Melina tossed some of her long dark hair over one shoulder and sifted through her bag. She had a diva tag match to take part in later on RAW and was searching for her royal blue and gold wrestling outfit when a tap on her shoulder suddenly caused her to jump a little.
"Whoa... It's only me. What's up with you tonight? You seem so jumpy."
The brunette shook her head as she looked into the friendly blue eyes of Jillian Fletcher. The blonde who was better known as Jillian Hall to wrestling fans held a dragonfruit Vitamin Water in each hand and offered one to Melina. She gladly accepted it and sighed.
"Sorry, Jill. I guess I am a bit nervous." She averted her eyes as her mind returned to the incident the prior week, Dave calling her out of the blue that night. She hadn't told her best friend about that just yet. In fact, she hadn't told anyone about it. But she knew that was about to change. Thanking the blonde for the drink, she cocked her head, her expression serious.
"Can I talk to you in private?"
"Of course." Jillian grabbed hold of her friend's wrist and instantly pulled her toward the locker room door to leave. There were too many other chattering divas around for them to talk in 'private' there.
Once they were out in the hallway, Melina fiddled with the cap of the bottle in her hand. This was going to be strange. Being her best friend, Jillian of course knew about her short-lived relationship with Batista. However, she couldn't shake the odd feeling that something was up, that there was more to that phone call than him just wanting to check up on her as 'friends.'
The moment they turned into a deserted corridor, Melina broke and spilled it.
"Last Monday night... Well, actually it was very early Tuesday - Dave called me."
Jillian eyed her with some surprise.
"Okay," she said, fully knowing her best friend would continue.
The dark-haired woman shook her head.
"It was kind of creepy, too, Jill - he didn't say anything when I said hello. I actually thought it was you calling. Then, when I asked who it was, he just laughed." She closed her eyes, trying not to shudder at the memory. "It was like he was playing a game with me," she said.
"Wow," Jillian said. "What did he want?"
"Well, he said he was calling just to see how I was doing," the Latina replied. "But I got the feeling there was a lot more to it than that." This time, a chill crept up on her as the thought that the man known as 'The Animal' might have had sinister intentions came to her.
The blonde eyed her with sympathy. She knew things had been more than awkward for her friend after the breakup with the former World Champion, especially after she'd reconciled with John. She laid a comforting hand on the other woman's shoulder.
"Does John know about this?"
Melina's dark brown eyes looked almost haunted as she raised them and frowned.
"No," she said softly, "and I don't plan on telling him."
Jillian nodded, fully understanding. Although Hennigan knew Melina had briefly dated Dave when they'd been broken up, he hadn't been happy about it. No doubt, he would feel the same way about this news. On the other hand, she knew what she would do if she were in her friend's shoes.
"Melina," she began with a slight hesitation, "can I just make one little suggestion?"
"What?" the brunette inquired.
Jillian grabbed hold of her best friend's hand, her face full of concern.
"Tell John about this." When Melina's eyes widened in shock and she started shaking her head, the blonde woman elaborated. "You know he'll understand. He knows you did nothing to invite this, and in the long run, it'll make your relationship stronger," she concluded.
The Latina continued to shake her head, and she puled her hand free of the other diva's and waved it in protest. How could she do as Jillian was suggesting? There was no way her boyfriend would take kindly to this news!
"I... I can't!" she exclaimed. She raised her head to meet the blonde's blue eyes, her own brown ones full of fear.
Jillian sighed, doing her best to comfort her friend as she patted her on the shoulder.
"Look, wasn't he very understanding when you told him about Dave after the two of you got back together?"
"Well, yeah-"
"Well, there you go," the blonde stated pointedly. "You two are back together, and you did nothing to invite that phone call. Besides, I would warn him about it," she said. "You know... just in case Batista decided to call back."
Melina stared at her best friend, anguish in her dark eyes.
Jillian grew exasperated by her silence and that look. She rolled her eyes heavenward, her hands going to her hips as she offered yet another scary scenario.
"You wouldn't want John to be the one to answer the phone if he calls again, would you?"
"What?" Melina's eyes widened again. "No!"
"Well, then...?"
The dark-haired diva let out a sigh of resignation. After a beat, she nodded and met her friend's bright blue eyes.
"Okay, point taken... Fine," she said with very little enthusiasm, "I'll tell him."
Jillian offered her a smile.
"Good. I'm telling you, you're worrying for nothing." She patted Melina's arm again. "By the way, I actually wanted to talk to you, too."
"Yeah?" Melina asked, arching one brow. "Well, what's up, Jill?"
The blonde couldn't contain her rather large smile. She actually looked giddy.
"I've got a date for Friday night!" She jumped a little, her long blonde curls bouncing as she did.
"Oh, really?" the brunette asked, a smile coming to her face. "Who with?"
"Curt Hawkins!" Jillian sang happily. Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she continued. "Well, you know we've flirted a little and all that, but we got to talking awhile during last week's Supershow. I really like him, Mel."
"Aw, that's great, Jill!" Melina reached over and hugged her friend. Things were really going the blonde's way, and she hoped they would only get better from there. She loved Jillian to pieces and wished all the best for her.
She only wished things in her own life would be the same way. Of course, she didn't know for certain, but
she sensed disaster heading her way thanks to that unwanted phone call.