Thunderstorm
"He gave you a bracelet?" screeched a high pitched voice through the phone.
Sora sat on her bed; the phone on one hand and the television remote on the other. She surfed each t.v station while filling Mimi in with the details of her Valentine's Day.
"Yes Mimi…" Sora rolled her eyes at her friend's overreaction; it's just a bracelet, right?
"This is BIG! He's showing his love for you!"
"Hmm, I doubt it. I mean, Matt gave me something too; hell, even Izzy had a gift for me!"
"Matt gave you some- wait a minute, Izzy gave you something?"
"Eh…" Sora tried to go around the subject. "Yeah, Matt gave me a necklace with a heart shaped charm."
"I wasn't asking about Matt." Mimi sternly stated. "What did Izzy give you?"
Sora cringed her teeth. "A music box." She mumbled and there was silence on the other line.
Sora panicked and began to talk again. "No big deal Mimi; it's just a little box, eh..."
There was a heavy sigh on the other end. "Well, I guess I can't always keep him on check."
Sora relaxed. "Oh Mimi, you know you're the only one for Izzy."
"Really?"
"Always and for ever!"
"Ok. Now about Matt, I can't believe he gave you a necklace!"
"Me either..." Sora fiddled withthe silver chain an ran it through her fingers.
"Looks like Tai's got some competition." Mimi's comment caused Sora to blush.
"Mimi! No way would Matt ever like me." Sora's voice held disappointment as she looked at herself in the mirror and frowned.
At that moment, Sora's mother pocked her head into the room. "Sora, could you close the shop for me tonight?"
"Sure mom, but what are you doing here, shouldn't you be down there?"
"I was there. I kept calling but you wouldn't answer your cell phone and the house phone is obviously being occupied." Ms. Takenouchi crossed her arms over her chest and eyed the phone that Sora held in her hand.
"Eh...sorry." Sora sheepishly apologized.
"Anyway, I have to deliver some bouquets west of Odaiba."
"At this time?" It was 8 pm.
"Yes, it's an emergency. Besides, why complain? We have a lot of business at this time."
"Probably because we're the only flower shop open." Sora sarcastically remarked.
"Exactly." Ms. Takenouchi smiled. "So get down there and open up again!" She exited Sora's room, grabbed her car keys from the kitchen table, put on her coat and shoes and headed out.
Sora sighed and quickly picked the phone up, remembering that she still had Mimi on the line. "Mimi?"
"Still here."
"Oh good, sorry about that. I have to go to the shop."
"So I heard."
"I'll talk to you later ok?"
"Ok, bye."
"Bye." Sora set the phone aside and walked over to her dresser where she brushed her ruffled hair.
She then grabbed her long blue coat, put on her shoes, and walked out of the apartment. Outside, the cold crisp air was so thick it almost permeated through Sora's bones. She quickly made her way through the crowd as it began to drizzle. She reached the shop, unlocked it, turned on the lights, put on an apron and sat behind the counter; awaiting last minute shoppers.
Matt lay on his bed staring at the ceiling, contemplating about the events of the day before. The kiss still boggled his mind. In a swift movement, he sat up and looked around his room. The lights were off; the only illumination came from the sparks of lightning from the storm that raged outside.
"Sora..." Matt groaned and flopped back down on his bed.
Seconds later, he suddenly jolted up, put on his jacket and shoes and ran out of the apartment.
"My god I've only been here 20 minutes? It's so boring!" Sora complained to the emptiness of the shop.
"It's raining." She looked out the display window. "I don't think anyone would shop in this weather so I guess it's safe to close." She happily concluded.
She walked around the counter and over to the display window where she switched the sign from OPEN to CLOSED. She then proceeded to clean up. Whilst putting away some flowers, a jingle resonated from the bells that hung from the door that announced an entrance or exit.
"Sorry, we're closed." Sora spoke out, continuing her activity, never taking her eyes off the flowers.
"It's ok, I'm not here for the flowers." the familiar voice made Sora's ears perk.
"Matt?" She turned to face her visitor.
He was literately drenched from head to toe; the storm had thickened.
"What are you doing here?" Sora questioned.
With out a word, Matt walked towards her, cupped her face with his hands and locked his lips with hers. (There was a rumor that in an episode of Digimon- Season 2 Japanese version- Tai kissed Sora in her mother's flower shop. I decided to put Matt in the picture.) Droplets of water slid from his face and lingered between their lips; adding to the sweetness that Sora's vanilla lip gloss created. They melted in each others arms; neither wanting the moment the end. Unfortunately, the kiss was broken just as quickly as it was initiated. In realization of what he had just done; Matt blushed, almost ashamed, and quickly walked out of the shop; disappearing into the rain. Sora watched him leave; her heart pounding due to the rush of the kiss, but also hurting for his sudden departure. She snapped out of her stupor, turned off the lights, locked the shop and headed back home.
Running, Sora made her way to her apartment. The door was locked; her mom was still out on the delivery. Sora entered and discarded her wet clothes and snuggled into dry, warm sweats and a soft turtle-neck sweater. She sat on her bed; hugging her legs close to her chest.
"Why did he run off like that?" She sighed.
The night was still young but Sora didn't feel like staying up; she just wanted to get some sleep. Just as she slithered under her covers; her D-Terminal beeped; announcing a message received. Sora opened it and read its contents.
Hey Sora, you still up?
-Tai
Sora replied: Yes, still afraid?
Tai: Every time.
Sora: Come over then.
Tai: I'm already here.
Sora got up, walked out into the living room and opened the door. Tai stood outside with a pillow under his arm and a sleeping bag in the other. Lightning struck and caused Tai to shiver.
"I can't believe you're still afraid of thunderstorms." Sora giggled as they both entered the apartment and headed to her room.
"They're scary ok." Tai unfolded his sleeping bag beside Sora's bed.
"Well, everything is going to be all right." Sora crawled into bed. "Good night." she turned off the lights.
"Good night." Tai answered. "Sora?"
"Hmm?"
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
They both drifted into sleep.