Is Sorry Even Enough? ch7 part2

By DNL

“Ah, sounds like a nice character Malik! Sounds like a fun quest too!” Anzu replied cheerfully as she smiled at him. When Malik started looking around she cocked her head looking curious and a little confused by his action. He leaned forward till he was close enough to whisper.

“Don’t let how innocent Bakura is fool you he’s evil playing as the Dark Master. I know.” Malik said in a hardly hushed voice. The devious smirk that came onto his face told Anzu that he clearly knew Ryo was standing right behind them. Malik snickered this was playful pay back for purposely getting Anzu to join the game despite him having worries about her getting close to him.

Anzu looked at Ryo whose light green eyes big with surprise immediately he got flustered from the comment, “Hey! I am not!” He snapped quickly looking annoyed and slightly insulted by the comment. He could tell Malik was just fooling around but he still didn’t like it. In his hands he carried a couple of Monster World guides to new monsters and such, a figure painting tip book and a couple of mystery books. Anzu was hardly surprised by the amount of books he was getting it was pretty easy to pin him as a book worm an artistic one but a book worm none the less.

Turning to him Malik placed his hands on his hips and eyed him, “Oh really?” He questioning humor lacing his voice perfectly, Ryo nodded firmly determined to prove him wrong flashing in his green eyes. The blond Egyptian walked up to him pretending to size him up for a second, “Then why were there a bunch of traps in a placed conveniently in an area filled with monsters when my character was only level four!” He crossed his arms with a comical huff, “I thought you said this was for beginners.”

“It wasn’t that bad and you did get through it after all.” Ryo said while glancing around a look of slight embarrassment on his face.

“A good deal of the monsters was at least around level seven.” Malik pointed glancing at Ryo who let out a sheepish laugh.

“I just had too good of luck with the dice, or you had bad luck either way it wasn’t my fault that happens sometimes.” Ryo explained calmly while pointing at the blond standing near him. Malik let out a lengthy fake tired sigh and rubbed his head saying that he should have figured as much.  Ryo laughed briefly and looked at them both, “Did you guys get what you wanted?”  They both gave him a nod and Ryo smiled, it was good to hang out with friends for once, “Well, I’m going to go check out now.” He stated before turning back down the aisle then to the checkout counter.  Since both of his friends were finished picking out books they followed him.

Once everything was bagged into plastic bags and paid for they headed and stopped at the main entrance of the mall. Ryo looked at them both, “Well, I’ve got to head home now. I’ll see you guys at eight! I’ll have everything set up by then.”  Ryo looked at Malik for a moment hopping that that it would steer the situation in the right direction. A small hopeful smile came to his lips and he headed off while waving to the two others.

His two friends watched him climb onto a bus then Malik glanced at Anzu who noticed and smiled at him in her usual friendly manner. It was just the two of them again. His mind immediately said that this was a lot like a date. His lavender eyes widened for a second and he looked forward again distracting himself with all the people moving around. With nothing else to do he turned to her and was about to say that he should take her home when his ringtone went off. Reaching for it he flipped it open and saw it was from Ishizu, “Hold on a second.”

Anzu nodded, hearing him speak some other language she quirked a brow but quickly decided he was simply speaking his native tongue, Egyptian. This made her a little curious to what he was saying. For a second suspicion poked its head to the front of her mind. Was he up to something? Snapping her eyes shut she scolded herself, ‘He’s just probably speaking with his sister or Rishid! Don’t be paranoid!’

“Hey, Ishizu,” Malik said in Egyptian, it felt good to speak in his native language. They often did at home so they could keep it fresh in their minds and not lose touch. Malik already knew where this conversation was going he’d been out for a long time and Ishizu was just checking up on him.

“Malik you’ve been out for a while and you haven’t checked in. Is everything okay?” Ishizu asked, also speaking Egyptian of course. Malik frowned and furrowed his brow, she sounded concerned. He had made her worry he bit his tongue for a moment before pushing it aside to put his sister’s worry to rest.

“I’m fine sister, just got caught up hanging out with Anzu and Ryo. I’ll be heading home after I drop Anzu off at her home. Sorry for worrying you,” Malik apologized in the sincerest tone he could get himself to utter. Anzu turned her head to him hearing her and Ryo’s name come from Malik she smiled her worries now disproven. She was right he was just telling Ishizu or Rishid that he lost track of time while spending time with her and Ryo.

