~~~~~~~~**Takenouchi's New Problem**~~~~~~~~
"Yoohoo! Tai!" Tai turned to see two cheerleaders waving
and giggling at him about ten feet away.
'Won't they ever leave me alone?' He thought as he cracked
a small smile at them to get them away. Tai grabbed his
duffel bag and closed his locker. 'Am I forgeting something?'
He realized he forgot his other shoes.
"Yoohoo!" The cheerleaders watched as he kept messing up
his combination for the lock.
"Tai?" Someone said from right behind him.
"What!?" He shouted furiously. He noticed the silence and
slowly turned around to face Sora.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I thought you were one of those
damn cheerleaders whistling at me or something." He opened
his locker, finally.
"That's alright, I came over here to see if you have our
notes from English?" She leaned against a nearby locker.
"Hmm? Not paying attention as usual?" He stole a glance at
her.
"Well, by the time Ms. Tanseiawa said we needed it for the
quiz tomorrow I was too late, and then the bell rang."
"Sorry."
"Let me guess, you don't have it? This is just great!" She
said sarcastically.
"I do have it, but not with me. I bet I am really late for
soccer practice!" Tai stood up and flung his duffel bag
over his shoulder. "Come find me at the field when you're
done with tennis, okay?"
"Okay." She turned and started to walk away.
'She must want to have really good grades?' He slammed his
locker. "Sora." Tai stopped her. She slowly turned her
head, she knew what he would say.
"You will do fine on the test, don't forget that." He gave
her one of those so perfect smiles that she had to smile
back.
"Thanks."
***
"Sora! Keep up with the ball!" Sora's coach yelled. "What's
distracting you!?"
Sora's opponent, Gwen, stopped the ball with her silver
racket.
"Sora?" Her coach glared at her.
"My leg, I don't know. It really hurts." Sora told her.
"Oh, I am sorry I was yelling at you so harsh! Go sit on the
bench, okay?" She lead Sora to the bench.
"I know I shouldn't have been playing, it's my fault."
"No, it's not, Sora. You tried and that's all I asked. Never
blame yourself."
Sora smiled at her, she was very caring, but Sora always
forgot her name.
Soon, the tennis lessons were almost over, and Gwen walked up
to Sora. "Hey girl, your leg is hurting when you run?"
"Yeah, it just started today." Sora got up from the bench.
"I hope you feel better tomorrow, so I can whip you!" She said
playfully, her finger was curling her black hair.
"You? Whip me? Very funny, Gwen!" Sora teased her back.
"Hey! I was just joking, and besides, you're the only one
traveling this team!"
"Thanks, but you are good, too."
"Yeah, right. Come on, it's time to go." They both grabbed
their bags and walked out of the tennis court.
"Can I see you tomorrow? I have to meet someone at the soccer
field." Sora said.
"Yeah, wait a sec! Aren't there only guys playing there?" Gwen
was confused.
"Uh huh, so?"
Gwen grinned at her. "Meeting your boyfriend?"
"My boyfriend!?"
"Yep! What's his name...Tai, is it?" Gwen's green eyes looked
right into Sora.
"What!? How do you know him!" Sora could feel her cheeks getting
warmer.
"Doesn't everyone? You guys always walk together, and he's even
the star of the soccer team! Go figure, two pros at sports, you
both are so alike!"
"Gwen, he's my friend, and everyone knows that. We knew each
other practically all of our lives."
"Aight, see you lata." She winked and walked away. She wasn't
convinced.
'She is so wrong about Tai and I. Why can't anyone tell we are
the best of friends, and only that? Is that so bad?'
"Sora?"
Sora turned around to face the head cheerleader, Victoria. She
had the perfect blonde hair, blue eye, ditzy appearence, as usual,
and everyone knew when she wanted something she would most
definately get it.
"Yes?" Sora looked at Victoria's sparkly eyeshadow. 'That's too
girlish' Sora thought as she glanced away.
"I heard you have a connection with Taichi." In other words, she
thought Tai was hot and needed his number.
"So I do." The wind was getting colder, she wished she had her
coat.
"Does he know me? I mean, I know you two talk, so he's probably
mentioned me." Victoria said in a snobby way.
"Actually, no." Sora had about enough, "I don't know why he
would mention you out of no where if he didn't like you." That
was just the right amount of words to shut her up. Victoria turned
away, slightly.
"I will find out." She walked away, leaving Sora. Victoria wasn't
really that bad, she was acually the nicest on the squad. Victoria
couldn't put up a fight if it killed her, though.
Anyway, Sora noticed the boys were still playing in such cold
weather. She walked to a nearby bench to watch. 'Hmm, I think I do
have my sweater?' Sora fished through her bag. Yep, it was there
as she suspected. She pulled it over her, the warmth was just
enough to brighten her mood.
Ten minutes went by, the boys still played their practice. 'Geez!
