"You've already won me over in spite of me
I couldn't help it
It's all your fault.'
(Jagged Little Pill)
"A comeback duel," I murmur with my hand placed on top of my pentacles necklace. "So. That's why the Professor was here. He was meant to duel Ruka."
"What?" Yusei gives me a side-eye glance. He's leaning against his D-Wheel, his eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
"Godwin's whole plan is to find those marks," I point a black painted nail to my forearm. Yusei seems to understand what I mean. His posture straightens. "Ruka would be the only one he doesn't have confirmation on. He must have guessed Ruka would have lost her duel. He throws in some bullshit comeback and puts in dipshit as the starring role."
"If he needs confirmation, why organize a tournament?"
"So he can get video evidence," I nod to the camera in the corner of the room. "Verbal proof isn't enough for him." I pause. "What do you think my role in this is supposed to be?"
Yusei hesitates. "Is that all he sees you as?"
It's all I see myself as. The one who's supposed to find the Signers. I nod my head. "Yeah," I bite my lip. "Which…doesn't make sense. If that's the case, why wasn't I picked to duel Ruka?" Ruka was in the stands with Lux, Yanagi, and Himuro. I whip out my phone and try to call Lucy. No answer. That's unusual.
"Why does he think Ruka is one of the Signers?" Yusei practically spits out the word.
"Don't know," I shrug my shoulders. "I think she's one."
"She's a kid."
"Yeah, I have eyes. Destiny doesn't care. But. That's only four out of five. " I look up to focus on Yusei's gaze. "Who's the fifth? I was told by Godwin… " I trail off, my mind going off a mile per minute. "There's supposed to be five."
He doesn't have an answer for me. I didn't expect him to. I dial a number and call Elodie.
"Kal?" She answers on the second ring.
"What the hell is this about?" I start pacing around the room. Yusei's eyes oversee me as I move. I stick my tongue out at him until he glances away.
"It was in the planned schedule. One duelist who has lost gets the chance to duel the Professor. If they win, they're back in the tournament. If they lose-"
"Why Ruka?"
"I'm not sure. Godwin said it was randomly chosen."
Randomly chosen my fucking ass. There was more truth to Godwin having a secret Kuriboh tattoo on his ass. "Thanks," I breathe quickly before hanging up. "Go make sure Ruka is okay," I order Yusei.
"What are you planning?" Yusei doesn't object, which surprises me.
I grimace. "I'm going straight to the source."
Yusei seems to ponder this. "Go."
I don't hesitate. I turn on my heel and begin to race towards the elevator that would take me to the top floor. I don't notice there's someone in the elevator with me. Not until a hand sweeps down, pressing every. Single. Button. I open my mouth to swear, to no avail. I'm pressed against the wall.
"What did you do?" I glare up at Jackass Asshole. His hands are gripping my wrists, forcing me to stay where I was.
"Saving you before you do something moronic," He growls out, his hands only tightening. I debate kneeing him in his stupid dick, but ultimately decide that would be too mean.
However, It's not off the table yet.
"I'm trying to figure out what the fuck is going on!" I shriek back at him, wrenching my hands out of his, and yet, I'm still backed into a wall.
"Don't you get it?" Jack's face is close to mine. "Her first duel revealed nothing. I already had a talk with Bommer. You and I both know he asked her to throw the duel."
"She's a kid!" I spit. "The fact that Bommer doesn't want her involved in this bullshit makes him a smarter man than you, than Godwin-"
"She's a kid involved in something bigger," Jack insists. "None of us have a choice. You heard Godwin's spiel. All of us, we're all involved in greatness, meant to take down the war against dark-"
"Don't tell me you believe in that," I push him away from me, but our bodies are still close. We're in the middle of the elevator now. "You? Working in a team?" I let out a dubious laugh. "You could never share the glory."
"And you could?" He throws it back at me.
"I'm not involved in this!" I wave both of my hands around us. "This, this is all you!" I point at him. "And Yusei, and Godwin, but me? After this, I'm…I…" I don't know. I don't know what I'll do. I haven't thought about it. "Ruka stays with me," I decide on. "She's not getting involved."
"Does she have a choice?" Jack's voice is low. Something in me snaps. I shove him against the elevator. This time, I'm blocking him. He's against the wall.
