FLF: Hmmm, you want some thoughts?
Voices: Yeah, but you sure don't have any relevant ones.
FLF: Why, of course I have relevant thoughts. Like the other day, I saw a guy with blonde hair named TK. He was hot like July, you best believe. Anyway, I was thinking about that. Very applicable, don't you agree?
Voices: Oh, fur; you're such a girl.
FLF: That sounded very condescending, V... I have my dignity.
Voices: *coughs* you're writing about Digimon.
FLF: Hey mix it around, drop the MO and add TY and what does that spell?
Okay, I actually enjoyed revising this chapter. Weird, I know. But I think it's a goody if you're up for more of my old school Digimon attic recycling.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, blahblahblah..
Here we go.
~*~
Kari's POV
"Got a letter from TK!" I called down to the bottom bunk
"Ooo... I'm coming!" Kaori called up happily. It had become a ritual for the two of us to share letters and news tidbits up on the top bunk. Kaori liked how I'd decorated it and I liked the privacy. We both knew from experience that it was very easy to pick the lock to our dorm room. Once I'd been reading her a love letter TK had written to me and one of Ben's friends had barged in, stolen it from my hands and read it aloud for a group of about ten boys outside. I'd been mortified. Of course I had no need to be, TK would always do something really sweet like a love poem, love letter, or even send me a burned CD of all his favorite love songs. It was nothing to hide. It was too adorable, so I always shared it with Kaori. This time the letter was thin, but I didn't care.
"Open it already!" Kaori squeaked
I opened my mouth and began to read.
~*~
Dear Hikari,
There are no coherent words to describe how I feel right now. I'm shocked, pained, angry saddened. How could you do that to me Kari? You had me wrapped around your little finger, ready to take your command at whim... and what do *you* do? You go around doing unseemly things with a boy you hardly know! You thought I wouldn't find out? Well I did and. God Kari, I thought I knew you, but I guess I didn't. All my life I thought you were something that you're clearly not. I fell in love with someone that just doesn't exist. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive that.
Angry and Confused,
Takeru Takaishi
PS: You *are* a Yak!
~*~
"Kari... I'm so sorry! Oh my god..." Kaori gasped after I read her the letter.
"But what did I do? What? Who?"
"I dunno..." Kaori replied shaking her head sadly.
~*~
The next day I was barely there in Portrait class. I was sad confused lost. In a moment everything that was finally right, the foundation had vanished.
"Very good Miss Berg! Nice expression, full of happiness and joy! We can see the triumph on the girls face as she accepts the award! Brilliant!" Ms. Randolph cried. She was the teacher of this class. Miss Berg was a girl named Bonnie. She was pretty nice, but I didn't know her that well.
"Now, everybody I would like you to look at the painting Miss Kamiya is doing. It differs a lot from her earlier work, no? Look at the pain and determination in the child's teary eyes, as she has just fallen after taking her first steps. Look at the tone of the colors; they have a blue heather tinge to them, don't they? What does this painting signify to you Miss Kamiya?"
"Um... I guess it signifies the fact that the world is full of beautiful moments, but the moment always ends in pain or sorrow. While we always paint the climax of joy, it is also important to capture the moment after, the one where the only thing left is hope, the hope for the joy to return. But if you lose the hope then that becomes you. Without hope also means hopeless." I said. Without TK I had no hope. Hopeless.
"Very deep Miss Kamiya."
I looked around the room silently. Ben looked moved, Kaori stared at me, and Hanae fiddled with a strand of her hair. Everyone else just blinked, but soon the moment was over. We all continued painting until the bell rang.
After I left the classroom Ben walked up to me and said, "That was really amazing, what you said in class. It really made me think. There's a lot more to you than a lot of those girls. They're here to impress people with their talent, you've got more of it than they do, but your art always says something. And then you say something just as eloquent. It really is amazing Kari."
"Thanks, and there must be something different about you too. Most people didn't understand what I was getting at."
"Thank you," he said blushing. It then occurred to me that what Hanae had said to me on the first day was true. He did like me... I had TK though... I sighed. What had I done? I was over thinking it. I let my mind drift. It had suddenly occurred to me also that I was becoming slightly drawn to Ben's high level of comprehension and great sense of humor, but as suddenly as the thought grazed my mind I shooed it away. I was in love with TK and acting for a moment, like anything with Ben would be, was wrong.
"I'll see you in Still Life!"
~*~
TK's POV
The life inside me was dwindling... I shouldn't have let her get to me so much. Just one kiss- a life of feeling. I needed to get a grip.
"TK! You got something from Kari!" Mom called
"Throw it away."
"Look honey I know you're mad, but she's been calling you over and over and you've ignored all that. Just read the letter. It can't hurt."
"Fine. But if it makes upset, even a little, you leave me alone about this."
"Done." Mom said. She really thought I would like the letter. I guess she just doesn't know what a bitch Kari is....
