stonehearts2



Matt and Tai continued to stare deeply into the other's eyes, strange, and yet somehow very familiar. Sora ran over, and clutched Matt's arm.

MATT! Snap out of it. The principal is coming!

It was too late. The principal rounded the corner on a dead run, Mimi close behind him.

Yamato Ishida! Get out of here immediately. Fighting is an automatic suspension young man! His rough hands grasp Matt's collar. Your father will be hearing from me!

His stoney gaze meets the principal. He swallows, and takes a step back nervously. How could a kid's eyes look so cold?

Mimi rushes over, and helps Tai up. Are you okay?

He smiles weakly at her. Yeah Mimi. He swallows, and then addresses the principal.

Sir, it was my fault. I started it. I should be the one being punished. Not Yamato.

Matt snaps his head around, gazing at the ernest face. What was he doing?

The principal ignores Tai's confession. Mimi, this young man needs some ice on that eye. Please take him to the nurses' office.

The principal strode away, leaving Sora and Matt to stare after two retreating figures. Why did he try to take the blame Sora?

She doesn't answer him. Sora's hopeful eyes watch the girl in the pink sun dress helping Tai walk away. Finally she whispers. I don't know Matt.

*****

Tai winces as the nurse dabs at the small cut with peroxide. It isn't that bad, really.

What were you doing? Trying to kill yourself? Mimi lectured sternly. If I hadn't gotten Mr. Jazuki...

I'm fine Mimi, really. Tai muttered. The nurse handed them a pass since they were both late for history.

So who is that Sora girl? His girlfriend? Tai tried to act nonchalant, but inside he was dying of curiosity. He couldn't stop thinking about those eyes.

Mimi looked at him warily. Not exactly.

Tai pressed further. Do you know her?

Mimi looked at the ground as she walked. I used to.

What do you mean, used too?

Mimi looked sadly into his eyes. people change Tai.

So they aren't seeing each other? Tai had to know.



The kids continually stared at his bruised face, but he ignored them, his eyes on the teacher, but his mind was a million miles away. Why do I care if Matt and Sora are a couple? Tai was very confused. He had been confused ever since he had stared into Matt's eyes. History class seemed like it lasted forever. After math Tai sprung outside, and ran over toward his sister's smaller figure.

Tai! What happened, are you okay? Kari's concerned amber eyes gaze at his injury.

I'm fine Kari. I got into a tiny fight. Tai grins weakly at his little sister.

Oh Tai! Kari wraps her arms around his waist.

Tai strokes her brown head. Don't tell mom, okay squirt? His gaze falls over the figure standing in the doorway. Yamato Ishida. He blinks nervously. Blue eyes meet brown again. Tai breaks eye contact. When he lifts his gaze again, Matt is gone.

*******

Matt angrily punched his pillow. It was after midnight, and he still couldn't sleep. How dare that Taichi kid try to cover for him. Hadn't the others filled him in on how he was? Why couldn't he forget about those deep brown eyes. His sad blue gaze locked on the picture of his night stand. A much happier and younger him sat next to an even younger version.

oh Takeru. His blue eyes welled with tears. But seeing how close Taichi and his little sister were had reminded him of Takeru. They had been close like that once. But he was gone forever now. All because a drunken driver had to be out on the road at 3:00 in the afternoon. All because his mother decided to go grocery shopping later in the day, after Takeru's nap. All because he was a rotten son and brother.

Angrily Matt threw back the covers. There was no way he could sleep tonight. He strode out of the empty apartment, his father was still at work. He needed to forget about Takeru. He needed to forget about his father. He especially needed to forget about Taichi, and his damn brown eyes.

to be continued