Téa still felt a little weak, but she was actually really happy with the progress she was making in her health due to the physical therapy she had been undergoing. She was trying to eat as healthy as possible, as well as increasing her protein intake. She also started weight lifting in order to try to regain the muscle mass she had lost. Sometimes Atem joined her at the gym and Téa couldn't help but steal peaks at him. He was really strong, and well, his arms really showed it. It made Téa blush.

She was thankful for the moments Atem was beside her when he didn't need to be. He was so damn supportive. He was helping her regain her emotional strength, which was just as important as her physical strength.

After some weight gain and progress with her health, Téa was able to re-enroll in dance class. Her parents thought it would be helpful in getting her minds off things—which was true. But it frustrated her. She had been so good, and now because of her gap in training she was behind. Téa had towered over the other ballerinas and dancers in skill, but now many of them had surpassed her.

Every time she felt off balance or unskilled she was reminded of what had happened. Dance was supposed to be her outlet, what had happened?

She puffed again as she stopped and restarted. She was staying after hours at the dance studio trying to practice more and catch up on the other girls. As she did a pirouette, she saw Atem enter from the side door. She usually left that door open because Atem would come pick her up after her personal practice.

She tried to smile at him, as she continued to dance, but Atem's expression was unreadable. Once she finished, she sighed and turned off the music and murmured a "hey" to him.

"How was practice?" He inquired, leaning against the wall.

"It was good." She breathed, taking her small towel and wiping the sweat off her forehead, turning to face him.

Atem looked at the floor and then up, and then repeated the motion all over again. Something was up and Téa knew it. "Atem?" She narrowed her eyes. "What's up?" She placed her hands of her hips.

Atem opened his mouth to speak, and then closed in, scratching the back of his head. He tried again, "Well… I thought we should do something fun. It's boring doing the same stuff every day and it might cheer us up."

"O-kay." Téa replied, widening her eyes slightly, waiting for him to continue.

"So…" he gave a half-grin, his amethyst eyes lighting up. "I bought us tickets to the circus!" He smiled.

Téa smiled back warmly at him. He was so cute when he was enthusiastic. Truth be told, she didn't know how the circus would do that much, but it could be fun. He was right, they needed a change of scenery besides watching movies and playing video games all day.

"Sure." She piped. "When are they for?"

"Uh, tonight."

"What?" She exclaimed.

After a shower, and a change of clothes from home, Téa and Atem made their way over to the circus. They had taken their seats, but Atem said he'd be right back. Téa shrugged thinking he had to go to the bathroom or something, but instead he came back with bag of popcorn and funnel cake.

"Atem!" She screeched. "Why did you spend so much money on junk food?" Circus food cost a fortune and Téa always had to be frugal considering she had to save up for New York.

Atem gave a lop-sided smile, handing her the bag of popcorn. "It smelled soooo good." He gave a now toothy grin.

Tea laughed. "That's how they get you!"

Atem bit his lip. "But everyone knows circuses have the best funnel cake." He broke a piece off and put it to Tea's lips. "Tell me it's not the best." He dared.

Téa looked at him pointedly, not believing him, but took the bite Atem offered her. "Mm… It is pretty good…"

"Told ya!" Atem smiled, showing of his teeth.

"Alright, I concede." She sang.

"That was amazing!" Téa smiled broadly at Atem, as they walked out after the performances. "I'm so glad you took me!"

"My pleasure." He smiled back at her, glad too that he arranged this.

Téa's hand slipped with his and he clenched it back. This was something they were used to doing by now, platonically of course, but at that moment, Téa suddenly felt very aware of it as Atem smiled warmly at the gesture. This outing could have been considered a date if Atem had framed it that way. It suddenly didn't feel as platonic in that moment. Any stranger glancing upon them would have thought they were a young teenage couple. It made her heart beat faster. She wondered if Atem's lips tasted as sweet as the funnel cake they just ate.

What was she thinking?

Maybe these were just side effects that people talk about that you get from sleeping next to someone. Greater intimacy and all that jazz they claimed.

Besides, she was in love with Yugi!

…and Atem at one point too…

Until he left…

But Atem didn't leave did he?

She wondered, did she ever stop loving him?

So I had a different chapter written here, but then I realized that I've been giving you a depressing chapter streak, so I wanted to switch it up and make something more happy and show some more of Téa's confused feelings. It's also interesting having Atem act like a teenager now that he isn't battling evil anymore. I also hope to update a little sooner next time, I think I'm getting rusty with these gaps and it's not good for my writing.

Would love a review!

~Startistica