Chapter 3. This is turning out a lot different from the original writing, but the original was so bad. This one may not be perfect, but at least it makes sense and Riku's decent into depression is a bit slower. Sora's stupidity is still at an all-time high. Wonderful times. Just a heads up for those of you who read both of my kingdom hearts fanfics. Falling into darkness is getting a huge overhaul like this. I have an outline that's a good 5 to 6 pages long? It may be longer. Anyway, excited to jump into that as well.

Notes: (X) is pov change and or time jump when need be.

Warnings: This is a yaoi, shonen ai, slash, boy love story. Don't like, don't read.

Chapter 3

Of course, he's not coming, I was a complete ass to him. I lashed out at him, because he's in love with Kairi. It's not like it's his fault any more than it's my fault that I love Sora. It wouldn't be so bad if he'd at least still treat me like a friend. I shouldn't have yelled…maybe I should have apologized. Damnit Sora….

Riku was staring out the window of the diner into the dark night, but his mind wasn't registering any of it. He knew it was dark, knew there were streetlights flickering to life. Somewhere in the distance was noise, talking maybe. Some music.

"Jeez, at least pretend to pay attention!"

Riku blinked a few times turning away from the window. Roxas was sitting next to him in the booth glaring, Axel across from him grinning.

"I…" How long had he been daydreaming? His ice cream sat in its bowl half melted and Roxas' milkshake was about empty. Axel's fries were gone, but given how easily the older teen inhaled food that gave no good measurement of time. He glanced at his phone his eyes widening slightly when he saw that he had a text message. Maybe Sora had texted him. He swiped the screen and then tapped the text bubble.

'Monday at 4 pm, Wednesday at 4:30 pm, and Friday at 3:30 p.m. See you guys there.'

Riku groaned and dropped his phone back onto the table. He didn't care if it broke anymore. It wasn't like Sora was texting him.

"What? Did Sora issue a restraining order against you or something," Axel asked grabbing Riku's phone, his eyes glittering. He swiped at the phone, saw the message and gave Riku an annoyed look. "This isn't juicy."

"A Blitzball practice times aren't supposed to be," Riku said, his head on the table, his eyes on his melting ice cream.

"I thought you liked Blitzball," Roxas said sliding Riku's phone back to him after Axel had set it down on the table.

"I do," he sighed. Blitzball was one of the few places he could be as vicious as he wanted. He could lash out at the other team, hit the ball or pass it as hard as possible, let some of his frustration out. It was also about the only place he could speak with Sora like he used to.

"Just give up already," Axel said leaning back in the booth. He grabbed Riku's ice cream and spoon and started eating it.

"I have given up."

"I meant on all of it. You said you gave up on him, but you need to give up on tonight too."

"Axel," Roxas warned. He turned back to Riku. "He never said he was coming."

"I know…and we were fighting earlier so I knew he probably wouldn't show up…" He looked down at his phone anyway wishing for a message to appear. None did.

Scowling Roxas grabbed Riku's phone. He held the power button down and waited for it to turn off before slipping it into his pocket.

"Roxas—"

"Just forget about Sora for five minutes," the dirty blonde demanded. "Five minutes, that's all Axel and I are asking for."

"I want seven," Axel said and Roxas kicked him under the table. "OUCH!"

"Come on, we can go do something else, anything else." He stood up taking Riku's hand in his own and started pulling on it.

"What if…" Stop kidding yourself. Sora's not coming. Even if they hadn't fought, the chances of Sora actually showing up were almost nonexistent. He allowed Roxas to pull him to his feet and out the door, Axel protesting as he ran to catch up with them. They were outside than, the air still warm. "So where are we going?"

Roxas tilted his head in thought, Riku's arm pinned over his shoulder and across his chest now.

"How about the beach?"

"You're in charge," Riku said smiling at him. He could easily break free of the younger teen's hold, but what was the point? At least someone wanted to be around him, wanted his attention. That it annoyed Axel just made it that much more enjoyable.

"To the beach then," Roxas grinned pulling Riku along.

"You'll have to pull me too," Axel said stopping behind them. "Or I won't go either."

"So don't come," Roxas said straight faced.