How much practice do they need?' Sora thought, she was getting
colder by the minute. 'Tomorrow's game they'll be leading in
the first five minutes!' Her fingers felt numb. 'I know Victoria
is going to ask Tai out, no...she'll make him ask her out. What
was I thinking? A cheerleader asking out a guy? Never.' Sora just
found out she was not the only one sitting on the bench. She
screamed.
"Aaaaaa!" Was Tai's reaction. "Why'd you scream!?"
"Don't do that!"
"Don't scream!"
Sora breathed in and out. "I didn't even notice you were right
next to me."
"It happens." He responded.
'It happens? In what world is he on?' Sora tried not to giggle.
"Please can we go? I am freezing." Tai stood up.
"Why did your coach make you practice in this weather?" Sora
grabbed her bag and stood up, too.
"That's how coaches are? I don't know. I heard tomorrow's going to
be a hard team to play." They started to walk.
Sora smiled at him. "That's what you always say."
They walked until they saw a small coffee shoppe. 'That's it. That's
the coffee shoppe.' Sora told herself as a memory came into her
mind.
'*'One day, four years ago, Sora and Tai were walking, as they were
right now. They never figured that in October snow would come, but
it did.
"Sora?" Tai asked.
"Yeah?" Sora replied.
"Is that snow?" They both stopped walking and glanced at each other's
hair.
"Come on, we aren't going to make it home in time before the snow."
Sora said as she led Tai into 'Mystic Mood Mocha', the coffee shoppe.
Together they ordered hot chocolate and watched as the fresh new snow
fell from the sky before their eyes. It may have seemed lame, but it
was such a sight, snow so soon. Winter was heaven.'*'
"Sora?" Tai was wondering why she stopped walking.
"Huh?" She was back to reality. "Sorry." They passed the coffee
shoppe. It wasn't time to go in there, yet.
"Hey, Tai?" Sora had to mention. Tai looked at her as they walked.
"Do you like Victoria?" She continued.
"Who?"
'That's an automatic no!' Sora thought. "You know, the main cheerleader?"
"Oh, her. Not really. You know how I hate those cheerleaders." He
smiled slightly.
"I forgot." She told him honestly.
"Oh. She asked you about me, didn't she?"
"How'd you know!?"
"Sora, it's obvious. That's how Victoria gets her dates." 'Victoria
is so annoying!' Tai thought.
"I know."
'Is she wondering what kind of girls I like? She didn't even have to tell
me that.' He looked at her.
"Yes, Taichi?" She smiled.
Tai blushed, he wasn't expecting her to notice! "Oh, nevermind!"
Finally, they were standing in front of Tai's apartment. "You need
my notes, don't you? Why don't you stay for awhile, I don't think
my parents are home..." Tai asked a blushing Sora.
'Is he flirting with me or something? What did he mean by that? Or
does he just think his parents are annoying?' Sora thought. When
Tai was opening the door she felt her cheeks, yes, she was blushing!
"Ma? Dad? Kari?" Tai looked around once he opened the door. He stepped
in and Sora followed him. "I don't think they are here, but where
would they have gone?" Tai asked.
"I don't have a clue." Sora threw her bag on the ground. "Are you
allowed to have people over when they aren't home?"
"Sure, yeah, why wouldn't I be?" He stumbled.
"Nevermind." Sora walked over and sat down on the couch. Tai put his
bag down and went to grab a glass.
"Want something to drink?" He was holding two glasses by now.
"What are you having?"
"Hot chocolate." He put the glasses on the counter.
"Oh, yes please." Sora watched him take out a hot chocolate tub. He
then went to the fridge to take out milk. Tai saw her looking at him.
"Want to help?" His brown eyes stared into her eyes.
'I can't let this happen, again. I know it will.' Sora thought as she
remembered when her and Tai were making cookies that one day while at
Mimi's and they almost kissed each other. "It's okay, I am just
watching you." She told him.
'She's making me nervous.' Tai thought as he nodded his head. 'She
could be reading a textbook or something instead!'
Sora looked around the apartment. It wasn't that much different from
hers, but there was a lighter on the table. She spotted a wind chime
that was slowly being carried by the wind. 'That's pretty.' She
thought.
"I use to hate that thing." Tai said.
'Whaaaaat!?? How did he know what I thought!!?' "What?" Sora tried
to say casually.
"You're looking at the wind chime, right?"
'Oh, he saw me...I thought he was making cocoa?! Was he checking me
out!? Wait, what am I thinking!!?' "Yeah." Sora coughed out.
"Almost done." Tai was refering to the hot chocolate that he was
stirring. "Sora?"
"Wha-yeah?" She responded.
"Why do you like tennis more than soccer?" He didn't look up at
her, he kept stirring.
"I never said I like it more. Tennis is more free time for me to
work at my mother's flower shoppe."
