In the mean time, Hailey was cheering in silence and doing a small victory dance in her head, because she was sitting in the back, by a window. This made her extra happy because now she could look at everyone else, instead of them looking at her all the time.

She sat next to a girl with bright emerald green eyes and almost the same color hair as Sora, something in between brown and dark blonde. But the rim of her hair was slightly curled up. It looked kind of strange, but it didn't look that bad on her. It was more of the opposite.

The only annoying thing about her was that she kept looking at Hailey. Hailey ignored her, brushing a part of her bangs in her face again, so she wouldn't face her. She looked at the teacher again. She was not going to ask her random questions. And by the look on her face, Hailey could tell that that was the only thing she wanted to do right now. Some people were too curious for their own good.

Hailey couldn't really pay attention to what the teacher said when he continued his lesson again. Not because of that girl or because the teacher was so incredibly boring, though. She was thinking about Sora and Kairi. Those two didn't seem to leave her mind.

Kairi reminded her strongly of Naminé. Not that Naminé was that annoying or clingy. Namine was far too nice for her own-good. And Roxas... he was a part of Sora, so it didn't really surprise her that Sora reminded her so much of him, although he also differed from Sora. Sora was more outgoing, that was easy to see. That, and Naminé, her uncle and that Ansem guy had told her so.

What did Xehanort mean with "I'm a good guy, thanks to Sora and his friends."?

And, if that was true, then Hailey's uncle knew Sora and Kairi, too. Maybe Sora knew things about him that she didn't. Or maybe he knew what exactly had happened to him and how he died, because that had always remained a mystery for her.

She shook her head to try to concentrate, but it still wouldn't happen to work. So she decided to look around instead. The classroom was really boring. Looking at the white ceiling was even more interesting (somehow, there were holes in it on some places.) The walls were colored a dirty yellow. The students were sitting two by two. There were no plants to be seen anywhere, only wooden tables and chairs, all occupied except for one table in front of her. When she looked at who was sitting in front of her, all she could see was long, almost shoulder-length silver hair.

Silver... It was a nice color. One that shimmered slightly in the light that fell through the windows, almost as if there were glitters in his hair. It reminded him of only one person. Someone she didn't know the true name of, but she called him the Other Ansem, or the Ansem-guy.

This made her think of the dream she had last night. It was about one of her memories of last year. She didn't know why she had dreamed it. Perhaps it was a sign? But if it was, what could it mean?

~Flashback (Hailey's dream last night)~

In her dream, Hailey was back in the second Twilight Town, or to be more precise, the copy that her uncle had made of the peaceful world. This was one of the many creations of her uncle. She wouldn't lie if she said that he was good at anything that had to do with science.

She and that Ansem guy were looking for Naminé at that time, who seemed to be gone, again. It happened more and more often and the moments in which she disappeared seemed to become slightly longer, too as time passed.

Hailey knew very well that Naminé was paying a visit to Roxas because she wanted to meet him, but she didn't say anything about it to this Ansem and her uncle. It was one of the few secrets that she and Naminé shared and she had promised to her to keep it a secret between them. And Hailey wasn't a type to break such promises.

"Where could she possibly be? We've looked for her everywhere in this mansion," the Ansem guy asked.

Hailey shrugged casually, fervently hoping that her face wouldn't tell him that she knew more than she was letting on. If there was anyone who could see right through that, it was this guy. She knew she had to be more careful than she usually was with him around.

"I don't know. Maybe we just miss her everytime because she moves around this place all the time? Or maybe..." by now, her voice had become a slight whisper, so Ansem had to come closer to her to hear everything she said. "...Maybe she discovered a secret passage or room somewhere."

If she had been able to see his face, she would know that he had given her a funny look. But alas, she had no idea.

"I don't think so. We already know of all the "secret" rooms in this mansion thanks to your uncle," he told her.

"Hmm... guess you're right then."

She wondered why he always hid his face for her. This question had occurred by her for days. Perhaps now was the time to ask him.

"Uhm... Ansem?" she started, hesitatingly looking up at him.

"Hmm?"

He stopped to look at her. However, this made her only more nervous all of a sudden. Maybe this wasn't a good idea at all...

"Could you..."

To be honest, she didn't really dare to ask him. What if the answer would be no? He kinda freaked her out with his scary voice and silence sometimes.

