A/N:

Once again I am late... I didn't think I'd be so busy these past two weeks. Every time I'd get a chance to sit down, something would come up. Life is weird and annoying like that. XD

Alright you loveable fans. Here's the next chapter. Ha-za! The reason some chapters may take so long is because I want the chapter to be just right. I edit it like crazy after I finish typing it. You'd be surprised to see what you've missed, even after so many re-reads of one's chapter. And believe me I do a lot of re-reads. Lol

Thanks again for the favs, follows, and reviews! They're greatly appreciated!

You all rock so hard for being patient and keeping up with this. ^_^

Now on with the story!

Chapter 03:

Some Awkward Situations

I could hardly wait for the weekend. Xigbar called me back late last night and had everything arranged. We'd be meeting at the mall on Saturday at three o'clock. I asked my Mom if I could go, and she approved, because she likes my friends. Well all except for Xigbar. He isn't really a good role model. (He likes to think he is though.) I mean he got me to smoke and sometimes he'd get me in huge trouble. (Nothing too illegal though.) My mother has no idea I smoke either, she'd kill me!

It's Friday and I'm sitting in Roxas's kitchen going over his Algebra 2 homework. Which is terrible, it's like he isn't even trying. I sigh, "seriously man? I showed you how to do the quadratic formula the other day." Roxas looks at me smiling like a jackass. I roll my eyes.

"Sorry, could you show me one more time?" He asked, acting all innocent. I face palm, then rip out a piece of paper from my notebook. I start writing down different examples for him to follow. As I'm writing out my last example, Roxas gets a little too close to me. Close enough to where our shoulders were touching. My heart rate go up, and I feel a blush coming on. I take in a deep breath hoping the feeling would go away.

I stop writing for a second and look at him. I raise and eyebrow."Ahem, any reason you're invading my personal space?" Not that I mind his closeness, it's just causing my heart to hurt like hell, that's all. I watch as he quickly backs away, he looks embarrassed. What is up with him? I return my attention to the example I had half-finished. After I complete it, I stick the paper in front of him. "You know the routine, if you have a question, just ask."

Roxas nods and starts doing his work. I get out my AP History work, which is easy. Not even ten minutes go by and he taps my shoulder. I set my pencil down and he points to a problem he completed. "How's this? Did I follow it right this time?" He asked. I look over at his paper. It's completely wrong. I face-palm again and shook my head. Now this is just ridiculous!

I sigh rather loudly. "No you didn't. You put the numbers in the wrong spots, your coördinates are way off as well. Need I say anything about the graphs too?" I explained to him, Roxas looks away shamefully. "I know you're not an idiot, but you have to try if you want to stay on the soccer team." I gave him a half-smile, letting him know I won't give up on him. I'm kind of nice like that, behold my softer side!

"Thanks," Roxas erases his old problem and redoes it. I return to my homework. Though every now and again I'd catch him looking at me. When our eyes would meet, he would immediately look away with a blush on his face. I find this to be both weird and adorable. I get to thinking: Why would he act like that? Especially around me. "Could we be friends? Not just tutor and student?" He asked.

I stop what I'm doing yet again and look at him strangely. "You're serious?" He gave me a goofy smile, then nods. "Alright, but I warn you. I'm a lot to handle." I give him a smirk and wink. Next thing I know he is hugging me. "Again with the space invading," I laughed, then my heart rate goes up again. Roxas looks up at me with those big blue eyes. How could I resist them? That's just it, I can't. That's when I blush and I turn my head away.

I decide to return his hug. I never thought I'd get this close to him. It's nice, then my heart begins to ache again, ruining this good moment I'm having. Roxas and I let go of each other. "Ok now back to work, you're far from finished. You still have a whole other assignment to work on after this."

"You're no fun." He pouts like child. I can't help but smile. This whole new side of Roxas is so unreal, so..cute.

I suddenly got a craving for ice-cream. An idea came to mind."Tell you what. You get these done soon. I will buy you and I some Dairy Queen." I told him, and I swear as fast as he wrote, I thought his paper would catch fire "They better be done correctly too or you're not getting ice-cream. I'll just make you sit there while I enjoy mine." I teased him, he doesn't seem amused.

"Now you're just being a dick." Roxas glares at me.

