Chapter Two: Rough Love

"Hey, Jounouchi-kun!" a cheerful voice boomed across the cafeteria.

Lookin' up from my slate of slop on the table, I saw my best friend, Yugi, wavin' to me on the other side a the room. He bounded over ta me like a lil' bunny rabbit, all bouncy an' energetic as if he were hopped up on caffeine. I know that he doesn't understand how ta act any other way than this, but c'mon, man! Does this kid actually hafta wonder why kids in our school call him gay? Damn, his attitude is waaaay to fruity for my taste sometimes. Why am I suddenly bein' surrounded by girlie guys now? The hell did I do ta ask for this kinda treatment? I mean, I don't mind some dudes like that here and there, but sheesh! First there's Mutou, who probably has a closet full a pantyhose and skirts, then I find out the hard way about Ryou--

"Jou?" a small tone calls, soundin' a bit more concerned than before. "You alright?"

Pushin' the heap a junk around on my plate, I kept quiet and pretended not to hear him.

"Joey?" repeated the shorter teen again. This time his accent started to crack. Whenever his voice started to do that, he reminded me of a little kid who lost a favorite toy. "I'm so sorry for whatever I did!" he quickly apologized, overreactin' an' probably bendin' at the waist in a deep bow. "I don't know what's wrong, but I'll try to make it all better! Just tell me what's the matter so I can help you!"

Leavin' the fork I held in a crap pile of mashed potatoes, I covered my face with one a my palms and waved him off with the other. "Stop it, man!" I demanded, both frustrated and upset at the same time. "You're embarrassin' me!"

"How am I supposed to make you feel better if you won't tell me anything?"

"Will ya shut-up already?"

"But I--I--" stuttered my friend brokenly, "just want to know if there's anything I can do for you!"

Openin' an eye, I caught a glimpse of another group a students sittin' together, all a which happened ta be lookin' our way and gigglin' to each other. They were makin' fun of us, no doubt 'bout that, and the snotty peeps were chics, too. Just great. We now graduated ta bein' the laughin' stock of some gossips who would spread to everyone they knew that me an' Yugi were actin' like a coupla girls. How nice.

"Sit down!" I demanded, throwin' a chair out to my amigo with an angry foot.

Thankfully, the shy sweetheart didn't make an ass outta himself anymore, since he took the invitation and plopped himself down. Happy to have some peace an' quiet at last, I plucked my fork from the nasty food and began playin' with it. The kid who sat in front a me shifted nervously, crossin' one leg over the other, settin' the body part down on the tiles, goin' through this weird ritual of how ta sit right. As he did that, I messed around with some peas (at least that's what the lunch lady said they were) by mixin' them with my puddin'.

"Aw, I could have eaten that!" protested the tiny tyke across the way. Very whiny and kinda crybabyish, I thought.

Liftin' the utensil, I let him have a looksie at my handiwork, which coulda gotten a gold medal for The World's Most Sickest Shit. "Ya can still have some if ya want." I answered with a humorous grin.

"Ugh, not anymore." Yug grunted, showin' me the flats of his palms. "You turned it into a worm bath."

In spite of myself, I broke into a casual smile. "It's healthier for ya now!" I snickered, feelin' back ta my old self at the moment. Flashin' him an idiotic grin, I made a wide, exaggerated gesture with my right arm while mimickin' the voice of a game show host, "Nutritious and delicious, that's what parents everywhere say when it comes down to it!"

Mutou snorted in disgust. "Yeah, well I'm not exactly the model kid who eats his vegetables." he replied, floppin' his head on top of a ready hand. "That shit'll make me puke."

"It would do more than that to me."

"Like…?"

"Give me enough gas ta level a rainforest." I answered nonchalantly, scooping some of the black an' green junk onto my knife an' spoon.

"Why do I believe that?" asked the teen with red, black, and blond hair, watchin' me form a screwed up work of art with great skill, somewhat hopin' that I don't shove the battered waste at his face anymore.

" 'Cuz your gullible like 'dat." I reply for him without even thinkin' about what would come outta my mouth.

