WARNING: This is yet another *****::cough:::cough::*** cheesy fic, but oh well. I LOVE cheesy fics, so if you love being corny (like me), then please do enjoy this lousy fic, k? ^_^;
A/N: Ok this is my pitiful attempt at something… tragic. I know there's still some humor in this fic, but oh well…. This is just the first part, and I'm not really sure if I should continue this. If you hate it, I'll stop writing this fic. The reason I wrote this was b/c I was totally inspired with Final Fantasy IX's theme song.
Oh yeah, just so that you know this is a Sora fanfic (with a little Taiora & a hint of mimato as well). Please read & tell me what you think in the review. Thanks!
Do you Remember Loving me?
By
Mimi Blossoms- "…And She Remained Silent"
- "Was Once a Loner"
- "A Voice in her Head"
Sora Takenouchi ran her fingers through her crimson-colored hair, licking her pink lips, as she saw her fuzzy reflection on the glass window. From the reflection, she could easily tell what she looked like. Her eyes were puffy and red, half-closed, from lack of sleep. Her cheeks were pale, her usual red lips pink. Sora rubbed her eyes. She was too tired to worry, too tired to shed a tear. She motioned toward the window, and her eyes averted to the silver moon. It was a misty and cloudless night, she noticed, as a man in a trench coat passed by to give her a quick look. Sora shuddered at the sight him and lowered the venetian blinds. Sighing, Sora buried her hand in her pocket to get her barrette. The girl sat on her brand new leather couch and turned on the television.
It was the usual baseball game that was displayed on her TV. She switched the channel, but she didn't find anything entertaining. Sora turned the television off and lied on the couch. She stared at the ceiling for a while to think for a moment. In her mind she envisioned him. His brown hair… and his chocolate brown eyes. She decided she'd do anything to see him again. He was after all her only love, her soul mate, and her fiancée. A few months ago, Tai had left for America to play soccer. He was accepted to play professionally, and he made it there. Tai himself had been so excited for this opportunity that he didn't even stop to think about Sora. Sora was happy for him of course, but really, she didn't want him there.
Since then, all Sora did was thought about Tai. He was always in her mind from everything she did. She could no longer concentrate on her schoolwork or her health for that matter. She never watched her diet. In fact, she had lost some weight. All she ever ate was her candies and chocolates. All she ever drank was her coffee. Looking around, she noticed a bunch of her old cigarettes lying on the center table. Nobody else smoked in this apartment, but her. Actually, she never used to smoke. She just started something since Tai's departure.
Sora grabbed a throw pillow and squeezed it tightly. I'm such a selfish person! How could I even think about that?! Sora thought to herself. Tai. Tai…. She missed him more than anything else in the world. She wanted him right there with her. Sora opened her eyes and gazed at her engagement ring. She and Tai had been engaged for two years now. Two years of loving and happy relationship. For two years, they were totally inseparable. They were always together everywhere they go. She smiled as she remembered how they were totally all over each other. But then her smile disappeared for she would not experience that for two weeks. Right. Only two more weeks to endure. It's so different without you here, Tai. I miss you…
She cautiously wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, feeling the warmth of her tears, as it slided down to her cheeks. Her life had been difficult without Tai. All she did was cry alone in her room, drink her coffee, clean her room, watch TV, and read her novel. That was her life without Tai.
Tai.
Tai… it's me. Have you forgotten to call?
She bit her lower lip, hoping to hear his voice. He wouldn't answer… How would he respond? Tai… you never called me…her voice silently faded away. She spoke in her voice barely audible, her eyes half-closed, as she eventually drifted away… and she remained silent.Sora opened her eyes once again and was relieved that she was staring at a familiar ceiling. Sora sighed as she sat up. The venetian blinds had already been pulled up, and sun shone in the living room. That must mean that one of her roommates was awake. Sora got up, putting on her furry slippers, and walked to the kitchen. Her cup of hot coffee was already waiting for her on the table. Sora smiled. It must've been Mimi, her roommate, who prepared this coffee for her. Sora picked it up and walked up to the fridge as she wondered what there was to eat. But then her attention suddenly turned to the calendar, which was neatly posted on the refrigerator. It was already Saturday, and all through this week, she did nothing. Shaking her head, she suddenly lost her appetite. She remembered him again. She grunted and just put her coffee down.
"Shoot, I can't go through this again!" she complained as she ran up the stairs. She stopped as she reached the door to Mimi's bedroom. Sora could clearly hear Mimi's high-pitched voice from the inside. She felt her eyes watering again as she grasped the doorknob. She wished that she could be like Mimi. She was just so full of life, so full of energy and action. But Sora was just a boring college girl. Without much of a thought, Sora opened the door just enough to see Mimi, sitting in front of the dresser, and busy talking on the phone.
