Author's Note: Hi again! :)


chapter 4

trying his sport.

It was not a good day.

Roxas trudged up the steps to the Glass Slipper, his bubbly cousin close behind. The blonde wondered how Sora could stay delighted at such an early hour, especially on a rainy day.

The pitter patter of raindrops wasn't what bothered Roxas; it was the fact that it wasn't a nice, sunny day. He hated it when rain stuck to his skin, the same way the wet surface of Ven's car managed to drape him with patches of wetness. As much as he loved soccer under the rain (ironically), he knew he was responsible for his own stained clothes. No, Roxas did not like rubbing detergent repetitively over his clothes. He did not like cleaning, to be precise.

But that wasn't why he was in such a foul mood.

"Are they here yet," Sora asked his cousin, hoisting his gym bag over his shoulder. The brunette pushed open the massive doors. A breath of cold air greeted the duo. "Are they, Rox?"

"No, they're not," the blond sighed, rubbing his aching temples. "Stupid Axel," he muttered to himself.

What annoyed him as well was Axel. Roxas' best friend was supposed to bring the girls over, but for some reason he was running late. As of the moment, he was still at home, probably nursing his drunken self.

Worse, it was Axel who had the membership card. Their whole day was in his hands.

Roxas shrugged off his backpack and dropped himself on one of the lounge chairs. It was ten o'clock, and none of them were in sight. Actually, the whole lobby was practically deserted, never mind the few tourists entering and exiting the hotel. He scowled. He hated waiting.

"Rox," Sora perched himself on the chair across his moody cousin. "What time are they coming?"

"Supposedly now," Roxas replied testily, blue eyes threatening to flash. "But Axel is being himself. I swear…"

"Hi!"

Both boys turned around and caught sight of two colors: red and yellow: Kairi and Naminé.

Sora stood up abruptly and barreled towards the two girls, flashing them cheery greetings and taking their gym bags. "Good morning," he grinned happily, "You're finally here!"

"Where's Axel?" Roxas asked, to which both girls shook their heads, confused.

Kairi was the one who spoke. "He said we should come here by ourselves, so we walked here. Our umbrellas are with the guy outside." This got Roxas annoyed. Stupid Axel.

"We can't stay here then," he said miserably. So much for playing his favorite sport! And with Naminé! "Axel's the only one with a membership, unless you're willing to go back to his house." Of course, no one wanted to go to Axel's abode: he lived in the far side of town, and even if he lived in a snooty subdivision, none of them were really allowed to go that far.

So far, the day hit rock bottom.

The quadruple decided to loiter around the lobby, sitting on the sofas and checking out the place. It wasn't until a duo entered the lobby that their day changed for the better.

"Oh, is that you, Naminé?" the addressed turned around. To her surprise, it was the girl she and Roxas met that night of the launching.

Naminé's face lit up in delight and awe; did Aqua actually remember her name? "H-hi," she stuttered. It's freaking Aqua! "Good morning!"

"And what are you doing here this early in the morning?" the older girl teased, her eyes twinkling. Terra, Naminé noticed, was still by her side.

"Oh, you know," the flaxen haired girl lowered her eyes. She felt a blush sweeping her face. "Just… checking it out..!"

"Whoa! No way, it's the Terra!" It was Sora, who almost ran into Naminé. His face had three large saucers: his eyes and his mouth. Right in front of him was Terra, only the most popular Struggle Star. "May I please have your autograph? You're my idol," Sora was practically dying in his own shock.

Terra laughed, and waved his hand dismissively. "Oh come on, I'm not that great," he chuckled. "But sure…?"

The spiky haired brunette dashed back to his bag and came back with a paper and a marker. He watched the older boy scribble on the paper, swiped it, and hugged it to his chest. "I got Terra's autograph!" he squeaked to his cousin, who took interest in the small crowd gathered around Naminé.

"What the hell man," Roxas cocked an eyebrow, smirking. "Sorry about my cousin," he apologized to the highly amused Terra. "He's being himself."

Kairi herself was star struck: seeing that Naminé was conversing with Aqua and Terra, the redhead appeared beside her blonde best friend and profusely shook Aqua's hand. The older girl was seen to be uncomfortable with the princess treatment.

"So what brings you guys here," the tall brunette asked the four of them. "I'm sure it's not to hunt us down?"

