SORRY sorry sorry, I'm SORRY for the wait. *bows* Gomen, gomen . . .
Since I couldn't get to the responses earlier, I'll just leave them out here for the whole world to see. Just tell me if you don't want me to respond!
Ri-chan: Thanks! ^^ You need not worry about me not continuing this, unless of course something catastrophic occurs, I think you're stuck with me. I'm glad you took the time to review, it was very kind of you.
NeoStar: *gasps* OH DEAR!!! You poor thing, I'm so so sorry, but . . . oh geez, I hope you moved . . . that would totally SUCK. *changes subject* Worry not my friend! There's more . . . *grins* . . . ~much~ more.
Rosz of the Angel: I didn't mind that your review was late, in fact, it makes me feel all the more jittery when they DO come! Just to know that someone took the time to look *wipes tear* Deprived of the net, huh? I don't know if I could handle that for FIVE days. You must have a very strong character indeed *nods wisely*
Bronze Eagle: Hey again! Yup. "Rei-chan" has defidently changed for the better . . . as you can see in this particular chapter. Y Malik and Bakura should be coming up again soon, because they're really important. ^^ Gawd, I love being an authoress . . .
Shenya: Yeah, me too . . . *drools* . . . frequent updates mean more reviews, right? Well, theoretically I suppose. *snorts* Geez, am I pathetic of what! Yami Malik's a . . . a peach for now!!! Teehee, oh, and one more thing; *faces Y Shenya, making devious gestures with hands* Ohohoho! You poor, poor sheltered child . . . *cackles* welcome to the world of the WIERDOS!
(Kuja: *blows kazoo*)
Sailor Comet: Yami Bakura . . . I'm sorry I didn't explain much on behalf of him before, but he is in a WEIRD emotional situation, that'll probably come up more clearly in the next chapter or two. As for your question; depends on if I'm going to write a sequel or not . . . yes, I am thinking about sequels! ^_~
ShadowPheonix: Teehee, Malik's just like that, isn't he! ^^
Sarina Fannel: (Why do I always want to spell Sarina, Serina?!) Thanks! You're so kewl! ^^
Yami Krissy: I can just imagine a deep-voiced announcer saying just that . . . if only I had a creepy theme too . . . we'll just settle for the A.I. theme for now *ponders*
*shakes head* Naw . . . WAY too creepy! ^^ That was a great intro by the way, I should hire you as a spokesperson!!! LOL This isn't nearly as dramatic, but it does fit in the space . . . kinda maybe sorta . . .
On with the show my friends and fello fanfic luvers!!! The time is now; a very, very long chapter that perhaps may cure a little of that nasty "cliffy-itis" for you . . . *disappears with a flash of purple*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was a sunny, September morning. One of those pleasant situations in which the sun seemed to shine with an extra orange flourish, and the cool air that stung up your nostrils was so clear and perfect, that the sun seemed to shine nearly twice as bright. There were at least a total of fifteen more minutes until that dreadful tong of the first bell, of the first semester, of the first school day in the year, but just ~because~ it was the first day of school meant it was the prime time for some serious chick-hunting.
High schools always seemed better than "Baywatch", just because these girls were actually there, and most of that age and gender were in that barely post-adolescent stage that allowed their figures to stay neat and pretty that they were ALL gorgeous. Well, not including the freaks and creeps, but they never accounted for anything special.
The particular handful of male students disguised their true, incredibly shallow intent by lighting a few last-minute cigarettes behind one of the trashy blue dumpsters overlooking the parking-lot. This was their chosen and (now that they were juniors) always reserved haunt that gave an illusion worthy of even the most feminist teacher around Domino High; Ms. Patchuson, the gym teacher. Though smoking was by no means considered honorable in the eyes of the teachers, it was just one of those things that many of them had come to accept. If they were to honestly punish students as they should regarding tobacco on campus, over half the school would probably be expelled.
However, every time they looked the other way, they seemed to miss another rule-breaking act. But hey! It's not like the dumpster-boys were complaining! To see muscular Ms. Patchuson look down her hair-lip without even noticing their rightful pursuit of pretty girls, the "very bad habit" was entirely worth it.
A few transfer girls giggled mysteriously at their obvious appraisals and appreciative whistles as they scooted by. They knew well that now was the time to act, as far as the dating scene was concerned, because once all of the girls tired of their shallow dispositions (they always did), they would be forced to recruit about the ~other~ nearby schools. But rivalries always seemed to sustain themselves at a positively ~dangerous~ level, and it was in their best interests to elongate their time of physically unscathed bliss.
But even these thick-headed fools caught their breath at the sight of the automobile which happened to pull in at that very moment. The profound awe slapped on each one of their faces was nearly TOO evident.
/Whoa, new rich kid!/
Just went to show how shocked they were for thinking up such a stupid phrase . . . not that they were mental giants in the first place . . .
It really did stand out though; regal and shimmering, with almost seductive curves accenting the swift body. The tinted windows reflected everything as if they were dark, lazy eyes with a gaze that brushed over too much. "High" eyes.
The boys were already losing interest of admiration for this obvious new- comer, as more and more of the girls were averting to the Corvette in interest and INCREASING awe. When it finally became apparent that the females had no intention of returning, they decided to resort to the most "drastic" measures they could come up with.
