A/N:
Hey there :)Before I go any further, I just want to say thanks to KoumiLoccness and venus9814 for being the first reviewers. There'll be Koumi in later chapters :), how could a story do without? ^-^ I appreciated the feedback a lot.
Like always, if you enjoyed the chapter (or just plain-out hated it), please take the time of day to write a review. Simple is fine, reviews help fuel me. Tell me why you liked it or why you hated it, or if I had any questions left unanswered, please do tell me. Thanks much!
As usual, I do not own anything in this story, the song 'Just So You Know' is property of Jesse McCartney. I, in no way own any part of the piece, aside from the paragraphs in italics
Note: On 7/15/13' this chapter was revised.
Just so you know
Chapter 2: 'Just So You Know' - Yamato Ishida
Everyone was quiet as the music video started.
-YMI-
The screen went from emptiness to a view of a black four door's tires as it pulled into a paved cement driveway. The car grew silent as the engine was turned off, and the vehicle came to a stop.
From the right passenger window looking in, an outline of a male reached for several number of items left next to him. With a click, and a following dominating sound of metal and rubber roughly pressed against each other, the male rose from his seat, keys jingling as he stuffed them and a phone into his pockets. He adjusted his watch, small hand and big hand ticking to present the time: 1:36. The hand dropped to his side, and with fingers straightening out the nonexistent creases in the diesel black jeans, a deep inhale, exhale. His body heaved with each breath. The left hand returned to motion as it passed the charcoal fitted trunk of the male, passing too a smooth, defined face to run fingers through a tussle of blonde hair. Another sigh.
Footsteps, in a slow, steady beat contrasted the brights of the flowers that lined the path to the door, covered in dark shoes. Up steps. Movement ceased abruptly as it had started.
He stood there, still, his breathing manually controlled, in hopes of confidence. Hands, again, as he sought out his back pocket, producing a small index card, a sentence in vibrant blue ink on the crisp white sheet.
'Without knowledgeable time nor specific place, I think I've fallen for you... Be mine? My heart beats heavily, almost beginning to ache'
Nervously, a small smile formed. Sighs, seemingly never-ending, as he knocked on the door. Immediately after the contact with the sleek wooden finish, the silence consumed him. His breathing, still on manual supervision. Why was it that he could feel his heart beating violently against his ribcage?
A minute later, the door opens to a girl almost as he, her smile sweet as her registered her visitor. "Hey, Matt! You're back, when?"
Manually, manually, his breathing regained stability as he began to feel nervous, almost completely having forgotten the flowers in his hand.
The girl continued to smile, and as he realized that the bouquet in his hand was not originally intended to stay there, a brunette male, with a smile that spoke immense happiness appeared from behind the girl, one hand rested casually at her side. The girl herself didn't seem to notice, but the look on Matt's made it clear that he was no where near as nonchalant to sudden appearance.
"I-"
"Babe who's at the door?"
-TKI-
As the introduction played itself out, the DigiDestined shuffled slightly in their seats- a few starting to get a feeling of the direction of the video.
-HKK-
Quickly, almost too quickly a smile, bright eyes and teeth clenching hidden to a minimum.
"Uhm, Happy late birthday! I.. I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the party"
She smiled, "Aw, Matt. Thanks buddy." Reaching out to accept the flowers, the boy next to her spoke.
"That's nice of you, man. We missed you" He nudged Matt, in good natured fun.
"Ah yeah.. seems like I missed a lot while I was gone, huh?"
The couple caught drift, and embarrassed, changed topic.
"Yeah.. just a few things" The boy looked at her, taking a moment to smile at each other. "Well, buddy why don't you come hang out? You're not busy yet, right?"
His smile did not seem to reach his eyes, "Uh, yeah, sounds great. What better time to catch up"
"Great! I'll get the car!"
The boy left to open the garage, and as he stood there for a moment as the girl left to get shoes on, he glanced at his clenched hand inside of his jeans.
"Okay, I'm ready Matt, let's go!" The girl pulled on his arm, guiding him down the steps.
In the bright flowers, stuck out a small crumpled up sheet of paper.
I shouldn't love you, but I want too,
I just can't turn away
Matt's leaned against the trunk of the tree, a emotionless gaze set at the couple sprawled out of the grass, the girl's giggles audible as her boyfriend subjected her to light teasing.
The boy had his arm out, a makeshift pillow against the blades of distinct green grass. In his arms, the girl had settled from the laughter, face still alight with a breathtaking genuine smile. She looked up, the two meeting gazes, quiet. She ran her fingers through the distinct blond hair, face inching up to met his in a soft kiss.
