Disclaimer: I have been informed to relay the message to all of those readers who had doubts that I do not own the series Beyblade, and . . . I will no longer be making T-shirts. . . ,
Author's Note: Hello my friends! Well, I had hoped to make this chapter very interesting and suspenseful and all that other neat stuff that makes a story good. Unfortunately, I've run out of time. You see, I'm going on vacation with my family and won't be able to update or work on another chapter for a while. At any rate, I thought I owed it to my readers to get a little something out before I left. It's not the best, but it's all I have right now. Sorry! So, I guess I'll leave you guys with the usual message. Enjoy the chapter. Happy Readings!
() () ()
"Jesus . . . uh, sorry!" Max said, his voice somewhat nasal sounding.
Immediately, he disappeared, the door slamming behind him. By that time, Kai was quite done, and he pulled out. Breathing hard, I crumpled downward. I couldn't believe that had happened! Of all the times he had to come home early! Damn it!
I lay there, catching my breath and listening to the berating voices in my head. They were calling me stupid and telling me how inconsiderate I was, and how Max didn't deserve to see that, and I agreed with them. I was a bad friend!
While I experienced my crisis, Kai had regained his composure, which was so Kai-like and dreadfully unfair. My eyes followed him around the room as he cleaned himself up and started dressing.
Suddenly, I became very nervous. I didn't really want to go see Max all alone. I didn't know what to tell him.
Kai sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his socks, and a little bit of desperation crept from my mind and into my hand, which darted outward and clasped his forearm. He paused in his mundane activity, glancing side long at me with those crimson eyes. How could he be so calm?
"Kai," I started, voice shaky. "You're just . . . just going to leave?" I asked.
He stared at me for a moment, that emotionless façade of his revealed nothing of his inner thoughts, and those eyes seemed so distant. Under his gaze, I felt rather pathetic, as though my question was stupid, and I shouldn't have voiced it. Still, I held firm to his arm, grasping it in such a way that I hoped would relay my anxiety. I wanted him to feel the panic I was feeling.
Kai's other arm slowly lifted and came to meet my restricting fingers that pressed into his skin. He ran his free hand over mine, coaxing my grip into loosening. I watched the action, somehow mesmerized by his ability to perform it. After a moment, he took my wrist and gently pulled downward. My fingers released his arm effortlessly. For some reason, this surprised me. I wondered if it was dangerous for him to hold so much power over me.
". . . Kai," I whispered. The word was light and ghostly on my lips.
Slowly, he leaned toward me, that magic hand snaking up to my cheek. He caressed the skin there while his eyes caught mine, and I felt like he was looking through me. Gradually, he continued to move closer until, finally, his lips were on mine in the gentlest way. It was a longer kiss, as though he was enjoying the very sensation of my lips beneath his. Such a thought made me feel rather fluttery inside, and the girlie part of me wanted to giggle madly. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
It seemed like it ended all too soon as he pulled away, yet his hand still lingered on my cheek, as though reluctant to pull away. Still, he continued to stare at me, looking through me as though I were nothing more than glass. I watched him intently. I didn't feel like I could do anything else.
"Rei," he said softly. I liked the way he said my name, so carefully, as though he were cradling it between his lips. "You're so, so beautiful."
With those last words, he moved away completely, leaving my skin feeling cold where his hand had once been. I watched in a sort of daze as he finished up, and I continued to silently observe him as he walked to the door. He pulled it open and stepped out; looking over his should only once at me, his expression was totally unreadable, and then he left. I winced as the door closed.
Yes, he was just going to leave me. Big surprise. I wondered if Max would have anything to say to him. He would probably want to, but he wouldn't. He knew that Kai wouldn't answer, that he'd walk straight for the exit and never look back.
I smiled slightly, a bitter half smile of a sort. I guess I should have counted myself lucky, because when he left ME, he DID look back . . . if only for a fleeting moment.
I climbed to my feet and began the arduous process of fixing myself up. I cleaned up and slid on those holey jeans. I put on my warm socks and my black t-shirt. I even brushed and rebound my hair. I looked in the mirror at my reflection. I didn't look any different than I had when Max had left that morning. It was like nothing had happened, and somehow that seemed cheap. It felt as though I was holding a smoking gun and explaining to the eyewitness that I hadn't shot the man, no, he was just taking a nap. It seemed unfair to Max.
