Entertaining Notions

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. Happy? Same goes for any songs or films mentioned in this fic.

Summary: Matt, Tai, and Sora. They're a trio, the best of friends. As senior year begins, things begin to get crazy. Still, they have each other. But what happens when notions are entertained and the fine line between love and friendship blurs beyond recognition?

Prologue

Flip.

Flip.

Sora smiled slightly as she turned the pages of her old photo album. While many pictures showed Sora growing up, most depicted the adventures of three best friends. The girl paused at one of said pictures. A smiling, younger version of herself grinned at the camera, flanked on either side by two boys.

The first, on her right, was Tai Kamiya. A courageous, soccer-loving, goggle-wearing goofball, Tai had big brown hair and matching eyes. He was definitely the more protective one. But Sora knew it came with the territory. Tai had a younger sister, Kari, who was a few years his junior.

The second boy on Sora's left was Matt Ishida. He had thick blonde hair that spiked naturally and dazzling cerulean blue eyes. He was very musically inclined. Matt also had a younger sibling, T.K. At first, Matt had felt obligated to take care of his brother, but the latter proved time and time again that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself. So Matt lay off, his strong and silent personality coming through.

And finally, Sora Takenouchi herself. Silky auburn hair and cinnamon eyes clashed with her tomboy attitude. Sora was kind to everyone, and had many friends as a result. But the two she held closest were Matt and Tai. The three had always been friends, just as their moms were. They were always there for each other, no matter what.

Flashback

"Hello?"

"S-Sora?" Tai's voice was laced with pain. The girl was alarmed.

"Tai! What's wrong?"

"I-I think I broke my ankle. Bad bicycle kick." Sometimes Tai's passion for soccer got the best of him. Sora gripped the phone tighter.

"Where are you? The park?"

The boy grunted. She took it as a yes. "Okay, Matt and I will be there soon. Call an ambulance, Tai."

That would be hard for him. Tai hated hospitals. He didn't even go when Kari was born.

"I can't."

"Tai, you have to. Matt and I will be there for you. I'll even hold your hand."

Even though they were on the phone, Sora could tell he was making a face.

"We're not six anymore, Sor."

"Twelve is only six years more, Tai. Call an ambulance. I'll see you soon."

Sora speed-dialed Matt's home. As soon as he heard, Matt headed for her house, less than a block away. Five minutes later, Matt, Sora, and Tai were on their way to the hospital. She was holding his hand the whole way.

End Flashback

Sora paused again at another photo. It had been taken four years earlier, at the end of the summer between eighth and ninth grade. She, Matt, and Tai were standing in a bare apartment's living room. Matt's father was also in the shot. That apartment would become Matt's new home.

Flashback

"Sora?"

She almost asked who was calling. She'd never heard Matt sound so defeated.

"Matt? What's the matter? What happened?"

"I…they…they did. M-My parents are getting divorced."

Sora put a hand over her mouth in shock. She felt her eyes welling up with tears. The girl could remember the days in which she, Matt, and Tai had spent so many hours fooling around at Matt's house. All that was about to change.

"Oh, Matt. I'm so sorry. Does Tai know?"

Her voice was hollowed and airy, like a whisper. Tai was at a soccer tournament in the next town. She heard him sigh.

"Yeah, Tai knows. Listen, can I stay at your place tonight? I-I can't deal with this right now."

"Sure you can. I'll set up the guest room." Sora didn't even bother checking with her mom. She knew the answer would be yes, and besides, her mother was out. On a date with some guy named Kevin.

"How's T.K?" There was a long silence.

"I don't know. He cried himself to sleep. He doesn't understand why we can't just be a family. And frankly, I don't either."

Matt's voice cracked slightly. Sora closed her eyes for a moment. Things were hard when Matt's composure was shaky.

"Matt, I wish I could tell you everything's gonna be okay."

"I know, Sor."

"But I can tell you that Tai and I will be there for you. Always."

"…Thanks."

"No worries."

Barely seven minutes later, the doorbell rang. The Matt Sora opened the door to was so different from the one she'd come to know. His hair was more disheveled than usual, and dark circles ran under his eyes. But that wasn't the most disturbing thing. Matt's normally bright blue eyes were listless and empty.

