Right, welcome back everyone, hope you are all well.

I suppose you could call this phase two of the story after events in the last chapter.

I hope you all enjoyed the reunion, but it's time to move forward into the next part of the story.

Favourite and Follow if you want those updates but let's get going.

Buckle up and enjoy the ride,

Writey x

Jaden's POV

I laid on my bed staring at the ceiling just thinking, it had been a while since I could just sit back and think.

It had been a couple of days since I had arrived back from the reunion at Duel Academy and it was safe to say that whilst I was there, loads happened of stuff happened that I wasn't expecting.

Don't get me wrong, I was expecting some kind of drama but not quite to the extent that it seemed to unfold over the course of the weekend.

I mean all the apologies, I felt like everyone was saying sorry for something. In the end, I'm just glad everyone managed to sort everything out.

It wouldn't have been great if everyone had left on bad terms, I don't know what I would have done but I definitely wouldn't have liked it.

I suppose everyone didn't really have any differences in the end. It was more a lack of communication but still, everyone had been talking since the reunion about all sorts of things we are going to do together as a group.

It doesn't bother me.

I'm just glad to have my friends back.

I picked up my phone from beside my bed and flicked through some social media.

Atticus had been adding people to loads of different events, trying to plan stuff.

Somehow, I'd been roped into hosting a big BBQ in a few weeks' time and to be honest with you I wasn't entirely sure how it had happened.

I'm pretty sure Atticus had mentioned it to the others and said that I should host.

He said something about Alexis too, but I was too busy trying to argue the fact that I had to host.

It wasn't that I didn't want to host, I just knew my family would want to be there as well.

My parents had agreed to do the BBQ. My mum was just excited to meet my friends and I knew that dad wanted to have a duel with a few of them, hence why they had agreed to do it.

I think ever since the Duel we went to as a family he had been more invested in his own duelling as well. I mean, he basically wants to duel my mum every day when he gets home from work.

They had a duel last week and mum won. I don't think he was happy with losing which is probably why he keeps nagging her to duel him.

If I know my mum, she won't duel him for a while.

Bragging rights and all that.

I clambered off my bed and headed downstairs.

My family had only arrived back from their weekend trip away yesterday so there was stuff all over the place.

I made my way down into the living room, dodging suitcases and shoes as I went, before I sat down on the sofa.

I hadn't really had much time to myself recently, so it was nice to relax before I went back to work again.

Today I was helping Jesse, Syrus and Alexis move into their new house.

Well, when I say house, I really mean a flat. I hadn't actually seen it yet but according to Syrus, it was like a 'bachelor pad.'

I told him it probably wasn't the best to tell Alexis that before she moved in when he phoned me yesterday.

I didn't have to get to their place until 2 so I had about an hour or so before I was due to leave.

A smile crept onto my face when I thought about the fact that my friends were going to be moving into New Domino City.

They were only going to be about a ten-minute walk away from my house which to me seemed ideal. They hadn't actually moved in properly yet which was why they had asked me to help. It was mainly Alexis's stuff that had been shipped in this morning.

Apparently, she had store it away after Duel Academy in case she decided to settle down.

I felt the sofa dip beside me and then instantly a mop of brown and blonde hair crashed into my face.

"Woah," I said, grabbing hold of my little sister, "I know I was gone at the weekend Tess, but there is no need to ambush me."

She looked up at me and smiled.

If I was being honest with you, I'd say I have a better relationship with my brother than my sister.

I mean, before Duel Academy I had spent loads of time with Josh, seen him grow up, that kind of thing.

But with Tess, I missed her being born.

It may not sound a lot, but I was there for Josh's birth. It was special.

I doesn't mean I loved her any less far from it in truth, I'm probably more protective over her. It's just after Duel Academy I went straight into working at the bakery, so I never really got to spend much time with her.

I think it's part of the reason I wanted to come home after Duel Academy, to spend more time with her.

I felt like I missed out, like, I feel I need to catch up.

Tess rolled back over onto the sofa and put the TV on.

