A SOCCER STORY
Chapter 3—Veemon and Patamon's Apology
Meanwhile, during Kari's phone conversation with her brother, Patamon opened the door and flew into T.K.'s apartment.
"Hey Patamon." T.K. greeted him.
"Hi, T.K." Patamon kind of looked down.
"What's up, buddy?"
"Well, it's..."
"Just a sec, Patamon. I need to see what's up."
Patamon stopped talking as Kari hung up her phone.
"What was that about?" T.K. asked Kari.
"Gatomon is upset. I guess they were playing soccer and she was the goalie. From what I heard, Veemon kicked the ball, and Gatomon caught the ball and her claws popped it. She thought she ruined the game for everyone. Veemon and Patamon started arguing, which only made Gatomon feel worse."
T.K. turned toward Patamon, who was also kind of sad. Patamon knew how bad Gatomon felt.
"What did you say to her, Patamon?" T.K. asked.
"I was about to tell you, T.K. Here's the story, from what I've observed. Veemon said something along the lines of, 'Gatomon, did you have to go and pop the ball?' I told Veemon to be considerate of Gatomon's feelings. All Veemon wanted to do was to play. I guess we argued a little bit. I need to tell Gatomon I'm sorry."
"Good idea." Said Kari. "We will go talk to Davis about Veemon, also."
"Yeah." T.K. nodded. "I hope that goes well."
T.K., Kari, and Patamon went over to Davis' apartment. T.K. knocked on Davis' door. They stood back and saw Davis open the door.
"Hey guys. What's going on?"
"Davis, can we talk to you…about Veemon?"
"Ummm…sure I guess." Davis probably wasn't informed by Veemon what happened.
They walked into Davis' living room and sat down on the couch.
"Why don't you tell Davis what happened, Patamon?"
"Well, all the Digimon were playing soccer on the field. Gatomon was the goalie and Veemon was kicking. Gatomon caught the ball with her claws and the ball popped right in front of her. She thought it was her fault. Veemon said something inconsiderate of Gatomon's feelings, and him and I argued. Neither of us made Gatomon feel better."
"So, what you're saying is that Gatomon was already feeling sad, and you and Veemon made it worse."
"Yeah…something like that."
Davis yelled from the living room. "VEEMON! Can you come to the living room?"
Veemon entered and saw Patamon sitting on T.K.'s lap. "Oh, it's you."
"Yeah, it's me! Look, we both hurt Gatomon and we're going to make it right!"
"Oh, that's what this is about. Look, Patamon, I'm sorry for earlier. All I want is for Gatomon to be happy."
"Veemon," Davis started, "you and Patamon need to apologize to Gatomon. She's obviously been hurt."
"I suggest you do it one at a time so she's not suspecting something." T.K. suggested.
"That's a good idea." Kari said.
"Alright. Veemon will go first, and Patamon after." T.K. added.
"Fine with me. And you, Patamon?" Veemon asked.
"Sounds good, Veemon."
Davis, T.K., Kari, Patamon, and Veemon walked to Kari's house. Gatomon was still on the couch feeling sorry for herself.
"Gatomon, I'm here!" Kari said. Gatomon perked up a little, but not a whole lot.
"Hey, Kari."
"Hey, it's okay. Tai called me and told me what happened. It's not your fault. Although we might want to file your claws a little."
Gatomon looked at her claws and sighed. "These claws only destroy…"
"Gatomon, stop talking like that! You've got some friends who want to say something to you."
"Oh…" Gatomon looked over and saw Veemon and Patamon, and prepared herself for what was to come.
Kari went back to the others, and Davis leaned down to his partner. "Okay, Veemon, go ahead."
Veemon walked up to Gatomon.
"Hey Veemon…" Gatomon said, extremely lethargic.
"Gatomon, I'm really sorry I said what I said on the field. I was only thinking of myself. Face it, Gatomon. I'm selfish. But I really just want you to be happy."
Gatomon looked at him, sort of understanding, and then looked away.
"Well, I did my part. You're up, Patamon."
Patamon flew over by Gatomon's feet.
"Gato…Please don't be sad. I admit, Veemon and I were kind of mean to you."
"Hey!" Veemon shouted.
"Shh!" Davis whispered.
"Oh, yeah."
"So, anyways, Gatomon, if there's any way at all we can make it up to you, let me know. I ache down to the core when you're like this. It wasn't your fault."
"Like I haven't heard that before, Patamon."
"Gatomon, cheer up, please. I'm begging you. My heart is broken." Patamon's eyes started to fill with tears.
"Oh, Patamon. And Veemon. I'm very flattered that you came my way just to apologize. But I still need a little time to think about it. It's true, it was just a soccer ball. I'm sorry for ruining the game."
"But you didn't ruin the game!" Patamon assured her. "You made a great catch. Understand that it was an accident and that nobody is perfect."
"I'm so far from perfect, Patamon. But maybe that is how life is meant to be." Gatomon decided. "Thanks for coming by, guys."
"That's more of the Gatomon I know." Kari said.
Patamon flew by Gatomon and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Huh?" Gatomon looked around and saw Patamon blushing. She started to blush herself. Gatomon and Patamon stared at each other for a long time before Gatomon shrugged it off and laid back down on the couch.
"No, no, that was awkward. We must talk." Patamon said.
"Sorry, Patamon. I was just a little taken back by that. I need a little time. Come back tomorrow and maybe I'll feel a little better."
"Okay…please feel better, Gato. I care for you too much for you to be like this. Good bye." Patamon realized what he had just said, and did a double take at T.K., then back at Gatomon. Gatomon looked at him a little lost.
He really cares about me that way? Gatomon thought.
Davis, Veemon, T.K., and Patamon left Kari's apartment.
"I think someone has a little crush…" T.K. teased Patamon.
"Me? What about you, with Kari?" Patamon argued.
T.K. blushed a deep red at this.
"Ha! I knew it! You like Kari!"
"Was it that hard to see, Patamon?"
"Of course, who doesn't like Kari?" Davis asked.
"Careful, Davis." T.K. said.
"Okay, I'm just saying…jeez, T.B., chill!
"Oh, Davis. Will you ever get my name right?"