The Void Duelist

Chapter 18 - Stand Up

Aria's POV

"Because I care about you!" He almost yelled, tightening his grip on my hand.

His hands were warm. My heart raced. I could feel my face growing hot. But I stood my ground.

"So what?" I said coldly. "If there's one thing I learned from taking my walls down...it's that being close to people can only bring you more hurt. "

"But it can also make you stronger."

"Maybe in your opinion, but to me caring about others is just a weakness." I stated. "Care about someone, and that person gets hurt, you end up hurt too. Caring for others can only bring you pain."

"But-"

I snapped.

"Look at what I've caused you. I got angry at Chaz, and beat him half to hell. I caused you harm in the process. Now look at this current situation. You got close to me, now I'm putting my walls up, and now you're hurting because of my decision." I explained,  biting back my emotions further. "You're getting hurt from caring about me. That's all caring does. Gets you hurt."

I pulled my hands from his and carried on walking.

"I will  prove you wrong! I swear it!" He shouted.

"Whatever." I muttered to myself as I continued to walk off without him.

A few days ago, I was walking down this path with Jaden. I felt warm and we got along fine... But now I was cold and alone agin, and I couldn't go back.

I know it's hurting him, but he'll only hurt more if he sticks with me.

The rest of the slow walk to school was uneventful, luckily. I made it to class about 10 minutes early so I just read a text book from the front of the class. Of course, who walks in a little while later? Chaz. Although his left arm was wrapped in bandages and his face with plasters.

"I see you're still here." He snapped.

"Well this is my class."

"I'm surprised you haven't been kicked out yet. All the trouble you've caused."

"And who do you think caused me to get angry and cause this trouble you're referencing to." I replied sarcastically.

"So where's you're little boyfriend."

"I do not have one. And I never have."

"So you dumped Jaden?"

"I was never with him like that in the first place. We were simply friends. Then I realised something and decided to cut ties."

"So you're just a lonely soul again are ya?"

"I guess you could say that."

"Good. Because it's what a lowly little runt like you deserves."

"I honestly don't have the time nor the patients for you're bullshit Chaz. So I suggest you stop talking to me and do something productive."

I turned back to my reading and ignored all comments he had after that. The teacher soon arrived and was glad to see me reading. Soon everyone else came piling in and Jaden sat next to me. He tried talking with me multiple times but I ignored him.

"Now class. Who can tell me the 3 legendary Egyptian God Cards...Aria?" Our teacher asked me.

"Slifer the Sky Dragon, The Winged Dragon of Rah and Obelisk the Tormentor. All of which who inspired the colours for our dorm sorts. Slifer Red, Rah Yellow and Obelisk Blue." I told him, giving extra info because I felt like it.

"Very good Aria. No wonder you're one of the top students."

"Thank you."

I sat back down. Jaden sent me a thumbs up, which I also ignored. His hand droped and his smile faded once more. The double lesson about Cards had come to a close and I was about to leave. But the teacher called me to the desk to tell me something.

"Why can I help you with?" I asked.

"How would you like to go on a school trip to Kiba Corp?" He asked. "We only offer it for the most excellent of students, and you are one of them."

"Kiba Corp? You mean I would be going all the way to Domino City?"

"Indeed. Here's a slip. Fill it out and take it to your dorms head by the end of the month, if you wish to go. The trip is during next months week holiday." He informed, handing me the sheet. "You can bring a friend if you like."

"Thank you very much. I will make sure to consider this opportunity."

"Now go enjoy your break."

He turned and walked out of the room. I stared down at the letter. I folded it up and placed it in my jacket pocket. I was about to leave myself, when I felt my collar being pulled back.

"Never realised you were so short until now." Chaz snarled. "I wonder how bad a beating you can take until this small body of yours breaks."

"Chaz put me down at once."

He let go, making me fall right on my butt. He laughed at me.

"Now, here's the deal. I challenge you to a duel. You win, I stop bothering you. I win, and you gotta do whatever I say until the end of the term." He stated.

I was about to reply when another voice jumped in.

"Or, I can duel for her." Jaden butted in.

"Jaden. He challenged me, not you. I do not need someone to fight my battles."

"And you don't know how strong he is. I know you're strong and all, but Chaz has beaten most the teachers here. He's even meant to be the next head of the Obelisk Blue Dorm because he's so strong." Jaden told me. "I'm literally the only person he hasn't beaten."

"Jaden, I've beaten him before remember."

"Yeah but now he's twice as mad, and twice as determined. Plus I told you I would prove your statement from this morning wrong, and this is how."

"What are you going off about now? You are not the boss of me Jaden! I shall do as I-"

"Okay then." Chaz stated. "Me and you Jaden. You win, I leave Aria alone. I win, BOTH if you have to do my bidding."

"Deal." Jaden replied.

Chaz grabbed my collar again.

"We're fighting now. And in case you're think of running away, I've got her."

He tugged my collar like a dog and started borderline dragging me to the duelling hall.

He is such an idiot. I beat Chaz before. What's the harm of we whooping his ass again? I have a better chance of beating him than Jaden. At least if I play it'll be over faster.

Chaz basically threw me onto the floor and walked up to the platform, as did Jaden.

"Let's duel!" They said in unison.

Word Count: 1120