KICK!(EDITED!)Chapter One: Kicking Off
Summary: Sora just wanted to play soccer. Then Riku came along and played the nice guy only to turn his back on Sora when he needed him most. Two years later, Riku is back on the Destiny Islands and Sora isn't happy. Neither is his girlfriend Namine. How can you forgive someone who hurt you so badly. And seriously what is with Leon's friend Cloud?
AN: Here's a brand new story for you since I have been MIA for I-don't- even-know-how-long!(AKA My computer died!)The next chapter for SAND is under way too! I can't wait to finish it and I am also so very excited for this new story!
1. Rated M for stuff like bullying and mean-ness and language and stuff for now. Warnings will appear accordingly. Oh and watch out for wizards too (You'll know what I mean).
2. I no own KH or FF stuffs. So sad I know.
3. Riku/Sora-Maybe some other pairings later. (Many exaggerated eyebrow raises)That's a secret for now.
SORA
It's not hard to remember the cruel things people say and do. Not that I hold grudges, but this time was different. You don't forget things like that. My whole body said yes while it seemed to be cemented to the spot I stood. My mind was screaming no.
SORA- Beginning of Freshman Year
"Hey, that's the Sora kid who tried out for the team today ya'? Damn, no wonder he didn't get accepted." Wakka with his red hair, perfectly fit body, and posse of equally robust teammates, leaned against the chain-link fence that separated the soccer-field from the track and bleachers. A few of them snickered at his comment as they kicked a soccer ball back and forth. A large crowd had gathered for the after-school soccer try-outs. Either students trying to make it on the team this year or their friends coming to cheer them on. It was a pretty big deal and the bleachers were packed. I wondered if Kairi had stayed to watch me.
"Coach didn't show it but he was totally against him even trying. Look at him, he would just bring us all down." Tidus, the teams goalie, stood beside his best friend Wakka; his blond bangs pushed back with a head-band. Both Sophomores, both exceptional soccer players, and both complete assholes.
I heard every word they said as I picked up my pace to get away as fast as I could. My backpack was heavily slung over my shoulder and I carried my soccer ball under my other arm. It was a hot day and there was no shade over the soccer field. Sweat beaded on my forehead and soaked my brown spiky hair.
We can just say my try-out didn't work out so well and can leave it at that.
I knew I was over-weight. That didn't stop me from trying. Soccer was my passion and I loved it ever since I was a child and it was a huge deal on Destiny Islands. We produced some amazing star players. I had hopes of one day playing for the Blue Angels, it was my dream. Being over-weight wouldn't keep me from that.
Unfortunately, today was not the day I would become any closer to achieving my dream. I knew how to play and I wasn't half bad. Coach Cid had pulled me aside after I had tried out and said I did a commendable job but wouldn't allow me to play until I lost some weight. What. The. Hell.
Was he even allowed to do something like that?! Not like I meant to be so chubby! I contemplated telling the principle and decided against it. I didn't need the soccer team or entire school to hate me for being a tattler. Especially as a freshmen I didn't want to ruin my whole high school experience. Who was I kidding. I was no ideal soccer player anyways. Not compared to the rest of the team here at Paopu High. I'd never get to play like this.
I wasn't always so...large either. It just kind of happened one day. I'm not lazy! I practice soccer all the time!
It happened something like this...
Kairi and I usually fended for ourselves when it came to dinner. Pizza being the popular choice. I also really like cookies. I don't know how Kairi always stays so skinny and then I blew up like a balloon. That's what happens when your guardian leaves children alone to feed themselves. Leon worked late. More often than not he would leave a note for Kairi and I, 'Here's twenty for a pizza. I'll be late tonight.' He always kept it short. Yes, I blame Leon for my being over weight. I know that's not fair at all, but I do.
My parents died when I was in elementary school. It's just me, my sister Kairi, and Uncle Leon now. Uncle Leon-my moms younger brother- became our guardian when I was ten and Kairi was eleven. He's good to us, but he works his ass off and always comes home so tired and goes straight to bed. I wish he would take a break sometimes, someone who works that hard needs one occasionally. I knew he did it for us, but I wish we got to spend more time with him.
I missed my parents dearly and I was always happiest sitting down with Kairi(and on rare occasion, with Leon) at the kitchen table, eating our pizza or junk that shouldn't have passed as a meal. We would sit and reminisce about the times with Mom and Dad and always begged Leon to tell us more about them. That is, when he had the time.
Leon smiled sadly, his grey-blue eyes hiding something, and would tell us about the times spent with his best friend Cloud, his older sister, and her husband, our father.
Aerith was seven years older than him, but Leon had been very close with her. Aerith met Zack when she was in high-school and became pregnant with Kairi at eighteen. Grandma and Grandpa weren't happy at first, but they couldn't shun their only daughter and their beautiful granddaughter. Leon was only eleven when Kairi was born, but still a proud uncle. The following year Aerith came home with the news she was pregnant again. This time with me. Leon said Grandma had fainted.
