J16: Ok, people, you get a bonus chapter updated, because this one isn't
that good at all! Hell, couldn't even think of a decent title-
Chapter 4: Waiting For The Fire
May 19, 2006
I walked over to Shinjuku Park that next morning, waiting for that certain someone to arrive. When he did, I would greet him in the rudest of ways.
He showed up after a few minutes. "Hey Jen!" Takato greeted me. I would have none of that. I grabbed his shirt and put my face an inch away from his.
"Do you know what your stupid-ass ideas landed me and Ruki into?" I yelled at him. He looked at me.
"Dude, I had no idea she would-"
"Oh my God you are an idiot! I'm more of an idiot for ever believing a bullshit idea like yours!"
Takato wasn't going to hold like this for long. He shoved me away, dropping himself to the ground. "Ok, I didn't know Jen! Sorry!" He said, waving his hands in a surrendering gesture.
I seemed to gather my senses, and then I slowly calmed down. "Ok, I knew you meant well," I replied, rubbing my temples, "But you have no idea what you've done."
"I guess I have a pretty good idea," Takato started.
"No, dammit! You don't understand! Ruki was my best friend, now she won't even talk to me!"
Takato thought for a minute, his head resting on his hand, then spoke up. " I think I know how to bring you guys together."
I couldn't believe this guy. He had cojones to even suggest another idea to me, even after what his previous plan caused. Maybe he needed a butt- kicking. Maybe he actually had a good idea. Guess I'll have to see for myself. "Alright, smart guy, what do you suggest I do now?"
Takato smiled. He couldn't have an idea that good. "Just go to the prom next Friday," he suggested.
"Ok, it's been a couple days full of surprises, I think I'm capable of a few more. Why should I go to the prom? Ruki's not even going." I sneered.
"Don't worry, Juri will take care of that," he replied, giving a smile. Boy, I wanted to slap the smile right off his face, for the seriousness of the situation. Had this happened with he and Juri, there would have been nothing to laugh about. "Just go and the rest will take care of itself. For now, though, I don't think you should talk to Ruki, just to let the fire burn off. You know her; couple of days is all it needs for her to cool down."
I nodded. "For once, Takato, you have a good point. Sorry for coming at you like that. Forgive?" I held my hand out. He returned it.
"Hey, that's what friends are for," he replied.
****************
I spent the next couple of days not hanging around Ruki. Takato brought up a good point, letting her cool down like that. Still, though, she might think I don't want to be friends with her anymore. The truth is, I do want to still be friends.
"Jenrya? Why isn't Ruki coming over lately?" My little sister inquired. I shook my head.
"It's best to just steam off. That's all I'll say." Suzie looked at me like I just hung out with some smokers today, then walked to her room and shut the door.
I took a seat and sighed. I have five days until the prom; what would I wear? Of course a tuxedo, but where would I get it? And what if Ruki doesn't show up? About twenty different worse-case scenarios flashed through my head at once. I know it's not good to be pessimistic, but there is a high probability that one of those things would happen, and the prom would be a disaster. And after our recent discussion, I'm sure Takato isn't 100% sure on his idea of Ruki and the prom.
I had to get my mind off of this. I went over to the kitchen and grabbed a soda. It was cold; expected. I opened it and drank the cool liquid. It was weird how a girl could just take one event and make you sorry it had ever happened. Ruki was the case here. Why did she have to explode at me like that? I shrugged and continued to drink my soda.
***************
Jenrya hasn't talked to me in a week. I wonder if he wants to call us off.
I looked outside my bedroom window. No, he wouldn't do that. If anything, the guy is planning something. What could it be?
The annoying sound of my phone rang. I really need to get the ring noise different; it sounds like nails across the chalkboard.
"Hello?"
"Hi Ruki! It's me, Juri!"
I sighed. The perky one. "Oh, hi."
"Look, Ruki, I know about you and Jenrya."
"So does about the 2,000 populating the entire school."
There was a moan from the other line. "Are you going to the prom?"
I paused. There was no point in going. "No, I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Because, my mother wouldn't let me. She has this thing about me not wanting to do anything to risky."
