Confusion ran through All Star Academy. However, the sports teams had done well, with their individual events. The swim team had proven their confidence hadn't been for nothing, the Volleyball had come close to losing but still managed to pull a win, the girls putting their backup strategy into motion. The basketball team had been through a war to win but had the determination to see their school through to the next round. All eyes however were on the wrestling team, who had traveled across the country to face North Valley High in the first round of the tournament. Everything appeared alright from the outside, the students were hyped, and those on the team were prepared, or so it seemed. And to the relief of all, the team had won and advanced to the second round, where they would face the winners of the matchup between West View High and the newly created South Haven Academy.
But everything had changed the weekend after the first round of the wrestling tournament. Roman had gone to Triple H and announced he was leaving the team. Leaving everyone shocked and the student body to speculate on what had sparked the Samoan star to make such a decision. Rumors spread like wildfire when it became clear neither Seth nor Dean knew of his plan to resign from the team, and neither did any of the mix-n-match group or the wrestling team. Everyone had been surprised, all except Serenity that was.
The brunette walked around the school as if she were some sort of queen after Roman had left the wrestling team high and dry. A wicked smile would appear on her lips, whenever she heard someone whispering about it. She loved the drama regardless of whether she was the center of attention, but it became clear she knew more about the situation than most originally assumed. After he left the wrestling team, Roman began to change. He made excuses not to be around those who called him friends, to the point it became more common to see the mix-and-match group without the Samoan athlete than with him. Slowly but surely he'd skip classes and would have an attitude toward those who were once friends and acquaintances, teachers who tried to help, and those who had once looked up to him. But the biggest change was who stood at his side. Where the beautiful leggy blonde, Summer, used to be. Now stood the often ditsy brunette, a smug smirk on her lips at finally getting what she wanted and achieving something others had failed to do in the past.
"Come on Sunshine" spoke AJ, as she linked arms with Summer whom Roman had harshly rejected. She'd been trying to get answers from him since school had returned and he'd begun to ignore her in favor of Serenity. Despite her best efforts, he refused to acknowledge her let alone stay around long enough for her to get the answer to the bugging question. Was it still Roman and Summer vs the world, or was it now Roman and Serenity? It was a question that often brought tears to her eyes, far more than the disrespect and humiliation she had been subjected to, since the first round of the wrestling tournament.
"Who's replacing my likely ex on the wrestling team?" asked Summer, refusing to focus on what was causing her so much pain. She wanted to focus on something else, rather than allowing her heart to accept what her mind already knew. Roman had already ended their relationship, he just couldn't be bothered to tell her, or this new side of him wanted to string her along to make the heartbreak even more painful, to prolong it for as long as possible.
"Looks like darkness shall reign this year" replied Corey, appearing on the opposite side of Summer, Carmella on the other side of him. Both offered her a hug and roped AJ into it as well, creating a little group hug to soothe Summer's breaking heart and tears. "Damian Priest is replacing Roman" added the teen commonly referred to as the Savior of Misbehavior. A small grin appeared on his lips, upon noticing five of the eleven members of the wrestling team were what many referred to as the Darklings.
"Now I know we're gonna kick some ass in the tournament" joked Summer, trying her best to smile even when her heart was slowly being shattered, by the one she had given it to with hope and confidence. "Punk, Seth, and Dean would be a force to be reckoned with on their own. But pair our Demonic Trio with Rhea and Damian, there's not a team that can stand against the Darklings" added the leggy blonde, beginning to think the only thing missing from the wrestling team was Nikki Cross. Her hyper-sugar rushes would be enough to destabilize every opponent who stood against them. Pairing her with Dean would only make things more interesting, especially when both were considered wild cards.
"Where's that pretty smile Summer Special" came a voice behind the small group. Upon turning the group of teenagers was met with LA Knight, his own small grin appearing as Summer tried her best to put on that shining smile everyone loved so much, the one that could light up a dull classroom in an instant. "You don't worry about him yeah. He'll realize sooner or later he messed up, and he'll come crawling back, when he does, you get the best revenge by living your best life yeah" he advised, while also attempting to cheer the leggy blonde up a little. The entire school had bore witness to Roman's cruelty toward Summer, ignoring her and refusing to answer her questions about where they stood as a couple. Standing by and doing nothing as Serenity tormented her and made jokes at her expense, humiliated her in front of everyone as if it was a game.