"Evan . . . " the speaker was extremely agitated, as he gripped the insides of his pockets tightly.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll handle it." A blonde boy responded, as he flicked the remains of his cigarette off of his fingers and took long-legged strides toward the scene of the crime. His gate was smooth and suave, allowing his long-tailed coat (totally in-style, of course) to flow temperamentally behind him, matching his mood and face.
The Corvette halted slowly, and soon fell asleep after the key turned. The shallow boy now identified as "Evan" loitered casually, as the occupants took their sweet time coming out. Finally, the door was kicked open . . .
. . . By a black leather boot . . .
And poor (in the loosest sense possible), unsuspecting Evan's jaw nearly licked the concrete.
Mai bounced out of her seat with a jaunty toss of her uppity hairdo, and ran her fingers through the loose part in a nervous habit. It wasn't long before she noticed the strange guy looking at her like a rare china doll, and she silently rose an elegant eyebrow in question.
The boy's mind was a confused blur of possibility; /Oh man, this girl's hot . . . should I talk? No, she'd be repelled . . . gotta act sophisticated and cool . . . dammit, ~no~ girl has made me feel like this since sixth grade . . . insane, totally insane . . . /
"Can I help you?" Mai finally asked, annoyed. /What an idiot, can't he take the hint?!/
Evan took an involuntary step backward as she pulled him out of his mindless thoughts with a bitter demand. He didn't have the intention of actually ~conversing~ with a girl who looked as though she would eat him alive without hesitation, but of course, if the lady insisted . . . /how could I resist?/
"I'm, uh," he scratched the back of his head coolly, trying with all his spare might to avoid eye-contact with his desperate friends in the distance, who were waving their hands and mouthing ridiculous phrased such as "retreat! retreat!" or "abandon ship!". /Heh. Figures, they just want this catch ALL to themselves, but I've soooooo got this one; easy./ "I was just wondering if . . . you needed the grand tour of our humble school! I know it's tough to start a new one."
Mai sniffed disdainfully. /Masculine pig./
Suddenly, the oblivious boy nearly jumped at the abrupt sound of ~another~ door opening, kicked widely by a more comfortable-looking booted heel that quickly gripped the asphalt with an audible ~*click*~. He almost trembled when the new form took her place next to the purple monstrosity.
Now, he normally was never that appreciative of those bohemians who rebelled mercilessly against the clone-like outfits that were popular, because most of them were . . . weird . . . just too different. But Evan had no more doubt that his biased opinion could possibly be improved in the very near future. This specimen would have looked gorgeous in ~anything~.
Rei nervously held her elbows as her Jansport balanced her weight out if she leaned slightly forward. She gave a quizzical glance at Mai, who was staring at some guy with all the venom she could muster, and began to survey the boy with faint mistrust.
Evan didn't really notice.
Her feet were entirely obscured by the cuff of her pant legs, so baggy it was much beyond a skater style ((AN - Hot Topic anyone? *grins*)). They were a deep blue, with strategically placed light-blue highlights, and too many bungees to count, but enough to tighten the pants in all of the right places. Her waist was slim though, and the pants fit nicely around them and easily as well.
The shirt she wore was for the most part plain, but tastefully accented by a shimmering orange sash that was wrapped twice around her chest, and tied in the back. It supported shadows that would have easily been avoided otherwise, but now seemed to leave little to the imagination. There was also a black fish-net undershirt that made the orange look even more vibrant against her pale skin.
And finally, her hair. Oh what hair!
It seemed to be spun of the precise beautiful shades of clouds on an overcast day, and expertly cut into layers so that it stuck out cutely from her porcelain face. Another sash that matched her other one kept her hair in check, as it was tied like a headband, and contrasted in an interesting level with the blend of purples shadowing her eyes. Her eyes were all the make-up she sported, making them even more incredible and eye-drawing.
Rei blinked her cat-like stenciled eyes to him, and blushed a little.
" . . . Evan Sables?" she asked, lowering her head so that a few pieces of hair shifted position.
His questioning look was hardly masked "Do I know you?" /Was I really so stupid that I let someone this pretty get away?!/
Her eyes abruptly widened to a startling degree, and her fingers began to hang on dearly to the sides of her over-sized pant legs. Rei felt her feet twist around nervously, as she quickly thought of an applicable cover-up.
Oh great, well; "Is it REALLY you?!" she gave a look of astonishment, whose mocking nature seemed only quite evident to the feminist wonder: Mai. But she was nothing but a willing, if not calm observer and one who was making sure her 'cousin' could handle her dilemma by herself. "I was in your first grade class!"
"Oh?" Evan was looking sincerely thoughtful "I should go back and check sometime . . . are you sure?"
"Very sure." /Why the hell is the school player insisting nonsense with me? Just leave!/
He frowned slightly in increased thought, and nodded lightly in understanding to her verbal gesture. Evan instinctive glided his hand smoothly down his pocket before turning back to them with a simple expression and a faint smile of challenge tugging at the corners of his lips.
"If you say so. Well, lovely ladies, my offer still stands true" he put in with a (seemingly) careless shrug and stare at Rei with bright sapphire eyes. She blushed a little deeper.
