Aki POV

I run towards the bus and quickly went inside. The driver was a large beefy man with a goofy smile on his face. He looks like a small puppy in a bear's body. I smiled back at him.

"This your first going to Duel Academy little lady?" asked the driver.

"Yes Mr.?"

"Just call me Fred," giving me his wide toothy grin.

As the bus started to move, I scanned over the rows of seats, looking for an empty place to sit and maybe make a friend. I saw a pair of twins arguing near the backseat. They must be three or four years younger than me. Behind them is a guy with what looks like a scar below his left eye. Just opposite them are two girls chatting about some guy. Aside from them, the rest don't stand out much and was just looking out the window or having a sleepy look on their faces. I found an empty seat just three rows in front of the two girls chatting. There's a girl fidgeting with her camera sitting there.

"Uhmm, excuse me but can I sit beside you?"

She looked up at me, her glasses askew and gave me a simple nod. When I sat down, I can still feel her eyes on me.

"Is there something on my face?" I asked.

Then her hands shot up and felt my chest, making me flush from embarrassment.

"St-stop that!" crossing my arms over my chest protectively.

"Ho-ho, looks like someone drinking her milk regularly. So how'd you make them that big? Do you exercise? Have someone fondle them? Or are they implants?" she asked rapidly.

"Th-that's none of your business. And they're all-natural thank you very much," I said to her as I keep my distance. She took out her notebook and began scribbling something down.

"Don't worry. I don't bite. I'm just a little jealous when I see someone like you. By the way, I'm Carly. I'm like the school's journalist if you're wondering about the camera and stuff," she said as I start relaxing.

"I'm Akiza but you can just call me Aki if you want. Is this your first time to Duel Academy?" I asked.

"Nah, I've started going there when I was young but I'm not really much of a duelist. Anyway, I'm guessing this is your first time since I haven't seen your face before. If you have any questions, just let me know and this girl will tell you what you want my friend," pointing to herself emphatically. I smiled knowing that I have someone willing to help me around and be friends with me.

"Thank you, I appreciate it," I answered her.

"So, is there something you want to know before we arrive?"

"Well, I still don't know where my classes are," I said while digging around my bag, looking for my schedule and handing it to her.

"Hmmm, well, we have all the same classes today except for a couple of few. I could accompany you to your other classes so it's no problem," smiling as she handed me back my schedule.

I smiled back knowing I'm in good hands. Seems like going to school isn't that hard after all.

"So, Carly is there something I should know of when we arrive,"

"Well, there is this group of really hot boys which makes up the academy's top three duelists in terms of ranking," she starts. I quickly regret asking her.

"Anything important Carly, not some group of boys,"

"But this is important Akiza, see these three are from the Satellite district. They grew up there when both the Satellite and Neo Domino City are still separated."

Now that's interesting. Both the Satellite and the city just became one two years ago. She didn't expect that the academy would accommodate them so easily. Carly just went on explaining how they transferred just a year ago and how popular they were with the student body.

"They even won the inaugural opening tournament of the Daedalus Bridge," she said in a matter-of-factually tone.

"Wait, but that tournament is for turbo duelists only right?" I asked, wondering how they could even afford to have a Duel Runner, let alone three for their group.

"One of them built the runners from scrap and junk. Pretty amazing actually for someone his age. Anyway, they entered and just blew away the competition," she said.

"That's pretty amazing. I can see why they got accepted in the academy."

"And they're all boyfriend material. If I would rank them, number three would be their friend Crow. He doesn't have much on the looks department. He's short, has ginger hair and has marks on his faces for petty crimes."

"Add to that his named after a bird. I mean, why he be named Crow," I thought. My train of thought was broken by Carly's voice.

"But, he has a light personality and a nice attitude. He's also good with kids and gets along with others well. Except maybe for my little Jackie," she said as she hugs herself silly. I think she may have some screws loose in her head.

"Rank two would be Jack Atlas, the King of Faster, the self-proclaimed Duel King and-,"

"Let me guess, your little Jackie?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

"You got that right. I would have put him in number 1 but he has, how could I say this, a really annoying and interesting personality and attitude if you catch my drift. But he's really loyal to his friends and follows a set of morals and conducts like a knight. Not to mention his looks, tall, blonde, handsome, fair-skinned and has quite the body to boot."

I don't really care much about this kind of stuff but its good I know something to tease Carly with.

"So, I'm guessing rank 1 is the guy who built the runners?" I asked.

"Yep and out of the three, is the best duelist. Since transferring last year, he's always been the top of the class. He's pretty much serious and stoic most of the time and rarely talks or pays attention others unless they need help. He spends most of his time upgrading his runner and making some kind of program on his laptop."

"So, he's like a super-nerd or braniac or something?" I asked, imagining a short guy with glasses and freckles on his face, not at all rank-worthy to me.

"Aren't most smarty-pants unattractive?" I said.

"Fu fu fu fu," as she looks straight into my eyes. "That's where you're wrong. A lot of girls have been trying to get his attention ever since he set foot inside the academy. Tell you what, I'll show him to you and then tell me your verdict."

"Fine but I'm not really interested in that kind of stuff," I said, stretching my arms over my head. Besides, I'm a duelist; I don't have time for that.

I hear the bus coming to screeching halt and looked out to the window to look at my new school. It looks really cozy, having red bricks and flowering plants in front. There's also a fountain in front of the entrance.

"Well kids, here's your stop. Happy dueling," Fred the bus driver said merrily.

Me and Carly picked up our bags and stepped out of the bus.

"It's so peaceful right Carly?" looking at my newly found friend.

But before she could answer, I heard the roar of a runner coming to a stop at the side entrance of the academy. Then I saw a bunch of girls running towards the sound, screaming hysterically.

"So much for the tranquility," I thought as we head inside the building.