Zack proposed soon after and they were married before I was born. They bought a small house together and both started college while working part-time jobs. Leon and Grandma baby-sat us a lot of the time and apparently Cloud was around all the time too. We were too little to remember much of that. Cloud had moved away by the time Leon was seventeen. I was only five at the time. Not much of Cloud was said after he had left.
Grandma and Grandpa also moved away when I was about eight years old. With both children having flown the coop, they decided to travel and were gone for about two years. They came back for Mom and Dads funeral of course.
They stayed at our house for about a week; they helped with funeral preparations and things like that. But it was then that Leon's relationship with them began to deteriorate. Leon stayed at our house and they faught the entire week. Then they and Leon had caused a big controversy at the reception after the funeral. I remember sitting on the little grey couch in our home, holding Kairi's hand, and hearing them shouting at each-other. Everyone else awkwardly trying to ignore the three arguing.
Leon was twenty-two and in college at the time and wanted them to stay to help raise us. His parents had refused and left a few days later.
So Leon had been left to raise us on his own and he didn't care to talk about or to his parents after that day. Though I did get an occasional post-card or picture from them in the mail.
Our house was sold and we moved into a newer, bigger, place with Leon on the other side of town.
Leon had gone to college to be an engineer right out of high-school and now worked on designing and building airplane engines. He's like super duper smart and stuff. He even got his pilots license a few years a go. He told me once that the sky always brought him peace and he felt closer to Aerith when he flew. He knew she was watching over all of us from up there. Dad too.
Anyways, BAM! All of a sudden I became chunky over pizza and cookies only a year or so after my parents died because I was depressed. It was too late by the time Leon noticed, and he tried making me go on a diet. Diets are for chumps and Leon couldn't make me do shit. Just kidding, Leon could be really scary sometimes, but I was in no way about to give up pizza. No sir, not this boy. So I told him something along the lines of 'Well Leon, maybe I wouldn't be like this if you paid more attention to us.' It wasn't supposed to sound that mean but it did and Leon was depressed for weeks. After that, he found a little more time to spend with us even if it wasn't much. Kairi and I were happy enough. I eventually apologized and he never bugged me about dieting again. Ha! Take that Leon! I am such a jerk.
I was lost in thought as I walked along the fence and chose to ignore the soccer jocks jeering at me.
I ran into something hard with a 'THUMP' and dropped my soccer ball, apologizing sincerely as I reached down to pick it up only to have it handed to me. I turned my eyes upwards slowly and met beautiful aqua. Uhhh, that was not a real eye color. My mouth opened and I gaped at him holding out the soccer ball for me to take.
"Are you gonna take it or what?" He said, nudging it forwards at me and I realized who he was. I was inwardly panicking. Or was I outwardly panicking? I have no idea.
I snapped out of my trance and managed a 'thank you' and took it from his hands. Did my voice just crack, damn it that is so embarrassing.
This was the captain of the Papao High soccer team, Riku Yamazaki. Despite only being a Sophomore, he had managed to snag the title of the team captain quite easily. Most definitely the best player in the entire school and also the most popular. He was standing at the sidelines with Cid while everyone tried out today, and probably giving his input on who he thought would be beneficial to their team. That means he probably saw me try out, and that was making me more nervous than it should have.
"No problem. I saw you try out! I'm Captain and I thought you did a great job, really! I even told Cid so. I'm surprised he didn't let you on the team. Maybe I can get him to reconsider." Yep, he saw. Wait, he just said I did great. The Captain of the soccer team said I, Sora, did a great job.
He placed his hands into the pockets of his black shorts and leaned back on the heels of his cleats, his calf muscles flexing as he did so. I couldn't help but notice. He was seriously the epitome of a perfect soccer player. I was in awe. His white shirt was soaked in sweat from the hot day and his long silver hair tied back in a ponytail. Perfect muscles and long legs. I wish I looked like that.
"My name's Riku by the way." He took his right hand out of his pocket for me to shake. I hope my hands aren't clammy.
"I'm Sora, nice to meet you." He smiled and and of course he had to have perfect teeth too.
"Stop trying to get him on the team Riku, just look at him." I didn't notice Wakka, Tidus, and the others walk up behind us. We both turned to the group.
I frowned and looked down at my feet. I felt ashamed and embarrassed though I shouldn't have. No one should have to feel ashamed of them self. I wondered why the captain of the soccer team bothered being nice when all the others on the team were the complete opposite. Then again he was Captain and probably always put on a good face for everyone.
"Yeah, what about him?" Riku looked lazily at Wakka, hands back in his pockets. Wakka and Tidus gave one-another incredulous looks.
"Are you blind? He's fucking overweight! He wouldn't even get through one game without dying of a heat stroke!" Tidus scoffed. Okay, that one hurt. This was getting uncomfortable.
"Short chubby legs aren't for soccer players." A few people behind Wakka nodded their heads in agreement. I wasn't that short, come on. Short people could play soccer!
"Wakka, I don't believe I saw you anywhere near the field when Sora was trying out. Don't say things like that when you don't even know what you're talking about. He's actually very good."
