Alright, first story I'm posting here. In case the little Author-thing didn't give it away, I'm SiegLord, and I shall be providing you this evening with the first part of a story that I am hoping to work on throughout the year or so. Of course, school had to get super hard over the past week, and it doesn't seem like it'll be getting much better anytime soon, so updates might be slow because of that. Still, I'll by trying my best to tell this long, epic story (worst comes to worst, you'll see a lot of updates in summer!).
First I need to shout out to Reedeming Endeavor and his fantastic tale that is Milk and Marshmallows. That story alone got me out of a terrible mood (before school got tough again that is) and fully inspired me to take up writing once again. I just hope that my effort hasn't been for naught!
Anyway, I won't say all that much more. Just review if you'd like and comment about what you think. So far I'm hoping to have the POV swap around a lot, and we'll start with the main character of this fun little story!
"I'm screwed."
There were few other words that could really capture the way I felt at that moment of pure disbelief and dread. There weren't many other ways to express just what I realized in that point of despair, the pain already reaching up through my body and clutching my heart. In fact, I hadn't even meant to say such a thing out loud (stupid slip of the tongue), but there it was: a free floating statement that said so little while saying everything about the small packet I held in my hand. Of course, it wasn't as if my statement had gone un-noticed; my two best friends had quickly turned to look at me, and I couldn't help but sigh as I was greeted by the looks on both of their faces.
So very opposite, yet each so very demoralizing. I mean, give me a break! We all know I am the dumb one!
"Heh, seems like I win again Sora." As usual, Riku was acting all cool and collected, the silver haired boy snatching away my paper before I could even react. Watching as the boy's bright blue eyes glanced across the first sheet, I couldn't help but grimace a bit as a grin came to his face. Once again, my best friend of all time had found yet another way to one-up me.
You know, if I wasn't such a bright, cheerful, and smart person (okay, ignore that last part), I really would be suffering from an inferiority complex by now! But nope, Riku is just one of those people that I had to beat, be it in our weekly races or academics. Apparently however, Riku was winning when it came to the second aspect of our rivalry, the boy even laughing a bit as he got to the last page.
"I see you made the same mistakes I did last year. You know, she isn't too good about keeping her finals different from year to year. Heck, you should have come to me and I would have given you some of the answers." Damn that Riku, being a year older than me! Just because he is going to be a senior this fall, he thinks he can be so cool!
"You do realize that if either of you helped one another cheat, I'd stop being your friend, right?" Ouch! Kairi, why are you so harsh to me? Then again, from the grimace that matched my own now upon Riku's face, I could tell that the red-head's words hadn't been neglected by my best friend either. Wonder quickly filled my mind as I dreamed of a day where I might be the smart one of our group, Kairi and Riku begging me for advice (that would be a first). You know, that would be pretty awesome!
Here I was daydreaming again, both Kairi and Riku giving me a weird look as they studied my smiling face. Yeah, that's right you two. Continue to accentuate how much I suck at math in this cruel, real world. I'll stick with my nice and cuddly imagination for now.
Such good things can only last for so long. A whack to the head from Riku's right hand was all it took to snap me out of my daze, my hands quickly going to my head as I took a step back, feeling the pain beneath my spiky brown hair. Yes, I have tried gel in the past, but really, it doesn't stay down at all! I don't like to believe in the supernatural, but I think my hair might be possessed or something! Even in my earliest years, my mom could never keep it down.
Still, it is the best babe magnet I have on me (so I haven't gone on a single date yet, big deal).
It wasn't hard to find the spot Riku had so cruelly damaged, Riku bursting out into laughter as he realized how pathetic, err, just how I looked. Of course, Kairi just sighed again, my heart dropping as I saw that my test now rested in her hands.
"K-Kairi, you know I studied hard for that, right? I mean sorry, but I think I was dropped on my head while I was little!" That or, I forgot that I had my Geometry Final on Thursday instead of Friday. Guess what day I had planned to study…
"Sora, no excuses!" She said, the rather pretty red-head shaking her head as she pointed at the paper, color slowly draining away from my face as I looked at the red ink that came together to form a letter grade. "Honestly Sora, a D on your final isn't going to look very good. I mean, just wait until your mom finds out all about this! I bet she'll be upset too! I mean, it's bad enough that-"
Here she goes again, throwing that card back on the table. So what if I had a deadbeat dad who left my mom before I was even born? So what if my mom has worked two jobs all throughout my life to support me (well, a lot actually. My mom is so awesome like that!)? I still do my best in school, and I didn't need to be reminded that my grade was lower than my mom would find satisfactory. Regardless, I didn't need Kairi reminding me how hard my mom worked, so I simply snatched my paper away and stuffed it in my bag, cursing my teacher one last time for not even caring that I had brought her an apple on the last day of school.
