Thirty One Days
Chapter 2: Brain Damage
-x-
Fact: I hate hospitals.
-x-
Sor! Tai got hot…phone call equals details!
-Mimi
Lying on my bed with a huge smile on my face after meeting two hot guys…how cliché is that? But you know what? For once I absolutely do not care.
Tai is amazing, he's such an awesome guy and so incredibly funny. I can't help but want to be with him all the time. He just makes everything so much easier to deal with. Not to mention, he's so hot. I mean gorgeous with the nicest body (Dayum, Michael has nothing on him!). And then, his sister is so cool and totally reminds me of Sora, which is exactly what I need.
But she isn't Sora, I can't help but notice that.
Matt- Well I know so much less about him than I know about Tai. All I know is that for the second my eyes locked with his, I couldn't look away. Everything could have been falling apart around me and I guarantee you I wouldn't have blinked. And, I've never seen anyone as sexy as him. I swear he really should be on the front of GQ or on a calendar or something. He's a god.
So, far. Texas hasn't been too bad to Mimi Tachikawa.
-x-
July 3rd, 2007
"How was it?" My mother couldn't keep her curiosity bound and gagged even if she had to hold it hostage.
I took a sip of my pulp-free orange juice before giving her my vague response, "Good, Tai's nice, went shopping with Kari" I shrug nonchalantly, when inside I'm a jumble of emotions.
My mother raises an eye brow. Woah, woah, woah, now that is so my signature move! "That's it huh?" She's suspicious.
I'm obviously not getting off that easy, "Well I mean, Tai's really cute" I concede, I mean I can give her that much. I will spare her the more salacious details of my thoughts.
The corners of her mouth twitch, she trying to hide her smile, "He is isn't he? And so funny" She's really pushing this. "Anything else?" Does she know more than I give her credit for?
"Uh" I hesitate and I guess she takes this as a yes.
Her eyes light up, "Mimi! Do not hold out on me" She warns seriously.
My mother, I swear she must think we're BFF's, "It's nothing Mom, me and Kari went shopping" I stick a shove the fork of chocolate chip pancakes in mouth, to avoid saying any more.
But my mother is incorrigible, "C'mon, there's gotta be something else" She presses.
I sigh, "What do you know about Matt Ishida?" There, that's it. Now she can never accuse me of "holding out on her" again.
Her eye brows shoot up in surprise. "Him?" She sounds genuinely shocked.
Am I gonna get more than I bargained for? "Yeah, what do you know that I don't?"
She looks away, "No way! Mom, tell me" I am so not letting her off the hook now.
She swallows, "I don't know much, I mean this is such a small town and everyone knows everything about everybody but— " She stops abruptly and looks pensive.
Did I mention I'm not patient? "Mother! C'mon" I urge slightly irritated.
Her head snaps up, "Sorry, its just well no one knows much about them" She says confusedly. "I mean its very hard to keep to yourself here and yet the Ishidas manage to do it so well" She's truly impressed.
I think I've heard enough, none of this really matters to me. The mystery only adds to his hotness. "Okay, thanks mom" I get up from the table with my plate in hand. At home I left the empty, lonely, cold table with my plate and glass still sitting on the silk placemat. Here, I got to have meals with my mom, talk to someone who actually cares but put my plate in my sink.
Oh yeah, and Matt and Tai. Who have been whizzing around in my head since yesterday, to the point where if I'm not thinking about Tai then I'm thinking about Matt. Or vice versa.
The scales are starting to tip in Texas' favor.
-x-
"So wait, tell me again Tai, bushy haired, pre-pubescent, lanky, dorky, Tai is hot?" Sora's having more trouble wrapping her mind around this than I did. But then again when you've got a gorgeous guy standing half naked and glistening in front of you, it's easier to believe.
But God Sora, can't we go through this whole shock faze when I'm not on the phone and in need of advice. "Yes, Sora, he is—you know what I'm just going to send you a picture when I can" I absolve.
Sora seems okay with that, "Um, hell yeah you will!" More than okay, I suppose. "And I know how picky you are, if you say he's hot he must be!" At least she thinks highly of my taste.
I sit on my bed, "But its not just that Sor, he's got such an amazing personality" I tell her in amazement because a package like that is hard to find. Funny, nice and good to look at. Let's just say Michael was only one of the three.
"Since when does that matter?" She asks skeptically and I figure I deserve that. I've earned a reputation for being shallow.
But it still hurts that my own best friend can't see past that façade, "It, it doesn't" I don't know if convinced her.