Roxas explained that they were supposed to spend the day in the Glass Slipper, but because Axel forgot to bring himself, they were stuck waiting for something awesome to happen. "Sorry about loitering," he apologized.

Aqua smiled and reached behind her back and produced four cards. "Here, you can have these," she said, giving each of them one. "Membership cards," she explained. "But they're elite, if you know what I mean. Don't ask! It's my dad's idea… Anyway, you're pretty much top priority with these! However, they don't work that way for now. They're just normal membership cards at the moment. I apologize for that… maybe it'll work right in a week."

"It just opened," Terra added, referring to the hotel. "So don't expect everything to be perfect right away." Aqua nudged the man, shooting him a glare. "Well, most facilities are up and out," he salvaged himself. "Just not the country club, since it's quite big. Anyway, have fun!"

The couple waved at the four and went on their way. Naminé could've sworn she heard Aqua lecturing Terra about being a confident host.

She caught the brunette slinging an arm around Aqua's shoulders and pecking her forehead fondly.

o0o

"Aw, but I want to play bowling!"

"But we just did that!"

"One more game," Kairi was trying to cajole Sora into playing another game with her, to which the boy seemed perplexed with the idea. As much as he liked being with Kairi, he wanted to get under the sun and play soccer with his cousin, or maybe even do decent tricks in the skateboard park. The place was so huge!

"We can go ahead," Roxas suggested. "Just catch up later. It's sunny anyway! We won't get going without you," he gave his cousin a thumbs up and turned around, catching Naminé's stare.

The girl flushed slightly, standing up. She threw her baby blue bag onto her back and followed Roxas out the bowling alley, shutting out the sound of pins smacking into each other.

"Are you ready?" Since the turn of events, the boy's mood lifted drastically.

She grinned uncertainly. "I don't know," she replied quietly. "I've never really played before…" The last thing she wanted to do was look stupid in front of a gorgeo– a guy. Who'll take my place as chauffeur if I go down? She asked herself silently. Naminé did not want to know the answer.

After getting lost for the last ten minutes, ending up in the miniature golf course and the swimming pool on different occasions, both found the soccer field.

The bleachers framing the area broke at a small place, where the doors to the locker rooms were. The blondes pushed through the doors and found themselves in a sort-of lobby area, where at a desk sat a receptionist that relayed the towels and locker keys. In the same room was a set of furniture, a three-seat couch and two lazy boys. A small television was hooked up to the wall. There were two doors that led to the male and female locker rooms, where the lockers and the public showers were.

Fifteen minutes later, Roxas and Naminé were walking out the doors and onto the lush green field where other people were playing their own small games or practicing.

"Okay, so what do you want to do first?" Roxas had a bright smile on his face, Naminé noticed.

She slapped on some more sun lotion then replied with a shrug. "I told you," she couldn't help but grin back at him. It was contagious. "It's up to you! I'm no athlete." She was trying to hide the fact that she was still harboring a small amount of despise at Roxas for playing on her the day before. It wasn't fun, being on the brink of death!

The whole day she was trying to get back at him: it started with miniature golf. She tried to swing as awkwardly as she could in hopes of whacking the club into his face. Instead, he took the liberty of engulfing her and helping her get into the position correctly. It made her feel hot under the collar, literally; why did he have to make her feel so flustered? She had a hard time concentrating all because of… him.

Her many other attempts resulted the same way. She had too much physical contact with him for one day, maybe even for a year! Naminé blushed as she recalled the day's events, from the golf incident to their bowling crisis, wherein she accidentally-on-purpose dropped her bowling ball right before he released his for another strike (because dropping the ball on his foot was too brutal. She should know: she dropped it on herself).

The next half an hour was spent on Roxas teaching Naminé the basic moves: running, kicking, dribbling, and shooting. Though the girl was getting irritated at her own lack of abilities, she continued going with the boy. Just to see him happy, she thought to herself. I want him to be happy. She gritted her teeth. So much for liking the sport. She was starting to hate it! I'd rather watch it from afar, she told herself.

"Can we take a break," Naminé huffed, sweeping her sticky hair into a ponytail. "You're the harshest coach I've ever had!"

"I'm the only coach you'll ever have," the boy smirked, clapping the girl by the shoulder.

