Under The Flame

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"Hey..."

Trish Stratus' face brightened into a smile as she entered the women's locker room and caught sight of her friend.

Amy smiled as well and came forth to allow the little blonde to gather her into her embrace.

"How are you, Amy?"

Trish pulled back to gaze up into her close friend's eyes. She'd known of all the trouble as of late, and still felt pretty horrible about her participation in what had led to the redhead's near breakdown.

"I'm... well," the redhead replied with a tiny smile. "Things are definitely better."

"And what about...?" The blonde woman's gaze traveled to her friend's hands, and she winced at the sight of the bandages.

"Hanging in there," the taller woman replied. "I think they'll come off within a week - or at least the doctor says it's possible."

Trish felt a twinge of sadness as she recalled the redhead's recount of how her hands had gotten all cut up. It was unthinkable. To her, Amy Dumas was everything one would think incapable of depression - and especially attempted suicide - and yet, that was exactly what had happened.

"So, does that mean you'll be back in the ring after...?" The blonde diva glanced down at her friend's hands.

"I'm... not sure," Amy admitted. The company wanted her to undergo some therapy after everything she'd been through. And, to be honest, she understood perfectly well why and didn't blame them.

"You mean..." Trish leaned in to whisper, wanting for once to be as discreet as possible. "... a therapist?"

"Exactly," Amy replied, her eyes downcast. The truth was, she was embarrassed by the breakdown she'd suffered. She'd long prided herself on being such a strong, emotionally independent woman, and yet... She'd grown really weak in recent days.

Trish nodded and touched her friend's arm sympathetically and with understanding.

"Well... It could only help you," she said softly.

"Honestly?" the redheaded diva said. "I'm fine since Adam and I got back together. But... I'm just embarrassed because..." She ducked her head slightly, her hair falling in soft waves to frame her face and slightly hide her eyes. She pushed the auburn from her face, glancing almost shyly at her blonde friend.

Neither woman noticed that another diva was discreetly listening to their conversation, her blue eyes shifting back and forth in their direction and she prepared for her spot later in the evening.

Torrie took a deep breath and held it as she absorbed Amy's words. From what she'd softly told Trish, she was ashamed of something she'd done. And that had everything to do with her boyfriend, Adam. The platinum blonde now guessed the redhead must have tried to harm herself recently, which explained her bandaged hands. Still, the various details were choppy to her, but she knew it had to be the case. But any which way you looked at it, it was really none of her business.

Suddenly, her heart began to thud as Amy glanced right in her direction - at a precise moment when she happened to be eyeing her intently.

She offered the redhead a warm smile to cover up and prayed she was convincing.
 
 
 

Part 8

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