Riku couldn't help, but start laughing at that. He turned so he could get a look at Axel's face and sure enough, the older teen looked like he'd been punched. He laughed harder, tears streaming down his face.

After a bit of walking and a lot of bickering they made it to the beach in one piece. Roxas released Riku's hand his eyes lighting up at the sight of the shoreline.

"It's beautiful."

The ocean was dark and reflected thousands of the stars from the night sky back up. He ran towards the water kicking his sandals off as he did laughing the entire time. Riku watched, smiling at the younger teen. It was a shame he didn't seem to be falling for Roxas.

"He's mine," Axel said stopping beside Riku. "I don't care if you lost yours."

"I think that's up to Roxas," Riku said. Of course Roxas did like Axel, but Riku wasn't about to let him know that. It was much too fun to watch Axel try and fail to impress or at the very least, attempt to amuse Roxas. "Maybe you should take your shirt off and jump in the water. Show him you've been working out."

Axel's eyes widened.

"That's a great idea. Hey Roxas!" The older teen started running towards the water, removing his shirt as he did. "Look at my abs!"

You look like a pervert, Riku thought as Axel sprinted towards the younger teen. With nothing else, to do Riku sat down in the sand watching his other two friends. How do I always end up as the third wheel? He'd been number one in Sora's life until Kairi had shown up. For a few short hours, he'd been the only one talking with Roxas. Wanting to be either of the teens' number one was selfish however. Where's my soulmate at?

"GET OFF OF ME! YOU'RE WET!"

"But Roxas, my abs!"

"They're small and useless!"

Riku shook his head. Had he screwed himself out of a happy life by not going to K-Academy? He'd allowed his one sided emotions for Sora to get the best of him. Whom had he been kidding when he'd decided to stay? He knew Sora and Kairi were going to get together eventually and that there'd no longer be any room for him. He should have went. Could maybe still go…? The chances of him being able to transfer were slim, but still a possibility. It was only week three and his parents would be more than happy to sign the paperwork to send him off to a private high school.

Roxas came running towards Riku and collapsed beside him.

"How….how did you…he's such an asshole," Roxas said between breaths. He laughed despite his words and opened his eyes. Riku could see the stars reflecting in Roxas' eyes now and still, all he could think of was Sora. How many times had Sora and Riku, sometimes even Kairi, stopped at the beach at night? They'd watched the stars, swam in the water, he could even remember one time when Sora and him had built a huge sand castle some years back. The ocean had destroyed it by the next morning, but they'd taken pictures with their phones. "Riku? You have that look on your face again," Roxas said. He sat up resting his head on Riku's upper arm. "What can we do so you aren't so sad?"

Riku blinked a few times surprised at Roxas' words. Did he really come off as so pathetic that Roxas thought he needed comforting? Maybe he did need comforting, but it wouldn't do any good coming from Roxas or Axel.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I was just thinking maybe I should have accepted the scholarship I got for K-Academy. A change of perspective might have been nice."

"You were accepted into K-Academy," Roxas asked his voice full of awe. "That's not an easy place to get a scholarship for."

"I threw the acceptance letter in the trash. I thought staying here so I could remain friends with Sora was more important, but now…."

Roxas lifted his head and Riku suddenly found himself lying in the sand, Roxas looking down at him, his hand on Riku's chest.

"But now you have us," he said proudly.

"Until the two of you elope and leave me," Riku said. Roxas' face turned bright red at that.

"You haven't said anything, right?"

"Not a word," Riku assured him. "You know he won't figure it out until you tell him, right?"

Roxas released Riku and sat back. He pulled his knees up to his chest and dropped his head onto them.

"I kind of like seeing what he'll do next."

"You two deserve each other," Riku snickered. They would no doubt be happy together once Roxas let their relationship form. He sat up then. "Listen Roxas, I know you like watching him flail, but remember if you don't tell him, someone else might come along and take him."

Roxas gave a small nod.

"That's what happened to you, right?"

"Not really. Sora's straight. I never had a chance. Besides, I'm a coward. I'd rather not tell him than be rejected."

"We need to find you someone else to fall in love with," Roxas said.

"You make it sound easy."

"It doesn't have to be hard. You just need a distraction from Sora."

