Hi guys! Apologies for the long wait! I was thinking about dropping this story cause I didn't really take it in the direction I originally planned... But some very kind users have convinced me not to. :)
The middle to the end is probably a lot better written, so I promise, if you make it through the boring beginning, you might actually enjoy this chapter. xD
As usual, thanks for reading!
Matt turned the corner, still thinking about what Sora had said to him. Did she actually think he'd be upset if Aya didn't want to date him? Okay, maybe a little… But only because it had been a while since he had gone out with someone… And he could use some fun.
Izzy chose to ambush him, grabbing the taller guy by the shoulders. "Matt, what's with you?"
"Geez, Izzy!" Matt pushed him away, rolling his eyes. "Don't do that again. I almost bitch slapped you."
"Is what Sora said true?" Izzy demanded. "What happened to swearing off girls? You still have feelings for her, don't you?"
Shit. Bringing up issues in a hallway is like inviting people to gossip about you. Matt thrust Izzy to the side, away from the rest of the students strewn around the hall and hissed, "Hey man? Could we not talk about this right here?"
"When else are we going to talk about it?"
"I don't know," Matt said sarcastically. "Maybe when no one else is listening?"
Izzy scowled, eyebrows knitting. "Fine, meet me at lunch, one thirty?"
"I've got lunch at two fifteen."
"After school?"
"I've got a band practice."
"At my house?"
"Just to talk? What are we, girls?"
"Well would you rather talk about it here?"
"Fine! I'll call you after six."
Ha! Band practices end at six thirty and pretending they'd extended it would be easy to do. Screw mushy gushy conversations and feelings- Matt wasn't going to sit through that.
"So? Ya happy yet?"
"Somewhat."
"Then let's get to science."
For a couple of minutes, they walked in silence, listening to clips of conversations from the other students they passed. But Matt couldn't shake off what the computer genius had said. He even distinctively remembered the days when he constantly tried to show off and impress her.
"Matt, you still have feelings for her… Don't you?"
Hmm… 'Feelings' was a strong word. It really was just-
"A crush? Wait, Matt has a crush on Sora? Tell me you're not messing with me,"
He tightened his grip around his books, trying to push away his thoughts but there was still one that begged to be answered.
Did she ever like me back?
Sora fumed to herself, flinging her bag onto to the bus seat across from her. She wasn't sure whether she was still mad because Matt laughed her concern off or that Mimi really thought she was jealous.
Me? Jealous over Matt?
Mimi, we both know pretty boy had a thing for you. Every time you wanted to go somewhere, he volunteered to drive you. He always waited until you were around to play his newest songs; for goodness sake, he was practically dedicating them to you!
So if anything, you should be jealous. And definitely not me. Which I'm not.
A few seconds passed as she sat with a fixed, determined glare on her face.
If that idiot still wants to be with Ava, that's his problem! Stupid Matt-he's exactly like all the other boys!
Almost immediately, she buried her face into her hands and gave a long, ungodly groan.
Why the hell am I still thinking about it? StupidStupidStupid!
Tai watched the self-conflict scene with vivid interest and little concern. "Yo Sor," He slipped into the seat next to her. "Are you okay? It's like you're having a seizure."
She gave him an icy glare and he flinched. "Do you think you're helping?"
"Well… I guess not, but-"
"Tai. Buzz. Off."
"Oh come on! What's with you?"
"Nothing." She mumbled, turned away. This drew in his curiosity and he leaned in towards her, simply staring. Eventually with the growing silence, she threw her hands up and finally gave in.
"All right, all right! Mimi thinks I like a guy."
Suddenly his throat went dry and he choked a little. "What? Who?"
Damn it Sor. At this rate, I'll never get a chance with you.
"Does it really matter?"
Yeah it does…. I'll find him, and if he doesn't back off, someone's going to end up with a kicked ass.
There was a frustrated glint in Sora's eyes. "Anyways, I don't like him that way, but does Mimi listen to anyone other than herself?" As her rant progressed, so did her voice's volume. "Nope! She just has to make everyone listen to her thoughts, nothing anyone else says or thinks or feels matters. Is having that girl listen really too much to ask?"
Relief hit Tai, like water dripping from a tap. But then it suddenly morphed into suspicion, pushing Tai to shoot her an odd look.
Well, at least he had reason to.
"Why are you so riled up over this?" That's why you're mad?
"We all know that's just how Mimi is. Getting that girl to listen is like trying to get her to change her mind." He slid to the edge of his seat and deadpanned. "Downright impossible."
Sora rolled her eyes. Unamused, Tai noted. But on the bright side, at least she wasn't hitting him.
"Yeah, I know." She rubbed the back of her neck, tired frustration crossing her facial features. "But for once, I wish…" Sora paused for a second, seeming to be thinking to herself. Silence ensured. First it was a mere couple of seconds. But then it slid to fifteen. Then thirty.
