"It was absolutely mortifying, Amy," Heather informed her friend as she regaled the sisters' latest encounter with Hall and Nash.
"It was annoying," Reves groused, leaning against the wall.
Amy chuckled. "I'm sure it wasn't that bad."
"Sure, if you don't mind a hole in the head," Reves said, bleeding sarcasm.
Amy rolled her eyes playfully. "Did Mark find out?"
"Not thus far," Heather shrugged. "I told Rev it wasn't a good idea, at any rate."
"Oh, cut your Little Miss Perfect shit. You were out there, same as me." Rev snipped.
"If you recall, I was trying to read," Heather retorted.
Amy was amused by the sisters' squabbling. "Alright. Let's just agree that it was both mortifying and annoying." She shook her head with a smile. "Do you think your dad would let you hang out with us tonight? The boys and I are going to meet up with Jason and Adam. Trish might come out too."
"We could ask, I guess," Reves shrugged, "but it's probably best not to mention the others."
Heather looked a little nervous as Amy glanced at her. "Well, it's cool. Just let us know, okay? I gotta go meet up with the boys," she nodded as she started to walk off. She turned towards them again, but didn't stop. "Hey, where is that demo?"
"Soon," the girls promised in unison as Amy disappeared.
Reves glanced as Heather with an amused smile stretched across their lips. "We are not sisters," she quipped as she started down the hall.
"You know Dad won't let us go if her finds out Jason and Adam are going to be there. He barely trusts Matt and Jeff around us." Heather reminded her sister as she followed after.
"Did you not hear what I just said? He doesn't have to know they will be there."
"Rev, that's lying," Heather chided gently.
"No, it isn't," Rev countered, "It's just not revealing all the details." She grinned.
They found their father in his dressing room. He was dressed in his singlet, leather pants and boots, preparing for his upcoming match. "Where were you?" He questioned as they entered. They were thankful he hadn't learned about their incident two days ago.
"Just talking to Amy," Heather replied innocently.
"You know I don't like you just roaming around bothering people."
"We don't bother Amy, Dad," Reves interjected with an air of agitation. "In fact, she wanted to know if we could hang out with them after Smackdown."
"And who is them?" Mark asked in his gruff voice.
Reves rolled her eyes defiantly. "It's just Amy, Matt and Jeff,"
Rev's poker face was pretty expert; however, it was usually Heather who gave them way. She shifted on her heels and didn't meet Mark's gaze.
Mark took his eyes from Heather back to Reves. "And who else?" He gave her another chance to shoot straight with him.
Reves averted her eyes to her sister with a scowl. She stood there with her head bowed and her hands folded in front of her. Reves wasn't fearful of meeting her father's gaze, however. "Jason and Adam. Maybe Trish, too."
"No way. Not happening," Mark growled
Reves started, "But, what's the-"
"Listen girl, I said no. I don't owe you a damn explanation to my decision!" Mark roared.
Reves pursed her lips. The anger was rising up in her, and she was doing her best to keep it contained. That is exactly what he had said when she approached him about his infidelities. Deep down she knew that, but she couldn't help but fight against injustice. If she couldn't trust those who were supposed to be closest to her, who in this God forsaken world could she trust?
"Listen, I have to head out for my match. I don't want to hear any more about this when I come back," he told them, looking at each girl in turn.
Heather nodded bashfully and demurred, "Yes, Sir."
"Hmph," Reves plopped down on the leather couch, her face distorted in an unabashed scowl.
"Was I misunderstood somehow?" Mark questioned.
"No, Sir! I heard you loud and clear," Reves grinned so wide it hurt.
"Don't give me that sarcastic shit!" Mark warned her. "I'm not in the mood, girl." He walked out, leaving the sister's alone.
"Yes, Sir!" Reves mocked Heather in a high-pitched squeak. "You are such an ass kisser. You're lame as fuck.
Heather's bright green eyes fell upon her sister. "Yes, it is quite the tragedy that I chose to obey the boundaries set in place by our parents, particularly our father – as stern a man that he is," she shot back, picking up her book.
Reves grabbed her notebook, and started scribbling down angry lyrics. She was already thinking of the melody and an awesome riff that might work. Unfortunately, they didn't bring any instruments tonight.
After some time, Heather's eyes shifted from the pages of her book. Her sister looked restless. "What's wrong?" she asked with gentle concern.