A distraction would be nice. It didn't need to be a date with someone, just something to get this mind off of everything. Cooking wasn't the answer. He'd nearly burnt all of his food once he'd gotten home after their latest fight. Everything looked like it had been smashed or cut with a dull jagged knife. Anyone who saw it would be scared to try it, but luckily, his frustration hadn't caused harm to the food's taste. It had been surprisingly good. He'd tried to get a nap in afterwards, but that hadn't happened. Instead, he'd ended up dusting the house and opening the windows to let a breeze in. Then he'd sat down on the couch and read his manga book, glad that the main character was suffering far worse than he was.

I'm a jerk. No wonder Sora chose Kairi over me.

"Did you see," Axel asked proudly walking up to them, his chest puffed out. "I told you I could do it Roxas!"

"I wasn't watching, do it again," Roxas said.

"Wh, what?! Why weren't you watching?!"

"Riku and I were having an important conversation."

"What kind of conversation," Axel asked narrowing his eyes. "Like what's for dinner tomorrow?"

"No," Roxas sighed. "How to get him over Sora."

"Oh." The red head dropped into a sitting position. "I think it'll just take time. You can't just get over a crush like that, especially when it's your best friend and now both of your best friends are cutting you off all together."

"That's true…it's not like Riku was rejected, but Sora's not even acting like a friend now.…"

Riku didn't want to think about it anymore. What they were saying was true, yes. That was it. There was no way he could just get over Sora. He'd tried for the last three years. It wasn't going to go away unless he did find someone else, but the chances of that were small. No one else sparked his interest in any way. And, there was no denying he wasn't exactly a good person. He was warped in his own way and most certainly, the jerk Sora constantly accused him of being.

"Can we have this talk tomorrow," he asked. "I'd like to get some sleep." He stood up brushing the sand off his clothes as he did. He'd need a shower now to get all the sand off, which would end up being an all-night task if it had gotten into his hair.

"Want us to come over," Roxas asked. The two had spent the night last weekend. They'd stayed up watching movies until they'd passed out around two am. It'd been fun, but Riku had paid for it the next day. His brain had barely functioned enough to make toast and he couldn't remember anything after five minutes the whole day.

"What if we do that during Golden week," Riku suggested. It wasn't too long until then. They'd have five days off and they wouldn't have to worry about staying up all night. It felt strange making plans with a different group of friends. His Golden week was usually spent living at Sora's, or Sora at his house, and Kairi joining them later in the morning. Last year they'd spent every day at Destiny Island. "We'll spend all day and that night together." He wasn't sure what he'd do for the rest of the holiday. With all the stuff with Sora going on, he hadn't even noticed how close it was.

"Good." Roxas got up, the sand sticking to all of his wet clothes. He made a face at it and shrugged. "Oh right." He pulled Riku's phone out of his pocket and held it out to him.

"Thanks." Riku took it, not sure if he should bother turning it on. The only people who texted him, besides Wakka with Blitzball updates, were standing next to him.

"I'll text you when I get home," Roxas said.

"Okay." It's like he can read my mind, Riku thought. He held the power button down until his phone turned on. There were no messages, so he put the phone in his pocket. "I'll see you guys at school." They said their goodbyes and went in different directions. Axel and Roxas lived in a different neighborhood than Riku did. He turned to watch them go after a few minutes. Axel was shoving at Roxas playfully as they walked. How he missed interacting with Sora like that. The two of them didn't know how lucky they were. Even if Axel was in the dark about how Roxas felt, they both cared for each other.

He turned his back to them and started back home, his heart tightening and his stomach knotting. What would he do when Roxas and Axel became an official couple? They hadn't been close friends for long, nothing like Kairi and Sora had. Would they stop talking to him too? Avoid him at all costs once they had each other? He knew other couples didn't make a habit of that, but it seemed he wasn't the best person to be around. He felt like he was more the kind of person someone would settle to hang out with, because there was no one else around. Kind of like the way Sora had used him this morning. Not that he hadn't liked Sora using him that morning.

Couples and families walked together hand in hand through the streets.