“No, no Malik it’s perfectly okay I was just wondering what was going on.” Ishizu said quickly in order to lessen her brother’s regret for not calling in. Her voice turned gentle over the phone and Malik could picture her smile as she spoke to him, “I’m glad you’re having fun with your friends Malik.” Her brother went smile as he smiled thankfully happy to hear his sister wasn’t upset with him, “Dinner will be waiting for you when you come home and I’ve already got the food for you to take over to Ryo’s done as well.”

Malik sighed in relief his guilt lifted off his shoulders by his sister’s words, he was truly glad to be with his family again. They could always help make him feel better. Though he wondered how long it would take even with their help to find himself again. Shaking the dismal thoughts out of his mind he smiled, “Thanks sis, I’ll be home soon. See you then,” His sister bid him good-bye over the phone and he hung up.

“Who was it?” Anzu asked curiously as Malik turned his head back to her.

“Just my sister checking in on me, kind of forgot to tell her about going to the mall…” Malik said shyly feeling embarrassed about forgetting something so simple in front of Anzu.  He could barely keep eye contact with her. It kind of scarred him how things were different around her. Malik was used to being in control of everything being able to predict what would happen and act accordingly. With her around though everything depended on her opinion and what she’d think of him. It made him nervous and unsure about things.

Despite his worry Anzu merely nodded, “I thought so. So, we’re going to head home to now right?” She asked Malik normally like they’d done this a thousand times before and already knew what to expect.

“Yeah, come on let’s go get you home.” Malik answered as he led her back to his motorcycle. They both put their helmets back on and he started up the engine. He was glad he got the new jacket because he swore it was even colder outside, he scrunched his nose irately at this. He doubted he’d ever get used to this bitter cold.

While he was driving Anzu looked around she was really starting to enjoy these rides. Feeling the wind through her hair was so refreshing and exciting. The speeds they were going at also gave it a thrill she didn’t really feel riding other vehicles. ‘I also get to be close to Malik…’ she thought as she held onto him blushing she caught the rouge thought. For a while she stared at the road below them that looked like a black rushing river. Had that thought really just happened?  She looked up at him her face still flushed, Anzu felt glad his eyes were focused on the road ahead of him so he couldn’t see her blushing like this.

Quickly she tried to figure out a good reason for the thought; the only thing she could think of was she really was falling for the Egyptian. Her uncertainty about not being sure if she wanted to move on was bringing to ebb away. It explained why she was so determined to help him to help him regain himself, to be close to him, to see him smile at her again. Anzu leaned her head on his back, she felt him move slightly realizing her action but he didn’t question it. A dreamy look came over to her eyes as felt the emotion take flight in her heart. She really was falling for him no denying it now. Anzu smiled shyly, her and Malik, together as a couple. It was like she was getting a second chance at love, and she was going to take it!

Anzu blinked back to reality when Malik stopped the motorcycle looking around she saw they reached her house. She was surprised, she didn’t think she had been day dreaming that long.  Getting off the bike she turned to Malik while holding her bags and helmet, “Thanks for hanging out with me Malik,” Anzu lowered her head shyly a little, “I had a lot of fun. Well,” she paused for a moment feeling her stirring emotions apply pressure onto her, “I’ll see you later before we head to Ryo’s.”

It felt like her heart was a big beating drum in her chest. Luckily it was cold and Malik didn’t seem to notice the faint pink blush on her face. She rubbed her arm nervously waiting for him to say something.  Anzu felt her heart dance when Malik smiled happily to her it completely captivated her making her feel nervous. Her feelings wanted to come out and show themselves to him but she was too nervous to do anything.

Malik smiled he was glad she had fun, “I’m happy to hear that Anzu. I’ll come and get you around seven forty five, sound good?”  Anzu nodded, he looked at her oddly she was grabbing one of her arms a sign of being nervous about something. He cocked a brow trying to figure out why. When he shivered a little he chalked it up to her just feeling cold, “You should head inside its cold out here. I’ll see you later Anzu.” He said with a casual wave from his motorcycle.

“Bye Malik!” Anzu yelled as he drove off, when he was gone Anzu felt sad that he had gone and looked down at her bags, “Bye…” She murmured to only herself the wind being a bitter companion with her. She shivered, Malik was right she should head inside before she caught a cold! Turning, she quickly headed inside locking the cold outside.

