Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade or any of its characters. Anywho, all unrecognized characters are mine!
Yes, I am finally updating the story! (kiara-anime goddess, great job getting me off my butt ) Sorry 'bout that people, my excuse is the following reason:
Okay, due to a large demand from the readers, I have written a Kai and Riley chapter…snicker with a little twist. The next chapter, number twelve, is completely for all you wonderful readers out there. Since (by then) I would've built the plot pretty much (hint hint), chapter twelve will be the first of many Kai/ Riley scenes for you people. Hope you guys can handle it, haha. Just letting you all know, your reviews DO make an impact!
Love to all those who reviewed!
Hehe, this chapter is dedicated to all those folks who love preppy guys! You know who you are!
"" For speaking
'' For thinking
Italics just for the fun of it!
On with the story!
She's Going Where?!
Chapter 11- The Truth About the Quarter
Written by Euphrosyne
For thirty long minutes, the four drove in silence. The ride had begun with Ray and Mariah making up, and now the two were cuddled in the backseat of Johnny's car. The Chinese boy had his arm around the pink haired girl's waist. Her head leaning against his shoulder, Mariah removed herself from her comfortable position and looked up at her boyfriend, worry in her eyes. Ray nodded a response before following his girlfriend's gaze, resting his amber orbs on the two in the front seats.
Focussing on the snowy road ahead of them, Johnny glanced at the raven-haired girl who was leaned up against the glass window, resting the side of her head in a tired manner.
A meek voice broke the long pause. "…I'm sorry Riley. To all of you, I'm sorry for all the trouble that I've caused…" Ray squeezed the side of Mariah's arm with reassurance.
The redhead urged his friend in the passenger seat to speak. Finally noticing the attention, Riley snapped back into reality. "…What? Oh…sorry guys, I was sorta in my own little world there. I didn't mean to scare you people with the silence." She stared into the car mirror over Johnny's head to see the guilty look on Mariah's face. Riley dropped her glance uneasily before speaking.
"No Mariah, this whole incident had nothing to do with you…you heard Vivinne, it was me she wanted." She tilted her head back against the glass, its surface fogging up from the heat of her breath. "I'm sorry Mariah, I should have thought of the consequences of my own actions. How stupid of me not to see this coming-"
Ray interrupted. "No, Riley, there's no one to blame for this…"
"He's right, that bi-a-tch!" Johnny's brows furrowed into a snarl. "Vivinne…we should have just took care of her right there and then in her own house…"
"Ha! That expression on her face when you left her hanging at her own party! That was priceless!" Mariah smiled at the recollection.
Ray shuddered, "Believe me, whatever crack she was on when she picked her outfit, less was definitely NOT more…the image of her so-called outfit put a prostitute to shame!"
The corners of Riley's mouth curved into a small unnoticeable smile. She was just plain thankful her friends were alright.
"Guys…there's something I want to say…" Mariah looked up from her lap as three heads shifted towards her direction.
"It's just…" she took in a deep breath. "I want to thank you all for coming for me. I don't know what would've happened if you didn't…" Ray pulled his girlfriend into a tight embrace, kissing her forehead as he did so.
Riley was the first to respond to the words. "What else would we have done Mariah? We're your friends."
Johnny nodded in agreement.
A warm aura filled the car.
"Hold on! Ohmygosh! I totally forgot to call my mom!!! She's going to freak!"
The tiny heart clutching moment evaporated, dragging them all back into reality.
"I can't go home looking like this! What am I going to do?"
Turning in her seat, it was then when Riley finally took in the appearance of her friend. Mariah's short denim skirt was stained and reeked with the smell of alcohol. The bottom of her cotton shirt was torn, and Riley saw glimpses of thick scratch marks around Mariah's neck, though well hidden under Ray's thick blue jacket. Hold on…Mariah was also bare feet?!"
…She was right, there wasn't a single excuse in the book that would explain the position she was in, looking like that!
