A/N: I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long. I wasn't sure as to where this fic was going, but now I'm sure. I'm not going to say anything about it, just that I have the last chapter written out in my mind, and I know exactly what's going to happen. But it'll be complicated to work around what I've already written. So bear with me, and tell me if something's too confusing. Because sometimes what I think in my head and what I write on paper are two completely different things, and don't work the way I wanted them to.
Special Thanks to: Breanna, my beta and the best role-player ever! Yayyyy!
I Have Feelings Too
A Shakespearian Partnership
I wake up the next morning with a headache. This was the inevitable effect of having coffee at one in the morning. I was too wired to go to bed and ended up pacing, writing some lyrics, and pondering over both my problem, and Bakura's.
The only thing I had come up with was to talk to Ryou myself to see if I could weasel out how he felt about his Yami. But that would be more than awkward, and he would automatically guess that something was up. I never talked to him and if I randomly started asking him about his most personal feelings, one of two things would happen. One, he'd look at me as if I had two heads and walk away. Or two, he'd look really uncomfortable until someone saved him from the situation, or I rattled it out of him. I highly doubted that the second scenario would happen, so I gave up on that idea.
An idea popped into my head that told me I should befriend him and then as him, but that would be way too much work for me. And for what? It wasn't like I was getting paid for this; there was absolutely nothing in it for me.
I frown. Why was I wasting my time on Bakura's problem? I was really becoming too soft for my own good. Actually, that wasn't true. I'm still the same Mai; I've just…changed a bit. And hey, change can be good, right? As long as it's not too drastic. So far, the only one that's noticed that something is up has been Serenity. And she would be the closest thing I have to a friend.
Hey…maybe I could get Serenity to ask Ryou! They talk…kind of…I think…? Well, they're both fairly quiet so they probably are at least on each other's radar. I reminded myself to ask Serenity what she thought of Ryou next time we talked.
I dressed as I thought about these various dilemmas, putting on my traditional short purple skirt and white corset. This outfit made me feel sexy, and in control, which I needed lately. Because I certainly hadn't been feeling in control of myself, or my emotions. It was weird; sometimes I almost didn't know myself anymore. I put on my makeup, adding more eyeliner than was probably needed, but I didn't care. After my boots were slipped on, I was ready to go.
I walk out the door feeling a bit more in control. By the time I had gotten into my car and turned my music loud, I feel almost like I could live through this day without major breakdown. Driving through the streets was a bit like therapy for me; I didn't have to concentrate and could just think about things while I got looks from numerous guys. I was used to this; the way I dressed attracted a lot of attention. Although not from the person I wanted to attract attention from, unfortunately. I smirk and wink at the latest victim who has almost run into a parked car as he tries to look cool for me.
I can't remember how I got this way: able to flirt with everyone but the one I really want. It was just something about him. I can act myself, but can't convey that I like him as more than a friend. Well, I don't want to do that; I'm far too afraid of rejection. Though with all the boys practically lining up to date me, there shouldn't be a problem, right? But they're just not Joey. And that was not meant to sound conceited, by the way. It's just the way things are.
I'm not going to lie and say that I don't like the attention that comes with all the stares, and this is probably one of the reasons why I dress like I do. Everyone has faults, and I suppose being a bit of a tease is one of mine. I can't help it. Well, heh…I could. I just don't want to.
These thoughts bring me to the school, and I do a four wheel drift as I slide into my normal spot under the shade of a tree. Someone had once made a mistake of taking my spot. They just happened to be a duelist, and in my fury I challenged them to a duel. Let's just say they won't be taking my spot again, and neither will anyone else who had heard of that little incident.