But she doesn't press it, "So have your fun, just remember Michael's gonna be here when you get back" And there it is. My reality, and when she puts it like that, I can't tell her that I won't be getting back with him. It would ruin me.
"Right" It's a half hearted agreement.
Maybe one day I'll be able to drop my act completely and I'll find someone that'll accept me for who I am instead of what I pretend to be.
But until then I'm exactly who they want me to be.
-x-
"Oh Mimi, just go" My mother urges, practically pushing me out of the door.
I resist to the best of my abilities, "Mom! Stop, I don't want to go see him!" I'm trying to dig my heels in, literally, but the floor is so damn slippery!
My mom sighs, "He came here asking for you an hour ago, now go" She's got "mom voice" on now, which means I can't really get out of this one.
I stare at her scathingly, "Fine, but if I come home absolutely mortified, I will hold you accountable for the rest of my life!" Total angsty teen moment there.
My mom laughs, "Good, it'll be nice to have some peace and quiet around here for a little while" I like that she thinks this is funny.
I glare at her before slamming the door behind me. I know she thinks she's doing me a favor by being all matchmaker like but she isn't. Actually the only thing its doing is annoying the shit out of me. I mean, god, why can't she just understand that I don't need her help when it comes to—
"Mimi?" I didn't even realize I knocked. Well Kari opened the door, regardless.
I raise a hand, "Hey, Tai came by?" It comes out as a question because I don't quite believe my mother. It could just be part of her plan.
Kari arches an eye brow, "Probably, he's such a stalker" She lets me in before closing the door behind me.
I let out a nervous laugh, "It's fine" I assure her.
"Anyway I think him and Dave went out for weed" She says with a shrug, "They'll be back soon" She leads me up the stairs.
I'm a little surprised that Tai smokes but who doesn't, right? I'm sure its not habitual. "He better be sharing" I joke.
Kari lets out a laugh, "Word of warning, Tai's moods change a lot when he's wired" I'll keep that in mind.
We enter what I assume to be Kari's room. "So? What's going with you an my brother anyway?" She asks carefully as I sit across from her on her bed.
Good question, since I have absolutely no idea. "Nothing really, I mean we've just met right?" Then why the hell do I feel the need to kiss him every time I even think about the guy. Why don't I ever make sense?
Kari smiles, "He already likes you…freak" She says fondly, "I mean he wouldn't stop thinking about you"
"How do you know it was about me?" Unless she's psychic or something.
Kari shrugs a shoulder, "He got this look on his face that he only got when he thought about his girlfriend and then he would smile" Girlfriend? Does he still have one? She did use past tense, does that mean they broke up? Does he still have feelings for her? Why am I asking myself these questions?
She must have noticed the look on my face because immediately she adds, "Not that him and Megan are together now" It sounds like Kari really doesn't like this Megan girl whoever the hell she was, "I just know the look" She concludes, I guess not wanting to give away any more of Tai's business.
Which is fine, I don't really want to know about the chick anyway. Sure I have my questions and reservations and when the time comes we'll have to talk about it, but I'd much rather hear it from Tai. "So he had "the look" while he was thinking about me?" Its still flattering.
She nods, "He got so quiet too and he'd be all smiley" She tells me, "I've never seen him act like that since Megan" She says seriously but distastefully.
Kari doesn't seem like she would dislike many people and she's a total sweetheart so if she doesn't like someone…they must be pretty bad. "Is he still into her?" I can't help myself.
Kari grins, "Definitely not" She sounds so sure and I really want to believe her but I don't think I'm going to be one hundred percent satisfied until I get it from Tai.
Why it matters so much, I couldn't tell you. "Well" I manage to say. "Um okay so this is gonna sound a little random but…" I'm switching gears mid conversations, I hope Kari likes me enough to go with it.
She nods encouragingly, "So, okay what's the deal with, with—" I break off momentarily, I'm losing my nerve.
"Spit it out" Kari nudges me.
I take a deep breath, "Uhm, Matt Ishida?" It comes out as a high pitched squeak and if she can understand me, I'll be more than impressed.
She laughs, clearly I'm really funny around here. "It's natural, he's hot right?" She grins.
"Yeah, but I was wondering…what's his deal?" Does that sound too forward?
"Oh, like why he's so standoffish?" She questions.
I nod, "Well, they're all like that" She shrugs, "Like Zoe she's gorgeous right? But a total bitch, she thinks she's too good for everyone" She explains.