Naminé laughed, wiping away the sweat forming on her forehead with the back of her hand. "You're so cocky, you know that?" she shot back, giving him a friendly punch on the arm. Despite her exhaustion, she was having fun.

"You're a flirt for not wearing knee-high socks with your shoes, you know that?" he returned with that adorable smile of his. She stuck her tongue out at him.

They headed to the water dispenser, took out plastic cups and filled them with the provided water.

"I'm glad we got to spend this day together as… not chauffeurs," she hedged slightly, putting her lips to the brim of the cup. "It's…"

"Less taxing?" This emitted a giggle from the girl, who replied with a "You're the one who said that."

Gulping down the rest of their drinks, the pair crushed their cups and flung them into the trash can. "It's also more… fun," she smiled shyly, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Let's get back," he said. It made her feel warm knowing he was in his element, teacher or not. She smiled at his retreating figure. Her blue eyes studied his build: it was definitely perfect. Very perfect¸ she told herself with a smile. Standing up, she skipped after her coach.

When she caught up to the boy, Roxas was positing the ball in front of him. He took ten steps back from it and told Naminé to kick the ball into the goal behind him. She frowned; how could she even do that? For Pete's sake, she couldn't even dribble the ball properly. She was surprised he didn't give up at all.

Adjusting her shorts, Naminé took a step back. She was starting to feel conscious. Was it really a bad move to leave behind her knee-high socks? The thought distracted her: her imagination was conjuring up a dirty old man watching from the bleachers. This was why when she kicked the ball she pretty much fumbled, cracked her ankle, and fell on her face.

A sharp pain clawed through her ankle. Naminé winced, biting her lip. She was not going to act like a baby another time in front of him, two days in a row!

"Hey, Nam, what happened?" Roxas knelt next to the girl, trying not to freak out. "Are you okay?" He almost died when he saw her drop, fetal position. "Naminé, say something," he pleaded.

She let out a groan. "I hate you," she squeaked, looking at him. "I really do." She noticed a red mark on his cheek. "Did I do that?" her eyes were wide with awe.

The dirty blonde boy chuckled despite the conflicting emotions inside of him. "Yes, you did," he said, his cobalt orbs sparkling with relief. "You're a good student," he said, rubbing his cheek. "Now, we have to get you to the infirmary. It looks like a bad one!"

"I only sprained it," the girl reasoned, cursing herself inwardly for being a damsel in distress yet again. Naminé reached out for his hand, which he took and gently hoisted her up. He insisted on dragging her back piggyback style. The boy won the petty argument, so he was able to bring the scowling, self-conscious girl for aid perched on his back.

"Does it hurt?" Roxas asked her for the nth time. Only out of concern, of course.

"Dandy," the girl mumbled. "I'm sorry I ruined your day," she apologized. "I didn't mean to trip!"

He laughed. "So you're not sorry you hit me in the face?" he teased, crossing the green field.

She smirked and squirmed into a more comfortable position. "No," she said simply into his ear, a grin growing on her face. "Why should I be?" then she blew into his ear. "That's for yesterday," she said smugly, sitting up straight.

Roxas rolled his cobalt eyes. "No kidding?" he sighed loudly. "You're still mad at me about that?"

"Yeah," Naminé replied flippantly, to which her ride shook his head. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"I question your morals."

"I hate you."

"It's your fault, too."

"It's your fault. You started it yesterday."

"That was yesterday," he tried not to sound amused. For all she was, Naminé was still a child. Not that it was always a bad thing. "And anyway, you already damaged my godly face, which should be a good enough compensation."

She giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "What godly face?" she teased, scowling playfully at his blonde spikes. "I think it looks better now." She yawned.

Roxas laughed. "Now you go to sleep," he scolded the girl. "You had a long day."

"But I have to make sure you're not bringing me to play tennis," she giggled sleepily as Roxas stepped into the Glass Slipper, following the signs to the infirmary. Naminé nuzzled his neck. "I hate you," she yawned again.

"I hate you too," he said, thankful the girl couldn't see the blush creeping up his neck.

o0o

Naminé woke up with a bad headache and a throbbing ankle. What happened? Oh right, she sprained her ankle. Her eyes focused on a redhead sitting nearby: Kairi, most definitely. Where was she?

