Chapter Nine:

Surprisingly the day went by rather quickly, I had ditched everyone at lunch time to help Molly out with a project. The end of the day came and her and I walked out of school together.

"Thanks for the help Rei."

"Any time Molly."

We were joined by Melvin moments later. He pushed up his glasses when he smiled at Molly. My heart clenched. It was so sweet seeing these two together. Melvin may be on the strange side but he cared deeply for Molly.

"Hey Rei, are you coming on the camp next week?" Melvin asked.

Both him and Molly eyed me, I blushed a little, I hadn't made up my mind just yet.

"I'm not sure." I answered.

They waved goodbye as the bus pulled up. Molly had said she and Nicky were going to stay in the tent and I was welcome to crash with them.

"You going to the camp or coming to the competition?" Ray asked standing beside me. I looked at him and smiled.

"I'm not too sure just yet, I mean the camp sounds like fun." I shrugged.

"You should come to the competition. It will give you a better insight to it." Ray suggested. He did have a point though.

"Don't you have to have a note for school?" I asked confused.

"I'm sure Mr Dickenson won't mind. We can say your helping with the school work." he suggested.

"Isn't it lying?"

"I am helping them Rei, you should help me." Came Amy's voice.

I looked at her stunned.

"I thought you were going..." she was already shaking her head to answer me.

"I decided I would wait for that, besides it would be nice to have a break." she laughed.

Sounded like a great break to me, I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"I will think about it."

The three of us decided to head to the arcade for some down time. I was shocked when Amy had actually suggested it. We walked in, I just glared at Andrew and ignored him completely.

I sat down at the car racing game, I hadn't down this in awhile. Ray sat next to me, we challenged each other. We waited for the machine to load the game.

"So heard your hanging out with Kai tonight."

"I guess so."

"What you guys doing?"

"Apparently twenty questions." I smiled. Ray looked at me and shook his head laughing, leaving me confused.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you like him?" I looked at him stunned, what did he mean? Did I like Kai as a friend, then yes of course.

"As a friend." I answered.

He laughed and shook his head and before I could ask what the race was about to begin. I revved my engine as he did his.

"Ready to eat my dust?" he asked.

"Only if I lap you." I retorted.

O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O.O

I had beaten Ray three times now at the races, he admitted defeat quietly and asked me to keep it a secret. I winked and told him I would. I checked my watch, it was getting a little late and a thought occurred to me.

"I forgot to get Kai's info." I slapped my forehead.

"Here. He told me to give you this."

I took a piece of paper from Ray and unfolded it. I read through it and smiled.

"Thanks Ray."

"Your welcome. Race again?" he asked.

"Only if you get better."

I left the arcade and headed straight home, taking the short cut through the park. I bolted the stairs, showered and changed in record time. I had no clue what to wear so I called the one person who would have an answer for that.

"Hello?" Mina chirped.

"Hey I need some fashion advice and stat."

"Ok I need the deets now."

I started to explain everything, she didn't bother to gape over the little date or whatever it was and told me piece by piece what to wear. Right down to my underwear. I hung up and changed quick smart, I had just finished an puled out the neatly folded piece of paper. dialled the number and was answered on the second ring.

"Hello?" his voice sounded to deep, different then in person.

"Hey." I said after a few seconds of momentary adoration.

"Hello." his voice sounded a little softer.

"So where did you want to meet?" I asked. I had straighten my spine and treated this like business. No idea why though.

"How about I pick you up?" he offered.

"Ok then. I live at the Cherry Hill temple."

"I know."

He hung up before I could ask how. Twenty minuets had passed and a car beeped, I headed out and straight for the car. I jumped in to see Kai driving.

"You can drive?" I asked. I had to admit it was impressive. He grinned at me.

"Yes."

"Since when?" I asked since he didn't elaborate.

"Awhile."

I nodded and looked out the window, he had a very flashy car, I had no idea what it was though. Sighing, I listened to the music that was currently being played. It was a refreshing soft melody, I was falling in love with it.

"How was your day?" Kai asked, surprising me with small talk.

"It was ok." I said, playing with the bottom of my dress. I had picked a red dress, I liked red and red suited me. I didn't want to talk about school, well not today anyway, it wasn't very nice end to the day.

"What is it?"

"What?" I asked.

"That's bothering you." he made driving look easy, I shuddered remembering my first time behind the wheel.

"Just some idiots, nothing to worry about." I smiled and then looked a head.

"Where are we?" I asked.

I had never been down this way, it looked fancy, I was defiantly not sure how I was going to afford this. Kai just smiled in answer and pulled up tot he front of one of the restaurants. He handed the keys over to the valet. He held his arm out for me, I took it and smiled politely. We were seated after we walked in, I had never felt so, I had no words for this. When we sat down, the place seemed to big and well maintained.

"So shall we play our game?" he asked. He nodded when we were brought over a bottle of water, I took a sip and eyed him. I had to ask a good question to start this game off. Kai was smart, smarter then me so I really had to think.

"Shall I start then?" he asked after I took awhile to respond.

"Sure." I smiled sweetly.

"Does your family own the temple?" he asked.

I was relieved when he asked something simple.

"Yes, my grandfather does. Does your family own any property?" I had a feeling it was a silly question. I was right when he smiled, laughter was in his eyes. I bristled with being laughed at.

"Many, Grandfather, father and mother." he answered. I was half expecting one word answers.

"Do you like the school you attend?" I placed my finger on my lip and thought about it.

"I like having my closest friends, I suppose so. Who do you consider your friends?"

His eyebrow rose and he thought about it. I was kind of hoping to make the list.

"Tala and I have a history, Ray is someone I trust. Max, Kenny and Tyson I appreciate. Brooklyn is a lot like me. Hilary has grown on me. You do ok..." I blushed and smiled at that. "Ami is good for conversation. Michelle I do like..." that irritated me but I didn't let it show. I wasn't jealous.

"How about you?" he finished with.

"Well Serena, Ami, Lita, Mina, Ray, Max, Hilary, Andrew, Darien and I think that is it."

something in the air changed, I shivered a little and smiled when I looked back up.

"Oh did I forgot to say your name? Silly me." I smirked.

He relaxed a little and actually snickered.

"Funny."

"I know."

Our meals arrived and we continued with our questions, they started to get interesting after the boring stuff, of course he kept count and we had two left. I rolled my eyes.

"Any nicknames?" I asked. He glared at me and I just smiled. Clearly there was one he didn't want me to know. "You have to answer."

"Sour..." he mumbled the last part. I didn't catch it. I leaned closer.

"Repeat that."

he mumbled again and I actually kicked him in the leg. He winced slightly at it.

"Sour Puss. You happy?"

"Yes and you are now down to one." I said laughing when he realised what he had done.

"Clever." he thought about it as I thought about my last one. I seemed to find out a little more about Kai tonight.

"Ever dated?" I asked him, this was interesting.

"Not really."

"Awww sweet."

"Ever wanted to try beyblading?" he asked.

I was shocked, I was have expecting him to ask if I had ever dated, I felt a little hurt by that but answered the questions.

"It's growing on me, I don't want to make a fool of myself." I admitted.

We finished our meals and he had paid for mine. I had argued and he simply ignored me. Sighing in defeat, I hadn't wanted the night to end, we got into the car and he headed toward the temple but made a turn before he could reach the street.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"My house." he shrugged.

"Why?"

"You want to try beyblading."