Jacey "A NEVER ENDING BATTLE" - Chapter 2: "A Rainbow Feeling" --------------------------------------------------------------------- Um I kinda forgot in my last chapter to say that the bit of song at the beginning of the story was Wind beneath my wings and it is copyright of Bette Midler and I have no claim whatsoever to it. In this story there is about one line of spice girls music. The spice girls and their music (thank God) don't belong to me at all (YAY) so I definitely have no claim to their music. SM doesn't belong to me, and nor do any of its characters so don't sue me. I'm really really busy at the moment so I may or may not have chapter three out next week I don't know. This 'fic is copyright of ME and so ask if you want to use any character which I made up (e.g. Jonathan Coral, um Nathan, Julie Cooke (sailor Earth), her moon cat Irene, Mina's brother Alex, and ah the guy Zach whom I promised to kill off if I didn't get any mail, well I didn't get any mail concerning that character so he dies, His guardian Fury however won't die. Coral and Jonathan might not even be in this 'fic. The Moon mages belong to Lauren and Renée, Rusty belongs to Renée in real life an in fanfiction. (Rusty is a real dog.) This * * means someone is thinking. Things to do after this 'fic. Read: 1. Anything written by Renee Markowicz and or Lauren Griffin. ('specially misdirection's) 2. Cords of Silver and Gold by Selena. 3. Sheildsman by Christopher Angel. 4. Soul Mates by Lady. 5. Makeup and Moonlight Waters by Lianne Sentar. 6. Maybe read one of my other works. 7. PLEASE email me at : jacey111@yahoo.com I think that's it so on with the show. ************************************** A Rainbow Feeling ************************************** ****************** Did you ever know that you're my hero And everything I would like to be If I can fly higher than an eagle You are the wind beneath my wings It might have appeared to go unnoticed but I've got it all here in my heart I want you to know I know the truth Of course I know it I would be nothing with out you ****************** All of the palace had filed out into the training yards to see Sailor Earth fight with one of her many suitors. Julie fought with all of them as often as possible, as she resented the fact that none of her suitors would accept her as an equal in anything. This usually ended up with Julie fighting a duel with them, and the man who lost being sent home in disgrace. Alex, Mina's brother was no such novice. Sailor Earth's short tunic rippled blue and green in the light. It was a sleeveless garment with red spaghetti straps and on her feet she wore brown calf skin knee high boots, her dark hair was tightly braided and tucked under. Julie's brown eyes were troubled as she was in trouble now, her fights had never gone for three hours before! Earth willed her Earth distaff into the air before her. Out of the corner of her eye she could see her brother Darien and Mina making bets. *On who will win no doubt* the princess thought sullenly. She suddenly realised that Alex's attack was flying towards her, it wrapped around her legs. "NO!" she shrieked as she fell. Julie was now fed up with the game, she disappeared only to reappear in the air above the ground without the chain of diamonds on her legs. Tears trickled down her cheek and then she decided to go save Jupiter and her brothers friend Nephrite. Sailor Earth silently waved her distaff and the emerald at the top glistened. A piece of paper fluttered to the ground and Alex picked it up. As Julie vanished he raised his face to the sky and keened, for he had lost a girl he had loved since he met her. * * * * * * Far longer than forever, I'll hold you in my heart, It's almost like you're her with me, Although we're far apart. Far longer than forever, As constant as a star, I close my eyes, and I am where you are, Sure as the dawn brings the sunrise, We've an unshakeable bond, Destined to last for a lifetime, And beyond. * * * * * Julie felt emotionally drained as she entered Negaverse headquarters. She was in a room full of crystal chambers, her breath caught in her throat as she realised that Neph and Lita were in the ones opposite her. Julie reached for the control panel that opened the two chambers, dreading what would happen if that snake Beryl found her. Julie's blue cloak glowed into existence around her. "You'll never win,". Julie gasped, the voice had come from behind her. She didn't even bother to turn, she just said over her shoulder. "So Beryl, still trying to get your revenge are you?" she said mockingly. "I defeated you once and I will again, my friend!" Julie spat the word at Beryl. Yes Beryl had been her best friend, until