Hilary layed on her bed, face into the pillow, tears dampening the lime green fabric. Why did everything have to be so horrible? Why did life have to be so unfair? Ever since the accident, all her father did was drink constantly. And that meant pain. She sat upright and rubbed her cheek that was still searing. Her tanned skin was now a bright red in result from the harsh slap. It wasn't her fault she looked like her mother! It wasn't her fault that Hil's mom left them alone. It's not her fault! And she had no one to lean on. Hilary didn't want to dump all that responsibility on Mariam... She would've gladly taken Tyson the guinea pig or Ray the cat home. But her dad would kill the poor girl. And Hilary didn't want them to see her like torn and bruised and helpless.
She loved her dad, she did... But things were getting out of control. She walked over to her stereo and turned the knob slowly, adjusting the volume and switching the song to 'Confessions Of A Broken Heart' by Lindsay Lohan. That song really helped her. It was almost the same situation, and it gave Hilary new hope. Hope for something better. She wiped away another stray tear and opened her bedside table drawer, rooting around for some paper. Hilary drew hearts, sunsets, tears, broken hearts... Anything to vent her feelings.
After a good couple of doodles, it was then that she wondered if Tyson and the others were okay. She wished that they could be here with her tonight.
Mariam sighed as she turned slowly and closed the door of the SaintShields' apartment. She barely had time to turn before a slightly aggravated voice broke the silence.
"Home a little late aren't we? And what the fuck do you have all those animals for?" Ozuma said, grimacing and walking over to Mariam. "A guinea pig? A rabbit? And a cat and a dog? Who do these belong to? Cuz God knows we're not keeping them." Ozuma finished, looking at the BladeBreakers in disgust.
"I'm just taking care of them for a friend Ozuma. And I can be out until whatever time I want to. You're not my dad. He died a long time ago." Mariam said, pushing past him.
"What friends do you have Mariam?" Dunga joined in, looking at Mariam smirking.
"I don't know Dunga, if it's close to the amount of brain cells you have, can't be many." She said quietly, walking into her room and closing the door with the boys in tact. "Ok, here's my room. Don't touch my stuff, sleep where ya want. But I'm not giving up my bed for a bunch of pets." Mariam said, putting everyone down. Max barked happily and sniffed around the floor. He looked around; the room was had a fairly large walk-in closet, police tape in an x across the back of her now closed door, and it had a lot of CDs lining the floors, and posters and necklaces and accessories covered the visible parts of the walls.
Tyson was thinking of how her team were so mean to her. It didn't seem right. And where was Joseph? Probably in bed. That was where Tyson wanted to be. The room also had it's own bathroom. Mariam took off her sweater and threw it in the closet, walking to her bathroom.
"I'm changing into my pjs, anyone looks and they die." She said, flicking her blue hair and closing the door. Kai did nothing,vexcept make himself comfortable on a pile of clothes on the floor. So Kai didn't want to risk getting on Mariam's bed without her permission. 5 minutes later, Mariam came out of the bathroom wearing a black tank top and white cotton shorts. She walked over to her dresser, which happened to be piled with make-up, perfume, hair things, more jewellery and bey parts. She pulled off her sweatband, causing her long side strands to fall into her eyes in an unruly matter. And then pulled her hair out of it's ponytail, the blue locks falling to her butt. Actually all the boys were a little surprised at how good she looked in pjs and with her hair down. Mariam payed no attention to her audience and brushed her hair with her comb. Mariam had an emo-ish haircut, having bangs that when brushed properly covered one eye. She kept her wrist full of black sex bracelets. Kai even had to say she looked good.
"Bark! Bark!" Max said, standing on his hind legs with his fronts now against Mariam's calves. She raised an eyebrow and bent down to him. Max bounded into her arms and made himself comfortable.
"And what do you think you're doing?" She asked, staring down at the puppy laying in her arms. He gave her face a quick lick which caused Tyson to rush around the room squawking madly. She guessed he was saying something like 'Max just kissed Mariam!'. Ray stopped that by putting his paw down on Tyson when he ran by, flattening the rodent.
"Anyway, I'm goin' to bed." Mariam said, putting Max back on the floor, who, happened to be getting comfortable in her arms. Ray meowed, and looked at Mariam. Kai just looked ticked. Tyson looked jealous as Mariam snuggled beneath her covers. Then she looked at them and sighed. "Alright, come on." And Ray and Max rushed over to her bed, jumping on board. Kai looked up with his ears perking and actually hobbled over. He couldn't get up, so he stood at the edge and waited for Mariam to look down. She rolled her eyes and dropped a hand for Kai to stand on as she lifted him up.
