Chapter 4 Wedding bells a-ringing
"Ok, hang on." A voice called.
I continued to knock on the door.
The door swung open. "Ok stop knocking! You know-!" Kari started.
I grinned, swooping her off her feet and kissed her.
"Matt!? Oh my god! Did you just arrive?" She squealed flinging her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. "You know now I'm getting married I very much doubt TK would like you greeting me like this."
I laughed gently dropping her to her feet. "Yeah I guess, but you'll always have a place in my heart." I fluttered my eyelashes.
"Matt!" She laughed smacking my shoulder. She reached up and ran a finger over my beard. "I like this, I makes you look even hotter."
I shrugged giving her nose a playful tug. "I like this it makes you look more human."
"Thanks." She rolled her eyes and led me into the apartment. "If you're after TK then he's not here. Strictly girls only for the next two nights."
I frowned. "Thanks for including me in your group."
She shook her head smiling.
"So where are all of the girls?" I asked lazing in one of the armchairs finding a bra stuffed under the cushion. I held it up smirking.
Kari snatched it away and threw it into another room. "Sora's gone out to drop Chikara off at her grandparents, my other friends went off to get supplies. I'm not sure about Yolie and Mimi's gone out to get dinner for us."
My stomach gave an involuntary jerk at her name. I pulled my smile back onto my face. "Yolie was on my flight. I'm her escort since we're both single losers." I lamented.
Kari rolled her eyes.
"She went to see her parents first. She'll be over later." I finished.
Kari smiled. "That's great! Sorry Matt, you know you're my favorite future brother-in-law, but the no guy rule only counts if there aren't any guys. How would it look if I broke my own rule?"
I sighed. "Just when I was getting comfy." I heaved myself out of the chair.
Brrrrrring! Kari leapt at the phone on the bench. "Hello?"
I stood patiently.
"What? Is there anything you can do? Are you sure? Ok fine, thanks." Kari dropped the phone and turned to face me. She looked like she was about to cry. "That was the owner of the hall we'd hired, they just found out that it's not available, termites or something, and we can't hold the reception there." She burst into tears.
I looked around for a tissue, unable to find one I pulled her into a hug and she sobbed into my shoulder. I stroked her hair slowly and tried to sound soothing. "Shhhh, it's alright. You just sob all over Matt's expensive leather jacket. It doesn't matter." I mumbled.
Kari started to laugh in mid cry causing a sudden burst of hiccups.
I smiled. "Hey come on, you're gonna get married in two days. You know what? You can have the reception at my house. There's plenty of room and I'll arrange it all for you. Come on, chin up give me that dazzling smile!"
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You'd do that for me?"
I nodded using my sleeve to wipe away the stray tears. "Of course I would. Just tell me how you want my house decorated and I'll have it done."
Kari smiled and gave me a quick hug. "Thank you so much!"
"Ok so where's my little brother?" I asked after Kari had made the call to transfer all of the decorations to my house.
Kari's smile grew.
*~*~*~*~*
I pulled out my keys cursing my stupid idea of giving TK a spare key. I pushed the door open to find my lounge room in a total mess. TK opened a bleary eye from his position on my couch. "Matt?" He asked confused.
I laughed. "Hi Teeks, always new you couldn't take your alcohol." I strode in carefully avoiding the empty bottles on the floor. "So where are your partners in crime?" I asked pointing at the bags in the corner.
TK grimaced pulling himself up onto his feet. "If you're talking about Tai, Davis, Ken and Cody… there out getting provisions, because they couldn't find the key to your liquor cabinet. I didn't tell them it was hidden under your bookcase, thanks for that, I don't think I could have taken much more. I don't remember Tai's party being like this."
I laughed walking into my kitchen. "That's because Tai was out cold after I got to him. Be happy because I have no urge to see how long you'd last against me."
TK laughed stumbling behind me. "So do you have some magical hair-of-the dog-that-bit-me and all that stuff wonder drink?"
I reached into my cupboard and brought out a bottle. "Drink this and don't ask what it is."
TK took it and drank a little and pulled on a face, before drinking the rest in one go.
"So little brother, whose idea was it to crash my house for your bachelor party?" I asked pulling off my jacket.
