Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: So I know many authors love to listen to music when writing a story to feel their characters emotions better when writing a frustrating or sad scene. I was carelessly listening to music before starting this chapter and came across a song that seemed to capture Tea and Atem's relationship in this story so well, I thought it was actually made for them. Its called Moving On by Kodaline and I suggest you listen to it when reading this chapter. I hope you enjoy it and as always let me know your thoughts.
Her eyes were closed as she slowly inhaled the warm coffee bean aroma. Atem had left her for a moment, getting up to buy their drinks. He insisted again to pay since he had asked her out yet again. She opened her eyes, her gaze falling along the figure waiting with his hands in his pockets staring at various pastries. His beauty was undeniable, she thought. He was so attractive standing in his long black trench coat, a grey sweater hidden underneath the top coat. His legs held some dark jeans and his feet wore heavy winter boots. Kiya really was one lucky woman to get to be able to go home to that, and she quickly scolded herself for thinking of him in that way again. But Tea just couldn't help herself, her heart throbbed for him. Being with him was painful, and being without him was painful. She wasn't sure what hurt more and it just made her head ache thinking about it.
She continued watching him casually as he paid for their drinks and two pastries. He then began to stride towards their small table placing both drink and dessert on the wood.
"I wasn't sure how you took your tea so it doesn't have any sugar or honey in it." He said with a smile.
"Oh, thank you." Tea quickly rushed up to grab some sugar packets from the little coffee station set up near where they were sitting. She came back and started pouring the white substance in her drink silently. Atem looked on with an amused face.
"You really like it sweet don't you." His face held a smirk.
"Yeah, my mom got me into tea and she always had hers sweet. I just followed in her footsteps." She gave him a small smile before sipping the hot drink. It burned her tongue a bit and she set the cup down waiting for it to cool down before drinking it once more.
"Be careful." He noted at her scrunched up face. The hot drink really did sting her mouth.
"I'll be okay Atem." She teased making him laugh.
"So tell me how your practice is going for the ballet." He started.
"Well to be honest I'm seriously stressed out. My main dance teacher decided to have me practice with one of the worst people I've ever met because we're both major leads in the ballet and she thinks we can somehow help each other."
She picked up her tea again and took another more cautious sip. The tea was just right this time, not too hot, not too cool. Atem continued watching her having not said anything yet. She hated when he did this, she felt like an organism under his microscope picking out every flaw she saw in the mirror every day.
"Why would she put you two together if she didn't think something good would come of it. I'm sure she has her reasons as she is an experienced teacher." He finally said picking up his coffee and taking a sip. He pushed a pastry puff toward Tea before taking a bit of his own.
"I can understand that, but so far up until today we haven't really made much progress. She's just so difficult to work with because of her arrogance and need to put others down." Tea took a bite of her pastry looking back up at Atem who was again watching her. Why did he do that so much, she thought.
"I'm sorry you have to work with someone like that." He continued.
"Thanks, me too."
There was a pause in their conversation as they both continued eating their pastries. A question then came across in Tea's mind; one she wasn't sure she had the courage nor care to ask. But she couldn't deny the curiosity that pushed at her to say the words.
"How is Kiya by the way, I'm sure she misses you being so far from you." She finally asked rather surprising herself at her bravery.
Atem looked up with a bit of a stunned look but it was quickly replaced by a smile.
"She's doing well, and she does miss me as I miss her as well." He detailed.
Of course he misses her, Tea thought begrudgingly. A part of her hoped he would say he doesn't miss her as much as he thought but that was only a wistful dream. Real life hurt more.
"Do you think she'll come and visit anytime soon?" she asked, the questions now seeming endless in her mind.
"I don't know, perhaps not anytime soon but in the future most definitely."
His answer left her feeling a little better. Tea hoped she wouldn't visit for a long time so Atem may forget her but she knew this was impossible.
She decided to change the subject.
"So how are your classes and the museum?" Work and school were easy topics and safe as well. She didn't need more of her heart ripped tonight.
"My classes are a bit dull if I'm being honest. I often times find myself distracted."
"Oh, about what?"
Tea noticed his cheeks turn slightly pink and he ran a hand through his thick hair.
"Nothing in particular, just life and stuff." He stated.
Tea looked at him curiously.
"But the museum is going great, they have given me a transcript I have to translate by the end of the month. I've started it and come to know it's essentially the story of Pharaoh Seto and how he ruled." He smirked before continuing. "Seto certainly made himself to be greater than others had spoken of him in the other world, that arrogant bastard."
Tea laughed along with him.
"Do you think now that they've discovered Pharaoh Seto's tomb Kaiba might actually believe in his ancient past?"
Atem snorted. "I doubt it, he's even more arrogant than his ancient Egyptian counterpart and much less trusting as well."
