9. That's how old I was when I lost my father. He was my best friend, not just my father. I told him everything. My step mom, however, had other ideas about me. That woman wanted me dead. She beat the snot out of me at least once a day. She made me do all the chores around the house, and would beat me if I did it wrong. Wouldn't teach me the right way to do it either. She called me, "bitch", "demon child", whatever she could get away with. My stepmom made sure I feared her. I'd have bruises and black eyes, and she whipped me, so every time she did, either new scars were made on my back or old ones were ripped open. I never cried out, but I cried silent tears, just about ready to kill myself. When I was 13, the neighbor heard her planning on selling me into sex slavery, to make a prostitute out of me. I overheard her too and I literally shook with fear. Well, she was arrested and sentenced to a few years in prison. She glared right at me and I'll never forget what she said, "That child deserves to f'ing die! She's a f'ing b**** and a demon child! When I see her again, I'll f'ing kill her!" The neighbors, the Anderson family, adopted me, but let me keep my father's last name so I could keep his memory alive.
*7 years later........*

"Abigail, time to wake up." Vickie's voice told me, gently shaking me to wake me up.

"I don't want to go to school, Vickie, give me five more minutes." I groaned.

"Abby, come on. You'll be late if I let you sleep in any longer." Vickie warned. I groaned again before reluctantly getting out of bed. "Atta girl. Now, get dressed in your uniform and meet me downstairs for breakfast." She told me. I yawned and nodded before she left the room. I did what I was told, yawning sleepily the whole time. I brushed my hair, not bothering to do my makeup, and went downstairs, my bag in hand. John, my adoptive father, smiled as I entered the dining room. We exchanged good mornings and I kissed Melinda on the head. Melinda's 7, and she's so adorable. She just smiled up at me. Vickie placed my lunch in my bag and gave me my breakfast. After I finishes, I brushed my teeth and was about to walk out the door before Vickie made me stop. "Abigail, aren't you forgetting something?" She asked. I turned around and I realized John was holding my deck. Duel Monsters is another way I feel close to my Dad, and John taught me how to play since my Dad never got the chance. My Dad built my deck for me. I blinked twice before rushing over to John, giving him a kiss on the forehead in thanks, taking it and bolting out the door, putting my deck away as I ran. As I came to the school, I slowed down, calming down a bit. I went to the main office and they asked me why I was wearing baby blue leggings under the skirt. I sighed and explained that the skirt was too short in length and the leggings I was wearing was the only way I would feel comfortable wearing it. They handed me my schedule and nodded in understanding. I walked out if the office and frowned. Where the heck is my homeroom? I walked, asking other students if they'd help me find it, but some ignored me while others threatened to beat the tar out of me if I didn't get lost. I was really starting to absolutely hate it here...... That's when I saw a boy with white hair and brown eyes. I hesitated for a minute but gathered my courage and lightly tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around.

"E-excuse me, could you tell me where room 2A is?" I asked. He smiled. It was kind and gentle.

"I have that class. Follow me, I'll lead you there." He said, a british-accent coming out with his gentle voice. He offered his hand to me and I shyly took it. He smiled again, as if to tell me I didn't have anything to fear, and led me down the hall to our class. "My name's Ryou. Ryou Bakura. Can I ask you yours?" He asked shyly, his accent leaking again. I blushed. This guy's so sweet...... I thought.

"A-Abigail. Abigail Weston." I shyly answered, stuttering a bit. He stopped in front of the door to our class and turned, smiling at me again.

"That's beautiful." He told me. I blushed. "It means loved by her father, doesn't it?" I looked up at him in shock.

"How did you know?" I asked. He blushed a little.

"It's one of my favorite names." He replied, shrugging but smiling all the same. I blushed again and he held the door open for me. I shyly thanked him and he nodded, walking in after me. Ryou's such a gentleman. I wonder if I'll get the chance to know him better............

*After School*

I shut my locker and breathed in relief, thankful the day was over. I turned around to walk away when I saw them. The guys surrounded me, their eyes full of lust. I backed up, scared. The leader stalked up to me and covered my mouth with a sweet smelling cloth. Chlorophorm! "Sorry, baby, but can't having you scream while we do what we want with you." I thrashed against him as he forcefully grabbed my arm, trying to get away and refusing to breathe. But I couldn't hold it long, and before I knew it, I had breathed in the chlorophorm. I started to pass out, the last thing I heard were guys shouting and someone calling my name.

When I came to, Ryou's face was the first thing I saw. He smiled, but it was replaced with a look of concern. "Did those guys hurt you?" He asked, his accent leaking. I shook my head.

"No, they were caught by someone before they could." I answered. He smiled again.

"I'm glad you're all right." He told me. I blushed a little and he helped me stand.

"Who were the people who helped me?" I asked.

"My friends and I. I'll introduce you to them tomorrow if you'd like." He offered. I smiled a little.

"I would, thank you." I thanked him. He smiled.

"Would you like me to walk you home?" He asked, blushing a little. I nodded.

"Thank you." I answered, taking his hand. He smiled and walked home with me. I told him about the day and he kissed my cheek when we were on the porch.

