Hello everyone! Glad everyone seems to be enjoying it so far! There's not much Bakura in this chapter but he'll be a big part in the next one!
Enjoy!
Later that day, Willow walked stiffly down the hall, her jaw clenched, and her eyebrows knit together. Her steps echoed down the empty halls, but she could barely hear it over the blood rushing in her ears. She was worried, but she was also upset. Adjusting her backpack on her shoulder angrily, Willow ran every scenario through her head. She hoped that Jake was all right, but he had better have a good explanation for being called to the office.
When she arrived, she saw her brother and another boy sitting on either side of the hall. The boy looked a bit older than Jake with ash blonde hair and broad shoulders. The boy had bruises and tear tracks on his cheeks. His shoulders shook minutely as he sobbed, and she wondered if he was crying because he was in pain, or because his parents were called in as well. She looked over towards her brother; he was in a similar condition, but there were no tears in his eyes. Jake didn't look up at her when she passed, and she didn't acknowledge him as she went in the office.
"Ms. Avila, how nice of you to join us." The balding principal rose to shake her hand and motioned her to the plush chair next to a woman wearing a floral blouse and black slacks. She had the same ash blonde hair as the boy in the hall and would have had a beautiful face if it wasn't pinched in anger. Willow gulped and sat on the edge of her seat, setting her backpack in front of her. Mr. Zander folded his hands on his desk and addressed both women, "Ms. Avila, Mrs. Stewart, I have called you both in today to discuss the fight that both of your boys got into this afternoon."
Willow had assumed as much, "What's the story, exactly, Sir?" she asked in a calm voice. The woman next to her scoffed, "Obviously, yours started it. My Timmy would never get into a fight." The red head didn't say anything to her, just looked at the principal expectantly.
The man sighed again, "I had each of the boys tell me their side of the story. I am sorry to say, Ms. Avila, but Jacob did hit Timothy first." Mrs. Stewart looked pleased, making the muscle in Willows cheek jump as she clenched and unclenched her jaw.
She sat a bit taller in her seat, "I'm sure that Jake had a good reason, he's not one for unnecessary violence." She reasoned. Zander looked at her with tired brown eyes, "Jacob said that Timothy was teasing him," Mrs. Stewart was about to interrupt but the principal held up a hand, "and while we have a zero tolerance for bullying," he shot the mother a look and she sank a bit in her seat, "we have no tolerance for fighting either. I'm afraid that both boys will be suspended for two days." Willow nodded understandingly but ran an irritated hand through her hair with a sigh.
Both women shook the principal's hand, who thanked them for their time and apologized for interrupting their days. As they exited the office, Mrs. Stewart pushed past Willow and headed to her son, Timmy. She checked his bandages and bruises, before coddling him to her chest, glaring at Jake and Willow. The teen paid her no attention and slung her backpack down in front of her brother, startling him into looking up at her.
She looked down at him, disappointment in her golden eyes and sighed. Picking up her bag, Willow headed down the hall, "Come on, we'll discuss this at home." Jake sat for a moment before picking up his backpack and walking behind her.
On the walk to the apartment, Willow didn't speak or look at Jake, letting the both of them settle down before getting into a lecture that she really didn't want to give but knew she had to. She was worried about him, he was normally a quiet, polite kid and he'd never gotten into a fight before. She wondered what he had been teased about that had gotten him so riled up to pick a fight.
On the way, she called the game shop and told Mr. Muto that she would be late picking up Toby because she needed to talk with Jake. He understood and told her not to worry, that the gang would be over, and Joey would be happy to walk the boy home later. She thanked him and hung up. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jake walking a few paces back, dragging his feet and looking down. Her heart yearned to comfort him, but she knew that it would have to wait till they were at home to talk about everything.
When the corner apartment was in view, Willow dug around in her backpack for her keys and ascended the porch steps, almost tripping on a package that lay haphazardly in the middle of the landing. She unlocked and opened the door before picking it up and inspecting it. It was addressed to her, with no return address. 'How strange' she thought but shook her head to clear it; she'd look at it later after she dealt with Jake.
