Girs Evil Cupcakes: No kidding, I just added her in for spice, I hate people like that. Carly and Johnny interact in between, but they really didn't have their breaking point yet, lol! But you can tell that Johnny likes her, right?
~*~Prodigious girl*~*: Oops, typo, wow, you read really closely, I never notice typos in other fics unless it's really obvious. Okay…Holly's happy that she was mean to her? O_o
MaliksGal4 Eva AKA Sessy's Girl: ^_^ A gal can only type so fast you know, I'm doing way better here than my old Digimon fic, I would update like every 3 weeks cuz I was so busy, I'm more dedicated to this fic, I think.
~kai~: You don't know how much I hate Tyson. -_- Actually, I don't hate him that much compared to hatred that I have for Hilary and Kenny. Hru and Tala kinda get along in between, otherwise they'll never interact, lol! I need to know if Hru's dog, it's a husky, right? The name's Skye and is it a boy or a girl? Tell me, tell me, tell me!!! ^_^
blue-phoenix5: I know! I made her to be annoying, lol!
*Uniclyon ¤ Gurl*: I like the ALT code in the middle of your name, it's pretty-looking, reminds me to check out those codes myself, lol! ^_^U Cool characters, I like the name Fate, it's so pretty.
Just-some-girl1: No kidding, yay, it's having the impact that I was hoping for, lol!
Black Iris: Okay…cuz I was getting kinda confused over everything. O_o Noooo…if you kill her then I can't use her for Enrique's part of the fic.
whisper*2*imaginary: She reminds me of a girl at my school who thinks that all the guys are her personal slaves or something. ^_^ Lol, I'm dreaming too, ^_^, it helps me write!
Kai Hiwatari: Annoying's an understatement, at least you reviewed even if you have nothing to say, that still means something to me! I love all reviews! ^_^
Beyblader-grl: I had to laugh when I saw you review about Tala and Hru, lol! He's really cute, but I like Kai and Johnny better. But Hru, I think, would rather look *beyond* that cute exterior and hate the jerk-part of him, lol!
bey-girl-nicky: O_o You can't do that, I need her to hang on to Ray and make things hard for Willow.
dreamer_gurl: O_o She does more in her Kingdom cuz Max is pretty annoying and I can't write him, I don't really like him all that much. :P
Reicu: I've got a crush on Enrique! He's cute even though he's such a flirt, I love him to pieces, only not as much as Johnny and Kai.
Ocean Breeze: Thanx! Did I tell you that I love your name? It sounds so peaceful and carefree, I love anything to do with the weather.
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Chapter 17: What to Do?
"GO RAY!!!!!!!!!" Mariah yelled at the top of her lungs.
Willow glared at her from behind, //What an idiot! She's going to distract him!//
"Hey Mariah," Carly tapped her shoulder, "Let's leave the cheering to the cheerleaders, okay? I doubt it helps Ray when girls on in the crowd screaming for him."
Mariah shrugged, "Oh, okay. Isn't he fabulous??"
Carly sweatdropped, "That's in the eye of the beholder."
So far, the basketball team was doing okay, though they were a bit behind in the score, the score was 95 to 88 for the rival school. They flunked a few easy shots because of a few miss-passes between Tala and Hru who still seemed annoyed with each other. But the rivalry between the two of them had made Tala and Hru play beyond their best, just to show it off to each other.
"Come on," Holly muttered, "They can do it."
Cassandra shot down the court and slammed the ball in the hoop. Cheers rose in the crowd, 95 to 90 now.
"WAY TO GO!!!!!" Tyson hollered, nearly leaping out of his seat, "YOU SHOW'EM CASSIE!!!!!!!"
"Sit down Tyson!" Kenny ordered, looking annoyed, "This is embarrassing."
Cassandra looked up at Tyson and gave him thumbs-up while smirking a bit.
