Disclaimer: I do not own .Hack or any of it's characters. I do, however, own My Characters, and you should most likely ask before using them, please. Thank you.

:Eternal Sunshine:

Chapter 2: How did we meet?

Mya finally caught up with Tai, but she left Effie and Sirena by themselves. She told them she needed to talk to Tai alone. They understood. They knew the bond between Mai and Tai and even though they didn't understand it, they respected it. Mya was panting by the time her and Tai stopped running. Tai was looking at the ground, not speaking. Mya glared at her and slammed her into the brickwall of the alley they were in.

"Just what is your problem!"

"Nothing. I don't know what your talking about. I'm perfectly fine today."

"That wasn't what I meant, and you know it. You've been acting weird lately. You haven't showed up for school, your ignoring emails. Zane wrote me, me, and was worried about you. You haven't talked to any of them since the contest, have you? Answer me!"

Tai averted her gaze. She knew perfectly well what Mya was talking about. And in truth, she hadn't spoken to Zane, or Jezza, and Ryu, or any of them. Since the ice contest, she'd blocked out most people. Mya slapped her hard on the cheek.

"Answer me, dammit!"

"No, I haven't spoken to any of them. I barely even talk to you guys.."

"Yea, we've noticed! Whether you like it or not, we care about you. What's wrong?"

Tears made tracks down Tai's cheeks. Mya was her best friend, and in the darkest hours, her only friend.

"The night of the ice festival was the night my brother came home. He's been away at college. And...I've been spending time with him. He won't speak to my mom. He blames her for dad walking out. So it's been constant fights..I'm sorry, I didn't mean to block you guys out. I just...needed time for myself.."

Mya let her go and smiled, "Hey Kiddo, we're here for you, forever and always. I don't want you to go back into that black hole again."

Tai smirked. Mya knew Tai's secrets. Mya knew that Tai had once been a nobody, and now she was popular and loved. All because of Mya. And now because of everyone else. Tai had introduced Mya to The World, but they both went together into it. Tai had learned to make friends, and eventually Mya wasn't around as much. But Mya was always around enough to be like a sister.

Tai lept away from the wall and started to walk back, "The others are probably freaking out. We might wanna go find them!"

Mya laughed and chased after her.

Tai turned the corner tightly and smacked right into Sirena. Mya came shortly after and tripped over them both.

"Oww..."

"What do you mean, "Oww" ! I was the one that was trampled!"

Tai heard effie laugh, and then arms were around her middle, picking her up and setting her right. She blinked, and smiled up at her savior.

"Hello Ryu. Long time, no see."

"Hmm...only because you don't answer my call. Effie messaged me and told me to come. You alright?"

Tai patted the dirt from her clothes and pushed her hair back.

"Yea, I suppose. Everything's alright now. I'll explain later. I suppose your gonna tell Zane and them you saw me?"

"Obviously. They all are worried about you. We haven't seen or heard from you in months."

"Hm..Well, tell Zane to email me and I'll send him something of value."

"What would that be?"

"Her phone number, " remarked Mya quietly.

Tai blushed and glanced at the ground. Ryu sighed.

"Well how come I can't have your number? Your 17, right? Therefore..."

"Don't flirt, you sound pityful," laughed Mya.

Ryu glared and stepped back to teleport, "Fine, I'll tell him.." and then he was gone.

Mya wrapped her arm around Tai's neck. A crash was heard, and Derrin crashed into Sirena.

"OH COME ON! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Derrin stared at Serina as she continued to rant. He had black hair, medium length. It went into his saphire blue eyes. He looked daring. He was only 19. Tai was 17, same as Mya. Serina was 15, and Effie was 12, but she was exceptionally smart, which was why they liked having her around. She was fun to be with, too.

Effie lept off of the bin she was sitting on and helped him up. He smiled flirtingly at her. He'd never actually hit on Effie, since she was too young for him, but since she had a crush on him, he was always being nice to her. Effie blushed and mumbled her words, stepping back to let Sirena up. Derrin looked up at Tai and Mya, smiling at them. Mya raised an eyebrow teasingly.

"You finally came out of hiding?"

"Yea. Didn't want any of you to worry," he said, winking at her.

Tai gained at blank look, which meant she was either getting a message, or she was sending one. Mya looked at her.

"Did you send him your phone number?" she said mockingly.

Derrin obtained a serious expression, "Gave who your phone number?"

Tai blushed, "No one! It was a message from my mom..I gotta go."

Effie waved frantically, hopping up and down, "Okay, I'll email you incase I get anymore rare items!"

Sirena smiled, "I'll email as well."

Derrin was glaring at her, and he just waved and turned around.

Mya laughed at him and looked back at Tai, "I'll call you later, ok?"

"Ok!" Tai stepped back and exited the game.