"At this point, I think our dear Demon is the one who's gonna kick some ass" spoke Drew, his Scottish accent thick as normal. In the last week or so Serenity had stupidly believed she was the queen of the school, humiliating Summer and constantly hanging off Roman's arm were just a part of what she'd been up to. Echo had been her other target. The gothic teen had so far been able to ignore any attempts at causing drama, but it was becoming clear her patients were running thin. Several times the darker teen had removed herself from the attention, preventing herself from doing something to Serenity, even if it was in defense of those she loved and would be considered justified considering the circumstances.
"Serenity still aiming at the couples?" asked Carmella, with uncertainty glimmering in her eyes. Although she'd voiced the question on everyone's mind, she was unsure if she wanted to know the answer to it. Dean and Renee appeared to be the latest couple targeted as had Becky and Finn. Naturally, Serenity had zoned in on Echo's relationship with Seth in an attempt to hurt the gothic teen more. Sadly Serenity was causing cracks, cracks she seemed determined to take a sledgehammer to, even more so with Roman whispering secrets in her ear, secrets he had once been told in confidence and with the promise he would never tell another.
"Let's focus on the upcoming events around the school" commented Summer, not wanting to hear any more of her ex and his new boo. Her heart already ached, she didn't want to add to the suffering if it could be avoided. Even more so when she knew her friends were slowly being divided by her likely ex and the wicked witch of the West. "Got the decade dance and the winter festival coming up. Not to mention the talent show, the tournaments continuing and I believe the freshman and sophomore years have a sportsday coming" listed the leggy blonde, her smile returning a little bit at recalling her favorite dance coming. The winter wonderland dance.
"And we got our little den to sort out" voiced AJ, recalling the plans for the den had been pushed back due to everything going on with Roman. The group had collectively come together to try and work out what had caused the sudden change, although they hadn't come up with anything substantial and focuses had changed when Roman and Serenity became set on breaking Summer. "It will be good for us, might help mend the rift the idiot and witch caused as of late" added the petite brunette, a little sadness sparkling in her eyes. Even more so when it was clear the student body could see the strength the mix and match group held failing.
"Don't worry lass, we may drift but we'll come back together eventually" spoke Drew, knowing there would be some who would take advantage of what was happening within the mix-and-match group. Daniel for sure had something to do with it, his joy over seeing the descention was obvious for all to see. Eva, Charlotte, Nattie, Mandy, and Kaitlyn were just as pleased by it as if waiting for the right moment to pounce and tear the friends further from each other. Although Charlotte had been preoccupied lately, no doubt helping Andrade prepare for the prom campaigning.
"Let's hope whatever Roman's big mystery secret weapon isn't as bad as we're all dreading" voiced Corey, recalling the Samoan's threats of tearing his best friend's happiness apart. He'd made a spectacle of reminding the duo of Seth and Dean that he knew their secrets and would reveal them if neither did as he demanded. Dean hadn't been all that bothered by the threat almost daring Roman to reveal his, but promising the Samoan he would live to regret it, if those the lunatic called family were hurt. Seth on the other hand, hadn't been as confident. Instead, fear had glistened in his dark eyes, even more so when the secret he suspected Roman would share, wouldn't just tear his own relationship with Echo apart, but also another happy couple and likely shake the very foundations of the mismatched group.
"The den should be a tree house" suggested Summer, once again turning the subject away from Roman. She knew it was going to be difficult to ignore him and Serenity. They were the talk of the school after all, but right now she just wanted a distraction. To think of anything other than the broken heart that was plaguing her, at least until Roman put an end to it or she rediscovered the confidence to do it herself.
"I like it" casually replied Carmella a sweet smile appearing on her lips. "Should take a group photo and frame it. Maybe convince all the Darklings to be there with us" she suggested, while recognizing the wrestling team had brought Rhea and Damian closer to the group, but especially Finn, Aleister, and Echo, with whom they found common ground with more than the rest.
"How about a signature sheet? So when we inevitably become famous and achieve our dreams, we've got something to remember each other by" proposed AJ, her signature crazy grin appearing. She had little doubt her friends could achieve their goals, most of them had the same ideas, they wanted to be professional wrestlers, to compete in their squared circle one day. Entertain the fans and make a name for themselves through the passion they each had for the business.
"Now come on Geek Goddess. There's no way we can forget each other" started Drew, towering over the others he walked behind. "We're family after all" he added with confidence. Like all families, they had their ups and downs, but they would eventually find their way back together, overcome challenges, and support each other when they needed it most. After all, together they had changed the status quo, they inspired, together those apart of the mismatched group had become something more. Most of them weren't just friends, but the support system others needed and more importantly, most of them were family.