Post by The Venomous Pixie on Sept 1, 2022 2:56:34 GMT
[-] Dyersville, Iowa. August 29th, 2022 [-]
[Atop an oaken chair within the confines of an unassuming house, a young woman sits. Her platinum blonde hair shimmering in the light, tied up into a ponytail as the fabric of her white singlet and denim jeans snuggly fits against her body as she stares forward. The light reflecting off her light brown eyes and causing a soft shine to appear within them, much like the gentle shimmer of her deep violet lipstick. At first glance, this woman appears to be no older than 20 years old. To her right, is an oaken table, with a mint green folder opened, revealing a singular piece of paper within it. Three letters can be seen atop the paper, along with writing that appears to be some sort of contract.]
[Continuing to stare forward, the woman moves her right hand up from its previous resting place atop her thigh and in the direction of the folder, grasping the right side of the folder; pulling it closed without as much as a glance in its direction.]
"Today is when it all begins. Today is when I take the next step in my career and finally begin to fly. Just like I promised I would..."
[Her pupils begin to dilate, as her expression softens, and a sigh leaves her lips. Placing her hand back atop her thigh, her stare remains fixated in front of her as a soft smile begins to creep onto her face.]
"I told you that I was going to make it a reality. That I was going to be the one that put us onto the map. Show the world just what we are capable of. That I would be the one who finally broke through and shattered the ceiling. The one who would show that it does not matter who you are or where you came from, as long as you are willing to dream and do whatever it takes in order to make those dreams into reality. Here I am, having signed with one of the biggest companies in the world. Something I could never have dreamed of happening when we were in our backyard, wishing that we could be like those we watched on TV. Pretending that we were on top of the world, and wanting to reach that pinnacle someday... A day that has now arrived."
[Her smile widens as she allows the picture to zoom in on the authentic, genuine expression on her face. The sparkle within those gentle eyes as her porcelain white skin glows in the light. Zooming back out, it can be seen that she is within a living room, with splashes of mint green and snow-white paint adorning the walls in ornate patterns, as well as various pieces of artwork hanging from the wall. The focus remains on this woman, who raises her right hand once more, this time using it to push back her bangs before placing it back atop her thigh.]
"I may not be there yet, but some day, I will be. Someday, people will know that this little girl. This woman who began her life within this little town is now stepping out into the world. Taking it on and proving that I'm not just a pretty face or another cheerleader but that I am the real deal. That wrestling is where I want to be. That this sport and the ring is where I am at my happiest. Where I rise and shine brighter than the stars in the nighttime sky. Just as I did when I walked into Total Fitness for the very first time and looked Daniel in the eyes. Telling him the same thing that I am telling you right now. Wrestling isn't just a sport to me. It is my life."
[Pursing her lips, the shimmer within her eyes remains as dimples begin to form in her cheeks. Her smile widening and expressing a sincere look of delight.]
"I have been preparing for this. Waiting for the right moment; the right opportunity to come so that I could finally step into the light. The IIW is where it will all begin. Where this little Pixie will show the world. Show everybody in the locker room who might see me as just another name. Another "ex-athlete" who is looking to get into their sport shouldn't count me out. That they shouldn't be fooled by looks, because when we step into that ring, they will see this Pixie has venom. That this little girl intends on scaling the mountain and leaving her mark on this sport. On showing that you can do anything that you set yourself up to achieve, as long as you stay true to who you are. As long as you don't forget what it took to get to this point."
[Taking a deep breath, the woman tilts her head upward toward the ceiling before lowering it and returning her focus forward. Water beginning to form in her bottom eyelid.]
"Every moment that I was in Daniel's ring. Busting my ass and coming back home with bruises and scars on my body was all so that I could get here. So that I could say that I have made it. That Kayla Collins is here, and nothing is going to stop me. Nobody is going to be able to hold me back anymore. No longer am I just "the sister" in my family or "the girl who runs and dances". I am the "Venomous Pixie". I am the woman who holds the hopes. The dreams of not just my family or this city, but girls everywhere are in my hands and I plan on making sure that I give them the role model they deserve.
The woman they can look up to and see that this can be them. That it's not beyond them to reach the stars. That they don't need to sit idly by as others tell them they'll never be good enough. Don't let them bring you down. Don't let those who say you are too small or not good looking enough deny you from being the person you want to be. Go out there and do what I did. Prove to them that you deserve to be heard. Show that that you are just as capable as they are... Prove them wrong. Just as I did. Just as I am. Just as I will.``
[Tears begin to roll down her cheeks, yet she makes no effort to stop them. She wants everybody to see her emotions pouring out. See just how much she wishes for people to hear her words and use them as inspiration. It does not matter to her, because this is who she is. This is the Kayla she wishes to portray to the world. She wants them to see that she has nothing to hide.]