From his place on the crest of the hill, Matt let out a sigh.
I shouldn't see you, but I can't move
I can't look away
And I don't know, how to be fine when I'm not
The couple approached him, the boy with an arm over his girlfriend's shoulders, the other hand with a soccer ball pressed against his side. He palmed the ball and motioned towards the soccer field as the pair came within talking distance of the lonesome friend. Matt, seemingly incapable of a genuine smile, shook his head and gestured with his hand the trunk behind him, body language suggesting to them that he'd stay where he was.
The boy shook his head, and the girl stepped forward o a whim, grabbing onto Matt's hand, catching the singer off guard and smiling at him once they were in close proximity. He breath caught, and he was without words when she mouthed "Please", brain lagging behind his wildfire of thoughts. With effort he nodded, bringing the couple to smiles and cheer, refusal was without results, she made his heart clench effortlessly.
Cause' I don't know how to make a feeling stop
Just so you know, this feeling's taking control of me
And I can't help it
Matt's right heel collided with the ball as soon as it came to him, effectively rebounding. As Tai had kicked from afar, the ball sprung back from Matt and the makeshift goalie box, haphazardly rolling into the nearby mass bushes. The soccer fanatic pursued the ball, eager to be back and to score a few more times on his friend. The two friends were left to entertain themselves as they waited for the boy to return, expecting time to pass as the bushes were thick in size.
The blonde stood, walking to the already seated girl.
"You alight, Tessa?"
She smiled , "I'm fine, Matt, thanks for asking".
He was skeptical, her eyes looked to be laced with lead, and he noticed her sweating and ragged breathing.
Tessa noticed the concern written on her friend's face, tried to reassure him. "I'm serious, Matt I'm fine-" She suddenly lost strength in her dismissal wave of hand, and her body seemed to give out. Her eyes began to drift suddenly, and immediately, he reached to support her body.
"Tessa! Tessa, hold on" hurriedly, he laid her down, searching for an item that could be used to cover her, deciding to, temporarily shade her body with his as he held her, trying to get water to the steadily burning girl's aid.
"Matt! I got I- "
"Mark! Over here, hurry!"
As the brunette overcame his surprise, his legs worked in overdrive to meet his girlfriend whom was becoming slightly more alert under his friend's care. He dropped to his knees, quickly desperately trying to get a response from the girl, reaching for her hand as he took over shading her as Matt continued to search for something, eventually taking off his shirt. It was without hesitation, that he poured water from his water bottle onto the cloth, dabbing it across her body.
"Babe, Im oka-"
"We're going get you out of here, just wait." Tai winced as the girl attempted to fight off her drooping eyes, looking up for brief moment in admiration for his friend.
'It's a blessing Matt was here, a reliable friend through and through'
"Here, on my back, Mark, you shade her, okay? Watch for her"
The look on the blonde spoke volumes in worry and Mark knew, disagreeing was not an option. He looked completely compelled to rush her to safety.
I won't sit around, I can't let him win now
The couch was uncomfortable.
Although the full furniture piece was left to himself, Matt couldn't find himself able to focus on enjoying the sitcom playing on the television.
He unwittingly glanced to his side, regretting the action when he found the duo beside him in mutual slumber, her head against Mark's arm and body leaned into the quietly snoring boyfriend, whom was sitting upright.
Again, a sigh.
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go of you,
But I don't want to
He got up, compelled to leave the living room scene, and studied the house he and his friends had came too, making his way down a hallway leading to the kitchen where he'd grab a drink.
Deciding to take time to observe his surroundings, his steps fell in speed, gradually coming to a stop in front of a specific picture. A closer look of light brown frame holding a vertical picture, he freed it from the nail holding it to he wall. It was the only one containing him, alone amidst family portraits and pictures of the happy couple. It was a picture of three kids, one blonde boy, and a black haired little girl standing in front of swing set. He was off to one side, smiling at the camera as beside him, the brunette boy snuck an innocent kiss to the girl's face. He laughed very briefly on screen, the girl's face looking annoyed as she tried to push away the advancing boy's lips.
They were divided, even then. Without realizing it, he was the third wheel then, too.
I just gotta say it all before I go;
Just so you know
The door closed, a figure now dressed in a jacket leaving into the rain, just missing the awakening of the couple sleeping.
