Post by MJ Bell on Apr 11, 2014 6:09:13 GMT -5
Aftermath; April 7, A bar.
The dim lights shimmer multiple colors giving a soft glow of the length of the mirror surfaced bar. The small scaled dance floor has many people dancing on it. The pool tables on the other end of the space have groups of people gathered around them, laughing. Sitting at the bar is MJ with her fingers tracing along the edge of a curvy pink glass, humming to the pop song playing, and beside her is Kenshin Takamura, who is just sitting and watching her with a glass of golden, carbonated liquid.
MJ Bell: “I feel soo much better now. Wait, oh, nope, my headache ish gone. You are the best ever, Kenshin. Whoa. Okaay. Too much o’ whate’er that was. No more fer me. Maybe some water. Yeah, water sounds good. Shut up, Madeline! ”
Her voice slightly slurs as she sips up the last bit of the fruity drink. MJ pushes the glass forward almost knocking it from the bar as Kenshin’s eyes just watch her.
Kenshin Takamura: “Might be a good idea.”
Kenshin slides a glass of water over to her that the bartender had brought with her fruity alcoholic beverage. He can obviously tell that MJ is getting close to being drunk. Very carefully, MJ coils her fingers around the glass before bringing it towards her face.
MJ Bell: “Thank you...”
She mumbles with a slight grin sipping the water slowly, her giddy mood shifting back to the somber mood from early. When they had first arrived she had been very irritated at the events from Massacre. Kenshin had attempted to get her to talk about them, vent to him but she had refused. It's the last thing on her mind at this point which has dissolved the headache. MJ props her head against her hand which is on the counter, her eyes focus on Kenshin.
MJ Bell: “Sooo. Now ‘hat I’m goood an’ drunk… We can talk ‘bout Massacre. Because I know you wanna talk about it. So… go on.”
From the start, something about Kenshin seems off. He seems to be in a bit of a bitter mood. In fact, Kenshin had been in a bitter mood all night, something that MJ undoubtedly had noticed, but apparently chosen not to ask about. Instead she is drunk, trying to forget her stolen truck and the other drama.
Kenshin Takamura: “I would rather not…”
MJ Bell: “C’mon. I know you wanna talk ‘bout it. Please? This would probably-y be bettter if I wasn’t, didn’t, did not, drink. This ish all Ian’s fault. Fuck him. Actually, no. Nope. No, but, seriously, please talk to me. You are being grumpy and I’ve dealt enough with grumpy people. I don’t want you grumpy too. You’re suppose to be helpin’ me feeeel better. Kenshin. Talk to me.”
MJ grabs a hold of the water, taking a gulp of it. She turns in the seat facing forwards while she continues taking sips of the water. Kenshin’s eyes follow her momentarily before he speaks.
Kenshin Takamura: “I am not irritated with you. It’s Ian I am angry with. I saw what he did to you at Massacre which is why I would rather not talk about Massacre right now. It’s just going to anger me more.”
Kenshin takes a drink of whatever it is that he has in his glass before setting the glass back down as if putting a period on the end of his statement when the glass touches the bar surface. MJ nods her eyes steadying themselves on the glass of water. Suddenly, the pain of her headache returns causing her to wince.
Her tone stops the slight slur when she speaks.
MJ Bell: “Kenshin… You aren’t going to… Do anything are you?”
Takamura says nothing for a moment, keeping his eyes steady on his sparkling drink. After a minute or so, he finally says something almost under his breath.
Kenshin Takamura: “I cannot promise anything…”
MJ leans over only catching a piece of what Kenshin said. Turning around in the chair again, MJ faces Kenshin, both of her hands cup his face to force him to look at her.
MJ Bell: “Kenshin, I still don’t want you involved in this. You promised me you wouldn’t. I know you are angry with Ian but I can handle it…Remember? I'm a big girl and can take care of my own problems. It's not like I haven't dealt with assholes before. I'm... glad you wanna help....I just.... I don’t know what I’d do if Ian ended up hurting you...”