Max made his way up to just below Mariam's head, basically against her breasts, curled into a ball, facing outward. Ray nestled in the crook between Mariam's bent legs. Tyson stayed on the opposite of Mariam's facing, and prayed that the SaintShield had no desire to roll over during the night. Kai slept at the foot of Mariam's bed. Surprise surprise. She snapped her fingers and the light in her room went out.
Good night guys.. The guinea pig said, through a yawn.
Night, Tyson. The puppy said.
See ya in the morning boys. Ray stifled, plopping down.
...Hn. Can ya guess who?
Kai acted allusively, and waited for the others to fall asleep before he made his move. He arose as unknowingly as he could, and hopped off the bed. He took his chance to wander around the room, looking for anything suspicious. Kai went into her walk-in closet, finding it difficult to navigate. He plodded around until the Russian felt paper underneath his paws. Kai took the documents in his mouth and dragged them out.
Under the small amount of light glistening in from under Mariam's door, Kai dropped the papers and looked them over. 'Sheet music?' He thought weirdly. Why would Mariam have sheet music? The girl had lyrics in her journal, or diary, whatever that thing was. He thought about Hilary for a quick second. She liked to listen to music when she was in her room at the dojo. Her's was stuff like Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff... Needless to say, Kai had no taste in it. When Kai brought his head up from the papers, he looked around at the many CDs lying on Mariam's floor. There were The All American Rejects, Cobra Starship, Paris Hilton, Iron Maiden, Slipknot, AC/DC, The Tragically Hip, and that's just a small list. He thought that Hilary must be a pop and hip hop fan, while Mariam liked metal and shuffled with the papers back into the closet, but this time he didn't go undetected.
Kai? What are you doing up? The puppy said, silently yawning.
Nothing Max, go back to bed. He retorted.
Well if it has something to do with Mariam I wanna know. The brunette dog said, looking at the sleeping girl beside him with those blue eyes.
Why do you care so much about her Max? Kai asked, hopping over to the bedside.
I dunno, Max said, I just do. I don't know her well, but I do know her well enough to know that something's wrong. The used-to-be blonde said. The small noises weren't enough to wake Mariam but were enough to wake their other 2 friends. The fat little guinea pig crawled over Mariam's waist, and slipping, landing on the other side. Tyson yawned, and came to sit beside them. Ray just swiftly evaded Mariam's legs and sat beside the 3 too. Kai actually tried to get up and made it.
Ray looked at the clock, it read 6:30 in the morning. That was when the whole gang was startled as Mariam started to turn over, her back to the boys.
Maybe there's something you should know about her. Kai said, leaning against her back. You probably wouldn't expect her to be suicidal would you? Max went wide eyed, and climbed up her pillow till he was beside Mariam's head.
Kai, she wouldn't would she? Something's been wrong lately. Max added.
Where are you getting this from Kai? Ray asked, eyeing the rabbit weirdly.
Yesterday when we were at Kenny's, you guys fell asleep. She came home and started writing in a journal. All of us were asleep. I wasn't, so I read what she wrote after she fell asleep. It was thoughts on suicide, saying she had no real friends and shit. Kai finished, closing his one eye. They hardly had a chance to protest before Mariam's bedroom door flew open.
"Get up Mariam, it's time for training!" Dunga's voice boomed. Mariam immediately sat up, almost toppling Kai over in the process.
"I'm up, I'm up! Give me 5 fuckin' minutes! God!" She said angrily, getting out of bed and making her way to her closet.
"How about no? Come on Mariam, of all people you need the training most. You're the weakest link on the team!" Dunga roared, slamming her door.
"Think I don't know that?" the boys heard Mariam mutter from her closet. Tyson looked at Ray worriedly. Mariam finally walked out wearing her black converse, sex bracelets that she slept in, her hair was in it's usual high ponytail, a tie up copper leather vest which had a crop on the bottom to show off her bellybutton piercing, and a black mini skirt made of leather with black fishnets. She looked HOT! Needless to say, of course. "Oh yah, I forgot about you guys." She said upon laying eyes on the animals. "Well, I have slave laboring to do. Stay in my room, don't touch anything".
"MARIAM! COME ON!"Ozuma was heard yelling.
"Coming." She said lifelessly and walked out the before it closed, Kai pushed a CD case into the crease, holding it open.
