Peaks head around the corner is it safe to come out? I know that it is really stupid for me to even attempt to show my face on since my last date, which was so long ago that I can't even remember. I'm terribly sorry for those who I have left in the dark, if there were any besides the forever-faithful MUSHRAMBOLOVER. I can't exactly blame lack of updating on an exTremEly long mind block, the best excuse would probably be school work and also I have to admit that I can of got slightly bored with this story, I think that its too serious for me (I am completely anti-serious! ). But I have had in my mind for ages how this story is going to continue for ages, long before I posted my last chapter. And since I cannot be side tracked by anymore anime (I've spent all my money on DVDs ) all I have to do is side track myself from homework and I'll be home free! I hope that this chapter will satisfy your needs! Also it was my birthday last week so I was busy organizing my party! Also there is this guy that I like… okay, okay I wont go into it, but make sure that you get stuck in the new chapter and tell me what you think!

CHAPTER 9 – PULLING THE PLUG

It was Wednesday, and Odette still refused to tell Sian how the ball went and had gone out of her way to avoid Kai and Tala. How could she have been so stupid to let this happen? Sian was beautiful, the most understanding person she had ever met, and yet Odette had taken her kindness for granted. But Odette was confused as well, one minute Kai was saying that she means that world to him, the next he was telling her that he had to say it to keep her father happy and then later he kisses her. What did it all mean? As she sat in her room contemplating what had happen, her mobile rang. She was really in the mood to talk to anyone and so she picked up the phone and checked the caller id. The background lights flashed as Logan's name appeared. Odette couldn't help but feel her heartache. On the outside her first relationship was perfect. Her boyfriend was a sweet and caring guy that would do anything for her. When she was with him she craved his touch and always felt comfortable, but without him, it was like he was only a figment of her imagination, and quite often would be forgotten. What to do…

Odette looked up from what she was doing when she heard a faint knock on the door. 'Odette?' Her mother's voice inquired as she popped her head around the door.

'Yeah?' Odette replied with a smile. She missed her mother so much and even though they lived in the same house it felt like she never got the chance to see her.

'There is something that I want to show you.' Odette looked at her mother inquisitively and was about to ask her what could possibly be so important before they were interrupted by one of the maids.

'Forgive me Madame, but there is an urgent call for you.' Odette's mother sighed and kissed her beautiful daughter on the top of her head, it intrigued Anna that Odette was so short considering the rest of the family, especially in the line of girls were able to reach 5"10 comfortably, poor Odette was stuck at 5"00. It was fairly amusing, 'Oh, I'm sorry love, I'll tell you later.' And she kissed her daughter once more before she left.

-0-

Tala and Kai were sitting in Tala's room, surrounded by dead silence. Neither of them daring to mention what had happened on Saturday.

'So…' Tala began. 'You like stuff?' Kai threw Tala a questionable glance and then continued to stare out the window. 'Okay, I admit that was a feeble attempt to start conversation, but seriously man, I think that you need to say something. Its almost been five days!' Kai sighed heavily and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He wanted to tell his best friend, Tala, more then anything what happened on Saturday, but to be honest he didn't even know himself. Tala watched Kai intently, as Kai's often emotionless face was painted with question and confusion.

'Look can't you just drop it? If I knew what had happened I would honestly tell you… but that's the thing, I don't know what happened.' Kai sighed as he rubbed his face roughly.

'Well as your best friend the only advice I can give to you is to snap out of what ever the hell is wrong with you or else it wont just be me on your case. I assure you that Sian has picked that something is up and the only reason why she isn't busting your balls is because she is too busy trying to get what ever happened out of Odds, since she is acting all weird as well.' Tala looked down at his watch and noted the time. 'You hungry?' Kai looked at Tala confused, how had the conversation gone from what happened on Saturday night to food?

'I guess so.'

'Awesome, cause I am starving!' Tala scrambled off his bed with Kai causally following him.

-0-

'Oh My God! I didn't think that you would actually go through with it!' Squealed Aleks as she sat on the counter waiting for her twin to get something for the both of them to eat from out of the fridge.

'Would you shut up already!' Snapped Ariel as she pulled out a tub of vanilla yogurt and went to the cutlery draw to retrieve two spoons. 'I don't know why you're making such a big deal anyway its better then me just sulking in my room.' She continued as she plonked down on the stool in front of the counter.

