Zeyad Tawfiq was not supposed to be there. None of the Tawfiqs were. They'd thought of a myriad of other occasions they could have shown up at. All of which would have made far bigger impressions than this. This felt childish. Unworthy of their status. Yet against the arguments of his two younger brothers, Zeyad circled the parking lot once more for a spot. Crowds of excited, arm-linked teens made it difficult to claim a spot for his flashy BMW. Most of them would give a fair enough stare at the car that made him thankful he'd come prepared with his sunglasses. He'd have to conceal his identity from his squealing fans, especially at a place like this where there were bound to mobs of them. That night, though, he was armed and deadly. He bore his smug smile, the erotic scent of his cologne, and a sense of fashion straight off a male fashion model. He was ready to pursue the target. This time she wouldn't be able to resist. She can't run from her destiny forever; even her father had to agree to that. Last time she had almost escaped his looks, almost broke away from his charm. But not this time.
Minako Kaiba was his.
"Lola, please hurry it up. We have to go." Faith Bakura, wringing her cheerleading uniform, whined sheepishly.
Five minutes to halftime and Lola couldn't possibly move any slower. She hogged the entire mirror in the girls' bathroom and growled at anyone who dared wrestle with her reflection. Faith knew that simply tagging along with Lola in any circumstance was guilt by association; and captain Minako would forget all meaning of "mercy" to those who were tardy for halftime. Especially when their absence meant that the pyramid could not go up. Lola was already an 'X' on Minako's list, and Faith did not want her name to follow in that path. It was risky, and she began to wonder why she had let herself be suckered into accompany Lola to the bathroom- because it is a well known fact that few girls would ever venture there alone. The two had been in there twenty minutes simply sprucing up.
Lola leaned over herself. Her hair fell like a wall around her face. Lola had her mother's thick blonde waves, though her bangs would splinter and stray like her father's. She hacked and jabbed with the brush at the haystack of gold hair that hardly ever succumbed to her demands. Faith Bakura danced about the room nervously.
"Lola, I'm serious. We have to go."
"No, no, no. Wait one second." said Lola from beneath her hair.
"Hurry up. You know how much trouble we could get in for being this late?"
"Yeah, yeah. I know."
"Oh, dear. Minnie is going to be so furious. We'll be doomed for sure."
Lola coughed. "Eh, I ain't scared of no one. Especially not Minnie. She ain't scaring nobody, frontin' like she do. Look, Faithy, if I can get into a scrap with her royal highness and still be on this team, then you ain't got nothin' to be worrying about."
"Well I'm sure that's very easy for you to say." her subtle Northern London accent peaked through her wobbly voice. "Minnie may not like you in the very least, but despite how you'll disagree to this, she is no fool. She keeps you on this squad because to be the best means you have to have the best. And that's you. You can kick-triple, and fly left-legged, and and pulls scorpions out of a tick-tock. Not to mention you're one of the best gymnasts here. You're like the pros. I, on the hand, am perfectly disposable. I'm the girl that holds the signs because I suck at everything else."
"Aw. Faith." Lola touched her friend's arm for encouragement. "C'mon. You know that's not true. You're amazing too, you know. I ain't never seen nobody with as much spirit as you."
"Sure. But can we please just hurry up? We both really need those cheerleading scholarships, which I'm certain you can't get if you're kicked off the team."
"Yeah, yeah. Iight, chill." she scooped away every fat curl and stray strand into one heavy ponytail, which she swung back like a war club. After smoothing out all bumps and creases, Lola finally adorned herself with the uniform bow and brushed herself free of fly-aways. Faith watched her as she took another turn about through the mirror. Lola examined her curves in the uniform, folding and unfolding her skirt in case it was too short, or so loose that it looked like a granny skirt.
"So, how do I look?"
"Charming." Faith smiled. "For the billionth time, of course. Now why on earth is this such a concern to you all of the sudden? You. Lola Wheeler. You've never bothered with excessive mirror-time before or thought much of your street-wise appearance. And dare I say it, I can't remember the last time your hair even looked washed."
"Hey." Lola pouted defensively.
"Sorry."
"Maybe I just like to look good, ok? This uniform means a lot to me. It shows people that I've worked for something."