The rival school has the ball now and then - Tala intercepted and did a perfect shot a few feet away from the hoop. Hru boiled when Tala smirked at her, his blue eyes challenging. There was a little game going on between them silently as the real basketball match raged. Hru had silently been keeping track of how many points she and Tala made, and she knew Tala was counting as well. So far, she had made 33 and Tala had 37 now. Hru gritted her teeth, beating Tala was more important than winning this match, in a way anyways.
Eddy managed to grab the ball and did a lay-up to score again, 95 to 92, two minutes left on the clock.
"Great job!" Ray called, "Just a few more now! Come guys, concentrate!"
//No problem,// Hru thought, //I'll show you Tala...// Ray passed to her and she scored easily. After the ball came back a second time, she did a perfect clear shot through the hoop. Now they were winning 96 to 95 with a minute left on the clock. And Tala and Hru had tied in their own little game.
Hru copied Tala's smug smirk as he glared at her, his turquoise eyes smoking. Just then, the rival school made a shot and took the lead again. Disappointed groans came from the crowd.
"GO RAY!!!!!!!!" Mariah yelled, "COME ON!!! YOU CAN DO IT RAY!!!!!!!" Beside her, Carly covered her ears and winced.
Willow winced, looking at Mariah angrily, //Would you ever put a lid on it? Geez, Ray doesn't need you gushing all over him in public!//
More groans came from the crowd as the rival team scored again, it was now 99 to 96. There was 30 seconds left on the timer and Cassandra scrambled for Eddy's pass and managed a awkward shot in the hoop. 99 to 98. Cheers rose in the stands, but they were still behind by one shot. The basketball was passed down the court and back up again, neither team was given the chance to score.
Ray got the ball and looked for someone to pass to, but no one was readily available, their checks were hanging on too tightly. Ray was in the position to do a point guard shot, but he hesitated and his check sneered at him, 15 seconds on the clock. //Arghh…screw! I can't score from here, I can't. I suck at making point shots, but if I don't do it, we're gonna lose our first game!!!! I can't, I'll miss and mess it up for everyone!//
"SHOOT RAY, SHOOT!!!!!" Mariah shouted, "YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!! YAY RAY!!!!!!" (A/N: I was sweatdropping when I typed that, lol! A bit obsessive, don't you think?)
Willow groaned softly, //Ugh, he's going to miss thanks to her, she's so loud and distracting, not to mention she's adding on the pressure for Ray. You can do it Ray, I know you can, I know you've always complained to me about how inaccurate your point guard shots were, but you'll come through for the team, I know you will.//
Ray scanned the crowd, they were all waiting for him to make the shot, his eyes landed on Willow. Willow gave him what she hoped was an encouraging smile, the look in her eyes made Ray believe in himself. It was the same look she gave him when he was blading against the Fire Spirit and it was important to Ray. He focused and released the ball, holding his breath as the ball sailed through the air and landed through the hoop. The buzzer sounded, it was over, they had won, 101 to 99!!!
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"Awesome shot Ray!" Cassandra cheered, "You did it and imagine that you said you hated point guard shots, that was natural!"
"It wasn't me-" Ray started to say, but Cassandra had already left to change. //It was because of Willow...// Everyone on the team went by congratulating their team captain for scoring the winning hoop. Ray went over to Hru and Tala who were both drinking water and standing about 5 feet apart, "Hey guys, that was a great game you both played."
Hru and Tala looked at each other and looked away.
"I mean it," Ray said, "You two scored more than two thirds of the points, you just need to learn to work together more. You two are always open to pass to each other, have you noticed that? Nice game, later."
"37," Hru said curtly, "We both scored 37 points." //Screw you, Tala! I can't believe I didn't do better than you!//
"Uh-huh," Tala said slowly as if he was half-listening and half-thinking.
Hru prepared herself for an insult or something despicable, but it didn't happen.
