Learning Curves

eleven.

STRAIGHTENING her ponytail, Audrey was ready and eager to get the night started. It was her first night solo backstage, and though it scared her just a bit, it excited her more. She'd arrived early that afternoon, Regal wanting to meet with her, make sure she hadn't any cold feet, or last minute changes of heart. After a late lunch with Corey and Tom Phillips, she ventured off to her dressing room, turning on her iPod, letting Alabama Shakes tune out Full Sail.

Turning her back on the door, she started rummaging through her bag. Alexa had made her promise to wear a certain lipgloss tonight, one she almost dragged her into Sephora to buy, crooning about how 'fabulous' it would look on her. Audrey thought the maroon color was pretty, so she trusted Bliss' insight, eager to see what the rest of the world thought.

She heard the door open, but she didn't bother turning around to see who it was. Audrey was used to people coming in while she got ready. Usually it was the pint sized Diva herself, tired of getting choked by the smell of fake tan and hair spray, finding solace in Audrey's much quieter room. The only person more commonly found would be Baron, sneaking in for a quick makeout session, Audrey teasing him about how good his butt looked in his ring gear. Finding the lipgloss, she turned, for once, a little shocked at who she saw. Standing awkwardly, a shirt crumpled in her hands, tendrils of hair falling out of a messy bun, was Devin. The woman that had eluded her for days was standing in the same room with her, staring at her like she'd seen a ghost.

"I uh... I was just getting some of my stuff. I thought I'd lost it."

"I've been trying to call you. Why haven't you answered?" She sounded like a jilted lover, but Devin was her first friend in this company, and though she'd been admittedly neglectful lately, she still meant a lot to her.

"I wanted to be alone." Her body stiffened, not looking Audrey in the eye.

"Yeah. That's why Sasha instagrammed that picture of you and her together at lunch the day after I asked you to come out with us?"

"You wouldn't understand."

"Try me." Audrey stood her ground, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You think the world revolves around you, Audrey."

"I what?"

"The world does not revolve around you. You came in here, everyone fawning over the new girl. You didn't even realize you were taking my spot. Or did you care?"

"Your spot?"

"Hell yes, my spot! You never even stopped to think that someone else could have that dream? To move up to the main roster?"

"It wasn't my dream." Audrey muttered, picking at her nails. Though she dreamed of being a reporter, that dream never held thoughts of a twenty by twenty mat surrounded by turnbuckles and ropes. She always dreamed of herself covering the President, or backstage at the Grammy's. A pang of guilt shot through her, propelled by Devin's ever growing anger.

"Which makes it so much fucking worse! You're nothing special, you're just new. And you're starting to wear out your welcome."

"What in the world are you on about now?" Audrey had never felt so accused, so attacked.

"You've been the Princess since day one around here. Things started to change around the time you provoked Bull. How come you didn't get in trouble, but he did? He wouldn't have done anything to you had you not provoked him."

"I just asked him a question!" she cried.

"Yeah. You provoked him because he threatened your stupid boyfriend. Does he even love you? I doubt it." Tears stung at Audrey's eyes as Devin aimed below the belt.