Disclaimer: All non-original characters belong to their owners.
~*~
Taylor sighed as she and Natalie enjoyed their evening tea in the green house. She took another sip of her green tea as she looked at the moon threw the windows above. "Melinda will make another one of her beautiful pictures no doubt." She said with a smile.
"I always love looking at what she creates. It's a way to get into her imagination and learn what she sees or what she has seen before we met." Natalie agreed when up came Oliver and smiled as he noticed the two young women.
"I hope I'm not intruding or anything." He said and Taylor smiled motioning to one of the five empty chairs.
"Why don't you join us?" She suggested and he happily accepted the offer and found a seat. Natalie gave him a cup of tea and allowed him to choose which extras he wanted. "So how do you like this place so far?"
"It's beautiful and so full of life. The pictures on displayed threw out the house, however, are what really caught my eye. So much detail put into them and yet such easy artwork. Who may I ask made them?" He said as Natalie looked at the moon again.
"Melinda did. She always paints during the nights. Especially when the moon is full and the clouds are nowhere to be found like to night. Her paintings are away of expressing her imagination. She also writes stories that can be found in the library. She so creative and so tactical it's no wonder she grew up in a family that worked for the army." Natalie said then looked at him.
"She seems really nice. How come she wasn't at dinner?" He asked hoping he wasn't pushing his luck about learning about the mystery girl that roamed the halls like a quiet breeze over a meadow. You know it's there but cannot see it as it makes its way to a new place.
"It seems that something happened between Rebecca and her and she said she wouldn't go to dinner. She was always known for keeping her word and this is one of those times. She may get into trouble but when she promises you something be assured she'll fulfill it at any cost. That's why she'll never promise to do something she knows she cannot do." Taylor informed the two as Kai and Robert came to join them. Taylor easily allowed them to come and join. They boys noticed that she was kindhearted and love to see people happy.
"So where are your other friends?" Natalie asked not wanting to get into a beyblade conversation. She always thought there was more to life then just one thing.
"Well, Johnny is playing chess with Rebecca and losing the last time I checked. Enrique was talking with Samantha and Michael." Robert said and he didn't have to tell them where Oliver was since he sat at the same table as them.
"The last time I saw Max he was going off to bed. Tyson was in the sitting room talking with Gary about foods. Kenny if I recall correctly was in the library reading about beyblading while reviewing data with Emily." Kai said and the girls smiled.
"So you seemed to be settling in quite nicely." Taylor said with a smile and looked back at the moon.
"I was wondering why you choose to have your house so far away from cities. It's so peaceful around here that it seems untouched by man what so ever." Oliver said and the others nodded. After about a few more cups of tea they went their ways since it was time for bed. The next morning they all met downstairs in the kitchen. Melinda was sitting in her normal chair as happy as could be while juggling five apples. Taylor smiled at their shorter friend who tossed her an apple.
"What are you doing?" Mariah asked out of curiosity looking at the shorter girl.
"Juggling." Melinda replied but Mariah seemed a bit confused.
"Why?" Emily asked as the others sat down for breakfast even Tyson.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Melinda replied tossing an apple up only for Natalie to catch it as she walked by. "It also cures boredom."
"Aye the wise words of the legal midget." Samantha said as she came in and was nearly beamed in the head with an apple. However she just barely caught it and Rebecca caught her own apple as it was tossed up for her. Melinda just ate hers as she waited for breakfast.
"Why do you call her that?" Lee asked as Melinda made funny faces behind Samantha's back. The others had to try their hardest not to laugh as they watch Melinda mock Samantha as the taller girl explained. Breakfast came and went and soon they all found themselves in the sitting room with nothing to do really. Melinda looked around the group, as they seemed as bored as could be and stood up leaving and getting something ready. She came back in with a small smirk on her face that read 'I-am-going-to-have- some-fun-with-this' and her friends looked at her suspiciously.
"Hi." She said to them with her hands behind her back.
"Melinda Waite what are you up to?" Samantha asked with her arms crossed. She knew that whenever Melinda was bored something was bound to happen that's why no matter what she made extra sure she wore a swimsuit under her clothes.
"Nothing." Melinda said innocently as she backed out of the room. 'This is perfect now all I have to do is get her out into the yard then wham she's soaked. But first since it is a hot day I think the others should join us.' Melinda thought and tried to figure out a way to get the others out.
