A/N: I suck at updates…so sue me. Since in the first chapter I mentioned TK was in grade ten, he's now in grade eleven.

Chapter Four: New Grade

I had it a lot easier than Matt, since I wasn't drinking as much. Plus, he was clearly smoking something. You should have seen him that morning, with his eyes red and looking as hung-over as ever.

Dad kept me at home for a long time. A week and a half, actually. All I could do was sit around and eat, and I couldn't even use the phone. The only communication I had was Matt, who was twice as miserable than I was. He was grounded for longer than me.

On the fifteenth of August, I was packing up to moving back with my mom. Dad said something about this only being because I felt like I was "unattached" from her. It was planned for me to move on the twentieth.

One day, while my dad was busy at work, I snuck a call with Ry.

"Man, where have you been?" he asked.

"My old man busted me after that party a while ago." I replied. "Listen, I can't leave this place for another five days. I can't even talk to anyone until then. So, I'll give you a call."

"Good deal."

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Moving day was here. I wondered if my mother would be happy to see me or if she would be disappointed in my "decisions". I decided I'd find out once I'd get there.

"Takeru!" she cried, encountering me with a tight hug.

Okay, I thought, smiling. It was the first option.

"I missed you so much!" she whispered in my ear. It made me smile even more, just because I missed her, too. I guess it's called being a Mamma's Boy.

She helped me unpack, and thankfully, she didn't mention anything about the drinking business. I knew she'd feel uncomfortable about the whole thing, and I knew she would pretend like she had no idea about it. But that was fine with me.

I guess she really pretended, because she asked me if I wanted to go out with Kari for the evening or something. I was officially ungrounded, and it felt good.

"Yeah, sure," I told her, picking up the phone. It wouldn't be Kari I called.

"Man!" Ry shouted in my ear. "Come over…now."

I laughed. "Come pick me up…now." I mocked. "Hey, but no partying for a while, okay? I really don't wanna go through the whole 'not leaving the house' thing again."

"Sure,"

I hung up, and within a few minutes, his car came up the driveway. He wasn't with Sam, but I didn't worry too much about that. I didn't really see Sam that much. Since the weed-smoking party, really.

"So what's up with Ishida?" he asked me as soon as I hopped in.

"He's dead. Dad caught him smoking grass."

Ry laughed. "Good ol' Yamato." he then sighed. "I guess no drinking for you tonight, huh?"

"Nah."

"Shitty. Wanna head over for some ice-cream instead?"

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I had no idea Ry was such a blast to hang out with, even if your plans didn't involve partying, drinking, smoking, or all three. We just talked or goofed around.

For the next few week, I went to three parties, got drunk three times, but didn't smoke anything. I came home on time, and my mom was sleeping all three nights once I arrived. I guess I was just lucky, since she thought I was a good boy that I've always been.

I had many one-on-ones with Ry. I think I got along with him a lot better than Sam, but I don't know why. Maybe it was because I could tell Ry anything, and he'd still think I was cool for some high schooler. Or maybe it was because I was Matt's little brother. But I kind of figured it was based on the fact that Ry was a lot like Matt, so I already knew everything that bugged him and stuff.

On Labour Day, the last day of summer, I hung out with Ry and Sam. We went cruising, driving for no real purpose, and just talked.

Unfortunately, the next day was my first day of grade eleven. I wasn't looking forward to going to school with people I haven't seen in a while, and people I haven't talked to all summer. It was like I had no friends anymore.

I saw Kari and Davis walking, holding hands, and I nearly gagged. It was so weird to see them hanging out together like a couple. A heavy feeling sat in my chest as I saw her, wearing her green school uniform, yet never looking better. I guess she grew since I ran into her a month ago.

Wow…was it really a month ago?

She half-heartedly smiled at me, then passed by me.

"TK!"

I turned around, only to get trampled by Yolei. Smiling, I hugged her back.

"What have you been doing all summer?"

