End of the Year 2020 Part 2

December 25 – Las Vegas

I had a lot of time to think after leaving Kath’s. Vihaan’s driving was steady enough that I could just about drift to sleep in the backseat. But every time I was about to during that 4 hour drive, Vihaan would start blasting some soundtrack from another action movie or scream “mother bitch” at another car and I would jump awake. I thought about a lot of things. Obviously, Kath was fresh on my mind. I couldn’t give her what she wanted. I thought about Jaina. How fucked up had it gotten that I suddenly didn’t want to see her? My mind also shifted to Sierra. She was insanely hot and a ton of fun to be around. But could that even last? Maybe that’s why it kept coming back around to Cookie. She was the only thing I could consistently count on. There was a time in the past where I swore that person was Bree. But that faded when I realized I wasn’t even that person for Bree. Because that person was, and probably always would be, Sienna. God, how weird is it that I’m having these thoughts about Sienna’s sister?

Vihaan pulled up outside the casino and snapped me out of a gaze as I turned and looked at the entrance to the hotel. I blinked a few times and then got out of the car. Vihaan turned the engine off and started to follow me. I saw a man come walking towards us and turned to look back at Vihaan. Like an idiot, V put his fists up ready to fight. The valet scrambled backwards with his hands up and I sprinted over to Vihaan and pushed his hands down to his side.

Jordan: What the hell are you doing!?

Vihaan: This man wants to steal my car!

Jordan: He’s a valet! He thought you wanted him to park your car!

Vihaan looked at me and then the man and he strolled towards his car.

Vihaan: No one touches my car. NO ONE!

He got in the car and started driving away without asking me where we’re supposed to be going. I shrugged and turned to the valet to apologize and then took off into the lobby and made my way to the gift shop. I picked out the cutest, fluffiest stuffed bear I could find, which was some kind of horned sheep, and made my way for the elevators. I stood there in the elevator looking at the bear and smiled as I thought about how much Cookie was going to be in shock by us showing up. By chance she had mentioned the exact room and hotel she was staying at in a depressed text about spending Christmas alone. I made my way to the room and knocked and waited. I heard her feet come running to the door and then the lock being unlatched before the door opened to show me… a man. He stood there in his underwear, a ripped out man just staring at me.

Man: Sup, girl.

Jordan: Uhh… is Ethel here?

Man: Ethel? That some old bitch or something?

Jordan: Excuse me?

Man: I don’t know an Ethel.

Jordan: Cookie?

Man: Ah, was that her name? Hey! Girl!

The man turned around and looked into the room and then a brown-haired girl came walking to the door. It was also not Cookie.

Woman: Hello?

Jordan: Sorry, I’m looking for Cookie.

Woman: Cookie? Never heard of her. My name’s Honey Bunz.

I gave her a look up and down. She was a bit Kandis-like. Honey Bunz seemed appropriate.

Jordan: I must have the wrong room, sorry.

Honey Bunz: What’s she look like?

Jordan: Uh, blonde. She has, umm… giant breasts honestly.

Honey Bunz: Oh, you mean that girl with the big tits. She doesn’t work with me but she’s next door.

Honey Bunz pointed me a direction down the hall and I turned and walked down the hallway. I pivoted toward the door that she had pointed me in the direction of. Cookie had texted me an 8 where she should have put a 6. I knocked and waited. This time the shuffling on the inside was much slower. The door opened and Cookie saw me. For a moment she didn’t react, but then her frown turned into a smile and she leapt out toward me for a tight embrace. A moment later, Vihaan came running off the elevator with a hoard of balloons.

Vihaan: Ms Cookie! Ms. Cookie!

V ran over to hug us, but Cookie sidestepped it and pushed her way back into the room, leaving me to get mobbed by the hug monster. I nearly fell down, but managed to sort of hip toss him away and onto the floor. He hit the ground with a thud, but rolled away and stood back up. I pulled him back to his feet and we walked into Cookie’s room. Cookie rushed in ahead of us and gathered some clothes and stuffed them into a suitcase. I moved slowly so Vihaan couldn’t rush in.

Cookie: I can’t believe you’re here!

Jordan: Well, I almost wasn’t. You texted me the room of the hooker and her man next door. Or whatever that was.

Cookie: You mean Kandis!? I was surprised to see her here honestly, but maybe Las Vegas is where she likes to go at Christmas time, too.

Jordan: Kandis!? Cookie that wasn’t… nevermind. I just knew you were alone and it’s Christmas, and… you shouldn’t be alone on Christmas. My best friend shouldn’t be alone on Christmas.