"Bullshit I know you're up to something." Samantha said and the others just out of curiosity followed her on her trek to get Melinda. They watched as she slowly made her way towards the door then with a sly smile left. They all wanted to know what was up and followed. Luckily Taylor had warned them it was best to wear a swimsuit at all times when Melinda was concerned because as soon as they got into the yard they were bombed with water balloons. Most of them dodged them but a few got soaked. Soon everyone even the demolition boys, Kai, and Robert were in a water fight that lasted all afternoon and stopped as the sun was about to go down.
"That was fun." Melinda said happily ringing out her braid that was as long as her ankles. She had a smile that seemed to be glowing with happiness and the others didn't disagree with her about the fun part. They all saw the boys with hair that was normally sticking up with their hair down and around their faces.
"I swear you remind me more and more of a fox everyday." Samantha said rustling her shorter friend's hair. "How anyone could pull this water fight off with only a few minutes planning is beyond me."
"It was simple just took sometime to find all the water balloons and fill them up." Melinda said as they went in and got dressed into some dry clothes. The boys all sat around the library after getting dressed and wondered what there was to do. Tala read some Russian writings since he had nothing to do. Johnny and Robert played chess. Tyson and Max were talking with Kenny about beyblading. Kai and the rest of the demolition boys where reading newspapers, and the All Star boys found sports magazines to read. The white tigers just talked amongst themselves. Melinda walked and looked at a certain shelf looking for something. She seemed to be in deep thought and they just half watched her. She smiled and pulled out a large book and began to walk out but stopped and looked at Johnny and Robert's game. "Whose turn is it?" She asked looking at the board.
"Johnny's." Robert said as she looked at the pieces.
"Can I make a suggestion?" She asked looking at Johnny who was just about to give up saying it was a lost cause.
"You can make a move I don't care." Johnny said and Melinda picked up one of his bishops and took Robert's queen.
"Checkmate." She said happily and walked off leaving the boys stunned because it was indeed a checkmate. Samantha came in and she to got a book but sat down on the ladder that was there and looked threw it. She knew what Melinda did but just left it to the boys' thoughts secretly amused by the whole thing. She looked threw the book quickly as if on a mission to find something then with her finger in the book she stood to leave but noticed a few pairs of eyes were on her.
"When's dinner?" Tyson asked as she thought.
"I don't know." She then said with a shrug and went to the door. Only to quickly move out of the way to let Natalie to rush in. She watched Natalie for a few minutes before shaking her head and leaving. Natalie was looking at the books with remarkable speed. Some of them guessed she wasn't even reading the titles of the books. She pulled out two books and went across the room before getting more. After her hands were full she left the room.
"That was strange." Oliver said looking up from his cookbook and Enrique nodded since he was just sitting there thinking.
"All five of them seem to be strange girls." Lee said as he tried to compare them with Mariah in his mind but couldn't.
"They all have their quirks." Michael said as he looked threw the magazine he found for the tenth time. "I wonder which one of them is responsible for all the hunting magazines they own."
"I don't think it would be Natalie or Samantha." Ray said as he thought about how the girls acted. They had wanted nothing to do with hunting or sports at all they seemed rather peaceful people that wouldn't harm a fly.
"Maybe Rebecca or Melinda. We don't know much about them besides Melinda is a quick thinker and Rebecca is a bookworm." Kevin suggested as the guys thought it over.
"Possibly but I think there are more chances Melinda would be the reason. I don't see Rebecca as the hunting type." Tala said then shrugged and went back to his book.
"Well since you are apart of the evilest beyblading team we'll say that you're probably right." Tyson muttered and few of them laughed as Tala rolled his eyes. Just then Melinda came in with a look in her eyes that said that she was on a mission. "Hi Melinda."
"Oh hi." Melinda said coming back to earth then went over to a trunk and opened it. She began to look threw it as Samantha came in to wait for her. "I know I put it in here somewhere." Melinda said as she took out a very nice looking short sword and carefully placed it to the side. Next came two sets of daggers that seemed to be in perfect condition. Following those was throwing stars and knives. This was followed by a bow that was made out of a very nice looking wood. She then stopped and pulled out a long sword. "I was looking for that." She muttered to herself then shrugged setting it aside. The guys however watched as Samantha's glare at Melinda's back became colder and colder. "Ah-HA!" Melinda said nearly giving everyone a heart attack. She pulled out a bag and tossed it to Samantha. "There you go Sam. Have fun painting your room." She said and put away everything but the long sword. She walked out after locking the trunk and Samantha followed her.
