Next Day, Homeroom, 8:32 AM….
"Shane…. Shaaaaane, Shane? Mr. Price!" Miss Neidhart yelled, trying to get the attention of the boy.
The sudden harsh tone of the teacher managed to grab said attention, and Shane immediately became alert. He went from daydreaming to sitting straight as an arrow real quick.
The class laughed at his shocked expression.
"Huh, oh man. Sorry about that, ma'am. What were you saying?"
Neidhart let out a little chuckle herself.
"No worries, dear. I was asking why you weren't in attendance yesterday. We missed your vibrant personality."
"Oh, was Dean not in either? He can be vibrant." The boy said jokingly pointing to his best friend.
Yeah… Ambrose was knocked the hell out. Faint snoring could be heard if you listened close enough. Again, Shane was able to get some laughs. He then explained why he was nowhere to be found on Monday.
"Well, I was kinda spent from the night before. I participated in the Battle of the Bands contest downtown. I just needed a day to collect myself, my apologies." He politely explained.
"I see. Some of the students mentioned that yesterday. I just wanted to hear it from you to be sure that's what actually happened and nothing was wrong."
"Nope, nothin' wrong in my corner. I'm good, 100%."
"Well that's great to hear, young man. Now, a few more names left and we're done with today's attendance. Robert?" She continued on.
As his homeroom teacher rattled off the remaining names, Price slid back into concious unconsciousness. He was in his head, thinking about something that's been on his mind since yesterday afternoon.
"What am I gonna get Alexa for Christmas?"
Now that football, the whole Paige situation and the Battle of the Bands were behind him, there was virtually nothing to distract him from the girl he loved…. who was currently sitting next to him, also trying to get his attention. It took a quick hit to the shoulder from a rolled up piece of looseleaf paper for him to once again become alert. He looked over and saw the slightly amused face of the petite princess.
"Price, what's goin' on up there? You're a total space cadet today. Everything okay?" She asked.
Quickly, he came up with an alternative answer.
"Uh, yeah babe I'm cool. I'm just thinking about all the stuff I've done since I moved here in the summer. It's hard to believe that it's only been a few months." He lamented.
"That's called making the most of your time. One of the things I love the most about you is your attitude toward what's put in front of you. Once you decide you're gonna do something, you make sure it gets done, one way or another."
Bliss made a great point. The first thing Price said he was going to do was become friends with her. He did that and more, now they're a couple. He said he was gonna help the football team win a championship and finally get Seth out of Roman's shadow. Check and check. He said that he was gonna go all the way back home to help Paige get revenge on Carmella and her goons. Homie came through for HIS homie in a big way. Speaking of homies, the countless times he said he was gonna get Dean out of whatever mess he managed to get himself into. Finally, Ruby and Liv told him that they needed a frontman, and even though he was bit reluctant at first, he came through for the girls in a big way.
Price smiled at his girlfriend's kind words.
"Thank you, princess. Ya know, you usually call me a stubborn idiot for doing stuff like that."
"And you are one, but again, that's why I love you. You're MY stubborn idiot."
"Alexa… I wanna hug you right now." He stated matter of factly.
"Well, what are you doing waiting for then, dummy?" She asked before standing up.
Shane left his seat to make the short trip over to her desk and wrapped his arms around the girl he loved. With a big smile, she pushed her head into his chest and the two teens stayed like that for a little bit. The girls in the room absolutely adored the public showcase of affection, confirming this with a collective "Awwww." Even Miss Neidhart couldn't help but hold her heart in delight. The boys on the other hand weren't as appreciative. Not to say that they all hated seeing it. Some gave small nods, as if to say, "Good job getting her, man." Some weren't even paying attention, case and point Dean, who was still in dreamland. Then we had the small amount of jealousy. At the forefront of the jealous stares stood one Cody Rhodes, who was still convinced he could've gotten Alexa "if he tried." The jealousy would only grow larger as when Alexa and Shane ended the embrace and went back to their respective seats, a surprise walked through the door of the classroom.
"Shane, honey!"
Price and the rest of the class looked toward the door and saw the ever so expressive Liv Morgan waving at him.
