Chapter 2

Mimi walked in with the flood of students. She was sure that Sora would try to find her, but she couldn't risk that. She wanted to confront her friends with her presence when they where all together, and Sora had told her that they all had other friends as well, but that they still had lunch together, and that everyone would be there.

So in order to let her plan work, she'd practically disguised herself. Wearing the green fuku that was the school - uniform, she didn't really stand out. Except then for her strawberry hair. So, she'd pinned it up and had pulled a very trendy hat over it. When she'd inspected herself in the mirror before leaving home, she'd concluded that she looked pretty good, yet unnoticeable for someone who didn't expect her.

Suddenly she heard some familiar voices. "Hey Matt!" Tai came running and walked to a boy, only feet away from where Mimi was standing. "Oh shit, oh shit." She mumbled. She jumped up again when she heard a soft. "Excuse me." Kari and T.K. came running past her, waving at Tai. He looked in their direction and noticed Mimi. His mouth opened a little, as if he wanted to say something, but he shook his head, and she heard him say while passing him by, "That can't be Mimi, you're dreaming, buddy."

Mimi panicked and rushed towards the teacher's lounge, where she was to meet with her class teacher. Nothing happened on her way over there, and she was glad to see that her teacher was a cheerful and sweet woman, asking her questions about New York and other things.

They walked into the classroom and the teacher clapped her hands. "Class, I'd like you to meet a new student. This is Mimi Tachikawa and she'll be joining you the rest of the year. Miss Tachikawa, as you probably know, I'm you're class teacher and I give Sociology. My name is Ms Gia and I'm sure you'll fit in nicely. Everyone, I expect you all to behave, and that includes you, Todd."

The class laughed and a brown haired boy grinned sheepishly. "Now, who'll help Mimi on her first day?" A few people lifted their hands and Ms Gia smiled contentedly. They seemed like a close bunch, everyone chatting happily with everyone else, no one really seemed out of place.

Ms Gia thought for a moment. "Well, Mimi, since Kay is sitting there all by herself, I think she'd be happy to show you around." The girl named Kay smiled and Mimi couldn't help notice what a pretty girl she was. 'She's probably extremely popular.' She thought. Mimi pulled of the hat and a few people giggled.

Ms Gia smiled. "Well, that's an interesting colour. Do you mind explaining it a little bit? That way the class can get to know you and I don't have to bore them with what I'm supposed to teach."

Mimi chuckled and nodded. "Sure, why not. Well, you've got people with black hair, brown, red, blue, green and so on. So why not pink? I chose pink 'cause nobody really has pink hair and I really like the colour. Besides, I think it suits me. And pink is just a cool colour. And lately I think it's just become a habit, since I've had my hair like this since I was like 14."

The class laughed and some girls nodded understandingly. Ms Gia laughed as well, and nodded. "Thank you, Mimi. You can sit down now. This is a good subject for a class discussion, I think. How does everyone feel about this?" Ms Gia sat down on the top of her desk and a class discussion started, about a silly issue as hair-colours. Mimi chuckled to herself, she had a great feeling about this class and it's teacher, she was sure she'd enjoy herself here.

She sat down next to Kay, who immediately flashed her a smile and held out a hand. "Hi, I'm Kay Inari, pleasure to meet you Mimi." Mime smiled and shook the other girls' hand. "Same here, Kay. This seems like a fun group of people." Kay smiled and nodded as she let her eyes wander over her classmates. Mimi couldn't help notice again how pretty the girl was.

There wasn't anything fancy, she didn't have this extraordinary beauty like some of those glamour girls. No, she just had curly black hair that reached to her shoulders and dark blue eyes, a tanned skin and a sweet face. She looked absolutely normal, but there was something about her that made her more then pretty.

Mimi decided that it was just her attitude and the way she smiled. Kay turned back to her and smiled. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But we've pretty much always been together. There hasn't really been anyone new in our class beside you. So, how's life?" Mimi laughed and they started talking, and she knew she'd found a new friend.

When the bell rang to announce lunchtime, Mimi and Kay had talked pretty much through all of the lessons, and Mimi had told her everything. Kay even knew about Matt and she herself had confessed her feelings for one of Tai's friends, a black-haired boy named Fei. "I can't believe I actually told you that! Not even my other friends know!" Kay had exclaimed when they entered the cafeteria. Mimi laughed. "Tell me about it, it's not like I was planning on telling you about the whole Matt- thing. But… Well, I don't know. I just feel like I can trust you."

