Note: Thanks to all who had encouraged me to continue! It means a lot to me! Enjoy!
Dedication: This is written for all of you who have reviewed. X3 Insanecat6, reddoggie, Cirque du Lune, ichigofieldsforever, FinalFallenFantasy, Zexion Ll4m4, and of course, MeiLynn 64.
Warning: Fluff and extreme OOC.
The Evening Sun Hill
Part 2
I feel the heaviness in my heart when I saw you weren't there anymore. I know that I will see you again the day after and maybe… after what just happened, we could get closer and talk like good friends. I wish I could talk to you without being overwhelmed by my fear of making silly mistakes.
I had one last thing to say to you… I want to go to the free pizza; I want to spend more time with you. I want to laugh with you and share all things with you. The most important thing is that… I want to be together with you in your birthday. I want to say happy birthday to you… But I'm too late, since you're already gone.
The tingling sensation of your warm hand against mine… I can still feel it.
I hold up my hand and stare at it, as if it is something really spectacular that I have never seen before. I chuckle softly, pressing my palm against my cheek and blushing. Maybe I'm weird… maybe I am…
But I am in love.
Is it wrong?
----------O-----O----------
I hurriedly fish for my keys as soon as I got to the front door of my house. Frantically, I open the door with those keys. "Ah, Roxas. Welcome home."
"Hi, mum!" I reply with a smile, but not really looking at her.
Afterwards, I dash up to my room to find my cell phone. It should be on my desk. … It's not there. Where is it? Please don't do this to me. "Roxas, why are you home so late?" Mum asks from downstairs.
"Oh, I was helping the teachers with some stuff!" I answer her back half-heartedly from upstairs, practically tearing my room in half in order to search for that small piece of electronic communication device people call cell phone. It's not in my room!
"Come down after you've changed, honey. Dinner's ready!"
Where is it? I remember that the last time I saw it was this morning. I always use my cell phone as my alarm clock, so it shouldn't just magically vanish! Have I really forgotten to bring it to school? Or is it that I brought it to school and left it somewhere? Oh no, this couldn't be happening… Just when I want to…
Heaving a sigh, I finally go ahead and change. Throwing my backpack carelessly on the floor of my bedroom and not caring about the mess I've made, I go downstairs, smelling the delicious scent of soup and something fried. My stomach growls in hunger. Mum is the best cook ever. However, even the scent of food isn't enough to lift my emotions. I need my cell phone.
"Oh, Roxas. I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you that I've taken your cell phone from your bedroom. I was worried and I went ahead and phone Hayner to ask where you were. I hope you don't mind."
My ears immediately perk up at Mum's words. So, Mum took my cell phone! Thank God! Thank God it isn't missing. Thank you! I think it's my first time to be grinning this brightly. "I don't mind at all!" I chirp.
Mum smiles. "Your cell's on the living room table. Eat fir… Roxas?"
Before Mum notices, I have already dashed to the living room. I grab my cell in a single breath and plump down on the sofa, quickly sifting over my contact number. I press the little green phone button when I find Sora's name.
"Sora here!"
"Hey, Sora!"
"Please say whatever you want to say after the little beepy sound and I'll call you back ASAP!"
I growl. Voicemail. Ugh, Sora… Pick up!
I call again and again and again and again and again and...
Finally, he picks up!
"My god, Roxas! What are you doing miss-calling me twelve times? Do you miss me so?" I can hear the grin on Sora's chirpy voice.
My jaw drops. "I hope I'm not bothering."
"Oh no. I was just talking to my dad about going to Axel's little birthday party. Riku's gonna drive me there, so I am granted permission! So, what's up?"
I pretend hurt, sighing. "Just where are you going anyway? I was just going to ask you if you'll want to study together."
Sora burst out laughing. "Study?! While there's FREE pizza?! No way, Roxas. No offense."
I laugh. "None taken. Why would you need Riku to drive you?"
"Oh, I just thought that we might end up going home pretty late."
"I see. So, where is it?" I ask, trying to sound uncaring.
"Uhm, you know. Roundtable pizza over at the other side of town?"
I raise my eyebrow. "That's… not so far…"
"Uh huh."
"Oh."
"Hey, we can go over to your house and pick you up if you've changed your mind."
"No, I'm still going to study." I reject the invitation.
"Oh… oh well then, have fun studying, Roxas!" Sora chirp again.
"Sure. You too, have fun. Don't go eating Axel's money up."
Sora giggles. "No worries~"
"Alright, I have to go eat dinner. See you tomorrow, Sora."
"Sure, Rox. I'll tell you about all the fun tomorrow," he teases.
"Yeah, I'm sure." I sigh. Sora will definitely not miss a single detail about the little party.
But until time, I have time…
----------O-----O---------
"Where are you going, Roxas?"
Damn, I'm caught. "Oh, I just notice that Sora has accidentally taken home my notebook with him. So, I'm heading over to retrieve it."
"It's getting pretty late, dear. Don't you think…"
I smile. "I need it to review for my test tomorrow, Mum! Don't worry. I'll be back in a bit."
"Be careful, honey! Do you bring your cell phone with you?"
"Yep!"
"Take care."
I run out of my house, hiding my face under my scarf when the wind is blowing against my face. I release a small puff of breath which is visible in the air. Smiling, I trudge cheerily down the hill.
