Yay another chapter in one day! Sorry, like I said she had five ready... You guys get a lot of chapters! Enjoy! Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome!
I watched in anticipation as the lights grew closer. By now, all the Bladebreakers were squirming to look out the windows and barely any traces of sleep clung to them. I smiled, but stayed upright in my seat. There was little need to look out the window when I already knew what was there. Unable to resist, however, I stole a glance at the lights.
"Home." Max half-turned his head in my direction and I realized I had spoken out loud. He stared at me for several seconds until I eventually asked him why. Max cocked his head curiously.
"Did you say something?" He asked. Max quickly added with an embarrassed smile, "Sorry, I think I was so excited I missed it."
"Yes…I mean, no," I said. "It…it wasn't important." My statement hadn't really been accurate anyway, since I actually lived in the northern part of California, miles away from here. The word had been blurted out; it didn't need repeating.
"Are you sure? Okay." Max said, shrugging. After a brief hesitation, he spun around to watch the lights getting closer out the window. "Hey, I think we're landing soon!"
True to Max's exclamation, the plane had started gliding down to meet the runway. The movement was smooth until the plane's wheels jolted against the pavement. Slowly, the airplane slid to a halt.
I shifted to get up, but noticed most of the team had stayed where they were. I glanced at them, puzzled. Then a voice spoke over the intercom.
"We have arrived at the California Los Angeles Stop. This plane will depart for New York City, New York in fifteen minutes. Thank you." I sunk back into my chair, a little disappointed to be staying on the plane. Daichi yawned and slipped back to sleep. He slumped over onto Tyson, who tried to push him off without much success. I studied the shadowy, black buildings outside the window. At some point, however, the view disappeared behind my eyelids.
"Sandy, wake up!" A voice said. I gasped, seizing the hands shaking me. My blurry vision cleared, revealing a startled Max. I gradually released my white-knuckled death grip, wincing at the raw marks my nails had left.
"Wh…why were you shaking me?" I asked, still in shock. "Is something wrong?"
"Ouch!" Max said, rubbing his arms. "The plane's finally landed. It's time to go." The last part was said with building enthusiasm. I tried to steady my breathing and relax my tensed muscles.
"O-okay. Thanks for telling me," I said. I added, "Er…sorry about your arms."
"Remind me not to be the one to wake you," Max said, laughing. "Don't worry about it."
The Bladebreakers and I stepped out into the airport. This time Hiro had learned his lesson and kept us all under his watchful gaze. The crowds were thick with people, making it hard to press our way through. I spotted a glimpse of sunlight through glass doors, but Hiro seemed to be looking for something. Tyson and Max suddenly darted forward.
"Mom!" Max exclaimed, embracing a woman with familiar yellow hair. Tyson was eagerly talking to several people behind the woman. I noted that a few of them had beyblade gear and remembered that Max's mom was the coach of another team. I searched my memory for a moment before recalling them: the All-Stars.
"Hi, honey," Mrs. Tate answered, smiling. "Your coach informed me you would be arriving today, so I thought I'd meet you and your team here."
"I've missed you so much," Max said. "It's great to see you again."
"I've missed you too," she said. Max's mom glanced up at the Bladebreakers for a moment, eyes falling on me. "Who's this?"
"Huh?" Max asked, before following his mom's gaze. I shrunk back slightly. "Oh, this is Sandy. She just joined the team."
"Isn't it a little late for new team members?" Mrs. Tate asked questioningly, studying me more closely.
"She used to be on another team in the tournament, but they're…" Max paused awkwardly, seeming to search for the right words. "They got caught in an accident." Mrs. Tate widened her eyes in recognition.
"I remember now. You're one of the Daredevils, right?" She asked. I looked away and her eyes filled with sympathy. "I heard about the fire. I'm so sorry. The Daredevils were a great team. Your captain, Lee, never lost a round in any of his matches, right?"
I nodded stiffly and stared at a nearby wall. The All-Stars watched me curiously, making me want to disappear into the surrounding crowd. I would have done it had I thought I could find my way out again.
"So where are you staying?" Mrs. Tate asked Hiro, changing the subject.
"Not too far from here," Hiro replied. The conversation shifted and I found myself tuning it out.
In my head, beyblades whirred around plastic arenas. Past matches replayed and I analyzed them carefully. Streams of light clashed together and zipped away, roars echoing as bitbeasts joined the fight. Then several people screamed and fire flooded the arena in my head. I tried to flee, but my feet wouldn't move.
"Sandy?" Rei asked. Orange flames melted into equally bright amber eyes. Both the All-Stars and the Bladebreakers had started leaving and I was left standing alone. I released the air I realized I'd been holding and found myself able to move again.
"Sorry, just thinking," I murmured.
"What about?" He asked. A tremor shot through me and I tried to block out the sound of fire crackling in my mind. I ignored his question, instead pushing past to follow the rest of our team.
Unconsciously, my fingers brushed the small case holding my bey. A purr rumbled impatiently from inside. Sorry, Nyc', I wish I could. There are too many people here to practice, I thought gloomily.
I was dismayed to find even more people outside the building than there were packed within it. Imposing skyscrapers towered above and cars fought for a place on the road. I stepped back as noises flooded from all directions. So this was New York.