The few found library was a gift to Terry, a place where she could expand her knowledge further in subjects foreign to her or dive in to a thrilling fictional world. She wanted to read every book there was available to her, no matter how odd or unpractical the feat. However, her mind was set and she would do her best to complete the daunting task. She had told the group that she would be spending time in the library for a while and that when she's done she would join them again. They all gave their own version of accepting and with them around Atem would not be alone. It meant the other two would be less likely to harass him.

She finished yet another book and went back to the shelf to grab the next, currently reading a series about some vampire war. It was interesting and a different take on the lasts series she had read about a fictional war. Flipping through the pages that she had found herself in of late, the only difference was her companion. She had never expected this to happen, but since his last visit to the library to find her he has been with her.

Atem sat there staring at the book cover that faced him. His frequenting the library had not gone unnoticed and slowly people kept approaching him more and more. At first it was one or two shy students and now it was all sorts of people asking him for some help. Atem did not care, his free time here spent memorizing the aisles and what was where out of boredom. He had grabbed a few books himself every now and again to try and read what had caught her interest in them. Some turned out to be good, others were terrible. His comfort with the library had garnered him some sort of reputation as the person to go to and so he helped to passed the time. More and more people came to realize he really was not that bad of a person and the tension in the room was soon a thing of the past.

Vampires aren't even real, why waste your time reading about them? I don't get the hype about some overly powerful blood sucking creature. Shouldn't you be more afraid of them anyway? They drink human blood. Is she really into this sorta thing? He wondered as his head rolled from side to side on the table. How long had they been in here? How much longer was left? He did not have a clue. Well you forced yourself to be here, she didn't ask you to join her. She probably would be alone with Seto in a corner somewhere without you cramping her style. What, you really think you can compete with him? The voice scoffed at him. He was not competing with Seto, not outright anyway. Seto hardly cared about the new girl, Mokuba and business were his top priorities. Sure, you keep telling yourself that. If he didn't care, why did he wave that word in your face? You didn't tell him you kissed her. Maybe she told him, maybe they meet behind your back like Kyohei and Anzu. You think you're something special? Look at what's happened so far! Atem turned his head again and tried to shut out the voice.

Terry barely noticed him turning his head side to side, though she could tell he was restless about something. She peeked over her book to see him looking towards some posters. Maybe she was imagining it? She really did not know, but since he was not staring at her it was safe to say he was preoccupied. As she returned to her book, he suddenly stood up and walked over to the librarian's desk. She glanced over briefly but let it be, figuring he had finally decided on whatever was on his mind. Happy that he found something to read, she returned to the book at hand.

The next day she headed straight for the library once more, but waited outside. Normally she would walk down the hall with Atem, but he was called away to the principal's office for some reason. The sudden announcement left her uneasy.

It's not like he's been getting in to any trouble…right? Maybe something happened at home? Oh no, that'd be worse! I hope everything is ok…it didn't sound urgent though and seemed to be expecting it. She mulled over the possibilities of his being called out of class, munching on her sandwich all the while. Lost in her thoughts, she failed to notice she had finished and her teeth came clashing together with too much force. The uncomfortable tingle made her scrunch up her face as she looked to her nearly bit fingers. That would've hurt! Geez, I didn't even notice I was done! She sighed as she tossed the wrapper in a nearby trash and glanced down at her watch. Looking up and down the halls, she entered the library once more. I really should get his phone number. She texted Jonouchi, asking him to let Atem know she went ahead to the library.

[He's here with us now actually, I'll let him know.] Was the response back. She stared at it for a moment, not sure why it made her feel a bit off.

I'm over thinking things is all! She shook it off as she sent a quick 'thanks' back and dived in to the next set of books until the bell for class rang. She was unable to ask him if everything was ok, seeing him so comfortable with the others made he feel that everything was ok. He was not someone who hid how he felt and to be so free with the others meant it was not something serious, to him at the very least. However, the unease was replaced with confusion as he was called out of class once more towards the end of the day. She frowned at this and glanced to Jonouchi who shrugged in response. Odd…called out again…and he seemed ok about it too. She noted that his bag was still in class too. He had come back eventually, grabbing notes from Jonouchi and was out of the room as soon as the bell sounded. He had gone in the opposite direction of the exit.

Now something was up and she was more concerned than before. She quickly gathered her things and went down the same hallway he had. She was too slow though and lost track of him.

"That's strange…I wonder where he went? I'm overthinking things probably. This isn't some village with few rations! Get it together Sharif!" She lightly rapt her knuckles against her head and turned around the corner to the library. Placing her things on a table, she went to the shelves to grab her next book. Sitting in her usual spot, she jumped right in without a care.

The next day, everything was back to normal. Lunch was the usual, they ate quickly before heading in to the library since food was not allowed inside and spent the time there. In the blink of an eye, the bell for class was ringing and they were out once more. However, at the end of class Atem was out the door. Terry frowned at this as she headed over to Jonouchi who warned her about staying too later after school before heading off to his own club activities for the evening. She headed to the library as per usual, concerned for Atem.

Ok, next time we talk. Books can wait, something is going on and he probably is waiting to be asked and when we're alone. She figured, grabbing a book and taking her seat as per usual. Slowly more students started to filter in and there was a slight murmur of whispers floating about. She noticed a few girls gathered around the librarian's desk but she could not see why. She figured it was some club thing and let it be, engrossing herself in the book at hand.

"Yeah, she's the girl whose been with Yami all this time from the other class!"

"No way, that's her? No surprise, she doesn't even wear the uniform!"

"She probably thinks she's some hotshot!"

"I heard she's just desperate and stole him from Anzu!"

"I heard he dumped Anzu though and she's just hanging on him. Now that he's single maybe I can get my chance!"

"I heard she isn't even full Japanese and has all these outrageous stories!"

Terry glanced up at the girls, both jumping at the acknowledgement of her gaze.

"She totally heard us! We're in so much trouble!"

"Cut it out! I told you to keep it down! Now she's staring!"

When did people start talking about me? They really don't have anything better to do? She sighed to herself, unfazed by all the talk as she turned her eyes back to her book.

"Isn't she scary? Not only that," the girl suddenly lowered her voice.

"What? What a jerk!" There was a sudden outburst of laughter and Terry sat there confused as to what exactly had been said that would garner that response and laughter.

I don't understand high school girls at all! She sighed, hanging her head a bit when the sound of a book slamming shut echoed in the room.

"Just what," a very familiar voice spoke up from behind the group of girls around the librarian's desk spoke up. "Did you all come here for? You see, I'm only here because I'm the library assistant. I'm not here to be in some after school gossip group with you all. If you're going to keep coming here, read all these books first." The command came and the sound of hands hitting a stack of books could be heard.

That voice…it can't be, could it? But how…why? He barely says anything here. Terry thought as the voice registered in her head.

"Also, while you're on the subject, people who make fun of other people…I really hate them." There was a momentary silence. "What, want more? If not, get out." The girls dispersed as her savior finally came in to view.