I can't break these chains that hold,
My body's growing cold.
There's nothing left of this mind or my soul.
Addiction needs a pacifier.
The buzz of this poison's taking me higher.
...And sooner or later, you know I'll be dead.


3 Doors Down-- Loser


"And the nominees for student body president, are Jody Lu, and Kari Kamiya." said Mr. Yu, the principal of the school. He was at the weekly general assembly, talking to the whole school. "Both these young ladies are fine choices for the position, so I ask you to vote wisely."

Tk looked over lovingly at his girlfriend. She was ringing a piece of her long brown hair between her fingers anxiously. She bit her bottom lip, which was a telltale Kari sign, she was nervous. "Don't worry." he whispered in her ear. "You're going to win." he said kissing her forehead.

"Mr. Takaishi!" boomed the principal. He had caught them talking. "If you have something to tell Miss. Kamiya, please do it on your own time."

Tk got this defiant look in his eyes. "But I wanted to tell her now."

"Mr. Takaishi." he boomed again. "I do remind you. You're talking to a school official. Comments like that can lead you straight to a detention."

"Do you think I care?" he said coolly. Over the years, he had caught Matt's disobedient attitude for school officials and rules. "I had to tell her something, so I told her. End of story."

"Fine then." he snarled from the podium. "If it was so important, why don't you tell the whole school. I'm sure they'd love to hear it as well."

Tk smiled wickedly. "Tk please. Don't start." said Kari touching his arm lightly.

"I have to Kari." he said simply, as he stood up on his chair. He had grown quite a lot. Instead of being the puny child from the Digiworld, he was now more than six feet tall, and had developed some muscle from all the basketball he played. He turned, and faced the entire school, with a sly smile on his face.

He carefully brushed away a strand of blond hair, and began to speak. "Before I was rudely interrupted by Mr. Yu." he said, getting an evil glare from him, "I was about to tell my girlfriend, Hikari Kamiya, that I was madly, and totally in love with her." he looked down at Kari, who had started to tear a lot. "I love you Kari." he said softly as he jumped down from the chair, letting the words roll off him tongue, in perfect sync. They seemed so natural for him, like he was meant to say this to her, and only her.

"I love you to Tk!" she cried, as she threw her arms around him. "I love you too!" she said kissing him, in front of the whole student body. An eruption of cheers were heard from the kids. Even the teachers were clapping. Some even cried.

"Mr. Takaishi! Miss. Kamiya! Take your seats now!" screamed Mr. Yu, turning red from yelling so loud. "Takeru, detention after school! Miss. Kamiya, I expected better behavior out of a nominee for the person to represent this school!"

"Sorry Mr. Yu." said Kari sitting down. A slight blush crept on her cheeks. Tk stood standing, glaring evilly at their principal. He then smiled and sat down quietly.

"Jody. I'm sorry." said Rae.

Jody glared at Kari with daggers in her eyes. "It's not fair Rae. Why does she get Tk? She doesn't even deserve him!" she said pouting. "I mean. I'm popular. I'm beautiful. I'm rich. I'm the head cheerleader! I can have any guy I want!" she paused. "But I love Takeru."

"Then why do you want Tk?" she asked curiously.

"Look at him." she said pointing at him. "He's a total God! Captain of the basketball team, and he's the most popular guy in Odaibah High School! We should be together! It's written in the code of popularity!" Jody said angrily. "Look at her. Slobbering over him. It's disgusting."

"Jody, why don't you do something about it?" said Rae sneakily. "If you win president, Tk will be sure to notice you."

"That's a great idea. I pull a few strings to win the election, and then Tk will play right into my hands." Jody said smiling. She looked over at a group of students chatting away about something. "And I know just how to do it."


"Come on Tk!" shouted Kari from the bleachers. "I know you can do it!" Tk looked over at her, and smiled. He gripped the ball tight in his hands, letting it rest softly on the souls of his hand. Bending his legs, he sprang up like a frog, releasing the ball at the highest point of his jump.

The ball soared through the air, hitting the red, circular rim. It spun around two times, before falling through. His whole team cheered, as the point went up on the scoreboard, putting them ahead of their rivals, by two points. Only one minute remained in the semifinal round.

"Nice shot Tk!" yelled Kari, as a smile broke out across her face. The cheerleaders jumped up and down, cheering the loudest. Kari watched as Jody took a long, loving look at Tk, before returning to her cheers.

