-x-
Chapter 4: Our Love Is Like A Guillotine
Polystyrene, I wanna daydream, I need an enemy to get me through
Prodigal sunscreen, our love's a guillotine, something borrowed, something blue
Another ship sunk, family tree trunk, deep scar driving, I look for you
We're hoping, we're choking. Something borrowed, something blue
-x-
Mimi,
I would think you're more than tired of hearing this but, I'm sorry. For everything. For flirting with that girl (I can't even remember her name now), for calling you dramatic (you didn't deserve it…that time) and for walking away from you (you're right, I do it too much.). I'm sorry I sent you that dumb text, I was angry with myself, not you. And I'm sorry you might've cried, I hate doing that to you, you know.
If its any consolation, I think I played like shit. Remember when I said I can't get a note right with out you? You thought I was being sarcastic, but I wasn't. Ask anyone who showed up. I'm pretty sure I sucked. I know that doesn't make you happy (since you do care about what makes me happy) but I just wanted you to know that I do need you. And not just for performing but in general.
I don't like fighting with you and I don't like hurting you. I say things I don't mean and I know I do a lot of things you don't like. And I'm sorry for that too. I just hope you know just how much you mean to me. And it's a lot. You're the most important part of my life you're pretty much my best friend. The person I let in, you know, get to know me and all that poetic bull shit. And I'm sorry if I don't act like it most of the time. You're amazing for putting up with me, I haven't told you that, but you are.
I think I sound better on paper than I do in person, I can never actually say the right things at the right time.
I'm so sorry. Forgive me?
I know it's repetitive and I know you're tired but I'm going to try harder now, to be the guy you deserve and stuff. Because I haven't been and you've been good to me. Good for me. So I hope this begins to make up for a really bad argument and a real shitty night.
I love you...
-Matt.
Milene Tachikawa read the contents of the letter that had been taped to her front door. Finally, she understands the nitty gritty details of Yamato's latest transgression and by the looks of it, it's big. Enough for her daughter to maintain her anger, anyway. Because when it came to matters of him and her heart, Mimi usually gave in. Past her better judgment and understanding, her daughter made rash decisions based solely on her benefit in the moment.
She laughed at his pathetic attempt at an apology, all the while knowing if she handed this to Mimi, she'd buy right into it. The boy had some kind of spell over her and Milene knew she would have to work proactively if she wanted to break it.
Her first order of business? The burning of this letter.
After all, what Mimi didn't know couldn't hurt her.
-x-
"Why do you put up with him, M?" She asks as they lounge on her bed.
The sun rains in through her drawn curtains, "Put up with who, Z?" Mimi asks, her eyes trained on the magazine in her lap.
"Matt obviously." She clarifies. "Mimi, he puts you through so much, why do you deal with him?" She begs for the answer to the question that's been plaguing her for years.
"He's hot." She replies lazily, turning the page.
The blonde rolls her eyes. "So is David Beckham but you don't see me taking up soccer and moving to England!" She says in frustration.
"Mmm, David Beckham is one sexy DILF." Mimi responds, deliberately ignoring her best friend's question.
Zoe rips the magazine from her friend's grasp, throwing it over her shoulder. "Z! What the hell!" Mimi exclaims at her sudden movement.
Zoe merely rolls her eyes once more. "Answer my question, Mimi." She says firmly. "I love you, you know that. And if you give me one good reason as to why you deal with his constant shit, then you know what? I'll leave it alone forever." She promises.
Mimi gives her a hard stare. "I don't need to explain myself to anyone. Not to you or my mother." She says, her voice low and angry.
The blonde shakes her head. "I wish you'd tell me." She says honestly. "Maybe then I could stop worrying so—
"I love him, Zoe." She interrupts. "He isn't perfect and frankly he's an ass, but I'm in love him." She's tired of justifying her relationship to everyone in her life.
