PART 12

(FF Two Weeks)

(Nicole's POV)

The past two weeks had gone by with a blur. I managed to wrap up the initial assignment Kaiba gave me at work just in time for the next weekend. Overall, it took me eight days, but I considered it a win given I spent a day and a half with the whole bike theft incident. Kaiba was his uptight snappy self. Anytime he spoke to me, it was last name basis only and subject matters were 100% work. On the upside, I had gotten a couple occasions to hang around with the tiny Kaiba brother. As I promised, I took the kid back to his breakfast spot the next weekend. His brother found reasons not to join, but we didn't let that stop us. I was getting better at my self-studies in Japanese, but I was still nowhere near fluent. Mokuba was using the time with me to get a head-start on his English classes he said he would be taking his next school year.

I had not heard from my dad since the day I went to the hospital. A part of me hoped he was taking my advice and seeking help. Sure, the man had been an erroneous bastard the last year or so I was home, but there was a time when my father was the center of my world. If I could turn back time and go back to that version of my life I would. I must have been so far in my head on the subject that I didn't notice the body leaning against my locker.

"Excuse me?" The voice startled me and I looked over to see someone I hadn't met. The guy had on the uniform like all the other boys at this school, but he also looked more like me. He was slightly taller than me. His hair was decent length for a guy and bright blonde. The hair accented the bright green in his eyes. I didn't remember seeing him, but I also didn't really pay that much attention to the student body outside my class. There were other foreign students here?

"May I help you?" I asked looking the guy over.

"Actually, you could. You see, I've been kind of rude." He began. No accent, so definitely not English. American maybe?

"Really? How so?" I questioned grabbing another book from my locker.

"You've been here for how long now, and I'm yet to ask you out for a tour and dinner?" He smugly explained.

"Now what's makes you think I would say yes to such an offer?" I asked going on the defensive.

"Well, because we're not so different. You're from America like me. I've been here a few years, so I know my way around, and I'm sure you're yet to learn all the language and customs. I was wondering if maybe... you would like someone to show you around and teach you a few things?"

"Well, that all sounds real nice, but I have my own rules about things like that." I countered closing my locker after fastening my bag.

"What kind of rules?" he questioned trying to keep my attention.

I gave a small sigh, "Like I don't go out with guys whose names I don't even know."

"Oh that! I apologize. It must have slipped my mind. My name is Riley. Riley Jackson." He tried to correct holding out his hand.

"Oh well then. I'm-" but he cut me off.

"Nicole. I know," he smiled, "You have a couple classes with my teammates."

"Teammates?"

"I play soccer here. Striker to be exact." He pointed out.

"Oh well then. Yes. I'm Nicole." I shrugged tossing my bag over my shoulder.

"Do you think I can still get that date?" Riley asked.

I looked at him again thinking about the current predicament. Yes, he was American. Maybe that would bring a little bit of home in my life. Japan had been odd since I moved here, and my mother did say get to know more people. How long had it been since I was on a date? If memory served me right, my last date was with Sam the night my life went to hell. If that was the case, what was the worst that could happen?

"I guess. I've been meaning to get better acquainted with the area. It's a date." I smiled nodding my head. I could see his eyes glimmer at my response.

"Thanks doll!" he smiled quickly leaning over closing the gap between the two of us. Before I knew it, I felt the soft warm sensation of his lips over my own. The kiss caught me so off-guard that I almost dropped my bag. Before I could properly react, he pulled away slightly keeping his face right in front of my own. "Soccer fields at seven. Can you do that?" He asked looking at my eyes now touching my chin lightly with his hand.

I was brought back to reality by his question. Quickly, I thought of my schedule knowing I could possibly leave work around 6:30, but I would still need some better clothes. "I do believe I can manage." I smiled still trying to get over the spinning in my head.

"Great!" he spoke giving me another short peck, "I'll meet you out there at seven then." With that said, he left on his way to his own class.

