Me: Finally, I'm at it again and Jacqueline is finally going to make her appearance.
Alexis: What took you so long?
Me: Hey, I had a lot of tests in the last two days. Don't nag me.
Chloe: She won't…but I will!
Me: (sigh)
Chapter 3-Jacob's Insight
The file was empty…just like all of the other ones.
"Darn it!" Jacob put both of his hands behind his head and tilted back in his desk chair. "So much for finding out more about him."
It was nearly 11:00 at night and Jacob had been up researching on something important…the one thing that seemed to be top priority to him right now. It was more important to him than to his father. (A/N: Get ready for what it is)
"I've been looking for my uncle for the last two hours and nothing's come up," Jacob mumbled to himself. And I'm talking to myself again. Sighing, he was about to switch off the computer when he noticed a file he had missed. Eh? What's that?
Clicking on it, Jacob saw a blank paper appear on the screen…blank except for a picture of peculiar moving Gifs. They looked like little pixilated monsters. Next to them was the word: Digimon Project.
Digimon Project… Jacob frowned slightly. What is that…and what does Oikawa have to do with this?
(A/N: Whoa! Shocker huh? Oikawa is Jacob's uncle)
Odaiba Junior High
"Digimon…experiment…Oikawa…disappearance…project…Digimon…experiment…project…Oikawa…disappearance…" The words ran over and over throughout Jacob's brain. Unfortunately, he happened to be thinking out loud.
"Digimon plus experiment...equals project…plus Oikawa…equals—"
"JACOB SASAKI!"
He blinked and jumped about five feet. "GAH! What? What?"
The teacher glared at him from behind her spectacles. "Listen Mr. Sasaki, I like your enthusiasm but in math class, we're supposed to be working with numbers and variables...NOT NAMES!"
Jacob gulped. "Yes ma'm."
Everybody laughed.
* * *
Jacob gathered all of his books and ran out of the classroom. He was in such a hurry that he didn't look where he was going and crashed into another student. "Ow!" Books and papers flew everywhere. "Aw man," he groaned as he knelt down to pick them up. "This is the second time this week!" He looked up at the student; it was a girl. "I'm sorry I bumped into you."
"That's all right," the girl replied pleasantly. "I'm used to it."
She knelt down next to him to help pick up the books and papers. Jacob recognized her at once. She was the pretty dancer girl from the first day, the one with the long, braided red-brown hair whom Davis called Jacqueline. Now that he was closer to her, she was revealed to have very light skin, intense green eyes, and a small slender profile. A scarf was wrapped around her waist and it only seemed to enhance her curved figure. She straightened up and smiled. "What are you staring at?"
Jacob blinked. "Oh nothing." She has a nice smile…hey, where did that thought come from?
"You're the new kid right?" The girl held out her hand. "I take it we've never been introduced. I'm Jacqueline Miyagi but most people call me Jackie. "
Jacob shook her hand. "I'm Jacob Sasaki. It's nice to meet you Jacqueline. I've noticed you're quite a dancer."
Jacqueline blushed. "Call me Jackie and not really. I am good, I guess but I only play second fiddle to Kari."
Jacob grinned. This Jacqueline girl was a good deal nicer than most kids he'd known were. She was extremely modest too. "Well, to tell you the truth I think you're really good."
"I've seen you in gym," Jacqueline said, smiling. "You're the one that's trying out for basketball this year, aren't you?"
"Uh-huh."
The bell rang somewhere. Jacqueline jumped at the sound. "Oh my gosh, I'm going to be late!" She ran down the hallway, calling over her shoulder, "It was nice talking to you Jacob!"
Jacob shook his head and walked in the opposite direction. He found himself smiling quietly.
But the puzzle continued to buzz through his head.
* * *
Kari and her friends all sat clustered together during gym class, watching the boys go through their warm-ups. Kari's friends included Jacqueline, a stylish girl named Rini, Yumi who was shy and quiet, talented Nina and a girl named Mei.
When the boys finished, the basketball team came up and began taking turns shooting baskets. As T.K. came up, the girls started giggling and smiling. He and Kari exchanged a look and shrugged. He shot two neat three-pointers into the basket. Everyone cheered and clapped. Kari gave him a glowing smile.
"He's the star player on the team, has really good looks, and is practically the most popular guy in the whole school," Rini sighed. "He's so cool!"
Mei laughed. "Is that how you think of him? I think he's sweet."
