Chapter 9: Breaking the News
DISCLAIMER: I don't own beyblade.
Chapter 9: Breaking the News
Alex's P.O.V.
It wouldn't be hard to inform my parents that I was going to Ottawa to compete in the Worlds. A piece of paper, and a pen was all I really needed to tell them my plans. I left the note on the already cluttered kitchen table, although I doubted that they'd ever find it with the tornado of papers, coffee cups, and half-eaten bagels. I didn't worry too much about my parents missing it in all the mess. It wasn't like they were actually going to miss me or anything. How could they? They rarely saw me and nothing they could do or say was going to stop me. The phone had been ringing off the hook. It made me thankful for caller ID. Several calls had been from the school. I did skip two days in a row, so I really couldn't expect any less. Oh well – they'd all been successfully deleted. I sighed, and silently started to wonder if Kera would be able to go. I could tell from the look on her face that she plainly feared asking them.
It was Thursday, no school for me. I'd skipped once, twice, what's a third time to that? I just needed to do something to kill the time now. I glanced at the clock; it was 3:10 PM. I snorted and took my blade out of my pocket.
"Damn, I'm bored…" A thought struck me. I grinned, grabbing the phone and quickly dialling Kera's number.
"Hello!?" That was definitely Kera. She sounded tense and stressed. It sounded like someone was yelling in the background.
I took a deep breath and responded, "Hey Kera! I was just wondering how things were-"
"Going!? Damn you Alex! DAMN YOU! Screw off, will you! How can you just call me up like that, you bastard! If I want to talk, I'll call you! Good riddance!" There was a loud click after that.
"Okaaaay…." I sighed. That was interesting. I will never, with all the powers of heaven and hell understand her. I rolled my eyes and walked calmly to the family room, sat down, and turned on the TV.
Kera's P.O.V.
I growled, slamming down the phone. Fuck! It figures that he'd call now of all times. He's such an inconsiderate bastard, I thought furiously.
"Kera! Get over here now!" My father bellowed at me.
"Fine!" I snapped.
I looked into his bleak, narrowed eyes, "Don't take that kind of tone with me Kera!" He yelled. I sat down on the couch of my relatively clean house. I hate my family. It was all fine with Conner and Alex and Abby to tell their parents. But me, no…of course not! I was fortunate just to compete in the Toronto Tournament, let alone go to Ottawa. I interrupted my dad's listing of the various 'dangers' of going to Ottawa without supervision. My family wouldn't go to Ottawa; I wouldn't have that any other way. I wanted it to be just me and my team. I decided to interrupt my dad's never ending lecture.
"I JUST WANT TO GO AND COMPETE IN THE WORLDS!!! IT'S NO BIG-"
"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT! LISTEN! I don't want you to go blading or any crap like that. You're going to miss all sorts of important school work. There's no reason for you to go anywhere. Hell, you haven't even got a real job yet. You never clean up or do anything around this house…"
I gritted my teeth. I was going to explode. It was time for the 'wonderful' world of lectures! Rapture and joy! Now he would drone on about things I should do, things I didn't do, and things I should've done a long time ago. I envied my older brother. He was already out of this hell hole that I had to call 'home.' It'll be at least two or three more years before I can get the hell out of here! I'm the one who always gets blamed for everything! If something breaks, it's not because it's old or anybody did something wrong to it. Whose fault is it? Mine! If the house isn't clean and my father's stuff is lying all over the place, whose fault is it? It isn't his, its mine! 'Kera, pick that up! Kera, think about your future! Kera, don't waste your time with all this beyblade shit, focus on getting a 'real' job; a real job? That's a laugh! No way in hell I'm going to sit behind a counter top all day and serve a bunch of ignorant jackasses coffee! Nor will you ever find me at some cheap clothes store! My parents have two requirements for me: get into University or College, and get a well paying job to support them in their old and brittle age. If it was a job I hated, it would be too bad for me. My parents would rather see me in my grave than for me to do something I actually liked! Heaven forbid it! God no, nobody can stand the thought of me being happy. I knew what I was going to be when I 'grew up'- a beyblader, or a bag lady. Being 'part of this family' meant I have to clean up after everyone and if I didn't, I wasn't part of the family. That was a pain in the ass. It would be easy just to run away to compete in the Worlds, but then I'd have nowhere to go back to. If something like that happened, my family would disown me, saying I didn't want to be here anymore. I guess they are right about that part, but then I'd have no place to stay. How much would that suck?
