Chapter 2- Classic

"That's one hell of a way to thank someone Kairi. You do that all the time?" Seifer smiled.

I blushed instantly, "uh, no actually. I'm sorry."

He leaned in toward me and whispered, "don't be."

Shivers shot down my spine. I started to mess with my hair to distract myself from that amazing kiss I had just shared with a stranger. "Um, well, I better get back to my friends. Thanks again."

"My pleasure." His green eyes watched as I turned around to meet up with everyone.

"Kai, where have you been? We were about to send a search party!" Namine exclaimed.

I cleared my throat as I sat down next to her. "Sorry, I had seen someone I recognized."

I glanced across the room and locked eyes with this someone, knowing my News Year was about to change my whole life.

x.o.x.o.

A couple weeks had passed and Sora and Aqua returned to Radiant Garden. Namine and I returned to the daily grind at our jobs and once again life ticked by on my Staples time card. Larxene hadn't said much to me since Sora came in to say hello to his "favorite supervisor". Maybe he had given her a good enough reason to let me be when he came in to see her. I leaned against the counter to stretch before looking for something to keep me occupied during the evening calm.

"Hmm, a familiar face," a voice said behind me.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I spun around. Seifer was laughing. I put my hand to my chest to calm my rapid heartbeat. "Dear God, you gave me a heart attack," I said clearing my throat realizing he was actually right in front of me. "What are you doing here?"

He lifted his hands up and placed a few stacks of printer paper on the counter. "Believe it or not, I'm not always working."

Embarrassed, I began to scan his items. "Sorry."

He leaned against the counter. "You should be."

I was taken back. "Excuse me?"

"You kiss a guy and never call. That's a pretty low move."

"Wha-" I wasn't even sure how to respond to that. I had to think of a good enough reason even though there wasn't one. "Well, I don't have your number."

He tilted his beautiful head and some strands of his hair fell in front of his eyes. He crossed his arms. I could feel myself swooning. "Are you asking me for my number?"

My heart literally stopped. "Uh…"

"Cause I can give it to you." He reached out his hand and motioned me to give him a pen and paper. I absentmindedly obliged. He scribbled a number down and slid it back to me. I read his number in my head and slid it into my back pocket.

He nodded his head my direction. "Use it," he said before looking at his total and sliding his debit card. As I handed him his receipt and bag, he smiled. "Have a goodnight, Kairi."

"You too," I finally managed to say. I watched him exit the store and sit on a motorcycle in the parking lot, before driving off. I reached into my pocket and looked at his number again. I bit my lip and spun in a circle excitedly. For once I was glad to have been at work.

I returned home by nine forty-five with a huge grin plastered to my face. Namine and Roxas were sitting on the couch watching TV. "You look happy," Roxas said.

"It's because she's not at work," Namine replied sitting up.

"Actually," I said spinning in a circle for the tenth time today. "Today happened to be a good day."

"Oh really?" She leaned forward interested.

I reached into my work pants and pulled out the note with the number written on it. I handed it to Namine who opened it and read it with Roxas doing the same over her shoulder. "What's this?"

"A phone number," I smiled.

"Oh, getting phone numbers from strangers, Kai. Was he cute?" Namine asked handing me the number back.

I bit my bottom lip. "Actually, he is. You know him.

Namine looked confused. "I do?"

I nodded excitedly. "Seifer."

She looked around the room as if it'd give her a clue to why that name sounded familiar. Then, like a lightbulb turning on, she looked up shocked. "Bartender boy?" I nodded again. "Kairi, did you go back to the bar on your lunch or something?"

"Oh no. He came in and bought printer paper. He asked why I hadn't contacted him since New Year."

Roxas looked at me. "Why would you contact him after New Year?"

I rubbed the back of my neck. I didn't end up telling anyone about the kiss. It hadn't ever come up in conversation. Plus, it was kind of nice to think about his lips and not get judged for thinking about him. "Well, I… uh… we kissed on New Years, that's why."