"You think everyone's sweet Mei," Nina rolled her eyes. "He's good in sports and in school. You don't meet guys with that kind of combination everyday."
"Kari and T.K. have been going out since the summer," Rini continued. "You guys are such a cute couple." Kari blushed in an embarrassed sort of way.
"What do you think Kari?" asked Yumi in an even quieter voice. "What is he really like?"
"Welll…"
"Hey Kari," Jacqueline spoke up for the first time. "I think T.K's signaling to you. You'd better go see what he wants."
"Oh okay." Kari got up and walked towards T.K.
The other girls stared after her. "She's so lucky!"
Jacqueline hastily changed the subject. "So have you met the new boy yet?"
Rini nodded. "I have. His name is Jacob. He's a weird kind of kid. I mean, he is nice and cute and all but, he doesn't seem to make friends easily. Every time I see him he's always alone." She smiled and pointed. "Hey look, there he is!"
Jacob was indeed sitting on a bench a few feet away. He was muttering under his breath again.
"There he goes again," said Mei with a shake of her head. "He was mumbling about Digimon and stuff all through math class. It was funny when the teacher caught him."
Jacqueline frowned. "That's not nice to laugh at someone."
"We couldn't help it."
"Oh." Jacqueline stared at the ground thoughtfully. Jacob seemed nice to her, the nicest boy she had ever met besides T.K. He did seem lonely and distant. "Maybe I should be his friend."
"You Jackie?" Nina remarked. "That shouldn't be too hard. Besides, you guys just might make a cute couple."
Jacqueline shook her head. "I said maybe I should become his friend not his girlfriend! That's not what I want to be."
"He is cute," Rini pointed out.
Jacqueline rolled her eyes. "Cute or not, I'm not planning to be anything more than a friend."
* * *
T.K. and Kari walked home together. In front of them, Tai and Chloe chattered away. T.K. turned to Kari, his blue eyes sparkling with fun. "So were you guys talking about me again today?"
Kari blushed. "Well yeah. All of my friends really like you T.K. But don't worry, I'm not going to give you up for their sake."
T.K. grinned. "I'm not going to give you up either." He looked up ahead. "And I hope Tai doesn't give up Chloe either."
"Why? What's wrong?"
"Let's just say since Catherine came here for a visit, there's been some…problems."
"Catherine? The French girl?" T.K. nodded. "She's gorgeous."
"Yeah I know," T.K. shook his head. "Tai's been acting funny ever since she arrived. I have a bad feeling about all this."
Kari smiled reassuringly. "Look on the bright side. I noticed Davis has been eyeing her a lot too. Maybe something good will come out of all of this."
T.K. looked doubtful but he nodded. "Maybe you're right." He looked across the street and saw Jacob staring at the ocean, apparently lost in thought. "Wonder what he's up to?"
"Why don't we go ask him?" Kari and T.K. crossed the street and stopped right behind Jacob. "Hi. Are you Jacob?"
Jacob turned around in surprise. "Uh…yes. You're the girl I knocked into right?"
"Yeah," Kari gestured to herself and T.K. "I'm Kari. I'm in eighth grade same as you are."
Jacob grinned nervously. T.K. watched him. "We just wanted to know what you were up to Jacob."
At that, Jacob blinked and then forced a laugh. "Nothing really. I was just lost in my thoughts while staring at the beach. I've never lived so near the ocean before."
Kari smiled at him. "Where did you use to live?"
Jacob looked more nervous than before. "Oh I lived um…across the river. I forgot the city's name." He looked at the sky. "Oh gosh, I'm going to be late and Mom'll be looking for me. See you later!" He ran off.
"He seems nice but too shy," said Kari. "What do you think?"
T.K. was watching Jacob running into the distance. "I used to live across the river too before we moved here last year. How is it that he can't remember the name of where he used to live?" T.K. frowned in the direction Jacob departed in. "I think he's hiding something."
* * *
Jacob hurried down the street. His run had long since slowed to a walk but he didn't want to keep his dad waiting. As he turned the corner, he saw Jacqueline walking in front of him. He decided to catch up to her and talk. "Hey Jacqueline!" he called.
Jacqueline turned around and smiled. "I was hoping I'd run into you again Jacob. Wanna walk home together…that is if you don't mind."
