Disclaimer – I don't own it!

I know you all love my twists and turns and drama that I keep throwing into this story. Well, this chapter is no different. Please enjoy!

Chapter 14 – "Torn"

Sora stood behind the bleachers after school anxiously waiting for Matt to join her. She hadn't told Tai yet that she and Matt made up because she was scared of what he would think. She feared losing him as a friend most of all. Matt was not exactly Tai's favorite person right then. She knew the conversation would start with something like "He screwed you over once, he will do it again" or "How can you forgive someone that hurt you like that?" It was hard. The whole day she felt torn between her best friend since birth and the boy she'd secretly been in love with since she was eleven. She decided to ease into it and tell him later that night. Her thoughts soon interrupted when Matt finally showed up. It was a little awkward at first.

"Hey, Sora," Matt said arriving with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, Matt," Sora replied just as simply.

"So…"

"So…"

"How was your day?"

"It was good. Yours?"

"Good."

"Good."

Sora stared at the ground for a minute and thought 'This is awkward…'

'Good going, Matt. Since when are you ever nervous around Sora? You've known this girl forever and you're acting like you just met' Matt thought as well.

Sora sighed heavily, "Are you hungry?"

"Starving," Matt replied.

"Good. Me too. You're taking me to lunch," Sora said causing Matt to smile.

'Now that's the Sora I know. Sexy, sarcastic' Matt thought smiling like a dork.

Sora winked at him letting him know that everything was going to be okay; that things were going to go back to the way they were. She walked past him grabbing his keys out of his pocket and heading towards his car. He quickly followed, of course and the two left for their favorite sushi restaurant in town the "Mori House".

The drive was mostly quiet, making Matt a little bit uncomfortable. He wanted to know what Sora was thinking, but was hesitant to ask. Was she thinking about him, was she thinking about what was going on with them? It was driving him crazy. Matt shifted gears on his car and soon found another hand on top of his. He looked down and saw Sora's fingers slowly lace through his. He then looked at her but she avoided eye contact with him and only smiled. It felt like hundreds of butterflies had taken over his stomach, but he liked it. It was the start of something new, something different, something good. He liked this new feeling, the feeling of completion. He knew that things were going to be different from that moment on, but he knew it would be for the better.

The two arrived at the Mori House and were immediately seating at a booth. They ordered sushi and fried rice and made each other laugh constantly throughout their lunch. It was as though nothing had happened to them and that was what made it that much better.

They talked of many things: of school, friends, life, anything and everything they could think of. Matt made fun of how messy Sora was when she ate and she made fun of the way he made moaning noises when he ate. They both laughed knowing it was true but couldn't help being embarrassed as well. It was all good and fun though.

Once lunch was over they found themselves at Matt's house. Because of the fact that he was grounded, she figured they'd be spending a lot of time at his house during his seclusion. Matt's dad wouldn't be home until late so they pretty much had the place to themselves for the rest of the day. Sora's mom believed she was staying after school for an extra tennis session so they had no worries.

"Isn't it nice to just relax and not have to worry about anything?" Sora asked as she and Matt fell to the couch with their hands laced.

"It really is. It's even nicer knowing that you're not mad at me any more," Matt replied.

"Oh, I'm still mad at you but I do forgive you."

"You're still mad at me?"

"A little bit. You did a really messed up thing, Matt. It's going to take a little bit of time for me to stop being angry about it."

"I understand. But I want you to understand that I would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. I messed up, I know. I have felt like absolute shit ever since then too. I never thought you would forgive me. It was probably one of the hardest things I've had to face in my life. Just the thought of us never talking again bothered me so much that I've cried myself to sleep a couple times. I just wish it had never happened, I really do. I was so upset that night because you were mad at me that I guess I just wasn't thinking straight. It was a mistake and I have been beating myself up because of it ever since."

