Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: This chapter was suppose to be longer, but for some reason it was difficult to write. That's why it took so long to get it up. Lots of fluff, but I swear I can't cut it out. I can't cut fluff out of my stories anymore than I can stop breathing. It always sneaks it's way in again even when I do try to ease up on it a little. Anyway, please review!

My Best Friend's Girlfriend

Chapter 19: The Truth Behind a Lie

Matt Ishida

Matt froze and stared at his best friend in shock. He could feel Tai clinging tightly to his black shirt, but he was unable to make himself pull away.

I don't understand. Why does he want to talk about Sora? What does she have to do with our practically non-existent friendship?

Matt had expected to hear a lot of excuses coming out of Tai's mouth, but so far the former leader had not even tried to explain his earlier actions.

Why hasn't he mentioned his absence from school yesterday? I thought he was going to try and hide the fact that he was lying to me by coming up with an elaborate tale about Tomo and his soccer game. So far, he hasn't even mentioned his game in Shibuya, and that makes no sense at all. Why did he mention Tomo if he doesn't want to talk about our friendship?

He had thought it was going to be extremely difficult to find out what was going on in the former Digidestined leader's mind, but that idea had flown right out the window when Tai had decided to mention Tomo.

Okay, I'm definitely confused. Does he want to tell me what's really going on, or not? He knows I'm aware of the fact that he lied to me. He has to be, which means he can't keep what he did a secret anymore. That should be enough to get him talking. I know Tai better than anyone. He always tries to come up with an excuse to explain why he has done something to make me angry, even when he knows it won't fly. Keeping quiet has never been one of his strong points, so why isn't he saying anything?

"Are you okay?"

Matt blinked and gazed into Tai's dark brown eyes. The former leader's face was filled with concern, and there was a touch of fear in his voice.

How can he sit there acting as if I actually matter to him when he has been spending the last couple of days trying to destroy what's left of our friendship?

The warmth of Tai's arms around him was comforting, and that simple gesture of affection brought tears to his eyes. Tai never wasted an opportunity to show him what real friendship was all about, and he cherished every one of those moments. He never doubted how much his friends and family loved him when he was with his best friend, and that was the way it was suppose to be. The former leader's support was one of the things that stopped him from giving into sadness and despair, and it kept the darkness in his heart at bay. He could not ignore the fact that Tai had hurt him, but cutting the former leader out of his life would have been the same as cutting off his right hand. He could not do either one of those things and still remain whole.

"Why?" he asked quietly, ignoring Tai's question. "What does Sora have to do with anything?"

"Matt, I know you're mad at Sora, but she isn't the one you should be taking your anger out on," Tai murmured into his shoulder. "She was only trying to protect you from me."

"And why would I need protection from you?" he snapped.

He wouldn't take it back, would he?

The bracelet Tai had given him was a symbol of their friendship. He wore it all the time to remind himself of what it meant to be the Child of Friendship. That was his strongest quality. His crest was the only proof he needed to confirm what had been inside his heart all along. The object itself was gone, but what it stood for would always be a part of him. Tai's bracelet had made him realize that no matter how alone he thought he was, there was always someone there to lean on in times of trouble.

Anger suddenly boiled inside of him, and he pushed Tai roughly away. He usually did everything he could to hide his emotions, but this time he was unable to mask the fear and sadness in his sapphire eyes.

"Well? Aren't you going to answer me?" His voice was surprisingly calm, and he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.

Tai let out a deep sigh and shook his head. "Listen, Matt. I just don't want you and Sora to end up hurting each other for no reason. You guys make a great couple, and I would hate to see your relationship end on a sour note."

"So would I," he said quietly.

Tai placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he flinched at the sudden touch. His reaction caught Tai off guard, and the former leader quickly pulled away from him, giving him space. The pain in Tai's eyes made him feel sick to his stomache, and he had to swallow a huge lump in his throat.

"Sora's really upset about what happened this morning. I know you have your reasons for cancelling your date with her, but she's still taking it pretty hard," Tai mumbled, avoiding his eyes. "I tried to comfort her, but let's face it, Matt. I'm not you, and you're the only one who can make her happy again."

Matt slumped against the couch and let his eyes fall closed. "I know," he mumbled, feeling suddenly guilty. "I want to fix things with her, but...I don't know. I guess I just need some time to sort out my feelings before I talk to her. You know what I'm like, Tai. I've never been very good at keeping my emotions under control."

"No," Tai agreed. "You always try to suppress them, and then they end up exploding out of you in a flood of hysterics. I know you're not exactly anxious to talk to Sora, but if you don't, you might end up pushing her away for good, and I know that's not what you want. I don't want to be responsible for destroying your relationship with Sora. You guys are my friends, and I'll never be able to live with myself if I end up hurting either one of you."

