Disclaimer: Yu-gi-oh! does not belong to me… though I wish Kaiba did… heh. Nor do the lyrics at the beginning of chapters.
I am not afraid to keep on living; I am not afraid to walk this world alone!
~My Chemical Romance
I bit my lip, hard, and nervously. It had been a while since I'd eaten- lunch was four hours ago- and I was about to spend my last dime on a new school uniform. Actually, two new uniforms; I couldn't go and wear the same dirty clothing every day without somebody noticing. And that was the last thing I wanted, to be noticed. All I wanted to do was graduate high school, without getting in too much trouble. I thought back to the promises I'd made myself- No fighting, EVER; No boyfriends; No drugs or alcohol; and NO sex! It wasn't so much depriving myself as much as making sure I wouldn't end up dead on the streets, but I still hoped I could have some fun. Maybe here, at Domino High, I could make a mark and finally learn something! Smiling, I paid the cashier and tipped the tailor, then ran back home.
"Home" was a dingy hole in the wall known as a homeless shelter. The latrines stank, the beds were itchy, and the meals were grim, but somehow through all the darkness everybody managed to keep a smile on their face. I'd somehow come by this place through a program for runaway and homeless teens; the people had been kind to me when I explained my situation and agreed to take me in. They didn't care what I did, as long as I attempted to better my situation. With my two jobs through middle school (I'd lied about my age- high heels help) and applying to a good high school, I felt I was on track. The important thing right now was progressing, and continuing to live as well as I could.
As I walked into the stark fluorescent light of the Sojourner's Peace Center, or SPC, I raised my chin and smiled at the volunteer working the desk. "Hey, Kaiya! Any new registrations lately?" I asked amiably.
Kaiya pursed her wrinkled lips in a farce of a smile, and winked. "Just one, already sent the welcoming crew. Sorry, Mingming." She lowered her head and watched the screen. I was fairly certain that she was either playing solitaire or Mahjong. It didn't matter, as long as she was doing her job; and Keiya was the best. She'd been here much longer than I had, almost ten years, and kept everything running smoothly. Though her dry personality was off-putting to newcomers, she was really a wonderful woman and could beat anybody in poker, and nearly everybody in chess. Everybody except me. Her Western professional garb fit her personality- a little off, but traditional underneath. Today she wore a bright blue pantsuit with yellow and orange beads, and fake cat's eye glasses. Rounding off the outfit were bright orange lacquered nails. All in all, one could only describe it as Kaiya. I gave her a nod and took my newly purchased clothing- shoes and all!- to my room, smiling confidently at everybody that passed. Some gave me a wink or a nod, some didn't. I didn't care either way, as long as they saw me as I pretended to be- calm, confident, and above all, bubbly.
Finally I reached the small cubicle I called a room. I was one of the few with my own, and I welcomed the privacy. I sat down on the bottom bunk of my bed, sighing. Spreading out my new clothes on the mattress, I decided what to wear for the next day- the commencement ceremony for my new high school! The fabric smelled wonderful, like bleach and money. I laid my head right next to a starched white shirt, inhaling deeply to catch more of that wonderful, new scent. All my other clothes were hand-me-downs, and smelled of other people. But these were solely mine, and mine alone. I allowed myself a scarce, real smile, and hugged myself, falling back on the bed. I kicked my shoes off, and curled up next to the new uniforms, being careful not to wrinkle them. Mine.
A quick knock came on my door. "Come in," I called.
Several people from around the shelter came shuffling inside the door, hiding something behind them with earnest grins of anticipation. I tried to peek around one of them, but they blocked my view. I finally grinned back and asked mock-gruffly "What do you want?"
Kaiya spoke, scarcely able to hide her excitement. "We know you're going to a new school, so... Here." She handed me a box wrapped in newspaper, with a handmade bow taped to the top. I gasped, speechless. Presents weren't often come by, since Sojourner was often low on money, and everybody that lived here was homeless. "H-how?"
Kaiya shook her head. "Don't ask, just open it."
I carefully removed the bow, intending to save it, then slowly unwrapped the box from its coverings. It was cardboard, but something heavy was inside... I looked at Kaiya, and she made motions with her hands, encouraging me. I opened the box, and inside might as well have been the Holy Grail. A shiny black suitcase rested inside on a bed of shredded paper... and underneath, a shiny black bentou box, complete with chopsticks! I suppressed a giggle of delight. They were beautiful.
