ACROSS THE PAGES
Chapter 16
There was something wrong.
Rei used to say this phrase right before something really did turn wrong, and Max was borrowing it for now.
That was because something was seriously wrong.
Kai and Rei had become closer than usual, and while both Max and Tyson had breathed a sigh of relief (as less anger, scowls and general glares were directed at them than usual), Max was a little more suspicious than his navy-haired friend.
Especially when that very weekend Rei suggested going to bar. He'd apparently had quite a few friends, who not only owned some of the bars around town, but could arrange quite a few non-alcoholic drinks for them as well just in case. Max had been doubtful about this (Kenny thankfully escaping to a friend's house halfway across the country for a well-deserved break after the King-and-Queen-and-Zeo-fiasco), as he had been to a bar a few times, but after Kai had used his all powerful persuasion powers ("What, Tyson, can't hold your own?"), they had all landed where they were now.
Zodiac.
A cool, savvy club only a few streets away from the dojo. They'd quickly yanked a table, and sat down.
And then in two minutes a waitress had sashayed her way over and plonked this drink in front of him.
The drink that was in front of him now.
The electric blue drink sat in front of him, elegantly garnished with a slice of lemon and cherry. Max looked at Rei bewilderedly. "What—" he started asking, just stopping himself from calling back the waiter. From the way that Rei and Kai had continued to chat quietly with each other, he had deduced that this was a normal situation.
"Oh, wow, already an admirer!" Golden eyes smiled at him, and Max looked at him confused. A quick survey of the two older bladers' faces had Kai raising his eyebrows.
"Well, aren't you going to drink it?" he said, gesturing to the –admittedly rather pretty– drink still sitting in front of him. Max looked at it doubtfully, opening his mouth; he had, after all been to very few bars, much less been hit on in one before either.
Holding the martini glass at its stem, he took an experimental sip, then drank some more, liking the cool, bubbly mixture that lay on his tongue. He opened his mouth to acknowledge his acceptance of the beverage:
"Well, maybe –"A tap on his shoulder stopped his speech. Slowly, the blonde turned around.
Short silver hair topped a pale face, with dark blue eyes that glowed. There was absolutely no doubt that the young man standing next to their table was a vision, especially in black, black clothing that had seemed that it liked clinging to skin…
"Hey, my name is Artan." A charming smile stretched across his face. "I saw that you drank the drink I sent you…would you like to dance?"
Max, too surprised to say no, nodded, stepping out onto the dance floor, not noticing the jealous navy that followed him. With Artan's hands on his hips though, he was quickly learning how to not make a fool out of himself.
Far off, back at the tables however, someone wasn't happy.
"I'm not hungry," Tyson said, fiercely. His dark blue eyes focussed on the pale blonde that was dancing with Artan.
Rei turned to Kai, who had risen his eyebrows at the incredible sight of a full plate in front of Tyson.
Max was oblivious though, as he started getting into the rhythm of the dance beat. Soon he was dancing faster, and Artan smiled. With a discreet look towards the table with a sneaky look in his eyes, he pulled Max closer.
Tyson stood up.
"That's it!" Tyson stalked up to the dancing couple, pulling the blonde away from the intruder. "You won't dance with him!"
"Why not?" Max said, spinning around. He scowled a little –he'd been having a perfectly reasonable time before.
"Because…because I like you, you're my friend, and he doesn't have a right," spluttered Tyson. He stopped then, frozen, as he realised just what he said. Praying to the heavens that the blonde hadn't noticed the first part of his speech.
Apparently, the heavens weren't listening.
"You like me?" Max asked this incredulously.
"Yes!" Tyson hissed into his folded arms. There was a grouchy pout on his face and wrinkles decorated his forehead. But even through that, Max could see the almost-heartbreak and rejection sitting deep in Tyson's eyes.
It was almost the most beautiful sight in the world.
And he was going to make it the most beautiful sight in the world.
Smiling widely (in what Rei would most certainly have called the Maxie-way), he threw his arms around the taller blader, kissing him on the cheek.
"I like you too!" he said in a rush, because after all, Maxie did hate prolonging anyone's pain.
And then two pairs of blue eyes had looked at each other, one pair in surprise, the other pair in growing delight.
"Thank goodness, I thought he was going to kill Matt for a minute there." The two pairs of blue broke away from each other's gaze, looking up at the sound of Rei's amused voice.
"What?" Max said, thoroughly confused. Tyson only gave out a low growl, as he spotted the silver haired invader that had been dancing with his Maxie earlier, leaning onto Rei's chair.
Rei only let loose another gale of laughter.
In fact, it took a few minutes before the neko was coherent enough to start talking again. "Tyson, Maxie, meet Matt, full name of which is Matt Marin Solvinski."
"Rei's cousin third removed, to be exact," interrupted…Matt
"Wait, Matt?" Max asked curiously.
Rei laughed again. "Wanted to think of the most terrible name possible, so we changed the name. Plus we didn't want his name to be associated with Tyson's anger or anything. We set up this thing to get you two finally together."
"You were ruining our practice sessions," Kai added in his drawl.
Max blinked in surprise, then threw back his head and laughed. Tyson was still pouting, but it didn't last very long, as Max leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
They sat there laughing together, Tyson's eyes forgiving –though Max had realised rather early on that the possessive arm around his waist hadn't loosened up any –Rei telling them about the entire plot in between fits of giggles. Kai only gave an occasional roll of the eyeballs.
It was the following day that the letter came.
Replies to Reviewers: anime6000: how about you just send what you've done to me?
dark-night-sky: I hope your neighbours weren't disturbed.
Echo in the Dark: YES! I would be really happy if you drew a scene! I wish I could draw anime... -sobs-
Iluvbeyblade: I apologise, but I HATE KAI/MAX! Thanks for the compliments. Oh yeah, ukl says she really does not like Hiromi/Kai. I agree with her.
chi no hana: hope you like the result!
hoshicat: just seriously. Do not tell him.
darkstaress92: okay!
Mimicking Karma: They didn't put that in the rules. Smiles.
Black-Dranzer-1119: Thanks!
darksaphire: Okay, thanks!
Blazing Phoenix L: Thanks!
The Laughing MAnn: I'm glad you liked the holiday ones. I'm glad that I live in HK!
skimmie: Okay.
NKingy: Lol, don't worry I can't draw either.
Stunstar: Great, I really did love India.
Kaei Kon: Glad that you could make it.
Prozac Fairy: Stating the obvious huh?
Marz: Yes, he took Max over the food. I hope that didn't sound like it did.
JJ CJ: It's getting there.
QueenofAnime535: What was the score for your softball game?
Neena14: Thanks, but I'm going to do it in my own time.
Dreams-of-mine: You know we're usually the ones who thank people! For reviewing! But thanks for your thanks!
flamehaze-shana: Why did you change your name? Thanks!
Reis1Gurl: NINE WEEKS? Whoa...good luck girl.
XxSuIcIdal LulLabyxX: Okay, hope you keep reading!