Hello Readers! Yes, chapter 2 is here! Thank you so much for your reviews so far! They're so motivating. And I have to say I've been pretty consistent with updating, don't you think? So this chapter centers mostly around Namine. And I know... she seems a bit mean. But bear with me, it get's better.

And I'm sorry if any cheerleaders are offended -.-. I have nothing against cheerleaders or jocks. In fact I have friends that were cheerleaders or jocks. So it's really nothing personal.

I don't own Kingdom Hearts (forgot to mention that). Enjoy!


Chapter 2: Glares and Stares

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Namine was running late. She was supposed to be out on the field by 6:00 for an early practice. By the time she arrived to school she was already a half hour late.

She hated early practices – her coach would get all psychotic every year before nationals.

Not that it mattered – nationals were practically another year away… or something like that. The blonde sighed, as she tightened the strap of her cheer bag around her shoulder. The hallways were empty, save for a few early bird students. These were the nerds or maybe the drug addicts, Namine assumed as she sent them a glare which made them look away nervously, or mumble an apology.

That was the power she had in her kingdom. She was queen after all, and these stragglers were just her servants.

Her eyes flitted to the nearest school clock and it almost made her jump when she caught the large hand strike ten past thirty. She swallowed thickly as she briskly walked through the halls towards the nearest doorway that would lead to the football field. She could practically hear her coach screaming at her.

It was already giving her a headache.

More drama.

As if she needed any more of that. Yesterday was such a hassle. Not only did she have to continue watching Vanitas fumble around with her skateboard and listen to him drone on about football plays, but she had to sit there and listen to him complain about all the guy friends she supposedly had. And on top of that she had to be the good girlfriend and at least let him get close to second base.

It wasn't that the blonde hated making out with her boyfriend, she would just get a little annoyed. He was sloppy and always seemed to leave her unhot and just plain bothered. Yet there were rare moments where he just let her take the lead. And those rare moments were almost perfect.

She loved her boyfriend. He was easy to keep on a leash. However it wasn't easy to get him back on, if he ever slipped out. Like when he dropped her off.

Her mind instantly traveled back to the events that happened yesterday afternoon. When she saw the stranger again. Well her neighbor now. A cold chill ran down her spine as she thought of his unrelenting gaze.

What did he want from her? Was he following her?

What a creep.

If she ever thought of speaking to him – which she didn't – that stare down yesterday only served to diminish that action.

Yet, why was she frozen staring back at him? It wasn't like he was all that cute, if anything Vanitas was by far more attractive. The stranger looked like a tooth pick in comparison. And Namine was not into tooth picks. But despite this analysis, the girl couldn't shake that weird anticipation. Anticipation that he would've walked across the street and talked to her.

This is stupid, get your head together Namine. Coach is going to kill you.

Her white cheer sneakers pounded against the shiny linoleum, creating a squeaky sound each step she took. Her blonde hair whipped around in its high ponytail and her pleated skirt brushed against her thighs as she set off into a run. God did she hate this stupid uniform.

The exit leading to the football field came into view and the blonde let out a little sigh of relief, before she booked it.

The light at the end of the tunnel. Almost there. God I shouldn't have eaten that cheeseburger yesterday.

Her bag bobbed against her thigh as her speed quickened. Almost there.

She could literally feel the sun rays that filtered into the hallway. Almost –

Bam!

Her body collided with something, and she was shoved back a good two feet. Her bag fell off her shoulder, and she managed to trip over it in one swift movement. Her head hit the hard floor and she swore she almost saw stars.

Namine heard a groan nearby, but she was groaning and dizzy herself that she didn't investigate immediately. Her blue eyes cracked open as blotchy black spots appeared in her vision. Okay, she didn't think she hit her head that hard.

After what felt like hours, the cheerleader managed to sit herself up, hands clutching either side of her head, as she glared at her offender. A loud growl of annoyance erupted from her lips as she caught sight of the other person in a similar position as she was. It was that stupid meatball who ran the school paper.

"What the actual fuck tubby?" Namine blurted out angrily. The blonde wasn't really one for profanity. It was usually Vanitas who had a sailor mouth. She only slipped up when she was really pissed off. But it could've easily been the fact that her head felt like going to sink through her body.

The dark boy snapped his attention to the blonde immediately. His brown eyes widened in fear, and his mouth fell open, making himself look akin to a fish.

