Chapter 3

Running as fast as his legs could take him, Sora made his way towards Kairi's house, three blocks down the road. He panted, and slowed down.

He walked into her well-decorated yard, and made his way up to the front steps. The house was a tannish brown, with white window shutters, and garden surrounding the entire house. It was a very welcoming environment, and usually made Sora happy when he would visit, but that wasn't the case this time.

Sora took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, the door opened, emerged was a short 4"9 auburn haired girl. She had on a dark blue skirt that went down to her knees, and a white tank top, that was just short enough to show some stomach. The light of the setting sun reflected off her silver heart necklace she was wearing. The necklace in which Sora had given her for a birthday present, 2 years ago.

"Hiya Kairi." Sora tried to act happy.

"Oh, hey Sora, long time no see. What brings you here." Kairi faked a smile. Sora felt so awkward around her, he never used to be like that, he would love to be in her presence, but now it was Riku.

"Is…is it all right if I came in?" Sora stuttered, fiddling with his fingers while pacing side to side. Kairi could see the boy was nervous, and a bit distracted, so she didn't ask questions and invited him in.

"Mom, Sora is here, we're just going up to my room okay?" Kairi yelled into the kitchen.

"Kay, honey." A voice yelled back. Isn't this lady even a bit suspicious of what two teenagers can do in a room alone together?

They made their way up the winding staircase, into a hallway, which had four doors to it, the third one over to the right was Kairi's, luckily Sora still remembered.

They stepped into her dim room. Sora looked around, he sighed, nothing had changed here. Still her room had the overly amount of stuffed animals, and pictures of hot singers all over the walls, and the occasional certificate for her many achievements. The walls were a light blue, almost like the sky on the most cloudless day, and her bed, which had clouds on it, to match her so color coordinated room.

Sora nervously, walked towards her bed and took a seat on the springy mattress. Kairi sat down beside him, and gazed at him.

"Sora, why did you come here?" She asked him still staring.

"My parents…" Sora mumbled. Kairi suddenly got a worried expression on her face.

"What about them?"

"They, don't realize that we're only friends, and…and…"

"That your…not straight?" Kairi coughed. Sora nodded.

"They aren't happy about us not hanging out much anymore, and they don't really like Riku. They want us together, ya know?" Sora tried to explain.

"Sora, you haven't told them yet?" Kairi glared.

"It's harder than it looks Kairi!" Sora blurted out.

Kairi took offense and moved back a bit. She shook her head and grabbed her friend's hand in comfort.

"I know I know, your dad would probably flip and murder Riku in front of your face, but the least you can do is talk it over with your mom right?" She attempted to relieve the situation.

"She is kind of hoping that we would get together too…" Sora looked down disappointed at himself.

Kairi took a deep breath.

"Listen Sora, you have to go by how YOU feel not how your parents do, I know your dad wants you to be the perfect little stud, and I know how much your parents like me and all, but follow your heart! You have to tell them that you are NOT in love with me, nor will you ever be, and that Riku is the one you are with." Kairi lectured.

"Kairi…" Sora sighed.

"I'm-I'm so sorry for not spending time with you these past few months, I sometimes get wrapped up, and I forget who my first best friend was." Sora was starting to get pudgy eyed.

"Oh no no no Sora, don't cry please, you can't help that you want to be with the person you love, right? I understand, just don't forget about me that's all." Kairi tried to cheer him up.

Sora controlled his tears, and leaned over to hug Kairi. She jumped when he had, but immediately hugged him back in comfort. I might as well admit it, I'll never have Sora, but I will always love him in the way he'd loved me for a short time.

Sora let go and smiled. Kairi smiled as well, holding back the tears that were preparing to form in her eyes now.

"I'm still sorry, I promise you I'll be coming over here a lot more, and vise versa! I'll also promise, that I will explain to my parents my current situation." Sora explained cheerily.

Kairi giggled, and shook Sora's hand commencing the promise.

A few moments later, Sora departed home, with several cookies, which was his dinner for tonight. As he was walking he started reminiscing, about his life right before Riku came into it.

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"HEY KAIRI-BOO!" Sora screamed while jumping his friend from the back.

Kairi giggled and turned around hugging Sora (that was their usual daily hello).

"Hey Sora-Moo!" Kairi giggled again letting go of her hyper friend.

The two were in front of Kairi's locker in their high school. Kairi was a 4"8 14 year old, auburn haired girl wearing a jean skirt down to her ankles, and a yellow tank top, with a black sweater over top. Sora was a 5" 14 year old boy with light brown spiky hair, and a pair of dark ripped jeans, and a gray hoody that had the logo of his favorite band on it.

"You ready for the test today?" Sora asked reassuringly.

"Aww yeah, I'm always ready!" Kairi winked. Sora laughed.

"Yeah, 'cause you're a perfectionist you freak!" Sora joked while nudging Kairi.

Kairi closed her eyes and grinned proudly. Then she looked around the hall, and back to Sora.

"There's a dance coming up, Sora." She whispered.

"I was just wonderin' if…"

"If you wanted to go with me?" Sora jumped ahead.