"She's a kid!" I repeat. "Is she supposed to throw it away? Is she supposed to say hey, fuck going to school, I'm going to run away for some bullshit-"
"She would not be throwing her life away-"
"Then what is she going to do?" I'm panting from yelling. This entire time, there's been dinging as the elevator doors open and close. "You can't tell me there's no risk. At least us- at least…" I'm almost crying. "She's supposed to have a future."
"The cards are dealt in her favor," Suddenly, Jack's hand is on my cheek. "Unlike you. That's what you meant to say."
"That's not true," I murmur as I lean into his touch. "You don't know what we're going against. You don't know what will happen."
"And you do?"
"Yes!" I snap.
No. Wait.
Why do I feel like this?
Jack looks down at me, his eyes widening for a short moment, only hardening a second more.
I push away from Jack, backing up, and not stopping until my back hit the other side of the elevator. My eyes are wide. My hands reach up to curl my fists through my hair. My head hurts. It all. Hurts.
"What did you remember?" Jack is staying away. I'm glad.
"Nothing!" I shout back. I'm shaking. Why do I feel like this? Why am I so scared? What does she know, about the threat the Signers will face, that I don't know? "Nothing," I repeat in a softer tone. I release my hands from my hair. "I don't remember anything."
"Kallen," Jack carefully steps forward. His hands take mine, slowly. They move up, reaching for my face. His hands are gloved, and yet, I still feel the warmth radiating off of him. I grip onto his hands like a life preserver that will save me from my jumble of broken thoughts. "I'm here," He promises me. "I'm not going anywhere." His thumb brushes over my cheek, catching any stray tear that may have been there. "You can tell me."
I can't stop looking at him. Why? That's what I want to ask. Why me. Why settle for me. I'm not anything. I'm not. Her.
I'm not good. I'm not anything great. I'm just a beautiful face. I'm just a pretty face.
Jack was the one who said it best. I was a coward.
"I can't-" I try to back up, but Jack presses his forehead against mine. I stop. My body shivers from the contact.
"Tell me why," He demands. "I won't leave until you give me a reason why this won't work."
I could list so many. I can't commit to anything- anyone. There are too many days where I have to convince myself it's worth it just to get out of bed and continue living, and yet, those are the days I have to drink four cups of coffee because if I don't, I won't even shower, I won't do anything, but those are the days I have to deal with my heart and thoughts racing the entire day with no breaks until I take a pill to go to sleep.
I want to be famous on my own, not by being the King's Sidepiece. I don't need pity or handouts to climb my way to the top. I don't think I deserve to be with someone like him. Someone handsome, intelligent, passionate-
There's thousands, millions, of people who would want to be with Jack Atlas.
Why does he want me?
"It's me," I say, my smile bitter. "Why would it work?"
"Because it's you," He answers so easily, his eyes never breaking contact with mine.
"You've been chasing me for years," It's there. The voice that isn't mine. "I've let you down. Again. And again." My eyes blur. "Why? Why me?"
"You keep running," Jack tilted my chin up with his finger. "I've followed you across an island. There's nothing I wouldn't do to find you." He brushes my bangs so carefully out of my face. "It's you. Do you understand that?"
I don't. I don't understand.
My heart is vibrating. I don't think I've ever felt this many emotions at once. Jack's face comes closer to mine. For a second, I freeze. Then. I remind myself it's Jack. I close my eyes. And. I try to relax.
"Something's happening to Ruka Sakamoto! What is it? Is she brainwashed? Is she hypnotized? Or did she lose her-"
The elevator door is open. I shove Jack away from me to run out. We're on the top floor. I lean over the giant window in the hallway to get a glance of what's going on. Ruka is just. Standing there. Frozen. Speaking like it's. Not her. It's not her. I'm trembling. Jack puts his hand on my shoulder, but I rip it away from him.
"What the hell is going on?" I hiss out the words. Jack seems wounded at first, but his eyes quickly narrow.
"Calm down," Jack orders. That only pisses me off more.
"Calm down. Calm down?" I gesture out the window to the duel happening below. "I'm sorry, I know you don't give a shit-"
"I don't know why you think the duel would harm her. We need her."
"You need her. Godwin needs her. I need her to be emotionally unscarred!" I dig back. "Can you promise that?" I take a step forward, my fury seething out. "Don't act like you don't give a shit. If that was me down there-"
"Do not."
