Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or any of its characters. The quote with superscript "Q" comes from Aldous Huxley's novel, Brave New World. (Memories eh, hazelnuts and AznFactor? ) Anywho, all unrecognized characters are mine!
To Akkiko: Want a certain someone to be knocked out, or just publicly humiliated? This chapter's for you!
Bwahaha, Tomboy and Dryu, you two are very funny people! Loved your reviews! (In a bored sing-song voice) Yours was awesome too hazelnuts…(Just messing with'cha! )
Yippee to Aglaia and all those who reviewed!
"" For speaking
'' For thinking
Italics just for the fun of it!
On with the story!
She's Going Where?!
Chapter 10- Strike One
Written by Euphrosyne
"We love you Riley!"
"Yeah, totally, you're the best!"
Riley picked up her pace in the hall, attempting to shield her face from the people by their lockers. Weeks had passed since the little outburst in the auditorium occurred, yet people were still talking about 'thee slap.'
Jeez, it was as if she was a hero or something…
Sighing, the red-eyed girl continued making her way to the principal's office. Once in a while, she would paste a smile on her face, waving at the passer-bys who patted her on the back for a job well done.
Jeez again.
Opening the large wooden door, Riley was greeted by the school secretary who tonelessly told her Principal Gonsalvis was ready to see her.
Nodding a thank you, she followed the direction the secretary was pointing at. Like every other Principal's office, a large desk was placed right in the centre, next to a few cabinets and bookshelves. Smack in the middle, were two plain brown coloured chairs. Riley sat on the one closest to the door.
Hey, everyone needs an escape route!
Honestly, Riley had no idea why she was sitting in here in the first place. She had been calmly doing her work in History class until the teacher placed a note on her textbook, mouthing "from the principal".
Come on, the slap wasn't that hard!
Millions of questions ran across her mind as she waited for Mr. Gonsalvis to walk through the door. 'Was Vivinne going to sue? Would I be suspended? Expelled?!? It had been nearly a month since the incident, could you really file a complaint after such a long period of time?'
Hold up…OMG, what would Tai do after hearing about this?
No matter how much cheering she had gotten out of Chloe, and what a hero the rest of the school thought of her, nothing would match Tai's words. She could hear it already; "You could have handled it in a different manner. Sit down with a nice cup of tea, and talk the mishap over. Lady-like, may I add…"
Riley made a mental note of telling Tai the whole situation as soon as she got home. No point of prolonging the lectures and punishments; it was destiny.
…Besides she wanted to serve out her sentence, Christmas was coming up!
The girl's thoughts were interrupted as the doorknob turned. Pushing the door open, a middle-aged man walked in, a large manila file folder in his left hand.
Mr. Gonsalvis sat, leaning back in his chair before looking over the raven-haired girl above his intertwined fingers.
He finally broke the silence. "I think you and I both know the reason for your presence in this room today."
Riley opened her mouth to be interrupted by the man once again.
"There has been a lot of talk about you recently, Miss Lovett, and I can't say I was informed earlier about the whole situation."
Riley braced herself for the hit.
…It never came.
"I, along with all the other teachers have always been supportive of achievements such as yours…"
She raised an eyebrow… 'What the hell?'
"…I think you've answered the demand of the school as a whole…"
'Okay, this was getting weird.' Riley opened her mouth to speak again.
"…It's alright Miss. Lovett, I am clearly aware of your potential and I think I've come to a decision." There was a silence. "It would be an honour if you would represent Middleton this year in the World State Competitions, leading both the Debating team and Chess team. Your teachers have spoken highly of you. Those were some witty comments you made on that last debate about the Giant Squid…" Mr. Gonsalvis chuckled at the recollection. "Reminds me of myself when I was your age…who said Debating wasn't cool…?"
The middle-aged man suddenly rose to his feet, extending a hand. "So, what do you say Riley? Do you think you have what it takes to lead this school to the Championships?"
Staring at the hand from her seat, Riley mentally slapped herself back to reality. Was this really happening?!
