X-O-X-O
Today was the day everything in my life changed….
X-O-X-O
It was a late spring afternoon, the wind was whistling softly, and the sky was patched up in grey splotches. I was kicking a soccer ball with a few of my close friends, in the front of my house, talking about random things. Mostly about school and soccer, since we were all on the soccer team, and I was excited since I was chosen as this year's captain.
"Roxas, would ya quit dozing on us!"
"Oh!" I kicked the ball to my right hand man Hayner Blake who was the one yelling at me—correct that always yelling at me. He always did have the tendency to make my ears ring a mile away. Although if he wasn't there to yell at me; then I'd probably end up yelling at myself.
"Sorry." I muttered as the ball rolled over to him, making contact with his worn out sneakers. He sighed irritably, but he waved me off, because he knew how I was, always off in la-la land.
"I swear Roxas sometimes I think you have ADD." Hayner said kicking the sphere over to my female friend Olette. She laughed at the spunky blonde's joke as she kicked the ball over to Pence my larger, but intelligent friend.
"Whatever Hayner." I chuckled along as Pence passed the soccer ball over to me. Before I kicked the ball over to Hayner again I coughed on my sleeve of my wind breaker. It always seems like every time the season changes I always get an annoying cold that bugs the snot outta me—pun not intended.
"Roxas, you hack like my grandma." Hayner teased.
"Gee thanks." I said in a raspy tone kicking the ball over to the waiting boy.
"You should do something about that cold." Olette advised "Drink some old fashion Tang to get some vitamin C."
"Yeah, be a good astronaut and get some fluids in your system." Pence laughed heartily.
I cleared my throat "Yeah, yeah…."
"Anyways…" Hayner started as he focused on the ball rolling towards him "How's your sister been, Roxas?"
"Which one?" I asked dumbly.
Hayner rolled his eyes "You only have one, doofus."
"I know—thank god..." I said in relief as I caught the ball with the heel of my sneaker and kicked it "But why do you want to talk about her anyway?"
"Well…lately I've been seeing your sister hanging out with that that jerk Seifer, and I was wondering if you knew about that." He answered as he kept his eyes on the ball that was reeling towards him. I frowned looking down at the grassy ground, in a form of distaste. I knew about my sister's interactions with the town's well-known gang leader Seifer Ward, but I had been trying very hard to not acknowledge it.
"Yeah, I know about it." I told him slowly.
"That guy is bad news." Pence stated as Olette kicked the ball over to him.
"I know."
"So why is she even hanging out with him?" Olette asked giving me a sideways glance.
I shrugged "She thinks that she can change him."
"Pft, that'd take a miracle." Hayner snorted.
Pence nodded "What does she see in him anyway?"
"I don't know nor do I care so would you please pass the ball already?" I pleaded, getting tired of talking about my sister.
Pence kicked the ball over to me, and once I caught the ball under my foot, it was like a creepy déjà vu. Standing on the porch, with her arms folded on the railing was my little sister Namine watching us play soccer. Her short white-blond hair blew into her face delicately at which she pushed the locks of blonde behind her ear. She had wispy bangs, pale skin and bright blue eyes, and she had a nice figure consisting of and a slender waist, and wide hips that weren't too wide. I turned my head away noticing that I was staring at her longer than I thought.
"Well speak of the devil…." Hayner said in a stage-whispered.
Witch I thought but didn't say it instead I asked "What do you want?"
Namine cocked her head to the side, probably surprised by how gruff my voice sounded she said "Mom said that Mr. Hikari fixed your guitar, and that you can pick it up at the shop sometime tomorrow."
I smiled as a parade of happiness flooded through me. I had been waiting for my guitar to get fixed, since last weekend I had accidentally broken a few of my guitar strings while practicing. Ventus—as known as Mr. Hikari slash guitar instructor and repair man; said that it probably would be two weeks before it would get fixed. Since he had a lot of a lot of work to do on other repairs, but luckily for me he got it fixed within a week, which rarely ever happened.
"Great." I said happily turning back to my friends ready to pass the ball again.
"Oh, and one more thing, mom also said that you had to meet up with grandfather tonight." I stopped myself before I kicked, glancing back up at her.
"Tonight?" I questioned "Why?"
Namine merely shrugged "I don't know, she wouldn't tell me."
That's weird I thought, since when did grandpa ever just want to meet up with me or anyone without a plan that fits his schedule? I stood there and pondered for a moment, until Hayner began to snap his fingers in front of my face a few times.
"Huh?" I said snapping out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" Hayner repeated mocking me in a dumber tone "You really do have ADD don't cha?"
"Shut up." I grunted looking over at Namine again she was giggling at Hayner's comment "You can go now."
Namine smiled at me, using that a voice that was dripping with sweetness "Fine, fine see you guys later."
