Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade and I only own Amber Benson and Ruin Mulryan. Miyami belongs to ChibiTari/Unlucky Star. Arista Belyaev was invented by AzN*PyRo*ArCaDa. And Animerle owns Aspin. While Sonia belongs to Spitfire_Sae and Kirby is the creation of Kindred Insanity. Shahero comes compliments of Animesk8er.
Chapter Two: Kudos
The tension in the changing room increased as each person turned their focus to the young Irish girl who'd walked in the door and was now regarding Tala out of cool ochre eyes, while an expression of disgust twisted her features. The silence was only cut when Ian piped up.
"What's he doing here?"
Ruin swiveled her head to look at him, a malicious glint in her eye. "I don't know, maybe he's suicidal!"
"He's transferred here, actually."
Ruin cast a look at Kenny, then met Tala's sea blue eyes. "Like I said, maybe he's suicidal."
Tala's eyes bulged as he tried to gasp in some air, but the dark haired girls' grip was relentless on his throat. Amber was pretty sure that there would be mark on his pale skin when she let him go. She would eventually, but Ruin would enjoy his pain first. But at least Tala wasn't struggling, point for him there. Sighing she realized that the team was wasting vital practice on this waste of space.
"Let him go." Her voice carried firmly through the murmurs of the team.
Ruin glanced at her and demanded "Why?"
"Because first of all he isn't worth it, and secondly we have to practice."
"Amber's right Ruin. We need to practice. We have the match tonight and it wouldn't do to waste our time on someone who obviously doesn't care about this team." Ray backed her up before turning to the rest. "So what are you guys waiting for, the ice to freeze?"
The team mumbled incoherent words and phrases before heading out of the changing room towards the ice arena while Arista headed for the bleachers. When they left, the others who hadn't changed yet glowered at Tala. He sent one pleading look at Amber who refused to meet his eyes so he took it as his cue to leave. As soon as he was gone, they all turned to each other.
"I can't believe he's here," Miyami stated, heading towards a cubicle to change.
"He always was a smarmy prick," Tyson added.
Ruin sat down on the bench and began to tug off her boots; then she too headed off to find some privacy.
"Maybe he expected a warm welcome," Kane said, pulling off his top; he rummaged round in his sports bag for his practice jersey and pads.
"Well, whatever he expected he obviously didn't receive it. He especially wasn't too pleased when Ruin tried to suffocate him."
"First of all, he deserved it Ozuma, second of all, I was aiming for crushing his windpipe. The guy thinks he's a god, it was my duty to ruin that idea," Ruin called out to them from behind a closed door.
"Why don't you all stop complaining and concentrate on practising so we can win this match tonight," Bryan said from his end of the changing room.
Ian scowled, yanking on the straps of his padding. "You say that like you expect us to win. It's the Clonmel Sharks; they'll have all of us leaving the stadium in body bags."
"That's a little drastic, stretchers maybe, body bags hardly," Kane argued.
"Try crutches," Tyson suggested.
"Yeah they'll grind our bones to make their supper," Ozuma agreed.
Miyami paused as she strapped on her leg pads. "You're wigging yourselves out, guys."
"Yeah," Max said, rubbing his neck, "most of their guys aren't even bigger than Bryan or Spencer."
"Exactly we can take them."
This came from Michael before he exited the changing rooms, followed by Bryan who cast a concerned glance at his cousin. Ruin followed them out without a single word.
"And if we don't beat them, then we can beat Valkov up," Tyson declared, swinging his stick.
"Watch it Tyson!"
"Oops, sorry Kane."
All through their conversation Amber remained lost in her thoughts. Tala had been like a big brother to her. She'd looked up to him more than anyone. Yet he abandoned her and then he came back expecting her to welcome him with open arms. Fat chance! She didn't respect traitors, no Tiger did. She was quite proud of her indifference to him. She knew it would hurt him more than her beating the shit out of him. She'd make him pay but more than that she'd make his life hell! Oh yes, he'd regret the day he crossed Amber Marie Benson, she'd make sure of that.
She glanced up from tying her skates when she felt a presence beside her. She frowned as her gaze clashed with the garnet gaze of Ian.
"Hey."
"Um hi. Something I can do for you?" Puzzlement clouded her ochre orbs as she watched the annoying midget before her fidget nervously.
"Look, I just wanted to say that I understand what you're going through. I looked up to Tala as well."
Amber nodded remembering. That was why she and Ian had started disliking each other in the first place. Amber had been Tala's best friend and then Ian latched on to the red head Russian in their first year. So the two of them always seemed to vie for the taller boy's attention. Tala had loved it and actively encouraged it, which now thinking back on it, pissed Amber off.
"I know Ian. He betrayed us both."
Ian scowled angrily, then his expression shifted to discomfort. "Look, I know we aren't friends or anything, but if you, err you know, want to talk about it…"
Amber smiled fondly at his attempt to be nice. "Thanks Ian."
"Yeah well you know, we gotta stick together and all that shit," he replied squirming, then he regained his arrogance; she watched fascinated as it flitted across his face and became a mask for whatever he was feeling. "But this doesn't mean anything has changed between us."
She smirked and it was just as arrogant. "Not a chance. And it doesn't mean that I won't kick your ass in practice."
Ian chuckled offering a hand to help her up. "As if."
"Oh watch me midget boy. By the end of this practice I'll have polished the ice with your butt."
