Such a beautiful disaster.

Kelly Clarkson

Safe, In Your Arms

Chapter 7: The TV

There was a short knock on the door and Forrest looked at the person who just entered. She did not recognize him. She didn't care; she was bored out of her mind.

This must be the first bad math teacher that I've got in my whole entire life, she thought as she yawned.

The boy who just entered had red hair; its shade was a bit close to orange but nevertheless it was red and it looked fake to Forrest Fan. His eyes were aqua marine and were a little less dull than Kai's. Forrest could stare at those orbs feeling like she was at the ocean staring into the horizon. Then she snapped out of her thoughts and she groaned and looked at Kai. The two-toned haired boy was smirking, she wondered why.

She turned her gaze to the newcomer and sighed.

"Hello," the red head said. "I'm a new student. I'm late because I had to take care of some things with the principal."

His tone was cold and harsh, similar to Kai's and Forrest noticed that he had an accent close to Kai's too.

"Mr. Valkov. Please sit beside Kai Hiwatari," the teacher said.

Valkov immediately made his way to Kai.

So they do know each other. How interesting, Forrest thought. She tried to get a look from him but the blue-haired boy was still half-asleep and seemed to not care for the fact that Tala Valkov just came into his class. But to Forrest's surprise, Kai gave a wave and greeted the boy.

"Tala," he said as he gave a quick yawn.

"Kai," Tala acknowledged, smirking.

Forrest could see a horrible resemblance between the two. Both of them were cold, distant and they both had very eye-catching hair color. Forrest rolled her eyes at the thought.

I'll dye my hair neon yellow, she told herself.

Tala didn't give Forrest any particular looks, he only scanned the room and he observed everyone in the class for a few seconds and then he shrugged to himself.

Boring day ahead of me. With the Demolition Boys gone, I wonder what will happen next, Biovoltwill need a new team. And I got to talk to Kai, the red-head thought as he looked at the board and pretended to be listening. I don't even know how I got in calculus anyway.

By the end of the period, Kai and Tala were exchanging many comments between each other; Forrest has never seen Kai talk so much, not even with Ray.

Maybe they know each very well, she told herself as she shrugged. She followed the two several meters from behind and made her way to the backyard of the school where the Bladebreakers and co. ate. As she arrived at the spot, Kai, Tala and everyone else were already there.

"Wasn't she in our calculus class, Kai?" Tala asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sure I was. Mr. Scared-To-Talk-To-A-Girl," Forrest said coolly as she took a seat beside Ray.

"I would like your personality if you were a guy. But you're a female, you're supposed to be all nice and graceful," the red head mocked, doing a little graceful and dramatic gesture.

"Then I'm not your ordinary female," Forrest replied and shrugged. "For your information, if you haven't looked around already, I'm the only girl in this group."

"That's because you're too thick to see how handsome we are," Tala mocked.

Forrest notice his dimple when he grinned, she rolled her eyes and decided to end the conversation.

"Hey, Forrest. Emily and I are going to the movies today, do you want to come?" Max asked casually, coming to the rescue. "Tyson's busy and Ray wanted to bring you along. I'm pretty sure that Kai and Tala will be there too."

Forrest frowned. How come everyone knows this Tala and not me? She thought for a while and the picture of Tala's face lingered in her brain. Then it hit her. Ah, Russian boy. How could I forget all those pictures of him on the beyblade magazines? And yes… Valkov. I know that name. Forrest chuckled and smiled to Max.

"Sure, I don't mind. I just hope that I sit away from that prick," she whispered to him. Max grinned and hid his chuckle away from the newly arrived Russian.

"So did you meet any girl friends?" Ray teased.

"Nice one. Well, sort of. There's Janet, but I already told you about her. She's cool. And there's several girls in the swim team who are very nice but others are just plain bitchy," Forrest replied. She noticed Kai glare at her, he was pretty sure that she was directing the word 'bitchy' to Felicia, his long-term girlfriend.

"Do you want to meet someone that I know?" the Chinese boy asked.

