"Two tickets to The Silent Stalker please." asked Matt. The lady at the ticket booth, smiled at him, and handed him his tickets. He looked at Mimi who was clutching at his arm. "Are you sure you want to see this movie? I heard it was scary!"
"Honestly Matt, you think I can't handle a scary movie? Our whole childhood was worse than a horror movie!"she exclaimed Mimi frustrated.
"Okay. Whatever you say. Besides, if I get my way, we won't be watching the movie at all!" he said mischievously.
"Is that all you think about Yamato Ishisa!" she laughed.
"You insult me!" they turned the corner, and entered the movie theater. He took a seat in the middle of the row. Mimi sat right next to him. "An incredibly large part of my brain, figures out how to get you to kiss me." Mimi, playfully, pushed his shoulder.
"You are unbelievable! You know that!" she giggled.
"I prefer the term, amazing, one of a kind, dazzling..." he was cut off, because Mimi kissed him passionately. He wrapped his hands around her slim waist.
'I can't believe how much he's changed!' thought Mimi. 'He used to be so distant and cold. Now, he open and warm. I'm probably the luckiest girl in the world!'
'She's perfect!' Matt decided. 'Perfect hair. Perfect kisser. Perfect body. And sh's all mine. Someone up there likes me!'
Mimi casually slipped out of her seat, and found her way to Matt's lap. The lights in the theater dimmed, and the movie started to run. Matt did end up getting his way. For the whole duration of the movie, he was engulfed in Mimi's lips.
After what seemed like hours, Matt's watch beeped. He jumped up suddenly, still holding Mimi. The movie was long over, and the only people in the theater, were them.
"We gotta get out of here, or I'll miss my gig." whispered Matt.
"Okay. Let's get going." replied Mimi. He grasped at his hand, as he gently pulled her from the theater.
The manager winked at him on the way out. Matt felt his cheeks redden as he walked out of the door.
Ten minutes later, they were on the metro, and were on their way to Matt's apartment.
"What time are you guys playing at?" asked Mimi, as she adjusted her blouse.
"8:00. Tonight's pretty important." answered Matt. "The bosses son is in the crowd. Music ex."
"So your fifteen minutes in the limelight. I'm sure, that after he hears you playing, he'll sign you up, faster than a speeding bullet." she smiled wide. Her whole face lit up. Her eyes began to sparkle. "Can you imagine, little old me, dating a soon to be famous blues musician!"
"I'd hardly call us a blues group." he said. "All I know is, I'M dating the most beautiful, and caring girl, in the whole galaxy!" he leaned in and kissed her neck. He moved up to her cheek, then her lips. He quickly broke away, because he knew once he started to kiss her, he might never stop. Any ways, it was their stop. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she hugged his chest.
It only took them a few minutes to reach Matt's place. To his surprise, his dad was there, talking to his roommate.
"Hey dad!" replied Matt happily. He was shocked, but he enjoyed it when his dad stopped by.
"Oh... hi son." he seemed started. "How was the movie?"
"How'd you know?" he asked. His dad pointed at the teenage boy next to him.
"Sorry dude." he replied casually.
"Uh... it was... really good." Matt stammered.
"Really. So Matt, what happened?" he crossed his arms, and smiled smugly.
Matt thought really hard. 'What the hell did the movie review say!!??' "Well, criminal psychologist, Kara Genriu was being stalked by a former criminal she brought to justice." he smiled proudly to himself. He also added she shouldn't drink that much, unless she want's to say sane. (In between breathers with Mimi, he casually glanced up at the screen.)
"Very good Matt. You forgot the part about not suitable for people under 18, and children without adult supervision. Rated R. I read the review. And I'm going to guess the part about the drinking, was in between breather, right?" he smirked, as both Matt and Mimi turned scarlet. Matt grabbed his harmonica, and dashed out of the house. Mimi quickly followed. They left hearing loud laughter from Matt's father and his roommate.
"It's creepy how psychic parents can be. It was like he was reading my mind! Definitely the last time I tell Chris where I'm going!" exclaimed Matt.
"I still can't believe you quoted the review! I thought I was finally dating someone smart!" she tisked. "I guess I'm a sucker for a cute guys, with spiky blond hair!" she hugged his shoulders.
Soon they were at the jazz bar. Matt was greeted with hellos from his fellow group members. Mimi was greeted with wolf calls.
"Mimi. Babe. Why don't you drop the dead weight, and start dating a real man!" said Ken, Matt's best friend and lead saxophone.
"Sorry, I only date harmonica players." she said grinning.