If only bribery really did work…
"Well Kairi, I'm sorry that I'm not some math wizard like you!"
Who am I kidding, Kairi is a genius. Straight A's since Middle School (before that, we didn't have grades), honors every year, student of the month oh so many times (I'm pretty sure she didn't win it every month because that would just demoralize the rest of us), and already receiving scholarships with each passing day. Oh God I love you Kairi…not like that, though. She's one of my best friends, after all. Of course I should be proud of her, even if she isn't the nicest when it comes to my grades. Sure, she really did help me boost them up, but I had to wonder what this final blow would do.
"It is just one grade! E-Even if it is about 30%" I said quietly, hoping I could at least pull off a C or so that my mom didn't make me go to summer school. Then again, I honestly doubted she could afford to send me there. "Last year, Riku only got a C- on his Geometry Final! That's not too big a difference!" Oh, you say that Sora, but your report card will show things to be quite different.
You know, things have always sort of been like this now that I think about it. Kairi with her flawless, gold plated, diamond-encrusted report card, Riku with his casual bunch of Bs and a few As and Cs here or there, and my Cs taking up the rear (hey, I have gotten some As and Bs before! Just the third letter in the alphabet seems to love me or something). Maybe destiny wasn't all that nice to me after all.
"Besides, that's one class Kairi! See!" I added, now waving another piece of paper in her face. "Hah! B+ on my English one!" For once (and much to my shock), a smile came to Kairi's face, her azure eyes shimmering a bit as the girl looked over the paper.
"That's great Sora! You really did pull it off in that class this year!" Unfortunately, her good mood didn't last too long as her smile fell, the girl shaking her head a few times at me. "But really, you should have done much better in math. Even after I tutor you, I guess you are just pretty helpless, huh?" She said, Riku continuing to laugh at my expense.
That traitor! Why was he always taking Kairi's side on these things? Yeah, Kairi is the smart one, but come on, no one knows how to have fun like me!
And once again, it would appear that fun would take precedence over intelligence, my eyes now turning up at the sky as I let my mind wander away, knowing that this would be the last day for a long time where I'd wear this itchy, stupid uniform.
"Today," I thought, "My summer vacation finally begins. Seventy six days."
"So Sora, what do you think? You are going to enter aren't you?" Wow Riku, do you have any other dumb questions you'd like to ask me? Seriously, you know I've entered the Struggle Tournament ever since I was eligible (two years ago), so why the hell wouldn't I this year? The three of us had stopped walking along Market Street now, our eyes directed at the poster detailing the clash of two blue struggle swords.
You know, it doesn't seem like they hurt, until you find yourself on the other end of the hard-foam swords. The bruises from last tournament took four weeks to wear off.
"Of course I'm entering! There's no way that anyone else is getting that trophy this year!" Kairi simply shook her smiling little head as Riku grunted in approval, already prepared to cower in fear at the beat down he'd be receiving at my hands.
"If you can help it, Sora, don't get knocked out in the first round this year, alright?" Kairi said, pure malice in that soft voice of hers as she walked on, Riku following right after the girl now as I stood in place. Okay, so what if I had lost in the first round these last two years?
Who cares if I somehow lost to an eight year old who had disguised himself to enter the tournament?
"Kairi! Riku! Sora!" The three of us, quickly turned to greet the other trio that now approached our little group, Kairi receiving a hug from the hyperactive brunette who smiled at us, her curved brown hair even bouncing a bit as she took a step away.
Oh Selphie, I can already tell that you forgot your pills this morning (and really, why am I always the last person whose name you call?). Of course, the green-eyed brunette would have none of my thoughts as she looked at us, her two companions quickly catching up to the skinny girl.
You know, I'm just realizing this before, but most of my friends seem to enjoy travelling in threes, with two boys and one girl. Is this some sort of grand scheme played by destiny? Maybe it's some sort of evil conspiracy! Regardless, Selphie's two male companions quickly caught up to us, Riku smirking as he clasped hands with both of his fellow swim team members (to be fair, Selphie is on the girl's swim team).
