"It's so nice to meet up as a group, I feel like we barely get to do it anymore," Sora stretched her arms up as the kids walked down the pier.
"I guess that's what happens when you get older," Tai kicked a pebble out of his way. "By the way Joe, sorry we gave you so much shit about you studying for your exams years ago. You weren't kidding when you said that shit was hard."
"Tai, you're studying humanities. What the hell is so hard about that?" Matt scoffed.
"Maybe you should take a class in learning to stop being a dick," Tai retorted.
"Oh god, here we go again...," Izzy groaned.
"Please, if it's not these two, it's you two," Sora pointed at Izzy and Mimi.
"What? We never argue!" Mimi gasped.
"Are you kidding? You're always trying to take the opposite stance of mine. I don't know if you're doing it to piss me off or if it's because you really think you're right," Izzy crossed his arms.
"Excuse me? Are you trying to say that you're always right?" Mimi stood in front of Izzy and crossed her arms.
"No. I'm not always right. After all, a broken clock is right twice a day," Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"You are such a...a...a...slut!" Mimi slapped him on the arm and turned her nose up in the air.
"What?! That doesn't even make any sense!" Izzy yelled.
"Well, give me a minute and I'll come up with a better insult! My brain is like one of your computers...like it's freezing at the moment," Mimi haughtily said.
"Oh, I can fix that. Want me to smack you around a bit? Maybe that will help get you up and running again," Izzy scoffed.
"Oh my goddd, that was like 10 years ago! Let it goooooo...Tai said that's how you fix computers," Mimi said.
"Nuh uh, puh-lease do not bring me into this!" Tai yelled.
"Look what you started, Sora...," Kari smiled behind her cotton candy.
"Nah, they're not really fighting. They like it," TK took a bite from his churro.
"Huh? But they're yelling at each other," Joe made a face.
"It's simple. All they want is attention from each other, and the only way they think they can get it is by picking little fights. Today, Izzy was the instigator...which was pretty rare. Usually, Mimi is the one who starts it," TK shoved the rest of his churro in his mouth and wiped his hands on his pants.
"What, you keep track or something?" Sora snorted.
"Maybe," TK held up his phone and showed everyone a calendar. "The purple heart represents Izzy, and the green one is Mimi. I update everything at home later on a spreadsheet with pivot tables and everything."
"Uh, what's with the red hearts in the corner? There's a bunch of those. Sometimes next to orange and purple, but mostly orange and blue," Kari asked.
"I put the red heart in the corner because the argument is usually related to something Sora said," TK said and slipped his phone in his pocket.
"What?!" Sora said.
"Now I think about it, technically you would be the true instigator of a majority of our fights," TK tapped his chin.
"Excuse me? You want to start another argument?" Sora scoffed.
"I think you mean do you want to start another argument?" TK said.
"Actually, TK...you'd be the one who started this argument," Joe winced.
"Thank you, Joe!" Sora huffed.
"Oooh, you always take each other's sides. Just marry each other at this point. 'We're the mom and dad of the group and we always have to be right!'" TK stuck his tongue out.
"Don't you think it's a shame that we have to act like the parents for the rest of you? We're all around the same age, and you guys can't behave in public," Sora put her hands on her hips.
"'You guys can't behave in public'," TK mockingly said.
"Are you just going to mimic everything we say?" Joe frowned.
"'Are you just going to mimic everything we say?'" TK repeated.
"Oh, real mature...," Sora rolled her eyes.
"Hey guys, we're almost there, it's perfect timing!" Kari pointed to the Ferris wheel.
"It is...," Sora smirked.
"I'm totally recording this little exchange in my calendar, FYI," TK mumbled under his breath.
"I heard that," Sora shot him a look.
"Ahem, so what's that exciting about the Ferris wheel?" Joe asked.
"Oh, he's actually never done the Ferris wheel before! This is going to be his first time," Kari covered her mouth with her hand.
"You see, we kinda use the Ferris wheel as an intervention tool. If two of us are arguing, we'll go on the Ferris wheel, but we stick them in a car alone so they have the space to figure their stuff out," TK explained.
"Does that work? That seems a bit manipulative," Joe frowned.
"We're all still friends, right?" Kari smiled.
"I still don't get a good feeling about this," Joe winced.
