Author's Note: Here we are! Another Kouyako! I really think that there are not enough of these. I've been searching for them, but I can't seem to find very many. I think I may have already read all of them... But since I love this couple so much, here's another one. Since I live in the US, I'm using some references to American stuff... You'll see when you read...
Oh yeah, I know absolutely diddley squat about computers. So... well, you'll see that too when you read. I mean, let's just say that I know about as much about computers as Tai did in season 01... "it just needs a couple whacks..." Heh heh... No offense, I love Tai... So anyways...
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
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Thank You For Loving Me
by MysticJade
Tucking a strand of her long violet hair behind her ear, Yolei Inoue looked up when she heard the frustrated groan of one of the member's of the Computer Club. Curious, she got up from the computer she was sitting at and walked over to a dark haired girl about her age.
"Is something wrong, Trina?" Yolei asked sweetly to Trina Harwood.
Startled, the girl looked up at Yolei. Realizing that it was her friend, the vice president of the computer club who was standing over her, she returned the sweet smile and sighed heavily. She turned back toward her computer, "I can't seem to be able to get this right."
"Let me see," Yolei said bending toward the computer screen. She looked over the commands for the program that Trina was typing up. Immediately, she recognized the problem. She smiled, "Here, let me." She pulled the keyboard over toward her and then retyped the program pointing out to Trina the places where she had gone wrong.
"One thing you have to remember," Yolei pointed at some of the commands as she typed, "The program that the computer lab's computers run on are case sensitive. You can't go wrong on any letters that you type in. Another thing, after each command-" she hit a couple keys "-you have to do that."
Trina watched as Yolei smoothly completed the commands. She nodded her head absorbing everything that the violet haired girl told her. Yolei hit one last key and then pushed the keyboard back into it's place, "Here, compare the commands I typed to the ones you typed. Only a few mistakes and the computer won't process the commands you give it. That's the thing about artificial intelligence. You gotta be specific and straight-forward."
Trina looked from the computer to Yolei in understanding, "I see. Thanks Yolei." She then blushed a little, "I feel stupid now. It seemed like such an easy task."
"No," Yolei shook her head, "Don't feel bad. It's a very common mistake to make. I've seen a lot of other computer students do the exact same thing."
"I bet you never had that problem," Trina smiled. She leaned back after saving her work to a disk and stretched, "I am finally done. Now I can go home."
"That's why you stayed after?" Yolei asked.
Trina nodded, "Uh-huh. My brother wanted me to rewrite that program. He was too lazy to do it on his own. I would've done it at home, but my darling brother decided to do some damage to our computer. It sucks having older brothers sometimes."
Yolei chuckled, "Tell me about it. You need me to check out how much damage your brother did?" Trina shook her head stating that she'd be able to take care of it when she had the time.
"Tell you about what?" a familiar male voice asked while stepping into the computer lab.
The two girls turned their heads toward the door to see the handsome red-headed Computer Club President, Koushirou Izumi, who preferred to be called Izzy. He walked in carrying a bag in one hand and his laptop bag in the other.
"We were just talking about how difficult the male species can be," Yolei joked. She turned and then leaned against the computer tables to face her older friend.
"Hi Izzy," Trina greeted receiving a nod from Izzy. She turned back toward her screen to shut off her computer.
"And it's that nature of our gender that makes you love us so much," Izzy countered at Yolei's remark giving her a warm smile. He placed his laptop onto the nearest desk and the other bag next to it. He glanced at Trina, "You leaving?" Yolei furrowed her brow at her male friend. Was that disappointment she detected in his tone?
Trina nodded, "I'm tired. I think I'm going to go home and take a long nap. If I'm lucky, no one will wake me during my peaceful slumber." As if to prove how tired she was, she stretched her hands and yawned. Taking a deep breath, she pulled herself to her feet and picked up her bag to head out, "I will see you guys later. Don't stay too late. It's not healthy." She smiled and walked past the two computer geniuses toward the door.
"Gotcha," Izzy smiled and turned to watch her leave, "Get a good night's rest."
"You don't have to tell me twice," Trina chuckled, turning back to glance at her two friends again, "Later Yolei. And thanks again."
"Uh, yeah, bye," Yolei said breaking from her thoughts, "Call me if you need any help with your PC." She looked from Trina to Izzy to Trina and then back to Izzy again. An impish smiled began to tug at her lips as she took note of Izzy's downcast expression.
"Thanks again, Yolei," Trina smiled and left the room.
As soon as the other girl was out of the computer lab, Yolei inched up closer to her computer genius friend, watching the changes in his facial expressions. Only a mere inch or two from his face, Yolei grinned deviously.
"So, what else do you have to finish up here, Yol- Ah!" Izzy turned his head toward the younger girl and nearly jumped back a couple feet when he came unexpectedly face to face with her, "Don't do that!"