"I think that might prove our theory." Enrique said and the boys nodded remembering all the things that Melinda and pulled from the trunk. Later that evening when dinner was served they saw Melinda was sitting in her chair cross-legged and her mind was elsewhere. She ate almost as if she were a robot. Pick up food with fork, put food in mouth, chew, swallow, and then repeat. Taylor and the other three girls didn't seem to mind though. They just went about things as normal giving Melinda her space and not pestering her. After dinner Mariah was walking in the halls when she heard the sound of two people in the gym. She was soon joined by the boys who seemed to have reached an understanding unlike her and Emily, also for some reason the other girls didn't want them near. They went into the gym to find Melinda and Taylor fencing as the other girls and Emily watched.
"I didn't know Melinda was left handed." Kenny said as the came up and Natalie smirked.
"Naturally, she's not, that's why she hasn't won as fast as she normally does." Natalie informed him and they looked at the two. Melinda seemed different she seemed more focused but threw her helmet they could see her smirk. Taylor was trying her best to not get to defensive but at the same time block all of Melinda's attacks.
"So I take it Melinda is the better of the two at this sport." Johnny said and Rebecca nodded.
"She dominates any sport that has to deal with fighting. Her cousins were the ones that trained her." Rebecca said and thought about the group that was Melinda's cousins.
"Yes and it doesn't help fighting has always come natural to her. Just like dancing comes naturally to me, or Becky and her, reading skills, or Natalie and her drawing skills." Samantha said as all of a sudden the sound of metal clanking on the floor caught their attention. Mel stood there her sword threw Taylor's mask and Taylor stood there a little stunned while looking at her sword. The blade was swept clearly off of her hilt. Mel withdrew her sword from Taylor's helmet and looked at the blade that had been cut off and sent five feet away from where they stood. It was quiet funny how the seen looked if you had gotten over the shock. There they others stood jaws dropped, Melinda was dressed like normal with a fencing helmet on, Taylor was also dressed like normal with a fencing helmet on. The two were standing in front one another Melinda with her blade unconsciously to Taylor's neck. Taylor looked down the blade to Melinda's steady hand then to the shorter girl's masked face. Her eyes held no emotion, no happiness, and no slyness. The only thing Taylor could see was apathy on Melinda's face. She knew the blade was a few inches away from her throat but the cold chill the metal gave off was still there she could feel it. Then she watched a smirk appear on Melinda's face that read 'Checkmate'. With that Melinda lowered her sword to her side and took off her helmet.
"Let's get some ice-cream." She said happily and Taylor had to smile. She took off her helmet and nodded knowing that she'd have a bruise where Melinda's sword barely missed grazing her face. Melinda put up her sword and the two walked out happily chatting as the crowd soon departed ways. In the kitchen Taylor and Melinda ate some ice cream while laughing and joking about different things.
"Hey are you sure you're alright?" Melinda asked her face went from happy to concerned as she looked at Taylor.
"Yeah. Don't worry the worst thing that I'll have is a bruise." Taylor said and Melinda smiled and nodded. "So how do you like the others being here?"
"I don't really notice. You know me, I'm not the people person, that's your job." Melinda said sheepishly while smiling.
"And yet you draw so many people to you it's funny." Taylor said and they both laughed as Max came in.
"Hey guys." He said happily and Melinda quieted a little. If he didn't know better he'd say she was somewhat shy.
"Hi what brings you in here?" Melinda said although she was somewhat unconfident when talking with people she didn't let it show.
"Well two things." Max said sitting down next to her and Taylor handed him some ice cream, which he happily accepted.
"What's that?" Taylor asked sitting down in front of them.
"Why ice cream and laughter of course." He said and they all had to laugh. Taylor shook her head then smiled.
"You know if I wasn't mistaken I'd think Mel said that." She said and the shorter girl faked an offended gasp and look.
"Why I never." She said and the two others laughed at Melinda's act. "Well I guess I am a bit of a jokester ain't I."