When they got inside, she dumped her bag and the package in her room and ran a hand through her hair. Shadow purred and wound his way around her legs in comfort. She reached down and scratched his ear, trying to calm herself. Taking a deep breath, she collected her thoughts before heading out to the kitchen. She found him waiting for her at the table. He didn't look up when she entered, in fact, he just stared at the wall blankly. She tried not to compare this image of him to that morning, when they were all sitting happily around the table, laughing and playing with Joey.
"Jacob Matthew Avila." Her voice was firm, and he flinched, at her tone or his middle name, she couldn't tell. Kneeling next to his chair, Willow turned him to face her, "Hey, look at me." Her voice was soft and concerned. He did as he was asked, and her jaw tightened at the bruising to his eye, "Sweetheart, what the hell did you do?" She asked, and he looked away, "It was just a figh-"
"Don't give me that. I want a reason, Jacob." Willow hissed, standing from her crouch. Jake was quiet for a minute before he looked back at her, "I'm sorry, Willow." She just looked at him, with tired eyes, "Honey, you know I love you. I don't want you to be sorry for defending yourself from a bully. I just wish that you'd told me you were being teased. I could've help-"
"No, you wouldn't understand!" He shouted, his amber eyes shimmering. Willow's brows knit together, "What wouldn't I understand? Explain it to me." She kept her voice low and calm, but she shook with frustration. Jake didn't answer her, turning away. Willow threw her hands up in defeat, "Jake, I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened."
"He was making fun of you!" She stopped short at his shout. She turned to him with wide eyes, "What do you mean?" He just looked down, but she could see his shoulders shaking. She knelt in front of him and lifted his chin, "He was calling you names and said that we were all orphans and I just couldn't take it." Jake looked up at her with watery golden eyes and she smiled sadly, all anger gone. She pulled him to her chest, "Baby, it'll be okay. It doesn't matter what they say." She cooed, rubbing his back in gentle circles, "Sometimes, people say things because they don't understand. But it's up to us to be strong, love."
They stayed that way for a moment, before he mumbled something into her shoulder. Willow tilted her head, "What'd you say, sweets?" she ruffled his hair, smiling gently. He raised his head, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you." He blubbered, wiping his face with his sleeve. His sister wiped away his tears with a thumb, "It's ok, you were scared. I understand that." She smiled, and he smiled back, "You tell me next time though, you understand? Because now, you're suspended and that is unacceptable." He nodded with a gulp at her tone and hugged her.
She hugged him back, "I just want you safe, sweetheart." Jake tightened his hold, "I will be, as long as I have you. I love you, Willow." The girl smiled and kissed his head, "I love you too, kiddo. Now let's get some ice for that shiner you got there." She pinched his cheek lightly and he giggled.
Once Jake had an icepack on his face, Willow sent him to his room to do homework while she started thawing ground beef for dinner. She all but threw herself onto the small living room couch, disturbing the tomcat who was napping, and pulled her phone out to text Joey,
Hey Joey, do you think you could walk Toby home from the game shop? I don't want to leave Jake by himself.
Her phone buzzed a minute later,
For sure, Wills. Everything okay with Jake?
Yea, he got in a little fight but he's fine, I'll tell you more when you get here.
He sent her a thumbs up emoji, making her laugh and close her phone. She closed her eyes and sighed heavily, it had been a long day and she just wanted to curl up on the couch a take a long nap. Shadow padded his way onto her chest and kneaded at her sweater, she petted him idly, allowing his purrs to send her off. Just as she was about to doze off, her phone buzzed again, jerking her awake.
Hello Willow. Just wanted to check in to make sure the boys were ok. -Ryou
Willow smiled, it was sweet of him to check up on her; she did run into him on her way out. She typed back,
Hey Ryou, thanks for checking in, everything is fine. Jake just needed me. Also, sorry for almost knocking you over on my way out!
Don't worry about it! You were in a hurry. Glad everything's ok!
She texted him another thank you and asked him about the history homework. He said that he could bring it over later and maybe she could help him study for their musicianship test next week. Willow worried her lip and thought about all the drama happening in the house. Jake needed to be in a calming environment after his fight and Toby would probably be upset from his first day of kindergarten and having to stay at the game shop late. She decided that they needed a family night to unwind from the hectic day.
