The Great Escape
AN: Thank you to xHalosandwings, HappySmiler, xTwistedxImperfectionx, RKO.I.F, Chain Gang Princess, justbornawsome, Cena-Wilson-Crazy, Katie2007, xSomeKindaRush, Boo, TJ Sparkles & Ashleymassarophan1 for reviewing the last chapter.
Thanks very muchly :)
Chapter Twenty – Playing Dirty
THE GIRLS
Eve knew it must have seemed odd for her friends to find her willingly spending time with Ashley when in all actuality they were polar opposites and couldn't stand to be around each other, even on the best of the days. It had been just yesterday, in fact, that she'd made a complaint to Maria and trashed the girl's depressing selection of music, claiming that she would leave the room if she ever heard it again.
Yet here she was, sitting comfortably on a huge sweep of grass that covered the college grounds and indulging herself in the weepy sound of Radiohead, which was proudly playing from the laptop beside her.
"They're so...deep. Like, their lyrics are...wow."
The blonde raised an eyebrow at the girl, turning away from iTunes long enough to give her full attention. "Are you stoned?"
"What? No!" Indignant in her response, she sat a little more upright and straightened out her clothes, as if trying to prove that she wasn't under the influence in the slightest. "I've just never taken the time to listen to lyrics properly. They can be very clever."
"Any written words would seem clever to you after dumbing yourself down with the likes of Lady GaGa and Britney Spears."
"You know, just because someone likes a different genre of music to you it doesn't mean their taste is bad."
"...I wanna take a ride on your disco stick. Mhm, okay then." The elder of the two gave a sarcastic snort and turned back to the screen, turning down the volume a little as she began the search for her headphones. "The difference between me and you, Eve, is that I know good music."
"Ugh, whatever. You're so stubborn, you know that?"
"Did you ever think that you're just more of a pushover than you thought when it comes to having opinions?"
"Definitely not."
A comfortable silence settled between the girls a moment later and both went back to doing their own thing. For Ashley this meant finding her headphones so she could continue working on her coursework—and for her, it meant staring back out at the view and enjoying the sight of scattered students walking around her.
It was nice for once not to be questioned or asked how she was feeling every so often, and she savoured the moment. Maria and Mickie had been worried about her mood recently but at least with the blonde she knew one solid thing: Ashley didn't care about her troubles at all.
And right now that was all she needed.
And so what if she'd been acting a little bitchy this week, her mind silently protested against the other two and their probing questions. She was perfectly entitled to behave this way considering the situation. The situation being, having failed to tell anyone else about it, between herself and the ever-ubiquitous Mike Mizanin.
At yet another thought of him the girl grimaced, pulling her knees up to her chest and tucking her arms around them tightly. She rested her head and was grateful to feel a little content as she glanced over at Ashley again. Would it be such a hassle to confide in her about her problems?
Having previously thought to keep her mouth shut on the matter, she was definitely re-thinking her strategy now.
"Hey," said the brunette suddenly, just as she was about to put her ear buds in and ignore the world completely. "If you don't mind...Can I talk to you about something?"
"I suppose so."
Though there was no enthusiasm in her tone, she settled for the answer given and breathed in deeply. She was about to confide in the one person she'd never have dared to before, after all. "So basically—"
It was simply unfortunate that she was to be interrupted, as Adam Copeland made his grand appearance, and her nerve did the exact opposite. Both glanced up at the guy—one with more than a glare than the other—and waited for him to say whatever he felt he had to.
"Ladies," he greeted, though he was only looking at Eve when he spoke. His familiar smirk wasn't there as he continued, "I just saw Mickie—she said she was going for a walk or something. She looked upset."
"Yeah." She sat a little more upright and smiled sadly. "You know about her and Phil, right? Well he basically told her to make up her mind about him and decide whether they were going to be a couple or not. Said he wasn't going to wait around for her."
"He's obviously a smart guy."
Though Eve shook her head in protest, the girl beside her, who was unable to hold the pretence that she was focusing on her laptop rather than the conversation for any longer, retaliated with a much stronger reaction. "God, you're such a jerk! My best friend is in bits because of him and you're basically patting him on the back? That's so wrong."
He turned to her, a look of mild amusement on his features and a smile threatening to curve his lips and ruin her day. "What's this? Ashley, I didn't know you actually cared about other people."
She fixed him with the special look she liked to reserve just for him. "There's an awful lot you don't know about me. In fact, you don't know me at all."
"You keep telling yourself that." The Canadian chuckled and carried on talking before she could get a word in edgeways. "All I'm saying," he turned back to Eve and shrugged his shoulders. "Is that he's smart in the sense that he knows not to be taken for a ride. There's only so long a guy can wait before he gives up, knowing he'll never get what he truly wants."
The blonde stared at him, trying to decipher what her argument would be against this, and then realized she didn't have one. Unfortunately, there was truth in his opinion that she simply couldn't argue with.