Cookie smiled and I pulled her toward me for a sort of side hug. Vihaan had settled on the couch in the room and was watching us. Albeit a bit too closely for my liking. At times that man seemed too awkward for his own being.

Jordan: So, I visited Kath.

Cookie: Are you ok?

Jordan: Yeah, it needed to be done. I said what I needed to say.

Cookie: Now you can put that behind you and focus on these mystery girls you’ve been seeing.

Jordan: It’s one girl. One girl, dude.

Cookie: But she’s such a mystery! I still don’t know anything other than how she smells.

I laughed and shook my head.

Jordan: Fine. Merry Christmas. It’s Sierra Swann.

Cookie: Get the fuck out of here!

Cookie’s whole demeanor had changed. She was staring at me with fire in her eyes. She had shoved me away as she’d said it. I was a bit shocked as I looked back at her.

Jordan: No, really. It’s Sierra.

Cookie: Are you out of your damn mind?

Vihaan: Of course she is. You know this.

Jordan: V, shut it.

Cookie: He’s right, though. I knew the Jaina stuff would end badly, but this. THIS!?

Jordan: Ok, how’s it gonna end?

Cookie narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms as she looked at me. I could tell she was deep in thought. Formulating a plot. I titled my head as I waited.

Cookie: I… I don’t know.

Jordan: Oh, so you knew Jaina was going south from the moment you smelled it and this you have no idea.

Cookie: It’s just that the complications are different. Now you’re secretly going on dates with the sister of your sworn enemy. Can that end well?

Jordan: My sworn enemy? Come on. I don’t even care about Sienna that much.

Cookie: But she made your life a living hell!

Jordan: Yeah, but I learned from you that I can’t hang on to stuff like that forever. We fought. She beat me physically, I beat her mentally. As far as I’m concerned… that stuff is done with unless we meet in the ring again. Besides, Sienna is busy trying to take over the world or something. Surely she isn’t worried about me.

Cookie shot me a look. She wasn’t convinced.

Cookie: If you really think she’s just going to let something go, then you clearly have forgotten everything that took place when you lived under her rule for as long as you did.

Jordan: Maybe I’m being naive, like you say. But, I don’t know, I don’t want to live my life in fear of anything. I just want to live. Back when Sierra and I hung out, I was always curious. Clearly she was, too. I had fun with her and the conversation was great. And her lips were–

Cookie: I don’t need to know the details of your sexual interactions with Sierra!

Jordan: That’s the thing though! We didn’t go that far. Just a kiss. It was sweet! It’s the realest thing I’d felt since…

Cookie: Since Kath and you first got together?

The mention from Cookie brought a flood of thoughts to my mind. I took a step back and sat down on the bed. A sigh escaped me. Cookie sat down next to me.

Cookie: Whatever this is you’re doing, just be careful. Don’t go too fast. Don’t get yourself in a bad situation if you can avoid it.

Vihaan: Are we going to party here or what?

Both Cookie and I turned around to look at Vihaan. For a moment I’d forgotten he was there. He just seemed to be listening to us. The things this man probably knew just by listening to me and Cookie when we were sitting in his car… I’m sure it would be scary to see what was deep in the archives of his mind.

Jordan: Hey, how are things for you? With Derek and all?

Cookie: Not really good.

Jordan: Shit, what is it now?

Cookie: Well, apparently Daddy thought Derek was trying to indoctrinate him into a cult or something so he fled with his wife.

Jordan: The chick from OnlyFans?

Cookie: No! She’s a cam girl. Or something. Wait, does she have an OnlyFans, too?

Jordan: No…

I smiled innocently. I had looked up the woman weeks earlier and found she had pictures all over the internet. Cookie shot me a look.

Jordan: Anyway, where is he?

Cookie: I’m not sure. Derek doesn’t know. But it sounds like he might have gone to some place in Reno. Derek’s friend told me he was living at a ranch for bunnies.

Jordan: Someone is raising bunnies in Nevada? Like as a business?

Cookie: Apparently. I’m just so confused.

Jordan: Well, we have Vihaan here and what use is he if he’s not driving us?

Vihaan: Hey!? I beg your pardon!!

Cookie: Actually, thank you for bringing Jordan here. I’ve seen her drive and if she tried to make it here on her own I know she’d be dead by now.

Jordan: Hey!?

Cookie: Come on. Let’s be honest here.

Jordan: I can’t help it that I don’t have a pair of built in air bags like you!

Cookie opened her mouth in surprise and I immediately backtracked.

Jordan: Ok, sorry. I went too far. Yes, I drive like shit. That’s why we have Vihaan. Right?

