DISCLAIMER: I do not own Beyblades, only my OCs.

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Chapter 2: Practicing

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"And this will be your room," Holly said opening one of the many doors that lined the hallway.

Since Amara and Brian's return to the mansion Holly had been giving them an extensive tour. They had seen the kitchen, indoor swimming pool, outdoor swimming pool, fitness center, recording studio, media room, and games room. And that was only the first level. Then they had moved upstairs where it seemed to be mostly bedrooms.

"It's not much but feel free to do what you want to it," Holly shrugged. Amara walked past her and into the room.

The room was a lot larger than anything Amara had ever had before. Even with the queen sized bed there was still a lot of room. There was also a large dresser, a desk, and walk in closet. There was also a private bathroom. The walls were a pale blue that matched the bedspread.

"It's great," Amara, breathed still surprised at how large the room was.

"Good to hear," Holly beamed. "I'll let you settle in while I show your brother his room. Feel free to use the intercom if you need anything."

Amara put her backpack down on the floor beside the door and took a running leap at the bed. It engulfed her completely. It was just as soft as it looked. Amara planned on getting up and unpacking her things but the bed was too soft and she was so tired.

"So what's the age difference between you and your sister?" Holly asked trying to keep conversation going as she led Brian down the hall to the bedroom that would be his.

"Two," Brian replied.

Holly groaned to herself. It was like pulling teeth trying to get anything out of him. "So that makes you?"

"Twenty-two."

"Cool, same age difference as me and my bro," Holly said more to herself then to Brian. "Well, here's your room."

"Thanks," Brian said walking past her and into the room. "Have a good night then."

"You don't want to come out with us tonight?" Holly asked a little taken aback by his abrupt dismissal of her.

"No, thanks. I'm pretty tired."

"Oh, okay," Holly, replied trying her best to not let her disappointment show. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yeah, night." Brian closed the door leaving Holly in the hallway still in shock.

Holly brushed off her feeling of disappointment as best she could and headed downstairs to find Jules and Tala. They would want to go out.

"Okay what's the matter with you?" Jules asked even before Holly had a chance to sit down.

Jules and Tala were sitting on the couch in the media room watching an episode of MTV Cribs. Holly took a second to observe how close her friends were sitting before she answered. They had a large half circle couch and Jules and Tala had chosen to sit in the middle right next to each other.

"Nothing, I'm fine," Holly shrugged turning her attention to the show.

"Whatever, fine is not an answer. What happened? Turned you down did he?" Jules asked not hiding her gloating smile. She was always telling Holly to let the guy come to her and not to chase him.

"I wasn't being that forward. I just asked him if he wanted to go out with just tonight," Holly huffed crossing her arms against her chest. "He basically told me his answer by shutting the door in my face."

"Oh Holls," Jules chuckled with a shake of her head.

"You just met the guy," Tala added his attention fully on the TV set as he spoke. "Give him some time and he'll come around."

"Thanks Tala," Holly replied a little stunned. She pushed herself up and headed towards the door. "Night guys."

"What is up with you today?" Jules snapped lightly at Tala once Holly was gone.

"What do ya mean?"

"You're like all knowing. First with the whole hot guy being her bro thing and now the wait and he'll come to you crap!" Jules rambled while making exaggerated hand gestures, something she did when she was peeved and confused.

"Does my behavior bother you?" Tala asked calmly. There was no missing the mischievous glint in his turquoise eyes as he turned to face her.

Jules opened her mouth to lash back but snapped it shut. Instead she held back and answered coolly. "You don't seem to take your own advice." With that, Jules got up from the couch and left the room.

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"HOLLY!" a very pissed off voice filled Amara's head. "MY OFFICE NOW!"

"What the hell?" Amara groaned to herself. Her eyes burned as she opened them. She had forgotten to take out her contacts before she fell asleep. The room didn't look like the living room of Brian's apartment. She sat up immediately trying to remember where she was. The events of the previous day came flowing back.

"HOLLY!" the growling voice came again and Amara managed to pin point it to the intercom that was stationed on the wall beside her door. "I MEAN NOW!"

"I'M COMING! HOLD YOUR WATER!" Holly's voice snapped back over the intercom.

"Guess it's time to get up," Amara said to herself. She looked at the clock on the nightstand, which read 9:30am. Her eyes were still burning, which meant she would have to wear her glasses for the morning.

"Morning," Tala greeted Amara as she walked into the dining room.

"Hi," she mumbled back. She was glad to see that she wasn't the only one who was still in their pjs. Tala was wearing a pair of blue silk pants with a black terry cloth robe over top. Amara tried not to stare at his abs especially when she noticed Jules glaring at her.

"You have glasses?" Tala said stating the obvious.

"Yeah, I kinda slept in my contacts last night," Amara replied, self consciously pushing her thick, black, cat eyed frames higher on her nose. Tala nodded and turned his attention back to the newspaper in front of him. Amara took a seat at the table and took a bagel that was sitting in a basket.

