The Beginning

It was the start of another day at school for Yugi and his friends. When they heard that a new student was transferring to their school, they were looking forward to meeting their new classmate and arrived early to their first class. They each had different views on what this student would look like. Téa hoped it would be a new girl to join the group. She figured she would like that after always hanging out with male friends. Just someone to spend typical girl time with. Tristan and Joey agreed. They wouldn't mind it being a girl and if it would be, they hoped she would be tall and pretty and have a thing for guys. Yugi, however, had a feeling he knew who this new student would be.

Finally, the teacher spoke up. "All right, class, please join me in welcoming our new student." He moved aside, revealing a young girl.

The entire class gazed at her in amazement. Her skin was pale, like she had never set foot in sunlight, her straight hair was bright blonde and went down to her ankles, and her eyes were as blue and deep and endless ocean itself. She was a short girl and looked only a few inches taller than Yugi, but still pretty. She was like a fairy, perhaps an angel, maybe even a princess. Too beautiful to be human.

Even her voice was enchanting. That was what some of the boys thought when they heard her speak up. "Hello," she said. Her voice was soft, but she managed to speak up so her classmates could hear her. "My name is Emily. Emily Briar," she said and lowered herself to bow after introducing herself. Hearing the sound of clapping, she turned her gaze towards the back of the class where Yugi was. He was the one clapping for her. Emily's smile brightened up as she saw him. Feeling embarrassed, Yugi stopped clapping. A second later, Téa started clapping her hands followed by Joey and Tristan. Soon the entire class was clapping their hands. Talk about a warm welcome.

Just then, another student came through the doors. "Sorry I'm late - hey, what's everybody clapping for?" Her name was Max and she had black hair reaching down to her shoulders and eyes cobalt blue like the jewel hanging down from her neck.

The teacher looked at his tardy student. Once again, she had ruined her school uniform and made it look like the outfit of a delinquent. He sighed in disappointment. It was clear to him that she wasn't going to stop styling her uniform in her favor and comfort, so there was no point in sending her to the office to change her outfit. "Just take your seat, Max," he said, irritated. "You too, Miss Briar. And once again, welcome."

Emily nodded and positioned herself to the back of the class to where Yugi was. Max took her seat at the front of the class near the door. Max wasn't a bad student. In fact, her marks were nearly perfect. It was just school policy that didn't apply to her. Max was one of those wealthy, spoiled teenagers who thought she could always have her way. She was also very popular. But now that she was seeing some of her fellow classmates focusing their attention on Emily, she had a feeling her popularity would come to an end. But that wasn't Max's only concern. She had a feeling there was more to this new student. But she would only know for sure after getting to know her.

For a first day of school, Emily was starting to feel adjusted to her classes and already she had friends helping her. But she would only know for sure for the next few days. But now that the first half of school was done, the kids were now able to enjoy their lunch hour. Emily was looking for her friends until she was called over by some other students. She responded to the call and saw Max sitting at a cleaner and more organized table. She figured that was where the popular students sat and ate. Just to be polite, Emily walked over to the table, but didn't sit down.

"Don't be shy," said one of the girls, "Come and sit with us."

One boy held up a hand. "You know the rules." Looking at him, Emily saw that this was Seto Kaiba, the Duel Monsters champion. She never thought they would be in the same school. Kaiba was older and considered the brains of the entire school. Not only was he intelligent, but he had a serious vibe. None of the other rich or popular students ever considered matching wits with him.

Kaiba approached Emily and started evaluating her. He always knew that looks weren't everything and brains also had to be taken into account. He moved his fingers around to track her gaze and measure her features. She was beautiful, he had to admit, but was she also smart? Did she have as much wit as he and his friends did? He figured he would know if he welcomed her. He finished evaluating her and finally said, "You pass. You can join us." Before walking away, he turned back and added, "But you really should cut your hair."

Emily was beginning to feel appalled. She had remembered putting up with this demeanor when kids pretended to want to be her friend when really they wanted to take advantage of her. Emily didn't want to fall victim to that stunt again, so she walked away. Finally finding her friends, she joins them at their table.

"I'm guessing you had an unpleasant encounter with the popular kids," Téa assumed.

Emily nods. "They didn't seem like very nice people."

Yugi understood how Emily felt. Like her, he was an easy target to bullies and had often been picked on and taken advantage of. In fact, the two went to elementary school together and became very good friends. Even Téa was close to them and always looking out for them. She even considered Emily her closest friend and always spent her activities together with her. Now the three of them were together again and would catch up.

Joey and Tristan found their story interesting. Emily wasn't keen on sharing the whole story of her past and why she went to separate schools from her friends. Right now, all that mattered to her was catching up with her oldest friends and getting to know her newest ones.

Emily is my OC. Max belongs to my younger sister, who has let me use her.