*ON HOLD* Answer To My Heart (Jesse Anderson/ Yu-Gi-Oh GX)

1: A New Face

Jesse POV.

The wind blew softly in repeated patterns, the sea rippled and crashed as the tides met the sand's borderline.
A small, light blue haired boy with rounded glasses paced beside me,

'Are you sure you guys want to do this? You really don't have to...'

'Nah, Sy, we want to be there for you and besides that's what friends do right?' said the chocolate-brown haired slifer, hope flashing in his eyes.

A faint smile tweaked at Syrus' mouth.

'Thanks, Jay' a slightly reassuring laugh followed.

We were going to the harbour with Syrus to talk things out with him, he'd been really stressed when his  brother left the Academy to go to hospital again. His heart was slowly healing, very slowly.

There were practice duels at the arena, crazy lines at the store and the harbour was the only place left to go. No-one said anything on the way there to maintain the peaceful silence. I felt the wind blow the sleeves of my jacket backwards and sent small shivers on my arms that soon turned into goosebumps. The pier soon drew nearer...but a boat was docked.

'We have visitors, I see' Jim remarked, Shirley shuffling around on his back.

A large white boat floated in front of us; white, glossy paint reflecting the sunlight and a staircase began to lower itself revealing a blue-carpeted floor inside. A hand reached to my shoulder

'Didn't you say that there weren't any boats docking this month?' Jaden asked as Syrus stared out into the distance, I nodded as curiosity washed over me.

I ruffled a hand in my blue hair as the wind began to pick up again. There were a few exchanges of analytic glances between us all, a strained grunt echoed from the inside of the boat

'That sounded familiar...' Syrus muttered, a hurt hope glowing in his eyes.

We all looked at him suddenly as he stood motionlessly, it couldn't be.

Just then, faint footsteps were nearing the entrance of the door that stood above the staircase; a tall, dark-blue haired figure in a navy blue overcoat stepped out and a loud gasp came out of Syrus' mouth as our eyes met the dark-blue haired man

'Zane!' he yelled in joy, Zane quickly climbed down the stairs and embraced his brother.

Relieved laughs surrounded the atmosphere as joyful tears spilled from Syrus' eyes .

As Jaden and Syrus went to welcome Zane home, I observed Jim as he released Shirley from his back and let her relax in the water.

I smiled at the thought of freedom, being on a person's back all day must be hard. Jim joined them after that and so was I, until I sensed another presence.

I looked back at the door that Zane had stepped out from earlier and there stood a girl.

A girl with dark brown hair, beautiful eyes and a delicately alluring smile leaned against the door frame of the boat. Her eyes showed happiness and delight in other people's joy, she has Jaden's eyes, I thought.

A feeble giggle escaped her lips as Syrus ended a short speech on not giving up followed by Zane's deep chuckle

'Jesse, come over here' Zane called, snapping me out of my thoughts, I walked over to them whilst risking a glimpse of the girl.

She wasn't observing the Truesdale brothers as she did before, she was looking directly at me.

Her eyes never left mine-and unexpectedly- she smiled at me before looking away.

I smiled back and welcomed Zane back, but I realised that he noticed me smiling idiotically at the girl

'Why don't you come over and introduce yourself?' Zane suggest to the girl, she nodded and joined his side.

A light blush spread across her cheeks and a shy smile appeared on her face as she tried to avoid eye contact with me, 'Guys, this is Rhiona-'

'Rhia' she cut in softly, her voice was gentle and reserved. 

She looked up at me, her mesmerising eyes seeping through my weaknesses, 'You're Jesse Anderson,right?' she spoke quietly.

'Yeah, that's right,' I replied sheepishly, 'It's very nice to meet you, Rhia' I offered a hand.

She shook it, 'I'm a big fan, I was there when you won the duel for the crystal beasts'

'Aw, gee, thanks for supportin' me. That was one crazy duel! But I'm glad to know that I have fans as beautiful as you'

She laughed and shook her head, before going on to meet the rest of the gang.

'Jesse, you're not wrong there, mate, we have ourselves a beauty' Jim announced as he shook her hand.

It was then Jaden's turn, 'I don't think I need to introduce myself to you, do I Rhia?' he state, 'We've already met, I don't really think we need to meet again'

'Agreed,' she grinned, 'It's good to see you again, You've changed a lot. You've gotten...shorter...'

'You too' he playfully punched her arm.

'Wait, you two know each other?' Syrus asked as he wiped his remaining tears from his cheeks, Jaden and Rhia looked at each other and burst out laughing.

'You guys have no idea...' Jaden joked. I was about to ask what he meant but a repeated beeping sound alerted our ears, our phones went off at the same time.

It was a message from Professor Pemberton- substitute teacher from West Academy.

'We have seen a recent docking at the harbour and your duel disks have appeared on the radar.
Mr. Truesdale and his companion have also been recognised.
There is an announcement and a task we have chosen you all to be a part of,
and we have been asked to request for your presence at Chancellor Shepherd's office immediately'

'Alright, well...I guess we're going to Chancellor Shepherd's office then...' I restated as Zane turned to lock the boat's door.

We all waited for Zane to return but as we waited, I noticed that Jaden and Rhia were having a private discussion going 'un-noticed' by the rest of the gang.

I wonder if they knew something that we don't...Zane returned from the boat and we set off for the chancellor's office, our footsteps echoed in the hallways and a soft melody played at Rhia's lips.

I was walking beside her whilst everyone else walked with Jaden and Jim, 'That's a pretty tune,' I whispered to Rhia, she looked at me in shock as she probably didn't know that her humming wasn't quite quiet.

She looked down attempting to hide her smile and blush, 'Thank you,' I patted her shoulder lightly and laughed faintly.

The Chancellor's office drew closer in our sight and we all wanted to know one thing. The same thing.

What was going on?