Eve waved him off a minute later when he claimed to have to be somewhere else. "Poor Mickie...but he is right."
Ashley, feeling sulky for no reason, stuffed her headphones into her ears and muttered under her breath, "Jerk."
Mickie knew her mood was giving her away to Maria; it was seen every time she attempted to smile in response or give an enthusiastic remark to the conversation they were idly having. Her interest just wasn't there and it showed severely.
With a sad smile, the redhead stopped talking about her fashion plans and wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders, hoping that the support would be enough to get her to open up. "Micks, I don't like to see you this way."
"Well believe me," started the student, somewhat surprised that the topic had been dropped so suddenly. "I don't like to feel this way. How can guys be so demanding? If they're not complicating your lives, you're the one thinking about them until you're sure it's not healthy anymore."
"Welcome to the world of relationships." Another smile was offered, but it wavered a little upon speaking again. "Sometimes feelings are unwanted but there's little you can do about them. They're there whether you like it or not."
The event of the Halloween party had finally been told to the girls, and Mickie stared at her thoughtfully as she familiarized herself with the details again. She and Maria weren't so different when it came to members of the opposite sex—while her bubbly counterpart had no problem being friendly with them, she wasn't bothered about interaction. The catch was that both weren't aware of how to deal with relationship problems when faced with them unexpectedly.
"So..." She started again, determined to get the thought of Phil out of her head. "What are you going to do about Randy? One of us has got to know what we're doing."
"What can I do? I mean, really, he's with Michelle and they're so perfect together. Don't you think so? I'm not selfish enough to make him look at me and reconsider how he feels about her." A soft smile curved her lips a beat later. "Besides, I think he only sees me as a friend. I've accepted that."
"But what if he doesn't?"
"Sorry?"
"You know...what if he doesn't just see you as a friend?" The brunette prompted. At the romantic scene forming in her mind, she allowed a smile for the first time that morning. "What if Randy does like you but is stuck in his relationship with Michelle? I've seen you two together—it's like you're made for each other."
"I'd love to agree but I can't. It's upsetting when feelings are unrequited but he's happy with her, and I'm happy for both of them. I'd hate to come in-between such a lovely bond between two people, you know? It's not my place to."
"Sweet ol' Maria, always thinking of others before yourself. It's admirable really."
The girl held her smile in place as they glanced around and took in their surroundings. Maria, attempting to distract herself with the sight, simply couldn't release the pang of loneliness she felt in her chest as she thought of Randy. For the first time in her life, she actually felt depressed about telling herself to let him go and move on with her feelings. The sense was so strong it confused her; what was she supposed to do with herself now?
"Oh, it's him." The mumble that slipped through her friend's lips led her back into the real world and she stared down at her, her eyebrows furrowing together at the sight she was presented with. There was now a gentler smile on Mickie's face as she returned the eye contact. "Would you mind if I caught up with you later?"
"No, of course not. I said I'd go and see Jeff and Candice anyway. I'll speak to you later."
"Yep," muttered the brunette, but she'd already started on her way over to the person she had spotted a moment before.
Ted DiBiase looked, if she were to admit it to herself, rather hot as he slipped out of the gym doors, glugging greedily from his water bottle and wiping his free hand on his sweaty chest. He'd clearly just been through a demanding workout and was only now freeing himself of the torture; Mickie approved before her mind could tell her off for doing so.
"Hi!" She greeted him a little too enthusiastically and had to hide her smile when he jumped, a flash of fear shooting across his features as he turned to her. "Erm, sorry."
Her sheepish apology had him smiling and he nodded, greeting her in return. "It's alright. I don't know how much more my heart can take though—I thought for sure an attack was on its way."
"Bulking up?" She questioned as she briefly nodded towards the gym they were now walking away from.
He grinned. "What can I say? I like to look after my body."
"Well you're doing a great job of it."
It was just a few seconds later that Mickie groaned, scrunching her eyes shut for a moment. Was that really the best remark she could come up with? With an awkward smile, she looked back over to the guy, only to find him with a smirk on his face. "What?" She relaxed, giggling slightly, and hit him on the arm.
"I don't know. You're cute, I guess."
Don't blush. Don't blush. Don't blush.
Fortunately, she was distracted before her cheeks could even think about becoming heated with pink, and her focus rested on his chest instead. "Gosh, aren't you cold?" She asked. "It's not the warmest of days." As if to further her point, she rubbed her gloved hands together.
"I'll be fine." He shrugged nonchalantly. "What about you? I don't think you're in the position to complain when you're dressed like that. You don't even have a jacket on."
Mickie was aware that she looked ridiculous as she glanced down to her attire. With a purple tank top, jeans and winter boots on, she did look like she was hoping to brave the cold—a scarf, gloves and woolly hat helped her case too, but there was one essential clothing item missing.
"Blame Ash, my roommate. She went to wash a whole load of our stuff and ignored me when I said I didn't want my coat to be washed. It was my favourite as well."
