So it's a little later than I wanted it to be but I did get it up eventually. :)

Chapter 3: Pawn

She looked… different than I remembered. A lot different! I mean, the girl I remembered had such an innocent look to herself which completely contrasts her current appearance. She looks like she just got out of bed and stabbed herself a few times. Richardson has piercings on her lips, nose, and all over her ear. I wouldn't be surprised if there were parts of her pierced that couldn't be seen. So this must be what caused her parents to send her away…

"Keigo," I cringe at the use of my first name. The difference in cultures is something I don't think I'm ever going to get used to. "Oh, wait you prefer Atobe. Should I add kun to ending as well, will that make you feel more comfortable in America?"

"Ore-sama is not pleased by your sarcasm, Richardson. Just Ore-sama's last name will do," I say while hiding my initial shock behind a well-trained mask.

"I see that arrogant attitude of yours hasn't changed one bit. Then again, it looks like you in general haven't changed," She had stopped looking at me and went back to perusing her bookshelf.

"You have, though"

"Oh, so you've noticed?" Richardson did a mock twirl as if she was wearing a skirt or dress. "Do you like the change? Be honest."

"No, it doesn't suit you at all," I stared at her watching her look of sarcasm change to one of fury.

"Well excuse me for not looking like a doll without a will of my own!"

Turning on her hell, Richardson stormed further into the room, grabbing a random book on her way. I followed her, wondering what could have happened to make her change this much. It's normal for a rich kid to rebel due to all the pressure put on us. I've seen it happen to many other kids. But to rebel this much is unheard of! Either that or the parents keep it under wraps until the phase is over.

Richardson's attitude is absolutely horrendous and she looks like one of those whores constantly appearing on the television! How does Okaa-san believe I can help? Clearly she doesn't know the severity of the situation. However, I said I would help so I don't really have much choice.

"Look, don't try to act all noble as if you're here for a good cause," Just a glance out of the corner of her eye told me she knew exactly why I was here, but I decided to play it off as if I had no clue what she meant.

"What do you mean? Ore-sama can't come and visit an old friend without some ulterior motive?'

"That's exactly what I'm saying," Richardson sat in a chair and started spinning around. "Since it appears you haven't changed at all I believe it's safe to assume that's still the same about you as well."

"Well, contrary to what you are saying, Ore-sama has changed," She scoff's, clearly not buying my lie. "It's true; Ore-sama heard you were in the area so Ore-sama decided to pay you a visit.'

"You know, Atobe, its people like you who assume that us women have no brain. I've been lucky enough to realize I do, in fact, possess a brain as well as a will of my own."

I sit down in the chair opposite her. "Good, then that means we can actually have a meaningful conversation."

"And-wait… what?"

The look on her face was priceless. It seems she fully expected for an argument. Hopefully this means I've played my cards right and this wall she seems to have built around her will come down. "Ore-sama hates meaningless conversation. It's a complete waste of time."

"You mean to tell me that we've been bantering back and forth for absolutely nothing?" Her expression showed total confusion with just a hint of anger.

"Not necessarily, Richards-"

"Amelia. Just call me Amelia. I'm so sick of my last name, it's awful!"

"Alright… Amelia," I say watching her closely. "As I was saying Ore-sama was quite amused at the conversation so it wasn't for nothing."

Amelia stared at. She was obviously confused by what I said and wasn't quite sure how to respond. Her confusion towards me mirrors my own confusion towards her; however it's slightly less obvious. She's witty, which is common for upper class ladies, but her sarcasm is bitter. Amelia definitely has style for someone dressed like a whore when she should be dressed like a proper lady. And the wall of defense she has built is perfectly normal, but she is too well defended. It doesn't seem like she will let anyone close to her. Most ladies show some form of vulnerability, especially when I have decided to grace them with my presence. Yet, all I can see is her bitter sarcasm and whorish appearance.

"Atobe, tell me, what did you really come here for?" Still that same apprehensive look. I guess knowing her in the past isn't going to help me figure out why she changed so much. Even more so since I didn't really know her all that long.

