Disclamier: YuGi Oh is not mine, jeesh!
%%%%%Tea's POV %%%%%%%
Why is he staring at me…like t-that? I wondered, staring back also. It was kind of like that no blink game little kids play, like the first one to blink would be out. There was a slight smile, which I swear grew bigger, and I realized he looked very…..cute, when he smiled, I mean.
I know, I know; I have been blabbing on and on about how drop dead handsome he is, but I never ever ONCE thought he was "cute." Like I told Ishizu, "Puppies are cute, so are kittens….but Seto Kaiba is not!" Or something like that. I couldn't think well right at this moment.
I must look like mess, flour smeared on my face (why is it that every time I meet with him, there's always something on my face?!), my old frilly apron probably making me look like a little girl playing dress up...... It was pretty late, it had been night when I arrived at the mansion. I don't know why I came. I knew he would be embarrassed about what had happened earlier at school. I had been embarrassed too, and felt guilt, also. And I never expected the flower, I mean.
"Um," I said, breaking the silence, the single word sounding as loud as a freight train's whistle, "I have to….ask you something…." I began, shuffling my weight from one foot to the other, clasping my greasy hands in front of me. "It's about this…..dance at school.." I went on.
His sapphire eyes hardened into diamonds, but he nodded for me to continue.
"Well, w-would…." My throat suddenly stuck, the words jammed as I was controlled by his eyes. I tried to sound flip, like it didn't matter whether he said no or not, but my heart was pounding traitorously in my ears. I could barely hear. "Would....you like to, umm……." I took a deep breath and pushed it out. "Go. With me?"
When he didn't answer right away, I lost my nerve.. I felt a weird sense of betrayal, like I had ruined something. Only I didn't know what.
"I don't like to go to dances, especially school ones," I heard him say,
My heart sank.
"But, I'll make this exception for---"
"Oh thank you!" I said, having a sudden change of mood that even he looked startled. Even thought I know it was pathetic, I threw my arms around his neck in gratefulness. I don't know what I was grateful for. I guess, the some man actually accepted when I asked him out. Unlike….
No, I wouldn't go there.
He returned the hug, briefly, and in an instant I was reminded of the way he'd held me in the nighttime, when I was feeling so lost and lonely, and afraid of rejection, so scared like a little lost lamb and he was so warm and comforting…..Tears sprung into my eyes before I could stop them, and I was bawling in seconds. But again, he didn't say anything, just held me again.
So sweet…. I think I loved him.
I backed away slowly, afraid of my own feelings. It was impossible to love again, especially after only a few weeks! He probably has some hidden motive….he always has some hidden motive. Maybe I'm a prize….. my thoughts trailed off. Wasn't it?I'm so afraid to be hurt....
He was looking at me in THAT way again, the way that sent shivers down my spine and my skin to ripple. I was so afraid and uncertain….. right then, I wanted to kiss him, I wanted to pull away and go home. Our faces were so close, I could've counted the freckles on his nose. But what if I messed up? Oh....
I recovered hastily and tried to pretend that it had been my target all along, but he wasn't fooled. I could see him struggling not to laugh. At least. I was so mad at myself, I wasn't sure if I was turning red from anger or embarrassment. Probably both.....Well!
In a sudden, quick movement, I thrust my face forwards and up, even stood on tiptoe.
And I missed.
Again.
I got his….
….Chin!
….
….
…[a/n: you can't see me but I'm laughing my head off right now]
Ohhhhh……
……boy.
"That's why….." he rumbled finally, in a husky low voice that certainly got my attention, "you need to use your finger…." To demonstrate, he curved one under my chin, stroking my skin in way that tickled, tipping it back. I heard him chuckle deep in his throat, and I automatically closed my eyes, leaning forwards again. I felt my nose lightly bump against the side of his, and I knew this time we would not miss. Now, just to lean forwards a little bit more…
Reluctantly, we backed away as he burst in and came to a screeching halt. "W-what's going on?" he inquired, twisting his head to one side like a ……BIRD! A little NOSY bird!"Where's BIG BROTHER! I need to tell you somet--"
Boy that kid ……I wasn't a violent person, but I wanted to wring his neck off!
Okay, maybe I was a violent person. Who knew?
Okay, calm down, Gardner….I mean, Tea…… It not the kid's fault you're clumsy as an ox around his brother.
"Ha. Ha." I said with a fake laugh, "No. I was just leaving." My voice sound remarkably calm, and Kaiba gave me an enigmatic look. I think he was just as embarrassed. "Bye!" I forced the word to sound cheerful, then split as Mokuba cheerfully waved out the door."Am I interrupting something?" Mokuba went on.
Yes! Yes!
Outside the mansion, a few minutes later, I was practically dragging myself back home, in shame. My good friend Mai pulled up in her Corvette.
"Is that you, Tea, who's slithering? You must be hanging around Joseph too long," she quipped, open the side door for me. I automatically got in, and stared blankly in front of me. "Uh, oh I know that look. C'mon, and we'll have a girl's tete-a-tete." She had this uncanny ability to spot when I had---when anyone had, actually---boy troubles.
I mutely nodded, then buried my head in my lap. "It was……so…." I groaned.
