THE CRUSH: PART III
It was a dream come true for the young and exuberant, Peyton Rice who walked away with the EMERGE Championship, the first to ever hold the prestigious belt. Peyton went up against Dylan Cent, she was the underdog, he was a proven competitor in the SCW and wanted to prove that the former VWA standout was ready to take EMERGE to a different level and he almost did with the help of Serotonin when Mika interfered or a hooded woman that resembled Mika did and knocked Peyton out long enough for Cent to score the pin but Vanilla Skyy, the General Manager for weeks leading in continued to state there would be no interference and there would be a clear cut winner, that is exactly what happened when she restarted the match and it was Peyton Rice that scored the pin fall on Cent becoming the new champion.
Controversial?
Maybe but Vanilla kept to her edict and made sure that someone would walk out as champion without any influence from outside forces.
Invasion: Chicago
Chicago, IL
It was still unreal for the gorgeous brunette in her wrestling gear, looking down at the EMERGE Championship. Her green eyes slowly move up toward Kelcey Wallace who stood there with a smile on her face, they again embrace and hold on tight to one another…
Peyton: “Thank you so much for everything…. I couldn’t have done it without you….”
Kelcey: “Stop love, you could have done it without me, it is your dedication to this sport, your drive and positive attitude that made this happen. I know in the back of your mind you are thinking about what Serotonin did, don’t. You acted quickly after the fall, you realized there was still fight left and once Vee came out, she changed it. You beat a world class athlete in Dylan Cent, a proven SCW superstar and that right there is a testament of your abilities and heart.”
Peyton: “I didn’t know what happened, when I realized it, he was holding his arms up in victory, then I saw Vanilla, I could hear her speaking, I still don’t remember everything, I acted on adrenaline. I told David Helms, Tommy Valentine and Matty Stone, with their help, I couldn’t miss. Then you came, it put everything together when I didn’t know if I was going to continue after UWA went under.”
Kelcey cups Peyton’s face with her hands….
Kelcey: “You did love, you fought on, continued and look how it rewarded you? That is what’s most important now, you never gave up, you listened to me, trained harder than before and most of all? Believed in what you co do. Let’s make sure you get checked out by the trainer, you took a few hard hits and I can’t have you with some lingering injuries that could get worse.”
Peyton: “I will, always so caring and protective of me. My dad is going to be excited, I know he is.”
Kelcey: “He was watching, Peyton.”
Peyton: “He was?”
Kelcey: “I made sure of it, he wasn’t going to miss it for the world.”
Her eyes start to tear up, giggling a little before she starts to cry, Kelcey again cups her face….
Kelcey: “He is so proud of you. These better be tears of joy.”
Peyton: “They are. I wish Ricky was here too…. I…..”
Just before she could finish her sentence, Jason Dillinger walks in, he smirks as Peyton smiles and jumps into his arms. He hoists her up in the air and spins her around…..
Dilly: “Congratulations, Champ! I knew that you could do it!”
Peyton: “Thanks so much big guy, I couldn’t have done it without your friendship and support. There were times I didn’t know if I was going to make it but I did. You were always here for me. You took care of me when I was hurt, was always my guardian angel, I won’t ever forget that J-Dilly.”
Dilly: “That’s what friends are for, you are the light in this dungeon we call wrestling, too bad Ricky couldn’t be here for you, I know that I wasn’t going to miss this for anything and I am glad I was here to share it with you.”
Peyton: “Awww…. J-Dilly!”
They continue to hug as Kelcey looks on with narrowing eyes, there was something about Dillinger she just didn’t like, he reminded her a lot like Blake Mason, all cordial and almost too perfect on the outside but there was a schemer and a snake on the inside, Dillinger to Kelcey spoke with a forked tongue, yet it wasn’t her business to intervene in Peyton’s life, she was there for her career…..
Kelcey: “I’ll let you two catch up, Jason, can you please make sure she goes to the trainers before showers and leaving here?”
Dilly: “Absolutely.”
Kelcey: “Thanks big guy. Now listen to me Champ, you need to be careful, alright, now you are the hunted, there are a lot of snakes here in EMERGE.”