Reluctantly, I opened the envelope. It was on pretty cream-colored stationary in her favorite pink ink and perfect handwriting. This normally made me smile, but now it made me want to puke. It read:
Dear Takeru,
What is love?
Love's all what's light!
What gets you through
The black of night!
Love is life!
I live to love you
Live to kiss you,
Live to hug you.
Life is love and love is you
Without your love
What do I do?
It is your love that gets me through.
The only thing I know that's true.
When loneliness
Comes creeping 'round.
I'll go wherever love is found.
And when I'm down
And when I'm out
Your love is what I think about.
It is the very spoon that feeds me-
Someone loves me,
Someone needs me.
But now what is there that awaits me?
The one I love thoroughly hates me.
And no one even told me why!
There's no solace in the tears I cry.
Life is love and love is you,
Please tell me, love, what did I do?
Love? Hikari Kamiya
~*~
I was startled. So she loved me? And she didn't know what I meant? She could be lying. Or Davis could be lying... Definitely more likely... How did I ever fall into a trap like that?
~*~ Kari's POV
"Good afternoon class!" Mr. Etchski called
"Good afternoon Sensei!"
It was freedom of the brush, Kari's. and well, just about everyone's favorite class. You got fifty minutes to just stand and paint. Kari picked up her brush and started to paint, when Ben accidentally bumped up into her. His back was to hers the way the easels were set up today. He had simply stepped away to look at his painting.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't realize you were there!" He said sounding genuine and nervous at the same time.
"It's all good. This picture looks better abstract anyway!" I said looking at the blob he had caused. I smiled reassuringly.
"Yeah if you put a little red over here, and a little purple over here!" He said sounding relieved that I was okay.
I went to put my brush back on the paper and continued almost painting myself out of the cruel reality. About fifteen minutes before class ended I felt a tremor. There was going to be an earthquake, I could feel it coming. I had experienced one before because they came so often in Japan. Something my 7th grade earth science teacher rambled on about plate tectonic boundaries converging or something... I had forgotten all the precautions... or what to do... "GET DOWN KARI!" Ben yelled as a big easel was about to crash down on me, but before it could, he pushed me out of the way so that he landed on top of me instead. He held me tightly to him and took the blow of whatever came our way. The earth thrashed violently up and down. People were screaming. People were getting hurt. Then as quickly as the quake came, it went.
~*~
I was unharmed, but Ben wasn't he had a gash across his back and a bruise on his cheek. He was still holding me. I couldn't move out of shock. About 10 minutes later he gained the strength to talk.
"So, aren't you going to thank me?" he asked
"How would you like to be thanked?" I replied
"Like this." he said then he leaned down and kissed me gently on the lips, and I simply couldn't deny feeling. But of course it hadn't been true feeling. It was the emotions bottled from all the stress with TK, the fright of the earthquake, the gratitude toward him for my life and of course the sensation of being kissed again. I pulled away suddenly burdened by the weight of what I'd just done. I'd just done something very wrong.
"Thanked?" I said trying my very hardest not to sound aggravated. How could he do that? He knew I had a boyfriend... No... He didn't How stupid am I? I knew he liked me, but I never ever slipped TK's name into conversation. I cursed my own stupidity.
"Yes." He replied sullenly. He knew he was upset. I felt bad. I would never hurt someone like him, especially after they had just saved my life. He didn't know why I had rejected him. I wouldn't tell him right now, it was too much. Then I noticed the camera sitting on the ceiling and it triggered a memory. About five years ago there had been a bad earthquake here, in this area of Japan. They had put footage from these cameras on the news. I remembered hearing about HSA and seeing this art room. The news throughout Japan... tonight TK would see me kiss another guy.
"The news." I whispered
"Oh well..." Ben said bitterly clearly remembering this too, "At least my twin brother will swoon with envy as he sees me kiss a girl ten times better than he ever could. Just so long as they don't zoom in and show how disgusted you were."
"I'm sorry... It wasn't you... it's just..." I started to cry.
~*~ Ben's POV
Jesus. Did she have to cry? Wasn't it bad enough for me to be rejected? Maybe I did something wrong, but what? Oh, such a pity to see a beautiful girl like her crying. I shouldn't feel guilty, should I? I touched her lightly on the shoulder, she tried to flash me an, 'its okay' smile but failed miserably. A few minutes later she ran out of the art room screaming "Izzy!" I was confused. Who was Izzy?
~*~
Kari's POV
"Izzy!" I yelled. I was happy to have an excuse to run away. I definitely needed time to think. I scrambled up the steps to the computer lab. "Izzy!" I yelled. The room was a wreck. It wasn't as safety proofed as the art room. I had to lift up some debris until I found him. He was badly injured. Izzy looked up at me.
"K.K.ari?" Izzy whispered from lack of strength. "Are... y...ou O...K?"
"I'm fine. It's you I should worry about." I said trying to pull him out of the rubble. I wasn't strong enough. I needed help. None of the students in that room all looked pretty winded. I had get Ben.
