Hey hey ppl, sup? Well, i'm glad you're all enjoying this fic so far, even though i don't have as many reviews as i would like but we cant have everything! So i hope you enjoy this chappie and REVIEW!

Disclaimer:I do not own beyblade, just my own characters and the plot.

Eye Of The Storm

Chapter Eight: The New Girl

'HEY WILLOW! WAIT UP!!'

Oh shit…please God don't do this to me…

'Honestly, you'd think you were running away from me!' exclaimed Ray cheerfully.

If only you knew…

'He he, right!' I chortled, inwardly praying that someone, anyone, would come and save me.

'Well, anyway, you know its Holly's, and yours, birthday in three weeks?'

'Well, duh, how could I forget? 21st November, and I'm finally eighteen!' I said cheerfully.

'Well, what the heck am I suppose to get Holly??'

I stared at him. Before I had been trying to find an escape route, but now all I could was stare at him incredulously.

'You're her boyfriend Ray!' I winced inwardly as I said this but ploughed on anyway, 'You've been dating her for nearly five months-' and she's been cheating on you for one of those months '-and you don't know what to get her!?'

'Yeah, and I've spoilt her so much that I don't know what else to get her!' Ray protested with a grin.

Oh God, you weren't meant to say that! D'you know how much it hurts to even talk to you because my sister is cheating on you? Of course you don't, you don't even know that she's having an affair with Tala. Oh Ray, can't you just dump her or something!?

I promise I won't kill you!

'Oh okay, fair enough!'

FAIR!? God Ray, you're gonna be the death of me! You and my conscience!!

'So…any suggestions?'

'Well, don't spend too much on her for starters; she hates it when people do that. Constant reminder to her that there are people in the third world dying from poverty.'

True…kinda.

'And…well, why don't you get her something like a stuffed toy? She loves those…'

Ray raised an eyebrow at me.

'Okay, today was not a good day to ask me that question Ray…or any question in fact. My head hurts like hell so I ain't thinking straight,' I lied quickly.

'Ah, okay, you could've said so earlier. Do you need a lift home?'

'Nah, its okay. Kai's giving me one,' I said quickly.

'If you say so,' he sighed, looking at me suspiciously. But he dropped it and said his goodbyes, leaving me standing next to my locker and about to cry.

Oh bugger…

It's Friday. Three Fridays before our birthday, but god knows what'll happen in three weeks. I mean, three weeks is all it took for me to fall for my best friend and realise it.

Johnny.

I haven't told him that I've fallen for him. It'll probably freak him out…hell, it'd freak me out. He's a player damnit, and I'm surprised he hasn't had one of those drunken snogs yet that every player gets.

And then there's Kai.

He suspects something. On all fronts. He suspects Holly and Tala, he suspects my feelings for Johnny and he suspects that there's more than meets the eye with Kara and Max's break up.

Kara still cries herself to sleep every night.

Max still doesn't talk much.

Kai's a sharp guy. So I don't blame him for suspecting. In fact, the sooner he figures out that Holly and Tala are having an affair, the better, cos I really don't like being the only one that knows.

By the way, don't tell Holly I said that!!!

Speaking of Kai…

'HEY KAI!' I yelled, running of to the auburn eyed boy standing by the pitch black Dodge Viper he had gotten for his seventeenth birthday, the lucky bastard.

'Hey hey Akari!' he replied with a grin as I ran towards him, my skateboard tucked underneath my arm. Akari basically means light in Japanese, and he's called me that for god knows how long. 'What's up?'

'I need a lift. Spare a seat?' I asked breathlessly.

'Sure. Kara's heading off to Oliver's anyway…what's wrong with your skateboard?'

'Nothing. Why would anything be wrong with Viper?'

'Cos you never go by car if your skateboard's available,' Kai explained, raising an eyebrow at me.

'Oh well, you know, I couldn't be bothered…'

I've never been that great at excuses!

'Sure…' Kai said sarcastically, but held the door open anyway. 'SKATEBOARD IN THE BOOT CASS!!!'

'Uhhh…whoops?'

