Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or it's characters. If I did I would re-
write the plot so Jyou/Joey would end up with a mysterious character named
Jenn (hey, it's reality, right?) or Seto.
A/N: I'll be switching pov's throughout, and for the first few times I'll be indicating it. After a while I'll just assume you can tell who it is, kay? THANKS TO SOULSEARCHER FOR EDITING MY STUFF! Without you, I would be.not spelling so well? Anyway, thanks, man!
Jyou and Seto: GET ON WITH THE STORY, JENN!
Jenn: YES! FINE! RIGHT!
SAPPHIRE AND TOPAZ
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joey sat at the lunch table, head down. He failed another math test. He would fail math if he didn't shape up, and he dreaded telling his father.
Joey's parents had divorced when Joey was 7, and his sister was 5. Meanwhile, Joey's father started becoming more and more of an alcoholic. Now, every day when Joey came back from school, his father would be too drunk to recognize him, and would hit and beat Joey until he left the house, bleeding and bruised, but he still managed to grab some food every day. He knew his friends would try to help him if he told them, or even take him in, but he feared his father would beat him even more, and do worse things to him if he ratted out on him.
Joey sighed, and picked lightly at his pasta, wondering why he even bought it, because he didn't seem to have much of an appetite lately. He still ate enough so as not to lose weight, but not nearly as much as he normally did, wolfing down anything tasty in sight. Joey looked up when he saw Yugi coming to sit down at the empty table, then just put his head back down, continuing to poke at his food.
"Joey..." Yugi said with genuine concern.
"Joey you've been acting weird lately, and I don't like to see my friends upset."
"S'nothing." replied Joey half-heartedly, trying to grin at Yugi from under his thick blonde bangs.
"Joey..." Yugi put his hand on Joey's arm. "I saw your math marks, both todays and last week's. Is that what you're down about?"
"No...er, well , yeah, I guess. I've been slipping lately, and I hope I can pass math this term. The last thing I need is for my dad-I mean, to fail grade 10."
"Oh, Joey! You won't. I promise!" Yugi look at Joey sincerely.
"Thanks, Yug. You're always so optimistic, and it helps to have someone who actually believes in me." Yugi smiled.
"Anytime, Joey. But, I'm meeting my englsh teacher about something now, so I'll see you in Social right after lunch is over, okay?"
"'Kay." Yugi left the table, and Joey watched his little friend swim his way through the massive crowds, until he saw the door swing open at the other end, and the purple tips of Yugi's hair bounce out.
"At least someone's happy." Joey thought, sighing again.
He looked up in surprise when someone put a hand on his uniform shirt.
"Well, looks like Mr. Wallowing-in-Self-Pity is failing math." Joey opened his mouth to say something, but decided it would just provoke the brunette more, so he settled for simply glaring at the taller boy.
"Not talking, are we? Well, I just want you to know because you're failing, and I'm an exeeding student, that bitch of a math teacher asked me to tutor you. Well, she forced me, really. Anyway, this is going to be as annoying for me as it is for you, so you had better co-operate or your parents will be hearing from me."
Joey looked back up, trying to conceal how alarmed he was. Did he know about his father? How? Joey grunted in agreement, and eyed Seto's hand, still resting on his shoulder. Seto felt the blonde's suspicious gaze, and quickly pulled his hand off Joey's shoulder.
"Good we got that settled. Be at my house tonight at 7. We'll go to 9, depending on how useless you are at math. See ya, puppy."
Joey got up and put his tray away, dumping its uneaten contents out into the garbage. Normally, he would have stood up and tried to punch Kaiba with all his might at the name "puppy", but there were other things on his mind.
"Great. I've got my dad to deal with, and now a daily teatime with Kaiba. Super." Joey thought, walking out of the cafeteria. But he decided he had better just try to be happy, at least he would get his math problems put away, so he didn't have to look forward to his father's angry fists.
Joey walked out of the school, and sat on one of the benches under a tree for the rest of the lunch hour, dreading the boring classes he had next, and most of all, visiting his least favorite person in school, Seto Kaiba.
