Lockdown
"Sora?"
Swallowing dry, Tai looked over at the window and trailed the rays of sunlight that seeped through the curtains. They ran across the bed and onto his pants, heating his leg. He narrowed his eyes, watching that inexplicable cloud of dust floating around and finally pulled his leg away from the heat. He looked down at Sora who laid perpendicular to him on the bed with her head resting on his lap.
"Sora?" He cleared his throat and called again; she must have not have heard him or had he just imagined calling her name?
Putting her style magazine down, Sora looked up at Tai cascading over her. He shifted his legs from beneath her head. He then began fiddling with a strand of her hair while nervously nipping his bottom lip.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're pretty."
Sora smirked and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you have; a bunch of times. You're almost as bad as my mom." She replied, hushing her voice at the mention of her mom. Quickly, she lifted the magazine and began flipping through the pages in a rush.
Tai mentally slapped himself and found himself snatching the 'book' away from her.
"Hey." Sora protested, sitting up.
Tai coolly tossed it across the room. "Sora, do you take me seriously?"
Aghast, Sora frowned. "Of course I do. What's this ab-" Before she could finish, Tai pressed his hand against her mouth and grabbed her hand, pulling her closer. Anything he did from then on was out of pure instinct.
His legs opened up to cradle her as she fell against his chest. Her eyes beckoned like a frightened mouse. Their faces were centimeters, no, millimeters apart; they could feel the faint brush of each other's noses against one another.
"Tai?"
"You're beautiful." Tai sternly spoke; lowering his voice. "You know how I feel about you, I know you do."
Sora gulped. "I...I know." She said, closing her eyes to break his fierce contact. He let go of her hands and embraced her.
"I think you feel the same way." She heard him whisper.
Her eyes flashed open and he held her tighter as if he had known she wanted to pull away; and she did. "Tai, you're my best friend."
Tai sighed. "Come on Sora!" He explained. "Don't tell me you didn't expect this to happen?"
Sora narrowed her eyes. "Expect what to happen? Are you saying that guys and girls can't be 'just friends?' What about me and Izzy?"
"That's different 'cause he's got Mimi."
Shaking her head, Sora stood up and walked to the corner where Tai had tossed the magazine and picked it up. "Listen Tai..." She sighed as Tai got off the bed and walked toward her.
"No, don't you dare give me that shit Sora. You can't tell me you don't feel the same; I know you do but you just haven't realized it yet."
"I haven't?" She quizzically looked up at him and he nodded.
"That's how it happened to me. For a long time I tried ignoring the feeling but I couldn't. I was scared and I know you are too." He tenderly spoke and cupped her chin. Her eyes focused on the ground so he lifted her face to meet his. "Don't be afraid; its wonderful we'll be great together."
Sora cocked her eyebrow and pushed him away. She ran her hand through her hair; a peculiar habit she had picked up after a certain blonde. She sighed and sat on her bed. "Don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself?"
"No." Tai responded and kneeled down on his knees by her legs. "Not at all."
"Tai." Sora stressed. She opened and closed her mouth, at a loss of words. "I...uh...things are happening and I...." She tilted her head and sheepishly looked at Tai. He on the other hand flashed her an aggravated glare. He quickly stood up.
"But you barely know Matt! He's an jackass!"
Wide eyed, Sora stood up and walked toward the dresser near her closet. "Matt?! Why the hell would you think that this is about him? Besides, you don't even know him!"
"I know he kissed you." Tai mumbled, looking down. "I always thought I'd be your first kiss."
Sora inwardly gasped and stepped back, pushing herself against the wall. Tai pressed himself against her. His hard chest falling heavy on hers, she could feel the rumbled of each breath he took. He kept his head low and she couldn't see past his long chocolate eyelashes. He ran his hands up her arms, sending her shivers that pricked her spine. Suddenly her eyes welled with tears, but out of fear or guilt, she didn't know.
"But you could still be mine." His whispered and leaned in, planting his lips flush on hers.
They were warm and soft and he moved them almost expertly. Countless hours he had spent trying to perfect the first kiss with a stuffed bear, though he'd never tell her. It was a gentle kiss, but she could feel him holding back the passion and hunger; he didn't want to scare her. She could feel the blood rushing to her face and it was rushing fast. There was an unexpected explosion of heat in her chest; she couldn't tell if he had just broken her heart or if he had completed it. Her body was numb and all she felt were his soft lips over hers and the tears rolling down her cheeks.
