13 Shades of Grey
Chapter 10: Punk Rock Princess
Hello! It's me again with another update. I probably won't update anytime soon after this, so enjoy! Thankies to everyone who reviewed. You all get cookies. If you review you get... socks! Come on, free socks!! Who can resist? Not me for one, my feet are freezing.
Disclaimer: Arista is my creation. Amber belongs to Zadien. Coors and her hockey stick own Shahero. SpitfireSae owns Sonia. Miyami is the sole property of UnluckyStar/ChibiTari, and Aspin is Animerles'. The concept of the cpinny tops and all original characters belong to Aoki Takao.
unknown: Yup, Halloween was fantasteriffic. What about you? I was a vampire, at first. But my teeth were hurting so I took off my fangs. My cape snagged on something so it ripped. I took it off too. So I was left with just my bloodified face and skull t-shirt. It was really fun though. I got so much candy, and I still have some left though I doubt I'll ever find it in the dump that is my room. Merry freakin' Christmikkah to you too, lol. Glad you liked the last chapter. Hope you like this one too, enjoy!
anonymous: Hello, glad you liked it. So far this is my favourite chapter. Here's the update.
la-de-da: Yeah, well long time no update either. Lol. Glad ya liked it, and I'll try making them longer. It's just that it was only the ex. game and it wasn't a big part of it in the first place. I love them too. Coors got me addicted. Err, well I updated so is this soon enough?
unknown: Nope, Arista doesn't like Bryan as far as I know. He's a sort of older brother/protector figure for everyone. Kai and Ams get together around about Christmas time. Not that far off but they're still stuck in October. Not sure how that will work out. Anywho, enjoy the chapter and thanks for reviewing.
Chiharu-Chan: Glad you like it so much. I lovies Brooklyn. Even though he's an ass sometimes, I still love him.
bakurakat: Yay! You like it! It is hard to find Brooky ficlets actually. Now that I think about it. But that's prolly because he's like a newer character though.
Gems: Wish Panda would do the same for me and be nice. Yes she is. We love them both and if they're not together somehow we all know something is terribly wrong. Uhm, I'm not sure I remember it exactly but I loved my s/n too. -Gasps for air- More Brooklyn and Arista? You think we should have more? -Goes wide eyed- Gems, I don't know. I mean we're talking Brooklyn and Arista... Are you sure? Because now I'll have to try and put more of them... What is the world coming too? -Shakes head- But, Since you asked... -Grins like a maniac- In fact, you deserve two brownies. Yay! And a medal! Hey! His hair is not a toupé! It's perfect the way it is. -Sniffles- You'll get more. Now I'm off... To see the wizard!! The wonderful wizard of Oz!! Lol!!
0bs3ssi0n: I remember you, and I guess I casually know you now?But of course, my computer, Panda, is screwedtoo.Sure it's okay. Except I think you read this chapter already.Lol, yeah. Practically almost everyone is a funny drunk most of the time. I totally agree, Kai and Amber not together means that the world is so totally screwed up.Here's the update. Thanks for reviewing and enjoy!
Ruin was drawn out of her dreams by Ian's angry yelling. The minute Russian sure had a voice, despite his tiny form. Ruin grumbled, got up reluctantly. She hated to be woken out of her sleep at this early in the morning, sunlight was barely visible. Only a few rays were seeping in through the blinds, closed last night by Aspin. It was impossible to fall asleep again, so she got up and stretched, yawned, blinked away sleep from her eyes.
Since she'd come back, she'd been much happier. Getting away from her parents was good for her; she'd missed her friends a lot as well. When she was finally awake she watched the comedy of Ian and Amber unfold before her.
Ian stood by Amber's bed, shaking her roughly. The ochre eyed teen was roused slowly. She'd lost her voice temporarily so she couldn't utter a single word or profanity. Ian didn't seem to mind too much, he was doing all the talking, not wanting to hear Amber's lame excuses.
Amber rolled her eyes and got up. No point in pretending she was asleep with her eyes wide open. She passed Aspin and Sonia on the way to the washroom, both who were still asleep in their beds. "Lucky." Amber growled to herself, thought it sounded more like a gurgle than a word.