As impatient as he was, Tai remained silent, his elbows on his knees, his back hunched. But he waited. Sora would continue when she was ready. And she definitely wouldn't appreciate him interrupting- they both knew who'd get punched if he did.
She suddenly, shifted towards her window, the leather of the bus seat letting out a squeak with the change of pressure. A sigh escaped her lips.
"Why can't Mimi just mind her own business?"
Disappointment settled in the tips of his fingers and he looked away, slumping backwards.
"But for once, I wish…"
"Why can't Mimi just mind her own business?"
A bitter voice inside him let out a snort. Tai pictured it taking the shape of a tiny version of himself, raising his head and scoffing, that's what you use it for? You wish Mimi wouldn't tease you?
Dumbass, that's not what she said, a high pitched, exasperated voice retorted. Tai instantly placed it to a Mimi figure, with crossed arms and her disapproving, signature pout. Tai, she's frustrated right now. Be a little more understanding!
You want me, to be more understanding? Incredulous, pained disbelief washed over him. I've been patient enough; I've been crazy about Sora for years!
The raging emotions he'd buried and held back for so many years now resurfaced.
For years, I've wanted to be more than friends. I wanted to be the guy in her life that she'd call when she needed support, no matter what the issue was or what kind of drama was going on in our lives. The kind of boyfriend that understands her in everything and anything, just because we think alike. The kind of guy who would do anything she asked because I trust her and I know she'd do the same for me.
His throat closed up; the pond in his heart holding his feelings that was welling up, now overflowed. I just want to be hers.
Silence ensued.
Tai rested his head against the window, feeling the metal strip of the window's edge jabbing him in the neck uncomfortably. But that discomfort was nothing compared to the turmoil of feelings inside him, the ones that he held back every single day, never allowing himself to reveal. This pain went far deeper than the surface of his skin.
His head remained silent.
Was it because they didn't know how to answer-or they didn't want to?
Had a stranger regarded the scene, they might've thought Tai and Sora were deliberately ignoring each other, seeing as they were mirroring each other. They were both turned away from the other, intently staring out their respective windows. But in reality, Tai and Sora were simply both absentminded and lost in their thoughts. They weren't concentrating on anything; rather, they were allowing their selves lose focus of their surroundings, the problems and issues haunting them.
Distraction.
That was really needed.
The commotions from other students went on, but neither Tai, nor Sora truly heard them.
Tai mindlessly pressed his nose harder into the window, watching as the cars, the people, the houses and streets- everything flew past, blurring together. But that was okay with him. He really needed this treatment- numbing his thoughts, forcing his emotions- and the pain- to slowly fade away and disappear.
He wasn't sure how much time had really passed when he there was a tap on his shoulder. He turned to Sora who was standing in the aisle, gesturing for him to get up. It was their stop.
Tai checked dumbly. This familiar setting- yep, definitely Highton View Terrace.
With one hand, he snagged his bag and pushed off his seat and followed Sora out, jumping off the steps, landing gracefully.
She turned and bit her lip. "Tai, you should be more careful. What if you tripped and fell?"
"But I didn't." Tai was secretly pleased when his shrug came as nonchalantly as he had hoped for. "And even if I did, I'd be fine." Tai paused, his mind screaming, Stop! But too late; he couldn't stop himself from murmuring, "It's not your job to worry about me."
Sora felt his unexpectedly cold words like a stab. Tai's barb was challenging, they were fighting words- but what did she say to provoke him? Had she said something insulting?
In her confusion, she took a step back from him. "Even if it isn't," She cursed inwardly at the unsteady, hurt tremble in her voice. The fuming from earlier was gone; where was rage when she needed it? "I still do. I always will."
Tai seemed to have realized his mistake. He awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets. "Shit. I mean, that's not what I meant-not that I meant anything." Tai nervously raised his hands. "I mean, what I meant to say, was that it's' alright." There was his trying-to-be-reassuring-but-awkwardly-failing smile. "I'll be alright."
"Yeah. Okay." Sora retreated another step. The sound of her shoe crunching against gravel sliced through the air. "Yeah."
She looked just as unsure as Tai knew he felt.
What do I do now?
As stubborn as he was, he forced himself to apologize but she made the first move. Taking a hard turn on her heel, she spun and swiftly stalked away.
His instinct and the voice screeching, go after her you dumbass! , was more than enough to send Tai chasing after her. Before Sora had even gotten more than a couple of meters away, Tai slipped in front of her, hearing his heartbeat thumping loudly in his ears. He opened his mouth nervously.
Sora drew back. Tiredness crowned her frown as she half-heartedly readied herself to protest. The pink, pursed lips, not even her frown had changed over the years… "Tai-"
My name-the way she says it…
"Listen Sora, I'm really sorry. Honest. I've been so caught up in uh-" He broke off. The awkwardness flashed through when he winced and his shoulders betrayed him by tensing. "With soccer practices. I've been having trouble with some of coach's drills- especially the two on ones- and the box in one- and the uh-"
"Stop," Sora spoke gently, struggling not to laugh. It was hard not to tease him- especially when he was so adorably flustered like that, all because of her…
"Tai I get it. And I'm sorry." She offered him a loose shrug. "So have I. Because of uh, Mimi. You know."
