I'd like to dedicate this story to all of those affected by depression, to those who are going through pain, I am here and there are people here for you. You will never be alone, life will get better and never, EVER, stop trying. There are hurdles in life, well life is like a heart monitor; can go up and down. But suffering and pain can bring strength and change.

Noctis looks like the last scene in FFXV so not the spiky hair, just the sexy type!

Heart of Gold

Name: Aurea Solis Loire (first and middle name mean gold and sun in Latin)

Nicknames: Sunshine

Age: 21

Height: 5ft 3in

Appearance: Medium tanned skin, light freckled nose and cheeks, deep sky blue eyes round eyes and golden wavy hair up to her hips.

Personality: Loving/caring, talkative, cheerful, funny/fun, passionate, stubborn, short tempered, boisterous, impulsive, emotional, teasing and sassy.

Family: Laguna Loire (father, 53), Raine Loire (mother, deceased), Zack (brother, 24, Leon (brother, 30), Rinoa (Sister-in-law, 30) and Ellone (Cousin, 33).

Best Friends: Noctis (22), Terra (24), Ventus (22), Vanitas (22), Aqua (22), Axel (23), Roxas (22) and Xion (22)

Ex crush/boyfriend: Riku

Conditions: Anaemia and low blood pressure.

Voice sounds like Elizabeth Banks.

Chapter 1

It was an extremely hot day, the air was sweltering like a boiling sauna. Anyone who forgot to bring water whilst walking or standing in this heat would be an unlucky person.

Aurea was sitting on the floor with her back leaned against the car in a petrol station. She was wearing a white choker crop top, peach pink high waisted midi skirt and nude strappy heels. She wore minimal makeup because of the weather; just mascara and nude pink lipstick. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun with a few strands left out. The young woman wiped away the beads of sweat from her forehead and sighed.

With her were here friends, Terra and Vanitas were in a red Audi A7 convertible at a petrol station; with Axel driving, Vanitas in the passenger seat and Terra at the back. Behind their car were Ventus, Aqua and Xion in a white BMW X6; Ven driving, Aqua in the passenger and Xion at the back. There were a few suitcases in that car. Right at the back was a white Range Rover with Roxas driving; he had the rest of the many suitcases.

"How long does it take to get some snacks and pay for petrol?" Aurea whined.

"Is he flirting with someone or something?" Vanitas growled.

"I'm gonna go see what's taking him so long!" She exclaimed and got up. She stretched and cracked her knuckles.

The golden haired woman went into the store and sighed with delight to find that it was air conditioned. Now she felt more comfortable and relaxed. Maybe this was why Axel was staying in here for so long. She walked around the shop and saw Axel chatting up a female shop clerk at the till. Aurea growled at this; for 30 minutes he was in here, he should have been out 15 minutes ago. The young woman walked up to him briskly whilst gripping onto her fist.

She grabbed his ear and he turned around whilst receiving a hard slap at the back of his head. When he saw Aurea, his eyes widened and he gulped.

"So this is what you've been doing for the last 20 minutes whilst we were baking like cupcakes in the heat?!" She growled and people started staring, some snickered at the joke. The shop clerk however was annoyed as she crossed her arms.

"Excuse me, I was having a conversation here." She said and Axel shook his head. Aurea however glared at her and placed her hands on her hips.

"Excuse me?! This guy is one of my best friends and we need to get to places. If you don't leave right now, I'll tell your manager how much of a good job you're doing flirting with customers." Her eyes widened and she stepped back. "Now you, come on!"

Aurea grabbed Axel by the ear and led him out whilst pulling his ear. He kept groaning with pain and whining on his way through. They got to the cars and the group of 7 friends turned to them.

"Were you hitting on someone again?" Aqua asked and the golden haired woman let go of his ear.

"She was hitting on me and wasn't letting me go." Axel said.

"Was she that fucking desperate?" Aurea growled. "And she had the audacity to get cheeky with me for getting in her way."

"Can't blame her, I am hot." The red haired man smirked as he ran his hand through his hair. The others just snickered but the blue eyed woman just huffed.

"She was so desperate. I bet she flirts with any guy." The young woman said.

"Well let's get going, before there's any traffic." Roxas said.