"Tai's and Davis' said cause you didn't have a wife or girlfriend you wouldn't have her bugging you to clean up." TK put the empty bottle in the sink and pushed his mussed up short blond hair into place.
"How wrong they were, if we don't have this house clean by this time tomorrow, Kari is going to have a fit." I said patting TK on the back. "The hall you hired pulled out I volunteered my house for the reception."
TK was starting to look more sober then a minute ago. "What? Oh crap." He muttered looking around at the state of my kitchen.
I smirked. "This'll teach you to mess up my house without inviting me to the party."
"Matt!" TK yelled. "You're not being helpful! Not that you ever are, anyway you don't even live here often."
I laughed. "Just kidding Teekers. When the guys get here we'll clean up, can Izzy and Joe make it?"
TK nodded "They're getting here tomorrow afternoon for the major party."
"Great," I picked up my phone book. "Know what I'm gonna call up Don. I know it's been a while since I worked for him but he knows way more than I do about cooking. Best caterer you'll ever find you can tell him what Kari and you want for the meal and he'll do it. I'll start to clean up." I dialed the phone number after receiving TK's grateful nod.
"Hello, Silver Lining, this is Don how many I help you?"
"Don, great to hear you again, it's Yamato Ish-" I started.
"Yamato? How have you been? You could have been one of the greatest-"
"Yeah I know I could have been one of the greatest chefs, why oh why did I decide to become a world famous rock star." I laughed. "Don I need a favor, my brother's getting married in two days and the hall's pulled out of the deal we've moved it to my house but we don't have any food, think you could help?"
"Of course you still have that wonderfully large kitchen right? Well put him on and I'll work out what food he wants." Don exclaimed.
I smiled and handed the phone to TK.
I walked into the lounge room and started to gather up the empty bottles. I'd just finished throwing them out when Tai and Davis burst through the door.
"I hope you're ready for more…Matt?" Tai shouted, almost dropping the pizza boxes he was holding.
Davis tried to look innocent holding a bag full of bottles. "What are you doing here?"
I folded my arms. "I hope you're ready for more Matt? Boy Tai I'd better keep you away from Pete who knows what slogans would suddenly appear?" I turned to Davis. "And could it be that I live here, or it's my house, or I came to see my brother get married, or all of them?" I asked watching with amusement as Tai and Davis went a brighter shade of red.
Cody and Ken walked in talking about something then stopped mid sentence.
I curled the corners of my lips into a smirk. "Now who's going to clean up my house? And anyone that doesn't will be in deep shit."
In an instant the four guys were grabbing rubbish and bolting for the bin.
I waited till they were all out of the room and burst out laughing.
*~*~*~*~*
I flicked through the channels trying to find something that would interest me. TK, Ken and Cody had hit the sack about an hour and Davis had just stalked off fifteen minutes ago due to losing a major bet on a football match, which left Tai chuckling gleefully. I settled for watching a basketball game.
"Matt…" Tai said slowly.
I frowned not looking away from the screen. "Tai…" I mimicked.
"Sora told me about Mimi and you." He mumbled.
I turned the TV on mute and tried to not have a complete mental fit. "Well?"
"So it's true?" He asked, leaning back into the sofa.
I laughed hollowly. "Is it true that I made the biggest mistake of my life and let her walk out the door? Or that I slept with her, which one Taichi?" My right hand twitched, I stared at the thin white scars running from my knuckles to my wrist.
"The first one, Yamato." Tai said. "Are you really telling the truth about that 'cause that's not what Sora told me. She told it more like you were being an asshole."
"I was being an asshole." I growled. I clenched my fist. "That's the problem."
Tai exhaled slowly. "You love her don't you?"
I nodded sadly. "Totally stuffed, don't know how I made it through the last couple of months without trying to phone her."
"Why didn't you call her?" Tai asked.
"Because I'm a total loser, because she deserves someone who won't freeze up at the three words 'I love you', because she's ten times the person I am." I mumbled.
"She seemed pretty depressed, the day after she got away from LA and stayed with us." Tai said.
"Did she get over it?" I asked remembering the feel of glass shredding my hand.
"She's hooked up with Michael. Sometimes if you walk into a room and she doesn't know you're there she'll just stare out of a window until you talk to her." Tai answered.
