Chapter Two

***ONE YEAR LATER***

I walked along the streets of Domino a not-so-very special Monday morning. After having just moved from America, I was still learning shortcuts and streets. I tugged at my new pink and blue uniform uncomfortably as I trudged along with my backpack in hand.

Not that I had anything against uniforms, but this one was…eh. Pink wasn't my favorite color and I didn't think it matched well with the blue skirt and obnoxious bow. But, whatever. Beggars can't be choosers.

As I walked along the street I figured was the correct one, a cute little establishment caught my attention. Game Shop was in big letters above the door. I cocked my head to the side, debating if I had enough time to go inside and see what it was about. Maybe they sold Duel Monster cards! Any idiot knew how popular the game was here and I secretly desired to get into it.

Deciding against my better judgment ("punctuality, my Achilles' heel!" ^^), I opened the door and heard a little bell jingle. The shop was pretty small, but well stocked and organized. I slowly crept further in, not seeing anyone around by the counter. I decided to make myself look busy and browse the wares.

True to my suspicion, they sold TONS of Duel Monster packs! Needless to say, I was excited. Now I could finally be a part of what I heard so much about! I've seen countless duels watching the tube about the Duelist Kingdom tournament.

"Hello! Can I help you?" an old man suddenly appeared at my side. I jumped visibly. He laughed and I let out a deep breath. Damn, this old guy was a ninja!

"I'm just looking now, actually." I turned back the cards. The old man seemed to notice my inner turmoil about whether or not to buy.

"Duel Monsters, huh?"

I nodded, "Yeah. I'm a big fan, but I'm not sure if I got what it takes to participate."

The old man scoffed, "Oh please, young lady. Everyone starts out a rookie. Take my grandson, for example…"

"What about me, Grandpa?"

I turned and saw a boy with tri-colored hair descend a staircase from behind a door by the counter. He was equipped with a backpack and uniform, too.

"Ah, Yugi! I was just helping this young lady. She's interested in card games, like you." He said with a beaming smile.

Yugi's interest suddenly peaked, "Really?" he turned to me, "You play Duel Monsters?"

I smiled sheepishly, "Eh, not really. I don't have a deck or anything, I'm just curious about it, really."

Yugi's smile didn't waver, "Well, if you want help learning the rules or anything feel free to come to the shop anytime."

"Really?" I was stoked, "That'd be awesome!"

He then noticed my uniform, "You go to the same school I do!" he exclaimed, "You must be new."

I nodded, "Yup, just moved here actually."

"Yuuuuugi!" a call came from outside.

"Yikes! We're late!" Yugi exclaimed, hurrying outside. I made an unpleasant groaning sound and followed him.

"I'll be back later!" I told the old man, assumed to be Yugi's Grandpa. He just waved and chuckled.

"Hey Yugi!" a girl with short brown hair and pretty blue eyes greeted him. She noticed me and smiled, "Who's this?"

"Oh! I never got your name…" Yugi said, embarrassed. I giggled, finding his blush adorable.

"I'm Aimee. I just moved here." I said, looking at Tea.

She smiled again, "Nice to meet you! Wanna walk with us?"

"Yes, please!" I groaned, "I was so lost."

"You were on the right path, though." Yugi said as we started walking.

"Oh, good! At least I wasn't completely lost."

We met two other boys on the way to school. A Joey and a Tristan. I was moderately surprised to hear Joey's Brooklyn accent. Somebody from home! That made me feel extremely good, like I wasn't the only foreigner here.

"So, where are ya from Aimee?" Joey asked.

I was startled a moment to hear him address me, "Huh? Oh! America."

"Sweet! Me too! Where from?" he asked, draping an arm over my shoulder. I gave him an exasperated look, but he didn't seem to mind.

"Chicago."

"Ah, the Windy City." He nodded sagely, "Never been there, myself. But I heard it's windy!" he snickered at himself and everyone else just gave him bored glares – myself included.

"Yeeeah, not so much." I said, picking his arm up and flinging it off my shoulder.

"Sheesh, touchy." He grumbled because no one found him particularly funny.

We made it to the building itself and it loomed before me in a foreboding manner. I sighed. School… I pouted and followed the gang inside. Finding my homeroom was with them, I tucked away my class schedule.

The teacher, some Mr. Hates-Kids-But-Is-A-Teacher-Anyway, called me up to the front of the room as everyone settled in, "Everyone! We have a new student, just transferred from America. Aimee, if you could come up here and give a few words?"

I openly glared at him and slowly shuffled up front. I sighed nervously, "Um, I'm Aimee." I waved and mentally kicked myself. No, duh genius! "I transferred from America," I echoed the teachers introduction, "And, uh, so far Domino is pretty cool." I gave a cheesy thumbs-up and skedaddled back to my desk near the back by the window.

I let out a 'phew' as I slid down my seat. The class was boring and I watched out the window daydreaming instead. I fiddled with a golden band around my right ring-finger, twirling it around and around. It was etched with ancient Egyptian symbols and a pretty red gem in the center. I don't know how long later, I heard a voice calling my name.

