Not that bad // Rhea Ripley

28- Dancing With A Wolf

"Fool me once, it's shame on you

Fool me twice and let the wolves come crashing through."

All Time Low

We arrived in Chicago at around 4p.m. We went directly to book our hotel rooms for tonight, put down our suitcases, and went to Cathy's house. I was kind of nervous because I didn't know them, but from what Phil told me in the car, he talked to them about me, and they want to see the three of us. I'm kind of jealous about the fact that Phil will have his family there to see him, I wish my mom and the boys could come. But I know my mom couldn't since the plane ticket is really expensive, and she has work, she can't take days off like that. As for the guys, I don't know, the problem of the price is still here, and they probably are busy with their jobs and college. But on the other hand, I wouldn't want them to be here, especially Michael, since he'd be worried crazy. I was interrupted in my thoughts by a woman's cheerful voice.

" Hey!" she almost singed. "Look who we've got here."

" Hello Cathy." Scott and Phil said, and Phil hugged her. "How have you been?" Phil asked.

" Great and you ?" She responded. "But come on in, it's cold outside." Oh yes it is. "And who's that, is it the infamous Roxanne ?"

" Yeah, I suppose that's me." I answered shyly.

We followed her inside and sat around the dinner table. Three girls, that I suppose would be Chez, Chaleen and Cassie arrived from upstairs and sat with us. I watched them have a conversation for quite a long time, talking about the past, Phil and Scott's job and friendship, and suddenly one of the girls, Cassie if I remember well, turned to me.

" And you ?" She asked. "You've been especially quiet since you arrived. Where do you come from, what are you doing here ?"

" Oh erm, I came from a little city near Sydney, and I arrived here to be a part of ROH, thanks to Phil." I said, not looking at them.

" That's amazing!" Chez exclaimed. "So you're the Roxanne that Phil dated during high school right ?"

" Chez, I don't think she wants to talk about that." Phil interrupted. "It's in the past now. It was years ago."

Ouch, right in the feels, thanks Phil. Scott looked at me sympathetically and gave me a half smile. I really like Scott, he's been like a brother to me since I arrived. But not the mean kind of brother that would always push you around or give you shit, the gentle kind that shows you around and helps you with life in general. No, Phil would actually be the mean kind of brother, but on the same time, he can be gentle sometimes, just not as much as before. We stayed there until dinner, and eventually, Cathy suggested we stay to eat something, which the boys agreed to, and I nodded. Chaleen started asking about me, as the others were having their own conversation.

" And what do you like in life, apart from wrestling and my brother ?" She asked cheekily.

" I- I don't like Phil anymore!" I stuttered, blushing madly. "Like he said, it's in the past now, it was years ago. And I used to play music with my friends, in a band called 5 Seconds Of Summer."

" What instrument did you play ?" She asked. "And I feel like I know that name, it's weird."

" In the band I was a guitarist and sang, but usually I play bass and sing, and yeah, you might have heard it." I smiled. "We're nowhere near famous, but we have a channel on YouTube where we post covers. And now they have a new singer so, yeah."

We eventually left at around 10p.m, to go back to our hotel room and sleep. We had to be at the arena tomorrow by 2p.m, and I was counting on visiting the area a little before. Just before I went to bed, I got a text from Ashton, with a picture linked to it.

Ashton: Chicago really is a beautiful city.

I almost jumped out of my bed and called him immediately. He picked up before the second ring.

"Ashton what the fuck are you doing here?" I scream-shouted, since the other two were probably asleep by now.

" Well, you saw it, I'm in Chicago." He said cheekily and I could hear the smirk in his voice. "And you happen to be here at the same time, so hey, what a great coincidence don't you think?"

" You fucker! But shit I love you so much!" I wanted to yell so bad right now. "Are you alone?" I asked half hopeful.

" Unfortunately yes, the others couldn't make it, I'm sorry." He said sadly. "I'm actually here because I have to meet up with a friend in Chicago too, to write some music."

" Really? That's so amazing Ashton!" I replied, smiling more than ever.

" Do you think we could meet up tomorrow, before the show ?" He asked.

" Yeah of course!" I answered immediately. "That's not even a question Ashton ! I have to be at the venue around 2p.m, we can just meet up in the morning and go eat somewhere." I suggested.

" Awesome, tell me where to pick you up." He asked. "And I'll drop you by the venue on time."

" Okay, I'll be sending you the locations right after we hung up." I told him.

" Oh, and tomorrow, I have to talk to you about Michael and Luke." He said, seeming less cheerful.

" I-Is it bad ?" I asked, scared for my best friend, and also for Luke.