AN :)) Hey all! I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed!!! Especially thanks to kingdomfantasyanime453, my first reviewer! You guys are the coolest, so pat yourselves on the back. No seriously, do it now! Lol. Sorry for the long wait, I took this trip to NY, and while it was awesome, it left no time to write! Sorry for any spelling/ grammer errors! So anyway, here it is, the second chapter of Fall! Enjoy! Livvy
Disclaimer: No I do not.
Symbols
Thoughts
Flashback/dream
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"Trip"
The smell of smoke and alcohol filled the air. Kairi shuffled her way back to her table, only to find her mother on her sixth beer of the night. How long had she been gone?
"Mom? Mom are you Ok?" she asked gently shaking her. Her mother looked up, a glazed look painting her features.
"Oh, Kairi! You've got to have one of these! They're greet! Oh, I mean great, great, you know what I meant." Her words sloshed together.
"Mom, I'm 14! You're supposed to drive us home! Do you know how mad Jecht will get if we're late?"
"Don't worry Kairi, I can drive, I'm fine." She said as she shakily rose. "Whoa!" Kairi caught her mother as she stumbled back.
"Mom…" Kairi reached for the keys.
"No! I can drive!" she said, slapping Kairi's hand away. She paid the bill and sauntered towards the door.
One, two, three times she missed the keyhole until finally, Kairi steadied her mother's hand enough to start the car.
Rain washed over the windshield as Kairi and her mother drove down the flooded streets. Kairi held the steering wheel to stop them from swerving between the lanes. Suddenly, she heard sniffles. She turned to see her mother crying silently.
"Oh Kairi, sweetie, I'm so sorry. Someday, we won't need Jecht. You and I will leave and travel together. Just us."
Kairi fought the sting in her eyes, keeping them locked on the road ahead. As much as she wanted to believe her mother, she knew it wouldn't happen. Her mother was too weak, and Kairi couldn't just up and leave her.
Tears trailed down the contours of his face, making intricate paths that meandered down. She looked to her mother, eyes off the road for 5 seconds…
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"Dude hurry up, we've got to get to the party in time!"
"Shut-up Seifer, I'm going as fast as I can." Reno replied to the impatient Blond.
"Aw fuck, red light."
"Dude, just run it."
"No."
"Come on man, there's no one around."
Reno sighed heavily. He glanced quickly at his watch and grunted irritably.
"Fine."
Reno floored the accelerator, only to be blinded by headlights.
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Kairi's car crashed into Reno's, then spun around and hit a street light.
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One week later, Kairi was released from the hospital, bearing only minor wounds, but her mother was dead, and so was Reno. But that was only the beginning of her troubles…
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Kairi woke up in cold sweat. The accident had been 4 years ago. She had never forgiven herself for letting her mother drive that night. Even if it meant angering Jecht, it was a poor decision, and it had cost Kairi her mother. But it was too late now; she couldn't bring her back by blaming herself and lingering in the past. So, she shook her head and rose from her bed.
She tip-toed out of her room and quickly took a shower, letting the hot water wash away her troubled thoughts and dreams. She dried off and put on clothes, entering the bathroom to put on make-up. She glanced at her reflection, practicing her smile as she did every morning. She couldn't lead on about her home life. After all, all anyone knew of her was happy, rich, popular Kairi, and why would she be sad?
She pulled herself together before a tear could be shed. She had a long day ahead of her. School would be followed by work at the café, and then the possible confrontation with her father that evening. Without another thought on the matter, Kairi grabbed her things and left for school.
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Kairi scrubbed the counters at Destiny Café. This was the third time today that she had to do it. Each time the assistant manager, Cid, would tell her that it wasn't clean enough. She finished drying it and scurried over to a table to take their order before Cid could tell her to do it again.
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Sora walked aimlessly around the mall. Riku had ditched him to make out with Selphie at the movies. Ew. Bad images. Sora waved at two particularly cute girls as they passed. They giggled and scurried away. He was so smooth, and so he decided he deserved a cup of coffee.
"Hmmm Destiny Café? That's new, might as well check it out." He said reading the sign and shrugging to himself as he approached the café.
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"Wow, Cid really likes you." Leon commented as Kairi continued to wipe down the counter. Again. Leon was like Kairi's long lost brother. He always stuck up for her and was very protective. And at 6 foot 3, he did a pretty good job doing just that. She told him almost everything, almost. She hadn't told him about her father for obvious reasons. See protective sentence.
"I know, I think we'll have a tea party and paint each other's nails later."
"You could quit."
"No, I need the money, even if it means dealing with JERK FACES." Kairi said, hoping Cid had overheard. She through the towel over her shoulder and approached the counter as she heard someone ring the bell.
"Hi, what will you have today?" Kairi said looking up with a bright smile. This smile, however, was quickly replaced with a horror struck one. Speaking of jerk faces…
"Kairi?!" Sora said Gazing at the fiery haired girl before him. He took in the apron, the "Hi, my name is Kairi" badge, the dirty towel adorning her shoulder.
"Do you work here?" he asked in disbelief.
"No! I mean yes. It's just for fun though."
"You call this," he looked around for emphasis, "fun?"
"Well, yah. I mean, Namine works here too." It was the truth, she just had today off.
"Why do you hang out with that girl? You could buy better friends with your money."
"I don't judge you, or your friends. So if you're going to order something, I suggest you do it now before I decide not to be nice." Kairi said placing her hands on her hips.
"Oooooo, I'm so scared. Whatever. I'll take a double shot espresso." He said.
"$2.09. One double shot espresso." Kairi repeated to Leon who had approached shortly after the conversation began. Kairi had some explaining to do, but none the less, he prepared the drink.
"So you really work here? You really are a freak" he chuckled as he handed her the money. Kairi clenched her jaw, remembering that Cid was watching.
"I'll deal with you later." She growled. She went over to where Leon prepared his drink and grabbed the cup, leveling her mouth with the lid.
"Kairi, you wouldn't…" Leon began, but was interrupted when Kairi hocked up and spit into the cup.
"Or, you would." He sighed. Kairi placed a lid on the cup and took it over to Sora, wearing a large smile.
"Enjoy your drink!" her voice laced with lethal cheer. Sora looked at the cup suspiciously before shrugging it off and taking the cup to go. Kairi laughed maniacally when he was out of ear range, that is until Leon approached wearing a stern face.
Crap, explanation time. She thought to herself.
"So, care to explain anything?" he asked.
"Not particularly." Kairi said innocently. Leon shot her a dangerous look.
"Alright, alright. Ummm, people at school kinda think I'm rich…" she said fiddling with the ends of the hair.
"Thus the two jobs." He assumed.
"Thus the two jobs." She confirmed.
"Wow, well is there anything else you haven't told me?"
"No." Just that my father beats the shit out of me on a daily basis. Wouldn't that sound nice? Despite how appealing that sounded, Kairi chose not to discuss that portion of her life. She hated lying, but she hated the truth more.
"Alright. Well, you know I'm always here for you right?" he asked with a concerned expression.
"Yah I know" she smiled bitter sweetly. She gave him a quick hug before returning to work. Couldn't have slave driver Cid catching her off duty now could she?
An:)) Ok, so I know not a lot happened in this chapter and it was shorter, but it gave a little back round on Kairi. Read and review please!
3 Livvy 3