Sighing, I finally realize that if I don't tell Amelia the truth we are never going to get anywhere which would greatly upset my mother. "Ore-sama was ordered to make an appearance and converse with you."

"Ordered? By your parents?" To my surprise, there is a little bit of shock in her eyes. What's more surprising is that Amelia leaned forward in her chair, just waiting for the answer she already knows. Since she already knows the answer, I decide not to bestow the obvious upon her with my beautiful voice. It would just be a waste of breathe. Besides, who else would order me do anything that I would actually listen to?

"I see, so you really are still a pawn in our parent's game of chess," Amelia leans back, disappointment showing on her face.

"Pawn?" I scoff at her. "I am a King! Not some mere pawn!"

"You do realize we're talking about chess, right? And in chess the king is no better than a pawn," Amelia gets up and begins walking around the room. "Also, the queen is the strongest piece. So unless you'd like to refer to yourself as Queen then you'll still be weak."

"And you? What piece do you think you are?" I can feel my annoyance at her blatant insult, and it annoys me even further that she seems to be getting under my skin.

"I'm not even on the board," A faraway look appears in Amelia's eyes. For a moment, just a quick moment, Amelia had let her guard down. And in that quick moment I saw pain, complete and total pain. And just as the moment appeared it was gone in an instant. "Why else do you think my parents sent me here?"

"Does Ore-sama sense a hint of resentment?"

"Why would there be? I'm perfectly fine on my own. The game makers just want to keep us all locked up so those od=f us brave enough to rebel won't ruin other game makers precious pieces!"

"Ore-sama believes you are in denial," I state very matter of fact. Outrage showed on Amelia's face. So it must be true, she really is in denial. However, something tells that even I have pushed the boundaries a little too far.

"If you truly believe so then you can just go back to wherever you are staying. I didn't even know you had a mansion around here but as long as it gets you away from me then I don't care!"

"I… Ore-sama does not have a mansion around here," I say trying to hide my displeasure of my current residence as best I can.

"Oh really? Then," More shock fills her eyes but that makes her only seem angrier. "Where are you staying?"

"My parents are forcing me to stay in the dorms at Harvard."

Laughter spills out of her mouth and it sounds bitter. "You see? That just proves my point! More proof that you are nothing but a pawn," Amelia throws her hands up into the air. "Now, get out!"

"What?" Does she really intend to kick me out?

"I said get out! There is absolutely no way I want to be around someone who I can clearly see is still a pawn! I especially don't want that pawn anywhere near my house! So do as I say and get out!"

Standing up suddenly, I take an unconscious step backwards. Did she just scare me? No one has ever even come close to intimidating me before. It must be her appearance; there is no other logical explanation. "Fine, Ore-sama will leave you be for now but expect another visit. It's getting late anyways."

"Don't bother," Amelia turns away from me and looks at the book in her hand. Pure disgust is shown on her face as she stares at it. On my way out the door I manage to catch a glimpse of the book. It's Speak, the very same book she used to read all the time in seventh grade. Why does she look at it so differently now than she did then?

"I will show you to the door, sir," Pulled out of my reverie, I turn to see the butler standing by me. Silently, I follow him to the door and out to the car waiting for me. It seems this is going to be harder than I originally thought. In that one moment when I could clearly see her pain my curiosity was officially sparked. I want to know why she is trying too hard to defend herself. Also, there seems to be a profound hatred for her parents. Yes, having a hatred for ones parents in a rich kid's society is normal, but hers is beyond ordinary. It's too severe. That really makes me interested in what happened in between the time I knew her and now. Something definitely happened, there's no question about that, and it's also something that needs to be fixed in order for her to properly function in society. And though it seems impossible, I will devote my precious time to help her.

Thanks for reading, please review! I still am not totally sure what you all think about this story so far! ._.

Those reading Devilish Boy I'll try to update that soon. .

Next chapter: Heirarchy