I shivered remembering her haunting touch and taste. "Michael's a good guy."
Tai slowly put his hand on my shoulder. "I know someone better."
My head drooped. "You always were a bad liar, Tai."
"I'm not lying." He insisted. "Anyway at the wedding, Sora's gonna try and kill you or something, I'd avoid getting cornered by her try and stick with a crowd. Night Matt."
Tai left towards one of my spare bedrooms.
All of the feelings of that night suddenly rushed back overloading my senses. I stumbled into my room and grabbed my guitar. I slumped into the corner and gently ran my fingers across the strings, playing the song I'd been playing every night for the last three months.
*~*~*~*~*
TK had reached up and fiddled with his bow tie nervously causing it to go sideways.
I sighed, reaching over and straightening it. "Here comes the bride." I sang softly.
TK's head jerked to look down the isle. He relaxed seeing the wedding hadn't started.
A smirk planted itself on my face. "All fat and wide." I teased.
TK's nervousness faded away and he smiled. "Quiet, I'll tell Kari you said she's fat."
I smiled innocently and folded my arms behind my back standing up straight.
TK turned to stare down at the church doors.
"Slipped on a banana peel." I sang, keeping my face perfectly straight.
"And goes for a ride!" Davis and Tai chorused.
TK turned to glare at his groomsmen. The corners of his mouth twitched up, his face was so priceless that we all broke out laughing. After a moment TK joined in.
"Thanks Matt." TK whispered into my ear when we'd finished. "God I'm nervous."
"I'm your best man, it's my job to keep you from fainting and if you do, I get to marry the bride." I joked.
Suddenly the doors swung open and the wedding tune started. Little Chikara walked slowly down the isle sprinkling petals as she went, looking absolutely ecstatic that she had so much attention.
I looked over to see TK had gone pale again.
I nudged him. "Hey, Teekers, I thought you were marrying Kari."
My little brother grinned, shaking his head.
Chikara stopped and stood across from us. I waggled my eyebrows at her. She giggled softly.
Next came Sora, then Yolie, both looking absolutely beautiful. Right after Yolie came Mimi. My breath caught in my throat, whatever memories I'd been living off for the last three months were discarded as I soaked her in. Everything about her was so elegant, so graceful…so perfect. The feelings that had been haunting me went tenfold. She took her place with Chikara and the other bridesmaids.
I turned my eyes more in respect than interest to watch as Kari glided down the isle. She looked…beautiful, but to Mimi nothing worth comparison. I watched Mimi as together Kari and TK turned to the priest. Her sparkling cinnamon eyes flicked onto mine and hardened with a you-don't-even-exist look. I switched my gaze to Sora who gave me one of her you've-got-some-explaining-to-do-preferably-while-I-rip-you-to-peices frowns. I sighed and looked at Yolie she gave me a meaningful look that meant Hi-Matt-looking-good-but-check-out-Mimi! I turned my head and just watched mentally muting as TK and Kari went through their vows. I was alive enough to know when to hand TK the ring.
Not at all too soon the newly weds were walking down the isle arm in arm. Tai took Sora's arm and followed in a flash Mimi had taken hold of Davis' arm and followed them.
Yolie took my arm and we made our slow process out of the church.
"Hello my name is Matt, I'm an addictoholic. First it was drugs and then to replace them it was girls then to replace them was alcohol. Now it's Mimi. Dear God, can't anyone cure me?" I muttered softly enough so the only one to hear was Yolie.
Yolie gave me her most sympathetic looks and brought her mouth up to my ear. "Try Mimi."
I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arm around her shoulders. "Thanks."
*~*~*~*~*
I smiled on reflex as Davis' place was traded with Michael. The blue eyed blond gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled down at me, his eyes shinning with adoration. His hair and eyes aren't the proper shade. I criticized. Maybe I could convince him to wear electric blue contacts and grow his hair out into those sexy looking spikes and dye it a closer shade of gold. I realised I'd stopped smiling and was frowning at him. I brought my smile back. And maybe I'll convince him to play the guitar and sing like a god and treat people like dirt. I thought viciously.
