I moved the story forward a couple weeks. I didn't really need the filler chapters, I wish I had more time to write so that I could write them, but I'm really pressed for time.
Enjoy~
Two weeks have gone by since I went back to work.. four weeks since I left him.. and a lot has happened.
I've actually found an apartment that I can afford on bartending wages, and I'm moving in today. I've got four bags. One bag is clothes, one bag is dishes and cutlery, one is my work stuff, and the other is all the Knicks and knacks I need. I'm carrying two bags, and is Sora carrying the others.
As I walk into the doorway of the apartment, I pause. A memory passes over my mind, and I cringe.
Flashback
"Hey, Roxas," Xigbar grinned, opening the door of his- no, our- new house. I smiled up at him, and kissed him on the cheek.
"Have you got everything?" he asked, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. He watched as the moving men carried all of my stuff into the house.
"Yeah, I think I do…" I trailed off and wrapped my hands into his shirt. He snickered, and his arms wrapped around my waist.
""Hey Roxy, all of your stuff is inside, are you alright now?" asked Don, the head mover and a long-time family friend. I broke away reluctantly from Xigbar, and nodded.
"Yeah, thanks Don," I hugged him, and walked back to Xigbar, who wrapped his hand tighter than normal around my waist. "Say hi to mom and dad for me?" I asked, and Donny nodded.
"Sure thing Roxas!" He grinned, and moved off. After I waved him goodbye and went inside with Xigbar.
"What the fuck was that?" he snarled as soon as the door closed. He shoved me against the wall, pinning me against it.
"Wh-what?" I asked nervously. I knew I had pissed him off, but I hadn't meant to..
"You fucking know what Roxas!" he yelled, and smacked me across the face, the sound resounding throughout the empty house. I looked at him with tears in my eyes, and held my burning cheek. I' was used to the pain.. he's hit me enough by then.. but I had thought it would stop when I moved in with him.
"I'm sorry!" I cried, and he bit his lip, contemplating. He looked at me, then opened his arms.
"I'm sorry. I over reacted. I know he's a family friend, and .. I don't know baby.. I just get jealous." He murmured, and I hugged him.
End Flashback
I freeze in the doorway, apprehensive about going in now. Sora comes up behind me and pushes me gently.
"Hey, you okay buddy?" Sora asks, and I look at him. I want to say no, but I won't. I love my brother... I don't want him to be worried about me.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I whisper, and Sora wraps his arm around me comfortingly. I'm grateful to him.
"Come on. Let's put it all of your stuff away." Sora grinned, and I sighed, grabbing one of my bags and setting to work.
After I get settled in and everything, I have to go to work. When I arrive at work, I have to open the bar myself because I'm the only bartender on duty tonight; The other bartender, Jesse, is with her sister who is having a baby. The restaurant doesn't open till 7, so I'm going to be alone with the customers for three hours. Joy.
I open the door, and a ghost of a smile glances over my face at the familiarity of my work. The rustic old bar is a comforting place for me. I go around to the back of the bar and check the till, wondering whether my cheque is in. It isn't. Sighing, I click the button that makes the neon OPEN sign glow. Putting my jacket on, I glance up as the first patrons of the night walk in; a blond chick who has antennae-like extensions… at least.. I'm hoping their extensions.. and a guy with pink hair walk in.
"Oh baaaartender!" the pink-haired dude calls. It's obvious this guy is as straight as a rainbow. I walk over to the pair, and raise my eyebrow skeptically.
"What'll it be?" I ask mechanically, feigning total interest.
"I'll have a martini, and my friend here will have…?" he exclaims, then breaks off into a question, which she finishes with, "A screwdriver."
I smirk a little, and set the drinks up. I rocket them down to the pair, and turn to the glasses that I need to start polishing.
"Wait a minute…" the pink haired man starts, and I turn around, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes?" I mutter, resisting a smart-ass comment.
"Aren't you Roxas?" The guy asks, and I stare at him blankly.
"What's it to you, bud?" I scoff, and go back to the dishes. He squeals, however, and reaches over the bar to wrap his arms around my waist.
"Ag-gah whoa there what the hell-!" I yelp, and back away from the bar. The pink haired man giggles, and I roll my eyes, refusing to cringe and rub the bruised area he'd grabbed.
"This guy must be a freakin' lightweight," I think to myself, and back away from him.
"Roxas, don't you remember me?" he exclaims, and I shake my head. He gasps in mock outrage, and then giggles again.
"Roxas, it's me, Marluxia!" He exclaims, and I instantly realize who it is.
Well, fuck.
Marluxia: A.K.A., the bane of my high school existence, that annoying fucker who essentially ruined my high school life by following me around and making me look like a fool in front of all my friends.
"Oh… Marluxia… Hi…" I mutter awkwardly, and go back to work on my glasses. This is so not, what I need.
"How are you?" he squeals, and I scoff incessantly.
"I'd rather not talk about it," I mutter on the edge of insanity of the statement.
"Well, I've been in the fashion industry!" he starts, and I just tune him out. He's still as obnoxious as ever. The door opens again, and I glance at who enters. It's my boss, Tifa.
"Tifa!" I call her over, glad to have a way to respectfully ignore my patron. My boss looks over, and smiles. She hops over the bar and grins at me.
"Hi Roxas, how are you today?" she asks, and I shrug, attempting nonchalant.
"I'm alive," and at that she laughs.
"Really, Rox, how are you? You've been so quiet about everything since you came back to work, and I figured now is a good time to talk." She murmured, and I look thankfully at her. Tifa would do anything for Sora and I, she's really been like a second mother to us. It helps that she's sweet on our dad, yeah, but she'd never admit it.
"Thanks, Tifa," I fake a smile, "It's appreciated. But really, I'm fine. I'm… I'm apprehensive. Everything is a new challenge," I chuckle and roll my eyes. Tifa's face is a mask of concern, and she sighs with regret.
"I should have noticed. I'm sorry, Roxas. I'm the one who sees you the most. When you started to come in with…" she starts, and I hold up my hands to shush her.
"It's not your fault, Tifa, and frankly, I'd like to drop it please… I'm trying to make it my past." I muttered, shrugging my shoulders and looking at her with pleading eyes. She pauses, then nods. She understands then, I think to myself, and turn back to the till. The door slams open, and I barely glance up. I'm used to the customers mistreating the property.
"Welcome to Tifa's bar, what's your poison?" I ask robotically, not expecting what was about to come, not expecting to hear the silky smooth voice of my high school crush, not expecting to have my entire being flustered by that damned redheaded nuisance who had caused most of the self-harm in high school, even though he had always been my best friend.
"Roxas, hey. I know you won't remember me, but, I heard about you on the news. I booked some time off of work and flew down here as fast as I could. Are you okay?" came the voice of that damned Axel Flynn.
Can't be a good story without a little Axel, Marly, and Larxy eh? Lol. These characters will all come into play, don't worry. At least I think they will. O.o hope you enjoyed, please read and review. I'm not sure what I'm doing right or wrong in my character portrayals. Thanks guys.
