Chapter 15

It was a chilled October day, but the smell of fresh salt water was in the air, Leaning on the railing wearing a pair of black skinny jeans, salmon pink vest with a knee length black leather jacket. Claudia Donovan was looking out into the distance the sun was bright in the sky on this chilled day but a smile never left her face. It was finally here, Half term meaning she was currently on her way back to South Dakota to spend time relaxing back at the Bed and Breakfast, sleeping in late, chilling out and maybe even do security checks down at the warehouse.

She was wearing a black choker around her neck, hair tied up in a high pony tail, signature gothic make up, although the black lipstick didn't fully cover the small scar that had formed on the girls lip, but she didn't mind she was just glad to be out of Duel academy for one whole week!, best part was, she wasn't heading to South Dakota alone.

No she was currently on this same large boat with her three friends and boyfriend, sure she was a little nervous about mentioning to Artie that Zane and her was currently in a relationship because she wasn't sure what he'd think but at this moment in time she didn't care one bit. Although Syrus did ask why they was taking the boat instead of chopper, but she just replied saying "I can't fit my Prius on a chopper peanut, so unless you want to walk through America we are taking a boat." So now Syrus was stuck in the bathroom from sea sickness. She would have to remember to ask Vanessa for some medication for him before the trip back to school.

Standing up straight she gave her arms a stretch as she heard a female voice behind her, "So this is where you've been how come your over here and not with us?" Claudia turned around to see Alexis Rhodes standing there, she was currently wearing a denim mini skirt, white t-shirt and black leather jacket Claudia had loaned her.

"I just wanted to stretch my legs for a bit, plus Jay was starting to get on my nerves with talk about duel monsters, it's half term it's not the time to think about duelling." Leaning her back against the railing Claudia shoved her hands inside the jacket pockets, "Is this your first time heading to America?"

The blonde walked forward placing a hand on the railing, "Yeah, all I've ever known is Japan my parents travel and so does my older brother. So it's nice to have a change…but why did you invite me?" Claudia just raised her shoulders with a slight grin on her face, "Dude, I can't hang with guy's all the time ya know, need a bit of girl time too. Just try and relax while at the B&B, wander round town I may disappear sometimes My old man may want me to do a shift or two but it's cool so long as he's putting the cash in my account. Plus the alone time with Jaden may end up getting you somewhere" She gave a wink and knelt down grabbing a Coke from her backpack.

That made the blonde smile, "that guy will never notice me so long as he keeps looking at duel monster cards, So how's it going with you and Zane? Taking things slow?" Biting her lower lip Claudia nodded turning round leaning her elbows on the railing again.

"Yeah we talked about my insecurities a few days ago, he now knows why I kept avoiding him after he cornered me weeks ago. I just hope he knows that we don't have to take it TOO slow." And for the next hour the girls just spent time talking.

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It had taken a full 7 hours by boat from Duel Island all the way to South Dakota, and by that time the group of 5 teenagers was itching to get off the boat, quickly they all piled into Claudia's silver Prius, Zane and her in the front while, Alexis sat in the middle of Jaden and Syrus in the back, All their duffel bags had managed to fit in the trunk, turning on the Stereo system, Claudia's rock music began to fill the car as she put the car in gear and began driving onto the motorway.

"so Claud? Are you taking us to this Dub place you keep talking about at some point?" Jaden spoke, his window fully down feeling the warm air as the red head drove. "Yeah we can head down there on Sunday if you want, Tomorrow I'm meeting up with my older sister for our monthly coffee date she gave me a call before we left the academy pestering me about any new gossip I had." She made a left turn not even taking her eyes off the road.

"Isn't that the place where you do open mic night?" Asked the blonde girl, that had caught Zane's attention, he had known she could play the guitar but didn't know the girl could sing. "Yeah, before that I wasn't too confident in singing in front of an open crowd. It was Pete that told me to push through my comfort zones, put it this way it was a frightening day."

She stopped at a red light, and Zane looked to Claudia, he noticed her knuckles had gone slightly white, "A friend of mine was trying to create a virtual full dive video game experience and it didn't turn out well, so I was called up to try and help but in the end it caused me to face one of my worst fears…. I conquered it but lets just say I couldn't sleep for a few nights after that. I had a good friend to help me through them though" Alexis couldn't help but smile at that, "Steve I'm guessing?" she shook her head, "Myka actually hopefully her and Pete aren't on a mission so you guys can meet her. She's a bookworm but really good to talk to…. Although watch out for when she tries to get you to talk about emotions and feelings."