Kari felt her cheeks burning. This time, with intense jealousy. 'Is Jody after Tk?' she asked herself. She then mentally laughed. 'What girl isn't after him?' she knew that she was the luckiest girl on earth. Anyone would have sold their soul to the devil, if they could get the slightest chance at dating Takeru Takaishi. The most wonderful boyfriend on the whole planet.

She glanced over at the scoreboard. Only 10 seconds left. The other team had scored one point off a foul shot. 'Crap.' she said, as the top scored from the opposing school got the ball, and wound down for an obvious jump shot.

Kari's heart stopped. 'Tk's worked so hard to get to the finals. They can't lose now!' she reminded herself. Just then, Tk shot out of the corner, and jumped with the guard. As soon as the ball was released, Tk swatted it down like a fly.

'He stuffed the ball!' said Kari amazed. The orange basketball fell behind the guard, but Tk quickly scooped it up, and sprinted over to his basket, with amazing speed.

The other team's post was just as quick, and chased him down the floor so fast, that they were almost neck in neck. Only five seconds remained. Tk smashed the ball down, and grabbed in his two hands. He took one giant leap forward, and jumped up.

'A lay-up Tk!' Kari said frantically. 'You're doing a lay-up!' She watched as the low post came out of nowhere, and tackled him in mid air, causing him to fly from his spot, half way across the court.

Kari heard a deafening crack, as Tk hit the ground. "TK!" she shouted as she dashed from her seat onto the floor. She pushed through the crowds of people that had gotten up, to see if they could see any better. Finally, she reached the floor, and grabbed his head, placing it in her lap. "Tk! Can you hear me?!" she said shaking. "Tk!"

The boy groaned, and winced in pain. "My ankle. I think it's broken." he said. Kari ripped off his white hi-top shoe, and threw it across the floor. He was right. His ankle must have been broken. It was swelled to the size of a cantaloup, and was turning blue and purple.

"Tk, don't move!" she cautioned.

Tk smiled weakly at her. "Did the basket count?"

"How could you be thinking about that at a time like this?!" she said shocked and frustrated.

"What's wrong Kamiya? Worried about me?" he said wincing again, as the team trainer came over to him, and placed his ankle in a wrap.

"What kind of question is that!" she demanded. "Oh course I'm worried about you!"

"Just checking." he said kissing her hand. "Just checking." Kari bent down and kissed his lips.

"I'll always worry about you Takeru."

"You shouldn't though." he said. "You're probably going to kill yourself worrying about me."

"I always care about the ones I love." she said grinning.

"Sorry miss. You have to leave now. We need to get this young man to the hospital." said a paramedic, as the rest of the group scooped Tk up, and carried him out of the gym on a stretcher.

Jody walked over to the post played that had just been given a technical foul. "Thank you." she said, as she slipped him a hundred-dollar bill.


The Next Day


"Tk, stop walking!" said Kari, as she grabbed her hyper boyfriend by the collar, and pulled him into a seat.

"But I can't! I have to do something with all the energy I haven't used!" he said childishly.

"Put it into the election then." she said.

"I'd much rather put it all on you." he said grabbing her waist, and pulling her down on his lap.

"Tk. Your ankle." said Kari motherly.

"I don't need my ankle for what I have planned for you." he said kissing her passionately.

"Tk." she mumbled into his lips. 'Why am I even bothering?' she asked herself. She just melted into her boyfriends kisses. She would have a hard time concentrating on anything other than him when they were together.

But something was different now. There was this creepy feeling that she had about their future. Like it wouldn't happen or something. She just shrugged it off, as she continued their kiss. She let herself be pulled more and more into his soul, not wanting to break away from this perfect moment. Nothing could have possibly gotten through to the couple. Except....

"Kari!" shouted Tai, as he walked in on his sister.

"Tai!" she said pulling away from him. "Aren't you supposed to be away at soccer practice now? As in, at this minute?"

"It was canceled." he said eyeing Tk evilly. "Hi Tai." Tk waved embarrassed. "Tk." he said through his clenched teeth. "What were you two doing?"

"What you and Mimi do every five minutes." said Kari, turning the tables.

Tai turned red. "I'm leaving now. And I better not ever catch you doing that again!" he said strictly, as he shut the door behind them.

"Where were we?" said Tk, as he bent down.

"Working on my posters." she said hopping off his lap, and returning to her project.

"Aw. All work and no play, makes Kari a dull girl." Tk said playfully.

