A/N: Sorry i havn't updated in 10 years, i think i've lost it. The will to do anything! I'm jus sat here, it's late and i'm bored os i thought i might as well write :)

Chapter 7 - Joey's Secret

Serenity woke up on one of those bright mornings almost a week later. All week she had been depressed, her perants hadn't stopped nagging on about Duke and all she had been able to think about is Tristan, rebel or not, he was a wonderful boy . . . she felt for him, what she had not felt for anyone,a nd she suspected she would never feel for anyone.

She got out of bed and dressed herself as normal, expecting it to be one of those days where she would be nagged by her mother and father for hours and then go off and feel depressed until she had to go back to sleep, then she would do it all again. That was her life now.

There was a knock at the door. "Yes Téa?" Serenity asked, putting her hair up, she didn't even turn around as the door opened.

"Morning miss Serenity, how are you?" Téa asked, sounding friendly.

"As usual" Serenity sighed, she turned round to look at her maid. "Did my perants send you to ask me this?"

"No, of course not, i was just wondering about your well-being" Téa smiled.

Serenity knew her well enough to know that Téa was not that kind of person but she guessed it wasn't very inportant and shrugged it off. "Breakfast is ready miss" Téa said, after a few seconds.

"Thank-you, i'll be down in a few minutes" Serenity smiled as Téa left. She then yawned and turned to look out of her window, it as clouded up from the morning air but she could still hear the birds singing. She leant against the window cill and sighed. She didn't know what to do, everyday after would be like this if she didn't do something. So many things to be done and she can't do any of them . . .

*-*-*

A few minutes later Serenity apeared at the doors of the breakfast hall, and walked in, not wnating to think about what her perants would be saying. "Good morning dear" her father said, smiling at her as she entered.

"Hello father" Serenity sighed, taking a seat. She was not in a rush to hide her emotions from him.

"Everything allright dear?" her mother asked.

"Fine" Serenity said, "Well . . . actually, i'm not really hungery, would it be allright if i skipped breakfast?"

"Oh well dear, it would be ok, it's just . . . me and your father would like to talk"

'oh no . . .' Serenity knew what was coming next.

"Nothing's wrong dear it's just Duke" Her father said, Serenity looked at him blankly. "He needs to arrange the wedding and everything, obviously, you understnad no?"

Serenity looked away slightly, and nodded.

"So, you have had rather alot of time to think, he's coming back tomorrow. We would like you to have thought by then" Her father said, sounding slightly worried for some reason. Serenity sighed, she understood but she had thought already, Duke wasn't right for her, not now she had met Tristan.

"That's all dear" Her mother smiled. "If your sure you don't want nay bre-"

"No i don't" Serenity said quickely and with a slight hint of anger in her voice. She got up and walked out, not looking back to see the shock in her perants eyes. They now must know that she is not feeling happy, but even if they did know Serenity was sure they wouldn't understand.

*-*-*

Later that day when Serenity was fed up of looking out of her window and watchign the brids and thinking about Tristan she made her way to Joey's room, he was always there for her, when she needed him.

There was many corrdiors, and many doors, she ran her hand along them as she walked. Sometimes she would forget where Joey's room was, it was stupid, she knew, but she did.

Finally she reached it and kncoked on his door firmly, expecting no answer. Joey was always out at this point with his friends, but she heard someone, not Joey though. "Joey, who's there? you said no one would be coming!" she heard a female voice say.

Serenity looked puzzled as she heard her brother's voice, "Mai, just hide . . . get in the cupboard!" Then he opened the door, still buttoning his shirt and he looked down at his siter. "Oh, Serenity, Hi . . ."

"Hey big brother" she said, walking past him, into his room and sitting on his bed. Joey closed the door and looked at her. There was a silence for a while and then he bit his lip and asked, "Soo, what are you doing here then . . .?"

"I've just been thinking about to mcuh and i don't wanna' sit and think about pointless stuff anymore" she said with a shrug. "i just wanted to talk, but i heard someone here, have you got company?"

Joey looked at his cupboard doors and a female walked out. Serenity looked at her, she had longish blonde hair and was wearing a purple dress. Her eyes, shining in the sun, was fixed on Serenity. "Sister, this is Mai, my girlfriend"

"Oh, Hey Mai"

She smiled and looked at Joey and then back at Serenity. "Heya Serenity, i'm Mai, but he just said that"

Serenity smiled at her, she semmed allright then she looked at Joey suddenly, "Do mum and dad know?"

Joey looked puzzled and looked away. "They don't do they?" Serneity sighed, she could sometimes tell what Joey was thinking, especailly when he made it so obvious! "Well, i'm sure they'd like Mai"

Mai blushed, "Your sweet" She said as she went to stand by Joey. She kissed him slightly on the cheek, "i have to go honey, i'm sorry" she said, with a frown. Joey looked sad too. "It's been a blast, really, and especailly meeting your sis, Bye Serenity"

Serenity waved as Mai smiled and walked off onto Joey's balcany. Where she was able to climb down by a rope that was left there, as Joey's room was nto very high. Joey came in a few seconds later and looked at Serneity who started laughing.

"What?" he hissed.

"You have a secret girlfriend" Serenity said.

"And . . . there's nothing wrong with her, is there?" he sounded as if he meant it.

"No, she's semmed nice, tell me about her"

"Huh?"

"What's her job?"

"Oh, she's a duelist"

"Huh?"

"With duel monsters cards"

"Oh, i like them"

". . . I never knew you played it"

"I don't but the pictures are nice"

Joey smield at his sister. But she was thinking, not about duel monsters but about Tristan, if Joey had a secret, why can't she? Ideas began to form in her head and she smiled to herself as she thought.