Sunday 21st April
''Come on, chica, it'll be fun.''
''Lena, seriously, drop it.''
It had been a week and Alexa had become more introverted and depressed with each passing day. She had tried, on several occasions, to talk to Jon but he wasn't interested; all he had said was that his mind was made up and that she was better off without him.
''Lex, please?''
And to top it off, she had been forced to room with Milena Roucka, aka Rosa Mendes, during their European tour and the woman was close to driving her insane. Almost every night she was out at some bar, coming back to their room at all hours and waking Alexa up, she was exhausted.
She rolled over onto her stomach, fixing her fellow Latina with an exasperated look. ''Can't you take Edwin or Orlando?''
''They don't want to come, I asked them first.'' She told her, coating her eyelashes with mascara.
''Oh, so I'm second choice, nice. Look, I'm not really in the mood to go out. I just want to stay here, order some room service and maybe cry myself to sleep listening to Adele.''
Milena sighed, dropping the make-up on the dresser beside the mirror before turning to look at her. ''You know what I think you should do? Put something sexy on, doll yourself up and come out with me for a night on the town. We can take some selfies and put them on Twitter, show Dean what he's missing.''
''His name's Jon.'' She corrected. ''And he doesn't use his Twitter.''
''Whatever.'' She dismissed, crossing the room and kneeling down beside Alexa's suitcase. Ignoring the woman's protests, she rummaged around inside for a moment before pulling out a deep red, bodycon dress and throwing it over. ''Here, put this on.''
''You're not going to take no for an answer, are you?''
She regretted agreeing to go out with the woman almost as soon as they stepped foot into the first club they came too; Melina had practically abandoned her, heading straight for the bar to see how much alcohol she could force down her neck. It wasn't until then that Alexa realized the other woman had a serious problem, but her attempts to drag her back to the hotel were unsuccessful and she could do nothing but watch as she spiralled out of control.
''Milena, come on, wake up!''
Several hours later, a scared and sober Alexa was desperately trying to revive her; the panic rising when she received no response from the woman who was slumped on the floor in the bathroom of their hotel room.
''Fuck!'' She hissed, eyes scanning the room for something to help.
Her eyes fell on Milena's bag, which had been dropped in the struggle to drag her into the bathroom. Scrambling over to it, she quickly dumped the contents on the floor before picking up the cell phone that had fallen out, scrolling through the phone until she found the number she was looking for.
''Milena? It's four in the morning, what the hell?''
Alexa let out a breath of relief. ''Edwin, thank God, it's Lex. Look, Milena-''
''Is she wasted again?''
She frowned, his tone indicating that he was used to this kind of behaviour from his on-screen manager. ''I can't wake her up, she's completely out of it. I don't know what to do.''
''Shit, okay... What room are you in?''
She relayed the room number and he hung up after promising to be right there. True to his word, five minutes later, a knock sounded at the door and she dashed across the room to let him in.
''How is she?''
''She's a mess.'' Alexa told him, watching as he crouched down in front of Milena and placed her hand over the one that was covering her face.
''I'm not a mess.'' Her words slurred as she finally opened her eyes.
Alexa took a step back. ''I'm going to get her something to drink.''
''There's some vodka in my bag, bring that!'' Milena yelled after her, once again, the alcohol taking over her speech.
Alexa pretended she didn't hear her and returned with a bottle of water from the mini-bar instead. ''No more booze for you, Lena.'' She said softly, pushing the water in her hands.
''Drink it.'' Edwin told her sternly.
''Don't want to.'' She pouted, dropping the bottle next to her petulantly.
Alexa crouched down beside Edwin with a sigh and grabbed the water. She twisted off the cap and literally pressed the open bottle against the other woman's lips, forcing her to take at least one sip from it. Melina sputtered against it for a moment and the moment the bottle was from her lips, her eyes widened she lunged towards the toilet, making it just in time for her stomach to empty its contents.
''Is she like this all the time?''
Edwin nodded tersely, watching as she continued to retch. ''We've been trying to hide it, but it's getting harder.''
''She needs help.''
''I know.'' He turned to look at her sadly. ''But I can't bring myself to go to management.''
''I'll do it.''
''She won't be happy.''
''I don't care, it's for her own good. She's going to end up drinking herself to death if this carries on.''
Monday 22nd April
Despite Milena's protests, Alexa had made the decision to call Mark Carrano that morning, so he could see for himself how bad the situation actually was. He hadn't been overly happy at being called at that time in the morning, but as soon as he saw Milena, he understood their reasoning. He decided to send her home from the tour and was going to arrange a place at a WWE sponsored rehab facility so she could get the help she needed.