She has this one show she loves to watch so much, it about these talking birds, I don't know, it never makes any sense to me, but I like to watch it with her because it makes her happy.

I felt her snuggle into my side as the show started. I was sure she would fall asleep in a matter of minutes but I wasn't going to complain.

I knew I couldn't fall asleep. I could not be late today, I had promised Syrus that I would be on time.

Just as my sister drifted off to sleep my mum came to sit on the other side of me.

She had been out in the garden, sorting something with the duelling system, apparently there was some fault or something that had come up when her and Josh had duelled before they went away, and she wanted to fix it.

She put her mug of tea on the table in front of us and rested her head on my shoulder, "you know Jaden," she said, looking at the two birds dancing around a lamppost signing on the TV, "I really don't understand this show, why are there two birds?"

I chuckled quietly, trying not to wake my sister, "I know what you mean mum, I just watch it with Tess."

Mum nodded, "however," she said stretching out to grab the tv remote, "she is now asleep therefore I have television power."

Television power was what we called being able to decide what we watch.

When we were younger Josh and I used to argue about what to put on the tele, so mum and dad created television power and gave us set times we could watch what we wanted.

It was always Tess's during the day but once she fell asleep, mum would always take over from her, that was the rule.

Mum flicked through a few channels before putting on some cooking show, it was all she ever watched, and rested her head back on my shoulder.

After a while I thought she had fallen asleep as well. I could feel here soft breathing and I was sure her eyes were closed.

I reached out to grab the television remote, but a hand shot out to stop me, "nuh uh Jay, it's my turn."

I sunk back into the chair; I must remember to make a rule about me having television power if everyone falls asleep.

"Jaden," my mother said startling me. She sat back up so she could have a drink of her cup of tea.

"Not that I'm in a rush for you to find one or anything, but, when are you going to find a girl?"

I suddenly sat bolt upright, waking my little sister.

Mum rolled her eyes and handed her back the TV remote to Tess so that she would stop crying.

I looked at her watching as the two birds reappeared back on the screen.

Where did that come?

She'd never been bothered about me having a girlfriend before.

As if she read my mind, "it's not bad that you don't have one, I just wondered whether you already did, you've had a spring in your step ever since you got back from your reunion."

"No, mum," I said, trying to get my words out, "I don't have a girlfriend or anything."

"Hmm," she said, as if she were studying me, "okay."

She put her cup of tea down and moved herself back into the position she was originally in.

I watched her for a second.

Thinking about it, I had been in a better mood since the reunion, but I hadn't realised that it was that noticeable.

It definitely wasn't that I had a girlfriend; I knew that for sure.

I hadn't had a girlfriend in years.

However, when I think about it, maybe having a girlfriend wouldn't be such a bad thing.

Alexis's POV

The car rolled to a stop outside my new home.

Wow, that was weird to say.

'My home.'

I'd never thought about having my own place until very recently, I guess I'd been so busy trying to discover myself that I'd actually not thought about the future.

Jesse hopped out of the driver's seat and Syrus the passenger.

Apparently, there was a thing called shotgun and Syrus had already called it.

I had no idea.

I looked at our flat. I had only seen pictures of it but they were certainly accurate.

When I say we had a flat, it was more like a house, but it was like we were living in separate flats within a shared house.

I called it a house flat, but it was very confusing.

I had the upper floor, whilst Jesse and Syrus shared the bottom floor.

They'd decided it would be easier to put me on the top floor.

I think they just decided the boy, girl split was better.

I didn't really mind; I got the privacy I wanted whilst still being able to live with people.

I looked at the front door and my heart skipped a beat.

Stood at the door, looking even better than I had remembered from the weekend, was my newly discovered crush.

"Jaden," Jesse shouted, running over to his friend.

Jaden stopped pressing the buzzer to the house flat and swivelled to face us.

"Oh, there you are, I was beginning to wonder if I had gotten the wrong day," he said, giving Jesse a fist bump.

