Hey everyone! I am sorry for the delay on this chapter. First, the end of the semester really got to me (but we got through, lads!). Second, my laptop completely died and there was no hope in saving it so I had to get a completely new one (meaning my outline of Long Shot did not save). And yes, there is a third, believe it or not, an old shower drain plug fell down my pipes and a section of the floor of my apartment had to go to salvage the shower drains.
ANYWAY, nevertheless we persisted, and I hope you all enjoy this fun chapter! I loved writing it, regardless of probably making some unintentional changes to my story. I wanted to also say thank you to the support of those of you that have been reading. It means so much to hear that you are enjoying this!
Chapter 7: Open Books
-Juji's Sweets-
Sora smiled as Tai's long legs kept him a little ahead of her as she followed him to a corner store to pick up snacks for the movie night. He pulled the door open, Sora flashing him a smile and giggling as a soft pink crawled up his neck to paint his cheeks. She had never had this power over any man before, and man was she loving it.
"So," Tai asked, clearing his throat as he tried his best to regain his composure, "What snacks do you want for tonight?" He twisted the cap on his water bottle, bringing it to his lips as he took a long drink.
Sora shrugged, "Are you one of the choices?"
Tai coughed, choking as he struggled to keep the water in his mouth. Sora smirked, patting his back between his shoulder blades softly. "Jeez," she said, "I didn't mean to make you choke. Um, I was kidding anyway. Are you okay?" Worry tinged the edge of her words, "I'll make a mental note to not joke like that with you anymore." She blushed, looking away as she felt guilty for making him die in the middle of a snack store.
He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his brown eyes catching her crimson. He shook his head, breaking out into a grin, "No don't stop your jokes," he chuckled, "I just wasn't expecting you to pull a joke like that…" he paused, pinning her under his chocolate gaze, "But if you were being serious… That could be arranged."
It was Sora's turn to blush under his gaze. She averted her eyes to the ground, "Oh no that won't be necessary… Do you like Pocky?" Where did all of your power go? She rolled her eyes at her moment of weakness as she turned down an aisle.
"Sor," Tai said as he followed her, "Are you okay?" She glanced up, being greeted by his smirk. She already knew where he was going with this. "You seem… Nervous," his smirk turned into a grin as Sora shook her head.
"And why would I be nervous, Taichi?" She smirked back before turning her attention to the candy-stocked shelves to her left. Her fingers danced along the tops of the candy boxes before stopping on a yellow box with some kind of gummy fruit.
Tai shrugged, "Because you're in my presence. No other reason."
Sora scoffed playfully, "Oh," she shook her head, "We must have different definitions of nervous. I think I'm feeling… Irritated."
He reached above her, grabbing a few bags of popcorn, "And what would your definition be? I'm sure there aren't many…"
Sora turned around, coming face to face with his chest. Her eyes slowly travelled up his body, Sora hoping he couldn't tell that she was holding her breath. "I think you fit my definition pretty well after your game today," she said.
Tai's muscles tensed under his uniform. Busted, Sora thought as she looked up at him, waiting for his response.
"Well," he said, stuttering, "I mean… I was just tired. Aren't you tired after your games?"
She shook her head, "No not like you, I guess. I happen to have amazing stamina."
It was Tai's turn to pin her under his gaze. He glanced down, "Oh?" The suggestive glint in his eye pushed Sora to shoulder out of the small space between him and the shelves.
She busied herself, hoping the others liked her choices of snacks. Chips… Candy… Drinks… She shrugged, placing the basket on the counter to pay. Tai quickly joined her, placing his basket next to hers as he quickly pulled a card from his wallet and passed it to the cashier.
"Taichi," Sora said, "You don't have to pay for all of the snacks."
Tai gave the cashier a smiled, the young girl giggling as she passed him his receipt and said a quiet 'have a good day'. Sora grabbed one of the bags, the young girl gasping.
"I know you!" She said, her smile turning from flirtatious to excitement.
Sora's eyes widened, "R-Really? How? School? If we have a class together, I'm sorry."
The girl shook her head, "No no. My mom watches the college games every Friday! You're amazing."
Sora gave her a smile. The woman had never been recognized for her sport, "Oh! Thank you. That means a lot."
The girl nodded, "I hope to buy your jersey one day."
Sora shook her head quickly, "Maybe! I don't know if I'm good enough to go that far…"
"You are much too humble. You should learn a thing or two from me," Tai muttered to Sora as he grabbed her hand, "Great talking to you!" He said to the cashier, the girl waving at Sora as he tugged her out of the store.