***
(Joey's pov)
I glanced up at the clock as the bell rang. Thank God. I hated this school! I mean, I loved my friends-Tristan Yugi and Tea, but this sucked. It sucked being around all of them when they're all cheery and goodie-goodie while you're down in the dumps, you know? Kinda feels weird that no one can relate. Oh well.
I stuffed my books into my bag along with our papers, carelessly ripping and bending them. I swung my back pack over one shoulder and slouched out of the classroom, heading down the hall. I was halfway down the stairs when I heard Yugi's voice.
"Hey! Joey! Are you going to come to the game shop today? Bakura might come too!"
"Nah, I'll pass this time. But thanks anyway. See you tomorrow Yug." The last place I wanted to be was with a bunch of hyper people and one depressing psycho. I turned around, but I knew his face would show he was confused and dissapointed. I sighed, brushing my bangs out of my face like I normally did, and continued down the stairs.
Once outside the school, I looked up into the sky-it had changed from when I had been out at lunch. Before it was sunny and warm, but now the sky wasa grey, and probably would rain on me, so I pulled my jacket out of my bag, and put it on, setting my bag down for a minute. Mai passed me and smirked at my hopelessly wrinkled jacket. Well, what did she expect? An ironing board was built into my bag so everything I pulled out was crisp and clean? I fingered her, though she had her back to me. She turned left at the street, and that was my signal to go, now knowing she wouldn't pester me more.
I walked past where she had turned, and could still see her, walking and giggling with her ditzy little friends. They're all bitches. Everyone thinks so.
The rain started coming down, and I watched the sidewalk, the little dark grey dots appearing on the tiles, until the sidewalk panels were all soaked. I sighed again as my sopping wet hair clung to my face. I didn't really care though.
I whipped around when a horn beeped me, it scared the living daylights out of me. I saw a black limo. And the only person who lived up past the street where I lived was Kaiba Moneybags. I glared back at the car and kept on walking. This was probably some dumb way of taunting me. So what? I can't afford the bus. Who cares? Kaiba does. He would just love to see me soaking wet and cold and walk into my grubby apartment complete with an alcoholic.
To my surprise the limo drove slowly beside me, and once the back windows were alongside me, one of them rolled down. I ignored Kaiba's face until he spoke five minutes later.
"A little oblivious are we, Wheeler?" Kaiba chimed sarcastically.
"Shut up. Go torment someone else."
"Well, fine. If you don't want a ride, you don't want a ride, mutt." His window rolled up, and the limo began to slowly drive away before I hit the trunk. A ride in a limo or the wet, cold rain for the next 10 minutes? I'll take a lift, even if it's with Kaiba.
The door opened, and I walked up to it, ducking my head to enter the huge car. And it was huge. Complete with little built-in desks and plugs, for laptops I guess. I closed the door behind me and sat on the leather seat, my soaking wet pants dripping everywhere.
I couldn't help but look at Kaiba a few times-the silence was killing me. Every time I would look in his direction, our eyes locked and we looked away nervously. Was he staring at me? No, no. Probably smirking his ass off at my wet self. I finally couldn't take it and I said to him
"Why did you give me a lift?" I saw Kaiba glance around quickly from the corner of my eye.
"I feel sorry for mutts running around in the cold. Besides, if we have to study, I don't want to catch a cold from you." I clenched my teeth. Even if I was down, I couldn't help but get annoyed at being called a dog all day. But, the limo was warm and comfy, so I decided I'd better not blow it.
A few minutes later we arrived at my apartment, with some directions from me. Kaiba looked at the apartment when I opened the door, and I thought I saw a hint of sympathy on his face but our eyes locked again and he turned it into disgust.
"Thanks for the lift." I said shortly
"Anytime, pup. Remember, my house at 7. Don't be late." I rolled my eyes and closed the door, hearing him laugh. The limo drove off, I could see the tail lights dissapear through the sheets of rain now pouring down. I walked into my apartment, and got into the elevator, pushing floor 7.
