Going back to school was a terrifying thing for Téa, and it never felt the same as it used to. School, as annoying and awful as it was at times, was where she made some great memories with friends. Since it was a new school year, it meant that she would have new classes. She was actually glad this was the case as it meant no recollection of memories in these classes with her friends. It would have hurt all the more if everything was nostalgic.

Téa had been afraid she might have been forced to stay back a year. Luckily, she was allowed to enroll despite missing a few months of school so long as she made up some of the exams she had missed. The bad part, unfortunately, was that some of her previous teachers also taught her new classes and even that reminded her of her friends. It didn't matter who the teacher was though, they all knew who she was and what had happened. The entire school knew and no one treated her like she was supposed to be. She was sure all her teachers were being extra easy on grading her assignments considering the grades she received back despite her lack of supposed demonstration. Everyone pitted her. That was alright, she thought, because it was true, Téa was pitiful and Téa pitted herself.

She and Atem were the topic of whispers in the classroom now that she was back. Téa was thankful most of her classes were with Atem, and that she could sit next to him. For once, it seemed her teachers were being thoughtful to place them next to each other.

She'd grab on to Atem's arm whenever they'd walk in the hallway… she couldn't really help it. Atem and her essentially became attached at the hip.

The most painful part of every class period, however, was roll call when they called Atem. Except, they weren't really calling Atem, they were calling Yugi, who was dead.

Téa thought that the pain would begin to dull away as time went on. Except what people forget to tell you is a dull knives is the most painful. Every day she'd hear them call "Mutou Yugi" and she'd flinch. She tried to not hear, she'd try to close her eyes, she'd try to think of something else. It felt like she was being stabbed in the stomach.

Yugi was dead.

Yet, here they were calling out his name like he was here and alive.

Sometimes she felt she should be dead too. She felt numb and barren and all the other students were afraid to approach her, yet they were so sickly sweet to her. She was a shell of the person she used to be.

The final period bell went off and Téa sighed of relief. Finally, she could go home. She looked to Atem. "I'll be right back." She told him. "I'm just going to put one of my books back in my locker and I'll meet you by the door, ok?"

Atem looked at her, eyes unreadable and nodded. Téa got up, slinging her bag on, and grabbed some of her books in hand before starting to walk. That was another thing that Téa had noted, Atem's eyes were either completely blank and emotionless, or held such passion and emotion it scared her at times. How could that be? Atem had been so sweet to her this whole time. Not only did he sleep next to her every night to keep the nightmares away, he became her hugging pillow too!

Téa smiled at the thought of Atem being considered her hugging pillow. She shook out of her thoughts thought when suddenly she hit someone and was fell to the floor with a soft thud. "Oww." She complained although it didn't hurt much. Maybe she had been a little lost in thought, but that person had clearly been careless. She opened her mouth to scold the guy when she looked up and saw who it was.

Seto Kaiba.

Seto had been rushing to get out of school, when some girl knocked into him. He was just about open his mouth to chew out the imbecile who knocked into him, when he saw who it was.

Gardner.

He swallowed, seeing her look up at him from the ground. Instantly it reminded him of the nerd herd who was no longer here. He hesitantly outstretched his hand to help Téa up who widened her eyes in shock at the gesture, but eventually took it. Seto then proceeded to pick up her books for her, and shoved it to her, before hesitantly replying a gruff "Sorry," and walking swiftly away.

Téa froze blinking a few times in shock.

Seto Kaiba had just apologized to her. He had helped her up and then picked up her books for her.

Téa trembled, and then fell to the floor in the empty hall and started to sob. Even the great Seto Kaiba was giving her special treatment. She was so pitiful that even Seto was giving her kindness. Téa realized that was a rude thought to have, but it was an honest one nevertheless.

Everything was wrong in the world. Her friends were dead. No one was telling her it would all be ok or even try reassuring her, because it wouldn't.

"Téa?!" She heard from afar. As she squinted from her blurred vision, she saw Atem running across the hall towards her.

He crouched down. "Téa, are you ok?" He asked worriedly, his hands gripping her shoulders, scared.

"Oh Atem…" She began before moving forward to slump against her 'hugging pillow' and drop her head on his shoulder. She wondered to herself 'would it ever get better?'

This chapter was a little bit depressing, but I want to reiterate the fact that this fic will start out with some gloominess, but will hopefully develop with a more positive light as it goes on. Also, remember that there might be possible plot twists in store as I continue to write this fic.

Please review!

~Startistica