It was a few days before the Christmas tree lighting. Mimi was finishing up her ballet rehearsal. She grabbed her water bottle from her bag and proceeded to drink. She let out a deep sigh relaxing her body. She felt tension threw out her arms, legs and stomach.

"Mimi its been a really long time. I'm so happy to see you again. I would have hoped to cast you in the Nut Cracker this year." Her dance instructor said. Mimi looked up and smiled. She took another sip of her water and let herself fall gently on the floor. She raised her hand to wipe the sweat off her forehead when a small pink towel was given to her. She looked up to see her fellow bun head Melody smiling. Melody sat down in front of Mimi.

"Here Memes." She smiled softly. "It's awesome that you came back. I think you would have been a better choice for the Nut Cracker than me. " Melody said as she let her hair . " Being a bun head is not easy. You're a way better dancer than me." Melody continued.

"Mel you're way awesome! I think it went to the right person! You're always here rain or shine. You deserve it!" Mimi said as she patted her face with the towel.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Melody asked as she placed her hand on Mimi' s left shoulder. As Mimi was about to speak Kei shouted out for their attention.

"Let's go Mel I'M HUNGRY!" He continued to shout as he stepped into the studio.

Melody grew angry and embarrassed of her brother. Her veins were popping out of her forehead. " CAN YOU SHUT UP AND NOT YELL! I'M TALKING TO MIMI YOU TERD NUGGET!" She lashed out. The two siblings began to kick and call each other names. Mimi watched and she stood up. Yuko soon also walked in a few minutes after.

"Oh hey Mimi. I didn't know you would be here too. " Yuko said as he approached her. "Here I'll walk you hope. I doubt these two will leave anytime soon." He said as he picked up her bag.

"You don't have too really." She said as she tried taking her bag back. Yuko moved a couple of steps forward and was face to face with Mimi. "No I insist. Besides a pretty girl shouldn't be walking a lone late at night." He smiled.

With that statement Melody whipped herself around to face Yuko. "How come you never say that to me when you come get me Yuko?!" Melody asked with distressed puppy dog eyes. Yuko began to sweat at the back of his head. "Well incase you didn't hear i said pretty girls." He teased her as he slicked his tongue out.

Kei followed after Melody and grabbed Yuko by the neck. Yuko soon had Kei towering over him and was being flung around like a rag doll.

"What's this whole deal about you picking up Melody alone at night?!" He yelled out. So loud Yuko's hair was blown into a complete mess.

"Kei let him go!" Melody said as she started hitting her brother's back. Mimi watched as Kei shook Yuko uncontrollably and Melody trying to free Yuko. She let out a giggle and soon it turning into uncontrollable laughter. Melody stopped to look at Mimi and so did Kei and Yuko.

"You guys are something else." She said as she wiped tears off her eyes. "Let's get a move on!" She said as she walked a long side them.

The group walked along the cold winter streets laughing and telling jokes. The boys teased the girls while the girls teased back. They reached Kei and Melody's house. They stood outside saying their good byes.

"Are you sure you two don't wanna have dinner with us?" Kei asked as he placed his hands behind his head. "You know my mom cooks a mean stew!" He chuckled.

"Yes it's the best in this cold weather." Melody added as she held her index finger in the air.

"Thanks but I'm gonna walk Mimi home..." Yuko said as he took a few steps back. "Oh Mel, the Christmas tree lighting is in two days. Do you have anyone to go with?" Yuko asked with a tint of red in his face. "If you don't then maybe you would like to go with me?" He asked looking into Melody's eyes.

She blushed and looked away. "S-sure Yuko. " She said as she turned around and ran inside her house yelling. "Pick me up at 7!" Kei felt like a boiling pot and ready to explode.

"Great see you then!" Yuko Yelled as he grabbed Mimi and began to run. "See you later Kei."

"YUKO COME BACK HERE YOU JERK!" Kei said as he ran after them.

"Ouch Yuko dont pull so hard!" Mimi said as she was being tugged around by Yuko. "Slow down I can't keep up!" She said as she was panting out of breath.

They ran just until they saw Kei give up and turned around. Yuko stopped and let go of Mimi's hand. She was gasping for air and she leaned over and placed her hands on her knees. "Can...can we have a time out?" She said as she sat down. Yuko smiled and sat down next to her.

"So you and Mel huh?" She asked as she watched him sit down. "Kei is gonna kill you." She added.

"He's a pretty dull guy. We've seen each other since the summer begun. She's something else." He said as he gave Mimi a big smile. "It's about time we told Kei. Though I know he doesn't like it. It makes us happy. You shouldn't be afraid either. I see how you look at Taichi." He continued as he looked directly at Mimi. She blushed.