"So captain, we don't have to practice every day this summer, right? I mean, last year it was pretty harsh, having to get up at 6 A.M. in the summer to do laps and all that for three hours straight. I mean, sure you made us sandwiches for free, but I'd rather just goof off this time around. You know what I mean, Sora?" I hear you Tidus my man, I thought quietly as I gave him a thumbs up, the sandy-blonde haired boy grinning a bit as he stretched out, already having removed the tie from his uniform (why the hell hadn't I done that yet!?).
Tidus is like me in several ways, always seeking fun and laughs, although he is pretty serious about swimming despite his laziness in terms of practicing. Almost on cue, the third member of their trio put Tidus in a headlock, starting to give him a noogie as the younger boy tried to escape.
"Yah man, I mean trainin' is fun and all, but I need to get a job this summer." If I hadn't known Wakka for ten years now, I'd start cracking up at his accent, but thankfully, a little something called habituation and extinction had occurred to rid me of that reflex (see, I'm not all that stupid!). Anyway, Wakka is Riku's age, the tanned, orange-haired boy originally from the Destiny Islands. He had moved here awhile back, although his family still makes annual trips there. Wakka is usually fun to be around too; sort of like the 'Riku' of his group in being the oldest and wisest (did I just call Riku wise? Scratch that comment!).
Plus, he is the only one of us to have a girlfriend, even if she does live on the Destiny Islands and we have never met her before. Of course, he always flaunts her picture around, and I can't say I understand how a guy as cheery and easy-going as Wakka could ever end up with a girl who dresses in all black and appears, well, pretty gothic to me. Still, he says she is nice, so I guess I should stop judging others like that, huh?
"I know what you mean, Wakka. I need to get a job too, and with everyone our age needing one, I know that this job hunt isn't going to be easy for anyone." As usual, Riku stated the facts just as they were, something I had to give him credit for. I hadn't even thought about getting a job before then, but realizing that the munny I made could really help my mother, well, I was pumped! Of course, it was only after these thoughts invaded my mind that I realized what Riku had just said about the difficulty of finding a job.
Kairi had told us a few days before that she had already secured a job, although she refused to say where or what she was doing. And apparently, a few others of our friends had jobs as well, although some were sort of to be expected. I mean, Naminé's family owns an art store, and knowing how talented she is, she'll be rich by the end of this summer. Still, that didn't really help my situation at all, I thought as we continued to walk down Market Street, Selphie and Kairi a few yards ahead of us as they did some window shopping. Because this is how all summer vacations should start.
"You know Sora, you could always go work at the skate shop, right?" Geez, where the hell did he pop up from!? I mean, it wasn't a bad thing that my cousin showed up when he did, but a little more warning would have been nice next time. Seeing the expression on my face, the spiky blonde haired boy simply cracked up, almost holding his stomach as he laughed.
Yeah, you just keep laughing Roxas, and I'll tell your parents all about where you really went that night we were supposed to have a sleepover (I had prepared s'mores and everything too!). We'll see who is laughing then.
Anyway, as I said before, Roxas is my cousin, and it isn't too hard to see the family resemblance. Sure, his hair spikes differently, but we share the same blue eyes and body builds. Roxas is actually one of three triplets on my mother's side, even though I hardly ever see the other two. Roxas goes to public school like me, but due to some past problems that even I am not very well informed of, his two slightly older brothers attend private school over near Sunset Terrace.
Roxas and I are close in terms of cousins, really almost like brothers in many ways. We share many similar interests, and simply enjoy being around one another. Although, I can't say I really share the boy's obsession with skating, the boy even having worked at a skateboard shop during his free time (he also seems to have this thing for a really weird ice cream flavor). "Come on now Sora, you know you want to try it out."
"Give it up, Roxas. You know Sora. Two minutes in and he'd be covered with bruises." Why so harsh Riku? Why do you always have to backstab me like that? It really isn't very fair! So I'm a bit clumsy, big deal! Doesn't mean I can't skateboard or anything. And besides, working at the shop would just entail me fixing and selling boards, although the more I thought about it, the less the job really did appeal to me after all.
"Hey Roxas, I haven't seen too much of you recently. Been hanging with the usual crowd again?" I asked, truly curious about what my cousin had been up to these days. True, he did spend a lot of time with the 'usual crowd' as I had put it, but he usually hung out with us at least three days a week, although for the last several weeks it had usually been one day tops. "And don't even start to go off about finals and studying to me! I saw you online last night!" By looking at Roxas' face, I already knew that I had the answer I needed, a grin quickly spreading as I looked at my cousin. "So, I take it you and Naminé -"
"Give it a rest Sora, geez." Roxas said, a slight blush on his face as he looked away from me, staring at his shoes as he attempted to ward off the uncomfortable feelings that must have been within him. That's right Roxas, look down at your shoes and only confirm what I knew to be true.
