Author's Note: Alright so a crash in my personal life was replaced with a burst in the lives of my two closest friends, which has rubbed off on me. I'm all happy-go-lucky now, and I was able to quickly write up this chapter and without a doubt have a dedication ready to rip.
--
This story is (definatly) dedicated to Keith and Sarah. (Teenager Takato and Teenager Jeri)
I have to admit, I still had SOME feelings towards Keith when y'all first hooked up, but I soon got over all of that and I'm glad I did. I mean, look at you two-- y'all are perfect together. You're now officially dubbed 'the perfect couple'. Everyone only dreams of having the sort of relationship you two have, and I have to admit I'm slightly jealous (not a word Keith.. that was directed to Sarah, not you).
Anyways-- now I get to show off my so-called 'talent' everyone insists I have and put it to good use. Enough writing about the past-- how about write about someone else for a change.
Sure the story is a far stretch from reality, but it's the basic concept that I've kept the same.
By the way: Y'all are and forever will be the coolest big-siblings a girl could ever have.
-------
Hey baby is that you
Wow your hair got so long
Yea yea I love it, I really do
Norma-Jean ain't that the song we'd sing in the car
Driving down town, top down making the rounds
Checking out the bands on Doeheenie Avenue
Yea life throws you curves
But you learn to swerve
Me I swung and I missed and the next thing you know
I'm reminiscing dreaming old dreams wishing old wishes
Like you would be back again
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I head off to my job guess not much has changed
Punch the clock, head for home, check my phone, just in case
Go to bed, dream of you, that's what I'm doing these days
Yea that's what I'm doing
Some one told me after college
You ran off to Vegas
And married a rodeo cowboy,
Wow,
That ain't the girl I knew
Me I been a few places
Mostly here and there, once or twice
Still sorting out life but I'm doing all right
Yea it's good to see you too
Well hey girl your late
And those planes they don't wait
But if you ever come back around this sleepy old town
Promise me you'll stop in to see an old friend and until then...
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I head off to my job guess not much has changed
Punch the clock, head for home, check my phone, just in case
Go to bed, dream of you, that's what I'm doing these...
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song we danced to and then ....
--- These Days - Rascal Flats ---
Look at the sun. We all see the same sun all over the world. When the sun leaves me, it welcomes you with my love. - Takato
That's all the note said, and Rika snorted as she turned over the yellow-tinted paper in her hand. She reattatched it just beside the year on the calendar, the date on the top of the note and date of the calendar were four years apart.
Rika had matured over the last four years, since Icedevimon attacked her and Henry that Christmas. She brushed a curl of auburn hair behind her ear and turned to look at her best friend who was watching her from the bed.
"I know what you're thinking." the other girl said in a deep voice, so unlike what the tamers had known four years before, and she fixed her hazel eyes on Rika.
"That you're a hopeless romantic and I'll never get you to hook up with Kazu? Jeri com'on, he's not coming back--"
"You don't know that!" Jeri snapped viciously at the auburn haired girl, and placed her elbow on the nightstand beside her bed, putting her forehead in her hand.
She couldn't help but be angry at the teenage girl that blinked at her sudden actions. She didn't understand this feeling whatsoever, this feeling of loneliness. Maybe she should just give in to the red-haired girl and go out on a date with Kazu or Kenta.. or somebody. Maybe-- maybe Rika was right. Maybe he wasn't coming back after all.
Takato had been moved away from her those long four years before. They all had kept contact for a few months, but lost it soon after, and hadn't heard from him in years. It was like he had vanished off the planet to everyone but Jeri. She still loved him-- and would always love him.
He had moved to America, in the southeast somewhere. He had explained to her in the only letter she ever received from him about the rural section they were moving into. Their new home was miles away from any other people, and he complained about being bored out of his mind. They were getting some animals and starting anew, and Takato swore he'd always been a 'city guy', and would never take to the farm life.
Who knew if he had or not, but Jeri doubted it.
"Earth to Je-ri?!"