"Yeah." He speared a hand through his wild hair, still looking uncomfortable. "Yeah I know."
"Good." The urge to tease him was too strong. "You know… it's weird to see you unconfident. Especially with soccer." Her voice dropped. "Mister, I-got-it-now-let-me-shoot."
Tai wrinkled his nose. "You play dirty."
She let out a laugh. A real laugh that warmed Tai's heart. "Did you mean what you said about needing practice? I've got time tomorrow." She cocked her head to the side. "We could go and kick a ball around."
"Yeah, uh- that'd be great. I could use your help."
"Great." She smiled.
Tai returned it, his grin wide and bright. "Okay."
"Then I'll uh- I'll see you tomorrow?"
"Okay. Oh, what time?"
"How about right after school? My mom can pick us up from the school." She immediately regretted her offer. Her mother probably wouldn't agree so readily…
"Sounds good." Seeing his smile, Sora decided to just leave things be. She could figure out what to do later.
"Bye Sora,"
"Bye Tai."
Sora picked up her cellphone on the second ring. Immediately, a bright voice greeted her.
"Hey girl! What'cha doing'?"
Sora rolled her eyes. "Mimi, it's like twelve and we have school tomorrow. Why are you calling me now?"
"Chill out Sor," Her reply came unbarbed but cool all the same. "I just wanted to chat with you."
Sora yawned, covering her mouth. She slumped backwards, laying her head on the pillow. "About what? What is so important?" There was a moment of silence. Sora could practically see Mimi smirking. "Well? Mimi, are you going to leave me hanging?"
"Well," The absolute coyness stoked a special loathing in Sora's blood. "Ava ended up hanging out with Matt after all..."
Sora raised an eyebrow. That slu-
"So, the three of us went to Kise's party- he's this yummy, drop-dead gorgeous, blond basketball star and model, who's got these long eyelashes, sparkling, golden eyes and the tightest ass I've ever seen." Sora rolled her eyes, hearing the mourning note that hung in Mimi's sigh. "It's a shame. Rumors are he's gay and with this other guy named Daiki, or something who's apparently equally as hot." She let out a whistle.
Sora practically growled, "Mimi do you have a point? Or can you tell me about this tomorrow?"
"I'm getting there! So we went to their party- by the way, Kise's got good taste in drinks- and we got ourselves all seriously wasted."
"You don't sound drunk at all." Sora muttered.
"Yeah, like you said, it's a school day tomorrow so I decided not to." Mimi breezily said. "And I guess Ava and the others are ditching? Anyways, Ava and Matt had a little-"
Almost instinctively, Sora stiffened, gripping her bed sheets and pulling them up so they brushed against her throat.
"-private time all to their selves. The rest of us didn't bother them, but after a while, Matt caught Ava trying to kiss Kise."
Sora sat up and exploded. "Are you freaking kidding me?" The rage pulsed inside her, dark and strong. Fierce. Furious. True, actual hatred that went beyond anger and fury-
"No, I'm serious-"
"Then why are so happy!?" She gripped the phone even tighter, her finger clenching around the edge. "God, I knew Ava was a bitch but this? How's Matt?" Sora couldn't imagine how he must feel right now- how he felt catching Ava cheating, how he was dealing with it right now. "You think I should call him and ask him if he's okay?"
"That's my girl!"
Sora was struck with incredulous disbelief. "Really?"
"Sorry, sorry! Um, I wouldn't. Like you said, it's late and Matt's parents aren't going to be happy with you calling at this time. Plus, he's probably getting chewed out right now by them for drinking."
Sora hated to admit Mimi had a good point. "But why would you tell me this?"
"Are you going to stay up all night thinking about it?"
"Yes!" The word shot out of Sora's mouth before she could think. "I mean no-"
"Good. When you get the chance, sink your claws into your man early. I hope this helped you guys! You'll be thanking me in a month! Good night Sora!" Each sentence was more outrageous than the last but it was a 'click' too late before Sora managed to form a protest.
"Mimi I-"
Beep. Beep. Beep.
"God!" Sora slunk down and buried her face under her covers. She didn't know what she was supposed to feel right now; It was mostly rage, bold, restrained rage, but her worry for Matt- Her heart tightened.
How was he feeling?
A lump of sorrow stuck in her throat as she breathed, quiet except for her clock ticking. She looked up to the ceiling, where her light had spread its glow across. "Matt." She whispered to herself. "I hope you're okay..."
Thoughts? I rushed the ending but I wanted to get it done, really badly. Sorry! But at least the next chapter will be good. Very good. I promise, lots of drama! :)
(Anyone catch a certain reference?)
Thank you!