Michael led me to his car, a green commodore. I took my place in the passenger seat and stared out the window and saw a man with golden hair get onto a newish looking metallic blue and black motorbike and tear off down the road. Suddenly the car seemed too roomy; I wanted something that made people sit against each other. I sighed and looked over at Michael as he drove along behind the line of cars heading towards the reception, also known as Yamato Ishida's house. I could see Matt's bike weaving in and out between cars.
"I think I want a motorbike." I said trying to start a conversation to keep my mind focused on something else.
Michael grinned widely. "You have such funny ideas Mimi, have you seen the number of people who die on those things, literal deathtrap."
That's right treat me like a child, what am I 26?Yep 26 what do you know. I struggled onwards. "But you'd feel so free on one of them. Don't you believe in risks?"
Again he had that indulgent smile as if I was being foolish. "Meems, I believe in security and protection for the ones I love."
Aw, how sweet he's trying to sweet talk me. He must be out of practice. That little rebellious voice in my head snarled. "I'd prefer to be on the back of a bike" Matt's bike, with Matt on it. That little voice mumbled.
*~*~*~*~*
I pulled up at my house after weaving through traffic so I got there before anyone else. I shut off the engine and hit the button to close my garage. I left my brand new bike that I'd bought along with a bike for Dio and bolted through my house to the front door opening it just in time for my little brother and sister-in-law.
They beamed at me holding hands and looking like they were on top of the world. I leaned down and kissed Kari on the cheek. "Congratulations." I said stepping out of the way. "Don and his crew are in the kitchen, they've served everything out, I saw the hired band at a traffic light. They'll be here soon. Please enjoy the Ishida residence." I gave a flourished bow with my arm in a presenting gesture.
TK laughed and Kari's smile could light up any dark room. "Thanks again Matt. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't TK's brother."
I smiled. "You'd probably have married me." That's right Matt, act normal. Just because she's gonna be in my house is no reason to panic.
Kari giggled out a. "Yeah, you wish." And was lead off by TK to go sample the food.
I stood around the door greeting people until I saw Sora striding purposely towards me. I suddenly remembered Tai's warning and disappeared into the kitchen to see Don.
"Yamato, good to see you again. You look well enough but you'd look better if you tried this." Don exclaimed handing me a pastry.
I bit into it dutifully, a sugary liquid squirted into my mouth. I quickly stuffed the rest in and was ready for any other food Don wanted me to eat.
"You're still the best cook in the world." I mumbled through another mouthful.
Don grinned. "Now that's what I like to hear. You know I told you before, you have pure talent, you would have been second in the kitchen if you'd stayed on for another month." He started to make a tray of croissants.
I threw my tux jacket onto a spare bench and rolled up my sleeves. "Yeah I would have stayed if Canada's music college was in Japan. But I fear that if I had I would have turned out a tub of lard like you." I grabbed a couple of half finished croissants quickly fixing them and putting them on the tray. I then surveyed the apprentice chefs.
"Not bad." Don muttered inspecting my work. "And I'll have you know boy, this is all pure muscle and you, you're a stick." He grinned giving me some extra dough.
One of the things I'd missed most about Don apart from the food was how we could tease each other non stop and remain friends. We fell into the process occasionally noting the flaws in the others work. That's why it was a surprise to have Tai walk into the kitchen and tell me that the announcements were about to begin and the best man had to be present and if Don could grace them with more of his terrific food.
I washed my hands and donned my jacket and left the kitchen after exchanging a casual insult with Don.
*~*~*~*~*
The room suddenly seemed a whole lot smaller. No it wasn't because of him. Him with his soft sexy looking golden hair and his irresistible electric blue eyes. He'd just walked out of the kitchen with an unfairly handsome devil-may-care grin. Since the last time I'd seen him he'd grown a short golden beard that went from just above his top lip and trailed down to his chin, a goatee/mustache type of thing. All of this was neatly trimmed into a thin line and was totally unfair for me to have to look at.
I looked away to where Kari and TK sat sadly Matt took his place on his brother's other side. After a moment to make sure everyone was settled at their places, Tai stood up and said a few words of congratulations to be replaced by Sora who also said a few words. TK smiled and stood up "I'd like to thank everyone for being here for us, to share our happiness. It means a lot to us." He beamed down at Kari. "I'd especially like to thank my brother Matt, for always being there for us and letting us use his house for this reception even though we trashed it at the bachelor party. Thanks big brother."
