Fiona appeared on the single most ominous day of the school year.
The clouds were pregnant with rain and blocked out the sun entirely before the first bell. Everyone crowded in the entryway changing shoes and heading to their first hour classes.
Yugi and his friends had gathered around Joey's desk for a pre-class game of Duel Monsters. Tristan had challenged Joey, who was winning by a mile, although these games were just for fun.
Tea looked up at the sound of the warning bell. A new student, a girl, stood talking to the teacher.
"Hey." She nodded to them, "Check it out."
The girl pushed back a strand of purple hair, most of which was pulled into a messy braid that hung between her shoulder blades.
"Ha!" Joey exclaimed, "Your life points are mine!"
"Dammit!" Tristan threw his cards down
The boys began to put away their cards as the first hour bell rang; signaling the start of the school day. Thunder shook the ground and the sky finally opened up and the rain came down in buckets.
The teacher, Miss Mertes, cleared her throat as everyone rushed to their proper seats.
"Everyone, please, your attention up here." She said, "Please welcome the newest addition to Domino High."
She motioned to the girl.
"Well? Go on then, introduce yourself."
The girl bowed toward the other students.
"Um, hi?" She said awkwardly, "My name is Fiona. Fiona Oskerai."
"Very good, Miss Oskerai. You can sit next to, let me see ah, Mr Taylor, over there with the spiked hair."
Tristan's hand went up and he waved Fiona over.
"I'm Tristan."
He stood and bowed; Fiona bowed again.
"Call me Fi." Her smile was warm, "Can I borrow your notes after class? You know, to help catch up? If it's not any trouble."
Tristan laughed, "It's no trouble, but my writing sucks. You should ask my friend Tea."
He pointed to a brown haired girl by the window two rows ahead of them.
"What hour do you have lunch?"
Fiona pulled out a folded piece of paper from her chest pocket and consulted it.
"Forth." She said returning the paper
"Perfect! That's when my friends and I have lunch too! You can have lunch with us!"
"They won't mind?"
He laughed again, "Not at all."
That'd be awesome." Fiona smiled
"Okay. Okay," Miss Mertes said, "Settle in class. Miss Okserai, we are currently studying etymology. I hope you can keep up."
Fiona pulled out a pen and notebook from her bookbag.
"Don't worry about me. I'm a fast learner."