Chapter 9

A few days- when i thought everybody was watching me, gossiping- past me by. I was desperate, I was so used to be either ignored or seen a the good little Kari that those looks were threatening me to make me crazy. All I can guess is that there are some rumors from the party, probably ones that were started by the now evident distance of the golden couple (that is no more, if you think you can trust his words). All the female population - and some of the male too- is watching closely for his next move. But, he is trying so hard to be normal.

Thanks, gods.

If he wasn´t, I am pretty sure that he would have approach me. I don´t intend to put myself in a higher position or something like that. However, that conversation... I can´t help but to think that all of it was a terrible idea. I don´t wan´t to suffer, I have been distancing from people for so long and now this is ruing me. I have chosen to not feel the pain of being broken by another, I don´t want to go back to those times when I suffer because of the other one or because them... Their masks were the beginning of mine.

Again, can someone please tell me why did I tell him that? It is all my fault, right?

-Kari!- I turn to see my friend, who is running to catch up on me. Once she is in front of me, she smiles and says:- you will come with me to the mall.

I make a face, clearly not thrilled by the idea (or the imposition if you may). The last time I accompanied her we walked for six hours, plus we went with Mimi, one of Tai´s friends. They both decided that they needed to buy clothes, so much that they will have to throw out or give away ALL the items that they had at home. Seeing them try stuff wasn´t the hard part, the worst was knowing that for every 15 items they tried on they would buy just one. Besides, I finish this experience with soar feet, I had blisters with blisters on them... I don´t have to tell you for you to guess that I couldn´t walk for a good few days.

-I don´t think that is a good idea.- I say softly.

She pouts.

-Don´t be such a party pooper, Mimi can´t come, she is in US.- She crosses her arms to transmit power.- What type of best friend are you?

I hate when she does that. It makes me feel guilty to the bone, no matter how much I´ve tried not to feel like that. I used to feel guilty about everything even if it wasn´t my fault.

I try to look in another direction. She continues complaining. I close my eyes and press my lips, I know for sure that what I am about to say will not be good for my physical health.

-Fine, I´ll go.

-Bingo!

We planed to see each other near the water fountain close to the food court. That is the reason why I am seated on it waiting for her. I decided to used my white top, blue jeans, pink sandals and a yellow bag; something simple but that won´t be the point of critics. I play with my phone while I wait for my friend.

-Kari!- I hear a excited yell.

I look up and find myself in front of something totally unexpected. A girl with long purple hair and a bright smile has her arms around two boys. They both look defeated. Against Yolei there is no battle someone else could win.

-Look who I´ve found.-She tells me still smiling but looking to Ken.

-Yolei,- I reprimand - you shouldn´t have make them come.- She pouts - I am sure that they had other plans, did you even asked them?

-I did!- She retorts crossing her arms over her chest. I just send her a look and she thinks a little. Seconds later her arms fall to her side.- I did, didn´t I?

My poor friend doesn´t even know when she does stuff like this...

The blond boy distracts himself with the people passing by trying not to be part of this conversation but the other boy puts one hand on Yoli´s shoulder. She just directs her eyes to her shoes.

-We will like to join you, it it is not a problem.- He declares.

The negative outcome of her reckless behavior will be suffered just by two of us and those aren´t the ones that made the decision. Yolei is, with out a doubt, the happier one.

We wander around without knowing exactly what we should do.

The girl with glasses stops randomly to see some shop. At times like those, she is pushing me or making her prince accompany her, he smiles at her every time. The last time I see them is when she saw something far away and started running and dragging him with her. I was prepared to go after them but I realized that the other member of the improvised group was left behind. He was watching something.

-Yolei and Ken ran off... - I start explaining while I approach.

But he is not listening, he is watching intently, unmoving. I move closer to see what had him like that. A small smile takes control of my lips, I recognize it.

-Do you still have it?- He asks so softly that if I wasn´t right by his side I wouldn´t have heard.

I am not even sure if the question was intended to be heard, but I still nod. He doesn´t comment, so I´m not sure if he saw.

-It is on my desk, at home.- I articulate in the same tone. Home...

His lips move upwards.

-It is too big to be on the shelve.- He comments.

Before I could answer, the bells sound as he enters the shop. I am dumbfounded, but recover myself quickly and I follow him inside. Once there, I spot him quite fast since we are the only costumers there. I walk up to his right side.

