Demons in the Doorway, Monsters down the Hall
Chapter 3: Dance with Me
Robyn stared at the board as the math professor continued to rattle on about this factor and that radian without showing any sign of stopping. The large circular object on the board meant nothing to her. It was surrounded by all sorts of numbers of pi and degrees that seemed to pop up like magic without any rhyme or reason.
Rowen glanced over to Robyn's befuddled expression as she shook her head. Her eye brows had risen far beyond her hair line and her mouth was hanging down in her lap. He chuckled and leaned over to her.
"Lost?" he whispered in her ear.
"So much it's not even funny," Robyn breathed, still staring at the board like it was her death sentence.
The bell rang and all the students gathered up their stuff while the professor barked out instructions to finish the next chapter in their text books.
"Are you doing anything after school?" Rowen asked as he stood and gathered his books. "If not I could come over and help you out."
"Oh would you?" Robyn asked thankfully. "I really need to pass this class."
"Sure, no problem. We're all getting together later tonight anyway, aren't we?"
"As far as I know."
"Okay, then we'll work on this right after school, your house?"
"Sounds good, see you later," Robyn replied as they headed off in their different directions for their next classes.
"Dude! Tonight is going to be sooo cool!" Kento raved after school was over. Robyn, Ryo and Cye were the only ones at the usual meeting place thus far. "You're going to love it Robyn, we'll show you all the coolest places to be! It'll be a blast!"
"Mm...can't hardly wait," Robyn replied calmly. She was chewing on her pencil like she had been doing all day while looking through her math book. "By the way Cye, Rowen's coming home with us."
Cye raised an eye brow at her. "He is? What for?"
"To help me with my trigonometry homework. That is, unless you think _you_ are more qualified..."
Cye squeaked shrilly-trigonometry was such a naughty word in his book. "No, no, no! He's more than welcome to come over and help you!"
"Good," Rowen grinned as he and Sage walked up to them. "I wouldn't want to impose."
Cye frowned as Rowen leaned closer with that cocky grin of his. The blue haired boy always had a knack for getting in his face like that. Whenever these two argued, it wasn't good natured teasing like Cye with Kento, it was usually a bit more heated.
"Well come on then," Kento said as he twirled his keys around his finger. "Some people are still on a schedule here, ya know." Everyone started to gather up their things in preparation for their departure. "Hey, everyone's meeting up at the restaurant at six, right?"
"Sure are," Ryo grinned as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
"Is Mia coming, too?" Sage asked.
"She had better," Kento grinned. "I invited her. See you two later."
Ryo and Sage departed off their separate ways while the rest of the group headed for Kento's jeep.
"Who's Mia?" Robyn asked. "Does she go to our school?"
"Nah, she's a bit older than us," Rowen explained. "But still a good friend of ours."
"She's cool, you'll like her," Kento nodded.
"I call shotgun!" Cye suddenly spoke up.
"Not if I get there first," Rowen grinned as he sprinted for the dirty vehicle. With a cry of protest, Cye was right on his heels.
Kento and Robyn kept their usual pace while the former chuckled to himself.
"Suckers."
"What?" Robyn wanted to know.
"The doors are locked," Kento snickered.
A collective "Nooo!" came from the two boys when they couldn't pull the door open. A second later both were back to arguing who should get the front seat.
"I called for it first!" Cye yelled.
"Well I'm taller, I can't fit in Kento's dinky back seat!"
"Maybe we should just let Robyn have the front," Kento said to the boys' displeasure.
"Maybe you should make them both sit in the front," Robyn joined in.
Everyone cringed at that suggestion. Rowen didn't want to sit closer to Cye than he had to. Cye wondered who would be sitting on whose lap if they did. Kento was beginning to wonder if it was a good idea to let those two share the back seat, let alone the front. Robyn simply found the mental picture of the guys sharing the front seat very comical.
But as it turned out, they still had to play by the rules and Cye had called for it first. Rowen wasn't too happy about being scrunched in the back but he made up for it by jabbing his bony knees into the back of Cye's seat the whole ride.
"Kento, make him stop," Cye whined.
Rowen punched his seat extra hard and Cye suddenly turned and attacked. He would have gotten Rowen, too, if he hadn't been firmly strapped in by his seat belt. Rowen stayed just barely out of reach as Cye swung wildly. All of Torrent's threats just made him laugh and kick the seat again.
"Hey!" Kento threatened as he tried to drive and swat at them both at the same time. "Don't make me pull this thing over, man!"
Luckily, they had arrived at the Mouri residence before further problems could accumulate.
"Alright, now get out!" Kento barked.