"Kera! Are you listening!?" My father boomed.
I sneered, "Oh, of course I am! I was just wondering when this conversation would be over!"
I had just managed to get my father even more pissed off then he already was.
"UP TO YOUR ROOM!"
I obeyed, more then happy to get away from the endless lectures and complaints. I collapsed into my bed, staring at the stars painted on my ceiling. My room was small and puny. I had a twin bed with designs of fluorescent shooting stars, moons and planets on it. The floor was devoid of clutter, and the various wooden shelves scattered at corners of my room were filled with useless books my parents had given me. I could hear my mom and dad arguing downstairs. I grabbed a suitcase and started to pack. I wondered if I should tell Alex about this. I was going to go to the Worlds; maybe I could stay with him.
"I will SO beat him up if he laughs or says anything stupid, which he probably will. He may be mad at me for hanging up on him…meh! He'll get over it. Besides, I have a perfectly good reason." I shook my head. I grabbed a bunch of clothes and shoved them in my suitcase. I grabbed a couple books that I had bought with my own money. I snatched up all the necessary things. I tilted my head, debating whether or not I should sneak into my parents' room and steal any of their money. It would probably come up to bite me in the ass later…oh well. Who cares? They'll get lots more money, I decided. I picked up the phone in my room and called Alex.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Hiya!" I cried out happily.
"Ohhhh. Weren't you just the one who hung up on me and called me a bastard?" He stated in a semi-sarcastic tone.
"So!? I had a perfectly good reason! Besides, it's YOUR fault for calling at such a bad time!" I snapped.
Alex snorted, "Well sorry, but I don't have psychic powers like you do! Maybe you can teach me!"
"Shut up Alex! Stop being a dumb ass! I'm going to come over and stay at your house." I announced.
"What! Who said you could!?" He stuttered.
"I said I could, obviously!"
"That is not what I meant! You can't just…just do that! I don't want you-"
"WHAT! Well sorry! I thought we were friends, and friends do favours for each other! Screw you!" I hung up the phone. The phone rang again a second later. I let it ring about ten times before picking it up and hanging up again. It was quiet for exactly five minutes before the phone rang again. I growled, snatching it and yelling into it.
"STOP CALLING ME!"
Alex responded, "Sorry! You just can't invite yourself-"
"Why? Oh…you were planning to invite me? Thanks!" I interrupted.
"What the-" was the last thing I heard before I hung up again. I grinned, picking up my suitcase, and sneaking into my parent's room to get some money. After I raided all the drawers in their nice oak dresser, I decided to make the traditional exit out the window. It was hard enough to open the window. When I finally did manage, I slid down the icy shingles and fell headfirst into the snow.
"Damn that's COLD!" I screamed, digging myself out of the snow and running off to catch the next bus. I got on it in good time. Alex's house wasn't really close to mine. I had to stay on the bus for 45 minutes. I hated going back into the cold again, especially since the snow covering me head to toe had melted in the heated bus, leaving me freezing in the bitter chill. I ran down the confusing labyrinth of Toronto. Finally, I found Alex's house. It looked smaller than my house. Very puny, my house was at least average size, rather than a dinky little dump. I rang the doorbell over and over again. I had no patience now; I was freezing my ass off. The door swung open. Alex just stared at my in a gaping manner. Of all the nerve…I thought poisonously.
"Well!? Aren't you even going to let me in?!" I demanded. Alex's eyes narrowed as he sighed and moved out of my way.
"Thank you! Sheesh!" I barked. I glanced at him; he was rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
"What's your problem!?" I eyed him.
"Nothing…I was just wondering how things went with your family, and why the hell you're here."
"Well I thought it was obvious that things went crappy with my family. I want to stay here because I have been kicked out of my own house." I shrugged, deciding it'd be okay to stretch the truth a little.