The sentence never finishes itself because MJ is leaning towards him. Kenshin has yet to move in any fanshion, for a second MJ scans his face trying to search for any reason for her to stop. Both of her eyes shut as she comes closer and closer to his face. Her lips hovering over his own, moments away from them finally kissing but Kenshin moves away from her. The sudden touch of his skin against her forehead makes her freeze.
Kenshin Takamura: “We can’t, MJ…”
MJ Bell: “We could….”
She whispers, almost as if the words are to herself. MJ drops her hands away from his face, turning away from Kenshin to focus back on the glass in front of her. The pain from her headache worsens almost matching the odd ache in her chest. That wasn't suppose to happen. There is awkwardness, strange grips of pain in her chest making it hard to even look at him but she tries to smooth it out.
However, the alcohol in her system is making it difficult.
“No. You’re right. I um, wow, what the hell is wrong with me?”
A sigh escapes Kenshin’s lips as his eyes study MJ for a few seconds.
Kenshin Takamura: “Nothing is wrong with you. Your truck was stolen and you’ve been treated poorly by someone who claimed to be your friend. That’s enough to put anyone in an odd mood and probably make someone do things that they might not normally do.”
All her fingers tap against the glass, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her mood shifts again, her head feels hot with all the bursts of emotion, it takes a moment before she speaks. MJ tries swallow down the sudden anger. The break isn’t enough to stop her words from spilling out from her mouth. Her tone is filling with venom.
MJ Bell: “You think I did that because I want some sort of affection? Wow. Well, now that we threw that out there, that I’m desperate.”
She shakes her head in disgust shoving the bar stool backwards a little bit before she hops down from it. A small part of her brain is telling her to sit back down, calm down and rethink what she is doing. Normally, the red head would. She would toss a joke back at him. Kenshin and her would solve this right now and the night would return to being alright. MJ snatches up her jacket before clapping Kenshin on the arm. It's too late for that though.
“Well, I’m done for the night. Thanks for this. I feel so much better. ”
She grumbles walking towards the door leaving Kenshin sitting there to finish his ginger ale alone. His eyes turn back to watch her leave, wondering if he should even bother to follow her after her outburst. MJ slips on her old jean jacket while she digs out her phone to call Melissa. For a second, she stops in place but without a look back she continues on her way.
April 8, Hotel lobby.
Plenty of people are moving in and out of the hotel lobby making it quite nosy. The manger is on the phone while typing on the computer and trying to talk to a mother of two. The mother frowns down at her two children, who are begging her to allow them to go out by the pool. She turns around with a nervous expression as she talks to them, before her attention returns to the manager. Across the way standing with her friend Melissa is MJ Bell. Her fury locks are up in a low pony tail brushing against the very top of her black poke-a-dotted shirt. There are dark circles under her eyes due to her lack of sleep. After she returned from the bar, her mind wouldn't stop and prevented her from getting any real rest. The two girls are sipping coffee while discussing MJ's upcoming match.
Melissa Reed: “So you are tagging with Mia this week?”
MJ Bell: “Yeah. Against Roach and a mystery person.”
MJ's eyes narrow slightly but it isn't anger displaying on her features. In fact, she is a displaying some concern. What if she can't trust Mia? She had told Brianna she was behind her idea but the uneasiness about the situation never disappeared. Inside that ring, Mia has to have MJ's back. The trust had to be there if they were to pull off this win. She doesn't want Mia believing that she is too weak to hold her own. However, if Mia hadn't come out to help MJ would've been in danger. This causes the sunset haired female to wince physically.
MJ Bell: “I really hope I can trust her. I know that Roach is a threat... He smashed me in the face with a bat. Every Family member is dangerous and my record with them so far is poor. Sean really screwed my world up for a while there and now I'm taking on their hard core specialist? I know that Mia can handle herself but I want her know that I won't be a burdened. With some training, a little break to let my head heal up then I know I'll go back to being up to par. Maybe focusing my energy on building trust with Mia and my match with The Family, my mind will clear about the whole... Ian situation.”
