Summary: Typical high school drama about two friends that believed themselves invincible, but will Kai and Tala get between them?
Three's a Tangle
Chapter One: Average right?
On the far east side of Bakutan there are the poverty stricken residents of the city. Run down apartments, and small war era houses, trailer parks and group homes. In the early hours of dawn the late summer sunlight crept over the dumpsters, broken chain link fences, boarded up windows and across trailer homes.
It is in one such home that is host to Katrina Ranz better known as Kat to anyone who actually cared to know. Another trailer, which was connected to hers was home to her drunken stepfather whom was nearly her age barely 8 years her senior and her substance abusing mother whom was 13 years her senior.
Kat lay on her back completely sprawled across her bed, the black and red mismatched sheets strewn across her naked form. The leopard print comforter lay abandoned along the narrow hallway. The sliding door with full length mirror was half open, it separated her bedroom from the closet like bathroom and shower, past that was a kitchen with mini fridge and oven, then the door to exit and up a few stairs there was a living room like sitting area with a miniature television.
But back in the bedroom a semi conscious Kat tried to cling to the blissful numbness of sleep. Her eyebrows were knitted together stubbornly, and her nose scrunched up in an effort to fall back to sleep. Just as she had fallen blissfully back into a rather pleasant dream about nothing her mother came banging on her window screeching into the crack she had allowed to stay open.
"GET UP! YOU LAZY LITTLE SLUT, GET YOUR WORTHLESS ASS OUT OF BED!" She pounded on the wall for emphasis making the entire place shake. Kat buried her head into her pillow further trying to block the obtrusive noise, which had succeeded in wakening her fully to consciousness. She stared up at her ceiling, utterly annoyed.
Her ice-blue eyes stared at the wall for a moment until she forced herself to get up.
School today, she needed to get ready. She stepped lightly off her bed and proceeded to walk into the closet size bathroom, she grabbed the stereo remote and hit play. Immediately Slipknot blared at her with maelstrom force her. She began to feel better already.
For the most part of the song Kat showered and dressed at top speeds, not really caring how she looked for the time being, as long as she was clean.
As the song changed to track 8 on the subliminal messages CD she inspected her appearance wearily to the sounds of Vermillion part one.
Kat long natural ash-black hair that was currently partially grown out from being dyed a dark red. Her hair was thick and was often tied up in an effort to keep it under control. Her eyebrows also had been dyed the same color as her hair making her skin appear even icier then it was.
Grabbing a Chinese chopstick she stole, she twisted her wet hair up in a bun.
she applied her traditional makeup mask, wich consisted of dark liner, shadow and a good helping of mascara. She brushed her teeth quickly before adding some light rose-colored lipstick and chap stick to soothe the dry lips.
She was wearing a pair of Black pants with red stitching, a black tank top that had white stitching and white bold letters bearing the message "Fuck off and Die" it was made from a thick spandex like material and hugged her breasts and stomach like a second skin. The red strap of her bra was lining the side of her shirt straps accenting the black. A thick black choker was tied double around her neck.
Her feet were encased in well worn white sneakers and fit her comfortably.
She wore earings, 5 to be exact; all of which held host to large cubic zarconi. she had 2 in the upper cartilage and 3 in the lower lobe. Her eyebrow was pierced with a blue metallic spike and her tongue also held a large zirconi
As for tatoo's at the moment she had none.
She fished her MP3 player off the table, which was groaning protest to all the unfinished art works she had started, and found her sketchbook in thick leather on the floor. Throwing both carelessly in her bag with her binder, textbooks and couple of pencils, erasers and pens she headed out the door.
As soon as she stepped on to the gravel that was her lawn, she heard the bitching and complaining voice of her mother coming from the other trailer. Yelling about god knows what, not that Kat particularly cared.
As far as her mother was concerned Kat was a burden and a failure.
Kat sprinted out of the yard and gracefully over the broken chain-link fence on to the main road/gravel pit that was suppose to be the road leading out of the depressing trailer park.
She fished out her earphones and pressed play on her MP3 player. After a few blocks of walking she reached the edge of her neighborhood and the standard of living seemed to jump considerably, manicured lawns and clean streets, driveways complete with shiny new cars; all lined the suburban roads.