Jeri snapped out of her wandering thoughts to see the now curly-auburn-haired girl with her hands on her hips. "Are you paying attention to me?" she said in a high-pitched ticked off voice, and readjusted her black leather newsboy cap.
"Sorry." Jeri apologized, still half in her own little world.
"Seriously, Jer'." Rika looked around the room quickly, and spotted the small mirror hanging on the wall. She continued talking as she walked towards it, and checked her hair and makeup, running her fingers through the loose strands of hair that hung slightly in her face. "It's your birthday, you should be out with a guy or two.. or six... and having the time of your life, other than being stuck here in this room with me all day."
"But I like being stuck in a room with you all day." Jeri reasoned, and Rika looked up from running a tube of lipstick over her lips.
"You're never going to let him go." Rika stated simply, then turned her eyes back to the mirror.
"I know." Jeri sighed deeply, and leaned back in her chair, looking at the bright blue envelope laying on the nightstand in front of her. Rika had brought that saying it was a "secondary birthday present", and told her she couldn't open it until she was sure the time was right.
Now it confused her. What would be so important that Rika wouldn't let Jeri open the card?
Changing the subject dramaticly, Jeri looked up. "Can I open it yet?" she let out a soft whine, knowing the other teenage girl would crack a smile at the tone of her voice.
"No." Rika grinned, and slipped her lipstick back into the handbag on the dresser. "You're too obsessed with Takato, maybe I should just keep it for myself."
"What's Takato got to do with anything--"
Rika looked Jeri's way. "You really don't know, do you?"
Jeri looked at the envelope, then back up at Rika with one eyebrow raised. "Like I'm supposed to?"
Rika let off a high-pitched laugh. "And here I was thinking Kazu had already told you!! Go ahead.. open it." Rika gave her a motion with her hand to proceed with the envelope, and she leaned her back against the dresser, waiting to be tackled or something.
Jeri studied the look on her face as she slowly picked up the envelope and ran her finger along the top edge. Knowing Rika and the higher class of her family, this could be anything. She wouldn't be surprised if inside were the keys to that car she wanted.
Rika just grinned stubbornly, and continued waiting, admitting to herself that she was in fact nervous. She knew Jeri would some-what like it-- but would it be for the best in the long-run. She would just have to find out.
Jeri slipped the glitter-covered card out of the envelope and smirked. Of course, glitter and bright colors, Rika's new 'girlish' trademark. Henry had caused an enormous dent in Rika's 'tough girl' act. Rika had the abilities to kick the butt of any person she met, Jeri had no doubt, but now she would rather kick the butts of model's daughters by being a better one. She always dressed in high-fashion clothes, wore high-fashioned make-up, high-fashioned shoes, and always had her hair done professionally, even if it was just for a walk down a street. Rika didn't quite understand why Jeri was so set against make-up and hair being perfect-- in her opinion Jeri looked beautiful in make-up... but she didn't push her luck other than once in awhile.
Jeri read over the outside of the card and smiled.
"Happy Birthday to the best friend a girl could ever have--" she read aloud, and Rika smirked.
Jeri opened up the card, ready to read whatever personal message Rika had written inside that would make her cry. That's what the girl normally did, and by the look on Rika's face, she knew she was expecting tears of some sort.
A piece of paper fell out of the card and into Jeri's lap, and Jeri glanced down at it a moment, then read what the card said in faintly-legable writing done in pink ink with pieces of glitter strung through it.
"Have fun. I want a phone call."
Jeri immediatly snatched up the piece of paper from her lap, and read it over. Rika was right-- she was in tears.
"You're sending me to--"
"-- North Carolina." Rika cut her off, grinning. "United States-- you're leaving in two days."
Jeri sat in complete silence, staring at her best friend, waiting to hear her stepmother's voice echoing in her room for her to get up and get ready for school-- this all had to be a dream. None of this was real....
"My parents--"
"-- are perfectly fine with it. In fact they insisted to paid for half of the ticket themselves." Rika grinned again, and Jeri set the plane ticket and card gently on the nightstand, and in a rush Rika found herself being hugged tightly by the girl who was now in tears.
