Disclaimer:...bwahahahaha...
Seto: she doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh, or me.
Kimika: That's what you think. is attacked by fangirls.OW, fine...this is my longest chapter so far...so bear with me...on with the story.
Ch. 1O It's Beginning to Look at a lot like Christmas Pt. I
Shaylee walked quickly out of the school after the final bell. She was careful to avoid Seto. Kaiba had also managed to slip out of school without bumping into Shaylee. All I have to do is avoid him for the rest of my life...put this whole thing behind...me...
Kaiba sat silently in the limo. Would she have pulled away? Damn...
"To Kaiba Corp. sir?" The driver...probably Roland, asked. (A/N I don't know if he has a separate driver, Roland just seems to always be there.)
"Mr. Kaiba? Mr. Kaiba?" Seto was jogged out of his thoughts. "Yes, Kaiba Corp." He sat back, and a smirk spread across his face. I'll just have to try again.
&&&&
Shaylee walked down the block and approached their townhouse. She took one look at it and groaned. "Christmas time already." She mumbled. On the roof was Alec putting up lights, as her mother fixed a wreath to the door. She shoved past her mother and pushed the door open, slamming it behind her. I cant believe that tomorrow is the last day before Christmas vacation...I'm going to die. She thought slumping to the floor in front of the door, preventing access from the outside.
At dinner that night Shaylee just pushed her steak around her plate. "Eat." Her mother said.
"I'm a vegetarian." She said.
"Since when?" Grace (her mother) said.
"Since I was 13, where have you been...stupid question." She mumbled.
There was an awkward silence for a few moments then... "Alec and I have decided to throw a Christmas party this year." Grace said. "What?" The three children said in unison.
"Everyone has been invited. My family, your family...your father's family." Alec said taking a piece of steak. Shaylee dropped her fork.
"Dad!" Kael said not bothering to conceal his enthusiasm.
"Mmhmm. People should start arriving on Sunday. After all they're flying in from all over. The States, Ireland, Holland, Canada, England, even Romania." Grace said.
"Yes!" Aiden and Kael high-fived each other.
"Is Li- " Kael started.
"No, your brother is not coming." There mother said sternly.
"So what do you think Shaylee?" Alec asked.
She didn't smile. "Fan-freakin-tastic." She said getting up from the table and walking up the stairs
Aiden and Kael looked at each other and sighed.
&&&&
Shaylee slumped into her chair the next day, and put her books on her desk. "Hey Shay." Téa said walking over to her. They were soon joined by Tristan, Yugi and Joey.
"So what're are you guys doing for Christmas?" Téa asked.
"I talked my motha into letting Serenity spend dis Christmas wit me...it took a lot of work, but she's gonna." Joey said with a goofy grin.
"Grandpa and I are going to do what we do every year. Nothing special, just hang out." Yugi said.
"I'm going to the United States to visit my sister and Georgie." Tristan said
"How old is Georgie now Uncle Tristan?" Joey mocked. Tristan hit him in the arm
"Four, and I think my brother in law wants his motorcycle back...it has been over a year since I 'borrowed' it from him." Tristan laughed.
"What about you girls?" Yugi asked leaning on the desk.
"My mother an step father have invited everyone in my entire family over for Christmas, I'm taking a video camera to film it, just in case any lawyer asks for proof." Shaylee said casually. "Sounds like fun." Joey said. "Oh yeah, super fun. Can't you tell I'm excited." She said rolling her eyes. Joey and Tristan laughed.
"You're the only one we haven't heard from Téa, what are you doing?" Yugi asked. "Nothing really. I couldn't come up with a single thing to do."
"You could spend it with Grandpa and me." Yugi said.
Tristan, Joey, and Shaylee looked at each other.
"Really Yugi? Are you sure that would be alright?"
"Definitely. I- We love having you over." Yugi said blushing slightly.
"Thank you Yugi!" Téa exclaimed, hugging him tightly. Yugi turned a deep shade of crimson.
The teacher walked into the room and everyone went back to their seats.
"I see Seto Kaiba isn't here...again." He said marking him late/absent.
Shaylee looked at the empty seat next to her and frowned. I wonder why he's not here.
&&&&
Kaiba sat typing vigorously at his computer. He checked his watch, and frowned. 11:26...I have to finish before 10:00 pm I wonder why...what does Mokuba have planned...
&&&&
Shaylee said goodbye to Téa several hours after school ended and headed for her house. It had started to snow, and was dark. She looked around. It feels like I'm being watched. A mysterious figure emerged from the bushes. Shaylee screamed so did the figure. He stepped out into the street light and Shaylee sighed. "Ryo, what are you doing here?" Shaylee asked still clutching her heart.
Bakura laughed. "This is a short cut to my apartment."
