Here's the next chapter Enjoy!

Anna xx

It's the end of October and I'm out of rehab and renting a small apartment in Atlanta. I can drive and can go to and from appointments when I have them. I decided to stay in Atlanta as I have more time on my hands and I like spending time with Phoebe, who is introducing me to some of her friends tonight.

I meat up with her for lunch. "Hey sweets." I greet.

"How are you feeling?" She asks.

"Good, I saw my doctor today and my injuries are healed. I can start hitting the gym."

"That's great does this mean you don't have to go to rehab anymore?"

"Yes and no. I'll have to go back on occasion but I'm officially an out patient until I leave for Tampa which will be around the time of my mums wedding." I reply.

"That's great. Are you ready to meet my friends?"

"Yes, but I'm a little nervous."

"Don't be, they'll love you." she reassures. "Paul practically knows you already, it was only a matter of time until you met."

"So who's coming tonight?" I ask.

"Paul, Nina, Claire and Ian."

"Cool."

"Joe couldn't make it tonight."

I turn to stare at her and she laughs. "Ever since I said that you have been teasing me non-stop."

"Sorry it's just to easy."

After my slow morning I eventually get ready for my night out with Phoebe. Tonight I'm wearing a black skivvy and denim jeans with a leather jacket and ankle boots. We arrive at a bar and make our way inside.

Phoebe looks around the place finally spotting Paul in a secluded area. He looks up and spots Phoebe. He stands and walks over to us. "Hi." He smiles and turns to face me. "And you must be Serena."

"Correct." I confirm. "It's great to finally meet you after all this time. I feel like I know you already."

He grins. "I could say the exact same thing."

"What are we drinking?"

"Right to the good questions, you'll fit in just fine."

"I'm going to the bar, I'll be back."

"Let me help you." He offers and we leave Phoebe. "So Serena, how has Atlanta treated you."

"It's been good, considering."

"Phoebe mentioned you were in recovery, how are you doing?"

"Great actually, I'm healed. Now I can work on getting my strength back, but I still have a ways to go."

A little while later more people have arrived. The first is Ian. He makes his way over to us. "Ian, I want to introduce you to, Serena. Serena this is Ian." Phoebe introduces me.

I stand up shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you." I greet.

"You too, it seems like I already know you though."

"Phoebe?"

He laughs nodding. "Yes." We all sit down. "Phoebe said that you're a wrestler, how did you get into that?"

"Lots of pain, sweat and tears."

"How long have you been wrestling for?"

"Since I was 16." I answer.

"And you're in the WWE now?"

"Yes but I'm currently out of action, but I'll hopefully be back early next year."

The next to show up is Nina Dobrev. She walks up to me with a smile. "Nice to finally meet you." She greets sweetly.

"Nice to meet you too Nina."

"How has your recovery been?"

"It's going well, I'm officially healed, it's now the hard part, getting my strength back and getting back in shape."

"Getting back? You look gorgeous."

I laugh. "Thanks."

"So, how did your relationship with Phoebe come about?"

"Its was Tess." I chuckle and they all laugh. "I guess we just clicked. Got talking and before we knew it, she was breaking me out of rehab."

"So you're a wrestler?" Nina asks.

"Yes."

"But your injured, how did that happen?"

"I fell off the top rope and landed on my neck and shoulder." I respond. "I was very lucky. I had neck surgery and shoulder surgery, I've been in rehab since early August."

"You should be proud of yourself for over coming that." Nina praises.

"Thanks. I've overcome a lot and I feel like things are falling into place."

"Drink?" Ian asks.

"Is that a trick question?" I retort and they all laugh. "Yes please."

After a night of drinking I head back home. I put on some sweats and turn on the TV. As I am getting comfy my phone rings. It's Colby. My heart flutters. "Hello." I answer.

"Hi." He greets.

"How can I help you Colby?"

"I just wanted to see how you were."

I smile. "I'm doing well. I'm healed, so I can start getting back into the gym."

"That's good to hear." He says. "I miss seeing you around here."

I chuckle. "I miss seeing you too, it's not the same." I smile. "But I'm enjoying this time off, working on myself. I wish I was back doing what I love, but I'm not rushing this recovery."

"I'm proud of you." he whispers.

"Thanks Colby. It's nice to hear your voice."

"Will you be heading to Tampa any time soon?"

"Just before I fly out to Hawaii for my mum's wedding."

"Could I possibly come see you?"

"Of course you can."

