Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or any of its characters. All unrecognizable characters are mine. Booya!

This was an insane chapter! First one I handwrote…eleven pages on paper!

Aw, Aglaia's having this terrible high school week…I'm stepping out into the world without editing!

To hazelnuts: From what I remember, your favourite Disney movie is incorporated into his chapter! Yea My fav comes in the 'DUN DUN DUN' chapters…BWAHAHA!

Oh…right. Authoress holds a tattered sign with poor penmanship scribbled all over This is a shout out to AznFactor, cough (Sarcastically) 'Hur-ray…' (But indeed, you were my one hundredth reviewer, so BOO-YA!)


"" For speaking

'' For thinking

Italics just for the fun of it!

On with the story!


She's Going Where?!

Chapter 8- R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Written by Euphrosyne


"Hey Johnny, can you pass the rolls?"

"Sure Ash, could you pass the margin?"

After spending a nice long afternoon at Oliver's house, lying around, chatting away, and watching TV, the gang finally decided to leave. Though hesitant to leave at first, Tala was convinced by a few mark-crazed girls to go home and do some homework.

"Seriously Tala, homework's piling up. I hear we're going to get some huge project in History, should start eliminating some of the work while you still can." Emily grabbed her jacket. Max snatched her bag off the rack.

Shifting in the couch uncomfortably, Tala tossed some popcorn in the air before swiftly catching it in his mouth. "Don't worry 'bout me Em, I'll just cut and paste some stuff off the net. I'll be done in no time!" He continued throwing food in the air. Michael joined in.

Mariah rolled her eyes before getting off the couch, following the other couple towards the door. "Pfft! Believe me Valkov, the teachers will instantly know you didn't write it." She shook her head in despair. "Your mind not only wonders Tala, sometimes is leaves completely…"

"Hey! I resent that!"

Pulling the redhead off the leather sofa, Kai spoke. "She's right. We might have finished our Social Science project, but the two of us haven't even started on Economics! Don't want to become a procrastinator now."

Stretching, Tala got out of his seat. He yawned, "Always wanted to be a procrastinator, never got around to doing it…"

There was silence in the room before the TV was turned off. Walking over to the Russian, Robert slammed a book into his chest. "Here's a dictionary Valkov. Read it."

To say the least, eventually, everyone was out of the house.

The four European boys had driven Riley home, then persuaded by Katherine and the others to stay for dinner. Currently, they were all sitting in the large dinning room, chowing down the candle lit dinner.

Needless to say, the food was delightfully smashing as always!

Purposely leaning over to grab the salt, Enrique paused to smile at Chloe. "So babe, did'cha miss me while I was gone?"

Ignoring the infatuation, Chloe took a sip of her wine. She placed her glass down before calmly speaking. "You know, my last boyfriend and I broke up over religious differences," her sentence trailed off, all eyes were now on her. "He thought he was God…I didn't."

Ash cringed as the attention switched to him. Clearing his throat, ready to defend himself, a glare was shot his way by a certain blonde chick. Taking it as a signal, Ash dropped his head, swallowed his pride, and began buttering his toast again.

Enrique, unrattled by the last comment, leaned in some more, "Hey, I'm not a perfectionist," he smirked, "just, my parents were…"

There was a groan of disgust. Oliver shuddered, "Not at the dinning table please Enrique…"

Robert sighed, "Always keep your words soft and sweet, just incase you have to swallow them…"

Riley, who had been sitting quietly at one end of the table, calmly eating away, chose to change the subject. "Tai, did I tell you I got the role of Juliet in the school play?"

Directly across from the raven-haired girl at the other end, Tai looked up, eyes gleaming with interest. "Really…?"

Riley nodded.

Chloe lowered her fork. "Obviously, this production isn't going to be anything like the one we were in, in grade three." She laughed.

Ash joined in, rekindling the memory. "Haha, that's right. Tai was Romeo, and Riley was once again, Juliet." He paused to recollect the memory. "I remember now…wasn't that the one where Riley covered her mouth with her hands when Tai leaned in to kiss her?" Ash bursted out laughing, realizing a few seconds too late that he was the only one who found his speech funny.

Tai scratched the back of his head before forcing out a laugh to break the silence. "…Yeah, ha, right…" He gently folded his napkin before standing and excusing himself. He pasted a smile on his face before leaving, trying to avoid all eye contact. He felt two pairs of apologetic eyes on his back.

Not soon after the raven-haired boy left, Riley stood. Uncomfortably grinning, she spoke. "Johnny, didn't you say you wanted to check your email?"

The redhead looked up from his place. Seeing the plea, Johnny found himself unconsciously nodding. He too stood, following the girl upstairs.

"Smart, Ash." Chloe rolled her eyes, dabbing the corner of her lips with her napkin.

"Tai does seem kinda stressed lately," stated Oliver, trying to help Ash by redirecting the spotlight.

