Heavy rain pelted against the ship as loud cracks of thunder filled the air. The Digidestined were sitting around the kitchen table waiting for the storm to pass. They had just left Primary Island, as Patamon dubbed it, and were on their way to finding their first crest.
"Do you think when we find the crest it would do something about all this rain?" Catherine asked out loud. She watched the rain pelt the window as her sister and Penguinmon were racing raindrops on the window.
"It better, because I can feel my flowers starting to wilt without sunlight," Floramon said glumly. She slouched in her chair as she looked at the drooping petals on the end of her arms. Catherine patted her partner's head which made the floral Digimon feel better.
"Yeah, this rain is starting to get on my last nerve," Terriermon grumbled. The small dog Digimon peered over at his partner who was fiddling with his Digivice. The second they set sail Willis instantly started tinkering away on his device to learn how it worked. He barely acknowledged anyone, only giving out short direct answers. "How much longer until we get there Willis?"
"I don't know, Terriermon," Willis answered without lifting his gaze from his device. The small Digimon groaned as he dragged his little paws down his face.
"I'm so bored! There's nothing to do and you guys won't even let us eat!" Terriermon whined. The other Digimon agreed with his sentiment and they started to get restless too. TK saw this and quickly took charge.
"I'm sure we could find something to pass the time."
"Ooh, like eye spy!" Chloe said energetically. She quickly looked around and saw that there wasn't a lot of variety of items in the room and knew that a game of eye spy would get boring quickly. "Or not."
"How about we tell stories? My family always does that on long road trips," Ken suggested and everyone quickly agreed to the idea. Ryo excitedly jumped at the opportunity to go first.
"Me first! One time, I placed third in a hot dog eating contest because I threw up a couple of dogs," Ryo proudly said, causing Catherine to blech in response while Chloe appeared unimpressed.
"That's nothing! I won a pie eating contest and set a record for eating the most pies in the shortest amount of time."
"That's not something to be proud of!" Catherine scolded her sister to which Chloe responded with a toothy grin.
The Digimon and the rest of the Digidestind laughed at the scene created by the two sisters. Ken was the first to regain his composure and turned to TK who was chuckling to himself.
"You knew them before we were summoned here. Do you have any fun stories to share?" Ken asked, causing TK to think before a grin appeared on his face.
"I have plenty, but I think my favorite story of Cat and Chloe was when we first met," TK said while looking at the two bickering sisters.
"Well, don't keep us waiting! What happened!?" Patamon prodded his partner and TK chuckled.
"Ok, ok, I'll tell you. It all started back when I moved to France. It's been a week since me and my mom moved and I was extremely homesick…"
TK glumly stared at the new computer his mom bought him. He was waiting for an email from either his brother or his best friend, though his mom told him not to get his hopes up. She said that when he's waking up and getting ready for school both Matt and Kari would be getting out of school and that it was rude to distract them both from doing their homework. TK understood what his mother was telling him, but he wished that Matt or Kari would send him an email to make him happy, especially for today.
It was his first day at a new school and he was extremely scared and nervous. He has changed schools before because of his mom's job, but never to a level such as this before. He doesn't know what a school in France is like and it was freaking him out. He was also worried about the other students as well.
He wasn't worried about the language barrier, his mom made sure he knew French from the moment he knew how to talk. He was more worried about how the other students would react when they saw him. He remembers Mimi telling him and his friends stories about how she was outcasted in her school when she moved to America all because she was from Japan. He didn't want to go through what she did.
"TK, are you ready?" He heard his mom call him from the kitchen. TK looked through his bookbag and saw he had all of his school supplies packed away. He checked his email one last time, hoping to see something from either Matt or Kari but sighed when he saw it was empty.
"Yes," TK reluctantly answered before grabbing his bag and heading for the kitchen.
He reached the kitchen to find his mom dashing all over the place getting stuff ready for her job. He sat down at the counter and his mom quickly gave him a bowl of lumpy oatmeal before rushing back into preparing her stuff.