"A bit is an understatement." Rebecca said as she walked in to get a small snack.
"Your just jealous that I get more attention the you do without even trying." Melinda said and Rebecca sent her a glare that went unfazed.
"You're just overrating yourself. The only reason people like you is because they know you'd stand up for them in a fight." Rebecca said but regretted it because she saw the gears in Melinda's head start to work.
"Hey Max? Out of the entire group of people here who do you say is the hardest to become friends with?" Melinda asked and Max thought as Taylor already figured out the shorter girl's plan.
"Well getting even within a foot radius of Kai, the demolition boys, or a mad Johnny is suicide. Come to think of it they are probably the hardest people in the world to become friends with." Max said then realized his mistake of telling her as her happy smile turned into a malevolent smirk. She looked at Rebecca and the girl just froze on the spot. 'Who wouldn't Melinda with that look on her face was probably the scariest thing close to what the Demolition boys.' Max thought as he looked at Rebecca who was trying not to let the look get to her.
"You hear that? How about we play a game?" Melinda said and Rebecca sat down.
"Depends. What type of game? What's the reward and what are the rules?" Rebecca asked although she wasn't as mischievous as Melinda she wouldn't back down from a challenge.
"Well it's simple. The first to befriend all of the guys Max mentioned wins. The loser will have to be the winner's servant for two months." Melinda said and Taylor looked at Max with an 'I think we're the judges' look of despair and Max nodded.
"Three months." Rebecca said and Melinda knew it was time to gamble a little.
"Fine a year." She suggested and Rebecca thought it over.
"Two and three fourths." She then suggested.
"Two years."
"Two and a half months."
"Three years."
"Two and one forth months."
"Four years."
"Alright two months." Rebecca said knowing Melinda would probably have her doing the nastiest chores imaginable if she lost.
"Fine two months." Melinda said and smirked. "Taylor and Max will you keep score?" She asked innocently and the two thought it over.
"Do we have a choice?" The two asked and sighed when Melinda shook her head no.
"Fine." was their answer.
"We begin tomorrow." Rebecca said and extended her hand.
"May the best woman win." Melinda said happily and shook Rebecca's hand.
~*~
Taylor sighed as she and Natalie enjoyed their evening tea in the green house. She took another sip of her green tea as she looked at the moon threw the windows above. "Melinda will make another one of her beautiful pictures no doubt." She said with a smile.
"I always love looking at what she creates. It's a way to get into her imagination and learn what she sees or what she has seen before we met." Natalie agreed when up came Oliver and smiled as he noticed the two young women.
"I hope I'm not intruding or anything." He said and Taylor smiled motioning to one of the five empty chairs.
"Why don't you join us?" She suggested and he happily accepted the offer and found a seat. Natalie gave him a cup of tea and allowed him to choose which extras he wanted. "So how do you like this place so far?"
"It's beautiful and so full of life. The pictures on displayed threw out the house, however, are what really caught my eye. So much detail put into them and yet such easy artwork. Who may I ask made them?" He said as Natalie looked at the moon again.
"Melinda did. She always paints during the nights. Especially when the moon is full and the clouds are nowhere to be found like to night. Her paintings are away of expressing her imagination. She also writes stories that can be found in the library. She so creative and so tactical it's no wonder she grew up in a family that worked for the army." Natalie said then looked at him.
"She seems really nice. How come she wasn't at dinner?" He asked hoping he wasn't pushing his luck about learning about the mystery girl that roamed the halls like a quiet breeze over a meadow. You know it's there but cannot see it as it makes its way to a new place.
"It seems that something happened between Rebecca and her and she said she wouldn't go to dinner. She was always known for keeping her word and this is one of those times. She may get into trouble but when she promises you something be assured she'll fulfill it at any cost. That's why she'll never promise to do something she knows she cannot do." Taylor informed the two as Kai and Robert came to join them. Taylor easily allowed them to come and join. They boys noticed that she was kindhearted and love to see people happy.
"So where are your other friends?" Natalie asked not wanting to get into a beyblade conversation. She always thought there was more to life then just one thing.
"Well, Johnny is playing chess with Rebecca and losing the last time I checked. Enrique was talking with Samantha and Michael." Robert said and he didn't have to tell them where Oliver was since he sat at the same table as them.
