RazzBerrieCharm: ...If anyone asks, I blame life for the tardiness of this chapter...but enough about me, enjoy this belated chapter! *Looks around* Hey...where are those random OCs that keep showing up here?
Tea looked over her class of young ballet dancers. She couldn't help but smile at all the little girls who would always come to the Domino City Community Center to attend her classes. All twenty young girls were sitting down on the wooded floor, looking up at their ballet teacher who was about to announce something.
"Alright everyone, remember to get enough practice for the recital in two weeks!" Smiling, the entire class yelled in agreement to their favorite teacher. As Tea was about to announce something else, she noticed a line of parents outside the door of the studio. She mentally grinned, her class wouldn't like this.
"Okay everyone, your parents are here! That means one thing..." Not believing their teacher, all the girls turned their heads to see their parents eagerly waiting for them the door. All at once, the class groaned in disappointment. They didn't want to leave.
Not wanting them to leave with grim faces, Tea quickly thought of something that might cheer them up. Happily, she added, "Oh c'mon everyone! It's not like I'm going to disappear or anything. I'll be here next week!" she said, reassuring them The girls excitedly ran to their dance teacher and gave her a hug. Happy inside, Tea couldn't help but smile. She loved each and every one of them. Nothing in her life would make her think otherwise.
As the girls were gathering their things, the parents were gathering around Tea to thank her for another day of teaching their little girls how to dance beautifully like her. Flustered, Tea waved them off, "Oh no, it's nothing. Really..." She still wasn't used to this. At the end of class, the parents would always close in around her to thank her; always saying that she was the best dance instructor they had ever met. The girls would sometimes join their parents with even more thank-yous and promises of one day being just like their favorite dancer. Luckily for Tea, the girls were now spending more time layering themselves with long sleeves and jackets as the wind outside was blowing even harsher these days.
"Daaaaddd...I need help with my zipper!" A red-head young girl named Jessica was practically shouting across the studio as she was calling her father.
More girls were asking for their parents help, reluctantly, the parents had to excuse themselves and helped their daughters bundle up.
Leaving her room to breathe, Tea watched as the parents were helping their daughters. In a way, the red-headed girl reminded Tea of herself when she was her age. As Jessica's father was fixing the zipper, Tea remembers how her own father would help with whatever was wrong with her jacket. In fact, her father would help her in any situation that troubles her...
"Miss. Tea?..." Breaking our of her trance, the brunette looked down to see a girl with long blond hair and gold colored eyes wearing a long white jacket and a small blue backpack with colorful ribbons attach to the zippers of the backpack. "Is something wrong?..." The blond child asked, looking worried.
Tea immediately shook her head, hopefully reassuring her student that everything is all right. "I'm fine Alexis, just thinking too much..."
The young girl, Alexis, wasn't reassured, instead she grew more worried that her teacher wasn't telling the truth. Right behind Alexis, a woman placed her hand onto Alexis' shoulder. Right away, Tea recognize the woman as Alexis' mother. She looked like an older version of Alexis, except with shoulder length hair. "Now Lexi, leave Miss. Tea alone. Why don't you go ahead and put your boots on..."
Alexis was about to protest when she noticed that she was still wearing her ballet slippers and quickly left to get her boots. "Is there something wrong?" Alexis' mother asked, giving Tea the same look her daughter had.
"Oh no, I'm just fine Callie. Just had a rough week..." And what a rough week she had.
flashback
Lyra Gardner was sitting in her desk when her only daughter walked into her office. Slowly looking up, Lyra noticed her daughter's frowning face. "You would think that a mother would encourage her daughter to find her own love in time, but what you did last night was definitively uncalled for!"
Blinking, Lyra puts down her pen and looks at her daughter. To strangers, they would look like sisters, something Lyra would always argue about. Sure they have the same colored hair, skin and are about the same height, but there is one difference Lyra would automatically point out: their eye color. While Tea has a perfect shade of blue, Lyra has the perfect shade green. Or so she keeps telling herself.
Now, seeing her daughter's beautiful eyes filled with anger, Lyra countered with her eyes, filled with disappointment. "What else am I suppose to do? What until I die and not see my only daughter getting married?"
Tea's eyes bulged out with disbelief. "What the-I'm only twenty-four! I have plenty of time before I find someone to love an-"
"And that's how you will never find a husband!" Lyra barked. "Tea, 'love' is for children who have been given the sense of false hope. Why in the world would I teach you something that would mean nothing to you and eventually lose its meaning? I'm just trying to help y-"
Teaching? Tea scoffed at her mother. "You! Teaching me something! Mom, you were never in my life to begin with! Heck, I had to learn about my period, MY FREAKING PERIOD, from Lisa! LISA! What kind of mother sends her secretary to teach her daughter how to put a freaking pad on!"
Her mother shrugged, "I had a meeting that day. An important meeting at that. Why would I have wasted my time to teach you such trivial matter? Didn't your school teach you that? Honestly. And the school system thinks that they need more money to help teach. More like they need more money to get a raise..." Mumbling to herself, Lyra began looking through her paperwork. The older brunette went back to her work and left Tea standing as if nothing has happened.
Clenching her hands, Tea turned around and left her mother's office. Hopefully, Lyra was too busy with her work to notice that her only daughter had tears in her eyes.
flashback ends
Some adult she was...Tea thought, as she remembered last week's events. Actually it was only two days after Valentine's Day that she summed up the courage to talk to her mom. Tea would usually let anything that involves with her mother slide. She would much rather think about her students all day than confront her mother on stupid petty things...Except for what happened back on Valentine's Day...That really went too far.
