|| Til Death Do We Part ||

|| Wanting to Know ||

Atem: (munches on cookie)

Mana: See? Nothing to worry about.

JAGartist: I never said you could leave, but I did say you only had to say the disclaimer once.

Atem: (glare) Then why am I still here?

JAGartist: I just need someone to talk to.

Atem: (sighs)

Mana: I like talking to you!

JAGartist: Thank you, Mana.

Mana: You're welcome.

Atem: (continues to munch on cookie)

JAGartist: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its contents

"Mana! Earth to Mana!"

"Huh? What?" The girl snapped her eyes opened. She had realized she had been sleeping while walking again, this time in broad daylight.

"Don't fall asleep on me now, girl. You can't go to sleep right now. We have things to do."

Mana managed a smile. "If you mean get to work before Greg goes at us for being late, then yes, we do have things to do, Diane."

"That's exactly what I mean. Of course, the boys will want you to wait their tables again today." Diane sighed. "You're so lucky, Mana. I wish guys would turn their heads towards me whenever I walked by."

Mana laughed. Her long, brown hair, cute looks, and cheerful personality, boys everywhere drooled over her, both figuratively and literally. Even now as they walked, males old and young turned their heads just to watch her go by. In truth, it made her very uncomfortable.

"See what I mean?"

"I know… but I wish they'd mind their own business and stop staring at me like a piece of meat." Mana couldn't help but sigh. "Even the guys at school can't keep their eyes off me. It's so annoying… Especially when one of them asks me out at least once a month…"

Diane frowned seeing her friend frown. "I'm sorry, Mana. If I could, I'd switch places with you. Then the only reason someone would be looking at you would be because they're also looking at me."

Mana smiled. "Thanks, Diane. You always know what to say."

For a moment, they were silent. Then…

"So, Mana. Did you found out anything at your last session?"

Mana grew sad again and shook her head. "Sort of… It was just like the last one and the one before that. Nothing… Dad is starting to see it as a waste of time and are trying to get me out of them."

"I don't think that's a good idea. You need this…"

"I know… Sasha agrees, surprisingly." Sasha was Mana's stepmother. As strict as the woman was, deep down she was very caring towards the girl and her well being. Even so, Mana and Sasha did not get along very well.

Then it dawned on Diane. "Hold up a second. You said 'sort of'. What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well… I did remember something… though it's from an old dream I had as a child…"

"Well, what is it? Tell me!"

"Well… Just don't laugh, okay?" Mana's serious face was on.

Diane made an X over her chest with her hand. "Cross my heart and hope to die."

Mana smiled. Diane always understood her. Now where to start… "Well… I remembered… a boy."

"A boy?"

"Yeah… I couldn't see his face though… I only dreamed about him, but…" Mana had taken hold of her arms and squeezed them. "I feel like I met him before…"

Diane was speechless and stared in awes.

Mana blushed. "I know… It's just silly…"

She had expected Diane to laugh, but was surprised when she didn't.

"Are you kidding? This is the first thing you've been able to remember since… well… you-know-what."

Mana frowned. "But it's nothing."

"You're wrong. It's something. There must be a reason why you remembered that particular dream."

"… You think so?"

"I know so. Why do you think we're friends?"

"Uhh…" Mana thought about it for a moment. "We're both really good at drawing?"

"Well… yeah there's that… but no!" Mana flinched from Diane's sudden outburst. "We're friends because I care about you. I want to make sure that you're going to be okay, no matter what those 'rents of yours do or say! You're like the sister I'll never have."

Mana stared in surprise. "Wow… I never knew you to be so straightforward…"

"Well, don't get used to it."

Mana chuckled. "Thanks, Diane."

Diane turned away to try to hide her smile. "No problem."

Her expression changed to concentration. "I have one question that's been bugging me for a while now."

Once again, she quickly changes the subject… "And what's that?"

"If you did end up dating someone, what would they be like?"

