The world's going round and round, will it ever stop?

Oh shit...

Oh my-

As soon as I feel my two palms hit the cold pavement I began to throw up all the noxious fluids I had consumed over the night. I could no longer stand the growing vertigo and I think it was the stupid cigarette that pushed me over the edge.

Actually, I'm sure of it because my lungs feel like they're closing tight.

I wish I had my inhaler.

I cough once more and throw up again.

It tasted sour and burned raw. Hurt so bad I slam my fist against the pavement.

"Shit Sora..." Axel gets out of the car in a hurry after me.

"H-Hold on okay!"

I would have replied but I was so busy puking in pain that I didn't really try.

"Sora lets go, you can't be on the streets puking or a cop'll pick us up. Lets go."
I shake my head, tearing off my favorite flannel and using it as some sort of mouth guard. I'm not really sure what the fuck I was doing or how that would help at the moment, but I did it.

-x-

3:36 A.M

I guide Sora down the block back to where my house was at, guiding him up the stairs.

"Sora, you gotta walk straight if you want us to get somewhere." I say pushed up between the staircase railing and him.

"I'm fine." He musters up.

"I know you're fine, but you've got me pinned up against this railing."

"I feel sick. Don worry, didn't puke on myself. I-If that's what you're so worried about."
"I know I know, come on."

We waver back and forth up to the front door and I push it open.

To my surprise, Riku, Kairi, and Riku's girlfriend were having a conversation of their own at the bottom of the staircase.

Kairi jumps up immediately," What's going on?"
"Nothing much...Move." Sora answers for himself as we both climb up the stairs past Riku and his girlfriend.

"That's him?" She chortles behind us.

"That's him."

With such fury Sora turns back around nearly lunging.

"Get out!" He roars at the top of his lungs.

If people didn't know that the party was over, they knew now.

He's steaming like no one I've ever seen before. His eyes are alert and wide, focused on Riku.

"Get the fuck out! Now!" I see the veins popping out from Sora's neck and Kairi's frightened. Everyone in the house is silent and now watching the scene unfold.

I'm afraid to let Sora get past my arms.

I'm not sure what Riku told him in the back yard, but he is pissed.

Maybe he shouldn't have had his first drink tonight.

Riku stood his ground ready for confrontation.

"Riku don't be an asshole, just go." Kairi says softly.

"Really, look at him. Go." She continues on.

You could notice the hush over the music. Few start chanting for a fight, others coming out of the dining room and kitchen just to get a good view of the action. What seemed to be thousands of eyes all focused on us...

It didn't feel like a good scene, I sure was about to flip out.

Sora locks eyes with me before grabbing my hand, "Let's get the fuck out of here."

We climb up the stairs and down the hallway to my room and it feels like I finally get to breathe for a second.

"Man I'd hate being famous..." I say to myself.

Sora goes into the bathroom without a word, closing the door shut behind him.

"Sora?" I call through the door quietly, pressing my ear up against the wood.

I could barely hear sobs coming from the other side. The sounds of gurgling and constant flushing covering most of it up.

"Sora, you-you okay?"

"Yeah..."
"You done partying for the night?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Want some water?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, I'll be back."

I stop speaking, but I stand still. All I could hear from the other side of the door after a few moments were some sobs and cursing.

Poor kid...

I turn my back to the door and head back out of the room. At the top of the stairs I could still spot Riku and his girlfriend talking to Kairi.

Most of the crowds had already found their way out while Sora had been yelling.

I descend a few steps and decide that it's time for them to get the fuck out.

"Get out."
Riku begins to smirk as he turns away. I lean up against the railing and smile, "Hey, aren't you curious why your girlfriend's wet still?"

Riku turns his head towards me.

I swear I see his eyes twitch.

Motherfucker should've left the party.

I lick my lips and tilt my head, "Its been a good few hours since I soaked her...Oh but don't worry, I was really on your side. See, it was another fellow who she was fucking that really soaked her on my fucking lawn chair. I just had to get the hose on them."

I swear I nearly provoked a fight, yet he continues to turn away and leave, his girlfriend following closely behind.

Kairi looks at me, mouth gaping wide.

-x-

It gets a little better.

And then it just gets worse.

I can't see further than 3 feet ahead of me for some reason.

The smell of my acidic vomit has me flushing the toilet every 5 seconds.

I just want to go home.

Possibly, the hospital.

I hear a knock on the door.

"Sora! Are you okay?"

"Oh I'm fine..."
"I need to go find Roxas."
"What?"

I couldn't absorb a thing of whatever the fuck she was telling me.

"Just stay here okay?"
"You aren't driving...are you?"