He scoffed before walking out of the changing room waving his hand dismissively. Amber sighed softly and noticed that during her talk with Ian most of her team had gone to the ice. The only person left was Miyami who was stuffing clothes in her bag by her previously occupied cubicle. She glanced up and smiled.
"How are you feeling?"
If it had been anyone else she would have made a flippant comment but it was Miyami and she'd see through the act.
"Betrayed."
"He's a bastard. Imagine thinking we'd accept him."
"Oh he's going to regret coming back, mark my words," Amber commented darkly.
Miyami shuddered, her small shoulders hunched. "I hate when you use that tone, makes you sound too much like Ruin."
"In this situation Ruin may have the best attitude."
"Maybe, but it's not healthy. You think Ruin doesn't feel anything? Of course she does, and even though she doesn't show it I know she's hurt."
Amber sighed and rubbed her forehead. "She's not the only one. Yeah, you're right I'll just be myself and kick his ass."
"Of course I'm right. Come on let's go. Coach is going to be furious with us for being late."
The Irish girl groaned before the two of them hobbled out of the room.
"Shoot Ian! Shoot!"
"Damn it Ian! If you don't shoot then I'll shoot you!"
A stick whizzed precariously close to the purple haired boys head.
"Nice shot Kane."
"You're not supposed to hit me you wanker."
"Quit your whining," Kane snapped keeping an eye on Arista in the bleachers as Tala tried to engage her in conversation. He instinctively ducked as Spencer swung his stick at him.
"Spence, you bloody prick!" This was shouted by Mariah who was manning the net.
Coach Dan McGuire rubbed a hand over his face. How on earth did his team expect to win when they were spending their practice fighting with each other? He growled under his breath, gaining Emily's attention. She smiled weakly at him but all the time her gaze was focused on the Tigers. Ray was as usual taking his practice in that easy going way of his. Ozuma was as serious as ever. Kane was taking swings at whoever was unfortunate to skate too close. When Bryan wasn't grunting with Spencer; then he was being taught how to skate by Amber. When she wasn't teaching him how to skate, she was down by the nets conversing with Miyami, Ruin, and Mariah. Ian constantly tried to steal the puck and generally just pissed his team-mates off. Max and Tyson were off in the corner practising face-offs and Michael, Johnny, and Enrique were passing a puck among each other, all the while keeping an eye on the Russian in the bleachers.
"They're not concentrating on the game. They're too upset by Valkov showing up," Emily surmised.
Danny nodded. "Valkov knew about the match tonight. If he had stayed out of the way; then they would be too busy thinking on how to kick Clonmel's ass."
"You think he did this on purpose to sabotage the match?"
"It's a definite possibility. Valkov's always been very scheming."
Emily nodded chewing thoughtfully on her lower lip. "Clonmel's worried."
Dan shook his head. "I don't think-"
"No they are," Emily interrupted. "They sent spies to the school today. Either they wanted to see your plays or they were here to see our reaction to Tala."
Dan's mouth pressed in a firm line; then he took out his whistle and blew hard. The screech echoed through out the arena causing his team to wince.
"Take a knee."
They eased to a kneeling position and watched their coach warily. Amber glanced at Miyami who shook her head. They hadn't been practising so Amber could understand if Dan was furious with them but she didn't think she'd be able to deal with his disappointment on top of her own in Tala.
"We have an important match tonight." He paused to let that sink in and was pleased to see the look of shame that graced most of the teams face, including Ian, Tyson and Kane the usual messers of the group. Johnny still looked as arrogant as ever but a muscle twitched in his cheek. "Now the Clonmel Sharks are good, I'll not deny that. They're probably the best team we've ever gone up against. Not just because they know how to play with brute strength to overpower their opponents, but they're also disciplined and like sharks they'll go after the easiest person to pick off and once they choose someone, they'll keep attacking until they get what they want. It's the same with their scoring techniques. So while they're good on the attack, we're just as capable of denying them those goals. Don't be too careless but don't be too careful either. You see your chance, take it."
"And while we're doing that, we'll just hack them to death," Amber quipped.
Everyone glanced at her, chuckled or shook their heads.
"So much for the poignant moment," Miyami muttered.
"Sap's overrated," Ruin added as an undertone.
"Just play hard guys," Ray advised, unperturbed by their attitudes.
The team nodded as they struggled to their feet.
"Right now I want you to do 40 laps of the ice and no foul play or you'll be in the box and you'll be riding the pine pony for the tonight's match.
The whole team groaned before gliding off around the edge of the ice.
"Kai's gonna kill us."
"Those Tigers are gonna pay tonight."
Carlos cracked his knuckles menacingly, while Jose wrung his hands. Kai was going to be furious with them. They really shouldn't have gone to Preston Academy. Not only had they almost got beaten up, but they'd pissed Kai off by being late to practice. Luckily they'd been saved when a stupid sophomore had interrupted their captains interrogation and it was the little boy who incited their Kai's wrath.
Carlos hit his head lightly off the corridor wall. This wing of the school was empty since everyone was in the study hall doing their homework so that they'd have the evening off to go to the game. A cruel smirk played on his thin lips. They'd see that little plague again and when they did she'd regret her friends coming to her aid.
"Hey we should get going," Jose stuttered a frantic note to his tone.
His bulkier team mate took a long drag off his cigarette and blew the smoke out through his nose. It streamed out in a cloud of grey, before dispersing into the air. "Nah, not much point."
"I have a history assignment due."
