Beyblader-grl: O.O Lol, at least you made me laugh!  ^_^  You must've been ultra busy, like me!  :P  I'm so busy the last few days uploading my site all over again cuz it's SO screwed.  Sure, do whatever you want with Courtney, I don't care, she isn't a brat for no reason! ^_^

Kai Hiwatari: Thanx!  Yeah, cut scenes, I had fun doing'em!  ^_^

Silly Chibi: Johnny's good for torturing!  ^_^  Enrique needs to be more faithful. XD  Yay, you reviewed my other fic!  Double stars for you!  ^_^

The Great Kuro Neko: Always???  O.O  Oooh, a change of heart, lol!  Tala's not as cute in G-Rev as he was in the first season I think, in my opinion anyways.

~kai~: Well, Kai and Holly both grew up in Russia and if Hru was there too, then she must've grown up in Russia?  I thought I remember you telling me that?  ?_?  I don't think Hru was like that, besides, if you read my reviews, everyone seems to like the conflict between Tala and Hru.

Britt: Every 5 days, that's key!  ^_^  Thanx!

~*~Prodigious girl*~*: There were like NO people at our cul-de-sac during Halloween, probably too cold, I was freezing.  Yeah, I did a project on WWI in Socials, so I know about it!  ^_^  Good questions, are Johnny and Carly really in every scene together?  I haven't noticed that until you pointed it out.  Hmmm…well…this time there's scene between Johnny/Enrique/Holly at the end but they're talking about Carly. :S  Very observant!  Lol!

Elemental Water Mistress: Wow, pretty name, love it!  Good idea, *groans softly* but then I'll have to think of a name for a guy and I hate that.  But I'll think about it!

Bimbo-blonde: Not human?  Alien???  AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!  Lol, sorry, flew off the handle there.  Glad you like it!

MariksGal4 Eva: -_-U I would argue and argue and argue with my teachers until they got sick of my face. :P  I hate computer problems, they're evil!

KAI'S GAL: Aww…that must sux!  It's your last year in school??  You're in grade what?  Yeah, everyone hates Courtney and like scenes between Tala/Hru. :P

Angel Tala: 5 TIMES???  Wow, glad you like it!  ^_^  Guess you've figure out the pairings that will eventually take form. :P  Glad you're writing again, I'll email you laterz okay?

Reicu: Nooooo…not a different language, not FRENCH, HATE French!  ^_^  Anyways, cool…

scarlet diamonds: Yeah, Aquana's really nice and she's rich and a fashion model too, you don't see that everyday.  If only Enrique listens to Carly…-_- lol!

whisper*2*imaginary: Brooklyn's okay I guess, I'll have to see what he's like, I've got a small bundle of pictures of him though.  I'm confused, have you seen V-Force or not? *hugz Johnny*  He's my gorgeous evil male character in my other fic, lol, gotta love a bad boy.  *snaps her fingers and Courtney reappears with a POP! And turns pale at the sight of whisper…* To be continued, lol!

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* ~ ¤ ~ Quøte ~ ¤ ~ *

"Love is the greatest feeling you will ever have, yet it is also one of the greatest sorrows. There is so much suffering, but then there are times when the crying, pain, and heartache is worth it. Those moments are perfect, they are right. Those moments make all the suffering worth while. It's those moments we should live for."

~ Unknown

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Chapter 26: Being Nasty

         "She's not here today," Carly told Enrique, picking up her textbook, "Sorry pal, she called me this morning to tell me she wasn't going to be there for our project today, she isn't feeling well."

"Who?" Johnny put in, banging his locker shut.

"Aquana," Carly replied, "Hey, Johnny, what are you doing with Michael?"

Johnny gave her a lazy grin, "Egypt."

Carly wrinkled her nose, "Okay, that's cool, why are you smirking at me like that then?"

"Because we're going to find a way to put a curse on you," Johnny joked, hurrying away.

Carly's mouth dropped open, "WHAT???  Get back here you jerk!  I'm gonna beat the stuffing outta you!!!!!"

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         "Then he just hung up!" Hru was telling Holly and Kai, "How completely weird is that?  How am I ever going to survive a week working with him???"

