Author's Note: I'm sorry about this delayed addition. My elder broth just had complete right hip surgery alongside the end of my semester. I've been a little too busy to update, but I have been thinking about all of you and the stories. Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to my story.
The shift in dynamic had the class on edge once more as Atem made his way to class more and more. The teachers were shocked by this behavior still, even more so when he actually started to participate and answer questions asked of him. The joy of such change was infectious for the most part, however there still were the few that found this to be a farce and wished ill for him. His presence alone was a glaring black mark on the face of their school that kept potential and better students from enrolling. He was the black sheep that reduced the value of the school. Even with the skeptical faculty, no one was more enraged and hateful of this change than Anzu and Kyohei. The boy they made in to a man was now acting on his own accord and it was all because of that one bad influence: Terry.
"Who does this bitch think she is? Walking in and talking over what is clearly ours!?" Anzu hissed as she seethed with anger.
"Don't worry too much Anzu...the bigger they are the harder they fall. She's making a big name for herself, we'll just have the greater satisfaction when she finally comes crumbling down." Kyohei smirked outwardly, masking the irritation that slowly began to bubble inside him. "We'll find her weakness, find it and crush her with it."
"Bitch better have a pretty damn good weakness," she gnawed at her thumb in frustration as Kyohei lit a cigarette.
"I'm sure we're just overlooking it. Relax Anzu, come back to bed and forget about that shit. It's killing the fucking mood." He blew out a stream of smoke into the air as he laid back on his bed. The words seemed to be the perfect spell, a sultry smile curled on her lips as she climbed over his and stole the cigarette.
"Do tell about this mood," she purred as she killed the smoke in the ashtray. "Do tell."
Terry sneezed suddenly as a bit of wind tickled at her nose. Minako turned to her concerned since the last time her friend had fallen in ill she was out for quite some time but was met with a reassuring smile. After a small scolding glare, she relented and leaned against her friend. The group of friends had decided to meet up on the weekend to adjust to the new member as well as give a small welcoming party that was long since overdue for Terry. With all the action that kicked up around her, they never had the chance. Now that it was all settled they came to Minako's house for the small party with delicious home cooked food and privacy from her parents.
Currently the boys were all absorbed in some silly card game, apparently it was all the rage now. What was amusing to Terry was that she had seen all these monsters in Egypt on expeditions with her father. There were wall paintings and ginormous slab carvings of the creatures all over a specific palace, the supposed tale of the city quite sad actually but she kept it to herself for now.
"No matter the age, boy will always be boys." Minako sighed as she leaned back and took a sip of her iced tea.
"That's what makes them boys though." Terry laughed. "You seem particularly cross, though I can't blame you when you got all dolled up for him but not a single iota of attention has come your way." She frowned at the fact as she turned to look at the one that had caught Minako's fancy for some time.
"It was a waste of time," she whispered in such a sad tone it struck Terry with a pang of pain.
"No, that wasn't what I meant!" She quickly corrected. "That wasn't what I meant at all. We just need to, to, to get him to notice! That's it! We need him and you to gets time alone." She quickly pieced the plan together as the boys cheered and groaned as the 'battle' raged on between two of them. The sounds hardly bothered her as she scanned the room for a clue. There has to be something here that can help! But what though?! Something that'll pull him away from the boys and give him time to concentrate on Mina...oh! I know! She snapped her fingers at the brilliant idea that came to mind. "Ah, that's it! Why not grab some dessert with him? Bring some ice cream back or something from the convenience store. One that has a specific brand perhaps so that it gives you more time?" She offered.
Grab ice cream? With him?! Alone!? I couldn't-but how else am I going to get him to notice me? She thought over the plan, a sudden wave of butterflies in her stomach as she chewed at her lower lip. "How would I even pull that off?" She whispered as she turned her cup in her hands, cheeks a soft pink as thoughts flitted through her mind.
"Leave that to me." Terry broadly grinned and gave a small thumbs up before setting her cup down and getting up on to her feet. The sudden motion caught the eyes of Ryuji and Honda who had been watching Atem and Jonouchi card battle it out.
"What's up Terry?" Hiroto asked, Atem and Jonouchi turning at the name.
"Oh nothing, I was just thinking...it's pretty warm today. Some ice cream would be good. I was going to go grab some from the store with Mina. She didn't want to intrude on your game so I said I'd go with here." She shrugged as she casually explained the situation. "Do you guys want anything?"
"Us? We can just go with you." Jonouchi frowned at this.
"You always end up in some kinda trouble...you'll just be dragging her along in like you did us." Atem bluntly stated as he motioned to himself and Jonouchi.
"That is a fair point...you both would end up running from something...always the running." He shook his head as Atem nodded in agreement.
"Hey, i don't go looking for trouble, trouble finds me!" She puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms in slight anger at the accusation. "Plus, running his good for the heart."
"It is, without the threat of some band of gang members hellbent on pummeling you into the ground." Atem rolled his eyes. "You aren't going alone, I'll come with you."
