Thirty One Days

Chapter 7: Show Me What I'm Looking For

Fact: When one door closes…usually, another one opens.

-x-

July 8th, 2007

"Tell me again…you made out with Tai!" Sora screeches from the other side of the line.

I hold the phone away from my ear, "Yeah…I did" I almost regret telling her coz now she's like freaking out about it.

She takes a sharp breath. "Mimi, that is huge!" She says excitedly. "I mean not that you haven't made out with guys before coz god knows you definitely have and—

"Sora" I interrupt. "The point?"

"Right, now what I mean is. It's just you know, Tai so it's kinda a big deal because you've been talking about this guy since the minute you got there" She explains. "So, what I'm trying to say is, I'm happy for you babe" She finishes.

Awe, I love this girl. "Thanks Sor. But I don't really know where this leaves us, ya know?" I'm just plain old confused. "It wasn't' awkward or anything actually it felt amazing and so comfortable but there's Matt…" She trails off.

"Brooding Blonde aka boy number two, quite a predicament" She says lazily, I don't think she quite grasps how dramatic the situation really is. Because to Sora, two boys and one girl couldn't make for a better summer, but when you're in the situation and you think you might be falling for both of them, it isn't so fun anymore.

I blow a piece of my hair out of my eyes and lay back on my bed. "It is though, and I mean you know he still hasn't even called me" I complain moodily, I mean it's been what? Three days already.

"So he will, I'm sure whatever love potion you've given these boys won't ware off that easy" She jokes.

But I don't laugh. "Sora, c'mon" I whine. "I need some insight, some perspective, some advice" I tell her.

"Okay, okay. Here's what I think and it's the same advice I've been giving you since Day One. You do what's right for you and have fun, you're on vacation!" She says honestly.

I appreciate it but it doesn't help much. "Thanks Sor" I say anyway. "I wish you were here, you could totally have your pick of either of them" I laugh.

She laughs too. "Gladly" She says through giggles.

"But I really do wish you were here" I say wistfully. "I could use my best friend." Even though I have Kari and she's a great friend, I miss my best girl. She's been there for me since I could remember, since well, ever.

"I miss you too" She says seriously. "But it's only a couple more weeks right? Pretty soon all this boy drama will be behind you, you'll be back in TH and we'll be tanning it up on the beach" She says optimistically.

And as great as that sounds, as much as I miss my friends and god help me, my dad. The thought of leaving Matt and Tai still makes me feel uneasy and as much as I wish there was only one, I know I'd miss them both. "Yeah…" I say, slightly absentminded.

"So, don't sweat it" She says.

I nod. "Okay Sor, I'm gonna go. I'll call you later"

"All right Meems, I'll talk to you soon"

"Bye"

-x-

After showering and dressing I go downstairs, knowing I probably wouldn't find my mom because she'd be at work. I found a post it stuck to the fridge it was from my mother, surprise, surprise. Mimi—I'll be late today, order out! Love you, Mom

I sigh a long, dramatic sigh and crumple up the note before throwing it in the garbage. I see the money she's left on the coffee table and stick it in my back pocket. Next to the money were a set of keys to the car, she had told me last night she was car pooling with one of her friends so she'd leave me the car. Another small comfort I was grateful for.

I look in the cabinets for some kind of a snack, chips, cookies, candy, cake, but there isn't' a thing. I probably shouldn't be surprised, my mom has eaten from a carton since I've known her, the fact that she has dishes in the cupboards still kinda shocks me. So I make use of the money she's left and her humble Honda Accord and leave this stupid, boring house.

Initially, I wanna pick up Kari because I hate going out alone but when I notice both her and Tai's cars are gone, I figure they're both out with friends. Which is totally understandable since they live here and all, it makes me miss TH just a little bit more. Because if I was home, there instead of here, I'd be out with my friends too.

So instead, I drive over to the local convenience store and see what I can pick up. Then I'll probably go to the video rental across the street and see if the have Casablanca. Even though that's supposed to be the perfect "date" movie, I just love watching it alone. I've never actually watched it with a boy; Sora always said that that was weird, because if there was one movie besides The Notebook a girl would have to force her boyfriend to watch it would be Casablanca. But I dunno, it's a special movie to me and I think a boy would just ruin it.

I walk into the store, hearing the bell marking my arrival. The store clerk is an old man and he gives me a warm smile. "Come over here" He calls from across the register.

I put a finger to my chest. "Me?" I ask, looking around.

