Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or any of its characters, though I wish I did cause Kai and Tala are so damn fine! Anywho, all unrecognized characters are mine!

Wow, that was some pretty hectic stuff Ffnet was going through last week. (Sigh) Totally killed my reviews, sob (Hint hint). Anywho, I think this is the chapter most of you have been waiting for, in more ways than one, hehe. There is a little more Kai and Riley stuff, but the ending…tsk tsk tsk…it's really something. Since March Break is coming up, I should be able to squeeze in a few more uploads, but you guys have to remember to review! Thanks thanks!

Ohyeah! Aglaia is back in thee house!

A special thanks goes to AznFactor for contributing and refreshing my memory of my first Debating experience. The scene in this story is exactly what happened at school…scary, I know.


"" For speaking

'' For thinking

Italics just for the fun of it!

On with the story!


She's Going Where?!

Chapter 9- The Giant Squid

Written by Euphrosyne


The days had quickly tolled by, and like expected, the legendary couple had roused the whole school into a world of hectic.

Friends of both Mariah and Ray were worried. The two never got into a fight. The fact that this one had turned into a break-up and dragged along the whole week, began to question their hope of an existing remedy.

Other people however, had turned the two's break-up into an international gossip line. Recent rumours had it that Mariah had seduced a truck driver, hijacked a car, and drove all the way to the edge of town just to sneak a peek at Lee. Somehow, Ray had mysteriously appeared right in front of their make out session and broke up with the pink haired girl right there and then.

Oh, puh-leez!

Sadly, to top it off, credit had to be given to those who figured out Lee was involved.

Vivinne's cheque was in the mail.

Emily couldn't decide which was worst; Miss Bimbo spreading the lies, or the cliques of students lining up to date either one of the broken pair.

Someone tell these children to go watch a soap opera!

The day after the incident was pretty bad. The two had ignored each other and refused to be in the same room. As the days progressed however, it got even worse. It didn't help when Mariah's squad marched up to Ray's fan club and totally started a huge catfight.

Clothes tore like crazy!

And indeed, Michael and Enrique both received a kick out of the fun, cheering the girls on to rip and claw lower.

Such pervs.

The gang had gathered at their usual spot in the cafe, discussing no other than the whereabouts of the ex-couple.

Answer: Question mark.

"Ray seems all macho and everything, but his ego is completely bruised." Said Tala between bites of his celery stick.

"The guy's right. He was completely shocked and totally in denial after the break-up. Guess he couldn't grasp the concept that it was really over…"

"…I don't think any of us did…"

There was a sad silence.

"Both of them should just get over their pride, apologize, and figure out a solution." Tala rolled his eyes. "All this over a party? Vivinne's party to make it worse!"

"Mariah was pretty bashed up over the break-up too when Rye and I showed up at her house the other day. She had the stereo pumped up like crazy! Totally delusional…" Emily shuddered at another thought, "…All those jugs of chocolate chip cookie dough ice-cream…"

"It's obvious they've got it bad for each other…just too stubborn to admit it." Johnny continued, "I guess this is the big test…"

Kai shook his head. "Tell a man there are 100 billion stars in the sky and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint, and he has to touch it..."

A voice was raised from the far end of the table. "I heard that Kai! I only did it once!"

Everyone sighed at the added depression of Tyson's comment.

Changing the subject, Tala brought up the volunteering issue. Ms. Kettleton, apparently thrilled with all the project results, decided to award the class by blessing them with a Christmas assignment. It was pretty simply really. Groups of students were to find a place where they could volunteer their time to helping the community during the holiday season. They were to arrange the date themselves with whichever organization they chose, then have the head or sponsor sign this form proving the group had spend a good thirty hours spreading holiday joy.

That crazy hoe of a teacher.

"So have we decided on a group and place?" Tala yawned.

Shrugging, Kai answered. "Riley was saying something about some old folks home. Seems like it's going to be just you, me, Rye, and Mariah. Ray said he was going to join us just for the hell of it since he doesn't take Social Science…but…"

The group let out another depressed sigh.

"Lets just hope everything will be over by Christmas…"


"I completely disagree, Mr. Speaker, I really think the government should fund more money into capturing the large squid. With an animal that size, world hunger will be completely abolished!"

"Permission to speak, Mr. Speaker?"

There was a nod from the teacher sitting on the desk in the middle of the room. It was obvious he was responsible for order in the debating club. "Member of the We-Like-Hot-Chicks-Party recognized. Proceed."

Kenny rolled his eyes at the name before typing something on his laptop. He leaned over to the boy representing the opposing team, whispering into his ear. The boy nodded with understanding. "We, the elected party of the house, completely object to the idea of capturing the large squid. Not only is it money taken away from improving education and health care, but where are we going to keep such an immense animal?!" The senior threw his hands in the air in frustration.