After speaking with her and Edwin for a while, he had left, but not before informing Alexa he wanted a meeting with him before the show started. So, after trying to get a few hours sleep, she had said an awkward goodbye to a pissed off and hung over Milena before getting a cab to the arena.
It had surprised to her when she found Stephanie waiting with Mark in the makeshift meeting room and she immediately wondered what she had done wrong. Biting her lip, she gave a gentle knock on the side of the open door, the pair inside turning to greet her with a smile.
''Lex, come in, come in.'' Stephanie waved her inside.
Alexa made her way inside, taking a seat opposite the two. ''Is this about what happened last night? Because if I'd have known-''
Mark quickly cut her off. ''It's not about Milena.''
Smiling, Stephanie picked up a thick wad of papers from her lap and leaned across to had them to her. ''Take a look at this.''
It was a script, similar to the ones the WWE used for their shows, but it was ten times longer. Glancing back up at her boss, her face quickly contorted to show the confusion she felt.
''I don't understand... what is it?''
''That, is a movie script.'' Mark responded.
''Okay.'' Alexa looked back down. ''Why does it have my name on it?''
''You've been offered a role in it.'' Stephanie told her with a grin. ''Remember you did that talk show, and Seth Rogen was on it with you? Well, he's starring and producing a movie that's due to start shooting within the next week and the lead actress has had to drop out due to some family emergency. He had the other producers and the director look at some of your work here, and they've offered you the part.''
Alexa's eyebrows shot up into her hairline as she took in her bosses excited expression, letting out a small laugh of disbelief. ''That's... whoa...''
Mark laughed. ''So, is it something you'd be interested in?''
She chewed on her lip thoughtfully for a moment before replying. ''Look, if I'm being completely honest, I've never really considered... acting... before. It's never been on my radar.''
''Well, this could be a huge opportunity and it could really open up some doors for you.'' Stephanie told her. ''I mean, have you ever thought about what you want to do when you eventually stop wrestling?''
''I... if I took it, what would happen here? I mean, I'm champion and-''
''They say filming will last for just over a month, two month tops. So, if you agree, we were going to have April attack you which would 'injure' you. Celeste would obviously be upset because she wanted her title re-match and that would start up a feud between her and April. We'd have The Shield cut a promo, telling everyone when you came back, justice would be served so they'd better watch out. When you return, we'd look into having you work a program with April, with her eventually winning the title from you.''
''Sounds like you've got it all figured out.''
''Why don't you go away and think about it.'' Stephanie offered kindly. ''I know it's not very long but we really need to know before the show starts so we can arrange your flights and a place to stay.''
Alexa nodded, slowly rising from her chair. ''Thanks, I'll, uh, be back soon, when I've made a decision.''
Twenty minutes later, Alexa had made her way out to the ring, climbed inside and took a seat in the corner. Leaning against the turnbuckle, she drew her legs to her chest and rested her head on her knees, deep in thought as she watched the crew mill around as they set up for the show.
She had never seen herself as one of those performers who would take time away from the WWE to do other projects, her heart was firmly invested in wrestling; always had been, always would be.
But saying that, the offer was exciting and it was one she was seriously considering. She was aware that most of the movies by WWE Studios garnered scathing reviews by both critics and fans alike, but this would be completely different. It was a project which had nothing to do with the WWE, with top Hollywood stars and she knew that it was the opportunity of a lifetime.
She sat that way for a long time, her mind whirring, until footsteps walking towards her caught her attention. Glancing up, she half-expected it to be Chris or Colby, both men's calls had been left unanswered all morning, so she was slightly surprised to find Bryan the one climbing into the ring.
''Hey.''
''Hey.'' He smiled, dropping down in front of her and crossing his legs. ''Everyone's looking for you.''
''Everyone?''
''Chris, Colby... Stephanie was asking after you, too.'' He replied, cocking his head to the side. ''So I thought I'd come find you.''
''How'd you know where I was?''
''I remembered that you always come sit in the ring before a show, it helps you clear your head.''
''Good memory.''
''So, what's on your mind?''
Alexa reached down to pick up the script that was beside her, holding it out for him to take.
''Townies.'' He read from the front before his eyes landed on her name in the cast list. ''Wait, you're doing a movie?''
She just shrugged, sitting in silence for a few minutes as Bryan flipped through a couple of pages, snorting out a few laughs before looking back at her. ''This is pretty funny.''
''I know, it looks awesome.''
''So, what's the problem?''
''It's an amazing opportunity and I'm beyond flattered that they've even considered me...'' She looked him in the eye, his face sincere, and sighed. ''All I've wanted to do my whole life is be a wrestler. That's it. I've never even thought about anything else and you know how hard I've worked for it. I'm finally here and people take me seriously, well, as seriously as any woman can be... If I do this movie, I'm scared it's going to take away from all of that and turn me into some kind of joke.''