Metallia had come and stolen her away, now they were enemies. "You are mistaken Julie," Beryl gloated. Julie turned, Nephrite and Jupiter had left the crystal chambers. Nephrite walked towards her, smiling. Jupiter had a disorientated look in her eyes, it made Julie depressed to see a good friend in this state. "Nephrite, my friend, I am so glad that you haven't succumbed to the temptation that plagues all who enter this kingdom." Julie smiled. Nephrite's sword shimmered in his fist, he came towards her with a murderous look in his eyes. "No, Neph don't do this, they are controlling you. STOP" In the distance we can hear the spice girls going, "Stop right now, thank you very much..." Their song is cut off as Beryl becomes annoyed, and throws a bomb at them. They are all blown into oblivion. YAY! Nephrite steps in smooth as butter and swings his sword towards her unprotected side. Julie raises her staff as it shimmers to life in her hands, and stops a blow which was meant to cleave her from head to toe. Nephrite reversed the attack and Julie triumphantly blocks it. "So, Beryl, still can't do your own fighting can you. Are you afraid of getting dirty? Or do you just like getting your minions killed?" Julie asked in a conversational tone, suddenly Nephrite slides his sword into her. "TRAITOR!" Julie yelled, throwing a ball of energy into the air. "EARTH STAR CRYSTALS, DESTRoy." Her voice faded as she doubled over in pain. "General, get rid of her, she has caused me enough aggravation." Beryl's voice cracked. Julie mouthed 'catch me if you can.' Then she transported back to the Palace, to the Moon mages wing in fact. Far longer than forever, "Renée and Lauren, my friends, I need you." She sent the thought out to them. Then she sadly thought *Sorry Alex, any romance we might have ended up having will never be.* Her life energies spent, she lay on the cold marble floors awaiting death. Far longer than forever, I'll swear that I'll be true, I've made an ever lasting vow, To find a way to you, Lauren dashed in to her and Renee's adjoining living rooms, she gasped, blood was all over the place. Lauren was searching for answers when a faint moan came from the living room. Lauren ran knocking things over as she went. "JULIE" she screamed, as Julie was deathly pale, her clothes splattered with blood. "I just have to tell you that I failed, one of my best friends were taken and I couldn't get them back. And I though Beryl was my best friend" she smiled weakly, tears rolling down her cheeks. The rest of the message came out as a croak. "Follow your heart........." And with that Julie's eyes closed for the last time. *friend?* Lauren was shocked, far more shocked by her friends death than by the other. *Damn, now I'll have to break the news to Darien.* she sighed and wrapped Julie's corpse in a blanket. Lauren dashed into the throne room and skidded to a stop in front of Queen Serenity's throne. "My Queen, please excuse prince Darien, I need to tell him something _really_ important " Darien regarded her calmly, Lauren tended to exaggerate a lot. "Sorry Lauren, this new decree is very interesting," Darien said. "Oh for goodness sake." Lauren muttered irritably. "If you don't come along right now eating flies and looking across the pond at all the other frogs might be more interesting too. Remember what happened the LAST time you didn't believe me? Hm, lets see Renee was attacked by an evil force that continually keep on trying to kill her." Then she said to Jadeite "Hey you, yeah you Blondie, stand there. It isn't very becoming if Royalty fall down and start keening in public so you have my permission to knock him out if he starts keening ok?" Jadeite mutely nodded. "Um... Darien, Julie went to rescue Jupiter and Nephrite from the Negaverse. And Nephrite kind of, um... stabbed her, he's been turned to evil, I am so sorry. And Julie, she made it to my quarters then...well....she....you know.....well Pluto had to collect her." Sapphire sighed. Darien stared at the mage uncomprehendingly his eyes glazed. "My best........friend.......killed....my....sister?" he asked, crushed. His knee's buckled and he fell forward. Jadeite grabbed him by the collar before he hit the floor and helped him into a chair. "Prince, I'm so sorry, Sailor Earth is in my room, the body needs to be properly buried" "Of course" people were looking sympathetically at Darien so he got his friends to help him back to his rooms. Far longer than for ever, like no love ever known, And with your love, I'll never be alone. Sailor Pluto looked up in surprise, Julie's soul orb was glowing already, for goodness sakes it had only been harvested that afternoon. Into the rebirth cauldron it