"No, of course not! I'll be back."

Before I know it, I'm alone again.

After awhile, I'm able to go five minutes without throwing up.

I stumble to my feet and rip off my shirt.

I make my way towards the shower and turn all the knobs just to get the water running.

Right as I'm pulling my belt off Axel walks in.

"What are you doing?"

I wish I had an understandable answer.

"I feel sick."
"You think a shower's gonna help? Don't pass out in there. Here's your wat-"

I take the water from his hands and begin to chug with all my might, holding the cup in one hand and my falling jeans in the other.

I just want the drunk to go away.

-x-

I step out of the shower feeling twenty percent better. I get dressed and step out into a more mellow scene. Axel watching t.v from the bottom bunk, nestled up under one thick orange blanket. The beer crates were pushed off to the side of his room.

"Still sick?"
"I think so."
"Then you get the outer edge. Lay on your stomach so you don't end up a statistic."

Last thing I remember is plopping down on bed.

So warm.

-x-

What's that buzzing noise?

I slowly open my eyes and look around. The rays of the morning sun are trying to peak through the shades. I wipe my eyes and slowly get up as to not disturb the fragile state of my stomach.

I notice its mom calling and pick up quickly.

"Hello?"
"Sora? Where are you? Listen, I need you go pick up Roxas."
"What? Why?"

I hear a heavy sigh and sit on the bed, prepared for a hand full.

"Okay, well, wherever Roxas went last night, he came back drunk off of his ass. And when he came back and saw the basement door cracked open he just lost it. I mean, everything he started yelling at me for letting the door stay open and then Donny came up stairs and they got into it..."

She sighs again, "Eventually I wasn't going to sit there and try to tell my drunk son and tweaked out husband to calm down so I called the cops and they decided to take them both in."

I rub my face before standing up and begin to search for my clothes from yesterday. My head is banging and I'm overcome with nausea unlike that of last night.

"I-I just don't know what's gotten into Roxas these past few months. I know that his father pushes his buttons a lot and I know he hates seeing that basement door open but I mean, come on. He'll usually just close the door and go up to his room. He'll say a few things to me here and there but nothing explosive like what happened last night. Since the cops saw the lab in the basement they're calling in a fucking crew to decontaminate the place. So now we have to find a place to stay for a few weeks until all traces of that crap is gone. I can't believe this... "

I sigh along with her.

"So me and Roxas are probably going to have to stay with Kairi for a while?"
"Yeah. Well, I might make Roxas stay with you're aunt and I just so I can keep an eye on him. They're coming in tomorrow morning. We have to be gone by the end of the night, so I guess now is the time to start making calls and picking up your stuff. Luckily this will only run me just over two grand."

"Just over two grand?"

"I know, I know, it's a lot of freaking money."

I find my clothes on the bathroom floor. I notices that they smell an awful lot like vomit and decide to just ask Axel for clothes when he wakes up instead.

"They're holding Roxas until an appointed guardian can pick him up. They say they won't put it on his record since this is his first offense. So I need you to go pick him up."

"Why me again?"

"Because I gave you my car, asshole. And I have to get the house ready."

"Fine."
"Thank you, I love you, bye."

"Love you too mom."

I walk over to Axel and shake him awake.

"What...?" He asks from under the blanket.

"Can I borrow some clothes? I need to go pick up Roxas."
"Why?"
"He got picked up by cops last night. Got in a fight with his dad."
"His dad? Your dad?"
"Long story."
"My clothes are in the closet."

I grab a random sweater and some pants and get dressed. The sleeves and pant legs were long, I kinda looked like a kid who stepped in his dads clothing.

"I'll be back."

-x-

I wake up alone in my bedroom.

Where's...oh yeah.

I wonder how long ago Sora left. I light a cigarette before going downstairs. My head feels like it wants to explode from the constant banging.

Hiro looks as though he's just gotten finished cleaning up the living room. There are two garbage bags lined up next to the front door.

"Where'd Sora go?"

"He went to go pick up Roxas. Apparently Roxas got in a fight last night."
"Oh wait I remember. With his dad or something?"
"Yeah."

"That sucks."

"Don't get cigarette ashes all over the place. I just cleaned up the shit."
I flick my cigarette free of ashes onto the floor, "Whatever." I shuffle into the kitchen, hoping to cook something up to rid me of my hangover.

"Did ya have fun last night?" Hiro asks coming into the kitchen.

I shrug, pulling out water.

"Sure hung out with Sora a lot last night."
"It was his first time drinking. Wanted to make sure that he didn't die."
"Cool, cool."

