Author's Note:

I'm really sorry this took so long to update. I've been busy with the end of the school term and now have the next two weeks to just properly relax and focus on my stories. I hope you enjoy this new installment.

"So, you and Atem, since when?" Minako hopped next to Terry as they made their way outside for physical education.

"Oh yes, do tell! I don't recall you ever giving any hint to anything between the two of you!" Rei spoke up from the otherside.

"You make it sound like it's been something hidden all this time. I mean it really did just start yesterday. This is all just as new to me as it is to the both of you." She quickly explained, laughing a little at how simple of answer had the two pouting in an instant. "Honestly, you know me! Joking about this sorta thing isn't my forte...it's all way too new for me and I'm still adjusting to it as well. Plus, it's not like he's giving any real straight answers either...just keeps saying whatever I'm thinking is right." She shrugged as small frown tugged at the corner of her lips.

"And, what do you think?" Rei cocked a brow at this, stepping ahead and in front to stop Terry so she could focus. "Seriously, what are you thinking about all this if he's leaving it up to you?"

Terry paused at the question. She had not really given it much thought since there had not really been much time to think about it. She stared at Rei for a moment, her gaze blank as she turned to Minako who gave her a small nudge to let her know they were here for her no matter her answer.

What I think? I want to say I don't know...but that's only because I'm taking his possible perspective into consideration. If it's really all reliant on me, then I want to see where this can go. Yes we've kissed and though that's something only people who date do textbook wise, life isn't as black and white. He's kissed me before and so did that mystery guy. She frowned a little harder as she went over her possible suspect. The thought of it being someone other than Atem made her feel odd. A sick sinking feeling and panic. It's the same when he walked in when Kaiba had me cornered in the aisle. I didn't want him getting the wrong idea. I didn't really pay attention to that then. Her eyes widen a little as she slowly took into account the little bits of warmth in her when she was around him that had grown without her realizing all this time. "I...think...I think I like him." She finally spoke up as she stared at the floor, the two girl leaning in closer.

"What did you say? Sorry Terry, we couldn't hear you." Minako frowned, looking at her friend. "Don't be afraid to let us know if it's something bad alright?" She rubbed her back, assuming the muted voice was a sign of something negative. Terry jerked her head up at the notion, opening her mouth to protest but the two had already started to jump ahead of her.

"Yeah, totally don't feel like you have to be nice at all! If he's making you feel uncomfortable or something we'll kick his ass for you. Yeah, we know you can do it, but we also know you wouldn't cause he's a friend." Rei chimed in, patting the back of her shoulder as she came back to Terry's side and the two pull her into a group hug. "I can't believe that asshole! Not even taking your feelings into consideration about all this!"

"I swear, you sometimes can't kick old habits that easy! Bad one's are the worst! To just assume you'll be ok with all this!" Minako agreed, the two huffing and puffing as Terry tried to get a word in edgewise.

"Guys, guys!" She quickly pulled away and stepped ahead and turned to look at both of them. "It's not what you think! He didn't do anything wrong or rude or whatever you're thinking! I would've easily hit him or something in self-defense. I've done it before already, you can ask him. That's beside the point though. I said that I think, no, I know that I like him." She made sure her voice was loud and clear as she spoke to avoid any trouble. She noted the two go a little bug-eyed but she paid it no mind and continued to speak. "I appreciate the concern and I'm sorry I mumbled, I was just thinking aloud again." She scratched the back of her head. Minako and Rei pointedly look to each other and back to Terry, but Terry paid it no mind still "That's honestly how I feel though, which is why I keep asking him what he's thinking or how he feels. This is all new to me, but he's been hurt before and I don't want him rushing ahead or doing things because he feels obligated in some way to me. I want to know directly from him that he feels the same or similarly to some extent to avoid trouble."

Little did Terry know, their little conversation in the hall was not too far from the boys locker room and their little group of male friends were right behind her. They had clearly heard everything she had to say about this and a certain tri-colored spiky haired punk was standing there a little slack jawed and red faced. Marik was equally slack jawed as well at her blunt answer, lost between wanting to laugh at how this is such a Terry thing to do and just in awe at how much it was a Terry thing to do.

"So, that's honestly how you feel?" Rei cleared her throat since it was clear that they were not able to properly signal to her that the boys were behind her. We can't warn her, so why not use this to help her right? She thought, quick to shift gears. Minako elbowed her a little and glared but Rei gave a look that said she knew what she was doing. "What? I want to make sure it's clear that she knows what she is saying and realizing what she wants in return." Minako stared at her for a moment before it finally made sense.

"Oh, right!" She was quick to catch on. "Yes, sorry. My bad, I was thinking of it a different way." She turned back to Terry again. "Sorry Terry, but yeah you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure of it. I like him and this really is all new to me. I don't want to pressure him in anyway though." Terry nodded her head. "I have no idea how he feels and to me, I think this is more of a both parties think. Maybe I'm wrong, I don't know." She shrugged her shoulders.

"No, no, you're not wrong. This is a both parties involved thing and he should be more upfront with you so you know and are more comfortable. Like you said, this is new to you while he's used to being in relationships." Rei nodded her head, pointedly looking at Atem who silently listened to this. "I have a feeling this will workout though and he's probably right. So, be you and just see where it goes right?"

