A/N: Well.. I don't know how that last chapter went, because I didn't get many reviews, but I'll try better on this one. I'm kinda going downhill on the storyline... but I'm trying! So give me suggestions PLEASE. I love you guys!!! Thanks a-bunch for all the reviews I've gotten so far!!!
Ch. 15: Shock
Sora.
Mimi had tried calling me many times over the course of the day, but I just didn't feel like talking to her right now. It honestly wasn't something that she had said or done, for that matter. It was just something I needed to deal with on my own, and she was just a reminder of it every time I saw her. I got over her pressure in finding out why I won't go to churches, but I still don't feel like talking.
I sat in my silent apartment, not a word was said, not a sound of any kind. It was always quiet like this. No one expect that someone even lived here. Unless there was the occasional blasting of music, but that didn't happen for me that often. Sitting on my unmade bed, I stared off at the poster covered wall. Pictures of many actors and singers cluttered the walls from floor to ceiling. Mostly pictures of Jet Li and Utada Hikaru. My hands were clasped to each other as the lay comfortably on my knees. I was still in my black and red boxer shorts and red tanktop that I changed into as soon as I walked into my room earlier this morning. What was the sense of being uncomfortable? I looked over at my nightstand the stood quaintly across from my bed. A picture frame was face down on the stand, the picture faced down on the lacey covering. I stared at the back of the picture for a while and dozed off into my memories.
The cordless phone that sat next to me on my bed rang loudly, pulling me out of my trance. I looked down at it, expecting it to be Mimi again. The yellow light of the caller ID showed brightly from the top of the phone, bringing the name of the caller out. 'Tai?' I reached out for the phone, but stopped before I reached it. I looked at the downcasting picture frame. The rings ended and once more there was silence in the apartment, until the answering machine went off in my room and in the living room. I still gazed at the photograph as I listened to the answering machine.
"Suicide hotline, please hold...BEEEEEEP." I heard my voice talking on the machine, it was a happy tone. I giggled once more and the real beep rang out.
"Hey Sora, it's Tai." He started, "I just wanted to call you, see what you were doing today? Ya know, maybe we could hang out or something. Well, I guess I'll talk to you later."
I heard Tai reach for the OFF button on his phone. I pressed the TALK button on mine and brought it to my ear. "Hey."
Tai almost sounded shocked that I even picked up the phone. "Hey!" He said cheerfully. A definite contrast to my voice. "Are you screening your calls again? Or just for me?"
I grinned for a moment, "I'm not sure yet." I continued, "Tai, I can't do anything at this point. I have to go somewhere."
"With Mimi?"
"No." I said without a tone. "By myself."
"Oh, okay." Tai muttered in a whisper. "Are you and Mimi okay?"
"Yes, we're fine. Why would you ask?"
"Well, nothing. Except that when I asked if you were going with her, you kinda answered 'no' really quickly." He explained to me. I forced out a giggle.
"No, that's not it at all!" I made my voice raise an octive, yet it wasn't high in comparison to Mimi's normal voice. "I just need to go somewhere... its not that I don't want to take her. It's just.. I don't think that she'd understand."
"Oh, is this about..?" Tai asked slowly, careful not to cross any lines. My head lowered when I knew that he had figured out what I was talking about.
"..yeah." I said as though I had just been in shock. I heard Tai sigh on the other line and he told me to call him when I arrived home. "Thanks Tai."
"Just.. be careful. Things have changed over there since we last went." He said compassionately, a tone I hadn't heard in his voice Mimi left for America. He had always put on an act since then, trying to show that he was over her. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"
"No, I need to do this myself." I told him, "I think, that this might be.. the last time."
"Like I said, just be careful. Not many people like us in that part of the city."
"..Okay, well Tai, I'm gonna get going." I told him. He chuckled and said his goodbye. After turning off the phone, I stood up and changed out of my boxers. I grabbed my black capris and a black halter top. A wolf showed visually at the bottom of my neck, in between my shoulder blades. My short, layered orangish-brown hair flowed down slightly, covering just enough of my back to keep my tattoo hidden. I leaned down and crouched, putting on my black platform sandals. I stood up, another 2 inches taller, and walked over to my night stand. I grabbed the picture and placed it in a black bag that I threw around my shoulder.
A shutting door echoed through the long hall that consisted of apartment doors. I walked down the red hallway and entered the elevator.
'The last time...' I told myself as I climbed into my car, leaving the top of the convertible on. Turning on the air-conditioning, I looked in the mirrors for any cars coming. One car was about 40 yards away. The tires screeched on my car as I put my car in reverse, cutting off the car and taking his spot on the road. He honked at me as I drove off. I put my head out of the car window, and smiled back at him, giggling. 'Well, there's the fun in my day!' I giggled sarcastically to myself.
I didn't bother to put on any music while I was driving past the speed limit on the streets. I drove for 30 minutes before I reached my destination. The field was empty, no one was in sight. The car stopped silently and I left it as I walked over to the tombstones with my black bag still hanging over my shoulder.
I dropped down to my knees again and stared at the stone in front of me. Tears clung to my eyes, giving them a glazed appearance.
"Hey mom."
That was all I said for the longest time. My knees began to shake from my crying, but I didn't falter. I waited another moment and then looked into my bag. I grabbed my picture frame.
"Do you remember this, ma?" I asked her, turning the frame around showing it to her tombstone. "I remember it. That was when you and I went to Hong Kong to visit Daddy.."
The tears the were filling my eyes threatened to spill down my cheeks as the words in my mind left my mouth. I clutched the picture frame in both hands, holding so tight that the glass nearly broke. I forced a giggle as an attempt to hold back the tears, but it didn't work because more fell from my eyes.
"I miss you mama..." I said aloud, not looking at her tombstone. I kept my eyes closed tightly and my face downcast, but the tears continued to flow from my closed eyes. It was like some floodgates had been cut open and there was no way that the water could be stopped from coming. "It's not fair!"
I yelled. I didn't mean to yell, but I did. In the moment... "..It's just not fair.."
"Why did you have to go!? You just left me!" I cried, "Did I do something? Wasn't I good enough to you?.. of course not. I wasn't the same after Daddy left for his new job.. and he never came back.. never.."
A deep breath of air filled my lungs as I stopped crying and listened to the wind rustle through the leaves and twigs on the ground. "I can't do this anymore mom. I just can't." My tear stained face looked at the old and wind-torn stone before me, "I can't keep coming here and crying all the time. Its been years.. and I need to let go of this... somehow."
I looked at the picture again. I smiled at myself. My hair was longer, down to my waist and my bangs were flying about my face, covering my eyes. Mom stood next to me kissing my cheek, which made me giggle and smile the brightest I ever had before that picture. My eyes glanced from the picture back to the tombstone. I read it again, "Takenouchi...1967-2003. In a world of darkness a light will always be shown from her name.."
The quote that my mother always used was a trademark that was put on her tombstone. She used to say it to me every night before I went to bed, as a way to make me remember that I was always the light that people needed to feel better. That quote was just a memory now, even now when I needed it the most. I took a deep sigh and stood up, resting the picture frame down on her tombstone with a boquet of red roses. The wind had dried all my remaining tears from my face and eyes, almost looking like I had never cried in the first place.
"Goodbye mom." I said once more as I collected my pride and walked away from the tomb. My heart broke inside as I remembered all the good times that I spent with her before she passed away.
I got half way to my car before I stopped and looked directly at the corner of a building next to the allyway. I folded my arms and sighed again. "Well are you going to stand there and watch me the entire time?"
