For my fic and for my plot, I've added a fourth year. Duel Academy is a private school all about dueling that runs one year longer than grade school in this fic.

And reviewers, if someone does flame, please let me deal with it. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and if it's some kind of misunderstanding, it'd be best if I handled it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Yugioh Gx.

Chapter 3: Concussion

Jaden's POV

Crowler's class is long. He kept glancing up at me too, which is incredibly annoying. And I felt my friends staring at me as well, which was even more annoying. I don't care how worried they are, can't they just give me some space?

Syrus wrote a note to me at one point. You sure you're okay?

I rolled my eyes and wrote under that: I'm fine. Quit worrying.

He still didn't look convinced, but at least that got him off my case for the rest of class. Which is never-ending! How do people do this everyday? And actually pay attention and take notes?

After a small eternity, the bell finally rang. I thought it was never going to! I jumped from my seat and ran out the door, surprising the rest of the class that hadn't known I was even awake for once. I waited by the door for my friends.

"Geez Jay, what's the hurry?" Aster asked as they came walking out.

"I couldn't take sitting still any longer," I explained.

"Is that why you always sleep through class?" Bastian asked, staring up at the ceiling.

"Yeah, sort of." Mainly I just got bored and allowed myself to drift, which almost always ended with me falling asleep. Or waking up, whichever way you look at it.

"Ready for gym then, Sarge?" Hassleberry asked. I smiled.

"You bet! C'mon!" I said, starting to run. I could hear their laughter behind me, but I didn't hear them following.

"Wrong way Jaden!" Syrus called. I stopped and looked at where I was.

"I knew that!" I yelled, backtracking and passing them again.

Xx

All of us stood in the gym, volleyball nets set up around us. Guess what we're doing today? And we had the power to make our own teams!

My team was : me, Alexis, Jim (Shirley stayed on the sidelines), Mindy, Jasmine, and Hassleberry. Talk about a rocking team!

And the first team we're up against (our friends!): Chazz, Aster, Bastion, Blair, Syrus, and Atticus. This was going to be awesome!

Alexis started the game with an overhead serve. Unfortunately for us, Atticus knew how to handle that and he returned the ball. Jim was in the front row, and he managed to spike the ball down on Aster, who managed to hit it, but it didn't go over and no one got to it in time.

First point was ours!

Alexis served again; Atticus returned again, though it went to Hassleberry this time. Or Hassleberry went to the ball, not sure which. He bumped it over and to Bastion. Bastion returned it to Mindy, who hit it right into the back of Jasmine's head. Which is odd, because they're standing next to each other.

Mindy squealed and went to see if her friend was okay. Jasmine was smiling and rubbing the back of her head. The rest of us were laughing.

Hassleberry rolled the ball under the net for the other team as they rotated. Aster served an ace, right between me and Hassleberry. We collided and fell, laughed, and then picked ourselves up. Aster served again, and I stayed where I was so that Hassleberry could hit it. He did, and it went to poor Syrus, who simply threw his arms up over his face. Their team got a little annoyed at that. Not that I blame them or anything, it's just mean to do that to someone who you almost expect it from. No offense Syrus!

My team rotated and I was in the front now, opposite Chazz. Jim served and it went to Blair for the first time this whole game. She hit it up in the air, right to Chazz.

You can see where this is going, right?

Chazz took the opportunity to spike the ball. I couldn't get a hand up in time. The ball hit me right in the forehead, in the same exact place I banged it against Syrus's bunk.

I fell to the ground on my butt, holding my head.

"You okay Jaden?" Alexis asked, from much closer than I thought she was.

"Way to go Chazz! You nearly killed Jaden!" I heard Blair yell.

"He could have hit it instead of let it hit him!" Chazz defended. They kept bickering, but I tuned them out.

"Do you want us to call Ms. Fontaine?" Alexis asked. I shook my head and stood up shakily.

"C'mon Sarge, shake it off," Hassleberry said, backing into his position. Alexis smiled in sympathy at me before doing the same.

And guess what? My vision is somewhat blurry! Meaning I probably have a concussion! Isn't that just great?

"You sure you're alright Jaden?" Bastion asked. I nodded. That was a bad move.

I squeezed my eyes shut as the room began to spin and held my head again. I don't know who, but someone called for Ms. Fontaine.

It's helpful having the school nurse as the phys. Ed. Teacher. Saves a few minutes in transit time.

"What's wrong?" she asked when she came over.

"Jaden got hit in the head and we think he has a concussion," Aster explained. I could just imagine Ms. Fontaine looking at him like he was crazy. It was a volleyball I got hit with, after all. They aren't exactly all that hard.

I opened my eyes a bit to see what was going on. Ms. Fontaine reached up to move my bangs out of the way. She brushed against the skin though, and I flinched back when she did. She frowned.

"Jaden, it would help a lot if you'd let me look at it," she said. I nodded again. And again, bad move. I almost lost what little breakfast I'd had. She was more careful this time when she moved my bangs out of the way.

"There's a pretty good bruise here, but definitely not from a volleyball," she said. By this point, everyone from the two teams was gathered around me.

"He banged his head on the bottom of my bunk this morning," Syrus explained. Ms. Fontaine's eyes widened considerably. This can't be good.

"Did you have a nightmare?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said.

"Do you remember it?"

"No," I said a little too hastily. Her eyes narrowed.

"Jaden Yuki, you had better not be lying to me." Crap! How do I get myself out of this now?

"He's just a little annoyed that we've all been on his case about it," Alexis said. Man, I love her so much right now!

