Disclaimer - I own nothing.

I've been reading and rereading this chapter over and over again and I think it's finally ready. It's not too long but I think it gets the point across. Enjoy.

Chapter 14.

"Sacrificing your happiness for the happiness of the one you love is by far the truest type of love." -Author Unknown

Like I assumed, Mimi didn't answer her phone when I called. More than once, mind you. I figured she wouldn't. I knew it was a long shot from the beginning but I tried anyways. Instead, I took a cab and went to her apartment where I struggled to get to the door all the way at the end of the hallway.

I rang the doorbell and waited. After a couple of minutes, nothing happened so I rang the doorbell again. I put my ear up to the door and heard no noise so she was either not home or quietly avoiding me. Where could she possibly be? I mean, besides me she didn't really hang out with anyone else.

I had two options. First, I wait her out. I could sit on her door step like a fool and wait for her to come home. Only problem: What if she didn't come home for hours? Or days? Eventually I would get hungry. Not to mention it was a school night so my parents wouldn't be too thrilled with me staying out again. My second option sounded more plausible. Just leave a note and go home. Only I didn't have anything to leave her a note on.

As if by fate, Mimi's neighbor emerged from her apartment giving me a chance to ask for paper and a pen. The girl, who told me her name was Claire, smiled a little too much and agreed to help in my random request. Either she felt bad because I was crippled or was trying to flirt. Either way, it got me the piece of paper and a pen.

I scribbled on the paper, hoping it was legible. I wedged it in between the door and hoped that she would read it before tearing it up and throwing it away.

"Well," I said aloud, "I guess I'll go home, then."

I hesitated for a minute and then decided to leave. I don't know where Mimi went but I had a feeling she wouldn't be back any time soon. All I could do was go home and hope that she called.

"Tai..."

I heard the voice, but ignored it anyways. I was having a pool party with a bunch of models. Adriana Lima was feeding me grapes and stroking my arm. Brooklyn Decker, she was massaging my feet. Oh, and Bar Rafaeli was rubbing my shoulders. All this was happening while I watched the other girls bounce around in their bikinis. No way in hell was I going to pass this up by responding to someone else.

"Tai..."

I think I moaned and swatted at the voice calling to me.

"Tai!"

"Go. Away," I mumbled into my pillow.

I was then kicked.

"Ow!" I shouted, opening my eyes and seeing my sister standing above me, "What the hell is your problem?"

"Tai, we have to go to school. We're already late. Wake. Up!" Hikari shouted, kicking me again and taking my pillow away.

School. Late. Wednesday.

I sat up and realized I was in the living room. I fell asleep on the couch? I reached for my phone and saw that it was six fifty in the morning. School started in thirty minutes. We were going to be late.

I got off the couch and rushed into my room, passing Hikari on the way.

"Why did you let me sleep on the couch?" I shouted.

"I tried to wake you up to go in your room but you just groaned something mean and rolled over so I left you," Hikari replied, fixing herself a to-go coffee mug.

"Ten minutes."

"We should already be leaving by now."

"I realize that!"

I hurried to get ready for school. I suddenly remembered that Mimi never called me last night and I got a little bummed. Oh, who am I kidding? I was completely bummed. She was avoiding me hard-core. It's kind of hard to be in a relationship with someone if they won't even give you the time of day.

"Are you ready yet?" Hikari yelled from the living room.

"Yes!" I shouted back, quickly putting on my jacket and grabbing my bag.

Hikari was already standing by the door tapping her foot impatiently. I put on my shoes as fast as I could while her eyes dug a hole through my skull the entire time. If there was one thing my perfectionist of a sister hated above all things, it was being late for school.

"Tie," Hikari said.

"What?" I replied.

"No. Tie."

"What!"

"You're not wearing a tie!"

"That is the least of my worries right now."

"You know they'll write you up if you break dress code."

"I don't care. Let's go."

I grabbed my crap and rushed her toward the door. I ran into her when she dead stopped after opening the front door. I looked up to see Mimi standing in front of me, looking just as shocked as I felt.

"Mimi," was all I could manage.

"Hey... Tai," she said slowly.