Nothing happened for a moment. Then the bags and shadows started moving from the ally. Three figures came out from the dark and walked toward me. All of them were wearing dark red, like crimson. All three girls walked toward me in short strides, very girlie if you ask me.
"What do you want, Tarah?" I asked the one in the middle who just giggled.
"Oh nothing more than to ask you the same question."
"I'm here on family business. We done?" I commented to her, wanting to leave. This place was boring enough as it was, and I didn't need to be in the same area of my mother's grave right now.
"You honestly think that your going to get out of here that easily?" Tarah laughed, one of the other girls followed in a giggle.
"Can't we just beat the **** out of her and get this over with!?" Another girl yelled eagerly. She pummled her fist into her other palm and licked her lips. "It'll be so much fun."
"Back off for a bit, kay?" Tarah said to the girl, putting her hand out in front of her. I rolled my eyes and shifted my weight to my left leg.
"Look, Tarah. I don't have time to battle with your tramps again. So lets do this another time." I said as I walked past the three girls again. I heard the one who wanted to beat me up so eagerly groan and I felt her watching my back as I passed.
"Ha, your a funny one Sora." Tarah called back to me. "But I wasn't planning on sending Ming and Tria after you this time. I wanted a little a fun this time."
I continued to walk to my car, not caring about them. "Well you wont be getting it this time. Sorry hunny!"
My sarcastic tone was rewarded with a low groan and the footsteps of Tarah running toward me as I opened my car door. just as I was about to climb into it she crushed me to the side of it and pushed herself into me. "Listen up Sora. You used to be one of us, all until you met up with them."
"wow, you do have a decent memory! I knew it was in there somewhere." I said nonchalantly. I pushed her away from me, giving me room to breathe. "But you know what? Get over it."
I looked her straight in the eyes as I moved back to my open car door. I sat in the seat and closed the door again. Not caring to lock it, I opened the window. "Buh bye now."
I drove off, leaving Tarah, Ming, and Tria in the middle of the street. I laughed to myself as I watched them disappear back to the ally. 'What losers...'
*************
Normal. Mimi's house.
The light from the tv gave off a soft light to the dark living room. Mimi laid sleeping on the couch, curled up in a ball as she huddled to her pillow. All was quiet in her house. The television was on mute and Gram wasn't home. The only sound was the wind that tapped the tree branches to the windows. Mimi's body shifted around as she lay sleeping, muttering a few words now and then. Guns and knives haunted her in her dream, they flashed through her mind as she slept.
Knocking on the door went unheard to her while she was in the living room. Sje woke up immediately and sat up straight. "..Matt.." She heard herself say. 'Matt?..'
She stood up and walked over to the door in the foyer. "Why would I think of Matt.. I.." She whispered to herself as she unlocked the door. Turning on the outside light, she opened the door. Matt stood leaning against the door frame. Mimi smiled and greeted him.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him as he walked into the house. Mimi looked around the front porch for anyone else, but there was none. "Where's Michael?"
"I told him I was going over to your house, but he said that he wanted to go back to my place and sleep." He told me, taking a seat on the stairs. "You've got a weird boyfriend, Meems. He's paranoid and he's got major issues about gangs and crap.. I think tha--"
"Okay! You can stop dissing my boyfriend any time now!" Mimi cut in giggling. Matt laughed and leaned back. "Well, you came right at the perfect time! If you hadn't come then I would've been asleep for the entire night!"
"Oh, your welcome." Matt smiled, getting up and following Mimi to the kitchen. Mimi flipped the switch to the ceiling lights and walked over to the fridge.
"You want anything?" She asked him, she took out a caffinated drink.
"You do realize that it's nearly midnight? And that your about to be awake for the entire night.." Matt informed her.
"I'm already awake. But I guess your right.. if I want to sleep at all tonight, then I better not." Mimi agreed, grabbing a drink for Matt. She walked over to him and put his drink down on the counter. She got up close to him and smiled. "You're just too smart!!"
He smiled and took his drink. "Yeah, I know." Matt winked while he took a sip.
Mimi.
I swear I could've felt my face heat up and I knew I was blushing. Why was this happening to me? Matt and me? Yeah...that'll never...happen. I giggled for a moment and smiled seductively. 'What am I doing!?' I screamed in my head, still facing Matt. 'Am I flirting with him!?'
"You okay?" He asked me, placing a hand on my shoulder. When I finished staring off into space I looked at him and then down at his hand. I nodded slightly.
Now I knew my face was red, I could feel the burning sensation on my cheeks. I couldn't keep my face from reddening down into crimsom. Matt grinned at me and hopped down from the counter that he had been sitting on. "Are you sure?"
He came closer to me. And closer. So close that I could feel the heat from his body, he nearly touched my skin with his. His icey eyes glared into mine with a look of longing in them, captivating me. I couldn't look anywhere other than in his eyes, I stared blankly. I didn't answer his question until he repeated it again, this time even closer. I swear, how close can he get to me? I nodded slowly, but before I could say anything about him being this close to me, he kissed me. It was almost like an explosion went off in my head and erupted just as his lips caressed mine.
What was I doing? I felt my arms move up his chest and slither around his neck like a snake. I didn't have any control over my own body: my arms or my mouth. My right hand gripped harder and I pulled myself against him as my hands rested between his shoulder blades. His arms wrapped around my waist tightly, gripping around my back. 'Moaning?' I thought in my head. I wasn't moaning...MATT!?
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
My eyes flashed open my body wracked in shock. My eyes were wide and I could feel my face paling.
I looked around the room that I was in... it was just like my dream... 'Yeah.. just a dream..' I told myself. I was in the living room, laying down on the white couch with a wrapped pillow between my arms. The room was dark with exception of television screen that shot off pixels of light. It was black outside and raining which gave a tapping sound on the window. I sat up quickly and looked out the window behind me. I felt movement underneath my legs.
"You okay?"
My head whipped around so fast that I came face to face with Matt. My legs were resting on his lap, his hand on the arm rest and the other behind his head. We were close again. 'Oh gosh... not again!'
I yanked my feet from him and crouched beside the arm rest. I must've looked like a complete retard... 'What the heck!?'
"Mimi.. are you okay?" Matt asked me again, looking confused. I forced a weak smile that I could feel quivering. I nodded.
"Um.. this will sound so incredibly weird, but.." I began, sitting down in a normal position on my side of the couch. "B-but.. what time did you get here..?"
"I got here about 2 hours ago. Why?" He questioned. I was acting so weird but he just kept sitting there, looking so calm. 'I can't understand this.. why would that dream effect me so badly?'
"No reason. I just drew a blank.. I guess." I scratched my neck with my hand and rubbed my eyes with the other as I tried to remember something... anything. I was so confused and scared about what that dream really meant. But yet, it didn't matter. The feeling fell away as his cold blue eyes stared at me again. 'What the heck is going on?' I asked myself, still staring at him with wide eyes. He grinned sheepishly and I tilted my head to the side a bit.
"Okay.. Now, you're sure?" He asked, positioning himself to be more comfortable, facing me. I jumped off of the couch immediately.
"NO!"
Matt looked as though he wasn't believing this. Although, why would he believe what's going on? I wouldn't believe what was going on if I were him... 'HOLY CRAP!' I nearly screamed it so loud in my head that I'm almost positive that he heard it too. "I me-mean...I.."
He stood up and moved back a bit. He looked at me like I was crazy.. which I probably was. "Okay Meems.. I'm gonna get going. You seem to be kind of out of it right now.." He started toward the door, laughing. "We'll catch up later."
My breath was caught in my throat, I couldn't move, or talk. It was hard enough to blink! He was standing in the foyer getting his black leather jacket. I watched his every move from his reflection in the mirror.. and the ceiling.. and marble floor.. He was everywhere.