By the blonde's attitude, I could tell she was full of herself. The way she carried herself, her facial expressions and her mannerisms made it clear that she knew she was beautiful. "And her twin, Tk, he seems nice but he's quiet" She continued…Tk? I hadn't met that one, "He's really nice to talk to though, once you get him to open his mouth" She assures me and she talks about him like she's fond of him. Maybe Kari has a crush on the other Ishida…
But she still hadn't told me anything about the one person I was most interested in. "Matt, well he's amazing to look at and I've seen him play in gym so his body is drool-worthy, but he's a really big asshole" Well that sucks, I mean the way he stared at me in the two seconds that we had made eye contact, he didn't seem so bad.
I guess she notices the disappointment because she quickly adds, "Look, lots of girls have the illusion that they can change Matt Ishida but from what I've seen, no one can" She tells me honestly, "He's only had one serious girlfriend, that lasted a year" Well, that's interesting, "Then out of the blue, he broke up with her…every girl before that and every girl after have just been meaningless, I suppose" Ouch, well that one hurt. But I appreciate her honesty, at least now I wont waste my time with some one who isn't worth it.
"Sorry" She apologizes, am I really that easy to read?!
I shake my head and touch her arm lightly, "Thanks, I was just curious" I ensure her, which is true. I mean he captivated me in that moment, is all, and I couldn't get those blue eyes out of my head. But now that I know more about him, maybe it'll reduce his appeal, right?
And who wants to reform a bad boy anyway?
-x-
"Davis!" I yelp the second he smacks my rear-end.
Tai gives him a hard look before punching his shoulder, "Sorry" he apologizes but not with out a grin.
I roll my eyes, I'd be mad if the kid wasn't so baked. "Whatever" I mumble, seating myself next to Tai.
Even high, Tai's sexy. Maybe he's even sexier when he's high? "So, are you too wired to hang out with me?" I pout, crossing my arms over my chest.
Tai grins this time, "Nope, we'll do whatever you want" He stretches an arm around my shoulders.
I can't help but notice how comfortable it feels, "I don't know, what do you usually do around here…besides get high?" I ask with a grin of my own.
Tai laughs, "What else is there to do, huh Dave?" He elbows the boy on his left lightly.
Davis laughs along, "Play soccer? Mac on chicks? Get wasted? Did I miss anything?" He rattles off, "Oh and play the Xbox" He adds with a snap of his fingers.
"That's about it" Tai nods, "You wanna play the Xbox?" He asks lazily.
He is so far gone that I just wan to laugh, "Seriously Tai" I shove his shoulder, "I'm bored" I must sound like such a whiney little girl but I am.
I almost wish I'd taken Kari up on her offer to go hang out with her friends. "All right baby girl, I'm serious" But the goofy grin on his face made him look anything but, "What do you want to do?"
This is getting no where, clearly. "I wanted you to show me around but I mean I guess you're not in any state to do that" I sigh, should've called first.
He chuckles, "Sorry, we over did it a little" Well at least he can admit it.
I don't want to ruin his fun, "It's okay, I'm just gonna go" No hard feelings, I just don't feel like sitting around here. Especially since Davis is about asleep.
He looks like he's about to protest, "No, seriously I—
I don't get to finish my sentence because he finished what he started yesterday. As in, he kisses me. What's more? I totally kiss back. It's not possessive or compulsive. It isn't hungry or sexual. It's soft and sweet. It's timid and a little careful. It's more than a pair of lips, it's something like I've never felt. It's perfect.
It's over too soon and I immediately regret pulling away.
His lips are against my ear, "Just so there wasn't any confusion" He whispers, "I like you Mimi, I just wanted you to know" And its about the sweetest thing I've heard.
But it wouldn't be me if things were this easy. Because the second he says those things Matt's face flashes in front of my eyes. What the hell is wrong with me?!
I run a hand through my hair, "I like you too Tai, and I want to keep getting to know you" I say carefully, because I really do like Tai and the last thing I want is to send him mixed signals. I just need to sort out this obsession with Matt first.
And I haven't even talked to the guy yet. "Obviously" he smirks and its just cocky enough to be sexy. Is there anything this guy can't pull off?!
I stare into his eyes for a few moments, I've never seen anything more sincere. "So, I'll see you later?" I'm pretty sure I know the answer to it, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
He nods immediately, "I'll come by, maybe even tonight" He says.
"Will you? I mean that way I'll know to get ready or not and I—
He shakes his head, "It'll be a surprise" Ugh.
"No, Tai I honestly hate surprises I mean really just…" I honestly do hate surprises, they're just so annoying…
He kisses my cheek, "I will give you a call" He compromises.
I smile, "Kay, I'll be expecting to see you later" I wink.
