Joey Wheeler x Reader - Bullies

That's what Friends are For

Entering the cafeteria, you and Joey headed over towards a small table with three other students sitting around it, all of which you recognized as Joey's friends. With each step closer you wanted to turn tail and run, but there was no quitting now. The three teenages glanced over at the two of you, smiling at the sight of their familiar friend. "Hey Joey! What took yah so long? You're usually the first one here!" The brown haired boy asks cheerfully. "Yeah, by now you'd normally be shoving all your food down like a black hole." The girl adds playfully. "I just made a quick stop to grab my friend here!" Joey replies, gesturing towards you. "Who's she?" Yugi asked curiously, the three of them all shifting their focus to you. He was the only one you knew since he was pretty famous, having won several large duel monsters tournaments."This is ___(f/n)! She's my friend from back in middle school and I thought I'd introduce her to you guys!" "H-Hi.... I'm ___(f/n). It's nice to meet you." You manage to say loud enough for them to hear. "Hello ___(f/n)! I'm Yugi!" "My name's Tristan! I didn't know Joey had any other friends, especially a girl! It's a miracle!" "Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Joey exclaims, Tristan holding up his hands defensively as the other two laugh. "And I'm Tea! It's great to have another girl around for a change. These guys can get a little out of hand sometimes, but don't let them scare you off, they mean well." She says with a quick wink. "Well we're gonna grab some food. Come on ___(f/n)!" Joey walks over towards the lunch line, you following closely behind him. As you got closer to the line, Joey reaches into his pocket, realizing he's missing something important. "Aw man! I totally forgot my lunch money! Guess it's pb&j for me today." He sighs. "I can pay for you Joey." You offer. "Really? No way, I can't let you do that. If it was Tristan, maybe, cause he already knows I won't pay him back, haha!" "It's fine, I don't mind! I've been meaning to thank you for everything you've done for me anyways, so get whatever you want. You don't have to pay me back or anything." "You sure?" Joey asks again, you nodding in assurance. "You're the best ___(f/n)! If you need anything I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask!" Joey hugs you, your entire body tensing up and your face heating in embarrassment. You couldn't remember the last time you'd been hugged, especially so tightly. Joey's arms were wrapped around you like a bear gripping a tree. "N-No problem!" Once through the line the two of you returned to the table, immediately being greeted again by his friends. "Welcome back!" Tea smiled. "Hey ___(f/n), why don't you sit next to me?" Tristan asks, patting the seat next to him. "No way! She isn't sitting anywhere near you! You're way too creepy! She's sitting next to me!" Joey shouts, grabbing a chair and pulling it next to the empty one he sits down in. "Why don't you let her pick where she sits?" Tea suggests. "Yeah! You can't hog her all to yourself!" Tristan protests. "I'm sure she'd be more comfortable next to Joey since she's known him longer. She did just meet all of us after all." Yugi explains. "Exactly! Thank you Yugi. Have a seat right here ___(f/n)!" Joey smiled over at you. "Alright." You went ahead and took the seat by him on the end of the table, Joey on your left and Tea on your right. Yugi was next to her and Tristan was next to Joey. "So what are you guys doing after school today?" Tea asks, starting a conversation. "Not much, I was just gonna head home and catch up on that new show that came out last week." Tristan replies. "Oh man, I heard it's awesome! I haven't had a chance to watch it yet though so no spoilers!" Joey adds in. "I've got the first two episodes recorded at home. Why don't we all go back to my house and watch it together?" Yugi suggests. "That sounds great! Are you busy after school ___(f/n)? You should tag along too!" Joey exclaims. "What? You want me to come?" You ask, surprised. "Of course, why wouldn't we?" Tristan responds instead. "But you guys just met me. Wouldn't I be bothering you?" "No way! Besides, this way we can all spend more time getting to know you better." Tea explains. "Exactly! The more the better, right?" Yugi agrees. For a moment your speechless, unsure of what to say. Joey hadn't been lying, they really were the nicest people you'd ever met. Despite barely knowing you, they already treated you as if you'd been friends with all of them for years. "If you say so, then I'd love to come." "Perfect! Then let's all meet at the lockers once school is over, kay?" Tea announces, everyone nodding in agreement before eating and chatting the rest of lunch.