Wakka was about to retort before I interrupted.
"It's okay, he's right." I said. At this Tidus and Wakka smiled in their triumph. Jerks.
Riku stared at me and I had no idea what he was thinking because their was no emotion behind those eyes. Maybe there was, but I couldn't tell. Almost like Leon. Yep, this is definitely uncomfortable.
"I'm not cut out for this Riku. But thank you for the offer." My pride just went down the drain. He stared at me as I walked away.
I could hear shouting behind me as I quickly made may way past the fence, around a corner, and out of sight.
SORA- Present
"What'cha doing lazy head?" Kairi jumped onto the couch next to me making my my cushion jerk up uncomfortably. I turned, my face flat and unamused and turned right back to the TV. She is interrupting my Soccer-Is-On-Leave-Me-Alone-Fun-Time. That is a no no. Watching soccer was not lazy by the way. Do you know how many times I had to jump off the couch cheering or shouting in anger. Sometimes even crying on the floor when the Blue Angels were losing.
"You may notice some fellows kicking around a ball and trying to make it into a big net. It is called soccer, sister. Which I might add is perfectly fine to watch on a Sunday."
"Isn't it boring watching it alone?"
"Well you wont watch it with me and Leon is never home." I kept my eyes trained on the TV as the opposing team got too close for comfort to making a goal.
"I think you should know something." I still didn't look at her but made some kind of noise of acquisition.
"Um. Okay, well. How do I put this..." She thought for a moment as I was watching the midfielders clash like titans...Spartans...whatever, something along those lines. They were just cool okay.
"There is a certain person you see." She paused again nervously. Why was she so nervous about telling me, she only tells me everything even if I don't want to hear it.
"A certain person is back in town and you don't want to see them."
"Wait, what are you talking about? Who would I not want to see?"
"Like a person...you know." She started twiddling her thumbs on her lap. I turned to look at her.
"Yeah and who is this person Kairi?" I had a guess and really hoped I wasn't guessing right. She scratched the back of her head and laughed nervously. A habit we both shared.
"Wellllll..."
"Damn it tell me!"
"RIKU!It's Riku!He's back!" She scuttled to the other end of the couch away from my wrath. I could tell my aura was probably black. My hands clenched into fists and my nails dug into my palms as soon as I heard that name.
"Everyone has been talking about it!He's rumored to be signing a contract...with the Blue Angels. I think It's better for me to tell you he's here then you finding out on your own you know!He's been here for a few days already."
I reached over to the coffee table for the remote, shut the TV off, and stood up. Soccer would have to wait and when soccer had to wait, there was a big problem. I just had to be right didn't I.
"I'm going over to Namine's house."
"Want me to go too?"
"No." I don't feel bad for being short with her and I know Kairi understands.
"Okay. You know I'm here for you right?"
"Yeah Kairi, I know." I got up and headed for the front door to put my shoes on.
"WEAR PROTECTION!" I hit my face against the door and groaned as Kairi shouted from the living room. So grateful Leon wasn't home to hear that. I put my sneakers on and grabbed my keys off of the entry table and put them in my pocket with my phone. Namine and I haven't even had sex. Kairi may be Namine's best friend but she doesn't know anything.
"Byeee Kairi." I opened the door only to come face-to-face with a fist. The man stared, embarrassed, and quickly withdrew his hand. Oh, he was about to knock.
"We have a doorbell you know." I let my breath out, stepped onto the porch, and shut the door behind me. Ugh it was so hot out. Duh, I guess it would be hot during the summer. Especially in the afternoon.
"Uh...yeah. Sorry about that." He looked so nervous that I almost felt bad for him standing there . Except I didn't really because I was in a pretty foul mood. He didn't say anything.
"Well did you need somethingggg? Or are you selling stuff? Sunday is a strange day for door-to-door selling. I don't like magazines or knives, but cookies are good. Yeahhh cookies. Actually, scratch that. I'm not supposed to eat those. I want their sweet sweet chocolate chips in my mouth but they are so bad for me. Bad, bad sugar." I was drooling I think. Cookies would make me feel happy right now. The man stared at me with bright blue eyes not unlike mine. His look saying something like, 'are you insane'?
"A-hem. Yes. So...what did you need?" I cleared my throat and straightened my back.
"I don't know if this is the right address." He looked down at a piece of paper in his hand I didn't notice he had been holding.
"Does Squall Leonhart live here?"
"Oh yeah! He does! Do you know him?Don't let him hear you call him Squall though, he hates it."
"He always has." He whispered.
"I was hoping to talk to him. Uh, are you his son or something?" He looked at me kind of oddly but I should be the one who's giving the odd looks.
"No way, how young do I look? I'm twenty! Leon's my uncle. He's at work right now though. Been busy so he wont be home until late." I leaned my back against the door, did I really look like a baby? Leons son? Ridiculous. The man sighed and tucked the little paper into his jeans.
