In need of stress belief (Izzy tag Taki)

[Izzy Chen]

"Why are you getting on my case Jett...come on..." Izzy huffed. They were in this endless argument about something really stupid. It was just stress. Stress always made things harder, and there was a lot of stress.

Jett sighed, "All I am saying is he is your dad, you might actually try acting like he is...I would love to see my dad."

Izzy glared, "I barley know the man and you want me to act as if I have known him my whole life...you want to see your dad, then give him a call he is only across the state, mine lives in a whole other country."

Jett looked at his sister, "It's not the same."

"Yes it is. You and I both barely know our fathers...so please...give it a rest okay...." Izzy commented.

She and Jett stopped at her locker so she could exchange books. "It's not different. Your dad is in town right now...and mom is dead...he is the only parent you have left...you really going to just act like a stranger to him."

"I am a stranger to him." Izzy retorted.

Jett leaned against the locker next to Izzy's "Yes and your new legal guardian, which means he can take you back to Korea with him."

"I hardly doubt he would do such a thing. I am his illegitimate child, and you met his parents...it would be bad for me to return." Izzy said sarcastically.

Jett snorted, "Right...didn't you say mom told you your father had plans for an arranged marriage for you...does that sound like he is not thinking about it....so you might want to talk to the man..."

"Why don't you go bother Eden some more and talking to me...cause I DON'T want to hear it anymore." Izzy slammed her locker shut and walked off. Her brother was just irritating her now. Cause he was speaking to her fears and emotions.

Izzy went to look for Taki. She was so frustrated at the moment. Things were building up inside of her and she felt ready to explode. She saw Taki and smiled, and without a word she just walked over and hugged him tightly.

[fryn]

His last class before lunch finally finished and Takumi packed up his books with a display of lightning speed. The boy sitting adjacent to him laughed. He was still closing his books. "You look like a ninja or something," he said and Takumi threw him a grin.

"No, I am hoping to see my girlfriend. I haven't seen anything of her since the weekend."

"In that case why are you talking to me? Go, man. Run little ninja!"

Takumi rolled his eyes and threw the boy a grin before he bolted from the room.

Truth was, he was worried about Izzy as she hadn't replied to his latest text. Plus he didn't even know if she was at school today. They were in different years and so shared no classes. If he couldn't find her during lunch he'd try sending her another message.

He headed for his locker and dumped his books inside before foraging for his bento. He knew okasan had packed some of his favourites today. Tamagoyaki - small omelette strips, smoked salmon sushi and a fennel, quinoa and tofu salad. That said, most bento meals laid claim to being his favourites.

He'd been mid closing his locker when a pair of arms were flung around him from behind. It could only really be either Izzy or Dare. He glanced down at the hands clasped across his chest.

"Izzy!" he stated in clear pleasure and he turned within the circle of her arms and hugged her back. "I have been so worried about you. Let's go outside and share my bento..."

[Izzy Chen]

"I really needed that hug...thanks." She sighed. "You don't have to worry, I am fine." Her words did not match her smile. They wavered and it was obvious things were not all fine. She was too stressed and the company they had did not help. Although Lia's offer of spending the night was looking very good. The point was Izzy was putting too much pressure on herself. She was not dealing with her grief...she was trying to push it off. Yes it had only been a few days, but Izzy had not cried since that day with Taki and she had not even talked about her mother's death with the exception of the small talk with Lia.

Any time her mother was mentioned Izzy felt this tremendous amount of guilt, she still thought she caused her death some how. Of course grief took time, but still she could not get past the guilt. "I would love to share your bento..seeing as I forgot my lunch. There are too many people at my house and its hard telling my mom's family and my dad and his family that I have to go to school and wont be home for a few hours. Apparently the concept of school has not hit them yet."

Izzy slide her hand inside Taki's. She said her father as if it was just another person. There was no emotion....she just said it, as if it did not matter. It didn't. Izzy barely knew her father. So why should she be happy to see him. It was her father that's why, but Izzy had not seen her father in almost ten years....so biologically yes she had a dad. Emotionally he as a stranger to her. It all just added to the crap Izzy was dealing with. "So how was Bowling...i never had a chance to ask, I have been busy...and to be honest, i have not been in the socializing mood."

Izzy shrugged, "But I am so glad to see you. A smiling face helps. I have missed you." She told him. Izzy leaned up and gave Taki a kiss. She had missed him dearly. But she did not want to drag him into the mud with her, and the family...

