Sora walked out of class, feeling restless and drowsy as the day seemed to drag on and on. Another boring lesson, another teacher willingly filling in all their free time with homework. She missed the DigiWorld. A lot. And sure, maybe sometimes you'd get into fights and have evil digimons try and kill you, but you had just as much of a chance dying from complete and utter boredom if you listened to Mr. Miyagi, their history teacher, drone on for what seemed like hours...
I've been spending too much time with Tai... she mused.
She walked through the corridors until stepping out to the front of the school. Finally, the weekend. She started heading towards the front gates but realized she had promised to hang out with Tai after school. She looked around for him but didn't find her best friend among all the students hurrying out of school. Sora sighed.
Too much courage, not enough punctuality...
After waiting for another five minutes, she decided to go look for Tai. He had probably forgotten all about it...
X-X-X-X-X-X
Matt was making his way out of school, guitar slung over his shoulder when he heard it. The voice he dreaded most.
"Matt! Matt, wait!"
Matt winced, but turned around nonetheless, inwardly resisting the urge to run away as fast as he could. There was Jun Motomiya, running towards him so fast, one might have though she was competing for the gold medal.
'Maybe if I just turn back around and ignore her, she'll go away...' Matt though desperately, '154th time lucky, right?'
Unfortunately, he took too long debating where he should hide and Jun had reached him, right after after violently pushing a girl aside and screaming at her to watch where she was going because, as she reminded the girl angrily, who did she think she was, getting in the way of her and her Matt?
"Hi Matt," she said, slightly breathless from having run a good 100 metres.
"Hello Jun," Matt said in a bored tone. He'd had this conversation millions of times before and it was starting to get quite old.
"So, Matt, what are you doing this afternoon?" she asked.
"Well, I - "
"Perfect, I'm not doing anything either! We could get together! Oooh, we could go to that new burger place, I've been told it's great and maybe then we could-"
"Jun!" Matt interrupted her before she got any more ideas. Oh god, he dreaded this bit. How was he going to tell her he wasn't interested? I just want to be friends? No, that won't do. The further she stays away from me the better. Friends was too much.
"Yes, Matt?" she said batting her eyelashes at him.
"Uh, well, Jun," he started, "I don't think I can, uh, go out with you..."
Jun's mouth formed a perfect 'o'.
"Why can't you go out with me Matt?" Jun asked with shocked eyes, as though one would think the idea to be completely absurd.
As he tired to search frantically for an excuse, Sora passed by. Matt turned when he saw the familiar auburn hair and deciding he needed to buy himself some more time, he grabbed her arm and steered her towards their group of two, making her a part of the conversation.
Sora let out a surprised cry and looked around, her eyes frowning in confusion when they landed on Matt and then found Jun.
"Erm- hello," she said uncertainly, raising an eyebrow as Jun examined her critically up and down, as though trying to detect faults.
Matt, his mind reeling trying to think of something to say, was suddenly struck with inspiration. A way to get rid of Jun, once and for all. It was so simple, so brilliant, so completely perfect he couldn't help but marvel at why he hadn't thought of it sooner.
"Well, you see Jun," he started looking from Sora to Jun, his smile becoming wider, "I can't go out with you because I'm already going out with Sora."
The silence that followed was frightening. Both girls were staring at him with wide eyes. One of them was looking on in shock and confusion as the other looked as though she was about to cry.
Matt locked gazes with Sora and tried very discreetly to tell her to go along with it. It was difficult seeing as the latter was staring at him with an open mouth. Matt nudged her to get some sort of reaction.
"You- what?" she asked confused, but seeing Matt's blue eyes widen with desperation she corrected herself, "I mean, he is. Going out. With me. Right. "
She tried to smile, she really did, but it came out as more of a grimace.
"I'm sorry, but this one's taken," she told Jun apologetically.
Jun just looked from Matt to Sora, as if she was having a hard time believing it.
"But- but I know everything about you! I know where you live, your favourite colour, what brand of shampoo you use... How could I not know about this!" she said bewildered.