"You scared me."She said." "You did the same." They started to laugh. "You're apartment building's near here?" Shaylee asked.
"Yes, it's only two blocks over. I had no idea that you lived on this block." "Yeah." "Who do you live with?" Shaylee asked adjusting her bookbag.
"Oh, I live alone, my father is traveling, archaeology...my mother..." He looked at the ground.
"Oh, Ryo I'm so sorry I shouldn't have asked."
"It's fine, really it is." "Are you sure? I don't want to make you uncomfortable." She said biting her bottom lip.
"Calm down. It's fine." Bakura said. They started to walk down the block.
"I wish I lived alone." Shaylee said.
"You wouldn't like it." Bakura told her.
"Yes, Yes I would. I hate living in that house. My brothers are great, its my parents I can't stand." Shaylee said using quotation marks when she said parents.
"Why?" Bakura asked looking over at her.
"Ugh, it's all my step fathers fault. See he and my mother were having an affair for...a long time. And my father was completely oblivious. And when he found out he was calm. Because that's how ministers are."
"Your father is a minister?"
"Yeah, but I'm not all that religious."
"How many brothers do you have?"
"Three. Two younger one over protective older."
"Your lucky."
"Do you have any siblings?" She asked turning to him.
"I had a sister, Amane." He looked sad for a second, but repressed it, because that's what he does. Deny.
Had?
"So...do you like pie?" Shaylee asked tilting her head slightly.
"What?" Bakura asked with laugh.
"Sorry, trying to change the subject." She said with a smile.
"We don't have to. Oh, here's where we part."
"I'll see you...after vacation. Or around town"
"Of course. Goodbye." He said walking to the right and waving, gathering snow on himself as he walked.
"Bye!" Shaylee called, shielding her eyes from the snow and wind.
Shaylee opened the front door and brushed the snow out of her hair. She looked into the den, and saw Aiden asleep on the couch. What time is it? Shaylee thought searching for a clock. She looked at the DVD player, it read 9:57 pm. Oh.
She dropped her wet coat and book bag on the wood floor and walked into the kitchen, tracking mud in as she walked. She entered the darkened kitchen and turned on the light, jumping in surprise when she saw five people sitting at the table.
"God! Why are you sitting in the dark! You could give someone a heart attack! Oh hey Dad, Melissa, ooh! Gavin!" She walked to the table and picked up her 3 ½ year old half brother. "Shay Shay!" Gavin said. "It's Shaylee...or Shay, not Shay Shay- ahh screw it."
"Shaylee, why are you home so late?" Her father asked. Setting down his cup of coffee.
"Went to school. Left school. Went out. Walked home. Talked to Ryo. Walked home some more. That pretty much covers it." She said shrugging.
"That's...vague." He said.
"...meh..." She said
She put Gavin down and walked to the cabinet, took out a mug, and poured herself some coffee. Then went to the fridge still holding the coffee pot, and opened the door, took out whipped cream, put the coffee pot in the fridge, walked back to the counter, put whipped cream in her coffee and set the can on the heating plate.
"Uh...Shaylee." Her step mother Melissa said. Shaylee looked up. "What?" Melissa pointed to the whipped cream. Shaylee looked and shrugged her shoulders. "Eh, I'll get it later." And walked out of the room, to her bedroom. Everyone at the table (Her mother, step father, father and step mother) looked at each other.
Shaylee walked into her bedroom, and set her coffee down on her desk and closed the door.
Dammit, how did they get here so quickly? I thought I would at least have two more days of freedom... Guess not. Great...just great. She took a step forward in her pitch black room, and tripped, hitting her head on the edge of her bed. She sat up slowly, and reached turned on her lamp. She held her head, and steadied herself as she stood. She removed her hand from her head and looked at it, noticing a red liquid. She turned to her mirror and brushed her hair out of the way. "Ow." Shaylee flinched as a trickle of blood dripped into her eye. She walked slowly into the hall, and to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She picked up a washcloth and ran it under water, she held her hair to the side and placed the cloth on her wound. Hearing her cell phone ring she opened the door. She held the banister and walked down the stairs, she walked to her book-bag which was still on the floor and unzipped the front pocket. She flipped the phone open and put it to her ear. "Hello?" She said.
"Shay!" A female voice yelled from the other side.
"Cammy!"
"You remember me!"
"Of course. What's up? I haven't talked to you in so long. I have a few questions."
"So do I! How's Japan?"
"Great, found an old friend of mine."
"Who?"
"Seto Kaiba."
"S-Seto Kaiba? As in the billionaire playboy sexy teenage CEO of the most successful gaming company in the world! That Seto Kaiba."
"Yep." Shaylee answered casually. She listened closely to see if Cammy was still alive.
"Cam? You still breathing?"