Cookie: That’s why you have him baby girl. I CAN drive like most normal people.

I sneered and then rolled my eyes and laughed at her.

Jordan: Vihaan, go collect the car.

Vihaan: But I just parked it! I want to watch a show!

Jordan: We need to go to Reno! For Cookie!

Vihaan: I want to see Blue Man Group!

Jordan: Uh, ok? We can hire someone else I guess.

Vihaan: No! I will drive you. But I won’t be happy until you take me to a show!

Jordan: V… go get the freaking car!

Vihaan stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. I shook my head and looked at Cookie.

Jordan: What the hell is wrong with him lately?

Cookie: He seems all wound up for some reason.

Jordan: Any way, now that he’s gone. I wanted to run something by you.

Cookie: Ok?

Jordan: I think I need to cut myself off of Jaina again. For my own mental sanity. But…

Cookie: But?

I sighed and shook my head as I stood up from the bed.

Jordan: I don’t know how I’m going to do this.

Cookie: Can I ask you something?

Jordan: Sure?

Cookie: Kath was willing to give you everything she had. Jaina isn’t willing to give you half of that. So, why is it so easy for you to push away Kath, but yet you’re basically addicted to Jaina?

I looked down and bit my lip as I thought about it. I shrugged.

Jordan: I don’t know.

Cookie: It can’t be the sex. Because Kath looks like she was made for that.

I laughed softly and shrugged again.

Jordan: She just… I just…

Cookie: You’ve never stopped loving her.

I swallowed and nodded. Cookie was right. I never had closure from the way Jaina and I ended. I was still hanging on to it. The thought of it made me let out a deep sigh. I looked down and Cookie stood up next to me.

Cookie: I know how you feel, because in so many ways I’m dealing with that very thing with Derek. I love Derek, but I think I need to let him go. I know you love Jaina. But…

Jordan: But you think I need to let her go?

Cookie just nodded and reached out to grasp hold of my arm.

Cookie: If you ever plan on moving forward. Ever. You have to do something. It probably feels drastic to you, but that’s because you don’t want to move on. Ultimately, babe, you have to do what feels right to you. But remember, she’s not even really into you right now. She’s using you while you’re along for the ride because you’re hanging on to old stuff. Just… think about that. But maybe not too much because you need to be thinking about this match with Bree. Ok?

She managed a smile at me as she said those last words. I smiled back and nodded.

Jordan: I actually, uh…

I reached up and wiped a few strands of hair behind my left ear and grinned.

Jordan: I might have something to help me with that, but it’s a bit of a risk to even reach out I think.

Cookie: Oh, I can’t wait to hear about this. Come on. Let’s go find Vihaan so we can go look for my dad.

Cookie and I left the room and headed to Vihaan’s car so we could make our way toward the ranch for bunnies in Reno. But I was stuck thinking about what Cookie had said all the way there. I was addicted to Jaina because I was stuck still loving her. And I felt certain she didn’t feel the same way. So I was left wondering, just days before I was scheduled to fight her aunt for the SCW World Title, what would it take to cut the strings from my end and allow myself to move forward? I couldn’t afford to let someone like her hold me back any longer. It was time to take a chance. It was time for bold strokes.

December 27 – Los Angeles

I tried to reach out to someone I thought could help me with Bree, but didn’t get an answer. I sent a text explaining why I was reaching out and got an address and a time in a response. I was at least getting somewhere. So I got Vihaan to take me to the location, arriving about 15 minutes early, and walked in to find a run down gym with an old, dusty wrestling ring in the middle of it. I walked up and ran my hand along the bottom rope as I examined the ring. My mind brought me back to Chicago in an instant. I looked at the ring and pictured myself running the ropes in a mask and diving over the top rope to the outside. I smirked as I thought about it. Looking around the gym brought back a flood of nostalgia. This was the kind of place we spent so many hours in. Working our asses off to put on a good show for, at most, 200 people. Most crowds barely scratched 50. It didn’t matter. I loved wrestling so much I never cared.

Dave: Daydreaming already?

I turned around to see David Helms standing a few feet away, leaning against the apron of the ring. Reaching out to him was by no means a certain thing. But he’d shown up after all. He had a lot of reasons to ignore me. It said a lot about who he is that he’d decided to show up.

Jordan: Just… remembering the old days.

Dave: The old days? What are you? Twenty-something? Get back to me when you’ve been doing this for at least a decade.

I smirked, but he didn’t show me the same response. Dave was sometimes hard to read, but he felt a little more cold than usual.

Dave: So, why did you want to meet with me?

