"Okay, class, we're done."

Professor Zexion closed his book as the class all trooped out from the class. People everywhere were laughing and chatting and the normal noisy atmosphere calmed down Sora, Riku and Kairi, who were feeling restless.

Sora, Riku, Kairi, Namine, Roxas, Ven, Terra and Aqua were all best friends. They went around together in a group and hang out after classes.

"Thank God," Ven said, stretching. "I couldn't handle one more word the professor said."

"Zexion is such a bore, anyway," Aqua said, sighing.

Kairi laughed. "Zexion's not that bad, Aqua," she said. "But now I'm starving. Let's all grab a bite to eat! Zexion going on and on has made me hungry."

They all went to the cafeteria. The cafeteria was a popular hangout for some reason. Students were seen everywhere. Sometimes it was kind of hard to even enter the cafeteria.

They took their meals and sat down at a table by the window.

"I wonder what dessert is," Roxas said. "I hope its sea-salt ice-cream."

"You and your sea-salt ice-cream," Sora said. "I'm your Nobody and yet I don't adore sea-salt ice-cream. You should marry that ice-cream!" Sora put on a serious voice. "Roxas, do you accept sea-salt ice-cream as your lawfully wedded wife?"

The others laughed, Roxas too. Sora was just teasing him, anyway.

Namine was rather quiet. Roxas wanted to ask her but didn't, in case she would feel embarrassed. In reality Namine wanted Roxas to ask her what was wrong.

They finished eating and went outdoors to get some fresh air. Namine talked a bit too, but she stayed as quiet as before.

"What's up, Nami?" Kairi asked, smiling. "You seem as down as ever. Is something wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine."

Terra sighed. "Of course she's fine. She's always quiet. Maybe she's just tired. I'm tired, after all these stupid classes. Why can't the teachers and professors just leave us alone? And I've got so much work to do, when I want to relax."

"They do it purposely," Riku suggested. "Maybe they purposely dump lots of work on us so that we come to school extremely tired, and then in class they become extra strict and demand the most supreme attention. They do this to torture us!"

"Maybe, but that's a little extreme," Sora said.

Namine got up and picked up her books and files. "I'm going to the dormitory for a while, guys," she said, smiling wearily. "I'm... I'm tired. Bye!" Namine went off down the corridors, her blonde hair sparkling against the sun.

"Is she okay?" Aqua asked, watching Namine. "She seems a little sad."

"She's quiet," Ven said. "But she usually is. Namine looks fine to me. Well, something does seem a little off. Leave her alone. Maybe she's not feeling so well. Let her rest."

Sora stretched out against the grass. "She's so quiet and shy," he said. "She usually just doodles in her sketchbook. She draws beautifully though. She should become an artist some day. Or she could at least teach Art or something."

Aerith, the English teacher, was walking by as Sora spoke. She heard them discussing Namine and sat down on the grass with them.

"Miss Aerith!" Aqua said, surprised.

"Call me Aerith, Aqua. I sound so old with a 'Miss'. Anyway, yes, Namine looks a little strange. She looks somewhat embarrassed."

"Do you what's wrong with her?" Riku asked.

Aerith shook her head. "No, I don't," she said, sighing. "But I suggest you go talk to her. Who's her best friend, out of all of you people? Well?"

"Me, I guess," Roxas said.

Aerith nodded, smiling. "Okay then. Roxas, isn't it? That's your name? Yeah? Okay, go talk to her. If you're her best friend, she'll tell you what's wrong. Trust me. Just ask her. She won't be embarrassed, you are her best friend. Well, I have to go." Aerith stood up and went on.

Roxas nodded at the group, picked up his books, and went off to find Namine.

Roxas found Namine drawing alone in the dormitory she shared with Terra and Kairi. He ran over to her, panting. "There you are!"

"What's wrong, Roxas?"

Roxas sighed. "What's wrong with you? Come on, Namine, tell me."

Namine blushed. "Well, you know that dance? The one on the day after tomorrow? Yeah, well... Kairi is going with Sora, Riku alone, Ven's going alone, and Aqua might be going with Terra. I wanted to ask you, but, well... I thought you had a partner since you never asked me."

"I was going to ask you what was wrong, Nami. But I thought you would be embarrassed so I didn't."

Namine smiled. "But... do you have a partner for the dance?"

Roxas shook his head. "No, I don't. Namine, you want to be my partner for the dance, right? So yes, I have. Sure, I'll go to the dance with you! You could have just asked, Namine!" Roxas said, smiling.

And on the dance night, both of them had one of the best times of their lives.