"I'll be back with help! Don't worry!"
I ran all the way down the steps, stumbling on a few. I ran until I skidded to a halt at the door to the art room.
"Ben" I gasped, "I need your help."
~*~
Ben's POV
I had half a mind not to help her, but she looked really scared and really weak. She also looked sorry. "No need to think twice!" I said smiling wryly at her. I hope she appreciates this...
~*~ Kari's POV
We ran up the steps together, I led him to the computer lab.
"You're back..." I heard Izzy mumble
"C'mon! Help me pull him out!" I called to Ben who positioned himself at Izzy's other arm.
"1...2...3..." we called. On three Izzy was out from under a table where he'd been stuck. He looked pretty much okay, just scratched, bruised and battered. His ankle, however, was lying in a weird limp position, and was covered in blood. We sat there with him for a couple of hours, not saying anything to one another.
"Izzy? How's your ankle?" I said leaning down to him
"A little better. Thanks. I owe you one." He said
"I'll be counting." I said giving him a cockeyed grin. "Also, thank Ben. I couldn't have helped without him!" Ben nodded his head to Izzy in a silent "you're welcome"
I gave Izzy a quick hug and asked, "Will you be okay?"
"Yeah. I should be fine. I owe you my life."
"Hey! You've saved my neck before, it was the least I could do!"
~*~
After all the events of the day I just went back to my room and collapsed into my bed, which I was grateful to see had survived. I didn't even remember about the camera. I hardly remembered the kiss. It seemed ages ago. I simply was turning on the TV to see if it worked when I saw an anchorwoman walk into the newsroom, pressing down the wrinkles in her skirt and begin to speak. I suddenly remembered.
"One of our top stories tonight is the 7.6 earthquake in Sapporo. They are still counting the casualties. We have been blessed with some footage of this quake, courtesy of HSA."
I saw the high school art room. I saw Ben jump and knock me away from danger. I saw him take all the blows, and the fate that people who didn't have saviors met.
"And amongst tragedy lurks romance." They zoomed in on his kiss to me. "For love blossoms where terror strikes."
I nearly died. I punched the TV off. I punched every pillow in the room. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw an Instant Message sitting on the computer. It was from Mimi. I sat down. She had to hear this right.
PinkPassion562: Hey Kari!
NoAngel45: Hey Mimi
PinkPassion562: Don't like Ben eh? well we ALL saw u 2 on TV!
NoAngel45: WHAT? You live in AMERICA!
PinkPassion562: So? We got the footage too!
NoAngel45: My life is over
PinkPassion562: How's that? *I* think it's wonderful!
NoAngel45: But I have a boyfriend
PinkPassion562: Gots ta be a playa, girl!
NoAngel45: Now Mimi, you know that's not my style. Do you know about TK?
PinkPassion562: Um... well he was really proud of that voodoo doll he made of you...
NoAngel45: He made a Voodoo doll of me?
PinkPassion562: Yeah... you, Ben, and umm. Gerald Ford.
NoAngel45: Okay, I can understand Ben and I. but Gerald Ford?
PinkPassion562: *shrugs* Well I guess if you're going to make Voodoo dolls you make them all at once. The point is no matter how many times he bashed your doll against a wall, or stuck a needle through its heart, he still cuddled it close to him and cried. I mean, Kari, I don't think you've got anything to worry about, he's head over heels. I'm sure if you explain he'll cool down.
NoAngel45: Somehow I don't feel like it. I think I was on my last chance.
NoAngel45: Oh, and ummm just curious is all. but what about Gerald?
PinkPassion562: I didn't really want to know- I didn't ask
NoAngel45: ask who?
PinkPassion562: Matt.
NoAngel45: Oh. Tell Matt that I would never hurt TK; tell him it wasn't anything, the kiss. I don't want him to hate me Mimi. Does everyone hate me?
PinkPassion562: Oh Kari, we could never hate you.
NoAngel45: Yeah. Alright Mimi, this has been enough excitement for one night. I think I need some rest.
PinkPassion562: Okay, get some sleep, Kar.
NoAngel45: I'll try night Mimi.
NoAngel45 has logged off
~*~
TK's POV
"TAKE THAT!" I yelled hurling Voodoo Kari into a wall. Normally this made me feel better, but not today. I picked her up and looked at her. She looked a lot like the real Kari. Maybe *I* should go to this artsy-fartsy- hell-hole if I can catch her likeness so easily... Maybe it's just because it's Kari's face that's imbedded in my heart.
"Alright Gerry, you're next." I called
I stopped for a moment as I heard my mom talking on the phone in the next room. "Yes, Emmy, I think he's flipped his lid. He's making Voodoo dolls, wearing black, and plotting deaths to his "Worthy foes". Depression is an understatement. I think he's gone crazy." And Maybe I was going crazy...
