A/n: I know that all of you are curious as to why Tai is acting like this, so I couldn't leave you hangin'. Of course, his problem(s) will slowly and clearly reveal itself. So don't expect to find it all in one chapter because that isn't how I would write the story. I will give hints here and there to help the readers predict what will happen. Otherwise, the story wouldn't be as suspenseful.

Okay, let's get on with the next chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Falling Apart

Class had begun. The room was silent, except for the scribbling of pencils. Everyone sat in a focused state, trying to finish up the work the teacher assigned a few minutes ago. Sora's attention was on Tai the entire time, barely even able to concentrate on her work.

There he was across from her, not even looking in her direction. He didn't even start the assignment as if he doesn't care. Instead he just sat there, his head supported by his elbows. Sora couldn't take this nonsense anymore. She needed to know what was happening with her best friend.

Right then, a flashing white light filled the classroom followed by the clashing of loud thunder, which caused Sora to turn her attention toward the window on her left. Outside, she saw a heavy downpour of rain.

That was strange since it didn't look like it was going to rain this morning. The clouds came out of nowhere. Sora looked back at Tai who hadn't noticed anything. She sighed and watched the teacher as he headed toward the end of the classroom.

Once the teacher wasn't looking, Sora quietly called his name.

"Tai," She whispered.

Nothing happened.

She called out again. "Tai."

Still no response. She decided to call out louder.

"TAI!" she whispered. Luckily, the teacher didn't hear that.

Sora became angry at the fact that he was ignoring her. She crumpled up a loose piece of paper and threw it at Tai's head. As soon as it hit his head, he turned around and glared at her.

"What do you want?" he angrily whispered.

"I want you to tell me what's wrong with you," she said simply.

"What? Why can't you guys just leave me alone?" he asked quietly.

"Please, just tell me. I want to help you. You're my best friend, Tai."

Tai snorted but then lowered his eyes to the ground. He spoke in a calmer tone. "I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."

Sora was about to ask him why, but then something didn't feel right. The two of them were silent as they looked up at the teacher who was standing in front of them.

"Didn't I tell you students that this is an individual assignment?" The teacher asked, tapping his foot. "Hmm?"

A few moments later, Tai and Sora found themselves out of the classroom and into the empty hallway. Obviously, they had to serve detention after school today just for that tiny mistake of talking in class. That teacher was really a pain sometimes. No one could stand him.

The two silently stood next to the door, not really looking at each other. All that was heard was the continuous rumbling of thunder and the trickling of rain.

After a short while of silence, Sora decided to ask him. "Why?"

Tai looked at her. "Why what?"

"Why can't you tell me what's going on with you?" she repeated her question. This time more specifically.

"I already told you. I can't."

"Why not? We could always tell each other everything. Please, Tai."

Tai felt anger quickly rising within him. "I just can't tell you okay! It's none of your business! So shut up already!"

Sora was silent and averted her eyes towards the floor. She didn't expect him to yell at her like that. Why couldn't he just tell her his problems? After all, they were best friends. It was almost heartbreaking.

'I guess I really did lose him.' she thought.

Tai sadly looked at her and immediately regretted the things he said. He slowly began to walk toward her, wanting to comfort her. But as soon as he took the first step, the lights in the hallway started to rapidly flicker on and off. However, the lights weren't bright like they usually are. They were a color of black... pitch black as if they were shadows.

Sora stood in horror at this sort of sight. After a few minutes of continuous flickering, the lights went completely out leaving the hallway in total darkness.

Sora was frightened at the sudden darkness of the hallway. "Tai?"

Tai didn't move. He didn't think this would happen. He was also terrified, but was it because of the darkness? Maybe it was the storm that had caused that. At least, that was what Tai had hoped.

He stared at Sora before angrily yelling at her. "Maybe you should just stay away from me! That way you won't get hurt!" He quickly turned around and ran to the end of the hallway. As soon as he started running from her the lights were back to normal.

After a few moments, the door to the classroom opened and the teacher walked out. "Okay, you two can come in. Hey, where did that boy go?"

Sora didn't pay any attention to what the teacher said. What she saw just a few moments ago really scared the hell out of her. Why were the lights dark? Did Tai have anything to do with those blinking lights of darkness? Sora now knew that something was indeed wrong.

'I think Tai might be in danger.' she thought.

Rain was still heavily pouring outside and there were still no sign of it clearing up. The school bell rang indicating that it was finally time for lunch at Odaiba High. Students began heading towards the lunchroom to take a break from the academics. Sora, Matt, Izzy, and Mimi were all at their table already snacking down their food and talking about weekend plans.

"Okay, you guys. Tomorrow is Saturday and we all agreed to gather at the park, correct? However, since it's raining today, I'm positive that there's a possible chance for it to rain tomorrow." Izzy said not so sure about the idea anymore.