Kairi nodded her head and blushed.

"Sure! Sounds fun!" Sora grinned. Kairi smiled boldly, and locked her locker.

Making their way down the hall, Kairi realized she forgot to say one thing.

"Oh yeah Sora, did you hear there is this new student coming in today!" She said excitedly.

"Oh really? Can't wait to see who it is. I hope it's not a girl, or my dad would probably ensure that I go out with her." Sora sighed.

Kairi giggled. Then frowned.

"Your dad sure has some issues with you and dating doesn't he, it's like he wants you to be the most popular person with the ladies, eh?" Kairi joked.

Sora frowned and nodded. It was so true, he didn't understand his father half the time, was there really any reason to make his poor defenseless son date girls he didn't even like? Besides, he had had a crush on Kairi for about 3 years, but was way too afraid to admit that by now he was sure he loved her.

"Sora…you okay, you're like zoning out on me here." Kairi waved a hand in front of his face.

It was too late, Sora had smashed right into the next person who was in front of him. Unfortunately for him, the person he had smashed into, was about to change his life in the most unexpected way.

He looked up and smiled sheepishly.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I was daydreami-" Sora tried to apologize before opening his eyes to see who he had run into.

His eyes widened at the site of the person. They were so…so GORGEOUS! The boy was muscular, with a pale skin tone, and the silkiest silver hair flowing ever so freely to his shoulders. He had on faded jeans, and a dark blue t-shirt with a logo of some name brand.

Sora unknowingly was drooling at the sight of him, and had to wipe his mouth. He shook his head wondering why he had such a wacked reaction to a guy!

The silver haired boy grinned, then smirked.

"Oh no it's okay, I think I'll live, being run into and all by you I don't think I'll lose any sleep over my injuries." He chuckled.

Sora pouted, of course direct the insult to the fact that Sora was about the size of a girl!

"Well then, I'm glad to see your not dying. I'm Sora." He said putting his hand out for a handshake. The older boy smiled.

"I'm Riku, I'm new here so could you direct me to this class." He said shaking Sora's hand before taking out a chart with his classes on it.

"So you're the new student, I'm Kairi." Kairi smiled putting her hand out as well.

"Pleased to meet you." Riku smiled shaking her hand as well.

Sora glanced at the chart to find that Riku was in three out of five of his classes, and for some reason was happy about it.

"Okay well you are in our class for first, I'll have to direct you to second, and your in my third so meet me…right here and I'll show you where it is, as for fourth I'll direct you after lunch, and you are in my fifth." Sora explained hyperly.

Riku nodded, and followed the two to his first class. The class, which happened to be, English class.

Riku glanced at Sora in the middle of class and grinned when he saw Sora turn to face him. They both smiled at each other for a moment, then Sora turned around. Riku gazed at him for a few moments, and smiled again.

In fifth period, Riku slipped a note into Sora's pocket, and grinned. Then went off to his seat and remained quiet for the rest of the period.

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Sora arrived home, threw his bag to the side and ran towards the kitchen to find his parents. They turned and greeted him with a friendly smile.

"Kairi and I are going to the dance Friday." He smiled while grabbing a cookie.

"That's great hunny, you guys are so good together." She grinned.

"MA!" Sora blushed.

"I didn't say we were goin out!"

"Oh I know, you guys really should though." She joked.

Sora knew how much he liked Kairi, but for some reason he couldn't get his mind off the new student…Riku…Riku…what a name, it matches his mysterious exterior. He went into thought about the boy's muscular body, and bright glowing aquamarine eyes. Sora shook his head again, what am I thinking! He's a GUY! Sora walked off to his room to call Kairi.

"Hello?" A young familiar voice answered.

"Kairi-Boo!" Sora giggled.

He heard a giggle from the other line.

"Hey Sora-Moo, is it okay if I call you later, I have stuff I have to do." She said apologetically.

"No prob. Talk to you later then, luv ya!" Sora said before hanging up.

He looked around his room, and sighed. He always wondered how his room never stayed as clean as Kairi's. It was a pale brown, almost tan, with the walls completely covered by his favorite band, and his favorite actors. For some unknown reason all his favorite celebrities were men.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the paper that Riku had slipped into his pocket earlier today. He unfolded it and looked at it. In neat writing it said Riku's name, his phone number, and his email, with the words "lets be friends" underneath.

"Oh, that's original Riku." Sora snorted.

"Riku…Akatsuki I mean." He snorted again.

He daringly, picked up the phone, and dialed the number. He could hear someone pick up on the other end.

"Hello." Said a very toneless, but sexy voice.

Sora gulped, he had nothing to say so he said what came to his mind.

"H-hey." Oh nice.

"Who's this?"

"S-Sora." STOP STUTTERING! Sora mentally yelled at himself.

"Ohhhh, sorry there I didn't recognize your voice, it's even higher on the phone." Riku chuckled.

Sora got agitated. He took a deep breath and sighed.

"What's up?" He said.

"Nothing, you?"

"Nothing."

"Any special reason why you called, or did you just miss me?"