The two boys grumbled as they climbed out of the jeep.
"Good grief, and people say I'm immature sometimes," Robyn confided to Kento. "I thought I was the only one who knew how to push Cye's buttons like that."
"Nah, I think Rowen's got ya beat there," Kento grinned. "See you later tonight."
"Later Kento, thanks for the ride."
Inside the Mouri house, things were starting to calm down a bit. Cye had moved into the kitchen to brood and find something to snack on while Rowen and Robyn sat around the dinning room table. After much arguing and cursing the unit circle, with Rowen's help, Robyn was beginning to understand the assignment.
"Okay Rowen, now what is the inverse cosine of the sine of negative pi over six?" Robyn asked.
"Look at your unit circle," Rowen coaxed.
"Aww, come on. Can't you just once tell me what the answer is?"
"Can't you just once do a problem by yourself?"
Robyn suddenly jumped up from her chair and grabbed the extra long lock of hair between Rowen's eyes. "Tell me now, dangit!"
Cye looked up when he heard Rowen's cry of surprise. The thin young man looked like he was having some kind of heart attack as his arms failed wildly. One would have thought Robyn had a more sensitive body part in her clutches than just Rowen's hair from the way he was acting.
"TWO PI OVER THREE! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! IT'S TWO PI OVER THREE!"
With a grin of triumph, Robyn released her hostage and quickly scribbled down the answer. "Thank you sooo much buttercup," she cooed sweetly.
"You're welcome, sugar dumpling," Rowen's voice was dripping with sarcasm as he fixed his hair.
Robyn chuckled as she turned to the next problem. After a second of looking at it she decided she couldn't do it and dropped her pencil aggravatedly.
"I'm hungry, maybe that's why I can't concentrate. I need a sandwich. Want something to eat Rowen?"
Rowen shrugged as the redheaded girl got up and moved to the kitchen. There was always plenty of food in the Mouri household. Always enough to make any kind of sandwich one could think up. Especially as of lately since Robyn had proved to be very much of a sandwich person. Cye was forced to share the counter space as Robyn pulled out the bread and a large jar of super chunky peanut butter.
"Woa, that stuff will give you a heart attack," Rowen counseled.
"Not yet it hasn't," Robyn replied as she spread a hefty helping of peanut butter onto her bread.
Rowen shook his head and set about making himself a healthier ham and cheese sandwich. However, he couldn't help but smile as he continued to watch Robyn compile her peanut butter sandwich. Each stroke of the knife was like she was painting a masterpiece. She placed the second piece of bread on top carefully, eyes open wide with wonderment; as if this were the last sandwich she would ever eat and it had to be perfect.
"Ta da!" she exclaimed when her sandwich was finished. "Perfection at its finest."
After taking a moment to admire it, she snatched it up and took a messy, peanut buttery bite. Then she started dancing to silent music while she chewed.
"What are you doing?" Rowen asked as he finished making his own sandwich.
"The happy sandwich dance," Robyn replied before taking another bite and resuming in the dance. Her voice was muffled with peanut butter as she continued to explain. "Thee? Firss you taka bite an then you do thith with yo' sanwith."
She started around the counter with a mock Egyptian type dance; head bobbing, one hand still clinging to her peanut butter. Halfway around she did a full circle on her toe, giving an encouraging "Come on Rowen!" before continuing the rest of the way around the counter.
Rowen just looked at her funny and shook his head. There was no way he was going to do that. Good grief, it was just a sandwich! But Robyn did not seem to care as she reached the spot where Cye was perched on his stool.
"And then you get over here and you offer Cye a bite."
She then shoved her snack in the brown haired boy's face. Cye almost backed right off his stool in attempts to avoid the high calorie mess.
"Get that away from me! Ah!" Cye screeched, his arms pin-wheeling as he struggled to keep the balance of his stool as it threatened to topple over.
Robyn started laughing so hard she choked on her own sandwich and was forced to lean over the sink as she tried to laugh and cough peanut butter out of her air passage at the same time. Rowen, in all honesty, wasn't faring much better. Cye regained his composure and regarded her indignantly.
"Serves you right," he sniffed.
"Well it sounds like someone *cough, cough* needs to *cough* lighten up," Robyn tried to say.
"It's not exactly an easy thing with both you and Rowen giving me a bad time," Cye sulked.
"Hey! Watch what you say Cye! Don't make me sing the "Fishes" song!"
"What's the "Fishes" song?" Rowen wondered.
"Not the "Fishes" song! ANYTHING but the stupid-"
"We like fishes 'cause they're so delicious!" Robyn suddenly sang out.
