Hey here I am again. With a new fic.
Temptations denied?
By: Gems/Zadien
Date started: 17th of September 2003
Summary: Amber is in her second year at college with her friends. Things start to heat up when two new students transfer. Problem being one of them is her old flame, Kai. He cheated on her but still she's attracted to him. But despite that, she can't act on it, because one of her best friends likes him aswell, and she doesn't want to hurt her. So will Amber stay true to her friends, or will she follow her heart?
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or it's characters. I do however own Amber, and Ruin etc. Miyami belongs to my good friend and talented authoress ChibiTari. Check out her fic, it's awesome!
Chapter one: New day.
[Its a new day, but it all feels old.
Its a good life, thats what i'm told.
But everything it all just feels the same.
And my high school: it felt more to me,
like a jail cell; a penitentiary.
My time spent there, it only made me see]
Amber Benson adjusted the ear plug in her ear and hummed along, as she glided effortlessly through the small barriers which prevented cars from taking the route as a shortcut to the college. The song seemed apt enough to her, since she was heading back to college for her first day of her second year. Something she was both dreading and looking forward to. College life was long and hard with plently of work piled on top of each student, but with it came a chance to be with her friends who she'd been estranged from while she'd been home in Ireland. Not that she didn't love home. Of course she loved home, how couldn't she? Her mother lived there with her grandparents and her older cousin Bryan was there, for the moment anyway.
[That I dont ever wanna be like you.
I dont wanna do the things you do.
Im never gonna hear the words you say
Cause I dont ever wanna.
I dont ever wanna be.]
But there was something about Bakuten in Conneticut U.S.A. that she loved. The people were friendly, the scenary was beautiful and couldn't be beaten by anywhere else with it's rows of trees cascading over the pathways which sheltered the pedestrians from the suns hot rays and the sea which lapped at the shingled shores, it was paradise. The scenary was part of the reason she'd chosen to study there while the other reason was the chance to study Psychology. It was something she really had an interest in and while she could study it at home, she really didn't want to be that close to Scott Bishop after their pretty nasty break-up.
[You... Dont wanna be just ike you
What im sayin is this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
you. dont wanna be you]
What had he been thinking anyway?!, she wondered as she weaved through the crowds of reluctant returning students and nervous first years. Had he really believed that she would forgive him after cheating on her with her best friend? If he had then he was really, really naive. But that had been more than a year ago and she was over it. Hell, she'd even managed to be civil to him when she had met him in town while at home on vacation. She hadn't been exactly nice but she'd been civil, besides him cheating was nothing new to her. Not that he had done it before, but He had. She shook her head, she wasn't going to let someone who had hurt her three years ago and who was probably far away on the other side of the world, ruin her first day.
[Go to college, a university
Get a real job, thats what they said to me
but i could never live the way they want
im gonna get by and just do my time
out of step while they all get in line.
Im just a minor threat so pay no mind]
Manoevering a tight corner she smiled up at the College which stood out against the cornflower blue of the September sky with it's Queen Anne red bricks over grown with Ivy, it really was a handsome sight. It had the power to take away all bad feelings. She sighed, breathing in the clean fresh air while tucking her black hair with the last inch or so dyed gold giving her an Egyptian look. Her ochre eyes took in the steady stream of students heading into the college via the revolving door which had plagued her existance since starting the college while other students loitered outside by the walls and benches. Boys and girls alike on Skateboards performed stunts on the paved surface and the steps while more adventurous ones attempted the railings.
[Do you really wanna be like them
do you really wanna be another trend
do you wanna be part of that crowd.
Cause i dont ever wanna.
I dont ever wanna be you...]
Amber stopped by the steps and removed her blades before replacing them with her trademarked lucky scuffed sneakers she'd worn all through secondary school, even though technically she hadn't been allowed to wear sneakers with her school uniform. At the thought of the dreaded outfit, she made a face. That uniform had haunted her dreams for many a night and when she'd finally completed her Leaving Cert, she'd gladly burned it by holding a ritual burning out in the field by her countryside home with the rest of her classmates.
[You... Dont wanna be just ike you
What im sayin is this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
you. dont wanna be you]
She jumped and to her credit managed to muffle a yelp when her phone vibrated. She still hadn't gotten use to the vibrate on it yet, since for most of the summer she'd had it on sound and before hand she'd had a totally different phone that hadn't had vibrate on it. So it would take her a while to get use to the buzz. Unclipping it from the waist of her very baggy jeans, she pressed a button which brought forth the message on the screen. 'WER DA FUCK R U?' Amber chuckled, she didn't even need to see who the message was from to know. With that kind of message and no greeting at the start, it could only be Ruin Mulryan -her best friend and room mate at college. She was loud opinionated and a general bitch to everyone, but her. To Amber she was like a big sister who wanted to look after the young Irish girl who supposedly hadn't got any idea of how life worked in America and with Ruin coming from New York, she figured she'd seen everything.
[Shake it once thats fine
Shake it twice thats okay
Shake it three time you're playin with yourself]
Amber smiled at the text and replied to Ruin. 'I'M OUTSIDE, WER R U?' She sent it back and headed towards the revolving door. Once inside she took a few minutes to adjust to the dimness of the corridor and to take in the group of new students asking for directions at the receptionists desk. Switching the strap of her shoulder bag to her other shoulder she jogged up the steps towards the second floor where the Social science notice boards were situated. With a small smile to the classmates she recognized she pushed her way to the front to check out her timetable. Her smile suddenly flopped.
"Who the fuck had the bright idea to give us PPD first thing in the morning?!", She questioned outloud, not really expecting an answer but she got one anyway.
"Baxter, wouldn't you know.", a smooth male voice said into her left ear.
Glancing over her shoulder, her frown flipped again into a brilliant and warm smile. "Ray!", she almost squealed flinging her arms over the smiling and very hot Chinese boy who had first befriended her on those first few lonely weeks. With his brilliant gold eyes which reminded her so often of a cat and glossy black bangs to frame the strong male features, it wasn't hard to see why he had a long line of girls after him, but it was his charming and friendly personality which gave him a long line of friends and a steady girlfriend. Mariah Tanaka, another person to befriend Amber in her first year.
"Hey Ami, how are you?"
She shrugged then grimaced as her phone buzzed, alerting her to another SMS from her friend. "Well I would be fine if Ruin would stop texting me."
