Chapter 36
"He's still not picking up?"
"Nope." Said Yuugi, hanging up her phone. "Still goes straight to voice mail. I'm sure Marik had something to do with it."
A bobby pin stabbed Yuugi's scalp and she winced at the sudden pain.
"Woops, Sorry Yuugi." Said Anzu, removing the offending pin and placing it in her hair at a different angle.
Anzu continued to place pins strategically though Yuugi's hair, who was busy scrolling through her phone. The two of them were currently in Yuugi's room, Anzu helping her get ready for the banquet she was leaving for in an hour. Determined not to look like a hobo, Yuugi had called in reinforcements. Anzu had agreed to help Yuugi with hair, makeup and whatever else a girl did to get ready for these sorts of things.
Yuugi's finger paused above Yami's number, resisting the urge to call again. She knew what the result would be, but that didn't stop her from trying. She had been trying to get a hold of him all day, sending several texts and calls. He hadn't responded to any of them. Whether this was because Marik had hijacked Yami's phone or had poisoned him against her, she had no way of knowing.
In a moment of desperation, she had started for his house, already halfway there when she remembered the last time she had tried to go there. Forget the front door, she'd been denied at the intercom! It didn't help that since confessing, Yami had been giving her a little more space to figure things out, which was why he hadn't slept over for the weekend like he normally would have.
"I'm going to kill Marik the next time I see him." Said Yuugi for probably the thousandth time. Why hadn't she just told Yami what was going on in the beginning? Then this wouldn't have become a problem.
"Somehow." Said Anzu, "I think you'd end up the corpse in that fight."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Anzu chuckled, reaching for the death stick she called a curling iron. Once day, perhaps, Yuugi would learn how this all worked, but for today she was willing to just sit back and let Anzu doll her up.
"You probably think I'm fickle, don't you?" said Yuugi after a while. "For saying I liked you and then turning around and saying I like Yami less than a month later."
It had only taken a few minutes for Anzu to realize the reason for Yuugi's sudden desire to go to one of the parties Yami had been inviting her to for years. The girl was sharp.
"Are you kidding?" said Anzu. "It makes total sense. You and Yami always had a different atmosphere between you two. For the longest time I thought it was because you were just such good friends, but that's not it. It's because you two were important to each other in a special way."
She had a small smile as she gazed at something Yuugi couldn't see.
"No Yuugi, you aren't fickle." She continued. "Even when you liked me, Yami had always been your top priority hadn't he?"
Probably. Most likely. Yeah. The two of them had always been inseparable.
Anzu walked out from behind Yuugi, surveying her work for a second before nodding.
"Alright. I'm done with the hair. Let's start with the makeup."
"Not too much please!" said Yuugi, desperately. She had no desire to look like she was trying too hard. That, and it still felt a little odd.
"Don't worry." Said Anzu, holding small round case of what looked like flesh colored cream. "You're got very clear skin so you won't need a lot of foundation. Just some touch up really. And I'll keep the liner and eyeshadow to a minimum, but the mascara is a requirement! You should probably intermittently check to make sure it's not smudging."
"I have no idea what you just said." Said Yuugi, looking up as Anzu put the weird cream right below her bottom lid.
"This stuff gets rid of your eye bags." Said Anzu, holding up the case. "The other stuff gets rid of red spots and I'll make your eyes pop out with minimum makeup."
"Much better."
Anzu continued to ramble about the makeup, trying to help Yuugi understand the basics of contouring… whatever the heck that was. But Yuugi's head wasn't in it. She was still thinking about the banquet tonight and seeing Yami. Would he be happy to see her? Or would he refuse to listen, feeling betrayed?
"Do you think this is a good idea?" said Yuugi. The fear had issued from her mouth before she could stop it.
Anzu, who was holding a long thin brush and eyeshadow, paused.
"Don't be scared Yuugi." Said Anzu, "Just don't forget what's important when you're there and you'll be fine."
"What do you mean?"
Anzu returned the brush to her color pallet, loading the bristles with powder before telling Yuugi to shut her eyes. Yuugi obliged, letting Anzu brush the color across her lids.