Mai made an unhindered sound of disgust and (and because she was just too polite for her own good) grabbed Rei's hand.
"I think we can handle ourselves." The two of them set off without a backward glance.
Evan felt a slight pang of deja-vu as her watched them walk off /Where have I seen that walk before . . . /
His face went cold.
/You mean, THAT'S Mai Valentine, the elite 'queen' of nerds?! What the hell?!/
~*~*~*~
"I trust you'll be able to handle yourself?" Mai asked.
"I suppose . . . it will be an odd experience, no doubt."
"Well, be sure to meet me for lunch! ~I~ certainly won't be able to navigate myself around this godforsaken--not to mention HUGE school!"
Rei brought her hand to her mouth to politely hide a good-natured giggle. "You just don't give yourself enough credit. I'll meet you outside of your last class."
"Hmph." Mai gave a graceful fling of her curls that diffidently turned a few heads about the crowded hallway. "You had ~better~."
She smiled. /Mai, you certainly have a character./ "I'll . . . see you." What would have normally been categorized under 'natural slang', was seemingly decidedly UN-natural on the tip of Rei's tongue. Her face hardened slightly.
/Stupid. I'm here, aren't I? I can finish this . . . /
The blonde filtered through the loitering crowd without another word, trusting that Rei's unnaturally good sense should keep her out of trouble. Unfortunately, the girl in the extreme façade seemed a little less sure of herself than anyone else. But, she managed a chillingly large breath before she carefully pushed the door open to the first class on that Friday morning . . .
/Why did they decide to start school on a Friday? That's a tad bit pointless, isn't it?/
She was relieved to find that this otherwise foreign classroom seemed normal enough at first, but she craned her head around the door corner as a sort of cushioning comfort, just in case. It was simple to realize that she happened to be doing that a lot lately; craning her head for a better view, blinking deliberately, and slowly easing herself in any situation she found herself in. Rei knew it was becoming habit just like Mai's strenuous lessons, but she just hoped she didn't appear too dense every time she did it.
Her feet managed on their own; moving one in front of the other, toward an apparently vacant seat near the window. The brunette next to the desk seemed friendly, as she was kindly allowing her attention wander out of the window, and was quite oblivious at that moment. Rei knew that was ~precisely~ what she was looking for, so she wove her way around the desks as to not let her pants catch on sharp edges and--
"Whoa, geez ya big lug!"
--was knocked to the side to the uncomfortable linoleum before she could make it across the room.
Her head spun with the combined jolt of surprise, wafting fumes of her hairspray and someone else's faint cologne, and the backlash of landing on something hard, even if she was cushioned by her unsuspecting rear. It was a moment of disorientation that acted as a prelude to her not-so-nice thoughts to the person who so carelessly knocked her over.
"Oh man, look whatcha did ya big jewrk!" Rei's eyes suddenly relaxed /Wa-a- a-ait a second, is that who I think it is?/ She gazed up to the tall figure who was standing . . . quite tall . . . in front of her.
"You okay?" Joey Wheeler, in all of his messy-blonde 'nest' glory, asked, concern in his eyes.
Rei tried to speak, but all that was coming out was a tense gurgle. Her throat felt as if it were tied into many, many unorganized knots that prevented anything intelligible from escaping their gate, but unlike a faintly similar feeling around Evan from earlier, this unusual ailment was immobilizing her quite successfully. Her head felt all floaty inside, almost (embarrassingly enough) ~dreamy~.
The rather straightforward boy quickly gripped her slim shoulders, and placed her back to a full upright position ((AN - is anyone else strangely reminded of planes? ^^;;; giggle doesn't like planes . . . )). Maddeningly enough, Rei's cheeks were burning an even more fascinating shade of red.
"Um, it's okay." She tried to avoid eye-contact, but it was rather pointless.
"Ha, geez . . . " he scratched the back of his neck apologetically before turning angrily to his friend "Tristan, what the hell, man?" he shoved his shoulder.
"DON'T start with me, Joey." Tristan said as his temple was visibly throbbing "It was your own damn fault."
They continued onto their squabbling, completely ignoring the politely puzzled Rei to take in their unusual antics. She was suddenly becoming a bit annoyed by the fact that he barely apologized, and her face was becoming more red, not from that foreign embarrassment, but from barely- controlled anger.
Rei finally brushed past them rudely, with a sassy and VERY Mai "excuse me!" as she overcame their barrier.
She even surprised herself regarding her boldness for that split second, but her misgivings were rapidly cured; /I've wanted to do that for SO long, and now I have no conservative little image I desperately need to withhold . . .
/ . . . not that I really had a reputation to uphold then I guess but,/ she pursed her lips /I really don't ~care~ anymore! This isn't me, and they'll never know./
A friendly voice interrupted her thoughts "Don't worry about those idiots . . . they're dense, but they mean well."
Rei looked up to amused, sapphire eyes and a welcoming expression. "You're probably right." How weird was this?! She had to pretend that she never knew her friends, just, why did they keep popping up always?!
"Honestly, they're the best friends a girl could ask for. I just wish they weren't quite so unbelievably oblivious to everything around them."
The cloud-haired girl gave a snortish giggle.
"I'm Tea," she introduced with her head tilted toward the side and a questioning facial expression. "Tea Gardener."
