Thank you once again for all the reviews. Well, on to the chapter.
* * *
Joey's hands were deep in his pockets and his head was bowed against the wind. He was trudging down the street kicking a can before him. It was Thursday and he was on the way to school.
Thunk. He gave the can a hefty kick, it skidded to a halt about twenty metres ahead.
Joey's ribs ached dully. The strapping seemed to give his ribs more support, he was sure that they would heal a lot faster. He thought back to the reason that his injury had been treated and smiled.
'Tea.' His grin spread. 'Just thinking about her makes me smile. Geez, only Tea. She's the only person I know like that. So...' He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening.
'What the... No way, I can't be ... thinking of Tea like that. Well actually I can, it makes sense I suppose.' He ran a hand through his hair, causing it to stick up more than it normally did. 'I mean she's smart and kind, and pretty. I spend a lot of time with her.' He closed his eyes, groaning. 'Oh man, this is... How am I supposed to get through this? I can't just avoid her 'til this is over. Great, what a time to get a crush on Tea. I should have seen this coming.'
Shaking his head slowly he began the trek to school.
* * *
As Joey entered the school grounds a figure detached itself from a group of girls and jogged toward him.
"Hey." Tea called. She stopped two feet from him. She looked him up and down before sending a radiant smile in his direction. Joey's chest constricted.
"Hello Joey. You look better today. Thank God."
"Yeah. The bandage really seems to help." Joey paused. "Listen Tea, you won't tell anyone 'bout this, will you?"
Tea sighed, looking downcast. "Okay Joey, if you don't want me to. But I still say that you should talk to someone."
"Yeah, I have. You." said Joey.
"You know what I mean. Someone who knows how to handle things like this."
"It's fine Tea, honest."
Tea was saved from answering by the bell.
"Fine, see you at Lunch. I have to go talk to one of the teachers at interval."
" 'Kay, Bye."
* * *
Tea prodded the lettuce on her plate. It was limp and going brown at the edges.
"Yuck" she muttered. 'What a wonderful day. Not only am I running too late to make my lunch but this salad looks about a week old.' She glared at the cafeteria food. 'Gross.'
She looked up at her friends. Joey and Yugi were dueling while Ryou and Tristan watched. Predictably Yugi was beating Joey but the duel was a close one.
Noticing her gaze Ryou looked up. "Something the matter Tea?"
"I think my lunch is decomposing." She said morosely.
Ryou smiled. "That's why I always bring my lunch."
"So do I. I was running late today. I had to ..." Tea trailed off.
Conversation among her friends had stopped. Tea felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning in her seat she found out why. Kaiba glared at her friends before shifting his gaze to her.
He cleared his throat. Tea would have sworn he looked uncomfortable but that was silly, this was Kaiba.
"Gardener..."
"Tea" Tea interrupted. Seto's expression didn't change, he kept his stern frown fixed on the girl.
"Tea." he said the name distastefully. "Mokuba was rather pleased by the note you gave him. I would like to take you up on the offer to stay with him tomorrow."
"Sure thing. What time?"
"I'll send the car to pick you up at five. I need your address."
Tea scribbled it quickly on a clean napkin. When she gave it to Seto he turned and left without a word.
As soon as he was out of earshot her friends turned to her.
"Why are you doing someone like him a favor?" hissed Tristan
Tea glared at him. "You shouldn't talk like that about Kaiba. Besides Mokuba is a great kid. I like spending time with him."
"It was nice of him to send a car." mused Ryou.
Tea snorted. "It's probably just to ensure I'm not late."
The bell went signaling the end of lunch. Tea stood up. When Joey made no move to stand she grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet.
"Come on, we have math."
Joey made a grab at his Duel Monsters Cards. He managed to grab them and shove them into his pocket before he was dragged away.
* * *
The math class was quiet as they worked on the problems assigned. Joey took this opportunity to watch Tea. She was worrying at her lower lip. Joey found all his attention focused on that lip. Tea continued to chew her lip as she frowned at her book. Joey tore his eyes away from her mouth to study the rest of her face.
Her eyebrows were drawn down toward her crystalline eyes in a scowl. 'She looks so cute like that.' Just as he was thinking that Tea looked up. Catching his eye she raised an eyebrow in question. She glanced around to see if the teacher was watching. When she had confirmed that there were no unwanted onlookers she leant forward.
"Remember" she whispered. "Today after school, I'll meet you at the gate, don't forget your math book.' The teacher had drawn near so Tea quickly moved back to her work.
Joey turned to his book as well but not before sending one more glance in Tea's direction. 'Oh man, I've got to be careful. I can't let her know I'm crushing on her.'
* * *
Tea ran into Joey coming out of the school building's main entrance. Literally. Joey didn't deem that fazed but Tea stumbled backward. She was saved from falling over when Joey took hold of her arm to steady her.
She gave a relieved sigh. "Thanks, I was hurrying to meet you. Guess I did." Joey chuckled at that.