"I better go, I've got an early drive in the morning."

"Okay." I yawn. "Hey Colby."

"Yeah."

"I miss you."

"I miss you too."

The next morning I slowly get out of bed and get ready for my first gym session. I'm going to do a yoga class to work on my core and get some my flexibility back. I put on a matching black and white crop top and pants set, place my hair in a messy bun and head out.

As I'm leaving the apartment I bump into someone. I look up and see it's Ian. "OMG I'm so sorry." I apologise.

"It's fine, I wasn't paying attention." He responds.

"So last night was fun."

"It was. You live around here."

"Temporarily yes, I'm on my way to a yoga class."

"Oh right, you can start to exercise again."

"Yeah."

"Listen, I've been meaning to ask you and I forgot last night, would you ever want to get a coffee or something."

I freeze and I look him in the eye. "Um maybe. I'm kind of just focusing on my training but if I have a free afternoon I'd gladly accept."

"Sweet, here's my number and let me know."

After my workout I head back to my apartment and settle in. I hear the buzzer go off at my door. I look through the peep hole and see it's Phoebe. I open the door. "Hey." I greet.

"Why didn't you accept Ian's coffee date?" She asks stepping inside.

"Was I supposed to?"

She sighs. "It was a way for you to get over Colby."

"Why do you want me get over him?" I ask confused. "I don't think I want to get over him, but as I told you, I'm focusing on myself right now. Dating someone isn't on my radar right now." I add. "I'm finally in a good place, I don't want to go back to what I was."

"I just want to see you happy."

"And I am."

"Fine I'll let it go."

"Thank you. I don't mind hanging out with your friends, but the next time you want to set me up with someone don't"

"Okay."

A month goes by and I'm still living in Atlanta and my training in the gym has been slow, which was expected. I'm a little bit sore but I'm getting there.

Tonight I'm flying home to Tampa to pack for my mothers wedding. As I'm packing my belongings I hear my phone ring. "Hello." I answer without looking at it.

"Hi." Colby greets.

"Oh, Colby hi."

"I'm in Tampa tonight could I see you?"

"Of course."

"Great. What time do you land?"

"7."

"Perfect, send me your flight details so I know where to get you from."

"I will." I say smiling. "See you soon." Once I've hung up the phone, I throw it on the bed and smile.

I arrive in Tampa and exit the plane. As I walk out a familiar face appears. I squeal and run up and hug him. "Hi." I greet excitedly.

A couple heads turn to look our direction and they seem to notice who we are. "Hi." He whispers.

I take a step back and look at him as he does the same. "Wow, CrossFit is doing wonders for you." I express.

He laughs. "You look good too."

"Thanks."

"Shall we get your bags."

"Yes sir." I salute cracking up as he halts.

"Don't do that again."

I nod laughing and we walk to baggage claim. "How's work?"

"Quiet."

"I am the loud one."

"Yeah you are." he agrees. "How's your training?"

"Slow."

"Just take it easy."

"I am."

"So I see that you have been hanging around your new friends a lot lately." He mentions.

"I am and they are lovely." I confirm. "It's quite frustrating when we are in public though."

"Even though it's frustrating, it's good to see you've had a good social circle whilst you were recovering."

"I wish you guys were here more, but I get it, you're travelling and it comes with what we signed up for, but I appreciate all the calls and messages, it makes me feel wanted."

"You'll always be wanted Serena." He whispers.

I blush. "Now come on CrossFit Jesus I am hungry."

The next morning I wake up and do my usual morning routine. I open up my twitter and can see I have thousands of notifications. I open them up and I gasp. They are all about the same thing, Colby and me. It's photos of us at the airport hugging and laughing together. When were these taken? My phone buzzes and it's Nikki. "Hey." I whisper.

"What is going on?"

"I have no idea. I only met up with Colby last night to catch up. It's making it look like more than it is."

"You two are trending, both of your fans are having a field day."

"I know. I just didn't want to deal with this."

"When do you fly to Hawaii?"

"Today."

"Serena, it's going to be okay, it will blow over soon, take the time away to disconnect."

"I will. I better go, I'll speak to you soon."

I get off the phone and quickly message Colby: I'm so sorry about all of this, I didn't mean for this to get out of hand.

I wait a few minutes and he replies: You don't have to apologise about anything. We know what happened. Don't let them get you down.

Okay.

Have a great trip to Hawaii. Turn your phone off and enjoy it, I'm going to do the same.

I will. Thanks Colby. X