"I said no Sora," said Matt running a hand through his hair angrily.
Her voice came back on pleading "Come on Matt be a good boy. It's not such a big favour to ask is it? You can drop her off at my place if you like."
"The problem is Sora I don't even know her!"
Sora's voice sounded almost offhand as she said laughingly, "What's to know?"
"Look Sora your organisational problems are really none of my…"
Her voice was low and quiet now, a silky, dangerous kind of voice. "What problems Matt?"
He gulped audibly. "N-nothing at all." He added hastily.
He heard her give a frustrated sigh and could imagine her standing by the door foot tapping and red hair perfectly combed. " Matt it's simple. Really. I have to meet Tai today for a meeting I can't miss. If I don't go my whole job will be ruined and Tai will be in a whole lot of trouble. Besides this…" she continued without letting him interrupt. "I only found Mimi was coming today. On such short notice I just can't cancel anything. You're the only friend I trust enough to do it. Please Mat pleeeeease?"
"Why can't she grab a taxi?" he said roughly as he pulled on his coat.
He was sure she was smiling in a satisfied way as she replied, "Oh no Matt, she'd much rather see you then a cab driver. Anyway what kind of friend would I be to leave my best friend stranded?" There was the click of a phone being put down and Matt grumbled to himself as he walked out the door. "The kind of friend that didn't wake up their so called 'other' friends at 7:00 in the morning so that they can do their 'friends' jobs for them."
Mimi adjusted her sunglasses as she stepped out into the lobby of the airport. Cameras were flashing and she could see a reporter approaching her…fast. With a sigh she straightened her hat and pulled down her skirt before turning to face the reporter with a winning smile. The reporter stared at her breathlessly, admiration and awe mixed up spectacularly in her face. "Are you Tachikawa Mimi?" Mimi barely restrained herself from rolling her eyes. 'No,' she almost considered replying. 'I'm her mad evil twin sister out to destroy the world! Muahahaha!' Not that, that would go down well. "Yes it's me the one and only," she said posing for the cameras.
"Would you mind giving me a short interview?" questioned the reporter hopefully.
Mimi craned her head to see over the goggling heads of the people. "Actually I'm waiting for someone…"
The reporter's head bobbed up and down excitedly like a lantern on a stick. "A boyfriend?"
Mimi's smile was feeling a bit forced now. "Not exactly…"she began before a tall blonde boy pushed his way through the crowd. "Sorry folks here to meet the bimbo you're all staring at so make way please." Mimi felt her cheeks heating up in horror, disbelief and something else…what was it? Oh yes. Pure indescribable anger. The reporter glanced at the handsome young man and then back again to Mimi looking as if she had swallowed a scoop, no make that two scoops of delicious ice-cream…with sprinkles on top. Now Matt was right next to her, his casual, inexpressive face not giving off the slightest interest in her…until he saw the reporter. Then smiling wickedly he snaked a hand around Mimi's waist and whispered huskily in her ear (but still loud enough so that the whole airport could hear if they listened hard enough; which most of the airport was indeed doing) "Let's go spend some private time together eh darling?"
The reporter shoved her microphone into Matt's face. "You're the lead singer of that band aren't you? Mind refreshing us all with your name?"
"It's Yamato. Yamato Ishida."
"Peachy Perfect," thought Mimi
Matt couldn't help smiling when he saw her. Not that he was happy or anything of course, it was just so pleasing to see her surrounded by reporters and cameras, looking so flustered and annoyed and bothered and sexy…Matt blinked. He wasn't sure how the last bit came in.
Eventually though her realised that even though watching her being mobbed was pleasing if she told Sora he would probably be killed so pushing his way through the crowd he made his way to her. However a reporter and a blushing Mimi just calls for teasing…actually Mimi called for teasing anyway but that was beside the point.
"Let's go spend some private time together eh darling?" Matt grinned when he said that but at the same time touched his throat to see how he made it go so husky…and why in the world did Mimi smell of strawberries? It wasn't right for such a horrible person to smell so…good.
At that moment he felt her small hand on his arm. "Ishida," she asked her voice cold. "Why don't we go outside?"
Matt smiled. "Pleasure sweetheart. Bye folks, so nice to meet you. Me and my…mmph" With Mimi's firm palm over his mouth he couldn't say anything…besides mmph of course. As she literally dragged him outside her face furious he decided to act as if nothing had happened because of course…nothing annoyed her more! As soon as they were outside she removed her hand from his mouth and turned to face him. Matt grinned at her. "You can drag me anywhere, anytime Mimi. Did you see the way people looked at us?"
She rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Yes Matt, and that was a bad thing understand? A very bad thing! We never want that to happen again do we Matt? DO WE?" Matt winced. How come someone so much shorter then him could make him fell so vulnerable?
"No," he answered obediently. Immediately her cheerful face returned as she looked around the car park for Sora. "So where is everyone?"
Matt scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well you see Sora and Tai had this meeting that was really important and since Sora only found out you were coming today she didn't have time too…" Mimi waved her hand and cut him off. "So that's why they're not here. I thought it would be something like that." She began to walk towards a long black car that was shining in the sun. Matt gaped at her then ran towards her. "How did you know it was mine?" She flashed him a smile. "Simple. I just imagined what car a stupid airhead loser would buy and then here it was!" Matt's expression turned murderous as she giggled loudly. " Well you've got to admit it's hardly practical in this hot weather and it's hardly low profile either."
"Who says I want to keep a low profile," he grumbled softly as he climbed in.
" Oh please," laughed Mimi. "It's basically the only thing they have to write about you. 'The Great Matt Ishida is as reclusive and unseen as ever' 'Matt's last girlfriend gives us the latest news on the hardly seen Matt' etc. etc. etc. I've got to admit it does get boring."
Matt grinned slyly. "So you've been reading about me eh?" He glanced up from the steering wheel and was rewarded by the sight of her cheeks turning slightly pink.
"No! Well-not-n-not-exactly, I was more like-browsing and...it was just…" she stopped abruptly and asked. "What is my favourite present on Valentine's day?"
Without thinking Matt answered, " A Labrador puppy, a pink car or a box of Hershey's kisses," before clapping a hand over his mouth in horror.
"So I'm not the only one who's been doing a little researching," said Mimi triumphantly.
"That was an accident! I mean…I- you-know…Sora quizzed me on them!"
"Yeah right! Admit it Matt I know you were just drooling over my modelling pictures while I was away!"
"I'm sorry I was too busy spending time with my various girlfriends to think about you."
"Mhmm. I'm sure you've been locked in the bathroom with little spotty toads a lot over the past two years."
"Are you saying I date toads?"
"Bravo! The boy has a brain after all!"
"Are you saying I'm stupid?"
"Well if the shoe fits…" smirked Mimi happily.
The car swerved dangerously and Mimi squeaked and covered her eyes. "O.K. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Just please don't get me killed!"
Matt steadied the car and then asked quietly. "Why can't we ever do anything without fighting?"
Mimi looked up in surprise. Matt sounded so serious! He was never serious around her! Well, occasionally but usually all they did was bicker and rant and…
Oh. My. Gosh.
He was right! What kinds of friends spend all their time together fighting? People who aren't really friends that's who! She had to do something about this right away. As Matt pulled over besides a large green house she laid a gentle hand on his arm.
"Matt for once you…you're not wrong. We do spend way too much time fighting and I think we need something to bind us closer, you know something to talk about in common and do together!"
Matt raised an eyebrow quizzically. "Any suggestions?"
Mimi looked tentative. 'Well actually I have one…" her voice teetered out slowly.
Matt's curiosity aroused he looked over at her. "Go on then, I won't bite."
Mimi restrained a laugh at the thought of Matt biting her then seeing that she would have to voice her idea after all took a deep breath and said…
"I think we should do some matchmaking Ishida. It would be perfect."