It always ends this way, he thought. Alone. It didn't matter how nice he was or how many friends he made, close or not. He knew he shouldn't expect more. His own parents always chose work over him. At first he'd been confused, because everyone else's parents, at least one of them, were always present at home or school festivals, plays, teacher conferences. His had never bothered. He'd tried so hard to get approval, or just their attention, but that hadn't worked either. He'd almost given up on everything, but then Sora had come into his life.

Sora had made everything all right, even when it wasn't. As long as he had Sora, someone cared. Before Sora, no one had talked to him at daycare or preschool. He'd been suspicious at first. Thrilled to have a new friend, but weary, because no one had ever bothered to take an interest in him. The weeks ticked by, months, a few years. By his fourth year of elementary school, Riku had accepted that Sora wouldn't go anywhere. But now…?

Riku let out a shaky breath. He couldn't let himself break down in public. It didn't matter if his life was unraveling. Why did he lead me on so long?! But he knew the answer to that as well. Sora saw him as threat for his relationship with Kairi. And, that was understandable, because Riku had teased and provoked him for years that he was going to do just that. So, in the end, it was his own fault.

He closed his eyes leaning against the building beside him. He didn't want to be alone anymore. He pulled his phone out and tapped on the group chat he had with Roxas and Axel and stopped. He was going to have to get used to this. He had to fight himself to put his phone back into his pocket. Roxas and Axel would hook up. Sora and Kairi were together. The only thing he'd have left to bother with was Blitzball and he didn't actually like the game enough for it to become his main focus in life.

K-Academy…The thought ran through his mind. He could leave before everyone cut him off. He could show them. He could be the strong one, destroy all connections he had before the others did it for him. He wasn't stupid enough to believe going to the school would make his life okay, or that he'd find a new best friend, but at least he wouldn't have to watch his friends vanish from his life one by one. He wouldn't have to endure the pain.

He could see the diner from where he was going to cross the street. It was a popular spot on weekends for people to gather and get ice cream or just to eat out in general. Most of the people were walking away from the diner, but he noted a particularly bright pink dress headed towards the entrance. The person wearing the dress stepped into the light of the diner revealing itself to be Kairi, just as he'd thought, followed by four other girls and boys, Sora among them. He noticed that Selphie, Wakka, and Tidus were not a part of the gathering.

Frowning he pulled his phone out. Sora hadn't messaged him, but for now that was okay. He scrolled through his messages and found a conversation he'd been having with Tidus a few nights ago over Blitzball.

'Why aren't you at the diner with Sora and Kairi?'

He looked up at the diner. It was easy to watch them all, because the group had taken the biggest booth in the restaurant next to the window. They were laughing, jostling each other, and passing menus around.

Riku's phone made a noise and he looked down at it.

'Wasn't invited. Kairi thought Selphie wasn't giving her appearance enough attention. So, it's me, Wakka, and her having a movie night. Were you invited?'

Riku snorted at that. Kairi would have rather slammed her hand in a door than invite him to anything. He debated taking a photo and sending it to Sora or both of his so-called friends and decided against it. Both of them knew what they were doing. If Sora was okay with Kairi cutting Selphie and Tidus out than he wasn't even the same person anymore. And, Sora did not look bothered right now.

'Nope, just walking home after a night with Roxas and Axel. Happened to see them and got worried Selphie and you weren't with them.'

A new message popped up and Riku switched conversations.

'Aww you're so sweet Riku. You don't have to worry about me. Tidus and Wakka cheered me up.' There was a smiley face tagged onto the end.

He smiled at that. Selphie must have read Tidus' and his conversation.

'I had to make sure. See you guys at Blitzball practice.'

Sora would have never put up with that before. Kairi must have done a lot of work on Sora. Excluding people from anything used to anger Sora, to think that he'd be participating in it now. It was almost unthinkable and yet what other answer was there?

He's not the same person anymore. But, that was crazy. Sora hadn't been through as much as he had, but he'd never stopped being a loyal friend. Could falling for Kairi alone really cause such a drastic change? Even if Riku wasn't worth anyone's time, Selphie was. She was a kind girl; someone who went out of her way to make sure everyone was having a good time. She was almost like Sora in that aspect. And, while Tidus wasn't their closest friend, he was a fellow Blitzball teammate. They'd grown up together playing every day on Destiny Island. There was just no way Sora could have changed so much in such a short amount of time. Maybe he was just trying to impress Kairi by going along with her idea? Even that seemed like a stretch though….

