Surprisely, the next couple days of school went by uneventfully. The Street Sharks, thinking I wasn't interested in Beyblading, gave up trying to challenge me, under pressure from their teachers to study harder. It also seemed that Artesia and I had quite a few classes together during the day. One or two I shared with both her and Carlos, but the others it was just her. I had math and science classes with Artesia, and in math, sometimes while I was studying, I would feel her soft adburn hair brush against the side of my face as she would ask for my help with her schoolwork. In science, we were lab partners and she actually impressed me with her knowledge of different experiments. I would hear Carlos snort with laughter whenever Artesia would tell him about her classes. He was an okay student, he got by in his classes, but barely. Most of the time him and his friends would be talking about Beyblade in hushed tones in the back of the class. I decided to get away for awhile after school and went to check out the new coffeeshop across the street from the school. I ordered a glass of warm green tea to take to my seat where I had laid out my schoolwork and some plans I had put together for my Beyblade. I looked up abesentmindly as I saw a young woman walk in, dressed in a pair of tight pink lace jeans and matching midriff top. "Kai, hello!" she said, revealing herself to be my friend Artesia. "Artesia." I said. I was so surprised to see her that I nearly spilled my drink. She caught it just before it fell, sitting down next to me. "I thought you weren't into Beyblade." she teased. I blushed. "Well, I never told you before, but my dad taught me about the game a long time ago. I've never been into it, because I never had anyone to share it with. Since you and I are becoming such good friends, I thought I would give the game a try." I told her. "That is such wonderful news, Kai. I had an offer to make you myself actually. My relatives wired me some money to buy some school clothes and I was hoping you would go to the mall this weekend with me." Artesia said. "The mall? Well, I'd be glad to go, but why me?" I asked. "Well, Carlos is going to be busy with his family this weekend and I guess I'd kinda like to see if I can find some clothes for you while we're there." she said. "Clothes for me?! What's wrong with what I wear?" I asked her. "Nothing in particular, it's just that you cover yourself up too much. I saw you in gym class when you were in your gym uniform and you looked very nice, like you worked out or something. I thought maybe we could find some clothes that would show your physique off better." she said. Seeing how happy the idea of the whole shopping trip was making her, who was I to refuse her, I thought. I smiled. "I guess that would be okay. I would be happy to go with you, Artesia." I said. She smiled and sat down next to me. "Great; now maybe you can help me with some of my schoolwork, if you don't mind." she teased again. She sat her belongings down next to mine, not waiting for a response, as we went over our mutual homework. I got to spend almost a good two hours with her before I had to go home. She insisted on walking me part of the way home to thank me for agreeing to go shopping with her. I told her I didn't mind shopping, so it was fine with me. We stopped at the intersection between our two destinations, where she gave me a brief embrace before leaving. I felt like I was on cloud nine all the way home as I looked forward to the weekend.

"Fallen roses...beauty that knows no bounds, yet so flawed in the most delightful ways, petals sway in the breeze, only to fall within the deepest recesses of my soul...this is what I truly feel..." the poet began. I had never been much for poetry, but listening to aspiring poets recite their works in the main courtyard of the mall was a pleasant way to pass the time while I waited for Artesia to arrive. I had arrived early as is my habit to do so, and was looking at the various Beyblade parts I owned and very rarely used. I had decided to bring my own Beyblade to show to Artesia and had to take a moment to remember how to construct it again. "A fallen rose...that sorta makes me think of you, Kai." a voice said over my shoulder. "Why do you say that, Artesia?" I asked her, standing to greet her. "Because in my eyes, you are just as beautiful as a rose, yet so flawed in the best ways. I'm sorry; I know that sounds silly." Artesia said. I blushed furiously at her compliment. "No one has ever given me a compliment like that before, thank you. You look nice today." I told her. She smiled."Thank you. So do you. Are you ready to shop?" she asked me. I smiled in return. "Whenever you are." I told her.