"Okay, this is the plan." The red-eyed girl immediately broke out into action. "You call your mom and makeup some excuse to why you are staying over at my place tonight…" She caught a surprised look from Johnny's face.
No one aside from Johnny's group had ever stayed at the Haven!
The dark haired girl continued her orders. "Ray, you do the same thing. You're staying over at my place too. Johnny, could you pass me your cell?"
The redhead did as he was told.
Seconds before dialling her home number, Mariah paused. She looked up, uncertainty radiating in her eyes. "…Riley, are you sure about this? I don't want to cause any more trouble-" She didn't need to continue. The positive look in Riley's eyes answered it all. Hesitantly, Mariah dialled the phone. She hated lying to her mother.
…Besides, she had already done it earlier that day. The whole "Yeah, I'm going to the movie with the guys" thing.
Yup, she should have gone to the movies like she claimed.
Over his girlfriend's steady voice; Ray voiced his own concerns to the two in the front seats.
"Don't you even think about it Kon, it's late, I don't want to drive you all the way home. You're staying." The redhead broke out while still focused on the road.
Riley smiled, 'Ha, Johnny has definitely learned a thing or two from Tai.'
The Chinese boy continued anyways. "I don't want to be a burden. Are you sure there's enough room at your place? Besides, we're showing up so suddenly."
Riley hid her smirk, "I think we'll manage." She caught the corresponding twinkle in Johnny's eyes.
Ray leaned back in his seat, only able to nod in response. He had a feeling his two pals were keeping something from him. Especially Riley…the way she held herself at the party. First heaving Mac off the floor, a male clearly twice her own weight. Even in the way she walked out of the condo… The business card! Come on, not many sixteen year olds have a personal lawyer…right?
His thoughts were interrupted when Mariah handed him the cell phone. "Mom was worried, but she fell for every word." She bit the bottom of her lip, obviously not liking the little fib she had just told her mother. "Your turn."
The golden-eyed boy took the phone into his palm, dialling his house number. Waiting for someone to pick up, he noticed the car slowing down. He had no time to question his whereabouts however, when he heard his own voice come on the answering machine.
"Oh, hey mom, it's Ray. Just calling to tell you I'm staying over at a friend's house. Jeez, snow nowadays, just blah…"
"Scan and voice testings accepted. Four bodies recognized. Please scan the unidentified."
Shivering in the cold, Johnny nudged Ray and Mariah forward, addressing the two to place their palm on the flat screen that appeared before them. Staring at the towering wall that stood between them and Riley's house, Mariah had to be pulled along by Ray for she was too mesmerized over the fact a computer has spoken to her.
All this to get into a house?!A green light flashed under the flat screen as it scanned the fingerprints of the two newcomers. Both yelped in pain, waving their hands against the cold winter air.
Riley laughed, "Never get bored watching people get their hands scanned."
Mariah stuck her tongue out, Ray clutching her tiny hands in his own, as he proceeded to coo her pain away.
Johnny rolled his eyes. 'Love birds. Pfft, typical.'
"Prints recognized as Raymond Kon and Mariah Wong. Would you like to grant them permanent access, Miss Lovett?"
The red-eyed girl pressed a few more buttons.
"Approved. Welcome to the Haven."
Catching the two by surprised, the large steel gate swiftly slid open. The beautifully designed barred gate that stood in front of the now opened indestructible gate, automatically unlocked, allowing them to step into heaven.
Heaven, Haven, same thing!
Mariah was speechless. At least Ray still had the tendency to blink!
Before the four, stood an enormous four-story mansion. Scratch that, four-story castle! Matching the wall that surrounded the endless acres of land, the house was a vibrant coral colour. The bricks, pink in hue, gave the gang a feeling of warmth, even in the weather they were standing in. What made the place even more beautiful was the fact the entire area was decorated with lovely Christmas lights. Following the long straight path that led to the front door, Mariah was completely stunned at all the work everyone had put in to promote the holiday spirit.
