(Michelle): Papa, Hi…what are you up to?
(Michelle’s Dad): What am I up to? What are you up to young lady?
There’s a curious sense of frustration in his voice, but not being able to place it since she hadn’t done anything, she dismissed it.
(Michelle): Well, I’m going to go see the new Little Mermaid movie with my roommate tonight. I was just about to hop in the shower.
(Michelle’s Dad): Little Mermaid? More godless Disney propaganda! If you go, you should take a lesson from it…young girl goes out in the world on her own because she doesn’t want to listen to her father and winds up getting into all sorts of trouble.
(Michelle): Papa, it’s not like that!
(Michelle’s Dad): Oh, I know it’s not…in the original story the girl dies. God wouldn’t even let her into heaven, she turns into a ghost stuck on earth for 300 years.
Then it comes, out of nowhere, blurted out from her father’s mouth.
(Michelle’s Dad): Why is that Sean boy calling you his girlfriend?
Michelle gasps…in fact she is horrified…flustered and barely gets words out.
(Michelle): Papa, Sean hasn’t called me his…well we just had two dates only last night, but…what are you talking about?
(Michelle’s Dad): The whole town’s talking about it Michelle. The whole church! Your mother and I had to hear about it from your brothers glued to the tv to support you. They showed me his promo to that other fella, I heard him say it with my own ears.
Did Sean really call her his girlfriend in one of his promos? She cupped her hand to her mouth as if to hide her smile. They had agreed to start dating, getting to know one another, but did that mean they were official? Did she have a boyfriend now?
(Michelle): Papa, I like Sean and what if…what is he was my boyfriend?
Her father huffs…
(Michelle’s Dad): Here, talk to your mother.
You can hear him mumble as he hands over the phone the walking away. “…Los Angeles….den of iniquity…”
(Michelle’s Mom): Sweetheart is this true, are you and that boy going steady?
It was now or never, leaving home a few years ago was quite a leap, immersing herself in a whole new culture of humanity had been a leap, but telling her parents she liked a boy, was dating him…that seemed like a cavernous jump. She felt like Bigfoot getting a body wax, she just had to rip this band-aid off once and for all.
(Michelle): Yes, momma…I’m seeing Sean. He asked me out and I said yes, I like him. It’s really only been a week, but I’ve known him ever since I joined HWA, we’ve been friends for years.
(Michelle’s Mom): You’re a grown woman Michelle, I just pray to God that you know what you’re doing as I’ve told you before. I know he’s not Mormon or you would have said. Is he Christian then? What Church does he worship at?
Michelle can hear her mom typing on her keyboard. She had just officially laid this “dating” on them, she didn’t want to send them into overdrive telling them that Sean was agnostic.
(Michelle’s Mom): S….E….A….N…is that how you spell it?
By now her mom was trying to Google him and find out anything she could. She deflected the question a little.
(Michelle): We’re really busy with work and training Mom, I don’t think he has time to go to church.
(Michelle’s Mom): You go, you make time, take him with you. Maybe he’ll learn something.
(Michelle): Maybe, he did offer to come and he did the sweetest thing last night too. He recited the doctrine of covenants 84:88 to me. He really likes that passage.
(Michelle’s Mom): I bet he did. This is exactly just what President Nelson talks about, those Gen Z boys and their sweet talk. They’ll say anything until they get what they want. Con women out of money, steal a girl’s chastity with lies and deceits.
(Michelle): Sean isn’t like that momma, he’s really sweet. Maybe you’ll get to meet him sometime and you and papa will see.
(Michelle’s Mom): Perhaps. How is your friend Sarah? We saw what that vile thing calling himself a person did to her.
(Michelle): She’s fine, had a bit of a headache and some bruising but she’s tough and will be fine.
(Michelle’s Mom): I’m just glad you didn’t get hurt. We pray every day for your safety, every day that the Lord looks down upon you and blesses you. We pray for those men making those lewd comments about you. That boy stood up for you I’ll give him that.
(Michelle): Fallen and Legion are gross and mean. I pray for them too momma.
(Michelle’s Mom): Alright sweetheart, I better see to your father and I’m due in the kitchen…we love you.
(Michelle): Love you to momma, bye now.