I continue to pull out eggs and ham from the fridge. Hiro sits on the counter next to all my supplies. "So, what did you guys do?"
"We got drunk."
"And?"
"Talked."
"'Bout what?"
"Jesus fucking Christ Hiro. I don't even remember."

Half truth.

"What did he tell you about Riku."
"That fucker," I slam the fridge shut, taking a breath before letting out too much, "He was just telling me how sad he was about him. I don't remember, what I do remember is seeing Riku's girlfriend on the back porch humping some random ass guy."

"Fran?"
"Is that her name? Fran?"
"Yeah. She's a meat market that specializes in sausage, if you know what I'm saying."

We break up laughing.

-x-

"I'm here to pick up my little brother." I tell the officer sitting behind the desk.

"That prick over there?" He motions towards one of the first cells where Roxas is sitting on the bed. His face reads hungover.

The lights are dim and crappy. The air smelled like over powering disinfectant.

Covering up god knows what. The walls were merely white bricks, cracking from time. Roxas raises his head and slowly comes off of the bunk with a glare.
"Fuck you too old man. I want my shoes and my belt back. AND my cash too."

"Yeah, that asshole." I reply to the old guy.

"Has Donny been released?"
"Who?"
"His dad."
"Oh...no, no. He's incarcerated for possession with intent to distribute. So he won't be out for at least another month unless he sets bail."

Destiny's holding facility is small. There were fives cells view-able to the public. Roxas and some old guy being the only two taking up the cells.

"Alright." He stands up and walks over to the cell with a set of keys. He slides open the cell and stands aside. Roxas looks at him as though he's waiting for a formal release.

"Well? What the hell are you waiting for?"
"I just leave?"
"Yeah. It's not like you killed a guy."

"Really?"
"Get the hell out of here and don't let me catch you that piss-drunk again. Go on kid, get."
Roxas chuckles, "Bitter old man."

-x-

"So."

"So..."

"What happened? Let me hear your side of the story."

"Well-"
"-Well, lets start off with a few questions first. Why did you leave the party?"

"Namine." He utters. His face immediately flushes and he moves forward a bit.

"Look, I don't want to talk about it." He speaks up, turning on the radio.

"Well, we can't go back home until they clean up the house, and that's going to take a few weeks."

-x-

The house is silent. We hear mom rumbling around upstairs. Roxas and I head up into our rooms.

The floor in my room is covered inch by inch in clothing and other random stuff.

I open my phone and begin to dial Riku's number automatically.

I stop myself before hitting the last digit.

Oh yeah...

"Shit."

Where am I to stay for however long it is until my house is deemed habitable again?

I keep thinking of him...

Axel...

For some reason, I keep thinking of him.

I could stay with Kairi, or even my aunt, but I keep thinking of him.

"Morning sunshine! U okay?"
"I'm fine. Just had to pick up Roxas."
"I heard. Your mom told me what happened. I was trying to find him last night but I was too late. I remember telling you but I think you were too sick to remember."

"I don't remember a lot of things except being really emotional. Weird shit."
"Axel told Riku off after you ran away."
"What?"
"Yea, I can't remember what he said exactly, but it was insulting lol."
":O"

"Lmao"
"Do you like him?"
"No. Do you really think I'm over Riku?"
"I don't know :( I'm sorry"
"It's okay."

I hesitate, before punching my phone in again.

"Axel's straight anyways."

Why did I throw that in?

"I guess...maybers"
"Maybers?"
"maybers :D"

I receive a text from Axel.

"What are you doing, you've been gone forever."
"Sorry, trying to figure things out."
"What things?"

"Where I'm going to stay for the next few weeks."
"What? Really?"
"Yeah."
"You can stay with me, but on one condition."
"What?"
"You have to tell me EVERYTHING."
"Well...okay...I guess."
"Sweet rocks, see you soon."

Before I knew it I thrusted myself into living with Axel for a while.

Not that there's anything wrong with him.

But I get this strange feeling when I think about him...

And...

It makes me feel bad.

Bad for feeling what I feel.

Bad...

-x-

"Me and your brother are going to be with aunt Mari until the clean up is over. He wants to go over to Kairi's so he can be with Namine, but I'm not going to let him slide for drinking when he knows better than that."

"Whatever. I'm more worried about what the neighborhood is going to think about a bunch of guys in rubber suits entering our house." Roxas huffs.

My aunt Mari lives in an RV. Not that it's not nice, but Roxas having to live with my mom and her sister in such tight quarters for a few weeks can be considered a punishment.

On the bright side, he gets to go up into the Destiny mountains, a beautiful part of the island where my aunt lives... Not that he'd appreciate that.