"Oh." He stopped stirring and opened a bag of marshmallows.
"I'm going to try to play soccer again, though. I might have time
to do it, or so says my mom."
"Really?? That's so awesome, maybe if you still kick butt you can
be on the boys' soccer team." He looked at her, excited.
Sora laughed. "Sounds fun, like it was last time."
Tai tossed marshmallows in each cup, overflowing them. He walked
over and sat on the couch. He put the glasses on the table.
"Yummy good." Sora said as she grabbed a cup.
"Ditto!" Tai said as he took the other cup. They clinged the cups
together and sipped at the same time.
Tai put his cup down on the table. He stood up and walked to his
bag. He opened it and took out a notebook, the English notebook.
'This hot chocolate could be warmer, but it's fine I suppose.'
Sora was thinking.
Tai came back to the couch and sat down. "Here you go." He was
about to tear out the paper.
"Tai! I can copy, you need the notes." Sora told him. She ripped
out an empty paper and took a pencil laying on the table.
Tai watched her copy for awhile, but he knew his fixed eyes were
causing her to write sloppy. He grabbed the remote on the table
and turned on the t.v. It was the news.
"Look's like snow this week, we predict." The weather man said.
'Snow?' Sora looked up quickly.
The weather man pointed to their area in Tokyo.
"Yeah!" Sora was happy.
Tai noticed, "Come on, copy!" He told her, he wasn't patient.
"Okay, okay!" She kept copying, her hand hurt.
"Is that...." Tai didn't finish.
"What?" Sora looked up. "Tai?"
He pointed to the television. She looked, but it was only the
weather man.
"Tai? Are you okay?" She asked.
He turned to her. "You didn't see what was in the background?"
"Nope."
"Am I losing it? I swear I saw a Digimon or something."
"A Digimon?" Sora repeated.
The front door suddenly made an unlocking noise. It caused
them to jump.
"Someone's home." Tai whispered. "Damn."
The door opened and it was Kari. She closed the door as she
took off her shoes. "Hi you two!" She sounded surprised.
"Hi." Sora said.
"Why are you home?" Tai questioned.
Sora nudged him, he was being rude.
"Why wouldn't I be? And more importantly, why are you here?"
Kari was referring to Sora.
"Oh no, you're right!" Sora almost shouted.
"What?" Tai wondered.
Sora grabbed her notes and headed towards the door. She
started to put on her shoes. Tai got up from the couch.
"Bye, Sora." Kari said.
"Bye you guys." Sora said as she took her bag and opened
the door. She stepped outside.
"Wait-what?" Tai jumped over the table and ran out the door.
She must have ran so fast that Tai didn't see her. "Bye?" He
said to no one. He peered off the balcony. Sora was running
away, she clenched her bag. "Bye Sora!" Tai yelled.
Sora heard and turned around. She looked up and waved. She
left.
Tai felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Kari. "You really
needed to say bye, right?" She asked him.
"She didn't even say where she went to."
"Where does she normally go, with her mom?"
"Oh, the flower shoppe."
"Don't feel so bad, I was very surprised I saw you two
here today. You barely hang out, I know how it is." Kari
walked back inside. "You're going to catch cold."
Tai ignored her.
"Hey, can I have her hot chocolate?"
"Err.."
***
Sora stepped inside the flower shoppe. The bell on the door
jingled.
"Sora! Where were you?" Her mother wondered. She was behind the
register.
"I'm so sorry! I had to borrow Tai's notes." Sora explained.
"Well, that took a long time. It's okay, I haven't heard Tai's
name in what seems like years."
"Years? No way, mama." Sora placed her things behind the counter.
"Well, I never know about the people you like."
"I don't like him!" Sora denied.
"I didn't mean it that way."
Sora blushed as she turned away. "Oops, heh heh, sorry."
"Could you go water the plants for me?" Her mother changed the
subject.
"Of course, I do it everyday." Sora responded as she went out of
the shop's back door.
Riiiing Riiiing
Sora's mother picked up the telephone. She listened and hung up.
"Excuse me?"
Sora's mother turned around to face a girl with black hair pulled
into a bun with one strand hanging out on each side of her face.
"May I help you?" Mrs. Takenouchi asked her.
"Yeah, do you have any blue tulips?"
"Blue? Sorry, not that color. Why would you need blue?"
"It's a small tradition, nevermind. Thank you." The girl turned
and walked out of the store. The bell jingled as the door closed.
'That girl was a bit strange' Mrs. takenouchi thought.
The back door opened. "That was hard." Sora said. "Who were you
talking to?"
"Just a little girl who wanted to buy some flowers."
"Oh." She noticed her mother looking at something outside from
behind her. "What are you looking at?" Sora turned around.
"Look's like your friend is coming."
Sora walked outside to meet Tai. "What are you doing here?" She
asked.
"Looks like you're happy to see me." He said sarcastically.
