CHAPTER 1: Secret Feelings

"Takuya, don't you ever go grocery shopping?" asked JP as he opened the fridge.

It had been six years since Takuya Kanbara and the gang defeated Lucemon and saved the DigiWorld. He and his friends Kouji, Kouichi, JP, Tommy and Zoe had gone back to the human world to Shinbuya to continue with their lives. Nevertheless, the six of them remained inseparable. Everyone lived a couple of blocks from each other growing up, which made it easier to keep contact.

JP, being the oldest by a year, moved out of his parents' house and into an apartment of his own when he turned 18 and was off to college. One year later, the rest of them rented apartments in the same building to be closer to each other. Everyone, except for Tommy. He was still 16 and in school, but he still hung out with the guys all the time. Takuya, JP, Koji and Kouichi became roommates, while Zoe moved in with Rika and Jasmine. The girls had met Zoe in school and became friends with the gang immediately. Jasmine even started dating Kouichi.

"What do you mean?" asked the goggle-head 19-year-old without taking his eyes out of the PlayStation. He and Kouji were in the middle of an intense FIFA match. "I bought food yesterday!"

"Takuya, picking up a pizza for yourself doesn't exactly count as grocery shopping" sighed JP.

"Oh, relax JP. I'll go get some after I beat the emo over here."

"Shut up!" complained Kouji. "No way you're going to win!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Kouichi stood up from the couch and went to open it. A beautiful, tanned-skin, blue-eyed, brunette girl stood in the hallway.

"Hi sweetie!" smiled Jasmine as she locked lips with her boyfriend.

"Hey, babe!" he said, wrapping his hands around her waist. "What took you so long?"

"Sorry. The restaurant manager came and gave us extra work and we had to stay until everything was finished."

"Oh, that sucks. Well, maybe I can make it up to you…" smirked Kouichi.

"Oooh! I sure like the sound of that" she said, as she leaned in for another kiss.

"Oh, common guys…" interrupted Tommy. "Get a room!"

They all chuckled and Kouichi leaded Jasmine back to the couch.

"Hey Jas! Where's Zoe?" asked Takuya over the back of his shoulder, not taking his eyes from the screen.

Tommy, Kouichi and Jasmine smirked as they looked at each other.

"And…?" asked Tommy.

"Huh?"

"You asked where Zoe was, but haven't you noticed that there's another member of our group missing?"

Takuya immediately blushed realizing what Tommy meant. Good thing none of the others could see him since he was facing the other way. "… and Rika?"

This made all of them laugh in unison.

"Don't worry Taki!" said Jasmine. "I called Z and she told me she would be home as soon as her shift was over. She and Rika were asked to assist with some of the eldest patients in the hospital."

"Not that Takuya cares about what Rika's doing" said Kouji as he chuckled.

"What is that supposed to mean emo head?"

"He's right though," said Kouichi. "You're just excited to see your 'girlfriend'"

"My WHAT?!" cried a shocked Takuya, turning his head quickly towards Kouichi and widened his eyes.

"YES!" cried Kouji as he scored the winning goal while Takuya was distracted. "In your face goggle-head!"

"Wait, that's not fair!"

"Not my fault you were so caught up in your thoughts about your 'girlfriend'!"

"Shut up! Zoe is NOT my girlfriend!"

"Yeah guys cut him some slack," said JP in a sympathetic tone. Then, his face turned into a grin. "He just wishes she were…"

Everyone laughed as a humiliated Takuya made his way to the kitchen area, his face red from embarrassment.

"You guys suck" growled Takuya. "I do NOT like Zoe that way. We're just best friends."

"Right…" said Kouji sarcastically.

The truth was Takuya was hopelessly in love with Zoe. Ever since their first adventure in the DigiWorld, their friendship had grown the strongest. They did everything together. Takuya started developing these feelings without even realizing it. He remembered how he started becoming aware of them back in the DigiWorld, in Ophanimon's castle. He had openly admitted that he liked her without thinking and then pretended to be asleep so Zoe wouldn't ask him more about the subject. That day stuck in Takuya's mind for the last six years, but never got the nerve to tell her how he really felt. Heck, he couldn't even admit it to the rest of the gang. At first, he didn't want to because of JP. He had had a crush on Zoe from the very beginning, but the blonde girl never reciprocated those feelings. Still, he wanted to keep the "bro code" and respect it. However, JP slowly got over her and moved on when he met Miki Nakano – his current girlfriend. But even so, Takuya couldn't find himself to admit his feelings out loud.

"It's so obvious Takuya" insisted Kouiji.

"As obvious as your feelings for Rika?" grinned Takuya cockily.

Kouji rolled his eyes at him without saying another word.

"Thought so." They all knew that Kouji and Rika were crazy about each other but were both too stubborn to admit it. Instead, all they did was argue.

That very moment, there was another knock on the door. JP went to open the door and saw Zoe and Rika standing in the doorway. They were both wearing a white coat with their nametags.

