Date July 8th 2018 / Time Unknown / Status Not Recording
Location UGWC Wrestlestock Day Four – New Orleans, Louisiana

One!!

 

Two!!

 

Three!!

“Here is your winner, and STILL the World Heavyweight Champion…LUUCCCYYYYYY WYYYLLLLLDDDDEEEEEEE!!!!”

I close my eyes and drop Kem’s leg, immediately rolling over onto my knees. For a moment, the pain in my arms doesn’t bother me, the slight throbbing in the side of my reconstructed cheekbone isn’t nagging at me… The only thing I feel is absolute jubilation. I did it.

I showed that Bitch exactly what it’s like to be in a match with me.

I open my eyes to see Owen holding the UGWC World Heavyweight Championship in front of me, and Kem Dynamo stirring to my side. Pulling myself up to my feet, I take the belt and stumble towards the ropes, holding it up in the air as the fans cheer their hearts out. After a few seconds I pull the belt back down into my arms and I turn around, coming face to face with Kem – standing in the center of the ring, staring at me looking defeated… defeated yet defiant.

You barely beat her.

Bullshit. I shake my head and move past Kem, heading to the other side of the ring playing to the crowd as my music fills the arena. Nothing is going to ruin this moment for me. Nothing. I came out here tonight and I did exactly what I needed to do. There was no ‘barely’ about it. I’m still the champ, ain’t I?

By the skin of your teeth, Lucille.

I roll my eyes and ignore the comments. He doesn’t know anything. I’ve worked my ass off for this. For all of this, through everything I’ve gone through in the last couple of months. He’s just trying to derail me.

It didn’t work.

It’s not going to work.

Not anymore.

He had his chance to end me and he failed. I’ve persevered. I’ve trudged through everything thrown at me and I’m still at the top of the mountain.

 

Date July 13th 2018 / Time 2:40PM / Status Not Recording
Location The Paper Street Tattoo Company – Inwood, New York

As I open the door to the tattoo parlor, I can’t help but feel a bit nervous. Sure, Maggie and I talked a bit at Wrestlestock and we made some strides to get past our issues… but since coming home, I’ve immersed myself in charity work, trying to keep myself and more importantly my mind busy.

Why are we even here?

I step inside, not bothering to answer his incessant questions. It’s ridiculous that I’m even entertaining questions coming from inside my own head, but that’s exactly why I’ve been spending more time away from home doing anything and everything that I can cram into my schedule. Keeping his voice out of my head is number one on my list, even if he doesn’t quite get the hint already.

Every eye within the tattoo shop turns when I walk in, and when they see who it is, most of them turn and go back to whatever it is that they’re doing. I sigh and wonder if I even made the right choice in coming here. I mean, Maggie did ask me to drop by today if I had the chance…

“Hey Luce.”

I look to the stairs that lead up to Maggie’s apartment and I see her walking down, a bouquet of flowers in her hands.

Well.. What are those for?

“I didn’t expect you so soon.”

She says, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. I smile softly and shrug my shoulders as my eyes fall to the flowers in her hands. I wonder what.. Or who they’re for too, actually.

See?

“Well, I was in the neighborhood. Did you need something?”

“I was just hoping we could talk..”

She too, shrugs her shoulders as she moves towards and past me, heading towards her office in the back of the shop. She stops in the middle of the floor and motions for me to follow her, which I do as I try to ignore the prying eyes of Maggie’s employees.

Do you ever wonder what she’s told them about you?

I sigh as the two of us make our way into her office and she closes the door behind us. No, actually I don’t really care what she’s told them about me. I kind of doubt she would say anything bad.

Do you really think that? Come on… The last few weeks haven’t exactly been a ‘lovers paradise’ for you two.

I watch her move around her desk as I sit down, fully expecting her to take a seat but she instead pulls her chair around to the other side so that she ends up sitting in front of me. As we sit in silence for a bit, I can’t help but watch her mannerisms. She looks… Uncomfortable, nervous even. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why she’d be nervous around me. She wanted me here after all.

“So..”

“So.”

She replies almost instantly, those turquoise eyes finally making contact with mine.

She looks guilty to me.