"And he's always mumbling about how Kari ruined his life. Yeah........................... She goes to Carver.......... She was the girl on TV................ Yes, the one who was kissing that boy............ Stunningly pretty, I know............. Yeah.....They dated................ I dunno......... He's been through this crap with her all year........... I still think there's something more to this................. Well she always seemed so sweet.................... And she wrote the most beautiful poem for him................. I hate to think she could do this...................."
I hated to think it too... In her hand she had my heart. If it wasn't there then it was gone.
~*~
Kaori's POV
"Yes, Hanae. I want you to taunt them about being a couple." I said
"Why?"
"I know them. He'll ask her why she won't accept it, why she hates him. She'll blab about how great TK is. It's sure-fire!" I said. I wanted Kari to be happy. "I don't know TK, but I do know that he was totally hurt. I also know that he loves Kari. A lot. And she loves him more than anything." It was the truth, you'd know it too if your roommate spent all night mumbling about her ex-boyfriend and you hadn't slept fully in weeks.
"If you say so..."
"I do." I replied.
"But how'll TK hear this, how does this help... anything?"
"That is where my lil' extended timing Yak Back comes in!" I said
"Stroke of genius, Kaori!"
"As always!" I grinned sleepily
Life would all work out... eventually... Right now all I knew was that I needed sleep.
~*~
Kari's POV
I wanted to crawl back into bed. I heard all sorts of taunts about Ben and I being a couple. I hated it. Just then, Hanae walked up to me grinning broadly, "Well how's it going with you two lovebirds?" I fumed. I heard Ben walk up and tap me on the shoulder. I was going to let him have it. I opened my mouth and spilled my heart out.
~*~
Kaori's POV
Wow... I knew Kari would fill him in, but that was amazing! And I got it all on my Yak Back. I took out the tape and pulled out a piece of stationary and wrote.
~*~
TK's POV
"TK you got a letter from HSA!" Mom called. When would she learn?
"Toss it to the termites"
"It's not from Kari! It's from a girl named Kaori."
"No!" I yelled. What an obvious alias.
"Fine. It's a package. I'll leave it on your desk." Mom said. I tried ignoring it and not falling into this obvious trap, but I gave in.
On top there was a letter that read:
Dear Takeru Takaishi,
You saw the kiss. I saw the kiss. The world saw the kiss. The fact is that YOU don't have a roommate who cries "Takeru" all night. I am not getting enough sleep. Getting you two back together is to my greater interest, so I hatched a plan. I asked my friend Hanae to taunt Kari while Ben was nearby. The results are on the tape inside the box. I think you might find it touching. If you don't listen to it I'll easily tell and as a 'reward' I will send you one of the extremely disturbed paintings that are a result of my lack of sleep. As you know Kari is an awful liar. That is enough proof that this is not staged. This has not been tampered with in the least. Choose to believe me. It will be worth it.
Sleepless wonder,
Kaori
PS: Kari is *not* a Yak
I couldn't help it. I had to hear the tape. I had a feeling inside me that even if it was staged Kari wouldn't go to the trouble if she didn't care, right? I put it into the old tape player and listened.
"Operation bedtime has begun" I heard a whisper.
"You OK?" I heard a male voice say. Ben's I assumed.
"NO. Everyone thinks we're a couple. I can't take it!" It was Kari, and she was pissed.
"So?" he asked, "What's so bad about that? I mean even if we're not..."
"All Japan thinks we're an item." Kari snapped
"So?" Ben sputtered
"THE WHOLE GODDAMN WORLD THINKS I DATE YOU!" Kari yelled. That must have turned some heads in the hallways. I didn't think I had ever heard Kari so angry.
"So? Am I that hideous? Obnoxious? Or just... BLAH? Even if so... is it so bad for the world to believe that in a tragedy-struck place love thrives? That even in agony others are not forgotten? Is it so bad to let out that image? Let out the image that a guy like me could score a girl like you?" Ben said now beginning to fume himself.
"Well it's all good except that somewhere in this crazy world lives a boy named Takeru Takaishi. A boy who turned a three minute slow-dance into an hour and a half trip to a place created it's own music. A boy who gave me my first kiss. A boy who waited over six years for me to fall for him. A boy who loves me in a way beyond your comprehension because we share a bond that we can never prove to you. A boy who holds my heart, and even after seeing it deceive him, he keeps it safe. A boy with whom I would trust my soul. A boy who not only claims the title of 'Love of My Life' but the one of 'Best Friend' because he was since we first met at age eight."
Her voice turned bitter "A boy who now owns a Voodoo doll of me, and one of you. He punches mine and hurls it around, but then holds it close because I hold his heart, and I have not been so careful with it as he has with mine. And what the hell do I care if six million people see something that warms their hearts while all the while it is a lie? What do I care? If the only person who I will ever be my first true love throws my heart out the window? I'll tell you what. Nothing because I'll have no heart. Is that what you want? Because that is what has happened!" I heard her throw down her books and run away.
~*~
Yes, I realize how absolutely unrealistic that chapter was. That's why it's called fiction.