All through this Matt kept his eyes on TK; he smirked and muttered something to TK that caused him to laugh. Matt looked around the room and simply said, "Thanks."
"Speech!" Tai called out suddenly then was silenced by a disapproving look from Sora.
Matt slowly stood up and looked around the room once more his eyes resting on me for a second. "What can I say about the newly weds? I could babble on about all of the stupid things TK's done but I know he's probably got more dirt on me than I do on him. Thus I refrain from teasing." He smiled at the couple. "Never have I ever met a nicer couple than Teeks and Kari, they've been together through a lot from a very young age. To see that the spark between them has turned out this way makes me personally feel pretty jealous," Matt's eyes locked on mine. "But it's also taught me how important love is. As corny as it may sound I propose a toast to TK, Kari and to love." He tipped his wineglass in my direction, his eyes still holding mine. The rest of the room repeated the toast.
Some other people stood up and said some speeches. I found I couldn't breathe with Yamato Ishida watching me. He finally looked away and got into an animated discussion with Yolie they both seemed to be enjoying themselves.
I turned to discover Michael holding his hand out to me. While I'd been staring at Matt the dancing had started as the hired band that were standing on a makeshift stage started up with a slow love song. I glanced over to see Yolie and Matt were already making their way to the dance floor in a very close relaxed looking embrace. He had his cheek resting on the top of her head.
I accepted the hand and was led onto the dance floor.
After a while I finally convinced Michael that I was too tired to dance anymore and went to sit down next to Sora who was sitting with Chikara. I looked around to see Yolie had finally stopped dancing Matt, she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek then whispered something into his ear, which made him smile. Oh great they're a couple, perfect, lovely, like I care! Yolie left to go talk to Ken. Matt turned and spotted me he strode purposely towards my table.
He stopped right in front of us. "May I ask the for the pleasure of this dance."
*~*~*~*~*
Mimi's look of surprise was quickly replaced with a look of hatred. I turned slightly to make it look like I was asking Sora. Her eyes hardened and I remembered Tai's advice of not getting cornered by her. Once again I changed my tactics holding out my hand to the last female at the table, Chikara on Sora's lap, looking fidgety as ever. "What do you say my darling?" I drawled hoping I'd pulled it off. Chikara giggled and took my hand, leaping off her mother's lap. I took a glance at Mimi who looked thoughtful and Sora who was seething.
Together Chikara and I walked off into the dance floor where Chikara promptly showed me her bunny dance where she sort of hopped from side to side waving her arms bobbing up and down. I laughed and joined in building up on the moves until we were both jumping around to the extent that people had to move to avoid being bumped over.
"Oh my god! You're Matt Ishida!" The singer of the band yelled suddenly cutting off the song. The rest of his band cut off and stared at me in awe.
I stopped jumping around suddenly aware of everyone staring at me. "Er, yeah that's me." I said sheepishly.
"Man you're my idol, you're really great. Hey do you think you could play a song with us, please?" The hired singer begged.
I looked around unsure.
"Go on Matt." Yolie called.
"Yeah go on Matt, I wanna request the song." Kari said.
I smiled at her and nodded finally. "Yeah ok, just let me get my guitar."
*~*~*~*~*
Matt strapped on his guitar with loving care and did a few experimental strums. Great! Now I'm jealous of his guitar! He looked up at the members of the band that were staring at him like he was some sort of god. I wonder if that's what I look like when no one's watching me.
"Ok, I'm ready." He said softly into the microphone.
Kari thought for a second, then a smile bloomed up on her face. She told Yolie. Yolie gave him a wink and jumped up onto the stage. She whispered something into his ear. Flirt!
He looked at her for a second then smiled. Giving her a brief hug.
He turned to the band and asked them something I couldn't hear.
The band nodded repetitively.
He stepped back up to the microphone and started to pick out the notes.
The drummer joined in a sort of slow song.
Matt looked up fixing his blue eyes on mine he opened his mouth to sing.
