((to start out the story, I'd like to say that Joey's dad's name is: Johnathan (John for short). – Thanks!))

Chapter 2
Water Logged: Dismissed

"I can't believe him!"

Thudding steps echoed off the cement. The rain sung as it hit my face over and over again. It felt like a thousand needles were being pressed to my skin every time it came in contact with my flesh.

The destination was nowhere important. All I did was run, and run was all I was going to do. I was going to run away and never comeback. I was going to find out the truth instead of always wondering why. Somehow the finger was to be pointed to someone else besides myself. All I wanted was an answer. But I got thrown away like I was trash. It seemed like all I was doing these days was searching and not getting as single clue. I guess that's what happens when no one is willing to answer your one question that could help you the rest of your life.

I ignored the pain that filled my whole body, putting aside the constant ache every time I took the sprinting jog down the empty street. I felt like I was so close and yet so far at the same time. All at once it felt like I was being pounded over the capacity that I alone could hold. At anytime I could give out and finally let go of what has become of me. I wanted to fall and let go of all the weight that was put on my shoulders. And yet, all I could think about was what my father had done. To me, and my life. I can never forgive him for what he had done.

I stopped running and came to a slow trudge down the edge of the curb. A street lamp held the halos of light as the rain silently cut through the circles. At any given moment, I felt like I could fall to the ground and cry myself away from this cruel world.

A few feet to my left was a brick wall that belonged to a park. I could have easily rounded the corner to find myself a bench and quietly by myself die alone. I was lost in my thoughts; I didn't see the cement that came up an inch above the ground. I tripped. I waited for the ground to come as I plummeted to the cement.

The contact was less painful when your body was numb. All the raindrops seemed to pour pails of water on my poor soul as I tried to get up with my hands. Using my arms I pushed myself off the ground and onto my knees. Not wanting to go much father I finally glanced at the wall three feet away from me and welcomed it for my future back rest. Using my right arm and then my left, I slowly crawled towards the wall. I leaned against it in the pouring rain as I heaved a sigh of relief. I didn't want it to end like this. But if it had to, I was willing to let go.

After what seemed like five minutes of almost sinking in the rain I decided it was better to actually get up. The water fell, colleting at the base of my feet in puddles. If I fell, the man known as Joey could really drown in all this rain. I brushed the burnings sensation in my arms away as I used them to support my body against the wall.

The red bricks under my fingers and second skin of clothes felt humid against my skin. I welcomed the heat as I stared out into the sea of darkness. The moon was hidden behind all the rain clouds of Mother Nature. The thunder echoed loudly in the distance; I tried to concentrate on how far I had run from my own comforting home when the lightening flashed trigging my memory of my father.

Forgetting what happened that afternoon was helpless. The second my eyes had come in contact with the teal gaze, I felt like my whole world was being turned upside down because of the other male. And for a split second it felt like I knew and had known "Kaiba." But I had never seen the brunette in my whole life. It didn't matter if I knew his name or not! It was beside the point and the point was that something inside me triggered. I didn't know if it was hatred, or an emotion that was beyond explanation. All of it was beginning to be a blender to me. A whirl of mixed colors on a panel of paint.

The rest of school had become hard considering that the same guy you had made eye-contact with . . . sat behind me the whole time. Not to mention: was in every single one of my classes. AND when did he show up to my school? It was out of nowhere that he showed up. It felt like he was stalking me, but it was the fact – or the HOPE that it was all a coincidence. But somehow….It was like living déjà vu.

I, in anticipation had run home trying to forget the cerulean eyes and brown hair after work. Even there the face was beginning to torment me. For the longest time his features (mostly the smug smirk of his) kept popping up. But the eyes were what kept intriguing me each second they appeared in my head. Not only had I run home for the reason of disregard, but I also had to make dinner for my old man. And I wanted my father to come home to satisfy him everyday instead of an empty kitchen and a frozen house of silence. So to make the long story short, I had to get home right after work to see my old man!

The minute I had dislodged the stairs to my house, I knew that I was too late. Dad's car was parked in the driveway of the closed garage. The note he had left said he would be home later today than yesterday, either I was late, or my dad had actually gotten the raise he needed. I focused on the last thought. We would have more money for food and not to mention, we can pay the rent.

I threw open the door in time to see my old man hang up the phone. He turned around to face me in the doorway. I smiled at him hoping that he would do the same and welcome me with open arms, but he grinned for a moment before I saw the forlorn look in his expression. The smile that I held immediately fell from my face.

"…Dad?"

He turned his back away from me. "I've been released." It was barely audible for me to hear.

"Dad…I don't understand. What do you mean by…Released?"

Dad, in his high forties with dark brown eyes, held the dull sheen the same blond hair that I held, turned around. His eyes met mine.

"I was called in early because I was released of my job." He paused while looking into my face. He could feel the disappointment I was emitting in the room.

