Chapter Two: Under a Maple Tree

Saturday.

I'd been looking forward to this day for so long. I shifted myself uncomfortably to the right, glancing at the three, red, drifting numbers in the surrounding darkness.

4:18 am it blinked.

"Mmm" I muttered half asleep, half awake "It's too early, I'll wake up later." I shifted yet again, shuffling to the left to find a comfortable spot. I laid there, staring in a direction which I thought was upwards, but I couldn't be too sure since it was too dark to tell. I glanced at the subtle rays of blue, morning light seeping in through my shear curtains.

'What happened after dinner last night? Did I end up finishing my essay? What did I even have for dinner?' I questioned myself worriedly. 'Why can't I remember a single darn thing? Maybe it's just too early to think, I'll just go back to sleep again' And so I did.

"Who's that?" I questioned a blonde hair boy, whose hair stood up right, which flicked in multiple directions at the tips. He wore camouflaged three quarter pants that swirled together dreary shades of green and brown. His shirt was piano black with white scratch-like markings which represented a face. His shoes showed the same pattern as his pants, but polished off with white tips and black buckles. He wore a khaki, green vest unbuttoned, with two pockets at either side. His neck held a casually strung together necklace which revealed a yellow, cross pendant.

"That," spoke the blonde hair boy "Is, um...Pence? What was his name again?"

"I dunno Hayner. You should know, you're Hayner for crying out loud. You should know this stuff." Spoke a chubbier, black haired boy. His clothing was a lot more casual than that other boy, whose apparently, his name was Hayner.

The other boy, whose name was Pence, wore a loose, white baggy shirt that looked at least seven sizes too big. He wore another tank top over it, which read DOGSTREET, with a black print of an abstract looking dog fetching bones. His jeans were a pale shade of neutral blue, but were again, looked very loose. He wore white, square sneakers with dark, blue side stripes and ebony, black soles. He wore a loosely hung, deep violet handkerchief around his neck with patterns that ran around the edges. His eyes were a deep, chestnut brown, lighter than his hair. His hair was a dark chocolate, almost black. It spiked up in a mushroom kind of pattern. Around his head, he wore a plain black sweatband with white stripes along the edges.

"Pence, you're useless when it comes to names!" Hayner spat frustrated "Olette, do you know that boy's name?" He questioned a brunette girl. She had chocolate hair which flicked out like waves. She had curls that came from behind her ears and settled just below her shoulders. Her jagged fringe came right up to her sparkling, emerald green eyes. She wore a plain orange tank top spotted with white floral patterns. Her cream coloured, puffy pants came just below her knees. She wore white and yellow, square sneakers along with striking, orange, high socks.

"Oh," Olette spoke surprised "You mean Roxas?"

"Oh yeah, that's right. I knew that!" Hayner declared knowingly.

"Did not, Hayner!" Pence retaliated. The sound of laughter surrounded us as the minutes flew by.

"Roxas..." I muttered to myself, taking a mental note of the boy's name. My head quickly shot up, and I found myself admiring the warm glow of the Twilight Town setting sun. "Hmm," I chuckled to nobody in particular "I like that name."

My mind is fuzzy, the last remnants of a dream being chased away by the realisation that I'm awake again. It was a nice dream, it was the memory of when I'd first ever seen Roxas, but, the details are fading fast even as I try to recall them. With a mental sigh I allow my brain to focus and cautiously open one eye. The bright spring sunlight cuts the room in half and I see dust-motes dancing in the wall of light. I pull the doona up over my head to keep it out. It's not going to work; my brain is awake now. The scent of fresh pancakes fills my senses, instantly forcing me out of bed.

I followed the scent out my room as I trudged lazily down all 27 steps of my staircase, not caring to miss the third step. A loud creak interrupted my precious thoughts of breakfast as I stumbled on the last few steps.

"Morning honey, did the pancakes wake you up?" my Mum chorused. I blinked several times and squinted until the figure of my mum came into focus.