"Wait." I said at last. He was halfway out the door by the time I said it, "Wait!" I yelled once more, walking quickly to the foyer.
Matt brought his foot back inside the door and stood with his hands holding the door open. I stood in front of him, watching his silhouette cast in front of the rainy exterior of the mansion. It was raining so hard that the drops fell off the porch like a waterfall. "I'm really sorry!"
"I'm not having a very good day.. I've been acting really weird.. and so have my dreams.. and things with Michael.. and with Sora.. and now this an-" I babbled to him, tyring to get out some explanation.
Matt pressed his palm against my mouth, shutting me up. "Mimi. Shut. Up." He laughed lightly at my nonstop talking. "It's okay."
I shivered at his touch. 'You'd think I would've gotten used to his touch by that dream I just had..' I commented sarcastically in my head. I placed my hand over his and pulled it off of my face. 'Time to get ahold of yourself, Meems..'
I held his hand in mine and dragged him into the kitchen, making him shut the door. "Well come on then! We have all night!" I giggled and didn't notice that I was holding his hand even after we entered the kitchen. I felt content. Happy. Almost giggly. I looked at him, we were both standing in the middle of the kitchen, not doing anything.
"So don't you have to race tonight or something?" I looked down at my hand, finally noticing that it was linked with his. I yanked it back suddenly, thinking of Michael. My face began to heat up.
"Not until 2 this morning." He mentioned, looking at his black and silver Fossil watch. I saw the glisten of it and stared at it.
I grabbed his wrist and examined the watch. "Oh my gosh! You still have this!?"
He smirked, "Of course." He scratched the back of his neck with his free hand and smiled. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, I just figured that you would stop wearing it as you got older.. I mean, I got that for your 12 birthday! That was 4 and half years ago!"
"Well, it just grew on me, I guess." He sighed and took a seat at the bar/counter. "Do you wanna come?"
I looked at him, a confused expression on my face. "Come? Come where?"
He leaned back and got relaxed, "To the race with me. You seemed to fit in quite well last time."
"Oh yeah! Real well! I GOT ARRESTED!" I screeched out, "Oh.. haha, I see your point."
"Well?"
"I don't know, Matt.." I told him reluctantly. Heck yeah I wanted to go! Have fun with racing? I haven't done this type of stuff in a while, and I could use a stress reliever. But Michael... 'Would he consider this cheating on him? I mean.. flirting with Matt? What am I talking about!? I'm not flirting with Matt, I'm just going with him to a street race!'
I used to go to street races in New York with Michael's best friend, Kyle. But then again.. we'd always meet up with Michael at the race.
"If you're worrying about Michael, don't. Why would he care? It's not like its a date." Matt assured me. But what was that look that he gave me..? He looked like he did when he was younger and he would tell a lie. I mean sure he could lie to everyone else and get away with it, but I had a way of knowing if he was telling the truth or not. 'Matt doesn't think of me like that. I'm just going insane today!' I yelled at myself. Soon after the conflict in my head, I smiled at him.
"Well in that case, OF COURSE!" I giggled like a maniac. "This is going to be so rockin'!"
Matt chuckled at my attitude. "Are you sure you aren't Bi-Polar?"
"HEY!" I looked at him before I pulled out one of the sodas in the fridge. "I am not Bi-Polar, thank you very much! I just have difficulty with my emotions sometimes!"
He laughed again.
"Although, you shouldn't be talking about difficulty with emotions and stuff... I mean, after all, you are the master of that." I winked at him, giggling. I rememebered how he used to have the hardest time telling TK that he loved him, even after something incredibly traumatic. "So don't even start!"
Matt looked hurt, but he was definitely faking it. "That hurts Mimi. That hurt me... I think I might cry." He looked so sad, like he didn't have to fake it. There was something in his eyes that nearly gave me goosebumps. 'Whats wrong with him..'
"Oh I'm so sorry, baby!" I mocked and walked over to him, pinching his cheeks.
"Would you just go get dressed!" He yelled playfully, pointing to the hallway that lead to the foyer. "You don't want to be dressed like that at a street race.. unless you want to 'repell' all the guys.." He smiled, "Which, in this case, wouldn't be bad because of your boyfriend being in the same country as you now."
I looked down at my pink sweatpants that were cut off right below the knees and my grey tanktop.
"I see nothing wrong with my outfit, thank you very much!" I stated confidently. "But I SUPPOSE you're right."
I giggled and rolled my eyes and silently groaned, remembering that Michael was in Japan now, and part of me wasn't sure that I was joking. "Yeah.. I guess I shouldn't dress to risque."
I started down the hallway and I stopped to turn around. "Well come on then! You can be my fashion critic. Tell me what clothes I should wear and stuff."
I heard Matt laugh and get off of the chair, walking up behind me.
"I guess I could do that." He said huskily. My hair stood on end when I heard him. We were standing in the center of the dark hallway, the only light was from the kitcehn and the tv that had been left on in the family room.
I smiled bravely and turned around to meet his eyes. "Hey hey blondie! Back up!" I giggled and poked my finger into his hard chest. "I mean, I know you want this body and all, but you ain't gettin' none!"
He laughed and raised a brow, then he passed me and walked up the stairs to the upper levels.
I followed him, flipping the switch to turn on the lights as I walked. My hair swayed behind me, laying down against my back as I tilted my head upward. I couldn't understand why I was smiling, there was nothing to smile about in the first place. But nonetheless I was. I rounded the second flight of stairs and walked into my room that was lit with pink and white lights.
"You know, its pretty obvious to tell that you haven't changed at all since you moved." Matt said, glancing around my room and resting his head on his hands.
"Somethings never change and somethings do. Furtunately, somethings do."
2 hours later. The race.
Women screamed and men drank in loud gulps of beer, it was hard to hear anything except car engines and women. I was standing alone in the front of the crowd with groups of women so close behind me that I almost thought they were lesbians. Matt sat in his Miata with the top down, his arm resting on the door, and his other hand on the steering wheel with his his thumb over the NOS buttons. He looked calm, much more calm then the guy in the car next to him.
Matt wore a tight black, short sleeve shirt and faded blue jeans, sneakers, and his hair slicked back with gel. Music from different cars on the show blared loud but they still couldn't hold back the sound of screeching women, it was completely annoying to listen to them. Luckily, I hadn't been groped by any thugs yet. I'm pretty sure that Matt scared them off last time.
Matt finally decided on which of my outfits would be appropriate for the race about a half an hour after we got upstairs. He's too picky. I wore a black jean skirt with a zipper that run up the left side, which held it together, it was left unzipped to give a slit. My white halter top showed off my curves, and glowed in the black-lighting. I wore black heels that wrapped around my leg up to my knee. My hair was pulled back into a messed up ponytail with pieces hanging down from my black butterfly clip, pieces framing my face in curls.
There was no one in between the cars. No one to start the race. So technically these annoying women were screaming for something that wouldn't be happening unless someone got in there. Matt sat impatiently in his car and growled when girls started clouding near his car. He pushed his door open, girls being pushed away. He climbed out and walked over to the crowd. He stood in front of me, his hands shoved in his pockets cooly.
I smiled with my hands on my hips. "Well, I thought you were here to race?"
"I am."
"Well, apparently you can't. You don't have a starter."
"That's where you come in." He grinned and grabbed my wrist, he started dragging me to his car.
"Matt NO! I don't feel like doing this." I protested, but that didn't stop him. His grip tightened.
