Walking out of the house in his uniform Atem looked over to Anzu's house with a smile on his face. Mana came out soon after and locked the door behind her.
A red sports car drove up to Anzu's house. Inside of it was a male about nineteen had gold earrings, neckwear, armbands, and bracelets all up to his wrists, a sleeveless purple shirt, black pants, and black shoes.
A few seconds later Anzu walked out of her house wearing the mandatory school uniform. She called out to him. "Hey Marik."
"Good morning, Anzu." He smiled.
The brunette jumped into his car before it drove off to school. Atem stood by the door, wondering.
'Could Anzu have found someone already?' Atem thought as he and Mana departed to school.
As Marik drove off Anzu looked into the rear view mirror to see Atem.
"Your neighbour looked like he wanted to kill me once you jumped into the car." Marik pointed out.
"He is my ex-boyfriend and former friend." Anzu informed him.
"Oh! Why did you two break up? Thought he was 'the one'?"
"Saw him in bed with another girl." Anzu explained. "We broke up about two weeks ago and I feel heartbroken, confused and incomplete without him."
Marik thought about what the brunette had said. "Do you know if he regretted it?"
"I don't know. Why do you ask?"
"When I was eighteen I made the mistake of cheating on my then girlfriend." Marik replied. "When she found out she was so heartbroken that she went into a state of depression."
"What happened between the both of you?" Anzu questioned.
"We broke up." He stated.
"Marik!" She sighed.
"The point that I was making is that people do make mistakes and this was Atem's own. Unlike me and my ex, you two clearly love each other and you should give him one more chance."
"I want to but I don't want to get my heart broken again." Anzu informed him. "I love Atem more than words can explain but my heart is still torn and I want him to feel what I feel."
"I get it. You're hurting but you have to understand that he is hurting also. The look in his eyes is all that's needed." Marik stopped the car in front of the school.
Anzu took all of this in as she exist the car. "I understand. Thanks for the ride."
"No problem. We are cousins after all and I was in the neighbourhood." He smiled.
Anzu returned his smile before he drove off.
Two Hours Later
Anzu entered her second class of the day. Scanning the room she saw Joey and Tristan. Mana was at the back of the class and she seemed a nervous when Anzu came into the room.
Anzu saw her but didn't say anything. Anzu didn't blame Mana for her and Atem breaking up. She only blamed Atem.
Walking over to Joey and Tristan, she asked. "Hey guys. Where is Atem?"
"Don't know. I haven't seen him since yesterday." Joey answered.
"You two live next door to each other so you should have a better idea of where he is." Tristan said.
"I saw him this morning but my cousin gave me a ride to school." She told them, placing the back down on a nearby desk.
"I thought your parents were the only child for their parents." Tristan looked confused.
"They are. Growing up my father was best friends with one of the neighbourhood children and their friendship continued to till this day so I his friend uncle and children cousins."
"Pretty sure Atem is fine especially since you have returned." Joey stated.
"What do you mean?"
"For the two weeks you were away Atem seemed a bit off." Tristan spoke. "He hasn't picked up a duel disk since you left and constantly looks at a picture of you when he thinks no one is looking."
Anzu looked through the window thinking. 'Maybe what he and Mana had was a one time thing. Atem, where are you?'
Atem stood in the middle of the school gym with a volleyball in his hand. Classes started three hours ago but didn't go. He needed to clear his thoughts. Letting out a forced laugh, he whispered. "I should have made things right before jumping into bed with Mana. I am in love with Mana and I should have spoken to Anzu before entering a new relationship."
Hearing the door open, he thought it was a class coming in. Atem sailed the volleyball over the net before walking over to the stands to collect his bag. The volleyball then sailed towards him and connected to the back of his head.
Hissing in pain, he turned around to attack the person that hit him only to Anzu with a smile on her face.
"See that you serve still stinks as ever." She criticized. "Remember trying to teach you it a few years ago but you were too distracted to learn."
"The teacher captured my attention more than the topic been taught." He replied.
Anzu chuckled. "You couldn't take your hands off me."
"Anzu, I am sorry for what happened between us. I am such an idiot." He held his head down.
"You are a major idiot." She told him. "But…"
"But?" Atem held his head up.
"I am completely in love with you and it won't go away." Anzu confessed.
"What about that guy from earlier?" Atem said.
"That was only Marik. The jackass was in the neighbourhood and gave me a ride."
"Marik? As in your "cousin" Marik?"
"Yes, that the one."
Walking closer to him for the first time ever Anzu saw tears coming from Atem's eyes. "I know I messed up and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me? I am so sorry for hurting you."
"It's going to take time though for me to forgive you. My mind sometimes flashes back to you having sex with another woman."
Atem felt somewhat guilty. "I was so stupid for cheating on you. I should ended one chapter before starting another one."
"Beyond stupid." Anzu agreed.
"I will do anything for you to be in your good graces once more." Atem stated.
"Look Atem it's going to take some time for me to even trust you again." Anzu said. "I forgive you but trusting you is another story. With time I will trust you enough for us to be friends again."
"Friends!" Atem agreed.