"I'm tired of being ignored like everything we say doesn't matter," Reves divulged as she put her notebook down on the coffee table.
"Rev, we matter a lot. Why do you think Mom and Dad make the sacrifices they do?" Heather attempted to reassure her.
"Easy for you to say. You weren't deceived your entire life," Reves seethed. "They just didn't listen to you, did they? Better to just be written off than lied to."
Blue orbs met green as Heather winced. Why would she bring that up? "Rev, please…" her timid voice trailed off.
"I'm not trying to upset you. I'm just saying don't act like they are parents of the year when they've failed in more way than one."
Heather lowered her head, and stared at the book in her lap. She never felt like her parents had failed. She loved them and felt they did the best they could. When she was young, she thought that was how all families were. The father went out on the road and came back a couple times a month. She quickly learned they this was not the case, that her family was not like others. Had they been there…
She stopped herself. It was not their fault.
Just then, Mark came through the door, startling Heather. He was sweaty and exhausted following his match. He looked at his daughters. Reves was still raging. Fine let her sulk, he thought. Make sat down to unlace his boots. His bones ached as he did so and he was irritated as usual. He needed a good stiff drink, but he decided to wait until they got back to the hotel to let them know that Angle had invited him out for a couple of drinks after their match.
"How was your match, Dad?" Heather inquired.
"It went over alright," he replied, removing his boots. "I'm gonna take a shower and we can head to the hotel." He grabbed a towel and a change of clothes and headed towards the showers.
"Ok," the girls answered.
When they were settled at the hotel, Mark informed the girls that he would be meeting up with his friends.
Reves's eyes flared and her face distorted into a grimace. "Why don't you just leave us at home? It's obvious we are nothing but a burden."
Mark's head snapped in her direction and he stared daggers through her for a moment. "Girl, I am getting so sick of your shit. News flash: I'm the parent. You're the kid! I'm going to have a drink with my buddies. Now I suggest you get to bed, we have to be up early to head out and I don't want to hear your bitching in the morning," he barked at her.
Heather lowered her head. She wished her sister would not provoke their father in the manner that she did. She always became skittish when her father raised his voice. He was never abusive. He was simply stern and imposing and that was enough to have her quaking in her Chuck Taylors. She loved her father very much but when she was younger a simple glance could reduce her to tears. Mark would proceed to warn her to dry it up before he have her something to cry about, inducing even more squalling and rendering Mark guilt ridden.
Reves on the other hand, had always been the most rebellious of his four kids. Mark wasn't sure if it was because she was the oldest or if she had always felt that something wasn't right. But she was fearless and would tell anyone exactly what she was thinking at any given moment.
That wasn't to say Mark wanted his children to fear him, but damn it, he demanded respect, especially from his kids. Fuck, his body was already beaten and broken down to give them this life. What more did they want? Was it really such a crime for him to unwind with his buddies for a couple of hours?
Reves swallowed her rage. "Ok, sir," she mumbled heading into the adjacent room.
Mark turned towards Heather. "Get some sleep, girl," he said calmly, though his voice was still gruff.
She nodded. "Good night, Dad,"
"Night, girl," he replied as he headed for the door.
After he shut the door behind him, Heather sighed and turned towards the other room.
"Is he gone?" Reves asked bitterly.
Heather only nodded and sat down on the bed to untie her black Converses.
Reves grabbed her journal where she kept phone numbers and other important information. She hopped back to the other side of the bed, and reached for the telephone that sat on the side table. Looking from the page to the keypad, she began to dial out.
"What are you doing?" Heather inquired as she she pulled off her shoe and set it on the floor. She could hear the phone ringing in the other end. "Rev?"
"Shhhh!" Reves hushed her sister harshly. "Hey, Amy!" she greeted brightly.
"Hey, what's up?" Heather heard Amy say through the receiver and she leaned in closer to her sister to hear more.
"Not much. But yeah, Dad said he was totally cool with us hanging out for a little bit."
Eyes wide, Heather gasped. Reves's hand flew over her mouth. With her shoulder holding the receiver in place, she brought the index finger of her other hand to her rouge painted lips. Her brows were furrowed together in a scowl.
Amy was silent a moment, "Eh, you're sure? I've never known Mark to be "totally cool" with much of anything."
Reves's visage faltered a little. She was just glad Amy couldn't see her. "Well, you know. He bitched, of course," She said nonchalantly, "but as long as we don't do anything crazy and we're back in a couple hours."