"You're welcome, you're welcome!!!" Rika choked out, trying to loosen Jeri's grasp around her before she suffacated.
Three days had passed by like years to Jeri, but at last she was on a large airplane, soaring over the Pacific Ocean, on route to Raleigh-Durham Internation Airport, where she would meet up with Mr. Matsuki, who would drive her the three hours to the farm out in the middle of nowhere.
Just before taking off to the airport in the car, she had checked herself in the mirror, and a horrible realization struck her. On the dresser just below the mirror was that one picture she had of her, Takato, and Rika, one they had taken in one of those instant photo booths at the mall. She had stolen the only good one that actually didn't have Rika and Takato trying to strangle each other. She smiled at the picture, then looked up at herself in the mirror in order to fix her hair, and froze.
She looked nothing like she had in that picture-- and after losing contact with Takato she never really took the time to send him a picture of what she looked like now. Another thought hit her. Takato wouldn't look the same either.
They would be strangers to each other--
Rika had assured her it would be alright in the end, and she wasn't due back to Japan for another two weeks. Two weeks to spend with the boy she had loved and lost, and two weeks to try and bring that love back up to par.
An uneasy feeling was filling Jeri's stomach as she thought about it. Would he even love her anymore?
She sank down into her chair, staring at the back of the chair ahead of her, suddenly regreting all of this-- but it was too late now. There was no turning back.
She took a deep breath, and the girl that sat a seat away from her looked over. She was about her own age, with blonde curls and sharp green eyes.
"Ya okay?" the girl asked in a moderatly high pitched voice.
"Yeah--" Jeri said faintly, returning the girl's glance.
"I'm Becky."
"Jeri." Jeri took the hand that had been thrust out to her and shook it.
"Ya sound like y'are from Japan. Goin' to America, huh?" Becky asked in a strong southern accent, and Jeri nodded.
"Whats for, if ya don't mind me askin'?"
"Boyfriend." Jeri said in almost a whisper, and Becky grinned from ear to ear.
"Ah, I see. Y'all became lovers on some school trip, right?"
Jeri looked over at the girl, clearly trying to make friends with her. Jeri sighed and slowly starting explaining the entire story.
"So where do you live?" Jeri asked kindly. All the butterflies in her stomach had been set free now, and two hours had passed by like nothing as she talked to this girl. She was extremly thankful that Becky had spoke up, or she would've felt alone on this entire trip.
"Rolesville-- town outside Raleigh." Becky explained, grinning. "And where are ya off to meet this grand guy of ya's?"
Jeri stumbled over the name of the town Rika had told her over and over again. Rika had taken many trips to America, and could speak english very clearly-- Jeri had just learned it as a second language, and even had to pronounce her words all over again for Becky to understand at times.
"Creedmoor-- or.. just outside it."
Becky let out a loud laugh, and Jeri grew confused. "What's so funny?"
"That's right in the heart'a Granville County! All the hill'billys live there. No wonder you haven't heard from him."
Jeri grew even more confused, and Becky laughed again.
"Most people in the rural areas live in Granville County, at least that's what the country music station I listen to says." Becky explained, still laughing.
Jeri continued to look confused. "Is that a... bad thing?"
"Just don't expect him in a tux with a bunch of roses." Becky calmed herself down. "More like a pair of overalls and a handful of daisies from one of them fields out there."
"Oh. Whatever, it dosen't matter to me."
"It will." Becky turned in her seat to look at the front of the plane just as Jeri flashed her a look.
"What do you mean?!"
"I'm not sayin' y'all two won't make it-- I'm just givin' you a bit of information to go with. It won't be easy."
"Who said relationship were easy?" Jeri snapped slightly, and Becky blinked twice at her.
Just then, the captain's voice was heard over the intercom, announcing the landing of the plane in a few moments, and the entire plane started bustling to get back to their seats with their seatbelts on.