The oh-so-familiar ding sound went off before the doors open. I hope, I HOPE dad isn't drunk. I can't afford to get pounded too badly tonight, Kaiba will die of laughter. And hey, just because I hate him doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to have someone constantly dissing you.
I walked down the hall to room 7018, and took my bag off, searching through it for the key. Once I had it, I unlocked the door, and pushed it open, trailing my bag behind me. I had just turned to lock the door, hoping to get some time in the shower before I left to get some food, when a fist connected with the side of my head.
***
Joey turned and locked the door when his father's hand collided with his head. Joey sank down the door, clenching his head in pain. Drawing in a sharp breath.
"Oh damn! Oh damn!" he thought. He got up quick as he could, intending to run past his surly father, seeing as he was too close to the door for it to be opened. He tried to run past his dad on his right, but his father put his arms out to corner Joey against the small corridor like door area. He slapped Joey across the face hard, yelling:
"Where the hell have you been? You're soaking wet! Don't drip your filthy water onto my carpet!"
Joey was kocked back into the door, arms out against it ready to push off it and try to run again. He cried in pain as his father punched him in the stomach, making him double over. His father raised his hands and brought them down as hard as he could on top of Joey's head.
Joey hissed, his back pressed against the corner. He looked up, tears of pain and fear flowing wildly down his face. He made the mistake of putting his right arm down onto the carpet, and his father took the oppotunity to kick the boy's now almost unprotected stomach. Joey grunted again, hugging his knees and falling over so he was on the floor in front of the door. His eyes were closed, and he still cried uncontrollably. He was coughing up blood, and was getting dizzier by the second.
"Don you cry like a girl, like your whore of a sister!" His father yelled, slurring the words. He pulled Joey up so he was standing, by his hair. Joey let his arms go limp against his sides. He closed his eyes and the tears stopped, he had no more, and his eyes were unbearably dry. He could taste blood in his mouth, and pain surged through his body, coursing through hisveins. He cried out again as his father pulled him up by his hair to stand on his tip-toes, and punched Joey in the face. Joey was howling, and trying to struggle, trying to pull his father's hand out of his tangled hair. His nose was bleeding, and his father just kept punching him in the face, until he finally stopped and let go of Joey's dirty hair, giving Joey a chance to breathe and slink down the door, before his father kicked him once more. Joey fell unconscious in front of the blood splattered door.
***
(Seto's pov)
I had been sitting in my kitchen for the past hour, preparing all the supplies we would need for math. We were doing negative algebra, a cinch compared to the business world. I had made a few snacks to keep Joey concentrated, so he wasn't distracted by Mokuba eating things.
I checked my watch. It was 7:30. Where is that dumbass? He probably can't even tell time. He doesn't have a lift but then he should've left half an hour earlier. Oh well. I'm going to have to get him.
I threw my white trench coat on, signaling my limo driver I wanted to go. He rushed outside and started up the limo. I quickly ran to it, trying to spend the least amount of time in the rain as possible. We headed down the driveway until we reached the main road, the same street Wheeler's apartment building was on 5 minutes down towards school in a car.
The cars in the rain whizzed by, and the lights were blurred by the wind and rain. It was dark out by now. In September, the sky got dark around 7 every night.
We finally pulled up in front of the shabby building. I guess it wasn't too bad, but not the most luxurious place in town. I knew his father's apartment room was 7018, I checked the class listings. I guessed it was on the seventh floor, so I pushed the appropriate button when I got inside the elevator.
A minute later I found myself stepping out onto the seventh floor, and turned right down the hall. 7018 was almost at the end. I knocked on the door, and heard a grunt, almost like someone was asleep inside. God damnit Joey! If you're sleeping I'm gonna kick your ass!
I knocked again before trying to open the door, pretty sure it would be locked. But it wasn't, and I shoved on it, only because of my annoyance of having to come here. It didn't touch the wall, but hit something solid right inside the doorway, and I grabbed the handle before pushing it open again, squeezing myself around the door I couldn't open it more than a foot. I pushed the door closed, and looked down to see why it wouldn't open all the way.