"N-Namine, I-I'm sorry!"

"Do you even watch where you're going?" She snapped, rubbing her head.

"I would usually blame the architecture of this building. The people that built this had no space awareness whatsoever. There are several blind spots among the hallways. But seeing as you look like you're going to kill me, I'll just say it was my fault. I was distracted by all of the reports I was holding." The boy blurted out, cowering when Namine finally turned to glare at him again. She really just wanted him to shut up. Her head was pounding, and the sound of his voice was only serving to cause the pain to triple.

"If you must know, I was making copies for this month's issue of the Twilight High School Gazette. But now that I think about it, it really isn't ready. I feel that I should incorporate a piece concerning our own insufficient hallways can be a danger to society." The fat kid continued, gesturing his hands for emphasis. Namine's glare melted into a blank stare as she felt her head loll to the side. The boy's brown eyes were still wide, and his round face was still filled with fear. That was how it should've been. Namine was used to this. Being feared by people. However, she was not used to losers jumping out of nowhere and knocking her down.

What was his name again?

Peter? Pablo?

"I assume this building was probably built around the '30's, not that I'm saying people from that time period were bad architects per say."

She watched as he continued to ramble on. Her head felt like a baby's rattle, and soon she was seeing two Pablos.

"But who knows, it was during serious economical times. There couldn't have been funds to create a safe school with hallways that actually make sense, and don't create traffic, or…"

What are they saying?

Her eyes felt droopy, and she knew her chin was hitting her chest. The black spots were growing bigger, her vision was slowly leaving her.

"So I feel – no it's my obligation to do this… Hey, are you okay?"

And the last thing she remembered was the strong desire to punch the Pablos.

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"Oh, she's coming to."

Damn Pablo.

She heard herself mumble incoherently. Her eyes opened but she quickly shut them when the white, fluorescent lights burned through causing her to tear up a bit. The blonde, gritted her teeth, and pulled her body up from its reclined position.

Her head felt like it weighed a ton. Slowly she tried opening her eyes – and leaving them open – to adjust to the bright light.

"How are you sweetie?" The short haired nurse asked. Namine glanced at her, taking in her short stature and small frame. It took her a moment to recognize who it was, and where exactly she was. The nurse's office. A small sigh escaped the blonde's lips as she lay back down. If she was at the nurse then she must be alive so she could -

THE NURSE'S OFFICE!

Namine sprang back up. "Practice. I need to get to practice. The coach-"

"-Knows you're in the nurse's office." The nurse reassured kindly. It annoyed Namine, the sugar sweet smile, so she just slumped back down on the mattress.

She knew she would get hell tomorrow for missing practice. Suicides. Push ups. Never ending laps. The blonde internally groaned. She wouldn't have missed it, if it weren't for that stupid Pablo. And as if reading her thoughts, the kid actually had the decency to appear in her line of vision.

His dark eyebrows scrunched together in concern, and his brown eyes darted around her face, looking for some kind of unknown injury. Namine scowled.

"This is your fault, Lardo!" She snapped. "Do you see what you've caused?"

"I know, I know I'm sorry!" Pablo cried out, reaching for her hand to grasp. She snatched it away immediately and glowered at him. "I'll do anything, just… just don't tell the football jocks please?"

Namine's glower faltered slightly, before it came back full force. She would've told her boyfriend at the very least and let him do whatever he wanted to the boy who knocked his girlfriend down. It wasn't like she cared that Pablo was practically begging her not to say a word or anything. They both knew the consequences if any found out about the Queen being injured by a lowly servant. Absolute mayhem.

A part of her was already detailing a specific routine on how the jocks could grab tubby and dump him in the nearest dumpster. Preferably the cafeteria one. But another part – a grudgingly larger part – felt sorry for the kid.

"And why shouldn't I tell them?" Namine demanded nastily, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I don't want to go in the dumpster. The last time I was stuck in it for a whole day." Pablo sputtered. "I can't look at yogurt the same way because of it. I just... I can't. They're ruthless. Yesterday, they dumped the new kid and it was horrible!"

"Wait what?" Namine said, glancing back to Pablo with a curious stare.

"I got stuck in the dumpster for a whole day?"

"No after."

"I'm traumatized by yogurt?"

"No! After that!"

"They dumped the new kid."

Namine's eyes narrowed at this piece of information. It wasn't exactly surprising news. She kind of suspected he'd be a victim in the whole dumping process. He didn't look like that much of a loser. So she concluded that he must have done something stupid to disturb the whole social balance.