He took in everything she said and paused thoughtfully before responding. ''Do you remember when we first met? You must have been about seventeen, and you were hanging around with Punk and Cabana before one of the Ring of Honor shows in Philly. You guys were screwing around in the ring and I can just remember thinking that I'd never seen a woman move like that in the ring before. You wrestle like a dude, and I mean that in the best way possible. After we were introduced and I got to know you a little, I thought you were amazing-''
''Bryan.'' She whined. ''I need advice, not for you to stroke my ego.''
''You started training at a ridiculously young age and then went down to Mexico when you were only fifteen. You were still a kid and you went places that most guys wouldn't, just to become a better wrestler and to do what you loved. What does this tell you about yourself? Just the fact that you were willing to do that speaks about your love and passion for wrestling. After everything you've been through to get where you are today, nobody's going to take away from your career. Nobody's going to question that this-'' He pointed down at the canvas they were sitting on. ''-is where you want to be. The guys in the back respect you because they know you belong here. You're not going to lose that respect just because of a movie. If this is something you want to do, just go for it. Screw what other people think and just do what makes you happy.''
''Thanks Bryan, that means a lot.'' She said softly, still surprised at the man's words.
''No problem.'' He smiled. ''So, what's going to happen if you do decide to do it?''
''They'll write me out with a fake injury while I'm away. Apparently, filming will only last a month, two month tops, so I'll get to keep the title.''
''That's not so bad.''
''Yeah... so, hey, working with the Undertaker, huh? How's that going?''
''Oh my God, it's amazing. He's a really great guy.'' Bryan's face lit up. ''You hear he asked to work a match with Jon at tomorrow night's Smackdown taping?''
''No way?'' A smile broke out on her face. ''I know the guys were excited to work with him but for him to get a singles match, that's awesome.''
The man nodded, looking over at her cautiously. ''Have you guys talked since last week?''
''Not really...'' She trailed off, the smile instantly dropping from her face.
''I'm sure you'll work things out, anybody could see that you two were perfect for each other.''
''Maybe. I'm not so sure anymore. But, thanks.''
After heading back to let Stephanie and Mark know her decision, she had ran into Danielle; the woman was making her main roster debut as Fandango's new dance partner. The pair chatted for a while before Alexa had made her way to the men's locker room so she could let the guys know what was going on.
She had decided to do the movie and had also decided she would drop the Diva's Championship; she didn't think it was right for her to be gone for so long and still be able to keep it. They were going to film a bit later with April and Celeste both teaming up to take her out before April turned on the other woman, leading to a feud between the two for the title.
''You're seriously going to do a movie?''
''Are you just doing this to get away from Jon?''
''Of course not.'' Alexa narrowed her eyes at the Samoan. ''That's just an added bonus.''
''Lex, come on-''
''Look, I've made my decision, okay?'' She told them gently. ''This is something I want to do. If it backfires, then at least I tried something new. And if it goes well, then great; I'll have something to fall back on when I retire.''
The two men shared a brief look before Colby forced a smile on his face. ''I'm happy for you, Lex.''
''Yeah?'' She asked, unconvinced.
''Of course.'' He pulled her into a one-armed hug. ''But we're going to miss you, it's going to be really weird without you around.''
''It's not for long, I doubt you'll even notice I'm gone.'' She assured him before moving over to wrap her arms around Joe. ''But, I'll miss you guys too.''
He gave her a gentle squeeze in return. ''Are you going to find Jon before you leave, say goodbye?''
Stepping away from him, she shook her head sadly. ''I've been trying to talk to him all week, what makes tonight any different?''
''Maybe he...'' Joe scratched his head, not really having a reason for his best friend's actions. ''He'll come around, Lex.''
''Look, I love him... so fucking much but he broke up with me. Twice.'' She said, her voice cracking slightly as she tried to keep it together. ''I can't force him to want to be with me. It took me twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don't have that kind of time to convince somebody else.''
Colby clenched his jaw, feeling his heart break as he watched her blink a few times, keeping the tears at bay. ''Lex-''
The door suddenly swung open with a loud clang.
''Hey, guys, we-'' As soon as Jon's eyes landed on Alexa, he cut himself off quickly, an awkward silence immediately falling over them.
She swallowed heavily before shooting a smile at Joe and Colby, making a point not to look in the other man's direction as she moved towards the door. ''I'll, uh, leave you guys to it.''
''Hey!'' Colby jogged over to give her another hug before she could step out of the door. ''Give me a call when you get there, yeah?''
''Sure thing.'' She nodded, glancing over his shoulder to smile at Joe. ''See you soon, big man.''
Jon watched on in confusion as she rushed out of the room before fixing them with a quizzical look. ''What's going on?''