DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fanfiction produced for entertainment purposes only. Yu-Gi-Oh! and all related characters are the creations of Kazuki Takahashi.
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Part 15: Téa and Mai
By Shadow's Mirror
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"Now that is just plain wrong." Mai glared at the group of teenage girls over on the other side of the mall from where she and Téa were standing. The girls were clustered around a tall, black-haired boy, fussing over him and arguing over which of them was going to get to stand beside him in the next shop.
"I know. The way he treats those girls is just shameful." Téa frowned unhappily at the group.
"Well, yeah, that too. But I meant the way those girls are acting. Honestly, with a guy like Devlin, you don't get anywhere by fawning all over him. You'd think those girls would realise that." Mai shook her head, obviously disgusted by her fellow females' behaviour.
"Huh? What do you mean, Mai?" Téa blinked at her friend in confusion. Mai smiled.
"Listen and learn, hun. You see, guys like Devlin expect a certain amount of attention. If they get it, then they just accept it as being their fair due. But if you don't give them the attention they crave, it gets their attention. Once that happens, you have them right where you want them." Mai's smile became her familiar half-flirt and half-predator smirk.
"Mai… that's…" Téa was so shocked her mind had gone blank. She shook her head, speechless.
"I think the word you're looking for is 'incredible', hun." Mai winked as she laughed.
"Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of 'horrible'. You can't just string guys along like that! It's… it's…" As Téa spluttered in indignation, she made a mental note to warn Joey about Mai's theory. Although, knowing Joey, he'd probably be only too happy to have Mai use him as a test subject.
"Exactly what guys like Devlin do to girls like them." Mai jerked her head in the group's direction. Téa blinked and looked over at them too. At that particular moment, Duke said something and one of the girls immediately rushed off. She returned a moment later with a can of drink, which she handed to Devlin with a big smile while all the other girls glared at her. Devlin accepted the can with his usual 'yes I know I'm wonderful, but tell me again anyway' grin. Mai and Téa both winced.
"Good point." Téa sighed heavily as she conceded defeat. Mai was absolutely right.
"You know, someone really should teach that boy a lesson." Téa eyed Mai for a moment, wary at the thoughtful note in the older girl's voice.
"I don't know…" Téa was distracted as she watched the group. Devlin said something and another girl ran off to put Duke's empty drink can in the nearest rubbish bin. Téa sighed and winced again. "What did you have in mind?" Mai thought for a long moment before answering.
"I do have a plan, but it wouldn't work with either of us. Devlin knows us both too well for that. What we need is someone he'd never suspect. Someone sweet and innocent and pretty. Someone that Devlin would be interested in. But where are we going to find someone like that?" Mai frowned thoughtfully.
Serenity emerged from the toy store and joined Téa and Mai. "Hey guys! I found the cutest little teddy bear! What's going on? Aren't the boys back yet?" Joey and Tristan had gone to get Serenity's faulty mobile phone replaced for her.
Mai and Téa blinked at Serenity, then traded a glance with each other. Mai smirked.
"Hun… are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
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