Idiot.

"Please, I'll do anything." Pablo broke her away from her thoughts.

"Okay, listen here Pablo – "

"-Pence."

"Whatever!" Namine growled, rising from her seat. She dusted off her uniform, brushing her skirt and inspecting her legs for damage. When she looked up, she caught Tubby McTubberton staring down too. She raised an eyebrow, and regarded him coldly. He looked away fearfully. "So I have a proposition for you." She paused dramatically, picking up her cheer bag. "I'm not exactly the most artistic person in this school."

"No you're not." Pablo – Pence – agreed. She glared at him, making him flush nervously. "I mean, what? Of course you are."

"Lying aside, I'm taking an art class, and the teacher is an insufficient mentor failing me." Namine finished, feeling a twinge of anger at the thought of the teacher.

"So what do you want from me?" Pence asked uncertainly. He squirmed in his spot.

"It's simple really, either you complete my assignments for me," Namine said with a smirk, resting a hand on her hip. "Or I snap my fingers and you're in the dumpster."

Pence visibly gulped.

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Namine's day hadn't been as bad as it first started out… well so far. She walked into her second period class, inadvertently skipping out on her first period class Music. It wasn't like she enjoyed the class anyway, and the teacher was sort of a bitch.

However, the blonde loved her second class; English. Namine loved English. It was the one subject she strived to go to, the one subject where she could never get distracted. It was almost like her safe haven. Between classes, cheerleading, and being popular, it was really the only place she could just be. She could get lost in books, and for a brief moment she was the character. She wasn't herself, and despite the paradoxical quality of the statement that was the only way she could be herself.

But if anyone found out that Namine Strife, head cheerleader, Queen of the school, was a secret book nerd and skater she would be dragged to the bottom of the latter.

When she walked into the class room, she found someone in the seat next to mine. Nobody sat next to her, besides the people she sat with during Lunch. And Kairi was already sitting in the seat to the right.

Namine almost jumped when she recognized the honey blonde hair.

That new kid was stalking me everywhere!

Namine froze on the spot, eyes zeroed in on the other blonde who was too busy focused on some kind of notebook in front of him. Her eyes then darted towards the redhead sitting two seats away. Kairi's eyes met hers, before narrowing. She turned the other way.

Okay, someone's mad.

Namine finally turned back to the teacher lounging on his desk, waiting for the remaining students to join the class. He looked up from his thick glasses.

"Glad you could finally join us Ms. Strife." He said pointedly. She grinned apologetically, bowing her head. She always did have a charming way about her around teachers. But not too charming, because then they'd turn into to sex offenders.

The cheerleader walked slowly to her seat, dropping her cheer bag on the floor near her desk and scooting out the chair. In one swift movement she was in her seat, taking out a pen and a notebook.

To her right, she could feel the icy cold shoulder the redhead was giving off, and it kind of annoyed her. To her left… well she didn't want to look to her left. But eventually she gave in and peeked over at her new neighbor. He was drawing on – upon closer inspection – was a sketchbook. She couldn't quite make out what the drawing was, but all she caught was long flowing hair. Maybe it was a girl he had a crush on?

That little thought only served to increase her curiosity.

She looked up at his puzzled expression, as he ruffled his hair, making it even messier than before. After a slight glare at his paper, he dropped his pencil and met her gaze. Dark, blue eyes met icy ones.

Namine turned away quickly, feeling a quite unfamiliar flame grace her cheeks.

What the hell?

Her fingers hesitantly reached up towards her face, and she brushed her fingertips against the very hot skin. She never blushed. She was always cool and calm and damn collected!

The cheerleader swallowed silently and strained her attention on the teacher in the front. Usually focusing wasn't such a problem for the blonde. But she couldn't concentrate. And that fact really made her livid.

She knew his eyes were on her. That fucking creepy stare.

Namine placed her elbow on the desk and let her warm cheek lean on her awaiting hand. She wished she hadn't put her hair up again. It would've made a perfect shield from the boy's intense gazing.

She could hear light pencil scrapes against paper. He had returned his attention back to his sketchbook, so she subtly glanced his way again. It only served to make her look even more like an idiot because he met her eyes again. She turned her head away, and glared down at her desk.

And then it hit her suddenly. He was drawing her. The creeper actually had the decency to draw her!

