Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ On The Line ❯ Chapter 9 ( Chapter 9 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer:
I don't own anything about Digimon.No money is being made and no copyright or
trademark infringement is intended.

Author Notes:
I am so sorry! I am so Sorry! I am so Sorry! I am really so Sorry!

I've missed two update times and I'm really sorry... I know many of you guys are probably
thinking I've been slacking... And yes I have... It started out as just writers block, but
then it continued till I started to slack of... I believe in honesty and the truth is
I've been slacking... But I promise the next chapter is going to be up in a day or two...
Just have to work out some kinks in it. I really promise this time. Check back in about
three days and you'll see another chater... That would mean the next update would be at
least on a Monday May 20, 2002... As long as the internet doesn't go down... But I will
do everything in my power to get it up... I just have one page to write and grammer,
spelling, rewrite checks.

Again I create this fic to you the readers because you guys really do make all this work
worth it.

The Legendary Tamer
keisan
Private-Bryan
Jen
Furor
LB
Teenager Rika
Felicity Derafine/Veronica D
Insomniac Cat
~Bang
San-chan AznTiger
KaraXIII
litecrystal
Black-Tide
Kim Hayes
forine (well for eight times thanx)

Thank-You

P.S.
This isn't my most favorite chapter because some of the things needed to be said but I couldn't
put it into proper words... Oh well.

******************************

On The Line
Chapter 9/?



"You did great Kenta," said Kazu slapping Kenta on the back

"Thanks," said Kenta smiling at all his friends, "so where to now?"

"Food," said Takato quickly, "I'm starving."

The group quickly piled into their waiting limo, Rika and Henry who were at the back of the
group endured another barrage of flashes from cameras. "That's really annoying," said Rika.

"Never mind," said Henry smiling.

"I bet my mother has something to do with this," said Rika crossing her arms angrily.

"Hey," said Henry gently turning Rika's head to face him, "you promised you wouldn't be
mad."

Rika sighed giving Henry a small smile she uncrossed her arms, "Fine I'll sulk later."

Meanwhile Suzy was sitting quietly beside Kenta, `Why do I have a crush on him?' wondered
Suzy, her eyes roamed over Kenta, he wasn't scrawny, or fat but he wasn't muscular or
anything, he was more or less in shape but he wouldn't win any races. His hair that was
usually parted down the middle was in a mess because of continues running his hands through
it. Surprisingly Kenta still wore glasses not opting for usual contact lenses he instead
wore thin frame glasses. All in all Kenta was kind of plain, `Then why can't I stop
thinking of him?' wondered Suzy.

Noticing Suzy staring at him, Kenta gave her a small smile, "What's wrong Suzy?"

"It's nothing," mumbled Suzy turning bright red.

"Okay," said Kenta turning to face Takato who was telling a story.

The limo halted at a familiar burger joint that the group and most teenager usually hung
out at, the group quickly piled out of the car. Sitting at a table they quickly ordered
their food and drinks when they're drinks arrive Kazu held up his glass in a toast, "To
Kenta the best dam second chair piano player in town!"

"Kenta the best dam second chair piano player!" shouted everybody raising their glasses in
amusement.

"Ah... Thanks guys," said Kenta turning red from everybody in the restaurant staring at
them.

"Henry is that you?"

Henry turned in surprise, the table behind him stood Alice, "Oh hey Alice."

"You look nice Henry," said Alice running her eyes over Henry, "A bit overdressed, but
nice."

Henry glanced at himself then looked around the restaurant except for him and his friends
everyone around the restaurant was wearing only casual clothes. "Oh, I just came from a
concert, Kenta was playing second chair."

"Well you look really nice Henry," said Alice blushing.

"Thanks," said Henry smiling.

"Well I'll leave you to your food, see you tomorrow Henry," said Alice waving.

"See you," said Henry, turning back to the table he noticed the food arrived. Picking up
his burger he noticed Rika had an irritated look on her face, while she bit into a French
fry savagely.

"She likes you," said Kazu looking at Henry with a smile.

"I know," said Henry taking a sip from his soda.

"Are you going to ask her out?" asked Kazu raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know," said Henry thoughtfully.

