Ten Ways Chapter 3: Accident Prone, a beyblade fanfic

TEN WAYS

CHAPTER TWO

Accident Zone

Hello. I'm Cleo Katherine Dawson. And yes, I am well aware that I am starting to sound like a stupid broken tape recorder so I'll shut my trap now.

Without further adieu,

RUN.

RUN!

That was the word that played on repeat inside my head. I was panting so hard, trying to catch my breath. I felt so confused and disoriented. I turned to the left and found myself in a long dimly lit corridor of an old castle. Lightning cracked outside, I shuddered. I've always been afraid of lightning.

I slowly walked down the hall, trying to even out my breathing as I could. I stole glances at the scary looking painting hanging up on the walls. Their eyes seemed to follow me, stare at me. There's no door.

NO DOOR!

What was I doing here anyway? How do I get out? What if I can't get out? What if I'm doomed to be Cleonzelle, the one trapped in a door-less hallway (how ironic.) instead of a tall lanky tower?

God, I don't want Tala to be blind when he rescues me!

A soft rumble behind me made me stop, I took deep breathes before I turned around. I heard a loud crack; I furrowed my brows as I bent down and listened. I swear it came from the floor. Rays of light broke through the dusty floor, cracking more violently now, I slowly back away. The bricks fell on an endless pit, brick by brick fell. I quickly got on my feet and ran.

I'm not gonna die here!

"Help!" I screamed, my voice cracked a little, "H-Help!"

"Dawson!"

"H-Help.."

"DAWSON!!"

"Help… hmmm,"

"CLEO KATHERINE DAWSON! WAKE UP!"

I jerked on my desk as Mr. Sanchez slammed his thick history book on my desk. I heard my classmates laughing, I laughed unsurely with them. "Sorry, Mr. S." I said, clearing my throat a bit, "I slept late last night."

"Yes. I guessed." He hissed, adjusting his thick spectacles, he continued glaring at me, "I was pleased that you weren't tardy today, but don't go off sleeping on me."—his gaze falls behind me—"Valkov! Stop pestering Arabella!"

Gasping, I swiftly turned around and gaped at Tala who was rolling his eyes at Mr. Sanchez. He was in my class?? And I didn't even know?

RESOLUTION NUMBER ONE: Wake up early. Sigh.

"Sit down, Cleo." Mr. Sanchez snapped, his gaze falling on my disorderly self once again. I quickly sat back down, sighing. Why did Tala have to be here when I'm being scolded? Oh. I get scolded everyday. I accidentally dropped my eraser on the floor. I bent down to get it, stealing glances at my prince.

Somehow, Tala's sixth sense must have sensed someone staring at him, not me—ok, fine, me. His head snapped to my direction and a smirk graced his face. He mouths 'Hey'.

I awkwardly smiled back and straightened up. Honestly, I felt like peeing. Ok. Too much information.

Sorry about that.

I turned my attention back to Mr. Sanchez. He was in his serious-teacher-mode. He was talking about America and Iraq and oil. I yawned, this is all so boring. I haven't slept well last night. And I know you know the reason. Heeh, uhmm, it was okay.

Just the casual. Hello. Greeting. Autobiography questions.

I dropped my eraser again as the bell rang art.

I groaned. We have a test.

NO PENCIL. NO TEST.

I cursed at myself before opening my bag again. I should have double checked if I had my pencil. How can I be so forgetful? This test is huge and I can't take it simply because I don't have a pencil. It's so pathetic.

I glanced at Mr. Aqua. He's already starting to give out the questionnaires. I'm doomed. I turned to Hilary, who sat beside me.. only a small space away. "Hil, you have an extra?" I asked pointing at the pencil she was holding.

"No. You forgot yours?" She said, looking a bit alarmed, "No pencil. No test."

"I know, that's why I'm freaking out." I turned to the person behind her, "Kai, you have an extra?"

Kai stared at me for a good ten seconds before looking away from me. I narrowed my gaze, what's his problem?

"That's a no." Hilary said, grinning from ear to ear. They seemed to know each other well. Hmm.

"Oh. Okay." I replied, turning back to the black board where the four words I totally detest now were written. I dropped my head on the desk and closed my eyes. Maybe if I pretend to be sick…

"Ok. Those who don't have pencils," Mr. Aqua started, "Please leave the room now. No excuses. I told you yesterday."

…but I can't lie to Mr. A. He's so good to me—sometimes. I sighed as I stood up. Thud. I heard a soft thud on my desk, I glanced back down at it. And saw a pencil. What the--? I glanced at the person who passed by. Kai. Why's he standing?