"Naminé, you're awake," Kairi immediately crossed the unfamiliar white room. "You're in the infirmary," she babbled, a worried crease on her face. "Roxas said you sprained your ankle and passed out from the shock! Are you okay now? How's your leg? Can you move?"

The blond girl laughed. "I'm fine, Kai," she assured her best friend. "And no, I didn't pass out because of that. I was, you know, tired," Naminé wanted to kick herself. She was talking to Kairi, the one person who picked up everything.

The redhead's calculating mind was in gear. The brain's owner smirked knowingly, causing the injured girl to look away. "Anyway, thanks for looking after me, I really appreciate it," she said, referring to the ice pack under her swollen ankle. Naminé winced. That was the most revolting thing she's ever seen. "Did the other two leave already?"

Kairi sat down on the bed adjacent to Naminé's. "Your afternoon nap extended all the way to eight at night. Of course they waited for you," she said sarcastically. "I'm kidding. They did wait for you… in the skating arena." Kairi giggled. "They said if you're feeling better, they'll bring us out to dinner."

If Naminé wasn't mistaken, she saw stars in her best friend's eyes. "What's this," she teased. "No more Axel, Kai?"

"There was never an Axel," Kairi raised an eyebrow. Oh crap, she berated herself silently. Good thing Naminé wasn't as perceptive as she was; else she would've smelled something brewing. "Didn't I tell you that this morning? We're just drinking friends." Good save.

Naminé tapped her chin with her index finger. "I worry about you," she said sincerely. "You drink a lot, and you're really gorgeous. I hope you don't do anything…"

"I can take care of myself, Nam," Kairi said a little shortly, standing up to get a glass of water for her injured friend. "You know I won't do anything bad."

The blonde shrugged. She couldn't take her word for it. "Well, when are we going to eat?"

It was better to change such a touchy subject.

"You feel better already?" Kairi whipped her head to face Naminé, who flashed a smile.

"Yeah," she replied, making a mental note to quiz Kairi further. But for now…

The door swung open, and three people came in: Roxas, Sora, and the nurse named Aerith.

"Are you feeling better?" the nurse's voice was melodious, in Naminé's opinion. She immediately liked her. The blonde nodded.

Aerith produced a roll of tape. "I'm going to give this to you," she said. "You have to wrap your foot with this bandage. It will help ease the swelling and depending on your recovery rate, get you back up in no time!" She bound Naminé's foot before snipping off the bandage-tape and handing the injured girl said tape. "Don't forget to keep your foot in cold compress," she added.

"So," Roxas stepped forward. "Better?"

Naminé scowled. "Better than you," she grinned, her eyes on the purple patch on his cheek. "Nice tattoo. Where'd you get it?"

"From this really stupid person who can only draw up one kind of tattoo," he returned, pulling her up. The girl stumbled slightly before he secured her under his wing. "Now we better go before said stupid person comes for you."

From behind, Kairi was watching the two. She was smiling, and was grinning widely when Sora offered his arm to her like a butler. She took his arm and they followed the blondes from behind and to Sora's car outside, where the valet parking guy waited patiently for the car's owner.

Things were going well.

"Roxas, you stupid ass, don't touch me like that!"

"And how're you getting in the car, for Pete's sake?"

"Not like a bride! I hate you!"

"Nam, no need to get riled up; I'll help you," Kairi flew to Naminé's side, giving Roxas a look. She supported the girl's arm until she sat comfortably in the passenger side's seat.

Before she slammed the door, Naminé stuck her tongue out at Roxas.

In return, the reckless kid he was, Roxas threw open the door of the car, sat in the driver's seat, and pinched both her cheeks until she protested with a shriek and a slap on his unharmed cheek.

"I hate you."

"I hate you too."


Author's Note: Naaah D: I'm sorry about this chapter, not much progress with the plot! I promise the next chapter will have a little more going on with a bit of a solid ground instead of having a chapter treading on the surface of my sleepiness. Sorry again 'bout the sloppiness D: I'm going to get to writing the next chapter for my other story, the one whose title I cannot really pronounce or type because I'm soo great that way.

Or maybe I'm going to try to finish Re:Coded, 'cause that's a need. Don't forget to review, especially if you have something you want me to improve on! :)