Chapter 1: Start Anew
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People usually believe that a person feels with one's heart. But is that right? When a boy loses his family, does his heart beats flutter and weaken, or does his head make up a thought of severe pain in his chest?...
...It's all just make believe, isn't it?
...
The buildings run by in a blur of speed as I gaze out the car window. Does Dad usually drive this fast? Or is he just in a hurry to throw me off at Grandfather's place as fast as he can?
During the length of the ride, we exchanged almost no conversation. We stopped trying long ago.
...
One time, Dad made an effort to try and strengthen our Father and Son bond. We ate lunch, went to my favorite restaurant. The park, spent twenty minutes just sitting on a bench, feeding birds. Rented a 90's movie, just like how we used to.
The whole time, he was trying so hard, so hard to talk to me, to get me to open up, with a strained smile on his face. I tried too, maybe not as much, but I tried.
I guess two hearts beyond repair just cannot be brought together.
...
"...Yuugi, we're here," said a voice, breaking through my thoughts.
I gave a slight nod and glanced out the window.
Kame Game Shop.
It's like I'm back to the beginning of my life.
I open the car door, and am just about to step out, when Dad speaks up again.
"Yuugi, just... don't be mad, okay?... You know it's what you asked for. It was with your Grandfather or with us."
"... I know. I don't mind. It just doesn't really change anything."
He gives a long sigh as I finally walk out of the passenger's side and to the front door of the shop. Before I can open it, though, the door is suddenly gone and Grandfather is in its place.
"Oh, Yuugi! Good, you're here. Is your father still here, too?" He spots the car and Dad getting my suitcase out of the trunk behind me midway through his question. "Oh! He is. I'll go get your suitcase," his face is lighted with a flutter of distaste as he walks over to him.
They exchange 'hello's and a 'how have you been' in slight discomfort. Grandfather never really liked him. Walking over to my side, Dad hands my case over to Grandfather's hand.
"Please take well care of Yuugi... He's still my son..."
Grandfather's face softens at his words, giving a slight nod. He knew how it felt to give up a child.
"Well, good bye, Yuugi... Behave, don't cause trouble for your grandfather, okay?"
"Yes, Father... Good bye."
He hesitated a moment, as if he wanted to give me a hug, but decided against it. Dad trudged over to his car, and gave me a meaningful look before he drove away. Probably the last of him I'll see for a while.
...
"Why don't you come in, Yuugi?"
I make a small sound in the back of my throat to signal understanding.
Walking into the shop where I spent most of my childhood, rushed flasbacks of my life flies by my eyes; but I push it all aside. What good does it do to cling to the past?
"Yuugi, why are you wearing a hat? You're going to flatten your hair out."
Hmm. "Father doesn't like my hair. It reminds him too much of Mom."
"Oh! Well, Uhh, you can take it off now. He's... not here, as you can see."
"I'm fine." Short and curt. The best way not to get too attached to people. He probably won't stay long, either. "I'm going for a walk. I'll unpack later."
"Well, okay then," the awkwardness is just seeping out of his voice. "Do you still remember the- uhh,- roads, and things?"
"Yes," I'm sure I'll remember. A town as small as Domino doesn't change.
Then I'm out again where I saw Dad off. Where was the way to the park again? Hmm, oh well.
I pull off my hat that's been restraining my hair from its anti-gravitational force, and it springs up toward the sky. The red tipped ebony hair sways in the light breeze along with my golden, jagged bangs. My black semi hair dye wore off a few days ago. And now I'm back to my original colors, until I can afford another set of dyes.
I stand there, by the glass door, for a while with closed eyes; letting the wind dance with myself. Yes, it's been a while, hasn't it?
...
After asking a few people, I finally found the park. As I expected, everything's the same as six years ago. The trees I used to climb, the small lake I skipped pebbles in, the bench me and Mom used to sit on and talk for hours. I can almost see it again, this time in third person; me retelling the somewhat exciting adventures I had at school while she laughed and gasped and sighed at all the right pauses and points.
My amethyst shaded eyes glance over the grass plain stretched out the block as if searching for something. What am I looking for?
People. That's what I'm looking for. No one was here; no mother pushing the stroller of her eight month old baby, no elderly man walking his golden retriever, no kindergartners playing tag over by the sandbox and swings.
On closer observation, the plain is littered with cigarette ends, beer cans and glass bottles, trash that doesn't belong in a friendly city park. Does the mayor not see this?
Feeling uneasy, I decide to head back to the shop. It's been, what, fifteen minutes? Eh, enough exercise for the day.
...
"Your father enrolled you in Domino High, Yuugi, a few days ago," says Grandfather during dinner.
"Mmm."
"You'll be starting tomorrow. If that's too early, you can go the day after. Go around town, adjust, you know."
"It's fine, Grandfather."
"Grandpa, not Grandfather."
"Okay, Grandfather."
He heaves a long sigh. The rest of the meal is finished in silence.
...
"Grandfather," I suddenly call while putting the dishes away in the sink. "Why is the park so deserted? I was there today."
"Oh, Yuugi..." he wipes his wet hands on the kitchen towel. "Don't go there. Anywhere but there. After school gets out, the bad kids start to hang out there. Those kinds of kids invaded that place a long time ago."
"Oh," I say, as I put away the last dirty dish. "Well, I'm going to go get ready for school tomorrow...and go to sleep."
"Okay then. You're uniform is in the closet. Good night, Yuugi."
Uniform?
Well. "G'night."
...
I take a quick five minute shower to freshen myself up. It helps me calm down a little. I step out of the bath tub, wrap myself in a towel. I glide my hand over the surface of the mirror, to see my reflection, but the heat promptly condenses against it. Have I gotten... paler? Hmm.
My eyes no longer are filled with happiness and joy and familiarity. No, not since six years ago. Since then it's been clouded with loss, pain, confusion.
Truth is, I was nervous about today. Would I be able to face Grandfather after what happened? Would I be able to make new friends? Could I actually start over again, in Domino City, where everything began? There were so many questions that I couldn't give myself an answer to. I just had to face it.
I step into my room, the same room I occupied six years ago. The walls were now painted a beige color, the carpet a darker shade. It made the room look more mature than when it was painted blue. There's a bed in the far right corner, and a light wooden desk on the otherside. Even though it looks a little different, it still has that same cozy, warm feel to it.
I open my suitcase to find my toothbrush and pajamas.
...I'll just unpack tomorrow.
After I've done my nightly routine of washing my face and cleaning my teeth, I trudge over to the bed and sink into the mattress under the covers.
I'm so wiped out... Huh, yet what did I do today that makes me so tired? I guess the stress is getting to me, mmm...
...
"After today, I won't be able to see you for a while. While I'm gone, I want you to behave, okay?"
"Where are you going, Mommy?"
"Somewhere far away. I'll come back for you when I can, and I'll call you and send you letters, okay?"
Smile. "Okay, Mommy."
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To Be Continued...
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...So... Tell me how it was? :D 'Cuz I don't want to continue this story thinking that no one likes it. XD
Well, that's my first story, on this account. I had another account where I have two stories posted, but neither were that good, so I gave up on them... I hope this is better...
BTW, the story will sometimes change from Yuugi's POV to third person to Yami's. Just know that. XP
So, clickitty click that review button, to let me know if you hate it or like it, and whether I should continue it or not! :D