"But you could have it so much better, Mimi." She pleads. "There are guys who would kiss the ground you walk on if you only gave them half a chance." She has nothing personal against Matt, she doesn't dislike him at all, really. But her friend's best interests have to come first, they just do.
Mimi lets out an impatient sigh. "They aren't Matt." She says simply. "I know that our relationship isn't as blissful as yours and Ken's—
Zoe snorts at this.
Mimi ignores her interruption. "But it is what it is." She says with a shrug. "And honestly? I wouldn't want it any other way." And with that, the topic is closed.
Zoe sighs helplessly. "I wish he treated you better, Mimi. I really do." She says sincerely. "Because you're so much better than he deserves." She doesn't bother censoring her thoughts, not when she's said everything else anyway.
"Zoe, he's trying." She says through gritted teeth. "And he really loves me."
"You're sure?" Zoe raises a pale eye brow.
Mimi nods. "If I know anything, then it's that." She says honestly.
"Then me and you." She points between them. "Have two very different definitions of love. Because if someone loves you, they don't do things that would hurt you, they don't make your cry." She hates seeing Mimi cry, especially over a guy who just doesn't care.
Mimi shakes her head. "Look, Barbie. I'm tired of this conversation." She says sharply. "You don't have to like my relationship with Matt, you don't have to approve either, okay? But…" She pauses to give a girl a stern look.
"Your input on the matter ends here." There's a definite air of finality in her voice.
The blonde looks a little bit beyond offended. "Wow, M. There used to be a time in our lives where I could tell you just about anything." She says in disappointment. "This relationship, it's even worse then I imagined." Zoe lets out a mirthless, discontented laugh.
Mimi gives her a withering stare. "I'm sorry you feel that way." She says curtly, getting off Zoe's bed. "But it doesn't change anything." She says over her shoulder before leaving her room.
Zoe sighs loudly and in frustration. "This is going to end badly." She says to the ceiling.
-x-
Mimi knows her mother is probably the last person to form a "Matt and Mimi: Always and Forever" support group. Her mother's opinions on her boyfriend are more than apparent and usually Mimi does her best to ignore them. But what she walks in on this afternoon, is something she didn't even think he mother could. To stoop as low as she just had.
"What are you doing?" Mimi asks terror and suspicion evident in her voice. "What is that?" She demands, pointing to the piece of parchment her mother is holding over the fireplace.
Milene's hardly ever caught off guard, but her daughter's sudden appearance in the living room actually shakes her. "I'm just disposing of something that isn't important." She says briskly., making to toss the godforsaken letter into the fire.
Mimi glances at it. "Let me see it." She extends her hand towards Milene.
Milene shakes her head fervently. "It isn't important." She repeats through clenched teeth.
Mimi narrows her eyes up at her mother. "Mom, I would like to see the piece of paper." She's at her patience's end. "Give it to me." She's sure she knows what this is.
"Mimi, how do you even know it's for you?" Her mother asks plainly.
Mimi rolls her eyes. "Why else would you be trying so hard to keep it from me?" She shoots back. "Just let me see it." She says calmly.
"You don't want to, trust me." She says warningly. "Just listen to me for once and go up to your room." Milene instructs.
But Mimi stays put. "Would you give me the damn letter!" Mimi exclaims. "I already know what it is!"
Shock passes through Milene's face as she registers what her daughter has just said. "Wait, you do?" Her face pales as she considers the possibility of being caught red-handed.
Mimi nods her head and Milly can't help but wonder why her daughter hasn't ripped her head off yet. "And I can handle it." She assures her. "You don't need to protect me from him, mom." She realizes her mother means well, in this particular situation.
"And you don't care I tried to burn it?" She questions warily, all this is just too much for one woman to handle.
Mimi takes a minute to answer. "Not really. I mean I understand why you'd want to." She says honestly.
Now Milene is flabbergasted. "You do?" She gasps in shock and disbelief.
