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Sorry I haven't updated recently- but I hope you can forgive me if you read my new story Reindeer Kisses!
This story is dedicated to all of you guys for supporting me on this amazing writing journey.
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And don't forget to review this one too pleaseee!

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DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Troop.

SYNOPSIS: After Hayley's heart is broken, there's no better thing to do but to immerse herself in monster hunting; especially when there's a rare but vicious monster on the loose. But what happens when she finds herself falling for someone she'd never expect?

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Chapter 9: Talking It Out

"Get up! Get up! God dammit, GET UP HAYLEY!"

"What?" I shouted in annoyance at whoever was disturbing my precious sleep, "Can't you see I'm resting my eyes here?"

"Yes, I can see that, Hayley," Jake hissed, as I cracked an eye open to look at his form peering down on mine, "But we need to go in 15 minutes and I was thinking you'd want to fight monsters in some jeans, rather than your pajamas,"

"Where are we going to fight monsters?" I asked; yawning as I did, "And what time is it anyway? I'm so tired..."

"It's 5:30am- and before you complain, it isn't my fault you have to get up at this dreadful time. If I had it my way, no one would have to wake up before noon," Jake chuckled, "Yuki came in and woke us up but you were dead asleep to hear her scream at us to get dressed. I'm guessing she isn't a morning person,"

"Well neither am I," I mumbled, as I got up from the bed, rubbing my temples, "5:30am is too early for any normal person to get up at. So what's Yuki's excuse for getting us up this early?"

"She told me Akira got an anonymous tip that there was going to be an attack on the Great North Shore some time this week. No one's sure if they should trust this piece of information as it could be a trap but it's too dangerous to ignore so we must get there as soon as we can to investigate," Jake explained, "Now if you excuse me, I'm going to take a shower,"

"Oh ok, that sounds good to me," I smiled at Jake as he walked into the en suite bathroom in our room, "Jake- I'm starving! When are we having breakfast?"

"Yuki said the road trip to the Great North Shore is about 3 hours- including a pit stop for breakfast," Jake replied, almost instantly as he heard my stomach grumble, "Don't worry Hayley, I'm sure I have a chocolate bar or something in my back pack somewhere, so if you're really hungry and we haven't stopped yet for food, you can have it,"

"That's nice, thanks Jake," I nodded; changing from my pajamas into jeans and a singlet, "Now get out of here, we don't have that much time til we leave!"

Deciding on a pair of dark blue jeans and a black singlet, I put my silver hoop earrings into the piercings in my ears and brushed my hair quickly. To my surprise, Jake had finished his shower and was toweling off his hair as he came out. I couldn't help but stare as his as my eyes looked over his clothed body like a laser beam. Jake looked up and winked at me and I quickly averted my gaze with a growing blush on my cheeks. This 'game' Jake was playing was starting to get harder and harder for me to win.

"Hey everyone- Akira and Felix are picking us up in 5 minutes so get ready to go. And they just called informing us on bringing a spare change of clothes because we will most likely be staying over for a night or two at Akira's aunt's beach house, just in case a monster attack does happen there!" announced Keiko loudly.

Upon hearing this, I grabbed a spare pair of undergarments, my pajamas, a pair of gym shorts and two tops for the stay at the beach house. Honestly, I wasn't shocked that Akira's aunty was rich because Akira always had this arrogant, snobby but confident vibe about him. Shaking my head rid of Akira-related thoughts, I folded my clothes quickly and placed them in red duffel bag I had luckily bought along for the trip to Japan. I also placed Jake's hoodie- which weirdly enough, had almost become one of my jackets because I wore it all the time. The strangest part of this was that Jake didn't even seem to mind and he'd smile at me every time he saw me in it. And that made me grin like an idiot because I knew Jake liked me having a part of him with me at all times.

"You ready to go?"

I turned around as I slung the duffle bag over my shoulder to meet with Jake's chocolate eyes. His hair was still damp from his shower and the curls twirled in such a lazy but adorable fashion that made me want to twist my fingers through them. I could feel the heat rushing up to my cheeks again so I just nodded; afraid to speak just in case words gave away the erratic beating of my heart.