"Tea?" Tea, once again, came back from her trance, and was looking at Callie.
"Oh I'm sorry. Again, I had a rough week, can't help but to think back about it..."
Callie shook her head, "If it was that bad, then don't think about it. The last thing you want is to worry these girls."
Tea silently agreed. The girls were her life. They are the ones that keep her from going insane. Looking around, she noticed that some of them had already left. There were a few girls still around showing their parents what they had learned. Their smiles brightly lit their faces as they twirled around in their jackets and scarves.
Tea would do anything to keep those smiles.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
"Thank you and have a good day!" said the cashier when Atem left the 7-Eleven with a bag filled with snacks.
Instead of teaching an art class in the Domino City Community Center, which he has been neglecting ever since he got the job over a month ago, Atem assured himself that he had other commitments to attend that were more important than teaching adults how to shade a circle.
And speaking of commitments, Atem couldn't help but to chuckle at his own hypocrisy. He recently was avoided to attend any of his uncle's gatherings, especially really important ones, like the one on Valentine's Day. Oh his poor answering machine, how full it was with nothing but angry threats from his uncle.
Then again, Atem had other commitments and they were way more important than some dinner-whatever-it-was.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
After all the parents left, practically dragging their daughters with them, Tea was finally able to catch a breath.
She was all alone in the studio and, probably, alone in the entire center. Tea noticed through a small window that it was dark outside. It seemed that the parents broke a new record on how long they stayed. Usually Tea's class would only last an hour and it's usually after school for some of them. I guess they really didn't want to leave, Tea thought. Not that I blame them...Looking around the empty studio, Tea took a deep breath and began to stretch. Luckily she decided to wear a yellow t-shirt that was a couple of sizes too big with black leggings that day, it would have been a pain if she decided to go all "looking like a teacher" on her students and actually wear some suit or something like that
Normally Tea would go home right away but not today. After stretching, Tea began to dance around her studio, while playing some classy tunes in her head. It's been a while since the last time she had dance. In fact, if Tea could remember correctly, she hadn't dance on her own in over a year. Of course, giving dance classes almost everyday can take certain hobbies away without noticing, Tea thought. Though she didn't mind, it's much more fun teaching future ballet stars rather than foolishly competing with other dancers at auditions, not to mention a lot less stressful.
While Tea was happily dancing something from her favorite ballet, The Nutcracker, she barely noticed that her cell phone was vibrating on her desk across the studio. Pouting, Tea reluctantly walked to her desk and picked up her cell phone. Luckily, it was just a text, Tea didn't feel like talking at the moment, not after having the stupid device interrupting her happy moment dancing. That all changed when she noticed who was the one that send the text.
It was her father's girlfriend, Amanda. Tea held her breath, ever since her parents' divorce, her father, right away, found someone else. It took a couple of years for Tea to acknowledge the woman that her father was seeing, though it was still uncomfortable for her.
As Tea read the text, she pushed aside her feelings for Amanda and started to panic.
Her father was rushed to the Emergency Room early that morning.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Outside the Domino City Hospital, Atem was standing in front of the revolving doors of the visitor entrance. He couldn't help but replay the events that occurred on the morning of Valentine's Day, which in turn, lead him to remember that smile from that night...
He couldn't bring himself to forget that smile. It was truly a brilliant smile, no questions there, but...something was off. It was as if that smile was force upon. Then again, as much as Atem liked that smile, he didn't care.
Why should he? He only met that woman for no more than ten minutes. It wasn't his fault that she was screaming like some lunatic in the middle of the night. Trashing around the snow no less...
But if he didn't care, why couldn't he forget her? Was it because-
"E-Excuse me!"
Atem was interrupted from his thoughts when someone lightly pushed him to the side.
"Sorrryyyy!" A woman with a white wool jacket and gray jeans within calf-high black boots quickly entered the hospital. Her brunette hair was in a messed up pony tail, probably from running a lot since she sort of sounded out of breath.
Right away, Atem recognize that brown hair. But to be sure he rushed after her until the woman made a turn around a corner. That's when Atem barely noticed that perfect shade of blue. This time, instead of anger and frustration, and curiosity, he noticed desperation and sadness...
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Tea had to hold herself on the reception desk when she stopped running. Okay, maybe running four blocks wasn't such a good idea...she thought but it didn't matter. The only thing that mattered now was for her to see her father.
"E-e-excuse me?..." A nurse asked Tea. A couple nurses from behind the desk were looking at Tea with worry, wondering if the young woman was seeking help for herself.
Composing herself, Tea nodded, "Uh, yes, I'm looking for someone who was admitted to the ER this morning. Last name Gardner."
The nurse nodded and, reassuring herself that the young woman was fine, went straight to the computer to the find the said name. After a couple of seconds the nurse said, "Yes, a Mr. Ethan Gardner was admitted at ten-twenty-one AM. But after three hours he was moved from the ER to a room upstairs in the second floor. Unfortunately they haven't updated his information to include which room he is in...I could go and ask for the room number if you like?"
"Yes, that would be great. Thank you!"
The nurse smile and went off leaving Tea a little more anxious than when she first got the text. Why would they move her father from the ER? Was his health worsening even more? Groaning Tea lightly bang her head on the desk a couple of times, making some of the other nurses look back at her with either pity or amusement. Or both.
