Notes My apologies for how long this took but I have just recently started college and a new job so my writing has taken a back seat at the moment but anyway here is chapter 4. Oh on a side note I have an announcement which may please or anger you but that will have to wait till the end. So here's chapter 4, enjoy.)
The Not so Intelligent Plan
Sora woke early the next day and made sure everything was ready. She had arranged yesterday to meet Tai in the park to talk and she wanted it to be perfect. She had decided that today would be the day she told Tai she wanted to be with him. She got out o bed and showered then went to her closet where she had her outfit hanging up already prepared. A pair of blue jeans with a long-sleeved cream top. It was simple but Sora liked it and she remembered Tai commenting on how nice it was so she decided that lightning should hit twice.
She carefully put her cloths on making sure it sat perfect, as if it was new. Sora looked at herself in her mirror and smiled. It was rare but she really thought she looked good in her outfit and this made her feel even better. She had been up late thinking of the right words to say and even now she was going over ideas in her head. She didn't have anything exact so much as an order in which to say everything. First she would start by apologising for the other night, then go on to explain how she was surprised and just needed time to get her thoughts together. That would be followed by her saying after talking to everyone about it she had come to a conclusion, however no matter what she wanted them to stay friends. On that she would take a deep breath and say "I love you", she said it out loud then looked around to see if anyone had over heard forgetting it was 8 in the morning and she was in her room. She looked at the clock and sighed. She was meeting Tai at 12 O'clock so she had just under 4 hours to kill. Maybe getting up so early wasn't the greatest idea in the world.
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Tai woke to the sound of his mobile phone going off. He grunted and without opening his eyes he flipped the phone open and said "Hello?"
"Hey Tai," said the voice on the other end of the phone "I hope I didn't wake you?"
Tai thought for a minute, letting his sleep lift before he realised who I was. "Izzy," he said sitting up slowly "oh no you didn't wake me I always am up at 8 in the morning just encase someone phones me,"
"Oh very funny," Izzy said un-amused "I was just calling to make sure everyone knew about the plan for today. You do know what is going on today yeah?"
Tai thought for a moment scratching his head. It could have just been that he wasn't fully awake but Tai was sure that his plans for today did not include Izzy. "Sorry man," Tai said apologetically "but I can't say I know what you're talking about. Mind filling me in?"
Izzy sighed and said "I sent everyone an email telling them to come over to my place at midday!"
"Sorry but the only email I have is the college one and I haven't got access to that," Tai said knowing he technically could get access to it but he lost his password a few months ago and hadn't got round to getting another one.
"Well you know now and I have a funny feeling Sora doesn't know either," Izzy said still sounding frustrated "you two were the only ones not to reply,"
"Well I can't make it at 12," Tai said and before Izzy could say anything he butt back in "it's important but I can still come I will just be late,"
"Oh fine," Izzy said defeated "well I have to go and phone Sora now,"
"No wait!" Tai said sitting up straight with his entire attention alert just at the sound of her name. "She can't do it either," Tai said in a rushed voice hoping Izzy wouldn't question him "but I will meet up with her and tell her its fine,"
"Ok fine," Izzy said a little confused "see you later on then," and he hung up.
Tai lay back in his bed. He was just about to tell her their kiss meant nothing and possible repair their friendship so he couldn't let her have any reason to back out of their meeting. Besides Tai liked it when she slept.
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Izzy heard a knock at the door and turned to face it. "Come in," he said a little surprised as he wasn't expecting anyone for about another hour. The door opened and in walked Matt and Mimi who were both laughing as they walked in. "Oh hey guys," he said turning back to his pc "I wasn't expecting any one till 12, why so early?"
"We just thought we would get here early," Matt said looking around the apartment. Matt knew Izzy lived alone so he didn't expect that he had such nice place but it really was. There was a huge living room, for an apartment, and a kitchen that was maybe half the size of the living room. There were two doors leading to two rooms, a bed room and another that Izzy used as a study and had a computer in there as well as his computer in his living room. There was another door on their right as they came in that led to the bathroom. It was a classy place. "Ok so one question," Matt said as he followed Mimi to the couch "how can a college student, living on his own afford a place like this?"
"Well Matt you forget," Izzy said without turning around "that I made a program that tripled the progress rate of all NASA computer systems. Meaning that I made a very large profit from them using it. So you could say that the three richest members of the group are in the room right now,"
Matt didn't even realise his mouth was open until Mimi closed it for him. Izzy was right of course. With Matt's band still touring world wide, Mimi now doing her own fashion line in LA and now Izzy doing programs for NASA they were the richest of the groups. "So why then," Matt asked after gathering himself "are you still at college?"
"Education is the key," Izzy answered turning to face them as is computer turned off behind him "sorry about that, had to finish something,"
"It's cool," Mimi said beaming at him "how have you been Izzy? I can see you're still as bright as ever,"
Izzy smiled and said "I'm just doing away really. Not much to report other than the NASA thing,"
"Oh I wouldn't say nothing," Matt said with an evil glint in his eye "what about Ashley? Or the fact you have an engagement ring on?"
