A/N:Finally!!! I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my mind and chest! I told you it might take a while! Anyway, like last time, I'm not gonna make any assumptions, estimations or promises about the ETA of the next chapter. All I can say is I'll be working on it tonight so hopefully it'll be out real soon, and also, really hope you like this one. Please R&R! Thanx!
PS:I'm sorry of the end is a little rushed. I was trying to hurry up and end it cause I know the rest was dragging on so much and was already so long! Anyway, I apologise for that! lol.
Disclaimer:I do not own BB or any of the characters of the show. I down however own Breal and the members of Villikosto.
Max kicked at a random pebble as he walked down the hallway of his hotel.
The battle from earlier that day kept playing over and over in his mind like a bad movie stuck on replay.
"I can't believe I was so stupid..." He mumbled to himself with a frown. "You can't get to know someone in just a week. Demetra was right. I should have listened to her, she knew Keisha way longer then I did."
This thought made his frown deepen.
"But I don't know her either. So wouldn't it make sense that she could be lying or something too?"
Max stopped walking and paused.
"But I saw her... I saw Keisha across that dish today. She looked just like the others do when they battle; like robots! Like they've only got one purpose; to win! So how can both things be right?!"
Max reached up and tangled his fingers in his hair, his eyes squeezing shut as he clenched fist-fulls of the blonde locks tightly.
"ARG!!" He yelled in frustration. "I need some answers!!!"
When he opened his eyes again, Max looked down at the pebble he'd been kicking only to find that it was gone. Looking around told him that the maid walking down the hall with a broom and dustpan was probably the reason for it's absence.
Max sighed heavily. It seemed that everything after the match had been of absolutely zero comfort to him. Well, at least until he'd found the pebble. But now the maid had taken that away from him as well...
The blonde's thoughts then wandered back to his team's comments.
"Don't worry Maxie, you did your best. That's all that counts."
OK.... who are you and what have you done with Judy Tate?
"Lighten up, Max, we'll beat 'em next time."
Yea, way to think positive, Michael....
"Don't worry about them Max, those snobby girls aren't worth the effort it takes to be angry!"
Wow. Hypocrite much, Emily?
"Hey, you put up a good fight, man!"
Thanks Eddie. Too bad that wasn't good enough.
"Get over it, Max. So you lost. So did I. You don't see me moping around like a baby."
Gee. Thanks for absolutely nothing Rick.
Max sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and continued down the hall. If his team and friends couldn't help him and he could find no comfort in solitude, then he might as well go get some fresh air.
So, with no more ideas, the blonde turned around and headed back the way he'd come, intending to take a walk to clear his head... and if he was lucky; hopefully get a few answers.
Keisha hugged her knees to her chest and sighed as she placed her chin atop them. As usual, it was easy to ignore the raised voices and noise from elsewhere in the room, but it wasn't easy to ignore the sickening, churning feeling in her stomach -- in fact, it was impossible.
"I'm so sorry Max..." The redhead whispered to herself.
She breathed on the window she was sitting by and lifted a pale, fair hand to draw an uncharacteristic symbol on it. The glass was icy to the touch and the broken heart image seemed to glow eerily in the light of the room behind her.
Suddenly the ring of her own name forced Keisha's attention away from the snowy scene outside the window and back into the happenings behind her.
"You can't do this every time any of us tries to make friends, Demi!"
Victoria had finally gotten over her anger for Demetra and now, with the aid of the peacekeeper, Kage, she was attempting to reason with the taller girl.
"Yea, sure, maybe we'll be distracted sometimes and maybe we'll make mistakes. But they're our mistakes to make and you have to let us make them!"
Demetra was sitting on an arm chair in the room with crossed arms and legs and closed eyes.
"Why don't you try that one again." She said tonelessly. "If I recall correctly, I've never interfered with any of your personal lives other then to make sure you keep up your practice and training. I give my advice, make my point and then let you make your own decisions. And have I been wrong yet?"
Victoria frowned.
"No, but-"
"And all those times when one or more of you didn't listen to me and did your own thing, how did that work out for you?"
Victoria chewed her cheek.
"Usually, it didn't. But-"
"When have I ever not been there for you when you needed me? When have I ever let any of you down? How many times have I picked up the pieces when someone breaks your heart or you got hurt because you didn't listen to me? How many, Victoria?"
Victoria sighed.