Ian came behind her, spun her around and faced her. His dark eyes narrowed towards her, glittering dangerously, teeth bared in anger, eyebrows slanted. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture of himself in female form.
Amber recognized it as the one Miyami had drawn in detention. She stifled a snigger as Ian's face reddened. He shoved it into his pants pocket.
"How many did you print?" His voice was low, and deep.
Amber shrugged.
"Damn it! How many?"
He tried to push her against the wall. Since he was practically the same height as her, it didn't have much impact and only caused her to stumble back a few steps.
She sure as hell didn't want to deal with this right now. Snickering inwardly at how funny the picture was, her eyes filled with mirth. Ian poked his index finger roughly on her collar bone, erupting a shrill intake of breath from the ochre eyed teen. She bruised easily and didn't want his finger marks on her skin. She pushed his hand away roughly.
Her eyes narrowed in his direction. From her bed, Ruin made a move to get up, stopped when Amber's hand came up signalling her to stop what she was planning to do.
"I don't think Gerro will buy your excuse of Ian having committed suicide. Besides, It's only been a week since you came back."
"Har har." Ruin deadpanned to Arista's comment.
Her hair was tousled from restless sleep. Arista was a light sleeper, and adding in her alcohol consumption from the day before, she would have one hell of a hangover. Bags of dark shadows formed under her glinting eyes. The darkness in the room made her look ghastly pale and weary. Her comforter was drawn around her, emitting comforting warmth. She grinned slightly, one eye closed, and her mouth hanging open slightly in a yawn.
A pillow found it's way to Arista's head, making the Russian female wince in pain. She rubbed her head, mocking pain. She looked around for the wielder of the thrown pillow. Ruin sat smirking, but all her pillows were still there, Arista noted, after a quick count.
Shahero was sitting awake, having heard voices that had resulted in waking her from her slumber. She rubbed sleep from her eyes, surveyed the two teens in the centre of the room. She rose a brow and stared questioningly.
Ruin shook her head, grinning. Aspin was still sleeping, so were Sonia and Miyami. Shahero frowned, she wanted more sleep. It wasn't fair! And she'd been woken from a really nice dream. Involving Hitoshi. She blushed slightly, her cheeks tinged with pink, going unnoticed by her friends. The blunette was on her mind more and more lately. There was definitely some sort of physical attraction between them. She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. Shahero shook her head, shaking loose tangled bits of hair.
Amber growled when Ian persisted, stopping her again from entering the washroom. Angered, Amber turned away from him, pushing him forcefully in the process. He stumbled back a few steps, but blocked her path. He stood in the doorframe of the washroom, his dark eyes glinting dangerously.
"How many copies did you make?" His expression was angry, his voice laced with impatience and resentment.
Amber shrugged and tried to speak. Due to the fact she'd lost her voice, only a slur of mumbling came out. Ian growled with irritation.
"Is this somekind of a joke?" He asked, starting to lose his control.
Arista opened her mouth to retort something.
"Don't answer that." He gave her a glare of dislike. She resorted to sticking out her tongue and cursing him.
"Real mature." Shahero said dryly.
"Oh yeah? You want mature? Take this!" Arista threw one of her many pillows at Shahero.
"Oi!" Shahero deflected it with her fist, sending the cottony headrest flying to the floor, where it landed with a dull thud.
Amber snickered, stopped when her throat itched, causing her to rub it impulsively.
Annoyed, Shahero picked up one of her own pillows and flung it at Arista. It hit her in the middle of her forehead. Arista cringed and rubbed her head, spilling her streaked hair over her shoulder. Shahero snickered, ducked when Arista aimed a shot for her.
Ruin resisted the urge to roll her eyes. In the end she decided she'd join in. Besides, her aim was better than Shahero's and Arista's put together. She smirked before barricading her fellow friends with soft, fluffy pillows. Groans of misery rang out through the dorm, followed by the thuds and yells of the girls.