"Sorry that I won't be able to bring you to your first day of school, but I'm running late for work," his mom apologized while pouring herself a cup of coffee.
"It's fine, I understand," TK responded before digging into his breakfast. His mom finished getting ready when he was almost done with his breakfast. She came over to him and kissed him on the head before ruffling his hair.
"I know you're nervous about today, but look on the bright side, you have a chance to make some new friends and get to learn some new things that you wouldn't have back in Japan," she comforted him before looking at the clock. She jumped a little before getting her stuff together and heading for the door. "Ok, I'm gonna be late. Your grandfather will be here soon to take you to school, so don't keep him waiting. I love you."
"Love you too," TK called out before she left.
TK finished his breakfast and went back to his room to check his email. He let out a defeated sigh when he saw his inbox was still empty and began typing an email to his brother and best friend.
Hey Matt,
Starting my first day of school over here and I'm feeling a little nervous. Mom just left for work so that means Grandpa is taking me to school, pray for me. Other than that everything is fine over here. Email me back when you get the chance because I miss you.
TK
After he sent the email he started typing one for Kari.
Hi Kari,
It's my first day of school in France and I'm nervous. I wish I were back in Japan so I could see you and the others whenever I want. Please get back to me when you get the chance because I like hearing about what's happening over there.
TK
After TK sent that email he heard someone knock on the front door. Assuming that it was his grandfather he grabbed his school bag, opened the front door, and saw the elderly man standing on the porch.
"Ah, TK, how's my favorite grandson that is living in Paris?" His grandfather beamed while ruffling TK's hair.
"I'm good, Grandpa. I'm ready to go," TK responded while closing the front door. He started to head for the driveway but his grandfather placed a firm hand on his shoulder holding him in place.
"Before we go, you know what you have to do," his grandpa told him. TK didn't know what he was talking about before realization hit him like a truck and made him groan.
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, TK. You know you have to sing Frère Jacques every time you see me. It's tradition," his grandfather reminded him, causing him to let out another groan. After singing the nursery rhyme and doing an embarrassing dance, TK's grandfather led him to the driveway where there was a motorcycle with a sidecar waiting for them.
"Does Mom know about this?" TK worriedly asked. His grandfather let out a hearty laugh before tossing him a helmet.
"No, and let's keep it that way. What she doesn't know won't kill me later. Now come on, you don't want to be late on your first day!"
TK shrugged before putting on his helmet and hopping into the sidecar. His Grandpa revved the bike's engine a few times before taking off down the road. He maintained a good speed so as not to give his grandson any whiplash before his first day.
After a short ride, the two reached the young blond's school. TK got out of the sidecar and gave his helmet back to his Grandpa.
"Thanks for the ride," TK told him. His Grandpa smiled and gave him a pat on the back.
"Any time, TK, and don't worry about your first day. I know that I've never been to a Japanese school, but what I do know is that a school is a school no matter what country you're in. After today you'll see that school here isn't so different from school in Japan," his grandfather told him.
TK smiled and nodded to what his grandfather said. His words did little to dissuade his nerves but it's the thought that counts.
"Thanks, Grandpa."
"Don't mention it. I'll be back to pick you up when school's over," his Grandpa said, before driving off.
TK waved him off before turning to his new school. It towered over him as his nerves started to get to him. He took a couple of deep breaths before trudging toward his new school.
He first went to the principal's office to get his class schedule and to meet his new homeroom teacher. She then led him to the classroom and told him to wait outside to prepare the class for him. As he waited he listened in on the classroom and heard the teacher settling down the class. He then heard her give a small little speech before she called his name.
He took a deep breath before entering the room. He looked over the whole class and he noticed they all had the same expression. It wasn't a judgmental expression but a look of disappointment that confused him greatly…
"Hold on! They were disappointed to see you?" Ken interrupted his story with a bemused expression.
"Yeah, I guess I wasn't who they were expecting," TK answered with a light chuckle.
"But why though? You're a great person," Patamon asked.
"We know why?"