"I'll learn." he replied.
"I only date harmonica players, with blond hair."
"I can dye it!"
"I only date harmonica players, with blond hair, and who's name is Matt Ishida."
"I'll hire somebody to kill him, then have the courts legally call me Matt Ishida." he brushed his hand across her cheek.
"Don't start getting fresh with my girlfriend!" warned Matt laughing. "Or else pow!" he made a punching motion in the air.
"You'll have to fight me for her honor!" said Ken in a funny french accent. He took a spoon from the nearby table and held it out in the air. "En guard!"
"A duel, how appropriate!" replied Matt, in the same accent. He picked up a fork. They started to swing their 'swords' around in the air. Matt made a fake stab at Ken's chest, and Ken playfully fell to the ground defeated.
"I have won the fair Mimi's hand!" said Matt triumphantly. He kissed her on the cheek. Mimi couldn't stop giggling.
"Some times I think Tk's more mature then you two." she placed her hand across her mouth, so she wouldn't laugh aloud.
"No, you're right to think that. He is." said David. (The pianist.)
"We resent that!" said Matt and Ken at the same time.
The manager came running up to them. "Quick! Get ready! You're on in five! Oh, hello Mimi." he said smiling at her.
"Hi Mr. Hentouri."
"Looking radiant as usual!" he winked at her and walked away.
"Why is everyone hitting on you today?" asked Matt.
"Dude look at her! She's a goddess! Cheerleader. Popular. Sexy as hell." said Ken. Mimi blushed.
"I better get going. There's probably no room for me to sit!" she quickly kissed Matt, and ran off to find a seat.
"Do you have any idea how lucky you are man?" said David. "Every guy in school, would give up their right and left arm, for Mimi to talk to them! You get to date her! That's like, one step below winning a billion dollars!"
"I do know how lucky I am. I don't deserve her, but I still got her any ways!" he smiled. He then focused on the audience. Ken slowly played a catchy melody on his sax, while David, Matt and Cody harmonized with a harmonica, synthesizer, and drums.
Mimi began to hum the lyrics to the song. Bryan, the singer, came down with a horrible case of laryngitis, and he couldn't speak at all. 'Such a shame. It's a beautiful song.' she thought. Matt had written it for her, on their first anniversary. She would always remember that night. Matt had taken her to a fancy french restaurant. He reserved a whole section, and had it filled to the brim, with white roses (the flower he gave her on their first date.) And he had hundreds of candles burning.
Mimi was thrown back to reality, when someone touched her shoulder.
"I'm sorry, to disturb your thoughts, but I saw you sitting all alone. I think it's a shame a beautiful woman like you, is here all by herself." he smiled, and moved into the light. He had jet black hair, which was spiked up in the front, and almost shaved in the back. He had emerald green eyes, and high cheek bones.
Mimi smiled at him. "Sorry. My boyfriends on stage. The one with the harmonica." she said pointing. 'He's cute. If I wasn't dating Matt, I'd go for him.' noted Mimi.
"Why am I not surprised?!" he said smiling. "My lame pick up line aside, I'm Cole."
"Nice to meet you Cole. I'm Mimi." she said.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman." said Cole. He took her hand and kissed it lightly.
"Thank you. Cole's a really cool name too." she said. "Why don't you sit down?" she offered him a seat.
He sat down. "Great group! Which one's your guy again?"
"The one playing the harmonica."
"Ah, privileged guy! I've traveled all over the world, and so far, you're the most attractive person, I've ever met!"
Mimi flushed again. "You're just saying that. Bet you say it to every pretty girl you meet." she leaned in closer. They were several centimeters away from each other.
"Haven't used it at all." he said looking at her lips. They seemed to glisten in the spotlight. The forbidden fruit. He wanted to reach out, and stroke her cheek. Pass his fingers over her lips, then lose himself, in her eyes. The realization, that he couldn't have her hit him. 'What are you doing Cole!' he yelled to himself. 'She has a boyfriend!' he managed to draw himself away from her.
The music stopped, and the crowd cheered. The lights went on, and the everyone stood up. A standing ovation. Matt hopped of the stage, and wove through the crowd to find Mimi.
He strode over to her and kissed her. "That was amazing Matt!" said Mimi. Pride was filling her eyes.
"Our song." he said pulling her closer. He then caught a glimpse of the man sitting next to her. "Hello." he said nervously.
"Quite a girl, you got there!" he chirped. "Name's Cole. Cole Hentouri." he held out his hand.
