Something to Believe In

CH 13: The New Straightedge Society

                When Gallows and Serena come to my room the next morning, I'm ready for them. Michelle and I are dressed and waiting. I answer the door and usher the pair of them in. Serena stops as soon as she sees Michelle. "What's she doing here?" she asks, turning to me.

"Have a seat," I tell them. They look wary, but do as I ask. I look at Michelle. She nods, and I turn back to the straightedge society. "Everything is changing," I say, "except for the most important thing. You two are the backbone of the straightedge society. I need you." I pause. "Michelle came to me for help, as I've told you. We can help each other. Creative called me this morning. They said she can be inducted on next week's show."

"Inducted?" Serena asks. "You mean like we were?"

"Yes," I say. "We'll do our usual thing, with me calling out Rey Mysterio again. Before the segment's over, Michelle will come out."

Serena looks at Michelle. "You're going to shave your head? What does your tag team partner think?"

Michelle smirks. "We're set to lose yet again. It's going to cause us to feud, which is why I'm coming down to the ring. I'll start by yelling at you guys, and then Punk will persuade me over." She shrugs.

"And you think the audience will buy that?" Gallows asks me.

"Yes," I say. "Because we're all going to sell it."

"But..." Serena says. "I don't know, Punk. Do you think she can sell it?"

"Oh, I can sell it," Michelle says with a smile. "Don't worry, Serena. I'm on board with everything. I'm willing to work my ass off to make great things happen for the straightedge society."

"See? You guys don't have anything to worry about," I say.

Gallows and Serena exchange glances. "We're not sure," Gallows says.

"Fine," I say. "That's why the four of us are riding together to the next venue, and why I've booked a suite at the next hotel. Serena and Michelle will share one room, and Luke and I will share the other. And we're having dinner together tonight, just the four of us. Get used to being together, because we're about to do it full time until the next show." I turn to Michelle. "Welcome to the straightedge society."

"Thanks," she says, arching her eyebrows at me. "You're making it sound so amazing- twenty four seven of the three of you. How can anyone resist?"

I smirk. "We have to get used to being a cohesive group." I pause. "And I know it's going to break your heart, but you'll have to limit your contact with Hardy."

Michelle smiles. "I think I'll be able to manage that. It'll be a struggle, but..." She lets out a mock sigh. "I'll get through it somehow. Look at me, already making sacrifices for you guys." Gallows rolls his eyes, but I know what she's saying is true; she is making sacrifices for us. Not that this is one of them.

"Yeah, yeah," I mutter. "That's you, all right. Completely devoted to the cause."

"Hmph. Hey, shopping's not off limits, right?"

"No?" I venture.

"Great." Michelle grins at me. "Then when we get to the next venue, Serena and I are going shopping."

"What?" Serena asks, startled. She looks between Luke and I, and I can see panic in her eyes. "Um."

"Sounds great," I say smoothly. "It will let you two have some girl bonding time." And it'll give me some time to talk to Gallows, though I don't mention that out loud.

Serena glares daggers at me, but Michelle seems happy. "Fantastic! If I'm shaving my head, then I'm going to need some seriously devastating eye make up. And maybe a sparkly top."

Gallows eyes me. "Is she really the best idea for the next member of the straightedge society?"

"Doesn't matter. She's what we've got, and I'm damned grateful she agreed to join."

Michelle grins and holds her arms up in an X. "Yay, straightedge!" She winks at me. It's so absurd that I end up snickering, despite trying to keep a straight face. She's just so perky about it. Gallows glares at me.

"Be serious, McCool," I say, and she pouts.

"How's this?"

"Is she mocking us?" Gallows asks.

"Of course not." I give Michelle a look, and she quits mocking us.

"No, I'm taking this seriously," Michelle says. "But you know, you guys could stand to have a little fun now and again. Just because we're straightedge doesn't mean we have to be boring, does it? We could... um... go bowling."

"Bowling?" I ask.

"Give me a break. It was the first thing that came to mind. Okay, how about this. We could get some DVDs."

"DVDs," Gallows says.

"Video games?" She stares at the three of us. "Come on! You guys can come up with something! Otherwise, it's going to be a really long week. You've got to have some fun sometimes, right?"

"Punk?" Serena asks.

I sigh. "We'll figure something out, guys."

"So long as it's not screaming in unison again," Michelle mutters. "I hear you guys suck at that." She gives Luke a meaningful look.

I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing again. Poor Serena and Luke. They don't stand a chance.