Somebody Who Cares, Part 4

The flight to America was broing and seemed to last an eternity for Rika. All she could think about was Ryo. She kept thinking what would have come to pass if he hadn't jumped in the way. She would probably be in his condition..and her mom, what would she have done for the plans to America?
Rika was basically a zombie over the next few weeks. She felt empty. When she could think, it was about Ryo. Why didn't she know anything? All of them knew where to reach her, so why hadn't anyone told her anything new, ill or good? She tried contacting them, but to no avail.
American high school was hard. Things were so much different here, and everyone singled her out as "That foreign chick". Well, except for one person. A sophomore girl named Katharine had tried to befriend Rika, but her armor would not be broken. Rika didn't want anyone feeling sorry for her. But she soon realized that she needed a friend. And gave Katharine a chance.
Unlike the other students, Katharine could relate to what Rika was going through. Her parents were divorced, and she was raised by her dad in New York City. But a few months before, her dad was a cop who had been shot to death in the line of duty. So now, she lived with her mother, and she, like Rika, felt so alone. She was the former "new chick", but when Rika came along, the kids decided to pick on her instead.
They became the best of friends. They talked about anything and everything. Rika had told her everything about the Digital world, the tamers, and Renamon. She had even taught her the card game, since Rika's stories had Katharine facinated.
Life continued, and was almost normal. Eventually, Rika got into contact with Takato. Ryo had been moved to an unknown hospital, and that was the last anyone had ever heard from him. The didn't even know is he was still alive or not. But whatever had come to pass regarding Ryo, Rika nor Katharine had given up hope that Ryo was out there somewhere.
So life goes on....
There were other boyfriends, but she didn't feel the same things for them that she felt for Ryo. Eventually, she settled down and continued life as if nothing but the move had happned. But still, he was never far from her thoughts. She thought maybe he didn't care for her the way she did for him. If he did, she was sure someone would tell her about what was going on with him, whether he was still alive or not. Maybe he only pushed her out of the way because it was the noble thing to do, and not because he had felt something about her. But no matter what, she would always have that special place in her heart for him.
Before she knew it, she had graduated from high school. Katharine was already in college, but she was only about an hours drive away, so they could see each other pretty often. Rika was also going there, to major in graphic design. This wasy, she could see Katharine, visit her mom and grandmother, and pursue her dream career. It was pecfect. Well, almost. There was still a hole in her life, and only one person could fill that void. If only he were here...
But little did she know, he WAS here, waiting...