A/N: I know. I have lots of other stories to write to. Why do I insist on just writing new ones?! I don't know. I don't care. Read this if you please! XD

This is my first ever SoRiku. It's probably really...mediocre or like, mainstream. Idk what I'm doing with my life anymore...too much fanfiction on the brain. And don't worry, I will continue White Noise. Anyways. Lemme know your thoughts and everything else that you would like to tell me after reading this! Thanks.

-Vindicated-

I sighed heavily, an exasperated sound, as I walked the school hallways, holding a piece of death in my hands. I stared down at the paper for the fifth time in the past 2 minutes, feeling sick with nerves.

How could this have happened? I studied all night…I thought I understood most of the material…and yet, I get this.

I sighed again, feeling as if I would be doing that all day. I walked slowly down the halls, only because it was still at least another three minutes until the bell rang. And my next class was just down the hallway, so I wouldn't have to worry about being late. I heard soft, familiar footsteps approaching me from behind. Of course, I knew who that was.

"Hey Sora! What did you get on the—"

I turned to her, my expression probably portraying that fact clearly.

"Oh …Sora, it'll be okay, I'm sure it's not that bad." Her eyes looked sincere enough, though they didn't make me feel any better. I blinked a few times, not looking back at her before I stepped up to the nearest trash can. I held the paper of doom over the receptacle and began ripping it up. I ripped and ripped, not crazily, just angry like, until there was nothing left. The small pieces of white paper floated to the bottom of the garbage, hopefully never to haunt me again.

I turned slowly back to her, trying to smile to hide the fact that I had just went psycho on a piece of paper. "I-its fine, Kairi. I'm fine." My fake smile was doing nothing for me.

She pursed her lips together, I'd kind of hoped that she was used to me acting weird by now. After we had been going out for this long. Kairi was my first girlfriend. She still is, I guess. She was pretty, I was really lucky to have her. I loved her bright red hair that flowed down to her shoulders. I loved her deep blue eyes and her features. She was the perfect girl for me. I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't asked her out that day. She was always sticking up for me, though sometimes I felt like I should be a little stronger. I was the man in this relationship anyway.

"Sora…stop spacing out on me, you're starting to get me worried." Her voice was soft and kind, like she really meant what she was saying.

I swallowed my fear and nodded to her, washing away all evidence that I was still angry about the test grade. "I'm sorry; I was just realizing how good you are to me. Thanks for always being there."

Kairi blinked twice, her long eye lashes fluttering. "Sora. You don't need to thank me for anything. I'm your girlfriend, it's my job," she said, smiling still. I looked back at her with hopeful eyes. "And try not to worry so much about what your parents will do. I'm sure they will be just fine about it; you tried your hardest."

Well that was a lie if I ever heard one. My parents were nothing like that. I'd be chewed out for sure.

"Mmm, maybe," I said anyway, not wanting to sound mean. At least she was trying to cheer me up.

Her bright warm smile lightened my heart as she grasped onto my arm, latching us together like two handcuffs. She started leading me down the hallway, off to our next class which we had together. "History won't be as bad, I'm sure," she reassured me.

Not long after Mr. Jordan had started his lecture of the Middle Ages I'd already dosed off. Kairi sat next to me of course, as she did in every class we had together. She would always let me copy her notes so I wasn't worried. I was doing well in this class actually. It was only math that killed me in the long run.

The bell rang much too soon and I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, the ringing still in my ears. "Come on, time to wake up," Kairi said cheerfully as if she had just enjoyed the past hour of lecture.

I groaned softly, sitting up from my warm desk. "Why are you always so happy in school? Don't you get sick of it?"

Kairi laughed jauntily. "I only like it because I get to see you, silly."

I laughed with her, grabbing my books off the desk we headed towards the door. "Does that make me a bad boyfriend for not being happy at school then?"

Kairi slipped her hand into mine, lacing our fingers together. "No, I don't think that's it."

I huffed, still clinging to her hand in mine. "Well when you figure it out, tell me."

She laughed once again and pulled me through the door. We slowed down once we were out of the crowd; it was nice to just walk with her sometimes.

"I love lunch time!" she exclaimed as we entered the cafeteria.

