Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ High School Love ❯ High school Love chapter seven ( Chapter 7 )

HIGH SCHOOL LOVE

 

CHAPTER 7

 

 

 

 

{Knock} {Knock}

 

“Come in,” Joey called weakly. He groaned as he tried to sit up a little further on his pillows, and his stomach immediately protested by turning somersaults. For a moment he considered lying back down again, but decided against it as the door opened. To his surprise, it was Seto Kaiba who came in, not Yugi or Yami as the blond had expected. He blinked several times as the young CEO came to stand by his bedside, looking down at him with a peculiar expression on his face.

 

Joey returned the look with one of faint suspicion. What was Kaiba doing here, of all people? They didn't really get on too well at the best of times, and the blond had never dreamed his arch-nemesis would actually take the time to come visit him. “Hey,” he said at last, hating his voice for its quaver as his stomach once again did some fancy moves. “What's a snob like you doin' comin' ta see a mutt like me?”

 

“Aren't I allowed to visit a fellow student when they're sick?” Kaiba questioned with a faint smile, taking a chair and sitting down. “Last I heard, there was no rule against it.”

 

Joey could barely believe his ears. Kaiba had just cracked a joke! What on earth was the world coming to? “Uh, t'anks, I guess,” he finally managed to say.

 

Kaiba regarded him quizzically. “So how are you feeling?” he asked.

 

“Like shit,” Joey said sourly, forgetting his usual antagonism towards the brunette senior. “I can' keep anyt'in' down, an' all da water I'm drinkin' jus' makes it worse.”

 

“Hm.” Kaiba reached into a pocket and pulled a small silver box out. He flipped the lid open and withdrew a small white tablet, which he then dropped into a glass of water. After the tablet had dissolved, he handed the glass to Joey. “Drink this,” he instructed. “It might taste awful, but it'll do you some good.”

 

“Anyt'in's gotta be betta dan feelin' like you're about ta hurl any second,” Joey said, taking the glass and downing its contents in one swallow. He made a face at the sour taste of the mixture, and for a moment the nausea increased, but within moments he was feeling worlds better. “Hey,” he said, “it worked. It really worked.”

 

“I knew it would,” Kaiba remarked, as he put the small box back in his pocket. “I'd be willing to bet the nurse would never have thought of giving you something to actually help ease the nausea.”

 

Joey found himself laughing. “No. She jus' shoved soup an' water down my t'roat, an' den had ta hold da bucket for me when I barfed it all back up again.”

 

It was Kaiba's turn to laugh, and once again Joey could not believe what he was hearing and seeing. It was like Kaiba was a totally different person, and the blond couldn't help but liking this side of the CEO, try though he might to tell himself that the brunette senior was just a cold-hearted, stuck-up snob who deserved a kick in the ass. But ever since yesterday, when he had intervened in the unpleasant scene with Tea, Joey had been forced to think long and hard about his opinion of Kaiba. True, he had acted no less snobbish and cutting, and had called Joey a mutt, as usual, but instead of getting angry, like he normally did, the blond had had no room in him for any emotion save surprise. It had been at that moment, when the brunette had walked off, that Joey had discovered that his opinion of the other senior had been greatly changed. And here he was again, forced once more to look at the other teen in a new light. It was very puzzling indeed.

 

“Listen, I really owe ya one,” he said at last. “I don' what I woulda done wit'out your help.”

 

Kaiba shrugged it off like he had shrugged off Joey's thanks of the day before as he stood. “Let's just say that your being sick for so long was starting to wear me down a little, because you weren't around for me to wind up, and it can get boring after a while. Personally, I couldn't have cared less whether or not you languished here like a sick dog.”

 

“Hey, jus' because ya helped me out…” Joey began heatedly, sitting up in a temper.