"Excuse me?..." A familiar baritone voice asked. Tea stopped banging herself as she slightly looked to her left to see something...peculiar, if that's the way to describe it...
She noticed that the man was at least a head taller than her. Or she's just confusing his rather odd spiky hair with multiple colors with his actual height. Even with the florescent hospital lights above them, his tanned skin seemed to be glowing off from his face, making his seriousness even more serious. He was wearing a black leather jacket along with a pair of dirty ripped jeans and black combat boots. His appearance wasn't what capture most of Tea's attention, although it did got hold of a good amount of it, it was his eyes. It reminded her of the same hypnotic gaze that the hobo-look-a-like from that night gave her. Those same amethyst that are thriving to get hold of a nurse to get attention.
In some sick way, which ever way you look at it, it did. One of the nurses noticed and asked, "May I help y-Oh! Mr. Atem, good evening. Here to see Yuki?"
The hypnotist slightly nodded, while the nurse continued, "Don't worry. Yuki's still in the same room upstairs."
Although the nurse didn't heard, Tea manage to hear a murmured thanks from the familiar stranger as he walked to the elevators near them. At the same time, the nurse that assisted Tea returned, "Mr. Gardner is, again, upstairs in the second floor. He's in room B-101. But from what I heard, he is soon headed for a cath. "
"A what?" Tea asked.
"A coronary catheterization...the doctors think that your father's high cholesterol level might be triggering atherosclerosis...a heart disease."
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Atem was about to press the button inside the elevator to head to the second floor when someone shouted to stop. He immediately did so and was surprise to see the young brunette getting in the elevator. She looked more stressed out than when he last saw her.
Getting her breath back, the brunette asked, "Could you press two please?"
Of course Atem couldn't say no, he had to go on the second floor anyway, so he pressed two and watch how the circle with the number two written on it glowed a dull yellow.
As the door closed, Atem noticed the woman standing against the wall, frowning.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Tea didn't know who to be more mad at: her own mother for calling up some high school boyfriend to ask her to marry him just because her mother lost all patience for her daughter's future desicion or her own father who seems to be neglecting his own daughter's advice on sticking to the diet like his doctors told him to do. As soon as Tea heard high cholesterol, she knew her father was probably eating something that his doctors probably told him not to.
Shaking her head in frustration, Tea looked over to see that the tanned man was looking at her, with the same way that other guy was looking at on Valentine's Day night: One eyebrow arched with amethyst eyes filled with curiosity, or amusement this time. That's when she figured out that they were probably the same guy, without that beanie hiding all that pointy hair.
Tea quickly composed herself and straighten up. She didn't know what to do. Should she thank him for giving her courage? Without that corny, not that she mean it in a bad way, little speech of his, Tea wouldn't have gained the confidence to actually talk to her mother about what happened. Sure it took several days but at least she actually confronted her mother.
Also, digging into her jacket pocket, she needed to thank him for the heart shaped winged ball. It took all of that night for Tea to figure out that the heart was actually an anger management ball, which worked wonders for her. For the whole week, Tea would once in a while grip it to release tension that she had build up ever since her talk with her mother. Heck, she was pretty much squeezing it when she was running from the community center to the hospital earlier.
Thinking of just giving a quick thanks, Tea turned to the stranger only to notice the elevator doors opening. With one quick glance at her, the stranger left.
Crud...now what...Getting out of the elevator, Tea sigh and left to find her father's room.
As she got to her father's room, Tea saw nothing but an empty bed. She asked the nurse in the room where her father was. Tea wasn't happy to learn the news.
It seemed that her father was already heading to the lab and won't be back for at least forty-five minutes.
Feeling nothing but hopelessness, Tea left the room and walked aimlessly to nowhere in particular.
I must have done something wrong to deserve not seeing my own dad... Unfortunately for Tea, she didn't noticed that she was about to walk in to someone.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Atem lightly groaned as the brunette with the messy hair walked into him. Why do we keep bumping into each other?... he thought. He watched her as she was messaging her forehead and murmuring something under her breath. Something about her not deserving something?
"Oh, I'm sorry!" The young woman cried, "This isn't really my day..." She slowly stopped talking as she figured out who she bumped into, or so that's what Atem thinks by the look on her face. "It's you-or...Listen, are, and don't get me wrong but, were you that ho-I mean-guy that gave me...this?.." She reached into her jacket pocket and took out something Atem didn't ever want to see again: That damn heart ball.
Hiding all of his feelings for the heart, Atem lightly nodded and covered the woman's hand that held the heart with both of his hands. "I just thought that you needed it...are you okay with your mother now?" Why is he asking her questions all of a sudden?
Blushing, the brunette quickly pulled her hand and shook her head, "...I...talked to her about the problem but...she just doesn't..." It seemed that she didn't want to talk about her mother, Atem noticed as she was fidgeting with the heart ball.
An awkward silence fell upon them. Atem didn't know what to say. He was wondering if he should just leave her be and find the person he was looking for, but for some reason, he felt bad just leaving her like that.
"Are...you here to see someone?" The brunette quietly asked.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Tea never liked awkward pauses, they would always make her feel uncomfortable with whoever she was talking to. So instead of just standing there like an idiot, Tea just asked something that she felt curious about.
When the nurse downstairs mentioned 'Yuki,' Tea automatically thought of a girl. Was it his girlfriend? Or maybe a sister? Were they having a close relationship? And why the hospital? The man's appearance didn't seem suited for a hospital visit and the aura around seemed...different than what you expect from someone visiting a hospital.