"Yes?" he said, patiently as always.

Oh, say it already! How bad could it be?

"Could you... show me... your face?" she asked, swiftly averting her gaze when she felt that her cheeks started to heat up.

He stayed silent for a long moment, probably thinking about what to do or say next.

Just as Hailey wanted to say something, thinking that he might had forgotten about her question somewhere during his pondering, he broke the silence by asking one simple question, "Why?"

Hailey couldn't make out his neutral-sounding voice whether he was mad or not, so she decided to continue.

"So I won't forget you. I want to see your face, to look into your eyes. I mean, we may never meet again. You know what DiZ said about that. I'll have to sleep and move to another place and when I wake up, I'll be somewhere else, in another world. So the chance that we'll ever see each other again is very slim that way, right?"

He nodded slowly, realizing that what she said was right indeed.

After a short while he said, "Okay, very well, then. If that's really what you want. But don't say I didn't warn you; it will be more than a shocking experience for you."

Hailey wondered why he sounded so... reluctant at showing his face. What did it matter? Was it because he was ugly, or something? But he knew that she wasn't the type to laugh at him, right?

She got the answer to her question, when he revealed his face. Hailey gasped, stepping back slowly. She didn't know what to say. She looked right in the the evil orange-colored eyes of non other than Xehanort, who had been one of her uncle's apprentices. But it couldn't be him!

Then she noticed that he wasn't like the Xehanort she used to know. The Xehanort she knew, would immediately attack her and try to kill her, just like he had killed her parents and Mia. Were they twins?

"I knew you would do that. That's why I hid my face for all of you," he said and looked at the floor, regretting the fact that he had shown her his new face.

"B-but... how?"

He started to explain her everything; how Xehanort's Heartless had had Riku's heart in his power and what had happened next. Hailey remembered how her uncle had once said that this Ansem hadn't been like this when they had crossed paths, and that it was better for all of them that he hid his face. At first, Hailey hadn't understood but at least it made sense now.

Pulling up his hood, he hid his face again.

"You don't have to hide your face for me. I'm not scared of you... not untill you give me a reason to be, that is. Besides, it's not your looks that's important, but what's inside of you; if your heart's in the good place, then you're okay, too."

He listened to her. She looked into his orange-colored eyes that had sparkles of molten gold, for what felt to be at least two minutes. His eyes looked so... sad. Then he broke the silence.

"Here."

He handed her something that he took out of his coat. It was a small package, wrapped in golden paper, almost matching his striking eyes.

"What's this?" she asked him, curiously.

"Open it," was all he said.

She tried not to roll her eyes at that sentence and started to unwrap the paper. Then she saw that it was a beautiful golden necklace with a heart-shaped pendant attached on it.

"What...?" she started, utterly surprised.

"DiZ wanted me to give you this. It'll bring you luck, 'cause it has a special power."

A special power, huh? she thought, impressed.

It was probably made by those fascinating moogles, since they were the only creatures who could synthesize such magical objects.

"What kind of power is that?"

"I don't know. I'm just the delivery boy," he replied, while smirking.

"Thanks," she smiled.

His smirk widened.

"You know, I'm going to miss you," she suddenly said, out of the blue.

"Oh, is that so?" he asked, lifting a brow.

She nodded and smiled, replying with, "Of course!"

"Why? Is it because of the long and good conversations we always have?" he asked, sarcastically.

This time, she did roll her eyes. He sure had an unusual and kinda dry sense of humour, but she liked it, anyway. That way, you thought you could predict his reaction, whereas he always managed to surprise you with what he said.

"Duh, why else?" she replied, jokingly.

"I think I might miss you, too..."

Suddenly, for some inexplainable reason, she felt a lot happier than she had done earlier.

"Well, I'm glad you might."

Hailey's heart ached at that memory. She really missed him, now more than ever. Sure, aunt Veronica was a great company, too, but he had been different. She wondered if he missed her, too, even if it was just a little bit.

She sighed lightly. Closing her eyes, she touched the place where her necklace was... or rather, used to be. She gasped softly when she couldn't feel her necklace anymore. It was lost!

Oh no. My precious necklace is lost! Where is it?