"You must be Sora, you look a lot like Leon. I wasn't sure." How the hell did he know my name? Hopefully not some creeper. He noticed I was staring and fidgeted on the step. I scanned over him. Blond hair, blue eyes. Was this...
"Leon is-was- a good friend of mine...your mom used to write me a lot when I was away too." Oh my gosh, it is him! Now this was interesting!
"Why were you away?" I asked out of curiosity, but he ignored me and looked away. Fine then.
"Would you tell Leon that Cloud wanted to see him?I'll be in town for a while so I'll stop by again. See ya' Sora." He walked off the porch and down the drive way. This was certainly strange.
"Bye Cloud!" I waved. He turned and waved awkwardly. I waited for his blond spikes to disappear down the drive way before I set out to Namines' house. Kind of weird to leave at the same time. Probably think I was stalking him or something. Not going to lie, I did want to follow him and ask him a few things.
I thought about going back in and telling Kairi but decided against it. I'd just tell Kairi and Leon about Cloud when I got home. Still, that was pretty odd. Leon hasn't talked about Cloud in a really long time.
'Wonder what he's doing here.' I trudged down the sidewalk. Trudging, because it's so damned hot out like always. Namine only lives a few blocks away so there's no point in driving. Besides, I gotta keep up the exercise.
I still want a cookie though. Why did Cloud have to look like a salesman. Okay need to change thoughts. No cookies.
'Fuck! Why the hell does Riku have to be here too?!' Never mind, should have just kept thinking about cookies.
"I am going to kill Riku if I see him." Ooops said that out loud. I looked around to make sure no one heard. Whistling and trying to act inconspicuous, I don't think it was working. At least there wasn't too many people out today. I guess I wouldn't kill him really. Jail wouldn't be fun, but that's the only reason for not doing it.
I'll just kick him really, really, really, hard in the balls if I see him. I wonder if the rumors about him signing with the Blue Angels is true. If so, more of a reason to kick him in the balls. So very hard. It's not fair. I am the one who has always wanted to play soccer for the Blue Angels. He doesn't deserve that honor. Not someone like him.
I pouted and continued on my way, trying to think of Namine instead of Riku and finding it very hard.
Namine and I have been dating for about six months now. Ever since I lost weight, girls seemed to flock to me like they are seagulls and I am a poor lone french fry in an empty parking lot. Hey, not that I'm complaining but I wouldn't date someone who I knew was shallow. Half these girls wouldn't bother to even look at me like they do if I still looked the same as in high-school. Correct phrase to use being ' I don't date bitches.'
Namine was one of the few truly kind people that I have met the past two years and we get along really well. She's been best friends with Kairi for a few years now too. When Namine started hanging around with Kari more, I had a super crush on her and I had the guts to ask her on a date one day. Mostly due to Kairi blackmailing me if I didn't do it. I was no chicken...and I really didn't want those extremely embarrassing pictures from that one summer on the internet.
One date turned into another and then another, and we ended up dating. Like the kissy kissy, I wanna hold your hand and cuddle you kind of dating. Namine wasn't my first girlfriend though. My first girlfriend was Tifa in third grade and that totally counts because we held hands during recess.
Namine was also great for not minding that I was such a bad kisser at first. Seeing as the only other woman who ever kissed me was my mother and she's been gone for ten years now. May she rest in peace. Namine said it was cute that I was so naive. Noooo, I don't want to be cute! She's supposed to be the cute one!
We haven't gone all the way yet either. You know, sexy sex time. Despite what Kairi thinks. We are taking our time with that stuff. Twenty year old virgin Sora. God, why is Namine even dating me? She's so pretty, smart, well off, and She could be with any guy she wanted. I wonder if someone like Riku was more her type. Probably not since he's a total asshole. I really have to work on that self-esteem of mine.
Naimine is great to hang out with and always listens when I tell her my problems or rant about soccer. Oh I could rant about soccer. She knew I was overweight before too because Kairi had to show her photos from middle and high school(She went to a different high-school than we had). Sometimes I really hate you Kairi. I didn't ever tell Namine what happened between me and Riku. Mostly because I didn't ever enjoy talking about him. He can go die in a ditch for all I care.
I walked for a little while before I came up on her street where the houses were all a beach-like style. We live on the Destiny Islands so the majority of the homes were like that. The Destiny Islands were always so beautiful and vibrant all year but the summer time was when flowers seemed to pop up everywhere and the ocean became the perfect bath water warm.
The sky was getting a little dark so I picked up my pace. Summer was fine and dandy except for thunder and rain storms.
The beach was only another block or so away and I wish I could go there right now for a swim because it was so hot out, but I also wanted to spend some time with Namine and it unfortunately was going to storm. She wouldn't go to the beach with me anyways because she didn't like salt water in her eyes and said salt ruins her hair. What a baby. She would make me feel better though. She had a way with words and kissing. Giglgle giggle. Maybe I should tell her about Riku today.