Jacob grinned. "Nope. It's fine with me." The two kids were soon side by side, chatting like old friends. Jacob felt at such ease with Jacqueline that he finally decided to tell her about his family. "I'm an only child and my dad works in a large corporation. He's usually home late so I have the house to myself most of the time. It's not too bad though, since I'm glad he trusts me."
"What about your mom?" Jacqueline asked in surprise. "I've heard you mention her sometimes."
Jacob stopped walking and stared at the ground. "Oh…well you see…I don't really have a mom…I mean, not anymore," he kept his eyes on the ground so Jacqueline couldn't see his face. "I…just…don't want to talk about it so I usually tell people I still have Mom with me even though I know she's never coming back."
"Oh…I'm sorry," Jacqueline felt sympathetic but she knew Jacob probably would accept no sympathy. "Is that the reason you moved here?"
"Well, partly. You see, Mom died from a car accident while she was driving to Dad's office. She and Dad hadn't really been getting along lately so she was going to talk to him and maybe get their problems straightened out. If we'd have known what would happen to her we could've prevented it from happening but it was too late by then.
We didn't feel like staying in our old house 'cause it felt strange…really strange without Mom around. It's like you could see her, maybe even sense her presence but every time you think she's there, the memory comes back every time."
"Anyway, the real reason we came here is because of one of Dad's distant relatives…and I mean distant. I learned that his name was Oikawa Yukioh. Dad told me he was…well…strange. He was always in the shadows, always off in a world of his own. He acted different and looked different from everyone else. No one really seemed to care much for him 'cept this guy named Hiroki Hida. Dad told me that the two were inseparable, practically like brothers. Hiroki didn't care if Oikawa was different from other people. They had a lot in common and spent every minute if possible with each other. Even when they grew up and had jobs and Hiroki had a family and all that, they still kept in touch."
"Then something happened. Dad told me that Hiroki saved the life of another police officer, but he didn't survive himself. And it just tore Oikawa apart. It was as if half of his life was missing. Nothing was the same after that. He became distant and cold to other people. I also heard that he stopped showing up at his job. He started spending time on a new and different assignment. Then, last year on New Years Day, believe it or not, he disappeared altogether. No one's ever heard from him or seen the likes of him again…not that anyone would care much."
"Dad and I moved here to figure out what happened to him and to see what his intentions were after Hiroki died. Dad also wants me to find anyone who knows about Oikawa at all or anyone that had anything to do with him. And for some reason, I have a feeling those people might be closer than I think."
Jacob stopped talking and for some reason, decided to look up at the apartment buildings. "We're alike in a way, Oikawa and I. Even though we've never met, I know we have some things in common. We both keep to ourselves most of the time. I also think I'm beginning to see some strange things going on too…things that no one else can see." He glanced at his new friend to see if she was laughing or looking at him as if he was a sea slug. She wasn't. "I mean, call me crazy but I've been having some visions or something. I don't know what they mean. I feel as if I am destined to find Oikawa but not for the reasons my dad wants me to. I have another purpose in life."
"Maybe you're not the only one," Jacqueline looked serious. "I've been seeing strange creatures lately too. I don't know how or why but I just see them for a few seconds and then they disappear. No one else seems to see them or hear them except me. I think I'm hallucinating."
Jacob shook his head and turned to look at her. "I don't think you're hallucinating Jacqueline. I think we've both unlocked a big secret and I bet we're not the only ones who know about it."
The girl bit her lip before mumbling, "Probably not."
He turned to stare at her. "What did you say?"
"I said, probably not."
Jacob grabbed her shoulders and cast her an intent look. Jacqueline flinched. "Why did you say that?" he asked her hurriedly.
"Let go of me," she said in a frightened way.
He locked his deep brown eyes on her own dark green ones. They were almost nose-to-nose. "First tell me."
Jacqueline gulped before answering, "Have you ever heard of Digimon?"
"Digi—what?"
Now her eyes looked surprised. "Digimon," she repeated. "I'm surprised you've never heard of them. They were the biggest thing on the news since that terrorist bombing five years ago in Heighton View Terrace. Didn't you hear of all those kids around the world, saving the entire lives of Digimon and humans alike from evil? Odaiba happens to be famous for that."
"Well now that you mention it…" Jacob closed his eyes for a brief minute before opening them. "I did hear of those Digimon but remember, I just moved here. I've spent most of my life in a bubble—figuratively speaking." He just then realized the position in which he held her. Blushing, he withdrew his fingers. "Why did you bring 'Digimon' up?"
