Why do we love who we love? I stare into the sunset, contemplating this. Is it just chance that I love ‘Chi-chan, not Sora-kun? My lips twist themselves into a smile at the thought of him. My Tai-chan. Yes, I love Yagami Taichi. I guess I have since we were about 11. We fought a lot, then. I fell for him during the first major fight we had. I couldn’t find Takeru and didn’t think he understood me. Sometimes I think he understands me more than he lets on. Sometimes that scares me more than my own feelings.

I sigh. It’s getting darker every minute. I’ll wait until the moon comes out, then I’ll go home. Not many people know this, but I’ve got a thing for the moon. She’s so beautiful, and listens to my complaining and prayers. She doesn’t do much, but she listens. Very rarely, she laughs at me. That’s usually when I think of some screwed up plan to get Tai.

I stand. The darkness is deep enough that I should be getting home. I also promised to call Takeru and give him advice to help him with Hikari. Daisuke has asked me for help, too. I told him to look carefully in his heart to see who he really wants. I know he’s on his way into Ken’s heart, and vice versa. I’ve been there, I know. Only I don’t know if ‘Chi-chan feels the same way. He probably doesn’t. ‘Chi-chan’s got a serious girlfriend. I would be doing my best to sabotage them, but she’s a good friend of mine.

I’ve got my own girl problems, though. I know, you’re probably thinking, “Ooh, Ishida Yamato has to deal with rabid fangirls. Lucky guy.” This is different. She’s one of my best friends. No, she’s not Mimi or Sora. I met her through the band’s drummer. Her name is Chloe, and she’s got the deepest blue eyes you can ever imagine. Chloe and I tell each other everything. She knows who my heart belongs to, and I know how much she loves me. I hate hearing the quiet, suffering pain in her voice when I talk about ‘Chi-chan. She says that that’s what I sound like when I’m around Tai-kun and Sandra-kun. (That’s his girlfriend.)

I’m moving now, staring at my feet as I walk. A quiet, calm, feminine voice surprises me. ‘Hey.’

I don’t need to look up, but I do anyway. My eyes meet ones of a much deeper blue. ‘Hey,’ I reply softly.

Chloe smiles. ‘I thought you’d be here, Yami.’ She uses my nickname, the one only she and Taichi can call me without getting yelled at. “Yami” means “darkness” and as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes that name suits me perfectly.

I notice a cold shiver run through her thin form. ‘It’s cold out, Chloe, and you don’t have a jacket,’ I scold, draping my own over her shoulders. She leans into me, grateful for the warmth.

Chloe giggles, and I look at her strangely. She elaborates, ‘You’d be the perfect boyfriend, Yami. It’s so ironic it’s not funny. God is an iron.’

I don’t ask. If there’s one thing being friends with Chloe has taught me, it’s that sometimes, you’re better off not knowing. I change the subject, reverting back to what I was thinking about earlier. ‘It probably would have been you, Chlo, if I met you first.’

‘Huh?’ Chloe looks up at me, her eyes confused.

‘I- I think, if I had met you first, I might have fallen in love with you instead.’ I smile down at her, and she grins back sleepily.

‘Damn irony gods.’ Chloe yawns.

I shake my head. ‘Sometimes I wonder… Let’s get you home.’

When we get to her house, she hugs me tightly. ‘Good luck,’ I hear her murmur. ‘He’ll come to his senses one day.’ I smile tiredly. ‘I wish I could tell you the same.’ She goes inside, and I leave. Somehow, I can’t make myself go home. Instead, I go to ‘Chi-chan’s house.

He opens the door. ‘Ya- Yami? What are you doing here?’

I had always thought of Yagami Taichi as a fallen angel, but right now he looks even more like one, the light from inside illuminating his body. It takes me a little while to find my voice. ‘Hi, ‘Chi-chan. What’s wrong?’ His eyes are darting back and forth nervously.

‘Well… Sandra and I broke up. We decided that my mind was else where when we were together.’ He breaks off, and gulps. ‘I spent all night trying to figure out where my mind was. And I did.’

‘Where?’

Taichi looks really nervous now. What he does next really throws me off guard. He kisses me. Of course, I kiss back, slipping my tongue into his willing mouth. ‘Ok…’ I hear a familiar voice. It’s Hikari. ‘I’m gonna rewind, and when I come back, you’d better be done.’ She leaves.

I blush. ‘I should be going. Dad’ll be worried.’

It’s been a week since Tai kissed me. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy, except for the fact that I’m worried about Chloe. Speaking of Chloe, here she comes. Tai, the ever-sensitive one, knows I have to talk to her. He makes some lame excuse about soccer practice, and leaves, but not without a kiss. Even though I know how much it must be hurting Chloe, I kiss back. Chloe bites her lip and looks at the ground. I swear I can hear her heart crumble. I pull away. ‘Bye, ‘Chi-chan…’

I should expect Chloe to surprise me, but I don’t. She completely floors me when she flings her arms around my neck, crying, ‘I’m so happy for you!’

My brain whines under the stress of having to think so hard. ‘So… you’re okay with this?’

She pulls back, ‘You know, they say that the worst thing in life is watching the one you love love some one else. I don’t agree.’ Chloe smiles her trademark smile. ‘The worst thing in life is watching the one you love hurt and know you can’t stop it.’

We chat a bit, and go our separate ways. I turn my face to the sun and wonder… A lot of people have a fallen angel in their lives, but how many can say they have two?

Luv 4eva,
Leticia