A/N: drumroll TA-DA! I'm back with an update! and the crowd goes wild...
Btw Nightrage, author alert is a feature that enables you to receive email alert from your favourite author whenever a new story or chappie is posted by them. For example when I update my stories with a new chapter, an email will be sent to your email account to alert you of the update. I hope you understand what i mean...
Thanks to: Kyuubi no Tai, Moonlight Kitten, Mystic Black Phoenix, Blackdranzergurl, Beyblade-gal, Armith-Greenleaf, Moonlit Sea, Shitza, DranzerMix, Hikari, Silver Suzaku, Krys-Jez, Nightrage, Dark Dragon Chick, ileftmybraininmylocker and Mystic-pip.
Chapter 12
"YO! LOVEBIRDS, WE'RE OVER HERE!"
Tyson and Max's yelling were not really needed as anyone would see them a mile away with the two jumping up and down, waving their arms to attract the attention of the infamous couple when they walked into the open-air football stadium for the seasonal football match between their school and a private school on that Saturday night. People cast odd glances at the hyper-duo and some actually gave up their front-row seats to move away from Max and Tyson. Seated next to them were Mariah, Mariam, Ray and Tala. Hilary was busy screaming at Tyson for embarrassing her in public.
"Are you sure you wanna sit with them?" Kai muttered under his breath to the raven-haired girl by his side.
"I'm having second thoughts now." she said even they started making their way over to the group.
"Well, well." Tala said with an all-knowing grin, addressing the blue-haired boy. "Look who decided to join us, poor little people."
Kai growled at his so-called bestfriend. "Don't look at me. She insisted on dragging me out here." he beckoned at the raven-haired girl by his side. He remembered how she had given her trademark puppy eyes and heart-crushing pout that had in the end crumbled his will.
Jade gave him a coy smile meant only for him. "And you love me for it." she cooed.
"Jade, could you tell Tyson it's not necessary to yell his head off here like a retard?" Hilary demanded breaking in.
"Why bother?" Tala cut in smoothly as he leaned in. "It's not like it's gonna make any difference."
"Thank you, Tala." Tyson crowed then did a double-take of the meaning behind his words. "Hey!"
"Hey, guys. Glad you could make it." Mariam greeted Jade and Kai. She offered them popcorn as soon as they settled down in the row behind them causing Max pout as she refused to give him anymore after he had finish one whole bucket earlier. Hence, why he's so hyper.
Kai shook his head while Jade accepted the offer and settled the bucket of popcorn on her lap.
"What did we miss?" she asked lightly.
"Nothing." Tala answered as he took his place on her left. "Except watching Hilary cream Tyson for getting food in her hair."
"If Hilary was on the football team, we would have no trouble winning this year's State Championships." Tyson grumbled, rubbing his head where Hilary had landed a smack.
The brunette's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse me? Say that again, Tyson…"
The navy haired boy gulped nervously, slowing backing away from the raging girl. "Um…did I say something? I didn't say anything, I swear!"
The brown-haired girl advanced on him menacingly. "On whose life? Yours?"
Tyson laughed as he tried appealing to his friends. "Hehe…um…hey, guys? A little help here? Guys? Help, please?"
Ray rolled his eyes at them. "Would you two just get a room already?"
"I second that notion." Max piped in.
"Will you all just shut up?" Mariah snapped suddenly, her golden eyes glimmering with excitement on the field. "They're starting! Look, there's Tanya's cheerleading squad!"
The teens had to crane their necks over the raising and applauding crowd to make out the cheerleading team's red and blue outfits as the cheerleaders took the field. Since the football team has yet to win a single championship in years, the veteran cheerleading team, the Phoenix was the main pride and joy of Cawil High School. The captain was a beautiful girl with jet black hair tied in a ponytail, sparkling deep blue eyes like lazuli jewels and a body to die for. Jade met her before and she found Tanya Salvatore rather nice and friendly for head cheerleader. She was the only girl who could deflect Tala's advances with tongue-cutting sarcasm and a coy smile, all with style. Jade had taken an instant-liking for the girl.
"Mom, if you wake me up now, I swear I will kill you." Tala mumbled in awe to no one in particular.
As she led the team into a spirit-raising routine, Tanya's clear voice held authority and enthusiasm rolled into one. The cheerleaders moved in perfect coordination, doing handsprings and tuck-jumps to the beat of a rap song. The crowd was cheering on the cheerleaders. It wasn't hard to see why the team was the reigning inter-state cheerleading champion.
"Did you hear? Kristy and her 'Fashion Mafia' buddies tried to start their own cheerleading team." Mariam said calmly.
Kai scoffed. "And will therefore damage the good name of cheerleaders everywhere."
Tala beamed at his friend. "Man after my own heart."
Tyson stared at Kai in shock to hear him insult Kristy, never mind the fact, the Ice Prince actually spoke. "Who are you and what have you done to Kai?" he demanded.
Jade laughed before Kai could kill the boy with a single glare. "Knock it off, Tyson." she chastised lightly.
