IT'S RENOVATION TIME PEOPLE! In other words, I'm re-vamping this fic! though the whole plot will remain, you'll only find some… uh… quirks amuck the chapters!
Disclaimer on everything that I don't own!
A Lost Life, Beginning Again,
By Winterwing3000
The limo halted at the front gate. The place where Seto first noticed that it was Gardner's house. The flowers were still there, but the sprinkler was off.
When Téa opened the door with her keys, she found that there were two suitcases and a duffel bag waiting at the bottom of the stairs. A note was attached to the bag.
"Téa Gardner,
Since my family and I had cut ties from you, you would only receive one hundred yen, to keep yourself safe and alive, that is if you could survive. Of course I could! I got a job and somewhere to live! You are never to come back if you step right thru this door and with that mouth and attitude of yours. Why should I care? You hated me all the time.
It's funny how I find myself in love with you
If I could buy my reasoning I'd pay to lose
One half won't do
I've asked myself
How much do you commit yourself?
It's my life
Don't you forget
It's my life
It never ends
You could continue living here if you drop that nonsense of dancing and follow in my footsteps instead. Never! It's my life and it's my dream! I worked hard for it! Remember, you grew up in this house. Would you just throw all these happy memories away and start a new life? I would if I had to. To get away from you and from my lonely and horrible past. Living with you made me sick anyways.
Funny how I blind myself
I never knew
If I was sometimes played upon
Afraid to lose
I'd tell myself what good do you do
Convince myself
It's my life
Don't you forget
It's my life
It never ends
Think it over while you still have time, my daughter… Are you really sure that I had that kind of time? Yeah right! Don't live your life in despair like your disgusting father did. He was much better than you were!
Anita Gardner"
I've asked myself
How much do you commit yourself?
It's my life
Don't you forget
Caught in the crowd
It never ends
Yanking the note off, Téa shredded it into tiny pieces and threw them into the air. She searched in her luggage and check if there was anything missing.
When she heard the garage door open, she knew that her mother was home. She saw her coming in, so instead of leaving right away, Téa waited for her.
It's my life
Don't you forget
Caught in the crowd
It never ends
It's my life (it's my life)
Don't you forget (don't you forget)
Caught in the crowd (caught in the crowd)
It never ends (it never ends)
Looking at her with surprise, Anita smirked, "So, have you decided yet my dear? You gonna stay with me, or live in the orphanage?"
Téa was about to speak when someone said it for her. "She's living with me."
Turning around, Téa faced Seto Kaiba. "What are you doing here? Don't you interfere with my family business! Get out!" Anita screeched.
Giving her a cold smirk, Seto said to the elder, "Oh, I'm so scared. It doesn't matter, her family business is mine's since she is now my employee."
Nudging Téa, Seto motioned her to go. Nodding, she followed Seto out of the house, leaving her mother in confusion.
Her things were placed in the trunk and Seto got into the car, as did she. Buckling up, Téa turned and looked at the house for one last time. "Goodbye, childhood." She whispered.
Getting out of the car, Téa looked in awe at the white mansion that was in front of her. Her mouth nearly hit the ground. It was ten times taller than her old home, and it was wider too.
"Are you just gonna gape at my house the whole day, or are you going to follow me to get to your room?" Seto stood there impatiently, tapping his foot on the carpeted floor.
Blushing, she followed Seto up a few flights of stairs and to the third floor. "That is your room. We could move your things in tonight, since there is no school tomorrow." He pointed to a door to her left.
Opening the door, she saw that everything in there were shades of green and swirls of pink, setting a very spring-like feeling in the room. The mahogany brown drawers and chairs were set around the room. One of the two desks occupied the left side of the window, in front of the starry curtains. The other stood opposite of the closet door.
(So yesterday)
(So yesterday)
(So yesterday)
You can change your life
(If you wanna)
You can change your clothes
(If you wanna)
If you change your mind
Well that's the way it goes
But I'm gonna keep your jeans
And your old black hat
('Cuz I wanna)
They look good on me
You're never gonna get them back
At least not today
Not today
Not today, 'cuz
"No thanks, you've did too much for me already. I can mange. Thank you, Kaiba, for helping me. But why?" Téa looked into his eyes, waiting for an answer.
"Because I wanted to, that's all." Seto walked down the hall and into his office, slamming his door shut. It's that all? Is it that he pities me? Or am I like his past self, left alone in a big world? Pushing that notion out of her head, she started downstairs to get her things and started unpacking.
If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
That's already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard that I'm gonna be okay
Pulling out her clothing first, she placed them in to her drawers and closet. When she reached down to touch the silky light blue dress that her father bought for her 13th birthday, memories flood back to her. He bought it for her, saying that she was officially a grown young lady. It was also one of the last present that he ever bought for her, before her parents were divorced.
