I'm What?
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon—not mine!
SoratoFan: Expect more Koumi in the future…
Kat: If you've got any questions about it, just let me know…
Kay: Thanks!
snowflake: Thanks! I'm glad you like it!
Kuroi Black Nightingale: Sadly, this time I haven't even started Artistic Differences yet. Luckily, I have no school on Friday so it should be up soon!
Sorato-takari: Scream, don't scream…it's up to you! Lol! The answer to the question may be in the chapter…
SoraKoi The Water Goddess: Nothing wrong with a lil pressure to get me to write. Lol!
Crazyamzy: Mimi's not in this chapter, but she's in the next, that's for sure…
BrnttsDoItBest: Lol, I agree with your penname! Lol! Love the name. Yeah, I would hate to go through that all…
Direwolf1427: Yes this is inspired by Princess Diaries.
Mrs. Ishida-to-you: I'm hoping the year will go well too...-winkwink- Hope yours goes well, lol…you're right about the girls writing fics vs. guys…
Inconnu: I liked the movie, but it by far wasn't one of my favorites. I thought the second one was better, but quite truthfully, I like the books much better. Thankfully this isn't turning out like the movie…and it's not really turning out like the books either…
Cherryblossom Sky: Thanks! I don't know if this is better than the book; I'd say it isn't…
Chapter 14: Of Causes and Effects
Monday November 18
Music Appreciation
Yeah, it's been quite some time since I've written. I've had so much to write but never got the opportunity to, as I have absolutely no spare time.
To say that things have gotten hectic would be like saying the sky is blue. Spare time is a thing of the past and the same goes for privacy.
Reporters stalk me everywhere I go. They were crowded around school for the first week after the world found out my secret. Slowly, after learning I wasn't going to say anything and that Antonio is a force to be reckoned with, they've began to leave me alone. But that's only at school.
The outside world is another story. I can't go anywhere without someone stopping to ask for an autograph or people standing around to gawk.
Signing autographs is okay to an extent. It's overwhelming more than anything else. Honestly, I don't mind pausing to sign a sheet of paper for a little boy or girl. I would most likely be the same if I was their age.
But then there are the others who want to meet me, laud me, and tell me how I'm their idol. What have I done to be called an idol? That's not a hard question…absolutely nothing.
It bothers me to be considered one. I haven't done anything to be an idol. So big deal, my dad's a king. Sure, if I had grown up with the luxurious life knowing I was heir to the throne of Prince Phillipe's Isle, maybe I'd be more accepting. But growing up in an apartment, living a plain, normal life, is quite the opposite.
With the exception of my very small group of true friends, school is a nightmare. People still stop and stare at me between every class. Before the incident, ninety-nine percent of the people in school didn't know my name or couldn't point me out in a group of people. Now, I'm the talk of the school. People intentionally go out of their way to bump into and talk to me. "Oh, Princess Sora, how are you?" "Princess, I love your shirt!" "Princess, we're having this big party Friday night and would LOVE it if you'd come!"
People only want me to come to their parties and talk to them to say they've "gotten to talk with the princess." They just want to use me for their chance at fifteen minutes of fame. Believe me; it's not hard to tell which people they are.
Thankfully, though, as I mentioned earlier, I do have one reason to look forward to school: Hikari, Taichi, Takeru, and Yamato. While Mimi, Miyako, and Christine refuse to acknowledge I'm alive, my four other friends…well, I don't know what I'd do without them.
Hikari is the one who really understands me. She's my closest female friend and like my younger sister. Kari knows my deepest darkest fears and secrets usually before I do. She can tell when I'm at my breaking point after the twentieth person that day asks me if they curtsied right. She helps me vent out my anger after Grams loses her temper during a lesson. And she is the only one who knows I've fallen for Yamato. Actually, I think she knew it before me.
It had been about a week ago. Hikari and I were waiting outside for Antonio to pick us up. "Did you hear the latest news?" The younger girl asked. I rolled my eyes at the tone of her voice.
"What's the rumor mill saying today?" People constantly gossip about me, and I can't even begin to name some of these stories. It's not like they're bad or anything personally degrading. They're just all about my love life and who likes me this week.
A bunch of guys have approached me and asked me out. I get a kick out of the whole thing, quite honestly. These guys tell me they've been crazy about me for a long time but were "too shy" to ask me out before. Suddenly, miraculously, they've all gotten a confidence boost. I find this particularly funny; as some of the guys are incredibly popular and had no problem laughing about my friends and me before this princess thing was revealed.
Kari giggled. "You and my brother are going out."