Her fingers comb back through her bangs. MJ refuses to think about Kenshin right now or even mention him to Melissa or what happened. The whole thing was a mistake...
“Roach maybe tough in that ring but I'm finally getting back on my feet. I didn't make any dumb mistakes at Massacre. There's no way I'm returning to stumbling over my own feet. He's going to Taste The Smoke just like Damian did. I want Brianna to know that she made the right choice with me, even if I don't believe it in this moment. My skills are there but I need to... Check my footing.”
Melissa Reed: “One day, babe, all this stumbling will come to a halt. You'll find your footing. It'll all come together. Oh! I have an idea, you know how you did that team building, whatever, with Kenshin? You should meet up with Mia!”
This gains a very confused look from MJ because it is a great idea. For once, Melissa is the one with a scowl on her face.
MJ Bell: “That is... a really great idea.”
Melissa Reed: “Yeah, shocking but I have those sometimes. I'm not just a pretty face”
MJ Bell: “You know that isn't what I meant... Don't be like that. I'll get to calling her in a little bit.”
A certain voice catches the red head's attention suddenly.
“I'm damn incredible!”
MJ turns in the nervous circle knocking Melissa forward into a vase. As MJ is frantic trying to locate Ian in the crowd while both of Melissa's arms wrap around the vase to keep it from crashing into the ground below.
Melissa Reed: “You know we gotta pay if we break things right?!”
MJ Bell: “I, uh, I... Did you hear....I swear, I heard his voice.”
Melissa Reed: “What are you talking about?”
Frustrated, Melissa is setting the vase back up and turning to watch MJ peer around the room. Those green eyes finally zero in on an open laptop resting on the table in front of a couple of boys. They are all making crud comments about MJ and Ian. Her eyes narrow.
Boy 1: “She's a dumb bitch if she doesn't pick him.”
Boy 2: “MJ isn't anything special. Should feel lucky that Ian even picked her. He could find someone hotter in a second.”
Boy 1: “Right? Roach is gonna fuck her world up next week.”
Boy 3: “You two are dumb asses.”
Melissa Reed: “Wait, where are you going?”
Normally, the red head would roll her eyes and move on. However, MJ is already making a b-line to the front of the table. When her hands reaches over to shut the laptop all boy's faces all contort into anger until they notice who is standing there. The third boy on the left, mouth falls open while the other two exchange looks. MJ gives them a smile before propping her hip against the table.
MJ Bell: “Hi there. I couldn't help but over hear your huge insight on OCW.”
Boy 3: “Y-you're.... You're.... Holy shit.”
Boy 2: “A-ah. Nah, we don't...”
MJ continues to give them a warm smile as they stumble over their words. The boy in the center seems as casual as ever while he leans back in his chair.
Boy 1: “You guys are idiots. What do we really gotta fear from her?”
Boy 2: “Ian isn't here is he?”
MJ Bell: “Oh? I don't see why it would matter if he was. Defending my honor isn't really his style, right? I mean, I'm super replaceable so why would he bother. I'm perfectly fine with that, in fact, I don't really care. I would like to set one thing straight though.”
Her palms press to the table's surface as she leans forward. All the anger from Massacre and the bar spill over unexpectedly.
“The only one getting their ass beat next Massacre is Roach. You can go ahead on quote me on this. There is no way that The Family actually has a chance in hell to defeat us. Sure, right now they think they are safe and why? Because their all on drugs or out of their minds and they got a few cheap shots on us a few days ago. Cowards perform cheap shots, they get a little ahead but in the end they are the ones running away from the fight. They'll be tripping over their own feet to get the hell out of that cage at Total Demolition. You really think that I'm not good enough for Ian? That is the most backwards thing I have ever heard. He'd be lucky. You want to see something truly Incredible? Well, Mia and I will show you, come Massacre. When we go down to that ring and dominate The Family's members. Roach better hope that the mystery guy can perform miracles because that is the only thing that will grab them the win.”