Cye let out a pathetic whimper and dropped his head on the counter top. Meanwhile, Rowen was once again trying to choke back his laughter. It was then Robyn decided to show Cye some pity for the first time that evening.
"Aww, I'm sorry Cye," she said as she moved next to him. She crossed her arms over the folded arms already cradling his face. She moved her mouth close to his ear so he would be the only one to hear the conversation.
"I've been mean Cye, can I make it up to you?"
"No," he pouted from beneath his arms.
"Oh come on. Anything you want, just name it."
"No. Just, just forget it."
"I'll make you a sandwich," Robyn suggested enticingly. "Or you can have half of mine."
"I don't want your stupid sandwich."
"How about Rowen's stupid sandwich? You've seen how I deal with him. I can make him give it up."
Besides a few mumbles, Rowen couldn't understand what was going on. Cye's shoulders shook when he started to chuckle and then his head came back up, a newly placed smile on his face. Robyn gave him a friendly squeeze before setting out to finish devouring her snack.
Rowen, without knowing it, gave a smile of his own as he watched the two. It seemed they had been on each other's last nerve when Robyn had first arrived. But lately something different had happened. There had always been something about Cye, something that showed in his eyes. Something that seemed to weigh deeply inside of him. Often when Cye was with Kento it seemed to relieve that burden. But with Robyn in the picture, it was more than just a temporary relief, it was like the weight on his heart was disappearing altogether. Rowen had to admit, this seemed to be what Cye needed. And now was the time for Rowen to be happy for him.
"Hey Cye," Robyn spoke up through the silence. "Now do you want half of my-"
"NO!"
The Golden Dragon was one of the best eating spots in the city and the amount of customers it brought in each day proved that fact. The place was full as usual-everyone talking, laughing, and eating over the best Chinese food money could buy. Bus boys were racing back and forth with practiced grace in their sharp uniforms as they carried their full trays around the large room. In the back, it was just as hectic in the kitchen. Mama Faun, along with two other hired chiefs, were bustling back and forth over large pots and skillets. Every tantalizing smell imaginable wafted through the air as the food hissed and boiled.
The cooks were so busy worrying about feeding their customers they didn't notice the door in the very back creek open. Three teens stepped in. The two boys looked very at ease with their entrance while the shorter girl seemed a bit hesitant. While passing on some full plates to the next busser, Mama Faun finally noticed them. Her eyes opened wide at the sight of the new guests.
"Ah, my boys have come back to me!" she cried as she threw her arms around Cye and Rowen and pulled them up into a collective hug.
Mama Faun was a stout woman with height pushing the line at the five foot marker. Her jet black hair, streaked with flower and other spices from the kitchen, was pulled up in a tight bun. She had bright silver eyes, high cheekbones, and a grip of steel.
"Mama Faun," both boys returned affectionately as they let her hug them. Neither seemed in the least bit embarrassed as this open show of affection even though both would have probably been acting different if it was their own mother. Robyn was impressed with this. Maybe there was hope for these two after all.
"Rowen, Cye, I've missed you two so!" Mama Faun released her catch and smiled at them. "You never come visit me any more."
"We're sorry," Cye grinned.
"You know we would if we could," Rowen added. "You know we're sure at your guys' house a lot. If you would just stay home every once in a while-"
"Now Rowen Hashiba, don't you start with me," Mama wagged her large spoon at him. "You know I couldn't give this up, it's my life and I-oh my goodness! Who is this sweet child here?"
Robyn made a mental face at herself as the dark haired woman addressed her. That was not something she was used to being referred to. For some reason it really, really didn't seem to fit.
"Mama, this is Robyn," Cye introduced. "She's staying with us during the school year."
"Ah, so this is Robyn. Kento's mentioned you before."
"And I've heard tons about you Mrs. Faun," Robyn grinned. "Everyone says I haven't lived until I've tried your cooking."
"Is that what they say? Well, how about you go see for yourself," she winked at her. "And please, call me Mama, all the others do."
"Yo Ma!" Kento called as he carelessly slung a plate onto the counter. "Some yutz at table seven says you didn't cook this enough. Want me ta go rough him up?"
"Well, everyone except that ruffian," Mama mumbled. Robyn giggled.
"Hey, what are you saying about me?" Kento demanded.
"Only good things," Mama replied.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," Kento grinned sarcastically. "So can I go now Ma? You said I could when the guys got here."
"And what makes you think we came to see you anyway?" Cye grinned. "Not when there's prettier faces to see over here."
"Oh! What a sweetheart!" Mama Faun hugged Cye again. "Now why can't I have sons as sweet as you. Food's on the house tonight!"
