I loved you from afar

Chapter 2: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

'thought'

I'd like to thank Yami+Hoshi, Zidane, ShadowDragon, and silvercloud for reviewing!!

~~~~~~~~~~Serenity's POV~~~~~~~~~~

I looked away for a moment, and when I looked back, he was gone. I can't say that I wasn't disappointed; quite the opposite. I sat there for a moment, cursing myself for not saying anything to him; after all, I couldn't keep it a secret forever...but maybe, it had been for the best. After all what would I have said?

"Hi. You don't know me, but I'm Serenity Wheeler, Jou's little sister....yes, the puppy's sister...oh, and by the way, I have a major crush on you."

Yeah, right. He would have left as fast as his legs would carry him, without ever giving me a second glance. I slouched in my chair and crossed my arms. One way or another, I would get him to notice me and find out if he returned my affections. I grinned as I pieced together my plan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Seto's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I drummed my fingers on the tabletop as I thought about the afternoon's happenings.

' I wish I hadn't left without saying a word to....Serenity?-That's what Jou called her, right?- but at the time, I was both physically and mentally unable to handle being there in the same room without feeling the urge to hold her in my arms and whisk her away to my mans-What the hell am I thinking?Do I actually harbor feelings for a stranger, a person I may never see again? 'She's not really a stranger.' my subconcious interjected. 'You know her name at least.' I shook my head. What is wrong with me? I've never believed in love, much less love at first sight! I've never bonded with anyone except Mokuba since our parents died; I've discovered it only leads to heartache...but I don't know. The sensation I got just from looking into her pure, innocent eyes made me feel...like I could conquer the world, just to be able to lay it at her feet- '

I was suddenly jolted back to reality by someone calling my name.

"Mr. Kaiba?" one of my business associates inquired with a impatient tone.

I glared at the man who dared to interrupt me while I was in deep thought. As always, my glare turned his confidence into mush and reduced him to stuttering out an apology.

"M-My d-d-deepest a-a-pologies, M-M-Mr. K-Ka-iba."

With a smirk, I stood up and pushed my chair back. He cringed, knowing what would come next.

"I've grown bored with your rambling. We'll finish this meeting at a later date..."

I paused only long enough to grab my briefcase and head out the door. I purposely let the door slam shut behind me, drowning out the feeble protests of my associate and the angry voices of my clients. Now that that was taken care of, I was free to prepare myself for tommorrow night's dance.

++++++++++++++++++THE NEXT DAY+++++++++++++++++++++

~~~~~~~~~~~~Serenity's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beep! Beep! Beep! I woke up to the annoyingly consistent beep of my alarm clock. I smacked the correct button, and feeling satisfied that the noise had stopped, I curled myself back into a ball and closed my eyes. Wait a minute! Today is the day I start school at Domino High. I jumped out of bed and flew into my bureau. I had chosen the perfect outfit last night, but now I didn't think it had the impression that I wanted to make on the first day of school. I tossed clothes left and right until I discovered the perfect outfit.

I slipped on a short sleeved brown peasant top that went well with my chocolate brown eyes and hair before tugging on a pair of jeans that fit modestly around my slim waist. I checked my appearance in the mirror as I brushed my hair and hurried downstairs. In the kitchen, I bumped into Jou who was raiding the fridge. I grabbed a bagel that he hadn't gotten his hands on and nibbled on it as I headed out to my car.

Twenty minutes later, I found myself in the parking lot of Domino High. I sighed as I looked at the huge brick building that seemed to loom over me.I took a deep breath, pried my fingers off the steering wheel, and jumped out of my car, making sure to lock the door so I wouldn't be tempted to run back to it. Then I followed a crowd of students into the school as I viewed the inside for the first time. With some assistance from my brother, I finally found my way to my first class. As the late bell rang, I waved Jou off with a cheery smile and reluctantly made my way into the room.

*****************Seto's POV******************

I finished typing up the agenda for next week's business for lack of anything better to do; school is such a waste of time. I saved the document and closed my laptop. Then I leaned back in my chair, folding my hands behind my head. Suddenly the door opened and in walked the girl that had been haunting my thoughts for the past night. My chair promptly toppled with my surprise, taking me with it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Serenity's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As I forced myself to walk in the room, I was sure I was visibly shaking. A couple seconds after I walked, a loud thud and a blur of brown hair and blue trench coat caught my attention as he toppled over, taking the chair with him. Before I knew what I was doing, I was running to his side. He was already rising to his feet as I approached. He seemed to be hurt, not only his pride, but his right leg. Seto immediately started cursing at the chair, as everyone continued to snicker at his fall. One cold glare shut them up and caused them to find other amusement.

*****************Seto's POV******************

I glared at everyone as I brushed myself off. Damn it, my leg must've gotten caught under the chair when I fell....I guess I'll have to get some ice for it or something.

"I'm going to take him to the nurse," I heard Serenity announce as she steered me out of the room an instant later.

The moment we were out of sight, I pulled my arm away.

"What do you think you're doing?" I snapped.

She looked hurt. "I was just trying to help..." Her gaze fell at her feet.

'Great going Kaiba. First, you make a complete ass out of yourself in front of her, and now you're yelling at her. She'll never like you if she thinks you're always like this.'

"Look, I'm sorry," I said, trying to make up for my earlier outburst. "I just don't like being babied..."

"I'm not trying to baby you... I was just trying to help, is that so wrong?" she looked directly into my eyes, waiting for my reply.

"Yes, because with my past, you wouldn't understand why I want to be truly independent." I replied.Before she could open her mouth, I also added, "and I don't plan on enlightening you anytime soon. Let's go back to class."

I started walking down the hallway, and when I didn't hear the echo of footsteps behind me, I turned. "Are you coming or not?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Serenity's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'What a jerk! All he can think about is getting back to class.Well, I'll show him, he won't be so cocky then...'

"Nope, I'm staying right here," I said as I leaned casually against a nearby locker.

"No?" he repeated . "Fine, stay here."

Seto began to walk back toward the Algebra room, but the bell rang just as he got a couple yards away from the door.

"See? It was just a waste of your time," I grinned triumphantly.

He made a face at me and started to head toward his next class. I ran after him, waving my schedule.

"Wait, you have to show me where Room A115 is!" I shouted.

*****************Seto's POV****************

I laughed at her efforts and sped up.

In no time at all, we were walking into room A115 for english.

Curious faces looked Serenity over as she looked nervously around the room. The girls scowled because they were jealous of her beauty and the guys all wanted to date her. I glared at them and put a protective arm around her shoulders.

The teacher paired us up so that we would always have the same person read our assignments and give us their input. As luck would have it, Serenity became mine.

In no time at all, the bell for lunch rang. Everyone flocked out of the room, leaving me and Serenity behind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~Serenity's POV~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seto steered me after the crowd, but walking much more slowly. Finally, he spoke.

"Serenity...."

"Yes?" I asked.

"Will you come with me to the dance tonight?" I questioned.

Without hesitation, I said "Yes, I will."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Read and Review!