Update ;) as promised! Thank you to you all for those lovely supportive messages, I've finally been hit by inspiration for my book Huzzah!
Enjoy reading the chapter – but before we begin, of course, I have to announce the winner of the OC call...
Frozen Cold's Teru!!
Congratulations to you, and cheers to everyone else for sending some really interesting OCs; I had a hard time picking one out...
Actually, this chapter isn't quite finished – so it's the Ball, part 1, because I'm on a course atm and haven't much time to type – plus, the chapter would be miles long if I typed it all out! It's 7 pages as it is!
On with the show...
CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Ball (Part I)
"A ball?" Chris stared incredulously at the letter in her hands as she, the boys and Liliana walked home from school the next Monday. Liliana raised her eyebrows slightly at her friend as she crumpled the letter up, and tossed it over her shoulder (where it was caught neatly by Kai, who rolled his eyes and stowed it away in his bag, knowing she'd be panicking about it later).
"It means money," Chris said to Liliana confidentially. The lavender-haired girl nodded understandingly.
I've never been to a ball before, she confessed. What do I have to wear?
"Oh," said Chris rather vaguely, "you have to wear dress –"
She suddenly stopped dead and stared at her friend with a peculiar glint in her crimson eyes that made Liliana feel rather apprehensive. "Yes," continued Chris slowly, completely oblivious to Kai's impatient pokes to get her walking again, "you have to wear dresses." The grin widened at the bemused, slightly suspicious look on Liliana's face. "Right, Miss Ketchnikov. The Ball's on Saturday, so on Wednesday you and I have a shopping trip to make."
Behind them, the boys were having a conversation on more or less the same lines.
"I take it you're bringing your beloved Wildcat, Kai?" said Tala teasingly, knowing the only weak spot in Kai's armour. However, knowing the redhead for seven years meant that Kai was prepared for such an attack.
"She's not my beloved," he said coolly, "but as she's my partner, yes."
"And what about you, Bryan?" continued Tala. "Any girl who's caught your eye?"
Bryan grunted contemptuously, but made no answer, his eyes firmly averted from Tala's sly face.
"Pity," said Tala airily, latching his hands behind his head, "I noticed a particularly good-looking one the other day who was looking at you quite a lot. Brunette. Why don't you ask her?"
The truth was, Bryan knew exactly who Tala was talking about, as he had noticed her himself, though he didn't know her name. And the last thing he was going to do was invite her to the Ball.
"And you, Tala?" said Kai lazily, deciding to rescue Bryan.
"I don't have to take anyone," replied Tala, but he went a little pink as he said it, his eyes flickering towards Liliana.
"But you're coming anyway."
"Yeah." Here, Tala slowed down completely, so the girls drew ahead of them. "Listen," he said quietly. "I have to come. He's going to be there too."
Both Kai's and Bryan's faces darkened at this.
"Why?" said Bryan in a low, dangerous voice. "He has no part in this tournament."
They had stopped outside Balkov Abbey, and Tala took a while to respond. "I'm afraid I can't tell you," he said softly, and after some hesitation, went up the abbey steps and disappeared through the doors.
The following Wednesday, Chris came into Kai's room, laden with numerous shopping bags.
"How was it?" he asked, glancing up from his work.
"Great," beamed Chris, who had a highly satisfied expression on her face. "If Tala hadn't already fallen head-over-heels for Liliana, he will have done by Saturday night. She looked stunning in the shop; even the clerk couldn't keep his eyes off her."
Kai attempted to turn back to his algebra, but was once more interrupted as an envelope hit the desk and spiralled towards him. Chris hitched her bags up into her hands. "That's payback for the loan," she said lightly, and disappeared before he had time to draw breath.
He sighed as he looked at the cheque inside the envelope. It wasn't a huge amount that she'd spent, but he knew it would have been a sizeable chunk from her bank account nevertheless. And of course he should have known she would pay him back, even if he had intended her dress to be a gift from him.
