Hey everyone! *everyone gasps* *takes a bow* Yes, yes, I'm here with the
next chappie!!! I am sooo sorry that it took so long, but 1) my computer
was acting like a bitch, so I didn't have the internet for a loooong time
and 2) I had a major case of writer's block anyway. I decided that my
original planned ending was corny so I changed it, and got stuck at one
point -_-;; So yah . . . digimon and none of it's characters are mine, so
don't sue me, it'd be pointless (that 30 bucks that I mentioned in my last
chappie? Looooong gone ^_^), you'd prolly use more money attempting to sue
me than any money you might get from ME. Yeah yeah *waves hand at people
behind her* I'm hurrying. So, here's the next chapter. Hope you like. Um
. . . yeah, go on, read. First part is from Matt's POV.
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"Okay, I think that's enough for one now. Let's call it a night guys, I guess I'll see ya next week."
"You want a ride home Yamato? It's pretty dark out already."
"Nah, think I'll just walk."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Suit yourself, g'night boys."
"Later." "Bye." "See you."
Once they had all left the room, I sighed and went back to my weekly routine of packing my guitar *just so*, so that it'll be ready for next practice. Of course, I'll probably end up re-tuning it about five minutes before next practice anyway. And of course, I guess it would make sense to tune it now, so that I won't have to later, but this place only lets us stay till nine and according to the clock ticking on the wall, I wouldn't have enough time.
I sighed again, snapping the buckles of my guitar case shut and standing up. I slung the strap of the case over my shoulder and slumped out of the room miserably.
I've been depressed before, but never like this. It feels thirteen times worse than any form of sadness I've ever felt before. Why thirteen? Dunno, my bad luck number fits this situation somehow.
It's thirteen times worse because last time, Taichi was there to whack me back to reality, most literally. Somehow, whenever Taichi and I fought, it seemed to make us just a little bit closer. I began craving for those fights, hoping that Tai would make it all better in the end. He always did. We became the best of friends, though our original rivalry still existed between us. Sometimes after school we would race to the corner where we parted our ways. Taichi always won, while I had to stop about two- thirds of the way there to catch my breath. He would come back to get me, and give me a piggyback ride to his house. He told me that he would always be there for me, for a reason that is still a mystery to me. He saved me from myself, back then.
But Taichi isn't here to save me this time. Although, I don't think he'd mind whacking me good and hard.
I stepped outside the building and started towards my apartment, where my dad would not be, again. I sighed and looked up at the stars, which seemed to be twinkling almost mockingly at me. Must be a nice life, to be a star. They dwell up there in the heavens with all the other stars, waiting every night to be wished on.
Suddenly I remembered something my mother said to me about the stars. It was about a month before my parents divorced.
//Flashback//
"Mommy, look at all the stars! Look at how they sparkle!"
My mother joined me at the window. "Why don't you make a wish on one?" she suggested.
I frowned. "C'mon mom, I'm too old for that kind of stuff. Wishes never come true."
"Don't say that," she admonished. "You're just probably wishing on the wrong star, that's all."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, people all around the world see the same stars as you. You just have to find the star that hasn't been wished on already."
I frowned again. "But how do you know a star is free?"
She smiled, and I remember it was the last smile she ever gave me, only me, that wasn't forced or strained. "It's the one that twinkles the most at you," she said. "It means it wants you to make a wish on it."
"Like, it's trying to get you to wish on it, by twinkling more than all the other stars?"
"Exactly," he whispered, pulling me into a hug.
//End Flashback//
I gazed up at the velvety night sky. I spotted a star that twinkled almost longingly at me when I reached the park, the one near my apartment. I closed my eyes and wished with all my might.
*I wish I had Taichi again.*
Lame, I know. I should be wishing for him to fall helplessly in love with me, right? He is, after all, my month-long crush.
But I miss him. God, I miss him. If the gods up there, you know, the ones that make life-changing decisions for you, don't feel like sending Cupid or whoever to strike Taichi, then they could, in the very least, wave a hand and have him at least tolerate me again. To be my friend again.