Instead of gettin' pissed at me, he just shook his head in a slow, kinda back and forth motion that indicated he was frustrated with somethin'. Sighing deeply, he inquired, "Okay, Jou, I give up. What's eating at you?"

Pausin' in the middle a my self-taught cookin' lesson, I answered, "Nothin'." Shootin' him a fake smile, I added, "I'm cool."

Scrunchin' his brow together, he stared me in the eyes for a good, long time. Seein' what was really hidden in my big hazel eyes, he told me flat out, "You're full of shit, you know."

Drummin' my fingertips on the flat surface, I pushed my plate aside and dropped my gaze. He was right. God damn it, the young 'un who was short enough ta be my eternal arm rest was right on the money. Grittin' my teeth together, I shrugged uncaringly. "So what if I am?" I snapped, harshly enough for Yug to straighten in his seat. Realizin' that my behavior was mirrorin' the jerk Kaiba, I fell onto the table on my folded arms. Now it was me who owed him an apology. "Sorry," I mumbled softly, "I didn't mean for it to come out that way. It's just that I can't stop wonderin'--" Widening my eyes, I clamped my hands over my mouth, ducked my head low, and kept my trap shut. Nu-uh. I'm not gonna tell him that much, no matter how much of a good friend he is. There's just no way in hell I'd spill what I found out last night--

Cockin' his head ta the side, Mutou gave me a weird face and frowned. "What was that?"

"I dunno." I replied, which was entirely too fast for him ta believe.

"Joey," said the other boy sternly, "I'm not as naïve as everyone thinks I am."

"And…?"

"And I'm not letting you off that easy." he said simply in a prim, no-nonsense kinda tone. "You wanna say what's bothering you, or am I going to have to pry the responses from your throat?"

"I'm tellin' ya, everythin's cool with me!" I protested stubbornly, wishin' that he'd let up on me and turn the heat lamp off. Glancin' at him, I could see that he wasn't buyin' my bullshit. He just sat in his chair, arms crossed, chin up, starin' at me with an expression that said, 'quit lyin' to me already!' Not wantin' ta face-off with the music, I growled, "Can ya stop mothering me? Geez, ya remind me of a housewife or whatever."

Yugi scowled at my remark. "Hey, I'm just trying to help." he claimed, flicking me off with his wrist. "I'm doing my best here, but if you're going to be a smart-ass on me, I can leave you alone and talk to Anzu or something."

"You'd actually stoop ta that level" I inquired with mock surprise.

"She's a good friend!" Mutou retorted, his huge purplie eyes glowin' with the pride of stickin' up for a gal who couldn't even keep a stable job. Biting on his lower lip, he had the innocent nerve to ask, "What level are you talking about, anyways?"

"Desperateness." I replied without hesitation.

"You're awful sometimes, you know that, Jou?"

"Yeah, but who's takin' note of it?" I fired back, somehow unable ta take the bite outta my voice.

Emitting a low whistle, the other teen said, "Wow, I guess his insults do have some truth to them."

"Whose does?"

"Kaiba's." Yug answered with a sly smirk.

"What's that supposed ta mean?" I asked, my posture rigid and inflexible.

"That you resemble a canine battling another pack rat for a bone when you get pissed."

"Say what?"

Shrugging as if he could care less, the kid with tri-colored locks grinned took on the gazillionaire's bratty features. "That's what he told us while you were going to the bathroom during lecture."

Floppin' my arms huffily in front a my chest, I growled, "Anythin' else I should know about?"

"No."

"What the hell ever!" I cursed in an angry rage, "Don't hide shit like this form me!"

"You'll start another fight with him." accused the shorter teen in a knowing tone. Then, in a more civilized voice, he advised, "Just stay away from him and mind your own business, Jounouchi. Of all people, you're definitely someone who can't afford to get into any more trouble."

"I'll decide that much for myself, thank-ya Mom." I heard myself snap, clawing at the table top with blunt nails while comin' up with new torture methods for a certain brat of a brunet.

"I'm serious! You just got yourself suspended two days ago for the same stuff! You're not in any position to--"

Sighing in aggravation, I finished, "Fuck up my probation, I know, I know."