"No, it's not the one with the pink lace around it. I like the one with this little shawl that goes with it," Mimi said with a smile. The hazel-eyed colored girl looked at herself in the mirror as she talked on the phone with her friend from the University. Mimi picked up her mascara and carefully applied it on her lashes. "Sure! I'll pick it up this afternoon!" Mimi then frowned as she noticed Sora standing by the door. "Uh, look, can I call you back? I just remembered that I forgot something. Okay, bye!"
Mimi put the phone down and quickly turned her attention to Sora. "Sora, what happened to you? Didn't you like your coffee?" she asked, as she came up to her.
"No, it's not that… your coffee was great. Thanks…" Sora whispered silently. Something told Mimi that Sora didn't even feel like talking. But Mimi didn't care. She just gotta help her friend out.
Mimi waved her hand, motioning her to come in. Since Sora's feet seemed to be glued on the same spot, Mimi had to go and drag her inside. Once they were settled, Mimi carefully studied her best friend's facial expression. "Okay, something tells me that it's more than just my coffee, is it?"
"It's okay," Sora answered. "I was just thinking about Tai…"
Mimi closed at Sora closely. "Gosh, have you been crying all night? Your eyes look so puffy!" she grabbed two pieces of tissues and wiped Sora's eyes.
Sora couldn't help but muster a small grin. Sometimes her friend could be funny. Even though her jokes were so stupid.
"Sora, don't worry about Tai, okay? I'm sure he's just really busy right now. But he'll be back again," Mimi assured her friend. "Hey, I got an idea! You should go out clubbing with me and Kelly tonight. It'll be fun!"
"I… I don't know…"
"Oh come on!" Mimi squealed. "It's been a long time since you've been out with the girls. And besides, it's Saturday, and our mid-terms isn't until two weeks. Come on, please, Sora! Just come!"
"Well… Mimi… I…"
Mimi clapped her hands in excitement. "And I got this perfect outfit for you!" Mimi got up and opened her closet. "Now where did I put that dress?"
Sora gave her a look. "Mimi, I didn't say I--"
"Aha! There it is!" Mimi exclaimed. In her hand, she pulled out a short pink dress with a matching long fur surrounding it. "I know pink is not your color, but I really think you'd look real good in this one!" Sora could tell that Mimi's eyes were shining with approval. Mimi came up to Sora with a huge smile. "Try it on, girl!" Mimi threw the dress to her direction, which landed on Sora's lap.
Sora eyed the dress with her mouth open. "It's so… small!" Sora noticed.
Mimi rolled her eyes. "Well it goes above your knees! That's how guys like it!"
Sora blushed, embarrassed, then she neatly placed the dress on the bed. "No, I don't want to attract any more guys. I'm already engaged."
"Damn, Sora, you're so boring!" Mimi exclaimed. "For once, just try this, okay? It's not like you're ever gonna do this again! We'll meet a lot of new people there. Lots of hot guys…"
Sora got up and walked towards the door. "I'm too old for this kind of thing anyways. Clubbing is for teenagers."
"Wait Sora! Don't go! I'll even pay for you, I promise!" Mimi called out, running after her friend. She put a hand on her shoulder and looked at her carefully. "Sora, I'm really worried about you. You've been locking yourself here ever since Tai left. You gotta think about your well-being too you know."
Sora lowered her gaze, too shy to respond. What Mimi just said was true. She didn't respond. What else could she say?
"And I could probably fix your eyes tonight…" Mimi suggested, sounding like a make-up expert.
Sora, who had been looking down, finally looked up and managed a small smile. "Alright. I'll come…" she shyly responded.
Sora wondered for the tenth time why she had even bothered coming to the bar with Mimi and Kelly. But she knew she didn't have to worry. She looked fine, great, as Mimi would put it. Her make-up was perfectly done by Mimi. She had a lot of experience on covering up her tired eyes. Sora looked down at her outfit in which she was forced to wear. It was the short pink, very tight dress that Mimi really liked. What Sora hate about her dress was the fact that it was back less! She had never felt so naked before in her life. Her pink high-heeled boots shone in the dark. They were all lining up to get in, and as she looked around, she noticed that everybody seemed anxious to get in. Sora glanced over to Mimi, who was busy chatting with Kelly and Matt Ishida. She could hear Mimi giggling over something that Matt had said. Sora smiled, shaking her head at the same time. Those two would make such a cute couple, she thought quietly. But she knew they were just friends.