"I don't know." Shereplied softly. "No one can count that high. We know you've always been by our sides, Demi. You know we've always been there for you too. And I'm happy and so proud that you've always been there to pick up the pieces."
"Exactly. So what's the problem?"
Victoria huffed in frustration and stomped her foot.
"The problem is, you've crossed the line this time Demetra!"
Demetra opened her eyes and looked up into the intense aqua-marine colored eyes.
"I did it to protect her." She said softly. "You know it couldn't work. After all we've done, all we've been through, do you really think we should let ourselves be fooled by sweet voices and pretty faces? You all know yourselves how cruel and heartless some of these teams can be, especially the All Stars. That team is hell-bent on being the best and I believe they'll stop at nothing. If this had been the World's, you can bet that those matches today wouldn't have been nearly as easy as they were."
Demetra's eyes moved from Victoria and rolled to the side until they fell on the redhead at the window sil across the room.
"Of all of us, Keisha is the one with the biggest heart. She's the most trusting one, the first one to give absolutely anyone a chance no questions asked. So far no one has been able to take advantage of it, and I thank the stars for that."
Demetra's eyes closed again and this time she frowned.
"I didn't want her hurt by that little blonde fluff. I wanted to protect her from those accursed American prats! Those spoiled lab monkeys!!"
Demetra's finger nails dug into her upper arms as both her teeth and fists clenched in a rare display of emotion.
Victoria frowned deeply as Demetra's lips curled up into an angry scowl.
"Demi," She whispered softly. "you know we love you right? But you have to stop this! We appreciate you being there, but we can take care of ourselves!"
Demetra's eyes shot open and in the blink of an eye she was on her feet and starring Victoria down furiously.
"You think so do you?!" She snarled. "I beg to differ!"
Victoria's temper sky rocked.
"UGH! You're such a prat Demetra!" She screamed angrily. "Do you honestly think that we're so pathetic that-"
Once again, a hand on Victoria's shoulder stopped her, but only for a moment.
"NO, Kage!" She snapped heatedly. "Why do you always interrupt me?! How come I never get to finish what I have to say!? You know as well as I do that she needs to hear this!"
Kage kept a straight expression as she starred down at the shorter girl. Her free hand lifted to form a few symbols and Victoria seethed.
"You always take her side!" She accused angrily.
Kage's expression didn't change but something flashed in her eyes. She released the younger girl's shoulder and lifted both hands this time to speak.
"You're damn right what she did was wrong!"
Demetra scowled but Kage continued without missing a beat.
"That's no excuse!" Victoria steamed. "We care about Kei too, but you don't see us going off telling her new friends not to trust her and crap! Come on! How can you honestly defend her, Kage?!"
Kage seemed completely unfazed as she spoke again.
"You are too! And I-" Suddenly Victoria snapped. "Calm down?! ME calm down?! I-"
The blue-green eyed blader stopped then and closed her eyes. She took a long deep breath before finally opening her eyes and stepping away from the two.
"You know what? You're right, Kage. As usual. I really wish I had your strength."
Victoria looked back at Demetra and sighed.
"I'm sorry Demi. I was wrong and I shouldn't have lost my temper. I know you're just trying to help and I know how much you care about us. Just... you have to learn when to apologise and when to keep quiet too."
Victoria turned then and walked away. Demetra watched her for a moment until the younger teen's hand was on the doorknob.
"Where are you going?" She asked tonelessly.
"Out." Victoria replied simply.
And without another word, Victoria left.
Still at the window Keisha sighed quietly and focused back on the snow outside. After a few moments a brunette wrapped in a thick brown parka appeared in her field of veiw. Keisha watched as Victoria crossed the street and continued walking until the redhead could no longer see her.
Keisha's attention turned to the happenings in the room once more. From the reflections on the window, she could see Demetra and Kage having what seemed to be a very heated conversation. However, she didn't feel like being nosy at the moment so she closed her eyes to block out the furiously moving hands and laid her head back against the wall.
"Demetra was right..." Keisha thought sadly. "I should never have allowed myself to become so attached to Max."
After thinking about this for a while, she brushed it aside. She knew that she never would have been able to help that fact no matter how hard she might have tried. Max had an addicting personality and she couldn't help but be drawn to him. She wanted to have his friendship more then anything. She wanted to know him and spend time with him.
"Then I should have warned him better." She reasoned. "I should have let him know that it's nothing personal, it's just the way we are.... This is all my fault!!"