Yolei leaned back and spoke between laughs, "Sorry, Iz... I couldn't help it... You were just so... entranced." Yolei gave a quick glance at where Trina had been standing only a second ago. She swallowed and calmed her laughter, "I was just taking note to that disappointed look on your face. It's something I don't see very often."
Izzy raised an eyebrow with a confused look, "You lost me."
"I know something," Yolei smirked.
"I don't like that look," Izzy said unzipping his laptop bag. He had seen that look before. There was a devious little twinkle in her eye that usually meant she was concocting another one of her out-of-this-world plans to do something drastic. He looked at her in a semi serious manner, "Whatever it is you're planning, I'm not going to be a part of it."
Yolei cocked her head and gave Izzy one of her most innocent looks, "Why, whatever are you talking about, Izzy dear?" She then threw her head back and laughed aloud.
"I know you," Izzy said as he pulled his laptop out and opened it, "When your evil mind starts to spin, the end of the world becomes one day closer."
"I'm not that evil," Yolei grinned, "Besides, you have to be a part of my plan... seeing as how you're my next victim, uh, I mean you play a big role in my plan."
"As much as I'm going to regret this, my curiosity is overpowering my morale," Izzy said pulling out a box from his bag, "So... let's here it." He opened the box and pulled out a sandwich, then he picked up his box of juice and began to sip at it.
"My plan," Yolei smiled, "involves getting you and Trina together..."
The juice Izzy was sipping suddenly began going down the wrong pipe in his throat. He coughed, "Wh- what?!!"
"Oops," Yolei stuck out her tongue sheepishly, but rushed to his side and patted his back, "Calm down, Izzy."
"What are you talking about?" Izzy demanded as soon as he stopped choking, "I knew I'd regret hearing your crazy ideas." He took a breath and then picked up his sandwich.
"You and Trina," Yolei said as Izzy took a bite out of his sandwich, "You obviously have a crush on her."
Again, Izzy began to choke. His bite of sandwich became lodged in his throat as it hit the wrong pipe, "Wha-? Huh?" He spoke between coughs.
"You're hopeless," Yolei patted his back, "Better?"
Still between coughs, "Not..." cough "-working." cough cough "Still-" cough "-choking."
Yolei pushed Izzy forward and then wrapped her arms around Izzy to perform the Heimlich maneuver. She pushed up with her fist once right below his ribcage and then once again before the bite Izzy had of his sandwich flew out of his mouth and, coincidentally, right into the trashcan.
"Hey," Yolei looked toward the trashcan, "That was neat." She turned back to Izzy who was now sipping on his juice to clear his throat, "You-" Izzy stopped her from talking with his hand to her mouth. He swallowed his juice and then removed his hand.
"Now you can talk," Izzy said.
"You okay?" Yolei asked sheepishly. Izzy rolled his eyes and Yolei smiled, "Okay then. Back to my plan..."
"Is there a reason you're doing this?" Izzy asked.
"It's not like I'm trying to torture you," Yolei said sincerely. She smiled, "I've seen the way you look at her sometimes, but I just now realized that you weren't just being weird. You have a crush on Trina. And I have the best plan to get you to express your love to her."
"Yolei-" Izzy shook his head.
"No, no," Yolei said, "Hear me out. I can get you with Trina. And I'm sure she'll like you too. I mean, you're not... that bad."
"Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?" Izzy said flatly.
"You should," Yolei giggled, "Not everyone gets a good word from me."
"Except for every single guy at this school who you've had a crush on," Izzy said, "and that's practically every guy."
"I see why you were never on my list of potential boyfriends," Yolei narrowed her eyes.
"Well, that's a relief," Izzy teased pretending to look grateful. He laughed at Yolei's unamused glare.
"Keep this up," Yolei said, "and I won't help you. And I know you like Trina. I can see it. No matter how much you deny it, so just admit it."
Izzy sighed, "Will it get you off my case if I admit it?"
"So you do have a thing for Trina!" Yolei smiled brightly forgetting the teasing that had been going on just a moment ago.
Izzy blushed a little and nodded, "She's pretty and she's smart and she's-"
"Say no more," Yolei said holding her hand up, "You'll make me jealous. But anyways... I know the best way for you to get her attention and express how you feel toward her."
"Do I dare ask?" Izzy said flatly.
"You want my help or not?!" Yolei exclaimed.
"Fine," Izzy said, "I probably won't be able to do this on my own anyways..." He sighed.
"Good," Yolei smiled at him victoriously, "Now listen carefully-" Izzy nodded "-Trina's birthday is coming up soon. It's this Friday. This will be your chance to do something special for her. But to make things more romantic, you should work your way up to an ultimate surprise that I will personally help you complete."
"And that would be..." Izzy chimed in.
Yolei held up her hand, "I'm not done yet. First of all-" she glanced at the clock "-the mall closes in five hours. We'll finish up our work here and I will introduce you to the world of what women love."
Izzy's jaw dropped and he faked a look of horror, "Oh no! Not the mall!"