"They can't control what you do or what you achieve if you don't let them. They can't say "no" if you go out there and take their breath away, so do it. I'll be there with you every step of the way, taking the breath away from the IIW and leaving them with no choice but to realize just how much this means to me. How hard I have worked to get here and how hard I am willing to work in order to reach the top. There is no wall tall enough. No ceiling high enough to stop me. No opponent is tough enough to break me. I promise that no matter what they try. No matter if they attempt to discard me or make me appear to be another "pretender", I will stand tall. I will cut them down and make a trail for you to follow. A path you can walk down alongside me. Everything I do is for you. Don't forget that."
[Her face glistening, she raises her right hand, finally wiping away some of the tears. Her makeup rubbing off and revealing her pastel pink lips and porcelain white skin underneath.]
"Watch me."
[Rising up, she walks across the snow-white carpeted floor toward the tripod she had been using to record. Her hips gently swaying with every step before she blows a kiss straight into the lens as she reaches the camera. Turning it off, she then pivots her body around, heading back toward the chair she had been sitting on, swinging her arm out in the process to grab the folder and opening it once more. Staring directly at the three letters written on top of the piece of paper, the camera caught a glimpse of earlier. IIW. The same place she mentioned during her live video feed on Instagram. This is where her career will begin. Where she will begin turning her dreams into reality. Walking past the chair, she uses her left hand to reach into the pocket of her jeans and pulling out her silver Samsung Galaxy S10+, Maneuvering it so that it is in her line of sight.]
[Using her thumb, she makes her way to the "Contracts" feature, pressing it before scrolling down and reaching the name "Daniel". tapping it, she then taps the "call" button before raising the phone to her ear. Waiting for the man who trained her and influenced her to fully commit to the sport to pick up. Smiling as he does.]
"Hey Kayla. I heard the news earlier. Congratulations."
"Hey Dan! Yeah, I'm honestly excited to get into the world of wrestling. This is where I want to be. "
"I'm excited for you. You were always the one student I could tell from day one wanted to wrestle. I could see how much you wanted to step into the ring and show what you were capable of, and I know you'll do the same in the IIW."
[Laughing, Kayla's smile turns into a grin. The same dimples that had appeared before reappearing in her cheeks.]
"I hope so. I can't lie. I'm nervous about this. I know how big a company they are, and don't want to embarrass myself."
"You won't. I remember you stepping into the ring with Amanda and more than holding your own. I'm sure you'll be just fine handling whoever you step into the ring against in the IIW."
[Kayla feels a slight knot form in her stomach when she hears the name "Amanda". One of the toughest women to ever train under Daniel, she made sure that Kayla realized just how painful this sport could be, serving her a harsh lesson in the process. One that she has kept close to her heart ever since.]
"That's the plan. Make sure that they can see I'm not about to lay down and surrender. That nothing they can do will intimidate me or cause me to back away from them or surrender."
"That's the Kayla I want to hear. You have everything in the palm of your hands to make it in the sport. You just need to put faith in yourself and take yourself to that next level. Be the venomous pixie I know you can be."
"I'll try..."
[Daniel interjects.]
"There is no try, Kayla. You need to become that if you are to make it as far as I know you want to. The others won't take it easy on you either. They're not going to back down from you just as much as you're not going to back down from them. It's up to you to make them respect you. Make them see what you can bring to the table. Why you deserve to be in the same company as them."
[Her head slightly drooping in resignation, Kayla lets out a soft yet audible breath. He's right, they're not going to make it easy on her to succeed; she is the one who needs to earn and create her own opportunities.]
"You're right. I promise I will go out there and make sure they know not to doubt me. Not to look past me, no matter what it takes. No matter how far I must go to reach the mountain top. To become the woman, I said I would become. The hero that people deserve."
"Good. I know you can be there. Anyway, I have a class about to start so I have to go, but we'll talk later."
"Alright. Talk to you later... and thank you."
"That's what I'm here for."
[With that, she pulls the phone away from her ear as the call comes to an end. Placing the phone back into her pocket, she resumes her walk. Heading toward the doorway of the living room and into the hallway of her house. Preparing for the beginning of the next step of her career. Her first foray into the sport of professional wrestling.]
[-] Five Hours Later. Dubuque, Iowa. [-]
"Do you remember?"