She finally reached her destination being Bakutan High. The school itself was brand new and catered to all the students in Bakutan; between grades 8 through 12.
Kat headed inside arrogance falling around her like a protective shield.
The first bell rang and the day began… her lack of social etiquette often had her classmates ignoring her. Finally at lunch hour she walked into the cafeteria and scanned the tables for her best friend, first looking to where any commotion or chaos may be unfolding…when she saw none as of yet she looked to where the two of them often sat during lunch hour.
Charity for once in her life was not causing trouble, she was actually waiting patiently for Kat on the window ledge that faced the football field.
Okay first thing, Charity doesn't do patient unless something is up……the fuck did she do now?
Kat's lips twitched, when all else fails to make your day interesting; find Charity, cause trouble soon follows.
Setting her bag down on the ledge before leaping gracefully on to the ledge herself, Kat settled herself contentedly on to the narrow space. She looked to Charity who nodded in greeting.
Kat ran her eyes over her best friend's raven hair that held many pink streaks before landing on her bright emerald eyes. She was the same height but was much more mouthy and emotional. Charity had a problem hiding her emotions, which got the best of her most of the time. But one trademark that caught everyone's attention was the smirk that adorned Charity's always-glossy lips, which happened to be smirking right now. Kat's own mouth, painted a light red, twitched again threatening to do the same.
Leaning in closer, her ruby hair fell in her face as she had taken the bun out ages ago. Her eyes narrowed scrutinizing the older girl.
"What have you done?" She asked deviously.
Charity's smirk widened as she gazed intently out the window to something out on the field. Pointing outside Kat followed her gaze.
"Remember my detention for causing a disturbance in Jarvis's class?" She asked her voice positively evil sounding.
Kat nodded her mind going over the scene again with fondness.
"Well they nailed me with laundry duty."
Kat shook her head in disbelief
Uh oh
"Really…I bet that was enjoyable." Kat said with sarcasm.
"OH it was…"Charity stated seriously pausing for dramatic effect. Kat lifted a rose colored eyebrow in question her head angled to she could hear charity better; not wanting to miss a word. She glanced at Charity and back to the field.
"Was it really?" Kat inquired with interest.
"Oh yes…especially when I found the bleach; you know I think after this they may think of using a non-corrosive brand. Instead of that industrial strength." She said impassively.
Kat's eyes widened dramatically as she shot a look of dawning comprehension as she surveyed the blond idiots on the field.
Her stomach turned as she saw the cheerleaders out on the field preparing for practice. Angie Tysick was currently standing with her little clique of trashy cheerleaders. Her uniform, which was pure white, was molded to her skin. Her bleached hair, identical to everyone else was tied up in a high ponytail. Her supposed best friend Alison was wearing the same thing, only her hair was streaked in different shades of blond.
As the girls went into formation they began their routine of jumping around like retarded dancers. But it was when they made their final move; a position where their arms and legs were stretched away from the body, did Charity's mission become a success.
It happened quickly and in front of the football team. Each of the girl's shirts fell apart and ripped at the seams as she moved into her position. The fabric falling away to reveal some bare breasts and some racy colored bras. The girls tried to cover themselves and appeared to be shrieking in terror as the football team (complete with heart throb Tala Valkov) crossed past them hooting at the display like the horny dogs they were.
Kat gaped in horror and then completely broke down as the girls made a mad dash for the school first having to go through the cafeteria, then to the locker rooms. As the girls ran through both Kat and Charity enthusiastically whooped and hollered lewd comments in their directions.
"OW OW OW OOOOOOOWWW!" Kat howled raising her fist in the air earning herself strange looks from the student body who knew her as generally quiet.
"YEOW! Nice rack!" Charity shouted over Kat as she laughed outwardly.
Kat clapped in mock appreciation making a striking impression of the football team.
"Fuck you Ranz!" Alison said savagely racing across the pathway made by the other girls.
"No thanx I don't fuck when I don't know where it's been!" Kat retorted to her retreating back. The entire Café was howling with laughter.
