Title: Not A Bad Thing
Author: Sorasgirl333
Summary: No one knows the path their on or what their future holds, but one thing is for certain, your past can make or break you. Always listen carefully to your heart because your past is what's guiding your future.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the story line/plot to this story.
Authors Note: Hello! It's been so long! I started writing this story with no intention of making it fan fiction related but after a friend of mine from this site, SoraxKairi7, had me read her story, I couldn't help but want to change the places and names of my current story into a Kingdom Hearts world. My writing has evolved yet still has the same feeling (for those of you who have read my stories in the past). I'm posting this first chapter that I wrote in February (I'm about 6 chapters in my writing book with full direction of where I plan to go). I wanted to see how it goes. If all is well, I'll keep updating. So be honest and let me know what you think!
x.o.x.o
I watched the rain leave trails on the window as the sunlight created a dim rainbow in the distance. It was close to twilight and I so badly wanted to dance in the pouring rain. I knew I needed to stay inside to take care of him because he needed me more now then ever. I glanced at him fast asleep in bed, his shaggy blonde hair pressed firm to his forehead, his light green eyes tightly shut. He needed this serenity. I stood up from the cozy chair beside the window, tugging the hem of his white t-shirt down to cover my nearly nude body. I slid under the covers in hopes of comforting him even more. His arm found its way around me and pulled me into him. I kissed his forehead gently before drifting off into my own wonderland.
Twenty-two isn't anything special. You're already at the legal drinking age and still not old enough to qualify to rent a car or receive any sort of car insurance discount, no matter how great of a driver you are. I graduated from college with an unclear mindset of what I wanted to do with my life. My ambition was shot out the window. I earned an associates degree in business and had no real desire to own my own place. I'm at young adult lost in the real world. I work as sales associate and cashier at our local Staples. Not exactly a place for a twenty-two year old with a business degree. My life was going no where and fast.
I was pretty sure my boss hated me. She looked like a real life Malificent with her dark green eyes, high cheek bones, pale skin, but what made her different was her long straight blonde hair. Larxene always yelled at me for something, even when I couldn't help it. The sales were lower than compared to before I started, we didn't receive part of our shipment, a customer was upset even though I didn't even work that day or help them before. I so badly wanted to quit but there was nothing out there any better in this failing economy. Plus, I had the job thanks to my long time friend, Sora.
Sora and I met in middle school. We could barely stand to be in the same room. Then again, hormonal fourteen year olds either loved or hated each other. Eventually we got past that point and fell deeply in love for one another.
We dated from sixteen to nineteen. Long distance was hard after school. I stayed local at UDI- University of Destiny Islands, while Sora went across the ocean to URG (University of Radiant Garden). He got a full ride in and is supposed to be graduating in June with a Bachelors in Science to be a social worker. He wouldn't be like the stereotypical stern, heartless bastard most state workers tend to be. Sora is a charmer and was heartfelt, plus extremely lovable. I loved him because he was my best friend and because anyone with a soul loved him.
I owed it to Sora for my boring God awful job. He worked for Larxene when he was sixteen and she was just a supervisor. Of course the ever so charming Sora asked sweetly for a favor and BAM, I was being handed a name tag. Kairi.
I was clocking out after an eight hour shift when Larxene, of course, had another reason to blame me for her bad day.
"Kairi!" she hollered at me from across the store. I bit my lip and sighed to myself.
Slowly, I turned around to see my boss right behind me. Dang she moves fast. "Larxene, hi!"
Her eyes narrowed. "Why are sales low today?"
"Um, you've got me. Why are they low?" It was hard to be nice when no matter what I said or did, it would backfire.
"Don't give me that. Our sales gap isn't closing. We need to fix that. You're full time and I expect better of you to push yourself and everyone else to up-sell." She crossed her arms. "Be more respectful and responsible for your job."
It took all my might not to roll my eyes and say peace. Why was this on me? I'm not even a supervisor and she's the store manager. Technically everything was her responsible.
"Yes ma'am." I turned to walk out.
"Kairi!" she called out to me again. I turned around without saying a word. "Have a better attitude on your next shift."
I turned around and walked out. My blood was boiling. I stormed to my car and slammed the door shut. She's such a bitch! I looked at the time. 9:00pm. There was one person I knew who would get a drink with me after a hell of a week at work.
"Hey Kai," Namine, my best friend and roommate, answered.
"The Pocket in five minutes." That's all that needed to be said. Namine knew me well enough to know that if I mentioned going out for a drink after work, then there was nothing to do but meet me. About seven minutes later, no thanks to the slow drivers in the fast lane, I arrived at the hole in the wall bar.
I had always seen it but never went in. Today was a good enough reason to give it a try. Namine called out to me and waved excitedly. Her long blonde hair was pulled back and she was wearing a skirt with leggings, boots, and an overly large jacket. Namine and I grew up on the same street. The Oshiro family were the only family who moved into in our neighborhood of families who had generations of families already rooted. They also were the only ones who managed to get all of our other neighbors out of their homes to enjoy a party of good people and great food.
