x

Watch your anger

Keep your words

And hear the music

You've never heard

x

"You've got to be kidding me!"

Alexis Rhodes screamed in frustration as she let tumble to the floor a neatly clipped envelope. Mindy starred over her shoulder, wondering what could be making her friend so angry, and gasped in horror.

"No way! How could this be happening?"

Mindy asked, rubbing her eyes, not quite believing what she was seeing.

"I failed Dr. Crowlers final exam because I was uh... well, you remember the night where I went off for some fresh air?"

Mindy nodded.

"I wound up at the abandoned dorm, and there was this creep who snatched me."

Mindy's eyes widened.

"No way! Did you turn him in? He didn't do anything to you, did he?"

Alexis shook her head, and shivered, remembering being locked in the darkness.

"No, it so happened that Jaden and his friends were there, and well Jaden dueled the guy and saved me."

Mindy sighed.

"How romantic!"

Alexis ignored her comment, and sighed.

"Because I failed the final, and Dr. Crowler just happens to be the headmaster of Obelisk Blue, I've...I've been demoted."

Mindy put her hand on Alexis's shoulder and put on a bright smile.

"Don't worry! You'll be up from Ra Yellow by next week."

Alexis shook her head.

"I haven't been demoted to Ra Yellow, Mindy, I've been demoted into Slifer Red."

At once, Mindy's face expression changed.

"Oh, that is not cool! You'll have to hang around those slifer losers for an entire week. And then spend another week at Ra Yellow... Wow, Alexis, why were you hanging around the abandoned dorm, anyway? It's not the best place for fresh air and it is forbidden."

Alexis shrugged, and avoided Mindy's gaze.

"I got lost, that's all."

Mindy cast her a skeptical look.

"Lost?"

Uncomfortable, Alexis moved away from her. She didn't want to lie to Mindy, but she hadn't told anyone about her missing brother except Zane. The very thought of the elder Truesdale brother brought her a headache. Zane would be severely disappointed in her. And as much as she hated to admit it, she did value Zane's opinion. They had become friends almost immediately after she transferred into Obelisk Blue. And he was a good friend and a good conversionalist, despite popular belief.

"Alright, I'll see you around... I guess."

Mindy said with a frown, and Alexis gave her a sad smile.

"I hope you get back before open night."

Mindy added. Alexis gasped.

"Oh that's right! Open night for parents is in two weeks! If my parents see that I'm not in Obelisk Blue they'll throw a fit and take me out of Duelist Academy."

Alexis took a deep breath and gave Mindy a brave smile.

"Don't worry, I'll be back in two weeks. By the end of this week I'll be out of Slifer Red, and by the end of next week I'll be out of Ra Yellow and into Obelisk Blue. Besides, there's nothing to be worried about. I'll hang with Jaden and Syrus, and when I get promoted to Ra Yellow I'll hang with Bastion.

Things were looking up, Alexis thought. She also noted that Mindy blushed at the mention of Bastion's name. Did Mindy like Bastion?

"I better pack my bags and get to the Slifer Red dormitory."

Alexis said.

"You'll be sleeping with the guys, Alexis."

Alexis smiled, and heard Mindy giggled. This arrangement may not be so bad, after all...

xxxx

After Alexis traded in her Obelisk Blue uniform, and changed into the Slifer Red girl's uniform, with a sigh she headed towards the bridge to cross to Slifer Red territory. With two suitcases containing her clothing and books, she walked, gripping the handles so tightly she was sure her knuckles were white. She was nervous, there was denying it. She was also ashamed, she mentally admitted. She'd never been a bad student, and landing in Slifer Red demolished her reputation as one of the best students at Duel Academy. She also admitted, with a twinge of guilt, that she rather did like the title of Queen of Obelisk Blue. Even if she didn't exploit it, she liked it. She was respected, and now she wouldn't be. She saw how other students treated Slifers. This was only motivation to climb up the ladder as soon as she could. That and the fact that Zane Truesdale was heading her way and was not looking pleased.

They both stopped at the bridge, meeting each other halfway, and leaned over the brim overlooking the harbor.

"I hear you were demoted to Slifer Red. I suppose it's true."

Alexis nodded, and smiled into the harbor, but the smile was destined for Zane. She knew he was watching her from the corner of his eye.

"I'm sorry Zane, I know you must be disappointed, but--"

"-- I also know the reason why you were demoted to Slifer Red. It was that night when you went to pay respects to Atticus, wasn't it?"

Zane cut in, his tone becoming softer.

"Yes, yes it was. But I couldn't possibly tell Dr. Crowler about that. It's just... Atti is special to me Zane, you know that. I don't tell everyone about him. Only you and Jaden know about him."

"Jaden?"

Zane asked.

"That night, Jaden rescued me, and I told him about Atticus. He said that he would help me find Atticus, and he told me never to give up. I trust him... Jaden, that is."

Zanesmirked.

"You also like him."

Alexis blushed a shade of scarlet.

"It's funny how people keep assuming that. You wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you Zane?"

Zane never did answer her.

xxxx

"And that's game!"

Jaden shouted, and watched Syrus sigh in defeat.

"Man, I don't think I'll ever stand a chance against you, Jaden."

Jaden shook his head.

"You did good Syrus, you're getting better. In fact--"

Jaden was about to continue and then his words died in his throat.

"Lex?"

Standing in the doorway was a very sheepish looking Alexis Rhodes, sporting a red mini skirt, and a white uniform top. She held two suitcases in both hands, and Jaden's initial response was to help her with them, but his mind just wouldn't function.

"Hi, guys..."

Alexis said weakly, a nervous smile at her lips.

"I'll be staying with you guys for a while."

She added.

Jaden, then, finally decided to move and took up Alexis's left suitcase, which was surprisingly heavy.

"Welcome to Slifer Red, Lex, we'll make sure you'll enjoy your stay."

Alexis looked at the bunk beds and the cramped living space and grinned.

"Is that a promise, Jaden?"

In reply Jaden, Syrus, and Chumley who looked down at her from the top bunk, smiled.

"You bet Lex."

"And you know Jaden always keeps his promises."

Syrus chimed.

Alexis knew alright, she was counting on it.