Carlos scoffed running a hand over his hair, pulling off the bandanna before retying it again. "What's the point? You'll only fail it and end up with detention. And if you don't do it you'll end up with detention. The difference is that if you don't do it, then you have the whole evening free."
Jose leaned against the wall of lockers opposite Carlos and contemplated what he'd said. "I suppose you're right."
"No suppose about it."
"What are you two doing out here?"
Both boys jumped as a sharp voice addressed them. Looking up they observed Kai and Brooklyn Adams walking towards them. The captain and vice captain strode down the hall, their shoes clipping against the cold lino floors. A muscle in Carlos's cheek twitched but other than that he showed no reaction to seeing his captain's approach, Jose on the other hand winced.
"Uh Kai… Brooklyn," he greeted nervously as he sent Carlos a sharp look.
"I asked you two what are you doing out here?" Kai repeated.
"Having a smoke," Carlos replied coolly, as he kept his eyes on the cigarette between his fingers.
"Smoking kills you," Brooklyn informed him dryly.
Carlos raised a brow at his vice-captain. Brooklyn wasn't the type who would care about a team-mate killing themselves by smoking. He didn't care about anyone. He saw his team as people who he stepped over in his quest for greatness. He had no real feelings towards them. He didn't respect them, didn't admire them, nothing. They were pawns. Kai was a problem. He prevented Brooklyn from becoming Captain. Brooklyn had challenged the blue haired boy plenty of times, he'd just never had been able to beat him. So he settled for being second to Kai.
"Haven't you two got homework to do?" Kai demanded.
Carlos shrugged.
"I know you do. So unless you want to be riding the pine pony tonight, I'd advise the pair of you to head into study hall and get that work done." Again Carlos shrugged but Jose nodded to his captain and scurried up the corridor. Kai turned his gaze to the dark haired burly teen. "What about you?"
Carlos raised his black eyes to the ceiling, then with a growl he pushed himself off the wall and followed his team-mate.
"You seem to be losing your touch Kai," Brooklyn remarked, running a hand through his crop of carrot red hair.
Kai sighed but didn't give his vice captain the satisfaction of replying. He knew of Brooklyn's ambition to be captain. Personally Kai believed that Brooklyn could potentially be a good captain; that theory would be tested when he transferred. He wondered briefly about Tala. It was strange to go to a game and not have his best friend there to support him. Brooklyn couldn't be trusted; he'd just as quickly stab you in the back.
Ignoring Brooklyn he wandered down a corridor of steps towards the dorms. He still had to pack. His father hadn't given him much notice on his transferal to the Preston Academy Coaching job. Kai didn't have to go, but his father wanted him to go with him and Kai really had no ties to Clonmel now with Tala gone. But still, playing with the Tigers might prove to be interesting. It was obvious that they wouldn't accept him and would be less likely to by the end of tonight. This was the last game he'd be playing as a Shark and he was damned if he'd lose to the Tigers of all people.
She ached all over. Every time she moved her muscles screamed. 40 laps had been cruel, but then they were followed by drills and penalty shoot outs, Amber decided that her coach was just evil. She slung her heavy duffel bag over her shoulder and traipsed down the corridor towards the exit all the while dragging her feet behind her in pure exhaustion. The cooling evening breeze seemed colder with her wet hair now hanging down around her shoulders. She hated her hair down and preferred to tie it up but if she did that when wet then her hair would dry and have kinks in it.
In the fading light she caught sight of a figure standing in the shadows watching her. Sighing she dumped her bag at her feet and crossed her arms.
"Problem Valkov? You training to be a vampire now?"
She could almost feel the smirk that played on his lips. "I wanted to talk to you."
"Oh really? Well I'm afraid I don't want to talk to you. I have problems talking to betrayers."
He stepped forward. "Amber I'm-"
"You're what? Sorry? Well I'm sorry but your apology would mean nothing to me, because you mean nothing to me."
With that she grabbed her back and was about to walk off, when she felt the pressure of his hand on her arm. With ease she shrugged him off before rounding on him, her temper flaring.
"Fuck off, Valkov!" she snarled.
Undone Tala stared at his childhood friend who was watching him with overbright eyes and he realized that there were tears gathering, making those ochre eyes large and shiny.
"Amber. I didn't mean to… I…" He sighed in frustration, running a hand over his face; he could never stand to see her battling her tears. It always made him feel helpless.
With a tilt of her head she blinked them back and regained her composure. "Don't. I'm over it." She turned to leave, and then as though something occurred to her she glanced over her shoulder at him. "Stay out of my way Valkov and maybe I won't make your life a living hell."
She put more purpose into her stride as she headed off across the quad to find her friends. Tala watched her leave feeling his heart ache. He'd never felt that distant from Amber before. Even though he'd been at a different school, he'd always had the slight thought in the back of his mind that no matter what Amber would always be there but now he knew different. Amber hated him and nothing would ever make that right until she cared about him again. He was at some stupid school without any friends and he'd never felt more alone in his life.
A hand fell on his shoulder making him jump, stiffen and whirl round. His shoulders slumped in defeat when he saw Ruin standing before him, one finely sculpted brow cocked, her full lips were in a half smirk, with a hand planted on her hip.
"Hello again," she greeted in that sultry smoky voice he'd loved to listen to, though he was well aware it could turn bitingly sharp as glass without warning.
"Leave it, Ruin, I don't need this right now."