Savoring her lips, Tai gently pulled back, pecking her one last time and wiped the tears away. "Please don't cry." There was a sad quiver in his voice that sounded like music to her ears. "Please don't cry." He sniffed and embraced her.
She buried her face in his chest and let her tears fall. Sighing, she then felt a drop fall on her shoulder. Slowly looking up, she could see him fluttering those beautiful eyelashes of his and another drop fell on her. She smiled and hugged him tighter.
-----
"You seem cheery this morning."
Sora turned to her left and blankly looked at Mimi. "What?"
Mimi chuckled. "I was being sarcastic. You've been gawking at the door since we got here." She quickly pointed forward just as Matt walked in. Cocking an eyebrow, she smirked. "I can see why."
Sora shook her head and opened her book. "Shut up." She heard Mimi chuckle.
"You better watch it, here comes Tai."
Without looking away from the book, Sora replied. "I could say the same thing about you and Izzy." Without seeing, she could feel Mimi grimace. At least, that got her off her back.
"Hey Matt." Mimi squealed.
Sora barely looked up to see him nodding at Mimi and then look at her. "Hey." He said while she gave him the same careless gesture he gave to Mimi. He stood there for a second before feeling a push behind him.
"Forgot where you sit?" Tai growled from behind. Matt shrugged his shoulder and went to his seat.
Tai smirked and sat down, whispering a small 'hi' at Sora and a 'what's up' at Mimi. "Where's Izzy?" He asked.
Mimi flipped open her cell phone and whimpered. "He's not coming; has a dentist appointment."
Tai scowled. "Ouch."
"Who'll be my partner?" She whined and looked at Tai shrugging.
"I'm with Sora."
"Sorry Mimi." Sora spoke.
Mimi then smiled and twirled around. "Matt!"
Matt had his face buried in a book, eyeing Sora and Tai by the corner of his eye.
"You'll be with me, right?"
Mimi's squeaky voice hurt his ears. He incredulously looked up. "What?!"
"Can you be my partner?" She giggled.
"Oh." Matt shifted in his seat, nervously glancing at Sora and back. "Yeah, sure why not." He forced a smile.
"Ok, everyone." The teacher announced. "Gather your partners, you already know what to do."
Matt awkwardly watched everyone stand up, group up and move their seats. Tai himself stood up and scooted a seat next to Sora.
"Come on." Mimi smiled and inched her desk closer.
"What are we doing." Matt inquired.
"Oh." Mimi rolled her eyes. "We're suppose to revise each other's essays and make corrections. Just another way for Mr. Fujiyama to get out of actually teaching us."
Matt nodded and took out his paper and handed it to Mimi while she happily gave him hers. It was printed on pink paper with what looked like glitter splattered all over. Grunting, Matt looked at the clock and sunk in his chair.
-----
"I'm serious Mimi." Matt protested while Mimi pushed him along. "I have to go to the library."
Mimi huffed and pushed harder. "But Matt, Izzy's not here and you can't leave me alone with Tai and Sora."
"Why not? Aren't guys really good friends?"
"Yeah, but something fishy is going on between them. They're all quiet and suspicious; I don't like it. At least I'll have a sane person to talk to if you're there."
Matt rolled his eyes. 'I think I'm just about the only sane person in the school.'
"Mimi." He locked his feet causing Mimi to come crashing into his back. "This isn't a good idea." He spoke, watching Sora and Tai sitting on the field.
"Why not?"
"I have a feeling I won't be welcomed."
"Don't be silly."
"I'm serious."
"Why?" Mimi placed her hand on his shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Matt grunted and sighed. "Tai...Tai doesn't want me there." He quickly added and looked away. "Sorry Mimi, I have to go." He looked back at Sora one more time and turned around when Mimi tugged at his arm.
"Wait! I'll come with you."
"Mimi..."
"It'll be fun, besides, I don't think Tai wants me there either?"
Matt grit his teeth and walked around a corner. "Why not?"
"Well," Mimi cluelessly continued to talk. "There's obviously something going on with him and Sora. They've been acting weird lately, all secretive and stuff."
