Yaaay Chapter 18! Hope you enjoy. I've been busy with school because graduation is around the corner so it's hard sitting down to write but don't worry, I've got many ideas for where this story's headed ;) Reviews are greatly appreciated :D
"I wanted to tell, tell you my secrets,
I want you to know, know I believe this
I wanted to tell, tell you everything..."
(Living Proof by The Downtown Fiction)
June 9: Monday Night RAW - Minneapolis, MN: Target Center
(3 hours before show time)
Paige's POV
I find it surprising that I'm able to concentrate on another life other than just wrestling. It's always been about the wrestling. But now, that's being put behind this concept named love.
Woah Saraya, what?
It's insane. I guess it is still technically the same because the guy I'm with is in wrestling. I've never had a person that I can say I'm dating. Well, dating seriously anyway.
Wrapping up another live event, the match I had was almost a blur. Hopefully the fans didn't notice that my mind was somewhere far away. Keeping up this juggling act is not an easy task. On top of it, the Divas locker room is full of talk about Miz and I. The word must've gotten out that Maryse left Miz because her husband fell in love with somebody else. Fell in love with me.
I thought the target on my back for having the Divas Championship was bad, try having the title of "homewrecker" around your neck.
Congrats Paige, you're once again the undisputed champion...
Every time I enter the fray of Divas in the locker room, all eyes point to me. It's eerie. And it's worse when that becomes an automatic shunning as they whisper shit behind my back. It's similar to high school, but less petty and more controversial.
In that group of hyenas called Divas, I have to stand alone. I have to assert my dignity, or whatever's left of it.
The dirt-stained feeling quickly flees when I see Miz, though. It's all okay whenever I'm with him. When we're seen together backstage, opposing opinions get thrown in our direction like darts. He seems to not care because he's never phased by it. It must be those years of experience in the WWE where he was treated like a joke to the top guys yet he still managed to persevere past it, being able to call himself a former WWE Champion. Miz knows what ridicule is, but chooses to put it aside. That's what I have to do now.
"Hey Paige," Speaking of, Miz comes over and kisses the side of my head, "you look like you've been thinking. What's up?"
He's beginning to be more comfortable with our relationship. We're out in the open as the crew is packing up the arena, people rushing back and forth with no breaks.
Miz's hand goes around my waist and rests on the left pocket as he pulls me close. His touch makes my skin surge.
I look up to his face, "Yeah, I've been thinking a lot lately. I can't help it." He smells of a type of watery cologne, it's nice on him.
"Oh, well I'm glad I'm not alone on that. Did you wanna talk about it?" His sincerity is adorable.
"It's nothing, really. It's mostly about the Divas. They're talking shit behind my back and I don't want to say it, but it stings. Just a little."
His grip tightens to where our bodies touch, "The guys are giving me a hard time too, but you don't have to listen to them. Saraya, those girls don't understand, and most importantly, they're not you. Keep it business with them. Have your matches and work hard, that's all you need to do. Don't give them the satisfaction that you're paying attention to their thoughts about us."
Miz knows exactly what to say in whatever circumstance. I know he's right.
"Business with everyone, but you can be personal with me," His nose dips down to my ear and I wince as the sensation tickles my ear. We laugh.
"Okay. That'll work for me. Thank you, I love you."
We do this thing where I puff out my cheeks and pop it on his lips, then he does the same to me. This silly-serious contradiction keeps our conversations casual.
"I love you too." He says, then actually kisses me. This time, it's a lighter touch.
The cute little things we do are fun, but the real thing is even better.
June 9: Monday Night RAW - Minneapolis, MN: Target Center
(1 hour before show time)
Paige's POV
By now, everyone who's a part of the WWE family—crew and talent—know about Maryse and Miz's separation, all thanks to me. No, I'm not proud of it nor do I wave around that flag, but my name is being spewed out of people's mouths and I've become notorious. I'm trying my hardest to ignore the dirty looks and whispers that resonate like screams because I know they're talking about me. This thick skin is coming in like the way skin heals after it's ripped open from a scab. It takes so much for me to not breakdown and cry, pleading my case. Pretending to not care has created this false interpretation that one: I'm proud to have wrecked a marriage and that two: I'm completely apathetic toward emotions. Neither is true and it's killing me at how wrong those people are. I'm just trying to be professional in the workplace. Is that so hard to comprehend? I don't want to end up dumping drama in this business like those Total Divas because cleaning it up doesn't fair a fun idea. I focus on the work in the ring where the fans respect me the most. If this spreads through to them, then I'm going to make sure they don't know how much it's affected me. Hell, I'm still trying to win them over. That's been my main goal since day one.
And that continues tonight where I have a match against Brie Bella.