Hikari rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Oh my God! I'll just go to school alone! Hi Mimi, bye Mimi."

"Hi," Mimi said but then Hikari took off running, "Bye."

"Do you want to come in?"

"I didn't realize you were on your way to school. It can wait."

"No, no it can't. Come in. I'm already late it's not going to make a difference."

"Won't your parents be mad?"

"That would require my parents to actually be here. School's over in a week. They won't care. I'm already graduating. It's all good."

"Okay."

I stepped aside and let her in the apartment. I do have to say I wasn't expecting this confrontation so early. This conversation would either make or break my day. I was expecting the latter.

Mimi didn't sit. Instead, she leaned against the wall and crossed her arms. She had something to say but didn't want to be the first one to initiate it. I got a sickening feeling in my stomach that this was going to be "the talk". You know. The one that ends the relationship.

"I got your note," she said.

"You could've called. You didn't have to waste a trip over here," I said.

"I needed to see you."

"Why?"

"To convince myself that I'm making the right decision."

"What decision would that be?"

She didn't say anything, just stood there and looked at me with sad eyes. This was it. She was going to break up with me. Our whole four day relationship down the drain.

She sighed and approached me. Again, we said nothing. To say I was surprised when she kissed me would be an understatement. It was a slow, cautious kiss. Very passionate; like it would be the last kiss we ever shared. It made me sad.

She pulled away and looked into my eyes, "I wish I didn't like you as much as I do. It would make it so much easier."

"Make what easier?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

She sighed, "Breaking up with you."

"So don't."

"Tai, we have issues. Issues that won't just go away. We're in two different places in our lives and I think that if we were to drag this out, we'd both just end up getting hurt in the long haul. I don't want us to break up, but after what happened the other day... it really made me take a look at my priorities."

"What are your priorities?"

"My biggest priority right now is my future. I have to do what I can to make sure that my life plays out the way I've been dreaming it would since I was fifteen. I need this internship. I want to make my own way in this world without my parents. I got this without their help or money which is kind of a big deal for me. I don't want to rely on them for everything for the rest of my life. I am good at cooking and entertaining. It's what I want to do. I know you think it's just a joke of a career but-"

"I never said I thought it was a joke. I think you'll be wonderful at whatever you do. Listen, I want you to take the internship. I never said I didn't. I was being selfish and petty and I didn't react in the best way. I know I hurt your feelings and I'm sorry. I really am. I'm trying to learn to actually think before I say things out loud because it usually ends badly. You haven't talked to me for two days. Its been absolute torture."

She let out a frustrated sigh, "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Say things to sway how I'm thinking and feeling. I had this whole speech planned out in my head and then you go and say things like that and it makes me completely forget my reasoning behind everything. Why do you have that effect on me?"

I just shrugged. I really didn't have an answer for that. I wasn't aware that I had any effect on her thought process at all.

"Now I don't know what to do," she continued, "Do we break up? Do we stay together? What happens now? I am taking the internship. I had my mind made up before we even had that fight. It was wishful thinking, I guess; thinking you'd be as thrilled as I was about my leaving."

"I'm not thrilled that you'll be leaving but I would never stop you from achieving your dreams. If you wanted to go be a stripper for a living... I guess I would find a way to get over it. I wouldn't be happy but if it's what you loved then I would accept it."

It was then that she attacked me. This kiss was different from before. This one was hungry, frustrated. Sadly enough, I've come to realize that Mimi is better at making up her mind through us being physical. I should complain, but hey. I'm a guy. We have our needs.

She managed to push me up against the wall, never once breaking our make out session. She had her hands tangled throughout my hair, pulling me as close to her as possible. She was on fire and I was burning up from it.

She finally pulled away, out of breath. She put both her hands on my cheeks so that I was looking directly into her eyes.

"Are you sure we can't just be friends with benefits?" She asked.

"Is that a serious question?" I asked appalled.

"You have a wonderful penis. My only issue is the person it's attached to."

"Mimi!"

She laughed, making me smile, then sighed, "I'm joking. Trying to lighten the mood. So where do we go from here?"

"How about this. We don't have to break up, but we don't have to be exclusive either. Maybe just agree not to see other people without the label. Kind of like an open relationship."