I really like Namines house a lot. That may sound so dumb, but it's so quaint and cozy. It was a nice white, two story house, with a white picket fence, and lots of fluffy cat-tail plants and flowers out front. You could even see the beach from her back deck. They lived pretty humbly for being so well off. The inside was comfortable and decorated in white and blue nautical theme, go figure. That was Namines' moms doing, the woman loved decorating and gardening but she did a mighty fine job at both.
I was crossing the street when I saw a black car in the drive way that I didn't recognize. I had no idea whose it was but it looked shiny and expensive. The license plate said it was from Destiny Islands, so maybe her parents got a new one.
The door to Namine's house flew open and shut with a loud bang and I stopped, surprised(No I didn't jump when it happened), by the end of the white picket fence. The person stormed outside and stood, fuming in the drive-way in front of the black car(which I figured was theirs), hands on their face and shaking their head as if in disbelief. The hands came off of his face. He ran a hand through his...silver hair. Shit.
He turned slowly when he realized I was there.
A cat-tail poked my leg through the fence, it felt weird, but I was plastered to the spot like gum on hot tar.
My blue eyes met unmistakable aqua ones. Why me?
He stared for a long time before saying anything. His eyes wide and he opened and closed his mouth like a fish. Kind of like how I acted when I first met him. His hair was cut short and spiked in the back, with a strand of bangs on one side. It looked great, damn it. He looked a little taller and obviously in good shape. His clothes looked expensive, a grey shirt, dark pants, shoes worth more than my soul. He was always wealthy, but did he have to look like a fucking model. More reason to hate you.
'He's...different.' Was he? I couldn't tell just from his looks.
"Sora?" He said my name carefully and quietly. Almost as if it would sting his tongue to say it loudly. Or maybe because he wasn't sure if it was even me. I do look a lot different since the last time we saw each-other.
"Yamazaki." I just mustered up my meanest glare, which was honestly really pathetic. I suck.
"Wow, It really is you! Can't mistake that pout. But wow, seriously look at you."
Yes, I look in a mirror occasionally, I have seen myself. And it's not a damned pout! It's a glare! He was staring at me and I really didn't like it. Stop that.
"Stop looking at me like that. What the hell are you doing here?" I asked coldly, my anger starting to boil inside. I felt like a hot potato. He noticed. He now had his famous poker face on.
"I should be the one asking what you're doing here." What?
"This is my girlfriends house. Why are you here?" His eyebrows knitted together at that also confused.
"Wait, wait, wait. Namine?" He laughed, throwing his head back. I was obviously missing something.
"Yeah." How does he know her?
"Namine is my cousin. You're dating her?" My heart sank into my stomach. No no no no no. I guess I should have mentioned Riku a lot sooner. I am dating the relative of someone I hate and would probably kill if I got the chance. Wait, why hadn't Namine mentioned this?
"So? What's wrong with that?" I pouted before I could stop myself. It was supposed to be a glare.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing? Just you and her. Didn't know little Sora could get a girlfriend." Nope, totally still a dick. He seriously said that. Seriously. I gave in the middle finger. I am quite the stud, thank you.
"Oh come onnnn So-raaaa. I didn't mean it like that." He did mean it like that.
"I don't care(That's a lie) and you still haven't answered me as to why you are fucking here. You know damn well what I mean." He looked so smug standing there next to his damned fancy car in his fancy clothes. I want to punch you.
"Hm, none of your business really." He ran a hand through his hair. That was it.
I walked the short distance over to where he was standing, all tall and mighty, and kicked him, hard, in the shin. I turned and walked away. Sorry Namine but I can't be here right now.
"What the fu- oh come back Sora!" He held his shin and danced around in pain for a minute. I hope he got a bruise. Maybe I didn't kick him in the balls but boy did that still feel so good. Morals, I just have morals.
I walked back down the road angry and glad to be alone. Well I would have been alone. You know, if Riku didn't get in his car and decide to follow me painfully slow down the street.
I looked up as the sky rumbled. Ohhhh perfect timing storm, thank you so very much. I hated the world right now and it hated me right back.
Riku rolled his window down. I stared intently at some trees as the wind began to pick up and rustle the leaves.
"Need a ride?" He wiggled his eyebrows at me. Really?
"Not with you." I scoffed and kept walking. A drop of rain landed on my face and I watched as the light-grey side-walk slowly turned dark-grey where rain-drops landed. I'll punch that rain cloud in it's face for making my day any worse. Do clouds even have faces? Well Cloud has a face, but that's not the right kind of cloud.
"Oh come onnn it's about to storm. You'll get hit my lightning or blown away because you're so tiny now."
I gave him a look of incredulity as I stood by the stop sign at the end on Namine's street. It's not a far walk. I could run and make it home before it starts pouring.
"Getting hit by lightning is still better than being within a mile of your presence, asshole." At that it started to sprinkle...and sprinkle some more, and by sprinkle I mean it began to pour. Riku laughed at my misfortune from his car because he's evil.
"I'll tell you why I'm here...just let me take you home." I crossed the street since there were no cars coming. Riku followed still.
"Go away."
"Sora." He stared at me being soaked by the rain, my spiky hair becoming a flat wet mess. Completely miserable but I wouldn't admit it.
