Dear all whom read this story,

Okay, it was recently brought to my attention when I opened my word document to continue with my sixth chapter, that for some peculiar, unknown reason the document was completely blank glares at computer screen I am very upset as I had complete most of the chapter and now I have to start again. So if you are reading this you may find this a valid reason to why I have taken so long to update… you might not believe me, but let me tell you this I was spent valuable homework time doing this and may fail a couple of test as a result! So in other words, I hope that you like , considering that I wrote this in a whole night. ENJOY!

You know the routine, don't own beyblades… blah blah blah!

CHAPTER 6 – DEPENDS HOW OLD 'OLD' IS!

Logan and Sian waved to Odette, from their car, as she entered her rather large house. Odette waved back before a butler closed the door behind her.

'So should I even bother guessing why you were so willing to drive Odds home?' Sian asked as her brother started the car up again. In an attempt to suppress his readable face, Logan refused to look at Sian or even bother to answer her for that matter. 'Oh my God you didn't!' squealed Sian. In surprise Logan quickly looked up, with a panic stricken face.

'Huh? What did I do?'

'You're such a dick head; you know that, don't you! You totally hooked up with her! Ha ha ha, wait till I tell Tala and Kai, you're a walking dead man!'

'Shut up, Sian, you don't even know what your talking about.' Logan replied weakly.

'Aw, is my older bro' worried for some reason?' Sian mocked in a baby voice. 'Don't worry I wont tell them, you're just going to want to hope that Odds doesn't!' That was the end of their conversation for a while. The next ten minutes Logan and Sian drove in silence, with the occasional, okay a better word would be frequent, sigh from Sian. After her seventh one, Logan turned to her clearly pissed off,

'What the hell is your problem?' At first Sian was a little taken back with the tone that her brother used with her, but then she smiled.

'Oh, I don't have a problem I just think that it is totally neat that my brother is dating my best friend… it's not the first time that it has happened, but hey Odds is the best person in the world. Screw it up and I'll be the first to kill you!'

'Hold on, wait a minute. First of all, I didn't say anything that would lead you to believe that we were dating. Secondly, don't bring the whole best friend-dating thing up again and thirdly, what do you mean she is your best friend? What happened to Just?' When Logan said Justine's nickname, Sian couldn't help, but flinch slightly. Justine had really started to irritate her lately. She couldn't explain it.

'I guess that we just as close as we use to be. She can be a real bitch some times… you know that better then anyone.' It was true, Logan and Justine had history together, something that he doesn't really like to talk about, and so he quickly changed the subject.

'Yeah, right, um so what do you have planned for the week?' Sian, aware of her brother's tactics, shook her head, before replying with.

'I've got school you retard.'

'Oh, yeah I knew that.'

-0-

'You wished to see me father?' asked Odette cautiously as she poked her head into her father's study.

'Ah yes dear. How very nice it is to see you after your little sleep over. I presume that everything went well?'

'Yes, it was very nice.'

'Please, have a seat there is something that I need to discuss with you.' Meekly Odette placed herself down in one of the seats near her father's desk. She had always had a fear of her father, although Odette never knew what instigated it. He was a very proper man, making him intimidating to everyone, well everyone but Kai. 'As you know in society when one comes of age, they must be formally introduced into society. I am aware that your birthday is in a few weeks and therefore we must have your debutant ball before hand, so your mother and I have decided that we should have it this weekend as there is nothing formally planned on the social calendar. We have already sent out the invitations, so this week your mother and yourself will have to go to some dress fittings.' Odette couldn't help but feel upset. Next week she had planned to go on a date with Logan, their first date. Maybe he could be her date, oh how lovely that would be.

'Father, but I have already made plans with some friends for next weekend.'

'Now, now Odette, you can unmake those plans this is a very important event that cannot be simply pushed aside. You will be having your debutant this weekend and there is nothing that you can say which will change that.' Tears started to sting in the back of Odette's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Without her mother she had no chance in trying to convince her father other wise. She knew that she would have to make it up to Logan some other way, she doubted he would even want to go with her, he didn't seem to really be his scene, but there was no shame in asking. Almost as if Dimitri could read his daughter's mind, he soon interrupted her thoughts by saying.