-x-
My eyes opened to the most unfamiliar surrounding I'd ever been in. White walls, white bed, white sheets, white floor. Kinda like heaven, but with out the bright and shining lights. I don't see God and I don't think I'm dead but what other explanation is there? I don't remember a thing except—
"You're awake?" His voice was something I'd never heard. Almost musical and more sweet sounding than the most perfect lullaby.
He's leaning against the door frame and his face is completely stoic, void of any real emotion that would give him away. That would give the other person even the slightest insight into what he could be thinking. Feeling. He has the face of an angel and if I wasn't convinced I wasn't in heaven before, its getting really hard to convince myself that I'm not.
"Is there something wrong with her head? Is she brain damaged?" I'd forgotten how to speak, all I could do is stare.
The person he was speaking to shook his head, "No, no I'm sure she's just dazed" Dazed and confused…how ironic?
He strides over to me, "Can you talk? Is your speech okay?" Do I answer him.
One look in his eyes and I have my answer, "Y-Yes" It doesn't mean I don't stutter.
The most clear blue I'd ever seen is now clouded with concern. And anger with a touch of annoyance. But then there's relief? "I'm sorry" He mumbles.
He can't be relieved I'm okay, can he? Who am I to him and what's more what is he doing here? In fact, what am I doing here? "Do you, uhm, well why am I here?" I wish that the other guy was still here, he seems significantly nicer. More personable too.
He runs a hand through his hair, "I knocked into you…I was out for my run, I didn't see you and the next thing I knew you were on the floor and—" He looks away and he seems like he's in pain. I don't know what could possibly be hurting him, but in this instance I want it to stop.
"It's okay" I say softly, "I just, can you give me a little bit more detail" I feel silly asking him but everything is so blurry.
He sighs, "I'm Matt" As if I didn't know that…
"Mimi" I say reflexively.
He looks relieved, I suppose because he doesn't seem like the type of person to be too keen on small talk or pleasantries. "I'm not sure where you were going or where you were coming from, I really didn't see you until you were under me" He looks away for a second.
My mouth drops open, "Tai's house…" I whisper, things were starting to come back now. I had been at Tai's, I was walking home.
His eye brows raise, "What?" He asks in confusion.
"Nothing" I answer, prompting him to continue.
"Well, anyway you fell on the pavement and I fell on top of you" It's official, I'm mortified. "I thought you'd be okay but then you weren't saying anything, or opening your eyes so I panicked" His gaze met mine briefly, the look in his eyes seems…apologetic.
Except he couldn't be, right? "Then, I lifted up your head and there was blood" I see his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallows. "Then I put you in my car and brought you here" He motions around the room.
"What is here, exactly?" I hope I don't sound dumb.
He resists the urge to smile, I can tell because the corners of his mouth twitch for just a second. "The hospital"
I think my face pales as all the blood rushes to my head, I hate hospitals, I hate needles and I hate sick people. My eyes widen and my breathing becomes a little more shallow. Fuck. "Are you okay, is it your head?" His hands on my arm.
I shake my head, "I hate hospitals" I squeak.
His eyes soften, "Is your head okay?" I touch the back of my head lightly and feel a small piece of gauze.
"I'm absolutely fine" Truth is, it doesn't even hurt. I bruise and bleed easy.
He lets out a breath, "I didn't think anyone could be so…breakable" He says it so low I can barely hear him, but I do.
My head, as in my "wound" doesn't hurt, but it is spinning. "How long have I been out?" Legitimate question, considering that my mother hasn't burst in yet.
He stares up at the clock, "Less than an hour" That's a relief, it means I can go home with out my mom asking questions.
I play with the sheet in my lap, "So, thanks" It's awkward but he deserves it. He could have just left me there or something…I wasn't really his problem.
As soon as I say it, he looks angry. "For knocking you over and landing you in the hospital?" He scoffs. What the hell is his problem? I'm just trying to do my part and be grateful.
"No, for I don't know not leaving me there" I mumble.
He pulls an angry hand through his blonde hair, "I'm gonna tell the doctors you're awake" And with that he's out.
I'm trying to wrap my mind around the fact that A.) I'm in the hospital for the most minor head wound in history that would have clotted eventually, and B.) The person who brought me here is Matt Ishida. The latter is harder to believe. And maybe my imagination is running wild here but for a few minutes he actually cared to know if I was okay or not. Maybe it was just to ease his guilt.
Whatever the case may be, I'm feeling oddly exhilarated by the entire situation. And it's so abnormal maybe there is something wrong with my head. Mental note: Ask doctor if I'm on hallucinogens. Coz only in another realm or under sever medication would any of this make sense.