Ray laughed; that good natured, heart felt, rumble of a laugh. "She still clucking over you like a mother hen?"
Rolling her amber eyes, she texted back. "Yes. Do you think I should tell her that I've been in America for a good couple of months now and that I think I know Bakuten of by heart, so she doesn't need to babysit me anymore?"
"No, don't do that. She'd get upset, if you did that.", he slipped a brotherly arm over her shoulder as they walked down the corridor littered with excited students.
Amber rolled her shoulders to adjust to the comforting weight and walked beside him, quickening her pace to keep up with his long legged strides. "Is it me or do these corridors get more crowded each year?"
"You've only been here for one year, you can't really be a judge of that."
Amber sighed. "It was a rhetorical question Ray Kon, you should know what they are since you use them enough."
"Do you think so?", his gold eyes hinted at his laughter even though his face was thoughtful.
"Har Har.", she replied dryly as she folded her arms. "So have you seen Oliver?"
Oliver Dupont was another friend and classmate who she had bonded with. He was very likeable. Friendly and polite, though he tended to be somewhat arrogant when he pointed someones flaws, but he only did that to help the person better themselves. His violet eyes were always filled with warmth and intellect while his delicate bone structure gave him the appearance of a porceline doll -Amber just blamed it on his French background. His hair was bright lime green and a tad bit long for her liking but then he was batting for the other team so that wasn't really a problem with them. He was also very stylish, and had a better dress sense than most females never mind males.
"No I haven't yet, you?"
"If I had, I wouldn't have asked, now would I?"
He chuckled again. "I guess not."
They continued down the steps laughing and joking about everything that had happened when they went home for the holidays. Both of them had that in common, being total foreigners in a strange country. Amber's only advantage was that she could speak English fluently and that Ireland wasn't that much different to America. While Ray had to learn English, though he had learned it before, it took a while to become fluent.
They walked out the exit behind the cafeteria to wear the smokers gave in to their cravings. Amber glanced at Ray who was wrinkling his nose in disgust. Amber made a face and grabbing his arm dragged him away from them. It was common for the smokers to crowd around the fire escape, though she always found it very ironic. As they walked along the paved route back to the main door, a figure zig zagged crazily past them.
"Hey, guys. A little help if you don't mind."
Both of them exchanged glances. "Tyson.", they said in unison, before chasing after the out of control teen.
* * *
While the pair of them were returning to school, another figure stood staring up at the new college she'd be attending for the next couple of years. Being a first year at a new college was tough, diverting to a new college to start year two was tougher, Miyami Kinomiya mused. After all, in first year you were surrounded by others who were in the same boat; while this year, she was completely on her own. Someone sighed heavily behind her, and she smirked. Well not completely alone. Turning, she observed the tall bluenette standing there in a snug black T-shirt and a pair of jeans.
"Something wrong, Sharky?"
The boy, or maybe she should say man, raised a slate blue brow and regarded her with dark cherrywood eyes. "This place looks boring, silver.", his smooth deep voice carried the words to her.
Miyami raised her silver eyes to take in the building in front of her. "Well it has to be better than the other place, Kai. Besides Tyson goes here."
Kai snorted at that. "If that's our only reason for deferring here, Silver, then I'm turning around and driving out here right now."
Miyami glared at him. It didn't matter how good a friend Kai was, he just could never be nice about her cousin. "Well then Tala is here aswell."
Tala Valkov had been their best friend in high school but he had chosen to come to Bakuten University while Miyami and Kai Hiwatari had chosen to remain close to home by attending Westmoor University. But they had both decided to deferr since they were unhappy with the way their courses were planning out there, and with Tala constantly plugging the place it was easy to choose to go there. She hadn't seen him in along time and she looked forward to seeing him again.
Miyami frowned looking at the various students brushing past here. This university was more busier than her old uni. It seemed to her that everyone was in too big a hurry to get to their lectures on time. Last year, even though it had been her first year, she'd never been in that big of a hurry to get to lectures. Instead she was more often found lounging round the cafe or the coffee shops with Kai and her other friends Malo and Chaya, but both of them were back at Westmoor.
"This place better have a coffee shop.", she grumbled as she took a step forward, moving closer to the door.
Pausing she glanced back over her shoulder. "Are you coming, Kai?"
The Russian bluenette glared at the building. "Tala better be fucking in here, Silver."
The silver haired girl rolled her eyes. "Of course he will be.", then silently added. "At least I hope so."
She hefted her knapsack on her shoulders and was about to proceed with the rest of the students into the building, when a blurred figure caught her attention.
"Move out of the way. Coming through. Not sure how to stop.", the youth on a skateboard yelled at the pedestrians as he swerved around them, it was only at the last moment, that he noticed that he was going to collide with the silver haired girl.
Miyami's eyes widened as she watched the navy headed boy hurtle head on towards her. The only thing she could think about was how embarrassing it would be, to be knocked unconcious by a guy on an out of controll skateboard.
Behind her Kai cursed under his breath, and with his quick reflexes kicking in, he grabbed his younger friends arm and pulled her out of harms way. The boy raced past them and collided with the railing, while the skateboard glided out from under his feet and straight beneath the silver metal 'n' shaped pole. The pole lodged in the teens stomach, bringing a slow moan from his throat. Miyami and Kai both winced, then fury over took the pity and Kai stormed over to the boy hauling him off the bar he had wound himself around.
"Look where you're going in future. You almost killed her!", he snarled at the boy, then his mahogany eyes widened as the other teen stared up at him dazed. "Tyson?"
Miyami's eyes snapped open. Tyson? Her cousin Tyson? He was the person who had nearly run her over? Typical. Shaking her head she marched over to Kai and her cousin in time to hear her cousins goofy reply.
"Hey Kai, is Mimi with you?"
"Barely.", Kai grunted as Miya laid her arm on his arm, warning him not to harm her cousin in anyway. She could do it very well herself should she need to.
With a disgusted growl, he released Tyson and watched with satisfaction as the smaller; by a few inches; youth fell to the ground. Then grumbling something about going to find Tala, he stalked off. Miyami watched him leave and rolled her eyes, before turning back to her woe-be-gone cousin.
"Ouch.", Tyson mumbled rubbing his backside while clambouring to his feet, then exclaiming. "Mimi!", at the top of his voice, he launched himself at his younger; by a couple of months; cousin.
