Cruel Intentions
Sora's p.o.v
Stupid, stupid...stupid! I felt like such and idiot with Tai staring at me and I being unable to explain myself. I could feel the blood rushing to my face; I bet I was red as a tomato, my face felt like an overheated radiator. And even though I was in trouble I could only think about Matt!
'Ugh, think! Say something!' I shook my head and scolded myself. 'Ok, here goes.'
"I...tree?" What the hell was that? 'I tree.' Great, I bet Tai thinks I'm stupid now. I was about to say something else when he grunted.
"You don't have to deny it Sora." He angrily spat and began to walk away.
"But..." I grabbed his hand but he pulled away. He glared at me when we heard a car honk in the street.
"Hey Tai." A green-eyed boy with jet black hair I recognized from the boy's soccer team sat in the passenger seat. He stuck his head out the window and hollered as the car came to a stop next to us. "We're heading over to the Lounge; wanna come?"
"Hi Tai." The back seat window rolled down to reveal a sultry blonde with hazel eyes. She seductively leaned out the window and curled her hair with her finger; drooling over Tai. Ivy was her name; she has a huge crush on Tai; more like an obsession I would say and because of that, I naturally despise her. I looked over at Tai who only cocked his head as a form of hello.
Trying to ignore the hungry stares Ivy was giving Tai; I intruded. "The lounge? As in the Cat's Lounge?"
The black haired boy smiled and nodded. "So, you coming?" He wiggled his eyebrows. The Cat's Lounge, a bar, much like the despicable 'Hooters.' I hate it when Tai's goes with his friends.
"Who's going?" Asked Tai. I couldn't believe he was even considering going!
"Hashi and Toshi here are going to meet up with some girls over there." Ivy ruffled the guy's hair from the back; he leaned over and gave me a clear view of the driver. Dark haired and green eyes as well. Hashi and Toshi; I forgot they were twins. Ivy mischievously grinned and glared at me. "I don't have anyone to go with so I was hoping you'd keep me company." She batted her eyelashes; disgusting.
Tai looked at me and then at his 'friends.' "Yeah I'll go." He got into the back seat with that vixen. Hoshi and Toshi excitedly hollered and Tai glared at me as they drove away; Ivy already clinging on to him.
I couldn't believe it. He just ditched me; but I guess I deserved it. And knowing that he's with Ivy; my eyes suddenly began to well up with tears. I gaped at the disappearing vehicle and silently cried.
Kari's p.o.v
It was 11:30 pm and I had gotten myself a bag of chips and a soda to munch on while I watched Fullmetal Alchemist. I was about to slump down on the couch when I heard the front door creek open. Whoever it was must have tripped over the shoes at the door steps as I heard him grumble something inaudible. I turned off the t.v and listened.
"Stupid Sora." It was none other than my brother Tai.
He whimsically walked to the living room where I waited and stumbled over the couch. He reeked of alcohol and some kind of cheep perfume. He rolled over and fell on the floor.
"Hey Kari." He slurred.
"Shhh. You'll wake mom and dad up!" I helped him up.
He chuckled. "What time is it?"
"11:30. You're lucky it's a Friday; I told mom and dad you were staying with Sora."
He bitterly huffed and sat on the couch. "Stupid Sora." He mumbled once more.
I rolled my eyes and sat down next to him. "What happened this time?"
He squinted his eyes and hiccupped. "She kissed Matt." His breath fumigated my face; gross!
I pushed him away. "So." I pinched my nose and waved my hand in the air trying to rid the air of the stench.
"So?" He frowned. "What do you mean so?"
"So what. It's not like you like her or anything."
His face scrunched up and he shook his head. "Hell no I don't; she's my best friend." Lie. I know he likes her but I didn't want to pursue the conversation for fear he'd become erratic and wake my parents up. I decided to close the topic for the night.
"Then what does it matter if she kissed another guy?" He blankly stared at me and the phone rang.
RRIIIING!
"Crap!" I cursed and ran to the phone. "Hello?" I whispered.
"Kari?" It was Sora.
"Yeah."
"Is Tai there? He's not answering his phone." I looked at Tai; passed out on the couch.
"Yeah he's here; but he's asleep."
"Is he drunk?"
I bit my lip and hesitated to answer. But I might as well tell her the truth; she always could tell when I was lying. "Yeah." There was silence on the other line. "But I'll tell him you called first thing in the morning!" I cheerily spoke.
"Ok. Thanks Kari." I could hear her sadness.
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hung up and looked at Tai; snoring by now and drooling. I got my snacks and walked to my room.
Sora was the first thing on my mind that morning. I dashed out of bed and ran to the living room. I looked at the couch Tai had occupied but it was empty.
"Morning sleepy head." I heard my mom in the kitchen. "Breakfast?" I walked to the table and frowned at the mush in the pan that I assumed were eggs. I grimaced and nodded my head.