Yolei narrowed her eyes again and gave Izzy an "I'm not very amused" look. He smiled, "Sorry."
"So," Yolei stood to head back toward her computer, "Finish up your work so we can get going."
"This ought to be fun," Izzy mumbled.
"What was that?"
"I said, 'Aye-aye, Captain,'" Izzy saluted her playfully and then opened his laptop to begin his work all the while smiling at the silly girl.
***
"I'm not going in there, Yolei," Izzy protested standing his ground. He folded his arms and looked the other way.
"But Izzy," Yolei whined, "They're having a sale. I have to check it out." She tugged at his sleeve like a two year old. She pointed into the department store they were standing in front of. Inside, young teenage girls were swarming around the many racks of formal gowns that were on clearance sale that week. "Please Izzy..."
"No," Izzy turned on his heels in an attempt to get away.
Yolei yanked on his sleeve, "Hey, I'm going around shopping for you so you can get with Trina. The least you can do is come in here for me. Pleeeease.....!!" She gave him puppy dog eyes that were accentuated by her glasses.
Izzy tried his hardest to look away from her, "No. This was all your idea in the first place. I don't have to go along with it. I can easily do this on my own."
"Iz-zy!" Yolei whined in her two year old voice again.
"No," Izzy choked out, "Why don't you go by yourself?" He had to stand his ground... though he was very, very close to giving in.
"Cause if I find something nice, I want opinions from a friend," she said.
"I'm not going in there," Izzy said again.
Yolei sighed, "Fine. You're no fun." She walked ahead of him and headed toward the food court. Her head hung in disappointment and her shoulders sagged.
Izzy let out a breath of relief, but felt a pang of guilt for making his friend so glum. Taking a deep breath, he ran up to her, "Look, Yolei. We'll come back to that store some other time, I promise."
"By then," Yolei sighed, "All the good dresses will be gone."
"I'll buy you dinner tonight," Izzy offered in an attempt to make the smile on the young girl's face reappear. The two were such good friends that he hated seeing her so down.
"I'm eating at home."
"How about an early dessert?" Izzy smiled. He watched Yolei look up at him thoughtfully and then smile. Bingo, Izzy thought. He had hit the right button. If it was something he knew, it was that Yolei Inoue would never ever say no to anything that had to do with dessert.
"Ice cream?" Yolei said.
"Whatever you want," Izzy said feeling satisfied that his friend was happily smiling again.
"Well, what are we waiting for then?" she grabbed his arm and pulled him at a faster pace toward the food court in the mall, "This is one of the places where they sell the best in ice cream!"
***
"Should I get her this?"
"Too business-like."
"This?"
"Too technical."
"This?"
"Eww! No!"
"What's wrong?"
"That's expired chocolate, not white chocolate!"
"Oh! Why would they have expired chocolate here?"
"Beats me."
"What about this?"
"No, Izzy!"
"What?"
"I don't think that Trina would appreciate getting a dish towel for a birthday present!"
"So what? You got me the same thing after your trip to Kyoto."
"No I didn't! Now, do you wanna impress the girl or not?!"
"Sorry! How about this?"
"Hand lotion?"
"It's something."
"You have no idea what to get girls do you?"
"It's not like I do it all the time."
The two had been wandering around the mall to practically every store just to find a nice gift for Trina. Yolei sighed in exasperation at her clueless upperclassman, "For one of the smartest students I know, you've still got a lot to learn about girls and dating." She pointed at a nearby store when her eyes caught the twinkling of glass, "Let's go in there."
Izzy looked up at the sign, "'Stones and Such.' Nice name."
"I think I know what you should get Trina."
Izzy wandered over toward the counter while Yolei headed to a shelf in the center. He peered at some of the necklaces until he laid his eyes on something, "This looks nice."
Yolei raised an eyebrow at her red-headed friend, "Moving a little fast there, don't you think?" She glanced over his shoulder at the ruby necklace Izzy was looking at.
"What?"
"You two aren't even dating yet," Yolei said, "Jewelry isn't something you want to give her until you're deeper into the relationship." She looked over the necklaces, rings and bracelets. "Besides," she pointed at an emerald bracelet, "That would be much prettier."
"You like that?"
"It's pretty," Yolei nodded, "But, that's not why we're here."
"Then what are we doing in here?" Izzy turned his head to look at the violet haired girl.
"For these," Yolei pointed at the shelf in the center of the store. On it, several intricately carved crystals stood shimmering in the compromising light.
"Crystal ornaments?" Izzy walked up and picked up a crystal swan.
"Not just any kind of ornament," Yolei stated, "Crystal ornaments are supposed to be good luck. Trina's been pretty moody lately. She just broke up with her boyfriend a couple weeks ago. She's just now starting to get over him."
"And these will bring good luck?" Izzy asked.
"They're supposed to," Yolei shrugged, "Maybe if you give her one then she'll be happier."
"Maybe?"