"What?" I exclaimed, but mine wasn't the only voice.
"Sora, you and Taichi are dating?" Yamato asked, and from the look on his face, it appeared the idea didn't pass well with him.
The younger girl grinned knowingly. "It's just another rumor, Yamato. You didn't really believe the two of them were going out, did you?" she paused. "You sounded a bit jealous too."
He tried to hide his look of relief at her first comment, but I caught it. "You really were jealous, Yama, weren't you?" I couldn't keep from smiling. He was jealous about that?
"Of course not," he lied.
A light chuckle emitted from a passer-by. "Bro, you always blink a lot when you lie. I have no idea what you guys are talking about, but I can tell Yamato's lying."
The older blond sighed. "Whatever, hey, there's Antonio with the limo. Takeru and I will walk you two there."
The two freshmen wandered in front of us, lost in a conversation about some random thing. Yamato and I walked behind them in silence, and I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. "You were jealous!"
He glared at me. "I just never would've expected a rumor to be started about you and Taichi."
"You're avoiding the question, Yama." I couldn't keep from smiling. "I think it's cute."
Immediately, I regretted saying it.
He raised an eyebrow, "Cute?"
I bit my lip, knowing I couldn't talk my way out of this one. "I didn't expect you to react that way, but I guess you've reacted the same anything there's been a rumor about my love life." If he could evade the question, so could I.
"None of those guys are good enough for you."
My face tinted red, and I tried to hide it. "Now you're just trying to make up for the whole jealous comment." I couldn't help but feel flattered.
He chuckled. "No, I was being sincere." We reached the limo and waving to me, he murmured, "Maybe I was a little jealous…"
As soon as I sat down, Hikari let out a stream of statements. "Sora, I heard what he said to you! And you should see the smile on your face right now! Oh my God!"
"What?"
"You're in love with him!"
"What…no I'm not!" I protested.
"Yes you are!" Kari grinned triumphantly. "You two have gotten so close during the school year, and he's always there for you no matter what. Sor, you told me everything the other night when you were staying over at my house, everything that's happened between the two of you since school started."
I knew it was feeble to deny it, but natural instinct told me to. "So, he could just be a really good friend!"
"Sora Takenouchi, you and I both know you're denying it!"
That's the thing about Kari; she's very good at reading my expressions and won't give up on me even when she knows I'm lying. And the girl can always weasel the truth out of me. "You'd better not tell anyone…"
Tai is my comic relief. He can make me laugh and smile even when I've had a horrible day. He may not be very book smart, but he's definitely people smart. Taichi always improves my mood and makes me think I've got something to look forward to.
Takeru is like my little brother. He's also a beacon of hope. He offers his ear to listen to my problems and is the most reasonable of the group. The things he says always seem to make perfect sense.
Yamato…I think it's obvious. I've mentioned him enough in here. Let's just say, what would I do without him?
He's continued to be a good friend and is always ready to help me out. Yama's still teaching me guitar. I can officially play "Jingle Bells" and "Smoke on the Water." (Not mine!)
But the only thing that bothers me is that I don't know where exactly we stand. I'm pretty sure we both admitted we like each other but nothing has been said regarding it. If he doesn't do something soon, I will.
I looked up at the clock. Five more minutes. My gaze met three very icy stares. Miyako, Mimi, and Christine all have this class with me and that brings up a rather sour subject.
The three refuse to talk to me, and now they won't talk to Hikari either. They think she's a traitor for siding with me. When I attempted to confront them and apologize as well, Miyako's response was something along the lines of, "Do you hear something…must be the wind."
They refuse to even listen to me and quite frankly, the three are acting incredibly childish. I can't begin to apologize until they realize they have to listen to me.
Thankfully the bell just rang. Time now for lessons with Grams. Yes, I still must have them as I don't know enough about "being a princess" as Grams put it. Then I have a guitar lesson with Yamato.
I can't forget to tell him what Mr. R. had to say in class today. If we're going to test out of the class by playing an instrument, we must play a memorized song and sing along or have someone else sing along to it, proving it's not completely made up. Mr. R. claims it's for the best.
But I can't sing. I'll scare everyone away and then I'm stuck with another semester of this class. Oh well, hopefully we'll come up with something. I've got to go. Grams says she has a surprise for me…it should be interesting…
Thursday November 21
My Room
Grams' surprises are never something I enjoy. Once when I was nine, she gave me tickets to this ballet thing for my birthday and made me go with her. She had promised she got me a "great surprise, and I'd love it." But the thing turned out to be a bunch of old men and women in tights, reenacting the history of Prince Phillipe's Isle. How boring!
There have been a couple other stupid surprises, but I thought nothing could top the ballet thing…until now.
Antonio—who sadly has been forced to follow me around; I feel sorry for the guy, having to sit through all my classes—and I entered Grams' suite and saw her nearly dancing around with joy.
"Grams?" I questioned.
She stopped dancing around and tried to look dignified. "It is about time! I have been waiting."
"Sorry school goes till 3:15." I mumbled under my breath, and Antonio snickered next to me. Luckily, Grams didn't hear.
"Sora, you'll never guess what I managed to do." She paused to let me guess but then changed her mind. "I have gotten you an interview with Talk of the Town for Thursday afternoon! Isn't that great?"
My face blanched. Grams had gotten me an interview with one of the biggest local shows, aside from Oprah. (Oprah's not mine but Talk of the Town is!) "Why?"
"…"
"Grams…"
"Why not? Hundreds of people have requested interviews with you, but you've turned them all down. Why not start now?"
"Grams…" I tried again.
She held up a hand. "My decision is final."
So here I sit, waiting for Antonio to pick me up and take me to the studio. I don't want to do this. Making speeches doesn't bother me. But ¾ the families in the Chicago area watch this show. It's taped during the afternoons and then broadcasted the next night. If something goes wrong…I'm screwed.
Antonio's here…I'd better cross my fingers…
Saturday November 23
The Ishidas
I cannot believe Grams did that. I would never think she'd stoop that low. She's done some rude, blunt things but never anything this horrible, especially considering the way she reacted to this. I can't believe her!
Antonio and I arrived at the studio an hour before the interview was supposed to take place. I was immediately ushered into hair and makeup, and as soon as that and signing a few autographs was done, got moved to the green room.
There I met the host of the show, some perky energetic woman in her late thirties with way too much eye shadow on. Grams met us in there and informed me she'd be joining us for the interview. The woman went over a few of the questions and led us into the main room.
An array of cameras and lights greeted us, ready to expose Grams and me to the city. "3, 2, 1, action!" the director cried.
"Hello again, everyone! Today on Talk of the Town we bring you America's own little royal…"
The beginning of the interview wasn't horrible. The lady asked me how I had found out I was a princess and the questions it seemed everyone had been asking over the past few days. But then it seemed she directed all the questions I could have and should have answered to Grams. It reminded me of the part in the musical Chicago when the lawyer answers all the questions for Roxy Hart. (Not mine either!) Grams wouldn't let me get a word in, even when it was one of my feelings that needed to be expressed. "It's the princess's opinion…" "The princess…"
But the real blow came midway through when the woman made a comment. "So, how did you feel revealing to the press the details of your son and Ms. Takenouchi's relationship?"
My mouth fell open, and I looked at Grams in a state of shock. "The two hotel employees had announced they were going to disclose the secret, and I saw it fit to disclose the information regarding the circumstances. It was all for the best. I do not blame them for telling; it is an awfully hard secret to keep."
What happened to the Grams who charged into the Music Appreciation room two weeks ago and yelled about her lawyers suing the people? All this time, I thought she was mad and yet now, I find out she was part of the whole thing!
"Princess Sora, are there any love interests in your life?"
"N…"
"She's single, at the moment, but when she goes back to Prince Phillipe's Isle in a month, I am planning on introducing her to the baron's son. He's a charming lad."
How dare she! "To answer your question, no, I don't have a boyfriend. But I'm looking for the right guy. I'm only sixteen, though. Being a teenager, it's just natural for my friends and I to talk about guys and who we have a crush on and those kinds of things."
"What she means to say…" Grams gave me an evil look.
The reporter faced me again. "But you're so pretty and popular. Certainly you have been asked out before."
I gave a sarcastic laugh. "Ever since my grandmother and the two hotel employees," I said this rather harshly, "revealed my background, yes, I have been asked out. But I don't want to be asked out just because I'm a princess. That's flat out stupid. And I think it's rather shallow to ask someone out just because they're pretty or popular."
"So do you believe in arranged marriages?"
Grams gave a haughty smile. "Of course…"
"…not. I believe we should each have our own say in who we end up with. We don't necessarily choose who we fall in love with, but I don't want to marry someone just because it was arranged."
The woman smiled. "Well, you heard it here first, ladies and gentlemen. It was a pleasure talking to you both…"
Grams and I walked out to the parking lot, avoiding the mass of reporters and press, and Antonio let us into the limo. The minute, no second, we pulled away, Grams let me have it. "Sora Isabel Anamaría Takenouchi Olivarez, how DARE you do that back there!"
