Love's Destiny: Part One
Disclaimer/Author's Note: This is an old story that I am attempting to finish up because.well, I like things to be complete. I have no dealings whatsoever with the owner(s) or producer(s) of Digimon. However, I find the characters to be well adapted to fictional musings and suppositions. Although this first part contains some "Matt-bashing," there is no way I could leave a character alone and lonely (that is not redundant; they are two separate things). Part two will end with happy closure for all.
Chapter 1: Phone Calls & Feelings
Matt was just stepping outside when the phone rang shrilly. He shifted the weight burdened upon him by a guitar and grabbed the demanding telephone with his free hand, speaking rapidly into the receiver. "Yeah.no-gotta run. I'm late for practice. Call you later!" He was out the door before the caller had even hung up.
*{}*
Sora pressed 2 on speed dial to call his number. He picked up after the first ring, sounding rushed. "Yeah?"
"It's me," Sora said, smiling as she pictured the impatient expression on his face that surely accompanied that tone. "Are you free to-"
"No-gotta run," he interrupted exasperatedly. "I'm late for practice. Call you later!" A click left Sora frowning at the phone.
*{}*
the next day
*{}*
The clock on the bureau read 6:31; Sora glanced at her wristwatch and realized it was seven minutes fast. But that was okay; Matt should be done practice by now anyway, and it would be all right for her to call.
She let the phone ring once, twice, five times before trying his cell. "Hi- "
"Who is this?" he demanded.
"Sora," she replied tartly. "Can-"
"Hey, listen. Sorry, but practice was extended today, so we could work on some new songs. How-"
She imitated his interruptions. "Bad connection; I have to go." She slammed the phone down in frustration at her boyfriend.
*{}*
Matt wouldn't have known that he had a call if his cell phone hadn't been set to vibrate. He raised a hand, signaling his fellow band members to pause as he pressed the green button.
"Who is this?" he asked, irritated. It was Sora. 'Gosh darn it,' he thought. 'Doesn't she know that I can love her without spending every second with her?' Coming from him the pondering was almost ironic. He rolled his eyes and mouthed "Her" to the questioning drummer.
"Hey, listen," he began, trying to keep frustration from his voice. "Sorry, but practice was extended today so we could work on some new songs. How-"
"Bad connection; I have to go." Matt was left listening for static, but all he could hear was a clear dial tone signaling the end of the conversation.
*{}*
"Every relationship needs good communication." Sora recalled her mother's words and laughed wryly. Well, maybe this communication-lacking relationship would profit from a little healthy jealousy.
She sat down on her bed by the telephone, formulating a mode of action and remembering how Matt had left her waiting there last night, never returning that promised call, how he always left her waiting to do his bidding. The complete thoughts she now allowed herself were so different from his brusque cutoffs that attached themselves to the end of her every phrase.
Her hand paused over memory one. She recalled when Matt had first been in the room, examining everything, and had questioned sharply the numerical sequence. "Why is he one and I two?" he had demanded.
Sora remembered being annoyed. "He's my oldest and best friend," she had protested. "He's always been there."
"Change it," Matt had said flatly, the way he said it about everything. Change her appearance, change her style, change her schedule, change even her friends. He was overly possessive, set in his own ways and unaccustomed to having them crossed. So she had acquiesced to his demands, one after another, hoping that the acts would ease him from the pain so blatantly written across his face every time she uttered the word 'no'.
But not the phone numbers. The victory was small enough to seem trivial to Matt, but large enough to give her confidence and remind her of her own independence.
With all this in mind, she pondered the ponderous questions. She was not a flirt like Mimi, but what girl stayed home alone three Saturdays in a row? She was determined that it would not be she. Sora punched the button for memory one, and raised the phone to her ear.
*{}*
He answered the phone with the air of one who was not expecting a call, and his heart leapt at the sound of her voice. "Yeah, I'm free," he replied, 'but what about Matt?" He paused. "Oh, okay. "I'll meet you at the movies. 7:00? See you there!"
*{}*
Tai answered on the first ring, and from his "hello" Sora knew instinctively that all his life he had waited for this moment. "Do you want to do something together tonight?" she asked coyly.
"Yeah, I'm free, but what about Matt?"
His concern for his other best friend touched her, and her conscience scolded her white lie. "We had some.problems."
They agreed on the movies at seven, and Sora couldn't ignore the pure joy she heard in his voice. A she hung up the phone she felt guilt pangs: not for what she was doing to Matt, but for what she was doing to Tai.
*{}*
When Sora arrived at the cinema promptly at seven, Tai met her with two tickets and a bag of popcorn. She pulled out her wallet, but he shook his head insistently. "It's on me."
They talked as they waited for the film to start. "We haven't seen a lot of each other lately," he remarked. "I've been worried about you.
Sora felt her body stiffen. "Why?" If he knew.
If he knew, he didn't let it show, and Sora relaxed. "I guess just because I'm not always around to check up on you. And you've been so busy with your homework-I hope it's not too much stress." She should have known he would remember how she had always mentioned needing to study. Matt made her give that excuse whenever anyone besides he called.
