Hello, everyone. XionTheBlackRose, here! This is a prequel to another story of mine, Secrets. That story mentioned a previous relationship Ventus's brother Roxas experienced before Ventus met Vanitas. That's what this story is. The life of the two brothers before Vanitas, it's Roxas's struggle with a relationship that got way out of his control. You don't need to read Secrets to understand what this story is about, but reading Secrets after this, will surely make Roxas's actions in Secrets make a little more sense.

This story is rated M for scenes of beatings and self harm.

Thank you for coming back for another story, I hope you enjoy. Leave a review and let know what you think.

Xion, out!

The Lawyer and The Delinquent

My brother Ventus and I walk through the mall, laughing. Ventus shakes his head, "No, he seriously did that!"

"No way, that's too crazy even for him!" I wrap my arms around my stomach, trying not to fall over as I'm walking since I'm laughing so hard.

Ventus puts his hand on my shoulder, "It's true, ask him yourself!"

I shake my head, giggling like an idiot, "Sora's an idiot."

"He just knows how to get out of detention," Ventus snickers, "Well, how did you escape today's detention?"

"Easy," I grin, "I left school when the final bell rang."

Ven laughs, "You're so dead tomorrow!"

I wipe tears from my eyes, "I'm dead when I get home, you know the principal's probably called Dad by now."

"Oh, no," Ven straightens up, looking scared, "You're going to get g-g-g-g-grounded!"

He bursts out laughing again and I join him. I playfully smack him on the back of the head and he stumbles forward, into someone. He gasps upon the impact and I try not to laugh as I apologize to the stranger, "Sorry, sir!"

The man couldn't be too much older than I am. He's slightly tan, his dark brown hair frames his face loosely and he has these sharp blue eyes. He steps away from Ven and his eyes lock with mine. He smiles lightly, "Be careful, before one of you gets hurt."

Ventus nods, taking a few steps away, "Yeah, sorry."

"We'll be careful," I promise, smiling lightly in return.

"Good," he winks at me as he passes us. Ven frowns, looking back at me, "Did he just wink at you?"

I shake my head, "It's whatever. Let's get to the food court, I'm starving."

He sighs and turns back, heading the way we've been going. We get to the food court and we both get nachos before sitting at an empty table. Ven stuffs a hand full of chips and cheese into his mouth and I snicker as his cheeks puff out like a chipmunk. He's such a kid sometimes. I lean back in my seat and sigh, "So, we graduate at the end of the year, got any plans?"

"Iph goinch uh cophege," he says, stuffing more chips in his mouth. I roll my eyes, "Slow down before you choke. I didn't understand a thing you said."

He swallows his food, giggling, "I said, I'm going to college."

"College?" I raise an eyebrow, "What for?"

He's never said anything about being interested in any colleges. He shrugs, "I've been mulling it over and I've decided I want to be a lawyer. There's this college a few towns over with a great business program. I've looked it up a few times, if I can get a scholarship this year, that'll cut the initial cost in half."

I nod, "That's actually pretty good."

He grins, "I'll be the best lawyer, I'll even keep you from jail when you start looting houses, if you ask nicely."

I chuckle, "I'm not a criminal, Ven."

He wiggles his eyebrows, "Not yet."

I laugh, "Whatever, loser."

He throws chips at me and I try to slap him again, "Hey!"

We both laugh, going back to eating our snack. After we finish, we leave the mall. The sun is starting to set and I know Dad's going to be very angry with us for going to the mall without permission, and I ditched detention, again. Ventus sighs, swinging his arms back and forth, "Hey, Roxas?"

I look over at him, "Yeah?"

He looks back at me, "What do you want to do after we graduate?"

I look away, "I don't actually know.. To be so close to adulthood, and still acting like I'm still in middle school.. I kind of don't want to grow up, at least not yet."

"Oh.." His voice softens, "Is that why you're trying to fail? School's only been going for two weeks, and you've already had detention almost every day, you've failed almost every test.."

"I don't want to talk about it." I walk ahead of him.

He keeps up with me, "I didn't mean to upset you."

He gently grabs my hand, "Are you.. Having trouble understanding what's being taught?"

I don't meet his eyes, staring down at the pavement beneath my feet. I can lie, he never knows when I'm lying. All I ever do is lie. I'm a delinquent, it's no wonder he thinks I'll be a criminal.

"Roxas," his soft voice takes me from my thoughts. I blink and look back at him. He smiles softly, "If you're having trouble, I can tutor you."

I smile softly, My big brother, always looking out for me. What would I do without you? I nod, "I'd like that. Thanks, Ven."

We finally get home and Dad's waiting for us. He stands in the living room, his hands behind his back. His blue eyes are dark and angry. Like I expected anything less. Anger is all I see from him lately, but then again, that's my fault. I sigh, closing the door behind us, "You don't have to say it. I know I'm in trouble for skipping detention. And taking Ven to the mall without your permission."

Dad sighs and runs a hand through his blond spikes of hair, "Why do you have to keep acting this way? What's gotten into you all of a sudden? You've been a model student until this year."

I look down, "I'm sorry."

"I don't want an apology," he states, "I want an explanation."

I stick my hands in my pockets, staring at the carpet, "I just.. I'm just being a stupid kid, trying to impress my friends. I'm sorry, I'll do better from now on."

Dad sighs, "You better. You're not going to make anything of yourself if you don't graduate."

I nod, "So.. What's my punishment?"

"Grounded. Two weeks, no cell phone or internet. Hand over your phone and laptop." he replies.

I take my phone from my pocket and hand it to him. I then go to my room and grab my laptop. I give that to him, too, and then I return to my room. I lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling. I close my eyes, My brother's going to be a big-shot lawyer, just like our Dad. And what am I going to be? Some poor bastard living in the street, begging for spare change.