QoH: *peeks her head in and whispers* Is it safe? *looks around quickly, then plops into her computer chair*...... -_- *phew* Yugi's kinda scary when he gets mad.... Anyway.... here's the next chap! ^_^
Chapter 4: Apology
Ding-dong! "Coming!" Yugi heard Tea's cheerful voice answer from somewhere within as he leaned heavily on the door-frame. Running was never my favorite hobby, and to do so like this twice in as many days really wears a person out.
After a minute or so, Tea opened the door and blinked in surprise when she found Yugi there, looking like he was going to pass out. Opening the door quickly, she pulled him inside and pushed him gently into the nearest chair in the living room, her things standing against the wall next to him. "What'd you do, Yugi, run the whole way?" she asked, still looking at him like he'd grown a second head. Technically, that's not too far from the truth. Ironic, really.
"Yeah, I seem to be doing that lately," he laughed slightly and leaned back, weary, in the chair.
"You want something to drink? You look like you could use it." Tea frowned, obviously worried, "There's water, milk, tea, pop and juice."
"Tea would be great, thanks," he smiled gratefully. This also might be my chance!
"I'll be right back," she said over her shoulder as she headed for the kitchen.
As soon as she was out of sight, he jumped out of the chair and knelt over her several suitcases, taking his present out of his coat pocket. Choosing the likeliest one, he zipped it open hurriedly, and was greeted by a bunch of shirts and leotards. He was glad that was all that was in this one. He froze guiltily when he heard Tea's voice behind him, and whirled around.
"Y-yes, Tea?" he stammered, nearly gasping in relief to see she wasn't standing in the doorway. He didn't think she'd like it too much to find someone going through her things, whoever they were.
"Would you like a cookie, too? They're double chocolate chip!" Tea called from the kitchen.
Yugi grinned, "My favorite, thanks!" He turned back to the suitcase and lifted a load of clothing out the way, where he stuffed his little addition in. He smoothed it all over as best he could, then zipped it back up.
He was sitting again by the time Tea returned with a tray, none the wiser that she'd just acquired a stowaway. She handed him one of the tall glasses before setting the tray on the small table in front them sitting on the couch with the other. He took a drink, smiling as he remembered how much tea he'd drunk lately, just to remind himself of her.
After a few minutes, Tea set down hers, obviously curious, "Why are you here so early, Yugi? Not that I mind, especially since I was up getting ready, anyway. But, the last I knew, you weren't exactly a morning person."
He laughed nervously and looked away, "I guess I just wanted to apologize for my, uh, interesting exit yesterday."
"You had us kind of worried there, you know. Why'd you run off like that, anyway?"
He leaned on his knees and stared at the floor as he toyed with his glass, "I don't really know how to explain it." Not without giving myself away, that is.
Tea tilted her head at his still rather odd behavior, "What's wrong? You look like your struggling with something very important. Anything I can do?"
I wish. Yugi shook his head, smiling wryly, then looked up at her, "No, I think this is something I have to work out on my own. Thanks, though."
"If you're sure..." Tea agreed, thoroughly unconvinced.
"So," he mentally shook himself and gestured to the suitcases, "I take it you're all packed, then?"
"Yeah," she answered slowly, her eyes narrowed slightly as she wondered about his abrupt change of the subject. "All that's left now is to call the taxi when it's time."
Yugi noticed this and hated himself for keeping things from her. As far as I can see, though, I really have no choice. "What do you think it'll be like in New York?" He smiled a little wistfully as this question had the desired effect of distracting her. However, it also hurt to hear about the world she'd be going into. One he couldn't be a part of.
Tea jumped up excitedly, "Oh, it's going to be amazing, I just know it! I've been looking up stuff to do there on the internet, and now I've got so many great ideas! I checked out the site for the Academy, too, and it's so cool! They've got all these different classes I can take. Stuff on culture, music, and dance, of course," she laughed and clasped her hands, her eyes glazing over a little as she thought about the life that awaited her.
Yugi ate a cookie as he watched her listing all the places she planned to see and wondered if one could actually die of a broken heart. He'd heard of it in books and such, but never in real life. He could certainly believe he was, that was for sure.
~Got your ticket.
Got your suitcase.
Got your leaving smile.~
Luckily, the doorbell rang and gave him something else to think about. Tea went into the hall to answer it, finding Joey, Bakura and Tristan on the other side. "Come on in, you guys."
As they rounded the corner to the living room, they are all started, surprised to find Yugi there. Wanting to avoid their all asking him why he was there, he stood up and put the glass on the table. "I came to apologize for my behavior last night," he smiled over at her, "Tea was just telling me all the things she wants to do when she gets to New York."
Since she was came in behind the others, she didn't see the looks of understanding and compassion that washed across their faces. Yugi was exceptionally glad of this fact. He shrugged almost imperceptibly and flashed a small smile quickly at them so Tea wouldn't see this either. His friends got the silent message and they all nodded slightly.
~Oh, I could say that's the
way it goes.
I could pretend and you won't know
that I was lying.~
"Speaking of getting there, does anybody know what time it is?" Tristan asked suddenly.
Joey pulled his loose sleeve up to glance at his watch, "It's 7:20."
"7:20?" Tea squeaked, going wide-eyed, "Oh, no! I might miss my flight!"
"Why do you say that?" Bakura wondered, "You have over an hour 'til it gets here, right?"
"Yeah, but I haven't called the cab yet!" Tea ran, panicked, for the phone and dialed the number from a paper she'd apparently written it on earlier. "I don't know how long it'll take for them to get here, or to the airport!"
"Momentai, Tea. I'm sure you'll get there in time." Yugi assured her as she hopped from foot to foot in her agitation. {A/N: momentai = don't worry, I think ^_^}
"Yugi's right. Besides, those flights are always late for one reason or another. It'll be ok." Tristan said. Joey and Bakura agreed confidently.
Tea smiled at their attempts to calm her, but she still paced as she told the dispatcher on the other end that she wanted a taxi as soon as possible. She only relaxed when the lady said that they'd be there in ten minutes.
When it finally came, Yugi and the others helped load her stuff in the trunk as fast as they could, then hastily got in. It was a tad cramped, but they managed. Tea sat in the front, so she could get out quickly, while Bakura, Tristan, Joey and Yugi sat in back, each glad that cabs were made for this kind of thing. The tension fairly crackled as Tea shifted anxiously in her seat, watching the road ahead, as though she could speed the car along with her eyes.
~We took a taxi
to the station.
Not a word was said.~
QoH: *puts on a fake announcer voice* Next time on Sweet Sorrow...Tea's plane arrives! Will Yugi keep his promise to himself? ITAI!!!! {-yeow!} *rubs the back of her head* Whaddya go and do that for??
Yami: *pulls back his hand calmly* Well, somebody had to shut you up. You were beginning to sound like a bad soap opera.
QoH: Well, excuse me for wantin to give them all a preview!
Yami: Yes... I'm sure they're waiting on tenterhooks out there. That's saying they're actually out there to begin with...
QoH: *growls, keeping a very tight rein on her temper* Watch it, spirit boy. If you insult my artistic skills one more time.... *thinks hard on somethin that would scare a 5 millennia-old pharaoh with magic powers, then her eyes light up in inspiration* .... I'll make you fall in love with Mai!
Yami: *gasps* No! You wouldn't! Joey would kill me!
QoH: *grins wolfishly* Exactly.
Yami: O_O