It took an uncomfortable moment before she realized that she needed to introduce herself as well.
"R-Rei Valentine." She replied nervously, and twisting her hands tightly as her mouth twitched.
Tea raised her eyebrows considerably, with her delicate hands brushing back strands of wood-shade behind her ear. "So are you related to Mai?"
"Yeah . . . I'm her cousin." She tried not to focus on the idle way Tea was tapping her pen on the desk "From Kyoto." She added.
"Ah," Tea's face now relaxed into a very welcome smile, but intruding on the subtle aura of intelligence hanging about her eyes. Strange, Ryou had never noticed that before. He had always assumed she was a rather simple- minded lady, who thought very highly of her friends. "well welcome! I hope you make yourself at home . . .
"And . . . I don't know how else to say this but," she swallowed deeply "don't hesitate to make friends. I know how lonely it can be. Oh great, I'm probably just scaring you away, huh?"
They both shared a merry burst of amusement, but for Rei also a burst of amazement, even if it didn't show on her face. /She 'knows how lonely it can be'? How; she's nice and has Yugi and the others . . . /
Her eyes widened a little /Maybe she's right! Is that why Tea seems so obsessive over friendship? Maybe she DIDN'T have friends for a while, I UNDERSTAND now./
Rei was feeling increased generosity around the friendly dancer.
"Um, is anyone sitting here?" she wasn't going to attempt to avoid her anymore, for that she was certain. So they never came off to the right foot before, she could start over, just as she had previously promised herself.
/Now hopefully I'm not just madly jumping to bold conclusions . . . /
The other girl's wide blue eyes made contact with her book acting as a 'reserved' sign to the seat on her right for a moment. After making some quick decisions regarding the new girl (and an obvious glance to the hurrying clock), she finally sighed to her notebook and muttered a faint "Go ahead."
Rei wasted no time, and at the precise moment the teacher and bell rushed elegantly into the room, accompanied in conversation with a spikey-haired boy.
A particularly ~familiar~ spikey haired boy.
She felt herself start at the sight of his appearance; not quite the severe and very Yami leather, but still dark and mysterious. He had grown a few inches since Ryou had seen him for the last time, but Yugi was still quite short for his age. Short; and yet had a more better understanding of maturity that showed through his large eyes.
Rei saw Tea stiffen as his clear voice rang true, and she averted her eyes to the floor. Her back was slouched, which a dancer NEVER did, but there she was. Quite a sight to see already for innocent Rei, but she had a feeling the picture would seem even more spectacular if Tea showed her probably-scarlet face.
And she did something Ryou would have NEVER done.
She ~giggled~.
That seemed to trigger the other girl out of her obviously frazzled state, to glare at Rei as if to say 'it's not funny!'.
Her white-ish hair seemed to sparkle under the florescent lights as she leaned in carefully "You like him, don't you?"
If she had looked back at herself, it would probably be with a look of distinct horror for asking a question so prying. But somehow, it didn't seem terribly rude if you looked at it instinctively. Rei just saw her with an amused eye and thought mischievously (a normally poorly-used expression) that Tea was practically 'begging to be teased'!
This . . . new found joy was becoming oddly enthralling.
Tea stuttered, but no sound really came out. She blushed again as she spotted the poetic-looking Yugi taking a seat between Joey and Tristan, enough that Rei didn't really need any fake objections to her assumptions. It was scary that she was acting this daring.
Oh, what an interesting day it would become. She was sure about that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That must be one of my worst chapters yet . . . kinda pointless, including the fact that it was pointlessly long, but I won't have to explain other things that make this story interesting.
I'm sorry Tea-bashers, but she really isn't all that bad. Being a student amoung MANY angst-ridden artists has given me the opinion by experience, that Tea must have been in a very UN-friendly situation before to make her so touchy about that. That, or she was just in that amazingly emotional stage in Duelist Kingdom half the time, but COME ON PEOPLE. I DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE HER MYSELF, BUT THE BASHING IS BECOMING JUST PLAIN REDICULOUS!!! If you're going to bash her, at least bash her for who "Tea" really is, and not who you want to hate her as.
*breathes* Okay, end weekly rant ^^
Again, I apologize for the lateness, but I just started another one of my bizarre YGO fics, and that took up a bit of my time. If you care, it's called "Fithos Lusec Wicos Venosec". The title translated is something along the lines of "succession of witches", but I don't entirely trust Squaresoft on their translations, because I got this directly from Final Fantasy VIII's opening theme; "Liberali Fatali". Blame them if it's wrong! But it sounds cool I guess . . .
ANYWAY . . . that was lame. I shouldn't describe my other stories in my ANs . . . that's presicely what my (currently unnamed) NEMESIS does. *bonks head on wall*
Okay guys, you know the drill! *cackles*
(in a good way of course ^^;;;)
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW (even if you don't like it) REVIEW (even if the author sounds like she's inside a "funny farm" right now) REVIEW (just trust me) REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVI--
Ummmm, I think you get the picture. But I can assure you that I'm just THAT desperate! Ridiculous, eh? (no, I'm not Canadian) Sorry if I hurt your eyes badly *dodges rotten fruit*
Toodles!
giggleplex
^^ heh heh *hiccup*
Since I couldn't get to the responses earlier, I'll just leave them out here for the whole world to see. Just tell me if you don't want me to respond!