"Taichi!" She said, "I didn't get to tell her goodbye…" Sora glanced back at the shop.
Tai glanced back at her as he pulled her into an alleyway. He let her catch her breath from running to keep up with him. "I wanted to be the first person to tell you I'm proud of you and can't wait to watch you play professionally though," he shrugged, "That's why we had to get out of there. She was stealing my thunder."
Sora rolled her eyes, "Oh c'mon."
"Do you think you're good? At soccer," He suddenly asked, not letting Sora weasel her way out of the space between him and the wall.
Sora felt like a deer in headlights. Sure, she thought she was good, but she was always lacking in the confidence needed to be her best. Her head was always full of self-doubt and she was sure her ability to score goals was just mostly due to luck.
"I…" She closed her mouth, thinking about the best way to respond to his question. Her eyes avoided his face again, "I mean… I know I'm not bad but… I just…" She bit her bottom lip out of nerves.
His fingers brushed her chin, guiding her gaze back up to his, "You're great or you wouldn't be here or getting recognized," Tai felt her tense under his touch, her breath caught in her throat as she looked up through her eyelashes. He glanced at her lips, knowing she stole a look at his. He leaned closer, electricity coursing through him.
"I guess I am great," her voice brought him back to Earth, their lips a breath apart, "She didn't even recognize you…" She said just above a whisper, her lips pulling into a wide smile as he let out a long sigh and threw his head back.
"Sora now of all times you decide to roast me," he said, making her laugh.
"Sorry I wanted to say it before I forgot it," she said, letting herself rest against the wall behind her.
Tai shook his head, "Is that what you were thinking about during that whole moment?"
"I said I was sorry," she let out one last chuckle, "My mind wanders when I'm nerv-" Her eyes widened as she shut her mouth quickly.
"What was that?" Tai smirked, "When you're nervous?"
He leaned in again, Sora suddenly aware of how hard the wall was and how her uniform clung to her body. She took a deep breath, "Well?" She said when he didn't lean further.
Tai shrugged, pushing off from the wall, "We're going to be late." He grabbed the bags of snacks, "C'mon we have a 15-minute walk ahead of us."
Sora blinked, "You really aren't going to kiss me?" She grabbed her soccer bag and flung it over her shoulder.
Tai glanced back at her, watching as she jogged to catch up with him, "Oh? Did you want me to?"
Sora smiled, giving him a wink. The breath left his lungs as she followed the crowd across the street to their apartment building.
-Tai's Apartment-
Tai flipped a dark blue towel over his head and dried his wet hair. He was happy Sora agreed to showering before the others came over for movie night – As much as Tai said he liked the smell of being an athlete, it wasn't always the most appealing. A knock sounded from the front door of his apartment. Tai stepped into a pair of sweats and hurried to the door.
"Are we late?" Mimi asked, Yamato and Izzy in tow behind her as she stepped through his doorway. She gasped, holding her hand up to cover Tai's bare torso, "Oh my gosh, Tai. Please put a shirt on before I lose my lunch."
"What you don't like what you see? You're the first complaint I've ever gotten," he said, "Yamato and Izzy never complain."
Mimi shook her head, "He's just so shirtless. Is this how you're planning to answer the door when Sora knocks?"
Tai smirked, "Maybe… I'm sure she wouldn't have as much to complain about as you seem to do."
"Put a shirt on, asshole," Yamato said from the couch, already claiming the far corner, "You're scaring Izzy!"
Tai glanced at Izzy as the man settled into the black armchair. Izzy looked to Yamato, getting the signal. He opened his mouth, faking a terrified scream as he covered his eyes with his hands, "P-Please… Don't make me look at him again… I-I…" He peaked over his hands, "Ah!"
Knowing he lost, Tai stomped off to his bedroom, "I was going to put one on anyway…" He muttered, Mimi finally putting her hand down.
She smiled, pleased that Tai listened. Settling next to Yamato, she cuddled against his side, "I love pushing his buttons."
Yamato nodded, "And that's what made me fall in love with you."
"I can push his buttons," Izzy said, "Then would you love me too?"
Yamato smiled, "I already love you, Iz. I don't think it's possible to love you anymore."
Izzy smiled back, "… I think I actually needed to hear that," he threw his legs up onto Tai's coffee table, "What movie are we watching anyway?"
