Learning Curves

two.

HUNTER had been right, backstage at NXT was far from sunshine and roses. She found herself sticking close to the wall as she walked down the hallways, looking for the few faces she'd gotten to know in the days since she signed her contract. She'd become fast friends with Devin, the two of them only months apart in age. The two of them were sharing a dressing room, even though Audrey wouldn't be in front of the camera that evening, she changed anyways. Talking it over with Hunter and General Manager Regal, Audrey would deviate from the usual look of a beautiful dress and heels. Not that she hated that look, but it just wasn't her. Changing into a black tank top, and dark boot cut jeans, tugging a black cardigan with skulls over her bare arms, and slipping into her checkered Vans, she decided to roam the halls of Full Sail while Devin got ready.

Audrey had never seen so many people looked so focused, many looking like they were getting ready for war, not for an entertainment show. She quickly discovered it wasn't out of the ordinary to find someone blocking her path, stretching, pacing, running up and down the halls. Her stomach began grumbling, her nose leading her to what must have been the craft services table, stopping just short, a little daunted by trio standing just off to the corner, almost oblivious to the world around them.

She may have been the same size as the woman in front of her, but Audrey was positive the blonde could pin her down in a heartbeat. Her hair was slightly curled at the end, showing off the varying hues of blue they'd been dyed to. Her ring gear was blue and sparkly, looking like the spawn of Tinkerbell and Elsa from Frozen. She giggled at the two men in front of her, glittering with every shift of her body.

To her left looked like a bad-boy GQ model. His hair was shaved on the sides, slicked back on the top, exposing light colored eyes, Audrey couldn't really tell if they were blue or green, that were both enchanting and devious. His suit conflicted against his tattooed tan skin, causing her to wonder for a second how many more he had underneath all that tailoring. On the outside, he looked to be annoyed at the fairy princess beside him, interjecting herself into his conversation with his friend, but Audrey thought it looked more like a ruse, trying to hide his feelings for her.

It was the final member of the trio that had Audrey flushing at the sight of him. He stood more in the shadows, quieter than his friends. He looked like he could break her with his pinky, standing close to seven feet tall, dressed in dark pants that laced on the side, and a leather vest that slightly hid the tattoos on his chest, though his sleeve was on full display. His dark eyes and dark hair looked intimidating, but for some reason, she was drawn to him.

Gulping a little, Audrey stepped up to the table, grabbing an orange and a water, only to be caught by the blonde.

"I haven't seen you around here before. Are you new?" she smiled sweetly, seeming genuine enough, holding out her hand for Audrey to shake.

"Yeah. First week on the job. I'm Audrey Quinn, newest backstage reporter."

"I heard about you! I'm Alexa Bliss, and this is Corey Graves, and Baron Corbin." Corey nodded in her direction, a wicked grin on his face, Baron waved just a little, a small upturn in his lips. Alexa scooted to the side, Corey's side, Audrey noted in her mind, allowing her to stand between herself and Baron.

"Another small fry around here. Where are you all coming from?" Corey laughed, barely dodging a nudging elbow to the gut from the pint sized Diva.

"I don't know about Alexa, but I guess I prove not everything's bigger in Texas." Audrey got what she wanted out of that comment, a laugh long enough to break the ice for good, the awkwardness fading away. She could feel Baron's eyes flickering towards her every few moments, almost as if he was trying to feel her out, and she wasn't sure if the butterflies in her stomach were nerves or excitement.

Corey left first, heading off to the commentary table to get the show under way. Alexa left not long after, with a little friendly hug for Audrey, heading off to get ready for her match, the first one of the night. Audrey turned to throw away her trash, a little thrown herself to catch Baron checking her out when she turned back, a light pink staining his cheeks.

"I uh, I better get back. I'm supposed to be shadowing Devin." Baron nodded, the biggest smile she'd seen on him yet as he waved goodbye.

"I'm pretty sure I'll see you around, Audrey." she grinned, waving back before walking away, resisting the urge to skip back to her room. She felt good about the acquaintances she'd made that evening, and her heart really hoped Baron was right.