 

Kaiba casually pushed him back down. “Don't go wearing yourself out on my account,” he said with a small grin. “You'll have all the time in the world to get back at me when you get better. And you'd better make sure you do.” He straightened up and gave Joey another peculiar look that was just far too strange for the blond to fathom. “Otherwise I may spontaneously self-combust for lack of entertainment.” The sound of his laughter lingered in the air for a very long time after he left.

 

 

 

 

Five minutes later, there was another knock on the door, and Yugi poked his head in. “Hi, Joey,” he said brightly. “How're you feeling?”

 

Joey brightened considerably at the sight of his best friend. “Hey, Yug,” he said, as the smaller teen came in, closing the door behind him. “I'm not feelin' too bad. Kaiba stopped by five minutes ago an' had da decency ta give me somet'in' ta make ma bug go buh-bye.”

 

“That's good,” Yugi said, his face lighting up. “I knew Kaiba had a heart of gold under that icy exterior of his.”

 

“Yeah, well, it didn' las' long,” the blond said sourly. “As soon as I started pickin' up, he started layin' inta me, like he had not'in' betta ta do wit' his time.”

 

“He was just taking your mind off your bug,” Yugi said soothingly, handing his friend a brown paper bag. “I thought you might like something to eat, so I bought you a toasted sandwich when the rain died down. It's nice and warm outside again.”

 

Joey took the bag and opened it. “T'anks. You're a lifesaver,” he said gratefully. Thanks to Kaiba's little remedy, he was able to munch at the sandwich without fear of bringing it right back up again. “Did you and Yami get wet?” he asked between bites. “It was pourin' cats an' dogs out dere.”

 

“We were lucky to miss the worst of it,” Yugi said with a laugh. “We did end up looking like a pair of drowned rats though. But we put our clothes in the dryer, and when the rain stopped, I went back into the city to get your sandwich.”

 

It was then that Joey noticed Yugi was alone. “So, uh, where's your shadow, Yug?” he asked. “It's not like you ta be wit'out your Siamese twin."

 

Yugi blushed at the mention of Yami's name. "He'll be along any minute," the small teen said. "He sent me on ahead while he fetched our clothes from the dryer."

 

As if the mention of him had been a summons, the door opened, revealing the current topic of their conversation. "Our clothes are dry and all is well," he announced, coming up to the bed. "How're you feeling?"

 

"Betta, t'anks to Yug's idea of gettin' a sandwich for me," Joey answered, giving his best friend a grateful smile, which was returned.

 

"That's good to hear," Yami said. He glanced at his watch. "Well, I'm very sorry to say that I'm going to have to steal your nurse again. Now that the weather's cleared up, I was thinking of taking Yugi back into the city so we can catch some of the sights."

 

"Damn," Joey complained with a laugh. "I won' be dere ta show ya where you should an' shouldn' go."

 

"I'm sure we'll be able to get along just fine without your guidance," Yami said with a smile. Yugi stood and took the elder teen's hand. "Hope you get better soon," he said to Joey.

 

"Don' you worry 'bout me, pal," the blond told him. "You jus' go an' have some fun for your buddy, 'kay?"

 

Yugi nodded. "'Kay," he agreed. "I'll tell you all about it tomorrow."

 

Joey's smile lasted until the door had closed. Then he let it slip and laid his head against the pillow with a sigh that seemed to come from the bottom of his toes. He knew he ought not to feel jealous - on the contrary, he was very happy for his small friend - but deep down, he couldn't help envying Yugi and Yami, now that it seemed so certain that they were destined to grow closer as time went by. It almost didn't seem fair, but Joey knew he was feeling that way because deep down he was excruciatingly lonely. Sometimes it was so painful he was tempted to throw back his head and howl from the aching loneliness that seemed to wrack his heart without mercy.

 

When would that special someone come into HIS life, he wondered. It seemed as though he had been waiting forever for someone to come along and love him the way Yami so obviously loved Yugi, even if both teens were somewhat in denial over that fact. Joey allowed a brief grin to surface. He knew those two had fallen in love at first sight. Neither was willing to admit it, that was all.

