A/N: Forgive me, I managed to finish this late at night about 2 in the morning. Sad, I think its the time that most updates on fanfics are done. Enjoy this chapter. I would have wrote more but my brain turned to goo by page 10.
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade.
It puzzled her for days now why she hadn't found this place earlier. But Lilly soon gave up on how she came across the beyblade training facility on the school grounds, and accepted it as a stroke of good luck.
Past couple of nights, she had laid restless in her bed, hearing the call of Alani in her head. Her bit beast was probably anxious to get out and practice a bit. It had been a while for either of them.
"Okay girl," she whispers to her beyblade, "you're going to get your chance to come out and play. Right now, it's just you and me."
Lilly launches Alani into the metal dish. The blue beyblade twirls around the metal dish, making random patterns. Lilly smiles, hearing the soft grumble of Alani happily out and about in a beyblade dish. She knew that she had been avoiding her training, the one thing she promise herself she do.
But her studies became the most important thing, fearing that she loose her scholarship.
"I'm sorry baby," She talks in whispers to her bit beast, "but I've been busy. You know how important school is for me."
A soft cooing from Alani meant she understood.
"I know," Lilly kneels down at the dish, "I'll make it up to you. I'm going to try and train more so we can enter the tournament this spring. You would like that, would ya girl?"
A happy gurgle from the sea monster meant it was a deal. Lilly sighs, grateful she could wear normal clothes for the weekend. She had changed into a pair of old, grey sweatpants, a white tank top, and a light blue hoodie with sleeves that only went to her elbows. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, keeping pesky strands out of her eyes.
It felt good to be near a beyblade dish again. The last time was this summer, battling Jasmine and getting her butt kick. She was out of practice, rusty at the most. The last time she did any training was back home with her brothers, who none of them never beyblade before.
They were all into other things, like hockey, rugby, skateboarding. Lilly always felt out of place, but they look up to her.
Now they were thousands of miles home, probably tearing up the kitchen. Her mother would be standing there ready to pull her hair out until her husband comes home, giving her a kiss to remind her why she had so many children.
Robert hadn't meant to stop by the beyblade arena, but he wanted to check in to make sure it was kept up to date. He figured it be time to have the guys training again, despite the amount of schoolwork and activities that were keeping them busy.
He had stop just outside the door, watching Lilly play around with her bit beast. He amazed how she casually talk to it. It was if they were old friends. A part of him envy her for that. His relationship with his bit beast was alright, but still a bit rocky.
Lilly rubs her hands together, after fiddling with the controls of the beyblade dish. Several pegs appear from underneath the floor of the dish.
"Alright Alani, time to get our game on." The beyblade whirls around the pegs, each with Lilly shouting for her to attack at a moments notice. "Use Sonic Splash," She yells, with Alani taking down a line of pegs, then going on to the next.
It wasn't long until all the pegs were gone, and Alani was satisfied.
"Great job!" Lilly presses a button, making the floor changed again, "gotta figured out how to work this thing. We need to work on our defense."
"Maybe I could be of some help?"
Lilly staggers to feet, seeing Robert standing in the same room as her. She blushes, not recalling when she heard the door open.
"R-Robert...I didn't hear you."
"I didn't want to interrupt," His beyblade was in his jacket pocket, with Griffolyon's cry screaming in his head.
"Ah it's no problem," Lilly heard Alani cooing. She obtains her beyblade from the dish.
"Uh I guess you be wanting to practice?"
"Not today, but if you are, I can help you...that is I mean, if you don't mind."
"We-ll, I guess so. It's better to have another beyblader around, right?" She immediately perks up, making a small smile appear on his face.
He pulls out Griffolyon, reaching around for his launcher. The two set up on opposite end of the dish, launchers out and ready. Lilly kept her eyes on Robert, who gave the nod. The two beyblades had contact the moment they touch the dish. Lilly felt a smile play at her lips, with Alani dancing around Griffolyon.
Robert heard his bit beast cry of frustration.
His eyes gaze back up at Lilly, who was now grinning.
"What are you doing? What is - "
"She wants to play..." Lilly laughs, hearing the happy gurgle.
"Play?"
"Yeah? I know I should work on defense but...I bet Griffolyon is happy not to work so hard."