"Not to mention its animal cruelty!"

"Yeah!"

"SILENCE! ORDER IN THE HOUSE!" The teacher slammed his palm against the table for emphasis.

Mariah jumped. To think all this time, she thought sports were rough! Thank god she wasn't on the debating team for real. She would have died, choking to death with all those people jumping down her throat!

"Permission to speak, Mr. Speaker?"

"Recognized." The teacher nodded at the leader of the opposition.

"Sure we can find a cure for cancer, but have you stopped to think that maybe the cure is IN the giant squid?"

There was silence.

"I demand we hold another election! It is clear the leader of the opposition is suffering from insanity!"

"I know! Why don't you spend money on finding Big Foot or the Sasquatch?!"

At once, there was an uproar of contradiction.

"ORDER IN THE HOUSE! ORDER!"

"I, the leader of the opposition, demand an apology from the Prime Minister. That was a complete act of treachery…!"

The prime minister stuck his nose in the air. "It's the twentieth century my dear. Who do you think you are…King?"

There was laughter among his people.

"Silence! It would be in best attention to stay on topic!"

The two leaders crossed their arm before turning their backs towards each other.

"E-lec-tion, e-lec-tion, e-lec-tion…!" The droning got louder.

Riley turned her head and smiled at Mariah. She had to shout over the yelling. "I warned you this was a rowdy group!"

Mariah's eyes widened. "Rowdy would be an understatement…"

The teacher stood before slamming his hand on the desk. He raised the other, signalling silence.

"It is clear both parties are focused on other underlining subjects. We shall finish this debate tomorrow at lunch. House dismissed."

There was grumbling of unsatisfaction from all the members, but nonetheless, everyone packed their books and began to leave.

Tucking his laptop under his arm, Kenny pushed his seat in, "You're up tomorrow Riley. Lets see if you can get your group outta this one!"

Riley patted him on the back. "Expect a fight. No one gets away insulting our leader!"

They all laughed as they headed out the door. Waving goodbye, the two split up in opposite directions.

Letting out a deep breath, the pink haired girl spoke. "I should have took your warning seriously; speak after school, not during debate."

Laughing, Riley spoke, "You have to admit, that was an awesome lunch period."

Mariah shrugged behind a grin. "Won't hear me admitting it out loud though…"

The two broke out into laughter.

Walking to the end of the hall, the two turned a corner, stopping at their lockers. Turning the knob a few times, Riley pulled the door open and began swapping her gear.

Sighing, Mariah leaned her back against one of the other lockers.

Looking over her shoulder, Riley paused. "How long are you two planning to go on like this?"

There was hesitation as Mariah turned her head to face the red-eyed girl. "I don't know Riley. It was his fault for being over protective! He's my boyfriend! I already have two parents!"

"Mariah, it's not anyone's fault!"

There was another sigh. "I know, I know…it's just that I really wanted to go to that party. I haven't seen Lee for two years. We're just friends."

"I have to agree with Ray here. I really don't think it's a good idea going to that party alone. It's Vivinne, and well…wouldn't you prefer to see Lee without all those other people and when everyone's sober?"

Mariah was silent in thought.

"Ray's just worried someone will hurt his little precious." Teased Riley as she poked the girl in the arm.

"Worry about me?! If I were him, I would worry 'bout you! All those guys at the party? I have to say, after today, I think it's safe to add the debating dudes on your 'list' too!"

"Don't change the subject!"

"At the rate you're going, you might actually be able to tame Valkov!"

Riley closed her locker before proceeding down the stairs to the auditorium with her hands covering her ears. "I'm not listening…"

Mariah giggled at her friend's annoyed stance. "Then again, Kai was eyeing you pretty hard when you walked into that party. That outfit…haha, take it off!"

The raven-haired girl attempted to glare at her friend.

"But hold on, this reminds me. I suggest you stay alert when it comes to Vivinne." The pink haired girl stopped skipping down the hall. "She had a pretty crazed look in her eyes when you were selected as Juliet in the play. Obviously she's jealous, you being paired with Kai. Makes no sense still, since she never had a chance with him anyways!"

"How did the two meet in the first place?"

Now that was a good question.

Mariah scowled. "To sum it up, evil grandfather, evil business party, evil business deal…"

Riley nodded. Voltaire was a royal bastard for using his grandson like that. She returned from her thoughts. "Well, I see no worries. Kai and I are just friends."

Mariah rolled her eyes. "Such a naïve child. It's sooo obvious he's got the hots for you, even though he probably doesn't realize it himself yet." The girl tapped her temple. "I've got the seventh sense for these things…"

Raising an eyebrow, the girl asked. "What's your sixth?"

The pink haired girl smirked. "Well, it's more of a talent than a sense…I'm a cheerleader…lets just say I'm quite flexible…"

The raven-haired girl shook her head, "How are you still single…?"

