A/N: Hehhoho. I'm a bad person. I waited like what? Four months to update? The update isn't that great.. it just leaves you with a vague cliff hanger... lol...whospie...

ANYWAYS. Thank you for reading and please review if you have the chance ;3 Thanks!

Ch.6

I had quickly closed the shop after last night Takashi had left and rushed home. My nerves were a wreck and I didn't know how tomorrow was going to go. The worst thing that would happen is that they all freak out and start yelling.

I sighed, 'that's pretty bad.' Then again if they do I can switch schools and then I'd only have to see Kaden's face when I got home. Speaking of home when I got there all the lights were off and not a single car was in the driveway. Not that we have a lot only two but still.

I walked to the door put in the key and let myself in. As I thought no one was home, I walked into the kitchen and noticed a note on the fridge.

I picked it up and quickly scanned it. My brother was hanging out with the rest of the tennis team while my parents were having date night. So that means that Takashi was probably get food so his team wouldn't be hungry. He's probably telling them about how terrible I looked or how stupid I sounded. I didn't even know how to do my job.

I groaned and opened the fridge, before realizing we hadn't put any food in our fridge yet except milk and eggs and what not.

"Looks like I'm having eggs for dinner" I said grabbing a couple eggs out and proceeding to make them.

Xoxoxoxo

I awoke the next morning to an envelope being stuck between my two hands. I pretended to be asleep, 1. Because I wanted to go back asleep and 2. I didn't want to startle said person so they ran away without giving me the note.

I'm a very curious person, I like to know things. The person then quietly left closing the door lightly. When I heard their footsteps leave I slowly got up and stretched looking at the clock.

My mouth fell open in shock as I realized it was 6:00 school didn't start for another two hours. I then looked at the note that lay in my hand. It could be a note from the guys back in America but then why would they stick it in my hand why not put it on the counter.

I sighed and opened it quickly;

Ariel,

I really don't know what I did to upset you nor what happened to you. I guess you could say you grew up but in my eyes you'll always be that little red head that used to wish she could be a mermaid, the one that is only a year younger than me yet is smart enough to skip a grade and join me in mine.

I know you don't like tennis but I can't seem to recall why. It must be pretty important to you the way you made that scene yesterday but it still puzzles me why you seemed to hold something against Ryoma. I mean sure he can be arrogant but he's just a freshmen and you couldn't have known that about him. My team was pretty upset after what happened and most of them got off on the wrong foot with you.

I'm trying to convince them you're not so bad but if you're going to act like that all of the time I don't want to aggravate you further. If you change your mind though we have practice after school every day if you want to see how much of a better tennis player I've become.

Your brother, Kaden (:

I sighed and ripped the note in half. I would understand if it wasn't a giant piece of our life but it was. Kevin was the one who got Kaden stuck on this whole tennis idea and if he couldn't remember why Kevin would come to hang out with us, his arm covered in bruises or why his dad turned into an alcoholic well then he wasn't worth the time spent.

I wasn't planning on going downstairs but my stomach was killing me and I could smell my mother's pancakes. I chewed on my bottom lip before throwing my covers off and jumping out of my bed and walking downstairs.

I made it to the bottom seeing my father had already left for work while my brother was eating his breakfast like it was his first meal in months. I'm surprised he hadn't gotten fat yet when I heard him yell another one and my mom replied with, "that's your 11th one this morning."

I made it to the bottom on the stairs and went to sit at the island counter away from Kaden who was sitting at the table. He eyed me curiously before asking, "When did you start wearing boxers" I sighed and forgot that I was only wearing blue plaid boxers and a gray tank top. It was normal for me but he never seemed to how much I changed.

How now I wore make-up, how I dressed and listened to different music, but I guess it's true what they say boys are oblivious. Whether they are your brother or your boyfriend, or even your best friend.

"Since forever" I said grabbing a fork and knife as my mother set down my plate in front of me. I never realized how hungry I was until the smell of hot pancakes wafted into my nose. I let out a content sigh before snatching the nearby syrup and squeezing it down on top of my boyfriend.

