Chapter 2

Homecoming

Joey found himself walking into Homeroom with a giant bruise on his arm, and a pissed off Kayla trailing behind him. Students were crowding around desks, some were still discussing Battle City, some were over that, and talking about other things. But all that had ended when the bell for class rang and the morning announcements came on the intercom. Miho, a friend of the gang, a bubbly and high pitched voice girl, was in charge of the announcements.

She went over what the lunch schedule was for the week, the birthdays, and sports results from the past week. One thing she said towards the end got everyone's attention.

"… And remember everybody, this week is homecoming week! The Homecoming football game is on Thursday, and the dance is on Friday! For more information, check out the events page of the school newspaper! This is Miho Nosaka, signing off."

The talk of Homecoming bubbled up amongst the students. Tea leaned over her desk, and tapped Kayla on the shoulder. "Are you going to go Kayla?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure."

"I think you should ask Ryou." Tea replied, smiling and glancing at him for a moment. He was seated in the back of the class, as always.

"I would but… It just doesn't seem like his thing."

"Nothing truly does." Tea admitted. "But I think it would be nice for you two. I'm definitely going to see if Yugi wants to."

"So you're finally accepting that fact you two are together now?" Kayla asked, smiling.

Tea blushed. "I'll be honest, it's a little awkward. I never imagined us being more than friends. But this summer…. It was like we became totally different people."

"I know exactly what you mean." Kayla thought. She looked behind her, back at Ryou. This time it definitely was Ryou, and he was writing something.

Things between her and Ryou had become a bit awkward, because of her hanging around Bakura. He didn't talk to her as much as he used to, but Kayla knew that he was afraid to now. She stood up, and walked to the back of the class, sliding into the empty seat next to him.

"Hey, Ryou." She said smiling.

Ryou glanced up for a moment, and then sat up straight. "Oh, hi." He said quietly.

"You okay?"

He nodded. "I'm fine, it's just…" he winced for a moment, then turned away from her. "Never mind."

Kayla noticed it, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's Bakura isn't it."

He nodded, wincing again. "He doesn't like it when I talk to you."

Kayla frowned. "Tell him I want to talk to him for a moment, if that's alright with you."

"Yeah sure." And with that said, he closed his eyes for a moment, and let the spirit take over.

"Why do I get the feeling you're jealous?" Kayla said instantly.

"Jealous? Of Ryou? Don't be ridiculous!"

"Then why is it such a big deal if he talks to me?"

"I just don't like it, that's all."

Kayla rolled her eyes. "Would it bother you if I asked him to go to homecoming with me?"

He glared at her for a moment. "Actually yes."

"Oh come on, he's got to have some form of a normal life." Kayla said. "It won't be anything more than two friends going to the dance. And besides, the gang thinks I'm dating him anyway. I might need to keep up that image to make sure your cover's not blown."

Bakura groaned slightly, and then gave in. "Alright fine."

Kayla smiled. "Thank you. This will mean a lot to him."

"I'm sure it will."

"By the way, what was it you were planning on for this period?" Kayla asked.

"Oh, nothing." Bakura said, looking down at what Ryou had been writing. He wrote out his schedule for the entire week. "Nothing at all."

Before Kayla could ask anything else, Bakura retreated back into his soul room, granting Ryou back his control.

"What did he say?" Ryou asked. "I blacked out for a moment."

Kayla smiled. "He's going to back off for a while. Also, if you would like, I wanted to ask you to Homecoming on Friday."

Ryou blushed. "R-Really?"

"Of course." Kayla said.

"W-Well, alright then. I-I guess it's a date then."

Kayla nodded. "It's a date. I'll pay for the tickets and everything. Meet me at my house at 7 on Friday. Alright?"

"Alright." Ryou said, a slight smile forming on his lips.

When Kayla returned to her seat, it was confirmed by Tea that she would be going with Yugi, and Tristan was working up the courage to ask Miho. They all knew who Joey wanted to go with, but seeing that she didn't go to their school, and no one had heard from her since the end of Battle City, he decided not to go. Which everyone could understand.

That reminded Kayla that she hadn't heard from Gavin's girlfriend, Yumi, since School started. And to everyone else's relief, Kaiba was off being a multi-billionaire asshole somewhere else, and wasn't showing up at school anymore. Gavin had gone off to work that morning, and wouldn't be back until later that night.

At the end of class, Kayla stayed behind the group to talk to Joey. "Hey you talk to Mai lately?"

"Before we went on that trip this summer, I called her." Joey said. "She's been traveling all over the place. She said she'd come back our way sometime soon."

"That's good." Kayla said. "And Serenity's back with your mom?"

Joey nodded. "It seems like everyone that was with us during Battle City is just gone now." Kayla added.

He shrugged at that. "People come and go."

After a moment of silence, Kayla said, "Sorry about your arm."

"No biggie, Kay. I kinda deserved it."

"So what movies are you bringing over tonight?"

"Now that you'll just have to wait and see. I picked up a couple good ones."

"Great." Kayla said smiling. "Can't wait."

"Hurry up guys!" Tea called from ahead. "We're going to be late!"

With that said the rest of the group picked up their pace, preparing for the rest of the day.