Ian stared half amused, half confused. What a bunch of weirdo's, he concluded, then left glaring death threats at Amber's back, while she made her way into the washroom The door closed with a 'click', signifying that it had been locked. He'd get her later. But he couldn't help wondering about her voice, though. Couldn't stop his brain from wondering how she'd lost it, and how bad it was. Whatever, he shrugged his shoulders, made his way past the many trinkets, items, and knick-knacks on the floor. He'd reached the door, his hand on the handle, twisting it slowly, when a pair of arms snaked around him, pulling him back into the dormitory. A cry of shock came escaped Ian, he fell when the supporting pair of hands let go of him. Getting up he spun around and came face to face with Shahero. Amber popped out from behind her, leered into Ian's face, pushed him back into the wall, then stuck out her tongue and made a 'V' with her fingers.
"That's for waking her up." Shahero said, speaking for Amber.
"This," Shahero knocked him down, landed an uppercut to his jaw, and a punch to his gut, "this was for waking me up."
She smiled sweetly, then kicked him. Arista, who was too tired from her lack of sleep, and the hangover she had, settled for throwing a pencil case at him. It bumped his forehead, fell on his lap and opened, spilling the contents.
Amber snickered, but only succeeded in making weird noises, earning odd looks from Arista and Shahero. Ian was on too much pain to care, he groaned and tried to pick himself off. Merely to fall back down from stress, and ache.
Shahero turned away from him, went to her drawer grabbing her towel and clothes. She stepped into the washroom. A few seconds later, she had stripped and turned on the water. She stepped into the tub, the shower on, sprinkling water over her small body. She soaked in the radiance of the water, enjoying the warmth.
Her hair stuck to her forehead, dripping water. Her body was covered in droplets of water, sodden with the moist liquid. She smiled and could've stayed in longer, except she didn't want to use up all of the warm water. Reluctantly she turned off the shower, after shampooing her hair with Herbal Essences.
She stepped out of the tub, dripping wet. Shahero took her towel from the towel rack on the wall and wrapped it around herself. Her skin was smooth and satiny to the touch, she put on her clothes. A pair of black cargo paints, way too big for her, a blue tank top, and Amber's Lost Prophets hoodie.
She grabbed an indiscriminate towel and used it to dry off her hair. When it was mostly dry she found a comb and dragged it through her hair, pulling at the tangles. A knock on the door had her surprised and accidentally, she dropped the comb.
Frustrated, Shahero opened the door. Her sapphire eyes met the tired green ones of Aspin. She got out of the washroom to let the purple haired girl take her turn, but not before grabbing the brush from the floor.
Shahero sat on her bed and yanked it through her hair, causing a hiss to arise from her throat. Miyami, who'd awoken a few minutes earlier, tsk'ed and pulled the comb from Shahero's hand. She sat behind her and gently worked her way through the tangled in the females hair.
Shahero viewed her friends. Sonia; who was still sleeping, Arista; who was sitting up, flipping through a Video Game magazine, and Amber who was tugging on her socks, trying to get them on without ripping them apart. Aspin was in the shower, and Miyami behind her. Ruin was staring up at the ceiling, a far away look in her eyes. She seems dazed, Shahero noted, probably thinking up ways to help me torture Brent.
Shahero still had yet to pay him back for cheating on her. Sure she had beat the crap out of him a couple of times, she'd spilled paint on his car, and had teepee'd his house. She'd even signed him up for a birthing course, but it wasn't enough. Would never be enough to erase all the pain and hurt that aroused turmoil in her head. The mental scars had mostly vanished, though they would never completely go away, she knew. It hurt to be used like that, but she had gotten over it. Still was, though unbeknownst to her. She never realised that she often flinched when she thought back to memories of her ex, or how her eyes would dull and harden, to an almost black sort of shade. That was part of the physical pain that was left behind. She'd gotten herself sick, vomiting, not eating, never sleeping, constantly thinking what she'd done wrong, when in fact it was all Brent's fault.
Miyami noticed how stiff Shahero had gotten, she stopped brushing the now tangle-free hair, and patted her back.