"A prom? Come on, sweetheart, you have to be kidding. Nothing goes on in a prom."
"Then why should I go?"
"Because Jen will be there!"
I dropped my phone. Jen.there? At the prom? What about what happened?
"Hello?" The phone called. I picked it up and spoke into the hole.
"Sorry, Juri."
"What's wrong?"
"Did you say that Jenrya is going to be there?"
"Yeah."
"What about what happened last week with him and me?"
"I guess he put it behind him. He just wants to have fun. You should to. It's not like you guys have to see each other or dance together."
I nodded. The crazy girl did have a point. "I guess I do want to go to the prom, I dunno. But my mom."
"Go ahead, honey." Not from the phone. I turned around and saw my mother, standing in the doorway.
"Are you sure, mom?" I queried.
"It's ok, just be careful. I trust you'll make the right decision, just like you have in the past," she replied.
Hold on a second. Wasn't this the mother that didn't want me to do anything 'wild?' Something must have convinced her to think otherwise. Maybe she's not feeling well.
"Thanks mom," I told her. I faced the telephone. "That is affirmative," I said to Juri.
"Alright!" she squealed. "This is going to be so much fun." She hung up, leaving my mother and me alone.
It's very ironic that my mother, the one who basically threw her life away, would let me go to the prom, the place where it all started. But she's a good mother, trusting me.
"Mom, why are you letting me go?" I had to ask her. Isn't she the one who got in the sack with a guy she barely knew at prom?
"Because, sweetie, you're smarter than I am. I know you won't do anything stupid. I have my faith in you."
I looked at her in her eyes. Lavender, just like mine. Now that I think about it, there really is more in common with us than I think. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Thanks mom for trusting me," I said to her.
**************
"Ok, I've limited the choices of our shopping stores down to five," Juri said, driving us around in her car. I can't believe I let Puppetgirl go shopping with me for a prom dress.
We pulled in next to a store called 'Formal Den.' No way in hell had I known about this place, but I'm sure Juri's been here more than a couple times before.
Juri and I walked inside. It was creepy, in a way that I had never been in a place like this before. I swear, it's so unfamiliar, even the D-reaper was more inviting than this-
"Ok, Ruki, now we'll have to get you something that matches a part of your body. Your hair, or your eyes? Ok, probably your eyes, since you have purple eyes and an orange dress would stick out-"
I sighed. What the hell is up with this girl? Talk about a fashion-struck chick.
****************
"Here, this place is called the 'Formal Den.' This should be pretty good," Takato said to me, pulling into the parking lot. Why did I ever let him come with me? I know how to dress myself.
We walked into the store, and it couldn't have looked worse. Terrible lighting, and the floor wasn't the cleanest I've ever seen. There were a couple people I knew from the high school who were also picking out their tuxes and dresses. Well. I guess great minds dress alike.
*****************
Ruki saw the other boy first. "Shit!" she said to herself.
Juri, meanwhile, scanned through the dresses until she found a purple one. It was spaghetti strapped, and it came down to one's knees. "How about this one?"
Ruki grabbed it. "Looks good." She ran over to the dressing room, without being noticed by either Takato or Jenrya.
Success. Might as well try it on, she thought to herself. She took her shirt off and prepared to fit the dress on.
****************
"This looks good," Takato said. He pulled a regular-looking suit hanging off of a wall. Jenrya looked at it.
"I guess I'll try it on," he said, walking over to the dressing room. He looked at the two stalls available. He shrugged and went into the vacant one right next to Ruki.
****************
This fits pretty good, she contemplated. She heard the sound of a nearby door opening. It was the one next to her. Ruki, out of curiosity, looked under the stall to see if it was anyone she knew.
It was someone she knew. In fact, it was one she knew too well.
Ruki panicked for a moment, but gathered her senses as she walked outside of the room and looked in the hallway mirror. Suddenly she wasn't concerned about the dress-
"Takato, do you think this fits well-" The door next to her opened and there he was. Jenrya Lee looked over at the mirror, but a figure blocked his way. A smallish, beautiful figure-
"Ruki?"
