Wow, the response has been overwhelming. Thank you all so much. So, I presume everyone has figured out who the love triangle is between.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.
...vV...Vv...
"Ahhh!... Be late, be late. Please be running late." Tèa sprinted down the street, her school bag colliding harshly with her hip on every step. The prayer was addressed to the bus whose stop she was now racing to.
Skidding around the corner she saw her intended ride pulling away from the curb.
"Gahh! Nooo!" She put on a burst of speed and lunged at the bus door landing on the runner board just as the vehicle began to pick up speed. Clinging to the side of the bus with one hand she pounded furiously on the door with the other. The driver failed to notice her.
She redoubled her efforts adding some verbal encouragement to the mix. "Hey! Stop! Let me on!" The driver continued to stare straight ahead.
The bus took a corner with out slowing down and it's stowaway passenger had to desist in her pounding of the door to hold on with both hands. She did not, however, stop screaming.
The bus finally jerked to a halt at a bus stop that was about a kilometre down the road from where Tèa had got on. Stepping back on to the pavement Tèa adjusted her school uniform and waited for the doors to open. When they did she climbed on and stood with her money in her hand waiting for the driver to tell her what the fare was to school.
"That will be $4."
"What? But I'm only going to be on for 3 stops."
The driver smirked. "I'm sorry but I will have to charge you for the full journey."
Understanding dawned on Tèa's face. "You knew." Looking at the smug look on the drivers face and realizing there was little she could do she paid then stomped down the aisle to find a seat.
...vV...Vv...
"You will never believe the completely horrible morning I have had." Tèa announced as she threw herself into her seat between Joey and Kaiba. It was math again, second period. She was late to school and as such she had missed seeing any of her friends before the first bell. This was the first opportunity to talk to any of them.
Joey grinned over at his friend sprawled in her chair. 'God, even when she's being clumsy she's graceful'
"So what happened, did you break a nail?"
Tèa glared at the blonde. "I am going to ignore that completely sexist remark. But I'd watch my back were I you!"
Joey ducked his head, still smiling.
"Anyway" continued Tèa. "I had the worst ever ride to school." She recounted her disastrous bus trip. "And so he knew the whole time. Can you imagine? It must be illegal."
Joey looked suitably horrified. "Must be."
"I can't believe that ... that..."
"Bastard?"
"Yes! I mean he should be fired. Or at the very least hung, drawn and quartered." Tèa broke of at the snort from her left. When she turned she saw Seto Kaiba sitting there, as impassive as always, reading a book. He looked up as if he could feel her eyes upon him. Reaching into a pocket of his uniform he offered her a folded piece of paper.
"It's from Mokuba." he said as she took it. Then he went back to his book.
Tèa glanced over at Joey who was watching with interest. She looked at the piece of paper. Her name was inscribed on the front in childish hand writing. She opened it up and read:
Dear Tèa,
Please, you've got to help me! Big Brother has a late meeting on Friday and I can't go. Seto is planning on getting this evil, stinky baby-sitter (I'm not kidding - she smells weird.) Could you please, please, please baby sit me. I'll be your slave forever, just don't let the evil cabbage lady near me.
From Mokuba
P.S. Big Brother doesn't know that I've asked you, I told him that this was a thank you note.
Tèa stuffed a hand into her mouth to stifle her laughter. Tapping Seto on the arm and ignoring his look she handed him the note. He glared at her but read it through quickly. His lips twitched but he successfully hid his smile.
Tèa wasn't even trying to hide hers. "You would leave him with an evil cabbage lady?"
Joey seemed confused. Kaiba just snorted. "Mrs. Fentworth is one of the best caregivers that money can buy."
Tèa just continued to laugh and mutter to herself in which the words "Cabbage Lady" were distinguishable. When she had finally calmed down she turned back to the C.E.O her eyes sparkling.
"I have no problem helping out you know."
Seto looked down his nose at her. Tèa continued to gaze steadily at him. Finally he conceded with a shrug.
