One School, One Destiny
Are these eyes real?
Monday, September 8
Sora
"Hey, Sora!"
It wasn't hard at all for me to recognize Tidus' voice. His voice was somehow enjoyable for me to hear, and every time I would have heard his voice, I knew I was about to have a good chat with someone I care about.
I turned around to see my childhood friend waving at me, with a pleasant smile on his face. I smiled back at him, but could not wave back because my hands were holding my meal. I could see the person smiling awkwardly at me, poking his salad with his fork. What was he doing, anyway?
I blinked and continued to stare at him, and only then realized that I should stop standing dully in the middle of the cafeteria; I probably looked like an idiot. I shook my head to release myself from my mental maze. I went towards Tidus' table with my black tray, which had a plate of mashed potatoes and a glass full of apple juice on.
A second before I sat down, I noticed that Wakka was there, too! "What's up?" I grinned at the both of them.
"Sora! Haven't seen you in a while!" Wakka grinned back.
It was true. As much as I hate to admit it, it was true. I lost contact with most of my childhood friends. Somehow, I still hung out with Tidus occasionally. I am not sure why I did only with him, and not with Wakka, or someone else…Tidus is at the Blitz-Ball Team, does it has something to do with that?
'No, of course not! I really don't care about popularity or some other things like that. I guess I just haven't had the time to be with them…' I calmed myself down. But why has that thought gotten into my head in the first place? I settled down with an answer in order to stop complicating my little head: 'Since Tidus is at the Team, I get to spend more time with him. Because most of my friends are in there, too! Yep, that's about right.'
"Good to see you, Wakka."
"Hey…" Tidus shifted closer to me, as if he was about to tell a secret. "Heard about Seifer's party?"
I could see a hint of a smirk on his face and wondered why. "Yes."
"Are you going?"
"Don't know. Seifer and I are cool now, but—" I was interrupted by my friends' laughter. I sighed. 'Do they really need to bring it up right now…?' I thought to myself.
"I will never forget that day!" Wakka said and wiped off a fake tear.
"Yeah. It was hilarious! What were you two fighting about again?" Tidus asked. It was obvious he already knew the answer, but wanted me to say it.
"Who has better hair…?" I said dumbly, and the two laughed harder. I noticed that I more of asked, than simply said that sentence; I guess it really was quite stupid, when I think about it right now.
"Right." Wakka said. "Amazing how a pointless discussion can lead to a fight, you know."
"Hey!" I snapped. "My hair is better than his. His stupid hair is plain short with no style and stuff…"
"Man, you had black eye for weeks!"
"Yeah." Tidus nodded. "But Sora left some serious bruises on Seifer's face too—"
"As I was saying!" I glared at the two. "We are cool, but I haven't decided yet. What about you?"
"Nah. I am going with Wakka to 'Vampire Strikes Human 2'."
"Wooo, a date?" I said in a babyish, teasing voice. The two laughed.
"Sure!" Wakka said sarcastically. "It's a great movie for a first date, huh?"
I smiled and rolled my eyes.
Those two could bring me to smile so easily. Only then, when I sat with them and continued to talk some more about what's going on in our lives, I realized how much I missed them, and how much I desired to just chill out with them at the Island, like we used to do every Saturday. This warm, protective feeling returned to me; I remember feeling it before I entered high school. I guess it was just the happiness of being with my friends.
I found it nice Tidus and Wakka remained friends. Tidus could have easily become one of the most popular guys in school, but he decided to stick with his old friends. I guess… I wished I could be like him. Well, it's not like I ditched my friends aside; I just hung out less with them.
I stared at Wakka, how he laughed at the joke Tidus had just told, and smiled secretly. Something inside of me just wanted to laugh, so I released a quiet chuckle. It's been almost a year since I talked with them; a real talk. I would say 'hello' when I passed next to them at the hall, but that was pretty much it.
'I wish I could have more time with them. Maybe I can make plans with everyone someday… We can go to the beach…'
Wakka's phone rang and I slightly gagged when I heard his ringtone. This quiet song doesn't fit his personality at all, but…
~Did you see me? Come down on the sand and sea. Believe me.~
"Huh, Wakka? What's up with that song?" I asked him as he tried to pull his phone out of his pocket.
Tidus laughed and Wakka sighed, thus making me wonder if I just told a joke without noticing. "Don't ask me! My sister was the one who set this up as my ringtone, not me!"