Kelcey’s blue eyes slowly glare over at Dillinger….
Kelcey: “Plenty of them.”
Peyton: “I know, thanks so much for everything. Tomorrow, we celebrate?”
Kelcey: “Yes, go back to the hotel and get some rest.”
Peyton: “I will, thank you so much, I love you Kelcey.”
Kelcey: “I love you too. Jason?”
Dilly: “I’ll make sure.”
Kelcey half smiles and walks out, Dillinger’s eyes narrow a bit before quickly erasing the look on his face and smiling at Peyton….
Peyton: “She’s great, my savior. I can’t believe this is happening, did you ever think that we would be here, now? Me holding the belt?”
Dilly: “I never doubted it for a minute. Come on, let’s get you to the trainer, then I’m making sure that you get back to the hotel.”
Peyton: “You don’t have to J-Dilly, I’ll be fine.”
Dilly: “Peyton, I’m putting my foot down.”
She starts to chuckle….
Peyton: “Okay… okay… fine, I will big guy, always being so bossy.”
The two share a smile, she grabs her title and starts to walk out, Dillinger has a grin ear to ear….
Glendale, AZ.
A Few Days Later
Peyton had returned back to her hometown, on the way to Venice Beach where she lived, stopping for a few days to stay with her dad, Ray, making sure that he was okay and at the same time, spend some time easing his worries about her wrestling career. She had seen her mother in Chicago, still no knowing if she was going to tell her dad that she had dinner or at least tried with her mom after everything that had happened in the past.
Wearing jean shorts, flip flops and a Sun devil t-shirt, her long hair hanging down and nails polished white, Peyton walked in, her dad in jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt smirked while sitting in the wheelchair…
Ray: “There she is! The champ is in the house!”
Peyton: “Oh dad, stop.”
She walked up to him, kissing her father on the cheek….
Ray: “Well, where is it?”
Peyton: “Oh, right here….”
Peyton reached into her suitcase and pulled out the title, Ray was more than impressed but most of all proud of his daughter. He hugged her as she smiled, she too was happy, to show her dad that she could succeed in wrestling, doing it for them….
Ray: “That looks perfect around your waist.”
Peyton: “Kelcey told me, you watched it?”
Ray: “I did, Kelcey made sure that I was watching. I swear, if that woman wasn’t married, I think I found the perfect one for me.”
Peyton: “Dad! She is pretty perfect though.”
Ray: “Yes she is, anyway my pipe dreams are not in order here, this is about my little girl. I was worried about you Pey.”
Peyton: “Dad, I’m fine. Things could have gone bad, Vanilla is a great GM, she made sure Justice Was Served. I just wanted to do this for us, I want you to be proud of me is all.”
Ray: “Pey, I am proud of you win or lose. I have always been no matter what you decide to do, you’re my daughter, that’s not going to change for anything, alright?”
She slowly nods her head…..
Ray: “I love you more than anything on this planet. To see you smile, how successful you are in wrestling and whatever you do. I am the proud father of the EMERGE Champion, no matter how much your safety and heath worries me, that is not the point. You are the light in my life, my reason to keep fighting and getting out of this chair one day.”
Peyton: “I love you dad. I did this for us, you and me always alone against the world and this time, they were not going to win.”
Ray: “Fighting spirit, where did you learn that?”
Peyton: “From you dad,”
They smile at each other before embracing again in another hug, this was a moment that Peyton cherished, the day he finally accepted her career choice as a wrestler and most importantly began to trust and believe in her.
The Following Day
Lately, Peyton’s boyfriend, Ricky Octavius had been what they call a “flake”. Circumstances out of his control prevented him from seeing the beautiful Rice. Were they coincidental? It was a possibility but each time it was Jason Dillinger who was able to come in, picking up the pieces. Ricky couldn’t wait for Peyton to arrive home, they decided to meet at her father’s, wanting to celebrate her win.
When Ricky arrived, it seemed like nothing was wrong, he could see the disappointment in Peyton’s eyes that he wasn’t there to see her, but she understood. They sat by the pool, she was in shorts and a tank top, he had on t-shirt, cargo shorts and sneaker. Peyton sat next to him, her head resting on his shoulder….