Everyone said goodbye to my sister expect for me. She smiled as us as she walked back into the house, closing the door behind her. I sighed, I always hated how nauseatingly nice she was to everybody she made eye contact with. Why couldn't she just be mean and selfish like the rest of us?
"She's nice." Olette told me pleasantly—I frowned at her.
"She's too nice." I said finally able to kick the soccer ball over to Hayner "I wish she had more spunk in her."
"Whatever, you should be grateful that you don't have a sister like mine." Hayner garbled "She's Cruella De Vil in disguise."
We all shuddered in agreement; no matter how annoying Namine was to me she was nowhere near as terrible as Hayner's sister Larxene. I swear that girl is meaner, than a wild hyena; and she has the scariest most recognizable laugh in the world. I actually think that Cruella De Vil would have a run in for her money if she ever crossed paths with Larxene, and poor Hayner he has to live with her. I'm surprised that he hasn't committed suicide already.
"Hey guys, random fact." Pence began as he kicked up the soccer ball into his hands "Did you know that if you put De Vil together that you get devil?"
We all exchanged confused looks at one another; sometimes it amazes me how Pence's random-useless facts could contribute to a conversation. Hayner rolled his eyes at our chubby friend.
"Pence I swear you have too much time on your hands."
Pence grinned "I take that as a complement."
We all laughed and then we went back to our game for a while, until it was starting to get dark outside. Olette looked up at the sky, and then down at her metallic watch.
"It's getting late, I should probably go home."
"Yeah, me too."
"Same here."
"Okay, guys see ya later." I said waving them off.
"Later Roxas." Hayner said back.
"Bye." Pence said waving as he followed the spiky blonde.
Olette being the last to leave picked up the ball that was lying by her feet, and tossed it over to me, which I caught with ease.
"See ya tomorrow Roxas, and take something for that cold." Olette ordered as she followed after the two boys that were leaving her behind.
I nodded telling her "Don't worry I will."
Then when I turned towards my house, I let out a grotesque cough as I placed the ball under my arm, and began to cough into my sleeve. I walked up the small stair case into the warm sanctity of my comfortable home. The chills that I had before from the outside had faded away. I smiled when I set my windbreaker on a hook, and smelt the air the delicious aroma of my mom's cooking filled my nostrils as I let out a sigh of bliss. I patted my stomach that had been grumbling for some time now.
I walked into the dining room that was right next to the kitchen. I was kind of surprised to see that there was an extra chair at the table. He's eating here? I asked myself as I settled down at my usual spot at the table. That's kind of weird my mind continued rambling, that I almost didn't notice someone setting down a plate in front of me. My eyes followed the person's arm, until I found the arm connected to Namine. She must have not noticed me watching her, because she continued to set the table. Not even realizing that I was watching her every move.
When she finally caught my stare, she quirked an eyebrow at me "What is it?"
"Where's dad?" I asked suddenly noticing his absence. He usually was at his spot at the kitchen table before I even get home. Namine set down some silverware, and then she looked up at me, shrugging her puny shoulders like she did before.
"I'm not sure maybe he's working overtime?"
"Dad doesn't work overtime."
Namine shrugged again and I sighed, as soon as the table was set, my mom came into the dining room carrying a cooked chicken on a platter. It smelt heavenly, after that my mom went back into the kitchen and brought out two pots one with mashed potatoes, and the other with gravy. And then she came out with a basket filled with biscuits. My stomach complained, aching for something to consume. Namine took her spot at the table across from me, and then my mom took her usual spot next to me.
I was about to ask where dad was until he suddenly walked into the kitchen, with an all too familiar old man following behind him—grandpa.
"Thank you for having me over Cloud." He said as he pulled out his chair at the end of the table.
"It's no problem father, we're happy to have you over." My dad said politely as he sat down next to Namine.
Grandpa nodded curtly, and then we all said our greetings to each other. When my mom said it was okay, we all started to dig into the food. I asked Namine to pass the biscuits she gave me a weird look, because normally I would just reach across the table, and get them myself. However I was trying to be as polite as possible, since grandpa was here, and it seemed like he was watching every move I made.
Namine reluctantly passed over the biscuits, after I persuaded her by kicking her shin under the table. She glared at me, and looked at her innocently as I took one of the golden biscuits, and set it on my plate.
"This is a lovely meal you have prepared Aerith." My grandpa started.
My mom smiled, and in a mannerly way she said "Thank you Ansem."
I was startled when his gaze traveled over to my direction. I smiled weakly at him, as I dug my spoon into my mashed potatoes. I kept wondering why he was here, and why he wanted to speak with me. It was just so weird that he'd come over out of the blue, he usually only visited us when it was the holidays. Other than that he never came over—not even for birthdays.
"Roxas…" He began again his voice sober and low pitched "How has school been going for you?"
"Umm, it's been good." I replied carefully "I got on the distinguished honor role, and I got chosen to be the captain of the soccer team."
"My, those are indeed great accomplishments." My grandpa said sounding impressed "Your father must be very proud."
