Not that bad // Rhea Ripley

7- Seize The Day

"I can't move on with you around"

Avenged Sevenfold

All this week was pure torture. The classes were even more boring than usual. The only great thing is that I now have two wrestling lessons a week, since in the end, my 'special trainer' may only stay for one month and a half. So Thursday we are, first lesson with the coach. I arrive and get changed as usual, and then enter the room and start warming up.

" Don't forget the wrists" I heard a voice, vaguely familiar, say behind me. "They will be put in a lot of trouble. And insist on body parts where you're already injured or else."

I followed his directives without even turning around and paid extra care to my bad knee. After 15 minutes my teacher came in, so I turned around. But then I froze in shock. How could that be ? How could he be here ? My heart started racing, I hadn't seen him in two years, he didn't even text me, nor answered any of my calls. I tried to push my feelings aside and finally managed to move from my spot to go greet my teacher.

" So have you guys had the time to exchange some infos about each other." Daniel asked.

" Not really, I just finished warming up." I said, gathering all the courage I could find in me.

" Well, young man, why don't you start with the presentations?"

" My name's Phil Brooks, but we know each other." He said, as breath-taken as I was. "I'm now a 'pro'-wrestler in ROH which stands for Ring Of Honor." He rambled. " Well I don't think there is much to add to that ?"

" And well my name's Roxanne, but you know that too." I said, even if it was really difficult to articulate, probably since I had to control my uneven breathing. "My dream is to be a pro wrestler, and, well yeah."

He gave me a smile that I couldn't return, even if I had wanted to.

" So let's get started, are you ready ?" Daniel asked.

" I'm good, how about you ?" Phil asked me, with composure.

So it doesn't affect him at all? I could only nod, my tongue tied. I didn't know what to think. But right now, this isn't the thing to think about. I'm given the opportunity to do what I've dreamed about for almost my whole fucking life, so I'm gonna seize that chance and not overthink.

We got on the mat and got in position. Phil corrected a little my hand placement, and proceeded to show me some more difficult moves.

" I want to show some submission moves, alright ?" He asked. " You're muscular, not one of those lanky Divas we can see, so you'll be especially efficient on these kinds of holds." He assured me. "And later on, not today, I'll teach you some more spectacular moves, that are not often executed by women, is that good to you ?"

" Yeah, sounds good."

He was really professional with me, so I tried to do as well. Or maybe he just forgot about everything we had. Maybe he moved on, a thing I was never able to do. He was my first love after all.

We wrestled for 2 hours on a row, learning all kinds of clutches and all. He even showed me his signature move. When we were done he showed me some stretches that were particularly efficient on the body part we worked with. It didn't vary much from those we do in JuiJitsu, but still, he was kind enough to help me till the end and not let me stretch alone once we were done with the training. We then went back to the lockers each on our side. I slipped on my day clothes, just some shorts and a Killswitch Engage shirt and left, until I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turner around and found myself face to face with Phil.

" Hey, erm, you will probably shut me down, but I wanted to ask you if you're free right now ? And if you'd want to go get a coffee with me ?" He asked sheepishly.

" I, I really don't know Phil." I said dryly. "I have so many things on my mind right now, and so many questions, it's giving me a headache."

I really wanted to make sarcastic comments like " Yeah of course, the first coffee with you in two years, gonna be great, so excited !" but I didn't even have the strength and composure to do that right now.

" Well if you change your mind, tell me." He said as gentle as ever. "We're probably gonna see each other a lot in the next few weeks."

" Yeah." I breathed out. "I have to go now, goodbye."

I left the building and headed straight home. I undid my bag and started a washing machine. I grabbed something to eat quickly and went straight to bed, thousands of questions torturing my mind right now. Why did he leave? Why didn't he tell me he was leaving? And why is he coming back now? I slept pretty early, which is unusual for me.

When I woke up I saw I had texts and missed call from Michael. He was starting school at 8 in the morning, while I only started on third period. I had to talk to him. I think I know now what they were talking about with Calum last day. He must be worried as fuck, but oh well. I'm pretty pissed off at him right now, but let's wait to see if my doubts are funded. I got up and did my morning routine, still confused about what happened yesterday evening. I then left to school, and as soon as I arrived, Mike ran to me.

" Why the fuck didn't you answer any of my calls or messages ?" He yelled. "I was worried as fuck !"

" How long have you known ?" I asked, emotionlessly.

" Known about what Rox ?" He asked. "And you didn't answer my question."

" Don't play dumb with me Michael !" The tone was starting to rise. " You perfectly know what I'm talking about."

His face went all pale and he took a step back, as he was really close to me.