The orange-haired girl shrieked. "Um.no, I think you have the wrong girl, hehe." she said slowly. Whatever. She gave up and turned around.
"Yes, it's me, Jenrya." She looked pale to Jenrya, a paleness that made him depressed. Beside that, however, he couldn't stop scanning her body, and the beautiful purple dress that covered her body.
"Ruki, you're going too?" He asked. It wasn't right if she was just getting a dress, for nothing, so it was probably not the smartest of questions.
Ruki didn't want to say anything to warrant another bad situation to happen. "I guess I'll see you there, then." she hinted, and then she went back to her fitting room stall.
Jenrya, meanwhile, still couldn't believe it. He was a bit pissed off that she ended up planning to go the prom after what she said about him, but also a tad pleased that she got to live a little. It was a more neutral feeling to Jenrya, but he didn't want to think about it.yet. He went back into his fitting room and changed back to his normal clothes. The black outfit shaped him just fine, and he would rent it for the night.
When he exited the fitting rooms, he looked for Ruki. "Ruki?" He called, but there was no response. She must have left. Oh well. He grabbed the tux outfit and walked over to the cashier.
"That'll be $125, please," the man behind the desk said to Jenrya and Takato.
'For God's sake,' Jenrya thought to himself. 'Whoever said rentals were cheap.'
****************
June 1st, 2006
Jenrya's alarm clock rang right on schedule. He jumped out of bed and right into the shower. He was nervous, but also excited. He would meet up with his good friends and go out to dinner, and then from there, go to the Country Club for the prom. After that, they would have a party over at Juri's house.
For the first time in quite a while, Jenrya singed in the shower. He wasn't the best singer, but he didn't care. He was thinking optimistically. Even if Ruki didn't want to dance with him, it wouldn't ruin his night. 'Just have a good time with my friends,' he thought to himself.
Four songs later, Jenrya got out of the shower and put on some of his house clothes. No use wearing nice clothes and then changing for the prom in a matter of hours. He was alone at home. His Dad was working, and Suzie was with his Mom, going shopping.
He was eating a cup of yogurt for breakfast when the thought of the beautiful girl crossed his mind. Not wanting to wait to see her later tonight, he went over to his collection of video tapes and pulled out a random cassette. It was entitled 'Interview: 6/29/01.'
The blue-haired boy remembered when that one took place. He popped the video into the VCR and sat down on his couch.
_____________________
"And now we return to the Tonight Show, where we have two of the renowned Digimon Tamers who saved the earth and our very existence. Please welcome Jenrya Lee and Ruki Makino!"
*Applause*
Ruki and Jenrya walked onstage, smiling.
"Guys, have a seat," The host motioned to the two. They sat down on the nearby chairs.
"So, Jenrya, what's it like to save the world like the way you just did, and you guys are just 13 years old? How did it feel to you?"
Jenrya began to talk, but Ruki spoke up first. "Well, not everyone expects to save the world in their lifetime, but we just kind of winged it and hoped for the best. And when it did, it was a great feeling. Not really of a 'oh, I just saved the world, whooptie-dee,' but more of a 'I can't believe what just happened.'"
________________
Jenrya laughed on his couch, remembering that time when they were acting like idiots on the tonight show, not really knowing what to say. After all, Ruki was right. It was a 'winging it' feeling. He took the video out and put on another one.
_________________
"Ruki, let's go swimming!" Jenrya yelled down the shore, while Ruki was still stuck on the surface of the sand.
"No, the water's too cold!" She squealed, holding her arms together on her chest.
"Don't make me drag you in!" He responded. He went back up to where Ruki was, and picked her up.
"Wait, wait!" She pleaded, but Jenrya carried her into the freezing water. The two laughed and splashed the cold H2O on each other.
_________________
Not long afterward did Jenrya fall back asleep on the couch. The videotape was still running through the vacation he and Ruki took two years ago.
Jenrya dreamed. He dreamed about Ruki, and what might happen tonight. He pictured the best scenarios of dancing with her, maybe possibly kissing her, and also the worst scenarios, of having an argument, and then to a lost friendship. He hoped for the first scenario to occur tonight, but the answer to that prayer would basically lie in his hands.
