By the time the sun had rose, Joey had been stood in the bathroom for an hour. He was trying his best to cover the cuts and bruises, to no avail. While it was true the swelling had gone down, it was still very visible. There was nothing he could do, he'd just have to think of an excuse when the time called for it. As he had set off later than usual, his father had already left to start on the small scale bars of Domino. Joey glanced at the wall clock, 8am…he had an hour to get to school. He grabbed his backpack and headed out.
Class had started by the time he arrived, so he quietly went to his seat, ignoring the stares from his class mates. He felt a nudge on his arm, and he turned to see Yugi looking at him concerned.
'Joey…what happened?' he whispered, his voice laced with concern.
'Um nothing Yug', don't worry about it, ok?' Joey tried his best to smile, but his lips and jaw hurt from the strain.
'Joey you really need to tell me…'
'I just fell down the stairs last night. It was a little dark when I came in and I must have slipped.'
'How come you came in so late?'
'When I got home, dad had gone out and I'd left my key inside, so I couldn't get in. I went for a walk.'
'You could have come to see us…'
'It was late before he got back, I wouldn't wanna trouble you.' Joey scratched his head, Yugi seemed to be buying it.
'You can always count on us though, Joey.'
'Yeah I know, I'm sorry. But don't worry about it, OK?' Yugi smiled at his friend, before turning his attention to the teacher. Yugi turned when he felt a soft tap on his shoulder, he turned behind him, Téa handing him a note. Yugi glanced over it.
'You don't think he's back with them, do you, Yugi? T'
Yugi took out a pen before scribbling on the note and throwing it backwards.
'No, Joey would never do that to us. Y'
A few moments later, the paper was back.
'All of the evidence points to it though, we can't keep ignoring it. T'
He bit his lip.
'You're looking too far into it, it's all just coincidence. Y'
This time he heard the paper been passed back again. It was back soon enough.
'Aibou, He's always running off without telling us where he is going, he's very sensitive sometimes and he hardly has time for us anymore. Now he comes to school in that state, what else could it be? A'
'He's right, Yugi, there isn't anything else. We need to talk to him. T.'
Yugi's heart wretched, so Téa and Yami suspected him? He scrawled back,
'Let's not saying anything yet, I still think it's a coincidence, we should trust our friend more.'
Yugi tossed it backwards, hearing the muffled groans from the former Pharaoh and Téa. He was frustrated because not only did they not trust Joey, but they didn't want to trust him about the blond either. He shook his head before resting it in his palms. It was to be a long day. The end of class soon fell about, and eventually it was dinner. Joey nudged in and sat between Yugi and Tristan, the latter of who was fascinated by the cuts and bruises.
'So how did it happen?' Tristan looked inquisitive.
'I fell down the stairs.'
'When?'
'Last night.' How long would this go on for?
'Did it hurt?'
'No Tristan, I fell down the stairs, broke my face, cracked my ribs and banged my head, but it didn't hurt at all.' He glared at the brunet.
'Woah, just asking.' Téa looked onwards from across the table.
'I know you're clumsy Joey…' She took a sip of soda, 'But to fall down the stairs is stupid, even for you.'
'It was dark OK?'
'But still…'
'Listen, I appreciate that you're all worried and stuff, but I'm ok, really, I don't need you to worry.'
'Are you coming to the arcade later?' Ryou looked up from his sandwich, huge brown eyes scanning the blond.
'Um, what time are you going?' Yami threw a glance at Yugi, who proceeded to shrug it off.
'Straight from school.' Ryou gave an innocent smile. Today was Tuesday…so…
'Yeah I guess I can come for about an hour…'
'Only an hour?' Téa looked at Joey.
'Yeah.' He smiled weakly, 'I'm pretty broke.'
'I'll lend you some money.' Yugi smiled happily.
'Nah, it's ok, I don't want to take something I might to be able to give back so soon.' Bakura stared.
'I do it all the time and no one seems to mind.'
'Bakura, you're a thief…no one has a choice…'
'What's you point?' Joey shrugged, there was no point arguing with the albino.
'I don't want to lend money from anyone, and besides I have some chores to do.' He smied, Téa and Yami glared at one and other.
'Chores?' Yami looked icily at the blond.
'Yeah?'
'What kind of chores?'
'What is this, 20 questions?' he sighed, what was with them today. 'Just the usual, cleaning really.' He shrugged, probably just having a bad day.
'Cleaning?' Yami looked dark before hearing Yugi's voice over the mind link,
'Pack it in, Pharaoh, you're suspicions are obviously wrong.'
'He's lying to us, Yugi, how can you be so Naïve?'
'How can you be so suspicious?'
'I'm not. It's obvious, everyone thinks so.'
Yugi cut the mind link off. Stupid Pharaoh, always thinking the worst of everyone else around him. Yugi smiled at Joey.
'Hey, don't worry about it Joey, we'll see you at the arcade and then tomorrow, yeah?'
'Yeah.' Joey smiled, he could always count on Yugi. With this, he got up to leave for his next class.
'Cleaning, my ass.' Téa looked up to Yami, who nodded.
'I don't believe it either.'
'He's lying and we have to do something…' Tristan looked to the gang,
'Yeah, I really thought he'd changed too, I guess I was wrong.' Duke shook his head, now all they needed was some hard evidence.
Hey guys!
I hope you like it and stuff
R&R
Much loves
x