For a moment, MJ believes everything that is coming out of her mouth. It's empowering, so she continues on her rant... A group of people have started to listen to the red head speak.
“Believe me, I've seen plenty of men like The Family. A bunch of assholes who just really need a hug. They want power because they have no real control of what happens in their real lives. They are actually afraid of Brianna, of us, because we show them that they aren't top dogs of anything. Everything they tried to gain control over just by throwing weight around, can be toppled down by a group of women. Women who they think are weak. I've think we've proven week in and week out, how formidable we truly are. The Family pushed us down, they beaten us until we were bloody but every single time we've shown them it results in feeding the fire. Pretty soon the flames are going to consume them, the fire that they created will be too huge to snuff out. It won't be controlled by anything they do. The Family will be forced to stare down the belly of the beast to realize just how out matched they made themselves. They'll Taste The Smoke soon enough and it...”
The rant was a bunch of bullshit but they didn't need to know that. To them, MJ is as sure as herself as ever. Her words trail off when she watches water jet up from the pool. A younger girl is flailing her arms in the air, screaming as loud as she can. Without a second thought, MJ is running through the lobby and yanking the sliding glass door open to hear the girl's high pitched scream explode into the hotel. People are gathering outside too stunned to react to the situation. The younger girl is pointing at the water, tears coating her face as she tries to speak. It isn't hard to figure out what happened. There is now a woman yelling from inside.
Without any other options and still on a high from her rant, MJ dives straight into the water. The shock from the chilly water makes her lungs constrict. Down at the bottom of the boy is a little boy with his arms floating over his body. Wildly paddling the red head is close to the boy within moments. MJ is grabbing a hold of him, bringing him close before her feet kick up from the bottom. Outside there are people gathering around the pool, the mother runs to the other side where MJ is coming up with her son. In that moment, she is shivering unable to really move but she hurries up the stairs to set him down. MJ holds her ear close to his mouth to check if he is breathing.
Mother: “Is he okay?!”
The red head isn't giving her an answer because both of her hands press against the boys chest while she hums a song to maintain the pace for CPR. Melissa pushes past the people holding two towels in her arms. MJ bends down to blow some air into the his mouth. Her heart is hammering in her chest as she returns to humming that song. Suddenly the boy's spasms slightly causing water to spew from his mouth. He is now panicking, eyes wide, hands reaching for his mommy in a huge massive movement. The mother attempts to calm her son down, MJ leans away taking her time to wring out her shirt. Melissa hands a towel to the mother and one to MJ.
Mother: “Thank you. Thank you for saving him. I don't know how I could truly thank you.”
MJ Bell: “Ah, it's no problem. Really, you are welcome. ”
MJ's high is disappearing as the recent events hit her will full force. She just drove into a freezing pool to save a child. That just happened. Maybe she should transfer that crazy energy into her matches. Don't think, just react. Which is normally what it ends up being. Then the memory of the anger comes back as well. What was that? Normally her anger is nothing but today? That rant was her fueling into something...but was it good or bad?
The people are all chatting about the events, a few of them offer to help the mother. The mother is now scolding the boy for playing near the pool without anyone around. A few of them go to 'thank' MJ but she is already disappearing inside before anyone can really talk to her. Melissa is hurrying besides her with a large grin.
Melissa Reed: “Gee, you are a crazy woman today! You told The Family off, which should be uploaded to YouTube and you just saved someone's life! Now tell me MJ, what do you want to do next? Go to Disney Land?”
MJ Bell: “I just felt a lot of energy after that rant... I just acted. It really wasn't anything special... And no, I don't want to go to Disney Land. I really need to change and call Mia...”
Melissa Reed: “Oh? You don't want some one these people to treat you to some lunch? I'm sort of hungry and could go for some.... Food. Are you okay?”
Melissa eyes her friend, watching how serious the red head seems bu MJ laughs, tugging the towel around her more.
MJ Bell: “I'm alright.”
She can't be distracted by the drama. She needs to call up Mia. They have a match to win and it's probably a good idea to ride the wave of energy for all it's worth at this point, right?