"Come on Tea. Let's get to the bus. I wouldn't want you to have to jump on the side of the bus again." Tea hit him in the arm.
"Sure, bring that up. That was not my fault. It was that bus driver."
Joey rolled his eyes. "You just say that because you don't want to admit that you're such a pain even the bus drivers can't stand you."
Tea growled. "Ribs or no ribs, I will hurt you." Joey laughed nervously.
"Heh he, look! The bus, come on!" He took her hand and began to sprint. They arrived in time to get on. Collapsing in giggles Tea pulled Joey down into the seat beside her. At that moment the bus pulled out into the traffic causing Joey to overbalance. He managed to catch himself midway through his fall but ended up centimetres from knocking heads with Tea. He froze.
Tea blinked at Joey. He looked so funny up close and he had this weird trapped expression. Tea giggled.
Tea's giggles snapped Joey from his thoughts. 'Wow. I bet this is what she would look like just before you kisse... Joey! Snap out of it. The plan was to not let her know. Remember.'
Joey pulled back blushing faintly. Tea smiled.
"Oh Joey, you shouldn't be embarrassed. You can't help it if you're a clutz."
"I am not a clutz!"
* * *
The key turned slowly in the lock. When the door was unlocked Tea led the way down the hall into the sitting room.
"I'm just going to change out of my uniform, be back in a moment."
" 'Kay"
Tea disappeared upstairs while Joey sat down on the couch and began channel surfing. Ten minutes later Tea reemerged in a pair of jeans and a loose blue T-shirt.
"Hey Joey, want to come into the kitchen we can use the table in there to start on the math."
Joey switched off the T.V. set and followed Tea through to the kitchen grabbing his school bag on the way.
While Tea bustled around taking out snacks Joey set out his textbooks on the table. Tea made her way over to the table. She tossed Joey a bag of chips and pulled his textbook toward her.
"About these quadratics..."
* * *
Stretching to remove the crink in his neck Joey looked up at the clock. Two hours had flown by. 'Tea really knows her stuff. I finally get what I'm meant to be doing.'
Noticing Joey's movement Tea stood up.
"Guess I ought to be going." stated Joey. He began to gather his books.
"Sure." said Tea, walking him to the door. "See you at school."
"Bye." Joey set off down the path. Tea closed her door and walked back into the kitchen. She began to prepare another meal to be eaten alone. 'I can't wait for my parents to get back.'
* * *
Joey kicked at the curb while he waited for the bus. 'I think you're in over your head man.' Tea's brilliant blue eyes flashed through his eyes and he groaned. 'Then why is it that it's exactly where I want to be.'
* * *
Joey's hands were deep in his pockets and his head was bowed against the wind. He was trudging down the street kicking a can before him. It was Thursday and he was on the way to school.
Thunk. He gave the can a hefty kick, it skidded to a halt about twenty metres ahead.
Joey's ribs ached dully. The strapping seemed to give his ribs more support, he was sure that they would heal a lot faster. He thought back to the reason that his injury had been treated and smiled.
'Tea.' His grin spread. 'Just thinking about her makes me smile. Geez, only Tea. She's the only person I know like that. So...' He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening.
'What the... No way, I can't be ... thinking of Tea like that. Well actually I can, it makes sense I suppose.' He ran a hand through his hair, causing it to stick up more than it normally did. 'I mean she's smart and kind, and pretty. I spend a lot of time with her.' He closed his eyes, groaning. 'Oh man, this is... How am I supposed to get through this? I can't just avoid her 'til this is over. Great, what a time to get a crush on Tea. I should have seen this coming.'
Shaking his head slowly he began the trek to school.
* * *
As Joey entered the school grounds a figure detached itself from a group of girls and jogged toward him.
"Hey." Tea called. She stopped two feet from him. She looked him up and down before sending a radiant smile in his direction. Joey's chest constricted.
"Hello Joey. You look better today. Thank God."
"Yeah. The bandage really seems to help." Joey paused. "Listen Tea, you won't tell anyone 'bout this, will you?"
Tea sighed, looking downcast. "Okay Joey, if you don't want me to. But I still say that you should talk to someone."
"Yeah, I have. You." said Joey.
"You know what I mean. Someone who knows how to handle things like this."
"It's fine Tea, honest."
Tea was saved from answering by the bell.
"Fine, see you at Lunch. I have to go talk to one of the teachers at interval."
" 'Kay, Bye."
* * *
Tea prodded the lettuce on her plate. It was limp and going brown at the edges.
"Yuck" she muttered. 'What a wonderful day. Not only am I running too late to make my lunch but this salad looks about a week old.' She glared at the cafeteria food. 'Gross.'
She looked up at her friends. Joey and Yugi were dueling while Ryou and Tristan watched. Predictably Yugi was beating Joey but the duel was a close one.
Noticing her gaze Ryou looked up. "Something the matter Tea?"
"I think my lunch is decomposing." She said morosely.
Ryou smiled. "That's why I always bring my lunch."
"So do I. I was running late today. I had to ..." Tea trailed off.