"Oh but Kat we do know where it's been; everywhere!" Charity snickered watching as Angie stalked with rage towards her, her top not quite demolished as the others.
"You bitch!" She growled
"You called?" Charity spoke calmly her mouth forming a maliculous grin.
Kat's position became far more defensive. As she surveyed the bimbo with distaste.
"How dare you!" Angie hissed in rage.
"I don't know what you are talking about" Charity said feigning false innocents. Kat refrained from snickering.
"YOU!" she said pointing at Charity.
"Yes me do you have a point?" Charity inquired dryly
"You will pay for this!" Angie screeched
"Ah-huh" She nodded turning to Kat smirking.
"Sure she will blonde" Kat stated speaking up for the first time.
"No one is talking to you, tramp!" Angie hissed, rounding on Kat.
Charity's eyes flashed in anger and Kat look unaffected by the pathetic excuse for an attack.
"Yet everyone is fucking you, how amusing" Kat continued contemplatively.
'Take that back" Charity hissed, jumping down off the ledge sizing up Angie with ease.
Kat remained on the ledge one knee up resting her arm on it as the other leg dangled leisurely on the wall. Her other arm held her balance on the ledge as she leaned forward casually.
"Or you'll what?" Angie snapped at Charity, who was at least four inches shorter.
"Beat your ass, now take it back!" Charity snapped back hotly raising her fists.
Alison came into the café looking for Angie. As Kat spied her across the room she noticed the room was rather quiet, everyone's attention being raptly held by the two explosive girls spitting nails at each other.
Kat glanced back at Charity whom didn't see her as she continued to get more pissed off with the blonde idiot in front of her.
Alison Graty walked with a slightly nervous step over to the commotion. She held her head high but her eyes betrayed her, flickers of worry flashed through them whenever she gazed at Kat or Charity.
The girls easily intimidated her, especially when they were together which they were, unfortunately for Alison.
Angie's voice cut through Kat's thoughts as Alison reached the chaos about to unfold.
"As if you could even afford it, Charity, that's all you are, someone's charity case, a write off for their taxes" Angie said scathingly her face red with rage and her mouth tilted in satisfaction.
Alarm passed through Kat at what Angie had said. That had been the WRONG thing to say to Charity Marron.
Then next few seconds were a blur of confusion as Charity's face went white and then flushed red with rage as she brought her fist back.
Kat leapt down to the ground, her toes touching the tile at the exact moment Charity's fist connected with Angie's cheek. Alison tried to step between them, but was much too late.
Kat's fingers brushed the ground as Charity made to tackle the blonde girl whom had made the unwise choice of mentioning her personal life.
Alison grabbed Charity's hair as she connected with Angie. All three girls were brought to the ground, Charity not seeming to notice Alison pulling on her raven and pink tresses.
Kat barely stood up as she rushed the second blonde idiot, Alison.
As Kat grabbed her arm to loosen her grip on Charity's hair Angie shrieked in terror and Alison whipped her nails back catching Kat in the face, her nails leaving long bloody scratch marks. Charity continued to beat Angie with her fists, as they came back again and again.
Kat growled loudly in annoyance and barely thought about it as she whipped her own nails across Alison's face. Alison screamed in agony, although Kat hardly felt the pain it was more the fact she had even done it in the first place.
Alison let go of Charity's hair allowing the spitfire more movement to swing at the girl below her. Kat couldn't see Angie but she was sure she was a bloody mess by now.
Alison tackled Kat as she leapt off of Charity and nailed Kat into the lockers. Kat spaced momentarily until Alison's fist hit her cheek and made the side of her head hit the metal doors.
Kat immediately pushed Alison back far enough for her toes to come in contact with her stomach. Completely winded Alison fell back and landed square on her ass.
Kat tried to catch her breath and looked over to see a wrestling match had ensued with Charity and Angie, they were rolling haphazardly across the floor. Just as Charity pinned the little bitch to the ground Alison made another attempt to help her friend.
"nah-uh" Kat muttered.