"There's nothing you can say
Nothing you can do
Nothing in between
You know the truth
Nothing left to face
Nothing left to lose
Nothing takes your place"
The rest of the band joined in fleshing the song out and building it up. I shivered as his soft husky voice surrounded me. I watched his mouth in fascinated horror as the words slowly penetrated my brain.
"When they say you're
Not that strong
You're not that weak
It's not your fault
And when you climb up to your hill
Up to your place
I hope you're well"
The band apart from the drummer and Matt shut off again. Oh god…He's not, is he?
"There's nothing left to prove
Nothing I won't do
Nothing like the pain
I feel for you
Nothing left to hide
Nothing left to fear
I am always here"
The band jumped in again. Beside me Sora seemed to be having a fit.
"When they say you're
Not that strong
You're not that weak
It's not your fault
And when you climb up to your hill
Up to your place
I hope you're well"
I felt my heart start to beat rapidly.
Matt's fingers glided across the strings. He watched me with calm eyes.
Everyone else in the room was watching as if hypnotised. I felt my breathing increase.
"What you want
What you lost
What you had
What is gone is over
What you've got
What you love
What you need
What you have is real
If it's not enough
It's not enough
It's not enough
It's not enough I'm sorry
If it's not enough
It's not enough
It's not enough
It's not enough"
He stepped back slightly no longer singing and let his hands skim over the strings. Matt stepped back up to the microphone and sung softly.
"When they say you're
Not that strong
You're not that weak
It's not your fault
And when you climb up to your hill
Up to your place
I hope you're well"
"It's not enough
No
It's not enough
It's not enough"
He stopped looking perfectly calm as the song ended.
I reached over to my glass hoping he couldn't tell how frayed my control was right now. I wanted to cry, curse, and worsted of all I wanted to kiss Matt more than ever. I could feel Sora's annoyance radiating towards Matt. I looked up to see Matt smile at me faintly. The wedding guest seemed to be stuck in some sort of awe.
*~*~*~*~*
Before anyone could even think of applauding my fingers were manipulating my guitar strings again, this time at a faster pace, I felt empowered somehow by the looks that I'd seen cross Mimi's face during the song.
"So better man I am since I
Come into contact with you
And you taught so many things about myself
And you know this is true.
But now we are apart and it's all my fault
Cos you know I need to be alone
Don't know myself
So how can I share me with you girl or anyone?"
Mimi choked on her wine.
"Don't want to be a thorn in your side
Good woman
Always be the one
To make you cry
Don't wanna be that guy
Good woman
Cos you deserve everything
And I got nothing so leave me
And I'll go away better off I stay
Far from you, you, you, you,
Because you are beautiful."
I watched her soaking in every expression that crossed her perfect face, treasuring it.
"Beautiful woman"
"Now typical man
I am because you think
I want my cake and eat it too
Cos say I can't be in a relationship
But I still feel for you
Cos you are the best woman
This old man has ever met
You taught me about my soul
You shared with me your magic."
She looked troubled, as if she couldn't work out what to do. I felt a burst of hope.
"Don't want to be a thorn in your side
Good woman
Always be the one
To make you cry
Don't wanna be that guy
Good woman
Cos you deserve everything
And I got nothing so leave me
And I'll go away better off I stay
Far from you, you, you, you,
Because you are beautiful"
I stopped singing and brought my hand up and down the neck of my guitar at a rapid pace falling into the instrumental. Finally I stopped and played a very slow basic pattern repeating it over and over.
"Better man I am since I
Come into contact with you
And you taught
So many things about myself
And you know this is true
But now we are apart and it's all my fault
Cos you know I need to be alone
Don't know myself
So how can I share me with you girl
Or anyone"
Mimi looked panicked, looking around, looking for an escape route.
"Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful woman
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful woman
So better man, I am
So better man, I am
Better Man I am
Cos of you,
Cos of you,
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful woman
Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful woman
So better man, I am
So better man, I am
So better man, I am
So better man, I am…because of you."
I stopped and watched her intently, wondering how she'd react. She slowly, so not to bring attention to herself got up and walked out of the room.
I shrugged off my guitar and shoved it into its case leaving it leaning against the wall. I waited until the applause was over and then quickly followed Mimi's example.
