I've had this story for awhile, hence the random updates of multiple stories as of late. I'm not sure how often it will be updated, but I wanted to write a story with a more realistic vibe and less the fantasy vibe I usually go for. World building is exhausting sometimes *faints* and romance and drama is just so fun *evil laugh*

I hope you all enjoy this or find it a bit entertaining? I like writing it!

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Trust the Fall

Chapter 1

The brunette woman sighed, watching the blonde male pace back and forth in the living room of his apartment. She rolled her eyes, resting her elbows on her thighs as her chin sat in the palms of her hands. "Matt," she said, annoyed that he continued to pace and mutter to himself, his skinny blue jeans falling a bit because he forgot a belt.

The blonde had grown to be a bit over average height, his blonde hair cut a bit shorter than he had had it in high school, but long enough to fall below his ears. His body was toned, but thin, his features aging quite well.

"Maybe… She'll call… In an hour…" the man whispered quietly, lost in his own world.

"Matt…" Mimi said again, sitting up straighter. "Matt!" He paused, sheepishly grinning at her as he realized he was doing it again. Thinking of her and when she'd call. "You know," Mimi said, pulling at the edges of her jean shorts, "pacing like this isn't going to get her to call." She rolled her eyes, picking her phone up out of habit to scroll through social media.

Matt knew his pacing would do nothing, but Jun, his ex of five months, was in town. When the two had first broken up, his friends recommended that he try his best to grow on his own, not to jump into another relationship or try to mend the one he had shaped with her. He was doing just that. Well, until he found out she was visiting her family in Odaiba.

Mimi watched him, entertained by his internal struggle. She chuckled to herself, the twenty-four year old really didn't have it as together as he liked to lead on.

Mimi had moved back to Japan about a year ago, around the time Matt's relationship began to get rocky. She often wondered if Jun saw her as a threat, but pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Matt would never look at her that way. Besides, she only liked him as a friend. Maybe a brother?

Mimi had grown into a pretty woman. Her nose was small and her lips a bit full to balance it. Men saw her and often stared, attention she accepted with open arms. Her brunette hair cascaded down her back, her body thinner. Though she was skinnier, Mimi still prided herself in having a nice ass. It complimented her taller than average height.

"Okay retired teenage heart throb," Mimi said, clapping her hands to get his full attention. "Girls don't just call anymore. Why on earth would an adult woman wait around for a guy she dated in high school?" She saw a flash of hurt on Matt's face. Well, someone has to break it to him. She shrugged, annoyed that she even had to have this conversation when she knew for a fact his roommate and best friend Tai had been telling him for months. "Look, I'm sorry. Really. But this?" She motioned to his pacing, "Is a bit pathetic and honestly a bit sad." Matt placed his hand over his heart dramatically, acting a bit taken aback. Mimi placed her hands on her hips, "Psh. Don't give me that. Stop standing around waiting for her to call and go do something about it if you really care that much."

Matt opened his mouth to reply, his fingers fidgeting with the brown watch on his wrist. He snapped his mouth shut, the form of a woman he had never met before sneaking from his roommate's room. Mimi rolled her eyes, "For the love of god…" She muttered, walking to the kitchen without giving the girl even a look.

"Sorry… I slept longer than I thought…" The mousy blonde smiled shyly, pulling the cardigan from the night before tighter on her shoulders.

Matt got a better look at her. He did remember her. Him and Tai had gone out to a club last night, determined to settle Matt's wants with Jun. The blonde, Amber? Was that her name? He'd ask Tai, but he doubted he remembered. Anyway, 'Amber' had fallen for the charm of Taichi, a thing that happened to most women who liked a goofy smile and an athletic build. He was great with words and whatever… Something Matt wished he was better with. The blonde pulled the hem of her tight blue dress further down her thighs. He could tell she rubbed her eyes, trying to hide the smudges of mascara that flecked her cheek bones. She was pretty, but he knew he'd never see her again.