"You don't mean……You couldn't mean….You don't…." My eyes widened. I couldn't believe it. After all this time. He had worked for the same company for almost five years and it was going great! And they turned their back on MY dad and LET HIM GO!

I squeezed and unclenched my fists to the point of my knuckles turning white. I stood in anger. I just couldn't believe it. They can't just let him go. I mean…He has been workin' there forever and they let him go – OUT of all people . . . THEY let my dad go!

I couldn't stop. I was trembling. I didn't notice until I felt my old man embrace me. "They can't do this. They just can't!" I whispered into the crook of my father's neck.

"They already have."

I closed my eyes. My dad has no job. What are we going to do?

"Stop." I opened my eyes. I didn't realize my dad had such a soothing voice before. I looked him in the eyes while he looked into my soul. "We'll pull through this. I know we will." He wiped a tear that descended from my left eye. I nodded slowly before turning to go to my room. Maybe being alone will help with the ashamed feeling I had. I started to stroll down the hall. I passed some pictures here and there, but none that were very special to me that were nailed to the wall.

I passed a picture that held my four best friends and rival. I put my hand on the door that stood next to it and walked inside my room almost jumping onto my bed. I stopped.

Wait a minute.

Four best friends and rival?

I ran back into the hallway and looked at the picture. It was only filled with me in the middle of the whole picture standing behind a bench. I had my thumbs up grinning sheepishly at the camera. I narrowed my eyes at the photo. Something about it seems wrong. Like it was missing someone. But I remember having that picture taken. Although, when it was taken I could have sworn there was a charisma all around me.

"Ahhhh forget it!"

I turned towards the door.

Again!

I saw the same four people!

I stared at the picture again. All around me were three males and one female. And the second I blinked they were gone. Completely vanished! I felt tears brim the edges of my eyes. I remember now….

Tristan……

That was his name… stood on the left side of me while Yugi was on the other. Tristan had slung his arm over my shoulders while Yugi and I held grins that could have taken up the whole photo print. We were standing behind a bench with Tea and Bakura assembled on the long chair smiling at the camera. But the last person sent an icky feeling to my stomach. Was….Was that Kaiba was in the picture?

He was sitting on the bench farthest away from Tea and Bakura, while Mokuba took the photo. He held the most frustrated and stressed smile anyone could every have him do.

"Mokuba." I tried it on my tongue. It almost felt foreign but for some reason I knew that name from somewhere.

I glared at the picture hoping that I could remember or find out more about these people. But the blond in the picture just stared blankly back at me with my own silly grin. Maybe…just maybe I could stare at the picture and the four personages that were "supposedly" in the picture with me…. will appear!

"Joey?" I jumped about a foot in the air from the hand that settled on my shoulder. "Are you ok?"

"Uh…yeah…dad, I'm fine."

He gave me a worried look, "Are you sure. You have been staring at that picture in front of you for almost ten minutes."

"Uh..fine…dad…just fine." I smiled hoping he would smile back. He didn't. He just stared at me until I finally shrugged off his hand. "I'm fine dad. Really."

"Alright. If you say so." He started to turn away. I stopped him.

"Dad!"

"Yes?" He spun around to face me again.

"This picture right here…When did you take it?" My dad gave me a confused look and glanced at the pictured I was pointing at.

"That one?"

"Yeah." I responded.

"I believe your friend took that one." I gazed at him wide eyed. "Yeah…He had the black wild hair that needs to be tames. And that older brother of his really needs an attitude check." My father patted me on the back. "Ya got really weird friends if ya ask me." He smiled.

I tried to grin back. But it wouldn't break the thin layer of anger that was starting to rise. It was over coated by a thin layer of confusion, "What do you mean?"

"I didn't mean to offend ya Joe!" He stepped back and had his hands in the air in surrender.

"Dad. That's not what I mean. What I meant to say is…How do you know them."

"Huh?"

"THEM!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I pointed at the picture horrified. All five of my friends were all gathered on or around the bench.

"Joseph calm down! They're your friends! You hung out with them almost every weekend and day. We couldn't even separate you and the puzzle boy!"

I stared at John in wonder. My mouth agape. My friends? I had none. I have been alone ever since mom left dad. And I went to work right after school and from work, to home almost everyday of my life. How can my father say I have friends when I have been alone in all of my living existence? How can he?

I felt anger boiling in my veins. "Stop lying dad. You know I haven't had a friend in almost ten years." Tears were building up. How could he say that? Just say I have friends? How could he paste my picture with strangers around me on a bench and say they were my friends? I don't even remember any of them.

"How could you do this to me?" I glared at my father while clenching my jaw. All the tears and resentment was becoming too hard to handle. "How could you?" I started to shake my head back and forth. "How could you?" I took a step back.