"So who was that screaming at Holly over the intercom?" Amara asked taking a bite of her bagel.

"That was Kai," Jules answered looking at Amara over her coffee cup. "He would be our manager."

"Oh, okay." Amara nodded. "He sounded really pissed off."

"I'm not surprised," Tala shrugged.

"Why not?"

"Well…" Tala hesitated. "We…kinda…well…"

"He didn't know we got a new drummer," Jules sighed and rolled her eyes at Tala.

"You mean he doesn't know you hired me? Your manager doesn't know? Is that even allowed?" Amara's sapphire eyes grew large.

"We'll find out won't we," Tala answered offering Amara a weak smile.

"I can't believe you did this," Kai snapped getting to his feet and leaning across the desk. Holly sat in one of the chairs across from him. "You can't just hire a new drummer without talking to me about it first."

"What's the big deal?" Holly snapped back crossing her arms against her chest.

"I don't like to find out about these things like everyone else." Kai slapped the newspaper on his desk so it was facing the blond girl.

On the front cover read the headline: Lucky Seven Gets New Member. Underneath the headline was a picture of the huge line up of hopefuls in front of the mansion walls.

"I would like to know about these things before hand," Kai continued. "How are you qualified to make this kind of judgment? What do you know about auditioning?"

"I know enough," Holly snapped back getting to her feet. "I know talent. I've been doing this long enough."

"Holly, you…"

"Alright take a step back you two," Tala said entering the room and standing right between them. Jules was close behind him "We need to talk about this rationally."

"You all went behind my back and you want me to talk this out rationally," Kai growled through clenched teeth. "You seem to have forgotten who has the authority here, Valkov."

"Kai, please," Holly sighed. "Tala is right. We have a tour and an album to do. We need a drummer."

"Obviously," Kai ran his fingers through his slate hair and sat back down in his chair. "But I still don't like the way you guys went about all this."

"We can live with that," Tala said.

"So where is he then?" Kai asked.

"I think you mean she," Jules deadpan voice broke in.

After Tala and Jules had left the dining room, Amara had ventured to the recording studio. She felt a strong need to drum. Holly had told her yesterday to feel free to play whenever she wanted to. Amara flicked on the lights and walked over to the drum set. She let her fingers slide against the cool metal of the high hat as she took her seat on the low stool. A small bucket of sticks sat on the floor beside her. Amara picked up a pair that felt right and started to play whatever came to her.

"That's her?" Kai asked making a critical scan of the girl's appearance from the safety of the control room.

Amara was still dressed in her pajamas, which consisted of a pair of raggedly looking red plaid boxers and a black t-shirt. Her red-orange hair was pulled up on a messy bun that rested high on her head. She was wearing a pair of thick-rimmed glasses that made it hard to make out her eye color.

"Yup, that's her," Tala answered. "Take a listen." He flicked on one of the switches and Amara's drumming filled the sound booth.

"Not bad huh?" Holly nudged Kai with her elbow.

"She'll do." Kai answered flatly. "But can she learn the old songs in time for the tour?"

"If we work with her I'm sure she can handle it," Tala said. "She's also really good at coming up with stuff. You should have heard what she played for us yesterday. It would be perfect for a new song."

"I bet it would work with some of the stuff we've been working on," Holly added with a smile.

"She's actually really good," Jules admitted.

"Who's that?" Kai directed their attention to the lavender haired boy standing near Amara.

"That would be Brian," Tala answered. Jules looked over at Holly who was now all smiles.

"What's he doing here?" Kai grumbled. "Is he her bodyguard? Boyfriend?"

"Brother," Holly sighed still smiling and staring at Bryan.

"What's with her?" Kai asked Jules and Tala.

"Just ignore her," Jules answered rolling her eyes.

"Right, well you guys start rehearsing with her," Kai said sounding like their manager again. "I have some press to handle now that you have a new member." With that he left.

"Let's get this show on the road shall we," Tala said motioning to the door that led into the studio.

Holly smiled and walked out of the sound booth, Jules close behind. Tala reached out and caught her arm before she could leave. She looked up at him with expectant emerald eyes. Her eyebrows rose with obvious interest. Tala opened his mouth as if to say something. His turquoise eyes darted down to her lips then back to her eyes.

"Play nice," he said finally releasing his hold on her arm. Jules frowned a little thinking that he was going to say something else but covered her disappointment quickly.

"I always do," she smiled and brushed past him into the studio.

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THANKS TO ALL THE REVIEWERS:

Beyblade-gal: Yeah Kai is a little scary and he's more scary here because he's their boss and they kinda went behind his back. He's intimidating. Thanks for the review.

Aggs: I agree I haven't seen that many storylines like this one which is why I chose to work with the idea. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for the review.

WindWitch: I'm glad you like my grammar, my English teachers would be proud lol. Kai is their boss (maybe more hehehe) and he's intimidating to a degree. In my stories Brian is Amara's brother. Right now its taking place in California. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the review.

xInfernal: Thanks for the review.

Tikytikytavvi101: Thanks for the review.