Kay smiled and nodded, slipping an arm through Mimi's. "Same here, buddy. So, you're friends usually sit at that table. Let's wait until they're all there." Mimi nodded and they waited a bit, leaning against a wall, their lunch in their hands. When Daisuke had finally sat down, Mimi pulled of her hat and they walked towards the table, still arm in arm and having a bit of trouble of keeping their lunch in one piece

When they reached it, Mimi smiled and asked. "Hey guys, mind if Kay and I join you?" The whole table turned silent for a moment and all eyes where open in shock. Then suddenly Tai jumped up and ran to her, hugging her and whirling around with her in his arms. "Meems!! I can't believe you're here!! This is so great! How I've missed you this weekend, my fingers where itching to call you! So this was the surprise!"

Mimi laughed and clinged onto him. "Of course, you idiot! I've missed you too; do you know how hard it was not to tell you?" Kay laughed, holding Mimi's lunch and her own as she'd grabbed it away right before Tai hugged her. "Mimi, you do notice your friends are gaping at you." Mimi blinked and so did Tai. He let go of her and blushed a little. Mimi laughed and hugged him one last time, really tight. "You know, my mom is going to be very happy with the phone bill from now on." Tai laughed. "Yeah, mine to." They let go of each other again, only to see their friends looking at them in surprise and Sora looked like she could kill Mimi.

Kay noticed this and whispered to Mimi what she thought about it. Mimi burst out into an uncontrollable fit of laughter, while Kay supported the motion by laughing to. Eventually, they both almost fell until Tai held them up. "Okay, will you two relax for a moment? I think everyone wants to talk to you, Meems." Mimi nodded and giggled a bit. She smiled and waved again. "So, what's up guys?" She asked.

Sora stood up angrily. "What's up? You dare to ask? You come here, not telling anyone except me that you're coming in the first place. Then you act all buddy-buddy with that bitch," She pointed at Kay and Mimi wondered why Sora thought of her new friend as a bitch, "And last of all you and Taichi act like you're madly in love. What is with that anyway?" Everyone stared in shock at Sora, and Matt softly pulled Sora back down. "Calm down, Sora-chan, they're just good friends."

He wrapped an arm around her and Mimi realised all over again why she didn't like Sora anymore. Her face got this stubborn expression and she lifted her chin up defiantly. "First of all, I wanted to surprise the people that I thought where my friends and I hope they still are, even though you're acting like you hate my guts.

Second, Kay isn't a bitch; she's the best girlfriend I've had in ages and on that last matter…" Mimi sighed and put her hat back on, shaking her head in the progress. "Even if Tai and I where in love, which we are not, that is our choice and you shouldn't bother with that."

Sora started to interrupt. "But…" Mimi glared at Sora and shook her head. "But nothing. Don't give me that crap. If you did care about him or me, you wouldn't have done what you did. And I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I don't know what's happened to you these past years, but you've turned into the egotistical girl that I used to be, and I pity you, but most of all I pity our friends."

Everyone looked a bit surprised, but they didn't seem to mad. They had been more surprised by Sora's outburst then Mimi's calm reply. Suddenly, Tai snickered and all eyes turned to him. "I'm sorry to say, Sora, but Mimi is absolutely right. And Kay isn't a bitch either, it's just because she's more popular then you are. Now, if you don't mind, and if the rest still wants so, I think Mimi and Kay would like to join us for lunch."

Everyone stared in surprise, Sora looking like she could kill them, Tai in particular for pointing out the truth.. But when Matt averted his eyes and looked at "his" Sora, her expression immediately changed and she looked like she was about to break down in tears.

Kay snorted and glared at Sora. "How pathetic. I think I'm going to sit somewhere else, Mimi-chan. I can't forget what you told me about all of this, and I'm not sure if I can bring myself to be nice to Sora. I'll pick you up later, okay?" Mimi nodded and Kay walked of, chin held up high, looking by all means like she owned the place.

Mimi suddenly remembered something. "Hey Kay! Don't forget to tell me who he is!" She yelled. Kay turned, a blush creeping up to her cheeks. She winked and flashed a smile. "I will! Just make sure you keep your mouth shut to that buddy of yours." She nodded towards Tai, who looked absolutely lost, and then turned to join her friends and classmates.

Everyone else in the meantime had no idea what was going on. Kari and Miyako looked at each other and nodded. Even thought neither liked to admit it, they had to agree with Mimi and they longed to talk with their elder friend. So they both shuffled and opened a place where Tai and Mimi could sit. "Hey Tai, Mimi-chan, come sit here. We want to know all about New York and your trip here." Kari smiled warmly. Tai winked at Mimi, and Mimi returned the wink. "You know, Tai-kun, you have the greatest sister."

Tai laughed and hugged his little sister. "Yeah, she's cool alright!" They sat down and a conversation started; and at the end, everyone joined in, letting Sora sulk on her own while Matt was looking confused from his usual sweet girlfriend to the girl he thought to be Sora's best friend.

To be continued…