"Joey let me explain." John took a step forward with apprehension.

"NO! STAY BACK! Until you tell me!" I yelled. I couldn't stand it any longer. The tears I once held deep inside me spilled over the boundaries. It was almost like a river on my cheeks. They flowed. And I let them. I took a step back and glanced at the picture on the wall. Once again I saw the five figures all smiling at the camera. In frustration, I grabbed the photo off the wall, thrust it into my jacket I wore, and ran for the door. I could hear my father screaming my name behind me. I kept running. It wasn't until I heard the thunder before I knew this all was a big mistake.

I didn't know what to do. I yelled at my dad and suddenly ran from him. I couldn't go back. Not yet at least. I'd be a fool. And to add on top of that, I was acting foolish.

Leaning against the wall behind me I realized the picture was still in my pocket with the small frame. I sniffed as I reached down and pulled the tiny covered glass picture out of my jacket. I watched the photo as it glowed with five amazing grins and one snarl. The snarl belonging to Kaiba. I wanted to smile. I wanted to remember. I wanted to remember the smile that I held with those people in the picture. And yet I couldn't. None of it came to mind.

Rain splattered the glass of the frame making the picture barely visible. I threw the frame to the ground watching the glass shatter when it made contact with the ground. I crouched down. Raising a hand, I reached over the splinters and shards of glass, and carefully picked up the photo. I folded it and set it back into my pocket. I stood back up. Looking ahead of me I could see the corner round to the left that led to the park.

Before I could register what was happening, my feet were already taking me down the street. I turned left at the bend not caring that the rain had finally served its purpose for making me shiver. I tried to contain it as I saw a bench in the distance.

Soon enough I was hugging my jacket closer to my body and shivering against the cold rain. The bench was colder than what it seemed. But it still held enough warmth to sit upon. I brought my knees to my chest and hugged them instead of my body. Before I could close my eyes and try to drown in my self-pity, I recognized the bench! It was the same one from the photograph! I jumped to my feet and quickly grabbed the image out of my jacket again. I stared at it and then the bench I was sitting on mere moments before. How could I have not realized this before? Was I not thinking when I sat down?

I kept glancing from the bench to the image in my hands. I jumped over the bench to the exact spot where I was when the photo was actually taken.

"Alright Joey…Tonight is your night! Together we are gonna remember everythin' from that day!"

If someone could see me now, they'd probably think I was physco. I guess it doesn't really matter if anyone could see me, cuz it's raining pretty hard and you'd have to be really crazy to be outside in this kind of weather.

….

Dang-it! I just backfired that to myself. I rolled my eyes and tried to stay focused on the photo that was almost soggy crunched in my hand. It's amazing how it's still holdin' up. I looked up from the snapshot and looked across the landscape. Quickly I squeezed my eyes closed and clenched the photo in my hands between my fingers. Somehow I should be able to remember something….Anything!

I stood there. In the rain. Shivering. With my eyes closed. The rain pelted my head and shoulders over and over again.

"Come on Joey. You can remember. Remember something!" I whispered to myself hoping anything would come back…even the feeling of the sun, or if it was the comfortable and familiar presence I felt even for a moment at home.

Minutes seemed to pass. I was shivering to what felt like forever. But for the split second of bitter artic cold that swept over me, it was completely washed away with warmth.

I opened my eyes. The sunlight blinded my sight …. and there! Right in front of me sat Tea and Bakura. Kaiba stood scowling a few feet away from the bench as I stared at him. Before I could say anything, Tristan came up behind me and caught me in a head lock.

"Yo Joey! How come the rich snob is here?" He dug his knuckles into my head.

"MERCY! Aww come on Trist! Let go!" I grunted against his jacket as he let me go. I ran my hand through my hair hoping to mess it up more.

"Hey Joey! Pay attention!" I looked up. Mokuba stood fifteen feet away from all of us with a camera. "Setoooooooooo!" Mokbua groaned, "Pleeeease at least SIT on the bench!" Kaiba seemed to grunt in a reply before sitting on the very edge. I smiled. That's Kaiba for ya. "Alright everyone! AT the count of three, everyone says: CHEESE!" Mokuba brought the camera to his eyes, "One! …. Two! …. THREE!"

"CHEESE!" laughter could be heard like echoing hyenas.

The light blinded my senses as I stared blindly into outer space.

"Hey Joey….Ya in there?"

I blinked. I couldn't believe it.
I blinked again.
I did it a third time.

This defiantly wasn't my house, room, or the park I was at. A hand waved in front of my face before I registered that Tristan was standing a couple of feet away from me.

((should I end there? I was hoping you'd say yes))

"Ahhh!" I jumped up in alarm, and then suddenly leaped over the couch I was lying in. "Don't come any closer!" I raised my fists up in defense position, "I know punches…or fighting skills!"

"You mean Karate?"