Mimi gives her a weird look. "Obviously. But nonetheless, I still want to see what he has to say." She answers.
Milene stares at her. "Mimi…"
Mimi outstretches her palm further. "I'm a big girl, I'll make the right decision." She says with a smile. "But thank you for being concerned." She says as a peace offering.
And Milene can absolutely not believe her ears. Is her daughter finally coming to her senses?
Slowly and cautiously, she puts the letter into her daughter's hand. "Thanks, I understand why you'd think I'd be upset." Mimi continues. "But I think I can deal with a letter from Dad." She unfolds the piece of paper. "What's he going to say? He's missing Christmas again?" Mimi snorts with a shrug of her shoulder.
Her father? That's who Mimi thinks the letter is from this entire time? Oh Lord… "On second thought, why don't you give it back." But it's too late, her eyes are already skimming through the words. Milene braces herself for her daughter's wrath, after all, her anger like many other things, is what received right from her mother. She doesn't know how she's going to make up for this one, because Mimi won't be happy. At all.
She can see Mimi flushing with anger, her hands shaking, knuckles turning white. If it was a cartoon, there'd be smoking coming out of Mimi's nose and ears.
"You…you were going to…" She looks up from the writing and stares at her mother in disbelief. "I don't have words for you right now." She spits, feeling hot, angry tears swelling into her eyes.
"Mimi, I…" For once in her life, Milene Tachikawa is at a loss for words. "I was just trying to—
"Ruin my life!" Mimi screams. "Because that's exactly what you were about to do! My God, can't you just keep your plastic nose in your own business!" She's never spoken so harshly to her mother and if she wasn't so immeasurably angry, she might actually care.
"I am your mother, Mimi. I think I know what's best for you." She says acidicly. "He isn't good enough for you, he's—
"Exactly what Gramma thought when Dad brought you home?" Mimi seethes. "Tell me, Mom. How did that make you feel?" She hisses.
Milene looks as if she's been slapped in the face. "Go to your room, young lady." She directs in a tone that normally Mimi would be afraid to disobey. "And so help me God you won't speak to me that way in my own house."
"Then I won't be in your house." She counters. "I'm going up to my room to pack a bag and from there you can find me at Matt's house." She informs her coldly, brushing past her mother with the letter in hand.
"Over my dead body!" She calls to her daughter's retreating back. "I promise you, Mimi. You won't be—
"Admit you're wrong, Mom." Mimi interrupts, turning around at the foot of the stairs. "Admit you're wrong and do something about it, before it's too late." She gives her pointed glare before bounding up the steps.
All Milene can do is stare.
But she isn't going to give up. This boy is clearly more dangerous then even she had predicted. He put all kinds of twisted ideas into her daughter's head and she won't stand for it. She won't let Mimi be charmed into something everyone knows is eventually going to amount to nothing. He isn't right for her, he just simply isn't good enough. He doesn't have the moral character or the right upbringing to fit in with their society. Her society. And god damn it, she won't let Mimi throw away everything they have over a boy who just isn't worth it.
This little setback only means she has to try just a little harder.
-x-
She arrives at his house in a blaze of anger and forgiveness, her rapture at his door impatient and loud.
Finally he opens it, in complete surprise to see her standing on the other side. Her eyes were glazed over with unshed tears and her arms were wrapped around herself. He didn't need to ask her what's wrong, not really anyway, he just took her into his embrace. "You're not okay." He murmurs into her hair, lifting her into his house.
She shakes her head into his shoulder, tears slipping into the fabric to his t-shirt. "No." She says softly.
"If it was me, then I'm sorry Mimi." He apologizes immediately, rubbing her back.
She tightens her arms around his neck. "Not you. Kind of you, but not really." It isn't about him this time. Not completely anyway. No, it goes deeper than that today. "I really missed you though." She breathes him in, his familiar scent. That is so comforting and completely unnerving all at the same time.
