Disclaimer: I don't own any parts of the Yu-Gi-Oh franchise. All copyrighted materials belong to the appropriate owners. This is a non-profitable story, written purely for entertainment.

Author's Notes:

Thanks to Sinclair-Clair for the review and xXRoseGoddessXx too.

Drop The Act

.: A Tactless Tales Production :.

Chapter 2

Don't Measure Up…

Yugi sat crossed legged on the creamy sands. His elbows rested on his knees, giving a rigid base to the inverted 'v' posture his forearms held. At the peek of this pyramid, a bony chin rested on the bridge formed with the bottom of his palms, fingers placed vertically on the sides of his tired face. Maybe he woke up too early.

The morning sun was yet to make its appearance. The dark-blue skies of pre-dawn cast a chilly aura over the sapphire ocean that stretched as far as his eyes could see. The shore was a great way to spend a hot afternoon but an even better place to admire in the mornings, when the beach was tranquilly clear. No childish giggles to test his patience, no loud splashes to abuse the serene waters, no distractive females modelling their assets away; nothing but peace and quiet to serve his working thoughts.

He realised that he blinked. Then he blinked again. Then, again. Why was he so tired this morning? He recalled the time he went to sleep the previous night was the same as any other. Or, the time he went to bed, he should rather say.

He had practically stared at his room's clock for two hours before sleep's haze even touched his eyes. In a single blink, the space of four hours seemed to have been snapped away. The moment he stepped out of the sheets, his body cringed for more sleep, but his pact was with his mind, too stubborn to give into his subconscious. He slipped on a pair of open sandals and within a short period of time, he was sitting on the beach in his pyjamas.

So what could've troubled him this much? Something he would never had expected. Five words…

"I think … I like him."

Only those words, as left from her lips, could burn his heart they way they had. He didn't understand how she could feel those kinds of emotions for someone she barely knew, yet feel nothing for a year-long friend like him. Well technically, it wasn't that she felt nothing for him, just not everything he wished she would.

Or maybe it's me…

Maybe, it was ungrateful of him to ask for more than the friendship she shared with him. Maybe it was selfish of him to want her to adore him exclusively, and unlike any other guy she knew. It was probably foolish of him to question the brother-like love she gave to him in hopes of unearthing something even more divine. Joey was his best friend. It would only make sense for him to pay the same respect to his sister, wouldn't it?

Even if it was, that's not what he wanted. He was ready and willing to give her more. All he wanted in return was her to feel the same. And, perhaps the silliest part of it all, he neither confessed his emotion, nor asked for hers. For all he knew, and all he hoped, she was in the same position he was. Many people his age told him it was the guys that needed to take initiative in such a circumstance.

That was part of the reason he'd tell her before the day was over.

The other thing that motivated him, or more accurately frightened him into making the decision, was her recent confession regarding on of her fellow actors. And it just had to be Kaiba.

His fingers curled hotly into the sand. Of all the clashes he had with the young, successful tycoon, this was the most personal. He wouldn't lose, no matter what.

A pair of pale feet arrived beside his semi-buried right hand. The white dress flowed to the brink of her ankles, appearing noticeably white in the morning hue. She lowered her bottom onto the smooth beach. Chirpy cerulean eyes gave him a smile. "Good morning, Yugi!"

"Hi--" he sorted his dry voice before trying again. "Hi, Serenity. You seem happy this morning." And beautiful - but that complement wasn't confined to only this morning.

"Yeah, I sort of am," she giggled her adorable giggle.

As always, it lit a smile on his face. "Any particularly reason why? A good dream maybe?" About me, please let it be about me!

"Well," she curled auburn locks with a finger. "It's nothing really. I'm just looking forward to getting back to work on the movie!"

"Oh that…"

"Yeah that," she chimed joyfully, but her friend's lack of enthusiasm calmed her mood a little. Casting his eyes down wasn't the reaction she'd anticipated. "You okay?"

How could he be? He had an uncomfortable suspicion it wasn't the filming process that was responsible for her vibrant attitude. It was because he was going to be on-set. He just knew it. "It's Kaiba isn't it?"

She felt a blush emerging on her cheeks and quickly re-directed the conversation. "You look tired." The bags under his eyes concerned her. "You could do with a few more hours of sleep."

And you could do with better taste in men. "What is it about him?" He ignored her worry about his lack of sleep. "You think he's … cute?"

She never really looked at him that way but now that he suggested it, he did have an attractive appeal about his appearance. But that would never be the only reason she'd admire anyone. "Come on, Yugi. You think all I care about is looks?"

No, if you think he's cute then you care about anything but looks. He realised he should probably be the last person to comment on how attractive a guy is, but he couldn't help but bring Kaiba down in every way he could. In a pathetic way, it made him feel better. "Then, is it about the money?"

"Yugi!" She rolled her eyes. "You really think I'm that shallow?"

"Of course not," he clarified immediately. He didn't want to think anything negative of her. But he couldn't see why she would like a guy like that over a guy like him. Oh wait… "I know what it is … it's because he's tall, isn't it?"

She almost giggled at that before considering Yugi may have been being sincere.

"Don't I measure up to him?"

She couldn't prevent the laughter from breaking free that time. Why was he comparing himself to Kaiba anyway?

"You think I'm short!" He accused her playfully. He came to terms with his height ages ago. None of those 'short' jokes offended him any more. In fact, he could call himself 'vertically challenged' in front of a crowd of people and not feel ashamed or embarrassed in anyway.

"Maybe I do…" she sang suspiciously. "Not like there's anything your little legs can do about it."

He spotted the challenge straight away. She quickly jumped to her feet and dashed off, knowing he would give chase. He yelled out for to 'come back here' as he followed her about the open beach, around the wooden poles of the lifeguard's high seat, and along the cool coastline. He tackled to her to ground and attacked her with a frenzy of tickles before letting her giggles settle to a smile.

Her eyes never looked so happy under his gaze. The azure glint complemented the subtle waves washing over the locks of her grounded hair, and their corners were moist from the tears of laughter that had built up within.

There was no better time then now, he thought. "Serenity, I lo--"

"Yugi," she interrupted his whisper. She probably hadn't heard it, being as quiet as it was. "You're such a good friend to me. I hope that never changes."

Friend … never changes … he felt his heart wail. She was only trying to be good to him, but why did he feel so hurt? He lifted himself from the pinning position he held over her. "Yeah, me too, Serenity…"

"Well," she said, pulling herself to her feet. "I'm going to café for breakfast. Want to come along?"

For a moment, she didn't think Yugi was going to answer. "… No. You're right. I need to get more sleep anyway. I'll see when you when you get back." He smiled falsely, yet convincingly enough for her to return one with no doubts.

"Okay, sleepy head. I'll see you in the morning," she teased.

End of Chapter 2