I though he had a pencil...

"Mr. Hiwatari, you don't have a pencil?" Mr. A asked, his brows furrowing into a line, "I'm disappointed. This test can really pull you up."

"Hn." Kai replied as he gave the questionnaire back to him. Oh, i'm so slow.

Mr. A and I watched as Kai swiftly walked out of the room, I felt as if my breathe was being sucked out of me. As if I couldn't breathe. Is this—"Cleo? What's the matter?" I heard Mr. A ask, "Do you have a pencil?"

"I don't have a questionnaire." I weakly replied. I know you're all like, 'You're so bad bitch!' or 'Kai gave you his pencil for you to take test. You should at least NOT take the test for it to be fair.'. But if I do that, his efforts will go to waste.

And don't worry I have a plan.

Mr. A walked towards me and slowly handed me the questionnaire Kai handed him a while ago. I smiled to myself; Kai forgot to erase his name. Well, all he wrote was Hiwatari, but that will do.

I started answering.

...

Leaving the name as it is.

As soon as the bell rang for third period, I hurried to the gym, where my next class is. My dreaded class is. Coach Will is going to kill me, actually I think all of my teachers are going to kill me.. someday. Somehow.

I directly went to the locker room and changed. Julia was the only one there. "Hey, CK." She greeted, grinning at me, "Still sleepy?"

CK? Where'd she get that? "Nah, I'm fully awake now." I replied, turning around to take my shirt off, I've never been comfortable changing with someone in the same room as me, except for my mother.

"See yah out, C."

"Ok, Julia."

I heard the door shut close. Finally I was alone. Flashes of murder in the locker room flashed in my head, I shivered. I quickly dumped my uniform inside my locker and ran out. I'm too easy to scare. I ran a comb through my hair and tied it in a tight pony.

I heard the coach whistle as I walked into the gym. The boys were already playing basketball on the other side of the court. The girls were still being selected from by Coach Will.

He spotted me walking towards the group and smiled, "Dawson, I thought you weren't gonna show up," he said, mockingly, "You're up."

I groaned.

I told you. They're out to get me.

I growled as I walked, more like stomped towards the center of the court. Coach Will scolded the boys for playing, he said it was the girl's turn on the court. For all I care, the guys can have the court all day.

I hate basketball.

I don't know how to dribble!

Prrrrrrrt!

I started running after Emily, who's got the ball. She's on our rival team. White Vs. Red. Mariam stealthy took the ball from Emily's hands and passed it to me. I glanced down at the ball then at my classmates who were all running towards me. I screamed as I ran to the other side, forgetting to dribble the ball.

Prrrrrrt!

"Dawson!" Coach Will yelled, "You need to dribble the ball. Traveling."

I groaned as we positioned ourselves for my free throw. Why did Mariam pass me the ball anyway? She knows I hate the ball more than anything.

"Go Cleo!" I heard a yell, my head snapped up to the one who cheered, it was Hilary. They were having their Physics class here at the gym. Probably to study how I managed to live this long, nah, just kidding. You can laugh now.

Har. Har.

The ball slid down from my hands as I spotted Tala sitting beside Hilary. I sighed dreamily. Hilary laughed then she pointed at me, Tala followed her gaze. A grin graced his face yet again, he waved at me. "Hey Cleo!" He said, the grin still in place.

"Cleo." Mariam said, rolling his emerald green eyes, "Snap out of it."

Hesitantly, I turned my attention to her. "Huh?" I managed to say as she handed me the ball, "Oh. Right." I glanced up at the ring as I dribbled the ball twice.

I threw the ball when I heard a "Go Cleo!". I glanced back at Hilary and Tala, it was Tala who cheered. He still had his hands cupped around his lips. His blue eyes were still blue from where I am standing now. He is just so… perfect. I raised a brow as his expression changed. He looked surprised, worried, annoyed.

"Look out!" Hilary screamed, jumping on the court floor, "Look out!"

I looked back at the ring and red was the color I saw last. Oww.

"W-What happened?" I asked slowly sitting up. An ice bag fell on my lap as I did, I glanced at the small room around me. Tala and Hilary were sitting by the sides, looking at me with unreadable expressions on their faces.

A nurse entered carrying a tray of first aid. "Hello, Cleo," she greeted smiling warmly at me, "How are you feeling?"

"I-I'm fine." I replied, shifting my gaze on her, "My head hurts a bit."