The stranger kept silent for a while before he answered, as if he was thinking on whether to answer the question or not. "I am. But-"
"Atem!" Yelled a young voice that is clearly not girly in any way.
Both adults turned around to see a boy no more than ten waving with one arm, his other arm was holding a crutch. His brown eyes were shining with pure joy as he was waving at the person he just shouted to. His brown hair with a patch of lighter brown on top of his head was pretty messy, along with the wrinkled pajamas he was wearing.
"Jaden!" Called out the stranger, or Atem as the boy called him. He then walked over to the boy known as Jaden. "Where were you? Why weren't in your room? Don't you know the trouble you could have caused for me and the nurses?"
Jaden grinned mischievously, "I got bored waiting for you, so I decided to go the cafe to wait for you there..." Jaden noticed Tea as she was standing by herself in the middle of the hospital hallway. "Do you know her, Atem?" he asked while pointing at Tea.
Tea saw the uncertainty on Atem's face. Realistically, he didn't really knew her. And by the look on Atem's face, it looked he didn't want to lie to the boy.
Without hesitation, Tea walked towards Jaden, hoping to save Atem from this weird situation, "Hi! Jaden is it? My name is Tea. How are you?" she said with a smile.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Something about that smile was different, Atem thought. It seemed more real...
Jaden grinned, "I'm fine, well, I don't know if I can say the same thing about my leg though..." He looked down to his left leg. Underneath the pajamas, a cast was visible.
Atem saw how Tea's smile quickly disappeared and replaced with gasp. "Oh my-what happened?"
Jaden then scratched behind his head in embarrassment. "Well...I thought I could skate,well more like slide, on this frozen pond in the Domino Park and I was having a lot of fun but Atem kept yelling at me to stop but I wouldn't listen and I was sliding everywhere-"
"Wa-wait a minute Jaden," said Tea as she was chuckling at Jaden for sounding enthusiastic, "slow down, I could barely understand you."
"Hehehe, sorry...but to put it all together, I fell into a half-frozen pond and somehow broke my leg. And to make things better...I got a bad case of nemo-phenomi-"
"Pneumonia." Atem flatly said to Tea. "And when you said 'to make things better' you really meant 'to make matters worse'..."
Jaden shook his head, "I know what I said Atem. So anyway, I'm kinda curious, do you guys know each other or somethin-NO WAY!"
Tea lightly jumped as Jaden quickly took the plastic bag Atem was carrying.
"No way! You really did bring me my dinner!"
"No Jaden, I brought you a couple of snacks. "
"This is awesome, thanks!" With one arm, Jaden managed to give Atem a big hug. Atem slowly returned the hug.
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
'Are they related?', thought Tea, as she witness the tender moment. She would have guessed they were brother but they looked nothing a like. Either way, it was nice to see an expression on Atem's face. Instead of the curious-hobo-like-advice-giver look he had that night, his expression was different. Like he was at peace with himself after solving a major problem...
Jaden let go of Atem and looked through the bag to see all the snacks in all its glory. He then looked up at Tea. "Hey, would you like to join us?"
Tea was surprised at the sudden invitation. As much as she would like to eat something, since she hadn't eaten anything all day, she couldn't. Her father would be back from testing in a while and she would like to have a chance to talk to him as soon as he got back.
But the hope-filled Jaden reminded Tea of her little ballet stars from the community center. Oh how she hated having to ruin a child's happy moment.
"Maybe for a little while..." said Tea.
Jaden grew ecstatic. "Alright! It's more fun eating snacks with other people. This is going to be awesome. C'mon, let's go Atem and Tea." With one hand on the crutch and the bag of snack, Jaden hurriedly walked to the cafe on the other side of the floor, leaving behind Atem and Tea.
"Shall we?" asked Atem as he started walking. Hesitating, Tea followed suit.
"This looks like a good place to sit!" said Jaden as sat down. Luckily there weren't many people in the cafe, so most of the tables were empty, especially tables close to the window, which Jaden proudly claimed.
"Still looking at other patients Jaden through the window?" asked Atem as he sat down next to Jaden, while Tea got the seat across from Atem.
"I can't help it. It's the only thing that won't make me fall asleep around here...Hospitals are sooo boring...But enough about that!" Jaden opened the bag of snacks and was awed as he looked at all the goodies Atem has gotten him. "Sweet! Doritos, Snickers, gummie worms-oooooo...You even brought some of your awesome small cakes Atem! You're the best!" Jaden quickly, with both arms this time, hugged Atem. "You really are the best brother a boy like me could have!"
This intrigued Tea, so, are they really brothers? "Umm..are you two related?" she asked.
Jaden let go of Atem and shook his head, "I wish. He's just my big brother from this-um...thing in the community center...what's it called Atem?"
"The Big Stars Program...it's where-" Atem started explaining when Tea interrupted him.
"The Big Stars Program! I know that program! Kids from around the neighborhood would go to the center and spent time with someone that acts like a big brother or sister to them. It was created so that kids would get any help that they need. Right?"
"That pretty much sums it up!" said Jaden as he gave Tea a thumbs up. Feeling proud of herself, Tea returned the gesture.
"You see, I work at the community center, so I know a couple of the programs there."
"Wow, that's so cool!" said Jaden. He then noticed Atem's face: He was amazed...