"It's almost foolproof, as long as you do it before the fighting gets too bad," Sora said.
"If that's what you say," Joe said, full of doubt.
"Hey guys! Let's go on the Ferris wheel! The sun's about to set, it would be perfect!" Kari called out to the quarreling pairs.
"Ugh, the Ferris wheel?" Tai groaned.
"I hate the Ferris wheel. I always get stuck alone with this idiot," Matt crossed his arms.
"Hey, who are you calling an idiot, idiot?" Tai clenched his jaw.
"We won't do that this time! We'll go in two different groups," Kari said.
"Why do I have a feeling we shouldn't trust you?" Tai frowned.
"Look, if we lie to you, you can plot your revenge on me and I won't be mad," TK said.
"Well, you better not be! You lied to us," Matt said.
"Guys, I'll make sure you're not in a cart by yourself, okay?" Sora sighed.
"Hmm...," Tai and Matt looked at each other and then at Sora. "I guess, fine..."
"Then let's get moving," Joe said.
"Ugh, where's Izzy and Mimi?" Sora turned around.
"They're still back over there," Kari said in amusement.
"Somebody go get them...," Sora huffed in annoyance.
"I got it," Tai put his fingers in his mouth and let out a loud whistle. "HEY, GET YOUR ASSES OVER HERE! WE'RE GOING ON THE DAMN FERRIS WHEEL!"
"Wow, Tai. I could have done that," Sora rolled her eyes.
"Could you though? Could you whistle as loud as me?" Tai smirked.
"Nobody is as loud as you," Matt commented.
"You know what? I might be loud, but you always have something to say!" Tai poked him in the chest.
"Sorry guys! Izzy was holding us up," Mimi ran up to the group, pulling Izzy by the hand.
"Hey, I wasn't holding us up! You're the one who wants to keep being difficult! 'Oh, we never argue'," Izzy mockingly said, flapping his fingers against his thumb like a puppet.
"I do not sound like that!" Mimi gasped.
"Guys, can we put this... conversation on hold for a second? We're almost up for the Ferris wheel," Sora said.
"Here's a new cart. Did you guys take any money out?" Kari asked.
"Yeah, already prepared," Izzy said.
"Shoot, I don't have any more cash. I have a card," Mimi said.
"Sorry. Cash only," the ride attendant said.
"Mimi, just hop on. I'll just pay for it," Izzy huffed.
"Wow, thanks," Mimi blushed.
"Oooh," the rest of the group whispered to each other.
"It's no big deal. Just get in," Izzy shrugged and handed the attendant some money and they hopped into the car.
"Next," the ride attendant motioned the rest of the group over.
"Hey, I just want to let you know that we prefer to have a car of our own. You see, we don't know those people and they kinda weird us out," TK whispered.
"But we would like to pay for them to stay on for two more rounds," Sora held up money in a fan.
"Sure, don't care...," the ride attendant walked over to the cart and closed the door. He then walked back to his station and pressed a button.
"Uh, Mimi?" Izzy sat up straight.
"Yeah?" Mimi looked at him.
"Our car just moved...," Izzy paused.
"That's weird. Nobody else got on," Mimi frowned.
"Mimi, do you know what's going on right now?" Izzy said.
"Oh no...no. They didn't! Those sneaks!" Mimi leaned on the glass and watched TK wave at her. "We've been Taito-ed!"
"Huh?" Izzy raised an eyebrow.
"Taito! It's a combination of Tai and Matt's official government name. A Taito is when you stick two people in a Ferris wheel car by themselves so they have their own little time out," Mimi sank back in her seat.
"Ah, yes. That's what I was pretty much going to say, minus the portmanteau. Nice touch," Izzy nodded.
"The huh?" Mimi raised an eyebrow.
"The combining of Tai and Matt's names," Izzy said.
"Oh. Thanks. They're usually the ones that end up getting a time out soooo...I named it after them," Mimi shrugged.
"But what did we even do for the group to think we needed a time out?" Izzy pressed his lips together.
"I don't know," Mimi frowned.
"It's fine. We'll just ride it out," Izzy put his arms behind his back and slouched in his seat.
"Okay," Mimi crossed her arms and pouted.
