Chapter Seventeen
"I can't believe some tone-deaf, helium voiced, bubblegum haired, pop start bea me!" Daichi groaned, banging his head on the table he was sitting in front of. "I can't believe it! Her. Her! Of all people! She beat me! By singing!"
Does this guy ever shut up? I lowered my head from looking at the ceiling and glared at the red-haired monkey as he continued to whine and complain and justify his loss. Ray was sitting in a corner, head bent, and eyes closed, meditating to get his mind in the right place for his match. Max was laughing a little at Daichi. Daichi's rant was comical but it was a pain in the ass as well. The supposed best beyblader in the world didn't have any sense of humility at all! If he had been raised in the White Tiger Village that's one of the first things they teach us.
Tyson was sitting next to Kenny, Hilary on the other side, and they were watching Daichi's battle again on his laptop, analyzing the battle as much as possible. Tyson was uncharacteristically quiet, which made me worried. We all had a lot riding on these battles but I wondered if Tyson was taking it just a bit too seriously. Sure, if BEGA won Beyblading would be turned into a sport and it wouldn't be there just for fun anymore, limiting the challenges the bladders around the world would face, but it wasn't the end of the world. We just wouldn't do tournaments anymore, and there was nothing wrong with that. But still, I got what he meant. Beyblading was the only thing we had that was pure and if that was taken away… I might as well just get married and become a housewife or something.
"What a lousy trick. If I had her in the dish again I'd give it to her…"
"Will you stop your bellyaching all ready?" I finally lost it. The kid was working on my last nerve. Daichi stopped his rant and turned to look at me as did everyone else. "You lost, get over it," I snarled, clenching my hands into fists. "No one wins every battle they fight. Do the best bladers sulk over it? No! Do they whine and complain and put their faults on someone else? No! Do they stick their blame on someone else when it was really their fault? No! They suck it up, deal with it, and learn from the battle and apply it to their next one! So put up or shut up!"
"She has a point," Ray sighed, lifting his head and opening his eyes. "In a very unconventional way…"
"I'm not here to babysit you all," I responded, putting my hands on my hips. "I'm not here to sugar-coat everything for you. You lost, deal with it, move on, and get ready for the next battle instead of moping. Don't forget what we're aiming for. Sitting around, moping, and whining like a buncha babies isn't going to help you win. You have to concentrate!"
"I think Kai took over her body," Tyson muttered.
"Imagine all that rage being shoved into such a tiny space," Kenny responded. "I'd be angry too."
I slapped my hands on the table and leaned close to their faces. "What did you just say?"
Tyson and Kenny backed away, fear etched across their faces as Hilary laughed.
"Never mess with an angry woman, boys. You'll just get burned," she said gleefully.
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," Dizzi sing-songed.
"I'm not scorned!" I took in a deep breath and held it until I felt myself relaxing a little and let the breath go and said as calmly as I could, "We have the rest of the day to put our minds at ease and get a good rest for tomorrow's battle. Don't waste it." To try and bring in a bigger audience Boris decided to have a battle per day so Ray would blade tomorrow and Max the next day. I would go after Max assuming he didn't lose and if Kai didn't show up.
The room was silent but then the door to the room swung open and hit the other wall with a loud bang. A flash of pink flew by me and the next thing I knew Mariah was gushing about how she had faith in Ray and knew that he would win tomorrow and blah blah blah.
"Mariah," I finally called, annoyed of her consistent Ray worship.
"Yeah?" She asked happily, turning to smile at me.
"Clam it."
A look of confusion crossed her features before a cat-like smile formed on her face and she hooked my arm with hers at the elbow. "You're in a grumpy mood, but I know how to fix it." She winked and lifted a finger. "We'll have a party. Tonight."
"A party?" Max repeated, his eyebrows crinkling. "What for?"
"Yeah, we don't have a reason to celebrate," Tyson agreed.
"We don't need a reason to celebrate to have a party. We'll have one to relax and take our mind off of the day! It'll be fun!" Her mouth twisted to the side when no one said anything. "C'mon, we'll have games and music and food. A lot of food!"
"Well…" Tyson muttered. Mariah's grin widened. Anytime food was in front of Tyson he wouldn't pass up the chance to eat it, and Mariah knew that.
"She has a point, a relaxed blader is just as great as a focused one, right?" Hilary spoke up. "And when was the last time we took a break?"