Miyami sighed heavily, watching her cousin rub his navy eyes, disorientatedly. "Tyson, haven't you learned how to control that board yet?"
Before Tyson could reply, when there a was a shout behind them followed by rushed footsteps. Both of them turned round to catch sight of two figures racing towards them. Miaymi frowned, wondering what the hell the two of them were in such a hurry for. She took in the male member of the pair coming towards them. He was tall, maybe just as tall as Kai, and very lean. His hair was raven black with bangs lifted back from his eyes from a read head band decorated with the symbol of ying and yang. His face was strong and handsome and of Chinese origins, with liquid gold eyes. His eyes reminded her of that of a cat. He was dressed in a white sweatshirt, a black short sleeved shirt, and black baggy pants over black boots. She made a noise of approval, he wasn't bad looking but she preferred Red heads. Of course if all the red head guys in the school looked like the guy running towards her then maybe she wouldn't mind so much staying at this college after all.
Before she could have time to even look at the female member of the duo her vision was obstructed by Tyson. She frowned somberly. She didn't like it when anyone blocked her view. The running feet came to a stop in front of them, and she could hear that both were slightly out of breath.
"Christ Tyson, I thought you'd really lost it this time. You're such an eejit at times.", the girl snapped with a slight accent.
Miyami bristled as she heard the way the girl spoke to her cousin. Pushing herself past her cousin she looked the girl up and down. "Who are you?"
A black brow rose over the eloquent ochre eyes. "Amber Benson, you?"
"Miyami Kinomiya.", she said shortly.
Amber tossed a glance from Tyson to Miyami and back to Tyson. "You know her?"
"He's my cousin. How do you know him?", Miyami's voice remained cool and hostile.
Amber's suspicious expression disappeared and was replaced by something a little warmer. "Oh, in that case; nice to meet you. I'm one of Tyson's friends, and he would tell you that, 'cept he's a bit out of it."
Miyami raised a brow at the sudden change in the ebony haired girl. The change had been swift and generally Miyami didn't trust people who could change so quickly, but she also realized that Amber had snapped at Tyson since she was worried about him. And if she was friends with Tyson, then Miyami couldn't hold anything against her. After all, she probably would have said something along the same lines to her hard headed cousin.
"Nice to meet you. By the way, who's your friend?", she motioned to the other boy who Amber seemed to have currently forgotten about.
She glanced at Ray sheepishly. "Oops, sorry. This is Ray Kon, Ray this is-"
"I heard.", Ray said with a welcoming smile as he looked at the girl in front of him. She too had slighty elongated canines, but unlike himself she had canine qualities while he had feline qualities. Her hair was long and silver streaked with pink, green and black which fell freely down her back. Her eyes matched her hair, pure silver. Her facial features, along with the canine features, showed Japanese origins. And she was cute too, but in a rebel sort of way. Her skin was pale and totally natural, not covered in make-up. Two ear rings graced each ear while a spiked ring pierced her left eye brow. She wore baggy skater jeans and a white mesh tank top over a black normal tank top. She looked like someone who would fit in perfectly with their group. Before he could make another comment to put her at her ease, another figure rushed up.
"What's goin' on with ye all?", a thick european accent cut through the buzz of conversation surrounding them.
Amber glanced at the person who interrupted and her smile became warmer. "Hey, it's the Highlander. How was the summer?"
Miyami frowned. Who the hell was the Highlander? But one thing was for sure, she thought as she surveyed the teen in front of them, he was incredibly hot. And a red head too. Big bonus for him. His reddish hair was shaped like a flame and held in position by a blue bandanna. His face was sharp and angulated softened only by a pair of gorgeous, intense lilac eyes, which were; to her surprise; watching her too. Miyami felt very self concious with the guy studying her. He was slightly taller than her, and very athletic, and confident. She could see that by how he observed her withtout a hint of humility. He wore a pair of canvas pants, a blue t-shirt and a tan long sleeved jacket. He looked casual but still completely hot.
Amber watched the interraction with amusement. It had been a long time since Johnny had taken an interest in a girl who hadn't bleached blonde hair and an IQ of -100. It was nice to see, but still embarrassing him would also be nice. He was making the girl feel awkward, heck she'd feel awkward.
She cleared her throat. "Johnny, you still in there?!"
Johnny snapped out his thought and his cheeks grew warm as he realized he'd been caught staring at the girl who'd been staring at him. It wasn't as if he wasn't use to girls staring at him, but this one had sparked his interest. By both her attire and by the spiked ring through her eyebrow.
He glared angrily at his supposed friend, who just loved embarrassing him. "Yeah Sae, how's it going? And my summer was cold."
Miyami glanced from him to Amber then back to him. "Sae?"
Amber smirked. "That's Scotlands nick name for me, thinks it bothers me but it doesn't."
"It use to.", the Scottish youth shot back.
"Not anymore. Now it's old.", she smiled sweetly. "Oh and Johnny the girl you were staring at is Miyami Kinomiya, Miyami this is Johnny McGregor."
"Miyami's my cousin.", Tyson suddenly spoke up covering up Johnny's muttering about how she was staring at him too.
Johnny stared at him and his queasy face. "What happened to you?"
"He skated right in to the railings over there.", Ray answered.
Johnny winced. That, he assumed, would have to hurt. Then he turned back to the girl. "Nice to meet you Miyami, 'bout time we had some decent females in this place.", he flashed her a grin.
Miyami stared at him, slightly taken aback, but none the less returned the smile. "You don't know me, how do you know I'm decent?"
Johnny's grin widened. "Amber hasn't torn your hair out yet."
"I'd like to see her try.", she said in a no-nonsense tone, then added. "But if she did, I'd have to kill her, and I don't think either of us would like that."
Amber watched with fascination as the girl stood her ground against Johnny's charms. She had shown interest in him, but she hadn't swooned at the first sight of Johnny's smile. And she had seen many fall for the potent grin. She was gaining more and more respect for Tyson's cousin.
"I think you'll fit in very well here.", Ray concluded.
The silver haired girl kept her gaze on the Scottish youth. "Nice to know."
"Ye know, I was just thinking that myself.", Johnny returned, with a mock glare at Ray.
"I already have a girlfriend, J."
"Defensive aren't we Ray?"
"Guys break it up.", Amber advised then turning to Tyson who was clutching his stomach asked. "Hey are you ok?"
"No, I need foooood!", he groaned.
