"Oh Matt, look at this place!" Kari sighed as she stepped into the apartment. She had only got off the phone with Matt 15 minutes ago, but got bored. She had decided to wait at his apartment, instead of at her house. But now she saw the mess, and was wondering just what Matt did in his spare time. Actually, she didn't want to know. She weaved around the piles of clothes and other such stuff, until she reached the living room. It was worse then the hallway.

"I'm afraid to look at the kitchen, but I'm thirsty..." Kari dared to go in. It was cleaner then the rest of the house, but still not quite that clean. Dirty dishes and dirty rags filled the sink and piled on the counter, but the table was clean, or at least not stacked with stuff. On the table she saw some papers. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she looked at them.

"Oh!" She breathed as she read them. Letter after letter was from Matt's father about how he was working late, again. And again, and again, and again. "No wonder you let a mess gather. It's not like if you did anything, anyone would notice. Your dads always working."

Kari looked up from the stack of papers, and around the kitchen. She left the kitchen and searched the living room for a basket. She moved stuff around, making the mess more to one side of the room. She got on her hands and knees and looked under the coffee table. And amazing, stuffed under it, was a laundry basket. She beamed and pulled it out. She walked back to the kitchen and set it on the floor.

"Dirty rags first," Kari said out loud and searched for the dirty dish rags and such. She found them hidden in various spots, and was soon searching the draws for clean rags. She found two clean rags and some garbage bags. Having a feeling she'd need those later, she put the garbage bag on top of those horrible letters on the table.

She filled the sink with hot soapy water and put the dirty dishes into it. She hummed as she washed and dried. In about half an hour, she had a counter stacked of clean dishes. She smiled to herself and set out to find where every dishes home was. This took about 10 minutes to find and put away all the dishes.

Kari then took the only other clean rag and got it wet. She cleaned every surface and top. And when she finished that she swept the floor. By the time everything was done in the kitchen, everything was dry as well. Kari stood, dirty laundry basket in hand, at the entrance of the kitchen. She smiled, seeing how clean it was. She felt good, being able to do something for Matt.

Kari turned to the living room, her next task. She set the laundry basket onto the couch, the only clean place in the living room, and started to gather clothing. That's what the living room was, was mostly clothing. After picking up all the fabric type pieces, the floor was see able.

"Kari?" A male voice spoke. Kari jumped and spun.

"Oh, uh, hey Matt," Kari said, a bit breathlessly. She was breathless because of the cleaning, and the fact that Matt was here. He always took her breath away. And she knew why. Her crush on him had been growing sense she was 10. But she dared not tell him, not with Tai as her brother.

"What are you doing?" Matt asked, an eyebrow raised.

"I, er, I'm cleaning..." Kari blushed and looked away. He was so cute when he looked confused.

"Well, I guessed this. But why?" Matt replied.

"I-I wanted... it was dirty, and... I wanted to help," Kari looked at him. A small smile came to his lips.

"Well, thanks, but you don't have to."

"I know I don't have too. But I wanted to. I wanted to be..."

"Charitable?" Matt offered.

"Yes, charitable. I wanted to help out, and it looked like you could have used it." Kari blushed deeper, hoping she didn't insult him.

"Well, at least you tried to clean," Matt looked around the living room.

"Oh, but I did clean! Look at the kitchen!" Kari smiled, but the smile left her face when she saw Matt's expression. A look of worry was in his eyes, but his facial features showed anger. He turned quickly, and walked into the kitchen. Kari followed.

"You're cleaning out of pity," Matt spat at her once he realized the letters were gone.

"I..I..." Kari wasn't sure what to say.

"You shouldn't have gone through my stuff!" Matt wasn't yelling, but was close too.

Kari's eyes watered. "I'm sorry!"

"Whatever..." Matt waved a hand at her, challenging her to say something.

Kari's face change. The tears that were their vanished. Her face became angry as well. "I hate that! I hate it that when I apolligize, and you either pretend you didn't hear it or act as if it's not good enough! I am sorry, but does it mean anything to you!? No! I'm sorry I wanted to help! I'm sorry I tried to feel your pain! I'm sorry I wanted to make things better! I'm sorry I care about you!"

Matt blinked and looked down. "Kari..."

"Don't! Just don't! Don't start to be like Tai, and tell me you didn't mean it and were just angry. I know you were angry, you don't have to explain it to me like I'm 5! Is that what you see me as? A small 5 year old who makes mistakes and in the slightest expression of emotion expect for pure joy, you automatically think that somethings wrong? I don't need a lecture. I just thought that maybe I could help you out, because you helped me! You listened when no one else would, but now I wonder if it meant anything at all, or were your words just pretty, filled with nothing!?"

"Kari, I did listen. And I meant what I said. I believe you. I really do. It's just...you read those letters and..."

"And you think I did it out of pity? Well, I didn't! I did it because I care for you! If I were to pity anyone, it would be your father, who isn't around to see you become something!"

"I don't need him around..." Matt's voice was small.

"But you want him around. You want someone here, don't you? To share your accomplishments with, your fears, your hopes, and wishes."

Matt opened his mouth, but decided against it. He opened his mouth again and spoke," I wouldn't mind having someone around." He felt like a little child, talking to his mother.

"Then it's settled!" Kari smiled.

"Huh?" Matt's head snapped in her direction.

"I'll be your company! I'll come over whenever you need me, if not everyday!" Kari smiled.

Matt found himself smiling as well, a real smile. "I'd like that."