Matt's breath caught in his throat, and he stared directly into the former leader's dark eyes. Something about Tai's words had captured his attention and created a dull ache in his heart. Is he trying to tell me something?

"Why?" he whispered. "Why did you lie to me?"

Tai stared at him in surprise, and he felt his face turn red with embarrassment. He had promised himself that he would not let Tai see how upset he was, and he had completely blown it.

So much for keeping quiet about Tai's soccer game. He probably thinks I'm the most pathetic person on the planet. I'm the one who's suppose to be figuring out what's wrong with him, not the other way around!

Unfortunately it was too late to turn back now.

Tai buried his face in his hands and shook his head.

"Tai-"

"I'm starting to wonder the same thing," Tai said quietly.

The former leader slowly lifted his head, and Matt's eyes filled with tears again. He had never seen Tai look so lost and helpless before.

How did our friendship come to this?

Matt wrapped his arms around himself and squeezed his eyes shut in an effort to stop the tears from sliding down his cheeks. "Tai, what's happening to us?" he whispered, his voice breaking.

He felt Tai's arm go around him, and he leaned against the former Digidestined leader's side. Immediately he started to relax. He always felt better when Tai would make an effort to try and comfort him.

"I'm not really sure, but I do know one thing," the former leader said quietly. "No matter what happens, I'll always be here by your side. You're my best friend, and nothing is ever going to change that."

Matt slowly shook his head and gently pushed Tai away. "You lied to me, Tai. How am I suppose to be able to trust you again? How is our friendship going to be able to survive something like this?"

"We'll find a way to make things work," Tai said stubbornly. "I know we will."

Matt turned away from the former leader and stared at his feet. "How blind do you think I am?" he whispered, his voice bitter. "I knew there was something wrong with you a long time ago because of the way you kept treating me. You kept acting like I was your enemy instead of your friend!"

"You...noticed?"

He jumped at the sudden feel of Tai's hand on his arm and glanced over his shoulder in surprise. The former leader's dark eyes were filled with uncertainty, and yet, at the same time, Matt detected a glimmer of hope in those deep, brown orbs.

Why is he looking at me like that? He should be upset right now, not...happy? What in the Digiworld is he so happy about? Has he completely forgotten the fact that our friendship is falling apart?

"You really did notice!" Tai gasped. "Matt, why didn't you say something a long time ago?"

"I couldn't!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. He jerked his arm out of Tai's grip and scrambled backwards to put some distance between them. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto the carpet, but he made no effort to suppress them. Tai had already shattered the wall he had built up around himself, and now there was nothing he could do to try and stop his feelings from rushing out of him. "How was I suppose to accept the fact that you were drifting away from me? Saying something would have only made our friendship fall apart even faster, and I can't deal with that kind of pain! I thought whatever was bothering you would just go away if I kept quiet and things could finally go back to normal between us, but that didn't happen, and now look at us! Why are you trying to hurt me? Why? Answer me, Tai!"

Tai moved closer to him and hugged him tightly. This time he did not try to pull away.

"Everytime I hurt you, I end up hurting myself, too," Tai murmured.

"Then why did you lie to me?" he said quietly, his voice trembling. "I asked you that already, but you didn't answer me. I need to know, Tai."

Tai's arms tightened around him, and he hid his face against the former leader's shoulder. "Tai, please. I need-"

"I don't think you want to know the truth," Tai whispered in his ear.

"Why not?" he demanded.

Tai smiled sadly at him. "Because the truth would ruin our friendship for good. I don't want to lose you, Matt, and that's why I lied to you."

"How could a lie about your soccer game cause-"

"I'm not talking about soccer," Tai whispered.

Matt slowly lifted his head and gazed directly into the former leader's dark eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked quietly, his heart pounding with sudden fear.

"I heard you had a conversation with Mimi this morning," Tai replied, avoiding his eyes.

Matt felt his face heat up, and his breath caught in his throat. "What about it?" he asked suspiciously, feeling uneasy. Had Tai just read his mind?

How did he know I was thinking about Mimi, and why can't I get her out of my head? Sora's my girlfriend, and I care about her a lot, but... is that love? Do I really love her as much as I should? Do I love her the way a boyfriend's suppose to love his girlfriend?

"This whole thing isn't just about you and me," Tai said seriously. "It's about Mimi, Sora, and a whole bunch of other things I can't even begin to explain."

Matt froze and felt a chill race down his spine. "Mimi," he whispered"Did Mimi tell you why she was so upset this morning?"

Tai nodded and gently placed a hand on his arm. "Yes," the former leader said softly. "I know exactly what has been bugging her today, and that might be one of the things that hurts you and Sora most of all."