Téa watched her interview over and over. The comments were pouring in as each interview was released. She did her best to avoid looking at the comments, not wanting to see the negativity that could stem from it. But, it was addicting. She wanted to know what people thought.

From the comments she did see, it was mostly positive. Many people seemed to like that she had been involved with Duel Monsters long before she ever considered joining the dance team.

The whole Internet was abuzz with articles and recaps of the interviews. Many social media presences releasing their own lists of their favorite dancers. Kaiba Corp. had released an official poll for people to vote for their favorite dancers. The voting had made everything extremely tense at rehearsals, girls whispering about rankings or who said what about whom. Who they thought wasn't going to make it into the top 30.

So far, Téa was hanging tight at spot number 3, which was way higher than Téa ever expected. Her interview had been one of the most liked online, many expressing kind comments, but despite her best efforts, it still caused some issues. There was a lot of speculation about her, Yugi, and Kaiba between the gossip pages that had previously come out as well as Johanna's insinuations. However, approval had quickly soared as other duelists came out in support of her like Mako, Duke, Valon, Rebecca, and Leon.

Pegasus had even retweeted her interview with the caption, "What a charming young woman! Perfect for Kaiba Corp.!" She had thought it was strange, but she wasn't about to argue when the creator of Duel Monsters gave her a stamp of approval.

Mary had clinched spot number 8, thrilling Téa. She had been worried when Mary mentioned in her interview that Téa and she knew each other in New York. She didn't want her personal drama to look badly on Mary's chances of making the team. When she expressed her concerns, Mary had rolled her eyes and responded, "Like I give a damn. You're my friend. I'm not hiding that." Téa was grateful for her loyalty, but she was even more grateful that it hadn't hurt her in the end.

Kris had finally announced last night at rehearsal that they had gone over the data from the interviews and test scores, putting an end to the speculation about who made it. The girls that had been invited back that night were the official top 30, marking their halfway point. Téa almost cried with relief that both her and Mary had made it through.

Kris's warning, however, had stuck with Téa and proved to be true. After the interviews had aired, more and more of the other dancers had tried talking to Téa. Some she could tell were genuinely interested in talking with her about Duel Monsters or just getting to know her as their numbers dwindled. Others tried to slyly ask questions about Kaiba or Yugi. Others were more direct with their insults.

After the interviews had aired, every member of the team had a photo session done with a professional photographer. It was the first time anyone got to see the Kaiba Corp. dance team official costumes and Téa was a bit obsessed. Both the long sleeve crop top and shorts were blue sequined, sparkling every time they moved. The KC logo was proudly displayed across their chests in white, rimmed with costume diamonds. They were given high top white sneakers with the KC logo in blue along with blue stripes.

Téa sat in the make-up chair, hair in perfectly tousled waves, eyes brighter with the blue eyeliner and naturally shaded eye shadow. The makeup artist, a friendly girl named Anne, was putting the finishing touches on her contour when Beca, a gorgeous blonde competitor. She looked stunning with her perfect coils and sultry red smile, taking Téa's self-esteem that had just been soaring down a few notches.

Téa had made efforts to avoid Beca since the beginning of the competition. Téa had observed her at the beginning of auditions making rude comments about other competitor's looks or dance styles. Beca had made the mistake of making one of these comments too loudly while Mary was in hearing distance, resulting in tense words between the two.

"Hi Téa!"

"Hi! Beca right?"

Her smile had Téa's defenses rising. Anne stepped back from Téa, giving her a scrutinizing look, before reaching for a light colored pink blush.

"You look amazing!" Beca gushed.

"Thanks, so do you. Your hair looks great."

Beca tossed the thick curls over her shoulder. "Excited for the shoot?"

Honestly, Téa was terrified. She had photoshoots for the dance company, but that had always been in costumes, often doing dance movements. She had never deliberately posed or modeled before.

"Absolutely," she lied. "Have you done yours?"

"Yup," she replied, popping the 'p.' "I've done plenty of these before, modeling. Joc, the photographer, said I was a natural." she boasted.

"That's great," unsure what other response Beca expected her to give.

Anne moved around her, blending in the powders together, her face appearing more angular.

"So," Beca moved to lean on the makeup vanity, which caused Anne to glare at her and swoosh her off. "Is it true?"

Fuck. She had a feeling she knew where this was going.

"About you being a natural?" she said, tinged with sarcasm. "I'm sure, it is."

Beca gave her a condescending smile she knew all too well.

"No, about you and Kaiba." Téa felt Anne's brush pause swishing in her palette.

Téa stiffened in her chair, but kept her smile plastered on her face. "It's true that we knew each other in high school and that we're friends," she replied coolly. "I imagine that's what you were referring to."

"Must be nice to have friends in such high places. Helping you with the auditions."

"If you think that Kaiba would be willing to give me any kind of unfair advantage in this, then you clearly don't know him," Téa's tone turned frosting, dropping all pretense of friendliness. Anne tilted her head up to give her a better angle. Anne's face was expressionless.

Beca didn't seem deterred by her tone. "No, but I suppose you know him really well," a suggestive grin stretching across her red lips. "Or is it both brothers?"

Téa took a sharp breath in through her nose, squashing the urge to make Beca's cheek match her red lips. She forced her expression to remain the same, seemingly unbothered by Beca's insinuations.

"If you don't mind," Anne snapped at Beca, "I'm trying to do her makeup. If you want a gossip session, go somewhere else."

"Of course," Beca an airy wave of her hand. "Have a good photoshoot."

Téa's grip loosened on the makeup chair, slouching slightly.