Faith raised a gentle eyebrow. Lola was till fidgeting with the details of her reflection; picking off any and every spec of lint, propping up her bow, tuning her bra to a higher stance. This was most unusual for Lola who most often wore cropped hoodies and snapbacks, sagging pants or butt-rounding skinny jeans. And yet none of it was to capture anyone's attention. None of it required much mirror work or fuss. Because Lola tried do her best and spite her own mother...
It wasn't a secret to anyone that Lola and Mai scarcely got along. Mai wasn't always there for Lola as a child, and now all the sudden Mai expected her daughter to want to look fancy and groomed every morning she was home? Lola always held unhealthy grudges. Always.
"Is it a boy then?" Faith inquired.
"Say what?"
"Who? One of the Muto twins? Oh, I knew it. I just knew it! Which one have you kissed?"
"Yo, whoa, whoa. Hold up. It's not what you think, Faith. Not even."
"Oh, come on, Lola. We've been friends since infancy. You can tell me. Is it Howard? You know how much he adores you. Oh, but he's also too preoccupied with numbers and his writing, of course. Hmm. But very handsome and a talented cartoonist. Oh! Wait! No. It's Carter. You have the hots for Mr. Smarty Pants, don't you?"
"Girl. Hold up. Nah. Chill with that. Just who do you think I am?" Lola jested.
A little giggle feathered from Faith's tongue. Lola, a stubborn thing she was, would never admit it. But Faith had always known the truth. Lola always had a habit of laughing things off, and so probably didn't even realize her own reasoning for doing pretty much anything. Alas, it was obvious to Faith that Lola had someone in mind- perhaps subconsciously- that she wished to impress in detail.
"Sure. I'll be watching you, Wheeler." the girl teased.
"Well, whattaya know? It's probably halftime already." Lola's bright red face managed a smile.
The scoreboard screeched just as the girls entered through the gymnasium doors. For once, it seemed the home team was winning after a long and depressing basketball season. The crowd was already pleased by this, which as Lola thought, made her job that much easier. Trying to excite an angered or defeated crowd was nearly impossible for cheerleaders who were bound by school rules and codes of sportsmanship. Lola and her teammate rushed across the gym to meet up with the other cheerleaders. Everyone was already huddled and stretched out when they reached the clan of pompoms. Minako, of course, was none too pleased by how close they'd cut it this time. Minnie really did not want to speak to Lola of all people. She never wanted to see her again.
"Minnie, come on. You've got to give me a chance. You know this routine is ugly as hell without my basket tosses or tumbling. Don't you even dare think about pulling me out."
Minako scowled like broken glass. How dare that bratty Wheeler just insult her cheerleading routine as if she owned it! The worst part about it was that she had a decent enough point. If it were up to her, Lola wouldn't be allowed to be right about anything. But Minnie knew the truth. Even though she'd already run the routine without her, Lola's skill in the air always put them into a higher score bracket. The routine was dull and so JV without her.
But there was no time. The announcer came through the loudspeaker, forcing Minako's hand. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, your three-time Nationals winning Domino varsity cheerleaders!"
Minako gathered her team quickly. She shouted over the bursting crowd so they all could hear. Or so help them. "Alright, Lola's in. Do the original routine, and hit everything clean. If any single one of you comes out of your stunts or jumps too early, you can hand your uniform in at the end of this game. Got it?"
"Got it." they all nodded frightfully.
They all charged out to the center of the gymnasium floor. Smiles were already branded over their faces as they shouted and bounced with school spirit. Everyone quickly got to their spots before the crowd could die down. Then it was just the silence before the music. Those were always the most intense moments of the routine. And at last, without warning, the beat blared through the speaker. Its rhythm brought everyone to life, motioning and jumping, tumbling and flying from section to section.
Lola stuck all her skills in the air with total control. She tick-tocked again and again; she even mastered her bow and arrow stretch. Her foot was practically magnetized to her bases' hands. Somehow the thrill of performing before all these eyes- before friends and family- made them shine ten times brighter than at practice. Everything just seemed right.