Do I….? The entire situation was frustrating. Selphie was fine, or claimed she was fine and Tidus didn't seemed bothered either, but excluding them was wrong. Did he call them out on it or ignore it? Tidus and Selphie could take care of t, but it pissed him off that their group of friends was falling apart.

His phone went off.

'We having a talk with everyone Monday?'

Riku let out a breath and nodded. Of course, Wakka wasn't okay with this. Selphie was like a little sister to them. In fact, everyone in their group was like a younger sibling to them. It was their job to keep them together, or at least try to. If nothing else, Kairi and Sora needed to know what they were, doing was wrong. They couldn't just stick their noses in the air and pretend like their words or thoughts were law.

'Oh yeah.'

'Good. Knew I could count on you brother.'

Riku made it home after that feeling a little lighter. Kairi and her group of assholes might not listen to him, but Wakka was the captain of the Blitzball team. He was older than Riku, not by much, but enough, and hopefully that would mean something. If not, Riku couldn't promise things wouldn't get physical. He was glad for a plan even if it meant a possible detention or removal from school for a few days.

He locked the door, kicked his shoes off, and went straight for the stairs so he could shower.

(X)

Riku spent his entire Sunday in much of a daze. He wanted to get ahold of Sora and see just how guilty he was when it came to Selphie and Tidus, but he knew things would go a lot smoother if Wakka was with him. If he tried to talk to Sora or Kairi alone there was a good chance he wouldn't be able to stop himself from losing it. He could very well do something he'd regret the rest of his life. So instead, he'd stayed inside like a good boy and aired the house out. He managed to study a bit more, not that he needed to, and read the rest of a book he'd gotten a week ago. When it was time to go to bed, again he was still restless. Would they be able to find some sort of common ground? Even if Sora and Kairi wouldn't speak with him, they could at least take their two younger friends back.

If either of them wanted to still be friends with them. He wouldn't blame Selphie or Tidus if they'd had enough. Riku had, had enough himself.

By the time, Monday morning rolled around Riku had only managed a few hours of sleep. He was tense, and angry, but ready. He would let Wakka start; allow the older teen to explain why the others were being complete idiots and why they needed to change their ways. Riku would nod in agreement and if they didn't comply….He almost wished they wouldn't. Giving some of those stuck up guys a beating would be a wonderful release. He wouldn't even mind hitting Sora for being stupid. Kairi he would just scare until she pleaded and begged and agreed to never be the bitch she was becoming again.

Not that Wakka is going to let me, he thought letting out a slow breath. Maybe he should just walk away. If Selphie and Tidus didn't care and they warned their two ex-friends that they were headed down a useless path, did they really owe them anything more? That would mean letting Sora go however and he already knew he couldn't do that. I have to try, at least for him.

The school was no different than any other day, but Riku could sense an underlying energy about it. No doubt, it was coming from within him. He gave Wakka a firm nod when they met at the entrance and stepped into the school. Kairi and her group of friends were sitting around the stairs in the main hall. Sora was leaning back on the stairs, his eyes closed.

He didn't sleep much, Riku noted. Sora was famous for sleeping in odd places, but not stairs unless he was leaning on someone. At least what they'd done to Tidus and Selphie bothered him. Perhaps there was still hope for Sora. Kairi was sitting next to Sora and smiling, talking to a first year girl Riku had never seen. Probably Selphie's "replacement." How disgusting.

"We need to talk." The group turned, most of them yawning, or looking half-asleep. When they saw that it was Wakka speaking, their attention focused more, no doubt out of curiosity. Sora sat up fast and Riku snickered. Wakka had scolded Sora so many times before the younger teen knew that tone. Kairi seemed to be the only one unfazed.

"We're kind of busy," Kairi said holding her head high, her look smug. "So—"

"Drop the act," Riku hissed and this time Kairi had the sense to look a little worried.

"What you did to Selphie and Tidus was wrong," Wakka said folding his arms across his chest. "How could you even think it was okay to do that to your friends?"