The dim lights shimmer multiple colors giving a soft glow of the length of the mirror surfaced bar. The small scaled dance floor has many people dancing on it. The pool tables on the other end of the space have groups of people gathered around them, laughing. Sitting at the bar is MJ with her fingers tracing along the edge of a curvy pink glass, humming to the pop song playing, and beside her is Kenshin Takamura, who is just sitting and watching her with a glass of golden, carbonated liquid.
MJ Bell: “I feel soo much better now. Wait, oh, nope, my headache ish gone. You are the best ever, Kenshin. Whoa. Okaay. Too much o’ whate’er that was. No more fer me. Maybe some water. Yeah, water sounds good. Shut up, Madeline! ”
Her voice slightly slurs as she sips up the last bit of the fruity drink. MJ pushes the glass forward almost knocking it from the bar as Kenshin’s eyes just watch her.
Kenshin Takamura: “Might be a good idea.”
Kenshin slides a glass of water over to her that the bartender had brought with her fruity alcoholic beverage. He can obviously tell that MJ is getting close to being drunk. Very carefully, MJ coils her fingers around the glass before bringing it towards her face.
MJ Bell: “Thank you...”
She mumbles with a slight grin sipping the water slowly, her giddy mood shifting back to the somber mood from early. When they had first arrived she had been very irritated at the events from Massacre. Kenshin had attempted to get her to talk about them, vent to him but she had refused. It's the last thing on her mind at this point which has dissolved the headache. MJ props her head against her hand which is on the counter, her eyes focus on Kenshin.
MJ Bell: “Sooo. Now ‘hat I’m goood an’ drunk… We can talk ‘bout Massacre. Because I know you wanna talk about it. So… go on.”
From the start, something about Kenshin seems off. He seems to be in a bit of a bitter mood. In fact, Kenshin had been in a bitter mood all night, something that MJ undoubtedly had noticed, but apparently chosen not to ask about. Instead she is drunk, trying to forget her stolen truck and the other drama.
Kenshin Takamura: “I would rather not…”
MJ Bell: “C’mon. I know you wanna talk ‘bout it. Please? This would probably-y be bettter if I wasn’t, didn’t, did not, drink. This ish all Ian’s fault. Fuck him. Actually, no. Nope. No, but, seriously, please talk to me. You are being grumpy and I’ve dealt enough with grumpy people. I don’t want you grumpy too. You’re suppose to be helpin’ me feeeel better. Kenshin. Talk to me.”
MJ grabs a hold of the water, taking a gulp of it. She turns in the seat facing forwards while she continues taking sips of the water. Kenshin’s eyes follow her momentarily before he speaks.
Kenshin Takamura: “I am not irritated with you. It’s Ian I am angry with. I saw what he did to you at Massacre which is why I would rather not talk about Massacre right now. It’s just going to anger me more.”
Kenshin takes a drink of whatever it is that he has in his glass before setting the glass back down as if putting a period on the end of his statement when the glass touches the bar surface. MJ nods her eyes steadying themselves on the glass of water. Suddenly, the pain of her headache returns causing her to wince.
Her tone stops the slight slur when she speaks.
MJ Bell: “Kenshin… You aren’t going to… Do anything are you?”
Takamura says nothing for a moment, keeping his eyes steady on his sparkling drink. After a minute or so, he finally says something almost under his breath.
Kenshin Takamura: “I cannot promise anything…”
MJ leans over only catching a piece of what Kenshin said. Turning around in the chair again, MJ faces Kenshin, both of her hands cup his face to force him to look at her.
MJ Bell: “Kenshin, I still don’t want you involved in this. You promised me you wouldn’t. I know you are angry with Ian but I can handle it…Remember? I'm a big girl and can take care of my own problems. It's not like I haven't dealt with assholes before. I'm... glad you wanna help....I just.... I don’t know what I’d do if Ian ended up hurting you...”