Chapter 4: Waiting For The Fire
May 19, 2006
I walked over to Shinjuku Park that next morning, waiting for that certain someone to arrive. When he did, I would greet him in the rudest of ways.
He showed up after a few minutes. "Hey Jen!" Takato greeted me. I would have none of that. I grabbed his shirt and put my face an inch away from his.
"Do you know what your stupid-ass ideas landed me and Ruki into?" I yelled at him. He looked at me.
"Dude, I had no idea she would-"
"Oh my God you are an idiot! I'm more of an idiot for ever believing a bullshit idea like yours!"
Takato wasn't going to hold like this for long. He shoved me away, dropping himself to the ground. "Ok, I didn't know Jen! Sorry!" He said, waving his hands in a surrendering gesture.
I seemed to gather my senses, and then I slowly calmed down. "Ok, I knew you meant well," I replied, rubbing my temples, "But you have no idea what you've done."
"I guess I have a pretty good idea," Takato started.
"No, dammit! You don't understand! Ruki was my best friend, now she won't even talk to me!"
Takato thought for a minute, his head resting on his hand, then spoke up. " I think I know how to bring you guys together."
I couldn't believe this guy. He had cojones to even suggest another idea to me, even after what his previous plan caused. Maybe he needed a butt- kicking. Maybe he actually had a good idea. Guess I'll have to see for myself. "Alright, smart guy, what do you suggest I do now?"
Takato smiled. He couldn't have an idea that good. "Just go to the prom next Friday," he suggested.
"Ok, it's been a couple days full of surprises, I think I'm capable of a few more. Why should I go to the prom? Ruki's not even going." I sneered.
"Don't worry, Juri will take care of that," he replied, giving a smile. Boy, I wanted to slap the smile right off his face, for the seriousness of the situation. Had this happened with he and Juri, there would have been nothing to laugh about. "Just go and the rest will take care of itself. For now, though, I don't think you should talk to Ruki, just to let the fire burn off. You know her; couple of days is all it needs for her to cool down."
I nodded. "For once, Takato, you have a good point. Sorry for coming at you like that. Forgive?" I held my hand out. He returned it.
"Hey, that's what friends are for," he replied.
****************
I spent the next couple of days not hanging around Ruki. Takato brought up a good point, letting her cool down like that. Still, though, she might think I don't want to be friends with her anymore. The truth is, I do want to still be friends.
"Jenrya? Why isn't Ruki coming over lately?" My little sister inquired. I shook my head.
"It's best to just steam off. That's all I'll say." Suzie looked at me like I just hung out with some smokers today, then walked to her room and shut the door.
I took a seat and sighed. I have five days until the prom; what would I wear? Of course a tuxedo, but where would I get it? And what if Ruki doesn't show up? About twenty different worse-case scenarios flashed through my head at once. I know it's not good to be pessimistic, but there is a high probability that one of those things would happen, and the prom would be a disaster. And after our recent discussion, I'm sure Takato isn't 100% sure on his idea of Ruki and the prom.
I had to get my mind off of this. I went over to the kitchen and grabbed a soda. It was cold; expected. I opened it and drank the cool liquid. It was weird how a girl could just take one event and make you sorry it had ever happened. Ruki was the case here. Why did she have to explode at me like that? I shrugged and continued to drink my soda.
***************
Jenrya hasn't talked to me in a week. I wonder if he wants to call us off.
I looked outside my bedroom window. No, he wouldn't do that. If anything, the guy is planning something. What could it be?
The annoying sound of my phone rang. I really need to get the ring noise different; it sounds like nails across the chalkboard.
"Hello?"
"Hi Ruki! It's me, Juri!"
I sighed. The perky one. "Oh, hi."
"Look, Ruki, I know about you and Jenrya."
"So does about the 2,000 populating the entire school."
There was a moan from the other line. "Are you going to the prom?"
I paused. There was no point in going. "No, I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Because, my mother wouldn't let me. She has this thing about me not wanting to do anything to risky."
"A prom? Come on, sweetheart, you have to be kidding. Nothing goes on in a prom."