I sighed, recalling Kai's words. Beautiful, huh? Maybe I used to be. Was that why he had wanted me so badly? Yet, those touches and that final kiss had seemed so different than all the rest, perhaps more chaste.
I sighed. There would be time for further deliberation on Kai later. I had to face Max at that moment. As I walked to the door, I placed trembling hands on the knob. God, I was so nervous. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I couldn't live in that room for the rest of my life, though I had turned the thought over in my head a few times. No, I'd face Max.
I turned the knob and pushed the door open. Everything seemed very bright and much larger and imposing than I remembered. Speaking of the kitchen . . . that was where Max was. He had a soda sitting in front of him, but it was unopened. He was just staring at it intently, as though he hoped the tab would pop by the sheer will power of his mind.
I cleared my throat. Max looked up and . . . smiled weakly at me. I wasn't sure how to take that reaction, so I strolled to the kitchen chair and sat down across from him. Max didn't say anything to me. He merely reached for his unopened soda, popped the tab, and took a short little sip of the carbonated drink.
"Uh, Max I--" I started uncertainly.
Max set the can down and looked up at me again. "I bet you're feeling absolutely mortified right now," he said matter-of-factly.
I blinked. Gee, how'd HE know that? Duh.
"Yes, Max, you're right. I am QUITE embarrassed," I replied honestly, though my tone held humor.
Max nodded slowly for a moment before taking another sip from his pop. "Well," he said after he had set it down again, "you should be."
"And I am," I assured him.
"Because I didn't need to see that."
I nodded. "I know."
"And I'm prolly gunna have to burn everything in there now."
"I think that's a little extreme."
"I don't think coming home early should hold that in store for me."
I shook my head. "It shouldn't. Listen, Maxie. I'm really sorry that you came in when you did. Honestly, if you'd have just waited a little longer we would have been done . . ."
Max rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. If I hadn't have come home when I did you'd probably STILL be in there."
I thought about his statement. "Yes, you're right. We probably would have."
"So, how long have you two been dating?" He asked in a healthy change of subject.
I chuckled despite myself. "We HAVEN'T been dating," I informed with a smirk.
Max raised an eyebrow and took another drink of soda.
I shrugged. "We're not a couple or anything. Kai is just . . . fun to play with," I said. A pang of guilt shot through me when I spoke those words, though I wasn't sure why. They were true, weren't they?
Max shook his head, and his expression looked almost disgusted. "Rei, are you serious?" He asked.
I nodded, confused at his actions.
"God, Rei. Kai is your friend and all you're doing is USING him?" He asked, his voice raising.
"More like we're using each other," I corrected.
"You always do that," Max said.
"Do what?" I asked, irritation beginning to shine through in my tone.
"People come into your life all the time; people who want to be a PART of your life. But all they ever are to you are one-night stands. All you ever want is a good lay before bedtime. That's totally weak, man."
I was surprised by what he had just said. I was surprised and angry. "What EXACTLY gives you the right to say THAT?" I asked, my voice unstable.
Max stared at me, that same disgusted expression on his face. "I'm your friend, Rei. I care about your well-being, and I care about Kai's! Listen, I just think that it's about time you stop messing around and try and let someone love you," Max said.
I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself. I'm not sure where the origins of my next words came, but I regretted them after I said them. Immediately after I said them.
"Love, Max? What the HELL would the product of a damned marriage know about love?" My tone was so harsh, and every word held acid.
My heart broke into pieces when I saw my blonde friend actually flinch at my retort. I was so shocked I'd actually said it. I tried to say something else to some how reconcile, but nothing came from my mouth. Nothing. I just watched as Max's blue eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, and he stared at me for the longest time. The air was so still, and I felt so terrible. I wanted to cry too, and I would have if he hadn't stood up and grabbed his jacket. He walked towards the door.
"Max--" I started desperately.
He paused and then turned to look at me. ". . . You're right, Rei . . . what would I know?" He asked, and his voice sounded monotone, but there was hurt behind those flat notes.