"Don't worry about it, Izzy. I'm sure that it'll be nice and sunny tomorrow. It's not like you're the weather guy," Mimi said eating her soup. "I was looking forward to this weekend so don't jinx it."

"Yeah, plus if it does rain we'll all just cancel it and postpone it for another day. How's that?" Matt asked.

"Sure," They all said.

Sora hadn't been listening much to their conversation. Everything that had happened today was still bothering her. She needed to know what was happening with Tai. Speaking of Tai, where is he right now? Is he okay? Is he hurt? She continued to ask herself questions while stirring the spoon in her uneaten soup.

"Hey do you think Joe would be there too?" Matt asked. "I haven't called him yet."

"He said he would be there," Izzy answered. "I just hope college isn't too much for him."

Mimi began to notice Sora's behavior. "Oh, no Sora. Not you too."

Sora looked up at her in question. "What?"

"Don't tell me you're going to drift away from us just like Tai did," Mimi said concerned for her friend. "We wouldn't want to lose you."

"Sora, what's the matter?" Izzy asked.

Matt looked sadly at his girlfriend. He sighed. "Look, Sora. I'm sure Tai will be knocked back into his senses very soon." The blond said as he tried to comfort her. "He'll be his normal, goofy little self again. I promise."

Sora didn't say anything. She just couldn't find herself to think right now. Should she tell them what had happened earlier? Would they even believe her?

Mimi looked up from Sora and gasped at the sight played out in front of her. "Hey! Isn't that Tai over there?" She pointed.

Matt, Sora, and Izzy looked to where Mimi was pointing at, which was about two tables away from theirs. They looked to see that it was definitely Tai. He was at a table messily making out with one of those popular girls. Lisa was supposedly her name.

"I didn't know Tai had a girlfriend." Matt simply said a little bit surprised.

"Uh, I didn't know either..." Izzy said.

Sora watched as Tai pushed the kiss even deeper. Lisa seemed to be enjoying it since she kept tugging on to his shirt. The auburn-haired girl felt a wave of anger flowing through her body.

'How could he act as if everything is alright? That jerk! Why is it that he is with her?' Then sadness hit her. 'Could it be that he no longer cares about me?' She asked herself. The way that he would pull the girl closer to him made Sora heartsick. Was she jealous? 'Sure I'm jealous. I'm his best friend and he can't even act friendly at all toward me.'

Sora couldn't take this sight anymore. She was disgusted at Tai's behavior.

'He just wants attention, that's all!' She scoffed at the thought and stood up from the table, heading toward the exit of the lunchroom.

"Sora?" Matt called out to her as he stood up as well and ran toward her direction.

Both of them were now in the hallway. Sora quickened up her pace as Matt tried to desperately catch up with her.

"Sora, wait! Please stop," Matt called out as his voice echoed off the walls. He finally caught up with her. "Sora, what's wrong? Where are you going?" He gently grabbed her arm and pulled her to look at him. As he looked into her eyes, he noticed that there was so much pain and distress in them.

"I'm sorry, Matt," she said on the verge of tears.

Matt was confused. "Sorry? For what? You don't have to be sorry for anything, Sora."

"No! I haven't been fair to you Matt!" She began screaming at him as tears ran down her face. "I haven't been concentrating on you and me lately... and it's just that Tai... I don't know what to do. Something's just not right anymore."

Matt embraced her in a light hug. "Shh... It's going to be okay. You don't have to be sorry."

"Yes, I am. Matt..." Sora looked at him. "I don't deserve you."

"Sora, what are you talking about?" He asked.

She began to calm down a bit. "It's just that... I don't feel the same way as I used to feel about you, Matt."

Matt was surprised and somewhat hurt. He slowly dropped his hands to the sides. "What do you mean?"

"Matt, I have to confess something to you, and I don't want to hurt you at all... really. But for a while I've been thinking so much about Tai..."

"What? So you're telling me that you love him now!"

Sora shook her head. "No, Matt. That's not it! Please..."

Matt calmed down and faced her. "It sure sounds like it. You haven't been yourself ever since Tai changed, Sora. And I know that our relationship hasn't been the same either."

"Matt, I'm... "

"It's okay. Maybe it would be best if we take a break for a while."

"But Matt... " Sora started.

"Don't worry. I'm not mad at you. If you feel that you have feelings for Tai, I respect that." Matt smiled.

Sora smiled back. "Are you sure, Matt?" He nodded.

The two of them embraced each other in a hug. Once they separated, the bell had rung.

"Well, now. Maybe we should go to class early?" Matt asked.

Sora shrugged. "Sure." They walked towards their classes as students entered the hallway. "Thanks for understanding, Matt."

"No problem."

As they were walking, Sora couldn't help but think about what Matt said. Was she really in love with Tai?

'I can't be. He's my best friend… and what about the hallway incident? Should I tell Matt?'

A/n: End of chapter.