My first class is algebra, which I loathe with a passion. Most of the time I don't bother even pretending that I'm trying, because really, what's the point? No one interesting is in this class, so I just stare off into space and try not to think of the blonde haired boy who seems to keep infiltrating my thoughts. I don't want to think about him, yet I can do nothing else. I don't want see him, yet it seems that he's everywhere in the halls. It's like everything is against me. I try to keep my self pity to a minimum, but it really doesn't work. And seeing him with that…that…girl…just makes me cringe and doubt my sanity even more. How could I have let something like this happen? That is the question that I cannot stop asking myself, the question that runs through my mind every hour of every day. I'm sure he never even thinks of me, and if he does, it's just in passing. There is definitely no way he can think about me as much as I think about him. Sometimes I wonder if my mind really is unstable. Surely this can't be normal? There is absolutely no excuse for what I feel. I have somehow let him into my defenses, and I can't do anything about it.
By now, algebra is over and it's on to drama. This used to be my favorite class. Because I'm a drama queen, and I readily admit it. I enjoy acting, although I usually pick characters as similar to me as possible, which I consider cheating a bit. But hey, the teacher doesn't care and I can do what I want and still get a fairly good grade. You notice that I said drama used to be my favorite class. That is because I now dread it, for the simple reason that Joseph Wheeler is in my class. Students of any age can be in drama, and that's how we came to be in the same class, although we're in different grades.
Today I'm slightly worried. Well, more than normal. Because today we're getting a new assignment, and I have a bad feeling about this. Mrs. Burke is getting more and more testy with me picking the same roles, and she mentioned last time that if I didn't pick something that was more of a stretch for me, my grade would take a turn down C or D valley. And I definitely couldn't afford that. I actually needed to pass high school, and if I was going to do that, I might as well have at least one acceptable grade. Drama was my only hope.
I saunter into the classroom, trying to convince myself without avail that things would work out for the best. But I nearly lost my cool when I saw Joey sitting in the back of the room, looking sleepy as usual. His hair was falling over his face and I just wanted to brush those soft blonde locks away and kiss him to death. People shouldn't be allowed to look that good without even trying. I mean, I look good, but I try, and it takes me forever to get presentable. All Joey has to do is wake up and he looks sexy. I roll my eyes to myself to remind myself what I'm thinking about, and what my goal is here.
"People, people…sit down!" Our teacher says in her commanding voice as the bell rings and the last of the stragglers come in.
Usually we don't have a formal introduction like this; we just get to work. But like I said, today was a special day. It was the last big project of the year, and last chance to bring up my grade.
"Now, I know you've all been wondering what I'll pick for this project. And I'm sorry to say that unlike usual, you won't have any say in it. I want to see you put to use what you've learned all year and make a truly amazing product. First let me say that it won't be easy. I know you'll probably all hate me or love me depending on your partner…"
Partner. My ears perk up. That is in no way a good thing as I don't work well with partners. Either I end up terrorizing them or I end up with someone that I completely hate and can't stand. Which I'll admit, is a majority of the population. Uhoh, better tune back in…
"…And I want you to work outside of school with your partner. Alright, now just get to the project and partners, right?" She grinned, like she was enjoying torturing us. Teachers. They are twisted, twisted creatures.
"Okay. I'm going to have each pair perform an excerpt from one of Shakespeare's plays. Yes, you will all have different parts, and different plays. Don't complain and say that you don't like
what you've been assigned to, because that's too bad. A good actor should be able to work with whatever they've been given, and that is why I've chosen this. But that's not all. The catch is that the parts that I've chosen aren't just any parts. They're romantic parts." Mrs. Burke stops for effect, and the class gives it to her in the form of rustling, turning of heads, and murmured whisperings. What was she talking about?
"For example, Romeo and Juliet, any of the multiple pairs of lovers from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Ophelia and Hamlet, or any others that you may happen to get. You all see where this is going?"
Unfortunately, I do. I cringe and purse my lips. Who would I have the great pleasureof working with? Note the sarcasm.
"So I'm looking for the pairs to incorporate as much emotion as possible. You must convince me that you truly love the person you're acting with, because your characters will. Or, in some cases, one will love someone, but they will not love them back. Classic unrequited love. The pair that impresses me the most will receive the highest grade and then we'll go from there. Alright, now to the good part, the partners! And first let me say that I'm NOT, absolutely NOT changing ANY partners. There is reasoning behind who you are paired with. I have purposely tried not to pair boyfriends and girlfriends together."