"Sorry."
"Are you guys closing soon? I don't think these flowers should
go to waste."
"I'm not sure, we'll probably move the flowers inside."
They stood there for what seemed like ten minutes, but it was
actually only one.
"Umm..." Sora started.
"Well..." Tai looked away.
"Yeah?"
"Oh, uh...I heard there's this ice rink.."
"Ice rink..?"
"Uh, yeah..so.."
"Oh, well the flowers..."
"Flowers..?"
"Umm, yeah..."
"Oh, I see..."
"Well, I'm.."
"Yeah, I know..."
"I really am sorry.."
"Well, it doesn't open until seven."
"Oh, well maybe then."
"You wanna call me...?"
"Sounds good..."
"Okay.."
"Talk to you then."
"Bye." He turned and walked away.
Sora watched him leave. 'What's wrong with me?' She thought.
'Why could we barely talk? I know it's my fault, I know it is.
All he wanted to do was catch up with old times, and I just
give the dumb excuse with flowers. I'm such an idiot.' After
Tai was no longer in sight, Sora turned back around. Her
mother stood before her.
"What was that for?" Mrs. Takenouchi asked her daughter.
"I think I made a huge idiot of myself." Sora responded.
"What do you mean?"
"Tai just came over here, asking me to do something fun, and
I'm...just really stupid."
"That's not true, Sora. It couldn't have been that terrible."
Her mother tried to reassure her.
"I don't know."
"What did he want you to do?"
"He wanted to check out the new ice skating rink with me."
"Oh, I see.." She tried to hide a small smile. "You can go,
you aren't staying here all night."
"Really?!" Sora was excited now.
"Well, I haven't heard you two doing things together in a
long time, but I think you need ice skates-"
"I can rent! Thanks mama!" She hugged her mother. "This will
be so much fun! Maybe the others will be there, too!"
"Maybe, hurry up and go get him before he's already walked home."
"Oh yeah! Bye!" Sora ran along the sidewalks. 'He couldn't have
ran so fast!' She was thinking.
"Sora?"
Sora ran past a bench that Tai and Matt were both sitting on.
She stopped running and turned around. She walked towards them.
"What are you guys doing here?" She asked.
"Just sitting." Matt said.
"I think I noticed that." Sora replied.
"We were actually talking about the ice skating rink." Tai told her.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, we're trying to get everyone to go tonight." Matt said.
"Well, I can go!"
"Really?" Tai couldn't believe it.
"Really! I can't remember the last time I skated..it was so...fun."
Sora started to act like she was skating. Tai laughed.
"Man, I hate ice skating." Matt said gloomily.
Sora stopped. "Why are you going then? I bet you didn't even give
ice skating a chance."
"Oh he did," Tai said. "but he didn't really, what's the word,
succeed."
"Tai, shut up!" Matt shot back.
"We can always teach you how." Sora moved a strand of hair back
behind her ear.
"I know, but do we have to go today? I mean, it is short notice, so
what are the chances that everyone will come?"
"Matt! We have to go! Today, is....special.." Tai stumbled.
"Special!?" Sora and Matt said in unison.
"Okay, okay! So maybe it's not..."
"I think Tai lost it," Matt mentioned.
"Enough already! I guess we won't go." Sora seemed a bit sad.
"Sora, we can still go." Tai noticed.
"How about you guys go today, and another day we'll all go?" Matt
tried to clear it up. "Well, I have to go and do the laundry. Bye."
Matt walked away, but he heard Tai snickering. "Shut up, Tai!"
"So? Want to go?" Tai offered.
"Isn't it going to be weird? Only us two?" Sora asked.
"Why would it be?" Tai wondered.
"Nevermind." Sora looked as a single snowflake hit her coat. 'I know
he knows what I mean. This is going to look so strange, I can't let
anything happen-I can't go with him.' Sora thought. 'After everything
that almost happened before, this is the match point. I mean, Tai's great
and all, but I don't want anything more than our friendship. Is he
staring at me? Oh shoot, we are leaving right now!'
Tai and Sora started to walk. They were coming close to the flower
shoppe.
"Tai?" Sora started, he looked at her. "I can't go with you, I'm sorry!"
With that, Sora walked away towards the flower shoppe. She felt Tai's
eyes watching her, burning. She started to run, once she made it inside
she closed the door taking huge gulps of oxygen.
"Sora? Back so soon?" It was her mother. "Were you just in a race?"
Sora ignored her and turned towards the window. Was Tai still standing
there? Sora could, somehow, see his face from such distance. He had a
look of anger or sadness, something she had never seen before by him.
Was Tai hurt or confused? She watched as Tai slowly turned around without
making any effort to come towards the shoppe. 'What have I done?' Sora
thought. She realized her mother was still talking to her, but she
wouldn't listen. Instead she was thinking of how much of a monster she
had become.
.........................................................................