"I don't think you guys understand that we're in a battle for our lives!" Tyson roared. "And all you want to talk about is parties and games and food?" The sudden silence that fell over the room was broken by his grumbling stomach and the others let out groans, some fell to the floor. "Heh heh, well you know… better to blade on a full stomach than an empty one…"
"A party it is then!" Mariah cheered, punching a fist into the air. "Meet at Tyson's dojo at 7! The girls and I will set everything up."
"How did I get dragged into this?" I grumbled.
"'Cause you have the best organizational skills that anyone I know," she replied.
"Whatever."
"Yeah, she totally is channeling Kai," Tyson concluded, crossing his arms over my chest.
I smirked. "Just be glad I'm not him." My smile dropped and I sighed again. "Ok, I'll help. I'll get groceries or something. Ty, do you want anything?"
"That's not a safe question to ask," Hilary commented before he could even open his mouth.
"I mean, I noticed they're running out of food at the dojo so I figured I could get them something while I'm out," I said, shrugging.
Tyson actually looked surprised. "Thanks," he said simply.
I shrugged. "No prob." Then I turned and left the room, sighing and dropping my shoulders. I didn't meant to snap at all of them. They didn't deserve it, but they were getting on my nerves… I could feel Dricen pulsing in my pocket, his way of trying to comfort me and help me relax. Unfortunately he'd have to try harder.
It took a bit longer than I expected to walk to the store from the stadium but I was finally able to think in peace and quiet so I couldn't complain. I scanned the aisle searching for everything that Mariah felt was needed for the party. I was surprised that they let me off 'lockdown'. They've been so concerned that Kaoru would attack me again for the longest time. I guess since he didn't show up after a while they lessened their leaches.
Humming, I pushed the cart full of food to the cashier. I watched as he slid each item over the scanner and tapped my fingers against the cart. Finally the cashier bagged the food. I grasped the bags and lifted them out of the cart, pushing the cart away and moving to the exit. I had one foot outside the store and sighed when I noticed that it was pouring.
The weather must reflect my mood. It wasn't raining before; hell there was barely a cloud in the sky before. Grumbling, I started walking down the street, back to Tyson's place. I felt water droplets bring down my hair and run down my neck as I hunched over to try and keep the rain out of my face. The next thing I knew the rain had stopped falling on me altogether. I looked up to notice a large umbrella was now over my head. I turned my head to see who had put the umbrella over me.
"Did you follow me or something?" I asked, shifting the wet bags in my hand. Thank God I opted for plastic.
"No, I saw that it was about to rain and noticed you didn't bring an umbrella," Mariah replied, shrugging her shoulders.
I squinted at her, sure that my pupils had dilated until they were practically slits, like a cat. She gave me an uneasy smile and I turned my gaze to the sidewalk in front of me, watching as one foot moved in front of the other. God, this was so awkward. What did she want anyway? She couldn't have been checking on me, we weren't that close.
"Um…are you ok?" Mariah finally asked, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Mariah, I'm fine," I replied with as much exasperation as I could muster. Maybe she'd get the hint and leave me alone.
She sighed and looked down at her feet, still grasping the handle of the umbrella. Out of the corner of my eye I saw her biting her lip, which she only did when she was thinking hard about something. I prepared myself for whatever it was that was about to come out of her mouth. "I know why you're upset," she finally spoke up.
"Enlighten me," I sighed.
"It's the 7th," she stated.
"Thanks for that observation."
"May 7th. Today's the anniversary of your parents' death." I twisted my mouth to the side but didn't say anything although on the inside I was screaming. How the hell did she know? But I knew not to ask that question out loud, it would be stupid and redundant. She was there, of course she wouldn't forget when her own home got burned to the ground and they had to start all over again. But Ray had kept his mouth shut and surely he knew. Why'd she have to open hers? I kept my lips pressed together as I felt tears collect in the corner of my eyes at the very thought of the day but I managed to keep them from falling. There was nothing to cry about. I was over it. "You know, I miss them too."
"Huh," I muttered.
"They were a great contribution to the clan. Your father was one of the best bladers I've ever seen. And your mother was—"
"Mariah, why are you talking about this?" I demanded.
"I'm just…trying to make you feel better," she replied.
"I feel fine!" I gripped the bags tighter trying not to let go and punch her in the face. "I don't even know why you care, we're not even friends!"