"Its not hard. You'll be fine, just stand there an--"
"I KNOW WHAT TO DO!!" I yelled over the yells and music. "Just get in the car, would you?"
He smirked and walked around his car, jumping over the door. Both cars revved their engines when I stepped in between them. All eyes were on me, even from most girls. Most of them didn't like how close Matt and I were. I was 'cramping' their time with him.
I lifted my arms high above my head, "READY!" I smiled sensually, "SET!" I looked at Matt who was concentrating on me intently, his eyes narrow and harsh. My hands flew down by my side in a matter of seconds, and my back slouched into a crouch. The cars flew past me together and raced down the course. Most eyes had taken their gaze from me and followed the cars down the street, but some were still lingering on me.
A tone came from my back pocket and I reached for my cell phone. I pulled it out and glanced at the neon pink screen, looking at the number. 'Anna?' I asked myself why she would be calling me, other than just wanting to talk to one of her best friends who happened to move to another continent. It was just odd that she would call me at 2 in the morning. 'She's probably not used to the time difference thing.. she never was one of the smarter girls in our group. But then again, neither was Nina..' I giggled and pressed the talk button.
"Hello?" I answered happily.
Her voice was shaking and uneven. "..Mimi? M-Mimi its Anna."
"Hey girl, what's up!?" I started to walk away from where I was standing, a huge crowd had started to form where the cars stood and they started dancing.. well more like having sex. I needed to go somewhere quiet, if that was even possible at a street race. "I miss you, are you okay?"
I heard her sniffle into a tissue or two, she was either sick or crying over something. It was probably Drake again. "No.. yes.. Y-yes, something is wrong." Anna began to say to me, she was talking like she was afraid. "I should've told you before.. when it happened.. I should've told you! But I didn't! I WAS TOO STUPID TO TELL YOU!!"
Anna was crying hysterically on the phone now, I could hear every sound she was making, every tears that dropped from her eyes. She was in pain, she was so unhappy. But what did it have to do with me? "Hunny, hunny! Calm down! What are you talking about!? Whatever it is, it'll be fine--"
"No! It won't. You'll never want to talk to me again.. because I've been so horrible to you.. horrible.."
I walked away from the crowd, but I could still hear the music. A wooden door that had holes in it was cracked open, a black room was enclosed behind it. Car headlights faced the rundown building, shining light into the door which gave it some. I walked in and shut the door behind me. The music was now muffled from the door, but none of that mattered. All I was concerned about was why Anna was panicing so much.
"You did something to me? Well, I'm sure that whatever it was can be forgiven. I'm not much for holding grudges.. you know that." I reassured her, but she cried harder.
"I'm so sorry.." She whispered.
"Come on Anna, just tell me what happened? Your going to give me a heart attack!" I joked, hoping that it would lighten the mood, but nothing could. I listened to Anna taking a few deep breaths. 'This should be good..'
".. It's about Michael." She said at once. My eyes narrowed, waiting to hear what she was getting at. "I.. he.. he came onto me."
My eyes flared with burning anger. "And..?" I said with a rather angry tone.
"And I let him. I slept with him." She cried to me, "It felt so wrong! I felt like I betrayed you, because I did! And I couldn't do anything.. it was already half way done before I realized what this would do to you. I feel like crap..."
I didn't say anything, but my anger had turned to tears. How could this happen to me? WHY would this happen to me? I guess my silence scared her because she started to breathe more heavily and she was stuttering because of her tears.
"Mimi, I'm so incredibly sorry.. if you never talk to me again, I'll completely understand.." Anna mentioned quietly, obviously broken because of the reality that I may not speak to her again.
I rubbed my right hand against my temple, thinking hard, and not bothering to wipe my tears. "Its okay.. Anna."
I could've sworn that I heard her gasp when I told her that. "Oh my gosh, Mimi. Thank you.. your so understanding.." She told me, which honestly sounded like a cliche to me. It was kind of corny, but then again, everything would sound corny to be right now. "I'm so sorry.. so sorry.."
"Anna! It's fine. It actually does phase me that much because our relationship wasn't working out anyway. I mean, with him being in America and me being here." I said, trying to make sense to myself while I was telling her. But tears still dropped from my eyes. "But does this have to do with why you and Drake broke up?"
"How did you know... about that?" She questioned, then it clicked. "Michael."
I nodded and agreed to her. "So you slept with my boyfriend while you were still dating Drake, and then he found out. Which ended up with him leaving you. Am I right?"
Anna was still crying. 'I better have a point to this because I'm going to get an attitude soon..' I told myself. I knew that I would make her feel even worse if I didn't hang up.
"I'll call you later, I'm kind of in the middle of something." I said, forcing a 'happier' tone. Anna agreed and apologized again before saying goodbye.
I put my cell back into my pocket and walked toward the door. I stopped before I opened it, wiping my tears and drying off my face. 'Great.. my make up is probably RUINED!' I yelled in my head. I pulled the door open and walked out to the ally. A figure stood leaning against the wall on the right side of the door when I walked out.
"Nice conversation." Was his greeting to me, he didn't move from his position and he didn't look at me when he first spoke.
"Thanks for listening in." I said cockily, half angry.
"Anytime. It's a specialty of mine to listen to the conversations of my old friends." He said, lifting his head to show me his navy eyes.
"JOE!?" I stepped back in shock. "WOW! I never, ever thought I would find you in a place like this... too many germs." I giggled, which was surprising considering my situation. He wore a navy blue shirt that showed off the muscles that I never knew he had, the color matched his eyes. He wore dark denim jeans that were ripped and worn out, his black dockers were covered in dirt. His hair was darker than it was when we were younger, it was now darker than his eyes and longer. It reached down and slightly passed his ears, but he flipped it back with his hands. He no longer wore glasses and he looked quite handsome now.
"How's it going, Mimi?" He asked, standing up straight and looking at me.
"Well you heard the conversation. How do you think I am?"
"You seemed happy when you walked in there. So other than that, you seem content with life." He was so calm while talking. This was the first time in years that he had seen me, but he stayed calm and talked like he just saw me a few days ago.
"I am. I mean, I was." I turned my back to him and looked at the crowd of people that were gathering where three rundown buildings split into a Y-intersection, one building with the middle. A set of headlights came rushing down from each side of the building, but they both seemed equal with each other. "Until now."
The cars came to a immediate stop and people cheered and screamed. Two men climbed out of the cars and were suddenly swormed by women and envious men. I could tell Matt apart from the other guy, he had more people surrounding him.
"So this Michael sounds like a real jerk." He said, walking past me. I followed him and we both walked toward the crowd.
My face held the same expression, "Yeah. But he wasn't always like that. Or he didn't seem like that."
"Didn't your mom ever teach you not to judge people by their appearence." He said smoothly.
"Yeah, but he was just too cute." I giggled. "Just one mistake to add to my long list."
Joe looked at me when we reached the back of the crowd. "I guess you've grown up a lot since you were 10." He stated with a grin.
"Well duh!" I smiled playfully. "So have you though. I shouldn't have judged you before I moved. Yet another mistake to add to the list!"
'And believe me... its a huge list..' I thought sadly in my head. 'Most of which I wish I never would've done..'
I sighed and waved to Matt when he glanced at us. He grinned and shoved through the crowd of women around him. He walked over and grinned at Joe. It was obviously not a surprise that he was here.
'Let's not tell him about Michael until he leaves for America.. that way no fights can break out.' I sighed to myself again, smiling at the two guys the stood next to me. "Well, where shall we go now?"
----------------------------
A/N: Yay! Chappie 15 is done! Review please! Its starting to get near the center of the plot.. well.. not really, but kind of! Its getting there, slowly but gradually. Just be patient with me. HOPEFULLY I'll keep you entertained in the meantime. LOVE YA--ciao
Ch. 15: Shock
Sora.