Partying, I thought, but answered, "Hanging around."

"Davis and Kari, did you hear?"

I rolled my eyes. "I heard all right. Did they make it 'official' yet? Or just…" I shivered. "…seeing each other?"

"It's official." she announced. "Cute, huh?"

"Yeah, yeah, real cute."

I knew Yolei spotted my jealousy, but she didn't say anything about it. That was one of the things I liked about her; she knew when to say something and when not to.

"Where's everyone else?"

Oh wait, I thought, there isn't anyone else.

My first two classes were biology and math. There wasn't anything unusual with them; no one I knew were in them. In English, though, something a little unexpected happened. I was placed in the back corner of the classroom, and…

"Hikari Yagami? You'll be placed beside Takeru."

My eyes went wide, and I think I was blushing. She slowly walked to the desk next to her and sat. I could tell this was going to be a little bit awkward.

After a few minutes of silence, I smiled and said in a cheerful voice, "Great seeing you, Kari! You seemed flattered to see me!"

Of course, I was being sarcastic. She had a disappointed look on her face. She ignored me, anyway.

Rolling my eyes, I wondered how she could still be mad at me. That was two freakin' months ago! She got mad because I drank one time, and her boyfriend did, too! For the first time in my life, I really couldn't understand her. I mean, I knew I was being an asshole, but she was being a bitch.

That was the first time I'd ever thought that. I guess there is a first time for everything.

"How's Karee?" she asked suddenly.

I had not a clue in the world what she was talking about at first, then I remembered I had told her she was someone I was dating. Why did I tell her that? my mind demanded. Oh…yeah. To make her jealous.

When she asked me, though, she didn't sound jealous at all, just curious.

"She's good," I decided to say. "She isn't going to school this year…she's taking the year off. I mean, she does have a scholarship…"

"How old is she?"

"Same age as Matt."

When I said that, I realized how bad I was looking. Dating someone that older than me? What was I thinking? That just made me look like I was dating someone who couldn't find anyone else her age?

"Oh," Kari muttered, unimpressed.

I shrugged it off. "How's Davis?"

She laughed. "Being Davis, I guess. When he asked me to be his girlfriend, he was so nervous."

"But then he did it."

"Yeah,"

"And you said yes."

"Mm-hmm." Then she said, "The four of us should go out sometime," which made me feel noxious.

"Sure," I replied.

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I needed to talk to Karee. Meeting Kari and Davis with her would totally take Kari off the edge. Karee was good-looking, after all. I wondered if she'd be up for something like that. I hoped so, anyway.

And, by being the inner idiot I am, I had actually made plans with Kari. I needed Karee free on Saturday night.

Why could you just say next Saturday? my mind kept screaming.

As soon as I came home from school, I called Ry's cell phone number. He had to answer. He didn't have school. He went to evening classes from Monday to Friday, and during the daytime he really didn't do anything. He had to be there!

"Hello?" he answered, making my chest feel a hell of a lot better.

"I made a mistake," I simply told him.

He laughed. "Go figure, Ishida. What's up? Whatcha do?"

"You know that girl we saw a while ago? The one I…uh…you know…like, I guess?"

"Mm-hmm. What of her?"

I sat on my bed. "I told her that Karee and me would go out with her and her boyfriend on Saturday night. Why'd I have to say that?!"

"Well," He sighed. "Karee's going to a party with me and Sam that night. I gotta an idea, though. Maybe you can convince her to go, then go to the party and meet me there. If you bought her liquor, she'd do it."

"Really?"

"Trust me, I know Karee."

"Do you have a number or something? Actually…could you ask her for me?"

"Sure, man. And for fuck's sake, quit doing stuff like this!" he cried jokingly, making me laugh. Ry was a good buddy.

"Seeya later then," I said. "And I owe you a million."

"I take cash," he replied, hanging up.

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Davis called me later that week. I swear if he came to see me at the apartment I would have strangled him.