That sick feeling crept back into Jeri's stomach almost immediatly.
She was almost there.
Almost in his arms.
--
This story is (definatly) dedicated to Keith and Sarah. (Teenager Takato and Teenager Jeri)
I have to admit, I still had SOME feelings towards Keith when y'all first hooked up, but I soon got over all of that and I'm glad I did. I mean, look at you two-- y'all are perfect together. You're now officially dubbed 'the perfect couple'. Everyone only dreams of having the sort of relationship you two have, and I have to admit I'm slightly jealous (not a word Keith.. that was directed to Sarah, not you).
Anyways-- now I get to show off my so-called 'talent' everyone insists I have and put it to good use. Enough writing about the past-- how about write about someone else for a change.
Sure the story is a far stretch from reality, but it's the basic concept that I've kept the same.
By the way: Y'all are and forever will be the coolest big-siblings a girl could ever have.
-------
Hey baby is that you
Wow your hair got so long
Yea yea I love it, I really do
Norma-Jean ain't that the song we'd sing in the car
Driving down town, top down making the rounds
Checking out the bands on Doeheenie Avenue
Yea life throws you curves
But you learn to swerve
Me I swung and I missed and the next thing you know
I'm reminiscing dreaming old dreams wishing old wishes
Like you would be back again
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I head off to my job guess not much has changed
Punch the clock, head for home, check my phone, just in case
Go to bed, dream of you, that's what I'm doing these days
Yea that's what I'm doing
Some one told me after college
You ran off to Vegas
And married a rodeo cowboy,
Wow,
That ain't the girl I knew
Me I been a few places
Mostly here and there, once or twice
Still sorting out life but I'm doing all right
Yea it's good to see you too
Well hey girl your late
And those planes they don't wait
But if you ever come back around this sleepy old town
Promise me you'll stop in to see an old friend and until then...
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I head off to my job guess not much has changed
Punch the clock, head for home, check my phone, just in case
Go to bed, dream of you, that's what I'm doing these...
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song that we danced to and then
I wake up and tear drops they fall down like rain
I put on that old song we danced to and then ....
--- These Days - Rascal Flats ---
Look at the sun. We all see the same sun all over the world. When the sun leaves me, it welcomes you with my love. - Takato
That's all the note said, and Rika snorted as she turned over the yellow-tinted paper in her hand. She reattatched it just beside the year on the calendar, the date on the top of the note and date of the calendar were four years apart.
Rika had matured over the last four years, since Icedevimon attacked her and Henry that Christmas. She brushed a curl of auburn hair behind her ear and turned to look at her best friend who was watching her from the bed.
"I know what you're thinking." the other girl said in a deep voice, so unlike what the tamers had known four years before, and she fixed her hazel eyes on Rika.
"That you're a hopeless romantic and I'll never get you to hook up with Kazu? Jeri com'on, he's not coming back--"
"You don't know that!" Jeri snapped viciously at the auburn haired girl, and placed her elbow on the nightstand beside her bed, putting her forehead in her hand.
She couldn't help but be angry at the teenage girl that blinked at her sudden actions. She didn't understand this feeling whatsoever, this feeling of loneliness. Maybe she should just give in to the red-haired girl and go out on a date with Kazu or Kenta.. or somebody. Maybe-- maybe Rika was right. Maybe he wasn't coming back after all.
Takato had been moved away from her those long four years before. They all had kept contact for a few months, but lost it soon after, and hadn't heard from him in years. It was like he had vanished off the planet to everyone but Jeri. She still loved him-- and would always love him.
He had moved to America, in the southeast somewhere. He had explained to her in the only letter she ever received from him about the rural section they were moving into. Their new home was miles away from any other people, and he complained about being bored out of his mind. They were getting some animals and starting anew, and Takato swore he'd always been a 'city guy', and would never take to the farm life.
Who knew if he had or not, but Jeri doubted it.
"Earth to Je-ri?!"
