Disclaimer: I do not own any characters from Yu-Gi-Oh…just some trading cards

Bad Boy

Chapter 6: School, Stress, and a Riddle

Téa walked into her class, it was another one of those Monday mornings. Boring and she still couldn't adjust to the school week schedule from the weekend one. She knew she had this class with her friends and even Kaiba.

After Saturday afternoon, she thought it would be safe enough to trade numbers, he agreed. So that Sunday she called him. He did kind of go back to his old self but, he was more kinder to her and her friends. When they talked on the phone they talked for maybe an hour before he really had to get back to his work. She was ok with that considering he took an hour of his time out to talk to her. Téa couldn't help but notice he sounded relaxed and carefree when they talked.

After she walked into the classroom she took her seat next to her friends, they were talking about Duel Monsters, Tristan came to school he was still sick but he was there which was good. Joey was complaining about some monster and its special ability and how it should be illegal. She smiled, her friends were a great way to feel good on a Monday. The bickering continued until the teacher came in and settled everyone down.

"Ok students, I want you all to write a report on a native plant to Japan. It shouldn't be too difficult, considering we have been studying plants for the past two weeks. I'll be handing out papers with the guidelines for the report."

Great, Téa thought, this report is a great way to bring down my mood on a Monday. School sucks. Just then a guideline paper landed on her desk, she read it over. It was simple but, she just didn't want to work on it. Someone raised their hand, it was Joey.

"Yes, Mr. Wheeler?"

"Can we work with partners on this assignment?"

The teacher just smiled, "If you work with partners, you don't get to choose, I would pick them. We'll take a class vote, who wants to work by themselves?"

A few kids raised their hands, "Ok, and who would like to work with a partner?"

Everybody else raised their hands.

"Ok that's settled you will work with partners. Everyone write your name on a piece or scrap paper. When you have finished place it in this jar."

When everyone had their names in the jar the teacher picked up the jar and pulled out the names and read them off.

"Yugi, and Juniper."

"Joey, and Tristan." Téa could hear the two of them having a quiet celebration.

She thought, Yes you get to work with a friend but what matters is if you will be focused, and if both of you have enough brains to finish the project.

The teacher said some other names, Téa decided to just zone out until she heard her name.

"Téa, and Seto." Everyone was looking at her to see her expression, since they all knew they had a huge rivalry. She happened to be the only female who would stand up to him. Téa didn't really seem to care, one because he was probably the smartest kid in the class so she was pretty much guaranteed a good grade on the assignment, two because of the events of that weekend.

Everyone shifted their gaze over to Seto, since Téa's expression showed she didn't really care. Seto was always expressionless so they all gave up. Téa felt Tristan give her a pat on the back to show sympathy. Apparently Joey and Yugi forgot to fill in their ill friend of the recent events.

When class was over Téa and her friends rushed over to her. Tristan started the conversation, "Wow, I can't believe I get to work with Joey. I feel sorry for you Téa, you have to work with Kaiba." He shook his head in sympathy. Seto walked past them when he said that and Téa noticed a glint in his eyes. Téa glared at Tristan for not being considerate.

She turned to Joey and Yugi, "You guys didn't even bother to tell him what happened on Saturday? You guys are great friends, you didn't fill him in!"

With that she stormed off to her next class, Algebra. The guys were left behind feeling embarrassed.

For once Téa actually paid attention in Algebra, she finished her work and pulled out a book to read. Instead of reading it she was thinking of how Seto must have been feeling. Now I feel so guilty, she thought, poor Seto…I'll talk to him at lunch…

Téa walked to lunch not bothering to wait up for any of her friends. She got in the lunch line and bought a salad, with a bottle of water and a piece of cake. After paying for her food she walked out into the cafeteria, she looked around and saw her friends already at their table. She shifted her gaze over to a nearby table, where Seto was sitting. She took a deep breath, and headed towards the tables.

As she walked closer to her table her friends gave her apologetic smiles, when she walked past the table they watched her in confusion. They saw her approach Kaiba's table.

"Is this seat taken?" Stupid question, she thought, nobody sits here…but its better than just sitting down…

Seto looked up from his lunch and saw Téa, he looked at her curiously but shook his head.

Téa sat down, Seto was giving her a confused look, and everyone around their table was staring at them. Seto shifted uncomfortably in his seat, he saw her friends staring at them in confusion.

"So what do I have the honor?" Seto asked.

"Oh…well I felt kind of bad about what Tristan said…" she saw his eyes dull a bit. "so I thought I could sit here and apologize."

"Why? You weren't the one who said it."