Tessa groggily wiped at her eyes, the effect of an interrupted sleep cycle taking it's effect on her reaction time. A look around the room, and she noticed a white index card in place of wear her friend was to be. As she attempted to read the note, which she assumed was left by Matt, her eyes were alerted to the start of an engine outside, the rain coming to her attention as she cocked her head towards the windows.
'Sorry to leave you guys hanging like that. I've gotta run. You know how unexpected life is... I'll holler at you two later :D Thanks for having me over
-Matt'
A block down from the humble house, drove a black four door, it's owner slow in driving, understanding that he had nowhere he needed to be.
Its getting hard to, be around you, there's so much I can't say
Situated in what is apparently his room, the scene has the star attempting to study from a thick textbook. He abruptly puts down the pencil and rubs his eyes, the desk lamp to the left of him casting a yellow hue over his hands and History book, judging by the portrait of a person fitted in colonial clothing. For a while he keeps his eyes closed, letting them take a brief rest.
His notebook, was without answers to the numbered lines, but instead a sketch of a picture frame. 'Memories' play as his head falls into his hands, and fingers run stressed streaks in his hair. Looking down at the notebook, he drew a wheel, then turning frustrated and done, he shut the lamp off as he dragged himself to bed. A yawned, but he lay there with eyes open. His body wanted rest, but his mind was at everything but.
Do you want me to hide the feelings, and look the other way?
And I don't know, how to be fine when I'm not
Cause' I don't know how to make a feeling stop
The three friends at a café, Matt sitting across from Tessa, Mark accompanying her side. The brunette is preoccupied with something outside, paying notice to the now heavily falling snow as it covered everything in sight with a layer of white. The streetlights outside refracted light from the snow.
Yamato glances up from stirring his cup of coffee, and temporarily catches Tessa's eye. The two hold their gaze for a moment longer than necessary, before Matt instinctively looks away, shaking Tessa out of her trance along with making them both feel uneasy. Tai turns his attention back to the two and seems to notice Matt's glum behavior.
"Aye man, you alright? You look a little out of it."
Again looking up from his drink in hand, Matt subconsciously takes a peek at Tessa before turning his attention to Tai who didn't see the quick glance directed at his girlfriend.
"Yeah, just tired is all. The crew wants me out at the studio tomorrow to record again. I swear it's like they're trying to kill me."
A halfhearted smile accompanied the matching remark, enough to turn Mark's concerned expression into a smile. They 'laughed' together, eventually bringing Tessa into their sudden fit in the cozy coffee shop.
Just so you know, this feelings's taking control of me
And I can't help it
I won't sit around, I can't let him win now
Matt sings as the screen gives the viewers another shot of him bedroom, dim lit as he sat on the edge of his bed, a ruffled piece of notebook paper reading 'Tessa' 384-6634 in his hand. The scene then briefly changes to show a flashback of Matt sitting in the back of a classroom, other students with their heads down or with uninterested expressions. He seemed to be trying his best to focus on the teacher, to no avail as a yawn escaped him.
Eyes slightly watery from the big yawn he'd hid behind a hand, a paper came to his desk. He follow the direction it'd landed, looking over two rows as he saw Tessa mouthing words, gesturing towards the balled up slip of paper.
'Hey. Ishida. I can see you're struggling. You want some help?' He then 'whispered' to Tessa his gratitude and as the middle aged teacher walked past his seat, rambling on about some guy named Alexander the Great. Quickly, he stuck the note into his notebook, hiding it from the strict teacher's view. When the instructor looked back, she was met with the sight of everyone working on their 'notetaking'.
Now apparently later on in the class, Tessa asked the forty-one year old teacher for the 'go ahead' to get up and take a drink, stealthily slipping her number onto Matt's desk, having recently changed her cell. She got an confirmation nod from Matt telling her in silence that he had gotten it.
The flashback then ends and Matt stays in camera view, contemplating on whether or not to call her. Eventually, he found himself listening to the dial tone, the music quieting again as the video provided the audio of Matt talking.
"Hey Tessa? ... Yeah, It's me. I know, I'm not an idiot... Right, do you remember how you offered to help me with History?... I know, I was just kidding you. Uh, I want to take you up on that offer.. So what do you say? ...Yeah... That's fine... Alright. I'll tell my dad around eight then... No, he probably won't be home. Probably working late tonight per usual... Alright. Okay. See you at quarter till' eight. Bye."