"Hey Kari." I turned to see Tai eating a bowl of cereal on the counter. His hair was ruffled, his face was pale and his eyes were a burning red.
"Hey, Sora called you last night."
"And?"
"And she wants you to call her back." He walked to the sink where he dumped his dirty dishes. Opening the cabinet door he took a small white bottle and shook it. There was a light rattle inside and he opened it; taking a small white pill, popping it in his mouth, swallowing it dry. I never understood how he could do that.
"Are you going to call her?" I called out as he walked to his room. He waived his hand in dismissal and closed the door behind him. I frowned.
"Kari, phone!' Funny, I didn't even hear it ring.
"Hello?" I cautiously spoke.
"Hey Kari, its Sora."
"Hey Sora."
"Is Tai there?"
I looked at my brother's bedroom door. "Yeah, but he's in the shower." My voice quivered. I hope she didn't notice that.
"Oh." Was her reply. "It's ok; I just wanted to know if you wanted to come to the picnic."
"Picnic?"
"Matt suggested we have a picnic at the park today. I already called the others and they said ok."
"Really, what time?"
"One o' clock." She heavily sighed. "Tell Tai about it ok?"
I sympathetically smiled even though she couldn't see me. "Sure, I'll see you then, bye." I walked toward Tai's room.
KNOCK-KNOCK
I tapped on the door. There was a light crash; like a bottle falling. I could hear Tai swearing; seconds later he answered the door.
"What do you want?"
I innocently smiled at him.
Sora's p.o.v
As I neared the park I could see the others mingling around the water fountain. But not everyone was active. Izzy, as usual was buried in his lap top and Matt sat on a thick branch of a maple tree. I ecstatically waved my hand as they welcomed me. Davis even ran to greet me. I laughed and even hugged him in joy, until I noticed he was gawking over the basket of food I had brought. Typical Davis. I gave him the basket to unveil as the others came around. It was a feast! We had noodles, sushi, salad, sliced mandarin oranges, but there was something missing...rice balls. It was 1:45 and Tai still hadn't shown up.
"What's wrong Sora?" Yolie tapped my shoulder.
"I'll tell you what's wrong." Davis dramatically announced. "Kari's not here."
Cory rolled his eyes. "Oh brother."
"You did tell Tai about today right?" Matt sat next to me and slithered his arm around my waist.
I stiffened and nodded. "Well, I didn't actual speak with Tai, but I told Kari about it."
"That's odd." Izzy peered over his portable computer. "They should have been here by now." And that's when we heard a girlish wail.
"Hey!" A girl cried in the distance. "Don't finish the food!" Kari ran towards us.
Davis's eyes gleamed with delight. "Kari you came!"
Kari bowed her head. "Sorry; I had a hard time convincing Tai to come." Tai casually walked toward us. He beamed at me and I could feel Matt's grip tighten around my body, I never knew he was so possessive. Tai must have noticed. He snorted and sat next to Yolie.
"Well, I'm stuffed." Joe announced. I barely realized I hadn't heard much from him all day. "Hey Izzy, mind if I check something out online?" He scooted next to the redheaded child prodigy.
"Me too, but those swings over there are calling my name." Cory's observation enticed Yolie.
"Mine too." They ran like children.
Kari gratefully dug into the remaining food when a duck waddled by and took her sushi! "Hey!" She cried.
Davis ran after the little bird. "I'll get it for you Kari!"
"Davis, no!" Kari ran after the deranged boy as he threw tiny pebbles into the air. "Leave him alone!" And seeing as Joe and Izzy were in their own cyber world; that left me, Tai, and Matt alone.
Someone kill me.
Tai wouldn't speak; Matt sensed something was wrong but I have to admit, even though this was nerve wrecking I kind of enjoyed it. I mean; having to hot guys fight over me. Ok so they weren't really fighting over me and they're not 'hot guys.' Well, Matt is pretty cute and I always thought Tai was hot and wait...Tai's jealous? Ah! He does love me! Or at least likes me. That's great! Wait...but didn't I kiss Matt? Oh, this is so confusing!
"What's with the sunglasses?" Matt's husky voice rumbled in my ears and startled me out of my stupor to see that Tai did in fact have sunglasses on. Funny, I didn't notice. Tai didn't respond. He simply tilted his head and let his sunglasses slip down the track of his nose. His eyes were lined with pulsing red veins.
Matt chuckled. "I didn't know you drank." He playfully ruffled Tai's hair.
Tai groaned. "I don't; I was just having a rough day." He set his spectacles aside and bitterly eyed me.
"What happened?" Matt pursued the topic.
Tai shook his head. "Doesn't matter; I had a good night." He grinned and crossed his arms over his chest.
I unexpectedly fumed. "I'm assuming you're talking about Ivy?"
Matt whistled. "That blonde chick with the big..." He saw me glaring and began to sweat. "Feet?" Tai rolled his eyes.
