I don't own digimon. Blah blah blah.

Enjoy the chapter!

CHAPTER 5 - Gowns and Tuxedos

Clair stared at her old dorm room's door. She mustered up all the courage she had and knocked on the door. She hadn't spoken to Veronica in months and Veronica never sent a RSVP to her wedding. It was Izzy's idea to try to mend things with her former best friend. The two had discussed it on Valentine's Day and a week had passed since then. It was now the end of February and the wedding was coming up fast. She knocked on Veronica's door again. This time, the door opened and Veronica stood in front of her with a confused look over seeing her former roommate at her dorm.

"Um…I don't know if you forgot, but you don't live here anymore. You moved in with computer boy."

Even though Clair knew the two weren't close friends anymore, Veronica's hostility still hit her remarkably hard. "I know I don't live here anymore."

"Mimi isn't here. I know you two have become friends though Sora and Gwen. She lives down in their dorm now temporarily. She won't be moving back here for another week."

"I didn't come here to speak to Mimi. I know she is down in Sora's dorm too. I came here to talk to you."

Veronica looked slightly surprised but tried to maintain her composure. "Oh. I see. What about?"

"Do you mind if I come in for a minute?" Veronica was not used to people being friendly to her, especially her old friends. She just nodded and let Clair into her old dorm room. "Wow, it looks different in here. My side of the room has gotten a lot pinker. Mimi wasn't exaggerating when she said she was a girly-girl, I guess." Clair smiled and turned to see Veronica sit on her bed and look up at her. Clair moved closet to her old roommate and best friend. "V, I came here to talk to you about my wedding. You do know that I am getting married next month, don't you?" Veronica nodded. "I sent you an invitation and you never replied to it."

"Oh…sorry. I, um…" Veronica didn't know what to say to Clair. She wanted to go to the wedding but didn't think that Clair would be happy with her making social situations awkward since all of Clair's friends hated her. She didn't want to face all of her former friends either.

Clair sat down next to Veronica. "You know, I hoped that the two of us would reconcile before my big day so that you could be in my wedding. I wanted you to be my maid of honor. We were so close at the beginning of the year and we knew each other before we moved in. After you isolated yourself, you shut out everybody, including me. That really hurt me, V. We still have a chance at being friends though. Accept my wedding invitation and come to the wedding. I promise that you will have fun. You can still even be my maid of honor if you want."

Veronica felt herself getting emotional. She hadn't talked to anyone in a week. She and Bryan had broken up and Mimi didn't live with her anymore. She had been left alone in her dorm room and had started cutting herself. She only did it that one night, but the scratches remained on her wrist. She was wearing a long-sleeved sweater so Clair couldn't see the scratches she made with the scissors. She was sure some of them would leave scars. "Clair…I don't know what to say." She felt a tear go down her face. "I'm so sorry I shut you out. I miss you so much. I don't know if you heard, but Bryan and I are no longer together and now that Mimi lives down the hall, I have been completely alone. I honestly thought you wouldn't want to be my friend again after the way I treated you."

"Of course I still want to be your friend. I'm sure the others feel the same way. We have all been worried about you."

Veronica nodded silently again. "I'm not sure if I am ready to make up with all of them yet. However, being friends with you would be a step in the right direction, I suppose."

Clair smiled and gave her friend a hug. "Take your time. You know how many psychology classes I have taken. I know that it is important for people to heal at their own paces. I'm here if you ever want to talk to me. I don't want you to be isolated anymore. It's not good for your mental health. Remember that you can call me or text me at anytime."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Clair."

"No problem, V. Now, will you come to my wedding?"

"I'll think about it. I don't think I am up for balancing the work of a maid of honor, or even a bridesmaid for that matter."

"That's okay. You don't have to be in the wedding. I'm sure I can find a substitute. I hope you do show up to the wedding though. You can come to the reception too."

Veronica adverted her eyes to stop the eye contact with Clair. "Well, all of your friends from here would be there and I am not really on the best of terms with them, especially Mimi. I don't think I will be at the reception." She looked up again to see Clair's disappointed expression. She felt guilty for turning down all of Clair's requests. "I will, however, go to the wedding ceremony. I'm sure it will be lovely." She smiled and could feel her face not being used to that expression. Clair smiled back and gave her another hug. Veronica hugged Clair back this time. She felt, for the first time in months, that she had a friend who actually cared about her.

