Yu-Gi-Oh GX
Death's Grip
Chapter 10
Ending the Day
"C'mon, Jay. It wasn't so bad."
"Nice Try, Sy."
"But-"
The bluenet didn't get a chance to speak as Jaden held his hand up, signaling for Syrus to stop. The shorter boy frowned as did the other boy, Bastion, whom had caught up with them after school.
Jaden sighed and turned to look at his two new friends. The poor boy looked worse for wear. One of his eyes was slightly darkened along with his left cheek. A tissue was up his nose, some blood already seeping down. One of the knees on his jean was ripped up, and he had bandages wrapped around his right arm. The boy gave an annoyed glare at the two, as if saying 'Then what do you make of this'.
"So it wasn't perfect," Bastion tried to reason with his young friend, "But everyone has their bad days." Jaden's glare got darker, somewhat out of place on the cherry teen's face. Bastion gave a slight gulp.
"A 'bad day'," Jaden growled,"You call this a bad day?" Syrus felt a drop of sweat going down his neck as he realized Jaden was not taking this lightly. If anything the boy was ready to snap, and it wasn't even the second day! As if to prove his point, Jaden proceeded to list off everything that went wrong and pointed to his injuries as he did.
"First," he started, "I get to the office, and a girl with an attitude problem walks out and scares the shit out of me. Second, I'm almost late to my second class. Third, during Gym I got hit in the eye with a basketball. Next, when leaving the gym, Chazz's locker slams into my cheek. Accident or not, that hurt! Then, during lunch, I trip and my lunch goes all over someone, and he hits the same cheek, darkening it more. Sixth bell I almost blow up the classroom, and my fifth bell teacher, Mr. Viper, scares the shit out of me. Going to seventh bell I fall down the steps and scrape up my arm, and when I get to class the door slams into my nose. Then, when I try to get to my last class, on time, I fall up the steps, how that happens I don't know, and completely rip up my jeans. My mom's gonna kill me seeing as they're a new pair. Plus every time I went to the nurse, that girl from the office is working there and she was in a bad mood. If you didn't know, that kinda sucks when she's the one patching you up. Now you tell me if I had a 'bad day'?"
As Kasey stepped outside, she looked up. Across the school yard she could see the new kid, she thinks he's called 'Jaden', talking (more like ranting) to his friends. She felt herself sigh. Why did she have a feeling half of that was her fault? With a quick huff, she made her way over to the boy.
The two could only stare at Jaden. They knew he had a bad day, but not that bad. Bastion rubbed his neck in a sheepish manner, while Syrus looked at the ground. Hours seemed to pass when it was only a few seconds. Syrus was about to say something, when another voice spoke up.
"Hey, Yuki." Quickly the trio looked over only to see the girl, Kasey, looking at them with a bored stare. Jaden blinked. Syrus blinked. Even Bastion was confused. He knew who Kasey was, it was hard not to, but he was surprised. Kasey hardly ever came up to others so casually, especially new kids. The girl looked the three over, before her eyes drifted to Jaden's cheek. Kasey stepped forward and lifted her hand up.
Jaden, having already heard about the girl's violent streak, flinched back. Kasey frowned and quickly gripped his chin, causing him to wince. This girl had a grip.
She forced him to turn his head so that she could get a better look. Sighing she reached into her pocket and pulled out something white. Jaden closed his eyes, expecting her to slap whatever it was across his face, when something smooth and slightly sticky covered his cheek.
"Wimp," Kasey scoffed. Jaden opened his eyes and already the brunet was making her way down the sidewalk. Completely dumfounded, Jaden gently touched his cheek. To his surprise the white thing she had pulled out was a bandage, the same thing now covering the forming bruise on his cheek.
"Hey, Jay!" The southern accent knocked the trio out of their shock and looked over. Running up the school sidewalk was none other than Jesse. He was wearing a school uniform of a white button up t-shirt, black jeans, and a black tie. His blue sneakers were on his feet. The boy stopped and grinned at the three.
"Jus' got out I see," he chuckled, "I-" but before the boy could continue, he finally noticed a few things.
One, his three friends all had wide-eye stares. Why? He didn't know. Was his uniform in order? Second, the poor state Jaden was in. The HELL? Deciding to worry more about the latter, a look of concern plastered itself onto Jesse's face.
"What in great heaven's name happened to ya, Jay?" He asked, his voice dripping with worry. Jaden just stood there.
He didn't know why, but he didn't take an immediate notice of Jesse. In the back of his mind he knew his friend was there, but he couldn't see him. Not really. His gaze was focused behind Jesse. More specifically, across the street near the end of a person's fence. While he couldn't really tell what it was, he could make out the dark figure. Something about it seemed off. Had he seen it before? He didn't think so.
Unbeknownst to Jaden, Jesse had realized that, while the teen was facing him he wasn't looking at him. He frowned and quickly spun his head around. His eyes rapidly scanned over the houses. He scanned the streets, bushes, fences-Wait! He stopped. His eyes settled, and he glared. That shadow. A low growl came from Jesse's throat, not audible enough to hear, but enough to where Syrus and Bastion knew something was up.
As if sensing Jesse's glare, the shadow suddenly disappeared. The only problem was Jaden was still staring. Turning to face his friend, Jesse gave him a firm shake.
"Jaden!"
Jaden, who had been staring intently at the shadow, blinked. He looked up and finally had realized Jesse's presence."
"Jess," he asked, confused, "When did you get here?" The three stared at him.
"I've been here, Jay," Jesse whispered, "Didn't you see me run up?" Jaden shook his head. He did, but not really. It was as if Jesse was fading in an out of his vision, almost like a mist covered him. He could see everything else, just not Jesse. Not really. Jaden shook his head a little harder this time.
"Sorry, Jess," He whispered, "I guess I just didn't notice." Jesse looked intently into Jaden's eyes, before his gaze drifted towards the ground. Jaden didn't notice? Or was it that he didn't see? Shaking his own head, Jesse pushed those thoughts to the back.
"It's fine," he said, the same grin returning to his face, "How 'bout we talk over ice cream. Then you can tell me about that shiner you have there." Jesse gestured to Jaden's eye and the boy covered it in surprise. He almost forgot about that. Jaden laughed.
"Sounds good," he chuckled, then turned to his other friends, "What about you guys?" Finally snapping out of their own stupor, the two nodded in agreement. Smiling, the four of them walked off. However, as they walked down the sidewalk, Jaden threw a quick glance over his shoulder.
The shadow was gone.
He growled in menace. He couldn't believe it! That little shit spotted him! How, he didn't know. This wasn't good. He couldn't get the target like this. Not with that fucker watching him. Despite his situation, the figure smirked. Oh well. This would be fun.
When the boy had spotted him he didn't run. Why would he? There was no reason to. Not from him. He didn't know what the blue-haired kid was glaring at, but it wasn't him. Even if it was he wouldn't have ran. He's not here for him. No. Jaden was all that mattered.
To Be Continued in Chapter 11….
First off, Sorry. It shouldn't have taken this long, and I'm sorry. No excuse. There was no reason. Just sorry. I hope you like this chapter. Please tell me. Or don't. Your satisfaction is all I ask.