Come on, we're gonna follow her. He said, bouncing out the door followed by Max, Tyson and Ray.
Hilary woke up with dried tears still on her pillow. She gulped and crept down the stairs. Just after 7 in the morning, man, she really had to learn how to sleep in. She was snapped out of her thoughts when her father showed up at the bottom of the steps.
"Agnis? Is that you? Oh, you. What the fuck are you doing up this early in the morning?" He started up the stairs, and poor Hilary was too scared to move. A quick slap on the same cheek sent Hilary tumbling down the landing. She exploded into tears, her father just groaned and walked to his room. Hilary felt a sharp pain in the side of her head, along with her cheek once again. When she got to the bathroom, she found her cheek had been bruised badly. 'I guess I ran into the door again today...' She thought. Mariam and the others... It'd been more than once she'd show up at the dojo with bruises or something. The girl didn't even want to wear a bathing suit, she was so beat up. Her head, upon looking in the mirror, was also bleeding. Hilary flinched as she dabbed a cool cloth on the wound, and then pulled some clothes out of the heap she had in her drawer. She wore a purple long sleeved sweater and a pair of faded jeans.
'No,Dad,' Hilary wanted to say, 'Agnis... Mom.. Is dead. It's just me, Dad. Just me.' Considering the time, Hilary thought it much too early to head over to the Saintshields' apaprtment. So she lifted the cushion of her sofa, to reveal a CD case of Lindsay Lohan. And where the miniature catalog of pics and lyrics should be were folded pieces of paper. She smiled weakly and opened the case, the sheets falling to the floor. She thought of them as her diary, her... Lifeline. She put the cushion back onto the couch and sat down on the navy upholstery. The case had been cracked many a time because of her drunken father passing out on the couch. She herself read a slip of her diary.
July 17,2006.
I thought about suicide today. While I was watching the BladeBreakers. But I don't want to! I want to live! I want something better than this for me! I know there are people worse off, and at least I have friends who care about me. I'm not pretty, and maybe that's why Tyson doesn't consider me as anything more than a friend. But I'm happy with myself; .... Just not the way my life is. If Tyson doesn't like the way I look or something, than that's just what I am. I AM getting scared. Dad drinks more now, and he hates me. I love him! But he hates only me. He thinks that if we had been a better family, Mom wouldn't of left us. Wouldn't of taken that horrible drive. The car accident... If I maybe, just maybe, keep living with Dad he'll see the errors of his ways and stop drinking. I'm gonna keep living, there has to be something.
Hilary smiled weakly, wet spots appearing on the paper below. She was that strong... Just 3 months ago, she was that strong. Now it feels like everything is getting only worse. She wished she could trade ... With Mariah! Or Mariam, someone who had a life worth living. She lifted the edge of the cushion once again, and turned a slip of paper over. Then began to write, doodling designs on the edges as well.
October 12,2006.
Wow, you won't believe what's happened! The boys accidentally turned themselves into animals! Tyson is just the cutest guinea pig. Max is a puppy, but he seems to prefer Mariam's company over mine. Rayis a tomcat, and a swift one at that! Kai,well he turned into a rabbit. A pretty little white one. At least they get to have adventures. With Mariam... It seems a far cry that something's not wrong, but she couldn't possibly have problems like me! It's not like Ozuma is the one who beats her, and she sure doesn't have a Dad who abuses his own daughter! And the sad thing is, I still have a little part of me that's saying keep going. I have friends, I know , if I can ever work up the courage, maybe I'll ask Tyson out. And I guess I can say I have love too. But my father sure didn't.... If only I could trade places with someone for a day. Instead of living a worthy life.... I can see now that this life is never going to get any better.
Hilary stopped there, and put the paper into her pocket instead of in the case, and quickly, and quietly, ran upstairs to her bedroom, grabbed her Hilary Duff CD and bolted through the door on the road to the SaintShields'. First Kenny's. She had to feed his cats for the day. At the same time, Hilary noticed something that the boys must've forgotten. She scooped up Dragoon, Dranzer, Driger and Draciel and after feeding the cats, took off for Mariam's.
Wow, he works them hard doesn't he? Max said, watching Dunga, Mariam and Joseph doing a 100-set of pushups.
Yah, but I'm more concerned about Mariam herself right now. If what Kai says is true, and we do need proof by the way, she's in trouble. Ray finished, licking a paw and nudging his ears. That was when Hilary showed up.