'True, but I'm surprised that Sian managed to get you in that little thing…' Aleks commented as she pointed on the not so conservative cheerleading uniform that Ariel still had on, '…and have you still wearing it this long after practice.' She went on as she pointed to her watch and childishly began tapping it, to make sure that it was still working.

'You know I recent the fact that you are my sister.' Ariel said darkly as she hit Aleks over the head with her spoon, causing the other girl to pout, which made Ariel laugh.

'Oh My God!' Ariel whipped up and looked at Aleks.

'I thought that I told you to stop saying that… I think that we having gotten over the fact that I am a cheerleader now.' Ariel said as she shoved some yogurt in her twin sister's mouth.

'It wasn't me!' cried Aleks. 'It was him!' She said as she pointed to the entrance of the kitchen, where Tala stood with a dumbfounded look on his face.

'You're a cheerleader?' Asked Tala, who cautiously entered the room after he ducked a flying spoon that narrowly missed his head.

'Yeah, you got a problem with that bucko?' quipped Ariel.

'No… not really, I just suppose I never really took you to be the booty shaking type.'

'Bite me, ass hole!'

'Don't tempt me sweet cheeks.'

'Ew, that's disgusting! You're my brother for god sake!'

'Would the two juveniles shut the hell up, before I kill someone!' Tala and Ariel looked up confused. The both looked at Kai, who was still standing in the doorway and shaking is head, and then looked at a fuming Aleks.

'Wow, talk about PMS, what the hell crawled up your butt in the last 15 seconds?' Ariel asked.

'Oh, don't you even start! All you two seem to do is bicker! It's driving me insane!' And with that she got up and stormed out of the room. Tala and Ariel again looked at each other and then to where Aleks had left the room.

'Well that was weird.' Tala commented.

'Yeah, talk about it I've never seen Aleks skitz out that much.' Ariel said as she scratched her head. Kai just laughed.

'What!' they both asked him. Kai continued to shake his ehad and laugh.

'Nothing… you both are totally blind. Ah, now I feel better. I'll see you guys tomorrow.' He said as he stood up and left.

'Um, does someone want to tell me what just happened here?' Tala asked.

'Beats me.' Answered Ariel. 'That was the weirdest thing I have ever experience in my life, those two are seriously weird.'

'I totally agree with you.'

-0-

As Kai dashed up the stairs to collect his stuff from Tala's bedroom he bumped into Aleks, who just excited the bathroom.

'Sorry, didn't see you there.' Kai said as he helped her up.

'Oh ha-ha very funny. What is it with you, Tala and always-mocking short girls' Aleks pouted. Kai shrugged.

'I dunno. I guess that you guys are easy to pick on.' He said with a cheeky grin on his face.

'Look, sorry about the little kitchen incident, I guess I don't really know what happened to me. For some reason Ariel and Tala seem to get on really well… its not like I'm jealous of them. It's just that I'm not use to having to share Ariel with anyone…'

'I don't think that is your problem.'

'Huh? What's that suppose to mean?'

'Nothing, but my only words of advice for you is, Tala isn't blood related to you.' Aleks gave Kai and inquisitive look before she understood what he meant, turning a deep shade of crimson in the process.

'Oh no no no, its not like that!' she rambled.

'Not like what?' Kai asked sarcastically.

'Your implying that I… you mean that… but it's not like…' Kai patted the petite girl on the head.

'Don't worry. I'm not going to say anything, just try not to make things so obvious. Tala isnt that quick off the blocks, but he'll pick up on it sooner or later.' He winked and walked off, leaving a very startled and worried Aleks.

-0-

The next day, Sian still was out of the loop in what had happened on the weekend, but things in the group were starting to return to normal. Questions were no longer asked making the atmosphere more comfortable for Odette and Kai, since now everyone's' attention had been turned to the Tala and Justine situation. It appeared that these two would not remain together for too much longer. Tala, a boy with an extremely large patients tolerance had appeared to be reaching his limits with the ever-nagging Justine.

All of the girls were in the change room, preparing for their PE lesson when a rather disturbed Justine entered the room closely followed by an unknown cheerleader.

'Geez Justine, what's up with the entrance?' inquired Sian. Justine glared at Sian before she burst into tears and ran in direction of the cubicles, with the cheerleader close behind, attempting to console the nervous wreck. Odette, Sian and the twins looked at each other before the nodded.