Finally, having left the principal's hand in the air long enough, Riley clasped it with her own. She let out a relieved smile. "It would be my honour to lead this rowdy group to the finals. I'll do my best!"
Mr. Gonsalvis laughed out loud. "Excellent!" He smiled, standing to escort the young woman out the door. There was a pause. "I have to say, ever since you arrived at this school, things have changed…" He adjusted the neck of his tie. "Five competitions this year, the school record! Debating, Chess, Cheerleading, and two Beyblading teams…" He trailed off in thought, eyes glistening with pride. "I have a feeling this is only the beginning…"
Having said more than enough, and apologizing for boring the girl, the principal opened the door for Riley to leave. Suddenly, he called her back. Riley turned to face the man once again.
"By the way Riley, the World State Competitions are this May. Plenty of time for you to prepare." The red-eyed girl nodded and gave a thumbs up before skipping cheerfully out the door. To say the least, this was definitely not a bad way to end off the week! She couldn't help but grin.
"Ohyes Miss Lovett, I also bought tickets for the whole family to see our school's production of Romeo and Juliet next month. I've never seen Mr. Charminpants so please in my life!"
Riley walked out of the office, Mr. Gonsalvis still muttering to himself. It didn't matter; there was nothing that could kill her high spirit right now. Simply nothing!
Okay, there was something…definitely something that could destroy the feeling Riley had earlier that day. After receiving a phone call from Ray, she practically flew out of the house, Johnny close behind, sandwich between his teeth, while fumbling with the car keys in his hands.
Never in her life, was Riley prepared to see the handsome Chinese boy look the way he did when the two showed up at his house. Hands fumbling with the buttons on the cordless phone, Ray ran his hand through his sleek black hair for what looked like the millionth time.
"…Thanks Em, yeah, Riley and Johnny are making their way over here as we speak…that would be great, you call the squad…we'll split up so we can cover more ground. Remember; call any of us three if you find any info about her whereabouts. Thanks to both you and Max…"
Resting his face on his palms, the raven-haired boy took in a deep breath.
"Hey, you alright man…?"
Taking notice of his friends for the first time, Ray leaned back against the sofa in distress. Refusing to look at the two, Ray stared into the ceiling. "Mariah's mom called me about an hour ago, apparently she had told her she went out with us to catch a movie…"
Johnny walked over to the boy, standing in front of him with a concerned look. "You told her the truth right? The fact that she wasn't with you?"
Ray stood on his feet, grabbing the keys off the counter before putting on his jacket. "How could I man? The worry in her voice…"
Riley grabbed Ray by the arm, spinning him around to face her. "Ray, you could be held responsible! Why didn't you just tell her the truth? There's no help in lying! We can call the police!"
Releasing himself from her grip, he brought one hand to his forehead, as if trying to hold his mind together. "Mariah and I have been friends since youth, dating for almost two years now…" He ran his hand through his hair once more. "I feel responsible for her okay?! …I love her…"
Riley was speechless as she saw the worry reflecting off the boy's amber eyes.
Johnny stepped in. "No point in fighting over it, you two. Right now, we have to try and figure out where she is…any hints on where that might be?"
Ringing of a cell phone was heard from Riley's coat pocket. She quickly answered it. "Yeah, okay, thanks Em. Repeat that address once again?…Don't worry, Johnny and I both have our cells with us, thanks, bye."
Gesturing the two to grab their coats, Riley rushed out of the door, explaining the new situation while heading over to Johnny's sports convertible.
"Em called Viv's place and heard laughter and noise in the background…not to mention loud pumping music…" She turned to face Ray before getting in the passengers seat next to Johnny.
Ray gathered the information. "…Lee…Vivinne's Christmas party…"
Dusting off the snow, Johnny inserted his keys, car instantly coming alive. "Got the address?" Riley nodded, repeating fluently the address Em had told her seconds ago.
Pulling onto the street, Johnny turned to receive two ensuring glances from his friends. "Okay, lets move."
Nodding, the car zoomed off into the distance, snow blowing off the ground from the speed.
