After Seto had left him alone, all Joey could think about was his archrival's confession. He still couldn't comprehend all that had occurred just a few moments earlier. Why did Seto Kaiba, of all people, confess to loving a Wheeler? It just didn't make any sense. Something of that caliber was beneath him and if it was true, something was definitely wrong with him.
Joey grabbed his head as he strained his mind to think. "Ugh…" he moaned. "I need to get some sleep… 'Dis headache is killing me…" As soon as he fell back onto the bed, he was out like a light in two seconds flat.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Seto and Mokuba had just sat down to eat when Seto's cell phone rang. He picked it up, slightly agitated that someone was calling him this early in the morning and answered with a gruff tone.
"Seto Kaiba speaking. Who is this?" he practically demanded.
"Kaiba? It's Yugi." By the look on the CEO's face, he wasn't too happy to hear from the King of Games, especially at 6:30 in the morning.
"What do you want Motou?" he literally spat out.
There was a moment's pause before Yugi's voice could be heard again. "I was just wondering if Joey would be at school today…since, well, he hasn't showed up there lately and I'm getting worried. I know he's safe at your house but still…"
"Oh, spare me the friendship speech, will ya? It's getting kind of old, don't you think?"
That was when Yugi's temper started to rise, which is something that doesn't happen very often. "Well in case you haven't noticed, Joey's my best friend and I'm concerned for his well-being. Is that so bad? I didn't think so. So if you'll just answer my question, I will leave you alone. I just want to know what's going on and if he's coming to school. That's it. So, will you tell me?" His harsh tone then slowly returned to his usual passionate voice.
Seto sighed before replying. "Joey won't be going to school today. It was his own choice. He said that he wasn't feeling well enough to go."
"Okay. Would it be all right if I came to visit him after school? I'm sure he wouldn't mind the company."
"Fine, as long as you aren't too long. I don't want you in my house all day and all night."
"Okay. Thanks Kaiba!" Yugi replied cheerily as he hung up. Seto did the same, only without as much enthusiasm. Mokuba looked up at his older brother with questioning eyes.
"What did Yugi want, Seto?"
"Nothing important. Now finish your breakfast and you can play Gamecube until it's time for you to catch the bus." It was then that the ten-year-old broke out into a gleeful smile.
"Yay! Thanks Seto!" he chirped as he gobbled down the remainder of his pancakes. Once finished, he raced into the living room, disappearing from sight. Seto only sweat dropped.
Later on that morning, at around 7:30, Seto decided to leave for school. Mokuba caught the bus to Domino Elementary at 8:00 so the eldest Kaiba asked Brianna to watch the ten-year-old and make sure he caught the bus. It was common for Mokuba to be so wrapped up in his game that he missed the bus. It happened numerous times on many occasions. Seto wasn't too pleased when it happened because that always meant that he had to leave school, go home, pick up Mokuba, drive him to school and then drive back to Domino High. It was rather hectic and he was hoping that he wouldn't have to do it ever again. Then again, since Brianna was watching the younger Kaiba, she could always take him to school if he missed the bus. She had just recently acquired her G2 and could now drive alone, without having to be accompanied by someone.
"I'm leaving Mokuba," Seto called into the living room but did not receive an answer in return. "Mokuba!"
"What?" Mokuba shouted back, not taking his eyes off the TV screen. He was playing Phantasy Star Online: Episode I & II Plus and it really drew your attention to it.
Seto sighed. "I said I'm leaving. I'll see you after school."
"Okay bye!" the raven-haired child replied rather quickly just as a monster hit and killed him. "Nooooooooooo!" He lowered his head and let out a loud sigh. Seto sighed once more before heading out the door.
In Joey's room, not much progress had been made. He was still slightly weak and wasn't able to work up the strength to get out of bed. It was most likely due to him being bed-ridden for the past couple of days. In fact, the only time he actually got out of bed was to go the bathroom or to have a shower; Brianna brought him all of his daily meals.
Sitting up slowly, the blonde-haired teen groaned and sleepily rubbed his eyes. He looked around the room, noticing that his breakfast had been laid out on a tray next to his bed. The meal consisted of: three slices of french toast drizzled with maple syrup, home fries, toast with peanut butter and a glass of orange juice. Joey licked his lips; he was really hungry seeing as how he had skipped a few meals the day before. However, he wouldn't have done that if he wasn't sleeping, but sleep managed to get the best of him and he wasn't able to resist it. As he took a few bites of his food, he still couldn't rid his mind of Seto's confession. He didn't know whether to accept it or ignore it. His feelings were mixed and that didn't make things easier for him. One minute he was thinking that he loved Seto and the next he hated him. It didn't make any sense. Was it really possible to hate someone and then turn around and love them? Joey wasn't sure that it was, but then again, if Seto Kaiba admitted to loving him, anything was possible.