"Hey, I only said that I'd help you. I didn't assure you a hundred percent positive results."
"Really?"
"Be happy that I'm actually helping you out."
"Happy?"
"Uh huh. So be grateful."
"Grateful?"
"Izzy?"
"What?"
"Will you quit asking questions and just choose one so we can get going on the next stop?"
"There's more?"
"What do you think?"
"I'm starting to regret this idea."
"Too bad."
***
"The last time I spent this much money," Izzy looked sadly from his wallet to the pile of bags on the ground, "was when I went to last years Tokyo 2000 Tech Symposium." (A/N: Completely made up. I figured Izzy would spend a lot of money for something like a tech symposium though.)
"It was worth it though," Yolei smirked taking a sip of the chocolate malt in front of her.
"The symposium?" Izzy looked up while putting his wallet away.
"No," Yolei said, "your shopping experience today. Not that a tech symposium isn't cool. I wish I could've gone, they were displaying one of the most advanced pocket computers..."
"Why don't we go to the one this year? They're holding it right here in Odaiba," Izzy said. He picked up his spoon and dipped it into his fudge sundae.
"Sounds like a plan," Yolei smiled, "But wouldn't you want to take Trina?"
"I'm not even going to attempt to plan that far ahead yet," Izzy frowned, "For now, let's just focus on, uh..." He blushed a little.
"And that's what I'm here for," Yolei smiled, "We've practically got everything we need. If I think of anything else, I'll tell you."
"But I happen to recall that half of these things are for you..." Izzy looked at a couple bags at Yolei's feet.
"I deserve something," Yolei protested, "I gave up my evening to spend with you just to help you shop for the girl of your dreams."
"I feel so special and so grateful," Izzy said sarcastically, "The great Yolei Inoue giving up an evening of sitting around watching endless episodes of boring reruns just to spend time with me..."
"Shut up," Yolei snapped, "You still have me to turn to for the next couple parts of my plan." She rubbed her hands together imitating the evil villains in movies.
Izzy sighed, "I am really regretting this."
"But you're doing it for Trina," Yolei smiled. She grabbed one of the bags and pulled out the crystal ornament Izzy had chosen, "A swan. Swans are always beautiful. Although I would've preferred the doves." The light in the food court hit the intricately carved figure causing it to glimmer with color. "Wrap this up as nicely as you can," Yolei ordered, "It'll be one of the presents you'll be giving Trina on her birthday."
"What about the rest of the-?" Izzy glanced at the bags next to him on the ground.
"Am I done yet?" Yolei said.
Izzy held up his hands and backed off, "Go ahead."
She pointed at one bag full of men's clothing, "That's for you. So that you look nice on your upcoming dates."
"I figured that out," Izzy said. He received an annoyed glare from Yolei so he clapped his mouth shut and motioned for her to go on.
Yolei smiled and grabbed another bag then pulled out a computer program, "This is the ultimate present. Once we're done with it, she'll have no choice but to be head over heels in love with you. It may be a little sappy, but it's romantic and a girl like Trina loves stuff like that." She put the program back into the bag next to a few knick-knacks she thought they'd need.
"What about that bag?" Izzy asked.
"Oh, that," Yolei blushed, "My sister's needed a couple things..."
"And you decided to use my money..."
"I'll pay you back," Yolei said looking at another bag that also contained some items she had bought for herself, "I'll pay you back for all of it. I just didn't have the cash with me at the moment." She pulled out a pad of paper and scribbled on it.
"What are you doing?"
"Writing an IOU," Yolei signed the small piece of paper and pushed it over to Izzy, "Signed too. Now you can wave that in my face when you need money. But I'm taking it back as soon as I pay you."
Izzy sighed and pushed the paper back, "Don't worry about it."
"No, no," Yolei pushed the paper back, "It just doesn't feel right."
"I said don't worry about it," Izzy slid the paper back.
Yolei smiled and picked up her pen. She flipped the paper over and scribbled on the back.
"What are you doing now?"
"Making it so that you have to take my IOU."
"What?" Izzy picked up the paper and read out a set of numbers on the back that looked suspiciously like- "Is this a phone number?"
"Trina's phone number," Yolei smirked in confirmation, "Call her. Take her out to a movie tomorrow. I happen to know that she's interested in seeing that new Ben Affleck movie."
"Ben Affleck?" Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, yeah," Yolei said, "I know. Not your type of movie. But I heard the graphics are good. You might be interested in that."
"Yeah, sure," Izzy still looked skeptical.
"Sometimes," Yolei grinned, "to get what you want, you must be willing to make a sacrifice. In this case, your dislike for hot movie stars that have captured millions of teenage girls' hearts."
"Doesn't bother me at all."
"Liar. What teenage guy does not despise those male stars who teenage girls talk about all the time?"
"Well, I happen to be one of those guys who could care less."
"Then that makes you one in a million and everything will be all the easier. Am I right?"
Izzy shrugged, "I guess."