Both girls broke out into hysteria as they entered the auditorium.


"Oh come on Tala, lighten up…!"

The red haired boy crossed his arms at Kai's attempt of comforting. Everyone who took drama or dance had been rehearsing in the auditorium for the last hour and a half. Mr. Charminpants finally took five, giving the cast a tiny break.

"Think of it this way…at least …at least you're in the same act as us…!"

Tala gave Kai an unconvinced expression before turning his attention the other way. "Bet you can't say you would be too calm if YOU were playing the role as the nurse!" Tala threw his arms in the air in frustration. "I play Capulet's ugly house maid, Juliet's asswipe! I think I have a right to be a little ticked off!"

Walking off the stage and sitting on one of the props, Tala stared mindlessly into the mirror.

Kai joined him sitting down.

A heavy sigh was let out as Tala peered into the prop mirror. "I can't believe they're going to waste this face by placing me in a potato sack…"

Shaking his head at his friend's exaggerated tone, Kai spoke. "Hey, you said you wanted to have a major role, one that was close to Juliet…technically, you got both your wishes!"

A glare was thrown at the blue-haired boy's direction. Deep turquoise eyes sliced his friends mind with a penetrating death glare. "You better hope it isn't me who breaks your leg on opening night…"

Kai put his hands in the air, backing off.

Standing, the red head began wondering back stage. "Easy for you to say Kai, you've literately got the best role in the play! You're Romeo, Riley's Romeo to be exact!!!" The boy let out another miserable sigh.

Following suit, Kai walked aimlessly behind Tala.

"A huge make out session with Riley! I can't deny the fact that I'm jealous, but I'm awake enough to know it's all acting." The boy turned to his friend. "I guess if I can't be Romeo myself, I would want my best friend to have the part." Just as Kai opened his mouth to say something, Tala cracked his knuckles dangerously. "All lecherous conniving bastards however, will have their ligaments torn off one by one…"

Kai gulped. His mind told him he should tell his best friend about these unsettling feelings he had been experiencing since the party, but another part of him told him to brushed it off. He was probably just thinking too much…

Siding with his second answer, Kai felt seemingly satisfied. Deep down inside, he knew he was masking the truth…

…For now…

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden loud shriek. Looking up, both boys attempted to figure out where it came from.

Riley put her water bottle down, and turned her head. In the northwest corner of the auditorium stood Vivinne, screaming at a girl for some incoherent reason.

Quickly making her way over, Mariah was already trying to stop the situation, backing the bottled blonde away from a brown haired girl. Crouching down, Riley helped the younger girl up. The girl's leg looked twisted, and a hand shaped bruise was forming on her cheek.

"What the hell happened?"

Kai and Tala both arrived at the scene, helping the girl to her feet.

"Hey! It's not my fault! I told little Alexis here to brush up on her choreography during the weekend, not to mention get us a few bottles of water, but the stupid bitch can't do anything!"

Alexis winced at the cheerleading captain's words.

"Don't blame me for knocking some sense into her…everyone seems to be knocking up her mother anyways…" Vivinne smirked at her own comment.

The sophomore gaped at the blonde's comment, unable to hold back the tears that were forming in her eyes.

"That's enough Miss. Vivinne DeCourte. That was completely disgusting what you just said to her. I think you owe her an apology." Riley walked up to the blonde, Mariah behind her.

"Haha, whatever… I don't think you understand Riley. If I had my way with dance class, I wouldn't include these 'mistakes' in my routine." The girl stopped to direct her attention on the girl who was currently crying on Tala's shoulder, smirking as she spoke. "Don't stain Valkov's shirt with your pitiful tears now, Alexis. I don't think you make enough on the streets to pay for what it's worth."

That was it.

The auditorium echoed with silence as Riley slapped Vivinne hard on the cheek. Face to one side with her stringy hair covering it, Vivinne turned, glaring daggers into the red-eyed girl. "I have never, in all my life, been slapped by anyone!" Her powered face fumed with red as she spoke.

Riley took a step forward, only inches away from the captain's plastic one. She smirked before raising an eyebrow. "Well then…consider it your first."

Kicking a chair out of the way, Vivinne sped towards the door. Turning to face the crowd one last time, she pointed an accusing finger at Riley. "You'll be sorry. Mark my words, you'll pay."

She stormed out of the auditorium, doors slamming against the walls with her anger- raged strength.

Mariah placed a reassuring hand on Riley's shoulder. "Forget about her. She's probably gonna go running to daddy."

Riley nodded silently before turning to help the crying girl.


Getting better at the cliffies eh? Major foreshadowing here…

This chapter was dedicated to all those Vivinne haters out there…haha, there's too many names to mention, but you guys know who you are!

Read and review!