"Yeah, yeah, you just keep telling that to yourself." Tidus smirked and continued to poke his salad.
"Since when do you even have a sister?" I raised an eyebrow.
Wakka answered the phone and chatted with someone. Though the song had ended the moment he picked up the phone, I continued to sing it in my head… ~Did you see me? Waving it free in the tree. Believe me.~
Image of slightly younger Tidus, Wakka and I came into my mind. How we used to go every Saturday to the little Island and look for some more secret places. How we raced each other until we get to the big, old tree. And how we used to pull out a Paopu Fruit and nag each other about girls we'd like to share it with.
Going back to that time… It would be very nice…
When I came back to reality, I noticed that Wakka had already finished talking on his phone. I wanted to say something, but I couldn't figure out what. 'Maybe I should say I want to hang out with them this Saturday…?'
"Hey Sora, come here!" Another friend of mine called. I tuned to look around my shoulder and waved. I then faced Tidus and Wakka again. "Huh…"
"It's okay." Wakka insured. "Go."
"Yeah, we'll talk later." Tidus smiled and nodded.
"Thanks." I smiled and took my tray in my hands, as I approached to a table, which was more at the center of the room.
"Sora! So, coming to my party or what?"
I sat down and cleared my throat. "Um, I still don't know…"
"Don't be stupid." Seifer glared at me. It really gave me the chills; in a not so pleasant way, mind you. "It's going to be awesome. You don't want to miss it!"
"Um… Alright, when is it?"
"This Friday." Hayner said mouth full of pizza.
I sighed. "Okay."
Something felt different; I wasn't feeling so comfortable like I did one minute ago, at the other table. At Seifer's table, the mood was cold and harsh; not protective and warm like it was with Tidus and Wakka. The boys just sat there and ate their meals, not really bothering to ask for my well-being.
"Good." Cloud grinned. "So… Have a date?"
"Do I need one?" I raised my eyebrow, and then put a disgusted expression as I noticed Hayner chewing his food with mouth wide open, giving me the 'award' to see his gnawed food.
"No." Hayner said and then gulped the rest of his food. "You can pick one there."
I chuckled. "Alright then."
It was only last year, at the 10th grade, when I met Seifer. At first, he looked to me like a cruel criminal who was good for nothing.
Boy, wasn't I wrong?
Sure, maybe school wasn't much on his mind, but he was kind of a fine boy. Better than I had expected, that's for sure. I got closer to him, and learnt that he is not a bad face like everyone thinks he is.
At first, I must admit, I felt threatened to be near him, because I thought that he might be bad influence. But when we were teamed up together as Science partners by our teacher, I really got to know him better. I will never forget how Seifer refused to listen to me. He had a stiff look that told me to back off. But I just had to tell him that he shouldn't use that chemical; it wasn't the right one!
"Seifer, the Professor told us to use the other one—"
"I believe I know what I am doing!" He examined the chemicals and ignored me.
"Seifer, just listen!"
But of course, Seifer refused to listen and stated that he understood the Professor's orders, and that it was the right one. Obviously, before I could react, he mixed them together.
Boom.
That was what I could hear. I closed my eyes and expected to see the entire lab black from the explosion when I would open them, like all those movies showed. Yeah, that wasn't like that at all. It was just a small demolition inside of the tube. Still, the Professor was very mad and blamed the both of us for not following the orders. As a punishment, for causing a possible damage to the laboratory (like I said, nothing had happened), he made us stay after school to clean the lab's usual mess.
During most of the hour we spent cleaning the room, I stared at Seifer with narrowed eyes. It didn't seem like he cared. Not even in the slightest.
"Way to go…" I remember saying—no, whispering—as I tidied my part of the room.
He just shrugged his shoulders and continued with his business.
Though I was mad at him, I am glad this entire thing happened. Ten minutes after my last statement, I caught, accidentally, Seifer's eyes. We looked at each other dully, saying words in our minds that were beyond our reach. The next thing we did, without even planning, was to burst out laughing like we were some drunken people.
I let go of my broom and it instantly fell to the ground, then covered my red face and tried to stop the laughter. I guess that the situation was really that idiotic that we couldn't help it.
I wiped some laughter-tears off. "You just had to be the one who is right, huh?"
Seifer grinned. "What can I say? Seifer." He offered me his hand as I shook it.
Of course that I knew his name already, and he knew mine, but we had to introduce ourselves properly.
"Sora!"