Alex gasped, "NO WAY! Why didn't you just say so?! My parents let me go to Ottawa."
"Just cause…well, doesn't matter now anyways. Now, how about Conner and Abby? They can come, right?"
"Dunno, haven't heard from them yet."
"Oh…this place is a mess!"
He grinned, "Like it? You'll be staying here a while, at least until we can get to Ottawa and compete in the Worlds."
"After that…" I looked at him pleadingly.
He gave me a puzzled expression, "You'll be able to go home…right?"
I cringed, "Yeah…I'll be able to go home."
Conner's P.O.V.
I carefully started to write down the answers to the math homework that was assigned at school. Yawning, I quietly got up from the kitchen table and stretched. It wasn't any use. I couldn't concentrate on anything other than the competition. How would we get there? That was the first and foremost thing in my mind. I could never ask my mom or give anyone else the burden of driving us there. It'd be so much simpler if we could count on the BBA. It's their job to help bladers who are stranded or who need any kind of transportation. The simple reality is that we couldn't, I thought dismally. Kera and Abby wanted me to be the leader because they thought I'd do a great job. I couldn't let them down. My thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. I walked to the front hall and calmly opened the door.
"Hey Conner. Have a good day?" The cheerful face of my mother greeted me.
"Yeah…" I answered.
"That's good." She chirped.
"My day was busy, busy, busy…" I patiently listened to my mom, waiting for the right time to bring up the subject of beyblading.
"Conner, why don't you ever say anything? It's not normal for a young boy your age to be so quiet." She sighed, and then continued on, "It was the very same thing about your father that drove me crazy when he was here with us. People like you being so quiet makes me nervous. I don't want you to end up like your father; he was so serious, he had so many emotions bottled up inside of him. You should talk more often. That way, if there's something on your mind, you won't have to deal with it alone…"
A wave of guilt washed over me. I didn't realize I was making her worry. This was the first time that she'd said anything.
"I'm sorry mom…" I gulped, bowing my head.
"Conner, don't be like that, it's okay. I just wish…I'm trying to prevent you becoming like your father. I don't want my son to be like that."
My mother and father were both divorced. My mom and dad didn't understand each other. I understood both of them perfectly.
"Conner, is there anything you want to talk about? I know I've talked long enough." She laughed.
I knew exactly what I wanted to talk about, "Actually…there is something."
"What is it then?" My mom stared at me with her velvet eyes. If you ever had seen me and her together, you would never guess we were related. She had thick black hair, and always wore some sort of green business outfit. Her face was tanned, and she was always smiling.
"I was thinking about going to Ottawa-"
She interrupted me, "But that's so far!
I'm sorry…keep going."
"I haven't got everything planned out yet, but I'd like to compete in the Worlds-"
"The Worlds!? Aren't they already decided?" She inquired, once again, interrupting me.
"Yes, but I've seen the Canadian team beyblade. They aren't very good. I'm pretty sure I could knock them out of the competition and-"
"But you'd need a whole team for that!" She blurted.
"I have some friends that are hopefully coming with me. We're a team of four. We need to get over there before the competition starts, and knock them out." I finished. I was lucky she didn't interrupt me again.
"Sounds exciting. You can go of course! How long will you be gone?" She inquired. I tried to think of a reasonable estimate of how long we would be gone.
"I really don't know…it depends on how far we make it in the Worlds…" My voice trailed off.
"Well, I'm willing to support that. I'll give you some money you can spend and try and find out if any buses can drive you and how much they'll cost-"
My mind panicked. I couldn't do that! Not to my mom, she was a very busy woman. I don't want to become a burden to her, I thought.
"No mom!" I cried out before thinking.
"No, I can't come and see you beyblade?" She looked hurt.
"That's not what I meant. You can't get transportation and all those
things you're listing. It's too much."
"Oh no it's not!" She grinned.
"Mom…I don't want you to go through any trouble because of me."
"Don't be ridiculous! People help each other; it's natural, especially for family members." She winked. It was almost enough to make me give up on that argument and let her do what she wanted.
"But mom-" I stuttered before being interrupted again.
"No 'buts' Conner! We're family, and we'll help each other." She let out a small smile.