Mimi had tried calling me many times over the course of the day, but I just didn't feel like talking to her right now. It honestly wasn't something that she had said or done, for that matter. It was just something I needed to deal with on my own, and she was just a reminder of it every time I saw her. I got over her pressure in finding out why I won't go to churches, but I still don't feel like talking.
I sat in my silent apartment, not a word was said, not a sound of any kind. It was always quiet like this. No one expect that someone even lived here. Unless there was the occasional blasting of music, but that didn't happen for me that often. Sitting on my unmade bed, I stared off at the poster covered wall. Pictures of many actors and singers cluttered the walls from floor to ceiling. Mostly pictures of Jet Li and Utada Hikaru. My hands were clasped to each other as the lay comfortably on my knees. I was still in my black and red boxer shorts and red tanktop that I changed into as soon as I walked into my room earlier this morning. What was the sense of being uncomfortable? I looked over at my nightstand the stood quaintly across from my bed. A picture frame was face down on the stand, the picture faced down on the lacey covering. I stared at the back of the picture for a while and dozed off into my memories.
The cordless phone that sat next to me on my bed rang loudly, pulling me out of my trance. I looked down at it, expecting it to be Mimi again. The yellow light of the caller ID showed brightly from the top of the phone, bringing the name of the caller out. 'Tai?' I reached out for the phone, but stopped before I reached it. I looked at the downcasting picture frame. The rings ended and once more there was silence in the apartment, until the answering machine went off in my room and in the living room. I still gazed at the photograph as I listened to the answering machine.
"Suicide hotline, please hold...BEEEEEEP." I heard my voice talking on the machine, it was a happy tone. I giggled once more and the real beep rang out.
"Hey Sora, it's Tai." He started, "I just wanted to call you, see what you were doing today? Ya know, maybe we could hang out or something. Well, I guess I'll talk to you later."
I heard Tai reach for the OFF button on his phone. I pressed the TALK button on mine and brought it to my ear. "Hey."
Tai almost sounded shocked that I even picked up the phone. "Hey!" He said cheerfully. A definite contrast to my voice. "Are you screening your calls again? Or just for me?"
I grinned for a moment, "I'm not sure yet." I continued, "Tai, I can't do anything at this point. I have to go somewhere."
"With Mimi?"
"No." I said without a tone. "By myself."
"Oh, okay." Tai muttered in a whisper. "Are you and Mimi okay?"
"Yes, we're fine. Why would you ask?"
"Well, nothing. Except that when I asked if you were going with her, you kinda answered 'no' really quickly." He explained to me. I forced out a giggle.
"No, that's not it at all!" I made my voice raise an octive, yet it wasn't high in comparison to Mimi's normal voice. "I just need to go somewhere... its not that I don't want to take her. It's just.. I don't think that she'd understand."
"Oh, is this about..?" Tai asked slowly, careful not to cross any lines. My head lowered when I knew that he had figured out what I was talking about.
"..yeah." I said as though I had just been in shock. I heard Tai sigh on the other line and he told me to call him when I arrived home. "Thanks Tai."
"Just.. be careful. Things have changed over there since we last went." He said compassionately, a tone I hadn't heard in his voice Mimi left for America. He had always put on an act since then, trying to show that he was over her. "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"
"No, I need to do this myself." I told him, "I think, that this might be.. the last time."
"Like I said, just be careful. Not many people like us in that part of the city."
"..Okay, well Tai, I'm gonna get going." I told him. He chuckled and said his goodbye. After turning off the phone, I stood up and changed out of my boxers. I grabbed my black capris and a black halter top. A wolf showed visually at the bottom of my neck, in between my shoulder blades. My short, layered orangish-brown hair flowed down slightly, covering just enough of my back to keep my tattoo hidden. I leaned down and crouched, putting on my black platform sandals. I stood up, another 2 inches taller, and walked over to my night stand. I grabbed the picture and placed it in a black bag that I threw around my shoulder.
A shutting door echoed through the long hall that consisted of apartment doors. I walked down the red hallway and entered the elevator.
'The last time...' I told myself as I climbed into my car, leaving the top of the convertible on. Turning on the air-conditioning, I looked in the mirrors for any cars coming. One car was about 40 yards away. The tires screeched on my car as I put my car in reverse, cutting off the car and taking his spot on the road. He honked at me as I drove off. I put my head out of the car window, and smiled back at him, giggling. 'Well, there's the fun in my day!' I giggled sarcastically to myself.
I didn't bother to put on any music while I was driving past the speed limit on the streets. I drove for 30 minutes before I reached my destination. The field was empty, no one was in sight. The car stopped silently and I left it as I walked over to the tombstones with my black bag still hanging over my shoulder.
I dropped down to my knees again and stared at the stone in front of me. Tears clung to my eyes, giving them a glazed appearance.
"Hey mom."
That was all I said for the longest time. My knees began to shake from my crying, but I didn't falter. I waited another moment and then looked into my bag. I grabbed my picture frame.
"Do you remember this, ma?" I asked her, turning the frame around showing it to her tombstone. "I remember it. That was when you and I went to Hong Kong to visit Daddy.."
The tears the were filling my eyes threatened to spill down my cheeks as the words in my mind left my mouth. I clutched the picture frame in both hands, holding so tight that the glass nearly broke. I forced a giggle as an attempt to hold back the tears, but it didn't work because more fell from my eyes.
"I miss you mama..." I said aloud, not looking at her tombstone. I kept my eyes closed tightly and my face downcast, but the tears continued to flow from my closed eyes. It was like some floodgates had been cut open and there was no way that the water could be stopped from coming. "It's not fair!"
I yelled. I didn't mean to yell, but I did. In the moment... "..It's just not fair.."
"Why did you have to go!? You just left me!" I cried, "Did I do something? Wasn't I good enough to you?.. of course not. I wasn't the same after Daddy left for his new job.. and he never came back.. never.."
A deep breath of air filled my lungs as I stopped crying and listened to the wind rustle through the leaves and twigs on the ground. "I can't do this anymore mom. I just can't." My tear stained face looked at the old and wind-torn stone before me, "I can't keep coming here and crying all the time. Its been years.. and I need to let go of this... somehow."
I looked at the picture again. I smiled at myself. My hair was longer, down to my waist and my bangs were flying about my face, covering my eyes. Mom stood next to me kissing my cheek, which made me giggle and smile the brightest I ever had before that picture. My eyes glanced from the picture back to the tombstone. I read it again, "Takenouchi...1967-2003. In a world of darkness a light will always be shown from her name.."
The quote that my mother always used was a trademark that was put on her tombstone. She used to say it to me every night before I went to bed, as a way to make me remember that I was always the light that people needed to feel better. That quote was just a memory now, even now when I needed it the most. I took a deep sigh and stood up, resting the picture frame down on her tombstone with a boquet of red roses. The wind had dried all my remaining tears from my face and eyes, almost looking like I had never cried in the first place.
"Goodbye mom." I said once more as I collected my pride and walked away from the tomb. My heart broke inside as I remembered all the good times that I spent with her before she passed away.
I got half way to my car before I stopped and looked directly at the corner of a building next to the allyway. I folded my arms and sighed again. "Well are you going to stand there and watch me the entire time?"
Nothing happened for a moment. Then the bags and shadows started moving from the ally. Three figures came out from the dark and walked toward me. All of them were wearing dark red, like crimson. All three girls walked toward me in short strides, very girlie if you ask me.