"The last time I saw Max he was going off to bed. Tyson was in the sitting room talking with Gary about foods. Kenny if I recall correctly was in the library reading about beyblading while reviewing data with Emily." Kai said and the girls smiled.
"So you seemed to be settling in quite nicely." Taylor said with a smile and looked back at the moon.
"I was wondering why you choose to have your house so far away from cities. It's so peaceful around here that it seems untouched by man what so ever." Oliver said and the others nodded. After about a few more cups of tea they went their ways since it was time for bed. The next morning they all met downstairs in the kitchen. Melinda was sitting in her normal chair as happy as could be while juggling five apples. Taylor smiled at their shorter friend who tossed her an apple.
"What are you doing?" Mariah asked out of curiosity looking at the shorter girl.
"Juggling." Melinda replied but Mariah seemed a bit confused.
"Why?" Emily asked as the others sat down for breakfast even Tyson.
"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Melinda replied tossing an apple up only for Natalie to catch it as she walked by. "It also cures boredom."
"Aye the wise words of the legal midget." Samantha said as she came in and was nearly beamed in the head with an apple. However she just barely caught it and Rebecca caught her own apple as it was tossed up for her. Melinda just ate hers as she waited for breakfast.
"Why do you call her that?" Lee asked as Melinda made funny faces behind Samantha's back. The others had to try their hardest not to laugh as they watch Melinda mock Samantha as the taller girl explained. Breakfast came and went and soon they all found themselves in the sitting room with nothing to do really. Melinda looked around the group, as they seemed as bored as could be and stood up leaving and getting something ready. She came back in with a small smirk on her face that read 'I-am-going-to-have- some-fun-with-this' and her friends looked at her suspiciously.
"Hi." She said to them with her hands behind her back.
"Melinda Waite what are you up to?" Samantha asked with her arms crossed. She knew that whenever Melinda was bored something was bound to happen that's why no matter what she made extra sure she wore a swimsuit under her clothes.
"Nothing." Melinda said innocently as she backed out of the room. 'This is perfect now all I have to do is get her out into the yard then wham she's soaked. But first since it is a hot day I think the others should join us.' Melinda thought and tried to figure out a way to get the others out.
"Bullshit I know you're up to something." Samantha said and the others just out of curiosity followed her on her trek to get Melinda. They watched as she slowly made her way towards the door then with a sly smile left. They all wanted to know what was up and followed. Luckily Taylor had warned them it was best to wear a swimsuit at all times when Melinda was concerned because as soon as they got into the yard they were bombed with water balloons. Most of them dodged them but a few got soaked. Soon everyone even the demolition boys, Kai, and Robert were in a water fight that lasted all afternoon and stopped as the sun was about to go down.
"That was fun." Melinda said happily ringing out her braid that was as long as her ankles. She had a smile that seemed to be glowing with happiness and the others didn't disagree with her about the fun part. They all saw the boys with hair that was normally sticking up with their hair down and around their faces.
"I swear you remind me more and more of a fox everyday." Samantha said rustling her shorter friend's hair. "How anyone could pull this water fight off with only a few minutes planning is beyond me."
"It was simple just took sometime to find all the water balloons and fill them up." Melinda said as they went in and got dressed into some dry clothes. The boys all sat around the library after getting dressed and wondered what there was to do. Tala read some Russian writings since he had nothing to do. Johnny and Robert played chess. Tyson and Max were talking with Kenny about beyblading. Kai and the rest of the demolition boys where reading newspapers, and the All Star boys found sports magazines to read. The white tigers just talked amongst themselves. Melinda walked and looked at a certain shelf looking for something. She seemed to be in deep thought and they just half watched her. She smiled and pulled out a large book and began to walk out but stopped and looked at Johnny and Robert's game. "Whose turn is it?" She asked looking at the board.
"Johnny's." Robert said as she looked at the pieces.
"Can I make a suggestion?" She asked looking at Johnny who was just about to give up saying it was a lost cause.
"You can make a move I don't care." Johnny said and Melinda picked up one of his bishops and took Robert's queen.
"Checkmate." She said happily and walked off leaving the boys stunned because it was indeed a checkmate. Samantha came in and she to got a book but sat down on the ladder that was there and looked threw it. She knew what Melinda did but just left it to the boys' thoughts secretly amused by the whole thing. She looked threw the book quickly as if on a mission to find something then with her finger in the book she stood to leave but noticed a few pairs of eyes were on her.