"Care now, don't you? Except she's a fucking fourteen-year-old girl." I glance back out the window. "I need to get down there." I start to run, but Jack grabs my hand. I look back, despite every part of my body screaming at me not to.
"Kallen," His voice is a warning. A message. He's angry. "I do care," His voice is low. Frustrated.
I melt. Despite it all, I melt under his words. I know that I'm the asshole. I don't know how to stop being the asshole.
"If I met you first," I try to smile in what I hope is reassuring. "This would have been different." Before Ike. Before I was ruined. "You wanted a why."
Jack doesn't say anything. I don't think there is anything to say. He lets go of my hand.
"The duel ended in a draw," Jack informs me. I lean over the banister. Yusei is carrying Ruka out of the arena.
"The next bracket is out," I murmur. Yusei vs Bommer. Me vs Aki.
Psychic versus Psychic.
I have to go. I start to run off but instead chose to slow my steps. I want to take one last look at Jack.
He's staring back. I try to smile. I think it's more of a grimace. Jack nods at me. "I'm sorry," I tell him sincerely. There's too much to apologize for. I'm sorry. For being. Me?
This time I take the stairs. My nerves won't allow me to stand still long enough to stay in the elevator. I only need to go down to the fourth floor, I tell myself as I sprint down the stairs.
"Kallen!" Rise reaches me first. She's clinging onto my arm, her cherry lips pursed out of worry. "Have you-"
"Haven't been there yet," I take Rise's hand in mine and lace our fingers together. "Come on." Rise lets me drag her to the infirmary, where I assumed Yusei had taken Ruka.
"Kallen! Kallen!" Ruka waved to us from one of the doors.
"Ruka!" Rise wasted no time in bending down to give Ruka a hug. Ruka squirmed, clearly uncomfortable by the attention. Yusei stood leaning against the doorframe.
"I'm fine! Stop fussing," Ruka whined as she tried to get out of Rise's claws.
"Yeah, she was probably just faking!" Rua crossed his arms over his chest.
"From what I heard, you were out too!" Rise whirled on Rua with a glare that made Rua race back into the room.
"Kallen!" Ruka began tugging on my sleeve. I had no choice but to give her my undivided attention. "That guy I was dueling against made me go to the spirit world, and I saw Lucy! She and this big dragon said the spirit world was in trouble."
"That's enough," I smiled and patted Ruka on the head. "I'm going to go get you some water," I said both to have a brief excuse to leave and to process what the fuck Ruka just told me. Thank the gods' nobody decides to follow me.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It's a familiar three buzz vibration. I whip out my phone so I can send Ike straight to voicemail. The last thing I needed to hear right now was some slimy piece of shit tell me how well I did in my duel. I know, thanks.
"You."
I don't have to look up to know who it is. I shove my phone in my back pocket. "Me," I say back, a natural smirk sliding across my face. Not that she can see it. My back is turned to her. "What do you want? I can't imagine you wanting to shit talk."
"Did you ask Godwin to pair us together?" The Black Rose Witch questions me.
"No. Why would I?" Let's pretend, for a second, Godwin would ever listen to me in a way that would interfere with his carefully crafted plans. I'm not an idiot. I may be family, but beyond that, I'm still a pawn he can use. "Just say it. We're both psychics."
I can feel Aki bristling from here. "I saw your duel," I continue. "I thought that cult you're in was supposed to train you how to use your powers."
The air turns tense. I feel the build-up of power around us. For once, I'm almost chuckling, it's not mine. "Are you saying I duel rough?" Aki hisses out. "They deserve it."
"Rough?" I raise my eyebrow with a snort. I can only think of one situation where playing rough is a good thing, and it isn't dueling.
"We can't avoid it," Aki huffs out. "You'll see. It won't be long before they call you the same thing-"
"A witch?" At that, I finally turn my head to look at Aki. Her fists are clenched at her sides. My mouth tilts up, my teeth exposed in my smirk. "Didn't you hear the crowd? My victory, versus yours." I step closer, one step at a time, but keep the distance between us. "I won't hurt someone. Not even you. That's the difference, yeah?" I cross my arms over my chest. "I was trained by someone who went to Osiris. The Arcadia Movement trains weapons." Aki opens her mouth to argue, but I hold up my hand, commanding attention. "Ah," I hold up a finger. "Shouldn't you know best?" On that last beat, I turned on my heel and began walking away. I feel Aki's heated glare staring after me. I give a slight wave in the air. "See you tomorrow, Black Rose."