On Tuesday, I was sent ta the gallows just 'cuz Mr. Fucking-Owns-The-Whole-God-Damned-Planet decided to tattle on me for knockin' him out in the bathroom. While he was takin' a beauty nap, I dyed his precious brown strands bright pink so the whole freakin' student body would know how much of priss he really is. It wasn't long 'fore the sweet lil' escapade ended, 'cuz the bastard ratted to the principal about how "emotionally distressed" he was and that I was always the one who "caused him so much trauma." Bullshit! The basket case needs ta see a shrink if he honestly believes that crap! He's the one who messed up my program that day by shreddin' my homework and makin' it ta where I didn't have anythin' ta turn in! Serves him right to get a dose of his own medicine--

"So don't put yourself in jeopardy anymore. Because if you do," warned the petite adolescent firmly, "you might not be so lucky the next time you come from the head office."

"Wish they'd just expel me and get it over with." I grumbled, heavin' an irritated breath outta my lungs.

"Don't say that!"

"Why not? Kaiba runs the joint by doin' what he wants with or without me here, so what's the point of tryin' ta fight the law?"

"But you're the only one who stands up to him!" protested Yug, lookin' at me with funny watery orbs, on the verge of tears. Whatever I said must've hit pretty hard.

Liftin' my lips into a halff-smile, I declared proudly, "That's 'cuz no one screws with Jounouchi Katsuya an' gets away with it."

"Except for the principal and teachers." Mutou pointed out, grinning a bit while puttin' a hole in my inflated ego.

Driftin' ta the ground like a deflated balloon, I agreed with him and slumped in my seat. "Yep, you've got me there." Placin' my thumbs over my fingers, I cracked my knuckles, rolled my wrists around to work any kinks out, then laced my hands together and stuck 'em behind my head. Dismissin' the comment he made, I changed the subject back to a familiar source. "So, what'd the Dragon Dumb Ass say 'bout me while I was takin' a leak?"

"Oh, no," groaned the shorter male, sinking into his seat while throwin' his hands over his wild hair. "not this again! I thought we were gonna leave this alone already!"

"Aw, it can't be that bad!"

"What if it was?"

"So I'll just pretend I never heard it, then."

Yugi rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Why can't I trust that?"

"Possibly 'cuz you're growin' outta bein' so naïve?" I suggested, an impish smirk playin' with my lips.

"Possibly 'cuz I know you'll get revenge for it somehow?" the other kid fired back. It was a realistic response, but I just couldn't let it go.

"C'mon, Yug," I chastised, "you know what they say about assuming, riiiight?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, 'don't make an ass out of you or me,' I know how the old sayin goes."

Leanin' towards him expectantly, I rested my chin on a closed fist, waitin' for him to say what he heard. "Then why don't ya tell your best bud Jou everythin' that went on?" I asked, regardin' him with an easy-going gaze.

Exhausted, he rubbed his temples, stretched his neck, then looked at me with innocent red eyes. "You sure you're not gonna go completely bonkers when I tell you this?"

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. "No," I said mildly, "I'll be good."

"You promise?"

"Yep."

"Promise, promise?"

"Uh-huh."

"Swear to God, Mary, Jesus, the Holy Trinity, and all the saints?"

Grindin' my teeth, I could feel the irritation weigh inside a my brain, but I stayed as calm as I could. "Yes, I swear to the mighty maker I'll forget whatever ya tell me."

"Okay," he relented. Taking a huge breath, he sat up straight, focused his big blue-violet orbs on me, then spilled, "hesaidpuppy'slikeyouneedajanitorrunningbehindthemsotheydon'tpissalloverthefloor."

Plasterin' a hand to the side a my brow, I smoothed out the knotted skin there. "Repeat, please?"

Swallowing fretfully, he asked, "The whole thing again?"

"Yeah, 'cept don't go so fast. I wanna hear everythin' word for word."