"Suck up," Kento replied to Cye's smirk. "What a friend. Makes me look bad in front of my own mother."
"So what do you kids plan on doing tonight?" Mama asked.
"We're all meeting here for dinner and then we're going to show Robyn the town," Kento explained. "So can I please get off work now?"
"I supposed so," Mama Faun replied good naturedly. "You kids head up front and we'll get you something to eat. It was nice meeting you Robyn," she added as the group headed out of the kitchen to the eating area.
"You too," Robyn called with a smile as she followed Rowen and Cye out.
"Kento," Mama grabbed her son before he could leave. "You make sure that girl gets some food in her. Poor thing's practically skin and bones."
"Alright Ma," Kento said, tolerant of his mother's worries. He kissed her on the cheek before joining his friends.
The four of them had just barely seated themselves when Ryo arrived. Though usually late for most things, the bearer of Wildfire made it a point to always be punctual when there was food involved. The group of now five took the large, round booth in the corner so there would be room for all of them. Going clockwise, the seating was Kento, Cye, Robyn, Rowen, and Ryo.
It was already a little after six and the group was still waiting for the last two members. Kento, driven to the point of near insanity from all the wonderful smells, announced it was their own fault for being late and that he was going to order now. Being normal teenagers, the rest of them were practically starving as well and they all eventually agreed.
The orders were placed and when the food was brought to them there was still no Mia or Sage. So with a collective shrug, the group dug in. Kento and Rowen, as usual, were practically inhaling their food. Cye daintily picked at his food and ate it calmly while Ryo ate with the same grace, only with practiced speed. As for Robyn, she was not too familiar with oriental dishes. Kento had practically ordered everything for her and she was now making it a point to try everything on her plate before digging in.
It was then the two stragglers finally walked in together. Sage was dressed slightly neater than the rest, as usual. At his side was a tall, slender woman. She looked slightly older than the rest with bright, beautiful eyes, full lips, and long brown hair. Dressed in a fashionable skirt and blouse, she walked with natural grace next to Sage.
"About time you guys got here," Kento said between mouthfuls.
Mia grinned. "And here I was worried about you guys waiting for us."
"Well you are a half an hour late," Kento argued.
"Yeah, what kept you guys anyway?" Cye asked.
"That's my fault, I'm afraid," Mia admitted. "My car broke down at the last minute. Sage was the only person I could get a hold of to give me a ride here. I'm really sorry everybody."
Sage put a hand on her shoulder and smiled for the first time since he had come in. "You've been apologizing ever since I picked you up. Don't worry about it Mia."
"Yeah, come join us," Ryo invited as he scooted closer to Rowen to make room.
"Mia, this is Robyn," Cye introduced. "I'm sure Kento told you about her."
"Yes," Mia nodded as she sat next to Ryo. "Hi Robyn, I'm Mia Koji."
"Hi, it's nice to meet you."
Robyn didn't return the greeting with the same enthusiasm. Someone was watching her. She looked up and locked eyes with Sage. There was that look again. That same intensity was still there. But so was something else. Anxiety? Fear? Something in those eyes triggered familiar emotions and Robyn's stomach flip flopped at the recollection of them. What was he hiding? What happened to him to put such emotions in those eyes?
The trance was broken as Sage sat down next to Mia. But Robyn still hadn't gotten over what she experienced. As the two new arrivals ordered she absently stirred her food while deep in thought. The food, the people, the noise-they all disappeared as Robyn's mind wandered deeper into her subconsciousness.
"Not hungry Robyn?"
The red haired girl lifted her head at the sound of her name.
"Huh?"
Kento had been watching her and now there was a questioning look in his dark, boyish eyes.
"Is there something wrong with the food?"
Robyn looked at her plate as if seeing its contents for the first time. "Oh! Oh no, no. It's fine! It's really good!" She took a bite to prove her point. "How rude of me, sorry! Sometimes my mind just goes."
"That's an understatement," Rowen muttered to his plate.
Unfortunately for him, Robyn was sitting right next to him.
"I heard that!" she said as she punched his arm.
Rowen retaliated by jabbing his pointy elbow into the ticklish spot on her side. Robyn jumped in surprise, nearly sliding right out of her seat and taking Cye with her.
"You two grow up!" the bearer of Torrent ordered.
Rowen responded by nearly bowling over Robyn as he reacher over to shove the ice from his drink down the back of Cye's shirt.
"Food fight!" Kento sang. He flipped a spoonful of rice in Rowen's face while Cye continued to shriek girlishly and dance around in his seat as he tried to retrieve the ice from his shirt. Robyn was already tossing more ice at Kento while Rowen was loading the remnants of his meal onto his spoon.
