Chapter 20

"And it's obvious that you're dying, dying. Just living proof that the camera is lying. And open wide, 'cause this is your night, so smile, cause you'll go out in style."

-Fences Paramore

The flashes from dozens of cameras were making Tyson feel lightheaded. He tried to block the annoying and troublesome lights by raising his arm protectively over his forehead and ducking his head, but the flashes invaded his sight no matter what he did. He winced as he forced himself to look past the lights and search the distance for the place Tala agreed to meet him at.

Hopefully the cameras wouldn't scare Tala off. Tyson knew if he were Tala he would run at the sight of anyone being mobbed by the paparazzi. A few cameras were all well and good, but when it came to twenty or more cameras taking a picture every second anyone would rightfully become camera shy, even Tala.

"Um…" Tyson began as he tried to get one of the photographers to move slightly so he could see, but he stopped when that very person took a picture of him.

The light from the photographer's shot caused Tyson's vision to go black with colorful specks. He blinked and felt a few drops of tears run down his cheeks as the spinning colors in the darkness returned to being their true objects and not dancing blabs.

Another camera was shoved inches away from Tyson's face. Startled by the intrusive object, he jumped back on instinct and collided with one of the paparazzi. That same paparazzi fell and took down three of his comrades.

For the briefest moment no pictures were being taken as everyone stared in shock. It was only as the man Tyson had knocked down began cursing under his breath and examining his equipment that Tyson came to his senses and used this opportunity to get away from his followers, if only for a second.

He jumped over the fallen men and elbowed his way through the throng of paparazzi. Some people cried out in surprise at his sudden actions, but Tyson ignored them.

He had to get away from them if he ever wanted to reach Tala. He could already tell that he had gotten off track. He was so short compared to the most of the paparazzi that had been following him that he had been unable to read street signs or see the most basic of his surroundings.

As Tyson ran back the way he had come, he heard a few of the paparazzi chasing him and cursed. He had been hoping for a few more seconds before their pursuit.

There had to be some way to lose these annoying, little spies of the public.

Like finding the place you are supposed to be at? A sarcastic voice in Tyson's head offered.

Tyson bit his bottom lip in frustration. He knew it seemed pointless to run away from is pursuers but he just couldn't give up. He had to keep some of his life normal and private, even if it was only an illusion created by his desperate attempts.

Determined to meet Tala, Tyson swiveled his head back and forth. He must have run for a good minute before his eyes landed on a café with a Russian name that Tyson could not pronounce.

Tyson had to stare for an extra second at the name of the place to make sure it was the correct location. When he was sure the name on the building matched the one in his head he didn't waste any more time and ran for it.

Within seconds Tyson threw open the door and ran inside. A worker, who had been standing near the door, seemed to know what was going on and slammed the door behind Tyson before locking it behind him.

Tyson collapsed onto his knees on the ground. He was tired and having trouble breathing. After running around everywhere he was tired and his lungs burned a tad.

"Thank you," Tyson managed to breathlessly thank the worker who had locked the door.

The worker grunted and without a word grabbed Tyson by the upper arm and pulled him to his feet. The worker than proceeded to lead Tyson in the direction in the back of the café.

Tyson noticed how the café was devoid of any other human other than himself and the worker. Had the café closed down for his privacy? He had heard of places doing such a thing for really famous celebrities, but Tyson had never experienced it himself before. He thought an appointment was needed for a place to be empty for any celebrity.

"You're late."

Tyson snapped out of his wondering thoughts to see a scowling Tala sitting at a round, wooden table across from him.

"Sorry," Tyson shrugged off the worker's hand, and with a quick bow the worker left the two alone. "I tried to get here sooner but-"

"The paparazzi were following you," Tala finished for him.

"Yeah," Tyson breathed a sigh. So Tala knew, and judging by the way the scowl had disappeared from the red head's face Tala forgave him for his tardiness. Thank goodness. An angry Tala was the last thing Tyson needed.

"Aren't you going to take a seat?" Tala asked and nodded towards the seat in front of him.

"Oh! Uh…yeah," Tyson fumbled for the words. Cheeks heating up from embarrassment, Tyson pulled his seat out, listening to the skidding sound it made as it scraped against the floor.

The sound triggered something in Tyson. He had been so distracted with trying to understand his feelings he had ignored everything else, even his feelings themselves. He felt nervous and hesitant. Was Tala really the best choice? He had told himself so but suddenly he was reminded of the very callous part of Tala's personality.

Maybe this wasn't the best thing to do?

