Chapter Nine- Summertime

Mrs. Rhodes looked Atticus up and down before pulling her into a warm embrace. "We never lost hope that you would come back," she said softly. "We just didn't think you would end up as a girl, but you are a lovely young lady."

"Thanks, Mom," Atticus replied. She looked over her mother's shoulder to look at her father who came over, pulled her out of her mother's arms, pulled toward him, and hugged her too."

"We were so happy when Alexis said she found you. I was shocked when your mother told me you were becoming a girl and that there was no way to stop it. You are just as pretty as your sister."

"It means a lot to me that you're both okay with this," she said, stepping out of her father's arms. "And I've also missed both of you."

Mrs. Rhodes put an arm over her shoulders. "Honey, I want to take you and Alexis shopping. You need more than school uniforms to wear." She nodded at the shirt and skirt Atticus had on.

"You're right, Mom." She allowed herself to be led out of the house with an amused Alexis following. Atticus saw her expression and surmised she was enjoying the attention Atticus was getting over her gender, though Atticus had become accustomed to her looks as did the school. She gave Alexis a mock stern look. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Oh, yes," she answered a bit too cheerfully.

Atticus smiled slightly at their joking as she got into the car. She had been nervous about how her parents would receive her when she and Alexis came home for the summer. She had neglected to call them after she finished changing. When she confessed to Alexis of this fact, Alexis assured her it was fine, that it was better to surprise them and she was right.

"So, do either of you have a boyfriend?" Mrs. Rhodes asked as she drove.

"Yes," Atticus said.

"Possibly," Alexis added.

"Who is he, Atticus?"

"Zane Truesdale."

"Zane? He's your best friend, if I recall correctly."

"Yes. He's invited me to spend the summer with him and his little brother as well as watch him duel."

Mrs. Rhodes nodded. "Alexis dear, who is this possible boyfriend?"

"His name's Jaden Yuki. He's in my year and he's really nice. He was with me when I found Atti."

"Ah. I hope to meet him one day."

"I'll try to arrange that," Alexis promised as they pulled into the parking lot of a clothes store.

Zane stared in surprise as Atticus came out of the house with a suitcase. She was wearing a deep green summer dress and a pair of beige sandals. She had also applied a light coat of blush and eyeshadow as well as green nail polish that matched her dress. He glanced at Syrus and saw he was just as surprised. His limo driver put Atticus' luggage in the trunk before opening the back door. She climbed in and sat beside her boyfriend, enjoying both boys' reactions. She merely shrugged. "Mom said I need different clothes than the school uniforms."'

"Yes, of course," Zane answered. "You look very pretty. I think green is your color."

"You're wearing makeup," Syrus said, still looking surprised.

Atticus nodded. "Mom showed me how. It's not too much, is it?" She looked anxious.

"No," Zane answered. "It's just perfect." Zane wanted to give Atticus a kiss, but didn't want to make his brother uncomfortable so he settled for putting a hand on top of hers feeling the smooth polish under his fingertips.

Syrus watched the silent exchange with a soft smile. Zane had had his mind on his dueling career and his girlfriend. He had been happy when Zane said Atticus was his girlfriend and that she had accepted his invitation to stay with them over the summer and attend the duels alongside him.

Syrus looked forward to going back to Duel Academy at the end of the summer. He would be starting his second year as would Jaden, Alexis, Chazz, Bastion, and Atticus, who would be repeating her second year as she had disappeared during it. He was determined to prove himself as a duelist and not just be known as Zane's little brother.

Zane, Syrus, and Atticus left the stadium amidst the screams of fans and signs saying things from, "Zane's #1" to "I love you, Zane!" to "Call me!" The trio climbed into the limo and as the car pulled away. Zane had a satisfied smirk while Syrus and Atticus shared grins. Zane had won, but not without some effort, but that was what made it exciting.

"Hope you two are hungry," Zane said. "There's a private dinner waiting for us in a nice restaurant."

"Starving," Syrus said.

"I am a little hungry," Atticus admitted. She knew she wouldn't be eating too much; the tendency to watch her weight had been one of the final parts of her mind that had changed before her voice followed suit. But surely, Zane knows that or at least suspects it.

"All this was provided by your sponsor, your manager?" Syrus gasped at the sight of the elaborately prepared food laid out on the table.

"That's right. He's made it clear that he'll provide for anything I desire. Being a winning pro has its advantages."

"I'll say," Atticus said as they sat and she began putting salad on her plate. "I wouldn't mind this kind of treatment myself."

Zane smiled. "Now, there's an idea."

"Huh?"

"I could just see the two of us occasionally participating in pro tag team duels."

"Pro tag teams? They have those?"

"Absolutely. Maybe Sy and I could be a team if that's what you want, little brother."

"I'll think about it."

A ringing sound came from Zane's pocket. He pulled out a cell phone, looking at the number, and got up. "It's my manager. I'll be right back." He walked away, the phone to his ear.

"Sy, I've got the feeling you don't want to be a pro duelist."

"Not really. I get stage fright."

Atticus blinked as this surprising admission. "Dueling on the pro circuit is no different than dueling in school, except for the manager thing."

"You're right. It's just my self-esteem."

"Yeah. No offense, but you do need to work on that."

"That's what Ja says too."

"And he has a point."

"That's why I made a promise to myself to prove my worth as a duelist when the new school year starts. If I work hard, maybe I can get promoted to Ra."

"That's a heck of a promise."

"And I would like to see that happen." Zane spoke up suddenly as he sat down.

"Everything okay?" Atticus asked.

"It's excellent. I was told that I'm scheduled for another duel the day after tomorrow."

"So, we've got a free day tomorrow," Syrus said. "Maybe we could do something together."

"How about updating decks and coming up with combos and strategies?" Atticus suggested.

Zane nodded. "I would be willing to purchase new cards if either of you want."

"Maybe," Atticus said as they left the restaurant to retire at the place where Zane was living now.