Pressing the heel of her hand to her forehead, Keisha forced herself to think of something else. But unfortunately, the images and voices that came to mind were no more comforting then the ones she'd just driven out.
-;-
"Come on, Keisha! What are you doing? Don't let her beat you!"
"I'm sorry Demetra."
Demetra looked as if the redhead had just announced she was quitting beyblading and never battling again.
"Sorry.." She repeated, stunned. Then suddenly her face contorted angrily. "Sorry?! Keisha, when have you ever apologised for your battling? What's wrong with you?! You won your battle today didn't you? So what's your problem? Focus!"
Keisha sighed as she starred dully at her blade. She couldn't focus at all. Each and every time her eyes honed in on her beyblade, the image of Max's blade laying motionless in front of him while he starred on in shock appeared before her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the horrible feeling that things had gone terribly wrong between them -- and it was all her fault.
"FOCUS!!" Demetra screamed.
Keisha flinched.
Demetra had only ever lost her temper a handful of times, and not once had it ever been towards her team.
Not that the redhead blamed the brunette. They were in the middle of the biggest break they'd ever gotten -- the most important moment of their lives -- and here was Keisha, stumbling and failing like a child in something that usually came so natural to her.
Keisha blinked, only deftly registering the third and soon forth blue beyblades as they surrounded her purple and black one almost instantly.
"Well?!!" Demetra snapped heatedly. "Aren't you going to fight back!?"
Keisha said nothing as she simply watched the blue blades close in on her. Demetra's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"So be it." She hissed venomously.
Kage watched with a deep frown and Victoria cringed as the three blue blades pulled back for a moment before closing in on the purple blade with a mighty clash.
Victoria stepped forward, ready to reach out and catch the blade, but Demetra's arm shot up in front of her.
"Leave it!!"
Victoria bit her lip and Kage's eyes slid shut as her frown deepened.
The familair purple and black blade landed at Keisha's feet with a cold, empty clink. Emerald eyes slid down to look at them but there was no other movement as she simply starred.
"So that's it then?" Demetra whispered with a harsh bitterness. "You're just going to give up cause some spoiled American brat doesn't want to talk to you?"
The bait didn't work. Keisha simply starred.
"How can you honestly call him a friend if he's angry with you simply because you won a match? That's the point of battle isn't it?"
Demetra was right. Of course. She shouldn't be stressing over Max if he didn't care enough to congratulate her... right?
Keisha's lips formed a frown, unable to forgive herself. This made Demetra's eyes narrow dangerously.
"Come find me when you're ready to be part of this team again."
The words cut through the redhead like a thousand knives. Afterwards, her body went numb as she heard Demetra's heels on the cold hard floor, slowly getting further and further away until they could no longer be heard.
-;-
Keisha sighed as she leaned her head back against the wall. When she opened her eyes, her head lolled to the side and she found herself once more looking out into the snowy night.
"Wherever you are Max.... I hope you remember my promise..."
Max's hands clenched and unclenched in his coat pockets. He had no idea where he was going or how long he was going to be gone. What he did know however was that it was incredibly stupid to have gone out wearing nothing but a thin jacket and now he was freezing his butt off because of it.
"Man.... I should of at least worn a warmer coat." The blonde grumbled, pulling his hands from his pockets to blow on them.
He stopped and looked around, saphire eyes scanning the area while he continued to blow hot air into the pale hands.
It was when the blonde was ready to turn around and head back to his hotel again that said sapphire eyes fell on a very familiar sight.
Max's pale lips curled into a frown. What would usually be a very welcome sight was now the last thing he wanted to see.
Without permission, Max's feet moved forward until he was directly in front of the large metal beydish. He crouched down and rested one arm on his knee while the other reached a hand out to slide along the cold, unwelcoming dish. Instantly upon contact, images as unpleasant as the feel of the cold dish flashed across Max's mind and he retracted his hand as if burnt.
Max stood up again and starred down at the dish with malice. The fire in his eyes heated his body as his hands automatically went to his belt. It merely took seconds before two pale gloved hands were held up over the dish, clenched tightly over the familiar green launcher and matching beyblade.
Enough was enough. Max knew he wouldn't be satisfied until he'd convinced himself that he wasn't as incapeable as Keisha had unintentionally made him believe himself to be.
He had something to prove.
To himself.
"Let it rip!"
Victoria pulled her zipper up further as she continued walking. It was a beautiful night with not a breath of wind. Too bad it was so damn cold.
