Welcome...to WWE High School!

Chapter Five: Dean

Even though it was a week ago, I was still giddy with the knowledge that I would compete in the tournament. I had totally aced the tryouts. Seth had passed, too. That was unfortunate.

Unfortunate for him, that is. I was going to make his tiny brain sorry it ever entered the gym for those tryouts. Plus, I'm not even sure his win was fair. The Authority had some part of it, I heard. I didn't watch his match, but I overheard a few people talking about it. Randy was right, being on the Dark Side does get you privileges. But I wasn't going to switch sides any time soon. I'd rather earn my opportunities, instead of them being handed to me on a silver platter. 

Yep, I was excited for that match. We still had a little while to go until the tournament, though. Right now I was sitting in the gym for the second round of tryouts. This would be for the last championship match of the school year. I was kind of disappointed that I wasn't in that match, but not too much. After all, when I win that certificate from the tournament, I can get into any championship match I want. 

"WOO! YOU GOT THIS, REIGNS!" I yelled as Roman stepped up to the mat. He waved to me, and the referee started the match. He was going against Dolph Ziggler, another person who qualified for my upcoming tournament. A few minutes into the match, Dolph leaped over Roman, who was bent over trying to get a hold on him. 

"Showoff," I muttered.

I watched their match closely, hoping that Roman wouldn't lose. I just know that if--no, WHEN--he qualified, he could win the championship match. 

That trophy's going to look great on his shelf.

Actually, I was watching their match so closely I didn't see anyone enter the gym in the middle of the match. I didn't see this person sit twenty feet away from me on the bleachers. I didn't see that this person had half-blonde hair.

When I did, my happiness plunked down into my shoes. The memories came back, and I remembered why I was sitting alone, cheering for Roman alone.

Because of the person sitting dangerously close to me. 

Big mistake, Seth.

I forgot that there was anyone else in the room. There was only me and my target. I lunged at him and started punching, holding nothing back. This couldn't wait for the 29th. 

"AH! GET HIM OFF ME!" he yelled. No one tried to stop me. 

"MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU DID TO US, YOU SELLOUT!" I yelled back at him.

"REALIZING THAT TRIPL-UH, I MEAN PRINCIPAL HELMSLEY IS IN CHARGE OF US ISN'T SELLING OUT, IDIOT! MRS. HELMSLEY SAID IT WAS BUYING IN!" he said.

There it was. He slipped up. Instead of using the respectful, model student name for the principal, he used our name for him. Guess he wasn't used to being the perfect golden boy yet.

I didn't stop using everything I had on him, though. Not until Randy Orton and Kane came over and pulled me off.

Kane Jacobs was a senior, but he seemed so much older than the rest of us that I wondered if he was held back a year or two. And he was so weird, he even gave me the creeps. I mean, come on. The dude had one blue eye and one brown eye. That's enough to give anyone the creeps.

Especially when he's trying to break up a fight and he's giving you a death glare. Ew.

The creep in question handed me a paper. "Principal Helmsley wants to see you in his office on Monday. You have one week of detention."

Seriously? Again? I just got out of my graffiti detention! And this time Roman wouldn't be with me--

Roman! Dang it! I totally forgot about his match! 

Everyone was staring at me. I realized that maybe I just said my last two statements out loud. Well, I knew there was a reason they called me unstable. I returned the teenager's glares. "Take a picture, it'll last you longer," I said bitterly. 

They turned around and I sat back down by my seat in the bleachers. Angrily, I saw that Roman had won his match. Well, I was happy that he won. I was just mad that I missed it. While Roman was celebrating his victory, I glanced over at Seth, the reason I missed the ending. He was leaving the gym, keeping an eye on me to make sure I didn't pounce on him again. Randy and Kane ushered him out. 

Okay, I guess it was partly my fault I missed the match. But I never would have done it if Seth hadn't decided he didn't need friends.

I climbed down the bleachers to where Roman was waiting. "Hey, man," I said awkwardly. 

"Thanks for kicking Seth's sorry butt, Dean." 

I smirked. "We both know he deserved it. Sorry I missed the end of the match. I was kind of...caught up in the moment."

"It's fine, bro. Dolph almost got a pin on me while I was watching you, though. I had to remember that  the match didn't actually stop. It doesn't matter now, though. I won, and that's all that matters."

We were walking out of the gym when Renee Young came over, pencil and notepad in hand.

"Hi, um, Mr. Reigns? Can I ask you some questions?" Renee was the journalist for the school paper.

"Depends on the question," said Roman.

"You're the eighth person in the championship tournament match. How do you feel about that match so far?"

"How do I feel, Renee? I'm going up in a tournament with seven other guys who all want the same thing I want. I think my odds of winning are pretty good," he laughed.

"So, you think you're going to win?"

"Oh, I don't THINK I'm going to win, Renee. I KNOW I'm going to win. Believe that," he smirked, and we headed outside. 

As we walked towards his car, I asked Roman: "So, who else is in that match with you? I know Sheamus Farrelly is, and Antonio Cesaro. I missed the first few matches."

"John Cena qualified, and so did Bray Wyatt."

Bray was...different. I had no idea what was up with that dude, but all I ever saw him do was walk creepily around school with his two buddies, Erick Rowan and Luke Harper. It was like they were some weird cult or something. They often sang bible songs at lunch. Particularly "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands". 

I remembered that Roman was still talking. I should stop zoning out. "Alberto del Rio passed, and so did Randy Orton. And Kane."

I rubbed my hands together. "Well then, it's settled! You'll handle two of the Authority's goons, and I'll handle their newest poster boy. Deal?" 

"Deal," said Roman, smiling. "Did you get enough revenge tonight on said poster boy?" 

I gave him a Cheshire grin, and replied although Roman already knew the answer. "I bet Seth wishes that I did. But I'm not done yet."