WARNING: THIS WAS MY FIRST STORY. That should tell you all you need to know.

Disclaimer: Anything that you recognize? Yeah, not mine.

Dedication: Tehbot. My first EVER reviewer, baby! And he's a good friend. :0)

Reviewers: N/A

Author's Note: This was my first story. I have grown SO MUCH since this that I look back and shudder. Just . . . keep that in mind, please.

Rating: K+

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Tai sat alone on his bed staring at the ceiling above him. His eyes were blank as he absently followed the small cracks overhead. The same eyes that were so blank and devoid of emotion now, were once filled with a sparkle and a warmness that could melt anyone's heart. He was this day because Kari was having a party with all the DigiDestined and then having the girls over for a sleepover afterward.

Which meant that the girl of his dreams slash his best friends girlfriend would be here all night. A few months ago, he would have been ecstatic and hopping around the house, getting on Kari's nerves. Hanging out with his best friends and then having his part time crush and full time best friend sleep over? Awesome!

Lately though, Tai just hadn't felt like himself. Ever since Christmas Eve (or the "Dumping Day" as so kindly dubbed by Davis) when Tai was rejected by Sora at Matt's concert, he just hadn't been the same. It had been a few months since the battle with MaloMyotismon and Sora and Matt were still happily dating.

When Tai was feeling bitter, he would blame Matt. After all, Matt was his best friend (and occasional rival) and Matt knew how Tai felt about Sora. He knew Tai had been saving money to buy the perfect Christmas gift for her.

But if he was being honest with himself, he knew he had no one to blame but himself. He was the one with the Crest of Courage, for crying out loud! He should have gathered up his courage and asked her out before someone else (AKA Matt) asked her out.

Tai felt his eyes begin to burn in self loathing and tried miserably to let the one stubborn tear that threatened to come out. A sudden knock at the door made Tai bolt upright.

Tai glanced wearily at the door and saw his little sister staring at him softly.

She smiled at him weakly, "Tai, it's me. Can I come in?"

Without waiting for an answer, Kari walked in and sat down next to him. She grabbed his hand and began rubbing her thumb over his knuckles sweetly.

Kari cleared her throat awkwardly. "Tai, I know how you feel and I just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you're coming tonight. I know, I know. It's your house. Where else would you go?" She smiled at him. "But you could have made an excuse and gone to another friends house and I know you're partly doing this for me. So . . . thank you. It wouldn't be the same without you," Kari said.

She was one of the few DigiDestined who knew how Tai felt and was a little annoyed with how Sora and Matt had handled things. She might have been the younger sibling, but she was also fiercely protective of her big brother.

Tai didn't feel like responding to that (and really, how do you respond to that?) so he just nodded and turned to face the wall.

Kari watched him sadly. "I'll leave you alone. Just remember that the DigiDestined are coming at six. You have an hour to get ready." She pushed herself out off the bed and walked towards the door. She paused and turned around after a second.

"I love you, Tai. You're the best big brother a girl could ask for," Kari told him and quietly shut the door.

Tai held back a snort. Here he was, moping, and Kari was calling him a good brother? Hardly. He stumbled off the bed and started to get dressed.

The chapters get longer (albeit, not much) as they go along, just an FYI. Also, I know this seems pretty angsty but it's actually pretty fluffy. Weird, I know.