A collective groan is heard from those who have boyfriends and girlfriends in the class. "But why?" One girl whined.
"Because then you won't have to try as hard as other pairings, and it wouldn't be fair. There are other reasons as well, but I'm not going to go into that. So don't complain. Now then." She consulted her list. "If you'll please be quiet until I'm done, then you can get with your partners. John and Katie: Pyramus and Thisbe; Corrine and Luke: Romeo and Juliet, Breanna and Danny…"
I zone out until I hear my name called. "Mai and Joey; Lysander and Hermia…" I practically jump out of my seat. And that' not in excitement. It's in shock. I have to work with Joey for what will be the deciding factor of my grade? And not to even start to talk about what the project involves! Little does the teacher know that I will once again be playing a part that suits me. Yet it will be extremely embarrassing. I can't just act automatically like I like him! But I want to do a good job, so I have to let some of myself show through, while keeping myself in check. I want to bang my head against the desk. This is going to be the toughest assignment yet.
I'm trying to work out how I'm going to survive through this when he comes over to my desk.
"Yo, Mai…guess we're partners…I know you're pissed at me for some reason, but can we at least get through dis project widout failing miserably? I need a decent grade…" He says, looking a bit on the pathetic side. I can't help but soften a bit, though I'm sure I don't even mean to.
"Fine Joey. I need a decent grade too." I say, putting on my curt face.
"Aww, come on Mai, whad I eva do ta you? I was just your friend…if we're gonna do dis project togetha, can you just be nice ta me for once? Like ya used ta be?"
Jeez, now he sounded even more pathetic. I liked it.
I sigh. "Fine Joey." I repeat, but in a slightly softer tone.
He grins. "Good den. Ready to start working? I've got da scripts…" He dangles them in front of my face, all happy that I've decided to at least be somewhat nice to him. I guess he can't stand someone being mad at him, which is kind of cute.
"Stop that…" I say, though I'm smiling. I hope he doesn't see just how genuine that smile is, the smile that I smile only for him.
"You're gonna havta get dem from me…" He grins mischievously and takes off. The classroom has a wide open area for the stage, and is bigger than most classrooms. Even so, he doesn't get very far before he stumbles and trips over a desk.
"Nice job Wheeler, nice job." I tease sarcastically as he comes back to me like a wounded puppy that has failed to catch the Frisbee that was thrown for it.
He grumbles and sits on my desk. I immediately stiffen; he's so close…I could just reach out and touch him if I want. He smells so good. I pinch myself and stop myself mid-sniff. How weird am I? I mean, now I'm smelling him? Like I said, not healthy.
"C'mon…let's see those lines…" I say, grabbing a script away from him and scanning for our parts. I inwardly groan and think 'shit' to myself. This is even worse than I thought.
"Jeez…she sure picked a mushy part for us…" Joey complained, voicing my opinions. "Well, for you. Heh." He says.
It was as if our teacher had guessed our relationship exactly. My character, Helena, is completely in love with Joey's character, Demetrius and he hates her. I'm not sure if Joey hates me, but he sure doesn't return my feelings. So my entire part consists of my character stalking and fawning over Joey's character. This is going to be very embarrassing. I sigh mentally and talk to keep my thoughts from getting too out of hand.
"Whatever. I want to do well Wheeler so you better do a good job or I'll be pissed…" I informed him.
"You already are, so what's da point?" Joey retorted.
I roll my eyes. "Very funny Joey." I say, accidentally calling him by his first name. I hadn't done that in a while. Since I've been trying to distance myself from him I find that if I call him by his last name, this does the trick. Except now I've just broken my rule. However, I don't even notice until he brings it up.
"Ya just called me Joey." He states, looking startled, yet not offended.
I start up, yet then realize there's no reason for me to get worked up. "Yeah, so?" I ask, maintaining my cool.
"Ya haven't called me dat for a while…" He shrugs. "I'm just sayin'."
