"When he comes in, J-Just say good morning" Xion sat fidgeting at her desk. occasionally glancing at the empty seat beside her. The previous day he was so friendly towards her and in return she acted rather coldly. Not that she meant it. She was just so nervous that she didn't know how to react. Roxas...that was his name. Right? She'd remember it. The classroom was once again bursting with chatter. The ravenette was admittedly surprised when two female students, Namine and Kairi. Approached her, both wearing cheerful smiles. "Hey, your names Xion, right? it's nice to meet you!" Kairi spoke up first, leaning on the introverts desk. Her pretty face and outgoing personality made her rather popular among her peers. Xion was a bit envious of how easily she could talk to people.

"Uh..." Xion sunk lower into her chair, avoiding eye contact.

"Kai. You're in her space" Namine scolded her companion. She was also a beauty, not as outgoing as Kairi, but she was still popular due to her kindness. "I'm Namine. I hope we're able to become friends" she smiled softly, her soft baby blue eyes seemed to have a twinkle in them.

"Yeah..." Xion replied. Taking a sudden interest in a piece of trash that was on the floor. Great, she was probably coming off as rude. Being social wasn't one of her strong points. The two exchanged awkward glances, being a bit unsure of what else to say to the new comer. "Welllll...if you need anything, let us know. We...just sit across from you" Kairi chuckled, rubbing the back of her head.

"Yeah." She probably just blew her chances of making friends...and on her second day of classes two. It was her own fault. She hated being this way. She watched sadly as the two walked back to their seats already onto a new topic that she wouldn't be apart of.

"Oh. Good morning Xion" it was him. That was Roxas's voice. This was her chance, she wouldn't blow it this time.

"GOOD MORNING" Xion practically screamed. Clearly startling the spikey haired boy. The shout also made a few others jump as well. Crimson covered the ravenette's features. Now he probably thought she was weird. Things just weren't going her way.

Or, so she thought.

"Hah hah hah. Wow I didn't know you could be that loud" Roxas couldn't hold back his amusement. Here he thought she was a silent, emotionless girl. But looking at her now, she looked completely flustered. Red was everywhere...heck even her hands looked rosey and the way her face was pressed against the desk was kind of cute.

"Sorry" her voice was barely above a whisper but Roxas still caught it.

"Don't be. Everyone's always loud in here. It was weird seeing you, since you were so quiet. ...Not that it's a bad thing...uh..."

Xion slowly lifted her head from the desk, turning to face Roxas. "I...get what you're trying to say" She was still red but it wasn't as dark. It had been awhile since she held a conversation that long.

But of course, it was short lived and then there was silence between the two once again.

"Ice cream" Roxas blurted.

"Huh?" Xion cocked her head to the side, questioningly. "Ice ...cream?"

"YEAH...uh a friend and I...we always eat ice cream by this old oak tree during breaks. You should come join us."

The girl was quiet for a moment pondering over if his invitation was genuine or not. "You...want me...to join you?"

"Yeah. I was new once too. I know what it's like being alone in a new place." Roxas's smile was kind and welcoming. Something Xion wasn't accustomed to. "Well...maybe. But there's someone I wanted to see during break..." matter-of-factly, that someone was Pluto. Xion was a dog lover and was excited to learn the school had a pet. It was so rare and unexpected...but that was just one of the reasons why KH was so special.

"Pluto?" Roxas arched a brow.

"H-How did you know?"

"I saw you yesterday with him. Looks like he likes you a lot"

Xion's cheeks were crimson once again. She didn't even realize anyone was watching her. She practically thought she was invisible, to the people there.

"I ...like dogs."

"We can bring him too. We're allowed to take him anywhere as long as it's on school grounds" He was serious. This boy was really inviting her. She couldn't pass this down.

"Well then. I'll...accept your offer" her face was a slight pink, now. She was still flustered but was beginning to get used to him.

"There's only one condition" Roxas was suddenly serious. His eyes locked with hers and for some reason the girl began sweating.

"C-Condition?" she stuttered. "What kind of condition?" was it something humiliating?...like a right of passage into their group? she had seen all the movies, the new kid always had to go through something embarrassing before she was accepted into the inner circle.

"You"...Roxas's eyes narrowed "can't wear that hood when you show up. Deal?"

Xion blinked a few times, that was it? it sounded easy enough, however she was an insecure person. She used that hood as a source of hiding...she wasn't sure she was ready to get rid of it.

"Um...but I"

"No buts. It's been decided. After class I'll take you to the spot. I'll also introduce you to my friend, Axel. He's a bit intimidating at first glance...but he's actually a good guy. He showed me the ropes when I first came here." his voice was sincere.. Roxas seemed so carefree. Xion was glad the blonde hadn't taken offense to her odd behaviors.

"O-Okay." she paused. Still worrying over the lack of hood she'd have. "I understand."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Sooooo. You're the newbie." Axel stroked his chin, he seemed rather intrigued by her. "What's with the hood?"

Xion sat against the oak tree, her face down and an ice cream held tightly in her hand. Pluto wagged his tail happily, pressing much of his weight against the small girl. Whimpering to get her attention.

"Xion. We made a deal" Roxas frowned. Eyes staring at her like daggers. That darn hood...he wanted to rip it off. What did she look like? why was she hiding her face? he'd figure out why, if it was the last thing he did.

"I know. But I-"

"No buts"

"A deal?" Axel furrowed his brows, glancing between the two. "What sort of deal?"

"She's supposed to take off her hood, now that she's sitting with us" Roxas stared evily at the poor newbie. Xion curled farther into a ball. Maybe eating alone was better than sitting with them?

"But...I..." Xion bit her lower lip. She wasn't ready for this.

"Well, if you made a deal, kid. You have to keep it. Hood comes off" Axel smirked, sending a chill down her spine.

"Off or we force it off" the younger male's voice seemed to darken, in fact his entire aura was darker...all this over her hood?

"OKAY" Xion cried, lowering her head in defeat. "Just don't laugh if my hair is messed up or anything." removing the ebony material from her head. Xion's face was fully visible. big, Bright Azure optics stared up at the two boys. Somehow, her eyes were similar to Roxas's. A small blush slowly formed on her cheeks .

Xion was a pretty girl. That hood definitely needed to stay off.

"That's better" Roxas grinned, ruffling the ravenettes hair.

"Ugh. Stop it" she laughed, playfully shoving his hand away. She couldn't remember how long it had been since she interacted so happily with people her own age.

"Well, since you've shown us your face. I think it's official" Axel suddenly cut in. A sly smirk spread across his lips.

"What's official?" Roxas blinked. He and Axel hadn't had any official business talk. Was he coming up with things on his own again?

"The three of us shall be known as the sea-salt trio. We'll meet here everyday for ice cream, got it memorized?" the older teen genuinely thought the title sounded cool and since they all were sort of outsiders. it made complete sense that they'd stick together.

"Uh...I don't mind...I mean, if it's okay" Xion replied softly. "But can't we have a different name?"

"What's wrong with sea-salt trio?"

"Kinda lame" Roxas sneered.

"You two just don't know how to appreciate a well thought out name. We're not changing it."

"Right."

Chapter end. Not a lot happened, seeing as I wanted to have one chapter focused on how Roxas, Axel and Xion start being friends.

I swear things will get more interesting. Starting...NOW. Maybe.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed.