Heya everyone. Sorry its been a while, I've been busy with the last couple ofweeks of school and reading Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince, which, I admit, only took me a day and a half to read so it isn't much of an excuse.

Anyway,I'll be going to Portugal for two and a half weeks in a few days, so Idon't think I'll be able toupdate, unless my laptop manages to find a connection somewhere, which is highlyunlikely.I will be able to write though, soI'll update as soon asI get back.If we're all lucky, I might even get another chapterup beforeI leave but don't hold your breath.

So, yeah, I won't keep you any longer. Here's the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don'town Beyblade or any of its characters.

ENJOY!

Eye of the Storm

Chapter Twenty Four: Insomnia Induced Insanity

Sometimes I think that the whole universe is against me. Yeah, okay, every hormonal teenage girl could say that but seriously, my life could not take a steeper dive into hell.

I'm back, basically, to where I started. Thirteen years old and lost. My connections to life severed. My link to emotions…gone.

Why?

That could explained with one name:

Ryan.

I haven't said that name since I was fifteen. Upon leaving America, I severed all ties to my old friends, save a couple of emails every so often. I only kept contact with Sky, who I simply couldn't help calling every day. Then she moved, her phone was stolen and I never heard from her again for almost a year, until she called to announce that she was arriving in a week.

Since I was two years old, there had been three little kids running around the neighbourhood, thick as thieves. Willow, Sky…and Ryan.

And then I turned thirteen. Thrilled to finally be a teenager. Thirteen. Unlucky number, they say. They were right.

Thirteen years old.

Ryan disappeared.

The story of my life. Thirteen years old, Willow and Sky. Willow and Sky were no longer there. It was Sandy and Blue.

Sandy and Blue.

We lost control. Both of us. We sought out release, a sanctuary, and we found it. Different ones for each of us.

It was soon after I first met Jamie that I began walking out at night. Three o'clock in the morning and it wasn't unusual to find me in a fight with a couple of guys on a street corner. The adrenaline was exhilarating, the pain every punch and kick contained jolted life into me. Blue came along for the ride and sometimes she'd fight as well, but most of the time she watches, cheers, intervenes when it gets out of control.

It was through that I began to meet the people who soon became my gang. Danny and Chris were graffiting on the wall at my favourite fight spot and we quickly became friends. And then I met everyone else. By the time I was fourteen, we were a complete gang and our main goal was simply to find Ryan. And cause up a lot of trouble in the process, of course.

And Blue? Well, she found her own solitude. Where? Wanna guess? Go on. Okay, I'll spill. Self-harm. Did you expect that? Its not like my self-harm, which is basically getting other people so riled up they hit me hard, Blue simply got a knife or a razor or whatever sharp thing she had at handy and would slice the edge across her pale skin. Little nicks and cuts that bled little droplets of blood that dripped slowly to the floor. I never stopped her, only warned her to simply keep that sharp edge away from her wrist. I never stopped her because I saw her relaxed face with the silver connected with her skin, I saw her blue eyes light up in a way I wish they would always light up.

We were, in every way, out of control.

And why?

Because of one guy called Ryan.

Two years after I came back into control, I lost it again.

I rolled over, annoyed. It was one in the morning and I was in no way able to get to sleep.

Bugger.

I hate it when sleep slips from your grasp like water trickling through your fingers, no matter how hard you tried to keep it in your hands, it always escaped through the little gaps.

I stared at the lilac ceiling. It was scattered with glow in the dark stars and planets. My mind wondered pointlessly until it settled on Fred.

Hn. Fred. Okay, so I had slept with him. Did I really feel anything for him? Not really. Nice fuck though.

I sound really shallow, don't I?

Crap. All right, so I shagged him. And the next morning…

Jesus. Rebound guy, he says! Rebound! Huh. Oh all right, so it was a little spontaneous, and even though I have wondered what it would be like to shag Fred Lewis, I never asked for it. I never, not while I could think about people like Kai Hiwatari. Heh.

Mirror Chang is one lucky gal.

Anyway. Fred said it was his fault for even letting me get away with thinking I could shag anyone I like without any regards for what they were feeling. Excuse me a second.

Bullshit! What a whole load of cocky, arrogant bullshit!

Excuse my language. Anyway, then he said that he was no rebound guy thank you very much. And he wasn't going to enter a relationship with one of his best friends just for sex.

So while I stood there, gaping at him in disbelief, he just grinned at me before cockily adding he had nothing against one night stands.

And then he walked off.

What a fucking wanker! Arrogant, smug, cocky, big headed, egotistical…God, I love that guy.

Heh. Okay, I'm sorry. I'm rambling about Fred, when, honestly, I should be thinking about what the hell is wrong with me.