"Uh, yeah," I began groggily "I knew it must've been you making the pancakes, since Dad's not home and it would just be creepy if my friends were cooking pancakes for me, Mum." I shook away the image of Roxas in an apron making pancakes. "Bleh." I shuddered.

I quietly strode over to the oak-wood dining table with six matching chairs surrounding it. I took the second seat on the right, seeing as though that was my usual chair. Mum pulled out two glasses from a pinewood cabinet and placed them on the main granite bench.

"Juice?" She buzzed.

"Yeah, orange please." I drummed my fingers on the table impatiently as I waited for my beverage. I peered up at the digital clock across from me, eagerly still awaiting my orange juice.

7:16 am

"Humph, only slept for 3 hours more..."

"What's that?" My mother asked intrigued, not knowing what I was mumbling about. She settled my beverage to the right of my plate on a wooden coaster.

"Oh; nothing. Just thinking out loud," I muttered quietly "So, any plans for today?"

My mum instantly dropped everything she was doing and slowly turned to my direction. "Um, honey. We'll discuss that a bit later on. Here," she mentioned absentmindedly "Just eat your breakfast first." He added with a nervous chuckle and an odd grunt. I sat in my chair in utter silence as she served me a batch of fresh, hot pancakes.

"Uh, whipped cream and maple syrup?" She offered thoughtfully.

"Yes, please!" I nodded hastily in approval. I drowned my pancakes in syrup, then dolloped mountains of whipped cream on to my pancakes. I quickly gobbled up all my pancakes in 3 minutes flat and placed my dirty dishes in the sink.

"Were they alright?" My mum asked.

"Oh yeah, they were awesome, Mum. Loved 'em!" I chorused gleefully. My mum also joined in, an innocent smile curling her lips. Her joyful smile soon twisted into a horrid expression.

"(Y/n), can I talk to you please?" She trailed off to a glum expression, her hair covering her eyes.

"Sure mum," I answered seeming worried by her sudden change of expression. "What is it?"

"Well, you see dear. You're dad has been accepted for another job on an island and..." She began softly, tucking her hair away behind her ear.

"And?" I repeated, growing even more worried.

"And...He will have to be living there for some time." She continued

"Oh! That's alright Mum. I'm used to Dad not being around often, it's oka-"

"No, (y/n), since it's for such a long time that he's going away..." She paused frequently and reached for my hand and placed it in her own.

"We; we have to move with him..." she stated shakily.

"What?"I fumed angrily. My stomach churned uncomfortably making my hands sweat inside my Mum's hand. My head felt heavy as a sudden rush of heat washed across me like a tsunami. My vision blurred momentarily I gave a mental sigh allowing me to adjust to the sudden news.

"I'm so sorry honey. We have no choice. We have to stay there until the end of the year. So that's about 11 months." She explained calmly.

"What? No! Mum, you can let them do this! It's not fair!"I declared. I could sense hot tears rushing down my cheeks my mind was trying to adjust to the sudden changes. My mum quickly embraced me in her warm embrace.

"Shhh, 's okay sweetie," She choked, holding back her tears. "Everything will be fine, you'll see..."

"But," I choked "How can e-everything be ok-kay when w-we're moving a-away. I-I won't get t-t-to see my fri-friends or..." I trailed of, drowned out by the sound of my own sobbing. I squeezed my mum tighter in her embrace. "It's just not fair, not one bit" I whispered quietly.

"Sweetie, we have to start packing, because we're actually moving on Monday morning," She whispered calmly "But, hey! Look at the bright side. You don't have to finish that essay that's due!"

"Mmm, I guess..." I began shakily "But, how will we get everything packed in time?"

"Oh (y/n), you only have to pack your clothes. Since we're only living there for 11 months, we don't have to pack the whole house with us..." She chuckled lightly.

"Oh right," I slightly giggled, wiping away tears with my sleeve. "But mum, where are we moving to?"

