We All Need a Friend

["Tampa Tornado"Amanda Reynolds]

Sat on the edge of her bed located inside the London Marriott Hotel West India Quay overlooking the small garden was the young Amanda Reynolds. Dressed in blue jeans and a plain pink t-shirt with a dark blue University of Maine hoodie on over the shirt, the young champion looks as if she'd been crying. Her flushed cheeks and tasseled hair make it seem as if the young woman had been crying for awhile. She reached down into the nearby green suitcase and flipped it open revealing several changes of clothes and a handful of pictures, one of which was an image of her and Stephon Davis. She shook her head and slammed it close before getting to her feet and looking out the window where just yesterday she had seen America kissing Stephon passionately in front of the W.C.E.K. TV Champion Piper Sanchez. It was one thing to have seen it unfold in real time from her room but it was another to watch it play out over and over again on GZG TV.

You give someone your heart and you hope to get the same in return, not have it thrown back in your face and then stomped on right in front of you.

She took her right sleeve and wiped a stray tear from her eyes before reaching into her right front jeans pocket and pulling out her cellphone. She flipped it up and dialed a quick number before placing it to her ear and waiting for someone to pick up.

Hey it's Amanda. Look I hope I'm not bothering you but I need a friend right now. I know things kinda went south for you last night on Storm so maybe you need a friend now as well. Can we meet somewhere for a drink or something?

A smile finally came across her face.

Thanks I owe you. I'll see you downstairs in an hour. Bye.

She closed the phone and tossed it onto the bed before running both hands through her tasseled hair. A sigh escaped her lips as she stood up and stepped into the bathroom as the scene fades.

[Alex Cross]

Sat at a table off in the corner of the Manhattan Grill dressed in blue jeans and a green polo shirt tucked into his jeans is the former dual champion Alex Cross. He doesn't appear to be the happiest of people and his body still reflects the beating he took at Storm the previous night. He sips on the bottle sat in front of him as Amanda silently slips into the booth across from him dressed in a short yellow skirt with a white top and her long blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail. The woman sat across from the former champion is the exact opposite of the woman she was inside the ring less than twenty four hours ago.

Evening Alex, thank you so much for agreeing to meet me. I just really needed a friend tonight and honestly, I didn't wanna be alone.

Alex sat his drink down and looked across the table at the young woman.

No problem Amanda. Listen, I know what it's like being new here and not really having too many people to fall back on. Unlike me though you came up from the Trax so you at least have them to rely on don't you? I've heard how close you all are with one another.

A stray hair fell loose from her ponytail and drifted in front of her face. She looked away for a moment as she tucked it gracefully behind her ear.

Unfortunately that's where my problem lies Alex. Can I trust you with something?

Alex took a quick drink from the bottle as a waiter approached the table.

Are the two of you ready to order?

Ladies first?

Oh my I didn't mean to....

She stumbled over her words as she opened up the menu and quickly glanced over it.

I guess the Seared Scottish Salmon with a mixed salad.

Very good ma'am. And for you sir?

The twenty ounce T-Bone, medium with onion rings.

Excellent choice. And would the lady like a drink?

Uh, scotch on the rocks?

Very well. I'll have you order placed and your drinks refilled.

Alex I...

Hey it's dinner time so don't worry about it, you can thank me later.

Alex I didn't bring any money with me.

I've got it don't worry. So what's got you all in a tizzy?

Can I trust you? I ask only because I haven't told anyone this and I was kind of keeping it a secret.

You've got no reason not to trust me Amanda. What's up?

The drinks are brought to the table as Amanda looks at the glass in front of her. She wraps her small hands around the glass before running the index finger on her right hand around the rim of the glass.

I've been seeing Stephon Davis for a few months now and we were trying to keep it quiet. You know, just between the two of us because we didn't want our careers to be defined by who we date. You can understand that right?

Yeah sure but that doesn't mean anything. I mean look how many relationships exist or have existed in this company. Shane Ryder and Joy Napier, Joy Napier and Tryston Lloyd, Nathan and Angel, Leon and Eva, hell Munin and I. Relationships happen because we're around each other so much and can relate to one another. Hell, if we didn't have these relationships I'm willing to bet a lot of people would burn out quickly just from being alone so much.

I know it's just...

Her voice trailed for a moment which she quickly covered for by taking a sip from the glass in her hands.

Anyways, when I booked my hotel I requested a room with a view of the gardens that are behind the hotel because I love to open my window in the morning and see them. Well, yesterday I was looking out them and saw Stephon kissing America Vaughn.

Was she kissing him or was he kissing her?

They were kissing one another Alex. What does it matter who started it?

No, did he seem to appreciate the kiss or was he offended and pull away? Not trying to justify anything but it might make a bit of a difference.

He was kissing her Alex just as much as she was kissing him. The only reason they broke the kiss was because Piper Sanchez walked up and caught them.

Sorry to hear that.

Amanda placed both her hands once more around the glass while looking down at it, refusing to make eye contact with the man in front of her. Unsure of what to say or do Alex reached out and placed his hands on hers causing her to finally look up and into his eyes.

Fuck him. Shit like this happens all the time Amanda its what makes the world go round. No one ever said that love was easy. Hell, sometimes I ask myself if love is even a real thing. But when you get that one person in your life that makes it easy then you know without a shadow of a doubt that love is real. You'll find it Amanda don't worry.

He paused for a moment.

Sometimes shit gets uncomfortable and knocks you on your ass. That's when you dust yourself off and...

Before another word can be said Amanda leaned in and planted a passionate kiss on the lips of Alex. As if from a natural reaction he closed his eyes for a brief moment ignoring the fact it wasn't Munin sitting in front of him. Coming to his senses he pulled away and sat back into the seat.

Alex I...

Amanda I...I have girlfriend. A woman that I love. I can't....

Amanda quickly looked away.

I know I just felt...

As the two try to find the words to say the waiter returned with two plates, setting them in front of the two blushing globalstars.

Amanda let's pretend that didn't happen okay? Let's enjoy our meals and ignore what we just did. Amanda you're a great friend and I want to be here for you. But what just happened, can't happen again. If Munin were to find out she'd kill us both.

Agreed. Thanks for not overreacting Alex, I'm really sorry.

Let's just enjoy our meal and move on.

The two wrestlers looked over the food sat in front of them uneasily as the scene faded.

[Referee Trystan Lloyd]

However, only a matter of tables away in the Manhattan Grill another member on the GZW payroll had been enjoying more than just the cuisine as he'd taken in the entire scene. Referee Trystan Lloyd had been sitting opposite fellow referee Patricia Albertson going over some possible details regarding the matches at the O2 but all that had fallen to the wayside as he'd given the happenings between two Globalstars that were meant to be exclusive his attention while remaining incognito.

Trystan: I don't believe it...

Patricia: You know how often this happens on the road though, Trystan.

Trystan: I know...Oh, I know but. Just a sec, I have to make a call...

Patricia: Don't get yourself involved.

Trystan: I'm not involved but I can't pretend I didn't see this.

He offers a sweet smile for his colleague before he pulls out his smart phone, taps around on the screen and puts the handset to his ear.

Trystan: Hey, it's Trystan...