"Oh and Sora's right there!" she heard Mimi telling Matt. Sora turned around as Mimi, Kelly, and Matt approached her. It had been a long time since they saw each other.
"Hey Matt…" Sora quietly greeted.
"Hi, how are ya?" Matt responded.
Mimi stood beside him, giving him a friendly punch before she could answer. Sora narrowed her eyes. Night is still young, and she's already flirting? And with Matt too? Sora thought. Matt and Mimi were just friends from childhood, and the two was never that close to each other before.
After getting their ID's checked, they were all finally settled inside. Sora was the first person to sit down. She just watched her crazy friends danced, while she remained in solitude. From the looks of it, it seemed as though Kelly was left out as Matt and Mimi danced together. Shaking her head, she turned to the guy, wearing a tiny black bow in his collar.
"Excuse me sir, can I get a shooter please?" Sora ordered. Her drink arrived immediately after Matt and Mimi danced.
"Wow you were a great dancer, Matt! That was awesome!" Mimi exclaimed, sitting beside Sora. "I think I'm thirsty!"
"What do you want?" Matt took out his wallet and Mimi quickly pushed it away.
"Oh no, Matt! I can pay for my own drink, thanks!" Mimi told him, fumbling through her small purse.
Kelly then appeared, sitting beside Sora with a look of disappointment.
"Hey… having fun?" Kelly reluctantly asked. It seemed as though Kelly was afraid of her.
"It's alright… are you?" Sora replied.
Kelly shrugged, resting her arms on the counter. "This is actually my first time here. I'm really kinda nervous. I don't really know what to expect out of it."
"The last time I went here, I was eighteen," Sora told her. "And I'm… twenty-three now." Sora quickly finished up her drink before turning back to her. "Oh yeah, you want anything to drink?"
Kelly shook her head. "No, I think I'll just have some pop. I'm gonna be driving, remember?"
Sora nodded. "It sucks to be driving…"
Kelly quickly glanced over to the door and looked relieved as she turned back. Sora noticed this, and took a look at the door herself. "Hey, something wrong?"
"No, nothing…" Kelly replied quietly. She again looked to the door and sighed. "Nothing at all…"
Sora felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning to look, it was Mimi. "Sora, Matt and I are just gonna dance, okay? Watch our stuff!"
"Uh yeah…"
"Come on, Ishida!" Mimi quickly grabbed Matt's arm, dragging him to the dance floor. Sora smiled, shaking her head and wondering how long Mr. Ishida would be able to put up with Ms. Tachikawa. Her smile suddenly vanished, remembering him once again. If only he was here, then everything would be great.
Kelly shifted uncomfortably as she sensed Sora's sudden change of mood. "You all right, Sora?" she asked quietly.
"Y-yeah…" she replied in a whisper. She again turned to the waiter. "Sir, can I please have some more?"
She stared out at the distance in total silence, gulping down her fifth drink. Sora placed her empty glass on the counter and sat there for a while. She looked up only to find Mimi and Matt having the time of their life, whereas Kelly was busy socializing with other people. But Sora just remained in her seat, not wanting to join her friends. She didn't feel like it anymore. She didn't feel like doing anything anymore.
Sora… Sora…
Sora suddenly looked up, confused. She looked around the whole bar, but did not recognize anyone. That voice seemed to whisper only through her ear, and everything else was just a faded background. The loud music didn't seem so loud anymore as she listened to that familiar voice she longed to hear as if speaking to her mentally.
"Tai?" she spoke.
There was no Tai around.
Even so, she was sure that she heard him. Sora rested her arms on the counter, rubbing her forehead. She was already beginning to feel hot. In fact, too hot. She put her hand on her cheek, and noticed it was hot as well. "Oh… shit…" her voice trailed off as she lied her head on the counter. It felt better, but still, it didn't stop her from feeling hot. "But I'm still okay…" Sora told herself in a whisper. "I'm fine…"
Sora closed her eyes, wishing that Tai were there with her. Tai. She was sure she heard his voice. Who else could it be? She sat up finally, her eyes turning towards the waiter's direction.
"Sir, I need some more drink please," Sora ordered again.
The waiter didn't move at first as he gave her a hesitant look. "Uh… miss, would you like some water? You look pretty sick."
Sora waved her hand off. "Nah! I'm okay! Give me more!"
"Well… okay…" the waiter finally agreed.