The five-metered paved path they were walking on was bordered with what seemed like perfectly selected stones. On either side of the path, stood a single row of short neatly groomed trees. Though leafless at the current season, the branches were intertwined with magnificent flashing lights, glowing a golden colour.
A lit figure of a praying angel was placed in-between each tree. Two evergreens, almost four-stories tall themselves, beautifully decorated, were symmetrically placed on either side of the house. Ornaments of every shape and size embodied the lively tree. On top of both, perched a dazzling star, nearly touching the roof of the mansion. The roof too, was trimmed with golden lights, dropping in strands to resemble icicles.
To top it all off: every child's dream. Santa and all of his reindeers, lead by no other than Rudolph himself, sat orderly on the west wing of the roof.
Hands in his pockets, Johnny walked pass the couple who had their jaws hanging open, catching snow. He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, lets look at the pretty decorations later. I'm cold." He ushered the two, jogging himself to catch up with Riley.
Walking up the steps, standing right behind the raven-haired girl who was standing in front of the door, Mariah rested her hands on the large lit candy cane. She smiled, admiring the fake plastic gifts that surrounded the giant candy. "Riley, I can't believe you never told us about your place. It's absolutely, just absolutely…"
"Better damn straight look good! We had a whole freak'n crew of people here, working for seven hours to put all this stuff up!" The redhead breathed into his hands as he wrapped his thin jacket around his muscular frame. "To think, I'm forced to help tak'em down too!"
It was Riley's turn to roll her eyes.
Before anyone could say another word, the patterned glass door was pulled open, revealing a friendly woman in her sixties. She let out a relieved sigh.
"My gosh child! Where have you been! We were so worried! Tai, running around, everyone, running around, mumbling about installing a radar system?" She shook her head in confusion, then embraced the raven-haired girl into her arms. "Johnny! You should have known better than to leave with Riley at this time! You're lucky we were here to put in a few good words for you, else Tai would have used you as an excuse to test out his father's medieval mace collection!"
Ray gulped.
Taking the two strangers into account, Katherine quickly refrained, instantly apologizing and gently pushing them all into the heated house. "I'm so sorry for my inconsiderate behaviour. I was just so worried about these two." She wiped her hands on her apron before introducing herself. "I'm Katherine, head of law and order within the house." She smiled motherly before shaking Ray and Mariah's hands. "Nice to meet you."
"Katherine, this is Ray and Mariah, the friends I have been telling you so much about."
The elder nodded with approval.
Don't you just hate meeting parents and relatives of your friends? Standing there awkwardly as they scan you over with their eyes, checking out your overall appearance, probably deciding whether you were a disguised murderer, selling drugs as a part-time job?
This was exactly what Ray was feeling.
Just as Mariah felt like breaking out into hives from her nervousness, the ringing of a cell phone was heard.
Riley dug into her coat pocket, apprehensive to whom it might be.
Nonetheless, she flicked it open and brought it to her ears.
"You better have a damn good excuse, young lady!"Ray raised an eyebrow at the sound of the loud bickering as did Mariah. Johnny and Katherine merely glanced at each other before shaking their head in shame.
"ARG! Move over! You're crinkling my shirt! AHH!!!" A yelp of frustration was heard, followed by a loud thump.
Ash was pummelled by his two childhood companions who were fighting over the phone.
"Let go! Go use your own cell, Chloe!" Tai refused to give up ground.
"Oh no you don't, Tai! You're scaring poor Riley! Let me talk to her! What if she's hurt? We need a woman's touch!"
With some final rustling in the background, another shout was heard over some tumbling noises. An agonizing yelp was heard as Chloe fell off the bed, Ash breaking her fall.
"Oh…my ribs…I think it just punctured my liver…"
The blonde rolled her eyes. "Oh shut up, Ash. You and I both know my weight corresponds perfect to my height, age, family background-"
"Where are you right now, Riley? The stupid GP system claims you're in the house right now! Will better not have been tampering with the blueprints of the cell again!"
