Dear Diary,
I can't believe it! I lost! I feel so down in the dumps....but it'll pass.
It not like I really need the money. : Tea told me Serenity, Joey's sister needs an operation asap and that's why he was in the tournament in the first place.
Shocking, isn't it, diary? I was like, "Tea, that's horrible!" She's like, "Yeah, Serenity might never see again!!" I said, "No, I mean risking it all on one single tournament!" and she looked at me funny. Such a gamble on such an important thing!! What was he thinking!!! Then I figured he'd think he's a big hero and show off. If U could meet him, diary, U'd think so too!!! I mean, the pressure from the burden'll eat him alive; how's he supposed to win then?! & if he doesn't win, how's his sister supposed to see? That's why I always enter for the money & that's it.
and I was right.I found him shortly after I lost to Yugi..... "Get up, you can't just give up!!!" I said angrily. "Your sis's depending on u!!" I wouldn't allow him to feel sorry for himself when Serenity was at stake. U know what I MEAN, diary? That would be selfish. Anyway, he turned away but not b4 I saw him swipe at his cheek w/ his hand.
U know, I realized I was wrong, then, 'bout his intentions, diary. Rarely have I seen someone so selfless, especially a male, & feel such despair that he'd cry in public. i mean, I would've paid for the operation if he'd asked, but that wasn't the point.I was envious of his sister, all she had to have done was been related to him (which is by luck) & to automatically be cared for like that...... right then. & she'd probably never know how, i thought. EVER!! in fact, i was so jealous i almost hated her!!!! I mean, someone I've hadn't even met yet!!!! That's weird. Then i came to my senses & handed over my own card since he'd lost his own. 99 He would've probably just stood there gawking at it 4ever if I hadn't practically pushed him to get going. sigh....... but I hope i'll see him again.....as well of course.
There was no more entries; the rest of the pages were blank. Guess she hadn't written in it for a while......that was a long time ago.....that even I forgot! It was then he started to fall a little in love with her, when she showed she really did have a kind heart even under all those shields. I can't believe she felt that way......'jealous'.......?
"Whatcha readin'?"
The smile faded off Joey's face. He was so lost in his own world, he hadn't heard anyone come in! Duke's malicious grin came into view. For once, he wasn't surrounded by his fan club.
"N-nothing! Get outta here!!" he shouted, face flushing with guilt.
"Yeah right! What is that, her diary? Mai's diary?!" he said loudly, trying to circle around to take it. Joey easily dodged him. Duke's gaze shifted to the window. "Oh, hi, Mai. Why are you coming in through the window?" he said questioningly, eyes wide in surprise..
As Joey turned his back, Duke easily snatched it. "Sucker!" he said, shaking his head. Now it was his turn to dodge. "Let's see.....'August 4....' "
"Give it back you---"
Smirking, Duke read, " 'Joey was crying his eyes out...' why were you crying your eyes out, man?" When Joey grabbed the collar of his expensive red shirt and slammed him aganist the wall Duke said, "Hey! Release me.....unless you want her to find out you were readin' it....!" he grinned." I'll bet she'll never speak to you ag-gain!"
"You wouldn't--" But he had no choice, he had to let go.
"I still don't believe you two are together....let's see......" Duke read the part where he was just at. " hm...boring, boring.....ah! 'he just stood there gawking at it if I hadn't pushed 'im back. Sigh, but---" he stopped.
Joey crossed his arms. "Well?"
".....but I hope to see him again.' " Duke was speechless. "Heh. It's not like she said she wants to jump ya, man......"But he said it a little uneasily. ....... And me still without Serenity....... He was lost in thought."Later, man......I gotta go and do something important."
"Yeah, whatever." Now, there's somethin' I need to do......what was it again? I forgot..... oh well, it must've not been important...."Wait, hold up! Look, you'd better not breathe a word of dis, got it?" he took a step towards him menacingly. "Or anything!" He snatched the book back and threw it in the drawer, where it landed with a bang!
"Or that you were reading it?" Duke said innocently. Or it would've looke innocent if it weren't for the malicious grin....
"I....wasn't!" he denied. "Prove it!"
"I doubt I'll have to." Duke grinned as an idea came to him. "Hey, I wanna see if she wrote something about me!.....I know; how about I read it to you? That way your conscience'll be clear; you wouldn't be doing the actual reading....." Duke said generously.
"In your dreams, Devlin, if you think---" A loud crash, followed by whoops and yells sounded from downstairs, making them both turn.
"Look like the party's getting out of hand....." Duke mused, looking over his shoulder thoughtfully.
