AN: I'm not entirely happy with this piece. But it was bugging me, so it had to be written. And once it was written, it might as well be posted. As ever, the characters don't belong to me.
Any idiot can tell you I'm no expert in relationships. In fact, I'm pretty disastrous – the last three have ended in me being unceremoniously dumped. Two in public, and one, if you can believe it, by text message. Didn't even apologise, the dumb shit. Sora and Riku are there for me every time, without question, and I really appreciate that. I'd be completely lost without them.
They took me clubbing the night I received that text. Said something about I needed to get out more and enjoy myself. Huh. It's just an excuse for them to get completely rat-arse drunk and to try to get me just as drunk. It only worked the first time – after that, I got wise to their tricks. Anyway, we went to this club. You should be aware that it isn't exactly my idea of fun – getting up close and personal with sweaty strangers, but you can't argue with a determined Sora. It's not possible.
It was a pretty normal evening until some guy asked me to dance. Sora practically pushed me into his arms, telling me to go and dance, have a good time and whatever the rest of that slurred speech was supposed to mean. Knowing Sora, it was probably a suggestion to get laid. I love the guy, but he really hasn't got a clue when it comes to women.
Dancing was fine. I could even cope with talking to him. Turns out his name was Axel, and he'd just moved here. But I freaked out when he offered to buy me a drink. I completely panicked, and ran in the direction of the toilets. I'd just finished a relationship (that happened to start by him buying me a drink, which is what got me scared) – I couldn't handle his interest. It didn't take long before Sora came to find me.
"Kairi, get out of there."
"I've just made a complete idiot of myself."
"Riku's explaining it to him."
"Oh, help."
"What made you panic?"
"It's easier to run away than deal with feelings."
"You'll have to deal with them sometime."
He was right. I dragged myself back out and prepared to face the redhead who'd set my heart racing.
………………
I'm glad I went to the club that night. I'm glad I met Axel, and that he wasn't put off by my panic attack. Because now I have the most amazing boyfriend who loves me and would never publicly humiliate me like the other scumbags I've dated.
Easier to run? Sometimes, maybe. But equally so, sometimes it's worth facing your fears.
AN: The little review button looks lonely and needs to be clicked.