Tyson shook his head at the couple and said especially in particularly to the bluenette. "Man, you're lucky you have her as your girl. I wish I had a girlfriend." he said wistfully.
"Well, you can keep wishing because you'll never get one." Hilary sneered.
"Ouch…"
"Anyway…" Mariam continued in exasperation, trying to bring the topic to safer grounds. "Apparently Principle Snyder thought so too. He gave them the booty. You should have seen Kristy's face! Her eyes were so swollen up like bee stings from too much crying."
Mariah eyed her. "How do you know? You weren't even in the same room as them."
The blue-haired girl winked. "I wasn't but our dear friend on the field was."
"Tanya?" Mariah's mouth fell open.
"Being captain, she has to be there in anything related to cheerleading." Mariam explained. "She told me and I'm telling you guys."
"Gee, no wonder the Fashion Mafia is nowhere in sight." Ray said as he scanned the spectators.
"I feel sorry for them. It must be really embarrassing." Jade said sincerely. Her friends groaned at her. Leave it to Jade to make them feel guilty.
The cheer routine came to an end and the football teams took the field. Team captains were introduced and the game started.
"Hey, look! There's Michael and Steve!" Max pointed out. "GO, MAN! MAKE US PROUD!"
"He's got the ball! Yes, yes! Michael's going in for a goal…!" silence came over the crowd as they waited for the first touchdown made by the local school team in years. Then…
"YIKES…!"
"Ooh…that has got to hurt." Tyson said, grimacing as if the pain was his.
Tala half-raised his hand. "I believe I speak on behalf of the spectators here when I say 'ouch'"
The others nodded sympathetically. The red-head shook his head empathically. "I can safely say he won't be having kids any time sooner."
The game carried on with a lot of winces, grimaces and quiet mutters of 'ouch' or 'yikes, that has got to hurt…' Tala and the guys have come to a conclusion it was safer to be in the audience, not in the action. The price of fame is just too high. Besides, they get to leave with their whole body intact plus the girls in the end.
"He's moving it! Yes! No-no, no!"
"And the opposing team scores another point, making the score 5-0…"
"COME ON, STEVE! MOVE THOSE FAT LEGS OF YOURS!"
"You know, you guys are not really helping." a throaty female voice broke in with a laugh of amusement.
Tala practically fell to his knees when his eyes landed on the head cheerleader standing behind their row. "Ah, my angel of cheerleading. You're like a spirit within me-."
Tanya held up a perfectly manicured hand, cutting him off and smiled coyly. "Save it, luv." she said coolly. "I ain't gonna be here forever. I still have my team to take care of first."
"Whatever you say, darling." the smitten red-haired said with a grin.
Tanya grinned and finally turned to the others. "Hey, guys. Enjoyed the show?"
"What are you doing here?" Mariah asked. "Shouldn't you be cheering the team into victory?"
"Which team? The cheerleading team or the football team?"
"The football team."
"Why bother? The football team is pretty much a gone case." the cheerleader shrugged.
"Yup." Tyson and Max were nodding in agreement.
Ray didn't think so. "Come on, Tanya. Get back down there and do your job cheering them on! The guys out there need you!"
The black-haired beauty rolled her eyes. "And give up my break-time? I don't think so." her eyes fell upon Kai and widened slightly in surprise. "Fancy seeing you here, Hiwatari. Let me guess. Jade finally got you whipped."
"Funny, Salvatore." he said in return.
The girl's marine blue eyes drifted over to the raven-haired girl next to Kai and a concern look formed on her face. "Jade, are you alright?"
Kai glanced at Jade, surprised to find her coughing into her hand. Realizing the attention she was getting, Jade pulled her hand away from her lips, crumpling the tissue in her hand and managed the brightest most innocent smile she could.
"I'm fine. My throat's just a little parched, that's all."
"From what?" Tanya raised an eyebrow. "Breathing? You don't look too good."
Kai frowned in worry. "As much as I hate to admit this, she's right, Jade."
Tanya allowed a brief smile of triumphant before her expression melted into one of concern, almost identical to the bluenette's. "See? Even Kai agrees with me. Why don't you go home? This game is a goner already. There's nothing interesting to see, unless you count Michael trying to seduce the other team's cheerleaders."
"But…" her protest was cut off by another fit of coughs.
Kai shook his head, starting to help her up by her arm gently. "Come on. I'll take you home."
Reluctantly, Jade gave in. She bared goodbye to her friends and they left the stadium just as the announcer said in a dull voice. "And Westside takes another point for the team…"
She was unusually silent during the ride home. Usually she would be chatting animatedly while he was contented just listening to her and gazing at her lovely face. Her face was picture of pure innocence, untouched, untainted by the cruel world around them. Her long raven hair was left to cascade past her slender shoulders to frame her cupid-like face. Her warm green eyes would sparkle life.
But tonight she was very quiet. At least she had stopped coughing.
