It's so good to be able to update so soon. I've missed it! T.T Well, enjoy this chapter. I know it's gonna be fun to write.

KoumiLoccness – I think the reason people think of him as the bad guy is because Joumi is a big thing so they always have to do that. The same way Matt is the bad guy in a lot of Taiora fics. And happy birthday! Glad I updated at the right time.

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, just this story. And I don't own any of the songs in the chapter. I don't even own the song Tai's gonna "write". Yes, I'm going to lie by saying he wrote it. =P

Enjoy!!!

Digimon: Almost

Chapter 9: Talent Show

Tai sat down at his chair, thinking. Matt had agreed to sing a song in the talent show for him. He'd tell everyone before the song started that Tai wrote the song and then she would know. She would be there if Matt was performing so no worries there. Now he just had to write the song. This was proving to be the hard part. He sighed. He wasn't exactly the poetic type. He looked down at the paper and suddenly got an idea. He figured he could just write his emotions and hopefully they'd sound good. Seemed like a really stupid idea but it was all he had.

It took a few tries. Nothing sounded right. He really didn't want to sound like an idiot since everyone, including Sora, would know that he wrote the song. The first few songs were mostly about his true feelings and how they were a secret, but they just sounded really bad. So he kept trying and soon enough, the song turned into something he hadn't really intended. But he had to admit that he liked it. It was pretty angry and a little sad but he figured it would do the job.

Then he realized that he didn't have any music to go with it. He decided to call Matt again and told him that he finished the song. Matt said not to worry about the music because they had a brand new beat that they were dying to add lyrics to. They said they would fix it up so the lyrics fit well with the music and it'd also flow really well. Tai thanked him a lot and e-mailed him the lyrics so the band could practice. He told Tai that he really liked the song and never knew Tai could write things like that. Tai shrugged and said it was nothing.

***

"Hey Sora!" Matt called one lunch period. Sora looked up to see Matt running towards her. She smiled as he sat down. "You're coming to the talent show tonight right?" he asked. She smiled. She had guessed he'd be performing tonight.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it. So what song are you playing? Is it one I've heard?" she asked as she took a bite of her sandwich. Matt laughed and shook his head.

"Nope. You'll be very surprised to know that Tai wrote the song and asked me to perform it tonight." At the sound of Tai's name Sora began to choke on her food. She swallowed hard and looked at Matt.

"Tai? Like, the Tai we know? You know the one with the crest of courage? That Tai?" she asked quickly. Matt laughed.

"That very one. Why are you so shocked?" He asked

"Oh, no reason. Just shocked that he'd be able to write a song." She lied quickly.

"I know me too. And the funny thing is, the song is really good. A bit sad, but really good." Sora looked down at the ground. 'Sad? How sad is Tai's song? And please don't tell me it's going to be about me. Wait, he wouldn't do that. Write a song for me and have Matt perform it. Yeah, he must have just wanted to write a song for the talent show. That's all…I hope.'

"Sora?" Matt asked. Sora snapped out of it and laughed. "Uh, it's good? I guess I'll just have to hear it for myself." She said with a fake smile, hoping he wouldn't see through it.

Matt looked at her for a moment and then laughed. "I guess you will." He said with a smile.

***

Izzy looked in the mirror and frowned. He was being forced to go to the stupid talent show tonight. Yolei insisted on dragging him there with her and Ken. That was mostly why he didn't want to go. Sitting in a room with some bad singing kids was nothing compared to sitting with a couple. It didn't matter who the couple was, he just hated being around them all. He was supposed to leave soon and he was just about done getting ready in the bathroom. He had just gotten off the phone with Yolei too. She had told him what exactly to wear. Joke was on her, since he wasn't listening to anything she was saying. He was just gonna wear whatever he wanted. He chuckled and walked out the door.

***

Joe ran to the park late again. They were having another meeting for Operation Tofu. He was now going to have to lie to them all. Since he hadn't talked to Yolei on the phone that time, he decided he just wouldn't tell anyone, like Izzy asked of him. He made it there again as everyone sat there waiting with a board look on their faces. As he looked around he was surprised to see TK sitting with his arm around Kari and Yolei and Ken holding hands. They hadn't told him anything about that. All the Digimon were on the ground eating out of a grocery bag that Yolei had probably brought.