I felt wetness on my cheeks and wiped it away quickly. I wondered what I must look like, staring at the sky and blubbering in the middle of the sidewalk. I looked down from the inky sky and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw the object of my thoughts and affection materialize before me.
He seemed to be lying on the ground, staring at the sky. At least I supposed he was; I couldn't see his face. I wondered vaguely if he was wishing on a star too. He was lying so still, which confused me because I knew that Tai was extremely restless, at least when awake. I also knew that Taichi would never sleep anywhere but a bed. Once, I went to Costa Rica with his family and he didn't sleep a wink in that airplane seat.
A minute passed. Then another. He still hasn't moved.
Something was wrong.
Suddenly worried out of my mid, I dropped my precious guitar case on the grass in my haste to get to him. I gasped and had to hold back a sob when I saw him.
It looked as though he had been in a fight. He was beaten up pretty bad. There was a big purple bruise on his cheek and his left eye was swollen closed. My first instinct told me to check if he was breathing, and I prayed to about every god I could think of for him to please, please be okay.
I sighed with relief when I felt air grazing my cheek, but pulled away quickly when I smelt it. I smelt strongly of alcohol. I remembered that night I followed him and how some guy handed him a beer, then felt that pang of guilt again for following him in the first place. I spotted an empty bottle of whisky near the tree he was by, and rolled my eyes.
My eyebrows furrowed when I saw a black substance on his cheeks. I wiped it away, realizing it was his eyeliner. He had been crying. Why had he been crying? But what made me jump back, though, was the fact that his cheeks were still wet. I looked closer and noticed that tears were *still* making their way slowly and silently down his cheeks. Was it possible for someone to cry while they're unconscious?
I gasped when I saw what was on the tree beside him. Etched into the bark. "Tai + Matt, BFFL."
I sighed and rested on my knees for a minute, just staring at Taichi. I could've stayed there all night, looking at him. I stared at his beautiful tanned skin; at his strong muscles that showed through his shirt, at those beautiful, aristocratic hands, that have wiped away my tears, that have woven their fingers with mine, that clenched in fists when their owner was furious with me . . .
A loud honking in the distance snapped me out of my reverie and caused Taichi to stir. Slapping my forehead in my stupidity, I realized that Taichi should be brought somewhere and taken care of, not be stared at with googly-eyes when he's in probably in pain.
I grabbed my guitar and hung it around my neck. Then, with some difficulty (Taichi is stronger than me, after all), I hoisted Taichi onto my shoulders and hauled him to my apartment, mentally thanking god that my place was close to this park. I wobbled and stumbled and even almost dropped him once. Taichi was as limp as a ragged doll and his head kept lolling around on my shoulder, and whenever it rolled back, it was hard to get it back on my shoulder to keep my balance.
When I reached the elevator at my apartment, I pressed the button to my floor and thanked god again when the door opened almost right away. When inside, I carefully got Taichi off my back and just kind of held him up, as if hugging him. My vision was obscured by his huge mass of hair, which, unlike his alcoholic breath, smelled just like he usually does. I inhaled deeply, burying my face in his hair further. I just loved the smell of Taichi. It reminded me of green grass and sunny skies, so much like his personality. It was a wonderful musky scent that simply screamed 'Taichi' and intoxicated my senses.
I snapped out of it when I heard the elevator door close. Totally embarrassed, I realized that I hadn't even noticed that the elevator had arrived at my floor and had already opened and closed. I was too wrapped up in Taichi's scent to have noticed. I felt a blush spread across my cheeks as I pressed the 'open' button again and the door opened to reveal the plain white walls of the corridor of the fifth floor.
I half-dragged-half-carried Taichi down the hallway, unlocked my door, and took him inside. Dad was not home, as expected, and I caught a glimpse of a tiny red light blinking on the phone. I pressed the button as I passed it and listened to the messages as I placed Tai gently onto the couch.
*BEEP* "Hey Matt, I'm out on a business trip that popped up out of nowhere, but I had to take it. I have my cell phone on all the time if you need me. Money on the fridge if you want a pizza or something . . . and uh, don't trash the house. Be back on Monday. Bye Matt." I sighed. Nothing I haven't heard before. I placed my guitar case on the floor and headed to the bathroom for the first aid kit.