"I don't understand how someone could deny something right in front of them." Tea murmured coolly.
Atem heard her comment and looked to meet Tea's azure eyes. They were so beautiful, and he felt himself travel to the deepest depths of the ocean as he continued to stare within.
"Sometimes it's hard for people to accept the things they have yet to fully understand."
It seems Atem wasn't understanding much lately as he repeated the words Tea said again that night of their fight.
"People should learn to understand and then decide whether they wish to believe."
Tea retorted. Their gaze had yet to be broken and they both continued to stare at one another, a million thoughts going within each mind.
"You dropped this." Tea heard a lady say as she finally broke the spell that held her to Atem. She looked over at the woman holding her keys that must have fallen from her coat.
"Thank you." She said quietly, her face starting to heat up. She wondered if the lady realized what she had just interrupted or even cared for that matter.
"No problem." She stated flatly before leaving.
Tea heard Atem clear his throat.
"We should get going, I'll walk you to your dorm."
Tea nodded getting up and exiting the small coffee shop with the man she desperately wished could go home with her or disappear from her sight.
The walk to her dorm was silent as both figures were deep in thought.
Atem couldn't help sneaking glances at the pale woman next to him who seemed to be thinking of something hard. He couldn't help but think back to her words said in the coffee shop. Was there any possible double meaning behind them and why did he feel his stomach flutter as she said them. Why did he hope for her to say more, to challenge him more?
He wanted so desperately for her to say something that would falter his feelings for Kiya. He couldn't deny the growing warmth in his lower torso whenever she was around. He couldn't deny the blush that accented his cheeks when she said something that made his stomach flutter. But the immense guilt that followed these revelations left him to try and bury these new found feelings. He thought back to a time when he was still with Yugi, when he would see her almost every day. A time where he could have easily seen himself with Tea if he had a body to call his own. When he came back and heard her voice again after so long, the feelings came back but distance drained them. He figured she had forgotten about him. His eyes continued flickering back and forth from their upcoming destination to the beautiful dancer right before him.
Kiya loves me, he thought rather forcefully. She helped me through so much, she guided me and took care of me, how could I even look at Tea as anything more than a friend.
Tea internally groaned, occasionally looking over at Atem who looked rather thoughtful. He seemed to be concerned about something as his forehead was scrunched in absorption, or perhaps frustration. She wondered what could be causing such inner turmoil. Her eyes looked around towards the streets of Manhattan now filled with college students ready for a night out. Some men had caught her eye winking at her and she looked away in disgust. Her heart was slowly peeling away as Atem moved on further and further without her. He was happy. He loved Kiya and she made him happy. She could feel the buildup of tears starting to form within her eyes and she quickly blinked them away. No, she would not cry here in front of him like a pathetic loser. She would have to move on herself, she knew she had to. She couldn't avoid him any longer and she couldn't keep torturing herself. She was being completely unfair to herself and she knew it. She thought about the date she had with James that was coming up that day after tomorrow. She would enjoy herself the best she could and try and forget about the man that stood beside her today. This man wasn't hers and she wasn't one to go and break two happy people up. Everyone in the freaking world was just so happy and she needed to stop this pity cycle once and for all. She decided she would move on from Atem and forget him. She knew she had to actually start trying to avoid him and stop thinking about him. Oh how hard it would be as he was constantly on her mind since his return, but she had to actually try this time. She didn't know how much more self-misery she could take.
Finally reaching her dorm entrance Tea stopped in front of Atem and gave him a small smile.
"Thank you for walking with me today, and thank you for the coffee and treat. I had a nice time." She stated politely trying not to get lost in his crimson eyes again.
"The pleasure was all mine Tea." He responded. "I hope to see you soon, and I hope I'm not being too forward but would it be possible for me come to your ballet? I'd be happy to purchase my own ticket and-"
He was cut off by Tea, "No Atem you don't have to come. I wouldn't want to make you feel obligated just because you're an old friend. I'm sure you have better things to do."
His smile quickly disappeared as he stared down at her. He could sense something off about her and he wondered if he did anything wrong again.
"Is something the matter, did I do something wrong?"
"No, I just don't want to be a burden for you, but if you want to come then of course I can't stop you." And with that she turned on her heel and walked away.
Atem stood there a little speechless from her reply. Why was she suddenly pushing me away? He thought. He watched her through the glass doors as she waited for the elevator doors. He wanted to go in and demand what was wrong but Kiya kept stopping him in his mind. With a sigh he watched the doors close and left with muddled thoughts racing within his mind.