"Well just say nothing. Let's read these lines." I say, steering him away from the subject. "Let's see…I'm Helena…" I skimmed the lines, yet I couldn't bring myself to read them. She sounded so desperate, just like I was. I couldn't voice these words that were so much like what I was feeling inside. Well, to some extent as even I am not this dramatic. I glare at the piece of paper, wanting to give it as much misery as it is already causing me.
Our teacher comes over, to see our progress, and to make sure we're on task. Like we need to be watched over like kindergartners. Although it's true that we have gotten absolutely nowhere.
"Miss Valentine, Mr. Wheeler? How far have you gotten?" She asks sternly.
"Um…" Joey scratches the back of his blonde head oh-so-cutely. I want to run my fingers through that thick, soft looking hair of his. I catch myself mid-sigh and look up into the staring face of Mrs. Burke.
"Um…" I echo Joey.
"I'm watching you two. I know both of you have potential if you can pull it together enough for this project. Otherwise your grades will suffer." She informs us and walks away, seeming satisfied with herself.
"Fuck." I mutter under my breath.
"Ditto." Joey says, sighing. "Guess we'd better get to work." For once I agree with him. I pull out my script again. "You start first." I tell him. In the scene that we're doing, Helena is chasing Demetrius - can you say stalker? – and he is telling her to get lost.
"Right." Joey pulls out his already crumpled script and starts reading.
((A/N: Okay, I got this idea for this whole thing when I was in school and we were doing Shakespeare…I'm not a complete dork. For those of you that don't know the play, Helena loves Demetrius, who hates her and loves Hermia. That's basically all you need to know for the fic.))
"Do I entice ya? Do I speak ya fair?
Or, ratha', do I not in plainest truth
Tell ya, I do not, nor I cannot love ya?"
I'm spacing out again, liking to just listen to Joey's Brooklyn accent. It's actually rather funny: his accent trying to read Shakespeare. Doesn't quite mix.
"Yo, Mai?" He waves his hand in front of my face.
"Huh? Oh, sorry." I guess that means I'm supposed to be reading.
"And even for that do I love you the more.
I am your spaniel; and, Demetrius,
The more you beat me, I will fawn on you:
Use me but as your spaniel, spurn me, strike me…"
I stop. "This lady is on crack." I say simply, refusing to read anymore. Talk about uncomfortable situation. "She wants to be treated like a dog?" I don't understand this, being the independent woman I am, yet for Joey, I think I would do anything. Is that the meaning of love, or just the meaning of being a stalker? Because Helena sure seems like a stalker to me. Do I seem that way to Joey? Well, he doesn't know I like him but –
"Mai? Yo, you're spacin' out again." Joey sticks his face in front of mine, blinking. I jump back in surprise.
"Goddammit Joey!" I try not to shriek. Shrieking is very un-Mai-like.
"You're gonna have ta read dat sometime." Joey tells me, like I don't already know that.
"Yes, Joey." I say exasperatedly. "I do realize that." I take a deep breath and start from where I left off. It doesn't matter the emotion I say it in yet, really. We're just familiarizing ourselves with the lines.
"Neglect me, lose me; only give me leave,
Unworthy as I am, to follow you.
What worser place can I beg in your love,--
And yet a place of high respect with me,--
Than to be used as you use your dog?"
"What the-" I'm just about to make an inappropriate comment involving the fact that I think Helena is a bitch – hey she wants to be a dog, right? – but then the bell rings. We haven't gotten much done. I turn to Joey.
"Well, guess we're gonna have ta work on dis after school…don't want ta leave it til last minute like da last time.." Joey says.
"Yeah." I nod, unsure of what to say next. "I'll pick you up after school and we can go to my place." I say, not sure how I managed to get through inviting Joey over without having some kind of nervous breakdown.
"Okay. See ya den!" Joey says brightly, gathering his few books and shuffling off to his next class.
I watch him leave, and wonder how I am going to get through the next week alive.
It's three o'clock…where is that damn boy?