"Thank you," I said hugging her. "I needed this."
"Of course sister," she said swinging her arm over my shoulder as we entered the bar. A live band was performing a version of "Good Life" by One Republic. Oh the irony. There were quite a few people in The Pocket. Namine and I maneuvered to the bar where two bartenders were. One guy was an older gentlemen who had gray hair and a few laugh lines aging his face. The other guy was probably in his twenties with beach blonde hair.
"Rough day?" Namine said finding us two seats.
"It's always a rough day with Larxene," I sighed digging out my ID card. The older bartender stood in front of us. We handed him our licenses. He studied them for a moment and glanced up.
"What would you like?" he asked nodding for us to return our cards to our wallets.
"I'll just have a water. I'm the D.D tonight," Namine smiled. "But this one needs something strong."
He nodded and went to make my drink. I felt my phone vibrate. Upon opening my text, I realized it was from Sora.
Hey Kairi Kat! I'm coming home for Christmas and New Years in a couple of days. I can't wait to see you! Let's plan a day to meet up. There's someone I've been wanting you to meet. Her name is Aqua :)
I read the text three more times. "You okay, Kai?" Namine nudged my knee with hers.
"Sora's is bringing a girl home." I shouldn't have been surprised. He could have any girl he wanted and even though we dated for three years, I couldn't expect him to wait until he was done with school to be with me again. It's not like we had ever made that promise.
I went on dates with other guys after we officially and mutually agreed to end our relationship, but no one would ever be Sora. I always hoped to be with him again but after three years apart, I shouldn't have been surprised or upset that he was able to find someone other than me. Yet, I was.
"Oh Kairi," Namine frowned.
The bartender returned with a glass of clear liquid. I wasn't a drinker but tonight I was given a couple of good reasons to become one. In a few gulps I downed the whole glass. Namine stared at me in awe. Instantly, I felt warm and slightly light head. I needed another.
"Woah Kai, calm down," Namine said as I drank half of the second glass.
"Ugh, I'm so stupid." I put my head in my hands. The warmth lingered on it's way down.
"No, you still love him. It's not stupid."
"I'm stupid for expecting him to come home to me. I'm stupid for tolerating Larxene. I need a new reality, I need to shake things up." I sighed for at least the hundredth time today. "You at least love your job at the dentist and you have Roxas whom you've loved since college walk through Freshmen year."
Namine smiled. "You forgot to say that I have the most amazing best friend in the universe!"
I threw my hands in the air a little over exaggerating. "And you've replaced me!"
Namine laughed. "You surely are crazy, Kairi Mizuno."
I smiled a real smile for the first time all day. I looked around for the bartender. "Can I get another one of these amazingly awesome drinks?"
The younger bartender wandered over this time. "What were you drinking?"
I shrugged, sliding my torso forward across the bar and leaned my head against the cool wood. My body was warm and my head was buzzing. "I dunno but whatever it was, it was fantastico," I smiled at my awesomely bad Spanish accent.
He eyed me carefully and then stared at my second empty glass. "Did the old man give you something?"
Namine answered, "yeah, why?"
The older bartender made his way over. The younger one tilted his head my way. "Did you give this one the Toxic Dragon?"
I looked up at them smiling. "Oh, fancy name!" My head was starting to spin so I closed my eyes tight and pressed my forehead to the bar again.
"She needed something strong she claimed," the old man chuckled.
"Cid, you gave someone who weighs like 100 lbs your Toxic Dragon?" The blonde sounded nearly appalled.
Namine sounded worried, "she's had two."
Blondie slapped his forehead. "You may wanna get your friend to the restroom soon or we'll be seeing her days worth of consumption all over."
Namine quickly grabbed me and slid me off my chair. My equilibrium was shot to hell. The whole room was spinning. Some how we made it to the bathroom and just in time. I had thrown up my turkey sandwich from lunch and everything else I eaten for the day. It burned and I regretted it all as my head hung over the public toilet. It was as if I was regurgitating all the days worth of bad news and because of it, I ended up in tears.
Namine knocked on the stall door. "Kai, you okay?"
I sniffled and used the toilet paper dispenser to hoist myself to my feet. I opened the door to face my best friend. She frowned and hugged me tight. She guided to me to the sink and wiped away my tears and the regret left on my face. "Let's get you home."
We walked out into the bar and I suddenly realized how loud everything was. "Hey, are you okay?" Blondie asked walking over to us.
"Does she look alright to you, idiot?" Namine snapped. Her arms were wrapped around me keeping me upright.
"Hey, let me take you home. I'll drive so you can make sure she's okay," he said taking off his half apron.
"You really think I'm going to let some stranger find out where we live? You could be a killer for all we know!" Namine was pissed. My head was starting to hurt more.
"Listen, half the people in here can vouch for me. Besides, your friend needs you." We stared at him. Namine didn't seem convinced but when I put my head on her shoulder, she eased up.
"Fine. But we take my car and I'll get you a cab from there. Forget where we live once you leave."
