Disclaimer thingy: Anything that is supposed to be copyrighted does not belong to us.

Chapter 1: New students

"ARGH!!!!"

Stepping out of a pothole, the third time today, she decided to give up the fight against them and continued her way to school, looking wishfully at the students racing past her on their brightly colored bicycles. Plucking nervously at her short school skirt, her eyes scanned for Domino High School, the name as alien as the surroundings around her.

Leaning against the black leather, Faustine sighed, holding her books even tighter. She hated everything here and silently cursed whoever made the decision to move to Japan. Unnerved by the foreign buildings and houses flashing past the car's window, she shut her eyes, willing herself to forget her anxieties.

-Domino High School, one of the corridors

"Okay, Faust. You can do it." She muttered desperately under her breath, searching for her classroom and pulling her skirt. Those around her threw questioning glances and whispered with their friends, occasionally pointing at her. She trudged through the swamp of chattering students, holding on two things, her timetable and a map of the school.

"Yikes!"

The scream made her look up but it was too late. Books and papers flew over the corridors, drawing a lot of attention to them. The girl gathered all the stuff and helped her up, face burning with embarrassment.

"Dui bu ...­darn ...­gomenasai, wata-" She fumbled for words as Faustine dusted herself and took her books from her.

"It's okay. I wasn't looking either. Erm ...what's your name?" She asked, hoping wildly that the girl knew the language. She had heard her muttering something in Chinese and English.

The girl replied with astonished eyes." You know English?" Bingo, Faustine thought triumphantly as she said yes. Introducing herself as Thalia, she studied Faustine, her dark eyes taking in her and the books she was gripping tightly, making her all nervous again.

"Are you a new student?"

"Yeah. Just transferred." answered Faustine, shocked at her deduction." How did you know?"

"Just a hunch. The brand new uniform and books, "Thalia said with a coy smile." Like me. Qing wen ni gui xin da ming? "She asked for her name in Chinese.

"Li Ling. But you can call me Faustine." Her face grew bright with the delight of a new friend, one that shares her situation as well. Discovering that them were in the same class together, they set off for Class 1-B as the bell rang.

After writing six Chinese characters on the black board, Mrs Nakahashi turned to her students. Some were already sleeping, heads lolling on their desks while others were either staring into blank space or finishing some forgotten homework. Only a few paid attentions to what she was doing. Glaring at them, she cleared her throat and started to speak, motioning at the door.

"Class. Today we have two new students from Singapore joining us." She noted that many were awaken, especially the guys, with interest sparkling in their eyes. Boys, she really cannot understand their priorities. Ignoring them, she continued.

"They are ... " The door slid open, revealing two people." Li Ling and See Hua. Please welcome them." Her students clapped with feeble effort with some dropping back to dream world immediately. The pair of them looked at her with questioning stares. Mrs Nakahashi smiled.

"My name is Wong See Hua and this, "She gestured at her name on the board." Is my Chinese name, known as kanji here, Huang Si Hua. You can also call me Thalia. Pleased to know all of you." She finished the introduction in Japanese and gave a short bow. She retreated a few steps and nudged Faustine forward.

Taking a deep breath, she started." You should know my name by now. It's Yap Li Ling and I also go by Faustine." Pausing, she thought of some more things to say. Receiving her pleads, Mrs Nakahashi stood up.

"I think that's enough introduction done. Let's start the lesson good and proper today." Facing the two of them, she smiled like a kind mother. " Why don't you two take the empty seats at the back? "Turning her back to the class, she began writing down the objectives of the lesson.

As Faustine walked down the aisle with Thalia behind, she couldn't help thinking the terror she felt a moment ago. Luckily she was saved by the teacher and did not make a fool out of herself. Lost in thoughts, she did not notice the leg sticking out in front of her.

"Ouch! What the fuck-" Hitting the floor hard, Faustine started to curse but stopped as she remembered where she was. Thalia helped her up again for the second time and gave a death glare to the guy. He looked at her with a 'you can't prove it was me. What can you do? ' but cowered at her powerful stare, turning his face away.

"Anything wrong, girls? "

"Nothing. Just a stupid guy making a fool of himself. "Thalia answered innocently. Mrs Nakahashi returned to the board, glad that someone was finally teaching them a lesson. Well, she thought with a smile, it looked like it's going be hell for the boys.

A note landed on Faustine's desk soon after she had sat down. Opening it, Faustine found it to be from Thalia, who waved at her when she looked around.

Are you okay?

Yeah. Thanks again.

No problem. I used to have this kind of people in my old school. By the way, it was such a shock to know we were from the same country!

Ya. I thought you were a local, from your fluent Japanese intro just now.

That was just something I practiced for weeks. Anyway, you look more like a Japanese that me.

Really? I didn't know that.

Well, now you do.

Want to hang out during recess?