"When's dinner?" Tyson asked as she thought.
"I don't know." She then said with a shrug and went to the door. Only to quickly move out of the way to let Natalie to rush in. She watched Natalie for a few minutes before shaking her head and leaving. Natalie was looking at the books with remarkable speed. Some of them guessed she wasn't even reading the titles of the books. She pulled out two books and went across the room before getting more. After her hands were full she left the room.
"That was strange." Oliver said looking up from his cookbook and Enrique nodded since he was just sitting there thinking.
"All five of them seem to be strange girls." Lee said as he tried to compare them with Mariah in his mind but couldn't.
"They all have their quirks." Michael said as he looked threw the magazine he found for the tenth time. "I wonder which one of them is responsible for all the hunting magazines they own."
"I don't think it would be Natalie or Samantha." Ray said as he thought about how the girls acted. They had wanted nothing to do with hunting or sports at all they seemed rather peaceful people that wouldn't harm a fly.
"Maybe Rebecca or Melinda. We don't know much about them besides Melinda is a quick thinker and Rebecca is a bookworm." Kevin suggested as the guys thought it over.
"Possibly but I think there are more chances Melinda would be the reason. I don't see Rebecca as the hunting type." Tala said then shrugged and went back to his book.
"Well since you are apart of the evilest beyblading team we'll say that you're probably right." Tyson muttered and few of them laughed as Tala rolled his eyes. Just then Melinda came in with a look in her eyes that said that she was on a mission. "Hi Melinda."
"Oh hi." Melinda said coming back to earth then went over to a trunk and opened it. She began to look threw it as Samantha came in to wait for her. "I know I put it in here somewhere." Melinda said as she took out a very nice looking short sword and carefully placed it to the side. Next came two sets of daggers that seemed to be in perfect condition. Following those was throwing stars and knives. This was followed by a bow that was made out of a very nice looking wood. She then stopped and pulled out a long sword. "I was looking for that." She muttered to herself then shrugged setting it aside. The guys however watched as Samantha's glare at Melinda's back became colder and colder. "Ah-HA!" Melinda said nearly giving everyone a heart attack. She pulled out a bag and tossed it to Samantha. "There you go Sam. Have fun painting your room." She said and put away everything but the long sword. She walked out after locking the trunk and Samantha followed her.
"I think that might prove our theory." Enrique said and the boys nodded remembering all the things that Melinda and pulled from the trunk. Later that evening when dinner was served they saw Melinda was sitting in her chair cross-legged and her mind was elsewhere. She ate almost as if she were a robot. Pick up food with fork, put food in mouth, chew, swallow, and then repeat. Taylor and the other three girls didn't seem to mind though. They just went about things as normal giving Melinda her space and not pestering her. After dinner Mariah was walking in the halls when she heard the sound of two people in the gym. She was soon joined by the boys who seemed to have reached an understanding unlike her and Emily, also for some reason the other girls didn't want them near. They went into the gym to find Melinda and Taylor fencing as the other girls and Emily watched.
"I didn't know Melinda was left handed." Kenny said as the came up and Natalie smirked.
"Naturally, she's not, that's why she hasn't won as fast as she normally does." Natalie informed him and they looked at the two. Melinda seemed different she seemed more focused but threw her helmet they could see her smirk. Taylor was trying her best to not get to defensive but at the same time block all of Melinda's attacks.
"So I take it Melinda is the better of the two at this sport." Johnny said and Rebecca nodded.
"She dominates any sport that has to deal with fighting. Her cousins were the ones that trained her." Rebecca said and thought about the group that was Melinda's cousins.