went. Far longer than forever, but stronger than forever. And with your love, I'll never be, Alone..... * * * * The Battle was fought and Queen Serenity sent all into the future. All of the Earth's generals were lost, but princess Jupiter had returned to the light. * * * * In 1984 a girl child was born. She was named Julie Mary Cooke, the second her eyes opened, the sign of Earth flashed on her forehead. No one noticed but a nurse with curiously dark green hair, but she grinned then disappeared. In 1998 a fourteen year old girl with off the shoulder dark brown, almost black hair and brown eyes stared up at the sky. She went home, now was the time to tell her Mum. She loved Australia, but she wanted to see the world. "Mother dear, " Julie said, "there's going to be an exchange program to Japan, Tokyo. I've been offered a place in it if I want it. PLEASE can I go?" "Honey, if you really want to go of course you can go. But I need to know who you will be staying with, and if they're responsible." Mrs Cooke rattled off the usual list. "I'll ask about it tomorrow, love you Mum." Julie laughed and ran out of the room. "Mother, Father, Stephanie I'll miss you so much." Julie said breathlessly. "I'll write every day, don't worry, besides it's only for a year, I'll phone everyday too." Julie waved as she got on the plane. While in flight she looked in her wallet, an address was taped to the inside. "CHERRY HILL TEMPLE" It proclaimed "YOU ARE STAYING WITH A TEENAGE SHINTO PREISTESS CALLED RAYE AND HER GRANDFATHER" "Wow," Julie thought. The plane landed, and Julie got off. There was a girl with raven black hair and dark eyes with a sign that said 'Julie Cooke' in bold letters. *Guess this must be her* Julie thought. She walked up to the girl and smiled. "Hi, I'm Julie." She said proffering a hand. The girl smiled warmly and shook her hand. "I'm Raye" she said, "Chad is outside with the car, we can go to the baggage claim then back to the temple. Unless you wanted to get something to eat?" Raye asked. A different name than Raye had just popped into Julie's head. *Sailor Mars?* *No it can't be, she's dead* "Uh I'm kind of tired, can we go to the temple," Julie said. "Of course," Raye said. "Shall we go?" Chad saw two girls come out of the airport, one was Raye, but who was the other? She was looked nice anyway. "Chad, carry these bags to the car," Raye called. "Coming Raye!" Chad said. Julie was wearing a short blue summer dress and an overcoat in a darker blue. Her boots were made of soft brown calf hide and her extremely dark brown hair, almost black in fact, was tied back with a blue ribbon. Her brown eyes glinted wickedly. "Later Raye, can we go shopping?" Julie's eyes absolutely sparkled on the word shopping. "You see shopping is one of my favourite pastimes." "Wow it's mine too, Chad when we go shopping later, you are coming with us to carry our packages." Raye grinned. "Yes Raye," Julie now decided that Chad was hopeless, as he agreed to everything Raye said. The car drove into the carport near the temple. "Guys, they're here," Serena whispered. Raye and Julie walked into the temple, chatting like old friends, they rounded a corner and everyone yelled, "SURPRISE." Julie just coughed and said, "I wondered how long it would take you to come out." Everyone sweat dropped. Renee by this time had finally gotten over the fact that this happened so she didn't giggle hysterically. For once. Serena stepped out from behind a familiar looking male. "Jules!" she cried. "Sere, I thought you "disappeared" not long after I did!" Julie stopped, everyone was staring at her. "Um, I need to use the bathroom, I'll be right back." She said. Everyone watched in silence as Julie left the room. "I feel a strange energy coming from that girl, she could be from the Negaverse." Luna commented. Artemis sighed. This happened every time. "Luna, every scout, mage and magical people in general you've assumed was from the Negaverse." He said. "Besides, she couldn't be because she and I were friends in kindergarten ." Serena said *and she was from the moon kingdom AND she died trying to save Lita! *. Now everyone was staring at her too. "Just because I have a full set of memories and lived in Australia for two years doesn't mean that I have to tell you guys," she said. "Serena," Raye said, "You couldn't have live in Australia for two years 'cause you probably couldn't even find it on a map." "Could too." Serena said. A tongue war ensued. Meanwhile Julie was talking to her Guardian Irene in the bathroom. "Face it Irene, they aren't the same people they used to be, they just don't like me." Julie sighed. "Earth, you've just got to stop feeling sorry for yourself. If they don't