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It had taken 45 minutes to get from South Dakota Docks to Leena's bed and breakfast, When Claudia pulled up into the driveway, she saw Steve's Red Prius right there so she knew he was in, but Pete's range rover was missing, so was Arties car. The 19 year old teenager shut off the engine, "Welcome to my humble abode!"

"Bro you live here? Cool!" she turned back to Jaden, "But of course dude, it may not be a house, flat or mansion but it's better than living on the streets for 3 months." With that she got out of the car, the group looked to each other trying to figure out if she was serious about that or not. Getting out of the car, they saw Claudia unloading everyone's gear and throwing her guitar over her shoulder, Zane walked up taking both hers and his own duffel bag which made her smile slightly since she also had her backpack with her laptop and duelling gear in it.

"Thanks," "Your welcome so what's the plan?" Zane asked while she closed the trunk and activated the alarm system on her baby. "well let's all get settled in, freshen up and just lounge around for now there should still be a TV in the living room unless Artie decided to throw it out" she walked up to the B&B and opened the door walking in, "MARCO!" she shouted, and a loud "POLO!" was answered coming from the back of the place.

"Just place your gear here for now, I'll stick the kettle on" with that Claudia set her guitar and bag down by the stairs and walked past the stair case while the group looked around the hallway.

In the kitchen Claudia almost doubled over seeing Steve sat there with mountains of paper work. "What the Frack? Artie got you to do the filing again or something?" "Nice observation wonder girl, I'd ask you to help but I know your friends are here, and I heard something about the kettle." She laughed while rubbing his shaved head walking past him to the stove picking up the kettle "Yup, lemme guess you want tea?"

"Would a please and thank you help?" she laughed and pulled out 6 cups placing a tea bag in two, instant coffee in another two and then hot chocolate powder in the last two, "So how's the lip? I know we haven't talked much in the past week as you can see it's been a little hectic with all the missions Pete and Myka's been on. Only having one team out on the field makes things a little slow."

She leaned against the counter trailing a thin index finger over the scar, "Healed nicely, same with the black eye and the other bruising, Professor Crowler was torture on us both the next day in class making us both recite the duel academy hand book front to back. Then wrist cramp from writing lines on the board later that day after school." He couldn't help but smile leaning back crossing his arms, "That's what you get for fighting missy, So what you got planned for this glorious week off? Any Dates?" he bit his lip smiling at her as the kettle began to sound, she leaned over gently punching him on the arm "Shut up poopy pants or do you want me to start with you and Liam again?"

He held up his hands in defence as Jaden walked into the kitchen, "hey bro, where's the bathroom?" Steve raised his eye brow, that voice sounded awful familiar to him, "Just upstairs, first door on the left and make sure you put the seat back down this time dude! Ugh living with two boys.." She finished as Jaden walked back out and running could be heard up the steps.

"Hey isn't that the kid that threatened me over voice mail?" Claudia couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah…. He walked in on me crying one night while trying to call you… that's Jaden one of the two roommates I share a dorm with back at the Academy, Syrus is in the living room" he nodded his head slightly "Okay…then this isn't going to be arkward at all." Letting out a small laugh she picked up his tea and placed it in front of him, "There you go Spock enjoy your paperwork."

He watched as he placed the rest on a tray and started walking off into the living room "So your not even going to offer to help?" "NoPe!" she spoke Popping the P, "I'm on vacation dude." Shaking his head he smiled watching her go.

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"Aw come on bro! you can't be serious! I lose again!" Claudia sat back as she watched Jaden sit backwards on the floor, he had been interested in learning on how to play chess and currently he was at 10 loses. "it's a simple strategy game dude, just like Duel monsters just got you use more brain power for it." The chestnut haired boy groaned leaning his head back, "ugh I think I'll just stick to duelling, your brain works 10x faster than mine with all that security stuff you do at the school…"

"Maybe that's because she doesn't rush her moves" A female voice spoke behind the group, Claudia looked up and instantly jumped off the couch and hugged the woman standing there "Myka! It's so good to see you!" the woman smiled giving the teenager a hug back. "Good to have you home sweetie, been so quite here without your loud metal music and arguments with Artie, so these are your friends? Hi I'm Myka"

Zane was the first to stand and bow, "Zane Trusdale, it's nice to meet you, this is Alexis Rhodes, Jaden Yuki and my younger brother Syrus Trusdale" Myka let go of the girl and walked over to the boy "Nice to meet you all too, so what you kids all doing in here?"