"Hayley, Jake- the others are here!" Yuki shouted to us from downstairs, "Are you done yet?"

"Yeah Yuki, we've just finished," Jake replied for the two of us as he out of the room, down the stairs with his back pack on securely.

"That is good because Keiko was starting to wonder if you guys were wrestling with your lips," Yuki winked at us as Jake and I scowled at her.

"Like I'd ever go near those lips," I snorted as soon as Jake was out of hearing distance, "He has a girlfriend, Yuki! I'd appreciate it if you didn't make those comments anymore. It probably scares the brains out of him!"

"Do not blame Yuki, Hayley," Keiko giggled, "It was my fault too. And everyone can see it but you two idiots! You two are crazy for each other!"

"You girls don't get it do you?" I sighed, "Jake would never like me that way. He has a girlfriend called Leanne and she's beautiful. I can't compete with that,"

"You know you are beautiful too, Hayley. Do not underestimate yourself- ever. Insecurities are the major flaws in humans and I think it is great you do not doubt yourself," Keiko smiled as Yuki nodded along.

"Keiko, Yuki, Hayley! Are you guys coming or not?" Jake shouted from the front door, "Akira and Felix are getting impatient! Akira thinks we're losing time and Felix is starving!"

"Sorry, we are coming!" Yuki yelped as the 3 of us scurried along with our bags.

As soon as I stepped out the door, I realised it was quite cold this morning. Although the sky was starting to turn a lighter blue than the dark night sky which indicated the sun was soon to rise, it had rained last night making the air quite chilly. I grabbed Jake's hoodie out from the duffle bag and wrapped it around my shoulders before entering the vehicle to see a cheery Felix and a tired-looking Akira.

"Good morning ladies," Felix chirped happily, "How are we all this early morning?"

"Tired," I groaned, "I'm still really sleepy. It's nearly 6am now and I still think this is an insane time to wake up for a monster,"

"The things we do for the Troop," Keiko laughed as she buckled her seat belt.

"So what's the plan, Akira?" Jake asked; sounding quite friendly to him for once.

"We are going to drive for an hour or so, then have breakfast when we see a good place to. We will spend 15 to 20 minutes there and then we will be back on the road. We must get there as fast as we can as a threat may exist and we do not want any civilians hurt," Akira replied in a formal tone.

We all nodded as we buckled our seat belts with a click. Akira started the engine and reversed out of the driveway as quickly and safely as possible and we were on our way.

It was silent for a little over an hour as everyone was quite tired- even Felix. Yuki was asleep on Felix's shoulder and his head hung lazily on Yuki's head. Keiko was sitting in the front seat next to Akira and by the looks of it, she was asleep too, leaning against the cold glass of the window. Jake was asleep next to me; his head comfortably against the seat's headrest. His eyes were shut and I realised how pretty his eyelashes looked against his smooth skin. His chest rose at a constant slow pace and the car was filled with slight snores and sleepy sighs.

I, on the other hand, tried to sleep but was constantly fussing around; twisting my body and turning my head because I was unable to find a comfortable position. I finally gave up and started to look outside the window and admire our surroundings.

"Not really sleepy now, huh?" Akira said; no doubt smirking behind the wheel.

"Well I'm not really used to sleeping upright," I snorted softly, "Even on the plane ride here, I didn't sleep particularly well. I mean I slept and everything but I was talking in my sleep, which clearly shows my discomfort,"

"Of course, Hayley, of course" Akira chuckled, "You hungry yet?"

"A little," I smiled, "I was starving when Jake woke me up but now I'm alright since my stomach has probably given up on fighting me to eat. Jake offered to give me a chocolate bar he has in his bag just in case I did get hungry though,"

"He did, huh?" Akira questioned; interest clearly in his voice.

"Yeah, he did. I know- it surprised me too," I smirked.

"You seem very happy about this, yes?"

"I wouldn't say happy..." I whispered, as I saw Keiko shuffle, "I'd say flattered. Jake cares a lot about 3 things- his food, his friends and his comics. Actually, make that 4 things- his girlfriend, Leanne. Yeah, he loves those 4 things to death,"

"So is that why you argue all the time? Because you are not on his list of what he cares and loves?" Akira challenged.