"We put together all the funds to buy you those, and I found you a place where you can get free textbooks," Kaiya said quietly. I smiled again, tears in my eyes, and hugged her tightly, moving on to the other three people in the room. I couldn't believe they'd do that for me, especially considering how hard they'd all worked to scrounge the money. I thanked them each individually, and when they left, gently put the bentou and the suitcase away with my clothes. I'd been out of school for a year, but they'd worked hard to help me get back on my feet. I made one more promise to myself; I would never let Kaiya down!
As the Domino High School commencement ceremony began, I was still running towards the school frantically. My alarm clock had not worked. Kaiya was the one that knocked on my door half an hour before and shouted me awake. Thank god for her! She'd made me a lunch, which she slipped into my bentou as I hurried out the door. I'd make sure she'd know how grateful I was as soon as I got back from school.
Finally reaching the gates, I pulled out my student ID, flashed it to a teacher (who looked at me disapprovingly) and bolted towards the auditorium. I opened the door to a large crowd of students, who, through some kind of psychic "I-hate-late-people" connection looked at me, all at the same time. I felt a blush creeping up my face as I joined the rest of the new students, and then blushed again as I realized they were all first years! Once again, I scurried over to a new group of students, hopefully second years. The first year class president laughed it off, and continued his speech. Eventually he finished, and said "And now please welcome the second year class president, Hiroto Honda!" Slight applause as well as more than a few snickers followed the speech, prompting my curiosity. Was this the private-school reception for a class president? Perhaps the first-year had said something funny.
A large young man, about my age, walked on stage. I could immediately see why the others had laughed; he looked dumb. His hair was done in a "Yankee" style, and it was obvious he was probably some kind of bully. A prank, maybe? The real president would walk onstage at any time... right? Then, Hiroto-san began his speech.
"Welcome, students new and old! I'd like to personally greet... um... you?" He whispered to someone off-stage. I could barely make it out, but it looked like "I didn't know I had to make a speech!" I suppressed a laugh. This guy really didn't know his stuff! Then, he continued hesitantly. "Um, You guys should all try your best... because school is a serious place, so... Have a great year! And... well if anybody bullies you or something, you should come to the student counsel! That's what we're here for... and if that doesn't work-because-I-know-it-won't-because-they're-all-scared-of-the-jerks-in-the-moral-squad.... umm... come to me because my hair gives my super strength! Bye!"
"Well, that was weird," I commented softly to myself. A taller blond turned to me and replied, "No, that's Tristan." I looked at him closely; he had a funny accent.
"Where are you from?" I asked him.
He rolled his eyes and said "Brooklyn, USA."
I nodded and edged away. He seemed tough, and kind of scary.
The students were beginning to get antsy just as the ceremony ended with a word from the headmaster. It was just as I suspected it would be; Be good, get good grades, and have a great year. Blah blah blah. Then, he rang the ceremonial school bell and everybody rushed off to class, leaving me and the first years to try and decipher our schedules. I was afraid to ask anybody, but a friendly-looking kid came up to me and asked, "What class do you have first?"
I took a good look at him. "Um, advanced physics." He had spiky multicolored hair that added nearly half a foot to his height, but without it he barely came up to my chest. His naive eyes looked at me sweetly and he replied, "Good. We're in the same class!" I smiled back at him, confused. This little kid was in advanced physics? What a world. So I asked, "Um, are you an accelerated student?" He laughed, and I wondered what was funny. "I'm second year. I'm sixteen!" I gasped, even more confused, and embarrassed that I had offended him. "I-I'm so sorry!" I said, bowing deeply to him. He just laughed again, saying "Oh, it's okay. Happens all the time! So, are you a transfer student? You looked a little lost back there." I smiled at him. "Yeah, I haven't been in school, so we've probably never met." Then I covered my mouth. So much for not sticking out. I should have come up with a cover story last night. The...um... guy? didn't even notice. "What's your name?" he asked. "Yue Ming, what's yours?" He cocked his head, saying "Yuugi Motou. Nice to meet you!" I smiled back at him. "Nice to meet you too, Motou-san. You seem nice!" He blushed. "Well, just wait until you meet my friends!" he told me as we entered the classroom.
The teacher at the front frowned, saying only, "You're late, Motou." I rushed in, saying "Motou-san was showing me the classroom. It's my fault, uhh..." I took a quick look at his paper name tag. "Teriyaki-sensei?" I had to stifle a snicker. His name was Teriyaki? What a ridiculous American stereotype of Japanese culture! What is this fanfiction author thinking? I shook my head. It would be better not to laugh at him, but a snort escaped me. He pursed his lips. "Then, you must be the new girl, Yue Ming?" he read my name off a list on a clipboard. I nodded, seeing it was circled in red. I bit my lip. He didn't seem to like me, but he nodded and pointed absently to a desk. "Sit next to Seto Kaiba-san, please." I hastily sat down next to the brown-haired young man. He looked hostile, and I made a mental note not to bother him.