"You know, for a guy who's trying to woo a girl, you don't show very much enthusiasm."
"You have enough enthusiasm for the both of us," Izzy sighed.
"Shh!"
"What?" Izzy looked up at Yolei from his ice cream. Yolei held her hand up as she listened carefully. Izzy tilted his head to hear what Yolei was listening to... "What is it?"
"It's one of my favorite American songs," Yolei said, "Only problem is, I don't know what it's called."
"How can it be one of your favorites if you don't even know what it's called?"
"It was on one of those CD's that Mimi bought," Yolei said, "She played it a couple times and I loved it. The lyrics are beautiful. I just can't remember what it's called.... 'Thank You For Loving Me' I think it was." She shrugged, "I'll ask Mimi the next time I talk to her."
***
Izzy stretched and yawned after finishing the last of his ice cream.
"Somebody's tired," Yolei chuckled.
Izzy turned his hand to look at his watch, "Right now, it's past eight. We've been here for an hour or two. I'm tired and I have a Trig test in the morn-"
Yolei's eyes widened. Before he said anything else, she had flung her hand across the table and grabbed Izzy's hand pulling it toward her to look at his watch, "It's after eight?!"
"What?" Izzy had been completely taken by surprise.
"I told Mom I'd be home by now!" Yolei said feeling panicked, "Kari's sleeping over tonight. I'm going to have two people angry at me now!"
"So you don't mind if I cross that line and join them?" Izzy teased.
Yolei flung her hand out and slapped him on the shoulder, "Don't make fun, Koushiro Izumi!"
"Ow!" he rubbed his shoulder, "You have quite the right arm."
"Only when I need to use it," Yolei said. She quickly downed her malt, bent down to pick up her bags and then stood up, "I gotta go before my parents have a search squad out for me."
"Are you really worth all that trouble?" Izzy smirked.
"If I weren't in such a panic right now, I'd come up with a very good come back for that remark," Yolei snapped, "But since I can't at the moment-" She slapped him hard on his other shoulder.
"Remind me to equip myself with shoulder guards the next time I decide to make fun of you," Izzy rubbed his other possibly bruised shoulder. He stood up after taking a long sip of his milk shake, "I'll walk you home."
"I'll be fine," Yolei said, "You better go home and study, er..." She stopped in mid-sentence remembering that she was speaking to one of the smartest students at Odaiba High, "Practice some non-cheesy pick up lines for the next time you see Trina."
"Pick up lines?" Izzy raised an eyebrow and held back his laughter, "Do I look that desperate?" He smiled, "I've got nothing else to do. I'll walk you home. Come on. It's along my way anyways." He picked up his bags and tugged on Yolei's arm.
"Alright," Yolei sighed in defeat.
***
"Now tell me," Izzy said, "What exactly will we be doing?"
"You're excited aren't you?" Yolei giggled, "Can't wait to tell Trina how much you want to be with her?"
Izzy blushed, "Maybe just a little eager."
"Aww! Izzy's blushing! Wait'll all the guys here about this."
"You will not tell anyone!" Izzy had a look of terror on his face, "Especially Tai or Matt."
"Embarrassed?" Yolei grinned maliciously. She then smiled lovingly at her friend, "Having a crush is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about."
"You know how Tai and Matt are about things like this," Izzy said, "I'd never live it down."
"Fine," Yolei said, "I'll just tell Kari... and maybe Sora..."
"And then everyone will know," Izzy said, "Is it really necessary that you gossip with others about my love life?"
"Love life," Yolei nodded in approval, "Now there's something you don't here much from the great Computer Club President who spends more time talking to machines than something actually living and breathing." She smiled like a mother would to her son and lightly pinched his cheeks, "My little Izzy's growing up."
"I think you shouldn't have had that malt," Izzy said swatting her hands away, "Next time you go anywhere, don't consume more than your share of sugar."
"So I'm a little hyped up," Yolei said as they reached the door to her apartment.
"A little?" Izzy raised an eyebrow.
Yolei rolled her eyes, "You try to help out a friend and this is the kind of thanks you get. Remind me to never try to help you again after this." She turned to walk in, but Izzy stopped her.
"Sorry," Izzy said, "I'm just feeling tense. It's not everyday I decide to go out on a limb and try to pursue a girl I have a crush on."
"No problem," Yolei smiled.
"Well, thanks for helping me," Izzy said.
"And you have a nice night," Yolei smiled and pulled her friend into a hug, "And I promise you I'll pay you back as soon as I possibly can. Which shouldn't be too far from today... But you have my IOU. Knowing you, you'll remind me if I forget."
"Am I that uptight?" Izzy asked.
"Nope," Yolei said, "But even if you were, I'd still love you all the same." She leaned forward and pecked Izzy on the cheek, "G'night." With that, she whirled around and headed into her house.
Izzy smiled, "She's so cute sometimes." He turned and left.