Tea laid in bed, tear marks apparent on her splotchy face. She sniffed turning herself to her left side trying to get comfortable. Why did everything have to hurt so much? Why couldn't she just be happy? Why didn't he wait for her? Why didn't he answer her calls? Question after question raced through her mind. Her life seemed to be one big mystery she just couldn't solve. She especially wanted to hate Kiya and a small part of her did. But how could she truly hate the one thing that made Atem happy. More tears escaped her eyes and she couldn't hold it in anymore. With a giant sob she began to let the tears fall more freely as two years of angst spilled from her eyes. She thrashed and turned in her bed crying at the fact that she would never have the man she wanted. It hurt so bad knowing how near he was, and yet so far. She cursed at him for coming to New York, her safe haven. She cursed at him for finding her and for her agreeing to eat out with him. How could one man affect her so much, she wondered.
Before long she had cried her eyes out and she realized she didn't have the energy nor ability to produce any saltier water from her eyes. Her eyes hung low as she fell into an exhausted sleep she never wanted to awake from. How she wished she could forget about her feelings for just one night.
Waking up with an immense headache and puffy eyes, Tea rubbed at her head. The pain she held deep within was still there. She couldn't deny it anymore and now it followed her wherever she went. It became her shadow to the bathroom where she took a shower and stood close to her as she changed into her dance clothes. She looked into the mirror noticing how puffy her eyes still were no matter the amount of cool water she splashed at them. Stupid girl, she thought.
She walked toward the small mini fridge located in her room and took out her allergy drops. She put a drop in each eye hoping it would take down the swelling a bit. She placed her hair in a tight bun and walked out of her room with her bag and coat in tow. She walked past the student lounge, skipping her normal breakfast. She didn't feel hungry and decided she would have a large lunch. She exited the Rose building making her way toward Lincoln Center. Most of her regular classes were held in the studios located behind the famous theatre, which allowed her to have a nice walk in the mornings. The crisp morning air felt amazing against her raw skin as she navigated her way through the streets. She eventually reached her destination walking in and heading towards the locker rooms where she put her bag away. She then made her way toward her classroom ignoring the stares of the younger dancers, noting the heavy change in the their faces. She didn't think she looked that bad.
She walked into the room nodding to the few people who had gotten in before her. They looked back and watched a bit shocked at the state of Tea's puffy eyes and somewhat splotchy face.
"Allergies." She finally stated, annoyed at everyone. They looked away in embarrassment accepting her short explanation.
She heard a couple of girl's whisper, "I guess the pressure is finally getting to her."
"Won't be long now till she cracks." Another girl stated with a snicker.
"Remember what happened with Annalise." The last one stated with a worried expression.
Tea ignored them the best she could and shuttered at the mention of Annalise's name. She had been the lead of The Nutcracker two years before and couldn't handle the pressure that came with being lead. The school found her pushing steroids trying to make herself stronger. She also had a significant amount of MDMA in her system she said she took to make her movements seem more natural and fairy like. She was hospitalized and eventually quit dancing all together after getting kicked out of school. Someone said they saw her at a strip club and just the thought of someone as talented as her cracking under the harsh realities of the dancing world caused a shiver to run down Tea's spine. There was no way she would allow this to happen to herself.
She silently sat by herself in the farthest corner of the room stretching her body out. Her mind wandered to menial things like ordering new shoes and whether to ask when her dress fitting would be. Before long Miss Gutierrez glided into the room clapping her hands together. She looked around making sure everyone was present.
"Where is James?" she asked no one in particular.
Her question was answered with a large bang coming from the door where James stood panting.
"Sorry Miss Gutierrez, I had a late start to my morning."
She tsked, "It's fine but I don't want this to become a habit Mr. Nickels, you didn't show up yesterday for practice either." Her Spanish accent seemed thicker than ever as James threw out another apology. He quickly scanned the room before finding Tea near the back and made his way toward her. He smiled upon meeting her gaze and started stretching himself out. Tea thought back to her practice with Kaya yesterday and wondered if she should confront him about his whereabouts today or wait until tomorrow.
"All right now that everyone is here let's start with a couple of warm up stretches all together. Ready 1,2,3." Miss Gutierrez began and we all held onto the various bars that lined the room and began. Albert Einstein said that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. By that definition, dancing should be considered an insane activity as Miss Gutierrez had the group practicing dégagé in an endless motion. Back and forth legs went as Tea attempted to keep hers as straight as possible with each movement. Although she was fairly use to this very easy task it was getting boring having to do it repeatedly.
She watched James from behind who was nonchalantly doing the move almost lazily. It annoyed her at how perfect it looked. It was probably best I confront him about his absence tomorrow, she decided.
Class ended rather quickly as James followed Tea to the locker rooms.
"Damn did Miss G look pissed at me today." James started.
"Well the ballet is coming up and we still have a lot of practicing to do." Tea retorted.
"I guess but seriously the woman needs to take a chill pill." Tea rolled her eyes at his childishness. Not everyone could be as good as him unfortunately.
"She's probably just stressed." Tea responded lamely upon reaching the entrance of the locker room.