"Anyways, I'm impressed," Tala continued, flashing her a rakish grin, "I thought you were just bluffing when you said you wanted to play forward. But you ARE good, you not just playing to impress the crowd or something."
"No, I'm playing to compete with you," Hru said sarcastically, not believing his sudden change of attitude, it made her suspicious and uncomfortable.
Tala grinned at her again, his smile heart-meltingly gorgeous, "As I am as well, but we play better when we compete, don't you think? Maybe that's how we oughta play next time."
Hru was at loss at what to say, his reaction was completely unexpected. She just stared.
"I'll tell you what," Tala said, slinging on his backpack, "I'll tell Ray that you and Cassandra can play forward along with him, maybe that'll work even better. Later Hru."
Hru stared after him open-mouthed, then she snapped into her senses and ran after him, "Wait, Tala! Are you serious?"
Tala didn't even look back, "Of course I am."
"Maybe we can both play forwards next time," Hru suggested, "I mean, even Ray said that we were good and he and Cassie and take turns playing center."
Tala grinned at her, "You think we work well together, I don't think so."
Hru made a face at him, "So? We can try, can't we? Beside, YOU said that we should compete next time we play and I don't plan on losing to you again!"
"You didn't lose," Tala said, flashing her a grin, "We tied."
"So I didn't win either!" Hru retorted, "Next time I will! So what do you say?"
"Deal," Tala said slowly, "Sounds cool." His blue eyes gazed into hers, "Let's give it a try."
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Later, the whole gang met outside the school with some of their other friends. Enrique was making night plans with Aquana. Carly was trying to snatch Michael's baseball cap for whatever reason known only to her. Holly and Johnny were discussing their tennis teams. Willow had struck up a conversation about art with Oliver. Tyson was gulping down pop with Cassandra glaring at him from behind cuz he stole her pop. Tala was talking with Kai with Hru putting in her input every few seconds. Max and Kailee were petting Hru's dog, a Husky named Skye. That's when Ray and Mariah showed up.
"Well if it isn't the basketball team captain and star of today's game," Carly teased, dropping Michael's cap in the mud by accident, "You want me to snap your picture for the school newsletter?"
"No thanks," Ray sweatdropped, "I don't need anymore attention."
"No kidding," Hru muttered, "I'd say you've already got enough hanging onto your arm."
"What was that?" Ray asked Hru.
"Oh nothing. Nothing at all," Hru said nonchalantly.
"TYSON!!!!!!" Cassandra screamed, "You owe me a can of pop! I'm already dead thirsty after that match and this is how you congratulate me??? By stealing my only drink???"
"Sorry Cassie," Tyson said with a light shrug, "I was thirsty too."
"Ray," Mariah whined, "Can we go now? Please???"
Willow's eyes flashed in fury, //Gosh, would she please stop hanging onto Ray like that, it's repulsive!!!!!//
"Yeah, in a minute," Ray said, "Mariah, could you please let go of my arm? I don't want people to get the wrong idea."
"Ray, are you doing anything tonight?" Kai asked, "We need to go over-"
"Ray's taking me out tonight," Mariah interrupted before Kai could finish, still hanging on to Ray's arm haughtily.
Kai raised his eyebrow, "Oh really?"
Willow felt her insides turn into ice and she felt like crying, something inside her seemed to have broke into tiny pieces.
"Aw, cut it out Mariah," Ray groaned, pulling his arm away, "I'm not taking you out, we're hanging out, that's all. Is something important going on?"
Kai looked at Carly who shrugged.
"Ack, let the guy have his social life," Carly scoffed, "Besides, I'm sure everyone can find something to do tonight. Enrique's already made dinner reservations at some fancy restaurant. And I'm sure Holly can delight herself with listening to Robert's 'fascinating' tales of his family history which NEVER seems to end."
"Carly!" Holly said, looking annoyed, "Could you try not to direct your sarcasm at me?"