"C'mon, you idiot, we betta make sure nothin' bad happened!" Joey shoved him outside the roomt.
meanwhile
Tea was trying to make conversation with Serenity as she walked her home, but she wasn't interested in small talk. Giving up, they walked home in silence as they slowly reached the Wheeler's front porch. It looked eerie and dark, like a haunted house; no one was home.
"Thank you, Tea, for walking me back." Serenity said. "Would you like to come in for a snack?"
It was obvious she was just being polite, but Tea didn't think it was wise for Serenity to be home all alone in the dark. "Sure, I love to."
Serenity sighed and fumbled for her key, then inserted it in the lock. "That's strange....." she murmured, as the door swung open, even though she hadn't turned the key. "It.....was left open....even though I distinctly remember locking it before me and Joey left in the afternoon......"
"Maybe your mother came in before and forgot to lock it." Tea suggested, going in.
"No, she works until late....." Serenity bit her lip, looking around in the darkness. She was groping for a lamp, thinking, Did someone.....break in? when Tea suddenly gave a bloodcurdling scream. Scared out of her wits, she screamed too, even though it came out more of a tiny squeak. "What is it, Tea?!"
meanwhile
Mai's eyes slowly came into focus as she got up from the floor and started brushing off leaves and twigs off her bare arms and legs. Huh! Why was I lying in the floor in the dark? Where am I?
She glanced about, recognizing the place as the north building of her parent's estate. What am I doing here? Dazedly, she started walking back towards the main house as if drawn there. I don't remember having a party! she thought, hearing loud, window-shaking music come from the building. But I must've..... what's going on?!
"Okay everybody out! Party's over!" A loud voice cut through her aching head. That voice sounds familiar....ow.....need aspirin......and rest..... It felt like if someone were jackhammering on her head to music. Stumbling towards the surround stereo system, her fingers flicked the off button. Ahh....well that makes it a little better....Mai headed towards the medicine cabinet, too weak to focus on anything else. Maybe I drank too much.......but your head usually hurts the morning after not immediately! People rushed by her on their way outside, thanking her for the party. "Yeah.....you're welcome......" she muttered sarcastically under her breath. You're welcome for trashing my house!
She stopped short when she saw the mess. It was bad. Tables upturned, chairs broken in pieces, littered around. Oh. My. God. Okay, don't panic. Ow, my head...... "Roy," she whispered to the butler, "send for a cleaning crew fast....."
"I'm on it, Miss. Do you....feel alright, you look pale....." the elderly man peered at her worriedly over thick spectacles. "Did you forget to take your medicine again?"
Though he wasn't shouting, the words sliced and stabbed and his image was distorted. "Medicine....?" she blinked hard.
"Oh, dear me. You're having a migraine. You need to get to the hospital, miss! I'll call for an ambulance; your parents took the driver. Try not to move." He hurried away.
Ambulance? Why? The pain was so intense, it felt dull. Like she was used to it. Questions filled her head, each carrying a little electrical shocks to her nervous system. She lifted her hands to her face and watched them shake as she sat blankly on a white sofa with a fresh purple stain on it. He said a migraine.....I don't get migraines! I've never had one in my life! Ohhhh.....
"I found her, she's over here.." A sound of running feet on the carpet. "She's totally out of it.....".
I'd better act like I'm in control........Her eyes widened as she spotted Joey jogging over. It's Joey! Oh wow, I haven't seen him since Duelist Kingdom.......! He looks great.....! Surprise eased a little of the pain.
"Mai.....I'm so sorry....I totally forgot! Here's your medicine. Didja take it awready?" He ignored the smirk that said I-know-why-you-forgot on Duke's face. I'll bet his thinking of exactly how to blackmail me for reading......he'd better not! He threw him a glare over on shoulder.
"Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you in so long!" Mai exclaimed at him. Despite the pain, her face broke into a wide delighted smile. "What are you doing here in my house? How've you been?"
It was hard to know who had the more confused face...... "Um...what do ya mean, 'what am I doing here?' " What sort of game is she playing now? "Ya...... invited me, rememba?"
"As his date," Duke put in helpfully, as Joey smacked him. "Whaaaat?!" he complained.
Her brow furrowed and her smile faded. "I whaaat?" she echoed in shock. "Oh, that's very funny joke. And......you invited all these people.....!"
"Noooo....you had a party! A pool party....." He was tired of the game. "Quit joking around awready! Hurry up and snap outta it!" Desperately, he grabbed her arm and shook a little too hard in emphasis and frustration.
