Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ How we came to be ❯ Soothing treatment ( Chapter 15 )

Chapter 15

 

After Ray had been driving for about five minutes he made a slow reach for the radio. Switching it on, he put it on a low volume and a neutral station. Neither Faith nor Kai reacted. Looking at the girl through his rear view mirror he saw that her eyes were closed. He guessed she was trying to control her feelings and keep them hidden from the rest of the world. Her eyes would probable be purple, or brown. During the course of the years in which Faith had lost control over her eye colour, he had learned to read various colours and hence, emotions. When she was sad for example, her eyes were purple, when she was mad they'd be amber and when she was confused or worried, they'd be brown. Even if he couldn't see the colour of her eyes, he knew her feelings by the way her entire form was hunched.

 

He snuck a glance at Kai, who seemed to be dozing of or pretending to not care at all. Pretending was the right word. Because even though Faith's eyes were a dead giveaway for her emotions, Kai was a lot easier to read. Something was bothering him and he seemed to be frustrated. Ray's first guess was that it had something to do with Faith, but even a blind bat could've seen it. What Ray wouldn't give to know what had happened now. Whatever it was, it had to have been something awful. Kai had never ever been so distant or mean towards Faith.

 

When Ray realised he was driving on the wrong side of the road he decided to stop thinking about the tension in the car and give all his attention to driving safely. Kai in the meanwhile was trying to take a nap in the car to take his mind of the blue haired in the back of the car. He knew her long enough to know she was feeling utterly miserable.

*Don't worry, it'll pass, she'll be smiling again in no time.* his mind tried to shoo the bad feeling away. His heart knew better though

-You're an idiot, do you know that-

*what did you say?*

-I said you're an idiot. What makes you an expert on feelings all of a sudden? You love her, she loves you and you want to tell her off so she'd go running to some one that will never understand her? What are you trying to do?-

*I'm trying to do what is best for the both of us*

-The hell you are-

And with that his heart stopped arguing and went back to emitting a dull pain that wouldn't go away. Kai didn't understand why it was so hard to accept it. It was better for every one if Faith would be with someone else. It would save her from a lot of misery.

 

They had finally arrived at the house. Without a word Kai got out of the car and entered the house. Both Ray and Faith looked at the door, but she just sighed and got out as well. Well she was going to before Ray stopped her.

“You know what the doctor said. And by the way he's acting; it wouldn't be wise to egg him on.”

“I do know what the doctor said, but I don't think he'd care anymore whether or not I use the wheelchair.”

“But I do, and like it or not, you're not walking.”

Even though Ray was always a kind soul, he could be determined if he wanted to, and right now he didn't want Faith to get worse. Her reaction had shocked him, and it was also confirming the idea that it had been something awful.

 

When she had grudgingly agreed to sit in the wheelchair Ray stopped her from wheeling away.

“Faith, what happened when you were gone?”

“Nothing.”

The look on her face said otherwise, but it also said that if Ray pressed on the matter he would be sorry. Maybe he should let it rest, at least until they had cooled of a little.

Inside the rest of the team was waiting in the living room. Max looked worried when he noticed the wheelchair.

“What happened? We saw Kai come by and say you were coming home, but he didn't mention anything about permanent damage? Do you need anything?”

“It's not permanent; she'll be out of it as soon as she regains her strength.”

Faith had so many things she wanted to yell to Ray, but as soon as she opened her mouth, Kai's face in the car came back to her. She closed her mouth and pushed herself out of the living room.

 

“I'm going to take a shower.”

“What? You can't do that.”

“Excuse me? If you're offering to help then no thank you, I'd rather keep the little dignity and pride I have left.”

“No I meant you can't have a shower, I'll ready a bath for you.”

“Ray, no.”

“I'm going to fill the bathtub and get you upstairs and that's final.”

He expected a lot more arguing, but none came. Faith just lowered her head and said nothing, even though her eyes were clearly turning amber. Ray wasn't used to her acting this way and he didn't like it either, what happened to her spirit?

“Ray, you go and get the bath ready, me and Tyson will bring her upstairs.”

“I can do it myself.”

 

It was a low mutter, which was hardly heard by anyone. Max started to notice Faith's change of attitude as well. He had never seen Faith this way. Sure, she had been timid around Kai before, but totally submissive to anyone? She seemed broken, snapped out of her usual self. Maybe it was just the shock from having to sit in a wheelchair. Then again, normally Kai would've been in Ray's place, worrying and fussing over her more than he would ever dare to admit. Would something? No, couldn't be, nothing could ever go wrong between those two. Must have been the chair. He understood why she was fighting the pampering so much. It wasn't permanent, and she's always so independent. Having people suddenly waiting her on hand and foot is unnerving to say the least. Not to mention it must give her the feeling like she can't do anything alone anymore.