Ri-chan: Thanks! ^^ You need not worry about me not continuing this, unless of course something catastrophic occurs, I think you're stuck with me. I'm glad you took the time to review, it was very kind of you.
NeoStar: *gasps* OH DEAR!!! You poor thing, I'm so so sorry, but . . . oh geez, I hope you moved . . . that would totally SUCK. *changes subject* Worry not my friend! There's more . . . *grins* . . . ~much~ more.
Rosz of the Angel: I didn't mind that your review was late, in fact, it makes me feel all the more jittery when they DO come! Just to know that someone took the time to look *wipes tear* Deprived of the net, huh? I don't know if I could handle that for FIVE days. You must have a very strong character indeed *nods wisely*
Bronze Eagle: Hey again! Yup. "Rei-chan" has defidently changed for the better . . . as you can see in this particular chapter. Y Malik and Bakura should be coming up again soon, because they're really important. ^^ Gawd, I love being an authoress . . .
Shenya: Yeah, me too . . . *drools* . . . frequent updates mean more reviews, right? Well, theoretically I suppose. *snorts* Geez, am I pathetic of what! Yami Malik's a . . . a peach for now!!! Teehee, oh, and one more thing; *faces Y Shenya, making devious gestures with hands* Ohohoho! You poor, poor sheltered child . . . *cackles* welcome to the world of the WIERDOS!
(Kuja: *blows kazoo*)
Sailor Comet: Yami Bakura . . . I'm sorry I didn't explain much on behalf of him before, but he is in a WEIRD emotional situation, that'll probably come up more clearly in the next chapter or two. As for your question; depends on if I'm going to write a sequel or not . . . yes, I am thinking about sequels! ^_~
ShadowPheonix: Teehee, Malik's just like that, isn't he! ^^
Sarina Fannel: (Why do I always want to spell Sarina, Serina?!) Thanks! You're so kewl! ^^
Yami Krissy: I can just imagine a deep-voiced announcer saying just that . . . if only I had a creepy theme too . . . we'll just settle for the A.I. theme for now *ponders*
*shakes head* Naw . . . WAY too creepy! ^^ That was a great intro by the way, I should hire you as a spokesperson!!! LOL This isn't nearly as dramatic, but it does fit in the space . . . kinda maybe sorta . . .
On with the show my friends and fello fanfic luvers!!! The time is now; a very, very long chapter that perhaps may cure a little of that nasty "cliffy-itis" for you . . . *disappears with a flash of purple*
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
It was a sunny, September morning. One of those pleasant situations in which the sun seemed to shine with an extra orange flourish, and the cool air that stung up your nostrils was so clear and perfect, that the sun seemed to shine nearly twice as bright. There were at least a total of fifteen more minutes until that dreadful tong of the first bell, of the first semester, of the first school day in the year, but just ~because~ it was the first day of school meant it was the prime time for some serious chick-hunting.
High schools always seemed better than "Baywatch", just because these girls were actually there, and most of that age and gender were in that barely post-adolescent stage that allowed their figures to stay neat and pretty that they were ALL gorgeous. Well, not including the freaks and creeps, but they never accounted for anything special.
The particular handful of male students disguised their true, incredibly shallow intent by lighting a few last-minute cigarettes behind one of the trashy blue dumpsters overlooking the parking-lot. This was their chosen and (now that they were juniors) always reserved haunt that gave an illusion worthy of even the most feminist teacher around Domino High; Ms. Patchuson, the gym teacher. Though smoking was by no means considered honorable in the eyes of the teachers, it was just one of those things that many of them had come to accept. If they were to honestly punish students as they should regarding tobacco on campus, over half the school would probably be expelled.
However, every time they looked the other way, they seemed to miss another rule-breaking act. But hey! It's not like the dumpster-boys were complaining! To see muscular Ms. Patchuson look down her hair-lip without even noticing their rightful pursuit of pretty girls, the "very bad habit" was entirely worth it.
A few transfer girls giggled mysteriously at their obvious appraisals and appreciative whistles as they scooted by. They knew well that now was the time to act, as far as the dating scene was concerned, because once all of the girls tired of their shallow dispositions (they always did), they would be forced to recruit about the ~other~ nearby schools. But rivalries always seemed to sustain themselves at a positively ~dangerous~ level, and it was in their best interests to elongate their time of physically unscathed bliss.
But even these thick-headed fools caught their breath at the sight of the automobile which happened to pull in at that very moment. The profound awe slapped on each one of their faces was nearly TOO evident.
/Whoa, new rich kid!/
Just went to show how shocked they were for thinking up such a stupid phrase . . . not that they were mental giants in the first place . . .
It really did stand out though; regal and shimmering, with almost seductive curves accenting the swift body. The tinted windows reflected everything as if they were dark, lazy eyes with a gaze that brushed over too much. "High" eyes.
The boys were already losing interest of admiration for this obvious new- comer, as more and more of the girls were averting to the Corvette in interest and INCREASING awe. When it finally became apparent that the females had no intention of returning, they decided to resort to the most "drastic" measures they could come up with.