"If you die by getting hit by lightning you wont be able to kick me again. I know you want to." I stopped on the sidewalk, soaking wet, and stared at him. I can't believe I was even contemplating this. What if I really did get hit by lightning and die?
"Fuck it. I can't believe I am doing this. Alright. Fine." Riku smiled and reached over to open the door for me. I slowly got into his car and shut the door, making sure to shake my wet hair all over his fancy black leather seats. Take that!
"Chill out there doggy." He said and rolled the window up for me.
"I'm not a dog and I hate you." I put my seat belt on. Safety first. Makes it harder to reach over and strangle Riku too. Probably shouldn't do that no matter how much I want to.
"I know." I looked at him as he put his windshield wipers on, his eyes set on the wet road ahead of us.
"Remember where I live?"
"How could I forget?" I shrugged and looked out the window, watching as two big, fat, rain-drops raced across. I was voting for the slightly bigger one.
"So how did you, you know. Get soooo...you know. I almost didn't believe it was you!" I could practically feel his eyes burning into me and saw his reflection in the window. He didn't see and he looked back to the road.
"I don't know. Salad?" Actually from me practicing so much soccer and Kairi force feeding me vegetables until I began to actually like them. That and I went through a pretty rough phase after being in the hospital for so long.
I didn't really want to have a conversation with him and knew running through the rain to get home would have been better than sitting here trapped, miserable, and contemplating a murder. Why did I do this to myself? At least his fancy car was comfortable.
My answer made him laugh a little.
"Well that's one way to do it, yeah? Hopefully you eat more than salad though."
"Why are you here?" I asked for the ten millionth time.
"I'm moving back."
"So I should look for a place to move, far, far away then."
"I'm not forcing you to leave." He turned down another street.
"Like hell you are. Moving back isn't the reason why you're here. You said you'd tell me so tell me." I didn't miss the look he gave me.
"You're right. I was scouted after playing locally and I came back because I was offered a contract with the Blue Angels."He said the last part almost too quietly for me to here. I nodded and stared out the window a little harder. Fucking raindrop lost the race.
"I see."
"I'll be moving back next month. Flying back to Bastion tomorrow morning actually. There are a few things I have to take care of first." Good, he's leaving.
Cue awkward silence. The rain was loud and I enjoyed the sound of the windshield wipers swishing, but I was itching to ask something.
"Why'd you cut your hair?" I couldn't take it. I was so curious. Riku always had an odd love for his long silver hair. I swear he had conversations with it when he brushed it or washed it. Probably even sang it to sleep. I wanted to know.
He seemed surprised I wasn't yelling at him I think.
"Looks don't define you," he glanced at me," and it just reminded me of things I didn't want to keep thinking about. I chopped it off, and a long with it went some of my regret. Besides, the ladies think I look pretty sexy like this."
"You can't cut your hair off and get rid of regret. God, you are so dumb." I didn't doubt it. Riku was the type of guy I pictured walking down the street and getting bombarded by women. I could feel him smirking beside me.
"You seem...different Sora. Drastic change in body-aka you sold your soul for beauty- you swear a lot now too don't you? That's kinda new for you. You weren't this feisty before."
"Oh I wonder why that is Riku. Wow! Can't possibly be because of that. Oh nooo. Things like that wouldn't change a person." I like sarcasm but strike me down now before I do something I regret. Like murdering the person next to me. Wait, I don't think I would regret that.
"Bastion is pretty awesome. Nice apartment and I do modeling for a pretty popular agency there. Of course I still play soccer religiously."
"I don't care. Just shut up please." Don't you dare change the subject Riku.
That explained the fancy car and clothes. Must be a new car if he already had a Destiny Island license-plate. Way to make me feel worse. He turned down my street.
Of course he would be good looking, a model, obviously rich, and now will becoming a famous soccer player on a team I only have always dreamed of playing for. Then here's me working at a gas station, playing street soccer in the field behind said gas station or empty parking lots, and dreaming of being on the Blue Angels. Dream being the key word here. A dream stuck way, way, wayyyy, down in the mud or wherever you decide to keep them. Mine are quite comfortable in mud.
He pulled into my drive-way. Kairi's car was gone and it was still raining pretty hard and lightning lit up the sky. Leon wouldn't be home for hours still.
I unbuckled and sat there for a second. Riku didn't say anything.
"Thanks for the ride. Have fun with your life." I went to get out of the car but Riku pulled me back down into my seat by my shoulder.
"What the fuck Riku!"
"We need to talk." He turned the car off. He's going to kill me! Famous people can get away with that stuff and he would be famous or already is!
"We already did. So I'm going to go inside where I don't have to look at your face anymore."Man what great insults I have.
"Shit, like hell there's nothing to talk about! Just fucking wait Sora. Please." Riku was fuming and gripping his steering wheel, his knuckles were turning white. He loosened his grip and placed his hands on his lap. He stared at his dark, I-paid-five-hundred-dollars-for-these jeans as if they were the most interesting thing in the world.