Clair knocked on Sora and Gwen's door. Mimi answered. "Hey, Clair. Come on in." Sora and Gwen were sitting on their beds talking. Mimi went over and sat next to Sora and Clair took a seat next to Gwen.

"Hey everyone, I'm glad you are all dressed. I just left Veronica's dorm."

Sora gave her friend a sympathetic look. "How did that go?"

"It went surprisingly well. I think we can become friends like we used to be again. She is even coming to the wedding. However, she is not going to be in the wedding and she isn't coming to the reception."

Sora gave a kind smile. "I'm sorry, Clair. I know you wanted her to be your maid of honor. At least she is still coming to the wedding."

"I know. Well, now that I have all three of you here, we can go dress shopping. I'm sure you have probably guessed that I want you three to be my bridesmaids." Sora, Gwen, and Mimi smiled. Gwen and Sora were expecting this but Mimi knew that she was basically the replacement of Veronica. She was still honored to be in the wedding though. She and Clair had bonded over the past couple months and she had been friends with Izzy since childhood. "Also, Sora, I have probably bonded with you the most since I started attending this college, so I was wondering if you would be my maid of honor."

Sora was beaming with joy. "Of course I will. I would be honored, Clair."

Clair smiled at her. "Thank you so much. I'm sure you will do an amazing job at it."

Gwen stood up. "I can't wait any longer. Let's go try on those dresses. This is going to be so much fun. I love shopping. Plus, Sora and I are fashion merchandising majors, so we will know what looks good, and Mimi has quite the amazing sense of style herself from experiences in the fashion industry. We will all make sure you have the best-looking wedding dress a bride could have and that your bridesmaid dresses are stunning."

Clair stood up too. "Thanks, Gwen." The remaining two girls stood up as well and the four of them exited the dorm room to go to the bridal boutique a couple blocks over."

Izzy stood waiting in the tuxedo store for his three groomsmen to show up. He started tapping his foot and staring at his watch. They were all supposed to be there five minutes ago. He was started to get angry but saw Tai and Matt walk through the door holding hands. They walked over to Izzy. "Where were you two?"

Tai answered him. "I was hungry so we stopped to eat."

Matt looked up at his boyfriend and smiled. "Tai is always hungry. He is such a guy." Tai gave his boyfriend a kiss.

"Okay, you guys. I get it. You two are in love. However, the polite thing to do would be to text me that you were going to be late."

Tai looked down at his much shorter friend. "Relax, Izzy. We are late by five minutes. It doesn't even look like Joe is here yet."

"Joe at least has to travel to get here. He doesn't go to school in this city like we do. He has to ride the subway."

"Well, while we wait, I need to ask you something."

"Yes, Tai?"

"Why have you not informed me that I am your best man yet?"

Izzy looked nervous. He started to sweat a little. "Well…um…you see, Tai…"

Matt started laughing. "I told you Tai. Izzy picked me to be his best man. I knew he liked me better."

Tai glared at his boyfriend. "No he doesn't. He likes me more. You barely talked to him in high school. We are a lot closer than you and he are."

"Then why did he pick me and not you?"

"Who said he did? He didn't even answer me yet." He turned back to Izzy. "Go ahead, Izzy. Tell Matt that you picked me."

"I…um…" Izzy was sweating more and didn't want to tell Tai or Matt the truth. He took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "Tai, I didn't pick you to be my best man."

Tai's facial expression dropped into pure sadness. "What?"

Matt felt bad for his boyfriend but took the opportunity to gloat. "Hah, Tai! I told you he picked me."

"Actually, Matt, I didn't pick you either."

Matt looked back at Izzy. "What?"

Tai decided to return the meanness to his boyfriend. "Hah! You're not the best man either."

Matt glared at Tai and returned his eyes to Izzy. "You picked Joe then?"