At that Izzy blushed and tried to cover his ring while Mimi looked at him in shock. "I knew about Ashley but I had no idea you and her were engaged!" Mimi said and then shrieked very loudly "My God congratulations!"
Izzy blushed again and began to stammer about how it was supposed to be secret then stopped and looked at Matt. "How did you know about this?" he asked as if he had figured it out on purpose.
"You forget Izzy," Matt said tapping his nose "I was the one who set you and her up and that she is my drummers little sister. You really think she wasn't going to tell her family?"
Izzy slapped his head and said "I forgot you knew her brother. We had agreed on family but we weren't going to make it official until she came back from Aspen,"
All three of the old friends sat in silence then began to laugh. "Izzy you old dog," Matt said clapping his hand on hi shoulder and shaking Izzy's hand with his other. Mimi got up and hugged then kissed Izzy on the cheek.
"Well it's hard to believe but I guess you will be the first married," she said trying to hold back her tears. "Oh God," she said wiping her eyes "my makeup will be a mess,"
Matt sat back down on the couch as did Mimi. Izzy got up and got some tissues then gave them to Mimi who thanked him. "I wonder why you are so concerned about your appearance," Izzy asked slyly "is it because Joe will be here?"
Mimi dropped the tissues she was holding at this statement. "What are you talking about?" Mimi said picking them pack up and trying to cover the fact she was blushing.
"Oh yeah I forgot," Matt said with a grin "this will be the first time you will see Joe since you broke up wont it?"
"So what if it is?" Mimi said defiantly "we still talk to each other and anyway we broke up on mutual terms we are just friends now!" and on that she folded her arms.
"Oh come on Mimi," Izzy said waving that information aside "we all know you only broke up because of the long distance thing and that you clearly still like each other,"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Mimi said turning her head away from both of them as if they were crazy. Matt just laughed at this as Izzy got up to get them drinks. "So what time is everyone else getting here at?" Mimi said trying to sound casual as if the previous conversation didn't happen.
"Like I said I am not expecting anyone for another hour or so," Izzy said handing lemonade to his guests and sitting back down.
"Who's all going to be here?" Matt asked while sipping at his juice.
"Well Kari, T.K, Yolie and Cody are coming together, they said they would phone just before they arrived," Izzy said thinking back to all his conversations with them. "Davis and Ken are in town," he said after a minute of thought "and might be running late but they will get here. Joe said he should be here at 12 but he is taking his car so that depends on traffic,"
"What about Tai?" Matt asked "Or Sora," Mimi added.
"I only spoke to Tai," Izzy said "who told me he had something else to do and would be late and that so would Sora so they would come together,"
"Ohhhhh," Mimi and Matt said together in a knowing way then turned to each other suspiciously. Each one thought they knew it all but each only knew half.
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Sora walked down to the park slowly beginning to have second thoughts. It had been Tai who had phoned her to arrange this so what did he want to say? He clearly had something on his mind but what was it? Sora stopped just at the park gates too scared to enter. What if it was bad news? "Pull yourself together!" Sora told herself as she took, what seemed to be a very difficult, step into the park. She headed for the big tree in the middle of the park. Tai hadn't said this spot but it was universally know by everyone that when meeting at the park it was under the big tree at the centre.
She checked her watch as she walked towards her destination, she was early. It would have killed her to have to wait but thankfully as she grew nearer to the tree Tai was waiting under there. He was wearing his big blue jacket; he always wore that thing in winter. Sora waved and Tai replied with a wave. "Hey Tai," Sora said with a smile.
Tai didn't smile but merely nodded and said "Hey. Sorry its so early but I really needed to talk to you,"
"That's ok," Sora said shaking her head "I don't mind getting up early and anyway I needed to talk to you,"
Tai looked a little taken aback by this and asked "What's on your mind?"
Sora was so ready to tell him everything she felt, to let it all out but within a second of opening her mouth she got cold feet and said "Uh, its not important. You can go first,"
Tai swallowed and said "well it's about us," he saw her eyes go wide expecting something big. Tai couldn't wait any more "it's about that kiss and how it was a mistake,"
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"Ok so is everyone here?" Izzy asked the group assembled in front of him. There was a general noise of yes but then a knock on the door and without waiting for a reply the door opened.
"Hey guys," came Davis's voice "I hope we haven't missed anything? We would have been here earlier but Ken had to buy a Christmas present," Davis rolled his eyes at this causing most to laugh.
"Davis," Ken said under his breath as he nudged Davis who sat next to Yolie on the floor. "I am sorry," Ken said to the rest of his friends present with a bow of apology.
"Don't be silly," T.K said holding up his hands "We were just starting as you came in,"
"Yes its fine Ken," Izzy said turning his attention to the group as a whole, once again. "So, except for Tai and Sora everyone's here," Izzy said getting a general murmur f agreeing again. "Good," he said clapping his hands together "well the general plan is for the girls to go up the day before with the decorations and help Ken put them up yeah?" Izzy asked, confirming what most already know.