"We will see."
"Silence! Class pay attention now." The teacher had arrived. Tèa turned to the front preparing herself for the thrilling lesson that awaited her.
...vV...Vv...
Midway through a class teaching him mathematics he had learnt before he reached high school Seto Kaiba felt something hit him in the arm. He stared at the square of folded paper where it had finally come to rest on top of his notes. Mokuba was written on it. Before he could figure out whether to open it another note, this one addressed to him landed beside the first. Not bothering to check if the teacher was watching him (What could that fool do any way, he was Seto Kaiba, C.E.O) he opened it up.
Kaiba, could you give this to Mokuba, thanks.
He sighed, since when was he reduced to being a messenger boy. Then he pictured his little brothers face. With a silent curse he caught Gardener's eye and nodded.
...vV...Vv...
Tèa and Joey wandered down the hall toward the Cafeteria.
Tèa glanced up at Joey. "So, how about the whole tutoring thing? Is Thursday good?"
"Yip."
"Your place or mine?"
"Uh, yours would be better."
"Hey you okay." Tèa bumped Joey with her hip trying to get a response. As the day went by he had got steadily quieter. Now at the start of lunch he had almost completely shut up. Compared to his normal exuberance it was kind of scary.
Joey flinched on contact.
Tèa's smile disappeared. "Oh Joey. Not again. I wish that you would tell me who did this."
"It's nothin'." Joey tried to keep walking toward the cafeteria, shaking off Tèa's concern.
He stopped when Tèa gently wrapped her arms around him. "God Joey. I worry about you. You're my friend all I want is for you to be safe. Why won't you let me help you?"
Joey closed his eyes, it felt nice to have someone touch him gently. It had been a long time, probably before his parents divorced. His father wasn't what you would call a loving person. Finally he broke contact.
"Come on Tèa. Yugi's back today, we don't want to keep him and Tristan waiting."
Tèa sighed. "Fine." she let go. "But Joey, I want you to know I am here for you. If you ever need anything..." She left the sentence hanging.
"Yeah Tèa, I know."
...vV...Vv...
Joey's side ached. He had been trying to ignore it all day at school but now after the final bell had rung he was finding it hard to stand up, the pain had been getting steadily worse.
Distracted by the pain he was taken unaware when a slim hand reached out from behind the corner of the science block and pulled him into a small alcove formed by the biology lab and the physics room.
It did not surprise him to find Tèa frowning at him.
"Geez Tèa, you'll be starting some major rumors if anyone sees us."
"Lift up your shirt."
Joey's eyebrows disappeared under his fringe. "Woah, those rumors just got a lot more interesting."
Tèa sighed. "I want to see your side, it's obviously causing you pain."
Joey hesitated.
"Come on Joey, I'm just worried."
Joey hesitantly pulled up his shirt exposing his side which was an angry purple shade. A bruise covered an area about the same size as a dinner plate. Tèa hissed in sympathy and moved closer.
"Oh, that looks bad. I think it could be broken. You should see a doctor."
Joey lowered his shirt back over it. "Nah, I told you. I don't have the money."
"I don't care. I'll pay for it. I'm taking you to my doctor, okay? Come on." She turned and dragged him toward the bus stop.
...vV...Vv...
The doctor's office was a stylish modern building in a suburban street. Joey immediately felt uncomfortable. 'Man. this is not my scene.' Tèa on the other hand seemed completely at her ease, marching confidently to the secretary seated behind the mahogany desk.
"Hello. I'm sorry, we don't have an appointment but my friend has hurt his side."
The secretary smiled at Tèa and Joey who was standing uncertainly behind her. "Not a problem, we have just had a cancellation. If you would be seated over there Dr. Fraser should be with you in a few minutes. Miss?
"It's Gardener. Tèa Gardener but the patient would be Joey Wheeler."
"Thank you" said the receptionist noting their details.
Tèa and Joey retreated into the waiting room.