"What?" I exclaimed; having difficulty keeping my voice down, "Jake probably does care about me, somewhere deep inside that thick skull of his but he doesn't love me! Why does everyone keep saying that? If it's anything, I probably love him!"

The words escaped me before I could hold them in and I gasped as I slammed my hand over my mouth. Akira started to chuckle and I could feel myself turn red at what I had confessed. How the hell did I just admit that to Akira when I couldn't even admit it to myself?

"Finally, I see Hayley Steele acknowledging the hidden truth!" Akira announced dramatically- which was way out of character for him, "You know, I kept denying there was something between you two for so long. I thought I could be better than Jake and win your heart over but as soon as I left Lakewood, I knew Jake would have a better chance than me with you. Then I heard your Troop was coming over to help us with our monster issue and I was so excited. Maybe I still had a chance with you..."

"You did, Akira," I said in a small voice, "And you still do,"

"Do not be foolish, Hayley, like I was," Akira sighed, "Yuki and Keiko warned me- they told me I was not the one for you and that we could never work. I wanted to prove them wrong because I am Akira! I am never wrong- ever. So I tried to be charming to you when you first came to Japan because I wanted to win you over. But I soon realised that they were right. Your heart belonged to someone else; someone else that wasn't me,"

"Don't say that," I murmured on the verge of a sob, "You're acting like I broke your heart Akira...I am so sorry. I didn't know of the circumstances and that I was leading you on, I just-"

"It is alright Hayley," Akira laughed quietly, "I understand now. You belong with Jake; like I belong with Keiko,"

"So you like Keiko now?" I beamed; clearly ecstatic for Keiko as I knew about her feelings for Akira.

"Well we are taking it slow but yes, I think I might have fallen for her a long time ago but just never noticed it," Akira smiled to himself, "Just like you and Jake. You know, if Keiko never told me her feelings for me that night of the dance, I probably wouldn't have even realised it until it was too late. So Hayley, I am telling you that you should not wait for the one you love. You need to chase them and chase them until you capture them. Only then are they eternally yours,"

"Wow Akira, I never realised you were this...deep!" I chuckled, "But I do believe what you said was right. Thanks Akira, I really needed to hear that. So we good?"

"Why Hayley, we are better than good!" Akira replied in a tone happier than I've ever heard of him before, "We are friends. But if Jake ever hurts you, you better tell me immediately. I will teach him a lesson he'll never forget,"

"Done deal," I grinned, "Same to you about Keiko. I'll talk some sense into her if she ever breaks up with you,"

"Now how about you tell everyone to wake up because we will be having breakfast at Breakfast Blitz," Akira asked politely as he drove into a car park.

"Sure," I agreed, "What is Breakfast Blitz anyway?"

"It is a restaurant that is designed on many of the highways in Japan," Akira explained, "We are lucky to have passed one so early. Usually, we don't find one until later on in the town. The founder, Mark Blitz passed away a few years ago and it was a great shock to Japan. Luckily though, his dedicated wife decided to run the company all by herself. She is truly a role model for all of our country,"

I found Akira's story about the Blitz restaurant very touching and I thanked him for telling me. I unbuckled my seat belt and turned around in my seat to wake Felix and Yuki up. I shook Yuki's shoulders gently and she jerked up suddenly to collide with Felix's jaw.

"Ouch..." mumbled Felix as he rubbed his jaw, "Are you alright Yuki?"

"I am fine," she laughed, "Some maniac decided to shake my shoulders with you on top of my head. You think that was a very smart idea, Hayley?"

"Not really...but it seemed to have worked in my head," I said innocently, "Sorry about that guys but Akira wanted me to wake you guys up since we're here to have breakfast,"

"Great! I am starving! Come on, Felix," Yuki squealed, as she pulled Felix out of the car.

I grinned, looking at the cute couple as they walked into the restaurant holding hands. It was truly amazing how even when Felix was hurt, all he could think about was if Yuki was alright. I sighed; hoping one day I would get that sort of fairytale ending- and not the one where the boy cheats on the girl with a friend or when the boy is part of someone else's happily ever after.