I quickly claimed control of my breathing as I lightly placed my fingers over my lips.What the hell did I just agree to? I looked down the hall where Riley went in hopes to at least get in a goodbye, but he was already gone. I had to admit, even though he was pretty forward, he was good looking, especially in American standards. That short blonde hair somewhat reminded me of Samuel back home. Sam had more platinum blonde where Riley was more beach blonde. What was it with me and blondes? A smile came to my face as I thought of the two boys.

"Silvers?"

I was jolted back into reality once again. This time, it was the familiar voice of my boss. "Sir?" The blood raced to my cheeks.

"Are you alright?" He asked studying me with those bright blue eyes. Damn it! Stop looking at him like that you twit! I mentally scolded myself.

"I-I'm just fine sir!" I stammered adjusting my bag.

He seemed to study me again before going on, "Well, if you're alright, I'll be seeing you after class then." He instructed with a nod.

"Yes sir!" I smiled turning to leave.

(Seto's POV)

What the hell is wrong with you? the voice in my head screamed as I set myself against a wall around the corner where I spotted Silvers talking to Riley Jackson. Just seeing him there made my blood boil after this morning in history…

History

"I wonder if anyone's shown her 'around' if you get what I mean." I heard Jackson joke to one of his buddies concerning Silvers.

For some reason, I bit my tongue grasping the edge of my desk in attempts to not lash out. Did I react like this because of the comment in general or the person specified? Don't be ridiculous! It's just because of the comment in general. That logical voice in my head warned as I continued to listen in.

"Well, she hangs out with Moto and his group, so I highly doubt it! I don't see any of them getting laid any time soon epically by her!" the friend snickered.

I grasped the desk slightly harder.

"Hea Kaiba!" Jackson spoke up.

"What?" I responded glaring at the hormonal teen.

"Silvers works for you right?" he asked with a small smirk on his face.

Punch him! Wipe that smug look off his face! Another voice in my head screamed. I quickly grasped hold of my composure so to face the problem.

"She does work for me." I explained.

"So, what's she like?" the friend asked curious. The emphasis the dolt put on the word 'like' started my anger brewing again.

"Tell me, what makes you believe that because she works for me that I would know what she islike?" I snapped.

"So," Jackson began trying not to laugh, "you're telling me that you haven't once thought about throwing her on your desk and just letting her have it? You have got to be kidding me. What a waste! If you won't do it, I will."

"A waste!" I growled, "A waste would be you, Jackson! Silvers has far too much dignity to waste her time on someone as simple minded as yourself or your group of idiots."

"Is that true? Well, I would like to take you up on that. Since you haven't staked you claim, I bet I can get her to agree to go out with me by the end of the day," He smirked leaning back in his chair, "Then, I bet I'll have her begging for me to be in her by the end of the week. I may even take some photos to show what you missed out on Kaiba."

That took me to my snapping point. End him! How dare he even plot such a thing!

"Alright class," the teacher announced defusing my anger, "let's open our books and get started, shall we?"

Back to Present

Knowing his intentions made my blood boil. What happened to staying away & out of her business the logical voice in my head popped in. Such was true. After the incident several weeks ago, I had been avoiding her knowing there was something about her that made me feel... odd? I wouldn't say the feeling was bad, but it was one that was not comfortable either. The fact that so many people just defaulted to think that she and I were in a relationship just by her being in proximity was maddening. I couldn't handle that at all! The only thing that made it worse was the fact that she wasn't meaning to do this to me! She didn't openly seem to hit on me. I was convinced that she really didn't care who I was. She'd taken it on herself to make friends with Mokuba even if I was not going to be around.

"I was wondering if maybe... you would like someone to show you around and teach you a few things?" I heard Jackson ask.

There was a brief silence as she contemplated.

"Well, that all sounds real nice, but I have my own rules about things like that." She countered.

"What kind of rules?" he asked where I could hear the confusion in his voice.

