Chapter 3 : Roxas

"Hey Sora, you're coming with me after class?"

I look up from my books to see Roxas, hands in his pockets, standing in a relaxing stance in front of my desk. Roxas always waits for me at lunchtime: I am so slow that I'm always the last to leave the class.

"Sure! I need to spend some energy!" I tell him smiling brightly.

Knowing I would spend some free time skating with Roxas instantly brightens my mood; it has always been something special for us, I would take my rollerblades, Roxas his skate, and we would drive along the fresh made cement road, following the sea at top speed and stopping only when our legs would not carry us anymore while recharging our batteries by eating sea-salt ice cream. These are great moments.

I remember the day we met like it was yesterday. It was the second year of middle school. Roxas had just settled in Destiny Island and did not know anyone. Having never liked seeing someone alone, I've always taken it upon myself to try and make the new students feel welcomed to their new school.

Anyway, I had immediately spotted the cute little solitary blond guy but I couldn't find the chance to talk to him. A Tuesday afternoon, though, my teacher had been missing, leaving us a blissful free class day. The sun was not as scorching as it usually is at that time of day, so I decided to skate a little at the new park. It was deserted and I began warming up by skating around it.

Then began the serious work: I sped towards the baggy and executed my first figure by catching my left roller skate while in the air. I landed without faltering and kept speeding and slaloming between the different springboards of the area. I do not have to think while skating, I just react at the last second: which direction to take, which figure feels the best suited, how fast should I go... it's a pure action-reaction thing. It keeps your mind occupied and you feel nothing but the satisfaction of a figure well executed and the wind blowing on your, usually in Destiny Island, hot body.

When I stopped after a little while to take my breath, I nearly lost my balance when I heard a voice very near me.

"You're rather good"

It was said in sincerity, as much as I could tell. I turned my head towards the foreign voice to see the newcomer I had yet to talk to. I had never seen him so closely, before he really looked like the close-off kind of guy, with the leave-me-alone aura topped and a touch of underlying anger. Now, with that smile around one corner of his lips, one foot propped on his skate, his arms crossed over his chest and his head bent a little on the side, observing me like I was a curious animal, he seemed like the most cordial and interesting creature that could exist.

I grinned at him, not knowing him yet but pleased to see such a friendly face (and to know I would not have to stalk him waiting for an opportunity to talk to him, too!) I made my way towards him and held out a hand in greeting. I know: teenagers don't usually shake hands but I rather like that ritual: it gives you some hint concerning the type of person you're talking to.

"I'm Satô Sora. Thanks for the compliment" I told him, as nicely and welcoming as I could.

He was looking straight at my eyes, probably wary of any sort of trap or something of the sort, but his smile never left his face. I think he deducted himself that I was sincere in my old fashion way of greeting people.

"I'm Roxas. Nice meeting you." His hand was firm, warm and soft. I had the instinctive knowledge that I would have loved that guy more than any other new kids I'd tried to befriend and I knew it would've been my entire pleasure to get to know him, and to make him feel at ease at our school.

And I also thought that I would've liked to keep him to myself...

As you can tell by now, Roxas and I became very close friends and we are used to skate together whenever we can. We even began to draw the attention of by-passers because we were starting to become very good. I don't know if I really have some talent and I don't care: I love skating, I feel good doing it, I don't plan on making it a professional carrier or God forbid, a contest in which Riku would surely surpass me.

We leave the class and go to find a quiet corner for the both of us outside. We usually sit on the grass, the weather still nice, and we begin eating in comfortable silence. Usually, Mom cooks like a master chief and makes me something delicious, but alas, these last few days, the fridge has been desperately empty. It's okay though, there were still leftovers from that yummy chocolate cake. I am quite focused on it, eating it with delight, when I hear a quiet chuckle on my right. I look up to see Roxas smiling tenderly at me, the sun illuminating his honey blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. The only thing missing is a pair of white feathery wings. I swear, I've never seen someone look as angelic as Roxas does. While most of the time he looks rather bored and neutral, he can scowl at you making you piss your pants, but when he smiles, it's like a divine vision of bounty and grace.

I smile back as widely as I could. How can you not, with a face like that?

"What is it?" Even though he is probably making fun of me, I couldn't be mad at his cherub face.

"When you eat, it's like you just enter Heaven" Roxas tells me, still smiling.

"Well... Mom's cooking is Heaven."

He let out an affirmative noise and takes a bite of his sandwich. The fresh breeze makes the heat enjoyable, the kind of day perfect to go to the beach.

"So, Sora... have you thought about which university you want to apply for?"

I frown without even realizing it. University... next year would be a turning point in my life. Or not. Depends on the university, in fact.

"No. Not yet. I'm not sure Roxas..." I sigh, feeling depressed all of a sudden.

The choice should be simple. Should be... I have to choose between staying in Destiny Island or going to Traverse Town. The studies are almost the same and I don't think there is much of a difference concerning the quality's school program. In other words: staying with Riku or not.

We have, in Destiny Island, a really renowned medical school. Riku wants to enter medical school and so will stay in Destiny Island. As far as I'm concerned, I'm rather skilled in languages. I think learning to speak fluently two or three languages and becoming a teacher is a great idea. I could do that here or in Traverse Town.

Now you must be wondering why I'm hesitating? I know, I made it sound like living with Riku is Hell. But at the same time, he's my best friend and just... the closest person I have. Separating myself from him is such a frightening idea, I don't think I'd even be able to live without him by my side.

On the other hand, I want to leave. I want to detach myself from him and be my own person. Sometimes I feel like I'm suffocating being around Riku. He is so awesome at everything he does, I'm always dwarfed by him, no matter what I do. I feel like if I want to grow up, to become myself, I have to sever that bond that has formed between Riku and me, the bond that is becoming stronger and stronger over the years.

I am so afraid to choose. My head says Traverse Town but my heart is torn. What about Riku? I am such a coward because there is no valuable reason I can give for wanting to leave Destiny Island: right now, everyone knows what I want to do and concluded logically that my studies would keep me here; why would I want to go to all the trouble of leaving? The only reason would be to leave Riku, but I cannot possibly say that. Even if I'd find some plausible excuse, Riku will know. He always does. I can already imagine his cold and piercing eyes staring accusingly at me, like I've betrayed him. Am I supposed to stay Riku's fucking prisoner all my life? So what if I want to leave? I don't have to justify myself to him. I owe him nothing, I-

"Sora, are you all right?"

I startle out of my thoughts thanks to Roxas. He is looking at me with a worried and surprised expression on his adorable face. I must have made weird faces while getting angry in my own head.

"Yeah... yeah I'm fine, sorry" I chuckle to make him know I was just being my weird self again.

Roxas nods, not one to pry too much into my head when I don't want to talk about it. Roxas is great like that, he knows when to pry and when not to.

"You know, I made my decision concerning where I should go." Roxas begins lightly, taking a bite of his green apple.

"Really? You planned on leaving?" I ask him, surprised.

"Yes. I think I should go to Traverse Town. They have a great web design school there. Since you talked about maybe going there, I thought it would be fun to go together." He smiles at me again, a gentle smile yet a little unsure.

"Roxas, that would be awesome! I'll have to think about it but you're definitely tilting the scales!" I grin at him.

Roxas has always been a wonderful friend, the kind of guy you can count on. Maybe, going with him would be easier? Maybe I could move on from my Riku dependency?

We grin at each other, enjoying the idea of what could happen in the near future while finishing our lunch.