"Hey, KT!" he shouted, making my ear ache.

"Hi, Davis,"

"So, we're goin' out Saturday night with our girls?" he asked, stating the obvious.

I was about to say, "Nah, we're taking boys," using my sarcasm I picked up from Matt. But I said, "Yeah. Did Kari tell you where we're meeting?"

He told me the restaurant name, and I wrote it down. After that I suddenly realized I didn't have a car. It wouldn't look too lovely to show up in a taxi or something. I made a quick call to Matt, telling him I'd give him money if I could borrow the car. It worked good.

Speaking of phones, before I was going out with Matt for a small reunion, Karee called me.

"Hey, TK," she said in a sassy voice.

"Um…hi, Karee."

"You need me to act?" she asked, suddenly sounding excited.

"If you don't want to, you don't have to," I made that part clear. I didn't want her to be doing something like that and not know what to do.

"Believe me, I've done it before,"

I felt better after that. She'd know how to act, what to say…

"You wanna make her jealous, right?"

"Uh…" I answered honestly, "Yeah. But don't make it obvious, 'kay, Karee?"

"No problem," She laughed. "I know just what to say. She is a goody-goody, right? I mean, a non-partier and such?"

I guess Ry had told her more than I thought he would.

"Yeah, I guess you can say that."

"Are we dressing up for this? Should I wear plain clothes, dress? What?"

I looked at the address Davis gave me. Kari told me it was a fancy place. "Yup. What time should I pick you up? We're meeting them at six-thirty."

"Quarter to six,"

Not sure she heard me right, I asked, "What are we doing for forty-five minutes?"

"Planning," she replied, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Seeya there," I told her, hanging up the phone.

Saturday night wasn't a night I was looking forward to. Something was going to go wrong. Something was going to happen. Something wasn't something I'll like. Something…just something won't fit.

And, I was right.

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Mom wasn't supportive of me going out. Especially when I asked her for some money. She ordered me, "Takeru, you aren't going to buy liquor with that,"

"Obviously not," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Well, it's just…ever since you started living with your father and Yamato, you seem to be acting strangely."

I sighed. "Don't worry, Mom. I'm going out with Kari."

"Yagami?" she asked excitedly. "Oh, I haven't seen her in ages? How is she?"

"Fine,"

She started smiling, asking, "Is a date?"

Double date, I thought dryly. "No, Mom. Bye,"

I hurried out of there before anymore questions. But, in my victory, I had thirty dollars. Half for Karee's share and half in my dinner. I made sure she'd pay for her own meal. Okay, so it was a cheap deal, but she did agree with it.

Anyway, I picked her up a little later than I was supposed to. She didn't seem to care, or even noticed, really.

"Trust me, TK," she assured me, smiling, "I know just what to do."

I wasn't all that assured. What if she did a mistake? What if Kari figured out we were planning this to make her jealous? Would she get even more mad at me?

I sighed, relaxing myself.

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Davis's arm around Kari's shoulder bothered me. I couldn't stop looking at the scene. I was thinking, We already know you're dating! You don't need to brag…

I shouldn't have talked--or…thought--my arm was tightly around Karee's shoulder as well.

"So, Kari," Karee started conversation politely, "TK tells me you have a brother?"

"Yeah. Tai Yagami,"

Karee smiled. "I know Tai. He's a goofy guy." Then, unexpectedly, she whispered in my ear, "It's working…"

To me, it seemed to be a whole waste of time. Kari and Davis were together, smiling at each other, and the thought of Kari just dating him to get me mad was gone. She really did like him. She really did enjoy dating him. It made me sick.

"I'm going to the little girl's room," Karee announced, standing up. "Be right back, 'kay?"

When she left, Davis smiled at me. "She seems pretty good for you," he told me.

"She's great," I caught myself saying. "The first time I met her, I knew we'd click. And I was right. I'm just so happy I'm with her. Don't you guys feel the same way? I mean, it should be this way for everyone."