"Evan . . . " the speaker was extremely agitated, as he gripped the insides of his pockets tightly.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll handle it." A blonde boy responded, as he flicked the remains of his cigarette off of his fingers and took long-legged strides toward the scene of the crime. His gate was smooth and suave, allowing his long-tailed coat (totally in-style, of course) to flow temperamentally behind him, matching his mood and face.
The Corvette halted slowly, and soon fell asleep after the key turned. The shallow boy now identified as "Evan" loitered casually, as the occupants took their sweet time coming out. Finally, the door was kicked open . . .
. . . By a black leather boot . . .
And poor (in the loosest sense possible), unsuspecting Evan's jaw nearly licked the concrete.
Mai bounced out of her seat with a jaunty toss of her uppity hairdo, and ran her fingers through the loose part in a nervous habit. It wasn't long before she noticed the strange guy looking at her like a rare china doll, and she silently rose an elegant eyebrow in question.
The boy's mind was a confused blur of possibility; /Oh man, this girl's hot . . . should I talk? No, she'd be repelled . . . gotta act sophisticated and cool . . . dammit, ~no~ girl has made me feel like this since sixth grade . . . insane, totally insane . . . /
"Can I help you?" Mai finally asked, annoyed. /What an idiot, can't he take the hint?!/
Evan took an involuntary step backward as she pulled him out of his mindless thoughts with a bitter demand. He didn't have the intention of actually ~conversing~ with a girl who looked as though she would eat him alive without hesitation, but of course, if the lady insisted . . . /how could I resist?/
"I'm, uh," he scratched the back of his head coolly, trying with all his spare might to avoid eye-contact with his desperate friends in the distance, who were waving their hands and mouthing ridiculous phrased such as "retreat! retreat!" or "abandon ship!". /Heh. Figures, they just want this catch ALL to themselves, but I've soooooo got this one; easy./ "I was just wondering if . . . you needed the grand tour of our humble school! I know it's tough to start a new one."
Mai sniffed disdainfully. /Masculine pig./
Suddenly, the oblivious boy nearly jumped at the abrupt sound of ~another~ door opening, kicked widely by a more comfortable-looking booted heel that quickly gripped the asphalt with an audible ~*click*~. He almost trembled when the new form took her place next to the purple monstrosity.
Now, he normally was never that appreciative of those bohemians who rebelled mercilessly against the clone-like outfits that were popular, because most of them were . . . weird . . . just too different. But Evan had no more doubt that his biased opinion could possibly be improved in the very near future. This specimen would have looked gorgeous in ~anything~.
Rei nervously held her elbows as her Jansport balanced her weight out if she leaned slightly forward. She gave a quizzical glance at Mai, who was staring at some guy with all the venom she could muster, and began to survey the boy with faint mistrust.
Evan didn't really notice.
Her feet were entirely obscured by the cuff of her pant legs, so baggy it was much beyond a skater style ((AN - Hot Topic anyone? *grins*)). They were a deep blue, with strategically placed light-blue highlights, and too many bungees to count, but enough to tighten the pants in all of the right places. Her waist was slim though, and the pants fit nicely around them and easily as well.
The shirt she wore was for the most part plain, but tastefully accented by a shimmering orange sash that was wrapped twice around her chest, and tied in the back. It supported shadows that would have easily been avoided otherwise, but now seemed to leave little to the imagination. There was also a black fish-net undershirt that made the orange look even more vibrant against her pale skin.
And finally, her hair. Oh what hair!
It seemed to be spun of the precise beautiful shades of clouds on an overcast day, and expertly cut into layers so that it stuck out cutely from her porcelain face. Another sash that matched her other one kept her hair in check, as it was tied like a headband, and contrasted in an interesting level with the blend of purples shadowing her eyes. Her eyes were all the make-up she sported, making them even more incredible and eye-drawing.
Rei blinked her cat-like stenciled eyes to him, and blushed a little.
" . . . Evan Sables?" she asked, lowering her head so that a few pieces of hair shifted position.
His questioning look was hardly masked "Do I know you?" /Was I really so stupid that I let someone this pretty get away?!/
Her eyes abruptly widened to a startling degree, and her fingers began to hang on dearly to the sides of her over-sized pant legs. Rei felt her feet twist around nervously, as she quickly thought of an applicable cover-up.
Oh great, well; "Is it REALLY you?!" she gave a look of astonishment, whose mocking nature seemed only quite evident to the feminist wonder: Mai. But she was nothing but a willing, if not calm observer and one who was making sure her 'cousin' could handle her dilemma by herself. "I was in your first grade class!"
"Oh?" Evan was looking sincerely thoughtful "I should go back and check sometime . . . are you sure?"
"Very sure." /Why the hell is the school player insisting nonsense with me? Just leave!/
He frowned slightly in increased thought, and nodded lightly in understanding to her verbal gesture. Evan instinctive glided his hand smoothly down his pocket before turning back to them with a simple expression and a faint smile of challenge tugging at the corners of his lips.
"If you say so. Well, lovely ladies, my offer still stands true" he put in with a (seemingly) careless shrug and stare at Rei with bright sapphire eyes. She blushed a little deeper.