Forrest shrugged and munched on her sandwich. She would like a new friend but she didn't care if she didn't either. Ray stood up and grabbed his cell phone. He opened it and made a call.

"She's here," he said, smiling.

"What's her name?"

"Mariah Low."

A pink spot was spotted and Forrest noticed it approaching. By the name the person was close enough Forrest could see a girl with pink hair, pink shoes, pink mascara, pink lips, pink hair band and basically everything else that wasn't uniform was pink, even her skin looked pink, but then Forrest thought that she was just imagining it. She sweat dropped. Mariah approached more and she had a faint preppy smile on her face.

"Hey," Mariah called. "Where's the girl who needs a make-over?"

Forrest heard that and slapped Ray on the head.

"Gee, thanks," she mumbled.

While Ray started laughing, he pointed to Forrest and Mariah frowned.

"Well, she needs a make-over alright. What's your name?"

"Forrest Fan."

"Oh, the new girl who lives at Hiwatari's?"

Forrest nodded. How did everyone know that? She mentally reminded herself to check that later.

"Well, Forrest Fan. You found the right person to give you a make-over," she winked, "I know where Hiwatari lives. Expect me there thirty minutes after school. Talk to ya later!"

"No wait. I can't, I have detention," Forrest said, hoping to escape the girl.

"Then I'll see you two hours after school, is that alright?"

"She'll be waiting for you," Ray replied for Forrest as he waved goodbye to Mariah and thanked her.

Before Forrest could protest, Mariah wandered off and disappeared from view. The black haired girl pouted dramatically and punched Ray several times in a row.

"You bastard," she muttered.

"What. I want my date to look beautiful—not that you already aren't," he said, shrugging.

Forrest frowned. Since when was I his date? She shrugged. She didn't mind him calling her that.

"So Miss Know-It-All has a boyfriend. I'm surprised," Tala taunted. "No offense, Ray Kon, but I thought that you'd have better choices."

Forrest fumed and stood up. She walked to him and pocked an eyebrow really a high, the 'what the fuck' look was all over her face. Her lips quirked up in a sarcastic smile.

"What the fuck did you say?" she asked.

"Oooh, cussing now aren't we?"

"Tala, she has a temper," Tyson warned. Forrest shot a glare at Tyson.

"I like girls with minor attitude and temper, but not her," he said.

I should learn how to taunt people like him, Kai thought as he watched the scene with amusement in his eyes.

Forrest advanced one more step and she noticed how close her face was to Tala's. She sniggered. She grinned as she saw his aqua marine orbs stare deeply at her flushed face and smirking lips. She swiftly leaned away from him and gave him a swing of her arm.

Whack!

"That's what you get for insulting me, Tala Valkov," she spat as she made her way to her spot. But before she could sit down, she heard a chuckle.

She frowned and looked around, it was Kai. So he knows how to chuckle, she told herself, smirking. Good for him and his imbecile of a friend.

Kai was patting Tala on the back and was amused at the reaction on his Russian friend's face. Pure bliss, he thought as he chuckled half-heartily. He knew that he didn't laugh often, actually he never laughed fully, he only sniggered or gave chuckles but this time, he couldn't keep it in. Priceless. I wish I had a camera.

Tala, who was still surprised, frowned and rolled his eyes. He traced his fingertips over the small area and Forrest's fist came in contact with his cheek. He chuckled with Kai.

"You sure got one hella of a girlfriend. Mariah was better," Tala commented casually, not looking at Ray.

Forrest stared in amazement at Ray. He dated Mariah too? Well, I never thought that…her thoughts trailed off. Can I date a player? No. No. Forrest don't think like that, he's not a player. You've seen him before with Mariah. The Asian tournament… that was a year ago. Come on.

She looked at Ray quizzically and saw him wave his hand which meant 'drop it'. She turned away and sighed.

"Well, you know what, Valkov?" Forrest started. "You know that new club that you own?"

At the word of 'club' the Bladebreakers' heads shot up. Tala flinched.

