Note: I wanted to have this update out a week or so ago. Plans fell through when I got sick (it's just vertigo, and while it is annoying, it is nothing serious) and I haven't really had a good time to work on this since. This is the only update I have prepared in full so I won't be able to get to more writing until I feel better. Sorry about that.
Thank you to C-Fan, Kenrai, Kamakaze Kheri, and MePo for the reviews! Your time and thoughts are very much appreciated!
Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.
Egg
Mariam wasn't a morning person. It never really clicked with her tribe where most people were up around dawn and well on their way to making most of their day. It was one of the reasons Mariam loved being away from her village; everything was worth it for moments like these.
Moments where she cocooned herself up in her blankets, her face hidden to much of the world so that the morning sun couldn't take her by surprise through the curtains. She loved it even when she was only half asleep lazing about in her own seclusion. At these times she didn't mind awaiting sleep to take her over again, it allowed her a peaceful time to reminisce.
Mariam had lost track of time last night at a diner with Max. She had had a long day in the park beating chumps for some spare money and he had finally escaped the claws of his Mother. When they weren't talking or eating, Mariam would look out the window at their booth and admire the lights of New York City at night, captivated by the scene of it all. Half the time, at any rate. The other half she humoured the blond by letting him just stare at her breathlessly as if he was getting away with it. Sometimes the boy was just too oblivious to her ways.
Just as Mariam was about to doze off once again, a knock on her hotel room door signaled her to somebody's presence. Unimpressed and groggy, Mariam begrudgingly broke free from her cocoon and stumbled toward the door. Reaching the door, she looked through the peep hole and immediately sighed.
The blue haired girl brushed her hands through her hair to make it look acceptable before unlocking the door and opening it partly. "Max," Mariam murmured sleepily, wiping at her eyes, "What are you doing here?"
"I know it's early…," he admitted shyly, "I just… I wanted to see you again."
"What time is it?"
"A little after six," Max said sheepishly. Mariam nearly shut the door in his face, but managed to contain her annoyance in time. She leaned against the doorframe, hand over one of her eyes dramatically. "I wanted to see if you'd like to grab some breakfast with me."
"Honey…," Mariam sighed, she desperately just wanted to crawl back under her blankets. "It's six." When he didn't respond right away, she gave him her full attention. She expected to see a dejected look on his face, but instead she saw a grin. "What?"
"You just called me honey."
Mariam opened her mouth to protest, but quickly closed it in realization that yes the word had slipped out unwillingly. "I don't function very well this early in the morning, Max." His grin didn't falter, all too amused and probably too giddy with her Freudian slip. "If you even think of telling someone, I'll…."
"Relax. I won't." Max ducked his head down to the tacky carpet that was laid in the hallway. "So… no breakfast, huh? I just really wanted to spend time with you, I'm sorry I woke you."
"It's fine." This wasn't entirely true, but it was better than having the boy beat himself up over something so trivial. She took in his appearance, noting that he was wearing the clothes he usually used for working out. "Are you supposed to be running or something?"
"Yeah…," Max scratched the back of his head. "That's what my Mom thinks I'm doing right now. She's not the biggest fan of us spending so much time together so I thought this might be a good way to come see you."
"And I ruined it."
"No, don't think that. That's not what I meant at all." Max shook his head. Shrugging, the boy added, "We can always hang out later. You probably think it's silly… that I wanted to see you so bad again." He bit his lip in embarrassment. "Kind of pathetic, right?"
"Kind of sweet actually." His blue eyes bounced up to meet Mariam's gleefully. She smirked before giving him a long drawn out kiss reminiscent of the night before when they had said goodbye. "I'm going back to bed now. Think I can call you later when I get up?"
Breathless, he nodded absently. "Yeah. Sure. Goodnight."
"Great because I wouldn't mind a good morning kiss too."