He couldn't help but laugh at Davis's face. He was staring at TK and Kari looking like a sad puppy dog. But the moment he saw Joe, he seemed to forget all about it.

"Hi Joe! Glad you could finally make it!" he yelled out. Joe laughed. "I'm sorry guys. Ok, now let's start. Davis and Cody, let's start with you, tell everyone how things went with Tai." Cody smiled and opened his mouth but Davis was faster.

"We did it!!! He told us everything! Having Agumon there really helped too." He told them. Cody continued with the details, telling them everything that happened. TK and Kari gave each other uneasy looks but were also a bit relieved that Sora and Tai both felt the same way about each other. After Cody was finished Kari explained what happened at Sora's and they all sighed in relief that the problem would be solved, expect Joe.

"Guys, the problem isn't solved. Didn't you tell Tai to talk to Sora? It's been a week. You'd think he would've said something by now. Neither of them have talked since." Everyone frowned knowing he was right. Then he looked to Yolei hoping he'd get the answers he needed to help Izzy.

"Well Yolei, what did you find out?" he asked.

"Uh, well, me and Ken found out nothing. Mimi doesn't seem to have a problem. I'm sure if she does, she'll solve it herself anyway." She said quickly. Joe frowned.

"Nothing?" he asked sadly. If Mimi said nothing then that might mean that she didn't feel the same way about Izzy. But then he remembered what happened at the mall.

"Wait! What about at the mall when she ran away from Izzy?" he said quickly.

"Uh, she was…sick! Yes! She felt like she was going to puke all over so she ran to the bathroom. She wasn't feeling good at all." Yolei said quickly. "Enough about Mimi, what about Izzy?" she asked.

"Uhh, nothing. I found nothing." He said quickly. "He seems fine." Yolei looked at him funny and yawned. "Well, if there is nothing wrong with them, and Tai and Sora are still unhappy, then it seems Operation Tofu was a failure."

They all looked down, disappointed. Then Joe stood up. "That's not true. I'm sure that the things they talked about made them feel better. And maybe it's forcing them to think about their situations and do something about it. We don't know if we failed just yet." They all felt a little better from Joe's speech. Then Yolei looked at the time.

"Whoa, we have to go Ken. We're going to the talent show." She told them. "So am I." Joe said. Soon everyone agreed on going and they all set off except Yolei and Ken.

"Yolei, Ken, what are you two waiting for?" Joe asked. "We have to wait for Izzy." They told him. He smiled. "Ok, I'll wait too."

***

Tai was sitting backstage waiting for the performances to start. He would stay backstage until Matt went since it was his song. Matt's band would go on 5th. Number 7 didn't seem to be here though because they was supposed to be sitting next to him, since number 6 was another band practicing. It didn't really matter to him though. Then he saw a burst of pink come running to the seat next to him and he began to laugh. "Mimi? I thought you went home."

Mimi jumped when he spoke to her. She seemed a bit nervous already. She turned around and smiled when she saw him. "Oh, hi Tai. Yeah, I decided to stay and now Yolei dragged me into this tonight." They laughed. "What about you? You're performing?" she asked skeptically. He chuckled. "Nope. I just wrote a song." He told her.

He knew that once she heard the song she might be confused so he took a deep breath. It seemed that now was the time to tell Mimi everything. "Hey, Mimi, we need to talk." He said slowly. Mimi nodded. "I agree." She said. He tilted his head. "Ok, um, you start." He told her.

She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry Tai but I don't think I can date you anymore." At that Tai started laughing. He was pretty glad that she felt the same way. At first she was angry that he was laughing at her. "What is so funny?" She asked.

"Mimi, I was going to say the same thing." He told her. Then she began to laugh. "Boy am I glad you feel the same." He told her.

Then she looked at him. "Just out of curiosity, how come?" she asked. He frowned. Then smiled knowing he'd get an answer if he answered her question.

"To be honest Mimi, I like someone else." He told her. She laughed.