Sora didn't know what to say. She knew Matt was truly sorry and that something that extreme would never happen again. She wanted to tell him everything was okay and that everything would be all right from then on but she couldn't just let it go that easy. She cared for him deeply but that fact that he slept with another girl just haunted her mostly because she knew the girl and Tai liked her.

Not knowing what else to say or do Sora acted on impulse. She moved from her position to his lap and kissed him passionately. Knowing that he was finally hers was then only thing that she needed to know.

Tai yawned loudly as he flipped through the channels on his television. It was around 6:30pm and he was patiently waiting for Kari to come home and make dinner. She generously volunteered to cook at least three nights a week knowing that the whole family suffered from their mothers surprise recipes. Kari made the best food and Tai always looked forward to when she made dinner. He tried to call Sora a couple of times but she didn't answer her cell phone so he finally gave up. He figured she was out with her family or had forgotten her phone, which she usually did because she didn't like to be bothered half the time.

When Kari finally walked in the door she was closely followed by the younger of the Ishida brothers. He eyed Tk closely wondering what he could possibly be doing with his little sister so late on a school night. Though it was only a little past 6:30 he still believed that a thirteen year old shouldn't be out on a school night period.

"Hey, Taichi!" Kari said happily as they put on their slippers and headed straight for the kitchen, "What are you in the mood for dinner wise tonight?" She asked getting to the point before Tai could ask too many questions about where she was and what she was doing.

"Anything with shrimp is fine," Tai said forgetting about Tk and remembering about his stomach that had been screaming at him for hours.

Tk sat on the couch next to Tai and the two instantly started talking about sports. Tai mentioned how the region finals for pro soccer were coming up and how he already had a party planned. Tk, being more interested in basketball, agreed to go to the party only to make Tai happy and to save himself from a long debate on which sport was better. Kari only rolled her eyes and smiled constantly listening to the two boys being nothing more than boys. They screamed when someone made a bad play or when a referee called a bad shot. She sometimes wished she had an older sister but she settled for Tai. She thought of calling Sora over but Tai explained that she wasn't answering her phone and he'd already tried to get a hold of her.

"I thought she was hanging out with Matt tonight?" Tk said causing Tai to be dumb founded.

"Matt?" Tai laughed, "That's impossible. I highly doubt she's with him."

"Why is that funny? He said they are together now?"

"How can they be together when Sora hates him? Shit, I hate him."

"Kamiya Taichi! Watch your language!" Mrs. Kamiya yelled from the computer room.

"Yes ma'am!" Tai shouted back then whispered to Tk, "She hears everything."

"Apparently…" Tk responded but then switched back to the previous subject, "Why do you hate Matt? What happened this time? I thought you two were friends."

"Matt did a really messed up thing over spring break. I don't want to talk about it. All I know is that he and Sora being together is impossible."

"Oh, really? Well, why don't we just find that out right now?"

Tk pulled out his cell phone and dialed Matt's house number. He knew that if Matt saw him calling on his cell he probably wouldn't answer. It took a good three or four rings before Matt finally answered. He sounded extremely out of breath.

"Hello?" Matt answered huffing heavily.

"Hey big brother!"

"Hey, Tk."

"What're you doing?"

"Nothing. Just sitting at home. You?"

"Same."

Tk then heard a slight laugh in the background that sounded just like Sora's.

"Who's there?" Tk asked nosily.

"No one. Don't worry about it."

"It's Sora isn't it?"

"Maybe, what do you care?"

"I don't. I was just wondering who laughed. Well, I have to go. Bye!"

"Okay? Bye."

Tk hung up the phone and looked at Tai with an "I told you so" look. Tai's mood suddenly changed from care free and relaxed to tense and apprehensive. Tk noticed this change and quickly asked what was wrong.

"Nothing," Tai replied, "Suddenly I'm not so hungry any more."

Tai walked to the door and put on his shoes, picked up an old soccer ball, and opened the door, "Tell mom not to wait up for me." With that, he left.