 

There it was again. Love. That prickly, painful, exhilarating, terrifying emotion that obeyed no laws and followed no rules. Why couldn't HE experience it for himself. It just was not fair at all! He wanted someone to love him. He NEEDED someone to love him. When it came right down to the bare bones, he couldn't do without love. He HAD to find it with someone special, and soon, before he went postal!

 

For some reason, though, whenever he thought about his woefully single state, the face of Seto Kaiba would appear in his mind, almost of its own volition. And whenever Kaiba's face appeared, he felt a mixture of emotions he was positive he had never felt before. He HATED the bastard. Every time they crossed paths, sparks would fly between them, and Kaiba would always emerge the victor from their verbal jousts. So why did he think of the fucktard so often? It wasn't possible that his special someone was that cold-blooded, rich-ass snob, was it?

 

No way! The thought was absolutely repulsive! There was no way on the planet that he, Joey Wheeler, had fallen head over heels for Seto Kaiba! It just did not compute. He and Kaiba were as different from each other as chalk and cheese. And just as incompatible, for that matter.

 

The blond let a long groan escape him. Ever since Kaiba had so unwittingly lent him a hand yesterday, he had had to fight hard against the change of heart he was undergoing concerning his fellow senior. Ever since the brunette had gained a new shine in his eyes, that shine had been hard to tarnish. It had been made even more impossible with Kaiba's earlier visit, and even though he had set out insulting the blond as he usually did, Joey was more certain than ever, the more he thought about it, that there was more to Kaiba's words and actions than the brunette was willing to show. There had been something in what he said when Joey had questioned him about the real reason for his visit. He just had to think about it long and hard…

 

Bingo! He had the solution in front of him as if it had been written before him in letters of fire. As if Kaiba was sitting by his bedside once more, his words came back to Joey as clearly as if he was hearing them for the first time.

 

“You'll have all the time in the world to get back at me when you get better. And you'd better make sure you do. Otherwise I may spontaneously self-combust for lack of entertainment.”

 

Joey grinned. So, Kaiba missed him, did he? He must have, for something like that to slip out. If he didn't care, he would have said something a lot less personal. Joey knew him very well indeed. Kaiba had let something very interesting slip indeed, and although the blond hated to admit it, he kind of liked the idea that Kaiba, of all people, was attracted to him. He would never in a million years have ever suspected that the CEO was gay. Mai Valentine had had her eye on him for a while, but Kaiba must not have been interested in her enough to want to return her attentions. Either that, or he was in love with someone else. And it was looking more and more like that someone else was none other than Joey Wheeler, the last person he would ever have dreamed of falling in love with.

 

Right now, Joey wasn't too sure how he felt about this sudden, and very unexpected turn of affairs. The thought of being in love with Kaiba was still very much taboo, but at the same time, it excited him and made something stir within him, something that both frightened and exhilarated him at the same time. He could lay a bet as to what it was. Love. That troublesome, elusive emotion he had somehow never been able to catch a hold of until now. It seemed certain to him that Seto Kaiba had fallen in love with him, disturbing, and for the moment, still repulsive though that idea was to him right now.

 

He turned over on his side. He was going to have to get used to the idea that the world's biggest jerk was in love with him, not to mention the fact that he was also going to have to get used to the idea that HE most likely returned those feelings. Man oh man, what a day this had turned out to be!

 

 

 

 

"Did you enjoy yourself tonight?" Yami asked softly, looking down at the little angel he held in his arms. The moon shone full and bright overhead, causing even the brightest stars to pale in comparison. A gentle, warm breeze ruffled the leaves of the tree they were lying under, and the whole world seemed to have hushed, till only the faint murmur of the sea and the gentle whisper of the breeze were the only sounds that seemed to exist.

 

Yugi nodded. He was very much at peace, with Yami's heartbeat under his ear, and the elder teen's arms wrapped tightly around him. It was as if the two of them were encased in an enchanted bubble that he was almost afraid to break. "I had a really nice night," he said softly, almost hesitantly, so as to keep that bubble intact.

