Chapter 2

Taylor rolled over in her bed and sighed, "I love Saturdays." she said happily before drifting back to sleep.

"Yo Taylor get up!" The voice of her roommate, Tracy, filled the room.

"But it's Saturday." She groaned, pulling her pillow over her head.

"Your parents are here. They've been down at the docks for like 20 minutes." Tracy replied, "Chancellor Sheppard sent me to get you."

Taylor immediately jumped out of bed; "Oh!" she said hurriedly, "Tell them I'll be there in 10 minutes."

After a quick shower, Taylor got dressed and made a beeline for the docks. She found her mother and father waiting with Chancellor Sheppard.

"Taylor!" her mother called happily, "How have you been, baby girl?" she asked hugging her daughter.

"I've been fine Momma. Hi Daddy." She said and hugged him as well.

He broke the embrace and smiled at his daughter, "So do you like it here?"

Taylor nodded, "I'm still kinda homesick. But other than that it's okay."

"Well I'm glad you like it." Her mother smiled, "Chancellor Sheppard was just telling us about some of the classes offered here. Has your dueling gotten any better?" she asked.

Taylor smiled sheepishly, "Ahh. No. Actually I haven't dueled since I got here."

"Lucky for you, I schedule a duel for after the tour." Chancellor Sheppard said happily.

"Really? Who's dueling?" Taylor asked innocently.

"Why you are." Chancellor Sheppard said, almost as if he had informed her ahead of time.

"Me?" she said pointing to her chest, "B-but I need time to prepare. I haven't even organized my cards, looked them over, or anything."

"How long will that take you?" her mother asked.

"Awhile. I don't even know who I am dueling." Taylor crossed her arms and sighed, "Who am I dueling?"

"Me of course." A snobbish voice said from behind Chancellor Sheppard. The girl revealed herself causing Taylor to pretend to gag.

"I have to duel her?" she said wrinkling her nose.

"Taylor be nice." Her mother scolded, "It's good to see you again Rebecca." She said politely.

"It's good to see you too Mrs. Welsch. Once I learned you were coming, I practically begged Chancellor Sheppard for an opportunity to duel little Taylor. Especially since we are such good friends and all."

"Don't you mean since we were good friends?" Taylor snapped.

Her mother's glare stopped another snide comment.

"Why Taylor I don't know what you mean." She said innocently.

Taylor had to fight off the urge to strangle her.

"So how long have you been here?" Taylor's dad asked.

"Almost two years." She said in a patronizing tone, "I passed the entrance exam with flying colors and was immediately put in Obelisk Blue, the highest rank in the school." She finished smugly.

"Rub it in my face…" she muttered.

"What was that Taylor? I didn't quite hear you!" Rebecca said.

"I said way to go ace." Taylor answered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"That's what I thought. Well I gotta go prepare for the duel. Enjoy the tour Mr. and Mrs. Welsch." Rebecca said walking away.

"I cannot stand her." Taylor griped as soon as the other girl was gone, "She is such a Mary Sue."

"What's a Mary Sue?" her mother inquired.

Taylor sighed, "Excuse me! Narrator guy!" she shouted at the sky.

"Do I look like a guy?" The narrator replied.

"Oh sorry. Narrator lady. That better?" Taylor asked correcting her mistake.

"I have a name…" The narrator began.

"And I am sure it's lovely. But right now I need your help." Taylor said stopping the narrator.

"All right. What is it?"

"Can you tell my mom what a Mary Sue is?"

"What do I look like, Webster's Dictionary?"

"Please?" Taylor begged.

"Fine. A Mary Sue is person with unusual strengths and abilities. Everyone tends to like them and they may have had an angst-ridden past. Or they could be a spoiled rich girl who gets everything she wants as in Rebecca's case. There does that clear everything up?"

"Yes. Thank you Narrator lady." Taylor said smiling with approval.

"Now about my name…" The narrator began.

"Okay no just shut up now." She said waving her hands.

"Taylor what was that?" Her father asked surprised.

"Oh daddy, we don't have time for questions now. You've gotta meet my friends and take a tour of Duel Academy." Taylor said leading them off to begin the tour.