To penguindan333: yeah, I saw that too when I double-checked it. All I thought was 'oh, my God, how could I make such mistakes', I've rewritten it and (hopefully) corrected some

To X-20a StrikeFreedom: I'm trying to be realistic. I really got sick when we did it in our school. :)

Okay, here's the drill: I don't know much about education in the USA or England, so I did some research (bravo for me) and I decided to join some elements from my own experience. I'm in the first grade in high school (which equals to the 9th grade I think), so that's about it. Enjoy (and don't mind the grammar).

Stand By Me

~Disclaimer: Digimon are not mine…
Diesel owns 'be stupid.'

Edited: 11/29/'10

Chapter 3: Complications

'Smart listens to the head, stupid listens to the heart.'

Said the poster at my bus stop. I scowled.

I think I'm smart. Am I? On the other hand, should I be stupid? Alternatively, should I listen to my head?

Kari intrigued me. Sometimes she seemed so eager to be loved. And sometimes...she was dark. Closed for the entire world. Alone with her own thoughts. But she needed someone to pull her out.

I was lucky to be the one. I remembered that time after the Dark Ocean episode. I remembered telling her how much I care about her. In the end, it turned out she cared too.

But how much? Is it enough to love me? Or is it just best-friend kind of love? I found myself drowning in confusing thoughts.

And then...I remembered her smile, the pink color of her cheeks when she blushed, the stars in her eyes when she was excited. The haze of worries, which clouded my mind, started disappearing.

I realized I could not tell her about my feelings. I could not bear losing her friendship. And I don't want my heart to be broken. She is everything to me. Every joy, fear and comfort.

Her image flashed in my head and I let out a small smile.

"Oh Matt, how do you do it?" I asked myself and started thinking about my brother. Love was a tricky thing, indeed.

Matt was living evidence. He gave up on his heart just to make his best friend happy. I don't think I could do it. The pain, it is too much. But he'd done it. He loves Tai. Their friendship is a weird thing.

Although I consider Tai my big brother, I think he is really bad tempered and rash. Maybe not like he was a couple of years ago, but still. And only thing that can calm him down is Matt. And it goes both ways. My brother sometimes needs to be pulled out of his loneliness and Tai is perfect for that kind of thing.

Maybe that is the key of their friendship.

I sighed. Why Davis can't be like that? Once I thought we could become best friends, but he is so...annoying.

I let out another sigh. I don't like the way he looks at Kari, I don't like it one tiny little bit. Jealousy was growing inside me. She cannot possibly like him more than me.

Could she?

Then, suddenly, I crashed into the door.

"Ow, that hurts." My legs took me to my apartment without me noticing. And, thanks to my lack of notice, now I have a large bump on my forehead. I took out my keys and quietly unlocked the door.

"Mum, I'm home!" I yelled. No answer. She isn't home yet. That two jobs things is surely keeping her busy, I barely see her now. Except in the early mornings and late evenings.

I threw my bag on the couch and rushed to the kitchen. I carefully opened the fridge and found some leftovers from last night. It was basically pizza, but I was satisfied. My eyelids became heavy and started closing.

"I could use a short nap." I murmured and collapsed on the couch.

-x-

I woke up on a beach. A really hazy beach. And the water, it was so dark. Then I noticed a lighthouse.

It was emitting some dark light. I shivered. Red eyes were looking at me from the water.

"Takeru!" Someone was calling me. I turned around and shouted.

"Who are you? And where am I?" The creatures were coming closer; I could feel their look on my back. I turned around, but saw nothing. They disappeared.

The voice called for me again. It was coming from the water. I took couple of deep breaths and dived in.

The scene changed. Now I was in the dark room. I felt the damp in the air. The walls were covered in seaweeds. I noticed a window and froze. There were bars on it.

I dared to look outside. I was startled by the look. I could see dozen of fishes out there. The cell, it was placed in the ocean. Suddenly, I heard cries from the corner.

"Who is it?" I asked carefully. The dark blocked my view, so I had to rely on my hearing. I came nearer to the wall, just to face a little girl. Goose bumps came down my back.

It was Kari! But...

"Kari, is that you?" She opened her eyes and stared blankly at me.

"I don't know who I am. I don't know who you are either. I don't even know where am I." She stared at me with those familiar, but empty, brown eyes. The air became colder. I extended my hand.

"Take my hand and I will take you out." Her skin was cold. I kneeled and hugged her tightly, hoping that I will somehow chase away her fears.

"Don't worry, I'm here." Her expression changed and she started shouting.

"No, he is here. Go, save yourself. No." She pulled out of my hug. The air started twisting and she fell into her black hole. Or was it a hole? No, it was a sea, an ocean.

I heard a splash and everything went black.

-x-

Again, I woke up in cold sweat. What was wrong with me? Why do I keep having those dreams? And what was all that about?

I didn't know the answers. I finally got up and decided to do some homework. I reached for my algebra book. Ken was right, I needed to study. And hopefully it will keep my mind busy, so I don't think about my latest dream. Hour and a half later, I took another look at my schedule.

Great, I have P.E. tomorrow.

My stomach twisted. That was one of those few classes I had with Davis. I thought about him. He was so much like Kari's brother, Tai.

The same bad temper and stubbornness. He always believes that we can somehow make it through, even in the worst situation. He often rushes in dangerous situations. He is so childish. And why would Kari like him?

Maybe because he owns the DigiEgg of Courage, the same Tag as her brother? Kari always looked up to Tai. He is her hero. And the real reason she ended in the Dark Ocean...

The Dark Ocean. My dream! I tried to think about it, but it was all hazy. No, on the other hand, I don't want to think about it. The real reason that she ended in that horrible place...is that she thought she isn't worthy.

Yes, Kari thought that she doesn't deserve Tai, that she was less valuable than he is. But she got through it. And guess what! It wasn't with Davis' help. It was with mine! Mine only.

'Okay, you are getting a little bit possessive.'

A silent voice whispered in the back of my mind. Hey, it's not my fault. It is this weird feeling called love. And I love her more than anything.

'It doesn't help if you repeat it over and over again to yourself. You must tell her.' I sighed desperately. Easier said than done.

The key snapped in the lock.

"Hi mum." I hurried to get up and kissed her.

"Hello, baby. Did you have a good day at school?" She went to the kitchen and started unpacking some groceries.

"The usual. Oh, I will probably go to Matt's place this Friday for a sleepover." She scowled and said.

"I don't know Takeru. I don't want to bother your father... "

"Come on mum, it's Friday. I basically do that every week. It's already a habit. And you know dad doesn't mind. And Matt loves when I visit him. Please. " I hugged her and she smiled.

"Okay, but you must clean up your room before you go. Do we have a deal? And you must call me. " I sighed and kissed her again. „Thanks mum, you are the best. I think I'll go to bed early. " She turned to me as I opened the bedroom door.

"T.K. you know you can tell me everything. Is something bothering you? " She had that I-need-to-know-so-I-can-help-you look on her gentle face. Kari's image flashed my mind. I just shrugged my shoulders innocently and answered.

„No, nothing. Don't worry about me." My mother put on a warm smile and wished me good night. I collapsed on my bed and looked on the calendar.

Nine more days till the dance. Nine days. I decided to stare at the ceiling until I go to sleep. I prayed the dreams would go away...