'Tala.' They all mumbled to each other. He must have finally pulled the plug.

'Bout bloody time,' chimed Ariel. 'That bitch was really starting to annoy me. You would think once we got home we would be able to escape, but no, she just had to come home with us, like, everyday of the week! What the hell was with that.'

'Argh, you think that is bad, I mean we use to be best friends! I suppose then I really didn't mind, but either she had a new brain inserted into her thick skull, or someone hit we of the head with a hatched, but I guess I saw the light.' Sian smiled as she draped one hand over Odette's shoulder and pulled her in for a lose hug. Odette responded with a smile, it was weird for her since the only other best friends that she ever had were Tala and Kai. Being both guys they were always that good at trying to solve Odette's girlie problems. Guess, that's were Sian came into the picture. Ariel turned to her sister.

'You know you're being awfully quiet. When ever she left the house you would go on for hours how annoying she is, I thought that you would be the one doing the happy dance!' Aleks just shrugged. 'Oh My God! Are you feeling alright.' Ariel pretended to be extremely worried as she rested her hand on Aleks forehead as if she was feeling for a temperature. Aleks angrily swatted her sister's hand away.

'Quit it, would you, I'm fine. I guess that I'm a little shocked that Tala finally decided to pull the plug on their relationship.'

'What? Shocked? You're joking right, this is what we have all been praying for every night!'

'I guess your right.' She replied weakly as she folded her uniform and put it insider her locker and followed the other's as they headed towards the gym.

-0-

Dear Diary,

I guess my feelings for Tala have become so much more clouded since he broke up with Justine today. I don't know what to do. After all, he is by stepbrother but I can't help but feel slightly more attracted! I am in a total mess. I can't tell anyone, what would they think? I suppose that Kai kind of knows, but I can't really talk to him about it, after all I did deny the idea. Plus we aren't even that close… talking to him about it would just make things weird… if its possible for them to be weirder then they are right now. I need some sort of guidance, either that or some complete hottie to sweep me off my feet… wait what am I thinking! Please someone just send me a sign… any sign!

Ya, Allie xoxo

Aleks silently locked her journal and put in underneath her bed, in a special keepsake box that she had gotten from her grandmother when Ariel and herself turned 5. Her thoughts were interrupted by a message she received on her phone. It read:

Hey dudes, just sendin u a msg 2 let u no that its odds b'day this weekend so we thought that we might throw her a surprise b'day bash at Tala's crib… thankin u in advance T-man! Let me know what u think! Sian xoxo

This was excellent, thought Aleks, just what she needed to get someone off her mind, a party to organize!

-0-

The Thursday and Friday went really quickly as all of the friends were busily preparing for Odette's 17th. The girls had gone out and bought all of the decorations as well as a new out fit for the special occasion for Odette. The guys organized the invited, music, booze and all the other little things that guys do.

'Oh My God! Did all of you organize this for me?' asked a very surprised Odette. 'This is the nicest thing that everyone has ever done for me! What would I do without you guys? You spoil me so much.' She squealed with excitement as she felt tears of happiness well in her eyes.

'Hey wait a second your not meant to be crying!' exclaimed Tala and he pulled her into a tight embrace and placed a kiss on her head.

'I-I-I can't help it!' she sobbed, 'I'm just so happy!'

'Well pull yourself together man,' ordered Sian. 'Cause there is a party that needs to get started and we can't do that without the birthday girl!' She pried Odette out of Tala's grip and along with the twins to her to the twin's bedroom where they had bought her a new outfit for the special occasion.

The guys tried keeping themselves amused for sometime, but were starting to run out of ideas. Luckily for them other guests started arriving and so they were able to crank the beats and bring out the booze.

'When are you going to get out of the bathroom, we need to get ready to, you know!' cried Ariel as she and Aleks waited for Sian to finish getting Odette ready.

'Geez, ever since you quit cheerleading you've become all appearance conscious!' mocked Aleks. Ariel pouted,

'At least I'm conscious! For god knows how long you have been away with the fairies, thinking about what, who knows!' Aleks blushed.

'No I haven't.'

'Bull, don't give me that. It's a guy isn't it!'

'No.'

'Uh uh, you said that way too quickly for my liking! So who is it? Since when haven't you told me about the dude that you were interested, hmmm? As your big sister it is my duty to know.'