Matt let out an uncomfortable cough that caught Mimi's eye. He ran his fingers through his hair and frowned. "What else?" He impatiently asked.
Mimi mischievously smiled though he wouldn't catch it; he was too busy concentrating on her words. "Someone told me they saw them kissing outside of the cafeteria."
Suddenly, Matt stopped walking. "What the hell?!"
Mimi widened her eyes. "Jeez, don't take it so seriously. Everyone knows it was bound to happen; they're meant for each other."
Matt pursed his lips and continued to walk, listening to Mimi scurry behind him. "Why, just because they've known each other their whole lives and are best friends?" He sarcastically spat and Mimi rolled her eyes.
"Duh." She opened the library door, letting herself and Matt in. "What's the big deal? Don't tell me you like Sora."
Matt glanced at Mimi and darted to a book filled isle leaving her behind, gasping.
"You like her???"
"Shh! We're in a library."
Mimi frowned and whispered. "But why?" She asked.
Her inquiry left Matt aghast. Why? How could she such an incredulous question about her friend?
"What do you mean why?"
"Well." Mimi blinked. "I just meant that....you're cute...." She flushed. "....and you could have the hottest girl in Odaiba." She batted her eyelashes and Matt hoped she wasn't refering to herself. "Why would you go for Sora?"
Matt gulped and shoved a book he had been looking at back into its place on the shelf. "Sora is the hottest girl in Odaiba." He grunted; he'd later regret exposing himself but for now, he had to expose Mimi. "What kind of friend are you that you can't imagine someone actually being attracted to your friend. Are you that selfish and stuck up?"
"What?"
"Don't try to act all innocent; I know what type of girl you are." He hissed and walked past her. "Izzy is a great guy and honestly, he can do better than you so be happy he puts up with your shit." He looked around at all the curious faces glancing at him. "Don't fuck it up."
Mimi watched him leave the library and remained stunned. There was a lump in her throat and the taste of salt, water on the corner of her mouth.
-----
Fuck.
Matt cursed himself while pacing, practically stomping his way to the field. He could hear Mimi chasing after him but he didn't bother to look back.
"Matt!" She hollered but his eyes fixated on the duo sitting down.
They galled and laughed. She tenderly reached out to him and he carefully cupped her hand in place.
Son of a bitch.
Matt hissed and felt more determined then ever.
"Matt!" Mimi shouted one more time and looked around. Fine. She grit her teeth and pulled on a red leaver on a nearby wall.
In an instant, the school was filled with the screeching of the fire alarm. Everyone looked up and around; shrugging their shoulders they stood up and began walking toward the field as they had been instructed to do so numerous times in case of a fire or earthquake. Mimi devilishly smiled as Matt lost himself in the sea of incoming students that quickly blocked his path.
"Sora!" He spotted her and Tai getting up and holding hands. "Sora!" He shoved his way through until he bumped into someone familiar.
"What the hell's your problem?" Tai shoved back.
Matt stumbled onto a couple of students and suddenly lunged at Tai. Within seconds, a vortex of shouting and hollering revolved around them as some students cheered on the fight and others began one of their own.
"Matt! Tai!" Sora screamed within the crowd and found herself being tossed around like a doll. She looked back and saw Mimi glaring at her, but there was no way her friend would shove her like that.
"Get off of me!" She heard Tai declare and felt a heavy body fall on her.
Both on the ground, Matt rolled off of her and tackled Tai and somewhere between the commotion she couldn't find the strength or space to pick herself up.
"Mimi!" She watched her friend walk away and felt a hit on the side of her stomach. "Tai!" She screamed and shielded herself from the rushing bodies.
"Fucking asshole!" Matt hollered, wiping driblets of blood from his mouth.
What seemed to be a mosh pit arose and everyone was in on the fight. Sora crawled and repeatedly fell.
"What's going on here?!?!" Drowning the hoots and hollers, the principal forced himself through the crowd. The pit scattered as he pulled Tai and Matt apart. "Why are you two fighting?"
"Oh my god!" A girl gasped in the crowd, pointing at a body on the ground.
"Who is that?" The principal rolled the body of a girl on her side.
"Sora!" Both Tai and Matt spoke in unison.
TBC- I know its been a long time but I finally found the time to deliver another chapter. Please read and review, I love reading your comments. Thanks!