"Hey guys!" smiled Zoe.

"Hi!" they all responded in unison. Takuya was blushing like crazy in the corner.

"How was your day?" asked Tommy.

The girls looked at each other and growled.

"It couldn't have gone worse!" cried Rika. She took off the elastic from her ponytail and let her reddish hair fall as she took a seat next to Kouji. "They made us take care of some of the elder patients, and I got asked for my hand in marriage 4 times!"

"Ha!" laughed Kouji. "Well at least someone's interested in you."

"Oh shut up you jerk! They were like 90 at least."

"I'm just saying… keep those options open."

Rika punched Kouji in the arm and rolled her eyes at him.

"OW!"

"You deserved it!"

"Did not!"

"Dig too!"

"Oh shut up you two!" said Takuya as he sighed. They're impossible. Then he turned to Zoe. "What about you Z?"

She shrugged. "It was OK, I guess…"

"OK?" asked Rika. "Umm… Hello? What about Hiraki?"

To hear Hiraki's name was like being stabbed by a million knives for Takuya. He could feel his blood begin to rush and his fists and jaw begin to tighten. Hiraki was Zoe's last boyfriend before they went to their adventures in the DigiWorld. They dated for a year, until Hiraki cheated on Zoe with her cousin Yurim. After Zoe moved to the new apartment and got a job as an intern in the Shinbuya Hospital, she found out that Hiraki was also working there. He had been trying to get back with Zoe since they reunited, but she kept ignoring him.

"Oh yeah…" she said, rolling her eyes. "He honestly won't stop! He's not taking 'no' for an answer. Today, he brought me a bouquet of flowers and asked me to go on his dad's jet to Italy for dinner! Can you believe it?"

"And going to Italy is bad because…" asked Tommy.

"I hate that he's trying to buy me like some sort of trophy. I don't care where I go on a date, just as long as it's not with someone like him."

Takuya couldn't help but smile at her. She loved this about Zoe. She was the best person he had ever met. She was funny, charming, genuinely concerned for others' wellbeing, humble and extremely talented – not to mention gorgeous! Her green eyes sparkled whenever she spoke, her smile was beyond breathtaking, and her golden locks fell perfectly along her angelic face. She got a job in the hospital so she could take care of people who needed her. Everyone admired her good heart. She also was a music goddess. Her voice was as sweet as an angel's sigh. And the way she danced with music, made everyone stare in awe.

"It's OK, Z" said Jasmine, interrupting Takuya's thoughts. "He'll get what he deserves." This made Zoe's smile and relax.

"Oh hey," said JP, "did you get the prescription from Dr. Xu for my pill refill?"

"Oh my god…" gasped Zoe, face palming herself. "I left it in my locker. I'm so sorry JP. I'll go back and get it."

"No it's OK, Z. You can give it to me tomorrow."

"No, I insist! You need it tomorrow morning in order to get the refill and you're out of them. I'll go quickly and I'll be back in no time."

"I'll go with you so you don't have to go alone" offered Takuya.

"Thanks Taki, but don't worry. I'll be fine. They won't let you in the are without an ID so I can just take a cab and I'll be back before you know it." The girl gave him her signature smile that always made his heart lift. "I'll be right back!"

Before anyone could oppose, Zoe made her way out and shut the door.

ZOE'S POV:

I can't believe how stupid I was! How could I forget the prescription? Oh… that's probably when Hiraki came up to me. He's such a jerk. I hate him! He just treats me like I'm some sort of candy ball machine… you know? Give it some money and be rewarded? Gross.

"Taxi!" I cried when seeing the yellow car approaching and got into the back seat. "Shinbuya Hospital, please?"

I'm so mad at myself for forgetting that prescription. No, I'm mad at Hiraki. Jerk. That's no way to a girl's heart. To win me over, a guy would have to treat me differently. He would've to be kind… attentive… a good listener… you know? Treat me special. It would have to be someone smart, and funny and humble. Someone I could count on to be my crying shoulder, but could easily take away my sorrows with just a smile. Someone like… Takuya. I think he's the best guy I've ever met. He has all of those amazing qualities that I love about him and so much more.

I remember our adventures back in the DigiWorld and how brave he was. He led us into victory. I knew I could always count on him for anything. He tried his best to protect me from so many things. I felt safe whenever I was near him. His warm heart makes me smile. His chocolate brown eyes were mesmerizing to look at. I loved Takuya, even if I couldn't admit it out loud. I always thought he felt something towards me since the day he practically said it in Ophanimon's castle. Of course, he then pretended to be asleep. Even when we came back to the Human World, Takuya and me grew out to be the best of friends. We did everything together. My heart races every time I see or talk about him. He's just so sp- OH MY GOD!

The last thing I saw was some bright headlights and heard a loud crash. Then, everything went dark.

What happened to Zoe? Will she be OK? How will Takuya and the rest of the guys react if they find out? These answers will all be answered in the next chapter! PLEASEEE review and follow to keep updated! :)