We can stay after school tomorrow and we can study for musicianship. It's family dinner night tonight.
Of course, I wouldn't want to intrude.
She smiled and set her phone onto the coffee table. It was around 2:00 now, Joey would be over in half an hour with Toby; that gave a little bit of nap time. She cuddled the tomcat as she settled into the couch and let herself doze off.
Jake sighed at his homework now that it was done and walked down the hall to the kitchen for some juice. Willow wasn't in there, he noticed as he shut the refrigerator, juice box in hand. Just as he was about to check in her room, he heard soft snores coming from the living room. He peeked around the corner and saw his sister asleep on the couch on her side, Shadow curled up to her chest. The cat opened his yellow eyes a sliver and then blinked slowly as if to say, 'It's been a long day for her.'
Jake nodded, it had been a stressful day for Willow; she'd been taking care of him and Toby since their parents died a year ago. He felt bad, he hadn't made it any better for her with his behavior today, he decided to let her sleep. He heard Joey's voice faintly from outside and dashed to the door, throwing open.
"Hey Jake!" Joey shouted from the corner of the street they were walking down. He had little Toby on his shoulders and he was having the time of his life. Jake quickly shut the door behind him and ran down the porch steps barefoot towards the two, nearly tripping in the process. Toby giggled and held his arms out at his sides, "Look Jake, I'm a bird!" he tittered, with a big smile on his face. The brown-haired boy shook his hands out in front of him, "Wait!" he hissed, a panicked look on his face.
Joey raised a brow, worry coloring his brown eyes. He walked faster until he reached the steps and swung the blonde boy down, who cheered and thanked him, "That's quite a shiner ya got there kid, you ok?" He asked, leaning down to touch his cheek. Jake pulled away and rolled his eyes, "I'm fine. Willow's asleep on the couch, I was coming to tell you to be quiet."
Joey almost laughed but turned to Toby with a finger to his lips, "Alright, we gotta be quiet." Toby excitedly pressed a finger to his mouth, "Shhh," He said, his golden eyes shining with mirth as they entered the house. Like Jake said, Willow was curled up on the couch, soft snores coming from her. Joey didn't want to wake her, she looked so tired and stressed, but she couldn't sleep on the couch.
"Jake, why don't you put on a movie for you and your brother? I'll get Willow to her room so she can sleep." Joey asked, gently moving the cat from his spot. He received an angry, "Mrrow" but the feline jumped off the couch and stretched before moving over to a nice patch of sun next to the window. Joey went to pick Willow up, but her eyes fluttered open and she rubbed at her eyes, yawning. He pulled away, "Morning, sleepyhead."
Willow blinked the blurriness from her vision and sat up, looking over at the boys who were in front of the television trying to decide what movie to watch with a soft smile. She looked back at Joey, who had sat next to her, "Thanks, Joe. You're a good friend." She smiled up at him and he grinned, scratching the back of his head, "I mean I know I am, but I don't mind it. Just helping a friend out." She ruffled his hair as she stood and stretched.
Sneaking up behind the boys, she snatched Toby up and into her arms, planting a big kiss on his cheek. The boy squealed and giggled at her antics, "Willow! Stooop!" She sat down on the floor with him in her lap and looped her arm around her other brother, hugging them both to her, "I can't, I just love you both soooo much!" She squeezed them to her and gave them big, wet kisses to their cheeks. Both boys squealed and gave half-hearted protests.
Willow finally released them, but they didn't move, Toby in her lap and Jake at her side. She started to play with the toddler's blonde curls, "How was your first day of kindergarten, baby?" she asked. "It was awesome! I made lots of new friends and we colored sharks!" He said excitedly, waving his hands about. Willow chuckled, "See, I told you." Toby grinned up at her, "I know! I can't wait to go again tomorrow!"
She smiled, "How about we order pizza for dinner to celebrate your first day?" The boys jumped up and cheered, "Yea, pizza!" Willow looked past the celebrating children to her friend, "Are you staying for dinner, Joey?" She asked, reaching for her phone to order. He shook his head, "Can't tonight, I gotta be home in time to call Serenity." He stood and grabbed his backpack, "I left your homework on the table, I should get going."
