A/N: Greetings readers, sorry I took so long to update. Well….here's the thank-you list:

Snow Weaver: Sorry for the cliffhangers…bad habits die hard. Anyway, your review and your support are appreciated.

Shyly in the Dark: I'm glad you like this fic so much…thanks for the review.

Trueyamigirlfriend: Glad you see some potential to this fic…I hope my writing takes that potential and makes it into something worthwhile. Thanks for pointing out that Mai is 24, but I simply decided to change her age for this fic (18), so bear with me on that. I appreciate the review.

Leigh4: Not necessarily an update with the speed of the gods, but an update nevertheless. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for your review!

Mariks1andonly: Thanks for your review, and I'll try to make the upcoming chapters longer than those previous.

DojomistressAmbyChan: You, a fan of me? Aww…thanks! Um…anyway, as I said earlier, I'll be making the chapters longer. Thanks for your review.

Well...here's chapter three.Enjoy!

Chapter Three: Forbidden Fruit

"Get up and come with me...now."

Tea stood up and faced the person who beckoned her.

"What do you want, Van?" Tea had her hands on her hips as she questioned him harshly.

Van was near 17 years of age, with a small but very muscular frame. His chestnut hair hung loosely down his shoulders and upper back, and his sapphire blue eyes were filled with concern and fear.

"What the hell were you thinking just now? Don't you know that those yahoos over there hate it when people like you try to mingle with people like him?"

"What do you mean people like HIM? And who do you think you are telling me who I can hang out with! The last time I checked, I'm the boss of me!"

"You know what I mean! Marik is different...and you know how some people are around here, if they can't understand you, they HATE you...and anyone who wants to "help" them."

The bells of the school rang, summoning the students back to class.

"Just be careful, OK, sis?" Van smiled weakly as he gave his sister a big hug.

"Don't worry, I will. Do you have soccer practice?"

"Yup, so I'll need the car. Catch you after school?"

Tea nodded her head, and headed off with her friends to school.

"So class, here's your next assignment. I want you to pair up into groups of three and do research on a country of your choice. No, Joey, New York is NOT a country. I want this done by the end of the week, and it will be 30 percent of your term grade. Is all of this clear?"

The class all nodded their heads, and the their instructor put them into their groups.

"Yugi, Joey, and Quincy, you'll be Group 1. Tristan, Ryou and Amare, Group2. Tea, Seto...and Marik, you'll be working together as well."

Kaiba cursed under his breath. Great, now I have to waste time out of my precious week to do a project with Psycho-boy over there and that friendship-preaching moron Gardener. This is going to suck immensely...

After the class ended, Marik tried to shuffle out of the room as quickly as he could but was stopped by Tea.

"Marik...we need to set up how we're going to do this project. You don't want to fail, do you?" Tea smiled slightly, Marik stared at her.

"If you two are done, I would like to arrange this crappy little project."

Tea and Marik turned to see a visibly irritated Seto Kaiba standing before them.

"Meet me at my mansion at five this afternoon. We'll get this over and done with in one night.."

Without a second glance, Kaiba picked up his briefcase and headed to his next class.

"He's always in a foul mood...I'll see you later, OK?"

Tea was hoping to get at least a word out of the boy, however he just walked away.

What's his deal?

Warning: The following scene contains graphic language and sexual references...please don't read if you're easily offended or under the age of thirteen. Thanks...

Later that afternoon...

Tea hustled through the back alleys of Domino City. She knew Joey and her friends would disapprove of her going this way, hell,her brother would blow a gasket, but it was the fastest way for her to get home.

She suddenly heard a car creep up beside her.

"Hey...how much for me and my friends?" The driver of the car and his cronies snickered as Tea tried to walk away.

"Hey, slut! I'm talkin' to you! How much for you to fuck me and my friends here?"

Tea knew if she was rude that it could only make matters worse, so she attempted to be polite. "I'm sorry, my body's not for sale..."

A passenger stuck his head out of the side. "Well, if you ain't sellin' it, I guess it's free! Don't you, fellas?"

The other two passengers cheered in agreement, and they quickly exited their car...blocking Tea's path.

I know...I know, I should have kept going. Just wanted to point out quickly that Van (Tea's Brother) is just an minor character, he won't have too big a role in this. Did you like? Did you hate? Any suggestions? Let me know! Thanks for spending part of your day (or night) with me.

BDB...out.