"How do you know about that?" he asked, frowning.

"I'm one of the main entertainers there, silly," she said, giving him the most feminine giggle that she could muster.

"Entertain? Like what, stripping? No thanks. And I wonder why Chris hired you anyway," Tala sniggered.

"I auditioned. I made it fair and square. And I don't strip, you pervert, I sing."

Tala gave a funny laugh at this.

"You'll go home with a shirt full of tomatoes. You'll beg for me to fire you afterwards. Do whatever you want. But then I can't expect anything good from you, you don't even live in a house, you live in Kai's place—no offense Kai—and you're searching for job while you're in high school. That's ridiculous," he spat.

"I, unlike someone, wish to be an independent person, earning money for myself and start a new life in a new place," she said, trying to calm down.

Forrest tried to block all those nasty comments away from entering her brain but she didn't fully succeed. That son of a bitch. Well we'll see, won't we? she told herself as she stood up and practically dragged Ray away from the Bladebreakers. Ray just sighed and tried to walk along with Forrest, but it became difficult because the girl was pulling his shirt, not his arm.

After they stopped walking, Forrest just stood there, her hand still clutching on Ray's shirt. Her breathing soothed and she suddenly laughed out loud. Ray looked at her quizzically.

"They think that they can get to me. Chyeah right," she said, smirking.

Ray grinned at this.

"Well, I'm glad that the old Forrest is back," he said before giving her a quick thumb up.

"Ray?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we… going out?" she asked, not looking at him.

"I don't know," he shrugged. She blushed crimson. He poked her cheek as he chuckled.

She rolled her eyes.

Ray stole a discreet glance at his watch and gave Forrest a quick hug before he went away, leaving her standing alone in the middle of nowhere.

"Go to hell, Ray Kon!" she shouted after he left, just loud enough for him to hear.

"No, thanks!" he replied back.

Forrest swung her backpack to her shoulder and walked quietly to English class. She knew that she was a bit early but she shrugged the thought off. Only she didn't know that Tala Valkov also took Adv. English and he was in her class.

She arrived in the room and no one—except for the teacher—was there yet so she took her seat quickly and opened up her book. The first bell rang so several people came in, including Max and Emily. Forrest nodded to both of them as they sat near her. Several minutes later, the second bell rang and the teacher stood up to the board, starting the class but he was interrupted by a knock on the door.

Forrest's expression changed as soon as she saw a red head enter the room, and introducing himself as a new student from Russia. She looked away. Tala Valkov smirked as he took a seat three seats away from Forrest.

I won't lower myself to him, she thought as she turned to Emily and started talking to her about their trip to the movies that same day after school. Oh yeah, and I'll have to live through a make-over. Tough. She shrugged to herself and sighed. Why am I taking English again? she asked herself as she yawned noisily and made sure that the teacher noticed. Mrs. Toada—the English teacher—fumed and ignored Forrest.

"Oy, Forrest!" Ray called as he made his way to the music room.

Forrest brought herself to put a half-fake smile on and hugged Ray.

"So glad that you're in my class. Is the teacher nice?" she asked.

"He should be nice to you considering that you have a nice voice."

Forrest blushed. But before that she could say anything else the bell rang and she sighed. Here goes the whole routine of introducing myself, she thought as she went to the teacher. By that time, Forrest already memorized a cheesy speech similar to the one that she did on the day before. She couldn't really come up with anything interesting.

The disadvantage of being in music was that there were a lot of people and they would stare at you when you were presenting yourself, but the advantage was that the room was filled with noises so Forrest's speech was left unheard by the half of the class who sat in the back.

"Vocal or instrument?" the teacher asked.

Forrest thought for a few seconds. Goodbye harp, she thought as she chose vocal.

"Which part do you sing better? I have no time to audition you so you can choose: Soprano I, Soprano II, or Alto? I don't expect you to sing tenor or bass," the teacher said as he handed Forrest a copy of each part.