What did I come out into the hall for? Water. Water for Ruka. Water because I was hiding. Shit. My chance to shit talk distracted me from my mission.
Someone grabs onto me. For a moment, I think it's one of the Arcadia goons. There's no aura. I take a breath and force myself to relax. When I turn, it's Rise. I smile despite my nerves but freeze at the look on Rise's face. "What is it?" My voice is calm. I have to be. For Rise.
"Rua's gone," Rise's voice shakes. "We can't find him anywhere."
My phone is out in an instant, my fingers instantly dialing for Elodie. "Check every camera," I say as soon as I hear the dial tone stop. "Rua's missing. Can you find him?"
"On it," Elodie doesn't skip a beat. "Last seen?"
"Fourth floor, med wing," Rise comes beside me and says into my ear where the phone rests. My phone vibrates in my hand. Ruka's calling.
"Text me when you find something," I tell Elodie before abruptly hanging up. "Yeah?" I answer Ruka.
"It's me," That voice belongs to Yusei. I smile just hearing his voice. "I'm taking Ruka on my runner to places nearby. Stay there."
"Roger," I hang up on him. Rise is giving me that puppy-dog wide-eyed look.
"She's fine," I say dismissively to Rise with a shrug.
"Are you sure?" Rise purses her lips.
"Yeah," I nod. "I trust Yusei with everything I've got. Okay?"
Rise hesitates. "Okay," She nods. Elodie texted; at least, I feel the vibration going off in my hand.
E=MC2: Looks like he's in the garage. Seemed pretty bummed
"The garage?" I babble out loud, my steps already taking us towards the stairs. Rise follows behind quickly in her heels while I text Lux to meet me there. "What the fuck is he doing down there?"
"Was he looking at the D-Wheels?" Rise suggests. I tilt my head to think about it. "He might have overheard something. You know how worried he gets."
"Maybe," It's not a bad idea. If Rua overheard someone saying something about doing something, he wouldn't hesitate to charge in himself.
"Ah, how lucky I am! Did you see what they're saying?" Lux is already in the garage, his bleached hair spiked up with a massive grin on his face. He held his phone in his hands, some dating app pulled up. "You've already got at least seven people pretending to be you to get di-"
"Rua's missing," I put my hand in his face to cut him off. This seems to sober him up, or at least, he puts his phone back into his pocket. I continue my stride to my d-wheel, my fingers typing quickly to run a diagnosis. From first glance, nothing seemed wrong. Yusei was out on his own. If there was something wrong, he would have noticed by now, and he would have told me. "There's nothing wrong," I tell Rise and Lux with a frown. "If Rua overheard somethin' about D-Wheels, it ain't mine."
"He ain't sabotagin' someone else's, is he?" Lux catches on quick. He raises a slitted eyebrow. I raise my own eyebrows in response.
"That wouldn't work. Kallen's next duel isn't a turbo duel," Rise picks at her nail polish anxiously.
"Jack wouldn't keep his runner with the commoners," I add.
"Yeah, but what about Yusei's?" Lux crosses his arms over his vest. Rise and I both pause, our heads clicking to meet the others' gaze as we both thought the same thing.
"Yusei's next duel is turbo," I realize.
"He went to Bommer's garage!" Rise is bouncing on her heels, unable to stay still. I press a button on my monitor to call Yusei's runner. The connection is busy. I swear underneath my breath.
"What's the update, chief?" Elodie joins our group. Fuck, we probably looked odd. We had Elodie in her pristine business attire as an intern, Lux is his ripped cheap punk, me in my dueling outfit, and Rise still dressed in her glittery ensemble.
"We think Rua's in Bommer's garage," I'm the one who answers the unspoken question. "Think you can-"
"Sent," Elodie grins cheekily as she presses the button on her phone. "His address, right? I assume that's what you want."
"Right," I brush a hand through my hair with a smile. "Mind giving Rise a lift there?" Elodie had a car. My d-wheel, as updated as it was, only let me take one passenger.