"I can't remember; you'll have to call your dad and ask him yourself." She implied soothingly, stroking my hair softly. At that moment I almost instantly stepped away from my mum and headed straight for the phone. I quickly dialled the familiar 8 digit number and awaited impatiently. 'Jeez, how'm I gonna break this to Roxas?' I thought carefully, until a voice interrupted my train of thought.

"Hello?" Spoke the voice on the other end.

"Hey, Dad. It's (y/n)..." I trailed off

"Oh, hey sweetie. How are you?" He spoke softly.

"Dad," I began, ignoring his question "I heard; about how we're moving." The line was completely silent, I wasn't sure if I'd accidently bumped the 'hang up' button or not. "Dad?"

"Honey," he began "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner..." Silence yet again was all that was heard. Dad better not think that he's going to be forgiven this easily.

"Where are we moving to?" I questioned firmly.

"An island..." He trailed of "Destiny Islands"

I immediately hung up the phone; I'd had enough of Dad and what he'd had to say. 'Did he think he could just tell me on the day? That he could just say "Honey! Get in the car, we're moving!" Uh, no. I don't think so.' I thought bitterly. 'How am I gonna break this to Roxas' I kept repeating in my head.

I glanced a look at my mum, who was giving me a worried look. She looked as if she were thinking deep in concentration.

"Honey," She began "You can go to Roxas' today if you want..."

"I think I might. He, of all people, should be the first to know about this." I swallowed hard as I strode up the staircase to my room. I opened my door shakily and combed my room for a fresh pair of clothes for the day. Denim shorts, grey singlet, red, lumberjack shirt unbuttoned, ankle socks, bow in hair and my necklace. I packed my bag and visited the kitchen one last time to say bye to my mum.

"Hey Mum, I'm going to Roxas' now." I stated plainly.

"Okay honey, be good." She embraced me in a warm hug as I soon departed from her. "Hey, (y/n), remind me. Where did you get that necklace from?" She asked inquisitively.

"Oh!" I implied, touching my necklace "This? Roxas made it for me. He said it was to symbolise our friendship if we ever parted, we'll always have a memory of each other..." I trailed off wondering why my mum asked me that question. I glared at her quizzically. I saw a twinkle of odd emotion in her eyes. Suddenly, a smug grin curled her lips as she and I both realised what I just said.

"You're smart, y'know." I remarked playfully.

"Yeah, I know sweetie. The important thing is, don't ever forget that okay?" She declared knowingly.

"What? That you're smart?" I teased.

"No, honey, that you and Roxas are a part of each other. So that when we move, you know you'll never be alone. He'll always be there. Right here." She spoke softly, pointing to my pendant.

"Mmm. Yeah, you're right. Thanks Mum, but...I gotta get goin'. Catch you later!" I chorused joyfully. I swiftly slipped on my Kelly Green Chucks and headed out the door, once again for 43 Wordsworth Avenue.

"Roxas?" I repeated. "Are you home?" I stood awkwardly outside of his door waiting. It'd already been 7 minutes. Roxas never makes me wait this long. A familiar, loud, eerie, monotone chime rang through my ears.

"That might be him!" I yakked hastily. I reached for my phone in my pocket and instantly flipped it open. It was only a message.

meet u outside skate park 1

c u there, roxas

"Heh, Roxas. You always know how to make me smile."

I quickly glanced at the clock on my phone.

12:46 pm

I quickly walked to the nearest bus stop; it was only 100 metres down the street, luckily. I waited for 3 minutes before a bus soon came around the corner. I took the third seat to the left; since it was the first seat available.

I arrived in no time flat. It was already 12:57 when I had arrived at the skate park.

I wandered aimlessly around the bowl-shaped area, to see if Roxas was anywhere nearby.

"Oh! Hey, Roxa-"

There I saw him. Until, I suddenly spotted a fraction of orange colour flutter towards my eyes.

"Olette..." I huffed.

'Okay (y/n). Just keep your cool. It's only just Roxas'girlfriend. No biggie. Yeah, no...biggie...' I thought cautiously.

I clumsily jogged over to the small group of people surrounding Roxas and Olette.