Both of their mouths dropped open. "What? Are you crazy, Kai? He could be an axe murderer!" Namine exclaimed.

Hearing that, I nearly got defensive. "You're the one that let him drive us home, Namine."

She crossed her arms in defeat. That was easier than I thought. She sighed heavily making me think she realized maybe it wasn't a bad thing to talk to another guy since I really hadn't after Sora and I broke up. He had moved on so why couldn't I? "Are you going to call him?"

"Should I?" I looked at his number. For how often I had seen it, I was surprised it wasn't memorized yet.

"Of course. If he gives you his number he obviously wants you to use it," Roxas said matter-of-factly.

"Do you think I should call him now? What if he's asleep?"

"Kai, he works at a bar that doesn't close until two. You think he'd be a night owl," Namine countered.

"Just call him," Roxas encouraged.

I took a deep breath in and retrieved my cell phone and Seifer's number. The other end rang a few times before there was an answer. "Hello?" His voice was a bit raspy. I didn't even realize I had been holding my breath.

"Seifer?" I nearly whispered. Why in the world was I so nervous? My stomach was erupting like a hundred birds taking flight.

"Yeah…?"

"Hey, it's Kairi, from Staples." What an awkward and embarrassing introduction.

I heard him chuckle. "Kairi from New Years sounds better." It was like he knew how bad it sounded even.

"Um, yeah," I said trying not to laugh. Namine and Roxas stared at me eagerly. I hurried into my room and shut the door. "Did I wake you?"

"No, I'm just laying in bed." Was he lying to make me feel better for calling at ten at night? "How was work?" he asked.

"Well, not bad actually which is a first." Never on any other occasion but to rant to my roommate and her boyfriend did I ever talk about work. I sat on my bed and pressed the phone closer to my ear.

"Oh really. That's always good, right?"

I smiled. "Definitely."

"That's good. It always makes for better days when work's good."

"Mmm-hmm," I agreed. This conversation wasn't really going anywhere and I almost felt bad for calling for no reason.

"I thought that the first day I saw you walk in." Woah. Bold.

"Really? When I was completely shit-faced?"

He laughed, "Before you got to that point. You're very eye catching." Those darn birds were at it again. My face turned red. Thank God I was alone in my room having this conversation.

"You're not so bad looking yourself." What in the world was I saying? Talking to Blondie somehow made me a tad overconfident… at least over the phone.

"So tell me, Kairi," I heard rustling on his end before his voice became a little clearer. "What made you kiss me? A complete and total stranger who by chance helped you out only one time?"

That was a good question that I wouldn't have minded an answer to myself. I sat a little straighter and frowned. "I don't exactly know."

"You said you didn't do that all the time? Do you do that ever?"

I cleared the tickle in my throat. "No. You actually happen to be the first. It's so unlike me. I'm usually an introvert."

"Well Kairi," I could practically hear him smile. "That's good to know. I don't normally take kisses from strangers, and trust me, I get a lot of people who try."

"You do?"

"I work in a bar." I laughed.

"So how many kisses have you accepted?"

"Only once and it was yours." The way he said it made me feel hot. His voice was smooth and low. My insides fluttered.

"I'm sure you say that to all the girls who flirt with you."

"Are you flirting with me?"

I bit my tongue. "Well, as bold as I was kissing you on New Years, I can't say that I'm not."

"Good, because there's something about you that interests me."

"Let's get to know each other then," I said a tad too eagerly.

"Name the day and place."

"Well, I'm off Thursday. Do you want to go to the Destiny Island Marine Discovery Center?"

"Does eleven sound okay?" he asked.

"How about eleven-thirty? I want to go on that tour."

"I've never been. Sounds like a date. I'll see you Thursday then. Good night Kai."

"Bye." As soon as the call ended, I jumped back on my bed and sighed. I swear, the smile on my face could have lit up the entire city.

x.o.x.o.

