Trading Heartbeats

Chapter 5 - Hello, Georgia

"Fate," Amelia repeated just as hushed as he'd said it. Cody leaned back in his seat and nodded once with a slight smirk. "Such as," she began questioning Cody's answer once more.

"Love," he said once more.

"You mean, when a woman finds a man that she so happens to fall in love with and they call it fate," she asked as she raised one brow. Cody chuckled and leaned forward once more.

"I mean destiny, when two people are destined to be together," he said taking her hands in his once more and rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. Amelia blushed softly as the touch of his hand sent an electric chill down her spine. She looked down at their intertwined hands before continuing the conversation.

"Like Romeo and Juliet," she stated.

"No," he whispered separating one of their intertwined hands and using his index finger to lift her chin up so that she now looked into his handsome blue/green eyes. "Like you and me," he finished. As he'd said this, a warmness seemed to emanate from within her. Her cheeks flushed another colour of pink as she looked away from his gaze and stared down at the booth. Although, Amelia had been entirely tickled-pink about what he'd said about fate and the example he gave, something inside her panicked.

1:30 pm was what it read on her laptop as Khaila quickly scrolled down the dashboard of her blog looking up every now and then at her T.V. which displayed her favourite show - 'Dragonball Z.' As she sat there cross-legged on her bed, wearing nothing but shorts and a tank top, she distinctly heard a knock, whether it had been on the door or something had merely fallen off a table - a bit of fear came over her. Rising hesitantly from her place on the bed, she checked around the room briefly. Nothing seemed to have fallen off the bed or table or wardrobe.

Suddenly, the knock came once again - this time followed by a shout. Khaila listened intently and turned toward the window. Getting back onto her bed once more, she pushed aside the deep purple drapes and looked down. There, outside the apartment, right below her window was a man who had picked up another pebble in an attempt to bounce it off her window. Finally seeing that Khaila had shown herself, the man smiled. His lip ring following the curve of this gesture.

Up from above, Khaila giggled to herself and pushed up the window, leaning against the windowsill. "Hey," he called loudly with a friendly wave - his sleeve-tattoos half-hidden by his short sleeved shirt. Khaila smiled and waved back at this pierced and tattooed being - CM Punk. "Can I come up," he spoke once more. "I've got food," he said referencing the bag he'd seemed to be carrying in his other hand.

"Sure," Khaila called back. In an instant, Punk smiled and raced inside the apartment. Khaila smiled and quickly shut her window pulling the drapes back over it. Closing her laptop and racing into the bathroom, she quickly combed her hair. Just then, a knock resounded through the apartment building. Khaila bit on her lip and set her comb down anxious about this surprise visit. Skipping toward the door, she finally pulled it open only to find a very handsome-looking CM Punk stand there with a half-smirk on his face. Khaila blushed as he embraced her immediately. She hugged back and they pulled away.

"I brought food," Punk said with a smile. Khaila laughed and took the bag from his hand. Bringing it to her face, she sniffed its contents. All she could smell was noodles and rice. Lowering the bag once more, she looked at Punk who seemed to be quite fascinated with looking around the apartment. "Am I allowed to go into your room," Punk asked as he picked up a figurine set on the shelf above the T.V. Khaila blushed and chuckled a bit.

"I guess," she said hesitantly. Punk smiled and placed the figurine back into its place and placed his arm around her waist. Khaila led him into the bedroom she'd shared with Amelia. "Excuse the mess," she apologized glancing over at the over-turned comforter on her bed. Punk shook his head and shrugged it off sitting himself on the end of Khaila's bed watching her as she climbed onto the same bed and sat cross-legged. Khaila tried desperately to loose the knot on top of the bag to no avail.

Punk smirked and ripped a hole through the plastic bag in one swift movement. Taking out a Chinese takeout box and chopsticks, he handed it to Khaila. Khaila smiled and thanked him opening it with ease and immediately using her chopsticks. Punk followed this action and they both divulged themselves in Chinese takeout. As the meal progressed, Khaila had found herself closer to Punk both emotionally and physically. As they dropped both their empty takeout containers on the floor along with their chopsticks, Khaila found herself with her head on Punk's chest as they'd both leaned themselves against the headboard of her bed watching cartoons.

With Punk's arm around her, Khaila couldn't help but have a permanent smile on her face and an infinite amount of chills that flowed all through her body. "Hey," Punk finally spoke, this time in a whisper. Khaila looked up at him curiously - still, the smile remained. Punk smiled back down at her and leaned in closer. His eyes shifted from her eyes to her lips then finally refocusing on her eyes once more, biting his lip letting it slip slowly from the clutches of his teeth.