The sentence never finishes itself because MJ is leaning towards him. Kenshin has yet to move in any fanshion, for a second MJ scans his face trying to search for any reason for her to stop. Both of her eyes shut as she comes closer and closer to his face. Her lips hovering over his own, moments away from them finally kissing but Kenshin moves away from her. The sudden touch of his skin against her forehead makes her freeze.
Kenshin Takamura: “We can’t, MJ…”
MJ Bell: “We could….”
She whispers, almost as if the words are to herself. MJ drops her hands away from his face, turning away from Kenshin to focus back on the glass in front of her. The pain from her headache worsens almost matching the odd ache in her chest. That wasn't suppose to happen. There is awkwardness, strange grips of pain in her chest making it hard to even look at him but she tries to smooth it out.
However, the alcohol in her system is making it difficult.
“No. You’re right. I um, wow, what the hell is wrong with me?”
A sigh escapes Kenshin’s lips as his eyes study MJ for a few seconds.
Kenshin Takamura: “Nothing is wrong with you. Your truck was stolen and you’ve been treated poorly by someone who claimed to be your friend. That’s enough to put anyone in an odd mood and probably make someone do things that they might not normally do.”
All her fingers tap against the glass, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her mood shifts again, her head feels hot with all the bursts of emotion, it takes a moment before she speaks. MJ tries swallow down the sudden anger. The break isn’t enough to stop her words from spilling out from her mouth. Her tone is filling with venom.
MJ Bell: “You think I did that because I want some sort of affection? Wow. Well, now that we threw that out there, that I’m desperate.”
She shakes her head in disgust shoving the bar stool backwards a little bit before she hops down from it. A small part of her brain is telling her to sit back down, calm down and rethink what she is doing. Normally, the red head would. She would toss a joke back at him. Kenshin and her would solve this right now and the night would return to being alright. MJ snatches up her jacket before clapping Kenshin on the arm. It's too late for that though.
“Well, I’m done for the night. Thanks for this. I feel so much better. ”
She grumbles walking towards the door leaving Kenshin sitting there to finish his ginger ale alone. His eyes turn back to watch her leave, wondering if he should even bother to follow her after her outburst. MJ slips on her old jean jacket while she digs out her phone to call Melissa. For a second, she stops in place but without a look back she continues on her way.
April 8, Hotel lobby.
Plenty of people are moving in and out of the hotel lobby making it quite nosy. The manger is on the phone while typing on the computer and trying to talk to a mother of two. The mother frowns down at her two children, who are begging her to allow them to go out by the pool. She turns around with a nervous expression as she talks to them, before her attention returns to the manager. Across the way standing with her friend Melissa is MJ Bell. Her fury locks are up in a low pony tail brushing against the very top of her black poke-a-dotted shirt. There are dark circles under her eyes due to her lack of sleep. After she returned from the bar, her mind wouldn't stop and prevented her from getting any real rest. The two girls are sipping coffee while discussing MJ's upcoming match.
Melissa Reed: “So you are tagging with Mia this week?”
MJ Bell: “Yeah. Against Roach and a mystery person.”
MJ's eyes narrow slightly but it isn't anger displaying on her features. In fact, she is a displaying some concern. What if she can't trust Mia? She had told Brianna she was behind her idea but the uneasiness about the situation never disappeared. Inside that ring, Mia has to have MJ's back. The trust had to be there if they were to pull off this win. She doesn't want Mia believing that she is too weak to hold her own. However, if Mia hadn't come out to help MJ would've been in danger. This causes the sunset haired female to wince physically.
MJ Bell: “I really hope I can trust her. I know that Roach is a threat... He smashed me in the face with a bat. Every Family member is dangerous and my record with them so far is poor. Sean really screwed my world up for a while there and now I'm taking on their hard core specialist? I know that Mia can handle herself but I want her know that I won't be a burdened. With some training, a little break to let my head heal up then I know I'll go back to being up to par. Maybe focusing my energy on building trust with Mia and my match with The Family, my mind will clear about the whole... Ian situation.”
