Hey guys! The story is going to have more mature themes seeing as the gang has to grow up sometime. I swear, the story will start to get interesting.
Five Years Later... (Tai, Matt, Sora) 16, (Joe) 17, (Izzy, Mimi) 15, (Takeru, Kari) 13.
Song of the Chapter: I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys (Although the lyrics make absolutely no sense xD It's a great song that brings nostalgia.)
Five Years Later...
The halls were as loud as usual, with the sound of lockers being yanked open, books and binders being thrown in and then the doors clanging back shut. There were several swarms of girls grouped together throughout the halls, some at the doors of a classroom, a few near their lockers; all of them in places comfortable for chatting and gossiping to one another.
Unfortunately, Sora sighed, she had been reluctantly dragged into one of those particular groups by her best friend Mimi and her other friend Aya who took turns, scoring each other dates.
She and Sora had just met over the start of the school year when Mimi had introduced them to each other. At first, Sora had been a little intimidated by the tall, slender, dark eyed beauty, but she had been able to offer Sora a lot of fashion tips and they ended up getting along fine.
Aya flipped her long, thick brown hair over a shoulder and checked her reflection in her phone. Mimi smiled, throwing her hands onto her hips, clearly knowing what was going to two of them were pretty much made of confidence and beauty; Sora knew she could never have a fraction of either quality.
But she knew she wasn't the only one admiring Aya and Mimi's boldness, Erin, Cho and Haru were all watching with rapt attention and adoration in their starstruck eyes.
"Ladies," Aya announced, ran her fingers through her hair quickly. "Watch and learn." Mimi giggled and then whispered, "Aya's already chosen her target for today. He should be coming soon!"
A part of Sora pitied who the poor, unfortunate, guy was. For her game, Aya challenged herself by choosing a boy and tried to get him from super smooth to super flustered. And for some reason, it always worked for Aya; her game almost always ended with the guy asking Aya out on a date.
But a different part of Sora was stirring, and it insisted on surfacing. It made her want to try and see if she could affect a cute guy, because if she succeeded, that would mean they were interested in her too, right?
That seemed to be the way things worked; Aya and Mimi would relentlessly flirt with a couple of guys until they asked for their numbers. But the girls would dump them the next day. Sora couldn't remember the last time Mimi or Aya had stuck with the same guy for more than a week. The girls really enjoyed their game of getting a guy to ask them out and having a night or two with them, but once they had had their fun, they were gone.
Sora highly doubted she could do the same. No, I know I can't do the same.
"Girls," Mimi interrupted. She subtly pointed towards the blond who was strolling towards them, then raised the rest of her fingers to pass of her gesture as a wave. "There's Aya's guy. And damn, does he look good… If he wasn't Aya's for tonight, I'd be all over him…"
"Matt?" She blinked, completely confused. What was going on?
He walked towards until he was an arm length apart from the group of girls and nodded to Sora. "Hey Tiger. So, you ready to go to biology?"
Sora was still lost over the fact that Aya had chosen Matt.
Over the last couple of years, there were several noticeable changes. Matt was now at least four inches taller over her. His golden hair had only gone blonder and these days; Sora wasn't sure whether his hair or Tai's was spiker. Matt's shoulders and arms had gotten muscular although his soccer passion had declined; he had moved more towards music skills.
It didn't make any sense. Aya only chose the funniest or coolest or most popular people for her little game. But Matt was just… Matt, as he had always been.
Completely oblivious to her thoughts, Matt simply grinned, shoving his hands into his pockets. "That's my name, Tiger." He casually leaned against a locker and crossed his feet. "So what's up?"
Didn't Aya know Mimi and I are good friends with Matt? So why is she playing with him? Wait… No, Mimi knew about Aya's choice. But why didn't she stop-
"We were just talking about a certain, musically talented, extremely cute jock." Aya interrupted, stepping in between them. She coyly put a finger on Matt's shoulder, clearly enjoying the way Matt's eyes were drawn to her finger. As if it was just the two of them, she flirtatiously stepped in closer, and whispered, "I think you might know him."
Matt's eyes flew up back to Aya's as he pausing, trying to interpret her words. To encourage him, Ava's finger traveled upwards, over his old t-shirt, brushing against his neck, and then stopping at his jawline.
"About this guy," Matt stepped in a little closer to Aya. "Did you mean cute? Or," He smirked, his eyes dancing. "Hot?"
She didn't back away or move her finger but her dark eyes twinkled. "You might call him either, but I'd say he's smoking hot."
"Is that so?" His eyes gleamed and he leaned in on her until they were only a few inches apart, wanting to hear her say it, he growled. "So who is this guy?"
"You."