"Meet you there," Elodie agrees. Rise takes one look at me, hesitating, but I give her a reassuring nod.
"Are you gonna let me drive?" Lux waggles an eyebrow at me. I toss the spare helmet at his head, but unfortunately, he expertly catches the damn thing. I swing my leg over the seat and settle myself down.
"Get on," I rev my engine, fully intending on leaving without the asshole. Just as I start to drive off, Lux lets out a holler, his sprint swift as he jumps on the back of my d-wheel and sweeps one arm around my waist.
"Can you go any faster?" Lux teases. I snort. I would if I weren't following behind Elodie's car. I know this alley. It's a nicer part of the city, one where most of the most expensive garages are at. They don't hire anyone without experience, ha. Or kids, as I was spitefully told.
"Here!" Elodie pops her head out of her car and points to a plain-looking garage. Lux and I get there first. Even before Elodie and Rise catch up, Lux is already working diligently on the lock.
"That's illegal!" Rise hisses.
"We got Elodie," I wave her off. "She said we're fine."
"She's not an officer, Kal!"
"Yeah, but she's the daughter of one. Close enough, yeah?"
"Definitely didn't say we were fine," Elodie chimes in. "I'm just pretending I can't see what you're doing, and then I'll pretend we found this place unlocked."
"Aaaaaand while y'all were yappin', I'm already in," Lux breaks open the mechanical lock. He cracks his fingers with a wide grin. "So. Who's gonna give me a thank you smooch?"
I respond by sticking my palm in his face and shoving him backward, my steps easily taking me into the garage. Rise follows behind, her fingers clutching mine tightly out of fear. "Found him," I announce.
"I'll kill him," Rise states as sweetly as a button. Yes, there was Rua all right. Passed out on the ground. The fucker fell asleep on the ground. Yet. My eyes sweep to the gigantic d-wheel of Bommer's. I want to inspect it, look over it, see what makes it-
"Got him!" Lux heaves Rua over his shoulder. "Better head out before the cops get called."
"I'll call Yusei-," I move to call Yusei on my d-wheel when a hand catches my shoulder. Based on Elodie's, Lux's, and Rise's terrified faces, I could only guess it was one person. "Bommer," I greet without moving. "You're probably wonderin' why we broke into your garage."
"Not so," Bommer moves in front of me and gestures to the cameras in the corner. He was watching the entire time, I wonder.
"Listen, we ain't here for anythin' other than the kid," I stand tall. "I'm sorry-"
"It's impressive you were able to break in," Bommer's tone throws me off my guard. "May I ask how?"
"Ah!" Lux lifts his hand in the air like a student waiting to be praised by the teacher. "That was me. Lemme tell you, I've broken into worse Public Maintenance places. Compared to that, this was a piece of cake, baby."
"Is that so?" Bommer lets out a chuckle. "You'll have to show me your tricks."
"Okay, this is fun and all," I clear my throat. "Shouldn't you be pissed? Furious? For fuck's sake-"
"Walk with me. We'll take him home," Bommer takes Rua from Lux and begins to walk out of the garage. Elodie looks at me. I shrug my shoulders.
"Take Lux home," I tell her. Lux looks like he wants to say something, but I shoot him a glare.
"See you tomorrow, tomorrow girl," Lux salutes me.
"Careful, Kal," Elodie warns. I just nod at them. Rise takes my hand again. I squeeze once, let go, and move to push my d-wheel beside Bommer.
"You," Bommer seems to recognize Rise. She jumps in the air with a squeak. "You are the announcer, yes?"
"Y-yes!" Rise bows her head.
"Ah," Bommer looks inquisitive. "I see. You two must be close," He says, meaning Rise and I. "I must apologize for my behavior towards you. You did nothing wrong."
"Thank you?" Rise says it like a question. "About my cousin, I'm really really so-"
"No, don't," Bommer cuts her off gently. "I must say, he reminds me of my own younger siblings. And you," Bommer looks at me. "You remind me of me."
"How?" I ask. The sound of an engine interrupts the tense air. When I turn, a pair of arms are wrapped around my waist. Ruka. She peers from behind me and looks to Rua on Bommer's shoulders. Yusei lifts the shield on his helmet.
