Why he was doing this again? This was a mystery to the both of them. There was no rational reason for him to take her home. Looking back at their history together, he never even walked in to class the same time as her. When they had lunch together, either he left first or she left first. The only time they came in together was the day they ran and she feinted from her fever. There had to be a reason. There is always a reason, and not 'just because'.

That's right, because she's a crazy person who decides to walk out with a fever that had her passing out in school! She's a death sentence waiting to happen! Atem thought for the umpteenth time as they walked from the counter to just outside the doors of the store. It was hardly much distance, but it was enough to have his mind reeling with reasons to cover his actions. That and Jonouchi will be pissed if he found out I just let her walk home like this on her own. She'd definitely end up in some kind of a trouble.

I really don't get why he's doing this…though oddly enough, he doesn't smell like smoke. Huh, I wonder why? Maybe because of Yugi? He probably showers before going near him. That's so sweet of him, though shouldn't he be walking with his family? "I can walk myself back home, you really don't have to walk me back." This doesn't explain why he is insisting on walking me home. I did get here on my own, I'm sure I'll be fine getting home. Plus, isn't he worried someone will see us? That usually is a big thing for him. She recalled the one afternoon she had asked why he never came with her to class. 'Because it's a pain in the ass trying to explain why were together. They'll get even chummier with me knowing I spend time with you!' She had chalked it up to him being shy and awkward. "Someone from class might see is together."

"And leave you to go ADD and go off on to who knows what adventure? You don't have as clean of a track record as you assume you do, I hope you know that. Since joining school you back talked to me, raced against my ex, incited some punks to chase after you and Jonouchi, you insist on spending lunch with me as well constantly tell me what to and not to do, and let a fever progress so much that you literally collapsed in the middle of gym class." He listed, Terry frowning at the tally. "As for classmates, who gives a fuck? I'm not on school grounds and neither are you. If they wanna start shit about me trying to help the crazy sick new girl home, they can be my guest. They'll have to deal with me if it gets annoying." He picked up his pace at the words, tugging her a little harder by the wrist.

"H-hey, some of those weren't my fault you know! She's the one picking on me and you were being a jerk-butt before! If I didn't divert their attention Yugi and his friend would've been pummeled, and how was I supposed to know I was going to get so sick?!" She argued back. "Can you walk a little slower, I'm tripping over here! My arm isn't a leash!" She huffed, but suddenly crashed in to his back when he abruptly stops. The collision has her stumble back and almost fall, but his hand keeps her on her feet as Atem stares at his hand holding her wrist.

When did I, ah fuck it! Grabbing a hold of her hand, he turned his face forward and cleared his throat. "Do we keep going straight or what?" His heart thumped in his chest, the sudden realization that he just grabbed her and started walking dawning on him. I swear, I'm too old for this shit!

"Uh yeah, straight for the next three blocks." She raised a brow at his lack of arguing back, but does catch a few snippets of his grumbling as they began to walk. His pace is slower…he's trying to match me. She smiled softly at the small action and carefully stepped alongside him. "Did you go to class today?" She finally spoke up after giving him a moment to calm down a little.

"Why does that matter?" He scowled his response as she expected him to. She always tried to get him to attend the classes and she figured she was getting him to listen more and more, but he had his moments of just ditching for a few days as if rebelling against her.

"It does to me," she shrugged lightly in response. "So did you?"

"Yes, I did." How the hell does my going to class matter to you?! I'm the asshole remember? The fuck am I answering her for anyway? No one ever really cared about his school attendance outside of his parents. Yugi was the main reason he even went at all. His mother would never know if he went or not unless the school actually cared to call her. Even Anzu or Kyohei did not care, why does she?

"That's good, I'm glad. You're talking to classmates a lot more too right? I noticed you talking more with them, and they don't mind talking to you as much." She continued on, sincerely happy about the fact he is showing some effort to get along with them. The fact he was even coming to classes more and more was a relief to her too, knowing how he cared about Yugi she figured getting him to come to class would be important. She felt bad about using the young boy, but he was the only motivator she could think of at the time. He had been so adamant against going. Why she wanted him in class, she had no clue. I guess…it's because of Joey. I mean him and Atem were friends at some point according to Honda…really good friends at that. She thought over what she was told as they stopped at the end of the sidewalk to wait for the light.

"That's because you keep talking to me and acting like we're the best of friends." She looked up at his words, the scowl making her laugh.

"Well, we are friends right?"

