Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh.
This is my second story so please continue to be nice.
Chapter 1
(2 weeks before Egypt trip)
Yugi Muto was trying on his graduation cap & gown. He couldn't believe that he and his friend were actually graduating high school.
"Yeah he thought it was a weird coincidence too…" Yugi said into his new cell phone (a graduation present from grandpa) which he held with his shoulder as he tried smashing the cap on over his hair.
"At least you kind of know Marik. My girl is probably gonna be some stuck-up snob." Tea complained on the other end.
"Tea, just because she's from Dice Beach doesn't mean she's gonna be a snob."
Dice Beach, in addition to being Domino High's rivals, was known to every teenager in every other near-by city as the home to the snottiest rich kids around. Millions of jokes were made about the girls being ditzy sluts and the boys being macho jerks. Unfortunately for poor Tea, Molly Dillon, her roommate at Domino University, was from there.
Yugi on the other hand, and by some weird joke he suspected the universe was playing on him, got Marik. Apparently after Battle City, Marik enrolled in Cyber School and had been working to get into college and turn his life around.
"And besides, I don't know Marik all that well anyway. Sure we kept in contact after battle city but it's basically just an e-mail friendship." Yugi finally got the cap over his hair. It sat still for a few seconds before popping off and flying across the room. He could easily hear Yami laughing from inside his mind. He smiled than sighed remembering than they might only had a short time to hang out before Yami discover his past.
"Look Tea, I gotta go. See you tomorrow". Yugi hung up the phone before going to pick up his hat.
"Ok now let me get this strait again…" Yami said before appearing. He leaned against the dresser with his arms folded. "You're wearing that because you finished school."
"Yeah and then I go to college in the fall. I can't wait. It'll be this whole new adventure."
Yami smiled sadly as Yugi talked. "Sound's like fun. I would like to be around to see that ...Yugi about Egypt…"
"I know what you're gonna say. That it might be our toughest challenge yet and that it might change everything. You know, for some reason I just can't shake the feeling that…well that…"
"…that this might be our last adventure together."
[-]
Yugi flinched as Tea ran the hot straitener though his hair. Sure, she hadn't knicked him yet, but he still got nervous every time that thing went near his ears.
"Thanks again Tea. And you promise you won't tell the guys?"
"Yeah, sure, whatever…" Tea said coldly. She had been snippy ever since she got her roommate assignment. "By the way, I looked her up last night."
Yugi signed preparing for some rant. By her tone, he expected Tea finding out Molly had been on one of Dice Beach's teams. It didn't matter which on. Having rightfully earned the vote for most school-spirited, Tea was obviously passionate about their school's rivalry.
"She didn't even go to Dice Beach. She went to ACPA."
ACAPA: Academy for Creative and Performing Arts. It was one of those schools for kids who could legitimately grow up and make a living as an artist or performer. As a matter of fact, to get into some of their programs you had to have already been in a professional show.
"Well that's a relief. You two will have a lot in common. I mean she's into art, you're into art…"
"Yugi weren't you listening to me?"
The confused boy blinked in surprise. "I-I thought I was."
"She's gonna be a dance major! And I just know when she finds out I'm a dance major too, she'll be all 'oh, I'm so much better than you because I went to ACPA.'"
"Oh come on, you really think she's gonna say that to your face?" Yugi chuckled. He knew his friend well enough to know she was just entertaining her own insecurities but he also knew well enough to not bring it up; especially if she had a hot cosmetic tool in her hand.
"Well, she'll at least be thinking it." Tea turned off the straitener and grabbed Yugi's cap. "Ok, moment of truth time." The cap slid over Yugi's newly smoothed hair with ease.
"It fits! Thanks Tea." Yugi adjusted his cap as Tea admired her handy work. "You know…that was a pretty girly hour we just spent…"
"I know. If you have to go spit or watch football now, I totally understand." Tea joked.
Yugi laughed as he removed the cap. "So, how do you know she's gonna be a dance major?"
"I saw her FaceBook page. Her profile picture was of her in a dance costume doing an assisted arabesque penchée."
"Oh…" Yugi replied pretending to know what an assisted arabesque penchée was "But still, keep an open mind. It sounds to me like she could be your best friend and teach you a lot of stuff. You don't know her so just give her a chance."
Tea sighed and dropped her arms. She knew Yugi was right and that she was just being stubborn.
"You're right Yugi. You're always right. I should have figured that out after you called the Super Bowl 4 years in a row."
Both of them laughed then looked in the mirror at Yugi's flattened hair. "Have I been playing Duel Monsters too often or does my hair look like a Kuriboh?" he asked pushing the bangs out of his way. Tea simply smiled and nodded.
"Yes and yes."
[-]
"…and she even went to LA for a competition! LA!"
Tea had been looking though Molly's FaceBook all day. She had friended Tea earlier giving the obsessed girl access to all her pictures, posts, friends and basically her whole life. All of her friends fidgeted at let their eyes at let their eyes wander. Sure, they were brave enough to face centuries old evil spirits and brain washing cults, but there was not a person alive brave enough to face a jealous Tea, much less point one out.
"Well…" Joey started nervously flipping his cap "maybe another dancer won't be that bad. I mean Yugi and I are both duelists and we get along fine. I mean Yugi is even better than me but…"
"Are you suggesting I'm scared she might be better than me?" Tea exclaimed angrily. The look on her face could turn a grown man into a whimpering child…much like it did to Joey.
"Well…nobody's the best all the time…"
Tea looked like she was about to punch Joey's teeth out. Luckily, Yugi was there to calm everyone down.
"Come on guys. It's our last day in high school. Do you really want to spend it fighting?"
Both of them backed off and smiled at each other. Yugi was right once again. Sure they were all going to college together, but high school was a time when all their adventures happened. Each one, though dangerous at times, brought them all closer together.
[-]
Over the loud speaker, they heard a teacher announcing it was time to line up. After a group hug, they all departed to get in line.
"Every year, the graduating class chooses a student they feel best represents them. This year, the student was not chosen because he's the loudest or *chuckles* tallest. He's not the star quarterback or student body president. But he does embody the spirit of this class. He's a courageous young man with a heart of gold and the determination to never give up. Ladies and gentleman, your class elected speaker, Yugi Muto."
All his friends along with the rest of the class cheered for him as he approached the podium. The principal shook his hand before stepping down. When Yugi took the mic, the entire stadium went silent. The teenager's friendly yet confident voice echoed all around them.
"Fellow classmates, when I first started at this school, I was the quiet kid in the corner. I didn't talk much and not many people talked to me. But that all changed the day I met my friends. All of them helped me grow. I am now more strong and confident. I would not be who I am today if not for them. If nothing else, that's what we should take away from this place. We should take away the lessons we learned from our friends. I, myself, have learned that no person is just one way, everyone deserves a second chance, and to never give up even when things seem hopeless. But most importantly, I've learned that we can endure anything with the support of those who love you. Because I have this support, I know I never have to face anything alone. My friends will always be right behind me no matter what and I am behind them. As we leave here today, many of us may be separating from our friends. We may be going to different schools, studying different things, and meeting different people... but if you're lucky enough to have friends like mine, no matter how far you may be from them, you are never truly apart…thank you."
Yugi stepped down and took his seat to a round of applause. He looked over at his friends whose eyes were glazed over with tears as were his. Joey and Tristan gave him a thumbs-up and Tea mouthed "good job". Bakura and Duke just smiled and nodded at him. Inside his mind, he could hear the spirit say in a kind and sincere voice "I could not be more proud of you, Friend."