"You're going to lecture me?" I asked incredulously. "You're one to talk, Grams. You told the press the stuff about my mom and dad! After blowing up about how it was going to damage everything…you yelled and screamed about it…you're a hypocrite!"
"I will NOT be spoken to like that young lady! You should be grateful for the things I've done for you!"
I couldn't help it; I laughed. "You put me through hell and back, Grams. I am not seeing anything to be grateful for."
"GET OUT!"
"Antonio," I called, not even bothering to listen to the raging lunatic next to me, "stop the car please."
The car slowly came to a halt, and I opened the door. "You are being childish and immature, Sora!"
"Look in the mirror, Grams, look in the mirror." It felt so great to say that! "See you later, Antonio." I slammed the door and started walking towards my apartment…
Yesterday at school sucked. It seemed everyone had learned I'd done an interview and wanted to know all about it. Reporters flocked my apartment in the morning so I brought a bag full of extra clothes. When this happened, I would stay at someone else's place so I wouldn't get mauled or injured. Mom would just not leave the apartment. She understood. I told her what happened with Grams and after telling me she'd go and give "that ugly baboon" a taste of her own medicine, managed to calm down.
I was planning on staying with the Yagamis, where I spent most of two weeks ago, but they were going to be out for the weekend for their grandmother's 90th birthday party. So, Yamato and Takeru both extended an invitation.
We concocted a plan to get me out of school. Antonio would leave to get the limo and then leave without me. I would sneak out the back with Takeru, and we'd meet Yamato at his car.
It worked like a charm, and I spent the rest of the evening at their place. Mr. and Mrs. Ishida didn't mind at all, and I called my mom to tell her where I'd be. She completely understood and told me she'd call when the reporters had left. Things were fine until the 7:00 news came on. With it came my interview.
Just listening to it almost caused me to scream. I left in the middle, sick of hearing Grams' stupid responses and my failed attempts to butt in. I walked into Yamato's room and slammed the door shut. I was going to be staying in his room, and the two blonde's would be rooming in Takeru's. Mrs. Ishida demanded it was this way. "Yamato has the bigger, nicer room. You deserve to stay there, Sora, you've apparently been through a lot."
I huddled myself up in his bed and tried to calm down. Grams had really done it this time. She had gone overboard. I didn't go to a lesson today. I'm avoiding her until she decides to apologize. I know, I sound a bit childish, but after the way she treated me…wouldn't you act the same?
I was so wrapped up in my thoughts, I didn't realize Yamato had entered the room until I felt him come up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his head on my shoulder. "How are you doing?"
"Shitty, Grams is a bitch."
He chuckled lightly. "From what you told me, I do not blame you for saying that. Things'll start looking up, you'll see. She'll come around."
"She just makes me so mad!"
He pulled me closer to him. "I understand. She had a lot of cruel things to say and wouldn't seem to let you answer."
"You're telling me. I don't know which answer freaked me out more: the one about her being involved in telling the paparazzi, or the one about my love life."
The blonde's embrace around me loosened. I turned my head back to face him. "Yeah, I heard she's got some guy set for you back on the Isle, huh."
"Yamato…I don't care what she says. I'm going to choose someone depending on my standards. She's talked about the guy before, and it sounds like he's exactly like her. I would never go out with him."
"But it seems like she's going to make sure, no matter what, you end up with some royal guy."
He pulled away from me and grabbed his guitar. The boy sat down on his bed and quietly began strumming a melody. "What's that?" I asked, sitting down next to him.
"I found the song you can play for Mr. R.'s class."
I forgot the subject we'd been talking about. "But I can't sing!"
He silenced me with his eyes. "I'll sing it, if you play it."
"You will?"
"Sure, I don't mind."
"What song is it? It sounds so familiar."
He gave a ghost of a smile. "It's a surprise. You'll find out when we perform it in front of Mr. R." I gave him a questioning look. "I just want you to promise me you'll have the song memorized so well that no matter what, you won't stop playing."
I was confused. I wonder why he said that. "Okay," I paused for a second. "Yamato, I want you to promise me you'll forget everything Grams said about my love life."
I didn't get a response. The only thing I heard was the guitar playing the very familiar tune. "Sora?" He finally asked, a good three minutes later, as I sat leaning against him.
"Yeah?"
"Do…do you wanna go out and catch a movie, or go on a walk or something sometime…"
A/N: Well…that went well. Lol! Please review! Hope you guys all liked it! No school on Friday so hopefully I'll have "Artistic Differences" done by then. Please review!