Chapter 4

Kia went to school the next day, she was feeling much better and besides now that she knew who mattered, she had decided to do something about it.

She had been surprisingly, informed by her friends, that they had a new art teacher. She was, according to them, very nice and kind. What they didn't tell her was what they actually did. Kia didn't bother asking.

They reached school at their usual time. Kia headed to her locker while the others went to class. She took some books out, put her lunch in and followed them.

She entered the class, of course nobody noticed her, and took her seat next to Kai.

"Settle down everyone" the teacher entered "We've got a new student today"

That got everyone's attention.

"Come on in then Brooklyn"

A boy came in; he had reddish-orange hair and was wearing white clothes. Already the girls were sighing.

"So would you like to tell us something about yourself" the teacher said.

"My name's Brooklyn, I've just come from England and have never been to Tokyo. I enjoy Athletics and my favourite colour's black. Oh and ladies I'm single." He rounded the last sentence off with a wink.

Kia groaned. Not another playboy.

"Um….thank you" the teacher said "you're in the same classes as Kia and Kai so take a seat next to them. Kia I want you to make sure Brooklyn gets to the right classes and everything."

Brooklyn came and sat on the empty seat next to her. Kia was receiving glares from almost every girl in class; it was bad enough she sat next to Kai. Why did the teacher have to choose her, especially when she already had so much on her mind?

She concentrated on her studies the rest of the classes, also making sure Brooklyn was alright. She discovered that he was very funny and liked a lot of things she did. Soon they were deep in conversation.

Kia stepped out of her class; it was lunch. She took a deep breath; everything was going to be fine. She hoped……..

"Um Kai" she said

"Hn"

"I need to ask Enrique and the others something so I'll probably eat lunch with them"

Kai looked up then. He stared at her for a few moments and then nodded. Kia sighed in relief.

"Brooklyn you can either come with me or have lunch with Kai"

"I think I'll come with you if that's okay." He answered. They were getting along just fine.

Kia looked around and spotted the person she was looking for.

"Hey Enrique!"

A blond boy with blue eyes and a flirtatious smile turned around.

"Hey Kia, long time no see." He said

"Um…..I was kind of wondering if I could……um……eat lunch with you and the gang today."

Enrique smiled at her fondly. "I was wondering when you were going to ask."

"Thanks at least someone noticed."

"Of course we noticed, we're not like them."

"I'm glad. This is Brooklyn. Brooklyn, Enrique, a very old friend.

"Nice to meet you" Brooklyn said, shaking his hand.

"The pleasures all mine; but we better get going the others will be wondering where we are."

Kia had a very good lunch; all her friends from primary school were there.

Johnny, Robert, Oliver, Michael, Emily, Lee, Kane, Bryan, Mariah and her boyfriend Tian and some other people she knew were there.

But two people Kia had been most surprised to see were Tala and Aurin.

Tala had been her best friend; he knew more of her secrets than Ryushi and Calica ever would.

Aurin, who had jet-black hair and brown eyes, had been like Calica's twin; they both had been best friends too.

Tala, Kai, Ryushi and Kia had been best of friends in primary school, (Well not her and Kai!), but at least she had gotten her closest friend back.

Brooklyn was very nice too and Kia was warming up to him fast. Her friends liked him very much and even he was welcomed.

After lunch, they had art, so Kia was going to meet the new teacher. She was like they had said, very nice and kind. Kia liked her immediately.

Kai was a very talented artist, making him only more wanted by the girls; he was the best in the class. But now he had Brooklyn to compete with as well. Both of them were giving each other glares, sending shivers down Kia's spine because she was sitting between them

The end of school came soon and now Kia had another task to complete. She saw Tala waiting by her locker and turned to Kai.

"Kai, Tala's giving me a ride so I won't be coming with you" and before he could answer, she said bye to Brooklyn and rushed to Tala.

"Thank God that's over" she said to him.

He smiled amusement on his face and led her to his car.

"Where's Aurin?" she asked.

"She takes a ride with Enrique and Oliver now, it's easier for her." He answered.

"Was it just me or was there a hint of disappointment in those turquoise eyes?" she teased, nudging him in the ribs, "you still like her, don't you?"

Tala blushed. "Maybe"

They both got into his car and Tala drove out of the parking lot.

"Kia, you've changed" Tala said quietly.

"What do you mean?"

"In primary school we were the rebels; Ryushi, Kai, you and me; the pranksters. Now you've gone all…..I don't know…………..goody-goody. No offense Kia, but you never really tried hard with studying or anything, only playing pranks, having fun and………just…….being you"

Kia sighed and looked away. He was right.

"Even in martial arts, you do the stroke right but with no power. You use to beat us boys up, you know. Now where have those good fighting techniques gone? All those good tactics? Sometimes I think you're afraid to break a nail, like those sluts! You've even stopped playing basketball!"

"You were at martial arts?"

"Yes I was, thanks for noticing!" Tala said stopping in front of her house.

Kia blushed, a strong feeling of guilt inside her "Sorry."

"It's okay. Only thing is, I want you to promise me that my tomb-boyish Black Phoenix will be back.

Kia smiled. Black Phoenix was her nickname. She hadn't heard it in a long time.

"Oh she'll be back alright really soon" she promised, knowing she would fulfill it.

"Well see you tomorrow then. I'll pick you up at eight" he said giving her a wink.

Kia got out of his car, waved and went inside the house.

"Hi, everyone" she said, entering the kitchen. Her mother was cooking and her brother and father were sitting at the table. She dropped her bag and collapsed onto a chair.

"Kai told us Valkov gave you a ride." Ryushi said; slightly uneasily Kia noticed with contempt.

"Did he? How is Tala?" her mother asked smiling.

"He looked perfectly fine, and I enjoyed having a chat with Blue Wolf after such a long time!"

Blue Wolf was Tala's pet name.

"Well I'm glad you too got back together" her father said, unknowingly increasing Ryushi's uneasiness.

"What will you have?" Kia's mother asked her.

"Some chocolate milk please" she answered smiling.

They stared at her. Last time she had milk was when she was in……..primary school.

"Oh and two spoons of sugar! I like it sweet." She said almost bursting with laughter.

Her mother nodded dumbly.

'Stage One overcome' Kia thought 'Now onto Stage Two!'

Sorry about the too many 'primary schools'

Hope you liked it!

Thank you all for yours reviews!

Just keep on doing it!

Kia