That hadn’t gone as terrible as she first thought it might turn. Girlfriend? Had Sean really said that? Michelle hopped on the HWA App and pulled up Sean’s recent promos. She watched as he addressed Legion and gasps as he not once, but twice called her his girlfriend, both hands now covering her mouth. She tingled inside, so much so that she had completely overlooked the swear words laden in his promo.
(Michelle): I have a boyfriend!
She said it to herself a few more times. The thought of him made her giddy. She pranced around her apartment like a puppy at the Westminster Dog Show. The moment she discovered Sean was a Disney fan she really wanted to watch the Little Mermaid with him, but she had promised her roommate and it wouldn’t be polite to cancel on her. It then occurred to her that she hadn’t referred to him publicly as her boyfriend as he had. Should she? Is that what people do to make it official? The last week had been magical. He had come to her place for dinner before Havoc, and now She had gone to his place and was he completely adorable. She was probably more nervous than he was, which is why he did most of the talking. He went out of his way to make her feel comfortable, and when he kissed her…it was delicate, sweet, and perfect. She hadn’t expected to kiss him like that, not with their tongues, but she liked it…a perfect first kiss. Not just their first kiss, but her real first kiss. Did he know that? Could he tell? Did she do it right? She wondered if it was his first too. She knew he hadn’t had a girlfriend since his accident, but maybe he probably one before. He was the newest thing in HWA at one point, girls had to have been clamoring for his affections. She went to her bedroom to change clothes when her phone pings. She looks and sees a text message from her roomate.
“Lazy Linda just called off and I got sked to work a double-shift and said yes. I’m so sorry, I really need the extra money. Raincheck on the movie?”
God always had a way. She smiled thinking that she could ask Sean to the movie sometime before it leaves the theatre. She texted her roommate back that it was no problem, but now not having to go anywhere she decided to catch up on promos. Havoc was around the corner and while she didn’t have a match it was going to be a really fun time in Omaha. She had never been, she had never been anywhere really and each city they visited now was an opportunity for her to experience new people, new food, and for her, Sarah and the boys to build their fanbase. She went to her laptop and spent the next hour reviewing things and decided to chime in. It was kind of fun getting to be the observer for once and not have to focus on a match or any one person.
(Michelle): Sarah and Alexis, I can’t wait to see your match. I’m in the unique position of not just getting to watch you, but to have already been in the ring with you both and know what to expect from you. You are two of the toughest girls I know so I have no doubt that you’re going to bring something extra special to the fans in Omaha. I’m really glad we have all worked out our differences. Alexis, it couldn’t have been easy coming to HWA and walking into the mix of a tight-knit group like us. You told us to “drop the best friends for ever act” when you arrived, but I hope you see the power of friendship. God places people right where they need to be, its not our choice. I hope you see the power in that, the power of friendship. Sarah, I know firsthand that you can be hard nut to crack but I hope you’ve learned that sometimes no matter what they say…you have to give people a chance. Alexis is one thing, but Maniac is another. I pray every night for him. He’s a very disturbed man, and mental illness in America is such a terrible thing to see. I hope he gets the help that he needs. It’s not his fault he acts the way he does, something is physically wrong with his brain…but I’m not so naïve to know that we have to be careful around him.
Mr. Draconis, Jeremy text us earlier saying you sent him an apology. Thank you! I’ve been praying for you too since Havoc, and the lord has answered my prayers. I had hoped you thought about what you did to Jeremy…Bryan Deas hurt his body, but you really hurt his feelings. We all had something going on backstage, Sean and I weren’t even watching the match at the time and you were the only one who could have helped prevent what happened but you didn’t. It was so very cruel, but God forgives, and I pray that Jeremy forgives you too.
I pray for you too Mr. Deas. I don’t know why you did what you did, but thank God Jeremy will be alright. Why is everyone attacking us? We haven’t done anything wrong? All I hear is veteran this, and new blood that…old era, new era…why can’t we all just be friends, good people and provide competitive matches for the fans? That’s what we’ve done these last year, but ever since some of you who were here before started coming back it’s changed. We didn’t do anything to you. You know President Brigham Young once said “Live free from envy, malice, wrath, strife, bitter feelings, and evil speaking… wherever we meet them. Live so that our consciences are free, clean and clear.” I will pray that God sets a path before you Mr. Deas that you can walk on so that you may live free of these burdens. I know you will feel better when you do. If you try to hurt any of us again we will be forced to try and stop you. If Mr. Draconis can ask for forgiveness, I think you can too.