*BEEP*
'Another message?' I thought. I poked my head back into the living room to listen.
"Hey, Matt? It's me, Kari. Um, I just got a call from Taichi's boyfriend and uh . . . he said some pretty bad stuff. He sounded drunk. He mentioned some park, and it sounded like the on near your house, so I went there and Tai wasn't there! I know you're fighting with him, but I'm getting really worried. He should've been home by now." My eyes widened when I heard a sniff. Kari was crying? "So yeah, um, if you've seen him, give a call, okay? Thanks . . . bye."
I grabbed the first aid kit from the cabinet in the bathroom along with a wet cloth, and nearly ran back to the living room, where Taichi was still lying motionlessly on the sofa. I grabbed the phone and dialed Taichi's house.
"Hello?" came a tentative voice.
"Hey, Kari? It's me, Matt."
"Oh, Matt!" he exclaimed. "I've been so worried, do you know –"
"He's right here," I interrupted. "I found him in the park, looked like he got into a fight or something. I brought him to my place," I explained, as I wiped some dried bloodstains of Tai's face. "Tell your parents when they get home that he's staying at my place."
"Why?"
"Because I don't feel like carrying him again."
A small laugh. "Okay Matt. I just wonder if it was his boyfriend that Tai got into a fight with."
"Probably. He, er . . . drank a lot too. You can tell by his breath."
"Oh, I hope he's okay. Well, thank you so much, I was so worried. I'm glad Tai has a friend like you."
I smiled wryly. "Yeah, I guess. I'll send him to your place when he wakes up, okay?"
Kari sighed. "Okay. Call me if something serious happens, or if you need anything."
"Alright, see you Kari."
"Bye Matt. And thanks again."
I hung up and looked at Tai. Throughout my conversation with his sister I had wiped away most of the blood off his face, leaving it somewhat fresh and clean. I found bruises on his stomach too, but decided to let them heal on their own. I walked over to the kitchen and got an ice cube from the freezer, put it in a plastic baggie, and walked back over to Tai. I knelt down beside his face and carefully, as not to wake him, placed the baggie on his left eye, to reduce the swelling. He groaned and stirred at the cold touch, and I saw him shiver and grab at the air slightly.
"Shh," I soothed, taking his hand and putting it down by his side again. "Just sleep."
He didn't seem too keen to argue, so he let his arm and the rest of his body go limp and he slumped back against the couch again. I couldn't find an extra blanket in the cupboard down the hall, so I got one of mine from my bed and placed it over Tai, also gently placing an extra pillow under his head. The blanket was clean and everything, I'd done the laundry just last night, and I slept over at Keiji, one of the band member's place, last night.
Hoping that Tai would still be there the next morning if he woke up, I turned off the light in the living room and walked down the hall to my own. I got into my pajamas and fell asleep with a rather sad smile on my face.
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LGF: So . . . ? Again, I'm really sorry for not updating sooner. Life's a bitch, we all know that ^_^ . So again, my most sincere apologies.
Taichi: Honestly, I thought I was gonna die. How long can it take to think of a way to get Yama and me together? It's not THAT hard. We are both more than willing.
LGF: Shut up, Taichi, need I explain why it took so long AGAIN?
Taichi: You could, but I'm sure I'd fall asleep after the first one. *shakes his head in disappointment* Excuses excuses. I'm disappointed in you, I really am.
LGF: *bows head down in shame, then bursts into hysterical tears* I KNOW, AND I'M SORRY, OKAY?!? *slumps down against wall and sobs*
Taichi: Aw, I'm sorry *goes over to LGF and hugs her*
LGF: *is happy and smiling again* One more thing, I don't know if there's gonna be 10 chapters for this fic. I might end up having more. *shrugs* I'll see how it turns out. In the meantime . . . could you please review? *ducks vegetables and musical instruments being thrown at her*
Taichi: *jumps out of the way and scoffs* Yeah, like they're gonna review after how long you made them wait for you to get your ass in gear.