Kai studied her from the corner of his eye though his attention was mainly on the road. She was staring out the window, almost in a daze. He wondered what she was thinking about. Her eyes were half-closed. He noted she looked very tired and pale.
"Jade, are you alright?" he asked, releasing one hand off the wheel and reached over to hold her hand.
"Hm...?" she mumbled, looking at him with groggy sleepy eyes. "What...?"
"Jade, you're dozing off on me." he said patiently. "What're wrong? Are you alright?"
She smiled tiredly at him. "I'm fine. Just...tired..."
A frown worked its way to his face. Tired? How can she be tired? All they did was sit in a stadium watching a bunch of guys get trashed running after a dumb ball. How tiring is that? Now he was seriously worried about her.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he questioned again worriedly.
She didn't reply. Glancing at her, Kai realized she had fallen asleep. As much as he hated to admit it when he's suppose to be worrying about her, she looked adorable when she was asleep. Her eyes were closed in peaceful slumber and her hand was curled beneath her chin, making her look as though she were sucking her thumb. Of course, it was just his imagination.
She's not a child so get a grip of yourself, he chastised himself. She's just tired. She's just worn out over worrying too much about the kids at the orphanage.
The rest of the ride passed in silence. She, asleep and he, forcing himself not to worry so much over her. Yet he couldn't help but think how familiar all this seemed to him. With a grunt, he pushed the thought to the back of his mind and concentrated on getting them to her house safely. It was close to ten when he pulled up to her house. The lights within were still on so he guess her parents were still awake. He debated on telling Mrs. Summers about Jade's worn out condition and decided against it.
She's just tired, he kept telling himself over and over again. Gently, he nudged her awake. "We're here, dear."
She yawned, blinking away fatigue from her eyes "So soon?"
He nodded as he got out of the car to help her out of her seat. "Come on. Or do you want me to carry you to your doorstep?" he said as he held the door open for him.
"I'm most capable of walking by myself." she retorted.
But as soon as she stepped out, she stumbled. Kai grabbed her arm, steadying her. He couldn't help but notice the dark ugly bruise that marred her skin above her elbow. He frowned deeper. Jade wasn't one known for her clumsiness. She wasn't even a klutz in the first place!
"I'm okay. I'm fine." she said quickly as she righted herself with his help.
"Oh, sure. You're most capable of walking by yourself." he said sarcastically.
"Save it." she scowled.
"Jade, are you sure you're okay?" Kai asked with concern in his voice.
She nodded, a smile on her face now. "Yes, dear. I'm fine. Now would you stop mothering me? I'm pretty sure I can make it to my own doorstep without getting myself hurt."
Even then, he refused to leave her side until she was safely inside. She gave him a sweet peck on his cheek. Knowing her parents were inside, she didn't want to get him into trouble. A quick goodbye and a promise to see each other in church tomorrow, Kai left and started his own journey home.
When he arrived home, he was surprised to find his grandfather still up and about. Never mind the fact he was even home instead of one of his business trips. Kai found him in the study room and judging by the half-filled glass of liquor and Vodka bottle on the table by his side, the old man had been drinking.
"Well, you're up late." Voltaire called out with a slur.
"It's barely ten." Kai replied, pausing at the door. He wasn't in the mood to deal with a drunken old man.
"Where did you go?" his grandfather asked.
"Out." his answer was short and simple. He planned to keep it that way.
"So when do I get to meet her?" Voltaire spoke up casually. "This girl whose got her claws on you?"
Kai stiffened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. If Voltaire had seen his eyes that moment, he would have known he was walking on dangerous grounds. But his back was turned to his grandson and even if he was facing Kai, he was too drunk to probably notice anything.
"So tell me, boy. What is this one like? What, is she tall, blond?" the old man continued. He snorted. "Forget that question. They're all the same. Bunch of females after your money."
Barely keeping his temper in check, Kai stepped into the room. His hands were clenched so tightly until they were white. "Jade isn't like that!" he snapped.
"Jade? Is that her name?" there was hint of distaste in Voltaire's voice.
"Yes." the bluenette bit out angrily. "And she isn't like that. You don't know her."
"I make my own judgments, boy. And based my experience, all females are ravaging wolves after your trust fund." Voltaire said bluntly. "They seduce you, they marry you then they divorce you. It's an endless circle."
"You're wrong about this one, grandfather." Kai said with defiance. "She's different."
"How different?" the old man retorted. He waved his glass at his grandson, uncaring of his feelings. "Fine. Don't come crawling to me when she makes away with your money. You'll learn in time I'm right. I'm always right."
"Right." Kai sneered sarcastically. "I'm going to bed now, grandfather. And I think it is best that you do too." leaving the older Hiwatari to find a way back to his own room, Kai headed to his room.
All hail the old bat whose always right, why don't we?
A/N: Yeah, why don't we? Don't know if you remember this but Tanya was mentioned in the first chapter of this story. I just thought what would it be like to bring her in plus I need to give Tala somebody to hit on...