Rumpleteasza: This time I'm not posting in pairs, because I think this chapter is a little odd one out on it's own and should stay that way for a bit. Secondly, I am having a BIG crisis and if I stay on here any longer, the future of Girl Chat is jeopardised because I may kick the monitor.
There are three things very wrong with my life at the moment.
1) I hardly ever see my brother anymore because he's away on his gap year.
2) My friend Meg has got into the habit of poking me in the boob, then running away laughing. I can't fathom it, but I suppose it must make sense to her.
3) I just found out the guy I like is gay... and fancies my ex-boyfriend. Bollocks anyway.
Soooo, naturally I'm in a bit of a nark-off today. You know, the kind of mood that if you were an Evil Empress you'd rampage around your city blasting things with lightning and terrifying random underlings. But, I have to admit, when I got in from college and found I had almost 20 new reviews for chapters 10 and 11, it really cheered me up. So cheers m'dears, you all rock.
Just remembered this is a fic, not a livejournal or anything, so I'll stop going on about my problems and let you read the next chapter. It's VERY squishy. Interpret it how you like.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter Twelve – For One Is Silver, But The Other Is Gold
Tai flicked through the channels on the TV, slumped dejectedly on the sofa.I can't believe Kari told them all those things about me, he thought gloomily. Just wait 'til I see her. She's not gonna get away with this. He looked guiltily at the small burn-mark on the carpet, where earlier that evening part of the nude photo he'd been trying to set fire to had escaped and caught alight on the rug. He shifted the coffee table so it was covered.
He looked at his watch. An hour and a half 'til the dance started. His tux was hanging on the back of his bedroom door ready to wear, but Tai felt extremely unmotivated about the whole thing. It's all Kari's fault, he thought peevishly, kicking a cushion off the couch to make room for his feet.
The doorbell rang suddenly, making him jump. He frowned. Who could that be? Mr and Mrs Kamiya had gone out for the evening, and he knew Kari and Sora were staying at Mimi's until the dance. So who…
Rolling off the couch and lumbering through the kitchen, he threw the front door open to reveal Matt. It could have been the watery evening sunlight, but his friend's light features looked even paler than usual.
"Hey, Matt," he grinned, waving him inside. "Good timing, dude, I was totally bored. What's up?"
Strange, he seemed almost nervous. He hovered on the doorstep for a minute before stepping over the threshold and depositing his guitar case in the hallway. "Can't stay long, gotta get set up with the band before the dance. I… need to talk to you about something."
"Sure," Tai replied, puzzled. "Siddown.Want adrink?"
"I'm ok," he said, perching on a stool by the counter, looking down at his hands.
Tai looked at his rigid posture and set features. Something was definitely wrong. He put a bottle of Pepsi on the table and closed the refrigerator with a snap. "Ok, dude, I know something's up. Tell me what's wrong. You nervous about playing tonight?"
He shook his head. "It's not that."
Tai sat down. "Hey, is this about the lollipop, because if it is…"
Matt's cheeks tinged pink, but he chuckled softly. "Nah. It's…"
"What?" Tai pressed.
"This is kind of hard."
"I can see that. But the sooner you say it, the sooner it'll be over, right?"
"Right." He shifted uncomfortably, refusing to meet his friend's eyes. "Well…"
Tai narrowed his eyes. This was unusual behaviour for Matt. This was how he'd been in their first months of friendship, the first time they'd been to the Digiworld. Back then, he wouldn't have been surprised to see this kind of nervous, guarded, moody behaviour, but now? No way. Matt had changed a lot since those days.
On the other side of the table, Matt seemed to reach a conclusion. He suddenly looked up across the table, and Tai was shocked to see his oceanic eyes more expressive than he'd seen in years.
"Tai," he blurted out, "I'm – I'm bisexual."
The bottle slipped from Tai's fingers and shattered on the tile floor. He hardly registered the noise. Matt jumped up at the smash as glass flew all over the kitchen. There was silence. Tai didn't move. Matt took a step forwards.
"Tai?" he croaked desperately. "Tai, please…"
But Tai could only gape. Brokenly, his pale lower lip trembling, Matt replaced the stool quietly and made for the door, his honey-blond head bowed. He turned the doorknob.
Suddenly Tai shook himself. "Wait!"
Matt stopped and half-turned, but wouldn't meet his eyes.
"Jesus, I'm sorry, Matt," Tai apologised, scrambling round the table to the door. "I can't believe I did that." He indicated the glass. "You – uh – you just kinda shocked me, that's all."
Matt stayed motionless.
"Look," Tai said just as desperately, "I'm sorry! That was really stupid of me. I didn't mean to freak out on you. Look, Matt," he said more gently, "I appreciate you coming to me and I'm really flattered you felt you could tell me. It makes no difference, Ok? You're still the dude, da man, we're still best friends. You are what you are, and I'll stand by you whatever you do and whatever you happen to be. Ok?"
Matt look up at him, his cerulean eyes wet. He looked almost as if he were about to cry. "Really, Tai?"
"Really, Matt."
"Oh god, you have no idea what this means to me…"
Tai felt his throat tightening. Oh, no. No way. I'mNOT gonna cry. "Oh, c'mere," he said, his voice wobbling, pulling Matt into a sudden hug.
When had he last hugged like this? Come to think of it, when had Matit laSt hugged like this? He was clutching him tightly, drinking in his support – was that a tear Tai just felt on his neck?
They stood there quietly in the doorway, in eachothers arms, softly illuminated by the pale evening sun. A slight breeze ruffled their hair. The faint noise of the traffic and pedestrian bustle below was a world away.
Finally they broke apart. Embarrassed, Matt wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. Tai laughed.
"Look at us, right pair of girls!"
Matt smiled.
"Hey," Tai said reassuringly, clapping him on the back. "Don't worry about it, Ok? Now get to the dance and play like you never played before. I wanna hear some real good music tonight, got it?"
Matt nodded, his blue eyes holding an expression Tai hadn't quite seen before. "Got it. And Tai," he added, "thanks."
"No prob. Go on."
With a last smile, a real smile that showed clearly in his crystal eyes, Matt left.
Tai watched him round the corner and then shut the door quietly. He padded out to the balcony and sat down, staring at the pale sunset. He felt oddly warm inside.
Rumpleteasza: Ah, the plot thickens. I like messing around with Tai, Matt and Sora. I still don't know which coupling it's going to end up as. Well, whatever it is, you can be sure Tai will get his come-uppance for doubting Sora's femininity, don't you worry. I'm feeling vengeful and irrational today - just like any other day, then… So I'll probably take it out on poor Taichi-kun in one of the later chapters.
Taichi: (quail) Please don't... I'll give you money...
Rumpleteasza: Arse off Tai, no bribes today, I am in a BAD MOOD. So shoo. Anyhow, looooovely readers, hope the squishiness has appeased you. Comments welcome, as you know. Next chapter you get to see all the girl's outfits... doesn't THAT sound exciting? … I REALLY need to get some better inspiration.