He nods, "You're Mimi" He beams.

I walk over slowly. "Yeah, how'd uh, how'd you know?" I ask nervously, not that I have any reason to be since everyone in the town seems to know every detail of my life.

"You're the spitting image of your mother" He grins, "I've been wondering when I'd see you. Nancy was so excited when she told us you were coming" He explains.

I feel my heart swell a little, hearing that my mother really did want me to visit this summer from a complete stranger, made me happy. It made me feel wanted. "Did she?" I ask, not bothering to hide my own grin.

He nods again. "She couldn't stop talking about how much she missed you" He continues.

My smile gets bigger. "Oh, I had no idea…" I say honestly.

He chuckles. "You're very special to her" He assures me.

"Uhm, well thank you Mr…?" I feel a little bad that I don't know him yet he seems to know me.

"Mr. Wilks" He winks.

I smile. "Thank you" I say again.

He nods, "No stop loitering in my store and buy something" He kids and I laugh.

I leave the register and go into the nearest isle, which happens to be candy and snacks. I peruse with out much success and when I look up I see a flash of silver hair.

Hoping that it's Matt, I follow discreetly to the isle where it had retreated. When I finally reach it, it isn't who I'd expected at all… "You again?" She looks me over with a glance.

I try my best not to retort, but just ignore her. "Why do I keep seeing you everywhere?" She demands.

"It's a small town" I respond dully, wanting nothing more than to leave her presence.

"You're the girl that's macking on my brother, right?" She smirks.

She's really beginning to annoy me. "Not really" I deadpan; I don't need to defend myself to her.

She kinks a blonde eye brow. "Sure looked that way" She disagrees.

I sigh loudly. "No, now what is your problem with me?" I ask, though I kind of think I already know the answer to this one. I'm sure it begins with a K and ends with an en.

She rolls her eyes, "You made out with my boyfriend, when you came to a party with Tai Kamiya and ended up spending the night with my brother, so I'd say my problem is with sluts" She spits.

Oh no she didn't. "A. Princess Bitchy, you and your boy toy were not even together. And B. I didn't spend the night with your brother" I snap.

She laughs mirthlessly. "You think Matt didn't tell me how you'd gotten so drunk that he had to babysit you that night. And that you threw yourself at him but he didn't want to be with you" She hisses.

I'm sure the shock is etched with in my features because she laughs. "Yeah? And what's more, he isn't even interested in you. He was just trying to make his ex girlfriend jealous"

I feel like something with in me just shattered. I had really believed that this guy liked me, enough to want me, not use me. "You're lying" I whisper, trying to convince myself more than accuse her.

"Really? Well, then why hasn't he called you?" She asks me, looking me straight in the eye with the iciest pair of blue eyes I've ever seen.

I don't have a response; I don't know why he hasn't called me.

She takes advantage of this. "I'll tell you why, because Hana called him" She says mercilessly. "You were just a pawn, princess. I hope it was fun while it lasted" She said, an evil glimmer in her eyes.

She brushes past me with out a single word. "Until next time" She winks menacingly.

I stand there, in a mess of confusion and hurt. Watching as everything around me starts to spin.

"Girlfriend?"

"Who Hana? I wouldn't call her that"

"What would you call it?"

"She's obsessed with me…"

I remember it vividly, as we laid under that familiar star lit sky. He had seemed so honest, so open, so real. And I trusted him, I trusted him when I had every single reason not to. I gave him the benefit of the doubt when every other person had told me not to. And this is exactly what I get for believing him. Because guys like him, they aren't supposed to be trusted, I can see that now.

A dry laugh tumbles off my lips as I think about my own naïveté. How could I have been so gullible? Did it really take a few simple words and a careful gesture to fool me? Apparently so.

But what this did for me is this: I realize who I should be spending my summer with and it isn't Matt.

I take out my cell phone and dial the number I should've dialed a long time ago.

-x-

I wait outside of my mom's house, big Prada sunglasses over my eyes, over night bag at my feet and a fake smile plastered on my face. I'd left her a note saying exactly how long I'd be gone and why, well the reason I chose to give her. The only thing left to do was leave. But it wouldn't be him if he wasn't late, I could tell as much.

Finally he honks and I smile, he's got his sister and best friend in the back seat.

Kari runs out to me, "This is so spur of the moment" She hugs me. "But I love it, a trip to Dallas, M, you're a genius!" She squeals, throwing my bag over her shoulder.

