Chapter One--- Don't You Fake It

The incessant tapping of his pen went unnoticed by the rooms many occupants.But Leon noticed. The twitch of his brow was sign enough that said incessant tapping was driving him absolutely insane. However, the boy next to him wasn't paying attention to the misery he was inflicting upon the brunette. That is until Leon slammed his hand over Riku's pale one and glared at him viciously.

"Stop." Riku stopped and Leon sighed gratefully. Riku had the most annoying habits when he was zoning out. Which was most of the time so Leon was constantly annoyed.

"Sorry...I just can't get this tune out of my head...its driving me nuts, I can't put lyrics to it." Leon rolled his eyes and went back to his history assignment. Riku continued to stare at the blank page while a melody only he could hear floated through his mind.

"Riku...Ri..."Cloud's attempts to get the teen's attention failed miserably. Honestly, Leon didn't understand why Cloud even bothered when Riku got into his moods. Riku was one of the most oblivious people he knew. Still, Cloud persisted and still Cloud failed. Finally, heaving a large sigh to let Cloud know he was fed up with both of them, he reached over and smacked Riku upside his head.

"Hey!" Riku shouted, only to be shushed by the teacher. Riku grumbled before turning to face Cloud whose only move was to hand Riku a piece of paper and then to completely ignore him.

Bastard.

' Hmm. Cloud's new concept design for our cover...pretty sick...Why in hell is he such a great artist when he never takes an art class! Hmm... off topic,let's see... The color's could use some work and the letterings not quiet right...' Riku scribbled his notes onto the drawing and handed it back to Cloud who immediately began to revise the cover for what, the millionth time? Whatever.

"Seph wants us to meet at his house tonight. Says there's someone to meet." Riku nodded absently, lyrics still overlapping the tune in his head and being thrown out, Riku deeming them unworthy of such a perfect melody Leon and Cloud had put down.

Leon and Cloud.

Leon.

Cloud.

Riku sighed and shook his head. No. He had to concentrate. It was not the time to think of...that. However, a deep, tenor laugh caught his attention and he turned to find Cloud and Axel laughing while Leon simply scowled at them. Axel gave Riku a thumbs up but when Cloud turned his smile Riku's way, Riku faced his paper once more.

Focus.

And very suddenly, his pen came to life with graceful flourishes as it slid across the paper, words simply appearing. Riku didn't really realize he'd begun writing until his song was finished. Reading it over, he almost wanted to tear up and throw it away but Leon had snatched away before he could so and was already working out time changes and key signatures while Axel padded (1) out a beat and Cloud read over Leon's shoulder.

Looking at the clock, his job done having finished his song, Riku was vastly disappointed to find he still had a half hour left of school.

He could already feel his brain begin to atrophy.


A.n: Hmm... I had to redo this a few times before I liked it. Review! Constructive criticizm welcome. Flames will be laughed at and discarded.

1 Padding: A drumming technique used to practice. Can be done on any surface (thought usually on a practice pad with drumsticks) with your hands or sticks.

Pairings will come soon enough. I gave you some hints already so use those imaginations!

iUlti !--