"Are you okay?" She asked concerned.
"Huh?" Shahero looked back, smiled. "I'm fine."
And just to prove it she jumped off the bed and grabbed a pillow, flinging it across the room at Sonia. Miyami looked sceptically, not falling for Shahero's act.
Sonia awoke with a start, her eyes open in alarm. She sat up, pulling the blankets around her as if that would stop the onslaught of pillows. Her blue, blue eyes narrowed when she met the glinting mirth in Shahero's.
The Australian sighed, then fell back down on her fortress of pillows, desperately seeking sleep. Her mind was a complete blur of missing thoughts, and absences. She tried to fill in the blank, trying to remember what she had done the following evening. All she could remember was that she had had a lot of alcohol, and how good Ozuma had looked. Though in her opinion, he always looked good. Her eyelashes fluttered closed as sleep seeped into her body, lulling her brain into a comatose state.
"Meh." Amber stood up after stuffing her laces in her worn out runners.
"What's the point of shoe laces anyways?" Arista asked out loud.
"To tie them." Shahero deadpanned.
"No, I mean why though? Do they make it look better? They just take up time trying to untangle them, when really we could do without them."
Aspin stepped out of the shower, dripping from head to toe. She rose her eyebrows, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Gee, we're so evolved we're talking about shoe laces." She muttered sarcastically.
"Uh-huh."
Arista shrugged and grinned. She chucked her magazine at the violet haired female. Ran in the washroom before something was hurled back at her.
-O-
Arista and Shahero sat eating ice cream, Amber was flicking french fries at people walking out of the shop. Miyami was sitting with Johnny, the two of them sharing a sundae together. Aspin was talking animatedly to Kane about something or other, he wasn't exactly paying attention, but nuzzling her neck instead. Aspin didn't seem to mind. Mariah and Rei were ordering lunch, Oliver writing down their order. Ruin sat beside Tala, Bryan on her other side. The three were playing SOS on part of the tablecloth. All in all, the Friars Rest was packed with students from Vaughn Academy.
Ambers gaze flicked to Kai's as he sauntered into the small hang out. He ignored the fact that the object of his thoughts and affection was staring him in the face, not knowing how to respond. The french fry in Ambers hand was rolled back on a spoon. At the slightest quiver it would launch, and the greasy, ketchup-covered food would land on the bluenettes' clothes, or worse, his face.
And what a face he had. His bone structure was godly, his complexion creamy soft and silky. His cheeks were rosy from the harsh winds of October outside. They had a glow about them, causing her heart to swell a bit. His eyes, the rich and deep mahogany, swirled, roaming the restaurant for familiar faces. He decided he wouldn't sit with Tala for Bryan's sake. He could feel Ambers gaze on him, he chose to ignore it for the time being and searched for other friends to associate himself with. Fuck, he hadn't known Amber would be here. Didn't she have a part-time job or something?
When he found no one but Brooklyn and Hitoshi, he decided to glance over to the side where Amber sat, the spoon and fry stationary in her hands. His gaze pierced through her, sending a chill down her spine. She was still in awe of how handsome he was. She had never really had a proper crush before, she wasn't sure what this feeling was, but it had hit her with all it's might.
Kai absently dusted a thin, filmy layer of frost off his jacket. Amber sighed, he was going to ignore her, just like she had been doing him. How was it that he could do this to her?
Her legs felt shaky, and weak. She gave a silent prayer to the Goddess that she was sitting down. Her hand shook slightly.
In an instant the movement had traveled through her hand to her fingers, to the spoon and through the french fry. It landed smack-dab on Kai's shoulder. Amber flinched, her eyes widening even more now. A sharp intake of air flooded oxygen to her lungs, but she couldn't seem to swallow. Couldn't tear her eyes away.
Kai had a look of mild annoyance. He flicked the fry off and turned, sat with Hitoshi and Brooklyn. Completely ignoring Amber.
If she was going to plan on apologizing he didn't want to hear it. He allowed himself to be drawn into Hitoshi and Brooklyn's' conversation about cars.