And with me being the smart-ass that I am. I respond with, "preaching to the choir there pretty boy." I laugh, then he throws his pencil at me, it hit my nose. I kind of deserved that. After all I threw one at him before. I could've easily used my telekinesis to stop it. However, I don't need Roxas freaking out if I made the pencil float in midair.

"Don't call me that! Not my fault I have a feminine face." Roxas grumbled. His face is as red as my hair. I feel like being childish too and I poke his cheek a few times. "Hey stop that!" I start laughing again, he smacks my hand away, then crosses his arms.

"You get too easily embarrassed. Now how much have you done so far?" I yank his notebook towards me. He only has ten out of thirty done. I look it over and they're done right. Impressive. "Alright, just keep this up and you'll be done with this assignment in no time." His eyes light up, I hand him back his notebook and he starts doing the rest of the work. As for me, I work on my assignments.

7:05 pm

After a few hours of completing schoolwork, I look over both of his assignments. He did pretty well, though he still has a long way to go. "Good job, I'm impressed. That is also another accomplishment you've made today. I'm not so easily impressed."

Roxas stuffs all his work into his blue backpack. I pack up all my things as well. "Does that mean I get ice-cream now?" He looks at me smiling. Shit, I thought he would have forgotten that.

"Yes it does." I throw my backpack over my shoulder and head towards the front door. As I walk past, I notice Annette is home, she's watching some Soap opera on the flat screen. I grab my boots and slip them on. Next, I see Roxas throw on a pair of Converse and zip up his black and white stripped hoodie.

Annette turns her head towards us, "and just where are you two off to?" She asked polity. Roxas and I look at one another then back at his Mom.

"Axel said if I did good during my session, he'd buy me some ice-cream." Roxas said with a grin. I just look at him strangely. Didn't think he'd be this excited, just to go out for some sweet treat.

"Alright, be back before it gets too dark." She said in a kind voice. Annette really seems to like me. She has been very nice, and gives me free doughnuts now. It's awesome! Today while Roxas was taking a break, Annette came in to the kitchen to talk to me. She seems happy that I took time out of my busy life to help Roxas. Not that I have much of a life these days. Annette even told me she hoped to see me around here more often. Making me feel welcomed, I liked this feeling.

"Ok Mom." Roxas said. He then opens the door, standing there in the doorway is a man. A short man with curly brown hair and glasses. He is wearing a blue suit and is carrying a black briefcase. "Dad? You're home early... It's not even close to eight o'clock.." Roxas sounded surprised to see his Dad come home so early. "Not that, that's a bad thing. Welcome home anyway." Roxas's Dad walks inside, closing the door slightly behind him.

His Dad takes a look at me, I brace for what the Psychologist would say. "Are you the tutor I've heard about? I wondered when I'd get to meet you." The man holds out his hand, I'm entirely surprised. I thought he'd analyze me or something. As to not be rude though, I shake his hand firmly. "Firm grip, good to have." He said with a smile. We slowly pull our hands away.

"Yeah, that's me, Axel Rosé. Your name?" I asked.

"Doctor Sebastian Snow. Nice to meet you. Where are you taking my son?" There's some slight concern in his voice. That's to be expected, Roxas's Dad doesn't really know me, I mean this is our first meeting after all. I really don't know him either, but Sebastian seemed like an ok kind of guy.

"Diary Queen. I'll have Roxas back in one piece." I assured him. I may look like I do crazy things, but I don't. Well not anymore at least.. "Annette seems to be ok with it." The Psychologist took off his coat and put it away in a closet located within the living room.

Sebastian looks at his wife, who was back to watching her Soaps. "Alright, though I'd like to know you a bit more the next time I see you. Have fun and drive safe." He told us.

"I'll try and stay longer next time." I get out my keys and unlock my truck. I wave goodbye and head out the door. However, as I walk out I notice a picture that hung near the door frame. There's Roxas, his Mom and Dad. Then there was this older brunette. Him and Roxas look very much like one another. Three times I have been here, and I've yet to see this brunette. Could it be his sibling? I always thought Roxas was an only child; then again, I know so little about Roxas Snow.

Roxas is soon to follow me outside. The two of us get in my truck after I throw my backpack into the backseat. I pull out from Roxas's drive way and drive to the nearest Dairy Queen. Which is just a bit of a drive. I just hope they haven't run out of my favorite thing on the menu. The Sea-Salt blizzard. It's really popular around Winston and tastes amazing!

