Disclaimer: I wish they did, but the Digimon characters do not belong to me.

Chapter Two: Arguing With The Old Friends

There was a smile on my face the next morning. I have no idea why, my hangover was as annoying as hell, but I was suddenly in a good mood. I knew I had to call Tai later on that day, and I knew I had to talk to Mimi and Kari.

The first thing I did was call Noah. He was pretty hung over, too.

"Hey man," he said in a exhausted voice.

"I kissed two girls last night."

Silence, then, "Who?"

"Kari and Mimi."

More silence.

"Are you shitting me?"

"I don't know how it happened," I protested, standing up and pacing. "First I saw Mimi, and we started dancing, and she was…I dunno…she was pretty good at dancing. Then she turned around and kissed me, and I'm going like what the hell? And she was just like I'm sorry, blah, blah, blah…so then she left. After I talked to Takeru for a while, I -"

"How is TK, anyway?"

"Fine…but anyway, I ran into Kari once, left her, then ran into her again, and she kissed me! Out of no where! And this is Kari, a completely shy and unpredictable person! What was I suppose to do?"

"What did you do?" he asked, now in suspense.

I dropped my arm to my side. "I kissed her back."

"Man…"

"I know!" I cried, falling back into bed. "I'm so stupid! So once I left, Tai Yagami started a -"

"Tai? You mean Taichi Yagami?"

"Same thing," I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, he started beating the shit outta me, and I was like what was I suppose to do, push her away? Then he was like fuck, fuck, fuck, blah, blah, blah…"

"Why did you call him Tai?"

"It's his nickname."

"Oh," he sighed. "Well, tight situation. I say you talk to Kari about it, tell her you don't really mean anything when you kiss people. You should probably apologize to Yagami, just to not sound like a complete ass." I could feel Noah smirking. "As for Mimi, keep flirting and -"

"Oh yeah, I have a confession…" I sighed. "I don't actually like her."

Silence. The conversation started to get kind of annoying. I rolled my eyes and continued talking. "I pretended like I did so that you guys would stop bugging me. I mean, every time I meet a new girl, you guys are all in my face, telling me I should hook up with her. I don't want a girlfriend right now. Just because I'm in grade eleven, doesn't mean I need a girlfriend to keep me happy."

I took a breath and hoped to God he wouldn't blurt this to Yuki or Dai.

"Well, I'm sorry we nagged at you. It's just that you haven't liked a girl in so long, we…I don't know…we're worried."

"Worried?" I raised an eyebrow. "Why are you worried?"

"We think maybe Sora fucked you over big time last year."

I stuck a pillow in my face. This was getting really annoying. I dated Sora for two months in grade ten, in September and October, and she broke up with me because she told me I wasn't "boyfriend material". She said it would be best if we were friends, and I kind of agreed with her. But the guys always bring her up, mentioning how "I'm not over her" and "I can't move on".

"I told you before, I don't care anymore."

"You sure?" He didn't seem convinced.

"I mean it!" I declared. "If I wasn't I would have told you! And if I wasn't, I would have asked her back out this year. You know I'm not nervous to ask people out."

"You seem nervous to fall in love again."

Noah always caught me off my guard, making me not have a reasonable come back. I groaned.

"I wasn't in love with her. I just liked her."

"A lot."

"Whatever,"

"You don't like Kari, do you?" The question came out of no where.

"Not really," I replied. "Err, she's cool and everything, just too…innocent, ya know? It's like she wouldn't really do anything with me, and Tai…uh, never mind."

"What about Taichi?" he snapped. "Every time I bring him up, you get all weird. I know you guys used to be friends and all, but what happened between you two?"

I didn't feel like answering him. Noah was a good friend and stuff, but me telling him about my feelings for Tai would just make him go ballistic on me, which was the last thing I needed. I wasn't sure on what to tell him, but I knew he would find out anyway.

"Noah, I'm gonna tell you something I have never told anyone in my entire life, and you have to promise not to tell anyone, or that you won't use it against me in any sort of way in the future."

"Okay, I promise."

My voice got caught in my throat. I couldn't bring myself to tell him.

"I…" I choked, "I…can't tell you. Guess."

"You expect me to guess what happened between you two that made you guys not friends anymore?"