"Yoohoo! Tai!" Tai turned to see two cheerleaders waving
and giggling at him about ten feet away.
'Won't they ever leave me alone?' He thought as he cracked
a small smile at them to get them away. Tai grabbed his
duffel bag and closed his locker. 'Am I forgeting something?'
He realized he forgot his other shoes.
"Yoohoo!" The cheerleaders watched as he kept messing up
his combination for the lock.
"Tai?" Someone said from right behind him.
"What!?" He shouted furiously. He noticed the silence and
slowly turned around to face Sora.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry. I thought you were one of those
damn cheerleaders whistling at me or something." He opened
his locker, finally.
"That's alright, I came over here to see if you have our
notes from English?" She leaned against a nearby locker.
"Hmm? Not paying attention as usual?" He stole a glance at
her.
"Well, by the time Ms. Tanseiawa said we needed it for the
quiz tomorrow I was too late, and then the bell rang."
"Sorry."
"Let me guess, you don't have it? This is just great!" She
said sarcastically.
"I do have it, but not with me. I bet I am really late for
soccer practice!" Tai stood up and flung his duffel bag
over his shoulder. "Come find me at the field when you're
done with tennis, okay?"
"Okay." She turned and started to walk away.
'She must want to have really good grades?' He slammed his
locker. "Sora." Tai stopped her. She slowly turned her
head, she knew what he would say.
"You will do fine on the test, don't forget that." He gave
her one of those so perfect smiles that she had to smile
back.
"Thanks."
***
"Sora! Keep up with the ball!" Sora's coach yelled. "What's
distracting you!?"
Sora's opponent, Gwen, stopped the ball with her silver
racket.
"Sora?" Her coach glared at her.
"My leg, I don't know. It really hurts." Sora told her.
"Oh, I am sorry I was yelling at you so harsh! Go sit on the
bench, okay?" She lead Sora to the bench.
"I know I shouldn't have been playing, it's my fault."
"No, it's not, Sora. You tried and that's all I asked. Never
blame yourself."
Sora smiled at her, she was very caring, but Sora always
forgot her name.
Soon, the tennis lessons were almost over, and Gwen walked up
to Sora. "Hey girl, your leg is hurting when you run?"
"Yeah, it just started today." Sora got up from the bench.
"I hope you feel better tomorrow, so I can whip you!" She said
playfully, her finger was curling her black hair.
"You? Whip me? Very funny, Gwen!" Sora teased her back.
"Hey! I was just joking, and besides, you're the only one
traveling this team!"
"Thanks, but you are good, too."
"Yeah, right. Come on, it's time to go." They both grabbed
their bags and walked out of the tennis court.
"Can I see you tomorrow? I have to meet someone at the soccer
field." Sora said.
"Yeah, wait a sec! Aren't there only guys playing there?" Gwen
was confused.
"Uh huh, so?"
Gwen grinned at her. "Meeting your boyfriend?"
"My boyfriend!?"
"Yep! What's his name...Tai, is it?" Gwen's green eyes looked
right into Sora.
"What!? How do you know him!" Sora could feel her cheeks getting
warmer.
"Doesn't everyone? You guys always walk together, and he's even
the star of the soccer team! Go figure, two pros at sports, you
both are so alike!"
"Gwen, he's my friend, and everyone knows that. We knew each
other practically all of our lives."
"Aight, see you lata." She winked and walked away. She wasn't
convinced.
'She is so wrong about Tai and I. Why can't anyone tell we are
the best of friends, and only that? Is that so bad?'
"Sora?"
Sora turned around to face the head cheerleader, Victoria. She
had the perfect blonde hair, blue eye, ditzy appearence, as usual,
and everyone knew when she wanted something she would most
definately get it.
"Yes?" Sora looked at Victoria's sparkly eyeshadow. 'That's too
girlish' Sora thought as she glanced away.
"I heard you have a connection with Taichi." In other words, she
thought Tai was hot and needed his number.
"So I do." The wind was getting colder, she wished she had her
coat.
"Does he know me? I mean, I know you two talk, so he's probably
mentioned me." Victoria said in a snobby way.
"Actually, no." Sora had about enough, "I don't know why he
would mention you out of no where if he didn't like you." That
was just the right amount of words to shut her up. Victoria turned
away, slightly.
"I will find out." She walked away, leaving Sora. Victoria wasn't
really that bad, she was acually the nicest on the squad. Victoria
couldn't put up a fight if it killed her, though.
Anyway, Sora noticed the boys were still playing in such cold
weather. She walked to a nearby bench to watch. 'Hmm, I think I do
have my sweater?' Sora fished through her bag. Yep, it was there
as she suspected. She pulled it over her, the warmth was just
enough to brighten her mood.
Ten minutes went by, the boys still played their practice. 'Geez!