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go of you
But I don't want to
Matt was surfing channels when he'd heard the familiar noisy engine of Tessa's car drive up and finally stop in front of his house. On his way to the door, he stopped to check his hunch, briefing looking at the red Toyota that was parked outside. It was Tessa, and the girl was on her way to the door at the moment. After receiving confirmation, Matt resumed his path to open the door just as it rang. They greeted one another with smiles and he invited her in, pointing to drinks he'd laid out aside his book. She took off her shoes, and sat, opening her bag to grab her own History book as they began their study session.
Sound was provided and the DigiDestined listened intently, the music taking a break for a bit to allow dialogue to overpower the music fading out quietly.
After a while of tutoring, Tessa had to abruptly excuse herself to take a phone call. She seemed very embarrassed for having to leave for the short amount of time and interrupt their session. Matt told her that it wasn't a big deal and the girl left to answer her cell.
Around five minutes later, Tessa returned looking a bit troubled, still holding the phone, continuing to speak as she turned to face her blond friend. "I don't know Mark... I kind of have something to do right know..." The teen paused for a moment, listening to her boyfriend's reply. "No... I'm not mad at you. I would love to go to the movies but I have something scheduled already..."
Tessa was torn by the fact that she had a promise to hold up, already having offered to help Matt before Mark had made any plans but she knew that lately Mark hadn't been feeling too happy ever since the passing of his great-grandmother last week, and couldn't be himself much. Nevermind, plan happy dates. From what she heard, he was having what sounded like an already decidedly bad day. Now, she had to add to it by turning him down.
Matt sighed internally, not surprised that it was the girl's boyfriend, and faked a nonchalant attitude, speaking aloud.
"Go ahead Tessa. Mark's waitin' for you." He saw the relief that Tessa tired to keep smothered, asking whether or not he was sure, and he knew it was only to be polite. "Yeah. I actually understood some of the things you were sayin' so I'll be good. Besides, I think I can handle a textbook. I have to deal with raging fan girls at every one of my concerts... this can't be much harder."
She smiled and apologized feverishly, rushing out to gather her things and meet Mark. Matt escorted her out the door, biding goodbye to her. He continued to wave goodbye to Tessa as the door closed, returning quietly to the couch to try his hand at the textbook.
The camera catches everything as he visibly struggles and closes the book roughly, frustrated, heading up the stairs to his room.
As Matt exits what is assumed to be his washroom with a towel slung across his shoulders, he got to bed.
Unexpectedly, his cell comes into focus as his hand reaches out to retrieve the phone from his nightstand, a message arrived.
He leans back against his backboard, reading.
'Sorry again... I feel so bad 4 leaving u :'('
A small smile crept onto his face, it was late out, she'd thought of him? Quickly, he replied.
'Tessa, I can handle myself, it wasn't ur fault u had to leave. Don't worry about it... I'ma hit the hay, I'm so tired from today... I'll c ya. :)'
He added the smiley, knowing that it'd help her believe in his 'cheerful' mood.
'K, nite ;) Love you buddy'
Matt smiled again, somewhat bitterly. He returned the phone beside him and set his alarm. He shifts his body soon after pulling the covers up, turning onto his side in an attempted sleep.
I just gotta say it all before I go;
Just so you know
This emptiness is killing me, and I'm wondering why I waited so long
Looking back I realized it was always there just never spoken
Matt its once again in a class in the scene, sitting in his desk, now located behind Tessa's a bit back. He seemed to be filling out a worksheet when he looked up and saw Tessa leaning off to the side of her desk handing a supposed dropped pen to the girl next to her. The expression of his face following shows Matt's admiration of the fact that Tessa treated everyone just the same with kindness in her heart and a considerate mind. Several different scenarios play as evidence to the fact. As nice some deserved, some, deserved much less.
A scene plays that reviews a moment back when Matt had been younger, laughing at a mud-caked Tessa (of whom looked very upset with him). While he was trying with all his might to avoid dying of no oxygen, Tessa threw a clump of wet mud at his face.
Immediately Matt returned the act with a mud ball of his own. The clip then shows them later at what looked like Tessa's house from scenes before, with their mothers looking ready to lecture them.
Matt had been smiling at the sight of Tessa's dirtied clothes, but immediately stopped it when his mother glared at him. "Yamato- this was your last warning-"
"Wait, Mom, Ms. Ishida, before you say anything, I started the fight with Matt.. he wasn't paying attention to what I said, and so I threw the mud at him. He was only acting in play."
She always had his back, as did she had everyone else's.
I'm waiting here
Been waiting here
Matt opens the door, and is engulfed in a unexpected hug, barely having time to react before he noticed that the person was crying. "Tessa? What's wrong? Here come on and sit down." She didn't stop her tears all the while attempting to tell him the what problem was.