He presses his lips to his forehead. "Me too, baby." And god damn it if it wasn't true, because he missed her more than he could begin to express. Unsure of their future, it made him realize how much she actually meant to him. "But, what happened." He's almost positive it's something with her mother. It usually is, but it didn't hurt to make sure.
She pulls her face from his shoulder, to stare up at him. "My mom…" She trails off, ashamed of what her mother had the audacity to try to do.
He nods knowingly. "I thought so, but what'd she do this time?" He tries not to be exasperated, but her mother's involvement in their lives wasn't doing anything for the sake of their relationship.
She takes a deep breath, she doesn't want to tell the story but will because he asked her to. "Uhm, well." Her voice is shaky and unsure. "You know your letter?" She finally begins, staring away from his icy blue gaze.
He nods, a little sheepishly. "Yeah…"
A small smile touches her lips as she thinks about it, he'd been so honest with her and she couldn't even appreciate it at the time. Anger at her mother begins to boil, hot and heavy in her veins. "She actually tried to keep it from me." Mimi can hardly believe that her mother would go to such lengths as to reading her daughter's mail. And then trying to dispose of it.
His eyes widen, his jaw tenses. "What do you mean?" He can't quite grasp it.
"Matt she was going to burn it." As the words come out of her mouth, Mimi can't help but think about how 1960's the entire episode was. Who burns anything anymore anyway?
Matt looks confused. "Seriously?" It's ridiculous that Milene cares that much. "She wanted to throw it in the fireplace?" It was a little offensive that she hated him that much.
Mimi sighs tiredly. "Yeah." She confirms, running a hand over her face. "It's stupid and childish and completely uncalled for. My mom's a bitch." She usually doesn't bad mouth her mother, ever. Because regardless of everything Milene says and does, she was the woman who gave Mimi life. But today is an exception.
He wants to be angry, he knows that normally he'd probably be mad and argue with her about how much of a bitch her mother actually is. But today, he chooses his words carefully and deliberately. "I'm sorry." He starts by apologizing and touching her face.
She leans into his hand. "Your letter was sweet though." She changes the topic completely, the more she dwells on what happened this afternoon, the angrier she gets. "I love you for writing all that." She's heard it all before but it still means something when she hears it again. And maybe she was a fool for thinking this way, but she couldn't help it.
"And I mean it too." Not to say he didn't mean it the other times, but this time he'd make good on his promises.
Mimi looks up at him, into his troubled blue eyes. "I love you." The words come out of her mouth before she has time to think. She knows that everyone in their world doubts that either of them could love the other, but she knows it's real. For her anyway.
He doesn't skip a beat. "I love you too, Mimi." Matt pulls her to his chest again, holding her as close as he could. "I really didn't mean any of what happened." He doesn't understand how he could've been so horrible to her. It's just something he can't even fathom at the moment.
But Mimi knows that it won't last long. They'll be fighting soon enough, she's sure of it. This calm, the quiet, it's never permanent. Life just always got in the way.
She pulls away, running a hand over her face. "Could we just…go up to your room, please?" Mimi sighs, tired of standing and tired of discussing the matter. "I don't wanna talk about this anymore." She runs a hand through her long brown hair.
Matt leans down and kisses her, "Then we don't have to talk."
-x-
"I have to tell you something." Mimi says as she sits on the edge of Matt's bed. "It's kinda important." She's not sure how he's going to take this.
He sits on the desk across from her, his hands on her knees. "What's up?" She looks distressed.
"I know I told you that I don't wanna talk about the thing with my mother anymore, but." Mimi pauses, blinking up at him.
"But…" Matt prompts.
She looks away. "But I told her that I was gonna come stay with you…" Mimi feels stupid, it was pretentious of her to assume that she could just get up and leave all the while expecting Matt to let her stay with him.