Forrest glanced at the music and sighed. It was a Japanese piece; she quickly glanced at the notes and picked the lower Soprano II part. The class was divided into two; the choral part went to a room beside the instrumental group and practiced with another teacher who played the piano. Luckily, Forrest blended in with the crowd because most of the Soprano II's were female and they all wore the same uniforms.

This class is so dull, she thought as she opened her mouth and pretended to sing. I hope that the club is better. But of course, it will be. I'm going solo. Forrest was excited.

"Forreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeest!" came a shout as the door flung open.

The raven haired girl stopped dead, she just stepped out of her shower and she had a towel wrapped around her body. She got herself dirty during detention while trying to clean the floor so she took a shower.

"But, but," Forrest muttered.

"No. I promised Ray. I owe you a make-over," Mariah exclaimed. "Well, you'll just have to take a shower again because I'm dying your hair."

Forrest sighed. She didn't mind dying her hair, actually she's done it many times before but from the evil glint in Mariah's eyes, Forrest knew that it was a color that she didn't like.

"What color?"

"Well, lucky for you, I'm really nice so I brought two choices. Pink and blue. Which one will it be?" Mariah asked as she closed the door behind her and made herself comfortable on the couch.

Forrest rolled her eyes. She didn't even welcome the girl in her room but Mariah had already made herself at home.

"Blue for God's sake," she said. Sorry God.

Mariah nodded and waved for Forrest to scoot back to the bathroom. The pink-haired laughed mischievously and took a piece of cloth.

"Now. It's going to be surprise so I'll blindfold you," she said casually.

Forrest jumped and looked at Mariah as if the girl was trying to murder her.

"No. Hell no," she mumbled. But by then Mariah already tied a triple knot with the blindfold and Forrest couldn't see anything except for a thin ray of light penetrating from the thick cloth around her head.

A car honk could be heard from the neighborhood. The streets were dimly lighted around the Hiwatari mansion.

I can't get out. I can't get out. I can't get out like this! Forrest's brain was debating on the pros and cons of going out for the movies that night and obviously the con side was winning.

Her hair was highlighted with dark blue streaks. Luckily for her, her hair wasn't easy to dye. She was wearing a simple black tank top that had a scribbled heart on it, but she grunted because she never wore tank tops. And she had a skirt, she snorted because she hated skirts. At least I'm not wearing some kind of tie, she thought as she pictured the school uniform. This is too tight. She grimaced and tried to stretch the tank top. But the effort didn't show. She attempted to stretch it once more but failed. She grunted.

Mariah was gone by then so Forrest was alone in her room. She could hear the car honking and she rolled her eyes. They'll be disappointed, she thought as she sighed. Pro wins. One third of her rejoiced and the other two thirds just grunted—if that was possible. She grabbed a large jacket and zipped it up, it hid her tank top, but it could not hide the fact that she was wearing a skirt. Her outfit was quite simple but it wasn't her usual outfit because Mariah had prepared it. She was practically begging on her knees to not put it on but Mariah kept repeating that she was only doing a favor for Ray.

Well. At least we're all going to the club and then I'll have my performing outfit on, she thought as she sighed and thought about the schedule of the night. It was movies first then the opening of Tala's club. The red head was not going to be at the movies with them because, obviously, he would be occupied with the opening of his club, but everyone else would be there and that included Kai. That cold hearted house-mate of mine, Forrest thought as she slammed the door behind her and ran to the car, almost running into a maid.

She opened the door and found several pair of eyes glaring at her. She laughed nervously and sweat dropped.

"What? We only missed the previews," Forrest said, shrugging.

The others gave an annoyed expression and Forrest sighed. She got into the car and sat beside Ray. The group consisted of Forrest, Ray, Kai, Max, and Emily—Kenny didn't have interest in movies and Tyson couldn't make it. Kai sat in the front with the driver—James, Forrest and Ray were in the second row while Max and Emily were in the last row. The ride was rather silent or maybe it was because Kai put in a weird Jap Rock CD and turned it to the maximum so that other people wouldn't hear themselves talking anyway.