[Kayla's head tilts up as these words are asked by her brother, while the two sit inside of his living room, the TV playing in the background. Kayla is wearing the same clothing she had been earlier, whilst her brother, who appears to be in his mid-twenties is wearing a navy t-shirt, denim jeans and black/white/red Nike sneakers. Looking into his eyes, she can tell what he is referring to with the question.]
"Yes."
"You know what we will be with you every step of the way... Cheering you on as you go out there and put it all into practice. This is what we were preparing you for. We wanted you to know that you needed to not fear anything the world would throw at you, because we knew you were special. Even when we were kids, we could see it in your eyes."
[Laughing to herself, her mind begins to reflect on the times her brothers would push her in their backyard. Trying to bring the best out of her and showing her the ropes in their own way. Something that has helped her get to the position she now finds herself in. Her brother simply holds his smile, his eyes glowing with pride at what his younger sister has achieved.]
"I just wanted to be the best I could be. Show you, Mom and Dad that I was willing to do whatever it took to get here. To make you proud."
"You have, Kayla. We are all extremely proud of you. We always have been."
"Well, you could have done a better job at showing it sometimes, Ryan."
[Ryan simply chuckles in response as Kayla pouts.]
"It wouldn't have been us teaching you then. We wanted to see how you would react, seeing as we knew how people could be in the neighborhood."
[Sighing, Kayla's face returns to its previous, stoic expression.]
"I guess so."
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Yeah."
[Her response stated in a resigned tone, she gently placed her right hand onto the back of the cushion, turning her head slightly to see what is playing on the TV before returning her focus to Ryan, who had done the same.]
"Just remember, this is your road. Don't feel as if you need to follow our footsteps or just do what we would have. You are your own person. You have qualities to offer that we don't, so use that to your advantage. Go out there and be the show. Stay true to who you are, and I know everything will fall into place."
"I know. I'm not going to be anyone else... What they are going to get is who I am. The same girl from the backyard."
"I wouldn't expect any less from you. Though I do have a surprise for you..."
[Kayla's eyebrows rise up as her eyes widen. Curious as to what he means by "surprise", and if it's anything like the surprises he and her other brothers would give her at home or when they were younger. Looking over the top of her, Ryan uses his right hand to motion toward the doorway, mouthing the words "You can come in," before a male figure appears in the doorway. Appearing to be in his early to mid-fifties, the man has light brown hair with a few gray streaks visible, a faded charcoal gray polo shirt, black pants and black sneakers.]
[He is followed by a woman who is around his age, with blonde hair similar to Kayla's and wearing a pale blue t-shirt, jeans and white sneakers. Both the man and woman have joyful smiles across their faces as they make their way into the room, the pitter-patter of their footsteps being absorbed by the powder white carpet. Hearing them, Kayla turns her head around, her smile growing at the sight of these people as her eyes widen to the size of plates and her mouth appears as if it is stretched out.]
"Hi Mom! Dad!"
"Hey Kayla. We couldn't miss seeing our little girl before she flies off, could we?"
[Kayla laughs. She had figured they would have heard the news by now.]
"We're proud of you. Going out there and living out your dream."
"Thank you. I just want to make you proud. Show the world just what I am capable of. Give them a taste of what this girl can do when the spotlight is on her."
"We know you can do it. We've always believed in you and wanted to see you become the best you can be. See you grow and find your place in this world. We will always support you, no matter what."
"I know, Mom. It means a lot to me."
[Her dad stands in front of Ryan as her mom stands in front of her, smiles still on their faces. Turning to face his sister once again, Ryan allows the moment to sink in and for Kayla to process everything. Knowing just how big this is for her.]
"When do you head off?"
"Tomorrow morning. Have to be at the airport by nine, then planning on meeting one of the staff when I land in Atlanta."
"Do you have your hotel booked?"
"Yeah. They told me they had handled all of my accommodation and bookings, thankfully. Means I don't have to sort that out on top of trying to find a gym and transport.:
[All four burst into laughter, knowing that Kayla can be kind of lazy when it comes to preparation, though her cheeks begin to redden with embarrassment.]
"That's good. We all know what you're like with planning things..."
"Hey! I'm not that bad."
"No comment."
[Chuckling, Ryan shoots his parents a quick wink as Kayla's cheeks continue to redden. wrinkles forming around her eyes and mouth. Peering through however, is her smile.]
"Don't worry about it. We still love you."
"Well, they do."
[Noticing the glare of his father, Ryan gives him a sly look.]
"Ryan..."
"I'm sorry. Anyway, Jacinta will be back with dinner soon, so we should probably get everything ready. Dad, you want to help?"