Roxas' friendship had started with that of Naminé and his best friend Axel at a pretty young age. Much to my shock, however, Roxas and Naminé had developed romantic feelings for one another, the two having officially started dating three months ago on Naminé's sixteenth birthday. Naminé is another good friend of ours (Kairi's best 'girl' friend for certain), although she is usually busy helping out in her family's art store, limiting our time together.
Hmm, now that I think about it, what if Riku or I developed feelings for Kairi the same way Roxas had for Naminé? That would just be weird, huh?
My train of thought was interrupted as Roxas started to speak again, Riku and me sticking back with him while Wakka, Tidus, Selphie and Kairi continued on ahead. "I mean, I've just been spending a bit more time with her, that's all. Is it wrong for a boyfriend to want to be nice around the person he loves?" Touche, Roxas. Still, his blushing face just made me smile; Riku grinning a bit as well as he stared at my cousin.
"Well, I'm glad that you two are at least together. Took you long enough." Riku said with a grin as he pat Roxas on the back, the blonde boy's blush only darkening a bit as he took in the praise. "Still, I doubt Sora will be any better at fixing boards than you were. If I'm not mistaken, you got fired, right?"
Oh, how that story remains in my heart.
Roxas had been working one glorious Thursday afternoon, when the lack of business gave him the idea that it would be okay to do some boarding around time. Not only did he end up busting one of the new high-end skateboards the store had received, but he had also left the store unlocked, although thankfully nothing was stolen. Unfortunately for my cousin, the manager had made a surprise inspection, and Roxas had been fired upon his return. "I know you get a good discount if your family works at one, but honestly, I don't think Sora wants to go through all the hardships of board maintenance." Amen, Riku, you awesome dude.
"Hey, I thought we said we wouldn't bring up that little incident up from now on." Roxas clearly still felt some guilt about his action in the past, the boy no longer working for the shop that also happened to have been his favorite. Kairi seemed to catch up on his negative vibes as she approached us, lightly punching both Riku and I (sorry Kairi, but it'll take much more than that to hurt this body of steel) as she smiled at my cousin (why does he get all the attention?)
Roxas was in the middle of explaining how Naminé was actually a bit under the weather when he spun around, his hand arcing upward towards his face as he caught the red and black Frisbee that a moment later would have collided with his head. I couldn't help from jumping back due to how sudden everything had been, and much to my relief, Kairi had done the same, proving once again that if I am in fact a wimp, I am not alone.
"Simply amazing, Roxas. You really are getting better, huh?" Roxas could only grin as he quickly whipped the Frisbee back at its owner, the spiky red-haired teen catching it with ease as he smirked. Axel is a rather interesting fellow, being a full two years older than me and just having graduated from high school (that lucky jerk). As Roxas' best friend, Axel often hangs around my cousin, and in such ways he has also become one of my friends as well. The lanky teen's green eyes quickly looked at the four of us as he stretched out, Kairi letting out a sigh of relief that matched my own when we realized there was no danger.
Wait, did we just sigh in unison? That's pretty strange.
"So, this is what you kids are all up to, huh? Last day of school and you just go window shopping? How boring is that?" Of course, much to our chagrin, Axel had graduated a full two weeks before we had gotten out, the fiery red-head spinning around the Frisbee on his right index finger now as he let out a yawn. "Roxas, you remember that you promised to be up at the tower at six, right?" Axel asked, Roxas nodding with a smile as he stared at his best friend.
Ah yes, quality time with Roxas and Axel, their twice-a-week ritual in which the boys sit atop the Central Station clock tower eating sea-salt ice cream (seriously, they like that stuff? Just the name makes me cringe!). You know, if Naminé didn't exist, you'd think there was almost something between those two (wait a sec, do Riku and I look the same way!?).
"Don't worry Axel. I've…how do you put it, got it memorized." Roxas said as Axel laughed a bit, the two soon laughing in unison. Looking around, I realized that Selphie's little group had already gone ahead, most likely to head home and get changed, something which I quickly berated myself for not doing. I hated dressing up for school, be it the itchy white shirt or the ever-restricting tie. Damn Axel, wearing his nice comfortable T-Shirt and jacket, combined with those airy cargo pants. Ugh, how I wanted to change!
