Confessions
The redhead was easy enough to spot. He stood to the right of the Beyblade dishes on the bleachers, watching the younger players as they battled. She strode over and took a seat next to him. He looked over at her, his eyes narrowing imperceptibly as they did.
"Tala," She greeted formally.
"Hilary," He gritted his teeth when he said her name. "What're you doing here? Where's Kai?"
"He's not coming." She said simply. "I was the one who texted you from his phone telling you to meet me here." Tala deflated slightly.
"Why here?"
"I'm tired of hiding," She answered. "It's been too long." Tala's expression turned downright hostile.
"Hoping to see Garland here? I know you fucked him for cash." Hilary shook her head.
"You don't know what you're talking about," She said calmly. It was odd. Coming out to Kai with the truth had been liberating in a sense. She was no longer ashamed of what had happened. Kai's reaction to the truth and his unhindered support had helped with that. She knew now she could only move forward from here.
"I know that you're toxic and untrustworthy. You've probably been playing double agent for Siebald this whole time."
"You and I both know that's not true. I didn't come her to talk about Garland, Tala."
"Then why are you here?" When she turned to look at him, she looked him dead in the eye.
"I know. I know you're the one who's been sabotaging me from the start. I know you were behind me running into Tyson outside his building that one time, that you were the one who sent the boys to V.I.P. the first time…God Tala, you gave me the recipe that could have killed Kai-"
"I never would have let anything happen to him," He interjected quickly. "I knew he'd have his epi-pen handy."
"That's the thing Tala. You didn't know." Hilary shook her head. "You wormed and manipulated your way into our life."
"If anyone did that, it's you," He snapped. He turned to face the kids who were still battling. "I'm guessing Kai knows," Tala said, his voice betraying his sadness.
"Actually no." Tala quirked his brow at her. "I'm a big girl. And I don't need help handling you."
"Handling me? Is that what this is supposed to be?" He sneered.
"Tala, I don't want to fight with you. I know in your own fucked up way, you thought you were doing what's best for Kai." She paused.
"I'd do anything for him," He said fiercely. "I don't care if he hates me. As long as I get to expose you for the cheap, two timing whore you are."
"I want to move forward Tala," Hilary pressed on. "If we're both going to be in Kai's life."
"Don't get comfortable," Tala retorted. "One day he's going to wake up and see that you're nothing and that he deserves so much more. Someone who's willing to do anything for him."
"Someone like you?" Hilary looked him dead in the eye. "Kai's not gay, Tala. And here's some news. Kai knows everything. You can't get to me anymore, because everything's out in the open. The boys know who I am now. Kai knows about the skeletons in my closet. And guess what Tala? He still wants me."
Hilary didn't want to hurt Tala…Okay, maybe a little as revenge for what he did to her. But he needed to face reality if they were ever going to move forward.
"Let it go, Tala. Be an adult and let Kai go." Hilary stood. "That's all I have to say." She began to walk away.
"I'll pay you!" Hilary turned to look at the redhead who was sitting on the bleachers, his fist clenched in his lap. He looked up at her and Hilary was shocked to see there were tears in her eyes. "I'll pay you if you leave and never look back." Hilary shook her head at the redhead sadly. "Please." He was almost begging at this point. She turned to walk away and as she did, a deep sadness and pity filled her.
What must it be like to be so completely and obsessively in love with someone who could never feel the same way about you?
She hoped never to find out.
It was sad. The only thing Tala and Hilary had in common was Kai. If he didn't hate her so much, she really thought they could be good friends.
XXX
Hil was still thinking about her conversation with Tala when she saw him. She had been walking from the training area to the main entrance when she caught sight of his unmistakable silver hair and hulking shoulders.
She screeched to a stop, creeping fear and anxiety filling her. He didn't appear to have noticed her. She watched as he strolled over to a short woman with grey hair...one that looked oddly familiar.
With a jolt Hilary realized it was Ming Ming. She hadn't seen the girl in years, but it was definitely her. She was noticeably older since the last time Hilary had seen her and rail thin.
Hilary watched with increasing unease as Garland crept up behind said girl, who was conversing with another beyblader Hilary vaguely recognized as they waited in line for the coffee cart in the lobby. He slid his arm across the Ming Ming's shoulders and leaned to whisper in her ear.
Hilary noticed Ming Ming's shoulder stiffen. As he did, Hilary watched Ming Ming's face. It was clear that the former Justice 5 member was terrified. Garland finished whatever he needed to say to the girl before strolling off the way he had come.
Ming Ming turned back to her friend, but she was noticeably less bright and bubbly than she had seemed when the conversation started. The barista handed the girl the coffee which slipped through Ming Ming's shaking fingers before exploding at her feet.
Hilary reacted instantly. She trotted over to the counter, grabbing some napkins before making her way to the flustered Ming Ming.
"Let me help you," Hilary said calmly to the bright red girl.
"Thank you," She said before looking up. Hilary saw the same vague remembrance on the girl's face before recognition hit her. "Aren't you...Hilary? You used to be the Bladebreaker's manager right?" Hilary nodded.
"Ming Ming right?" The tiny girl nodded, getting to her feet. "You were a member of Justice Five weren't you?" The girl nodded again. Hilary debated, weighing her options. "Same team as Garland right?"
Ming Ming's expression said it all. She was terrified of him and it wasn't hard to guess why. Hilary could see it in the girl's gaunt face, her anxiously ticking fingers and the look in her eyes when Hilary mentioned Garland.
"Can I buy you another cup of coffee?" Hilary offered.
"Oh, you really don't have to," Ming Ming replied.
"Please, I insist."
Five minutes later the two girls sat at one of the tables nearby. Ming Ming was awkwardly clutching her coffee, clearly confused as to why Hilary had accosted her. It wasn't hard to imagine why. Back in their heyday, the two girls were never friends. To be Frank, they was almost the exact opposite.
Hilary cleared her throat, not sure how to start.
"Ming Ming...I saw how you reacted when Garland touched you," She said gently. The girl looked up at her.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...you looked afraid," Hilary continued. Ming Ming's expression grew indignant.
"Afraid? That's ridiculous. You hardly know me-"
"You're right. I don't know you," Hilary interjected. "But I know what you're going through. When was your last fix?" Ming Ming's expression became one of shock.
"...How did you know?" Hilary pulled up her shirt sleeve, revealing her fresh bruise from the day she had used with Takashi and multiple needle marks. Once she was sure Ming Ming had seen, she pulled it back down.
"Listen, I'm not sure what you think you know but I only use occasionally. Hardly ever in fact."
"I'm not attacking you," Hilary replied calmly. "How did you get into H?" Ming Ming bit her lip. Hilary took a deep breath. "It doesn't have anything to do with Garland does it?" Ming Ming's eyes snapped up to hers.
"Why would you say that?"
"Because he's the one who got me addicted."
For a moment the two girls stared at one another.
"Do you want to hear the story?" Hilary asked, taking a sip of her coffee. Ming Ming swallowed and then nodded.
For the second time in her life, Hilary told another person what had happened to her. She started at the beginning and left nothing out.
The sky was dark by the time she finished and tears were streaming down both hers and Ming Ming's face.
"I'm sorry that happened to you," Ming Ming said quietly.
"I'd like to hear your story...if you'd be willing to share it," Hilary offered after she had wiped her face with a napkin.
Ming Ming swallowed and nodded.