"Alright."
[Standing, Ryan and his dad begin to walk out of the room, leaving Kayla and her mom alone. Her face beginning to relax as her normal skin tone reappears around her cheeks, Kayla looks into her mom's eyes.]
"I'll miss you guys. So much. I know this is what I need to do, but I wish you were able to come with me."
[Her mom's smile curls upward slightly, as she places her left hand atop her daughter's shoulder. Attempting to reassure her that she is making the right decision.]
"We'll always be with you in there..."
[She gently taps her heart with her right hand.]
"This is your chance to make a name for yourself. To go out there and be you. Just know we will be watching every step of the way, cheering you on. Everybody here will be, Kayla. We are all so happy to see somebody stepping out and making their name known. I've had people at work tell me how excited they are to see you in the ring. Even Jennifer told me her youngest wants to be like you some day."
[Kayla's lips begin to purse as a smaller tinge of red appears in her cheeks. This time out of honor and pride.]
"Really?"
"Yeah. She told me when I went to see her earlier. You know how fast news travels around here."
[The two share a laugh. News has always traveled rapidly around the city. Especially when it comes to achievements as big as the one Kayla has done. Signing with one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the world. Even more so when she managed to do so with only her training under Daniel on her resume.]
"True. I should have known nothing would get past anyone. Especially not Jennifer."
[Her mom simply nods.]
"Anyway, we should probably go help Ryan and dad. Make sure everything's ready for dinner."
"Okay."
[Standing up, Kayla follows her mom as the two make their way toward the kitchen, to help out with preparations for dinner. The last dinner Kayla will be able to have with her family for a while and one she wants to be as memorable as possible.]
[-] Monticello, Iowa. August 30th, 2022. [-]
"Keep calm, Kayla."
[Encouraging herself with this whisper, Kayla, wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and her favorite pair of black leather boots, sits on the snow-white plastic chair in the lobby of the Monticello Regional Airport. Bracing herself for the flight to Des Moines, then onto Atlanta, where an IIW staff member will be waiting for her. Nerves continue to flow through her body, as she has never flown alone before. In fact, she has only ever flown on a plane twice in her entire life, both times being when she had gone to visit her grandparents in Florida with her family. This isn't just a vacation though. This is a move she is making to define her career. Her entire life.]
[She glances around, noticing five or six other people, each sitting in their own plastic chairs before tilting her head to look upward at the screen. Fifteen minutes until her flight leaves. She can feel the excitement and anxiety in the air surrounding her.]
"You can do this."
[More whispered encouragement, as she looks down at her phone resting in her lap. She would love to go onto Instagram and see how people are reacting but knows that will likely only make her more nervous. Plus, she'll be able to go live once she is settled into her hotel and acclimatized to her new surroundings. Sighing, she inhales deeply, channeling the meditation techniques her brothers had taught her. Ones reinforced by Ryan over dinner last night. Another glance around the lobby indicates that nobody else has entered as she closes her eyes.]
"Soon... Soon you will be able to say you made it."
[Her words causing a relaxing sensation to wash throughout her body, she allows her lips to curl upward as the light shimmers off her deep pink lipstick.]
"This isn't just about you. This is about everyone. Do it for them, if for nobody else."
[Her eyes reopen as three people take their own seats to the right of her, causing her body to instinctively tense up. Though she manages to remain calm, only peering at them through the corner of her eye. Her attention soon turns to her phone as she turns it around, deciding to take a quick picture of herself before she heads onto the plane. Give her friends and family a glimpse at her, so they can share in the energy and joy she is feeling. Opening her Instagram, she quickly posts the picture before placing her phone in her lap.]
[Just in time to hear the chatter that has begun in those seats next to her. Although not about her, she is in earshot and it's better than the silence that had been comforting her previously. A sign of life in an airport that had felt eerie and dead. She chose not to put her headphones in and listen to music, because she doesn't want to miss the announcement of her flight taking off or get too lost within the music and accidentally fall asleep.]
"This is your moment... Prove to them that you belong."
[Just as she finishes remarking that, the sound of the PA system coming to life resonates throughout the lobby and a woman's voice can be heard.]
"Attention all passengers. Flight 228 is ready for boarding on runway 11. Please remember to scan your ticket at reception and enjoy your flight."
[Clasping her phone, Kayla slides it into the right pocket of her jeans before making her way toward the reception booth.]
"This is it. It's nearly time."
[Reaching the booth, she places her ticket on the table, giving a smile to the receptionist as she scans it, before picking it up and heading in the direction of runway 11. Soon, her dream will truly begin, and she cannot wait. This is her moment, and she plans on making the most of it.]
