Ch. 1

"Ray! You coming?" asked Tyson.

"Be there in a minute!" answered Ray.

'I can't believe it finally is coming to this. The White Tigers and the Bladebreakers are competing in the finals. I want to win, but a part of me says no for Mariah. What is this feeling I have for her?' asked Ray in his mind.

"For once, you're the late one Ray." Said Max interrupting Ray's thoughts.

"Wha-what? Oh, it's only you Max." said Ray.

"What do you mean only me?" asked Max suspiciously.

"Nothing." Answered Ray.

"Come on! We're going to be late!" shouted Kenny from the van.

"Coming!" replied Max.

'Maybe I'm just kidding myself. I probably have just become a close friend to Mariah, that's all' thought Ray.

"So Ray, what's this I heard about you wanting to go back to the White Tigers?" asked Max.

"Nothing. I still have White Tiger blood, but I'm a Bladebreaker." Said Ray.

"That's great Ray!" exclaimed Kenny.

"Hmm, I hope you're reliable as a Bladebreaker." Said Kai in his kind of cold voice.

"Don't worry, I'd never betray you guys." Said Ray.

"Well, let's just not sit around and do nothing! Time to get to practice!" exclaimed Tyson running off.

"Wait for us!" called Kenny and Max.

"You get the benefit of the doubt." Said Kai.

"Yeah, thanks. I think." Said Ray unsure what Kai was talking about.

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'I wonder what Ray is doing right now. What am I thinking? Do I love him maybe?' asked Mariah to herself.

"What are you thinking about Mariah?" asked Lee.

"Nothing." Answered Mariah.

"It's impossible to not speak without thinking anything. If you don't want to tell me, it's okay." Said Lee.

"Um, Lee?" asked Mariah.

"Yeah Mariah?" asked Lee.

"Do you think Ray will ever come back?" asked Mariah.

"Ray!? Why is it always Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray, Ray with you? He betrayed us! The White Tiger should be mine! How come you think more about him than the team?" asked Lee yelling.

"Sorry Lee." Said Mariah in a quiet, small voice.

"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I'm taking my anger for Ray out on you. So, sorry." Said Lee and then left.

"Oh Lee." Said Mariah.

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"Ray! You beat me 10 times in a row! That's amazing!" exclaimed Tyson. "You didn't even use your bit-beast."

"The thing is Tyson, the White Tigers have seen that kind of move a million times. To beat them, you have to think of something original. Throw them off track, and then strike!" said Ray.

"I'll try that, thanks Ray." Said Tyson.

"Aren't you going to train some more Kai?" asked Kenny.

"What for? I already destroyed Max's beyblade 10 times." Said Kai.

"You don't have to let everyone know!" shouted Max playfully.

'I think tonight I should see Mariah.' Thought Ray. 'I need to find out what my feelings are for her. The only way to do that, is to see her.'

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'The only way to that is to see him.' Thought Mariah. 'If I don't find out how I feel for him, I might screw up.'

"Are you okay Mariah? You've been here since 11:00 am. It's 2:00 pm now." Said Kevin.

"I'm fine Kevin. Thanks for asking." Said Mariah.

"Okay then. I'll see you later." Said Kevin.

"Okay." Said Mariah. 'Now some quiet time to think. Maybe I should call him. Oh! That won't work! I don't know his phone number! Darn unlisted phone numbers! Might as well burn the phone book. It's no use to me!'

"I brought you some lunch Mariah." Said Gary.

"Thanks Gary. You didn't have to go to the trouble of bringing me lunch." Said Mariah.

"You're a teammate. If you don't eat, you won't be able to beyblade." Said Gary.

"You're right!" exclaimed Mariah. 'At the finals, I can get Ray's phone number since there won't be competition after it's over!'

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'At the finals, I'll talk to Mariah! If I find out I like her, I'll tell her! If I don't get knobby knees. What am I thinking? I'm Raymond! I don't get nervous over a girl. Even if that girl is Mariah! I'll be very confident!' thought Ray.

"Tomorrow, we'll show those White Tiger guys who's the best team! We're going to win this thing!" exclaimed Tyson.

"We can't if you don't let us sleep!" whined Kenny.

"Sorry Chief." Apologized Tyson.

What will happen next? Will Mariah and Ray ever find out their feelings for each other? Will Lee get his revenge? Find out next time on Is It Love?