"No we aren't." He cut her off quickly, his embarrassment getting the best of him at the moment. The words were quick and sharp, spilling from his mouth before he was able to even process them. The slight widening of her eyes before her head shifted down was enough to make him realize his mistake. Her partially lower lids and the sadness in her eyes was unmistakable and his fault.

"O-oh…ok," she faltered a little at his words. They left a small sting in her chest, or maybe that was just her fever? She really was not sure, with him she always ended up second guessing herself more and more. What am I thinking? He spends time with me on his own. Now anyways, at first I kinda just forced myself on him. I should know by now that he's probably too embarrassed or maybe he's not comfortable enough yet? Kinda like a cat.

Wait, fuck! I didn't mean to say that! Shit, the hell is wrong with me? So what if we're friends? Nothing wrong with that right? He mentally berated himself, his jaw clenched as his hand squeezed hers lightly, an involuntary action as he tried to get her to understand. The subconscious effort to somehow tell her he was just not use to this type of scenario and vulnerability making him snappish and rude.

"That's fine, you're still a friend to me." She smiled at him, swinging their hands a bit after the squeeze, an excuse for her to squeeze lightly back. The simple motion had to be stopped as she coughed at a sudden dryness in her through. "Sorry about that. Anyway, you don't mind them talking to you though you complain about it. You still talk to them instead of scaring them off."

"Bite me," he grumbled. He could just imagine the cheeky grin under that mask. He scowled back at her. That same annoying shit eating grin where she knows she's right and there's no damn way for me to prove her wrong. Oh how he would love to punish that mouth for being so disrespectful to him. Though, his thoughts are far from punishing as one method comes to mind and it has his face red in no time. Th-the fuck was I thinking about kissing her for? Like I'd ever kiss her! She's practically manly looking! He looked down at her and noted she was not that manly looking at all. His eyebrow twitched. She's clueless and a trouble magnet. I don't need more trouble in my life.

"I would, you know I would. I'm just sick." She pointed to her mask, his face turning red at the memory. It was a random lunch day, they had gotten in to a small heated battle over something. It was stupid to him, so very stupid. So much so, he had forgotten the topic.

Or maybe I forgot from shock. He recalled having told her to 'bite him' as a snippy remark and she had literally bit him. He had turned away in triumph when he felt small square hard things dig in to his shoulder. There she was, glaring up and him, cheeks red and her teeth lightly digging in to his skin. It was safe to say many things had flooded his mind at the moment, the first and strongest one shock as she pulled away from him with her arms crossed in some form of 'there you go'. The blood that drained from his face had quickly rushed back as he started yelling at her for doing that and a whole different yelling match ensued then.

"I didn't forget, trust me. And I still plan on payback! Just you wait!"

"Sure, I'm still waiting." She laughed and suddenly tugged him to turn right. "This way, we're not too far now."

"Was that a challenge, don't you challenge me!" He scoffed at her as they walked down the path. He noted her going a little slower than before so he slowed his pace more. "You tired?"

"Oh, no, just…I don't know." She honestly had no clue why she had slowed down. She should actually hurry up home since she was getting overheated again. His hand felt so comforting, larger than hers and slightly callous. "Atem…do you play an instrument?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Your hands are a little callous…not that it's bad. I mean mine are callous for other reasons, so I can't really complain. Not that I was."

"I do, I used to play the guitar a lot. I'm surprised you noticed."

"Used to? You should keep playing if you have time. I wish I learned how to play an instrument." Terry looked up at the blue sky.

"It doesn't really matter if I play or not. Not like it gets me anywhere." Atem followed her gaze to the sky since she had stopped. "We shouldn't be stopping, you need to get to bed. Don't make me carry you."

"I think that's more punishment for you than for me, you're the one who'll be as red as a ripe tomato!" She pointed to his reddening cheeks.

"Why you-I wouldn't-fuck you!" He scowled once more, Terry was surprised it was not a permanent expression at this point. It made her laugh though. "You sure you aren't faking sick? You're talking back just fine!" He huffed and tugged her onward once again, but kept his pace easy enough for her until they stop at a nice little house in a quiet neighborhood. "The fuck are you snickering at?" He frowned and furrowed his brow, catching the small sound.

Busted, she snickered a little more at his words. "No reason, just was thinking about stuff." She waved off. If I told you it was finding your reactions adorable you'd definitely kill me. "Do you wanna come in for a bit? Freshen up a bit before you go back home? If you want, you can stay for dinner too. Dad usually works late today, he can't really just up and cancel his classes just because I got sick." After me insisting that he don't do that. "Well?" Atem blankly stared at her, as if debating calmly over what he was able to do. On the inside, it was a whole different story.