On Friday, the school was abuzz with female anticipation and male apprehension towards the Ball, to be held the next evening. Girls excitedly compared dress colours and styles in the corridors and classrooms, and boys could be seen trying even now to get themselves a prtner. Partner-less girls were wont to look with longing eyes at the desirable persons of the school (eg Tala, Bryan and Kai), but when the realisation that neither of them were going to invite any of the female population within the school sank in, these girls were forced to look elsewhere. They were also wont to make rather snide comments about the likes of that Chris Mikasuke (who was obviously jealously guarding Kai) and Liliana (who was rumoured to have been asked by Tala, though he would blatantly have been better off with someone else).
However, these two particular girls didn't care – Chris because she was helping out with the Ball decorations and was too busy to punch anyone; and LIliana because she genuinely didn't care. Besides, Tala hadn't asked her. She was rather confused to find that she had not only expected it – but she was disappointed that he hadn't.
Why? She thought, frowning. And then a thought struck her. Where is Tala? He hadn't been in dance class either that day.
When Liliana reached home and found he wasn't there either, she decided much against her pride to text him. I can't believe I'm worried about him. She'd had his number for ages – 'just in case' as he'd told her with a smile, that night when she had run away, and he had found her at her old house. The memory was so powerful that for a moment her thumb stilled over the keys; but then she shook her head, and continued.
Where are you? Were you in school?
For the next few minutes, Liliana refused to admit that she was anticipating his reply, however much she jumped when her phone beeped.
Nice to get a txt frm u! No. Just train station 2 pick sum1 up. B home soon. x
The worry disappeared, replaced by relief, and Liliana spent a good couple of minutes staring at absolutely nothing, before she realised exactly who she was thinking of. She blushed, tried to feel angry but instead felt very confused, picked up her phone to text Chris to come over for a chat, but decided against it almost immediately, and finally ended by snatching Whisper up and going for a good long training session to clear her mind from thoughts of that stupid Tala.
Tala himself was, at that point, standing outside the train station, trying to look cool and suave, not as though he was freezing to death – which was a hard thing to do in the chilly night air. Yet for all his efforts, Liliana's short text was what brought the real smile to his face, and he stared at his phone screen long after he sent his reply.
Maybe she cares. Maybe.
His pleasant reverie was shattered by a stream of people flooding out of the station entrance, and he snapped his phone shut, looking around for the familiar – and highly unwelcome – face.
He didn't have to look far.
"Long time no see, big cousin," said a drawling voice behind him. Tala tried furiously not to scowl as he turned. It was a very well-known countenance that met his eye, one that was known globally, as was the bright ginger hair, merciless blue eyes and the gold earring glinting in his left ear.
"Brooklyn," said Tala stifle. "All grown up now, are you?"
It was said with a smirk; Tala was delighted to find he was a good two inches taller than Brooklyn.
"Seems so." The boy smiled humourlessly; Tala didn't like the cold glint in his eye. "Well, cousin. Shall we go? We have a lot of work to do before –"
"I know," Tala cut in abruptly, wheeling around. "The car's this way."
Though he walked briskly, he could sense Brooklyn sauntering at his leisure behind him, and judging by the excited squeals of passing girls, it wasn't just because he was tired. But Tala refused to pay him any attention, and instead sat back in the driver's seat and turned up by the volume on the radio.
It was Evanescence – Imaginary. Liliana's favourite. Just as the light happiness expanded in his chest, he caught sight of Brooklyn emerging from the station. And then, finally, rality hit Tala once more, and he snapped the radio off, almost feeling physically sick with himself.
Stupid, he thought viciously, starting the car. Stupid, stupid, stupid. You weren't supposed to-
"Forgive me if I'm wrong," said Brooklyn in a tone of mild surprise, "but I thought the Abbey was that way?"
"You're not staying at the Abbey," said Tala shortly. Not in the same building as Liliana. Never. "Boris booked you in at the Plaza Hotel."
He pulled the brakes minutes later outside the grandest hotel in Moscow.
"There," he said. "Ball's tomorrow at seven thirty. Don't be late. And don't you dare..."
He didn't finish the sentence, and simply glared at Brooklyn through the window, before abruptly driving off.