I whimpered slightly as the door shut. What kind of person was I? How could I say such a horrible thing to my best friend? My being angry didn't justify what I had said. Max had gone through so much in coming to terms with his parent's divorce and their tragic death. What would have possessed me to throw that pain back in his face like that?
Everything had been going fine. I was getting things back together again. I was turning back into the self that I actually liked. It never seemed to fail. Just when I was beginning to gather the torn up pieces of my life, some evil demented person would steal my torn up pieces, set them on fire, throw the ashes in my face, and then have his son kick me in the shin. It made me sad. So, I cried. I just rested my head on my crossed arms and sobbed for a good hour and a half.
I wanted everything to go back to normal. I wanted Kevin and Gary back, I wanted Max and Tyson to be happy with each other, and Mariah and Lee to be happy. Mostly though, I wanted someone to come in and hold me and rock me to sleep while whispering soothing nonsense words. I wanted . . . I wanted Kai. I wanted his warmth and his voice. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and never let go. I just wanted his presence.
I was too tired of everything to sit there and be afraid of the strong yearning feelings I was having. I didn't care how deeply I would let myself fall for him. I just wanted him with me right then.
I felt sleep pulling at my burning, damp eyes. I didn't fight it, for it was cradling me so tenderly. Perhaps if I closed my eyes and went to sleep, I would be able to feel him again. Maybe I would get to be held in his arms; maybe he would whisper to me again. That was . . . all I wanted then. I just . . . wanted Kai.
So I fell asleep, as anyone could conclude. I floated on dark, silken waves, drifting back and forth listening to the sound of silence in its sweetest, most lulling form. It was warm, as though ribbons of still air were gently wrapping themselves about my form, encompassing my being and making me feel so safe. It was perfect in every sense of the word.
I believe it was the slightly chilly sensation of the breeze brushing past my skin that first brought me to consciousness. I resisted the natural reaction of opening my eyes at first, but I felt as though my eyes weren't the only ones in the room. Actually, I felt like someone else was watching me, which was a creepy feeling. Slowly, I opened my eyes and blinked a few times. I found myself staring straight at someone's leg. I began lifting my head from my arms stiffly and groggily. My cheek felt numb, and I practically had to peel the side of my face from the skin on my arm. It would only have been worse if I had been drooling.
When I finally had commenced to an actual sitting position, I found myself looking up at the familiar face of Tyson. Only, Tyson didn't look so happy.
"Tyson," I said evenly.
In a tone that was almost politely casual, yet strangely sarcastic and patronizing, he responded, "Rei."
Then he punched me square in the jaw. Now, I'm not sure if it was the punch or the whole ordeal of me flying backwards out of the chair and sliding up to smack my head against the counter that really woke me up. Anyway, I'm sure the wake up call was somewhere within that sequence of events.
I shook my head slightly, still in a state of shock. My first effort to stand up was failed, and that was just a little embarrassing. My jaw was all ready beginning throb in time with the pounding of my head. Oh glorious music!
I wasn't sure I even wanted to get up off the floor. I could have been comfortable with curling up right there and going back to sleep. After all, that hadn't been a fun awakening. I was surprised though when my friendly assailant walked up to me and held out a hand in my direction. I stared at him for a moment and then at his hand. Without too much thought, I put my hand in his, and he pulled me to my feet. He took a moment to steady my wobbly legs, for they hadn't received the memo about being awake the way my jaw had.
"Careful there bud," Tyson said as I sort of tilted to one side.
I shook my head. Why was it that he was acting like he hadn't just smacked me?
"I'm fine," I mumbled as I regained my balance.
My hand went absently to my abused jaw, and I couldn't help but toss him a semi side glare. Tyson just shrugged, and his face looked quite serious.
"Put some ice on it so it doesn't swell."
I sighed in irritation. "Tyson why--" I didn't get to finish.
"You made him cry, Rei."
I bit my lip. Oh, Maxie.
"I don't know what you said to him or what happened to make you say it, but when he came to my house, all he did was cry," Tyson said.
Tyson's expression was one of pain. He acted as though I had said it to HIM. It was unbelievable that his feelings for Max extended so far that he could share the blonde's pain.
"I . . . I know, and I didn't mean it. I was . . . angry. I didn't get chance to apologize." I said quietly.
Tyson looked away. "He cried himself to sleep," he whispered.