As I'm driving, again I wonder who that brunette is. I usually don't let curiosity get the better of me, but today was different. My week has been very weird, nothing was like it should be. Oh well, not everything stays the same forever. I could use a little change in my life anyway."If you don't mind me asking, who's that brunette with the crazy hair in that picture?" I'm one to talk, my hair is as insane as it gets.

I hear Roxas laugh, "You wanna talk crazy hair? Look at you Porcupine. You've got spikes that could kill a man." He pauses, then asks, "what picture are talking about?"

I can't be mad about that comment. It's true after all, but I refuse to let him insult my awesome hair. "I will stab you with my quills if you keep making comments like that." I joked, he laughs, but I still want an answer. "Anyway, to answer your question. The one I saw on the wall by your front door."

"Oh him..." There was some attitude to his response. I'm confused as to why. "He's my jackass older brother Sora. He hates me for stupid reasons." He sounded angry, I may not have a jackass brother, but I do have a jackass adoptive 'father.' However, I don't know his reasons, or if Roxas is just saying his brother is like that. I'm not one to assume too much without first understanding.

"Would they be your usual squabbles between siblings?" I asked. Unaware that I may have just stepped on thin ice with Roxas.

"Pfft no. He hates me and I hates him. Growing up, he would always treat me like I wasn't wanted. One time he told me I was adopted and that's why he didn't have to like me." There he goes again, making things seem like they're a bad thing to be. Then a thought occurs to me, Rodrick treats me the same, like I didn't belong there. I know all too well what's it's like to feel unwanted, unwelcomed by someone whom you thought would love you. I start getting a bit angry. My hands grip the steering-wheel tightly. I clench my teeth together. Once again my power starts to rise. "Axel? You ok?" Roxas sounded concerned. I don't answer. "I'll get you a cigarette." I hear him going into my glove box and him moving things around. Now I'll have to reorganize it again!

Before I can answer, a cigarette slips between my lips. Then a flick of a lighter, again as to be polite, I role down the window. That way, Roxas won't have to inhale as much smoke. I draw in a deep drag and begin to calm down as I exhale out the window. "Thanks, wanna know something? I'm an adopted kid. I lived in an orphanage for twelve years. Well not a full twelve years though. However, I'm not ashamed of it. You may or may not find this surprising, but I know what it's like... To be mistreated by someone who's supposed to love you." I explained to him.

There's a long pause between him and I. I think I may have tugged his heartstrings a bit. "I'm sorry." I could hear the guilt in his voice. I just laugh then take in another drag. "What's so funny?"

Now doesn't this sound a bit familiar? "You. You're funny. There's no need to apologize for something that wasn't your fault. Besides, I've learned to deal with it... Anyway, where is this said jackass brother of yours? I've never seen him at school, or around your house." Now feel like I'm nosing into Roxas's personal business. Even if we're newly found friends, I don't feel right to ask such questions. "Never mind you don't have to tell me. It's none of my business. I shouldn't have asked."

"No, it's ok. Sora lives far away, with our Uncle Henry, Ven's Dad. We fought so much.. After a while he just leaves. This was a long time ago though." Roxas informed me. There was sadness to his voice. I can't help feel a bit sorry for him. I pull up in the small parking lot at Dairy Queen. It's an outdoor one, there are a few empty tables for us to sit at. Which is good, that way we don't have to sit in the truck. Another reason is the weather is nice tonight with a clear sky and sparking stars. I've always like the late fall weather. It's the right temperature and the wind isn't too chilly.

I turn off the truck and I look at Roxas. His face is flushed and he appears nervous. I raise an eyebrow and wonder what has gotten into him. I lean over and put my hand to his cheek, to see if maybe he's running a fever. "Are you ok? You're really warm." Roxas's blush deepens and he pulls away from me. "Come on, maybe some ice-cream will cool you down." I step out from the truck with Roxas close behind me. After getting up to the small line I lock up my truck. I already know what I want, but Roxas on the other hand, is muttering to himself about what he wants.

We're now up at the window, I order a large Sea-Salt blizzard. Thankfully they have some left tonight. Roxas gets a vanilla cone with a ton of sprinkles on it. I can't stand sprinkles, I don't see how sprinkles add anything to the ice-cream. Other than it making a bigger mess that is. I pay and we don't have to wait long. We got our treats and sit at the table farthest away.