Nodding, he tipped his face closer to mine, inhaled slowly, then spit the phrase out. "He said, 'Puppies like you need a janitor running around behind them so they don't piss all over the floor.' " Exhaling cautiously, he glanced over at me to see how I was taking the whole thing. I guess my face didn't change much at all, since he followed up with, "On a brighter note, our teacher decided to cancel this Friday's test, so we get the weekend to study for it." Smiling at me with his usual enthusiasm, he exclaimed, "Isn't that great? Almost a full four days to prepare for the science exam! We couldn't ask for better timing! Everyone was so worried that they were gonna fail it, too!" Letting out a hearty laugh, he suddenly inquired, "Oh, me, Anzu, and Honda are thinking about going to the library as a study group. If you wanna join us, you're more than welcome to." Finally endin' his pointless jabberin', he tapped my arm and called my name. "Jounouchi-kun?"

Payin' no attention to the hyper kid pokin' me, I scraped some more of the gory zombie guts onto my spoon, stewin' in my dark, bitter thoughts.

"Um, is anyone home?" questioned the gothic teen beside me, jabbin my flesh with his index finger. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you were--"

"Gonna fuckin' kill him." I snarled, my hateful lingo spewin' off a my tongue like a dragon spittin' fire.

"Oh, no you don't!" protested the lil' youth, shaking his head in obvious disapproval. Like that was supposed to stop me or somethin'. "You said you wouldn't!"

"Fuck that asshole, I'm gonna deck him so hard he'll be broke after all the cosmetic surgery he gets!" I proclaimed to everyone within a five-mile radius. "He can just kiss that pretty boy image g'bye, the punk! And then when he's on the ground, I'll--"

"Jounouchi, no!" cried Yug in his high-pitched girlie voice, "I'm not gonna--"

"Get hit if ya park yourself here an' keep quiet." I finished, cold determination in my voice. "Just find a place to be and get in it."

"But--you--you're suspension--" he sputtered, tryin' ta get me to see things from his side a the fence, but it was too late. Bowin' his head, he did just what I told him ta do and lowered himself into the next available chair. "Don't do anything you'll regret later, alright? Can you do that much for me?"

"Sure," I replied with a cold grin, "After all, I promised I'd be good, didn't I? Everyone knows that Joey keeps his promises, so forget about it, man!"

As Mutou let out a noisy groan, I plucked my utensil from my dish, put on my nastiest smirk, then sat the spoon I grasped upright. Settin' my finger on top of the plastic missile carrier, I cocked it at a perfect angle and closed one of my eyes.

"You're my bitch now," I spit, aiming my special dessert at the brunet on the far side of my table, "so here's a lil' rough love to get this party started!"

In a single instant, I fired the muddy mess at the rich snot, sneering haughtily to myself as I did it. The putrid projectile sailed over the flock of preppy sheep in my class, missin' their prissy locks by a long shot. It was only moments from hittin' its target, only seconds from slappin' the cocky fruit basket in the face, and I drew in a short, excited breath. This was it! This was the time a truth I've been waitin' for! I knew my life at Domino High would come to an abrupt end after this, but who gives a damn? I'm gonna be famous for this! Hey, maybe even one a the dorks in yearbook will come an' take some snapshots of Kaiba's ugly mug and post it in the newspaper! Oh, oh! I know! It can go in the yearbook to be set in stone so everyone can look back on his pic an' say, 'Wow, what a loser!' Now I, Joey Wheeler, can be the king a the campus, an' nothin' or nobody's gonna stand in my way--

"Great Mother Isis!" someone screeched in an extremely familiar British accent, "What--What is this--this--shit?"

Pullin' myself outta my lovely daydream, I trembled and opened my eyes once more. There, sittin' by Kaiba, was a very disturbed lookin' guy with white hair--well, what was white hair, anyways--who was flickin' a mound a sticky brown stuff off his mane. Glarin' at me darkly, stupid Seto held a fist out to me and stuck his middle finger up. He was shoutin' a string a foul lingo, but I didn't return the favor with my own insults. All I could do was stare in shock at what I had done, my mouth hangin' by its hinges with my fingers holdin' my head up at a sunken height.

"Aw, fuck," I swore under my breath, watchin' as the brown-eyed boy helplessly tried ta smack the clammy crap from his hair, "the 'rough love' was intended for Kaiba, not Ryou…"