"He's still a little distant," Kai said, shrugging, "He'll loosen up."

"A little????" Hru exclaimed, "Excuse me?  Define 'little' Kai!  I don't know how to loosen him up, I'm not Carly, jumping around and acting all hyper all the time."

"Maybe he doesn't want to be your partner anymore than you want to be his," Holly put in, "I mean, you kind of make it obvious that you don't want to work with him.  He has feelings too."

"But...but..." Hru said, looking confused, "I thought...I don't understand...argh.  Did he tell you guys that he's cyberized?"

Kai nodded, "He told me and it doesn't bother me."

"How can it not bother you?" Hru demanded, "His mind is part machine!"

Holly covered her ears, "I don't wanna know this."

"He's still human," Kai told her, "Just like you and me.  He may be cyberized, but that changes nothing."

Hru shook her head, murmuring, "No, it changes everything."

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         Willow giggled as Ray kissed her, his strong arms tight around her waist.  But almost right after Tyson came running around the corner and spotted them.

"Oh great," Willow sighed.

Tyson looked surprised, "Ray, I never knew you had the hots for her."

Ray rolled his eyes, "Well, now you know and go away."

"Hey man, I think it's cool," Tyson shrugged, "I thought Mariah liked you."

"So did I," Kenny chimed in.

"And...your point?" Cassandra asked.

"Tyson, I don't want the whole school to know about this in five minutes," Ray told his friend, "So please just keep your trap shut."

Tyson nodded, "Don't worry Ray!  I will!"

"That's why I'm worried," Ray muttered.  He shook his head after the trio ran away.  Smiling, he turned back to Willow, "Now where were we?"

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         "We're not going back to the Dream Realm soon are we?" Kailee asked.

"I hope not," Max admitted, "I'm not sure, I wanna see anymore bloodshed."

"Actually," Kai said, "Carly wanted to go back yesterday, but we talked her out of it.  We might be going tonight though."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kailee wailed, "It's so scary."

"It's something we have to do," Holly told her gently.

"Kailee, if you tried attacking, it might not seem so scary," Kai told her, "It's just defense."

"Well, I just want my cute little eggie to hatch," Kailee cooed, "It's sooooo cute."

"It's an egg," Kai told her, sweatdropping, "How can it be cute?"

"I love it sooooo much," Kailee said, "I just hope it's healthy when it hatches, I'm going to take really really good care of it!"

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         "Carly, sit down," Mr. Johnson (their Socials teacher) said, "Just because your partner is absent, doesn't mean you should bother Michael and Johnny with their work."

"I ain't bothering them," Carly said with an angelic smile, "I'm helping them, suggesting things."

Johnny snorted as Michael laughed.

Just then Aquana stepped into the room with a late slip, looking tired and bothered.

"Looks like you have a partner after all Carly," Mr. Johnson said, "Please get to work."

"I thought you're sick," Carly whispered as Aquana sat down.

"I'm okay," Aquana said, forcing a smile, "I don't want to let you down."

"Ack," Carly said, "I could always go to your house or stuff.  Don't make yourself more sick just cuz of me.  Anyways, you're here, you're here.  Let's get cracking."

"Aquana," Enrique said in a hushed voice, "Are you okay?"

"Sure," Aquana didn't met Enrique's eyes, "Fine."

"Are you-" Enrique started.

"Enrique!" Courtney said shrilly, "Pay attention!!!!!"

Enrique sighed and turned back.

Carly frowned when she saw Courtney fluttering her eyelashes at Enrique, "Hmph, I'd love to give her a complete makeover, my style."

Aquana concentrated on cutting out letters, "Enrique doesn't really like me, does he?"

Carly looked startled, "I hope you're not expecting me to answer that cuz if you are, I'm gonna be having nightmares for the rest of the year."

"I know he's a flirt," Aquana whispered, "But he was so sweet when I first met him.  He flirts with other girls even when he's with me, I never seemed to mind until now.  I don't think I want to date him anymore."