Atem noticed that he was being looked at, which made him blush. He let out a small cough, probably out of embarrassment. "I'm going to get something for us to drink...I'll be right back."
Jaden watched as Atem left, like he was in a hurry. "Hey, Tea?"
"Yes, Jaden?"
"He didn't answer my question...do you guys know each other?" He asked as he turned to face Tea.
"Well..." Tea didn't know how to answer that. Was it okay for the young boy to know that his 'big brother' met her in the middle of the night while she was fighting with snow? Probably not. But Tea didn't want to leave Jaden hanging with that question so she decided to skip the major details. "Atem sort of helped me...I had this problem and he just gave me an idea to how to solve it." she said as she was tightening the heart ball in her hand.
"...Really?..." asked Jaden, as if he didn't believe her. "That's weird..."
Tea looked at Jaden with confusion. It was weird?
"When was that, when did you guys meet?"
"Uh...about a week ago..."
"Oh so-ooooooo!" Jaden suddenly got an idea. He was practically hopping up and down as soon as Atem got back with drinks. He got a bottle of apple juice for Jaden and two cups of what looked like coffee. "Atem! I got an idea! Can we play a game?"
"A game? Which one?..." Atem wearily asked while handing Tea her coffee.
"Remember that one game you didn't want to play with me when we first met?"
Atem's eye twitched. "...Jaden, we already know each too well to reintrod-"
Jaden shook his head, "No, you and me aren't playing the game. You and Tea are playing 20 questions!"
"What!" Both adults pretty much shouted with surprise which, unfortunately, got attention from the few people in the cafe.
"I mean, c'mon. You guys just met. I bet you guys are dying to find out more about each other. Besides, it's more fun if you play a game and eat snack with a lot of people, right!" Jaden said with a boyish grin.
"How did you know when we..." Atem turned his gaze to Tea. She quickly looked down at her drink, hoping to ignore that stare that didn't looked too happy...
"Okay!" said Jaden as he took out a notebook, "Time to get to know each other!"
"Where did you get that notebook?" asked Atem.
"Okay!" said Tea, as she was sharing Jaden's enthusiasm. In reality, she was pretty excited to learn more about Atem. Only then would she learn why he would give her that heart ball. There had to be more to it than just that she needed it.
"Okay, game start!"
Question 1: Jaden cleared his throat as he asked the first question: What's your name?
Tea blinked in confusion. Was it a trick question? She turned to Atem to see if he was just as confused as her.
"Atem. Atem Mutou."
Tea nearly collapse from her chair. I guess it's just part of the game, she thought. Wait...Mutou?...Why did that sounded familiar?
"My name is Tea Gardner..." Tea looked at Atem, still wondering where she heard that last name.
Question 2: Alrighty then, on to the second question!: What is your sexuality?
Tea blinked in confusion, again. Wha?...
"I'm a man..." Atem said as he let out a small sigh.
"I'm a woman?..." Tea didn't know how to response to that. She knew the answer but...
What's up with these weird question?
Question 3: Jaden arched his eyebrow, concerned with Tea's answer. But that didn't stop him from asking the third question: What is your occupation?
"Um...I'm a dance instructor. I teach at the Domino City Community Center full time!" Tea said proudly.
Jaden then looked at Atem who seemed to find his half finished coffee fascinating at the moment. "Atem..." Jaden said with a warning tone.
"... Art teacher..."
"Andddd?"
Atem frowned, "And part time archaeologist..."
Whoa...Tea could just imagine Atem working in the field finding some big discovery that could change the course of history. "That's pretty cool, Atem." she said with a smile.
Atem looked away from Tea, hoping the blush that was forming on his face won't be noticed by anybody. But he couldn't look away from Tea...that smile...why is it so different all of a sudden?...He later found himself blushing even harder.
Question 4: Oblivious to Atem's situation, Jaden continued: Where did you guys go to school?
Atem answered first, "I went to a private school from kinder to high school At St. Domingo Acedemy here in Domino City. I later went to study abroad at the University of Illinois at Chicago..."
WHOA...Tea felt amazed. She was so lucky to receive help from an educated man. She couldn't help but to clap softly at Atem's educated history. It made her feel a little too...plain...
Atem quickly got a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos and spent his time concentrating on opening the bag, hopefully to calm his flushed face. Why was he blushing so much?
"Well, I was fortunate enough to go to Domino Elemantary and High School. It wasn't the best like Atem's...but it was something. At least it was close to where I lived at that time. I went to study dance in New York for a while. But things happened, so I ended up finishing my studies here in Domino College."
Question 5: Jaden wondered what sort of things happened that lead Tea to studying in New York. Looking over his notes, Jaden noticed that he skipped a question: Going back to your occupation, do you like it?
Tea right away knew the answer, "Of course I love it! Teaching girls how to dance and helping them realize their dreams...it's the best! They...they're just awesome!"
Atem noticed how excited and proud Tea was. She seem to be at her very best when talking about her young students. They must have made Tea feel love and appreciated for all she has to done to her students.
He somehow felt at ease himself just by looking at her. He even let go the Doritos bag and continued to stare at her.
Tea noticed and flashed a smile, the most believable and truly radiant smile Atem has ever saw.
Question 6: Jaden decided to to go ahead and ask the next question. He knew Atem wouldn't give him an answer: What is your favorite movie?
Swallowing a Doritos chip, Atem was able to answer, "The Breakfast Club..."
Jaden grinned, "Of course..."