"Just sit there and listen will you?" I waited for him to say something and when he finally did, he did it without looking at me. I got into this maniacs car and now he probably will kill me in my own drive-way.
"I know... that what I did...was probably the shittiest thing I could have done to a person- friend. You have no idea how fucking ashamed I have been of myself. That's...that's why I cut my hair. It fucking reminded me of you and I couldn't take it. I was literally going insane with regret. These past two years have been worse than hell. I felt like I could die. I can't sleep at night because I dream about you with those blue eyes just asking me why I didn't help you. You trusted me. I refused to save you...and for what?"
I didn't know what to do, think, or say. He turned and looked at me then with his aqua eyes shining. Was he going to cry? Maniacs don't confess things like that and cry do they?
"To save face, to save fucking face. I can't get over how terrible of a person I am. You don't know how sorry I am Sora. I'm so fucking sorry for ruining your life." He put his face in his hands with a loud sob, shielding it away from me, and his shoulders began to shake lightly. My heart sank but I didn't know why. He deserved this. He apologized and it sounded sincere(he's fucking crying over here)but could I accept that? Just like that? I don't know if I wanted to and I shouldn't have to.
I leaned over and patted his arm awkwardly. I didn't know what else to do. The rain poured down on the roof of the car loudly with a metalic sound, but I was thankful for something other than the silence between us. There was something about seeing Riku cry that just didn't seem right. I should cry for having to look at his ugly face(okay it's not that ugly but still).
I'm supposed to hate him. I need to hate him. It's normal to hate him. He leaned forwards against his steering wheel, face against his arms. Still refusing to look at me.
I didn't know Riku felt this bad about it. How could I know when he up and left without a single word. No apology, no reasons. I thought of him as a dirt bag but deep down he was always my high school hero in a way. I can't forget the shit things but I also can't forget the good things either. Does one bad act outnumber the so many good ones?
"Riku, it's alright... I think...You'll be okay and I'll be okay-eventually. I'm working on that part still." He looked up at me finally, eyes a little wet and head still on his arms.
"I don't want you to hate me, you know."
"I...know. That may take some time. I can't promise you that I won't. You never know though, things change. So stop being all sad...and stuff." He sat back in his seat and hastily rubbed his eyes as if he just noticed he was crying in front of me.
"I'll make it up to you."
"How can you do that?"
"I don't know Sora but I'll find some way."
"Unless you're some kind of wizard, you can't fix this. Thanks again for the ride. I'll think about how you can make it up to me some other way. Like being my slave for life." I went to open the door again.
Riku pulled me back to face him, this time he didn't let go of my arm.
I couldn't describe the feeling I got from the look he was giving me. It was so strange yet kind of familiar. His eyes burning into me. They just had that effect.
He reached his hand up and slowly pushed some of my damp hair out of my face. I could feel my heart beginning to pump abnormally fast as he scooted a little closer. His seat-belt not allowing him to go any further. He smelt like mint. I like mint. He parted his lips. I couldn't help but look at them.
"I want," he trailed off.
"What do you want?" I gulped. What was he doing. What is this. No. This is weird and not okay.
His hand moved to my cheek, his thumb brushing it lightly, then across my lips and under my chin pulling me close to his face. I couldn't move. He closed his eyes, tilting his head, and moved to place a small kiss on my cheek. My eyes were wide and I stared at him for a moment.
Then I punched him in the stomach.
"Ow-fuck-ing-kay, sorry. Damn. That hurt."
"What the hell was that?!" He shrugged and it looked funny because he was hunched over holding his stomach. My heart was about to beat out of my chest as I backed as close to the door as I could.
"Just because. I thought it was funny." He sat up with one hand still on his stomach and laughed.
"Really I punched you and you are laughing. It is not funny."
He rubbed his stomach some and eventually stopped laughing. Fucking weirdo.
"Don't do that ever again! Since you're back to your normal self I'm going home."
"You are home."
"You know what I mean Riku. Inside-home. Not driveway-home" He pursed his lips and stared out his window for a second.
"Yeah, yeah. You haven't changed that much after all Sora. I was just kidding with you anyways. Get out of here butterfly." He waved his hand at me and started the car.
"Butterfly? Seriously?You really suck. I hope you know that."
"I know."
I got out and slammed the door shut behind me as hard as I could and ran to the front door. The rain still wouldn't let up.
Riku shouted from the driveway.
"Sooo-raaaa!I'll be back in a month. Don't forget! I know where you live!"
"Fuck off!" I gave him a kind, gentlemanly gesture-the middle finger- and unlocked the front door. I'm going to have to get a restraining order now.
"What a horrible fucking afternoon." Now where did Leon put his whiskey this time.
Sora- Later That Evening
"Oiii...Nammmm-i-ne! You're...so beautifullll...pretty hair... I should...should have...what's that word? VISITED! Visited you..on this day. Right on this day." I had no idea what time it was now. I was laying on the kitchen floor on my cellphone, talking to Namine on speakerphone. Very, very, drunk I might add. The storm had passed but I didn't notice when it did.