9:45 pm: Rescue mission: Mariah.
Waiting patiently after ringing the bell several times, Ray swayed back and forth on his heels, obnoxious noises escaping the cracks of the newly built condo.
Glancing uneasily at Johnny, Riley was reimbursed with relief when the door swung open. Demi, one of the school cheerleaders, opened the door.
Crazily laughing with a beer in her hand, she placed her weight on Ray's chest for support. "Heyhey, sugar bear…here to join the party?" She threw her head back in a twisted laugh, alcohol spilling over the carpet.
Trying his best to ignore the stench escaping the girl's mouth, Ray calmly took the girl's paws off him. "Is Mariah here?"
The girl only laughed at the question.
Seeming to suddenly find the night sky interesting, Demi shrugged goofily, barely managing to keep her eyes open. "Mariah? Who's Mariah? I don't know any Mariah!" Tripping on her own attempt to twirl, Ray caught her just in time. Demi took this to her advantage, sliding her hands up his smooth shirt and wrapping it around his neck. Pulling the raven-haired boy closer, she whispered something into his ear. "…Hiccup you know Ray, I've always found you hot…" She trailed off in a fit of giggles.
Finally disgusted beyond his wits, Johnny pushed his way through the door. Picking the girl off Ray with his two hands, he held Demi off the floor, then attempted to rattle some sense into her. Obviously drunk, the redhead threw her off to the side, the cheerleader's body landing in a heap of jackets in the corner.
Both Ray and Riley looked up at Johnny in disbelief.
Johnny dusted his hands, finally registering the look on his friend's faces. "What? She was drunk, and it was seriously annoying me…"
The two walked passed him, shaking their heads.
The redhead followed them. "Blah, it's not like she's going to remember anything. It'll all be a blur in the morning…" He snickered at the thought. "That's going to be one heck of a hangover…"
Finally, all in Vivinne's condo, Riley took a second to look around.
"…Holy crap…"
Standing on the raised doorway, the three managed to see pass the hypnotized teens waving their hands in the air to the blaring music. Several dozen kids were knocked out on the floor, others steadying themselves on each other as they made their way up the stairs.
Riley clutched onto Johnny's upper arm at the sudden movements among the curtains. Johnny sneered with disgust, "…Get a room…"
As if on cue, two half-dressed teens rushed out from behind the curtains, the girl attempting to grab some of her clothes, while the boy tugged her along, telling her to hurry up.
Like the drunkies before them, they too, made their way up the stairs.
Not recognizing any of the people in the party, Ray began to panic. Seeing the look on his friend's face, Johnny did the best he could to get info about the pink-haired girl's whereabouts. The answers weren't too good. It was as if the further they got into the condo, the drunker the kids became.
Turning to see if the others were following, Johnny found Riley surrounded by burly men, all doped up with alcohol.
Swinging to the rhythm of the music, beer in hand, one of the guys attempted to shout over the pounding beats. "Excuse me, do you give head to strangers?"
Riley gave him the elevator lookover, eyebrow raised in disgust.
The guy continued speaking, a foolish grin across his face. "No? …Well, let me introduce myself…"
"Get away from her, I saw her first!" A blond pushed his friend away, turning to face the red-eyed girl, smirking at what he saw. He stumbled to stand straight. "Can I touch your bellybutton from the inside out?"
Ray intervened just in time. "Hey, we're not trying to cause trouble here, we're just looking for a girl named Mariah. Do you know where we can find her?"
The blond stared into Ray's eyes, scanning him over. A smirk slowly formed on his face. "Mariah? Ha, there's a lot of Mariahs here. You'll have to be more specific." His little friends in the background broke out into laughter.
Not understanding the humour, Ray repeated the question, this time, less patient. "Look, we're here for Mariah. Once we find her, we'll leave."
Not liking the tone in the Chinese boy, the blond took a step closer. "Look here, I don't know who you are, marching in here and all, but I don't think I like your tone…" Their eyes were inches apart, neither wanting to give up ground.