The brunette huffed in frustration as she stuffed her hands into her pockets.
"I don't know why it's bothering me so much." She grumbled to herself. "It gets way colder in Finland in December."
With a sigh, Victoria pulled her coat tighter around her, reasoning that it was because she'd gotten used to the beautiful, hot weather America had to offer up until now.
"Couldn't have just had the whole damn tournament in a warm state..." She grumbled angrily.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Victoria blinked and sighed happily.
"Yes!" She exclaimed in relief. "Finally!"
A slight spring in her step now, the brunette pulled her large hood tighter around her head and took off in a sprint towards the massive building in the distance.
Victoria pushed open the heavy glass doors and entered the building eagerly. She sighed and leaned against them as the warm air from inside instantly hit her.
"Ahhhhh." She sighed gratefully. "Heat!"
Pushing her chill aside, the brunette straightened up and made a beeline for the front reception desk.
"Excuse me." She said politely. "I'm looking for the All Stars."
The man at the front desk looked her over for a moment then lifted his nose in the air, looking down the length of it at her snobbishly.
"Are they expecting you?" He asked properly. Victoria fidgeted a bit.
"Eh.... no." When the man looked ready to throw her out, she hurried to continue.
"But they know me!" She said hurriedly. "Please, just tell them it's Victoria."
The man looked skeptical but eventually he let out an extremely exaggerated sigh and picked up the phone. After pressing a few buttons he sat and waited, eyeing Victoria the entire time.
Not liking the scrutiny one bit, the brunette looked elsewhere while she waited as well.
Finally the man spoke and Victoria's head snapped back to look at him.
"Yes? Mr. Parker? There's a one, Victoria, here."
Victoria leaned in to listen and from the other end, after a long pause, she could hear Michael say;
"Victoria? Victoria who? I don't know a Victoria."
Victoria sweat dropped as the man at the desk narrowed his eyes at her.
"Victoria Reid!" She called loudly, making the man at the desk wrinkle his nose distastefully. "From Villikosto! I really need to speak to Max!"
The man leaned back away from Victoria and snorted snobbishly.
"Shall I dismiss her, sir?"
Victoria bit her cheek.
"No! Please, it'll just take a minute."
The man looked about ready to pummel the brunette but at that point she didn't care.
"Miss, please!" He said in annoyance before turning back to the phone again. "Sir?.... Yes. Yes. I see. Very well, sir."
The man hung up and looked down his nose at Victoria again. There was a long pause and she fidgeted as she waited impatiently. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and shouted at him.
"Well?? What did he say?!"
"He has informed me that he is busy and to escort you off of the premises."
Victoria blinked at him.
"Who's busy? Him or Max? Cause I don't need to speak to him! I need to speak to the blonde one!... The other blonde one!"
The man didn't say anything, he simply walked around the side of the desk and firmly took a hold of the brunette's shoulders.
"Wait!" Victoria yelled as she was spun around and ushered to the door. "Please! It's really important!"
"Let her go."
Both people stopped walking and turned around to see a tall, dark young man standing with a frown and crossed arms.
"Mr. Anderson. You know this ruffian?"
"Yea."
Victoria blinked at the boy she remembered to be Rick for a moment before grinning wide.
"See!" She said to the hotel clerk. "I told you they know me!"
The man said nothing. He simply turned and walked away.
Victoria stuck her tongue out at the man's retreating form before turning back to Rick, whom was still frowning.
"You say you're lookin' for Max?"
Victoria nodded.
"He's not here."
The brunette sighed.
"Well, do you know where he is?" She asked, doing her best to contain her frustration.
Rick eyed the shorter teen for a few moments before snorting humorlessly.
"If I know Max, he's probably out walking the streets somewhere, trying to find some answers." The dark eyes rolled before focusing back on Victoria again. "I'm sure you'll find him out around somewhere. Shouldn't be too hard."
Victoria cocked her head to one side as she eyed the taller young man thoughtfully.
"Thanks, but.... why are you telling me this?"
Rick's frown deepened and he turned around.
"Because like it or not, Max is part of my team. And if he sucks, I suck. And right now, he sucks."
The bulky teen began to walk away but he paused and spoke over his shoulder after a few steps.
"I figured you'd knock some sense into him. Don't make me regret helping you."
Victoria smiled approvingly as Rick continued on his way. Looks like the tough appearance was just an act after all. The big guy was actually a softie on the inside.