Review?
Voices: Yeah, but you sure don't have any relevant ones.
FLF: Why, of course I have relevant thoughts. Like the other day, I saw a guy with blonde hair named TK. He was hot like July, you best believe. Anyway, I was thinking about that. Very applicable, don't you agree?
Voices: Oh, fur; you're such a girl.
FLF: That sounded very condescending, V... I have my dignity.
Voices: *coughs* you're writing about Digimon.
FLF: Hey mix it around, drop the MO and add TY and what does that spell?
Okay, I actually enjoyed revising this chapter. Weird, I know. But I think it's a goody if you're up for more of my old school Digimon attic recycling.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, blahblahblah..
Here we go.
~*~
Kari's POV
"Got a letter from TK!" I called down to the bottom bunk
"Ooo... I'm coming!" Kaori called up happily. It had become a ritual for the two of us to share letters and news tidbits up on the top bunk. Kaori liked how I'd decorated it and I liked the privacy. We both knew from experience that it was very easy to pick the lock to our dorm room. Once I'd been reading her a love letter TK had written to me and one of Ben's friends had barged in, stolen it from my hands and read it aloud for a group of about ten boys outside. I'd been mortified. Of course I had no need to be, TK would always do something really sweet like a love poem, love letter, or even send me a burned CD of all his favorite love songs. It was nothing to hide. It was too adorable, so I always shared it with Kaori. This time the letter was thin, but I didn't care.
"Open it already!" Kaori squeaked
I opened my mouth and began to read.
~*~
Dear Hikari,
There are no coherent words to describe how I feel right now. I'm shocked, pained, angry saddened. How could you do that to me Kari? You had me wrapped around your little finger, ready to take your command at whim... and what do *you* do? You go around doing unseemly things with a boy you hardly know! You thought I wouldn't find out? Well I did and. God Kari, I thought I knew you, but I guess I didn't. All my life I thought you were something that you're clearly not. I fell in love with someone that just doesn't exist. I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive that.
Angry and Confused,
Takeru Takaishi
PS: You *are* a Yak!
~*~
"Kari... I'm so sorry! Oh my god..." Kaori gasped after I read her the letter.
"But what did I do? What? Who?"
"I dunno..." Kaori replied shaking her head sadly.
~*~
The next day I was barely there in Portrait class. I was sad confused lost. In a moment everything that was finally right, the foundation had vanished.
"Very good Miss Berg! Nice expression, full of happiness and joy! We can see the triumph on the girls face as she accepts the award! Brilliant!" Ms. Randolph cried. She was the teacher of this class. Miss Berg was a girl named Bonnie. She was pretty nice, but I didn't know her that well.
"Now, everybody I would like you to look at the painting Miss Kamiya is doing. It differs a lot from her earlier work, no? Look at the pain and determination in the child's teary eyes, as she has just fallen after taking her first steps. Look at the tone of the colors; they have a blue heather tinge to them, don't they? What does this painting signify to you Miss Kamiya?"
"Um... I guess it signifies the fact that the world is full of beautiful moments, but the moment always ends in pain or sorrow. While we always paint the climax of joy, it is also important to capture the moment after, the one where the only thing left is hope, the hope for the joy to return. But if you lose the hope then that becomes you. Without hope also means hopeless." I said. Without TK I had no hope. Hopeless.
"Very deep Miss Kamiya."
I looked around the room silently. Ben looked moved, Kaori stared at me, and Hanae fiddled with a strand of her hair. Everyone else just blinked, but soon the moment was over. We all continued painting until the bell rang.
After I left the classroom Ben walked up to me and said, "That was really amazing, what you said in class. It really made me think. There's a lot more to you than a lot of those girls. They're here to impress people with their talent, you've got more of it than they do, but your art always says something. And then you say something just as eloquent. It really is amazing Kari."
"Thanks, and there must be something different about you too. Most people didn't understand what I was getting at."
"Thank you," he said blushing. It then occurred to me that what Hanae had said to me on the first day was true. He did like me... I had TK though... I sighed. What had I done? I was over thinking it. I let my mind drift. It had suddenly occurred to me also that I was becoming slightly drawn to Ben's high level of comprehension and great sense of humor, but as suddenly as the thought grazed my mind I shooed it away. I was in love with TK and acting for a moment, like anything with Ben would be, was wrong.
"I'll see you in Still Life!"
~*~
TK's POV
The life inside me was dwindling... I shouldn't have let her get to me so much. Just one kiss- a life of feeling. I needed to get a grip.
"TK! You got something from Kari!" Mom called
"Throw it away."
"Look honey I know you're mad, but she's been calling you over and over and you've ignored all that. Just read the letter. It can't hurt."
"Fine. But if it makes upset, even a little, you leave me alone about this."
"Done." Mom said. She really thought I would like the letter. I guess she just doesn't know what a bitch Kari is....