"Open as in..."

"We take it day-by-day."

"I guess we can do that. We're kind of in over our heads at this point. We can't go back to being just friends."

"I agree. But we will always be friends, no matter what happens between us."

"Right. So, now what?"

"Well, I have to go to school. I don't know what your plans are but I really have to get going."

"Oh! School! Right, right. This will be so much easier when you're not in school any more."

"Graduation is next week. Am I saving you a ticket?"

"I'll be in the front row cheering you on. I'll even bring a cow bell."

"Just bring yourself and it'll be perfect."

She smiled and stuck her tongue out at me. I leaned in and kissed her. So this day didn't turn out as horrible as I'd thought. I mean, school was going to suck, but what else was new?

Mimi moaned out loud when I began nibbling on her neck. I'm glad she stopped me, or else I wouldn't have made it to school that day.

"Okay, okay," she said, pushing me slightly away, "You have to go to school. I hope you have a great day."

"That expectation is too high. No one is really talking to me right now."

"Oh. Well, have... the day you... have?"

"I'll try?"

"I'll drive you to school."

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"I want to."

"Well, if you insist..."

I finally made it to school after first hour had ended. The woman behind the office desk winked at me as I checked in late. If she wasn't an attractive twenty-something I probably would have felt uncomfortable.

I made it to second hour, which is the most boring class of the day: Calculus. All the teacher did the whole time was ramble about our final. All I got from it was blah, blah, blah, here's a cheat sheet. See, the thing about my Calculus teacher is he's not very subtle. He has a tendency to make study sheets with the exact questions on the test, just worded differently. But hey, at least I always aced them.

Like the previous two days, everyone was ignoring me. At this point, I kind of didn't care. Kou was still ducking into corners so he didn't have to talk to me and Sora just burnt holes into my skull when I passed by.

"Hello, Sora," I said nicely when I passed her before lunch.

"Go to hell," she responded.

"I hear it's nice this time of year."

"Jackass."

That was the most we've spoken to each other since Monday. It's not much, but at least it's progress. I'm kind of taking what I can get at this point.

I walked into the cafeteria during lunch and stumbled to my usual table. I was soon joined by my sister, Daisuke, and Takeru. Yamato found his way to us eventually. I guess my sister and Takeru came to some kind of agreement. They were acting like nothing happened so that's probably good. Kou didn't bother sitting with us again and Sora made an excuse to be elsewhere.

"So what did you two do to piss everyone off this time?" Takeru asked.

Yamato and I both began protesting loudly.

"We didn't do anything!" Yamato stated.

"Women are just crazy," I added.

"What do women have to do with Kou avoiding us?" Takeru asked.

"'Cause Tai and Mimi are doing it," Yamato chirped in.

I could've died right there. There it was. My secret was out. Now everyone would know because Daisuke had a bigger mouth than even Miyako. He would end up telling half the school. Good job, Yamato.

Oh, for the record, when I said Yamato had already told everyone, I was mistaken. Only Koushiro had found out. But now, everyone really did know.

All of their eyes were on me. Well, Takeru and Daisuke anyways. My sister already knew. I could feel my face getting hot. This was not the conversation I was planning to have today.

"You... and Mimi?" Takeru asked, breaking the silence.

"Thanks a lot, Yama," I growled.

"I thought they knew!" He stated, honestly surprised.

"Obviously not."

"Oops. Sorry."

"Would it be totally inappropriate to give you a fist bump right now? Because you completely deserve one! Wha cha!" Daisuke said throwing his hand up in the air. We all just stared at him like he was an idiot until he put his hand down.

"I didn't realize... is Mimi even still in town?" Takeru wondered.

"She lives here now, dude. Don't you remember? She told us that at your party," Daisuke said.

"I'm surprised you even remember that. You were wasted. I was not."

Daisuke shrugged.

"So are you two together or something?" Takeru wanted to know.

"Kind of. I don't know. Not really but technically yes?" I replied, receiving even more confused looks.

"So she didn't come over to break up with you this morning?" Hikari piped up.

"Wait, you knew? Why didn't you tell me?" Takeru said.