I'm waiting in my car at the entrance to the school, tapping my foot. School lets out at 2:30 and I've been waiting here for at least twenty minutes. What could possibly have happened? He better have a damn good excuse, that's all I'm saying. I'm just about to leave when I see a ruffled blonde head come out of the building. Why is he not running towards the car trying to apologize for making me wait?
When he finally makes his way to my car, I huff and roll my eyes at him.
"So, where have you been, Wheeler?" I say. "Get in." I nod to the other seat and look up at him. Surprisingly he hasn't said anything, and doesn't look quite…normal. Did something really happen?
"So, Wheeler, got any explanation for me?" I pry further as he gets in and I start speeding off down the street. He just looks at me.
"My girlfriend and I broke up." He said simply, looking a little embarrassed.
"Oh, that's too bad." I say, without much sympathy. I'm sorry, but inside I was rejoicing, and that was all I could manage. This meant that Joey was single! Though I shouldn't be getting all happy about it, because hadn't I already decided that we weren't supposed to be together? But when had that ridiculous thought entered my mind? I'm Mai Valentine; I can get (mostly) any guy I want! And that includes Joey Wheeler, if I want him. Oh, and I definitely want him.
Luckily Joey is lost in his own thoughts as well, so he doesn't notice my silence. And I didn't want to seem nosy, but I desperately wanted to know why they had broken up. How could she not want Joey? Or was it that Joey didn't want her? That would be even better.
"You know…if you don't want to practice today we don't have to…" I say, wondering why this is coming out of my mouth. I'm giving Joey an easy out to leave me! I don't know what I want. Do I want to not see him anymore, or do I want to try and make him like me? I just don't know. And what is this, sympathy that I'm displaying? I've been through many breakups, but none of them really stung that much. Mostly I date because I don't like being alone, and usually the sex is good. I have to admit, sometimes I feel like I'm using the guys I casually date, but what can I do? It's in my nature. Besides, it's not like I would use Joey that way. He's different. At least that's what I keep telling myself. But he is different from the other guys I date, because he still seems innocent, even though he's been on the streets, and into fights, he still seems playful and cute, not to mention that he makes me feel different too. I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe he will feel the same for me in time. So why am I telling him he can leave? I should be keeping him hostage. No, that wouldn't be right…still…
Joey looks at me now, and I see in his eyes that he's surprised. "Thanks, Mai." He says, and I can tell that he's sincere. "But I'm really not sad aboudit, more just…I dunno." He shrugs.
Not sad? This is music to my ears.
"Not sad?" I repeat my thoughts aloud for once.
"Well, we weren't meant for each other." He says, and I can see a blush threatening to rise on those soft cheeks. "She had her own agenda, and didn't have time for me. Plus, we didn't really…click." He shrugs again and looks out the window.
"Hmm…" I simply say. "So, still looking for the right girl, huh?" I shake my head teasingly.
"Yeah." He says, somewhat wistfully. Oh, how I hope that I'm that right girl he's looking for. But I couldn't stay on this subject much longer without embarrassing myself, so I change the subject.
"So, Wheeler, what do you think about your sister dating Kaiba?" I ask with a grin, knowing this will surely get him riled up.
He immediately tenses, just as predicted. "I hate it, that bastard shouldn't be anywhere near Serenity. I don't want him touching her…" He shudders, and I almost feel bad for him. It must be hard to accept. That your sister is dating your biggest rival, someone who has humiliated you and put you down for years.
I nod sympathetically. "Well, I'd get used to it. She seems pretty attached to him."
"I know! Dat's the problem! I'm gonna go over der after dis and give him a piece o' my mind…" Joey says, punching his fist in the air in a cute way, though he doesn't realize it. I smirk.
