Hello Kitty [ATTN: Dare, Takumi]

[Lace Kellan]

After spending about four hours holding her breath, hoping against all odds that Ginger didn't wake up, school finally let out without any incidents. Lace hurried as she packed her things to bring to her locker, checking every now and then if Ginger was in fact still alive. The almost erratic rise and fall of her tiny warm body reassured Lace that she was indeed still alive.

Depositing her books into her locker, she wondered if she should look for Dare and Takumi or just wait at the entrance. They were bound to go through the front entrance at some point. So Lace locked up and walked to the front entrance and chose a strategic place so she wouldn't be trampled on and would have a better view if either Takumi or Dare came through.

The buzz of a few hundred students talking at once didn't stop Lace from hearing the soft mew and gentle rustling from inside her bag. She quickly took Ginger out and started to play with the little kitten, completely oblivious to the stares thrown at her by practically everyone that went through the entrance.

She was deeply engrossed with entertaining the kitten that she didn't even notice one of the boys walking to her.

[Dare Madison]

Dare slipped his guitar strap over his shoulder and swung it to his back. He grabbed the books he needed to do his homework that evening. Heading outside, he grinned when he saw Lace playing with a kitten. "Hi Lace, who is your little friend?" he asked, sitting down next to her and the tiny ginger feline.

"Are you walking dogs today? Do you want company? Rosco needs some exercise and I think he has been missing you," Dare said, giggling as the kitten lifted up on his hind legs to butt his head against the palm of his hand.

"She's a friendly little lady," Dare said, thinking the kitten was adorable. "Hey are you coming to the park clean up tomorrow afternoon? I think there might be quite a few people there. Annie is going to make cupcakes and I think I will bring my boom box."

[fryn]

Takumi couldn't wait for the last bell to sound. He sprinted from the classroom and in his haste came close to knocking a poor hapless girl clear off her feet. "Gomen," he apologised along with a hasty dip of his head before he resumed his hasty exit and bolted for the main entrance. Lace was sure to be there and he could take charge of Ginger... unless she'd changed her mind, of course, and wanted to keep the kitten at her own home. He'd already planned to call at the shops on his way home for some bedding and food...

He saw Dare before he saw Lace, the boy's long blond hair easily visible. "Dare-kun!" he called out . "Have you seen Lace? I am hoping to find her so that..." Dare had half turned to reply, allowing Takumi to see the very girl he'd been seeking. "Hai," he added to Lace, along with the brightest of smiles. "How is Ginger? Did she behave in your afternoon classes?" He shot her a grin. "I half expected to find out you had been put on detention for having her with you!" Luckily that didn't seem to be the case. "Isn't she adorable, Dare?" he added to his friend as he gently stroked the kitten's tiny head.

[Lace Kellan]

Greeting Dare with a huge smile, Lace pushed Ginger lightly in Dare's direction. "This is Ginger. Say hello to Dare, Ginge." Lace used one hand to pick Ginger's left paw to wave at Dare.

At the reminder of dog walking, Lace shook her head. "I met Takumi during lunchtime. He knows you, he says. And I've just given him custody of this kitten seeing as my parents are never going to let me keep her." She shrugged lightly. "I was actually hoping you'd come with us to buy some stuff for Takumi to bring home and set it up for her and stuff." Lace inquired with a hopeful smile. She liked Dare alot; he was sweet, openly enthusiastic and so cute. She understood why he and Takumi knew each other. They were so much alike.

"Yes!" she exclaimed when Dare reminded her of the park clean up. She nodded with a smile. "I can't wait." She didn't know a lot of the people who might be involved but she heard Bree Marcus was going to be there. Not that she was the reason why Lace was going but it might be interesting to see a princess do some dirty work. "Oh I'm going to enjoy tomorrow." She nodded.

When Takumi started babbling to Dare about her whereabouts, she smiled as she played with Ginger until Takumi finally realised her presence. She waved slowly and grinned. "She slept the whole time surprisingly. I was on the balls of my feet the whole time of course but...she just slept." She replied.

"So, shall we go and shop for this precious angel now?" Lace asked the two boys.

[Dare Madison]

Dare grinned at Taki and rose to hug him. He was a very physically affectionate kid and for some reason it just seemed natural to hug him and then he hugged Lace as well, feeling an affinity with them because of their love of animals. "There is a great pet store near the pier on Venice Beach, that is where I went to get Rufus' stuff when I got him. They have a human size hamster trail. I don't know how hamsters can do that all the time, my knees got so sore," he suggested with a grin. He would really like to take Evan there someday and set him loose.

"They only have organic food there and even the catnip is pesticide free. The owner is really nice, he is really helpful for new pet owners. I take Rufus there once a week for obedience lessons," Dare informed them.

[fryn]

Takumi wasn't in the slightest put out when Dare gave him a hug in welcome. He liked the other boy a lot and phyical greetings while not common amongst the Japanese race were slowly increasing between its younger people. He slipped into place between Dare and Lace as they left the school bilding and he draped an arm over each of their shoulders, content at how the day had turned out. He'd made a new friend in Lace and reinforced the one he already had in Dare. Plus he'd acquired a kitten. Ok, so only really one third of a kitten as his two companions also laid claim.