"When you're there, there are probably going to be some nasty comments." Said Anzu. "You have dealt with bullies who abused you physically, but those that tear you down with words can be just as damaging. You can't let them get to you tonight."
"I know." Said Yuugi, but it was easier said than done. Yuugi didn't have an abundant amount of self-esteem in the first place. It didn't help that she still wasn't confident in her identity as a girl.
Anzu must have heard the concern in her voice. Yuugi heard the sound of the makeup being put down and opened her eyes. Anzu took Yuugi's hands into her own, smiling at her.
"Have I ever told you why we became good friends?" said Anzu.
"No" said Yuugi, confused. "I didn't realize you had to have a reason to become friends with someone."
Anzu let out a laugh.
"And that Yuugi, is part of the reason we are friends." Said Anzu with a smile. "You have always been amazing."
Yuugi blushed at the complement. Where was this coming from?
"Do you remember when I got hurt at dance practice in middle school?" said Anzu.
"I do." Said Yuugi with a nod. It had been the first year they had met. Yami had been Yuugi's only friend at the beginning since the bullies kept most people away. Anzu had been the popular girl, much like she was now, and even then Yuugi had found her attractive.
"Do you know I almost quit dance because of that?" said Anzu.
"Did you really?" said Yuugi. "Why?"
"Because I felt like it wasn't worth it." Said Anzu with a shrug. "I was in the hospital for three days. I had lost all my roles in the performance and none of my friends had so much as sent me a text to see how I was feeling. I was questioning my worth and if anyone actually liked me. I was at the lowest I had ever been in my life."
Anzu smiled warmly at Yuugi, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I was about to tell my parents that I wanted to quit." Said Anzu. "But then I was surprised by a visit from a boy I had never talked to. A boy who sat next to me in class, always playing some sort of game. A boy that was bullied because he was small and best friends with the popular Yami Sennen."
"I was so surprised that he knew who I was, and I was even more surprised when he brought me flowers and a card with a message from each of my classmates to wish me well."
"Did I really do that?" said Yuugi. "I barely remember…" She remembered visiting Anzu, but not the card and flowers.
Anzu let out another laugh.
"You would forget about that wouldn't you?" said Anzu. "That's just the way you are. Always helping people and never asking for anything in return. I didn't cry until you left, but those flowers and card were what pushed me to keep going Yuugi. I wouldn't be dancing if it wasn't for you."
"Oh." Said Yuugi, now feeling even more embarrassed. "Well I'm sure Yami helped getting everyone's signature. I doubt anyone would have listened to me…"
Anzu slapped her hands on either side of Yuugi's face, making her jump as Anzu squished her cheeks.
"It wasn't just that instance." Said Anzu, looking intently into Yuugi's eyes. "That was just what made me notice you. You are a kind and thoughtful person Yuugi. You are always thinking of others before yourself, looking after people and listening to their problems. There's a reason Yami likes you and I guarantee it's because he can see how special you are. You bring people together Yuugi. Our gang of friends would not exist if it weren't for you."
Yuugi was too shocked to reply. She had no idea that Anzu felt that way about her. Through Anzu's description, Yuugi indeed sounded like an amazing person. Was that really her friend's perception of her?
Anzu let go of Yuugi's face, grabbing a black pencil.
"When someone tries to tear you down tonight, or you feel your strength waver." Said Anzu. "Don't forget what I told you. Remember what is important. Appearance and money have no true value when placed against kindness and love." Then she smiled like a minx. "Besides, by the time I'm done with you, Yami's going to have to fight all the boys to keep them off you."
Yuugi couldn't help the feeling or terror in her. "I told you to keep the makeup light!" she said.
"Nonsense." Said Anzu with a huff. "This is light, but that doesn't mean you can't be a show stopper. Sometimes less can be more."
Yuugi reluctantly closed her eyes, allowing Anzu to start lining them.
"You know Anzu." Said Yuugi, chewing on her lips. "You call me kind, but you do realize you're the one helping me tonight in my moment of crisis. While I appreciate your words, it's ironic coming from you as you help me."