"It wasn't my business to tell!" Hikari defended.

"I said I was sorry!" Yamato said, "But since we're on the subject, you guys make a really cute couple."

I rolled my eyes. What a disaster this conversation was turning into. Takeru was mad because my sister didn't tell him about the situation, Daisuke wanted to congratulate me for "hitting that", Hikari was trying to defend herself for not telling Takeru, and Yamato was just picking at his food trying to ignore us all. I decided that was probably my best chance to make a quick exit. They weren't paying attention to me any more anyways.

I grabbed my sandwich and crutches and left the table. Like I thought, no one noticed. Which was fine by me. I got out of there as quickly as I could. I didn't need any more awkward conversation today.

I headed toward a free computer lab to finish my lunch. I honestly considered just leaving for the day but I couldn't really afford to miss out on the final exam prep. Plus, I had a meeting with my guidance counselor about college after school.

The rest of the day passed by without incident. Well, if you don't include all the annoying text messages from Daisuke asking a million questions and Yamato continuously apologizing to me about outing me and Mimi.

I found myself sitting in the guidance counselor's office once school finally ended. The room reminded me of Dr. Anderson's office. Cold, boring, white walls. The book shelf on the far wall was packed full of what looked like every book in known existence. There was a fake plant in the corner and a picture of two kids sitting on the desk. A boy and a girl.

"Good afternoon," a voice called from the door.

I looked up to see a young woman standing in front of me. She was hot! And American. Blonde hair, green eyes, nice smile. What happened to the batty old woman that used to be my guidance counselor?

"I'm Mrs. Collier," she said, extending a hand for me to shake, "You must be Tai."

"I don't mean to be rude but what happened to Ms. Park?" I wondered while shaking her hand.

"Oh! Her daughter is having a baby. She won't be back until next semester. I'm filling in for the rest of the school year."

"Oh. I didn't know she had a daughter. Um, another random question, and again, not trying to be rude. You're American. And you speak perfect Japanese. Can I ask how?"

"My husband is in the Air Force. We're stationed here for the next three years so I figured might as well learn the language."

"You picked it up just like that? It isn't exactly the easiest language in the world to learn."

She shrugged like it was no big deal, "Well, I've been married to my husband since I was eighteen and we've traveled a lot of places in the eight years we've been married. I studied a lot because he was gone a lot. Well, until we had the twins and then I decided I needed a part time job or I'd go crazy. But enough of that, we need to get started. I have another appointment shortly after you."

"Oh, right."

"So," she began, taking a seat in the huge swivel chair behind the desk, "What schools have you applied to?"

"My two big ones are Tokyo and Kyoto. I've applied to some smaller schools as back ups but Tokyo is really where I want to go."

"Tokyo is a good school. What qualifications do you possess that would make them consider you?"

"Well, I played soccer all through high school. I know that looks good as far as extra curricular."

"Did you write a good essay? They really do put that into consideration when reviewing your application. It's not always about good grades. You could be number one in your class but if you don't do anything outside of that, they won't even consider you. Big schools like well-rounded people. They want diversity and student's that will bring character. Now, the point of our meeting today is for us to discuss your chances of getting into said schools and possibly exploring other options. I've been reviewing your file. You have had pretty decent grades in the three years you've been here. You will be ending the school year with a B average, which is good. You also have a lot of extra curricular activities. You did very well in soccer, like you said. It says here you were in varsity your first year and by second year you were Captain. That shows a lot of leadership. Which kind of brings me to question why you didn't get considered for a scholarship in athletics?"

"Does that file happen to say anything about an altercation I had a couple months back?"

She looked down and searched through the file but ended up just shaking her head, "No. There's nothing here about an altercation."

"I got into a fight with another student. They threatened expulsion but instead decided to put me in counseling to work out my feelings or some crap instead. It has helped, but at the same time soccer wasn't even an option any more. As soon as my coach found out about it he kicked me off the team. Right before the scout's were supposed to come."

"That's a shame. You could have gotten a full-ride through sports. Luckily for you, your file shows no record of the incident. I wasn't even aware of it until you telling me just now."

"I made a mistake and I'm paying the consequences. There's no changing it now."