"Sor-ry," Carly said, "Actually, it was directed more at Robert than it was you. But tomorrow morning at 7 am, be in the park otherwise I'm hunt you down with my new and improved fencing sword myself!"
"7 AM!!!!!!" Kailee cried, "That's SO early." She sighed and hugged Hru's dog even tighter, "Aren't you a sweet little puppy? You have such a beautiful name Skye."
"It's really friendly too," Max remarked, letting the husky lick his hand.
"It's not a puppy," Hru said, "It can be pretty mean if it want to be. Come here Skye! Come on!" The husky barked and jumped onto Hru.
"Yeah," Kai grumbled, "What's the deal going that early? I'll bet the roosters are still asleep."
"Does that make you a rooster?" Carly asked innocently as Johnny choked with laughter.
"Don't tempt me to strangle you," Kai threatened.
"Oh, he won't do it," Kailee chirped in, "He threatened to do that to me too, but he never did!"
"Be quiet Kailee," Kai groaned.
"Set you alarms," Carly said, waving her hand in the air dismissively, "If I get up at 7, you all can too."
"Where are you going?" Michael asked, "So early too."
"Don't ask too many questions buddy," Carly said, patting his back, "It can be hazardous."
Michael, Oliver, Mariah, Aquana, and Robert sweatdropped.
"I've gotta go home now, Skye's getting restless," Hru said, straining to hold onto the leash, "The excitement must be contagious. Skye, come on, settle down!" Skye broke free and jumped on Tala, licking his face.
"Arghhh!" Tala groaned, falling flat on the ground, "Get off!!" He tried to back away as the husky gave his face yet another lick. "HRU! Get it off of me!"
"Skye!" Hru said firmly, "Off, now!" The husky slowly got off Tala and trotted back to Hru, even though it was still looking at Tala with its tail wagging madly.
"Stupid dog," Tala muttered.
"Excuse me???" Hru snapped, "Skye is NOT stupid."
"Well, can you at least control it so that it won't leap on me again and wash my face?" Tala growled, "Disgusting."
"It was just being playful," Kailee said, scratching the husky's head.
Tala gave a snort of disbelief, "Right, so it drooled all over my face!"
"It was being friendly!" Hru retorted, "Fine! Have it your way, Skye, don't go near Tala. He doesn't like animals."
"I never said that," Tala spat, "Not everyone loves to have drool all over their face and clothes you know! Why do you always twist my word around like that???"
"Because you never say what you really mean!" Hru snapped.
"Like you know what I really mean!" Tala shot back.
"I don't need to know what you mean, all I know it that you're a jerk and that's enough for me!" Hru stormed off.
Everyone sweatdropped as Tala walked in the opposite direction, both of them didn't look back at each other.
"Wow, storm," Max said in awe, "They really clashed, don't they?"
"Willow," Ray said, "I wanted to th-"
"Let's go!" Mariah insisted, tugging Ray hard, "Oh come on Ray, it's been so long since we had some quality time together."
Willow wished she had her staff so she could smash on top on Mariah's head that second.
Ray blushed, "Um...never mind, tell you later. See ya Willow."
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Willow sighed, she was lying on her bed and trying to read, but she couldn't concentrate, she was too busy thinking what Ray was doing with Mariah right now. //Stupid Mariah, why doesn't she leave Ray alone? She's always gushing over him and hanging on to his arm and stuff. It's disgusting, it's not like they're going out or something...// Willow sat up, feeling a feeling of dread creep up behind her. //What if they ARE going out? And that Ray likes Mariah more than he cares to admit? Mariah will never stop torturing me if he does. It's not fair! How am I supposed to find out how he feels about me? I know I like him...a lot...but what if he doesn't like me back? Even worse, what if he likes Mariah? I'll be crushed and completely humiliated too. Oh Ray...why do you have to make it so hard for me? It's not like I can go right up to you and tell you how I feel...// At loss of what to do, she reached for the phone and dialed Holly's number.