"It's alright," Matt said, giving her a smile to help her feel better, "I wake up early after I drink all night anyway…" He checked his watch. 7:05 a.m. Mimi crashed on the couch, too drunk to drive herself home after 'accidentally' drinking one too many. 'Amber' smiled nervously, gripping her back as she dug out her keys. "I'm… I'm going to go before this gets more awkward. Tell Taichi to call me when he has the chance…" There was her smile again, an attempt to mask her shame.

"He won't!" Mimi yelled from the kitchen, Matt running his hand across his face in response. "Mimi! You don't know that!" He yelled back. "She's crazy," he said quietly to Amber, "She doesn't want any other women around her two favorite guys and…" Mimi was glaring at him from the fridge, "anyway, it was nice meeting you… Amber?" The girl looked to the ground, shaking her head.

"Alex… Have a nice day," the blonde licked her lips nervously, slipping out of the house.

Mimi smirked across the counter at Matt, chugging the glass of water to help her swallow the pain killers for her Advil before taunting him about the girl's name. He tensed up, readying himself for it. "Amber? Poor thing. If you can't even remember her name, I wonder what Tai thinks it is…" She laughed, finishing her water. Tai was quite the ladies man, 'Amber' not being the first one night stand to wake up when Yamato was up.

"I wish I could do what he does," Matt said, nodding towards Tai's bedroom door, behind which his roommate was probably fast asleep, not thinking about the embarrassment he probably just caused the blonde girl.

Mimi shook her head, passing Matt a glass of water. "No you don't. That," she pointed at the door, "is someone who is lost and…" Matt chuckled, "Maybe he just enjoys the woman body, Meems…" Mimi smacked his shoulder, laughing. "I always thought he'd enjoy yours one day, but here we are and both of you are too straight for your own good."

Matt smirked as he finished off the water. There was always a rumor going him around that him and Taichi were dating or seeing each other, using women as cover ups. The rumors have been going on for as long as high school… Maybe even middle school. "What? Two guys can't be the best of friends without dating?" Matt said. "After watching Alma walk out" "Alex, Mimi. Her name was Alex." She waved him off, "Yeah yeah sure, Ava. I'd say blonde was his type…" She raised her eyebrows, at Matt's blonde lochs.

"I love myself a blonde," a voice from the hallway said, muffled by a toothbrush. "Matty finally confessing his feelings for me? I've been waiting yeeeeaaars for this. Trying to cover up my true feelings with women." He winked at Matt, resulting in the blonde to give him the kind gesture of his middle finger.

Taichi was handsome, but a different handsome than Matt. The brunette man still had his bushy hair, but it was shorter and more reformed, something Mimi had decided suited him better, forcing him to do. He was still playing soccer for the local college, though it was more of a hobby now than his life, making his body toned and a bit bulkier than his friends. Though the two best friends still argue about it, Tai is at least two inches taller than his blonde counterpart.

"Ah, Taichi," Matt said, "I'm afraid you're not my type…" Tai faked a hurt look, holding his toothbrush in his mouth as he picked his shirt off of the ground of the hallway. "Is it because I'm…" Tai paused, whispering the last part, "taller than you?"

Mimi slapped her hand over her own lips, doing her best to not let Matt see her betrayal and laugh. Matt just blinked at his friend, shaking his head. You win this time, he said. Tai smirked, knowing he had won. "Height, hm? Original…" Matt muttered.

Boys, Mimi chuckled to herself. The two had always had playful banter, whether it be about their toxic masculinity or who was hotter, the two always had comments for each other. "Lovers quarrel," Mimi said, chugging another glass of water. "This is why I'm single. I could never put up with a second person."

Tai pointed to her, "No no. You're single because you're batshit crazy." Mimi gasped, "Taichi, that was one time! And he deserved it…" She mumbled into her glass. Mimi had keyed her exes car… Broke his phone… Burned his acceptance letter to a college that she couldn't get to… And claimed his sister secretly loved him and didn't want them together. "I know you're replaying every event," Tai stated, "so I'll say it again. Ya batshit crazy."

Matt couldn't help but laugh at his two friends. He never thought Mimi was crazy, she just cared a lot and hard. He actually liked that about her. Fire. It meant she really cared, unlike Jun… Who was in town.