"Hey Joey." The blonde looked around the room and soon spotted his female friend standing in the doorway.
"Oh, hey Brianna," he replied simply, taking a few more bites of his french toast.
"How are you doing? Is everything all right?" she asked politely, taking a few steps into the room.
"Yah, I'm doing fine. I'm not in as much pain as I was earlier…" Joey knew this was a lie but he didn't want to worry his friend. He didn't like lying to her but it was the only thing to say without raising any anxiety.
"Are you sure? Because you don't look fine…" Little did Joey know, Brianna was able to see through his cover up story and get right to the truth. "You look like you're still in a lot pain. Are you?"
"No…" It was then that Brianna gave him a stern look as if to say, 'I'm sure…' "Actually, I did have a headache earlier this morning, but it's gone now. All that's really left is a little bit of pain in my lower back and legs."
"I can help you with that. Well, once you get finished with your breakfast…" As soon as she said that, Joey had just finished the last few bites of his meal. Brianna giggled a little. "Well I can see that your appetite hasn't faded."
"Nope. I was hungry!"
"Well I should think you would be since you've been sleeping most of the time." Joey smiled as Brianna took the tray from in front of him. "I'll be back in a few minutes with some ice for you. It will bring down the swelling and make it so that you don't have a huge bruise later."
"Okay, thanks Brie." Brianna smiled before exiting the room. Joey sighed for like the tenth time that day and sank down into the comforters. He blinked a few times before falling back asleep.
At Domino High, it was lunchtime and Yugi and his friends were all gathered in the cafeteria.
"It's so quiet without Joey here," Tea piped up as she took a sip of her chocolate milk.
"Yah I know what you mean. It's not the same without him around…" Yugi added, not lifting his head up from his lunch.
"Are you okay Yugi? You seem a little withdrawn…" Tea threw one arm around her boyfriend's shoulders, trying to comfort him as best she could.
"Yah I'm fine. It's just that, well… I can't help thinking how Joey's doing. I guess it's because we're best friends and we've always been there for one another. I don't know. I just hope he's all right and will get better soon so he can come back to school and hang out with us…"
"I know what you mean, Yug," Tristan spoke up. "I keep wondering that myself…"
"Well I'm sure he's okay. After all, this is Joey we're talking about. I bet in the next couple of days he'll be back to his old self again!" Tea said cheerily, trying to change the overall mood of the group.
"Yah, I guess you're right Tea…" Yugi replied sulkily, returning to his lunch.
Tea sighed. I wish there was something else I could say to cheer him up. I know Joey's his best friend and all but he should realize that things will eventually get better. Sooner or later, Joey will be back on his feet again and rejoin us for the fun we always used to have together… It was then that her thoughts were interrupted by a gruff-sounding voice.
"What do you want Kaiba?" were the first words that Tea had heard. They had apparently come from Tristan.
"I came to talk to Yugi, Taylor. Unless of course that's problem…"
"What is it Kaiba?" Yugi piped up meekly.
Seto turned to look at the spiky-haired teen and in a soft whisper told him, "I'll give you a ride after school so you can come and visit Wheeler. However, I don't want your little friends joining you. It will just be you, understand?" Seto kept a firm hold on his voice as Yugi nodded without saying another word. It was then that the rich, multi-billionaire left the table where Yugi and his friends were sitting at and headed for the cafeteria doors. Yugi looked back to his friends who were all exchanging confused glances with one another.
Tristan was the first one to speak. "So, what did Kaiba say to you Yugi?"
Yugi hesitated for a moment before replying to his friend's question. "Umm…it wasn't really anything important. Don't worry about it guys…" At that exact moment, everyone, being Tea, Tristan, Duke and Ryou looked at each other with suspicious eyes. They all had the same feeling that Yugi knew something about Joey and just wasn't telling them. Why would he hide something from them? They were his friends and he always entrusted them with his secrets. This just didn't seem like the Yugi they knew anymore…
Just then, the bell rang, signaling that lunch was over.
"Well, I better get going guys. I don't want to be late for my next class," and with that, Yugi got up from the table, threw all his garbage in the trashcan and headed towards the cafeteria doors. All the others stood up in unison and headed out as well.
As Tea walked down the hall to her next class, occasionally bumping into a few people, all she could think about was the secret that Yugi was keeping from her and the rest of their friends. Why won't he at least tell me? I'm his girlfriend and as such, he should be able to confide in me. Maybe he thinks I'm going to tell the others. But he should know I won't; I would never do something like that to him. If he wants it kept a secret, than I shall do just that. Tea inwardly sighed as she turned into her classroom, which happened to be Chemistry. I just hope he'll be able to tell me in the near future. I'm worried that he's keeping something important from all of us, something about Joey. All I want to know is if Joey is all right… Is that really too much to ask? He's such a close friend of mine and I don't want anything bad to happen to him…if only Yugi would realize that…