Liliana didn't see Tala that evening, although she had a dim recollection of someone tapping softly at her door late at night, and even in her half-conscious state, her sharp ears identified the footsteps to be Tala's. It turned out that she didn't see him all of Saturday either, though she guessed he was helping with preparations for the evening.
Chris had shut her blade-garage business for the day and was heading the operations for decorating the Abbey hall. She had arrived at eight in the morning, and had expressly forbidden Liliana to come anywhere near it.
At six thirty that evening, when dusk was falling, she came up to Liliana's room, and the girls began to get ready for the occasion. Liliana was more nervous than she cared to show, though her friend seemed to understand perfectly; so much so that both were ready by seven fifteen. Chris grinned and opened the door, and the distant sound of a string quartet and the murmur of guests floated in.
"The boys will be downstairs," she said. "Just remember what I told you about the dress – let it sweep, unless you want to dance. And smile. You look beautiful, as I'm sure you'll be told many times tonight."
Liliana felt a sudden warm rush of affection for Chris, and she smiled gratefully, spelling out words with her hands.
You look wonderful too.
Chris was wearing a simple, pretty white dress, held up by two straps, which hugged modestly to her waist and flared out at her hips, ending in a fluff of gauze at her knees. Liliana had only ever seen the vibrant, impulsive girl in jeans or combats and the occasional denim skirt; but her outfit suited her down to the ground. Her long, blue hair was partly done up with a silver clasp; around her neck was a black ribbon choker with a silver-star pendant hanging from it. Liliana pointed at it, eyebrows raised.
"A gift from Kai for my fifteenth birthday," she explained, smiling a gentle smile. "Anyway – come on, off you go."
Liliana stared at her, alarmed. On my own?
"Of course!" The bluenette grinned, and Liliana saw again that merry, mischievous glint in her eye.
And so, incredibly, Liliana found herself walking down the dark corridor by herself, and emerging at the top of the sweeping staircase that led to the entrance hall. It was packed with milling guests, some whom she recognised from school or the tournaments, all looking very different in suits and rainbow dresses. As she came into the light thrown down by the chandelier, she felt several pairs of eyes turning towards her – and several more, as girls nudged each other, and boys started looking where everyone else was looking.
I, she thought, am going to murder you, Christiana Alanna Mikasuke.
And she began her descent down the staircase, feeling horribly self-conscious. As her eyes raked the crowds, she suddenly spotted Tala at the foot of the staircase talking with Kai and Bryan, and her cheeks immediately fired up. The redhead was – there was no other word for it – hot.
His tall, athletic frame was accentuated by the easy-fitting, stylish black tuxedo that he wore, and his eyes seemed to be an extraordinary blue in contrast to the crisp white shirt, an old-fashioned yet very fashionable style with a stiff collar, corners slightly bent to accommodate a black silk bowtie. And then, he turned as Kai nudged him, and the smile died off his face completely as his eyes met Liliana's.
Tala had never seen her look so beautiful. She eclipsed everyone by far, and yet she wasn't overdone. Liliana was wearing a silvery-grey halter-neck dress that outlined her slender figure and exposed her delicate white shoulders; her lavender hair was pulled up, cascading in gentle curls and waves down her straight back, bangs brushing her elegant cheek-bones and accenting her beautiful silver eyes and full lips. Silver earrings swung gently from her ears. She looked like a goddess, with her ivory skin and graceful movements.
Tala only realised that she had reached the bottom of the stairs when Kai nudged him, yet again, and he bowed mechanically, offering her his arm.
"Allow me to escort you," he said formally, smiling as best he could – a hard thing, as he felt as though he had been hit by lightning. Liliana darted a quick glance at Bryan, as if seeking permission; her brother merely smiled slightly, and signed, you look wonderful. Liliana took a deep, quiet breath, and put her hand on Tala's arm, looking rather shyly at him, as though she had never noticed him before. How handsome he looked; and not a touch of flirtatiousness about him at all tonight.
As Liliana and Tala entered the hall together, Kai poked Bryan.