"The shop you know of sounds perfect, Dare-kun!" enthused Takumi. "My home is also in the Venice Beach area and so it will be useful to have such supplies so close to hand. I also have a dog... Hashi. A... dachshund...? Is that the right word? Izzy told me what kind of dog Hashi is but its hard to remember. She is very gentle and loves cats. Our neighbour in Osaka had three and Hashi was for ever around there playing with them!"

They wandered along the street chatting amicably together with Ginger sleeping for the most part. "You will have time to come to my house after we go to the store?" he asked. "Kachan... my mother... she always makes green tea and mochi for when I get home... and I would be honoured to share that with you both."

[Lace Kellan]

Lace accepted Dare's hug eagerly. She hadn't been hugged by anyone except her family members so as much as it was awkward for her, she kind of liked it. As Dare talked about the pet store, Lace nodded, acknowledging that she too knew that store. She bought most of her dog walking supplies there. It really was a good pet store. Lace was surprised she hadn't run into Dare.

"I go there too!" Lace exclaimed in a small voice. "I'm surprised we never ran into each other. The squeaky toys there always entertain the dogs I walk." She awkwardly tried to relax when Takumi slung an arm around her shoulder and they started walking. Ginger was quiet in her arms, snuggling into the crook of her elbow every now and then. "Oh I love dachschunds! I haven't had the opportunity to walk one, I'd love to see Hashi, if it's okay with you."

She was reassured when Takumi once again invited them over to his house. "I'll have to call my mother but I don't think she would mind." In fact, her mother would be thrilled that she was finally making friends.

Lace stepped out from under Takumi's arm after excusing herself and dialed up her home number on her cell phone. After a few rings, her mother picked up. "Hey mama. I'll be coming home late tonight. I've got some things to do."

"Oh? What things, honey?"

"Um...I've been invited over to a friend's house." She told her mother a bit apprehensively. She had never had this sort of conversation with her mother before so it was sufficiently awkward for her.

"A friend from school? That's wonderful, sweetie. Have fun but don't stay up too late, alright?"

After reassuring her mother that she won't, Lace hung up and rejoined her friends as they finally reached the store.

[Dare Madison]

Dare smiled, glad that Taki hadn't minded his hug. He put his arm around the other boy's waist as they walked together. When Lace went off to call her mom, he said, "I was thinking we could meet around four or five on Saturday for our Jam session. I know some people will be going to that Brunch and I don't want to interfere. We can play around for a while and then order out for some dinner. Is that okay with you?"

When Lace came back from talking to her mom, Dare pulled her back into group and invited her to the jam. "After all, a band needs groupies. You can be the president of our fan club," he said with a wide grin. "And you can tell us if we suck."

Dare knew that Taki only had a scooter. "Would you guys like a ride to the store and when we're all done I can drop you off back here to get your scooter, Taki?" he asked and pointed to the limo that was waiting for him, complete with chauffeur. "I don't know how to drive and since the shootings I haven't been allowed to walk places on my own. It's a real drag."

[fryn]

Takumi listened to Dare's plans for Saturday and nodded enthusiasticall. "That sounds perfect, Dare-kun," he replied. "I asked Lace to come and she is also at the brunch so that will work out well for her." The girl in question returned at that moment and Dare included her in their conversation.

"Domo arigatou!" he replied to Dare's offer of the lift. "Although I can follow your car on my scooter and save returning back for it. I live close to the pet store and it seems crazy to come all the way back here. Just don't let your driver go fast or I will get lost!" he finished with a wink.

The drive to Venice Beach passed without mishap and Takumi parked his red Vespa alongside the limousine, draping his helmet over one of the handles before joining the others. "I have something to tell you," he hissed to Dare, leaning close to add, "I have asked Izzy out," he stated with a broad smile. "We are... dating... That is the right word... yes? Now, do you think I should also ask Lia out? I know Evan said so but I am not so sure. Is that how things are done in the USA?" He glanced at Lace. "You might know better, Lace-chan... Is it allowed to date two girls at the same time? Back in Japan that didn't really happen so am not sure what is expected here."

[Lace Kellan]

Having Dare invite her to the jamming session after Takumi invited her earlier made Lace feel very accepted among her friends and she couldn't help but smile widely.

When she spotted the limo, she gaped at it and kept quiet as Dare and Takumi had their conversation. Lace contained her excitement over riding a very expensive vehicle while trying to hold a normal conversation with her fellow dog walker. "I would never tell you that you suck. Very unethical." Lace shook her head, stroking the little kitten's head.

Once they arrived at the store, Lace moved away a bit to let the boys have their privacy. Her eyes bugged out when Takumi addressed her on the dating situation. She was obviously the worst choice of girl to ask for dating advice! Dare probably knew more about it than she could ever dream of!

Stammering, Lace shrugged. "I...I don't really...I've never been...um..." she chuckled nervously before shaking her head. She knew quite a lot of boys dated two girls at the same time but all of them had one thing in common which is that they were all jerks and stupid heads. Takumi wasn't a stupid head so would it be advisable for her to tell him that he shouldn't do it? What if things go wrong? She could be blamed for it.

She opened her mouth to reply but nothing came out. "I...I don't think you should...Takumi." Her voice thinned out in the end and she concentrated on Ginger who was just waking up.

"Should we go in the store? I think we should go in the store. Yep." She nodded to Ginger before practically sprinting into the store.