Last Edited17.12.o5

Written: 11.o7.o5

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, but by now…you should know that I do own this story. Please don't steal these ideas because they are precious to me, for I have put my own saying and feeling to every word I write in this chapter…and some of the events in these stories are based on (some part) of my life. © Flipstahhz

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Do You Still Think of Me?

PART ONE – Fragments of memories

Chapter Four

By Flipstahhz

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2005

Being a 'senior' was hardly unbelievable and extremely hard to accept. It was their second last year of school, the first month had almost ended. For Yamato, the year so far was hard to adjust to. He had gotten over his parents divorce. He had gotten over how his band was no longer a band. He still felt bad for not being at his younger brother's side all the time. He was growing up so fast. And here he was, in a new phase of his life. When he hadn't even gotten over the transfer to high school and leaving his two close girl friends behind. He tried to forget about them…and her

At first he thought it was a crush that would lead into high school for a bit…but the feeling never left him. They kept in contact through emails. But when he would face her in real life, he felt awkward and strange. Then when he gained the courage to ask her out on Valentine's Day…he was rejected. But he should have had seen it coming. She liked him as a brother…and there was nothing else to it.

But why?

After how bad he tried so hard to get over Sora…the girl was suddenly back in his life again. Not that it was a bad thing. It was just strange. From not seeing her for a long time…he currently was seeing her every day now. She had changed. And he had changed. And he knew that he was falling for her all over again and that he could do nothing about it…

He thought seeing her was uncomfortable, but before he knew it he just didn't see Sora Takenouchi…but was by her side most of the time along with Mimi and Tai. It reminded him of elementary school again. It was the four of them - the small clique. It was as if the clique had reclaimed its title once again. Of course they would hang around each other…Matt was Tai's best friend and Sora was Mimi's best friend. Mimi didn't understand why Sora and him felt uncomfortable around each other…

Matt thought it wouldn't work out. But to his surprise, it did. The group was as close as they had ever been. It didn't even seem like they had been apart for any years at all. It felt perfect. But she…Sora was different from the last time he had been with her. She tended to daydream more, a lower self esteem, was quiet, sensitive, shy and would almost blush at any guy she met. She used to blush at Matt and Tai a lot, but she had become used to their company. Tai treated her like another younger sister, and so did Matt, even though he wanted to be more than that. Whenever guys would tease or hit on her, they were at her side. On the other hand, Mimi was Mimi. She was the same. She was stubborn, nice, confident and always determined to get her way. Perhaps that was why Matt's friend fell for her…

It was as if Tai had just realized that Mimi had transformed from a girl to a real 'woman.' From his point of view, she had become rather gorgeous. She had coloured back her wavy pink hair back to brown. Yamato's best friend had always liked brunettes.

Before Sora and Matt knew it, Mimi and Tai were becoming flirtatious to each other…and suddenly became an 'item.' It was entertaining being with them during lunch break how the two would fight like an elderly couple. Maybe that was how Matt managed to become close to Sora once again. Mimi and Tai were constantly together and the two couldn't just sit there and watch them (especially when it was uncomfortable watching them sometimes make out in front of them). They both felt like a third wheel.

They became closer. He would notice the tinniest things about her. From the way she'd play with her hands when she was nervous, the way her eyes would stare at one place and be lost in a dream, the way she'd shiver when she was cold, the way when she'd play with her pen when she was bored in class, the way she'd sometimes come to school with shades…to hide the tears she had shed…

He wondered why she wore them…

It was obvious that she had been crying. Hiding her tears with glasses did nothing. It just made it obvious that Sora was in pain.

Many times they would ask her what was wrong. She would deny it. She was strong, and kept everything to herself. That's the trait that Matt loathed about her. Because she reminded him of how he acted when his parents split up. How he'd keep everything inside and release his anger and sadness in music and parties. He knew that one day she'd break and that he could do nothing about it. He didn't want her to feel the pain and loneliness…she wanted her to at least tell someone what she was going through - even if it wasn't him) - instead of keeping it all bottled up inside. He had felt the depths of hell before…and he certainly didn't want her to go through it as well. He wanted to find out what was going on. But he never expected that he'd find it out on Mother's Day…

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" Haven't seen you all day!" he greeted. " Good afternoon, Sora!"

"Good afternoon," she answered with a broad smile as she felt the other person sit on the bench next to her, the school day had concluded.