'And don't worry there is no need to bother deciding who will be accompanying you, both Master Kai and Master Tala will be coming to the event and their parents' have offered their services to you, so they are your choice. May I add how handsome they are to.' He finished with a wink, which was met by a roll of Odette's eyes. She got the feeling that he father was constantly trying to hint something, sure they were attractive guys, if not the best looking guys ever (a/n: sorry I had to say it!), but they were her best friends, she couldn't look at them any other way then as if they were her brothers.

'As you wish father.' Odette said as she rose from out of the seat. 'I take it that, that is all you wanted to talk to me about.'

'Yes, yes that is all, but you are going to have to get rit of the awful hair colour. What in God's name possessed you to do such a thing to your gorgeous hair!' That was enough to force a single tear down Odette's face, she hurriedly turned around and stormed out of the room, before marching to her bedroom and collapsing on her bed, in a distressed heap.

-0-

'Tala, my boy, it's as if you are no longer my son. I never see you anymore.' Tala was surprised to find his father in the lounge room when he entered.

'Ah, dad sorry I didn't see you there. Yeah, I suppose that I haven't been home as much as I use to, but I've got things to keep we occupied.'

'What more occupied then keeping your old man company? I know that I haven't always been home, as since your mother left its been hard on the both of us, and that is why I have decided to well… uh…' Tala raised his eyebrow in amusement. Since when had his father become hesitant? He has always been a very direct man, knowing exactly what he wanted and how to get it.

'What have you decided dad?'

'Uh, well, I've decided to re-marry.' Tala's head nodded as if he understood exactly what his father said and then it finally sunk in.

'YOU WHAT! HOW THE HELL CAN YOU TELL ME THAT YOU ARE GETTING RE-MARRIED?'

'Now Tala I can understand that your upset…'

'UPSET! UPSET! YOU DON'T FUCKING UNDERSTAND, YOUR NEVER HOME AND NOW YOU TELL ME THAT YOUR GETTING MARRIED! WHO DID YOU MEET? THE MILKMAN'S WIFE?'

'YOU LISTEN HERE YOUNG MAN; YOU HAVE ABSLOUSTLY NO RIGHT TO BE YELLING AT ME BECAUSE THIS IS MY DECISION AND I HAVE MADE IT.'

'YEAH GREAT, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL ME NEXT? THAT YOU HAVE ALREADY 'SECRETLY' GOTTEN MARRIED AND SHE HAS KIDS OR SOMETHING!' After saying that Tala's father didn't say anything, but shifted uncomfortably.

'FUCKING HELL YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS! BETWEEN YOU AND MUM, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO FUCKING RUIN MY LIFE! JUST LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!' With that Tala stormed out of the lounge room and made his way to his bedroom. He could vaguely hear his father calling after him, but he had no idea what he was saying, all he could hear was the blood pounding in his head. He was really pissed off now. He almost made it to his room when he saw a little boy poke his head out from a door. Tala stepped back in shock; he had no idea who this boy was. The little kid looked upset, scared and pissed off at the same time. When Tala and him made eye contact he quickly retreated and shut the door. Tala blinked a couple of times in confusion before as usual he let his curiosity take the better of him and he opened the door. He looked around a little in shock he had never realised that this room had been re-done.

'Ah, how are you?' came a nervous voice, which appeared to belong to the little boy who had poked his head out of the door a couple of minutes ago.

'I could ask you the same question kid, what are you doing in my house?' Tala mentally cursed himself, he must have come of sounding slightly angry and the little boy shrunk back in fear. 'Look sorry mate, I'm just kind of in shock when I found out that my father got married with out letting me know.'

'Oh, you must be Mr Valkov's son. My name is Matt Lestrong.' Matt paused for a second before he corrected himself. 'Well actually I think that I'm Matt Valkov now, but I'm not really sure how you spell that yet' he continued thoughtfully. Tala couldn't help but laugh. So he had a little brother, it wasn't that bad he thought. This little guy was actually quite amusing. Tala knew that they would get along really well.