Mariah actually looked hurt at my exclamation. She knew we weren't friends so why was she hurt? We haven't been anywhere near friends when we first met. We always had this silent competition between us. I still didn't even know why but my seven-year-old self wasn't going to back down from a challenge and my sixteen-year-old self wasn't going to do it either.
"I…want to be your friend," she said.
I actually laughed at that. "Yeah right." I tried to walk faster but she grabbed my arm.
"I'm trying to be nice!" Mariah huffed, glaring at me, her pupils dilating. "I want to put this stupid fight behind us. I want us to be able to work together and be on the same team. I want you to be able to trust me. I want to be friends, Crys."
"But I don't, Mao, and do you want to know why?" I could feel my blood boiling. If any raindrop landed on me it would probably evaporate instantly. "For years you made fun of me, called me names, spread rumors about me, turned people against me, got me in trouble with our elders, stuck the blame on me, li—"
She stopped me by putting a hand over her mouth. "I know I've done those things. I was young and stupid and…jealous, ok?" She grumbled something and looked up at the lightened sky. "I was jealous of, well, a lot of things but—"
"You were jealous because I got Dricen and you didn't," I summed up for her. "You're the one to blame for that, Mariah." I remember that day well. Everyone knew about Driger and his twin, Dricen. White Tigers of the Elements, protectors of White Tiger Hills which were passed down through generations of the White Tiger Clan. I wasn't there to witness Ray getting Driger but Lee was considerably upset considering his own grandfather gave the White Tiger to his grandson's best friend. I had gotten Dricen before Ray, when I was seven actually, about a week before I got banished.
Dricen was passed down through generations. Eventually my mother found it and used Dricen as her own. When she retired from blading she gave Dricen to the Elder, passing over the responsibility of him deciding who it would go to. Mariah dared me to steal Dricen. Not wanting to be seen as a chicken, I did. I then battled against Lee and Ray and beat them but I couldn't control Dricen's power. Elder found out and I was put on blading probation as well as getting a massive grounding, but soon after he realized that Dricen belonged to me and we've been a team ever since.
And Mariah's hated me even more ever since.
"I know, I know!" She said, frustrated. "I'm trying to apologize and make things better, if you didn't notice!" She bristled.
"Look, I don't have time for this. I have to cook for this party of yours."
"Don't you get it? I'm throwing this party for you!"
I blinked. "What?"
She nodded rapidly, her hot pink ponytail bouncing. "I figured you'd need something to cheer you up considering the day and since you can't blade."
I shook my head and started walking away. The rain had stopped but the sky was still cloudly. I continued to shake my head, not bothering to look back at her. I was trying to dislodge what she said. I couldn't have friends, every friend I've ever had had been chased away or hurt by me and I didn't want it to happen again.
I couldn't let it happen again.
"You take that back!" Hilary roared.
"Grandma! Grandma! Grandma!" Daichi taunted, sticking his tongue out at the steaming brunette.
"Zip it, Daichi, before I make you!" Tyson snarled.
I chuckled from the tree branch I was sitting on, overlooking the party. It was so obvious that Tyson had a thing for her, if only he'd actually grow up, realize it, and then admit it. But it was baby steps for Tyson and if it didn't have anything to do with Beyblading he was as slow as molasses in Alaska.
I wasn't planning on going to the party but after spending hours cooking (which wouldn't have taken that long if Tyson didn't keep trying to sneak a taste of everything) I figured, what the heck? I could use a little fun in my life. And here was my entertainment for the night.
"Boy, you're no fun!" Daichi grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. "You might as well eat and pass out on the couch, Grandpa." He then laughed out loud and pointed at the two. "Grandma and Grandpa! What a match!"
"What did you just say?" Tyson and Hilary bellowed, steam practically coming out of their ears and fire burned behind their eyes.
"Whoa, take it easy guys! He's just joking around," Miguel said, putting a hand on Tyson's shoulder. "He's just a kid, trying to get a rise out of you. Don't listen to him."
Tyson crossed his arms over his chest and grumbled, "Why don't you go bother Max or something?"
"Because he's too busy chasing after—"
Great, Daichi, just great! I rolled backwards and let go of the tree branch that I had been holding onto with my legs and easily dropped to the ground. And that's my cue. I tiptoed past the party and managed to reach the side of the dojo. I grasped the handle and slid the door open, letting out a little yelp when I almost ran into someone.
"Running away again?" Mariah asked, lifting her eyebrows.
"I have nothing and no one to run from so, technically, I'm not running," I replied, moving past her to get into the house.