"Bars again tonight?" Matt said, wanting another excuse to strut the streets in search of the woman who was avoiding him. Tai pondered, already agreeing before Matt mentioned the plans. "Hmm… You know I never turn down a party…" The two looked at Mimi.

"Fine. I'll tell the others. You two are fun an all, but sometimes I need more entertainment than you two being rejected by girls and trying to make the other puke first…" Mimi was already starting a group text.

-Mimi's Phone-

To: T.K. , Kari 3, Jou Kids A Lot, Frizzy

Mimi: 'Bars tonight? Matt wants to go out and Tai agreed. Help. Don't let me suffer alone :(((

Kari 3: I'm in! :)

Jou Kids A Lot: You know I have to study… But it's been awhile. Count me in.

Meme: Yay! :) Grandpa Jou has agreed to our young people activities.

Jou Kids A Lot: Ha. Ha. Ha. Funny.

Frizzy: I'll be there. Finishing up an online course. Time?

T.K.: Pregame? Mine and Kari's place is free.

Mimi: Perfffff. Pregame at 9. We'll go from there. Dress HOT. We have to be THAT group. I'm not going out and associating with… I don't want to offend Izzy, but please let your mother dress you.

Frizzy: -.- Okay I get it. 9 it is.

Mimi: 3

Mimi chuckled at her screen, she loved pushing Izzy's buttons. "So yeah?" Matt asked her. She nodded, slipping the device into her back pocket. "Mhm. 9 at your siblings place."

Tai made a gagging noise, "Still can't believe my dear sweet sister Kari has decided Takeru was worthy to move in with." Matt smirked, "and I still can't believe so many woman have slept next to you, but here we are!" Tai shook his head, "Oh, Ashley?" Mimi spit out her water, laughing. Tai smacked his forehead, "Her name wasn't Ashley, was it." Matt shook his head, him and Mimi exchanging knowing glances.

Tai sighed, knowing he needed to stop messing with the heads of girls to get them to his bed, but he loved the hook up culture. Watching Matt and Mimi sit in relationships they hated had scared him out of ever letting a girl get that close to him. He was happy when Matt told him Jun had ended it, the blonde only upset for about a day. But Tai saw it. The second Matt told Mimi, her claws were out and ready to grasp him. Make him her won. Though Tai secretly rooted for it, he didn't want his two best friends to end up together. Where would that leave him? Lonely? He shook his head, watching the two exchange glances that were most likely to mock Tai's promiscuity.

"… Okay while you two sit here and speak telepathically to each other," Tai slung his gym bag over his shoulder, "I'm gonna GYM." He said gym a bit louder, Mimi laughing. "Go get 'em, tiger." Matt waved to his friend, "Get swoll."

Matt watched his friend walk out, shaking his head as he smiled. "You hate to see him go, but you love to watch him leave. Admit it, you two are in love," Mimi teased from across the counter, resulting in a playful glare from Matt. "Wanna brunch?" The girl smiled excitedly.

"What's… Brunch…" Matt asked. Mimi gasped, "Brunch… Breakfast and lunch… The reason women thrive. Coffee! Mimosas?!" He shook his head, but agreed. "Okay okay. Let's go brunch." Mimi squealed, grabbing her white purse and her keys.

Matt couldn't help but catch a whiff of her perfume from the night before. Roses? Candy? A sweet mix that he found himself wanting to lean into. As she walked out, Matt let his blue eyes drift down her figure for the first time. Mimi's make up had most likely rubbed off onto the pillow on his couch, but she was just as stunning… What am I doing, he blushed reaching for his wallet.

One more rep, Tai thought to himself, pulling the bar of the shoulder machine down and letting it go. He smirked, wiping the sweat from his brow. He never called himself a gym rat, just someone who cared about fitness… And his appearance. Vanity. He didn't care, it kept him happy.

He still played soccer, well not play but coach, but his current job was working under his father Susumu at the business firm. The Kamiya's were involved in a big international deal for suits. Yep. A suit company. Weird, but it's brought the family a comfortable amount of money and Tai a good amount of nice suits.