"Yeah but he'll probably start playing rough."
"You hear that girl? Be nice...this guy is a professional." Lilly watches as her beyblade stop playing circles around the other beyblade. "Let's try and not work too hard. It's just practice you know."
"Of course."
The two work on her defense until the small battle ended in a draw. Lilly barely caught her beyblade, surprise at the outcome of the battle. Robert picks up Griffolyon, smiling at her.
"I'm impress. Your defense is a lot better then what I seen at the last tournament."
"Y-yeah..." Lilly rubs the back of her neck, "so I guess I'll let you be?"
"Hmm?"
"You said you were...?"
"Oh, just to see if the school has everything up to date. I don't plan on practicing just yet but soon. The Majestics are going to be in the new spring tournament."
"Figures," Lilly laughs, "I plan on signing up but...all depends, you know?"
"I think you'll do fine," Robert walks up to her, "You are one good beyblader."
"Yeah...just a bit rusty." She laughs, feeling awkward about talking about her beyblading skills now to Robert. Sure they talk about it, but since it was just the two of them in the same room, it felt awkward.
"Um, are you busy later?" Lilly finally found the courage to speak since they left the facility. Robert stops walking, turning around to look at her.
"Actually, not...really. Why are you asking?"
"We-ll," She twirls a strand of hair around her finger, blushing, "you see...since I told Claus...and...about three other guys I had plans...um...you think we could...hang out...like take pity on me and show that I was not totally lying about having plans?"
She wasn't asking him for a date. No, that wasn't it. It was just a friend asking another friend to help them out. No way was she asking him for a date. Because it did not sound like a date to him.
Though somewhere in the back of his mind that he wanted it to be.
"I don't know...I just planned on studying and-"
"I'll buy that book you wanted," Lilly bats her eyes, "Please?"
Well there was that. There was some new book that he wanted; the one on philosophy or something. He taps a finger to his chin, thinking about it. His red eyes avoid her blue-green gaze.
Her puppy dog face was a weakness to him.
"Alright, I guess we can." His serious, stern look changes quickly to a shy smile.
"Great! Thank you!" She grins.
After Lilly decided to clean up a bit, with Riana sending her strange looks. Especially when Lilly had came out of the bathroom with her hair down and wearing a cute little blue blouse with her khakis, that Riana firmly decided to tell the others.
She wasn't alone for Oliver and the others also got wind of it, from Johnny who was told by Robert.
Thus, begins the secret spy mission on Robert and Lilly.
Jasmine groans, hiding in the bushes while Johnny, Enrique, and Oliver were all dress up in either camo or black. Johnny was currently pressed up against a large tree singing "Secret Agent Man" while Oliver and Enrique provided the back up music.
Channon tried her hardest not to laugh, while Riana giggles at them being ridiculous. Only Aléa could make them stop from singing.
"Thank you," Jasmine breathes to Aléa.
"Thank you Lilly," Robert is handed his brand new book. Lilly smiles, "well the least I can do since you took pity on me."
"Well not really take pity," He stuck his hands into the pockets of his jacket, "more like helping out a friend."
"Why is she all dress up?" Channon asks out loud.
"What do mean by that?" Riana asks.
"What she means is that Lilly is all girly up," Jasmine sighs, "She's even wearing eye shadow for crying out loud."
"Oh the poor girl has it bad," Aléa giggles.
"Would you four zip it? Trying to listen in on their conversation." Johnny had Enrique set up a spy dish for them to hear on the conversation.
"I don't see why we even need to spy," Riana only came because Oliver was there. A part of her felt guilty about spying on her roommate and friend.
"Because...it's Robert and he might royally screw up this 'it's-not-a-date-but-it-is' date," Aléa mutters, recalling how several times Robert was turned down by girls.
"He doesn't even know how to..." Johnny trails off as Robert hands Lilly a lily from a small girl with a basket of flowers.
"Corny," Oliver rolls his eyes, "At least give her something else."
"Shh! I can't hear with you all yapping!" Jasmine's British accent comes across ten times stronger when annoyed greatly. Oliver shrinks away, hiding behind Riana. Channon helps Enrique with the equipment. They all move as the two walk down the street.