Tyson shook his head and sat down in his chair. He was acting strangely, but hadn't he been for a while now? He didn't use to doubt himself, but now every step he took was filled with self=doubt.

But I can't overcome that doubt if I don't a risk and try trusting myself again.

"So are you going to talk or not?"

"Huh?" Tyson asked, taken off guard.

Tala had his arms crossed across his chest, and he was leaning precariously back in his chair so the piece of furniture was balanced on its two back legs. The scowl that had vanished was tugging on his lips faintly, but it appeared Tala was doing his best to control it.

Another rush of heat filled Tyson's face and he bowed his head so Tala would not be able to read the embarrassment and discomfort on his face. "Sorry," Tyson apologized. "I'm just a little dazed and…confused?"

Confused? Was that the right word? Somehow it didn't seem to describe what he was feeling, but it was the best his vocabulary could come up with.

Tala sighed and sat up straight so his chair was no longer slightly tilted. "On the phone you mentioned something about Kai. What about him? By the looks of the newspapers you would know more about him than I would."

"What?" Tyson sputtered. He was thankful he hadn't been drinking or eating anything or else it would have all flown out of his mouth. "You know it's all lies, right?"

Tala shrugged. "Honestly. It wouldn't surprise me if you two were really a couple. You two are not necessarily dependent on each other, however there is a strong bond between you two. Even when you two are separated you guys seem to have only the other on your mind."

"Really?" Tyson asked. He could feel his eyes growing large with curiosity at the new information. He knew there was a bond between him and Kai, and he knew Kai was on his mind a good portion of the time but never had it occurred to him that he may be on Kai's mind a lot too. "When did you notice this bond?"

Tala's face scrunched up in thought. "It's hard to say. It's been there for so long I can't remember when I first noticed it."

Tyson didn't know what to feel about that. If Kai had only recently started thinking about him then it was because of their current issues and not possibly for others. Did he want their current issues to be on Kai's mid, or did he want it to be something else? Everything was so complicated.

"You look pathetic," Tala stated with no remorse. "Is that because of the paparazzi or because of Kai?"

"I don't know," Tyson breathed and laid his forehead against the table between him and Tala. "It seems like both. It has to do with Kai but the paparazzi are not making it easier. I need a moment to myself to think but the last time I tried that…" Tyson trailed off. The last time he tried to give himself space to think he had run away and that had replaced one problem with another.

"What am I going to do?" Tyson asked himself aloud.

Flash!

Oh. Dear. Kami. Please don't tell him it was—

Another flash and a click.

"What the hell!" Tala cried and stood up and slammed his hands on the table.

It was.

Tyson groaned as he lifted his head off the table and turned to face what he dreaded most.

A female paparazzi stood there with a camera.

A vicious growl ripped from Tala's throat as he pulled Tyson across the table and tried the hid the younger teen behind himself. Seconds later the worker from earlier was there and yelling at the woman.

Tyson just watched with glazed over eyes as the woman and worker fought against each other. He didn't even care that Tala was treating him like a small child that needed protecting. He was so tired of fighting with the paparazzi and rather let someone else deal with it.

X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.X.

The morning sunshine poured in through the Granger household. A peaceful silence was settled over the Dojo and the only one awake to enjoy it was Kai, but he was too furious to enjoy it.

He had known that Tyson had gone out the other day but he hadn't known why, until now.

That little, annoying, traitorous Tyson was out with none other than one of Kai's old teammates: Tala.

Kai's hands shook with unspoken fury as he held the newspaper with a picture of Tyson and Tala splattered across the front page. Kai could handle Tyson being with Tala but the picture revealed Tyson to not just be with Tala but to be in Tala's arms.

Tyson in Tala's arms.

They'd pay dearly.

Kai crumpled the newspaper with his bare hands and threw it at a wall, accidently knocking down a picture and breaking it.

Author's Note: Thank you everyone who has decided to keep reading this story! Special thanks to those who reviewed. Even after all these years I still struggle to review other author's stories myself, so I am very appreciative of the words you have spared for me.

Also, I was asked if I would continue on with my other Beyblade fics. Well, I gave it some thought, I reread Eyes Wide Open, I found some unpublished chapters of it on my computer, and I have decided to give it a shot. I can't promise that it will be completed, but I will try. I'll also be posting the pre-written chapters without any major edits, so don't be surprised if after about four chapters my writing style changes drastically.

Again, thank you all for reading and supporting this story, especially after abandoned it like a puppy.