"Hentouri! Ah so you're the music executive. Your dad's been talking about you nonstop for months! Says you have everything a man could want!" echoed Matt beaming.
"Not everything." he said somberly, looking at Mimi. She got a sudden chill up her back.
"Hey Mimi," asked Matt, "could you come sing the next song. It's Starlit."
"I'd love too!" squealed Mimi. Matt took her hand, and guided her to the stage.
Matt looked up, and nodded at Ken. He smiled and took the microphone. "You're in for a real treat ladies, and gents." he started. "Tonight, singing Starlit, is the most gorgeous gal we know! Put your hands together for our very own Mimi Tacikawa!" the crowd irrupted into a loud cheering. Matt helped her up on stage. The lights dimmed, and they began to play.
Cole was still sitting down. He was amazed. 'Drop dead gorgeous, and she can sing!' he thought. The music took control of his body. He was lost in the melody. When the music went low, he felt sad. When the music when higher, he was happy again. But, Cole was mesmerized by another thing. Mimi. The way she moved, the way she sang, it was hypnotizing. Her hair moved with her, and framed her face, like an angel. Her dress hugged to her ever curve, outlining her body. He knew that all the men in the room were looking at her. He laughed to himself, when he saw a few angry girlfriends slap their boyfriends, and leave. The boyfriends didn't even seem to notice.
The music stopped, and the audience was silent. Cole began to clap. He was still dazed. Then, the whole room exploded into wolf calls, and loud cheering. Some were screaming "Encore!" the band bowed, and walked off the stage. Cole was fast to act. He jumped out of the chair, and ran over to them.
"So, how were we?" asked David. His usual confident voice, was reduced to a whisper.
"You guys were electric! I'd be stupid not to sign you up!" Cole was thrilled. Not only would he get a huge raise, for signing the next great jazz band, but he would also get to be near Mimi, 24/7.
The next few months went by hastily. Cole ended up asking for a tape of Matt's band, for a demo. Everyone was really excited, so they spent all their free time either practicing, or recording at Cole's studio. Mimi went with them everyday. She was fascinated by it all. Matt would gaze at her through the sound proof glass, while preforming. She was honored when the whole group asked her to sing Starlit for the demo.
"You've got to do it Mimi!" wailed Ken. "You have a cool voice, and the song sounds ten times better with someone singing it! Please!" he begged.
"I'll do it!" she exclaimed. "I love singing that song."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" said Ken. He hugged her tightly. "You're the best!"
Cole was even more thrilled at this than Mimi. He was watching a recording session. Mimi was in a separate booth than the others. 'Perfect! Now she'll be here all the time! My life is the bomb! I swear, I'll get her to care about me. One way or another.' he was so deep in his thoughts, he didn't notice the music stopped, and they were all staring at him.
"Uh, Cole, are you gonna let us out of these booths? We're finished!" said Matt. He was worried about Mimi. He had this funny feeling in his stomach. Like someone was going to hurt her. He couldn't shake it. Even when he saw he, it wouldn't go away.
That night, Matt took Mimi out for dinner. "So. What's the special occasion?" asked Mimi. She placed her hands on her hips, and smiled quizzically.
"No occasion! Can't a guy take his girl to a restaurant, without an excuse?"
"No! Not in your case. I've known you way too long."
"Okay fine." he inhaled deeply. "Cole want's us to record all of next wee..."
"But Matt! It's Valentines Day next week!" a touch of sorrow was in her voice.
"I know! That's why I'm hoping that tonight, can be our Valentines Day. You know I'd rather be with you, but I can't let down the guys. It's their dream to get a recording label! Please understand!" he said slowly.
Mimi could tell he didn't want to do it, but she knew he had too. "Of course I understand! You go record with them." she encircled her arms around his neck. "Just don't let me catch you with another girl!" she declared jokingly.
"Why would I want another girl went I have you?" he mumbled. He leaned in, and kissed her lightly.
They spent the evening dancing, cuddling and kissing. Before they knew it, the restaurant closed for the night. They walked out hugging, remembering their first Non-Valentines Day together.
************************************************************************
One of the several homeless people in the neighborhood was rummaging through the garbage. He looked up to see Mimi and Matt walk down the street. He smiled to himself. Finally. What he had been waiting for. He hobbled over to his over sized cardboard box, and took a seat in it. He cautiously took out a camera, and began snapping photos of the happy couple. He would scowl every time Matt kissed her.
When they were out of sight, the man quickly got up, and ran over to his car. He opened the door, and got in. The engine roared to life, and he took off.
[ part two ] .
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