"At least that dull girl will be student council president." she said smartly. "Now. Cut!"

"Yes Mam!" he said obeying, and picking up a pair of scissors.


"So. Can you get me them?" Jody asked a bunch of people in an alleyway.

"Are you kidding me? Lady, we'll do the job for you. We've been looking for a good way out, and this is perfect." said one of the men, emerging from the shadows.

He had on all black, with a black hood covering his pure white features. His lips were jet black, and he had blood red contacts in his eyes. The rest of the people were dressed exactly the same. "Great." she said extending her hand. "Shake?"

The boy held out his hand, revealing a large tattoo of an anarchy sign. "This will be perfect." he said pulling back, and reaching into his large over coat.

He pulled out a small hand gun. "Is this what you want?"

"No. It has to be bigger." she said shaking her head. The leader snapped his fingers. At once two men came over, and open their coats, revealing multiple firearms. "This one!" she said brushing her fingers across a large rifle. "This is perfect."




"And the student body vice president is..." said Mr. Yu. "Alexander Ling!" People let out large cries, as Alex walked over to the stage, and sat down in the vice president's seat, along side the other six members. "And now, the student body president is..." he repeated once again, as Tk squeezed Kari's hand lightly. Mr. Yu opened the white envelope, and smiled happily. "Kari Kamiya.' he said. The kids went wild. They were banging their feet, and clapping their hands louder than anything the school had ever heard.

Kari sat in her seat shocked beyond repair. She was brought back to reality when Tk grabbed her, and gave her the biggest bear hug she had ever gotten. He then pulled away from her, and kissed her. The students just cheered louder. "That's my girl!" Tk said loudly over the crowd. "President!" Jody couldn't control her anger. She whipped out her cell phone, and dialed a number rapidly. He fingers dancing along the dials.

"Hello." said an eerie voice.

"The dead line has been moved over to today." she snapped. "Get over here now!" with that, she smashed her finger down on the end button, and fake clapped.

"Now, appearing for the first time, Odaibah High's new student council!" announced the principal, cheering with the students. Kari could feel herself crying. The tears were flowing off her face. She looked over for Tk.

She saw him smiling proudly in the audience, as he cheered for her the loudest. 'I don't think I've ever been happier.' she said, as she brushed away the tears.

"Now." said Mr. Yu. "You have classes to attend to. I suggest you all get to them." he said returning to his strict old self. Kari flew off the stage, and hugged Tk, who was waiting for her, with open arms.

"I told you, you'd win." he said kissing her cheek, and grabbing for his crutch.

"We're here." said the boy with the strange tattoo. Four other people, wearing the exact same thing, were with him. Their weapons concealed beneath their garments.

"Kill them all except for the one with the cast." she snarled.

"As you say miss." the boy said walking over to the class room door. "Oh, can we have a little fun?"

"Go ahead. Just make sure the girl I showed you dies. I don't care how you do it, just make it painful."

"With pleasure." he said whipping out his gun, and walking into the door. At once, screams were heard, followed by gunshots.

"That'll teach you to mess with Jody Lu.' she said smiling, and walking away from them. 'I'll give the m 15 minutes.' she decided as another round of shots were fired.


Tk wrapped his arms around Kari protectively. As soon as the men entered the room, he jumped onto of her, protecting her. He had watched as two of his fellow class mates fell to the ground, dead. The small trails of blood splashed everywhere. The chairs, the desks. The white marble floor.

He shielded her from all his. Another shot was fired. Alexander fell, inches away from them. His face was looking directly at Tk. His eyes were wide, filled with fear and anguish. "Please help me." he said reaching out for him. A trail of blood was dripping out of the corner of his mouth.

One of the men with the guns came over to him. He stood directly above him, and shot him point blank range, in the back of the neck. Blood sprayed out everywhere, hitting Tk's face and body. "Alex no!" he shouted, as he boys' body lay tangled and destroyed. His blood was spilling out everywhere, drenching Tk's shirt and pants. He knew Kari must be covered as well.

More shots were heard, followed by more thumps, as one more classmate fell down dead. Tk couldn't take it anymore. He managed to stand up, without his crutch. But, he kept slipping on the blood. He looked straight at the gunman. His eyes blazing with undescribable hatred. "Why!?" he shouted at him.