"I won't." The brunette promised. And with that she turned on her heel and bolted out of the hotel.
There was a loud clash as a blur of green slammed hard against cold metal.
"I'm every bit as good as those girls!" Max thought to himself angrily. "Keisha only beat me because I was surprised, I wasn't ready for her!"
But even as his blade spun faster and faster, Max knew that it wasn't the fact that he had been beaten that had him angry, it was the fact that Keisha had broken her promise, that Demetra had been right.
"No!" Max exclaimed aloud. "It's not true!"
Squeezing his eyes shut, the blonde tried to block out the images from earlier that day and ignore the throbbing headache that was threatening to overpower him.
"She's not like them... she can't be. How can I be so thoroughly wrong about someone? I'm usually such a good judge of character..."
Max's thoughts were interrupted as a second loud clash was heard.
Blue eyes flew open and starred down into the beydish. He frowned upon seeing a second blade floating around his green one.
He knew the blade. He knew it and he knew who owned it. And he would not be beaten again!
"Draciel! Attack!"
The huge purple bitbeast erupted from the green blade and flew at it's opponent. However, due to Max's cluttered state of mind, it was a predictable move and easily avoided.
"Very sloppy Maxie. Is that the best you've got?"
Max growled and looked up into the blue-green eyes of Victoria.
"What are you doing here?"
Victoria's eyes were locked on his.
"You know why you're loosing don't you?" She asked, ignoring his question. Max's eyes narrowed.
"Why? Because you're that much better then me?" He replied bitterly. Victoria made a face.
"No. Of course not, don't be stupid. You're losing because you know both you and Demetra were wrong. Your thinking about it, about the match and about her. Keisha. You miss her."
Victoria crossed her arms then and snorted indignantly.
"And don't be so rude. I didn't do anything to you so stop snapping at me. I'm only trying to help."
Feeling a little guilty knowing she was right, Max took a deep breath and spoke again, ignoring her last comment like she did his.
"I don't miss her." He said calmly, though both him and the girl across from him knew it was a lie.
"Right." Victoria said bluntly. "Well, if you don't miss her and I'm wrong, then I won't be able to do this."
Victoria's green-brown blade struck Draciel head-on and nearly knocked him out of the dish. Max frowned.
"Oh." Victoria said with false surprise. "That must have been a lucky shot. Let's try again."
Max braced himself but was still sent back a few few feet when Victoria attacked again.
"Oh wow. I guess all those four leaf clovers I used to collect as a kid really paid off. I wonder if I can get away with it again."
Max clenched his teeth and fists tightly as Victoria's blade made a u-turn and barreled down on him with frightening speed.
"Draciel! Dodge it!"
The green blade made a feeble turn but was still in the path of collision. Tallope emerged from the green-brown blade and gave it's head a confident flick as it poured on more speed.
Max growled in frustration when the horse turned around and kicked Draciel hard, causing him to shoot out of the dish.
"No!" The blonde yelled in dismay.
"Hm, looks like it's not luck after all!" Victoria said loudly, all sense of teasing and playfulness gone.
"Come on, Max!" She yelled forcefully. "How do you think this is possible, huh? How do you honestly think I can beat you? If you were at your best, if your mind was clear, I wouldn't stand a chance!"
Max starred wide-eyed at Victoria as she ordered her blade upward. His mouth fell agape as her blade struck his yet again, only this time knocking it back into the dish.
"You know why Keisha was forced to fight you today?" Victoria asked rhetorically. "Because besides Demetra, she's the only one who stood a chance against your strategy and power!"
Victoria's blade circled the perimeter of the dish, simply circling Draciel while the green blade spun in place in the dead center.
"You were right, Max." Victoria said calmly. "And Demetra was wrong. We're all serious bladers in the dish, but outside, we're just regular people.... for the most part."
Max's expression didn't change, so not getting the desired comical effect from him, Victoria sighed and continued.
"Look, she's been moping around all day. She can't focus either, and she can't even so much as block an attack."
This caught the blonde's attention.
"She has....?" He asked, not daring to appear too hopeful. "She can't?"
Victoria nodded.
"She misses you, you miss her. So what's the problem? So you lost one battle, bummer. Next time you can try harder. But how can you honestly call yourselves friends if you let some silly little game tear you guys apart?"
Max didn't miss the cringe the brunette gave when referring to beyblade as a "silly little game", but he also didn't miss the meaning behind her words.