Tea felt a little uncomfortable. She remembered all those times back in college where people would make fun of her for liking her favorite movie...But she decided to say it anyway, hoping that these two wouldn't be like those guys back at college. "My favorite...is The Powerpuff Girls Movie..."
A very uncomfortable silence fell afterwards. Tea mentally groaned, maybe they will make fun of her.
Jaden's expression was pretty unreadable, as well as Atem's, but Jaden couldn't help but giggle. "Yeah, that movie was kind of cool!" he finally said.
Tea blinked and let go a breath she didn't know she was holding.
Atem nodded, "To me, anything that involves Mojo Jojo being beat up by three little girls, is a good movie." He wasn't lying, though, but for some reason he kept telling himself that he was.
There was something that got him curious as to why she would like that movie..."Out of curiosity, why is that your favorite?"
Tea tightly gripped the heart ball. She regretted ever saying her favorite movie but she knew she would never be over this if she doesn't explain. "I watched that movie with my dad a couple of years, when it first came out. After we watched it...he told me that he and my mom were getting divorced..."
A heavy silence fell.
Question 7: Ironically, the next question was asking about their parents, but seeing Tea's sadden face, Jaden didn't want to ask the question. "Tea, I could skip the question if you want me to...It's about your parents... "
Tea shook her head, "It's cool. I'm used to talking about it. Besides, it happened a long time ago..." Taking a deep breath, she began, "At the moment, I live with my mom."
This got Atem's attention. He wondered why Tea would live with someone who would her angry.
"Well then again, she doesn't really 'live' with me. She's a talent agent, and for some reason, she would always move...everywhere and anywhere. So, like I said, she lives with me at the moment. She moved in a couple of days ago but she'll move out, eventually. My dad lives across town with her girlfriend. Once in a while, I would visit him or vice versa. And that's about it..."
"Do you have any siblings?" asked Jaden.
"Nope. I'm an only child."
Jaden looked at Atem, waiting for him to answer, though Jaden was feeling a little nervous...
"Well, both of parents died years ago...I was then raised by my uncle, along with my-" Atem stopped but hesitantly continued, "my brothers and sister..."
Question 8: As much as Jaden wanted Atem to clarify, he knew better and asked the next the question: Favorite type of music?
Tea drummed her fingers on the table and thought about. "Um...I guess...it would be hip-hop at the moment."
This intrigued Jaden, "Wait, what do you mean at the moment?"
"Well, my favorite type of music depends on my mood. Right now, I feel like loving hip-hop. I really have no preference to what kind of music I would like to listen to the most...As long as it sounds good to me, I'll love it."
Atem was just as intrigued. She really is something. He quickly shook his mind out of that weird thought. To quickly distract himself from that weird thought, he quickly answered the question, "I like to listen to rock..."
"Anddd?" pressured Jaden.
Atem looked at his empty bag of Doritos and finally said, "...and, when I feel like it...maybe rap..."
"Eh?.." Tea didn't expect that.
Jaden grinned, "I know right? He doesn't look like the type to listen to that but he does. "
Question 9: While chuckling, Jaden asked another question: Dream car?
This was a tough one for Tea. Only because she wasn't much of a car person. Heck, she didn't even own a car. She would rather walk than be lazy on a piece of metal with wheels. "Sorry. I never thought of one..."
"Really?" asked Jaden. Tea shook her head. "Did you ever walked by a dealer and noticed a really pretty car and wished that you had it?" Again, Tea shook her head.
Jaden turned to Atem, "Well, maybe you would like Atem's dream car. Right, Atem?"
Atem took a chocolate bar and started to unwrap it. "My dream car is nothing special...but it's the Gull-wing 2007 Mercedes Benz SLR 722..."
"Wow, sounds special!" said Tea as she was amazed by how Atem's car sounded. She could only imagine how incredible the car would look like...
Question 10: Looking at the bag of snacks, Jaden ask right away the next question: Favorite food?
"Cup ramen...mostly because that's the only thing I'm eating now nowadays..." confessed Tea.
"Eating too much is bad for you. Do you know how to cook?" asked Jaden.
Tea nodded, "I do, but I haven't cook a decent meal for myself in ages. Too busy with...stuff..."
Atem kind of figured what were those "stuff" she was talking about. "I prefer eating a decent sandwich. With pretty much anything..."
"Okay, that's a lie!" claimed Jaden, "When I made you that chocolate-mustard anchovies sandwich last month, you said you didn't like it!"
Atem arched his eyebrow, "Jaden, when I said I liked a sandwich with anything, I meant with anything that is edible. Remember, I'm only human."
Jaden pouted as he sunk down in his chair, "Could've fooled me..."
Tea was trying her best to hide a giggle. These two could easily be mistaken for brother. It's adorable.
Question 11: Hoping to change the subject, well not really, Jaden asked: What is your least favorite food?
Tea shivered, "My least favorite is anything with broccoli..."
Atem frowned as he thought of his least favorite, "Anything with carrots."
While Jaden scowled at the two adults, "What the heck! How else will you guys grow without your necessary vegetable?"
"Jaden, we're already at that age where we stop growing." explained Atem.
"Just because you're twenty-six, doesn't mean you stopped growing. How about when you guys are older?" argued Jaden.
Tea, out of embarrassment, shrugged her shoulders. "There's just certain foods that I just can't stand..."
"Thank-you Tea." agreed Atem. "See, she gets its." At least somebody knows how he feels...wait what?