"Hmph I don't even see the guy how can you be so sure?" She added.

"Because I see how you stare when he's playing soccer. I see that look on your face when you see him down the halls. How bad you want to talk to him. But your scared. Don't be. Taichi isn't the smartest when it comes to girls but I know his feelings for you are real. Don't like some one evil like Sora take that away from you." He finished as he got up. He reached his hand out to her. Mimi was shocked at his words and how dead on he was.

She reached up and took his hand. He helped her up and smiled. "Looks like i got you home fast." He added. Mimi confused turned around and saw she was right in front of her house.

"Wow how fast were we running?" She giggled.

"The Christmas tree lighting is coming up soon. Don't give up no matter what happens. Just be true and Taichi will understand." He smiled. "See ya!" He said as he waved goodbye. Mimi watched him walk away until he disappeared into he dark winter night.

"Be true huh?" She thought as she entered her home.

Meanwhile...

Taichi was walking home from Matt's house. He had his scarf on tight and his coat button straight up to his throat so he wouldn't catch a cold. He was smiling and was happy.

"The lighting is in two days and I get to be with Mimi!" He thought as she gave himself a hug. "Pretty soon I'll be able to hug her all the time and get to kiss her." He thought as he puckered his lips and ran his hands up and down his body. He soon heard a chuckle. He turned to see who it was. It was Sora standing right in front of him. He jumped with surprise and felt a cold sweat going down his body.

She stood there and her smile soon went away.

"Taichi it feels like you've avoided me. I just want to talk to you." She said while tightienng her fist beside her.

Taichi looked away. He knew she was right. He's been making excuses and dodging her every chance he got. He didn't want to be the bad guy or see her cry.

"Why aren't you saying anything?!" She said as she raised her voice.

Taichi began to sweat and took a few steps back as Sora walked closer to him.

"Why happened Taichi?" She said as she began to cry. "I thought you wanted me. I left Matt for you. I have done everything not to rush you and mak up happy. Why are you doing this?!" She said as she threw herself on him. She buried her face with tears in his chest. Taichi with no words just patted her head and held her back. He felt a huge pit in his stomach as it tossed and turned. He didn't want to hurt her.

"Sora." He said as he gently pushed her away. "This...This isn't" He tried to say but Sora interrupted him.

"No don't say it!" She exclaimed.

"We can't happen...I don't love you." He said. At the end of her sentence he felt Sora's hand slap him across his face.

"Taichi you jerk! I left Matt for you! Do you know how horrible that was!" She yelled with tears in her eyes. Taichi stocked by Sora actions placed his hand on his rosy cheek that was hit.

Sora continued to talk and express her self through tears and arm movement. Taichi didn't hear a word she said. He stood there seeing pass her. He couldn't only think of Mimi and how truly different she was. He remember her soft touch when she would stroke his cheek. Her warm and loving embrace.

"Taichi are you listening to me?!" Sora exclaimed as she held her fist tighter.

Taichi smiled and let of his cheek. He began to walk pass Sora. " Please don't go Taichi!" She cried out.

He stopped a few feet away from her. He turned to look at her. Sora felt a strong pain in her stomach from his stare. She was losing and didn't know what to do.

"I never asked you to do anything. I never told you to leave Matt. He's my best friend why would I ask of that?!" He said with a firm and strong voice. "You are pretty evil Sora. I don't want to hurt you. But I'm love with Mimi. She's everything you are not." He finished as he turned around and continued on his way home.

Sora couldn't believe what Taichi had just said and done. She fell to her knees and let he tears stream down her face.

"She doesn't love you Taichi. She told me herself." She yelled out. Taichi stopped in his tracks.

"You don't need to lie. This affair is between her and I." He replied.

"If she felt so strong about you why isn't she here instead of me?!...She is with James Taichi. Everyone knows it. She's playing you for a fool! She wants to get back at me. She's only gonna hurt you." She continued to say in a desperate attempt to stop him.

"Think about it Taichi. All this time and she was with him. She never once tried to talk to you. She's not what you think. She told me so. She's only using you to hurt me." Sora cried.

Taichi became angry with her words. He turned around and walked right up to her.

"Why would she do that?! Why would She need to do that?!" He exclaimed with rage in his eyes. Sora got up and hide a smug smirk across her face. She knew she had got him to believe her.

"Before she left to America she told me she liked Matt. But Matt and I were already together. Why else. Since she's been back shes always avoided me. Everyone from our school knew she liked him. Even Joe and Izzy teased her!" Sora exclaimed. Taichi grew even more upset and ran off, leaving Sora alone. She wiped her tears off her face and began to laugh. "He's mine this time."