"Excellent question Jun, maybe Matt can give us- you- some sort of explanation?" Sora muttered darkly, elbowing him hard.
"Well, Jun, you see, uh- We wanted to keep it quiet... Fan-girls, you know, might have become a problem for Sora... Yeah, that's it," he explained, nodding fervently to the girls. while Jun nodded along with Matt, obviously convinced, Sora rolled her eyes at the feeble excuse. Elbowing him again, harder this time, she couldn't help but revel in the way he winced in pain. What on earth had he dragged her into?
Ignoring the sudden pain produced in his stomach, Matt grabbed Sora's hand with his and pulled her gently in front of him, wrapping his arms around hers to stop her from hitting him further. He bent his head down to whisper in her ear hurriedly, "Just play along, please. I'll explain later."
Jun seemed to think that Matt was whispering words of affection in her ear, because the next second she had exclaimed, "Alrigt, alright, please take your public displays of affection somewhere else!"
How anyone could mistake trying to elbow a person as a public display of affection, Sora had no idea. Matt however, seemed to have been given an idea by Jun and he placed his head on Sora's shoulders and nodded vigorously, agreeing heartily with Jun. Sora just tried not to flinch at their awkward position.
'He owes me big after this,' she thought to herself.
Jun was now looking at the presumably very much in love couple and gave them a sad smile.
"Well, it looks like you two really like each other," she said wistfully, but making no move to leave.
Both Matt and Sora gave her huge, false smiles.
"I don't know what I would do without my Sora," Matt said, lying through his teeth.
"And I'm so deeply in love with Matt," Sora sighed in what she hoped was a dreamy voice; she didn't think she could hide the disgust very well.
Matt, exasperated that Jun wasn't moving on and leaving them alone, kissed Sora hastily on the cheek.
Sora froze, eyes wide and only just managed to smile in time and fake a very overly exaggerated giggle.
"Oh Matt," she said with a girly voice that didn't suit her at all.
'I'll choke him,' Sora decided, 'I have this sudden urge to strangle something...'
"I'm sorry Matt. I didn't know you were involved with someone else. And I do not date guys who are already taken. Even if they are really cute," Jun said, finally admitting defeat, "I'll see you two around." And with a cheery wave and a smile she walked away, leaving Matt and Sora standing there.
As soon as she was out of sight, the two sprang away from each other as though they had received an electric shock. Trying to ignore the glare he was receiving from Sora and hoping that what they said about red-heads' temper wasn't true, he quickly started apologising and explaining.
"Sora, I'm so sorry," he said, "I've been trying to get her off my back for ages and I was desperate!"
Sora's anger quickly disappearing, because it was unusual for her to remain angry at someone for very long, she decided to take pity on him.
"Don't worry about it Matt," she sighed, "It's fine. But you owe me big."
Matt nodded solemnly.
"I know, and really, I will do whatever you want, I promise," he assure her, "And thanks. At least now I won't have to worry about avoiding her in the corridors."
Sora laughed and gave him a smile.
"I guess I'm glad I could help," she said and waved goodbye. She suddenly realized she had been looking for Tai.
"Oh, no," she mumbled, looking around. But the school was deserted now, and there was no sign of Tain anywhere.
"What's wrong?" Matt asked.
"You don't know where Tai is by any chance, do you? I was supposed to meet him but I guess he's forgotten..." she muttered.
Matt shrugged.
"I haven't seen him since this morning," he told her.
Sora nodded.
"Thanks anyway Matt," she said. She was about to turn away when he stopped her once again.
"Hey, Sora, has Mimi talked to you about my band's gig tomorrow?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah, she mentioned something," Sora said.
His eyes lit up slightly with hope.
"So uh, that means she'll- you'll," he corrected himself quickly, "be coming right?"
Sora raised an eyebrow. Could Matt possibly like...? Her eyes widened. And if he did?
"Yeah Matt, we'll be going," she assured him, "Mimi- I mean we wouldn't miss it for the world."
