For the next couple of days, Tyson could hardly see straight. Ashlee was making him so angry, he wanted to hurt her.
Very badly.
Of course, he would never do such a thing; Tyson knew hitting girls was just... Disgusting.
He was not one of those guys, yet seeing her smirk, roll her eyes, and snap at everyone, as though she knew exactly what she was doing, infuriated Tyson to no end.
Once when Max tried to help Ashlee, because she obviously didn't understand what to do,
she turned around, her eyes black with disgust and muttered, "Do I look like Tyson?"
Max stammered, "I..I just thought you looked sort of confused and lost..."
Which Ashlee replied, "Let me repeat that: Do I look like Tyson?"
Ray and Kenny had to hold Tyson back.
Finally, Tyson exploded one afternoon, when everyone was training, and putting in some extra practice.
Ashlee had said something to Hilary, who looked as though she were ready to burst into tears.
When Ashlee turned to walk away, Tyson stormed up to her, and grabbed her arm. "Who do you think you're talking to?!"
His voice boomed, and since most of the coaches were on their lunch break, everyone stopped to stare.
Mariah cocked her head to one side, "Ray, what's going on?"
"Apparently whatever Ashlee said to Hilary upset her, so Tyson had enough of her crap, I guess," He sighed.
Mariah crossed her arms, glaring at Tyson, "Ashlee is way sweet. You guys are just mean to her."
Ray eyes practically bulged out of his head, "NICE? She's the meanest girl I've ever met!"
"Only to Tyson is she like that, because Tyson is always trying to mess around with her head!"
Ray thought about this for a moment, "So without Tyson around, even for a little bit, she changes?"
Mariah sighed and shook her head, as if the answer so plainly obvious. "Yes Ray, that's it."
Tyson was fuming, I don't care if she's depressed or not, I'm sick and tired of her!
Ashlee's glare was menacing, and Tyson almost gasped in shock. Never had he seen a girl look at him that way, a way as though, she could see right into this soul. As though Ashlee could see into his very inner core.
Tyson swallowed loudly, and said, "What did you say to Hilary? She's upset!"
Ashlee said nothing, just glared. Her eyes, black as night, bore a hole into Tysons skull. He could not take his eyes off her.
"Would you mind getting your hand off my arm?"
Tyson studied her, "I..um..."
"Before you BREAK IT?!" Her voice which was suddenly low and controlled, was now high and full of impatience.
Tyson flinched and let go, revealing a bruise that was beginning to form on Ashlee s arm. Tala scoffed, "Nice job Tyson!"
Ashlee clenched and unclenched her jaw, Don't freak out Ashlee, just remember what Dad said, she thought.
I have to behave, breathe Ash.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
Breathe....
"Sorry. I ..." Tyson stuttered.
"Tyson! We were talking about something private and I got upset because of something she said, not because she hurt my feelings you dummy!" Hilary frowned.
"What is your problem? No wonder she doesn't like you!" She snapped.
Tyson was red with humiliation, and he could not look at Ashlee.
Kai was beside her now, holding her arm out. Ashlee eyed him curiously, her eyes now a light, sweet, milk chocolate brown. Kai rubbed his fingers over the dark purple marks on her arm.
Ashlee felt her heart beat faster. Her chest get tighter. She felt as though she could not breathe, and it seemed to grasp her heart.
Breathe again Ash, breathe again!
But her body would not. She couldn't, despite her efforts, make her self inhale some oxygen.
Her brain seemed to be screaming, "AIR, AIR!"
Yet Ashlee ignored the ringing in her ears; shrugged off the dizziness she was beginning to feel.
Kai looked up, his dark, steel grey eyes like jagged arrow heads piercing her heart. Ashlee bit her tongue so hard, she could taste the bitterness of blood.
Kai lips parted, his beautiful, pale lips, and muttered, "Are you ok?"
His voice deep, rich, commanding, yet Ashlee found it sexy, and inviting.
She struggled to comprehend what he had just asked; struggled to understand the words spoken, so she too, could say something. Anything.
