Hey gang, number 19, almost onto the home straight.

I hope everybody has been enjoying the story, it's almost coming to the finale.

Sorry, it took a while to get this one up, with everything going on, I've been rushed off my feet with my studies but they are almost over so hopefully, I'll get back to normality soon.

Again, sequel, I want to hear from a few more people before I think about it, so please let me know.

Favourite and follow for more updates, you don't want to miss this ending trust me.

Let's get cracking, shall we?

Buckle up and enjoy the ride,

Writey x

Jaden's POV

Maybe it is the alcohol talking, but this party was going well.

I mean, I'd had a great start to the weekend in truth, with the Meet N'Duel and now a celebration. I even finished work early on the Friday, which never happened.

Well, I mean am I my own boss now, so I can finish whenever I want, but that's not the point.

It had just been a really good weekend, and it was only just getting started.

Yesterday was good; I mean really good.

I was actually nervous. Not because my all my family were round; I'm fine around them, it was because Alexis was meeting everyone for the first time.

I mean she already knew, mum, dad, Josh and Tess but meeting the rest of my family all at once, that was quite a daunting task, but I think she enjoyed herself, that's what she said anyway.

It shouldn't have bothered me as much as it did, bringing her to meet the family, but it did. I mean we were just friends, but something inside of me, wanted them to like her and for her to get on with them.

They're all quite crazy, every Yuki is, but I wasn't sure how it was going to go. My Uncle Wilt is probably the worst, he can just say anything at any point, he's a loose cannon.

She did really well in the tournament as well. My family are super competitive so for her to get as far as she did was very impressive. There's always drama, intensity so for her not to be put off is actually quite a miracle.

Uncle Dunc won again…

He won last time as well…

He's probably the best…

Just…

I reckon if I entered, I could win…

That was one thing that, through all of this hadn't changed yet, was my duelling passion.

Don't get me wrong, it has definitely improved; I own a card shop now, how couldn't I love duelling.

I just didn't have that spark to compete against others yet.

I feel like I'm missing something, I'm not sure what but I know, with time, it'll come back I'm sure.

There wasn't any secret remedy, but I was sure time would be the best cure.

I looked out across the people at the card shop opening celebration.

We had decided to host it at the shop, it just felt right for it to be hosted here.

All my family had stayed the weekend. It was nice, I didn't expect them too, but they had been adamant.

Heck, some of them had even bought stuff, on a family and friend discount of course.

It wasn't just my family that had shown up, loads of my friends were here as well.

Syrus and Jesse had come, obviously.

I mean it was their roommate who was opening the shop alongside me.

Atticus had stayed around for the party, having helped get the shop ready.

Zane had showed, but he didn't seem himself, which was quite strange.

Everybody from the reunion had turned up as well, which was especially surprising.

Shirley had been a huge hit.

Jim had said that Shirley'd had a few drinks before they'd arrived which was why she was so calm, although, I'd never actually seen a wild Shirley before.

There were so many different personalities here, something that made me warm inside, the fact that the shop was already bringing so many people together.

I looked across the room, I was stood in a conversation with Hassleberry and Syrus about Duel Academy but had found myself distracted.

I'd been watching Alexis for a little while.

Not in a weird way, just making sure she was alright.

She'd been upset ever since the money situation yesterday.

I'd tried telling her that we would sort it together, but I could tell she was upset about it.

I knew what it was; she felt like a failure.

I excused myself from the conversation with Syrus and Hassleberry, but I didn't think they heard me over their own arguing.

"You know," I said making my way over to Alexis, "the person who owns this shop shouldn't be stood on their own."

She turned to face me and smiled.

That had been the first time she had smiled today.

"Co-own this shop, Mr Yuki," she said, with a cheeky look on her face.

I smiled back, "well, that is true, cheers to that."

We both held out drinks up before taking a sip.

A choke erupted from my mouth and Alexis laughed, also choking on her drink in the process.

We both started laughing.

Alexis looked at me, with a look I'd only ever seen once before, at the reunion, on the dancefloor.

She curled a piece of her hair around her finger…

I swear she looked… nervous.

