"Why is being myself so wrong?"

It was the weekend and Yugi was getting ready to meet Tea for her shopping trip like he promised. Yugi put on aq pair of jeans that were slightly baggy on him, a plain white button-up short-sleeve shirt and a pair of dark grey converse shoes. He checked himself over in his mirror, when he approved, he took off down the street.

Half way to the mall, Yugi felt his back pocket vibrate, signaling he had a message. Stopping at a cross-walk, he whipped his phone out, the message was from Tea;

"Yugi, meet me at the coffee shop just down the street from the mall.i thought we'd have coffee together first, then the mall? Sound good?" –Tea"

Yugi smiled and looked up and saw the sign for the coffee shop, /Nice timing Tea/ Yugi thought as he dashed across the street to his destination.

As he entered the local coffee shop, she scanned the room for his friend until he spotted her in the far corner in the huge comfy chairs. "Hey Tea!" Tea looked up from her drink as her face brightened, "Wow Yugi, that was quick!" Yugi smiled, "Yeah well I got your message when I was across the street, I-" Yugi was cut off by someone walking up to him, "Well well well…if it is little Yu-Gay Homo…" Ushio said as he crossed his arms, "Havent you had enough of mocking me Ushio?" Yugi said sipping his coffee. "Naw, I just couldn't pass up a moment like this…I mean, whats more cliché than a homo, with his girlfriend in a coffee shop?" Ushio began to laugh at his own joke as Tea rolled her eyes and looked at Yugi who was abnormally calm. Ushio looked back at Yugi and continued, "Come on Yugi…I mean, coffee shops are 'totally lame'…" he said the last part with a steriostpical lisp and a mocking hand proped in a girly fashion. Yugi looked at him with an annoyed look, "What are you doing here then?" Tea couldn't but giggle slightly.

Ushio didn't answer, he just glared at Yugi, as Yugi stared back. Ushio rolled his eyes and walked over to a girl sitting at a table.

Yugi went back to sipping his coffee as he quietly said, "Yeah, that's what I thought…" Tea smiled and laughed a bit, "Ya know Yugi…" She started, getting his attention, he looked at her as her gaze found the tiled floor to be interesting at the moment, "You're being really calm about everyone making fun of you cause of your….sexuality. How do you stay so strong?"

Yugi was a bit taken aback at Tea's question, he closed his eyes as he smiled, "Well Tea, people usually make jokes about things they don't approve of or things they don't understand. I mean, everyone wants to be heard, so I cant give up, cause I know I'm loved." Yugi ended with a smile, although it seemd a bit forced. Tea smiled also, "You're an amazing person Yugi, that's very brave of you." They smiled, "What do ya say we head to the mall now?" Tea asked as she stood. Yugi nodded, "Hm!"

Tea dragged Yugi all over the mall going store to store in search of the perfect outfit.

She stopped at a window, looking at a mannequin with a pink summer dress with a white belt around the waist that ties in the back with white summer cork wedge sandles, decorated with a pink and white flower on them.

"I think I found it Yugi!" Tea stated excitedly as she placed her hands on the glass. "That dress would look great on You Tea." Yugi smiled. "So its decided, this is it!" they walked in the store, bought the dress and headed to Tea's home.

As they walked into Tea's house, she was greeted by her father, "Oh, hello daddy!" she said happily. Yugi was envyous of Tea's seemingly happy and perfect family, after his mother died, his father disowned him for his sexuality. "Hello Mr. Gardner, its nice to see you again." Yugi extened his hand to shake Mr. Gardner's hand, he just looked at his hand and grimaced, "Yugi…." He looked away amd walked off.

"Yugi, im so sorry…my dads just a little unsure of you right now…he'll get over it in time. Let go to my room." Tea lead the way, and of course, Yugi held a smile, /I just have to keep telling myself they don't understand, and its okay that they have their own beliefs…I mean this is America right? I have my beliefs and other people have theirs…and it not like I'm the only gay person…" Yugi sighed as they entered Tea's room.

"Yugi, your being more quiet than normal…are you sure your okay? Im here if you'd like to talk." Yugi perked up as Tea spoke, "Thanks Tea, I'm just fine." Just then Tea got a text from Joey,

'Tea,im sure your with Yuge,you two come to burger world for dinner. Me and Tristan are treatin!"

Tea smiled, "You wanna go to burger world with dumb and dumber?" Tea asked smiling, Yugi giggled at her referece to Joey and Tristan, "Sure!" They made their way to the door as Tea called back to her parents, "I'll be back later, were going to Burger World with Tristan and Joey!"

But before they could reach the door Tea's mother stood in front of her and said, "Tea, I've been slaving away in the kitchen for hours, your staying here for dinner tonight…" she looked over at Yugi and smiled, "and.. Hello Yugi, its great to see you again dear." She smiled sweetly. Yugi smiled back, "Same to you ."

Mrs. Gardner turned her attention to Tea again, "The other two may come over for dinner to, theres plenty for everyone." Tea smiled, "You mean it?" her mom smiled and nodded, "Of course dear, you have great friends, I love them!" "Thanks mom!"

Tea called Joey and told them to come to her house for dinner. About ten minutes after their talk, Joey and Tristan showed up and were ready to eat.

Mr. Gardner sat at the head of the table, to his left was Yugi, and next to him was Tea, then at the end of the table was Tea's mother, and next to her was Tristan then Joey between Tristan and Mr. Gardner. Dinner was abnormally quiet besides Joey and Tristan asking people to pass them stuff on the table from time to time.

Finally, broke the silence and directed his attention to Yugi, Not looking up from his wine glass as he swirled it lightly, "So, Mr. Motou…" Yugi looked nervously at Tea's father, "Yes sir?" Yugi was about to take a drink of his iced tea when he asked boldly, still not looking up from his glass, "What made you turn gay?" Yugi almost choked on his drink as it made an echo sound in his glass." The whole talbe froze and looked between Yugi and Mr. Gardner. Unsure of his answer, Tea's mom stepped in, " Eric, don't you think that's a little personal?" her voice was a little calm, but her face held bewilderment. He shrugged as he looked to the worried face of Yugi as he held a blush of embarrassment on his face. He said, "Im only asking a question…can I be curious?" he asked as he leaned over, closer to Yugi. "Well?" Yugi looked into the mans eye to finr d that same look he gave earlier, 'disgust'

"Well..Sir…nothing really made me gay, its…just my sexual preference…" Eric looked around aimlessly and sighed, disgusted eyes rested back on the boy next to him, "Ya know, back in my day, homosexuals were looked down upon…" he said taking a sip of his wine, Yugi looked at him and lowered his gaze to his plate, and commented, "I…I believe we still are sir.." Eric raised his glass to Yugi, and smirked, "Good, were on the same page." Joey, Tristan and Tea looked at Yugi who held a glint of anger in his eyes as he spread his food around, not taking another bite.

/…When did being myself become so bad?.../

*E.O.C*

~poor Yugi