Disclaimers: It has been many years since I picked up the old quill and ink, but as with all age old pursuits, I would like to start by assigning credit to where it belongs. I own not the Digimon series and regret to inform you that the characters in this fic are the genius of another individual, not my own. I do also welcome criticism, as I have been away from fic writing for the longest time and have no doubt lost a lot of whatever it was I once had (under another pen name that I have since forgotten).

Balancing on the Balcony's Edge

So there is only one month left until the end of high school and quite possibly the end of the Teenage Wolves. Tonight we performed at a party that one of Taichi's stupid jock friends is holding to celebrate their getting to the regionals. I don't see the reason to celebrate though, they didn't make it to the nationals... I guess these stupid teenagers will use any excuse to get drunk. I don't really care so much so long as I can play.

I pause in my writing to breath hot air into my cupped hands. It may be the middle of summer, but lately the weather has been all over the place and the cool night air feels more like early winter than late May. Regardless of the weather however, I would much rather sit here on the porch than try to jot down my thoughts inside.

Its not that I don't like parties, but I need a little me time... especially when faced with a bunch of people I don't know. My band is usually pretty good about giving me my alone time after shows. That and they are usually more eager to get to drinking than to bother with coaxing me to join them.

Only one more month left to go. Then we have summer break and University thereafter. That is when we all go our separate ways. I bet that you are wondering why I waste what little time we have left in writing, but it is just what I do. It also helps me keep my distance – also makes it easier to say goodbye when the time comes...

"Whatcha doin'?" A stumbled slur jogs me out of my writing-induced trance. I gasp a little before recognizing Taichi's unruly mop of brown hair and relax, turning back to my journal.

"Iss-said Whatcha writin?" He slurred once more, leaning onto the balcony ledge and glancing up at me. I looked down into his unfocused amber eyes, noticing that they were slightly red and hooded with no doubt the weight of a few too many drinks.

Closing my notebook with the pen clasped in the pages I replied " Just writing lyrics" lying through my teeth, but not a hint of it in my cool reply. Had it been anyone else I would have been royally pissed at the intrusion, but Tai had a way of cracking my shell – I guess that really is what best friends are for.

"Why do you need to write it now? Are you guys gonna stay together and stuff?" He hiccupped. The bronzed brunette then stretched out languidly in a fashion that could only be described as very Taichi before turning to point at me with the hand that held his plastic cup of beer. "I say that you come in and have a drink! There are tonnes of hot chicks in there just waitin' fer ya."

I ignored the comment as I tucked the notebook into the front pocket of my gig-bag and replied to his first question cooly, "I write when I am inspired to do so, I don't need permission or a band to do it." Having safely tucked away my journal I slung the guitar bag over my shoulder and turned to the wobbly brunette before me.

"C'mon Yamato, you gotta let loose. School is almost over and we are celebrating the teams victory!" He pleaded, taking another swig of his near empty glass with a fervor that bordered on passion.

I sighed defeatedly, "Alright Tai," the bouncey brunette was my best friend and I definitely did not want to disappoint him. Mind you, I had no intention to turn into a drunken slob like Tai had become, I did have to watch over him though so joining the rest of the crowd was not a bad idea. "I will go in and have ONE drink, then will you lay off my case." It was more of a statement than anything else and I dramatically combed a hand tiredly through my hair to rub in the intended condescension in case it was missed.

Before I could even finish my motion Taichi had already taken firm hold of my wrist and dragged me over to the keg. "Thatsa spirit Yama! Let's get trashed and take home some babes!"

I cringed dually at the sudden nickname and the thought of picking up drunken slobs of teenage girls. Since when did Taichi call me Yama? I also had no interest in picking up random girls under the influence, only to exchange one night of awkward and futile fumbling in the dark for a couple of weeks of one-sided pursuit and guilt trips. What was Tai trying to get us into.

"How about we skip the chicks and just chill out over a drink." I offered futilely.

"Yeah right man, we don't need a party for that" the messily crowned teen mocked.

Without even a moment's hesitation Taichi thrust a beer into my hand and dragged me off to another overly crowded room. I was already getting lost in the crowd of swaying, barely clad forms and thanked something that Taichi was at least guiding me through this mess. He stopped abruptly in the middle of what should have been the living room amongst a large crowd of teenagers.

It took a moment before I clued into the fact that we had reached our destination and that Taichi was introducing me to a pair of heavily made up girls. " – bout the wait, I finally found him ladies. Miki, Sachiko, meet Yamato. He was the one singing earlier tonight. Told ya' wouldn't be disappointed. " A hard jerk on my wrist and I nearly stumbled forward into one of the two girls, my beer sloshing about messily. The first of the two had short and glossy shoulder length blonde hair that curled outwards at the shoulders, deep blue eyes and wore a pair of denim mini shorts and a zebra-print halter top. The second girl had messy brown curls and amber eyes that were framed in thick dark lashes. She wore a short blue mini dress on top of silver leggings and had on heels to match the height of her friend.

Now I would just like to take a moment to set things straight here, I am not shy or afraid of girls or whatever. I am a normal teen and I like to drink and meet pretty girls and whatnot, just on my own time. Yeah I can talk to them when I want to. The problem is that I don't really care for many of the girls that I have met in our school so far. First of all, make up is a huge turn off for me; a little bit here or there is fine, but not when you can count the licks to the center of the lollipop or whatever.

A sharp elbow to the side was all I needed to remind me of the social obligation that Taichi had thrust me into. "*ahem*" I coughed before taking a deep swig of my beer and stepping a little closer to one of the girls. " Hey, Sachiko right?" I was so not in the mood for this, but once glance back at Tai's puppy eyes and I knew that I was stuck in this situation to fulfill his own raging hormones. "How'd you like the show?" The least I could do was to keep one of the girls occupied while Tai worked whatever charms he had on the blonde girl. I could tell already that this was going to be a long night though.

"Oh you were great. I always wanted to talk to you but I was always too shy," she added, twisting a brown lock between her manicured fingers with skill that screamed out practice.

Bullshit, I mused. "Yeah?"

She giggled as though I had said something infinitely witty and lowered her eyes, " Of course, I mean Taichi here is pretty popular and good looking and stuff, but I have always had a soft spot for musicians..."

I continued to nod and occasionally make eye contact as she jabbered on about my performance and herself. All the while I kept one eye on Taichi as he took Miki's hand and maneuvered her to the wall near the window. Let's just say that I have practice in being Tai's wingman at these parties. I have also unofficially taken on the task of keeping Tai out of trouble and making sure that he is alright when he finally looses the alcohol that he insists he can hold.

"... I don't know if you are currently seeing someone..." she cooed in at me, snapping me back to attention. I knew that it would come to this, it always does... at least Tai had picked a girl a little easier on the eyes than the last.

"No one in particular" I sighed quickly meeting her amber eyes before quickly taking into account where Taichi was and what kinds of trouble he was getting himself into. I took a deep chug of my beer, finishing it off before facing Sachiko with attention.

"I'm a lone wolf, I don't see anyone." I whispered close to her face, capturing her alcohol glossed over eyes with my own. An oldie but goodie, I thought at I resigned myself to my fate for the night and leaned forward to kiss her. All along watching at Tai pounced on Miki at the same time, tongue and all, and caught my eyes with a wink before resuming his drunken pursuits.

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