She grabbed Alison by the hair jerking her back and a loud ripping noise was heard as a clump of the dried hair was ripped from Alison's head and she screamed in pain. Kat continued to throw Alison to the ground as she pinned her there, in an effort to stop her from attacking Charity from behind. A frustrated yell from Charity had Kat whipping her head around, her right fist held back half way ready to plow itself into Alison's head.
Charity was being man handled by Kai Hiwatari, as he lifted her effortlessly off of Angie and twisted her around so she was pinned against him, her eyes still glued resolutely on her victim.
"Let me go you Fucker!" Charity yelled frustrated as she tried to free herself from his grip.
Kat was about to go help her friend when she was knocked clean off of Alison. She landed surprised on her back about a foot from the said blonde. The air whooshed out of her lungs as Alison jumped on her and started to choke her. Kat struggled wildly until she managed to pry the hands from around her throat and with a good deal of strength pushed Alison off and stood bringing the blonde with her.
Kat had had enough of this little bitch. In one movement Kat slammed the smaller girl against the lockers and a resounding clang echoed in the cafeteria, which although completely full of onlookers no one made a sound.
"You Cunt!" Kat spat in her face, her eyes narrowed dangerously. Alison didn't even look fazed as she stared right back at Kat loathing written across her features.
"Freak of nature" Alison hissed, as Kat's eyes widened in shock, rage swirling in her vision.
Kat brought her right fist back and prepared to hit Alison with all the strength she had.
"How dare you" Kat retorted bringing her fist forward, Alison cringed as she turned her head away from the incoming limb.
Unfortunately Kat was restrained before the fist could make contact.
Kat snarled like a wild animal as Ozuma held her in place, and spoke to Alison.
"Get the fuck out of here!" he snarled at the blonde, as Kat struggled in his hold.
"Kat! Calm down!" He hissed into her ear urgently, trying to keep his voice down. He had her firmly in his grip and soon Kat relented, but he didn't release her.
Charity looked on stunned at her two best friends.
Alison was helping a battered Angie to her feet and tried to hide her face from view as Charity had proudly broken her nose and dislocated her jaw. Two swollen black eyes made it very difficult for her to stand and walk properly.
Charity nearly forgot she was being firmly restrained by Kai as she gazed at Kat, her right cheek was ripped and leaking blood from three long gashes, she looked otherwise unhurt, but her normally bright sapphire eyes, had a cold icy chill on them.
The raven-haired girl looked at Ozuma as Kat backed away slightly shaky. He was talking to Kat still but she couldn't hear what he was saying as the crowd around them were being really noisy now.
Aside from a few scratches Charity was unhurt, Angie had definitely gotten the worst of it. But between Kat and Alison it seemed pretty even. But that was Kat for you, far to fair for her own good. Charity just went all out, while Kat tended to trade blows with her opponent.
Charity thought some more on her friend's odd behavior until she felt a tug on her arm and realized Kai was leading her out of the room.
"What the fuck do you think your doing! Let me go!" Charity said struggling, very ready to give him a black eye as well.
"Will you shut up? I'm taking you to the dean's office." Kai snapped annoyed at the raven hair girl he was holding.
Charity's mouth fell open. Oh hell no.
"Fuck no. You aren't taking me no where buddy!" Charity snapped as she pulled harder but found she could not get loose his grip being far stronger then her pulling.
"Your going" He sated as if this settled the matter.
"Why? What do you care if I break the god damn rules?" Charity snapped again, last she checked he wasn't one to abide rules himself.
"You broke her nose Charity" he said simply.
She snorted rather unladylike, before retaliating. "I broke more then that, your just going to dump her anyways so what's your damage….or was she a good cock sucker?" she said smirking as he stopped dead in his tracks.
"I'm afraid she won't be doing anymore sucking for a while what with a broken jaw."
Charity continued enjoying the effect these words had. Kai glared at her.
"You need counseling" he stated and pushed her on further.
"You know I'm sure if you convince her to dye her hair black with a tint of blue and wear contacts, she'll look just like Reena. Oh right you don't want her to LOOK like Reena, you want her to BE Reena." Charity continued very annoyed that he was pulling her down the corridors.
Kai stopped again and pushed her against the lockers glaring at her.