She didn't deserve the high praise. After all, Anzu was the one over here helping her get ready. And then everyone had been so supportive of her through her emergence. How was she considered the thoughtful one?
Even so, she did feel better at Anzu's words, even if she was horribly biased.
"Oh hush." Said Anzu happily. "I've been dying to dress you up for ages. This just gave me a valid excuse to do so." She withdrew her hand with a flourish, grinning like crazy. "I must say, I outdid myself this time. You look gorgeous!"
Yuugi slid off the chair, taking a second to balance herself in the short heels Ryuji had bought with her yesterday. He had also gotten the dress she was wearing, insisting that she had to wear it tonight. Since she didn't have any money or any dresses nice enough for a banquet, so she had allowed it for now. She'd just pay him back later.
She crossed the short distance between the chair and the full length mirror in her room. Her mouth fell open in shock. Despite her hanging mouth, it did nothing to deter from the masterpiece created from the magic of makeup and hair products.
Her ebony locks had been pulled back from her face, several layers of curls cascading down the back of her head. A decorative pin sat within them to complete the delicate look, her bangs swept expertly to the side with a single curl of blonde resting on her forehead. They matched the dress she was wearing, the fabric shimmering in a soft gold. It was a short dress, a sash emphasizing her small waist, the skirt flaring out and ending right above her knees. A few borrowed bracelets hung from her wrist, a matching studded necklace decorating her collarbone.
Then there was her face.
It continued to astound Yuugi how makeup could change a person's appearance. Her eyes looked twice as big, a single line of black winging out from her eyes. It made her look sweet. Cute and innocent. And since when had her eyelashes been that prominent? They were currently hitting her eyebrows due to how wide she was staring at her reflection.
"Holy Sh*t!" yelled Yuugi. "I'm a girl!"
"Yes Yuugi." Said Anzu. "That's kinda the point."
"But I'm a girly girl." Said Yuugi, unable to tear her eyes from the reflection. "I look like flipping Cinderella! What the heck!"
"You make it sound like that's a bad thing."
Never did Yuugi feel more like a fake than standing here looking into her reflection. She'd been content as woman, as long as she didn't have to be girly like one. Now here she was, the only way she could look even more girly if she was wearing a wedding dress.
Yuugi had to quickly banished the mired of thoughts that image brought to her head.
"It's not too late for me to buy a pantsuit is it?" said Yuugi, voice weak. "I don't think I can leave the house looking like this."
"You look fine Yuugi." Said Anzu, coming to stand beside Yuugi, grinning like it was Christmas.
With the low heals, Yuugi was slightly taller than usual, coming up to Anzu's middle. Standing by Anzu, the epitome of what a woman should be in Yuugi's eyes, she didn't feel inferior. Their styles were different - Anzu looked sexy in her tube top while Yuugi looked cute - but she didn't feel less like a woman anymore. She felt… like an equal.
Yuugi let out a large breath of air, most of her nerves exiting with it. How many times was she going to have to rediscover a new side of herself before she felt comfortable with being female?
Anzu laughed, and Yuugi realized she must have said the last thoughts out loud.
"Oh Yuugi, that doesn't go away." She said with a grin. "I find myself constantly rediscovering my identity every day. It's the nature of life."
"I guess."
Yuugi smiled, the reflection's eye shining in anticipation. Even if Yami was mad at her, she was determined to get him to forgive her and want her back. Hopefully, looking like this would work in her favor.
Thanks for reading!
Thank you lovely reviewers! AnimaniAshley, SkyNakama27, Hiei Dragon Girl, devilface1034, Neko Yasha of the Sky, Mistoka, ForeverWildfire2.0 , catgirl505 and Neko Yasha of the Sky
Neko Yasha of the Sky: Woops. Thanks for pointing out the Duke slip. Didn't even notice it until you mentioned it. Yes, according to the Yugioh wiki, Ryuji = Duke. XD
Hopefully this chapter answered your question devilface1034. (I forget that you guys don't know all the background info I do. XD)