"Ready! Aim! Fire!"
"I think that's our cue to find a new table," Sage announced calmly as he stood up.
"Definitely," Mia agreed as she followed.
"As much as I like a battle," Ryo added, "I think I'll stick with you guys this time."
As the three moved off to a safer table, a small war broke out in the corner of the Golden Dragon Restaurant.
"Man, I'm still picking rice out of my hair!" Robyn whined as she continued to comb her fingers through her strawberry strands. The group of seven was currently strolling down the city sidewalks. It was now dark outside and all the city lights flashed brightly above them.
"It makes you look like you've got head lice," Kento jeered. "Kooties! Kooties!"
"Oh hush up, you don't look much better. You've still got noodles hanging out your shirt collar."
"I still can't believe you guys got us kicked out of the restaurant," Sage shook his head. "I don't think I've ever seen such a display of childishness in all my life."
"Apparently, neither did Kento's mom!" Ryo laughed. "Did you see the look on her face?"
"Before or after she started clubbing Kento with that spoon of hers?" Rowen grinned.
"Hey shut up!" Kento yelled. "I'm not the only one who got in trouble, remember? I'm also not the only one who had to help clean up."
The group muttered a chorus of "Yeah, yeah's" as they continued on down the street. After a moment of walking Cye tugged on Robyn's wrist.
"There it is Robyn, the one place you've been dying to go."
"Yay! The mall!" Robyn cheered with elation.
"I take it you didn't have one in your old town," Rowen grinned.
Robyn shook her head. "Brother, we didn't even have a Wal-Mart. It was a sad, small town."
"Woa, I bet!" Kento said with wide eyes. "Let's get you inside quick girl! Hurry!"
Robyn laughed as Kento pulled her towards the large building. The rest of the group followed with now higher spirits.
The Toyama Mall was packed with people as most malls usually go. For the first five minutes the gang meandered around the different shops, not really having any place particular anyone wanted to be. They soon made it to the food court and Kento's mouth began to water. He hadn't been able to eat his fill at the restaurant since he got kicked out prematurely. Cye saw the familiar look in his eyes and grabbed his sleeve to make sure Kento stayed with the rest of them.
"Not now," Cye warned.
Kento relented to his friend's orders and sighed in defeat.
As the group was moving past the food court, they passed one of the mall workers who was cleaning up quite a gross looking spill on the floor. One had to wonder how such a mess could have been made.
"Kento, look at the mess you made," Robyn said teasingly. "I told you to go before we left."
Mia almost jumped when next to her, Ryo snorted loudly at the comment.
But Kento didn't seem to be offended. He grinned widely and replied "Sorry Robyn, I couldn't hold it any more. I had to go!"
A few more chuckles rose up from the group while Cye just shook his head. How did he get mixed up with such goofball friends?
"Now remember Robyn," he started to say later on. "Mom gave us extra money so you could go out and buy some—Robyn?"
He turned to find the red haired girl missing-along with both Rowen and Kento.
"Hold up guys, he called to Ryo, Sage, and Mia who were a few steps ahead of him. "We're short some people."
A bit of backtracking discovered the three lost souls in a book store- of all places. Rowen was flipping through a few novels while Kento and Robyn were hunched over the magazine rack. Closer investigation showed both had an issue of National Geographic and were flipping wildly through the pages.
"Well this is you," Robyn said as she pointed to the picture of some ugly, old mummy remains someone discovered.
"Oh yeah? This is you," Kento retorted as he shoved a picture of a crusty looking gorilla in her face.
"Oh yeah? Well this is you," Robyn replied, pointing to the rear end of a water buffalo.
"Hey," Rowen said, interrupting their argument. "This is both you guys."
Kento and Robyn paused to look at the novel Rowen was holding. It was called "Waves of Passion" and on the cover it has a perfectly figured man and woman kissing passionately on the beach. The tide was coming in around them and the two looked about ready to rip each other's clothes off. Robyn and Kento stared at it blankly for a moment.
"Oh yeah?" both called at the same time and immediately began flipping through their magazines again.
"This looks like Rowen."
"No way, this is better."
"Ewe! That's gross! But it does look like Rowen! What about this?"
"No, this looks like Rowen."
"Now way, it's not ugly enough."
"Hey you guys-" Cye called out but was cut off by Mia.
"Let them go," she smiled gently. "We did come here to have fun, didn't we?"
Cye shrugged and Mia went off to check out a few books for herself. Cye soon followed after her and found himself enthraled by a beautifully illustrated marine picture book. Ryo and Sage remained in the store's doorway. The former casually reached for the nearest magazine and flipped through it.