"Watch your mouth, I don't have patience for your rambling" He snapped
"Oooohh I hit a nerve?" Charity went on ignoring him and getting under his skin.
Kai walked on, Charity following him.
"You know it is dead obvious to everyone that you like her."
"Why don't you just dump that blonde and ask her out?" She asked him now walking willingly.
Kai glared at her as if she was slow.
"Oh afraid of getting rejected?" Charity said contemplatively.
Kai growled under his breath. She was starting to seriously annoy him.
"Well you won't ever know if you don't ask…besides I don't think she even knows you like her. You know with all the torture and bullshit you pull" Charity talked on ignoring his ever increasing anger with her.
Kai stopped next to a pair of double doors and Charity stopped beside him wondering what she had said now.
He turned to her and pushed her into the dean's office.
"Come on let's get you cleaned up" Ozuma said grabbing Kat's hand, she ignored him and nodded her head irritably.
Kat's eyes followed a complaining Charity out of the room with Hiwatari. A smirk landed on her features at her antics.
"Yeah…" She said trailing behind him.
Alison and Angie had already disappeared. People moved out of their way as Ozuma had his arm around her shoulders steering her towards the medical wing.
"So care to explain why you were about to go primal on Alison, not that I doubt she deserved it or anything." He asked smiling as he looked down at Kat who looked like she wanted nothing better then to get away from school.
"She was gonna attack Charity" Kat answered simply. Ozuma chuckled at her answer.
"And why was she going to attack Charity?" He probed.
"Cause Charity was tackling Angie."
"Why was Charity tackling Angie, I didn't realize there was a girls football team." He asked curiously.
"There isn't but Charity would make one hell of a line-backer." Kat said smirking at the visual.
Ozuma laughed heartily as well. "You too I think." He said after a moment. Kat smiled at his antics of trying to get her to be more talkative.
"Hmmm…nah I would be a better quarterback." She said poking him in the ribs because she was leaned into his shoulder as they walked.
"Hey! No seriously why was Charity mauling Angie?" He said wriggling away from Kat, letting go of her and forcing her to walk on her own.
She felt a sense of loss when he did that but didn't show it. Instead she shrugged non-chantly. "Angie made a comment about Charity's personal life." She said evasively. Kat didn't like talking about other people's problems when they weren't around.
"I see. So it was a chain reaction then?" He asked understanding.
"Yep."
"You don't just fuck with one of us, you fuck with one and both are on your scrawny ass." Kat said realizing to late how very wrong that sounded.
She tried to suppress her smile but when Ozuma started to snicker. They both broke down laughing at the comment.
"You really need to think before you speak." He said cuffing her around the shoulder once more messing up her red hair once again.
"Hey! Hey! Don't touch the hair!" Kat stated offensively.
"Watcha gonna do about it?" Ozuma teased her, mussing it up more. Kat struggled against him.
"I'll whip your ass boy!" she said sounding like a hillbilly as she started to tickle his stomach in her effort to get away.
"Uh-huh sure you will, that would be a little hard when you can't move." He said laughing due to his intense ticklishness and restraining her once more only this time lifting her off her feet and forcing her to hang on to him.
Kat hung onto his neck and allowed him to carry her the rest of the way to the medical wing.
Her and Ozuma had been friends since her first day at Bakutan high way back in eighth grade. But her and Charity had been friends since elementary school having met in their martial arts classes…go figure.
Soon they arrived in the medical wing and found the nurse as she finished patching up Angie and Alison. Angie had ice on her cheek and basically her whole face.
Alison glowered as she inspected the large white gauze on her cheek where Kat had left her scratch marks. She threw a nasty look towards Kat as she stalked out of the room. Kat ignored her.
The nurse took one look at Kat and tsked.
"I should have known" The woman said in kind yet stern voice.
Her name was Judy, Max Tate's mother.
Kat gave her a winning smile that should have been innocent but far too much pride showed through so instead she ended up looking very guilty.
Judy gave her an exasperated sigh as she instructed Angie what she needed to do to avoid anymore swelling. And Angie walked carefully out of the room balancing the ice and her cell in her hands as she dialed undoubtly Kai's number.