"Actually you do. If you want to have any chance to patch this up with the Runt then you can't rush things. You have to let this play out itself; all you can do is be there for her."
"And what about you?"
She rose her brown eyes to meet the turquoise of his. "I'm here, aren't I?"
"Why?" he questioned warily. He knew Ruin; she didn't give anything easily. She was one of the most difficult people to deal with and she didn't give her friendship or trust easily, so when broken she would be reluctant to give it back. Yet she was standing right there watching him with that bemused expression he remembered so well.
"Because despite everything, I don't think that you wanted to lose Amber's friendship. She's been bruised by your leaving and the only person who can help soothe that ache is you."
"So you're only here for her?" he asked softly taking a tentative step towards her gaining confidence when she didn't back away but stood her ground.
"No, you were my friend too, or so I thought."
"Ruin my parents didn't give me any choice."
"And by going to Clonmel you'd improve your hockey career, right?"
"Supposedly." He closed his eyes, depressed, and he slumped against a near by wall before sliding to the ground.
Ruin almost smirked as she remembered a previous conversation held there with Amber, herself, and Tala when they were younger - only in their second year - when they'd argued over whether that wall had always been there or not. Tala looked up to see the glint of amusement in her eyes.
"What?"
"Was that wall always there?" she asked calmly leaning against it folded her arms across her abdomen.
He stared at her bewildered for a few seconds before the confusion cleared to be replaced with amusement which made his vibrant turquoise eyes twinkle. A fond smile curved her lips.
"That's better," she murmured.
For all that had happened between them he was still her friend and she couldn't blame him for doing what others thought about doing themselves. Besides there was this tiny part of her that still believed that he hadn't passed on their secrets. He was one of her best friends; she knew he wouldn't betray them so callously.
She studied him in the waning daylight. His skin was still that pale perfection of porcelain with those prominent cheek bones. Sometimes she'd wondered whether it was as smooth as it looked. His eyes were a vibrant cerulean blue framed by thick black lashes and always seemed to carry an amused glint in them as though he knew a joke that no one else knew. More than likely the joke was the people themselves. He still wore his red hair in that wing shape and though she'd never understood why, it suited him and then the two bangs which fluttered down the centre of his face always drew attention to his eyes. He hadn't changed much, she mused apart from the height and the broadening of the shoulders; he was still as lean as ever and his face was still as striking. It was the type of face you'd turn to look at again if you passed him by in a busy street. He was eye-catching and he still had the ability to make her catch her breath.
But as well as that he was also incredibly smart, quick-witted, was able to think on his feet and he was forever able to plot schemes without much thought or planning. Things just came to him and his was a genius when it came to figures. Personally Ruin believed he had a computer for a brain, for some insane reason he could remember everything, something to do with his photographic memory. It had always pissed her off how he could go without studying then ace exams by just calling a particular image to his mind. Amber had something similar only it was a lot weaker. So Ruin supposed he could have been a very good spy, he'd only have to glimpse one of Kenny's plays and he'd be able to pass everything on to their opponents in great detail.
While Ruin was conducting her study of him, Tala was doing his own on her. She had changed but how was hard to say. Ruin wore a multitude of masks depending on her mood but for once he felt as though he was seeing the real her. No matter her cold exterior she was a very understanding person, maybe because she didn't think being selfish was a bad thing and she didn't believe that anyone should be loyal to her like Amber did. She accepted people for who they were and though she liked it when people did the same for her, she didn't expect it. It was one of the things he'd admired most about her. She didn't want him to be some flirty guy or someone aloof, she just wanted people to be themselves and when they weren't she'd know and she'd cut them down to size.
Just as she'd understood him, he understood her. Years of just sitting on the roof watching the stars or just the sky and talking had given him a knowledge of who exactly Morrigan 'Ruin' Mulryan was. Apart from stunning looks which she never used to her advantage unless completely necessary she was also a very vulnerable young woman. He'd never thought the word girl when with Ruin; she was always so much more mature than everyone else. She'd been the link for the trio's friendship. Though he and Amber had always been close, things had just been sealed when Ruin joined. Sometimes Amber could be immature and when he got fed up with her naiveté he'd talk to Ruin and vice versa. He couldn't imagine a time without Ruin; though she may never have joined in as much in their pranks she was always there to remind them of what idiots and children they were. He saw her as a female Kai; maybe that was why he'd gotten along so well with the captain of the sharks. Though of course there were differences. Very big differences.
She had the type of looks that could turn a man's head, but it was her attitude that tended to keep people away and possibly the stud in her nose and under her eye brown, though the one in her nose he realized was missing. Her hair was now longer than it had once been, falling down around her shoulders and the red and blue streaks were gone and instead there was thick wine red highlights, but they blended in so well that you'd never know they weren't natural. Her bangs were cut straight across her brow so that they no longer hung choppily into those heavily lashed coffee brown eyes. For the most times those eyes were cold and empty of emotion except maybe bemusement -everything and everyone was an eternal joke to her. Tonight those eyes were warm and soft almost like pools of dark chocolate you could just sink into willingly. Her skin was flawless and more surprisingly naked. Usually Ruin liked to place a layer of pale foundation on her skin to make it paler than it already was, but today there wasn't a trace of makeup. If there was something that he'd always disliked then it was the makeup she caked on to her face. But even so her lips were still colored in a purple which shone metallic when the light hit it and her eyes were darkened with a smoldering grey and black liquid liner.
"You changed," he commented.