Miyami grinned. Tyson would never change. But, funnily enough even though he ate constantly, he had actually trimmed down since his chubby early teenage years, though his mouth was still as big as ever. His cloudy navy eyes were always filled with determination. His navy hair was a lot shorter, but he still wore his trademark red, white and blue baseball cap. It was a present from hid dead Mother and he treasured it, more than anything else. Once some boys in his class had stolen it; while they were on a school trip to the musem; and hid it in a sarcophagus, knowing about his slight phobia of dead people. Tyson had braved his fears and had climbed in to get it. She had been so proud of him that day, for confronting his fears. She nodded her approval of his clothes. He was wearing a pair of navy baggy pants, sneakers and a red t-shirt sporting the name of a band on it in big, bold, letters.
"Well I guess we better find you some food.", she said slinging an arm over his shoulder and leading him towards the revolving door. "My treat and then you can fill me in on everything that has happened since you came to America, and how come you never came home this summer?"
"What I want to know is, how the hell can he eat?!", Johnny wondered watching the cousins walk off, then shook his head. "On second thoughts, it's Tyson. Doesn't matter the circumstances, he can always find time for food."
Amber chuckled slipping her arm through Johnnys'. "Come on, we've got to go to the induction."
Johnny rolled his eyes. "I thought they would have done that the day we registered. Besides, we already had our induction last year. What more do we need to know?"
"To be a good role model to all first years?", Ray suggested, walking beside them scanning the crowds for the brilliant pink hair of his grilfriend. "Besides Freshers week starts this week, they'll probably just inform us on everything that'll be happening."
The only female member of their group shuddered. "God yeah, we'll get that speech."
They moved through the throng of people aknowledging other classmates while ignoring people they didn't like, always keeping a look out for other friends. Johnny glanced at the piece of paper in his hands. Supposedly the second years were to get their inductions in rooms 1101 and 1104, at various times to cover the number of students. He sighed leading his friends to the 'street' the main corridor in which the bank, cafeteria, student union and doctors were situated as well as the main lecture theatres.
"Psychology 102 takes place in room 1104 at 11.30.", he informed them.
Amber glanced at her watch and grimaced. "That's in 20 minutes."
"Well we should wait here so that we can get a good seat. I really don't want to be down in the front for the induction."
She nodded at Ray. "Good point. At least in the back we can fall asleep. Hey I wonder where Ruin is?", she added as she pulled out her baseball cap. Essential material for lectures since the brim would shield her closed eyes.
"Is she here, yet?"
"Yeah she texted me earlier to ask where I was, and later to tell me to get my butt in gear.", she told her red headed friend.
"Is she still pissed with Tala?"
"After what he did to her, wouldn't you be?", Amber's voice was ripe with incredulity, then she looked down at the ground. "I wish they'd talk about it though, I hate the pair of them fighting."
Johnny squeezed her shoulders, understanding her pain. She understood what Ruin was going through, but Tala was also a friend of hers. She'd also been the one to get them together, so she felt guilty for that. She'd been so sure they were perfect for each other, and he had agreed with her. But Tala had let his hormones get the better of him and while drunk he'd made out with Ruin's mortal enemy; Clover Nixon; and Ruin had caught him red handed. That had been about a week before the end of the semester, so they hadn't had time to sort things out, and with the summer break; things would have gone too far to be solved by talking things out.
"Hey is that Tahnee?", Ray interrupted pointing to a girl with long red hair streaked with black talking to a group of guys.
Amber's face broke into a grin. "Yeah. Hey Tahnee!"
Tahnee Gallagher was another one of their friends. She was from England so she had that in common with Johnny and Amber, since both of them frequented around the same time line as she did. She was tall and leggy, a model figure that could look elegant in a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, though she was never found to be wearing such clothes, that was more Beth's style. Tahnee preferred designer clothes, and today she wore a woolen grey halter neck, midrift top; a pair of Levi, boot leg jeans with a pair of snake skin ankle boots. Her short hair was tucked behind her ears by a clasp so that it couldn't fall into her face. Her emerald green eyes which were darkened with black eye liner, scanned the crowds from where her name was called. On catching sight of Amber she smiled revealing two rows of pearly white teeth, and she waved them over.
"I don't like her.", Johnny grumbled but shut up when Amber glowered at him. "I'll shut up now."
"Hey Tahnee, ready for another year of Pyschology?"
Tahnee rolled her eyes. "Yeah, about as ready as I am to suck eggs. Bloody hell, my mother thinks that I'm a genius for studying this subject, but I keep trying to tell her that it isn't that hard. Just common sense really."
Johnny rolled his eyes listening to her ladee-da accent. The girl drove him insane. She was a genuine nut case, more likely to be a patient than a pyschologist. But she'd probably drive the psychologist into an early retirement. Then again people would just cure themselves to stop going to her. He brightened as he caught sight of Miyami making her way through the crowd towards them. She smiled slightly as she caught his eye. Moving closer to her and away from Tahnee he latched on to her as though she were a life line.
"Hey where are you heading?"
Miyami sighed, not bothering to remove the boys hand from her arm. "To find Sharky, he went searching for a mutual friend, and I have to find him before heading to get resgistered."
"You didn't get resigistered last week?"
She shook her head, then tucked a stray strand of silver behind her ear. Johnny watched her fascinated. "We weren't in the country until yesterday morning, so as you can guess I'm still really tired, but we also missed registration."
"Ah right. Well, I can't tell you were you'll be. What course are you studying?"
"Psychology and Sociology.", she said still scanning the crowds for Kai so she didn't have to meet those intense eyes. It was as though he could look right into her soul, and she didn't like the vunerability she felt because of him.
"That's what I'm studying. The main lecturer is a bit of a quack, but you'll get use to him or be bored to death trying. Anyway, just remember this number because you'll probably have induction here.", he said pointing to the sign with the number on it.
"1104, right got that. Well I'm going to find Kai. Kami-sama only knows what he's got himself into.", she muttered under her breath, then offering him a brief smile as a farewell she continued down the 'street'.
* * *
How does Kai know Amber?(here's a hint, check out the summary) Has anyone else noticed that I never introduce Ruin in the first chapter? Maybe I don't want to scare anyone away. Oh and b4 I forget, check out Animerle's fic: For the love of Kane. It's good and guest stars Amber. Hehehe, she's getting around isn't she?
Temptations denied?