"I think you should speak to her," he said, nodding towards a brunette standing not far off. Bryan's face remained stony, but turned to look at her all the same. She was the same one Tala had noticed, though she looked rather different from when he last saw her, which was at the previous match. Then, she had been wearing a bright purple t-shirt with a ridiculously stupid joke on it – something about Nintendo. But now, she was dressed in an ankle-length dress of pale yellow silk that brought out the tones of her light brown hair. Her back was to Bryan, but he could see by the set of her shoulders and the toned muscles of her back that she was no sissy when it came to sports.
He turned back to Kai, who was looking suspiciously innocent (Kai? Innocent?) and cast about for a distraction. Mercifully, a very good one appeared at the top of the stairs.
"I think that one's yours," said Bryan, with a barely visible smirk, and sauntered off towards the hall as the guests began moving.
Chris, for her part, got down the stairs without any accidents (which she had been dreading).
"I hate high heels," she said conversationally, brushing down her dress when she reached the bottom. No answer. "Kai?"
Kai realised he had been staring at her, and didn't quite know what to say. He attempted to speak, but instead came out with a ridiculous noise that was somewhere between a grunt and a laugh.
The corners of Chris's mouth were twitching suspiciously.
"Hiwatari," she said in a controlled voice, "that wasn't even a word. Try again."
Kai, having collected himself a bit more, raised his eyebrows in his old superior manner.
"I was just expressing my surprise at you wearing a dress."
"This isn't the first time!" Chris said, scowling slightly. Kai suppressed a smile.
"That's true," he said gently, then bowed, and offered his arm. "Though I don't suppose you need to borrow my dungarees this time?"
"I'll pass," she grinned as they entered the hall to the sound of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik.
(DerangedCatGirl: dungarees are a reference to Chapter Fourteen – the anecdote of how Chris and Kai met).
The two wended their way between the guests, Chris nodding and smiling and greeting their acquaintances, Kai keeping silent as usual but finding that he was actually beginning to enjoy himself. At one point, just as the table where Bryan, Tala and Liliana were sitting at came into sight, Chris paused and tilted her head towards Kai's.
"Doesn't she look wonderful?" she beamed.
"Who?" asked Kai, absently.
"Liliana, doofus. Look at her and tell me what you think."
Kai duly looked, and said, with true masculine observance, "She looks nice."
Chris rolled her eyes, feeling that a sweatdrop would be appropriate just then. "Highly descriptive, thank you."
"What did you want me to say?"
For a moment longer, the girl was silent, and Kai caught the pensive, almost sad look on her face that had been there often, when she thought he wasn't looking.
"I haven't got much time," she said softly. "I'm going in a week."
Kai didn't look at her. "I know."
"But before that," Chris continued, "I'm going to get her voice back."
Kai blinked. "And...how exactly...?"
The girl grinned. "Tala," she said simply, pointing. Kai lifted his head, and noted the way his best friend was utterly unable to take his eyes off Liliana. He saw the light in his eyes that hadn't been there before, and the wondering look on his face that Kai often felt himself – the look of the dreamer who wakes to find life just as beautiful as his dream. And then he glanced at the girl by his side, with the warm, affectionate grin on her face, and realised how selfless she was trying to be.
Alex Mikasuke, he thought, you should be proud of your sister. I am.
As Chris and Kai joined the others at the table, the string quartet finished their piece with a flourish, received due applause, and the lights died down, one centring on the decorated podium on the stage. The familiar, portly figure of Mr Dickenson clambered onto it, tapped into the mike, cleared his throat, and began his speech.
"Welcome!" he said, "Welcome to the Balkov Tournament Ball. All who are present tonight were entrants in the beginning, and it is a wonderful opportunity to forget our opposition and make new acquaintances."
There was a smattering of applause.
"Before we start, I would like to ask Liliana and Bryan Ketchnikov to stand up, both of whom have given outstanding performances and will be battling in the final match on Monday!"
The applause intensified, and the spotlight swung onto the siblings as they stood, both feeling heartily embarrassed. Seeing Chris grinning encouragingly, Liliana tried for a small smile, and found it lessened her embarrassment slightly, though she was glad when they finally sat down. Something struck her; she telegraphed her message to Tala and Bryan.