Willow nodded and waved from her place on the ground, "Alright, tell Serenity I said hi! Bye Joey!" She said and nudged at the boys, who turned to face the door and waved, "Bye Joey!" He waved back and walked out the door.
A few hours later with chores done and Shadow fed, the sun had gone down, and the siblings piled into the living room in their pj's happily munching on pizza. Willow allowed Toby to choose the movie since it was his first day they were celebrating, he chose Cars, which had made Jake groan, "Think of this as your punishment for fighting at school, Jacob." Willow laughed as they settled in.
By the time the movie was over, both boys were passed out on the couch much to Willow's amusement. She shut off the tv and gently lifted Toby into her arms, resting him on one hip. She tried to wake Jake up, but he was dead to the world. Taking a deep breath, she somehow got him onto her other hip; they were both getting too big to do this. She walked down the hall and pushed their bedroom door open with her foot.
She frowned as she looked at the bunk bed, how the hell was she gonna do this? Her arms began to shake from the strain and she knelt down in front of the bottom bunk. Gently, she laid her little brother onto the mattress, tucking the blankets around him. She then stood and lifted her smallest brother onto the top bunk, covering him with his blankets and placed a soft kiss on his forehead. She knelt back to Jake and did the same before standing and leaving the room, closing the door behind her.
Going back into the living room, Willow picked up the pillows and set them back on the couch and piled up their plates and put them in the sink. She shut off all the lights and made sure the door was locked before she retired to her own room for the night.
She flicked her light on and shut the door. Shadow looked up from his curled position on her pillow, purring as she scratched his chin and sat on her bed next to him. "It's been an eventful day, Shadow. Had to deal with Jake's drama and Toby's first day of school." Her mind went to the way the other boys' mom had looked at her, it was how most parents looked at her when she was with her brothers: disgust. They didn't understand, they thought she was a teen mom, despite only being older than Jake by 5 years. It was something she tried to ignore but it really hit her today in the office.
She anxiously pet the tom cat, "And then I almost got hit by a car but Ryou pulled me out of the way in time. And I repaid him by almost knocking him over on my way out of school." She blushed in embarrassment at the memory of staring at him for so long and babbling. But she couldn't help but think about the warmth she felt in his arms, the way his mahogany eyes had pulled her in. Shadow gently bit down on her finger, bringing her back to the present and she hissed, "Well alright then, Shadow, you brat. See if I give you any treats anytime soon."
He was done with being petted and leapt off the bed, rubbing against the package by her door. Willow cocked her head to the side, in all the excitement, she'd almost forgotten about the mysterious box. She got up and picked up the box, taking it over to her desk. Shadow meowed in protest and hopped up next to her.
She sliced it open, revealing a maroon glove and some star shaped things. Along with the items was a letter with her name on it in curled script.
"Dearest Willow Avila,
I would like to cordially invite you to participate in my Duelist Kingdom tournament. Based on your past dueling experience, I believe you will be the perfect candidate for my tournament.
Please make your way to Pier 24 at 9pm this Wednesday with your dueling glove, star chips and best deck.
Let the games begin.
Yours, Maximilian Pegasus"
The letter shook, and she realized her hands were shaking; Maximilian Pegasus was the creator of duel monsters. How would someone of his stature even know of her? She hadn't dueled since her parents' accident and even then, it wasn't as if she'd ever won the regional tournament, no matter how many times she participated.
Willow had been close to winning before she'd gotten word of the accident, she was in the semi finals. But once the hospital called, informing her of her parents' admission to the ICU, she abandoned the tournament and headed to the hospital. Ever since that day, she locked her cards up and never played again.
She folded the note numbly and placed it back in the box before turning off her light and getting into bed. She hadn't played the game in over a year and she couldn't afford to leave the boys to play in a tournament. It wasn't a luxury she had, they needed her. The memory of putting them to bed floated in her mind, their faces peaceful and soft. With a small smile, she fell asleep.
Hope you guys liked the family time! Promise the plot will progress next chapter! I have big plans!
Lemme know what you guys think!
Until Next Time Lovelies,
~Shikamaru'sLove
