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There is a lot to get through in this chapter so bare with me...

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Writey x

Alexis's POV

I slowly opened my eyes to a room I didn't recognise…

In fact, I'd didn't recognise any of the people in the room with me either…

There was a boy, probably in his teens with blonde hair and blue eyes, sat across from me playing some sort of video game on the television.

In the seat just to my left, there was a woman, probably a parent of the boy, reading a magazine of some description. She was an incredibly beautiful woman, her long blonde hair stretched down to her shoulders. She looked youthful, almost as if she could be my sister.

As her brown eyes scrolled around the page, I noticed that both these people had an uncanny resemblance to Jaden.

Don't get me wrong they looked different for sure, but they both had incredibly similar features to Jaden, which clearly made it apparent that I was in a room with members of his family.

I started to feel slightly uncomfortable.

I'd never met these people before, and I had been on their sofa completely passed out.

How embarrassing.

What must they think?

I quickly sat up and instantly regretted it.

I felt a massive pain go through my head.

Migraine for sure.

How did this happen?

My mind wondered back to the events at the card shop, the strong powerful feeling I had, the confidence it gave me, then the conversation I had with Jaden…

Oh god….

The conversation…

I almost told him….

What was I thinking?

A tug at my trouser leg snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked down.

I focused my vision and realised there was another child here, much younger than the boy.

I smiled at her, she was clearly Jaden's sister, that I had no doubt.

She must have been about 4 or 5.

She was a very pretty little girl; her hair was brown with streaks of blonde and her eyes were a mixture of brown and blue.

I picked her up and she giggled as I ruffled her hair.

She was adorable I must say.

"Ahh, I see you've met my little Tess," said someone from across the room.

I looked at the women, who I now assumed to be Jaden's mother, smiling at me.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you," I said, looking at the woman.

Tess had somehow managed to wriggle her way onto my lap and was now playing with a small barbie doll, who funnily enough, looked like me.

"Oh, don't be silly dear, I'm just trying to make sure you feel better," said the woman, coming over to me.

She placed a hand on my forehead and smiled, "ahh, well you feel a lot warmer; you were really freezing when Amalie and Jaden brought you back here."

I looked around and it all hit me, I must have been at Jaden's house.

I looked out the window, it must have been at least 6 o'clock because the sun was starting to go down.

"You've been out quite a while," said the women, it was as if she was reading my mind, "I'm Susan by the way, Jaden's mum."

"Hi," I said, in reply, I guess you could say it was an awkward response.

It wasn't what I had planned on saying the first time I had met on of Jaden's parents.

I straightened myself up, "hi Susan, sorry, I'm Alexis, I'm just trying to get my bearings."

That was better.

"Well, Alexis, it's lovely to meet you," her mum said sitting back in the chair next to Tess, "Jaden actually told me your name, he went upstairs to shower, he did have to explain why he brought a person passed out into the house

I suddenly went red, but I wasn't sure whether it was to do with the fact that she already knew my name and I had said it as if she didn't know or the fact that I just pictured Jaden in the shower.

I quickly removed those thoughts from my head, "wait, did you say Jaden and Amalie fot me back here? How far?"

Susan nodded and smiled, "yes honey, Amalie helped Jaden, but she went back to the shop to keep packing away, Jaden didn't want to leave you until he knew you were okay. I think they drove back, so it wasn't that much of a problem."

I probably looked like a tomato at this point…

Jaden didn't want to leave me…

He wanted to make sure I was okay…

I knew it was nothing, but the thought of him caring for me whilst I was unconscious made my heart flutter.

As if it were written in the stars, Jaden came into the room, hair soaked still from his shower.

He wore a simple t-shirt with 'I love food' on it.

Such a Jaden shirt.

He wore some simple shorts and had some thick woolly socks on.

I'd never really paid much attention to this stuff before, but clearly, I was now.

Out the corner of my eye, I could see his mum, smiling at me, almost knowingly.

I looked back at Jaden, who had grabbed a glass of water and had come into the living room.

"Hey Joshie," he said, rubbing his brothers head.

Clearly, Josh, which I presumed was his name, didn't appreciate it, pushing Jaden's away.

Jaden laughed before looking around the room and then we locked eyes, "oh hey, you're awake."

