Post by celeste on Sept 12, 2017 19:30:36 GMT -5
The night had fallen. Celeste sat cross-legged on the pavement. The dreaded Tower loomed behind her. The building was mostly silent now. Hours ago, it had been filled with over a hundred competitors. Now the noise which drifted into the evening belonged to the workers tearing down the massive on construct. She let her head hang from the shoulders. A large ice pack rested over her neck. The strain of fighting so many for so long took its toll.
Her ring gear was caked with dust and dirt. The violet color of it could barely be seen beneath the grime. She knew tomorrow her muscles will ache horribly. That Scott Lock didn't help matters. Thankfully she tapped out quickly to avoid any bad damage.
Beyond the physical pain, hid the emotional. Slowly creeping out from the corners ever since her elimination from the Tower. Celeste watched everyone that won a briefcase open theirs. It was bittersweet. Being happy for them was one thing. Walking away virtually empty-handed was another. It had not been lost on her that she outlasted nearly everyone though. That was something. A little something she could be proud of and by God tweet that accomplishment later when her body didn't hurt so much.
Still there lay more underneath. The emptiness she felt had come from somewhere else inside. The briefcases were only symbolic. It was easy for her to see the pats on the backs, the hugs, the daps, the high fives…almost all of them had someone significant to tell them how proud they were.
CJ had given her a big hug and a kiss. That meant a lot. Yet it did not completely fill the emptiness inside her. Celeste wiped wetness from her cheek, leaving a streak of dirt under her eye. She wanted her father's approval.
It hit her like a spear from a 500 pound man from out of nowhere. Unexpected. She didn't know why, in this moment, she wanted her father's attention so badly. Celeste sniffled, then tried not to cough as the dusty air flew up into her nose. The sound of boots on the pavement made her look up. Felix Vialpando walked up to her, both of his SAP North Atlantic Championship belts hung from his closed fist. He also looked worse for wear after going through this insane, history-making match. He looked down at her curiously.
Everyone is almost gone, why are you still here Celeste?
She removed the ice pack from her neck and winced while straightening up.
I was just taking my time. There's no real reason for me to rush out of here.
Her voice was quiet. Felix noticed the somber demeanor. He let the titles drop to the ground as he knelt down on one knee before her.
You're not more hurt than you're letting on are you? An injury? Don't hide that stuff out of any pride Celeste or it'll come back to haunt you.
No. I'm just sore. I promise.
There's something else on your mind then?
She nodded despite herself. She didn't want to burden anyone with her feelings. Especially CJ. Poor guy puts up with enough from her as it is. But Felix? He is the closest she has to a friend.
Have you ever accomplished something and wanted so badly for a certain person in your life to be there and say they are proud of you? Someone you looked up to and it would mean the world to hear them say it?
Felix could see the streaks of dust on her face, broken by clear tracks running down to her chin. There had been tears. With a knowing sigh, he moved to sit down in front of her instead of kneel.
Si. Mi hermano, Emilio. Well, maybe not so much now, but before. I wanted his approval so badly. Then he abandoned me! I don't know if I'll ever forgive him, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't at least once want him to acknowledge what I had accomplished.
He shook his head angrily. Then his eyes went back to his faithful note taker.
So who is it for you? Who do you need this approval from?
My dad. He is the reason I even wrestle at all. I want to be like him. Powerful. Respected. Even feared a little bit. I know I have a long way to go but it'd be nice if he was still around to guide me.
Celeste picked up a stray piece of asphalt and threw it against the pavement, watching it skip away. The anger over her father not being around became apparent to Felix.
Can I ask where he is?
Prison.
She grunted and threw another rock.
It's his own stupid fault too. He never told me anything and I know he was just trying to protect me and my feelings but just one day he was there, the next…
She shrugged and sighed.
I get that Celeste. I really do. It just means we have to fight harder. Place more value on those who are there for us now. For what it's worth, I am impressed with what you accomplished tonight. Take no shame, mi amiga.
Celeste turned and threw her arms around Felix’s shoulders. She hugged him briefly. Meanwhile, he could feel his eyes widen in shock until the dusty air made them sting. The hug broke soon as Celeste pushed herself up to her feet.
Gracias.