"Why are we doing all the work?" Yolie asked folding her arms "aren't you suppose to be the big strong men?"
"Well Ken will be there," Kari said "He's big a strong," that one statement caused Ken to go red. "And T.K's coming up to," Kari said trying to draw the attention away from Ken "besides it will be fun,"
"So wait it will be all the girls and T.K now?" Izzy asked alarmed.
"Yeah," T.K said with a laugh "don't get so worried Izzy it's still all good,"
"Well forgive me but I like to know numbers," Izzy said with a stern face "so with T.K that makes it five going up and meeting Ken meaning six will be there altogether,"
"And then the rest go up on the day of the party," Davis said pointing to the other members left out of the equation "meaning five of us go up that morning with food and drink,"
"Six," Matt corrected Davis who was now staring at his fingers to see where he miscounted. Matt sighed and said "I know you can only count what's right in front of you but Tai isn't here,"
The group laughed as Davis sat back down sheepishly and Joe said "Great now that's sorted can I go, I have a lot to do?"
"If you are can I get a lift Joe?" Mimi said standing up "I have a few things I need to do as well,"
"Wait," Said Cody holding up his hands "What about food and drink? What should we all bring?"
They all stopped still and looked at Ken. He coughed and said "well I do have a list of a few things that could work,"
"Great," Davis said taking the list out of his hands before Ken could say another word "We can split this between us,"
As the rest continued to talk Mimi pulled Matt into the kitchen and asked "What do you know about what Tai and Sora are meeting up about?"
"I know enough," Matt said trying to get back to the others but being blocked by Mimi.
"What is Tai going to say?" Mimi demanded and before Matt could lie she said "I want the truth,"
It was the look, the one that meant Mimi would know either way that made Matt say "Tai's going to tell Sora what she wants to hear,"
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"A mistake?" Sora said causing Ta to be shocked. He expected her to agree.
"Well yeah," Tai said fighting every impulse in his body that made him want to kiss her again. "I meant nothing," Tai lied again "I acted on something that didn't exist. That's why you ran, so you didn't have to deal with it but its fine because there is nothing to deal with. We are friends nothing more,"
The words cut Sora harder than anything else could. "Yeah," she lied; her voice was hollow unlike her own. "Your right," she said holding back her tears as she continued "just friends. Well if that's all," Sora turned to leave.
"Wait what about what you had to say? And what about Izzy's?" Tai asked smiling now he had repaired the damage but hurting from hearing her say those words.
"I was just going to tell you I couldn't make Izzy's," Sora lied, her mind wasn't thinking but running like she wanted to "Look a really have to go," she said walking away fast. She thought she heard Tai say something but she had already began to pick up speed and by the time she was out of the park Sora was running. Running from that moment. Running it into the past. Running from all he said. Running like it was chasing her, chasing her all the way home.
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"He can't do that," Mimi shouted causing everyone else to turn and look at her and Matt.
"Why not?" Matt said confused "she was scared about losing her friendship with Tai so he decided to make it easier by saying he just wants to be friends,"
"But she doesn't just want to be friends," Mimi said with a look of horror on her face.
Everyone was looking from Matt to Mimi, while they stared at each other sharing more than a look.
"You mean?" Matt asked as Mimi nodded. Matt pulled out his phone saying "Maybe if I can get him he won't have spoken with Sora yet," but just at that moment Matt's phone started ringing. Matt answered it and listened without making a sound. He hung up and said without looking up "He says he and Sora aren't going to make it, he told her and is sure he just made things worse,"
Kari and Yolie were looking at each other with a look that Matt and Mimi were sharing to. T.K sat down and glanced at Joe who was sitting also. The others just looked bewildered and Davis said "Will someone tell me what's going on?"
Matt explained briefly, with Mimi filling in a few blanks, about what had been going on between Sora and Tai. "So?" Davis asked as if this was nothing "just get Tai to tell Sora he is sorry and he didn't mean it. Works for me all the time,"
"It's not that simple," Joe said "tai and Sora wont want to be in the same room as each other let alone talk," and on that he stole a glance at Mimi who looked away from him fast.
"So what can we do?" T.K asked getting nothing as his response.
"We can plan," Kari said with a look of optimism on her face. She looked round everyone and seeing no one get it said "We will set it up so that Sora and Tai are with each other during the party, they will have to talk and it will be sorted out before the bell rings for midnight,"
Everyone looked at her and Izzy finally said what everyone else was thinking "What do you have in mind?"
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Notes I do apologise again for the lateness of this story but as I said things have been snowballing, anyway. As I am sure you want to know want do I have to announce, well the next chapter will be the final chapter. I was wondering whether or not to keep it going but I feel I will get the ending I want in the next chapter so it will be there. This may please some and anger some but I have decided I am afraid. That's not to say anything good or bad about the ending other than its decided. Thanks to everyone for their support and please watch out for the finally.)