"Fresh air!" Max exclaimed as he got out of the black van. Emily gave a meaningful glare so he decided to shut up.

"Hurry up," Ray said as he was already at the entrance of the theater. By that time, Kai was already inside, buying the tickets.

Forrest ran to the movies theater, grabbed a ticket from Kai and then scurried into the showing room. The others followed her lead.

The movie just started. Luckily for them, the room was only half full so they had a row all for themselves to sit in. After switching seats for several times, Forrest ended being stuck between Kai—who sat at the most left end of the row—and Ray. On the other side of Ray sat Max and then Emily.

The room was dark and the only source of light was coming from the screen. The seats were squeaky and rather old but they were comfortable. The group didn't have time to buy popcorn or drinks so they just sat there, enjoying the movie—well, most of them enjoyed the movie.

Forrest took off her jacket because of the rather strong heater. It's dark in here anyway, she thought as she folded the jacket roughly and placed it in her laps. She looked to her left and saw Kai. She wasn't exactly sure if he was awake because he had his eyes close and seemed to not care about the movie

I wonder where his girlfriend is, she thought as she turned her head to Ray. The Chinese boy's golden cat eyes reflected the image of the screen but he turned his head to Forrest as he felt someone watching him.

"It looks like Mariah has done a nice job again," he said, smiling. "You look very nice."

He held her hand, unconsciously, in the darkness of the movie theater and Forrest blushed. The raven-blue haired girl—since she dyed her hair—draped her jacket over herself and turned her attention to the movie screen. It was a horror movie and Forrest smirked at it. She wasn't scared of them at all but nevertheless, Ray's hand on hers felt rather reassuring.

Screams could be heard from miles away, there was a classy entrance at Tala's club. The name was typical, The TV. Apparently it stood for the name of the owner—Tala Valkov. Forrest giggled to herself as she saw the sign of the club again. It was so cheesy. She used the back entrance, which was empty, while the main entrance for guests was packed because it was the opening night. Her heart was beating fast.

My first show, she thought as she entered her dressing room. The back stage was practically deserted because everyone was helping around; it was quite busy that night. Only several singers were there. Forrest looked around and saw a girl that she recognized from school. That girl was in her music class, in fact, that girl sang Soprano II, too.

"Forrest Fan," Forrest said, offering her hand.

The girl examined Forrest closely and shook her hand. Forrest noticed that there were two wires that were from the girl's ears. Forrest's gaze followed the wires and landed on the other girl's pockets. So she's into music. I like that, she thought.

"Shayna Tanaka," the other girl replied.

Shayna's figure was slender; her hair was jet-black hair that reached her mid-back. Her eyes were a darker blue than those of Tala's. Forrest grinned. Shayna had her performing outfit already on; it was a black T-shirt with a black skirt that reached just pass her knees. The details were all decorated with blue material and Forrest knew that the material was luminescent because she had a similar outfit except that it was black and green. Forrest made a quick trip to the changing room and changed into her outfit. Forrest let her blue-black hair down, which was now slightly curled at the ends because of Mariah. She grabbed several green bracelets that were lying on the make-up table.

"Stage in ten minutes!" a voice came.

Forrest shuddered and looked around her. Another girl came in. The newcomer had strawberry blond hair and seemed older than Shayna and Forest.

"Chloe, cousin of Tala Valkov," the newcomer said.

Chloe was already in her performing clothes which was also black but the details were in pink. Forrest noticed that the girl had tied her hair with a glow-in-the-dark hair band and had two heavy-looking pink earrings hanging from her ears; she also had pink bracelets and anklets. Well, she's definitely in the spirit. I only have some green fluorescent bracelets, Forrest thought as she followed Shayna—who took her earphones off—to the stage.

