Peneia Teke: Hey! Sorry for the long update, but I'm finally getting chapter three up, so be happy!

Thank you soooooo much for all the reviews. Like I said before, it makes it so much more fun to write a story when you can read peoples' comments.

I think I forgot to mention ages before, so here they are now.

Kaiba – 18 (Senior)

Tea, Joey, Tristan, Bakura – 17 (Junior)

Yugi – 16 (Sophomore)

Serenity – 15 (Freshman, though I don't think she'll be in here very much)

Mokuba – 11 (Grade 6)

I didn't know the names of Tea's parents, and I couldn't find a site that listed them, so I just made up my own names. Well, that's more than enough info for now, so go read the chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! blah, blah, blah, blah.

Chapter Three

The next morning Tea opened her eyes slowly, adjusting to the light seeping in through her window. She threw off the covers and stretched her arms above her head, yawning widely. The house was eerily silent as she trudged down the stairs and slowly made her way to the kitchen. She passed her parents, Erica and Dave, sitting at the kitchen table and froze when she heard the slightly angry, slightly distressed voice of her father calling for her. "Wait a minute, Tea. I think you owe your mother and me an explanation."

The petite, brunette girl turned slowly on her heel and regarded her father with questioning blue eyes. "Sit down," her father suggested, though it was more of a command. Tea did as she was told and sat down between her them.

"Where were you last night, Tea?" Erica asked tiredly.

"Out," she replied, not quite sure why she was being interrogated. She always went out on Friday nights after work.

"I mean," her mother clarified, taking a deep breath. "Where did you go exactly?"

"I went to the movies with the guys like I always do," Tea replied defensively. "Where else do you think I'd be?"

"You didn't get back until well past one," Dave said, his voice rising in volume. "Which gives us reason to believe you did more than what you're letting on."

Tea raised an eyebrow incredulously. "Ok, so I wanted a little time to myself. Is that a crime?"

"Don't you take that tone of voice with me, young lady," he growled.

"A man, by the name of Roland, dropped this off earlier," Erica said stiffly through pursed lips, ignoring her daughter and husband's quarreling. "He said it was an order from his boss." Tea's mouth opened in surprise as her mother dropped her tan bag onto the table. Oh shit. Now she understood why her parents were so upset. It must've looked like she'd been over at a guy's house that whole time, but of course that was complete nonsense. She had no love life whatsoever. Tea screwed her eyebrows up as she tired to recall when and where she'd lost her bag.

"This is all just a game to you isn't it, Seto Kaiba?" she demanded furiously.

Kaiba gave her a sly grin. "Yes." Then he released her arm and pushed passed her, causing her to stumble and nearly loose her balance. She watched with a look of pure disgust as he strode away, trench coat whipping out behind him. Then she frowned in anger and stomped off in the opposite direction.

Tea's eyes widened in realization. She must have dropped it after Kaiba had pushed her, and she'd been so angry with him that she hadn't noticed. Great, that would go well with her parents. She frowned slightly. But who's Roland? Oooooh yeah, Kaiba's driver.

"Tea? Care to explain?"

The brunette sighed. "It's not what it seems," she began lamely. "I was walking home, and this jerk from school bumped into me, and he must have knocked my bag off my shoulder, and I was so mad at him that I didn't notice, and-"

"And just who was this 'jerk from school'?" her father asked suspiciously, crossing his arms over his chest.

Tea hesitated but decided it was better to come out with the truth than face her parents' wrath later. "Seto Kaiba," she muttered. Her parents stared at her in dumb silence.

"The Seto Kaiba?" Dave asked.

Tea rolled her eyes. Why did everyone always refer to him by a title as if he was someone to be revered? It got annoying. "If you're referring to the arrogant, ruthless, cold hearted, selfish, power hungry, antisocial bastard that runs Kaiba Corporation, then yes. I'm talking about that Seto Kaiba."

"Tea! That's not a very nice thing to say!" Erica exclaimed, surprised at her daughter's rudeness. "I thought we taught you better than that!"

