The Domino Effect // A Yu-Gi-Oh! Puzzleshipping Fanfiction

Chapter 9

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October 5th, 2004,

          I sat at my desk, kicking my feet back and forth through the air as I watched the clock impatiently. My mind was flooded with thoughts of confusion, happiness, and everything in between. The only thing I could focus on was the small red dial of the clock slowly turning with each passing second leading up to the bell. I could hear the whispers of my classmates, but nothing distinct. I couldn't care less about what they thought at this point, anyways - I was too mixed up with my own thoughts and emotions to be bothered by them. 

All I could think of was the past month, everything that happened, how I had gotten here. My strange sense of confidence today, Yami's caring smile, and Tea's not-so-happy remarks. The scars, the words, everything went along with the ticking of the clock, until -

Ring!

All of the surrounding students rose, confusing me until I came back to reality and did the same. I picked up my notebooks and such and headed out the door, making my way through the traffic of the high school halls. I constantly bumped into people's sides as I went along with the herd, practically on autopilot. Although it might not sound like it, my day had actually gone quite well. I had a strange surge of energy and confidence, which lead me to some pretty interesting decisions. Next to this morning's Tea scenario, I'd say one of the most interesting would have to be what I was going to confront now.

I grabbed my bag and headed out the door, sitting on a bench in the schoolyard. I watched the crowd flock by, the students blending together to form a huddled mass of indistinct color. The only recognizable thing in the group was the uniforms, which we all wore regardless of style. 

I heard the wood creak slightly, a leaf blowing down in front of me as someone slid beside me. I looked over and grinned, a slight laugh coming from them in return.

''Oh, hey Joey,'' I chuckled.

''Hey, Yug, How 'ya doin'?''

''I'm doing great, actually.''

Joey stretched his arms along the back of the bench, looking out to the sky. ''Good.''

We sat in silence for a moment as I looked down at my feet, the grass brushing beneath my shoes as I swung my legs back and forth.

''So, Yug.. About that thing this mornin'.''

''O-oh, you saw that?'' I rubbed the back of my neck nervously, laughing it off. Joey nodded, swinging one leg up onto the other and turning to look at me.

''Yeah. You really showed that Tea girl what's what! Everyone knows how desperate she is for Yami, y'know?''

''Mhm,'' I mumbled under my breath, scanning across the crowd for him. ''I'd say.''

Suddenly, a pair of black leather boots made their way through the doors and towards us before stopping beside me and leaning against the bench. I smiled, looking up to meet Yami's gaze.

''If it isn't the man 'imself,'' Joey teased. I shoved him in embarrassment. 

''Hi, Joey.'' He laughed at our banter before looking back at me seriously. ''Ready to go, Yugi?''

Joey shot up in his seat, raising an eyebrow.

''Go? Go where?''

''I-it's nothing,'' I say quickly, grabbing my backpack from the bench before making my way out of the schoolyard in a hurry. ''Bye, Joey!''

I heard him grunt slightly before readjusting in the seat, watching the surrounding tree leaves flutter down to the ground as we made our way off into the town.

°°°

          I let Yami lead me through the streets, holding my hand as he dragged me throughout the town. I looked curiously at the buildings around me, some of which I had rarely or never passed in all my years of living here. You learn something new every day, I suppose.

''Yami, where are we going?'' I finally asked, about to trip over myself as he quickly stopped.

''You'll see,'' He grinned, walking closer before tapping my nose. ''You did agree to go on a date with me, don't you remember?''

I sighed, nodding before he smiled and continued walking down the sidewalk. This was the thing I was going to confront, this was the interesting situation my new-found confidence had lead me into - and I wasn't sure how I felt about it. 

It seemed odd, to think that I was now being dragged on a date by the same guy who I had hated just months ago. I wasn't even sure of my feelings, and now I was supposed to give my heart to him? I didn't know what to think of it, what to do or say. It seemed to move too fast, heck, I had just spoken to him for the first time in years this past month. So why was I just going along with this?

Maybe I just wanted to let it happen. Maybe I thought if I gave it a chance, I could finally sort out my feelings. I could fix myself this way.

But it doesn't work like that.

I had so much more on my mind, so much more that was important to me, but it almost seemed as if this "relationship" was being shoved down my throat by reality itself. I wanted more than this. I wanted my friends back, my sanity, I wanted to give myself time to heal. I wanted to regain Mana's trust, and dating her current sworn enemy wouldn't help my case. I couldn't do it, I just couldn't.

Yami stopped as I came back from my thoughts and saw we were standing in front of a small diner. He grinned, a giddy expression on his face as he showed off the building proudly. Our hands were still linked together.

''Well, here we are, Yugi. What do you think?''

I stared at him, then at the building, then back. His eyes shone with a happiness I had never seen in him - it seemed sweet, and for once, genuine. He was finally happy with me. I had no right to ruin that.

''I-It's..''

He looked at me with concern, leaning in closer to me.

''..Great. It's great,'' I smiled. I couldn't break his heart.

He nodded with a grin, leading me through the doors as I watched the floor beside me. I didn't know what I had gotten myself into, or how I would get myself out of it. My confidence had faded, reality smacking me across the face as I realized my irrational responses would cost me. I cared for Yami, but my feelings were all mixed with my stress, my need, and my hurt. I couldn't read left from right, black from white, anything. I just knew that if I hurt him, I'd hurt myself. I'd hurt the world surrounding me. I'd destroy everything I had worked so hard to restore in our friendship, our relationship. Even if agreeing hurt me, it put him at ease. And that's all I wanted. For him to be happy.

Even if it meant tipping the dominoes in the wrong direction.

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