Her fingers comb back through her bangs. MJ refuses to think about Kenshin right now or even mention him to Melissa or what happened. The whole thing was a mistake...
“Roach maybe tough in that ring but I'm finally getting back on my feet. I didn't make any dumb mistakes at Massacre. There's no way I'm returning to stumbling over my own feet. He's going to Taste The Smoke just like Damian did. I want Brianna to know that she made the right choice with me, even if I don't believe it in this moment. My skills are there but I need to... Check my footing.”
Melissa Reed: “One day, babe, all this stumbling will come to a halt. You'll find your footing. It'll all come together. Oh! I have an idea, you know how you did that team building, whatever, with Kenshin? You should meet up with Mia!”
This gains a very confused look from MJ because it is a great idea. For once, Melissa is the one with a scowl on her face.
MJ Bell: “That is... a really great idea.”
Melissa Reed: “Yeah, shocking but I have those sometimes. I'm not just a pretty face”
MJ Bell: “You know that isn't what I meant... Don't be like that. I'll get to calling her in a little bit.”
A certain voice catches the red head's attention suddenly.
“I'm damn incredible!”
MJ turns in the nervous circle knocking Melissa forward into a vase. As MJ is frantic trying to locate Ian in the crowd while both of Melissa's arms wrap around the vase to keep it from crashing into the ground below.
Melissa Reed: “You know we gotta pay if we break things right?!”
MJ Bell: “I, uh, I... Did you hear....I swear, I heard his voice.”
Melissa Reed: “What are you talking about?”
Frustrated, Melissa is setting the vase back up and turning to watch MJ peer around the room. Those green eyes finally zero in on an open laptop resting on the table in front of a couple of boys. They are all making crud comments about MJ and Ian. Her eyes narrow.
Boy 1: “She's a dumb bitch if she doesn't pick him.”
Boy 2: “MJ isn't anything special. Should feel lucky that Ian even picked her. He could find someone hotter in a second.”
Boy 1: “Right? Roach is gonna fuck her world up next week.”
Boy 3: “You two are dumb asses.”
Melissa Reed: “Wait, where are you going?”
Normally, the red head would roll her eyes and move on. However, MJ is already making a b-line to the front of the table. When her hands reaches over to shut the laptop all boy's faces all contort into anger until they notice who is standing there. The third boy on the left, mouth falls open while the other two exchange looks. MJ gives them a smile before propping her hip against the table.
MJ Bell: “Hi there. I couldn't help but over hear your huge insight on OCW.”
Boy 3: “Y-you're.... You're.... Holy shit.”
Boy 2: “A-ah. Nah, we don't...”
MJ continues to give them a warm smile as they stumble over their words. The boy in the center seems as casual as ever while he leans back in his chair.
Boy 1: “You guys are idiots. What do we really gotta fear from her?”
Boy 2: “Ian isn't here is he?”
MJ Bell: “Oh? I don't see why it would matter if he was. Defending my honor isn't really his style, right? I mean, I'm super replaceable so why would he bother. I'm perfectly fine with that, in fact, I don't really care. I would like to set one thing straight though.”
Her palms press to the table's surface as she leans forward. All the anger from Massacre and the bar spill over unexpectedly.
“The only one getting their ass beat next Massacre is Roach. You can go ahead on quote me on this. There is no way that The Family actually has a chance in hell to defeat us. Sure, right now they think they are safe and why? Because their all on drugs or out of their minds and they got a few cheap shots on us a few days ago. Cowards perform cheap shots, they get a little ahead but in the end they are the ones running away from the fight. They'll be tripping over their own feet to get the hell out of that cage at Total Demolition. You really think that I'm not good enough for Ian? That is the most backwards thing I have ever heard. He'd be lucky. You want to see something truly Incredible? Well, Mia and I will show you, come Massacre. When we go down to that ring and dominate The Family's members. Roach better hope that the mystery guy can perform miracles because that is the only thing that will grab them the win.”
For a moment, MJ believes everything that is coming out of her mouth. It's empowering, so she continues on her rant... A group of people have started to listen to the red head speak.