"Jaden… there's… there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

I felt myself getting butterflies, but I didn't mind it for a change.

I wasn't sure why I was getting butterflies, but they were there.

"I... I..."

"Can I have everyone's attention please?"

Great…

Perfect timing as always from my father.

I looked over to my dad, who had stood up on one of the chairs at the front of the shop.

It was clear he'd had a few drinks, similar to yesterday.

He was clearly enjoying the weekend.

A silence fell across the room, and I could see my father's chest stick out a little further.

"I like too…"

He wobbled slightly on the chair.

There were a few snickers from the crowd, which I knew would be my uncles.

"I'd like to say a toast, to Jaden and Alexis."

His eyes diverted towards us, and everybody span to face us as well.

"It's fair to say they've done a tremendous job. When I first heard about this, I wasn't sure, but I never doubted my son…"

I felt my heart swell, as my father looked at me. He looked proud.

"There's so many words I want to say, but all I want you to know Jaden, is that I'm proud of you, whatever happens."

I could see the emotion on his face, and I tried to keep mine under wraps.

"And Alexis, ever since I first met you, you've been so strong and caring, kind and polite. I don't think you have a bad bone in your body."

There were a few laughs from the crowd, Alexis included.

"I know, that you and Jaden will make a fine team. I think, however it came about, you are the right people for this new adventure…"

He glanced down to his right and nodded, "but there is someone who can speak about this slightly better than I can."

Dad stepped down from the chair, and someone else stepped up in his place.

A few murmurs went around the crowd as Solomon Muto was helped up onto the chair.

"Thank you my dear," he said, acknowledging someone up the front with him.

He looked at us and beamed, "I like what you've done with the place."

Alexis and I laughed, looking at each other. It was clear Alexis was getting emotional, I could see the tears in her eyes.

"Ahem," Solomon said, clearing his throat, "I've only met a few of you, but for anyone who doesn't know me, I'm Solomon Muto."

Louder murmurs came from the crowd and Solomon let them die down before talking again, "never in my wildest dreams, did I think I'd be in this position, watching two other people take over my shop, but these two…"

He smiled and pointed at us.

"These two are about to set out on a real adventure."

Solomon gave us a strange look, as if that meant something more.

"But all I want to say is good luck, and I'm here with you."

Solomon was handed a glass and lifted it into the air.

Silence followed.

"Too right, to Jaden and Alexis," shouted my uncle Wilt, who broke the silence lifting his glass in the air.

A loud, "here, here," erupted and everyone else lifted their glasses into the air as well.

I smiled and looked around the room. I felt immense happiness at that moment. Everything was right.

I looked back at the makeshift chair to see my dad had replaced Solomon once more.

"Jaden," he said smiling at me, "want to say anything?"

This was it…

I'd been waiting to be able to share this with people…

I hated keeping it a surprise, even if it was only less than 24 hours.

Everybody looked at me.

"Ermm," I said, I don't know why, but it was making me nervous.

"Go on," Alexis said, giving me a little nudge.

I smiled, that was all the encouragement I needed.

"Come up with me," I said, looking at Alexis.

She hesitated, before slowly following behind me.

I got a few pats on the back on the way up.

I reached the front and looked at my dad.

He stepped down and wrapped me in a hug.

This was the first time he'd done that in public…

I hesitated for a second before hugging back.

"Go on," he whispered, moving out my way and standing next to my mum and Alexis.

I looked at the makeshift podium, before climbing up onto it.

I stood on the chair and looked out at the people. I hadn't realised how many people were actually here.

I took a moment…

"Umm, thank you, dad and Solomon, you don't know how much those words means to us."

I looked down at Alexis who nodded.

"And thank you to all of you, everyone in this room is important to us, in one way or another and we wouldn't want to celebrate this with any other people."

I looked around the room, but everyone stayed silent, as if waiting for me to continue.

Perfect…

"There are a few things I wanted to do first, before we carry on with this party."

I stepped off the chair and moved another three next to it.

Blimey, it was basically a makeshift stage.

I got back up on my chair and looked towards my parents, "come on you two, up you come."

My parents looked at each other, they were sceptical.