"What did you guys do?" I asked.
"I'm afraid that information is confidential." Tai smoothed his hair and gave Matt a high-five. He looked at me and evilly grinned. He was pushing my buttons on purpose and it was working.
"So, are you guys together now or something?"
"Whoa there." He smirked. "I'm not a one woman guy."
Oh, he made me so mad. I guess Matt began to suspect my rage; he began to defend Tai.
"What's with all the questions?" His arm slinked around my frame once more. If Tai wanted to play hard then let the games begin.
"Just askin'." I shrugged my shoulders and leaned my body against him. He gratefully tugged me toward him; spreading his legs and arms around me.
Tai skeptically raised an eyebrow. "You two seem very chummy."
"Well, you know I always had a thing for her Tai." Matt entwined his hand with mine. I pursued the action with no objection and grinned at Tai.
The disgruntled brunette snickered. "You finally got a guy Sor. I was beginning to think no one liked you." He scrutinized me. "You're not much to look at." He smirked.
And that did it. That sent me over the top; boiling with rage but even worse; wounded. How could he say such a thing?
"Hey man." I could hear Matt defending me as I was too stunned. I numbly stared at Tai who wore a repulsive smug on his face. I tasted a salty substance on my lips as I realized that tears rolled down my cheeks; stopping at the corner of my mouth; still, I wouldn't take my eyes off Tai.
"Hey, he didn't mean it." Matt whispered in my ear. I dismissed the blonde and grabbed the nearest thing in reach. A thermal; half filled with hot tea from the picnic.
"You're such a jerk Tai." I splashed the hot liquid on his face, got up, and ran away; leaving Tai stunned and drenched.
"Sora!" I could hear Matt calling after me but I kept running.
'Hey it's Sora. Leave a message and I'll call you back.'
BEEP!
"Hey Sora?...its Tai...Listen, I'm sorry about today. I acted like a little bitch and I had no right to say that about you...well...you know what I said!...You were there. Uh, I guess I was just mad about yesterday and I know you didn't do anything wrong and...I just...I'm really sorry so please call me back...please?
I lay on my bed and looked out the window; continuously replaying the message on my phone. Stained with dry tears I thought to myself. Maybe I overreacted. What if Matt thinks I like Tai? Don't I like Tai?
"Sora?" There came a knock on my door.
"Yeah mom?"
"Kari's on the phone." I opened the door and took the telephone and pressed it against my ear.
"Hey Kari, what's up?" My voice was still shaky.
"It's not Kari." I frowned at the sound of the masculine voice on the other line.
"What do you want Tai?"
"Sora; I feel awful about today."
"Oh you do? Cuz I feel great!" I sneered; about to hang up when he stopped me.
"Wait Sora, don't hang up!"
I sighed. "What do you want Tai?"
"Come over."
"For what?"
"I want to talk to you."
"That's what the phone is for!"
"But I want to talk to you face to face."
I hesitated before answering. "Ok." I could already see the grin on his face.
"My place; ten minutes."
"Whatever." I hung up.
I must have been outside standing at his door for about five minutes; staring at it like an idiot. An old man passed by and laughed.
"You're supposed to knock dear." He lifted his fragile hand in an attempt to knock but merely grazed the door. "You see? Now you try."
I blushed and smiled. "Thanks." I knocked with much more force and momentum than the old man. Tai immediately answered and grinned. I rolled my eyes and pushed my way inside.
"Ok I'm here, now what?" I looked around, the place was empty. Assuming he caught my quizzical expression, Tai sighed.
"My parents aren't home and Kari's still at the park with the others." I nodded and sat on the couch.
Tai sat next to me and smiled. "I'm sorry." He whimpered in that childish tone he always used when he got in trouble. "I love you. You're my best friend."
I huffed. "Yeah that's nice." I ignored his pleas.
"Come on Sora, I already apologized. What do you want me to do?"
I looked at him; his eyes less red. He seemed more collected. "So what really happened between you and Ivy last night?" I eyed him with suspicion.
He sighed and frowned. "Why do you want to know?"
"Why can't you answer the question?"
"What about YOU?"
"What about me?"
"What's up with you and Matt?"
"Nothing!"
"Yeah right, doesn't look like nothing."
"Well, why do you care?"
"I don't! Why do you care about what happened between me and Ivy?"
"I don't!"
"Good."
"Fine."
"Fine."
"Ugh, Tai!" I groaned. "You really are a jerk!" I barked.
Baffled, he retorted. "What did I do now?"
"Don't you get it?" My eyes began to water again.
Like a confused puppy, he tilted his head. "Get what?" My head pounded in a mix of anger and sorrow; if I didn't do anything quick it was going to explode!
I took a deep breath and lunged at him, pressing my lips against his. He was stiff and didn't kiss back but I pressed on. He stared at me wide-eyed as I drew back and I could feel the tears coming. I got up and ran out of the apartment.
TBC