To be fair to Jaden, we were running slightly late from the airport.

After the reunion, I had decided that I would quickly go home and tell my family about my decision. They, as I expected, were very supportive. After Duel Academy, they had wanted me to return home or move to New Domino but instead I went travelling and barely talked to them.

We weren't on bad terms; I just didn't want to have to live up to their expectations my whole life.

Jaden made his way over to us, and I felt my cheeks get hotter.

It hadn't been until the end of the reunion that I realised just how much I liked him.

When we parted ways, I felt this missing piece inside me, and I knew it was because he had gone.

He gave Syrus a fist pump before making his way round the car towards me.

"Ahh there she is," he said, putting his arm around me to give little hug, "the new queen of the house has arrived."

As he let go, I felt like my insides were about to explode.

Right, Alexis, get a grip, you can't act like this every time you're around him.

From the corner of my eye I could tell Syrus and Jesse both had huge wide grins, so I glared at them.

I had made the mistake of telling a few people about my feelings towards Jaden, including my new roommates, which I'd instantly regretted after they started calling me Mrs Yuki.

I also told Amalie and Atticus. Amalie was happy for me and Atticus had just said, 'yes, now who did I make that bet with.'

Apparently, Atticus had always thought I had underlying feelings for Jaden and made some bets on it.

"So," Jaden said, snapping me from my thoughts, "where is all this stuff to move?"

Part of the reason I'd gone home was to pick up the stuff that I had stored away whilst on my travels, we had organised a big U-HAUL to drive it all the way here from my house.

"It was meant to arrive at 2," Syrus said, looking at his watch, "guess it's running late."

"Why don't we go inside and have a look around," Jesse said.

I nodded. I'd been looking forward to actually getting inside the house flat to have a proper look around.

We went inside and I made my way up to the top floor. It was definitely everything I was expecting.

There was a small corridor leading to my room, with a visitor bathroom halfway up the hallway.

There were a few pictures on the walls of the hallway and a plant pot on a wooden cupboard opposite the door to the bathroom.

My bedroom was at the far end of the bathroom, there was also a guest bedroom as well.

My bedroom had a en-suite which meant the communal bathroom probably wouldn't be used a lot.

As I stepped inside the door of my bedroom, I realised there was a larger door just to the right of the room.

I felt a presence behind me trying to get a peak inside.

"Oh wow," Jaden said from behind me, I sidestepped into the room to let him come in further, "is that a walk-in wardrobe?"

I looked at him and nodded.

Jesse and Syrus had given me the room with the walk-in wardrobe because apparently I had the most stuff. I had tried to tell them not too, but they had insisted that it was the best thing to do.

I was pretty sure Jesse had wanted this room but Syrus had told him he wasn't allowed it.

My room was actually quite simple. I didn't really want a lot of stuff in it.

As much as I liked the thought of having a home and being settled, the prospect of having no space isn't for me, so that's why I've tried to keep the room as simple as possible.

I quickly surveyed the room, most of my stuff I'd had delivered early was already here, Jesse and Syrus had sorted it for me before I arrived, and it was pretty much covering the entire of the floor.

Jaden came back out of the wardrobe and had a look around, "well Lex," he said with a cheeky grin, "looks like you've got a lot of sorting to do."

I felt my cheeks go red, "I…. err…."

Man, I really need to stop being a ball of nerves around Jaden, it's getting too much.

Jaden walked over to me looking concerned, "hey are you okay, you've gone red."

He placed his hand on my forehead and I shuddered under his touch. His eyes met mine and I could feel the heat rise on my face.

"No," I said in a quiet voice, "I'm okay."

"Oh okay…" Jaden replied.

He slowly moved his hand down onto my cheek, our eyes not shifting from each other's gaze.

Jaden's eyes had this wanting as his hand moved down the side of my face.

OMG! OMG! WHAT IS HAPPENING!

Every fibre of my body was going into meltdown.

Suddenly the door burst open and Jaden lost the wanting look.

Instead, I could see complete confusion.