"That's because it has a wound," she replied, opening a bottle of Alcohol. She soaked a cotton ball with alcohol. I stiffened.

"No. Actually, it's quite fine now," I said, moving to the other side, "It doesn't sting anymore."

The nurse grabbed my hand, "Cleo, stay still ok?" she said, "This will only hurt on the beginning." She pressed the cotton on my forehead, how the heck did I acquire a wound up there?

"Oww. Oww. Owww. Owww. Owww." I groaned as she continued applying, "OWW."

"Ohh shuddap." Hilary snapped, rolling her eyes, she placed her hands on her hips, "You sound like a dog." I glared at her pouting. And that's when I noticed.

Tala's hands were on her hips. Hilary's ruby eyes followed my gaze, she stiffened a little. Swiftly she whisked Tala's hand away.

"Ok. What was that?" I asked, raising a brow.

"What was what?" Tala replied, smirking.

Something fishy is going on here and I can't even smell it.

Hilary and Tala left early because Mrs. Scribe called everyone to the gym, saying she had something important to say. So, when I got out of the clinic I was alone. I went straight to the gym, I arrived on the east wing. There was no one around, guess the program already started.

I leaned on the door and lazily knocked. I wasn't too excited about her announcement. She makes announcements everyday.

I leaned on the door waiting, won't someone open me? Come on, don't you want me to hear what she's announcing?

"Cleo hey," I heard someone call, I turned around and glanced at Mariah, who was jogging towards me. She looked well—pink. Pink hair, pink flushed cheeks, pink jacket. PINK. Only her eyes and complexion aren't pink.

Honestly, she needs to cut down her addiction. It's too bright.

"Oh, hey Mao." I greeted, leaning on the door again, "They didn't let you in too?"

"Huh?" She asked as she got near me, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you know, that were here, while they're in there.."

Mariah looked more confused as ever, then her eyes brightened, "I almost forgot, are they here yet?" she asked, "Mrs. Scribe is about to call them out."

"Who?"

"The contest…"

CLICK. "And here they are.." I heard Mrs. Scribe's voice on the amplifier, who arrived? And where did that clicky sound came from?

"..ants. They're supposed to be here by the door."

"OH…" I replied, leaning back on the door, "Hmmm, well it's just you and--WHOA!" The door I was leaning on disappeared and I started tumbling down the short stairs of our gym.

"Cleo!" I heard Mariah's worried wail.

".. And.. Dawson!" I heard Mrs. Scribe's voice again. I hate her voice. Finally, I stopped spinning. Oww. That hurt. I think I need to go back to the clinic again.

Mariah was suddenly by my side, three Mariahs. W-What? I squinted my eyes, too pink, too bright. Her eyes turned to the person just a few feet away from me, "Kai, you could've warned before flinging the door open." She hissed, "Look at her, all of her bones look dislocated."

"I-Is that why I feel numb?" I weakly asked, raising a brow.

Mariah and Kai glanced at each other, before Mariah sighed.

"Dawson, are you okay?" Mrs. Scribe asked again in the stupid amplifier.

I groaned.

"Nice entrance, Cle.." Aaron teased as I walked passed him and his group. I call his group the skaters. Well, I don't really have an idea if the Skaters skate or not, they just look like skaters you know. "My jaw fell on the ground."

Claude tried to hide a laugh behind his cap. Miguel was smiling, smugly if I may add. And Matilda, well, she was rather pitying me. Hmmm.

I felt a hand tangle with my own, "Mind your own entrance, A." Hilary snapped at him as she pulled me to pick up pace, "I don't know why you don't snap back at them,"—she pulled me closer—"As your best friend, it is my duty to make sure you don't have anymore accidents today. So I asked someone to drive you home.."

"Really Hil, I'm fine.."

"…this afternoon. Actually he did it as a favor for me…"

"..look all of my bones aren't dislocated.."

"…and while he drives you home.."

"..I'm fine really.. it's not like I'm gonna die by having a ball.."

"..i really want you to got to know him a bit.."

".. hit me in the forehead, or by falling down a couple of steps.."

"..So what do you say?"

"..It's really fine."

Hilary beamed at me, "Yay!" she cheered hugging me tightly, "That's great! Let's go to the parking lot now."

"Wait—What?"

"There he is.." Hilary said, a little proudly I must add, she pulled me towards him. I felt my heart stop. Oh my god. Really? HE would be the one driving me home. Am I going alone?