He looks surprised, to say the least. His eye brows rise and his mouth parts slightly. But seeing the look of uncertainty in her eyes, Matt quickly regains his composure. "Uh. You sure?" Living together is a big step, regardless of it being temporary.
And more than that, he's sure Mimi is doing this to spite her mother and that's something he knows will end badly.
Mimi looks hurt. "You don't want me to." She shakes her head and gets up. "No of course you not." She hisses, heading for the door.
He's off the desk in an instant, following behind her. "Hey, stop." Matt grabs her upper arm. "Would you let me finish?" He turns her around to face him.
She's got an adorable scowl on her face. "It's okay, I'll stay with Sora." She says, crossing her arms over her chest.
Matt touches her face lightly. "Mimi, I just don't want you to regret this, okay?" He says softly. "If I thought this is what you really wanted, why the hell would I even care?" He questions honestly. "I mean, we're here all the time as it is."
Mimi looks skeptical. "You're just saying that, Yamato." She mutters.
Matt uncrosses her arms, bringing her palm up to his lips. "No, I'm not. And you know that." He presses a kiss into her hand.
The touch of his lips to her skin melts away any animosity she could possibly hold towards him. "Promise?" Mimi asks for good measure.
He grins down at her. "Yes, promise."
Mimi wraps her arms around his neck. "Good. Because I think us living together, temporarily of course, could really work out." She smiles wickedly.
"And why is that?" He asks playfully kissing her nose.
Her eyes trail up from his chest to his eyes. "Because, the way I see it…" Her gaze drops to his lips. "We don't really ever have to leave your room." She puts a hand around his jaw, bringing his face closer to hers.
Matt chuckles, pressing his lips to hers. "Never, huh?" He puts an arm around her waist, pressing her to him.
She shakes her head. "Nope." She whispers against his mouth, kissing him.
Matt brings her a little closer, pulling her flush against him. He steadies her head with his hand and she presses her lips harder against his. She hasn't felt so close to him in such a long time. As if, for once, things didn't have to be complicated. They could just be alone and nothing else matters.
Of course, it could not last. "Matt." His younger brother's voice calls as he walks in.
Matt groans as Tk's face drops. "Sorry." He apologizes, seeing that his brother is in the middle of something.
Matt opens his mouth to say something but Mimi interrupts him. "Don't worry about it, TK." She smiles. "What's up?" She steps out of Matt's hold.
Matt shakes his head and sighs.
"Ryo's on the phone." Tk hands his brother their house phone.
"I don't understand why he didn't just call my cell." Matt mutters, holding the cordless to his ear.
"I'll be downstairs." Mimi puts a kiss on his cheek, before following Tk out.
Matt nods. "Yo." He greets his band mate swiftly.
"Matt, dude, we need to meet up." The drummer sounds distressed and immediately Matt is alarmed. "It's kind of important."
"What's up, dude?" He asks, now a little worried.
"Look, I can't explain. I'll call the guys, just meet me at the studio."
Matt runs a hand through his hair. "All right." He knows Mimi won't like this. Not that he would blame her.
"All right." He says finally. Mimi would just have to understand. "But, you better be dying, Akiyama, or I swear I'll kill you." He growls.
Ryo laughs on the other end. "One day, you're actually going to have to follow through on that threat."
-x-
He finds her sitting at the table, playing some card game with his brother. She laughs and Matt stops in his tracks, it's such a nice sound to his ears. And it gets him wondering, why he doesn't make her laugh more often. Why he doesn't make her smile more often. Why he makes her cry so damn much. And why he can't seem to ever make her happy. Because, fuck, Mimi deserves to be happy.
As she doubles over with laughter, because of something Tk says, Matt can't help but stare at her. She's beautiful…
"Matt." Tk looks up. "What'd Ryo want?" He asks.
Mimi turns to face him.
Matt runs a hand through his hair. "He, uh, well I need to…" Matt doesn't need to finish for Mimi to shake her head. She already knows what he has to say.
So much for an evening alone.