"Hey guys," Jesse said, opening the door backwards, "the trucks arrived, here's the first box."

Jesse stepped inside and placed the box next to the other stuff.

Jaden, who I'm pretty sure was also red in the face, quickly looked away from me and at Jesse.

"Oh sweet," he said, "I'll be right down."

Jaden darted out of the room and made his way down the stairs.

Jesse looked at me, very confused, "did I…. interrupt something?"

I just shook my head, I had to lie at this point, "no, we were just looking round my room."

Jesse smiled and headed back down towards the truck.

He probably knew I wasn't telling the truth but I'm glad he didn't say anymore.

As soon as he left, I collapsed back onto my bed throwing my hands over my face.

My heart started beating very fast.

What was that look from Jaden?

Was he going to…?

No surely not….

Then, I pictured the instant confusion on Jaden's face and screamed.

Ugh, boys.

Jaden's POV

Well, that didn't go according to plan.

I was only meant to go and have a look at Alexis's room.

I don't even know what came over me.

Her skin was so soft.

I felt a warmth on my hand, and I shook my head.

Alexis is my friend….

Just like you had said at the reunion.

Just friends, no more.

But then what was that?

Whatever it was, it was incredibly embarrassing.

God, what does Alexis think?

"Well, Jaden," DK said, "my guess would be that she probably thinks you're a bit weird."

I looked round and glared at my floating acquaintance, "Thanks DK, just what I wanted to hear."

DK was hovering over me, carrying what looked to be a box he had conjured up for himself to carry as well.

I put the last box of Alexis's things down and started to head downstairs.

The conversation I had with my mum earlier kept running around in my head.

Ever since the weekend, I'd kept thinking back to my dance with Alexis and everything seemed to be perfect in that moment on the dancefloor.

It felt so…

Right.

But it was so confusing, I didn't understand.

I mean the dance had been amazing.

I must say she looked amazing. I'd never looked at her like that before, but she was beautiful, and I couldn't keep my eyes off her the whole night.

Like, I've never ever had these feelings about her before, about anyone in fact.

So why now? What's changed? Why am I getting these feelings? What are they?

I had so many questions.

I made my way downstairs and into the living room where the others were sat watching TV.

I looked at the spare seats.

There was one single chair over in the corner of the room and the other one was next to Alexis on the sofa.

I quickly went across to the single chair and sat myself down.

It wasn't that I was trying to avoid Alexis.

Oh, who am I kidding, I definitely was avoiding her.

I was so embarrassed about what had happened upstairs that I couldn't even face her.

Plus, I was very confused about these feelings and didn't want to do anything else stupid.

I'd only just got my friend back and then I went and pulled a stunt like that.

I didn't even know, what that stunt was, where it was going.

What was I thinking?

All I know is, it was very embarrassing and it's not happening again.

I looked at the television.

Jesse had put the news on.

The current story was from the hotel Stoichiev had gone missing from about a week ago.

The reporter in it looked familiar, I'm sure he was the one that had covered the Stoichiev news story, "hey Jesse, can you turn it up the TV just a bit?"

Jesse looked up from his phone, grabbed the remote and turned up the volume.

The reporter talked for a while longer, and then they flashed some pictures up.

Suddenly, I realised what I was looking at….

"Impossible…." Syrus said from beside me.

I had to agree with him, it couldn't be the case, there was no way.

He wasn't that old, but in those pictures….

"What's going on…." Alexis said, me and Syrus just sat in silence, staring at the television.

We both listened closely to the TV report in utter disbelief.

"….. yes, this story is very peculiar, he turned up out of the blue. But the biggest mystery, why did Victor Stoichiev turn up here a week later, almost 15 years older…"

There's your chapter, folks.

I hope you all enjoyed it, I'm sure it'll leave you all with plenty of questions.

But they will be solved in due course, I promise.

Again, I don't want to put a time scale on the next chapter, but it will arrive as soon as possible.

Follow and Favourite for updates.

Until next time,

Writey x