Ricky: “I can’t apologize enough to you babe. I wish I was there to see it happen. I mean, I know the finish was wonky at first, but I knew Vanilla and Danny would fix it and do the right thing. Dylan wasn’t going to get away with that and neither was Serotonin. I’m disappointed in Celeste, she was our friend.”
Peyton: “I think that’s the biggest problem I am having right now was her involvement. I guess I was wrong about her. It doesn’t matter, long as you are okay. How’s the head?”
Ricky: “It’s better, just pisses me off that it happened.”
Peyton: “You must be careful, you’re lucky that you weren’t killed and all they wanted was your money. It’s dangerous out there, babe, especially as we are starting to get more recognition as our careers progress. Don’t do that to me again, you are being struck with some sort of curse.”
Ricky lowers his head, he was starting to get his suspicions but didn’t want to bring anything up if it wasn’t factual….
Ricky: “Pey, was Jay there when I couldn’t show up?”
Peyton: “Yeah he was, it’s nice of him, took me out a few times to cheer me up.”
Ricky: “Right, the white knight.”
Peyton’s eyes widen, she slowly lifts her head and looks over at Ricky who turns to face her….
Peyton: “What was that for?”
Ricky: “I wasn’t going to say anything but don’t you think it’s coincidence that he is there every time I am not?”
Peyton: “What are you saying? He attacked you?”
Ricky: “No, not him, maybe he had someone do it.”
Peyton: “Ricky!? J-Dilly would never do that, he’s my friend!”
Ricky: “Peyton, he’s been hard up for you a long time, don’t play stupid and….”
*SLAP*
Her right hand went across his face. In shock he stood there as she stood up and started to walk away….
Peyton: “Maybe we need some space.”
Ricky: “Peyton!? Are you serious!?”
Peyton: “I’m not listening to this anymore, please leave.”
Ricky sighs, he stands up and starts to walk up, he stops and looks over at her….
Ricky: “Watch him, like a hawk.”
Peyton: “Go.”
He doesn’t say another word and walks out, Peyton stands there for a minute as her eyes start to tear up….
SCENE FADES
REC
“I can’t believe still after a few weeks, I stand here as the EMERGE Champion. It took a lot to get here, Dylan Cent is all he was advertised and more, even pinning me thanks to Serotonin but in the end Vanilla Skyy came out and did the right thing by restarting the match and allowing to have a definitive winner with no tricks or interference. I did that, I beat a former SCW wrestler and VWA superstar, a true test to my abilities and I am so proud of being the first to ever hold this title. It’s not going to come easy though moving forward, the challengers are going to be lining up and I know for sure Dylan will be one of them.
To be able and show this Championship to my dad and see his face light up in joy was all worth it.
The downside to this though, you start to see who your true friends are, the people who will support you and those who would rather state the obvious or make their play when someone like me is holding the Championship. At EMERGE 5, I get to team up with a woman I defeated on the way to the EMERGE title, probably the toughest woman I have ever faced, Kimberly Williams. I could stand here and reminisce about Invasion, I can’t because it is time to get back to work and Kimberly, I am putting my trust in you as a partner and fellow wrestler.
There can’t be any Stabby-Stabby, okay? Please? Thank you.
We can talk about controversy, after the show went off the air I sure heard and saw a lot of the locker room give their thoughts, one of them was Kandis. I wasn’t surprised, she basically thought the decision should have been final, of course she did, that’s fine, no one can pretend to walk in my shows or anyone else’s and until you find yourself in that same predicament, how can you even fathom what is right or wrong? Dylan Cent wants to make a point, he is looking to prove he’s the one who should get the first shot at me and I welcome it for I have never ran away from anyone….
And come Monday?
Kimberly and I will be on the same page, we have the same goals even if it’s not the same philosophy. Cent and Kandis will work together too, no question about it. In the end though, I stand Champion, I took everything Dylan through at me and if serotonin wants to continue this march through EMERGE and try to destroy what we are trying to build?
They, like Kandis and Dylan will learn….
I’m not another “Pretty” face.”
/REC
Peyton Rice 