"You go get lunch, I'll be at the table," I said, laughing in-between my sentence. Even if she was a girl, she seriously loved to eat.

"Aren't you going to have anything?" she asked, puzzled.

I shook my head. "Naw, I'm not really hungry. I had a big breakfast."

Actually, it was because that stupid sick feeling wouldn't leave me. If I tried to eat anything now, I wouldn't be able to hold it down much later on.

She puffed up her cheeks and let go of my hand. "Fine, I'll be there in a sec!"

At that she took off running into the lunch line. I sighed again, regretting that because I had tried not to do that much today. It wasn't really working out.

I slumped off to my lunch table, where all my friends sat. I soon saw it and smiled. My friends were always nice to me. Maybe they could help me forget about the test.

"Sora! Not eating today?" Roxas smirked at me; as if he had some kind of inside joke as to why not eating anything was funny.

I used my breakfast excuse and sat down on the edge of the table, next to Namine, who was smiling her warm comforting smile at me. I looked around the table, smiling at every one of my friends. Axel was almost clinging to Roxas, I had no idea what those guys's relationship was now a days. Tidus was fighting with Wakka, saying something about how he really wanted that chicken nugget. Selphie was on the other side of them, trying to break up their fighting. Though, it didn't look like she was doing such a good job. Demyx sat on the other side of Axel, his face stretched into a large grin, as it always was.

I was suddenly so glad to be here, with my friends. They were so carefree and happy; it made me realize that I was worrying over something as stupid as a test grade. It wasn't the end of the world, I'd live. And I'd do better on the next one.

Yeah, I'll definitely pick up my pace by the next test. I'll be even better at it. I'll get a tutor if I have to and—

"Hey Sora. The new kid is staring at you." Axel's voice caught me so off guard that I turned around abruptly, not even thinking before hitting an expecting stare. I thought maybe for a second it was a girl, maybe I had another fan. Namine had asked me out before, but I was already dating Kairi. I'd been asked out before too, but only after I'd started dating the redhead. Maybe I just seemed too innocent or something to date before her. While thinking this, I really didn't expect to see him.

He was staring at me, as if he hadn't moved his eyes from me since lunch began. But the problem wasn't that, it was that I couldn't take my eyes off him either.

He's so…gorgeous.

His shoulder length silver hair glistened in the lunch room lights. He had mesmerizing blue-green eyes; I suddenly felt the need to sit closer so I could look further into them. Hia features were perfect, the best I'd ever seen. He was beautiful, amazing, flawless, the most incredible human being I'd ever seen in my life. It was weird, thinking those things while staring at the stranger. I'd never really been one to find guys attractive. Besides a few guys here at the school, I never thought guys were at all appealing. Sure Axel was good looking and Roxas was cute too, but never had the thought crossed my mind that I'd actually enjoy being with one of them.

It was definitely weird.

I noticed, while I was contemplating my sexual orientation, that the boy still hadn't let his gaze falter. His eyes were still focused intently on me and only me as if I was the only one in the whole room. Was it unnerving? Yea, a little bit I guess. Though…I sort of liked the way he looked at me. His eyes were deep and confusing. I felt like there was a whole story to unfold within them. I also noticed that he was hardly blinking at all, like that would take away from the time he could look at me. I wondered quickly if I was doing the same thing.

"Sora! Who are you staring…?" Kairi's voice filled my ears and I was sure she had already found out. For once, I was a little angry to hear her voice; it made me rip away from the stare of the beautiful stranger. When my eyes left his intense gaze, I felt weird. I wanted to look back at him instead of at my other friends at the table. He was so much more intriguing.

"Oh, the new guy. He's a senior, can you believe it? They say that he was kicked out of three other schools before! I heard he was sent here as a last resort before juvenile hall," Kairi gossiped as she sat down next to me with her tray of food.

I swallowed, feeling how dry my throat suddenly was.

How could someone so amazing and perfect be that bad?

Again, I forced myself not to reattach the weird yet comfortable stare between me and the new kid; instead I asked the first thing that came to mind.

"What's his name?" I kept my head down, my eyes focused on my short finger nails. I picked at them for a second, realizing that no one was answering me. But what was strange was that everyone was silent, as if they had all heard me, even Demyx wasn't talking and that was just plain weird.