Before the raven-haired boy had a chance to finish his sentence, two angry blondes threw themselves at him, wrestling him to the floor.
Riley cleared her throat. "You know, you guys can put me on speaker. Remember? Will installed it last week. The gang and I are having a great time hearing you three make a fool of yourselves."
"You tell'em, Rye!" Johnny's snicker was heard on the phone.
"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. Tai's going to kick your ass once you get back here." The blonde's voice was laced with murderous humour.
"Actually, we are home. We got back about fifteen minutes ago. And while you three were fighting over the cell, Katherine lead us to the kitchen, fixed us some herbal tea, and we are currently laughing at your stupidity. Op, did I forget to mention you were placed on speaker the whole time…"
"WHAT?!" Three unison voices echoed through the upper floors.
The redhead leaned over the counter, laughing at the reaction he had gotten out of the three. He continued speaking into the speaker-mode cell that was placed next to a bowl of fruit. "Hey guys, I think Riley also forgot to mention that we brought home two guests." Johnny turned to face Ray and Mariah, both holding a hot cup of tea with clean white towels draped over their shoulders. "Judging by their expressions, I think you three have definitely made a lasting first impression."
An incoherent mumbling of the word 'crap' was head on the line as the cell went dead. Katherine placed a plate of assorted cookies and biscuits on the counter for the four to share. "I've warned Ash about using that type of language in the house…" She shook her head in disapproval.
Sounds of herding steps were heard in the distance, interrupting the bleak silence that filled the room.
"Watch the shoes! WATCH THE SHOES!!!" Chloe gave up trying to beat the guys to the entrance, watching the two swing the kitchen door open with their brute strength.
"These are one of a kind Prada boots! I'll absolutely tear you two with my bare, perfectly French manicured hands if I have to!" The angry vice president of Gen-X pushed the swinging doors open, catching the two boys glowering back with fear.
Chloe glared dangers at the two who stood frozen in their place. The blonde straightened out her uniformed blouse before ever so slowly announcing her thoughts.
"It's late, I'm tired, and I'm STILL in my uniform. Don't make me kill your firstborns too!"
The 'cling' sound of Ray's teacup making contact with the counter unintentionally broke the tension.
Chloe raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow, then pushed the two boys apart to make way for herself. Running her light aqua blue eyes along the profiles of their two guests, she suddenly broke into a dazzling smile, throwing in a few friendly giggles in hopes to break the stiff atmosphere she had caused.
"OMG! How rude of me!" She brushed a strand of her long platinum blonde hair that had fallen across her face as she leaned across the counter to shake Ray's hand. Smiling at the two, she continued her introduction. "I'm Chloe Quinn, and you two must be Ray and Mariah!"
The Chinese boy felt lost within the girl's beautiful eyes. Guilty for feeling such a ways towards another girl, a very very VERY gorgeous girl for the record, his culpable emotions subsided as he saw his girlfriend completely boggling over the two boys before them.
Ash crossed his arms at Chloe's 'playful' introduction.
Two, could play this game…
The pink-haired girl tried to sustain her jaw from hitting the floor at the sight of the two sizzling men that stood before her. Dressed in what seemed like a school uniform, stood a tall well-built blond boy with his arms crossed. His heart-melting honey coloured eyes darted back and forth from the girl introduced as Chloe. Mariah caught him rolling his eyes, then nudged by the raven-haired boy who stood beside him.
Tai's gesture signalled Ash's attention to land on Mariah, instantly causing the girl to blush uncontrollable.
Mariah's attention switched to Tai as he walked up to her, Ash behind him, offering his hand in a token of friendship. The other boy broke into a smile, causing Mariah to slightly sigh in awe. "Nice to meet you, I'm Taylor Leigh and this is Ashley Saint- Stefans…"
'Taylor Leigh and Ashley Saint-Stefans…' the names radiated with sophistication and maturity as Mariah rolled its sound over and over again in her mind.