Jaden rushed straight over to me.

He placed his hand on my head, "you don't feel cold anymore which is good."

I felt my body get cold as he took his hand away, like it was keeping me nice and warm.

Jaden looked at me then his mum, almost as if they were silently talking to each other.

Susan looked away from Jaden and then towards Josh, "hey Josh, Tess, let's get some ice lollies and go outside."

At first Josh seemed hesitant but when he looked at his mother he followed.

Tess clung to me at first, before eventually being tempted away with a bright pink lolly.

"I'll be outside, if you need anything just ask," she said looking at me and Jaden.

Then, just like that, I was in a room, alone with Jaden.

I would have been pretty nervous being alone with him in the room, if it wasn't for the fact that Jaden had a very serious facial expression.

"Alexis," he said, he had this concerned facial expression, "how much of earlier do you remember?"

I guess I should have been expecting that kind of question.

I remembered the powerful serge and almost telling Jaden the truth, so not much.

"Erm, I remember talking to you."

Jaden's facial expression changed to sad, I could tell we would still need to have that conversation at some point.

"Then I remember this really strong feeling, it made me stronger, then everything else is pretty blank after that.

I left out certain details, I didn't feel it was the right time to be spilling my feelings out to Jaden.

He looked at me concerned for a second, then turned to look over his shoulder and then back at me.

"Alexis…. this might not make sense at first, but just here me out," Jaden said, kneeling down in front of me.

"Do you know what aura is?"

I looked at him and nodded, I didn't want to interrupt.

Aura was like a distinct atmosphere, produced by someone or something, but I'd never really grasped what it felt like.

Jaden looked at me, and I started to understand what he was talking about.

"Alexis, that power, that feeling you felt last night was an incredibly strong aura…."

Explains the over-confidence thing…

"I don't know why, but when you arrived yesterday, that aura spiked so much that when you touched me, you passed out…"

Wait…

Jaden felt it too…

"You could feel that as well," I asked, clearly, he did, but I just wanted to make sure.

"Yeah, I've felt it ever since I first went to the card shop, except, I never felt anything like that…"

Jaden stared past me looking concerned. I could tell it was bothering him, but I didn't want to say anything.

"Well, I said, why don't we go back and see if we can work it what it was," I said, standing up.

I'd forgotten about the migraine and a sharp pain hit me head causing me to stumble forward.

"Whoa," Jaden said, grabbing me, "you sure you're okay?"

He slowly let me go and I smiled at him, "yeah I'm fine."

It felt nice, Jaden checking on me, I liked it.

"Alexis, that's the thing, I could feel it, all the way up until you passed out…. It was like it just disappeared into thin air…."

I looked at him. This time I was concerned.

"All I know is, I don't know why it was there, or what it was about…. but I'm concerned…."

Jaden looked at me, and I realised, he wasn't concerned about the aura, he was concerned about me.

"I don't know what it has got to do with you Lex, but I want you to promise me you'll be careful," Jaden placed his hand on my knee, and I felt a wave of emotion course through me, "if it can knock you out unconscious like that, who knows what else it might do if it comes back.."

I knew I didn't have to reply to what he had said. It was as clear as day, something that powerful made me fearless, who knows what it can do with a bit more time…

"Anyway," Jaden said, smiling, "I say we go outside and check on the others."

Jaden held out his hand and I grabbed it; a jolt of energy coursed through the touch as I stood up.

I looked at Jaden, who looked back at me. Clearly, he had felt that too. There was definitely something going on, I just had no idea what it was.

We made our way outside, where Josh, Tess and Susan, were sat looking at a huge structure.

I looked at it more clearly and then I realised what it was.

"Jaden," I said, coming up alongside all the others.

His family turned around and smiled at me.

Jaden also smiled, noticing the direction of my gaze, "it's homemade, my dad built it from scratch, you can have a go if you want."

I looked at the duelling arena in awe, his father had built this from scratch.

That is a very talented man.

"Speaking of," Susan said.

I turned around to face the final Yuki family member.

Similarly, to Jaden's mother, Mr Yuki had characteristics of every child, brown hair, blue eyes, a very toned, lean body.

You could have mistaken him for an older sibling.

"Ahh," he said, stepping out the back door into the garden.