Lilly felt giddy, especially since it was the first time that she had been out with someone other then Riana or Oliver or Jasmine. As they continue their walk, Lilly manages to stop at a store window, staring down at some hand man jewelry.
A small shimmering blue jeweled pendent reminded her of bit beast and her favorite color. It dangled from a soft gold chain. Her eyes traveled to the price, which made her flinch. Robert notice the look on her face.
"What are you making faces for?"
"Oh just window shopping," Lilly keeps walking, "Ooh, there is a place I want to you to go to. They serve the best soft served custard!" She was already heading over, with Robert staring at the same pendent she was staring at.
Lilly had already ordered two small cups of it when she notice that Robert had not followed her. "Now where has he-"
"I'm sorry but I saw something," He tucks the small box into his jacket pocket. She barely notices it, handing him over a cup.
"Try it..."
"What is it?" He stares at the ice cream looking substance.
"It's good, and you'll like it." She sets down her cup, along with jacket. Taking a spoonful, she holds it up.
"Try it."
"But what if I don't want to?"
"Robert, quit being a baby. It won't kill you!"
"Oh now they fight!" Johnny groans, rubbing his temples. Only his best friend would argue with a girl over frozen custard.
"Why would I-" His mouth was wide open, with her shoving the small bit inside his mouth. "Now enjoy then swallow." She could tell he like it by the way his eyes were lighting up.
"It's sweet...almost as good as what Oliver makes."
"Hey!" Oliver about gave away their cover when Enrique and Riana throw him back into the bushes. "Hush! You're going to get us into trouble!"
"I told you," She giggles, handing him his share before grabbing her own. The two sat at a table just outside the place with the frozen custard, enjoying the nice day. "Alright, I'm curious," She finish off her food before him, "what did you have to get that left me wondering where you went?"
"Oh...nowhere," He took the box out of his pocket and put it in front of her.
"Open it," was his only answer to her confused stare.
Lilly just stares at him before opening up the white box. Once it was open, her jaw drops. "Oh you...didn't...but...I...-"
"Just say 'thank you Robert, it's a lovely gift'."
"You didn't have to-" Lilly shuts her mouth with Robert giving her a look. He stands up, taking the necklace out of her hands. Once the pendant was around her neck, she smiles.
"Thank you," she stares down at it, "You didn't have to...and how did you know that was the one I was looking at?"
"It looks like something that you would like," He smiles, brushing her hair back into place.
"I'm turning into goo," Aléa says, with the other girls 'awing', "that was defiantly beyond sweet."
"Wow...I think I was wrong about Robert," Oliver lets out a small chuckle, "didn't think he be that romantic."
"Guess Lilly is good for him," Johnny still thought it was odd but it made him smile that two of his good friends were getting along so well. The two continue to just walk around and talk before the group watch a small bunch of children with beyblades playing in a small part of the street.
Lilly immediately saw them not looking too thrilled. She immediately produce her beyblade out of the small bag around her body. Robert watches with interest as she goes up to the children. With a smile, and some convincing words, Lilly unleashes her beyblade.
What she does next surprises him as her beyblade hops up onto her foot, which keeps spinning.
The children had her undivided attention, oohing and awing at the tricks she was doing with her beyblade. With a kick of her leg, her beyblade hops onto her other foot. Johnny, Enrique, and Oliver were all star struck at the performance Lilly was giving.
Aléa, Riana, and Channon were in awe, but Jasmine was the only one who had seen Lilly do this. Her bond with her bit beast was very strong, to the point that Lilly took out her beyblade to play with for fun at times, making Jasmine slightly jealous at that bond.
But that's what made them such a strong match. That's what made them good for battle.
"Pay attention," She hops up, flinging Alani into the air and catching her on her hand. She lets the beyblade travel to the tip of her finger, proceeding to pull a ballerina move to which the children applaud.
Robert just stands in awe at the technique she was showing. Underneath the feeling of awe was a sense of jealously. Never had he known about the bond that Lilly had with her bit beast. His own bond with Griffolyon wasn't as strong, with him constantly now trying to have the bit beast trust him.
It wasn't long until Alani was on top of Lilly's head, spinning around as Lilly dance around the children. "See? She's also a great dancer too!"