"What's holding you back?" asked Kazu exasperated, "She likes you, you like her what more
do you want?"

Rika glanced at Henry who was staring at her, he had a look on his face, his grey eyes was
filled with longing, but his face was neutral. Rika looked away unable to stand Henry's
stare. "Nothing," said Henry with a sigh, "I guess nothing is holding me back."


******************************


Things were awkward between Henry and Rika, after what Henry had said at the restaurant,
the rest of the group didn't seem to notice, but Henry and Rika hardly talked to each
other. It wasn't as if Henry didn't try he tried to start dozens conversations with Rika
but she just gave him short one answer word and sometimes she just outright ignored him.

Rika sat quietly in the limo they had dropped the rest of the group off until it was just
Henry, Suzy and herself left. Suzy sat in between Henry and Rika, Rika hadn't said more
then three words to him, after that comment he made at the restaurant, now Henry was
starting to get the idea that he might have said the wrong thing. `Dam,' thought Henry
shaking his head as he studied the girl he loved, `everything was just starting to get back
to normal and all I have to do is just say something stupid. But then how is that stupid?
It's the truth, nothing is holding me back from dating Alice...' Henry shook his head he
knew he was lying to himself the person that was holding him back from dating was sitting
on the other side of Suzy. `Why is she angry though? It's not like we are going out or
anything... How did I know saying that would make her angry? Is she angry? I mean I may
be smart but the teenage girl's mind is still a mystery to me."

Rika glared angrily at Henry, she didn't know why she was angry with Henry and that just
made her angrier at Henry. `How can he say that?' wondered Rika, `And why am I so angry?
It's not like Henry ever held it against me for dating someone, I mean I've dated Ryo for
years and he never gets angry... And his dated girls for the last three years we've known
each other and I didn't care. But then suddenly Henry is thinking of dating someone this
year and now I'm angry at him... This is nuts I'm angry at Henry for him being interested
in a girl.'

Suzy shrank in her seat she sat between Henry and Rika who were staring at each other.
Rika wore her usual face of annoyance while her brother had a neutral expression on his
face. The limo slowly came to a halt at the Wong's apartment building, Suzy quickly
scrambled out wanting to get away from the two teenagers. Henry opened his mouth wanting
to say something to Rika, but Rika just gave him another glare and then crossed her arms.
Henry let his head drop, he knew it was futile to say anything to Rika, shaking his head
sadly he turned to leave the limo. Just as he stepped out a hand grabbed his arm, turning
in surprise Rika was holding his arm with a pained expression on her face. "I'm sorry,"
she whispered.

"Why?" asked Henry unable to keep the hurt feelings from his voice.

"I don't know," said Rika looking down, she couldn't stand the Henry's eyes, they were full
of pain, pain that she caused, "I really don't know Henry, I'm just so confused."

"Is it because of Alice?"

"Maybe," said Rika shaking her head, "I don't know Henry but I really want you to be happy."

"I don't want you to be mad at me," said Henry taking Rika's hands into his own, "I won't
date..."

"No," said Rika cutting Henry off, "don't put your life on hold because of me. I'm just
jealous I'm going to have to share my best friend with someone."

`Best friend... She only seems me as a friend,' thought Henry sadly.

"I'll get over it," said Rika giving a small smile at Henry, "just give it a try okay?"

Henry nodded his heart sagged from the knowledge that Rika didn't think him anymore then
just a friend. "Goodnight Rika."

"Goodnight Henry," said Rika pulling Henry close she kissed him on the cheek.

Henry eyes widened in surprise hugging Rika he kissed Rika softly on the forehead. Then he
pulled away quickly and entered his apartment building without a look back.

Rika sighed touching her forehead she closed the limo door and pulled her knees up onto her
seat. A wave of sadness filled her, she didn't understand why but she felt like she just
let something go that was important. Dropping her head between her knees Rika Nonako, the
Ice Queen, slowly cried.


******************************


Henry closed the door to the apartment pulling off his shoes he slipped on his slippers
trying to stay quiet. The last thing he wanted was his parents questioning him on what
kind of night he had.

"Henry is that you?"

Henry cringed at the voice of his mother, "Yes mom," he replied tiredly.