Hmm…

All right, I give up.

Just cure me of this insomnia please.

What is this? A conspiracy against yours truly?

BBBRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNGGGG!

That sounds awfully familiar. Ooooooh, my phone! Hang on, who would calling at one in the morning?

Grabbing the small device off the bedside table, I stared at the glowing screen.

Blue calling. Answer?

Yay! Blue!

"Hiya Baby Blue!" I greeted cheerfully.

"Damn, you sound cheerful," my best friend grumbled. "What's got you all hyped up?"

"Oh, some insomnia and too much energy," I responded dismissively. "What's up with you?"

"The same, only I'm not exactly jumping up and down about it," she sighed. "What does it take to get some sleep around here? Never mind, wanna meet up?"

I grinned happily at the thought of some late night wonderings.

"Yeah, okay. Meet you in the park, under the cherry tree in ten minutes,"

"Great, see you then," Blue said, before hanging up. The dull dial tone sounded calmly until I jabbed the red button. I scrambled out of bed, heading to my walk in closet. I dressed in a scarlet tank top and black jeans, trainers and my black leather jacket. I bent down to stroke Sachi, who had made a bed in the lowest shelf out of my old white vests, before heading to my window. Climbing out was easy enough, and soon I was on my way to the park.

The park was dark, only random streetlights illuminating the paths. The cherry tree I loved so much was a little way down the path, not that far form my house. Stuffing my hands into my jean pockets, I closed my eyes against the gentle breeze. It wasn't that cold for a December night. A small smile formed on my lips, relishing the calm of the night.

"OI!"

So much for calm.

"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE RUNT!"

I sighed, opened my eyes and looked around. My green orbs caught sight of a figure moving rapidly towards me in a dead out run. From what I could see, the figure was definitely a girl, probably my age. And behind her was the park's night guard, running after her and yelling.

Great. Just what I need.

"Hey Cass!" the girl called as she neared me. I blinked in surprise. Didn't I know that voice?

But I didn't have much time to contemplate as she grabbed my hand and, eyes wide, I was dragged after her.

"MI!" I yelled in incredulity, falling into step next to thepsychotic cherry eyed girl.

"Dudette!" she greeted happily. "Sup?"

I rolled my eyes as we dodged in between all the trees, leaping over thick roots.

"Well, I WAS gonna meet Sky by the cherry tree, but looks like that ain't gonna happen,"

"YOU DAMNED KIDS! I'M GONNA REPORT YOU TWO!" The night guard yelled after us, grinding to halt and leaning against a tree, gasping for breath. The two of us stopped as well, turning around.

"Well, that's a bit difficult considering you don't even know our names!" Mirror called, snickering.

"Why I oughta--"

I blew a large raspberry and the two of us collapsed in laughter again.

"We better go," I said through my laughter as the night guard began moving towards us again. I grabbed Mirror's hand, since she was having trouble standing up straight and tugged her in the direction of the nearest exit.

"Jesus Mi, what the hell were you doing?" I asked once we had gotten clear of the grumpy night guard and were standing on a street corner near the beach.

She snorted. "Nothing. I just couldn't sleep and went for a walk. Then that guy suddenly comes up to me demanding to know what the hell I was doing, and well, I threw a few insults his way and ran,"

I rolled my eyes. "Typical," I said, pulling out my phone. I speed dialled Sky and told her to meet us on the beach.

As we flopped onto the sand, I stared out at the small waves that lapped against the white sand, the ocean looked breath taking in the moonlight, its surface unbroken and untainted by the terrors that was currently happening on land. I noticed the mood had suddenly turned serious and I'm sure I pretty much missed the reason.

"Willow?" Mirror muttered.

"Hmm?" I said in response, lying down and staring at the stars twinkling above us, my head resting in my arms.

"D'you really think that…Kai loves me?" she asked uncertainly.

I sighed. I knew this was gonna come one day.

"I think so, but I'm not exactly him, am I?" I said slowly.

Mirror groaned in frustration, burying her head into her hands. She was obviously quite stressed about the whole thing.

"Willow," she began, without removing her head from her hands so her voice came out muffled, "I don't think I'm playing anymore,"

I smirked to myself. Figures everyone would realise that before she did.

"I know Mi," I smiled reassuringly.

She lifted her head, blinking. "Really?"

I laughed at her completely baffled look.

"Yeah, everyone does. No one holds it against you, you can't help you fall in love with,"

Oh how true could that possibly be? I never expected to fall for my best buddy either. Er, make that ex-best buddy AND ex-boyfriend. Boy, I sure know how to screw things over.