"Come on Riku. At this rate, Sora will blow a fuse if he doesn't get into his nice comfortable clothes." Kairi said with a giggle as she walked ahead, the angelic sound echoing throughout my-
Riku laughed once again at my expense as he nodded, following after her now as I took up the rear. It was almost like this order was all that mattered, being the order of best to worst grades, of the way Selphie would call after us…am I really just last place!? Thankfully, Kairi noticed this as she let out a small sigh, now looking at me as she shook her head.
"Come on Sora, school is over, so let's just have some fun, okay?" Now that is what I like to hear, my famous grin causing her to giggle a bit. "Alright, I'll meet you two over at the beach. I have something special planned."
"R-Riku?" I said quietly about a half-an-hour later as I stared at the silver haired boy, both of us having now changed into much more casual (and comfortable!) clothing. Being that it was currently quite hot out, I had chosen a rather light outfit consisting of a red shirt, some red shorts, and a small black, white and blue vest to top it all off. Riku on the other hand had chosen a large yellow shirt with a black X across both front and back, a pair of jeans also adorning my best friend's body. "Where's Kairi?" I asked aloud, worry visible in my eyes as I stared at him. "I thought she was with you!" Even as I spoke, Riku remained with only his back greeting me as he looked out across the ocean, Twilight Town's beaches truly a spectacle to behold.
"The door has opened…" He said quietly, a soft "What?" escaping my lips as I looked at the silver haired boy as if he was insane. To say such a thing was ridiculous, I thought within my mind as Riku now spun around to look at me, emerald eyes locked onto my azures ones. As he spoke, I could hear how determined he sounded, almost scaring me with how excited the boy seemed.
"The door has opened, Sora! Now we can go to the outside world!" He yelled aloud, grinning from ear to ear as he looked at me. Geez Riku, I didn't know you could be this excited about anything, let alone something like this.
Still, I could only shake my head at the boy, some frustration leaking through me now as I took on a pained look. "What are you talking about? We've got to find Kairi!" The words almost exploded from my mouth as the silver-haired boy looked straight back at me, his smile never flinching as I took a step back, even as he extended a hand for me to take.
"Kairi's coming with us! Once we step through, we might not be able to come back. We may never see our parents again (geez Riku, forget that I only have one?). There's no turning back, but this may be our only chance! We can't let fear stop us! I'm not afraid of the darkness!" For several seconds, I paused as I looked at the crazed expression on my best friend's face. I could tell how hard it was for him to maintain it, how hard it was to resist…to resist…
"AHAHAHAHAHAH!" Our two voices cried out in unison as we fell onto the sand, laughter erupting through our mouths as I punched the sand with my fist, hoping it would stop me. It was hard to think that the usually so collected Riku could be as loud as he currently was, and he truly did made a fairly convincing actor, I admitted to myself. Still, a play is only as good as its script, and both of us were still cracking up even as our 'director' stepped forward, hands placed on her cute hips.
"Wh-What's so funny you two!? Come on, I thought it was good!" Kairi yelled at us, pouting a bit now as she crossed her arms, clearly a bit upset about our outburst.
I had to remind myself that Kairi's dream was becoming a writer or a playwright, and thus testing her abilities was important towards her desired career. Still, I couldn't help but feel that the little script she had created for us to act out was a bit too hammy, our laughs dying down now as I looked at the girl. Sometimes I forgot how cute Kairi could be, for while she looked good in her school uniform, I greatly preferred her casual attire.
Like us, she was wearing some lighter clothes, consisting of a white shirt and a simple purple skirt, her red hair falling a little lower than her shoulders. I had to laugh, thinking that two years ago we all wore outfits very similar to these, which was probably what inspired us to purchase these larger versions. God, I love my friends.
"S-Sorry Kairi…but really, th-that was too much." Riku said between laughs, the boy almost coughing due to how much we were laughing. I had to admit that Riku's part in the little play she had written entitled "Night of Fate" was by far the best, Riku playing the role of a boy so obsessed with leaving behind his world that he would give himself to the darkness. I mean, Riku is all about exploring and learning new things, but that was just a bit too much for us.
I had to wonder if Kairi really saw Riku like that, bringing another storm of laughter from my mouth as Kairi kicked me a few times while I was down, Riku getting far less of a beating than I was despite his laughter (what sort of justice is that!?). Still, the silver haired boy managed to get back on his feet, brushing himself free of sand as he looked at the clearly upset girl.
"I mean, it wasn't that bad Kairi. Just a bit odd for the characters to be named after us is all. And do I really talk like that?" He asked, my own laughter stopping as I realized that Kairi actually looked a bit discouraged now.
