A Whisper of Time || Yu-Gi-Oh Book 1 ||

Chapter 2

There was a change in Téa's everyday life after such a long time being consumed by thoughts of Atem. In the past few days, something weird was happening. Téa thought it was only her imagination or maybe she was going entirely bonkers already. Truth be told, Téa wasn't sure. At some points, Téa didn't seem to be where she was, not simply the building but Domino itself. These strange encounters were too short and too infrequent for Téa to be sure.

Téa was going to pick up some groceries from the near supermarket when her luck betrayed her meeting her mother in the kitchen. Téa hadn't shared anything with her family. They wouldn't believe the whole story with the ancient spirit and saving the world, multiple times. They'd more like think Téa was crazy in addition to her depression and really think about looking for some special medical help. Right now, it wasn't the perfect moment to tell them what was going on with her. Besides, they were absent most of the time, coming to visit their daughter when their work allowed it as was the case now.

"Hey mum, I'm going shopping. Is there anything I should get?" Téa tried to sound normal, as she once did.

"No," the older woman answered. She looked at her daughter; something was terribly wrong, and she knew it but Téa refused to share with them. "Darling, what's going on?" Téa tensed before replying to her mother.

"Nothing." Téa lied.

"Talk to me, my dear. I know something is going on in your life right now. You're young and inexperienced, it's easy to get upset at your age." Maybe she had more than a clue to what was Téa's problem. "Is it about a boy?" Téa stopped in place, her back to her mother.

"It's complicated, mum." Téa murmured.

"Why? If you're so upset... why don't you tell the guy?" Téa flinched because that was the main problem here. Téa couldn't tell him.

"I can't mum, because he's gone," Téa said before walking away.

The older Gardner was confused. Who was the boy anyway? And by gone, did Téa meant he moved somewhere else or... She feared it might be the other one. Téa wouldn't be that hurt if he was simply living somewhere else. Téa could've simply gone there, not stay here and mourn him alone. However, all of her friends were fine: Joey, Yugi, Tristan... he was someone else then. She thought a little bit finding no clue whatsoever.

*

Téa was in the shop thinking about the conversation. There was no way her mother knew Atem. He shared Yugi's body back then and he appeared only in duels usually. Atem was there on their so-called 'dates' though. Téa remembered the first one. It was Yugi's idea and it was quite amusing how he actually tricked him. The poor pharaoh had no idea what had happened. One moment Atem was in the safety of the Millennium Puzzle, then the next he was exposed and completely unable to switch places; Yugi had locked himself in the puzzle leaving Atem with no choice. That was when Téa truly started to fall in love. Before that... Téa was feeling something was odd. When duelling Yugi was becoming more confident and with a powerful aura around him. Atem was an enigma to her. That day Téa truly had no idea what to do and how she could help him. Atem was such a mystery to her; one that attracts you like a magnet and you feel intoxicated in a way. Eventually, Téa did what normal couples would do, and they had fun. It was one of her best days ever. Maybe except for Johnny Step's intervention and rather ruining their moment at the quay. Sometimes Téa wondered what else could've he said if it wasn't for her cheating opponent. Atem, however, stood for her without a doubt proposing to finish him instead. His proposal sent sparkles all through her. However, Téa would never know if he was feeling the same about her. Their second date was after Kaiba's Battle City tournament and he had won all three Egyptian God Cards. Téa already feared the thought of losing him. It looked like deep down Téa knew what would happen and that she wouldn't be the same without him. Yet nothing could've prepared her for the next villain they faced. The thing with Dartz and Atlantis was all too real and creepy. Even Kaiba did help really this time. When they lost Yugi's soul the pharaoh was devasted. Téa was the one to put on a brave face and try to be her usual self. Atem had been more or less like her now. However, Atem was blaming himself for his actions wishing the seal taking him not Yugi. Shamefully, Téa had to admit she was a little bit grateful the Orichalcos didn't take him as intended. The time they spent separated from the others was actually... nice because Téa was alone with him. Atem always showed he cared about her, somehow, Atem always seemed to think about her first then the others. Téa was so enraged during the duel with Weevil, that sneaky little insect. Even after he lost, Atem kept attacking completely oblivious to anything. Atem had to stop so Téa interrupted his next attack, forcing him to stop with her hug. Téa knew he would never hurt her and was right. Téa calmed him, a little wave calming a hurricane, but she did it. Soon after that happened the train crash in the wild. It was still a mystery to her how did they survive through this. It had to be magic. No one could survive after such an accident and falling off a cliff. Téa missed their adventures tough. It might've been pretty dangerous sometimes, but they were together and that's what was important. Téa had a sad smile on her face. It was time to break the recalling of long-gone memories.