-It is so weird,- he reveals as he turns a little animal at the end of a key chain- I always thought that Patamon was a pig that went wrong.

His comment caught my attention so I approached to get a better view. Indeed, what is in between his fingers resembles the stuffed animal that I gave him when we were kids. Those were good days.

-I told you I knew how to sew.

I show him my tongue. He examines me with a spark in his blue eyes that I haven´t seen in a while. Without a thought, I play with my hair so the eye contact is broken. When I turn again, he has another one in his hand.

-Gatomon- I whisper automatically.

-The only thing missing is the purple tail.

I made him Patamon and he gave me Gatomon. I remember clearly the day he gave it to me as a present, he had red eyes and wouldn´t tell me why. Soon after he confessed that Matt was the cause of the unusual color of my stuffed kitten´s tail. It seems that he was making some posters for his band with purple paint and that when T.K. saw that big can he tried to make his brother leave. Tragically, Matt has something in common with Tai, they love to bully their younger siblings from time to time. One thing let to another and the snow white present ended with some unplanned purple decoration. Naturally, I didn´t care at all, I was just happy to recieved something from my best friend, someone that cared.

-Excuse me, what is the price?- he moves his attention to he seller, an old man with a big mustache, a ponytail that unites what he has left of hair and a name tag with "Gennai" engraved on it.

-They are on sale, two for the price of one.- He answers with husky voice.

-Great, I´ll take both.

I leve them so they can do the transaction by themselves. I look around and when I realize the man is giving the boy the ticket, I go back to them. The blonde boy says thank you and the old man smiles.

-That is a nice girl by your side.- I am surprised by his comment.- I hope you know how to take care of her.

Right, as if…

-I will.- He assures.

What?

He passes his right arm around my shoulders and guides me out of the store.

We walk a little before I realize that we are in some kind of embrace, really close to each other. It is so weird and so normal at the same time. He removes his arm suddenly. I inquire with my eyes, but he looks the other way. I can see the blush in his cheeks though.

-I´m sorry.- He whispers.

I want to tell him that it does not matter, but something inside me says I should not. It is not time yet. It would be too fast. Also I am not sure I want this. So we continue our walk.

Apparently, our destiny is an ice cream parlor. I'm going to ask what we do there when he asks me if I want vanilla ice cream with pieces of strawberries, I'm too surprised at this: that he remembers my favorite flavor to do anything other than nod. So when he indicates a free site, I take a seat like an automaton. Soon after, he is back and offering me the cone, careful not touch me and then, he sits in front of me.

-I´ll give you the money back.

He looks as if I just insult him, shakes his head, but it is not enough for me to stop wanting to pay him for the ice cream. As changing the subject, he pulls something out of his pocket and offers it to me. It is one of the key chains that he bought, is the little white cat.

-I can´t accept it. I-

-It is yours.- Interrupting he sentences after leaving the small object in front of me.

I observe him a while longer. This boy… I can´t… It is so easy to give in when he is like this.

-Let me pay the ice cream.- I know he will protest, so I argue:- If you don´t, I won´t accept mini Gatomon. What is fair is fair.

He takes a deep breath defeated, but smiles. I didn´t know that I missed that much his smile until now.

Someone control my heart!

-¡Hmm hmmm!

Weirded out we turn to see who made that noise.

-Is you talk with your mouth full, we won´t understand.- Ken gently reminds her.

She smiles like a little kid when busted. Swallows and looks at us accusingly.

-Where were you?- Asks with a finger pointing us.

I feel like my cheeks light up, despite not having planned to stay alone with him. The blond is unmoved by her acussation, he keeps eating his ice cream as if nothing had passed.

Your you ran off, - he says still concentrated on the dessert - we look for you a while, but it is hot in here and ... here we are.- He ends with a shrug.

Ken keeps his hands in his pockets. Yolei expression changes every two seconds to end a revealing her obvious regret, I bet she did not realize when she ran hand in hand with the dark-haired boy. I taste my ice cream while watching closely.

-It is ok, I forgive you.- She decides placing both hands on her hips.

The blond boy and I are marvel by her words.

So out of caracter.

A/N: I´m really sorry for not updating sooner... I am full of things, but I want to finish this somehow, probably will take some time to continue, but I´ll do it. Promise.

If you have follow this story and kept reading even though I´m a mess, THANK YOU 3 YOU ARE AWSOME and I AM SORRY