Kai hates getting his leather interior dirty, and trust me, my skateboard is filthy. I just never bother to clean it.

'Whoops my ass Tate,' he grumbled as I slammed the boot shut.

'Sorry!!'

'Shut up and get in Willow.'

'Okay, okay!'

Once I was settled in, and Kai was speeding down the road at 90mph, he decided to interrogate me.

'Okay, Cass, what the heck is wrong with you?'

'Huh? Nothing!' I said a little too quickly.

'Don't pull that one on me Akari, I'm not stupid. You've been acting weird since the party!'

'How have I been acting weird!?' I demanded.

'For starters, you've been way quieter than usual. You barely ever stop to chat to Ray anymore, you don't talk to your sister and Tala a lot and you start BLUSHING every time you see Johnny! Cass, never in the two years I have known you have I ever seen you blush!'

'Oh bloody hell, do you have to be so observant all the time!?' I snapped, more out of anger at myself than at him.

'I do, because things like this happen!' Kai countered, his eyes never leaving the road ahead.

Then all the frustration fell on top of me at once, everything that had gone wrong, everything that was worrying me hit me like a ton of bricks all in one go, and I couldn't handle it.

I couldn't handle it.

And I screamed. I screamed in frustration, a short scream that made Kai pull over and I instantly got out and kicked the nearest rock, sending dust billowing around us. And then I just collapsed onto my knees and began to cry.

Um, do the words oh fuck spring to mind?

'Well, I knew there was something going on.' Kai commented as he wiped away the smudged mascara from my cheeks.

'Oh shut up,' I sniffed.

Kai sighed, throwing the tissue into the bin that resided in the corner of his room.

'So…gonna explain?'

'Not my place to…well, most of it anyway,' I replied.

I broke down. I cannot believe I broke down! Urgh…embarrassing!

'So what about the bits where it is okay to tell?'

Smarty pants!

'If you insist on knowing, I'VE ONLY GONE AND FALLEN FOR MY BEST FRIEND!!'

Kai winced, before the words sunk in and his eyes widened.

'You're kidding?'

'Do I look like I'm kidding baka!?'

'I guess not!' he exclaimed, holding his hands up in a don't-hurt-me gesture.

The door opened. Kara poked her head around the door, and winced slightly when she saw me. I guess I remind her of Max…

'Is everything okay?' she asked nervously. 'Only I heard yelling…'

'Yeah, we're all cool sis,' Kai replied.

'Oh, so why does Cass look like she's been crying?'

'Cos I have been crying.' I sighed.

'What? Why?' Kara asked in alarm, forgetting about Max and walking in.

'Cos she…uh…' Kai stopped just in time, glancing uncertainly at me.

Why are you treating me like a bomb about to go off huh? Huh? HUH?!?

'Break down. Too much stuff happening. Too much stuff to worry about.' I said, unable to form long sentences anymore.

'Oh, well, I hope that doesn't include what happened with me and…' she trailed off, unable to even say my brother's name.

One look from me told her that was exactly one of the things that led to my break down.

I STILL CANNOT BELIEVE I HAD A NERVOUS BREAK DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!

'I'm really sorry Willow,' she muttered.

'Don't be…Kara, I'm sure for whatever reason you and Max broke for it's a good one…' I replied, getting off Kai's king sized bed and reaching over to hug Kara.

'Willow…are you gonna tell Johnny?' Kai asked.

'Are you kidding me? I can't tell him, he'd freak out!!'

'What about Johnny?'

'Cass' fallen- OWWW!'

'Serves you right!'

'Willow, are you saying you've fallen for Johnny!?'

'Ummm…'

'As in Johnny McGregor, your best friend!?'

'Ummm…'

'OWWWW! What was that for!?'

'This is your fault!'

'How the heck is it my fault!?'

'If you hadn't started interrogating me I wouldn't be here!!'

'So I'm right then?'

'YES!'

'OH MY GOD, WILLOW'S IN LOVE!!!!!'

'OH SHUT UP!!!!'

The next thing we know, we've all started laughing our heads off. Wow, the Hiwataris have some serious talent!