The week seemed to have slowed down before Thursday had arrived. I had never been so anxious for a date before, especially waiting near the entrance of the center. I wasn't sure if it was Richards voice, his sea-green eyes, his shaggy sandy blonde hair, or his suave attitude that got me giddy, but as soon as I saw him climb out of his car, I couldn't help but bit my lip excitedly.

"Hey stranger," he smiled, lifting his black sun glasses up.

"Hey yourself," I smiled back. It was the perfect weather for a day in January. It was 80 degrees of pure sunshine and a light ocean breeze. The ocean waves weren't seen from the front of the building but were definitely heard.

"Let's go inside." He held out his arm. I looked at it before lacing my arm in his. His skin was soft and warm. It sent tingles down my spine.

"I can't believe you've never been here before," I said watching him gaze around the lobby.

His eyes met mine. "I've only lived her for about a year."

"Really? Where are you from?"

"Twilight Town."

We were next in line. Seifer paid the sixteen dollars for our tour. "What a sweet North Islander boy you are," I joked.

He put his hand to his chest and looked offended. "Boy? Excuse me, I'm a North Islander man," he exclaimed causing me to laugh. "You must be taken for granted little Southern Islander girl to assume a man wouldn't pay for a date."

"First off, I'm twenty-two which hardly classifies as a girl, Mister "I'm a man". Second, I hardly go on dates," I replied walking outside to meet at the seal statues for our tour guide.

"A pretty girl like you?" Seifer asked. Once we got to the statues, I turned to face him. He continued, "you really don't go on dates? What's wrong with you?"

My mouth dropped open. "Nothing. I just haven't found a guy worth my time since my ex."

He reached forward and moved some strands away from my face. "Glad you're giving me a chance." I wanted to jump into his arms instantly. This stranger sure was something.

"Thanks for letting me kiss you," I smiled.

He chuckled. "Today's going to be a good day."

I pulled my phone out and lifted it up. "Smile!" I grinned leaning into him. He gently leaned his head down toward mine and smiled. I looked at the picture after I took it and beamed. "Here's to a memory of a good day."

Our tour guide gathered all of the other guests and introduced himself. We followed him to the side of the main building in front. We gazed at the Blue Whale skeleton in awe. The little kids in the group were eager to touch it. The guide showed us facts about the blue whale and what it eats.

After learning about ht amazing creature, we were told we'd be getting to see behind the scene research of dolphins and the noises they make to communicate. We quietly moved to the next area and up a ramp in a secluded area of the center. To the left were pools with researchers and the dolphins. Straight ahead was the big, blue, ocean. To the right was an open field of yellow flowers and an open beach with rock formations created by the ocean waves lapping at the sand and land walls. The ocean mist was cool against my arms.

Seifer leaned against the wooden rail watching the researchers with the dolphins. The breeze ruffled up his hair as he looked so concentrated. I couldn't help but admire my view. His eyes shifted my way and a small smirk appeared on his face. "Are you staring at me?"

I blushed and leaned against the railing next to him. "I'm just taking in all the beauty around me."

He leaned to the side and faced me. "Yeah, me too."

After the tour, we wandered back inside to look at the animals. We got to pet a swell shark, admire the majestic jellyfish, marvel at the two foot lobster, and feel the starfish. Seifer and I then went to a local burger place where he bought our lunch. We sat down inside and began to eat.

"So what made you want to move to Destiny Island?" I asked taking a bite of my burger.

He wiped his mouth, "just needed a change."

"How long have you worked for The Pocket?"

"Since I moved here."

"Did you go to college?"

He eyed me, "Are we playing twenty questions?"

"Sorry," I frowned. "I just don't know anything about you except that your name is Seifer, you work at The Pocket after moving from Twilight Town, you drive a black car and a motorcycle."

He tried not to smile. "That's all good information. What more could you possibly want to know?"

"Well I don't know your last name, how old you are, did you go to school, where's your fami-"

Seifer put his hand up. "Well, we have all the time in the world. Let's just take each day at a time and we'll get to know each other." I nodded. "My last name is Gushiken and I'm twenty-six."

"Well Seifer Gushiken," I said tilting my head. "I hope we continue to have all the time in the world."