"Hayley? What's with all the racket?"

I turned back to my seat to see Jake yawning and stretching his muscular arms up in the air. Being in the Troop had done him well in physical aspects. I looked away before Jake could have realised that I was admiring his dashing good looks.

"Come on you too- out of the car!" Keiko commanded, "Akira needs to lock the doors before we all go in and have breakfast. Yuki and Felix have already gotten a table for us so come on guys!"

Hurriedly, Jake and I scurried out and walked away from the van. Akira gave me a nod towards Jake and I rolled my eyes with a smile still evident on my face. He then winked at me and I couldn't help but laugh at his suggestion to tell Jake I liked him a lot when we were both hungry.

"Did that jerk just wink at you?" Jake asked in a demanding tone; pulling me to one side.

"Yes but it's not what you-"

"Like hell it isn't!" he cut me off, "He seems to be with Keiko and the loser's already cheating on her with you. The idiot should've just chosen you to start with since he likes you so much!"

"Why do you care so much Jake?" I hissed, "Akira isn't cheating or anything because he doesn't like me that way anymore!"

"I care because you're part of this team, in case you've forgotten!" he sneered, "And how would you know?"

"I do remember I'm part of the Troop and I've been trying to do everything I can to help! Heck, I even put myself in danger at the dance to help this investigation with the Vortex situation!" I yelled; clearly pissed off, "Well maybe I know because, I don't know, Akira and I talked about us in the car!"

"Look, I'm sorry I accused you of not being part of this team," Jake murmured running a hand through his hair, "And I'm sorry for over-reacting about the Akira thing. You never told me he was just your friend now,"

"Yeah he is," I sighed, "I'm sorry for not telling you but can we just start fresh? No more games or competitions- just us being...well I was going to say normal, but we aren't exactly normal are we?"

"I'd say fighting monsters on a daily basis and bickering with each other on an hourly basis isn't exactly normal, Hayley," Jake chuckled, "But I agree, let's just be...us,"

"Sounds good to me," I smiled shakily.

"Great," Jake announced as he rubbed his hands together, "I'm starving. Let's eat!"

Jake and I walked into the restaurant, side by side, acting normally without the ego and pride each of us usually held. And as we ate and talked and laughed with everyone else, I realised that maybe being just friends with Jake was what I needed right now. Even if I really, really, really liked him- it would just have to wait because in the end, we wouldn't work out anyway, right?

"Stop stealing my French toast, Jake!" I complained; humour evident in my eyes, "Eat your own food dude! You have enough eggs and bacon there to feed a litter of new born kittens!"

"Yeah right, Hayley," Jake scoffed with laughter, "You couldn't finish all those pieces of toast anyway,"

"You guys never stop arguing, do you?" Yuki giggled as Felix slung an arm around her shoulders.

"Believe me when I say this is them on their best behaviour!" Felix grinned as everyone on the table roared into laughter.

"Me and Hayley are always on our best behaviour," Jake remarked as everyone chuckled a little bit more and continued to eat their breakfast before it was time to leave.

"You know, Jake," I whispered honestly into Jake's ear, "I think I really am going to enjoy the time where we're just 'us', as you so put it. I like it how we have no more games,"

"Yep, but don't get used to it Hayley. I actually rather like our arguments. It develops my verbal fighting skills against all the other people I dispute against," Jake winked, "And yeah, I enjoy these normal conversations. We haven't had them in ages,"

"Good coz I like it when we're like this," I smirked as I leaned on his comfortable shoulder while he put his arm around me.

I felt like the world had stopped and nothing, and I meant nothing could've stopped the happiness from glowing within me. Jake and I finally stopped the pathetic games and decided to be real with each other. Everything finally seemed to be falling into place...

Until an oh-too-familiar face walked through the glass doors of Breakfast Blitz that would change my life forever.

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Ok guys, don't hate me for the cliff-hanger! I swear it'll be worth it once you see the next chapter(;
Don't forget to leave me a review! I read every single one and I appreciate you all for your effort and dedication in sticking with this story!
Which reminds me to go read my story written and inspired by you guys- Reindeer Kisses!
Happy reading everyone;

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