Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. All unrecognizable characters belong to me.
Author's Note: Hey'all! Since I ain't doing a sequel for my first fic She's Going Where! as promised, here's a new fic for your reading. Now that Beyblade's over, hope you fans are staying strong! Do enjoy and please leave a review. Life's getting pretty busy for me nowadays, but I'm definitely geared towards finishing this fic. It will be my last. A little encouragement, a few note, some feedback here and there goes a long way. Constructive criticism is always welcome. Don't underestimate the power of your words and the review button below, lol!
Prom's in an hour, but more importantly, happy 18th to my one and only Jen! Hazelnuts for all, lol!
Right on!
Euphrosyne's Fic III – 01
.:Bastard Academy:.
Summary- The world's most eligible bachelor, the city's perfect man, the school's irresistible charmer. Three guys, three classes, one school, one girl. Who will settle for second best?
Even with the heat pumped up and the candles lighting the corners of the corridors, the stone walls sucked the air of its warmth, causing Riley to tighten the black cardigan around her neck, instinctively wrapping her arms around her body as she hurried along towards the Rene common room.
Wine colored carpeting met rich leather couches as Rye squeezed past the furniture to reach the glass display. 'Liberty and union, now and forever, one and inseparable,' the acrylic eyes of E.T. Valkov and Co. peered into her mind as she ran a finger down the sacred list. She smirked, the corners of her lips curving with a sense of relief.
'Riley Lovett. 92.7 percent. Ranked first for females, second overall.'
"Shove aside, runt."
Muscles tensing and ready to retaliate with every sarcastic remark in the book, the girl turned to meet warm oceanic eyes.
"Got'cha."
Shocked at first, Rye opened her mouth to scold the boy but couldn't help but admit defeat. Brooklyn gave a playful shove. "You had to admit, that was a pretty good imitation." Nervous brows skimmed the list before relaxing at the top name.
'Brooklyn Vyse. 97.3 percent. Ranked first for males, first overall.'
"Didn't expect any less from you. You work so hard, you deserve it."
Looping arms with her best friend, the male smiled modestly at the compliment before escorting her around the mantelpiece. Somehow, Rye managed to trip on one of the lamp wires. Brooklyn caught her just in time.
"Clumsy fool."
The girl's jaw tightened at the voice.
Speak of the devil.
Walking past the duo, Tala uncaringly moved towards the ranking sheet. Surprised he even bothered to show, Rye figured there was an obvious reason why his entourage wasn't with him.
There was a genuine sigh of relief.
"Gonna go drinking and picking up women in celebration for making the 100 cut? 'Tala Valkov, ranked 96th overall,' can't even beat Brooklyn when it comes to having a larger number."
Brooklyn grabbed Rye's arm and shook his head.
Bitter turquoise eyes glared in their direction before narrowing on the redhead. Tala took a step towards Riley's direction, taking full advantage of their height difference. "You always fighting my cousin's battles?"
On cue, Brooklyn intervened before the temperature shot another fifteen degrees. "Stop it you two," he angled his body more towards Riley with that statement. "Tala, you should start working harder. Grandfather has high expectations for us both-"
The redhead laughed at his words. "Between the two of us, I'm the one who should be feeling sorry for you." The corners of his lips tweaked into a smile as Rye's fists clenched at the meaning. Tala tugged at his uniform with satisfaction. "Humph. I'll see you two around."
Like the master himself, the tail of Tala's suit flared arrogantly at his pace.
Instantly, Rye turned to Brooklyn, hand on her hips. "How can you just take that? Why didn't you-?"
The boy shook his head, signaling to drop the case. "You know how much I hate his rivalry between Tala and myself, and you shouldn't spark it." Like a parent, he searched the girl's face for understanding. "Besides…I feel…"
It was Rye's turn to lecture, the tables had turned. "Don't you even begin to think that way B. Your grandfather is supporting you right now, but you can make it up to him when you become a world renowned surgeon. Mr. Valkov is the headmaster of this place, the least he can do is educate the worthier grandson." She placed a hand on his cheek to meet those soft eyes.
Students of both genders began pouring into the common room in eager wait to see their marks. The common room, though small, was the homely centre of the west-end female dormitories and east-end male dormitories.
Rye quickly released her hand from her friend's face, pausing before checking her watch. "Period two's about to begin, you've got a spare, right? Tutoring Scarlett?"
Brooklyn verified the question with a nod. "She's improved since first term, ranked 53 overall."
"That's still 50 places after her bro." The slim girl scrunched her nose into an evil grin. "Garland's gonna freak when he realizes I topped him this term. Beat him by 0.3 percent."
