Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts and its characters. All of the following belongs to Square and Disney, but the story is my property.
Inspired by The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Face Down
Princess Io
Maybe it's just me…but never in my life have I ever been thrown into a situation like this. Sora, my best friend has told me time and time again, "Don't worry about it, just because she doesn't notice now won't mean she never will later."
Hah, yeah right. So says the guy who took three years just to build up the courage to confess his feelings to Kairi. For one thing, it was obvious he felt strongly towards the crimson haired girl. From his blushing, to the mention of her name--to even her melodious voice that captivated his sensitive hearing.
Well, the situation has left me speechless.
Why?
Imagine a cliché moment where you one day realize you've fallen in love with one of your best friends. Sounds good so far right? Except the fact that your best friend you've fallen for is currently dating one of the most popular--of course, second best to Riku--guys attending Twilight University.
Yeah, and to make matters worse, she only considers you as a friend who has always been there for them since the tender age of five.
It's that bad. But, on the upside, I haven't told her that I've loved her for so long. At least, not yet. And what's so horrible is that all of my other friends all have their respective boyfriends/girlfriends--except me!
Talk about being the black sheep. Truth be told, I even get a bit sickened by the cuddling and lovey-dovey atmosphere that suffocates me anyway.
"Oh Roxas, you're just bitter that she's going out with Hiro. And the fact that you two hate each other's guts to no end makes it worse. I'm sorry he's a jerk and all…get over it; I'm sure there are other girls out there for you. I mean, it doesn't HAVE to be her, it could be someone else you're destined for."
I remember Olette telling me that about a month ago when I went to the park with her and Hayner on a Saturday afternoon. What better day to take in the soft breeze than to have it ruined by Hiro Takamura and…her giggling at his jokes and linking her fingers in his?
The one and only girl that I fell in love with…
Naminé.
--
One: Friends, Coffee, Wisterias
"Yo! Roxas! C'mon, man! Riku and the guys are going to the Destiny Bean to grab something to drink!" Sora called on the other side of the apartment door, all the while knocking loud enough on the surface.
Finally opening the door, Sora was greeted by an extremely tired looking Roxas. He was still half awake from staying up all night and ran his hands through his messy dirty blond locks. "Do you have any idea what frickin' time it is Sora?" He asked irritably, yawning and putting on his annoyed expression.
"It's ten, and who decided to stay up all night just to study for mid-terms that aren't starting until the end of this month?" the brunette smirked, crossing his arms to emphasize his point.
"Well, I'm not waiting to get my 'F' handed to me. Unlike some people, I actually study when the professor recommends it and not cram on the day or night before." Roxas countered, quirking an eyebrow and then walking to his room after letting Sora in for a few minutes.
"So, you still in contact with Naminé? I mean, you two haven't spoken to one another in some time. Approximately several months dude." Sora said, opening the fridge and observing the contents inside.
"We've both been busy, she's currently working on a musical while I've been working and studying for mid-terms." Roxas replied; coming out of his room wearing an ash gray t-shirt bearing the words 'Got Milk?', faded denim jeans and an old pair of black Vans slip on shoes. He began finger combing through his blond locks and then sprayed some Sunset cologne on his body.
"Hmm…" Sora mumbled, closing the refrigerator door and then adding, "What are you? Anorexic? You have nothing except water, W-A-T-E-R! For Pete's sake! Get a steak in here or something! Did I mention you had nothing except water?"
"Look, just because I don't eat like a pig Sora, doesn't mean that I'm anorexic. Gimme a break, I just haven't had the time to go grocery shopping. What part of work, studying and doing homework do you not understand?" The blond huffed, pushing past him and heading towards the door.
"Like a pig? Hey! I do not eat like a pig!" Sora retorted, understanding whom his best friend meant.
"What took you guys so long?" Riku asked, starting the engine of his silver Tacoma truck. Driving out from the sidewalk, Riku shifted to another gear before pushing on the gas pedal to go forward.
"Well, 'Sleeping Beauty' here decided to pull an all-nighter and then go emo on us over the fact that his girlfriend is going out with Hiro Takamura instead of him." Sora snickered, earning a hard jab on his left shoulder from the backseat.
"Very funny, Sora. Look, I already told you, I supported Naminé's decision to go out with Hiro. Just because she's not with me doesn't mean that I'll be depressed over it." Roxas said quietly, turning his attention to the overcast sky painted in various grays and whites.
"Are you telling me you're OKAY with the fact that Naminé's not with you? Roxas—" Riku started, turning off the car and pulling the keys out of the ignition. The silver haired young man turned around in the driver's seat to face the twenty year old.
"Look dude. I know that you're sad and all, but no need for the water works alright? Seriously, you can't just be humble over Naminé dating someone else and not you." And at that, Riku opened his car door and stepped out to walk towards the coffee shop.
Sighing, Sora shook his head before following suit and leaving Roxas briefly to his thoughts.
"Do they honestly think that I'm jealous? Of course I'm not jealous of Hiro!"
Denial anyone?
Roxas sighed once more before opening his door and stepping onto the cold asphalt. He figured to not dawdle on such frivolous things for now, and focused on grabbing some coffee and conversing with friends.
--
"Anyway, that's when Sora spilled all of his Paopu smoothie on the front of his jeans on our first date!" Roxas could hear a bubbly Kairi giggling over. Olette couldn't help herself and was hysterical, followed by Hayner who fell out of his seat crying tears of laughter.