"Well isn't everyone but they're not up my ass." Tea looked at him, she never saw him so annoyed before. He was usually so bubbly.
He quickly cleared his throat seeming to turn back to normal. "Anyway meet me in the front of the studio after you're done grabbing your things, I'll walk you back to the dorm."
Tea nodded, she would try and like James for herself. In fact, she almost believed she needed to like him. James left her with a smile and Tea walked inside heading for her locker.
"I won't be able to make it to practice today." Kaya said seeming to come out of nowhere. Tea noticed dark circles underneath her eyes. Kaya never had dark circles, she always did those fancy eye masks that kept those at bay no matter how late she was up practicing. This time the masks didn't seem to be working.
"Um alright, can I ask why?"
"Mind your own business." The red head replied briskly before walking away. Tea noticed Kaya seemed almost on edge and she was starting to get a bit concerned thinking back to Annalise. But she quickly shook her head, there was just no way. Kaya cared way too much about her future in the dancing community to jeopardize it over drugs.
She then pushed Kaya out of her thoughts and grabbed her duffle bag from her locker before leaving the room. She didn't care to look into the mirror, she wasn't trying to impress James today. She made her way to the lobby where Minny the receptionist sat. Tea smiled at her and she smiled back busy with a phone call.
She sat in one of the many chairs that littered the small lobby area and watched her fellow dancers leave the building or head for a different classroom. She soon became lost in her thoughts of nothingness until she felt a small push. James was pushing her shoulder lightly.
"Hey there, you seemed so lost in your thoughts." He laughed. Tea smiled slightly before getting up and heading towards the exit.
James followed her and continued, "Why are your eyes so puffy Tea? Have you been crying?" She stopped in her tracks taking in a deep breath before turning around.
"Of course not, my allergies just flared up last night and my eyes became the unfortunate victims." She forced a laugh that was fortunately believable to James who smiled and wrapped an arm around her. Tea couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable at his gesture but ignored those thoughts. Both dancers made their way outside and Tea almost choked seeing the figure looming in front of the building. He didn't notice her at first but quickly saw the brunette in the arms of the blonde hair man from the train. Tea stopped in her tracks making James look down at her in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
Tea wasn't sure what came over her, she felt so angry at him for showing up to her school. Was there not a place she could hide from him and try and forget him? She wanted to make him feel her pain, she wanted him to know the heartbreak she was barely enduring.
Before she could stop herself she spun around facing James who looked utterly confused and lunged up to catch him in a passionate kiss. He was surprised at first before realization hit him that the girl he was yearning for was kissing him. Actually kissing him! He quickly grabbed a hold of himself and kissed her back eagerly. Tea wanted Atem to see she had moved on just as he had and she soon added tongue to the already passionate scene. James couldn't stop the moan that came from the back of his throat, before pushing Tea back against the brick layered wall of the old building. Tea wrapped her arms around his neck and continued with the heated exchange. She wasn't sure Atem was still there watching, she hoped he was.
Atem stood outside Tea's dance studio, the large brick building looming above him sinisterly. He wasn't sure what brought him here but he wanted to see her after their exchange yesterday. He couldn't keep himself away and he wanted answers as to why she was acting so strange. Maybe even have some questions of his own answered. He stood waiting, pacing a bit before finally turning around to face the street. He suddenly heard someone walking through the revolving doors and turned around to see his ballet dancer under the arm of the blonde haired idiot he had met on the train. He walked along smiling while she held barely a glimmer of happiness in her face. What was she doing? He wondered. He couldn't help but feel a flash of anger run through him. He didn't like that man, James was it, touching Tea in any sort of way. The grin he had plastered on his face was driving Atem nuts and he had to contain himself from walking straight up to them and ripping Tea from his arms. It was then Tea noticed Atem and he saw a look of surprise sweep across her face. She looked almost angry that he was here and more questions spoke in the back of his mind. Before he could walk up to them, she spun around and kissed him. Atem stood there stunned unable to look away from their heated embrace. He watched as Tea hungrily attacked James's mouth and Atem wanted to scream with fury. He could feel the heat rising from his toes and it took everything in him not to cause a scene then and there. To his adamant horror James guided Tea toward the building pushing her body against the brick and kissing her more hungrily. Atem watched enraged but he couldn't tear his eyes away. A voice in the back of his mind was shouting at him to move and get her, that she was his and only his, but he only stood still. Eventually when he saw them start to break away he found his legs could move again and he started walking west toward central park. He didn't care to look back as he trudged toward the only place that could calm him down. The thought of Tea kissing another created a deep cutting sensation within him he couldn't recognize. He knew she didn't want James and yet she kissed him. Why? He wondered. Kiya had completely slipped his mind as his hands balled into tight fists trying to contain his craze. All he could think was she was his, and no one else's.
