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DISCLAIMER: As always. I don't own these Digimon characters, except for Evan and now Riley. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!!!

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~Chapter Eight~

            After Mimi changed into my clothes, we talked for a little while until she slowly fell asleep into my arms. I'm assuming she must be really tired.  It was now around 3 in the afternoon and I didn't know how long she's been here.  Just watching her angelic face sleep peacefully gave me a sense of happiness. I could never imagine anyone wanting to hurt this innocent girl.  I would've beaten the shit out of that Kyle guy if he was here. I felt like I've let her down.  I was her protector but she got hurt and I hadn't done anything to protect her. 

            The rain was now pouring outside. I carefully got up from my position on the couch, making sure I didn't wake her up and looked out the window. Rain splattered against the window. I reached out my hand and placed it there. Suddenly, I see another hand cover mind. I turn around to find Mimi smiling at me. So many emotions are brewing inside me…I can't think straight. I want Mimi back, but there's Riley…even though we don't have those precious memories Mimi and I have together, she's still an incredible girl.  But so is Mimi. Then again, Mimi has Michael and she has a son. But that doesn't change the way I feel about her.  Just watching her stand there and look out the window with me, made me realize how strong my love was for her. Not only did I loved her, I was beginning to think I was falling in love with her all over again.

            "Matt?" She whispered, still keeping her gaze out the window.

            "Hmm?"

            "How's everyone?" She asks.

            "They're good but they've missed you." I tell her.

            "I miss them too. How's Tk?"

            "He's great. He and Kari are finally together."

            "About time…" She giggled.

            "8 long years Mimi…" I said.

            "Yeah. It's been forever."

            "Are you and Michael getting back together?"

            "I'm not sure. I want him to still be there for Evan. I mean, through Evan's life, Michael's always been the fatherly figure. I don't know how I would've managed without him. He's been great to me and amazing to Evan, but he hasn't been in the picture lately. He's constantly traveling now." She sighs, now leaning her back against the window.

            As much as I don't want them to get back together, I could see it from Mimi's perspective about wanting Michael to be there. My dad was never there for me and that made me become this tough person who never let anyone knew how he felt. I would want to be there for my son. Helping him through life, step by step.

            "I'm sure things will work out…" I said, trying my best to sound truthful.

            "I hope they do, but I doubt it…"

            "Why?"

            "I don't know. I love Michael and all…but I'm just not IN love with him. You know what I mean Matt?" She asks, turning her head to face me.

            "Yeah. I know what you mean."

            A long moment of silence passed by. Neither of us looked at each other. Both of us, just standing there watching the rain pour onto the street and buildings.

            "I think I should get back." She broke the silence.

            "You sure? I mean it's raining pretty hard out there."

            "I can manage. I'm a big girl now." She smiled.

            "Ok. If you insist, but take my jacket with you. It's gonna be freezing." I tell her but she shakes her head. "No, I insist."

            "Fine." I hand her my jacket and she reluctantly takes it. "But I'm coming back here later to return it to you."

            "Keep it as long as you want. I have another jacket I can wear."

            "Thank you Matt." She smiled, then startles me by giving me a great big hug. It felt so good. Just hugging her.

            "Anytime."

            "Bye Matt." She said as she walked out the door.

            *Sigh* Shit. I have two girls I'm interested in and I don't know what to do. One of them, I'm possibly in love with and the other one, I'm starting to get to know. I don't know what to do. I came here to New York to start a new life, without Mimi in my past. That obviously didn't work.  They say to always follow your heart but my heart is incompetent at the moment.

            *RING RING*

            "Hello?" I answered.

            "Hey Matt. It's Riley." She said.

            "Hey."

            "I'm sorry to call but it looks like I have to be at work tomorrow also." She tells me. I'm kind of disappointed that our date is canceled.

            "No it's ok. We can go out again sometime." I tell her.

            "Ok great. I'll talk to you later then. I gotta get back, my boss is nagging me." She informs.

            "Ok. Bye." I say before hanging up.

            No date with Riley tomorrow. That means I'm stuck at home for the day. I don't start my job until next week. You know what, I haven't touched my guitar in ages.  The last time I played a song was before I left Japan. I hurriedly took out my guitar and tuned it.  Then I slowly played the song I last played..

            "Carpe diem…that's what they say…

            take chances you won't regret…

            but it's not always true…

            …time to move on…time to forget the past….

            Can't stand around just holding on to a memory….

            …Moving out…starting a new life…a new life without you…

            Moving away…saying goodbye to everyone I know…

            …I'll miss them…but that's part of learning to let go…"   I suddenly had this overwhelming feeling to write a song. I quickly grabbed the nearest pencil I saw and rummaged through my guitar case for a scrap piece of paper.

~end of chapter eight…

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