Jordan: I know things are crazy right now, but I wanted to talk to you about my match.

Dave: Your match? You mean the one where the winner goes on to face me next month to name a champion once and for all?

Jordan: Yeah…

Dave: That doesn’t strike you as odd at all? I mean there’s the part where if I help you and you win, you turn around and face me weeks later. Then, there’s the part where you broke the hearts of my son and his mother.

I bit my lip and turned away, leaning my back on the apron and letting out a sigh.

Jordan: Maybe this was a mistake…

Dave: You know, Jordan, I’ve always found you a bit curious. I remember standing in that space with you, looking at what could be my next gym, and you were so supportive. This young girl I still barely knew. She was willing to even throw her own money at the project to help me out in any way. I had you penciled in as a future teacher there because I looked at you and I saw this girl with a really good head on her shoulders. Everything seemed to be turning around for you after what went down earlier in the year. But now… are you heading right back in that direction? Is that really what you’re doing?

Jordan: No, it’s not. That’s not my intention.

Dave: You have everything you need to be a real star in this company. But going back in the other direction isn’t the right call for you. You’re a real fighter and you have this natural enthusiasm and charisma about you. But you’d be throwing away a lot of progress if you’re trying to cozy back up to those old acquaintances.

Jordan: Jesus! Dave, listen to me. I’m not even remotely interested in that scenario.

Dave: Then what the hell happened?

I looked down and shrugged. I heard him scoff at that action. I watched as he turned to leave and considered not even stopping him. I shook my head and closed my eyes tightly.

Jordan: I fucked up. Bad. I know it. I’m going to regret what I did to Kath. And to Jay. For the rest of my days. It was truly horrible. I fell into temptation. I let my mind go places I never should have let it go.

I watched as Dave stopped and looked down. He let out a sigh and turned around to look at me.

Jordan: I know I’m not perfect. I’m far from it. I’m trying to be a better person. What happened to Kath… she didn’t deserve that. She literally took me when I was at one of my lowest places and gave me a place to rehabilitate myself. When I moved in with Kath, I threw away bottles of pills I’d been taking. I started drinking less. As soon as the temptation of Jaina emerged again, I was getting trashed and ending up in bed with her. In the ring, I can appear so strong. But I’m so fucking weak out of it.

I shook my head and looked down. I let out a deep sigh of my own and turned against the apron to look at Dave.

Dave: You done?

I tilted my head in confusion.

Dave: You can’t just go around throwing a pity party like this. Everyone has their personal battles outside of the ring. If you take that with you in the squared circle, you’re toast. Bree Lancaster knows you probably as well as just about anyone in this company. Before you were hitching rides with Regan and I on the plane, you rode around with her and her family all over the world. You were engaged to her niece. Bree is someone who will want to use that against you. All of your scars, she’s willing to attack those like she’s trying to reopen them. You aren’t nearly as bad as you think you are. You’re just young and conflicted. But you can’t use that as a crutch forever.

Dave stopped to smirk.

Dave: You just have to stay true to yourself. Bree is a lot of things. Primarily, she’s a bitch. But you know that. You’re the same person who kept fighting at Rise to Greatness after Sienna blatantly cheated to win. You stood tall to Syren just a few weeks ago. You don’t need my help to beat Bree. You have every tool that you need to do that right here.

Dave pointed at his head and I smiled.

Dave: But most of all, you have what you need right here.

He pointed at his heart.

Dave: Everything you do, you do with passion. I know you can see that. Every achievement, every mistake, everything positive or negative, you always do it with passion. There’s not a chance in hell that woman is going to be able to match your passion. But she will try to take advantage of every opening you give her. So you have to be ready for anything.

Dave grabbed the ropes and pulled himself up to the apron and stepped between the ropes to get into the ring. He looked down at me and waved me up. I felt tentative as I climbed up into the ring. Right as I stepped through, Dave swept my feet out from under me with an attack to my left leg.

Jordan: The fuck!?

Dave: Everyone in this company knows what Dark Fantasy did to your knee last year. They know it took you out of the ring for a month and they know you were wearing a knee brace for a while. You know you especially knows that?

Jordan: Bree?

Dave: Of course. So, come at me.

I shot Dave a look and then slowly circled him as he stood his ground in the middle of the ring. He kept waving me in to attack, but I felt like an MMA fighter as I searched for a legit open. I stopped circling and watched as Dave crouched down. I smirked as I jumped forward with a superkick. But my smirk disappeared the moment I felt that kick hit air. I turned my head looking for Dave as I gathered my feet together and turned just in time to see Dave bursting toward me with a spear. It swept me right off my feet and on to my back with a loud thud and I turned over letting out a cough.

