Here it is folks! Chapter the Last!
Disclaimer: I don't own YGO, or the brilliant lyrics used down below.
Chapter 9: Embracing Fear
Serenity beamed as a parent questioned her about her artwork. She answered him to the best of her abilities and told him all about the art classes and how fantastic Sensei Odom was and so on. Soon, she had a small crowd of parents around her, asking her questions and commenting on her work.
"Actually, a couple months ago, I couldn't have done this at all. I've realized since then that there is more to art than just lines and colors on a paper. Art is about letting go. It's the emotions we're afraid to feel." Serenity said quietly, making everyone lean forward to hear her.
A stunned silence followed her statement, and then, slowly, they began glancing around at each other. Murmurs of agreement waved through the group like sand shifting with the tide.
"I learned that the hard way. My sensei always told me to let go and just my hand do everything. I never understood until…until I had to. I didn't create these things. They already existed. I just slowed down and copied them onto paper."
"But doesn't it take some kind of talent to copy them? Not everyone can just slow down and copy something." A parent said, the words sounding foreign to his tongue and his accent strange.
Serenity picked him out of the crowd and frowned slightly, recognizing the shape of his face and his soft brown eyes.
"Maybe they're not trying…" She trailed, meeting his gaze.
"So all those people who go to art museums simply to enjoy the art—they're not trying?"
"They're slowing down and enjoying, but they're enjoying it in all the wrong places. Sometimes you have to step out to see the beauty around you. Sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone."
"So you're saying everyone who doesn't step out is a coward?"
"No, I—!"
Ryou stepped up beside the man and tugged on his sleeve.
"Father, leave her alone." He murmured, avoiding eye contact.
"No, Ryou, it's okay. I'll answer his questions." Serenity said calmly.
Ryou bit his lip.
"Serenity, less than a year ago, you were nearly blind. I don't think they realize that. That's why he doesn't understand. And you can call him a coward to his face. I've already done it."
Serenity's eyebrows shot up in surprise, her gaze sliding to Mr. Bakura's face. His eyes were a bit glassy and his tanned cheeks were pink.
"You were blind?" A mother from nearby questioned.
"Umh…yes. Nearly. Look, Mr. Bakura. I'm not calling anyone a coward. It took me fifteen years to step out, and when I did, I was surrounded by my friends. I didn't want to step out. But I knew if I ever wanted to do something more with my art, I had to. I had to get over my fear. I'm still a coward, Mr. Bakura. But at least I can look back and say I did something that not many can do. And I owe it all to my friends."
Mr. Bakura nodded, satisfied with her reply. He turned away to look elsewhere in the open house. Ryou smiled at Serenity and moved through the crowd to hug her.
"Nice answer, Ren."
"Thanks, Ry."
He grinned and left to follow his father before he ripped apart another student.
Serenity continued answering questions about her pieces until Sensei Odom came over to her and pulled her away.
"What's wrong, Sensei?"
"Oh, the other parents were complaining about their children not getting any attention. Apparently you were working the crowd too well."
Serenity blushed profusely.
"Sorry."
Odom snorted.
"Don't be. You were amazing. I heard your answer to that one man. I liked it."
"Oh…thank you."
"Don't be modest, Serenity. You've earned it. Oh, yeah, I also wanted to give you something. I got this in the mail yesterday from McCarthy."
Odom handed her the 'Creations Count' magazine and opened it to the earmarked page. Serenity stopped breathing entirely when she saw her face smiling up at her, her name italicized underneath. Numbly, she looked at the article beside her picture and read through it, her heart pounding with inexplicable excitement.
"So? What's it like to see your name printed?" Odom asked, winking at her.
Serenity smiled breathlessly.
"This is amazing…! I never thought…I mean, this…here…and my picture…"
Odom laughed and put her hand on Serenity's shoulder.
"Like I said, you've earned this. You've worked hard and you've overcome a lot of things. Be happy. Be proud. Get an ego like your brother, if you must."
Serenity giggled.
"Are you sure about the ego?"
"I said if you must. Trust me, you don't have to."
Serenity bit her lip, then smiled at Odom.
"I really do owe a lot to you, Sensei. I couldn't talk to anyone, and then…then you asked me to talk, and I did. Ever since, I've been able to let go and get into my work. I know you don't think I should thank you, but I have to. You made this all possible. Thank you."
Odom's smile softened and tears welled up in her eyes.
"You're welcome, Serenity."
A warm hand descended on Serenity's arm suddenly.
"Excuse me; do you know where I can find a certain painting of a tree in here? The most amazing girl drew it for me a month or so ago…"
Serenity gasped and looked up at Malik in complete shock. Odom's eyebrows rose in interest.
"This is the boy you drew? My god, no wonder."
Serenity's cheeks burned and she looked down at the ground. Malik chuckled and lifted her chin.
"So? Where's my tree?"
"Why? Is the gate missing its tree?" She asked, grinning to herself.
"More than you know."
Odom cursed her hormones when she nearly burst into tears. She silently excused herself from their presence and walked away to a more secluded corner. She'd seen the look in Serenity's eyes when Malik had smiled at her. There was somehow more life and sparkle in her gaze.