Sighing in relief, thanking whoever invented indoor heating, she headed up to her room after kicking her shoes off at the front door. She put her new clothes up and placed the Egyptology book on her desk for later. Now that she was along Anzu smiled dreamily and flopped backwards onto her bed. She was falling for Malik Ishtar. It was surprising how after he reformed her thoughts changed about him so drastically. He’d gone from an evil puppet master out for revenge to her new crush! Rolling onto her side she spotted the fuzzy yellow teddy he had won for her. Smiling she took it into her arms and hugged it feeling its soft fake fur brush against her face.  Emotions overflowing she let out a girly giggle shoving her face into its back. She was falling for Malik Ishtar! The latest piece of ‘eye candy’ all the girls were fawning over!

“I can’t believe it…” She said as she moved back onto her back holding the bear against her chest looking up at the ceiling as if she was looking up at clouds. Anzu sighed happily even if she couldn’t believe it that’s how things were now. She wasn’t sad about it either. Sitting up she scooted back on her bed till her back was against the wall.

Anzu hid her mouth behind the teddy’s head, now that just left the problem of getting him to notice her and think of her as more than just a friend. That was the problem she had with Atem before, though after a while she felt it would be best if she didn’t confess her feelings.  Feeling the negative thoughts gaining up on her she closed her eyes out of frustration and shook her head, ‘No this time it’ll be different! I just have to impress him somehow to catch his attention, but how? I’m not a game wiz like he is.’ Her lips thinned in worry, ‘I guess I’ll just have to do my best playing Monster World, I wasn’t that bad last time after all.’ Anzu’s face lit up with shining hope, ‘Yeah! I just have to trust myself!’ She nodded decidedly to herself feeling proud she was able to shake that funk off.

Placing a finger on her lips she hummed she still had a couple of hours before she had to go to Ryo’s for the game. Getting up she went over to her desk and pulled out her dairy opening it to the next blank page she wrote down the date. She wrote about finishing her essay early and how she was proud of herself for that.  How she went hanged out with Malik how he told her he was sure that she’d do well in her dance class, him getting her the teddy bear. Anzu looked back at the doll and smile turning back to her dairy and drawling a heart at the end of that sentence. She went on to write about meeting Ryo at the mall how they hanged out getting Egyptology book. Anzu stopped and went back and wrote about how Malik got a new jacket she helped him pick out. She also wrote, while giggling, how good he looked in it.

Tapping the pencil on her chin she paused before going onto write about how she was sad about forgetting to play Monster World with Ryo again. A sad regretful look covered her face wondering if that hurt him in any way that they had forgotten about the promise. Letting her sadness out with a dull sigh she continued to write saying that it was one of the reason why she was going over to play Monster World with him and Malik. Smiling she wrote that she hoped she’d impress Malik during the game, hoping that he would take notice of her. Anzu looked at her latest entry wondering what else to write down. Thinking of nothing else she wrote down Malik’s name at the bottom of the page and used a red ink pen to doodle some hearts around it.  Pulling her head back a little she looked the entry over happily and closed the book putting it back into the drawer where it belonged.

“What now?” She said to herself thinking for a moment before spotting the book on Egypt she bought. “Guess it’s time to catch up on my reading.” Anzu said before opening it up to the first page and started reading the introduction. As she went on she began to think it was pretty interesting and it compelled her to keep on reading.  Before she knew it an hour had passed. Thinking that was enough for now she put the book gently back onto the desk.

For a while she went downstairs to the open space by the living room to practice her dance moves cutting it short so she wouldn’t end up tired while playing the game with the two boys. Looking at the time she found it best to get ready before Malik showed up. She blushed embarrassedly at the thought of Malik seeing her looking like a mess. Quickly she picked up the brush started brushing her hair humming happily to herself as she brushed her hair back into place. She wondered what he was doing right now. Was it possible he was thinking about her? The thought brought shy pink to her cheeks ad she sighed longingly.

This time around she was going to get it right. She wasn’t going to let another guy she loved drift away from her. Malik was living she had a chance this time. Anzu was going to do her best to get Malik to notice her and how she felt about him. Once she got close she was going to help heal his deep wounds before she had to watch him fall about. She furrowed her brow worriedly; she didn’t want to have to see that, she cared about him too much. She loved him she was falling in love with him, him Malik Namu Ishtar.