"Yeah, come on Kairi! It was pretty dramatic and all, just it doesn't really work very well in broad daylight! I mean, there's no darkness around, unless you are talking about the shade." I said, placing a hand on her shoulder as she let out a small sigh.
"Yeah, I guess you are right…I don't know, I guess I named them after us because, well, I really like you guys…I really like being together with you two."
Aww, there goes Kairi on one of her little speeches, although in all fairness I felt the same. "I guess…" Kairi looked away now, and I had to wonder if I really had seen a tear in her eyes. "I mean, Sora and I are entering our third year, and you are going to be a senior, Riku. After next year, you'll go off to college, and it's only another year after that when…hey!" Kairi cried out, looking both fierce and adorable now as Riku poked her nose, the girl cutely brushing her nose as if to wipe away the sensation created by our friend's finger.
"Kairi, relax. Summer vacation just started today. We have all this time, plus it's not like we don't hang out, I don't know, every day during the school year. Then there's next summer, and if you really think I'll be more than a few hours away for college, you'd think wrong. Sure, we might see each other less, but our hearts will all be connected." He said, both Kairi and myself gasping as he said the last line, although the next phase of our reactions were totally different as I started to crack up again. Kairi responded by whacking me on the head, after saying she could use something like that in her script.
"Riku has a good point though, Kairi! We still have seventy six days left this summer alone, and I'm not even counting today! We might all get jobs, but there's no way that will restrict our time together. We are all inseparable, remember?" I said, flashing my trademark grin known to make the ladies swoon (or rather, it really should), and much to my surprise, Kairi nodded, a small smile now gracing her pretty face.
"You're right…I'm just being dumb, now aren't I? Thanks Sora, Riku." She said, now picking up her script as she continued to write within it, quickly getting back to bossy mode as she forced us to practice for three hours straight, although she was at least kind enough to provide us with some lemonade and sandwiches when it was time for dinner (my favorite time).
It wasn't much longer after that when we found ourselves at our usual spot: a curved, paopu tree. It wasn't so much the legend behind the fruit that brought us to it, but rather, the shape of the tree, allowing for all of us to sit along the trunk, even though Riku always chose to stand and try his best to look badass against it (sadly, this attracts far more girls than my grin has). As per usual, I sat in the center while Riku stood to my left and Kairi sat to my right, the three of us smiling as we enjoyed the sunset.
"You know, Kairi and I found a place just like this on the Destiny Islands." Riku said quietly, Kairi giving a slight nod as they both laughed at my shocked face. Their trip there had four years ago, so why choose now to tell me such a detail? I quickly recalled why as I remembered what we had been doing moments before, "Night of Fate" taking place on said islands now that I remembered a few of the stage notes that Kairi had written up for us.
"Don't worry Sora, we wish you could have been there too." Oh, what kind, warmhearted friends I had- "That way it wouldn't have been me who stepped in the lobster trap by accident." Okay, scratch that. Still, Riku's words had gotten a giggle out of Kairi, a small smile coming to my face as I played scapegoat for a bit longer.
"It's a lot warmer there, Sora." Kairi said with a small smile, the realization now coming to mind that Kairi had probably started working on her script way back then, probably because she could plan things out the way she liked. "The 'Children's' Island is really awesome too. They even have a secret cave in the back, and there are hundreds of drawings there! Riku and I even were able to contribute!" What!? Riku and Kairi doing something else without me? That just plain sucked! And the worst thing was they hadn't even mentioned it until just now! So much for best friends always stick by one another.
"Yeah…the Destiny Islands must have been nice, huh?" Almost at once, I could tell that they had heard the hurt I had managed to subtly slip into my voice (who would have thought that drama class would ever pay off), their expressions falling a bit. "But hey, I almost saw them once! Remember the raft-"
On second thought, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned the event that neither of them will ever let me live down, although even today they react to it oh so differently.
And people think Roxas losing his job was bad.
But alas, I too have my own embarrassing story that I will never be allowed to forget. Well, for the longest of times, the three of us had wanted to go to the infamous Destiny Islands that Wakka always told us about. So naturally, when Kairi and I were eight (Riku being nine at the time), the three of us had the bright idea to construct a raft that would take us off to see the tropical islands. Unlike in Kairi's play (seriously, spaceships made of something called gummi blocks? What's next, swords shaped like keys? Oh wait…), the Destiny Islands exist in the same world as Twilight Town (and for the record, I'm not sure if there are other planets out there that can sustain life), so it seemed logical enough to take the sea route.