She rolled her eyes, before gracefully lowering herself to the ground beside him ignoring the dew that was beginning to soak into her black jeans. "Of course I've changed. You expected me to remain the same forever?"
Tala shot her a wolfish grin. "I was actually referring to your clothes and makeup. You were wearing black lipstick before hand and now purple. And thinking about it you were a completely different person before hand."
She gave another subtle roll of her eyes. "First of all, I was pissed by the fact that you never told me you were back and secondly, I had to beat your ass before Amber came in. Trust me it was for your own good that I got you before she did. I was furious with you; I still am," she added as an after thought.
He nodded and looked down at the grass before taking a blade and twirling it between his long slim fingers. "I know. I have a lot to make up for. Though I don't know how you finding me and attempting to castrate me, then crushing my windpipe would be better than Amber finding me. All she could do is kick me in the ankle."
Ruin smirked. "If I'd attempted to castrate you then little Tala wouldn't be here. You know I don't make threats, I make promises. And we once promised to always be there for each other, and I will respect that promise." She got to her feet and brushed down the back of her pants while Tala secretly enjoyed the view until she turned round and offered her hand. "I won't make it easy for you, but don't make me regret my decision."
He took the hand she offered and helped her pull him to his feet. "I won't, not purposely."
"Good."
She looked at him silently for a few seconds, as though having an eternal battle with herself. Then she slid her arms around his waist and rested her head on his shoulders. Surprised Tala stood stock still for a second, then just as tentatively he wound his arms around her and held her tightly. Relief rushed through him as he hugged his best friend tightly.
"Welcome back, Tala."
He exhaled slowly before drawing in her familiar scent. "It's good to be back."
Slightly embarrassed she pulled away then lifting her deserted bag she walked off towards the quad; then just like Amber she stopped and looked back. "Hey, are you coming to the game tonight?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think the team would welcome me there."
"True. But if you support us then you might just win some brownie points with them, and we all know how much you'd love that."
He chuckled at the slight dig watching as she blended into the darkness. So at least his Ruin was talking to him, but he knew that if push came to shove then her loyalty would be to Amber, to the team, but then again he also knew that Ruin would work hard to prevent it coming to that. With a lighter heart he began to walk off towards his new dorm. Wouldn't be the same without Kai bunking with him. He'd gotten so used to sharing a room with the captain of the Sharks; they shared the same music taste and love of hockey so it hadn't been a hard adjustment. What he was now looking forward to was seeing his best male friend in a few hours back on his own turf. Preston Academy wasn't home any more, once it had been, once being with Ruin and Amber had been home but now with Amber shunning him and Ruin waiting for him to fuck everything up Preston Academy wouldn't be home for a long time.
The dorm was empty but still warm. The walls were plain and painted a light shade of lavender, it had once been pink but the girls hadn't liked it and had asked Mr. Dickinson to change the color. Eight beds lined the walls each with a bedside locker. Posters were stuck to the walls randomly and looked more like a collage where they overlapped. Pictures, created by more creative talents, personalized the room. Luckily the girls had a lot in common; it made living in close quarters more bearable.
Only seven of the beds were made up, and obviously slept in. The last one remained stripped, with no books or trinkets on the locker that sported a layer of dust on the surface.
By a window overlooking the quad, Amber stood contemplating what had just happened. Why hadn't he stayed away? Things would have been so much easier. Who did he think he was? And why the hell had she nearly cried? In all of her life Amber Benson had never felt so alone.
She flopped back on her bed and closed her eyes listening to the distant din of the students echoing through the hollow halls of the boarding wing. Her dorm was silent. Miyami and Johnny were off somewhere doing something. Miyami had been very vague when she breezed into the dorm before leaving again. You couldn't really keep track of Ruin. Arista left with Kane and Ozuma to raid the kitchen for the party later that night, regardless if they won or lost. Sonia and Aspin had yet to return, and Shahero had detention yet again for knocking out a ref at their last match; therefore she'd been banned from playing for two whole matches. The Tigers were really going to miss her tonight. Though, technically, she was in trouble more times than enough for roughing with opponents and slagging the refs. off, so she didn't spend an awful lot of time on the ice.
The door burst open and slammed off the wall almost rebounding on the intruder to her peace. Amber opened one eye.
"Speak of the devil," she muttered before sitting up slowly, nursing her head which had began to spin.
Shahero rose a brow, then shrugging, crossed to the radio. "So how was practice?"
"A real blast if you count the cunt from hell turning up."
Shahero paused in what she was doing, her sapphire blue eyes flashing. She knew all too well who that moniker belonged to. "He what?"
"He turned up and expected us to welcome him back with open arms."
"Please tell me you're kidding."
"Yeah, yeah, I was just fooling ya." Amber forced a laugh, reaching over her chair, to snag her Linkin Park hoody - a present from when her cousin Bryan had gone to a concert with Kane, Spencer and Ozuma during the previous summer.
"Well fucking hell," Shahero whispered, blowing out a puff of air which fluttered a stray strand of blue hair. Her hair was originally black but just before school had started she'd streaked it with dark blue and silver, claimed it was to show school spirit or some such nonsense that Dickinson had swallowed with a hearty laugh.
"Yup."
"Has he tried to talk to you?"
"Yeah he pulled a vampire and tried to sneak up on me in the dark." Amber shrugged on her hoody, after pulling her knees close, slid the top over them as though trying to hide within its warmth.
