The Princeton and the Pauper

The Abandoned Dorm

In the Slifer dorm cafeteria, all was calm during dinner time as Jaden and the gang were talking about different things, ranging from Maria's duel to Syrus developing a crush on Lucille, the French girl from Obelisk Blue. The light blue haired boy's cheeks flushed a deep shade of red at that, before he threw jabs at Hassleberry for his crush on Jolene. Now, it was the dino duelist's turn to blush red. During that time, Maria only sat there, poking her dinner with her chopsticks. For some reason, the caramel haired girl's mind was being consumed with a strange curiousity about something.

"Hey Maria, you okay?" Asked Jaden, swallowing some fried shrimp.

"You seen awful quiet there." Jesse pointed out. "Something bothering you?"

Maria blinked her blue eyes, before replying. "Oh it's nothing. Just..I've been starting to get curious about something."

"About what, soldier?" Asked Hassleberry.

She hesitated before taking the plunge. "The abandoned dorm, I saw back when you guys gave me a tour around the island."

Silence pervaded the air around them as the friend group froze with their eyes wide as dinner plates. Maria continued. "Look, I know this place is off-limits and I understand that. But somehow, I've been oddly fascinated by it like I have with other abandoned buildings and places that are worth exploring."

The boys were at a loss for words. Syrus' eyes widened in terror and anxiety. "But Maria, if the faculty finds out, you've been to that dorm, you'll get in trouble with the Disciplinary Action Squad."

"You know...maybe we could have a little peek around night time when everyone's gone to bed." Suggested Jaden. "What they don't know won't hurt us. Besides, I hear Crowler is a heavy sleeper."

"You do have a point there, Jay." Syrus pondered, before tucking into the rest of his dinner. "But I'm just gonna play it safe and stay out of this."

"Guess that means four of us will go." Remarked Jesse. "Besides, I wonder what could be hidden inside that dorm."

"Well, if the Sarge and the others are up for it, then I'm coming too!" Added Hassleberry.

"Then it's settled." Jaden remarked. "We'll venture tomorrow night once everyone's asleep."

The group nodded as if to seal the deal before moving to finish their dinner and prepare for bed. Deep down, Maria hoped Jaden's plan won't go horribly wrong and would end with them facing the faculty and the Disciplinary Action Squad and she definitely wouldn't want to risk a run in with campus security.

'Sure hope no one knows about this.' She thought as she drifted off to sleep for the night.

~~~

Up in his dorm room, Chazz sat at his desk, deep in thought despite his current foul mood. Since Maria arrived at the academy and since he made that noise complaint, he had to deal with any snippy comment thrown his way whenever he spoke to her, albeit in his typical arrogant, self- conceited and often petty self. Even his so-called pet name, 'Salty' was enough to make him look like he was having a hard time, trying not to pop a blood vessel.

"Who does that Pitney girl think she is?!" A scowl adorned his pale features as a look of annoyed fury shone in his charcoal eyes. "Think she has the nerve to address the Chazz like that?! She oughta be knocked down a few pegs and show some respect."

"Hey, Boss!" Ojama Yellow piped up. "You're ranting your mouth off! You must really be in a bad mood."

"She ain't so bad once you get to know her." Ojama Green added. "Besides, you keep getting rejected by that Alexis gal."