But Zeyad Tawfiq was not supposed to be there. None of the Tawfiqs were. There he stood at the top of the bleachers where those who sat in rapt by the cheerleaders' performance would hardly glance. He stood like a model out of Abercrombie & Fitch; his sunglasses pushed into his messy brown hair, his hands hooked over his belt, and leaning against the wall. Even his brothers posed as bodyguards to his fame. And when Minako's unwary eyes strolled unto his, he gave a most cocksure grin and wink. Minako's smile became the ghost of fire after water had drowned it. Her heart paused at his image. What the hell was he doing here? Why was he watching her with those perfect, dreamy, hazel eyes? His presence was the only thing her body could register. Although the music kept pumping, the beat felt lost beneath her breath. Just what was Zeyad Tawfiq doing at her high school's basketball game?
Her legs coagulated into jello, her arms ached with every motion. And yet she knew the pyramid was next; the climax of the performance. Everything that had hit wonderfully, that had gone so smoothly, lead up to this moment. Minako's eyes darted for something other than Zeyad. Anything else. In this moment, she wanted to be a normal high school girl. The cheerleading captain of a successful, Nationals winning varsity squad. Not a rich celebrity of Duel Monsters, not the girl who had to pose for gaming magazines all weekend, or the girl who had to earn her father's attention. What business had Zeyad had in coming to remind her who she was?
The cheerleaders herded together for the final haul. If this didn't hit, every drop of perfection and spirit they'd put into the routine thus far would be forgotten. Minako tumbled into her bases' hands and waited for the right counts. Lola and another flyer went up at the same time, reaching for Minnie's hands. They tugged and tossed her high into the air for a front flip, and then again to the back. Minako held herself tight, squeezing every muscle in her body, to land with her one foot.
Having Zeyad lock his eyes onto her made her want to do better, want to succeed, be perfect like her father raised her. But her knee unlocked and her bases struggled to grip her foot. Everything was wobbly. Minako could have sworn that Lola was yelling at her, saying something important. And the other flyer too. But it was too late. One moment she was zapping her eyes around, trying not to find Zeyad's face in the crowd, and the next she was ogling the floor .
"Is she ok?"
"That really looked like it hurt."
"Yeah. Do you think anyone noticed?"
"You mean when the whole gym was like, 'ohhhhh', and then it got really quiet at the sight of blood and girls toppling all over each other? Yeah. I would say so."
"Aw man. Poor Minnie."
Minako laid in darkness, drifting slowly for a moment longer. Voices flooded in and out like breezes. Gradually she regained her sense of self. A cold patch drifted along her chest, pressing on and off. A stethoscope? Then more voices- a man's- asking the girls to leave his office. Minako lifted her eyelids slowly to a white ceiling. The world had returned to her as if she'd just risen out of water. She laid on the cot in the athletic trainer's office. Her teammates crowded the doorway with bug like eyes. Blood stained the collar of her uniform and crusted around her upper lip. Without permission, Minako began sitting up on her own. A great ache filled her head, and a throbbing bulb had come to life like a bowling ball had been sewn to her skull. The last thing she could remember was that rush of joy and success, of dong something she truly loved. And then she saw him. She saw Zeyad and that stupid, arrogant, sexy smile. Nausea struck her hard at the thought of it.
"Which one of you disgusting little brats dropped me?" she croaked, her rage diffused by the dusty waver of her voice.
"Well. Looks like someone is feeling better already." said the trainer. "But you'll still need to rest here for a bit. More tests need to be done, miss Kaiba. You may very well have a concussion. That was quite a fall, my dear."
"No." she wheezed. "No tests. I am perfectly fine."
"But, miss Minnie, please. You may feel fine, but there could be more damage than you realize. I recommend going to the hospital for scans. Wait here, and I'll go call your father."
Minako's eyes widened. "No! I am fine! Besides, my father has no time for this matter since there is nothing wrong. It's a waste of time. Now, I will be leaving now."
"Miss Kaiba, please. I highly suggest you see a doctor about this. Do you even have a ride? Is your driver here?"
"I will be her driver." came a deep, accented voice from the hallway. The cheerleaders all parted with gasps and giggles as he passed. "I will escort the beautiful lady home."