“Believe me, I've seen plenty of men like The Family. A bunch of assholes who just really need a hug. They want power because they have no real control of what happens in their real lives. They are actually afraid of Brianna, of us, because we show them that they aren't top dogs of anything. Everything they tried to gain control over just by throwing weight around, can be toppled down by a group of women. Women who they think are weak. I've think we've proven week in and week out, how formidable we truly are. The Family pushed us down, they beaten us until we were bloody but every single time we've shown them it results in feeding the fire. Pretty soon the flames are going to consume them, the fire that they created will be too huge to snuff out. It won't be controlled by anything they do. The Family will be forced to stare down the belly of the beast to realize just how out matched they made themselves. They'll Taste The Smoke soon enough and it...”
The rant was a bunch of bullshit but they didn't need to know that. To them, MJ is as sure as herself as ever. Her words trail off when she watches water jet up from the pool. A younger girl is flailing her arms in the air, screaming as loud as she can. Without a second thought, MJ is running through the lobby and yanking the sliding glass door open to hear the girl's high pitched scream explode into the hotel. People are gathering outside too stunned to react to the situation. The younger girl is pointing at the water, tears coating her face as she tries to speak. It isn't hard to figure out what happened. There is now a woman yelling from inside.
Without any other options and still on a high from her rant, MJ dives straight into the water. The shock from the chilly water makes her lungs constrict. Down at the bottom of the boy is a little boy with his arms floating over his body. Wildly paddling the red head is close to the boy within moments. MJ is grabbing a hold of him, bringing him close before her feet kick up from the bottom. Outside there are people gathering around the pool, the mother runs to the other side where MJ is coming up with her son. In that moment, she is shivering unable to really move but she hurries up the stairs to set him down. MJ holds her ear close to his mouth to check if he is breathing.
Mother: “Is he okay?!”
The red head isn't giving her an answer because both of her hands press against the boys chest while she hums a song to maintain the pace for CPR. Melissa pushes past the people holding two towels in her arms. MJ bends down to blow some air into the his mouth. Her heart is hammering in her chest as she returns to humming that song. Suddenly the boy's spasms slightly causing water to spew from his mouth. He is now panicking, eyes wide, hands reaching for his mommy in a huge massive movement. The mother attempts to calm her son down, MJ leans away taking her time to wring out her shirt. Melissa hands a towel to the mother and one to MJ.
Mother: “Thank you. Thank you for saving him. I don't know how I could truly thank you.”
MJ Bell: “Ah, it's no problem. Really, you are welcome. ”
MJ's high is disappearing as the recent events hit her will full force. She just drove into a freezing pool to save a child. That just happened. Maybe she should transfer that crazy energy into her matches. Don't think, just react. Which is normally what it ends up being. Then the memory of the anger comes back as well. What was that? Normally her anger is nothing but today? That rant was her fueling into something...but was it good or bad?
The people are all chatting about the events, a few of them offer to help the mother. The mother is now scolding the boy for playing near the pool without anyone around. A few of them go to 'thank' MJ but she is already disappearing inside before anyone can really talk to her. Melissa is hurrying besides her with a large grin.
Melissa Reed: “Gee, you are a crazy woman today! You told The Family off, which should be uploaded to YouTube and you just saved someone's life! Now tell me MJ, what do you want to do next? Go to Disney Land?”
MJ Bell: “I just felt a lot of energy after that rant... I just acted. It really wasn't anything special... And no, I don't want to go to Disney Land. I really need to change and call Mia...”
Melissa Reed: “Oh? You don't want some one these people to treat you to some lunch? I'm sort of hungry and could go for some.... Food. Are you okay?”
Melissa eyes her friend, watching how serious the red head seems bu MJ laughs, tugging the towel around her more.
MJ Bell: “I'm alright.”
She can't be distracted by the drama. She needs to call up Mia. They have a match to win and it's probably a good idea to ride the wave of energy for all it's worth at this point, right?