By: Gems/Zadien
Date started: 17th of September 2003
Summary: Amber is in her second year at college with her friends. Things start to heat up when two new students transfer. Problem being one of them is her old flame, Kai. He cheated on her but still she's attracted to him. But despite that, she can't act on it, because one of her best friends likes him aswell, and she doesn't want to hurt her. So will Amber stay true to her friends, or will she follow her heart?
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or it's characters. I do however own Amber, and Ruin etc. Miyami belongs to my good friend and talented authoress ChibiTari. Check out her fic, it's awesome!
Chapter one: New day.
[Its a new day, but it all feels old.
Its a good life, thats what i'm told.
But everything it all just feels the same.
And my high school: it felt more to me,
like a jail cell; a penitentiary.
My time spent there, it only made me see]
Amber Benson adjusted the ear plug in her ear and hummed along, as she glided effortlessly through the small barriers which prevented cars from taking the route as a shortcut to the college. The song seemed apt enough to her, since she was heading back to college for her first day of her second year. Something she was both dreading and looking forward to. College life was long and hard with plently of work piled on top of each student, but with it came a chance to be with her friends who she'd been estranged from while she'd been home in Ireland. Not that she didn't love home. Of course she loved home, how couldn't she? Her mother lived there with her grandparents and her older cousin Bryan was there, for the moment anyway.
[That I dont ever wanna be like you.
I dont wanna do the things you do.
Im never gonna hear the words you say
Cause I dont ever wanna.
I dont ever wanna be.]
But there was something about Bakuten in Conneticut U.S.A. that she loved. The people were friendly, the scenary was beautiful and couldn't be beaten by anywhere else with it's rows of trees cascading over the pathways which sheltered the pedestrians from the suns hot rays and the sea which lapped at the shingled shores, it was paradise. The scenary was part of the reason she'd chosen to study there while the other reason was the chance to study Psychology. It was something she really had an interest in and while she could study it at home, she really didn't want to be that close to Scott Bishop after their pretty nasty break-up.
[You... Dont wanna be just ike you
What im sayin is this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
you. dont wanna be you]
What had he been thinking anyway?!, she wondered as she weaved through the crowds of reluctant returning students and nervous first years. Had he really believed that she would forgive him after cheating on her with her best friend? If he had then he was really, really naive. But that had been more than a year ago and she was over it. Hell, she'd even managed to be civil to him when she had met him in town while at home on vacation. She hadn't been exactly nice but she'd been civil, besides him cheating was nothing new to her. Not that he had done it before, but He had. She shook her head, she wasn't going to let someone who had hurt her three years ago and who was probably far away on the other side of the world, ruin her first day.
[Go to college, a university
Get a real job, thats what they said to me
but i could never live the way they want
im gonna get by and just do my time
out of step while they all get in line.
Im just a minor threat so pay no mind]
Manoevering a tight corner she smiled up at the College which stood out against the cornflower blue of the September sky with it's Queen Anne red bricks over grown with Ivy, it really was a handsome sight. It had the power to take away all bad feelings. She sighed, breathing in the clean fresh air while tucking her black hair with the last inch or so dyed gold giving her an Egyptian look. Her ochre eyes took in the steady stream of students heading into the college via the revolving door which had plagued her existance since starting the college while other students loitered outside by the walls and benches. Boys and girls alike on Skateboards performed stunts on the paved surface and the steps while more adventurous ones attempted the railings.
[Do you really wanna be like them
do you really wanna be another trend
do you wanna be part of that crowd.
Cause i dont ever wanna.
I dont ever wanna be you...]
Amber stopped by the steps and removed her blades before replacing them with her trademarked lucky scuffed sneakers she'd worn all through secondary school, even though technically she hadn't been allowed to wear sneakers with her school uniform. At the thought of the dreaded outfit, she made a face. That uniform had haunted her dreams for many a night and when she'd finally completed her Leaving Cert, she'd gladly burned it by holding a ritual burning out in the field by her countryside home with the rest of her classmates.
[You... Dont wanna be just ike you
What im sayin is this is the anthem
Throw all your hands up
you. dont wanna be you]
She jumped and to her credit managed to muffle a yelp when her phone vibrated. She still hadn't gotten use to the vibrate on it yet, since for most of the summer she'd had it on sound and before hand she'd had a totally different phone that hadn't had vibrate on it. So it would take her a while to get use to the buzz. Unclipping it from the waist of her very baggy jeans, she pressed a button which brought forth the message on the screen. 'WER DA FUCK R U?' Amber chuckled, she didn't even need to see who the message was from to know. With that kind of message and no greeting at the start, it could only be Ruin Mulryan -her best friend and room mate at college. She was loud opinionated and a general bitch to everyone, but her. To Amber she was like a big sister who wanted to look after the young Irish girl who supposedly hadn't got any idea of how life worked in America and with Ruin coming from New York, she figured she'd seen everything.
[Shake it once thats fine
Shake it twice thats okay
Shake it three time you're playin with yourself]
Amber smiled at the text and replied to Ruin. 'I'M OUTSIDE, WER R U?' She sent it back and headed towards the revolving door. Once inside she took a few minutes to adjust to the dimness of the corridor and to take in the group of new students asking for directions at the receptionists desk. Switching the strap of her shoulder bag to her other shoulder she jogged up the steps towards the second floor where the Social science notice boards were situated. With a small smile to the classmates she recognized she pushed her way to the front to check out her timetable. Her smile suddenly flopped.
"Who the fuck had the bright idea to give us PPD first thing in the morning?!", She questioned outloud, not really expecting an answer but she got one anyway.
"Baxter, wouldn't you know.", a smooth male voice said into her left ear.
Glancing over her shoulder, her frown flipped again into a brilliant and warm smile. "Ray!", she almost squealed flinging her arms over the smiling and very hot Chinese boy who had first befriended her on those first few lonely weeks. With his brilliant gold eyes which reminded her so often of a cat and glossy black bangs to frame the strong male features, it wasn't hard to see why he had a long line of girls after him, but it was his charming and friendly personality which gave him a long line of friends and a steady girlfriend. Mariah Tanaka, another person to befriend Amber in her first year.
"Hey Ami, how are you?"
She shrugged then grimaced as her phone buzzed, alerting her to another SMS from her friend. "Well I would be fine if Ruin would stop texting me."