"Yeah well, he's not a very nice person," she retorted, "and he always seems to bring out the worst in me."

"I'll have you know, Tea, that he donates millions of dollars a year to charities, and he's a very powerful and well respected businessman. I won't have you running your jaw about him in this house while I'm around," Dave chastised angrily.

"But daaad, you don't understand," Tea wined. She knew she was acting immature, but she didn't care. She had to get her parents to understand what a jackass Kaiba really was. "He's always insulting me and my friends, and he goes around completely ignoring everyone else. Like he's better than them."

"Well, maybe he's just shy," Erica put in. "I'm sure that if you got to know him, you'd find out he's not as bad as you think."

Hello! Didn't I just get done saying that he goes around insulting my friends? Big clue that I'd never-in a million years-ever try to get along with Seto Kaiba. "Mom, you don't get it!" Tea shouted in frustration. "Whenever we try to talk to him, he either gets on Yugi's case about a rematch duel, or he calls Joey a 'mutt', or a 'dog', or if we're really lucky he'll inform us that we're all a bunch of third class scumbags and to get the hell out of his way." She huffed and blew her bangs out of her eyes in annoyance.

"And has Joey or one of your other friends ever done anything to arouse this behavior?" Erica asked.

"No." She received a raised eyebrow in response. "Well ok, Joey does have fits around Kaiba once in a while, but he wasn't the one who initially started it!"

"Has Seto Kaiba ever done anything to you?" Dave asked calmly, leaning forward across the table to get a good look at his daughter.

Tea inwardly chuckled. Let's see, where to begin... "Well, mostly he just glares at me in the halls and calls me 'Yugi's cheerleader' or 'Mokuba's little friend' and stuff like that," she replied truthfully.

"Maybe he's jealous," he chuckled.

Tea wrinkled up her nose as if she'd just gotten a whiff of something dead and shook her head vigorously. "Dad, Kaiba only cares about Mokuba. His heart's as cold as ice."

"Everyone has emotions, honey, and from what you've told us, he sounds like a loner. I'm sure he's just jealous of the support you give to Yugi."

Tea glared daggers at her father. From what I've told you, he sounds like a first class bastard.

"If he doesn't pick on you directly then why do you help your friends fuel his temper?" Erica asked.

Tea threw her hands up in exasperation. She knew her parents were set on their views about the arrogant CEO. "Just forget it. You guys obviously don't understand." She picked up her bag and stomped toward the door but not before throwing over her shoulder, "Besides, it doesn't matter because I won't have to deal with him much longer anyway, will I?" She ran out the door.

Stupid Kaiba, she thought angrily. Everyone hated him. It was like an unwritten rule or something. He was rude, cold, and distant and everyone else avoided him because of it. Well, except maybe his drooling mobs of fan girls, but they didn't count. Her parents were just too thick to get it, and thanks to him she'd be in a boat load of trouble when she got home.

Tea hurried down the sidewalk toward Yugi's game shop but stopped short when she realized he didn't even know she was coming over. She reached in her bag for her phone, and her hand brushed against the crisp edge of a piece of paper. Curiously, she pulled it out and unfolded it. It read:

Gardner,

Looks like I've won again. I helped myself to one of your possessions as compensation for

my trouble. Just remember, in the end, I always get what I want.

It wasn't signed, but Tea knew exactly who'd written it. With an angry cry, she tore her bag from her slender shoulder and began digging through it, momentarily forgetting about Yugi. Damn you, you stupid jerk, she thought furiously. Then she paused. He needs a new name. 'Bastard' and 'jerk' wear off too easily. He needs something degrading to his status. She grinned at this thought. Nerd's pretty good. Or geek! Stupid computer geek who has nothing better to do than trifle through a girl's belongings! She nearly giggled aloud at the thought of Kaiba's reaction to being called a 'nerd', but then her brow furrowed and she continued rummaging around in her bag. Dammit! What'd he take, anyway? Nothing seemed to be out of place. Maybe Kaiba's just trying to mess with my head. No, that wasn't it. Kaiba never joked around. He always had a reason for doing whatever twisted diabolical things he did.