But Matt wasn't here now, and she could do as she liked. She smiled at the thought and caught up on conversation and laughter with Tai as they renewed their best friendship.
The movie was a romantic drama. Sora cried openly when the couple was killed, and when Tai handed her a tissue she saw tears in his eyes also. He didn't seem to mind when she moved his arm from the back of the seat to around her shoulders. Nor did she.
*{}*
Tai couldn't remember the last time he had felt like this. As they left the cinema, Sora looked up into his tanned face, and for a moment saw the wild hair and goggles that she remembered. "Don't I get a kiss?" she said softly, smiling.
Tai was taken aback. Then he bent down, and his lips gently massaged hers. To him, it was like a dream come true.
*{}*
Sora wished that the kiss would last forever. Matt's lips had often been so insistent, But Tai's sought more to give than to receive.
His battered blue sedan was parked only a short distance from the cinema doors, and they reached it in no time. Tai held the passenger-side door open for Sora as she climbed in, the quintessence of chivalry.
The interior of the old car shone from attention, and Sora found herself thinking of how much even more he would care for a person.
*{}*
Tai waited until the car was moving before he spoke. "I humored you tonight." She looked at him, puzzled. "The problem in your relationship with Matt is that you're trying to make him jealous by being with me." He kept his eyes on the road. "What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into?"
"Are you going to tell him?" Sora whispered. She looked down at her hands like a chided child.
"Of course," Tai replied, shocked. "He's my best friend; I can't keep something like this from him."
"Aren't I your friend, too?" She gazed at him with pleading eyes.
He sighed. "All right. You have until next Saturday to make it up to him; otherwise, I tell."
*{}*
"Thank you," whispered Sora. His perception amazed her; how had he known of her deceit? But he had always been able to tell what everyone thought and felt: it was a gift. She changed the subject. "I had a really great time tonight."
"Sora, don't make this hard," Tai choked. "Go back to Matt, and everything will be the way it was before. Love can be painful, but it's always worth it."
She could tell that he meant for her to apply the admonition to her relationship with Matt, but she knew that the advice spawned from Tai's selfless love for her.
*{}*
They reached her house in silence. Tai walked her to the doorstep. "Remember what I said."
He looked back at Sora as he drove away and offered an encouraging smile. His heart broke over the girl yet again as her empty brown eyes stared after him.
*{}*
Sora watched the sedan drive down the street and blew him a kiss. "I love you, Tai," she whispered. It wasn't until he had rounded the corner that the tears began to fall.
*{}*
end chapter 1
Disclaimer/Author's Note: This is an old story that I am attempting to finish up because.well, I like things to be complete. I have no dealings whatsoever with the owner(s) or producer(s) of Digimon. However, I find the characters to be well adapted to fictional musings and suppositions. Although this first part contains some "Matt-bashing," there is no way I could leave a character alone and lonely (that is not redundant; they are two separate things). Part two will end with happy closure for all.
Chapter 1: Phone Calls & Feelings
Matt was just stepping outside when the phone rang shrilly. He shifted the weight burdened upon him by a guitar and grabbed the demanding telephone with his free hand, speaking rapidly into the receiver. "Yeah.no-gotta run. I'm late for practice. Call you later!" He was out the door before the caller had even hung up.
*{}*
Sora pressed 2 on speed dial to call his number. He picked up after the first ring, sounding rushed. "Yeah?"
"It's me," Sora said, smiling as she pictured the impatient expression on his face that surely accompanied that tone. "Are you free to-"
"No-gotta run," he interrupted exasperatedly. "I'm late for practice. Call you later!" A click left Sora frowning at the phone.
*{}*
the next day
*{}*
The clock on the bureau read 6:31; Sora glanced at her wristwatch and realized it was seven minutes fast. But that was okay; Matt should be done practice by now anyway, and it would be all right for her to call.
She let the phone ring once, twice, five times before trying his cell. "Hi- "
"Who is this?" he demanded.
"Sora," she replied tartly. "Can-"
"Hey, listen. Sorry, but practice was extended today, so we could work on some new songs. How-"
She imitated his interruptions. "Bad connection; I have to go." She slammed the phone down in frustration at her boyfriend.
*{}*
Matt wouldn't have known that he had a call if his cell phone hadn't been set to vibrate. He raised a hand, signaling his fellow band members to pause as he pressed the green button.
"Who is this?" he asked, irritated. It was Sora. 'Gosh darn it,' he thought. 'Doesn't she know that I can love her without spending every second with her?' Coming from him the pondering was almost ironic. He rolled his eyes and mouthed "Her" to the questioning drummer.
"Hey, listen," he began, trying to keep frustration from his voice. "Sorry, but practice was extended today so we could work on some new songs. How-"
"Bad connection; I have to go." Matt was left listening for static, but all he could hear was a clear dial tone signaling the end of the conversation.
*{}*
"Every relationship needs good communication." Sora recalled her mother's words and laughed wryly. Well, maybe this communication-lacking relationship would profit from a little healthy jealousy.