***
"Well, it took you long enough," Kari Kamiya stood from where she was sitting on the couch. Her older friend, Sora Takenouchi, stood up next to her. The two seemed to be trying to conceal a fit of impending giggles.
"I'm sorry," Yolei said sheepishly, "I lost track of time. You know how it is when you go shopping. Besides, Izzy was being absolutely impossible."
"That really was Izzy?" Kari asked surprised.
Yolei nodded, "Yeah. He's hopeless when it comes to shopping. What are you doing here Sora?" She watched in a confused manner as Kari pulled out a crisp five dollars and handed it to Sora.
"Tai's spending the night at Matt's, but he also wanted to make sure that Kari made it here safely," Sora rolled her eyes, "So I volunteered to bring her."
"Don't know why he's still so protective," Kari scoffed, "I'm old enough to take care of myself now."
"Brothers will be brothers," Yolei said.
"So you were out with Izzy, huh?" Sora asked, "How was it?"
"You and Izzy went on a date?" a voice asked from behind.
Yolei spun around to face-
"MIMI!!" Yolei practically jumped at her idol, Mimi Tachikawa, in delight and surprise.
"Hey Yolei!" the two girls wrapped each other into an embrace.
"What are you doing here?!" Yolei asked excitedly.
"Surprise?" Mimi smiled.
"That's the other reason why I'm here," Sora said.
"I hope you don't mind two more girls spending the night," Kari said, "Kind of a last minute sleepover party?"
"Of course I don't mind!" Yolei squealed. She turned to where her mom walked out of the kitchen, "Mom, you don't mind do you?"
"I should, since you were late coming in," she said sternly, "But since your friend is in town tonight, I'll let you off this one time."
"Thanks, Mom!"
***
"Spill everything."
Yolei gave Mimi a confused look, "Spill what?"
"I want to hear everything," Mimi said, "about you and Izzy. How long have you been going out? How come nobody told me?" She shot angry glances at Sora and Kari.
"Don't look at us," Kari said, "We just found out too."
Yolei looked up from the magazine she was reading, "You've all got it all wrong! Izzy and I aren't dating! I don't even like him that way." Unaware to herself, her cheeks became a suspicious shade of red.
"Are you kidding?" Sora said, "I've seen the way you two act around each other."
"And let's not forget that you kissed him good night," Kari taunted.
"I what?" Yolei furrowed her brow in confusion. She then remembered that she had unknowingly given Izzy a small peck on his cheek before she said good bye. Her jaw almost dropped and she slapped her head, "I didn't even realize I did that!"
"See!" Kari giggled.
"But it was just an innocent little kiss," Yolei protested, "It doesn't mean anything. He was nice enough to walk me home and he paid for all that stuff I bought..."
"You spent the whole evening with him," Sora said.
"And he paid for everything," Mimi added.
"He even walked you home," Kari continued.
"And you gave him a good night kiss," Sora finished.
"If that's not a date," Kari said, "Then I must be really out of date on the dating thing here."
"It wasn't a date," Yolei insisted.
"Then what were you doing with Izzy all evening?" Kari asked.
"FYI," Yolei rolled her eyes, "We weren't even out all evening. We left the computer lab sometime around six to go to the mall. I dragged Izzy to the mall so he could buy Trina a birthday present."
"Trina?"
"Trina Harwood?" Kari asked, "I think she used to be on the cheer squad."
"Yeah, and she's a friend of mine in the computer club," Yolei explained. She grinned deviously, "Izzy has a crush on her."
Now it was the other three girls' turn to be confused. They exchanged glances and then just looked at Yolei like she had lost her mind.
"So let me get this straight," Sora began, "Izzy has a crush on this girl, Trina..." Yolei nodded and Sora continued, "And you spent the evening shopping with him so he could find a gift for her birthday, because..."
"I thought of a great plan for Izzy to express his feelings for her," Yolei said proudly.
"Are you sure that's what you want to do, Yolei?" Kari asked.
"What are you talking about?"
"I dunno," Kari looked at her hands, "I always thought you had a crush on Izzy."
"Me? Have a crush on Izzy?" Yolei felt like bursting into laughter, "The same Koushirou Izumi we all know? Red head computer guy?" She chuckled and sat up, "You have got to be kidding. I would never-"
Kari shrugged, "The way you two flirt with each other, I'd have thought that-"
"We don't flirt!"
"Sorry," Kari held her hands up in defense.
"He's like a big brother to me," Yolei said. She blinked as a sudden thought she had never ever thought of came to mind, Do we really flirt with each other? Do I really think of him as just a friend or big brother... or is there more?
"So," Mimi broke through Yolei's thoughts, "Our computer geek has a crush on someone?" She giggled.
"He's not a geek!" Yolei narrowed her eyes, "Don't call him that."
"Don't get so defensive," Sora said, "Mimi wasn't making fun of your boyfriend. It was just a term."
"Well, computer geeks like us don't like that term," Yolei rolled her eyes, "And he's NOT my boyfriend!"