She doesn’t look guilty. She looks like she’s thinking about something. She looks like she’s got a lot on her plate, and I know that to be true. I can see the brace on her knee and the remnants of her fight with Gabriel at Wrestlestock. She’s probably still healing. Still dealing with everything that’s happened lately, just like I have been.

That’s far different than guilt.

Right. If you say so.

“What did you want to talk about Mags? Is everything okay?”

She nods her head.

“Yeah, yeah. We just haven’t had much chance to really talk… Since Wrestlestock. Thank you, by the way. That entrance… was amazing.”

I shrug my shoulders. I’m not so sure it was as great as she’s saying – I was horrible to her and Joe. My two closest friends, the two people who looked for me and found me in my moment of need – those who got me out of that warehouse where I honestly thought I was going to die… They didn’t deserve what they got as a thank you.

No matter how terrible I felt. No matter how badly I was hurting.. They didn’t deserve any of that. That’s why I went to talk with Stacy. That’s why I arranged that special entrance. It was honestly the least I could do… to do something to improve their lives.

She looks down into her lap, her eyebrows raising as she remembers the flowers sitting delicately in her lap.

“Shit.. I know it’s cheesy but I got you these.. To thank you.”

She lifts them and extends them towards me. I take them softly and take a moment to smell their sweet scent before laying them down in my lap.

That’s guilt if I’ve ever seen it.

I close my eyes and lean my head to the side, trying to make it look like I’m stretching my neck. She’s not fucking guilty. Why would she feel guilty? That makes no sense.

“You didn’t have to do that, Maggie.”

I say, sitting up in the chair.

“You’ve done so much for me and I’ve done nothing but give you grief for your troubles. Singing an entrance doesn’t even begin to repair the hatred I’ve spewed your way since… You know.”

“Like I said that night, Luce.. I could have handled all that better instead of letting my frustration build up until I snapped at you. It’s a lot to deal with.”

I nod my head.

“You’re telling me.”

“How’re you doing?”

Her question honestly takes me off guard.

She’s trying to confuse you.

I roll my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Um. I’m okay. Just keeping myself busy. Been doing a lot of charity stuff lately… What about you?”

Doing things she’s not supposed to…

I shake my head and put my hand up to my temple, wishing I could just wipe away the ridiculousness that I’m hearing inside my head right now. When I finally bring my hand back down, Maggie is looking at me with a confused look on her face.

Great.

“Well… I’ve been trying to get some work done around here and um.. Are you sure you’re okay?”

My eyebrows raise in question.

“Yeah, I’m good Mags. Just a little headache.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.. Yeah I’m good. I’m in a much better place than I was.. I promise.”

I smile to reassure her and after a few tense moments she smiles back.

“Good. I’m glad. Like I was saying; I’ve been catching up around here. The girls have been missing me around here. Trying to heal up before my next match but you know how that is, of course.”

I nod my head. I know that feeling all too well.

Come on, ask her what she’s hiding!

“Absolutely. I didn’t get the chance to tell you congratulations after you beat Gabriel, but you did great out there.”

“It felt good… I’m glad they didn’t stop the match though. I would have been so pissed. Oh, and congratulations on beating Kem… As if we didn’t already know that was gonna happen.”

She stifles a chuckle and quickly retains her composure.

“Crazier things have happened.”

I glance down at my watch and realize that I was supposed to be across five minutes ago. Fuck. I don’t want to leave so suddenly but…

You need to get back to trying to ignore me, right?”

Exactly.

I slide forward in the chair and bring myself back to my feet, garnering a disappointed look from Maggie as she watches me.

“You leaving?”

“I’m sorry… I scheduled a signing across town and I’m late. I should have planned my afternoon better.”

She slouches down in the chair, glancing away from me and towards the far side of the room. Damn. Way to make me feel guilty.

She’s trying to make you feel guilty because she’s done something… I’m telling you, Lucille.

“I’m sorry Maggie… Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.”

“It-It’s no problem. I guess I’ll talk to you.. later.”

I sigh and move towards her, leaning down over her and kissing her softly on her forehead.

“Soon. Take care of yourself okay?”

She nods her head and I take that as my cue to open the door and let myself out.

Oh she’ll take care of herself alright…

“Oh shut up will you?”

