I've been working on this one for a really long time. I thought 'hey, this is a cool story' and decided to post it up here after re-reading it a bajillion times: This is suppose to be a one shot, but some how i've turned it into a ... not-oneshot.
No, this does not mean that my other stories are on hiatus... (pshh i only have one...) but i am working on a few other stories and school... and sports xD so my inspiration for writing is never far... (i hope) ANYWAY please enjoy the story and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts... blahhhh... and I did not write the song! Vanessa Carlton did : credit for those things go to their respectful owners ...
The winter cold is a gown I wear,
A mask on my face…
Help me to numb.
Help me forget.
It slows the pace,
A stick in time.
My reason.
My sanctuary.
My place away from sin.
x-o-x-o
A bright blonde headed girl stepped into the café and inhaled the scent of warm vanilla and coffee beans. It felt so much better inside the shop then it was outside. It was winter, and snow had engulfed the town since last week. It was chilly outside and the blonde was clad with a baby blue scarf with a snow print design and matching gloves; which matched her light crystal blue eyes. She made her way into the employee lounge and was greeted by a few of her work friends. She smiled a small smile and removed her gloves, scarf, and beige jacket revealing a white, long sleeved turtle neck flannel sweater. She put the articles of said clothing on a wooden hanger close at hand.
She poured herself a free cup of coffee and sipped the warm liquid. She never was too fond of coffee, it was much too bitter for her taste, but she drank it anyway. She set her drink down for a second, and grabbed her apron, so that she was ready for work when her shift started. She sat on the couch next to her fellow red-headed employee.
The red head had her legs crossed with black calve-high boots on her feet, reading a magazine. Other then that, she was wearing a pink sweater with a V cut with a white undershirt and a black skirt up to her knees with black nylon tights. 'She's on break…' Namine thought, finishing the contents of the styrofoam cup. She leaned her head on her friend's shoulder and let out a sigh. She could tell the ginger haired employee was startled, for she tensed, but didn't say anything.
"Hey Namine, I didn't know you came in." She said, her ocean blue eyes staring down at her, with a bit of worry in them.
"Yeah, Kai, I figured…" she took a deep breath in and closed her eyes.
Kairi tossed the magazine to the table in front of them and turned her full attention to her friend. "Namine, you have that tone…What's wrong?" She asked worriedly, taking her by the shoulders so she faced her.
"It's been 2 years since…" Namine's voice cracked and her head hung low. Kairi didn't need her to continue, she knew what she was talking about. It was 2 years ago, on this day, that Namine's boyfriend left her without a word. He wasn't just a throw away boyfriend… there was something about him that she could never let go. She'd played their song, hoping he'd come back. After all, this was where all the magic started, in this café.
"It's okay Nami…" She pulled her into a hug and quieted her sobs, "he left for a reason. A good reason I bet! He's coming back I know he will…for you, just for you."
"But t-two years Kai?! He didn't even leave a note, or say a simple 'goodbye'. Everything was perfect between us! But then he decides to go and leave!" Namine managed to say between tears.
Kairi knew what it was like, waiting for what seems like eternity, for that boy; the special boy that would always have your heart. Of course, with Kairi, she always had the special friendship-destiny bond with her goofy, fun-loving and sometimes dense, boyfriend. In Namine's case, it was a static, love-at-first-sight dilemma.
The eighteen year old sighed and continued to comfort her friend. They were practically sisters, even though they hadn't known each other long, but it always seemed like they did. The younger of the two broke out of the hug and wiped her tear-stained porcelain face. "Sorry Kai, I always burden you with my problems… I should've gotten over it by now…"
"Oh hush Namine!" Kairi said patting her shoulder. "That's what friends are for, and time will always heal. I don't mind being a crying post anyway." Kairi smiled reassuringly.
"Thanks Kairi, I can always count on you! You're always strong for the both of us." Namine gave her one of her special smiles as she checked the time. "I think it's time for us to get to work."
Kairi nodded and they both got up from the couch and straitened their aprons. As they walked to their stations, Kairi called out from behind the counter, "Knock 'em dead girl!" While Namine was being introduced.
There was a crowd of people in the café today, but Namine wasn't nervous, she'd done this before many times. She was finishing up a song, when the bell of the café rang, alerting there were some new customers. Namine didn't look up from her piano for she was focusing on the last few chords of the song.
Kairi was behind the counter getting the orders of the two new customers and asking them to take a seat. She knew the spikey-headed, brunette was Sora, but Kairi hadn't recognized his lighter haired companion. She gave Sora a quick peck on the lips before he sat down and chatted with his friend.
Namine had finished her piece, and everyone applauded her. She cleared her throat and gave her introduction to her next song, "This next song… is a favorite of mine, and I'm sure you've heard it many times before. It's a beautiful, sentimental piece, and I hope you enjoy it." She smiled at the crowd and began to play the nostalgic song. Once Namine started to play, she never noticed a pair of sapphire blue eyes, never leaving the sight of her figure.
'Making my way downtown
Walking fast, faces pass,
and I'm home bound.
Staring blankly ahead;
Just making my way,
Making a way
Through the crowd…'
And I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder...