I grin. "We're gonna have fun" I agree. "Oh and thank god you convinced him to take your car, K, because I don't think Tai's death trap would be able to hand a road trip" I laugh as she puts my bag in the trunk.

"It wasn't easy" She assures me darkly. "It was a half hour battle and I nearly had to strangle him" She opens the door for herself to sit in the back with Davis.

I walk up to the front of the car where Tai is already holding the door open, "Well, that was gentlemanly" I notice, eyeing him warily.

He places a chaste kiss on my cheek, "Just how I roll baby" He grins, shutting the door behind me.

I refrain from kicking my arms and legs in excitement because he makes me feel so special. It really makes me see that I didn't have to put up with Michael and his mistreatment all those years when I could have it so much better. I could have someone like Tai and I do deserve him. "Nancy isn't going to freak out is she?" Davis asks from the back seat.

I shake my head. "I don't think so, I mean I left her note and stuff so it should be okay" I tell him. "If not, she's got my number" I shrug a shoulder.

Tai starts the car and begins to drive off our street.

Kari taps me on the shoulder with the dull corner of something plastic. "Road mix" She clarifies, handing me the C.D.

"Oh no, not more emo shit" Davis groans.

Tai shakes his head. "No fuckin' way, Kar you needa get less depressing music because I can't listen to this shit" He says, in clear agreement with Davis.

But I think every single person in this car knows who's gonna win the argument. And I just love how the pixie gets everything she wants from these guys. "Get better taste in music" She snaps back. "Besides, if you think I'm gonna listen something along the lines of "Fifty Cent" She air quotes. "You're dead wrong"

I laugh. "I'm putting in the c.d K" I ensure her.

"Thanks Meems" She grins at me through the rear view.

"They just played us man" Davis sighs from the back.

Tai glances at me. "This one time" He smiles, one of those smiles that make my knees go weak.

I lean over and kiss his cheek. "You'll be happy later" I promise.

He raises his eye brows. "I'll hold you to that"

"You can"

"Then I will"

"Good"

I push in Kari's C.D and turn the volume up just high enough.

Things were starting to look up now and while the day had started off bad enough, I feel like it can only get better. And when I glance over at Tai, looking at lazy smile on his face, I know it will be.

I put my lips to his ear. "Kiss me?" I whisper.

He chokes out a laugh. "I'm driving" He points out.

I kink an eye brow. "A small one, come on. Live on the edge" I goad lightly, my lips barely an inch away from his.

He shakes his head and just when I'm about to settle back in my seat, he catches my chin. "You really are something" He says, before kissing me.

"Tai!" Kari reprimands from the back.

I pull away, "You shouldn't have done that, it was very dangerous" I scold, a small grin on my face.

"What can I say? I like to live on the edge"

-x-

We stop at a McDonalds an hour away from Dallas. "Do you have to pee every five minutes?" Tai asks frustratedly.

Kari glares up at him. "Don't be a jerk, we haven't stopped in like an hour" She shoves his shoulder.

"Besides" I come to her aid. "My legs were cramping" I say honestly, wrapping my hands around his arm and laying my head on his shoulder.

"And I'm hungry man" Davis chimes in.

Tai heaves a sigh. "I'm clearly outnumbered, sorry I wanted to get to Dallas with in a reasonable time frame" He says sarcastically.

I grab his face. "Don't be so moody" I shake his head back and forth lightly. "You're ruining the party" I wink.

He wraps an arm around my waist. "I'll try to be more chipper" He amends.

I lay my head on his chest. "Good" I smile, nuzzling his shirt.

His kisses the top of my head. "Ewh, guys, come on!" Kari calls from behind us.

Tai turns around. "Didn't you have to use the bathroom, Kar?" He asks, nodding towards the restrooms.

"Oh thanks god" She breathes out, running towards it.

"She's got a weak bladder" Davis laughs.

"Hey" Tai says sharply. "Don't talk about my sister's bladder" He says, trying to hide his grin.

Davis ignores him. "How do you put up with this douche?" He asks me, clearly kidding. "I dunno Meems, when you finally realize what an ass Tai is, give me a call" He nods towards me, a ridiculous smirk on his face.

I wrap my arms around Tai's neck. "I don't see that happening, but I'll keep you posted" I say, keeping my eyes locked with Tai's.

He kisses my nose. "This was a good idea" He says, low enough for only me to hear.

I nod. "What can I say? I guess I'm just a genius" I shrug impassively.