"How was your night?"

"Can you ask me tomorrow mom? I'm sort of tired," said Henry walking to his room.

"Okay," said his mother cheerfully sitting beside Henry's father on the couch, "if you..."

The door to Henry's room slammed loudly cutting his mother off in mid sentence. "What do
you think that's about?" asked Henry's mom to her husband.

"I don't know," said Henry's dad scratching his head, "Well you know teenagers it may just
be a phase."

"I hope so."


******************************


Kenta ran down the hall of the school, he was late, the first time meeting the student he
was suppose to tutor and he was late. `Way to make an example,' thought Kenta angrily at
himself, making a quick turn he skidded out of control from the waxed floor, slamming into
a desk he fell on the floor hard. His vision blurred when he felt a sharp impact as his
head hit the floor and his head exploded into pain.

"Are you okay?"

Blinking Kenta's vision cleared to see Suzy staring down at him.

"Suzy?"

"Yes," said Suzy helping Kenta up she started to poke at Kenta's head to see if he bruised
anything.

"What are you... OW!" Kenta winced as Suzy's fingers probed a large bump on his head.

"Sorry," said Suzy, "you have a bad bump on your head but there's nothing to worry about...
It's just a bruise."

"What are you doing here?" asked Kenta standing up.

"I'm waiting for my tutor," said Suzy smiling.

"Oh," said Kenta, "is anyone else here? I'm suppose to tutor someone on Calculus."

"I'm waiting," said Suzy nudging Kenta.

"I'm tutoring you?" asked Kenta surprised.

"Taking an advance course," said Suzy proudly, "my brother doesn't have all the brains."

"Okay," said Kenta motioning Suzy to a seat, "let's get started."

Nodding Suzy smiled softly as she sat close to Kenta their heads nearly touching as they
poured over a book.


***************************


Rika sighed she rubbed her eyes, she was having trouble staying wake in class, dark bags
that were under her eyes told everyone that she didn't have a pleasant night. Rika glanced
at the clock that was in the class she counted the seconds down for the end of class. The
bell rang after two seconds past it's designated time, sighing she quickly threw her books
into the bag. There was a teachers meeting after school so Drama class was cancelled.
Walking outside she slipped her sunglasses over her eyes, looking around her eyes widened
at the sight of Henry leaning against a wall staring at her with his sunglasses on.

"What are you doing here?' asked Rika in her usual harsh voice.

"Thought I'll wait for you," said Henry.

"Congratulations Wong, you waited for me," said Rika starting to walk home.

"Hey," said Henry grabbing Rika's arm, "did I do something that offended you or something?"

"No," said Rika shrugging Henry's arm off, "it's just I didn't get a good nights sleep and
I'm just a bit cranky." Turning to Henry Rika gave him a small smile, "Thanks for the
offer but I just want to walk home alone today okay? I'll see you on Friday."

Henry nodded glumly, "Okay see you." Henry stared after Rika who slowly disappeared from
his sight, sighing he pulled off his glasses revealing dark rings under his eyes.

"So that's the person you like huh? Rika Nonako."

Henry turned around surprised to see Alice staring at him, Henry gave Alice a tired smile,
"It's all one way."

Alice sighed, "Just like me then, it's a sad game of musical chairs, isn't it?"


***************************


Rika sat in the back garden of her home, she stared into a pond that was in the middle of
the garden. A sweet autumn wind blew through the garden causing the leaves on the trees to
rustle and break free of the tree. A crunch of footsteps caused Rika to turn towards the
sound.

"Hi," said Alice giving Rika a small wave.

"What do you want?" asked Rika annoyed.

"I just wanted to talk to you," answered Alice timidly, "your grandma let me in."

"Well?" asked Rika raising an eyebrow impatiently.

"I want to talk to you about Henry," said Alice looking down at her feet.

"What about him?"

"You're his best friend right?" asked Alice her hands fidgeting.

"I think that would be Takato," said Rika neutrally.

"But you spend more time with him and you know him better," protested Alice.

"I do," admitted Rika, "but you know boys, they always stick together."

"It doesn't matter," said Alice, "I want to ask you something... About Henry."

"Yes?"