There was a knock on the door and we both turned to see another student waiting for their counseling session.

"Ah, that would be my two thirty," Bridget said, "Well, college acceptance letters should be coming any day now. I'd say your chances of getting into the school of your choosing is pretty good. Do you have any questions?"

"Nope."

"Okay. Well, it was nice to meet you. If you need anything, I'll be here all summer."

"You have to work over the summer?"

"I'm not just a fill-in guidance counselor. I also teach summer school classes."

"Wow. Pretty and smart."

"And a totally inappropriate comment. Have a good day, Mr. Yagami."

"Sorry."

"Good day."

I stood and exited the room. I headed home after that. Today was supposed to be my last session with Dr. Anderson but she had to reschedule so now we're looking at Friday instead. Fine by me. I have yet to give her my side of the story. Truth be told, I haven't even started it. I haven't had time and in all honesty, I'm avoiding it. I'm dreading reliving that situation. She'll get her story but it won't be until then.

I got home and for the first time in I don't know how long, my mom is there. The first thing I notice when I walk in the door is something cooking. It doesn't smell burnt, so that's a good sign. My mom can't cook to save her life. Hikari and I would rather starve than eat half the crap she comes up with.

"What's cooking?" I ask, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"I'm baking a cake!" She announces proudly.

"Um, okay? What's the occasion?"

Her smile got even bigger, if that was at all possible. She was kind of starting to scare me. Is this the part where she announces I'm getting a baby brother?

I didn't get a chance to ask more questions. At that exact moment, Hikari came bursting through the front door.

"Did I miss it? Did he open it yet?" She asked frantically, dropping everything at the front door and running into the kitchen.

I look between the two of them completely confused, "Okay, can someone please fill me in on what's happening? You're both freaking me out."

"These came for you in the mail today!" My mother said and handed me two packets. One was from the University of Kyoto, the other From Tokyo.

This was it. My entire future currently rested in my hands. Make it or break it.

"Just open it already!" Hikari almost screamed. I think she was more excited than me.

"They could be rejection letter's. Let's not get our hopes up," I said.

"Oh come on! They wouldn't send you an entire packet if they rejected you. Just open them!"

I did open them. Slowly. My heart was racing. What would I do if I didn't get into either one of them? Tokyo is my family's Alma Mater. Ever since I was six years old my parents have talked about nothing else. It's always been my first choice. I applied to Kyoto because of Sora's father. He was always raving about the education I could possibly achieve from them. What with him being a professor and all, he put in a strong recommendation for me in the admissions department.

I opened the Tokyo packet first. The top piece of paper went as follows:

Dear Mr. Yagami,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the University of Tokyo's Political Science program.

I didn't even continue reading after that. This thing said accepted and that's all that mattered. It was even signed by the Dean and everything.

"I didn't get in," I said slowly.

The look on my mom and Hikari's faces was priceless.

"What? Oh, no," my mom said on the verge of tears.

"Tai, I-" Hikari began, not knowing what to say.

"I'm kidding. I got in!" I said hurriedly, before real tears started to fall.

"What?" Mom asked confused.

"I was lying before! I really got in. Here, look!"

I handed the acceptance letter to my mom and both she and my sister skimmed it quickly. That was when the squealing and jumping and hugging and tears began. I was pulled from my chair into massive hugs from both of them. Tears were falling down their faces. It was either really pathetic, or the best reaction I've ever gotten from family over something I've accomplished.

"I have to call your father! We're going to dinner tonight to celebrate! Anywhere you want, sweetie!" Mom said, running to grab the phone and quickly calling Dad.

"I am so proud of you, Tai," Hikari said, hugging me one last time, "This is such an exciting day!"

"I can't believe it," I replied, "I've been wanting for this for a long time."

"Well, you got in. That's all that matters. One question though. Why Political Science?"

I shrugged, "I dunno, really. If I kick ass for my bachelor's degree maybe one day I'll get into law school. It's a long shot but-"

"You can do whatever you put your mind to. You're a born leader. People listen to you."

"Thank you, Hikari."

"Your father says congratulations. He's very proud, son. Dinner tonight at seven. You should invite Sora!" Mom said.