"Hello?" Holly said when she picked up.
"Hi Holly," Willow said in a dejected voice, "How are you?"
"From the tone of your voice, I think I should be asking you that," Holly said in a deeply concerned voice, "What's wrong?"
"Holly...do you think Ray likes Mariah?" Willow asked, her voice trembling.
"Ummm...I don't know..." Holly said awkwardly, "It's something I'd rather not comment on. Willow, are you okay? You like Ray a lot, don't you? Why don't you just tell him?"
"It's not that easy, you know!" Willow snapped, "I mean, do you tell Kai that you like him? NO!"
"I don't like Kai!!!!!!" Holly shrieked into the receiver, "Where did you get that idea????"
"I know you do," Willow said, "But that's not the point! Kai doesn't like any other girl!!!! What if Ray really likes Mariah? What then?"
"Then he doesn't deserve you," Holly said in disgust, "Personally, I think Ray and Mariah make a horrible couple, she always hanging on to him as if she can't survive without him." Holly did a high imitation of Mariah's voice, "Oh Ray! It's been SO long since we spent quality time together!"
Willow said nothing, sighing heavily.
"At least you don't look desperate," Holly pointed out sarcastically, "You don't hang on to Ray and gush all over him or anything like that. And if Ray actually likes that kind of attention, then he's not for you. Besides, I don't think Ray likes Mariah, they're just childhood friends."
"I know, but that doesn't help me!" Willow cried, "He didn't even talk to me today and he left when Mariah told him to. I'm beginning to think that he DOES like her, more than me anyways."
"Don't say that!!!!" Holly exclaimed, "I know Ray does like you. In the Fire Kingdom, he was really worried when you were injured and he was by your side the whole time."
"Yeah, but Mariah wasn't there to distract him then, was she?" Willow shot back.
Holly sounded exasperated, "Willow, you're being impossible. You can't control Ray, it's his life, although Mariah's trying her best to control it. I think you need a heart-to-heart talk with Ray. We're going back to the Dream Realm tomorrow and you can talk to him then, just the two of you, trust me, talking it out always helps."
"Okay," Willow said reluctantly, "But I'm not to going to admit that I like him unless he says something to me along those lines."
"What if he's thinking the exact same thing as you are?" Holly demanded, "Then you'll both wreck each other's lives."
"Arghh...why does this have to be SO complicated???" Willow cried, "It's giving me a headache!!!!"
"Willow," Holly said gently, "If Ray does like Mariah, you'll just have to move on...it's just a crush." There was a silence. "Willow? You there? I'm sorry, it's the truth and you know it, as much as I hate to tell you it."
"You're wrong, it's not just a crush, not anymore, it's more, much more," Willow said, sounding close to tears, struggling to keep her voice from shaking, "It's a lot more. I admit, it was just a crush in the beginning, but it's not anymore, you don't understand how I feel about him. You don't know what I felt when he was so close to dying in the Fire Kingdom. It's not because he's good-looking, it's who he is inside, he's sweet and considerate and much more. Oh – you wouldn't understand, I give up! Good night Holly, I'm going to bed."
"But-" Holly started, then she stared at the receiver in disbelief as she heard the click and then the tone ring that indicated that Willow had hung up.
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Guess what, I've got a NEW computer!!!! YAY!!!!!!! ^_^ Anyways, enough of that, just to let you all know, I'm nowhere close to hating Mariah. I'm actually a big fan of hers and I think she's pretty cool, I know lots of you will disagree though. But in an effort to write my fic, I have to portray her in this way because my fic is about OCs, but I like her a lot and I totally support Ray/Mariah pairings. Anyways, nice BB-ball game, it was kinda hard to write cuz I'm no jock myself. O_o I'm beginning to love writing scenes between Tala and Hru. ^_^
PS: If you like Beyblade, check out my site @ www.geocities.com/ice_archergirl/. Thanx!