Sora got up to adjust her skirt and sat down again. Her drink came a moment later, and she quickly drank the rest. The cold drink didn't cool her up, however, but it seemed like it made her even more sick. She felt hot, way too hot, that she got up from her seat and took a step forward. She tried to watch where she was heading, but everything else surrounding her seemed to be spinning around her. She didn't like it. A feeling of dizziness washed over her, struggling to get to the washroom. She had to get there somehow… Her stomach felt empty, her head too light, and her skin too warm. She had to get it out of her system, whatever it is that was making her sick.
"Oh look, Kari, isn't that Sora?" she barely heard the voice speaking behind her as she continued towards the ladies room.
"You're right, Davis!"
"Oh no, Sora!"
Before Sora could land on the ground, Davis had quickly caught her in his arms. "Sora?" Davis helped her up. He turned to look over to TK and Kari. "Yo TC! I need some help here!"
TK ran up to Davis and Sora and took Sora's other arm.
"Let's bring her to the bathroom," TK suggested. Davis and TK supported Sora on either side. They slowly lifted her up, together, strolled down towards the bathroom, as Kari followed behind them.
Sora, on the other hand, felt helpless. It was more than just the alcohol, she knew that, but… something else was missing. She could still feel her face burning hot. It was too hot it made her ill. She could hardly hear Davis' and TK's conversation as the two boys dragged her away from her seat, but she didn't make a move to object. She was too dizzy to care.
"Let me take her," Kari volunteered.
Sora felt Kari's arm around her as Tai's little sister directed her into the washroom. She could tell that Kari was saying something to her, but she didn't even bother to listen, or mutter a word that she didn't feel like chatting. The washroom was suprisingly clean and tidy. Blue floral wallpapers lined up against the wall. Kari took a glance at the mirror, and looked away quickly, turning her attention immediately back to Sora.
"Sora, do you feel like throwing up?" Kari's voice seemed miles away from Sora's hearing.
The redhead didn't bother to answer, as she instantly landed on her knees. Kari just stood there and stared at the woman her brother once loved. Kari Kamiya thought for a while, biting her lower lip as she watched her. It wasn't just Kari who was suffering, but Sora too. She made a fist, resisting the urge from punching the wall. She hated seeing Sora. She hated seeing Sora like this. Everything else she did, Kari did too… and it was all because of Tai.
"Sora… you'll be fine… My brother will be back soon…" Kari whispered, in a voice so quiet, that nobody else, even herself, heard it. Her eyes began to twinkle and water, and a teardrop followed. She felt sorry for Sora, but she felt sorry for her brother too.
"What?!" Matt exclaimed. TK and Davis had just explained what had happened to Sora. Matt was shocker than Mimi, as it was easy to see by the look in his face. Mimi, however, only seemed concerned for her friend. And at the same time, there was a hint of guilt hiding in her eyes.
"Kari's with her?" Mimi asked. TK nodded. "I'll be back! Matt, keep Kelly company!"
Mimi quickly stormed away from them before Matt had the chance to object. The worried girl quickly found herself wandering in the ladies bathroom where she found Kari… and Sora.
And she was not okay.
Sora was sitting on the floor, her head bent over in front of the toilet. Kari was there with her, supporting Sora's head, holding it with her right hand. She turned to Mimi, shaking her head sadly. With her eyes widening in shock, Mimi looked away from Sora. "Oh my god! Sora, what have I done!" Mimi cried, covering her face with her hands. She was responsible for all of this. Mimi hadn't been watching what Sora had been drinking; it was her fault. Mimi was the one to blame. Now that she thought about it, Mimi had spent all her time flirting with Matt, while Sora just sat there, drinking all to herself. And she was probably thinking about Tai. She couldn't avoid this from happening, did she?
"What have you done? What are you talking about?" Sora answered, following a cough after that. Her voice sounded sobered, weary, and tired.
"Sora…" Mimi slowly came up to her.
"Shit! I'm gonna throw up!" Sora exclaimed. Mimi and Kari only watched, disgusted, as Sora spit out what she'd drank out of her system. She took a deep breath after she was done.
Mimi shivered. She couldn't bear to watch her like this. "Is that all?"
Sora put a hand on her forehead. "Damn this… I'm dizzy…" she said.
Mimi sat down and gently rubbed Sora's back. "We should take you home. I'm gonna go tell Kelly…"
Kari flushed the toilet and turned to Mimi. "Mimi… I gotta talk to Sora…"
Mimi trained her eyes to Tai's little sister. Her eyes remained on her for a while as if trying to decide what to say next. Then she reluctantly nodded. "Right… but…" her eyes averted back to her poor friend. "…just make sure she'll be okay."
Kari quickly nodded agreement. Mimi looked at the young girl for a while, and then back to Sora, before she vanished.
==end of part one==
--Kristine