Chapter Three: Tell and Run
She was looking at me concerned again. I smiled and gave a small wave to her from across the English room. She smiled and turned her head back up front to our language teacher. I sighed for the up tenth time that block, running a hand through my already messy hair. I needed to tell them sooner or later that I'd be moving. I'm sure Matt had already told Tai, so if I didn't tell Kari she'd find out from him. Would she be mad at me? No, I don't think so. Concerned, maybe even confused, but not mad.
Now Daisuke, he /would/ get mad if I didn't tell them, might even sock me in the jaw for keeping it from them. Besides Kari, my brother, and Patamon (who I rarely saw), Davis was my best friend. Keeping something such as moving for a year from him would seem wrong. It seemed wrong any way I looked at it. My insides squirmed as I couldn't seem to keep my mind from wondering to suspicious, jealous thoughts of Davis taking a chance at a relationship with Kari while I was gone.
I mentally slapped myself again, clenching a fist, angry with myself. I had to stop doubting Daisuke's trust. How was our friendship supposed to last if I couldn't trust him? This is why we never brought Hikari up. I sighed, absentmindedly drawing spirals on my English notes. I looked to the clock above the doorway. Another fifteen minutes until math with Mr. Kuragura where I'd have to present a unfinished assignment. I sighed gloomily, resting my head in my hand. I'd probably have to hold buckets of water out in the hallway for all the school to see or serve a detention.
"Your home work for Friday is a one page presentation about yourself, typed in English." Our teacher told us. "Class dismissed." Kids got up from their seats to chat with their friends. I sat there lost in thought for a moment before commencing to put my stuff away.
"Takeru-kun?" Came Hikari's voice from behind me.
"Hmm?" I asked zipping up my backpack. She was quiet before replying that it was nothing. The bell rang and the two of us left for math. One more block to figure out when and where to tell them of my moving.
Last block dragged on in it's usual manner. No notes from Davis this time though, for he was fast asleep at his desk. I looked down at my plan book. Today was Friday, which meant there was no computer club. Meaning Miyako was free for the day. This was on the plus side of breaking the news to everyone at the same time... Well, except for Hida Iori, but I suppose I could wait to tell everyone until he was present.
Math ended in a stoic manner. I sluggishly put my belongings in my backpack and sat there for a moment waiting. I heard Davis grumble in his sleep as Kari tried to wake him up. Mr. Kuragura did not look amused at the scenario as he erased the chalkboard. I slowly rose from my chair, not wanting to stay in math for a moment longer, and walked over to Kari and the half asleep Davis.
"Come on Davis. Get up!" I urged him. He opened his sleepy eyes with a yawn before sitting up and stretching.
"So, what did I miss?"
"A lot Motomiya." Came Mr. Kuragura's stern voice. I turned around to see our teacher staring heatedly at Davis with his hands on his hips. "You'll serve two detentions tomorrow."
"Aw, but tomorrow's Saturday!" Davis whined.
"Exactly." Mr. Kuragura stated before walking away. Daisuke slummed his shoulders with a sigh.
"Well, that's what you get for falling asleep in class." Kari told him.
"Yeah, I know, but did he really have to give me /two/ detentions on Saturday?!" Davis exclaimed angry. "I mean, it's the last day of the school week!"
"Then don't fall asleep in class anymore." Kari stated.
"You can't tell me you've never fallen asleep in this class." Davis retorted.
"Of course I haven't. You need to pay attention in order to understand the home work." She replied.
"Come on guys, let's get out of here." I said to the both of them to cease their bickering. The two looked at me before complying and we all walked out of the classroom.
~*~
Later the three of us, plus Ken, Miyako, and Iori, were gathered at the park. It was just about sunset, the sky turning to orange as the sun beamed down upon us. It was kind of odd how I managed to seclude myself from the others. I hadn't told them of my moving yet, I was still buying for time. I sat on one of the kiddie swings and rocked back and forth, kicking my shoe into the dirt. Miyako, Ken, and Iori were all talking together at the picnic table next to the swing set, Davis and Kari not far from them sitting on the lush green grass.
I saw Davis and Kari looking at me and talking amongst themselves. I was curious to know what it was about, but at the same time I figured I already knew. It was probably about my strange behavior today, as much as I tried to act indifferent to my situation at hand. I sighed and pushed off the swing. It was time to tell them, it was no use beating around the bush. I walked over between the two parties.
"Um, guys?" I asked for their attention quietly. No one heard me. "Guys!" I spoke loudly. They turned away from their conversations and looked at me with either confused or puzzled expressions etched on their faces.
Now that I had all their attention I felt rather uncomfortable. I opened my mouth to explain myself, but no words came out.
"What is it T.K.?" Iori asked. Again I opened my mouth to tell them and again I failed. Frustrated I ran a hand through my hair, forgetting my favorite hat was perched on my head. It fell off and onto the ground.
I stared at it as the others looked on silently. Still staring at the hat I spoke quietly, "I'm moving."
"Speak up T.K.! I can't hear you!" Miyako shouted at me with a hint of annoyance at my inability to speak.
I picked up my hat and put it back on top of my head before repeating louder, "I'm moving."
They stared at me surprised. No one spoke, no one moved. I stood there debating on leaving them and heading over to dad and Matt's apartment. I felt like running away from them now that the news was out. I looked down at the ground where Kari and Daisuke sat. Kari stared up at me, with a look of sadness. I looked away from her painfully and to the swing set where no one was.