He smiled at his family, who in return stood up to go and greet him.

I lingered at the back as the other Yuki's greeted him.

"You know," he said, placing down what looked to be a work bag, "that might have been the first time ever I've not been greeted at the door by my little monkey."

He picked up Tess and started to tickle her, causing a whole load of laughter from the girl.

I could tell, just by looking at him, that he was a very good dad.

Mid tickle, Mr Yuki finally locked eyes with me.

"Oh…" he said, putting Tess down, "how rude of me, I didn't see you there, missss?"

He put out a hand for me to shake.

I smiled at him and shook his hands, "Alexis, I'm one of Jaden's friends from the Academy."

He looked at Jaden with a smile, "oh…. Is this your?"

Jaden went beat red under the gaze of his father. I'm pretty sure I was too, but I was too busy laughing at Jaden's reaction to care.

"Dad, please, Alexis is my…. friend."

It hurt to hear him say that, but there was something I hadn't heard before when he said it…

Hesitation.

My hurt skipped a little, I knew it didn't mean anything, but my head was overthinking it completely.

Jaden's dad smiled, then looked at me, "well, Alexis, it's lovely to meet one of Jaden's friends, I'm Malcom, Jaden's dad."

It was nice to have finally met Jaden's father, it was pretty safe to say, I loved his family already.

"Alexis," Susan said, turning to face me, "if you're okay with it, I'd like you to stay tonight, so I can keep an eye on you, I don't want you passing out on your way home or anything like that."

Malcom looked at me then his wife, "what's this? Did someone hurt you?"

Malcom looked at Jaden angrily, but I quickly intervened, "no, no one hurt me."

I looked at Jaden and smiled, if anything Jaden had saved me.

"Alexis came to see me at the card shop, whilst she was there, she fainted and passed out, she was out for a while and that's why I brought her here."

Malcom looked at me, "well then, I must say, you will definitely stay tonight, can't have anything bad happening to you, can we?"

I smiled at him.

In one day, I had managed to meet Jaden's parents and been invited to stay over at his house.

My crush was certainly growing by the second.

I smiled at them all, "I suppose I could stay; I'd have to walk back to get my car anyway."

I was looking at Jaden, who was smiling but looked hesitant, had I made the right decision?

"Well, in that case, I'll go make some dinner," said Susan, who disappeared off inside to start cooking.

"Right then," Malcom said taking off his jacket, "Alexis, how do you fancy having a duel, I want to see if the Duel Academy standard is what it used to be."

"Dad," Jaden said, "she's meant to be taking it easy."

I looked at Jaden and laughed, "Jay, I'll be fine, you're on Mr Yuki."

Malcom smiled, "brilliant, don't hold back, but please call me Malcom."

We both laughed and headed off, whilst the others stayed to watch.

We duelled for a while, I managed to defeat Malcom but only just, it took a lot more than I had anticipated, he was good that's for sure.

Dinner was lovely, I could tell Susan was very good at cooking.

It was nice just to be able to spend some quality time with people eating a meal together.

I hadn't done it in so long that just eating with them made me feel happy.

"Hey," Joshie said, midway through eating his pasta, "why don't we watch a film tonight?"

"What a great idea," Malcom said, "I don't remember that last time we did that all together."

"Yeah," Josh said, he then looked at me and smiled, "plus, we have Alexis here as well, may as well all do something together."

I smiled.

Maybe it was to do with me passing out, but either way I was feeling more and more at home by the minute.

I hadn't felt at home in a while, but I could picture a future, something I hadn't been able to do in a while, I needed to work out what I wanted to do, but I could picture myself settling down.

The thought of Jaden played through my mind.

A future with Jaden…

It was a nice thought, I liked the thought of it, but I pushed it away.

I wasn't going to let myself get my hopes up, I didn't want to lose a friend at the same time.

After we had finished eating and cleared the table, we all settled down to watch a movie.

Malcom and Susan had let Josh pick the film; it was some sci-fi about robots fighting aliens.

I didn't really mind what we watched; it was just nice to be involved.

I wasn't sure whether Tess would particularly be invested in the film, but they had set out a toy kitchen just in case she decided the film wasn't for her.

Yet, I was nervous.

It wasn't because of the film or being here, far from it in truth, I felt very comfortable here.