Jordan: Holy shit!

I turned to my back and saw Dave standing there reaching down for me. This time he was smirking as I grabbed his hand and let him help me to my feet. He let out a bit of a laugh as he watched me get air back into my lungs.

Dave: That… is a move Bree can end you with in seconds. She’d love nothing more than to hit you with it. Of course, knowing you you’ll just keep kicking out until she knocks your ass out. She knows that, too. Sienna will remind her of it.

Dave and I went at it in the ring from there. It felt good to just train like I had in the old days. Just two people trying out moves and looking for ways they can do something different. We trained together for what must have been an hour. He’d stop and explain a move of Bree’s and then he’d force me to try and counter it with everything that I had. He used his strength advantage against me to make it tougher. At one point I went for my world famous cutter, but Dave spun away and it felt like he shoved me halfway across the ring. I hit the ground and rolled to the turnbuckle and then dove off the top and managed to plant Dave with a tornado DDT. He laid on his back with a smile and looked up at me with a nod. He sat up and clapped his hands a few times.

Dave: You fight like that against Bree, well, maybe you have a chance.

Jordan: A chance?

Dave laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

Dave: I’m not going to sugarcoat it. This is going to be the toughest thing you’ve ever done in your wrestling career. And if you manage to win, it won’t get any easier. Trust me.

Jordan: You’re in the Hall of Fame, right? So… sort of a good reason to trust you.

Dave rolled his eyes as he got back to his feet. I left the ring and climbed to the apron and sat down to catch my breath. Dave climbed out of the ring and to the floor past me and I saw him start to gather his things to get ready to leave. I leaned back against the ropes and closed my eyes.

Dave: I don’t know what you’re thinking about. But you’re thinking too much.

I shot Dave a sort of half smile and then looked down.

Jordan: Is Kath going to be ok?

Dave gathered a jacket off the ground and pulled it on, zipping it up and looking at me.

Dave: She’ll be fine. Being a mom is more important than anything to her. She’s going to be ok.

I nodded to myself, but didn’t look up at him.

Jordan: I am really sorry for what I did to your family. I mean… you didn’t have to come here today, but here you are. I probably didn’t deserve to get this kind of help from you. Most people would have told me to fuck off.

Dave: Yeah, well… I’m not most people am I?

I raised my head to look at him and saw him with a bit of a smirk. He stepped closer to me and leaned his elbows against the apron.

Dave: Listen, doll, you just worry about what’s in front of you right now. Living this life can be really unforgivable. It can eat you alive in or out of the ring if you let it. I remember seeing something you said earlier this year. You won that Star of Tomorrow award, right?

Jordan: Yeah…

Dave: And you were telling people you were going to show them that you weren’t the Star of Tomorrow. You’re the Star of Right Fucking Now. Isn’t that what you said?

I grinned and let out a laugh and nodded.

Dave: The only thing that’s going to let that star burn out is you. So don’t let it. Go out there, do your business, and then prepare for me to kick your ass a couple weeks later and claim that title for my own.

Dave gave me a playful shove and a smile as he got up and headed for the door.

Jordan: Hey, Dave.

Dave: Yes?

Jordan: There’s no way you’re kicking my ass next month.

He smirked.

Dave: We’ll see about that.

Jordan: And thank you.

Dave simply smiled and nodded as he headed out of the gym and left me there. I turned and looked into the ring and leaned an arm against the ropes. I had everything I needed to beat Bree Lancaster and win the biggest prize of my career. It’s what I always set out to do when I signed with SCW. I wanted to fight the best. This was my chance. Now I had to see it through. In front of me was a chance some never get. It was my chance to make my dream come true. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me.

December 29 – Los Angeles

It was late as I sat in my room. I had just a lamp on as I stared at an open, empty suitcase on the bed. For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to pack for the trip to Toronto. I was about to fight in the biggest match of my career, but I was focused on the harsh realities of what was coming. I had been picked by SCW fans to represent them in a fight for the World Championship. I believed I was up to the task, but I was feeling a bit of pressure to live up to the challenge. To make them proud. So my suitcase hadn’t seen a single item packed into it. All of my kits still hung in bags in the closet and my clothes were neatly put away in their spaces. I could hear Cookie rolling her suitcase around the house, but I was focused on my phone. Anything I could find to take my mind off of thinking about the match.

Cookie: What the heck is going on in here?

I jumped and looked up to see Cookie standing in my doorway. She had found me sitting here alone and thinking about things. She came in and crossed her arms.

