Lessons in Dating

--- Author's Note ---

Yeah! The fourth part is up! Thanx for all your reviews. It keeps me writing. So anyway, pleaz review this chapter to. Thanx.

* * * *

"I knew you'd go out with him Sora," Mimi cried, twirling her pom-poms.

It was Monday afternoon and Sora had stuck around to watch cheerleading practice.

"I didn't go out with him," Sora insisted. "We're just friends."

"The guy has the hots for you Sora," Mimi said.

"You don't know that," Sora replied.

"It's so like, duh," Mimi told her. "Lesson in dating number one: always give in when a hot guy asks you out."

"That's pathetic," Sora commented.

"But it can be useful," Hannah cut in. "Lesson number two: always let him choose where your going."

"That's stupid," Sora said.

Mimi sighed. "Sora, these are the rules to a happy and complete relationship."

"Look," Sora said. "I don't even want to date the guy. And even if I did, I'd want a complete and totally equal relationship."

Hannah sighed. "Okay whatever," she said. "Girls!" she called to the other cheerleaders.

The group gathered around them.

"Are we done yet Hannah?" Nikki complained.

"Yeah," Maria added. "You know how late we stayed today?"

"I just wanted to say we're finished," Hannah said, glaring at them.

"There is a God," Amy said, clasping her hands together.

The girls laughed.

"See you later," Sora said. "I've got to be heading home. It's a long walk."

"It's only a ten-minute walk," Nikki said.

"Is your car still in the shop, Sora?" Maria asked.

Sora nodded. "Yes."

"I'll walk with you," Mimi volunteered.

"Okay," Sora replied.

On the way to the parking lot, they passed Matt and his friend Tai.

"Lesson number three," Mimi whispered. "Always say hello to cute guys."

"Hi Sora," Tai said. "Hey Mimi," he added. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Sora replied.

"Well we've got to be going," Mimi added, walking faster. "Come on Sora."

Once the boys were out of earshot, Mimi gave her a look. "Why didn't you say anything to Matt?" she demanded.

"I told you he doesn't like me," Sora declared triumphantly. "He didn't say anything to me at all."

"What a jerk. Okay, that's it," Mimi seethed. "Lesson number four: if a guy blows you off, blow him off worse."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sora asked.

"In simple terms, if he ignores you... you ignore him," Mimi said, smirking.

Sora groaned. "This is getting way to complicated."

"Hey, if you get a boyfriend at least all those guys will stop bothering you," Mimi pointed out. "After all, no one would stand up to Matt Ishida."

"I thought you were pissed off at him," Sora said. "What happened to your what a jerk?"

"Well, no one can stay mad at him for long," Mimi said dreamily. "Especially when you think about his eyes."

Sora stared at her glassy-eyed friend. "Are you feeling okay?" she asked. Sora was starting to think maybe Mimi was a little weird upstairs. "Have you considered seeing a therapist?"

"Sora," Mimi exclaimed. "I'm not an insane maniac!"

"Whatever," Sora replied.

* * * *

"You should have seen your face Matt," Tai declared laughing. "You were all red before she came over!"

"What?" Matt demanded.

"When Sora was just coming out of the school, you were like ohmigod! And then, your all red and you-" Tai couldn't hold in his laughter anymore.

"It's not that funny," Matt snapped.

"Gee Matt," Tai commented. "Since when did you get nervous around women?"

"I'm not," Matt retorted.

"Riiight," Tai said, drawing the word out. "That's why you stared at the floor and didn't say a word to her when she said hi."

"Shut up," Matt warned him.

"You crack me up, Ishida," Tai said, before walking away.

* * * *

Ring, ring.

Sora reached over and answered the phone. "Hello?" she asked.

"Sora?" a voice said. "Hey, it's me."

"Oh," Sora said. "Hi, um... Matt?"

"Yeah," Matt said laughing. "Listen, sorry for not saying hello or anything earlier, you know."

"Oh," Sora said. "That's okay. Um, is that all?"

"No," Matt said. "Do you want to go out for dinner tonight? Just for pizza at Vito's."

Sora thought about it. "Sure," she replied. "It'll be fun. I'll meet you there at seven, okay?"

"Great," Matt exclaimed.

As soon as she hung up the phone rang again.

"Hello?" Sora asked.

"Sora, it's me," Mimi said. "Can I come over?"

"Sure," Sora replied. "You can help me choose what to wear."

"Where are you going?" Mimi asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.

"To Vito's with Matt," Sora replied.

"With Matt?" Mimi repeated. "I'll be over in two seconds."

Two seconds later (well, that's an exaggeration), Mimi arrived.

"You and Matt will be the hottest item to hit our stupid school since Hannah went out with Mr. Farley," was the first thing Mimi said.

"Hannah went out with Mr. Farley?" Sora exclaimed.

"It was a rumor," Mimi replied. "So, your just going to Vito's?" she added, going through Sora's closet.

Sora nodded. "Yes."

"Then wear this," Mimi declared, holding up a skirt that ended above the knee and a white top with a blue flower print.

"Hey," Sora said. "Thanks. That looks great."

"Well, hurry up and put it on," Mimi said impatiently. "What time are you leaving?"

"Seven," Sora said, slipping into the outfit.

Mimi sucked in her breath. "Perfect," she breathed. "This outfit is so you."

Sora rolled her eyes. "Oh my god, it's already six-thirty," she exclaimed. "And I have to walk."

Mimi started down the hall while Sora locked the door to her apartment.

"Oh, and Sora," Mimi called, behind her shoulder.

"Yeah," Sora said, placing her key back into her purse.

"Lesson in dating number five: if he kisses you, kiss him back," Mimi said, giggling.