Johnny stepped up behind Ray, backing him up. Riley stood behind the two boys. Looking around, she noticed a crowd gathering, all snickering and pointing at the three unwanted guests.
If all came to worse…
…She knew what she had to do…
"Hey, we're all civilized people here." The blond raised his hands, signalling the crowd to nod with agreement, as he looked around satisfied. "We're very fair. Our motto, everyone belongs to everyone else Q." he eyed Riley, a hungry glint in his eyes.
Suddenly, a giggle was heard, causing everyone to turn. There, walking down the stairs with a peculiar looking blue haired boy was the queen bee herself, Vivinne.
Johnny snorted in disgust. Kai's rejection resulted to this…ugh, Prissy's sex clone.
The navy haired boy leaned over and whispered loudly into the captain's ears. "Hey, if your left leg was Thanksgivings, and your right was Christmas, can I visit you between the holidays…?"
Vivinne giggled, leaning against the boy for comfort.
A grunt was heard from the redhead. One word: Slut.
Demanding an answer, Ray pushed past the blond, stalking angrily up to Vivinne. He glared at her, having wasted enough time already. "Where. Is. Mariah?"
Standing on the bottom step of the stairs, the girl threw her head back cackling. She then innocently regained her posture, placing a finger on her chin in a bemused fashion. "Mariah? Ha! Now, why would she be at a party like this…?" She gestured at her guests before turning back at the trio. "This is a special invitations only gathering. Street peasants like you aren't wanted here, isn't that right?" As if commanded, everyone in the setting laughed.
Eyebrow twitching, Johnny tried to run to his friend's aid. Sensing his actions however, the blond and his friends blocked his path. He growled under his breath…this guy was just asking for it.
Having enough of this garbage, Riley walked up to the blond, grabbing him by his collar.
The boy smirked at the closeness.
Staring him down with her eyes, she tightened her grip. "Tell me where my friend is…" Red orbs flashed dangerously with every word.
Placing his hands on top of hers, the boy leaned closer, practically breathing on the raven-haired girl. "Why don't you just be a good little girl…" He ran one hand through her hair, "…Get on your knees and smile like a donut, for little old Mac."
Laughing, Riley caught the whole groups attention. All one hundred of Vivinne's little mall rats broke out into startles at the chosen reaction. Even Johnny and Ray were taken back.
Riley smirked at the boy's face. She then did something that shocked the whole room.
Lifting the burly boy off the floor, one who was clearly twice her own weight, Riley shot one of the deadliest glares anyone had ever seen. She cleared her throat, the blonde's legs dangling helplessly in the air like a rag doll. "Clearly, you don't know who I am, so I will ask you one last time. Where. Is. Mariah?
Redden by the lack of air and embarrassment; the boy named 'Mac' uneasily shifted a pleading glance at Vivinne. The cheerleader herself, was speechless, mouth agape in horror.
A scream was heard from the second floor.
Taking the chance, Ray sped up the steps, Johnny following close behind. Stopping to signal Riley, he was just in time to see Mac being thrown against his friends, all toppling over while trying to help their fallen leader.
Following the screams, Ray sped around the corner, slamming the door open.
Finding Mariah smothered into a corner by a lanky looking boy, screaming and fighting the guy off of her, all was solved when Ray punched the boy square in the face, knocking him to the floor.
Looking up with a tear stained face, Mariah ran towards Ray, embracing him as she cried, apologizing between gasps of how she "should have listened" and "you were right." The raven-haired boy tried to coo the girl back from hysteria, whispering soothing words into her ears.
Brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face, Ray wiped the tears off her cheek with his thumb. Amber eyes meet amber. "I'm sorry Mariah, for not having trusted you the way you trusted me." He smiled before bringing her against his chest, resting his chin lightly on top of her head. "It's alright now…"
Riley and Johnny stood awkwardly, watching the whole scene from the door. The lanky boy had ran out of the room the instant he had the chance, clutching his broken jaw as he did so. Uncrossing his arms, Johnny broke apart the reunion. They had won the battle, not the war.