"You must be Mariah. We've heard so many wonderful things about you…" Ash leaned over and brought the girl's hand to his lips, ever so gently making contact with them. "The pleasure, is truly mine…"
Oh! Chloe saw how this was going to work!
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as Mariah's features relaxed at the tingling feeling from Ash's touch. 'Riley, that lucky-'
"Are you four alright?" Tai's concerned tone struck a chord in Mariah's heart. He was so worried. That sense of security and protection was so sexy! Scanning the older boy over, Mariah quickly approved.
She always had a thing for preppy guys!
A black knit sweater over a white collared blouse clung snugly around Tai's muscular torso. Wearing neatly ironed dress pants with shining polished shoes, Mariah made out some school symbol on the left breast of the boy's cardigan.
"…Gen-X…"
…'Wait a minute…H-O-L-Y-C-R-A-P!"
Everyone turned their attention at the pinked haired girl's sudden outburst. Tai's flickering grey eyes connected with Riley's crimson ones, asking whether it was time for her to explain the identity she had hidden so well.
"…Guys….I think I owe you an explanation…"
Johnny, who had almost fallen asleep during the introductions, raised his head at the sound of Riley's voice.
This was definitely one heck of a day…
"…Yeah, so I came to Middleton. It was my mom's wish."
The pink haired girl nodded. "Oh! That reminds me. The green haired brat, Kevin, is leaving for some prestigious all boys boarding school this weekend."
"Really?" The red-eyed girl had a surprised tone in her voice.
"His mother finally had the last straw with the grades he was bringing home…wonder if we should throw him a party…?" Mariah sat up on Riley's soft canopy bed. The blonde haired girl signalled her to stop moving as she fondled with the girl's long pink hair.
Chloe had instantly taken a liking to Rye's new friend. After listening to the raven-haired girl's story in the kitchen, the guys, lead by Tai and Ash decided to head downstairs to the car for a nice friendly game of midnight pool.
The way Tai had referred to Ray as the "boy who had the party" gave Riley gutsy feelings. His intensions of bribing Ray to be his inside spy on Riley's school life, was proven correct when he swung his arm around the Chinese boy's shoulder, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
That was the last encounter with the male population in the house the entire night. The three girls had split up from them, heading upstairs to shower and change before all gathering in Rye's room for some nice girly chitchat.
Riley rolled over on her back, starting at the large circular ring in which the light weightless white sash material canopy was secured from. "It's nice at Middleton…a lot more relaxing…" The red-eyed girl rolled over to face her two gal pals.
Sitting up straighter to get a better view of Riley's fifty inch TV, Mariah was just in time to see a beautiful tall slim model walking down a paparazzi-lit runway.
"Ohmygosh! Must be awesome modeling. What I would give just to wear one of Sincerity Heart's gowns! "
Behind the girl's back, Chloe and Riley made eye contact, smirking at the mention of their well-known designer friend. She had just recently flown back from Paris with her new line of clothing. Like always, it was stylish, and they had personal first-dibs on the articles because they were all pals from Gen-X.
"Girl, modeling's not that great!"
The pink-haired girl raised an eyebrow. "You've done it before?"
"Girl, with a face and body like mine, what a waste it would be if I didn't!" The blonde snapped her fingers while rolling her eyes.
They all laughed.
"Seriously, I guess modelling is alright. This is how the directors at Gen-X train us: Picture a quarter. It's all the money you have in the world, your only chance of survival." There was a pause. The pink haired girl was completely hypnotized with every word that escaped the blonde's mouth.
"Now, take that quarter, shove it up your ass, and walk!"
Mariah jumped with the sudden change in attitude.
Riley rolled her eyes. "Believe me, that quarter represents all the food you'll EVER be eating for the rest of your modelling career. So I suggest you grasp it with the muscles your mother gave'ya…"
The pink haired girl's eyes were wide open.