I mumble under my breath as I head towards the door to the shop.

Fine… I’ll be here if you need me.

I roll my eyes.

Right. I need this fucking voice to be gone, that’s what I need. I feel like a damned crazy person.

 

Date July 20th 2018 / Time 6:14PM / Status Not Recording
Location Fundraiser for Domestic Abuse Victims – Union City, New Jersey

Boooring.

I shrug my shoulders as I carry another tray of food from the kitchen out into the main dining area of this… this firehouse. Yeah, that’s what it is. Sure it’s not the most upbeat or happening party in the world, but it’s ridiculous to expect it to be considering all these people are here to raise money for domestic abuse.

Of course with the amount of people wanting to talk to me tonight about my experiences… I am kind of regretting coming here. But I can’t think about that now. I’m here and this is what I wanted to do with my friday night. It’s better than being at home alone with my thoughts and… him.

Who me? You can’t be talking about me.

I set the food down on the serving table and turn to head back to the kitchen for more when I hear a familiar voice coming from behind me.

“So you thought you could come over to Union City without stopping past the house to visit?”

I whip around to find Joe standing on the other side of the serving table, his arms crossed over his chest.

God in heaven, what is he doing here?

I let out a deep breath and run my hands over my head as I step towards him, wondering how I was going to explain my way out of not visiting him and Stacy when I came through Jersey City earlier today. I guess that’s kind of easy to explain actually.

“Well, I would have but I figured ya’ll needed your time together. Plus I’m sure your wife doesn’t like me very much anymore. Besides, I’ve been busy too.”

I reply, pointing around me just to illustrate the fact that I’ve been working myself ragged lately at any hole in the wall charity event I could make it to. He doesn’t look impressed though as he moves around the table, coming to stand in front of me, his eyes looking down into mine.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re always welcome, Luce.”

He’s lying.

I tilt my head to the side as I look up at him, trying to gauge his expression – but as always, Joe remains a terribly hard person to read. After a few seconds on contemplation, I sigh and nod my head.

“Yeah. I know. You keep telling me that.”

“And you keep avoiding me like the plague.”

Breaking eye contact with him, I look down at the ground, kicking a balled up paper towel around – trying to avoid this conversation. It’s been a rough few months. Finally, finally I’m starting to feel better…

But how much of that is avoiding the warning signs that are directly in front of your face?

“See? You’re avoiding now, Luce.”

I shake my head, bringing myself right back into the moment and I look back up into Joes eyes, feeling just a little bit angry that he’s pushing things like this right now.

“I’m not avoiding. I’ve just got a lot on my plate.”

“I see this. Why are you running around doing all of this? You’ve been doing a lot of these things as of late.”

I shrug.

“I just.. I just need to keep my mind busy, you know? I need to keep myself from thinking too much about… that before it drives me insane.”

Too late.

I close my eyes and grit my teeth. Fuck. Just shut up already. Please.

“I think.. I think I need to go see… someone.”

I look back up to see a shocked expression on his face.

“Someone? Like.. a psychiatrist?”

Again, I shrug and nod my head.

“Y-Yeah I mean I guess. It couldn’t hurt, right?”

For the first time in a while, I see a small smile on his face and what I can only classify as relief in his eyes.

“Definitely not. If you want, I can give you the name of my therapist. It’s helped me.. At least.”

And now he’s trying to pressure you into God knows what!

He pauses for a second, wrapping his hand around the back of his neck, rubbing it as he continues.

“I.. I was worried about you when we saw each other… At Wrestlestock, with that question you asked me and all…”

I asked him what he’d do if I went away. He told me he’d find me, because that’s what friends do. He’s not pressuring me into anything. He’s not trying to hurt me.. He cares. At least that’s what I see now when I look into his eyes.

I chuckle and swipe my hand between us, trying to show my indifference to the question I asked at Wrestlestock.

“Stupid question. I’m sorry I worried you. I’m good now, I promise. I’m feeling better.”

“Really?”

I nod my head.

“For sure. But.. Thank you for caring enough to come all the way out here.”

He looks around and tosses his arms in the air carelessly.

“All the way? What twenty minutes down the street? Come on. We’re friends.”