Shahero was seething; she grabbed the nearest thing which happened to be a biology book and hurled it at the wall. Amber jolted at the thud then rubbed her hands over her face.
"You can chuck something at him later. Don't damage the walls or we'll have to deal with Maye."
A smirk played on the Shahero's lips. "He'll be at the match won't he?"
Amber glanced up, ochre eyes widening as she realized what Shahero meant. "Hero, no! No, you are not going to kill him at the game. Think of the witnesses. Use some initiative and kill him away from unwanted spectators."
"And wanted spectators are welcome?"
"Sure. But that'll be you, me, Ruin, Yami, Johnny, Kane - definitely Kane, Bryan… why don't I just say the whole team and leave it at that."
"Ruin?"
"Yeah why not?"
Shahero rubbed her nose. "Just that, I don't know… yeah, you're right Ruin would want him dead."
"Exactly." Amber beamed, but despite the cheerfulness she showed, a niggle of doubt had wormed its way into her mind. There had always been something between Ruin and Tala, something she could never touch. So maybe Ruin wouldn't be as eager for his death as the rest of them would be. Eh, she'd forgive them eventually.
"Okay, you need cheering up." With that Shahero reached over to the music player and selected a song.
The Irish teen jerked her head up and instantly brightened as she began to sing along.
Both girls joined together to sing the chorus while jumping on Ambers' bed not paying much attention to the fact that they'd probably push a spring out - if there were many springs left at all.
Amber felt her depression melt away as she bounced on her worn mattress with one of her best friends. Laughter bubbled out and they both gasped for breath so they could sing the next part.
Their voices easily rose over the vocalist in the confines of their dorm but as oxygen depleted in their lungs he could still be heard.
Amber took a deep breath to sing again but it whooshed out as the door burst open and Sonia Martini rushed in looking out of breath and very disturbed followed by Kirby Preston-Lee, Amber's fifteen year old cousin.
Exchanging confused glances Amber and Shahero stumbled off the bed holding each other so that their legs wouldn't collapse beneath them. Amber's legs felt like jelly, her lungs were burning from lack of oxygen and her heart was beating erratically while her head buzzed. Adrenaline was pumping through her like a drug; it made it hard for her to think properly so she just motioned for Sonia to speak.
"Um... I don't know how to tell you this, but I figured it would be better to come from me -"
"We just saw Tala fucking Valkov as bold as brass walking through the quad," Kirby jumped in ignoring the dark look the older girl shot her as her ruby eyes focused on her cousin. "And you're not reacting. Did you hear me? Are you in shock? Tala Valkov, more commonly known by you as the cunt from hell; come on Ams!"
Shahero rolled her eyes and flopped down on the bed. "She heard you and she already knows. Supposedly he turned up to practice this evening."
Red eyes widened. "No way, wait till I tell the guys. Oh, crud, I bet Davidoff doesn't know yet."
Amber blinked out of her stupor and zeroed in on her cousin. "Miguel, I forgot about him. You don't think he knew about Valkov transferring here, do you?"
"Hold up, you never said he was transferring here, just that he showed up to practice," Shahero butted in.
"Are you serious?" Sonia whispered.
"Deadly," Amber said, as she fretted her lip, but her mind wasn't on her friends' questions, but on the platinum blonde captain of the JV team who was also Tala's cousin. "Miguel and Tala were pretty close right?"
Kirby shook her head obviously not pleased with her cousin's train of thought. "No Amber, he would have told me if that was the case."
"Oh really?" Shahero teased with a grin as the younger girl blushed faintly and spluttered.
"It's not like that! I'm his Vice Captain."
"That doesn't mean anything," Sonia added. "It's not like Ray tells Ozuma about his personal life."
"And we all know if Ray told Ozuma anything then Sonia would know about it."
"Shut up, Hero."
"Make me."
"I..." Sonia folded her arms and huffed by thumping down on to her bed in the corner and drew her curtain around her.
"Oh, come on Sonia, I didn't mean anything by it. It's just everyone knows there's something going on between you two."
"No, there isn't, and you just wait till I find out who you have a crush on and then you'll understand how horrid it is to be teased."
"You'll never find out, because I don't like any of the losers in this school."
"You sure there's nothing between you and Bryan?" Kirby teased.
"Ew! Bry's like an older brother to me, oh ew! You have a sick mind peanut."
Kirby cringed at the nick name Miguel continuously used. "Don't call me that."
"That's Miguel's pet name for her. You can't use it." Amber joined in on the teasing of her cousin, but her mind was elsewhere. "Yo Kirb's you couldn't find out from your captain if he knew anything about Valkov transferring here, could you?"
"Amber, he would have told someone if he knew." Kirby sighed at the pointed look. "Okay, fine then."
"Shut up Hillary!"
All the occupants started as their other friend Aspin Grant bellowed and slammed the door shut behind her. Slumping against it she turned to regard her friends who were all staring at her. "What?"
"Hills being a pain again?"
Aspin nodded tucking her lavender strands behind her ear. "Yeah, that girl really gets on my nerves."
"You're not the only one. I swear if she disses Tyson one more time then I'll hit her," Kirby threatened menacingly.
"She's not that bad," Sonia's muffled voice called out from behind her curtain.
"You'll have to join the queue," Shahero said, ignoring Sonia, tapping her hands lightly against her knees in time to the music.
"Yeah probably. Joseph's pissed with her for making him late to Math so he ended up missing the first fifteen minutes of his exam and now he has to do a make-up test tomorrow."