The rest of the class went smoothly, but I couldn't help sneaking glances at Kaiba-san and Motou-san. They looked so normal, and happy, and above all, smart! I found myself competing with them, doing problems quickly and shooting my hand up as fast and as high as I could. Anytime I could, I would answer the hardest problems offered, confidently and smugly. I loved the feeling of getting the correct answer, having the other students look at me curiously as if they wondered how I did it. I was so sick of being treated like I was stupid at work, just a pretty face. Here, at school, I could learn and showcase my abilities. I constantly had to suppress a smile. Class let out, but before I could go, Yuugi caught up to me. "Wow, you're really smart! I thought you said you'd been out of school for a year!" I nodded. "Yeah, I've been studying by myself for a while. Otherwise I would never have been able to pass the entrance exam!" Yuugi smiled. "So what class do you have next?" I looked at my schedule. "Um, advanced English." Yuugi sighed. "Sorry, I'm not in that class. But if you catch up with Kaiba-san, you should be able to find the classroom." I nodded and gave him my thanks.
I rushed up to Kaiba. "Um, hi. I'm Yue Ming. You're Seto Kaiba-san, right?" He snorted. "That's me." Then he turned to me, resent plainly on his sharp face. "Think you're smart? Let's see how you fare in English class. I'll beat you for sure." I wrinkled my nose. "Well you didn't have to be so snobby about it." He turned and growled, "You don't know a damn thing about snobby!" Then he twirled on his heel and stalked quickly into another classroom. I followed closely, and once again we were placed next to each other. Once again, we competed stubbornly to be called on. I began to take a tally of correct answers... and I lost, by one, when I replied with incorrect grammar. Kaiba smirked, and I swore vengeance on him for being such a sourpuss. I narrowed my eyes at him as we walked to our next class together, advanced calculus, all the while laughing evilly in my head. The same pattern continued throughout the day, and by the end we were both so competitive with each other that I felt I would burst. Finally, once our last class together had ended, Kaiba-san spoke to me. "what's the tally?" he asked. I looked at the paper, counting quickly. "Looks like we're tied," I said, frowning. How could this happen? I was so determined... I looked back up at Kaiba. His pale face had a little color to it. In fact, I wondered if he was blushing... but he looked down once again, and muttered "Well, I guess this means it continues tomorrow. Good day." Then, he turned on his heel and got into the car- the limo?!- waiting for him.
A group of bitchy-looking girls stalked up to me. One of them, obviously the leader, flipped her blond hair and said snidely, "Nice to see you're getting so much attention from Seto-kun." I half expected the other four to say "yeaaahhh" or something. They looked so... doll-like... and brainless. Kind of perfect, actually. I began to get caught up in my observations of them, noticing every perfect detail of their beautiful outfits, accessories, and shoes. I somehow wanted to be them... and then I realized that they were waiting for an answer. "Oh, um.. I just like class," I say, sheepishly. The leader made a nasty-looking expression on her face and commented, "Well don't get too close to him, or we'll teach you a lesson... tramp!" Then, she and her lackeys stormed away.
I sat down on a bench near the school, hurt. Why would she say that to me? All I did was compete with Kaiba-san! Brooding, I didn't even realize the blond guy from before walk up and take a seat. "They're just jealous," he said in his strange accent. "What?" I asked, startled. "You's cute, and smart, and Kaiba's lookin' at ya, and even talkin' to ya. Seems weird, but he's popular. Never caught you's name... I'm Jonouichi, but ya can call me Joey." He extended a hand, and I shook it. "I'm Yue Ming, nice to meet you, Joey-san. I have to walk home... I'll see you later." Did he just call me cute? I got up, leaving Joey-san on the bench. He looked after me a ways, until I heard him running up. "Wait... let me walk ya home." I smiled. "That would be nice."
Note from the author: In case you guys don't speak Chinese, Yue4 Ming2 translates (directly) as Moon Bright, hence the title ^_^ Anyway I'm hoping to release new chapters at least once a week but with school, who knows. :D Anyway thanks for reading, PWEESE R&R because it makes me happy... I'll give the first three people to R&R a big fat cookie! Thanks again-- Crystal