I’m telling you, he’s hiding something.

I shake my head. He’s not hiding anything. I know Joe better than I know just about anyone. He and I have tried to hurt each other in the past, we’ve hated each other’s guts. We’ve been through a lot to get to where we are right now. He wouldn’t hide anything from me. That’s ridiculous.

Fine. Don’t believe me, but you’ll see that I’m right.

Just go away. Please. Go the hell away. Stop ruining everything.

“Luce?”

I glance up, my eyes wide, hoping that I wasn’t just talking to myself right in front of him. I don’t need anyone, even Joe, knowing that I’ve got my dead father’s voice talking to me in my head.

And you want to keep saying he’s not hiding anything when you so obviously are? This friendship isn’t as good as you claim it is.. Is it?

“You okay?”

“Yeah, Joe.”

“Listen, when you’re done here.. Why don’t you come back to the house? Spend the evening with us. It’ll be good for me… I mean me and Stacy and Lizzy. You too.”

Part of me wants to go. Almost desperate to spend time with people who care, but another part of me just wants to keep going because every time I stop, like this.. Every time I get distracted from–

Your good deeds? Your mission of humanity?

Every time.. He comes back.

You ever think it’s because I’m right?

No.

“As.. much as I’d love to Joe.. I have to be back in New York for a Gala tonight for some…”

He puts his hands up to cut me off.

“Say no more… I understand.”

He looks disappointed but he stiffens his jaw and the fleeting look of disappointment goes away and he hesitantly turns to walk away, but I catch him by the arm in a moment of panic.

“Joe..”

He turns back just as I rush forward and wrap my arms around him, squeezing him tightly.

“Thank you.”

 

 

So this was supposed to be a cooperative match between me, Maggie, Vain and Zane. But now? It seems like management wants Maggie and I to both fight Vain, by himself, no help… No nothing.

Why?

Just a little question. Why? Why not find him another partner? Why not take Maggie or I out of this match?

I’m sorry, but I don’t like it.

I don’t do handicap matches. What do you think I am? A member of The Court?

I like you Vain. I really do. I respect both you and your tag team partner greatly and that’s why I’m not exactly happy about this upcoming match. Am I scared to get into the ring with you? Hell no. I wasn’t scared to put my Cross-Hemisphere Championship on the line against you, even though I lost it that night. I’m not worried about facing you. I just don’t like the way this entire thing has shaken out.

I know you said you were willing if Maggie and I were.

I respect that attitude. Hell, I’d have that same attitude if I were put in the same spot that you’re currently residing. However… here we are, and if I have anything to say about it, I’m not going to double team you, Alan. Not because I don’t think you can handle it, because from what I’ve seen of you – you can handle that and probably more.

It’s just the principal of the matter.

And I know, a lot of people wouldn’t give a flying fuck about shit like this. I guess I’m just one of the stupid ones. But I am who I am. I’m not going to change regardless of how my opinions are received and interpreted. I’d of thought it was pretty damn obvious the first time I stepped foot in the UGWC that that was the case.

With people like Kem running around though, changing personalities and opinions like the rest of us change underwear, I can see where people might start suspecting everyone else to start doing the same.

I digress.

Speaking of.. Alan. Why did you help her all those times? I’m just curious. It seems kind of odd to me that you, The ‘Vane One’ Alan Wallace… ‘Mr Ego’… Would have just walked away and given Kem the opportunity to take the win in that one match that I can recall. Are you going soft? Because the Vain I saw at Wrestlestock didn’t look soft to me.

Did you feel sorry for her?

Seriously, what was it?

Eh. Whatever it was, I’m sure you had a good reason. I don’t think you’re the kind of man who does things without a plan, or a reason behind it.

I guess that’s why you’re willing to take Maggie and I on this week. Why the fuck not, huh? You fucked Eden’s world up at Wrestlestock, Congratulations on that by the way, and now you wanna see if you can hang with UGWC’s top two champions.

There’s just one problem with that, Alan.

Neither of us hate you that much to want to put you in that scenario.

But I suppose we’ll see how things turn out on Monday, and we’ll all take it from there. All my best, Alan. We’ll be seeing you in a few days.

 

OOC: Kem, Maggie & JC used with permission