I practically leaped back. The blood-stained heavy wooden door had slammed into Joey, who was groaning in pain, curled up behind the door, eyes closed. I looked around the tiny apartment. His father was asleep on the couch, beer bottles were scattered around the room. I crouched down and turned Joey over. I almost stepped away at the sight of his face. He had a black eye, his nose had bled all over the place. His lips were covered in dry blood, as if he had been coughing it up. He opened his right eye, the one that wasn't so badly swollen, and looked up at me.
"S-sorry..."
"No, Joey. It's okay. I'm taking you to my house. We'll fix you up, okay?" He slowly got up, not taking my offered arm, and wincing in pain. He hadn't broken anything, because he stood up and grabbed his bag, but he staggered a little. I looped his arm over my shoulder to support him, and started to lead him out of his dingy and terror-stained home, trying not to awaken the drunkard snoring on the ratty old couch.
We rushed out, at least as fast as Joey could go, and hurried into the elevator. I pushed the main floor repeatedly, I don't know why, but I was really impatient and worried, and somehow its gratifying to be doing something ignorant to vent your anger.
We were about halfway through the lobby, his arm around my neck. My hand was holding that arm, touching his hand. I don't know why but...I felt like crying...but then again who wouldn't right? I'm no sadist.
We had just gotten through the door when Joey made a little sound, and I felt his hand loosen around my neck. He had gone unconscious. I grabbed his hand and yanked his arm around my neck before he could fall onto the sidewalk, and went as fast as I could towards the limo. We hopped in, and closed the door. I layed Joey's body down onto the leather seat. About two minuted throught eh drive home, he woke up. I offered him an apple, and he took it greedily. I had notcied he hadn't eaten his lunch that day, I knew he was hungry. I watched as he practically inhaled the fruit, until he started coughing all over the place. I thought he was going to die! I was scared beyong my wits, watching the blonde choke and gasp. I didn't know what to do! I had been told not to pat people's backs, so I couldn't really do anything.
I became really alarmed when he was no longer coughing, but simply trying to breathe. He couldn't make a sound. I was right freaked out. So I got across to where he was, and lifted him onto the ground, onto his knees. I put my hands where I had been taught to, right under the diaphragm, and did that Heimlich thing. It didn't work, and I became panicked. Tears started to roll down my cheeks and Joey turned from bright red to white. I finally laid him down, and got onto the floor with him. This was the moment I'd dreamed of before. Kissing Wheeler. I had tried to convince myself otherwise, but I guess I truly do like him...
I bent down, crying, watching Joey's eyes well up with tears and look around. He couldn't do anything. He was helpless. So I quickly decided I would do it. I bent down and pressed my lips to his, and breathed into him. His pink lips were like silk against mine. My tears dripped against his face. I then pressed roughly on his stomach, and breathed into him again. He finally rolled over and began a coughing fit, a chunk of the apple rolling out onto the floor. It was kindof disgusting, but I didn't really notice. Instead, I pulled him back onto the seat.
"God, you're such an idiot." I spat.
"Well, YOU'RE trying to kill me. That's it. You just looked at me and I was choking to death! God you really are a heartless rich kid, aren't you, Kaiba?" He spat back, glaring, before coughing somemore. Once he stopped, he groaned and turned onto his side. He must have some nasty bruises, and coughing must not help.
"We-ll...thanks Kaiba..."
"Yeah, whatever." I replied. DAMNIT! Why do I have such a problem with being nice to people I like? Well, I might as well. Not like he's going to like me back. He's probably not attracted to guys...but then...when did I start liking guys? I don't...just Joey. He's the only crush I ever had...oh well. Whatever. Get over it, Seto!
I couldn't help but feel a bit broken inside. There's so muhc I want to tell him...but...I just can't and...and I guess I never will. But life's tough. I'll get over it. Joey is just some dumb mutt...some golden-haired, beautiful, loving, amazing dumb mutt. But I'll just have to keep that to myself.
