Disclaimer: I do not, I repeat I DO NOT own Yugioh.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Sorry I haven't updated in awhile, school can be a real pain. Anyway on with chapter 4.

--------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------- --------

Most everyone ate lunch outside on the campus in the fall and that everyone included Joey and his friends. Joey went to sit down at the picnic table next to Yugi when he spotted her. Juniper was sitting alone leaning against a tree sketch book in hand drawing a picture. He decided that he would never have a more opportune time to talk to her than now.

"Hey Yug, I'll talk to you later I have to go talk to somebody." Joey said without looking down at Yugi or waiting for a reply he started to walk off.

"See-ya Joey." Yugi called after him. "Hey guys, is it just me or has Joey been acting funny for quit some time now?"

"Yeah, you're right he seems kinda out of it lately. Wonder what for?" Tea responded.

"I wonder where he's going?" No one could answer the British accent that had asked the question. Instead they watched as Joey walked over to where Juniper was sitting.

--Scene change to where Juniper and Joey now are--

Joey walked coolly up to where Juniper sat drawing, what she was drawing he couldn't tell yet. 'What the hell am I supposed to say to her? Oh well here goes nothing.'

"Hey there!" Joey wanted to smack himself for saying that but decided that it was too late to do anything about, but he figured that at least he had gotten her attention.

"Hello. Um… Can I help you?" Juniper seemed cautious and slightly uncomfortable with talking to a complete stranger.

"Actually I just wanted to say hey. Your Juniper correct?" With a nod from her he continued talking. "I'm..."

"..Joey. You're in my second class."

"Yup. So, what are you drawing there?" Joey asked trying to peek over the top of her sketchbook to see the picture but she quickly turned to book upside down. "Why are you trying to hide what you're drawing? What are you afraid I'm going to do? Rip it up?" Joey was getting slightly irritated.

"Oh no, not at all. I didn't think that you would do something like that. It's just that, well, …I don't really like having people look at my art." Juniper cast her gaze downward to avoid eye contact. She never liked to look people in the eye for fear of getting a look of disappointment or shame. But she knew Joey wouldn't know this about her. In fact no one did. They all thought that it was a clever ploy to seem shy or just plain uninterested.

"C'mon just lemme see it. Please." Joey gave her his best puppy dog face in hopes of convincing her. To his surprise it actually worked.

"Oh fine. Just try not to smudge the lines." Juniper reluctantly handed him her sketchbook. Joey was taken back at what he saw. It was a picture of himself, Yugi, and Ryou. The setting was in the park by the lake. Ryou and Yugi were sitting on the ground while Joey was leaning against one of the trees. Not only was he surprised at who was in the picture, but he was also shocked and confused at why she wouldn't want people to look at her drawings. They were great. "This is really good. I mean it. You ever think of doing this professional?"

"No I don't think I'm talented enough to pull it off. I'm not that good." Juniper blushed slightly at the compliment. Joey handed her back her drawings and decided to sit down. He slowly descended toward the ground being careful not to flinch so she wouldn't ask questions. After sitting down Joey had a better look at the bruise on her face.

"Umm… I have a question. I don't wanna seem nosey or anythin' but, how did you get that bruise?" Joey saw her expression change to being uneasy. "I mean you don't have to answer if ya don' wanna."

"No it's alright. It's just kinda embarrassing. You see I kinda fell off my horse the other day. Let's just say instead of going over the jump together he didn't even try and I went through it." Juniper gave a nervous laugh and turned to face him. "How 'bout you? How did you get that gash and those bruises?" Joey immediately wished that he never asked. 'Damn it another person I have to lie to. Oh well that's life.' Joey thought bitterly.

"Well I sorta, kinda got into a fight yesterday. Nothing big. Let me put it this way I was pretty out numbered." Joey crossed his fingers hoping that she would buy it and not think poorly of him for seeming slightly bad boyish. He knew that not all girls liked guys like that.

"Oh. Doesn't it just blow when that happens? It has happened to me twice back home." Juniper smiled sympathetically and started to pack her stuff up, ignoring his surprised look. "Just out of curiosity why didn't you eat lunch?"

"Heh, I don't have any money." Joey stated flatly. Juniper then reached into her back pocket and grabbed her wallet. She pulled out two one-dollar bills and handed them to Joey.

"Go buy a soda or something. Well I gotta go. See-ya round Joey." With that she stood up waved and walked off.

"Hey Joey!" Yugi walked over to him with Tristen.

"Oh hey guys. I was just talking to Juniper. Ya know that new girl. She's real cool." Joey stood up and started walking toward a coke machine. He made a mental note to thank her as well as pay her back in the near future. He put his dollar in and pushed the button for a cherry coke. As he took a sip from the bottle the bell rung dismissing them from lunch. "Well let's go to class." All three of them walked to their third block class, which they had together and waited for class to start

------------------------------- ------------------------------------ ----------------

Tbc.

I know I said that this chapter would have more on Joey's home life and Juniper's background. The next chapter will have more action in it like the first chapter, of course with some differences, I promise. I should have another chapter up soon.

Please review and tell me what you think. The story will pick up soon. It's taking me a bit longer than I thought it would to set up the characters. Again thanks to all of you who have reviewed. Bye.