"Zeyad Tawfiq." Minako scoffed. "How dear of you to grace us all with your presence. And have you come to lecture me on how inevitable my defeat is when we should duel for the gaming crown?"
"Oh, Minnie. You're the same ray of sunshine as always. Can't a guy offer a fellow duelist a ride home after she's been hurt?"
A slight blush fell upon her cheeks. He saw her fall. And just how was she supposed to sound all high and mighty after that performance?
"He can. If only he wasn't the same guy who only shows up to cause trouble."
"Trouble? Why, that's a disappointment. I'd thought we'd parted on better terms than that. Apparently your opinion of me is not as glamorous as mine is of you."
The thing about Zeyad was that although he was never born to the riches that Minako was, he'd always acted the part. He was always so sure of himself, so ready to take whatever it was he wanted. The girls loved that about him. But not Minako. She hated it. Zeyad was ruthless, both in person and in Duel Monsters. He too was undefeated. The best of the best. He and Minako were bound to clash pathways again in the grandest duel the world had seen since the days of Yugi and Kaiba. The winner would take the Duel Monsters throne as King, or Queen, of Games. But for now they'd pretend not to want to know what the other was up to.
"Ew. Spare me the flattery, will you?" she rolled her eyes in disgust.
"Fine. Then at least let me see you home safely, miss Kaiba. Or perhaps you'd like the authorities here to force you into a hospital."
Minako growled. She supposed she didn't have much room for decision. At least if she could walk out of the school with a famous, hot piece of Egyptian arm-candy, her embarrassing fall would be the last thing on anyone's mind. And people would be just so jealous of her. That she could live with.
"Whatever. Just get me out of here."
Lola was already outside with Howard and Carter when Minako had made her way out of the school. She immediately tried to stifle any laughter as her captain approached, but it was nearly impossible for a Wheeler. There was just something so amusing about watching Minako crash and burn. It was one of the best games of Lola's entire cheerleading career.
"Yo, I can't. I can't." Lola struggled against her cackling. "Yo, I was dying up in that stunt. I was trying so hard not to fall over myself that was so damn funny. Minnie hit the floor like 'ba-boom'! Made my whole god damn night. Nah, nah. Not even. That may have even made my whole month!"
"But is she ok?" Howard pressed gently, his hands hidden in his pockets.
"Is she ok? Screw 'is she ok'. She got what was coming to her. 'If any one of you comes down from your stunt or jump too early, you can hand in your uniform after the game'. Yeah, ok. Step down, girly. Step down." Lola shouted to the night sky. She skipped around a few times, shuffling and grooving along the sidewalk in victory.
The twins didn't say much more about it. Howard tried to calm Lola, but Carter distanced himself from the matter as a whole. He checked the parking lot for any sign of his mother but to no avail. Carter trekked along the sidewalk a little longer, letting the foolery of Howard and Lola seep into the background. He had to wonder why his brother just couldn't be himself around Lola, but then he tried shoving away all thoughts of that sort as well. Because telling Howard to man up, to just go for game, seemed almost hypocritical. He didn't want to do that to himself. And as he turned to revisit his friend and brother, Minako paraded herself into the parking lot with her arm linked with someone else's.
"Who is that?" he asked.
"Eh, only some super sexy, famous, yada-yada Egyptian duelist. Zeyad Tawfiq." said Lola, riding over on Howard's back. "Yeah. Apparently he just showed up. All the cheerleaders are talking about it. Isn't he dreamy?"
"Zeyad Tawfiq? The runner-up to be King of Games?" Carter's eyes narrowed in on the pair of elite duelists once more.
"Figures she'd be hanging out with him, both of them being celebrities and all. There are rumors that they're together. Gee, their relationship is going to go though the blender come the day of their duel. They're going for my dad's title after all. It ain't going to be pretty." said Howard.
"Tawfiq, Tawfiq, Tawfiq." Lola clicked the name several times, trying to register it. "That name keeps popping up a lot lately. Somebody bust open my head, 'cause I know there's something important in there."
"Yeah, ok." Howard snorted.
As the two bickered, Carter watched the two get into his BMW and pull out of the parking lot. Something quite strange was going on and he had to find out. For Minako's sake.
End Chapter
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