He was quiet for a moment, and I did not speak what could I say? I'd just spoken my part. When Tyson faced me again, his eyes were glazed over.
"He was clinging to me so tightly . . . so desperately. It was like . . . he was fighting against it all again."
"Tyson . . ."
"It was just like after his parents died, Rei. Why . . . would you do that to him?" He asked me, his gaze calculating.
"I all ready told you . . . I didn't mean it. Max is my friend, you know that I would never truly mean to . . . to hurt him like that," I said honestly.
Tyson still stared with that glassy expression for a while. It felt like he wasn't even looking at me. Finally, he gave his head a gentle shake and faced me with clear, navy eyes.
"Rei," he said, his voice darker sounding. "You're my friend. You're one of my best friends. I love you like a brother, but Max . . .well, Max is my world, and I care about him more than anything. Don't EVER make him cry again Rei, because I don't like hitting my friends, and if there IS a next time, I know I won't like strangling them either." Tyson said.
There was a slight smile on his face, and his voice was a little more enthusiastic. He was more like the Tyson I was accustomed too, and yet, there was this little tone in his voice. It was a tiny warning bell that told me that he might not have been kidding about the strangling thing.
I gulped and grinned nervously. "It won't, Tyson. I . . . promise, okay? And next time I get the chance, I'm going to get on my hands and knees and beg Max's forgiveness. Honestly, I never meant . . . to hurt him."
Tyson nodded. "I know that, Rei."
He sighed and walked passed me to pick up the fallen chair. He then walked around the table to the freezer from whence he grabbed an ice pack and threw it at me. I caught it, wincing as the cold bit at my flesh.
He grinned at me, and I put it against my jaw.
"Glad we had this talk," he said.
I massaged my jaw under the ice pack. "Yeah, me too," I said sarcastically.
He just flashed another grin and waved at me. "I'm outta here," He said, before leaving.
I watched him go while running the events through my head. My conclusion was that I was an asshole, Tyson had the right idea because I deserved it, Max had a HUGE apology coming his way, and, of course, that I would prefer NOT to be hit by Tyson again, because . . . ow. That really, really hurt.
Author's Note: Hello my friends! Well, I had hoped to make this chapter very interesting and suspenseful and all that other neat stuff that makes a story good. Unfortunately, I've run out of time. You see, I'm going on vacation with my family and won't be able to update or work on another chapter for a while. At any rate, I thought I owed it to my readers to get a little something out before I left. It's not the best, but it's all I have right now. Sorry! So, I guess I'll leave you guys with the usual message. Enjoy the chapter. Happy Readings!
() () ()
"Jesus . . . uh, sorry!" Max said, his voice somewhat nasal sounding.
Immediately, he disappeared, the door slamming behind him. By that time, Kai was quite done, and he pulled out. Breathing hard, I crumpled downward. I couldn't believe that had happened! Of all the times he had to come home early! Damn it!
I lay there, catching my breath and listening to the berating voices in my head. They were calling me stupid and telling me how inconsiderate I was, and how Max didn't deserve to see that, and I agreed with them. I was a bad friend!
While I experienced my crisis, Kai had regained his composure, which was so Kai-like and dreadfully unfair. My eyes followed him around the room as he cleaned himself up and started dressing.
Suddenly, I became very nervous. I didn't really want to go see Max all alone. I didn't know what to tell him.
Kai sat on the edge of the bed to pull on his socks, and a little bit of desperation crept from my mind and into my hand, which darted outward and clasped his forearm. He paused in his mundane activity, glancing side long at me with those crimson eyes. How could he be so calm?
"Kai," I started, voice shaky. "You're just . . . just going to leave?" I asked.
He stared at me for a moment, that emotionless façade of his revealed nothing of his inner thoughts, and those eyes seemed so distant. Under his gaze, I felt rather pathetic, as though my question was stupid, and I shouldn't have voiced it. Still, I held firm to his arm, grasping it in such a way that I hoped would relay my anxiety. I wanted him to feel the panic I was feeling.
Kai's other arm slowly lifted and came to meet my restricting fingers that pressed into his skin. He ran his free hand over mine, coaxing my grip into loosening. I watched the action, somehow mesmerized by his ability to perform it. After a moment, he took my wrist and gently pulled downward. My fingers released his arm effortlessly. For some reason, this surprised me. I wondered if it was dangerous for him to hold so much power over me.