"Hi guys!" She said, giving each a hug. Except Kai of course. "Are they training?" Max nodded. Ozuma heard Hilary's voice and looked over curiously.
"Hilary? What the hell are you doing here?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing..." Hilary blushed, "just waiting for Mariam to get finished. When will you be done, by the way?" She added, looking down at her feet before meeting Mariam's eyes.
"Now." Mariam said rather than Ozuma. She pushed herself up off the ground, Mariam stretched and picked up her blade. She was about to walk away when Dunga roughly grabbed her arm.
"We're not done yet! Now come on! " he said, proceeding to pull her back.
"No Dunga, let her go. If she wants to put the team in jeopardy more than she already does, she can explain why we don't have the 4 sacred bit beasts." Ozuma said. Mariam closed her eyes and clenched her fists. Hilary was about to say something before Mariam grabbed her wrists and dragged her away, the animals following.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Mariam said, looking quite exasperated. "And what happened to your cheek?" She said questioningly. At this, the boys took an instant interest. Hilary gulped again, and covered her cheek with one hand.
"I ran into a door." She lied.
"Sure... Now come on." Mariam said as they continued on. The animals scurried ahead to talk, but fell into a hole. A hole filled with mud, and guck. "Oups, should of told you that was there." Mariam said. In the pit was a cat that looked paint covered, a guinea pig that was now one solid color, a dog that looked the same as before except wet, and a chocolate bunny. It was quite a sight. Hilary burst into a fit of laughter, staring down at the squirming mess.
"Mariam, you think we could go inside? I think the boys need a bath." Hilary grinned, reaching in and pulling out Tyson and Kai. Ray got out himself, and Mariam gave Max a helping hand. She couldn't even suppress the grin at a dirty dog. Ray meowed pissidly, as if telling Hilary and Mariam that 'you should of told us about that hole. This is entirely your fault.'
Once inside, Mariam gave the boys each a handful of food to keep them preoccupied while she and Hilary fixed the bath water. Tyson had his pile gone 4 times over and he kept wanting more. Then,the bath was ready. Mariam felt quite dirty herself, and said for Hilary to dump them in the tub while she went to change.
Hilary picked up Max and lowered him into the hot water, the dog splashing around and barking. Ray was next, who put up quite the fight. He literally dug his claws into each side of the bath and Hilary had to force him. Ray knew why cats hated water. Kai almost made a beeline for the door but Mariam was just coming out, and the rabbit slammed right into her ankle.
"OW!" She screamed, accidentally lifting Kai with her foot. Believe it or not, like it was fate, Kai flew into the bath water. A splash coated Hilary, who was having a laughing fit. Mariam giggled and rubbed her foot.
God, smight them! SMIGHT SMIGHT SMIGHT! Kai yelled, which the girls didn't hear as he surfaced from the hot water. Max woofed delightfully, having a good kick at what happened. Tyson floated by belly up on a cube of soap, like he was laying out in the sun. One could say he was having a good time. Ray was in the corner of the tub, doing the retarded flinching thing.
Anyhow, the girls had soaped up the boys, and Hilary's sweater was now nearly black. Mariam was wearing a white tank top with jeans, so she stayed as far away from the wetness as she could. But Max wouldn't have it. The hyper active dog leapt out of the tub, and shook. And he shook hard! Water went flying everywhere, as Mariam and Hilary both let out screams of bad volumes. Mariam's foot got caught in the shower curtain, sending her reeling into the tub along with the animals. She screamed bloody murder. Hilary couldn't laugh. She thought she must of been losing her voice. Max barked and barked and barked, Tyson just barely managing to keep afloat from waves. Ray had gotten completely soaked, and dashed out of that tub faster than the speed of sound. But the only thing Kai was noticing was how see through Mariam's tank top had gone. Max noticed too, and was staring intently at the sight of a Mariam with a see through shirt sitting in the tub, soaked to the bone.
"Uh, Mariam? Your shirt." Hilary said. Mariam cocked an eyebrow, then looked down. Another scream of bloody murder, which was probably what the neighbors thought was going on. Hilary was rolling on the wet floor, clutching her sides in laughter. Max was quite stout and proud of himself. He jumped back into the tub and onto Mariam, giving her a well deserved lick on the cheek. She groaned.
"Thanks Max. But guess what? I'm going to kill you." She said with an evil look. Max shot out of there almost as fast as Ray did, still soaking wet. And banged right into Ozuma.