"Yes, I did. I'm sorry you two. I am very close to both of you, but I am the closest to Joe out of our group of friends. Tai, you got into your sports and Matt got into his band and I bonded a lot with Joe during that time. We have been extremely close to this day, even though he attends a different university. You two are still my remaining groomsmen so you will both be in the wedding. You wouldn't like all the responsibility anyway. Joe is outstandingly reliable so that also made him the prime candidate. I'm sorry."

Matt tried to be a supportive friend despite not being chosen. "Well, I'm sure your decision was the best one. I'll congratulate Joe when he gets here. Won't you, Tai?" Matt lightly elbowed his boyfriend and looked up at him.

"Hell no, I won't. I wanted to be the best man."

Matt whispered sharply to Tai. "Tai, it is Izzy's decision and he chose Joe. Be supportive or you may not even be in the wedding."

Tai sighed. "Fine. Good choice Izzy. I'm sure he will do an amazing job as your best man." Tai rolled his eyes and Matt glared at him for sounding completely apathetic and sarcastic.

Izzy was breathing normal again now that he informed his friends of the news. "Thank you both." He looked outside the store window. "Here comes Joe now." Tai and Matt turned around to see Joe hurrying into the store. He walked over to them and wiped the light sweat from his forehead.

"Sorry I'm late, guys. The subway ride took longer than usual. How is everyone?"

Izzy spoke up first because he was scared for Tai to answer with something rude. "We are all fine. I informed Matt and Tai about my choice for best man."

"Oh, I'm sorry you guys. Izzy and I are just really close."

Tai's face created an angry look. "Wait a second. You already knew you were best man?"

"Um…well, yeah. I've known for awhile."

"How long?'

"A little over a week, I suppose."

"And Matt and I just found out about it five minutes ago?"

"Uh…I guess. I thought Izzy would have told you by now. I didn't realize he would wait until we all went tux shopping." Joe laughed nervously.

Joe, Matt, and Tai all looked at Izzy. Izzy started laughing nervously as well. "Uh…yeah, sorry about that, guys. I guess it slipped my mind."

Tai glared at his soon-to-be-married friend. "Uh huh, I'm sure it did, Izzy." Matt lightly elbowed Tai again for his sarcasm. "Ow!"

"Oh come on, Tai. You know that didn't hurt. I'm a weak, girly boy, remember?"

Matt knew how to get Tai to smile and he succeeded. "You're right, Yama." He turned back to Izzy. "I'm sorry, Izzy. I support your choice at best man. Besides, doesn't the bride always have sex with the best man? Clair is attractive and all but she is missing something between her legs to qualify her for my interest." Matt put his hand over his eyes to show his embarrassment for his boyfriend. Joe looked uncomfortable and Izzy looked furious. "Oh, no I didn't mean that the way it sounded. Clair is a lovely girl and she is not promiscuous nor a cheater. She wouldn't have sex with Joe. Don't worry Izzy, she wants that computer nerd dick of yours."

"Tai!" Matt slapped Tai's arm.

"What? I am trying to give out compliments here. I can't help how they come out."

Matt shook his head and turned to Izzy. "I apologize for Tai. He is like a little boy and he gets upset easily. He is just jealous that he isn't the best man and can't handle like a grown-up. Never mind him, let's all go try on tuxedos." Izzy nodded and the four boys began to find their tuxedos for Izzy's wedding.

Clair, Sora, Mimi, and Gwen walked into the bridal boutique. Clair smiled at seeing all the beautiful wedding dresses on display. They stood there and waited for someone to come and assist them. A purple-haired girl with glasses walked out from the back room. "Oh my God! Mimi!" She ran over to Mimi and gave her a tight hug.

"Oh, hello Yolei. I haven't seen you since January."

Yolei loosened her grip. "I know. It has felt like forever."

"What are you doing here?"

"My family owns this bridal shop."

"I thought your family owned a convenience store."

"They do. They also own this store. I used to work in the convenience store all the time but now that I have my driver's license, I drive out here to work from time to time." She looked at the other three girls. "Oh, how rude of me. Sora! How are you?" She gave Sora a hug as well.

"I'm doing great, Yolei. What about yourself?"

"I'm doing amazing. Thank you for asking." She moved onto Gwen. "I met you on New Year's Eve, didn't I? Your name is Gwen."

Gwen smiled. "Yes, you did meet me then. I remember you."