"You do that Joey," I smile and he turns to look at me, our shining eyes meeting. In that moment, I feel something shift. Joey blushes and looks away from my eyes. I consider this, puzzled. Why would he blush? Could he possibly…like me…? No, he just broke up with his girlfriend! Though maybe there was another reason that he didn't tell me…Yes! That must be it! No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions...Dammit. I'm having another internal argument with myself. Luckily, we've arrived at my apartment, and I get out. I try and think if I left anything potentially embarrassing out in my apartment. This morning when I left the house I certainly wasn't thinking that I would have Joey over.
He gets out of the car and follows me. "So dis is where you live now! I remember your old apartment, but you moved?" He asks, not able to keep quiet for longer than five minutes.
"Yeah. My old rent was getting too high." I explain, getting out my key and letting myself in. I immediately drop my few books on the sofa and make a beeline for the kitchen. "Want anything to eat?" I call as I hear Joey drop besides my things on the sofa. Then I remember that this is Joey I'm talking to. Of course he wants something to eat.
"Yeah, I'll take whatever you've got." He says predictably, and I don't even bother holding back my smile.
"Alright." I call back, getting out some drinks and putting a frozen pizza in the oven. I'm not a big cooker, and just like to have easy stuff around. It's kind of pathetic, but it's the way I live, and I don't mind it too much. I come back into the living room and hand Joey a Coke, hoping he won't get too hyper off the fizzy sugarness.
He chugs it almost in one gulp, and burps loudly. I have to admit, that is not one of his more endearing qualities.
"Joey…that's gross…" I inform him, wrinkling my nose and sitting on the floor opposite the small table in front of my couch. He shrugs, nonplussed.
"Whatever. So let's get to work." He says, and we start practicing.
A couple hours later, we're feeling like we're done with work for the day. I'm sitting with my back leaning on the couch and Joey is sprawled across the couch. The mood is comfortable, and I love it.
"So, want me to take you home Joey?" I ask, glancing up at him.
"Sure," He shrugs with a grin. "Well, that wasn't too bad. We made progress." He says and I nod.
"Yep. Hopefully we'll get a good grade." I say, smiling as well. "C'mon, let's go." I say, getting up. He groans and doesn't move.
"Glued to my couch?" I ask with a grin.
"Its so comfy…" Joey seems literally sunken into it. He reaches up a hand into the air. I wonder what he wants me to do with it, and then I realize with a blush what he means. I take his hand and pull him up, an electric spark running throughout my body. I wonder if he feels it too. But I can't hold on for too long, and drop his hand with a blush when he sits up.
"Thanks, Mai." He says, and I get another shiver hearing him say my name. I never liked my name so much as when he says it. How have I fallen so far, so fast? I don't understand it, but I guess emotions aren't meant to be understood. Especially love. If that is what this really is. Is it love? Or is it just an infatuation? I don't like to call it that because that just sounds…like a stalker. I'm not a stalker.
"Whatever, Joey." I say, rolling my eyes as if it's nothing. But its not. It's everything. That touch was everything to me. And now that I have felt it, I want more. Joey's like a drug, once you try it, you can't stay away.
An hour later, I'm back at my apartment, alone with my thoughts of Joey. He's so perfect. No, actually that's not quite right as his faults and quirks are what make him so adorable. I still don't understand my attraction to him; after all, shouldn't a bad girl like me be attracted to another bad boy, maybe a tattoo artist or something? I laugh at the thought. But opposites attract, and Joey is just what I need to keep me grounded.
I have come to the decision that I'm not going to avoid Joey anymore. I can't do it. Not only that, but I don't want to. Why should I deprive myself of the one (okay maybe not the only) thing that makes me happy? I can have fun, and I should have a chance at love too. Maybe I'll even stop dressing like I do and leave my body for Joey to see only.
Okay, maybe not.
I mean, we're not even a couple yet, and I'm thinking about saving my body only for him? And I shouldn't even get my hopes up about that. I can be friends with Joey, but if nothing more happens from it, I should still be happy because I get to be around him. Somehow I know that that won't be enough though. Hopefully it'll be enough for now.
That night, I'm getting ready to crash when I hear a knock at my window. It could only be one person.
"Dammit Bakura, can't you come in the door like normal people?" I growl, pulling aside the curtains. "Oh wait, I forgot, you're not normal."