LGF: *looks pleadingly at reviewers* Of course they will. You will, won't you? WON'T YOU??
Taichi: BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
LGF: *shoots a dirty look at Tai* They'll review . . . right?
Please review!!! But be merciful!!! And I WILL update faster this time, I swear. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!
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"Okay, I think that's enough for one now. Let's call it a night guys, I guess I'll see ya next week."
"You want a ride home Yamato? It's pretty dark out already."
"Nah, think I'll just walk."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure."
"Suit yourself, g'night boys."
"Later." "Bye." "See you."
Once they had all left the room, I sighed and went back to my weekly routine of packing my guitar *just so*, so that it'll be ready for next practice. Of course, I'll probably end up re-tuning it about five minutes before next practice anyway. And of course, I guess it would make sense to tune it now, so that I won't have to later, but this place only lets us stay till nine and according to the clock ticking on the wall, I wouldn't have enough time.
I sighed again, snapping the buckles of my guitar case shut and standing up. I slung the strap of the case over my shoulder and slumped out of the room miserably.
I've been depressed before, but never like this. It feels thirteen times worse than any form of sadness I've ever felt before. Why thirteen? Dunno, my bad luck number fits this situation somehow.
It's thirteen times worse because last time, Taichi was there to whack me back to reality, most literally. Somehow, whenever Taichi and I fought, it seemed to make us just a little bit closer. I began craving for those fights, hoping that Tai would make it all better in the end. He always did. We became the best of friends, though our original rivalry still existed between us. Sometimes after school we would race to the corner where we parted our ways. Taichi always won, while I had to stop about two- thirds of the way there to catch my breath. He would come back to get me, and give me a piggyback ride to his house. He told me that he would always be there for me, for a reason that is still a mystery to me. He saved me from myself, back then.
But Taichi isn't here to save me this time. Although, I don't think he'd mind whacking me good and hard.
I stepped outside the building and started towards my apartment, where my dad would not be, again. I sighed and looked up at the stars, which seemed to be twinkling almost mockingly at me. Must be a nice life, to be a star. They dwell up there in the heavens with all the other stars, waiting every night to be wished on.
Suddenly I remembered something my mother said to me about the stars. It was about a month before my parents divorced.
//Flashback//
"Mommy, look at all the stars! Look at how they sparkle!"
My mother joined me at the window. "Why don't you make a wish on one?" she suggested.
I frowned. "C'mon mom, I'm too old for that kind of stuff. Wishes never come true."
"Don't say that," she admonished. "You're just probably wishing on the wrong star, that's all."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, people all around the world see the same stars as you. You just have to find the star that hasn't been wished on already."
I frowned again. "But how do you know a star is free?"
She smiled, and I remember it was the last smile she ever gave me, only me, that wasn't forced or strained. "It's the one that twinkles the most at you," she said. "It means it wants you to make a wish on it."
"Like, it's trying to get you to wish on it, by twinkling more than all the other stars?"
"Exactly," he whispered, pulling me into a hug.
//End Flashback//
I gazed up at the velvety night sky. I spotted a star that twinkled almost longingly at me when I reached the park, the one near my apartment. I closed my eyes and wished with all my might.
*I wish I had Taichi again.*
Lame, I know. I should be wishing for him to fall helplessly in love with me, right? He is, after all, my month-long crush.
But I miss him. God, I miss him. If the gods up there, you know, the ones that make life-changing decisions for you, don't feel like sending Cupid or whoever to strike Taichi, then they could, in the very least, wave a hand and have him at least tolerate me again. To be my friend again.
I felt wetness on my cheeks and wiped it away quickly. I wondered what I must look like, staring at the sky and blubbering in the middle of the sidewalk. I looked down from the inky sky and nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw the object of my thoughts and affection materialize before me.
He seemed to be lying on the ground, staring at the sky. At least I supposed he was; I couldn't see his face. I wondered vaguely if he was wishing on a star too. He was lying so still, which confused me because I knew that Tai was extremely restless, at least when awake. I also knew that Taichi would never sleep anywhere but a bed. Once, I went to Costa Rica with his family and he didn't sleep a wink in that airplane seat.