"Does he ever talk about me?" asked Alice.

Rika stared at Alice, a long moment passed, "Yes."

Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

"Do you like him?" asked Rika evenly.

Alice looked at Rika surprised, then nodded timidly, "Do you like him?"

Rika nodded, "Of course."

"I mean as more then friends," said Alice quietly.

Rika stared at Alice unsure of herself, on one side she did like Henry as only a friend,
but another side of her a new feeling was emerging and she couldn't make heads or tails of
it.

"I want your permission," said Alice still keeping her eyes at her feet.

"For what?"

"To ask Henry out," replied Alice.

"You don't need my permission," said Rika annoyed.

"I know," said Alice nodding, "but I know you like Henry, I just want to be sure that you
don't mind."

Rika looked away from Alice and back to the pond, `Allow her to have Henry?' pondered Rika,
`I don't have the right to stop her... I don't have the right to stop Henry to live his
life.' Looking back at Alice Rika sighed, "I don't have the right to say who Henry can
date or cannot, I don't have a say into his life, if he is willing to date you I won't
stand in the way."

"Thank-you," said Alice looking up at Rika Alice smiled, "I'll go now." Turning around
Alice started out of the garden.

Rika stared after Alice unsure what she had done, part of her was calm knowing that she had
done the right thing, but the other part was screaming wildly, angrily of what she had
done. Finally one part won, Rika took of into a run trying to catch up to Alice. Entering
the house she ran into someone knocking both of them to the ground.

"Well hello to you too Rika."

Rika shook her head looking up, her eyes widened in surprise to see Ryo getting off the
floor. "What are you doing here?" Rika asked angrily, "You're a bit early aren't you?"

"Two weeks early," said Ryo dusting himself off, "I just wanted to talk to you."

"Don't have time Ryo," said Rika trying to get past Ryo.

Ryo grabbed Rika's arm, "Rika, please make the time."

Rika glared at Ryo angrily, "Make it quick."

Ryo nodded letting Rika's arm go he handed her a magazine.

Rika glanced at the cover it was a teen magazine owned by one of the largest fashion groups
in Asia, "Shades? You came back two weeks early from our break up to bring me Shades?
It's a teen magazine."

"Page twenty two," said Ryo neutrally.

Rika quickly flipped through the pages to twenty-two, getting to the page Rika saw a large
picture of her holding Henry's arm both smiling at each other. Henry was dressed in a
familiar tux and she was dressed in a familiar black dress. Rika quickly scanned the
article that was with the picture.


Rika Nonako a sixteen-year-old growing fashion star was spotted on Wednesday night at the
classical music concert. The boy on her right is Henry Wong a straight A student at the
local High School. This would confirm the rumours that Rika has moved on from her on and
off boyfriend for three years, Ryo Akiyama.

Rika looked up to Ryo's angry face, "Is it true?" he demanded.

"Does it matter?" asked Rika shrugging, "We're not together, if you remember we broke up
two weeks ago."

"It does," said Ryo evenly, "just because we aren't together doesn't mean I stop caring."

"So what are you so concerned about?"

"I know you Rika," said Ryo, "and I know Henry, you guys aren't right for each other."

"And you are?" asked Rika angrily, "How would you know that Henry and I wouldn't work?"

"Rika, once you step over the line of friendship there is no turning back," warned Ryo,
looking away from Rika he sighed, "Rika you and Henry are so different... You get bored of
relationships... You can't stay interested in a relationship for more then a month. Henry
is serious when he does anything he puts his entire heart into it, you'll break his heart.
You'll break your friend."

Rika glared at Ryo, she was angry, angry at Ryo for saying the things he said, but most of
all she was angry that he was right. She never could stay interested in a relationship for
more then a month. The only reason she always got back with Ryo was that it annoyed her
mother. If she started to date Henry there would be no turning back, there would be no
reset button to start over as friends. Plus there was the fact that she would break his
heart, she would have to see Henry's beautiful grey eyes filled with pain caused by her.
There was no way she was going to allow it, it was too much, it asked for too much.

"I'm sorry," said Ryo seeing Rika shoulders slump in defeat.

Rika walked into her room silently, locking the door she dropped the magazine into her
trashcan.