…Like a sister though! I think…yeah, like a sister!

"I see," Ms. Fontaine said. Her eyes were still narrowed. She didn't believe that at all. "Well Jaden, go get changed and then go over to Dorothy's café and ask for a bag of ice. Then come back, ok?"

"Okay," I said. The gang spread back a little to let me through to boys locker room.

"Wait, Atticus, go with him. Make sure he gets there and back okay," Ms. Fontaine said.

"Okay!" Atticus said. He ran to catch up with me. We didn't spend much time in the locker rooms, and then we headed over to Dorothy's. I was quiet the whole time, though Atticus did try and start a conversation with me.

"Hi boys! What can I do for you?" Dorothy asked when we got there.

"Jaden has a concussion and needs a bag of ice," Atticus said.

"Oh no! What happened?" Dorothy asked while she opened a drawer.

"He banged his head earlier this morning and then got hit in the same spot with a volleyball," Atticus explained.

"Oh no! This just isn't your day, is it Jaden?" Dorothy asked, handing me the bag of ice. I put it on my forehead.

"Nope, doesn't look like it," I said.

"C'mon, let's sit down a bit," Atticus said, pushing me towards one of the tables. I didn't have the energy to argue. I put an elbow on the table and leaned my head into my hand holding the ice.

"Why aren't we heading back?" I asked.

"Because I want to talk to you and when we go back I'll probably have to get back on the courts," he said. Uh oh. Whenever Atticus wants to talk…it usually doesn't end well for me.

"Talk about what?" I asked.

"I know Lexi was just covering for you when Ms. Fontaine was interrogating you. Meaning you told her either about the dream or that you at least remember it. And either way, I want you to tell me about the dream now."

"When did you get so serious?" I asked.

"When the person my sister cares a lot for got hurt because he won't tell us what's going on. We just want to help Jay. You're always there for us, let us be there for you. Just this once."

"Atticus…" I started. I didn't know what to say. I really didn't want to actually tell anyone…but, maybe he was right. Maybe I should let my friends help. And it was just a memory…there's nothing that can really be done about it.

My phone started to vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out: one text message, from my sister.

"Do you mind?" I asked Atticus. "It's my sister."

"I didn't know you had a sister," he said. Then he shook his head. I opened the text.

Dad's out of jail! And Mom let him home!

My response: WTH?

"What's going on?" Atticus asked when I put the phone down. Whoops. I must have let the aggravation show on my face. I wasn't going to be able to get through this on my own though…

"Do you promise not to tell anyone?" I asked him, giving in.

"As long as it's nothing that would involve someone getting hurt, yes."

"Well…nine years ago my father was arrested for child abuse and attempted murder. He's been released from prison, and apparently my mother let him come back home."

Atticus stared at me, dumbfounded. It's really nice to see that on someone else's face.

"Child abuse? Attempted murder?" he repeated. I nodded. "Wait, does this have anything to do with your nightmare?"

What? How did he figure that out so quick?

"How did you…"

"I may not look it or act like it, but I can figure things out about as well as Aster can. And I'll take your confused face now as confirmation." He smiled proudly.

I shook my head and pressed the ice harder.

"Okay then."

"I'm going to just guess that your father didn't leave you and sister on a happy note," Atticus said, getting serious again.

"Jacey was in the hospital for a week, mainly because of broken glass shards that cut her. He threw me out a second story window," I said quietly. It still frightened me just thinking about it!

"Geez. Tell me he was intoxicated at least and that he wasn't normally like that." I started shaking my head.

"He was drunk. I was eight though, and Jacey four. Neither of us realized or understood…he had never come home drunk before. He attacked Jacey first, and I just jumped in to protect her…" I hadn't realized it, but I'd started crying.

"Jaden, it's okay. It's over now. Might not feel like it, but your dad can't hurt you anymore. And even if he tries, he's going to have an army of your friends to go through," Atticus said, smiling. I smiled a bit.

"And now," he continued, "we should get back to the gym before Ms. Fontaine starts sending people after us."

"Too late," Alexis said from behind Atticus. She stood there in her regular uniform. Atticus jumped and turned to look at her. Alexis rolled her eyes. "Didn't want to come play?" she asked her brother.

"Jaden was feeling dizzy so I made him sit down!" Atticus said. I perked up a bit at that excuse, but I didn't feel like explaining to Alexis why we'd really sat down, and that reason was as good as any.

The bell rang then, only making my headache worse. How had time passed so quickly again?

"Lunch time!" Atticus said, running towards the cafeteria. I have a feeling he did it just to leave me and Alexis alone, since he's convinced we're going to end up together.

Which you know, wouldn't be bad.

I nearly slapped myself. Bad Jaden! She's a friend!

Granted she's a really, really, great friend…

NO! Argh! Why doesn't my mind listen?

Oh yeah, 'cause it's my mind.

And why would it do such a thing as listen?

"Earth to Jaden, come in," Alexis said, waving a hand in front of my face. I blinked and then looked at her.

"What?"

"You completely spaced out. Which is surprising, because I'm pretty sure you know it is lunch right now," she said. I grinned and we started walking towards the cafeteria.

"To be honest, I'm really not that hungry."

"Sheesh, how bad is your concussion?" she asked. I shrugged. My mind was miles away, back home, where my little sister was terrified right now because of one man's presence.

And she still hasn't responded, which is only making me worry more. Could dad be hurting her already?

Does he blame the two of us for testifying against him and putting him in jail?

End Chapter

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