"Hey, T." Hilary greeted, "I practically dragged her here, so here she is."

"H-Hi Tala." I managed to say, "N-Nice car.."

"Hah. Thanks. It's my babe." Tala replied, smugly. He opened the door for me, "It's an Audi—"

"Tala," Hilary cut in as I got inside the car, "I have to go. Coach Will needs some help in training the newbies. See you tomorrow?"

Tala nodded at her, "Yeah. See you. Take care ok?" he said walking to the driver's side.

"Yeah, sure." Hilary replied. She glanced at me, I almost thought she forgot about me, "See you tomorrow, CK." CK? Where did they get that??

My inner self mentally kicked me, Cleo Katherine you idiot.

"Oh."

I heard Tala close his door and start the car, "hey, do you mind if we head somewhere first," he asked, "I need to get my radiator replaced."

"Oh, yeah. Sure, no problem." I'm just too happy to spend more time with you. Sigh.

We went to his mechanic, whose called Anj. Pronounced as An—An—ohh, never mind. I don't know how to pronounce it too, let's just call him A-N-J. Sheesh. "I'll just change the radiator," Anj said, cleaning his hands from grease, "And then you can take you girl home,"

"I'm not his girl." I protested, hesitantly. Har. Har.

Tala placed a hand on my shoulder, "Come on, let's eat first," he said, smirking, "This could take a while."

"Uh, ok."

He took me to the rooftop. It was free space; there were benches here and there. Laundry. A broken bulb. And you can see the beautiful sunset. Sigh. How romantic. This is great you know, how everything seems to work out right.

How everything seems to go to the direction here I want it to go so bad.

He handed me a pack of chips and a bottle of soda. We both looked out into the bright orange sky. I could hear the seagulls and the waves. I love it here.

"Your hair looks kindda red when it's directly under the sun you know," Tala said, after taking a sip from his own soda, "Red looks good on you by the way." Oh. You look good on me? I already know that.

I glanced around, there were kids playing rugby on the other building which is as tall as this one. I furrowed my brows, one of the kids looked really familiar. I turned back at Tala, "Any color looks good on you," I replied, grinning, "True."

"How many minutes did you think about that?" Tala replied, chuckling a bit.

"Uhmm, only one." I replied, opening the pack of chips, "That's an achievement."

We stared at each others eyes for a full ten seconds, "I have a question," Tala said, still not moving his gaze from mine, "Is it okay if I ask?"

"Ok. Shoot."

"What if I use a bridge to get to know another person, is that okay?"

I furrowed my brows, what did he mean by that? "Huh, it depends I guess. On the bridge." I replied, turning my gaze away, I can't think when he looks at me. I feel like melting. Must. Stop. Looking.

"Look out!"

TWACK!

I fell on the floor with a thud, the pack of chips flying. Tala caught my head, only my head. "Sorry, I wasn't quick enough," he apologized, "Are you okay?"

"I—I'm fine." I replied, sitting up.

"Oops. Sorry about that Tala!" the little girl who looked familiar yelled, "Can we have our ball back?"

"You bruised my guest, Kaitlyn."

"Sorry—is she Cleo?"

"Huh? She knows me?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. Have I seen that kid before? I'm positive that I haven't.

"Yeah, she's Cleo."

"Oh. Sorry Cleo!!"

"It's okay."

Tala threw the ball back on the other building, "Go away!" he scolded, "You might bruise me next!" the kids giggled as they ran down the building.

"Sorry 'bout that." Tala said, helping me stand, "Are you really okay? You got hit in the head pretty much today."

"Yeah." I replied, looking up at him. My heart stopped beating, but I didn't die. No, actually I died. And I went to heaven. The End.

Just kidding.

I stared at his eyes, they were so blue. I have never seen blue as blue as Tala's eyes were. My lips parted a bit when I felt his hands on my nape. I shivered. "Are you cold?" he asked, gently.

My dreams are finally coming true! Do you want to be my maid of honor? Or best man? "I'm fin—"

SLAMM!

"Yo T! Anj said to--Whoa."

"Cleo?"

I glanced to the door. My jaw fell. Is this a dorm? Do I need an audience to watch when I kiss Tala? Grr.

What were they doing here?

And yes. My suffering is only beginning. This is not even a part of my suffering. My timing is really off.

Next chapter, witness my death. Hoorah.

'hhmmm? hello. i'm the author. Whatever anyway, i have rewritten 'd camera club. i'm gonna post it here maybe next week. : ) hoorah.