 

Yami stroked his hair. "I'm very glad to hear that," he said.

 

They spoke no more for a little while, content to enjoy the peace of the night, which seemed to wrap itself lovingly around them, shutting them off from the rest of the world. A few stray sakura petals floated down gently, and Yami brushed each petal from Yugi's hair as it fell, not wanting anything to mar that wondrous mop of hair so like his own.

 

Finally, Yugi spoke again. "I wish the weekend would last forever," he said, a faint note of sadness in his voice.

 

"There's still one more day tomorrow," Yami said with a gentle laugh.

 

Yugi poked him lightly in the ribs. "I know that," he said. "I meant after tomorrow."

 

Yami chuckled again. "I'm sorry," he said contritely. He tightened his embrace. "I wish the weekend would last forever as well, little one. Today has been the best day I've ever had, and I never want this to end." He sighed. "But unfortunately, school waits for us no matter how much we may wish for it not to."

 

"Can I still see you during the week?" Yugi asked hopefully.

"Of course," Yami told him. "I'd expect nothing less from you." His voice became serious. "But I don't want you skipping classes or neglecting your homework just so you can spend more time with me. Your education is still important, you know."

 

"I know," Yugi said, his voice showing his understanding. "I wouldn't neglect my studies, even for you." The giggle he followed this statement with took away any sting the words might have had. "I just want to know that we can see each other whenever we can manage it, without making our studies suffer."

 

"That I can grant," Yami said with a smile. He was rewarded with another giggle. "Besides, no one said that we can't study together."

 

"Really?" Yugi said eagerly.

 

"Really," Yami promised. "We can help each other if we get stuck. Study buddies, if you will."

 

"I love the sound of that," Yugi said happily. "I've never had a real study buddy before. You're going to be the first one I ever had."

 

"And you're going to be my first study buddy too," Yami told him. "Privileged, aren't we?"

 

Yugi nodded. "We sure are," he agreed.

 

Yami hugged him close for a moment before looking at his watch. "It's getting close to 10. We should head back."

 

Yugi stood up and offered Yami his hand. The elder teen took it to get to his feet, and then the younger gave his crush a tentative kiss on the lips. "Thank you for a very nice day today," he said, thankful that the darkness hid his blush. "I can't wait till tomorrow."

 

"Neither can I," Yami said, slipping his arm around Yugi's waist as they began their short walk back to the school, which loomed up like a silent fortress, lit here and there with security lights. {Nor can I wait for the day when I can truly call you mine} he thought wistfully. He was very content with the state of affairs between them at the moment, but he did wish very much for more one day. Sometimes it was hard to remember the promise he had made. But he was well aware that it would be all worth it one day. He could bide his time and be content until that day came.

 

 

 

 

“I hate Mondays, I hate Mondays, I hate Mondays, I HATE Mondays.”

 

“You done?”

 

“I hate Mondays.”

 

“I guess not.” Tristan sat back and stretched the kinks out of his arms and hands. “Man, I thought I was going to die from all that copying the teacher made us do this morning. What's her problem?”

 

“I think her boyfriend dumped her last night,” Duke supplied helpfully.

 

“Again?” the brunette complained. “Man, what is it with her and her choice of boyfriends? Not a week goes by when she doesn't lump us with extra work because her latest boyfriend dumped her.”

 

“I guess she just attracts the wrong type of guys,” Duke decided.

 

Tristan smirked. “Now if a guy like me came into her life, she'd have nothing to fear from me,” he said, almost preening.

 

“Yeah right,” Duke said skeptically. “She'd probably end up running a mile from you after a week.”

 

“Whaddya mean by that?” Tristan said heatedly. “I've got girls throwing themselves at me all the time! You've seen the way they flock to me, drawn by my irresistible good looks and my incomparable charm.”