"You are the one that Tai said made out with Sora."

Gwen smiled politely, yet she was slightly embarrassed and Sora's face had turned redder than her hair. "Yes, Sora and I did. I'll have to remind Tai how happy I am that he is sharing this story around."

"Don't worry about it. I am friends with lots of people who like the same gender. We are both friends with Tai and Matt, of course. Two of my closest friends, Davis and Ken, are also dating and they are so adorable. You will meet them at the wedding. Izzy invited them as well as me. Davis is the younger version of Tai. He practically worships Tai. Ken is very quiet and shy. He is a little bit of a loner. He is very sweet but has a dark side. He reminds me of Matt a little. I kind of wish Ken was straight though so I could have him. I had a huge crush on him before he came out of the closet the day we picked Mimi up from the airport. Do you have a girlfriend?"

Mimi shook her head. "Yolei, don't you think that might not be any of your business?"

"Oh, sorry. I don't mean to pry, Gwen."

"It's okay. Yes, I do have a girlfriend. Her name is Rosemary but I just call her Rose."

"Wow, that's a pretty name." Sora rolled her eyes. She was a little upset that Gwen had gone back to Rosemary after she cheated on Gwen in the past. She saw it coming though when Gwen had had sex with Rosemary on Valentine's Day. The next day, the two of them discussed the issue and Sora told her that it was a bad idea to resume a relationship with Rosemary. Sora told Gwen that if someone was once a cheater that they will always be a cheater. Gwen ignored Sora's rational advice and went back to Rosemary the next day. The two had been a couple again ever since and Sora was not happy about it. Yolei moved on to Clair. "Well, if it isn't the bride to be. Congratulations. I met you at the New Year's Eve party as well. You were with Izzy. I can't believe Izzy is getting married. He just turned eighteen, but I can tell you two are in love."

"Yes, we are."

"You know, Izzy was the president of the computer club in high school, and I took over for him after he graduated. He is such an amazing. I had a crush on him too. Apparently everyone I like gets married or turns out to be gay. Now, Clair, what are your wedding color or colors?"

"I talked Izzy into a pale pink. The bridesmaids will be wearing that color and the groomsmen will have that color vest. Izzy and I both have the exact shade memorized so everyone will match. The flowers will be that color as well. Izzy will just be in black and white though and I am going to be in white."

"Okay, we'll let's go pick out some dresses."

"Pink?"

"Yes, Tai. You have to wear a pink vest. Clair picked the color. Get over it. You'll look fine."

"I'll look like a girly boy."

"Matt isn't throwing a hissy fit."

"Well, he is a girly boy."

"Joe isn't complaining either."

"Well…I don't have a comeback for that one. Do I have to wear a pink vest?"

"Yes."

"Fine." Izzy and Tai stood next to each other in silence while Joe and Matt tried on their tuxedos in the two dressing rooms. Joe walked out first. He actually looked charming in his tux and Tai had to admit that the pink vest didn't make him look too girly. Izzy and Tai both complimented him and Joe thanked them. Matt walked out a split second later. Tai's face lit up. "Oh my God! Yama! You look so beautiful!" He ran over to Matt and threw his arms around him.

"Thanks, Tai. Do you like me in pink?"

"Hell yeah! The more girly the better."

"Are you sure you aren't bisexual, Tai?"

"I think I am border lining it." The two boys started laughing and kissed.

Joe looked at Izzy. "Are they always like this?"

"Always. You learn to get used to it."

"It's very odd to see the two of them kissing and being affectionate with each other when we have known them our whole lives and assumed that they were both straight through most of it."

"I know, but they aren't. They genuinely love each other. Tai and Matt have always been inseparable. They fought a lot but they always made up. It doesn't seem that different to see them as a couple."

"I guess not."

Izzy stopped Tai and Matt's conversation. "Okay, Tai, you and I need to try on our tuxedos now to see if we need alterations done."

Tai looked at Izzy. "You mean try them on together? I hate to break it to you, Izzy, but this cute blonde boy next to me already stole my heart. Maybe Joe will go undress with you in the dressing room." Tai giggled a little knowing that Izzy didn't mean that he wanted to change in the same dressing room.