"What do you want, Tarah?" I asked the one in the middle who just giggled.
"Oh nothing more than to ask you the same question."
"I'm here on family business. We done?" I commented to her, wanting to leave. This place was boring enough as it was, and I didn't need to be in the same area of my mother's grave right now.
"You honestly think that your going to get out of here that easily?" Tarah laughed, one of the other girls followed in a giggle.
"Can't we just beat the **** out of her and get this over with!?" Another girl yelled eagerly. She pummled her fist into her other palm and licked her lips. "It'll be so much fun."
"Back off for a bit, kay?" Tarah said to the girl, putting her hand out in front of her. I rolled my eyes and shifted my weight to my left leg.
"Look, Tarah. I don't have time to battle with your tramps again. So lets do this another time." I said as I walked past the three girls again. I heard the one who wanted to beat me up so eagerly groan and I felt her watching my back as I passed.
"Ha, your a funny one Sora." Tarah called back to me. "But I wasn't planning on sending Ming and Tria after you this time. I wanted a little a fun this time."
I continued to walk to my car, not caring about them. "Well you wont be getting it this time. Sorry hunny!"
My sarcastic tone was rewarded with a low groan and the footsteps of Tarah running toward me as I opened my car door. just as I was about to climb into it she crushed me to the side of it and pushed herself into me. "Listen up Sora. You used to be one of us, all until you met up with them."
"wow, you do have a decent memory! I knew it was in there somewhere." I said nonchalantly. I pushed her away from me, giving me room to breathe. "But you know what? Get over it."
I looked her straight in the eyes as I moved back to my open car door. I sat in the seat and closed the door again. Not caring to lock it, I opened the window. "Buh bye now."
I drove off, leaving Tarah, Ming, and Tria in the middle of the street. I laughed to myself as I watched them disappear back to the ally. 'What losers...'
*************
Normal. Mimi's house.
The light from the tv gave off a soft light to the dark living room. Mimi laid sleeping on the couch, curled up in a ball as she huddled to her pillow. All was quiet in her house. The television was on mute and Gram wasn't home. The only sound was the wind that tapped the tree branches to the windows. Mimi's body shifted around as she lay sleeping, muttering a few words now and then. Guns and knives haunted her in her dream, they flashed through her mind as she slept.
Knocking on the door went unheard to her while she was in the living room. Sje woke up immediately and sat up straight. "..Matt.." She heard herself say. 'Matt?..'
She stood up and walked over to the door in the foyer. "Why would I think of Matt.. I.." She whispered to herself as she unlocked the door. Turning on the outside light, she opened the door. Matt stood leaning against the door frame. Mimi smiled and greeted him.
"What are you doing here?" She asked him as he walked into the house. Mimi looked around the front porch for anyone else, but there was none. "Where's Michael?"
"I told him I was going over to your house, but he said that he wanted to go back to my place and sleep." He told me, taking a seat on the stairs. "You've got a weird boyfriend, Meems. He's paranoid and he's got major issues about gangs and crap.. I think tha--"
"Okay! You can stop dissing my boyfriend any time now!" Mimi cut in giggling. Matt laughed and leaned back. "Well, you came right at the perfect time! If you hadn't come then I would've been asleep for the entire night!"
"Oh, your welcome." Matt smiled, getting up and following Mimi to the kitchen. Mimi flipped the switch to the ceiling lights and walked over to the fridge.
"You want anything?" She asked him, she took out a caffinated drink.
"You do realize that it's nearly midnight? And that your about to be awake for the entire night.." Matt informed her.
"I'm already awake. But I guess your right.. if I want to sleep at all tonight, then I better not." Mimi agreed, grabbing a drink for Matt. She walked over to him and put his drink down on the counter. She got up close to him and smiled. "You're just too smart!!"
He smiled and took his drink. "Yeah, I know." Matt winked while he took a sip.
Mimi.
I swear I could've felt my face heat up and I knew I was blushing. Why was this happening to me? Matt and me? Yeah...that'll never...happen. I giggled for a moment and smiled seductively. 'What am I doing!?' I screamed in my head, still facing Matt. 'Am I flirting with him!?'
"You okay?" He asked me, placing a hand on my shoulder. When I finished staring off into space I looked at him and then down at his hand. I nodded slightly.
Now I knew my face was red, I could feel the burning sensation on my cheeks. I couldn't keep my face from reddening down into crimsom. Matt grinned at me and hopped down from the counter that he had been sitting on. "Are you sure?"
He came closer to me. And closer. So close that I could feel the heat from his body, he nearly touched my skin with his. His icey eyes glared into mine with a look of longing in them, captivating me. I couldn't look anywhere other than in his eyes, I stared blankly. I didn't answer his question until he repeated it again, this time even closer. I swear, how close can he get to me? I nodded slowly, but before I could say anything about him being this close to me, he kissed me. It was almost like an explosion went off in my head and erupted just as his lips caressed mine.
What was I doing? I felt my arms move up his chest and slither around his neck like a snake. I didn't have any control over my own body: my arms or my mouth. My right hand gripped harder and I pulled myself against him as my hands rested between his shoulder blades. His arms wrapped around my waist tightly, gripping around my back. 'Moaning?' I thought in my head. I wasn't moaning...MATT!?
_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
My eyes flashed open my body wracked in shock. My eyes were wide and I could feel my face paling.
I looked around the room that I was in... it was just like my dream... 'Yeah.. just a dream..' I told myself. I was in the living room, laying down on the white couch with a wrapped pillow between my arms. The room was dark with exception of television screen that shot off pixels of light. It was black outside and raining which gave a tapping sound on the window. I sat up quickly and looked out the window behind me. I felt movement underneath my legs.
"You okay?"
My head whipped around so fast that I came face to face with Matt. My legs were resting on his lap, his hand on the arm rest and the other behind his head. We were close again. 'Oh gosh... not again!'
I yanked my feet from him and crouched beside the arm rest. I must've looked like a complete retard... 'What the heck!?'
"Mimi.. are you okay?" Matt asked me again, looking confused. I forced a weak smile that I could feel quivering. I nodded.
"Um.. this will sound so incredibly weird, but.." I began, sitting down in a normal position on my side of the couch. "B-but.. what time did you get here..?"
"I got here about 2 hours ago. Why?" He questioned. I was acting so weird but he just kept sitting there, looking so calm. 'I can't understand this.. why would that dream effect me so badly?'
"No reason. I just drew a blank.. I guess." I scratched my neck with my hand and rubbed my eyes with the other as I tried to remember something... anything. I was so confused and scared about what that dream really meant. But yet, it didn't matter. The feeling fell away as his cold blue eyes stared at me again. 'What the heck is going on?' I asked myself, still staring at him with wide eyes. He grinned sheepishly and I tilted my head to the side a bit.
"Okay.. Now, you're sure?" He asked, positioning himself to be more comfortable, facing me. I jumped off of the couch immediately.
"NO!"
Matt looked as though he wasn't believing this. Although, why would he believe what's going on? I wouldn't believe what was going on if I were him... 'HOLY CRAP!' I nearly screamed it so loud in my head that I'm almost positive that he heard it too. "I me-mean...I.."
He stood up and moved back a bit. He looked at me like I was crazy.. which I probably was. "Okay Meems.. I'm gonna get going. You seem to be kind of out of it right now.." He started toward the door, laughing. "We'll catch up later."
My breath was caught in my throat, I couldn't move, or talk. It was hard enough to blink! He was standing in the foyer getting his black leather jacket. I watched his every move from his reflection in the mirror.. and the ceiling.. and marble floor.. He was everywhere.