And all that poor little Sora could do was turn the other way and evidently show the utter embarrassment he failed to mask.
Pulling up a chair to the group, Roxas couldn't help but smile at the warmth his friends emitted whenever they were all together. The Destiny Bean was the one place that the entire gang would be able to relax and get away from their hectic--and extremely busy--lives.
From working full time to attending one of the hardest universities in Twilight Town, not to mention with high expectations as well. But, they all manage to make it through before being driven insane.
"So, Roxas, what's up with no communication between you and Naminé?" Hayner asked, wrapping a hand around Olette's petite waist, earning a small smile form her and a chocolate cappuccino. As if on cue, the blond 20-year-old looked up from concentrating on the tiled flooring and sighs.
Before speaking, Roxas turned his chair around so the back faced his front, and then supported his chin with his two arms resting on the top.
"Well, we've both just been busy. She's doing her thing while I'm doing mine. But, it's only been a few months, so it's not like something major is coming up." he said, ruefully scratching the back of his head and reaching into his pocket for his vibrating cell phone.
Quickly excusing himself, Roxas stood up from his chair to go outside the coffee shop so he could have some privacy.
While the others conversed freely among each other, Roxas looked at the front of his phone that he had a text message from Naminé. He smiled and hoped to finally talk to her after months of silence.
Hey, at the Destiny Bean right now?
-N
Yeah. What about you?
-R
Pause.
I'm w/ Hiro the park.
-N
Roxas resisted the urge to shut his cell phone closed instead of text messaging, but went against his decision. Before replying, he looked up at the group enjoying each other's company and imagined Naminé being there too.
Of course, during that time she wasn't dating Hiro and was spending most of her time with either him or Kairi when she had the chance.
Oh. Having fun?
-R
Frowning at his response, Roxas felt like he was being watched behind his back. Turning around inconspicuously, he spotted a familiar brunette giving him raised eyebrows and a smug expression. Rolling his eyes, Roxas turned back to his vibrating phone to read what Naminé had sent back.
Yes! Right now we're sitting beneath the wisterias. Wish you were here, the view is so breathtaking.
-N
I bet.
-R
Before Roxas pressed the 'ok' button to send his text, his mind began to dream back to that time when Naminé and he were young children.
--
"Roxas! Catch me!" A giggling Naminé called behind her, all the while running away from an equally small Roxas.
"I'm gonna get you!" Roxas called back, laughing along with her, picking up his speed and eventually catching up to her.
He boldly tackled her to the ground, but reluctantly in a pile of violet and azure wisterias. It was mid spring, and Wisteria Gardens were known for their diversely colored flowers and fresh atmosphere. After emerging among the piles of fallen flowers, the two continued laughing at one another.
Finally, the two got out of the pile and sat down on the edge of one of the bridges that was built over a river that ran through Wisteria Gardens. The two children sat side by side in silence, intently watching the fish swimming gleefully through the crystal clear water and wisteria flowers floating atop the surface near lily pads.
"We're gonna be best friends forever…right Roxas?" young Naminé asked, turning her attention to the blonde haired boy. Looking up form the river, Roxas responded with the biggest smile he could spread across his cheeks.
"Of course we'll be best friends forever Nami!" It was then that he stopped smiling and just stared at the girl before him. Mimicking his motion, Naminé cocked her head to the side in curiosity. She blinked a few times, noticing Roxas hadn't moved from his current position since he started looking at her in a strange way.
"What's the matter?" she finally asked, taking one of her hands to push strands of her hair behind her ear. Roxas' hand followed her own, but stopped short and instead reached for the small lavender wisteria that was still in her hair from their previous horse playing in the wisteria flower pile.
"You missed one Nami." The boy said, showing Naminé the fully bloomed flower that had attached itself to her golden locks earlier that day. He then smelled the delicate flower and was filled with a fragrance like no other; a sensation of something he couldn't describe, he only recognized the faint scent of Naminé's lilac shampoo.
Tenderly taking the wisteria from him, Naminé smiled genuinely before putting the flower back in her hair, but behind her ear.
"Thank you Roxas."
"You're welcome…Nami."
--
Shaking his head vigorously, Roxas quickly realized he got another text from Naminé while he was thinking of the past.
Are you still there?
-N
"Shoot!" Roxas thought, scolding himself for reminiscing when he was practically ignoring the young woman he was texting.
Sorry. I was just thinking.
-R
About what?
-N
Creasing his eyebrows, Roxas tried thinking of a good excuse to tell her. Every attempt failed miserably and Roxas decided to tell her the truth of what was on his mind.
I was thinking of that time when we were only ten. Remember when we spent time together in Wisteria Gardens?
-R
His thumb itched to press the 'ok' button for the text to be sent. But a text came up from her first, disappointing and saving him simultaneously.
Sorry Roxas, gotta go. Maybe we'll talk later? How about tomorrow at the Destiny Bean…just the two of us?
-N
His eyes widened at the open opportunity to see and talk to Naminé in person for a long time. Smiling, Roxas replied quickly before clicking his phone shut.
Sure Nami, sounds good. See you then.
-R
The young 20-year-old finally let out a breath he had been holding. He was going to see Naminé again! And without Hiro by her side, could this day get any better?
A word from the author...
Well, there we go! The first chapter of Two People, One Heart is complete! I may change the title later though…thanks for reading, hope you review and come again for chapter two!