A/N: I'll be switching pov's throughout, and for the first few times I'll be indicating it. After a while I'll just assume you can tell who it is, kay? THANKS TO SOULSEARCHER FOR EDITING MY STUFF! Without you, I would be.not spelling so well? Anyway, thanks, man!
Jyou and Seto: GET ON WITH THE STORY, JENN!
Jenn: YES! FINE! RIGHT!
SAPPHIRE AND TOPAZ
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Joey sat at the lunch table, head down. He failed another math test. He would fail math if he didn't shape up, and he dreaded telling his father.
Joey's parents had divorced when Joey was 7, and his sister was 5. Meanwhile, Joey's father started becoming more and more of an alcoholic. Now, every day when Joey came back from school, his father would be too drunk to recognize him, and would hit and beat Joey until he left the house, bleeding and bruised, but he still managed to grab some food every day. He knew his friends would try to help him if he told them, or even take him in, but he feared his father would beat him even more, and do worse things to him if he ratted out on him.
Joey sighed, and picked lightly at his pasta, wondering why he even bought it, because he didn't seem to have much of an appetite lately. He still ate enough so as not to lose weight, but not nearly as much as he normally did, wolfing down anything tasty in sight. Joey looked up when he saw Yugi coming to sit down at the empty table, then just put his head back down, continuing to poke at his food.
"Joey..." Yugi said with genuine concern.
"Joey you've been acting weird lately, and I don't like to see my friends upset."
"S'nothing." replied Joey half-heartedly, trying to grin at Yugi from under his thick blonde bangs.
"Joey..." Yugi put his hand on Joey's arm. "I saw your math marks, both todays and last week's. Is that what you're down about?"
"No...er, well , yeah, I guess. I've been slipping lately, and I hope I can pass math this term. The last thing I need is for my dad-I mean, to fail grade 10."
"Oh, Joey! You won't. I promise!" Yugi look at Joey sincerely.
"Thanks, Yug. You're always so optimistic, and it helps to have someone who actually believes in me." Yugi smiled.
"Anytime, Joey. But, I'm meeting my englsh teacher about something now, so I'll see you in Social right after lunch is over, okay?"
"'Kay." Yugi left the table, and Joey watched his little friend swim his way through the massive crowds, until he saw the door swing open at the other end, and the purple tips of Yugi's hair bounce out.
"At least someone's happy." Joey thought, sighing again.
He looked up in surprise when someone put a hand on his uniform shirt.
"Well, looks like Mr. Wallowing-in-Self-Pity is failing math." Joey opened his mouth to say something, but decided it would just provoke the brunette more, so he settled for simply glaring at the taller boy.
"Not talking, are we? Well, I just want you to know because you're failing, and I'm an exeeding student, that bitch of a math teacher asked me to tutor you. Well, she forced me, really. Anyway, this is going to be as annoying for me as it is for you, so you had better co-operate or your parents will be hearing from me."
Joey looked back up, trying to conceal how alarmed he was. Did he know about his father? How? Joey grunted in agreement, and eyed Seto's hand, still resting on his shoulder. Seto felt the blonde's suspicious gaze, and quickly pulled his hand off Joey's shoulder.
"Good we got that settled. Be at my house tonight at 7. We'll go to 9, depending on how useless you are at math. See ya, puppy."
Joey got up and put his tray away, dumping its uneaten contents out into the garbage. Normally, he would have stood up and tried to punch Kaiba with all his might at the name "puppy", but there were other things on his mind.
"Great. I've got my dad to deal with, and now a daily teatime with Kaiba. Super." Joey thought, walking out of the cafeteria. But he decided he had better just try to be happy, at least he would get his math problems put away, so he didn't have to look forward to his father's angry fists.
Joey walked out of the school, and sat on one of the benches under a tree for the rest of the lunch hour, dreading the boring classes he had next, and most of all, visiting his least favorite person in school, Seto Kaiba.
