Crystal: Hello, everyone! Here I am yet with another chapter of, Stuck! =)
Thanks to: Moon Bind, Blackie and Goldie, Raku Ozzarian Princess, Ladyfiction, Songs make me cry, Lily of the Shadow, Forfirith-on-a-sugar-high, Vampyre Neko, Star-Serious-Laser, Lazyfifilazy, Winged Wolves, Keisan, TNTiggris, and Nothinglittlegirl!
You guys get an unlimited edition of: '1001 ways of tormenting and blackmailing Bryan!'
Bryan: ¬.¬ …
Crystal: OH! And before I forget, Irene-chan, thankies for beta-ing! Now, on with the fic!
Disclaimer: In a matter of speaking, I own Beyblade in my own little girl's world. Though, sadly, in reality… I don't own Beyblade… sad, ain't it? v.v
Stuck - Chapter 3
Well here I am… the last time you saw me… I'm still stuck in the 'Elevator of Doom' with the guy your obsessing with and also know him by a first-name basis. Not that I mind, nope I don't. It's just; we've been stuck here for an hour ALREADY! An hour… yep, my boss isn't going to like this. I turned towards Bryan's way and what I saw got me quite surprised. He's staring at me. Not the 'I'm a psychopath and I'm stalking you until you've died and gone to heaven' kind of stare, more like an intense gaze.
Was there something on my face?
I was about to ask him why he's staring at me---not that I mind again, it's just… overwhelming. I mean, you would be too if the guy that you're obsessing with is staring at you with an intense gaze like that---when he gave a low chuckle that made me confused even more. "No need to get confused, and before you ask; no, there's nothing on your face."
I took his suggestion and just kept quiet; though, my eyes did widen in surprise. How did he know that I was going to ask him that? Is he some kind of mind reader with psychic powers and telekinesis and all those other supernatural powers?
Okay Ivanov. No more Sci-fi TV shows for you…
"Huh, did you say something…?"
Whoops, did I say that out loud? I smacked myself in the forehead inwardly and managed to mumble an apology, which he easily took. He really is such a sweet guy, despite the fact that his childhood friend's a menace.
Silence managed to take over again, and it's killing me by the second. I really want to talk to him… I REALLY DO! It's just… he might think that I'm an annoying prick and then he won't talk to me ever again, and then he might not even look at me in the face if we somehow bump into each other again and---
You're overreacting… like you said; he's much nicer than Hiwatari, right? Wow… my inner thoughts finally had said something that makes sense. Anyway, I started to look at my wristwatch to see if the time has passed by.
8:50
Ten minutes 'til 9 o'clock.
Let me guess… you people are thinking about what is my job, right? I thought so… well; anyway it's not really big of a deal. I work at a restaurant three blocks away from here. The restaurant's owned by one of my colleague's father; though, what I don't get is, if your dad owns the restaurant… then why work there at all? Hmm… I'm getting sidetracked, am I?
Anyway, as I was saying, my colleague's name is Max Mizuhara, a friend of Rei's and he was the one who got me the job there. It was really nice of him; I mean I hardly know Mizuhara and he hardly knows me, yet he gave me a job. It was nice working there as well. All of the workers there were tolerable and the customers weren't really that demanding, and I get a decent salary.
In any case, lets not talk about it anymore, okay? I'm in enough trouble as it is… and describing what my job is NOT making me feeling any better… until something in my mind told me that I should phone the restaurant…
Holy cow… why haven't I thought about it before?!
Because there's a gorgeous man sitting right beside you…
Okay, I take back what I said earlier about my inner thoughts.
You're so mean… I'm just stating the facts truthfully, is there something wrong with that?
I ignored the "voice" in my head this time and checked my pockets if I brought my cell phone. Unfortunately, I was too busy getting ready that I realized that I forgot to bring my cell phone. I could always use the emergency phone in here, but the owner had given us these attention notices and told us that the emergency phones are broken and they're waiting for the repairman to come and fix it.
It's quite amusing really… the people who have lived in the building--including Rei and myself--had gotten the notices four months ago. Rei and I have always wondered what happened to the repairman.
Here are our possible theories:
Number one: The repairman had gotten lost and probably went to the wrong building and had an argument with the owner that resulted to the owner suing the repairman.
Number two: The repairman had a heart stroke and now he's in the hospital resting for four months straight.
Number three: The repairman had eloped with some woman that he just met in a remote island somewhere in Japan.
Or
Number four: The repairman's just a lazy bum who has received a lot of complaints from other people since he's a couch potato, watching TV and eating junk food all day.