"I think I know what those creatures we've been seeing are. They're Digimon." She shook her head. "But why are we able to see Digimon when other people can't? It just doesn't make sense at all."
* * *
Tai and Davis watched as their two Digimon practiced their attacks…on pieces of garbage. Davis thought it would've been better to use trees but Tai told him that it would be highly unlikely if no one saw trees falling around them because of Veemon and Agumon.
"Pepper Breath!" cried Agumon as he shot flames on plastic bags.
"Vee-Headbutt!" called Veemon as he practiced on a padded piece of cardboard that Davis had tied to a tree stump so as not to hurt himself.
"Nice work you guys! Take a break." Tai flopped down onto the ground. "This isn't too bad you know."
Davis grinned. "Yeah we all needed the workout."
"Speak for yourself," Veemon croaked as he fell exhausted onto the ground. "You didn't have to hit your head against a tree stump."
Davis was about to argue when a faint—"Hello!"—cut through the silence. The boys turned to see Catherine and her Floramon running towards them. They stopped in front of them and surveyed the scene. "Oh I'm sorry," said Catherine. "Did I disturb your workout?"
"No-no, not at all!" Davis went a little red at the sight of her. "We're just taking a break."
"Oh, zat's good. I didn't want to interrupt your training."
Davis looked sheepish. "Aw, you didn't have to worry."
Tai smiled at her. "So Catharine, what are you doing here?"
Catharine laughed. "I am a visitor. Zo, I'm just doing a little sightseeing with Floramon. Of course, I have to keep her in my backpack since she iz too big to carry around."
"Isn't that heavy for you? I could carry her for you y'know," Tai said courteously.
"I'd be glad to carry her for you too Catherine," added Davis.
Catherine smiled at both of them. "Oh you two are so sweet. I can manage, but zank you anyway."
"Oh okay," the boys chanted at the same time; Davis blushing, Tai normal.
Mimi appeared from behind the trees. "Oh there you are Catherine. I was wondering if you would like to go to the mall with me. Everyone else is busy."
Catherine's face brightened. "Sure, I'd love to." She ran up to catch up with Mimi and waved over her shoulder. "Good-bye Tai. Good-bye Davis."
"Bye!"
Davis turned and grinned at Tai. "She's really neat…for a girl, don't you think?"
"Uh-huh," Tai nodded dazedly. He turned away and faced the Digimon. "Okay, break's over you guys. Let's get back to practice."
* * *
Jacob and Jacqueline rounded towards the park, talking about Oikawa's disappearance. Jacob looked over towards a small clearing surrounded by trees. He stopped walking and stared at it. Jacqueline glanced at him curiously. "What's wrong Jacob?"
Jacob continued to stare at the clearing. "I thought I saw something."
Jacqueline followed his gaze. "Like what?"
All of a sudden, a large fireball leaped into view followed by a small dinosaur-like creature. It was Agumon. Tai, Davis, and Veemon ran after him. "Hey, Agumon! Don't get out in the open. Someone will see you!"
Jacqueline gave a small gasp and Jacob sucked in his breath sharply. The boys and the Digimon soon disappeared from view. "J-Jacob," Jacqueline stuttered. "W-what was th-that?"
Jacob shook his head in disbelief. "I'm not sure, but I think we were right about the fact that we're not the only ones who know about these strange creatures."
"Digimon," she corrected.
"Whatever."
They heard footsteps behind them. Jacob grabbed Jacqueline by the arm and pulled her behind a tree. "It might be those friends they hang out with. Let's see if they know about them too."
The two quieted down and peered around behind tree. A group of kids stood gathered around the clearing…and they all had those creatures with them! Jacqueline gave a cry of alarm. "Quiet Jackie," Jacob whispered. "They're saying something. Let's move a little closer."
Although by now, Jacqueline would have wanted to run away, she followed Jacob to a closer area. She didn't know what surprised her more; the fact that they were spying on people or the fact that Jacob had called her Jackie. "What do you think they're doing?"
"I'm not sure, but maybe this is our chance to find out!"
Me: Yeah, I'm done. It's a little short but that's fine. The most important thing was to get Jackie out.
Chloe: So what's next?
Me: A chapter that is going to turn everything upside down.
Tai: Really?
Me: Yes, really. Well, that's all readers. Update for now if you want. I have to work on SOD and "The Bearer of Memories."