Author's Note: Okay so this is my first fic, so I am very, very nervous! Nice comments and constructive criticism is wanted. I hope you enjoy it!

characters (c) Square

and for some reason it won't show up on my fan fic page, but it is my story. just so you know


"So are you going to do it?"

Roxas peered from his issue of WIRED magazine to address his brunette accomplice.

"What do you mean 'So are you going to do it'"?

"You know…go see Namine tonight," Sora drawled as he took another sip from his lemonade.

"Um…well, I'm not sure if I want to" Roxas hesitated to answer. He'd only just met Namine and she looked like a nice girl – long blonde hair, nice body, blue eyes that matched Roxas'- but not Roxas' type

"Oh, come on! You have to!" Sora yelled as he practically jumped out of his pool chair in response to Roxas answer.

"She's, like…perfect! And she's from a good family. Do you know what this could do to you if you were to date her?"

"I don't know, Sora. Get my pictures in some 'Millionaires of Tomorrow' Magazine with an article about how Namine and I are a match made in heaven? I just met her a week ago and I don't even know if she's my type." Roxas returned to his magazine trying to avoid eye contact with Sora.

"I don't see why not. You have everything in the world at your disposal and you just decide that you don't want to be with the prettiest girl on the scene. She's practically begging to go out with you! And people say that you're the smart one. Ha." Sora mused as he walked over to the diving board to jump into Roxas' family pool.

It was true, though, that Roxas had it all – from birth he was destined to live the easy life. His mother a famous lawyer and his father a successful businessman, so there were no financial worries in his future. He lived in a big apartment on the Upper West Side in Twilight Town and his parent's owned a Beach House on the shores of Destiny Island. Roxas wore the best designer clothes that money could buy and was up to date on the latest technological trends. He got along well with his peers, and was adored by his superiors. No one could ever possibly hate Roxas because he was just so nice to everyone he met. With his porcelain skin, slightly highlighted blond locks, and deep blue eyes, Roxas could get any girl he ever wanted. Roxas' life was going to be perfect no matter what way he accomplished it. Nothing could ever get in his way from being successful or make him stray from the pre chosen path of life he's on. Absolutely nothing.

"Ventus Canty, get your ass down here so we can get something to eat!" The shrill voice rose through the small apartment until it hit Ven's room, eliciting a mumbled reply from the blonde teenager.

"Ugh. Be right there."

It was Monday, so that meant the Cantys were going to the soup kitchen for dinner. They had to get there early because if you didn't, the food would be cold and no seats would be left. Ven and what little family he had took the trip down to Twilight Town Soup Kitchen #3 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday due to their low income. Ven didn't mind though, he made plenty of friends while at the kitchen.

Quickly slipping on his shoes and grabbing his duffel bag, Ven darted out of his room and down the stairs of their apartment leading to the front door where his sister's and father were awaiting him.

"It's about time you got here! Tonight's pasta night and I'm not getting cold pasta!" snapped Ven's older, and very opinionated sister Aqua.

"I know. I know. I'm sorry. I was kinda finishing up a book and –"

"Hey, you know that we always leave at 5:15. Set an alarm."

Ven couldn't argue with that. He and his family had been going to the Kitchen as long as he could remember.

So Ven walked in silence as Aqua argued with his father about how he needs to find a job, how she's the only one supporting this family, and how she's stressed from applying for scholarship after scholarship because they don't have enough money to pay for her tuition for Radiant Garden Tech. Aqua worked her ass off to get into college and was the primary source of income at the time. She worked at the A&P and was the hostess for one of the fanciest restaurants in Twilight Town, Chanterelle.

When the family reached the Twilight Town Soup Kitchen #3, there was already a large line forming due to the popularity of pasta night, which was not a good sign for Ven's eardrums.

"You see, Ven? If you weren't BS-ing we could've been at the front of this line! But no, you had to try to finish your stupid book!" Aqua impatiently grabbed Xion by the hand and stomped off to get a place for them in the vastly growing line.

"It's okay, Ven, she doesn't mean it." Ven's Dad tussled Ven's blonde hair as he wandered over to the common area to find a table. Ven detected that the undertone in his father's voice implied that the reassurance wasn't only for him.

Whether the comforting words were meant for Ven or not, Aqua did mean it. Every word she said. Ven's dad had lost his third job this year, and it didn't seem like he was going to find another job any time soon. Ever since Ven's Mom died while giving birth to his younger sister Xion, his Dad has never been the same.

Ven reluctantly made his way over to the pasta line, which at that point extended out the door, and waited patiently for fifteen minutes until he reached where you pick up your trays before you receive your food. At least he'd get to see Carl today. Carl usually distributed the food at the Kitchen and he always had a good story to share with Ven.

As Ven approached the very tasty smelling pasta, he noticed that the person serving the food was not the usual Carl. Heck, he didn't even look like Carl at all.

Instead of a bald head with a snowy white beard was fiery red hair that was messily tied back in a ponytail. A beer keg belly was replaced with a thin frame. Rather than dull hazel eyes due to old age, there were sharp green eyes with teardrop shaped tattoos under them.

As far as Ven was concerned, this new guy looked like he belonged in some sort of gang. However, Ven wasn't one to judge. Maybe this new guy could be not so bad.

It seemed though that Ven had been staring he didn't notice that it was his turn to receive the pasta he originally got on line for.

"Um. Excuse me? Are you going to get your pasta or just space out like that?" The redhead questioned with a raised eyebrow. "There are other people waiting you know."

Ven quickly snapped back into reality, realizing there was a line of hungry people behind him and a somewhat confused looking redhead in front of him.

"Huh? What? Oh. I'm sorry. It's just you're not Carl." The man chuckled to himself as he scooped pasta into Ven's empty pasta bowl.

"Yeah, I'm not Carl. I'm actually his grandson. I'm taking over his shifts from now on." The young man eyed Ven teasingly. "Why, is that a problem? You don't like to be served by guys with red hair and facial tattoos?"

"No! Not at all, I was just curious and –"

The guy standing before him chortled. "Hey, it's okay, I was just pulling your leg. The name's Axel. Got it memorized?" What a strange name, but then again Ventus was Ven's real name.

"Mine's Ven." Despite the awkward introduction, Ven was starting to warm up to this stranger.

Axel smiled warmly. "Huh. Ven. I kinda like it. Well, Ven, I hope you enjoy your pasta."

"I'll try." And with that Ven took his trey and made his way over to the table where his family was sitting. Maybe him and Axel could be friends. He's no Carl, but for now he'd have to do.