"It's only for a little while." He practically begs. "Ryo said it was important, otherwise, you know I'd blow it off." He walks over to her.
Mimi shrugs a shoulder before putting on a smile. "It's okay. The band matters to you." She says softly.
Matt kneels before her, so he's at face level with her. "Listen, I'm going to make it as quick as I possibly can, okay?" He lightly touches her bangs.
Mimi nods. "Your band needs you."
Tk shakes his head, his brother really didn't have his priorities straight, at all. A girl like Mimi deserved to be taken care of, and given attention, instead of getting ignored. Which is all Matt seemed to be doing these days.
"You wanna come with me?" He suggests.
Mimi looks over at Tk, who just shrugs feebly.
She runs a hand through her hair. "No, it's okay." She says quietly.
"Please?" He asks. "Just come, and then we'll go out to dinner." Matt offers. "And besides, I don't want to leave you." He grins.
Mimi rolls her eyes, a small smile on her face. "Is it gonna take a while?"
Matt shakes his head. "I'll make it as quick as possible." He promises.
"Should I do it, Tk?" Mimi asks the young Ishida.
"Help me out, man." Matt says, lifting off the ground.
Tk knows Mimi should make Matt work just a little hard but for his brother's sake, he tells her, "Sure, Meems. Maybe Matt will play better than he did last night." He winks.
Mimi laughs and Matt scowls.
"What?" Tk asks innocently. "You played like shit." He says frankly.
"Thanks bro."
-x-
They arrive at the band's rehearsal studio, otherwise known as Ryo's basement. Because the boy's parents were never home, it made an ideal rehearsal space. Plus, his neighbors would never complain about noise. Which was a major pro.
Mimi follows Matt down the steps and into the basement, where two of the four members were assembled. Ryo the drummer and the keyboard player, Daisuke.
"Hey Mimi." Ryo greets, barely acknowledging their lead singer.
Mimi winks at him. "Hello." She smiles.
Matt rolls his eyes and drops a kiss on her forehead. "Don't give him too much attention, baby, you'll have him walking on sunshine for weeks." Matt teases.
Ryo chuckles, "Haven't you had enough of this guy?" He jabs a thumb towards the blonde.
"No, not yet." She gazes up at her boyfriend.
The brunette smirks. "Well, the minute you do, princess, you give me a call."
Matt's face hardens for a second, his hold on Mimi's waist tightening.
"Don't hold your breath, Rye." Mimi intervenes, feeling Matt tensing.
Daisuke "Davis" Motomiya lets out a howl of laughter. "You just got shot down pretty hard, man." He says sympathetically.
"I'll be right back." Matt murmurs in Mimi's ear, kissing her cheek.
She wants to ask him where he's going, but he's already half way up the stairs when she turns around. Shaking her head, she walks closer to the two boys, who should really be setting up their instruments. The fact that they aren't, made this situation a little peculiar. If this isn't an emergency rehearsal, then what is it?
"What's on the set list today?" Mimi asks, leaning towards the drummer, seated comfortably on his stool.
He leans forward slightly, elbows on his knees. "No songs." He answers, his green eyes twinkling with unshed mirth.
Her eyebrows rise. "So then? What's with the urgent meeting?" She asks, confused.
As her glance falls on Davis, the boy shrugs. "I'm as in the dark as you." He responds. "Rye's got a surprise for all of us."
Ryo grins. "It's all shop talk anyway, Meems." He says his tone patronizing. "You'll be bored."
Mimi raises an eyebrow. "Is that so?" She challenges, hands on her hips.
He smirks once more, running a hand through his messy brown hair. "It is. Besides, this information is pretty secretive. Not everyone can know."
"Oh and not even me?" Mimi asks.
Ryo leans a bit closer. "Nope. Not even you, Princess Mimi." He grins.
Davis coughs back a laugh. "You're so cheesy, Rye. No wonder Mimi's always rejecting you." He laughs from his seat.
