Chapter One
Joey was humming to himself, swapping his books out of his locker for the ones for his next class.
"Wheeler" Joey turned and looked, eyes widening as a blade slide between his ribs. "Dirk says hello." The stranger grinned as the blond feel to his knees clutching his side. The stranger turned and walked away, disappearing around a corner.
Seto rounded the corner, about to make a snide comment about a dog being at his master's feet, when he noticed the blood dripping from Joey's hand. Seto's brain flipped into crisis mode, removing his jacket he forced Joey's hand away from the wound and shoved the coat against him, applying pressure against it. With one hand he pulled out his phone and called 911.
Joey looked up at the brunet, wincing and placing his bloody hand on top of Seto's, moving it more to the side. "Just hold on puppy, the ambulance is one the way." Joey grit his teeth and nodded.
Sirens came and people starting coming out the their classrooms, standing against the walls and staring at Seto holding his jacket against the blond, both of their hands covered in blood. An emergency tech ran down the hall, taking over for Seto. Two more followed after and then loaded the blond onto the stretcher. Seto followed them at a run, climbing into the ambulance with Joey without a second thought.
"Sir can you tell me what happened to your friend?" The tech asked, the ambulance doors shut them in, immediately racing off to the nearest hospital. Joey had passed out at some point during the transfer, lying there unmoving while the tech began cutting away Joey's shirt, stopping just above the wound.
"I'm not sure, I came around the corner and he was on the floor bleeding." The tech cleared his throat, taking his first look at the cut. "Looks like your friend was stabbed, did you see anyone else in the hall?" The tech cut the rest of the shirt away, revealing a bandage already wrapped around the blonde's chest. The tech inspected the bandage, realizing it was binding Joey's chest rather than holding a second wound, he ignored it.
Seto swallowed hard, unable to stop staring. Which his shirt cut away Joey was clearly not a he at all. If he hadn't seen it himself he would've believed the blonde in front of him was Joey's twin, a female twin.
The ambulance pulled up at the hospital and everyone started moving at once. Seto followed them as far as he could, telling the nurse as much information as he could. Joey was taken to the ER and Seto was taken to the waiting room, the police were there waiting for his statement. After giving it again he went and washed his hands, splashing his face with water and staring into the mirror.
Seto returned to the waiting room and sat down heavily, staring out the window and waiting for someone to tell him Joey was ok. Eventually the geek squad filtered in around him. Some of them tried to talk to him, but Seto barely heard a word they said. They all eventually gave up and talked amongst themselves.
The nurse came over, looking around she spotted Seto and moved to stand in front of him. "Your friend's surgery went well, the wound was fairly shallow. Once the police are done talking to her, you can go in to see her." She paused and looked at the group the was with Kaiba. "Only two people at a time please. She lost a lot of blood and needs rest." She walked away, leaving the entire nerd squad circling around Seto.
"Did they say her? Kaiba what." The police walked by, making eye contact with the nurse, Seto nodded and pushed through Joey's friends, ignoring them. He took long strides towards Joey's hospital room. Yugi followed him, walking into the room after him.
Joey looked up, staring at the door when it opened and Seto stepped through, followed by Yugi. Joey sat up slowly smiling at the two. "Hey guys." Yugi stopped mid stride, his eyes wide as he stared at Joey. The blonde noticed the stare and immediately grabbed the sheets pulling them over her chest, her face turning red.
Seto walked forward and looked over the blonde, reaching the end of Joey's be he grabbing the medical chart, his eyes darted back and forth as he read it. Seto placed the chart back in place nodding once. "You'll be fine." Glancing once at the blonde before turning and leaving the room.
Joey stared down at the blankets, jumping slightly as Yugi reached over and held her hand. "It's okay Joey." Yugi smiled at his best friend. "How are you feeling."
"I uh, I think I'm okay… if Kaiba hadn't been there though…" She looked over to the door. "Uh Joey, not that I mind… but… why'd you disguise yourself?"
Joey stared down at her hands, unsure how to answer. "I just… can we talk about it another time? " Yugi smiled, "It's okay Joey, don't worry about it. Do you wanna see everyone else right now? We can always come back later…"
"I think for now I need some rest. I should be out tomorrow, they just want to keep me overnight for observation…"
"Sounds good, I'll see you later." Yugi left the room and Joey let out a long sigh. Glad that Yugi understood. He really was a great friend. She let herself relax back into the hospital bed closing her eyes for a moment. The door opened again and someone sat beside her bed.
"Hey sport, how ya feeling?" Joey's dad was sitting beside her, he reached out to hold her hand. "I'm okay dad, they're gonna let me out tomorrow."
"I'm glad you're alright, I rushed right over from the shop soon as I could. Ya had me worried there, didja see who it was?"