She sat down on her bed by the telephone, formulating a mode of action and remembering how Matt had left her waiting there last night, never returning that promised call, how he always left her waiting to do his bidding. The complete thoughts she now allowed herself were so different from his brusque cutoffs that attached themselves to the end of her every phrase.
Her hand paused over memory one. She recalled when Matt had first been in the room, examining everything, and had questioned sharply the numerical sequence. "Why is he one and I two?" he had demanded.
Sora remembered being annoyed. "He's my oldest and best friend," she had protested. "He's always been there."
"Change it," Matt had said flatly, the way he said it about everything. Change her appearance, change her style, change her schedule, change even her friends. He was overly possessive, set in his own ways and unaccustomed to having them crossed. So she had acquiesced to his demands, one after another, hoping that the acts would ease him from the pain so blatantly written across his face every time she uttered the word 'no'.
But not the phone numbers. The victory was small enough to seem trivial to Matt, but large enough to give her confidence and remind her of her own independence.
With all this in mind, she pondered the ponderous questions. She was not a flirt like Mimi, but what girl stayed home alone three Saturdays in a row? She was determined that it would not be she. Sora punched the button for memory one, and raised the phone to her ear.
*{}*
He answered the phone with the air of one who was not expecting a call, and his heart leapt at the sound of her voice. "Yeah, I'm free," he replied, 'but what about Matt?" He paused. "Oh, okay. "I'll meet you at the movies. 7:00? See you there!"
*{}*
Tai answered on the first ring, and from his "hello" Sora knew instinctively that all his life he had waited for this moment. "Do you want to do something together tonight?" she asked coyly.
"Yeah, I'm free, but what about Matt?"
His concern for his other best friend touched her, and her conscience scolded her white lie. "We had some.problems."
They agreed on the movies at seven, and Sora couldn't ignore the pure joy she heard in his voice. A she hung up the phone she felt guilt pangs: not for what she was doing to Matt, but for what she was doing to Tai.
*{}*
When Sora arrived at the cinema promptly at seven, Tai met her with two tickets and a bag of popcorn. She pulled out her wallet, but he shook his head insistently. "It's on me."
They talked as they waited for the film to start. "We haven't seen a lot of each other lately," he remarked. "I've been worried about you.
Sora felt her body stiffen. "Why?" If he knew.
If he knew, he didn't let it show, and Sora relaxed. "I guess just because I'm not always around to check up on you. And you've been so busy with your homework-I hope it's not too much stress." She should have known he would remember how she had always mentioned needing to study. Matt made her give that excuse whenever anyone besides he called.
But Matt wasn't here now, and she could do as she liked. She smiled at the thought and caught up on conversation and laughter with Tai as they renewed their best friendship.
The movie was a romantic drama. Sora cried openly when the couple was killed, and when Tai handed her a tissue she saw tears in his eyes also. He didn't seem to mind when she moved his arm from the back of the seat to around her shoulders. Nor did she.
*{}*
Tai couldn't remember the last time he had felt like this. As they left the cinema, Sora looked up into his tanned face, and for a moment saw the wild hair and goggles that she remembered. "Don't I get a kiss?" she said softly, smiling.
Tai was taken aback. Then he bent down, and his lips gently massaged hers. To him, it was like a dream come true.
*{}*
Sora wished that the kiss would last forever. Matt's lips had often been so insistent, But Tai's sought more to give than to receive.
His battered blue sedan was parked only a short distance from the cinema doors, and they reached it in no time. Tai held the passenger-side door open for Sora as she climbed in, the quintessence of chivalry.
The interior of the old car shone from attention, and Sora found herself thinking of how much even more he would care for a person.
*{}*
Tai waited until the car was moving before he spoke. "I humored you tonight." She looked at him, puzzled. "The problem in your relationship with Matt is that you're trying to make him jealous by being with me." He kept his eyes on the road. "What kind of mess have you gotten yourself into?"
"Are you going to tell him?" Sora whispered. She looked down at her hands like a chided child.
"Of course," Tai replied, shocked. "He's my best friend; I can't keep something like this from him."
"Aren't I your friend, too?" She gazed at him with pleading eyes.
He sighed. "All right. You have until next Saturday to make it up to him; otherwise, I tell."
*{}*
"Thank you," whispered Sora. His perception amazed her; how had he known of her deceit? But he had always been able to tell what everyone thought and felt: it was a gift. She changed the subject. "I had a really great time tonight."
"Sora, don't make this hard," Tai choked. "Go back to Matt, and everything will be the way it was before. Love can be painful, but it's always worth it."
She could tell that he meant for her to apply the admonition to her relationship with Matt, but she knew that the advice spawned from Tai's selfless love for her.
*{}*
They reached her house in silence. Tai walked her to the doorstep. "Remember what I said."
He looked back at Sora as he drove away and offered an encouraging smile. His heart broke over the girl yet again as her empty brown eyes stared after him.
*{}*
Sora watched the sedan drive down the street and blew him a kiss. "I love you, Tai," she whispered. It wasn't until he had rounded the corner that the tears began to fall.
*{}*
end chapter 1