--
I walk through the town square, having no idea what to do. My bottom lip sticks out the entire time, indicating that I am thinking very hard. I release a soft groan, just noticing that I have been holding my breath all along. I've been circling around all these stores for half an hour now and I still can't decide on one thing. What would you like? I wonder what I should get for you?... something that you would absolutely love. Something that you would use forever and remember me for… I wonder…
A pen? No, too simple. A t-shirt? No, you've probably have a lot of those already. A sweater, maybe? Or a scarf? It's getting cold after all. Nah… Humm… a tie, a necklace… that's no good.
… I don't know you well enough to know what you like or to know what you would need.
I release a small sigh.
…
In the end, I wasted an hour and a half choosing the present.
I wondered whether you'd like it.
I hope I'm not too late when I arrive at Roundtable Pizza.
--
I pant when I arrive, trying to catch my breath. It was pretty rough to run across town when it was freezing. I would have never done that if it weren't for you. Do you know that the night sky is really beautiful? I've never noticed that before. I've been pretty much caging myself up in my room all the time to study, too busy to go outside or anything. But now that I am outside, I can feel the chilly wind against me and for once, I know what it's like to stay outside at night.
The roundtable pizza is already closed when I arrive. My lips part in disappointment. So, I am late. I hug the paper bag that contains your present close. I release a breathy sigh as I stare at the 'closed' sign in disbelieve. …I can't… I don't think I'll give this to you tomorrow… I'll just have to keep it, maybe. I can't believe this.
It was the time that I turned around when I hear your familiar voice ringing across the silent night air.
"Roxas?"
My eyes opened wide when I saw you. The sight of you under the dark sky was quite a sight to behold. Your colors contrasted everything brilliantly. My breaths were still unsteady. I took in a deep, shaky breath, gripping the present in my hands.
"What are you doing out here?" You asked, seemingly worried.
And then, you walked up close to me as I backed away out of reflex. I didn't know why I backed away. It was mere instinct, I guess. I didn't know why I always act the complete opposite of what I wanted to when I was faced with you.
You seemed hurt then.
No, please no. I didn't mean it like that.
"I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have meddled," you hang your head low. "I thought you were supposed to be studying at home. It's cold out here," you tried again.
And again, I couldn't answer you. My surprise was beyond my ability to control. It was as if my soul had left me. But I… I really wanted to be able to talk to you as friends would.
"Are you… are you possibly waiting for someone?"
My shake of head came out as a nod out of my own consent.
"Ah, I see. Must be someone very important then," you smiled really gently.
My heart breaks. No, that's not what I mean!
"I'll… I guess I'll leave you alone, Roxas. I hope your girlfriend will come soon," you smiled again.
I can't believe this…
"But… here." I released a soft gasp as you wrapped your jacket around my shoulder. I knew that I wasn't exaggerating when I thought that your smile had relieved me of the cold temperature. "Take care, okay? Don't catch a cold."
I looked at everywhere but at your face.
But when I was about to say thank you, what I saw was your back, walking away from me. Please don't… Please… just…
"Axel!" I shouted out in between my raspy breath and shaky voice. My voice was horrible. It was as if I've caught a cold.
You turned and faced me, shock painting your expression.
"I…" I blush. I don't know what to say. After all that effort… I still. I took in another deep breath. "I came for you…" it came out as a really soft whisper, so soft that I doubt you could have heard it.
"What?..."
You acted as thought you've heard my voice. I could faintly see the small blush in your voice. Maybe I was merely imagining things. "I…came here for you," I managed to choke out.
"I… I thought you said…"
I shook my head. Afterwards, I pushed the present to you.
You looked surprised. "What's this?"
"It's for you…" I answered timidly. "Happy birthday…"
"You… you know that it's my birthday?"
I nodded, face still facing the floor, arms still stretched out, holding your present.
I remember you taking your present eagerly from my hands. And you opened it. I watched your expression closely. You were beaming. I was positively sure that you were excited. "A watch," you grin. "I've been thinking of buying a watch for a long time."
"You… you like it?"
"Of course! I really like the simple but intricate design. I love your choice!" you replied happily.
I chuckled, "Really?"
You nodded and immediately wear the watch. "It looks great!"
"I agree," I grin.
I took in a short breath when I realized how easy it was for me to talk to you then. It was absolutely amazing that I didn't get too nervous anymore. Your vanilla scent intoxicated me through your jacket. It was soft and sweet, and soothing. I like everything about you.
"Now, this makes me feel bad," you clicked your tongue in disappointment.
"Why?" I tilted my head to the side in confusion.
"You should have agreed to come to the pizza party. I… never thought you would buy a gift for me…"
"It's okay," I smile. "I'm glad you like it.
There was an awkward silence between us.
"Wanna… go somewhere?" you suddenly suggested.
I didn't answer. My heart was beating so fast that I couldn't form any words again.
"Maybe… walk around the town for a while… if you don't mind?" you raked your hair with your hands. The chains of the watch making a soothing sound against your wrist. You held out your hand to me.
For a while there, my mind drew a blank. I didn't know what to do. But then, I ran up to you, nodded, and smiled, taking your hand. Your warm, big hand.
The small of your hands in mine.
They're so cold.
But I want them to stay there.
And I promise to warm them.
Even in the coldest of day.
--
No, the end is not from the song. It's Axel's thoughts. I didn't take anything from the song this time. Hope you enjoyed. And as always, feel free to tell me if I should continue. Lol.
Wrote this in 3 hours. I didn't bother checking. Please look over the mistakes. Thank you! 030
Love.