She was almost willing to go right back home and shove the little note under her parents noses, so they could see the real Seto Kaiba first hand. Not this pleasant, charitable, fake they'd made him out to be. Knowing them however, they'd brush it off as a prank from one of her friends. Life was just so unfair. And it's all because he can be charming when he wants to be, she thought darkly.

Kaiba sat in his recliner, holding his newly acquired prize. A cruel smirk made its way to his lips, and he let out a low chuckle. What fun this would be, toying with the Gardner girl's mind. He knew the object was important to her; he'd been very careful about what he'd chosen.

"What are you doing, Seto?"

Kaiba snapped out of his thoughts and turned his eyes upon his raven haired kid brother, standing uncertainly by the door. His fingers closed around the small object in his hand possessively, but he smiled warmly at the little boy, forcing his posture to relax. "Nothing, Mokuba."

"Then can we go to the park today, big brother?" he asked hopefully, looking up at Kaiba with big, pleading eyes. The dreaded 'puppy dog eyes'; the one thing in the world Seto Kaiba always succumbed to. The ruthless CEO sighed and nodded his head in defeat. Beaten by an eleven year old; how sad. And yet, Mokuba was the only person in the world Kaiba was willing to sacrifice for.

Mokuba's face lit up with happiness, and he turned and made for the door. Kaiba dropped the precious object unceremoniously on his desk and stood up to follow his brother. He'd deal with it later.

(Monday morning; Domino High)

"Hi, Tea. What's wrong? You look upset about something." Tea glanced up in time to see her long time friend, Yugi, take a seat in the chair next to her. The clatter of footsteps on the hard tile floor, and the sound of Joey's obnoxious laughter told her that the blonde haired boy and Tristan weren't too far behind.

"Huh? Oh, nothing Yugi, I'm fine," she replied, doing her best to appear cheery. Yugi didn't buy the façade one bit but decided not to push it. Tea would tell him what was wrong when she was ready.

"Hey, Tea. How's it goin'?" Joey asked with a grin, pulling up a chair and sitting down in it backward. Tea could have sworn she saw the remnants of a blush tingeing his tan cheeks but brushed it off as the lighting.

Before she could answer Joey's question however, Tristan came over to their table, chuckling appreciativelyat something out of her understanding. "Hey guys, you'll never guess what Joey just did," he grinned, clapping a hand on his friend's shoulder. He didn't wait long enough for an answer before plodding ahead. "He was trying to flirt with this Senior chick, right? And of course not paying any attention to anything around him," he had to take a steadying breath to keep from laughing, "and then he goes and runs head on into a pole!"

Joey's face flushed a deep red and he glared at Tristan, who was doubled over in laughter. "How was I supposed ta know the stupid thing was there?" he snapped defensively. "It jus' appeared outta nowhere!"

Tea was leaning over the desk trying to stifle her giggles, while Yugi sat still, surprisingly straight faced. "Don't worry, Joey," he replied seriously. "I'm sure the pole just moved at the last minute." That response was so unexpected it caused all four of them (Joey included) to erupt into another bout of laughter.

"Making a fool of yourself again, Wheeler?" a cold voice drawled, interrupting their playful banter. "Hn, well, that doesn't surprise me."

Joey's head snapped up and he glared daggers at the billionaire. "Grrrrrrrr, you don't know when to give it up do ya, Kaiba?"

"Heh. About as much as you know how to keep your mouth shut, Wheeler." he replied coolly, "And stop growling; it makes you sound like a dog." That sent Joey into a rant about how Kaiba was always calling him a 'mutt' or 'Chihuahua', but the powerful CEO was no longer listening. He'd locked eyes with Tea and smirked. Both knew exactly what the other was thinking.