"Hey Sage, look at this. It looks like-"
"I'm not going to look Ryo," Sage informed him. "So don't even start."
"Robyn," Cye approached her after almost an hour of browsing through stores. "Mom did give me strict instructions not to come back until you've bought some new clothes."
"Oh that's right, isn't it?" Robyn's face fell. "I hate shopping for clothes." She sighed and then let her spirits lift again. "So who wants to go shopping with me then?"
All the guys heard the announcement and quickly pointed to Mia who, in turn, did not look very appreciative of their actions. Robyn just shrugged in apology.
"And while you guys are doing that, I'm going to kick Cye's butt at the arcade!" Kento announced.
"Oh? You and what army Kento?" Cye retorted. "We'll see who wins."
"You're on!"
Cye and Kento ran off to the arcade with Ryo close behind claiming rights to challenge the winner. Rowen and Sage, with nothing better to do, followed after them.
"Well, I guess it's just you and me then," Mia said.
Robyn shrugged. "Guess so. I hope you don't mind. It's not like I'm thrilled about shopping for clothes with a bunch of guys anyway."
Mia laughed lightly. "I totally understand. Come on. I know this great store over on the third level. This way."
The boys were granted a forty-five minute slug fest before the girls returned.
"We're back!" Robyn sang as she approached Ryo and Rowen hunched over one machine. The two boys grunted in reply, never moving their eyes from the screen as they tried to kill each other's characters.
"It's about time you got back," Sage said as he approached, followed by Kento and Cye. "I hate the arcade."
"How can you say that after you just beat Kento?" Cye grinned smugly at his scowling best friend.
"I don't get it!" Kento exclaimed. "The guy never plays. But when I finally manage to talk him into a match he whoops my butt! It's a terrible injustice I tell ya! A conspiracy!"
"I think it's just because you're a lousy player Kento," Ryo chided from his game.
"WHAT?"
"Speaking of lousy playing," Rowen grinned as the screen announced he had won the match.
Ryo just shrugged. Win or loose, it didn't matter much to him.
"So anyways, back to me," Robyn quickly cut in. "Check out my new cargo pants I got. I'm going to wear them for the rest of the night."
Everyone looked at the new pair of pants Robyn was wearing. They were an off-white khaki color, quite baggy on her and pockets everywhere.
"Holy cow! Where did you pick up those things?" Ryo wondered.
"I like them!" Robyn beamed. "They're too cool."
"They also have too many pockets," Kento pointed out. "Look at them all!"
"Yeah Kento," Rowen grinned. "You'll have to take off your shoes and socks just to count them all."
"What is this, Pick On Kento Day?"
"Robyn, I don't think that's what Mom had in mind when she sent us shopping," Cye put in.
"Relax, I got a bunch of other stuff to keep her happy. Look." She presented the shopping bags that held the rest of the clothes she had purchased.
"Okay gang, so what are we going to do now?" Ryo wondered.
"First we should probably find a place to put all these bags so we're not carrying them around for the rest of the night," Mia, who had purchased a few things herself, suggested.
"Right," Kento nodded. "We'll go stash the stuff in my car and then we'll-"
"Hold on, we lost Robyn again," Rowen stated as he looked around.
"Dude! Cool sunglasses!" she called from a near by store.
Cye sighed. "We're never going to get out of here," he whined.
"Ryo, Ryo, come here!" Robyn called excitedly.
The dark haired young man complied to her wishes and approached her side.
"Try these on," she ordered as she practically put the glasses on for him. She stood back to admire her selection. "Woo, very nice Ryo. You look really good in those. They're perfect for you. Doesn't he look way sexy with those glasses Mia?"
Ryo looked her way at the mention of Mia's name. The tall brunette could only blush and look down. All the other guys jeered and teased. Ryo didn't seem to mind as he continued to smile brightly. He also ended up buying the glasses.
"And now for the highlight of our evening," Kento announced. The group had long since discarded their mall findings in Kento's jeep and were now standing outside a brick building. It had only one small window where flashing multicolored lights shone through and the heavy base of music reverberated out into the streets.
"This is the place to be, huh?" Robyn asked.
"Oh yeah!" Kento rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Cye and I always come here on weekends to pick up chicks."
Robyn immediately cracked up at the comment.
"What?" Cye demanded. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing, nothing. It's just the mental image of you guys trying to-" Robyn laughed again as she slapped Cye on the back. "Man, it's just been too long. Last time I saw you we were building forts in your back yard and now you're picking up girls. It's hard to get used to."
"Well what about you?" Cye grinned as the group started to move inside the noisy building.
"Sorry Cye, I don't pick up girls."