They slowly walked towards the chairs. My mum mouthed a 'what are you doing' at me but I said nothing.

They stepped up onto the chairs and looked out across the room.

"These are my parents, for anyone who hasn't met them, Malcom and Susan," I said, "they've been there for me through good and bad times, but always there and I decided it was time to do something to thank them."

I stepped down off the chairs and turned to face my parents.

"Mum, dad," I said, with all my heart, "thank you."

I held out a piece of paper and gave it to them.

They studied it for a minute, and then both almost fell of the chairs.

"No way…"

My mum looked at me and my dad did a double take, "is this real?"

I smiled and nodded.

"What is it?"

That was probably uncle Dunc, he's always nosey.

My parents stayed silent, so I answered for them, "I err… I paid off their mortgage."

A silence fell around the room…

And then a clap broke out, whistles as well, screaming, the lot.

My parents got down from the chairs and came over to me, "thank you son."

My dad brought me in for the second hug in under five minutes and mum joined in as well.

I felt a tug at my legs and looked down to see Tessa there.

I smiled and picked her up.

"I know, you feel left out," I said, ruffling her hair.

"There is one other thing," I said, looking towards Alexis, Tess still in my hands, "Alexis."

I motioned for her to come over, "Syrus and Jesse, where are you?"

They both emerged from the crowd, looking sceptical.

"I didn't like lying to you Alexis," I said as they reached the front.

She looked at me, angry and confused.

I knew lying to her wasn't a good idea, but there wasn't any other way to do this.

I pulled out a second piece of paper from my trouser pocket and handed it to them.

All three scanned over it.

"Right everybody can go back to partying now," I said to the crowd.

But, nobody moved, as if waiting to see what was happening.

I turned back to the others and saw the silence.

"You paid off our house," Syrus said, as more of a statement, "how?"

"I had a bit of spare change," I said jokingly.

Jesse looked at me and smiled, "you are full of surprises aren't you Yuki."

He came over and we embraced.

I had been meaning to tell everyone earlier, but I'd only done it yesterday and with everything happening today, I gathered that this was the best time to do it.

Once Jesse released me, I looked at the other two and smiled.

I wasn't 100%, but I was sure Syrus was crying, happy tears of course.

Some things never change.

I went over to him, and put my hand on his shoulder, "you okay buddy?"

"Yeah," he said, smiling and wiping his face, "thank you."

I let go of his shoulder.

"Well," DK said, hovering over me, "that seemed a rousing success."

I smiled, "yeah buddy it did."

I turned back to crowd, standing on the chair, "now, everybody, thank you again for coming and I hope you enjoy the rest of the party."

I'd realised that people had already gone back to doing that anyway, but I thought I'd say it, you know, just so I was clear.

It was strange, I hadn't heard a word from Alexis since I'd given her the piece of paper, which in a way worried me.

Had I done the wrong thing?

I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.

As I looked around, Alexis was there, and she was beaming.

"So…"

I smiled, "so…"

"I'm guessing this is the missing money?"

I laughed; I knew that would come up.

"Yeah," I said, "although, I did do a pretty good job of keeping it under wraps huh?"

Alexis laughed, "yeah you did, apart from giving me a heart attack in the process."

I laughed again, in fact, I was starting to realise I only ever laughed like this around Alexis.

"You know you didn't have too?"

I stopped laughing and looked at her, "yeah, but I wanted too."

She gave me a look, one of immense happiness.

"Thank you, Jaden," she said, before reaching out and pulling me in for a hug.

At that moment, everything suddenly felt right, all of this.

Being here, with everyone.

Opening this card shop.

But most of all…

Doing all of this with Alexis.

Then suddenly something clicked.

I don't know why…

But it did…

It all made sense, every feeling, every action, why I was doing these things…

I realised…

I had a crush on Alexis Rhodes…

Alexis pulled away and I felt myself go red.

I'm guessing this is what it feels like to have just hugged your crush.

"Are you okay?"

I suddenly felt myself get even more red in the face.

"Oh… umm yeah…"

God, how embarrassing…

Alexis studied me for a minute.

"Hey," she said, "about that thing I wanted to say earlier."