Reluctantly, I opened the envelope. It was on pretty cream-colored stationary in her favorite pink ink and perfect handwriting. This normally made me smile, but now it made me want to puke. It read:
Dear Takeru,
What is love?
Love's all what's light!
What gets you through
The black of night!
Love is life!
I live to love you
Live to kiss you,
Live to hug you.
Life is love and love is you
Without your love
What do I do?
It is your love that gets me through.
The only thing I know that's true.
When loneliness
Comes creeping 'round.
I'll go wherever love is found.
And when I'm down
And when I'm out
Your love is what I think about.
It is the very spoon that feeds me-
Someone loves me,
Someone needs me.
But now what is there that awaits me?
The one I love thoroughly hates me.
And no one even told me why!
There's no solace in the tears I cry.
Life is love and love is you,
Please tell me, love, what did I do?
Love? Hikari Kamiya
~*~
I was startled. So she loved me? And she didn't know what I meant? She could be lying. Or Davis could be lying... Definitely more likely... How did I ever fall into a trap like that?
~*~ Kari's POV
"Good afternoon class!" Mr. Etchski called
"Good afternoon Sensei!"
It was freedom of the brush, Kari's. and well, just about everyone's favorite class. You got fifty minutes to just stand and paint. Kari picked up her brush and started to paint, when Ben accidentally bumped up into her. His back was to hers the way the easels were set up today. He had simply stepped away to look at his painting.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't realize you were there!" He said sounding genuine and nervous at the same time.
"It's all good. This picture looks better abstract anyway!" I said looking at the blob he had caused. I smiled reassuringly.
"Yeah if you put a little red over here, and a little purple over here!" He said sounding relieved that I was okay.
I went to put my brush back on the paper and continued almost painting myself out of the cruel reality. About fifteen minutes before class ended I felt a tremor. There was going to be an earthquake, I could feel it coming. I had experienced one before because they came so often in Japan. Something my 7th grade earth science teacher rambled on about plate tectonic boundaries converging or something... I had forgotten all the precautions... or what to do... "GET DOWN KARI!" Ben yelled as a big easel was about to crash down on me, but before it could, he pushed me out of the way so that he landed on top of me instead. He held me tightly to him and took the blow of whatever came our way. The earth thrashed violently up and down. People were screaming. People were getting hurt. Then as quickly as the quake came, it went.
~*~
I was unharmed, but Ben wasn't he had a gash across his back and a bruise on his cheek. He was still holding me. I couldn't move out of shock. About 10 minutes later he gained the strength to talk.
"So, aren't you going to thank me?" he asked
"How would you like to be thanked?" I replied
"Like this." he said then he leaned down and kissed me gently on the lips, and I simply couldn't deny feeling. But of course it hadn't been true feeling. It was the emotions bottled from all the stress with TK, the fright of the earthquake, the gratitude toward him for my life and of course the sensation of being kissed again. I pulled away suddenly burdened by the weight of what I'd just done. I'd just done something very wrong.
"Thanked?" I said trying my very hardest not to sound aggravated. How could he do that? He knew I had a boyfriend... No... He didn't How stupid am I? I knew he liked me, but I never ever slipped TK's name into conversation. I cursed my own stupidity.
"Yes." He replied sullenly. He knew he was upset. I felt bad. I would never hurt someone like him, especially after they had just saved my life. He didn't know why I had rejected him. I wouldn't tell him right now, it was too much. Then I noticed the camera sitting on the ceiling and it triggered a memory. About five years ago there had been a bad earthquake here, in this area of Japan. They had put footage from these cameras on the news. I remembered hearing about HSA and seeing this art room. The news throughout Japan... tonight TK would see me kiss another guy.
"The news." I whispered
"Oh well..." Ben said bitterly clearly remembering this too, "At least my twin brother will swoon with envy as he sees me kiss a girl ten times better than he ever could. Just so long as they don't zoom in and show how disgusted you were."
"I'm sorry... It wasn't you... it's just..." I started to cry.
~*~ Ben's POV
Jesus. Did she have to cry? Wasn't it bad enough for me to be rejected? Maybe I did something wrong, but what? Oh, such a pity to see a beautiful girl like her crying. I shouldn't feel guilty, should I? I touched her lightly on the shoulder, she tried to flash me an, 'its okay' smile but failed miserably. A few minutes later she ran out of the art room screaming "Izzy!" I was confused. Who was Izzy?
~*~
Kari's POV
"Izzy!" I yelled. I was happy to have an excuse to run away. I definitely needed time to think. I scrambled up the steps to the computer lab. "Izzy!" I yelled. The room was a wreck. It wasn't as safety proofed as the art room. I had to lift up some debris until I found him. He was badly injured. Izzy looked up at me.
"K.K.ari?" Izzy whispered from lack of strength. "Are... y...ou O...K?"
"I'm fine. It's you I should worry about." I said trying to pull him out of the rubble. I wasn't strong enough. I needed help. None of the students in that room all looked pretty winded. I had get Ben.