The pianists' swift hands flew through the keys and she swayed back and forth with the wave of the music. She watched the crowed out of the corner of her eyes, seeing looks of approval on their faces; she continued with hopes high.
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you…
Tonight.
It's always times like these
Where I think of you
And I wonder if you ever
Think of me
'Cause everything's so wrong
And I don't belong
Living in your precious
Memory.
The blonde haired boy took in the words she spoke, while he involuntarily moved out of his seat…
'Cause I need you
And I miss you
And now I wonder...
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by?
'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you,
Tonight
And I, I
Don't want to let you know
I, I
Drown in your memory
I, I
Don't want to let this go
I, I
Don't...
There was a pause; she flashed her eyes to the crowd and drew in a quick breath. She continued the song in a more gentle tone.
Making my way downtown
Walking fast
Faces pass
And I'm home bound
Staring blankly ahead
Just making my way
Making a way
Through the crowd
And I still need you
And I still miss you
And now I wonder...
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass us by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you...
If I could fall
Into the sky
Do you think time
Would pass me by
'Cause you know I'd walk
A thousand miles
If I could
Just see you
If I could
Just hold you…
Tonight
Namine stood and took a bow as the wave of plaudits passed over. "That was the last song for the afternoon. Thank you for coming!" She stepped off the stage with a twinge of disappointment and a tear in her eye. She gestured to Kairi that she was taking a quick break and walked out the door to the white abyss – of course, not without leaving her apron on a hanger nearby. She walked down a brick path that leads to the park. When she entered through the parks frosted trees, she could've sworn she was in wonderland. There weren't many trees, but just enough for branches to cover the sky. Sunlight broke through the branches which gave a sparkle to the snow covered trees and grass.
It's always beautiful in this park. No matter what season it is… Namine ran towards a hill of snow and stood a top of it, spinning herself around, with her arms stretched out. Her spins turned into a mock ballet dance and she continued to do so for what seemed like forever. She took in a calm breath and smiled. A princess. I feel like a princess when I'm here. The snow… The snow was deliciously cold that day. Soft and icy; that's how Namine liked it.
The snow was chilling enough to tingle her senses and freshen herself – whilst it was soft enough to simply play in. Namine was still at it; twisting about her body and whirling up snow crystals. She was about to finish, landing her last jump, but Namine seemed to have landed in the wrong footing area. She slipped and fell on her back. There was a sharp pain in her ankle and upper spine as she tumbled down the hill, with the snow clinging to her body. She hadn't bothered to scream or yell for she saw no point in doing so. The park was pretty empty for a Saturday afternoon. Kids probably wanted be safe and coop up in their houses, have some cocoa, gather round a soothing fire, cuddle with a friend, stay warm.
Namine didn't want to be warm. She wanted the cold to caress her; like the day the cold caressed her heart… She didn't mind feeling numb, or having a bitter wind blow her way. She could be strong with the cold because the cold made her stronger. Forced her to be stronger. When she was filled with warmth, she was too kind, too giving, too naïve, too much of everything… she never realized that she was so vulnerable when she was in the safety of warmth. With the cold she felt something. She was able to feel numb, but at the same time…something more; something that brought her peace. Something that had always attracted her to frosty cold.
Namine was stopped by a pair of strong arms that picked her up and held her close. Her fragile body was hanging limp from his grip on her. Her pant clad legs dangled down, her arms were kept close to her chest, and her head was slowly turning to meet the face of her 'prince'. She couldn't see his face, for the sun was blocking her view, but she questioned warily, "Who are you?" her eyes were still squinted and her body was still covered in cold snow, that was melting from the found heat shared between the two bodies.
The boy chuckled, "I'm the person saving you. And I think a 'thank you' would be appropriate right about now." he replied grinning like an idiot.
"I didn't ask to be saved…in fact, I don't need to be saved." she said turning her head away. "And you still didn't answer my question."
"Well you sure looked like it!" he was avoiding her last statement. "Weren't you cold? You could get really sick."
"I like the cold!" she barked back at him, "and what do you care anyway…?"
The boy plopped through the snow, carrying Namine who protested against him helping. "Where are you taking me? Put me down right now! I can walk perfectly fine on my own!" She tried to wriggle out of his grasp, while he chuckled at her futile attempts. He had a habit of doing that; chuckling. It was something he did to tease the other person. The other person usually was good natured and laughed along… eventually, but this girl was one tough cookie.
"Fine, I'm sorry I ever started helping." He set her on her feet gently and she staggered a bit, but found a balance.
"See, I told you I'm fine." She stated proudly.
"Yeah, you sure proved me wrong." He said grinning. "Well, I'll be going then…" he turned on his heel and his feet munched through the snow.
"Hey, wait a sec!" she took a few steps forward and stumbled more for she was still getting used to walking. "you can't just get involved with my problem and then just walk away pretending like it was nothing!" he stopped as she caught up with him. "Now, what's your name?!"
okay, that's all i have for now... so review and all that jazz. I haven't been able to update "weekly" as i promised for KH:HS but i'm trying people! Yes, there are a few other oneshots (hopefully i don't turn them into "non oneshots") that i'd like to post up here :D but i just need some time for everything...
haha well... review if you like, review if you hate... just tell me what you think!
♥ haruT