"It is," Kari replied in a tone I don't recall hearing before. "So…what school did Karee attend?"

"High school?" I asked stupidly.

"Mm-hmm,"

I should know this, I thought, shifting my eyes. I don't think anyone ever told me. "Same one as Matt and Tai,"

It seemed right to me. That's how she knew Matt, and Ry had gone to that high school. I was pretty sure Sam did, too. That would be how Karee knew Tai. It really seemed like a decent answer to me. It had to be right!

"Is her hair naturally like that?" Kari asked.

"Yep."

"How did you two meet?" She was just full of questions.

"She thought I was Matt when she first saw me. Started yelling his name at me. Funny, huh?"

Karee came back with a smile. "What'd I miss?"

"I love your hair," Kari commented nicely. She was always polite. "Is it natural? I asked TK, but he didn't seem sure."

"Oh, God no! I dyed it a while back. I straighten it and curl it sometimes. If my hair was always like this, I'd make myself a trophy."

Kari smiled, almost laughing. "It is really pretty,"

"Thanks…"

"Trying out for basketball this year, TJ?" Davis switched the topic. I wondered when he'd ever get my name right.

"TJ?" Karee asked. I laughed.

"I might. Are you?"

"Which high school did you go to?" Kari interrupted. Suddenly I was catching onto her little game.

Karee shifted her eyes. "The one across the bridge. I know Sam through a cousin, so I met Ry and Matt through him. Then I met Tai at a party once. He sure knows how to dance, doesn't he?"

Kari laughed. "Well, how did you two meet? Through Matt?"

"Kinda," I put in. "We--"

"Funny story," my fake girlfriend smiled, saying, "I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when suddenly I hear someone yell out to me. I turn around, struck dumb, when TK pushes me out of the way from a city bus. It seems like a movie moment or something, but it really did happen."

"TK, will you ever grow up?" Kari asked me slowly, standing up, storming out the door. Davis chased after her, but after I pushed him out of the way, he seem to slow down. That was good.

I caught Kari and spun her around. "Kari…" I muttered, "I'm sorry. This is--"

"What's wrong with you?" she snapped. "What happened to you? Who was that girl? Why did you do that?"

"That was one of Matt's friends," I sighed. "You know why I did that, Kari. And I know why you're dating Davis."

She was really getting mad. I'd never seen her so furious. "TK! What are you talking about?!"

"You're just dating him to get me jealous! I drank at a party such a long time ago, and you just can't get over it! Seriously, Kari, Davis was drinking there, too!"

"You think I'm trying to get you jealous?! TK, I'm not mad at you for drinking at that party, and I'm sure not dating Davis because I don't want to."

"Really? Do you love him or something?" I asked, sarcastic.

"I'm mad at you because you're changing!" She pushed me. "You're not the TK I remember! You're turning into Matt, and you don't even realize it! You're partying until you can't handle it, and you expect me to still wait for you?"

"Kari, I just…I…"

"TK, whatever you say, I won't listen."

I took her hands and kissed her softly. It wasn't really what I pictured our first kiss to be like or anything, but it still made me happy to have her in my arms.

But I didn't force her. She could have pushed me away and spat on me if she wanted to, or she could have kept going and fell in love with me. I was just going along with the moment rather than what would happen afterwards.

To my surprise, and my confusion, she didn't move. She was still kissing me for a few seconds, then shoved me away, yelling my name, insulted.

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't ever speak to me again!" she ordered, walking away.

I felt lousy. I turned around and started to head towards Matt's car when I bumped into Davis. Well, I guess I deserved that smack he gave me. I felt my cheek swelling afterwards, but I couldn't focus on anything else rather than being so stupid.

Kari hated me. She had never been more upset with me. How could I have not seen it? She was completely right! Her voice rang through my mind:

"You're turning into Matt, and you don't even realize it!"