Chapter Two – Sunrise on the Terrace

Ray's POV

Zarine hung onto me tightly. "Zarine, I won't drop you, so stop strangling me," I choked.

"Oops, sorry," she said apologetically, and loosened her hold on me.

I looked down, yes, perfect timing. When I got to the bottom, I set her down carefully.

"You can open your eyes now," I said.

Zarine slowly opened her eyes. She caught her breath, and stared at the image in front of her. The sun was slowly rising, making everything appear to have a red tinge. The ocean was calm and sparkling with no ships, or boats to contaminate the look of its pureness. I smiled at the look of wonder on her face.

She walked to the edge, and kept on staring at the sun. She didn't break off the gaze when I put my arm around her neck and placed my chin on the top of her head.

"I knew you'd like it," I said happily.

She took one of my hands, which were dangling in front of her body, in her own. "Yes, it's beautiful," she said softly. We stood there, admiring the sun, enjoying the peaceful silence.

"Thanks for making me get up," Zarine said, turning around to look at me, smiling warmly.

When I met her gaze, my knees felt weak. She was so beautiful herself. The sun light reflected off of her silver hair, made her look radiant.

I commented, "You should think about buying a bonnet for yourself some time. Your hair reflects the sun, you know."

"Ray!" she said, offended. "If you don't like my hair, then don't look at me. There's no way I'm ever going to wear one."

I chuckled. "I was just kidding. Stop being so serious all the time." I leaned down to press my lips against her soft ones.

She broke it quickly. "What if someone walks by?" she asked, obviously flustered with my intentions.

"Chill. It's so early, besides, people rarely come here," I assured her. I didn't give her a chance to protest before kissing her again. I pulled her closer until I could feel her heart hammering against my chest, beating wildly. It was an intense minute. We were both breathless when we broke off the kiss from the lack of air.

Zarine pulled away, blushing furiously. She looked so cute. I put my arms around her again to hug her. "I love you," I whispered in her ear.

"I love you too," she said softly.

"Let's go and have breakfast," I suggested, letting go of her.

"Okay, where should we go?" she asked, a trace of pink still visible in her cheeks.

"Let's go to Kenny's house," I proposed. "His parents run a noodle house downstairs." We began to walk up the stairs.

"So Kenny lives in a cool house too?" she asked. "The next thing you're going to tell me is that Max lives above a shop!"

"Uh, he does," I told her.

"WHAT?!" she exclaimed.

"Yep," I said, "His parents a divorced. His dad owns a hobby shop, and his mom is a researcher for the BBA."

My girlfriend said enviously, "It's not fair! All of you live in a cool place!"

"I live in a village, remember? How is that cool?" I asked.

"Sure, it's cool!" she answered. "You live in a place of solitude, surrounded by nature. Now, how can that not be sweet? I used to live in a small town, not boring, but not exactly exciting either. It was ordinary."

"Now you live in a cool place too," I said.

"Yes, but...it's not the same. It's not my house," she said, looking a bit depressed, "and I can't stay there forever."

I didn't know what to say. What could I say? Instead, I put my arm around her shoulders to let her know that I'll always be there for her.
Normal POV

Later in the morning, the Bladebreakers were all at Tyson's dojo, including Hilary, who said that she needed some exercise after staying at home for three days. In truth, she wanted to make sure Zarine didn't try to make a move on Tyson.

"What should we do today?" Max groaned. He was so bored. "I need sugar....sugar...sugar...sugar..."

"Ice cream?" Zarine suggested hopefully.

"Don't you ever get sick of it?" Tyson asked.

"Nope, I've only been eating it for fourteen years," she answered.

"That's like your whole life!" he exclaimed.

"Oh, has it really been that long?" she said, mildly surprised.

Hilary was glaring daggers at the silver haired girl. Zarine is trying to get Tyson, she just knew it.

"Why don't we go and get ice cream and decide what to do," Kenny suggested.

"Sounds like a good plan!" Zarine said.

Tyson rolled his eyes. "You will go with anything to get ice cream."

She shrugged, "Well, a girl's gotta get her sugar from somewhere."

On the way there, Zarine walked with Ray, naturally. "Guess where my new favorite place is," she asked her boyfriend.

"Where?"

"The terrace!" she said, smiling brightly at him.

He smiled too. "Where's your old favourite place then?"

"The ice cream parlor," she answered. "Duh!"

"I should've known," he laughed, putting an arm around her waist.

Hilary watched this, feeling a bit confused. "Hey, Max. What's up with Ray and Zarine?"

"Didn't you know? They're going out," Max replied. "They make a perfect couple."

Watching Ray and Zarine made him wish that Mariam was there too. She promised to visit him in the summer, but he missed her already.

[Okay, then she isn't a threat to me if she's got Ray already.] thought Hilary.

They all ordered ice cream at the ice cream parlor, except Kai.

"Kai, why aren't you eating ice cream like the rest of us are?" Zarine asked.

"I don't like it," Kai answered.

She was mortified. "How can you not like ice cream?! It's the BEST!"

He snapped, "I just don't, alright?"

"Don't have to be so touchy about everything," she muttered.

Then, Kenny called, "Hey, Carrie."

A girl around Zarine's height walked over, with strawberry ice cream in one hand, and a metallic red laptop in another. She had straight bright coppery red hair down to her shoulders. Her almond shaped eyes were hazel. "Hi, guys!" she said. When she spotted Zarine, she asked, "Who's this?"

"Hi," the silver haired girl said, "I'm Zarine."

Carrie nodded politely, "I'm Carrie."

"Where's Jewels?" Hilary asked.

"She's at home, probably still sleeping," Carrie answered. Catching the puzzled look on Zarine's face, she added, "Jewels is my twin sister."

"Is Jewels her real name?" Zarine questioned curiously.

"She is known as Jewels to everyone," Carrie replied. When she saw Kai, she demanded, "Hey, why aren't you eating ice cream?

"He said, 'I don't like it.' when I asked him," Zarine said, rolling her eyes.

"How can you NOT like ice cream?" Carrie asked, shocked. "Ice cream is the best!"

"That's what I said!" Zarine exclaimed.

"Great minds think alike. Wait till I tell Jewels that Mr. Sourpuss doesn't like ice cream," said Carrie. Her eyes were sparkling mischievously at the idea.

"Oh no, you don't," Kai growled.

"Maybe I will and maybe I won't," she said, giving him an evil smile. "I better go and wake Jewels up."

"Bye!" the Bladebreakers said in unison.

"See ya Champies later!" she called, before walking out.

"Uh, Champies??" Zarine said, confused.

"That's a nickname she gave us after we won the World Championship," Tyson explained. "God, I hate it when she calls us that." He shuddered. "I suppose we have to put up with it everyday when we go to school."