~~~~Time Skip After School~~~~

You were waiting by the lockers alone, surprised that you were the first one there. But maybe you weren't the first. What if you were the last one there and the others had already left without you. Did they forget you? Or ditch you on purpose? You figured the latter was probably more accurate. No! Joey wouldn't do that! None of them would! You had to stop assuming the worst all the time. Jumping to conclusions would only cause problems. Taking a deep breath, you calmed down and continued to wait. Less than a minute later Tea showed up, greeting you cheerfully. "Hey ___(f/n)!" "H-Hey, Tea...." "Thanks for waiting! I was worried you might change your mind and go home. I know making new friends can be a little scary sometimes, so I'm glad you stuck around!" "Well, you guys all seem really nice and considerate, so I really wanna get along with you and become friends." You comment. "What are you talking about? We're already friends!" Tea says, Joey and the others walking up moments later. "Hey guys, ready to go?" Yugi asks happily. "Yep! Just waiting on you slow pokes!" Tea replies, then looking back at you and smiling. "Right?" "Uh, yeah!" You hesitate. "Looks like you two are hitting it off well. You better not be trying to replace me as her best friend Tea! She's mine!" Joey declares, Tea laughing and you quickly glancing down at the ground, blushing from his comment. Even if it was a joke, the idea of Joey being possessive over you like that was kind of.... nice. Tristan slapped his hand on Joey's shoulder, getting his attention. "Hey Joey, wanna race to Yugi's house? I bet I can beat yah!" "Oh yeah? And what do I get when I win?" Joey asks. "Winner gets to sit next to ___(f/n) on the couch!" "You still jealous from earlier at lunch? Tough guy?" "You know it! There's no way I'm gonna let you get all the attention again!" Tristan challenges him. "You're on! I'll smoke your butt!" "Ready? .... GO!" The two boys take off running, Yugi and Tea laughing as they watch them shove each other to try and get ahead. "We better go before they leave us behind." Yugi suggests, Tea nodding and the three of you making your way after them at your own pace. Tea nudges your arm lightly. "Sorry about those two. They should stop fighting over you in about a week or so if you're lucky." "Oh, I'm sure they're just messing around. It's not like they're actually interested in me or anything." You reply, laughing awkwardly. "Why wouldn't they be? You're pretty, kind, and from what Joey's told us so far, you're really fun to be around." "Joey's been telling you guys about me?" You ask curiously. "Yeah, ever since this morning you're all he's been talking about. He hasn't quit going on about you all day." Yugi says, suddenly jumping into the conversation. "I had no clue. Um, he hasn't said anything.... Bad, has he?" You begin to worry, thinking he must have told them by now how up until yesterday you were in one of the meanest gangs in school. Tea must have picked up on this thought going through your mind. "Don't worry, he already told us about the whole hang situation. It doesn't bother us." "It doesn't?" "Nope. From what he said, it sounded like you didn't really wanna be part of that gang in the first place. You were just forced into a bad situation. That doesn't make you a bad person." Yugi responds, smiling at you just like all of them had been doing. You felt your throat begin to tighten up as you forced words out. "Wow.... you guys really are amazing. I've never had any real friends before, and no one's ever been this nice to me.... I can't believe you're so open and willing to accept me like this.... It means so much-" You have to cut yourself off to stop yourself from crying, Tea patting you on the back gently to comfort you. "It's alright ___(f/n)." By now a small game shop has come into view, the three of you arriving at the front door a few seconds later, Tristan and Joey already there bent over panting. "Guys *pant* I totally won! *pant*" Tristan says. "No you didn't! *pant* Don't listen to this loser! *pant* I completely wiped the floor with him!" Joey protests, the two of them about to start arguing when they notice the look on your face, having been on the verge of tears moments ago. "Hey ___(f/n), are you alright?" Joey sounds concerned. "Did something happen?" Tristan asks. Wiping your sleeve across your eyes, you blink back any tears that were about to come out and put on a genuine smile as you glance back up at the two worried boys. "It's nothing, I'm fine! In fact, I'm the best I've ever been thanks to you guys!" Joey and Tristan's concerned faces change to bright smiles. "Good to hear!" Tristan replies. "Now how bout we go inside and watch some TV?" Joey asks, everyone nodding and stepping inside the shop. Joey holds the door open for everyone, winking and giving you a thumbs up as you walk past him, the smile on your lips spreading and a twinkle glinting in your bright ___(e/c) eyes. Today was shaping out to be the best day of your life.