"Sea-Salt blizzard huh? I've never had that." Roxas said and starts eating his ice-cream. I look at him weird, just about everyone I knew loved this blizzard. It's almost this city's top rated flavor.

I don't bother to say anything. I go and grab an extra spoon and scoop him some. I hand it out to him. "Try it. You may like it." I give him a trusting smile. Roxas lightly grabs the spoon and stuffs it into his mouth. "Well?" I eagerly awaited his answer.

Roxas sets the spoon down and looks at me. With a huge smile."It's salty, yet sweet. I love it." He then goes back to his vanilla cone.

As I'm about done with my blizzard I just happen to look up. I see Roxas licking around the melting ice-cream, in a very suggestive way. My face begins to heat up and my heart rate escalates. Sad to say that isn't all that was wrong with me. My black jeans suddenly get very tight. And I swear drool escaped my mouth too, because my mouth hung open. Roxas looks at me strange and stops what he's doing. "Axel? Why are you looking at me like that?" He raises an eyebrow and set his cone down.

I'm now completely embarrassed. My face is probably as red as my hair. Way to go jackass. I grab a napkin and wipe my mouth, and I cross my legs. I dared not look him in the eyes, in the fear he'll think I'm some creeper now. "The way you were eating your ice-cream. It was a bit... Weird." Now that was an outright lie, it had actually turned me on. I wanted to reach across the table and kiss him so hard. I couldn't do that though, obvious reasons.

"I'm sorry. I-I-I didn't mean to...Uhm," he stuttered. "Well, this is awkward..."

"It's ok, and maybe just a bit..."

After about twenty minutes, the two of us throw away our trash. Then we hop in my truck and I drive him home. The whole ride there him and I hardly exchange a single word. All that's talking, is the radio station I had left on. I start to feel very uncomfortable, and a bit humiliated to have allowed myself to drool over him in public. Though it isn't all my fault... He started it, that little tease!

I pull up to the curb in front of his house. I wait for him to get out. Instead he just sits there, twiddling his thumbs. I turn towards him, he looks up at me. He's smiling. "Thank you, for taking me out."

"No problem." I suddenly find myself lost in his eyes. They're such a beautiful pools of blue. I start inching closer to him. That isn't the odd thing though, he starts inching closer to me too. He is close enough to where I can feel his warmth. Once again my heart drums in my ears. My reality begins to fade, it's as if the outside world no longer exists. My hand reaches up and rests on his cheek gently pulling his face closer. As I'm about to close the gap between us with a kiss. A phone rings, snapping me back into the real world. I pull away quickly, once again feeling really embarrassed.

I glace over at Roxas, who had his phone in his hands.. He appears... disappointed? Roxas sighs and answers the call. "Perfect timing as always Naminé..." He said with a hint of sarcasm. I feel like grinning, but decide against it. The situation is awkward enough without me adding more to it. He looks at me and gave me a legitimate smile. Roxas puts his hand over the bottom of the phone. "I'll see you at school Axel. Again thanks for the ice-cream."

I find myself reaching for him, but before I can say anything...Roxas is out the door. He shuts it and walks up to his house, still on the phone. I watch as he fiddles with his keys, after a minute or so he helps himself inside. As for me I slam my head on the steering wheel, trying to process what happened. I almost kissed him for a second time this week... Only this time, it's as if... he wanted me to kiss him. As much as I want to believe that, I can't. The thought tears at me:

There was no way in this universe he'd want me. But then why didn't he pull away? Any normal guy would have shoved me off, yet he allowed me to be so close. Just half an inch away from a kiss. Still he has a girlfriend, and it wouldn't of been right of me to make any serious moves. Good or bad, a romantic relationship should only consist of two people.

My heart ached the whole way home. I wish there was some way to lift this torture from my heart. Well there is a way, but I'd be out of a good recommendation. Now that I think about it, will it be worth all this when it's all over? I hope so, or I'm going to be royally pissed!

I walk in the house, Mom is in the kitchen making tea. Reno is nowhere in sight. Most likely in his little cave he calls his bedroom. As for Rodrick, he is watching his usual sports on the living room TV. He appears to not have noticed me. I take off my boots and set them down lightly. His attention is still focused on the TV. Ever since that '''incident''' a few days ago, Rodrick has left me alone. Can't really complain about that. Though I'm sure after a while, he'll be back into his old habit of being a dick to me.