"Wait." I said at last. He was halfway out the door by the time I said it, "Wait!" I yelled once more, walking quickly to the foyer.
Matt brought his foot back inside the door and stood with his hands holding the door open. I stood in front of him, watching his silhouette cast in front of the rainy exterior of the mansion. It was raining so hard that the drops fell off the porch like a waterfall. "I'm really sorry!"
"I'm not having a very good day.. I've been acting really weird.. and so have my dreams.. and things with Michael.. and with Sora.. and now this an-" I babbled to him, tyring to get out some explanation.
Matt pressed his palm against my mouth, shutting me up. "Mimi. Shut. Up." He laughed lightly at my nonstop talking. "It's okay."
I shivered at his touch. 'You'd think I would've gotten used to his touch by that dream I just had..' I commented sarcastically in my head. I placed my hand over his and pulled it off of my face. 'Time to get ahold of yourself, Meems..'
I held his hand in mine and dragged him into the kitchen, making him shut the door. "Well come on then! We have all night!" I giggled and didn't notice that I was holding his hand even after we entered the kitchen. I felt content. Happy. Almost giggly. I looked at him, we were both standing in the middle of the kitchen, not doing anything.
"So don't you have to race tonight or something?" I looked down at my hand, finally noticing that it was linked with his. I yanked it back suddenly, thinking of Michael. My face began to heat up.
"Not until 2 this morning." He mentioned, looking at his black and silver Fossil watch. I saw the glisten of it and stared at it.
I grabbed his wrist and examined the watch. "Oh my gosh! You still have this!?"
He smirked, "Of course." He scratched the back of his neck with his free hand and smiled. "Why wouldn't I?"
"Well, I just figured that you would stop wearing it as you got older.. I mean, I got that for your 12 birthday! That was 4 and half years ago!"
"Well, it just grew on me, I guess." He sighed and took a seat at the bar/counter. "Do you wanna come?"
I looked at him, a confused expression on my face. "Come? Come where?"
He leaned back and got relaxed, "To the race with me. You seemed to fit in quite well last time."
"Oh yeah! Real well! I GOT ARRESTED!" I screeched out, "Oh.. haha, I see your point."
"Well?"
"I don't know, Matt.." I told him reluctantly. Heck yeah I wanted to go! Have fun with racing? I haven't done this type of stuff in a while, and I could use a stress reliever. But Michael... 'Would he consider this cheating on him? I mean.. flirting with Matt? What am I talking about!? I'm not flirting with Matt, I'm just going with him to a street race!'
I used to go to street races in New York with Michael's best friend, Kyle. But then again.. we'd always meet up with Michael at the race.
"If you're worrying about Michael, don't. Why would he care? It's not like its a date." Matt assured me. But what was that look that he gave me..? He looked like he did when he was younger and he would tell a lie. I mean sure he could lie to everyone else and get away with it, but I had a way of knowing if he was telling the truth or not. 'Matt doesn't think of me like that. I'm just going insane today!' I yelled at myself. Soon after the conflict in my head, I smiled at him.
"Well in that case, OF COURSE!" I giggled like a maniac. "This is going to be so rockin'!"
Matt chuckled at my attitude. "Are you sure you aren't Bi-Polar?"
"HEY!" I looked at him before I pulled out one of the sodas in the fridge. "I am not Bi-Polar, thank you very much! I just have difficulty with my emotions sometimes!"
He laughed again.
"Although, you shouldn't be talking about difficulty with emotions and stuff... I mean, after all, you are the master of that." I winked at him, giggling. I rememebered how he used to have the hardest time telling TK that he loved him, even after something incredibly traumatic. "So don't even start!"
Matt looked hurt, but he was definitely faking it. "That hurts Mimi. That hurt me... I think I might cry." He looked so sad, like he didn't have to fake it. There was something in his eyes that nearly gave me goosebumps. 'Whats wrong with him..'
"Oh I'm so sorry, baby!" I mocked and walked over to him, pinching his cheeks.
"Would you just go get dressed!" He yelled playfully, pointing to the hallway that lead to the foyer. "You don't want to be dressed like that at a street race.. unless you want to 'repell' all the guys.." He smiled, "Which, in this case, wouldn't be bad because of your boyfriend being in the same country as you now."
I looked down at my pink sweatpants that were cut off right below the knees and my grey tanktop.
"I see nothing wrong with my outfit, thank you very much!" I stated confidently. "But I SUPPOSE you're right."
I giggled and rolled my eyes and silently groaned, remembering that Michael was in Japan now, and part of me wasn't sure that I was joking. "Yeah.. I guess I shouldn't dress to risque."
I started down the hallway and I stopped to turn around. "Well come on then! You can be my fashion critic. Tell me what clothes I should wear and stuff."
I heard Matt laugh and get off of the chair, walking up behind me.
"I guess I could do that." He said huskily. My hair stood on end when I heard him. We were standing in the center of the dark hallway, the only light was from the kitcehn and the tv that had been left on in the family room.
I smiled bravely and turned around to meet his eyes. "Hey hey blondie! Back up!" I giggled and poked my finger into his hard chest. "I mean, I know you want this body and all, but you ain't gettin' none!"
He laughed and raised a brow, then he passed me and walked up the stairs to the upper levels.
I followed him, flipping the switch to turn on the lights as I walked. My hair swayed behind me, laying down against my back as I tilted my head upward. I couldn't understand why I was smiling, there was nothing to smile about in the first place. But nonetheless I was. I rounded the second flight of stairs and walked into my room that was lit with pink and white lights.
"You know, its pretty obvious to tell that you haven't changed at all since you moved." Matt said, glancing around my room and resting his head on his hands.
"Somethings never change and somethings do. Furtunately, somethings do."
2 hours later. The race.
Women screamed and men drank in loud gulps of beer, it was hard to hear anything except car engines and women. I was standing alone in the front of the crowd with groups of women so close behind me that I almost thought they were lesbians. Matt sat in his Miata with the top down, his arm resting on the door, and his other hand on the steering wheel with his his thumb over the NOS buttons. He looked calm, much more calm then the guy in the car next to him.
Matt wore a tight black, short sleeve shirt and faded blue jeans, sneakers, and his hair slicked back with gel. Music from different cars on the show blared loud but they still couldn't hold back the sound of screeching women, it was completely annoying to listen to them. Luckily, I hadn't been groped by any thugs yet. I'm pretty sure that Matt scared them off last time.
Matt finally decided on which of my outfits would be appropriate for the race about a half an hour after we got upstairs. He's too picky. I wore a black jean skirt with a zipper that run up the left side, which held it together, it was left unzipped to give a slit. My white halter top showed off my curves, and glowed in the black-lighting. I wore black heels that wrapped around my leg up to my knee. My hair was pulled back into a messed up ponytail with pieces hanging down from my black butterfly clip, pieces framing my face in curls.
There was no one in between the cars. No one to start the race. So technically these annoying women were screaming for something that wouldn't be happening unless someone got in there. Matt sat impatiently in his car and growled when girls started clouding near his car. He pushed his door open, girls being pushed away. He climbed out and walked over to the crowd. He stood in front of me, his hands shoved in his pockets cooly.
I smiled with my hands on my hips. "Well, I thought you were here to race?"
"I am."
"Well, apparently you can't. You don't have a starter."
"That's where you come in." He grinned and grabbed my wrist, he started dragging me to his car.
"Matt NO! I don't feel like doing this." I protested, but that didn't stop him. His grip tightened.
"Its not hard. You'll be fine, just stand there an--"
"I KNOW WHAT TO DO!!" I yelled over the yells and music. "Just get in the car, would you?"