"What now?" Izzy rested his arms on the tops of the seats and sighed.
"I just can't believe that they put us in a time out. We literally didn't even do anything," Mimi whined.
"Let's not worry about that. Let's just think of the bright side. For starters, we have all of this room to ourselves," Izzy said.
"That's true," Mimi rested her head on Izzy's shoulder and stretched her legs out on the seats.
"Then there's the possibility that we could have always been stuck in a car with Joe, who is probably sweating bullets right now since he doesn't like heights," Izzy dropped one arm down and rested it on Mimi's back.
"That's pretty weird considering he's the tallest one in the group," Mimi giggled.
"That thought never occurred to me, but that is pretty ironic," Izzy bit his lip and cocked his head to the side.
"Maybe this time out isn't so bad after all," Mimi scooted herself closer to Izzy and placed her hand on his chest for support. "Imagine the rest of them in trapped in a car with Tai and Matt."
"They're probably arguing about something stupid right now," Izzy smirked.
"Oh my god!" Mimi gasped and sat up straight.
"What?" Izzy gave her a look.
"Is that why we're in time out?" Mimi covered her mouth.
"Seriously? They're so dramatic. We're nowhere as bad as Tai and Matt," Izzy shook his head and rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, it's not like we argue," Mimi huffed.
"Bah-bah-bah, shhh...," Izzy put his finger to Mimi's lips, which caused her to blush. He felt his face turn hot too, took his finger off, and stared straight ahead. "Mimi, we just had this conversation. I don't want to continue it. Let's just agree to disagree."
"Fine, you can call it arguing. But I just see it as a fun way to get you worked up," Mimi smirked.
"What?!" Izzy jumped out of his seat and hovered over Mimi. "Why would you do that?!"
"Because look at you. It's so cute- oop," Mimi clamped her hands over her mouth and turned pink.
"Oh? Huh, I think I see where you're getting at," Izzy leaned in close and smirked. "You're not too bad looking yourself when you're flustered."
"Shut up, you just caught me off guard," Mimi smacked him in the chest.
"Fine, I'll let you have that," Izzy sighed and sat back down next to her. "How about any other time? Do you find me cute any other time?"
"Ooh, the Ferris wheel is almost over," Mimi pointed to the pier.
"That was a quick ride," Izzy leaned over to see through the door.
"Wait! The guy skipped our cart!" Mimi gasped.
"And look," Izzy pointed down. The rest of their friends had gotten off and waved at them.
"You think they did this?" Mimi gasped.
"Yeah, I don't think we're getting off any time soon, thanks to those clowns," Izzy shook his head.
"Yeah, no wonder Tai and Matt really hate the Ferris wheel now. Who wants to be trapped here for like a half hour against their own will?" Mimi groaned.
"Wow, thanks...," Izzy crossed his arms.
"Oh, I didn't mean I hate being trapped here with you! I just don't want to be trapped in a rickety car that goes up in the sky for longer than one ride. It's starting to feel claustrophobic," Mimi fanned her face.
"Fair enough," Izzy nodded. "Why don't we try to take our off of that fact? Let's continue where we left off in our previous conversation."
"Huh?" Mimi raised an eyebrow.
"You admitted you find me cute when you antagonize me, but do you find me cute any other time? Like right now?" Izzy smirked.
"Ugh, I think you're impossible right now, that's what I find you," Mimi scoffed.
"Oh," Izzy pursed his lips. "I see."
"What?" Mimi defensively said.
"Nothing. I just find this fascinating," Izzy stretched his arms out and rested them on the tops of the seats again.
"What now?" Mimi was starting to get annoyed.
"Just be quiet and look at the sunset," Izzy sternly said.
"Yeah, I see it," Mimi huffed.
"It's a nice view, and we came at the right time to see the colours change from day to night," Izzy stared straight ahead.
"I suppose," Mimi looked over at Izzy, as the sunlight reflecting on his face slowly transitioned to the street and moonlight.
"Mimi, what are you thinking about?" Izzy turned his head over to face Mimi.
"Uh... nothing?" Mimi bit her lip. She had a bad feeling in her gut that karma was out to get her, especially now that she could feel the blood running straight to her cheeks.
"You know what... I was going to say something, but I feel like that would be kind of mean," Izzy smirked.
