A/N: I know! Another story. I don't need the lecture please. This will be the last new story I post for awhile. I need to complete other stories first. This is certainly a new triangle. But, I am super excited about who I am using.
The face claim for Ashlee: Marina Laswick
Disclaimer: I do not own anything you may recognize.
TORN IN TWO
Chapter 1: Shunned
Ashlee walked into the Daily's Place with her brothers, Matt and Nick Jackson, also known as The Young Bucks. She was returning alongside them since the whole pandemic started. The last time she appeared on Dynamite was the March eleventh episode. She was written out with an 'undisclosed head injury' after getting a hit from a steel chair from Chris Jericho while trying to intervene in the brawl between The Elite and The Inner Circle.
Then the pandemic hit and she stayed at home for a brief time period. She missed the action while she was gone so she was more than excited to be back.
"Alright, I'm going to the women's dressing room. I'll see you later."
"See you later, Sis," Matt said.
"See you later," Nick repeated.
She departed from her brothers - heading towards the women's dressing room. When she walked inside all eyes were on her, making her feel like she was in the spotlight. Ashlee didn't feel welcomed back at this moment.
"Hey, ladies. How's everyone doing?" There was complete silence. Not letting the silence bother her, she sat her belongings on a bench and started rummaging for what she needed for the show.
"She hasn't been here in two months and she gets put back into a main storyline." Ashlee recognized that voice to be Britt Baker's.
"That's how it goes when you're related to two of the Executive Vice Presidents." She heard Penelope Ford say.
"We've been here carrying the women's division while she's been at home doing absolutely nothing."
"Nepotism, Britt. It must be nice to be related to Matt and Nick. You get everything handed to you without having to lift a finger."
Ashlee heard all she wanted. Britt and Penelope said more than enough. "Britt, Penelope, it seems like you have a problem. Will you please tell me what's got you so bothered?"
The Dentist placed her hands on her hips. "I have a big problem and I'm looking right at her."
"I'm going to need you to elaborate."
Penelope crossed her arms. "You know damn well what the problem is, Ashlee. Britt and I have attended all the tapings since the pandemic started and now we have to get shoved into the background all because Matt and Nick Jackson's sister decided to come back."
"I appreciate that you two attended all the tapings. You two are certainly dedicated."
Britt and Penelope both scoffed and rolled their eyes.
"I don't see what the big deal is." Ashlee raised her hands defensively.
"Of course you don't," Britt sneered. "It must be nice to not give two shits about anything."
"I do care or I wouldn't be a part of this company."
"You're only here because you needed a paycheck and your dear brothers hooked you up with the company they work for," Penelope countered.
"That's not true," Ashlee argued.
"Whatever. You're just a wannabe model whose career plundered because she didn't have what it took."
Ashlee tried to maintain her composure. A lot of the women were harsh on her, but it seemed to have only escalated during her absence. She wondered what was said about her while she was gone.
"You're not going to cry now are you? I'm sure Nick and Matt will be there to dry your tears like usual," Britt taunted. She pretended like she was going to cry.
Ashlee grabbed her belongings and bolted out the women's dressing room. The tears that threatened to form earlier were now streaming down her face. She was in her own little world that she was taken back when she collided with a hard body.
Ashlee shifted her gaze and saw that she collided into the AEW World Champion, Jon Moxley. She felt so small under his intense blue eyes. There was no denying how her body responded to being pressed against his. "You okay there, toots?"
She immediately composed herself, standing to her full height. "I've been better." Ashlee wiped at her blue eyes.
"There's no need to be upset."
"That's easy for you to say. I don't see you get shunned out by anyone on the roster."
"You literally just got back. What could have gone wrong already?"
"Some of the women just aren't the nicest to me."
Jon pursed his lips together. "I can tolerate you. I wonder what their deal is."
"Thanks," Ashlee laughed dryly. "It's merely because I'm related to Matt and Nick."
"That's bullshit - that shouldn't define who you are as a person."
"Try telling Britt and Penelope that."
"Are they the ones giving you shit?"
"They are two that give me shit; yes."
"My advice to you: fuck the haters. Just do you."
Ashlee sighed. "I care too much about what people think about me. I try to brush it off, but I always end up caring too much."
"If you start having this don't give a fuck mentality, the world will be a much simpler place for you."
"So in other words...you want me to be like you?"
"Not at all. I just think you should start caring less about what others say and think."
"That's a lot easier said than done."
"It's a lot easier than you think, Ashlee." Jon scooted past her, nudging her shoulder in passing.
Ashlee turned her head to watch Jon as he disappeared down the hallway. She stood there for a minute going over their conversation. She then headed to The Elite dressing room to see if she could place her belongings in there.
Ashlee knocked on the door to The Elite dressing room. Matt opened the door and the first thing he noticed was the tear stains on his sister's cheeks. "What happened?"
"I'd rather not talk about it right now. Can I please just set my stuff in here?"
"Sure." Matt opened the door wider so let his sister in. All eyes were on Ashlee as she entered the dressing room.
"Hey, guys. Sorry for intruding."
"Is everything okay?" Nick wondered.
"They're okay now." She sat her belongings on the floor near the door. She saw an empty seat near Hangman Adam Page, so she occupied that seat.
She observed the room and saw that Matt and Nick were engrossed in a conversation with Kenny Omega and Matt Hardy. Adam was scrolling through his phone, but put in his denim jean pocket when Ashlee occupied the seat nearby.
"You want to talk about it?" Adam was a very handsome guy and that was something that was very obvious to Ashlee. She pined over the youngest male member of The Elite, but kept that to herself.
"Have you ever felt like you don't belong?"
"Have you not seen the drama I had with your brothers and Kenny?"
"Sorry," Ashlee frowned. "That was a stupid question I just asked you."
Adam's cowboy boot playfully kicked Ashlee's heeled clad foot. "I was giving you shit."
Ashlee's frown deepened. "That has been the theme of the day so far."
The AEW tag team champion's eyebrows furrowed. "Who else has been giving you shit, Ash?"
Ashlee leaned over to Hangman, her mouth against his ear. "Britt and Penelope," she whispered.
Adam scooted his chair closer to Ashlee. "Why are you whispering?"
"Because I don't want Matt and Nick to get in overprotective big brother mode. That's gotten me a lot of heat."
"That's ridiculous."
"Before my leave of absence, there would be some comments here and there thrown my way about how I'm only here because of Matt and Nick and that if it wasn't for them there would be no way I would stand a chance on the roster...blah, blah, blah…." She rolled her eyes. "Britt and Penelope laid their claws into me today."
"What did they say?"
"The usual, but they added in some new insults."
"Don't worry about them."
"I care too much."
"I know you do. But you've got to get some thick skin."
"I know, I know."
"After the show, why don't we go and have a couple of drinks? Take your mind off of everything."
"That's one hell of an offer, Hangman."
A/N: Penelope is my favorite in the AEW women's division, so I hate that I made her a jerk. Anyways, thanks for reading. I hope you all enjoy the beginning.