Ryo takes great offense to that. "Mimi's just afraid to break up the band, right Meems?" He jokes. "I mean, Matt would surely quit if his girl left him for me."
Mimi rolls her eyes. "Yes, those are my motives, exactly." She plays along.
"I mean, why else would you pick Matt when you could have me?" Ryo supplies.
"There couldn't be any other reason." Mimi says with a laugh. "Just my selfless desire to keep you guys from disbanding."
"Atta girl." Ryo touches her arm. "That's what I like to hear."
Davis snorts. "Just admit you're a douche bag, Rye. You're hitting on one of your best guy's girl." He says with a shake of his head.
"Me? Hitting on Mimi? Never." Ryo says, not in the least convincing.
Mimi giggles. "Rye knows it would never happen, that's why." She assures Davis.
Ryo shrugs a shoulder. "You never know." Ryo says, twirling his sticks. "Trust me, Mimi, one day with me, and you'd never go back to Matt." At this point, Mimi isn't sure what's real anymore.
Is Ryo actually positioning her?
Mimi gives a smile. "You sure about that?" She asks, her tone defiant.
Ryo nods confidently. "Besides, you know what they say don't you?" He asks.
Mimi shakes her head.
He leans in close. "Drummers hit it better." He says his voice merely more than a whisper.
Mimi's eyes widen at the insinuation, her mouth parting slightly.
"Boys! I brought cookies!" Mimi jumps back at the sound of a very familiar voice.
She's met with the face of her best friend, in her hand, a Tupper-ware bowl with chocolate chip cookies.
From the corner of her eye, she sees both Davis and Ryo wince. Zoe was never very good in the kitchen. Behind her, Ken follows, his mouth turned down in its usual brooding fashion. He gives his band mates a quick nod, before settling himself in a chair.
Mimi meets Zoe's cool blue gaze. Their last conversation hadn't been very pretty, and Mimi just isn't sure what to say.
She glances at Ryo for just a moment, before taking a few more steps back, putting a comfortable distance between them.
Finally, she hears Matt's footsteps coming down the stairs. She makes a mental note to ask him what the hell took so long anyway.
"We're all here, dude. What's going on?" Davis asks, as soon as Matt is at the foot of the stairs.
Ryo tears his gaze from Mimi. "It's kind of private." He glances at the two girls in the room.
Mimi nods immediately. "That's fine." She waives a hand dismissively. "I need to talk to Z anyway." She figures they might as well resolve this now. Mimi hates fighting with Zoe.
Zoe nods in acknowledgement; she knows that her and Mimi left things on a bad note.
"Thanks, you guys can come back in a couple of minutes." Ryo offers.
Zoe and Mimi nod before turning towards the stairs.
Mimi stops in front of Matt. "You'll tell me if it's serious?" She asks.
Matt gives her one of his rare smiles. "Course." He touches her cheek.
Mimi puckers her lips up at him and he leans down for a quick kiss. "We'll leave soon as this is done." He promises.
Mimi kisses his cheek. "Sure." She runs a hand through his hair before turning away.
-x-
The Akiyama living room is a comfortable one. While she isn't around much, Ryo's mother really did know how to decorate. From the crème colored walls to the deep maroon sofas, everything matched beautifully. And made a person instantly feel at ease and completely relaxed.
However, right now, Mimi just feels anxious. She's never felt so nervous around the blonde before. "Can we talk?" Mimi asks finally.
Zoe nods. "That's what we came up for." She says with a shrug, taking a seat.
Mimi reluctantly sits next to her. "Look, about this afternoon I—
Zoe shakes her head. "You don't need to; maybe I just overstepped my boundaries." She says, a bit sadly.
Mimi frowns. "No, Z, you're my best friend. If I can't trust you to tell me the truth, then who can I trust?" She says honestly. "I know I blew up at you, and I am sorry for that. You're looking out for me, like I look out for you."