'Well Matt, mate, the names Tala and I guess that I'm your new older brother.' The little boys eyes nearly popped out of his head.

'You're my older brother? Wow, you're so cool. I thought that you might have been mean or something. Are you old?'

'Well depends how old 'old' is! If it answers your question I'm 17.'

'Wow, 17. You're older then me!' Tala had to laugh again before he said,

'Really? I never would have guess, and just how old are you?'

'I'm four,' Matt replied as he stuck out five fingers. Tala knelt down in front of his new little brother and ruffled his hair. Maybe his dad re-marrying wasn't the worst thing that ever happened to him, maybe.

-0-

Before anyone knew it the weekend was over and they were back at school. Sian was a little upset when she saw that Odette has taken the red and white dye out of her hair and had returned to her normal brown. But for some reason Odette didn't look well. She may have only known the girl for just over a week, but it was obvious. Sian could have sworn that Kai had picked up on it, but it seemed that Tala had is own problems. Well, they weren't really problems, he actually seemed to be boosting that his father had gotten remarried and now had a little bother, which he was happily explaining to everyone and anyone.

By lunchtime it was official that all the staff and students knew that Tala was no longer an only child, but that was the least of the rest of the groups worries. It appeared that Odette had refused to talk to anyone all day, and Sian was starting to get pissed off, and worried at the same time, if that's possible. After quietly eating her lunch Odette stood up to leave, but Sian jumped up and said,

'And where so you think that you're going?'

'Ah…' Odette trailed off. She didn't really want to tell the others about the debutant ball. It was embarrassing enough that she had to ask either Tala or Kai to it. Kai looked up as Odette faltered, he knew that something was up, but was going to take a slightly different approach to Sian, and ask her privately.

'What can't you tell us? Is it some 'big secret'? Just like you couldn't tell me that you didn't even like how I did your hair, you had to wait till you got home to fix it?'

'It's not like that Sian,' protested Odette weakly who looked at Kai and Tala for some support, but was met only by closed eyes and a mind that seemed determined to figure out the quickest way to eat the pie in front of him.

'You may still be new, but were friends you can tell me anything!'

'Well it's just…' But Odette couldn't take it. Her father was putting enough pressure on her as it was. She didn't need her new best friend to turn on her or start prying into her life. Odette knew that she was alone on this one and the only way that she could stop herself from screaming was to let her eyes do the talking as tears started to bubble over. Here she was already crying in front of these almost strangers. This was embarrassing. Odette quickly bolted off, desperately trying to find somewhere to hide herself; she didn't feel like talking right now. Sian was a little surprised at the sudden quick movement made by Odette.

'Wait, Odds I didn't mean to sound—' but it was pointless, Odette had already disappeared. By this time Kai had opened his eyes and Tala had looked up and nodded to each other before standing up. 'Kai, I didn't mean to get angry with her, its just she's so to herself, she needs to talk.' Kai shook his head.

'Tala!' Came a whiney Justine. 'Why do you have to go as well Kai can find her by himself, and Odette's a big girl, she'll be fine.'

'Look Justine, Odette is not fine, so just leave me alone.' Justine was a little shocked by Tala's sudden outburst. He never talked to her like that; no one talked to her like that! But before she could say anything Tala had left. Sian quickly got up in an attempt to follow, but before she could say anything Kai said,

'Look, Sian just leave it, we'll let you know if it is anything serious, okay?' She nodded, understanding that she had no chance in talking to Odette right now.

-0-

Odette had managed to find a secluded area, and sat underneath a tree and was hugging herself tightly as tears flowed freely from her eyes. She had never coped well with stress, but without her mother to calm her she was useless. Last night, Odette had refused to come out of her room, even after several of her father's objections. It wasn't till later that night her mother had successfully wooed her out and some how convinced Odette to apologize to her father for her behaviour. This morning her mother had left to go on a shopping trip to Milan in search for a dress for the debutant and would be back the next morning, but Odette couldn't stand the thought of being alone with her father. He was such a cold man and always made Odette feel like she was never good enough and worth nothing. He sobs managed to drown out all of the surrounding noises, leaving her completely unaware to the fact that Kai and Tala had found her and were making their way over to sit next to her.