A wave of applause was heard and Forrest felt her heart almost jump out. She peaked out a little bit and sighed in relief. There were only the VIP members in the room and luckily there were only about fifty of them. Forrest drew some big breaths. Shayna stepped onto the stage first, then Forrest walked awkwardly to the stage and then last Chloe made a spectacular entrance with all her fluorescent accessories. Forrest was quite glad that the light was on the audience, she could see every people clearly but she doubted that they could see them.

So that's why we have glow-in-the-dark things. Well, least they can't see me flushed right now, she thought as she took a big breath; she was still trembling a little bit. I hate stage fright.

It appeared that both Forrest and Shayna were lead singers, and Chloe was more of a performer than a singer, actually she only sang a couple of verses. There was a chorus in the back of the stage near the band. They had fluorescent sticks and waved it during the performance. The show was songs requested by the VIP card holders. The first song was from the Phantom of the Opera, Forrest had some difficulties getting the high notes but luckily, she memorized the words for the song. Then they had a short break for five minutes during which time they had to learn the part of their second requested song.

Another wave of applauds was heard as Forrest and Shayna stepped on the stage—the second performance didn't need a dancer. Forrest was a bit more prepared this time, besides, she knew the song that they were singing.

The band began playing an introduction to the song but as the sounds of drums and guitars faded away, it was replaced by the soft humming of the chorus. Forrest breathed slowly and she closed her eyes. She went closer to the microphone and her melodious but shaky voice shone through the room.

He drowns in his dreams
An exquisite extreme I know
He's as dumb as he seems
And more heaven than a heart could hold
And if I try to save him
My whole world could cave in
It just ain't right
It just ain't right

On her right, Shayna stepped to the other microphone and started her part.

Oh when I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster

Forrest noticed that Shayna's voice was slightly higher than hers but nevertheless they sounded like the same person. Behind them the chorus did a great job of finishing their verses with an echo of the same words but it could only be heard faintly so it gave an extraordinary effect.

His magical myth
As strong as with I believe
A tragedy with
More damage than a soul should see
And do I try to change him
So hard not to blame him
Hold on tight
Hold on tight

They sang the third verse together three notes apart from each other. It was almost a perfect duet. Forrest's voice still sounded rather unsteady while Shayna's was better because she was more confident on stage.

Oh cause I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster

Forrest once again sang in her solo.

I'm longing for love and the logical
But he's only happy hysterical
I'm waiting for some kind of miracle
Waited so long
So long

Shayna sang with confidence and she did not miss a note or a word.

He's soft to the touch
But afraid at the end he breaks
He's never enough
And still leaves more than I can take
Oh cause I don't know
I don't know what he's after
But he's so beautiful
Such a beautiful disaster
And if I could hold on
Through the tears and the laughter
Would it be beautiful?
Or just a beautiful disaster

The two sang in a duet.

He's beautiful, Shayna sang.
Such a beautiful disaster, Forrest followed, letting the last word trail until the silence reigned. The sound of the chorus disappeared too and the guitarist released the note with Forrest's voice.

The spotlight landed on the stage and each of them bowed. Chloe came out too and bowed, catching most of the attention because of her well-curved feminine figure. Forrest gave a satisfied grin and smiled.

I love my job, she thought as she looked around. Kai had a toothpick in his mouth, he was drinking some soft drinks—or some cocktail, Forrest wasn't sure. Tala was still managing the club. Ray, who sat beside Kai, was applauding with pride. And last, Forrest's eyes wandered to the dance floor. Max and Emily just finished their dance; they were still in each other's arms. Her lips curled into a smile. She silently congratulated the two.

Author's Notes: Go ahead, say 'aww'. Max/Emily is a cute couple, not my favorite but they're cute together.

Oh yeah, if you guys are bored go read Beyblade parodies. You might not enjoy them like I do but I really like them now. They're hilarious, I swear. Which reminds me, I'll give Kai a break & not torture him with more OC's that run after him. (:

This chapter is very… high school life, I guess. Doesn't involve much with Beyblading. It's definitely not one of the better chapters 'cause it has lyrics at the end. Gomen. & I don't like Forrest's character in this chapter. Makes her look like a typical goth kid.