"Damn right I'm not. I'm a psycho 5000-year old tomb robber, remember?" He seems proud of this for some reason.
"You're twisted." I inform him. "Now what do you want?" I demand.
"You know what I want. I'm going crazy. I can't sleep in the same house as him anymore! I just want to jump on him and-"
Now that was going too far. I definitely did NOT want to hear about Bakura raping Ryou, so I slapped a hand over his mouth.
"I don't want to know." I simply say.
"Fine. But are you going to let me in or not?"
"Um…let's see…NO." I cross my arms.
"Why not?" He glares at me, not looking too happy. Well that's just too damn bad. He can sit on that fire escape all night for all I care.
"Because. Why should I help you with your messed up love life? You're not doing anything for me." Is this selfish? Yes. Do I care? No.
"Bitch." He mutters.
"I don't think that's going to help your situation." I tell him.
"I'll just keep coming back every night until you at least try to help me. Can't you take pity on me? It's pathetic that I even have to say this, and I hate it. But I can't live with myself anymore." He seems to lose some of his Bakura-hardness for a moment, but then it comes right back, with his dark eyes flashing at me. Though in that moment I can't help pitying him.
"Fine. I'll ask. But next time you better have something for me." I say. Anything to get him away from here and let me go to sleep.
"How the hell am I supposed to know what you want?"
"Think. I know you're capable of it." I smirk before I close the window and he leaves.
A couple days and early morning (when I say early morning I mean two or three am) visits from Bakura later, I'm sitting at my desk actually doing some homework for once when I hear the phone ring.
"Yo, it's Mai." I say, wondering who it is.
"Hi Mai, its Serenity!" I hear the cheerful voice on the other end of the phone.
"Hey hun." I say. Her voice brings a smile to my face. I guess you could call her my best friend. I'm glad to have her throughout all this. Even though she is Joey's sister and I feel like I can't talk to her about it. Maybe I should talk to her. I'd feel better.
"I just called about the concert! It's tomorrow." She says excitedly. I had completely forgotten about the concert in which I was going to see my new found idol.
"Oh yeah!" My voice holds the same enthusiasm as hers. "Want me to pick you up before the show?"
"Um…yeah, if you could…" She sounds embarrassed.
"Don't worry, Ren." I say, using my pet name for her. I rarely use it, even though I think it's pretty cute. I wonder vaguely if Kaiba has a pet name for her. Actually, I don't really want to know. "I'll pick you up at six, is that ok?"
"Yeah, that's good." She says.
"Oh yeah, and Serenity?" I start. I figure if I'm going to tell her about my liking Joey, it would be better to do over the phone. Then she can't see my embarrassed face. I'm very…particular about showing emotions in public. It's like if I laugh too much, blush, or get embarrassed, I'm letting the world see inside myself. And that's private. I don't like people who lay their emotions out on their sleeve, yet I also admire them.
They're so comfortable with themselves that they don't mind others seeing them cry. Sometimes I wish I was the same, although I know this is a false hope. Besides, I don't mind so much who I am. Sometimes I hate myself, but there are also times when I really like myself, and wouldn't want to be another person, just because I enjoy being me so much. And that's a good feeling.
"Mai?" She jolts me out of my thoughts. I really have to stop this habit of zoning out on people.
"Sorry. Um…I really like your brother." I say, cringing at how that sounds out loud.
There's a moment of silence, and for a moment I think she may have fainted from shock. But then her voice comes through. "That's all? I've known that since…well a long time." She says with a tinkling laugh.
Now it's my turn to be shocked. "Are you serious? Is it that obvious?" I can't keep my voice from sounding flabbergasted, because well…I am.
"Yes I'm serious, and no it's not too obvious. But he is my brother, and you're my best friend. And I'm observant." I can hear her smile through the phone. "Being quiet in school has its benefits. I notice things."