Hikari and I look at each other before she responds for me.

"Sora has to work at her mom's shop tonight," Hikari said, making me sigh with relief.

"Oh, that's too bad. What about your girlfriend?" Mom wonders.

"Who?" I replied stupidly.

"Mimi..." Hikari whispered, nudging me.

"Oh, yeah," I said, feeling like an idiot.

"Tell her to join us. This is a night of celebration, after all. The more the merrier!" Mom said, and danced into the living room.

"Would it be appropriate to invite Mimi? I mean, considering you two are kind of unsure what your status is right now," Hikari whispered again.

"Well, this is kind of a big deal. I feel like she'd want to be there to celebrate it with me, regardless of the situation."

"Call her."

I decided to text her instead. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick message.

Got some great news today. Dinner tonight with my family?

She responded with: Of course! What time?

I told her the time and she said she'd meet me there. I trusted she had nothing better to do tonight so I was highly expecting her to be there.

"You should open the letter from Kyoto," Hikari said all of a sudden.

"I already got into the school of my dreams. Why bother?" I asked.

"Just open it."

I looked down at the package from Kyoto and hesitated before opening it. It didn't matter whether I was accepted into both schools or not. Tokyo was my choice, hands down. I only applied to other schools as back-ups.

"What does it say?" Hikari asked.

I smirked and shook my head, "I got in."

"Tai, that's wonderful."

I was baffled. If someone had told me two months ago that I'd be going to the college of my dreams I would have laughed in their face. Now, here I am in the present and I'm not just getting into my dream school, but another renowned school as well. I could officially say this was the happiest day of my life.

I chose a small restaurant downtown for my celebration dinner. It was always my favorite place to go as a kid. My parents used to take me there for my birthday every year. I guess my tastes haven't exactly changed but then again, I'm not very picky.

I had my family go ahead and get our table while I waited outside for Mimi. She was late.

I stood on the side walk constantly checking the time on my phone. Hikari came to check on me but I assured her Mimi would be there any minute. When she went back inside and I was alone again, the thought crossed my mind that maybe Mimi was standing me up. I knew she liked to be fashionably late but this was kind of ridiculous.

Just as I was about to give up and go in, I heard her call for me from the parking lot. I turned and saw her walking toward me. She was absolutely beautiful. She was dressed in a white summer dress with brown cowboy boots. Her hair was curled how I like and had a pink bow holding it back on one side. I couldn't stop staring.

"I'm sorry I'm late!" She said, wrapping her arms around me and kissing me.

"You look so pretty," I said.

"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself."

"Yeah. I clean up well."

"You certainly do."

She fiddled with my tie and straightened out my collar. A weird thought crossed my mind. For some reason, in that moment, I imagined Mimi being a trophy wife to some wealthy business man. He'd be leaving for another meeting and she'd be constantly fussing over his tie being crooked. It would drive him crazy but he'd know she was right, and let her do it anyways. And then the thought of that business man being me crossed my mind. I quickly pushed it aside. Thinking too far ahead on that one.

"So," she asked, "What's the big news?"

"Well, I uh, got accepted into Tokyo."

Her eyes widened, "You're going to Tokyo?"

"That's the plan."

"Tai, that's wonderful news! I am so happy for you!"

She smiled and hugged me again, genuinely happy for me. She smelled great. Like flowers and candy. Her being in my arms made me feel... complete, as lame as that sounds.

"I hate to break up the love fest, but dad's getting kind of anxious," Hikari said, popping her head out of the door again.

"Right," I said, snapping back into reality, "After you."

"Thank you, sir."

I put my hand on the small of her back and lead her into the restaurant.

Dinner was fairly... uneventful. At first, at least. Dad talked about work most of the time. Complaining to anyone that would listen. Mom kept cooing over my acceptance into Tokyo. Hikari and Mimi chatted, catching up. I just kind of sat back and listened.