Mai made an unhindered sound of disgust and (and because she was just too polite for her own good) grabbed Rei's hand.
"I think we can handle ourselves." The two of them set off without a backward glance.
Evan felt a slight pang of deja-vu as her watched them walk off /Where have I seen that walk before . . . /
His face went cold.
/You mean, THAT'S Mai Valentine, the elite 'queen' of nerds?! What the hell?!/
~*~*~*~
"I trust you'll be able to handle yourself?" Mai asked.
"I suppose . . . it will be an odd experience, no doubt."
"Well, be sure to meet me for lunch! ~I~ certainly won't be able to navigate myself around this godforsaken--not to mention HUGE school!"
Rei brought her hand to her mouth to politely hide a good-natured giggle. "You just don't give yourself enough credit. I'll meet you outside of your last class."
"Hmph." Mai gave a graceful fling of her curls that diffidently turned a few heads about the crowded hallway. "You had ~better~."
She smiled. /Mai, you certainly have a character./ "I'll . . . see you." What would have normally been categorized under 'natural slang', was seemingly decidedly UN-natural on the tip of Rei's tongue. Her face hardened slightly.
/Stupid. I'm here, aren't I? I can finish this . . . /
The blonde filtered through the loitering crowd without another word, trusting that Rei's unnaturally good sense should keep her out of trouble. Unfortunately, the girl in the extreme façade seemed a little less sure of herself than anyone else. But, she managed a chillingly large breath before she carefully pushed the door open to the first class on that Friday morning . . .
/Why did they decide to start school on a Friday? That's a tad bit pointless, isn't it?/
She was relieved to find that this otherwise foreign classroom seemed normal enough at first, but she craned her head around the door corner as a sort of cushioning comfort, just in case. It was simple to realize that she happened to be doing that a lot lately; craning her head for a better view, blinking deliberately, and slowly easing herself in any situation she found herself in. Rei knew it was becoming habit just like Mai's strenuous lessons, but she just hoped she didn't appear too dense every time she did it.
Her feet managed on their own; moving one in front of the other, toward an apparently vacant seat near the window. The brunette next to the desk seemed friendly, as she was kindly allowing her attention wander out of the window, and was quite oblivious at that moment. Rei knew that was ~precisely~ what she was looking for, so she wove her way around the desks as to not let her pants catch on sharp edges and--
"Whoa, geez ya big lug!"
--was knocked to the side to the uncomfortable linoleum before she could make it across the room.
Her head spun with the combined jolt of surprise, wafting fumes of her hairspray and someone else's faint cologne, and the backlash of landing on something hard, even if she was cushioned by her unsuspecting rear. It was a moment of disorientation that acted as a prelude to her not-so-nice thoughts to the person who so carelessly knocked her over.
"Oh man, look whatcha did ya big jewrk!" Rei's eyes suddenly relaxed /Wa-a- a-ait a second, is that who I think it is?/ She gazed up to the tall figure who was standing . . . quite tall . . . in front of her.
"You okay?" Joey Wheeler, in all of his messy-blonde 'nest' glory, asked, concern in his eyes.
Rei tried to speak, but all that was coming out was a tense gurgle. Her throat felt as if it were tied into many, many unorganized knots that prevented anything intelligible from escaping their gate, but unlike a faintly similar feeling around Evan from earlier, this unusual ailment was immobilizing her quite successfully. Her head felt all floaty inside, almost (embarrassingly enough) ~dreamy~.
The rather straightforward boy quickly gripped her slim shoulders, and placed her back to a full upright position ((AN - is anyone else strangely reminded of planes? ^^;;; giggle doesn't like planes . . . )). Maddeningly enough, Rei's cheeks were burning an even more fascinating shade of red.
"Um, it's okay." She tried to avoid eye-contact, but it was rather pointless.
"Ha, geez . . . " he scratched the back of his neck apologetically before turning angrily to his friend "Tristan, what the hell, man?" he shoved his shoulder.
"DON'T start with me, Joey." Tristan said as his temple was visibly throbbing "It was your own damn fault."
They continued onto their squabbling, completely ignoring the politely puzzled Rei to take in their unusual antics. She was suddenly becoming a bit annoyed by the fact that he barely apologized, and her face was becoming more red, not from that foreign embarrassment, but from barely- controlled anger.
Rei finally brushed past them rudely, with a sassy and VERY Mai "excuse me!" as she overcame their barrier.
She even surprised herself regarding her boldness for that split second, but her misgivings were rapidly cured; /I've wanted to do that for SO long, and now I have no conservative little image I desperately need to withhold . . .
/ . . . not that I really had a reputation to uphold then I guess but,/ she pursed her lips /I really don't ~care~ anymore! This isn't me, and they'll never know./
A friendly voice interrupted her thoughts "Don't worry about those idiots . . . they're dense, but they mean well."
Rei looked up to amused, sapphire eyes and a welcoming expression. "You're probably right." How weird was this?! She had to pretend that she never knew her friends, just, why did they keep popping up always?!
"Honestly, they're the best friends a girl could ask for. I just wish they weren't quite so unbelievably oblivious to everything around them."
The cloud-haired girl gave a snortish giggle.
"I'm Tea," she introduced with her head tilted toward the side and a questioning facial expression. "Tea Gardener."