She smiled knowingly at him. He started fidgeting under her gaze but they kept their eyes locked. It was obvious Matt was uncomfortable. Sora raised an eyebrow, as if daring Matt to deny her suspicion. The blonde just ran a hand over his hair and sighed.
"Alright, you got me," he said.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear, "You like Mimi?! Why haven't you said anything before!"
"Sora! Say it a bit louder why don't you?" he hissed and he looked around anxiously.
"Oh please, who's going to find out, the trees?" she rolled her eyes, grin still in place. Matt saw the look in her eyes.
"Oh no, no Sora, whatever you're thinking, don't, because I don't want you to meddle in my life," he told her seriously.
"Jeez Matt," she said hurt, "Thanks."
He sighed.
"Look, I'm sorry I just... I just don't want you to do anything, ok? Stay out of it please," he said.
Sora frowned.
'Why don't you tell her?' she asked.
Matt's eyes widened.
"Are you crazy?" he almost shouted.
'So he's scared,' Sora thought, 'He's scared Mimi will reject him.'Sora snorted to herself. As if that would ever happen...
"Sora, promise me you won't tell anyone," Matt pleaded.
Sora sighed. As much as her best-friend instinct told her to run straight to Mimi and confess everything, she couldn't betray Matt's trust.
"Fine," she said, "I won't tell anyone, don't worry. I promise."
Matt relaxed visibly.
"Great! Well, then I'll leave you to find Tai," he smirked, "I'm sure you'd much rather be with him than with me."
Sora was about to ask what he meant by that, but Matt had turned around and left. She frowned and shook her head, looking around at the empty school.
Tai had forgotten all about her. And even though a voice inside of her repeated constantly the answer, she couldn't help but wonder why it hurt, that he had stood her up, so much more than it should have.
Little did she know that a teenaged boy with messy brown hair and a care free grin had been watching them whilst they were talking to Jun and had heard everything they had said.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Tai had been looking for her. He had left class late because his teacher had wanted to talk to him about something or rather. He hadn't listened much to the teacher and had no idea what it actually was he had talked to him about. He had blocked out the teacher's monotone voice and had been fantasizing about spending his afternoon with Sora. Sure, he nearly always spent his time with Sora, but Tai looked forward to it every time. And if he was honest with himself, what he felt for Sora went beyond normal friendship. They had spent their whole lives together and had become even closer when they find out they were both Digidestined. Even when he was just a kid, Tai couldn't deny that he had a crush on Sora. He had been in love with his best friend since he was 10. For six years, he had been in love with his best friend. If only she felt the same way...
He had been walking through the corridors looking for her but headed outside when he didn't find her. It was then that he saw it. Matt with his arms around her and saying how much he loved her. He could literally hear how his heart shattered into millions of pieces. He had wanted to go over there and punch Matt's stupid rock star face in but common sense had won over and he did nothing. As he stood there watching and listening the two talking happily with Davis's older sister, he heard the words that had torn him apart. Those few words that had broken his heart.
'I'm so deeply in love with Matt..'
And to top it off Matt kissed Sora, Tai's best friend and girl of his dreams. He couldn't take it anymore. So he ran. He ran away from them before they could see him and before they could see that his eyes weren't very dry...
And now, he sat on a swing at a park nearby, sulking. Sora didn't like him. She liked Matt. And she was going out with him by the looks of it. Tai sighed.
He remembered all those times he had almost slipped and told Sora what he felt. He groaned. He felt like an idiot. A small part of him had actually thought she liked him back. Every time she smiled at him, he would think her smile was meant just for him and he would treasure that moment in his mind forever.
But no, it had been Matt all along.
A sudden anger washed over him. Matt! Tai glared at the ground when he thought of the blonde haired boy. He had known. He had known all along that Tai liked Sora and yet, he had asked her out!
He had betrayed his friendship! He was angry at the both of them. Sora, well, she wasn't stupid. She must have noticed at least at some point that Tai liked her! Everyone else did! Or was she really clueless about how Tai felt? No, he decided, Sora would have figured it out. And besides, she had stood him up! She had gone off with Matt when she was supposed to be meeting Tai...