Kari and Tk looked at each other.

"What was that about?" Tk wondered.

"I don't know. Tai's acting strange and all because Matt and Sora are together. My guess is he's going to the park."

"Yeah it's weird."

Tk and Kari's eyes then widened.

"Does Tai like Sora!?"

They stared at each other again and laughed.

"No way! That's impossible. They're best friends!" Tk stated.

"You're right. I'd be too weird," Kari agreed but then looked at him, "But then again… they are always together."

It was something that the two pondered on for a while. They never came to a conclusion on whether they thought he did or not but it still made them wonder. Boy, were they wrong.

"So, maybe you can explain to me why Sora is hanging out with Matt after he screwed her over like he did?" Tai spoke into the phone as he kicked a soccer ball through the park.

The park was Tai's getaway. Whenever something bad happened or he was feeling stressed out he would always take his soccer ball and head down to Odaiba Park. The cherry blossom trees were in full bloom and the soccer and baseball fields were greener than ever. He loved being outside and it was the perfect place for him.

"You can't be serious. Tk said they're together?" The person on the other line replied.

"I just don't understand what's going on. Sora's an idiot if she goes back to being his friend after all that happened."

"From what it sounds like I think she's got more than friendship on her mind."

"I hope not. She'll be making the biggest mistake of her life."

"I understand where you're coming from but if she wants to be with him then there's nothing you and I can do about it. She's stubborn. She always has been. She'll get her way no matter what."

"I know Mimi, but we're her best friends. Don't you think we should have a say in whom she does and doesn't date?"

"Tai, are you listening to yourself right now? We don't have a say in anything. We dated at one point in our lives. How do you think Sora felt about that?"

"She didn't care?"

"Wrong. She did care. She was so mad because she felt like if we ended up being serious then she might lose both of us to each other. And now I'm guessing that's how you feel…"

Tai sighed, "Yeah. That is how I feel. It's not that I don't want Sora to date Matt… I just don't think they're right for each other. Sora's smart, funny, care free, independent, social… whereas Matt's stubborn, laidback, hard headed, and not so smart. I just don't get it! I don't want to see my best friend get hurt. I love her like she was my sister. I guess my big brother instinct just likes to kick in at all times when she's around horny boys."

Mimi smiled, "There's nothing wrong with that, Tai. But think about what you just said. Yes, Sora may be smart and independent but she can also be hard headed and stubborn just like Matt. She likes to be right all the time and likes to make sarcastic comments. She's fun yet gentle. She brings out the best in people. Maybe that's exactly what Matt needs: someone to calm him down. They bring out the best in each other. Ever since the day they met I knew there was something between them. Growing up and listening to the stories she's told me I always knew they'd end up together some way some how. You might not want to accept it right now, but Sora would appreciate you so much more if you do. I know she would never do anything to hurt you or cause you to question you friendship."

"I know, I know. Gosh Mimi, why do you always have to be right?" Tai said as the two laughed.

"I love giving advice. Why do you think everyone comes to me with their problems?"

"Because you're the best!"

"Duh! All right sweetness. I have to get going. School starts in less than an hour and I can't be late again or my teacher will have my head."

"All right. Call me when you get out of cheerleading practice."

"Of course! Bye hun!"

"Bye babes!"

Mimi was right, as always. Tai always called her for advice. She was like his mentor and he loved it. Secretly he'd always wished that things would have worked out between them but the distance is what ruined their relationship in the first place. Now they were just best friends with crazy problems and drama that they always shared with each other. Maybe, just maybe when she came back over the summer something might happen. Tai hoped for it. But for now, his issue was the new couple that everyone would hear about the next day.

TBC!

I'm trying so hard to finish this story because I'm getting so stressed out! I just got a puppy and she's a handle and I work almost every day and I'm in school so life's pretty crazy right now! I want to give a special thanks to those who are sticking with me through this story! You are the reason I keep going! Thank you so much!