How much practice do they need?' Sora thought, she was getting
colder by the minute. 'Tomorrow's game they'll be leading in
the first five minutes!' Her fingers felt numb. 'I know Victoria
is going to ask Tai out, no...she'll make him ask her out. What
was I thinking? A cheerleader asking out a guy? Never.' Sora just
found out she was not the only one sitting on the bench. She
screamed.
"Aaaaaa!" Was Tai's reaction. "Why'd you scream!?"
"Don't do that!"
"Don't scream!"
Sora breathed in and out. "I didn't even notice you were right
next to me."
"It happens." He responded.
'It happens? In what world is he on?' Sora tried not to giggle.
"Please can we go? I am freezing." Tai stood up.
"Why did your coach make you practice in this weather?" Sora
grabbed her bag and stood up, too.
"That's how coaches are? I don't know. I heard tomorrow's going to
be a hard team to play." They started to walk.
Sora smiled at him. "That's what you always say."
They walked until they saw a small coffee shoppe. 'That's it. That's
the coffee shoppe.' Sora told herself as a memory came into her
mind.
'*'One day, four years ago, Sora and Tai were walking, as they were
right now. They never figured that in October snow would come, but
it did.
"Sora?" Tai asked.
"Yeah?" Sora replied.
"Is that snow?" They both stopped walking and glanced at each other's
hair.
"Come on, we aren't going to make it home in time before the snow."
Sora said as she led Tai into 'Mystic Mood Mocha', the coffee shoppe.
Together they ordered hot chocolate and watched as the fresh new snow
fell from the sky before their eyes. It may have seemed lame, but it
was such a sight, snow so soon. Winter was heaven.'*'
"Sora?" Tai was wondering why she stopped walking.
"Huh?" She was back to reality. "Sorry." They passed the coffee
shoppe. It wasn't time to go in there, yet.
"Hey, Tai?" Sora had to mention. Tai looked at her as they walked.
"Do you like Victoria?" She continued.
"Who?"
'That's an automatic no!' Sora thought. "You know, the main cheerleader?"
"Oh, her. Not really. You know how I hate those cheerleaders." He
smiled slightly.
"I forgot." She told him honestly.
"Oh. She asked you about me, didn't she?"
"How'd you know!?"
"Sora, it's obvious. That's how Victoria gets her dates." 'Victoria
is so annoying!' Tai thought.
"I know."
'Is she wondering what kind of girls I like? She didn't even have to tell
me that.' He looked at her.
"Yes, Taichi?" She smiled.
Tai blushed, he wasn't expecting her to notice! "Oh, nevermind!"
Finally, they were standing in front of Tai's apartment. "You need
my notes, don't you? Why don't you stay for awhile, I don't think
my parents are home..." Tai asked a blushing Sora.
'Is he flirting with me or something? What did he mean by that? Or
does he just think his parents are annoying?' Sora thought. When
Tai was opening the door she felt her cheeks, yes, she was blushing!
"Ma? Dad? Kari?" Tai looked around once he opened the door. He stepped
in and Sora followed him. "I don't think they are here, but where
would they have gone?" Tai asked.
"I don't have a clue." Sora threw her bag on the ground. "Are you
allowed to have people over when they aren't home?"
"Sure, yeah, why wouldn't I be?" He stumbled.
"Nevermind." Sora walked over and sat down on the couch. Tai put his
bag down and went to grab a glass.
"Want something to drink?" He was holding two glasses by now.
"What are you having?"
"Hot chocolate." He put the glasses on the counter.
"Oh, yes please." Sora watched him take out a hot chocolate tub. He
then went to the fridge to take out milk. Tai saw her looking at him.
"Want to help?" His brown eyes stared into her eyes.
'I can't let this happen, again. I know it will.' Sora thought as she
remembered when her and Tai were making cookies that one day while at
Mimi's and they almost kissed each other. "It's okay, I am just
watching you." She told him.
'She's making me nervous.' Tai thought as he nodded his head. 'She
could be reading a textbook or something instead!'
Sora looked around the apartment. It wasn't that much different from
hers, but there was a lighter on the table. She spotted a wind chime
that was slowly being carried by the wind. 'That's pretty.' She
thought.
"I use to hate that thing." Tai said.
'Whaaaaat!?? How did he know what I thought!!?' "What?" Sora tried
to say casually.
"You're looking at the wind chime, right?"
'Oh, he saw me...I thought he was making cocoa?! Was he checking me
out!? Wait, what am I thinking!!?' "Yeah." Sora coughed out.
"Almost done." Tai was refering to the hot chocolate that he was
stirring. "Sora?"
"Wha-yeah?" She responded.
"Why do you like tennis more than soccer?" He didn't look up at
her, he kept stirring.
"I never said I like it more. Tennis is more free time for me to
work at my mother's flower shoppe."
"Oh." He stopped stirring and opened a bag of marshmallows.