[Atop an oaken chair within the confines of an unassuming house, a young woman sits. Her platinum blonde hair shimmering in the light, tied up into a ponytail as the fabric of her white singlet and denim jeans snuggly fits against her body as she stares forward. The light reflecting off her light brown eyes and causing a soft shine to appear within them, much like the gentle shimmer of her deep violet lipstick. At first glance, this woman appears to be no older than 20 years old. To her right, is an oaken table, with a mint green folder opened, revealing a singular piece of paper within it. Three letters can be seen atop the paper, along with writing that appears to be some sort of contract.]
[Continuing to stare forward, the woman moves her right hand up from its previous resting place atop her thigh and in the direction of the folder, grasping the right side of the folder; pulling it closed without as much as a glance in its direction.]
"Today is when it all begins. Today is when I take the next step in my career and finally begin to fly. Just like I promised I would..."
[Her pupils begin to dilate, as her expression softens, and a sigh leaves her lips. Placing her hand back atop her thigh, her stare remains fixated in front of her as a soft smile begins to creep onto her face.]
"I told you that I was going to make it a reality. That I was going to be the one that put us onto the map. Show the world just what we are capable of. That I would be the one who finally broke through and shattered the ceiling. The one who would show that it does not matter who you are or where you came from, as long as you are willing to dream and do whatever it takes in order to make those dreams into reality. Here I am, having signed with one of the biggest companies in the world. Something I could never have dreamed of happening when we were in our backyard, wishing that we could be like those we watched on TV. Pretending that we were on top of the world, and wanting to reach that pinnacle someday... A day that has now arrived."
[Her smile widens as she allows the picture to zoom in on the authentic, genuine expression on her face. The sparkle within those gentle eyes as her porcelain white skin glows in the light. Zooming back out, it can be seen that she is within a living room, with splashes of mint green and snow-white paint adorning the walls in ornate patterns, as well as various pieces of artwork hanging from the wall. The focus remains on this woman, who raises her right hand once more, this time using it to push back her bangs before placing it back atop her thigh.]
"I may not be there yet, but some day, I will be. Someday, people will know that this little girl. This woman who began her life within this little town is now stepping out into the world. Taking it on and proving that I'm not just a pretty face or another cheerleader but that I am the real deal. That wrestling is where I want to be. That this sport and the ring is where I am at my happiest. Where I rise and shine brighter than the stars in the nighttime sky. Just as I did when I walked into Total Fitness for the very first time and looked Daniel in the eyes. Telling him the same thing that I am telling you right now. Wrestling isn't just a sport to me. It is my life."
[Pursing her lips, the shimmer within her eyes remains as dimples begin to form in her cheeks. Her smile widening and expressing a sincere look of delight.]
"I have been preparing for this. Waiting for the right moment; the right opportunity to come so that I could finally step into the light. The IIW is where it will all begin. Where this little Pixie will show the world. Show everybody in the locker room who might see me as just another name. Another "ex-athlete" who is looking to get into their sport shouldn't count me out. That they shouldn't be fooled by looks, because when we step into that ring, they will see this Pixie has venom. That this little girl intends on scaling the mountain and leaving her mark on this sport. On showing that you can do anything that you set yourself up to achieve, as long as you stay true to who you are. As long as you don't forget what it took to get to this point."
[Taking a deep breath, the woman tilts her head upward toward the ceiling before lowering it and returning her focus forward. Water beginning to form in her bottom eyelid.]
"Every moment that I was in Daniel's ring. Busting my ass and coming back home with bruises and scars on my body was all so that I could get here. So that I could say that I have made it. That Kayla Collins is here, and nothing is going to stop me. Nobody is going to be able to hold me back anymore. No longer am I just "the sister" in my family or "the girl who runs and dances". I am the "Venomous Pixie". I am the woman who holds the hopes. The dreams of not just my family or this city, but girls everywhere are in my hands and I plan on making sure that I give them the role model they deserve.
The woman they can look up to and see that this can be them. That it's not beyond them to reach the stars. That they don't need to sit idly by as others tell them they'll never be good enough. Don't let them bring you down. Don't let those who say you are too small or not good looking enough deny you from being the person you want to be. Go out there and do what I did. Prove to them that you deserve to be heard. Show that that you are just as capable as they are... Prove them wrong. Just as I did. Just as I am. Just as I will.``
[Tears begin to roll down her cheeks, yet she makes no effort to stop them. She wants everybody to see her emotions pouring out. See just how much she wishes for people to hear her words and use them as inspiration. It does not matter to her, because this is who she is. This is the Kayla she wishes to portray to the world. She wants them to see that she has nothing to hide.]
