Post by Sabrina Ramirez on Jul 9, 2017 5:53:21 GMT
CAMERA: OFF
We open at the interior to a local, New York restaurant. Nothing five-star, but not a “dive” either. Just a decent, mediocre place to go and enjoy a quiet low key night. Seated by a large window overlooking the moonlit patio was the fresh announced to be making his FAW debut appearance and Proving Grounds star, B. Epic - one of forty-eight competitors announced for the massive hardcore invitational. The usually loud[ish] performer was quiet, for once as he sat, eyes down at his Galaxy s8+. Anxious, he fidgeted over the device waiting for something to come in. He spoke, to himself under his breath.
B. Epic: Forty-seven others...of all the luck. Really? I jus’ don’t e’en know…
He swiped the device a couple times at the sound of an incoming chime. His first-round opponent. “An old friend”, to say the least. He looked down at the screen of his phone to see the text from his opponent in the first round, ex girlfriend, Sabrina Ramirez.
Text: Where u @?
Before B could even begin to text back, he felt a hand smack the back of his neck playfully and then heard the familiar laugh of the aforementioned, nineteen year old Sabrina Ramirez.
Sabrina Ramirez: Wassup big head?
Sabrina took the seat across from ‘Ol B’ with a smile on her face. The two had traded barbs back and forth on social media since the announcement of their match, but this was their first face to face meeting in over a year.
Sabrina Ramirez: So after a year, THIS is where you invite me out to?
Ol B looked her up and down, gave her a “really?” expression. In jest, of course.
B. Epic: Gurl. It been a hot minute tho. You lookin’ good as always. How you been? Life treatin’ you aight? Imean, besides that lil ankle of course…
He let out a soft chuckle.
B. Epic: Heh, you know ol B always was a lilbit cheap. This place aight tho. Fo’ serious tho, ya boi happy to see yo cute tail.
He offered her a sincere smile as Sabrina flagged down a waitress walking by.
Sabrina Ramirez: Excuse me.
The waitress walked over to the table and offered a smile.
Waitress: Hello, can I get anything for you guys?
Sabrina Ramirez: I literally just sat down and I already need some french fries, can you bring us an order please? We can share. Maybe.
The three share a laugh as the waitress walks off to put the order in as Sabrina looks across the table at Bruce.
Sabrina Ramirez: I would be happier to see you if we weren’t meeting because of this match in the hardcore invitational.
Sabrina sighs a little. She never thought she would have to actually stand across the ring from B, especially in such a high stakes match. This was make or break for the both of them. B had just signed a deal in Proving Grounds Wrestling, while Sabrina was being highly recruited by SAP, the place that made her their first ever signing in 2016 when Ramirez was only 18 years old.
Sabrina Ramirez: I’m good though. The ankle has been better for awhile, but I’ve had reservations about getting back in the ring, you know? My parents were a lil’ worried too, so what can I do? What about you though? How are you and Carm?
He watched her, her demeanor wasn’t all bright like it usually was. Without the camouflage of social media between them, they had to address the elephant in the room at face value. However hard that was to stomach the idea of.
B. Epic: Good, ol B glad you ain’t lettin’ that injury stop you. Injuries happen all the time, but if you got the will, if you can fight through the pain, that speaks just how bad you want this here.
He looked up, it was the first time they had locked eyes in a year.
B. Epic: And ya boi kno how much you always wanted this. E’en if yo folks didn’t want you gettin’ beat up fo’ profit, you always wanted to follow yo’ dream. Ol B ain’t gonna take that away from you. I ain’t bouta go all psycho man and try and mess up that ankle real bad, y’know? But...I ain’t bouta catch this round one L either….
He let his arrogant, cocky laugh ring through her ears as he finished the thought.
B. Epic: But fo’ Carm and I? We good, e’ery week like an adventure, what wit her biness and now gettin’ back in the wrestlin’ game. Now ol B gettin’ back too. She still the sweetest lil thang, even if she don’t let that on wit the way she carries herself.
He snickers.
B. Epic: But really, her and I, it like fifteen years of lost time, finally made up fo’. Since we was SIX Sab...y’know? Probably not what you wanted to hear I guess.