Must…have…strawberry…milkshake…

Saturday morning and I wake up a massive craving for strawberry milkshake! So I dragged Holly away from her book, grabbed our wheels and headed out to Oliver's.

The moment we walked in I ran to the counter.

'Two strawberry milkshakes and a hot chocolate please Ollie!' I gasped as Holly headed over to where Kara, Mariah and Mariam were sitting.

'Cravings again?' Oliver asked with a smirk, pulling up the milkshakes and pouring some hot chocolate into a mug.

'Yup!'

Every so often I get these kinda cravings. Oliver knows them well, considering he's always there to serve me.

'Here ya go,' he said, plonking the lot onto a tray. I smiled thankfully at him, paid up, before instantly downing the first milkshake as I headed towards the girls.

'Hey Cass,' they greeted.

'Hey babes.' I replied, squeezing myself in between Kara and Holly.

'Oh by the way Cass, there's a new girl in town,' Mariah said, sipping at her cappuccino.

'Really?'

'Uh huh, she's coming to school next Monday. She's gonna be in our class.'

'What's she like?' I asked curiously, having now satisfied my craving.

'Dunno. Just passing on the information I heard from Tala.'

I rolled my eyes. 'Typical of Tala to spot her first huh?'

'Yeah,' laughed Mariam.

'Soooo…new girl. Should be interesting.' I smirked.

I wasn't kidding when I said it should be interesting. I went to school alone that day seeing as Holly had to go in early, and the first thing I saw as I headed towards my locker was a tall girl with amazing red hair that was tipped with black and violet eyes having a screaming match with Amber Trendson.

I almost forgot about her actually.

'I WAS ONLY ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS, YOU STUPID BARBIE WANNABE!' screamed the redhead.

Go girl!

'DIRECTIONS MY ASS, YOU WERE FLIRTING WITH HIM!' Amber screamed back.

That's when I noticed Kai watching sheepishly.

And that's when I started laughing my head off.

'WHO D'YOU THINK YOU'RE LAUGHING AT TATE!?' Amber whirled around to face me, her face contorted in anger.

'You!' I spluttered, before regaining control. 'Honestly, she was right when she called you a stupid Barbie wannabe. Only I reckon she missed that part about you being an airhead too though.'

I turned around then, not bothering to wait for her come back. Instead, I went over to the redhead, who was looking rather annoyed but grateful that she had someone on her side. 'I'm Willow Tate. New girl huh?'

'Yup. Destiny Rider.' She grinned, taking the hand I was offering.

'KAI, YOU'RE NOT GONNA STAND FOR THIS ARE YOU!? SHE CALLED ME AN AIRHEAD!!!' Amber was wailing to Kai.

Kai blinked. 'But you are Amber.' He said with a roguish grin. He turned to us. 'Sorry about that Rider…and Willow, try not get her into too much trouble okay?'

'Don't worry Kai, just cos Trouble's my middle name doesn't mean I always play its game.' I quipped with a grin.

Kai rolled his eyes. 'Laters girls…nice meeting you Rider, I'm sure Cass'll show you around.'

And then he disappeared, leaving a shell-shocked Amber.

'Cass?' Destiny asked.

'Oh, that's my nickname. More people call me that than they do my name.' I said dismissively. 'Anyways, where's your locker?'

'Oh, well, I gotta find it first. Number…56.' She said, consulting a piece of paper.

'Oh great, that's next to mine!' I chirped, leading her through the school to our lockers.

'HEY CASS!'

I turned around to see Johnny running towards me, his arms full of textbooks and notes. He kissed me softly.

'Hey Johnny, this is Destiny Rider, the new girl.'

'Hey Destiny.' Johnny greeted.

'Hi,'

'Lils, where's your sister? Only I just found out they're springing a test on us in Biology today and I'm so not gonna pass without your sister's very useful brain.' Johnny asked hurriedly.

'Oh well, I reckon she's in the library, usually is in the morning…but if she isn't, check our homeroom,' I told him.