Cookie: You better start packing! The flight to Tokyo is a long one!

Jordan: Boo, we’re going to Toronto and we leave tomorrow afternoon…

Cookie: Toronto… Tokyo… what’s the difference? We’ve got to get you packed!

She walked over to my closet and sifted through my kits.

Cookie: Which one do you want to wear for the big match?

I let out a sigh and plopped backwards into my bed.

Jordan: I don’t know…

Cookie: Kylie Jordan Majors!

Jordan: What, mom?

Cookie: Don’t call me your mother. She is terrible. What is going on with you?

I let out another sigh and brought my hands to my face. I felt Cookie sit on the bed next to me and moved my hands.

Cookie: What’s wrong?

Jordan: I’m incredibly nervous.

Cookie: That’s not a good reason to not pack. The only reason to not pack is if you aren’t going to show up!

She smirked a little and I smiled in response.

Jordan: It’s a lot of pressure you know? The fans picked me for this spot and… maybe by the time we get to the match they’ll regret it. They’ll realize I’m not the person they thought I was.

Cookie shrugs and laughs softly.

Cookie: Who else would you be? So you have some personal issues out of the ring. We all do. They picked you because you kick ass and fight with every last drop of energy you can muster up. It’s certainly not because they think you’re hot.

Jordan: Hey!

Cookie: Fine, you’re beautiful babe. I didn’t mean it THAT way.

Jordan: I’m not sure what you meant!

Cookie: Well if it was a beauty contest it would probably be me, right?

Jordan: This isn’t helping…

I laughed at Cookie and she shrugged and laughed back at me.

Cookie: Seriously, babe. They picked you because they thought you deserved it.

Jordan: What if I’m not good enough?

Cookie: Are you kidding me?

Cookie laid down next to me and turned on her side to look at me. I turned on mine and faced her.

Cookie: I travel the world and fight next to you week after week. I have been for months. You are fighting as well as anyone in this company right now. Not only are you good enough. You’re ready. That’s why I voted for you on SCW.com after almost voting for myself.

I snorted when I laughed and shot her a look.

Cookie: What!?

Jordan: You almost voted for yourself?

Cookie: Of course! Didn’t you!?

Jordan: Uh, no. I voted for you, boo.

Cookie: Oh… well, that was a wasted vote. But you won anyway so yay!

I laughed and Cookie smiled and held her pinky out and I reached up and wrapped mine around and placed my forehead against our hands and let out a deep breath. Cookie broke the hold and rolled off the bed and went right to my dresser. I watched as she started pulling out my socks and underwear and stuffing them in my suitcase.

Jordan: What are you doing?

Cookie: I’m packing you. I’m helping!

I let out a sigh and shook my head as Cookie continued to gather my clothing without missing a beat.

Jordan: Am I a burden to you?

Cookie: What? Why on earth would you ask that?

I shook my head and stood up. Even my question hadn’t slowed Cookie down as she walked to the closet and started looking at my kits again.

Jordan: For months now, every time I have a problem I turn to you. You are my entire morale support system. If I’m down, you do whatever it takes to lift me up.

Cookie: Yeah… so?

Jordan: Cookie, you’re going through your own shit right now. That’s just as bad as anything I’m going through. And yet, you seem more worried about me than you do yourself. So am I a burden to you.

Cookie pulls out a red and black kit of mine and looks at it. She smiles.

Cookie: This is one of my favorites.

Jordan: Cookie!?

Cookie: What!?

I reach out to her and grab hold of the kit so we’re both holding it.

Cookie: Babe, you’re not a burden. You’re my best friend. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but you’ve been there for me every single time I’ve needed you. Without fail. You drove to Las Vegas on a whim just so I’d be happy. Would you do this if you’re a burden?

Jordan: Well, Vihaan drove…

Cookie: That’s because you didn’t want to die.

Jordan: I guess that’s true.

Cookie: Every single thing you’re worried about right now, you don’t need to worry about at all. You’re worried about people thinking differently about you? So what? I know who you really are. You don’t have to have everything figured out. You’re a good person because you make an effort that most of our peers would never think to. You’re more selfless than you realize, even if you think you’ve made some selfish mistakes. You are great, Jordan. You’re going to do great in this match. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. This is an amazing opportunity. You’re going to leave Tokyo as the World Champion.

I smiled and laughed softly. Not even bothering to correct her. I took my hand off the kit and pulled Cookie in for a tight hug. I heard my phone sounding and picked it up and blushed.

Cookie: What’s that? Why are you blushing now?

Jordan: It’s Sierra.