Construction of the raft had been exhilarating to my then eight year old self as the three of us worked every day to gather the wood and reed up, all the while having fun and turning our trip into a game. Each day we'd race to see who could be captain for the day, the captain of course allowed to boss around the other two and head construction. After a day of me being captain, we realized it was best if Riku was our leader (so what if I broke the first raft…)
With Riku heading the project, every day was a new adventure as we came closer and closer to our goal. The raft that had started out as a single long log quickly grew in size, eventually consisting of several dozen logs as we finished it up. Eventually, all she needed was a name.
I don't care if Kairi wins hundreds of awards for the brilliant screenplays she might wrote, or even if Riku becomes some sort of swimming champion of the world. The fact of the matter is that I hold the glorious title of "Raft Namer" in our group, the highest distinction I believe I have ever owned. That glorious race saw to the decimation of my two companions as I reached the finish line, and even now I tend to win when it comes to speed.
Everything was all set after that. The raft was named (Wave if you must know. Hey, it's a better name than anything those two thought up!), the crew was ready, and all we needed was the morning sun to lead our way. Being the wise people that they are, Riku and Kairi had returned home to get sleep, although I had different plans in mind.
Needless, to say, it wasn't very fun for me when the tide rose and I was found eight hours later drifting five miles away from the coast of Twilight Town with a bad cold.
"Geez Sora, there really is never a dull moment while you are around, huh?" Riku said, the older teenager laughing a bit as he recalled the events. Thanks Riku, I will totally take that as a compliment! The silver haired boy had found my solo voyage hilarious after learning how much trouble I had gotten into, not even caring as our raft was 'confiscated' from us by his parents (I could have sworn I saw some familiar logs in his fireplace that year…) Riku had taken things well, but Kairi on the other hand-
"Yow! Kairi, you can't hit me every single time we bring that up!" So you say, Sora, but she's been pretty good about it these last eight years. While Riku reveled in how funny it had been to see me stuck at sea (seriously, is my best friend a sadist or what?!), Kairi had been brought to tears, terrified that I had been lost to the sea. Needless to say, our reunion had been quite a spectacle as she took turns between hugging and pummeling me with her small fists, tears within her eyes the entire time.
Even now, I could tell how hard it was for Kairi to keep the floodgates closed as she looked away, clearly still upset about how stupid I had been that night (I admit, lying on the raft when the tides changed really wasn't the best of ideas…). Ironically, it all goes to show that Kairi actually does care about me if she can get this emotional even eight years later about such a silly event. "Geez Sora, if there's any event that illustrates how dumb you are, it has to be that one."
You know Kairi, I'd certainly be hurt by that if I didn't see that tear in your eyes! Wait, it isn't a good thing to make Kairi cry, is it?
"Is your mom doing alright, Sora?" Way for Riku to come to my rescue! She hadn't exactly been thrilled upon the coast guard returning with my wet, shivering body either (I don't think she's ever yelled so much in her life), evidenced by her grounding me for eight months (a month for each hour I had been out at sea). Of course, I felt terrible afterwards for making both her and Kairi worry about that, although really it was disappointing my mom that hurt the worst.
Stupid deadbeat dad, leaving my mom before I was even born! Why would he leave her anyway? She's so kind, and I've always thought she is really pretty too. Maybe it had to do with the fact that my mom had only been eighteen at the time (damn, that's Axel's age!), but he had been a complete ass leaving my mom like that.
Of course, a guy as awesome as me wouldn't just be born out of any normal woman (on second thought that sounds really weird, doesn't it?). My mom is a great, caring woman who has worked hard all her life to ensure a stable living for the two of us. Despite her good grades, she chose me over college (oh mom, you are so cool!) and took as many jobs as she could, regardless of the low pay.
"She's fine, Riku. Although I'm sure I can thank your family for that, huh?" I said with a grin, Riku nodding back at me as we continued to watch the sunset before us. Riku's parents had been best friends with my mother during their school days, and even now they continued to support her, be it in terms of purchasing the house I knew as home or sending over groceries when my mom was busy with work. It helps that his dad is a lawyer and his mom an architect, although I'm still curious as to what Riku is going to end up as. A professional swimmer? Mayor of Twilight Town? Then again, that would put him against Kairi's dad in terms of the election process, wouldn't it?
"Come on Kairi, why can't you tell us?" Thanks for snapping me out of another daydream, Riku. As I re-joined the conversation, I found Kairi blushing ever so slightly as she shook her head at my best friend, clearly unwilling to tell what sort of job she had taken.
"I already told you that I'm not telling you, Riku!" Kairi said, sticking out her tongue at us as she crossed her arms, daring us to guess what sort of job she had taken.