*~*~*~*~*
I entered the furthest door from the reception and cursed my luck of picking Matt's room. His room had a rustic comfy feel I looked around apart from photos of some people I didn't know and several of the DigiDestin together and separate there wasn't many personal items. I frowned finding smashed mirror lying on the floor. On his cupboard was a largish photo of the rock star himself wicked smile on his face holding a laughing Yolie in his arms at the beach. They both looked happy together… I choked flopping onto his bed crying into his sheets that smelt way too much like Matt right now.
I heard the door quietly click shut. I looked up squinting through tears to see who it was. Matt stood there staring at me. I wiped my eyes and tried to look as menacing as I could, lying on his bed, crying almost a foot shorter than him.
He stood there back against the door watching.
I need to get out of here. I thought wishing he wasn't blocking the door. I glared at him. "What's wrong Matt, I'd think you'd be used to seeing different women on your bed." I sat up shoving my hair out of my eyes.
Matt took a step towards me an odd look of seriousness in his usually playful eyes. "It may be a surprise to you but you're the first woman to ever sit, lay or anything else on this bed." He said softly. "And no woman on any bed anywhere in this world is as exquisite as you."
I leapt to my feet and slapped him.
He didn't flinch he slowly raised his hand to hold mine. His hand had fine white scars running across it. Ever so slowly watching me all the time he brought my hand to his mouth. I watched in fascinated horror as he slowly kissed every fingertip pinky to index. My breath caught in my throat. He slowly, his blue eyes still watching mine, turned my hand over and trailed kisses over my lifeline.
"You meant every word didn't you?" I whispered hoarsely.
Matt stopped and brought my hand to rest over his heart. Ever so slowly still watching me, ready to flee, he brought his soft lips down on mine.
Thoughts dissolved away as soon as his warm talented lips touched mine. His free hand gently toyed with my hair. I could feel his heart pounding at a beat rapider than mine.
The door swung open and in came Michael. "Mimi are you in here…?" He stopped.
Matt and I leapt away from each other. Matt looked thoroughly pissed.
Michael clenched his fists. "What the hell do you think you're doing with my girlfriend!?" He yelled.
The two blond men glared at each other. "I was kissing her." Matt growled.
There was an awful crunch as Michael's fist connected with Matt's nose. Matt's hand rose up to cover his nose blood seeped through his fingers. Matt's free hand smashed into Michael's eye.
I stood petrified into place as the two men squared off. All of a sudden Tai was in between them holding them apart.
*~*~*~*~*
I wiped the blood away from my nose and glared at Michael who was being restrained by Tai. Mimi stood just next to my bed looking like a deer in headlights, tears in eyes.
"What in god's name is going on here?" A familiar voice shouted.
I turned to see Sora standing in the doorway looking furious. I don't need this! My mind shouted. "I don't need this." I repeated out loud and pushed past her.
I got halfway down the corridor before a small bomb tackled me against the wall.
Sora glared up at me. "I've been you're friends for most of your life Yamato Ishida, but never have I been so disgusted in the way you treat people." She hissed.
I shoved her off me and started to walk away.
She grabbed my arm. "You are not walking away from me, I've been here for you most of my life and I've always told you the truth. You have been a complete bastard to Mimi toying with her affections like she was one of those sluts you seem to like. You have hurt her more than you can ever understand and then you have the guts to take another go. If you don't have a conscious let me be the replacement, you've stuffed up big time Mattie. And remember not once in my life have I lied to you."
I sagged. Maybe she's right. "What do you advise?" I asked soberly.
Sora loosened her grip on my arm. "She doesn't need you, leave her alone. Let her get on with life and at get togethers don't talk to her outside a group. I'm telling you this for her sake Matt."
I nodded slowly. Leave her alone, don't hurt her again. "I'm going to stay at a motel until I'm going back to America." I mumbled. "I won't tell you which one." I walked away from her slipping away from the party and into my garage, grabbing my bags out of the car from where I'd left them and jumped on my bike heading towards the closest doctor's office to get my nose checked.
Who knows? I thought savagely. I might find myself a mirror to smash.
*~*~*~*~*
I sobbed onto Tai's shoulder as he sat next to me on Matt's bed. He wrapped his arm around me. Sora had disappeared after Matt after he'd pulled his I don't need this act. Michael had gone back to the party and was having Joe take a look at his eye, which had already taken on a purplish colour.