Carly bit her lip, //Hmph, I am SO glad, I'm not in love.  It sounds more complicated than that maze in England.  This is SO annoying.  I can't decided whether it's Enrique's fault or not.  How can ANYONE stand to be in love, ugh. it isn't even worth a headache, gosh.//  She decided to approach the situation another way, "Well, why can't you tell Courtney off yourself?  I mean, if Enrique isn't gonna do it for you, you might as well.  I mean, it's everyone for themselves, I don't try to rely on anyone else to do my work for me."

"I don't wanna cause more trouble for myself," Aquana said, "Whatever I do seems to get flung back in my face."

//It's no use, she obviously isn't up for punching out Courtney's guts,// Carly thought, //Ugh, I'm getting absolutely nowhere.//

"I sorta wish I was more like you Carly," Aquana said softly, "More assertive, and how you depend on nobody."

Before Carly could reply, Johnny leaned over, grinning.

"She needs me," he teased.

"Yeah right!" Carly said, making faces at her best friend, "Get a life Johnny, and have you figured out a way to curse me yet?"

"Nope, we're still working on it," Johnny said cheerfully.

"Maybe it'll backfire and he's curse himself instead," Carly muttered, turning back to her work.

Aquana giggled, but her smile faded when it seemed that Courtney was charming Enrique up.

"Mr. Johnson, could I borrow Carly for a minute?" a teacher said from outside the door.

"Yes," Mr. Johnson said, "Carly?  Go ahead, come straight back though."

"Borrow me?" Carly muttered, "What am I?  A video rental?"

"What did you do this time?" Johnny joked.  Then SMASH and Johnny was ruefully rubbing his sore head.

"You're not funny Johnny," Carly said icily, holding the textbook that she used to whack Johnny's head with.  She smirked at him, "That's my computer teacher and I'm positive it's good news."  She left the room.

From behind Johnny, Holly giggled as Johnny shot her a dark glare.

"Mr. Johnson, telephone for you in the office, line one. Repeat, telephone for Mr. Johnson, line one."

Their Socials teacher stood up, "I'll be right back, I expect you all to be working when I return."  He left the room.

Aquana gasped as Courtney knocked over the white glue on her table and spilled all over the letters she was cutting out.

"Ooops, SO sorry," Courtney said with a nasty smile.

"You did that on purpose!" Holly said angrily.

Courtney shook her head, "Why don't you prove that Holly???"

Johnny's eyes narrowed, "Clean it up then, Carly's going to be furious when she gets back."

"I'm NOT cleaning it up," Courtney said huffily, "It's not my fault, Aquana had to leave the glue uncapped."

"Well, it's not Aquana's fault that you're blind either," Johnny snapped.

Part of the class gasped because Johnny had just insulted the most popular girl in the school.  Everyone was watching now.

"How dare you say that to me!" Courtney said furiously, "You'll regret it.  No wonder you don't have a date for the Valentine's dance."

Johnny smirked, "Gee, that's a knife in my heart isn't it?  Considering the fact, that I could hardly care less."
"Oh, but I forgot," Courtney said daintily, "You probably asked Carly, since you like her so much.  So did she break any of your bones when you asked her?"

"Shut up!"  Johnny turned bright red, he looked mad enough to kill, but he also looked humiliated.  Holly couldn't blame him, Courtney had just told the whole class that Johnny liked Carly, ouch.  It was a good thing that the object of the subject wasn't in the class.

"I don't like Carly and I didn't ask her to the dance!" Johnny snarled.

"What-ever," Courtney said, sneering, "Aquana, who are you going to the dance with?"

Aquana looked away, "Leave me alone."

"OHHHH, you mean that Enrique hasn't asked you yet," Courtney laughed, "Too bad, you know what that means, don't you?"

Aquana clutched the fabric of her skirt, tears forming in her eyes.

"Stop it!" Holly exclaimed, "Sit down Courtney!  Leave Aquana alone!"

Courtney ignored Holly, "It means that he doesn't plan on asking you and that means he's never really liked you.  Don't kid yourself Aquana, you're nothing special, just some overrated fashion model.  No one's going to ask you to the dance, unlike me, there's a line of guys waiting to ask me."

"Enrique, say something!" Holly said, "Enrique!"