All of our bags lined up at the front door.

Roxas looked irritable , sitting with his arms crossed on the couch.

"Where are you going to be, at Kairi's?"
"No, actually. I'm staying with Axel."
"Who?"
"My friends brother and Sora's straight boyfriend." Roxas intercepts.

"You have a new boyfriend already? Geez you move quicker than I did when I was your age."

I feel my cheeks turn red, "He's not my new boyfriend he's just a friend! Roxas shut up!"

He snickers and my mom giggles a bit.

"I'm going...!"

-x-

I arrive just before sundown and I hand Axel my bags to carry upstairs.

"What are those, your surf boards?" He nods towards my car, where I have two surf boards tied to the roof.
"Only one, Roxas asked me to take his."

"Cool."

His room is cleaned up and it feels more welcoming.

"Hiro and me are excited, you just have to agree to having all night gaming sessions."
"I'm game."
"Awesome."

We eat, sitting outside on the back porch afterward.

I noticed a black garbage with a cardboard sign reading "HaZardous WASTE" was off to the side.

"What's in there?"
"My old lawn chair. It doubled as a backpack." He frowns, lighting up a cigarette.

I watch the horizon set off a display of colors as the sun set beyond the ocean. The slight salty smell traveled through my nostrils.

I think of Riku.

And the good old days.

–

"You're too weak."
"Shut up! No I'm not." I hold on to my wooden sword tight, running at Riku with full force before being knocked off to the side, the wind knocked out of me."
"Slow poke..."
Kairi's watching, along with Tidus and Wakka.

My arms are swollen and red, bleeding, pounding from the multiple lashings Riku dealt with his sword. I stand up and run at him once more, this time determined to knock him on his ass.

Right before he strikes me, I grab his sword and strike his side with mine.

I can hear them gasp, as Riku falls to the ground, letting go of his sword.

We both breath heavily, you could hear nothing except us heaving and the waves of the ocean.

"Shit...Sora...alright, alright you're not weak. You can come with us..."
I drop my sword, still breathing heavy, and glance over to Kairi.

She smiles, mouthing the words 'You did it.'

–

"Sora?"
"What?" I snap out of my day dream and look over to Axel. He pushes his striped black and white sleeves above his elbows.

"You gonna tell me what happened?"

"Oh, yeah...Roxas got in a fight with his dad."

"You guys have different dads?"
"Yeah."
"I thought you were twins."
"No, we're nine months apart. My mom cheated on my dad with her ex. But my dad was in our lives until we were around eight. Once he left, Donny moved in. From that point on we saw less and less of my dad..."

I gather my thoughts again.

"Roxas hates his dad. I hate his dad. We both hate him, but Roxas is a loose cannon. Donny was cookin' in the basement with his door open again and Roxas got mad. He started yelling and he got in a fight with his dad."

"Cookin'?"

"He's a meth cook. He sets up lab and cooks the shit until his skin falls off. He was making it in our basement and Roxas got pissed enough and confronted him. Now Roxas is out and grounded, but Donny's in jail. There's gonna be a cleaning crew at my house assessing the place and cleaning it up."

"It used to be worse, Roxas and I used to have asthma attacks out of the blue whenever we played in the living room."

I feel embarrassed.

I close my eyes.

"You too, huh?" I hear Axel's voice break the silence.

"Your dad beat the shit out of you and Roxas, huh?"

My heart skips a beat and I don't know how to answer him.

"I see it written all over your guys' faces."

He swings his legs off the lawn chair and faces me.

I don't budge off of my chair. I stare up at the now darkened skies.

"Your mom didn't do shit to protect you guys either, huh...?"

It hurts, hearing it being said to you for the first time.

"It's alright, me and Hiro are kind of the same way. We have the same dad, but he was a huge meth head. He never cooked it, he went through other means to fund his addiction. When he wasn't high we'd get the worst of it. My mom would only step in and take the beating herself if she knew he was gonna kill us..."

Axel puts out his old cigarette and lights a new one.

"It's alright, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?"

"Right." I smile, playing with my necklace crown piece.

"So then," Axel looks away, laying back down on his chair, "Riku. What's up with that guy? Seems bent out of shape."

I sigh, rubbing my eyes," I...he's...We've been together since we were fourteen, and he met this girl when we were seventeen. He cheated on me for a full year then called it quits on my birthday."

"Why did he break up with you?"

I feel my eyes swell up and I try to control my line of thoughts.

"He fell in love with her...she gives him what I..." I choke, feeling even more embarrassed.

"Riku's...he's always been the bigger asshole of us both." I save my secret for another time.