Jeri snapped out of her wandering thoughts to see the now curly-auburn-haired girl with her hands on her hips. "Are you paying attention to me?" she said in a high-pitched ticked off voice, and readjusted her black leather newsboy cap.
"Sorry." Jeri apologized, still half in her own little world.
"Seriously, Jer'." Rika looked around the room quickly, and spotted the small mirror hanging on the wall. She continued talking as she walked towards it, and checked her hair and makeup, running her fingers through the loose strands of hair that hung slightly in her face. "It's your birthday, you should be out with a guy or two.. or six... and having the time of your life, other than being stuck here in this room with me all day."
"But I like being stuck in a room with you all day." Jeri reasoned, and Rika looked up from running a tube of lipstick over her lips.
"You're never going to let him go." Rika stated simply, then turned her eyes back to the mirror.
"I know." Jeri sighed deeply, and leaned back in her chair, looking at the bright blue envelope laying on the nightstand in front of her. Rika had brought that saying it was a "secondary birthday present", and told her she couldn't open it until she was sure the time was right.
Now it confused her. What would be so important that Rika wouldn't let Jeri open the card?
Changing the subject dramaticly, Jeri looked up. "Can I open it yet?" she let out a soft whine, knowing the other teenage girl would crack a smile at the tone of her voice.
"No." Rika grinned, and slipped her lipstick back into the handbag on the dresser. "You're too obsessed with Takato, maybe I should just keep it for myself."
"What's Takato got to do with anything--"
Rika looked Jeri's way. "You really don't know, do you?"
Jeri looked at the envelope, then back up at Rika with one eyebrow raised. "Like I'm supposed to?"
Rika let off a high-pitched laugh. "And here I was thinking Kazu had already told you!! Go ahead.. open it." Rika gave her a motion with her hand to proceed with the envelope, and she leaned her back against the dresser, waiting to be tackled or something.
Jeri studied the look on her face as she slowly picked up the envelope and ran her finger along the top edge. Knowing Rika and the higher class of her family, this could be anything. She wouldn't be surprised if inside were the keys to that car she wanted.
Rika just grinned stubbornly, and continued waiting, admitting to herself that she was in fact nervous. She knew Jeri would some-what like it-- but would it be for the best in the long-run. She would just have to find out.
Jeri slipped the glitter-covered card out of the envelope and smirked. Of course, glitter and bright colors, Rika's new 'girlish' trademark. Henry had caused an enormous dent in Rika's 'tough girl' act. Rika had the abilities to kick the butt of any person she met, Jeri had no doubt, but now she would rather kick the butts of model's daughters by being a better one. She always dressed in high-fashion clothes, wore high-fashioned make-up, high-fashioned shoes, and always had her hair done professionally, even if it was just for a walk down a street. Rika didn't quite understand why Jeri was so set against make-up and hair being perfect-- in her opinion Jeri looked beautiful in make-up... but she didn't push her luck other than once in awhile.
Jeri read over the outside of the card and smiled.
"Happy Birthday to the best friend a girl could ever have--" she read aloud, and Rika smirked.
Jeri opened up the card, ready to read whatever personal message Rika had written inside that would make her cry. That's what the girl normally did, and by the look on Rika's face, she knew she was expecting tears of some sort.
A piece of paper fell out of the card and into Jeri's lap, and Jeri glanced down at it a moment, then read what the card said in faintly-legable writing done in pink ink with pieces of glitter strung through it.
"Have fun. I want a phone call."
Jeri immediatly snatched up the piece of paper from her lap, and read it over. Rika was right-- she was in tears.
"You're sending me to--"
"-- North Carolina." Rika cut her off, grinning. "United States-- you're leaving in two days."
Jeri sat in complete silence, staring at her best friend, waiting to hear her stepmother's voice echoing in her room for her to get up and get ready for school-- this all had to be a dream. None of this was real....
"My parents--"
"-- are perfectly fine with it. In fact they insisted to paid for half of the ticket themselves." Rika grinned again, and Jeri set the plane ticket and card gently on the nightstand, and in a rush Rika found herself being hugged tightly by the girl who was now in tears.