Did I ask something weird? Did it sound like I was implying anything? Why are they all staring at me?

"Uhmm, Riku, I think," Kairi finally answered after my few moments of mental breakdown.

I nodded and focused back down on my fingernails, the urge inside me growing and growing to look back at the boy. I felt his stare on my back; at least, I hoped I did. Was he still looking at me? I wanted to know. I wanted to know badly.

Why am I getting so paranoid like this? Why am I freaking out?

I finally noticed my franticly beating heart. It pounded in my ears, making me feel even more uncomfortable.

The talking at the table had started up again, but I felt as if I was outside of some kind of loop. It was hard to keep up with the conversations, though I tried as best I could.

"Roxy, what are you doing tonight? It's Friday, we should hang out." That was Axel's voice. He sounded almost like he was pleading; he usually talked like that when he was around Roxas. I realized that he seemed to act like a girl with a crush on him sometimes.

Why am I noticing this just now?

"Not if it involves anything like last time when you—"

"Shh…" Axel had clapped his hand over Roxas' mouth, stopping his answer. "No need to tell everyone…"

Demyx erupted into laughter, hitting Axel playfully on the back. "Axe, you dog!"

Axel just smirked, glancing down at Roxas, whose face was set into a glare hidden by the blushing. I suddenly really wanted to ask them a question:

Do you guys like each other?

I almost had to cup my hand over my own mouth to stop the stupidly weird inquiry from bubbling out. I shut my eyes tightly instead, trying to rid my head of the weird thoughts I was having.

Axel and Roxas are only friends. Guys can only be friends to other guys. That's just how it works.

Unless…

Groaning, I stood up from the table, my hands hitting it with more force than intended. This was all that Riku guy's fault. Making me think weird thoughts only because he was so absolutely gorgeous.

I noticed that everyone's eyes were on me and that I was just standing there like an idiot. Even Kairi, who had been so consumed in her food that she hadn't even noticed my lack of talking, was staring up at me.

Say something to them…

I blushed, thinking quickly. "I-I'm gunna go get a drink, I'll be right b-back." I stumbled over my words, knowing all my friends at the table were still looking at me as I clumsily walked away from them.

What is the matter with me? I see one good looking guy and I practically go insane. Kairi is your girlfriend. Your girlfriend. You like girls. Guys are stupid. And gross and unattractive and so totally—

"Hey, Brownie."

I froze. That voice almost chilled me to the bone. It was smooth and cool. Calm and collected yet dangerous. It almost hurt to turn in the direction of it. Over all of the other voices that flooded the crowded lunch room, his was the one I heard perfectly. His turquoise eyes were locked on mine again. My head became flustered; I wasn't thinking straight.

This isn't good.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?"

Again I was forgetting to blink, and to breathe. I could do nothing but stare at him like he was some kind of angel. Hmmm, maybe he was.

One perfect eyebrow shot up and he blinked a couple times, his eyes going towards the empty seats around him. "Sit."

It wasn't more than two seconds before I was sitting down across from him. I barely had time to think about what I was doing before I did it.

I usually don't act like this. I tend to think before I do things most of the time. Okay so that's not totally true. But still…this guy has me all flustered I—

"Are you scared of me too?" he asked, his eyes were still on mine. I was glad for a moment, being this close to him. I could finally see the depth of his eyes; the secrets that they held were tugging at my mind like a string. It was like they were pulling me in. I couldn't help but be entranced by them.

If only I could find out what made them like that. He must have so many things hidden behind his eyes.

"Are you a mute, or are you really just that afraid?"

God, he's asking me questions and here I am staring at him like a freaking stalker.

"N-no, I can talk…" Idiot. He didn't mean that literally...

I thought I saw his lip turn up into a small smirk. Looking back at his face I noticed the smile looked amazing on him. I was even more engrossed.

"So you do speak," he said, his smirk turning into a full open mouth smile. I blinked a few times to hide my stare. The blushing was going to be difficult to cover up though…"What else can you do?"

Don't say anything stupid. Don't say anything stupid!

"I-I dunno…I can write with both my hands. I can also stand on my head for thirty minutes straight and—"

Now you've done it…

He started laughing. Of course he was laughing, I sounded like a moron. I blushed furiously, though…I was enjoying the soft sound of his laugh. "Thirty minutes huh? Doesn't that get tiring?"