"Didn't recognize the dude that stabbed me, but he mentioned Dirk…" Joey looked at her father, watching his face twist up in anger. "You told the police right? Dey're going ta take dat asshole off da streets right?! "
Joey squeezed his hand, "I don't know if it's enough. They should be able to get the guy that actually stabbed me, but there's not enough to get Dirk… Listen dad, it's going to be okay. Dirk's just still pissed I left the gang… He was just sending a message. He's not gonna really hurt me… I talked to the officer and they're not going to put my gender in any of the reports… If I start going to school as a girl- maybe he'll think I ran off."
"I think I should'a never asked you ta do dat in the first place. I'm so sorry Joey, this is all my fault. I thought I was protectin' ya…" Tears rolled down his face and he stared at their hands.
"It's okay dad, I'm fine, and once I graduate you can move and I'll go to college… It's not your fault dad. I wanted to be a boy, I liked playing the part. So don't beat yourself up about it okay?" He looked up at his daughter and smiled. "Ya must be hungry, how 'bout I grab us some food and we can hang out until I have to leave for the late shift?"
"Yeah, that sounds great."
Joey stood outside the school gates, refusing to step through the gates. She had to go see the principal for her proper uniform as well as a talking to. She wasn't sure which she was dreading more; being yelled at for lying to the school for three years, or having to actually wear the girls uniform.
Bolstering her courage she stepped through the gates, immediately eyes were on her. For starters she wasn't wearing the binder, so her clothes hung off her form. Everything suddenly felt weird. None of her clothes sat they way they would with the binder on. Ignoring the discomfort she walked into the school.
Am arm wrapped around her neck and Tristan grinned at her. "Heya Joey, we missed you while you were gone buddy." The familiar gesture was reassuring until she felt Tristan tense up as he got a proper look at her. "Yeah, thanks Tris." She offered, pulling away from him. "I gotta go talk to the principal, I'll see you in class." She left Tristan standing at the steps, the dummy could at least have the decency to close his mouth.
She passed through the hall mostly unbothered, most people were too self involved to spare her a glance. She paused again when she got to the principal's office.
"Ah Miss. Wheeler, there you are. I have your school uniform here for you. I want to impress on you the seriousness of you lying to the school as you have. Had it not been for your father, and recent events we would be having a very different discussion young lady. Now then, hurry off to go change before class. I have a note here for your teacher explaining why you are late. Understood?" He peered at the blonde, the question hanging in the air like a threat.
"Oh and Miss. Wheeler, if I hear of you getting into any more fights, as you have in the past. I will be expelling you." Joey nodded and stood up shakily, taking the package and leaving the principal's office. Joey walked over to the bathroom, taking a moment to realize she would have to start using the girls. She changed quickly, glaring at her reflection. "I fucking hate skirts- and pink. This is the worst." She growled, shoving the boys uniform in her backpack and throwing it over her shoulder.
The classroom door opened, interrupting the teacher mid lecture. All eyes turned to the door and Joey stepped through. There was dead silence for a second before the class erupted, everyone was talking, cat calls and whistles echoed around the room. Face read, Joey walked up to the teacher and handed him the note from the principal without a word. She turned and glared at the class before stomping to her seat and sitting in a huff.
"Quiet class, That's enough." The teacher bellowed. The class resumed, but Joey could feel eyes from every corner of the room checking her out. By the end of class she was furious, and it took all of her self control to not punch the first person to talk to her. Tristan walked over to her after class, looking her up and down once before grinning. "Come on Joey, we have english next. Téa is gonna lose her shit."
Joey blinked, Tristan was mostly acting normal… "What do you mean?' She asked grabbing her bag and leaving with the brunet. "You look better in that uniform then she does. She'll be so jealous." Tristan winked and ran off laughing before Joey could clock him. "GET BACK HERE TRIS, I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" Joey ran after Tristan, unable to hold back the smile on her face. By the time she caught up to Tristan he was already in the classroom, hiding behind Téa.
"Tristan what are you doing! Get away from me!" Téa scolled, Tristan was ducking behind her and peering over her shoulder at the door. "Honestly, if you can't take the punishment then stop provoking trouble." She looked over as Joey walked up to them. "Hey Téa." Joey held her breath waiting for Téa to say anything, but she only glanced up and down at Joey before smacking Tristan.
"Hey what was that for!" Tristan rubbed his head, standing up once he realized Joey wasn't going to kill him anymore. "For whatever you said to piss off Joey, you obviously deserve it." Joey laughed and took her seat, glad that Téa didn't comment on the sudden change.
"How are you feeling Joey?' It took the blonde a moment to realize Téa meant her injury. "Much better thanks, I got the stitches out yesterday. Good as new" She flash the same toothy grin as always, feeling a little more herself even if she was wearing a skirt.
"LUNCH TIME! FINALLY!" Joey cheered walking towards the cafeteria with her friends. It wasn't until they were almost at their table the Joey realized how quiet it was. Suddenly she was surrounded. Boys asking her out, girls demanding an explanation. Joey freaked, doing the first thing that came to mind, she ran.
Joey ran up the stairwell two steps at a time, she had lost most of her pursuers the first few quick corners she had taken. Now the only ones left were fast. Really fast. Her only shot was ducking into a room and changing direction once they had passed. Putting her plan into action she peered in the window of each door she passed. She finally found one and jumped in, letting the door click shut on its own.