'Thanks! See you…and nice meeting you Destiny!' he yelled over his shoulder, already running in the direction of library.

'Nice meeting you too…' Destiny muttered, looking rather surprised at the rapid conversation.

'Sorry about that…Johnny's always forgetting that it's his last year here. You'll meet my sister later…she's my twin, but non-identical, so don't worry about mixing us up. The smart one too!' I said cheerfully.

Destiny laughed.

'Anyway, here's our lockers…oh look, there's Holly…'

Holly was leaning against my locker, talking to Kara and Mariam.

'Holly, Johnny's looking for you! Biology test I think…'

'Oh, curse that idiot!' Holly exclaimed, darting around us and running down the corridor. Then she stopped, doubled back and stuck her hand under Destiny's nose. 'That was so rude of me. New girl right? I'm Holly Tate, Willow's totally different twin.'

Destiny looked surprised for a second, before shaking the hand being offered to her. 'Destiny Rider, and don't worry, I wasn't offended.'

'Good! I like your name by the way. Now excuse me while I save my sister's boyfriend's butt.'

And then she tore off down the corridor.

'AND DON'T FORGET THE SPANISH TEST WE HAVE TODAY LILA!' she called over shoulder.

'Ah…merde,' I sighed. 'I'll be okay. I'm almost fluent anyway. Guys, this is Destiny.'

'Hey, I'm Kara Hiwatari.'

'Mariam Kennedy, welcome to Tatisana High!'

'Kara's Kai's little sister Destiny,' I informed her.

'So that's why you look so alike!' Destiny laughed, entering the combination for her locker and stuffing her bag inside, only keeping a few notebooks and her timetable.

'Met my lovely brother already?'

'And his girlfriend.'

'I walked in on them screaming their heads of at each other.' I laughed, 'Anyone who has no problem with screaming at Amber Trendson has great potential in fitting in with our group.'

'No kidding.' Mariam laughed.

'You guys obviously don't like her then,' Destiny observed.

'Are you kidding? Willow walked in two years ago and within two weeks her and Amber were having some serious fights.' Kara smirked.

'So tru- ARGH!' I started to say before I felt masculine arms wrapping around my waist and lifting me off my feet.

'TALA!!'

'Hey to you too,' Tala smirked.

'Finally, someone I already know!' Destiny exclaimed.

'Hey Destiny, already met this lot I see.' Tala smiled.

'Yep. Uhhh…I think you better put Cass down, she looks just about ready to kill you.'

She ain't kidding either.

'She wouldn't dare—OWWW!!!'

'Famous last words Tala.' Destiny laughed, as I landed cat-like onto the floor once Tala had dropped me.

'I reckon you'll fit right in!' I said happily as Tala cursed and hopped on one foot, rubbing his shin.

'I should think so…cos Kai's hot!'

'NOT YOU TOO!' Kara wailed.

'Don't worry about her; she's just fed up of half the female population drooling after Kai. In fact, he's the only guy that still affects me…save Johnny of course, but he never used to affect me before we started going out!' I reassured her.

'Johnny was Willow's best friend before they started going out,' Mariam informed Destiny. 'In fact, they were going out for a month before they told anyone…even Holly didn't know!'

'If that doesn't tell you something, nothing does.' Tala chortled.

'Well, Holly would tell Ray and then Ray would tell the boys and then…well, what would be the point of keeping it a secret?' I countered.

'Ray?'

'Oh right, Holly's boyfriend.'

At this point Tala and I shared a significant look.

God forbid what will happen when Ray finds out…in fact, I don't even want to think about it…

'Hey Dest, what classes have you got?'

Okay, so what d'ya think? Yes...? No...? Dunno...?! Well, tell me, okay!!

Yeah, anyways, thanx to all my faithful reviewers:

Truble
Beyblade-gal
Blackdranzergurl
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So yeah, thanx a huge you guys...and REVIEW PLZ!

OH! Before i forget...READ CARELESS WHISPERS BY TRUBLE! Its a fic we wrote together even though ive explained this a million times alreay. But shes really funny so check out her stuff as well!

Ciao

Chiya