"Rua was sleeping in Bommer's garage," I state dryly before anyone can say anything. "Bommer is surprisingly not upset, and now we're walking to the twin's rich house so we hopefully drink away this day. Are you joining?" My smile hopefully keys him in that he has no choice. Yusei lets out a sigh. He sets his helmet underneath his seat and joins me in pushing his d-wheel beside mine.
"Why not?" Yusei shakes his head.
"What's happening?" Ruka sits on my d-wheel as I push it. I allow it, somehow.
"We don't know either," Rise tugs on a piece of her thick blonde hair.
"Tell me something about you, Bommer," I say through gritted teeth. "We need a story to pass the time."
"No, you want to know more about my motives," Bommer calmly points out. I don't disagree. It's true. "A trade for trade. You first."
"Name it," I banter back.
"How did the two of you first meet?" He gestures to myself and Rise. "I must say. The combination seems-"
"Odd," I finish for him. "I'm aware." I let out a sigh. "Crash landed here a while ago. Woke up in the hospital. Couldn't remember anything."
"How?"
"I found her," Rise speaks up. "She was…" Rise doesn't seem to know how to answer. "Well, she was on the shore. Just…in the sand." Rise has a faraway look in her eyes. "I was on my morning jog, and…I remember calling for an ambulance. I lied. I said she was my cousin, because…" Rise looks to me, unwilling to say anything else.
"Rise thought I was Satellite," I verbalize it for her. "Don't know if you know. It's illegal for anyone from Satellite to live here. If they thought I was from there, they would've shipped me off to the Center rather than a hospital."
"Why Kallen?" Yusei questions.
"I picked it out," The tips of Rise's ears turn red. I know why. It was the name of her imaginary friend before I came. A lonely girl with parents that were never there. Just like Ruka and Rua.
"Is that your story?" Bommer prods.
"Rise is my story," I feel the heat of Yusei's stare on my back. "That's all there is." I give Bommer a side-glance. "Pay up, buckaroo. It's your turn."
"We are here, are we not?" Bommer nods at the tall building in front of us. The bastard was right.
"Let's finish this inside," Rise decides for us.
Rua's in his bed. Bommer was amazingly gentle putting him there, and then for the kicker, tucking him in. Ruka, on the other hand, was another story. She wouldn't calm down until Rise had agreed to stay the night. That's where Rise was now- talking to Ruka.
I'm pouring Rise a glass of white wine. Red for myself and Bommer.
"What do you want?" I ask Yusei. He makes a face. "If you say milk, I'll throw this," I deliver the words sweetly.
He glances away. "I'm fine."
"Suit yourself," I put the wine bottle away. "You should hate me," I tell Bommer bluntly. "You don't. Why?"
Bommer sips his glass of wine. "Why are you dueling in this tournament, Kallen?" He uses my name purposefully. I blink.
"You promised a story," I remind him. "I fight because I don't have a choice."
"As I thought. We are alike," Bommer has a faint close-lipped smile. "And you, Yusei?"
Yusei pauses, probably to think about his answer. "Godwin has my friends," Yusei bites out. "They stay locked up until this tournament finishes."
"Yes. I can understand. I assume the two of you understand the story of the Signers," Bommer sets his glass on the table. "You see, my village is where the first battles took place. They say it's where the Signers, and the Crimson Dragon, originated. The first war against the Dark Signers and the army of light with their dragons. Growing up, I knew the myth well," Bommer's eyes scan Yusei's, searching for something none of us can outright see. "My village is gone. Godwin promised if I helped to expose the Signers, he would pay for the reconstruction. My younger sister and brother are there now."
"The Crimson Dragon," I echo. "Don't tell me you believe in that bullshit."
"How could I not?" Bommer counters. "Were you not there when it arrived in this city?"
My mind travels back to that moment in the KaibaDome- when Yusei and I dueled. I don't remember when it came. I just remember it was during my turn. I don't know why and I damn well don't know-how. Without thinking, I reach for my deck attached to my belt and pull a card. Hanged Man upright. Bommer. This card means useless sacrifice. It's attached to Bommer. Why. What the fuck did this even mean?
"Leave her out of this," Yusei is strangely defensive over this. Bommer gives him a look. I set my hand down on top of Yusei's.