Khaila found her eyes mimicking Punk's, but instead of stopping at his eyes … they stopped at his lips. She could see Punk's lips draw closer to hers, and for a moment she felt as if she were paralyzed from the face down (not that it bothered her). His lips were now a sole inch away from hers. She could feel his breath warmly blanket her lips. Her hand slid its way slowly up his chest and onto her shoulder as his relocated itself onto her face.

Their lips gently brushed one another's before … there'd been a loud jangle of keys and talking. Khaila jumped back at the sudden disturbance of the peace. Looking back at Punk and giving him an apologetic smile, she rose up off the bed and glanced down the hall. All she'd seen was the door open. "H-Hello," Khaila called suspiciously and a bit fearful. She crept slowly down the hall before a familiar face had shown itself. Her long, flowing, deep red hair had been out of her high ponytail, and both Cody and her had been moving about the kitchen.

"Hi," Amelia greeted Khaila as Cody waved. Khaila politely waved at Cody and glared at Amelia. Really, she thought to herself, you really had to show up now? Amelia, however, failed to notice this. Just then, another body had emerged out of the hallway. Punk placed his arm around Khaila's waist and jumped back a bit looking at Cody and Amelia.

"You're here again," he asked Cody. Cody half-smiled.

"I was invited," Cody clarified before turning to Amelia who'd been silently giggling.

"As was I," Punk spoke up as he held Khaila closer to him.

"Right, well, Punk, this is Amelia - my roommate," said Khaila trying somehow to mend the awkwardness and tension between him and Cody.

Amelia looked back at Punk. They'd awkwardly locked eyes giving no other sign of greeting each other before looking away. Khaila looked up at Punk who kept a straight face and kept staring at Cody. "Are you okay," Khaila asked softly taking hold of the hand that had been around her. Punk seemed to snap back into reality. He looked down at Khaila and nodded.

"Oh yes," he smiled, "definitely." Khaila smiled in return once more as she looked at the clock that was hung up in the kitchen. Punk and Cody seemed to follow her gaze; the clock read precisely 4:09pm. Khaila watched as Cody turned to Amelia, whispering something into her ear. Apparently, it was to her displeasure as she had expressed a slight frown. Cody half-smiled hoping that this half-smile alone would repair any damage done. Amelia seemed to half-smile back if only out of courtesy.

In a moment's time, Cody and Amelia had announced their departure and left the building. Khaila looked back at Punk who seemed to be thinking about something rather hard. "You're not okay," Khaila stated as she crossed her arms looking up at him. "What's wrong," she asked sympathetically. Punk chuckled a bit at the sight of Khaila folding her arms at him, and shook his head.

"Nothing, it's nothing," he said while he placed both his hands in his pockets.

"Punk," Khaila said looking him in his eyes, "you can tell me." Finally giving in, Punk sighed a heavy sigh and placed his hands on either of Khaila's shoulders.

"I'm supposed to leave today. I'm supposed to be meeting with some WWE execs in Connecticut," Punk relayed. Immediately there was a change in Khaila's expression. The happiness and smiles that'd seemed to be there had faded into a slight frown. One that Amelia had exemplified. "Exactly," he continued, "and that's why I don't want to leave." Khaila looked down at both their feet, thinking. She'd loved for him to stay as to know Punk a bit more than she already had, but she also wanted to be able to cheer for him whether it be at a live show (if they were lucky) or in the comfort of her apartment.

"But you have to," Khaila finally said as she looked up at Punk. Punk looked at her confusedly.

"And leave you here," he asked rhetorically. "No, I won't."

"I won't be all alone, Punk," Khaila corrected with a slight smile hoping that maybe that'd show him he could leave without her falling into some manic depression. "I'll be able to watch you again if everything runs smoothly with the execs." Punk sighed once more and folded his arms thinking. Would he stay to get to know this girl that he'd grown so fond of, or would he go to pursue what he loved doing - wrestling?

In about half-hour, all four couples had arrived at the airport. With Kofi and Sonelle leading the group, Punk, with a small duffel bag he carried on his shoulder, placed his arm around Khaila once more and followed Kofi and Sonelle up to the gate. The flight that Punk's almost-trashed ticket had been for, was the exact same one of the other three men. The only difference would be that when they'd arrived at Baltimore International Airport, Punk would then take another flight to Connecticut.

Punk and Khaila had seated themselves near the desk where the employees stood chatting about their personal lives … and that of their co-workers'. Kofi and Sonelle had located themselves about three rows back from Punk and Khaila, whereas Justin and Brittany had been surveying the stack of books by a bookstand just across from the gate. Amelia looked around at all her friends thinking of how perfectly they'd seemed to have bonded with the superstars. It was chilling, actually. "Are you cold," Cody asked directing Amelia's thoughts back to him.