An uncomfortable silence reigned until Tèa turned to Joey.
"Do you want me to come down?"
"Nah, I'll be fine. Um, Tèa how are you paying for this?"
"My parents are overseas, they left me some money for emergencies."
"Oh"
"Mr. Wheeler." A kindly looking man with graying hair approached Joey when he stood. "Hello I'm Dr. Fraser." He turned and walked down to his room with Joey following.
...vV...Vv...
"You would be Joey?" The doctor looked up from a file he was holding. Joey nodded.
"And this is your first time at this surgery?" Another nod. "Well that's fine. Can you tell me what the problem is?"
Joey fidgeted nervously. "Well ya see ... um..."
The doctor smiled gently. "Everything you tell me is entirely confidential. I won't tell anyone, not even Miss Gardener, I believe that she brought you here?"
"Yeah, she was worried about me. I hurt my side. She thought a rib might be broken."
"Okay, well let's have a look shall we. If you could just climb on to the bed over there and take off your shirt." Joey climbed up onto the examination table and gingerly removed his school top revealing the large wine colored bruise spread over his skin.
The doctor looked carefully then began to test the area with skillful fingers.
"Does this hurt?"
"No."
"What about this?"
"A bit."
"This?"
"Uh, yeah." The Doctor continued his examination for a few more minutes before stepping back.
"Well I don't think there is a break but I will get a bandage on it. If you don't mind waiting then the nurse will be here in a moment to strap it, okay?"
"Sure."
The doctor left the room and returned a few minutes later with a middle-aged woman in a white uniform who quickly and competently wrapped Joey's ribs.
Joey got up from the table and pulled his shirt back on. "Thank you"
"You should come back in if it gets any worse."
"Sure, thanks again Doc."
Joey walked back down the corridor toward the waiting room. When he entered Tèa stood up and walked over to him a worried smile playing at her lips.
"How did it go?"
Joey grinned carefully trying to reassure his friend. "None of my ribs are broken. The Doc just had it bandaged."
Tèa looked incredibly relieved. "Great, I've already paid so let's go. My house is closer, do you want to come for dinner and then catch the 8 o'clock bus back to your place." While she had been speaking Tèa had taken Joey's hand and led him out of the building and back into the sunshine.
"Sure that would be great. And Tèa, thanks."
"Anything for a friend." Still holding his hand she started of along the footpath.
...vV...Vv...
"La la la, de de de deeeeeee!" Tèa held the last note as she danced towards the microwave which was beeping, signaling that her sauce was ready. She sashayed past the cutlery draw grabbing two forks on the way. She opened the microwave and picked up the spaghetti sauce in it's little plastic dish. Finding it too hot she tossed it form hand to hand blowing on her finger tips. When she reached the bench she carefully peeled the lid off and poured the piping hot garnish over two bowls of pasta and meatballs. One was substantially larger then the other.
"Joey! Dinner!" she called placing the dishes and cutlery on the table. There was no response. Frowning, because Joey was normally already seated waiting for the food, she followed the dim sound of the TV Joey was seated on the couch with his legs pulled up under him. As she entered the living room he groaned and shook a fist at the screen.
"Come on Ref...oh for the love of..."
Tèa giggled and went back to the kitchen. Retrieving the food from the table she reentered the lounge and took a seat on the couch. She tapped Joey on the shoulder and waved his plate (the bigger portion) under his nose. His attention captured he snatched at the bowl but Tèa pulled it back out of his reach giggling.
"Hey, don't tease."
Tèa relinquished the dish and he began to wolf down the pasta while making suitably appreciative noises. Tèa smothered a laugh and, making sure it was his uninjured side, snuggled into him before beginning her own dinner.
"You know" said Tèa indicating his food. "It won't runaway."
Joey slowed down his eating and instead proceeded to teach Tèa the finer points of baseball. The finished their meal but didn't move, preferring to stay entwined on the couch, both content in the others company. 8 o'clock and the bus Joey had to catch seemed a long way away.