I know I haven't updated anything in a really, really long time, but don't bug me about it. I haven't had inspiration for over a year and I just got back into it when I rifled through my closet and found boxes of papers and notes for stories like this. Lots of revamping of characters here. You won't recognize a lot of them. And the canon characters might seem out of character to you but I'm banking on the fact that this is an alternate universe thing, so no beyblades, and they're also going to college so most of them will have matured. At least a little. I think. Maybe not. I'm taking creative license on this.

This was interesting writing while listening to the "Avenue Q" soundtrack... If you haven't heard the music for the play, download it. It's the funniest thing I've ever heard. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

Note: All spelling and grammar problems have been fixed. Haha, my bad. All set now.

Bounce

Summary: Part of being a teenager is having to put up with the masks that people wear, but no one was prepared for the mask one student wore. And even more so for the real person underneath. Roommates, parties, sports rivalries and term papers.

Disclaimer: Beyblade and all associated characters and themes are copyright to Aoki Takao. Riley Kurosawa (formerly known as Riley Taylor) and this story are copyright to me.

1. Admissions and Phone Numbers

Nicolai Hiwatari handed the letter from Bakuten University to his son the moment he entered the kitchen. The younger Hiwatari tore open the envelope as his father looked on from his place at the table. Crimson eyes scanned over its contents and Kai wordlessly handed it back to his father to read so he could go off and fix himself a late breakfast. Summer vacation made everyone lazy, even the normally early rising bluenette. Then again, in the middle of summer vacation after high school graduation, teenagers tended to be even lazier than usual.

"Are you okay with this?" Nicolai asked, indicating the letter. "I know it's what you asked for, but it's rare for a freshman to have a single room."

Kai shrugged, popping two Pop-Tarts into the toaster. He had known that even at a university like Bakuten where it was a largely local student populous, it would be likely that he didn't know who his roommate was and because of his reclusive personality, he might run into problems, but he found he didn't really care.

"Never heard of the surname," his father continued thoughtfully, cradling his coffee in his hands. "Might be someone other than the usual local stock."

"So long as they don't expect me to be their best friend, I really don't care." Kai yawned and pulled a plate from the cupboard, setting it in front of the toaster before he went in search of orange juice. However, when he had his cup in hand, he changed his mind and pulled out the milk instead.

Amused, and not at all surprised with his son's attitude, Nicolai picked up the letter again and read aloud. "George Hall, room 231. Phone extension 7496. Double. Roommate Riley Kurosawa 389-3957. You going to call him?"

Kai shrugged again, leaning against the counter as he waited for his Pop-Tarts. "I guess."

"Might as well. It'd be irritating for you both to bring miniature refrigerators when you only need the one." Nicolai put the letter down again and pushed it in his son's direction, indicating that he should call the number on the paper.

Instead of answering, Kai rolled his eyes and dropped his Pop-Tarts onto his plate, heading back to his room where he could listen to his music at full blast, only half listening when his father called after him, "I'll be working late again tonight, Kai. You're on your own for dinner."

"So your roomie's some Japanese kid?" Tala Volkov asked from his place on the beanbag chair in Kai's room. The bluenette was lying on his stomach on the floor, torso propped up with a body pillow. Car and sports magazines littered the floor, although Kai's attention was divided between his best friend and the recorded basketball game on television.

Kai grunted in response and stretched out an arm to adjust the fan that had fallen over onto the floor from its place on the bed. His fingers pushed it just enough to turn it back onto him, covering his body in a cool blast of air. Satisfied, he turned his attention back to the game. "Who'd you get?"

"The Gnome."

Kai shifted his gaze to catch the look of annoyance on Tala's face and he smirked. The Gnome, formally known as Ian Kushnev, was a short and stocky Russian that they had both gone to high school with and tolerated, but wouldn't consider him one of their actual friends. He was all right, just irritating with the way he constantly tried to prove himself as just a good an athlete as the taller boys despite his diminutive size. Tala in particular enjoyed putting him in his place, so the first year of uni would be interesting with those two as roommates. "At least you don't have to worry about fighting over space."

The redhead grinned and nudged the other teen with his foot. "Yeah, well I don't have to call and see who the fuck he is, either." Kai swatted his foot away and flipped him the bird, too hot to do much else. "Kurosawa, huh... Y'think he and the Gnome might become friends?" Kai shot him a questioning glance although it wasn't needed because Tala continued anyway without having looked at him. "The Japanese are all kinda short and the Gnome's always going on about being all alone in a world of tall people."

Kai grunted. "Don't give him any ideas. One Gnome is enough."

"McGregor's rooming with Enrique."

There was a long pause before Kai propped his torso up on his elbows and turned his complete attention to Tala. "Enrique."

Tala grinned wolfishly. "Yup."

Kai snorted and then began to laugh. "This year might be worth it after all."

"I'm putting on bets on a fight the first day." Tala pulled out a small notebook from a pocket in his shorts and waved it as proof. "Got twenty bucks a pop saying Johnny blows it first."

Kai snatched the list and saw the large number of names and amounts of money given for each side. A surprising amount was betting on Enrique losing it first. "You talked to roommates, didn't you. Enrique isn't going to lose it before McGregor."

"Which is why I'm raking in the money," Tala replied, snatching the notebook back and waving a pen in Kai's face. "Wanna place a bet too?"

"The RA."

The redhead blinked and stared at his best friend a moment before he burst out laughing. "I think I'm going to switch my bet, you're a genius!"

... Yup. Review!