Across the small diner, Amber sat perplexed about what she should do. She wasn't going up to him, no doubt about that. She had to apologize to him though, about this and anything else she'd done to anger him. When he was mad at her she couldn't take it. Her enemies got mad at her, but he made it worse. Made her feel like she had a ton of leaden guilt on her chest, wouldn't be able to breathe until it was lifted.
She remembered when he'd kissed her. That same feeling, the one she couldn't place her finger on, rose up in her throat. She swallowed with some difficulty. Kai always got under her skin, it was the same problem now. She didn't want to deal with it, so she was pretending it never happened, pretending it never existed. That was what she usually did, but not this time. This time she couldn't run away from her problems, didn't want to face the fact she might actually like Kai Nicolai Hiwatari.
Arista and Shahero's squabbling broke her out of her thoughts.
"Nuh-uh, chocolate ice cream is better."
"Uh-uh," Arista argued back. "Butterscotch ripple is the bestest!"
Shahero gave a half-smile, closed her eyes and then reopened them. "Arista, choc-o-late!" She repeated slowly.
"Nuh-uh! Butter-scotch Ripple! Say it with me now," Arista smirked back.
"Oi, both of you shut up." Johnny rounded on them.
"No." They argued back.
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes."
"No!"
"Yes."
"Yes!" The shouted together.
"No!" Johnny shouted back.
"Okay, fine." They grinned together happily.
Johnny skulked and shoved a spoon full of sundae in his mouth, he let the spoon hang in his mouth, savouring the chocolaty taste.
Amber patted Johnny's arm sympathetically. "Don't worry, J. In a few years..." She paused for dramatic emphasis. "You might get over it!"
Laughter broke out from the occupants of the table, several eyes watched the group of friends situated on the far left corner of the Friars Rest. They earned several odd glares, causing them to laugh even harder.
"I wonder what they're laughing about?" Hitoshi asked Kai, noting that the two-toned bluenette had hardly said a word. Hitoshi nodded his head towards Shahero and the rest.
"Dunno." Kai replied sullenly.
"Belyaev probably saw her face." Brooklyn replied absently.
Hitoshi snickered quietly. The red-head smirked, sipping his drink.
Kai shrugged. Arista and him got into trouble together sometimes. They had genuine respect for each other on and off the ice. He really hadn't a problem with her other than her occasional habit of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.
What got to him was the fact that Amber had so easily focused her attention away from him again. He had caught her sneaking glances over at him. He wondered just what it was about him that repulsed her. Losing himself to brood in his thoughts again, he turned, shifted his gaze elsewhere. Anywhere.
-O-
Arista watched the cars pass by outside the Friars Rest. She sighed, sipped her drink. It sloshed around in her mouth. She savoured the flavour and looked glumly at the now empty cup. Around her, her friends either danced or were eating while Johnny sang the words to Punk Rock Princess.
Maybe when the room is empty,
Maybe when the bottles full,
Maybe when the door gets broke down,
Love can break in
Amber sat beside the Russian and ate ice cream, her eyes going cross from brain freeze every so often. Miyami started playing the keyboard as Johnny continued singing. Shahero strummed the strings of her bass, bringing it to life. Kai followed her actions and started playing his own bass.
Maybe when I'm done with thinking,
Maybe you can think me whole,
Maybe when I'm done with endings this can begin
This can begin, this can begin
Hitoshi sat mesmerized by the blunette, he watched intently while she sang back up vocals with Johnny and Miyami. Kai was the only one who remained quiet, not opening his mouth to sing. Beside him on either side Mystel and Brooklyn sat, playing cards. Mystel had come around later, after getting a tour of the town from someone or other. Although what game they were playing Hitoshi didn't care to notice. He was entranced by the tomboyish female on stage.
If you could be my punk rock princess,
I would be your garage band king
You could tell me why you just don't fit in,
And how you're gunna be something
Ruin and Tala sat together, enjoying each others comfort. Ruins head was laid on Tala's shoulder, his arm around her protectively. Kane was drawing something on paper, mumbling and nodding his head with Ian and Kevin. Oliver was taking orders and serving the customers of his family's restaurant.