Ray laughed; that good natured, heart felt, rumble of a laugh. "She still clucking over you like a mother hen?"
Rolling her amber eyes, she texted back. "Yes. Do you think I should tell her that I've been in America for a good couple of months now and that I think I know Bakuten of by heart, so she doesn't need to babysit me anymore?"
"No, don't do that. She'd get upset, if you did that.", he slipped a brotherly arm over her shoulder as they walked down the corridor littered with excited students.
Amber rolled her shoulders to adjust to the comforting weight and walked beside him, quickening her pace to keep up with his long legged strides. "Is it me or do these corridors get more crowded each year?"
"You've only been here for one year, you can't really be a judge of that."
Amber sighed. "It was a rhetorical question Ray Kon, you should know what they are since you use them enough."
"Do you think so?", his gold eyes hinted at his laughter even though his face was thoughtful.
"Har Har.", she replied dryly as she folded her arms. "So have you seen Oliver?"
Oliver Dupont was another friend and classmate who she had bonded with. He was very likeable. Friendly and polite, though he tended to be somewhat arrogant when he pointed someones flaws, but he only did that to help the person better themselves. His violet eyes were always filled with warmth and intellect while his delicate bone structure gave him the appearance of a porceline doll -Amber just blamed it on his French background. His hair was bright lime green and a tad bit long for her liking but then he was batting for the other team so that wasn't really a problem with them. He was also very stylish, and had a better dress sense than most females never mind males.
"No I haven't yet, you?"
"If I had, I wouldn't have asked, now would I?"
He chuckled again. "I guess not."
They continued down the steps laughing and joking about everything that had happened when they went home for the holidays. Both of them had that in common, being total foreigners in a strange country. Amber's only advantage was that she could speak English fluently and that Ireland wasn't that much different to America. While Ray had to learn English, though he had learned it before, it took a while to become fluent.
They walked out the exit behind the cafeteria to wear the smokers gave in to their cravings. Amber glanced at Ray who was wrinkling his nose in disgust. Amber made a face and grabbing his arm dragged him away from them. It was common for the smokers to crowd around the fire escape, though she always found it very ironic. As they walked along the paved route back to the main door, a figure zig zagged crazily past them.
"Hey, guys. A little help if you don't mind."
Both of them exchanged glances. "Tyson.", they said in unison, before chasing after the out of control teen.
* * *
While the pair of them were returning to school, another figure stood staring up at the new college she'd be attending for the next couple of years. Being a first year at a new college was tough, diverting to a new college to start year two was tougher, Miyami Kinomiya mused. After all, in first year you were surrounded by others who were in the same boat; while this year, she was completely on her own. Someone sighed heavily behind her, and she smirked. Well not completely alone. Turning, she observed the tall bluenette standing there in a snug black T-shirt and a pair of jeans.
"Something wrong, Sharky?"
The boy, or maybe she should say man, raised a slate blue brow and regarded her with dark cherrywood eyes. "This place looks boring, silver.", his smooth deep voice carried the words to her.
Miyami raised her silver eyes to take in the building in front of her. "Well it has to be better than the other place, Kai. Besides Tyson goes here."
Kai snorted at that. "If that's our only reason for deferring here, Silver, then I'm turning around and driving out here right now."
Miyami glared at him. It didn't matter how good a friend Kai was, he just could never be nice about her cousin. "Well then Tala is here aswell."
Tala Valkov had been their best friend in high school but he had chosen to come to Bakuten University while Miyami and Kai Hiwatari had chosen to remain close to home by attending Westmoor University. But they had both decided to deferr since they were unhappy with the way their courses were planning out there, and with Tala constantly plugging the place it was easy to choose to go there. She hadn't seen him in along time and she looked forward to seeing him again.
Miyami frowned looking at the various students brushing past here. This university was more busier than her old uni. It seemed to her that everyone was in too big a hurry to get to their lectures on time. Last year, even though it had been her first year, she'd never been in that big of a hurry to get to lectures. Instead she was more often found lounging round the cafe or the coffee shops with Kai and her other friends Malo and Chaya, but both of them were back at Westmoor.
"This place better have a coffee shop.", she grumbled as she took a step forward, moving closer to the door.
Pausing she glanced back over her shoulder. "Are you coming, Kai?"
The Russian bluenette glared at the building. "Tala better be fucking in here, Silver."
The silver haired girl rolled her eyes. "Of course he will be.", then silently added. "At least I hope so."
She hefted her knapsack on her shoulders and was about to proceed with the rest of the students into the building, when a blurred figure caught her attention.
"Move out of the way. Coming through. Not sure how to stop.", the youth on a skateboard yelled at the pedestrians as he swerved around them, it was only at the last moment, that he noticed that he was going to collide with the silver haired girl.
Miyami's eyes widened as she watched the navy headed boy hurtle head on towards her. The only thing she could think about was how embarrassing it would be, to be knocked unconcious by a guy on an out of controll skateboard.
Behind her Kai cursed under his breath, and with his quick reflexes kicking in, he grabbed his younger friends arm and pulled her out of harms way. The boy raced past them and collided with the railing, while the skateboard glided out from under his feet and straight beneath the silver metal 'n' shaped pole. The pole lodged in the teens stomach, bringing a slow moan from his throat. Miyami and Kai both winced, then fury over took the pity and Kai stormed over to the boy hauling him off the bar he had wound himself around.
"Look where you're going in future. You almost killed her!", he snarled at the boy, then his mahogany eyes widened as the other teen stared up at him dazed. "Tyson?"
Miyami's eyes snapped open. Tyson? Her cousin Tyson? He was the person who had nearly run her over? Typical. Shaking her head she marched over to Kai and her cousin in time to hear her cousins goofy reply.
"Hey Kai, is Mimi with you?"
"Barely.", Kai grunted as Miya laid her arm on his arm, warning him not to harm her cousin in anyway. She could do it very well herself should she need to.
With a disgusted growl, he released Tyson and watched with satisfaction as the smaller; by a few inches; youth fell to the ground. Then grumbling something about going to find Tala, he stalked off. Miyami watched him leave and rolled her eyes, before turning back to her woe-be-gone cousin.
"Ouch.", Tyson mumbled rubbing his backside while clambouring to his feet, then exclaiming. "Mimi!", at the top of his voice, he launched himself at his younger; by a couple of months; cousin.