Heather tore her sister's hand away. "Rev!" she whispered hoarsely.
Reves kicked her younger sister in the shin with her steel toed boot and continued listening to Amy.
"Ow!" Heather yelped in pain and rubbed the inflicted area.
"Yeah. You can come to our room and pick us up. No Dad's gone. Ok, see, ya!" Rev wrapped up the conversation and put the phone on the hook.
"Rev!" Heather scolded her when she hung up. "What are you thinking? You can't go out behind Daddy's back."
"Of course, we can," she replied unfazed, getting up to reapply her eyeliner.
"Oh no, I'm not going anywhere!"
"Are you seriously going to be a puss and just go to bed like some old lady?" Reves pressed. "You don't think it is the slightest bit unfair that Dad gets to run around with all his friends while we sit here like we're in a nursing home? Come on! We're teenagers, this is the shit we do. You really wanna look back on your life and realize you were a loser who only followed the rules and never did anything fun?" Reves asked as she pulled her to her feet.
"I didn't get the memo," Heather grumbled. "And, yes, because I will have made it to my elder years. Which is more than I can say for you if you go through with this."
Reves scoffed. "Well, I'm going whether you want to stay here and be a goody-two-shoes or not."
"Rev, really. Think about this," Heather pleaded.
"I have. Maybe you should think about not being such a prude," Reves said casually as she changed from her baggy jeans to a light leather skirt.
"I am not a prude," Heather protested, "I just-"
"I'm just a widdle, innocent baby, who can't fink for myself, or do anything if Mommy and Daddy don't tell me it's ok. Reves interrupted, mocking her in a high-pitched voice.
"Whatever." Heather jerked her head to the side. She was hoping even after watching her sister change her clothes that it was all a charade. Then, there was a knock on the door and she knew it was Amy, possibly the Hardys too. She gave her sister a pleading look while she grabbed her leather jacket and sauntered passed her.
"Last chance to prove you're not a total spaz." Reves tilled.
Had she not been so apprehensive, Heather would have reprimanded her on her dated slang just to trump her for her mockery.
Reves answered the door to Amy and the Hardys standing outside. "Hey guys," she grinned.
"Woah, Rev. We said we were gonna hang out, not hit every club in town," Jeff teased.
"Well, it's not my fault my dad is an old fogy and doesn't realize it's not 1952. I never get to wear this stuff."
The trio only rolled their eyes at the blonde teen.
"Where is Heather?" Amy asked.
"Eh, I think she's got a date at midnight, with Nosferatue," she said, referencing a Type O Negative song. Rev paused a moment. "Scratch that. He's too cool for her," she murmured more to herself than the others. "She's being a puss and doesn't want to come," she directed her attention to her friends.
"Well, whatever. That's fine," Matt shrugged.
Heather could hear them conversing in the adjacent section of the room. She stood there, rocking on her heels and wringing her hands. She was in a moral dilemma at the hands of her sister. She knew without question it was best to follow their father's instructions and stay in the room. On the other hand, she didn't appreciate her sister's disparagement at her expense. This was a topic they had seminars concerning in middle and high school gyms throughout the nation. It was called peer pressure and she could feel herself giving into it. Deep down, she knew this made her seem like a total lemming, but she didn't want Amy and the boys to think she was lame. Furthermore, she needed to look after her sister, right? That was one of her father's number one rules: if he wasn't around, they were to always stick together.
At that moment, Reves popped her head into the room. "Later, loser," she teased and then disappeared.
An aggravated sensation washed over Heather as she grabbed her high tops and sat down on the bed. I should have told them she was lying. Why didn't I do that? She wondered as she slipped on her shoes and tied the laces.
She knew perfectly well why she didn't reveal the truth. Firstly, she didn't want Reves angry at her. It was a pitiful excuse, but her sister was known to bare grudges over the simplest matters. Next, for whatever reason, she didn't want Amy and the guys to be upset with Rev. Thinking about it, the sooner it was revealed, probably the less damage it would inflict. But the ball was already rolling. She just hoped they wouldn't be in any deep trouble.
Heather grabbed her bag, slinging it on her back and exited the room, letting the door lock behind her. She stared at it for a moment. No going back now. She walked hurried down the hall, catching sight of the elevator doors closing at the end of the corridor.