***
(Joey's pov)
I glanced up at the clock as the bell rang. Thank God. I hated this school! I mean, I loved my friends-Tristan Yugi and Tea, but this sucked. It sucked being around all of them when they're all cheery and goodie-goodie while you're down in the dumps, you know? Kinda feels weird that no one can relate. Oh well.
I stuffed my books into my bag along with our papers, carelessly ripping and bending them. I swung my back pack over one shoulder and slouched out of the classroom, heading down the hall. I was halfway down the stairs when I heard Yugi's voice.
"Hey! Joey! Are you going to come to the game shop today? Bakura might come too!"
"Nah, I'll pass this time. But thanks anyway. See you tomorrow Yug." The last place I wanted to be was with a bunch of hyper people and one depressing psycho. I turned around, but I knew his face would show he was confused and dissapointed. I sighed, brushing my bangs out of my face like I normally did, and continued down the stairs.
Once outside the school, I looked up into the sky-it had changed from when I had been out at lunch. Before it was sunny and warm, but now the sky wasa grey, and probably would rain on me, so I pulled my jacket out of my bag, and put it on, setting my bag down for a minute. Mai passed me and smirked at my hopelessly wrinkled jacket. Well, what did she expect? An ironing board was built into my bag so everything I pulled out was crisp and clean? I fingered her, though she had her back to me. She turned left at the street, and that was my signal to go, now knowing she wouldn't pester me more.
I walked past where she had turned, and could still see her, walking and giggling with her ditzy little friends. They're all bitches. Everyone thinks so.
The rain started coming down, and I watched the sidewalk, the little dark grey dots appearing on the tiles, until the sidewalk panels were all soaked. I sighed again as my sopping wet hair clung to my face. I didn't really care though.
I whipped around when a horn beeped me, it scared the living daylights out of me. I saw a black limo. And the only person who lived up past the street where I lived was Kaiba Moneybags. I glared back at the car and kept on walking. This was probably some dumb way of taunting me. So what? I can't afford the bus. Who cares? Kaiba does. He would just love to see me soaking wet and cold and walk into my grubby apartment complete with an alcoholic.
To my surprise the limo drove slowly beside me, and once the back windows were alongside me, one of them rolled down. I ignored Kaiba's face until he spoke five minutes later.
"A little oblivious are we, Wheeler?" Kaiba chimed sarcastically.
"Shut up. Go torment someone else."
"Well, fine. If you don't want a ride, you don't want a ride, mutt." His window rolled up, and the limo began to slowly drive away before I hit the trunk. A ride in a limo or the wet, cold rain for the next 10 minutes? I'll take a lift, even if it's with Kaiba.
The door opened, and I walked up to it, ducking my head to enter the huge car. And it was huge. Complete with little built-in desks and plugs, for laptops I guess. I closed the door behind me and sat on the leather seat, my soaking wet pants dripping everywhere.
I couldn't help but look at Kaiba a few times-the silence was killing me. Every time I would look in his direction, our eyes locked and we looked away nervously. Was he staring at me? No, no. Probably smirking his ass off at my wet self. I finally couldn't take it and I said to him
"Why did you give me a lift?" I saw Kaiba glance around quickly from the corner of my eye.
"I feel sorry for mutts running around in the cold. Besides, if we have to study, I don't want to catch a cold from you." I clenched my teeth. Even if I was down, I couldn't help but get annoyed at being called a dog all day. But, the limo was warm and comfy, so I decided I'd better not blow it.
A few minutes later we arrived at my apartment, with some directions from me. Kaiba looked at the apartment when I opened the door, and I thought I saw a hint of sympathy on his face but our eyes locked again and he turned it into disgust.
"Thanks for the lift." I said shortly
"Anytime, pup. Remember, my house at 7. Don't be late." I rolled my eyes and closed the door, hearing him laugh. The limo drove off, I could see the tail lights dissapear through the sheets of rain now pouring down. I walked into my apartment, and got into the elevator, pushing floor 7.