"Me too!" They both started laughing.

"So who?" She asked.

"I'm sure you already know but if I must say it, Sora." He said. She smiled.

"I knew it!" she said happily. "And what about you?" he asked.

She frowned. "Oh come on, I won't tell anyone, or laugh. I probably don't even know him, is he from America?" he asked.

She shook her head. "No, it's, uh, it's…Izzy." She said quickly and closed her eyes, looking away.

He looked at her shocked. Never in a million years would he have guessed that. He smiled though. "That's cool Mimi. You know it's funny, you guys are kinda perfect for each other." He told her.

"Really?" she asked with a smile. She seemed glad that he didn't make fun of her for it. And that he said they were perfect for each other. Just then Matt's band stood up behind the curtain and Matt looked over at Tai. "Almost time. Oh, hey Mimi!" he said happily.

"Hi Matt!"

"Almost time? Aren't we 5th?" he asked. Matt laughed. "Yes, four acts have already gone on."

"Oh, really? I guess I didn't notice." He said sheepishly.

Just then the curtain opened and he looked out at the crowd. He looked around for awhile until Mimi tapped his shoulder. "She's right there." She whispered, pointing at Sora. Tai smiled. "Thanks." He whispered back.

"Hey everyone!! How's it going tonight?!" Matt screamed. The crowd screamed back to him and Tai laughed. Matt loved the attention. "Good! Tonight I'm going to be singing a song written by my best friend Tai! Come out here Tai!" That was Tai cue to stand up and walk to the stage. The light shined on him and he was blinded as he waved to the cheering crowd and then walked back to the curtains. He could see Sora perfectly from where he was and he intended to watch her the whole way through the song. He wanted to see her reaction.

Matt began playing and he sat back to watch.

((The song is Stab my Back by All American Rejects of anyone was wondering.))

Now we're broken on the floor,
She just wants me to share her.
It hasn't been this way before,
She just wants me to dare her.

The phone rings (The phone rings),
And she screams:
"Stab my back,
It's better when I bleed for you.
Walk on me,
There never was enough to do."

I can't get past her,
Falling faster,
It's true.
It hasn't done a lot for you.

And every time he held you close,
Yeah, were you thinking of me?
When I needed you the most,
Well I hope that you're happy.

Tai thought that line was a bit harsh now as he looked at Sora's horrified face. Well, it had been horrified but after those lines she now had her eyes closed and she was just shaking her head back and forth, looking at the ground. From the looks of things, this wasn't going well. This wasn't what Tai wanted. He hadn't meant to make things worse. He didn't want to watch anymore. He stood up and Mimi looked at him sympathetically. She could see Sora just as well as he could."Where are you going?" She whispered. "Anywhere but here." He told her and walked out of the backstage area door that led outside.

***

The song continued and Sora's tears continued along with it. She wasn't crying because she was mad at Tai or because the song was mean or hurtful. It was his true feelings, and she was actually glad he had allowed her to hear them. The truth hurt to hear sometimes though. But she made up her mind. She was going to go talk to him after this, as soon as the song was over. She continued to listen to the rest, it was now the last verse, an instrumental had just finished and she was sad that the song was almost over. It really was a good song. He must have worked really hard to get his feelings down on paper.

I hope that love he gave you,
Was just enough to save you.
You nearly broke my heart,
Just look at what you're tearing apart!

Stab my back,
It's better when I bleed for you.
Walk on me,
There never was enough to do.

I can't get past her,
Falling faster,
It's true.
It hasn't done a lot for you.

It's better when I bleed for you.
It never was enough to do.
It hasn't done a lot for you.

Sora wiped her eyes as the song ended and looked up at the stage. She suddenly remembered Matt and hoped he hadn't seen her. Of course he had though. And he was heading off the side of the stage right towards her. She looked over at Kari who was sitting next to her and began pleading with her eyes.

"Go talk to him. I'll distract Matt for now." She told her. Sora thanked her and ran the other way towards the back stage where she knew Tai would be. When she got back there though, Tai wasn't there. But Mimi was. She ran to Mimi out of breath. "Listen Mimi, I'd love to talk right now but where's Tai?" She asked quickly. Mimi shook her head. "He left. He saw you crying and he told me he was leaving."