She hoped that was them. She didn't shout out or make a scene because she had no desire to embarrass herself if it turned out not to be her friends. Besides, they wouldn't have been able to get the doors open in time. She prayed she could catch up with them before they left.
She continued on, her head slightly bent, as per the norm. As she rushed down the hall, almost reaching the elevator at the end, she collided with a mammoth figure as they were exiting their room. She let out an "Umph," as she stumbled backwards. "Oh, s-s-sorry," she stuttered immediately before even looking up. When she did, her face must have registered the shock she felt. She followed her gaze up to the face of the giant, Kevin Nash. Their eyes met briefly before her head shot back down. She felt the heat creeping across her cheeks. She repeated "S-sorry," as she stepped around him and his friend, Scott Hall before scurrying way.
Kevin shook his head. "That kid's got major issues. I'm telling you. What a fuckin' space-case," he told his best friend. He briefly wondered where she was rushing off to in such a hurry all by herself, but decided he didn't give a fuck that much.
"C'mon, brother. Let's have some fun," Scott tapped Kev's chest with the back of his hand.
"Damn right," Kevin grinned at him and pushed those melancholy, green eyes out of his thoughts. She was a teenager, and a female at that. They were always getting melodramatic about one thing or another.
Heather breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the elevator. She was used to seeing to wrestlers and other company employees around, but why did it appear that those two were ever present, no matter where that were? She supposed truthfully, she and her sister were in their territory, yet, it instilled an unnerving sensation within her.
She stepped off the elevator and gazed around the lobby. She didn't see her sister or the rest of the gang. She rushed outside. As much as she protested this little rendezvous, she wasn't too keen on being locked out of the room until her father (no doubt incurring his wrath) or Reves returned.
Scanning the parking lot, Heather's eyes fell upon the group getting into a rental car at the other end. She sprinted towards them. She waved her hands over her head feeling like a lunatic. When she closed distance, she shouted, "Hey guys! Wait for me," as they started to pull away
Matt, who was the driver, took notice of her and stopped the vehicle. She opened the door and hopped in the back next to Jeff.
Athletic was never a term one would use to describe Heather Calaway. Therefore, her breath came out shallow and ragged. Her face was flushed due to both her exertion and the degradation she suffered from her asinine display. Her limbs and her abdomen ached from her efforts.
Jeff looked at her with his kind green eyes, "Change your mind?" he asked.
Heather only smiled through her humiliation.
Reves, who was seated on the other side of Jeff, leaned forward to speak to her sister, "Can you go back to the door? I want to see that again." She broke into laughter mid-sentence.
Heather simply rolled her eyes as she fastened her seatbelt and Matt began to drive away.
"So where are we going anyway?" Reves wondered aloud.
There was silence for a moment before Matt finally spoke up. "Now don't go thinking this means you can go hog wild, but we know a guy who will let ya'll into his bar to sing karaoke. Not to drink, ok?"
"What?" the sister practically shouted in unison.
"They let in 18 and up. Rev you're good and you will get a no-alcohol bracelet."
"Well, that'll come off easily," Reves quipped"
"For real," Amy said in a serious tone. "We are taking a huge risk here. Not only will Mark flip shit and want to kill us all, we could get I a lot of trouble for bringing someone underage in there and so could Benny."
"Wait, we can't do this. It's utterly ludicrous, not to mention, illegal!" Heather chimed in.
"Are you not already in the car?" Reves questioned her sister.
"Yes, but-"
"But, argument invalid."
"No, there is an exuberant amount of validity to my argument."
"Oh, speak plain fucking English for once," Reves barked.
"You are wrong," Heather said, flatly.
"Can't we just get along?" Jeff asked feigning uneasiness, "No need to fight."
"We're not fighting," they practically shouted at him
Jeff threw his arms up in defense. "Sorry," he demurred.
"In all sincerity, I do not believe this is the wisest idea," Heather reiterated.
Amy turned around and looked at her. "Heather it will be fine. Just stick close to up. We'll look after you. And we'll have you back in an hour or two," she smiled.
Approximately ten minutes later, Matt parked the car on the curb and the exited, heading towards the bar.
Matt headed to the side of the building in the alleyway. "We have to come in on the side," he told them.
They followed him, Heather towing the line. "Just when I though I was an unique individual, I find my life is a book of teenage tropes," she muttered to herself.