"Selphie is making the rest of us look bad," Kairi said. "And Tidus might be on the Blitzball team, but he's not cool." She actually sounded like she believed that and that somehow justified her actions. "People won't take us seriously if we don't—"

"Don't look like whores and assholes," Riku asked raising an eyebrow. The other teens on the steps dropped their heads, faces crimson. "Do you actually think anyone is going to take you seriously with the way you all dress? With the way you're all acting? I'm surprised Selphie and Tidus didn't tell you off."

"Tidus sure did," Wakka said and he had to force the grin off his face. "This stops now. I'm not saying you have to be their friends. I don't think Selphie even wants to talk to you anymore, but your behavior is elementary school at best."

"What are you guys talking about," Sora asked when a silence had fallen.

Of course, Riku thought. Kairi had not told Sora what she'd said to Selphie or that she'd "forgotten" to invite Tidus. He knew his foolish friend couldn't have gone along with it. He just wasn't that kind of person. Riku wanted to be the one to say it, but Wakka was closer to the two younger friends that had been hurt. He nodded to the older boy.

"Kairi told Selphie to get lost, because she didn't wear enough makeup," Wakka explained. "And she decided not to invite Tidus Saturday night."

"What?" Sora's eyes had widened. "Why? Selphie doesn't need makeup," Sora said looking from Wakka to Kairi. "Why would you say that Kairi? And didn't you tell me Tidus said he was too busy to come with us Saturday?"

Kairi was shaking at this point, her hands bawling up the fabric of her already too short skirt.

"I'm going to warn you guys, no one tolerates bullies here," Riku said evenly. He couldn't make this overly personal, not in front of the other students. "And I promise you. Showing off your underwear, acting like jerks. Shoving other students, threatening others to do your homework. Everyone is talking about how much they hate you. If any of you want to be taken seriously for anything, act like adults. If you don't feel like being an adult fine, but that doesn't give you the right to be bullies."

The little group dispersed immediately, some of the girls tugging at their skirts, one of them wiping some of the makeup off with their hands. The guys looked ashamed of themselves. They muttered apologies, one of them pulling their pants up as they walked passed Riku and Wakka.

At least that's settled, Riku thought. He turned his attention back to Sora and Kairi. Kairi was actually crying.

"You're so selfish," she screamed standing up. "All I wanted was friends! You took them all away from me!"

"I did," Riku asked surprised himself now. "You're lying to yourself. You took your own friends away. You drove Selphie away and lied to everyone else. You got off on belittling others around you. Try being nice like you used to be. Then you might get some real friends."

"He's right. Lying never got anyone anywhere," Wakka said. "Not like this. We are your real friends Kairi, it's why we said something."

Sora was standing now.

"Riku, Wakka, I had no idea," Sora said his voice pleading.

"We know," Riku said offering his supposed friend a small smile. Sora looked so torn. Riku wished he could give his friend a hug, but that would only start another long fight. He kept his distance despite Sora's look. The younger teen hesitated and turned back to Kairi.

"Kairi, you have to go apologize to Selphie and Tidus," Sora said.

Riku had heard enough. He turned with Wakka to head to his class when Roxas and Axel came running up to him.

"Are you okay," Roxas asked giving the whole situation a look over. "Some other students said you were in a fight, why didn't you ask for our help?"

"We weren't actually fighting," Riku said. Seeing the two looks on his friends' faces made him smile. They both looked like they were ready to run into battle. "I'll explain at lunch."

"I was ready to show Roxas some of my moves," Axel whined.

"He already knows your moves," Riku said. "You two fight at least twice a day."

Axel was still pouting. The four teens moved down the hall. Riku noted that Sora was watching him leave. He wasn't sure if he should turn around and stay or what. He was supposed to be Kairi's friend as well, not that either of them had exactly been acting like friends. He doubted Kairi wanted him around however and now she would at least have Sora to herself comforting her.

Selphie and Tidus met them as they turned the corner into the second year hall, both looking worried.

"Why did you do that," Selphie demanded. She looked like she was about to cry. "You didn't have to."

"If Kairi was willing to treat you two that way, there was no telling how far she was going to go with people she didn't care about," Riku said. "Besides, she did hurt you, even if you guys won't admit it. That's not okay."

Selphie sniffed a few times, brought her hands up to her face, and started crying.

"Th, thank you!"