Tai drank his water, checking the time on his apple watch. 11:30… He had been there for two hours and decided that was more than enough.

Grabbing his gear, Tai turned to leave, smiling at a girl doing squats in front of the mirror. "Tai?" He heard a girl say as he turned to face her. "Oh! Um…" It was the mousy blonde from last night. Well fuck me. He gave her a lopsided grin. "Ash…ley…" He could tell by her annoyed expression that Ashley was, in fact, not her name. "I don't even know why I try with men," she gave him a fake smile, nudging past him and bumping into a girl as she stormed out.

The girl she bumped into groaned as her bag fell from her shoulder. "Honestly…" The woman cursed, stuffing her belongings back into the duffel, "first my flight was late… Then my uber drive took the long way… And now I can't even run out my frustration without adding to the list…"

Tai smirked at the woman as she hastily stuffed her bag. In fact… "Sora? Sora Takenouchi?" The woman paused, still crouched, as she turned towards him with a confused look. "Yes…?" His smile widened. It was her!

Her read hair was long now, pulled back into a braid that fell down her back. "It's me! Taichi Kamiya? Remember…?" She blinked her crimson eyes as she stood slowly, tapping her chin. She was smaller now, the muscle from years of playing competitive soccer then quitting have melted into long, lean toned legs and arms.

"Oh…" She rolled her eyes, "Tai Kamiya. Yeah how could I forget." His smile turned to a flat line, memories of their final meeting slowly coming back to him. Maybe she doesn't remember?

He cleared his throat, "What are you doing back in Odaiba?" She was already turning to leave, "Oh… Family stuff. I'll be here for awhile… Sadly." She folded her arms over her chest. "Sorry to hear?" He gave her a small smile. "Meh. Don't be. It was nice running into you," she gave him a quick smile, obviously trying to end their meeting. "Yeah… See ya…" He watched her leave, grabbing his cellphone to alert his friends that an old face was back in town.

Tai's Phone

To: Meems, Matt

Tai: Hey… You two remember Sora?

Meems: Takenouchi? OMG. I loved her!

Tai: Yeah, her. She's back in Odaiba…

Meems: Before we continue, is she hot now? Izzy and I literally brought her up like a week ago. That's what I want to know. She was like pretty in HS, but I bet she's a BABE now.

Tai: Idk I was too busy trying to not be an asshole. I think she's still upset about everything.

Matt: No shit. I'd be fuckin' pissed if my group of supposedly best friends turned on me because of a rumor.

Meems: NOT MAKING IT BETTER, YAMATO :(

Matt: She'll come around? It's Sora. I remember her always being one for apologies.

Tai: Hate to break it to you, she hasn't let this shit go. I mean she ghosted us.

Meems: Hm. A woman who resisted Tai's charm… Dare I say I'm in love? 3

Tai felt his frustration over the not so happy reunion grow from Mimi's responses. Maybe Mimi doesn't care anymore… But it was Sora.

He headed to work, stopping at his apartment to quickly shower.

-Flashback-

It was their final year of high school, the group feeling the senioritis set in as they sat in their math class. Tai was dozing off, Sora kicking his foot under the desk, snapping him out of his drowsy state. He blushed, giving her a sheepish smile. "Oops… Heh…" Sora shook her head, smiling as she turned back to her work.

Kim, a girl sitting behind the two, glared at the back of Sora's head. She had a major crush on the brunette soccer captain and never liked it when he smiled at Sora like that.

"Hey…" Kim said, leaning towards her desk mate, Yamato. "Hm…" He said, not wanting to hear how the girl loved the color Taichi was wearing that day. "Are those two like… A thing?" Yamato raised his eyebrow, the girl catching his attention. "Tai and Sora? I mean," he glanced at them, "we like to pretend they are, but they're both too oblivious to make a move on the other." He chuckled, Kim nodding as she went back to her work.

The bell rang for lunch, Sora collecting her things as she made her way out the door, waiting for her friends to join her. "Sora!" She gave Kim a weird look as she called her name. Tai and Matt walked out after Kim, Sora waving them off so she could see what the girl wanted.