Namine fidgeted slightly in her seat. Why was she feeling like this? Feeling so utterly uncomfortable and not in control. She hated it. She needed to be in control – she needed to know what the hell was going on. But right now, it felt like she was walking through a pitch black room, trying to find the light switch.

She shuffled through her backpack, looking for an unknown item. Trying to do something, instead of let herself be drawn.

The cheerleader took out a loose leaf of paper, only to realize she had already taken out her notebook. She groaned, shoving the sheet back in her bag.

You are an idiot.

That's when she heard it. A soft unfamiliar chuckle. Her head spun facing the new kid and a flare of irrational anger flared deep within her. Who the hell was he? Who did he think he was?

The cheerleader glared at him furiously. He wasn't looking at her, but at the board. His sketchbook tucked safely away in his backpack.

"Ahem, Ms. Strife, is there something wrong?" The teacher up at the front asked the blonde. Immediately she felt her face flush again. She was embarrassed and caught off guard… And that never happened. She shook her head roughly, glaring back down at her desk.

Her hands trembled angrily on the desk as she heard another chuckle from the boy. Her eyes darted in his direction. His face wasn't straight, and his lips were twitching into a smile.

Namine tried. She really tried to concentrate on the lesson, but his presence was distracting. She didn't know why, but she this sudden urge to just scream in his face and demand what his problem was. Most people would just surrender to impossible force that was the cheerleader. She had that power. And him defying that law was unsettling.

If anything, it majorly pissed her off.

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When the bell rang Namine almost ran out the door. The tension in that room was so thick, freaking play dough scissors could cut through it. Kairi didn't talk to her the whole period. Not that Namine liked talking during that class.

But a nice greeting would've sufficed.

Kairi and Namine. There wasn't really an existing word to properly define their friendship. They were friends, yet they were mortal enemies at the same time. (Frenemies didn't really count). Kairi wanted Namine's spot on the cheer squad. The blonde knew this, and she also knew that she'd practically do anything to sabotage her captain.

But on the other hand, Kairi knew Namine. She knew all the blonde's quirks and faults, weakness and strengths. She knew of the rocky relationship the blond had with her parents. And she even knew Namine's little secret of being a skater.

And despite the fact that Kairi was pretty much person that last person Namine could trust, she was really the only person she trusted – well besides Hayner. They were the three muskateers… Or at least they used to be back when they were in elementary. Then high school happened, and the rules were set into place. Namine chose popularity over skateboarding, while Hayner chose the opposite.

Kairi would've been popular either way because that was the way she was. She reeked of charm. Namine knew Kairi as well.

They weren't friends. They weren't complete enemies.

Namine had almost reached the door and would've been out if her stupid cheer bag hadn't fallen off her shoulder, spilling everything out. She stared at the contents for a few seconds. Usually this would be the time boys would be tripping over themselves to pick up her things. Cue the boys.

No boys.

She glanced up, and found her answer. Of course Kairi would attract the boys like bee to honey. They circled around the redhead as she giggled, and flipped her ponytail.

The blonde cheerleader huffed and dropped down to pick up her spilled items.

Stupid Kairi. Who does she think she is? She'd better get used to being at the bottom of the pyramid, because I am not moving her any time soon.

The blonde rambled inside her still sore head. Stupid Pablo. Stupid Kairi. Stupid -

That's when he stopped in front of the blonde.

She first saw his closed sketchbook laying across his lap, as he squatted down in front of her. The yellow cover made her freeze, before she glanced up to meet his face.

He moved his book, dropped down on his knees and started grabbing her pens, handing them to her. Namine stopped and watched as his determined blue eyes stared down at the floor, latching on to the nearest spilled item.

Her eyes searched his face, trying to find something. Something to add to the mystery that he portrayed. The muddled feelings that stirred in her stomach every time their gazes locked. Finally, after picking up every last item, his eyes lifted to meet hers.

And the whole process started again. Her body became rigid, her face froze blankly as her eyes darted between his. It was much, much different for her staring at him so close. She could see little black flecks peppered across the intensity of his navy blue eyes. It held her focus, in a way class failed to do so today. She inhaled sharply, when she noticed his eyes narrow slightly before widening. He was studying her. And it was absurd how her pulse suddenly began to race. She knew it was coming before she felt it. That ridiculous bodily function called a blush.