I took a look at the silver ware in my hands and shrugged carelessly before setting them down. I picked a whole pancake up and rolled it into a burrito shape before stuffing the whole thing in my mouth. I hated thinking about things like I was now. I wanted to be able to walk down the street singing to obnoxious songs while Kevin stood beside me muttering threats under his breath.

They say if you love something you let it go right? Am I supposed to let go of Kevin, forget this hate that's lying on my shoulders. Am I supposed to forgive my brother for abandoning me for his tennis dream then forgetting about who started that dream? How could I though? How…

"You know I don't know how you got 14 different guys to date you" Kaden said crinkling his in disgust. I only then realized that he was five inches away from face. I did the only thing that my brain would let me. I let out a scream and fell backwards hitting my butt on the cool tile floor.

"Oh Ariel finally started dating I can help you with your make-up and hair now oh and your outfits!" my mother said rambling oh as she flipped pancakes.

"mother I've been dating for over a year now" I said face palming as she snapped out of her trance and looked down at me curiously while Kaden took a seat on the carpet watching it unfold. He looked like a child crossing his legs and swinging back and forth like a child would.

"And why haven't I met any of these boys yet" my mother asked setting her hands on her hips and raising an eyebrow, authoritatively. I face palmed once more. Is everyone in my family that forgetful?

"I did mother don't you remember"

"No I don't name one of them" she said taping her chin straining herself with thinking…

"well there was Andrew" I said and almost burst out laughing as I caught her face twist in disgust and Kaden looked confused between the both of us but didn't open his mouth.

"That boy with the two piercings on his lower lip" my mom asked sticking her two fingers on her lower lip where they were and pulling it down. I bit back a laugh as I looked at her cross her eyes and pulling it down even more. My mom was such a dork.

"Yeah mom the kid with the snake bites" I saw Kaden's eyes widen as he looked at me shocked and I fought the urge to laugh in his face. When he left I liked athletic cute kids but like I said I had changed. Whether it was for the better or worse he'd never know.

"But oh now does that mean…. Brandon?" she asked me grimacing.

"Yeah mom" I laughed. Andrew was my second boyfriend. He has short shaggy bangs that hung in his face while the rest of his hair was shorter. He had bright green eyes a brilliant smile and snake bites but that's it. He was straight edge and the sweetest kid ever even though people never thought he was because of how he dressed.

Now Brandon was a totally different story. He was a complete jerk, he had short brown hair that he spiked up into a Mohawk and had dark brown eyes. I don't know why I ever fell for him he was a jerk to me before we were going out but I guess I wanted a sense of danger.

I more than got it; he was an abusive, drinking boyfriend. He had tattoos that covered his entire body and piercing in places you would never believe. I don't know how I got away from him but I'm glad I did. The last girl he was with he raped. I was the lucky one….

I remember how upset Kevin was whenever he saw my bruises, it was almost like he cared but then he would just get mad at me and start yelling. I didn't like remember the last couple years, they weren't good.

"I don't even want to know what hidden piercings he had" my mother said shivering and going back to cooking her pancakes. I burst out laughing and I couldn't stop. It felt good to laugh until my sides hurt, good to let out a couple of laughs and let down my façade of being pissy 24/7.

"Well since you're up and awake you can go with Kaden to school early" My mother said throwing the dishes in the sink. She was probably thinking she was going to do them later but when she got home she'd probably just throw them out of the window and say they were rusting anyways.

"Why can't I just sleep and go to school later" I whined getting up and looking at Kaden who was smiling at me brightly. I bet he planned this.

"Because there are creepers in this neighborhood and I don't want you getting abducted" she said grabbing her bag and rushing out quickly.

"The only creeper in this neighborhood is Kaden" I mumbled glaring at the door.

"Hurry up now you only have thirty minutes before we have to leave" Kaden said cheerfully pushing me up the stairs. I turned around and glared at him running up the stairs quickly. Now most of you are probably wondering why I didn't just take my time and make him late.

Well 1. He would probably break down my door halfway through my hair straightening and pull me out the door or 2. He'd tell on me.

Those are actually two very scary possibilities so instead of arguing I raced upstairs to quickly dress and do my hair and make-up.

I quickly straightened my hair down and dressed rushing out of the door…. And then running back after forgetting my satchel.