"Barely! How could you not tell me you knew that sexy beast."
"Please." Shaylee scoffed.
"Oh come on, you honestly don't think he is the hottest thing you've ever seen?"
Shaylee paused. "So who's dead, who's in jail, who's knocked up, and who's come out of the closet?"
"Avoiding my question, I'll play along. In order: Chris died, drug overdose very sad, Manny's in jail, he sold Chris the drugs that killed him and was busted for possession, Carol's baby is due in 3 months and Antonio is the father, and finally, your cousin." Cammy said in one breath.
"Ooo! So Trenton finally came out to the rest of you. Whoa."
"What?"
"I'm feeling a little woozy."
"Huh?"
"Hit my head, loss of blood, not enough to kill me, probably need stitches, moving on. And by the way what time is it in New York?"
"Uh...8:19 am."
"Shouldn't you be in class right now?"
"Yeah. I'm at school, but I'm in the bathroom. It's not like I'm missing something important. I have gym first period."
"Good point."
They talked about pointless stuff for an hour and a half, Shaylee's head stopped bleeding, and Cammy had to go back to class.
"I'll call you soon... or maybe I'll see you." Cammy said slyly.
"Huh? What Cam-"
"Bye Shay, love ya." Shaylee heard a click on the other line and flipped her phone shut.
What the hell does that mean? Ugh, I'm too tired to ponder. She thought yawning and walking upstairs.
&&&&
Over the next several days more and more people arrived at the Douglas/Moriarty household. (A/N Alec's last name is Douglas)
Their grandparents had arrived from Ireland and were bombarding Aiden and Kael with questions. Shaylee cleverly avoided these interrogations about whether or not she was going to mass every Sunday by locking herself in her room and having one of her brothers bring her food up to her every couple of hours. She had still not talked to Kaiba, and was tempted to call him. No, no Shaylee. Put the phone down! Stop this, it's ridiculous. I'll call him ...tomorrow. No, tomorrow's Christmas eve. In three days. Yes perfect.
&&&&
Shaylee didn't ventureout of her roomuntil the next day. Christmas eve. There were 30 something odd people gathered in her house and the second she walked down the stairs she was bombarded.
"Shaylee Keaira Mae Donegan Moriarty!" She heard an old Irish voice say. She winced at the sound of her whole name, but turned around anyway.
"Hello pop-pop. I see your still alive and kicking."
"Yes, I'm as spry as ever. Come over here, your aunt Lola wants to give you something." He said grabbing her arm and pulling her into the dining room.
About five family members turned her way. Including her cousin Trenton.
"Shaylee! Look at you, you look beautiful. You have your grandmothers eyes you know."
"Hi uncle Donnie, aunt Lola, nana, poppy, Trenton. It's nice to see you all." She said with an awkward smile.
"Come here dear. I have something to give you. It's an early gift." Her aunt said.
Shaylee unwrapped the box that was placed on the table in front of her, and smiled. "Thanks aunt Alisa, it's beautiful." She said holding up the green just above the knee velvet dress.
"You should wear it tonight." Her great grandmother said.
"I think I will. Thanks again." She shot a pleading look in her cousins direction.
"Uh, I have to talk to Shaylee." Trenton said leading her out of the dining room. When safely out of earshot, she hugged him.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Shaylee said.
"How are ya Shay?"
"I'm great...and yourself?" Shaylee asked nudging him in the side with her elbow.
"You talked to Cameron?" Trenton sighed.
"Yeah, it's not like she said anything bad. Just the usual gossip."
"Who's dead, who's in jail, who's knocked up and who's come out of the closet?" He said with a laugh.
"You know me so well." Shaylee said.
"So, Cammy was telling me about Seto Kaiba...you know him?"
"Yes I know him, since we were 4 years old." Shaylee said, leaning back onto the small table that held the house phone.
"I wanted to tell y-" Trenton was cut off by Shaylee's father.
"Trent, Shaylee!"
"Yeah uncle Sean?"
"You two should get dressed, the festivities are going to begin in half an hour."
Both teens groaned. "Fine dad." Shaylee said. She grabbed the dress and they went upstairs, Trenton split to go to the bathroom and change and Shaylee went into her bedroom, locking the door behind her.
&&&&
Shaylee set the curling iron down on the radiator, and looked in the mirror with a sigh. I hate curling my hair. And wearing dresses, and wearing bright makeup, and green clothes, and being 'festive' and 'perky'. This sucks. She looked at herself in the full length mirror on her closet door and scowled. . I'll murder the person who invented Christmas. "Shaylee, are you still in there?" A muffled voice asked.
"Yes Alec." Shaylee answered, slightly annoyed.
"Well come downstairs, your other wants to start the party."
"Tell Grace I'll be there when I want."
