Chapter Three:

Tuesday…

Takara walked to school with her MP3 Player in hand. She barely took it out but since she found the song, Takara was determined to sing in front of everyone. She approached the gates once more to see Alex talking to Maria. Alex saw Takara from the corner of his eye and averted them back to Maria. Takara just headed past the two, ignoring them. Deep inside, Takara had a feeling that Alex was being forced to not talk to her at all and she did not know why. She began to walk towards her home room but not before she stopped at the bathroom.

Takara started to think to herself. "What is Maria planning?"

She thought to herself before finishing up. Takara then entered the classroom and sat at her desk. When it was time to head to the first class the Homeroom teacher yelled out, "Don't forget! This Friday night is Valentines night at the school. Bring a date and have fun.".

Takara started packing her bags and headed off to the first class…

Later…

As school was ending, Takara was approached by a guy in her homeroom. "Hey Takara, you want to go to that Valentines night with me?" He said politely until another guy shoved him and asked the same thing. A third guy did the same as the second which led to an argument. Takara got up and told them "It's nice that you guys show interest in me, but I was not planning on going at all." even if it was a white lie. She then left the room and headed into the courtyard once more. She sighed while putting her MP3 on once more. When she was about to push play, Mack approached her and started to talk to her. "Takara, I overheard what the guys were asking. I was going to ask you myself but since you were not going I-" was all he could say as Takara interrupted him with "It was a lie. I was going to ask you if you can help me with something on that night.". Mack was stunned but asked "What is it?". Takara took her MP3 and showed him the name of the song. "I wish to sing this song to everyone. I want to try my dream of being a singer." She said smiling at Mack. He smiled as well and told her "Since the Principal owes me a favor for helping him out with computer problems, I think I can use It for you. But if you are planning on going to the event, you will need someone to be your 'date' so you can get in.". Takara then grabbed his hand without warning. "Then come with me! You can be my 'Date'." she said with a wink. Mack nodded to her before they took off into different directions. Mack looked down at his phone and read the message again. "Alex, I think this will work out." Mack said to himself.

Last Monday…

"Alex, why do you want me to go out with Takara?" Mack asked holding his sandwich. Alex then sat down to explain everything. "Maria is forcing me to go with her this Friday to the Valentines night at the school. If I do not do what she says, Maria will do anything she can to make Takara's life at the academy living hell." he said with much sadness. "So you want me to being Takara that night as a date?" Mack asked wondering what is the plan. Alex nodded, "I want to protect Takara from Maria.". Mack then smirked at Alex. "So do you like Takara?" Mack asked with a smile. Alex nodded. "Indeed. I want to know more about her but Maria is either butting in or she pulls me away. That is why at the event, I want you to explain to Takara that I was being forced to go with Maria. I wanted to protect her." Alex was now serious about the ordeal. Mack simply nodded and went back to his lunch.

Wednesday, after school…

Takara was following Mack to his house to practice for Friday night. Mack directed Takara to the basement and showed her the Media Room of the house. "This is my favorite room in my house, now sit on the couch and let me find that microphone…" Mack said as he walked to the closet and rustled through the items inside. Takara looked towards the wide screen T.V and found a picture on the left. She walked up to look at it. The picture was of a young Mack in a line of kids. The banner on top of the picture read out 'Trainer Camp: Troop Metal-type'. Mack placed the microphone on the table and walked up next to Takara. "You were in a Trainer Camp?" Takara said looking at Mack with a dumb look on her face. Mack replied to her keeping a smile "For one year, yes. At first it was just for the summer vacation in middle school. My father got me in the troop as he once was in. I was a little resistant at first but once I started, I was hooked.". Takara asked another question "Why did you stop?". Mack looked down at first then back at Takara. "My mother took me out because she wanted me to be more of a rich business tycoon. Dad tried to reason with her but it ended up where they divorced and mom gained custody of me. My real wish was to be a Pokemon Trainer, travel the world, meet friends and gain rivals. Sadly, if I even mention just one thing about being a trainer, my mom would just snap at me. I don't know why she doesn't want me to go after my dreams…" Mack said depressingly. He handed the microphone to Takara saying "Let's begin. We only got two days to get it right."