The oh-so-familiar ding sound went off before the doors open. I hope, I HOPE dad isn't drunk. I can't afford to get pounded too badly tonight, Kaiba will die of laughter. And hey, just because I hate him doesn't mean it doesn't hurt to have someone constantly dissing you.
I walked down the hall to room 7018, and took my bag off, searching through it for the key. Once I had it, I unlocked the door, and pushed it open, trailing my bag behind me. I had just turned to lock the door, hoping to get some time in the shower before I left to get some food, when a fist connected with the side of my head.
***
Joey turned and locked the door when his father's hand collided with his head. Joey sank down the door, clenching his head in pain. Drawing in a sharp breath.
"Oh damn! Oh damn!" he thought. He got up quick as he could, intending to run past his surly father, seeing as he was too close to the door for it to be opened. He tried to run past his dad on his right, but his father put his arms out to corner Joey against the small corridor like door area. He slapped Joey across the face hard, yelling:
"Where the hell have you been? You're soaking wet! Don't drip your filthy water onto my carpet!"
Joey was kocked back into the door, arms out against it ready to push off it and try to run again. He cried in pain as his father punched him in the stomach, making him double over. His father raised his hands and brought them down as hard as he could on top of Joey's head.
Joey hissed, his back pressed against the corner. He looked up, tears of pain and fear flowing wildly down his face. He made the mistake of putting his right arm down onto the carpet, and his father took the oppotunity to kick the boy's now almost unprotected stomach. Joey grunted again, hugging his knees and falling over so he was on the floor in front of the door. His eyes were closed, and he still cried uncontrollably. He was coughing up blood, and was getting dizzier by the second.
"Don you cry like a girl, like your whore of a sister!" His father yelled, slurring the words. He pulled Joey up so he was standing, by his hair. Joey let his arms go limp against his sides. He closed his eyes and the tears stopped, he had no more, and his eyes were unbearably dry. He could taste blood in his mouth, and pain surged through his body, coursing through hisveins. He cried out again as his father pulled him up by his hair to stand on his tip-toes, and punched Joey in the face. Joey was howling, and trying to struggle, trying to pull his father's hand out of his tangled hair. His nose was bleeding, and his father just kept punching him in the face, until he finally stopped and let go of Joey's dirty hair, giving Joey a chance to breathe and slink down the door, before his father kicked him once more. Joey fell unconscious in front of the blood splattered door.
***
(Seto's pov)
I had been sitting in my kitchen for the past hour, preparing all the supplies we would need for math. We were doing negative algebra, a cinch compared to the business world. I had made a few snacks to keep Joey concentrated, so he wasn't distracted by Mokuba eating things.
I checked my watch. It was 7:30. Where is that dumbass? He probably can't even tell time. He doesn't have a lift but then he should've left half an hour earlier. Oh well. I'm going to have to get him.
I threw my white trench coat on, signaling my limo driver I wanted to go. He rushed outside and started up the limo. I quickly ran to it, trying to spend the least amount of time in the rain as possible. We headed down the driveway until we reached the main road, the same street Wheeler's apartment building was on 5 minutes down towards school in a car.
The cars in the rain whizzed by, and the lights were blurred by the wind and rain. It was dark out by now. In September, the sky got dark around 7 every night.
We finally pulled up in front of the shabby building. I guess it wasn't too bad, but not the most luxurious place in town. I knew his father's apartment room was 7018, I checked the class listings. I guessed it was on the seventh floor, so I pushed the appropriate button when I got inside the elevator.
A minute later I found myself stepping out onto the seventh floor, and turned right down the hall. 7018 was almost at the end. I knocked on the door, and heard a grunt, almost like someone was asleep inside. God damnit Joey! If you're sleeping I'm gonna kick your ass!
I knocked again before trying to open the door, pretty sure it would be locked. But it wasn't, and I shoved on it, only because of my annoyance of having to come here. It didn't touch the wall, but hit something solid right inside the doorway, and I grabbed the handle before pushing it open again, squeezing myself around the door I couldn't open it more than a foot. I pushed the door closed, and looked down to see why it wouldn't open all the way.