JESUS, SAY SOMETHING ASHLEE! He's going to think you're a complete idiot! Ashlee s' brain screeched in frustration.
His eyes. Those lips. His scent, everything about him. Ashlee shut her eyes tightly for a moment, praying she wouldn't pass out in front of this God.
"So… Beautiful."
WHAT DID I JUST SAY?! DID I JUST SAY HE'S BEAUTIFUL?! WHAT THE FRICK IS WRONG WITH ME?! AHHH! As though a time bomb exploded, Ashlee came to her senses once more.
Without realizing, she yanked her arm free, and moved back a few steps, her legs buckling underneath her.
Hilary ran to Ashlee, pulling her towards a seat. "Ash, are you ok? You look so pale!"
Ashlee swallowed hard, and shut her eyes tightly.
"Fine. I'm fine, I just got dizzy."
Kai looked puzzled, but he moved towards Ashlee, "What did you say to me?"
"Yeah, what did you say to him Ashlee?" Tyson sneered, "I don't think we heard you!"
Ashlee got up so quickly, Hilary wondered if she had even been sitting at all.
"You got a problem with me? What's your deal Tyson?"
"What'd you say to Kai?"
"I didn't say anything to him! Even if I did, I don't see how that's any of your business!"
"Tyson."
Kai's lips were set into a thin line, and he frowned, clearly irritated.
"In case you've forgotten, Ashlee was speaking with me, not you. It's rude to introduce yourself to conversations you have no part in. Don't do it again."
Tyson stared at Ashlee, and then looked at Kai, biting his tongue.
"Well, you need to tell her—"
"Do. Not. Make me tell you once more."
Tyson whirled around, and stormed off into another room. Everyone else was told to leave, because Claude s' coach had come back. The only people left were Max, Ray, Kai and Tyson, who was off sulking in the other room.
Hilary pecked Ashlee s' cheek, and smiled, "See you later Ash!" She skipped off out of the room, to go home.
Ashlee felt awkward, and wrapped her arms around her.
For some reason, she felt guilty, and muttered silently, "I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble."
Ray and Max looked shocked. They studied this girl, who always acted big and tough, but at the moment, she seemed very innocent, and very, very little.
Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Trouble?"
Ashlee touched the part of her arm Kai's fingers lightly brushed; she shivered slightly.
His voice lingered in her mind, and she shut her eyes, as if to keep it there forever.
"Yes. Tyson hates me. But I can't blame him, I've been a real bitch."
Max sat down next to her, "I think we should all start over. And don't mind Tyson, he's not used to anyone talking to him that way except Kai. Don't take it personally."
He smiled, and Ashlee continued to stare at the ground. Her eyes, they're not so dark anymore, Max thought, his hand still extended toward the girls beautiful face.
A hand appeared in front of Ashlee s' eyes, and Max declared happily, "I'm Max, and it's nice to meet you Ashlee!"
Ray shook his head, and chuckled, "I'm Ray, nice to meet you Ash."
Ashlee eyed each one, and then Kai, spoke.
"Kai. Pleasure to meet you," he murmured silently.
Max, Ray, and Kai all looked a bit surprised, when Ashlee's face broke into a huge smile, and her eyes sparkled. They were such a light, brown, they could have passed for a sweet honey.
Ashlee stood up, and shook all three of the boys hands. "The pleasure is all mine," She smiled politely, "I suppose we did get off on the wrong foot."
Ashlee pointed to herself, "My name is Ashlee Higarashi."
Ray grinned, and Max laughed. "Wow, you're not mean at all!"
"Oh gee thanks," She smiled. "No, I just… There's just some problems now. It was wrong of me to take it out on you guys."
Max sighed, she's so pretty. "Nah, we understand. Don't we guys?"
Ray nodded, "Sure do. Glad to have you here in Japan."
Ashlee beamed, "Glad to be here!"
Tyson started through the window of the door, his blood boiling, his skin on fire, itching to hit something.
What is going on?! Are they being NICE to her?? You've got me kidding me!
Tyson was not going to let that girl pull his friends into her evil clutches. He was going to make her leave, no matter what the cost.