Matt came back with the doctor as he said he would but to my disappointment (and disappointment for my disappointment) he didn't stay. I guess our five minute conversation was all he could stand. "You're fine Mimi, your boyfriend was just a litt—
"No, not not my boyfriend" it took me a lot longer to process the word than it should have.
The old man smiles, "Whatever he is, he was just so worried that we patched you up anyway" He walks over to me and removes the pulse monitor from my finger, "He wouldn't stop pacing, even though I and several other doctors tried to assure him that you would wake up with in the hour" I toss the sheet off myself.
"Anyway, have a nice day sweetheart" He winks as I jump off the risen bed.
My feet touch the cold tiled floor and immediately I shiver, "One question? Where are my shoes?" I peer around the machines.
He gives me a quizzical look, "I'm sorry, I don't know the young man carried you in" He says contritely before exiting the room.
I groan loudly, it would be just my luck to be stuck in a hospital with out a ride or even shoes in a strange town where I know a total of four people. How could things get any worse? "Why me?!" I yell at the ceiling.
I walk out of the room with out a glance back and contemplate calling my mother. The thought makes me cringe but what other choice do I have? I'm not sure how far this hospital is from my house but I'm sure I'll be hearing a lecture the entire way home. It's not something I'm looking forward to. Why didn't he just leave me there?!
"Why are you up? You're balance could have been affected, the doctors here are such morons" I spin around so fast I'm sure I have some form of whiplash.
I thought he left, "I, I can go home" What is with my stuttering?
He looks incensed, "Fine" He snarls, dude this guy must be bipolar.
In one swift motion I'm in his arms. His arm is underneath my bare legs and the other one is supporting my stupid head. He walks so effortlessly I don't have to be self-conscious. "Do you eat? Are you one of those anorexics?" He's already out the door by the time he asks me this.
"What?" I never considered myself skinny.
He gives me a hard look, "You don't weigh a lot" He mentions.
I feel the heat rise to my face, "Oh" I can't help but notice how good he smells or how warms he feels. How amazing he looks and how badly I wish I could ignore the things that I'm feeling for him this very moment.
Is it possible to feel a connection with someone before even getting to know them? Because I felt like I was in a whole other world when our eyes met in the store yesterday and today, even though Kari told me all these things about him. I can't help but want to know him. "Your shoes are in the back" He places me in the front seat slowly and carefully.
"I'm really not that fragile" I mutter once he's in the car.
He looks at me like I'm crazy, "Right" he says sarcastically as he reaches behind and grabs my flip flops. "Here" he puts the in my lap.
"I could've done that myself" I say ruefully.
He shakes his head, "Do you even know where you live?" He peels out of the parking lot and I'm clutching my seat belt.
Before I retort I realize that I don't know where I live. God, this is so embarrassing. "Uhm, no" I say quietly.
I stares at me, "Seriously?" He asks in disbelief.
I run a hand through my hair, "I don't live here okay" I defend.
He shrugs, "So you have no idea?" How many times do I have to say it?
"No—actually wait" A thought has just occurred to me that should have occurred a while ago, "You know where you knocked into me?" I ask.
He winces again, what'd I say, "Yeah?" He manages to get out.
I ignore his pained tone, "Well I live next door, just drive down that street and I can point out my house" At least I can do that much, so he doesn't think I'm a total retard.
"Next to Tai?" He sounds surprised and hold on…he knows Tai?
"Yes" I reply.
He opens his mouth to say something but closes it a second later, "I know where it is" He says quietly.
His azure eyes are focusing on the road and his expression is still unreadable but he does look deep in thought. I'm mesmerized by how amazing he looks. The distance and the lighting didn't do him justice because from this close he seems flawless. He's easily the best looking guy I've ever seen but there's something else that draws me to him.
Something that I can't put my finger on, something that I can't figure out. But there's something.
I just wish I knew what it was.
-x-
"Thank you again, I—it means a lot" I hope I don't sound like an idiot.
For the first time since I've met him, Matt smiles. "You're one uncoordinated girl, you should watch where your going next time"
I want to roll my eyes but his smile has sent a million butterflies flying in stomach. It's the most uncomfortable feeling I've ever felt but I can't look away. "I, I uhokay" So much for not sounding like an idiot…
It's gone as quickly as it came and with one small head nod his black accord is out of sight.
-x-
Fact: Texas just got a lot more interesting.
-x-
A/N: Sorry about the delay! Hope the chapter makes up for it. Thanks for the reviews, we love you! Keep 'em coming, people!
-Chris and Liya
