JUST BE YOURSELF

CHAPTER TWO

Izzy and Joe glanced worriedly at Tai then back to each other. He was just sitting by the window, staring despondently out at the street. The three boys were in Izzy's apartment, which was near silent what with his parents being absent and the growing awkwardness of the situation.

"What do you think is wrong with him?" whispered Joe.

"I don't know," Izzy whispered back. "I thought it was weird when he actually agreed to work on homework with us..."

Joe and Izzy had finished their work. Not surprisingly, Tai was the only one who hadn't gotten anything done. They hadn't really expected him to show up and conform to their level of studiousness. But they hadn't expected him to be sulking either.

Joe gave Izzy a look that said, you're his best friend.

Izzy gave him a look that was about the equivalent to: screw you.

But, because he was Tai's best friend, Izzy spoke up, "Tai? What's going on?"

Tai didn't answer for a while. Izzy was about to repeat the question when Tai looked at him and grumbled, "Matt's on a date with Sora."

This was news to the other boys. They exchanged a glance. Knowing what was wrong had made the situation any less awkward or any easier for that matter. But they could be grateful for one thing; at least Tai wasn't the type to hold back and pretend nothing was wrong.

"You mean... l-like a date date?" Joe stammered.

"Of course!" Tai snapped. "What other kind is there?"

There was silence for a moment. There was a sort of code to being a friend and Matt had just seriously broken it. The only possible way to make this worse would be if Izzy had been going out with Sora. And they could both see that. They knew Tai could see that, even if he was refusing to acknowledge it for Sora's sake.

Almost silently, Izzy rose from his seat on the floor and left the room. Joe did the same. Tai didn't even seem to notice. Yet, as out of it as their friend seemed to be, Izzy and Joe seemed to find it appropriate to continue whispering.

"What are we gonna do?" Joe hissed, nearly hysterical.

Izzy shrugged. "I mean, there isn't really anything we can do. It's Sora's choice."

"How can you sound so calm about this?!"

"Relax, Joe. We won't figure anything out if you can't keep your head on."

Joe took a deep, shaky breath. "You're right. I'm sorry. It's just... I really don't want it to get to the point where they're wrestling each other off cliffs again."

Izzy nodded. "Yeah. Neither do I. But what can we do?"

Joe tried to clear his head a little so he could brainstorm. At last he said, "Hmm... I think we should call TK. He's got to know something."

Izzy nodded again. "I agree. And after we should get in touch with Kari. Get her to watch Tai and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"All right. I'll call TK."

"I'd better do it. You go back in and distract Tai. Get him to do his homework or something."

"But he always needs help," Joe complained. "And you're smarter."

"He never understands a word I say though."

Joe sighed. "Fine. You call TK. I'll help Tai."

Izzy grinned. Point for me. Joe and Izzy got along surprisingly well. Neither of them had wanted to see the Digidestined fall apart after returning to Earth, and they had a lot in common. They were the most levelheaded of the group. Other than Sora, of course. Well, up until now...

What are you thinking, Sora? Izzy thought. How can you go out with one of his best friends when it's this obvious that Tai's so into you?

"Hello?"

"Hi. TK, this is Izzy." Maybe it was just him, but TK seemed a little nervous, like he knew what Izzy was calling about. On second thought... he probably did.

"Yeah, I know... it came up on caller ID. So what's up?"

"I don't mean to pry, but what do you know about Sora and Matt?" The silence that followed confirmed Izzy's suspicion. Izzy, who was ignoring the fact that he most certainly was prying. He couldn't take the time to consider that he was going behind Matt's back about this just yet. He had to focus on helping Tai. Because Matt's focus was clearly elsewhere.

"Izzy," TK finally answered, "with all due respect, it's none of your business."

He frowned in frustration. "TK, I just-"

"Please don't do this to Matt," TK cut in.

And now the injustice of it all and the irony of TK's words were getting to him. He demanded, "How could your brother do this to his best friend?"

Izzy's voice was louder than he'd intended it to be. There was a slight pause in Joe's explanation to Tai which he could hear in the background. Izzy didn't like to admit it, but it seemed that at times he and Matt were on the brink of an all-out-war to see who was Tai's actual best friend. It was foolish and childish, and Tai wasn't the type to pick favorites, but, though he hated to admit it, Izzy often burned with jealousy when they were all together. Matt attracted others to him so easily, and before Tai, Izzy had never really had a true friend before. He'd had a computer.

There was another pause on the other end of the line, and then TK hung up on him. Izzy tried to keep up a neutral facade, but it still sounded like he was storming back to his bedroom.

Well, he had his answer. He would never do that to Tai.

Review please!

I know... I'm awful... I haven't updated anything in forever. :(

Be grateful! I'm neglecting my French project to post this.

I don't own Digimon.

Revised as of 7/16/13