[fryn]

"But Izzy," reasoned Takumi. "I can't help but worry. I care about you and don't believe you are as fine as you say. If I didn't like you so much then it would be ok not to worry as I am... Am I right?" He threw her a wry smile as he posed his question.

They wandered outside and into the warm - if weak - sunshine and found a remote and secluded spot well away from the other students. They needed some time alone to talk. Takumi set the bento down between them. "It is mostly tamagoyaki with ebi... aah omelette with prawn but there is also salmon sushi and some salad. I also brought some daifuku. They are sweet rice balls... Just in case I managed to find you."

He glanced down at the two pairs of chopsticks he'd also packed for lunch time and he handed one set to Izzy. "Bowling was ok... but I think it would have een better not to go. You looked so sad at the alley." They hadn't satyed all that long, in fact. "I have missed you too," he replied, returning her kiss.

He drew in a sharp breath as he clicked the chopsticks gently together a few times.

"Izzy... you would tlel me if something was bothering you or if I could help with anything... wouldn't you? I mean, you know I want to help you with your grief and if there are to many people at your home you can always come over to mine. My mother would be more than honoured to have you there and we even have a spare bedroom if you would like more time away than merely one evening."

He lifted his eyes to meet hers. "I would do anything I could to make this even a tiny bit easier for you..."

[Izzy Chen]

Izzy nodded, "And I like that you care so deeply, even though we just started going out. Means a lot to me. I just don't want to bring you down and drag you into all this. You are always so happy and always upbeat, that i hate to see you without a smile." It was true. Izzy could not stand to see that smile off Taki's face. It was like his natural face, and Izzy liked seeing it cause it always made her smile. Thats what she needed now.

"You have been reading my mind. It all sounds yummy." Izzy took the chopsticks. She knew how to use them. Her mother liked to use them, so she and Jett learned how. Izzy took a sweet rice ball first and ate as Taki told her about bowling. "I know, and I did not mean to seem sad. I just did not want you to not go cause of me. Besides if I had not gone up would have been locked in my room and I think socializing is better then locking myself in my room. "

Izzy finished her rice ball and took another. She was quiet for a while. She did not want to talk about her mother's death, but the rest of it...well she had to tell someone. "Jett and I have not been getting along lately. My father is in town, as well as his family and my mothers family. They all live in Korea." Izzy began as she took another bite and finished it before continuing on.

"Jett thinks I need to be more of a daughter and stuff and talk to my dad...but...it's complicated and he does not get it...maybe its me..but I don't think of him like my dad. He is a guy I have not seen in close to ten years. Who wants to plan out an arranged marriage, but has not even really acknowledged me as his daughter...its just too much stress." Izzy told Taki. "And I am not sure how to handle it. What about you? How are you doing?"

[fryn]

Takumi sat in silence, wanting to let Izzy have the space - and time - to talk... if she wanted to. He held his chopsticks in his left hand but hadn't used them yet. He'd wait to eat until he'd heard what she needed to say. "It does indeed sound stressful," he finally said as she finished speaking. "But it is not good you and Jett have drifted a little. You and he seem to be normally very close. I am sure that once life returns to normal you and he will get back to that closeness." He patted her knee as he spoke in what he hoped might add to his reasurance.

"It must feel strange to have people around you that you don't really know and yet who are your family. ou said you hadn't seen your father in ten years and so how can your brother expect you to act as if those years hadn't happened?" He shook his head. "That would be impossible and as for this marriage that was arranged... I don't think he can force you to do what you don't want to do. You are in America and that's surely against the law. Perhaps soon we can do something fun and then I can help your stress disappear. Would you like that?"

Izzy nodded but it was still an action heavily tinged with sadness.

"As for me... I am doing well, okizukai arigatou. Aaah... I mean thank you for your thought." He paused. "Is that right? How it is said here? Thank you for asking is better?" English was such a confusing language.

[Izzy Chen]

Izzy smiled at Taki's gesture with the pat on her knee. She scooted closer to him in order to lay her head on his shoulder. He really was great. Almost too good to be true. She was lucky. Izzy knew if she continued to shut down little by little and push down the feelings that invaded her, she might lost Taki, but she was not ready to voice her concerns when it came to her mothers death. "I miss it to...Jett had never met his father before. I think that might be where this is coming from."