"Ha ha, Tai. You're such a comedian. I meant that we should try them on in the two separate dressing rooms."

"Well, that's more like it, Izzy. Way to keep it in your pants." Matt started laughing. He knew his boyfriend was being hard on Izzy today over the best man choice but he still found it kind of funny. Tai was normally not this bitchy. Izzy went into one of the dressing rooms and Tai went into the other. Matt stood and waited with Joe. He heard Tai's voice calling for him. "Hey, Yama, can you help with this. I don't think I am putting this on right."

Matt rolled his eyes and looked at Joe. "He is not the smartest boy sometimes but I still love him. Excuse me for a second." He walked into Tai's dressing room to see Tai in nothing but his boxers. "Tai? You aren't even attempting to get dressed."

Tai smiled. "I know, Yama. How can I when you look so hot in your tux."

Matt looked down to see that Tai had an erection. "Oh no, Tai. We are not doing it in a dressing room with our friends right outside. I am having to whisper just so they won't hear us talking about doing it. Besides, we don't have a condom. You know I only allow safe sex."

"We don't have to have full-on sex, Yama. Why don't you suck it? You know you want to." He gave Matt a very charming smile that made Matt smiled back.

"You are too irresistible for your own good Tai. Fine, but we have to make this fast. That means you can't repeat the process on me."

"But…"

"No buts. I should probably take this tux off though. If you get your cum on it, we will probably have to buy it and neither of us can afford that." Matt took off his tux neatly and took off Tai's boxers to see Tai's large penis extremely hard. His mouth watered when he saw it.

Outside the dressing rooms, Joe waited for his friends to come out. After awhile, Izzy stepped out of the dressing room wearing his tuxedo. "Wow, Izzy. You look so sharp!"

"Why thank you, Joe. It is quite prodigious that this tux fits me so well. Where did Matt go?"

"He went to assist Tai with his tux."

Izzy rolled his eyes. "Why can't Tai do anything himself. We don't have all day. I better check on them." He walked over to Tai's dressing room and opened the door since it wasn't locked. He saw Matt kneeling on the floor with Tai's penis in his mouth. His jaw dropped. "Oh my God!" The two boys looked at Izzy with embarrassment and shock. Matt took Tai's penis out of his mouth and continued to stare at Izzy. Izzy quickly shut the door and walked back over to Joe. "Unbelievable! Do they need to have sex everywhere they go?"

Joe's eyes grew wide. "What? They were having sex?"

"Well, oral sex. I can't believe I walked in on that! That is going to be forever burned into my memory. Trust me, it will be a difficult image to shake."

Back in the dressing room, Matt had gotten back into his tux and Tai finally got his on as well. Matt looked up at his boyfriend. "Well, I guess that is what we get for interrupting the blowjob Davis was giving to Ken last month. Payback is a bitch, I suppose. Either that or karma got us from you being so mean to Izzy today."

Tai looked down at Matt. "Yama, I don't want to go back out there. It is going to be so awkward. Izzy saw us and probably told Joe what he saw. Now we have to walk out there like nothing happened. This is insane."

"You are the one who wanted to do it. Izzy knew we were already having sex. I don't think he is judging us too badly by us having some oral fun in a dressing room. We are two eighteen-year-old boys. He should give us a break. He is a virgin so he must know what it is like to be horny."

"I suppose you are right. Let's get this over with." Tai took Matt's hand and led him out of the dressing room. Neither boy made eye contact with Joe or Izzy. Izzy didn't attempt to make eye contact either. Joe could feel the awkwardness of everyone and decided to be the one to break the ice.

"Wow, Tai. You look great." When everyone remained in the same body language, Joe gave up. Joe, Matt, and Tai rented their tuxes and Izzy bought his so he would have the tuxedo he married Clair in forever. The four boys left he store to go eat lunch even though none of them were talking.

Sora, Mimi, and Gwen all looked in the large mirror in the bridal shop as Clair tried on another wedding dress that Yolei was assisting her with. The three girls were in the bridesmaids dresses. Sora frowned slightly. "I don't think pink is my color. I am not a girly girl anyway. I may be into fashion, but I am still a tomboy at heart."

