Chapter 6:

Chapter 6: The Declaration

Two days later it was a cold and cloudy day, Lisa was at the school in her fifth class of the day. It seemed like this day wouldn't end. There was still one more class to go. The combat class was always held at the location. Although they never told the students exactly were they were going. Unfortunately for everyone who was psyched about going didn't count on what happened next. The cloudy day soon became a rainy day.

Lisa sat in her seat a bit tired from the day when the loudspeaker blared with an announcement. "Students Combat class has been canceled today due to the rainy conditions outside. I repeat Combat class has been canceled." Several groans came from some of her classmates. Lisa sat there motionless for a second, it wasn't a bad thing, but it certainly wasn't good. She had just raised another rank after a battle with another pilot Jared Blaine. Her piloting skills were improving, however the incident with Clyde had not gone away from her mind. Unfortunately for her the others had not forgotten either. Rumors were starting to spread, and gossip seemed to be at an all time high.

So suddenly a lot of classmates have started to appreciate Lisa, since she seemed to have provided something to talk about. Here today though one person was far from her mind. Ray had begun to drift apart from her. He seemed different from the guy she used to play with when they were younger. He started to show more interest, which seemed odd since he hadn't done so before. The sound of a bell awoke her from a daydream, and she prepared her things to go home to her apartment. When she got home something in her mailbox caught her attention.

"Oh well you look at that a rose, but from who?" A letter was attached to it, so she opened it and began reading.

Dear Lisa,

Would you meet me at the school fountain tomorrow after school ends? I have something to tell you, and only you. This is very important so please come alone; remember this is for only your ears.

As always your dearest friend,

Ray

" Oh its Ray, what could this be about I wonder." Lisa took the rose inside and placed it in water, and set it near the window. "Makes you wonder what is Ray thinking nowadays."

The next day Lisa headed for school as always. Today though was different, the sun seemed to be shining, still some clouds hung around. The day was going by just as smooth, Lisa headed to combat class to complete another round of training. The tournament was still months away so the school kept preparing and training so they would find the best pilots for the job. " Today Lisa, you're opponent will be Frederick Summers." Instructor Michael Fitz told her. "Be prepared Lisa, Fred is a very tough opponent." "Oh, Instructor you worry too much." " I'll be fine I'm getting better." "If you say so..." Lisa prepared the Soldati ready for action, and Fred did the same. Fred's Soldati started off by drawing a beam sabre and rushing forward. Lisa started the Soldati and brought out the shield in order to block the I-field. The sabre smashed against the shield and caused a spark. She then brought a beam hawk into action and met the sabre head on. The two I-fields collided and caused quite a show. Lisa then brought the beam hawk down, and slashed at the hand. Frederick dropped the sabre, and pulled away. He then brought a beam pulse rifle fired several shots. Lisa brought the shield up to block some of the shots, but one of them hit the armor. Lisa then maneuvered the suit, and rushed forward to collide with Frederick's suit. Fred tried to run away, however something caused the suit to malfunction, and Lisa's tackle hit him hard. The shield hit the suit, and the beam hawk sliced through some of the armor. "Damn! Something's wrong, but I can't fight anymore I don't have any more weapons I give up Instructor!"

Lisa stopped the suit, and got down where the instructor was there to meet her. "Well done! That was very impressive." "Phew... that was pretty harsh, his beam pulse rifle went through the shield." "May I ask instructor how powerful are these weapons?" "Well Lisa they're more powerful than standard beam technology, an upgrade that happened in 215." "Well time to go, come on let's walk together Lisa." "Phew...still tired." Michael walked with Lisa to the bus. The bus arrived just in time to hear the last bell of the day. "Well instructor see ya tomorrow." Lisa waved good-bye to Michael. Lisa then headed to the school fountain. Along the way though she had the letter in her pocket. While she was walking though the letter dropped from her pocket without her notice. As Lisa walked on, she met Megan on the way, she said hello and continued on. Megan noticed a letter on the floor. She opened it to discover about this declaration of Ray's. She then rushed to get Kyleen in order to see what this was. They headed straightaway to the fountain. Lisa arrived at the fountain to see Ray sitting at a bench near it. He turns and sees Lisa there, and her prepared to open his open. But Lisa beat him to it, she started first.

"What's this about Ray, and what's with the rose?" "Oh Lisa I called you here to tell you something very important." Ray stood and started to get closer to her. "What is it?" "Well Lisa this is what I wanted to tell you." Just as Ray was going to utter the words Kyleen and Megan had arrived. " I love you Lisa." "What?" "I love you Lisa, I really do I have since I was a kid." "I always played with you because I liked you as a friend and much more." He then got much closer "I love you." Kyleen heard these words as she stepped into the fountain area. Kyleen couldn't believe she heard these words from Ray. Especially to someone like Lisa, she always thought he cared about her. She just couldn't believe it, stunned by these words she ran as far as she could. Megan ran after her, but she couldn't catch up, sadness had also overwhelmed her. Lisa was very surprised at this sudden burst of emotion from Ray. She just didn't know what to say if she could say anything at all.

A new relationship is growing from these two friends, but Ray has accepted it, but will Lisa?