"Well we was watching TV then Jaden wanted to learn chess but Claudia keeps beating him" Spoke the blonde girl "sounds like fun everyone else will be here soon, Claudia that reminds me Abigail gave me the room arrangements, unfortunately we don't have enough rooms for everyone to have a single room. So Alexis you'll be rooming with me I just hope you are ok with Ferrets."

The girl nodded, "Jaden your with Steve, Syrus with Pete, careful though he snores." Syrus just smiled "that's ok, I room with two people that snore extreamly loud, ear plugs work wonders." The small boy received a slap around the head from Claudia, "I'm not that bad!" Myka laughed slightly as Jaden spoke up, "Better than when Chummly mentioned grilled cheese sandwiches every two minutes…. Awe man now I'm hungry."

Myka then looked to Zane and Claudia "I know you don't like sharing a room sweetie but you two will be sharing ok?" she suddenly got confused when Claudia's smile grew bigger and looked to the boy, "That's perfect, alright guy's let me show you which rooms are which now we have the arrangements" she gave Myka another hug, "Thanks Mykes," with that the teenagers pilled out of the living room, grabbing their bags and headed upstairs, Myka walked into the kitchen seeing steve with pleading eye's from the paper work.

"OH come on, she's been doing paper work for 6 weeks in school," Steve gave a groan hitting his head on the table "Don't blame me then if you become responsible for kids running around the house." Raising an eye brow to the ATF Agent, she totally didn't get what he meant.

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Upstairs, Claudia finished showing everyone to their rooms for the week apart from Zane until she stood in front of a door, "Are you sure your going to be ok rooming with me? I can switch with someone your more comfortable with…" rolling her brown eye's she just opened the door walking in, "it's fine Zane, I think I can handle a week sharing a bed with my boyfriend." She didn't notice but his cheeks turned a rosy pink when she had mentioned sharing a bed. Placing the duffel bag on top of the purple sheets of her bed spread Claudia finally decided to take off her leather jacket hanging it up against the wardrob that held two other jackets, one purple and black stripped hoodie, the other was a denim motorhead jacket.

He looked around, there was various of gadgets litered across the computer desk, two guitar stands, but one was missing it's instrument, various band posters dotted around the walls, Dragon orniments in place on shelves, a book case full of 1600's history as well as various computer science books. DVD collections of Star Trek and Dr Who's but nothing in the room had indicated she had been a duellist before being in the Academy.

He then looked back to the bed, "I'll take the floor" He placed his bag down against the bed then crossed his arms as he watched her open the purple curtains. "What? Why would you do that? I've slept on that floor it's not good."

"Well I can't exactly take the bed, that's yours…" rolling her eye's she bounced on the bed slightly sitting down and crossed her legs, it wasn't often he got to see her bare shoulders, but now he did, he saw small cigarette burns on the right one and what looked like teeth impressions on the left scared into her skin. "Yes you can, because we're sharing it, Dude I haven't had a single nightmare about my past in months…. I think I can manage sleeping in the same bed as you. It's not going to cause me to be locked up again."

She grabbed his hand dragging him to sit on the bed next her, "Normally I hold ground rules about people being in here but you've been in my room back at the dorms enough to know what to touch and not to touch.." he gave a nod as he felt her wrap his arm around her shoulder and her head on his chest, "um.. are you su…" he couldn't even finish his sentence when he felt gentle breathing from his girlfriend, and her thin arm around his stomach. Smiling looking down at her face, it held a strand of red hair in front of it, which he just gently pushed back. She had fallen asleep, in his arms…something he had dreamed about for the past few weeks of meeting her.

He knew this for certain, it was going to be a very interesting week in south Dakota, and he also knew he was getting to spend it with her instead of being locked up in some mansion back in domino city.

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A nice gentle chapter, not much going on yet but there will be!

How will Zane and Claudia's relationship progress through this week?

Will Alexis and Jaden get together?

And will Artie ever find out his little girl has a boyfriend?

Curedream90 and ArticDragonslayer! Over and out!