With that confession, Matt surged forwards, pressing his lips to her demandingly. Aya didn't object, throwing her hands around Matt's shoulders to pull him towards her and they kissed hard for a long moment, as if that was all that mattered.
Izzy walked, distractedly thinking to himself. "Lazy coders." He muttered. "Thanks to them, my program's all messed up!"
Izzy suddenly stopped, watching a blond and brunette making out wildly. He knew the blond well; Matt was one of his best friends and it was surprising to Izzy to see Matt with a random girl. The blond had always stuck up for Izzy, going so far as to get into fights with the people who dared to bully Izzy although that number had completely disappeared after Matt and Izzy became best friends. It had turned out a jock and nerd could have a lot in common.
Back to the situation, he told himself. He didn't' know or care who the random girl was but why were Mimi and Sora watching?
Sora rolled her eyes and looked up at the others to see their reactions instead. When Mimi met her gaze, she gave Sora a strange look, but Cho, Haru and Erin were still watching with admiration.
As if two people kissing was something to be admired. Sora thought grumpily. I'm going to be late for class if I keep waiting for him. But we almost always walk together if we can help it…
Izzy walked up to Sora and gave her a small nod of acknowledgement. "Hey Sor. You waiting for Matt?"
"Yeah. Are you joining our class?"
Izzy shuffled his feet, a little embarrassed. "Yeah. My mom had the principal move me up to your grade and she wanted me to be in your class because I would at least know you and Matt." He glanced over to the side where Matt and Aya were still going at it. "Speaking of Matt…"
They watched silently the show for another moment.
But after looking at Izzy's watch, Sora cleared her throat. Matt suddenly broke away, as if only remembering now, they had an audience.
"So," Aya blew a stray brown hair out of her face and breathlessly said, "You've got my number right? I'll see you tonight?"
He opened his mouth to say something, but Sora rolled her eyes and said, "I'll give him your number Aya. See you guys later." She quickly turned on her heel, and then walked away with Izzy following her.
Matt jogged to catch up with his friends, frowning slightly.
Sora was acting a little strangely. Was it because he had been talking to her and ended up throwing himself at her friend? Oh well. I can still talk to her later. He smiled to himself. Before my date. He was still debating between taking Aya to the movies or to a restaurant. Maybe Sora can tell me which one Aya would like better.
"So," Matt cocked his head to the side. "Izzy, my mom told me you're going to be in our class. I can't say I'm surprised, you are the smartest guy I know."
Izzy shrugged modestly, but he folded his hands together, looking pleased.
"So do you have all your stuff?"
"No. I've got to go get it but my locker's right around the corner. Will you guys wait for me here?"
"Course. Just hurry up!"
Izzy snorted to himself when he ducked behind the corner. As if he had any intention of leaving. Instead, he waited silently, straining to hear every word of the conversation that would without doubt, happen.
Sora waited for a moment to make sure Izzy was out of earshot because she didn't care if anyone else heard her. But Izzy was her friend. And Matt's friend. So he didn't need to be involved.
Though he was gone for now…
Sora whirled around to face Matt and snap, "What is wrong with you? Don't you know Aya's just going to have her fun with you for the night and then she'll be gone the next morning?" She hesitated, knowing she was being rude but she snorted. "Or maybe right after you two finish."
"What the hell does that mean?" He asked incredulously. "What is wrong with me? Maybe you should be asking yourself the same question!"
"Me? I'm perfectly fine!" She shouted, throwing her hands into the air angrily. "You're the one who just jumped on my friend!"
"Oh, so you were describing a friend? The way you suggested she would sleep with me sure shows that."
"Yeah? Well am I wrong to say you're going to enjoy it? I think you liked kissing her so I know you'll like sleeping with her!"
Matt stopped yelling, pushing his hair up his forehead with one hand. What gives? Now you're really acting weird. "Why does that matter? And did you ever consider that I might like her?
Her mouth opened and closed for a moment; she looked completely unsure now.
Sora wanted to scream, Of course I did! I thought you liked her, but all she wants from you is a night! She thought miserably. I'd never think you were using her. How could you say that?
Completely oblivious to her thoughts, Matt simply pushed away the urge to say, 'Is that what you think of me?' Instead, he quietly asked, "But what's the real problem? Why are you so upset? Is it just because you're her friend?"
Matt softened and gently put a hand on her shoulder. She looked away as he continued, "Or is there something else you want to talk about?"
She didn't reply.
"Sor, you know I'm not going to hurt her."
She finally reacted by exhaling. "I know that." She whispered. "I just don't want her to hurt you."
His hand dropped and he didn't know if she was kidding or not but she just looked at him intensely, waiting for him to say something.
"Ha!" Matt burst out laughing. "Me? Hurt over a girl? As if! The last time a girl hurt me was when she kicked me in the balls." He paused for a moment then burst out laughing again. "Oh wait, I think that was you!"
Sora looked at him, mixed feelings running through her head. How could he be such an idiot, after she had just told him that Aya would chew his heart out? Her heart tightened as she watched him, still choking on laughter. And how could she have been so stupid to worry about him? I thought that's what best friends were supposed to do.
He finally stopped, realizing she was glaring at him. "I'm sorry Sora," He said softly. "But you don't need to worry." Again, she didn't answer him. "I'm going to find Izzy so we can both cool off?"
He waited, hoping she wouldn't object because this had been extremely awkward; they didn't talk about weird things like their relationships very often to each other... and they usually had a mutual understanding to important things. Did this count as important?
"So… I'll see you later?"
"Yeah. Sure." A pause followed each word as if she wanted to say something else. "Um. Bye?" He nodded and then started towards Izzy's locker.
Sora sighed sadly. Oh Matt, she's going to hurt you. How can you not believe me? I just want the best for you. She started walking away the opposite direction, not caring where she was going. She just needed to get away from the blond idiot she called her best friend.
"Sora, wait up!
The tennis player was surprised to hear Mimi but she turned around anyways and feigned a cheerful smile. To her delight, Aya was running right behind Mimi. Great.
After they had caught up to Sora, Aya exclaimed, "Sora, we were just talking about your boyfriend!"
"Wait-wh-what?" That comment snapped her out of her sarcastic faze. "You mean Izzy?"
"The computer genius? No that boy has Mimi's name scrawled on him."
Mimi protested half-heartedly, "What do you mean? We're just good friends."
"Un-huh. Emphasize on the word good. Anyways, I mean Matt."
Sora's mood soured and she bit her tongue to stop herself from saying, So you came here to brag about your soon-to-be conquest? Instead, she crossed her arms and said, "I don't think you know what you're talking about. He likes you a lot. Remember five minutes ago? When he was all over you?"
Mimi and Aya shared a look.
"Okay, I know my flirting might have been a little encouraging," Aya covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "But I'm not actually interested in Matt. He's cute if you like the 'pretty boy' look but he's not my type. And anyways, I was just trying to test the connection between you two, Mimi's idea."
"Thanks for blaming it on me." Mimi laughed, pushing Aya away. At the same time, Sora blankly asked, "Are you insane? He's just my best friend."
"Oh puh-leeze, he's so into you, it's adorable! He just kissed me because he wanted to make you jealous. Didn't you notice how guilty he looked when you interrupted? And then, the smart boy realized that wasn't a good way to get you to date him so he backed off."
Before Sora could object, Mimi answered first. "Actually, I don't think that was what he was thinking. I mean come on; we all know they're blind to our thoughts and feelings."
Sora was about to agree gratefully before Mimi added, "But I do think Matt likes you.
She groaned. "Go away!"
"Well you have to think about the fact that Matt hasn't ever dated anyone for more than a month."
"That's because he's a player."
"Or because he's only going to commit to you and is waiting for the right time to ask you out."
"That's ridiculous! We've known each other for five years now so he could have asked me out anytime he wanted."
Aya shouted triumphantly. "Ha! You just considered Matt might like you. And I have to say, you didn't sound too disappointed there, even though you keep telling me that you're just friends."
Sora felt her cheeks heat up as she shook her head hard. "No! I mean yes! I mean, no, I didn't just consider it because I know for a fact he doesn't like me. And yeah, I'll keep saying it, because that's what we are!"
"Right, you're friends… Friends with benefits?" Aya wiggled her eyebrows while Mimi laughed hard.
"No!" Sora was blushing harder now and she didn't even know why. Maybe it was just how ridiculous the thought of Matt and her fooling around was. "Shut up guys! I mean, five minutes ago, he basically told me he liked you!"
"What?" Mimi exclaimed.
Aya groaned. "Please tell me you didn't actually give him my number."
"No I didn't, but only because I forgot." She admitted. "Anyways, I came back because we-" Sora stopped abruptly. She certainly wasn't going to tell them that she thought Aya was going to hurt him because they was only going to use that to boost their argument.
She pretended to check her watch, yelped, "Oh crap! I've got to go!" and then began running back towards the science lab. Thankfully, Mimi and Aya didn't object and Sora didn't look back although she knew that Mimi and Aya would be talking about their conversation. They were going to bring this issue up again, she knew it.
She strode off towards the general direction of the science lab, finally left to her thoughts alone. A pang of guiltiness washed into her when she wondered if she had the right to tell Matt about Aya. Was it not her duty as one of his best friends to tell him the truth, that Aya wasn't interested? But how was this not going to hurt him? Wasn't she supposed to tell him?