Shahero winced in sympathy for Kirby's friend and fellow member of the JV team. "That's so unfair, if we attended a day school we wouldn't have to do tests on a Saturday."
"So what's Hillary looking for?" Amber questioned settling herself on her bed, tucking her legs underneath her.
"Money wouldn't you know."
"What's it for this time?" Kirby directed the question to Aspin who shrugged.
"Teacher retiring or something, prefects want to get him a present," Shahero answered.
Amber rolled her eyes. They were always looking for money, and it was the staff who got paid anyway, so why they needed money from the poor students she'd never understand. Pouting, she glanced at the closed curtain. "Sonia, I'll get you the money tomorrow once I go to the bank because at the moment I'm broke."
"Sure no problem Ams."
"Come out Sonia, I'm not going to mention Ozuma any more," Shahero drawled fixing her blue eyes on the silhouette behind the drapes.
"Yeah, yeah I'll be out in a min, alright?"
"Good," she muttered quietly so that the red head wouldn't hear her and get more uptight. "I still can't believe that Valkov is transferring here."
"Has transferred. Present not future tense," Amber corrected glumly. "There's not much we can do about it, anyway."
"Am I hearing right? Valkov, Tala Valkov is here, at this school, at this point in time?" Aspin asked, fluffing her pillow, so that she could sit against it.
"Yup."
"Whoa. Well that's... whoa."
"Mmm-hmm."
"Why do you think he transferred? Last time we all saw him he seemed perfectly happy at Clonmel. You don't think he got in trouble or something, do you? Or maybe being at an all boy school... you know he might have done an Oliver."
All three seniors gaped at the sophomore then chuckled at the innuendo.
"Kirby... you really...ahh!" Amber shook her head, rubbing her temples.
"Well it's a possibility, I mean after all they share dorms."
"So do the boys - so do we," Shahero stated amused.
"Yes, but the difference is that our boys share a dorm between four or six, they on the other hand share a dorm with one other boy. Major difference. Who knows what went on behind close doors."
"Guys." Scandalised, Sonia opened her curtains enough to glare at them. "You're crossing lines. Stop."
"Kirby Nicole Preston-Lee. Don't make me tell your mother what you're saying."
"I'm not... okay yes I may be insinuating that Tala may have been forced to leave because he and his dorm mate were lovers. It's a possibility, that school is scary conservative. But it would also be a real shame. Tala may be a lying cheating scumbag, but at least he's an incredibly hot one." She paused, then sulkily her lips pouted. "That probably makes it true."
Amber did her best fish impersonation. "I've created a monster."
Shahero laughed. "What would Miguel say if he knew you had the hots for his older cousin?"
The teal haired girl shrugged. "Who cares? Besides I totally support Amber in what ever her decision may be, so if she wants me to never speak or look at Tala again, then I shall do so willingly and without objection - except I'll probably still look at him because come on, he's really pretty."
Aspin chuckled and rose heading over to Sonia's bed and parting the curtain, disappeared. As soon as she left them, Shahero turned to Amber and inclined her head towards the curtained bed.
"What's with Sunny-D?"
Amber shrugged. "Maybe it's her time of the month?"
"I just got the distinct feeling she's pissed with me, and I don't remember doing anything to her. I was only messing with her over Ozuma, I mean it's not like it's a big secret that she has a crush on him."
"I know, and my cousin likes her, so I don't know what the deal is."
"He went out with Kennedie remember? So of course she's not going to be so thrilled about liking him. She's always felt second best to her cousin."
Amber nodded at her youngest cousin's comment. Ozuma dating Kennedie, Sonia's bitchy cousin, near the end of last year hadn't been one of his best moves, and Sonia had been crushed. When, finally ,Ozuma he'd realized that he had only dated Kennedie because she looked like her cousin but didn't act like her, the damage had already been done. Ozuma was a real idiot at times.
"I guess we're going to have to match make," she stated.
Shahero smirked. "Match making the match maker, huh? Yeah let's do it."
"I'm in. But I think it's a bit hypocritical that you two should match make her when you don't have a guy yourselves."
"There are no guys at this school. Nearly all the decent guys are like my brothers, being with one of them would be as unsatisfying as a tie."
Shahero chuckled at Amber's simile. "Exactly. Besides, I've only just broke up with that jerk."
"He deserved it," Amber hissed.
Kirby stepped back looking confused before she shook it off, "Well fine, but Sonia's going to be so pissed with us if she finds out."
"So we won't let her." Shahero's smirk prompted one of Amber's.
The younger girl looked from Shahero to Amber and shrugged.
A bell buzzed and echoed through the school like an alarm.
"Dinner bell. We'd better head off. Don't want to miss Mr. Dickinson's pep talk," Shahero said with fake enthusiasm as she rose and pulled Amber up and Kirby up with her.
Aspin and Sonia appeared and walked out of the dorm and after exchanging glances the other three followed.
The flood lamps illuminated the path down to the Sports Hall. Leaves crunched under their feet as Miyami, Amber and Ruin made their way to the game. Each girl was silent all taking the time to think about the upcoming match.
"We're fucked." Miyami's voice cut through the lengthy silence.
"Screwed," Amber agreed.
"Hn," Ruin grunted, her mind preoccupied by the Russian red head.
Miyami and Amber exchanged bemused glances at Ruin's refusal to make a comment, then they shrugged, turning their gazes to the sky.