"They can't control what you do or what you achieve if you don't let them. They can't say "no" if you go out there and take their breath away, so do it. I'll be there with you every step of the way, taking the breath away from the IIW and leaving them with no choice but to realize just how much this means to me. How hard I have worked to get here and how hard I am willing to work in order to reach the top. There is no wall tall enough. No ceiling high enough to stop me. No opponent is tough enough to break me. I promise that no matter what they try. No matter if they attempt to discard me or make me appear to be another "pretender", I will stand tall. I will cut them down and make a trail for you to follow. A path you can walk down alongside me. Everything I do is for you. Don't forget that."
[Her face glistening, she raises her right hand, finally wiping away some of the tears. Her makeup rubbing off and revealing her pastel pink lips and porcelain white skin underneath.]
"Watch me."
[Rising up, she walks across the snow-white carpeted floor toward the tripod she had been using to record. Her hips gently swaying with every step before she blows a kiss straight into the lens as she reaches the camera. Turning it off, she then pivots her body around, heading back toward the chair she had been sitting on, swinging her arm out in the process to grab the folder and opening it once more. Staring directly at the three letters written on top of the piece of paper, the camera caught a glimpse of earlier. IIW. The same place she mentioned during her live video feed on Instagram. This is where her career will begin. Where she will begin turning her dreams into reality. Walking past the chair, she uses her left hand to reach into the pocket of her jeans and pulling out her silver Samsung Galaxy S10+, Maneuvering it so that it is in her line of sight.]
[Using her thumb, she makes her way to the "Contracts" feature, pressing it before scrolling down and reaching the name "Daniel". tapping it, she then taps the "call" button before raising the phone to her ear. Waiting for the man who trained her and influenced her to fully commit to the sport to pick up. Smiling as he does.]
"Hey Kayla. I heard the news earlier. Congratulations."
"Hey Dan! Yeah, I'm honestly excited to get into the world of wrestling. This is where I want to be. "
"I'm excited for you. You were always the one student I could tell from day one wanted to wrestle. I could see how much you wanted to step into the ring and show what you were capable of, and I know you'll do the same in the IIW."
[Laughing, Kayla's smile turns into a grin. The same dimples that had appeared before reappearing in her cheeks.]
"I hope so. I can't lie. I'm nervous about this. I know how big a company they are, and don't want to embarrass myself."
"You won't. I remember you stepping into the ring with Amanda and more than holding your own. I'm sure you'll be just fine handling whoever you step into the ring against in the IIW."
[Kayla feels a slight knot form in her stomach when she hears the name "Amanda". One of the toughest women to ever train under Daniel, she made sure that Kayla realized just how painful this sport could be, serving her a harsh lesson in the process. One that she has kept close to her heart ever since.]
"That's the plan. Make sure that they can see I'm not about to lay down and surrender. That nothing they can do will intimidate me or cause me to back away from them or surrender."
"That's the Kayla I want to hear. You have everything in the palm of your hands to make it in the sport. You just need to put faith in yourself and take yourself to that next level. Be the venomous pixie I know you can be."
"I'll try..."
[Daniel interjects.]
"There is no try, Kayla. You need to become that if you are to make it as far as I know you want to. The others won't take it easy on you either. They're not going to back down from you just as much as you're not going to back down from them. It's up to you to make them respect you. Make them see what you can bring to the table. Why you deserve to be in the same company as them."
[Her head slightly drooping in resignation, Kayla lets out a soft yet audible breath. He's right, they're not going to make it easy on her to succeed; she is the one who needs to earn and create her own opportunities.]
"You're right. I promise I will go out there and make sure they know not to doubt me. Not to look past me, no matter what it takes. No matter how far I must go to reach the mountain top. To become the woman, I said I would become. The hero that people deserve."
"Good. I know you can be there. Anyway, I have a class about to start so I have to go, but we'll talk later."
"Alright. Talk to you later... and thank you."
"That's what I'm here for."
[With that, she pulls the phone away from her ear as the call comes to an end. Placing the phone back into her pocket, she resumes her walk. Heading toward the doorway of the living room and into the hallway of her house. Preparing for the beginning of the next step of her career. Her first foray into the sport of professional wrestling.]
[-] Five Hours Later. Dubuque, Iowa. [-]
"Do you remember?"