"W-where are you moving to?" I heard Kari ask quietly.
"America." I responded, eyes still staring intently at the swings.
"No." I heard Daisuke whisper. "This isn't how it's suppose to be."
"Why!?" Miyako shouted at me. "Why are you moving now?! School just started up again, it's already half over in America!" Guilt swelled within me. I had a choice to stay, but I wasn't. Why wasn't I? I looked over to her, Iori, and Ken.
"M-my dad got a job transfer..." I replied, eyes beginning to sting.
"Why should that matter? You live with your mother." Iori stated quietly. The stinging in my eyes were starting to give way to tears. I did not want to show them any tears.
I had betrayed them with my decision to move and I brought this upon myself, but it was the right thing to do. I couldn't stress mom out with all that she has to do now and I couldn't just let Matt go to America all by himself... As odd as it was that I wanted to stay with them, I couldn't bear to be around them all right now.
"I'm sorry." I said before turning around and running down the street. I heard some of their calls to me, but tried to ignore them as I made way to Matt and dad's apartment.
~*~
Matt answered the door. He had a confused expression on his face, but it quickly turned to concern. He allowed me entrance and I took off my shoes somberly.
"Who's at the door?" I heard dad ask from the kitchen.
"It's T.K.." Matt replied shutting the door behind me.
"Huh? I thought you were going over your mother's tonight." Dad said from kitchen.
"Me too." Matt replied quietly watching me concerned. "You alright bro?"
I sighed and looked up from the floor. "Do you guys mind if I stay over here tonight? I don't feel like going home." Matt raised an eyebrow at me.
"Something going on with mom?" He asked.
"No, it has nothing to do with mom." I reassured him. "I just don't feel like being there."
Just then dad walked out from the kitchen and into the living room where my brother and I stood with an apron on. "So, what brings you to this neck of the woods kid? Thought you were coming here Sunday?" He asked heartily.
"I just thought I'd come over..." I replied.
"Listen T.K, if you don't want to move-" Dad started, but I interrupted him.
"No, actually I'm going to, but that's not the reason I came over."
"Oh." Dad stated some what surprised. "Well, call your mother and tell her you'll be here for the night. Dinners' almost ready." He walked back into the kitchen to finish cooking. I moved towards the phone on the hallway wall.
"You're going to move with us?" Matt asked from his seat on the couch. "Why?"
"Do you not want me to?" I asked while dialing mom's number. "I don't really have to much to say on the matter either. Mom's too busy with her work lately and now that Grandma's ill... I'd just be in her way..."
"T.K., how can you say you'd be in her way? You're her kid, number one priority." He responded in disbelief.
"You're her kid too." I replied as the phone began to ring. Mom picked up after the fourth ring.
"Moshi, moshi."
"Hey mom." I replied.
"Takeru, where have you been?! I've been worried about you!"
"I'm sorry mom, I was out with my friends and decided to go visit Matt and dad."
"Isn't Matt supposed to be coming over here tonight?" She asked.
"That's what I've heard, but do you mind if we switch it for tomorrow night? It's already getting late." I requested. She was silent for a moment, thinking it over.
"Well alright, when will you guys be coming over?"
"Err..." I looked over at Matt. "What do you have planned for tomorrow?"
"I have my last practice with The Teenage Wolves before our last concert. I think that gets out around three." He told me.
"Okay... We'll be there around four." I responded over the phone. Mom sighed.
"Alright, I'll be home around three thirtyish. I'll see you guys then, love you."
"Love you too." I hung up the phone and turned to my brother with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, I should've just went home."
"Not that I mind or anything, but why aren't you there? I was just on my way over there when the door bell rang." He asked. "What's going on?" I sighed and slid down the wall into a sitting position.
"I told my friends that I was moving. It was kind of weird how I want to spend the rest of my time with them before we head off to America, but I couldn't stand to be near them then." I paused for a moment before shaking my head disgusted with myself and adding, "I ran away from them."
Matt looked at me with understanding. "I know what you mean. I kinda went through a similar situation today."
"I bet you didn't just up and leave them." I replied bitterly.
"Well, I did make an excuse to get away from them, so I guess that's just as bad." He returned. "But you were lucky, you got to tell all your friends at the same time." I shrugged. Matt stared at me, something obviously on his mind, but he didn't say anything.
"Dinner's ready!" Dad hollered from the kitchen. Matt and I stood up and followed the scent of food down the small hallway and into the tiny kitchen. I looked at the table surprised.
"Dad... It looks edible." Matt commented jokingly. "You sure it's not a t.v. dinner in disguise?"
"Hey I can cook!" Dad defended himself with a smile while untying his stained apron and throwing it near the pantry door.
"It may look edible, but /is/ it?" I asked grinning.
"Oh come on guys, just eat it!" Matt and I shrugged at each other before sitting down at the table and testing our father's food.
Matt came over to my place more often then I came over here, which made it was kind of odd sitting around the small table talking and eating with them. Oddly enough, I didn't feel like an intruder, but closer to them then I had felt in a long time.
Is this how it will be when we move to America?
~*~
To be continued...
~*~
Author's Note: Ugh, sorry guys, I think I got a bit OOC for both T.K. and Matt ___. My apologies!! I think it's due to the 2 a.m. work on the chapter. I got kind of stuck on it (I originally wanted this to be the moving chapter, but it didn't turn out that way). Anyhow, I hope you are all still enjoying this and I'd love to hear you comments! Suggestions are always welcome!
Eraya ^_~