Sighing, she returned her attention back on the screen. "Still be pretty awesome to own an article of the Heart's collection. It just screams Paris, you know. ….Look at that magenta coloured dress!!! OH GOSH! I need it!!!"
Mariah hugged the pillow tightly, attempting to suffocate her desire with her own grasp.
"Hold on guys. I'm going to go grab some of that leave-in conditioner for Mariah. It will totally take years off your hair!" Chloe jumped off her bed, slipping on her furry pink slippers before running down the hall.
Both girls giggled at the blonde's enthusiasm towards beauty.
Leaning over to grab Riley's cell, which had started to ring, Mariah flicked it open, Gen-X's logo coming to life. "Pretty flashy stuff you got here…"
The raven-haired girl laughed. "Yeah, Will designed it."
"You mean that hot dude who picked you up at Ray's party earlier this year?"
"That's the one."
"Does he have a brother?"
"Taken."
"Damn!"
"…By Tashiana Evans."
"The cheer queen?!""That's exactly what Viv said too, when we ran into them…"
"Story I missed?"
"I'll tell ya later…"
Answering the phone, Mariah was surprised to hear Kai's voice. "Hiwatari, is that you?"
He let out an exhausted sigh. "Yeah, it's me. Over at Valkov's place and he wouldn't stop freaking out after receiving Em's call. Even after she called us back to tell us you two were okay!"
"Is that Riley?!" Tala's voice was heard in the distance.
"It's Mariah. Both of them are fine…!"
Mariah put the cell on speaker. She totally needed one of these things!
"I'm touched Valkov was worried over the two of us…"
Riley succumbed a giggle. The two boys were just adorable!
Moving over to the cell Mariah had placed on the centre of the bed, Riley spoke, "Don't worry guys. We're totally fine! Hey, don't forget about our volunteering at the senior's home tomorrow!"
Kai laughed. "Rescued a pal yet already thinking about the old folks. What a girl!"
Riley blushed at the unattended compliment.
Seeing her friend's reaction, Mariah instantly made mute mocking kissing gestures in front of her, accidentally causing a long pause.
"…Yeah…I guess we'll see you guys tomorrow then. It's getting late, sorry about that."
"It's alright…Goodnight?"
"Yeah, night."
"Hold on! Let me get a word in-"
Tala's sentence went unfinished as Kai hung up the phone.
"OMG Rye. I told you they both had the hots for you!"
The teased girl turned her back towards her friend, trying to hide from the tantalizing.
"Goodnight Riley, sweet dreams…" said Mariah in a seducing voice.
A silk pillow came crashing onto her head. "Oh-my-gosh! Stop over exaggerating! He didn't say that!"
"Are you defending him now? I'm hurt!"
Riley pulled the girl off her bed, pushing her out of her room and into the one two doors down. "Sleep. It's late. We don't want to scare the seniors with our lack of sleep."
"Scare the seniors, or two particular boys, Rye?"
Rolling her eyes once more, the raven-haired girl walked back into her room, leaning against the closed door. Silently smiling at herself, she took her friends words into account for a few seconds. Riley then walked over to her bed, sliding under the covers as she leaned over to turn off the lamp light, pausing a few seconds, shaking her head in laughter.
The doorknob slowly turned, as the light from the large halls escaped into the room.
Mariah clapped her hands twice, signalling the blaring lights to flickers unwarningly in Riley's room.
"Ha! I was right! I knew you had a clapper!" Standing with a smug look on her face, Mariah made one last remark before closing the door. "Riley and Kai kissing in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-"
"Mariah!" A pillow was tossed against the door.
"Haha! Fine! Riley and TALA sitting in a tree-"
"That's it!" The girl bolted off her bed, chasing after her friend to have the door slammed in her face. "Hmpfft! Fine! I'll get you in the morning!"
Muffled giggles were heard a few rooms down.
Yea! Chapter eleven's roundup! Hehe, the next chapter is the volunteering senior home's scene, a.k.a. the Christmas scene.
I think it's what you guys have been waiting for…
Please read and review!
