Trying to push the last dream from my mind, I began to get ready for school. Then I realised we would probably need to go to Egypt, and with our savings it would be a lot later than it should be. I'd have to start to organise a CV and get a job. I sighed tying my bow.
"Yug, you dressed?"
"Yeah, I'm heading down for breakfast, you coming?"
I pulled the curtain to see Yugi putting the millennium puzzle back on. I felt my cheeks warm as last night's dream flooded back to me.
"Everything ok?" his gentle eyes full of concern.
"Yep fine, just need to talk to Téa about something," I said reassuringly. Yugi smiled, and grabbed his bag, but I could feel another pair of eyes on me. Taking a deep breathe I ignored them and walked out of the door.
I tapped my foot throughout maths and chemistry, eager to talk to Téa about last night's dream. When the bell went for break, I grabbed her and rushed to the toilets locking the door, making sure no one was there.
"Mana –"
"I had another dream last night," I told her.
"That's great did you tell Yugi?" she said smiling, taking out her lipstick.
"No, it was a weird dream. We were older and…"
"And…" she pressed looking at me, pausing on her cupid's bow.
"And… we were defiantly a couple," I said turning a deep red, her jaw dropped.
"You guys were –"
"Kissing under the desert moon. Yep." I said biting my lip.
"Was it good?" she asked me. I flushed, that me and that him had defiantly kissed before whereas now… I had as much experience as a ten year old.
"Yes,"
Téa smiled.
"I feel bad I mean I now have this memory and he doesn't even if I tell him, it's not the same."
Téa's eyes looked at me in concern… and sympathy. I looked away not wanting to find the pity I knew was there too. I hated that I had this memory, and he didn't. I felt guilty, like he didn't agree to it.
"Mana?"
"Huh?"
"I'm sorry, I really am, but I still think you should tell him. He deserves to know that that part of the prophecy is right. He'll remember eventually, we are all going to help him get his memories back. I promise."
I smiled at her.
"Thanks Téa." I said, she smiled and we left the bathroom together.
The bell rang as we left the doors.
"I have dance, I'll see you at lunch ok, and… think about what I have said ok."
I nodded showing her I'd think and she rushed off. I began to make my way towards textiles, trying to think about how The Pharaoh would react to my most recent dream. Would he be happy? Annoyed? Embarassed? Would he even feel the way he did back then? My heart ached at the thought of him no longer having those feelings. Did I feel that way still? I wasn't –
BAM!
I was on the floor and my elbow hurt, books scattered along the hall.
"Sorry, I wasn't looking," I gasped asi rushed to help pick things up.
"Don't worry about it," a familiar voice said, I looked up to see bright green eyes.
"Duke. Sorry," I said sheepishly. He offered his hand to help me up. I took it hesitantly.
"It's alright, I like bumping into you," he said with a suggestive smirk. I felt my stomach sink. I was not in the mood for this right now.
"Look, sorry I bumped into you, but I really have to go. I have class,"
"Ditch with me,"
"No, I can't skip class. We'll try and all meet up soon. I'll talk to everyone." I said making sure I included the group.
"I was hoping it would just me you and me."
"Well, it won't be. I don't feel that way about you. Sorry." With that I put my bag on my shoulder and headed towards my classroom.
The day dragged on for hours, as soon as the final bell went in English I turned towards Yugi.
"Hey, tell Grandpa I've gone to the pool," I said, he looked at me surprised, concern on his face.
"Mana are you sure you're ok? You've been acting really weird."
"I'm fine, just have a lot on my mind right now." I said smiling.
Luckily I always kept a bag in my locker in case of a spontaneous swim need like today. After several hours hoping in the process that I had tried myself out enough not to sleep tonight. I couldn't handle another dream like that one. I knew as soon as my thoughts turned to what else we might have done. I got out and blasted music into my ears. Heading towards the bus stop, when I got in I'd finish my CV. I knew I would have to start saving up, if we were ever going to get to Egypt. I knew we'd have to go eventually to unlock the Pharaoh's memories.
I'm gunna be a mightly king
So enemies beware.
Ah yes, Disney. Perfect distraction from my own brain. I handed the driver my ticket and concentrated on the two lion cubs, and relaxed into my seat.
Time is racing towards us
Till the Huns arrive
Head my every order
And you might survive
You're not suited for the rage of war
So pack up. Go home. You're through
How could I make a man –
I could hear chatter around me, I looked to see a lot of unhappy faces. Unplugging my head phones I looked around. Were we stuck in traffic or something?
"Sorry everyone, a replacement bus will be an hour." The driver said.
A harmony of groans sounded around the bus. I slumped in my seat. So much for working on my CV tonight. I dug my headphones back in. I noticed a little restaurant, with a singer wanted sign in the window. I knew I was a good singer, maybe this was fate. I hauled my bag onto my shoulder and began to walk.
The door dinged as I walked in and a friendly looking middle aged man greeted me.
"Hello table for one?"
"Oh no, I er – my bus broke down and I saw the sign in the window – for a singer – I thought I'd come in and see, er."
"Of course come on in, we'll go out the back and go through some details. I'm Dan, I own this place."
"Mana," I smiled.
He took me into a back office, where there was a desk and a few comfy seats.
"We want something clean and fresh, that's not going to bring in drunk idiots. I have loyal customers I have to keep. You have a song list for me?"
"Uh no, like I said, my bus broke down and I saw the sign. I could sing an accapella?"