"Gah?"

"HAHAH! I'm kidding dude."

"Oh, umm naw, I felt like calling you, I just read your note heh."

"Oh okay. What's your whole name then?"

"Mmm, Sora…Sora Kyuuki."

"Cool. Could I have your phone number and email too?"

"Yeah but I never use my email. I'll give you a note with it all tomorrow okay."

"Yup."

"Well, uh… I'm going to go now…so…"

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

Sora hung the phone up, and found himself so very red in the face. Why was it so hard to talk to this person, he was usually the most out going person he knew.

It never occurred to him that, maybe he wasn't so sure about his sexuality.

Until the day came he faced Kairi that is.

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It was Thursday, and Sora was at the end of the line with hiding his feelings for Kairi.

He was standing in front of her, by his locker, and was the most nervous he had ever been.

"K-Kairi…" Sora stuttered.

Kairi looked up to face Sora, and stared at him gazing.

"Yeah, Sora?" she said blinking.

"For about three years now I have…"

"I have…"

"l-"

Right then, Sora was interrupted by a sudden yell from the distance.

"HEYYYYYY SORAAAA!" Yelled the voice.

Sora turned around to find Riku running towards the two, yelling their names.

BAD BAD BAD! TIMING RIKU! GAH!

"Hey man, sorry if I'm interrupting something, but I really need to talk to you Sora." Riku stopped and said seriously.

Sora looked back at Kairi, then at Riku and nodded.

"I'll, talk to you later then Kairi." Kairi nodded to Sora's words.

Sora walked off with Riku into the abandoned hallway where no one goes except to do blow jobs, and other sexual stuff that Sora was all too oblivious about. Riku closed the door and turned around to face Sora, with a serious, yet worried expression.

"Sora, I don't know exactly how to say this…but." Riku put his hands onto his new friend's shoulders, and tried to smile.

"Sora, I think I, like you." Riku blushed.

"Well of course, I like you too, that's why we're friends, right?" Sora said being totally dumbfounded.

"No, no, not that kind of like Sora, I mean, what I'm trying to say is, I'm…not totally and utterly, straight." Riku explained the best he could.

Sora, jumped back pushing Riku off his shoulders. His eyes widened, and he stared blinklessly at Riku.

"WHAT? Oh my god Riku! Why didn't you tell me this before?" Sora freaked.

"I'm sorry, I just wasn't ready. I need you to know this so I'm not lying to you, you're the best friend I ever had." Riku looked down saddened.

"Riku…" Sora frowned walking slowly up to his friend. He placed his hands on his shoulders and smiled.

"I, can't stop thinking about you Riku, I'd hate to lose you as a friend, but I'm not going to lie to you, I no longer believed I was straight since Wednesday morning." Sora smiled cheerfully, giggling.

"What made you think that?" Riku smiled asking mannerly.

"Well, when a dude comes into your life, and you drool every time you see them, I kind of thought it might mean something. Who knows maybe you are just an exception, but I would take into account why I have to take a cold shower every time I see the lead singer of my band." Sora said shifty eyed.

Riku stared at Sora for a few seconds before bursting out into laughter. Sora started laughing with him, until Riku stopped to ask one more question before they should leave the hallways before anyone gets suspicious.

"Did you not plan on telling me this?" Riku asked shyly.

"Umm yeah, actually, because I have loved Kairi for a while now and I WAS going to tell her that, but of course I had to run into you!" Sora smirked.

Riku laughed, and insisted that they leave now, the bell was about to ring.

While Sora walked down the halls looking for Kairi, he saw her walking with her head down with her books in her hands. When Sora looked at her in that moment, something had changed, he no longer felt the same warmth in his heart, the love. It was gone!

Sora gulped, and wondered if this meant that he was really in love with Riku now. He couldn't believe how fast his life was changing before his eyes.

"K-Kairi!" Sora waved her down. She looked up and smiled brightly.

"Hey Sora, hey Riku, you guys done your boy talk?" She giggled.

Sora nodded and put on a fake grin.

"Yeah, we got some things settled."

"So, what were you saying before to me Sora?"

"Umm, I don't think I need to talk about it anymore."

"Oh, I see. Okay then."

The three walked off to class, and Sora never managed to tell Kairi about any of what he was feeling about her, and what he was feeling about Riku.

The night of the dance certainly set things straight.

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"SORA! HOW COULD YOU! YOU'VE BEEN LYING TO ME!"

"No! No I haven't! It was just yesterday I convinced myself!"

"You said you felt that way about him since you met him!"

"Well I wasn't sure what it was until now! Please Kairi, the last thing I need is you yelling at me when I'm so damned confused!"

"What ever Sora, just go, there's no need to be here, go be with Riku."

Sora turned and walked off head facing down in shame.

"I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN EXPLAINING TO YOUR PARENTS SORA!"

Sora shivered, Kairi was right, his parents. EVIL!

He wanted to try his best, for the future of him and Riku (if there was even going to be one), he would stand up to his parents, meaning death or not.

He clenched his hands into fists and left the dance.