"What am I gonna do Tai?" I sobbed.
"Marry Matt?" He suggested.
I drew back, Matt the Rebel? Matt the Untouchable Rock star? Matt the Unpredictable? Married? I thought incredulously. But there was a small part of my brain that showed us living together and waking up to his smile everyday.
I looked around his room for something to change the subject. Now I looked at it the picture of Matt and Yolie looked more along the lines of friends.
"What does Matt spend his money on? He's got a motorbike and I'm pretty sure I saw a Porsche but this house isn't worth all that much for a man that makes thousands a year." Oh yeah, way to change the subject Mimi!
Tai smiled all of a sudden and pulled me to my feet. He led me over to another door in Matt's room. "What do you think this is?" Tai asked.
I frowned looking around the room; the bathroom was through the other door on the other side of the room. "The closet?" I guessed.
Tai grinned playfully. "If Matt found out I was showing anyone this he'd be very cross." He felt around the back of the chest of drawers then his hand reemerged holding a key. He unlocked the mystery door to reveal a staircase. Tai grabbed my hand and led me down.
When we finally got down to the basement Tai fumbled around for the light switch as I tried to see what was down there.
The lights flicked on to show a large room with a small desk and chair, a CD player and more than a couple of hundred different types of guitars. I stared in shock.
Tai laughed. "Amazing isn't it? I knew the guy was hooked on music but I didn't know it was this bad until I found him down here writing down lyrics. He loves this room I'd be surprised if any guitar in this room is out of tune, I think I heard him tuning some last night. He collects them probably worth a lot to weirdo's out there" He sat down at Matt's desk, and grinned. "Many a song was created on this table it's probably worth quite a lot to the Timber Wolves fans." I walked up and down the isles of guitars in awe.
"Matt's a good guy." Tai said suddenly. "If he didn't tell you today, I'll let you know that he didn't mean to hurt you."
I looked at the floor. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
*~*~*~*~*
I sat in Michael's car, staring out the window at the gray clouded sky. Matt had disappeared from his house and hadn't been seen since he drove off. Officially I had to be back at work in three days but Michael had convinced …nagged me to stay at his house for a little while. I sighed, leaning back into the seat. Michael's eye was bruised and swollen. I closed my eyes when he smiled at me wishing him away. I opened my eyes to find him still sitting there, driving his ugly olive green car. He reached out and turned the radio on.
"Hey you're listening to the hottest station, Triple 6. We're doing request songs. Hi what are you requesting?" The radio announcer asked.
"Hey can I request Low by Timber Wolves?" The caller asked.
"You certainly can, there's something about that song isn't there just makes me want to dance around the studio." The announcer confided.
"Yeah it's a totally cool song I think Matt Ishida is so sexy! He's such a-"
Michael's hand snapped out and silenced the girl's voice mid sentence. I'm with you sister. I thought vaguely, ignoring the look over anger that had appeared on the driver's face.
I pressed my forehead against the window. I can't do this.
"I was thinking about what you said, about wanting a motorbike." Michael said slowly. "I was thinking I could buy you one when we get back to America."
I shrugged. Does it come with it's own Yamato Ishida?
Michael pulled up at the airport. I grabbed my bags and got out of the car. He walked over and wrapped his arms around me. "I can understand how you must feel, having Ishida make a move on you, but I'm not like him." He whispered into my ear, he started to trail kisses down my neck.
I jammed my elbow into his chest and leapt away. "No you're not." I mumbled.
He looked confused. "Ok I understand, you don't want to move into this so fast."
"I can't do this, I don't even want to move in that direction." I exclaimed.
He took a step closer. "Do what Meems?"
"This." I shouted, waving my hand between us. "God you're a nice guy, but you're so damn predictable! I don't want this."
He looked hurt. " I can change." He said slowly.
I laughed wiping my eyes trying not to cry. "Don't change, you're considerate and loyal but we just don't have anything."
He straightened up. "It's Ishida isn't it?"
I nodded looking away. "I have to go." I said grabbing my things again and running towards the closest taxi.
One more chapter to go I'll try and bring it up soon just fixing some minor glitches, at the latest it'll be up 5th of December (Australian Time)