I awoke the next morning in a better mood then the day before. I couldn't put my finger on it but something good was going to happen today. Stretching I got up out of bed and headed over to my new bathroom to get ready. The apartment I was staying in was a nice size and had plenty of things that I needed, even some things I didn't, such as the phone. I finished getting ready then ate a quick breakfast then headed out the door. The school wasn't to far away from where I was staying so I knew that I would be able to make it on time. I smiled when I came up to the gates of the school. Yugi was walking on the other side of the gates, but he seemed distracted in his own thoughts so he didn't see me. I waved my hand to him but he didn't noticed that either. Puffing up a strand of hair that fell into my face I hurried up a bit to catch up to him. I tapped his shoulder causing him to jump up into the air. He turned to me and smiled seeing that I was the one who had surprised him.

"Maria-chan! Good morning!" He said happily while giving me a bright smile. I was about to sign a hello back to him then thought against it. He wouldn't know what I was saying anyway. I smiled and nodded to him while pulling on his sleeve slightly then started to walk towards the doors. He seemed to get my message because he soon followed after me. "Maria-chan I have a special present for you!" He said happily. My eyes widened in surprise. He got me a present? I only just met him? He laughed a bit at my shock when the bell went off saying that we had to get to class. We both hurried off making it just in time before sensei walked in. Classes again went by without me getting called on so I simply ignored it and thought about what Yugi could have gotten me. Soon the bell rang for morning break snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Maria-chan, Miho and I are going to go meet someone, we'll be back soon, want us to get you anything for lunch?" Anzu asked.

"No thanks, I'm fine. Have fun." My hands moved to show that I was happy. Anzu smiled then the two of them left.

"Oh, Miho-chan! This beautification member shall clean up any trouble you may run into!" Honda yelled running after the two girls.

"Honda you idiot! Get back here!" Jonouchi was then in hot pursuit of his friend.

"Ah Maria-chan, I want to give you your present now, if it's okay with you. We can play after." Yugi said getting my attention. I nodded to him watching as he placed his bag on the desk then pulled out a small rectangular box in dark red wrapping paper. "Sorry about the paper, it was all we had at the house." Yugi blushed a bit handing it over. I smiled to him taking the box form his hands and ripped off the wrapping paper. I opened the box to see a beautiful notebook with a necklace inside. The book made me smile from what was on the cover. Yugi must have put some thought into it remembering I was from Ireland. I ran my fingers over the cover then noticed that it was locked. I picked up the necklace to see a key on it with a Celtic knot. I quickly opened it to silently gasp when I saw the detailed work on the pages. I smiled at Yugi and placed the notebook on my desk then put the necklace on. His eyes lit up but soon he went into shock when I reached over and hugged him. He soon hugged me back then held up a small key-chain with the same knot on it. "This is our special notebook. We're the only two that have keys. It's so I can get to know you better and we can communicate easier." He said blushing the whole time. I smiled to him and thought that this was really sweet and he had put a lot of thought into it. For a moment I was half tempted to tell him that it would be easier for him to learn sign language if I taught him, but he seemed so happy with this idea. I took the key and unlocked the book taking a pen and began to write while Yugi set up our game for today.

Dear Yugi-kun,

I find this idea to be very sweet and I'm so touched that you put this much thought into it. I'm glad you want to be my friend and get to know me. It's hard being in this new place not really knowing people. I'm glad we get to play games and you aren't annoyed that I want to play them with you! I find you to be very nice and sweet Yugi-kun. Thank you so much for this gift and I'm happy we get to share it. Also thank you for the other two gifts you have given me! I really am a very lucky girl.

You're new friend,

Maria ^-^

After I was done writing I closed the book and locked it putting it away in my own bag for now thinking that Yugi should read it when he got home. I smiled to him noticing he had a new game today.

"I find this game really fun. I hope you like it too!" He smiled brightly while we played. After a few minutes the gang came back and we began to have conversations while still playing. Class soon started up again and the day flew by. Before everyone left I tugged on Yugi's sleeve again stopping him before he left the school. I reached into my bag and pulled out the notebook handing it over to him smiling. He smiled back at me then placed it back into his bag.

"New rule Maria-can, we can only read what the other says at home, or if really upset." Yugi said winking a bit. I felt a small blush go on my face while I nodded liking the idea. We then said our good-byes then headed our separate ways.

I entered the hospital with a smile on my face. I walked to the room I was at yesterday to see Sophia standing outside waiting for me.

"You seem in a good mood today." She teased opening the door for me as we walked in.

"I am! Today was great!" My hands moved quickly and excitedly making Sophia smile.