"I'll be back with help! Don't worry!"
I ran all the way down the steps, stumbling on a few. I ran until I skidded to a halt at the door to the art room.
"Ben" I gasped, "I need your help."
~*~
Ben's POV
I had half a mind not to help her, but she looked really scared and really weak. She also looked sorry. "No need to think twice!" I said smiling wryly at her. I hope she appreciates this...
~*~ Kari's POV
We ran up the steps together, I led him to the computer lab.
"You're back..." I heard Izzy mumble
"C'mon! Help me pull him out!" I called to Ben who positioned himself at Izzy's other arm.
"1...2...3..." we called. On three Izzy was out from under a table where he'd been stuck. He looked pretty much okay, just scratched, bruised and battered. His ankle, however, was lying in a weird limp position, and was covered in blood. We sat there with him for a couple of hours, not saying anything to one another.
"Izzy? How's your ankle?" I said leaning down to him
"A little better. Thanks. I owe you one." He said
"I'll be counting." I said giving him a cockeyed grin. "Also, thank Ben. I couldn't have helped without him!" Ben nodded his head to Izzy in a silent "you're welcome"
I gave Izzy a quick hug and asked, "Will you be okay?"
"Yeah. I should be fine. I owe you my life."
"Hey! You've saved my neck before, it was the least I could do!"
~*~
After all the events of the day I just went back to my room and collapsed into my bed, which I was grateful to see had survived. I didn't even remember about the camera. I hardly remembered the kiss. It seemed ages ago. I simply was turning on the TV to see if it worked when I saw an anchorwoman walk into the newsroom, pressing down the wrinkles in her skirt and begin to speak. I suddenly remembered.
"One of our top stories tonight is the 7.6 earthquake in Sapporo. They are still counting the casualties. We have been blessed with some footage of this quake, courtesy of HSA."
I saw the high school art room. I saw Ben jump and knock me away from danger. I saw him take all the blows, and the fate that people who didn't have saviors met.
"And amongst tragedy lurks romance." They zoomed in on his kiss to me. "For love blossoms where terror strikes."
I nearly died. I punched the TV off. I punched every pillow in the room. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw an Instant Message sitting on the computer. It was from Mimi. I sat down. She had to hear this right.
PinkPassion562: Hey Kari!
NoAngel45: Hey Mimi
PinkPassion562: Don't like Ben eh? well we ALL saw u 2 on TV!
NoAngel45: WHAT? You live in AMERICA!
PinkPassion562: So? We got the footage too!
NoAngel45: My life is over
PinkPassion562: How's that? *I* think it's wonderful!
NoAngel45: But I have a boyfriend
PinkPassion562: Gots ta be a playa, girl!
NoAngel45: Now Mimi, you know that's not my style. Do you know about TK?
PinkPassion562: Um... well he was really proud of that voodoo doll he made of you...
NoAngel45: He made a Voodoo doll of me?
PinkPassion562: Yeah... you, Ben, and umm. Gerald Ford.
NoAngel45: Okay, I can understand Ben and I. but Gerald Ford?
PinkPassion562: *shrugs* Well I guess if you're going to make Voodoo dolls you make them all at once. The point is no matter how many times he bashed your doll against a wall, or stuck a needle through its heart, he still cuddled it close to him and cried. I mean, Kari, I don't think you've got anything to worry about, he's head over heels. I'm sure if you explain he'll cool down.
NoAngel45: Somehow I don't feel like it. I think I was on my last chance.
NoAngel45: Oh, and ummm just curious is all. but what about Gerald?
PinkPassion562: I didn't really want to know- I didn't ask
NoAngel45: ask who?
PinkPassion562: Matt.
NoAngel45: Oh. Tell Matt that I would never hurt TK; tell him it wasn't anything, the kiss. I don't want him to hate me Mimi. Does everyone hate me?
PinkPassion562: Oh Kari, we could never hate you.
NoAngel45: Yeah. Alright Mimi, this has been enough excitement for one night. I think I need some rest.
PinkPassion562: Okay, get some sleep, Kar.
NoAngel45: I'll try night Mimi.
NoAngel45 has logged off
~*~
TK's POV
"TAKE THAT!" I yelled hurling Voodoo Kari into a wall. Normally this made me feel better, but not today. I picked her up and looked at her. She looked a lot like the real Kari. Maybe *I* should go to this artsy-fartsy- hell-hole if I can catch her likeness so easily... Maybe it's just because it's Kari's face that's imbedded in my heart.
"Alright Gerry, you're next." I called
I stopped for a moment as I heard my mom talking on the phone in the next room. "Yes, Emmy, I think he's flipped his lid. He's making Voodoo dolls, wearing black, and plotting deaths to his "Worthy foes". Depression is an understatement. I think he's gone crazy." And Maybe I was going crazy...