"You're welcome, you're welcome!!!" Rika choked out, trying to loosen Jeri's grasp around her before she suffacated.
Three days had passed by like years to Jeri, but at last she was on a large airplane, soaring over the Pacific Ocean, on route to Raleigh-Durham Internation Airport, where she would meet up with Mr. Matsuki, who would drive her the three hours to the farm out in the middle of nowhere.
Just before taking off to the airport in the car, she had checked herself in the mirror, and a horrible realization struck her. On the dresser just below the mirror was that one picture she had of her, Takato, and Rika, one they had taken in one of those instant photo booths at the mall. She had stolen the only good one that actually didn't have Rika and Takato trying to strangle each other. She smiled at the picture, then looked up at herself in the mirror in order to fix her hair, and froze.
She looked nothing like she had in that picture-- and after losing contact with Takato she never really took the time to send him a picture of what she looked like now. Another thought hit her. Takato wouldn't look the same either.
They would be strangers to each other--
Rika had assured her it would be alright in the end, and she wasn't due back to Japan for another two weeks. Two weeks to spend with the boy she had loved and lost, and two weeks to try and bring that love back up to par.
An uneasy feeling was filling Jeri's stomach as she thought about it. Would he even love her anymore?
She sank down into her chair, staring at the back of the chair ahead of her, suddenly regreting all of this-- but it was too late now. There was no turning back.
She took a deep breath, and the girl that sat a seat away from her looked over. She was about her own age, with blonde curls and sharp green eyes.
"Ya okay?" the girl asked in a moderatly high pitched voice.
"Yeah--" Jeri said faintly, returning the girl's glance.
"I'm Becky."
"Jeri." Jeri took the hand that had been thrust out to her and shook it.
"Ya sound like y'are from Japan. Goin' to America, huh?" Becky asked in a strong southern accent, and Jeri nodded.
"Whats for, if ya don't mind me askin'?"
"Boyfriend." Jeri said in almost a whisper, and Becky grinned from ear to ear.
"Ah, I see. Y'all became lovers on some school trip, right?"
Jeri looked over at the girl, clearly trying to make friends with her. Jeri sighed and slowly starting explaining the entire story.
"So where do you live?" Jeri asked kindly. All the butterflies in her stomach had been set free now, and two hours had passed by like nothing as she talked to this girl. She was extremly thankful that Becky had spoke up, or she would've felt alone on this entire trip.
"Rolesville-- town outside Raleigh." Becky explained, grinning. "And where are ya off to meet this grand guy of ya's?"
Jeri stumbled over the name of the town Rika had told her over and over again. Rika had taken many trips to America, and could speak english very clearly-- Jeri had just learned it as a second language, and even had to pronounce her words all over again for Becky to understand at times.
"Creedmoor-- or.. just outside it."
Becky let out a loud laugh, and Jeri grew confused. "What's so funny?"
"That's right in the heart'a Granville County! All the hill'billys live there. No wonder you haven't heard from him."
Jeri grew even more confused, and Becky laughed again.
"Most people in the rural areas live in Granville County, at least that's what the country music station I listen to says." Becky explained, still laughing.
Jeri continued to look confused. "Is that a... bad thing?"
"Just don't expect him in a tux with a bunch of roses." Becky calmed herself down. "More like a pair of overalls and a handful of daisies from one of them fields out there."
"Oh. Whatever, it dosen't matter to me."
"It will." Becky turned in her seat to look at the front of the plane just as Jeri flashed her a look.
"What do you mean?!"
"I'm not sayin' y'all two won't make it-- I'm just givin' you a bit of information to go with. It won't be easy."
"Who said relationship were easy?" Jeri snapped slightly, and Becky blinked twice at her.
Just then, the captain's voice was heard over the intercom, announcing the landing of the plane in a few moments, and the entire plane started bustling to get back to their seats with their seatbelts on.
That sick feeling crept back into Jeri's stomach almost immediatly.
She was almost there.
Almost in his arms.