"You don't have to cut your game!" Minako quickly chimed i as Atem set his hand down. "It's fine, really...I can just get some real quick on my own."
"No, you shouldn't go alone...hey, Ryuji why don't you go with her?" Terry turned to the ebony haired male who seem a bit surprised to be pointed out as he pointed to himself. "Yes, you. If you don't mind. I'd go but these two want to play armored guard with me and assume I'm gonna get Mina in a shit ton of trouble." She grumbled at the two who were not about to back down from their decision.
"Sure, I'll go. Honda is versing the winner next round anyway." He chuckled in agreement and stood up. Minako was quickly up in a moment, dusting off her skirt a bit and fussing with her hair to settle her nerves. "Shall we?" He suavely offered his arm to her and she bashfully took it with a meek nod. Terry grinned all the while as the two slipped on their shoes and left. Atem knew that look on her face all to well. It was that proud grin of hers, as if she had earned some sort of victory that was probably something so minuscule it was hardly even something to be so proud of.
Do I even want to know why she has that stupid grin on her face? Is it really all that worth it? It's a cute look on her face though...and I could probably use the information to tease her too. "What did you do?" He finally asked, his curiosity fueled by his want to win some more leverage over her.
"Hmm? Me? Oh, nothing...just helped Minako out in getting some alone time with Ryuji." She puffed her chest out.
"What, Mina and Ryu?! No way...really?!" Honda gaped a bit at this. "He doesn't have a damned clue! I noticed she was dressed a little more cute than usual, I thought it was just for this party though." He shrugged it off.
"That dressed for a party she stressed as casual?" Terry raised a brow. "You can't be serious." She shook her head at him while Atem stifled a laugh.
Like you're one to talk! Your dumbass didn't even get that I liked you even after I blatantly kissed you! You still don't get it! He chuckled to himself, not sure if it was from sheer entertainment of her inability to see for herself or at himself for liking someone as blind as her. For a girl who's all about reading the signs...you're really bad at it when it comes to yourself. He picked up his hand of cards once more and turned to Jonouchi. "Have fun playing matchmaker."
"I will, thank you very much!" She came over to his side and plopped down on to a cushion. She glanced over the cards that were down on the playing mat. "Oh, Black Magician!" She pointed to the sideways card. "Red Eyes Darkness Dragon," she pointed to the other card that was played on the field.
"You know the game?" The guys looked up at her as she was able to recite the names without even properly looking at the text.
"In a way," she snickered. "I know the origin of the game, well a supposed origin since it deals with a lot of ancient black magic and sacrifice." She clarified. "It's from Egypt."
"This game, no way!" Jonouchi scrunched his nose. "How would this simple card game stem from all the way over there?!"
"It does actually, Marik told me more in depth about it." She explained.
"Oh man, I can't keep up with all your crazy tales!" Honda laughed as he fell back on to his back. "Maybe another time, I'm still reeling from the last one."
"Haha, I won't bog you down with all the details right now." She snickered, leaning on to Atem a bit as she looked over the cards in his hand. He visibly tensed a bit at this, but only enough so that it was not detectable by her. He had become a master at disguising his surprise from her, though his cheeks started to turn red at the sudden contact. It was easily noticed by the other guys in the room who had identical sly grins as Terry looked over the cards. He glared at them to cut it out as they mimicked kissing faces and fluttering eyes.
You two better cut it out soon or she's going to see you! She'll definitely catch on then and I'm in no standing to even ask for a chance after the shit I pulled! He pointedly glared and jerked his head in her direction. This action was poorly calculated decision as his head came full force crashing in to hers and soon the two were hissed in pain. Well aren't you the ever-loving genius. Way to screw yourself over dipshit! The voice in his head sneered as usual as he tried to gather some words to explain why he had suddenly it her like that. Their pain was easily cut by the sudden laughter of the other two and he glared once more.
"Wow, is that how you rub your good luck charm?" Jonouchi teased him.
"Hardly, I need to headbutt her for it to be effective." He sneered back, though he is grateful for the cover.
"Eeesh, doesn't sound like I'd ever be able to that." Honda snickered as Terry scowled at the trio.
"You could just pat may head instead or something! Jeez, you have a thick skull!" She huffed. "I bet you're just trying to make me dumb so I'm stuck with you."
"Maybe I'm just training you to keep you nearby," he nudged her lightly and she stuck her tongue out at him in response. "Yeah, yeah, it was an accident calm down. I wouldn't waste what brain cells you have left." The last comment earned him a rough shove but he did not mind as the boys erupted in to laughter as Terry proceeded to whack Atem with a pillow in revenge. He grabbed a cushion to guard himself which had her swing rebound and whack Honda who grabbed a pillow and accidentally whacked Jonouchi. The group froze and stared at one another. Ryuji and Minako returned around not too long after the stand still, much closer than before but their bonding was broken at the scene of a pillow fight and the two of them victim to two random pillows. Soon the both of them joined the fray and the night was spent in fluffy whacks, laughter, and frozen sweets.