His footsteps echoed through the house as he ran from the kitchen to his bedroom and then to the bathroom, racing against the clock. The sound of the hurried brushing of his teeth and of the water falling from the open faucet were the only things he could hear before another shout came from outside.

"Ven, hurry up! We're going to be late because of you!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Ventus replied although Roxas probably didn't even hear due to all the foam in his mouth.

"Well, I'm leaving without you, bye!"

Ventus spit it all out, grabbed his backpack from his bed and dashed down the stairs, giving his mother a goodbye kiss before jumping through the door to outside. Seeing Roxas a few meters away already walking down the sidewalk, he huffed and caught up to him, irritated.

"Would it be that hard to wait?"

That would be their first day at the new school. Finally, high school! They were so excited to know the place and figure out how classes would work that the brothers woke up earlier than they used to but, as Roxas expected, Ventus was late.

"You say it like I didn't! If only you had left the bed when I told you to… No wonder I am the oldest!" Roxas rolled his eyes, pretending to be mad.

"By seven minutes. Do you really have to bring that up every time? I just couldn't find my shoes, that's all! If you had helped me-"

"It is your stuff, you take care of it! What, you want me to make your bed, too?"

"Rox!"

Even if it was their first day in the new school they could have found it with their eyes closed: The boys lived in Twilight Town since they were born. They could easily find their way and go wherever they wanted to, except the most dangerous places where their parents didn't allow them to go and where they really didn't feel like going to anyway.

Soon they were walking among dozens of students who followed the same path as them, some for their first day as well and others to continue where they left off from the last year. As the twins went through the gates they looked at each other enthusiastically and walked straight to the schoolyard where the welcome ceremony would take place.

"This place is huge!" Ventus said after a few minutes of walking and looking around. Indeed, the schoolyard by itself was a lot bigger than the one from their last school!

"Wonder if we'll find Sora here with this many people though…"

"Oh, don't worry. If we can't find him I'm sure he'll find us"

"Heyaaa!" - Called a familiar voice behind them.

"See?"

"Sora!" Roxas greeted their friend with a smile and Ventus did the same.

"My bad, I overslept!" He put his hands behind his head "What did I miss?"

Just like them, Sora was a 15 year old. The brown-haired boy met them way back in kindergarten and just like that became their best friend. They had always studied together since then and this year it would be no different, which was just what the boys wanted.

It didn't take long before the principal took the lead, accompanied by the vice-principal. The former walked calmly and leisurely while stroking his long beard, his blue and yellow clothing stained out among everyone else. The vice-principal followed, wearing a formal white shirt and brown pants. The two stood before their students and waited until everyone was quiet to start speaking.

"Good morning! To those who return and those who are starting today, welcome! I am your principal and my name is Yen Sid" He pointed to his coworker "For me, for your vice-principal Mr. Eraqus and for all of our staff, it is a pleasure to be with you once again this year"

As the adults spoke Sora rolled his eyes "Here comes an encouraging speech and we are off to suffering. You know, I think high school won't be so different from what we already know"

"It'll be harder, probably" Roxas replied "I heard the math teacher is an ass"

Ventus ignored his brother and friend, focusing only on the adults before them. Yen Sid didn't really give them any important information, but the younger blond paid attention to him nonetheless.

Once the ceremony was over everyone went to their respective classroom. There were about thirty students in their class and the bustle had already begun as they chose their seats. Roxas and Sora used to sit next to each other and Ven behind one of the two. This time, however, they were too late. Sora had to sit in the front which he hated since he wouldn't be able to sleep in class anymore. Roxas sat on the last desk of the middle row and Ventus right in front of him.

He turned to his older brother "Looks like you'll be the one helping me on the tests this year"

"You wish!" He replied, boasting and smiling. Ventus laughed and then, as he sat upright, saw a student heading for the desk to his left.

He wasn't the only one there, of course, but something about him stood out. First, it looked like he was maybe two or three years older than most of them. Second, he was extremely like Sora, something Roxas noticed that as well. The black haired teenager walked unwillingly, already bored and maybe even angry. He took his notebook out of his bag, settled into his chair and let himself be, crossing his arms.

What truly stood out the most however were his yellow eyes. Ventus found himself staring into them, a little taken back but amazed at the same time. He couldn't say what exactly they were filled with, but Ventus felt a deep and strong emotion on the older boy's gaze.

"What are you looking at?

Only when the boy said that was that Ventus realized he was still staring at him. Taken by surprise, the blond shook his head.

"Nothing, I-"

"Tch" The boy grumbled and looked away from him, staring to nothing in particular. Ventus heard Roxas grumble behind him; his brother really didn't like when people talked to Ventus in that tone. He just hoped he wouldn't say anyt-

"Hey, you don't need to speak like that, you know?" Roxas said. Oh well.

The older student cleared his throat and spoke mockingly "Or what? Will you force me not to do it, blondie? "

Ventus looked from his brother to the other student, tense. To his relief, the teacher - A man with blue eyes, his goatee as blond as his hair and five silver piercings on his ears - entered the classroom at that very moment and everyone turned to him.

"Good morning, everyone" He started, a soft smile on his lips "I suppose you expect me to explain how our classes will work. However, I prefer to check how many of us are truly here before I begin. My name is Luxord"

The man then sat down and called the roll. Ventus rested his head on his hands, following the professor's eyes towards each student he called as in trying to know who it was he was referring to. When he called for Vanitas , however, he didn't look to the teen.

"Here!"

It was that black-haired boy. Ventus turned to him automatically and was met by the raven staring right back to him. The blond was quick to focus on the teacher again and soon enough he called for his name.

"Ventus?"

"I'm here, sir!"

He lowered his head, slightly concerned. Roxas was very protective of him, but he didn't want his brother to get into a fight for a stupid reason like someone talking angrily to him. A few minutes later however he forgot about that, trying to have a good first day at this new school.

Vanitas, of course, was aware of the way he had been looked at. He frowned.

"Ventus, huh?"