"This is ridiculous! Everyone I ask has already formed a team!" I cried, banging my head repeatedly against the wall.
We had spent the whole of the previous day searching, only stopping once the streets had completely emptied before starting up again first thing this morning. It was now mid-afternoon, and I was beginning to lose hope.
"Don't give in, Grace," Eva said, floating by my shoulder, "I'm sure we'll find others who are also in need of team mates! Now, stop whacking your head, you don't want to lose those precious few brain cells you have left."
"Oh, ha, ha." I said dryly, though I did pull away from the wall, only to start pacing instead. "We only have three days left! I refuse to be kicked out of the fight just because I have no friends! You would have thou-"
"Hey, you okay?" A male voice interrupted me mid-rant.
"Ugh," I am going to kill whoever it is, "do you wan'na fuc-" I don't know what I expected to see when I turned, but it definitely wasn't that.
My threat died in my throat as eyes went straight to his chest. I couldn't help it, he was muscular, had decent chest hair and his shirt buttoned down low – a combination of any two of those would have had me distracted, all three and I was a lost cause. I managed to drag my eyes up to his face, and it went straight to his hair – styled into an oversized pompadour, it looked ridiculous, but oddly enough, I think it actually suited him. He had a chiselled jaw, with a black pointed goatee; his strong mouth was slightly ajar. His warm eyes were gazing straight at me, and when our eyes met his widened a little. He suddenly gave his head a little shake and shot over to my side. He took my hand in both his own, before proclaiming, "Sweet angel, if there is anything I can do to ease your suffering, please, let me know."
I was so caught up in the moment that I had no idea what to do. I just stood there and stared. Once my mind had processed what was happening, I laughed. I laughed until tears came streaming from my eyes and my sides began to hurt. "Alright, Romeo, you got me chuckling, so I won't slap you, but please release my hand before I change my mind."
He let my hand slip from his, before placing one over his heart, and in the other hand he held a daisy. "I apologise, I couldn't help myself in front of a face like yours." It was sweet, if not a little creepy.
Well, I guess this guy is as good as any. "It's just that I can't find any teammates, you wouldn't happen to be looking for a team, would you?" I asked.
His shoulders sagged slightly. "Sorry, my loyalty lies with Master Yoh." He perked up suddenly "But, I shall gladly help you in your search!"
"You will?" I brightened up; having an extra person ask round can only improve my chances.
"Of course, fair lady."
He went to put his hand on the small of my back and I just slapped it away. "Watch it Romeo, or I'll off you and join your Master Yoh's team."
We had been asking people for hours, it seemed like everyone had already teamed up. Once again I was sure I was going to leave the tournament without a fight. I had to remember to calm myself regularly; I didn't want to approach people with a crazed look in my eye - though anyone would go crazy after being rejected so many times in a row. I looked over to where Romeo was trying to recruit. He had managed to keep a friendly smile on his face despite being rejected and ignored over and over again. I went to ask me people when my ears pricked up: "What's it to you if I don't have a team?" The voice had a French lilt to it.
I looked up to Romeo and he was talking with a young teenager, he couldn't be much older than 14, with brown hair. He was wearing a leather jacket and denim jeans. I ran over to them. "Have you found someone?" I asked
"Yes." Romeo said.
His grin was huge as he pulled the teenager in front of him to show off to me. The kid's face was the opposite, with a look which could turn the freshest milk sour.
"No, you haven't."
"I don't think he has a team." Romeo continued, without taking notice to what the kid was saying.
"I'm not looking for one."
He was sounded really annoyed as he turned to stare Romeo down as best he could seeing as he only came half way up his chest. Romeo stared back down at him, matching his irritated look.
"Don't be so disrespectful to the lady who is offering you a chance to advance in the fight."
"Don't butt your nose into other people's business."
"You wanna fight, punk?"
"Boys! No need to get violent." I said pushing between to arguing pair. I had better smooth this over as quickly as possible. I turned to the French boy and said, "Good evening, my name is Grace Kapoor. I'm currently searching for a team for the next stage of the fight, and I'd be honoured to fight alongside you."
"What's in it for me?" He said, crossing his arms in a defensive posture.
I tried to keep a polite smile on my face; did he have to be so rude? "Well, we need to be in teams for the next part of the tournament, otherwise we'll be disqualified." I said simply.
"So?"
"So...?" I encouraged. When he didn't continue I exchanged looks with Romeo. What is with this kid? Why isn't he jumping at the chance to stay in the tournament? "Do you want to go home?" I continued.
"Yes."
I looked straight at him. He looked bored; there was no hint of sarcasm on his face. He was actually being serious. He wanted to go home.
"Listen, you little punk-" Romeo started, taking a step forward.
He looked ready to clobber him. I stopped him, by walking in front of him and putting my hands on the kid's shoulders, staring at him at eye level. My smile was gone. "Name your price."
"What!?" I couldn't tell who was more shocked. Romeo, who looked close enough to fainting, or the kid, whose dumbfounded face was turning into a smirk.
"My price?" he asked, I simply nodded. "How about-"
But he didn't get to finish his sentence before Romeo interrupted him. "No! I refuse to let this happen! You can't ask such things from a fair lady!"
My eyebrows shot into my hairline, I didn't expect him to be so protective. "Hey, Romeo, cool it. See what he asks for, and then get angry."
He didn't say anything so the kid continued, "My price is that I don't have to fight."
Once again: no sarcasm. Why was he here if he didn't want to fight? Well at least I now have a sliver of hope. "Okay, then!"
"I'm Pierre Beaumont, and I shall join your team."
He held out his hand, and I shook it with both hands. "Thank you so much! I can't believe I have my first team mate!"
Pierre yanked his hand out from mine, "First team mate? What about him?" He pointed at Romeo.
"Oh, he was just helping me. He's already in a team."
Pierre rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "So you mean we're still one short?"
"We still have three more days." I said optimistically.
"Whatever, I'm not helping you look. The sooner I go home, the better."
He then started to walk away. "Wait a minute, Pierre! How do I find you once I've found our third member?" I shouted after him.
"Ask Thalim, he knows where my room is."
And with that he disappeared around a corner.
"I don't like him." Romeo sulked.
"Really? You hid it well." I replied sarcastically "Besides, liking him isn't an issue, I'm just glad I have my first team mate. Thank you for helping me; I have no idea what I'd do without you."
"It's nothing really." He said, rubbing the back of his head, and I swear I saw a light blush on his cheeks.
"I have one question though," I said, and he looked up at me, "why did you object so much to me asking him his price?"
His face turned a deep red and I couldn't help but snort with laughter. He then looked away, pretending to be preoccupied with the flowers nearby. I full out belly laughed at this.
"Hey, don't laugh! This is a serious matter. You have no idea what he could have asked for!"
I sobered up a bit. "I know, and if he had asked for something explicit I would have said the price is too high before carrying on looking for someone else. Besides, he's just a kid! People that young aren't having sex... are they?" I know it was possible, but I didn't think they would, but Romeo's face reddened even more. "Thank you, though, for trying to defend my honour. It's nice to know people care. Well, I better head off. I better start early if I want to get that final team mate." I gave him a wave before walking away.
"Hey, Grace," I turned back, "I'm happy to – that is, if you want me to – help you tomorrow."
I didn't think my smile could grow any wider. "Are you sure, I can manage on my own, so don't feel you need to, but that would be great. Tomorrow morning sound good?"
"I have training in the morning, but how about the afternoon?"
"Sure, that means I can spend the morning making posters. I'll see you tomorrow morning then."
"See you!"
That night I slept with the biggest grin in my life.