As she goes along a new ping comes on the page “Breaking News” which catches her attention and she clicks on it to see. She gasps…she couldn’t believe it. Sensei was going to have one final retirement match with Matt, Jeremy, or Sean. This was incredible, this was massive news. When did he decide this? Why hadn’t he said anything? When was this match going to be? She has so many questions. She couldn’t wait to get to the academy tomorrow to ask him. He’d probably be bombarded with questions, obviously everyone else would be asking the same thing. She looked at the clock and decided she’d address at least one more thing.
(Michelle): Fallen and Legion…I don’t think you’re very nice people. I finally saw what you said about me, and how you taunted Sean. I’m so proud that my boyfriend stood up for me. If more people stood up for one another, we would be a better world. I pray that you and your family heal. I know there are some old deep wounds you carry, but this is how the Lord tests us. You are both in my prayers that he heals you. It looks like you have enough problems with those Blaze brothers…I’d appreciate it, if you leave Sean out of your affairs. I know you have a match with him at Havoc Legion, and I’m to understand it was your father was it…that injured Sean those years back? I heard you say you are not him, and I hope this can be true. I hope you let the lord into your heart and be a better person than he was.
Suddenly the smell of fresh baked bread wafts in the air. One of her neighbors was in cooking school and had been working on bread and pastries this semester. Her roommate and her were dying from the smell constantly coming into their apartment. He was always willing to make them his guinea pigs which was normally fine, but with bread and pastries she had to be careful of the extra carbs. The smell distracted her, and since she wasn’t going to the movies, decided she’d go for a light jog and pick something up to eat on the way back home. Living in Los Angeles she felt like one of the kids in the Willy Wonka movie, there were so many options of things to eat and everything was so delicious. Growing up, her parents followed the strict protocols of the church so it was a lot of fruits and veggies, and moderate meat, no junk food of course.
She thought of Sean again and how he had bought wine for their date. She had never had alcohol, and while there were many things she had tried since being out on her own these past years…she doubted that think this would be one of them. She had one more message to send, but it wasn’t a promo. She had debated if she wanted to send this, but the gangs conversation last week after Havoc was still very much on her mind and pushed her to make the decision to reach out. She needed to send this via email because it was more of a private matter and not for the eyes of fans of folks in HWA. She opened her Gmail, pulled up his address and typed her message.
(Michelle): Mr. von Richtoven, I hope I said that right, or is it just Mr. Richtoven…I’m sorry but I’m still kind of new with foreign names. I was hoping I could catch you in person but maybe this is better. I’m a little embarrassed to ask, and someone might overhear me at the academy…but I could use some advice and you’re always so patient and tactful with the trainees. I know about your history with Mr. Parker and Sensei and it’s had me thinking about myself and the gang. You’ll probably ask why I don’t ask Sensei but…Sensei is great, but sometimes he’s…he’s just so very serious and I think I know what he would say and do. I was hoping you might be willing to give me some private lessons. I want to help my friends if they need me. They are so nice to say otherwise, but I know I’m the weak link in the group. At Havoc I left Matt and Sarah to deal with Maniac and I ran to get help. I feel so guilty. I should have stayed to help them, I should have helped defend them but I didn’t.
Maybe I was a little scared and didn’t think I could do it. They are both so much more aggressive than me in that way. I was hoping you could give me some pointers. I see Sensei with Matt and the boys and its not that its violent, but I don’t think I have that same edge, and I don’t want to really hurt anyone. You’ve always been so disciplined in your matches, a wonderful balance of determination and skill without the need to really go over the top. I thought maybe you could teach me to “up my game” a little as the saying goes, without me having to take things too far. I would very much like that. Please don’t tell Sensei I came to you for advice, I’d be so appreciative…I don’t want him cross with me. It’s not that I don’t value his opinion…I do, I just wanted a different perspective and think yours would be a better fit for me. Thank you so very much for considering.
Michelle sends Hans the email and by now the smell in her apartment is overwhelming. She rushes to change clothes into her sportswear, and she’s out the door in a few minutes for that jog and had already decided to pic up something from Veggie Grill. Their Korean Kimchi Beef Bowl was super tasty, and would hit the spot. She smiled the whole run, only one thing repeating in her head….. “I have a boyfriend!” as the scene fades to black.
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