He smirked and walked around his car, jumping over the door. Both cars revved their engines when I stepped in between them. All eyes were on me, even from most girls. Most of them didn't like how close Matt and I were. I was 'cramping' their time with him.
I lifted my arms high above my head, "READY!" I smiled sensually, "SET!" I looked at Matt who was concentrating on me intently, his eyes narrow and harsh. My hands flew down by my side in a matter of seconds, and my back slouched into a crouch. The cars flew past me together and raced down the course. Most eyes had taken their gaze from me and followed the cars down the street, but some were still lingering on me.
A tone came from my back pocket and I reached for my cell phone. I pulled it out and glanced at the neon pink screen, looking at the number. 'Anna?' I asked myself why she would be calling me, other than just wanting to talk to one of her best friends who happened to move to another continent. It was just odd that she would call me at 2 in the morning. 'She's probably not used to the time difference thing.. she never was one of the smarter girls in our group. But then again, neither was Nina..' I giggled and pressed the talk button.
"Hello?" I answered happily.
Her voice was shaking and uneven. "..Mimi? M-Mimi its Anna."
"Hey girl, what's up!?" I started to walk away from where I was standing, a huge crowd had started to form where the cars stood and they started dancing.. well more like having sex. I needed to go somewhere quiet, if that was even possible at a street race. "I miss you, are you okay?"
I heard her sniffle into a tissue or two, she was either sick or crying over something. It was probably Drake again. "No.. yes.. Y-yes, something is wrong." Anna began to say to me, she was talking like she was afraid. "I should've told you before.. when it happened.. I should've told you! But I didn't! I WAS TOO STUPID TO TELL YOU!!"
Anna was crying hysterically on the phone now, I could hear every sound she was making, every tears that dropped from her eyes. She was in pain, she was so unhappy. But what did it have to do with me? "Hunny, hunny! Calm down! What are you talking about!? Whatever it is, it'll be fine--"
"No! It won't. You'll never want to talk to me again.. because I've been so horrible to you.. horrible.."
I walked away from the crowd, but I could still hear the music. A wooden door that had holes in it was cracked open, a black room was enclosed behind it. Car headlights faced the rundown building, shining light into the door which gave it some. I walked in and shut the door behind me. The music was now muffled from the door, but none of that mattered. All I was concerned about was why Anna was panicing so much.
"You did something to me? Well, I'm sure that whatever it was can be forgiven. I'm not much for holding grudges.. you know that." I reassured her, but she cried harder.
"I'm so sorry.." She whispered.
"Come on Anna, just tell me what happened? Your going to give me a heart attack!" I joked, hoping that it would lighten the mood, but nothing could. I listened to Anna taking a few deep breaths. 'This should be good..'
".. It's about Michael." She said at once. My eyes narrowed, waiting to hear what she was getting at. "I.. he.. he came onto me."
My eyes flared with burning anger. "And..?" I said with a rather angry tone.
"And I let him. I slept with him." She cried to me, "It felt so wrong! I felt like I betrayed you, because I did! And I couldn't do anything.. it was already half way done before I realized what this would do to you. I feel like crap..."
I didn't say anything, but my anger had turned to tears. How could this happen to me? WHY would this happen to me? I guess my silence scared her because she started to breathe more heavily and she was stuttering because of her tears.
"Mimi, I'm so incredibly sorry.. if you never talk to me again, I'll completely understand.." Anna mentioned quietly, obviously broken because of the reality that I may not speak to her again.
I rubbed my right hand against my temple, thinking hard, and not bothering to wipe my tears. "Its okay.. Anna."
I could've sworn that I heard her gasp when I told her that. "Oh my gosh, Mimi. Thank you.. your so understanding.." She told me, which honestly sounded like a cliche to me. It was kind of corny, but then again, everything would sound corny to be right now. "I'm so sorry.. so sorry.."
"Anna! It's fine. It actually does phase me that much because our relationship wasn't working out anyway. I mean, with him being in America and me being here." I said, trying to make sense to myself while I was telling her. But tears still dropped from my eyes. "But does this have to do with why you and Drake broke up?"
"How did you know... about that?" She questioned, then it clicked. "Michael."
I nodded and agreed to her. "So you slept with my boyfriend while you were still dating Drake, and then he found out. Which ended up with him leaving you. Am I right?"
Anna was still crying. 'I better have a point to this because I'm going to get an attitude soon..' I told myself. I knew that I would make her feel even worse if I didn't hang up.
"I'll call you later, I'm kind of in the middle of something." I said, forcing a 'happier' tone. Anna agreed and apologized again before saying goodbye.
I put my cell back into my pocket and walked toward the door. I stopped before I opened it, wiping my tears and drying off my face. 'Great.. my make up is probably RUINED!' I yelled in my head. I pulled the door open and walked out to the ally. A figure stood leaning against the wall on the right side of the door when I walked out.
"Nice conversation." Was his greeting to me, he didn't move from his position and he didn't look at me when he first spoke.
"Thanks for listening in." I said cockily, half angry.
"Anytime. It's a specialty of mine to listen to the conversations of my old friends." He said, lifting his head to show me his navy eyes.
"JOE!?" I stepped back in shock. "WOW! I never, ever thought I would find you in a place like this... too many germs." I giggled, which was surprising considering my situation. He wore a navy blue shirt that showed off the muscles that I never knew he had, the color matched his eyes. He wore dark denim jeans that were ripped and worn out, his black dockers were covered in dirt. His hair was darker than it was when we were younger, it was now darker than his eyes and longer. It reached down and slightly passed his ears, but he flipped it back with his hands. He no longer wore glasses and he looked quite handsome now.
"How's it going, Mimi?" He asked, standing up straight and looking at me.
"Well you heard the conversation. How do you think I am?"
"You seemed happy when you walked in there. So other than that, you seem content with life." He was so calm while talking. This was the first time in years that he had seen me, but he stayed calm and talked like he just saw me a few days ago.
"I am. I mean, I was." I turned my back to him and looked at the crowd of people that were gathering where three rundown buildings split into a Y-intersection, one building with the middle. A set of headlights came rushing down from each side of the building, but they both seemed equal with each other. "Until now."
The cars came to a immediate stop and people cheered and screamed. Two men climbed out of the cars and were suddenly swormed by women and envious men. I could tell Matt apart from the other guy, he had more people surrounding him.
"So this Michael sounds like a real jerk." He said, walking past me. I followed him and we both walked toward the crowd.
My face held the same expression, "Yeah. But he wasn't always like that. Or he didn't seem like that."
"Didn't your mom ever teach you not to judge people by their appearence." He said smoothly.
"Yeah, but he was just too cute." I giggled. "Just one mistake to add to my long list."
Joe looked at me when we reached the back of the crowd. "I guess you've grown up a lot since you were 10." He stated with a grin.
"Well duh!" I smiled playfully. "So have you though. I shouldn't have judged you before I moved. Yet another mistake to add to the list!"
'And believe me... its a huge list..' I thought sadly in my head. 'Most of which I wish I never would've done..'
I sighed and waved to Matt when he glanced at us. He grinned and shoved through the crowd of women around him. He walked over and grinned at Joe. It was obviously not a surprise that he was here.
'Let's not tell him about Michael until he leaves for America.. that way no fights can break out.' I sighed to myself again, smiling at the two guys the stood next to me. "Well, where shall we go now?"
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A/N: Yay! Chappie 15 is done! Review please! Its starting to get near the center of the plot.. well.. not really, but kind of! Its getting there, slowly but gradually. Just be patient with me. HOPEFULLY I'll keep you entertained in the meantime. LOVE YA--ciao