I practically leaped back. The blood-stained heavy wooden door had slammed into Joey, who was groaning in pain, curled up behind the door, eyes closed. I looked around the tiny apartment. His father was asleep on the couch, beer bottles were scattered around the room. I crouched down and turned Joey over. I almost stepped away at the sight of his face. He had a black eye, his nose had bled all over the place. His lips were covered in dry blood, as if he had been coughing it up. He opened his right eye, the one that wasn't so badly swollen, and looked up at me.
"S-sorry..."
"No, Joey. It's okay. I'm taking you to my house. We'll fix you up, okay?" He slowly got up, not taking my offered arm, and wincing in pain. He hadn't broken anything, because he stood up and grabbed his bag, but he staggered a little. I looped his arm over my shoulder to support him, and started to lead him out of his dingy and terror-stained home, trying not to awaken the drunkard snoring on the ratty old couch.
We rushed out, at least as fast as Joey could go, and hurried into the elevator. I pushed the main floor repeatedly, I don't know why, but I was really impatient and worried, and somehow its gratifying to be doing something ignorant to vent your anger.
We were about halfway through the lobby, his arm around my neck. My hand was holding that arm, touching his hand. I don't know why but...I felt like crying...but then again who wouldn't right? I'm no sadist.
We had just gotten through the door when Joey made a little sound, and I felt his hand loosen around my neck. He had gone unconscious. I grabbed his hand and yanked his arm around my neck before he could fall onto the sidewalk, and went as fast as I could towards the limo. We hopped in, and closed the door. I layed Joey's body down onto the leather seat. About two minuted throught eh drive home, he woke up. I offered him an apple, and he took it greedily. I had notcied he hadn't eaten his lunch that day, I knew he was hungry. I watched as he practically inhaled the fruit, until he started coughing all over the place. I thought he was going to die! I was scared beyong my wits, watching the blonde choke and gasp. I didn't know what to do! I had been told not to pat people's backs, so I couldn't really do anything.
I became really alarmed when he was no longer coughing, but simply trying to breathe. He couldn't make a sound. I was right freaked out. So I got across to where he was, and lifted him onto the ground, onto his knees. I put my hands where I had been taught to, right under the diaphragm, and did that Heimlich thing. It didn't work, and I became panicked. Tears started to roll down my cheeks and Joey turned from bright red to white. I finally laid him down, and got onto the floor with him. This was the moment I'd dreamed of before. Kissing Wheeler. I had tried to convince myself otherwise, but I guess I truly do like him...
I bent down, crying, watching Joey's eyes well up with tears and look around. He couldn't do anything. He was helpless. So I quickly decided I would do it. I bent down and pressed my lips to his, and breathed into him. His pink lips were like silk against mine. My tears dripped against his face. I then pressed roughly on his stomach, and breathed into him again. He finally rolled over and began a coughing fit, a chunk of the apple rolling out onto the floor. It was kindof disgusting, but I didn't really notice. Instead, I pulled him back onto the seat.
"God, you're such an idiot." I spat.
"Well, YOU'RE trying to kill me. That's it. You just looked at me and I was choking to death! God you really are a heartless rich kid, aren't you, Kaiba?" He spat back, glaring, before coughing somemore. Once he stopped, he groaned and turned onto his side. He must have some nasty bruises, and coughing must not help.
"We-ll...thanks Kaiba..."
"Yeah, whatever." I replied. DAMNIT! Why do I have such a problem with being nice to people I like? Well, I might as well. Not like he's going to like me back. He's probably not attracted to guys...but then...when did I start liking guys? I don't...just Joey. He's the only crush I ever had...oh well. Whatever. Get over it, Seto!
I couldn't help but feel a bit broken inside. There's so muhc I want to tell him...but...I just can't and...and I guess I never will. But life's tough. I'll get over it. Joey is just some dumb mutt...some golden-haired, beautiful, loving, amazing dumb mutt. But I'll just have to keep that to myself.