~~~How?~~~

A silence followed after I posed my question. Yeah…maybe I wasn't ready for an answer yet but no turning back now. I took in a quick breath of air as I waited for someone to start. No one did.

I was about to tell them that they didn't have to answer when Sora began, "We walked out of school together, like we always do. I told you that Hayner and I were going to shoot some hoops. You frowned but I saw the smile in your eyes. I gave you a kiss before we went our separate ways. I turned around and saw Olette arguing with Selphie. I knew Olette doesn't argue often so I was a bit surprised but I didn't think it was something I should be worried about. Apparently I was wrong."

"I was telling Selphie," Olette said, giving us the missing part of the story, "that she shouldn't text when she drives. She's been doing it for awhile. She assured me that nothing was going to happen since she's been doing it for so long. I let it slide since she wanted to go to the mall before traffic hit. Something told me I should've pressed the situation a bit more but I let it go. As I look back, I think I should have made a scene or something. Another part of me said that she wouldn't listen until something like this happened. After that, I left to get my stuff from my locker."

Hayner took over this time, "Sora and I said hi and whatnot. Then he turned around (probably to see your butt as you walked away) and our eyes widened. What happened next…I don't even know, man. It just happened so fast." He ran a hand through his hair with an expression of pain. Olette placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"I, on the other hand," Riku said as he picked up the story, "was in the biology room getting a book. I looked out the window just in time to see…" Riku's voice started to show anger as he continued on, "to see Selphie's car run right at you. My eyes widened as I watched it unfold. When I saw the phone in her hand, I felt that I could've just taken it and threw it at her. I know it sounded childish but I don't think that I was the only one. Anyway, I ran outside as fast I as I could to see if…you…"

Xion cut in and added, "I was talking to you when the car hit, Kairi." She looked down. "I was sitting on the grass a distance away from you. You said 'hi' as you passed by. I waved back and then I blinked. When I opened my eyes, you…you…" Xion wasn't able to finish her story because she started crying. Wow. I must have been hit pretty badly. Riku wrapped an arm around her as Naminé rubbed her other arm. I can't believe this affected everyone so much. It makes me wonder how my parents are doing.

"When Sora ran towards you," Hayner said, trying to keep the story going and keep tears from falling, "I ran to call an ambulance."

"I felt so scared when I heard," Olette said as she closed her eyes.

"We all did," Axel added.

"Even if we didn't see it unfold," Demyx finished.

"What about my parents?" I ask concerned. Who called them? What did they say? How did they react?

"I called them," Sora answered as he stoked my hair. "I told them exactly what happened as soon as we made it to the hospital. The doctors called to make sure they're covered."

"Do they know I'm-?"

"I'm not sure if they know you're awake or not, sorry," Sora answered after he cut me off.

I looked at everyone. Some looked as if they're trying to stay strong and others look like they're just about to break down in tears.

"Guys…" I muttered weakly. I didn't know what to say. Here stood the people who truly cared for me (not including my parents, of course) trying to explain everything without crying. I might just cry as I watch them. They care so much. I blinked a tear away, hoping no one would notice. Unfortunately, no such luck.

"Kai," Sora asked quietly as he wiped the tear away, "what's wrong?"

Should I tell them the truth? Or should I tell them that there's something in my eye? No, I know that they deserve the truth. So I explain (trying not to sound sappy), "Well…You guys care so much! I don't deserve friends like you…"

Riku faked a sob (or was it real?…Nah.) and answered, "It's true!" This answer caused me to laugh and Xion to scold him.

I looked over to Sora again. "Hey Sora?"

"Yeah?"

"Can you bring you head closer?" He looked at me questionably but did as I asked.

"Riku?" upon being called, he gave me his full attention, "Could you put my hand on his head please?"

I saw Riku and Sora relax. What did they think I was going to say? My goodbyes? Not even close. Without another word, Sora laid his head on my bed as Riku gently place my hand where his spikes were.

Now I have two things to say; one: Riku has the gentlest touch. Don't get me wrong, Riku's a tough cookie when he want to be but when he's sweet, he's sweet. He's like…sea-salt ice cream! He's the perfect balance of sweet and salty (to people he likes, anyway).

I remember once (I remember! YES!) he came to me for dance lessons. He wanted to impress Xion on their dates. It was really funny, actually. He was blushing and everything! He wasn't that bad, though, he just needed some experience. Although he stumbled a bit, his touch was really gentle.

Two: Sora's hair is the softest thing ever. No, seriously; it's like a cloud. I've asked once how he got it that way. His reply? "It's a secret." I started to argue that you don't keep secrets from your girlfriend. He just smiled.

Every time we meet up, his hair's always its same spiky, soft self. It's just so fun to mess with. And no matter how much I mess his hair, it always returns to its normal (as normal as it could be) self. Even after swimming! Really, I could go on all day about his hair without repeating myself.

Somehow, everything started coming back to me. From when I first rode a bike to what happened to me when the car hit. I remember the day everyone argued but didn't argue and I remember who's what to me. It's all so new and yet all so familiar. It's like someone, somehow, somewhere decided that they wouldn't let me die so they're giving me back my memory.

I relax and sigh. Then I made a feeble attempt to move my hand myself and I fail miserably.

"You shouldn't do that, Kairi," Naminé said as she noticed my futile attempts.

"Yeah," I said as I gave up, "Sure."

"Is there a reason you feel the need to hurt yourself?" Hayner asked with an amused expression. I smiled at his accusation. Some things will never change, will they?

"Anyway," Demyx said, "Me and Axel are going to buy some ice cream."

"Anyone want?" Axel finished.

"Sea-salt!" Xion and Roxas chorused.

"Paopu!" Sora and I said in sync after the other two. I can never be too weak for ice cream!…Okay maybe a little.

"Sea-salt!" Oh it's on!

"Paopu!" I shouldn't be arguing but I must help defend the paopu flavor's glory!

"Sea-salt!" No! Naminé! Damn you Roxas for getting Naminé in love with sea-salt ice cream!

"Paopu!" Yes! Riku! Help your friends! You know you love paopu.

"Sea-!"

"Shut up!" Axel ordered. We all fell quiet to see what he would declare. "Hayner, Olette, what do you two want?"

"Chocolate!" they chorused.

"NO!" everyone else (besides Demyx, Axel, and myself) shouted. I wanted to shout as well but I couldn't.

Axel looked like he was about to burn us all. And trust me, when he says he'll burn someone, he will BURN someone. Then he'll laugh.

"Axel," Demyx said as he tried to calm his friend down, "you okay?"

"Yeah…" Axel said as he cooled down a bit.

"What are we getting?"

Axel surveyed the small crowd before he declared, "Four sea-salt, four paopu, and two chocolate."

"Ten?" Demyx asked, recounting the people in the room . Axel pointed to himself and Demyx. "Oh yeah…us," Demyx said as he rubbed the back of his head. Axel sighed before he and Demyx left.

"Gosh, those guys…" Xion said as we all agreed.

We continued our randomness for awhile; asking questions, poking fun, making people blush, the usual. Sora and Riku were telling us about the time they beat Hayner and Tidus at basketball while it was raining. The twist was that Riku's shoes slid everywhere and Sora's hair (and hair gel) kept falling in his eyes but they were still able to win. By the end of the story, the door opened.

"Guys back already?" Roxas asked with a smile. All of the sudden, I heard a scowl in his voice as he spat, "You."

"What are YOU doing here?" Riku asked almost in disgust.

"H-hey guys…how's Kairi doing?" I widened my eyes. That voice. SHE was the one who ran me over.