'Odds?' asked Tala quietly. 'What's wrong?' Odette looked up confused at who was talking to her and then when she saw Tala and Kai kneeling in front of her with concerned expressions on their faces, she started to cry harder before lunging towards them and embracing them both in a hug. She hated to be sad because she had to see them worried, but at the same time she hated being alone. Both boys tried their best to calm her, by rubbing her back soothingly and patting her head.

'I'm… r-really so-sorry guys!' she cried.

'Hey, hey there is no reason to apologize, we just want to know what's gotten you so upset.' Tala asked. So Odette told them about Logan, the debutant ball and how she had plans that weekend.

'What do you mean that you're 'going out' with Logan?' Kai asked suspiciously.

'Hey don't get all protective on me now, you're suppose to be my best friend not my brother, why do you care so much?' Odette said crossly. 'This isn't the time I want to discuss the situation between Logan and myself. I have enough problems with my father and having to take one of you two to the ball with me.' Tala and Kai looked at her confused when she said that she had to take one of them to the ball.

'What do you mean that you have to take one of us to the ball?' asked Tala.

'Exactly what I just said, you idiot. Apparently your parents' offered your services, so that's why I'm not even allowed to take my boyfriend.'

'Your boyfriend?' Odette threw Kai a dirty look. In attempts to stop them from arguing Tala said,

'Well, that's the first I've heard of it… like, I knew that you were having the ball, but I've kind of already mentioned it to Justine and you know how she is… especially with you, no offence, she's not going to be too happy if she finds out that I'm taking you instead, I don't think that she's even happy with that fact that it is in your honour, but she deals with these things whenever she gets a new dress. Guess that leaves things up to you K-man!'

'What? Tala you can't be serious, I can take my best friend's boyfriend, I was counting on you!' Odette shrieked. Tala smirked.

'Hey Odds I know that you like me better then Kai, but you don't have to say it in front of him.'

'Don't joke with me Tala, I'm serious!'

'Look, I don't think that Sian will have a problem with it, after all you are going out with her brother.' Kai said.

'No she doesn't.' Odette said rather quickly. 'And you can't tell her, you guys acted all uptight when I told you, and you aren't even my siblings.'

'I already know stupid.' Came a voice from near the building. The three looked around confused. 'Look Odds, I'm really sorry I didn't mean to upset you, I was just worried, and like I said, don't worry I know about you and Logan. I can read him like a book.' Sian continued as she stepped out from behind the building with a wink. 'I reckon it's totally cute. Also no probs what so ever about borrowing Kai, I know that you guys are just friends!' Odette released the boys and briskly walked over to Sian and hugged her before they both started laughing.

'Looks like you're on loan, K!' laughed Tala as well. Kai smirked, he didn't mind accompanying Odette, he couldn't help but feel slightly infatuated ever time that he looked at her, she was gorgeous, like an angel.

'Well your mum might be in Milan, looking for at gowns for you, but that isn't going to stop us looking here after school tonight!'

'What about homework?' asked Odette.

'Your so naïve, my friend.' Laugh Sian, 'homework comes after that!'

-0-

Sorry that chapter wasn't that long, but like I said I have written this in one night when I should be doing my homework, so I had to stop somewhere… I hope that its alright as I don't have time to check it for errors. Also if you would like some thing to happen, just let me know. I'm always open for ideas! Please review, all of those who reviewed the last chapter thankyou so much, you guys know who you are! Just like to add that you guys are the best and that I will mention in the next chapter who you are and will answer any questions that you have! Love you all!

Also a quick note, just wondering what your thoughts are on the following anime:

Gundam SEED

D.N.Angel

Fullmetal Alchemist

Pretear

Thanks, however I understand if you have never heard of them, I only found out about them this year and loved them! Haha they rock!

Peace out!