I don't own any of the characters of Kingdom Hearts, just the story.

I glance at the clock above the board. Five minutes left until third period is over. Today isn't all the bad, considering it's the first day back and there won't be any real work for a couple of days. It's a good thing too. I probably won't be able to concentrate for a couple of days. I wish I could bump into Sora again. Maybe tomorrow. Or every morning. Then I'd have an excuse to talk to him everyday. That could break the ice.

There's an assembly after third period. A 'Welcome Back' sort of thing, like the one we have every year. I personally don't understand why it's after third period and not at the beginning of school, but oh well. I was unlucky enough to only have one period with Yuffie and Cloud this year. Last year Yuffie and I were in three of the same classes and Cloud and I were in two, one of which had all three of us in it.

The bell rings, signaling everyone to head to the auditorium for the assembly. I have to rush to Yuffie's classroom first so we can sit together. Cloud'll probably sit with Sora. The lucky jerk. He ditched us every year for the assembly.

"Head out in a single file line," Mrs. Richards calls as all the students push their way to the exit. What does she think, we're in Kindergarten? Nobody walks in a line out of classrooms anymore. I hurry to the front when she isn't looking.

We file down the hallway, everyone going their own paces, and some stopping in front of other classrooms to wait for friends.

"Kai!" I hear Yuffie's light voice from the side. It seems her teacher has already let them out. I smile and make my way to her.

"Move," a blonde blur pushes passed me, exiting Yuffie's class. I scowl at the back of Demyx's head, who's talking to some guy.

"Excuse me works too," I retort. He turns around and stares like he really hadn't known I was there.

"Move has done just fine for me so far," he replies. I resist the urge to push him. I turn back to Yuffie as we head down the hall with the crowd.

"Looks like the bipolar musician from hell is in your class," I say to her.

"Yeah," she responds dreamily. I look at her annoyed.

He's so totally evil," she corrects herself when she sees my look, "But still sexy."

Yeah, for some reason Yuffie likes the bipolar musician from hell aka Demyx, even though he completely hates me, her best friend. Isn't she just wonderful?

By the time we finally reach the auditorium, I groan. All the good seats are taken. You know, the ones in the back. So we have to sit in the second row next to all the losers who actually don't mind listening to what seems like the same speech every year. We need some variety, like music, or even a skit. Anything to make this more fun and that'll limit the amount of time we have to listen to our principal's irritatingly scratchy voice. We take our seats and I look back, to see Cloud, Sora and Riku sitting together near the back. The seat to Sora's right is empty and I wish I could go sit in it. But Demyx sits there, right as I'm thinking that. Cloud spots me and waves, looking like he wants to laugh. Sora, Riku, and Demyx all look this way. I roll my eyes, as I realize he's just making fun of us since we have to sit in the front. The bastard.

"Hello everyone!" the principal's voice signals the start of the assembly. Everyone quiets down a bit, but keep socializing nonetheless. I glance next to me and see I'm sitting next to Hayner, the only cool guy that sits up here. He always sits in the front, since his dad is the principal. He looks half-asleep though.

"Would daddy approve of this?" I whisper jokingly, leaning over to him. He jumps up in surprise. I guess he really was nearly asleep. He looks at me and grins groggily.

"I could say this speech in my freakin' sleep," he says, "I don't need to hear it again." I grin back at him. I like Hayner. He's laid-back and nice to everyone. H could brighten a mood and make anyone laugh.

Hayner's dad continues to drawl on and on about how everything works and gives a few of the other staff and teachers a chance to talk about things nobody particularly cares about. Yuffie and I just talk to Hayner and ignore the glares we get from the few students who actually listens to this stuff.

The assembly takes up all of fourth period, so when it's over, it's time for fifth period. The principal wraps up his speech and dismisses us.

"Thank God that's over with," Hayner says as we slowly move towards the exit in the traffic jam.

"Yeah," Yuffie agrees, "We also got to miss fourth period." I nod. That's the best part. I look around for Sora. It's become automatic for me. It's too crowded though, plus he was in the back, where the door is, so he's probably gone already. We push our way to the front making sure to stay together until we make it outside. Then we say our good byes and head off in different directions. My fifth period is art. So that's where I'm going.

-------------XII-------------

After fifth period, I'm feeling a little sleepy. I thank the Heavens that it's lunch. I put my books in my locker and take some munny from my backpack before heading to the cafeteria.

It's already nearly filled when I get there. So instead of going through the hassle of looking for Yuffie or Cloud, I decide to get me some food and go to our table. I love our table because it gives us a perfect view of Sora's table. He's there with Cloud. There talking and Sora is laughing, like he always is. I love that Sora's always so happy.

Cloud turns to look at me, while still talking to Sora. Sora glances up from his food and looks directly at me. I can't decide whether to smile or pretend I don't notice and keep my eyes on Cloud. So I just look back and forth between them, like an idiot.

Sora gives a small wave and I freeze up. Cloud says something to him and he laughs. I just pray he didn't say something embarrassing about me.

"Hey," Yuffie greets me with her usual greeting and sits down next to me. I mumble a 'hi' but keep my eyes on Sora and Cloud. Yuffie looks at me, then looks at them. Cloud ruffles Sora's hair and stands up. He grins triumphantly as he makes his way to us.

"Hello," he says and sits down. Yuffie replies with a 'hey' but I don't say anything. I'm just waiting for what's coming next.

"Guess what?" Cloud asks picking up my soda and taking a sip. But I don't care this time. I just let it slide.

"What?" I reply a little too eagerly to his amusement.

"I just got the guys to hang with us this weekend," he answers with a confident smile. I open my mouth in surprise and can't help but smile a big smile, the biggest one today.

"The guys?" I ask incredulously, "meaning Sora?" He nods, crossing his arms across his chest and leaning back in his chair like he's a hero.

"And Demyx?!" Yuffie can barely contain her excitement. My smile drops. I had forgotten that 'the guys' also includes Demyx. Cloud just nods again and I swear I see his already swollen head get bigger. Pretty soon it'll be big enough to actually go with his hair that defies all laws of gravity.

"Who's the man?" he just can't help but add. I roll my eyes.

"Demyx?" I groan at the sound of his name. Cloud's smile falls too.

"Sorry, I couldn't just not invite him," he shrugs.

"Uh, yeah, you could've," I tell him.

"Uh, no, I couldn't have," he retorts, "Sorry I couldn't make it perfect but at least I got Sora to come. You should be thanking me." When I stop and think about it, he's right. I am going to hang out with Sora. My Sora. I can't let Demyx ruin that.

"Yeah, okay," I reluctantly agree, "I'll just ignore the beast."

"Great." Cloud resumes with the grinning and the growing of his head, "Sounds like a plan."

I look at Sora's table, that's now filled with lots of other students.

"Party? Yeah, his parents are gone next weekend so I'm gonna throw a party!" Demyx exclaims a lot louder than he needs to. My smile wavers a bit. Ignoring the loud bipolar musician from hell isn't going to be easy at all. But it's for Sora and totally worth it. Plus Yuffie will be there. She could distract him from being a nuisance.

I smile excitedly. Maybe things will be great this year. Maybe that weird feeling I had before was imagined.

If you read this, please review and tell me what you think. It's my first story and it'll make me oh so happy ~!! -----Danyelle

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