"It's fine," My voice is softer than I expected it to be. "I'm gonna- I'll go check on Rise." I move out of my seat and head towards Ruka's room. Before I can reach the door, a small hand drags me in. I let out a squeak, but Rise pushes me up against the door, her hand over my mouth. "Shhhhhh!" Her other hand is over her lips.
"What the fuck?" I whisper back. "Rise, were you eavesdropping?"
"What do you think?" She blurts out. "Kallen, you don't really believe any of that, do you? Crimson Dragon, Signers, dark forces-"
"Calm down, fuck," I gently pry her hands off me.
"Kallen, that's my cousin involved in all this. And you!" There are tears in her eyes.
"I'm not a part of this," I say quickly without much thought.
"You will be. You keep doing all these things you wouldn't have done before and-" Rise is almost hyperventilating at this point. "I can't be a part of that. What if something happens to Ruka? What if something happens to you?"
"I don't know," I say, only because I haven't put much thought into any of this. "But nothing will."
Rise is starting to cry. "You're changing," She murmurs. "What happens if you change too much? What if I don't recognize you?"
"I'm still Kallen," I tell her. "If I change, I'll still love you."
Rise takes a deep breath. I don't know what's gotten into her. "This is too weird," She shakes her head. "I don't-I can't be involved. I'm sorry. I know I told you I'd be there, but…"
"I'm not asking you to be a part of this. It's not your war. It's not mine," I take her hand in mine. "It's theirs."
"No, but…" Rise looks like she's going to counter, but doesn't. She looks up at me with a bitter smile. "I want to be alone," She tells me. "I'll stay with Ruka."
Oh. Ouch. This is probably the first time Rise hasn't wanted me around her. I open my mouth to say something but close it just as quickly. I don't know what to say.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Rise hooks her pinkie through mine. "Okay?"
"Okay," I say, knowing there wasn't anything else to say. "Night, idol."
"Night, Kal," She gives me one last tired smile. I have to force myself to turn around and shut the door behind me. Bommer is gone. He must have left sometime while I was gone. It's just Yusei sitting on the couch.
"We're leaving," I proclaim to him. Yusei waits no time heading for the door. "Did you scare off our guest?"
"We had a disagreement," Yusei admits. "He trusts Godwin's word."
"A mistake," I snip.
"He doesn't believe that," Yusei presses the down button for the elevator. "Are we heading home?"
Home. He called it home. My insides tingle and freeze. "You're staying the night?" I blurt out.
"If you want me to," Yusei seems to have realized what he said.
The elevator dings. We both step out and head for our d-wheels. Instead of mounting them, we're walking side by side pushing them down the alley. I realize I haven't answered his question yet. "Yeah," I look and smile at the raven-haired boy. "If you want to stay. I mean."
"Yeah," He looks away from me. "I do."
We walk in silence. It's not tense. It's actually nice.
"Yusei," I say suddenly. He gives me his undivided attention. "I want to know a piece of our story."
"Name it," He's quick to answer.
"How did we meet?"
Yusei snorts under his breath. "You threw a wrench at me."
"I did not."
"Yeah, you did. We were in rival gangs in Satellite. I was in the scrapyard- both of us had the same informant, I guess. There was a rare part found. I found it first. You decided to knock me down with the wrench, took the part, and took off. I didn't even know your name."
"Shit, you're making this up."
"Second time, you did it again. That's how we kept meeting. Every time, you'd say the same thing."
"Goodbye until tomorrow," The phrase comes into my head.
"The tomorrow girl," Yusei confirms.
"So. You're the one who came up with it," I can feel my face growing hot. I don't like it. I don't like this feeling. Yusei doesn't answer. "Wrench to the face. No wonder you've only got like, one brain cell."
"Says the amnesiac."
"You got me," We're both chuckling. It's nice. This is. Nice. Nice.
I'm awoken in the middle of the night by someone closing the door. Normally, I wouldn't hear that, but apparently you can fucking hear everything when you're sleeping on the pull out couch in the living room.
I sit up, my eyes squinting in the dark. It's not that hard when the said person walking in has neon orange hair. Lucy's eyes were puffy, rimmed entirely in red. She sniffed.
"Luce?" I frown. "What's up?"
"Oh, you know. Spirit world is collapsing to shit. Dads say it's sick. Can't do anything, because, well. I don't know. Magic. I guess," Lucy scratches her arm. She's wearing an oversized sweater with a pentacle symbol on the fleece. Underneath, the writing states 'HEATHEN SEASON'.