"I'm gonna sit with you Roxy. Don't want you alone for the rest of the trip." Aurea got into the car and Axel dropped off a bag of snacks to every car and gave everyone a large shlush puppy. Then he went back to Vanitas's car.

"You sure you don't want me to drive, Roxas?" She asked curiously.

"I choose life, thanks." Roxas laughed nervously and she pouted.

"Hey, what's wrong with my driving?" The blonde haired man started the car and followed the 2 cars in front of him.

"Well you drive very fast and it scares the shit out of me and everyone." He said and she crossed her arms.

"Bunch of pussies you all are." She mumbled and he laughed.

Aurea turned on the radio and on came a song which reminded her of the boy she once loved. She felt her heart break a million times.

You're the light, you're the night,

You're the colour of my blood,

You're the cure, you're the pain,

You're the only thing I wanna touch,

Never knew that it could mean so much, so much…

Roxas turned to her and his eyes softened with sadness. He placed his hand on his best friend's shoulder and she looked up at him with wide eyes. He looked back at the road ahead of him with a frown whilst turning the stereo off.

"You're still thinking of that asshole?" He asked and she placed her hand on her heart whilst sighing.

She thought about him; Riku. She was in love with him 3 years ago but he broke her in such a horrible way. He liked her too but only for a while until he got bored. Then he pretended that he loved her when he didn't. At times, he acted so sweet and amazing and at other times he was a complete jerk to her. But Aurea being Aurea, sucked it up and lived with it. She was so madly in love with him; he made her smile and laugh even when she was so depressed.

But then she realised that she had to fight for herself and let him know when he was in the wrong. But Riku was cocky and they began arguing. She decided that she couldn't let him hurt her. He said so many hurtful things to her, how she was fat because she had a little extra weight, how she was a slut because she hung out with guy friends and how she wasn't good enough for him because she was 'ugly'. Then at that moment, Riku said that he was going out with another girl and that he never cared about Aurea or her feelings. He then got her family involved out of anger, saying such bad things which crossed the line. She had enough and decided to never talk to him again.

"At least it hurts less than it did before." Aurea answered in a gentle tone. "But the memories are still there you know. Painful memories which bring so much heartache. I'm still recovering from whatever he put me through all those years ago. Thanks to him I'm so insecure about myself."

"Why are you so insecure? Do you know how amazing you are?" He asked. "God, you're beautiful inside and out and your body is sexy. ANY guy would be lucky to have you. You deserve nothing but the best. Don't let anyone or anything make you feel less."

"Roxas…" Aurea smiled sweetly.

"You've gone through so much in these 4 years and you've gotten so much stronger. You're a great example for us. You're the strongest out of all of us." He stated.

"But my scars…" She murmured as she ran her fingers over the cuts she had on her left arm.

"You can always get scar removal. I mean they remind you of all the pain you went through." Roxas noted but she shook her head.

"I can't." She said.

"Why not?"

"Behind every scar is a story of a survivor. I became so much stronger. I've grown up and I can do anything. He is just my past and the past has made me stronger. Now I'm living in the present and living for the future." A smile graced his lips.

"That's our sunshine." He smiled.

Time had passed by and it was 11pm. They were all still driving and Aurea turned to Roxas.

"Aren't you tired? I can drive for you." She said and he smiled.

"Pfft, you've got insomnia and it's 11pm." He stated and she didn't go on one because she knew he was right. "There's a blanket and pillow at the back so get comfortable."

Aurea got the blanket and pillow and got comfortable as she leaned back. She went quiet for a little while which Roxas found weird.

"To be honest Roxas, I haven't told anyone this but…I still miss my mom." She said.

"She's looking over you, Aurea. Do you know how proud she is of you?" Roxas said.

"Proud of what?" She asked with a frown.

"For everything you've become and achieved. You've finished university, that's what she wanted for you." He smiled. "She wants you to be happy and at peace."

"You're right." The woman mumbled.

"We're always here for you, remember that." Roxas smiled and she nodded.

There was a silence and Roxas heard soft breathing. He noticed her sleeping and gasped quietly. The boy quickly checked the time.

"10 minutes; that's a record." The boy said to himself and smiled.

They all got to Destiny Islands and found their cars without ease. But when they all stopped, the drivers thought it would be best to just stay in the car in the driveway and just sleep there.