Mana was surprised by the question, not by the question, but for bringing up a previous subject like it was nothing. For a moment, she hesitated.

"Well, Mana?"

Mana whined. "Well… I guess… I guess I'd want to date who's-"

Just as the two entered the diner, Martha's House, the sound of their names was in the air. "Mana! Diane! It's about time you two got here!"

Mana and Diane didn't have to look twice to see the chaos. There were customers everywhere, all wanting something. And their coworker, Greg was in the middle of it, trying to make sure everyone had what they needed without success.

Diane busted out laughing while Mana struggled to keep herself from doing the same thing. This didn't please the blue haired 19 year-old with the Mohawk at all. "Sure, laugh at my misfortune. Are you gonna help me or not?"

"Come on, girls. It wouldn't be nice to leave him hanging, would it?"

The girls turned. "Mrs. Martha!" The mid-aged woman just smiled at them from behind the counter.

"Hmm? Hey, where's Casey?"

"She's visiting an old friend today."

Mana gave a pout face. "That's too bad. I had something for her from my drawing class."

"Well, just hold on to it, Mana. She'll be back tomorrow and you can give it to her then."

Greg was struggling. "Hey! What am I? Chopped liver?"

"You'd better get changed and help Greg out before he losses it."

"Right away, Boss!"

The storm was calm within the hour. With Mana and Diane's help, customers' needs were tackled and once again they left smiling. By the time the last customer left, they were exhausted. All three plopped themselves onto chairs.

"Was that the last one?"

"That was the last one."

"My arms are going to fall off."

Greg whined. "I've been working since noon, so don't complain."

"Leave us alone, Greg. We're high school girls."

"I'm a college student!"

Mana sighed. Diane and Greg never seemed to get along. She knew there was a reason behind it, but she didn't know what. Diane never talked about it.

"Well done, everyone. Once again, we end the day in complete success." The three couldn't help but smile when Mrs. Martha was in the room.

"You can clean up now and head home when you're done."

"Yes, Boss!"

"Hey, Mana."

"Hmm?" 30 minutes later, Mana and Diane were walking home.

"Have you told your parents about your job?"

Mana sadly shook her head. "No. I still haven't told them."

"I guess you're still worried they won't take it well."

"No…" Mana sighed. "What am I supposed to say to them? 'Hey Mom? Dad? I've been working at Martha's House for the last two years despite you telling me that my education is my only priority and that I wasn't allowed to get a job.'"

"… Wow… You've got it tough."

Mana whined. "I know…"

"But you're one of the best students at school; you've been a member of the book club since starting high school and have been its president since becoming a sophomore, not to mention you're the manager of the school's basketball team. And the fact that you're doing all that and still managing a job? That's pretty awesome."

Mana just shook her head and flopped down on a bench. "They wouldn't understand… All they care about is my grades and me getting into the college they want. I'm not sure what to do." She cupped her head in her hands.

Diane sighed and took a seat. "Mana, relax. You'll figure this out."

Mana looked up. "You think so?"

"I know so. I'm your friend. I'm supposed to know this kind of stuff."

Mana smiled. "Thanks, Diane."

"Again, no problem." Diane stood up, dragging Mana with her. "Come on. I wanna be there when your parents ask you how your day went."

"What's the story you're going to tell them?"

Diane acted like she had to think about it, but Mana knew she already had a solution. "I'm over there working on that book report due after the break?"

"They may be a little suspicious of that, but it's reasonable."

"I thought so."

Both girls couldn't help but laugh at the thought as they walked down the end of the street where Mana's house stood.

JAGartist: Very sucky way of introducing Mana, but I'm gonna go with it.

Atem: It does suck.

Mana: Leave her alone. She's doing what she can!

JAGartist: Thank you again, Mana. This is why you're my favorite female character. I sort of wish I was a little more like you

Mana: Aw… Thank you!

JAGartist: You're very welcome (sticks tongue out at Atem)