She glared up at him in disgust. Thankfully, her friends didn't notice because at that moment the teacher walked in and strode to the front of the room. Class had officially begun.

"Are you sure something's not bothering you, Tea," Yugi asked quietly after the gang had sat down to lunch, later that day.

Tea glanced up and flashed Yugi a bright smile. "I'm fine, Yugi. Why?"

"I dunno. You just seem kind of...distracted lately," he answered with a shrug. "Is there something going on that you're not telling us?"

"No."

"You know you can tell me-us anything, right?"

"Of course, Yugi, and I hope you know that your friendship means the world to me."

"I know, Tea."

The moment was broken when Tea glanced over at Kaiba's table, face set in determination. He was sitting by himself at the most secluded table in the cafeteria, typing on his laptop like he did every day. She locked her jaw in anger and narrowed her bright blue eyes. Had anyone caught the look on her face, they would have thought it very un-Tea like behavior.

"Um, Yugi?" she asked, not removing her eyes from Kaiba's general direction. "I just remembered something I have to take care of, so I'll see you later, ok?" She left the table without waiting for a response, and stormed off toward Kaiba's table, her shoes clicking sharply as they hit the hard tile floor. Yugi's calm violet eyes followed her sadly. He had a feeling she had to solve this problem on her own, but it still hurt a little that she was refusing to tell him about it.

Kaiba heard the sound of approaching footsteps and glanced up with a scowl. When he realized it was Tea however, the corners of his mouth twitched into what would have undoubtedly been a grin had it been anyone else and went back to the task at hand. Tea glowered at him, hands on her hips as she watched him type. "What is it, Gardner?" he asked passively, his face once again hidden behind his emotionless mask.

"You know very well, Kaiba," she hissed dangerously. "You have something of mine, and I want it back."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied coldly.

"I think you do," she retorted, digging out the note and shoving it under his nose. "What's this?"

He glared at her. "A piece of paper, moron."

"I know what it is, dumbass, but what does it-"

"If you'll excuse me, Gardner, I have plenty of work to do before this break is over." His statement held a note of irritation to it, and Tea hesitated. She knew she wasn't about to get anymore information out of him, so she turned on her heel and marched away.

September 10, 2004

Dad and I got into another fight this morning, but it was about something so stupid I can't even remember the topic. The atmosphere in the house has been tense since my parents told me we're moving to London at the end of the year. Our relationship has been going downhill since then. I can't understand why they won't just let me rent an apartment or something so I can finish off my high school career in Domino. I mean, I only have the end of this year and my senior year left. If we really go through with this move, the guys and I won't be able to graduate together like we planned. Well, Yugi will still have a year left, but that's not the point! Everything will be ruined! I haven't told them about it, yet. I just can't bring myself to face them; I'm so afraid they'll be disappointed in me. Am I being stupid? After all, they are my best friends, and it's not like I can help it if we're moving.

Speaking of stupid, Kaiba's been acting especially weird lately. I ran into him the other night, (which wasn't a very pleasant experience, by the way) and I must have dropped my bag or something because he had it delivered to my house the next day. That of course raised my parents' suspicions that I had a 'secret boyfriend' and that I'd been staying over at his house. It actually hurt a little to realize my parents don't trust me as much as I thought. It's not like I've ever done anything to disappoint them.

Anyway, he left this note in my bag that said he'd stolen something out of it; not in those words of course, but that is what he did. It was a little gold charm that Yugi had given to me for my birthday two years ago. He told me it reminded him of me when he saw it. I don't know why Kaiba took it, or why he keeps denying that he took anything, but I'm going to get it back-somehow.

Tea dropped her pencil back on her desk and snapped her diary shut, making sure to lock it before sliding it back into its place on her shelf.

PT: Well, I hope you all liked that, and I'll try to get the next one up ASAP. Don't forget to review on your way out! (puppy-dog eyes) Pretty please.

Btw, no offense was intended toward nerds or geeks. I myself am a geek, and am quite proud of it, too.