Mimi sighed, "I was thinking Titanic."
"God no," Tai said as he joined them on the couch, "My apartment. No Titanic allowed in here."
Mimi pouted, "Fine… I'd say one of your scary movies since it's October, but I don't want to terrify Sora on her first official hang out with all of us."
Izzy nodded, "Yes. Please don't make us watch a scary movie…" Izzy was never down for scary movies. Tai and Yamato always pushed for them and Mimi seemed to be indifferent. It took a lot to scare that woman.
A knock sounded from the door. "Oh!" Mimi said, "Taichi go answer it's Sora. I texted her to come over whenever."
Tai stood, "Okay fine fine." He opened the door. Sora stood in the hall. His brown eyes took her in from head to toe and then back up again, "Well one of us is going to have to change," Tai said.
Sora gave him a confused look, "What do you mean…" She took him in, his ADIDAS sweats matching her own. Even down to the soccer program t-shirt, "Okay this is kind of funny… Is it weird? Should I go change?"
Tai broke out in laughter, "No it's awesome. Mimi is going to love it." He pulled her in, the scent of lavender following her. Tai took a deep breath, hoping she didn't notice him lean in closer to her hair. Lavender is my new favorite smell, he thought as he smiled to himself.
"Sora!" Mimi said, springing from the couch to hug her, "Did you guys plan to match? So cute."
Sora shook her head, "No it's just a weird coincidence. Oh!" Sora pulled a few movies from her bag, "I wasn't sure what you guys wanted to watch, but I brought over some movies to choose from. Since it's October I thought horror was the way to go…" She set the movies on the kitchen bar, "But I am not picky so." Yamato joined them, him and Mimi sifting through Sora's collection.
"Quite a collection," Yamato said, "And I thought Tai and I had every scary movie."
Sora shrugged, "I like the adrenaline. Growing up my mom and I would watch Halloween and then turn off all of the lights and hide in the house and…" She shook her head, "Sounds stupid, but it's scary in the country."
Izzy looked over Sora's shoulder, letting out a defeated yell. "Noooo, Sora!" He grabbed her arm as he melted to the ground, "You were supposed to be different than the rest."
Sora patted his head, "Why don't you pick, Izzy?"
Mimi shook her head, "Don't worry about him. He thought the Lion King was scary."
"Stop picking on Izzy," Tai said as he picked up Sora's copy of Saw, "The hyenas give off creepy vibes, okay?"
"Thank you," Izzy said as he stood. He began breathing exercises, Sora glancing over her shoulder at him. Izzy looked at her, "I'm lowering my heart rate now, so I don't flatline during the movie." Sora nodded in understanding, "Smart."
"I want to watch…" Mimi said as her fingers hovered above the pile, "This one." She picked up Insidious, the color draining from Tai and Yamato's faces.
"Based off of their reactions, Mimi," Izzy said, "I say no." His face the color of a white sheet.
Sora chuckled, "Insidious is a great pick, Meems."
Mimi smiled, the expression evil, "Oh. Oh, this is going to be good. Is this the one you guys watched and then had a two week-long sleepover after?" She looked between Tai and Yamato, "Put the movie in," She said to Tai, waving the movie in front of his face.
Tai took a deep breath as he grabbed the movie and walked towards his DVD player with a defeated stance. Sora followed with the bags of snacks. She emptied them out onto the coffee table, Mimi gasping excitedly, "Finally someone else with a sweet tooth…"
Mimi grabbed a pack of Pocky as she sat next to Sora on Tai's couch. "Want some?" Mimi said as she tilted the box towards Sora.
Sora grabbed two, "Most definitely."
Izzy settled back into the armchair. Yamato shot Mimi a weird glance as he sat into the opposite corner of the couch. With Mimi next to Sora, that leaves only one spot next to him. He smirked to himself, relaxing as he waited for Tai to realize he wouldn't be sitting next to the redhead.
Tai pressed the on button, grabbing the remote as the main menu of the movie filled his TV screen. He turned, giving Mimi a weird look as his eyes darted between the space next to her and Sora. Mimi returned his look, "What? Come sit and press play already. Us ladies want to be scared."
Tai's mouth twisted into an annoyed smirk, "Don't let me keep you waiting, Mimi." He sat in the empty space, Yamato smirking as he yawned and stretched his arm around Tai's shoulder, "No," Tai said, swatting Yamato's hand off of him. Yamato let out a laugh, there was nothing the blonde loved more than watching Tai grow aggravated.