I'm ready in my wrestling gear and jacket but I left my championship back in the locker room. Had to talk to Creative about the direction of storylines, as they changed a bit for a possible rivalry towards SummerSlam.
I head back to the dressing room where the rest of the Divas are nowhere in sight. Weird.
As I approach my belongings, something's off. When I get closer, I can tell my things have been tampered with. Nothing major, but the subtlety is suspicious enough.
What could they want?
Then, I see it.
My butterfly Divas Championship is displayed over the locker bench, sitting prepped and folded with masking tape over my name. The word 'slut' is written in bold black marker.
I'm thrown off guard and angry at the same time. When I saw that, it was similar to a pang of a bullet.
They're all full of shit!
I have no idea who did this and the list runs down in my head. The only person that would do anything like this is also related to the person I face tonight. A sister of that person, a twin of that person—Nikki Bella.
I just know it was her.
What a bitch.
Although, I'm not surprised that she would do this but seeing my name tainted over the prestigious championship hurt me. I pick up my title and rip off the tape. I'm trying not to tear up.
Don't let it get to you, Saraya. Business. Like Mike said, just have your matches and ignore them.
No matter how completely personal and violating this act was, what Miz said is ringing in my ears.
I breathe out.
Alright, don't stoop to her level. It's nothing now.
I throw the leather strap over my shoulder and leave the locker room. I'm controlling my rage, so it doesn't turn to rampage. Not here, not now. This energy has got to stay in the ring.
I don't know where I'm going but I know what I'm trying to find. Or who, for that matter. I swiftly march the hallways looking for him.
I turn the corner and I'm taken back at what I see.
It's Miz...and Nikki having a conversation.
Oh my god, is she serious?!
I crouch against a trunk so I'm not seen. My head peaks to get a view at what's happening.
The look on Miz's face is troubled and questioning, close to sheer disgust. Whatever Nikki's saying seems to have triggered his bullshit radar. I relax a bit after realizing he's having none of her words. Then, Nikki goes in for a hug. Miz's arms drop at his sides.
Wow, Nikki. You have no right to touch my man like that...
She turns away to leave and I see Miz shake his head. Well at least he knew how fake she can be.
I return to a normal standing position and charge his way, hoping he sees me.
"Miz!"
"Hey Paige!" We meet halfway in the hallway and he reaches my face for a small kiss—exactly what I needed.
"You won't believe what I saw in the locker room." I say trying to lower the voice volume.
"Yeah? Well you won't believe what Nikki Bella just told me. You go first, babe."
"...Babe?" My anger switches places with curiosity.
"Oh, well yeah. Can I call you that?"
"Yes...yes, you can." I smile in giddiness.
"Awesome. So what did you see in the locker room?"
That question replaces my happy thought with Nikki's face and I remember the initial pain I felt. I explain to Miz the details of what I assume to be Nikki's doing.
"What? How fucking low. And here she is telling me how sorry she feels for what I'm going through like I regret it."
"What'd she say?"
"A bunch of shit I don't really remember. I was too busy thinking about the fake coming out of her mouth. One thing I do recall is her saying something about you acting like you own the locker room."
"I NEVER—"
His finger presses against my lips, "Shhh, I know. Don't worry Paige, her tricks don't work on me."
Again, I calm down.
"Do you remember what I told you?" He asks.
"Yeah, every word of it."
"Good. You're better than all of those drama-driven Divas. Why do think I fell in love with you?"
I feel my cheeks get warm, they're probably crimson red. But I'm still frustrated at how Nikki's going around, in both Miz and I's faces (behind my back), flaring shit like it's her job.
"I'm trying my hardest to not let them get to me, Miz, I really am. How do you stand it?"
"I keep my emotions tucked away in a box, under lock. You're the only one who has the key, that's how I deal with it."
His words melt me, which seems to be his superpower as of late. He thinks of me when he has to confront that negativity? I'm touched.
In that moment, I just realized that it's impossible to go through this on my own. But that's the thing—I'm not alone. I have Miz by my side.
"You're too sweet to me, Miz." I reach up, pinching his cheeks.
"Well, your happiness comes first."
I smile and go for a hug. To have his arms around me is another gesture of reassurance. I feel protected around him. Still in his hold, I look up to him and pucker my lips in typical duck-lips form. He does the same and pecks his head to my mouth.
"Quack!" He says.
I can't help but laugh. The anger dissipates from me and I'm back to normal.
"Love you, babe." Miz then kisses the area just above the middle of my eyebrows.
"Love you too, babe." I reply back and smile up at him.
We part and begin walking to the main backstage area, with his arm over my shoulders. We talk of how our day is going and what to expect on this episode of Monday Night Raw. The nerves cease and I'm now excited to perform in front of the WWE Universe, remembering my main goal of proving myself to them.
Let's get this show started.