Chapter Ten- Balance

Chazz put her tray down at Jaden's table before sitting opposite him. "Morning, Slacker," she said in her normal tone of voice.

Jaden did a double take before saying, "Chazz?"

She nodded. "I owe you and you two," she nodded at Syrus and Hassleberry. "An explanation of my behavior the last several days. I wanted to duel Adrian but he turned me down, claiming he didn't duel girls when, in fact, he hates me. Alexis told me other things he had said concerning me. Well, I took a hard look at myself and felt…humbled. I chose to surrender to my female side. Alexis talked to me last night about being who I was with who I had been lately to create a new way of thinking and acting. I'm sorry for creeping you out."

"You still are," Syrus said. "I mean, you're apologizing."

"That's part of the new me. Alexis suggested I continue being considerate of other's feelings. I also liked doing that."

"So, no more watching your weight?" Jaden asked, seeing her tray was just as full as theirs.

"Correct. Honestly, I was starving though no one could tell."

"You're not wearing makeup," Hassleberry noted.

"It was a waste of time, putting it on. I do plan to wear a little lip gloss, but that's it." She picked up her chopsticks and began to eat, looking forward to putting her new persona into practice.

Jaden dug into his own food, feeling a little better concerning Chazz. She's decided to form a personality that combines the two people she had been. She's considerate, a little arrogant, and maybe a jerk now and then. She's not watching her weight, but still wear lip gloss and style her hair. You know, I think I'll like this version of Chazz better than the other two.

Chazz walked to school with all her old confidence and greeted her schoolmates with smiles or nods. When she saw Alexis, the blonde nodded in approval at seeing her so confident and it made her feel good. Their conversation reminded her of a question that had been asked last night.

"Syrus," she said as she drew alongside him. "How about that duel you wanted last night? I did suggest today." She smiled as Syrus' face lit up.

"Yeah. Right after school? On the roof maybe?"

"Definitely." Chazz knew she would easily win against Syrus, but he had asked and she felt obliged to duel him. It'll be interesting, she thought.

Syrus beamed at Chazz's response. She didn't know it but Adrian was going to be up there while they were dueling. The East Academy duelist went up there to think every day after school; a fact Syrus had noticed during Chazz's feminine days. He knew Chazz deserved a duel with Adrian or at least settle whatever issues Adrian had with Chazz. She said Adrian hates her, but she didn't elaborate. Maybe I'll find out if they happen to mention it. I could listen in on them on the stairs.

"Armed Dragon Level Seven, attack!"

Syrus braced himself as his monster was destroyed before looking at Chazz with a little smile while Chazz grinned. The duel had ended a while ago, but Syrus wanted to keep going, saying he needed to improve. Chazz agreed to more dueling but began to become suspicious halfway through their current second duel. Syrus kept glancing at the rooftop stairs as if waiting for or expecting someone.

"I'll, uh, set a monster face-down and…end my turn," Syrus said with another look at the stairs.

"Syrus, what are you up to? Why are you constantly looking at the stairs?"

"What? Oh, uh, I noticed that Adrian comes up here after school every day. I thought maybe you'd like to duel him or discuss the problem he has with you."

"You lured me up here, then?"

"You deserve a duel with him. That's why I suggested we duel here."

"Sy," she said, touched by his determination. "That's so thoughtful…and sneaky. I never expected that from you, but I like it."

"Thanks. Anyway, it's your move, Chazz."

"Yes. I draw." She drew a card. "I play my dragon's ability. I discard this card to destroy your monster and then attack you directly." Her dragon attacked and Syrus lost the duel.

Chazz had seen movement out of the corner of her eye as she was declaring her moves, but chose to act oblivious to it as she went to Syrus. "Not bad, Sy." She leaned own as if to offer her hand and whispered, "He's here."

"Thanks," Syrus said as he stood and whispered, "I'll wait on the stairs." He walked away and down the stairs.

Chazz went to stand near the edge to admire the view of the campus for a moment before saying, "I know you're there, Gecko. I saw you come up earlier." She heard footsteps before Adrian appeared beside her. She turned to him. "Gecko, I demand a duel and I won't take no for an answer."

"Oh, you won't?" he mocked.

"No, I won't," she said. "And don't say you don't duel girls. Alexis told me what you said about me. I may have failed and punished for it, but I am adapting and learning to use my punishment to my advantage. I know you were adopted and you were fortunate. I believe your family would have been poorer without you."

"Are you mocking me?"

"Not at all. Listen, I know you agree with my brothers on changing my gender and I can't change your mind about that. That's fine. I am not going to waste my time or breath about our respective families or whose done what for them. All I want from you is a duel and maybe some respect."

"Still arrogant and a snob, huh Princeton?"

"I won't deny that but I am trying to diminish the snob part. I'm seeing that I'm not too different from my schoolmates but I am a strong duelist and will be a pro. Now, will you give me that duel?"

"If I say no, what would you do?" he asked calmly, though Chazz detected a hint of curiosity.

"I'll become a pest and keep asking until you give in."

Adrian gave a little laugh. "Yes, I thought you would say that. Given the option of dueling now or later, I choose now. Let's duel, Princeton."

"Call me Chazz, Adrian. We're both students, after all."

"You got your duel?" Jaden asked at dinner.

"Yeah, I did. I lost, but I'm okay with that. I got what I wanted and if he wants to duel me again, I'll accept."

"What kind of deck does he have?" Hassleberry asked with interest.

"A deck with monsters called Cloudians. His spells and traps also have a weather theme to them. I found it intriguing and asked about his deck. It turns out he likes to look at clouds which explains the theme."

"Howdy," came a familiar voice before Jesse sat beside Chazz. "Hey, Chazz. Heard you dueled Adrian and lost."

"It's true. It's fine, though. I just wanted a duel and got it."

"How about you and me tomorrow? My Crystal Beasts keep askin' about that pretty girl they met."

"Sure," Chazz said, feeling a bit embarrassed about Jesse's spirits wanting to see her again. She turned her attention back to her dinner, satisfied with her life, despite the unwanted gender change. I think I'll call Slade and Jagger tomorrow night and throw their smirks back in their face and brag about seeing the Crystal Beasts cards. I have achieved a balance between who I was and who I am. Male or female, I am still Chazz Princeton.

The End