It was nice, having everyone together like this. All of our lives had been so hectic lately. I was ready to graduate and Hikari was stressed about finals. Dad was stressed at the office. He was in the running for a promotion against this snake of a man that had been trying to sabotage him from day one. Dad was great at his job though and everyone liked him so he pretty much had it in the bag. Then there was my mom. She couldn't really complain about being stressed. She doesn't work. Hikari cooks almost ninety percent of our meals. Nine percent of the time we eat out and on the rare one percent occasion, mom attempts to cook. Now that I'm thinking about it, what the heck does my mom do all day? I know she doesn't sit around the apartment because she's never home after school. Maybe she has a hobby I'm not aware of. Or a secret boyfriend! That would be an interesting scandal. Dad probably wouldn't even notice. He's such a space case.

"So, Mimi," Dad said suddenly, catching everyone's attention, "What are your plans now that you're out of school?"

"Mimi got an internship," I said quickly, "In Italy."

Dad kind of glared at me for speaking without being addressed, "I think she can speak for herself. What kind of internship?"

"It's a cooking internship," Mimi said proudly.

"Oh. Cooking," Dad said, "So you want to be a chef?"

"I mean, not really. I want to entertain. Like on Food Network."

"That sounds... entertaining."

Hikari and I both looked at our father kind of shocked. He was being bluntly rude to Mimi. He had no idea how excited she was about this internship. He was talking to her like it was some kind of joke. To be honest, he was kind of reacting the same way I had originally. I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

"Italy sounds expensive," Dad continued, "How are you managing that?"

"Well, I'll probably get a job while I'm there," Mimi said, "At least to pay for necessities. The internship covers for me to stay in an apartment while I'm there."

"Your parents... don't they plan to help you out?"

"I'm kind of trying to do this on my own."

"Well, good for you."

I couldn't understand why he was being so rude to her. It's not like he's ever come out and said that he didn't like her. It didn't make any sense.

"Is something wrong with the steak?" Dad asked, noticing Mimi hadn't even touched the meat sitting in the middle of the table. She'd only helped herself to the side dishes.

"Oh," Mimi said, suddenly seeming embarrassed, "I don't eat steak."

"Why?"

"Just... reasons."

"How are you going to do a cooking internship if you don't even eat the foods you'll be preparing?"

"Okay!" Mom said, interrupting before this thing blew up in our faces, "Congratulations on your internship, Mimi. That's really wonderful. I really do enjoy cooking myself. I'm not the greatest at it, but it's fun nonetheless."

"Thank you, Mrs. Yagami. I really appreciate it," Mimi said, sounded extremely relieved.

"I think Mimi will be wonderful at whatever she does," I said defensively.

Dad just glared at me and took another sip of his red wine. It was his third glass. I never realized it before, but man, he became such an ass when he drank. I really didn't appreciate the way he was talking to Mimi. It was inappropriate and completely uncalled for. She had done nothing wrong.

Dinner came to an abrupt end shortly after that. Mom made Dad go sit in the car so she could drive. Mimi offered to drive me home, to which I was extremely grateful. I wanted nothing to do with my father at that moment and being locked in an enclosed space with him would be a very bad thing.

"It's nothing personal against Mimi. He's just really stressed out right now and lashed out at the unfamiliar," Mom tried to say quietly once we were alone, but I still wasn't having it.

"He had no right to talk to her like that! Imagine how she feels right now. She'll probably never come around the family again thanks to him!" I all but shouted.

"I agree it was inappropriate. I will talk to him. But like I said, it was nothing personal against your girlfriend."

"Just-" I sighed, "Whatever. I'll be home later."

"Don't be out too late."

"Yes, ma'am."

She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and then turned to Mimi, giving her a reassuring look. Mimi nodded, almost as if she understood, and then my mom left. I walked to Mimi and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered into her hair.

She just shook her head and buried into my chest, "Don't apologize."

"No, Mimi, he was completely out of line. You didn't deserve that."

"Seriously, don't worry about it. He didn't say anything more to me than my own father hasn't already said. This isn't exactly the ideal career path my parents had planned for me. My father wanted me to go to law school and follow in his foot steps. It's not for me. I'm an artist and a free spirit and he can't accept that. Your father was kind of reacting the same way. He thinks that I'm wasting my time and that you have a girlfriend who just wants to live job-to-job the rest of her life. No one can really understand. At the same time, my father also wished for a son but that never happened either."

