Chapter 10
After her stressful first night at Powerbomb, Nova made it back to the hotel. To clear her head, she decided to go for a walk alone through the hotel halls. Finding an empty hallway with a baby grand piano at the end, she sat down with a sigh, feeling as if her life was being torn apart at the seams.
Leaning over piano she began fiddling with the keys without enough energy to even attempt to play. The joy Nova got from music seemed empty as her heart was becoming.
Claire had been looking for Nova for over an hour, finding her friend slumped over the piano with a lone tear dripping from the tip of her nose. Nova seemed more broken and alone than Claire had ever seen her.
"Nova, are you okay? I've been looking all over for you."
"Do you think I'm making a mistake?" Nova looked up with tears in her eyes and a sucked in a breath of air.
Claire sat next to her at the piano, pulling Nova into her side to comfort her. "I think you're following your heart. That can't be a mistake."
"Almost everyone here hates me. You saw their faces and heard the comments. Raven hitting me was no accident and Becket put her up to it. Now that jerk will train me in the ring and I'm afraid he will try to sabotage me. I might as well be back with Liam," Nova sighed, resting her head on her friend's shoulder.
"Nova, why are you nice to me, but you're not to other people?"
"Because you're nice to me. You've never treated me the way other people do. You know what? You're the only close friend I've had since high school, other than Emma and Jade. They're not really close as I would like for them to be. You're around the age I was when Liam discovered me, but I feel like you're the most genuine person I know. You don't use me to get ahead."
"You're my friend too. If this wrestling thing works out, will you have to let me go as your assistant?"
Nova looked up at her, afraid she wanted to leave. "Heck no. I know you are taking PR classes online. Maybe after you graduate you can get a job with Powerbomb Global. You'll already be here with me anyway. I can talk to Dad about getting your internship there. I don't want to lose you. Next week, I am firing the crew, except for you and the new manager. The new guy won't be around as much as Liam was because Holt is in charge now. Maybe things will be better for us both."
"Yes, I know. The stylist and makeup team don't suspect anything yet. Those idiots just use you. Will you still do music?" Claire asked with hope.
"Yes. I could never give that up. I'm working on some new lyrics. Maybe later I can show you and you can tell me what you think. You always have good ideas. I have writer's block right now. Holt has me under the Powerbomb record company, along with my original record label, so I can still make music and do shows. I just won't be touring as much. Touring with the band was hard on me because it was so lonely. I might do short tours for fans, but I need to get my life back together first. I always wanted to be a wrestler, actor, and singer. Now I can say I did it," she said proudly with tinkering with the keys.
"Do you think you will do another movie?"
"Yes, but not with that same producer, or anyone associated with Liam. Maybe with Powerbomb Global. There are so many opportunities here," Nova said as she stretched with a yawn.
Claire perked up. "Know what? You're having a bad night. Let's end it on a good note. Tonight, should have been the best night ever. Let's have junk food and veg out in front of the TV. I'll go get the food and meet you in the suite. I know you haven't eaten all day."
"Claire bear, you're the best. Sounds fun. I want a greasy burger and fries with a chocolate shake. I haven't eaten anything but healthy food for months on tour. I want something different."
Claire always knew how to cheer her up and as always, it worked. They got up from the piano arm-in-arm and headed to the room, leaving Nova feeling a little better about things.