"Young lad-" Shaylee flipped on her hair dryer blocking Alec's voice.
"I'm sorry Alec, were you saying something?" Shaylee asked in her most innocent voice.
"Come downstairs."
"Whatever, asshole."
"I heard that!"
"I wasn't trying to hide it baka!" Shaylee said, slamming her hand down on the desk beside her. She then resumed her prettification. She walked to her bureau and picked up her hair spray.
"Good bye ozone, my dear friend." Shaylee said dramatically as she sprayed her hair. Oh...it's non-aerosol. She thought looking at the bottle.
"Shaylee!" Marissa (her step mother) called.
"Coming Marissa!" Shaylee shouted, slipping her green sequined flats on, grabbing her purse and hopping out the door.
She fixed her hair as she walked down the stairs, and came across a scene straight out of a Dickens novel. Everyone was dressed nicely, each holding a drink in their hand. She flipped open her purse and took out a small tape recorder. "So far, everyone is sober...except for uncle Bobby...there are no broken bones as of yet, and no one has accidentally hit on anyone else. This is starting out fairly well, but the night is young." Shaylee said quietly into the machine.
"Give it a rest Shay." Her father said
"I need to document this for future generations. What if, in 14 years Gavin asks, 'Hey remember that Christmas party your mother threw like 10 years ago? It's all very fuzzy to me, I was very young. Do you have any audio confirmation that it existed?' and I have to answer 'Sorry Gav, dad took away my tape recorder, I can barely remember anything. That part of your life will just have to be missing until the day you die.' and he frowns and the next day kills himself because he can't bear to think about going on with 2 days of his life missing."
"How nice...just keep it in your purse."
"Kay..." Shaylee waited to see her fathers reaction. "What you're not going to preach to me the fact that I suggested my baby brothers death, and how that is a sin, and I'm going to hell?"
"Not tonight." Her father said smiling.
Shaylee stared at him for a moment. "You're drunk aren't you."
He laughed. "Drunk on love." He put his arm around her and began to work. "It's worse than I thought." She said cringing and attempting to slide out of his grasp, to no avail.
They sat down on a couch next to Marissa. "Hello, honey. Enjoying yourself?" Sean asked leaning in and giving Marissa a quick kiss.
"Everything's lovely." She said.
For the next hour Shaylee was being approached by everyone. They were telling her, 'how beautiful she was' or 'how mature she looks.'
When the doorbell rang two young voices shouted from somewhere in the house. Aiden and Kael came rushing out of the kitchen and to the door. Shaylee sat on the armrest of the sofa. She looked down at her uncle who was engaged in a conversation about cars with one of her cousins. She shrugged and lifted the glass of bourbon out of his hand. She swallowed nit in three large gulps, then placed it back in his hand.
"Holy shit!" Aiden said as he opened the door. Shaylee lifted her head as a young 20 something year old walked in. "Oh my god!" Shaylee ran up to the boy and threw her arms around him. "Hey little sis." "Liam!" She said. Everyone in the room fell silent. "I get the feeling the rest of you aren't as happy to see me." He said with a smirk.
"Li-Liam...how did you know we were here?" Grace asked as she entered the room.
"Not everyone in this family hates me mother." Liam said setting his bag down.
"Who told him?" Grace said a little too loudly.
"She's so happy she can hardly contain herself." Liam said rolling his eyes and walking into the kitchen to get a drink.
Shaylee, Aiden and Kael followed him. Shaylee took out the recorder again, and turned it on. "In an unexpected turn of events Liam has shown up at the party. How he found out has yet to be determined. Right now he's pouring himself a very large glass of tequila...very, very large. No telling where this night will go. More twists are bound to come...I might end up drunk on my roof like cousin Kimmy did last year..." She said.
Liam took a sip of tequila, and looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "What are you doing?"
"Recording this night for future generations."
"..."
"Don't look at me like I'm crazy. I'm not." She said, her eyes darting quickly from side to side.
"You're not drinking tonight." He said.
"Too late."
"Can we drink?" Aiden asked.
"No." They said in unison.
"Whoa, Shay what the hell happened to your head?" Liam said walking over, and moving her bangs to the side.
"Oh, I fell and hit my head on the edge of my bed last night."
"Klutz."
"I know."
Aiden and Kael stood next to their siblings, each holding a can of soda.
"Come on, lets go rejoin the 'festivities.'" Liam said tousling Kael's hair.
Aiden groaned as Liam pushed him into the dining room.
&&&&
Kimika: Well that the end of Pt. I
Seto: What's going to happen in part II/
Kimika: Interested Seto?
Seto: No. . .
Kimika: Sure...Review please! I need a couple reviews to convince me to put up the next chapter (the interesting Seto-licious one!)