It took an uncomfortable moment before she realized that she needed to introduce herself as well.
"R-Rei Valentine." She replied nervously, and twisting her hands tightly as her mouth twitched.
Tea raised her eyebrows considerably, with her delicate hands brushing back strands of wood-shade behind her ear. "So are you related to Mai?"
"Yeah . . . I'm her cousin." She tried not to focus on the idle way Tea was tapping her pen on the desk "From Kyoto." She added.
"Ah," Tea's face now relaxed into a very welcome smile, but intruding on the subtle aura of intelligence hanging about her eyes. Strange, Ryou had never noticed that before. He had always assumed she was a rather simple- minded lady, who thought very highly of her friends. "well welcome! I hope you make yourself at home . . .
"And . . . I don't know how else to say this but," she swallowed deeply "don't hesitate to make friends. I know how lonely it can be. Oh great, I'm probably just scaring you away, huh?"
They both shared a merry burst of amusement, but for Rei also a burst of amazement, even if it didn't show on her face. /She 'knows how lonely it can be'? How; she's nice and has Yugi and the others . . . /
Her eyes widened a little /Maybe she's right! Is that why Tea seems so obsessive over friendship? Maybe she DIDN'T have friends for a while, I UNDERSTAND now./
Rei was feeling increased generosity around the friendly dancer.
"Um, is anyone sitting here?" she wasn't going to attempt to avoid her anymore, for that she was certain. So they never came off to the right foot before, she could start over, just as she had previously promised herself.
/Now hopefully I'm not just madly jumping to bold conclusions . . . /
The other girl's wide blue eyes made contact with her book acting as a 'reserved' sign to the seat on her right for a moment. After making some quick decisions regarding the new girl (and an obvious glance to the hurrying clock), she finally sighed to her notebook and muttered a faint "Go ahead."
Rei wasted no time, and at the precise moment the teacher and bell rushed elegantly into the room, accompanied in conversation with a spikey-haired boy.
A particularly ~familiar~ spikey haired boy.
She felt herself start at the sight of his appearance; not quite the severe and very Yami leather, but still dark and mysterious. He had grown a few inches since Ryou had seen him for the last time, but Yugi was still quite short for his age. Short; and yet had a more better understanding of maturity that showed through his large eyes.
Rei saw Tea stiffen as his clear voice rang true, and she averted her eyes to the floor. Her back was slouched, which a dancer NEVER did, but there she was. Quite a sight to see already for innocent Rei, but she had a feeling the picture would seem even more spectacular if Tea showed her probably-scarlet face.
And she did something Ryou would have NEVER done.
She ~giggled~.
That seemed to trigger the other girl out of her obviously frazzled state, to glare at Rei as if to say 'it's not funny!'.
Her white-ish hair seemed to sparkle under the florescent lights as she leaned in carefully "You like him, don't you?"
If she had looked back at herself, it would probably be with a look of distinct horror for asking a question so prying. But somehow, it didn't seem terribly rude if you looked at it instinctively. Rei just saw her with an amused eye and thought mischievously (a normally poorly-used expression) that Tea was practically 'begging to be teased'!
This . . . new found joy was becoming oddly enthralling.
Tea stuttered, but no sound really came out. She blushed again as she spotted the poetic-looking Yugi taking a seat between Joey and Tristan, enough that Rei didn't really need any fake objections to her assumptions. It was scary that she was acting this daring.
Oh, what an interesting day it would become. She was sure about that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That must be one of my worst chapters yet . . . kinda pointless, including the fact that it was pointlessly long, but I won't have to explain other things that make this story interesting.
I'm sorry Tea-bashers, but she really isn't all that bad. Being a student amoung MANY angst-ridden artists has given me the opinion by experience, that Tea must have been in a very UN-friendly situation before to make her so touchy about that. That, or she was just in that amazingly emotional stage in Duelist Kingdom half the time, but COME ON PEOPLE. I DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE HER MYSELF, BUT THE BASHING IS BECOMING JUST PLAIN REDICULOUS!!! If you're going to bash her, at least bash her for who "Tea" really is, and not who you want to hate her as.
*breathes* Okay, end weekly rant ^^
Again, I apologize for the lateness, but I just started another one of my bizarre YGO fics, and that took up a bit of my time. If you care, it's called "Fithos Lusec Wicos Venosec". The title translated is something along the lines of "succession of witches", but I don't entirely trust Squaresoft on their translations, because I got this directly from Final Fantasy VIII's opening theme; "Liberali Fatali". Blame them if it's wrong! But it sounds cool I guess . . .
ANYWAY . . . that was lame. I shouldn't describe my other stories in my ANs . . . that's presicely what my (currently unnamed) NEMESIS does. *bonks head on wall*
Okay guys, you know the drill! *cackles*
(in a good way of course ^^;;;)
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW (even if you don't like it) REVIEW (even if the author sounds like she's inside a "funny farm" right now) REVIEW (just trust me) REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW REVI--
Ummmm, I think you get the picture. But I can assure you that I'm just THAT desperate! Ridiculous, eh? (no, I'm not Canadian) Sorry if I hurt your eyes badly *dodges rotten fruit*
Toodles!
giggleplex
^^ heh heh *hiccup*