I sighed quietly, knowing he was only humoring me. He was probably thinking what an idiot I was, blushing like crazy around him. Probably thinking I was some kind of twisted little kid.

Though I really do feel like one…

"S-sure it does, but I'm really into gymnastics so it's not so hard…"

He actually seemed interested then, "Oh yeah? Can you do flips and shit?"

I couldn't help but smile, he got me into my field of talking, and when I wanted to talk I didn't stop. "Yeah! I once did three back flips in a row. I like doing back walkovers too, though I usually practice on my trampoline. Some people just say I'm hyper as all hell but I just like to keep moving, ya know? That's never a bad thing, it helps me stay in shape and feel good."

Sparkling eyes blinked twice at me when I was done talking and I realized I probably should have slowed down, I must have confused him.

Though the next thing I knew he just laughed and rested his chin in his hands. "So I didn't catch your name, Brownie."

I titled my head, confused for a moment then smiling at the sudden like of the nickname. It felt right and…flattering. "I'm Sora, but…you can call me Brownie if you want." I threw in a laugh at the end for good measure.

If this isn't flirting then I don't know what is…

Though it's not like the boy wasn't flirting back…

"Alright, Brownie. I'm Riku. Let me know if you think of a nickname for me, hmm?" That smirk had to be illegal. I was either about to melt or ascend into heaven.

I said nothing, just nodded stupidly.

"So I saw you ripping up that paper earlier today, what was that about?"

I shrugged, not even feeling worried about that stupid test anymore. "Bad grade, I…couldn't stand looking at it anymore I guess." I was starting to talk normally around him at least.

"Ha, a bad grade, huh? Is that really such a big deal?" he asked, sounding more like he was really wondering the question, relying on my answer.

I shook my head. "To my parents yeah, so I guess it has to be for me…"

Riku leaned his head onto his left hand, making a soft hmming sound when…

"Sora!"

Kairi…

"There's the girlfriend, right on cue." Riku looked up as Kairi approached our table from behind. I could tell she was angry, but I felt like her reasons were totally unjust. I mean I was in the middle of a conversation…the woman didn't control me.

Soon enough she was standing right next to me, already urging me up. "I thought you were just getting a drink, everyone's waiting for you to get back…" She threw a sideways glare towards Riku, which frankly, really pissed me off, then added, "Oh and Demyx is throwing a party at his house on Saturday, and it's a sleep over so bring that one pink pillow, okay?"

I about wanted to slap her hand off of me. The first time I ever thought of laying a hand on Kairi and it was because of some boy I just met…

Something's wrong here…something's happening.

"I've got to get to study hall; guess I'll chat with ya later, Brownie." Riku did a two finger salute before sitting up, sticking his hands in his baggy jean pockets and exiting the lunch room.

Once he was gone I seemed to "come back to Earth" if that makes any sense.

Kairi's confused and almost angry stare helped with that. "What the hell was that all about?"

I thought of a lie quickly, "He wanted to know where the study hall was." I stood up quickly, my legs feeling funny and my head feeling light.

If just talking to him does this to me I wonder what doing—

"Sora, he called you Brownie. And you two were laughing at something, spill it." Kairi actually seemed mad.

I had to play it cool. "No he didn't, and we talked for a little bit. I am allowed to be his friend, aren't I?"

She narrowed her eyes at me, catching on quickly like she always did with me. "I don't like him, Sora. He's bad news. What if you're on his list now? Or even me?"

"His…list?" I asked, somewhat confused and insulted at the same time.

"You know how most kids like that have hit lists? The boy looks like he's killed people before, Sora."

I suddenly couldn't stand Kairi's voice anymore. I just met a sweet kid and the first thing she spits out about him is that he's some kind of murderer? I was seriously done with her childish acting.

"Did he look like he was about to slit my throat? Get over yourself, Kairi! He's just a kid who wants to fit in. Its people like you that make him the way he is! I'm sick of people treating others differently because of where they come from or what they did or even how they look. And I won't just sit back and listen to you say things like that!"