The stranger's lips tilted upward slightly. It wasn't exactly a smile or a frown, but it still made him look serene. The new kid looked down, and stupidly Namine followed his eye movement, tilting her head so she could catch the dark blue shade beneath his lashes.

"Yours." He mumbled, pushing her notebook in her lap.

Namine gawked at him, before wrapping her fingers around the spiral.

She opened her mouth, trying to process her mind for the right words.

Why was she so nervous?

Come on Namine!

The cheerleader closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened her eyes, he was gone.

What the hell?

Namine heard someone clear their throat. Her head snapped up to meet the eyes of a very irritated looking redhead. Kairi pursed her lips, before grabbing her arm and lifting her up.

"Get off the floor. You look like a bottom feeder." Kairi snapped, removing her hand immediately as if she were burned.

The blonde wrapped her now closed bag around her shoulder. They both walked out in cold silence.

The blonde's head was still in a daze as she remembered those blue eyes. She blamed it on Pablo for bonking her on the head. That was why her day had been stupid.

Namine tightened her grip around her bag as she walked in step with the other cheerleader.

"Why aren't you talking to me?" Namine asked indifferently. Because she didn't care. She just wanted to hear if she had a good enough reason.

"You skipped out on practice, Captain." The redhead sneered.

It wasn't any of Kairi's business. Getting hit on the head really wasn't any one's business.

"I was in the nurse's office." The blonde stated automatically. Her eyes flitted towards the redhead gauging her reaction. She saw it. Concern. It flashed through the redhead's face and it was like a wave of satisfaction to the blonde. Kairi was not as good as Namine with hiding her emotions.

"The school finally realized you were a loon?" Kairi bit back.

Namine shot her a withering glare.

"Hit my head because some loser decided to crash into me." The blonde answered. Kairi stopped in her tracks and regarded her with a raised brow. Namine knew what she wanted to ask. And she knew she wouldn't ask that question.

"No wonder you looked out of it." Kairi avoided the question.

"What are you talking about?" The blonde asked wearily. Her hand came up to the back of her head; it was still a little tender.

"Getting all cozy with the new kid."

At the mention of the new kid, Namine's stomach churned.

"No." She snapped immediately. The redhead grinned nastily.

"Good, because he's already lost his opportunity." She said, looking down at her polished nails.

"Yes, I heard about the dumpster." Namine commented dryly.

"Not even the losers want to adopt him. And they were the ones he defended." Kairi retorted, as they walked to their usual spot during break. Namine's eyes flickered to the group. She already spotted Vanitas leaning against the table and laughing at something Tidus said.

Her eyes flitted around the courtyard until they landed on Pablo, who was looking glum and lacked the enthusiasm that usually radiated off of him. To say Namine felt bad would have been an overstatement. She did feel a little sympathetic, but seriously how else was she supposed to pass that stupid class when all she drew were stick figures?

She watched as Kairi's sister, Xion tried to cheer him up.

"Namine!" Vanitas called out for her. And immediately she felt her legs take herself to him. His golden eyes sparkled down at her with admiration and she smiled tightly back to him. His golden gaze was simple and she should've thought his eyes were more intense than… someone else's because of the tawny color. But for some inexplicable reason she just couldn't shake the depths of the inky blue orbs out of her already confused head.

Vanitas's hands reached down and pulled her close to him. He brought his face down and kissed her. The star couple. Everyone loved them – well they should love them.

She was barely getting into the kiss, when she felt that sudden chill run down spine. That kind of chill a person gets when they know someone is watching. Instinctively her eyes opened and searched around Vanitas for the gaze. The navy gaze.

She found him, staring at her intently. His sketchbook was propped on his lap again. His eyebrows pulled together in confusion as she stared back at him. Her lips were frozen against Vanitas – her whole body froze up again.

God this is so stupid!

And as if he read her thoughts, Vanitas lightly bit her lip, causing her to melt. However she was unable to tear her eyes away from the honey blonde haired boy, who gave her that questioning stare. Vanitas's hands squeezed her hip, as if imploring her to respond to him. The cheerleader gave in and eventually brushed her lips against his repeatedly, keeping her eyes firmly on the observing new kid.

She felt incredibly stupid at the inability to look away from this guy's gaze, even when she was kissing her goddamn boyfriend.

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Roxas ... is kinda weird huh? I feel like changing "carefree" from the summary to "eccentric"... Any suggestions? Reviews are nice! :)