"Things'll be better, Abigail, I promise you." He told me, holding both my hands in his like they were fragile glass. His hold was gentle but careful. That's what he did everyday after school for the next few months. As days passed, we grew closer. After six months of hanging with him and his friends, I grew more comfortable around them and developed a crush on Ryou as time passed. Tèa must've suspected something was up, because one day she pulled me aside and asked me if I liked Ryou. I blushed bright red.

"Wh-what?! N-No, I........" She gave me a Tell me the truth look and I hung my head. I nodded, blushing.

"That's so cute. I wonder if Ryou likes you too." Tèa said. I looked right at her in alarm.

"Please, don't tell him." I begged her.

"I won't, I promise." Tèa promised. I sighed in relief and watched Ryou. He looked at me. As soon as our eyes made contact, we both blushed and looked away. A little later, Ryou was gently pushed toward me by Yugi. He blushed, and I blushed.

"Abigail?" He asked. I loved it when he talked. His accent was adorable.

"Yes, Ryou?" I asked. He blushed again.

"Would you.... Like to go to prom with me?" He asked, then blushed. I blushed.

"I'd love to." I answered. I stood on my tip toes and kissed his cheek. I blushed darker as he blushed darker and I could see Yugi smiling out of the corner of my eye. The week passed slowly and every time Ryou and I would look at each other, we would blush and look away. When the night of prom came, Tèa did my hair in a halo braid and did a natural look for my makeup. I could only stare at myself in awe, wondering if it was really my reflection. Tèa smiled from behind me.

"You had the beauty of a goddess in you. All I did was brought it out so it shows." She told me. I turned to her.

"Thank you so much, Tèa." I told her. She gave me a hug.

"It was fun." She replied. I smiled. At the dance, I could feel all eyes on me as I entered the room. Ryou made his way over to me, and smiled. He looked handsome in his tux.

"You look like a beautiful princess, my Abigail." He said, taking my hands in his and blushing a little. I blushed.

"And you look like a handsome prince, my Ryou." I replied. That made him blush darker the same time I did and he shyly asked if I wanted to dance. "I don't know how." I told him, looking at the floor. He places two fingers under my chin and gently lifted my face so I was looking in his eyes.

"Then I'll teach you how." He said, taking both hands again and leading me onto the dancefloor. He placed my arms around his neck and wrapped his around my waist, holding me close. I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest as we swayed back and forth in time with the music. I'd never felt more safe in my life. After it was over, he walked me home. "Abigail, there's something I need to tell you." I stopped dead. That voice....... That's not Ryou's. I looked and was startled to see an evil-looking version of Ryou standing there. He looked at me and smirked. His eyes were cold, and his hair was sticking up in all different directions. I became scared as he stalked toward me, the same way those other guys had. I soon found my back against a wall and I was shaking with fright.

"Wh-who are you?" I asked, my voice shaky. He smirked.

"Afraid of me, little Abigail?" He chuckled. "You should be. I am the Spirit of the Millennium Ring, Ryou's darker half, if you will. The name is Bakura. And you, will be mine." He replied. I flattened myself against the wall, letting out a short scream and shutting my eyes. All of a sudden, he cried out. I opened them to see Ryou in spirit form, protecting me. "No! You... Can't..... Stop me!" Bakura roared. They flickered between the two before Ryou finally appeared in front of me. He tore the pendant from his neck and threw it as hard as he could. He turned to me, a worried look on his face. I began to cry a little and threw my arms around him. He returned the embrace, holding me tight and close to him.

"Ryou, I was so afraid..... I thought he was going to....."

"I know, Abigail, and that was his intention." He told me. He made me look him in the eye. "But, for as long as I live, I'll never, ever let it happen. I'll fight him and anyone else who wants to hurt you to keep you safe, to protect you, just like I did a moment ago." He promised, a serious look in his eyes. I was silent for a moment before asking,

"Ryou?"

"Hmm?" I hesitated for a moment.

"Why did you protect me from Bakura?" I asked. He only smiled.

"Because I love you, Abigail. With all my heart, I love you." He replied. I smiled, happily crying.

"I love you too, Ryou." I replied, finally telling him how I felt. He smiled, picked me up bridal style in his arms, and carried me home, my head resting on his chest. When we got to my house, he set me down and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Good night, my handsome prince." I told him.

"Sleep well, my princess." He replied. We leaned in toward each other and his lips brushed against mine. I closed my eyes, melting into it. He held me closer to him, and I let my grip sound his neck tighten a little. The kiss was slow and sweet. When we pulled apart, he nuzzled my nose with his and whispered, "I love you, my Gail."

"I love you too, my Ryou." I whispered back. We kissed again and let it last, making it a night to remember.
*No One's P.O.V.........*

Yugi and Tèa watched as their friends kissed. They looked at each other and had a feeling that their love would last forever. And it did. Years later, Ryou, being rid of Bakura forever after the Ring was destroyed, asked Gail to marry him. A year later, their daughter Sophie was born. She had her mother's eyes, and her father's kind heart. And the live between Sophie's parents never ended.

*The End*