"I know, but it made me feel uneasy. So about the project…what plant should we study?"

"I could take you to my place after school, my garden is full of plants. I think you should go back," he gestured to her table, "they are making me feel uncomfortable…"

She nodded and picked up her food and returned to her table. Only to be bombarded with questions. Not that she listened she zoned out. Her mood was like that for the rest of the day.

After arriving at the Kaiba residence, they walked to the garden.

"Do you want to do the report on this one? Téa?"

Wait, I still have figured out his riddle! Oh no… she thought, I need to figure this out or he will never tell me who he is. He sounds so familiar though, curses. Seto's voice drifted into her thoughts. He obviously asked a question.

"What?"

"You were zoning out. Anyway which plant do you want to have our report on?"

"I think we should do the Japanese Barberry."

"Of all the plants why that one?"

She just shrugged, "Well what did you have in mind?"

"How about the Japanese Cherry blossom?"

Téa thought about it, and finally nodded in agreement.

Seto guided her to a different part of the garden, it had a Cherry blossom tree in the center with a marble bench below its branches.

"It's beautiful…"

"Thank you, this is where I happen to spend my summer hours reading."

"Interesting…can we sit?"

"Sure. So, what should we start with?"

They ended up finishing their project in less than an hour, Seto offered her a ride home and she accepted.

"Thanks Seto."

"You're welcome Téa. See you around."

"See ya."

Téa walked into her house and plopped down on the couch, and sighed in relief. They completed their project quickly so she had more time to figure out the riddle the boy left her.

After a few hours of thinking without progress Téa decided to just give up for the day. She picked up her cell and called Mai. They two girls chatted for a while, thinking about who the mystery boy could be, but ended up still stumped.

Mai had to get off the phone, because she had movie plans with Joey that evening, and told Téa they would talk about this later.

After failing with solving any clue, Téa got up and decided to go and visit Serenity. Knowing that she was probably alone with Joey out on a date and Tristan sick.

When she got to the Wheeler residence she rang the doorbell, the timid red-head answered. Surprised to see Téa, she opened the door wider for her to enter.

"Hey Téa. What are you doing here?"

"I felt like hanging out with someone, and since Joey is out with Mai and Tristan is sick I thought I'd visit you."

"Oh ok! Do you want some hot chocolate?"

"Why not. Listen I know this might sound rude but do you have any clue as to who that guy might be?"

Serenity looked at her friend with a cocky smile, "Téa I have as much of a clue as you do. I think you are being maybe a bit paranoid."

Téa raised her chin in the air, and dismissed the comment as untrue, "No, I am not being paranoid! I'm just a little curious is all."

"Right…I totally believe you. Here's your hot cocoa."

"Thanks. So did you talk to Tristan?"

"Yeah, he sounds a little better. He said we could probably have a double date next week."

"Cool. I got an e-mail from Duke yesterday. Apparently his family is having fun with their vacation in America, he's lucky! He said he would send me some souvenirs from New York though. I would love to visit New York for a little, just to get a feel for the city."

"With your dancing talent, I'm sure you could find a great job over there."

"Thanks, but I'm sure Mystery Man, would have an even better chance than me."

They laughed and conversed, until Mai and Joey came. The four sat around, until Mai offered Téa a lift. They said goodbye and left their friends.

"So what were you two talking about?"

"Mystery Man."

"Prince Charming?"

"Pretty much, and school, and New York, and Duke's vacation."

"Mhm, sounds nice. Joey told me New York wasn't all 'peaches and cream

Though. If you go there, promise me you will be more careful. That place isn't Japan."

"Mai, relax. I will always be careful."

Mai sighed in relief and added, "Please don't hang out with the wrong crowd. I don't want to see your great life go down the drain."

Téa realized the thought of her leaving for New York to live her life permanently stressed her friend.

"Mai you know I don't plan to leave until I get a good start in a dancing career, right?"

Mai nodded, "I know."

"I don't know if I would stay there though. Maybe to go to a professional dancer's school, but I would definitely would live here in Japan."

She saw her friend's expression brighten a bit.

"Besides if I did stay there, I would bring you over every month to go on a shopping spree."

Mai laughed, "Now that would be fun. Alright kid, looks like its your stop. Goodnight Téa."

"Thanks Mai, goodnight!"

Téa couldn't help but feel stressed about her future, the riddle, and whole bunch of other things. To wipe away her stress she decided to just sleep on it.

I want to thank the people who reviewed, it helps me alot...i ususally write these chapters quick so i update quick anyway, but thanks for your opinions...and keep reviewing!