"Don't listen to her, she's just jealous because you're above her in the rankings," Anne assured her. Téa couldn't remember the exact ranking, but Téa knew Anne was right. "Besides," Anne continued, reaching for the lip pencil, "it's not any of my business, but most of the other artists I've talked to think it's romantic."

"What's romantic?"

Anne shrugged, tracing her lips, "You and Kaiba. If it's true, which you don't have to say. Star-crossed lovers from opposite sides of the dueling ring kind of deal."

Téa huffed a laugh. "Sounds like a romance novel."

Anne giggled. "Exactly."

Téa sighed, glancing at her phone, tapping her heel on the ground. She stood outside the diner, crowds leaving as the dinner rush finished. She checked the time again on her phone, biting her lip.

After the photoshoot, she found a text from Yugi waiting for her. He has asked to meet at their usual hangout spot, a diner with the best burgers in Domino.

She had a shockingly…fun time at the shoot. She had been awkward at first, but Joc had suggested a few poses for her, just to get her started. After that, it just started flowing. Her confidence had grown and she started striking her own poses and genuinely smiling at the camera. Joc had shown her some of the photos and she was happy with them.

She had surprised herself.

Téa frowned, checking her phone again. She only hoped her good mood lasted. Yugi hadn't said what he wanted to talk about or gave any indication of whether it was good or bad. She assumed it had something to do with the announcement of her auditioning for Kaiba's dance team.

"Hey."

Téa tried for a smile. "Hi."

Yugi leaned back a little bit on his heels, amethyst eyes flicking between her and the ground.

"How was your day? You look…dressed up."

She pulled down on her skirt. She had taken off some of the heavier makeup but left some on around her eyes and lips. Anne had done such a good job that it seemed a waste to take it off after the shoot. And she thought it went with the hair nicely.

"I…uh I had something today. So," she gestured vaguely to her face.

"Oh. Well, you can tell me about it inside. Let's uh, let's eat!" He tried for fake enthusiasm.

She nodded. They went inside and ordered their usual burgers and fries with shakes. Both sat down in an achingly familiar booth where she and the three guys would often come after school. They both poked at their fries, making small talk about the diner or Grandpa.

"Should we just…get to it?" Téa asked, not being able to bear any more false niceties.

"Sure." Yugi wiped his face with his napkin. "I just…I hate fighting. I miss you."

Téa let out a shaky breath. "I miss you too, Yugi." She took his hand in hers across the table. "You're my best friend and…I miss this. I miss you and Joey."

Yugi nodded, gripping back tightly. "Tristan told me that he apologized to you."

"He did."

"Well, it's my turn. I'm sorry for…everything," Yugi took a deep breath. "This got way out of hand. I never should have disrespected your choices when you said that you didn't want anything more. I know that Atem would be disappointed in me, and Joey and Tristan."

Yugi ran his other hand through his hair. "I was so focused on what I wanted. On this dream I had of us. And I failed to see you as your own person and what you wanted. I want us to be friends again, like we were."

Téa gave him a genuine smile. "Thank you, Yugi."

"That being said, I saw that you're auditioning for Kaiba's dance team."

Téa tensed, but didn't withdraw her hand yet.

"I'm not thrilled," Yugi let out a sharp breath through his nostrils, "but it's your career. And Tristan said this is what you wanted. So, I am going to support you. As is Joey."

She took a second to process what he said. "I'm…thankful for your support," she decided. "I can understand your reservations. But," she licked her lips, "but I'm not working for Kaiba. I'm working for Mai, basically. His name is just on the uniform. He's not involved with the team at all. And, think of this way. I was always cheering for you guys on the sideline. Now, I'm just doing it with actual pom-poms," she chuckled, shrugging her shoulders.

She gave Yugi's hand a final squeeze and then pulled back. "And Kaiba…look, we've all had our issues in the past. But, we've been spending some time together and…I think he's changed a bit. He's…I don't know, but he's…" She desperately tried to find a word.

Yugi's face was more guarded as he listened, but not hostile. "He's…?" Yugi prompted.

"He's…better."

Yugi raised a brow, chuckling slightly. "Better? Because he was sick?"

Téa threw a fry at him, laughing playfully. "Yes, he was sick of dealing with us."

Yugi held up his hands, laughing more fully. "I'll take your word for it. So, tell me about what you had going on today."

Téa launched into describing the photoshoot, listing off some of the other competitors she liked and who Yugi should vote for. He assured her he had already voted for her multiple times. She regaled him with other tales of the dance competition process. He caught her up on his latest Kame Game news along with the new game he was designing.

"Um, so I would really like you to meet Mary. On better terms this time."

Yugi flinched. "...I don't think she likes us very much."

Téa shrugged. "Not at the moment," she said honestly. "But, she's important to me. As are you. I'd like all of us to get along."

Yugi nodded. "I'd be happy to meet her. As would the rest of the guys. Saturday?"

Téa shook her head. "Mary and I have a dance thing. It's some formal event to welcome the top 30, basically. Mai told me it's mostly just about networking for the dancers."

Yugi nodded and said they would figure something out soon.

"So, when can I expect to hear from Joey?" Téa questioned.

Yugi gulped the rest of his water, wiping his sleeve across his jacket. "Probably soon. I know he felt really bad about the whole…scene at the tournament."

Téa only nodded. She wasn't sure what she was going to say to Joey quite yet. His words had been extremely hurtful and she wasn't quite sure she was ready to forgive him. She didn't say anything as she took one of the straggling fries.

"Are you two going to be ok?"

"I'm," she rubbed her forehead, "I don't know. I will when I talk to him, I suppose."

Yugi nodded and said he had to get going to help Gramps close the shop. They parted amicably, promising to set up a time for the gang to meet Mary together and spend time together.