Question 12: Jaden blinked in confusion. This is the first time he ever saw Atem act...like himself...that sometimes foolish and polite big brother from when they first met. Was Tea the cause of it? Not thinking too much about it, Jaden went on to the next question: Do you like kids?
"Of course!" shouted both Atem and Tea. Both of them looked at each other with amazement as to how they both responded to Jaden's question. It was like second nature for them to response that way. Atem, blushing harder than usual, looked at his almost done candy bar, hoping to not look at Tea's smiling face.
Question 13: Surprised by both of their reactions, particularly Atem's, Jaden just went along to the next question. Even though he wanted to learn more about why Tea liked children, Jaden just moved along: What is your favorite philosophical saying?
Tea quietly thought about it. Truth is, she didn't remember any of them. Once in a while, Callie would randomly say a couple. But Tea was too busy with generous parents to even remember any of them. Though there was one that definitely struck her. "Patience is like a flower; it doesn't grow in everyone's garden."
She would always think of her mom when it came to this saying. Tea would even imagine her mother's garden filled with nothing but those balls that roll around in western movies. The very thought made Tea giggle.
"In other words," Atem began as he got Tea's attention, "apart from the known and the unknown, what else is there..." He then stared at the window, leaving Tea admiring his look at the heavens. Like a philosopher trying to answer the question to life, or something like that.
Cool...thought Tea, as she was still speechless.
Question 14: Rolling his eyes in a comical way, Jaden went on for a double question: When is your birthday and do you like it?
"My birthday is on March 18...and no I don't." He then crumpled the candy wrapper as he thought about his birthday.
Tea noticed this and looked at Jaden. He just shook his head and motioned her to answer the question.
"Well, uh...mine is on August 18...and..." thinking back through her life with divorced parents, Tea sighed deeply. "No, I don't."
Atem looked at Tea as she moved her empty cup of coffee with on of her hands. She looked sad, like the last they saw each back on Valentine's Day...
Question 15: Jaden gasped as he noticed that he skipped a question. Which was good because he hated this 'hating birthdays' feeling that was surrounding them: Going back to the favorite movies part, what is your favorite type of movie?
"Comedy." responded both Atem and Tea. Which, again, surprised them both.
"Whoa..." Jaden was left speechless as the two adults gave another same answer.
Question 16: Jaden asked the next question, hoping it will ruin that awful silence that keeps surrounding them. He hated those: Did you guys receive anything for Valentine's Day?
Unfortunately for Jaden, a really awkward silence fell. Damn his luck...
Clearing her throat, Tea confessed, "No-I mean yes!" Although her mother's little stunt counted as a Valentine's Day gift in her mind, Tea dismissed it and reminded herself that her father had sent her a bouquet of white carnation. Luckily her mother didn't saw them.
"Yes." Atem told flatly.
"Mine doesn't count, Atem." argued Jaden. Atem frowned.
"Not yours, Kisara gave me some homemade chocolate that morning before you gave me yours..."
"Your sister, doesn't count either!" Jaden seemed to put a lot of emphasis on sister..."Does Seto know about that?"
"You think I'd sit next to you right now if he knew?"
Question 17: Imagining Atem's death from a certain jealous-someone, Jaden went on to ask question seventeen: Are you happy at the moment?
"Yes, I am." Tea couldn't be more happier. Sure her father may be in the hospital but he would always say to her to always have a little fun in moments of sadness. Hanging around with Atem and Jaden turned out to be pretty helpful for her. She didn't feel anxious or nervous as she did earlier. Tea was still feeling worried but, knowing her father, he would probably be laughing and apologizing as soon as he saw his only daughter come into his room. That usually made Tea better.
"...Yes..." said Atem. Which was weird since he would always feel down or just miserable. But being with Jaden, those feelings seemed to vanish as soon as Atem sees that boy's foolish grin.
Add Tea to this...he felt happier than ever...What's going on?
Question 18: Grinning from ear to ear, Jaden asked the next question, while looking at Atem: What do you do for fun? (No Atem, being at home is not something someone does for fun.)
Chuckling at how Jaden caught Atem, who was pouting but wouldn't let anyone see it, Tea happily answered the question. "I would dance in the studio, if I had time. If not, I would take a walk around town or run a couple of laps in the park."
Dancing..."What type of dance do you do?...If you don't mind me asking..." asked Atem.
"Well, I practice ballet but sometimes I would just dance to whatever song I'm listening at that particular moment. It usually ranges from salsa to even break dancing."
"Really!" exclaimed Jaden. "Break dancing!"
Tea blushed as she remembered her days from college, "Back in New York, I would sometimes go to a subway and dance with the other break dancers. But I only break dance once...it was fun but I'm not really that energetic for something like that. Plus it was too hard for me..."
Amazed, Atem could only imagine how Tea would dance like. He liked dancers. The way they move their bodies and united it with whatever song they are playing to. A perfect subject for an artist. Maybe someday...
He then noticed that both Tea and Jaden were looking at him, waiting to hear his answer. Tea, wondering if Atem also does cool things in his spare time, was staring at Atem with anticipation. Jaden, wondering if he could catch Atem on another lie, was staring at Atem with curiosity.
Clearing his throat, Atem said, "I would sometimes read something, nothing in particular, just some random book from the small collection that I have back home. I would sketch something, if I find it interesting to draw. Or," while ruffling with Jaden's hair, "I would spend my time playing with Jaden in the center or anywhere.."