Relief excited me. "You just wanna know why we aren't friends?"

"Yeah,"

"Oh…" I smiled. "Well, he just got way into his soccer, and I got into my music. Soon enough we just went our separate ways, you know?"

"Wait a minute…" he analyzed, "There's something else. Nothing to do with not being friends, but something that happened. Tell me."

Now he got me. I felt like I was in a room with him, trapped dead in the corner. I sighed deeply.

"I…had…a cru…"

"I can't hear you."

"I…liked…"

He laughed. "Yamato, I really can't understand a word you're -"

"I liked him, okay?"

There was a deep, never-ending pause. Suddenly, everything seemed to stop. I had no idea what was going on in Noah's head, but whatever it was, it couldn't have been too good. I could tell he was mixed with thoughts.

"What?!"

"Uh, nothing," I suddenly snapped, wondering why the hell I would blurt that out.

"You mean you…liked him?!"

"No! I have to go."

He gasped. "No wonder you don't like Mimi! You're gay! I completely get it now!"

"Hey!" I snapped. "No one said anything about that, it was just a phase! A stupid, lousy phase!"

"Does Yuki or Dai know?"

"No, and I don't plan on then finding out."

I could practically feel him rubbing his eyes. "All right…I won't tell anyone, not even Mai or Sora. I'll keep it to myself, but I'm not dropping this subject. How long have you liked him? Does anyone else know? Did he like you, too?"

"It was three fucking years ago," I stressed. "Look, it was in grade eight, and a little bit of grade nine. But now, I hardly even think about him, so it doesn't matter anymore."

"Like hell it does!"

I ignored him. "No one else knows. No one. Not even him. So you can't even talk about it."

"I'm not through with it yet!"

"Well, I am!" I shouted. "I don't wanna talk about it, okay? I wish I never brought it up…just…forget I ever said anything, all right?"

I hung up, realizing we were talking for almost an hour. It was already noon. I decided to give Tai a call.

I wasn't really sure why I suddenly blurted that out to Noah, of all people. Maybe seeing Tai the night before reminded me. Sure, Noah wouldn't tell anyone. Sure, he'd probably drop it completely in a few days, but I really didn't want him to get a bad feeling about me, like he wouldn't want to hang out with me or something.

At first, I was kind of excited. It gave me an excuse to talk to him again. You know, the feeling when you talk to your old friends for the first time in forever? Especially the few minutes before you start talking.

You start wondering…would he be happy? Would he be excited? Would he forgive you?

"Hello?"

"Hey, Tai!" Silence. "It's Yamato."

…would he be happy? Would he be excited? Would he forgive…

"Why the hell are you calling me?"

…damn.

"Listen, I just wanted to say sorry for last night. I was drinking a lot, and, well, I wasn't thinking straight for what I did to Kari. I know I must have been a real jerk. I should have said sorry last night."

"Okay, bye."

"Wait!" I cried, tightly shutting my eyes.

He moaned. "What? Why are you even talking to me?"

"Don't you even forgive me?"

He laughed. "Yama, do yourself a favour, and roll yourself another joint."

He hung up. I was stunned, not only because he completely left me speechless, but because he wouldn't even talk to me. It was like he hated me. I suddenly felt myself becoming extremely pissed off. I thought of calling him again, and even going to his house. But if I called him, he wouldn't answer. And if I went to go see him, I'd run into Kari, too. I dropped those ideas.

Feeling droopy, I knew bacon and eggs would make everything feel better.

The telephone rang before I got out of bed.

"Yamato," Noah's voice came. "I'm coming over."

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I was nervous. Noah wanted to come over for one reason, and I knew damn well I was right. I fiddled with my fingers, tension growing strong. I nearly jumped when a knock on the door came. I stood up and let Noah in.

"So, let me get this straight…" he said once coming in. "You liked Tai in middle school? And that means you were gay…or bi? I don't know how it works."

"Neither do I," I rolled my eyes.

Honestly, I didn't feel comfortable talking to Noah about situations like these. I knew I shouldn't have told him anything. I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. I knew somehow Yuki and Dai were going to find out about it sooner or later.