"And we're all grateful for that Robyn."
"Shut up Rowen, nobody asked you."
The place ended up being a lot more fun than Robyn had initially thought it would be. At one end of the room was a long counter for people to sit at and order from. Tables were stationed all over the place and most of them were filled with people chatting and laughing happily. At the other end was a dance floor where everyone moved and danced at their own accord to the live local band playing on the small platform at the front. The atmosphere was loose and casual. One did not have to know how to dance to fit in-much to Robyn's relief. She soon noticed that most of her friends didn't know much what they were doing either. Mia seemed to be the only one who had any rythem. But everyone was having fun.
At least Robyn was having fun until Kento decided to play keep away from Ryo-with her. The warrior of strength had her draped around his neck as he weaved through the crowd. Ryo was close behind him, trying to grab Robyn's ankle while she kicked and struggled to get free.
"Sorry!" she called to the third person to get hit with her foot as Kento whirled around. "Kento, you moron! Everyone's getting mad at us! PUT ME DOWN!"
"Huh?" Kento paused as Robyn tried more earnestly to slip out of his clutches.
"I'm not your little keep away toy!" Robyn yelled above the music. She had managed to slide out until her head was dangling around his waist. But Kento still had hold of her ankles and he looked like he had no intention of letting her go.
"KENTO!"
It was then Ryo finally took pity on her and helped her escape Kento's grasp without conking her head on the floor. She could hear the two boys still laughing at her as she readjusted her pocketed pants and skulked off to the safety of the counter for a little while. She looked along the rows of strangers and spotted a familiar blonde head. She went up and approached the tall young man at the counter.
"Have you been here all night?" Robyn asked Sage.
Sage casually turned around, leaning his back against the table so he could watch the dance floor.
"Pretty much," he replied, not looking at her.
Robyn quirked an eye brow at him. "Why? All your friends are out there having a good time. Don't you want to join them?"
This time it was Sage's turn to raise an eye brow at her. In the background they could both hear Kento war whooping while Cye was shrieking his name for whatever reason.
"Okay, I see your point," Robyn admitted. "But still, I think you need to lighten up every once in a while."
Sage made a disagreeable grunt and looked away from her. Robyn bit her lip as she watched him.
"You don't like me much, do you Sage?" she finally asked.
The blonde youth returned his piercing violet eye back on her. His lips were drawn in a tight line as he mulled the question over.
"I hardly know you," was his only reply.
Robyn nodded her head in understanding. She could deal with that. Sage was turning to retreat to some other secluded spot where he could lurk; but Robyn still hadn't finished her say. She took a step after him and promptly slapped her palm full on his backside. Sage stiffened and jumped in surprise. His single eye was wide but then narrowed in anger at the person who dare commit such an act. He whirled around and glared at the girl who had put him in such a dishonorable position. But Robyn was already meeting his glare with a look of her own.
"I said to lighten up," she informed him curtly before turning on her own heel and parading off in another direction.
Sage shook his head and gave her an odd look before proceeding the opposite way.
Robyn, who still wasn't hot with the idea of going back to the hectic dance floor yet, took sanctuary near the end of the bar. She leaned her back against it with her elbows resting behind her and idly watched the bouncing bodies on the dance floor.
"Hey Robyn."
Robyn looked up at the unfamiliar voice calling her name. A tall young man around her age with dark hair and hazel eyes came up to her.
"Your name's Robyn, right?"
She nodded to the stranger. The young man grinned in return.
"Yeah, I thought it was you. We have second hour together, remember?"
"Oh yeah," Robyn grinned. "I thought you looked familiar. You're always with those guys in the back making noise."
"That's me," he laughed. "I'm Hiroshi Yumi."
"Robyn McCarthy," she replied as she shook his hand. "Nice to meet ya."
Hiroshi nodded as he looked her over. "Hey, nice pants," he said not all too sincerely. "I hope you don't plan on wearing those to school. You'll get laughed right out of town."
Robyn shrugged at the threat. "I don't care what anyone says. I like them and that's all that matters."
Hiroshi smiled, seemingly impressed with the answer.
"So, are you here with some friends?"
Robyn shrugged again. "Yeah, more or less. It's Cye and his buddies. They wanted to show me the town and stuff. They're around here...somewhere."
"Hey Robyn!" Kento called out as if on cue. "Check this out! Sage is busting a move, ya gotta see this!"
With interest to its peak, Robyn took off after Kento. "Later Hiro," she called over her shoulder.