You can say you're bored
(If you wanna)
You can act real tough
(If you wanna)
You could say you're torn
But I've heard enough
Thank you
You've made my mind up for me
When you started to ignore me
Do you see a single tear
It isn't gonna happen here
At least not today
Not today
Not today, 'cuz
Téa hung it carefully into the end of her walk-in closet. She wanted to push away the past and needed to face her future. Unknotting the duffel bag, she dumped all the contents onto the crisp white bed sheet.
She heard a knock coming from the door and said, "Come in." A raven head popped through the crack of the opening. "Téa? What are you doing here?" Coming closer to the bed, Mokuba jumped on, making the things bounce up.
If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
That's already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard that I'm gonna be okay
"I'm living here to tutor you and watch over you when Kaiba's out. So I'm sort of his employee. Want to help me finish unpack?
Nodding excitedly, Mokuba smiled and crawled over next to her. Mokuba passed the things to Tea and she placed them somewhere in the big room.
"What's that?" Mokuba piped. Poking his finger at a locked box, he tried to open it. Placing her hand onto the wooden box, she took off her necklace.
If you're over me, I'm already over you
If it's all been done, What is left to do
How can you hang up,If the line is dead
If you walk out, I'm a step ahead
If you're movin' on, I'm already gone
If the light is off, Then it isn't on
At least not today
Not today
Not today, 'cuz
If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
That's already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
Haven't you heard you're so (yesterday)
Téa inserted the weird gold piece into the lock and turned. "This is a music box that my father gave to me on my 10th birthday. He said he wanted me to believe in what my heart wants. And I wanted to dance, to dance like a butterfly. This was a present that I loved most. And if you listened with your heart, you can tell what it's telling you."
Mokuba's forehead wrinkled, not really understanding what Téa was trying to tell him.
If it's over let it go and
Come tomorrow it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
I'm just a bird
That's already flown away
Laugh it off
Let it go and
When you wake up it will seem
So yesterday
So yesterday
Haven't you heard that I'm gonna be okay
The lid flipped open, and a ballerina stood out in an arabesque in second position. Téa slowly winded the little handle on the side and placed it on Mokuba's hands. It started twirling and it looked majestic. The head was up with the chin in the air, the body in a graceful stance. It looked as if it could jump out and dance with the music.
When the music faded into the silence, Mokuba closed the box and left it on the bed stand. He didn't really like such girly things, but chose not to say it out loud.
Tugging eagerly at Téa's hands, he dragged her to show her around the house. "That's the bathroom, my room, big brother's room, his office." He pointed to each door in the hallway. Dragging her down stairs, she noticed that every room was spacious, even the kitchen.
"Mokuba, if you don't mind me asking, why is it so quiet? Don't you have any servants or maids around to watch you when Kaiba's not here?"
Wrinkling his nose in disgust after she mentioned about the servants and maids, he said defiantly, "They don't really care about me. All that they wanted were their checks and they don't really liked to be around big brother since they always managed to get on his bad side."
Laughing a little, Téa smiled. Maybe living here… will be quite an experience…
Mokuba yawned and stretched. "It is sooo hard. How do people even multiply in their heads?"
"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it! It took me a while, but I know how to do it now." Téa told him, checking over his sloppy multiplication homework.
Two weeks she had been living here, adapting to her new lifestyle. Tutoring the young Kaiba was quite an adventure everyday. But during dinners, they were always quite and awkward. Kaiba sits adjacent to her and Mokuba was right in front of her at the long table, and she could always feel… this eerie and cold feeling from Kaiba whenever he glanced at her out of the corners of his sharp eyes.
"Yeah, sure… and big brother will be sleeping in by the time I learnt it!" Mokuba said sarcastically, moving on to his science homework.
Giggling, Téa suddenly flushed brightly as she heard her stomach rumble. The little boy's laughter rang through the house.
Clearing her throat, she smiled at him and said, "I guess I'm a little hungry. Do you want to help me whip something quick and tasty for a snack before dinner?"
Jumping with delight, he shouted, "How about ice cream? I never got to eat it, big brother thought that I would be high on sugar." Agreeing with the little boy, she allowed him to lead her to the kitchen.
"Okay then….. We would need a four eggs, half teaspoon of salt, one and one half teaspoon of vanilla, one teaspoon of almonds, four cups of cream, one cup of milk, and four strawberries."
"Wow… did you memorize it? Or do you have a cook book inside your head?" Mokuba looked at her in awe.
"No, I just make it very often for a couple of boys during the summer." Téa said, shaking her head with a smile.
Checking the refrigerator for the ingredients, she found nothing inside except for some boxes of frozen food and a few chunks of ice in the icebox. Also there were only some milk and orange juice on the bottom, and half carton of coffee cream. In the cabinets, there were utensils, plates, and cups, a few measuring cups and spoons and a box of cereal.