"I'm going to try to play soccer again, though. I might have time
to do it, or so says my mom."
"Really?? That's so awesome, maybe if you still kick butt you can
be on the boys' soccer team." He looked at her, excited.
Sora laughed. "Sounds fun, like it was last time."
Tai tossed marshmallows in each cup, overflowing them. He walked
over and sat on the couch. He put the glasses on the table.
"Yummy good." Sora said as she grabbed a cup.
"Ditto!" Tai said as he took the other cup. They clinged the cups
together and sipped at the same time.
Tai put his cup down on the table. He stood up and walked to his
bag. He opened it and took out a notebook, the English notebook.
'This hot chocolate could be warmer, but it's fine I suppose.'
Sora was thinking.
Tai came back to the couch and sat down. "Here you go." He was
about to tear out the paper.
"Tai! I can copy, you need the notes." Sora told him. She ripped
out an empty paper and took a pencil laying on the table.
Tai watched her copy for awhile, but he knew his fixed eyes were
causing her to write sloppy. He grabbed the remote on the table
and turned on the t.v. It was the news.
"Look's like snow this week, we predict." The weather man said.
'Snow?' Sora looked up quickly.
The weather man pointed to their area in Tokyo.
"Yeah!" Sora was happy.
Tai noticed, "Come on, copy!" He told her, he wasn't patient.
"Okay, okay!" She kept copying, her hand hurt.
"Is that...." Tai didn't finish.
"What?" Sora looked up. "Tai?"
He pointed to the television. She looked, but it was only the
weather man.
"Tai? Are you okay?" She asked.
He turned to her. "You didn't see what was in the background?"
"Nope."
"Am I losing it? I swear I saw a Digimon or something."
"A Digimon?" Sora repeated.
The front door suddenly made an unlocking noise. It caused
them to jump.
"Someone's home." Tai whispered. "Damn."
The door opened and it was Kari. She closed the door as she
took off her shoes. "Hi you two!" She sounded surprised.
"Hi." Sora said.
"Why are you home?" Tai questioned.
Sora nudged him, he was being rude.
"Why wouldn't I be? And more importantly, why are you here?"
Kari was referring to Sora.
"Oh no, you're right!" Sora almost shouted.
"What?" Tai wondered.
Sora grabbed her notes and headed towards the door. She
started to put on her shoes. Tai got up from the couch.
"Bye, Sora." Kari said.
"Bye you guys." Sora said as she took her bag and opened
the door. She stepped outside.
"Wait-what?" Tai jumped over the table and ran out the door.
She must have ran so fast that Tai didn't see her. "Bye?" He
said to no one. He peered off the balcony. Sora was running
away, she clenched her bag. "Bye Sora!" Tai yelled.
Sora heard and turned around. She looked up and waved. She
left.
Tai felt a hand on his shoulder, it was Kari. "You really
needed to say bye, right?" She asked him.
"She didn't even say where she went to."
"Where does she normally go, with her mom?"
"Oh, the flower shoppe."
"Don't feel so bad, I was very surprised I saw you two
here today. You barely hang out, I know how it is." Kari
walked back inside. "You're going to catch cold."
Tai ignored her.
"Hey, can I have her hot chocolate?"
"Err.."
***
Sora stepped inside the flower shoppe. The bell on the door
jingled.
"Sora! Where were you?" Her mother wondered. She was behind the
register.
"I'm so sorry! I had to borrow Tai's notes." Sora explained.
"Well, that took a long time. It's okay, I haven't heard Tai's
name in what seems like years."
"Years? No way, mama." Sora placed her things behind the counter.
"Well, I never know about the people you like."
"I don't like him!" Sora denied.
"I didn't mean it that way."
Sora blushed as she turned away. "Oops, heh heh, sorry."
"Could you go water the plants for me?" Her mother changed the
subject.
"Of course, I do it everyday." Sora responded as she went out of
the shop's back door.
Riiiing Riiiing
Sora's mother picked up the telephone. She listened and hung up.
"Excuse me?"
Sora's mother turned around to face a girl with black hair pulled
into a bun with one strand hanging out on each side of her face.
"May I help you?" Mrs. Takenouchi asked her.
"Yeah, do you have any blue tulips?"
"Blue? Sorry, not that color. Why would you need blue?"
"It's a small tradition, nevermind. Thank you." The girl turned
and walked out of the store. The bell jingled as the door closed.
'That girl was a bit strange' Mrs. takenouchi thought.
The back door opened. "That was hard." Sora said. "Who were you
talking to?"
"Just a little girl who wanted to buy some flowers."
"Oh." She noticed her mother looking at something outside from
behind her. "What are you looking at?" Sora turned around.
"Look's like your friend is coming."
Sora walked outside to meet Tai. "What are you doing here?" She
asked.
"Looks like you're happy to see me." He said sarcastically.
"Sorry."