I always pick number four and number one for lots of reasons, though I'm not going to mention it since I will probably bore you to death.
Bryan must have been watching me search my pockets, since he's watching me with those moonlit eyes of his, amusement showing through them. "May I ask what were you looking for?"
"I… I was looking for my cell phone… but, it seems that I've forgot them at home since I was rushing…" I sulked, while hanging my head down. Geez… I feel so embarrassed… I'm so STUPID! Who would in their right mind, forget their freaking cell phone at home?!
"No need to be mad at yourself," he replied, making me surprised again. However… instead of my eyes widening as size of teacup plates, my mouth's the one reacting; opening and closing like a freaking fish in a fishbowl. I was about to say something when he interrupted. "I could easily read your emotions in your eyes. You're frustrated, am I right?" I nodded my head while my mouth is still opening and closing. I watch him take something out of his pocket. "Here, you'll probably need to call your work…" He handed me his cell phone, and me being the person who worship the ground Bryan Kuznetsov walks upon on, gave a mental squeal.
"Thanks…" I managed to squeak out… wait, did I say 'squeak'? Oh crap…now I squeak like a freaking mouse too? This obsession thing is getting too far…
Anyhow, I dialled the phone number of the restaurant and waited for anyone to answer.
"'Glacier caf', how may I help you?" a cheerful voice came from the other line on the phone said.
I quickly recognized the person who answered the phone. It was that colleague I was talking about earlier. "Mizuhara…?"
"Ivanov-kun? Where the hell are you?! You're an hour late now, you realize that, right?! IT'S BEEN HECTIC AROUND HERE, WE NEED YOU!!!!!!" I slowly back away from the phone, as Mizuhara kept on lecturing (more like yelling) me on punctuality and the consequences of being late.
"Umm… yeah… uh huh, I know that. Wait… just let me ex--NO! WHAT GAVE YOU THAT IDEA?! …No, wait--yeah but… uh huh… but, SHUSH! Let me explain!" I sighed with relief when Mizuhara finally let me talk, and then I started explaining to Mizuhara how I'm stuck in the 'Elevator of Doom' and see how that I'm probably not going to be able to go to work today.
"When do you think you'll be able to get out? And who's phone are you using?" the cheerful man asked me.
"I don't know when I'll be able to get out… hopefully soon though. And for the other question, there's another person stuck in the same elevator with me, and he was nice enough to let me borrow his cell phone and call you… yep, okay bye." And with the 'click' our conversation ended and I handed the cell phone back to Bryan. "Thanks for lending me your cell phone."
He gave a small smile and said that it was no problem. "So… was he your boyfriend or something?"
I started coughing uncontrollably after he had asked that question. He thinks that Mizuhara and I am a couple? Hah, as if! If he only knew that I'm mooning over him… "No!" I managed to choke out. "Mizuhara's a colleague of mine from where I work and besides, he's already taken so why should do that? And my feelings for him are neutral and that's it."
He apologized, and of course you all know that I can't stay mad at him for one second, so I accepted it. Though… I still can't help but wonder why would he ask such a question… hmm, maybe he's jealous?
Your imagination's too much… My inner thoughts have once again dampened my hopes.
Oh, be quiet… I retorted inwardly, and surprisingly it actually listened to what I said for once.
The quietness has crept back and it was starting to annoy me again. I counted how many dots are on the ceilings of the elevator, and I also counted how many ways for me to kill Hiwatari without Rei knowing. From at the corner of my eye, I saw Bryan---the gorgeous, sexy of the sex gods Bryan---just sitting down there with sketchbook and a pencil, and it appears that he's sketching something. Of course he would sketch something, stupid, or else why would he have gotten his sketchbook and pencil out? State the obvious more why don't you… I scolded myself inwardly, also including of inwardly kicking and slapping myself in the head.
Curiosity had got the best of me, and since I don't want the silence mocking me… well, silently, so I tried making a conversation. "I didn't know you could sketch," I said, making him stop and look at me for a second.
"Yeah… I do. It's one of my pastimes when I'm bored, or done with my work." And before I could ask him about his work, he started explaining it to me. "I work at a big company, and sometimes there are a lot of work to be done like meetings, read documents and stuff like that. But when I've finished all of them right on time, then I would just sit there and sketch whatever I see. Though, sometimes I go to the central park and sketch there."
"Won't they find out that you aren't there?" I asked him.
