I'm thirteen now and don't know how my friends could be so mean,

I come home crying and you hold me tight, and grab the keys…

Romi Ishida burst through the front door of her house, tears streaming down her face. Sora's head snapped up at the sound. Her cinnamon eyes were shaped in concern as she watched her daughter sob loudly as she ran past the kitchen and straight to her room. She heard the door slam loudly.

She looked over at Matt, who looked at her puzzled.

"Something's wrong," Matt said, a numb look on his face.

"What makes you say that, sweetie?" Sora asked her husband, her voice dripping with sarcasm

"Ha ha," Matt replied, narrowing his eyes playfully. "Do you want me to see what's wrong?" He gestured to his daughter's room.

Sora made her way over to his side and kissed him on top of the head. "As much as I appreciate the gesture, I think a woman's touch is needed here."

Matt looked up at her, relief washing his face. "You don't have to tell me twice." He stood up and stretched. "I'll go and check on MJ."

Sora stretched onto the tips of her toes, wrapped her arms around Matt's neck, and planted a sweet kiss on his lips. She felt Matt's arms wrap strongly around her waist and kiss her back with a little more intent.

Sora pulled away. "I have to see Romi."

He nodded, unwrapping himself from her. "And I have to see MJ."

Sora knocked softly on her daughter's bedroom door. "Romi?" she called through the door. When there was no reply, Sora opened the door.

The sight she saw before her made her heart break.

Her daughter was curled up on the bed, her knees drawn up to her chest. She seemed as if she was trying to protect herself from the pain that made her this way at the moment.

This was the kind of thing any parent swore to protect their children from.

"Rom, sweetheart, what's wrong?" Sora closed the door and went to sit beside her on the edge of the bed.

"I hate everyone!" Romi's voice was muffled, but Sora could hear that her voice was marred by the tears she was sure were overflowing from her cobalt blue eyes, so much like her father's.

Sora reached out and ran her fingers through Romi's short hair, soothing her. "And who is everyone?" she replied quietly.

Romi peeked at her from behind her arm, her eyes watery.

Sora tilted her head slightly, and replied in a whisper, "Hey, you know you can tell me anything."

After a second, Romi practically flew into her mother's arms. Sora wrapped her arms around Romi's slim shoulders.

"Honey, what on earth has got you so worked up?"

Romi looked up at her mother. "Sakura and Haruko, that's what."

Sora gaped at her. "Sakura and Haruko? But—they're your best friends."

Romi shook her head. "They called me names and embarrassed me in front of the entire school. Some best friends."

Sora nodded in agreement. "Darling, to be honest, you're better off without them." She stood up and held her hand out to her daughter. "Come on. I know just the thing that will make you feel better."

"What?" Romi asked suspiciously.

"Just come on! It's a surprise!"

Romi smiled a little and slipped her hand into her mother's outstretched hand.

Sora laughed as she pulled Romi out of the room. She grabbed her keys off the bench and they headed towards the door.

"Where are you guys going?" Matt's amused voice filtered out from behind them.

Sora turned towards his voice. He was leaning casually against a door frame, one leg swung over the other and his arms crossed lightly across his chest.

"Just out. Romi needs to get out of the house. Can you watch MJ? We'll be back soon."

"Of course. Take your time," Matt replied as he saw the watery eyes and tear streaked cheeks of his beloved daughter.

And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away,

And we talk and window shop until I forgotten all their names…

Sora and Romi walked through the shops of the next town over. Ice creams in hand, and shopping bags on arms, they shopped and shopped and laughed and talked until Sora began to see the life and normalness of her daughter return. Her cobalt blue eyes, the exact same shade and shape as Matt's, shined with happiness as she walked down the street with her mother.

She was glad to see her daughter's eyes light up with happiness. She loved those eyes. Those eyes were what Sora felt herself get lost in whenever she was with her husband. She was proud of the fact her daughter inherited those striking eyes from her father. They were the most treasured eyes, Sora thought.

I don't know who I'm gonna talk to now at school,

And I know I'm laughing on the car ride home with you.

Don't know how long its gonna take to feel okay,

But I know I had the best day with you today.