"Are you guys closing soon? I don't think these flowers should
go to waste."
"I'm not sure, we'll probably move the flowers inside."
They stood there for what seemed like ten minutes, but it was
actually only one.
"Umm..." Sora started.
"Well..." Tai looked away.
"Yeah?"
"Oh, uh...I heard there's this ice rink.."
"Ice rink..?"
"Uh, yeah..so.."
"Oh, well the flowers..."
"Flowers..?"
"Umm, yeah..."
"Oh, I see..."
"Well, I'm.."
"Yeah, I know..."
"I really am sorry.."
"Well, it doesn't open until seven."
"Oh, well maybe then."
"You wanna call me...?"
"Sounds good..."
"Okay.."
"Talk to you then."
"Bye." He turned and walked away.
Sora watched him leave. 'What's wrong with me?' She thought.
'Why could we barely talk? I know it's my fault, I know it is.
All he wanted to do was catch up with old times, and I just
give the dumb excuse with flowers. I'm such an idiot.' After
Tai was no longer in sight, Sora turned back around. Her
mother stood before her.
"What was that for?" Mrs. Takenouchi asked her daughter.
"I think I made a huge idiot of myself." Sora responded.
"What do you mean?"
"Tai just came over here, asking me to do something fun, and
I'm...just really stupid."
"That's not true, Sora. It couldn't have been that terrible."
Her mother tried to reassure her.
"I don't know."
"What did he want you to do?"
"He wanted to check out the new ice skating rink with me."
"Oh, I see.." She tried to hide a small smile. "You can go,
you aren't staying here all night."
"Really?!" Sora was excited now.
"Well, I haven't heard you two doing things together in a
long time, but I think you need ice skates-"
"I can rent! Thanks mama!" She hugged her mother. "This will
be so much fun! Maybe the others will be there, too!"
"Maybe, hurry up and go get him before he's already walked home."
"Oh yeah! Bye!" Sora ran along the sidewalks. 'He couldn't have
ran so fast!' She was thinking.
"Sora?"
Sora ran past a bench that Tai and Matt were both sitting on.
She stopped running and turned around. She walked towards them.
"What are you guys doing here?" She asked.
"Just sitting." Matt said.
"I think I noticed that." Sora replied.
"We were actually talking about the ice skating rink." Tai told her.
"Oh?"
"Yeah, we're trying to get everyone to go tonight." Matt said.
"Well, I can go!"
"Really?" Tai couldn't believe it.
"Really! I can't remember the last time I skated..it was so...fun."
Sora started to act like she was skating. Tai laughed.
"Man, I hate ice skating." Matt said gloomily.
Sora stopped. "Why are you going then? I bet you didn't even give
ice skating a chance."
"Oh he did," Tai said. "but he didn't really, what's the word,
succeed."
"Tai, shut up!" Matt shot back.
"We can always teach you how." Sora moved a strand of hair back
behind her ear.
"I know, but do we have to go today? I mean, it is short notice, so
what are the chances that everyone will come?"
"Matt! We have to go! Today, is....special.." Tai stumbled.
"Special!?" Sora and Matt said in unison.
"Okay, okay! So maybe it's not..."
"I think Tai lost it," Matt mentioned.
"Enough already! I guess we won't go." Sora seemed a bit sad.
"Sora, we can still go." Tai noticed.
"How about you guys go today, and another day we'll all go?" Matt
tried to clear it up. "Well, I have to go and do the laundry. Bye."
Matt walked away, but he heard Tai snickering. "Shut up, Tai!"
"So? Want to go?" Tai offered.
"Isn't it going to be weird? Only us two?" Sora asked.
"Why would it be?" Tai wondered.
"Nevermind." Sora looked as a single snowflake hit her coat. 'I know
he knows what I mean. This is going to look so strange, I can't let
anything happen-I can't go with him.' Sora thought. 'After everything
that almost happened before, this is the match point. I mean, Tai's great
and all, but I don't want anything more than our friendship. Is he
staring at me? Oh shoot, we are leaving right now!'
Tai and Sora started to walk. They were coming close to the flower
shoppe.
"Tai?" Sora started, he looked at her. "I can't go with you, I'm sorry!"
With that, Sora walked away towards the flower shoppe. She felt Tai's
eyes watching her, burning. She started to run, once she made it inside
she closed the door taking huge gulps of oxygen.
"Sora? Back so soon?" It was her mother. "Were you just in a race?"
Sora ignored her and turned towards the window. Was Tai still standing
there? Sora could, somehow, see his face from such distance. He had a
look of anger or sadness, something she had never seen before by him.
Was Tai hurt or confused? She watched as Tai slowly turned around without
making any effort to come towards the shoppe. 'What have I done?' Sora
thought. She realized her mother was still talking to her, but she
wouldn't listen. Instead she was thinking of how much of a monster she
had become.
.........................................................................