"Sorry," Kari said, "The way you're reacting, it certainly proves different."
"Wha-?" Yolei was taken aback by those words. She had a sudden feeling come over her that even surprised herself.
***
Yolei stared blankly out at the rain as she sat in the computer lab. She had been sitting, knees pulled to her chest and arms wrapped around her legs, in deep thought for the past hour, not even moving one inch.
Izzy,
she thought, They're not right are they? I don't like Izzy more than just a good friend. He's not my type of guy... He is cute though... BUT WE'RE JUST FRIENDS! Doesn't mean we can't- No! No! No! We practically act like brother and sister... Or do we? Kari says that we flirt with each other... Could that be true? Nah... I couldn't possibly like him... And why not? He's smart, he's funny, you get along with each other nicely... Not to mention he's hot... Wait, where'd all that come from? Noooo..... I don't like him any more than just a friend. We're just friends.... Then why can't you stop thinking about him? We're just-Yolei gasped. A set of familiar hands covered her eyes under her glasses, "Guess who?"
"Aren't we a little old for peek-a-boo, Izzy?" Yolei asked not even attempting to move.
The hands dropped and Izzy whirled Yolei around to face him in the revolving chair, "You're no fun. How'd you guess?"
Yolei gave Izzy a look that said, "You must be kidding."
Izzy nodded, "What are you doing in here?" He scanned the room, "This is a first."
"What?" Yolei asked stretching her arms- the first movement she'd made in a whole hour.
"Well," Izzy said, "none of the computers are on. So you must be doing some serious thinking."
Yolei nodded but caught onto what Izzy was implying. She slapped him in the shoulder.
"Hey!" Izzy rubbed the spot she had just whacked, "I wasn't ready for that one."
"Think before you speak," Yolei plainly stated, "What are you doing here?"
"I, uh..." Izzy looked away.
"You're looking for Trina?" Yolei asked then her eyes widened in surprise. Was that disappointment she detected in her own tone of voice?
"Sort of," Izzy said, "Like you said... I was going to ask her to go see that movie."
"Ah, I see," Yolei said, "She's not going to come in today. She has a lot of homework to do."
"Oh," Izzy said, "Well, can I ask you a favor then?"
"What?"
"Let's go to the mall," Izzy said.
"Sure!" Yolei responded a little too quickly. Oh... no... she thought, Now is that giddy happiness that's in your tone, Yolei?
"You girls must really love the mall," Izzy said shaking his head.
"That would explain why we go all the time," Yolei smiled trying to hide the sudden outburst of enthusiasm. Are you blushing, Yolei? she asked herself even more surprised. She could feel her cheeks heat up just the slightest bit.
"So let's go," Izzy said, "I need to get myself the accessories for, uh, wrapping up that present."
"Oh," Yolei said. And now disappointed again? Yolei thought, I must really be losing it. She blinked a couple times hoping to gather her thoughts quickly before she let on too much.
"You okay?" Izzy asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Yolei answered quickly, "Why wouldn't I be fine? Let's go!" She lowered her legs to the ground and quickly rose to her feet... but came toppling forward toward the ground. She had been acting so quickly that she didn't remember to take note of the effects of sitting in one position without moving for one full hour. Her legs had fallen asleep and she could barely feel them now.
"Careful!" Izzy cried out. He immediately reached forward to Yolei before she fell to the ground. Instead, she fell into Izzy's embrace.
Yolei could feel her face now heating up past the boiling point and she knew for sure that her face could very much be compared with Izzy's red hair. She gulped at the feeling of Izzy holding her in his arms as he tried to keep her from falling and his body being so close to hers made her feel a sensation she'd never even thought of before. She bit her lip and looked up at the soft eyes of the upperclassman still holding her. He stared back down into hers.
"Um," Izzy said breaking the trance first. He seemed to be turning just the smallest tint of red himself. He gently guided Yolei back toward the chair, "Why don't you sit down first?"
"Thanks," Yolei managed to choke out, "My legs must have fallen asleep. I've been sitting in the same position since I got here right after school let out."
"A whole hour?" Izzy asked chuckling uneasily, though he didn't understand why.
"Uh, yeah," Yolei answered. The whole while, she was massaging her legs to try ridding herself of the tingling feeling.
"Think you can walk now?" Izzy asked regaining his calm self again.
Yolei nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine." She stood up on her jello-like legs, "Let's go."
"You sure?" Izzy asked. He hesitated before reaching out his arm to hers to steady her in case her numb legs gave out again.
"M-hm," Yolei nodded, "I'll be fine. They say the best way to cure a sleeping leg is to walk it off."
"Who says?"
"I don't know. But does it matter?"
"Nah."
***
"How about pink ribbon?"
"Izzy."
"What?"
"This is Trina. Not Mimi."
"So?"
"You don't know?"
"What?"
"Trina doesn't like pink."
"That would be good to know," Izzy tossed the roll of pink ribbon back onto the shelf and picked up a white roll, "How about this?"