The boys looked over at Chloe and Catherine who were listening in on the story. Catherine looked embarrassed while Chloe sheepishly tried to avoid eye contact with them.
"Well, are you gonna tell me or…?" Catherine and Chloe tried to avoid looking at TK before Catherine gave in and let out a sigh.
"The week before you showed up our teacher told the class that we were gonna have a new student that was coming from Japan. We were all excited and the teacher spent the whole week teaching us about Japanese culture. She showed us some pictures of some cities, schools, and some traditional clothing too. We sorta thought you'd look something like the people we saw in the pictures," Catherine slowly explained.
"So you guys expected me to walk in dressed in a kimono and getas?" TK tried to summarize and Chloe quickly jumped in to correct him.
"No no no, we didn't think that! We just didn't expect to see someone who looked like someone we see walking down the street. To be honest, we thought you would've looked more like Ken than you."
TK was a little offended by what his two friends said but he couldn't be completely upset with what they said. He wouldn't argue that he didn't look like an average Japanese person, even going as far as to say that he looked more like a foreigner back in his home country than in France. The only distinguishing features he had that would let someone know he was Japanese were his last name and his slightly slanted eyes. But that didn't mean what Chloe and Catherine said didn't hurt.
Sensing that what they said hurt their friend, Chloe and Catherine quickly went over and hugged him to show their love.
"We want you to know that we wouldn't want anyone else to take your place," Catherine comforted the boy.
"Yeah, you made these past few years fun and we wouldn't trade it for the world," Chloe added. TK smiled and returned their embrace.
"Thanks, girls. I really appreciate it."
The three held their embrace for a few more seconds before Monodramon cleared his voice to gain everyone's attention.
"I don't want to interrupt this heartwarming moment, but could you please get back to your story?"
"Yeah, It was starting to get interesting," Terriermon added before quickly getting reprimanded by both Lopmon and Willis. TK chuckled before continuing with his story.
"I'm gonna skip ahead a little because nothing interesting happened for my first week at school outside of my first day…"
A week passed since his first day of school and nothing interesting happened. After his weird introduction to his class, TK decided not to talk with anyone. Matt, Kari, and his mom told him that it was a stupid thing for him to do, but it wasn't like anyone was going out of their way to talk to him. If no one was going to try to talk to him then he wasn't going to do the same to them.
It was lunchtime and he sat at his self-assigned table, the one that was the furthest away from everyone. Barely anyone sat at his table and if they did they didn't acknowledge him. He still remembers his first day and the disappointed looks the other students gave him when he pulled out a ham and cheese sandwich his mom made him. He didn't know what they had against ham and cheese sandwiches, so he asked his mom to make him something else for lunch.
Ever since that day, his mom made him either roast beef or chicken sandwiches. He still got a few glances from people but he would rather get a few glances than the whole cafeteria watching him while he ate.
He took out his lunch, a roast beef sandwich, and started to eat. He was a few bites into his lunch when he saw a girl sitting across from him. There was nothing that stood out about her appearance-wise other than her shoulder-length blond hair and purple bow, but what did stand out about her was the big lunch bag she was carrying. She smiled at him when she caught him staring at her.
"Is it fine if I sit here? My sister is out sick and I have nowhere else to sit."
TK pondered it over before slowly nodding. She let out a small cheer before pulling out a huge assortment of food from her bag. It looked like she set up a small picnic for herself.
"I'm Chloe by the way," the girl introduced herself.
"Takeru," TK mumbled in response. He saw that Chloe had stars in her eyes as she started to eat.
"You're the new kid, right? We're in the same homeroom and I think I have you in some other classes as well," Chloe said with her mouth full. TK was disgusted and wanted to look away, but the more he looked at her the more familiar she became.
"You're the girl that always sleeps during class."
Chloe choked on her food before managing to slowly swallow it. She sheepishly chuckled, red in the face while rubbing the back of her head.
"Yeah, that's me, but I can't help it! We learn nothing in homeroom and all my other classes are boring!" Chloe defended herself. TK laughed and Chloe calmed down and joined him.