"Well I'm glad you had fun, but there is something that the doctor wants to talk to you about right away." I noticed that as she said this the happiness in her voice seemed to disappear.

"What is it?" I moved my hands slowly giving her a confused look. When she was about to answer however the door handle moved and my new doctor walked in.

"Dr. Watashi." Sophia spoke calmly while we all sat. I glanced at both of them going back and fort from one to the other. Something was wrong.

"Now I don't wish to alarm you Miss. Tanner but there are some things you need to know. Now after the crash you were sent to the hospital in your town back home and were treated only for you broken ligament and your compressed lung, however they neglected your vocal chamber and that is why you can not speak. However, there are multiple surgeries that we can perform and over time you will be able to speak again." He spoke getting right to the point. I didn't know whither to be happy or scared. I was glad that there was a way for me to speak again. That's all I've ever wanted for the past year and a half now! But, I don't know how I'll do with all the surgery. It seems that there are a lot of risks involved in it. "You don't have to decide right away. I'll give you two weeks to come up with your decision. In the mean time just continue the medications I proscribed for you and come here every day after school so I can take a look and see how the muscle tissue is doing on repairing itself." He finished quickly glancing at me from over his glasses. I nodded my head and looked down at my hands. Oh what was I to do?

I waved good-bye to him then walked to Sophia's car to wait for her. She was saying a few last things to the doctor so I figured I would be better outside. I stood there for a few moments until I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. There was a boy in my schools uniform standing across the street that looked like he was about to kill someone, and was looking right at me. One, I was now starting to panic because I can't scream for help, and two I think I recall seeing him in my class. Shrugging it off as though he was looking at someone else I turned back to the car. I went to open the door but noticed it was locked. Damn Sophia, great time to lock your car for once! I yelled in my head looking back to see that the boy was gone. I felt myself relax until I turned around again to see him right behind me. I let out a silent scream then backed up as far as I could away from him.

"Don't be afraid Maria-chan, I find you very attractive. I don't like you hanging out with Yugi and his little group so I'll make this perfectly clear. You're my girl now and if I see you talking to Yugi again I'll beat him until you can't even recognize him." He hissed out grabbing my arm. I cringed in pain as well as felt fear creep up inside of me. Not for myself, but for Yugi. This kid was much bigger and stronger then Yugi and I didn't want anything bad to happen to my new friends, especially Yugi. I nodded and then he smirked and turned away. "Oh and don't try any of that sign language stuff to Masaki or Nasako, because if you so much as move your hands Yugi gets a beating." He threatened finally before walking away. I felt tears come to my eyes but I refused to let them fall.

"Well kiddo ready to . . . Maria what's wrong? Sophia held my face in her hands making me look at her.

"I'm going to hurt the closest friend I have here." I signed while tears began to fall.

"Maria I don't understand, you wouldn't hurt a fly." She said wiping away the drops running down my cheeks.

"I won't mean to, but I know I will." I signed then placed my face on her shoulder and began to silently sob.

Yugi's PoV

"See you guys tomorrow!" I yelled walking into the shop. "Hi Grandpa." I greeted running right up to my room not even caring that mom was yelling for me to get ready for dinner. I closed my door rushing over to my desk. I put my school bag onto it and quickly got out the notebook while sitting down. I grabbed my key and unlocked it opening up to the first page.

Dear Yugi-kun,

I find this idea to be very sweet and I'm so touched that you put this much thought into it. I'm glad you want to be my friend and get to know me. It's hard being in this new place not really knowing people. I'm glad we get to play games and you aren't annoyed that I want to play them with you! I find you to be very nice and sweet Yugi-kun. Thank you so much for this gift and I'm happy we get to share it. Also thank you for the other two gifts you have given me! I really am a very lucky girl.

You're new friend,

Maria ^-^

I felt a bright smile go on my face when I read her note. But what were the two other gifts I gave her? Shrugging I grabbed a pen and began to write on the next page.

Dear Maria-chan,

Of course I want to be your friend and I'm really happy you like the gift! I was worried that you wouldn't want it. I'm really happy that you want to play games with me and you're really good! You're the first person to ever beat me, and you've done it twice! I think you're really nice and sweet too. I don't know what other gifts your talking about? Oh and I wanted to ask you what are the symbols that are on our keys? Oh and one more thing. Since you really like games I thought I would tell you I live above a game shop that my family owns. It's the game shop that's a bit out of town, you should come over sometime and we can play lots of games!

Happy to be your friend,

Yugi

I smiled to myself once it was done and locked the book again. I twirled the key around in my fingers and couldn't wait for tomorrow when I could give it to her. I sighed then heard mom calling me for dinner so I got up and left my room.