"Mimi, I-"

"Stop trying to apologize. This is my choice; no one else. I'll just work hard and do what I want to make everyone proud of me."

"And tell them I told you so."

She kind of laughed, "It's not even about throwing it in anyone's face. It's about growing up and doing what I want to do for the first time in my life without any help along the way."

"You really are special. You know that?"

She shrugged, "What do you say we get out of here? I know this great little place just down the street with awesome pie."

"You don't eat pie."

"I can make an exception. For you."

"I am always down for some pie."

I got home around ten. Mom and Dad were already asleep, thank goodness. I wasn't in the mood to deal with my father. It would have turned into a screaming match and that was the last thing I needed. Instead, I went into my room and shut the door behind me.

I laid in my bed just staring at the ceiling for a while. I couldn't stop thinking about Mimi. In the short time that she'd been back, she'd changed so much. She was this flirty, fun, outgoing little thing without a care in the world and then just recently she's become this mature woman with a strong mind-set and a budding future. I envy her. She is getting beat down with negativity from every side and just keeps pulling through. Her dad threatened to cut her off financially if she goes through with the internship. He thinks it's a joke. He wants her to have a career that will make a lot of money even if it makes her miserable. But at what cost? Her sanity?

Mimi's father is stressed out and tired all the time. He is a partner at a law firm in Manhattan and works sixty plus hour work weeks. When he's not working all he ever wants to do is sleep. Mimi fears her parents marriage may crumble because of it. She's already convinced her mother is having an affair, which she mentioned tonight. I never would have assumed that but I guess it makes sense. Never seeing the person you're married to can be trying on a marriage, regardless of how long you've been with that person. Everyone has needs, I understand that. I see my mother go through periods of the same thing. She threatens to leave my father a lot but it never actually happens. She realizes how ridiculous she's being and everything turns out okay.

I've come to realize that sometimes love isn't enough. If you really love someone you have to show them that you do. Not just tell them. People like Mimi's mother need to be shown how much they're loved. They grieve for attention and without it, they fall apart. I sincerely hope Mimi doesn't turn out that way.

I look over at the clock on my desk and realize it's pushing midnight but I can't sleep. I have too many things going through my head. Most of which are the things going on in my life right now.

Truth be told, I wish everything would just fall together like it's supposed to instead of falling apart like it has been. I wish Sora wasn't mad at me because at the end of the day, I miss her terribly and it eats me alive knowing that she hates me right now. I also wish that Sora and Yamato were still together. Things were so much less complicated when they were together. It's hard imagining a world where they don't end up together. If any two people were made to be together it would be them. They deserve to be happy and I honestly think that they are the happiest when they're together, even if they can't see it right now.

On another note, I also wish Koushiro wasn't upset with me. I feel like he'll eventually get over it but right now I'm being a bad friend. He's not talking to me but at the same I'm not going out of my way to talk to him either. I really would like to sit him down and just explain everything and get him to tell me how he's feeling. Unfortunately, he's a very complex person. He doesn't like to talk about feelings or what he thinks. He usually just keeps to himself. I'll have to fix that. Kou is one of my best friends and I'm not willing to lose that relationship.

I sighed. I can honestly say that I'm not exactly sure how the future is going to unfold. It's wishful thinking, hoping that everyone will just be happy in the end. I'm happy, in a way. I mean, I got into the school of my choosing, which feels amazing. I have Mimi, for the moment at least. My relationship with Yamato is still kind of rocky, but at least we're on speaking terms.

I sit up in my bed and look at the computer. For whatever reason, I'm finally ready to explain my story to Dr. Anderson. I get up and walk over to the computer, turning it on and slowly watching it come to life. It takes a good minute, but it finally functions enough to let me begin my story. She'll be thrilled when I see her on Friday. She's been waiting for this since day one.

The screen for my blank word document appears and I inhale deeply. I'll get this down in writing if it takes me all damn night. I put my fingers on the keyboard and begin.

My name is Yagami Taichi, and this is my story.

To be continued...

One chapter left! So excited this story is coming to an end! Even more excited that I finished the story! As always, please review!