"It's only coz I love you, Mimi." Zoe says frankly. "You're like a sister to me, ya know? And I just hate to see you hurt." She puts a hand on their girl's shoulder.
Mimi gives a nod. "I know, Z." She says simply. "And I love you too. I just, my mother had really pissed me off, as usual and me and Matt had just gotten into a horrible fight and it was everything all at once. I just took it out on you and I'm sorry." She apologizes.
Zoe smiles on of her brilliant smiles. "It's okay." She pulls the girl in for a hug.
Mimi hugs her back, sighing in relief. "Thanks for being my best friend, Zoe." She says into her blonde locks.
Zoe laughs. "Thanks for being mine, Mimi."
Mimi releases her. "So, I have so much to tell you." Mimi braces her.
Zoe's mouth drops a bit. "In the span of a few hours?" She asks disbelievingly.
Mimi nods vigorously. "Trust me, it's good. Well, bad, really, but you know."
"What's going on?"
Mimi takes a deep breath and begins to recount the events of the past afternoon.
-x-
Three sets of eyes stare patiently at the drummer who had called this impromptu meeting. All of them, having other things to do, want it over as quickly as it can be.
"Dude, can we know already?" Davis is the first to speak, his patience being the most limited. "And what's so mysterious that Mimi and Zoe couldn't be here?" The girls were there for almost everything else.
Ken nods in agreement. "Really, Rye. What's going on?" He asks.
Ryo lets out a breath. "Okay, first, can I just remind you guys that we love to play music and it doesn't matter if it goes anywhere because we'll always be friends and—
"Ryo, we've all got plans. So if this could be over before Mimi decides to murder me, I'd really appreciate it." Matt interrupts.
Ryo lets out a tolerant sigh. "Fine, Matt." He says a bit pointedly. "You guys remember my only uncle?" He asks. "The one that oversees that the Tokyo branch of my dad's company?" He details.
There are slight murmurs of vague recollection.
Ryo figures that's good enough. "Well, it turns out he has a pretty good friend at Polystar Records." His voice begins to fill with excitement. "I sent him a demo tape, just as a fluke and it turns out my uncle played it for his friend."
The boys say nothing that might jinx this.
"The friend really, really liked it." He continues. "And, he wants to meet with us."
All of them hold their breath.
"If he likes us, he'll play the demo tape for his boss." Ryo's green eyes are alight with hope and determination.
"We could have our very first record deal." Davis breathes out in utter shock. "We might be playing for a huge record label…"
Matt, just a little skeptical, stares at the brunette. "You're sure?" He asks.
Ryo nods. "Positive." He affirms. "So, you guys in or what?"
"Fuck yeah!" Davis pumps his fist. "We're gonna rock this bitch."
Ken laughs. "Let's do it."
"Matt?" Ryo asks.
Matt takes a second to answer. "If he likes us, what would happen?"
"Well, they'd want us to record immediately. Like put out an album and shit." Ryo answers.
"And we'd have to stay… in Tokyo?" Matt asks, already feeling his gut wrenching at the thought.
What about Mimi? Would it really come down to choosing between the two this suddenly?
Ryo shrugs. "Man, let's just get through this." He says seriously. "We'll cross that bridge if we get to it."
Matt knows the brunette is right. "All right, I'm in." He says with a crooked grin.
"Great, then we leave for Tokyo in two days."
-x-
A/N: Yes, you're seeing right. I actually updated! After like nine months!
I think a lot happened in this chapter and because I started writing it like two months ago (yeah, it took me that long to finish), I don't know if it's congruent. I'm happier with certain parts of this than the others.
I think the end is a bit foreboding, but make of it what you will.
I would love some reviews, they'd help me write more.
Song Credit: Something Borrowed, Something Blue— Ben Lee.
Thanks for reading! Expect a P.O update soon (I hope!)
Love,
Chris