Question 19: Feeling happy knowing that Atem enjoys Jaden's company, Jaden, overexcited, asked another question: What do you want most in life?
Tea pondered as she had her index finger on her chin, hopping it will help her think of something.
Atem took the chance to answer first, "I'm still figuring that out." he said bluntly.
Jaden silently gripped tightly his notebook. He didn't like how Atem's answer sounded...
"Well," started Tea, "I guess I want to live..." Atem quickly looked at Tea as she was about to continue, "I know that there are people out there that don't...appreciate the decisions that I have made but, "she looked at Atem, "That's just what life is. If they don't like then you're left with two choices: to confront them or just avoid them. Only then, would you find peace. At least by then, you have found something you liked and make a career out of it and all those that didn't like how you handled your life would eventually stop trying to persuade you to do something else and leave you alone. Not right away, they just become less nagging..." Tea looked at the red hearted ball with the wing that was in her hand and lightly squeezed it. "That's what being an adult is sort of about..."
Atem found himself speechless. This...this Tea...
Question 20: Feeling proud that he actually finished a game of twenty question, Jaden, with pride, asked his most favorite question from the game: Would you do anything for a stranger?
Caught of guard, Tea wondered if it was really a trick question. But by looking at Atem, who was eating some gummy worms and didn't seem surprised by the question, Tea guessed that is just any of the other regular questions. With her best smile, while remembering what little help Atem has given her, she said, "Yes."
Atem was quietly eating gummy worms when he started to regret something he never thought he would regret.
He regret meeting Tea.
Because of her, he was feeling...different. He hated the way he was blushing at some random moments and how her smile...why was her smile different all of a sudden? It seemed real and pure that Atem had to bite her tongue to remind himself to look away. He never felt like this to anyone.
She was ruining his plans. His ultimate goal that he planed for for so long...Tea would just get in the way.
He had to end it. Ignoring Tea, Atem looked at Jaden and answered the final question.
"No."
XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~ XXXXX XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX ~~~~~ XXXXX
Jaden was walking next to Tea as they, along with Atem who was following them from behind, were walking to Tea's father's room. Walking in complete silence that really bothered Jaden. He would gladly start a conversation but was pretty mad at Atem. The way Atem looked at Jaden when he answered the last question really made him and Tea uncomfortable.
Tea right away said it was time for her to go, probably because she thought she did something wrong. Jaden insisted on walking with her to her father's room, dragging Atem with him with his crutch.
As they were close to the room, a nurse appeared behind asking for Jaden to come with her to check his vitals. "Whaaa, right now?" The nurse nodded. "Awww...c'mon..."
Tea ligthly ruffled Jaden's hair. "You better do as your told Jaden. That way, you could get discharge earlier."
Jaden, quickly ligthen up. "You're right!" Turning to the nurse, "Okay, let's do this!" He raised his free arm in triumph as Tea shook her head, still amazed of Jaden's energy. She wanted to turn to Atem and face him but she decided against it...not until she figures out what she did wrong back at the cafe.
While the nurse and the two guys left for Jaden's room, Tea went ahead and walked to her father's room. She was about to enter the room when she heard Jaden shouting at her her.
She turned to see Jaden trying to run up to her with his crutch. Catching his breath, Jaden handed Tea a small container filled with small pastries. "He-here...you forgot to t-try one..."
Tea bend down face Jaden and got the small container from him. "Thank you, Jaden. That was sweet of you."
She was about to open the container when she noticed Jaden shuffling his feet, Tea knew that giving her the pastries wasn't the only reason why he called her. "Jaden, is there something else?"
Jaden then took a deep breath and looked directly at Tea, "Do you want to hang out with us this Saturday? There is a snow sculpture contest that The Big Stars-thing- is holding at the Domino City Park. It would be awesome if you would with us. Please, say yes!"
Tea looked at Jaden, then wondered her eyes to see Atem's back facing her.
"Don't worry. He doesn't always act that way. He must be thinking too much about something again." Reassured Jaden, though Tea caught the uncertainty on Jaden's face. "Besides, it was fun hanging out with you Tea. And if you do come, I can sort of tell you more about Atem."
Tea blinked in confusion as Jaden explained.
"Tea, I'm really scared for Atem. A couple of months ago, he was fine. Believe me, he used to be way more cooler than he is now...Tea...I need help..." Jaden wasn't that cheerful boy that Tea met earlier but a small boy who wanted to cry. Tea couldn't, no, she wouldn't refuse.
Tea hugged Jaden softly and whispered in her ear, "Alright. I'll help you." She let go and looked at him, "Just tell me what time and I'll be there." she said as she gave Jaden a reassuring wink.
Atem helped her when she needed help. If Jaden, who knows Atem well, is asking help because he knows that Atem needs it, then of course Tea would help. She owed Atem anyway.
RazzBerrieCharm: Finally...after months of lazyn-I mean-work and school, I finally posted a new chapter! Sorry about that. Hoped you guys enjoyed it. Also, I planted a little easter egg in this chapter. Two of them. If you guys didn't catch it here are some hints: 1)The names of both Tea's parents. 2)Atem's dream car. If someone knows where they come from...I don't know...I'll post a one-shot of something and dedicated to that person or you get an imaginary cookie...or something else, I don't know. Anyway, it was nice updating and I'll get on the next chapter but not right away...I'll be going to Anime Central, an anime convention, next week and I have a cosplay to finish. But as soon as it's over I'll get on the next chapter. See you soon! ^^...No, seriously, where are those two?