The two continued having lunch together and TK had to admit that he was having fun for the first time since he moved to France. Chloe told him stories about the times she scared her sister and TK told her some stories about his time in Japan, minus the Digimon stuff of course. She especially loved the story of when he almost accidentally cut off his friend, Joe, hand.
When he finished one of his stories he noticed that Chloe was done with her behemoth of a meal was gone while he still had half of his sandwich. He caught her eyeing it and she was almost drooling as well. He decided to relinquish the remaining half of his lunch to her which she graciously took.
"You really like eating, huh," TK said as he watched her eat. Chloe finished his sandwich and beamed at him.
"I do! Sweet food is my favorite!"
"But aren't you worried about getting fat?" TK asked to which Chloe just shook her head.
"Oh, no, I'm a dancer so I move around a lot. It also helps that I have a high metabolism," Chloe proudly revealed and TK gave her an uncomfortable smile.
"T-That's neat."
"So do you have any fun hobbies?" Chloe asked and he was grateful for the change of topic.
"I play basketball."
"That's awesome! Are you thinking of joining the school team? We weren't so good last year but with your help, I'm sure we won't finish in last place again!"
"Yeah… maybe," TK lightly said after being bombarded by the girl.
The bell rang and Chloe got up and smiled at TK.
"Today was fun, we should do this again tomorrow."
"Yeah, sure," TK responded before Chloe skipped off to her next class. TK slowly got his stuff ready for his class as he wondered what chaos Chloe would bring him in the near future.
"And that's how I met Chloe," TK finished his story and everyone was giving Chloe weird looks.
"What?" She asked everyone.
"You really don't have a filter do you," Catherine sighed disappointedly while shaking her head.
"It's not like I said anything bad!"
"Yeah, but I don't think people want to hear about your metabolism, especially someone you just met!" Catherine argued and Penguinmon spoke up.
"What's a high metabolism?"
"It's someone who burns calories faster than the average person, meaning that she could eat a lot without having to worry about getting fat," Willis explained.
"Yeah, she makes everyone jealous at our school about how she can't get fat," TK told them, and Chloe proudly smiled which frustrated her sister.
"Don't take pride in that!" Catherine yelled and it started a whole new argument between the siblings with Ryo chiming in about how she technically cheated to win her food-eating competition.
As that was going on Ken realized something about TK's story.
"You forgot to tell us how you met Catherine," he reminded the blond boy and he embarrassingly rubbed the back of his head with a light chuckle.
"Oh, right, you see Catherine was out for a week with food poisoning when I met Chloe. She told me all kinds of stories about her sister, but she forgot to mention that they were twins," TK slowly revealed and Ken realized where the story was going. "One day while I was walking down the hallway I thought I saw Chloe at her locker. As a joke, I decided I was going to scare her and as I got closer it never dawned on me that she looked slightly different from the day before. Let's just say that our first meeting was very painful."
"Ouch," Ken said sympathetically while TK subconsciously rubbed his left cheek.
"I had a handprint on my cheek for the rest of the day, but after a couple of days and some intervention from Chloe, we eventually became good friends," TK fondly smiled as he looked at the two siblings. Even though he misses his old friends back in Japan, he was glad that he moved to France because he couldn't picture his life without Catherine and Chloe.
"Hey, guys! Look!" Everyone turned to see Patamon hovering over by the door.
They first noticed that the rain had stopped but also there was a bright light coming from the door's window. Floramon was the first to jump out of her seat and raced over to the door. She kicked it open to reveal the bright sunny sky. Something they had been missing for the past couple of days.
They all raced outside and embraced the bright warm sky. It felt a little too hot, but at that moment they didn't care. They all enjoyed the warm air when Lopmon pointed out something that they were surprised to miss at first.
"Guys, land ho!"
Everyone looked in front of the ship to see that they were sailing to a ginormous desert island.
Hope you enjoyed and please leave a review. I enjoy reading them.