It was the fact that we hadn't established where I was sleeping.

I imagined I would be down here, just on the sofa, that would be fine, lovely even.

But a thought kept creeping into my head as I sat next to Jaden on the two-person sofa…

I wanted to stay with Jaden…

He'd made me feel safe the whole time I was here, I hadn't had that in a long time.

There was so much about being here that made me feel good but being around Jaden was the most prominent.

I loved being around him…

"Alexis..."

I looked to my left; Jaden still had his eyes on the TV.

It was strange no one had said anything, but I could hear voices.

As I watched the film, I felt my eyes get weary.

To be honest after the day I'd had, I wasn't surprised I was falling asleep, it had really taken a lot out of me.

The last thing I remember was a robot dancing to some groovy music before I drifted off to sleep.

I awoke to movement, Jaden had shifted, I don't think he'd meant to.

Once I'd gained full conscious, I realised I had fallen asleep on Jaden, my head resting on his shoulder.

It was a good job the lights were off, because I went as red a tomato.

It was nice though, it was comfy.

I lifted my head off his shoulder, "hey," he whispered.

I would have just smiled to not interrupt the movie, but it was pitch black.

Before I even had a chance to reply, the doorbell went.

"Hmm," said Malcom, "that's strange, who could that be?"

Jaden's father rose from his seat, turning the light on.

There were a few grunts and moans at the sudden change in lighting, but he continued onto the door.

We all listened; Josh was looking at his phone, but he was definitely listening.

There was mumbling and then Malcom shouted, "Jaden, Alexis, it's for you."

I looked stunned.

For me as well as Jaden?

Maybe it was Jesse, he'd come looking for me.

The thought got me sad, the thought of leaving, I was looking forward to staying longer.

It couldn't have been though because Jaden had already text him and Syrus.

I looked at Jaden, who looked just as confused.

We both got up and went to the door.

Jaden let me go first and as I neared the door, I realised I'd never met the person in my life.

He was an old man, he had long grey hair and was wearing an orange sort of hat.

I was very confused, but as Jaden caught sight of him, he was clearly more aware of the situation, "Solomon?"

Jaden's POV

Solomon was the last person I was expecting to see at my house this evening.

For starters, it was pretty late but more importantly, I'd thought he would still have been clearing the card shop away.

The most surprising bit though was that he had asked for Alexis to come to the door as well.

I was pretty sure they had never met, so how did he even know her?

I was glad my parents had offered her to stay, after today's events.

It had been worrying to say the least….

Alexis moved her hand out towards me, there was a look in her eyes, it was confident but caring.

"Jaden, I lov…."

Suddenly, she froze, her body went still, and the next thing I knew she collapsed.

"Alexis," I said, falling to me knees beside her.

"Jaden," she said, but I could tell she was still out of it.

"Alexis, I'm here."

I felt her whole-body slump and she went ice cold.

The aura that had gotten stronger and stronger as Alexis came closer, but it had seemingly just disappeared.

"I haven't seen anything like this in years…"

I turned around and saw DK floating over me. He didn't have his usual playful expression, actually, it was far from it in truth, he looked deadly serious.

"What do you mean?" I said, looking up at him, Yubel was hovering over Alexis and I as well, looking very concerned.

"I must go, this is serious," and just like that he disappeared.

"What the…. Yubel, what was that about?"

I looked at her for answers, but she just stared at Alexis.

"I don't know Jaden, but whatever it was, DK will sort it, but right now, you need to get Alexis someplace safe, we don't know what will happen next."

I looked at Yubel, she was right. Alexis was the priority, she needed help.

"Hey Jaden… where do these, WHAT THE!"

Amalie came storming over to Alexis, "Jaden Yuki what did you do?"

I quickly explained the situation to her.

"Right, this isn't good, get her to my car."

Amalie and me moved Alexis to the back of the car, "Jaden, you get in first."

I looked at her, "what?"

"Someone needs to keep an eye on her, I'm driving, so it has to be you," Amalie said, clearly getting frustrated.

I couldn't disagree, I needed to keep an eye on her, after all, I had a part to play in this somehow…

I felt guilty…

That was what flooded my thoughts for most of the evening.

What had I done to her?