". . . Kai," I whispered. The word was light and ghostly on my lips.
Slowly, he leaned toward me, that magic hand snaking up to my cheek. He caressed the skin there while his eyes caught mine, and I felt like he was looking through me. Gradually, he continued to move closer until, finally, his lips were on mine in the gentlest way. It was a longer kiss, as though he was enjoying the very sensation of my lips beneath his. Such a thought made me feel rather fluttery inside, and the girlie part of me wanted to giggle madly. Fortunately, that didn't happen.
It seemed like it ended all too soon as he pulled away, yet his hand still lingered on my cheek, as though reluctant to pull away. Still, he continued to stare at me, looking through me as though I were nothing more than glass. I watched him intently. I didn't feel like I could do anything else.
"Rei," he said softly. I liked the way he said my name, so carefully, as though he were cradling it between his lips. "You're so, so beautiful."
With those last words, he moved away completely, leaving my skin feeling cold where his hand had once been. I watched in a sort of daze as he finished up, and I continued to silently observe him as he walked to the door. He pulled it open and stepped out; looking over his should only once at me, his expression was totally unreadable, and then he left. I winced as the door closed.
Yes, he was just going to leave me. Big surprise. I wondered if Max would have anything to say to him. He would probably want to, but he wouldn't. He knew that Kai wouldn't answer, that he'd walk straight for the exit and never look back.
I smiled slightly, a bitter half smile of a sort. I guess I should have counted myself lucky, because when he left ME, he DID look back . . . if only for a fleeting moment.
I climbed to my feet and began the arduous process of fixing myself up. I cleaned up and slid on those holey jeans. I put on my warm socks and my black t-shirt. I even brushed and rebound my hair. I looked in the mirror at my reflection. I didn't look any different than I had when Max had left that morning. It was like nothing had happened, and somehow that seemed cheap. It felt as though I was holding a smoking gun and explaining to the eyewitness that I hadn't shot the man, no, he was just taking a nap. It seemed unfair to Max.
I sighed, recalling Kai's words. Beautiful, huh? Maybe I used to be. Was that why he had wanted me so badly? Yet, those touches and that final kiss had seemed so different than all the rest, perhaps more chaste.
I sighed. There would be time for further deliberation on Kai later. I had to face Max at that moment. As I walked to the door, I placed trembling hands on the knob. God, I was so nervous. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I couldn't live in that room for the rest of my life, though I had turned the thought over in my head a few times. No, I'd face Max.
I turned the knob and pushed the door open. Everything seemed very bright and much larger and imposing than I remembered. Speaking of the kitchen . . . that was where Max was. He had a soda sitting in front of him, but it was unopened. He was just staring at it intently, as though he hoped the tab would pop by the sheer will power of his mind.
I cleared my throat. Max looked up and . . . smiled weakly at me. I wasn't sure how to take that reaction, so I strolled to the kitchen chair and sat down across from him. Max didn't say anything to me. He merely reached for his unopened soda, popped the tab, and took a short little sip of the carbonated drink.
"Uh, Max I--" I started uncertainly.
Max set the can down and looked up at me again. "I bet you're feeling absolutely mortified right now," he said matter-of-factly.
I blinked. Gee, how'd HE know that? Duh.
"Yes, Max, you're right. I am QUITE embarrassed," I replied honestly, though my tone held humor.
Max nodded slowly for a moment before taking another sip from his pop. "Well," he said after he had set it down again, "you should be."
"And I am," I assured him.
"Because I didn't need to see that."
I nodded. "I know."
"And I'm prolly gunna have to burn everything in there now."
"I think that's a little extreme."
"I don't think coming home early should hold that in store for me."
I shook my head. "It shouldn't. Listen, Maxie. I'm really sorry that you came in when you did. Honestly, if you'd have just waited a little longer we would have been done . . ."
Max rolled his eyes. "Yeah, right. If I hadn't have come home when I did you'd probably STILL be in there."
I thought about his statement. "Yes, you're right. We probably would have."
"So, how long have you two been dating?" He asked in a healthy change of subject.