 

“Only because they're probably too dumb to see that you're just the worst kind of ladies' man on the planet,” Duke retorted with a grin.

 

“Oh really?” Tristan almost purred. “Like they're throwing themselves at YOUR head 24/7.”

 

“I,” Duke declared, “know the right way to go about attracting a member of the opposite sex.”

 

“Uh-huh,' Tristan retorted. “You do not have what it takes to win the ladies over. The only ones who'll notice you are the goody-two-shoes like Serenity Wheeler.”

 

“And what, pray tell is wrong with that?” Duke wanted to know, his voice so silky you wouldn't have known what to expect next if you didn't know the green-eyed senior too well. “I'll have you know that Serenity is not your average goody-two-shoes. She had brains and some looks, and she's not the wishy-washy type who says, `Yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir.' She knows how to think for herself, and she has a very good sense of humor, not to mention the most amazing personality on the planet.”

 

“Don't forget that she hangs out with Mai and Tea,” Tristan said darkly.

 

Duke shook his head. “Nuh-uh,” he said. “I have it on oath that Mai used her to try and get between Yami and Yugi. When Yugi, Serenity and Joey were growing up, they were the closest kids in the world. There was nothing on earth that could separate them. When Serenity realized just who it was she was hurting, she got out of Mai's clutches so fast that tart didn't know what hit her. Serenity's a good sort, and it's hardly any wonder when she has Joey Wheeler for a brother.”

 

Tristan was silent for a moment. “Damn,” he said at last. “I used to think Serenity was no better than those two sluts. I guess I was wrong about her.”

 

“Just don't go getting any ideas about trying to muscle in on my territory,” Duke retaliated with a grin. “She's very interested in me. I don't need a third wheel trying to put a spanner in the works.”

 

Tristan held his hands up defensively. “Hey, don't sweat it, she's yours any time you want her.” Then he grinned. “I don't envy you when it comes to facing Joey, though. He's very protective of Serenity. You're going to have a hard time convincing him that you're a worthy suitor.”

 

“I know,” Duke said with a light shrug. “That's why Joey and I talked about it before I took Serenity out on Friday night. Joey knows I can be trusted with Serenity. I promised him I'd guard her like a treasure, and I'm going to keep that promise.” His face flushed a little. “Besides, I really like her a lot. She's the first girl who's seriously captured my interest, and I honestly do not want to let her slip through my fingers. She's so special, Tristan, you have no idea the things she does to me with just one look, or with one word.”

 

“Whoa.” Tristan was amazed. He had never seen his friend so… intense about a girl before. “I guess she means a lot to you, doesn't she?”

 

Duke nodded. “And I'm going to prove to her that she'll be doing herself a very good turn by dating me,” he said. “I'm not going to force her into anything; I'm just going to let her see how important she is to me, and let her make up her own mind about me.”

 

Tristan could only shake his head in wonder. “And what if she chooses someone else?” he wanted to know.

 

Duke shrugged again. “I won't let it bother me,” he said. “I know that she still has to decide her feelings about me. Like I said, I'm not going to force her into anything; if she chooses someone else, I'll be happy for her. If she chooses me, that's a bonus.” The bell rang at that moment, and the two seniors stood up to go to their next class.

 

“Well, good luck,” Tristan said, as they left the library. “I'll be there for you if she turns you down.”

 

“Yeah right,” Duke snorted, as they prepared to part ways. “You'll comfort me and then try chasing after her yourself. I know you too well, pal.”

 

{I'll say} Tristan thought bitterly, as he watched the black-haired senior head off to his biology class. {It's almost a crime how well you can read me sometimes} He looked down at his hands and sighed as he headed for his own class. {Oh well. He doesn't know EVERYTHING there is to know about me, and that's a good thing. He'd laugh his head off if he found out I was gay, and that I have the most humungous crush on him. I sure picked a fine time to get a crush on someone who's interested in someone else and will probably never give me a second thought beyond friendship

 

{Fuck that hurts}

 

 

 

 

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