Chapter 4: Find Me
...
For reasons unknown to me, I went back to that playground in the park. They were there everytime.
A week after my very first visit, I still haven't gotten much closer to the others beside Jou.
But still, that didn't stop me from going back today.
...
"Ryou, do you have a brother?"
He and I are on the roof top again, picking at our foods. The school lunch has not gotten any better over the week.
He glances at me with a curious look. "Not that I know of, unless my parents lied to me. Why?"
I give off a light shrug. "I just know a guy who looks a lot like you. It's kind of creepy."
"Oh... Bakura, right?"
"Yeah, you know him?"
"Not really, he's just in my chemistry class."
"Oh."
"...How do you know him?" He gazes at me steadily, waiting for my answer.
I shrug again, while poking my so-called fancy pasta with my spork.
"I went to the drugstore and met this guy... he introduced me to his friends at the park and Bakura happened to be one of them."
"Wait, you went to the park?" He questions, his face showing a wary expression.
"Uh, yeah..."
"Yuugi, that place is dangerous! Don't go there again!"
"But I've been going there for like a week now! It didn't seem too dangerous!"
"No, it didn't, because no one would dare touch you if you're in their league! It's not the park, it's Bakura's gang themself!"
I stare at him. "Have you ever met them?"
"Well- no, but- I heard! I heard they're all nice one moment, then they turn psychotic in a split second! I'm sure they've killed people, Yuugi, killed!"
"Heard. You don't know if it's all true," I defend, but inside, I get a dreadful sick feeling in my stomach.
"But-"
"Ryou, I've already befriended Jou. He's really nice, I swear. He'd never really hurt anyone without a purpose, I think."
"But-"
"Please, Ryou..."
"...Okay, Yuugi, but... be careful, you know?"
I roll my eyes. "Sure."
We sit there in silence for a minute.
"You know, that cloud looks like a Swiss knife," Ryou states, breaking the silence.
"Um, I guess so."
"That's what's going to be coming at you if you don't be careful."
"..."
It's another moment before he speaks again.
"You know, that one kinda looks like a gun."
"Ryou..."
...
Grandfather clears his throat, his eyes pointed sideways at me.
"So... Where have you really been going to this past week?"
I hesitate, barely, before automatically answering his question.
"I've been studying with Ryou, Grandfather, I told you so."
"I raised your mother Yuugi," -to which I flinch a little,- "and she and you have the same habit of shuffling your feet when you're lying. Now, the truth, if you will."
I guess I'll have to break that habit if I want to go back to the park.
"...I've just been going to the library, actually, without Ryou. I didn't want to bother him, but I also didn't want you to worry about my social life, so... I'm sorry," I lie, all the while keeping my feet firmly planted on the wooden tiles nonchalantly.
He turns his back to the shelf he had just been dusting, and faces me. "Yuugi, please don't worry about things like that. You make new friends at your pace. But next time, try not to deceive me." He states, sternly staring at me.
I fake a smile. "Sure."
"Good." And he goes back to cleaning the dust-less game shop.
...
"...I think I'll be going to the library now."
"Okay, but come back before dinner. Seven."
"'Kay."
...
When did that happen?
Since when could I lie without feeling anything?
What happened to my conscience?
What happened to innocent, naive little me, who used to fall for the dumbest tricks?
Since when?
...
I wrap my school jacket closer to my torso, the september wind already chilly enough for people to wear fall scarves.
The walk from the shop to the park is what I call 'Quality Alone Time with Self.'
I usually just think, about school, about my social life, about that pile of homework on my desk I have to catch up on...
But today, nothing came to mind.
This happens, from time to time. My head would just blank out for a while.
Some times it's a good thing, like during a lecture at school, or during a scary part of a movie, or when all I can think about is my past...
"Hey, watch were you're- oh, it's you."
I look up to find Bakura, looking down at me. Malik stands next to him, his thumbs hooked through his belt loops.
"You should pay attention to where you're going. If it were anyone besides us, you might have gotten jumped or something."
"Oh... Hi."
He gives a light snort. "Yeah, hi."
"You aren't... at the park. Why?"
"I don't live there, y'know."
"We're going to the store. We're hungry," adds Malik, patting his stomach to emphasize his statement.
"And Jou's working right now? You guys left Yami alone?"