He gave a small chuckle--that made my stomach feels all tingly inside--and said, "They won't mind… at least I think they won't." He never really explained further on what that meant, but I'm sure I'll figure it out… somehow. Anyway, since I'm still curious at what he was sketching, I decided to take just one little peek at his masterpiece. And so, quietly (finally after many years of being Rei's best friend, his sneaky-ness has been influenced on me), I slowly and carefully looked over his shoulder to see that his drawing was none other than… me.
I was really surprise because… why would he draw me?
"Why me?" I asked out loud, while going back to where I sat.
He looked at me with amusement, and just shrugged while going back to sketching… me. "For some reason… I just find your eyes enticing, and so I decided to sketch a picture of it… if you don't mind of course," he added. "I'll just throw it away if--"
"NO!" I blurted it out before you could say 'Hark, there goes the angels!' "Umm… what I mean is that, you don't have to, since I'm sure the outcome of the drawing will be outstanding…" When did I start saying the word 'outstanding'? Anyway, he gave a really heart-melting smile and continued to umm, sketch… me.
Me! The red head little Russian sitting a few centimetres away from the guy of his dreams. I can't help but blush at the thought… well, until suddenly the elevator gave a nasty jerk, and for the first time in my whole entire life that I have been living in this building, I thought I actually had been grateful about the Elevator of doom for trapping Bryan and me inside.
But I was obviously WRONG.
I was finally getting comfortable there, and that stupid contraption just went there and blew it. Not only Bryan doesn't get to finish his sketch of… me--I still feel all giddy about it--he won't be able to show it to me, and let him praise with all the hard work he's done! And I was planning to give him a hug and kiss on the cheek too!
I tried not to sulk when the both of us surprisingly got to the basement without any clichés, and that we would be going on our different ways.
"Umm… well, I guess I'll see you later?" I managed to mumble out, while going to the direction where my car is, and Bryan to his. I saw him gave a small nod, and with that he took off into another direction where his car was suppose to be. When he was out of ear-reach, I gave a disappointing sigh and lowered my head in the steering wheel. Which of course ended where the car horn gave a large roar of 'BEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' and me hoping that he or some other person that's in the basement right now wouldn't hear that, though I really highly doubt it.
They're doing it again.
It has been like this, EVER since I got here. Whenever I walk pass by them, they just started giggling out of nowhere, LIKE A BUNCH OF HYENAS!!!!!!!!! Seriously, what's their problem?! I gave them a dirty glare, which resolved to yet another fit of giggles. Who's 'their' or 'they' you asked? WELL, it's my crazy, lunatic, bunch of colleague girls, that's what! Ever since I rushed in the back door of the restaurant where the locker rooms are, and ever since after I got a lecture from the manager, and EVER SINCE I've started to handle my waiter-ing job, every freaking time I pass by one of those freaking waitress girls, they either got an amusement look in their eyes (if some of them were taking orders from the customers and just looks at me briefly), or when I'm by the cashier place to get the customers receipts, they just start giggling for some reason! And for sure I'm right that there's nothing funny with my clothing since they always see it when I'm working, and for sure there I'm not carrying anything else that would make them laugh their faces off.
I'm just grateful that we get a half an hour break later so I could ask Mizuhara if there's something wrong today; it's either those girls or me that's something wrong.
And he's not wrong about the 'We've been hectic' speech either. There are so many customers here that there are at least fifteen people at the waiting area, just waiting to be seated! Not to mention that it's getting crowded as well, despite the fact that it's still kind of early for them to eat a big buffet. Hmm… probably for conferences and such (the business suits of the people says it all), I wouldn't really be surprised since this restaurant is really popular among business companies and other people.
Anyway, when after I served at least three tables, and the customers were satisfied for a moment, I asked the supervisor if I could take ten, and thank the Gods above that the supervisor was really nice and let me rest for a bit (she found out about me being stuck on the 'Elevator of Doom' and thought that I'm panic-stricken and that I'm claustrophobic) Hah, me, claustrophobic? I don't think so… I just have a bit of… arachnophobia.
Err… enough about that… in any case, I went back to the locker rooms to take ten, and when I entered the room, what I saw amused me the most. It looks like I walked in on a couple of people… umm, really getting acquainted to one another, so to speak. I cleared my throat so they could notice my presence, and in an instant both of them pulled away immediately, while blushing a very beautiful shade of red, like the colour of my hair, per se.
I gave them a smirk and sat right across from them (they were sitting at the table by the way). "What do you know… Kinomiya, Mizuhara, I never knew that you two are dating each other. I mean, I know Mizuhara's dating someone but it didn't come pass my mind that it would be you, Kinomiya."