She flung her arm out to stop me from walking. "When are you going to talk to me?"
"I don't have time for this. I have to focus on the upcoming matches." I pushed her arm out of the way and let out a long breath. I gathered up my hair into a ponytail in my hands before letting it go. Why did I ever let Mathilda convince me to wear my hair down?
I went to the freezer and stuck my arm all the way in until I found what I was looking for. I grabbed the small carton of strawberry ice cream with a grin. I found a clean spoon, sat down and scooped the cold treat into my mouth. Man, White Tiger Hills really needed to think about bringing in some of this dessert. They're really missing out.
"Ah, so this is where you're hiding," Tyson commented, coming into the room.
"I hardly call a kitchen a hiding place," I replied, grabbing a spoon and handing it to him. He eagerly dug into the ice cream container and pulled out a scoop. I looked at the nearly empty container and glared at him as he smiled innocently. "So who sent you to check on me? Ray? Max?"
"The girls," he replied, licking the pink residue off of his lips. "They just want to make sure you're ok. We all do. You're more…Kai-like than usual." He cracked a smile to show that he was teasing. I didn't smile and his faded. "That was a joke,"
"I know," I replied, tapping my spoon on the side of the carton.
Tyson put his pink glob back into the carton, wiped his mouth, and looked hard at me. "What's on your mind? And don't say nothing. You lie as badly as Ray does." Then he paused. "Actually, no, Ray is a worse liar."
I cracked a smile. "I'm just not in a party mood." I shrugged.
"Everyone's in a party mood always. It's free food and games and music and time spent with your friends."
I squinted. "Are we friends?"
He blinked. "Of course we are. I hope. I mean, you're the only girl blader I consider close to my league so that should mean something."
"Gee thanks."
"You're welcome. Now out with it, unless it has something to do with Maxie, then I'll—"
"God! It was just…gah! We're not attached at the hip!" I cried out, throwing my arms into the air.
"Hey, whoa. I never said anything," Tyson said, holding up his hands in defense. "But now it proves that something is bothering you."
"Ty, I just…it's…" I let out an annoyed breath. "Ok, I'm tired of this." I rubbed my forehead so I wouldn't have to look at him. "Today's…an anniversary of sorts…for my parents. Today's the day they were…killed."
"That's it?" Tyson asked, obviously confused.
"Waddya mean, that's it?" I bristled. "It's pretty damn important."
"I know but…I kinda figured you would've moved on or at least had some closure. It's been about eight years, right? You can't let this control you. I've accepted that my mom is dead but you know what? I blade for her. I blade to make sure she's proud of me and you should do the same, blade for your parents. Trust me, it's the best driving force in the world." He looked up when he heard the sound of pots smashing. "Oh geeze, that better be Grandpa…"
"What if it was Daichi?" I asked, standing with him.
He grinned. "Then I'll have an excuse to lock him in the shed."
I laughed and slapped him on the arm before following him back out to the party. Mariah jumped when Tyson pulled the door open. Kevin looked sheepish and shoved a glass behind his back and grinned at me. I glared at him and he scurried off.
"Eavesdropping? Really?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"I was trying to stop Kevin."
"You were being concerned," I corrected her. "And thanks," I mumbled quietly. I didn't want her to hear me but the smile on her face told me she did. Damn cat senses. "I mean thanks for…being a friend…"
"No problem, girlfriend!" She replied, suddenly perky again. "If you ever want to get away from the guys I know the best places to go."
I nodded. "Sounds good. Thanks. For the party and to try and cheer me up."
"You're welcome." She laughed. "You can stop thanking me now." A shiver rolled down my spine. "And you can stop spying now." A few seconds later Ray dropped down from the top of the dojo. "Seriously, you gotta stop doing that."
"Just making sure I didn't have to stop a cat fight."
"Ha ha. We're fine. Better than fine. We're friends now, apparently." My eyes scanned the backyard until they rested on a blonde. "If you'll excuse me for a second…" I wove through the crowds and managed to dodge Emily's and Michael's bebyblades going at each other. I nudged Max's side and he paused in midsentence talking to Raul and gave me a bright smile.
"Hey." And almost instantly his smile faded as I struggled to find the words that have been bouncing around through my brain all day. "Is everything ok?" He asked, lightly putting a hand on my lower back.
A half smile formed on my face and I nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine." I guess I'll just tell him once the tournament's over. No harm done.