"Like I don't go out with guys whose names I don't even know." She pointed out. YES! I knew it! I mentally celebrated. He went on apologizing trying to be polite and playing introductions. I thought that he had no chance until I heard her speak up.

"I guess. I've been meaning to get better acquainted with the area. It's a date."

I looked around the corner to make sure I heard right. Instead of seeing a furious Silvers, like I hoped really, Jackson had his sick lips on her own slipping his hands around her waist. Nicole looked quite comfortable compared to what I thought she would look like in the snake's arms. Damn him! I cursed in my head as he pulled away from her slightly. He said something which she agreed to.

"Thanks doll!" I heard him speak just before kissing her again. In no time at all, he left her and began walking in my direction. With every step he took, the anger from this morning began to come back with its own intensity. He looked over taking notice of me as he made it around the corner.

"The way you spoke about her, I thought it was going to be much harder. I may even get in her tonight if I work hard enough." He bragged making the motion of taking a picture with his hand.

End him! the voice in my head nagged. Riley took my tortured silence as his own triumph as he walked off with a smug smirk on his face. I peeked around the corner again to see Silvers with a small smile on her face with her fingertips touching her lips.

She has no damn clue! the voice snapped. Such was true, but how could I change anything?

Exactly! You agreed to stay away. Why should you care? If she sleeps with the guy, she sleeps with him! The logical voice in my head agreed. Just the thought of Jackson's intentions made me cringe.

How can you stand here like this? He only wants her for bragging rights! the rebellious voice in my mind screamed.

Why should I care? the logic argued.

She doesn't deserve such treatment that's why! Besides, what if he hurts her? the other countered.

Then he hurts her. It's not my problem. The logic summarized.

Bullshit! You care about her! Stop denying it! the rebellion raged.

I'm not denying it! The logic pointed out.

Hell, you are! Mokuba actually likes her. She took care of him WITH OUT being asked!

That's true. logic agreed but why does that even matter?

Because he doesn't like many women. Besides, the rebellion changed course, If Jackson hurts her, then her work will suffer.

Of the so many diverse thoughts, this one rationalization brought all my arguments to one solution.

(Nicole's POV)

I was finishing up the last bit of work I had for the night when a knock came to my door. "Come in!" I announced.

"Silvers?" echoed the voice of my boss next to my desk.

"How may I help you sir?" I requested turning my attention to the tall brunette.

"Yes. I just wanted to ask if you felt alright being here on your own." He asked.

"Sir?" I attempted to clarify.

"I was leaving early tonight because I have dinner plans with Mokuba. I just wanted to make sure that you felt alright with my leaving you here alone. If you're not, I can have someone from security come up and watch over you." He explained.

I was caught off guard by the request, but recovered looking at my watch.

"Crap! It's already 6:40?" I gasped.

"Is there something wrong Silvers?" Kaiba replied looking at me oddly.

"Well yes actually. I'm meeting Riley at 7." I spoke the last part quickly and quietly somewhat embarrassed.

"Excuse me?" Kaiba tried to clarify.

"I ... um... well, I accepted a dinner invitation from Riley Jackson. I don't know if you know him, but I am to meet him at the school soccer fields at around 7." I explained shutting down my system.

"So, you have a date?" Kaiba pointed out not changing his expression.

"Y-yes I do." I admitted grabbing my things quickly.

"Do you need a ride?" He offered taking the last bag off the floor before I could grab it.

"Sir, I couldn't request such a thing from you. It's out of your way. You need to meet Mokuba." I argued.

"No not at all. The school is on my way home." He pointed out. What the hell is going on? I thought.

"Sir, I couldn't intrude." I tried to counter.

"I don't mind." He stated throwing the bag over his shoulder.

I could only sigh knowing there was no point in arguing with my boss. The only thing that confused me was this sudden change from him. I looked up at the brunette in hopes of getting a clue, but he was already at the door. I walked up to catch up to him turning the lights out in my office on the way. The two of us walked in silence to the elevator then out to the awaiting car.