"Awful, I know," she patted me soothingly on the back. "I've got some time. Tell me all about it. Was that….that Kaiba Mansion back there? Was THAT where you just came from….?"
I guessed no one had told her yet. "Yes.. I uh, sort of asked him to a dance…."
"Ree-hee-heally?" she started to laugh, incredulously. The car stopped with a SCREECH!. "Do tell!"
%%%%%
An hour later, we were at Domino Mall, trying on dresses in the clothing boutique of an expensive department store. Mai's a major shopaholic, like me, but I wasn't in the mood. I twas too busy still bemoaning about how clumsy and unfemine I'd acted. "So what? Cheer up Tea," Mai assured me, her eyes glued on the material, "kissing a boy, especially someone like Kaiba, isn't easy….I admire your guts."
"So…..you don't think I'm totally nuts for….asking him to the dance?" I ventured timidly. I felt a bit better, despite myself.
"Nooo….though I do wonder….." she smiled over her shoulder, "what Yami would have to say about it…."
I froze. I hadn't thought of that. "Um….."
"Don't worry, I won't tell. Maybe I'll drop by this 'little' dance; this is getting interesting," she murmured, walking away towards the dressing room I sighed softly and picked at one. It was beautiful, not too showy, but elegant enough that I thought he'd like. It had all started with a dance, too….. I wanted so bad to go, but what if he stood me up?
Oh, I hope he doesn't!
"Tea! Aren't you coming?" Mai called bossily, clicking her acrylic nails.
"Yeah, all right. Though I probably can't afford half these dresses…."
"Eh, don't worry. It's on the house," she said with a wink, "as long as you go."
"T-thanks…." I tried on the first one she held out, and sweatdropped in the three way mirror. It was way too tight! It made everything "pop out", (if you know what I mean). "Um, I think this is too tight…."
"Really? I think you look hot, but…." Mai had a taste for tight, skimpy clothes, which really wasn't my style, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings, since she'd offered to pay. "Kaiba's going to take one look and 'jump your bones', as the saying goes!"
I blushed madly. "Um….. I don't think I want him to do that….." Liar….. said a voice in my traitorous mind.
"Liar," she returned amiably. "But if you're uncomfortable…..I don't know why you hide yourself under such boring clothes, anyway," she murmured, turning away and selecting another one. "How about…..this one?"
The next one was better, but was in an ugly maroonish purple color.
"Different color," we both said, agreeing for once as I went back inside to change.
"Whoo! Tea, looking fine!" I heard a whoop from outside, rolled my eyes and went inside the booth. I heard Mai scolding Tristan and Joey for looking at me undressed. They protested that they were just here to shop. Then I heard a much deeper voice….
When Mai came back with another dress for me to try on, I asked her frantically, "Is Yugi's brother there?!"
"Yami. Yeah," she said studying my panicked expression. "So what? He won't bite." She smirked.
"Look, Tea, you have to do this, to know the truth," she said finally. I didn't know what she was talking about, until she shoved the dress at me. "Try it.""Well, I can't go out there!" I hissed. Mai paused.
With a wave, she was gone. I looked down. It was the dress I'd admired earlier, pearly white glistening fabric, draping swirls. To know the truth of how I feel…..
Making up my mind, I threw it over my head and put it on. The silky fabric slid against my skin, and it seemed to caress me. I tucked stray strands of my long brown hair away over my ears. I hadn't decided how I would wear my hair, but the dark color was a good contrast, so I left it loose. Gulping, I went outside, my step delicate. I thought I looked good, but there was only one way to know. Mai's eyes definitely showed appreciation and pride; I had her okay. I took the sudden silence from the guys as a good sign, but I didn't dare to look at them. I stared at myself in the three way mirror in the hall of the store, then gathered up my courage, smiled and said, "What do you guys think?"
They were speechless, the goofballs. Wide eyed staring and the whole bit. I realized they weren't joking around for once. So that's what Mai was always blabbing about, how a girl had the power to make a man walk into a wall, just by being too busy staring at her. I never knew I had that power, but I guess.....
I do!. "You guys…pick up your jaws from the floor," I said to break the tension.
"Yeah, quit gawking," Mai said jealously, but she was only kidding. Her eyes were sparkling with amusement.
"You look…..beautiful, Tea," Yami was first to speak, and the others were quick to agree.
TBC"Thanks," I flushed. Now, if only he'd think so too…..
Of course, I was talking about Kaiba.
A/n: okay, next-the-dance! (ducks) Hey!
Tea: MADE ME MISS?! MADE ME MISS?! (swings mallet) I'LL SHOW YOU "MISS"!
A/n: Yipe Boy tea's sure scary when mad….(ducks) hey, if you didn't see it, this is half humor! You know, ha ha?
Kaiba: (restraining her) I don't think you're helping matters much…. A/n: well of course she doesn't think it funny…..but the whole point of this fic is to show how clumsy she is….
Tea: WHAT?! Oh, lemme at HER! (waves mallet of DOOM!)
A/N: AROUND KAIBA! Just around him! okay? Anyway, the next time, they'll get it right…I promise. Next: the dance! What interesting things will happen there? Old flames? New ones? The clash between them! EEK! Okay, review plz! R&R (crash) my…lamp… ; - ;