In the middle of the dance floor, a huge crowd had gathered. The music blared loudly, but it couldn't drown out the cheers and the whistles of the people standing by. Kento grabbed Robyn's wrist and pushed his way into the crowd, pulling her with him. With a bit of hustling on Kento's part they made it past the droves of on lookers and Robyn was finally able to see just what everyone was watching.
It the midst of all the noise and lights was Sage tearing it up on the dance floor. With shirt part way unbuttoned and hair flying, the blonde young man was wowing the crowd with his stunning array of dips and jumps and spins-a barrage of every dance style known to mankind. The boys howled and cheered while the girls screamed and fanned themselves. But there was not a single pair of eyes that wasn't riveted on the spinning, swinging body in the middle.
One pair of eyes was especially bright as they watched the show. Mia always loved it when Sage danced. She had been well aware of his talents for a while now. Sage was such a wonderful and talented dancer. But it was so very seldom one could convince Sage to get out and show off. He was always so quiet and never one to flaunt himself. Mia had to wonder just what possessed Sage to suddenly get in front of this large audience now.
"Oh wow! That guy is so hot!" Mia heard the girl next to her say to her friend. The other girl nodded.
"You just don't find guys who can really dance anymore. Oh! That just really turns me on!"
"That's my friend," Mia boasted to them.
The girls smiled back at her, but she could see the jealousy in their faces. Mia just beamed. One of the many perks of being the only female member of a group of five guys. Five very good looking guys, Mia thought to herself with a smile.
The heavy music ended abruptly and the crowd cheered and applauded. Though no group was making more noise than the collected whoops and whistles of Ryo, Rowen, and Cye. Sage halted with the music. He was winded from the exertion; his chest heaved and his hair stuck to his slightly moist forehead. Sage was quick to sweep it out of the way.
Mia was cheering for Sage. She was about to run to him when he suddenly turned in another direction. She watched in surprise as his eyes settled on a certain red haired girl and Mia couldn't help but feel her cheeks grow slightly red as jealousy filled her.
Robyn, who's mouth was hanging open most of the time, was quick to compose herself as Sage turned to her. He gave her a slight bow of the head with a facial expression that basically said "I showed you". With a shake of her head, Robyn smiled and started clapping with the rest of the crowd. Satisfied he had gotten his point across, Sage marched back out of the crowd, his friends and a handful of swooning girls following behind him.
The trip back to Mia's house was a silent one. But then again, going on any trip with Sage always was. He was never that much of a conversationalist. Not that Mia minded much. Being around the rowdy group of boys taught her to treasure what quiet moments she got. Often times she was content to just sit next to Sage and bask in the silence. But somehow, Mia wasn't sure why, but the silence in the car that night was somewhat uncomfortable. Mia decided to break it.
"That was fun tonight, don't you think so Sage? It's good to have us all together like that."
"Hn," Sage replied with a nod, though he didn't look like he was paying much attention.
There was silence for another moment. Then Mia tried again.
"I thought it was neat how you got out and danced like that. You really surprised me."
Sage only nodded vaguely in return. His eyes were directed on the road but his mind seemed to be focused elsewhere.
"Sage, is something bothering you?"
"Huh?" Sage looked at her as if noticing her for the first time. "I'm sorry Mia, what did you say?"
"Nothing," Mia sighed.
Sage took that as an acceptable answer and once again turned his gaze back to the road. Mia sat in her seat and sulked a bit. She didn't like being ignored. In her head, the earlier scene of Sage ignoring her to bow to Robyn kept replaying itself. She remembered how jealous she had felt. She didn't mean to be, it just happened.
"So what do you think of Robyn, Sage?" Mia wanted to know. "She's quite a...different person, isn't she?"
Sage scrunched up his features at the mention of the young redhead. "She's too pushy," he announced. "And she talks too much."
Mia tried to hide her smile. She knew it was horrible, but hearing Sage say that actually made her feel good. It was nice to know she wasn't the only one taken in by the new comer. Unfortunately, it looked like the other guys were already captivated with her antics.
The car stopped as they reached Mia's house outside town. Sage got out to open the door for her and they both walked together to the front porch.
"Thanks again for the ride," Mia smiled. "And be sure to thank everyone for inviting me. It's so nice of you guys to include me on your nights out."
Sage smiled at her. "We still consider you part of the team Mia. Always. Good night."
"Good night Sage."
Sage turned back to his car as Mia walked inside. She smiled to herself as she closed the door behind her, once again feeling lucky to have known Sage and the others. She crept to the window and peaked out the curtains to watch Sage drive away. "Always" he had said. It made Mia feel good to know she was still thought of even after their encounter with the dynasty was all over.
After going through all that, I suppose we'll always be a part of each other, she thought to herself. Always.