"Well, it's a pretty big job being Gen-X president, you know." Chloe sighed at the older boy's burden. "Battling school, assignments, extra curricular activities. Even harder now, since Tai promised his father to lend a helping hand at the Corp." There was hesitation as a strand of platinum blonde hair was brushed away from her eyes. "He's just stressed over the deadline he has for the charity show this year…"

"If it counts for anything, the show was amazing last year…" Robert placed his elbow on the table before resting his chin on his palm.

"It was absolutely mind boggling! Can't believe you guys pulled off a musical like Beauty and the Beast without any help from the teachers. How much money did you guys raise anyways?"

Chloe smiled, "We're doing better every year now that the words spreading. We raised about ten grand two years back when we did the Lion King. With some help from our sponsors, we doubled the record for the kids!

"I can't believe our Riley pulled something off like that…"

Robert sighed, "I hope Tai doesn't feel like he is expected to beat that record or anything…"

There was a pause as Ash and Chloe swapped eye contact. The older boy finally decided to speak. "Well, Tai's not 'expected' to do better exactly…but it is in the eyes of the headmasters that he at least makes a striving attempt to uphold the school expectations."

The three European boys widened their eyes. Bewildered, Enrique spoke. "Damn! Now that's what I call pressure…"

Robert changed the mood, "Hey, you know we'll be supporting you guys throughout the entire way."

"Definitely. We're expecting first class tickets on opening night!" The green haired boy laughed.

Everyone joined in. "Don't worry guys, have your people call our people."

Ash rolled his eyes. "Consider it done."

Standing and pushing his chair in, Rob stood. "I'm gonna try and find Tai. After that, we've gotta leaving."

Whining was heard from a certain flirtatious blond. Enrique suddenly leaned over and subbed his cheek against Chloe's arm. The girl jumped. "Can't we stay over tonight Rob?" He winked at the girl beside him who responded with an uninterested groan.

Shaking his head in shame, Rob stood to leave, Oliver following close behind. "It's a school night, and I'm pretty sure we've ALL had enough of you…" He paused before finishing his sentence. "We'll be back in a few minutes. BE READY." With that, the two boys disappeared into the large halls, footsteps echoing away.

Licking his lips, the blond draped his arm around Chloe's shoulder. That was until it was wretched away by the only other person present in the room. Ash.

Ash glared at Enrique before raising a questioning eyebrow.

Giving up, Enrique glowered back. "Fine, fine…whatever…"

Chloe got out of her chair before opening the door towards the grand staircase.

"Hey, where are you going?" The two blonds stared at the pretty girl who was strutting away in her heels.

Flipping her hair, Chloe turned and smiled mysteriously at the two. "I've had enough of you two boys." She faked a yawn before proceeding to open the door. "…It's hard being hot... Burden of the beautiful…" With that, the door closed.

The two boys stood, not knowing how to react to the comment.

Heading the opposite direction, Ash cupped his forehead before muttering. "…And she said I was playing god…" He too, disappeared into the hall.

Crossing his arms in a frustrated stance, Enrique stood alone in the large candle lit dinning room. "Hey! I'm not doing the dishes!"

Silence answered him.


Scooting herself over on the revolving ladder, Riley continued shelving the books Johnny was handing her.

"That's the last one." The redhead held onto the last few steps as the raven-haired girl jumped off.

Brushing her hair back, Riley smiled. "So, what do you want to do now?"

The boy checked his watch. "Hmmm, we're probably going to leave soon, so there's no point heading down to the arena."

Riley rolled her eyes. "Boy, if you couldn't beat the Azn4, don't even try and battle me."

Johnny winced at the memory of last year's tournament. He was so sure they were going to make it into the finals. Who would have guessed they would battle Gen-X's second team so early in the nations.

The Azn4, four sultry looking Chinese girls that had swiftly wiped the stadium with Johnny's ass. A single smile, and Enrique was tranced into a state of bubble gurgitation.

For the record, they had all rejected his dating offer, much less his marriage proposal.

Sigh, talk about humiliation.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…don't get all cocky now."

Riley rolled her eyes. "Hey, Gen-X had held the top two placed ever since the beginning of time. Just let me have some fun by rubbing it this once…!" She giggled with glee as Johnny scrunched his nose.

"You laugh now, but you'll see. This year, we've got both teams battling." Walking down the staircase to the lower level of the library, Johnny turned on one of the computers and logged onto his email.

Clutching the back of the redhead's chair, Riley leaned over and sighed. "You're right. Kai's team is battling his year too. Shame what happened." Grabbing a chair, Riley brought it over and sat beside Johnny, leaning over the table. "Blading has to be one of the things I miss most about Gen-X."

Turning to face her, Johnny questioned, "That's right, what's gonna happen with your team?"

Spinning in her seat, Riley stopped to think. "I'm actually not too sure. Chloe and them are pretty invincible with or without me…Captain Tai, however, isn't too keen about replacing me." She let out a deep breathe, staring into the ceiling. "Technically, anyone who passes the training and exam is entitled to my spot…pretty intense stuff though …Gen-X never places two teams for ANY tournament, apparently it is redundant. Azn4 was the first and probably only exception." She paused, "They did awesome their first year eh?" There was a hint of teasing in her voice.