I chuckled despite myself. "We HAVEN'T been dating," I informed with a smirk.
Max raised an eyebrow and took another drink of soda.
I shrugged. "We're not a couple or anything. Kai is just . . . fun to play with," I said. A pang of guilt shot through me when I spoke those words, though I wasn't sure why. They were true, weren't they?
Max shook his head, and his expression looked almost disgusted. "Rei, are you serious?" He asked.
I nodded, confused at his actions.
"God, Rei. Kai is your friend and all you're doing is USING him?" He asked, his voice raising.
"More like we're using each other," I corrected.
"You always do that," Max said.
"Do what?" I asked, irritation beginning to shine through in my tone.
"People come into your life all the time; people who want to be a PART of your life. But all they ever are to you are one-night stands. All you ever want is a good lay before bedtime. That's totally weak, man."
I was surprised by what he had just said. I was surprised and angry. "What EXACTLY gives you the right to say THAT?" I asked, my voice unstable.
Max stared at me, that same disgusted expression on his face. "I'm your friend, Rei. I care about your well-being, and I care about Kai's! Listen, I just think that it's about time you stop messing around and try and let someone love you," Max said.
I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm myself. I'm not sure where the origins of my next words came, but I regretted them after I said them. Immediately after I said them.
"Love, Max? What the HELL would the product of a damned marriage know about love?" My tone was so harsh, and every word held acid.
My heart broke into pieces when I saw my blonde friend actually flinch at my retort. I was so shocked I'd actually said it. I tried to say something else to some how reconcile, but nothing came from my mouth. Nothing. I just watched as Max's blue eyes began to glisten with unshed tears, and he stared at me for the longest time. The air was so still, and I felt so terrible. I wanted to cry too, and I would have if he hadn't stood up and grabbed his jacket. He walked towards the door.
"Max--" I started desperately.
He paused and then turned to look at me. ". . . You're right, Rei . . . what would I know?" He asked, and his voice sounded monotone, but there was hurt behind those flat notes.
I whimpered slightly as the door shut. What kind of person was I? How could I say such a horrible thing to my best friend? My being angry didn't justify what I had said. Max had gone through so much in coming to terms with his parent's divorce and their tragic death. What would have possessed me to throw that pain back in his face like that?
Everything had been going fine. I was getting things back together again. I was turning back into the self that I actually liked. It never seemed to fail. Just when I was beginning to gather the torn up pieces of my life, some evil demented person would steal my torn up pieces, set them on fire, throw the ashes in my face, and then have his son kick me in the shin. It made me sad. So, I cried. I just rested my head on my crossed arms and sobbed for a good hour and a half.
I wanted everything to go back to normal. I wanted Kevin and Gary back, I wanted Max and Tyson to be happy with each other, and Mariah and Lee to be happy. Mostly though, I wanted someone to come in and hold me and rock me to sleep while whispering soothing nonsense words. I wanted . . . I wanted Kai. I wanted his warmth and his voice. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and never let go. I just wanted his presence.
I was too tired of everything to sit there and be afraid of the strong yearning feelings I was having. I didn't care how deeply I would let myself fall for him. I just wanted him with me right then.
I felt sleep pulling at my burning, damp eyes. I didn't fight it, for it was cradling me so tenderly. Perhaps if I closed my eyes and went to sleep, I would be able to feel him again. Maybe I would get to be held in his arms; maybe he would whisper to me again. That was . . . all I wanted then. I just . . . wanted Kai.
So I fell asleep, as anyone could conclude. I floated on dark, silken waves, drifting back and forth listening to the sound of silence in its sweetest, most lulling form. It was warm, as though ribbons of still air were gently wrapping themselves about my form, encompassing my being and making me feel so safe. It was perfect in every sense of the word.
I believe it was the slightly chilly sensation of the breeze brushing past my skin that first brought me to consciousness. I resisted the natural reaction of opening my eyes at first, but I felt as though my eyes weren't the only ones in the room. Actually, I felt like someone else was watching me, which was a creepy feeling. Slowly, I opened my eyes and blinked a few times. I found myself staring straight at someone's leg. I began lifting my head from my arms stiffly and groggily. My cheek felt numb, and I practically had to peel the side of my face from the skin on my arm. It would only have been worse if I had been drooling.