My heart started beating faster…

What was she going to say?

"Yeah?"

"I… umm..."

"Hey Alexis."

Oh, for crying out loud.

It was Zane.

"Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"

Zane looked at me and smiled.

"Oh, err, yeah," she said, moving towards him.

"Jaden," she said, just before going out of sight, "come and find me in a bit okay?"

I didn't get to answer before she disappeared out of view.

I spent a little while talking to more people, I mean it was my party.

As my conversations went on, my mind kept drifting to Alexis.

What had she wanted to say?

But the thing I couldn't get out of my head…

What about our friendship?

I didn't want it playing on my mind, so I just wanted to talk to her, I wasn't going to tell her about my feelings, I just wanted to know what she was going to say.

Was I that obvious?

I left my conversation, but I wished I hadn't now.

I started walking looking for Alexis, but when I finally found her, my heart almost sank to my feet.

Alexis's POV

I'm pretty sure the alcohol had been to blame, making me all confident today.

Well, I was going to blame it anyway.

I'd tried to tell Jaden I'd liked him not once but twice.

But I kept getting interrupted, which is why I currently found myself talking to Zane.

I didn't mind talking to Zane, but I'd really had the confidence to tell Jaden how I felt and, I don't know when I might have that same confidence again.

"Is there somewhere private we can talk?"

He'd said that as we were walking and given that we were at a very busy party, there weren't many options.

Luckily, after a while, I'd found an area, quiet and closed off enough but still with a view of the party.

I didn't want this conversation to lag, I was desperate to talk to Jaden.

"So," Zane had said.

He looked slightly nervous…

I'd never seen Zane nervous…

"Is everything okay Zane?"

"Yeah," he said back to me, "there's just something I wanted to tell you."

He paused for a minute, "Alexis… I like you."

I smiled, "well that's a good job, we've been friends forever."

Zane's face twisted.

"No, Alexis, you're not hearing me properly, I like you, like, have strong feelings for you. I've been dying to tell you for a while now."

I paused for a minute, shocked.

Wait, what?

"You're serious," was all I could say back.

"Why would I lie about this Alexis, I love you."

I could hear the emotion in his voice, but my head was spinning.

Zane was telling me he loved me right now, just when I was about to tell Jaden how I felt about him.

I looked at Zane.

There was no denying he was attractive, but I just didn't feel the same.

I only had eyes for one person.

I realised I'd been quiet for a relatively long time, which meant an awkward silence for Zane.

"Um, Zane listen, you know I care about you a lot, but I just don't think I feel the same way."

Okay, that may have been harsh.

In my head it sounded better.

Zane's eyes dropped to the floor, before returning to mine, with a different look, it wasn't anger, or hurt, it was passion.

"I can do you better," he said.

"What?"

"You know what I mean Alexis," Zane said.

I knew what he meant; this was about Jaden.

"Alexis, he left you, alone on that clifftop, and I was there to pick up the pieces after, I've always been there," he said, getting closer to me.

I couldn't move because his words made sense, event though I wanted to back away.

"Let me treat you right, let be there for you, always."

Suddenly, without giving me time to react, Zane leant in and planted a kiss on my lips.

Give him credit, it was good…

Wait, what am I thinking!

He held it for a few seconds before I backed away.

"Zane," I said in disbelief.

His eyes dropped to the floor once more, "I'm sorry, I at least wanted to feel it once."

I stood there for a second, not wanting to move.

What had happened…

I felt another pair of eyes coming from the corridor leading to the party.

It was as if they were burning my head…

And to be honest with you I wish they had.

I looked at the person and every fibre of my body went cold.

Oh no…

"Oh dear," Dee said in my mind, "you're in trouble now."

Dee, not helping.

She was right though, this was bad…

Because the person staring directly at us…

Was Jaden Yuki…

Man, just when things were going right for the two of them, poor Jaden, and oh dear Alexis.

What did you guys think anyway? I hope you enjoyed that one.

Again, let me know about a sequel, I'm still debating it.

However, I can't give you a time scale on the next chapter, just don't sweat it will arrive.

Anyway, look after yourselves,

Writey x