"Yes and it doesn't help fighting has always come natural to her. Just like dancing comes naturally to me, or Becky and her, reading skills, or Natalie and her drawing skills." Samantha said as all of a sudden the sound of metal clanking on the floor caught their attention. Mel stood there her sword threw Taylor's mask and Taylor stood there a little stunned while looking at her sword. The blade was swept clearly off of her hilt. Mel withdrew her sword from Taylor's helmet and looked at the blade that had been cut off and sent five feet away from where they stood. It was quiet funny how the seen looked if you had gotten over the shock. There they others stood jaws dropped, Melinda was dressed like normal with a fencing helmet on, Taylor was also dressed like normal with a fencing helmet on. The two were standing in front one another Melinda with her blade unconsciously to Taylor's neck. Taylor looked down the blade to Melinda's steady hand then to the shorter girl's masked face. Her eyes held no emotion, no happiness, and no slyness. The only thing Taylor could see was apathy on Melinda's face. She knew the blade was a few inches away from her throat but the cold chill the metal gave off was still there she could feel it. Then she watched a smirk appear on Melinda's face that read 'Checkmate'. With that Melinda lowered her sword to her side and took off her helmet.
"Let's get some ice-cream." She said happily and Taylor had to smile. She took off her helmet and nodded knowing that she'd have a bruise where Melinda's sword barely missed grazing her face. Melinda put up her sword and the two walked out happily chatting as the crowd soon departed ways. In the kitchen Taylor and Melinda ate some ice cream while laughing and joking about different things.
"Hey are you sure you're alright?" Melinda asked her face went from happy to concerned as she looked at Taylor.
"Yeah. Don't worry the worst thing that I'll have is a bruise." Taylor said and Melinda smiled and nodded. "So how do you like the others being here?"
"I don't really notice. You know me, I'm not the people person, that's your job." Melinda said sheepishly while smiling.
"And yet you draw so many people to you it's funny." Taylor said and they both laughed as Max came in.
"Hey guys." He said happily and Melinda quieted a little. If he didn't know better he'd say she was somewhat shy.
"Hi what brings you in here?" Melinda said although she was somewhat unconfident when talking with people she didn't let it show.
"Well two things." Max said sitting down next to her and Taylor handed him some ice cream, which he happily accepted.
"What's that?" Taylor asked sitting down in front of them.
"Why ice cream and laughter of course." He said and they all had to laugh. Taylor shook her head then smiled.
"You know if I wasn't mistaken I'd think Mel said that." She said and the shorter girl faked an offended gasp and look.
"Why I never." She said and the two others laughed at Melinda's act. "Well I guess I am a bit of a jokester ain't I."
"A bit is an understatement." Rebecca said as she walked in to get a small snack.
"Your just jealous that I get more attention the you do without even trying." Melinda said and Rebecca sent her a glare that went unfazed.
"You're just overrating yourself. The only reason people like you is because they know you'd stand up for them in a fight." Rebecca said but regretted it because she saw the gears in Melinda's head start to work.
"Hey Max? Out of the entire group of people here who do you say is the hardest to become friends with?" Melinda asked and Max thought as Taylor already figured out the shorter girl's plan.
"Well getting even within a foot radius of Kai, the demolition boys, or a mad Johnny is suicide. Come to think of it they are probably the hardest people in the world to become friends with." Max said then realized his mistake of telling her as her happy smile turned into a malevolent smirk. She looked at Rebecca and the girl just froze on the spot. 'Who wouldn't Melinda with that look on her face was probably the scariest thing close to what the Demolition boys.' Max thought as he looked at Rebecca who was trying not to let the look get to her.
"You hear that? How about we play a game?" Melinda said and Rebecca sat down.
"Depends. What type of game? What's the reward and what are the rules?" Rebecca asked although she wasn't as mischievous as Melinda she wouldn't back down from a challenge.
"Well it's simple. The first to befriend all of the guys Max mentioned wins. The loser will have to be the winner's servant for two months." Melinda said and Taylor looked at Max with an 'I think we're the judges' look of despair and Max nodded.
"Three months." Rebecca said and Melinda knew it was time to gamble a little.
"Fine a year." She suggested and Rebecca thought it over.
"Two and three fourths." She then suggested.
"Two years."
"Two and a half months."
"Three years."
"Two and one forth months."
"Four years."
"Alright two months." Rebecca said knowing Melinda would probably have her doing the nastiest chores imaginable if she lost.
"Fine two months." Melinda said and smirked. "Taylor and Max will you keep score?" She asked innocently and the two thought it over.
"Do we have a choice?" The two asked and sighed when Melinda shook her head no.
"Fine." was their answer.
"We begin tomorrow." Rebecca said and extended her hand.
"May the best woman win." Melinda said happily and shook Rebecca's hand.