Mom walks in the living room and greets me with a smile. I return it, she helps herself to the recliner, grabbing a magazine off the coffee table in front of Rodrick. I go up to my room and work a bit more on my mini-autobiography for A.P English. Once I thought I had done enough, I get comfy and lay in my bed. However, sleep isn't what I did. My mind is restless, I toss and turn in my sheets. I eventually give up, because sleep isn't an option for me at the moment.

I turn on my light and grab Carrie from my walled bookshelf. No seriously, the whole right wall of my room is nothing but book shelves They're all stuffed with novels, mangas and movies. I grab my MP3 off my dresser, which is on the left side of my room. Next to it, sat a small TV, and my PS3, both resting on a table in the corner of my bedroom.

I put on my music, the current song playing was one I haven't heard in a while. Fake It sung by Seether, I used to play it a lot when I'd hang out with the guys. I can hardly wait to see them all again. I open the book and begin reading, hoping it would relax my restless mind.

I must've fallen asleep pretty late, because when I open my eyes I see the time. It's already 2:15! I have to hurry and get ready. I ran to the bathroom and fix my hair to the best of my ability, put in my many piercings and apply my eye liner. I rush back to my bedroom and pull out a Seether T-Shirt and a pair of dark ripped skinny jeans. Slipped those on and yank my black hoodie off the back of my sticker covered door. Throwing it on as I ran out from my room. Closing the door behind me.

I rush through the living room and put on my boots. After I'm done tying the laces, I make myself a small breakfast and eat it fast. I ran back to the front door only to hear Mom hollering for me from the basement. I sigh and go see what she needs me for. She is in casual clothes, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. She is holding a red laundry basket. "Yeah Mom? How did you know I was up?" She holds out the basket towards me, I take it gently.

"I could hear the clunking of your heavy boots upstairs. I don't get how you can wear those things." Mom laughs, I just stare at her for a moment. Thinking up a response.

The smart-ass in me has awakened. "Simple, I put them on and walk." I smirked, Mom rolls her eyes. I look in the basket and it was filled with most of my hoodies and a few pairs of my jeans.

"Ok smart-ass... Anyway, I want those put away and not stuffed somewhere or sitting on the floor. Oh and one more thing I need you to empty the dishwasher before you go anywhere." Mom looked serious. "I've asked you twice this week to do it. And use just your hands, not your telekinesis. You can't always rely on it for everyday use" Actually, I can count on it, because I have a firm grip on it...Sort of... My Mom gives me a stern look, "I mean it Axel."

"I know Mom," but it gets done much quicker when I use my hands and my mind. I carry my basket to my room and toss it on my unmade bed. It wouldn't take me long to get both tasks done. Even if Mom said not to use my power, I'm on a bit of a time crunch. Saix is a stickler for being on time, and I don't want to hear him complain. Frankly, it pisses me and the other guys off, but no matter what explanation we'd give him. Saix will just see it as a lame excuse. However, we found a way to cope with that. When I think Saix isn't paying attention, I'd make mocking impressions of him. Xigbar and Demyx find them to be hilarious. Saix... not so much.

I hurry to the kitchen, I look around and make sure no one is watching. The coast is clear. I use my telekinesis to put away the cups and plates. My hands put away the silverware, within minutes I'm done with that. I hurry back upstairs and do the same for my hoodies and jeans. Once those tasks are out of the way, I rush back to the living room and grab my truck keys off the wall hook.

Mom caught me by the arm as I step outside. "No way you did the dishes that quickly. You brat you used your power again." She sighs, "Axel Rosé what am I going to do with you?" There was a laugh in there somewhere. I turn to hug the petite woman and she hugs me back.

"Love me unconditionally, feed me and spoil me." I said to her with a grin. She pokes my nose and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"You and your smart mouth I swear. Now go have fun with your buddies and be home before dark. Also... Axel, for the sake of my sanity... Please promise me you won't let Xigbar talk you into doing something ridiculous or worse... illegal?" I she had that motherly tone in her voice. As if I'd commit a crime...Well I already kind of am: underage smoking... Mom doesn't know... And let's not forget I got an assault and battery charge for when I slammed that chair in Seifer's face last year.. After fighting him off first of course. The dummy started it. But it was just me that spent the night in jail. I was lucky to have kept my virginity at the time. However, I lost it two weeks later to some hottie. Anyway, getting off track here!

