The Princeton and the Pauper

Something About Her

It had been a month since the academy's tag duel tournament had been announced and some tag teams were formed to participate in the event. During that time, Chazz and Maria kept dueling many of the students, regardless of rank and through it all, were learning to work together. Since their first tag duel which ended in their victory, their tolerance for each other had grown to respect, especially with their dueling abilities.

Other times when they weren't dueling, Chazz would observe Maria before, during and after classes. At first, he viewed her as a Slifer slacker but he was proven wrong. Despite being in the lowest ranking dorm of the school, Maria was still kind, compassionate and always willing to lend a hand, especially when it came to chores with Ms. Dorothy. He was still surprised that she accepted his offer to be his tag partner. Also despite it all, the spiky haired teen couldn't help but feel that something was up with him, regarding that girl. He didn't usually feel those sentiments when it came to his unrequited crush on Alexis which was beginning to die down. Whenever he saw Maria laugh with Jaden and the others, dancing before bed or heard her sing while working, that weird sensation in his heart would make itself known and his pale cheeks would be tinged with a shade of red. Even the Ojamas noticed that their boss would be acting strange around her.

Having won another tag duel, both teens left the arena and were heading out into the hallway. Looking out the window, the sky was slowly beginning to change colour, indicating that sunset was nearing.

"Hey Maria, I wanna show you a little spot around the academy."

Maria nodded before following Chazz upwards to a flight of stairs. Upon reaching the top step, her breath escaped her lips as they were now on the academy's rooftop. The view from there was astounding and perfect for viewing the sky and all of the island. The caramel haired girl approached a pillar and took a seat upon the floor, motioning for Chazz to join her. They needed a well deserved break from all those tag duels.

"I've never been to this part of the academy. The view looks stunning and it's very spacious."

She turned to find that Chazz had become silent. Her smile changed a little as if to ask him what was wrong.

"I take Jaden told you."

Maria knew what he meant and nodded, having remembered what Jaden had told her about him. "Yes. What makes you say that?"

The black haired male sighed through his nose before he began to explain about his life before becoming a student at the academy.

"It is true. I am the third born son of the Princeton family. 'Course you would've known I've come from rich welfare, given the renovations I did to have my own room in the Slifer dorm until Blair took over. My two older brothers, Slade and Jagger did their bit to boost our family's reputation in their respective fields of politics and finance while I had to fulfil my role in the field of duel monsters. It's why I try my hardest to be the best and to not let my family name down. My father would ensure that we would be successful and to make him proud, even though he wasn't much of a presence in our lives. The one person who was there for us..well mostly me..was my mother. She was such a kind soul and was raising me to be that way. She died from an illness when I was very young."

Upon hearing those words, Maria's eyes were filled with sadness. She would do anything to be there for her tag partner in those hard times. "I'm so sorry. That must've been so heartbreaking."

"No matter. I know for certain that she's been watching over everything I do." His charcoal eyes turned to her. "But enough about me. I'd like to know many things about you."