She didn't need to turn around to face the person when she already knew who it was. The sun shimmered its light upon them for a short period of time, but this time she couldn't help but sneak a glance at her company.

As usual, Yamato's dirty blond locks went over his face, that you could barely see his chilly intent azure eyes. She rarely had a clear direct view of his eyes anymore for a long time… though it made her feel rather relieved…cause when she did meet his strong gaze she felt rather uncomfortable and reluctant to his presence. Sora Takenouchi was glad that she didn't feel awkward hanging about with her close childhood friends anymore. But she still felt shy…

" They always take long, don't they?" he questioned, shaking his head.

She nodded and realized that she had been staring at him a bit longer than usual. She quietly stared at her feet. It was true; Mimi and Tai always took their time. She muttered softly, " Yeah…they do."

"Hmm," he sighed back as he put his hands back on the bench, leaning on them.

Though the atmosphere was silent…it was welcoming, comfortable and serene. The way the fiery shaded leaves floated with the breeze..the surrounding didn't make them feel that they were at school grounds.

Breaking the silence, a new voice popped in. "Sorry for making you guys wait!"

Taichi entered the scene with Mimi linked in his arm as the couple ventured closer to the pair whom had been sitting silently on the bench patiently.

" I reckon, that we should waste this entire afternoon and watch a movie!" Mimi exclaimed her suggestion with a wink. " It's Mother's Day, after all!"

" I thought we were going to go shopping for Mother's Day gifts!" Matt pointed out, eyebrows arched.

" Let's just celebrate Mother's Day for ourselves! If it wasn't for such a special day we wouldn't get to finish early," Mimi announced.

" But you aren't a mother, Mimi! Don't be so selfish," Sora laughed quietly with a fragile simper pursed on her lips. " Why do you –."

"I'm not selfish! I was thinking of your sakes too!" she smirked. " See…I thought that all of you would want to watch a film!"

"But Mimi…you're not a mother! Or… are you?" Matt said rather seriously.

"No…why would you think that I'm a mother!" Mimi darted back.

"Yeah, Matt. Why?!" Tai smirked, sensing one of Matt's stupid jokes coming along and decided to play with it.

" Ah…just thought she'd be pregnant," he shrugged casually.

" Matt, you're disgusting!" Mimi glared giving him hard punch on the arm. " We haven't done anything that serious yet! And if we did…you still shouldn't judge me like that!"

Tai spoke thoughtfully, or more like sheepishly, "Yeah, not yet. But in the future, I'd better be the father, Then we'll name him Taichi Junior. If it's a girl…hmm…we'll name her Tairietta-."

Mimi interrupted him with a hard hit in the stomach, muttering, " Idiot!"

Sora laughed. Matt smiled even more. And Tai was trying to sustain his laughter by tending to his stomach that had been hit by his partner.

" We've only been going out for a month! What do you think of me? Some slut-"

" No saying words like that, dear," Tai chuckled, patting her on the head.

It was always like this. Matt and Tai (even Sora at times) would have fun teasing Mimi and watching her get infuriated…It was utter enjoyment. Not that they had anything against her, they just thought it was funny to see her get pissed off so easily.

She pouted and glared angrily at them all. " Typical! All of you ganging up on me like that!"

" I wasn't in on this, this time," Sora waved her hands in the air, " It was them!"

"Aww…come on Meems, I was just kidding," Tai exclaimed then put the blame onto the person next to him. " Not like Matt…"

"Put it all on me. Traitor," Matt rolled his eyes as he watched his brunette friend put his arm over his girlfriend.

" Let's just watch the movie now…okay baby?"

"I'm not a sook," she gave him a greasy. " Don't call me baby!"

"Ahh…I'd better get going then. Don't wanna disturb the two of you, " Sora laughed. " I need to go home and help my mom with the florist shop. It's Mother's Day so we're expecting lots of customers!"

" You sure you don't wanna come, Sor?" Tai asked.

"I'm fine with it," she said as she began walking away from them. " I'll see you all tomorrow!"

" How bout you, Matt! You comin' my man?" Tai turned to him.

"Nuh…don't want to trail along people making out. Kind of sickens me at times, if you know what I mean," he jeered.

" Then…perhaps you should walk Sora home," Mimi smiled. " Not safe to walk alone you know? Keep her company."

" I was planning to do that," Matt shrugged. " Have fun, you two! Don't get too naughty…"

"Whatever," Tai rolled his eyes as his friend departed.

