It was just a normal day for most of the students at Domino High School. For the young adults of 13O however, this day would mean the introduction of two new students into their large yet friendly class. For the past weeks, rumours had been spreading like wildfire about the three newcomers.

"I hear they bought one of them bought mansion in the richest part of Domino."

"Someone told me that they are they are the richest people in the whole city."

"Did you know that one of them is Seto Kaiba. I mean THE Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corp."

"They are rumoured to be the best-looking people in the whole city."

"ARGH!" Tea Gardener had shouted to the rest of her friends as they were sitting down to eat lunch the day before. They had passed each table and each table were speculating on the new arrivals. "Why can't everyone get a life? Surely they have better things to talk about!"

Tristan Taylor, Yugi Mutou and his twin Atem, Mai Valentine and Rebecca Dawkins shared a brief look. "Well I heard-" Mai began, winking at her other friends.

"Oh please don't start Mai, I don't think I could cope." Tea groaned hitting her head softly on the table, making the rest of her friends laugh.

"Just you wait Tea, I'm sure you'll be as captivated by the newcomers as everyone else sooner or later." Tristan chuckled throwing a grape into his mouth.

"I don't know Tristan," Atem's replied, his deep, masculine voice seeming to reverberate around the canteen. "Once our Tea's mind is set, nothing can change her opinion." He looked sideways at Tea and gave her a small smirk. "Isn't that right Tea?"

Tea looked up briefly, blushing at Atem's words and reddening even further at his expression before burying her head in her arms inwardly groaning at her silliness. Why oh why couldn't she think of a super sassy comeback? Every time she looked into those oh so deep crimson eyes... She shook herself. She had been in love with her best friend's twin brother ever since she had met him. She had tried to fight it. But how could she resist the attractive, sporty flirtiness of that boy. But she had encountered that problem that so many other girls have; he didn't see her as more than a friend. Or if he did, he was very, very, very good at hiding it.

"Anyway..." Yugi said, eyeing Tea on the table and thinking it best he changed the subject. He, like all the others, knew about Tea's 'secret' crush on Atem. In fact the only one that didn't seem to have a clue was Atem himself. But Yugi didn't like it. He didn't like it one bit. Why? Because he was Tea's best friend and if anybody had the right to go out with her it was him. Yugi had wanted to ask Tea out for quite some time now. But together with his own shy and retiring personality and her own obvious preference for his brother had stopped him from making his move. He continued. "I hear Daisy's got a party coming up at her place, you guys for coming?"

He listened out particularly to Tea's reply; after all he had asked the question for her. When all he heard was an unintelligible mumble he asked everyone else.

"Anyone care to translate for me; I don't speak Tea."

"I think you'll find she said she was considering it but she will have to ask her parents first as it is one a school day." His brother helpfully replied. Yugi also turned an odd shade of pink as he glowered back at his brother. Atem had been the last person Yugi wanted to have understood Tea. Now, he noticed, Tea had turned her face to look up at Atem, her eyes twinkling. These were the moments Yugi wished he was taller and stronger than his brother so he could give him a good thump.

Mai, who saw and understood all, thought it wise to move the subject on before a war broke out. "So, who's up for some more to eat? Tristan, Atem can you come with me for some more?"

The two agreed, the latter half-heartedly, leaving the others in peace.

Despite Tristan's predictions, the day of the newcomers arrival brought no more excitement to Tea.

"Class, please settle." The teacher in front of them said. 13O were at once silent, knowing what was to come. "Thank you. As you well know, we have some new students joining us today." She beckoned through the window at the door and it opened revealing two boys and a girl who walked slowly into the room. "I would like to introduce Joey Wheeler and Seto Kaiba." Whispers rippled around the class. Seto Kaiba was the CEO of the very illustrious KaibaCorp. He had rumoured to have left his private school and they had obviously been true, judging by his appearance in the classroom.

Tea's eye was drawn to this Seto Kaiba. He was handsome; his chestnut hair just covering his cobalt-blue eyes and his tall figure. However, any attraction she may have felt towards this man disappeared as she noticed the scowl on his face. Joey on the other hand was beaming at the other students in front of him. Now this boy, Tea immediately warmed to. He had a lovely smile and a friendly aura around him. His eyes seemed often to fall upon Mai who Tea was surprised to see had a faint blush on her cheeks as she smiled slightly back at the boy. Tea made a mental note to quiz her friend about this.

"Students, please sit down." Joey hesitated slightly before heading to sit down in front of the Tristan. Seto took a seat in front of Tea and the teacher continued.

"So class we will begin today by finishing the remainder of Romeo and Juliet. Please turn to Act 5 Scene 2..."

The class continued and was soon over. The rest of the class bustled out of the classroom, all were intimidated by the imposing figure of Seto Kaiba and his scowl put them off. Tristan on the other hand was chatting freely to Joey. They had worked together on one of the tasks that the teacher had set and seemed to be getting on very well indeed. Tristan introduced Joey to the rest of the gang whilst Joey introduced them all to his friend.

"Tristan, this is my good friend Seto Kaiba. Don't worry; he always has this much of a sour face." He elbowed Kaiba who raised his eyebrows, not portraying any emotion.

"It's nice to meet you both." Tea said warmly to the two strangers in front of them. "Oh, if you want we could give you a tour of the school."