Cloud and Hayner I met only last summer, a few weeks ago. One lazy Saturday, when Seifer and I were at the gym, I heard a boy's voice calls Seifer's name. Then I saw a blond, muscular boy grinning at the both of us. Seifer introduced between Hayner and I, and it was only a matter of seconds until Cloud arrived. Seifer told me that those two are his best friend, so I decided that they are pretty cool. We ended up spending the rest of the day together, and as if almost immediately, I learnt to like the two, who shortly after became good friends with me.
I snapped out of my nostalgia-attack and looked around the three boys at my table. Then I looked over my shoulder and noticed Wakka and Tidua laughing together. I smiled sadly, but an evil smile took place instead as I came out with a wild idea. That's right! My new school year's resolution: Find a way to stay friends with my childhood friends and my new friends. Surely, this will work!
I wish... I wasn't so arrogant. I was able to protect no one... Everyone were broken on the inside, all because of me...
The bell rang. 'Ugh, okay, two more periods. What is it…? Double Math! Awesome…' I thought sarcastically.
"Catcha later." Seifer said and the three left, leaving me alone at the table, drawing circles with my fork on the smashed potatoes, which never touched my lips.
Naminé
"Naaaaa-mi-né!" Xion skipped over to my locker. I turned around to face the raven-haired girl. I nodded, mentioning her to continue. "Whatcha doing?" She asked.
I wasn't really paying attention to her question; her wide grin worried me. I continued to stare at her with a stiff forehead, until she cocked her head cutely to the side in confusion.
"O-Oh, putting the books in the locker…?" I replied, more asking than saying.
"Tsk, well duh." She smacked her forehead and laughed. "I meant after that."
"Oh…" I looked down and answered quietly. "English lesson."
"Okay." She turned around and walked away.
"W-Why?" I called after her. I was surprised she actually heard it, with my mousy tone. And, well, with her ears… She has to stop going to loud parties.
"No reason." She called and turned left, and was out of my sight.
'What is she planning? She is obviously up to something.' I could see it in her smile, hear it in her voice… 'Well, one more period to go.' I thought and closed my locker. I entered my next class; English. Um, I guess I couldn't complain. The teacher was really nice, and she always gave us interesting stories to read and later to do reports about.
I sat next to that guy. What was his name again? Starts with R… Rock? No. But something like that. We never talked. I wasn't keen on making friends. And from what I heard down the halls, he wasn't either. Another kid that is out of my reach.
But that day was quite different.
When the teacher asked me to read in front of the class, I froze. Me? Reading out loud? Come on, I get good grades; why would she want me to read the text suddenly? I really wished that she would change her mind. I wasn't in the mood to talk much. Let alone, to read in front of the class; that involves almost yelling so that the back row of the room would hear, too. I felt my abdomen stiffens and I sighed under my breath.
'Well, I can't say no to the teacher.' I told myself and took a deep breath.
"The Navajo Indians—" I spoke quietly, almost whispering.
"Naminé, dear. Please, louder."
I slowly nodded and titled my legs under the table nervously. I felt bad about the fact that she had to remark me… Made me feel as if I made a mistake.
But thankfully, Xion once told me about this 'hot, new trend'; how people wish for something for the new school's year. Kind of like a new year's resolution, only that it talks about the school's new year. Well, at that moment I thought it's worth a shot. My new school year's resolution: Try to be a little more outspoken. Stop being so shy and closed. Open up to more people. Try new things, too! It never hurt anyone, right? Well, it definitely didn't do any harm to Xion. So for this year, I shall change, just a tiny little bit.
I wish I never made that stupid wish...
"The Navajo Indians—" I started, raising my voice just a bit. I doubt it satisfied the teacher, but she didn't say a word again. She leaned against her table, focusing on my reading, and put a finger on her red lips in thought. It really made me wonder what is going on through her head. "—had a different explanation for those stars."
Another thing I noticed was that everyone's eyes were on me. Everyone fell quiet. It never happened. Usually, when someone was reading, most of the students were taking this opportunity to whisper things to their friends. But not now. It made me feel even more insecure and mentally unstable; I was so afraid that my voice would crack, and I could notice that I sound very nervous...Which I was. I started to heat up and felt sweat crosses in between my fingers, which were clutching into my skirt tightly.
I heard some voices from outside the class, in the hallway. One guy was screaming. "Okay, call me now!" After some seconds, a weird song came to my ears, something like—
~Did you see me? Flying through the galaxy... Believe me.~
Then the same boy yelled. "God, how do you change this ringtone, dammit?"