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The two walked down the streets of Odaiba in silence, until Yamato couldn't take it anymore. He needed to know…

" Sora…"

She looked up at him.

" You've been quieter than usual, the past weeks," he proceeded to talk. What he was saying was the truth. Sora was just about to open up and be more like 'herself' the girl that he used to know a couple of weeks back. But lately…she didn't speak as much and was more distant than usual. She'd laugh along with their jokes and so forth, but she wasn't kidding anyone. It was more than clear that she was hiding something.

" If you don't want to tell me…just tell me some other time, okay?"

" Why…are you walking me to the stall?" this time she stared directly into his eyes, unafraid…with a strange sense of confidence in wanting to know what Matt's intentions was.

" Well, Mimi sort of reminded me that it was Mother's Day and how I hadn't gotten a present for my mum yet," he responded back with a lie…he could have sworn Sora appeared more numb as her gaze shifted to the ground, kicking pebbles on the footpath. Truthfully, Yamato just wanted to walk her home…

" Are you getting your mum anything?" he looked straight ahead, knowing that in time they'd arrive at their destination.

" I already got her something," she replied coldly. Immediately Matt glanced back at the auburn headed girl in surprise. It had been such a long time he had heard Sora sound so cold. Even though the past weeks she rarely spoke anymore, at least her words carried some sense of warmth in them. He didn't understand why her tone had suddenly changed.

He didn't know if it was best to talk or not, but he felt a tingle of relief when he observed a long group of customers waiting for the florist stall to be open.

" Just wait out with them," she instructed as she eyed all the people and becoming a little bit stressed, " I need to change out of my uniform and open the shop!"

"Sure," Yamato said.

He watched her unlock the store and close the door behind her, placing the 'back in 5 minutes' sign on, making the chattering crowd groan.

He shrugged to himself, knowing it was best to head for the end of the line since it was evident that there were people waiting much longer before him. He smiled as he noticed that there were people of all ages lining up to enter the shop. A pair of twins, no younger than seven years old, was paired with their father. It also seemed as if a boy about ten years old had dragged his friend with him and looked pretty embarrassed lining in front of a florist shop, it made him laugh. Sort of reminded himself of how he and Tai hated shopping on mother's day because they hated getting caught in any store that had 'pink.' Though…he did find it quite suspicious of how two mothers ( he could tell because each had a child holding their hands) were in front of him and couldn't control himself and out of boredom to listen to their conversation.

" Helena! This is going to take a long time, waiting here! Haha…I still can't believe we're doing this!"

" That's true! It's like a habit some sort of tradition by now…buying mum a present on Mother's Day. Can't wait for my children to be older and receive gifts from them," her sister giggled.

" Mama…what are we doing?" one of the children asked curiously.

" We're getting your grandmamma a Mother's day present."

" Mother's Day?"

" It's like your birthday. We Mummies have our own special day…"

" I see," the child smiled, and suddenly gave his mum a kiss. " That's my present to you."

Matt grinned. Children always had a sense of innocence and happiness to him. He remembered nursing Takeru when he was younger…and how Takeru was as close in becoming defined to innocent that no one could claim his title. He wondered what TK would be getting their mother…He already had a strong feeling that TK's present would be much better than his considering his brother had a creative side – especially in writing. A poem? Yes, that's what TK would do for mum, he thought.

He realized that he was being pulled to the older woman's conversation yet again. He felt rather giddy listening to their conversation….but when he word them utter the name 'Takenouchi' in it…he couldn't help but listen to what they had to say.

" It's always been this same store we'd buy the flowers for mum from. The Takenouchi's have the best florist stall in town. And to see how that girl continues to bring its name all by herself…"

" What do you mean, Helena!" the woman queried. " What about her mother! Isn't she part of the business? Or did she leave all the work to her daughter?"

"No…off course not! – "

Matt inched closer to hear what they had to say.

" Ms. Takenouchi would never do that to her daughter," she spoke and then continued. " Because…about three weeks ago…"

" What happened? Don't leave me hanging!" the other person exclaimed in suspense.

Yeah, that's right…don't leave me hanging too Yamato thought.

" Three weeks ago…I heard from Susanna that the poor girl's mother died from cancer," she revealed in a hushed husky voice.

" Poor girl…she sure is strong…she acts as if nothing has happened…"

Matt stood there in astonishment. Could it be true?

"That's right," Matt spoke quietly to himself with a sharp frown… " She acts like nothing has happened…"

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