Enrique said nothing, he just looked ashamed.

"We all know that Enrique prefers to be with the popular type," Courtney sneered, "That's why he should've stayed as my boyfriend.  So sorry sweetheart, but he's not your type and he was just stringing you along."

Aquana knocked over her chair and ran out, sobbing, just as Carly entered through the doorway.

"Aquana?" Carly gasped, as Aquana rushed past her and down the hall, "Aquana!!  Where are you going?"  She stared after her friend as Aquana ran outside and headed for her house.

"Look at that," Courtney laughed with her friends, "Isn't she pathetic, it's so easy to make her cry."

Carly's eyes flashed, "All right Courtney, spit it out, what did you say?"

Just then Mr. Johnson came up behind Carly, "Carly, would you take a seat?  It's so hard to get you to sit down.  I'm sure your partner would appreciate your help - where's Aquana?"

Holly looked from Enrique to Courtney to Johnny to Carly and opened her mouth.

Carly shook her head and interrupted, "She went home, she wasn't feeling well."

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         "Oh boy, was she mad," Johnny was telling Holly, "I thought she'd blow up in front of me or something."
"You didn't tell her - that - well, you know," Holly said.

"NO!" Johnny snapped, turning the same shade of red again, "Of course not, I DON'T like her."

"Whatever you say Johnny," Holly said, rolling her eyes, "Here comes Enrique."

Enrique approached them carefully, "You guys are still talking to me right?"

Holly nodded, "Uh-huh and right now we'd like to talk to you."

"Boy, you look terrible," Johnny remarked, "Like something ran you over."

Enrique shook his head, "Carly's really mad at me."

"I know," Johnny said, "She was already mad when I told her."

Enrique winced, "She screamed at me when she saw me.  I've never heard her yell like that before."

"I told you she's mad," Johnny said, shrugging, "I don't blame her."

"She's going to get Courtney back," Holly said, "She's the kind of vengeful person.  Oh Johnny, even if you don't tell Carly 'that', I'm sure Hru or Tala or Kai will."

Johnny paled, "Curse, I don't want her to know."

"Know what?  That Courtney said you like Carly?" Enrique asked.

"SHUT UP!" Johnny snarled, "I'm going to hit the next person that says that.  Gosh, please please please don't tell..."

"Why do you care if you don't like her?" Holly asked.

"Curse you, I don't!" Johnny snapped, "I don't!"
"She told me she's never speaking to me again," Enrique said miserably, "I'm such an idiot.  And Aquana won't answer the phone.  I lost two friends in one day."

"I remembered the last time Carly told me that she was never going to talk to me again," Johnny said, "It was rough, everything I said was spat back in my face.  She's tough."
"But she's talking to you now," Holly pointed.

"True, but do you know how many times I apologized???" Johnny demanded, "A lot, that's all I have to say.  A lot.  I practically had to beg her."

"Enrique, what is the matter with you?" Holly demanded, "Courtney was insulting Aquana and Carly and you just sat there and watched, what kind of friend are you?  It's no wonder Carly's exploding in your face.  You're lucky to be in one piece!"

"I don't know," Enrique said glumly, "It's just that I didn't want to get on Courtney's bad side."

"So you thought it was better for your image to get on Carly's bad side, instead of Courtney's," Johnny said sarcastically, "And which is better in the long run?"

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            *hops up and down* Yay, my reviews have increased a bit!  ^_^  Did I mention I started another fic? :P  More fantasy, and mainly about Johnny/Carly, it has nothing to do with this fic though, but check it out if you're interested, it's called Where Your Loyalties Lie, some ppl have already reviewed it!  So if you like Carly and Johnny's interaction in this fic, I'm guessing you'll probably like my new one too.  ^_^  Enrique seems…chicken?  Too concerned about his image. :P  Hope you enjoyed the chapter, I feel DEAD after uploading my site's contents all over again to a new URL.  Here it is @ www.angeltowns.com/members/destination/, I'm changing it again in a few days, no choice, *sighs*.  I need help, lol!  Too much to handle, oh well, I'll manage, laterz!  Review of course!