He tilted his head at me. "Just so you know, Yamato," he stated, "if you are gay or bi, it really, really wouldn't bother me. You'd still be the same eleventh grader I've always known. And I'm not pressuring you, but I'm there to talk to you when you need it."

I cracked a smile. "I'm not gay."

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I didn't plan on telling Noah, but I didn't think having him over was a good idea. It was just like talking to him on the phone, and we didn't even figure anything out. We talked about it for ten minutes, then I ordered pizza for us.

Once he left in the evening, I was trying to figure out what I was supposed to do that night. Saturdays were so…busy. Normally. This Saturday, with no party invitations, I had no idea of what I was going to do.

Somehow, I had this "great" plan to call Tai and lip him out for lipping me that morning. I smiled and grabbed the phone, wondering if maybe he could apologize this time.

"Hello?"

"Guess who." I replied dryly.

He groaned. "My God, Yama. What's wrong? Did you fuck Kari or -"

"I called to tell you that it was really low of you to not accept my apology this morning. You could have at least forgiven me, or said sorry back for trying to beat the shit out of me. Listen, Tai, I know we're not the best of friends anymore, but we should be mature about a matter like this. If I say sorry, then you should say okay, not go get more stoned."

"Well," he paused, then asked, "were you stoned?"

I ran my fingers through my hair. "You should know I haven't smoked since grade nine."

"Oh? Finally quit?"

I laughed. "Two years ago, man."

"I knew you'd finally smarten up and listen to me."

"You've never been much of a pothead, have you, Tai? I mean, I remember the first time you smoked then never did again. I kept asking you to, but nooo."

He laughed. "Do you know what -"

He paused. We both sat in silence, most likely thinking the same thing…

Why the hell am I talking to this person?

He cleared his throat. "Um…why'd you call me, anyway?"

"I wanted an apology from you giving me a bloody nose, just because your younger sister tried to kiss me at a party, which I had nothing to do with it. Then when I said sorry, you lipped me."

"Oh…" he muttered, making me think of him smirking. "Well…sorry."

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I stayed home for the rest of the weekend. Why? I don't even know. I guess I wanted a break from going out so much, and decided to spend some time on the couch in front of the television. It was sure good to be home.

Monday morning I showed up at school, nervous of how the day was going to work out. Mimi and Kari were both on my mind, and I was also wondering if Noah opened his big mouth to anyone.

I was over thankful when I saw Yuki in English class, without having him saying the words, "gay", "don't talk to me", or, "Taichi Yagami".

At lunch when I saw everyone at the table acting casual, I took a deep breath. Hopefully things wouldn't be awkward when I sat down.

When I approached the sixth table from the pita line, Kari didn't bother to move over. I raised an eyebrow at her, wondering why she ignored me. Mimi, however, scooted over and allowed me to have a seat. I awkwardly sat, smiling.

"Some party the other night," I said lightly, starting conversation.

No one replied. Bad move, I discovered, scratching my head.

Suddenly, I realized Yuki wasn't there. I was wondering what was going on when Mimi stood up.

"I have to go to my homeroom class for a second. I'll be right back!" she claimed, rushing away.

Kari eyed me, looking rather angry. "I'm so mad at Mimi."

I raised my eyebrow again. "Why?"

She shrugged. "She told me she went on a date with Yuki on Saturday night, and when I talked to him, he said they just hung out for ten minutes. And he was wasted. So, that means she obviously made it up just to get me mad at her."

"Why would that make you mad?"

"Because I kind of like Yuki…but don't tell anyone."

I shook my head. "No, you don't."

"Yes," She stared at her pita, "I do."

"But…" I didn't want to say it. I knew it would just make her even more mad, and even mad at me. But it was eating me inside. "I don't think you remember the party very clearly. You kissed me, and your brother tried to beat me for it."

"I remember."

This made me more confused. Kari was the innocent one. Now, she was seeming like a slut, who made out with me for no reason. It kind of made me pissed off, but then I let her explain.

"I was drinking too much to handle myself, and I…I don't know…I was mad at Mimi for something stupid, so when I found out she kissed you, I just did it too. Then I realized how stupid I was being and started crying, so Yuki kind of took care of me and called Tai up for him to take me home. I'm sorry he punch you, I didn't mean for anything like that to happen. And please, please don't tell me I'm a skank like Mimi."