"Wow, Serenity." Is all I can say. But I'm glad that she knew. It makes my job so much easier. I sigh, so glad to have her at the moment that I want to hug her. "Thanks. And don't tell him, please." I say, though I know she wouldn't.
"I know, I know." She assures me. "Hey, I heard he was over there today…so you're not avoiding him anymore?"
"God, did you know about that too? I guess there's just no hiding anything from you. And no I'm not avoiding him anymore. It's pointless."
"Yeah, it is." She agrees.
I'm feeling a lot better, when I suddenly realize something. "Hey, Serenity." I say, unintentionally sitting up on my couch. "Do you know anything about Ryou Bakura?" I ask, mentally patting myself on the back for even giving the tomb robber a second thought. He should congratulate me for even remembering to bring it up.
"Yeah, I study with him in the library sometimes. He's in the same advanced classes as me. Why?"
Hm…that's interesting. I don't know if Bakura wants me to get Serenity involved, but it's too late now. I've found my way to make him stop coming at ungodly hours. And I'm going to grab it.
"Any chance he'd talk to you about his love life…say maybe who he's interested in?" I ask, already setting my scheme into motion.
"Mai…" She starts slowly. "I thought you just said you liked my brother. Why do you care about Ryou?" She sounds confused.
"No, no it's not like that at all!" I laugh at the thought. "Ryou's definitely not my type." Though he doesn't seem like Bakura's type either, but hey. I'm not the expert on 5000-year old gay tomb robbers that have fetishes for leather. And apparently innocent looking boys with long white hair. Actually, Bakura probably has a lot of other fetishes, but I really don't want to know about those right now.
"Um, Mai…are you planning on telling me what this is about then?" Serenity says patiently.
"Sorry. Well. Bakura has been…visiting me lately asking me to help him because he's in love with Ryou and doesn't know how to tell him." I start laughing as soon as I say this. It is pretty hilarious, I've got to admit. I mean, Bakura has no problems killing people if they're in his way, yet he can't tell little, innocent Ryou how he feels? I snort again.
"Really?" Serenity says after a moment of what I'm sure is shocked silence. "That's…odd."
"That's an understatement." I say, still laughing. "Men are pathetic."
Serenity giggles. "Yeah. Seto is actually pretty pathetic too, under that hard exterior. It's kind of cute actually." She giggles again and I think of Joey. He's pathetic too, but in a cute way that I like. I can't see how Kaiba would be cute, but whatever. I don't really want to get into Serenity and Seto's relationship. Seems pretty twisted to me. But I really shouldn't be talking. Mai Valentine and Joey Wheeler? What a twisted couple that'd be.
"Well, do you want me to ask me what he thinks of Bakura then?" She asks when she finally stops giggling.
"If you can do it discreetly. I really don't want Bakura to come in during the middle of the night and send me to the Shadow Realm because he's pissed at me or something." Because that'd be just like him.
"I'll try. I'll see him tomorrow because we both have a study hall and so we go to the library to do Pre-calculus homework."
"Shit, you're in Pre-calc?" I always knew she was smart, but she's only a Junior! Usually only the smart Seniors take that.
"Yeah." I can feel her blush through the phone. "Anyway, I have to go, Joey just got here. But I'll try and remember, kay? And do you want me to do a bit of asking with Joey too?" There is a definite smirk to her voice.
"NO!" I yell at the phone, waving my arms even though she can't see them. "Absolutely not! Don't even joke about that!"
"Wow. I was just joking." She sounds truly surprised. Shit. Maybe I shouldn't have made such a big deal about it. Now she'll know just how much I really like Joey.
"I'll talk to you later. Bye." I say quickly before hanging up. I really need to be more careful.
A/N: Well? So what'd you think? I'm actually quite proud of this chapter…I'm beginning to like my writing more and more when I re-read it, which I guess is a good sign for a writer! Yay me…and I think its one of (if not the) longest chapters I've written! I hope to get lots of nice, juicy reviews…they make me so happy! So please review…-big teary eyes- and I'll love you forever! Well…lets not get carried away. Sorry for the long wait. See you next time!