"Mom, I promise. Besides, I never go along with any of his illegal ideas.. Just the petty ones." I teased, but Mom doesn't find it funny. She glares at me, I feel a sudden chill up my back. She is dead serious. " Uhm...Let me rephrase that. I promise not to get into any trouble.. period." She gave me a fake smile, then came back the glare. That look was telling me, 'You'd better keep your nose clean and ignore any stupid ideas Xigbar has in mind and you'll live another day.' That's what I planned to do in the first place: avoid trouble.

"That's what I thought you said. Now, be home by ten-thirty latest. Do NOT be late." Now she was sounding like Saix. Which annoys me. After reassuring her I'd make it home on time, she let me get into my truck. I start it up and turn on the radio. Sadly nothing good was on, so I pop in a Mixed CD I made last summer, with all my favorite tracks from various artists. I then get my usual nicotine craving and light up a cigarette after I pull out of the driveway. Away from my Mom's line of sight.

I arrive just in time, there they are, standing by the mall's large fountain. Demyx is the first one I spot. He is eighteen years old, (all three of them were eighteen in fact.) His dirty blonde mullet looks like it belongs in an 80s movie. He is wearing biker jeans, a leather jacket, and a plain blue shirt. He was chatting with Xigbar, my other best friend and the biggest mischief causer I know. This guy is as tall as me (I'm about 6'4) and had long black hair that is always pulled back. He is wearing a sweater, and some loose jeans. Xigbar also has an eye patch because he lost his eye in a knife fight a few years ago. He was in some pretty heavy shit for a while, but he got out of it before he graduated. Through it all, I never left his side.

Far to the left of them there sat Saix, isolating himself away from their conversation. His nose was in some book far beyond my understanding. He likes reading those non-fictional scientific kind of books. He dresses like a stereotypical nerd, only he doesn't wear or even need glasses. Not that all nerds wear glasses anyway. Glasses don't determine one's intelligence. Anyway, I walk closer to them, waiting for them to see me. They don't. Which is puzzling, I'm a pretty noticeable person.

Xigbar turns his head and smiles, as did Demyx. "If it isn't Gun N' Roses. Axel how've you been?" Demyx said while smiling like a goof. He gave me that nickname in middle school. The reason behind why he calls me that, is because my name is similar to Axl Rose, the lead singer of that band. Also when we all first hung out, we listened to Gun N' Roses's music for half the night. We all had a good time too.

"I've been good Lost Boy, and you?" I teased, his hair always reminded me of the Lost Boy vampires. Demyx lost a bet with us and had to keep it like that, and he is very serious about his bets. Whether he wins or loses.

"You're still the comedian aren't you?" He slugs my shoulder and laughs. The punch hardly hurt. I respond with a nod and smile like a jackass. "I see you're still got bunch of metal in your face." Demyx teased. I laugh, because out of the four of us, I had the most piercings.

As I'm about to give a verbal response, Xigbar butts in. "You know Demyx, you could use a piercing. One to pierce your mouth shut." By all means Xigbar was joking, but sometimes he takes it a little over the top... Demyx shoves Xigbar. "Oh come on, get a sense of humor would yah?" Demyx glares at him. I almost started laughing.

I hear a an irritated sigh. Only one guy we know does that constantly."Xigbar you always take your jokes too far..." I heard Saix say, the three of us look at him. He hadn't even looked up from his book. "Anyway, Axel how are you?"

"I'm pretty good. I got asked to tutor Roxas Snow, in exchange for a good recommendation from Xemnas." I feel so proud of myself. That's when Saix closes his book and looks at me like he was in minor shock. I give him a confused expression. "What?" I asked.

Xigbar starts snickering. I ignore it at first..."Wait isn't he that blonde soccer player you have the homo hots for?" Xigbar interrupted, rather loudly. I can feel myself blushing, big time. I hear a slapping sound from behind me. "Ow! Demyx, why did you hit me?!" Xigbar yelled. I'm too mad to even laugh at that.

"You need to think before you speak. That's why." Demyx told him.

I whip around and give Xigbar one hell of a death glare. He raises up his hands, as if I'm going to sock him one. I just might. My friends are aware of my... no gender preference thing. They didn't seem surprised, however, they didn't know Roxas was my crush since his first year of High School. Except for Xigbar, somehow he found out. Now so have these two... Awesome.. "You big mouth now the whole mall knows! Thanks man." I snapped at him. Xigbar looks away shamefully.

