DISCLAIMER -

DISCLAIMER - You know I don't own Digimon, don't you? Just checking.

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CHOICES
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COURAGE - Part Two
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By Chris McFeely

Matt exclaimed, flinging his arms wide.
Tai just nodded, silently.
Sora Takenouchi?! Matt checked, just to be sure, although he already knew the answer.
Tai continued to nod.
But... but... Matt stammered, you... and her... all your lives! And she... she's... she's so... so SORA!
Tai looked back at him quizzically. Matt sighed and rubbed his forehead. Matt started, back in the
DigiWorld, half the time I could barely stand Sora! I'm never gonna understand you, man...
I'm not even sure I understand me right now, dude, Tai said. I just know that I've got to tell her, or I'm
never going to be able to go on with my life.
Matt scratched his temple. Why'd you come to me?
You're the chick magnet', remember? Tai said, flexing his index and middle fingers when he said chick
magnet.' I need help!
Can't deny that, Matt said. It's just what kind of help you need I'm wondering about... He offered his
friend a wry grin.
Tai smiled back. Seriously, dude, he said, what should I do?
Matt began, debating the subject, why don't you just ask her to a movie?
Tai winced. But what if she says no? What if she laughs? Matt, I don't think I could go on living if that
happened.
I think that's a chance you're gonna have to take, Matt said, patting his friend on the shoulder. I mean,
think about it - would you rather just carry on wondering what could have been, what might have happened
- or would you rather find out now, before it's too late?
Tai sighed. I just don't know, man.
Well, look, the new Star Wars movie opens this weekend, Matt suggested. Tomorrow, at lunch, just ask
her if she'd like to go.
You make it sound like it'd be easy, Tai said, with a ghost of a smile.

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The following day, when one o'clock rolled around, after filling his lunch tray up to the bare minimum - as
the butterflies in his stomach were kind of putting off his appetite - Tai scanned the lunchroom for Sora. He
spotter her, sitting alone at a table on the far side of the room. As he watched, she saw him, and waved him
over.
he greeted her.
Sora studied his lunch tray, and looked up at him. He wasn't looking well, she thought. Something up?
she asked, with genuine concern.
Uh... no, no, I'm fine... Tai said, pulling out a seat and plonking himself down. So, uh, anything happen
to you today?
Sora giggled. Well, the funniest thing happened in math class... She went on to tell Tai all about the
amusing incident, as he duly munched on a dry fish stick. Eventually, he began to tune her out, as his mind
concentrated on the task that would soon present itself.
Sora said. Taaai.... TAI! She poked him with the blunt end of her fork, just as the bell rang. The
dual sensory assault jolted Tai out of his daydream violently, and he jumped up out of his seat.
he yelped.
Sora sighed. What's eating you, Tai?
he almost shouted. He suddenly put his hand over his mouth, and stepped back. Sora tilted her
head.
If you say so... she said, then promptly got up, and carried her tray over to the garbage can.
Tai smacked himself upside the head, grabbed his own tray and darted over to meet her there. Uh,
y'know, he started, scraping the gooey remnants of his lunch into the can, that new Star Wars movie starts
this weekend.
Oh, yeah, Sora said, setting her tray on the pile beside the can. I was thinking about going.
Well, w... woul.... Tai began to stammer. He sighed. I see.
Catch ya later, Tai, Sora said, turning to leave.
Tai scrunched up his face, and clenched one fist. With his eyes shut, he failed to detect the dim orange light
that was slowly radiating from beneath his shirt.... but as quickly as it came, it was gone. Tai's eyes snapped
open, and he reached out, and grabbed Sora by the shoulder.
You wanna go see it with me? he asked.
At that single moment, time stood still for Taichi Kamiya. What would she say? He stared at her face... her
perfect, beautiful face... as the corners of her mouth twitched, and formed a wide smile. Time began moving
again.
she said. Sounds like fun.
Tai was breathless. he said. You... want me to pick you up, or...?
Yeah, sure, Sora said again. Swing by my place at, what, about eight? We can walk.
Tai said, now grinning from ear to ear.
I'll see ya later, Sora said, stepping out through the swinging cafeteria doors.

Tai stood alone in the middle of the cafeteria, as the last of the students headed out for class. Slowly, he
clenched one fist - the same fist as before - and gradually at first, but with building force, thrust it high, up,
into the air, accompanying it with a leap of about three feet in height.


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To Be Continued in "Courage," Part Three!

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Aw, come on, now, you KNOW you wanna review!

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