"What?" Mimi pressed her lips together in annoyance.
"No, forget it," Izzy shook his head.
"No! Tell me, tell me!" Mimi hopped on his lap and tugged on his shirt.
"Promise you won't get mad?" Izzy clasped his hands behind Mimi's back and pulled her closer.
"I'll try," Mimi wrapped her arms around Izzy for support.
"Alright, I guess that's as good as I can get from you," Izzy hummed.
"Come on, stop stalling," Mimi pouted.
"Fine. You're in love with me because you think I'm cute, regardless of whether you piss me off or not. I think you always have," Izzy smirked.
"Oh! You cut that out!" Mimi gasped.
"But am I right?" Izzy leaned in close and raised an eyebrow. "All of these years would start to make a lot of sense now..."
"What do you mean?" Mimi turned red.
"You never treated me the same way that Sora and Kari did. You always teased me, but still wanted to hang out with me," Izzy smirked.
"I just wanted to make sure you weren't lonely. That's all," Mimi protested.
"And I appreciate that. But you never had a boyfriend either, at least not one that I know of," Izzy said.
"Because I have extremely high standards. And that doesn't mean anything, you never had a girlfriend," Mimi haughtily said.
"Mimi, that's because I'm a fucking nerd. Even if someone liked me, they probably wouldn't even admit it," Izzy flashed her a weak smile.
"Oh," Mimi fiddled with the buttons on his shirt. "I don't think that's true."
"Really? I'd like to see you prove it," Izzy dryly said.
"Okay," Mimi slid herself closer to him and kissed him on the lips. "Does this help?"
"Mimi...," Izzy turned red. "Is this true?"
"Yeah," Mimi sheepishly said.
"I was just teasing you earlier. I didn't think you actually liked me back," Izzy grabbed her head and kissed her. He gently brushed his tongue across Mimi's lips as she pressed her body even closer to him, her hand resting on his chest. Their tongues sloppily slapped and swirled against each other, each one of them taking turns wrapping their lips around the other person's tongue and slipping it out, until both tongues were inside each other's mouths. Their breathing became more intense as they grinded their bodies roughly against each other.
"I want to get out of here so bad," Mimi whined, kissing up and down Izzy's neck.
"I do too...," Izzy heaved. "The last thing I want to do is get too carried away in a Ferris wheel."
"How about this? If the Ferris wheel stops, so do we, but if it doesn't stop...," Mimi gave him quick pecks on the lips.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but sure. Maybe next time they'll think twice before they pull this stunt again," Izzy nuzzled her neck, leaving trails of kisses up and down to her collarbone.
"Mmm hmm," Mimi arched her back and leaned back as Izzy kissed her down to the neckline of her top.
*knock knock*
"Ahem...," Sora knocked on the car.
"Huh?" Izzy and Mimi shot straight up and turned red.
"Uh, how long have you guys...?" Mimi blushed.
"Long enough, now get out. There's actually a line now," Sora said.
"Don't worry, everyone. They were just making out, nothing more!" Tai yelled at the line of people.
"Tai, really?" Izzy turned red and hid his face.
"I mean good thing we didn't pay for another round on the Ferris wheel, because who knows...," Kari smirked.
"Oh my god, this was a setup, wasn't it?" Mimi gasped.
"Just for the record, I thought this was a bad idea," Joe butted in.
"Quit your bitching. At least you guys made up," Matt rolled his eyes.
"More like made out," TK smirked.
"Cute...," Izzy droned.
"Oh, and we'll do it again," Mimi grabbed Izzy's face and kissed him.
"I know that this is what we wanted to happen, but it's still hard to believe with my eyes," Kari mumbled.
"Yeah...I really like it though. Finally. Maybe that will take care of some of the fighting in our group," TK smirked.
"Heard that," Izzy said between kisses. He pulled Mimi closer to him with one hand and flipped off the rest of the group with the other hand.
"I think that's our cue to go," Sora said.
"Good idea," Kari nodded. As the group separated from the newly-minted lovebirds, they couldn't help but to think about the monstrous situation they created for themselves. It couldn't have been that bad, could it? They turned around to see that the couple were still sucking face, having never left their spot in the middle of the boardwalk. The group shook their heads and made their ways home.