Amelia smiled and slid her hand up and down her forearm. "Just a bit," she relayed. Cody stepped closer and extended an arm around her. Amelia looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks," she expressed as they stood in front of the rather large window looking out at the planes taking off and those arriving. Cody seemed to move a bit closer to her. As he did so, he tilted his head towards her. Amelia looked up at him ogling at his lips a bit then looking up into his beautiful green/blue eyes. "Listen," he whispered, "I want you to have this." He reached into his pants pocket and unfolded an envelope. Amelia turned it over and over in her hands trying to find a clue as to what it was; to no avail, she looked at the very blank envelope and then at Cody.

"What is it," she asked with a smile turning the envelope once more in her hands.

"Something that I hope you'll enjoy," Cody answered with a sly smirk. Amelia giggled as she tucked away the envelope inside her pocket.

"All passengers boarding Flight 0657 to Baltimore, Maryland please form a line in front of the passageway," announced the airport employee. At this point, everyone in the gate had stood up. Punk and Khaila had embraced tightly as Punk placed both his hands on her cheeks giving her a peck on the nose before he slid away to the passageway. Kofi and Sonelle had fully lip locked in the most loving way, then pulling apart as Kofi stepped through the passageway. Brittany and Justin hugged tightly as Justin landed a quick kiss on her forehead before he too departed.

Cody and Amelia embraced each other. As they'd pulled away, Cody'd taken one of her hands and looked into her eyes for the last time, as far as they were concerned. He gently placed a kiss on her cheek before whispering in her ear, "Read it." Amelia looked at him and nodded. Cody faced her one last time before giving her a half-smile and heading for the passageway.

"Cody," Amelia's voice called from behind. Cody stopped in his tracks and turned towards her. She took a deep breath inconspicuously. "I'll miss you," she stated. As she did so, tears had begun to form in her eyes. Cody smirked and made his way over to her once more. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek gently once more.

"I'll miss you too," he whispered. Amelia watched him as he stepped through the passageway giving one last wave. The four friends had gathered at the big window that Cody and Amelia had previously stood at. After a few minutes, the plane had taken off. The girls stood there side by side as they watched four men they'd each grown fondly of glide away not knowing when they'd see them again.

Climbing into Sonelle's car, which Brittany and Justin had used to ride in, the four girls travelled back to their apartments. As Amelia began to gaze out the window, however, she reflected on the day that'd passed. Meeting the superstars, they'd just been watching on T.V., having memories with these superstars that they swore they'd never let each other forget - it all had seemed so surreal. Dreamlike.

In about another half-hour, they'd reached their apartments. This time, they'd gathered in Amelia and Khaila's bedroom. After a bit of discussion and teasing, the girls agreed to order a pizza that they'd all indulge their sorrow in. Moving out into the kitchen, Khaila and Amelia sat on the bar stools around the counter while Brittany and Sonelle walked out patiently waiting for the pizza. Suddenly, Amelia had remembered something. The note! She gasped aloud and fled from the kitchen heading straight for the hamper in the bathroom. Searching in her old jeans, she withdrew it and forced open the envelope. Removing one content at a time, she removed a long, white, piece of paper that'd been folded.

As she quickly unfolded it, she read it to herself:

Amelia,

I'm so sorry that our time to get to know each other had to be so short-lived, but this is the meaning of my letter. I want to get to know you. I want you to come with me. Enclosed there in the envelope are 4 tickets, two for each of your friends including yourself. There are two tickets for Smackdown and two tickets for RAW.

I truly hope that we see each other again.

Cody.

Amelia read and re-read the note several times before actually catching the gist of it. She was still in awe of the fact that Cody had written this himself … for her. She'd never had someone do this for her before; then again, Amelia hadn't exactly had a boyfriend - or anything like it. With her cheeks blushing, her heart raced with an intensity like never before. She looked into the envelope and there they were … 4 tickets.

Setting both the envelope and letter under her pillow, she walked back outside with the four tickets behind her back. "Girls," Amelia began. Her friends all looked at her curiously. "How do you feel about a trip," she asked once more standing in front of them rocking back and forth on her heels.

"Where," Khaila asked with a hand over her stomach indicating that she was indeed hungrier than she had been before.

"Hmm… Atlanta, Georgia," she finally stated pulling the four tickets from behind her back. The girls instantly shrieked as each one grabbed their own individual ticket. Not bothering to ask how or why, they merely accepted the tickets and poured tall glasses of soda, those of which they toasted with. All were merely caught up in the moment of realizing they'd be seeing their superstars again.

However, what neither of the girls had known was that it's true what they say about the WWE - it's not a place a for friends.