Chapter 2

Téa sat down at a table in the cafeteria, alone and fatigued. She was feeling worse as the day went on, with awful headaches and stomach aches now being added on to fatigue, which was worse than ever. She sat staring at her lunch: a simple fruit pot and bottle of water. She wasn't bothered as such as healthy eating helped with her dancing training, it was just she wished for a diet that wasn't so damn boring. She was reeled from her thoughts as another dinner tray was placed on the opposite side of the table.

"Hey, do you mind if I sit here?"

It was the boy she had bumped into this morning. He smiled at her warmly, making her blush slightly.

"No..um...go ahead."

He chuckled and sat down at the table. Their eyes held each other's gaze for a moment before the boy broke the silence.

"I'm sorry if I startled you, both now and this morning."

"Oh no! It's fine. As I said before I wasn't looking where I was going. I wanted to apologise for rushing off so abruptly actually, but since the morning classes were starting I had no choice."

"That's alright. By the way, that reminds me.."

He briefly reached into his bag and pulled out the CD that belonged to her

"This fell out your bag earlier."

He held the CD out to her.

"Ah thank you! I'm glad that it's not damaged" She smiled at him warmly. He was clearly a decent guy and reminded her of her...father. The memories began to relay themselves in her mind.

An overwhelming heat engulfed the air around the wreck of two burning cars. While one of the car's drivers had escaped without serious injury, the other cars driver and family had not faired so well. The child was in extreme distress from being separated from her parents.

"Mommy, Daddy, I want my Mommy and Daddy now! Why can't I see them? Please!"

The boy noticed her spacing out, holding a sad faraway look in her eyes.

"Are you alright?" He asked in an attempt to bring her back to reality.

Téa heard the sudden enquiry and left her memory recall in order to answer his question.

"Yeah sorry about that, and thank you again."

Her smile reappeared in an attempt to cover up her feelings.

"You're welcome..." The boy said, still wondering what just happened.

"By the way, I don't believe I caught your name. Mine is Atem Mutou." He told her cheerfully.

Téa smiled at his friendly nature, although she was still shy.

"Ah...um...Téa...I'm Téa Gardener." She replied and the boy smiled.

"Well, Téa, I'm glad to call you my friend from now on."

She smiled back at him, feeling warm and safe for the first time in a long time.

"Likewise Atem, I'd be privileged to have a good friend like you."

The two smiled at each other before eating their lunches and exiting the cafeteria.

The two new friends spent the rest of the day getting to know each other properly. Téa told Atem all about her dream dance career she had wanted since she was very young, which interested Atem greatly, him being the curious type. Atem told Téa about his dreams of becoming an archaeologist and wanting to study Egyptian ruins. Téa was fascinated by this and the two soon got into a deep and knowledgeable conversation on the topic. At the end of the school day, Téa found Atem waiting by her locker.

"Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to walk home together?" He asked when she was closing her locker.

Téa felt a surge of panic fly up her stomach but knew she had to keep calm.

"I'm sorry Atem, but I have to go run some errands. I have to shop for dinner tonight and pick up a package from the post office." She said as convincingly as she could.

Atem's forehead creased in confusion.

"Why don't your parents do that? You have enough on your plate with studies." he enquired.

Téa knew she had to make a break for it before too many questions got asked.

"I have to go or I'll be late, goodbye Atem. See you tomorrow!" She shouted as she jogged out of the door, leaving Atem confused.

"She's been acting that way for a while now, Atem. I wouldn't take it personally..."

Atem turned in surprise to see his friend Bakura standing a few feet away. Atem was surprised Bakura knew Téa.

"How do you know Téa, Bakura? And what do you mean?" He asked curiously.

"Let's walk home together and I'll tell you what I know." He replied and the two boys walked out of school together.