That made me feel used.

Mimi skipped over to us, moving me over to sit on the seat with me. "So," she smiled. "What are we talking about?"

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Finally, it was fifth period. The last class before the end of Monday. On last period, I have gym class, which would seem like the easiest class in the world. However, if you were a musician like me, it would be the most horrifying class in the world.

My class was taken into a large gym, and the teachers told us we were combining classes with other students who have gym the same time we do. While doing this, we were playing a big game of dodge-ball. Not my favourite, but at least that meant I didn't have to run or pass out.

I was almost asleep while leaning against the wall when I heard,

"Ishida, you will be Team A's captain."

I opened my eyes, seeing on the of gym teacher's talking to me. I raised an eyebrow. "Ooo-kay…"

I stood up and went beside my teacher. Then I heard something else that made me jump.

"Yagami, you will be Team B's captain."

I turned my attention completely to Tai, who was now standing beside me. He smiled half-heartedly. I smiled back, still wearing a confused face.

I picked the first person, and clearly, I picked the person who was best at aiming. Tai picked the next, and so on. I had a pretty good team, except the group of girls who would most likely do nothing but sit in a circle and talk.

The rules were simple. Everyone on the team had to protect their captain from getting hit by the ball. However, if they were hit, they would be out until the captain tagged them back in. I didn't worry too much, knowing the chances of me getting smoked by the red ball was very slim. I had some pretty energetic people on Team A.

I made a plan for the team that most of the people should protect me, but seven or eight energetic people had to run around and throw the ball to try to tag Tai. They followed it quite well when the game started.

It was easy at first. All I had to do was stand around while ten people surrounded me. I hardly even saw the ball being thrown near me, on the count of the seven or eight people catching it before it could. I was loving it, and I knew it would be an easy class.

When the first person who was protecting me got hit, I knew nine people weren't enough. I had to go get her back.

I moved to the "jail cell" with the others following me when the second one was smoked in the face by the ball. She had to go to the bathroom…I mean, that ball hit her hard!

Eight people protecting me left. And if that wasn't enough, one of the ball-throwers was out. I began to panic slightly until I figured out that some of the other team's players were out already.

The jail cell was probably three meters away from me when a ball hit one of the guys who were protecting me, and the same time it bounced off and rolled to me, which made me panic. Before I knew it, someone had picked it up and hit someone from the other side of the gym.

A gym teacher blew her whistle and paused the game.

"Now, captains can throw the balls!"

Shit, shit, shit! I cursed in my mind. Now my team would actually expect me to do something!

Someone else was hit with the ball, which made me able to get the ball and throw it. However, I have horrible aim, and I can't throw too far. Instead, I picked it up and passed it to a guy who already had a ball. He gave me a dirty look and I shrugged.

While returning to my protectors, I felt something hard hit my stomach. I looked down to see a red ball roll a meter away from me. My eyes searched and found Tai smiling, clapping his hands together as if brushing them off, making it obvious it was him who throw it at me.

It was game over, and it was harshly my fault.

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I got some shit from people on our team, who were saying, "You should have stayed put!" and "Way to go, Ishida!"

I didn't care much, and shrugged the thought away. While walking down a hallway after getting dressed to my normal clothes and hear the bell, someone was shoved into me, making me shove into someone walking beside me. On the floor, many binders and textbooks were scattered.

Tai groaned, reaching down for his books. I bent down and helped him.

"Thanks," he grumbled as I passed him a binder and two textbooks.

"No problem," I smiled. "And by the way, thanks for tagging me out. Some people on my team were truly happy for me."

He smirked. "I thought they would be." He grabbed the last binder from the floor. "Look, Yama, I really am sorry about Friday. I didn't mean make you mad, I was just pissed about Kari. And I guess I'm sorry about the phone conversation thing."

"Well…you're forgiven."

He was about to walk away when he suddenly stopped, looking at me. "Do you want a drive home?"

I nodded slowly, following him to the parking lot. I was shocked Tai was even talking to me, better yet, I was wondering why he just asked me if he could drive me home. I smiled, knowing maybe mine and Tai's friendship wasn't completely over. Maybe we could rebuild it, making it stronger. Tai was a good friend to me, and I was sad to lose him.