Chapter 1: New Students
"Do we have to share a room?" a teen complained from the backseat. He had tri-colored hair and the boy next to him looked almost like his twin.
"Atem, I thought you liked Yugi," Grandpa glanced in the rearview mirror.
"I do, but there won't be much room." Atem pointed out.
"We promised to be hosts to these girls, so be welcoming." Grandpa pulled into the airport parking lot and found a spot.
"What do they look like?" Yugi wondered aloud.
"I don't know, but I want you two to show them hospitality." Grandpa answered sternly.
"Of course, Grandpa." Yugi nodded.
"We will make you proud." Atem nodded.
Grandpa led the way into the airport and to a gate. They waited as the passengers from a plane streamed out. Finally two teen girls exited, one blond, one brunette. They wore tank tops and jean shorts. The shorter one, the brunette, spotted them and nudged her friend, pointing. Atem's eyes locked on the brunette as they went over.
The brunette looked at Atem and blushed. "Nice to meet you." She replied slowly, as if he didn't understand English.
Atem chuckled. "I understand English."
The teen's face flushed more. "Sorry, I assumed-"
"It's okay. I assume it's your first time abroad." Atem smiled. "I'm Atem."
"Holly." The teen replied, touching her ponytail unconsciously.
"Well, do you have luggage?" Grandpa asked, disrupting their discussion.
"Yes, we each have a bag." Linda nodded.
Grandpa led the way to the luggage carousel. They waited until the carousel began spitting out bags. Linda spotted a purple bag and hefted it off the belt.
Holly spotted a deep blue suitcase and Atem reached for the bag at the same time she did. "Let me get that." He offered.
"I got it. It's got wheels." Holly assured him. She hefted the bag off the belt.
Atem grinned. "We have similar tastes."
"What's that?" Holly asked, lifting the handle on the bag.
"We both like blue." Atem's grin widened.
"I love blue." Holly's face lit up.
Linda and Yugi rolled their eyes. "Come on, before they start braiding each other's hair." Linda giggled.
Atem frowned while Holly laughed. Grandpa led the way to the car and Holly and Linda had a short, quiet conversation. Linda got into the front seat and Holly climbed into the back between Atem and Yugi.
Atem avoided meeting her eyes as they drove. "So, anyone hungry?" Grandpa asked.
"Starving." Holly smiled brightly. She met Atem's eyes and blushed. He looked away, his face turning pink.
"Burgers all right?" Grandpa asked, slowing as he neared a burger joint.
"Sounds great." Linda nodded.
Grandpa pulled into the parking lot and went through the drive thru. They ordered their food and headed home.
"I insist that the boys bring in your bags." Grandpa spoke as they ate.
"That would be great." Holly nodded.
After they ate, Yugi and Yami headed out to the car and unloaded the bags. "Sheesh, what did they pack, an anvil?" Yugi complained.
"Stop complaining." Atem muttered as a blond teen appeared on the sidewalk. "Hey, Joey."
"I guess you got your foreign exchange students." Joey nodded to the suitcases. "Are they hot?" he wiggled his eyebrows.
"Joey, it isn't polite to objectify women." Atem groaned.
"That's a yes." Joey grinned. "I'll go take a look."
"Look, I like her. Don't hit on her." Atem pleaded, stopping Joey in his tracks.
"Okay, bro's oath. I will not pursue her until she rejects you." Joey headed for house.
"Who says she'll reject me? I'm an exotic champion." Atem pointed out, following him with the suitcase wheeling behind him. Yugi followed with the other suitcase wheeling behind him.
Holly and Linda were watching TV in the living and looked up when they entered. Joey spotted Holly and his grin widened. "Who is this?" Holly asked.
"I call this one." Holly announced, dropping her carry on onto the bed. Atem set her suitcase by the bed.
Yugi set the suitcase by Linda's bed. "We will be downstairs if you need anything."
"Atem?" Holly asked, as Yugi and Atem started to leave. Atem turned. "Can you stay for a little while?"
"Yeah, of course." Atem nodded. "I'll meet you downstairs." He told Yugi.
"Can you go too?" Holly asked Linda.
"Okay, but no making out on my bed." Linda sighed and left the room.
"I have something to show you." Holly dug through her suitcase and found a pair of pajamas. The tank top and shorts had little Kuribohs printed all over.
Atem grinned. "You like Duel Monsters?"
"Are you kidding me? I love Duel Monsters! Ever since I heard we were coming to live here, I have wanted to meet you. You're my hero."
Atem turned away. "I'm no hero." He mumbled.
"But you saved the world from evil. That's pretty heroic in my book." Holly reasoned.
Atem gave a sad smile. "I wish I had the same belief in me that you do."
Holly went over, smiling up at him. "Well, we'll have to change that opinion." She declared.
Atem couldn't help giving a weak chuckle. "You don't give up, do you?" he asked, amazed.
"You will find that I do not give up on people I like." Holly smiled.
Atem's smile turned genuine. "You like me?"
Holly's smile turned coy. "What do you think?"
"I think," Atem stepped closer, placing his hands on her waist. She gazed back at him, knowing what he was going to do. "That I like you too."
Atem leaned in and kissed her. Fireworks exploded figuratively as the kiss lasted longer. She pulled away slightly. She smirked. "I didn't quite get the message."
Atem grinned. "Then let me send it again." He kissed her again.
"Holly?" Linda's voice from the other side called and a knock on the door interrupted their kiss. "Are you done making out with the tan god?"
Holly blushed furiously as Atem raised his eyebrow. "Tan god?" he asked amused.
"We'll talk about that later." Holly said quickly. To Linda, she called, "Yeah, come in."
Atem stepped away from Holly as Linda entered, surveying them as if they had just been having sex. "Do you need something?" Atem asked, amused.
"I was just wanting to unpack." Linda went to her suitcase and found pajamas and her toothbrush. "Go back to making out." She said, hurrying out of the room.
Atem chuckled, shaking his head. "Your sister is something else." He mused.
"Friend." Holly corrected him. "Best friend, really. We might as well be sisters. I just wish I could find a guy for her."
"Maybe we could hook her up with Kaiba." Atem smirked. "Maybe that'll cheer him up." Atem joked.
Holly laughed. "Now that'll happen when hell freezes over. Does he even like girls?"
"Don't know. I have never seen him date." Atem shrugged. "I'll leave you to unpack."
Atem's hand was at the door when Holly called to him. "Atem?" he turned and she continued, "Thanks for giving me a pick me up. The jet lag is really kicking my butt."
"No problem." Atem opened the door and left, shutting the door behind him.
Holly sighed, picking up the pajamas off the floor where she had dropped them. She unpacked and got ready for bed, thinking of the inigma that was the Egyptian god next door. Little did she suspect, Atem was up all night, thinking about her.