The older boy laughed, rubbing her back in congratulations. "Good job, Rye. Alright, I've gotta jet. I'll meet you guys later at lunch."
Acknowledging his farewell with a wave, the two departed in opposite directions.
Contrasting the renaissance-kept residences and common room, the cafe was one of Rene's most modern halls next to the library. With half the room made of glass, natural light poured into the dinning hall like music in a cathedral. Tala and the others made their way to a random table, following the illuminated path.
"This is embarrassing." Johnny dropped his platter of food on the table before swinging his leg awkwardly over the bench. He took a seat, loosening his tie before resting his face on his palm. The sweet aroma of the meal tickled his nose, but he refused to give in. The one privilege that granted them superior had now been retracted, and like all the commoners at this school, they were stuck eating…plebeian. "Why couldn't you just keep up your marks, Valkov?" For emphasis, he lifted a spoonful of soup before tilting the yellowy liquid back into the bowl.
"Oh stop being such an ass, McGregor. This stuff ain't bad." Ray tore a piece of the moist roll before placing it in his mouth. He eyed the other redhead as he joined them.
Planting his forehead against the table's surface, Tala refused to make eye contact. "I did keep up my marks, you selfish bastard, but the old man wanted me to improve." He sat up, crossing his arms with frustration. "Doesn't help when he's constantly comparing me to Vyse. Every friggin person in this building is the son or daughter of so and so. Those herds of overachievers. Everyone's out to get me."
A magazine dropped in front of him. Tala shifted his head to meet the face of a perky blond.
"Mum had extra copies lying around so I grabbed one for you. There's an article on page 74 'bout your precious Melisande. We managed to get a good pic of her coming out of that all girls private school in Scotland. Worth good bills."
Enrique's mum was the founder of the extremely popular 'Attitude' magazine.
Tala's eyes lit up before he even reached the godly page.
"Give me that, you bitch. You have a friggin girlfriend. Melisande's off your list."
"What's her name…" Ray taped his chin, "You've been dating her for almost two weeks now."
Smirking, the redhead casually flipped a page. "She called me a pervert last night…" Johnny gave the man a sly slap on the back.
"-That's a pretty big word for a nine year old."
Over the years, Tala had learned to control his anger when around the irritating female. Just looking at her sent boils to his ears. She was a sculpture of nerdy perfection. The freshly pressed blouse and knit vest, the pleated skirt kept at length, and the white knee socks and Mary Js. Every single hair was pinned back in place to reveal smart grey eyes. What irritated him most was the platinum pin clipped proudly across the heart of her cardigan- the school logo, an icy teal dragon spiraled around a planted sword against a fiery red phoenix, wings abroad. She and her possy, for whatever reasons, worshipped this place like a sanctuary, and that was what he hated most about her. Like seriously, get a life.
"Miss Riley Lovett…your mum some twisted French porn star or something?"
Instinctive, Johnny laughed first, but stopped when the athletic torso of Garland stepped into play. "Hah, um, I mean, Tala, knock it off and just, um, let it go…"
Garland's charcoal orbs narrowed questionably on Johnny before elbowing Rye lightly in the arm to leave. Seconds passed. Everyone waited for the bright orange platter to snap under the male's incredible strength.
Rubbing the back of his head sheepishly, Enrique decided to end the silence. "Come on, let's go so you can eat your lunch and edit my latest masterpiece." The blond was aspired to follow in his mother's field. Journalism.
Sensing the tension, but more so bored, the group left.
"What the hell was that, McGregor!" Tala's voice crackled like fire.
"Give him a break, Tala. He's trying to make a good impression, most likely wants to get into the dude's sister's pants. No doubt, mini-Garland is one's of the hottest girl's around."
The built boy tried to convince the others with a macho laugh, but deep down, he knew his feelings for Scarlett were deeper than just a good lay. How the hell he would express himself with that protective, potentially lethal brother scanning her every step?-he had no shitting clue.
"You're gonna blow a nerve thinking so hard, J." Ray saw pass the exterior. "Don't try so hard. Win the girl over and Garland will have no choice but to consent." The Asian smiled.
"Ray's having enough trouble 'wooing' Mariah as it is. Don't take his advice. Stick to the code." The Russian addressed his friend with a fork. "Everyone here's living a lie, trying to be like regular day folk, but we know better. They're all of status, but until they voice their own titles, we're stuck playing their sick game of pretend."
Johnny raised a confused bow. "That's some pretty analytic insight."
Ray sighed. "That's just his way of promoting sex. You live a lie, you get a lie. Did you forget? Kai's welcome back party is tomorrow."
