Guardians
Note: Thanks for the reviews, everyone! I love you all! Well, anyway, here it is, chapter 42. Keep up all the reviews!
Chapter Forty-Two: The Beach
The instant she saw the sparkling water, it felt as if her troubles vanished in the vastness of the ocean. A little, real smile formed on her face and she raced the others to the water, laughing just a little. When they reached the water, she stopped and stared. She'd only been swimming two times in her entire life, and this didn't resemble the calm lake at all.
"C'mon, Karmina, da water's grea-" Joey was cut off by Tristan and Duke pulling him underwater. Karmina giggled and stepped into the waves, falling over and being pulled up by Joey.
"F-forceful tide, isn't it?" She said with a grin.
"Ya scared?"
"A little."
"Don' be."
She shrugged and joined the others in body surfing. Every time the waves pulled her under, the same strong arms were there to pull her out, and they weren't Seto's, but Joey's. She had to admit that his being there did make her feel safe.
Am I… starting to crush on Joey again? I think I might be… but then, maybe not… I just don't know. He's here, and Seto isn't… that could be why I feel this way.
After a while, she retreated to the sand to try and think things out. All she really managed was to complicate things.
"Drat it! Why can't I figure this out?"
"What can't ya figure out?" Joey asked, causing her to jump.
"Where'd you come from?"
"I've been here a while."
"Oh."
"What can't ya figure out, Karmina?"
She gave a little fake smile. "The honest truth, or a lie that makes you feel better?"
He seemed shocked at her attempt at humor, but then he recovered and laughed. "The truth would be nice, but if you don' wanna tell me, I under-"
"This… life… you. I can't figure out who I'm supposed to be with, if it's you, or him, or neither of you… it's just too much to think about."
He stared. "I told ya I didn't wanna talk about dis… but I guess if it bugs ya dat much, I'll give ya my two cents worth on it."
"Okay…"
"I think… that you should do whateva feels right to you. I've seen da way ya look at Kaiba, and I know he loves ya, even if he is a self centered jerk."
"Don't… just don't."
"Right… sorry."
It was Karmina's turn to stare. Not once had he mentioned that he cared about her. "You… you didn't say anything about liking me. Do you… do you still…?"
Joey sighed and took on the most un-Joeyish expression possible. "Well… yeah, I do… but dats why I want you ta be happy, even if it means I can't be da one for you."
Tears welled in her eyes. That was the sweetest thing she'd ever heard. "Oh… Joey," she whispered, throwing her arms around him. "You always know just how to make me feel better."
He flinched a little, but soon relaxed and smoothed her hair gently. "Karmina… are ya okay now?"
"Completely? No… I've still got a lot of things… to work out and stuff. But I do feel a little better now."
He smiled. "I'm glad. You aren't as pretty when you're sad."
She looked up, saw that it was a joke, and swatted him in the head. "Always so sensitive… aren't you?
"I think it's time for another hot dog!" He announced, getting up. "Want one?"
"N… sure."
She followed him to the hot dog stand, took the hot dog, and then sat down on the now moonlit beach with him. The others, she saw, were off doing their own things and getting ready to go back to the hotel.
Joey's hair was lit up by the moonlight, and she blushed despite herself. In that moment, she could see the person that she'd liked so much before. And then she thought of Seto, and he was gone, replaced by her friend, but never love interest, Joey Wheeler. And suddenly, she knew what she was going to have to do.
"Joey… I know what I'm gonna do."
"Oh yeah, wat's dat?"
"I'm gonna set things right with Seto. And if… if it doesn't work… then maybe, just maybe, there can be… we could be… together."
"Good luck patchin' it up wit moneybags, Karmina," he said, wolfing down the hot dog and standing up.
"Thanks, Joey."
It was a long and quiet ride back to the hotel, during which Karmina restled with indecision and the decisions she didn't want to admit, even to herself.
End note: Tune in to chapter 43, which just might feature our favorite CEO! (Gosh, I wonder who that could be?) Review, dearies!