She watched as Kaiba rolled his eyes at Joey and she reddened with embarrassment. All she was trying to do was be friendly. She hung her head slightly, but she felt an arm stroke her back softly; surprised she looked round to see Yugi who was looking at her in a concerned way. She gave him a small smile and looked to the other boy. Joey either ignored Kaiba completely or hadn't noticed his sign as he beamed at her (she honestly couldn't understand how anyone could smile so much), and said they'd be delighted so long as they didn't mind picking up his little sister from her class and letting her tag along too, if she wanted. So the group of them first headed to Serenity's classroom. They found her there sitting on her own with her lunch. Tea immediately noticed that Serenity looked sad; it was even sadder that on her first day no one was welcoming her. Her features brightened up immensely as she saw her brother and she ran up to him, her eyes wide; immediately the shy girl was transformed into a beauty. Tea felt someone nudge her arm and she turned to see Tristan trying to walk towards Serenity, his mouth open and his eyes sparkling. She pushed him back gently and pinched him hard and that seemed to break him out of his trance. She returned to watch Joey hug his sister.

"Big brother!" She said, her voice trilling.

Joey held his sister out at arms width, by her shoulders. "Serenity you promised you'd try to make some friends." He said in a tired voice.

"I...I..." Serenity began mumbling and looking at the floor. Tea was just about to step in when Mai stepped towards Serenity.

"There's still time yet, isn't there hun." And she winked at Serenity. To Joey's surprise, Serenity looked at Mai and then Joey and then back at Mai and giggled. "Fancy coming with us for a tour around the school?" Mai offered kindly. Serenity nodded and then it was sorted.

Joey looked at Mai in amazement as Serenity started babbling about how her day had been so far. Tea thought she understood what was going on; Serenity was a shy girl, and found it hard to make friends. Joey was surprised that Serenity had warmed to Mai so easily; in truth Tea wasn't. If anyone could bring someone out of their shell it was Mai!

She heard as much from Kaiba and Joey who had begun to lag behind. She, Tristan and Yugi had taken a place in front of the two new boys; Tristan was ranting on about Serenity and how beautiful she was ("Quietly Tristan, you don't want her brother to hear you!"), Yugi changed the subject to Duel Monsters, allowing Tea to zone out eavesdrop on the conversation behind.

"I do not understand why you decided we should move to this school."

"I believe it was a group decision Kaiba, besides Serenity needed a change of scene, after..." He trailed off, knowing Kaiba would understand.

"Yes" Kaiba replied shortly, "But this school of all places. It is much less," he sniffed, "Refined than our last."

"Well maybe it's good for you Kaiba. And all of us. Besides I like it very much so far."

Soon Joey left Kaiba to go and spend some time with Serenity and Mai. Tea watched as the three interacted. It was really nice. And Tea kept catching Joey and Mai shooting each other furtive glances. Both had slight blushes on their faces when Joey left the two girls to return once again to his solitary friend.

"Aren't they so nice! It's real sporting of them to help us out like this." Said Joey.

Tea heard Kaiba laugh sarcastically. "Oh yes, I'm having a whale of a time."

There was a pause. "Why don't you talk to them instead of keeping to yourselves? You would like them all I am sure. And I reckon, five minutes with Tea and you may be on the way to losing that attitude of yours."

"Wheeler let me set one thing straight. I wouldn't get within 5 yards of that girl. She repels me. Her attitude: annoying. Her looks: even worse. She would be the last girl I would ever talk to. I would much rather walk on my own. And as for my attitude, I see nothing wrong with it."

"Kaiba, you cannot mean that. She's a wonderful girl." Joey said shortly, ignoring the latter comment. Tea's heart swelled, gratitude filling her to this new boy. However, her mind was filled predominantly by the harsh and rude comments made by his friend. How could such a boy be friends with someone like Joey? Her pride had been offended and she had no desire to talk to Kaiba ever again. He had lost her respect, her initial vague interest and any chance of friendship. Who would want him as an acquaintance anyway. Jerk.

The rest of the time was spent mainly conversing with Joey. Tea couldn't wait to be rid of the other stranger. They parted, mainly cordially, but Joey's warmth made up for the cold, severe attitudes of Kaiba.

Tea and Mai got together that evening for a sleepover. It was a Monday night, and that meant a girly night-in and sleepover. It was the prime time to grill Mai on her knew (obvious) crush on the blonde Brooklyn boy.

Tea slyly brought up the subject when they were making some popcorn before starting the movie.

"The new people seemed interesting."

"Mmhmm," Mai said whilst licking off some of the caramel they were making to coat the popcorn.

"Joey was especially interesting, don't you think?" She said as casually as she could. She was rewarded with the reaction of Mai choking on the bit of caramel she was eating, reddening.

"Oh come on Mai give over, you like him don't you?"

There was a pause. "He smiles too much. He's dopey, says some really stupid things, and has such a naive outlook on life. I wonder why he hasn't been robbed or worse already."

Another pause ensued.

"So in other words you like him."

"I didn't say-"

"Whatever Mai, it is obvious."

"Well I'm not going to just jump into his arms. He's gonna have to work to get me."

"So you admit you do like him then?"

"I DIDN'T SAY-"

"Give over Mai. It's true. Don't deny it."

The tete-a-tete between the two girls gave them the giggles and they laughed for some time before continuing with their evening.

"Seto Kaiba seemed nice." Mai brought up, raising her eyebrows, seeing if there was any reaction from her friend.

Tea snorted. "That boy? Ha!" And proceeded to relate everything she had overheard between the three when they had spoken. Mai's reaction was first incredulity and then an extreme dislike to the boy that had offended her best friend.

"Well, you deserve better anyway hun." And that ended that subject.

The girls had a wonderful evening and it was soon time for bed. The next day was early and Tea was especially interested to see if the interest that Joey had shown towards her best friend would continue the next day.