Maybe when your hair gets darker,
Maybe when your eyes get wide,
Maybe when the walls are smaller,
There will be more space
The silver haired female got up to throw away her empty cup to order an ice cream so she could get a brain freeze too. Amber sighed and breathed behind her. Arista smiled and followed Oliver around until he stopped what he was doing.
Maybe when I'm not so tired,
Maybe you can step inside,
Maybe when I look for things that I can't replace
I can't replace, I can't replace
"What?" He asked her.
"I want ice cream," She grinned happily, "with butterscotch ripple and chocolates!"
Oliver offered a smile then left, only to return a moment later with her order.
If I could be your first real heartache,
I would do it over again
If you could be my punk rock princess,
I will be your heroin
I never thought you'd last,
I never dreamed you would
You watch your life go past
You wonder if you should
If you should be my punk rock princess,
So I would be your garage band king
You could tell me why you just don't fit in,
And how you're gunna be something
Arista sat back down and began eating. She stopped after one spoonful to shiver, and shake her head. Amber laughed beside her, and pushed her half eaten bowl in front of her. She didn't really eat, and when she did it was hardly anything. Arista took a few breaths to get used to the cool numbing of a brain freeze and then took another spoonful.
If I could be your first real heartache,
I would do it over again
If you could be my punk rock princess,
I would be your heroin
Amber's gaze briefly rested on the dancing bodies in the centre of the hang out before they roamed over her friends on the stage. She met Shahero's gaze and gave a small grin, pointing to Hitoshi. Shahero, confused, turned and looked to where the raven haired girl was pointing. Her eyes narrowed into slits, and she lowered her voice so that it was barely heard over Johnny's. She used her left hand to give Hitoshi the finger. Hitoshi only ignored her gesture and smirked unmoved.
Woah-oh, you know
You only burn my bridges
Woah-oh, you just can't let it sink in
You could be my heroin
You could be my heroin
Amber smirked. Hitoshi and Shahero would be so cute together... What was she thinking? Cute together? Yeah right! Shahero would bite his head off, regurgitate it, castrate him, burn him, then ship him off to Germany! She wondered how much ice cream she had eaten, then froze when her eyes locked with Kai's.
She wanted so badly to tear her eyes away, only to find she couldn't. She cursed him for having such beautiful eyes. She'd been able to ignore him for pretty much the whole week. In class, she's put as much distance between them as she possibly could. She hadn't even acknowledged his presence at practice, and Arista hadn't said anything. She was thankful for that. The loudmouthed teen was really good at saying the wrong things at the wrong time.
Kai watched her for emotions, anything that would help interpret what she was feeling or thinking. Pangs of hurt squeezed their way into his heart, leaving him feeling open and confused. Why did she have to be the way she was? Couldn't she just tell him what she felt instead of acting like he was Mr. Invisible? What hurt was that he knew her well enough to know how she thought. It hurt that she could shove her problems into the back of her mind and pretend that nothing had happened. That there was nothing between them.
A bunch of dancers started there way into a conga line led by Enrique. Johnny jumped off the stage, not wanting to do an encore even though the crowd cheered for one. Miyami jumped into his arms and they joined the line. Shahero nudged Kai, breaking his train of thought. She gave him her bass and jumped off the stage as well. But not before hurling water balloons at Hitoshi, soaking him.
Where she had gotten them, Kai didn't know, he turned around to put the basses away. To his surprise he found a small supply of balloons filled with water. He thanked the Gods and Goddesses that Shahero was small, otherwise she would've taken all the balloons. He put his bass in it's case, and put Kaeto's away as well.
Maybe his relationship with Amber was too serious. That was the problem. He could fix that. If Amber needed space, she would get it. They'd have to trust each other before anything else could happen. Yeah, he lifted a blue one in his hand. Friendship was the way to take it. Then slowly take it further. He looked around for Amber.
Here I go.
This is my favourite chapter so far, anyways,read and review plz. You know you want those socks! Merry Chrismikkah and a Happy New Year!!