I nodded and looked over at my dad; his eyes were focused on his plate of food eating quietly. My mom looked at my father with concern in her eyes. Namine looked at dad with the same concern, but with a mixture of confusion as well. I looked back at my grandfather, whose eyes were still on me.
"Your father also tells me you've been getting guitar lessons." He went on with the same slowness to his voice.
I had to think for a moment to know what he was talking about "Oh, um yeah, Mr. Hikari has been teaching me."
"Hmm, that's nice." My grandfather said in a dull tone, the enthusiasm leaving his voice, causing m the gulp inwardly. Where is he going with this? I wondered as my knees buckled underneath the table.
He then stood up from his seat "Come with me for a moment Roxas there are some things we need to discuss."
Immediately I stood up, I looked at my mom and then my dad, whom sat unmoving like statues. Suddenly I wished that my grandpa would just go home, I then turned to look at Namine. She stared at me looking as perplexed as I felt.
"If you'd excuse us…" My grandpa said before he walked over to the door that led to the garage. I followed him, but I kept looking back at the table yearning to just go back and finish my dinner. When we walked into the garage I shut the door behind me, watching my grandpa as he lit up a cigar. I waited for him to speak, as he inhaled deeply, and then let out a puff of smoke.
Growing impatient I decided to start "So what did you want to talk with me about grandfather Ansem?"
He didn't look at me as he said "I'm not sure if you're old enough or ready enough to hear this." He turned to me "Roxas how old are you?"
"I'm seventeen." I answered.
He nodded turning away again as he flicked some of the sparks off of his cigar. My dad's car was parked in the garage, but there was still room to move around. The garage door was also shut, so I could smell sweet scent of smoke that was leaking from my grandpa's cigar.
I tried hard not to cough.
"I suppose maybe you are old enough to hear." Grandpa sighed he sounded tired. I stood there on the wooden steps shaking, I just had the urge to yell out "What, what do you want to tell me?" However I didn't of course. Instead I stood there like a dope, waiting for him to go on.
He turned to me again, putting out his cigar in the ashtray that was on my dad's work table, which was full of tools and other miscellaneous items. He placed a finger under his bearded chin, like he was trying to think. Then after a moment of thought, he dropped the bomb on me.
"Roxas, you were adopted."
Ka—Boom!
It was almost as if my whole world had crumbled before me, and worst part was that I knew he wasn't lying—He never lied! My teeth clenched as I crumpled onto the stairs, with my face buried into my hands.
"J-Just tell me that this is just some kind of sick joke….." I not realizing I was thinking out loud.
"I wish I could." He sighed "But I can assure you that this is no joke. You were really adopted, and it really was just a strange coincidence that you have such similar features to my family. "
I winced at the words my family; it made me feel like a total outsider all of a sudden, like I didn't belong here. I could hear his footsteps walking towards me; I looked up to see him looking down at me. He placed a hand on top of my head, ruffling my dark blonde hair.
"However if you look close enough you can see the differences, you're skin is much tanner, and your hair is a darker shade of blonde." He continued his hand leaving my hair and then going down my face to my chin tipping it up slightly "Even your eyes are a darker shade of blue."
It almost felt like he was condemning my appearance, by telling me all my differences compared to his family. No wonder mom and dad—correct that Aerith and Cloud were so quiet at dinner tonight. I bit my lower lip; I couldn't even comprehend the fact that they weren't even my real parents.
"Why are you telling me this now?" I whispered hoarsely, my head now buried in my arms.
"We figured you'd be ready to hear the truth now." He merely answered.
Well obviously I wasn't, because right now I felt like crying. I chewed on my lower lip, knowing exactly what he meant when he said 'we' I wondered if Namine even knew about this. Probably not, she is such a blabber mouth; she was probably as clueless as I was before I found out. I slowly lifted up my head from my arms to look at the old man before me. What was going to happen now? Was I going to be sent to a foster home now? I cringed at the thought, because I heard a lot of rumors about bad foster homes. And how some of the foster parents would beat or molested their adopted children.
I dreaded the very thought.
"So where are you going with this?" I asked in a surprisingly calm tone.
"Nowhere really, I just believed that it was now or never to tell you this, and that I want you to act as normal as possible, like I said nothing at all." He said folding his arms behind his back with a sober look on his face. I stared at him in bewilderment, how could I possibly act normal when I just found out I was adopted? He slowly walked onto the small stairway that I was sitting on, and with one last serious glance. He said something that almost bothered me more, than the statement about me being adopted.
"After all Roxas you are the favorite."
X-O-X-O
(End of Chapter)
Well everyone that was the first chapter! What did you guys think? Kind of weird, huh? Well all my stories are kind of weird... xD
Anyways I hoped you all liked it, I wish I had more to say, but I'm afraid I'll end up giving stuff away.
So thanks for reading, and I'll have the next chapter out soon!