"So, you don't mind if I stop the whole revenge gig?" Mirror asked hopefully.

"DUH!"

"You're the best Sandy!" she squealed, tackling me in a hug.

"Yeah, yeah, I know—Sandy?" I stopped in mid sentence as I realised what she had called me.

"Well, yeah, I think it sounds way cooler than Cass," she said with a shrug. She frowned suddenly, "You don't mind do you?"

"Heck no!"

It was two o'clock in the morning and none of us were sleepy yet. Sky was humming some random tune that sounded suspiciously like one of Britney Spear's tunes (oh the horror!) and Mirror was…er, well, strolling along I guess.

We were near the mall, and since we've been wondering the whole town randomly for the last three quarters on an hour, I guess that makes no difference. There were no cars driving past, no people on the street since once daylight hit it would be a work or school day. The street lamps were our only companions, save the cats wondering around chasing rats.

In short, Taniana was dead.

I'm starting to wish we had stayed at the beach, so I could at least look at something pretty.

Suddenly Blue ceased the humming and said, quite flatly,

"I'm bored,"

Mirror came crashing down to earth from her mental escapade, probably involving a certain blue haired hottie we all know and love, and blinked her cherry orbs.

"Huh?" was her intelligent response.

"This sucks, the whole place is empty," Sky complained.

"I know," I said flatly. "I lived here the last two years, remember?"

"Well, sucks to you,"

"The mall's near here, isn't it?" Mirror suddenly asked.

"Yeah," I replied slowly, wondering what dangerous road Mi's mind was taking this time. Last time she got an idea like this we ended up Miguel Inoyez's house, stealing his beloved stuffed dragon, Mr Sparkles, and me pretending I was his guardian angel Phoenix.

The dragon, you might be happy to know, is now pink with yellow polka dots, courtesy of our resident fashion designer, Destiny Rider.

The next day Johnny told me he loved me.

Not even two days after that, we split up in a very dramatic way.

Funny how things move so fast. Blink and you miss it.

"Well, haven't you ever wondered what it's like when it's completely empty?"

Oh dear Lord.

"Actually, yeah," Sky reflected, "Sounds cool now that I think about it. All those shops…"

Oh no…

"Whaddaya think Sandy? Wanna take a trip to the mall?"

Oh NO!

"No point, all the shops would be locked up, not to mention all the entrances and DON'T get me started on the CCTV cameras," I said flippantly, while desperately hoping that this would put them off.

No such luck.

"Ooooooh, a challenge!" Sky grinned like a demented cat.

…I think I made it worse.

Oh, Jesus, now I've got two wacky teenage girls on my hands who want to break into the mall. Man, maybe I should've stayed at home and battled with my insomnia because my battle with insomnia seems a lot less daunting than breaking into the town's only mall!

"How the hell d'you plan on pulling this off?" I demanded my best female friends, save Kara who luckily wasn't here, cos she'd definitely have something very loud and vulgar to say had she heard what was running through their minds.

Seriously.

You don't wanna cross Kara Hiwatari (probably soon to be Tate, the way things are going with Maxie) when she's angry.

It's scary, okay?

Terrifying.

Although I am talking about my future sister-in-law and it may be that I'll just have to stay on her good side for the rest of my life.

Which will probably never happen since I'm so good at screwing things over.

Heh.

"—Azure taught Sandy how to override the security cameras when we were fifteen, she can do that. There shouldn't be any guards; the whole place is locked up without much security because this is such a small town without much of a criminal record. Me and Mican pick the locks and meet Sandy at east entrance…" Sky rambled, Mirror nodding and adding in details as they went.

Whereas moi stood there gaping at them like a goldfish out of its bowl.

"ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE?" I shrieked.

Cherry and sky blue turned to stare at me, wide eyed. The shock of being screamed at weared away almost instantly and they both grinned.

"Yep!"

I slapped my hand against my forehead in disbelief.

I CAN'T believe I'm the sensible one of this group!

"Dudette, Holly's been rubbing off you too much," Sky stated matter-of-factly, "We used to this kinda thing all the time in America,"

"And how many times did one of us get arrested?" I shot at her.

"Er…well…a minor setback…nothing major…" Sky stammered. I smirked triumphantly at her.

"Oh lighten up Willow!" Mirror said brightly, "Have a bit of fun! God knows you need it!"

"Prats, the both of you," I sighed in resignation. The two wackos cheered.

How the hell do I get myself into these things?

"WWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Oh FUCK!"

"Shit shit SHIT!"

"This is YOUR fault!"

"MY FAULT!"

"Yeah, if you had remembered to disable the alarms in the stores, this wouldn't be happening!"

"Stop arguing and just RUN!"