"Then why should I go?"
"Because Jen will be there!"
I dropped my phone. Jen.there? At the prom? What about what happened?
"Hello?" The phone called. I picked it up and spoke into the hole.
"Sorry, Juri."
"What's wrong?"
"Did you say that Jenrya is going to be there?"
"Yeah."
"What about what happened last week with him and me?"
"I guess he put it behind him. He just wants to have fun. You should to. It's not like you guys have to see each other or dance together."
I nodded. The crazy girl did have a point. "I guess I do want to go to the prom, I dunno. But my mom."
"Go ahead, honey." Not from the phone. I turned around and saw my mother, standing in the doorway.
"Are you sure, mom?" I queried.
"It's ok, just be careful. I trust you'll make the right decision, just like you have in the past," she replied.
Hold on a second. Wasn't this the mother that didn't want me to do anything 'wild?' Something must have convinced her to think otherwise. Maybe she's not feeling well.
"Thanks mom," I told her. I faced the telephone. "That is affirmative," I said to Juri.
"Alright!" she squealed. "This is going to be so much fun." She hung up, leaving my mother and me alone.
It's very ironic that my mother, the one who basically threw her life away, would let me go to the prom, the place where it all started. But she's a good mother, trusting me.
"Mom, why are you letting me go?" I had to ask her. Isn't she the one who got in the sack with a guy she barely knew at prom?
"Because, sweetie, you're smarter than I am. I know you won't do anything stupid. I have my faith in you."
I looked at her in her eyes. Lavender, just like mine. Now that I think about it, there really is more in common with us than I think. I walked up to her and gave her a hug. "Thanks mom for trusting me," I said to her.
**************
"Ok, I've limited the choices of our shopping stores down to five," Juri said, driving us around in her car. I can't believe I let Puppetgirl go shopping with me for a prom dress.
We pulled in next to a store called 'Formal Den.' No way in hell had I known about this place, but I'm sure Juri's been here more than a couple times before.
Juri and I walked inside. It was creepy, in a way that I had never been in a place like this before. I swear, it's so unfamiliar, even the D-reaper was more inviting than this-
"Ok, Ruki, now we'll have to get you something that matches a part of your body. Your hair, or your eyes? Ok, probably your eyes, since you have purple eyes and an orange dress would stick out-"
I sighed. What the hell is up with this girl? Talk about a fashion-struck chick.
****************
"Here, this place is called the 'Formal Den.' This should be pretty good," Takato said to me, pulling into the parking lot. Why did I ever let him come with me? I know how to dress myself.
We walked into the store, and it couldn't have looked worse. Terrible lighting, and the floor wasn't the cleanest I've ever seen. There were a couple people I knew from the high school who were also picking out their tuxes and dresses. Well. I guess great minds dress alike.
*****************
Ruki saw the other boy first. "Shit!" she said to herself.
Juri, meanwhile, scanned through the dresses until she found a purple one. It was spaghetti strapped, and it came down to one's knees. "How about this one?"
Ruki grabbed it. "Looks good." She ran over to the dressing room, without being noticed by either Takato or Jenrya.
Success. Might as well try it on, she thought to herself. She took her shirt off and prepared to fit the dress on.
****************
"This looks good," Takato said. He pulled a regular-looking suit hanging off of a wall. Jenrya looked at it.
"I guess I'll try it on," he said, walking over to the dressing room. He looked at the two stalls available. He shrugged and went into the vacant one right next to Ruki.
****************
This fits pretty good, she contemplated. She heard the sound of a nearby door opening. It was the one next to her. Ruki, out of curiosity, looked under the stall to see if it was anyone she knew.
It was someone she knew. In fact, it was one she knew too well.
Ruki panicked for a moment, but gathered her senses as she walked outside of the room and looked in the hallway mirror. Suddenly she wasn't concerned about the dress-
"Takato, do you think this fits well-" The door next to her opened and there he was. Jenrya Lee looked over at the mirror, but a figure blocked his way. A smallish, beautiful figure-
"Ruki?"
The orange-haired girl shrieked. "Um.no, I think you have the wrong girl, hehe." she said slowly. Whatever. She gave up and turned around.