Miyami sighed heavily, watching her cousin rub his navy eyes, disorientatedly. "Tyson, haven't you learned how to control that board yet?"
Before Tyson could reply, when there a was a shout behind them followed by rushed footsteps. Both of them turned round to catch sight of two figures racing towards them. Miaymi frowned, wondering what the hell the two of them were in such a hurry for. She took in the male member of the pair coming towards them. He was tall, maybe just as tall as Kai, and very lean. His hair was raven black with bangs lifted back from his eyes from a read head band decorated with the symbol of ying and yang. His face was strong and handsome and of Chinese origins, with liquid gold eyes. His eyes reminded her of that of a cat. He was dressed in a white sweatshirt, a black short sleeved shirt, and black baggy pants over black boots. She made a noise of approval, he wasn't bad looking but she preferred Red heads. Of course if all the red head guys in the school looked like the guy running towards her then maybe she wouldn't mind so much staying at this college after all.
Before she could have time to even look at the female member of the duo her vision was obstructed by Tyson. She frowned somberly. She didn't like it when anyone blocked her view. The running feet came to a stop in front of them, and she could hear that both were slightly out of breath.
"Christ Tyson, I thought you'd really lost it this time. You're such an eejit at times.", the girl snapped with a slight accent.
Miyami bristled as she heard the way the girl spoke to her cousin. Pushing herself past her cousin she looked the girl up and down. "Who are you?"
A black brow rose over the eloquent ochre eyes. "Amber Benson, you?"
"Miyami Kinomiya.", she said shortly.
Amber tossed a glance from Tyson to Miyami and back to Tyson. "You know her?"
"He's my cousin. How do you know him?", Miyami's voice remained cool and hostile.
Amber's suspicious expression disappeared and was replaced by something a little warmer. "Oh, in that case; nice to meet you. I'm one of Tyson's friends, and he would tell you that, 'cept he's a bit out of it."
Miyami raised a brow at the sudden change in the ebony haired girl. The change had been swift and generally Miyami didn't trust people who could change so quickly, but she also realized that Amber had snapped at Tyson since she was worried about him. And if she was friends with Tyson, then Miyami couldn't hold anything against her. After all, she probably would have said something along the same lines to her hard headed cousin.
"Nice to meet you. By the way, who's your friend?", she motioned to the other boy who Amber seemed to have currently forgotten about.
She glanced at Ray sheepishly. "Oops, sorry. This is Ray Kon, Ray this is-"
"I heard.", Ray said with a welcoming smile as he looked at the girl in front of him. She too had slighty elongated canines, but unlike himself she had canine qualities while he had feline qualities. Her hair was long and silver streaked with pink, green and black which fell freely down her back. Her eyes matched her hair, pure silver. Her facial features, along with the canine features, showed Japanese origins. And she was cute too, but in a rebel sort of way. Her skin was pale and totally natural, not covered in make-up. Two ear rings graced each ear while a spiked ring pierced her left eye brow. She wore baggy skater jeans and a white mesh tank top over a black normal tank top. She looked like someone who would fit in perfectly with their group. Before he could make another comment to put her at her ease, another figure rushed up.
"What's goin' on with ye all?", a thick european accent cut through the buzz of conversation surrounding them.
Amber glanced at the person who interrupted and her smile became warmer. "Hey, it's the Highlander. How was the summer?"
Miyami frowned. Who the hell was the Highlander? But one thing was for sure, she thought as she surveyed the teen in front of them, he was incredibly hot. And a red head too. Big bonus for him. His reddish hair was shaped like a flame and held in position by a blue bandanna. His face was sharp and angulated softened only by a pair of gorgeous, intense lilac eyes, which were; to her surprise; watching her too. Miyami felt very self concious with the guy studying her. He was slightly taller than her, and very athletic, and confident. She could see that by how he observed her withtout a hint of humility. He wore a pair of canvas pants, a blue t-shirt and a tan long sleeved jacket. He looked casual but still completely hot.
Amber watched the interraction with amusement. It had been a long time since Johnny had taken an interest in a girl who hadn't bleached blonde hair and an IQ of -100. It was nice to see, but still embarrassing him would also be nice. He was making the girl feel awkward, heck she'd feel awkward.
She cleared her throat. "Johnny, you still in there?!"
Johnny snapped out his thought and his cheeks grew warm as he realized he'd been caught staring at the girl who'd been staring at him. It wasn't as if he wasn't use to girls staring at him, but this one had sparked his interest. By both her attire and by the spiked ring through her eyebrow.
He glared angrily at his supposed friend, who just loved embarrassing him. "Yeah Sae, how's it going? And my summer was cold."
Miyami glanced from him to Amber then back to him. "Sae?"
Amber smirked. "That's Scotlands nick name for me, thinks it bothers me but it doesn't."
"It use to.", the Scottish youth shot back.
"Not anymore. Now it's old.", she smiled sweetly. "Oh and Johnny the girl you were staring at is Miyami Kinomiya, Miyami this is Johnny McGregor."
"Miyami's my cousin.", Tyson suddenly spoke up covering up Johnny's muttering about how she was staring at him too.
Johnny stared at him and his queasy face. "What happened to you?"
"He skated right in to the railings over there.", Ray answered.
Johnny winced. That, he assumed, would have to hurt. Then he turned back to the girl. "Nice to meet you Miyami, 'bout time we had some decent females in this place.", he flashed her a grin.
Miyami stared at him, slightly taken aback, but none the less returned the smile. "You don't know me, how do you know I'm decent?"
Johnny's grin widened. "Amber hasn't torn your hair out yet."
"I'd like to see her try.", she said in a no-nonsense tone, then added. "But if she did, I'd have to kill her, and I don't think either of us would like that."
Amber watched with fascination as the girl stood her ground against Johnny's charms. She had shown interest in him, but she hadn't swooned at the first sight of Johnny's smile. And she had seen many fall for the potent grin. She was gaining more and more respect for Tyson's cousin.
"I think you'll fit in very well here.", Ray concluded.
The silver haired girl kept her gaze on the Scottish youth. "Nice to know."
"Ye know, I was just thinking that myself.", Johnny returned, with a mock glare at Ray.
"I already have a girlfriend, J."
"Defensive aren't we Ray?"
"Guys break it up.", Amber advised then turning to Tyson who was clutching his stomach asked. "Hey are you ok?"
"No, I need foooood!", he groaned.