Demyx isn't laughing, he knows this is no joke. Saix looks annoyed and says,"enough. We all knew it. You'd stare at him like a love struck school girl." I did not! My face heats up even more, I look away in embarrassment. "Anyway, Xemnas said you'd get a recommendation in exchange for tutoring him?" Saix is never one for immature things, he's almost as serious as Xemnas.

I turn around and nod, "yes? Do you think he's bluffing?" I've assumed that, seeing as the man hates me.

Saix chuckles, which is a very rare thing. "He never jokes Axel, or lies. He's a very truthful man." Even after he graduated, he's still kiss's Xemnas's ass. "He'll give it to you, but only if you keep your end of the bargain. Whether he hates you or not."

"All right, I know Roxas will have better grades so I'm a shoe in." The embarrassment fades, and I'm back to being happy and proud. "We agreed to act as friends to make it go by smoother." I sit next to Saix. Xigbar pulls up a chair as did Demyx. I saw Saix smirk again. "What's with that smirk?" I said, I'm suspicious because he hardly ever cracks a smile.

"Oh it's nothing Axel. You'll figure it out." I didn't like the sound of that. When he says something along those lines. It usually means he's figured something out, but he never tells us. He makes you work your brain and figure it out for yourself. I like challenges, but Saix is one puzzle I'll never solve. Saix opens his book back up, and was quiet the rest of the time.

I hate it when he does that... "Are we going to hang out or just sit here?" I said, with an annoyed tone. The three of them nod and we all go to the arcade and blow off our quarters. While we're there, Xigbar had some crazy idea as usual. He wants us all to pick quarters off people. The promise I made my Mom rings in my head; I turn down the idea immediately. As did Demyx and Saix, Xigbar calls us lame asses, and decides he'd rather not do anything mischievous for once. That's how we spend most of our time that afternoon. Blowing off our money at the arcade.

A Few Hours Later...

After goofing off at the mall, my friends all decide they'd come to my house. Knowing my Mom wouldn't be too happy. I'd managed to beat them back to my house to warn/ask my Mom. She's as I predicted, not too thrilled. Luckily, she's ok with it. It's been a while since I had any friends over.

They soon arrive and grab any junk food they could get a hold of. All while my Mom's back is turned. My friend's know very well my Mom doesn't allow food in my room. Yet they brought it in there anyway. "You guys know my Mom will be pissed if there's food in here." I said as Demyx rips open a bag of chips.. Spilling most of them on my burgundy carpet. Then Xigbar has pretzel crumbs in his lap. The two nod and smile like jackasses. I face-palm, then I laugh. Saix is starting up my PS3, not even paying the rest of us any mind."You guys really suck."

"Thought that was more of your forte Ax? Seeing as you're half gay and all." I heard Xigbar comment, a laugh was soon to follow said comment. I sock him so hard in the shoulder it knocks him on his back. That was for earlier too! After exacting my revenge I see that Xigbar's pretzels went everywhere. Mom is going to kill me...Demyx laughs and Saix sighs. This is how we'd usually spend most of our time when we aren't out and about.

"It makes me wonder why I put up with all of you. Then I remember you all make me feel good about myself." Saix said dryly. We just look at him and laugh, he appears confused. Which makes it even more hilarious. "Imbeciles," he sighs. After that I sit next to Saix and play a few games with him. I beat him a few times, but that's because he let me or so he says. I'm having a blast with them, it's like they never left. A part of me wants Roxas to be here with us, however, I fear that it may damage his innocent personality. Best keep Roxas as far away from Xigbar as possible.

At about midnight, Xigbar and Saix went home. Mom is letting Demyx stay here for the night. Which is awesome. Him and I stay up all night watching movies and playing video-games. We're forced to go to bed at 3 am, Mom said so. Lame!

After Demyx goes home later that afternoon I help Mom around the house. Reno does too. Raking the leaves, mowing the lawn, and whatever chore she came up with. This was a weekend well spent, I saw my friends, and Roxas wants to be close to me. We almost kissed twice, if it weren't for that ungrateful girlfriend of his. I'd snatch him up and never let him go. Breaks my heart that she's like that... Though, I don't know how much longer he's going to put up with her. A saying comes to mind: 'Good things come to those who wait.'

Chapter 03:END