A minute passed. Then another. He still hasn't moved.
Something was wrong.
Suddenly worried out of my mid, I dropped my precious guitar case on the grass in my haste to get to him. I gasped and had to hold back a sob when I saw him.
It looked as though he had been in a fight. He was beaten up pretty bad. There was a big purple bruise on his cheek and his left eye was swollen closed. My first instinct told me to check if he was breathing, and I prayed to about every god I could think of for him to please, please be okay.
I sighed with relief when I felt air grazing my cheek, but pulled away quickly when I smelt it. I smelt strongly of alcohol. I remembered that night I followed him and how some guy handed him a beer, then felt that pang of guilt again for following him in the first place. I spotted an empty bottle of whisky near the tree he was by, and rolled my eyes.
My eyebrows furrowed when I saw a black substance on his cheeks. I wiped it away, realizing it was his eyeliner. He had been crying. Why had he been crying? But what made me jump back, though, was the fact that his cheeks were still wet. I looked closer and noticed that tears were *still* making their way slowly and silently down his cheeks. Was it possible for someone to cry while they're unconscious?
I gasped when I saw what was on the tree beside him. Etched into the bark. "Tai + Matt, BFFL."
I sighed and rested on my knees for a minute, just staring at Taichi. I could've stayed there all night, looking at him. I stared at his beautiful tanned skin; at his strong muscles that showed through his shirt, at those beautiful, aristocratic hands, that have wiped away my tears, that have woven their fingers with mine, that clenched in fists when their owner was furious with me . . .
A loud honking in the distance snapped me out of my reverie and caused Taichi to stir. Slapping my forehead in my stupidity, I realized that Taichi should be brought somewhere and taken care of, not be stared at with googly-eyes when he's in probably in pain.
I grabbed my guitar and hung it around my neck. Then, with some difficulty (Taichi is stronger than me, after all), I hoisted Taichi onto my shoulders and hauled him to my apartment, mentally thanking god that my place was close to this park. I wobbled and stumbled and even almost dropped him once. Taichi was as limp as a ragged doll and his head kept lolling around on my shoulder, and whenever it rolled back, it was hard to get it back on my shoulder to keep my balance.
When I reached the elevator at my apartment, I pressed the button to my floor and thanked god again when the door opened almost right away. When inside, I carefully got Taichi off my back and just kind of held him up, as if hugging him. My vision was obscured by his huge mass of hair, which, unlike his alcoholic breath, smelled just like he usually does. I inhaled deeply, burying my face in his hair further. I just loved the smell of Taichi. It reminded me of green grass and sunny skies, so much like his personality. It was a wonderful musky scent that simply screamed 'Taichi' and intoxicated my senses.
I snapped out of it when I heard the elevator door close. Totally embarrassed, I realized that I hadn't even noticed that the elevator had arrived at my floor and had already opened and closed. I was too wrapped up in Taichi's scent to have noticed. I felt a blush spread across my cheeks as I pressed the 'open' button again and the door opened to reveal the plain white walls of the corridor of the fifth floor.
I half-dragged-half-carried Taichi down the hallway, unlocked my door, and took him inside. Dad was not home, as expected, and I caught a glimpse of a tiny red light blinking on the phone. I pressed the button as I passed it and listened to the messages as I placed Tai gently onto the couch.
*BEEP* "Hey Matt, I'm out on a business trip that popped up out of nowhere, but I had to take it. I have my cell phone on all the time if you need me. Money on the fridge if you want a pizza or something . . . and uh, don't trash the house. Be back on Monday. Bye Matt." I sighed. Nothing I haven't heard before. I placed my guitar case on the floor and headed to the bathroom for the first aid kit.
*BEEP*
'Another message?' I thought. I poked my head back into the living room to listen.