Kairi hadn't moved since I started talking, it was then I noticed that we were close enough for our whole table of friends to hear my little rant. I slowly looked from her astonished face back to the table and my heart about burst out of my chest.

Oh no…

"I…I…" The stares were too much…the way she looked at me made me want to vomit. "I've got to go." As soon as the last syllable left my mouth I was already booking it towards the doors, yet their stares still stayed, imprinted in the back of my mind.

And it was then that I knew my life would never be the same again.

I had to thank my lucky stars that it was Friday and I didn't have to go back to school for another two days. I had time to think, sort out my thoughts and consider all the possibilities. It was the end of the day and I was practically running home. No way was I staying another second there. My phone vibrated in my pocket for the hundredth time in the past few hours. I was terrified to look at it. I just knew there would be texts from everyone, wondering what had gotten into me. And especially Kairi.

What am I going to say to her? How will I explain myself…?

It wasn't going to be easy, that much was for sure. I yelled and insulted her in front of all our friends and for what? A boy I had just met. I threw reality in her face without even questioning my reasoning and for what? A boy I had just met.

That boy I had only just met…he had yet to get out of my head either.

I didn't understand.

Not one bit.

I threw my book bag onto my bed and fell into the warmth. My back felt so sore and I let myself relax, trying to forget the day away.

Until my twin brother, Vanitas poked his head into the room, smirking at me.

"How was your day, Sooooora?" he walked right in, not even bothering to ask if it was okay.

I sighed and threw a pillow over my head. "Leave me alone…" I mumbled.

"Dude, I've got something to ask you."

"I'm not lending you anymore munny. Go find someone else." He had come to me almost three times that week and asked for some change. I didn't know what he needed it for; I was pretty sure he was lying when he said it was for school.

"Sora, this is serious."

I sat up and stared at him, raising my eyebrow. "What?"

"I need you to tell the rents that I'm sleeping at Ven's tonight. Okay?"

So if it wasn't begging for money, it was having me lie…that was just like Vanitas.

"What are you really going to be doing…?" I asked slowly, picking at my finger nails thoughtfully.

He wagged his finger at me. "I'm. Not. Telling." Golden eyes sparkled and he grinned at me then bounded into the hallway, yelling, "Thank you, awesome brother of mine!"

I sighed when I heard the front door open and close. Even my evil brother was going out this weekend…I was stuck at home to ponder my horrid life.

My phone lit up. I glared at it and threw it across the room. It landed in a pile of dirty clothes that had been there for ages it seemed. My head went straight into my hands and my chest suddenly felt so tight.

Why had I said those things I did…? Everyone was so confused…but probably not as confused as I was. It wasn't fair! I was the one with the crisis on my hands! It's not like they were confused about their sexuality…

But was I really…?

I couldn't even find an answer for my main question.

And that was truly saddening…

"I've never felt this depressed before…" I said out loud, remembering about my test and how that had set my day off for failure.

I covered my eyes with my arm and held back tears. It wouldn't do me any good to cry over my situation…but it seemed like the simplest thing to do at that point.

So I ended up crying myself into a quiet slumber.

My eyes slowly opened and I realized I'd been asleep for almost three hours. It was already seven. I yawned loudly, stretching my arms over my head. From across the room I saw a small light in the darkness that was my room. Squinting, it only took me seconds to realize what it was.

My stupid phone.

Were people really still trying to contact me…?

I swallowed some spit that tasted salty and walked over to the phone. I glared down at it and blinked a few times, realizing the name on it said "Axel."

Axel's calling me…?

I instantly grabbed the phone and answered it. Maybe this was finally my lucky break! I could talk to Axel about my problems…maybe he would understand. Maybe…it was true, the thought I had about him and Roxas.

I just have to try…

"—ah! Just shut the fuck up, alri—oh shit, Sora, you actually answered? Well whudoyano!" I could practically see his cheeky grin in my head as he continued talking without a response from me, "People have been like, seriously worried about ya. Kairi just insisted that I call you a hundred times because obviously her calls weren't working. Would have never guessed that you'd pick me over your pretty little girlfriend. I must be pretty damn special, huh?"

"IS THAT SORA?!" I also heard that shout shortly after Axel finished speaking.

That…was definitely Kairi.

Kairi…she was with Axel? Why…?