"I agree, I think it'll all work out in the end." Minako nodded her head, the two smiling knowingly to each other. "Oh, Duke!" She shouted, faking surprise as she skipped passed Terry and hooked her arm with her boyfriend. "Fancy meeting you in the halls, today is a lucky day!" She smiled innocently enough, playing it off as mere coincidence that they guys were there.

"I suppose this is our lucky day, I get to see you before wasting my time with sweaty guys." He grinned leaning down as she tiptoed to kiss him on the cheek. "I'll smell you guys later!" He waved, taking Minako away as they took the long way outside the building.

"I swear, those two." Jonouchi shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Oh please, you totally would be all over Mai if she was here." Terry scoffed, elbowing Jonouchi who was no as red as a tomato.

"H-hey, we have to head to gym! I was almost late to school this morning!" He quickly turned and stomped down the halls. "C'mon, all of you!" He shouted, Hiroto quick to shout fro Jonouchi to at least wait for him.

"Well, you heard him. We were nearly marked late." Marik chuckled, motion for them to follow but his eyes rested on Rei who meekly nodded her head at his suave smile. Offering her his arm, she hooked her hand on his elbow as he tipped an imaginary hat to the last pair and followed after Jonouchi and Hiroto.

"I swear, Marik is having way to much fun making her blush." Terry snickered, shaking her head as she started to walk beside Atem. "You almost fell asleep in math again. Don't worry, I have notes you can copy." She grinned, Atem scowling at her.

"What, are you stalking me? Creeper, staring at me in class. No wonder I couldn't sleep!" He scowled, ruffling her hair a bit.

"Hey, I didn't stare at you! I just glanced over and saw you doing the head bob." She scowled back at him, ducking out of his arm's reach to fix her hair. "Don't make me bite you again."

"Maybe I want you to." He stepped closer to her once more, his words making her trip up on her own two feet. He easily caught her, chuckling at how red her face was at the simple words. "Falling for me that much already? And here I thought you'd be the one with hands full! Looks like my arms will be more full with you." He purred in her ear, the feel of his hot breath on her skin making her even more aware of how close he was.

"I-I only tripped because you said something weird! You don't normally respond like that!" She argued, refusing to look at him. He found her avoidance cute, trying his best to catch her eyes but she was quick to look away. Smirking, he pinned her to the wall beside them and she kept her eyes on their feet.

"If that's the case, why aren't you look at me?"

"B-because you'll do something you shouldn't be at school!" She scolded him, making him chuckle even more.

"How can I resist when you're enticing me?" He hummed, her head snapping up only for him to steal a kiss and flash her a wolfish grin. "Oh, your face is pretty red."

"I wonder why!" She huffed, pouting a little as she glared at him.

"Seems like you need to go to the nurse's office. Don't want you overexerting yourself in gym." He is quick to scoop her up into his arms, one hooked under her knees as the other curved around her back as he held her close to his chest. "No fighting me or I'll drop you on your ass." He whispered in her ear, stopping any struggle before she could give one. She tried to hide the small smile that threatened to break her glare as she recalled the last him he had carried her up the steps.

"You wouldn't dare," she finally laughed as she gave in. "You had the chance before but you made sure to not drop me then too. Aren't I heavy though? I really can walk." She insisted when someone cleared their throat behind them. Atem turned, Terry still held, to see a very cross teacher.

"And what are you two doing in the hall?" He cocked a brow at this, but noted who the student Atem was holding and her red face.

"Terry wasn't feeling well. We're on our way to P.E. now. I thought I'd take her to the nurse's office." Atem casually spoke, Terry's face redder from how the teacher kept eyeing them with suspicion.

"Hmm, she does look a bit feverish...very well. Take her to the nurse's office. Be sure to report to your teacher though." He sternly instructed before resuming his walk down the hall.

"Guess we're going to the nurse's now." Atem grinned, Terry now unable to argue him. She scowled at the triumphant grin on his face, flicking his cheek as small reprimand when a group of classmates came from around the corner. In an instant they were all in a panic, swarming Terry who tried her best to ease their concern but no one seemed to be listening to her as they looked to Atem who solemnly nodded his head in agreement to their concern. Terry gaped at this, amused and in awe by how he was so easily able to just let this go on with such a straight face. "Can you guys let coach know?" He finally spoke up.

"Oh yeah, totally! Leave it to us! We'll let him know you're staying with her." One guy grinned from ear to ear as he pat Atem on the shoulder and gave a thumbs up.

"He's not going there for anything pervy! I swear, guys always make things so dirty!" A girl huffed at him, rolling her eyes as the other guys laughed at his expense.

"Yeah bro, Yami's an upstanding guy now!" He snickered, thwacking his friend upside the head. "Totally not gonna use this." He stressed, clearly speaking with sarcasm.

"Get well soon Terry! You've really been working yourself too hard again!" Another female classmate scolded her before they all ran off. "Thanks for taking care of her Yami!" They waved to him and left as they made their way to the nurse's office.

"I guess I really am heading to nurse's now." She sighed, shaking her head.

"Glad you see things my way." He chuckled, Terry rolling her eyes though she leaned into him with defeat. She was not about to say it, but she enjoyed the warmth of his body while noticing he was in fact well built while Atem enjoyed the feel of her relaxing into him. He played the conversation from earlier in his head as they walked in silence.

I'll tell her...I'll definitely clear everything up for her.