"Go for it,"
I sang a one of Nickelback's softer songs. Lullaby, when I got about half way through he put up his hand. I stopped nervously, I knew they were a risky band as people seemed to love or hate them. Maybe I should have chosen something different.
"Don't look so worried," he said smiling. "I love your tone, I'll give you a three week trail bases you will get the tips, the bar will get 20% of those, if your liked, I'll start paying you. How does that sound?"
"Seriously," I gasped. He nodded. "Great thank you so much,"
"That normally loses them." He smiled. "I think you will fit in here. 5-10 on Friday nights for now. Don't be late.
"I won't, I promise, thank you so much." I gasped, grinning ear to ear.
I ran home, shutting the door I wanted to rush to have a hot shower, but I heard anxious voices calling my name.
"Where have you been?"
"Are you alright?"
"We were so worried about you?"
"Oh I'm sorry," I said looking at their anxious faces. "My bus broke down and my phone died. I'm fine really."
"You're soaking," Yugi said.
"You must be freezing," Grandpa said eyeing me. "I'll turn up the heating, take those off and have a hot shower." He said rushing towards the theromostate.
"Ok, sorry for scaring everyone," I said, before dragging my tired legs up the stairs.
I closed my heavy eyelids, I doubted I would dream tonight, I thought as my tired body went black.
A warm strong arm was wrapped around my waist, a lean body pressed against my own. My own arms where on the golden frames of the chariot as we laughed bouncing off the sand as though we were flying, the horses galloping as fast as they could. The heat of the sun strongest on the top of my head.
"Where are we going!" I yelled to be heard over the wind.
"You will seen soon enough," his deep voice in my ear. I leaned further into his embrace, and he began to slow the horses.
"I thought that perhaps we could swim in the Nile. Shallow waters, were there has been no hippo sightings." He assured me.
"Sound's great," I murmured back, spinning myself so I faced him as the chariot halted. He chuckled again, kissing my forehead. Unweaving his arms he got off the chariot, offering his hand to me to take. I took it and hopped down, interlocking our fingers.
"I thought you would like to relax before you sing tonight." He said.
"Thanks for reminding me." I laugh.
"You'll be brilliant," he said. "You always are."
I shot up gasping, the memory fresh in my mind. My theory about being too tired to dream was wrong. I rubbed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm my breathing. Why were the dreams so much later in our lives now? I wanted more about the younger versions of ourselves.
I wrapped my arms around my torso, I could still feel his warm arms, the feel of this lips on my forehead.
Argh get a grip!
I yanked the covers away and shoved on my slippers. Carefully not to wake Yugi I made my way downstairs to grab a chocolate. Maybe that would calm me.
As I got to the bottom step I noticed the kitchen light was on. Who else was up at this time? Curious, I pushed the door open.
"Dad, hey!" I said in surprised as I saw him clasping a mug in his hands. He smiled as I walked in.
"Hello Mana," he said, then his expression grew concerned. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, but woke up from a dream,"
"Nightmare?" he said.
"No, it was a good dream," I mumbled, my cheeks tinging. I busied myself with getting the milk from the fridge.
"Here, I'll do that. You sit down," he said nudging me away.
"No I –"
"Go on, sit." He said mock sternly, I sighed, but did as I was told.
"So, a good dream woke you up?"
"Yeah, a weird one," I said looking at the table.
"Was anyone I know in this weird dream?" he asked handing me the mug, I wrapped both my hands around it, taking a sip before I answered.
"No, no one you know, it was just a weird dream about Egypt," I said, hoping that would get him off my case.
He laughed.
"You used to always dream about Egypt, forever reading and spouting out facts when you were little. Who each god or goddess was, what they symbolised, their relations." He laughed again. "Was adorable."
"Gee thanks," I muttered taking another sip. I knew what he meant, though now I knew why I was so obsessed with Egypt.
"You still really into it then?"
"Practically live and breathe it," I said with a small smirk.
"I blame your Grandfather," he said. "All the stories he used to tell you both about his time as an archaeologist. Give you both the bug. He seems to be doing better now. Sorry I wasn't here for when he was ill. I'll try and be around more."
"He's fine now." I said, my mind flashing back to Duellist Kingdom.
"Still, I am going to take shorter trips no more going off to the other side of the world for 6 months, especially when you kids are at school, and he needs more help around the store." He said taking a sip of his own drink.
"That would be nice." I smiled. He raised his mug to me.
"To family," he said smiling.
"To family," I smirked clanking our mugs together.
The next day after school I threw some make up and pretty clothes inside my swim bag and began to rush out of the door.
"See you guys around ten." I called. "Going for a long swim."
I closed the door behind me, and began to speed walk towards the bus stop. My heart was racing, I hadn't before – no I had the newest dream told me I used to sing back then. Ok, well I hadn't preformed in millennia.
When I got there I quickly discussed song choice with Dan, then rushed to go get changed in the bathroom and applied some make up. Looking at myself in the mirror I took a deep breath. I could do this. I needed to do this. Giving myself a final look over I made my way out to the restaurant stage.
"Hi everyone my name is Mana, this is the first time I have sang in front of people for a long time so I am sorry if I sound a little nervous." I took a deep breath and through of the song I was going to sing in my dream, converted it to English and began.
And as we rise to the sun
May our hearts become one.
As we're swallowed by the dark
12 challenges will start.
Tested and trailed
I wish us good luck
The night swallows the day
Will the sun return again.
Hope you all liked the new chapter! The next one will be coming up three weeks from now! Have a great Christmas and New Year!