"That oughtta work," Yolei said nodding.
The two computer geniuses had walked to the mall in silence, because of the awkwardness that Yolei was feeling. But soon after, her uneasiness died away and she was back to her usual self as she shopped around the gift shop for material to wrap Trina's present in.
"Okay," Izzy said, "We've got wrapping paper and ribbon. Anything else?"
"Not that I can think of," Yolei eyed the shop thinking about anything she may have missed, "Let's pay for it and go."
"I don't know when I've spent more than my own allowance in one week," Izzy said sighing heavily.
"Tech symposium," Yolei reminded him, "You gotta let yourself go wild sometime. Besides, just remember that you're buying all this stuff for the girl you love." She chuckled uneasily at her last sentence.
"True," Izzy said.
"This is new," Yolei smiled, "You're not making some sort of smartass remark at everything I'm saying."
"Decided to be nice to you for once," Izzy said.
"Okay."
"Alright," Izzy picked up the bag from the counter after the clerk wrapped up the materials, "Let's go." They headed out of the gift shop until Izzy stopped in front of a familiar area.
"What?" Yolei asked.
"You wanna go in there?" Izzy asked after a moment's hesitation.
"Where?"
Izzy sighed, "I'm going to regret this." He pointed at the same department store that had the clearance on evening and formal gowns, "I promised we'd come back sometime."
Yolei looked at Izzy skeptically, "Who are you and what did you do to Izzy?"
"Yes or no before I change my mind," Izzy said.
"Okay, okay," Yolei smirked. She looked at his face, "You really mean it? This isn't some sort of joke or anything, right?"
"Sure, why not?" Izzy said unenthusiastically, "Like I said, I promised we'd come back. But on one condition, I'm not paying for anything you find in there."
"No problem," Yolei said, "Browsing's fine with me. Besides, I can always put something on layaway and come back for it later." She turned on her heels happily and darted into the department store before another word was said. Sighing, Izzy followed her in while at the same time shaking his head at the silly girl.
***
"Are you done yet?"
"Hold on," Yolei's voice called from the other side of the changing room stall, "I have a couple more dresses to try on."
"I expected Mimi to be more like this," Izzy said rolling his eyes. He leaned back on his chair and looked around at the store. There were still tons of dresses that a lot of young teenage girls were pouring over. He shifted uneasily in his seat.
"Don't roll your eyes!"
"How'd-?"
"I just know these things."
"Could you hurry it up a little?" he sighed, "How did I convince myself into coming in here with you? And people are starting to stare at me."
"Cause you love me so much," Yolei called back giggling, "And it's no big deal, let them stare."
"To you maybe it's no big deal. I'm not too interested in attracting attention."
"Whatever," Yolei mouthed. She then raised her voice to speak to Izzy again, "Give me a couple more minutes."
"It's not like you're going to buy anything," Izzy said exasperated.
"Yeah, but," Yolei added, "I might want to come back for one of these.... if they're still here."
Izzy's head shot up when he heard the dressing room door slide open, "Finally. I was about to start... collecting..." Izzy's talking slowed as he stared entranced at the figure standing before him, "... dust..."
"I'm thinking of getting this one," Yolei said, "How does it look?" She looked over her dress: Sleeveless neckline dress... It was a shimmering black solid material with traces of glittering on it. The dress was backless and dropped all the way down to the ground in waves. It fit Yolei's body perfectly accentuating her the curves on her figure.
"Izzy?" Yolei realized that Izzy hadn't answered her yet. She looked up and immediately felt a blush at the way Izzy was staring at her. She shook herself out of the blush and took a step forward, "Izz- Ah!"
The dress had been too long for the sandals she wore underneath. She stepped on the front of the skirt of her dress and felt herself plunge forward.
Izzy immediately snapped out of his dream-like state and took a step forward to catch his friend, but instead tripped over his untied shoelaces as he rushed to Yolei's aid. As he, himself plunged forward, he grabbed onto Yolei causing her to whirl around and fall backwards onto her back. Izzy fell right on top of her.
"Ow," Yolei groaned.
"Sorry," Izzy lifted himself a couple inches off of the ground and looked down at Yolei. He stopped moving up when he caught himself looking into her eyes. He could feel his heartbeat quicken and his body heat up at the feeling of being so close to a girl.
Yolei didn't move. She too felt her heart beating at a faster rate and she definitely knew that she was blushing like mad. All the while, she just stared deep into Izzy's eyes. She could get lost in them with pleasure.
Izzy stayed still, but felt himself slowly lowering his face toward hers. Yolei closed her eyes as she felt the feel of his soft lips grazing the tips of hers... Slowly, their lips met in what would be the beginning of a sweet love-filled first kiss...
_____________________________________________________________
And that's the end of part one. Don't you just hate cliff hangers? Don't worry, I'm going to have part two out ASAP. It won't be long.
Please review. Thanx. ^_^