Her eyes went wide as saucers, then flashed with quick anger, and he knew she was not joking. " Ow, let go of me right this instant! What is wrong with you, Joseph? It's not funny!! I don't know what you're talking about......ow......" Feeling another wave of pain, she got up and went to a corner in a nervous, quick movement, to try and figure things out in peace, hoping he'd go away, while he just stared in stunned silence, wondering what was going on. Presently, the butler entered.
"This way, miss...." He took her arm and guided her away. "The ambulance will ease your pain....don't worry...the mess will be cleaned up before you return."
"Why.....?" she murmured, but allowed herself to be led away. Men strapped her in a stretcher while she groaned in pain.
"Hey, where are ya taking her?"
"To the hospital. Can't you see she's in great pain?" The butler looked him up and down with disdain. "Now get out of here before I call the police!" When he didn't move, he added, "Now! I'm dialing...."
"Well. That was weird." Duke summarized after they left and Joey just standing there looking after the wailing siren in blatant confusion. "Looke like she just broke things off......and I didn't even have to tell about you reading her d---ulp!" He choked as the furious blond wrenched his throat closed and lifted him high by the collar. "Just kidding!" he said quickly.
meanwhile
"What is it, Tea!"
"Ssh! There's a b-burgular!" Serenity could just barely make out the terrified expression on Tea's face. Her heart started pounding in fear in response to it. Tea was not one to get scared easily.....!.
"W-where.....?"
"In the kitchen!" Tea picked up the first thing she saw and wielded it over her head like a bat. Serenity sweatdropped.
"Um....Tea.....I don't think that will hurt him very much...." she said softly, pointing to the pillow in Tea hand. "Maybe you should get something else....?"
"Well...." Tea flushed with embarassement, glad the darkness hid it. "At least it'll stun him. Yeah! The kick will knock him out." The kitchen door slowly swung open and both their hearts leaped in their throats.
"Actually your scream would deafen anybody, Gardener...." A cool voice mixed in with the sound of the door swinging shut. "Even the dead!" There was no mistaking that sarcastic edge. A square of light fell on a tall figure, casting him in eerie moonlight. a/n: heh dramatic entrance
"Kaiba!" Relieved, Tea groped for a lamp switch on flicked it on. The room was immediately cast in a warm glow. Turning back around, she saw that Serenity had already run over to him. "What are you doing here?!" Tea demanded. "You scared us half to death!" He ignored her.
"How long.....have you been here.....?" Serenity asked carefully, her eyes big with worry as she looked him over. He looks terrible! There were dark shadows on his face like he'd hadn't slept in weeks. She knew all about that feeling.....far too well.
"....A while. I just got here." he muttered as Serenity tipped his face down, gently, so she could see him better.
Isn't that a contradiction? 'A while', then just 'got here?' Tea rolled her eyes. "Well, I'll just see myself out. Bye, Serenity....." There was no answer, the two with talking softly in murmured voices. Actually, she was doing most of it. Tea paused, frowning, then turned away. "Sheesh, she always like this whenever he's around....."
Her hand was on the knob again when the sudden light of headlights flooded her vision and there was the sound of an engine being cut off. Sheilding her eyes, Tea blinked and squinted, trying to see who it was that blinded her. Meanwhile....
"I missed you so much!" Serenity was exclaiming softly, throwing her arms around him and hugging him tightly, not caring that Tea was still there and he didn't like showing affection in public. After a moment he lifted his hand and ruffle her hair so lightly that she could barely feel it. She felt the stupid, darned babyish tears start in her eyes and shut them tightly and buried her face in his navy blue jacket until they went away. It doesn't matter.....! You idiot!she told herself.
"Uh, sorry to spoil your happy reunion, but Serenity, your mom just pulled in the driveway....." Tea was happy that at least that got their attention; they pulled away.
Serenity said, "You'd better go......out the back door....." But her eyes told him she hoped he didn't. He paused, then glanced away.
"No. I'm staying like I should have done in the first place." he muttered darkly, clenching his fist in a white knuckled ball in the determination. He saw Tea open her mouth to protest, and silenced her with a sullen glare. The keys jingled in the front door.....
I should have stuck by him in to first place, too....and not run, Serenity thought as they all watched the door knob turn.....ultra-slowly, it seemed. She could hear her mother on the cell phone, settling a business merger with the advertising company she worked for. At least..... NOW he's here by my side...I have a feeling his brother had something to do with this..... Her fond smile faded as the door was shoved open, the creaky middle hinge squeaking absurdly loud.....
Here goes nothing......