To Keep A Promise

Chapter 6

"Here we go again, with your mixed signals, and my second thoughts."        -Unknown  

The team battles continued and Rideout had yet to give up a point. Lui still wasn't showing up, but him and I were on much better terms now. Rideout had made it all the way to the semi finals, and we plan to win it all. The team we're battling is the Superstars, led by Zac. 

I was now watching Gabe train, he hadn't stopped. Everyone else had already gone home, even Lui. "Gabe your gonna be too tired to compete tomorrow if you continue." I say. "I'll be fine." He says, launching his bey again. "You at least need a break." I say. "What I need is to perfect this new move." He says. "And you will, after you take a drink of water." I say, placing a bottle infront of his face. He looks at it for a second before giving a small smile. "Thanks." He says and drinks about half of it. He gets back into his stance and launches again. This time, he got it right. "See, I told you." I say. He rolls his eyes and picks up his bey. 

"What's the order for tomorrow?" I ask. "Katana, Shinki, and if needed, myself." He says, making his way out of the gym. "Your not going in the first two rounds?" I ask. "No, I'm sure Katana and Shinki will have it handled." He says. "Your going against Beigoma Academy beyclub next?" I ask. "You mean if we win?" He asks and I scoff. "What kind of attitude is that? Of course you'll win." I say.

We exit the gym and head our separate ways. We have a big day tomorrow.

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Once again I sit in Rideout's waiting room. They had just been called out and the match was starting. Katana, like Gabe told me yesterday, went up first against one of the boys, I think his name was Freddie. Katana got a ring out finish winning us a point. Then Shinki went up against Zac. Zac won the match with a burst finish. Those were the first points we've given up. Now it's Gabe's turn against Orochi Gimba. No wonder he decided to be third. He probably saw it coming.

They both launched their beys into the stadium, Orochi went straight for his signature move, Blast Beat, while Gabe went for Swing Launch. A move that aloud him to go straight back into the middle when hit like it's nothing. When Orochi's attacks started getting strong, Gabe got a look in his eye and I knew immediately what he was going to do. He was going to go for Swing Counter, the move he was working so hard on last night. 

When Orochi hit him, he swung back in and used his bey's wobble as an advantage, bursting Omni Odax. I turned of the t.v. and let out a sigh of relief. We're moving to the finals.

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The next morning I walked with Lui towards the beyblade arena. Above the national stage was a training center the Rideout used often, but it was my first time seeing it. I carried a duffel bag with my training gear in it. I told Gabe I didn't need Rideout training gear since I wasn't on the team, but he insisted since I was apart of the club. Lui seemed really quiet today, well, more quiet than usual.

"You ok Lui?" I ask. He looks at me and then down at the pavement. He speed up so he was ahead of me. I quickened my pace as well. He never acts like this around me. "I'm serious Lui, tell me." I say. "Have you checked what day the team battle finals fall on?" He asks. "Um, yeah. It's on the 23rd." I say, a bit confused on why he asked. Gabe's been drilling that date into our heads like crazy. "I don't think I'll ever forget that date." I tell him. "Me neither." He says, quickening his pace again. 

I freeze in my tracks. That day was important to him, and I'm guessing it isn't because of the tournament. What could it be?

I stop outside the stadium to wait for the rest of Rideout, still trying to figure out what that day meant.