He reached for my hand and laced his fingers in mine. "Well, Kairi…"

"Mizuno."

"Kairi Mizuno," he smiled. "You and I both."

We drove around Destiny Island listening to music in his car. Luckily we seemed to have the same taste. After nearly an hour of just driving and singing along to songs, we agreed to go back to my apartment. It was nearly three by the time we picked up my car from the Destiny Island Center and arrived at my apartment.

He followed me up stairs and into my living room. His eyes wandered around his surroundings. "This is as far as I got last time."

I was confused. "Huh?"

"When I was here when I came to help your friend with you being wasted," he looked like he was trying not to laugh or smile. How embarrassing.

I tucked my hair behind my ear, "Gosh, that's so awkward. I'm sorry you had to see me that way. I never do that."

He walked over to the dining table and sat down. He leaned into his fist, staring at me. "So what made you decide to drink that day?"

"Shitty day at work," I was hesitant to fully answer only because I didn't want to unload all my baggage on this perfectly handsome stranger.

"Well," Seifer said sitting up right. "Bad days at work happen all the time and if not, dang, you must have a great job."

I shook my head and let out a hallow laugh. "Yeah, right. My boss is always on my ass."

"Well, I can't say that I'm sorry that you ended up in my bar of all places," he smiled.

I did too. "All bad things turn into good ones, whether planned or not."

"Look at you. Beautiful and optimistic!"

I laughed. "You're quite the charmer Mr. Gushiken."

He shrugged, pushing his hair to the side. "Can't help it when I'm with you."

This guy was something. He was too good to be true. Fate sure had something in store for us. I, for one, definitely was not into dating, but being with Seifer made me forget my miserable single-self being bitter about Sora with Aqua. He made me happy and it was only one date.

I walked over to the stereo and turned it up. "Oh man," Seifer said standing up and walking over to me. "This is my jam."

'Classic' by MKTO was just starting to play. Seifer grabbed onto my lower back and pulled me close with his left hand and held up his right. I placed my hand in his and started to laugh.

"I don't dance," I smiled leaning away.

Seifer began to sing along to the song. "Oh girl you're shining like a fifth avenue diamond. And they don't make you like they used to. You're never going out of style." His voice was great and he spun me around the living room.

I kept laughing, half out of embarrassment and the other for actually having fun. He kept singing to me as we danced around the room and eventually I joined him in song.

Seifer pulled me up against his chest and looked down at me; his eyes glowing. "Baby, you're so classic," he finished singing. I was out of breath but smiled wide. He reached to move my crazy brown hair away from my face before placing his hand on my cheek and tilting my face up toward his.

His soft lips met mine and I could feel his warm breath mix with mine. I gripped onto his shirt as I kissed him harder. His tongue met mine and I realized how turned on he was making me. I reached up ad ran my fingers through the back of his hair.

The front door opened causing us to jump apart. Seifer straightened his shirt and I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Namine looked flustered. "I'm sorry," she said bowing her head, not wanting to make eye contact.

"Don't be," Seifer said shaking his head. "I actually have to get him to get ready for work."

I frowned. "Thank you for today. It was great."

He smiled softly at me. "Thank you."

Namine waved, "nice to see you again."

He nodded at her, "you too."

I followed him to the door. He looked back at me as he stood in the doorway. "I'll see you again soon."

"I hope so." I truly meant it too. He leaned in and gave me quick kiss before waving goodbye. I turned around and leaned against the door.

"You've got it bad," Namine said watching me swoon in memory of today.

I grinned. "You have no idea."

A/N: Tada! Okay second chapter done. It was kind of fun writing and describing the place where they visited because it's based off of a real place in Santa Cruz, CA where my husband and I took a spontaneous trip to in March (for those old readers, yeah, I got married almost a year ago as of June 17th! So much has changed). Anywhos, I promise, you'll be getting more cause I still have a lot in mind for this story. This chapter seems short (which it probably is) but they get longer. Thank you for reading!