"…Rub it in…"

"Haha, suck it up like a man, Johnny."

A chime like noise was heard as Johnny logged onto MSN. An icon rose, telling him he had 124 new messages.

Johnny sighed, "Should have checked it during vaca…"

Riley raised an eyebrow before gently nudging the redhead in the arm. "What's that?"

As if on cue, another icon popped on.

.::White tiger on the prowl::.

Hey man, what's up?

Johnny began typing away.

.::Kinky Scottish Girls::.

At Riley's house having dinner. Anything happen with you?

Riley smirked at Johnny's nickname. "Tell Ray I said hi."

He typed the message.

.::Red: Flaming HOT! has been added to your conversation::.

Hey babe!

Riley took over the keyboard.

.::Kinky Scottish Girls::.

Hey Tala!

.::Red: Flaming HOT!::.

(Wink!)

.::White tiger on the prowl::.

Can we get back to the problem here?

.::Red: Flaming HOT!::.

(Sigh)

.::Kinky Scottish Girls::.

What prob?

.::Red: Flaming HOT!::.

Apparently Mariah just got a call from Lee, inviting her to Vivinne's Christmas bash…

.::Kinky Scottish Girls::.

Ouch…

.::Red: Flaming HOT!::.

Tell me about it. Ray's totally paranoid. OBVIOUSLY he tried to persuade her from going, but I think it only urged her on more.

.::White tiger on the prowl::.

I'm still on the phone about it. I don't even understand why she cares about the party. It's Vivinne for jeez sakes! Not to mention Lee! He moved to Hong Kong for two years now…STAY THERE!

.::Kinky Scottish Girls::.

Don't be a prick just because he's Mari's ex…

Riley thought to herself. 'Wow, it's a freaking soap opera...'

.::White tiger on the prowl::.

Puh-leez Rye, I'm begging you here, pleeeeease convince Mariah for me…I'm running dry of ideas on the phone as we speak…"

There was a sudden flick on the screen as Ray changed his nickname.

.::IRRITATED White tiger on the prowl::.

.::Kinky Scottish Girls::.

She says she'll try though she can't guarantee any miracles since she doesn't know the guy…

.::IRRITATED White tiger on the prowl::.

BUT SHE KNOWS ME!!!

Lightly squeezing Johnny's shoulder, Riley stood to leave the room. "I'll be back in a few minutes." The redhead nodded, returning to his typing.

Riley made her way out the door, turning two corners as she reached four bedrooms. She opened one of the middle ones, entering her room. The sound of a ringing cell phone caught her attention.

She picked it up just in time. The Gen-X logo popping up in sight as she lifted the phone to her ears.

"Hello?"

"CAN YOU BELIEVE THE NERVE OF THAT GUY?!?"

Instantly, out of reflex, Riley shoved the receiver as far as possible as she winced at the yelling.

"Calm down Mariah, what happened?"

That was the cue for the pink haired girl's rampage.

"Okay! Sooo Lee called and invited me to the party…he didn't ask me to accompany him or anything, I was planning to show up with Ray anyways!" There was grumbling of anger and frustration. "Like comeon! We broke up two years ago! He lived in Hong Kong for two freaking years!" Something shattered in the background. "You know, this is an issue of trust! That's it! Ray doesn't trust me!"

The sound of heavy breathing filled the line.

"Have you told him you felt this way?"

"How can I? I called, told him about the plans, then he starting freaking out on me like a chicken on steroids! Hey, he was TOTALLY asking for me to hang up on him!"

"Mariah! You know that won't solve anything!"

"You bet I know! That's why we're arguing online now!"

Riley shook her head at the thought. It was reasons like this she didn't have a boyfriend.

"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding. You know Ray trusts you. It's Lee he doesn't trust.

There was silence on the other line as Riley held the phone closer, making out rapid sounds of keystrokes.

"You know Ray loves you, you two are always making lovey dovey noises at each other…quite repulsive now that you think about it…"

Once again, there was a pause…this time longer.

"…Mariah? Hello? Ma-ri-ah…"

No typing was heard.

"Okay girl, now you're scaring me…what's wrong, girl?"

A deep drawing of breath was heard on the line as Mariah coughed. "…I'm fine, really…" The pinked haired girl's voice became hoarse and shaky.

"No, this isn't like you, Mariah…"

"Seriously Riley. I'll call you back, I've gotta eat dinner."

"Mariah, wait, hold on!"

The phone went dead.

Knocking on the door echoed through the large bedroom. Slowly bringing the phone down to her lap, Riley turned to see the door open. Johnny's red hair came into view. Opening the crack larger, he stepped in, drawing a deep breath. "I think we have a problem…"

Riley urged him to continue, a pit growing in her stomach. She had a bad feeling about this.

"Ray and Mariah just broke up."


Dun dun dun! My first cliffy!

Will Mariah end up going to the party? Get back together with Ray? Stay toon for the next chapter!

Please read and review!