"Umm… uhh…" Both seemed really embarrassed that I caught them red handed. Hmm… I wonder if that's what the girls were giggling about, that I didn't know Mizuhara and Kinomiya's relationship and that I was the last one to know.
"How did you know that I was dating someone?" Mizuhara managed to ask, who's still red in the face.
I gave a small shrug and leaned into the back of my chair. "It's not really that difficult, really. Every time I see you, you have that dazed look in your eyes and you always zone out like you're in a fantasy or something."
"Like you?" Kinomiya raised in his eyebrow indicating something that I can't really recall… I frowned and fixed my confused gaze towards him.
"What are you talking about?"
For some strange, and freaky reasons, the both red-in-the-face young men were now back to normal, and just started to grin oh so suddenly, which gave me a surprise. I'll admit I never really expected that.
"Well," Mizuhara started. "I always see you with that dazed look in your eyes, like what you've described about me earlier. And when we eat lunch, sometimes you just stare at an empty space, and I could've sworn you would just start smirking at the EXACT same empty space."
… Did I really do those things? I gave them a look of disbelief and gave a laugh (a little nervous for my taste). "… Then, is that why the girls just started giggling out of nowhere when I pass by them?" I saw them nod their heads, and I just sat there, a little shocked. "But, I'm not even on a relationship!" Not yet anyway…
"Pfft, nonsense Ivanov. So, who's the lucky guy?" Kinomiya pesters people too much… Before they literally force me to answer, the supervisor who gave me a ten-minute break came (to my relief) and told me that my break is over. Hmm, it's over already? Oh well, at least Kinomiya and Mizuhara won't bother me… unless my shift's done for today anyway… damn it.
"Oi, Red! We need some serving on table 35!"
Ugh… I really hate it when they call me 'Red'. I mean, just because my gorgeous hair is a brilliant shade of red, that doesn't give the right to call me, Red! Hmph. Anyway, I did what I was told and went to table 35 with my note pad and pencil ready. When I got there, what I saw really got me by surprise… and really, what I meant by surprise, I was on the verge of fainting… AGAIN! It's like the gods are punishing me for doing something evil, and heck, I didn't even do anything that's evil! Well, not yet anyway.
Want to know why I'm starting to act like this?
WELL, as if fate has decided to cross our paths again--which I highly un-doubt--, there he is again. Bryan Kuznetsov… the sex god of all sex gods, sitting right there with lots of people wearing business suits. And before one of them could see me, I walked--actually half walked, half ran--all the way back inside the locker rooms and started to hyperventilate. Unfortunately Mizuhara and Kinomiya were still there (though, they weren't busy acquainting themselves to each other anymore), looking at me like I had seen a ghost or something.
"Is something wrong, Ivanov-kun?" asked the ever-so-cheerful Mizuhara, while tilting his head to one side, proving that he's confused; hah, it's not like his eyes doesn't show it.
Anyway, back to my crisis here.
"I CAN'T GO OUT THERE!" I practically screamed at the top of my lungs. I'm grateful that the locker rooms were sound proof. Why sound proof? The waitresses tend to be loud when they're getting their stuff, ready to pack it in for the night/afternoon if they finish their shift at that time.
"Why?" Kinomiya asked me.
"BECAUSE!"
"Because…?"
"BECAUSE I SAID SO, THAT'S WHY!"
Suddenly, out of nowhere, Mizuhara started grinning like a psychopath that just had gotten out of the mental institution. It's getting unnerving…
"I think I know why Ivanov-kun's acting like this…" he said, making Kinomiya a.k.a idiot #2 (just in case, Hiwatari's idiot #1), raise his eyebrow and gave a look towards him.
"Care to share, Max?" Kinomiya said.
"WELL, it seems like Ivanov-kun's boyfriend's out there right now, and Ivanov-kun probably didn't tell him that he works here, so now Ivanov-kun's shocked and didn't want his boyfriend to see that he works here, probably because he has a more better job than Ivanov-kun. Am I right?"
Argh… when will they EVER learn?! "HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"
Suddenly, Kinomiya and Mizuhara had the same evil grin etched on their faces, and I think it's my cue to leave… though unfortunately, before I could escape, both have grabbed my arm and now pulling me out of the locker room, like I'm some three-year-old, dragging me to go to a dentist appointment.
I hate them… did you know that?
Crystal: And that ends chapter three of 'Stuck'. Hope you guys enjoyed it!