Split

A Mistake

When the plane lands, Rhea stands from her seat and takes a step back, motioning for Emma to go first. Emma smiles and grabs her backpack as she walks off the plane. Rhea follows closely behind.

"Do you need a ride?" Rhea asks.

Emma looks at her and shrugs.

"I was going to get an Uber."

"Why don't you just ride with me in mine. They're already here and saves money." She smiles.

Emma smiles back and nods.

"Sure why not."

Rhea's eyes grow dark a moment and her lip twitches but she shrugs it off before making her way to the Uber. Emma follows, a weird eerie feeling rising in her stomach.

They put their bags in the car and slip into the backseat next to each other. The silence on the way to the hotel is awkward, at least it is for Emma. She looks over at Rhea who is staring out the window. Her hands on her thighs, squeezing them with her nails digging in slightly. She's mumbling to herself.

"Hey..are you okay?"

Rhea's head turns to her and her eyes and hands relax. She smiles.

"I'm fine."

Once they get to the hotel, they each grab their bags and head inside to check in. They get their room keys and head to them, realizing they're just next to each other. Rhea smiles at Emma.

"Well you know where to find me if you need me." She says before walking into her room.

Emma goes into hers and leans against the door. There's something off about Rhea. She's beautiful, sweet and funny. But that's the point. It's the complete opposite of what Emma's used to.

Then she reminds herself of Damian telling her she was just in character. Maybe he was right after all. Her character is a menace. But then she also remembers him telling her to be careful. That's she's "complicated".

Sighing, Emma drops her bags by the bed, kicks off her shoes and plops down, rubbing her temples. She doesn't know what to think. She just knows what she wants. And what she wants is Rhea Ripley.

*next day*

It's Supershow night and Emma is making her initial rounds of checking off who has and hasn't shown up. Everyone but Rhea is checked off so she makes her way to her dressing room.

She knocks on the door and waits about a minute before it swings open. Rhea is staring back at her with a little makeup on and in her more relaxed gear.

"What." She snaps.

Emma is taken aback by the harsh tone and stutters before clearing her throat.

"I was just checking on you. Do you need anything?" She asks and gives a smile.

Rhea looks her up and down, licking her teeth and gives her a look of pure disgust.

"No." She says before slamming the door in Emma's face.

She jumps back in surprise and frowns before walking away. She spots Damian at the end of the hall, peeking out of his dressing room at her. He was watching the encounter. Emma opens her mouth to say something but he just shrugs and gently shuts his door.

"What is wrong with these people?" Emma sighs before making her way to the viewing room.

She pours herself a glass of water and watches The Judgment Day walk out on the screen. Rhea has a big smile plastered on her face as she jumps around in the ring to their music.

Emma can't help but smile. She's awfully cute in her unhinged state at supershows.

"What are you smiling so big at?" Liv Morgan asks from beside her.

"Hmm? Oh nothing. It's nothing."

"It's Rhea isn't it?" She smiles.

"No! Okay..maybe.." Emma sighs.

"Can't say that I blame you." Liv says, watching the screen.

"Hey, why does she seem so sweet outside of work but when we get here...she hates me?" Emma asks.

Liv shrugs before looking at Emma then back at Rhea on the screen.

"You're gonna have to talk to her about that. I wouldn't know. Just...don't take her personally. She takes time to warm up to people." Liv says before rubbing Emma's arm and walking away.

Emma sighs and watches Rhea beat up one of the boys fighting Dom and Damian, then skip away with her hands behind her back like she's innocent.

How does she switch gears all the time? When they come backstage again, Emma goes to check on them. She smiles at each of them.

"You guys have fun?" She asks as she checks them over.

Dom, Damian and Finn each reply happily before retreating to their dressing rooms. Emma is checking over Rhea when she notices the uncomfortable look in her face.

"Hey can we talk?"

"Why?" Rhea asks.

"I just wanted to know why you seem to hate me again. After Monday-"

"Monday was a mistake. I don't like you. Never did. Never will. Get out of my way." She growls.

Emma gasps and stands to the side. Rhea storms off to her dressing room and Emma watches her go. She balls her fists. She's not giving up that easy.