After many words of encouragement and many outfit changes both me and Kairi arrived on an island just off the shore from the main land just as the sun was getting ready to set. I glanced at Kairi once again; her pink dress looked marvelous on her while my white dress looked plain.
"When you said beach…" I started. "I didn't think we would have to take a small boat to get here."
"It's still a beach." Kairi shot back.
"You guys are here!" Sora exclaimed down the beach. I pushed all negative thoughts aside as both Kairi and I joined the rest of the group.
There were quite a few people I didn't know, most were already drinking and socializing. I linked my arms with Kairi's in nervousness. I recognized a few faces and noted how different everyone looked without their school uniforms as we approached Sora and another boy who had long silver hair.
"Ahh look Riku the girls are here!" Sora hit the silver haired boy.
"How drunk is he Riku?" Kairi addressed the same boy.
"It's just starting to hit him now. It's hard to tell." He replied.
"PSHH!" Sora protested. "I'm not even drunk!" he slung his arm around Kairi. "Kairi, you look so pretty."
"I'm going to go get him some food." Kairi said apologetically as she led him away.
"Sorry, I'm going to go help…" Riku said awkwardly as he jogged to catch up.
"Great…" I said to myself. "Just what I wanted… to be alone in a group of people I don't know…" I scanned the crowd hoping to find one familiar face.
"Here." A red cup appeared in my line of vision. "You look like you could use a drink." I looked over and saw Roxas standing there awkwardly.
"Thanks," I replied as I took the drink and took a sip. It was surprisingly good. "What is this?"
"That's my secret." Roxas teased. "So Sora was pretty drunk huh?" I nodded remembering the encounter. "That guy can never hold his liquor." Roxas shook his head. "Come on," Roxas took my hand as he led me through the crowd. I watched the ground as I tried to hide my red face.
We walked for a ways then ended up stopping at a curved tree overlooking the ocean. Roxas climbed up then reached for my hand as he helped me up as well. We both took a seat on the tree trunk. The sun was beginning to set and the view was amazing.
"I like to come here sometimes to watch the sunset. But there's an even better place in town. I'll have to show you sometime." Roxas said as he stared off into the horizon. I turned my gaze at his profile. My breath was taken from me. He looked so beautiful with his face painted orange and red from the reflection of the setting sun, the sea breeze lightly tossed his blonde hair. I couldn't quite place it but he seemed troubled by something. I fought to take his hand and tried to focus my attention back on the sea, stealing glances from my peripherals as much as I could.
"It's beautiful." I quietly replied after a moment of silence as I focused all of my attention forward and we both continued to stare at the setting sun.
"There you guys are!" Sora's slurred voice rang out behind us bringing me out of my trance. We turned around and saw him struggling to make it up the hill with Kairi, Riku and Axel in tow, laughing behind him. Roxas scuffed as he jumped from the tree. He reached out and helped me down from the tree as well.
"I'm so sorry!" Kairi quietly apologized to me once she reached me. "He kept insisting on finding you guys. It looked so romantic… I'm so sorry!"
I could tell Kairi was really beating herself up and I squeezed her hand for comfort. "It's okay; it wasn't even like that; we were just watching the sun set as friends."
"You guys are so cute!" Sora cut in as he flung his arm around Roxas then his other arm around me bringing us closer together, he smelt of booze. I once again tried to hide my flushing face.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here." A new voice called out behind us. Everyone around me grew stiff as we turned around and saw three new figures standing at the top of the hill. "It looks like their having a party Rai." The first boy addressed his taller, darker-haired friend. The leader crossed his arms. His blonde hair peeked out from his beanie; he was wearing a cut off jacket to show off his muscles. Rai, the boy he adressed, was more muscular but appeared to have no brain. The third was a girl with short silver hair and incredibly intimidating red eyes.
"Why weren't we invited?" The leader once again spoke.
"You know why you weren't invited Seifer." Riku spoke up. "Why don't you just go? Before Xemness finds out you're causing unnecessary problems." I could feel Roxas' tension grow beside me, I turned to look at him when a deep laugh rang out behind the 'disciplinary committee'. If it were even possible I felt the atmosphere shift even more into discomfort as a tall, tanned, silver haired man stepped up from behind the group blocking our only exit besides the ocean behind us. His aura screamed trouble.
"Unnecessary problems?" The deep voice addressed Riku. "Why, we just came to check up on you guys." The man stopped walking as he shifted his attention towards my direction. "Roxas, Axel." He greeted. "You guys look well." I looked at Roxas and saw his hand form into a fist. "Ah, a new comer." The man addressed me bringing me back to reality. "I'm Xemness. And you are?"
"No one that concerns you." Roxas cut in before I could even think to respond.
Xemness gave a tsk. "Now, now, no need for hostility Roxas. After all we've been through?" I stole another glance at Roxas who looked conflicted before returning my gaze back to the intimidating man who was now approaching me. I was so confused in so many ways. I froze in fear as he reached out and tucked a lose strain of hair behind my ear. "You are quite the eyesore. How old are you? 13?" He leaned in closer to reach my eye level. I froze staring into his yellow eyes I hadn't even noticed before."I like my girls young…"
In a flash Roxas pushed Xemness back and shielded me. My heart dropped, in the same moment I found Axel had also stepped in front of me. I glanced at Riku and Sora who were standing defensively in front of Kairi, ready for anything.
Xemness glared at Roxas for a moment then let out a forced laugh. "Come on now, it's all fun and games. Let's get to the real reason I'm here shall we." He cleared his throat to show his seriousness. "Roxas, Axel… I would like you both to rethink your decision to my proposition, and in return I have changed a few things on my end as well."
Roxas took a step towards Xemness. My heart rate quickened, worried Roxas might hit him. "There is nothing to rethink, I gave you my answer, and I know Axel feels the same. We're done here. Can we go now?"
Xemness stared back at Roxas for a moment before stepping aside. "Sure, go." Roxas grabbed my arm and began to push past the disciplinary committee, dragging me behind him. "This isn't over Roxas…" Roxas stopped walking for just a moment. "I will get you to say yes." I took one last look at Xemness as he watched us all leave.