"You heard the crowd! Press play," Yamato said, nudging Tai with his elbow. Tai nudged him back and pressed play.
-1 Hour In-
"That!" Izzy yelled, his finger pointing to the red face of a demon on the screen, "That is not okay!" He grabbed a pillow, pulling it close to his chest as he jumped again.
"I don't remember this being so…" Yamato said, swallowing nervously.
"Scary?" Tai finished, his breath hitching in his throat as he did his best not to jump.
Sora glanced over at them, Yamato's arm tightly linked in Tai's as they watched, their eyes glued to the screen. Mimi had fallen asleep next to her, the girl's head tilted back on the couch cushion with her mouth opened slightly. Sora nudged her, frowning as Mimi didn't even stir. Heavy sleeper. I'm jealous. The move was scary, but Sora had seen it so many times that the effect had worn off. She blew a stray strand of hair out of her face.
"Whyyyy are they calling the demon to come forward?" Izzy asked, groaning into the pillow as the movie characters chanted for the demon to show itself.
The demon appeared on screen again, the men yelling in surprise.
Mimi stirred, her eyes opening as she yawned, "Jeez can't you boys let a lady get her sleep? There's not one scary thing about this movie." She looked around the room, stopping on Tai's death grip on Yamato's wrist, "Hands off my man," She said, Tai immediately letting go of Yamato.
"You weren't comforting him, so I stepped up," Tai muttered, sinking back into the couch.
Mimi rolled her eyes, "I was sleeping because this movie is so… Uneventful…" She looked at Izzy, smiling as he peaked over the edge of the pillow. "Sora is also bored out of her mind," Mimi said, Sora's chin resting in the palm of her hand as she stared blankly at the screen.
"What?" Sora asked, "I'm just tired." The credits began to roll, Sora stretching her arms above her head.
Mimi cleared her throat, letting out a quick, high scream. The others jumped, Yamato falling from the couch to the floor, Izzy seeming like he was holding back tears. Tai clenched his chest, "Why?! Mimi, why?! So unfair during a movie like this."
Mimi shrugged, "What. The movie is over. I wanted to wake Sora up… Sorry it had to be at your expense."
Sora laughed, "Mimi, I think you killed Yamato." She pointed at the blonde, Yamato catching his breath as he kneeled on the ground.
"I am never coming to another movie night," Izzy said as he shakily let go of the pillow. He stretched his hands, his knuckles white from gripping the pillow so hard.
"You and me both," Yamato said as he finally stood.
Mimi smirked, "Babies…" She sighed, "Well I think that's enough for the night. Yama let's go. Izzy? Did you want us to walk with you? You seem shaken."
Izzy nodded as he silently stood from the couch. He looked at Sora, "Don't ever bring movies over again." Sora nodded, trying to hide her smile as she stood from the couch, "Okay okay. I'm sorry."
"Bye everyone!" Mimi said, "Tai, organize your shoe rack it's a mess."
"Goodbye, Mimi," Tai said as he opened his front door, "You're always such a pleasure." Mimi gave him a forced smile, "Wish I could say the same."
Tai closed his door and shook his head as he helped Sora gather her movies that were scattered on the counter, "She's always a pain after she wakes up from a nap… How did she even fall asleep during that movie?"
Sora shrugged, "It's really not that scary… I thought everyone had more of a backbone than that." She smirked as Tai muttered to himself quietly. She grabbed the last movie and slung her tote bag over her shoulder, "I'll see you later. Thanks for inviting me… Even though it was through Mimi."
"Oh! Wait up I want to show you something," Tai said, Sora stopping before reaching for the door.
Tai glanced towards her, "Can you turn off the lights?" Sora gave him a weird look, "I promise I'm not trying to scare you." Sora shrugged, the reasoning enough for her. She flipped the switch next to her on the wall as Tai turned off the TV, drowning the apartment in darkness.
Sora bounced on the balls of her feet as she listened to Tai digging through his room in the back of the apartment. "Tai? Did you need help?" He didn't reply. As Sora began to walk to his room to make sure he was okay, Tai came rushing out of the door.
"Go stand by my coffee table," he said as he followed behind her and placed something in the middle of the table. He grabbed the cord and plugged into the wall, his mouth pulling down into a frown as nothing happened, "Huh… That's not good…"
"Maybe press the power button?" Sora said as she leaned forward, pressing the glowing red button.
