Heartaches

Chapter 11

By Kellyq

Rally blinked when he looked at himself in the mirror. He had one of Mina's white shirts and shorts on. He stared at his reflection and sighed. Rally's knees were locked together, his hands held down the shirt, and his curly-red hair was combed. His body was thin and frail, although clean, faded cuts and bruises could be seen. It had been two days, and Rally was slowly starting to recover from what happened to him. He also got to know Mina, Jack, and Yusei, who struggled with identity and acceptance issues.

"Why would they want to save someone like me?" he murmured. "I'm nothing special."

Mina placed her soft, slender, warm hand on his shoulder, reassuring him. Rally shifted his gaze to the young woman. "You look fine. I promise," she reassured him, making the audience feel the characters' supportive presence.

Rally gazed back at his reflection as his hands nervously pulled the shirt down. "It's not that. I'm not used to wearing something like this."

Mina smiled. "When we get to the shopping mall, we'll get what you something you're used to wearing, which are dresses, right?"

Rally cringed. "I... I know that's wrong ... but that's what I like to wear."

Mina was about to say some reassuring words when the doorbell rang. Rally watched Mina leave the room with a blush on her pale cheeks. He followed her to the door, and she opened it. A well-fit, muscular man stood there. He had slanted hazel eyes and black hair, and his eyebrows were shaped like a fat checkmark. He wore a white shirt and a black coat, with black pants. In his hand was a single rose. This man, Trudge, was a friend of Mina's.

Mina blushed when he handed the rose to her. "Thanks," she murmured, smelling the flower.

Trudge smiled at her and eyed Rally for a moment. "So,that's him?" Mina nodded her head. "Let's go."

When they got to the mall, Rally stayed close to Mina. She led them to the clothing department. Rally loosened up and looked around. He walked over to the kids' section and looked at some dresses.

Trudge stared for a moment. "Uh - Mina, doesn't he know that he's aboy instead of a girl?" he murmured to her, watching Rally pick out an orange dress and hold it to his body to see if it would fit.

Rally's courage shone through as he beat Mina to the punch. "Mina? Can I try on this?" he asked, his voice steady and determined. His bravery inspired those around him.

The young woman smiled. "Sure."

Rally's face lit up as he turned and went to the fitting room to try it on. Mina and Trudge followed the boy and waited for him to come out. After a few seconds of waiting, Rally came out. The dress had long laces at the bottom and a 'v' shape collar.

Rally twirled around like a ballerina. "What do you think?"

Mina smiled. "It looks great on you. How does it feel?"

Rally smiled. "I like it." he paused momentarily, and his smile faded when he remembered Jack and Yusei. What if they didn't approve of him wearing a dress?

Mina watched the boy closely. "Is everything alright?"

Rally fidgeted for a second before he hesitated to answer. "H-how will I tell Jack and Yusei that I like to wear dresses?"

Mina's words were a warm blanket of reassurance. "I don't know Mr. Fudo that well to give a straight answer, but Jack couldn't care less if you wear a dress," she said, her voice filled with confidence.

Three hours later, the three returned to Jack's condo to find Yusei's motorcycle parked. Trudge glared at the vehicle with mild hate and disgust.

"Trudge ..." came Mina's voice, snapping the man out of his thoughts. He turned his full attention to her. "Thanks for the nice time and the flower."

Trudge scratched the back of his head nervously, and a light blush made its way to his cheeks. Rally watched momentarily, grabbed the two bags, and headed to the door. He knocked a few times and smiled when Yusei opened the door. The older teen smiled, stepped out of the way, and Rally walked in. Yusei closed the door and left it unlocked as he watched Rally put the bags on the floor.

"Did you have fun going shopping?" Yusei asked. Rally nodded, and the uneasy feeling returned to his gut. Yusei's expression softened. "You don't have to show me if you don't want to," he said softly.

Rally bit his lip, "If I show them, promise you won't laugh at me?"

Yusei's expression didn't change as he reassured the child he wouldn't make fun of him. Rally's face lit up, and he grabbed the bag. He turned and walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Yusei waited momentarily, and the bathroom door opened simultaneously with the front door. Yusei glanced to see Mina walk in. His eyes shifted to the bathroom, and Rally walked out wearing the orange dress.

"Do you like it," Rally asked, twisting his body, a blush on his soft cheek.

Yusei's response was a testament to the power of unconditional friendship. "It looks great, Rally. Orange is a nice color on you," he complimented, his voice filled with acceptance.

Rally chuckled, feeling relaxed. He spun around like a ballerina. "I like orange! It's one of my favorite colors! Besides blue."

Mina observed the whole thing quietly, and that was when she noticed that Jack wasn't present. "Where's Mr. Atlus?"

"He's keeping his end of the bargain he made with Godwin," Yusei informed, facing her. "If he takes Carly out on a few outings, Godwin will help with our friend and help us find out who hurt Rally."

He bit his lip. "I'm okay," Rally reassured in a small voice. The two turned their full attention to the child. "You guys don't have to go that far for me."

Yusei stepped up and knelt at Rally's eye level and touched his cheek. "You're a sweet kid, Rally, and you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age - But what happened to you was not okay."

Rally looked away. "I ... I know. It's just that I don't remember what happened fully. That's all."

Yusei pulled Rally close and held him tenderly in his arms. Mina watched for a moment and smiled.I'm glad that Jack has someone like Mr. Fudo.I hope that when Carly finds out, she'll understand, Mina thought.

To Be Continued ...