Not that bad // Rhea Ripley

69- Angel Eyes

"If you let me inside, I won't hold back this time"

New Year's Day

Here I was, my time to shine. Well technically, I'm just sitting in the public, waiting for my head to be shaved by Punk. Im close to the barricades, and my heart starts pounding in my chest as his theme song echoes through the room. This is it, what I've been waiting for all my life, a once in a lifetime opportunity. And I'd do anything it takes to make the most of it. I gather my attention back as Punk and Gallows come down the ramp, Punk getting booed as he talks, as usual. I'm waiting for the cue, for the sign, the word that will get me going. And here it comes. I jump over the barricade, pushing some fans around me, and run like a madman to Punk, grabbing him before being pushed away by Gallows, and then taken away by security. They were being quite harsh on me, and I tried to get out of their grip as forcefully as possible, and not just for the act, I really wanted them to let go of me. Followed Punk speech, saying that I needed him, his salvation and his light, and asking the security to let me go, which they did. Luke came to get me and held my hand, helping me to the ring. Once I was on it, I approached Punk, and he got a lot closer to me as well. We had been getting quite along with Phil lately. It felt as if we were back to best friends, and I was really fond of his current girlfriend, she was a sweetheart. But back to the moment. Punks hand went to my cheek, and he started talking to me, asking me all theses questions, saying he'll accept to help me become better. Then back to his bashing of the public, as usual. And then his fingers grabbed my chin to make me look at him, and I swear at this moment, I had to fight the urge to kiss him, which scared me a lot. I didn't feel anything anymore towards him, and I had Colby, so why would I want to do that ? I got a bit lost in thoughts, exiting them when Punk asked me to pledge allegiance to the Straight Edge Society, which I did without thinking. He made me then sit on the chair and repeat the words he said. As he got up, he kissed my forehead, and I felt a warmth engulf my whole body and mind, and couldn't help but smile. And then the big moment happened. I heard the familiar noise of the clippers, and then slowly, patch after patch, my hair falling on the mat. This went on for like, 10 minutes I think, and oh my god, I felt my head, and this guy needs serious hair-cutting lessons. They both raised my hands as the replay went on on the titantron, and then Punk held me tight in his arms, which wasn't planned, but not unpleasant in any ways. We all went back backstage once the commercial break hit.

Once there, I received another massive hug from Phil.

"Oh my god Rox, you were so great ! And I'm sorry or your hair" He laughed a little. "You should go ask a hairdresser to get it fixed."

"Yeah, I'll probably do that" I smiled. "Please, if you can't wrestle anymore someday, promise me to never become a hairdresser ?"

" Oh my god" He chuckled and placed his hand on his heart, raising the other one and closed his eyes. "I solemnly swear to never be a hairdresser in any of my future lives".

We both laughed wholeheartedly, and then parted. I searched around for Colby, but didn't see him anywhere and just sighed. He had been especially cold and distant towards me lately, hating the fact that I had to feud with Punk, and occasionally taking it out on me. Never physically, but we had quite a few heated arguments, and he would often give me the cold shoulder. But enough, I'll see him tonight at the hotel, or maybe at the training room, but for now, I had to go get my hair fixed. I went to the hairdressers corner, and one of them ran to me.

"Oh god darling come here, I've been wanting to see you since I saw him butchering your magnificent hair !" She indicated me a chair and I wasted no time sitting on it. "He needs to have a restraining order of at least 100 meters from anything that cuts hair !"

I smiled and let her do her work, making me look way more presentable at the end of it. I thanked her, and she told me I'd have to come before every show to get it re-cut, to which I nodded simply. I went back in the corridors, and searched for a place to watch the rest of the show. Eventually, while I was seated on a flight case, I saw Colby in the distance. He looked at me, but just continued his way, to wherever he was going. I looked down, feeling my heart hurt quite a lot. I just shook it off and packed my things, not even getting changed from my stage clothes, and preparing to exit the building, as I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Rox, why are you alone ?"

I turned around and saw Phil, and his ever-so-gentle eyes landing on me. I just wanted to cry, and hug him, but I couldn't. Colby is already jealous enough like that, and I don't want to include Phil in our fights.

"Oh, I'm just going back to the hotel early, I'm quite tired." I faked the best smile I could.

"Oh, alright" he smiled as well "Well, I'm going back too, want me to drop you ?"

" No, thanks, I kinda want to walk and ..."

" Roxanne, I was not letting you choose, it's freezing outside, I'm driving you there"

He took my bag without wasting another minute and led me to his car.