Meanwhile…

Alex was sitting in a very expensive restaurant with Maria. She was reading the menu but Alex was staring into space. Maria snapped his fingers at him to snap him back to reality. "Alex. Stop thinking about her and enjoy our Date." Maria said with slanted brows and trying to keep a smile. He said his sorry and the date went on.

After Dinner, Maria started to drive him back home. Along the way, Maria stated "Remember the deal. You can't engage or interact with her until after the event.". Alex nodded but asked "Will you keep your end?". She nodded as they arrived at his house. He got out and waited for the limo to be out of sight. Alex then opened his phone to read the text he got from Mack that said "Takara will be going with me but I suggest you stay around the Dance Floor. She is giving a performance to the school.". Alex did not know what it meant but he shrugged it off.

Thursday…

Another school day ended. Takara was packing her bag before she was approached by the three guys from Tuesday. "I thought you were not going?" One said. She got up to explain "I only said that so I could keep my performance under the radar. Sadly, the posters gave it away.". Another guy at her desk then yelled to the other homeroom classmates "It's true! She is going to perform tomorrow night!" And the entire room roared with cheers and inspiration. She walked through the halls to hear students give there support. She smiled and waved at them till she was at the courtyard.

Outside, She smiled bright as she headed home. However, Maria got angry. She walked over to Alex and told him "I have one more deal. You stay away from the dance floor for the night and Takara will be fine.". She was grinning at him. He tried to agree but Alex finally snapped out of his kind nature to tell the truth.

"Maria, Since I met you in Middle School, You have been clinging to me for too long. You are a Rude, Snotty, Evil, Self-caring Person! All you care about is yourself and what YOU want! I have been nice and tried to endure the attempts to threaten my friends from coming near me but this is it! I HAVE HAD IT! I NEVER LOVED YOU AND WE WILL NEVER BE MORE THAN FRIENDS!!! GET IT THROUGH THAT FUCKING HEAD FILLED WITH GOLD OF YOURS!!! NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU PAY ME OR FRIENDS, YOU WILL NEVER WIN MY HEART!!!!!!!!!!!"

He was breathing heavily from the yelling. Everyone has heard what he said, Even Takara. The whole Courtyard was silent. He started to walk away from Maria to the front gate. She tried to grab his shirt with tears coming from her eyes. The minute she got a good grip he said "Don't touch me. Think about what you have been doing to my life just to have it your way. THEN, you may approach me." and jerked away from her grip. Maria fell to her knees crying out loud for all to hear. Takara was stunned to see Alex that angry. And to a girl no less. Takara came up to Maria and held out a hand to her. "Maria…" Takara said with much concern for the rich blond. She looked up at Takara with water in her eyes. "Even when I threaten to make your life a horrible mess, You still…want to help me?" Maria asked holding onto Takara's hand to be lifted up. "Yes. You may not be able to fall in love with Alex but that doesn't stop you from being his friend and helping him out. If you want, I got a great idea that can make us all happy." Takara said walking Maria to her limo.

Friday night, ten minutes till the doors open…

Alex was sitting outside watching the couples go by. He sighed as he was about to leave. Suddenly Maria's limo came up. She got out wearing a white and black dress and approached Alex with caution. "Alex, I realize now that I have been rude and thinking of myself only. And I know we will never be in love. But right now, Takara will be giving a performance for the entire school and the only way to gain entry is with a 'Date'. I am not asking for anything special, I just want you to see her performance." Maria's voice was now softer and gentler than before. Alex stood there stunned at her new self. He agreed and headed inside.

In the back entrance, Takara and Mack were preparing for Takara's performance. She was nervous as she held lyrics to practice a bit with. Mack was talking with the principal and the tech guy at the school. Takara then took her ruby red dress with thick lines of gold to get ready. One hour till show time…