Celeste kept the smile on her face as she spun around and headed toward the parking lot. Felix could see someone waving her down in the distance. It must have been CJ. With a short roll of his eyes and a sigh, he pushed himself up and gathered his championship belts.
De nada.
He said, knowing Celeste was already out of earshot.
Her ring gear was caked with dust and dirt. The violet color of it could barely be seen beneath the grime. She knew tomorrow her muscles will ache horribly. That Scott Lock didn't help matters. Thankfully she tapped out quickly to avoid any bad damage.
Beyond the physical pain, hid the emotional. Slowly creeping out from the corners ever since her elimination from the Tower. Celeste watched everyone that won a briefcase open theirs. It was bittersweet. Being happy for them was one thing. Walking away virtually empty-handed was another. It had not been lost on her that she outlasted nearly everyone though. That was something. A little something she could be proud of and by God tweet that accomplishment later when her body didn't hurt so much.
Still there lay more underneath. The emptiness she felt had come from somewhere else inside. The briefcases were only symbolic. It was easy for her to see the pats on the backs, the hugs, the daps, the high fives…almost all of them had someone significant to tell them how proud they were.
CJ had given her a big hug and a kiss. That meant a lot. Yet it did not completely fill the emptiness inside her. Celeste wiped wetness from her cheek, leaving a streak of dirt under her eye. She wanted her father's approval.
It hit her like a spear from a 500 pound man from out of nowhere. Unexpected. She didn't know why, in this moment, she wanted her father's attention so badly. Celeste sniffled, then tried not to cough as the dusty air flew up into her nose. The sound of boots on the pavement made her look up. Felix Vialpando walked up to her, both of his SAP North Atlantic Championship belts hung from his closed fist. He also looked worse for wear after going through this insane, history-making match. He looked down at her curiously.
Everyone is almost gone, why are you still here Celeste?
She removed the ice pack from her neck and winced while straightening up.
I was just taking my time. There's no real reason for me to rush out of here.
Her voice was quiet. Felix noticed the somber demeanor. He let the titles drop to the ground as he knelt down on one knee before her.
You're not more hurt than you're letting on are you? An injury? Don't hide that stuff out of any pride Celeste or it'll come back to haunt you.
No. I'm just sore. I promise.
There's something else on your mind then?
She nodded despite herself. She didn't want to burden anyone with her feelings. Especially CJ. Poor guy puts up with enough from her as it is. But Felix? He is the closest she has to a friend.
Have you ever accomplished something and wanted so badly for a certain person in your life to be there and say they are proud of you? Someone you looked up to and it would mean the world to hear them say it?
Felix could see the streaks of dust on her face, broken by clear tracks running down to her chin. There had been tears. With a knowing sigh, he moved to sit down in front of her instead of kneel.
Si. Mi hermano, Emilio. Well, maybe not so much now, but before. I wanted his approval so badly. Then he abandoned me! I don't know if I'll ever forgive him, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't at least once want him to acknowledge what I had accomplished.
He shook his head angrily. Then his eyes went back to his faithful note taker.
So who is it for you? Who do you need this approval from?
My dad. He is the reason I even wrestle at all. I want to be like him. Powerful. Respected. Even feared a little bit. I know I have a long way to go but it'd be nice if he was still around to guide me.
Celeste picked up a stray piece of asphalt and threw it against the pavement, watching it skip away. The anger over her father not being around became apparent to Felix.
Can I ask where he is?
Prison.
She grunted and threw another rock.
It's his own stupid fault too. He never told me anything and I know he was just trying to protect me and my feelings but just one day he was there, the next…
She shrugged and sighed.
I get that Celeste. I really do. It just means we have to fight harder. Place more value on those who are there for us now. For what it's worth, I am impressed with what you accomplished tonight. Take no shame, mi amiga.
Celeste turned and threw her arms around Felix’s shoulders. She hugged him briefly. Meanwhile, he could feel his eyes widen in shock until the dusty air made them sting. The hug broke soon as Celeste pushed herself up to her feet.
Gracias.
Celeste kept the smile on her face as she spun around and headed toward the parking lot. Felix could see someone waving her down in the distance. It must have been CJ. With a short roll of his eyes and a sigh, he pushed himself up and gathered his championship belts.
De nada.
He said, knowing Celeste was already out of earshot.