"And he's always mumbling about how Kari ruined his life. Yeah........................... She goes to Carver.......... She was the girl on TV................ Yes, the one who was kissing that boy............ Stunningly pretty, I know............. Yeah.....They dated................ I dunno......... He's been through this crap with her all year........... I still think there's something more to this................. Well she always seemed so sweet.................... And she wrote the most beautiful poem for him................. I hate to think she could do this...................."
I hated to think it too... In her hand she had my heart. If it wasn't there then it was gone.
~*~
Kaori's POV
"Yes, Hanae. I want you to taunt them about being a couple." I said
"Why?"
"I know them. He'll ask her why she won't accept it, why she hates him. She'll blab about how great TK is. It's sure-fire!" I said. I wanted Kari to be happy. "I don't know TK, but I do know that he was totally hurt. I also know that he loves Kari. A lot. And she loves him more than anything." It was the truth, you'd know it too if your roommate spent all night mumbling about her ex-boyfriend and you hadn't slept fully in weeks.
"If you say so..."
"I do." I replied.
"But how'll TK hear this, how does this help... anything?"
"That is where my lil' extended timing Yak Back comes in!" I said
"Stroke of genius, Kaori!"
"As always!" I grinned sleepily
Life would all work out... eventually... Right now all I knew was that I needed sleep.
~*~
Kari's POV
I wanted to crawl back into bed. I heard all sorts of taunts about Ben and I being a couple. I hated it. Just then, Hanae walked up to me grinning broadly, "Well how's it going with you two lovebirds?" I fumed. I heard Ben walk up and tap me on the shoulder. I was going to let him have it. I opened my mouth and spilled my heart out.
~*~
Kaori's POV
Wow... I knew Kari would fill him in, but that was amazing! And I got it all on my Yak Back. I took out the tape and pulled out a piece of stationary and wrote.
~*~
TK's POV
"TK you got a letter from HSA!" Mom called. When would she learn?
"Toss it to the termites"
"It's not from Kari! It's from a girl named Kaori."
"No!" I yelled. What an obvious alias.
"Fine. It's a package. I'll leave it on your desk." Mom said. I tried ignoring it and not falling into this obvious trap, but I gave in.
On top there was a letter that read:
Dear Takeru Takaishi,
You saw the kiss. I saw the kiss. The world saw the kiss. The fact is that YOU don't have a roommate who cries "Takeru" all night. I am not getting enough sleep. Getting you two back together is to my greater interest, so I hatched a plan. I asked my friend Hanae to taunt Kari while Ben was nearby. The results are on the tape inside the box. I think you might find it touching. If you don't listen to it I'll easily tell and as a 'reward' I will send you one of the extremely disturbed paintings that are a result of my lack of sleep. As you know Kari is an awful liar. That is enough proof that this is not staged. This has not been tampered with in the least. Choose to believe me. It will be worth it.
Sleepless wonder,
Kaori
PS: Kari is *not* a Yak
I couldn't help it. I had to hear the tape. I had a feeling inside me that even if it was staged Kari wouldn't go to the trouble if she didn't care, right? I put it into the old tape player and listened.
"Operation bedtime has begun" I heard a whisper.
"You OK?" I heard a male voice say. Ben's I assumed.
"NO. Everyone thinks we're a couple. I can't take it!" It was Kari, and she was pissed.
"So?" he asked, "What's so bad about that? I mean even if we're not..."
"All Japan thinks we're an item." Kari snapped
"So?" Ben sputtered
"THE WHOLE GODDAMN WORLD THINKS I DATE YOU!" Kari yelled. That must have turned some heads in the hallways. I didn't think I had ever heard Kari so angry.
"So? Am I that hideous? Obnoxious? Or just... BLAH? Even if so... is it so bad for the world to believe that in a tragedy-struck place love thrives? That even in agony others are not forgotten? Is it so bad to let out that image? Let out the image that a guy like me could score a girl like you?" Ben said now beginning to fume himself.
"Well it's all good except that somewhere in this crazy world lives a boy named Takeru Takaishi. A boy who turned a three minute slow-dance into an hour and a half trip to a place created it's own music. A boy who gave me my first kiss. A boy who waited over six years for me to fall for him. A boy who loves me in a way beyond your comprehension because we share a bond that we can never prove to you. A boy who holds my heart, and even after seeing it deceive him, he keeps it safe. A boy with whom I would trust my soul. A boy who not only claims the title of 'Love of My Life' but the one of 'Best Friend' because he was since we first met at age eight."
Her voice turned bitter "A boy who now owns a Voodoo doll of me, and one of you. He punches mine and hurls it around, but then holds it close because I hold his heart, and I have not been so careful with it as he has with mine. And what the hell do I care if six million people see something that warms their hearts while all the while it is a lie? What do I care? If the only person who I will ever be my first true love throws my heart out the window? I'll tell you what. Nothing because I'll have no heart. Is that what you want? Because that is what has happened!" I heard her throw down her books and run away.
~*~
Yes, I realize how absolutely unrealistic that chapter was. That's why it's called fiction.
Review?