Quirks
I'm fairly certain that most people have a nervous tick, or odd quirk that they do for some subconscious reason because our brains recognize patterns, and for some reason, rationalizes us to do something before doing something stressful as a way to cope with that stress and somehow make it so we don't mess up.
Enjoy!
3 days later
It's before her classes. Each day, on the dot. Yugi hears Téa in the bathroom, gargling mouthwash. Which would make sense if it was after breakfast. But her dance classes were at two in the afternoon on the days she didn't model. Téa leaves the bathroom, humming.
"Babe, why do you do that?" Yugi blurts out before he thinks it over.
"Do what?" Téa asks.
"Why is it at one on days you go to dance that you gargle mouthwash?" Yugi asks.
"Funny story. Remember that play I was in when we were seven. Well, I was nervous before I went to the play, I wanted my breath to smell good, and so I used a lot of mouthwash. If I recall, the teacher said I was the best dancer out there. I started to believe it was my good luck ritual or something, so I do that before I go to teach a dance class. It might be weird but it works for me." Téa laughs.
"It certainly explains why we run out so much." Yugi smiles.
"Oh hush." Téa says as she rolls her eyes. Yugi sticks out his tongue at her and then finishes getting ready for work.
"How's the project coming along?" Téa asks as he walks out of the bedroom.
"Meh. Slowly but surely. Pegasus likes all of the designs, so that's keeping Seto's annoyance down, but a few days ago he was kinda, putting it tactfully, annoyed. None of my business, so I just asked questions about work, which he seemed to appreciate. I have a feeling him and Jetta were fighting that day, but again, none of my business." Yugi says.
"Well, it's good that Pegasus likes the projects." Téa says.
"Yeah." Yugi says as they leave and get in his car. He drives up to Téa's dancing school.
"Have a good day." Yugi says as she gets out of the car.
"Thanks. I will." Téa smiles. As she walks into the building, Yugi begins to wonder if Téa has any other odd quirks. So far, the only one he's noticed is the mouthwash one, but he was curious. Not that it was a bad thing, everyone has a quirk or two, and some are unnoticed. As he walks into work, Joey can see Yugi's mind is off in la-la-land.
"Yugi, you look a little lost there." Joey laughs.
"Sorry. Just wondering a few things is all." Yugi laughs.
"I can tell. Ya always get dat far off look whenever somthin's on yer mind." Joey says.
"Am I really that easy to read?" Yugi asks with a half-smile.
"Yeah. So what's up? Work doesn't start for another ten minutes." Joey says.
"Have you ever noticed any quirks about Mai?" Yugi asks.
"Yeah. Right before a big photo shoot or a show she takes two showers the night before, like scalding hot ones, and then the next morning, she takes a long cold one. Why?" Joey asks.
"Well, Téa has this quirk with mouthwash right before her dance classes. Anything dance really, I haven't ever noticed anything with the modeling really. I was just wondering if I was the only one." Yugi says.
"No. Jetta goes nutty and incessantly cleans the house. Pardon the eavesdropping." Seto says, making both men jump a little.
"It's ok." Yugi laughs.
"In my own opinion, I think all women have a quirk, be it noticeable or not. Knuckle cracking, lip chewing, cleaning, chewing gum, fiddling with their hair, whatever it may be, it's a quirk when it becomes a ritual." Seto says.
"True." Joey smiles.
"Why bring it up Yugi?" Seto asks.
"I don't know. It was on my mind." Yugi shrugs.
"Well, time to get it off your mind and focus on work." Seto says before they go their ways and work.
With Téa
"Alright girls, take five, you're doing great." Téa says. The girls in her class all smiles and take a seat.
"If I do say so myself, you're doing a wonderful job." Her boss, Miss Tammy says.
"Thanks ma'am." Téa says with a smile.
"Those girls will be in tip top shape for the big show next month." Tammy says.
"Yes, I believe they will be." Téa smiles.
"Your breath smells minty." Tammy laughs.
"Oh, yeah. Just a little ritual I do." Téa laughs shyly.
"Oh, dear, it's quite alright. Most dancers, in fact, most performers have a ritualistic quirk in one way or another. As long as it doesn't cause harm, all is well and it's perfectly normal." Tammy smiles.
"Yes, but I believe it put my boyfriend in a spacey mood before he left for work. I just hope he'll be able to focus." Téa says.
"Knowing how some men are, he's probably wondering what other quirks you have." Tammy smirks.
"You're a terrible influence." Téa teases.
The night
Yugi gets in his car after a long day of work. He blinks away the soreness in his eyes from all the computer screens and lights. He starts his car and heads towards the dance school to pick up Téa. Yugi smiles as he sees her walk to the car from the building.
"How was your day?" Téa asks as she gets into the car.
"Busy. My eyes hurt." Yugi says as he blinks rapidly at the oncoming traffic lights.
"I'm sorry. How about when we get home I get a washcloth for your eyes?" Téa asks.
"That would be great. How was yours?" Yugi asks.
"Great. The girls are doing so well." Téa says with a smile.
"That's great. Look, I'm sorry I gave you that weird look when you told me about the mouthwash thing." Yugi blurts out.
"There's no need to apologize Yugi. You were curious and then putting it all together. I could see that much. But regardless, because I know how you are, I forgive you. You're just silly in the mornings." Téa giggles as Yugi rolls his eyes at her antics.
On with the next chapter!