*Roxas*

As soon as the beeping started, I slapped my hand against the stupid alarm clock. I heard something fall to the carpeted floor and land with a soft thud. I slowly opened my eyes and was immediately blinded by the bright sun.

Why did I leave that open last night? Then I remembered. I like to look at the stars when I fall asleep. Fine, call me crazy, but it's just what I do.

"Roxas, are you awake?" A voice called.

"Yeah, be right out," I groggily replied. That's funny. Dad's never home until late at night and leaves early in the morning. Why is he home today?

I quickly got dressed and ran to the kitchen to grab my breakfast – a piece of jelly-covered toast.

I ran into the den to grab my backpack and go when I noticed someone standing in the room with me.

"Oh yeah, Dad, why are you home today? I mean, I don't mind, but I thought you'd be at work," I said.

Dad smiled at me kind of funny before answering, "Just wanted to be here for your first day of school." His smile got funnier –but not in a good way.

"Dad, I'm fifteen. I'll do okay today." Oh man, he better not walk me to school.

"Yes, but this is different! This is Destiny Islands, son!"

"And…?" I asked, waiting for Dad's weird response.

"This is different; starting life over after living for fifteen years in one place!"

"Dad, we moved here a few weeks ago. I already have friends." I said, shoving a jacket into my backpack. Dad wouldn't know about Hayner, Pence, or Olette because he was at work constantly, too busy to deal with my life. "I gotta go, Dad. School's gonna start soon," I hastily said. "See ya." Then I walked out the door, slamming it behind me.

I ran as fast I could, just in case Dad decided to walk with me after all. When I finally decided it was safe to, I turned around. He wasn't there. Thank goodness.

"S'up Roxas! You made it, I see!" Hayner said, high-fiving me.

"Hi, Roxas!" Olette waved.

"Hey, Roxas!" Pence smiled.

"Hi guys," I replied, smiling. These were my friends, and I couldn't wait to spend time with them again.

"So, we're finally here; 10th grade!" Olette nervously giggled.

"Man, Olette, it's not that much different from last year, right?" Hayner asked nonchalantly.

"Roxas, Hayner, how can you two be so calm? Especially you, Roxas, you just moved here and you're not nervous? How?" Olette was starting to shout, obviously panicking.

"Calm down, Olette," Pence laughed.

"Maybe I am nervous, but don't know it," I suggested.

"Roxas, you're so bizarre," Olette laughed. I shrugged in response.

The four of us continued to chat, passing time. When the bell finally rang, we all exchanged goodbyes and parted separate ways.

Turned out I had first period with Hayner. He threatened to me that if we did not, he would've killed me. And I sort of had believed him.

Hayner stopped outside the class to look at something, so I went in without him. I chose my seat. It was towards the middle, but on the outside, by the windows.

A pretty brunette girl sat down in the chair next to mine. I noticed her immediately, but pretended not to. Her bright blue eyes seemed confident, ready to take on any challenge life brought to her.

Suddenly, Hayner ran into the room, and went to take the seat next to me. When he saw the pretty girl in the chair next to mine, he glared at her, but took the seat behind me. He began to poke me with pencils –sharpened pencils.

"Hayner, stop it!" I hissed, turning around. In the corner of my eye, I saw the girl turn to look at us, and I also saw Hayner smirk at her.

"What're you lookin' at, Kairi?" Hayner asked the girl sarcastically.

"Well, Hayner, I'm looking at you annoying the new kid," the girl –Kairi? - said. "You should stop before the teacher comes in."

"Why? Who's our teacher?" Hayner asked, looking bored.

"For this period, our teacher is Saїx," Kairi told Hayner, obviously annoyed.

"Saїx? You're kidding, right? That guy nearly killed me last year!"

"Yeah, I know. You were in my class –again."

Suddenly, the door clicked shut. All the students immediately sat up and faced front. I did the same.

At the front of the class stood a tall, blue-haired man wearing glasses; obviously, this was Saїx. He had a large, X-shaped scar on his face. He wore an outfit similar to our own school uniforms, except his had black instead of blue.

"Hello, class. Most of you I have had before, but there is a new face or two," Saїx began his classroom greeting. I felt my new face go red. "Now, onto the rules. I don't like to repeat them for every class, so I have a chart, just like last year. Now, if you'd care to read it, you most likely won't get in trouble."

This guy is scary. No wonder everyone freaked out and stiffened up when he came in! Suddenly, Saїx stared at me. "You, new boy," he said, pointing at me.

"Yes?" I asked, but my voice caught in my throat, so it sounded like a whisper.

"Stand up and come to front of the class." Oh. My. Gosh. I'm dead. And it's only first period. I hope this day only gets better…

After I'd done what he'd told me to, I stood there in silence while Saїx examined me. He examined my uniform: a white, button-up, short-sleeved shirt, a pair of navy blue pants, black sneakers, and a navy blue blazer.

"What is your name?" Saїx suddenly asked.

"Uh, Roxas," I said. I quickly added a loud, "Sir!" Saїx chuckled.

"Are you from around here?"

"No, I just moved to Destiny Islands a few weeks ago with my dad, sir."

"Hm. You seem very familiar. Did he have a job transfer?"

"Uh, I'm not really sure. We don't talk much, sir." By now, my voice was a whisper. No, no, no. I will not cry in front of all these people that don't know me!

"Thank you. You may sit down now, Roxas." I looked up at him in disbelief.

"Um, okay, sir." Saїx laughed again.

Kairi and Hayner stared at me as I sat down.

"I can't believe it! Saїx actually likes you. He hates everyone else!" Kairi whispered to me as I sat down.

I laughed. "Yeah, right. It's probably just a show because I'm new."

Hayner punched me. "No, it's not. He hates new kids more than anything."

"Hayner, Kairi, did you say something?" Saїx asked, staring at the two with cold, hard eyes.

"Roxas!" Kairi said after class. "Just give it up! He likes you. Use it to your advantage!"

"Yeah, right, Kairi. Everyone'll be jealous," Hayner argued.

"Oh, well. I can live out my dreams through Roxas!"

"Nuh-uh. If Roxas listens to anyone, it'll be me. I've known him since the day after he moved here."

"What does that matter? I'm sure Roxas likes me better!"

"Oh, yeah? Well, he didn't hang out with you throughout summer vacation!"

Gosh, will you two shut up already? I'm getting sick of this!

"Fighting already, Kairi? It's only been an hour," a deep voice from behind me teased.

"Well, I guess that means I know people," Kairi said, crossing her arms across her chest.

The guy with the deep voice laughed. "Who's the new kid?" he asked, obviously talking about me.

"Oh! Riku, meet Roxas. Roxas, this is Riku," Kairi said, turning me around to face Riku.

Riku looked older than the rest of us. He was taller, and looked stronger. He had long, white-blond hair and bright blue-green eyes. He had a nonchalant look on his face, and stared at me.

"Hey," he finally said, holding out his hand.

"Hey," I answered, shaking his outstretched hand.

"Riku and I have been friends since we were little kids. We grew up here on Destiny Islands playing together with our friend, Sora," Kairi said, smiling.

"Yeah, one day she washed up on the shore, and we took her in. I've gotta get going; see you around sometime," Riku said as he walked off.

"What grade is he in?" I asked.

"Eleventh," Kairi answered, confirming my thoughts.

"He does seem a lot older than that."

"He seems that way, but he's a big goofball." Kairi smiled. Obviously, she and Riku were really close. Who was this Sora kid she talked about? Another eleventh grader?

"C'mon, Roxas, we gotta get going!" Hayner said, pulling me back into reality, out of my thoughts. I nodded, and ran after him.