"Yes, it's me, Jenrya." She looked pale to Jenrya, a paleness that made him depressed. Beside that, however, he couldn't stop scanning her body, and the beautiful purple dress that covered her body.
"Ruki, you're going too?" He asked. It wasn't right if she was just getting a dress, for nothing, so it was probably not the smartest of questions.
Ruki didn't want to say anything to warrant another bad situation to happen. "I guess I'll see you there, then." she hinted, and then she went back to her fitting room stall.
Jenrya, meanwhile, still couldn't believe it. He was a bit pissed off that she ended up planning to go the prom after what she said about him, but also a tad pleased that she got to live a little. It was a more neutral feeling to Jenrya, but he didn't want to think about it.yet. He went back into his fitting room and changed back to his normal clothes. The black outfit shaped him just fine, and he would rent it for the night.
When he exited the fitting rooms, he looked for Ruki. "Ruki?" He called, but there was no response. She must have left. Oh well. He grabbed the tux outfit and walked over to the cashier.
"That'll be $125, please," the man behind the desk said to Jenrya and Takato.
'For God's sake,' Jenrya thought to himself. 'Whoever said rentals were cheap.'
****************
June 1st, 2006
Jenrya's alarm clock rang right on schedule. He jumped out of bed and right into the shower. He was nervous, but also excited. He would meet up with his good friends and go out to dinner, and then from there, go to the Country Club for the prom. After that, they would have a party over at Juri's house.
For the first time in quite a while, Jenrya singed in the shower. He wasn't the best singer, but he didn't care. He was thinking optimistically. Even if Ruki didn't want to dance with him, it wouldn't ruin his night. 'Just have a good time with my friends,' he thought to himself.
Four songs later, Jenrya got out of the shower and put on some of his house clothes. No use wearing nice clothes and then changing for the prom in a matter of hours. He was alone at home. His Dad was working, and Suzie was with his Mom, going shopping.
He was eating a cup of yogurt for breakfast when the thought of the beautiful girl crossed his mind. Not wanting to wait to see her later tonight, he went over to his collection of video tapes and pulled out a random cassette. It was entitled 'Interview: 6/29/01.'
The blue-haired boy remembered when that one took place. He popped the video into the VCR and sat down on his couch.
_____________________
"And now we return to the Tonight Show, where we have two of the renowned Digimon Tamers who saved the earth and our very existence. Please welcome Jenrya Lee and Ruki Makino!"
*Applause*
Ruki and Jenrya walked onstage, smiling.
"Guys, have a seat," The host motioned to the two. They sat down on the nearby chairs.
"So, Jenrya, what's it like to save the world like the way you just did, and you guys are just 13 years old? How did it feel to you?"
Jenrya began to talk, but Ruki spoke up first. "Well, not everyone expects to save the world in their lifetime, but we just kind of winged it and hoped for the best. And when it did, it was a great feeling. Not really of a 'oh, I just saved the world, whooptie-dee,' but more of a 'I can't believe what just happened.'"
________________
Jenrya laughed on his couch, remembering that time when they were acting like idiots on the tonight show, not really knowing what to say. After all, Ruki was right. It was a 'winging it' feeling. He took the video out and put on another one.
_________________
"Ruki, let's go swimming!" Jenrya yelled down the shore, while Ruki was still stuck on the surface of the sand.
"No, the water's too cold!" She squealed, holding her arms together on her chest.
"Don't make me drag you in!" He responded. He went back up to where Ruki was, and picked her up.
"Wait, wait!" She pleaded, but Jenrya carried her into the freezing water. The two laughed and splashed the cold H2O on each other.
_________________
Not long afterward did Jenrya fall back asleep on the couch. The videotape was still running through the vacation he and Ruki took two years ago.
Jenrya dreamed. He dreamed about Ruki, and what might happen tonight. He pictured the best scenarios of dancing with her, maybe possibly kissing her, and also the worst scenarios, of having an argument, and then to a lost friendship. He hoped for the first scenario to occur tonight, but the answer to that prayer would basically lie in his hands.