When I finally had commenced to an actual sitting position, I found myself looking up at the familiar face of Tyson. Only, Tyson didn't look so happy.
"Tyson," I said evenly.
In a tone that was almost politely casual, yet strangely sarcastic and patronizing, he responded, "Rei."
Then he punched me square in the jaw. Now, I'm not sure if it was the punch or the whole ordeal of me flying backwards out of the chair and sliding up to smack my head against the counter that really woke me up. Anyway, I'm sure the wake up call was somewhere within that sequence of events.
I shook my head slightly, still in a state of shock. My first effort to stand up was failed, and that was just a little embarrassing. My jaw was all ready beginning throb in time with the pounding of my head. Oh glorious music!
I wasn't sure I even wanted to get up off the floor. I could have been comfortable with curling up right there and going back to sleep. After all, that hadn't been a fun awakening. I was surprised though when my friendly assailant walked up to me and held out a hand in my direction. I stared at him for a moment and then at his hand. Without too much thought, I put my hand in his, and he pulled me to my feet. He took a moment to steady my wobbly legs, for they hadn't received the memo about being awake the way my jaw had.
"Careful there bud," Tyson said as I sort of tilted to one side.
I shook my head. Why was it that he was acting like he hadn't just smacked me?
"I'm fine," I mumbled as I regained my balance.
My hand went absently to my abused jaw, and I couldn't help but toss him a semi side glare. Tyson just shrugged, and his face looked quite serious.
"Put some ice on it so it doesn't swell."
I sighed in irritation. "Tyson why--" I didn't get to finish.
"You made him cry, Rei."
I bit my lip. Oh, Maxie.
"I don't know what you said to him or what happened to make you say it, but when he came to my house, all he did was cry," Tyson said.
Tyson's expression was one of pain. He acted as though I had said it to HIM. It was unbelievable that his feelings for Max extended so far that he could share the blonde's pain.
"I . . . I know, and I didn't mean it. I was . . . angry. I didn't get chance to apologize." I said quietly.
Tyson looked away. "He cried himself to sleep," he whispered.
He was quiet for a moment, and I did not speak what could I say? I'd just spoken my part. When Tyson faced me again, his eyes were glazed over.
"He was clinging to me so tightly . . . so desperately. It was like . . . he was fighting against it all again."
"Tyson . . ."
"It was just like after his parents died, Rei. Why . . . would you do that to him?" He asked me, his gaze calculating.
"I all ready told you . . . I didn't mean it. Max is my friend, you know that I would never truly mean to . . . to hurt him like that," I said honestly.
Tyson still stared with that glassy expression for a while. It felt like he wasn't even looking at me. Finally, he gave his head a gentle shake and faced me with clear, navy eyes.
"Rei," he said, his voice darker sounding. "You're my friend. You're one of my best friends. I love you like a brother, but Max . . .well, Max is my world, and I care about him more than anything. Don't EVER make him cry again Rei, because I don't like hitting my friends, and if there IS a next time, I know I won't like strangling them either." Tyson said.
There was a slight smile on his face, and his voice was a little more enthusiastic. He was more like the Tyson I was accustomed too, and yet, there was this little tone in his voice. It was a tiny warning bell that told me that he might not have been kidding about the strangling thing.
I gulped and grinned nervously. "It won't, Tyson. I . . . promise, okay? And next time I get the chance, I'm going to get on my hands and knees and beg Max's forgiveness. Honestly, I never meant . . . to hurt him."
Tyson nodded. "I know that, Rei."
He sighed and walked passed me to pick up the fallen chair. He then walked around the table to the freezer from whence he grabbed an ice pack and threw it at me. I caught it, wincing as the cold bit at my flesh.
He grinned at me, and I put it against my jaw.
"Glad we had this talk," he said.
I massaged my jaw under the ice pack. "Yeah, me too," I said sarcastically.
He just flashed another grin and waved at me. "I'm outta here," He said, before leaving.
I watched him go while running the events through my head. My conclusion was that I was an asshole, Tyson had the right idea because I deserved it, Max had a HUGE apology coming his way, and, of course, that I would prefer NOT to be hit by Tyson again, because . . . ow. That really, really hurt.