His eyes wandered over to his friend Jackie. The third gunman had her pinned to the chalk board, with a gun pointed to her head. She was crying, as the man brushed away her strands of bloody hair. She was trembling and rambling something he couldn't hear. "Please don't kill me." she begged a little louder.

"How about, no." he said pulling the trigger. He let go of her, and let her body slip lifelessly to the ground. There was a large blood stain and bullet hole on the green board.

Tk looked away, ready to be sick. He looked around at his friends. Each one of them dead. Lying in their own blood, and the people next to them's blood. The look of pure terror on their faces, was enough to make you want to kill yourself; just so you would forget them. He could tell the effects of rigor mortis was setting into some of the kids that had been killed first.

Another shot was heard. This time, a gunman went down. Then another, as the second, and this continued till the fourth. The last gunman looked at each of the students. Scanning their faces. "She's not there." he said loudly.

"Why haven't you killed me?" shouted Tk, angrily, as hot tears fell from his eyes. He started shaking. "You killed all them, so kill me!" he said opening his arms, making himself impossible to miss. "Just shoot!" she screamed.

"No!" Kari said getting up. Her beautiful features soiled with blood and fear. "Tk don't!" she begged.

"You're the girl." he said taking out his gun and aiming carefully.

"Kari!" Tk shouted, as he pushed her out of the way, taking a bullet to the shoulder. His arm had a shooting pain coursing through his veins, making him want to cry like a baby. "Kari!" he said as he placed his free hand across the wound, and crawling over to where he pushed his girlfriend.

"Little girl, just die now." he said as a shot was heard, followed by Kari screaming out in pain.

"No!" he shouted, as he pushed away the bodies of his class mates, and rushed over to her, as quickly as he could. The final shot was heard, as the last and final gunman fell to the ground dead. The door opened at the last shot. "Jody!' screeched Tk, as he saw her. "Help Kari! She's dying!" he said, as he finally managed to prop himself up.

"Kari." she said disgusted. "Where is she?"

"Over there!" he said pointing. His arm hurt more than he could describe. The cool liquid was staining his hands, turning them a dirty red color. Jody walked over to Kari, smiling. Just then, Kari's blood stained hand shot up, and grabbed her leg.

"Please help me Jo." she begged, as she began too caught up mouthfuls of blood.

"Never." she said kicking away her hand.

"Jo....." she managed to grasp. "Why...?"

"You hurt my pride Kari Kamiya. I think it's only fair I hurt you the same way." she said reaching down, and grabbing the rifle out of the dead man's hand. She aimed it skillfully at Kari, and smiled. "Goodbye forever." she said pulling the rigger.

"No!" Tk yelled, before passing out.


1 Week Later


Tai and Tk looked on, at the large slab of marble, where the girl they both loved now rested. Tk set down a bouquet of large red roses, and fell on it crying. "I could have saved her." he said through tears. "I could have saved her!"

"Tk." said Tai holding back his own tears. "You couldn't have stopped it."

"She died saving me." he continued, staring at the straight engraved letters that spelled out her name. "She could have pretended to be like the others, but she didn't. She tired to save me, and she ended up dying!" he said letting the tears spill openly, rubbing them with his sleeve.

He looked at her tombstone. There was the symbol of light carved right in the middle. At the bottom it read Hikari Kamiya. May her soul rest in peace for eternity. Tk just cried more. "You really loved her didn't you?" Tai asked him. He started cry, only because Tk was.

"I loved her with my whole soul. I loved her so much." he said pounding the floor.

"Tk," Tai started "I know Kari wouldn't have wanted you to be like this."

"How do you know that?" he snapped bitterly. Tears blinding him. "Did she ever tell you? No!" he said returning to her grave. Tai looked at him. Nothing he said, could make him feel the least bit better. Even though she was his sister, Tai knew Tk was suffering more. More than he ever could. "I love you Kari. I always will." he said stroking the letters of her name, tracing them with his finger. "Always."


EPILOGUE


Within the next few weeks, Jody Lu had been convicted of murder one, and was sentenced to life in jail, for the deaths of all her fellow classmates. Tk never got over Kari's death, and ended up killing himself, out of pity. His body was buried next to Kari's where they would spend eternity together. Just like they had always planned.


MORAL: I can't really give you a moral for this story. It's self explanatory, that crime gets you nowhere. Jody killed all those people, because she was jealous of only one girl. Jealousy should never get so great, that you go out and kill someone. Kari, Alex and all those other people died, because of one girl's hatred. That's wrong, no matter how you spell it.

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