"Téa, could you say those things over? I could order it right now." Looking at the boy with a confused face, she asked, "How?"
Grinning evilly, he picked up the phone and pressed a speed dial button.
"Place an order of these ingredients and send it here ASAP. Some eggs, almonds, strawberries, vanilla and some salt. Place the bill on Seto Kaiba of Kaiba Corp." Turning to his "tutor" he said okay.
After a few brief moments of waiting for the grocery, the doorbell rang and Mokuba actually skipped to the door. Giving Téa all the things, she and Mokuba started making the snack. Beating eggs, blending strawberries, mixing the dry and wet ingredients, and then they threw it into the ice cream mixer (Téa actually found one underneath the sink) with some ice. Soon they were nibbling on some homemade ice cream on cones.
Finishing up the last bit of her cone, she told Mokuba to finish his homework and that she would help him when he needed it. Now all alone in the large kitchen, she pondered. I wonder if Kaiba would like some. But he's probably too busy in his office to care. Still…. He did and is helping me out. I owe him a lot more than he owes me.
Absent mindedly, she scooped some ice cream and placed it onto a cone. She got herself another one and started up the stairs and to his office.
Dear diary
Today I saw a boy
And I wondered if he noticed me
He took my breath away
Dear diary
I can't get him off my mind
And it scares me
'Cause I've never felt this way
Seto sat in front of his desk glancing over some manila folders and project files. The computer beeped every now and then, flashing new pop-ups of downloads that he was receiving from his company. His trench coat was laid out on the leather couch across the room, his school tie was loose and a couple of buttons was unbuttoned on his shirt.
His thoughts moved from his work when he heard the laughing from downstairs. It seemed that the other two real occupants of the house were enjoying themselves. Usually, Mokuba would be in here, asking him questions about his homework while he worked since there wasn't anyone in the house he could talk too.
The boy needed to get out more often with his friends. Seto stated in his mind. Then again, it was his intention to keep his little brother inside the house at all times and told him not to mingle with others. It was for Mokuba's own safety, wasn't it?
And what of Gardner? There was this slight… pull towards her. Something about her intrigued him.
Her eyes, her hair… her face, her personality, and her… physique… they pulled him in.
Argh, where were these thoughts coming from!
Knocking on the door, she heard a come in or something like that. Pushing the long handle with her elbow, she entered the room. It was all blue and white. Seto was sitting behind the desk with his head down, examining the new duel disk that he was creating. Clearing her throat to catch his attention, she held out a cone in front of him. "Uh…. Mokuba and I were making some ice cream, and I thought that you would like some."
No one in this world
Knows me better than you do
So diary I'll confide in you
Dear diary
Today I saw a boy
As he walked by I thought he smiled at me
Looking up, Seto took the cone from her. Their hands brushed against each other, an electrical shock traveled through them. They stared at each other, and Seto stood up from his seat. Téa's mind was clear; lost in trance. Her body took a step forward, against her will, nearer to him. When their bodies were almost pressing against each other, their faces were inches away from each other.
And I wondered
Does he know what's in my heart
I tried to smile, but I could hardly breathe
Should I tell him how I feel
Or would that scare him away
Diary, tell me what to do
Please tell me what to say
Seto's hand reached up to touch her face. Téa leaned into the touch and he runs his thumb in a smoothing motion, rubbing it against her cheek. With each passing moment, their faces were inching closer to each other. Seto looked as if he was hesitating, but brushed it off. Téa didn't know what she was really doing, but she is starting to feel complete. The aching heart that Yami left was starting seal itself right now.
Dear diary
One touch of his hand
Now I can't wait to see that boy again
He smiled
And I thought my heart could fly
Diary, do you think that we'll be more than friends?
I've got a feeling we'll be so much more than friends
Suddenly, their mouths were touching. Téa closed her eyes and her knees felt weak. The kiss was sweet, tender, pure bliss, and passionate. Seto was running his hand down from her face, and down her arm. From behind, a white flash filled the room and a loud giggle was heard from outside the door.
AN: Okay…..first song is "It's My Life" by No Doubt. At least, I think it is…. Next one is "So Yesterday" from Hillary Duff. I really think it worked when she was unpacking. Don't you? The last song was "Dear Diary" by Britney Spears. I don't know why I added the song, I was just listening to it on my headphones and I just thought it might work with this part. So watcha think? Maybe a bit too much of mushy stuff or a little too less? Don't worry, this would not turn into a lemon. I don't even write those. Sorry for all who thought it would. Maybe when I'm six to seven years older than when I am now! Ja!
Edit Note: some people in their reviews told me that Seto was "acting-fast" with the romance. I apologize for my past mistake. To be truthful, this isn't the best of the best for my work. This was my FIRST YGO fic and I never thought it would go this far. So I was rushing things a bit. But… I've stretched the time line and dug up some of Seto's thoughts about Téa! Enjoyed it?