Ribbons: Part One

I stared warily at the copper tainted door towering before me. It takes me about ten minutes to stop shaking before I get enough courage to knock. As I wait for her to open the door I can't help thinking about ways to escape the inevitable outcome.

I really, really didn't want to be here.

My body nearly went into cardiac arrest when she finally came to the door. Her hair was as beautiful as ever rolled back into a neat bun instead of spraying down her shoulders in her normal style. Her eyes were shining because of the rays coming from the lamplight behind me, still portraying its never-ending blue shade. She was wearing a bright pink sundress with a turquoise light blue jacket. She had apparently been getting ready to go out to the beach from the looks of her casual attire.

Her expression went from sanguine to dubious in an instant. "What are you doing here, Sora?"

I cringed from her amicable tone before stating the obvious. "Kairi, we need to talk."

She huffed loudly before replying. "I don't think we need to. You made your feelings perfectly clear about me last night."

"Kairi, you know that's not true! You didn't even let me finish. I could barely speak before you waltzed away without a care in the world!"

I could almost imagine the steam coming out of her ears as she shouted back a retort. "Well, you didn't seem too sad about me leaving! You could have stopped me, but no, you stayed in your little hole and let life pass you by."

While pinching the bridge of my nose, I quickly took in a deep breath to prevent myself from screaming. Remember why you're here, Sora…

"Well, I'm here now, aren't I?"

Kairi sighed before effortlessly going into a lazy slouch. "What do you want from me Sora? Do you expect me to just…forget what happened? Is that what you want?"

"No, I just…could you just let me explain?"

Her shoulders were still sagging forward, as if preparing for an execution. She shook her head rapidly before giving me a small nod. "Fine, but make it quick."

I sighed nonchalantly before glancing at her front steps. I knew it would be really difficult for me to explain but telling the truth was the only thing I could think of that would save our friendship.

"Can I…can we talk inside?"

"Um, yeah. I guess so…" Her voice sounded very soft and fragile now. She seemed just as nervous as I was to broach the topic.

Before any doubts could enter her mind, I swiftly went into her house choosing to sit in a lousy loveseat in the corner. Kairi looked very hesitant but she eventually sat in the chair across from me, her hands planted squarely on her lap.

Taking in another couple of breaths, I shifted my body back into the couch while my eyes slowly rose up to take in her face. It was full of confusion, fear, and maybe a little embarrassment. Seeing the look in her eyes almost made me walk out the door right then and there. It didn't help when she lowered her gaze down towards my waste.

I resisted the urge to place my hands over the area and leaned forward. "Are you okay?"

"Ah, I guess considering the, um, circumstances…I'll be alright."

I nodded, closing my eyes tightly. I could literally feel the blood warming up in the areas surrounding my cheeks. "Okay, I guess I'll start at the beginning…"

Kairi nodded. "Yeah, that sounds fine."

Placing my hands under my chin I stared through her window as the memories of that dreadful day resurfaced.

Two days ago…

"Riku! Hello, Riku! We have a serious problem!"

I jumped up and down rapidly, my boundless amount of energy preventing my body from staying in one place. It was funny, being seventeen and I still couldn't stand still even for a millisecond. Perhaps sleeping in has its perks.

I rolled my eyes before rapping my knuckles against my best friend's wooden door. I swear, if he doesn't come out in the next five seconds I'm breaking this thing down!

"Oi, Riku! Get off your lazy butt and answer me!"

I nearly jumped when Riku opened his door in a flipping motion. My hand was still in the air in the motion. If he hadn't scared me I probably would have accidently hit him in the face.

"What is it Sora? What's so important that the roosters had to quit their jobs? Haven't you learned that birds can't take any competition?"

"Quit it, Riku! This is serious!"

Riku smirked before patting me on the head playfully which caused my spiky brown locks to block my vision. "Relax, I'm here. I'm ready to listen…"

I hopped into his house nearly ramming into his couch as I jumped into his office chair that was placed in the middle of his living room. "I need some advice."

Riku raised an eyebrow. "Girl advice?"

"Yes."

"Does this involve Kairi?"

I groaned loudly. "Yes."

Riku smiled. "Well than I'm sorry but I can't help you."

"Oh, come on! You haven't even heard my dilemma yet?"

I glared as the jerk twirled a basketball in his hands. "Oh, I think I do know, Sora. Like it or not, you are pretty predictable."

"Oh really? Then tell me what my problem is."

Riku shrugged. "You are one of many of the lost souls on this planet that are currently too weak to take risks in concerns to the heart. You can't tell the one person, who you've known for six years by the way, that you love her. Eventually, you'll have to face said person's marriage and you will be troubled with guilt over the fact that you never told her, probably, for the rest of your life."

I growled. "Okay, fine. That's the gist of it. But that's not why I came to you today."

"Really? Now I'm intrigued…"

I couldn't help letting a snort escape my tense lips. Was he really going to make me spell it out? "I know that I can't tell Kairi face to face. Every time I'm around her my palms sweat, I get dizzy, and my throat contracts to the point where I sound like a dead frog."

Riku nodded. "Simple symptoms for the introverted heart…"

"Anyway, I've decided that I'm going to have to force myself into this. If I can't do it by myself, I need stronger motivations. I have to tame my body into submission. I will tell Kairi how I feel by the end of the day and you're going to help me."

"Whoa, whoa, back up. You want to force yourself into this?"

I grunted before crossing my arms. It wasn't that bad of an idea, he didn't have to make it sound so…childish. "Yes. Whatever it takes to let Kairi know how I feel."

My best friend sighed before walking over to the kitchen while still twirling his precious basketball. "I'd hate to break it to you, but this idea is just going to make your confession seem unnatural. If you really want to tell her, you should just TELL her. It's honest and safe, nobody gets hurt, and as long as you aren't to direct, Kairi will really appreciate it—even if she doesn't return your feelings."

I shivered as my mind went towards thoughts of rejection. I couldn't think about that now, it would just prevent me from doing what I needed to do.

"Look, Riku. I'm running out of options here. I've tried talking to her, but every time I get the chance I ruin it. I'm probably the worst when it comes to smooth talk. That's your forte. But I am a determined person, and I know that if I do it this way I'll be able to finally tell Kairi the truth…"

"Fine. Have fun with your new methods, but keep me out of this. The more complicated you make this the more likely things are going to go wrong. And, forgive me, I don't want to face Kairi's wrath if you screw up—which you probably will by the way."

I glared at him. Normally I wouldn't go this far, but I was desperate. "Riku, I need your help with this. You're the only one I can trust. I can't go to Tidus or Wakka. They'll ruin everything!"

Riku shrugged. "Don't go to them then. Just open up and say it, Sora."

Great, so he wasn't going to help me. And I woke up an hour early for this too…

I didn't think this would be so hard. Ever since I met Kairi, I always found it easy to talk to her. She was an excellent listener and she didn't mind me when I was hyper. In fact, it was usually me who had a hard time keeping up with her.

I knew from the moment I met her that she was special. Showing up at her house randomly with a love confession just wouldn't do.

I needed to come up with a special way to do it, some way that would delineate more than just a simple 'I love you'.

If Riku wasn't going to help me, than I guess I would have to take this into my own hands…

This will be a short story, probably three chapters at the most.

Thanks for reading!