Why not? I brought some food.

Hell yeah!

The two girls started their high school life in this way, and continued passing notes till recess arrived.

"Nice sandwiches, Thalia." commented Faustine in between mouthfuls." Did you make them yourself? "

"Nah, my mother made them. But these aren't the best. Wait till you see-"

"Mind if we join you two, Yap-san? Wong-san? "A friendly voice interrupted their chat. Both girls lifted their heads to see five fellow classmates. The tallest one was a guy with blond hair, sporting a good-natured grin. Standing beside him was a girl with soft brown hair, followed by another extremely short guy with tri-colored hair. Or was it two people?

"Ok. Why not? "Blinking her eyes several times, she swore she saw twins; the way the two guys look so identical. Besides the yellow bangs and black hair with red tips, they also shared the same height. The only difference was their eyes, one were big and innocent looking and the other sharp and mysterious." Care for a introduction? "Thalia broke the silence, also ogling at them.

"I'm Jounouchi Katsuya. He's Honda Hiroto, "The blond haired guy pointed at a person having shark-like hair who had hid behind him. Honda waved and tried to smile flirtatiously. The girl stared daggers at him, causing him to put down his hand and look another direction.

"Mazaki Anzu. But call us by our name and forget the honorific." She stuck out her hand which Thalia and Faustine shook, greeting her warmly. Looking at Honda, she told them not to mind his behaviour as he was always like that. He frowned at that, and told her to shut up. Everyone broke out in peals of laughter as they yelled at each other.

"Hey, how about the Siamese twins at the back? "Faustine asked, getting down from the table. The round-eyed ' twin ' shuffled forward and said his name was Yugi.

Thalia yelled, causing Faustine's eardrums to hurt." Yugi? Yugi Motou who defeated Kaiba Seto? "Grabbing his hands in excitement, she was ecstatic. She was classmates with the person who defeated blue eyes white dragon! Blushing pink, he muttered no.

"It wasn't me, Wong-san. It was Yami who did that. "Yugi went and dragged Yami over to the group who was looking a bit sulky." Oh? But all the news said it was you." Thalia was confused. Nothing was mentioned about this Yami, not even the fact there was another person looking extraordinarily like Yugi." Well, it's a bit complicated to explain here. I'll try to when I get the time."

"Funny necklace you got there, erm ... ­Yami." Faustine said aloud, drawing Yami's stare. He gave her a look over, sending shivers down Faustine's spine. She had never seen such eyes, so cold and hard like diamonds, except that they were purple. Yami remained silent and looked away after what seem an eternity to her.

"Are you sure the both of you aren't twins? "Yugi shook his head, explaining that they were really two separate people, just living together under one roof. Thalia pondered for a while and asked about his funny hair colour." It'¯s natural. I inherited it through my grandfather. " She gawped at his answer, shaking her head. Anzu chuckled, saying it was true and no dye could produce that sort of colour. Faustine joined in, defending Anzu. Soon, the three of them were like old pals, talking about girl stuff and boys. The guys were totally left out.

Faustine wondered and wondered about Yami's reaction to her during the lessons after recess. She could not apprehend his actions. Aren't Japanese supposing the most polite people in the world? Dismissing these thoughts, she concentrated on making a good impression on the teachers by listening to them. But this trick was failing since she could not even answer their questions. Looking at Thalia, Faustine envied her ability to make notes and listen to the jumble of Japanese words.

"Hello? Faustine? "

"Huh? "Faustine broke from her daze and found the classroom almost empty.

"School's over. Why are you spacing out for? "Thalia adjusted her backpack, pushing in her chair." Anzu and the others are waiting for us. "

"Just thinking about some stuff. "Standing up, she stretched herself and winced at the numbness of her legs. Taking her bag, she limped out of the classroom with Thalia and met up with the gang.

Stopping at a junction, Anzu and Jounouchi told them about burger joints, card shops and a few other favourite haunts in Domino City. Honda directed them to the city's largest arcade which he went in and demonstrated his skills. Anzu and Yugi had to drag him out while Thalia, Faustine and Yami looked on. When the sky glowed a dusty pink, Faustine and Thalia thanked them for the tour and left happily.

"They are great, aren't they? " Jounouchi said, swinging his folder. Yugi and Anzu agreed with yawns. Yami did not answer, his eyes following them until they were gone from his vision.

Lessien/ Faustine: Oh ...it is A/N time!

Thalia: Yeah.. wadeva...

Lessien/ Faustine: This is kind of new to me as this is the first time I am writing something that's not a paraody. Haha, you all can say that I am the most good-for-nothing co-author. I do the dialogue in script form, while Thalia adds all the beautiful language. So about 99 of the fic is done by her. Haha. Pls read and review!

Thalia: (--) She stole all my lines... Please review!!!!!!!!!!