"Sit." Judy commanded as Kat climbed out of Ozuma's arms. He leaned against he wall casually.
The bell rang to signal start of classes for the next period. She was going to miss Art. She hated missing art. It was all Alison's fault.
Judy cleaned the wound, which stung sharply and patched it up using gauze and polysporin, all the while giving Kat hell for fighting again.
"Your lucky these aren't deep, you don't need stitches, hopefully they won't scar, but you never know." Judy went on as Kat shared identical glances with Ozuma that clearly said this would not be the last time she would be here.
"I should charge you and Charity more in your medical fees for the school since you two alone use up 60 percent of the supplies." Judy went on, piquing Kat's interest, Kat looked to her questioningly.
"Who uses up the rest?" she asked having a good guess at who is was.
"Besides you and Charity? Everyone you send here" Judy said seriously. Kat smirked, she would have to tell Charity.
"Sweet" Kat said looking to Ozuma who merely shook his head.
Judy gave Kat a stern look. "No it isn't I don't enjoy seeing students down here when every time I ask what happened they respond the same uttering either you or your counterparts name."
"Hey, they start it every time. Really we are the victims here, we just happen to be able to kick our attackers ass' is all" Kat said shrugging and wincing as Judy's handling became slightly rougher.
"I don't care. I want you to see your counselor after you leave here. I'll be phoning to let them know you're on your way." Kat groaned in protest.
Oz snickered nastily, he knew Kat absolutely loathed her counselor he had absolutely no idea what he was talking about.
Besides he was just creepy. Boris Balkov should not be allowed around near children, or rather teenagers.
"Do I have to?" Kat whined. Judy gave her a stern look. "Fine" she grumbled.
"All finished." Judy said putting her supplies away then pausing she turned back to Kat.
"Should I expect to see Charity as well?"
"Nah, she got lucky" Kat said her mood turning sourer by the moment.
Judy nodded indicating she could leave.
Kat got up but stopped before leaving. "Don't I get a lollipop?" she asked smirking.
Judy gave her a sarcastic smile. "I only give the lollipops out to occasional visitors of my wing." Judy said at Kat's crest fallen expression.
"Please?" Kat pouted.
The blond woman crumbled and rummaged into her desk to find a red lollipop. She handed it to Kat who smiled and jumped happily.
"Thanx! I knew there was a reason you were my favorite school nurse!" Kat said happily.
"She's your only school nurse" Ozuma pointed out smirking at Kat's behavior.
Kat glared at him "SHHHHH!" she said loudly pulling him out of the office and waving goodbye to a smiling Judy.
"Can you take me home?" Kat asked Oz as they rounded the corner.
"Sure after you see Balkov" he said walking down the corridor towards the counseling wing, another well-known place to Kat.
Kat made a face at his back while she tried to open her lollipop. She got it eventually and followed him down the hall passing classes of students catching snatches of conversation here and there.
"Did you see her eyes? They were like ice."
"I know I never saw anything like it before."
Kat shook her head realizing they were talking about her.
"Charity went nuts, I wonder what her problem is?"
"Angie's face was a mess!"
"I know dude it was crazy…but those two are always at each others throats"
Kat smirked at the truth of these words. Apparently they had cause quite a stir in the student body…too bad no one was talking about Charity's ingenious prank...that to her was the funniest part.
They reached the counseling office and Ozuma made sure Kat was in the door before lounging on a couch opening a magazine and waited patiently for her to come out.
Charity glowered at Kai as she was invited into the Dean's office. He smirked back at her as he headed to class…supposedly. But she heard his cell beep, even if no one else did.
She walked into the doors and sat down in the chair in front of the desk, it was older looking although identical to the one next to it. She snickered as she realized they had needed to buy another since her and Kat were often in here at the same time. She gazed unseeingly at the Dean as he read through her profile. You would think he would have memorized it by now.
Her folder was especially thicker then most peoples in the school only rivaled by Kat's own folder as far as she knew.
"Miss Marron I would like to say it is a pleasure to see you but I am afraid it isn't."
Chapter One of Three's a Tangle, written by me Kat. Originally this was a work between myself and another authoress but we no longer see eye to eye. This is my personal piece.
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