Part Seven: Twizzlers

It was the annual digidestined meet up. This year it was extra special - it was the ten year anniversary of the defeat of Diaboromon. Everyone was flying back to Odiba ... everyone except Tk. It wasn't his fault - not really. There was a huge storm in New York and all flights were cancelled for the next 24 hours.

"You've safe?" Kari said sadly into the phone. The other digidestineds were setting a picnic table full of delicious food. They were happy and laughing ... Kari wished she could join them but a part of herself was missing.

"Completely," Tk reassured, "the storm took out the power last night but they've got it fixed now."

"Good," Kari's voice did nothing to hide her sadness. She was looking forward to seeing Tk so much that her disappointment would not fade easily. Tk could tell.

"Kar," he said which a soft change in tone, "I would trade anything to be there with you today. I'd trade anything to see all our friends, but most of all, I wish I was there to hold you"

"I know," Kari said as tears streamed down her cheeks. She turned her body completely away from her friends but not before catching Matt's eye. He looked pained for her, "I understand."

"They say the storm will be over on Monday."

"Would you really come. I thought you had exams on Wednesday."

Tk paused in thought. True, it was excessive to fly out for less than two days but Kari was worth it and he told her so. More tears fell from her eyes.

"We'll talk about it on Monday."

Kari heard a voice call Tk's name from the background and a thud and grunt from Tk. He explained, "The power just went out again. My roommate lost the flashlight."

"Ok, I'll let you go."

"Tell everyone I say hi."

"I will."

"I love you, Kari."

"I love you, too. Bye."

As Tk said goodbye Kari clicked off her phone and felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see her pseudo big brother.

"Teeks ok?"

"Yeah, the hurricane took out the power again."

Matt nodded his head in recognition and then looked at Kari seriously, "How are you?"

Kari simply sighed and said vaguely, "You know ..."

"Don't worry kiddo, you've got three years under your belt, only a bit more."

"It's going to be the longest stretch though. Plus, who knows what will happen after he graduates."

Matt looked surprised, "He's moving back."

"He hasn't said so," Kari answered with a frown.

"Don't worry, he'll move back."

"Then why doesn't he say that? We talk about the future all the time but he never says anything about moving back. It's all: I want to write a book about this or I think we should should get a cat or we need a second room as an office."

"Tk can be stupid," Matt said as nonchalantly as if he was announcing the weather, "Obviously he plans to have you in his life, but if you want to know more details or where he stands just ask him."

"Why should I have to ask him, he should just know. He should tell me where he plans to live next year."

Matt raised his eyebrows and gave Kari an amused look, "Kari, men aren't mind readers. Let me tell you a story about Sora." Matt looked over fondly to where his very pregnant wife was chatting with Mimi. "Sora told me long ago that she liked Licorice so when I'd go to the store I'd sometimes bring her back a pack of Twizzlers. She'd say thank you and put them in the cupboard. This happened for months. But guess what, she hates Twizzlers - all that fake licorice I'd been buying her was stocked up in the cupboard. Apparently, I was supposed to realize this - I was supposed to know that she wasn't eating the licorice. I didn't notice. Can you blame me? She kept putting the licorice in the cupboard, I assumed she was going to eat it later!"

Matt stopped his spiraling rant and sighed, "My point is, Tk probably thinks he's told you his plans. He doesn't know anything is wrong. This isn't some silly movie where every guy and every girl can read each other's every thought and wish. This is real life, you've got to discuss your concerns. You can't let the Twizzlers pile up in the cupboard."

Kari twiddled her thumbs for a moment and then looked up at Matt with her forehead creased, "I get what you're saying, but I'm scared. What if I ask Tk and he says he wants to stay in America. He wants me to move there."

Matt shrugged, "I doubt it, but so what if he does?" As Matt waited for a reply Kari bit the inside of her cheek. He continued, "Kari, is Tk worth it?"

"Of course he's worth ... I ... I just can't imagine myself living anywhere else."

Matt shrugged again, "You and Tk love each other, you'll work it out."

"I know but -

"Kari," Matt interrupted firmly, "you'll work it out."

Kari nodded her head slowly. She wanted to believe in Tk, she wanted to believe that the love she had with Tk would survive anything.

"Kari! Matt! Look, I got it to balance on Sora."

Matt and Kari turned around to see Tai pointing and laughing at Sora's monstrous belly which was perfectly balancing a tub of Redvines. Matt couldn't help but burst into a laugh, too. He nudged Kari in the side and said, "Real licorice."

I've been busy working on other things but I haven't forgotten about this story. I hope you enjoyed it!

-Xanpluto