I jumped down half the stairs and fell, face planting on the carpet after losing my balance. I heard my brother's cackle and I looked up to scowl at him.

"Come on your going to make me late" he said grabbing me and rushing out the door. I sighed as I started walking along side of him.

It seemed like an eternal silence and right when I was about to take out my iPod, Kaden turned to me and threw his arm around my shoulders and began to give me a noogie.

I choked and began to claw at the air like a dog would. He got the hint and let me go quickly.

"What happened to the little girl I used to know that used to think Orlando Bloom was the hottest man ever and always wanted to help me with tennis" he asked me playfully.

"Orlando Bloom is the hottest man alive and tennis is just a stupid sport" I said shrugging my shoulders.

"Hey, I thought I was" Kaden whined giving me the puppy dog eyes and jutting his lower lip.

"EW incest" I said an actually laughed slightly. My brother took it as his que to keep going.

"Come on" he said nudging me playfully. I just shook my head.

"Okie Okie so what about second hottest" he asked nudging me once more.

"Uh how about Legolas Greenleaf" I said smirking at him. He pouting and screwed up his face trying to think about it.

"Hey isn't that just Orlando Bloom in the Lord of the Rings" he whined pouting at me.

"Good job" I said patting his head while he scowled at me. I wondered what I would do when we got to the courts. I wasn't going to stay there for the entire time but it's not like I could do anything else. I could go see Montgomery and see if she'd cut practice early to go hang out. I'll stay long enough for him to get really into it and then he wouldn't notice when I left.

I almost didn't notice when my brother suddenly stopped walking. I looked up at him curiously. He looked down and me and grinned before waving behind us.

I looked back curiously to see a couple of the tennis regulars; Fuji, Eiji, and Takashi walking towards us. I chewed my lip nervously as I glanced at Takashi. He saw me and gave me a small smile I grimaced. He remembered didn't he?

I quickly looked at my brother who seemed like he was going to wait for his teammates and decided that there was only one way out. I just hoped I was still partially in shape from soccer season. I chewed my lip as I looked up at him once more.

He seemed to not notice my eyes that kept darting to him. I didn't need a second thought. I quickly pushed off with my back foot and began to sprint. I didn't want to look back and see the looks I was getting. I could tell my skirt was flapping up and down and I was glad that I wore spandex.

I could faintly here my brother yell, "shit" and take off after me. It just pushed me to work harder; I began taking longer strides and gave a quick look back. My brother was still far back but he was gaining.

His teammates were looking at curiously and I didn't blame them.

I missed this feeling, the wind whipping my hair around me, the feeling of my legs hitting the ground, and I missed gasping for air after I pushed myself too hard. The only thing that was missing was the black and white ball between my feet.

"When did you get so fast" I heard my brother gasp from behind me. I was shocked at how he caught up so fast but I wasn't about to stop running so he could catch me. Who knows what Takashi would tell them?

I swore as I saw the school coming into view, I threw a quick glance back and almost yelped when I noticed Kaden was in grabbing length.

My legs were on fire but I wasn't going to stop now I quickly made it to the school and darted in. I looked at the tennis courts they were all abandoned. This didn't mean I could stop running. I noticed the large school doors were open and I ran inside.

The school felt cold and lonely when no one was here. My feet pounded against the tile floor echoing through the empty corridors. My feet weren't the only ones I noticed Kaden's also.

I didn't know how to lose him but suddenly an idea came to me. Kaden was never good with stairs it always took him twice as long to do them then normally it would.

I raced up the first flight of stairs and then ran to the end of the hallway where the auditorium was. I quickly raced down the stairs and into the auditorium closing the doors quietly and rushing into the back to go hide in the props.

I doubted he would find me here but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I hid in the clothing rack and concealed my breathing, which was actually harder than I thought it would be thanks to me being out of shape.

The large metal doors swung open and then closed with a loud thud. I heard Kaden's uneven breathing and then I heard him leaving as the door swung open and he raced out.

I left out a sigh of relief and came out of my hiding place. I was about to relax when I felt a hand clamp on my shoulder. I let out a small yelp and turned around to see….