Hey sorry it's been a while everyone. I've been asked to write an SXJ fic with a project theme, so here it is. Please R&R and let me know what you think. It's good to

be back!

+For Animeangel088 and Yoshino in the Moonlight4.+

The bell wrung.

'Ah fuck.' Joey looked at his alarm clock, 10 past 9. He grabbed his jacket and ran out into the street. The clouds had been heavy with rain all morning and they'd chosen now to relieve themselves. By the time he reached the school, everyone was already indoors and the main door was shut. He walked in and slammed it behind him. He could feel the heavy clothes press down on his skin and the water was sliding off into squishy pool with every step he took. 9.25. By the time he reached the classroom it was already 9.30 and class was well into session. He timidly pushed open the door, slipped his hand behind his head

'Sorry am late, I stayed up late last night studying and missed my alarm.' He threw out his signature grin before the teacher shook her head and turned back to the board.

Joey scanned the room for seats. His favourite desk, by the window, had been taken by some absent minded boy who seemed to enjoy the look of the trees too much. The seat next to Yugi had been taken by Téa, and by Tristan on the other side. There was only one seat left, and it was next to that rich son of a bitch, Kaiba. Joey rolled his eyes and walked to the seat, slumping his bag down next to him. Without even turning his head, the sound of disgust came to Joey's ears.

'I can smell wet dog. Don't you own an umbrella, you stupid mutt?' Joey looked away and gritted his teeth; he wasn't going to give Kaiba the satisfaction…this time. It was already turning out to be a bad day, and he didn't need some snobby rich bastard to make it worse for him. Not only had he stayed up all night working a late shift at the pizza place, but he'd overslept and he was on his last warning from the principal. God forbid they knew about his job too, something the school had recently banned. He needed the money. He'd just scrapped enough together to afford a small apartment downtown. It wasn't fancy but it wasn't expensive either, and that's what was important.

He found himself staring aimlessly at the board. The letters all mingled into a giant white mess and no matter what he did, he found his eyes getting heavier.

'Mr Wheeler.' Joey groaned and snapped his head to look at the teacher. Ms Graystone was a scrawny excuse for a woman. She wore blouses two sizes too big, and skirts two sizes too small. She had large framed glasses and long dark bangs over her face, which she regularly forced back every 10 seconds when talking. 'Is my lesson boring you?'

'No…' Joey tried to focus on her face.

'Then keep your eyes open and try and be attentive. I'd like to think you'd pass this semester, and this is a very important section.'

'Yes Ms Graystone.' Usually he'd feel the impending need to make a smart remark or comment, but today, he was too tired. The clock appeared to be frozen and the rain unceasing. By the time the lesson had finally ended, he slowly grabbed his bad and headed to the door before Kaiba pushed past him,

'Watch it Mutt, someone ought to put you on a lease.' Joey gave a low growl and watched Kaiba walk away. He was going to remain clam today. If he kept his temper, he couldn't get in trouble. By the time he had reached his locker, Yugi had caught up.

'What's up Joey? You seem awfully down today. Is everything ok?' He felt himself smile knowing his friend was concerned. He gave a giant grin,

'Yeah Yug', everything is fine. Just got caught up workin' a bit late last night and it's catchin' up wit' me now. Sorry.' Yugi seemed to accept this, so he nodded and passed Joey a can of cola.

'Maybe it'll wake you up' Joey scuffed Yugi's hair before thanking him and they strolled down the hall to the next lesson, which seemed to go without any issue.

By the time the 12 o clock bell went for lunch, Joey felt as if he was half dead. He couldn't concentrate, he could hardly move, and every time he did manage to move, his clothes where rubbing against his skin which had become sore from the dampness. Due to his messy eating habits, Joey had learned it was sometimes better to keep an extra pair of clothes in his gym bag, just in case. Luckily, today was one of those days he had brought it. Finally, something was going right. He picked up the bag, told Yugi he'd meet him in the dining hall, and set off down to the gym lockers to get changed.

When he got there he began to undress without a second thought. He peeled the dampened clothes from his skin and let them fall to the floor in a soggy pile.

Sitting on the bench he changed his socks first. As he put his second sock on he heard the door clank. He looked towards it but saw no one there. He sighed and carried on dressing. Next he pulled up his trousers and as he began to button them he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around he saw Kaiba stride towards the bench. As the blue eyed boy looked up, he stood frozen in his steps at the half naked golden boy before him.

'...' Kaiba demanded through his teeth.

'Not dat it's anythin' to do wit' you, but am getting' changed. My clothes are wet from earlier. So if ya don't mind, I'm getting dressed.' Kaiba snarled and sat on the bench. 'Well. What are you doin' here? I know ya sure as hell don't do PE, and your clothes look pretty clean ta me, so what?'

'I'm working, Mutt. I'm not sure if you know what that means, so why don't you run along and go find a ball to play with, this stuff is for people, beings capable of thought.'

'Why you…' Kaiba raised one eyebrow, looking at Joey as he opened his laptop. Joey's eyes narrowed, and he felt his blood boil. He grabbed his wet clothes from the floor, stuffed them in the gym bag, and decided to put his shirt and blazer on as he walked off. He made a point to slam the door on his way out. Kaiba would not make him angry. Not today. He did not need this,