Matt was risen from his deep sleep the next morning by a loud knocking on the door. He waited for a minute to see if anyone else would answer it, but then he remembered his Dad had an early meeting at the station. He pulled himself out of bed, splashed some water on his face and pulled a comb through his hair. He contemplated getting dressed, but he assumed black boxers and a white t-shirt with the words 'Bite Me' scrawled across the front were good enough. At least for anyone calling this early. He tried to shake his drowsiness as he opened the door. And standing there was who else but Sora. She was clothed in only a tiny blue bikini top that showed quite a lot of everything and shiny black hotpants, with a slightly see-through shirt over the lot.

"Hi Matt," she said brightly.

Matt, who was almost collapsing from shock at what she was wearing, replied, "Err, hey."

Sora looked at his shocked expression and mistook it for impressedness. She smiled and said perkily, "So how are you? I told you I'd come around, so, here I am!" Seeing as they were still standing in the doorway, she added, "Is it okay for me to come in?"

Matt was still too stunned by her clothes to speak, so he nodded mutely and stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in. Sora smiled because she was sure this plan would work. Matt had eluded her so far, but now everything was set, and if all went well, Matt would be all hers by the time she left. She took a deep breath, and when she was a sure Matt was watching, she started taking off her over-shirt. Her actions were very deliberate and she removed the shirt and hung it on the coat rack. She was well aware of the fact that all she had covering herself was a skimpy little top, but she didn't care. Matt, who was watching her little display with a sick feeling in his stomach, suddenly realised what was going on. He could not believe that Sora, the girl he had known since they were ten, and had always been like a sister, was playing this game with him. Well he was not going to ruin his chances with Mimi over Sora.

He took a few relaxing breaths and said, "Want something to drink?" as calmly as he could.

"Sure! Umm, how about a lemonade?" Sora asked, walking over to where Matt was looking in the fridge.

As he bent down to check the lower shelves, she positioned herself in front of him. This way, when he stood up, he would have to confront every inch of the body she was so proud of. Matt reached into the very depths of the fridge and pulled out a bottle of lemonade. He stood up exactly as Sora had predicted, facing every curve of her body. But he was not swayed. His love for Mimi was too strong. Sora was shocked. This exact plan had worked with so many other guys, so why not Matt? Maybe he had someone else? But no. She knew everything about him through Tai and her friends. He was single. So maybe he was just not as desperate, or maybe just stronger and more capable of resistance. Okay then, maybe stage two will wear down his resolve. She grabbed two glasses off the shelf and poured them full of lemonade. She walked over to the coffee table and set the two glasses down.

"Come and sit down Matt!" She called into the kitchen, where Matt was arranging a plate of biscuits. He reluctantly brought the plate over, and sat in the seat opposite Sora. Sora, however, did not stay in her seat. In one swift movement she was across the table and on his lap.

"Ok," she said, "No more games. I want you and I figure you want me just as much. I don't know why you are holding back, but I want you to know, if you go out with me, I won't ever say no to you. You can do what you want and I won't mind."

Matt was utterly shocked. "Sora! This is not you! I don't know what you are doing, but I do NOT wanna be a part of it! I am not the one for you! Tai is! It doesn't take a genius to figure that out, everyone can see it except you. And I think you had better learn to see it before you lose him. Anyway, I think you'd better go."

He stood up, forcing Sora to do the same. She looked a little taken back. "I suppose so, if that's what you want. I'll go." She headed for the door, and as she put on her over-shirt she wondered whether Matt was right, whether he wasn't for her. But... she thought she loved him. She decided to give it one more try, but this time, it would have to be different.

*~*~*~*

The time until they met flew by, and only too soon Matt was at the airport waiting sheepishly with his luggage for his flight to be called. Eventually the voice came over the loudspeaker, telling him that the plane he intended to catch was ready for boarding. He was just moving his luggage when a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind. He turned to see whom else but Sora, who was breathless, apparently from running all the way from the carpark to where they were standing. He was surprised to see her, but even more surprised by what she said.

"You're gonna go and see Mimi aren't you!? You're leaving ME for HER! I cannot believe you! I offered you everything any guy could ever want and you reject me! I don't understand! Why!?"

Matt looked at her for a second, then replied. "Because of love." He started walking towards the boarding gates, then stopped for a moment. He looked over his shoulder and said "Bye Sora. I hope you find your love, before it's too late." Sora was left standing speechless.