He didn't say who we're battling against.
But Tala seemed preoccupied; his eyes were narrowed, and his lips were compressed, as he looked around the hall.
"And so, without further ado, let us begin the Ball!"
Amid many cheers, Mr Dickenson exited the stage, and the string quartet struck up again, launching into a lively Spanish strain that got Liliana's feet tapping. Tala noticed the new, fresh flush on her cheeks, and the eagerness of her eyes as she looked at the couples beginning to dance, and smiled, opening his mouth to-
"Excuse me, may I have this dance?" Liliana looked up, confused, and saw someone she had never seen before. He was very handsome, dressed in a white tuxedo with gold and navy additions that made him look like an admiral. He was a stranger, but she did want to dance. She stood, and put out her hand to accept his, but suddenly found herself taking Tala's instead.
Before she knew it, they were in the midst of the dancers, her hand in his and the other on his shoulder. Confused, and blushing, she looked up into his face, and saw that he was still staring at the boy who had asked her, his lips compressed with rage.
And for the first time in her life, Liliana found herself wanting to say his name.
Tala, she thought, wanting desperately to get his attention. This wasn't like him. Anger somehow wasn't associated with this gentlemanly, oddly mature young man. She squeezed his hand, and he immediately looked down at her, his expression softening.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly. His eyes didn't move from her face, but there was something in them still that unsettled her. "Liliana..." he stopped, then tried again. "There's...there's something I need to tell you." His voice was very low, and intense. However, he didn't carry on. Finally, he sighed. "I'll tell you later. Shall we dance?" His last words were accompanied by a bow. Automatically, Liliana curtsied; and the music seemed to swell around them as he took her hands again, and they launched into the tango that they knew by heart.
Chris, from their table, had a fantastic view of Tala and Liliana, and she grinned delightedly as she saw all the couples stopping to watch them dance.
"Now that's what I call a tango," she said loudly over the music. The two danced with a fierce abandon wonderful to behold, each movement sharp and precise, never apart, always together.
At that moment, a girl appeared out of the crowd; she seemed to be hobbling. Bryan immediately recognised the pale yellow dress and the light brown hair of the girl in the lobby. He watched in confusion as she came towards them.
"Hi," she said, rather shyly, looking at all of them. "I'm really sorry – could I sit down for a bit? I fell a bit weirdly on my ankle."
"Sure," said Chris brightly, shooting a loaded look at Bryan. Bryan grimaced ever so slightly. When Chris gave you that look, you didn't disobey. Sighing inaudibly, he pulled out a chair for the girl to sit down on.
"What's your name?" asked Chris, prodding Bryan with her foot under the table. "I remember you – you were in the semis, weren't you? Parrot bit beast?"
At the mention of Beyblade, the girl's eyes lit up. "Yup – Ardore. I'm Teru, by the way. Teru Serinyavon, but most people just call me Terri."
She looked at Bryan as she said this, and he noticed that her eyes were green.
"You're Kai and Chris, aren't you?" she said, still slightly shyly.
"Why do our names always go in a pair?" Chris groaned.
"Because you're both legendary," said Terri. She grinned suddenly, a very bright grin that took Bryan by surprise. "I think I've got a t-shirt with the both of your names on it." As Chris's head hit the table in utter exasperation, she turned to Bryan. "And you're Bryan. Your sister's a brilliant dancer."
Taken aback, Bryan nodded. If someone complimented Liliana like that, he couldn't exactly not talk to them. "Yeah," he said, then shut his mouth, unsure of what to say.
Silence.
"Time to get drinks, Kai," quipped Chris, and got to her feet. Kai grinned, shot Bryan a sympathetic look, shrugged, and followed his partner until both were swallowed by the throng.
End of part 1 – I'm sorry I had to end it there so suddenly, but time is short! I promise I'll update as soon as I can. Thank you for reviewing all of you (I'm dashing off to watch the Olympics on TV).
Thank you to Frozen Cold for Terri!