 

“Put you're arm around my shoulder. I'll just be here as an extra leg ok?”

A grateful smile. He wasn't treating her like she was useless. If only they knew what had happened before Kai had helped her back to the hospital room. That she had run two flights of stairs, would they still think of her as this helpless? At least Max seemed to understand a little. He always understood what people were going through, and always knew exactly what to do. Max was the backbone of the team and of the group of friends. God knows how many times he acted as a buffer when things went bad. She felt that she could trust him. Maybe it was just the blond hair. But all in all he was a caring, sweet and sensitive boy. She still remembered thinking only one thing she thought when Max had told her that he had a boyfriend. -I hope he treats him right, he deserves no less.-

 

Once in the bathroom she got the first good look of herself since the whole drama had happened. Looking in the mirror she noticed Kai's scarf was still around her neck. Feeling a sting in her heart she pulled it off and tossed it aside. Then she looked at it doubtingly, picked it up, folded it and put it on the cabinet. Kai probably wanted it back. Only then she registered how hard Kai had grabbed her exactly one week ago. Her entire neck was still showing very violently coloured bruises. It didn't hurt much, so it looked a lot worse than it was. Lucky they were nearing winter so she could wear a scarf without getting strange looks. She couldn't bear to look at the bruises any longer, the memory of what had caused it too fresh in her mind. She turned away from the mirror and saw the bathtub filled with what was probably nice, warm and cleansing water. Making sure the door was locked she undressed and let her body welcome the soothing water.

 

On the other side of the door Ray was keeping watch. If he heard any strange noise he would be in that bathroom in seconds. Kai passed him by in the hallway, still looking slightly bothered by something.

“You don't happen to know what happened to my door, do you?”

“Well euh, heh. I was worried about you. I kind of rammed it to be fast. I'll pay for it I swear.”

“Don't bother; only thing that needs fixing is the lock and the frame.”

He was about to continue downstairs when he realised that Ray was standing in front of the bathroom door.

“Why are you standing here?”

“Faith needed a shower. I'm standing here in case something happens.”

“You let her take a shower? You know she's not supposed to stand on her legs very long.”

 

Anger in his voice. He was still worried about Faith then. But why was he so indifferent towards her? Ray groaned inwards. He really should stop trying to figure them out. It was giving him headaches.

“Relax man, I prepared a bath for her, I'm not an idiot you know. I care for her unlike you.”

“I care for her too.”

“Nice way of showing it.”

“I told you why Kon, I'm not going to tell you again.”

And exit the great twit, Ray thought to himself as the Russian stormed of to his room instead of downstairs like he had originally planned.

 

A soft knock came from the bathroom door, followed by Faith's voice.

“Ray, could you go into my room and get some fresh clothes, please?”

Five minutes later Ray poked his hand into the bathroom with said items. After that Faith exited the bathroom, obediently sitting in the wheelchair. She strolled to her room and sat at the little desk containing her computer. What was happening? It was all so confusing. That strange dream, the kiss, Kai's decision. Was she still dreaming? She saw Max poking his head in the door, concern on his face as he noticed the bruises. Ray had looked exactly the same way. She hated that look. Max seemed to realise this as he showed the brush in his hand and smiled at her slightly.

“Want me to comb your hair?”

“There's nothing wrong with my arms you know.”

“I know, but I still want to do it. May I?”

 

She nodded and sat behind her on the bed once she had shifted seats. He slowly began working out tangles and made sure that he was as gentle as possible. He figured it would help sooth her mind a little, it always helped him when he was feeling blue. And it appeared that he was right. The soothing strokes of the soft brush through her hair let her emotions go. By the end of his combing she had put her hands in front of her eyes and softly started crying.

 

Even though it was rude to say, but to see Faith cry was something magical. It was like seeing a baby kitten open its eyes for the first time. She never cried, not in front of them anyway. It was like he finally got to see the real Faith. Or part of it at least. Whatever had happened, it had been bad. And even if he never found out what, Max would be there for her.

 

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Oh boy…I wrote pages and pages in my notebook about how this story should advance, and guess what, none of it is in this chapter. -_-. Hope it was written ok. Nearing the end of the story by the way.

 

Thanks to everyone who read this story and I will try to update more regularly. In fact it will be one of my new year's resolutions. Just hope I'll keep it up

 

Read, review, flame…ur choice.