Chapter 5

Disclaimers: I don't own Yu-gi-Oh.

"Hey, Mai! Wait up!"

Mai turned around to see where the voice came from. Joey Wheeler ran like he was on the track team towards her. She was happy to see him, but didn't show it. "Hey, Joey." She said casually.

"I was just thinking… if you want to… do you want me to walk you home?" he asked, cheeks aflame and smiling sheepishly at Mai.

A pained look cast across Mai's face. Joey noticed it and asked, "What's wrong, Mai?" He grasped her shoulders with both hands and a look of concern crossed his face. "Don't worry, I'm here. Just tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing, Joey, nothing. I just don't… I just don't think that you should walk me home. I have other things to do after this. I'm really sorry, Joey, but it's really important. I hope you understand."

Joey was disappointed, but he didn't let it show. Instead, he said: "That's okay, Mai… Some other time I guess. I understand…" he said. He felt sorry for her. 'I bet she's going through some rough time right now, because she feels that way… I wonder what she's hiding?' he thought to himself, and waved goodbye to Mai as he trudged on the streets by himself. Serenity was going home with Tea, and Tea promised to take good care of his sister.

'I guess I need to get to work. I'll think about this later.'

But he was really wrong. When he got to the pizza parlor to deliver pizzas, he was still dazed and absent minded as his fellow workers talked to him. He really wasn't aware of what he was doing, putting all his thoughts of Mai ahead of all his other thoughts. It even lasted until he came home.

'Maybe I should call her up and ask her out or something, just to make her feel better.' He thought.

He picked up the phone and quickly dialed Mai's number, hoping that she was home. Fortunately for him, she was the one who answered.

"Hello?"

"Mai, is that you? This is Joey."

"Oh, hi Joey. Why did you call?"

"I was just wondering… if you could come out with me later on, at around 7 P.M.? 'Cause I just want to have your company, and the wind is really breezy tonight, so… if you don't mind…"

He could feel her hesitation. "Um, sure… I guess that would be fine."

"Great." Joey said. He was about to hang up the phone until Mai interrupted.

"Um, Joey, I just want to apologize for refusing earlier."

"Sure, I understand, Mai. It's okay. So see you later at 7?"

"Yeah… bye, Joey."

"Bye." The phone clicked and Joey hung up. 'I did it! I asked her out!' He was such in a good mood that he couldn't help jumping for joy. And fortunately for him, his good mood lasted all day.

As for Serenity, she found out that when school started that day that Seto Kaiba was absent. It was not that big a deal for her, but it made her think about him again. She couldn't help thinking what could have made Kaiba absent that day, because according to her classmates, he rarely missed class.

And he was always punctual in arriving, unlike some of their teachers. Serenity may be a new student, but she was quick in adjusting to her school background and necessary information she needed to know.

At break times, she asked Tea all about Seto Kaiba and bored her to death with all the details about the arrogant CEO. And at the end of the day, she was still worrying about what happened to Kaiba, as if she were obsessed about him.

Joey adjusted the t-shirt and jeans that he was wearing. He didn't want Mai to think that he was a disorganized person. And he wanted to look good in front of her.

He looked at his watch, happy to find out that it was time to meet Mai. He told her where the park was and when he arrived there, the cool breeze whipped his blond hair.

Mai arrived there a few minutes later. She spent a lot of her time worrying about her mother and making sure that she was alright. She would have even missed her date with Joey if her sister had not reminded her.

"It's okay, Mai, I'll look after mom. You go meet Joey. You have to have fun sometimes, you know?" her sister told her, telling her that she was stressing too much. Mai had smiled back and changed to get ready to meet Joey.

"You look beautiful tonight," Joey whispered, unable to resist. He was feeling so happy and pleased to see Mai that his heart flip-flopped while he said it. Mai blushed.

"Thanks, Joey. You look great too."

'You always do,' she added to herself mentally as she gazed at Joey. He never ceased to impress her.

The two teenagers walked around while the night was quiet and romantic. Almost no sound was to be heard, except for the metal clang of the swings in the playground.

"It's such a beautiful night…" Mai murmured, gazing at the stars. And she was right. The night was serene and calm, where you could look at the moon and stars, especially on a night when there were no clouds.

Joey looked at her, and was deciding if he should hold her in his arms. It was like there was some invisible force pulling him to the bench nearby.

Mai seemed like she couldn't resist, either. The two teenagers were absorbed in the feelings that they couldn't control… and before they knew it, Joey's face was only an inch from hers.

She closed her eyes, succumbing to the moment. He brought his lips slowly to meet hers, passion injecting from his veins as he kissed Mai. Emotion overcame him like a wave, and before they knew it, the two teenagers lost themselves in the kiss.

A/N: Yes! Chapter 5's done! Sorry that it's so short… Please review… thanks!