Gwen nodded. "I agree. I am very girly but I am more of a purple girl myself."

Mimi shook her head. "You two don't know what you are talking about. Pink is the most amazing color there is." She smiled and twirled around in her dress and looked at herself in the mirror. "I look amazing in this dress."

Sora looked over at her. "Remember, Mimi, this wedding is about Clair and Izzy. Please do not try to steal the show with a runway walk down the isle."

Mimi gasped. "Sora, I am insulted that you would think I would do such a thing." Mimi adjusted the straps of the dress and the dress down some to show more cleavage. Sora rolled her eyes.

Gwen spoke up. "I think this dress will be the one for Clair."

Mimi shook her head again. "I doubt it. I think she wants to see how many dresses she can try on before we kill her. She has tried on fifty already."

Sora pushed Mimi's shoulder back lightly. "Mimi, she has not. She has tried on six and this one will be her seventh. That is not that many. It is not like Clair is being a bridezilla. She is still being her sweet self."

"That's true I guess."

The door to the dressing room opened and Clair walked out in a stunning wedding dress. Yolei held the train of the dress as Clair walked towards them. The dress was strapless and fit her like a glove. It was tight on the top and had a very loose bottom with a semi-long train. It was simple, yet elegant. Clair looked at herself in the mirror and started crying. "This is the dress."

Yolei jumped up and down and clapped her hands. "Perfecto! A bride-to-be can always tell when she has found the perfect dress. You look amazing, Clair. Truly beautiful."

Sora smiled looking at Clair in the mirror. "Yolei is right. You look so gorgeous. All eyes will be on you at the wedding." Gwen and Mimi agreed with her. Clair nodded and tears continued to roll down her cheeks. She bought the dress and the girls bought their bridesmaid dresses. Yolei gave them all reasonable prices so they were all satisfied. They all went back to Izzy and Clair's apartment to put the dresses away until the wedding.

The four boys sat in silence at the restaurant. Since Izzy was the only one to actually buy a tuxedo, he was the only one who had to carry one around. The other boys could pick theirs up closer to the wedding. Joe had finished eating and saw that his friends were about to do the same. He didn't want to end the day on the bad note so he decided to say something to shake things up. "Hey Matt?" Matt looked up at him and Tai and Izzy also looked at Joe to see what he was going to say. "Suck any good dicks lately?" Matt looked at him with a stunned look on his face. Tai and Izzy looked shocked as well that that came out of Joe's mouth. Joe saw their expressions and burst out into laughter. Matt started laughing too and Tai and Izzy joined in. They had all been so focused on the awkwardness that they neglected to see the humor in what happened. The four boys let all of their laughter out and were almost in tears after a couple minutes of laughing. After that, the all talked like normal. They left the restaurant and walked Joe to the subway station to see him off. When Joe's subway came, the boys waved goodbye to him. "See you, guys. Can't wait for the wedding next month!" The boys continued to wave as the subway went into the tunnel. The three boys headed back to campus.

Veronica sat in her dorm room alone. She had been smiling all day since she spoke with Clair. She had been so lonely for so long that she was thrilled to have her former best friend back in her life. She hoped she could make her friendship with her as strong as it was before. She planned on renewing her friendships with Clair's entire group of friends too. She knew some people would be more difficult than others. Tai would be difficult and Mimi would be near-impossible. She was hopeful that she could do it, though. She was tired of being alone.

Izzy walked into his apartment on campus. Clair was reading a book in the living room area. She looked up at him. "Hey, Izzy. How did the tux shopping go?"

"I went great despite some odd events occurring. Did you get a dress?"

"I sure did. I can't show it to you though. You will have to wait to see me walk down the isle in it."

"I thought the superstition was not to see the bride in the wedding dress until the actual wedding. I don't think there is anything about seeing the dress by itself."

Clair smiled. "Well, I am not taking chances."

"I am going to hang my tux up in the closet."

Clair jumped up. "Yeah, I bet you will. After you do that, you will go looking at my dress. I will take that to the closet for you." She walked over and took the tuxedo. Izzy gave her a kiss.

"A couple more weeks." She smiled and kissed him back.

"I can't wait."

TO BE CONTINUED…