Tai kisses me, wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Ugh, can you guys like not, for two seconds?" Kari says disgustedly behind us.

I giggle. "You should make out with Davis, K, then you wouldn't feel so left out" I tease.

She rolls her eyes. "Gag me with a spoon first" She deadpans.

I laugh again, slipping my hand in Tai's larger one. "You're gonna marry him someday Kar and that's the day I'm gonna get to say I told you so" I warn her.

She shakes her head. "Yeah the same day hell freezes over and Tai actually opens his History textbook"

"Those aren't very good odds" Tai mentions.

I make a face. "You'll both see" I say, completely convinced.

Davis is already sitting at a table, nearly done with his burger when we reach him. "How did you eat so fast?" I balk.

"They're disgusting. You should see Tai, you'd never look at food the same" Kari answers.

I stare up at him. "Please remember your table manners when we eat" I request.

He chuckles, "Anything for you" He smiles into my hair.

God…did he have to be so smooth? He's so sexy and on top of that he always knows exactly what to say to give me butterflies. "You better mean that"

"I do" he says honestly and I don't doubt his word. If there's anything Tai's been with me, it's honest and that's all I really ask for. That, and he makes me feel like I'm special.

Save me, I'm lost
Oh lord, I've been waiting for you
I'll pay any cost, save me from being confused
Show me what I'm looking for

-x-

By the time we get to Dallas, its dark enough that we can't do much of anything. I want to go shopping and maybe see a couple of sights but it'll have to wait until tomorrow, I suppose. We could probably go out, see what kind of night clubs are around here but I have a feeling Tai and Davis probably won't let me and Kari have much fun. If I do go out, it'll have to be just girls.

Tai suggests a hotel and I figure it's the best idea because there is no way in hell I'm sleeping in the car.

"Two rooms please" Tai says to the concierge. "One with a double bed" He shoots Davis a glare. Me and Kari had decided we were going to be roommates, leaving Davis and Tai together.

I stifle a giggle behind my palm. "Sorry Tai" I smile, wrapping my arms around his waist.

He gives me mock look of annoyance before kissing the side of my head. "Yeah, yeah"

He gives Tai two sets of keys for two rooms next to each other. "The bathroom joins, so knock" He deadpans as we're leaving.

"Great, now I have to be afraid to go to the bathroom!" Kari says, in aggravation.

I laugh. "The boys will behave" I give them both stern glares.

I feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket, when I take it out to glance at the number, it's one I don't really recognize. I squint at it, "Aren't you gonna get that?" Tai points at my phone.

I hesitate, "No" I shrug, pressing end call before tucking it back in my pocket.

"Okay, this is your room" Tai jabs a thumb towards the door we're standing in front of.

Davis sighs gratefully. "Good, coz I am beat!" He goes to put his hand on the door knob.

"Not yours, idiot, the girls'" He clarifies.

Davis' face falls.

Kari rolls her eyes and takes the key from Tai. "Good night" She says sharply, opening the door. "C'mon Meems" She nods inside.

"Coming" I look up at Tai.

He leans down and kisses me softly. "Sorry we got here so late" He apologizes, scratching the back of his head.

I touch his face. "Thank you for coming" I say honestly. "But we're going shopping tomorrow" I smile wickedly.

"Oh no" Tai groans.

I kiss his cheek. "Oh yes" I say softly.

"Whatever you want" He concedes.

-x-

"So what exactly is going on with you and my brother?" Kari questions as we share a carton of ice cream.

I don't really know how to answer that. "Just fun, I guess" I mumble. "I don't really think I can put a label on it, K" I say truthfully.

She nods in acceptance. "He really does like you though, ya know"

I know. Which is what makes all this harder. "Yeah…but I like him too" I remind her, which I do. And the more I get to know him, the more I like him. As for Matt, well that's history, practically ancient.

"You guys are thoroughly nauseating" She wrinkles her nose playfully.

I lightly push her shoulder. "I'm telling you Kar, just hook up with Davis—

"No more! No more innuendos about me and Davis, I can't!" She interrupts me with a shriek.

I laugh. "Whatever you say, Kar, but just so you know, I bet if you gave Davis half a chance you'd probably fall in love—

She silences me with a withering stare, I lock my lips. "Enough said" I swear.

She gives me a curt nod. "Now, tell me something. Are you over this pseudo obsession you had with the infamous Matt Ishida?" She asks.

I let out a long breath. "Definitely" I say solidly. "No doubt in my mind" I continue.

