Author's note: Edited on October 15, 2005. I don't own Digimon or INVU. I took the review replies out since you aren't allowed to have them anymore. Or so they say.

Tutoring and Rollerblade Lessons by Strawberry'd

Chapter Two: Of Part-Time Jobs and Falling Down

I can't believe they're going out so soon... Sora thought. But then, that's Mimi's best subject, Flirting 101.

The math teacher droned on and on about some theory but Sora, in her own little world, heard nothing but her own thoughts. And I don't have any money, either! I need a job...

"Miss Takenouchi! Miss Takenouchi!" the teacher called to Sora.

"Sora!" Aiko called to her.

"Huh? What? Um…" Sora paled at the sight if the teacher looming over her.

"And the answer, Miss Takenouchi?" he asked.

"The War of 1812?" Sora guessed.

"We are in Math class, Miss Takenouchi, not History and I suggest that you stop daydreaming or you will fail my class! You'll have all the time to daydream then!"

Sora pouted and nodded.

"Now, onto Algebra…" The Math teacher continued.

No one knows how Sora got out of there, or how she managed to stay awake and STILL get all her homework.

"Is it 3 already?" Sora looked at her watch. "Sorry, Aiko, I have to go meet Mimi at the café. She said something about getting me a job."

"Oh, alright, we can finish our science project later." Aiko got up and dusted off her knees, then showed Sora to the door.

"I'll see you some other time! Bye!" Sora waved and ran out.

Walking to the café, Sora thought of all the jobs she could have. Cashier? I don't like it. Should I work at a fast food place? Maybe as a waitress? Hmmm…

"Sora! Over here!" Mimi waved her over to the table. Sora sat down and flushed a bit at the sight of Taichi.

"Taichi found you a part-time job!" Mimi told her excitedly when she sat down.

"How does a gas station sound?" he asked her. Sora remained nonplussed. "You won't be able to find better pay anywhere else and since its part time it won't affect your school work. The guy I know says a spot opened up. You need to work on the weekends, six hours a day. And it's not far from here." He continued.

Mimi turned to him. "You never said it was at a gas station! How can you suggest for her to work there? It's dangerous for pretty girls!"

He shrugged. "Money doesn't grow on trees. If you know how to skate, it won't be a problem."

Sora looked confused. "Skate? You mean rollerblade?"

"You'll get paid the same rate as the guy you're replacing. $8.60 an hour. And you can start this weekend." He said.

Work only on the weekends… Wait a minute… that's $412.80 a month! That much! She quickly calculated it in her head.

"Are you going to take the job or not? I occasionally work on the weekends myself, when it gets busy." Taichi informed her.

"I'll do it!" Sora told him, slamming her palms on the table and rising. She looked determined. I've never rollerbladed before, but… I'll do whatever it takes! As long as I can learn before the week is over.

"Good." Poor girl, she must have a hard time. I heard she doesn't have a mother and she's living with another family, Taichi mused.

Seeing what Taichi was thinking about, Mimi sighed. He must have misunderstood what I told him about Sora.

"Eek! $161.00! $856.00! Wow they're so expensive! Here's one for $128.00. They're so heavy… how am I going to learn to rollerblade by this weekend?" Sora examined the prices on the rollerblades at the local sporting store. Her mother had given her a credit card for her personal use, but Sora didn't feel right using it. That's why she wanted the job.

"How am I supposed to pay for these?" She murmured, despairing. "Maybe… just once?" Scrunching up her nose, Sora debated over the issue.

"Don't pass notes to me in class, ok?" he told one of his friends. Someone was waving their arms frantically and caught Taichi's eye.

The next day after school, Tai was walking by and he noticed Mimi's friend, Sora. She was trying to rollerblade but failing miserably.

As he continued to watch her from the corner of his eye, he grew more and more confused. What is she doing?

Sora was having difficulty standing up. She was trembling and shaking and trying her hardest to stay upright and not to fall over. She attempted one step and fell. A crowd grew around her.

"Dude! She fell," a laughing voice said.

"Skate like this! Like this!" another was trying to help her. They all continued to laugh,

Taichi's friend called to him as he turned away. "Aren't you coming, Tai?"

"Nah, that's alright, I'll catch up to you guys later." He waved.

"Ok, we'll be playing computer games at my house so come over when you can!" He turned and walked off with his friends.

Sora wiped the sweat off her brow. Whatever it takes; I have to know how to skate by this weekend! Not just how to skate, but to skate well and work at the same time! She stood up shakily. I still have to do my English homework and math as well.

Again she tried to walk slowly but that only resulted in a fall.

"If you're going to fall, at least try to fall forward! Do you want to die of a concussion, you klutz?" a voice came, strangely familiar.

What! A klutz… she grew angry. "Hey! Who are you calling a klutz!"

"Come here!" Taichi grabbed her by the hand and pulled her.

"Ack! Oh, whoa…" she pitched forward into his arms.

"Hey! What are you doing? You're going to fall!" Taichi yelled at her.

With a blush she yelled back, "You think I'm doing this because I like you? You're the one who pulled me!"

"Just when did you start wearing those?" he asked.

"Let's see, today!" she answered hotly.

He rolled his eyes. "Forget about it! With your amazing talents, instead of working, you'll be in a cast within two weeks!" he turned away. "Look for another job!"

Sora's eyes grew wide. "Wait!" she tugged on his jacket. "As long as I learn, it shouldn't matter. How hard can I be? Everyone knows how to rollerblade!"

"Yeah, that's why I'm surprised at you can't! Aren't you on the tennis team? I heard you were good at soccer and ice skating as well, so why can't you rollerblade?" Taichi asked her.

"That's different! Soccer and tennis are on feet, not wheels and ice skating is different too! You have to help me! I spent what little cash I had to buy the rollerblades! You can't go back on your word now!"

"So? What does that have to do with me?"

"What!" Sora exclaimed. "You think I'm just joking around!"

"Hey! With your cute face and better-than-average figure, you should be able to get an easier job that offers a lot more money." He looked down at her.

She swiped at him. "W-what! Are you done talking!" The sudden movement she made caused her to lose what precious little balance she had. "Uh, oh… whoa… ouch." Sora fell again.

Tai held his cheek in shock. Did she just… slap him? "Hey! If you're going to skate, at least wear safety gear!" He yelled, his temper rising.

"Shut up! If you're not going to help me, then butt out!" She looked near tears. "Did you come into this world with skates on your feet?"

I still can't believe she slapped me… "And if I did?" he reached out. "Here," Taichi helped Sora up.

"If you're so great, can't you be a little nicer and teach me? Anyways, you're the one who butted into my business."

Silence.

"I heard you don't date guys like me."

H-huh? Sora thought, dumbfounded. She stared at him with wide eyes. "Hey! Who said that? Sora cried out, indignant. "Anyways, when did I say I wanted to date you? I only asked you to show me how you skate!"

"My lessons are quite expensive." He said with a side glance at her. He started to walk away.

"Go ahead! Bleed me dry!" she yelled at his retreating figure sticking her tongue at him.

"Well, we'll try it for one day and if you can't figure it out we'll give up! I've got better things to do, you know!" he yelled back.

Sora pouted and watched as Tai walked off in the distance.

Edited on 10/15/05.