trust you, SHOW them that you're trustworthy, earn their trust. Otherwise, you coming here, seeing them all again only brought back painful memories." Irene said. "I think I'll ask Sere not to tell them who I really am. I can just be the anonymous person who helps defeat evil. If they accidentally find out, fine. But I won't have her, even if she is the princess, blabbing to them." Julie stomped around the room. Suddenly she snapped her fingers, I know, I'll go and get Serena to go to the arcade with me, I can tell her there." Irene glanced condescendingly down her nose at Julie. (Which was very hard for a small feline such as herself.) "And how do you know Earth, that the princess even LIKES that place?" Irene asked. " 'cause she could never get enough of them on the moon." Julie sighed. "So Serena, would you like to go to the arcade with me ?" Julie asked. Lauren frantically waved at her. Then the two went in to a huddle in the corner. "Julie, don't do it, it's torturous to the unsuspecting victim." Julie arched an eyebrow. "SO you did this once huh?" she asked. "Yep, worst three hours of my life, if you don't mind I'll come down with you, you know, so Sere doesn't do anything too embarrassing. 'sides I need to talk to you about something." Lauren added. "Ok, lets go." Julie said. "Come on Serena, me, you and Lauren here are going to the arcade. Lets go!" Julie grinned. "Lauren, Serena slow down, I can't run this fast in these shoes you know." Julie panted and stopped. "Besides if the arcade is the CROWN arcade, you've run past it." Serena and Lauren stopped and sheepishly walked back to the arcade. They all walked into the arcade. "He's cute!" Julie stated, and pointed at Andrew. "Lay off sister, he's MINE." Lauren growled. "Ok, ok don't bite my head off." Julie said, raising her hands and backing away slowly. "Touché, touché." "Julie, come on, while Lauren talks to her boyfriend, you can talk to me." Serena called from one of the Sailor Moon games. *Talk about ego.* Julie thought. "Serena," Julie said quietly. "I don't want you to tell ANYONE about who I really am. Let them find out themselves, I just want them to think that I'm normal. I'll be the nameless person (well actually faceless) who will help you guys. But only you can know who I am. Ok?" "Sure Jules, no problem at all." Serena said, eyes still following the screen. Julie then went to talk to Lauren. "Lauren, what did you want to talk about?" Julie asked. "Well," Lauren whispered. "I was going past the bathroom at the temple and I heard two voices talking. One called the other Irene. And the other one was continually called Julie and Earth. Then, when you came out, a small cute tabby cat with a crescent moon on her forehead followed. You're Sailor Earth, aren't you?" Lauren asked. Julie laughed bitterly. "Not even a day here and someone finds out my identity." Lauren opened her mouth again. "You probably heard that I didn't want any of the others told. Please follow my request. I know that you Lauren are Moon Mage Sapphire." Julie sighed and went to get some food. Unaware that an evil force had felt her presence and was awakening. It was twelve o'clock. Everyone was sleeping, except Julie, because she had gone to get a glass of water. Raye smiled in her sleep, her dream was getting better and better. ** Raye's dream** Raye's dress was a long red sparkling gown. It had spaghetti straps down the back, and on her feet was a pair of dainty red heels. She was just going back inside off the balcony after getting some air. *I'm so happy.* She thought, Her fiancé had just proposed the night before. Raye walked through the door. Her eyes narrowed, the room was ruined. Dead guards lay everywhere, Raye stifled a scream. She was immediately angry, her reception room in tatters? Suddenly she saw him. A man with blond hair and green eyes. Jadeite. Raye transformed. Her fiancé, a traitor. She ran to him, and he looked genuinely surprises that she was in full battle gear. "My love, why are you dressed for battle?" Asked Jadeite. "Look around you Jed. All those good people dead." Raye's eyes were shining with tears. Jed seemed far off, his body tensed as he awaited his signal. There it was! He quickly said. "Sorry love, I can't have you interfering with the plan." He reached out to grab her, but, she raised her hands and yelled. "MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURRoun...d," before she had finished he grabbed her neck, cutting off the sound. "I can't afford to have you posing any more trouble Mars." He said gruffly. And with that he slew her. Blood poured from the huge gash in her body, and it began to seep into the carpet. She was dead within minutes. **End of