[Kayla's head tilts up as these words are asked by her brother, while the two sit inside of his living room, the TV playing in the background. Kayla is wearing the same clothing she had been earlier, whilst her brother, who appears to be in his mid-twenties is wearing a navy t-shirt, denim jeans and black/white/red Nike sneakers. Looking into his eyes, she can tell what he is referring to with the question.]
"Yes."
"You know what we will be with you every step of the way... Cheering you on as you go out there and put it all into practice. This is what we were preparing you for. We wanted you to know that you needed to not fear anything the world would throw at you, because we knew you were special. Even when we were kids, we could see it in your eyes."
[Laughing to herself, her mind begins to reflect on the times her brothers would push her in their backyard. Trying to bring the best out of her and showing her the ropes in their own way. Something that has helped her get to the position she now finds herself in. Her brother simply holds his smile, his eyes glowing with pride at what his younger sister has achieved.]
"I just wanted to be the best I could be. Show you, Mom and Dad that I was willing to do whatever it took to get here. To make you proud."
"You have, Kayla. We are all extremely proud of you. We always have been."
"Well, you could have done a better job at showing it sometimes, Ryan."
[Ryan simply chuckles in response as Kayla pouts.]
"It wouldn't have been us teaching you then. We wanted to see how you would react, seeing as we knew how people could be in the neighborhood."
[Sighing, Kayla's face returns to its previous, stoic expression.]
"I guess so."
"It worked, didn't it?"
"Yeah."
[Her response stated in a resigned tone, she gently placed her right hand onto the back of the cushion, turning her head slightly to see what is playing on the TV before returning her focus to Ryan, who had done the same.]
"Just remember, this is your road. Don't feel as if you need to follow our footsteps or just do what we would have. You are your own person. You have qualities to offer that we don't, so use that to your advantage. Go out there and be the show. Stay true to who you are, and I know everything will fall into place."
"I know. I'm not going to be anyone else... What they are going to get is who I am. The same girl from the backyard."
"I wouldn't expect any less from you. Though I do have a surprise for you..."
[Kayla's eyebrows rise up as her eyes widen. Curious as to what he means by "surprise", and if it's anything like the surprises he and her other brothers would give her at home or when they were younger. Looking over the top of her, Ryan uses his right hand to motion toward the doorway, mouthing the words "You can come in," before a male figure appears in the doorway. Appearing to be in his early to mid-fifties, the man has light brown hair with a few gray streaks visible, a faded charcoal gray polo shirt, black pants and black sneakers.]
[He is followed by a woman who is around his age, with blonde hair similar to Kayla's and wearing a pale blue t-shirt, jeans and white sneakers. Both the man and woman have joyful smiles across their faces as they make their way into the room, the pitter-patter of their footsteps being absorbed by the powder white carpet. Hearing them, Kayla turns her head around, her smile growing at the sight of these people as her eyes widen to the size of plates and her mouth appears as if it is stretched out.]
"Hi Mom! Dad!"
"Hey Kayla. We couldn't miss seeing our little girl before she flies off, could we?"
[Kayla laughs. She had figured they would have heard the news by now.]
"We're proud of you. Going out there and living out your dream."
"Thank you. I just want to make you proud. Show the world just what I am capable of. Give them a taste of what this girl can do when the spotlight is on her."
"We know you can do it. We've always believed in you and wanted to see you become the best you can be. See you grow and find your place in this world. We will always support you, no matter what."
"I know, Mom. It means a lot to me."
[Her dad stands in front of Ryan as her mom stands in front of her, smiles still on their faces. Turning to face his sister once again, Ryan allows the moment to sink in and for Kayla to process everything. Knowing just how big this is for her.]
"When do you head off?"
"Tomorrow morning. Have to be at the airport by nine, then planning on meeting one of the staff when I land in Atlanta."
"Do you have your hotel booked?"
"Yeah. They told me they had handled all of my accommodation and bookings, thankfully. Means I don't have to sort that out on top of trying to find a gym and transport.:
[All four burst into laughter, knowing that Kayla can be kind of lazy when it comes to preparation, though her cheeks begin to redden with embarrassment.]
"That's good. We all know what you're like with planning things..."
"Hey! I'm not that bad."
"No comment."
[Chuckling, Ryan shoots his parents a quick wink as Kayla's cheeks continue to redden. wrinkles forming around her eyes and mouth. Peering through however, is her smile.]
"Don't worry about it. We still love you."
"Well, they do."
[Noticing the glare of his father, Ryan gives him a sly look.]
"Ryan..."
"I'm sorry. Anyway, Jacinta will be back with dinner soon, so we should probably get everything ready. Dad, you want to help?"
"Alright."