Odom watched Malik pull Serenity out of the building by the hand and smiled to herself.
Ryou met Serenity and Malik at the door and smirked.
"I got you covered."
"Thanks, man."
Malik pulled her outside and around the corner of the gym. They stared at each other for a moment with nothing to say except…
"Hi."
"Hi."
And then another silence fell upon them while Serenity tried to make her mind work properly so she could figure out what to say.
"So, you flew all the way from Egypt to see me?"
He nodded.
"Yup."
"Why?"
He smiled.
"'Cause you're worth it."
"Oh. Well then."
Malik laughed softly to himself and looked up at the cloudy night sky.
"You know, I had hours to think of what to say to you when I got to this point, and I had the perfect sappy little speech…but…I can't remember it for the life of me now. So, I'm just gonna run with something and go with it. If it comes out wrong, I'm sorry."
She grinned and shook her head.
"Just say it."
"Okay…"
He took a deep breath and looked up at the clouds again.
"Wait, I have to do something first, or else I won't be able to do this at all."
"Hmm?"
He leaned down and captured her lips, finishing what he'd started. Serenity's mind suddenly started functioning again and it automatically told her to stop being a robot and kiss him back. She smiled and fell into the kiss head first. They pulled apart a few moments later, Serenity breathing heavily and Malik more nervous than he was beforehand.
"I had to get that off my chest. Last time your brother was about to kill me, so I…I kinda left in a hurry…before I could…you know. Anyways, umh…what I was going to say…I…I haven't been able to stop…thinking about you. And I know that's crazy, 'cause I barely know you, but ever since I first kissed you, you've been all over. I dream about you and I can hear you laughing in my head, and I can see your smile every time I look at a tree, and…and…I'm beginning to worry for my health, 'cause I think I'm obsessed—I mean, for Re's sake, I flew from Egypt to Japan just to see and tell you this. And I think I'm going insane because I don't have you."
She stared at him in wonder and amusement.
"You're right. I'm sure the speech you had planned out sounded a lot better than that one."
He fought a smile and looked down at their intertwined fingers.
"Can I try again?"
"Sure."
"Serenity…I'm going crazy over you, and I like it. I've never felt like this before. Like I want to be near you, but I don't because I don't know what I'll do. I'm scared of screwing up around you, and I've never…I've never been scared of other people's opinions before you came along. But your opinion matters because…you matter. Am I making any sense? 'Cause if I'm not, you can stop me at any time, and—"
Laughter bubbled from her lips and she hugged him tightly.
"You can stop now. I get the point."
"So…umh…do you feel…the same?"
"Well, from what I got out of your speeches, I think I feel the same way. I'm not sure, though. You were a little hard to follow at times…" She teased, smiling playfully.
He rolled his eyes and leaned towards her, stopping a breath away from her lips.
"Just say yes."
"Do I have to nod, too?" She whispered.
"No. I have you right where I want you."
She smiled, feeling his warm breath wash over her.
"Yes."
Before he could kiss her again, loud voices interrupted them.
"God damn it, Bakura, let me through!" Jou's voice rang.
Malik's eyes widened and he pulled back from Serenity.
"Leave them alone, Jou!"
"Uh-oh."
Serenity sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Follow me."
He yelped in shock when she dragged him away with surprising force. She giggled and shushed him, pulling him past the locker rooms and through the parking lot to the sidewalk. He looked back warily towards the gymnasium where Jou's and Ryou's voices were only faint murmurs carried by the wind.
Serenity tugged on his hand again.
"Where are you taking me?"
She smiled.
"My mural. I thought you might want to see it."
He grinned and followed her through the streets, wishing that the tingles he felt in his stomach would never go away, and that the electric jolt he felt whenever she squeezed his hand would never happen with anyone else.
It's done! Wow! I feel so complete:) Just the epilogue to go (just to tie up any loose ends), and then I'm done! Yay!!
Also, I know the ending was pretty lame, but I'll clear everything up in the epilogue. Kudos to D. D. Warrior Lady, the first reviewer for last chapter and the first to guess that Malik would show up! Even though I made it completely obvious, haha.
Love you all!!
CFB
P.S. In the next chapter, there will be a song that someone is singing. Whoever can tell me the band that sings it and the name of the song gets the epilogue dedicated to them (and maybe Christmas cookies)! Here are the lyrics:
"I'm following myself just this once. And I've got spun; it appears you're spun as well. It happens when you pay attention. This could take all year…but, when it's quiet, does she hear me? Jettisoned to the center of the storm. And I'm thinking I'd prefer not to be rescued. Oh, I can hear her. She's dying just to keep me cool. And I'm finally numb, so please don't get me rescued."
Hints: The band is from my hometown. The lead singer used to be in Something Corporate. They're touring with Panic! At the Disco (whose concert I will, regrettably, be missing on Saturday).
There may be more lyrics in the epilogue…it depends. Those lyrics up there are just the main part of the song to help ya'll out. :)
Happy hunting!