"Deal," he said. Blondie hoisted me into his arms and Namine stared at him uneasily. I leaned my head against his chest, his warmth instantly soothing. We walked out to Namine's car and he gently placed me in the backseat where Namine began to stroke my hair. I watched the city lights dance around the inside of the car as we drove and before I knew it, I was asleep.
The next morning my head was pounding. I squinted my eyes to get a grasp of where I was. My room was small with a full sized bed, a single picture on the wall with my parents and myself at my high school graduation. My blinds were holding back the lights of Decembers sun. My eyes averted to my side table with my alarm clock. 10:00 am. Next to my alarm was a glass of water and what looked like two Advil on top of a note. I reached for it.
Kai, you crazy drinker you. I guess it was a good thing Seifer helped us home. Here's some headache relief. Roxas and I are going to go get your car. Feel better! -Namine
Seifer? Blondie got to see a side of me that no one ever sees. How embarrassing. I grabbed the Advil and water to gratefully down it. I sat up and stretched before getting new clothes and headed to take a shower to rid yesterdays shame.
A little over a week had passed along with Christmas. I spent it at home with my parents and eventually the Oshiro's joined us. It felt nice to enjoy some normalcy. Work was still work- a pain in my ass. I texted Sora back and agreed to meet Aqua on New Years. We decided to meet up at The Pocket. I figured it'd be best to kill two birds with one stone. Meet my ex-boyfriend's new girl in a public place during a celebration and thank Blondie for taking care of me.
New Years Eve came and Namine, Roxas, and I just arrived to The Pocket by 11:00. It was busier than when we arrived here last time. Another live band was playing what must have been an original since I didn't recognize it.
"Kairi Kat! Nam!" Sora was the only one we'd ever let call us that. Kairi Katherine (after my mother- where the Kat came from) Mizuno. Sora was as gorgeous as ever. Tall, toned, tan- even in the dead of winter in Radiant Garden- blue eyes, dark brown hair. My heart sank. It had been at least a year since I'd seen him last.
He pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight. I inhaled his sweet cologne which triggered feelings buried deep within. How did he always have this effect on me? Sora then hugged Namine and patted Roxas's back. "I missed you guys," he smiled.
"We did too, Sora," Namine smiled. "Who's this?" She gestured toward a girl behind Sora.
He stepped next to her and presented her like an award. "Guys, this is the ever beautiful, Aqua!" Ouch.
She was beautiful though. Tall, shoulder length, blue highlighted hair, perfect teeth, flawless face, curvy, stylish. I could barely look at her. She was everything I wasn't. I had auburn-red brown hair past my shoulder blades, blue eyes, pale, hardly a curve on my body but you'd never know unless I was naked.
Namine stepped forward with her hand extended. "I'm Namine."
"I'm Roxas," Namine's boyfriend said, shaking her hand next. Roxas was also tall, tan, and had blonde hair always done up in crazy spikes and bright blue eyes.
I tucked some hair behind my ear before reaching my hand out, "I'm Kairi."
"It's so nice to meet you all," Aqua smiled. "I've heard so much about you."
We found a table and started to learn more about each other before our New Years count down. Sora never once mentioned his relationship to me in the eight months they've been together. They lived in the same dorm and went on outings with mutual friends. Aqua told us she's an aspiring model working on her degree for fashion. The time moved so slow talking to them but then again it was probably the back of interest and sour attitude I had. I excused myself before disappointment took over the best of me.
The bar was crowded but I saw Blondie talking to a group of giggling girls clearly flirting with him. I leaned against an empty spot and waved my arm. I managed to get his attention. He excused himself from his female fans.
He tossed a towel over his shoulder and rubbed the back of his head. "I'm surprised you'd want to come back after last time."
I flushed, "I actually wanted to thank you."
His light green eyes were mesmerizing. I never noticed how amazing they were. "Thank me? For what? Not making you another drink?" He smirked and suddenly I felt weak at the knees. I could feel my body temperature rise a bit.
"Thank you for helping Namine get me home. You obviously know when people need to stop while they're ahead."
"Well," he looked away for a second before meeting my eyes again. "Cid does make a mean drink."
"Apparently," I laughed realizing how easy it was to be near him. Suddenly it was loud and the count down was beginning. I looked at him and he was smiling.
"Fifteen, fourteen, thirteen…" the crowd cheered.
"I'm Seifer," he reached his hand out.
"Ten, nine, eight…" they continued.
I reached out to greet his hand. "I'm Kairi."
"Five, four, three…"
"Pleasure to meet you," he smirked again.
I couldn't help the feeling he was giving me but whatever it was possessed me to make my next move. I leaned forward and kissed him.
"One! Happy New Year!"
I pulled back from his soft warm lips and smiled, "you too."
A/N: So this is just the beginning. If you think it's bueno, then please let me know! It's been so long since I wrote a full on story. As for the other stories, I honestly can't give anyone a direct answer as to whether or not they'll be finished. I want to oh so badly, but so much time has passed, I've moved so much, and I don't know where my original notebooks went with my outlines. Anyway, onward to the review box!