"Yo, Aimee!"

I jumped and looked around in a daze, "Hmm?" It was Joey right in front of me, sitting in his seat backwards to face me.

"She's a spacey one." Tea whispered to Tristan.

Joey laughed, "You were dug in like a tick! We've been trying to get your attention."

"Oh! I'm sorry!" I apologized, "What's up?"

"No worries." Yugi smiled at me, "We were wondering if you wanted to hang with us after school?"

I must've looked surprised because Tea jumped to their defense, "We figured since you're new, that you might want a tour of town."

I smiled widely, "That'd be so great! Thank you!"

"Nah, forget it." Joey said in his drawling voice, "I know what it's like moving and not knowing anyone. That's why we're reaching out."

I felt touched, "Guys… that's really sweet of you." I never experienced kindness like this from strangers (unless they were creepers lol).

"Aw, shucks." Joey grinned.

True to their word, after class we left school and walked around downtown Domino. "This is the square." Tea said with a wave of her arm, showing the fountain and clock.

"It's pretty here." I said breathlessly, "And clean." Apparently this was funny, because the gang laughed. I pouted, "Well, compared to Chicago come on!"

"I'll vouch for it." Joey said.

"Where should we go next?" Yugi asked, looking around.

"Well, there's the aquarium, the train station, Duke's game shop, the museum, Kaiba Land, the arcade…" Tristan listed off on his fingers.

"Why don't we head back to the shop?" Yugi suggested, "We can teach you how to play Duel Monsters then!" he remembered my interest. I was stunned he remembered and I nodded enthusiastically.

"Sure!"

"I didn't know you wanted to learn how to play Duel Monsters!" Joey seemed appalled at not being in the know.

"Joey, we just met the girl." Tea deadpanned.

"True." He turned on a heel and meandered off with Tristan down the street, "Come on, shake a leg guys!"

We followed them to Yugi's house and entered the game shop. The little ding of the bell made me smile for some reason.

"Grandpa!" Yugi called as we headed upstairs behind the counter, "I'm home! I brought everyone!" There was a grumbling response from some other room that Yugi clearly took as acknowledgement.

We hung out in the living room and I was having a lot of fun just watching and listening to Tristan and Joey bicker.

"They're like a married couple, I swear." I heard Tea say beside me. I giggled and agreed.

"Ignore them." Yugi said with a roll of his eyes.

"Yugi! I brought the packs of cards!" Gramps came in with a box in his hands, "You can pick packs here, but I expect them to be paid for." He warned me.

"Take credit cards?" I asked hopefully.

He laughed, "I can make exceptions." I wooted in triumph and dug into the box.

"Okay, so…what, just pick a few packs and see what happens?" I asked, picking one up and turning to Yugi.

He nodded, "A lot of duelists have themed decks. You'll have to do some research on your own, but we can help you get started."

I had big teary eyes, "Thank you!!"

The arrival of cards caught the bickering boys' attention and they came over to help me shuffle through the packs. I opened the first one and looked through the cards. I frowned at the ugly monsters.

"Battle Ox, Hitatsumi Giant, Giant Soldier of Stone, Kuribo…" I sighed, "Why aren't there any pretty cards?"

"Pfft, the pretty ones are the weakest." Joey snorted. Tea smacked him up the head.

"They are not! If you recall, I beat Mai with pretty cards!"

"Oh yeah…" he said with a finger to his chin.

"Mai? Like, Mai Valentine?" I asked.

"Yeah, you know her?" Yugi asked.

"Um, yes! She's a renowned duelist! She's so badass…" I sighed dreamily.

"Looks like someone's got an idol." Tristan said with a grin.

I 'hmphed' and opened another pack. This time, I was surprised with what I pulled. The very first card that peaked out from the wrapper was gorgeous! I pulled it out, ignoring the others and gasped, "Wow…"

"Whatcha get?" Joey asked, pushing Tristan over so he could see over my shoulder, "Athena?"

"A very powerful fairy." Yugi said knowingly. (AN: Okay, I know Athena isn't really found in random packs, but here it is so there!).

"She's beautiful." I whispered.

"She has a nasty effect, too." Yugi smiled at my awe, "Why don't you try running fairies? They're a lot of awesome cards for that kind of deck."

"Yeah, I think I will!" I smiled at him, "Thank you, Yugi." I looked to everyone else, "And you too, guys. You're all really great!"

"Aw, we know." Tristan struck a model pose.

We laughed and continued to chat for a while before I noticed it was getting dark. I cringed, "Well, I better get going before it gets too dark and I can't see where I'm going. Then I'll be lost." I said, getting up and clutching the Athena card closely.

"You want us to walk with you home?" Tea offered.

I shook my head, "You guys are so sweet. You've done so much for me already. Don't sweat it, I'll find my way!" I winked and left into the streets of Domino once again, feeling infinitely better about this Monday.