"Yeah? What's up?" Sora rocked on her feet, anxious to join her friends for lunch… She was starving. "I heard you… Really know the boys soccer team well." Sora raised her eyebrow. She did. She was good friends with most of them and often scrimmaged some of them when her practice was over for fun. "I mean, yeah. I know them a bit… Why?"

Kim shook her head. "Oh no no. I mean like you reeeaaally know them…" She winked at the red head. Sora squinted, confused. "I'm not sure if I know what you mean…"

Kim chuckled, "I don't know why you act so innocent. Everyone knows what you did with Eric…" Sora was taken aback, "I mean I kissed him once, but that was at a party and it's not like we-" Kim interrupted her, "And Sean, and Aiden, and…" Kim was naming off of most of the team.

"What are you talking about Kim? You're not being serious, right?" Kim pouted, the usual mean girl look. "It would be a shame if more people found out… Imagine Tai's heart…" She flashed Sora her phone screen, a text that claimed to know all of the details of what Sora was up to had been sent to way too many people.

"No one is going to believe you, Kim. This is ridiculous…" Sora glared at the girl, brushing past her as she hurried to meet up with her friends.

As she walked down the halls, Sora couldn't help but notice the eyes that followed her every step, the whispers that seemed to trail behind her.

She approached the table the group was sitting at for lunch, Kari and T.K. quickly standing and dismissing themselves as she sat. "Weird…" She said, looking up to find four pairs of eyes on her, Taichi's full of hurt.

"Guys? Is there something on my face?" She wiped at her mouth, heat rising to her cheeks as she realized why they were giving her the looks. "Is it true?" The words came from Tai, a soft whisper. Sora's crimson eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

"Really?" She asked, her voice rising a bit in volume. "Yes, Sora. Really. Why didn't you tell us? Or were you too busy messing around with my boyfriend?" Mimi hissed across the table, drawing attention to the group.

"What?! You can't be serious. You're going to believe one text?" Sora's voice was shaking and she was standing, her arms swinging with her words. Izzy kept quiet, his eyes focused on his soup. Matt just held Mimi's shoulder. "Maybe you shouldn't sit with us today…" Matt said quietly. Sora blinked, "Excuse me? I thought you guys were my best friends?"

A group of guys walked past them, winking and waving at Sora, saying they'd see her later. "Keyword. Were." Mimi's voice dripped with venom. Sora grabbed her lunch and backpack, pushing herself away from the table. "You know what? Fuck you guys. I can't believe I've spent the past seven years of my life building friendships with assholes." She went to walk off, turning to Tai to say something, but realizing he had left.

A month had gone by and Sora had missed more days of school than she ever had in her life. She hated her friends and everyone at Odaiba High. "Go wolves." She said flatly as she stared at her ceiling. Her mom knew what was happening, offering her a way to switch schools to a university in Tokyo where her father lived. She agreed, her bags packed.

A week later Sora found herself being dropped off at the train station by her mom, giving her the gateway to a new life. She didn't tell any of her friends… They wouldn't care. Sora left Odaiba that day, not missing or wanting to come back.

-End of Flashback-

Tai entered his apartment, Matt plucking at the strings of his new guitar, a sight Tai hadn't seen in awhile. He threw his gym bag into his room, "New music?" Matt just shrugged. Tai realized this wasn't a time for conversation. Hitting the wall softly, Tai turned back to his room. "Start getting ready. Tonight we drink!" Tai definitely needed a drink.

Matt didn't look up. Brunch with Mimi had left him strangely inspired to play music again, his fingers playing to the tunes he knew her body would make. Was she always so… Interesting? He sighed, placing the guitar back against the wall. Tonight was about finding Jun. Yeah. Jun. His ex… But Mimi would be there and he found her to be quite the distraction lately. "Oh god don't let me like Mimi. Please. I'll date Tai first…"

He hit an empty, plastic cup off of the table. "Score…" he said as it flipped into the trash bin. He checked the time, 7:30. Mimi would be over in an hour to head over to Kari and T.K.'s.