"Fuck, it's cloudy."
"No shooting stars for us."
"Wouldn't help anyway."
"Oh lighten up Ruiny, you don't have to be a bitch all the time."
"A bitch? Ruin is The Bitch!" Miyami laughed at the dark look Ruin shot her.
"Hey crush the Sharks tonight!" a voice called out to them and they gave the person a thumbs up but all the while they didn't believe they'd make true on the plea.
"Yeah, we'll kick their asses, Mimi."
"Thanks Tyson," Miyami called out to her cousin.
"Just don't get yourself beaten up in the process Kinomiya. You're too cute."
"Daichi Benson!" Amber snapped at her cousin, Ozuma's little brother.
"Uh sorry Am's, um, you're cute too."
She closed her eyes in a silent prayer. "I wash my hands off you; you'll never learn manners."
"He's Seth's son what do you expect?"
Amber laughed out loud at Kirby's comment and walked in the main door and headed towards the changing rooms. Her thoughts turned towards the opposition.
"Do you suppose the Sharks are here yet?"
"I suppose," Mimi mumbled her silver eyes shifting over the various faces in the crowds milling towards the stands to watch the game.
"Man such a crowd," Amber murmured in awe.
"Yeah. So where do you think the guys will be sitting?"
"Behind our nets or theirs. Shahero likes to be up close to the action. But then again Arista wants to be able to study Mari's technique to tell her where she's going wrong."
"They'll be behind our nets, because that's where the action will be. There will be no shots at their goals tonight. We're on defence," Ruin stated.
"True. So...um... do you think Tala'll be around?" Amber asked aiming for casual but she failed miserably.
"Speak of the devil."
They all turned in the direction the Miyami was staring. And there he was, making his way down the corrirdor. Amber frowned.
"Um guys, I'll catch up." With that she made her way to follow her ex-childhood friend.
Ruin and Miyami exchanged concerned glances before they both made up their minds and chased after their friend.
Kai rolled his eyes as he noticed a group of school girls from Preston looking at him and giggling. Seemingly none of them seemed to have any loyalty to their school. That was something he didn't admire. He'd remember that when he joined the school. He watched boredly as a group of cheerleaders wandered past him and though they admired his looks, they didn't smile or approach him, merely made their way to the arena. So far he hadn't seen any of the people who would become his team mates. He wondered briefly where they were. Probably in the changing rooms, that's where his team was. He should have been with them but he wanted to get a feel for the school he'd soon be joining. He'd wanted to see some of the people he'd be interacting, before they turned completely hostile to him. He wanted to observe them in their natural habitat. A smile played on his lips at the phrase.
His gaze rose steadily when he heard footsteps approach. Surprise flitted over his features, then was absorbed back into his mask as he met the turquoise eyes of Tala Valkov.
"Tala."
"Kai." There was amusement twinkling in those blue eyes as he observed his friend.
"What are you doing here?"
"I told you I was transferring back to my old school."
Of course, Kai thought with reluctant amusement. "Preston. How did I not know that?"
Tala shrugged. "You didn't ask and I didn't divulge."
Both boys chuckled. "So I guess you'll be cheering for the Tigers tonight."
"Well right now they hate my guts. I'm thinking of being neutral and just telling them I was rooting for them."
"Very nice," Kai mused. Well this made his transfer a lot easier on him. He was about to make a comment when a figure stepped out of the shadows. He recognized her vaguely as the female Benson. She didn't even look at him, her eyes, a tawny color, were fixed on Tala and her expression was filled with disgust and betrayal.
"I knew you were a..." she trailed off and regained her composure. "Fuck you Valkov, and Hiwatari-" She directed her gaze at him. "You're welcome to him."
With that she strode off in the opposite direction, head held high and fists clenched. A silver haired girl -the female Kinomiya- chased after her. Kai smirked amused and was about to make a comment to his best friend when he saw the shell shocked expression he wore. For the first time in his life Kai saw Tala without the mask of arrogance. He looked a little lost. But, again, before he could comment something interrupted him. This time it was a lone round of applause which echoed through the hall. A ebony haired woman stalked towards them.
Clap, clap, clap.
"Well done Valkov. Kudos to you. You've lost her for good." With that she turned round. "And you've lost me."
Kai's brow crinkled in bewilderment. He waited until she'd walked out of hearing range. "Are all the girls here so... I'll use emotional and melodramatic for lack of anything better." He had never considered he'd have to deal with girls and their 'issues'. Now he was beginning to think he might have been better sticking with Clonmel.
Tala shook his head, and tucked his tongue in his cheek. "You've just witnessed some of the most apathetic women in this school... break."
"Nice one, you've only been here what a day and already you have two girls crying over you."
Tala sighed. "You don't understand. That was Rath and Ruin."
The names were familiar. "Rath and Ruin, Rath and - your girls? The ones in the photo."
"Yeah my girls." There was grief in the way he said it.
Yeah, this was awkward. Kai shoved his hands deep into his pockets and blew out a breath. The things he did for friendship. "Well if you need to talk then I'll see you after the game. I have some news you might like."
Tala tore his gaze away from the corridor the girls had disappeared to look at the only friend he seemed to have at the moment and he felt hollow. "Yeah yeah. I better go secure a good seat."
Kai smirked. "Get one behind their nets, so you can see all the goals I score against them." With a chuckle he strode towards the changing room where the rest of his team were.
TBC