"It'll be okay," I try and reassure her. "Maybe it's the same shit we're goin' through."
"Yeah. Maybe helping 'ole red crimmy will help it," Lucy tries to joke about the Crimson Dragon. "I'm just...I'm…" Lucy's eyes tear us. She runs forward, throws her arms around my shoulders, and suffocates me into a hug. For a moment, I'm startled. Slowly, I bring up my arms around my friend and hold her while she silently cries.
"I'm sorry," Lucy apologizes with her face pressed up against my shoulder.
"Fuck, Luce, don't you dare say sorry for having emotions," I feel her laugh against me as I awkwardly pat her back.
"Kal," Lucy's tone is different. My stomach drops. I feel the mischievous air return. "Were you sleeping beside Yusei?" She leans back, her smirk present. "Did something happen while I was gone?"
"You're evicted," I state plainly. Lucy covers her mouth over her hand to avoid cackling. She disappears into her room. Once the door shuts, I hear her loud giggles echo throughout the entire house. I would have thrown my shoe at the door if I hadn't been scared of waking Yusei. I drop back onto the pillows, my face hot and most likely red.
"Hey," Yusei says from beside me.
"Hey," I repeat back. "Did I wake you?"
"No," He yawns. "Dreams. We fell asleep."
"Talking, yeah," I lift my knees up to my chest. "Sorry."
"Stop. Saying that." Yusei is once again wearing my sweatpants and an old oversized shirt.
"No," I gently kick him with my foot. He kicks back. "Yusei," My tone is suddenly serious. "Are you scared about this? Any of this?"
"Can't think like that," Yusei's tone is slightly muffled by his pillow. Slowly, he pushes himself up with his hands into a sitting position. I'm hesitating. Yusei must have seen that. "Are you?"
"No," My response is automatic. Yusei is giving me a look that clearly says he doesn't believe me. Which reminds me. Now that he's awake, I take my shoe from the floor and aim clear for Lucy's door. It lands, creating a loud crack. There's more, louder cackling behind the door, like a witch's lair.
If Yusei found that odd, he didn't say so. "Yusei," I say his name again, just because I can. "Can I ask you something?"
"Yeah. Always," Yusei leans his shoulder against mine. I like the distant affection.
"My brother. I want to know somethin'." I grab onto my arm, like a float that will keep my head above water. "Tell me. I don't. I don't even know his name."
Yusei takes his time to think about his words. "Yusuke," Yusei looks down at me. "Blonde. His eyes are like yours, but nicer."
"Oh, funny."
"He wanted to be a doctor. Like your Mom was."
"Just stick to my brother. Please," I whisper, my voice faltering only slightly.
"I know the two of you were close. You used to always say that you'd never leave without him. You made me swear we'd build two d-wheels, and that you'd take your brother with you when you left." Yusei pauses. "He used to steal books. He found a library. I think he read every book he could find, twice."
"Why did I leave him behind?" I'm not asking him. He doesn't know.
"We all asked the same thing. I know he misses you," Yusei's hand rests on top of mine. "For a while, everyone was convinced you were gone. Yusuke said he knew you were alive. And then. I found the magazine."
"Stop," I tell him, unable to take any more information. "That's enough." My whole body is trembling. I blink my eyes to avoid crying, but it's unavoidable. Tears leak through. I jump when a hand, a thumb, manages to catch one tear that fell. Yusei's face is right in front of mine.
"If you want to know who you are," Yusei's tone is gentle. "I can tell you."
I take in a breath. The real Tomorrow Girl. I spent so much time running for her, only for her to feel like she was taking leaps and bounds to catch up with me.
My thoughts run back to Rise's words. On how much I've changed.
"No," I take Yusei's hand in mine to gently move it off my face and instead, into my lap. "Not yet," I tell him. "Right now. Right now, I'm still Kallen."
"Okay," Yusei nods in agreement.
"Okay," I repeat, only because I have no idea what else to say.
Yusei shuffles beside me. His hands are warm on mine. I didn't know I was shivering. Yusei's jacket is wrapped across my shoulders. Without words, I lean my head on his shoulder. His arm is around me. For once. I felt safe. Secure. Like I wasn't. Drowning.
I allowed myself to close my eyes.