"Hey, what are big brothers for," Wakka asked throwing an arm around Selphie's shoulders. "We got to keep things together, yeah?"

"You could have told me," Tidus said his face slightly red. "I would have helped."

"They probably wouldn't have listened," Riku said. "I'm not entirely sure they listened to us, but we had to try before things got out of hand."

"So are you and Sora friends again," Roxas asked.

"Hardly," Riku said. Sora had been innocent as he'd hoped, but the younger teen had stayed with Kairi. Sora's love for her must be as strong as his own for Sora. How else could he ignore all the horrible things she'd been doing?

"He's got it bad for her," Axel said in amazement.

Riku nodded. Sora was completely devoted to Kairi. Calling her out had probably done more damage to their friendship than his lashing out at Sora over the weekend. At least I wasn't stupid enough to confront them by myself. If he'd gone in alone Kairi would have used it against him and Sora may never have spoken another word to him. It was a trap, he thought his eyes widening. Kairi had set up a trap and he'd only managed to dodge it, because of common sense and a large dose of self-control. Kairi had sacrificed her friendship with Selphie so she could make Riku look like a monster.

Why had it taken him so long to notice? Because I was so mad, I wasn't thinking straight and I kept hoping Sora wasn't involved. He wasn''t sure he could keep doing this. They had all been friends until a few weeks ago. Even if Kairi and Sora were madly in love, why did that mean they had to be jerks to everyone else? No one was trying to keep them apart. Most of their friends supported their relationship; Riku even supported it, sort of. He wanted Sora to be a happy at least. So why cause so much drama?

"Well, we better get to class," Axel said.

That's right…class… Class where his teacher was. Where he could ask about K-Academy and see if there was at least the choice to still transfer. A way to get out of this whole mess and start over somewhere new. Maybe if he left Kairi wouldn't feel the need to strut around and be mean. The question was why did she feel threatened at all by Riku? He could be wrong about everything, but it was like she was purposely trying to put a wall between Sora and him. If he just left maybe, no one else would get hurt.

"Yeah. Pretty sure we get midterm study guides today," Riku said.

Everyone around him groaned.

It's a small chance, he thought as he made his way into the classroom. But, a chance all the same. He entered the classroom and dropped all of his things onto his desk.

"Way to go Riku. Those first years needed to be put in their place," a girl said giving him a high five. "If you hadn't stopped them, especially the girl, she'd have been expelled for sure."

"You and Wakka should be class representatives," a boy said.

"I'd rather focus on my studies," Riku said laughing nervously. He wanted nothing to do with being class president. He also realized he should have just let Kairi keep on her path so she could have been kicked out. Then her parents would have gotten involved and she'd have had no choice, but to straighten herself out. He sighed. If the second year students had noticed, that meant she'd really been getting in over her head. The last bullying situation at the school had ended with the bully in question being ignored for a month by everyone. Even the teachers had given him the cold shoulder. It would have served her right.

"Well if you change your mind, we'll nominate you," another boy said.

"Yeah," another girl agreed. "We should suggest it to 2B. If Wakka agrees to be class president, Riku might change his mind."

I don't think so. He went to the classroom door and stepped into the hall waiting for the teacher to arrive. He would ask away from the listening ears of his fellow students. He wasn't even sure if he would go through with the transfer if he could, but that wouldn't stop rumors from flying around if they heard him ask.

"Riku?" His teacher looked worried and rushed towards him. "Is something wrong? I heard there was a fight you were involved with, but no one was hurt?"

Word travels fast.

"It wasn't a fight. A girl and boy I knew from middle school was being bullied by another girl I knew. Wakka and I told her she needed to stop being mean, that's all."

The teacher nodded slowly.

"Next time it would be best if you just reported it to one of the staff…."

"We're all friends. It didn't seem necessary to involve any of the teachers. She agreed to stop bullying them."

"Well, that's a relief." He smiled then. "Is there something you needed?"

"Last year Mrs. Yamato submitted my test results to K-Academy and I was not only accepted, but received a full scholarship for the school. I was just wondering if it was still a possibility to transfer…."

(TBC)

Okay, time for chapter 4. This rewrite will probably end up shorter than the original, but I don't think it needs 15 chapters? We'll see what happens.