Rolling his eyes, the redhead lowered his head with subtle laughter. Should've guessed. Tala was as bastardly as they came. Thankgod the blue-haired one was returning to keep him in check.
"Blue's backing from Paris, right? Heard those French chicks are pretty kinky."
As always, Kon's theory was proven correct. Tala was simply a shuttle of sperm.
Opening the covers of the messy notebook, Enrique flipped the pages to the bookmarked tab before sliding the fic towards Rye.
"I'm still working on it, but I wanted to get a few pointers before plowing too deep." He hovered over the female, tagging her every expression.
"That would explain why it's still untitled," added Garland, tossing the other two members at the table- Robert and Kenny- light nods before sitting.
"What do you think?" The blonde ruffled his already messy hair.
Squeezing the boy's arm with encouragement, Rye lifted her head to meet large blue eyes. "It's good. It really is, but let me get it straight so we're both on the same base." She paused, flipping back to the first page. "So, um…one day, Naiema is walking home after her last shift of work when out of nowhere, Akkiko and Satsumi come screeching around the corner in their mini-patrol car, run over Naiema, and drive off giggling insanely. The end."
Praying for Enrique to catch the subtle hint, Rye came face to face with an eager baby boy awaiting her.
Taking in a breath, she searched for a more direct, yet still relatively soft, reply. She rubbed his cheek with a small smile. "Plot, my love, is a four letter word."
Enrique's eyes were the windows into his mind and soul, and instantly you could see those wheels turn. "Plot…Why didn't I think of that! I've gotta head back and write this down before I forget." With a peck, he leaned in and thanked Riley with a kiss before running off towards the dorms.
There was silence.
"Why in bloody hell do you continue helping him if his stories are crap!"
"She's a business gal, she's good with languages," answered Robert, eyes glued to his encyclopedia of law.
Kenny nodded with silent agreement, fingers ceasing to pause on his laptop.
"And because she's nice."
Placing a large textbook on the table, Brooklyn and Scarlett joined the table.
"Someone should really just end that poor fool's misery before it's too late. It's our last year, set him free so he can find something he's actually good at."
"Lighten up. If he enjoys writing, I say let him write." The dark-haired beauty leaned in to snag a veggie stick off her brother's plate.
At his girl's voice, the male's mind switched to another topic. "How was tutoring? I never doubt Brooklyn's ability, how you holding up?"
"Ranked 53 overall."
"That's a three place jump."
"I slipped to seventh this term." The techie adjusted his glasses with a disappointed sigh. "Robotics club took up so much of my time."
"Secure at eighth. I'm expecting the law exam to bring me up," Robert replied confidently.
"And how 'bout you, Garland? What's your ranking?" Rye grinned anxiously, smiling at the other girl for support.
Reluctantly, the boy answered. "Ranked third overall. You beat me, alright? Congrats. Humph."
The gals high-fived.
Not wanting to interrupt the fun, Kenny slipped in a suggestion. "Did'cha all hear about that welcome back party the guys are holding for Kai? It's an open invitation. Everyone's invited."
"Kai was off?"
"Business trip with his father. Paris." Recited Rye a little too fluently, "Or so I heard."
"Tempting…but no. We've got study group tomorrow. With Rye's dorm closest to the library and Ming Ming out at the party, we've got the whole place to ourselves."
"Aw, look. Kenny's face's flushing at the mention of that girl's name."
"Come on, stop teasing." Looking down at the foot of his shirt, the small boy wiped his glasses. "Forget about the party, it probably not a place people like me would be welcomed at anyways…"
Rye wrapped the younger boy in a hug. "Nonsense. When we're all rich and famous and they're pleading to work under us, they'll be dying to attend our parties. We'll have nice sparkly too, not cheap stuff like Tala and his fags."
"Okay, okay, enough daydreaming. Did you want to pick up some lunch before class, Scarlett?" The girl nodded. "What do you want? I'm heading over there."
Memorizing her order, Rye rose to accompany her friend. "I'm bored, B. I'll tag along and help ya out."
Brooklyn smiled at the suggestion. "Sure, let's go."
Yea! A nice short, straightforward chapter to drive the mood. I wanted to ease into the fic with some history on the school, (Rene, pronounced the French way. FFnet seems to be slicing my accents. Enrique's mum's Magazine Company, Attitude, is also pronounced en Français. Classy, lol.) and the relationships between the characters before the real fun begins…Cackle cackle cackle.
Do drop me a note to whether you think I should or should not continue. A little blue in the next chapter if you do, hehe.
Please read and review!