Cookie: Oh god…

Jordan: Stop that!

Cookie: What’s she want!?

I read the message again and then laughed.

Jordan: She said if I win this week, she’ll be waiting that night to give me a New Year’s kiss while I hold on to the World Title.

I broke away from the hug with Cookie and texted her back and got a quick response. I rolled my eyes and Cookie raised her eyebrow.

Jordan: I asked what if I lose?

Cookie: Don’t even think like that! But… what did she say?

Jordan: I’ll still get that kiss, just after she celebrates with Sienna and Bree.

Cookie: Oh, pssh!

Cookie rolled her eyes and made an exasperated expression as she turned back to the closet and quickly searched through my kits again. I threw my phone on the bed and walked toward the closet.

Jordan: Will you stop! I can pack myself!

Cookie: I’ve already got you completely packed other than your kit.

I looked down at the suitcase and saw four outfits neatly packed away and looked at Cookie in surprise over her efficiency. She turned around from the closet holding two different kits. One red and black and the other black and blue. She held each one up.

Cookie: So, what do you want to be wearing when you hold up the SCW World Championship for the first time?

I looked at the outfits and then at Cookie and all I could do was smirk. We should all be so lucky to have friends like Cookie Dreams. Every single time I felt down, Cookie made me smile. In a few days I was going to win the SCW World Title. And my best friend would be right there with me. My true ride or die.

Promo

A camera turns on and shows Jordan Majors. She’s standing directly in front of it and positioning it a certain way before she steps back and sits in a window sill. Toronto landmarks can be seen out the window behind her.

We’ve all been waiting weeks for this right? The moment has finally come. Yours truly will get her very first crack at becoming the World Champion of SCW. It truly is a moment we all dream of in this business. Even people who claim to hate it and want to kill the lizard people or whatever. This is the pinnacle. It means everything. And of course, I’m getting my chance at it against the dream killer herself, Bree Lancaster. A woman I have nothing but history with. Someone that knows me probably as well as anyone else. But let me get something out of the way first.

Jordan moves uneasily in the window sill as she readjusts and looks into the camera.

A few days ago I told you all how appreciative I was of the opportunity to compete for this title, and how humbled I was to be placed here by all of the fans. None of that has changed. But I have a confession to make. Maybe I’m not completely the person you think I am. This past month hasn’t been the easiest for me. And it’s because of my own actions. It makes this match even more personal than it would have been before. Most people know by now that I was previously engaged to Jaina Lancaster, a backstage interviewer and Bree’s niece. Well… recently that relationship was sort of rekindled in a way. There really isn’t anything to it any more, but I’m feeling the after effects of it now. I was in a relationship at the time I started seeing Jaina again and it has caused some rifts in my personal life. We all try to be perfect, or as perfect as we can be. I know I messed up. I’m still growing and trying to become a better person. I still have a lot to figure out.

Jordan looks down and lets out a sigh before looking back up.

I’m making sure everyone hears this from me because I want people to know I own it. I hope you don’t think any less of me. But I would understand if this puts a dent in the way anyone looks at me. The other reason I bring this up is because this incident has lit a bit of a fire under Bree’s ambitchous cooch. She’s blaming me for some things even though she has no clue what she’s talking about, as usual. She’s coming into this match extra motivated to lay a beating into me. All because of a private relationship that truly has nothing to do with her. But then again, what else should I expect? I know Bree better than most people in this company. Aside from those in her close inner circle. Bree was my mentor at one time. She picked me up when I was at a low point and she pointed me in a direction. I followed it because I saw an easy path. Well, let me tell you… the easy path is not always the right path to follow. I signed myself up to follow her and Sienna as somewhat of an apprentice. But never really an equal. Despite what Bree might try to tell you, there was never really a plan to see me in any other way.

Jordan leans forward and looks into the camera.

You see, I’m sure of this because of the way things went down. I made a bold statement at Cold Blooded when I let Sienna know that I wasn’t ok with her trying to control my life and make choices for me. The reaction was swift. Bree turned her back on me. Jaina dumped me and handed her engagement ring back to me. And the rest of that extended group essentially cut me off. Just like that. It was a cult like mentality and I couldn’t deal with it anymore. Despite anything that has happened for me personally since then, I still couldn’t be happier than I am right now. I was told I would be nothing without them. Well, do I look like nothing now? I have spent half of this year rebuilding my entire image in that ring and making sure every fan of this sport and every wrestler on this roster knows that Jordan Majors is the real deal. I don’t need to be a part of your little faction. I don’t have to be affiliated with any families. I can achieve more without them than I ever would have with them. You were just roadblocks. And now I’m driving right through you.