The room became filled with glowing blue stars from the projector. Sora looked around, "Stars…?" She said, confused about what Tai was trying to pull.
Tai nodded, "You said you missed the stars, right? And you're not going to see any out there," he pointed a thumb out the window, "So, I saw this at the store the day after the party." The two stood in silence, Sora's attention on the ceiling. Tai cleared his throat, "Ya know... It's pretty lame now that I'm really thinking about it."
Sora chuckled, "You did this for me?" She looked around the room, taking in the blue light. No one had ever cared this much about something she missed.
Tai rubbed the back of his neck, "Yep I did… I know. I can't believe it either but here we are." He watched her, smiling as she let out a laugh. "If we lay down on the rug, it'll be like we're stargazing," he said through chuckles as he kneeled down and laid on his back.
Sora glanced at him. She slipped the bag from her shoulder and joined him on the rug, her head next to his. She laughed, "Are we too old to do this?"
Tai smirked, "Nah. Never too old to do anything." He pointed at the ceiling at a random cluster of glowing stars, "Ah, my favorite constellation."
Sora nodded, "Yeah that's a good one."
The two enjoyed the comfortable silence. Tai took a deep breath as he decided to break it, "So," he watched her out of the corner of his eyes, "Why won't you let me take you on a date?"
Sora bit her bottom lip, "You really want to know all of my baggage?"
Tai smiled, "I want to know everything about you."
Sora kept her eyes on the stars that danced across the ceiling, noticing the jump of her heart from his reply. Maybe you can trust him. "Okay…" She took a deep breath, "Long story short. I grew up in a household that didn't give a great representation of what a relationship is. My father left when I was young, and I watched my mother deal with the aftermath…" She paused then glanced at him, "I don't want to give anyone the power to make me feel like that."
Tai saw the sadness behind her eyes, "I won't," he tested it with a smile.
Her focus returned to the ceiling, "How can you be so sure?"
"Ready for my baggage?" He said, hoping to ease the tension that seemed to creep into the room. Sora didn't reply, Tai taking that as a yes.
"I got cheated on so I have trust issues," Tai said, Sora's head turning quickly in his direction, "I know it's hard to believe someone would cheat on me." He smirked, chuckling nervously.
Sora shook her head, "I was going to ask if you were okay, but you seem to be doing fine," she looked back up to the ceiling.
"Sorry… I think joking about it is how I've been coping," he said, "I would give anything to not feel the way she made me feel… Like I wasn't enough or even worth the try," he sighed, "I guess what I'm saying is that I wouldn't want to make anyone feel the way she made me feel."
Sora turned on her side and held her chin in her hand as she watched him. Tai mirrored her after she settled. They stared at each other, Sora searching Tai's eyes for any hint of him being insincere. Tai broke the silence again, "Want to know something though?"
"Hm," Sora replied.
"For some reason, I know I can trust you with my heart," he smirked at how it made the edges of her lips tilt up against her will.
She did her best to keep from smiling, "That's the cheesiest shit anyone has ever said to me."
Tai shrugged, "Yeah, but I can tell you liked it."
Sora shook her head, chuckling softly. Tai smiled at his victory.
"I wanted you to kiss me in the alleyway today," Sora said, holding his gaze.
Tai's eyes widened in surprise, "R-Really? I couldn't tell," he tried to sound smooth with a joke, knowing Sora saw right through him.
She nodded, sighing dramatically, "But then you didn't. Such a disappointment."
It was Tai's turn to roll his eyes. He shrugged, "I was just waiting for the perfect moment. I didn't want to waste it in an alleyway."
"Whatever," Sora said, smirking as she sat up and stretched her arms above her head, "It's okay if you're nervous. I understand." Her smirk widened to a grin as Tai let out an annoyed groan.
He rubbed his eyes as he sat up, "Fine fine. Yes, Sora, you make me insanely nervous. You want to know why?" She nodded. He turned around to face her, "No one has ever made me feel the way you make me feel. And that is more than enough to make me nervous."
Sora held her breath. She had never had anyone confess to feeling like this about her. Had anyone ever felt like this about her? Am I feeling the same way? She watched him lean closer to her, Sora feeling her heart beat out of her chest. His fingers brushed softly over her jaw, his hand caressing the back of her neck as he finally pressed his lips to hers.
Thank you again for reading! Let me know what you think :) I recently bought a star projector type of thing, so I just HAD to write one in. Happy Holidays everyone. Please stay safe.
Moon