She caught her breath and waiting, listening to her pursuers stampede by. She poked her head out the door, making sure the coast was clear before taking off in the opposite direction, making her way up to the roof.
"Few, hopefully they won't find me here." Joey breathed a sigh of relief, sliding down the door and resting. "Feeling from your sudden fan club mutt?" Joey's eyes snapped open at the sound of Kaiba's voice. "I must say, that uniform does suit you better than the other one." Joey glared at the CEO, only causing him to chuckle.
"You didn't intimidate me before with your glare, what makes you think you look any more threatening now?" Kaiba turned back to the book he was reading, effectively ignoring Joey.
Joey took a few deep breaths trying to calm down. 'He saved your fucking life, don't blow up. You can't get into any more fights without getting expelled…' She thought. Finally getting control of herself, she moved from the door and sat down beside Kaiba, choosing to take the high road. "Listen Kaiba, thanks for- thanks for saving me. I probably wouldn't be here if you hadn't been there." Kaiba looked at her, a frown on his face. "I just did what anyone else would've. Forget it."
Joey shook her head, pulling her backpack off her shoulder she slid it into her lap. She opened it and rooted around for her lunch, deciding Kaiba wouldn't accept any more thanks. She pulled out a sandwich and unwrapped it carefully and started eating. Joey was sitting cross legged beside Kaiba, enjoying the breeze from being up on the roof. Joey pushed her bag off of her lap and moved one leg so that her foot was on the ground with her knee bent, the other leg tucked under it. She stretched, her arms behind her head. She closed her eyes, relaxing against the fence they were leaning against.
Seto let his eyes glance over at her. In almost every way it was the same blonde idiot he fought with every day. Yet here was this girl, sitting beside him and completely ignoring him. A gust of wind swept the roof and Joey's skirt flared up against her chest. "FUCK" Joey's eyes snapped open and she immediately pushed the skirt down. Kaiba chuckled and turned his attention back to his book, watching Joey from the corner of his eye.
The stood up, grabbing her bag and stomped off toward the door. One hand holding the fabric of her skirt, stopping it from taking off again. "I fucking hate skirts" she mumbled, grabbing the door and walking back inside. She slammed the door behind her. Once she was gone Kaiba let himself breakout in fits of laughter, unable to contain it anymore.
"I'm not fucking wearing that." Joey glared down at her new gym uniform. "Who fucking decide this was even a uniform." Téa couldn't help but laugh at Joey's outburst. She agreed with Joey, but somehow her complete surprise at actually having to wear it was hilarious.
"It's not that bad, just put it on. You've got great legs, what are you worried about."
"That's not helpful Téa." Joey grumbled, glaring at the uniform once more, wishing it to catch fire so she wouldn't have to wear it. After more grumbling Joey finally put on the uniform.
"I'm wearing fucking swimsuit bottoms and a tight t-shirt, how is this appropriate?" Joey demanded, sulking next to Téa. "Don't worry about it, once we start moving you won't even notice.
"How do I not notice I'm not wearing anything! This is the worst!" They left the change room and joined their class outside. Joey received a few more wolf whistles before the teacher made them quiet down. He gave Joey a once over, leering slightly.
"Alright ladies, you'll be playing soccer over in field A. Wheeler take it easy, we don't want you ripping open your side. Boys, you'll be playing the same in field B." The boys ran past the girls on their way to field B. Some grinning as they ran past. Most of the girls paired off and mostly practiced passing the ball back and forth. Joey and Téa paired up, moving to the farthest part of the field almost out of the coach and more importantly the boys view.
"This sucks." Joey remarked bouncing the ball back and forth on her knees before letting it drop and passing it to Téa. "It's not like you could play all out anyways."
"I guess, still… I like soccer… I'm good at soccer…"
"Then stop sulking, you can always join the team once your side is healed. It's not like you'll never play again. Hey, I'm going shopping this weekend with Mai, you wanna come? " Joey shrugged, "I donno, I kinda wanna just hang around the game shop or the arcade. Do something normal ya know?"
"Yeah but don't you want to get some new clothes?" Téa offered, lightly kicking the ball. It barely made it's way to Joey. The blonde frowned and popped the ball up again, bouncing it back and forth. "I have clothes."
"I just thought maybe you would want some… girls clothes." Téa sighed when Joey glared at her. "I'm just saying, all of the clothes you normally wear were a disguise. I'm not saying you have to buy dresses or skirts. Just something that actually fits you." Joey dropped the ball, letting it roll away.
"I guess you're right… but I like my clothes."
"Well I'm not forcing you to buy anything. At most I'll make you try a few things on. Only stuff I think you like. Ok?" Joey shot Téa a lopsided smile. "I guess that's ok…"
"Great! Do you think we could do something about your hair too! It's always driven me crazy." Joey laughed. "We'll see. Why don't I let you style it, and we'll go from there." Téa grinned, "Awesome! I'll tell Mai to pick us up from your place then! This is going to be so fun!"