"What? He left? Where did he go?" she asked. Mimi shrugged and she sat down. "Oh. I wasn't really upset or anything. I'm glad I know." Mimi smiled. "I'm glad I know now too. Did I tell we broke up?" she asked. Sora looked up to say sorry but then stopped. "I'd say I'm sorry but your smiling." She said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I know. We were both going to break up with each other at the same time because we both like other people." Mimi told her.

"Well, then I'm glad." She said with a smile. Mimi laughed. "Stick around, things might get interesting for me too." She laughed. "Plus I have a plan."

She picked up Tai's jacket that was sitting behind her. "Besides, he won't get far without this tonight. It is still January." She said with a chuckle.

***

Izzy sat down with Yolei, Ken, and Joe. He was glad Joe was there. He wasn't a third wheel anymore. They had gotten there a little late. So the 6th act was on. It didn't matter to Izzy though, only less torture to go through. He sat back and was about to get ready for a nap when the 6th act ended and a beautiful pink haired girl stepped on the stage. He sat up and as he did he looked over to see Yolei, Ken, and Joe watching him. He decided to ignore them right now and deal with them later.

"Our next act is Mimi Tachikawa all the way here from America. She will be singing Tangled Up in Me by Skye Sweetnam!" The principle yelled as if he was a DJ or something, Izzy didn't know the song so he figured he'd listen to it, to see why she choose it.

You wanna know more, more, more about me
I'm the girl who's kicking the coke machine
I'm the one that's honking at you cuz I left late again

Izzy chuckled. This sounded just like Mimi already. It seemed she picked her song well. Yolei looked over at him when he laughed and smiled. He saw it out of the corner of his eye but choose to ignore her…again.

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Can't you see I want you by the way I push you away. Yeah!
Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today
Mix the words up with the actions do it all for your reaction. Yeah!

Hey! Hey!
Get tangled up in me

Izzy's laugh turned into shock at the lyrics. Was she talking about him? No, it couldn't be. Must have just been the song. There was no way she was talking to him. No way in the world. Although it did sound like what she did to him. Yolei leaned towards him and whispered to him. "You're right about what you're thinking you know." She told him and then leaned back to her seat. Now he stared at her in astonishment. Did she know what he was thinking from the look on his face? He looked back up at Mimi, now determined to hear every word of this song.

You wanna know more, more, more about me
Gotta know reverse psychology
I'm the reason why you can't get to sleep
I'm the girl you never get just quite what you see

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Can't you see I want you by the way I push you away, yeah!
Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today
Mix the words up with the actions do it all for your reaction, yeah!
Hey! Hey!
Get tangled up in me

you think that you know me.

(tangled up in)
You think that I'm only

tangled up in me
When everything I do is only to get tangled up in you

You wanna know more, more, more about me
I'm the girl that's sweeping you off your feet

Izzy had to laugh at that line too. Everything she was saying was pretty much true. So if those parts were true, were the other parts about her feelings true? He had to know. It was now or never. Live for the moment was what is heart was telling him. He needed to talk to her and find out. He didn't care if she didn't feel the same way back. He just needed her to know how he felt and he needed to know how she felt. Good or bad, knowing was better than wondering. Him being the curious type he was, knew that better then anyone.

Hey! Hey! Hey!

Can't you see I want you by the way I push you away, yeah!
Don't judge me tomorrow by the way I'm acting today
Mix the words up with the actions do it all for your reaction, yeah!

Hey! Hey!

Get tangled up in me

Izzy stood up and Yolei pointed to the door that leads to the stage. "She'll be up there!" She told him. He smiled. "Thanks Yolei." He told her, knowing she knew what was going to go on tonight the whole time. He ran up to the stage door and opened it quickly before running inside…

*********

AHHHHH!! Cliff hanger!!!! I wasn't going to do it since I know I personally hate cliff hangers but I just had to! I'm sorry! I hope the suspense kills you the way it's going to kill me until I write the next chapter! Please review anyway though!!!!! It'll make me want to write faster!