'Older? What by 7 minutes.'

'For your information that still classifies me as being the older sister. Anyway don't even try changing the subject, you will tell me now who it is that you like or else!'

'Or else what?'

'You'll see.'

'You can't use those threats against me any more, we aren't 8!'

'Fine, then I'll just have to guess. Johnny? You know we would have to probably be one of the better looking ones in the group…'

'Just stop, before you embarrass yourself would you, and no its not Johnny.'

'Michael?'

'No.'

'Tyson.'

'Ew, no!'

'That's good… maybe its someone who you shouldn't like… like maybe he's already taken or something!' Aleks blushed, oh no what happens if Ariel guessed? 'So it is eh! Oi, Sian, my sister loves your boyfriend.'

'WHAT!' Aleks screamed. Sian popped her head out of the bathroom.

'You said what?'

'Allie loves Kai.'

'Aw, that's nice sweetie. I always thought that he was a bit of a catch if you know what I mean!' she winked as she shut the door again.

'You're a dickhead you know that!' pouted Aleks. 'And no it's not Kai.'

'Damn, I thought I had you… have to admit though, that guy is totally HOT, but honestly dude, I am running out of guys! I know who he is, right? You didn't see him the once when you were out on a run or something, because that would be just stupid.'

'Please just stop, you're not going to guess and I am not going to tell you!'

'Come on I can't just leave it… this could be the love of your life and you might even end up marrying the guy, and I want to be the first to know who he is…'

'Well I hate to burst your bubble…'

'What! You told someone before you told your own flesh and blood? The person who you share our mother's womb with?'

'Okay, ew that was just too much info. And know I didn't tell the person that just kind of guessed after a minor incident.'

'You're no fun!' Ariel pouted.

'And you've turned into a complete girl, and while that is a good think… I kind of find it disturbing! Well I can't stand being drilled by you, so I am going to see how the boys are coping downstairs.' Aleks hoped of the bed and headed towards the door.

'Dude if he's down there, would you want to get ready first so that you knock him for six?'

'Haha, nah he doesn't see my like that. He wouldn't really care what I looked like plus he is probably so busy downstairs that he wont even notice me.' Aleks quickly cover her mouth.

'What? How do you know he's down there? We only know that Logan, Kai and… Oh My God you like Tala!'

-0-0-

Okay, my writing isn't up to scratch, but its better then nothing, right? I hope its okay, I really got stuck with this chapter, and it was acting like a complete bitch and I know that I left some points hanging but I guess that I never really got back to them and I just wanted to get a chapter up and posted! And all I can say about the spelling and structural errors is… DEAL WITH IT! I decided to stop it their so that I would have something to continue on with the next chapter. And I'm sorry kaNi-chaN but I haven't even started with the 'sad' bit cause I'm having troubles incorporating it, but hopefully I will get it out very soon! Hopefull I will update soon!

Kat xoxox

Here is a little of what you can be expecting in the next chapter… if I ever update it… what am I saying of course I will!

The silence was broken by a faint beeping noise that could be heard coming from Odette's jacket. Tala leaned over Odette's sleeping body, quickly, but quietly as possible. Not wanting to disturb her sleep. The caller id was set on Private number, causing Tala to answer the call cautiously.

'Hello?'

'Uh, Master Valkov?' came a monotonous voice from the other side of the line

'Yeah?'

'I have some news concerning Miss Odette.' Tala looked down at Odette small figure rolled tightly up in a ball. 'Master Valkov?'

'Yeah, sorry… um she's actually a little busy right now, but is there anything that you can tell me and I will pass it on to her as soon as possible.' There was a silence for a little while.

'All I can ask of you is to ask Miss Odette to ring her home as soon as possible, we have some news concerning her mother.'

'News? What kind of news? You know that Odds isn't in the best of shape right now-'

'Yes, yes I understand, but that is all I am allowed to disclose to you. My apologies Master Valkov.' Then the line went dead. Tala stared blankly at the wall, what on Earth could that have been about? He was thinking to himself when he felt a small jab in the side of his stomach. He thought nothing of it at first, but sure enough it came again this time a little harder. He turned his head and looked down, and groggy jade coloured orbs met his icy blue eyes.

'Hey your awake, sorry if I woke you.' Odette shook her head innocently.

'Who called?'