"Hey Roxas; Hayner; Pence."

I briefly glanced a sour look at the brunette girl.

"...Olette" I spoke calmly.

I briefly glanced back and forth between both Roxas and Olette.

"So, I heard the big news." I implied knowingly.

"Oh, you mean...about..." Olette trailed off to a timid expression, she obviously knew about my secret.

"Yeah. I just wanna say to you both 'Congrats'. You're both such a cute couple." I expressed with a forced, sugar-coated smile.

"Uh, (y/n), come with me..." Roxas spoke softly, his fringe hiding his eyes. "Olette. (Y/n) and I are just gonna go and get some milkshakes across the street. You want anything?"

"Strawberry!" Pence yakked hastily.

"Uh, chocolate thanks." Hayner implied polite fully.

"Oh...okay! Can I just have choc-mint please, Roxy?" Olette chorused unusually content.

"Yeah, sure Olette." Roxas quickly planted an awkward peck on her cheek before we both left for across the road.

"(Y/n)..." Roxas began quietly "You've been acting...strange lately." I kept my head down as I listened to him mutter his words softly.

"And...I'm worried about you." He contined.

"Roxas, why are you worried?" I questioned, confused.

"Well, you never used to act like this before."

"Before?" I implied quizzically.

"Yeah. Before I asked Olette out..." Roxas trailed off to a confused expression.

He suddenly stopped in the middle of the pathway, forcing me to bump clumsily into his shoulder.

I suddenly felt a rush of cold gush roughly down my back. My stomach lurched again familiarly, as I always did when I was nervous.

"(Y/n), look at me will you?" Roxas softly spoke. I closed my eyes tight, wishing I could just disappear. I cautiously turned around to meet Roxas' burning gaze. I swallowed hard as I shuffled a few inches towards him, as I stood awkwardly in his presence.

"(Y/n), I want to ask you some questions..." He began "And...I want you to answer them all truthfully."

I quickly took a sideways glance at all the pedestrians staring at us in the middle of the pathway.

I swallowed hard yet again, with those words.

"Do think it's okay if Olette is my girlfriend?"

My eyes widened ever-so-slightly, as he murmured that last sentence,

"...Yes" I lied, clenching my fists tightly with rage. I looked away, staring at the cracks and imperfections on the pavement.

"(Y/n), look at me." He gingerly tilted my head up to meet his burning, ice blue, gaze.

"Do you...like me?" I followed his lips carefully as he spoke to me. I felt a slight pang in my heart. Did he mean, like him as a friend?

"Of course Roxas, you're my best-"

"No, I mean. Let me re-phrase that sentence." I looked down again at the pavement, awaiting that suicidal question to be asked plainly at my face. Today was the day, and I wasn't planning on answering it.

"Do you love me?" I sighed deeply, taking an awkward step back slightly, releasing myself from his grasp. It hit me. He is asking me if I love him. I stood there, looking completely hopeless, like a sitting duck.

'I do, I do, I do, I do...' I kept repeating in my head, but my mouth spoke before my thoughts.

"...No." I lied, hanging my head low. Squeezing my eyes shut, holding back my tears. My face grew hot and tears left trails down my cheeks. Why was I crying? Was it because I loved him? Or I knew that I could never have him? Maybe it was both.

"Okay," He sighed deeply. He gingerly took my hand into his and led me along the pathway "Let's go get those milkshakes then, huh?"

'Why is he holding my hand? I told him that I didn't love him though, didn't I? I can't remember anymore...'

"So (y/n), what flavour are you gonna get?" Roxas spoke quickly. I walked awkwardly along the pathway until my eyes met a large neon sign.

'Café Mar Del'

"Um, I might get vanilla. How about you?" I questioned quietly.

"I'll just share with you." Roxas added playfully "Oh, that is. If you don't mind." He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.

"Of course you can, Roxas." I giggled cheekily bumping his shoulder, roughly wiping away the tears with the sleeve of my shirt.