I wanted to smile. But then I noticed that I paused for too long in order to listen to what the boy had to say, and that the teacher was probably waiting. And the students, too. So I quickly continued. "According to Navajo myth, these stars are called the Flint Boys. The Navajos believed that—" I stopped when I heard a cough. It felt so close…
That boy next to me was responsible for this. I was about to ignore it and continue, but yet, another voice stopped me.
"Keep it down, emo-boy. Naminé's reading."
I froze and widened my eyes, but my mind was wild and jumpy. 'Oh my gosh! The guy silenced him only because of me! Why? My reading? Fine, I don't speak much, but this is so over-passed the limits! Although Xion did always say that I have nice voice… Naminé, shut up!'
I tried to calm my hyperactive thoughts. Wasn't I feeling bad for the boy... I felt so guilty because it was mainly because of me. Was he okay? He wasn't saying a word back. He wasn't even coughing anymore! Or maybe he just didn't care and I was simply over-reacting myself? Still, I wondered if he was staring at me… Could it possibly be that he was mad?
For the first time, I turned my head to my left, to see preperly who was sitting next to me.
Blue.
That was the first thing I met. His piercing, royal blue, darting eyes. As cliché as it sounds, those were the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
Well, second most beautiful. Sorry, but Xion will always be in first place.
Still… They were so open; inviting you to learn the person, welcoming you into their universe… They were quite big and round, which made me even more hypnotized and sent me flying in my mind. Like that song; flying through the galaxy! I found myself staring into the person's eyes, and saw a hint of even darker blue, combined with white rays in the iris. It rather reminded me the sky in the middle of April. His eyelids weren't too deep, or sleepy; they were rather deep-set, so almost no eyelid was shown around his eyeball. Surely, they were so amazing that I couldn't help but asking myself, 'Are these eyes real?'
I also realized this was the first time I took so much notice to someone's eyes. (As much as I love Xion's, you get used to them after seeing them every day).
I moved to his stylish, golden blond hair. He had spiky hair, and the front—the only part of his hair that I could see—concentrated his spikes more to the right side of his head, as if it was windswept by the firm wind of a cold and cruel winter night. His eyebrows were quite thin for a guy, and he had long, thick and curly lashes, moving upwards. The bridge of his nose was straight; the nose itself was narrowed and long. Also, I noticed that his lips were quite full, especially the bottom lip.
I must admit that he looked very nice, and I wasn't even a girl that checked guys out. But something about him must have been special if I actually described him and memorized every detail of him in my head. Whether it was his light-tan skin tone, or his honey lips…
True, I have this small problem; I use to describe things in my mind. Even the smallest things. Even simple actions of someone can leave me wondering for ages. But what really surprised me is that with that guy, I described everything the moment I saw him, and not hours afterwards, when I am alone in my room. That's what was so special about him. Everything in him just popped into my head the moment my eyes were set on his.
His mouth was slightly open, probably from shock. He looked so vulnerable, like he was about to cry. He really looked like a scared little boy, which made me feel something… funny inside of me. It felt nice, actually. The fuzziness tickled me and warmed me. It made me feel protected, as well.
The person turned his face and noticed my stare, so our eyes met.
It felt so… Special. Yet awkward. I never created such an eye contact with someone before. I could feel my entire face heating up, and I couldn't even imagine the color that my cheeks grew.
I hated creating eye contact with someone; it included bearing the fact and feeling that someone's eyes are focused on you, and only you. It includes feeling this penetrating 'knife' eyeing you entire being, learning who you are and what you are exactly. It meant being the main object in someone's eyes... And there I was, sitting next to him, and living this embarrassing and frightening moment.
The next thing I knew, the guy grabbed his bag and ran out of the class. He almost fell, but he grabbed a table from the front row to balance himself, and burst out of the room.
'I remember his name now.' I bit my bottom lip to hold back my smile.
How could I forget such a unique name? So welcoming and warm… Yet distant and cold. It really gave me the chills, in the best manner I could have ever thought of. It was so funny to pronounce his entire name, while emphasizing every syllable the best way I can get on my tongue.
'I will never forget you again…'
"Roxas."
Music: Did you see me? By Ween.
So next chapter is the last one of the prologue. After that, we're hitting the road, skittles!
Again, thanks for reading! I really appreciate it. Oh, and if you could, vote in my Poll; I want to get to know you guys better (:
