Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize, and what you don't, I do.
"Oh man, oh man oh man faster legs," I commanded to my appendages holding an old newspaper over my auburn hair, not that it did any good. The rain poured like liquor on St. Patrick's Day.
'Only 2 more blocks to go,' I thought cutting across an intersection. Horns blared at me. With a quick raspberry, I continued to Domino High.
"I really need to invest in an umbrella," I mumbled tossing the sodden print in a bin. Wringing out enough water to fill a cup or two, I sauntered to my locker, relieving it of a calculus textbook.
"Hey Payten," Tea waved from the classroom door. I smiled, closing the metal with a clang and rushed to her side.
"Let me see your schedule," she snatched the said paper while walking in and sitting by the wall.
"We have all but Economics together. Look's like I'll get to show you around after all."
We smiled. I waited for everyone to file in. I was not sure if there was a seating chart or something, and I did not want to cause a scene by 'taking someone's spot'. It sucks coming to a school on the middle of the year. The final bell rang when the teacher walked it looking slightly flustered, his gray hair sticking out everywhere. I stifled a smile. After dumping his possessions on his desk, he turned with a smile, clapping his hands together. Then he jumped a few feet in the air when he spotted me.
"You must be the new student."
"Yes sir."
He yanked a piece of paper amongst the clutter and studied it.
"Payten?"
I nodded. He nodded jerkily and pointed to the back of the room.
"Yes, yes good, good. You can take a seat next to Mr. Kaiba in the back there."
I could have sworn I heard a few gasps. Shrugging my falling backpack onto my shoulder, I walked carefully to the designated seat. On the walk there, I studied this 'Mr. Kaiba'. He was glaring out of the window. His eyes were a brilliant steel ocean blue that held infinite amounts of loathing, hair of a deep, not dark chocolate color perfectly in place. His arms were crossed in a defensive position, eye brows knitted together glaring outside. He sat ramrod straight with one ankle resting on his opposite knee. I sat silently next to him and glued my attention to the front.
'This guy really needs a hug,' I almost giggled aloud at the absurd (probably true) thought.
"I'm sorry that you have to sit by Kaiba," Tea said wrapping an arm around my shoulders as we walked to the next class.
"But on the bright side, we have Yugi in the next one. And there is a seat behind me."
"Is Kaiba in a lot of our classes," the thought of sitting next to the cold man literally made me shiver.
She cringed. "Yeah unfortunately. Not the next one and my last class. Pray you don't have him in Eco. Besides, he leaves a lot on business."
"Business? He works?"
"Yeah, he's the CEO of Kaiba Korp."
I looked at her shocked stopping in the center of the hall. She looked back laughing at my expression.
"He's so young though!"
"Oh well. Now come on, we don't want to be late."
Yugi was already in his seat when we entered.
"Hey Tea, Payten!"
"Hey Yugi," she sat beside him. I took the seat behind him. He turned to look at me, purple eyes sparkling.
"I'm glad we have a class together Pay." I nodded. The bell rang as remaining students filed in.
I was thankful to have my harder classes in the morning, done and over with. Science and math are not exactly my forte, but I can usually scrape by with a B. I was also thankful that the teacher either didn't care or didn't want to humiliate me by forcing me to stand and introduce myself.
Tea, Yugi and I passed notes through out the class. I had next period with Joey and Tristan, dance with Tea, lunch with everyone, English with Joey, Yugi and Kaiba, art with Joey and Yugi then Eco with Kaiba, the only class I didn't have Tea in. Hopefully, I will not see a lot of him, thus not much to worry about. I think this semester is going to turn out pretty good.
"I don't know what it is about the teachers putting me next to Kaiba," I mopped turning my rice around on my tray. Tea looked at me with pity.
"Don't let him get ta ya Pays. If moneybags tries somthin funneh on ya I'll give em a little piece of me," Joey said puffing his chest out. I giggled.
"Thanks Joey. Nevertheless, the worst he could do is send me a glare that really could freeze hell over, and that is just for doing absolutely nothing to him. But imagine if I were to say something to him."
The group laughed.
"Well how do you like Domino so far Payten," Tristan asked with a mouth full of food. Tea gave him a look of disgust before reprimanding him for me.
"It's a nice little city. I need to look for a job though so I can keep up with the payment and stuff."
"You always have a room at my place," Tea smiled sincerely.
"Thanks but I think I got it, if I can just get a job."
"My grandpa might be willing to hire you at his shop," Yugi offered.
"I don't know. I'm not too big on duel monsters. I was hoping to take a Nanny job. I used to work for an agency over in the States. Maybe they can transfer some of my records. I could probably put an ad in the paper," I mused, my thoughts trailing off at the end. That is probably what I will do. Tea nodded.
"Sounds good ta meh," Joey shrugged before stuffing his face. It is amazing how he and Tristan can scarf down in a sitting.
"How about we come and help you finish unpacking," Yugi offered. The boys nodded.
I shook my head.
"I've just about got it all."
"How about a house warming party?"
"Tristan, I don't think I have enough to feed yours and Joey's endless stomachs."
They laughed.
"A house warming would be fun," Tea said, "and everybody could bring something."
"I suppose," I said shrugging.
"Great! We'll be over at 6," Yugi agreed and the bell dismissed out little group.
English, despite being the easiest subject for me, just became my most hated one for the day. The teacher subjected me to the standing introduction. I prayed that I did not stutter, and nothing could stop the inevitable blush that was slowly reaching my cheeks as I felt their piercing gazes on me.
"My name is Payten. I moved here from North Carolina with my family because my dad because got a job here."
"Very good. Now why don't you take a seat next to Mr. Kaiba."
I inwardly groaned at the thought. I saw my friends giving me a collective sympathetic look. Then I stole a glance at Kaiba. He was glaring hatefully at me.
'He doesn't need the practice. I'm almost positive he could send little children in tears, maybe even young teens,' I thought suddenly finding my shoes interesting. I made it to the seat and plopped down. Perhaps I was wrong; this may turn out to be the worst semester yet.
The rest of the day was the same. I had to sit next to Kaiba every given chance, courtesy of the teachers of course. Why him of all people? Even if there were empty seats, I was forced to sit next to him. Perhaps it was because I was the new kid. Whatever the reason, it was not good enough to place a man that could give a puppy a heart attack with a single glare.
After stopping by the grocery store to pick up a few items, the apartment was a comforting sight, regardless of how bare that it seemed. A small collection of hand me down dark whicker furniture, an off dingy white carpet that had seen better days, and plain white walls that I had spent hours upon hours scrubbing. Through a little door was a small kitchen. A fridge that I knew would continue to be bare, a small island housing a sink and a few cupboards holding cheap glasses and plates. A little oven stood off to the side next to a microwave that I brought with me. Off to the right stood my little bedroom, the queen bed taking up most of the space provided. I rolled my eyes at the green cover strewn around. Forgot to make the bed. I did so before getting started on chicken teriyaki, my favorite food.
I was just about to put it all together when there was a knock on the door. Glancing at the clock, it was bound to be the gang. They were a few minuets early.
Opening the door, sure enough stood Tea, Yugi, Joey, and Tristan along with a white haired kid with chocolate eyes and a soft smile. He wore a nay blue and white striped shirt over pants.
"Hey guys, you're just in time. A little bit early actually."
"Happy House warming," Tea said holding up a bouquet of wild flowers. I smiled, ushering them in. Food rested on the island and everyone migrated to my little living room. After snipping the end, I placed the flowers in a pitcher of water, added the plant food and sat them on a little end table.
"Smells good," Joey drooled.
"You're welcome to make your plates of course," I waved a hand in the direction. Joey and Tristan practically wrestled each other through the little door. We laughed.
"Oh," Yugi piped up, "I want you too meet our friend Bakura. He wasn't at school today."
I shook hands with the white haired male.
"It's nice to meet you."
"Like wise," he said in an English accent.
After a large portion of the food was consumed, we were all lounging around in the living room. Tea and I were talking while the boys were either dueling or watching a duel.
"So do we have any classes with Bakura?"
She shook her head. "Just lunch."
I nodded thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry you have to sit next to Kaiba in every class," she visible cringed.
"It's ok. I think I can handle a semester of him. What's the worst that could happen?"
"Nothin cuz I got yer back Pay," Joey plopped down, throwing an arm over my shoulder. I laughed.
"Thanks Jo, but as long as I don't have to interact with the ice cube, I'll be just fine."
"And end up with frost bite from being so close to him," Tristan rolled his eyes. Everyone either chuckled or laughed.
"Come on guys lay off," Yugi said, "Kaiba isn't all that bad. He's got Mokuba and life for him hasn't exactly been easy for him."
"That's no excuse for him to act like a douche bag," Joey shot back. The room was silent.
"Hey Payten why don't I help you with the dishes," Tea dragged me unwillingly by the arm to the kitchen.
"What was all of that about," I asked running the hot water.
"None of us are rather fond of kaiba and vise versa."
"I can see that. What happened?"
She sighed heavily placing dishes on my left to be cleaned.
"Kaiba has always had a rather icy exterior, and it wasn't necessarily his fault, rather his step fathers."
She launched into the saga of Kaiba, then where the bad blood between him and the gang came in. Never had I had such sympathy for a human being like I had for Kaiba that night.
The next day at school, I was not so opposed to sitting next to him, nor did I do anything different about it. I ignored him, blending into the world around him. But I always thought about him, and his little brother Mokuba. Was he as cold as his older sibling?
The bell rang for next class. Tea waited with me as I pulled my science book. We were talking intimately about some museum exhibit, being the klutz that I was, I accidentally bumped into someone.
"I'm awfully sorry about that. Please forgive me," I looked up into the unfortunately steel ice blue eyes of Seto Kaiba.
"Yes you are sorry," his voice was a deep growl and full of rage. If it wasn't, I had no doubt that it would have woman swoon at his feet. Rather than doing that, I glared. Sadly, it had no effect like his.
"I am anything but. I apologize for bumping into you. I must have knocked that stick in your ass up further if you're going to reprimand me for something so trivial. "
The hallway was dead quiet. He gave me a glare that made me visibly shudder. He stood in front of me, towering over me menacingly.
'Man I'm short,' I thought off handily, but held my ground.
"You've got guts to speak to me like that Dandisk. But I suppose growing up in the barn you call a house you were not taught manners. It's a miracle that you can function somewhat properly in society, but giving your current company that you hold yourself in, I'd say you had failed in that department."
My glare intensified but it still had nothing on Kaiba's.
"Let me at em," the unmistakable Brooklyn accent made a bee line from the crowd. The bell rang before he could make it there. As the crowd dispersed, taking Kaiba with it, my friends had gathered around me. Tea had wrapped an comforting arm around my waist. I stood there, staring at the spot Kaiba had stood, patronizing me. I sighed and hung my head. Another hand was placed on my shoulder. My head shot up, a smile bright enough to illuminate the city of Domino was plastered on my face and earned me a few worried stares from the group. I wrapped an arm around Tea and began to skip with her down the hallway.
"Umm Pay? Are you ok?"
"Peachy keen Tea!"
Yugi, Tea and I literally snuck into the room, as the teaches back was to us, and he hadn't called roll yet. I guess that good and evil balanced out. Got into a verbal match with the Antarctic itself, still got a clean tardy record!
Technology wasn't much fun. I was still sitting next to Kaiba, but Joey on my left kept me entertained. And by our obnoxious talking, I saw that we were getting under his skin, his glare at the monitor intensified.
Dance had taken my mind off of the incident this morning and lunch had renewed my spirits.
"So have you put an add out in the paper yet Pay," Tristan asked taking a breather from stuffing himself.
"Not yet, I think I'll do that after school today."
"How are your mom and dad," Tea asked.
"Want to go visit them with me?"
She nodded happily.
"You don't live with your parents," Yugi asked in wonder.
"I didn't tell you?" I thought I had. It must have slipped my mind.
The group, excluding Tea, had shook their heads.
"I just come from a big family and there wasn't a lot of room. I first lived with an old friend back in the states, where I saved some money to come to Japan, with them of course, and I moved into my own place. Nothing special, it was just to crowed. They were actually the ones who had proposed the idea."
"That was certainly nice of them," Bakura said. The bell released us to our next classes.
Even if it there were only three periods of the day left, I still had two of them with the angry snowman. There was no doubt that I would receive a nasty frostbite from him in the process. On a side note, I'm also running out of metaphors for the walking freezer.
English dragged on with a lecture from the teacher of Robert Frost poetry. I doodled away in my notebook. Not registering the scrapping of desk along the concrete floors, I was instead brought from my reprieve when an ominous shadow loomed over me, blocking a good majority of my light.
'I feel a disturbance in the force,' the thought slid through my head as I really looked down at my darken paper then up to the offending object.
Offending had been right, but not on my part. The teacher, arms folded securely over her chest, giving me an offend look over her spectacles that were perched on the edge of her hooked nose. I had the sudden urge to reach up and slowly pushed them up that nose. It had to be uncomfortable, not to mention that they could slip off her nose, break and some poor unsuspecting student could cut their foot, get infected, have to amputate, be condemned in a wheelchair and they'll start having WWII flashbacks….
Actually, that is just my luck.
"Yes?"
"Why, aren't you working on the designated assignment?"
I glanced around. Pairs of students were huddled together bent over a piece of paper. Some were openly looking at our exchange, others were trying to be nonchalant about it. I looked back to the teacher who was impatiently awaiting my reply.
"What assignment? I think you're referring to the one that the rest of the eavesdropping class is working on but ask you can see from aside my notes," I held up the flimsy collection of paper, making it dance side to side before putting it down, "I don't have the assignment on my desk."
"It was only given to half of the class. You are to partner up."
"I see. I doubt that anyone is available now so if you be so kind as to surrender the assignment, I'll take a solo round on this one."
I held out my hand, wiggling my fingers as I did so. She shook her head.
"There is in fact one who is in need of a partner."
"Oh? And who ever might that be?"
Her cold eyes swept to the right, my left. Dread coursed through my veins, and I groaned it, my head falling to my desk with a loud thud.
"Get up Dandisk. I refuse to do all of the work by myself, despite being paired up with a slacker such as yourself."
I groaned aloud, head still planted on the wooden surface of the desk.
_
Thank you for reading. Well, what do you think?
I want to apologize, I watched the American version of this, and correct me if you see something wrong. Constructive criticism is always good for the soul : ) I also want to apologize if anything was written and offended you, that was not intentional, it was just for comedy. Please note that.