Miyami grinned. Tyson would never change. But, funnily enough even though he ate constantly, he had actually trimmed down since his chubby early teenage years, though his mouth was still as big as ever. His cloudy navy eyes were always filled with determination. His navy hair was a lot shorter, but he still wore his trademark red, white and blue baseball cap. It was a present from hid dead Mother and he treasured it, more than anything else. Once some boys in his class had stolen it; while they were on a school trip to the musem; and hid it in a sarcophagus, knowing about his slight phobia of dead people. Tyson had braved his fears and had climbed in to get it. She had been so proud of him that day, for confronting his fears. She nodded her approval of his clothes. He was wearing a pair of navy baggy pants, sneakers and a red t-shirt sporting the name of a band on it in big, bold, letters.
"Well I guess we better find you some food.", she said slinging an arm over his shoulder and leading him towards the revolving door. "My treat and then you can fill me in on everything that has happened since you came to America, and how come you never came home this summer?"
"What I want to know is, how the hell can he eat?!", Johnny wondered watching the cousins walk off, then shook his head. "On second thoughts, it's Tyson. Doesn't matter the circumstances, he can always find time for food."
Amber chuckled slipping her arm through Johnnys'. "Come on, we've got to go to the induction."
Johnny rolled his eyes. "I thought they would have done that the day we registered. Besides, we already had our induction last year. What more do we need to know?"
"To be a good role model to all first years?", Ray suggested, walking beside them scanning the crowds for the brilliant pink hair of his grilfriend. "Besides Freshers week starts this week, they'll probably just inform us on everything that'll be happening."
The only female member of their group shuddered. "God yeah, we'll get that speech."
They moved through the throng of people aknowledging other classmates while ignoring people they didn't like, always keeping a look out for other friends. Johnny glanced at the piece of paper in his hands. Supposedly the second years were to get their inductions in rooms 1101 and 1104, at various times to cover the number of students. He sighed leading his friends to the 'street' the main corridor in which the bank, cafeteria, student union and doctors were situated as well as the main lecture theatres.
"Psychology 102 takes place in room 1104 at 11.30.", he informed them.
Amber glanced at her watch and grimaced. "That's in 20 minutes."
"Well we should wait here so that we can get a good seat. I really don't want to be down in the front for the induction."
She nodded at Ray. "Good point. At least in the back we can fall asleep. Hey I wonder where Ruin is?", she added as she pulled out her baseball cap. Essential material for lectures since the brim would shield her closed eyes.
"Is she here, yet?"
"Yeah she texted me earlier to ask where I was, and later to tell me to get my butt in gear.", she told her red headed friend.
"Is she still pissed with Tala?"
"After what he did to her, wouldn't you be?", Amber's voice was ripe with incredulity, then she looked down at the ground. "I wish they'd talk about it though, I hate the pair of them fighting."
Johnny squeezed her shoulders, understanding her pain. She understood what Ruin was going through, but Tala was also a friend of hers. She'd also been the one to get them together, so she felt guilty for that. She'd been so sure they were perfect for each other, and he had agreed with her. But Tala had let his hormones get the better of him and while drunk he'd made out with Ruin's mortal enemy; Clover Nixon; and Ruin had caught him red handed. That had been about a week before the end of the semester, so they hadn't had time to sort things out, and with the summer break; things would have gone too far to be solved by talking things out.
"Hey is that Tahnee?", Ray interrupted pointing to a girl with long red hair streaked with black talking to a group of guys.
Amber's face broke into a grin. "Yeah. Hey Tahnee!"
Tahnee Gallagher was another one of their friends. She was from England so she had that in common with Johnny and Amber, since both of them frequented around the same time line as she did. She was tall and leggy, a model figure that could look elegant in a pair of jeans and sweatshirt, though she was never found to be wearing such clothes, that was more Beth's style. Tahnee preferred designer clothes, and today she wore a woolen grey halter neck, midrift top; a pair of Levi, boot leg jeans with a pair of snake skin ankle boots. Her short hair was tucked behind her ears by a clasp so that it couldn't fall into her face. Her emerald green eyes which were darkened with black eye liner, scanned the crowds from where her name was called. On catching sight of Amber she smiled revealing two rows of pearly white teeth, and she waved them over.
"I don't like her.", Johnny grumbled but shut up when Amber glowered at him. "I'll shut up now."
"Hey Tahnee, ready for another year of Pyschology?"
Tahnee rolled her eyes. "Yeah, about as ready as I am to suck eggs. Bloody hell, my mother thinks that I'm a genius for studying this subject, but I keep trying to tell her that it isn't that hard. Just common sense really."
Johnny rolled his eyes listening to her ladee-da accent. The girl drove him insane. She was a genuine nut case, more likely to be a patient than a pyschologist. But she'd probably drive the psychologist into an early retirement. Then again people would just cure themselves to stop going to her. He brightened as he caught sight of Miyami making her way through the crowd towards them. She smiled slightly as she caught his eye. Moving closer to her and away from Tahnee he latched on to her as though she were a life line.
"Hey where are you heading?"
Miyami sighed, not bothering to remove the boys hand from her arm. "To find Sharky, he went searching for a mutual friend, and I have to find him before heading to get resgistered."
"You didn't get resigistered last week?"
She shook her head, then tucked a stray strand of silver behind her ear. Johnny watched her fascinated. "We weren't in the country until yesterday morning, so as you can guess I'm still really tired, but we also missed registration."
"Ah right. Well, I can't tell you were you'll be. What course are you studying?"
"Psychology and Sociology.", she said still scanning the crowds for Kai so she didn't have to meet those intense eyes. It was as though he could look right into her soul, and she didn't like the vunerability she felt because of him.
"That's what I'm studying. The main lecturer is a bit of a quack, but you'll get use to him or be bored to death trying. Anyway, just remember this number because you'll probably have induction here.", he said pointing to the sign with the number on it.
"1104, right got that. Well I'm going to find Kai. Kami-sama only knows what he's got himself into.", she muttered under her breath, then offering him a brief smile as a farewell she continued down the 'street'.
* * *
How does Kai know Amber?(here's a hint, check out the summary) Has anyone else noticed that I never introduce Ruin in the first chapter? Maybe I don't want to scare anyone away. Oh and b4 I forget, check out Animerle's fic: For the love of Kane. It's good and guest stars Amber. Hehehe, she's getting around isn't she?