"This Ash seems to be a pain."
"No, she's my best friend...which actually doesn't exclude the fact she is, but still." She laughed softly as his smirk widened. "I don't know what it is with her. She's so stubborn in the sense she doesn't want anyone's help but I know she needs it. And I can't help but to worry about her."
A brief silence hovered over the pair as they walked on, seemingly in the direction of one of the guys' dorms on campus. Having never headed this way before, she was somewhat intrigued by what the journey would bring her.
"I'm sorry," she apologized not a moment too soon. "I shouldn't have put this all on you. I mean, we hardly know each other and—"
"Actually," he interrupted as he revealed a black rucksack from his back and looked for something in it, "It's nice to know that you can confide in me about personal things like that. I'm not really the go-to guy with my friends." A beat later, he looked back up, flashing a grin in her direction. "And here, you can borrow this if you like."
Mickie's eyes flickered to what he was holding out in front of her, and she smiled as she looked back to his stare. "It's okay, really..."
"Come on, you look like you're cold. It's only a jacket." He waved it about. "What harm can it do?"
"Well...okay." She rolled her eyes playfully and went to take the black and blue striped piece from him.
But behaving like the perfect gentleman, Ted stopped walking to stand behind her and helped her arms through the sleeves of it. The clothing was baggy on her due to their obvious difference and apparently she was hilarious with the look, as he chuckled lightly.
"What now?" Her smile still hadn't faded.
"Nothing." He shook his head and started walking again. "Like I said, you're cute."
She stayed rooted to the spot for a few seconds, trying to process the compliments she kept receiving, and then decided she couldn't. What had she done to deserve such flattery? With her smile growing wider, Mickie caught up with him, walking just that little bit closer to him as they went on to discuss other matters.
In the background, Phil held back a glare as he watched them for a moment longer. Then, backing away slowly, he shook his head in disbelief. "I guess she's already made up her mind."
"We need to talk."
Eve, who had been peacefully enjoying a rest against the tree behind her, froze with shock when the familiar voice addressed her. All the warmth and comfort in her body left her as her eyelids snapped open, confirming her worst nightmare.
Anxiously, she turned to Ashley, hopeful for a rescue from the girl. By now, however, she was so immersed in listening to her music—this heard by the blast of rock coming through her headphones—she didn't have the slightest clue as to what was going on around her.
A sigh escaped through her lips as she realized she had no escape from Mike's stare. There was a slight glare in her eyes as she lifted herself to her feet, and then took her sweet time to dust the leaves and dirt off of her clothes.
The Miz, in no mood to deal with her petulant mood, took her arm and harshly dragged her away from her friend's presence until they were only in each other's company, away from the crowd. "You've been ignoring me."
"What the hell do you think you're doing manhandling me like that?" scoffed the brunette, her oh-so-familiar glare returning to her features. "You could have hurt me."
"I'm done with this shit." He ignored her, shaking his head. "Eve, I can't be your toy anymore. I'm a nice guy but when things like this happen...I can't bring myself to pretend to be okay."
She swallowed lightly as she took in his expression of anger. He was clearly pissed off and, she hated to admit, for good reason. Still, she wasn't about to back down from her hidden bitchy attitude. "You were never my toy, Mike. You don't even know what you're talking about."
"Oh really?" He raised an eyebrow. A bitter chuckle passed through his lips. "I asked you about Matt and you ignored me...acted like I hadn't even said his name. But now I need to know something."
At the mention of Matt's name, she recoiled, and looked away guiltily. Not even the sight of Ted and Mickie a short distance away could bring her attention away from the guy in front of her.
"And now you're doing it again." His fingers curled around her elbow again. "Look at me," he spoke firmly. Unfortunately, he didn't feel settled when she eventually conceded to his wish. "I know you have feelings for me."
"You don't know—"
"Yes, I do know what I'm talking about. And I've heard the excuses before." He told her. "But I know you have feelings for me, regardless of who you're in a relationship with. If you didn't we wouldn't have had sex—"
"Shhh!"
"Or," If anything he spoke louder, "You wouldn't have kissed me at the Halloween party."
"Hey, you said we would never speak of that night again."
"Well I can't stop thinking about it so I'm afraid I can't do that." He let go of her and ran a hand through his spiky blonde hair. "There's something going on between us, Eve, and I want to know what that is. I won't be kept away like your dirty little secret."
"Oh really?" She scoffed sarcastically. "So what do you suggest?"
"You either break up with Matt for me or we cut all ties and I'll move on. How does that sound?"
Her eyes narrowed in slight anger. "Are you...are you giving me an ultimatum?"
"It looks that way. Let me know before the end of the week, would you?"
And seemingly, with nothing more to say, Mike walked away, leaving Eve to stare after him in disbelief and wonder what the hell she was supposed to do now.
Well would ya look at that, another cliff-hanger. Bummer. Anywho, please review =)
Up next is Ashley's chapter.