Of course, in doing so she had asked two teenage boys to guess what sort of thing Kairi, a teenage girl would do. Oh, I hated this game, having to wait longer than the other boy before saying the perverted-
"Kairi, aren't you a bit young to be a stripper?" Oh crap, that had just slipped out all too easily. Even as I slowly turned my face to look at her, I knew I was doomed. The large blush that started to appear on her face wasn't even cute to me as I jumped off my seat on the tree and started to run for my life. It was good that I did, because Kairi came right after me.
"What the hell does that mean Sora!? Are you really that stupid?" Hey Kairi, you are the one getting all worked up over it! Even as she chased after me, I found a plan forming in my heads to quite literally cool her down, my legs leading me towards the water now as she continued to follow after me. "Apologize for saying that right now!"
Good Kairi, walk right into my trap I thought as I started to run a bit into the water, not even minding that my shoes and clothing would be soaked. I'd just make sure that Kairi fell in the water too, and then all would be-
Quickly spinning around, I found myself blushing a bit as I held Kairi by the shoulders, the red-haired girl still blushing and snarling at me even as I pushed her back now, the girl falling onto her bottom a few inches away from the water, only her feet going under now as she showed shock at my sudden action. "Sora, that's no way to treat me! And calling me a-"
"Wh-White shirt." I said, not even thinking about anything else now as Kairi's face turned into one of confusion, followed by a phase of embarrassment as her cute blush returned, the girl realizing exactly what I meant by that. Had her white shirt made contact with the water, well, let's just say it would have been even more obvious that she was a girl.
"Oh…right…thanks Sora…" She said, giving me a small smile as she looked away, brushing a few strands of her hair out of her face. Wow, Kairi looked pretty cute like this…wait, what am I thinking? Thankfully to break up the brief and awkward moment, Kairi started splashing me now as she pouted. "Still, what the heck was with that stripper comment!?"
As per usual, it was just Riku and I as we headed home, Kairi having taken a turn a few minutes back to retreat into her own home. For whatever reason, Riku had a grin on his face tonight. "You know that I don't trust your grins, Riku. Tends to mean you are up to something, and usually at my expense." I said as I looked at the silver-haired teen, Riku giving his head a gentle shake as his blue eyes met my own. "So, what's up with that silly smirk of yours? I haven't done anything too stupid tonight, have I?" Just keep digging yourself deeper, Sora.
"It's nothing really, Sora. Just I was thinking about this summer, all the things we might be able to accomplish. We finally have freedom; finally have something to strive for. I feel we should make the best of our time. After all, there was some truth in what Kairi said. After next year, I won't be with you two that much, and after that, I don't want to think about how you are going to turn out. Kairi puts it best when she says 'Sora's completely hopeless without us,' you know?" Riku said, starting to laugh as I felt my jaw dropping.
Why did Kairi have to be so cruel to me, saying things like that? It just isn't very good for a boy's self esteem is all!
As I tried to conjure up a witty comeback, I realized we had already reached home, Riku patting me on the back as he said good night, walking towards his own home. My small, single-story home isn't much next to the two floored colossus that was Riku's, but my mother and I keep it tidy enough, and I rarely envy any of my friends for all of the cool stuff they had. I don't have too much, but I have what I need, and life with my mother has taught me that it is enough.
Knowing that my mom was working the graveyard shift again, I quickly shuffled through my pockets until I found my key, opening the door quickly as I slipped into my home. Locking the door behind me, I made my way to my room, moving through the dark home I had grown up in until I reached my bedroom, the lights flickering on as I hit the switch.
"Woah…I need to clean this place up a bit…" I thought aloud to myself, rummaging through the various clothes that obscured the floor, reaching my bed now as I let out a long yawn. Usually I'd brush my teeth before going to bed, but today had been quite long and the thought my mom seeing my finals the next morning didn't exactly fill me with energy. Of course, I had forgotten to turn the light off, so I found myself making the long, arduous trek back to the light switch as I flicked it off, the soft mattress below me quickly easing all the pain that the dreaded D created within me as I dozed off to sleep, wondering what in the world to do about getting a job.
Seventy six days left.
I'll leave everyone at that for now! I hope it was alright! If there are any big errors or so, feel free to point them out, and I'll do my best to fix them up for a re-upload or so. Anyway, I'm super busy at school these days, but hopefully I can get the next chapter up really soon (it is almost complete as is). Anyway, thanks for reading! Feel free to review or so as well, although I'm not going to force anyone!