The bell rang, and everybody ran. Papers went everywhere and the occasional shortie got trampled. Typical end of day Domino High behavior. It almost made Serenity laugh to see how immature people one entire year older than she could act. She skipped a grade to enter tenth grade with Joey. Being shorter than ninety percent of her classmates, she waited to be the last person to leave the room. She sympathized with Yugi. Walking outside, she stopped to hear her name called.

"Serenity, what's up?" Mai called.

"Nothing much," Serenity replied.

"Good. I was just thinking that we could check out the new outlet mall on Domino Boulevard this afternoon," Mai replied. "I can give you a ride." Mai had gotten her driver's license just a month ago. The very week before, she had gotten a brand new convertible and never missed a chance to talk about it.

"That would be awesome! Let me just consult my mom. After some of Joey's fight incidents in Brooklyn that she heard about, I have to give her a long list of info before doing anything," Serenity said, rolling her eyes. Pulling out her cell phone, she assured her mom that she wouldn't smoke, Mai was a responsible driver, and all that other annoying stuff that moms always ask.

"It's cool with her," Serenity replied, accepting Mai's offer. "She was doing back flips the entire conversation that I had 'made so many new friends in Domino City'," Serenity laughed. Mai laughed also.

"I wonder what she'll think when you get a boyfriend," Mai said with a smirk.

"I told you, I just think he's cute! Shut up already!" Serenity said, pummeling Mai on the shoulder. Mai just laughed some more.

"You know you like him. Quit arguing and let's get a move on!" She said, jingling her car keys.

"Whatever," Serenity rolled her eyes.

Mai started the car and Serenity got in. She turned up the radio until it was blasting and pulled out of the school parking lot. She really was a very good driver, and they were out of the post-school traffic and in the parking lot of the mall before she knew it.

"Let's go to. . . Old Navy!" shouted Mai, pointing to the somewhat large building with blue letters that spelled out Old Navy. They walked inside and started to look around.

"There are the advertised five dollar summer tee-shirts," Serenity noticed. They were blue, yellow, pink, and purple with the store name written across the chest in curly cursive letters. Typical, but none the less stylish. "I like this one," Serenity said, holding up one of the many selections. The shirt she had chosen was dark pink. It was a little baggy and the sleeves went to just above the elbow. Mai made a face.

"No, Serenity, you don't. You like this one," Mai said holding out a purple spaghetti strap tank top. It was about three sizes smaller than the one Serenity had chosen.

"But-" Serenity started, looking at the shirt. She noticed how low cut it was. Let's just say maybe a bikini would cover more.

"Serenity, listen up. If you want to have any chance getting Seto to like you, you have to show yourself off. You are pretty, and I can tell by just looking at Kaiba that he likes girls that have as much nerve as he does. For starters, you can forget pink. It clashes sinfully with your hair," Mai said, finishing off with a pretend gag. Serenity had long given up trying to argue with Mai.

"I'll try it on," Serenity sighed.

"Not so fast. I cannot stand those jeans a moment longer. Talk about five sizes to big!" Mai said, looking as though Serenity had broken the law. "These are what I'm talking about!" she said, holding up a pair of flares. They were also horribly low cut. Very fashionable.

"Mai, how can you expect me to wear those?! They're like, five sizes too small!" Serenity said with a look of horror.

"You're right. Only five sizes could make them too big. Hmmm," Mai said looking thoughtful. Serenity gasped and started to protest. "Just kidding!" Mai said with a trademark 'you're-too-touchy' smile. "Just try them on."

Serenity sighed deeply and went towards the dressing room. Mai followed and waited outside. After a few minutes, Serenity made her decision.

"They won't fit," she said dismissively.

"Hold it right there. Don't think you're getting off that easily," Mai said, defiant in a playful way. "I'll decide before you veto them. Let me see."

"No, they don't work and that's it," Serenity said.

"Don't make me come in there," Mai said. "As for the lock, I have a hairpin and know how to use it."

"Fine, fine," Serenity said, opening the door. To Mai's surprise, they fell under any category but 'not fitting'. She was truly fit for the owner of KaibaCorp. The shirt fit tightly, and showed off a figure that no one knew she had. The jeans were so low cut (real hip-huggers)!

"Serenity! You totally have Seto already! You look, well, incredible! Who knew you had such potential!" Mai stuttered in disbelief. After all, who knew? Serenity blushed a deep crimson.

"Mai, does it really look that good?" Serenity said, rather self- consciously. "I mean, look at these shoes."

"You have a point. We'll get you some decent platform shoes. That'll solve your height problem too!" Mai smiled. Let's face the music everybody. Kaiba is tall. Serenity is not. The bottom line is: she comes about to his waist! Really.

They bought the shirt and jeans, and got a pair of platform shoes next door.

"Serenity, I almost forgot! I saw Seto at lunch and he told me to give you this!" Mai said, pulling a white envelope out of her purse with Serenity's name in fancy cursive. Serenity opened it up and started jumping up and down.

"Omigosh! An invitation to a pool party! How could you forget something like this?!" Serenity shouted.

"Your brother and I each got one too," Mai said showing Serenity hers. "You and I both will need something to wear."

"A swimsuit, what else? I already have one that fits and everything," Serenity said looking at Mai oddly.

"I highly doubt that," Mai said giving her a sidelong glance. "You said the jeans fit too."

"Fine, fine. I'll look," Serenity relented. Did you ever notice how Mai always gets what she wants?

"Let's see what they have," Mai suggested, pointing to a store called 'West Coast'. Judging by the name and the window display, they stocked mostly swimsuits, towels, etc. They walked inside and browsed through the many racks. Suddenly, Mai spotted something.

"Serenity, isn't this so you?" Mai said. What she held up made all the color drain from Serenity's face.

****

What did Mai find? Why did it freak Serenity out so bad? Find out next time! Aren't I just awful?! Anyway, here's a long list of the junk that I don't own:

*Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters

*Domino City

*Old Navy (Although I do wear something from there literally every day)

*I do own West Coast. If there actually is a store called West Coast, let me assure you that it is totally coincidental.