Walking down the stairs, all eyes were glued on the four. Riley lead the group towards the door, but stopped short when her name was called.
Vivinne walked up to her, an evil side grin on her plastered face. She began ever so slowly clapping as she approached the girl. "Well, well, well, if it isn't Riley who saves the day once again." Her voiced dripped with sarcasm, then turned into a threat. "I want you to know, I will forever remember that slap you gave me." She twirled a strand of her damaged dyed hair around her finger playfully. "You see, I've discovered your weakness…your pathetic little friends. This party was all a set-up, to use your friends to get to you. And believe me doll, this is just the first hit, there's plenty more where that came from…" The blonde giggled at her own words, then suddenly changed her expression to a pout. "Sadly, for you, I have to say, you will be hearing from my lawyers. Surprisingly, your little stunt in my condo today, injured a few friends of mine…hope you've been saving up."
Flinging her silky black hair with the back of her hand, Riley waved her pointer finger in a scolding manner. "Tsk, tsk tsk, here's my lawyer's business card. I suggest you call my people if you feel like throwing cash out the door." She tossed the card in DeCourte's direction. "However, if I were you, I would keep your petty cash…" She trailed off, turning to leave.
"What is THAT suppose to mean?!"
Turning her head, Riley scanned the girl's skimpy outfit with her eyes. She smirked, "Honey, the Roman Empire fell, those will too…"
Satisfied, she gestured her friends out the door.
Once again, the captain was left hanging in the air, completely humiliated in front of all her guests. She crumpled the business card in the hand; not having even glanced at the thing.
Bursting into a tantrum, she latched out at the closest person to her. "What are you staring at blue boy?! Where's that drink you were getting me?" The boy she had appeared with, quickly nodded before running at the order.
Vivinne marched out of the room, shoving people over, while breaking a few bottles and other items in her way.
Lee chuckled at the scene from behind a podium. A glass of red wine in hand, he churned the liquid around a few times, watching the red fluid's synchronizing sway. The drink's colour reminded him of a certain girl's eyes; both equally intoxicating.
Bryan appeared on the other side of the podium, clutching a martini between his own fingers. "Riley Lovett, what a lovely turnout." He took a sip of his drink. "And to think, I thought this was going to be another one of Vivinne's boring little orgies…" He paused, questioning his Chinese friend. "Did you know about this the whole time?"
Lee shook his head in response, smiling inwardly as he did so.
The burly boy glanced at his friend's expression. "It isn't like you, to mess with peoples mind and feelings like this…"
Tilting the glass in the light to examine it once more, Lee spoke. "You know I've always like to keep myself entertained…especially at gatherings as dull as these." He brought the glass to his nose, smelling the beverage. "Besides, a part of me was truly ruined when Kon stole Mariah away form me…"
Bryan snorted. "Degraded yourself to helping Vivinne, how sad…"
His friend shrugged in response, then chugged the whole drunk down, not slightly effected by the content. He proceeded towards the door, grabbing his jacket off one of the couches.
Following suit, Bryan too, walked towards the door, slipping his unfinished drink into the hand of one of the drunken girls dancing to the music. He sighed. "Hey, it's not my fault your mother sent you to my school. Having no females, means no distractions, right?"
Lee clutched his forehead in misery. It had been two years since his last relationship. He really needed to start scanning the market again.
Bryan's question was left unanswered as the two were hit with the frost from the snow. Signalling his car with his remote keys, the convertible's lights flickered against the hazy weather.
The two got in. Strapping on their seat belts, Bryan pulled his car out of Vivinne's driveway. "…Sigh, back to dorm life once again…what a way to start the weekend…"
The rest of the drive was in utter silence.
(Authoress wipes sweat off forehead) Well, then, that was another eleven paged chapter for you guys! Experimenting with other genres here…hehe, what did you guys think? Strike One…dun dun dun…what a title eh?
Bryan and Lee, both added into the story now…
The hits get worse and worse…I'm so evil for helping Viv…(Ducks as garbage is chucked her way from the readers)
Read and review!
