The story of Naked Seto spread immediately through Dullsville High School. Some students said he stumbled into Duke's house in a trash bag diaper; others said he was found passed out naked in the back lawn. No one had a clue I was involved. Only Seto Boy knew the real story. Apparently he had tried to pass it off to his buddies as an encounter with a cheerlead. Either way, everyone got a good laugh.

Seto left me alone. He wouldn't even make eye contact with me. Gothic Boy had finally got the goods on the popular Soccer Snob. But I didn't want him to accuse me of theft. I had to give his clothes back, right?

First there was the shoe. I think it was the left. I strung it on the outside of my locker. At first no one seemed to notice the hanging loafer. Those who finally did looked at it and walked on. But the next morning it was gone. One person had noticed. Now it was time for the others to take notice besides good ol'Seto.

The right brown loafer was strung up in the same fashion. But next to it was a sign: MISSING SOMETHING, SETO?

This time I heard giggles as students passed. They didn't realize whose locker it was. But they'd soon be catching on.

Each day a sock would hang out, or a T-shirt. I started noticing Snob Girls and Boys who would never talk to me suddenly looking over in algebra with smiling approval. They had been Seto Tree Girls and Boys, promised everything, with nothing to show for it. Well I had plenty to show.

By the time his khaki pants were hung out, complete with grass stains and dirt, everyone knew whose locker it was. Now kids in the hall were grinning at me. Nobody was asking me out, but I was suddenly popular - in a quiet kind of way.

Except, of course, with Seto. But I felt safe. Now that everyone knew whose locker it was, he would be a prime suspect if anything happened to me.

But he did make to odd threat.

"I'll kick your ass, Monster," he said one day. He grabbed my jaw in his hands when Serenity and I were starting to walk home.

"Combat boots hurt more than loafers, Neanderthal," I shot back. My face pressed between his hands.

"Let him go," Duke said, pulling him away. I could see even Duke had enjoyed my prank. I'm sure he got tired of the Seto attitudes sometimes. After all, he was stuck being Seto's best friend.

"You'll never be anything more than a freak!" Seto shouted. Fortunately Duke pulled him away again. I didn't feel like going to battle after a long day at school.

"You just wait! You just wait!" he called back to me.

"Talk to my lawyer!" I yelled, secretly hoping I wasn't going to need a plastic surgeon instead.

----

Time for the grand finale. Lots of students were gathered around my locker. I even saw a freshman taking pictures.

It was the climax everyone had been waiting for: Seto's white Calvin Klein underwear hot-glued to my locker. The sign underneath read: WHITE IS FOR VIRGINS, RIGHT SETO?

It would be up there for a while. Everyone saw it. I mean everyone!

"Yugi, you defaced school property," Principal Suzuki scolded me later that day. I had been in Principal Suzuki's office so many times, it was like seeing an old friend.

"Those lockers have been here forever, Hikaru," I replied. "Maybe its time you tell the school board we need new ones."

"I don't think you see the seriousness involved here, Yugi. You ruined a locker and embarrassed an honors student."

"What honor? As you straight-A cheerleaders and half of the drill team how many times he's embarrassed them!"

Principal Suzuki rattled his pencil in frustration.

"We need to get you involved in something, Yugi. Some club you can belong to, something that will help you make friends/"

"The chess club have any openings? Or how about the math club?" I asked sarcastically.

"There are other activities."

"Could you guarantee me a spot on the cheerleading squad? Or course, I'd have to wear black pleated shorts."

"That's one you have to try out for. But I'd bet you'd be great."

"Obviously, honors students, like Seto, really respect cheerleaders."

"Yugi, high school is hard for most kids. That's just the way it is. Even the people who look as though they belong usually don't feel they belong. But you have so much going for you. You're imaginative. You're smart. You'll figure it out. Just don't damage anymore lockers while you're trying to find the answers."

"Sure, Hikaru," I said, taking the detention slip. "See you soon."

"Not to soon, okay, Yugi?"

"I'll try not to work you too hard," I said and closed the door.

-----

The next day I noticed something on my locker that I hadn't put up. In black paint was written: YUGI IS A HORROR!

I smiled. Very clever, Seto. Very clever. I felt warm inside. It was the first time he had ever complimented me.

-----

Sorry this is so short but I'll have a better chapter up in maybe a couple of days.

Sincerly,

Cazuuki Yoko