"Calm yer tits, chicky. Let me talk to him first, he still hasn't even said anything, you might just scare the kid."

"WHY THE HELL WOULD I SCARE MY OWN BOYFRIEND?!"

"My…uhhh…point exactly…?"

"UGH! Just…give me the phone when you're done…" She started talking again but it was muffled, I guessed there were others there as well.

I took a deep breath and wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. I was suddenly mute, and that was really strange…for me at least. Usually I was the one who broke awkward silences with my goofy jokes or acrobatics.

It…wasn't like me to have nothing to say.

"Aye, Sora? You there?"

I nodded and sniffed. "Yeah, I uh…Axel?"

"Right here, kiddo."

"Could you maybe…go somewhere where, uhm…Kairi isn't going to hear or listen…?"

He was silent for a moment, I pictured him looking back at my redheaded girlfriend and then to a door of some sort. "Uhh…what Sora…? Couldn't really hear you, the reception in this coffee house is just awful. I'm gunna step outside."

I blinked, confused because I was certain that he had heard me.

I heard a door open and then he spoke again. "Alright, now what is it that you wanna talk about?"

Oh…he was just making sure Kairi didn't suspect anything. Of course. Axel was a smart guy.

I took a deep breath and tried to center my words in my head then started speaking softly, just in case my mother or anyone else was home. "Okay well I really want you…to take me seriously. Is that...okay?"

"Cross my heart. I'll be as serious as my demeanor allows."

I smiled a little and continued, "This is kind of really hard for me to talk about and say and…just, well, everything, so I'm just going to come right out and say it…so please don't laugh, okay?"

"I won't."

"…" My hands were shaking. I was…really scared. "Axel…are…are you…do you like…guys?"

He burst out laughing.

I felt like such a failure.

I want to sink into the floor and never resurface…

My finger was itching for the cancel button on the phone as Axel just kept laughing. Tears were in my eyes. I couldn't…take this anymore.

"Okay, okay, okay, oh god. I'm so sorry, Sora. I really didn't mean to laugh, honest I didn't. Please don't be offended. Hey, you still there?"

"…Yes…" I bit my lip and blinked out a tear.

"Okay, so," he cleared his throat; a small laugh came out with it as well. "I'm not laughing at you, Sora."

That seemed hard to believe seeing as how he erupted into laughter at just a sentence from my mouth…

"Honestly, I'm just laughing because the way you asked and…and how you honestly haven't noticed it yet! Almost everyone knows I'm bisexual. You really are as dense as they say, eh shortie?"

I narrowed my eyes at the phone but then…I processed what he had said.

He…he did! He really did like guys! That meant that I could talk to him about what I was feeling! Maybe he would even explain why I was feeling like this and what to do about it. I felt suddenly so happy my tears stopped instantly.

"Axel! You…you've gotta help me!"

"You're in love with me, aren't you?"

My eyes went wide and I shook my head violently, even though he couldn't see these gestures. "No, no…I…"

"Is it…holy shit, that silver haired transfer kid…?"

My heart suddenly started beating at lightning speed. He hadn't even said his name and already I was on the verge of fainting or…whatever it was that girls did over hot guys.

I could tell he got the idea by my sudden silence.

"You're…being serious, right?"

"I wouldn't joke about this, Axel."

He sighed, probably ran his fingers through his spiky red hair like he usually did. "I guess you always did give off that gay kind of vibe. It was bound to happen sooner or later."

"What do I do? Is this going to be permanent…? Axel, he's all I can think about! I'm losing my mind, I don't even know if I like Kairi anymore or if I could even stand to kiss her or, or even look at her now…please, Axel. You're my only hope…"

There was a long pause from the other end. I felt like maybe he had already given up on me. Maybe I was asking way too much of him. Maybe I had already embarrassed him enough. Maybe…he didn't even want to—

"I'll be over with Roxas in fifteen minutes. Be ready."

My mouth dropped open.

He…what…?

"Sora? You hear me?"

"Y-yeah."

"I'll see you soon."

And he hung up.

I was confused out of my mind…What did he need to come over my house for…? Was this really that big of a deal? Okay, so that was a dumb question. Of course it was. I guess Axel really did care and he did want to help me for whatever reason. I felt so…thankful.