Conversation among her friends had stopped. Tea felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning in her seat she found out why. Kaiba glared at her friends before shifting his gaze to her.
He cleared his throat. Tea would have sworn he looked uncomfortable but that was silly, this was Kaiba.
"Gardener..."
"Tea" Tea interrupted. Seto's expression didn't change, he kept his stern frown fixed on the girl.
"Tea." he said the name distastefully. "Mokuba was rather pleased by the note you gave him. I would like to take you up on the offer to stay with him tomorrow."
"Sure thing. What time?"
"I'll send the car to pick you up at five. I need your address."
Tea scribbled it quickly on a clean napkin. When she gave it to Seto he turned and left without a word.
As soon as he was out of earshot her friends turned to her.
"Why are you doing someone like him a favor?" hissed Tristan
Tea glared at him. "You shouldn't talk like that about Kaiba. Besides Mokuba is a great kid. I like spending time with him."
"It was nice of him to send a car." mused Ryou.
Tea snorted. "It's probably just to ensure I'm not late."
The bell went signaling the end of lunch. Tea stood up. When Joey made no move to stand she grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet.
"Come on, we have math."
Joey made a grab at his Duel Monsters Cards. He managed to grab them and shove them into his pocket before he was dragged away.
* * *
The math class was quiet as they worked on the problems assigned. Joey took this opportunity to watch Tea. She was worrying at her lower lip. Joey found all his attention focused on that lip. Tea continued to chew her lip as she frowned at her book. Joey tore his eyes away from her mouth to study the rest of her face.
Her eyebrows were drawn down toward her crystalline eyes in a scowl. 'She looks so cute like that.' Just as he was thinking that Tea looked up. Catching his eye she raised an eyebrow in question. She glanced around to see if the teacher was watching. When she had confirmed that there were no unwanted onlookers she leant forward.
"Remember" she whispered. "Today after school, I'll meet you at the gate, don't forget your math book.' The teacher had drawn near so Tea quickly moved back to her work.
Joey turned to his book as well but not before sending one more glance in Tea's direction. 'Oh man, I've got to be careful. I can't let her know I'm crushing on her.'
* * *
Tea ran into Joey coming out of the school building's main entrance. Literally. Joey didn't deem that fazed but Tea stumbled backward. She was saved from falling over when Joey took hold of her arm to steady her.
She gave a relieved sigh. "Thanks, I was hurrying to meet you. Guess I did." Joey chuckled at that.
"Come on Tea. Let's get to the bus. I wouldn't want you to have to jump on the side of the bus again." Tea hit him in the arm.
"Sure, bring that up. That was not my fault. It was that bus driver."
Joey rolled his eyes. "You just say that because you don't want to admit that you're such a pain even the bus drivers can't stand you."
Tea growled. "Ribs or no ribs, I will hurt you." Joey laughed nervously.
"Heh he, look! The bus, come on!" He took her hand and began to sprint. They arrived in time to get on. Collapsing in giggles Tea pulled Joey down into the seat beside her. At that moment the bus pulled out into the traffic causing Joey to overbalance. He managed to catch himself midway through his fall but ended up centimetres from knocking heads with Tea. He froze.
Tea blinked at Joey. He looked so funny up close and he had this weird trapped expression. Tea giggled.
Tea's giggles snapped Joey from his thoughts. 'Wow. I bet this is what she would look like just before you kisse... Joey! Snap out of it. The plan was to not let her know. Remember.'
Joey pulled back blushing faintly. Tea smiled.
"Oh Joey, you shouldn't be embarrassed. You can't help it if you're a clutz."
"I am not a clutz!"
* * *
The key turned slowly in the lock. When the door was unlocked Tea led the way down the hall into the sitting room.
"I'm just going to change out of my uniform, be back in a moment."
" 'Kay"
Tea disappeared upstairs while Joey sat down on the couch and began channel surfing. Ten minutes later Tea reemerged in a pair of jeans and a loose blue T-shirt.
"Hey Joey, want to come into the kitchen we can use the table in there to start on the math."
Joey switched off the T.V. set and followed Tea through to the kitchen grabbing his school bag on the way.
While Tea bustled around taking out snacks Joey set out his textbooks on the table. Tea made her way over to the table. She tossed Joey a bag of chips and pulled his textbook toward her.
"About these quadratics..."
* * *
Stretching to remove the crink in his neck Joey looked up at the clock. Two hours had flown by. 'Tea really knows her stuff. I finally get what I'm meant to be doing.'
Noticing Joey's movement Tea stood up.
"Guess I ought to be going." stated Joey. He began to gather his books.
"Sure." said Tea, walking him to the door. "See you at school."
"Bye." Joey set off down the path. Tea closed her door and walked back into the kitchen. She began to prepare another meal to be eaten alone. 'I can't wait for my parents to get back.'
* * *
Joey kicked at the curb while he waited for the bus. 'I think you're in over your head man.' Tea's brilliant blue eyes flashed through his eyes and he groaned. 'Then why is it that it's exactly where I want to be.'