dropped her stare at Roman, then rose a perfectly arched brow. "You.." She said. Roman made an "impressed" face before he raised his own brow at me.

"O-Okay.." I said, wringing my wrists. So me and Roman-Joe-were supposed to be "into" eachother.. What even?

Stephanie dismissed us, we filed out the room in utter silence. Joe looked at me before heading off with Colby and Jonathan. I headed to the front where AJ was waiting, with our bags and keys. I grabbed my bags and the keys as we headed out the door.

After we made it to Monitor, AJ and I went to the desk and checked in. A weather down old lady with gingery hair named, Becky, handed us the room key. We slipped into the elevator and went up to the 5th floor. We went into room 195. We got settled and showered changing into our pajamas.

"So, Real World is on. You wanna-" AJ is cut off by a knock on the door. I walk over and pull it open to be greeted by 3 faces.

"Ah, boys.." I said, looking back to April who was concentrated on flipping the channels on the fuzzy TV. I turned back to them feeling awkward in my shorts and "Live It Up" black tank.

"Hey, Alison!" Colby said, they all wore gym shorts and their own tops. Joe and Colby's hair was pulled away from their faces. I nodded awkwardly, watching as Jonathan bit his nails.

"Where did you guys just come from?" I asked, they smiled.

"The gym, where else?" Joe joked, I eyed my Michael Kors watch, it was 11:30. I looked at the guys and shrugged.

"Okay, so uh.. Can we come in?" Joe asked, I looked at AJ, she shrugged and went to the back.

"Yeah, sure." I said, moving back so they could come in. I closed the door after Colby came in. All the boys were a towering 6 foot something compared to my 5"7 height.

"Now, I think we should talk about Monday.." I began, I had no idea what we we're supposed to do, sitting on a bed, across from the guys.

"Well, after you left, Stephanie called us back into her office. She wants us to come and watch your match, that you have to win. Basically, we're taking baby steps." Joe said, sprucing up his ponytail. I nodded along with the rest of the guys.

AJ walked out her hair in a bun on her hand, she hugged the guys. I'm guessing they're pretty close too. AJ was dressed in sweats and a muscle tank.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" She asked, the boys all looked at me and I sighed, turning towards the small girl.

"We're in a storyline." I said, motioning to the guys and myself.

"Oh, well. That is real interesting." She replied, plopping down next to me, resting her head on my lap.

I looked at the guys, the looked around and stood.

"Well, we'll see you Monday." They said, slipping out the room. AJ stood and climbed into her bed. I followed suit.

Thanks for reading this chapter and for the follows. I appreciate it tons!