"So I'll use monster reborn for my Wing Weaver (2800/3000) and attack you directly!"
"Not so fast! My skulldice, roll!" it was a two. "A two?"
"That's what you get for depening on LUCK to help you win, Joseph." It was afternoon, and they were sititng in the crowded hotel café. Mai put her chin in her hands and glanced at him sidelong. "Hi, Tea." She said to the approaching brunnete teen.
"There you two are! Where've you been?" Without waiting for an answer, Tea went on, "What in the world happened last night at the restaurant! I heard there was a big scene . .. . ?" she sat down and pinned them both with a steely stare. "So . . .. did he pass?"
Of course, she was talking about Kaiba.
Joey cleared his throat and mai answered, "Yeah.. . . . . "
Tea's celerean gaze widened. "He did!" she sounded very surprised. Of course, she disliked Kaiba immensely with the rest of them. Her mouth gaped open and closed a few times like a fish's.
"Um hmm." Joey scowled away. "But he found out about it, so it didn't count!" as Mai rolled her eyes, pushing a blond curl back.
"H-he found out . . . about your plan! He figured it out!" Tea gasped, putting her hand over her mouth, seriously shocked. "I told you so!" she said angrily.
Mai leaned back casually like it was no big deal. "Yep. They," she said, nodding towards Joey, "fist fought like barbarians right in the public."
"And he's still alive!" Tea said immediately, jerking her head towards Joey.
"Hey!" He said, insulted.
"Well, now I bet Kaibas working out some revenge now!" Tea worried. She sat up with a start suddenly and gave a long gasp as if she'd just realized something. "OH. My. God."
"What?" they both said at the same time in hushed tones.
"Right after. . . " Tea paused, fidgeting with her pink purse, "Yugi got sick!" she paused dramatically for her words to take effect.
"What!" Joey exclaimed with a start.
Mai was less impressed. "Stop being so melodramatic, Tea!"
"I'm not! I swear. . . . " Tea stopped and looked at them both, frowning. "You didn't hear? Where've you been, in a cave! Yugi got seriously ill last night! I had to call his grandfather ... but he's away on a trip!" she bit her lip worriedly.
"You can't seriously think. . . . that Kaiba poisoned--" Mai was incredulous.
"Where is he? I'm gonna go see if he's all right." Joey got up, sending cards and papers fluttering around.
"In his room. But—"too late he was already gone.
"I won!" Mai called after him, picking up her deck. I think Tea's exaggerating Yugi's condition.. . he can't be that sick! Drama queen-Tea .. . .
"You .. . . wish . . .. !" called the steadfast retort.
later
The winner for the tournament had finally been announced. In celebration, the director was throwing a formal party to thank all participants. Joey had gone to see Yugi, who was weak, but was pulling through. He was a little woozy but just needed a good night's rest. The hotel's doctor had called him a "brave little soldier" to which Yugi would've been chagrined, but he didn't understand a word of Spanish, so .. . . . it was all the same to him, so to speak.
Meanwhile, Mai was in her suite that she shared with the other girls. They were all getting ready for the celebration dance. She wrapped a towel around herself, stepping out of the bubble bath. It had been so relaxing, she almost didn't want to leave---
"Ooh! Let me give you a makeover, Tea!" she ran over to said girl, who was brushing her brown locks. Tea looked at mai's excited face with suspicion. One minute moody, then the next acting like a happy two year old .. . she thought sort of sourly. Tea was in a bad mood, worrying aobut poor yugi.
"I don't know Mai. . . . why don't you give one to Serenity instead?" she said with a fake smile.
"I DO have a degree in beauty school .. . so there.." Mai decided not to let Tea unenthusiasm ruin her good mood. "So it's not like I'll ruin you hair .. . . why do you say, Serenity?" She asked hopefully. "I'll make you look positively gorgeous for that hunk of a boyfriend of yours!"
Serenity frowned and moved away. Tea and Mai exchanged surprised glances at each other. Finally Mai asked her what the matter was. "Do you have a fight with him, Serenity?" of course she was referring to Kaiba.
The youngers girl shook her head slightly, a frown on her usually smiling face. "I'm still mad at you two for trying to trap him. .. last night." And at Joey, also, she added silently.
"Mad at. .. me?" They both said at the same time, shocked. "But it was her idea!" They pointed accusingly to each other. "Stop copying me!"
"It was BOTH your faults," Serenity interrupted, narrowing her amber eyes slightly. "And—"
"But you and Kaiba made up right?" Mai interjected.
"Yes. . . . but that's NOT the point." The auburn haired girl lifted her chin angrily. "I was so humiliated last night! Never had I been so angry in my life .. .. and now . . . " she said, voice catching, "Joey and I aren't even speaking. I can't forgive him for attacking Seto and scheming. And it's all thanks to you two."