dream** Raye began to scream. Julie dashed to Raye's room and cradled the sobbing girl. Chad and Grandpa peered around the door. Julie chased them from the room. Grandpa said to Chad when the were outside. "Fabulous, another girl who acts exactly like my granddaughter. Just what I need. Two headaches." Chad said nothing. Back inside her room Raye was still crying. And Julie was still trying to get her to calm down. "Raye, what happened?" Julie asked. "I was on a balcony, staring up at the Earth, then I went back inside. Bodies were everywhere, then this blond man came in. I knew him, I think we were engaged. The blond man had green eyes. And, and he k-killed me!" Raye burst out. She looked at Julie to see what she had thought of it. But Julie wasn't looking at her. Julie was staring coldly into thin air. "Jadeite." She cursed softly. "I'll have my revenge on you." Julie appeared to "wake up" from her trance so Raye didn't speak of it again. To her anyway. "Raye, I need to go and look for a job, lets face it I need extra money badly. I spent too much shopping." Julie said dejectedly. "Talk to Lauren, she could probably get you a job at the arcade or something. 'Kay?" Raye smiled and they both went back out to where everyone was sitting in the lounge room. "Lauren." Raye said. "Can you take Julie job hunting. She needs cash." "Sure." Lauren said. And they left straight away. "So Julie, what sort of job do you want? I mean...... what LUCK there's a help wanted sign in the Arcade window, COME ON." Julie whimpered as Lauren dragged into the arcade. "Hi there Andrew." Lauren said happily. "Lauren," Julie whispered, "You're scaring me. You're starting to act like Serena." As Julie finished Lauren had begun to look really scared. Julie gestured to Lauren to turn back to Andrew. Lauren did. "Hi Lauren, what did you want. And who's you're friend?" Andrew asked. "This is Julie, she's an exchange student for a year here in Japan. She really needs money PLEASE can she work here." Lauren begged. "Please Lauren don't beg. It's embarrassing." Julie muttered. "Lauren, you don't have to beg. Julie can try out. If she doesn't fit in, she doesn't fit in. But, I think she might." Andrew smiled. "Be here tomorrow at ten o'clock sharp. There's no set uniform." "Fine," Julie said. "Lauren, PLEASE can we go back to the temple now. That cake which Raye was just putting into the oven when we left should be ready soon. Bye Andrew!" Julie said running out of the Arcade. "Yeah," muttered Lauren, "The cake SHOULD be there, unless vacuum cleaner Serena gets there first." When Julie got back to the Temple, she heard the last snatches of what Raye was saying. "......and then she just kind of got into a trance. She was glaring at nothing, and was muttering about getting her revenge on someone called Jadeite. Do YOU know who Julie was talking about Luna?" Luna sighed, sometimes it was really hard being an advisor to the scouts. "Jadeite was one of Darien's four Guardians, or the four lords as they were also called. I think he was their leader. I'm not sure. But, Julie is probably either one of us or one of them. And Jadeite probably wronged her in some way, so of course she wants revenge on him. Ah Raye it probably was him, as he was who you were engaged to." Luna paused before asking, "any questions?" While Luna was being assaulted from all angles with questions from the excited scouts. As Julie was listening Darien came up behind her, and said; "You know it's rude to listen at doors, Miss." Julie blushed. "Darien, right? Well they were talking and I didn't want to interrupt, and then they started talking about me and I couldn't go in and I was curious WHY they were talking about me, so I listened." *Yep* Julie thought, *You, Darien definitely ACT like my brother.* "Um, I don't know your name." Darien said. "Oh, well that's my fault then. I'm Julie Cooke." Julie smiled and shook his hand. "Julie, I think I've seen your face somewhere. Ah I've got it. I saw your face in a painting at the Peggy Jones art exhibition last week. The girl in the picture was wearing knee-high boots, a short tunic which seemed to ripple blue and green and a distaff with a stone at the top. Emerald I think. The clothing was torn and bloodied as if the girl had been in a major battle. A tiara was on her head with an...." "Emerald set in the coronet, the girls dark hair, like mine, was braided and tucked under. Her light blue cloak lay on the ground next to her body on the cold marble." Julie's voice shook as she recited her death scene to Darien. Julie turned deathly pale when he described the clothing. And became dizzy when she was describing her death. *Maybe I should sit down. * Julie thought as the blackness closed in. Beep, beep, beep beep beep. *Someone ANYONE, PLEASE turn off that stupid thing.