I don't own Beyblade. -sigh-

Well, enjoy!

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" That's the library and…that's about it!" Mariah Low turned to face the new student, her feline face in a cheerful grin. " Now, any questions before we get to the interesting stuff?"

" Uh…interesting stuff?" Aya Karishnikov asked, nervously smoothening her woollen grey coat.

" Sure! I'll let you in on the latest gossip and I'll point out status among us people at Bakuten High." Mariah winked playfully.

" So I'll be completely in the know!" Aya laughed, unzipping her coat to show a pale cream-yellow linen shirt.

" Yep! Okay, those are the nerds, the annoying people, the cheerleaders, the anime freaks, and my group! Also there are the goths, punks…" Mariah listed off all the usuals, including some Aya had never heard about before. " And then there's Neoborg." Mariah frowned a bit as she said the last thing.

" Who's Neo-oh! Sorry!" Aya blushed. While she had been listening to Mariah speak, she had forgotten to watch those around her and she had walked right into someone, scattering their books.

Tala Valkov had not had a good day. His latest fling hadn't ended well; the silly girl just wouldn't understand that when he, Tala Valkov, said it was over, it was over. He'd also procured detention for two weeks. And just to top things off, some random chit had banged right into him! " Watch where you're going, wench!" He snarled, stooping to gather his fallen books.

" Well, excuse me! I said sorry and it was an honest mistake!" He heard a decidedly female voice speak. His temper, which had never been great to begin with, flared at the unexpected comeback.

" What did you say?" One of Tala's annoying minions spoke up, trying to gain points from the redheaded leader.

" Yeah, what did you say?" Another one chimed in.

Aya's eyebrows rose at the support the strange young man was getting.

Tala finally looked up at the offender. He'd never seen her around before. The obviously new (you'd have to be new to speak back to Tala Valkov) girl was petite, about half a foot or more shorter than Tala's own six feet. She was dressed conservatively in brown pants, a pale yellow shirt and a grey coat, but her large silver eyes were ablaze with indignation, and her silvery-white hair was gathered in a low ponytail almost to her knees.

Tala decided that she was pretty, in a way. His bad day was getting better. Tala's icy blue-turquoise eyes landed on the neko-jin next to the silvery chit. " Well, hello Kitty. May I just say you're looking lovely this afternoon, as always. But I don't seem to be acquainted with your friend." Tala swooped down to brush his lips over Mariah's knuckles.

" Hi Tala. This is Aya Karishnikov from Russia. She's new and in the sophomore class." Mariah spoke carefully, watching the temperamental redhead's every move.

" Don't be so cold, Kitty." Tala mock-pouted, lowering his thick lashes charmingly. Mariah scoffed; completely immune to his attempt while several girls around them swooned. Tala pouted for real when Mariah remained unmoved.

"Russia eh? Moscow?" Tala had apparently given up on Mariah and had turned towards Aya. When Aya nodded, Tala smiled. " Ah! A fellow Muscovite! Welcome, Aya."

By now, the Russian girl noticed that they had attracted quite a crowd. " It's good to meet you." Aya spoke uncomfortably, studying Tala's expression. His beatific smile didn't reach his eyes, as if they were detached from the rest of his face, remaining cold and distant. Aya felt strangely exposed as Tala stared at her. His look was calculating, the kind that took in details and filed them away for later use. She could feel him noting her discomfort even now.

" Ah, but where are my manners? This is Bryan Kryznetkov," Bryan was a tall, even taller than Tala, burly youth, with shaggy chin-length lavender hair and matching eyes. " Spencer Boranov," The tallest of the group, a blond with a blank look upon his face. " Ian Mitchell," A short violet-haired boy with a rather large nose. " And last but not least, Kai Hiwatari." Kai was a cold-looking boy with slate two-toned hair and blue face paint. " I am Tala Valkov, at your service." Tala bowed deeply.

Despite Tala's apparent friendliness, Aya didn't trust the boy. Everything he said could've been a lie, she had no way of telling. And something about him disturbed Aya; she felt that she could grow to like Tala if he got rid of that certain coldness, that effect he had that reminded her of a machine.

Luckily, Mariah saved Aya from replying. " Sorry, Tal, but we've got to finish our tour." With that, she pulled Aya away with her.

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" Who was that?" Aya asked Mariah as soon as they were out of earshot.

" Hm? Oh, Tala? He and his group are 'Neoborg', the most popular group in school. Trust me, don't mess with him." Mariah sighed, shaking her head.

" You don't seem to be all that respectful." Aya noted as they entered their first period class, Visual Arts.

" I only get away with it 'cause I won't give him a second glance, unlike so many other girls." Mariah pulled out her pencils and a piece of paper.

" Well, he is handsome." Aya said, thinking of Tala's snow-white smooth skin, blood red hair, icy blue eyes and thick black lashes. " Do you have someone you already like?"

Mariah blushed and looked away.

" Oh yeah, she most definitely does." A girl with short orange hair and round glasses entered the room. She pulled up a chair at Mariah's and Aya's round table and set down her stuff.

" Emily!" Mariah's voice was muffled as she covered her face with her hands.

" 'Lo 'Riah. Anyway, she's got her heart set on Rei Kon. By the way, I'm Emily Parker." The girl spoke just as quickly as she typed on her laptop, and her fingers were practically blurred.

" I'm Aya Karishnikov. Who's Rei?" Aya introduced herself and smiled at the intelligent girl.

Emily opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the door flying open. In stepped a cute Chinese boy with mid-calf length hair tightly bound with a white cloth.

" Ni hao!" The boy sang out happily, crossing the room in a few bounding steps and plopping himself down next to Mariah and Aya.

" Ni hao! Ni shi Rei Kon ma?" Aya replied.

"…" Rei looked at Aya in amazement. " You speak Chinese?"

"I'm guessing that's a yes." Aya laughed. " And yes, I do. Actually, my mother's Chinese and my dad's Russian. I got my dad's colouring and my mum's features." Aya shrugged.

Rei surprised Aya by throwing his arms around her. " Finally! Another Asian!" Rei then let go and punched his fist in the air. " Don't you agree, Mariah?" He looked at the pink-haired girl.

" Yeah." Mariah looked away, a bit disgruntled and Aya moved her chair away from Rei slowly.

" Sorry? I'm a bit excitable." Rei laughed sheepishly.

" No, it's okay." Aya replied after a quick look at Mariah.

" If you're sure…anyway! Mariah! Why are you acting so glum? Cheer up!" Rei turned to the depressed-looking neko-jin, his own fangs glinting in the light.

" I'm fine, it's just that-" Mariah was cut off by the bell. Rei instantly jumped up and apologized for leaving, but his first class was math.

As soon as Rei had left Aya turned to Mariah. " I'm sorry!" She exclaimed.

" It's alright. He does that to everyone." Mariah sighed.

" He's handsome, and really nice, but a bit clueless." Aya smiled kindly.

" You got that right." Emily snorted.

Any other chance for conversation was cut off when the rest of the class flooded in and the teacher arrived, starting class.

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