Malik shrugs. "He was too lazy to come."
"I was just on my way... I guess I'll just head back."
"Nah, keep him company or something. He always get mopey after being alone for a while."
Bakura nudges my shoulder with his elbow, commanding, "Now go. I'm freaking hungry."
"Um, okay, then... Bye."
He grunts a reply, turning and stalking off, while Malik runs after him after giving me a cheerful 'later'.
I sigh, for no reason in particular, turning toward the direction of the park. I don't know, maybe o can get to know him a little more.
I doubt that.
He seemed kind of distant all the time I was there; I have no idea if that's just how he is, or if it's just when I'm around... But I really don't take offense, because it doesn't really matter to me.
Really. For real.
Anyway.
Ryou's words suddenly intrude my thoughts, the conversation from the afternoon running fresh in my mind.
Killed people? Psychotic? Is that all true? What if it's true? Would they kill me later?
And do I really care?
Eh.
Play and live and risk. What have I got to lose?
Nothing, really.
...
"...Hey."
"Hi..."
"..."
"..."
Maybe a simple greeting and awkward glances are the farthest we'll ever get.
Yami was sitting on a plastic swing when I arrived, swing a leg to keep the momentum going and gripping a metal chain in one hand. I had leaned against the poles of the metal swing set, not wanting to start the chat.
I'm kind of an awkward person, now that I think about it.
So after a minute or something, he muttered a quiet 'hey', looking up at me.
And that's where we stand now, with an awkward silence choking the crap out of the air.
He looks up again, fiery eyes looking around, as if searching for something to talk about.
"Uh... Everyone else is away, it's just me..."
"... I know."
"You know? What do you mean?" Yami asks, wearing a confused frown like expression.
"I mean, I met Bakura and Malik on my way. They said I should keep you company since you're always down after being alone."
"Oh. They said that?"
"Yeah."
Another moment of silence hangs in the air.
"I... I just... I think being alone sucks. It makes you... think... And there's never anyone to cheer you up. When there's no one to keep you occupied, you're thoughts start taking unpleasant turns. That's why..."
I close my eyes calmly, although my heart is beating rather abnormally. "I know."
He smirks. "I thought so."
I don't know where I got the courage, but I push myself off from the pole and walk over to the other swing, perching atop the plastic seat.
"I know how it feels..." I look up at the graying sky and close my eyes. Somehow, I can be more open to this stranger than I have with others. It's like a connection, like an elastic band is slowly pulling my body toward him.
Ugh, it feels weird...
"Do you think it's gonna rain?" He says suddenly, changing the subject.
I open my eyes again. "Probably, but we've got an hour or so."
He smiles again. "Good. I don't want to get struck by lightning, or anything."
His sentence bubbles a small chuckle from my mouth.
"What, you think it'd be funny for me to get hit by a hell load of plasma?"
"Hah, no, it's just, you don't seem like a person who'd say that."
He shakes his head, a grin lingering on his flawless complexions.
We sit, swinging in silence for a while, though not an uncomfortable one like before.
"So... What's your story?" Yami inquires, his head turned toward me.
I look down at my lap, adorned in a pair of faded skinny jeans. "It's kinda complicated, and long. You'd get tired not even half way through."
He stands up and stretches. "Well, I've got time, and I do plan on majoring in legal studies."
I bite my lips. "Then you'll tell me yours?"
"I guess so."
I stand up, too, shoving my hands in my pockets. "'Kay then."
"Let's take a walk to make this more dramatic. Yeah?" He asks, a hand moving toward mine.
I look at the outstretched arm for a second, and take it.
"Sure."
...
She used to sing in church.
She'd donate used clothes to charity.
And she'd always cook at the homeless shelter.
...
To Be Continued...
...
Again, thank you for the lovely reviews! :D My family and social life are really downhill right now, so when I read the reviews, it kinda gives me a bubbly feeling in my stomach. The good kind. XD
I decided I won't do a brotherxbrother pairing (Sorry Linnae. 0_0;;;;;;) because I had already started writing the beginning before the reviews. But I will save that for another idea I have.
Yes, I was also cheering when Bakura showed up! :D I love Ryou and Bakura! :D
Free California Rolls to Ryou/Bakura fans and reviewers! :D
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