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound of our feet against the marble floor. The unrelenting wailing that tore through the whole mall was deafening, ringing in our ears as we ran for our lives.

"WHO GOES THERE?"

"Shit!" I hissed under my breath. I could just hear Sky and Mi cursing as well.

"STOP! POLICE!"

POLICE? Nah, you don't say! There was me thinking the uniform was a dead giveaway but obviously you don't think so!

"Argh!" Mirror yelled as she suddenly tripped.

We skidded to a stop, as I doubled back and grabbed hold of Mi's hand, heaving her to her feet and dragging her after us as we began running again. Sky was ahead of us; Mirror fell into step beside me but didn't let go of my hand.

I grateful for the lack of light, they couldn't identify us that easily this way. The local police tend to know every teenager with a criminal record in town and trust me when I say I do have a criminal record.

"STOP! GET BACK HERE!" there was several police officers on our tail; how they got there I don't know. Maybe there's some sort of secret passage around? Hey, that would be cool!

"Sandy! They locked the doors!" Sky called over her shoulder, noticeably not using my proper name. Wow, she CAN be clever sometimes.

"Fuck!" Mi groaned.

Sky halted, waiting for us to catch up. I looked around for an exit and grabbed hold of Sky as I ran past her, pulling her towards the staff room.

"Where the hell are we going?" Sky demanded as we all fell through the double doors chaotically.

Quickly bolting the door and trying to catch my breath, my eyes darted back and forth across the room, searching for the reason I had come here…THERE!

Sometimes I even amaze myself.

"The laundry dispenser," I announced triumphantly, before wincing as the police arrived behind the door.

"WHERE DO THEY GO?"

I signalled for silence and walked across the room. There was a metal flap on the wall, and pulling it open revealed an opening into a slide that I knew led into the basement. It was just wide enough for thin girls like us to slide down.

"SEARCH EVERYWHERE! WE CAN'T LET THOSE BRATS GET AWAY!"

We're right next to you idiots!

"You want us to go down there?" Sky whispered in scepticism. "You sure its safe?"

"Sure," I said, keeping my voice low and shrugging non-committedly, "I did it once—about two months after I first arrived. Kara and me snuck in here and had to get out before someone found us. It works, you land in a pile of clothes so it's a soft landing,"

"Only you Sandy," Mirror sighed, shaking her head and looking as if she couldn't quite believe she was in this situation.

"HEY! THIS DOOR IS LOCKED!"

We spun around in alarm, seeing the doorknob twisting and turning.

"SOMEONE GET ME A FIRE EXTINSGUISHER!"

A fire extinguisher?

What the—

THUMP!

Oh SHIT!

They're trying to break through the door. Not good. At all.

"Right, only one person is going then," Mirror said decisively.

"What?" Sky hissed.

"Yeah, what?" I said in agreement, staring at Mi in bewilderment.

"Well, by the time they get through the door--"

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

"—only one of us would've got down the pipe," Mirror finished.

"That's true," I sighed in defeat. "Okay, I say Sky goes,"

"WHAT!"

"I agree," Mi stated calmly.

"WHY? Why shouldn't it be either of you two?" she challenged.

"Because you're the only one outta all of us that the police don't know personally. And its best to keep it that way as long as possible," Mirror explained lightly, as if she wasn't about to be arrested.

"And that makes a difference?" Sky shot at her.

THUMP!

CRACK!

I flinched at the sight of the tear that had appeared in the door.

"Sky," I said in low, dangerous voice, "If you don't get down that pipe RIGHT now I'm telling Nick about your habit," I emphasised on the word habit, making the meaning of the threat loud and clear. I was, of course, talking about her self-harm thing, something she really doesn't want Nick to know about.

It worked, next thing we all knew she was climbing into the pipe, glaring at both of us.

"Good luck," she mumbled, before pushing herself down the narrow slide.

I shut the flap and flicked the catch. Sighing, I turned to Mirror.

"Three," she said, grinning.

"Two," I said in response, grinning back.

"One," we said together.

CRASH!

Several police officers tumbled through the broken door, landing in a heap of limbs. Someone flipped the light switch and we watched in amusement as they scrambled to get to their feet, tripping and stumbling all the while.

This is the lot that keep crime under control?

Oh, puh-lease.

"Willow Tate and Mirror Chang. Should've known," said one of the officers gruffly, wiping away imaginary dirt from his uniform. "You're under arrest for breaking and entering a public property…"

We glanced at each other, and quite insanely, burst out laughing.

Hmm...I'm startingto think those two belong in a mental institute! Ha ha, well, thanks to everyone who reviewed and, well...

REVIEW!

Ciao dudes and dudettes

Chiya