"Hiya, Miss N. How's it hangin'?" The girl happily greeted the authority figure.
Safe to say, she wasn't exactly excited to see the mischievous cheerleader.
"Hello, Liv. I'm not expecting you in my class until 3rd period. What, uh… what brings you here?"
"Oh, I just needed to speak to Shane real quick. I'll be outta your hair in a sec, I promise."
She then turned her attention back to her musical companion and approached him, making sure to greet Alexa as well.
"Hey girl, hey Shane! How are you guys?"
"I'm doin fine, fam." Price answered with a smile.
"Hi Liv, I'm alright." Alexa followed.
"Good, good. Lookin fabulous as always, Lexi. Anyway, you know why I'm here, don't you babe?" She asked, referring to Shane.
Alexa was a bit thrown off by her use of the word "babe", but didn't let it show.
"I'm pretty sure I do. Hold on, lemme get in my book-bag real quick."
The boy lifted his bag onto his desk and opened in, eventually pulling out a pair of earrings and a black choker.
"I believe these belong to you, Miss Morgan." He said in a cartoonish voice.
"Oh thank you so, so much! I was freakin out when I realized I didn't have em! I was scared I lost them." She happily thanked him.
"So I heard. Ruby called me at like 3 and asked me to look around because you were on the verge of having a mental breakdown. You left the earrings on my dresser, and you left the choker on my work desk. Why were they in two different places anyway?"
"Cause I took off the choker when I walked in your room, but right when I was about to lay down I remembered I still had my earrings in. Didn't feel like going back to the desk so I just threw them up on the dresser." Liv explained.
"Gotcha. Just be more careful next time, alright?"
"Of course, of course. Thanks again for getting my things for me. You're the best."
"Don't mention it. I'll see you around?"
"You know it, honey. Ciao!"
As per tradition at this point, Liv hugged him (without the jumping) and blew him a kiss goodbye before practically skipping out of the classroom. Shane smiled to himself and shook his head before turning to his girlfriend.
"I know you kinda warned me about how she was before, but I feel like you didn't warn me enough. That girl must be from another planet." He joked.
Lexi sort of forced out a laugh, trying to keep up appearances, but on the inside? Well….
"Me and her are so having a talk after school today." She angrily thought.
Meanwhile, Cody was having a goddamn fit.
"Oh come on, how is that fair?! Why does friggin Shane get ALL the chicks?! I play football too! I'm handsome too, what the heck?!" He vented aloud.
A girl named Sonya Deville, sitting across the room from Cody let her voice be heard.
"Maybe because he's not a giant douchebag!" She called out.
"What the hell do you know?! You don't even like guys!" He snapped back.
Even Miss Neidhart got in on the conversation.
"Mr. Rhodes, if Sonya can see your problem despite not being attracted to the opposite sex, maybe you have some self-reflecting to do."
"What the- Miss Neidhart, not you too!"
"Cody… go to the principal's office." She told him.
"Wha-why?! For what?!"
"….For being a douchebag."
3:12 PM, Shane's Locker….
"Dude…. what? There is no way." Price said in disbelief.
"Uce, we swear, it's really happening!" Jimmy and Jey claimed simultaneously.
"So, you're telling me that Bray Wyatt….., the most anti-social person on the team, is dating JoJo Offerman. The same JoJo from the school choir."
"We saw them together, man! I was tryna get Jey to take a picture, but his punk ass wouldn't do it."
"So I'm a punk for not wanting to be a fuckin creep?" Jey replied.
"Nah, you just ain't wanna get caught doin it by Bray cause you knew he woulda flattened yo ass."
"Uce, don't think just cause we at school that I won't start throwin hands in this bitch." Jimmy threatened.
"Be my guess, boy. Go on then, I'll let you take that the first damn shot!"
It was now time for Shane to try and play the peacemaker.
"Fellas, fellas! There's no need to fight about who didn't take pictures or anything like that. I believe you both. Let's just chill, alright?"
The Uso Brothers stared each other down for a little bit longer before mutually agreeing to squash the beef.