"…..Alright, but you don't have to."
"I want to! I'll give you and your friends some money for this and that and-"
"No, just…I don't want any money."
"Conner, I'll get everything planned out. So don't worry about a thing." Before I could say anything, she raced off and dove into the kitchen. I sighed. I regretted telling her. I should have just told her when we got everything planned out. Now she would be under a lot of stress, not to mention working late, because of me. I felt terrible. I announced I wasn't hungry, and went up to my room to try and finish my homework, leaving her with a puzzled expression on her face.
Abby's P.O.V.
I stared into nothingness as I shifted the mashed potatoes and peas with my fork. My uncle and aunt were both talking about this and that. My parents died a long time ago, when I was little. I've lived with Aunt Mary and Uncle Charlie ever since.
"So Abby how was school today?" The excited voice of my aunt asked.
"Oh, it was good." I answered.
"You know, you should get involved in some school activities. I heard the Drama club would be putting on a new play…" My uncle grinned.
"No! I-I can't do that…" I stuttered.
My uncle tilted his head, "Why not, it'd be fun!"
"You'd have such a wonderful time!" My aunt grinned.
"Because, it's…embarrassing!" I stated. They always do this! I thought angrily. My uncle and aunt were always trying to get me involved in some sort of school activity or community service. I don't want a part in any of it. They don't understand how embarrassing it is.
"You're being silly, it'll be fun." My uncle said.
"No, I'm not going to. Can we…not talk about this anymore."
They both looked disappointed, but thankfully, dropped the subject. Nobody understands me. Everybody thinks I can do anything, but I just can't! I don't want to let anybody down. I know I'll end up disappointing my friends if I was part of the team. I'm no good, not good at all! Why does everybody think I am? What does he want from me!? I thought dismally.
"Abby, you look so depressed all the time…why don't you tell us what's wrong?" Aunt Mary smiled, putting her hand on my shoulder softly.
I shrugged, "Nothings wrong…"
They looked worried now. I stared down at my food again. I could just use the excuse that my family wouldn't let me. It'd be easy enough. Alex wouldn't accept that though. He never takes no for an answer! I wish I could just make him disappear.
"May I please be excused?" I asked.
"Abby, you haven't touched your food!" Uncle Charlie exclaimed.
"I-I'm not hungry."
My aunt sighed, "You haven't been well lately, Abby. You don't eat, you're always tired, not to mention depressed. You're so shaky and pale, Abby. We're very worried. Are you feeling sick?"
"No…I'm fine." I said in a monotone voice. That got me thinking. Was I really that bad? I shuddered.
I gazed at my family with an expressionless face, "I'm…nervous."
"Why!?" They both shouted at the exact same time.
"Because…some of my friends…asked me to come with them, to Ottawa…so I can beyblade in the Worlds."
They were much happier about that news then I was.
"That's wonderful! You should go beblad in the Worlds!" My aunt cried out.
"It's called beyblading, not beblad!" I corrected. You could tell they didn't have a clue what they were talking about.
"That's the popular new sport with those spinning tops, right?" My uncle asked.
I sighed deeply, "…yes."
"We'll have to meet these friends of yours!" Aunt Mary bubbled.
"How will you be getting there?"
"How will you be getting back?"
The questions went on and on. I lied and told them that the BBA would be providing transportation. I did NOT want them driving me. I knew they'd find some major way of embarrassing me. I do not want them making me look like an idiot, especially in front of Alex! Wait…did I just think that? 'Especially in front of Alex?' I pushed the thought from my mind. I decided to go to bed early. Now all I had to do was wait till tomorrow. I closed my eyes.
"If any of the others can't make it, I'm not going to go…"
Phantom Phoenix's Note: I decided to try different points of view this time. What do you guys think?! Tell me. Well, this is going to be the last chapter I post, (until I get MORE reviews anyways). Shin no Tenshi, I tried to send this to you (so I wouldn't have to post it), but it said that your storage space was full. ?????
Anyways, Lady Blade WarAngle, tell me if you want my story. I will give it to you. AND tell me what you think on the Alex and Abby or the Alex and Kera pairing.