"Thank you Sora. Is everything okay over there?Should I call Kairi and tell her to keep an eye on you, you drunkard?You are so wasted." She laughed through the phone and it sounded sweet and nice and I wanted to go see her.
Too late. Kairi had come home and silently crept into the kitchen when I wasn't looking. She took the phone from my hands despite my protests. She took it off speakerphone and put it up to her ear. I pouted at her. Meanie.
"Hi Nami. He'll be fine...Yeah...I have no idea what-so-ever...Haha...okay, talk to you later!" Kairi hung up my phone and put it in her pocket.
"You'll go to je-all for stealing that Kai-riii!"
"Yeah, we'll see about that Sora."
She helped me off of the floor-I only fell down a few times- and upstairs, down the hall, and to my bedroom.
"I want moar of Leon's stuff...ya'know...whiskers...Haha isn't that funny?"She left me by the door and I could feel myself sway back and forth. The empty bottle of whiskey was still on the kitchen floor. Wait, why was I drinking ont he kitchen floor?
"Whiskey?" She laughed as she dug through my dresser drawer for some pajamas, throwing them onto my bed.
"Yeahhh..whiskers-whiskler. I drank allllll the whiskley."
"Sora can you put these on yourself? I don't want to have to change my twenty-year-old brother."I nodded and slowly walked over to my bed, only to fall half-way, and crawled the rest of the distance. kairi wouldn't stop laughing at me but she still looked a little worried.
"Why were you drinking, Sora? You know Leon doesn't like it when you steal his whiskey. He needs that. Plus you're not old enough. Couple months kid."Kairi turned her back so I could make a sad attempt at changing into some pajamas. Were these pants on backwards? Oh well.
"You're only a yeaaarrrr oldarrr."
"Ohhh they may just send you to jail though." My eyes went wide.
"Noo! They wont cause I'm not reallllly drunk! Just pre-pretend." I put the plain white shirt on and it felt soft against my drunk body. My face was numb, how could I feel that when numbness made you not feel?
"I'm done changin' "
"Ahuhhh, sure, not really drunk my but." She turned around.
"Kairi... donut send me to je-all. Cause I have a..a question."
"What is it Sora?" She came over and sat on the edge of my bed, helping me under the covers. Warm comfy comforter.
"Do you like wizards?"
"Like Gandalf?"
"I like Gandalf..but no-no.. no..the..the..kind that-that you know...make you do stuff."
"Huh?Like what?"
"Make you change your feelings after two-five million years..and you feel like a bad guy-like a bad robber guy in banks- and they are...evil wizard-like... and you are the good wizard but they are... the mean kind?"
"Yeah, go on." She looked at me strangely for some reason. No idea why.
"So..I am a good wizardly wizard and they are... not a good wizardly wizard... I feel not how I should feel about an evil wizardly wizard." Kairi stared at me for a moment. Contemplating my wise words probably.
"Riku, you talked to Riku today. Didn't you? That's why..." I stared, obviously she didn't understand my intelligent words.
"No no, evil wizardly wizard... with his evil d-dream stealing powers."
"So the Blue Angel rumor is true after all, huh? I'm sorry Sora." She frowned and I laid against the pillows. My heart suddenly felt heavy and my chest was tight. I'm having a heart attack...nope just crying, my face becoming wet with tears. Kairi laid down next to me and stroked my hair, it was comforting act, one our mother did for us as children when we were sick or sad.
"Its not...what word...fairy-fairies are nice...fair."
"No it's not brother, but the world isn't fairy."
"I know." I felt a little better thanks to Kairi.
"Tell me more stories about wizards in the morning okay?" I nodded and she kissed me gently on the forehead before getting up to leave.
"Kai-RIIII wait!"
"Whaaaat Sora?"
"Ninja turts-turtles...please?" she sighed and turned my TV on and popped in my Ninja Turtle DVD.
"Thank yeww. ONE THING MORE!"
"Shhh shhhh don't be so loud Sora, it's getting late. What is it?"
"Am I a butterfly?"
"Yes, you are a beautiful butterfly Sora. Try and sleep now. I love you."
"I love you too Kai Kai, nighty night. Don't let the evil wizard bite." She shook her head and cracked the door as the movie began playing.
I didn't make it past the opening credits before I fell asleep.
And for some reason I had dreams of butterflies, wizards, and Clouds that night.
AN: Sora is a horrible drunk and should never, ever, drink. More about Riku and Sora's past will come to light soon enough, along with some other peoples pasts. In due time we may even find out why Cloud is so odd (I still love you) and lots of other things I just can't say yet.
BLUE ANGELS- My uncreative, made-up name for the Destiny Islands professional soccer team. I have no idea if it's a real team or not. If it is, please don't sue me '-'
PAOPU HIGH- Oh glob why did I choose such a bad name for a high school. Oh well it has been done.
Yay chapter one edited already! Hopefully no more mistakes now. I fixed the whole issue with Leon's age and stuff too. Phew!
Thank You Everyone!