No Strings Attached

Chapter 4

"Such dirty thoughts on your mind , little one."

*Time skip*

We're riding on my motorcycle , making our way to school. Yugi's arms are wrapped around my waist , holding on tightly. Seems like this is his first time riding on a motorcycle.
The whole ride has been silent.

"Um...Atem?" , he speaks after a few moments.

"Yes?"

"Can we...can you drop me off when we get close to school. I don't really want my friends to find out about our rela-... about , you know?"

"Ah , I understand. No problem , I'll drop you off."

"Really? Thank you."

I park my motorcycle and walk towards the school. I dropped off Yugi a few moments ago. Bakura and Marik are waiting for me at the entrance. We always wait for each other like this when going to school , tho it's always me who's waiting for them , not the other way around.

"What took you so long? You usually get to school before us."

"Yugi came yesterday. We were talking so I got hold up"

"Oh , so he accepted? What were you talking about?" Bakura said , lifting up his eyebrow.

"He found my old room so I told him about Gozaburo."

Marik's face was one of shock amd confusion. "What , really?"

"But you barely even know the guy. Is it possible you-"

"NO!" , I said , a bit too loudly. "No." , I repeat. "He's the same as the others. He was just curious to know , so I told him. It's not even that big of a deal. A lot of time has passed since his death."

The two of them exchange a look. I know what they're thinking , but I decide to let it slide. It will only make them doubt me even more.

"Whatever you say. Just please be careful."

Bakura put his hand on my shoulder. "Atem. We don't judge you for anything , we're just worried about you."

"Well , I assure you have nothing to worry about." , I say as I shrug off his hand and start walking to class , the two of them following close behind.

*Yugi's P.O.V.*

I greet my friends as I put my bag on my desk. My first class is English. I have this class with Joey and Ryou.

"Hey Joey , Ryou."

"You didn't forget me already , did you?"

I look up. I know that voice. I gasp , not believing he is standing before me.

"Malik!" , us three said in a unison.

Malik is a part of our group. He moved here from Egypt in fifth grade. I became friends with him through Ryou , the two have been inseparable since Malik came to Japan. He went back to Egypt at the start of this school year due to his mother being diagnosed with cancer. He texted all of us almost everyday , but we haven't heard of him in the last two weeks. I guess he wanted to surprise us.

He first hugged Joey , then me. Then he came to Ryou. They starred into each other's eyes for a brief moment before Ryou pulled him into a tight embrace.

"I missed you so much. I was so worried about your mom." , he whispered."

"I missed you too. Egypt was boring without you. And don't worry , she is all better now." , he whispered back with a slight chuckle.

They hanged on to each other for a few moments before pulling away.

"So how was Egypt? I wanna know EVERYTHING'!"

Malik chuckled at Joey's excitement. He began to talk about his mother's illness , how the doctors thought that she wouldn't make it , but she miraculously did. Then he told us about the wanders of Egypt. How he revisited his favorite places as a child , told about the beauty of the Nile and the mystery of the famous pyramids. We listened to his stories with awe and laughed along the way. We talked for what seemed like hours , but it was actually actually mere 15 minutes.

"But enough about me , anything new happened to you while I was gone?

"Well , Yugi here has a girl , but he won't let us meet her."

"Joey!"

"Ooh , a girl! When can I meet her?" , he said a bit too happy.

I sigh "Relax , it's nothing serious for now."

"He promised he'll introduce her to all of us only if they last for at least a month , so you'll have to wait and see." Ryou explained.

"Oh Ra , I can't wait!!!" , he clapped his hands excitedly.

*Time skip*

The bell rang , signaling the end of the last class. I waved goodbye to my friends. Me and Joey aren't walking home together today , he and the group are going to Burger world. I couldn't go 'cause I had to watch the game shop , grandfather went to see his best friend Arthur , since he just came back from another trip.

I was walking home when I felt two strong hands pull me into a small street around the corner. I gasped when he pinned me hard against the wall. I whimpered as I saw who my attacker is. And as I noticed the knife in his pocket , I prayed inside my head that someone will pass by and come to my rescue. But no one came.

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Ooh , a cliffy! So , I rlly like this chapter , it's my best one yet and pretty much the longest one. Hope you like it , byee 😘👋