"Hey, Matt? It's me, Kari. Um, I just got a call from Taichi's boyfriend and uh . . . he said some pretty bad stuff. He sounded drunk. He mentioned some park, and it sounded like the on near your house, so I went there and Tai wasn't there! I know you're fighting with him, but I'm getting really worried. He should've been home by now." My eyes widened when I heard a sniff. Kari was crying? "So yeah, um, if you've seen him, give a call, okay? Thanks . . . bye."
I grabbed the first aid kit from the cabinet in the bathroom along with a wet cloth, and nearly ran back to the living room, where Taichi was still lying motionlessly on the sofa. I grabbed the phone and dialed Taichi's house.
"Hello?" came a tentative voice.
"Hey, Kari? It's me, Matt."
"Oh, Matt!" he exclaimed. "I've been so worried, do you know –"
"He's right here," I interrupted. "I found him in the park, looked like he got into a fight or something. I brought him to my place," I explained, as I wiped some dried bloodstains of Tai's face. "Tell your parents when they get home that he's staying at my place."
"Why?"
"Because I don't feel like carrying him again."
A small laugh. "Okay Matt. I just wonder if it was his boyfriend that Tai got into a fight with."
"Probably. He, er . . . drank a lot too. You can tell by his breath."
"Oh, I hope he's okay. Well, thank you so much, I was so worried. I'm glad Tai has a friend like you."
I smiled wryly. "Yeah, I guess. I'll send him to your place when he wakes up, okay?"
Kari sighed. "Okay. Call me if something serious happens, or if you need anything."
"Alright, see you Kari."
"Bye Matt. And thanks again."
I hung up and looked at Tai. Throughout my conversation with his sister I had wiped away most of the blood off his face, leaving it somewhat fresh and clean. I found bruises on his stomach too, but decided to let them heal on their own. I walked over to the kitchen and got an ice cube from the freezer, put it in a plastic baggie, and walked back over to Tai. I knelt down beside his face and carefully, as not to wake him, placed the baggie on his left eye, to reduce the swelling. He groaned and stirred at the cold touch, and I saw him shiver and grab at the air slightly.
"Shh," I soothed, taking his hand and putting it down by his side again. "Just sleep."
He didn't seem too keen to argue, so he let his arm and the rest of his body go limp and he slumped back against the couch again. I couldn't find an extra blanket in the cupboard down the hall, so I got one of mine from my bed and placed it over Tai, also gently placing an extra pillow under his head. The blanket was clean and everything, I'd done the laundry just last night, and I slept over at Keiji, one of the band member's place, last night.
Hoping that Tai would still be there the next morning if he woke up, I turned off the light in the living room and walked down the hall to my own. I got into my pajamas and fell asleep with a rather sad smile on my face.
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LGF: So . . . ? Again, I'm really sorry for not updating sooner. Life's a bitch, we all know that ^_^ . So again, my most sincere apologies.
Taichi: Honestly, I thought I was gonna die. How long can it take to think of a way to get Yama and me together? It's not THAT hard. We are both more than willing.
LGF: Shut up, Taichi, need I explain why it took so long AGAIN?
Taichi: You could, but I'm sure I'd fall asleep after the first one. *shakes his head in disappointment* Excuses excuses. I'm disappointed in you, I really am.
LGF: *bows head down in shame, then bursts into hysterical tears* I KNOW, AND I'M SORRY, OKAY?!? *slumps down against wall and sobs*
Taichi: Aw, I'm sorry *goes over to LGF and hugs her*
LGF: *is happy and smiling again* One more thing, I don't know if there's gonna be 10 chapters for this fic. I might end up having more. *shrugs* I'll see how it turns out. In the meantime . . . could you please review? *ducks vegetables and musical instruments being thrown at her*
Taichi: *jumps out of the way and scoffs* Yeah, like they're gonna review after how long you made them wait for you to get your ass in gear.
LGF: *looks pleadingly at reviewers* Of course they will. You will, won't you? WON'T YOU??
Taichi: BWAHAHAHAHA!!!
LGF: *shoots a dirty look at Tai* They'll review . . . right?
Please review!!! But be merciful!!! And I WILL update faster this time, I swear. REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!