"Okay, we cool, we cool. But yeah, we only wanted to tell you that real quick. Me and Jey gotta get home so we could help dad wit dinner."
"We'll see you around though. One day maybe we'll pull up to that warehouse you and Seth be puttin' in work at." Jey said.
"Hey, the whole team's welcome to come train at the PC. Just let me or Seth know and we'll take you there."
"Aight, bet. Later, Cash." The Usos said at the same time.
Once Jimmy and Jey dispersed, Shane returned to what he was doing before, which was gathering his things so he could go back to home sweet home. He finished packing, said bye to some people on the way out, and headed for his destination. When he reached the outside world, he ended up running into some very familiar faces. Dean and Becky were having a conversation of their own, with Dean sitting on a bench while Becky stood. They noticed Price approaching them and greeted him.
"Sup, brother." Ambrose said.
"Hey there, Shane! How ya doin'?" Lynch happily asked.
"I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. What are you two lovebirds up to?"
"I'm over here being read the riot act by my lovely partner in crime because of these midterms comin' up."
"Dean, you are THIS close to failing half of your classes. Come on, you know that's not good. I'm just askin' you to try a little harder." She pleaded with Ambrose.
"Sounds reasonable to me." Price chimed
"Well Shane, Becky, I appreciate the concern, but you two don't understand how I do things. This shit happens every year. I start off slow, it looks like I have no chance of passing anything, and then boom, I pull it out at the last minute. That's how it's always been." He stubbornly explained.
Becky sighed and smiled.
"You make the most boneheaded decisions, a ghrá."
"Yes, yes he does. He usually means well though. I'll give the devil his due, a lot of the time he ends up turning out okay. Sometimes that's due to me cleaning up his mess though." Price stated.
"Look, you people just don't understand the way of Ambrose." The unpredictable boy told them.
Becky giggled at her boyfriend's claim.
"The Way of Ambrose? Is that what you call it?"
"Yup. I just don't like doing shit, so I wait until I absolutely have to. Then, I knock it outta the park. Deadlines ain't shit to me. The Way of Ambrose." He said, laying it out.
Price raised an eyebrow at his friend.
"You do realize that's literally just procrastination right? That's been a thing since the dawn of time. You didn't come up with it."
"Hey, hey Shane?" Dean asked.
"Yes, Dean?"
"Shut the fuck up."
The Irish boy laughed and put his hands up.
"Whoa there, no need for the hostility, buddy."
"No need for the hostility, buddy, mehmehmeh. That's you, that's what you sound like." Ambrose stated in a mocking tone.
Lynch lightly slapped her man on the shoulder.
"Be nice to your best friend, baby." She instructed.
"You heard Lassy, be nice to me."
Dean glared at Price for a second before saying what he had to say next.
"Anyway, if you're done questioning my methods, me and Becks are headin' downtown to grab a bite to eat soon. You tryna tag along?"
"Sure, I could go for some grub. Haven't been a third wheel in a while." He quipped.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, where is Lexi anyway?" The fiery haired lass inquired.
"Ah, she's gonna be inside the school for a while. Said it was cheerleader stuff." Price answered.
Ambrose shrugged his shoulders and got up from the bench.
"Ah well, she's missing out on K-Town Barbeque."
"Never been there before."
"Trust me Shane, their chicken is soooo good." Becky claimed.
"Welp, either way, I'm about to find out. Lead the way, people."
The three teens then left the school premises on the search for poultry. Now, it's time to shed a little light on Little Miss Bliss' situation. You see, the reason the petite princess wasn't with her significant other was straightforward enough. At least to him it was. She had told him that her coach had scheduled a mandatory cheerleader meeting. Which to be fair, wasn't a total lie. The only thing is, it wasn't Coach Del Rey that called the meeting, it was her. And the only mandatory attendee was one…Liv Morgan.
AN: Enjoy that cliffhanger. Anyway, I kinda know which direction I'm taking this story now, and I'm pretty sure you can see it too…. or can you? You'll just have to keep reading I'm afraid. With that being said, leave a review telling me what you thought, you're the best, and I'll see y'all in the next chapter.