[Standing, Ryan and his dad begin to walk out of the room, leaving Kayla and her mom alone. Her face beginning to relax as her normal skin tone reappears around her cheeks, Kayla looks into her mom's eyes.]
"I'll miss you guys. So much. I know this is what I need to do, but I wish you were able to come with me."
[Her mom's smile curls upward slightly, as she places her left hand atop her daughter's shoulder. Attempting to reassure her that she is making the right decision.]
"We'll always be with you in there..."
[She gently taps her heart with her right hand.]
"This is your chance to make a name for yourself. To go out there and be you. Just know we will be watching every step of the way, cheering you on. Everybody here will be, Kayla. We are all so happy to see somebody stepping out and making their name known. I've had people at work tell me how excited they are to see you in the ring. Even Jennifer told me her youngest wants to be like you some day."
[Kayla's lips begin to purse as a smaller tinge of red appears in her cheeks. This time out of honor and pride.]
"Really?"
"Yeah. She told me when I went to see her earlier. You know how fast news travels around here."
[The two share a laugh. News has always traveled rapidly around the city. Especially when it comes to achievements as big as the one Kayla has done. Signing with one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the world. Even more so when she managed to do so with only her training under Daniel on her resume.]
"True. I should have known nothing would get past anyone. Especially not Jennifer."
[Her mom simply nods.]
"Anyway, we should probably go help Ryan and dad. Make sure everything's ready for dinner."
"Okay."
[Standing up, Kayla follows her mom as the two make their way toward the kitchen, to help out with preparations for dinner. The last dinner Kayla will be able to have with her family for a while and one she wants to be as memorable as possible.]
[-] Monticello, Iowa. August 30th, 2022. [-]
"Keep calm, Kayla."
[Encouraging herself with this whisper, Kayla, wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and her favorite pair of black leather boots, sits on the snow-white plastic chair in the lobby of the Monticello Regional Airport. Bracing herself for the flight to Des Moines, then onto Atlanta, where an IIW staff member will be waiting for her. Nerves continue to flow through her body, as she has never flown alone before. In fact, she has only ever flown on a plane twice in her entire life, both times being when she had gone to visit her grandparents in Florida with her family. This isn't just a vacation though. This is a move she is making to define her career. Her entire life.]
[She glances around, noticing five or six other people, each sitting in their own plastic chairs before tilting her head to look upward at the screen. Fifteen minutes until her flight leaves. She can feel the excitement and anxiety in the air surrounding her.]
"You can do this."
[More whispered encouragement, as she looks down at her phone resting in her lap. She would love to go onto Instagram and see how people are reacting but knows that will likely only make her more nervous. Plus, she'll be able to go live once she is settled into her hotel and acclimatized to her new surroundings. Sighing, she inhales deeply, channeling the meditation techniques her brothers had taught her. Ones reinforced by Ryan over dinner last night. Another glance around the lobby indicates that nobody else has entered as she closes her eyes.]
"Soon... Soon you will be able to say you made it."
[Her words causing a relaxing sensation to wash throughout her body, she allows her lips to curl upward as the light shimmers off her deep pink lipstick.]
"This isn't just about you. This is about everyone. Do it for them, if for nobody else."
[Her eyes reopen as three people take their own seats to the right of her, causing her body to instinctively tense up. Though she manages to remain calm, only peering at them through the corner of her eye. Her attention soon turns to her phone as she turns it around, deciding to take a quick picture of herself before she heads onto the plane. Give her friends and family a glimpse at her, so they can share in the energy and joy she is feeling. Opening her Instagram, she quickly posts the picture before placing her phone in her lap.]
[Just in time to hear the chatter that has begun in those seats next to her. Although not about her, she is in earshot and it's better than the silence that had been comforting her previously. A sign of life in an airport that had felt eerie and dead. She chose not to put her headphones in and listen to music, because she doesn't want to miss the announcement of her flight taking off or get too lost within the music and accidentally fall asleep.]
"This is your moment... Prove to them that you belong."
[Just as she finishes remarking that, the sound of the PA system coming to life resonates throughout the lobby and a woman's voice can be heard.]
"Attention all passengers. Flight 228 is ready for boarding on runway 11. Please remember to scan your ticket at reception and enjoy your flight."
[Clasping her phone, Kayla slides it into the right pocket of her jeans before making her way toward the reception booth.]
"This is it. It's nearly time."
[Reaching the booth, she places her ticket on the table, giving a smile to the receptionist as she scans it, before picking it up and heading in the direction of runway 11. Soon, her dream will truly begin, and she cannot wait. This is her moment, and she plans on making the most of it.]