Maybe she preferred Matt to Tai...
Tai, her best friend since they were kids, the one who would always boast about being a better soccer player than her and then later on, get his butt kicked...
Life was so unfair.
Tai sighed once again. It was no use getting worked up over this. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't, deal with it...
Well, Sora was free to do whatever she wanted. And if Matt wanted to betray him like that, than there was nothing Tai could do... He would just pretend that they didn't exist... He would forget about his feelings for Sora...
Easier said than done.
X-X-X-X-X-X-X
Mimi had just finished her facial and beauty treatment when she got a call on her mobile. She saw Sora's name flash on the screen and answered.
"Hey Sora!"
"Hey Mimi, what are you doing right now?"
"Well, I just finished my facial, why?" Mimi asked.
"Want to do something together? I was meant to meet Tai after school but he never showed..." Sora trailed off.
Mimi noted a slight hurt in her voice.
"I'd love to Sora! Why, we can go shopping and do all sorts of girly things together! We might even be able to change your wardrobe a bit! Check that, we can buy you a whole new wardrobe!'" Mimi said excitedly.
A whole afternoon spent shopping with her best friend? Now that was something Mimi could not miss!
Sora just laughed on the other side of the line.
"Sure Mimi, I'll even let you buy me something pink," she promised and Mimi could hear the smile in her voice.
"I'll meet you at the mall in ten minutes!" Mimi told her, "Don't be late!"
She hung up and placed her phone in her purse. She started walking towards the mall. It wasn't far. Under normal circumstances, she would have taken a Taxi, no matter the distance, but today, she wanted to walk. She felt happy. And not only because she had just had the most expensive beauty treatment ever, no. She had been in a great mood ever since a certain guitar playing, blonde haired boy had bumped into her in the corridor at school. Mimi had clumsily dropped her books and Matt had willingly picked them up from the floor for her. A small smile played at her lips when she remembered the incident.
"Sorry Matt, I didn't see you," Mimi had apologised, blushing a little.
He had just smiled and said that it was fine since it had been partly his fault anyway. And Mimi's heart had sped a little when he had smiled so warmly at her. She had liked Matt for a while now, but was too scared to do anything. And in Mimi's opinion, it should always be the guy that makes the first move, not the girl. Like in romance movies. The boy would sweep the girl off her feet and spoil her rotten with beautiful jewelery and chocolates (but not too many, one had to watch the amount of sweets she ate) and flowers and then, they would watch the sunset and cuddle together as they confessed their undying love for each other.'Yes, that sounds right,'
She recalled their incident this morning. It had actually given her some hope that Matt didn't see her as the spoilt brat she had been when they had been stuck in the Digiworld together. She had changed. She could tell and so could most of the other Digidestined. At least the ones she saw frequently. Mimi had matured in her own special way.
After both Matt and Mimi had apologised for not watching where they were going, they were both parting ways until Matt turned back around.
"Mimi, wait!" he had said.
"Yes Matt?" she said a little breathless. She could just imagine him telling her how much he loved her and that he couldn't stand to be without her. She just knew it.
"My band's playing at a concert tomorrow night. I was wondering if you wanted to come. Tell Sora to come too," he said.
What a let down.
"Sure Matt," she tried not to sigh sadly, "I'd love to go. We'll be there."
"Great!" he exclaimed, "See you Mimi!"
"Bye!" she had waved and left for her next class.
Well, it was better than nothing. Right?
Mimi reached the mall and sat on a small unoccupied bench outside. That walking had really taken all her strength. She was enjoying the feeling of the sunshine on her face when she heard Sora call her name. The auburn haired girl walked towards her and smiled.
"Hey Mimi! Ready to have a girl's day out shopping?"
Mimi was already on her feet. The word 'shopping' had given her all the strength she needed.
"Always!"
Arm in arm, they walked into the frenzy of colours, people and textiles.
Author's Notes: I hope you enjoyed, and that it wasn't too painful. It'd be wonderful if you could let me know what you though ;)