She took in a deep breath, "When we were younger me and him use to talk about what would happen if we ever saw our fathers again. Jett always said he would buy his dad a house so his dad would not have an excuse not to see him, and i said I would become a daddy's girl...it was silly when we were kids...and now my dad is here..so I think for Jett its something from the past..." It was easier to focus on other people's issues rather then your own.

"It is against the law. I just don't think he has been told. i am not worried. I am way to happy here to ever think about leaving. I have you to thank for part of that." Izzy gave him another kiss. She nodded when Taki suggested doing something fun. "I could use fun. Maybe we can try bowling again. Or back to the carnival. Maybe a movie and popcorn at one of our houses.. The good thing about living out here is there is a lot to do both indoors and outdoors."

Izzy smiled, "You said it fine...that's a good way to ask. You are too cute when trying...but I would love to learn some more phrases in your language." Izzy commented. "How is your family? I would like to meet them, if that's okay with you. It doesn't have to be now or anytime soon, but in the future." It would be nice to meet Taki's family.

[fryn]

He slipped one arm around Izzy's back as she snuggled closer and Takumi frowned slightly in renewed worry when he heard how upset she was getting. She hadn't really spoken much about her mother's death - or about her father. Takumi was far too polite to press her for information and so instead gratefully accepted what was handed to him. Some of what Izzy said wasn't all that clear to him but he understood enough to be able to follow her words for the most part.

"Movie and popcorn sounds nice," he replied. "Maybe you could come over to my home and we can do that there? My family is very keen to meet you although my little sister will try and claim you for herself!" he said with a short laugh. Mayuki was like that but she meant no harm by it. She just loved company. "They are always asking me when I am taking you round to meet them and if your house is full then perhaps I would be in the way if we watched a movie there? But they are all well. My older brother is home at the moment as well. Fumihiro. He is usually away at university. He hopes to become a doctor." He stared down at the chopsticks he still held and his virtually untouched meal. "Izzy... you aren't going to be going back to Korea... are you? I mean, when your father goes you will stay here...? In the USA?" It had been on his mind now since she's first mentioned arranged marriages as he wasn't sure how forceful her father might be.

[Izzy Chen]

Izzy kept eating small bites. There was still plenty left. "You going to eat or are you going to watch me be a pig." Izzy laughed a little enjoying the closeness. This was all she craved. She knew how Jett coped with emotional issues. He tended to fall into bed with the opposite sex. Izzy just wanted comfort. Yet Jett was her brother and she would never hold it against him. They all coped in their own ways. So talks of movies and popcorn was right up her alley. She even liked the idea of meeting his family. Granted she had brought it up first.

"Now that sounds like my idea of good night. A little alone time, and meeting your family. I don't want to push you to have me meet them, but it would be nice to get out of my house." She took a sip of the water she had with her when he asked her about Korea. Izzy chocked a little on the water, cause honestly she never thought about that. Would her father take her back? To be honest she did not know, but Izzy doubted it.

"Afraid I am going to leave you all alone here for other women to have." Izzy smirked. "I don't know. But I doubt it. I might not know my father that well, but he does not seem like the kind to drag me back to Korea. He hasn't said anything, and I don't plan to go either way. I am staying here. In LA. You cannot get rid of me that easily." She laughed. Laughter and smiling were Izzy's defaults way of coping.

[fryn]

Takumi waited for Izzy to answer his question about Korea before considering taking something to eat. Only then did he gather a piece of omelette together with his chopsticks and transfer it to his mouth. So there was some doubt... Izzy might be returning to Korea. That would be hard to accept but it wasn't his decision to make. There was no pointm, though, in worrying unduly as that may not even happen. He could be concerned about it if and when it did.

He rustled up a smile in response to Izzy's laugh. "But you aren't pushing to meet my family," he went on to assure her. "They have been asking me for a few days now and I would like you to know them. We can call by the video rental store beforehand and choose some films to watch as all I have at home is anime... and not all of them have subtitles. Well, I have one other film but it is quite frightening. It is called 'Ringu'... I think the film was made a couple of years later and for western audiences. The Ring. Have you heard of it? It is about a mysterious video that kills whomever views it, unless that viewer can solve its mystery. The original Japanese version is much more scary." That said, if she was frightened then he would have even more of a reason to embrace her close....