"You're right." The blonde said, a small smile coming to his lips. "I was so upset about Keisha's cold battle attitude that I totally forgot our promise and the way she was outside the dish. So I lost, big deal. Not the first time that's happened."
Both teens chuckled and Max's wide, trademark grin returned.
"Thanks Victoria!"
Victoria grinned and a mischievous expression crossed her face.
"Anytime. Now, how about a real beybattle?"
Max's grin widened as he took up a fighting stance.
"Bring it on!"
Victoria smirked.
"Tallpe,"
"Draciel,"
"ATTACK!"
Demetra's expression was dark as she starred out into the black night. Victoria had been gone for hours and none of them knew where she was or where she'd gone. She wasn't answering her cell and it had begun to snow fairly bad.
"Have either of you managed to get a hold of Victoria?"
Keisha, still sitting at the other window some ways away, shook her head without a word. Demetra focused her eyes on Kage's image behind her and the silent blader shook her head solemnly as well. The silver-eyed blader's frown deepened as she focused her attention back outside once again. After a few moments, she turned on her heel and walked over to the coffee pot in the room.
"Let me know if you hear anything." She said tonelessly.
It was exactly when Demetra reached out to flick the coffee on that the hotel door opened.
Three heads turned towards the door and all three girls sighed in relief to see Victoria come through.
"Finally." Demetra said flatly. Though her voice was tinged with relief. "You should have answered your cell."
Victoria unzipped her thick coat and shrugged it off before replying.
"I'm sorry. I didn't hear it ringing and I lost track of time."
"It's fine." Demetra said softly. "I'm just glad you're alright. And Tori, I'm so-"
Silver eyes narrowed before their owner could utter the endangeredly rare apology.
"What is he doing here?"
Victoria looked over her shoulder at the blonde that had just come through the door and smiled at him before shutting it behind him.
"I brought him along to... lighten the tension." The blue-green eyed blader trained her eyes on her Captain. "Trust me on this one, Demi."
The almost apology had been good enough to cool the fiesty brunette down, so just the concept was enough to put the tall girl back in her good graces.
Demetra's lips curled into a scowl before she walked towards the two. But instead of addressing either the blonde or brunette, she walked past them and left the room, making sure to give Max an extra cold glare on her way past.
Max, completely unfazed by Demetra's chill attitude towards him, ignored her and directed a warm smile at the stunned redhead across the room.
"Hey..." He said softly.
Keisha's mouth hung agape as she starred at him. Eventually however, she managed to snap out of her trance and close her mouth. After blinking a few times and swallowing, she finally spoke.
"Hey..." She replied with the same softness.
Max stuffed his hands into his pockets and tilted his head to one side slightly.
"Can... we talk?"
Keisha starred at him for a few moments until finally she nodded weakly.
Victoria grinned and looked at Kage. She gestured towards the door and the silent blader nodded. The brunette looked back at the other two and smiled.
"We'll be down in the cafe if you need us."
Max smiled at the two as they left the room and waited for them to leave before walking over to Keisha and sitting with her on the window seat.
"About this morning...." He began softly. "I'm... really sorry, Keisha. You won fair and square and it wasn't fair or me to overreact like that. You didn't deserve it."
Keisha frowned and looked down at her hands.
"Yes I did. I should have warned you better, made sure you knew what you would be up against if you had to face me. It wasn't fair of me to keep that from you.... I'm sorry too."
Max smiled and tilted his head slightly to look into her face.
"OK. So we were both dumb. Now that we've realized and admitted it, no point in moping over it right?"
Keisha looked up and blinked at the blonde. After a moment or two she laughed and nodded.
"Yea, you're right. Friends?"
"Always!" Max agreed enthusiastically, holding his hand out to her. "For real this time!"
Keisha laughed again and reached out to shake the blonde's hand. When they released each other, Max looked around and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly.
"So.... what's there to do around here?"
Keisha looked around and sighed.
"Besides beyblade? Umm..... I think there might be a pack of cards around here somewhere. Can you play?"
Max laughed.
"Sure. I can play crazy eights."
Keisha grinned and stood up.
"Hey, sounds good to me!" She paused then and rubbed the back of her head thoughtfully. "Hm....."
Looking back at the blonde she grinned sheepishly.
"How about a scavanger hunt first?"
Max sweat dropped and laughed.
"Never a dull moment."