Thanks for reviewing in my story ( I mean those who did NICE reviews) ^^

And to trabadox/Jon Wells, I'm writing this to you here since according to you, I'm in your 'block sender' list. I'm sorry if I thought your outburst was rude, but I was pretty steamed up about you always writing negative comments. If you want a Yugi/Serenity story, why don't you just write your own? That's partly why I started to write in ff.net. I read all these great stories and I wondered how I would do with some of the ideas I had and stuff. So I'm really sorry if you're mad and you probably won't read any of my stories again. And (turns to rest of the audience) sorry for the interruption. On with chapter 2~!!!



Chapter 2: Exchanging news



Tea looked around in Yugi's house. Everything was almost the same as it had been a year ago. She smiled at the familiar surroundings. This place was like a second home to her.

"So tell us about America. How were the people you stayed with? How was the school? Did you make a lot of friends?" Joey, Mai and Tristan poured their questions as soon as Tea had a seat.

Tea laughed at their curiosity. "Whoa, relax! I'll tell you everything. Where should I began? Hmmm, the people I stayed with. Well, you know that their daughter - their only child - was in Europe - France, I think in an exchange program. The parents were really nice to me and supportive of all the things I tried."

Tea looked around at her friends, who were leaning forward, eager to hear the news. She continued.

"We lived in the outskirts if New York City. You could say that they lived in a mansion. Their house was really grand. I stayed in one of the best guest rooms. I actually had a choice. And I had my own maid to tend me. Really, their daughter must be treated like some princess or something."

"Wow! Really? Maybe I should go on an exchange program." Mai said dreamily. She could just imagine herself in a large, grand mansion, surrounded with maids.

"Come on Mai, wake up!" Joey tapped Mai on the shoulder.

Tea smiled. She could think of what Mai was imagining for herself. "On the weekends, we went to the country and they had their own horses. I rode Sparkle, their daughter's horse. I actually kind of fell off the first few times." Tea smiled, reflecting on the memories.

"Cool! You rode horses? I bet you're really good now!" Tristan commented. Tea shrugged.

"Not really. When I left, I was trying a couple low jump fences, but the parents were really good." She said.

"What kind of school did you go to?" Bakura asked.

"I went to a public school - the school their daughter -Elizabeth, her name was-went to." Tea replied.

"See, in America, you get to wear uniforms only if you attend private schools, so I had the choices of what to wear every morning." She recalled.

"That's great! I wish it was like that here, too." Mai said, dreamy again. Joey shook his head in mock despair.

"I bet you really liked America, huh?" Yugi asked.

Tea nodded. "I did like America. But, I glad to be back to you guys!" She smiled at each of her friends.

"So, did Japan change a lot over the year? What's up?" Tea asked.

"Well, there are a couple of new stores at the mall. Some of them have the most prettiest clothing, we have to go shopping sometime." Mai insisted.

All the boys groaned. "Nothing else has changed very much. Kaibaland got renovated, that's news." Yugi said after awhile. Tea nodded.







"Bye Yugi! Bye everybody!" Tea waved to everyone as they walked away from dropping her home. "Bye Tea! See you later!" They replied.

Tea unpacked all her stuff, setting all her belongings where they properly belonged. Then, she took a relaxing bath. That felt good after a long flight.

She was drinking some hot tea when the phone rang. "Hello? Gardner residence." Tea answered.

"Hi, Tea. It's me, Joey." Tea heard Joey on the other line.

"Oh hey Joey! What's up?" Tea asked curiously. She glanced at the clock. It was eleven at night. She didn't really feel like sleeping because she was still used to the New York city time, but shouldn't Joey be sleeping?

"Well, first of all, is this a bad time for me to call? It is kinda late an' all." Joey sounded apologetic.

"No, no. It's really not. I'm still used to the NYC time, so, it's like noon for me." Tea replied (somewhere around noon, I'm not exactly sure of the exact time difference).

"Ok, then. Well, the reason I called is about my sister, Serenity. You did hear about her boyfriend's car crash and how he died?"

Tea nodded, recalling the time when she received a letter about the event. "Yeah, I remember getting a letter about that from her, about a month or two after I went to America."

"Yeah, well, she's still not over his death. And since you're good with helping people deal with problems and stuff, I was wondering if maybe you could help her? You don't really have to help her, just kinda talk to her. I don't seem to be doing too good in that department." Joey asked.

"I know it's a huge favor to ask." he sounded hesitant.

"Of course, I'll help. But you have to understand, Joey, that sometimes people never completely get over someone else's death." Tea said.

"Okay, but that doesn't mean she has to mope around for the rest of her life, does it?" Joey asked, a little hint of nervousness in his voice.

"No, she doesn't." Tea assured him.

"Thanks, Tea. You're the best -as always!" Joey said brightly.

Tea laughed. "No problem. When can I come over?" She asked.

"How about around one o'clock?" Joey suggested.

"All right. See you then!" Tea said.

"See ya tomorrow!" Joey said.

Tea sat on the couch. Serenity was still mourning? That was pretty serious. She hoped with all her heart that she wasn't as bad off as Tea thought. And she hoped that she could help Serenity.

'I'll try my best.' She promised Serenity.





A/N: How was it? My hands are aching T_T Anyway, I hope you guys like this chapter. This story might take awhile in going to the 'romance' part, since I'm trying out the slow relationship.

Tea: I can't wait to be paired with Seto ^^

Serenity: What about me?

Me: You'll be with Yugi~!

Serenity: Yay (hugs Yugi)

Yugi: (blushes furiously) ummmm.

Me: ^^ Stay tuned for the next chapter~!!!