Jordan smirks as she leans back against the window.

Bree, this whole scenario feels a bit like destiny. I’m sure you’re as confident as you ever have been because you think you have me all figured out. But when you turned your back on me, you told me everything I ever needed to know about you. You’ve even been tempted in recent months to ease the “disappointment” you had in me and have a civil conversation. You see, I’m focused on what’s important. That’s beating you and becoming the World Champion. I can’t afford to live like you and your friends, caught up in all these vendettas and revenge fantasies. The funniest thing of all is that I know how much you’re looking forward to that rematch with David Helms. You beating him to get that win back and proving Rise to Greatness was a fluke. But it’ll be me facing Dave in that match. And you’ll be back in the line looking for your next easy lane to the top.

She shrugs as she looks out the window.

I’m not trying to downplay you either, boo. You’ve been a champion for the better part of the last two years. SCW Woman of the Year? No fucking doubt. You should run away with that award. But it’s a shame you won’t get to walk away with the award that I know means the most to you.

There’s a smirk on Jordan’s face as she turns back to face the camera.

I’m not one of these fools that comes at you and tries to mind fuck you into thinking Sienna is in control of your relationship. I know your allegiance and bond with her is too strong for that. Believe me, I’ve seen it first hand. I’ve felt it. But when it comes to me, I can tell you how I felt about our relationship. What felt at first like a genuine friendship, ended up feeling completely different in the end. I think I was some sort of play thing. You sought to mold me in your image. But when it wasn’t working just right, I became a tool. Shouldn’t you have known exactly how much I cared about you when I rescued you from being maimed by James Evans? I guess not, because Sienna used that against me and it ultimately unraveled everything. Because I’m no one’s bitch. I’m not going to just take abuse of any kind and fall in line and play my role for anyone. That’s not what I’m here to do.

Jordan scoffs and shakes her head.

I used to think, boy, I couldn’t do any better than a friend like Bree Lancaster. I must have been out of my freaking mind. The truth was I couldn’t do any worse. The crazy thing is I wasn’t even really mad about you for siding with Sienna. I expected it the whole time. And a few months ago, it was me that reached out to smooth the waters and test the temperature. But it was a waste of time in retrospect. Look at where we are now, Bree. You’re blaming me for things that don’t even make sense. I’m not scared of my past. I’m not going to run from the mistakes I’ve made. Every single one of them have taught me hard-learned lessons. I’ve grown from them. Every single mistake I’ve made along the way is going to be what helps me dethrone you. Your temporary or permanent anger, whatever it may be, isn’t going to be enough to fuel you to take me down.

Jordan leans forward and stares straight into the camera.

You might think you know me. You might think you know every move I’m going to make and that you got me completely figured out. But you’ve never stood across from me in that ring. Just ask your best friend the lengths she had to go to survive being in the ring with me. And you’re not half as psychotic and determined as Sienna Swann was in those matches. Maybe you feel confident because when the chips are stacked against you, it seems things just fall into your lap, but don’t worry. Unlike your match with Ravyn I have it on good authority David won’t be out to help you. No amount of tricks up your sleeve can save you from what I’m going to do in that ring. I’m going to take your title and send you home devastated that all you got was a handful of yearly awards.

Jordan leans back to the window and grins.

Beating you is going to be the culmination of a journey we started on long ago. You were once a supporter of mine, but somewhere along the way you turned into somewhat of a handler. But I fight for no one else. When I beat you, I cleanse myself of the months of hardship that I dealt with when I was under your thumb. You tried to control who I was meant to be. But the real me couldn’t help but shine brighter. You tried to suppress my voice, but I never stopped speaking out. At the End of the Year event you will try to crush my dreams. But like so many times before when you dealt with me, you will fail. This time, you will fail as gloriously as you ever have before.

She leans forward once more, still smirking.

I’m not mad at you Bree. I’ve never even really been disappointed. You are what you are. It’s just too bad for you that the SCW fans decided to vote me into this match. Because each vote for me was another person signing on to the end of your reign at the top of this company. Don’t cry because it’s coming to an end, boo. Take pride in the fact that you helped hand craft the next great fighter in SCW history. The next World Champion. Just don’t forget that you left this project unfinished and unwanted, and I rose up from the ashes of what was meant to be my destruction and came back to end your glory first hand. Enjoy your last days with that belt, Bree. Your World Title will find a new place to call home on the final day of 2020. You can take that to the bank my old former friend. Because Jordan Majors is money.

Jordan blows a kiss to the camera and winks before leaning forward and ending the recording.