"…er…Yes! And I am very good at it!" I stepped back in panic as the guy took a step forward.

"Listen buddy…I don't know what happened to you. But it's me…Tristan. Your best pal! Don't tell me you still don't remember!"

I narrowed my eyes. "Spare me your story. I have never met you in my life!"

Tristan took a step forward, hoping to go around his couch and to meet up with Joey on the other side without getting pounded in the face or gut.

"Stop! Stay back stranger!" I punched the air as a warning.

Tristan rolled his eyes and stopped in his tracks. "Stop it Joey. I don't know what you are getting at, but if you don't stop I'm gonna have to pull the knuckle sandwich on you."

That's when it hit me.
The memory. The flash from the camera.

The headlock from Tristan – my best buddy.
Yugi standing next to me…My best friend.
Tea on the bench.
Bakura sitting next to her.
Kaiba holding the grunge and desperately wanting to go home, but Mokuba making him stay.

I remember.

I stared at Tristan with blank eyes while letting my fists drop to my sides. I can't believe I didn't memorize it before.

Tristan stared at me with a longing to understand. But he couldn't. He kept staring until I dropped my hands and let my arms go limp at my sides. I let my head fall to my chest whilst staring at the ground in shame. I had forgotten……… and for it, all my friends had become lost in my forgotten past.

"Listen Joey…" I looked up slowly to see Tristan standing in front of me. "You disappeared after a fortnight. No one knew where you were…" he paused after a second to watch my reaction.

I couldn't believe my ears. My mouth went slight agape as my eyes widened.

"After you showed up last night I couldn't believe my eyes! My best buddy was here…but at the same time he wasn't." He let the subject drop for a second before staring back up again. "I found you at the park last night almost drowning in the puddles. I brought you here so you could have a place to stay the night."

"You're lying." I looked up into his face. His eyes bore into mine as I ignored the surrounding room filled with pictures, a TV, and an….exit. "I don't know what you are trying to pull….but I know that if I had friends they would have never abandoned me!" I quickly pulled out the picture in my pocket. "If you truly were the friends you say you were…then how come I can't remember you! Or even them!" I paused to take a deep breath and show Tristan the picture. "I remember that day…But how come I can't remember a damn thing about YOU!" I shouted at him. I bellowed at the supposed friend standing a few feet away from me.

"I-I don't know." His head fell slightly to his chest as the picture in my hand slowly decreased to my side again.

I stared at him in bewilderment. I should have known he wasn't going to know the answers. I just had about enough of this. I stepped back, but narrowly missed the table behind me. I scooted to the right before I saw the exit to my future off to the side. I took one glance at Tristan as he stared at me. He knew what I was going to do, but he didn't want to stop me.

"Joey…think about it…please?" Before I could answer I ran for the door and left his house completely. I shoved the picture back into my pocket before I left the front steps of his house.

Once again, I had no destination in mind at all but "Home sweet Home."

As I stepped up to the stairs to my house I finally saw the clock in the window.

6:52 A.M.

I have been gone a day!

I quickly opened the door and met the worried voice of my father. "Where have you been! You left the house yesterday and I have been waiting all night hoping you'd come home!" Strong arms embraced me as I stared at the wall ahead of me.

"Sorry dad…I just was upset over some things." He let go of me and nodded before turning away.

"You have school in a half and hour. If you still hurry, I'll be able to take you to school. On time for once." He smiled as I grinned back. He was right. I have always been late for every class, but that didn't stop the great Joey Wheeler! "So hurry up!"

I jumped slightly from his voice and nodded before taking my leave up the stairs to shower quickly.

"Thanks dad!" I waved back to my dad as he drove off back home. It was 7:18 and I still had time to go to my locker and hang out in the library if I wanted to finish my homework. But of course….THAT was out of the question. I clenched my pocket hoping the picture was still there when I quickly shoved it into my pocket before leaving the house at top speed.

As I walked towards the school I thought I saw someone I recognized when I shrugged it off before seeing the same brunette I saw yesterday. Kaiba… wasn't it?

Well…I guess I could always take my chances…but hey….its how that saying goes: Living might mean taking chances, but they're worth taking. (1)

So I did the only thing that came to mind.

"Oi! Kaiba! Wait up!"

(1) that right there was a line from "I hope you dance" by LeeAnn Womback – very good song I might add. Plus I don't own anything of hers.

Well that's all for now.

PLEEZ REVIEW!

Oh and for those of you that don't know….Hall of Fame + Reviews

FaVeiwers: ((Get it? hehehe ..i knew ya would!))

Kumori Sakusha formerly Saelbu
Sukara-Nodori
Killian
Scoodoo58
DarkRoseBlood
Anita-chan
XyBulmaXy
Misura
purplechaos04

All of you and those who reviewed – WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

PLEEZ REVIEW! – thankies!