From the DigiDestineed's deductions, it seemed that 'Tessa' and 'Mark' had just gotten in a fight- over what the rest didn't know, aside from Izzy and Mimi of whom were reminded of a small fight months ago that they had heard played out in a revised fashion of what they saw on screen.
She sat there in his arms, telling him that she had seen 'Mark' lip-locked with the resident loudmouth of their English Literature class. She barely managed to croak this out, more tears and sobs erupting from her.
Immediately, Izzy and Mimi had sparks ignite inside, deciding that definitely, a version of this had happened before. All doubts they had of the resemblance of the three main characters of the video were thoroughly thrown out.
The audience watched as Matt held onto her, trying his best to comfort her as he listened to her heartbroken sobs
Just so you know, this feelings's taking control of me
And I can't help it
I won't sit around, I can't let him win now
A paper is in Matt's hands and when the camera changes views, the audience can see a speech written onto the paper. It read:
'*Tai. You and I have been friends for a long time. But just because we've known each other or a long time now, that it still doesn't mean that I won't hesitate to beat the living crap out of you if you ever hurt *Sora again. She deserves better treatment than the way you treated her. She's not a random stranger you can blow off at any time just because you feel like it. So listen when I say, I have feelings for Sora too and if you ever slip up again, don't count on me backing off. I'm not going to try to steal her from you now and get the two of you to break up, because I have morals. It doesn't mean that I can't tell her that I'd treat her better, though. Are we clear?'
Matt sat at on one of the counter seats, waiting for his friend to arrive. They'd scheduled to meet up at the shop, at 3:25. It was now, Matt read his watch, 3:17. The bell atop the door rang, catching Matt's attention. His azure eyes gazed at Tai's sad and poor posture.
Yamato was surprised to see Tai walking through the door, early.
"Hey. So what'd you call me down here for?" Tai asked as soon as he sat down on the bar stool next to the musician. He seemed miserable.
"Look *Mark, about *Te-" he was cut off by Tai, who looked up at him from his view of the table to interject his thoughts.
"I know what you're going to say. I know I'm the worst guy in the world. You don't have to remind me. *Tess won't even look at me anymore." he told the star glumly and all of Matt's determination to recite the planned speech was thrown out the window. He wasn't going to bad - mouth his friend for something he clearly regretted.
"I wasn't- You know what *Mark? I'm not going to let you slip into depression and self-pity. Come on, grab your coffee and let's get to *Tess's house and straighten all this out."
His words of encouragement earned him a smile and Tai thanked him. Matt nodded in return, acting as if he really did care that the two of them got together again. Which, he did. If Sora was happy with Tai, even despite his feelings for her, he'd still do his best to make Sora happy. That was the only reason he had to act. There was still much that he needed to learn to ignore, feelings that shouldn't be there, but are... he needed to watch himself before he lost a friend, or even two. But right now, it seemed top priority to bring a smile back to her face.
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go of you,
But I don't want to
I just gotta say it all before I go;
Just so you know
Ohhhh
Just so you know
Ohhh
Matt continued down the street in his black four door, rain still pouring outside, the lyrics now sung with more emotion.
Thought you should know
I've tried my best to let go of you,
But I don't want to
The scene flashes back to the park incident, and things slow as he unhesistantly removed his shirt to dab and wipe her body, attempting to combat her rising temperature
I just gotta say it all before I go;
Just so you know
Just So you know
The screen fades to black and the suggestions for the next appear on the screen.
.
*** This scene may be confusing, so let me try to explain. At the crying at the doorstep scene before, Izzy and Mimi had realized the idea that this was a revised version of Matt, Tai and Sora's story. Because of this, from the rest on, they see the actors AS ACTUALLY TAI & SORA! :D I'm so confusing, right? Sorry . ._. But because it's usual weird still to know when someone will talk and replace names immediately as they are said to fit the people you 'see' , so Matt & Mark say 'Tessa & Mark'. :) Sorry for confusion!
.
Alright guys, right now its 3:17 a.m. (luckily a Saturday). T`T
I stayed up for you guys, swear to God I'm not lying.. worth having is worth effort.. but my eyes o.o
I hope you enjoyed it. If you liked it, then please review. I think specific chapter reviews are beneficial for me to know what you want and like so I can try and improve based on each chapter's content and style. A simple: "Nice" would suffice... though I would like to know why you thought the way you did.
Thanks much,
-SoratoMusicStories