Clearly, I was involved, but what had I done to knock her out unconscious.

It was strange though, having her around, Alexis, made me forget about all my concerns, only if for a while.

It was nice, to just be able to not have any worries around someone.

All my thoughts had consumed me, so much so I hadn't realised that Solomon Muto was standing at my front door.

"Solomon?" I said, surprised to see him here at such a late hour.

"Hello Jaden," Solomon said, smiling at me, "Miss Rhodes, lovely to meet you."

Solomon took Alexis's hand and gave it a little kiss.

I felt something stir inside me, watching Solomon kiss Alexis's hand.

I didn't like the feeling so I got rid of it.

Alexis had gone bright red, probably with embarrassment, but just nodded at him.

"Is it okay if I have a chat with these two please Malcom?"

I gathered that dad had introduced himself to Solomon once he had realised who he was.

"Of course Solomon, I'll be in the living room if you need anything."

Solomon smiled at him, I'd never seen Solomon smile so much, especially given the fact that he was about to lose his card shop.

Once the door went, I heard Solomon breathe a huge sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank goodness for that, I don't think I could have held it in anymore," he said, jumping like a young schoolboy.

I looked at him. I had absolutely no idea what was going on with him.

I turned to Alexis who seemed to be even more lost than I did.

To be fair, she had only come into the shop to rant at me about not talking to her, now she must be completely lost.

"Oh, how thoughtless of me, Alexis, I believe that is your name, well that's what Amalie said anyway, how are you feeling?"

I looked at Solomon, I guess he must have spoken to Amalie.

"I'm… I'm feeling much better thank you," Alexis said, stepping to closer to me.

I had an instinct to put an arm around her, to protect her, but I didn't.

No friend would do that…

"Well that is good, you know when I saw you passed out it did have me worried…."

Wait, he saw it?

"You saw it?" I said, slightly frustrated. If he saw it, he could have at least helped.

Although, it was my fault she was there in the first place.

"Oh yes Jaden, from afar of course, when you were driving away, I felt it as well though…"

My eyes shot wide open…

I looked at Alexis, who was seemingly just as surprised as me.

"Wait," she said, it was the first time she had really said anything in the conversation, "you felt it as well?"

Solomon just smiled at us, "of course my dear."

"So, you felt it that whole time?"

I could tell Solomon was getting frustrated with all the questions, "yes Jaden, I felt it all the time, well, it got stronger when I got those cards, and then when you arrived, that's why I knew to give you the cards."

Suddenly, everything started to click.

That's why DK disappeared; he knew what was going on…

Solomon continued, "it died down quite a bit once you took those cards away, but today, my goodness, I'd never felt a power so great, a connection."

I felt my face go red and looked at Alexis.

Luckily, she hadn't noticed, but I was sure her face was red as well.

I looked back at Solomon, blimey could he talk.

"Once I realised it was Alexis here, who had entered the card shop I knew, well I don't know why or what it is, but it was reacting to the two of you."

I looked at Alexis.

Maybe that was why she passed out, I had experienced auras before, Alexis on the other hand, nothing, maybe that was why I didn't pass out.

Solomon finally took a breath and looked at us, "I don't know where it went, but I know that as soon as Alexis here passed out, it disappeared."

Just as I thought, I felt it, then all of a sudden, it was gone…

"But," Solomon said, the huge smile appeared on his face, "that's not why I am here!"

He started clapping his hands and getting excited again.

Honestly, I was so confused, he was losing his shop tomorrow, wasn't he?

He took my hand and then Alexis's and looked at us both, "I just wanted to say thank you to you both, you don't know what this means to me, I'm so glad it's in good hands."

Okay that was it, I was just about finished…

"What do you mean Solomon?"

Solomon dropped both of our hands and looked confused for a minute.

"Well, I wanted to thank you both for agreeing to buy the card shop together…"

'Whoa Writey, that's a bombshell'

I know, I know, it is a shocker, not to all of you apparently though (no names mentioned).

I loved writing that one, I must admit, it was fun.

What did you all think?

So much to digest, but I'll give you time and then we'll get into the midway chapter of the story, number 15.

Don't forget to favourite and follow for the latest updates, look after yourselves as well.

However, until next time, don't overthink it… ;)

Writey x