After we'd ordered all of the milkshakes, we headed back for the skate park. It was already half past one in the afternoon when we got back. Something was different though. Nobody was there. Hayner, Pence and Olette were gone.

"Uh..." I began confused "They...disappeared?" I looked around trying to find them, but it was no use.

"Maybe they went home because we took too long. That's so weird though. They've never done this to us before..." Roxas trailed off to a glum expression. He slowly strode over to a nearby bench seat, sitting down all of the milkshakes on it next to him.

"It's just us then, I guess?" He chuckled nervously. "So, d'you bring your skate board, (y/n)?"

I froze suddenly for a brief moment. "Aw man! No...Sorry Roxas." I spoke regretfully.

"Eh, don't sweat it. We can just chat then, 'til it gets dark." He said calmly, not really thinking.

"Yeah," I began, looking up at the glaring sun "I'd like that Roxas." I spoke with a sugar-sweet smile.

Roxas and I spoke for at least a good two hours, before the weather quickly interrupted our conversation.

"Ah, hurry (y/n)." Roxas exclaimed worriedly as he ran towards a maple tree.

"I'm running as fast as I can Roxas. Just slow down for me will ya?" I declared, panting as I ran several metres behind him.

The rain pelted down in sheets on my body as I hurriedly shuffled towards Roxas.

"You should learn to run faster!" Roxas remarked smugly. My mouth formed an 'O' and a scowl twisted my face as I pushed him to the ground.

"Ack! You're coming down with me!" He exclaimed playfully. I staggered clumsily away from him.

"Eh! No!" I cried. He pulled me down forcefully onto the wet grass beside him. My foot slipped as he pulled me down towards him, causing me to land on his torso.

"Grr, I'll get you for that!" I declared in defeat, shoving him harshly. Laughter escaped my mouth as he pinned my wrists down roughly against the cold, wet grass.

"Not if I get you first..." He whispered playfully in my ear. I struggled aimlessly fighting his grip, but he was too strong for me.

"Oof. Let me go!" I declared, laughter still escaping from my mouth. Roxas chuckled lightly as his grip increased on my wrists. My eyes aimlessly wandered until my gaze met his. I felt my cheeks blush lightly, I quickly shifted my eyes to the maple leaves falling behind Roxas. They fell slowly, swaying from side to side as they fell. The rain brushed the leaves, leaving them sparkling with moon-like gem water droplets.

I briefly glanced back at Roxas, whose eyes were wandering my face, always shifting from left to right. Quickly after I gazed back at the tree.

"(Y/n)..." Roxas began softly, almost like humming a lullaby.

"Mmm?" I hummed quietly, gazing back at his burning gaze. My eyes soon found themselves wandering him.

"I never really noticed until now but, you have really pretty eyes." He chuckled lightly, loosening his grip on my wrists.

"Uh," I began nervously "Thanks?" I implied confused. "You have nice eyes too." I blurted aimlessly. I quickly gasped and covered my hands over my mouth embarrassedly. 'Hey, he let go of my wrists.' I implied to myself. 'But I can't believe I just said that.' I closed my eyes shut, wishing I could temporarily disappear.

"Hey, look. Pretend I never said that..." I whispered quietly, my eyes still shut tightly.

"Heh, It's 'kay!" Roxas chuckled, standing up in a crouched position, holding his hand out. "Need help getting up?"

"Thanks." I spoke quietly, dusting off my shorts.

"Um, (y/n)," Roxas stammered quietly, shuffling his shoes on the wet grass. "I...I need to tell you something..." Without another word I quickly stepped up to him and placed a finger on his lips, realising what I has wanted to see him for today in the first place. "I actually think that I have something that you need to hear first." I gave a mental sigh as I breathed slowly looking down at the fallen maple leaves. "I..." I began shakily, clenching the collar of his jacket.

"It's okay (y/n), take it easily. Think about it first, take a few breaths, then tell me." He instructed soothingly. I gazed up hopefully at his dazzling, blue eyes. I peered down again as I closed my eyes shut.

"I'm moving away to an island..."