She gives me a wary look. "And you're sure?" She asks, slightly suspicious.

I sigh in annoyance, "Yes, K, I am"

She puts her hands up. "All right, just asking" She says.

"But what about you? If not Davis, then who?" I ask, changing the subject.

Her eyes widen slightly, before she looks away. "Hey, what is it?" I ask, was it serious? Like, she seems spooked.

She bites her lip. "I really don't think I can say"

"Kar, no way. Spill!" I pat her knee impatiently.

"You won't get it. I'm not supposed to like him" She whispers.

A little tiny light bulb in my head goes off, it must be Davis! She spent all these years denying it but it has to be him! "I won't judge you" I promise.

She looks up at me. "You won't understand" She says stubbornly.

"C'mon, you know you can tell me. And I swear I won't even say anything to anyone" I bargain.

"Not even Tai?"

I shake my head. "Not even Tai, if that's what you want" I ensure her.

"Especially not Tai" She amends.

I agree to her terms and conditions.

"Well before the school year ended" She starts. "The Dean of Education called me into his office—

"Omygod! Kari, tell me you aren't crushing on an older man!" I squeal out an interruption.

She shoots me a withering stare. "No, now listen" She waives me down.

"Well he tells me that he needs me to do him a favor, and no it wasn't a sexual one" She gives me a pointed glance.

I snicker behind my palm.

"Okay, well I ask him what and he tells me that there's a student he wants me to tutor" She continues. "I obviously don't say no, because I've been tutoring kids for a while, then he tells me it's because the guy wouldn't go to summer school and I was basically his last hope of passing to the next grade" She explains.

I nod for her to continue.

"So immediately, I'm like great a rich kid who thinks he can get whatever he wants but it gets worse" She says gravely. "He tells me that the student is Tk" She finishes.

"The other Ishida!" I gasp, he's the supposed "cute and sensitive but a jerk" one.

"Yeap" She confirms. "So, I'm all like, no way in hell because if there is anyone who deserves to go to summer school and not basketball camp it's that asshole" She rants. "But the Dean's all like, if you do this it'll count as your community service and so I finally agreed coz he was practically begging"

I raise an eye brow. "So then?" I prompt.

"Well, he's late to our first meeting" She says distastefully and in Kari World that's a capital offense, trust me I know. I swear to God, I will never be late to another lunch date with her again!

"No way, did you skin him alive?" I ask, feeling terrible for the boy.

She laughs. "No, but I should have" She mumbles. "But anyway, so he sits there and acts like I'm supposed to just do all his work for him. Like that was my job or something and oh let me tell you what really pissed me off! I'm like, "aren't you going to do any work?" he goes, "I'm here, aren't I" and he has the nerve to smirk about it!" She says, practically hysterical.

I do my best not to laugh, "Go on" I urge.

"But we get through it and by the end I think he may have even learned something" She continues. "And the more I get to know him—

"The more you think you like him?" I finish for her, knowing the feeling.

She takes a minute before nodding. "But it's not right, is it? I mean we're two different people from two completely different worlds" She sighs. "It can't happen" She says decisively.

I shake my head in disagreement. "I don't think any of that should matter" I tell her honestly. "The only thing that matter is how you feel about him and how he feels about you, all that other stuff is just crap" I says simply.

She looks up at me, confused. "I just don't think it's that easy" She isn't convinced.

"I'm not going to sit here and tell you it'll be easy but nothing that's worth it ever is. I'm just saying, don't let something great pass you by" I shrug a shoulder. "And honestly, he hasn't given you any reason to doubt him, yet has he?" I ask.

She shakes her head. "No"

"So think about what you know about him, first hand, because if you make you decisions based on other people and what they say, you're only gonna end up with a whole lot of regret"

She runs a hand over her face. "I just don't know. I wish I never took this job" She groans, falling back into the bed.

I chuckle light, running my fingers over her hair. "You'll figure this out, K, and I'll help you however I can" I smile.

"Thanks" She says gratefully, pulling me into a hug.

"No problem" I wrap my arms around her small frame.

-x-

Fact: Advice. I can give it but can't take it.

-x-

A/N: We tried to get this up yesterday but FF wouldn't let our penname update, for some gay reason. Anyway, hopefully you like it.

Chapter Title comes from a song called Show Me What I'm Looking For: by Carolina Liar. We don't own it!

Read. Review. Enjoy

-Liya and Chris 3