* Julie thought. She opened up her eyes and sat up. * Oh no,* Julie thought, *Not the hospital.* *It's time for me to go.* Julie thought to herself. She got up off the bed. And fell onto the floor. *Damn stupid slippery hospital floor. I'll need some help.* Julie sat back down on the bed and realised that she should be wearing her brooch. Oh no, she was in a hospital gown. *This is it, I won't be extremely melodramatic and bash in a wall like SOME people I know. But I am getting out of here.* Julie focused on seeing a distaff with a green emerald in it which wasn't there. She caught it in her hand. On contact with the distaff, her clothes were transformed into her scout uniform. *Ok,* she thought rubbing her hands. *Open window, what should I leave the hospital on this time. Even more luck VERY high up.* Earth focused on her distaff. *Do what you will, but I don't want you to transform into something you've done before.* she said testily. It turned into a bridge from her window to the next building. "But it only goes to one building." Earth said in disappointment. The crystal replied, 'the other scouts can jump, why can't you? Or is jumping to good for your ladyship' the distaff said mockingly. Julie walked down the bridge. When she reached the other side she called. " 'Staff I'm across, change back." She grabbed it as it changed back. *Home.* She thought aiming for the temple. Julie dashed to the temple. Then she saw Raye's crows in the huge cherry tree off to the side. Julie dashed up and jumped high into the top branches of the tree where the crows were. Julie stared deep into their beady eyes. "You two, go get Irene. I trust you three are old acquaintances?" The ravens feathers ruffled. "We try not to associate with such as her. But she is better than the black and white ones. She doesn't eat birds for one thing." Phobias/Demos said. The two ravens flew off, and Julie was alone in the tree. Raye's eyes snapped open. The other scouts looked at her in alarm. Everyone including Darien was there. "I feel a strange power, whoever it is, is very strong." Raye said. "They are somewhere outside the temple. Drat, there's that dumb cat again. I don't know WHY it's here, it's not like the temple is attractive to strays." Raye murmured. In Julie's tree the two ravens were now again perched at the top with Julie. "She's on her way up , and she's not happy at you being in a tree." The ravens commented as Irene climbed the tree. Irene got to the branch where Julie was and started swearing. "Quiet Irene." Earth said sharply. "Miss High and Mighty, hm? You were in a hospital because you were sick. That Darien guy had to take you there after you blacked out while you were talking to him! I wish you wouldn't panic every time you wake up in a hospital bed you know. Now, I want you to get out of this tree, detransform, and go inside. Have I made myself clear, miss" Irene yelled. "Yes Irene, you have. But, I can't detransform as I am still wearing the hospital gown. AND I have just realised that My powers might go out of whack because, I no longer have that brooch. I think Darien took it back to give to Raye to put in my stuff." Julie said. "Can't you just imagine..... wait! Back, ages and ages ago, didn't you use to keep spare changes of clothing in your inter-dimensional space pocket?" Irene asked. "Yeah," Julie said. "Back on the MOON I did." she sighed. "Even though I know I probably still have it there, it would be WAY out of date. Ok, now, I'll have to imagine what I'm wearing. I am wearing my normal boots, with my blue jeans, the ones which I bought three days before I ran out of money, the ones with the unpronounceable name. My purple ribbed skivvy and my blue green and black spray jacket , which is cheetah brand. Um I want black socks and a purple velvet hair band. Irene have I forgotten anything?" at Irene' affirmative Julie stared at her. "What?" she asked curiously. Irene gave her a black choker with a small blue opal on it. "What's this?" Julie asked. "It's a necklace that you were given, as a betrothal gift on the moon. I can't remember who gave it to you though. I think it was some guy who liked you. A lot." Irene made a face. "I don't think you liked him much though." Irene added. "Okay!" Julie said ecstatically when she saw that it had worked. "It's almost twelve, and I need to be at the arcade." Julie said. Irene coughed guiltily, "Uh about that job Julie. It's Monday, you were meant to be there on Saturday. You were in hospital for three days. You might have lost your job, because you weren't there on your first day of work