Chapter 21: Desperate Move?

Thursday had been a good day for me. I'll admit that the start of it was pretty bad, but as things progressed, it slowly got better. I knew that today would be pretty bad, too, but I think that my friends instilled some new found hope into me.

I walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. I was starving and immediately opened my refrigerator that was now packed with fresh food. Yesterday, I was able to get all of my shopping done with the help of Yugi, Joey, Tea, and Tristan. We kind of made a game out of it, like a shopping scavenger hunt. We got divided into teams; it was girls vs. boys. Each team had gotten a certain amount of items that needed to be found, and the boys got more since their team had an extra member. Whichever team got every item allotted to them and met up at the designated meeting place first won. And, of course, girls won.

After my daily morning routine, I fed Biscuit and ran out the door. I made sure to wake up extra early today because I didn't feel like meeting up or bumping into anyone today. I just wanted to be relaxed while walking to school. Was that too much to ask for?

I walked up several different streets and turned the corner I always turn to get to school. After a good long time of strolling, I finally came up to Domino High's gates. I proudly walked through them, knowing that I didn't bump into anybody, have awkward conversations that led to even more awkward situations, or almost get run over by something. I had at least 15 minutes before class actually started; therefore, I decided to explore the campus.

I walked down hallways and more hallways, explored the library and computer lab, ran around the school grounds, and even walked into the bathroom several times to make sure I still looked presentable. Finally, five minutes before class was about to start, I walked up to my world history classroom, which happened to be my first class this morning. Thankfully, the door was unlocked. I slipped inside and settled my back pack down on a seat near the back. I smoothed back my hair and looked around the classroom. Although no one was in here, the shades were fully open, letting plenty of sunlight leek into the room.

Suddenly, I heard the knob of the door turn and squeak. The door opened unexpectedly and Ryou came into the room. He was holding a list of hand-written items; it looked kind of like a list of things to do.

"Oh, hello, Risa. Funny how we keep running into each other." Ryou didn't sound humored at all. He actually sounded quite tired. I think meeting up like this was awkward for both of us.

"Yeah." That was the only thing I could say, considering how many things had gone down between us. I felt a little guilty. He was obviously upset at the things I'd told him. I decided to not let him get to me and think about the fun time I had yesterday.

"Okay, let's see-" Ryou started muttering to himself. He walked to the back of the room and unlocked the storage room with a pair keys he had in his pocket. I think he was running errands for teachers.

"Need help with anything?" I asked him. I was standing near my desk like an idiot while he was gathering God knows what for some lame teacher who couldn't find his own shit.

"No, I'm fine, Risa," he said without even looking at me. Okay…

"Teacher ask you to run errands?"

"Pretty much. Well, more like gather supplies. It's supposed to go to Mrs. Chealeanger's classroom."

"Well, maybe if we divide the items on the list, it won't take as long. We could have a race. Divided the stuff up and whoever gets them to what's-her-face's room first wins. The loser will have to give something to the winner. It will be fun." An awkward silence came over both of us. I guess he was thinking this over.

"I don't want you being late for class."

"I don't mind, and you shouldn't either." Okay, now that I think about it, I really do mind being late. "Besides, I'm pretty quick when it comes to these kinds of things. Scared of a little challenge?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Of course not. I accept." At this, he finally looked at me with determined eyes.

With only two minutes remaining before the bell for class rang, I raced down to Mrs. Chealeanger's class with my last item in hand. I haven't seen Ryou since the challenge began, and I already knew that I had won.

I arrived inside her classroom that was still empty and set down the last item on my end of the list. I guess she didn't have morning classes or something.

Suddenly, the chair that belonged to the teacher's desk swerved around, and there appeared Ryou. Did he win?

"Does this mean you won?"

"Nope, I still had two items on my list. I'll do that after school, though. Congratulations, Risa. You really are good at this." Ryou said solemnly. It didn't feel like he was congratulating me, however.

"Thanks." Once again, all I could say was one word.

"I'll walk you to class. Let's hurry, though. You might be late."

Outside of the door of my first class, Ryou and I stood.

"Well, you should probably get going. I don't want you to be late for your first class," I slowly told him.

"You shouldn't worry yourself over that. You shouldn't care," he said, not looking at me. Great, not this again. "Besides, I have an excuse for being late."

"Well, that's good," I replied, and when I was just about to turn the knob to enter the classroom, he held my arm. I looked back at him with a curious expression.

"As the winner, I must ask what you want? As the prize, of course."

I didn't think he would remember that part.

"Obviously, you included that part of the deal in because you were sure of your success. Therefore, I must ask what you truly want? Are you going to tell me again to back off? Or stop caring about you? I don't-"

"I didn't have some kind of ulterior motive that you are accusing me of, okay? I just wanted to make the game more fun. I-I miss talking to you, Ryou and hanging out." Silence was his answer.

"I guess if I had to ask you for something, then I would want your friendship back. And as stupid and cheesy as that sounds, I-" Just as my voice was breaking up, even though I was not crying at all, Ryou saved me by speaking instead.

"It's not cheesy. It's just-" Ryou heaved out a sigh. He was obviously trying to formulate words to say. After some thinking, he spoke again, "You don't understand. I'm trying to be your friend, but it's proving to be much harder than I'd expected." God, that made me sound awful.

"Oh. I'm sorry, then. Forget I asked," I answered, sounding a little too pissed off.

"No, that came out wrong-" he started, trying to reach for my arm again. Just then, the bell rang, and I tore away from Ryou, leaving him in the middle of his sentence. I didn't care what he had to say. It was probably more crap, but I realized I didn't need anyone to make me feel better, especially him. If I wanted his friendship so badly, then I was just desperate, and desperation was not an option.