Sabrina Ramirez: I’m honestly happy for you guys. We had our lil’ thing, but we knew we were both moving on at the time. What I didn’t like was…
Before she can finish, the waitress brings the fries and sits them between them on the table.
Waitress: You guys enjoy.
Both Sabrina and Bruce reach to grab a fry at the same time, touching each other’s hands. They both make a face at each other and then laugh, each coming away with a fry.
Sabrina Ramirez: You know how I am about these fries…
B places the fry in his mouth humorously and keeps his eyes on her across the table.
Sabrina Ramirez: What I was saying was, what I don’t like is the not catching an L in the first round. What does that mean? You think you abouta beat me?
B. Epic: Ol B ain’t sayin’ he think he bouta win this. I ain’t ever take a match for granted, that ain’t my style...I ain’t gonna try and hurt yo cute lil behind. But I can’t be the”Next Big Thing” in The Grounds, if I’m layin’ on my back and lookin’ up at some skylights. Ya boi is focused, he bouta go hard and…
He dares to reach for the plate, taking another fry blatantly in front of her. He brings it to his lips, and eats it in a single bite.
B. Epic: ...may the best, person win.
It was almost like that fry was symbolic…………..
B. Epic: (laughs) But really now, what’chu been up to Sab? You got a special person in yo’ life, or you just doin’ it fo you? You fresh off the injury, how is you gonna re-invent yourself? A lot is changed in a year…
Sabrina takes down another fry as well.
Sabrina Ramirez: This is just for me. No man in my life, not even lookin’ honestly. I just know that I was born to wrestle and if that means beating you...I’ll do what I gotta do.
As cheerful as Bruce seemed to be, Sabrina seemed off still. She snickered from time to time, but she seemed more serious than anything.
Sabrina Ramirez: Everything I was saying on social media earlier is true...you abouta lose everything in round one, and as bad as I feel about it, because I care about you, this is my future. You have Carmen...she’ll keep your name out there regardless.
He leaned back in his chair a bit, he looked her over inquisitively.
B. Epic: Maaannnnn. That the same thing that loud mouth snake-in-the-grass said at Collateral Damage. Ol B kno you ain’t a New York Loudmouth…..well, maybe just loud.
He offered a wink as the chair came back down.
B. Epic: But like ya boi told that dude, I ain’t e’en mad. Peeps can call me “Carmen’s Boyfriend” all they want. Like a badge of honor I’ma wear wit pride. If that help ‘em get in the game, let’em talk. Ol B gon do what he do best, and that’s get in that ring and show how we do in Japan. You bouta get stretched boo...you ready for this? Bouta get LIT up….. Ol B ain’t no big wanna be cool internet guy, so while you tryna flirt with him...you needa realize, you ain’t felt this Japanese strong style. Ain’t no one bring it like ya boi bring it. Bet.
That’s just bein real bout what this means to US as professionals. “Hardcore” Invitational? Ol B ain’t needa weapon in his hands...these feet IS the weapon.
For maybe the first time ever, Sabrina stands up, leaving an entire plate of fries on the table still. Her lips twist as she looks down at B.
Sabrina Ramirez: Imma keep it all the way real, I’m not feelin’ this. Between you talkin’ about me flirting with Coolbreeze, which I didn’t do, to sayin’ you’re about to light me up...the only thing getting lit up is you and that big mouth at that invitational. I’m out, man.
The 19 year old has never been like this with Bruce, but clearly the pressure of such a high stakes match is getting to the both of them. Sabrina heads for the door, leaving Bruce at the table.
“We were just havin’ fun right?” He thought to himself. “You think she...maybe she ain’t over….” he shook his head. “Nah, things is just like that. We just friends.”
B. Epic: Sabrina… Sab wait tho!
He stood up, calling out to her amid the semi-crowded restaurant.
B. Epic: Sabrina……………
He strides across the room in the hopes of catching her before she got too far away, but he was too late. The door was closing as he approached it, Sabrina disappearing into the New York night, leaving Bruce with his thoughts, and the bill for the fries.