and nobody rang the arcade to tell them." She explained sadly. Julie looked determined. "It doesn't matter Irene, I'll just go down now and tell them." "But how are you going to get there? It takes twenty minutes to walk there and you've only got ten minutes." Irene argued. "Perfect, look Irene I just made myself a pair of roller-blades which look exactly like my ones back home. I'll skate to the arcade." Julie said happily. "you've always got an answer don't you Julie." Irene sighed. Julie skated up to the arcade just on twelve. Under her arm she carried a bag with her boots in it. She skated right into the arcade and took off her skates just inside the door and changed into her boots. She left her skates there. Julie walked up to the counter. "Oh, it's you." Andrew said unenthusiastically, and went back to looking for a new pack of napkins. "I'm really sorry about not turning up Andrew, if you'll just give me another chance. You see I......" Andrew cut her off. "Lauren said you were responsible and I believed her. THEN you don't even bother to turn up for YOUR first day of work!" He said angrily. Julie sighed. "So, they didn't ring to tell you where I was. Did they?" When Andrew shook his head Julie cried out in frustration. "Oh they make me so mad. Andrew I couldn't have come on Saturday. I fainted on Friday afternoon and woke up a couple of hours ago. And they didn't even ring to tell you that I wouldn't even be coming in." She folded her arms sulking. "Now I don't even have a job. Great, my day is getting worse and worse." Julie walked over and sat down on one of the stools at the counter. "Andrew, I'd like a chocolate sundae, sprinkled with nuts. A big sundae." "Coming right up Julie." He then set a HUGE chocolate sundae in front of her. Julie ate it carefully, making sure that she didn't get any chocolate on the sides of her mouth. Julie was just finishing her sundae when a boy sat down beside her. She didn't even look at him. All she said was, "Go away." He pretended not to hear her. "Hi, I'm Alex. You must be new here, because I hang around here A LOT and I've never seen you before." Julie sighed. Why did they always talk to her? She looked up. Well, Alex was kind of cute. His blue eyes sparkled as he smiled at her. He had lightish brown hair which was fairly short. He was muscled but not overly so. He was tanned, and his voice was a pleasant baritone. She felt herself softening towards the guy and Julie immediately began to steel herself. *Hold it Julie, you don't even really know who this guy is, and you're practically half into his arms. He might even be the enemy.* "Hi, I'm Julie, I'm an exchange student from Australia and I'm fourteen years old. How about you?" Julie asked. "I'm fifteen, I was born in the USA I've lived in Japan for thirteen of my fifteen years. Do you work?" Alex asked. "I MIGHT be getting a job here, IF I'm allowed to." Julie directed her last comment at Andrew, who was innocently standing behind the counter. Pretending he wasn't listening. "Well, that means I might be seeing more of you then. What school are you going to?" "Cross-roads." Julie said shrugging. "You?" "Same," He said. "Who have you got for form?" "Ms Haruna," Julie said. "Poor you, since school starts soon and I'm not on an exchange program, I don't know until the first day of school." Alex said. "Where do you live?" Alex asked. " Since when did this become an interrogation. Or is there something I missed?" Julie asked sweetly. Alex muttered something about females who thought they were clever, and Julie caught his arm. Still smiling she began to apply pressure to it. "Now, are you going to apologise about that sexist remark? Or do you really want me to break your arm? Your choice, but I'm warning you, NEVER underestimate 'just a girl' EVER!" on his quickly mumbled apology she released his arm. "I can't actually tell you where I live you know. I hardly know you. Besides, my friend that I'm staying with might beat you into the ground if she finds you poking around the place. She has a really bad temper. Oh and don't say 'and you don't' unless you want me to beat you up. Ok?" Julie grinned. "Other than that, we could be friends if you like." Julie went to go pick up her stuff. "I have to go home soon, bye!" She laughed and walked up to the counter. Andrew said. "Julie, I've decided that you can have a second chance. BUT be here on time tomorrow at 12. And don't be late." Andrew said in a mock-threatening way. Julie put on her blades. "Thanks Andrew! Bye guys!" She said waving, and skated out the door. ********************** So what did you think? Email me and tell me. No songs in this 'fic belong to me. (^_-) Seeya, Jacey (Julie Cooke)