The children giggle at that, demanding to see more.
"Hey Robert!" His attention brought back with Lilly balancing Alani on her hand, "does your bit beast want to come out and play?"
He heard Griffolyon gurgle, with him producing the beyblade and launching it into the air, "Catch him...if you can."
She does, with her other hand, with Griffolyon dancing in her palm. "There you are," She talks to him, sweetly, "now spread those wings handsome and have some fun."
The beyblade kept spinning in her hand. Robert felt his jaw unhinged a bit. It must be something if your bit beast was listening to the girl you were attracted to. It must mean something...
Her dance with the beyblades ended shortly when the children were called by their parents. They thank her for the fun, and asking when she'll come back to teach them tricks. She waves goodbye, stuffing Alani back into her bag. She walks up to Robert, holding Griffolyon in her hands.
"He had fun," Lilly laughs, "didn't think he would...guess he's shy."
"Yeah," was all Robert could say, "That was...unique...different...amazing."
"I'll take that as a complement," She chuckles, as Robert places his hand over Griffolyon. He doesn't remove his hand, staring at her with serious eyes, "He never listens like that...to anyone."
"Even to you?" Her eyebrow goes up.
"No...I mean...we're not as..."
"It takes time...trust takes time to build," His fingers brush her palm, making her knees knock, "plus it's not bad to have him out once and while to stretch his ability...just to let him run."
"He..." Robert glances down at the beyblade, "well..."
"I think you two will be fine," She puts her other hand over his, staring at him with reassurance, "go at your own pace."
Her warm hand over his was now making it hard to breath. Her eyes stare into his own, with the whole world not even acknowledge. Their dearest friends watch in earnest, leaning forward.
"He likes you," Robert gulps, not moving his hand, "that's always a good sign, right?"
"She likes you too," Lilly chuckles, blushing.
"Really? Do you really mean that or are you just telling me that so I don't feel so left out?"
"No I mean it," Lilly felt her thumb brush against his, "except you can be a bit...boring."
"Hey!" He almost drew his hand away, but she grab it before he could move away from her.
"Like I can be a spazz, nobody is perfect Robert. Not even you. Which is why I like you. You're not that bad, and as I get to know you, you become more and more...amazing yourself."
She thought he was amazing, which made something in his boring, cold heart start to warm to a point it would be burning. Not once had a girl called him amazing.
"I think you're amazing, not just your beyblade skills," He tugs her closer, touching her hair, "you...as I put it to your friend Jasmine, you just walk in and light up a room."
Before either blushing teenager could make a move, a loud yelp is heard. Both Robert and Lilly turn to see Johnny rolling out of the bushes dress in camo. He finally stops rolling, hitting their legs. His lavender eyes stare up at them, with a sheepish grin on his face.
"He-hey guys...what's up?"
Robert pulls Johnny off the ground, ready to shake him. Lilly sighs, putting her hands on her hips. "Would you all come out of the bushes and act like civil people? You embarrass me sometimes..."
"Hey!" Oliver comes out with the others, "you were spying on me in the bushes..."
"Not the whole time!" Lilly laughs, punching him playfully in the arm.
"Sorry," Aléa apologizes for all of them, "we were curious and we didn't want to interrupt. We just wanted to make sure you two had a good time."
"And that Robert didn't royally screw up asking-" Enrique gets a hand clamp down on him by Channon.
Lilly stares at Enrique before staring at Aléa to respond to that interrupted comment, "Ignore him...he's a moron."
"Hey!"
"I was about to ask if she would like a carriage ride," Robert hisses at Johnny, with his hands still around his best friend's neck. Johnny felt some oxygen getting cut off.
"Why are you trying to kill me?"
"Robert, let him go," Jasmine sighs, with her pulling Johnny and Lilly grabbing Robert's arm.
"Let him go and let the girls beat up on him," Lilly drags him away, with Jasmine dragging Johnny back to the school by his ear.
"Don't worry, I'll make her tell about the rest of the date," Riana promises to the group. Aléa watches as Robert takes Lilly's arm, escorting her down the sidewalk. Knowing Robert, he would make the rest of the evening good for her.
She secretly hope that the two would move forward, and hopefully one day, Robert and Lilly would be together.