There was a guilty silence, as the other two fell chastened. Then Mai said, "Fine, you can be angry at us, but don't be angry at your brother. It'll kill him to know that you won't forgive him." She said passionately. Tea looked at her in surprise. Usually Mai's always saying what a lunkhead he is and always fighting with him, she thought, radar starting up. Serenity started to smile again, catching on quicker, as Mai, realizing she'd said much too much, turned away as studiously started giving herself a pedicure. "Since no one'll let me give them a makeover, I'll just give myself one . . .. "
"Mai. . ." Serenity came over and grabbed the other girls hand excitedly. " . .. did Joey finally tell you. .. .?"
Stubborn to the core, the blond answered, " I'll tell you . . .. . if you tell me what happened between you and Mr. Rich."
SEreinty blushed but leaned over whispered in Mai's ear something. Mai let out a squeal. "He told you that!" She hugged the smaller girl excitedly, nearly knocking her over. "Congrats! Oh, THIS is SO exciting for you!" She grabbed Serenity's hand and pumped it up and down. "Howwww. . . romantic!" she gushed.
". . . .. Well?" Serenity gave her sidelong look.
"Huh? Oh. . . .. Yeah, he did."
Now it was Serenity turn to hug her happily. "Oh my gosh!" Her auburn ponytail bobbed as she proclaimed. "That is so cool!" Meanwhile Tea, who had been watching all this, brushed her thick hair. She understood it all : Joey and finally confessed his feelings to Mai and Serenity and Kaiba had proclaimed their love. So? She thought sourly. Why am I feeling so bummed out? I must still be worried about poor Yugi, she figured. Scowling grumpily, she continued to pretend to brush her hair as she saw in the corner of her eye the other two girls rush into the other room to gossip. Tea turned her thoughts into another subject.
Tea had just finished with her hair and decided what to wear when there was a knock on the door a few minutes later. "Would you get that, Tea, please?" Mai's laughing voice came.
"Yeah, sure, whatever." Tea checked her watch: 7:55 pm. She stood on tiptoe and peered thorugh the peephole, then flung open the door. "Joey! How's Yugi?"
"Still sick. His gramps said he'd be dere as soon as he can, but he's vistin' some, uh. . ." Joey scratched his head.. "Cousins! Yeah, dat's it." He stepped in and glanced around. "I still can't believe he lost, though. What a bummer! Man . .. . I really thought he got dis thing all set!"
"Yeah, it's so easy to win when your best friend isn't even there for you," Tea snapped sarcastically. Joey looked startled and slightly guilty at the same time.
"Hey! I'm always there for 'im, and he knows it. I apologized for not bein' there last night, an' he said it was fine." He said defensively.
"Of course Yugi would say that. He doesn't want you to feel guilty! But you didn't see the look on his face as he was looking around for you. Now," Tea said finally, "You have to stay with him, since he's still too sick to go to the celebration ball."
"B-but--! I wanted to go!" Joey argued. "Why can't ya stay wit im?"
Meanwhile, Mai had been listening to their conversation in the other room. An idea slowly formed in her head. Maybe I can still set up Tea and Yugi just like I'd promised, she thought. Opening the door wider, she on the bed and crossed her legs. "Because he's your BEST friend," Tea was saying, piling on the guilt.
"He's your friend, too!" But he was wavering; it was working. Yugi had looked deathly pale and needed a friend right now. But I REALLY want to go to the celebration ball .. . . with Mai! Serenity, who was inside with Mai, out of sight, was watching her brother, who looked torn between his best friend and his new girlfriend. How ironic . .. . . NOW he's knows HOW I FEEL, she thought, crossing her slender arms. Let's see who he chooses! Beside her, Mai opened a bottle a strawberry scented lotion from Bath & Body Works and rubbed it on her legs, slooooowly, while looking at Joey sidelong, she gave him a wink.
Serenity covered her mouth to keep from laughing at the look on her bro's face. He looked dumbstruck, like he'd been hit on the head with a brick. Well, she is certainly good at pouring on the charm! Despite what he'd done Serenity fondly missed him dearly. Maybe I will forgive him . . .. if he promises never to try a stunt like that again! she considered.
He turned back to Tea, who was watching the whole scene with undisguised disgust. "Please? Please stay wit 'im? Just for tonight. I swear, I will stay with him AFTA dat! Please-please-please-please—" he pleaded, bowing to her over and over again.
"Okay! Okay! You can go to the ball. Jeez, I feel like the evil stepmother!" Tea grumped, crossing her arms crossly. "Go on, and I hope the guilt eats you alive!" sheroared for good measure.
"Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you!" With that he was gone to get ready.
Mwa ha ha ha, thought Mai, smiling in satisfaction. Serenity nodded beside her, knowing now that her brother had chosen what she had chosen also. Maybe now he'll understand. . .