"Oh Matty…"

Sora wrapped her arms around him and hugged hard. He matched her grip, not saying a word. Not a sound. But Sora could have sworn she felt something wet sliding down her neck.

End Flashback

As Sora closed the photo album and moved to replace it on the shelf, something fell from between the pages. More photos, some that the girl had just never gotten around to actually putting in the album. Pictures from her mother's engagement party.

Flashback

"Everybody, we have something to announce."

The party that seemed to have been spur of the moment now had a purpose. Sora's mother was grinning from ear-to-ear, her boyfriend of two years at her side. Matt and Tai exchanged looks, and turned their attention to Sora. The girl was frozen, a salsa-loaded tortilla chip halfway to her lips.

"We're engaged."

It was like one of those bad slow-motion sequences. The chip fell from Sora's limp fingers and plummeted to the carpet. No one noticed. Everyone was too busy congratulating the couple. Tai took Sora's hand and helped her up.

"C'mon."

Together, he and Matt led the shocked teen outside, where they all sat down on the porch swing. It was quiet for a long time. Finally, Matt decided he'd better do something. Taking Sora's left hand in his, he traced little circles in the palm of her hand. She flinched, like always, and moved to retaliate. But, just like always, Matt grabbed her hand and held it tight.

"You okay?"

Sora opened her mouth to respond, but nothing was coming out. She didn't like her mother's boyfriend.

"I need you guys. Please."

That tearful desperation shook them all. Matt kept his grip on her hand and Tai put an arm around her shoulders. Sora took a shaky breath. Her head was spinning.

"I don't know why I'm so scared."

Tai squeezed. Matt's eyes never strayed from her face.

"I know. Us too."

They were scared of what was going to happen next.

End Flashback

The girl shook those memories away. It wasn't so bad. She, Matt, and Tai were still best friends, but her mother was still married to a man she didn't especially like. Just then, her mom knocked quietly on the door.

"Sora? The boys are on the phone for you."

She thanked her and picked up the phone.

"Hey guys."

They often three-way called. Just to make things fun.

"Hey Sora." Matt and Tai chimed together. Matt's voice was still a bit deeper than Tai's was.

"Ready for tomorrow Sor?" asked Tai eagerly. Sora shrugged automatically.

"I dunno. Are you guys?"

Matt's baritone voice was grumbling.

"You mean ready for another year of annoying fan girls and crappy music teachers? No thanks."

Sora laughed. "Oh, lighten up, Matty. So what if you were born with good looks and an awesome voice? It can only benefit, you know."

"Yeah, by shortening my life-expectancy."

"At least you're getting girls' attention." Tai objected. "I haven't been asked out once."

"That's because you're the one who's supposed to do the asking." Sora informed him impatiently.

"Then why do girls flock whenever Matt's around?"

"Because, doofus, I'm better looking than you."

"Says you!"

Sora rolled her eyes. You wouldn't think they were seventeen.

"Geez guys, calm down. School hasn't even started yet, and you're bickering already. Sometimes I wonder why we're all still friends."

No one really had an answer to that question. They were best friends, and that's all there was to it.

The trio talked for a while longer, until Sora could barely keep her eyes open.

"Okay you two, I'm beat. I'm gonna head to bed. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Of course." Tai replied.

"'Night Sor." said Matt. Tai repeated the sentiment.

"Night you guys."

Sora hung up, and got ready for bed. As she curled up under he covers, She thought about how hard things were going to become, starting at 8:30 am tomorrow morning.

The beginning of Senior Year.

Author's Note: So? What'd ya think? I've had this idea sitting in my head for a while, so I figured I might as well go with it. I recently rediscovered Digimon, after like five years. I think the characters are really solid, so it makes for a good story. For everyone waiting on chapter eight of Catch Me, it's coming, I promise. Not this weekend though. My family and I are headed for Saskatoon. Five hours in a car, yay me. It'll be up soon. Plus, I m Stage Manager of our school's year play, so that' s taking up a lot of time. Super busy lately.

Please review!

Annie