TEN REASONS
Chapter 13 – Why doors should be locked
Mariah's POV
I gazed vacantly at the spotless mirror in front of me as the anger in my veins evaporated and guilt flushed through. It felt as if I had abandoned my inert body and switched places with my mirror twin and assumed staring out at the shell I left behind. I didn't just punch Meyong. Right? No way…
The fire scorching my left cheek, ignited by Meyong's slap, reminded me of my motive of socking her squarely in the eye. It was a reflex. To defend myself. But was just that it? 'No,' an inner voice replied. She had purposely infuriated me with her devious antics not just tonight but since Kevin had shown the light on the real Meyong Keto. Even if I was defending myself and she provoked me, I was still an experienced martial artist and new better than to resort to a cat fight and stoop to her level. I could have pulled her into a headlock or something instead of lashing out like some trodden on cobra. Shame coupled my feeling of guilt, I had spent years perfecting the profession of a martial artist who easily knew how to defend herself without harming or marking the attacker.
"Hey Mariah, Ray and Meyong just left cause she poked herself in the eye with a-Mariah, what's wrong?" Tyson's cheery voice now flooded with concern as he rushed to be by my side only to gape at my prickling cheek. "And what happened to your cheek?" He inquired as his hand inspected it for damage.
"She didn't poke herself in the eye with a…"
"… hat stand."
"Hat stand," I corrected myself, pausing momentarily to find my words. "I hit her." I spoke softly adverting my gaze to the trinkets on dresser.
Ty gawked at me for a second before replying astonished. "Well no wonder why she left in a hurry but that still doesn't explain your cheek." His tone indicating he'd most likely assumed accurately what happened.
"She slapped me, so I hit her."
"Then don't get cut up about it. You were defending yourself." He advised in a reassuring tone pulling me into a tight hug.
'Still I shouldn't have punched her. I'm a martial artist there was a million of other things I could have done." I mumbled into his chest.
"That may be true but it's in the past now. What's more important is what is going to happen next."
"Well it looks like their going to go ahead and get married. Stupid, gullible Ray." I spat bitterly as I retract from the hug and sit on the bed.
"Will they tell, I mean will she tell the elders where you are?" he asks taking a seat beside me, a fleeting look of lost dashing his eyes.
"Honestly I haven't got a clue. She wants me as far away from Ray as possible so I can't 'steal' him away from her. Though she would absolutely love to see me stripped of Galux. You know she mentioned that she was jealous of me beyblading." I state satisfied that I had managed to piss her off in that department.
"In those exact words?" Ty questioned incredulously, as one eyebrow escaped gravity's grasp.
"No, in passing. She was ranting on about how I was a spoilt princess because I got to beyblade and a bitbeast since I was the village leader's only granddaughter therefore 'above' all rules. She didn't even stop to think I trained hard day after day and rightfully earned Galux. I'll be the first to admit that Ray helped me but most of the time I'd slave over the beydish for hours on end, improving my technique. Not to mention lie awake in bed at night and develop strategies."
"Calm down. Don't get worked up over her, you'll give yourself wrinkles." Ty joked.
"I can get worked up if I want to! After all this shit I've had to put up with! First my parents and Lee… go… and then… Ray after what years, suddenly doesn't want to be with me and wants to be with Meyong. And Kevin was my new fiancé and Gary… just forgot about me." Tears began to pool in my eyes, calming my anger. "And then… then I found, well was sent to you. You're the only right thing that has happened to me in this last year and I know it's been about a week but I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm sorry I snapped at you."
"I'm sorry too." Ty began, taking my hands into his. "I should have been more sensitive. I just hate seeing you so stressed out and I tried to make you feel better but I guess it didn't work, so sorry. Here let me dry those." He offered, taking a hankie from his pocket and wiping my eyes then pulling me into a tight hug.
Tyson's POV
Snaking my arms around her slender waist I pulled her in closer. We sat there trapped in each others arms for ages as I played with her hair and she buried herself into my chest. Only our faint breathing breaking the stillness of the air. I thought back to our earlier discussion, it had been what, almost a week and already Mariah didn't know what she'd do without me. It felt more like we'd been together for about six months when in reality it had just been days. Not only that but we've… connected. A connection so intricate its wires would take years to unravel. I felt it the moment our eyes caught each other at the airport and I've only realised it now. This connection, bond if you prefer, has already began cutting ties with one of my oldest friends Ray.
I thought I knew Ray. Correction. I did know Ray. Either he's changed or I've changed or maybe we've both changed. Really it is ever since Lee died. Lee's departure from this world has impacted on Ray's life. Though if Ray hadn't changed I'd never have gotten to know Mariah on this level and we'd never have hooked up. For that I am grateful for. However in the process I am losing a friend. Is it worth it? My gut tells me, yes. Despite the law case in my head, it says yes. And this might sound stereotypical of me but usually my gut is right. Not just when it comes to food but life in general. And it is that yes that consumes me with guilt.
That's not it. I'm worried he'll want Mariah back. I don't think he loves let alone likes Meyong. If he does than boy he has a funny way of showing it. Not once did I see one bit of physical contact, no holding hands, and an affectionate rub on the arm. I don't even think they danced. Deep down, buried within he still feels deeply for Mariah. That's why I'm content with our relationship being a secret at the moment. I'm worried that if he hears Mariah and I am an item he'll want her back. The classic now that I can't have her I want her syndrome. Though will Mariah run back to him? I hope not.
"Ty…" She whispered softly, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yeah Mariah," I replied savouring the aroma of her apple scented hair.
She paused momentarily before speaking again. "I forgot what I was going to say," she said somewhat lamely, causing us to laugh.
My laughter subsided before my pink mistress's giggles and my eyes were once again lost in those golden pools. What was I thinking she's over Ray. By the hungry way those eyes are staring at me, I know who she likes. Me. I found myself in the same position as the night at the beach, hypnotised by those mystic orbs, craving her. And without warning I plummeted my lips upon hers capturing her in a deep kiss only to have Lor open the door. Mariah and I broke hastily apart only to witness Lor pass out in the doorway.
Ten Reasons why doors should be locked
1. When nobodies home and the door is unlocked it's an invitation to burglars
2. It is a lock's sole purpose in life is to be locked… don't ruin its life!
3. If the house should come under attack by rebels, it's comforting to know you have some kind of security
4. Cyclones, Typhoons and Hurricanes are REAL. Lock the door so you don't lose it.
5. If the door is locked when pesky salesmen drop by you can pretend your not home!
6. Same goes for scouts; girl guides cults and nosy neighbours. (Oh and charities if you're a mean old Grinch…)
7. It's a necessary precaution so people don't mistake your house as a tourist destination or a display home.
8. If you don't want an invitation only party to turn into an open house, you know what you should do? Lock the door.
9. If you have locks on your doors and you use it while you're away and your house gets broken into the insurance company pays for all loses. Even that 24 carat diamond ring heirloom you swear you owned.
10. Because when you are trying to keep a relationship secret you don't want people accidentally discovering that secret.