She thought about all the possible places she could have left it, but she didn't remember if she took it off yesterday. So then it had to be somewhere here. She looked around her; under her table, on the floor, in her bag. It was nowhere to be seen. How was that even possible?

"Um... Hailey?" the girl who sat next to Hailey, whispered, rather confused.

Hailey looked surprised at her. Her emerald green eyes had widened slightly and she was giving Hailey a rather funny look, obviously having no idea what had suddenly gotten into her at this moment.

"What is it?" Hailey whispered back.

For a moment, she had totally forgotten that someone was sitting next to her, watching every move she made.

"Are you okay?"

Of course she wasn't okay. She had just lost one of the most precious inanimate things in her life, but what did she care, anyway? She tried to think of a good and believable excuse.

"I'm fine. I'm just... extremely bored and I'm looking for some sort of distraction."

Because who wouldn't be bored in a class like this one, she wondered.

"Ah. I understand."

Now, what a surprise.

"So... do you know your way around yet?"

She just arrived here. How could she know her way around here already? Man o man, talking about using your brains. Hailey couldn't help but think in a sarcastic way about everything the girl said to her.

"No, not really," she replied.

If Sora and Xehanort had not seen her at one point, then she wouldn't even have been here, sitting next to her.

"Perhaps I can help you, Hailey? Only if you want my help, of course."

The sweetness of that alone made Haily smile.

"Okay, sure. That would be great! What's your name, by the way?"

"My name is Selphie."

She found herself thinking that that was quite an unusual name. Not a stupid one. It actually had something.

"Okay. Thank you, Selphie. That's really nice of you."

"Oh, no problem. You know, there aren't many girls here. So this should be fun for me, too."

Wow, she was actually very nice. A little bit annoying because she was so curious, but still. It could have been much worse, right? Hailey was just glad that she wasn't anything like Kairi.

Then, the boy who sat in front of her, turned in his seat, so she could finally see his face. He had long, silvery hair that shined beautifully when the sunlight hit it. It framed his chiselled face in an impossibly amazing way. His eyes had the same color as the sea. Hailey almost melted at that sight alone. She started to wonder why she hadn't noticed him before, when she was walking towards her seat.

And then his unusual haircolor. Maybe he and that Ansem-guy were family, or something. Her heart seemed to lose control for a moment. It was beating very fast. Too fast to be a good sign. She thought that everyone in the class could hear that sound.

"You know, you're not the only one who's bored right now," he assured her, his aquamarine eyes shimmering brightly.

Whoa, talking about the most adorable face I've ever seen in my whole life! Especially when he smiles and shows me his white teeth. But that's strange. I feel like I've seen him before. But that's impossible. I would never forget a face like that, so-

"Hey, you!"

Hailey and the rest of the class nearly got a heart-attack. Mr. Even looked furious at none other than Hailey! He had bulging eyes, like he was getting insane, ready to eat her alive... or worse.

Uh-oh, now I really am in trouble.

She gulped. Who was going to save her now? At least in her last school her friends attempted to help her out of the miserty, but she didn't know anyone here so that was out of the question now.

"Did I give you the intention that you could talk with her? I don't think so!"

Oh wait, he was talking about the silver-haired wonder it seemed, not about her. She did feel bad for him, though. Wait... silver-haired wonder? Why did she think that?

"But I do, old man," he said, looking calmly at hime.

All the students gasped. Nobody dared to call him an old man in his face, even if it was the truth. They knew very well what was coming now. They looked from the boy to the teacher and back to the boy again, like they were watching them play volleyball, or tennis or maybe even pingpong.

"How dare you? Show some respect for your elder! I'll send you to the headmaster. That serves you right! I never want to see that ugly face of yours again, until you've learned some manners!"

Hailey almost started to laugh at that statement. Ugly? She didn't think so. Look who's calling who ugly here. But she had to save him! He wouldn't survive a visit to Xehanort's office! Besides, he was telling him the truth. It looked like the other students were all little cowards. They wouldn't stand up for him.

"But that's not fair! He was just... helping me!" Hailey exclaimed, before she could really register what the heck she was actually doing to herself.

Oh, she and her big mouth. Now she would have to save him, and herself. But how?

Now everybody was looking at Hailey. She could tell from the look that was plastered on their faces that they were astonished. Astonished was even an understatement here.

"Wh- what?" the teacher asked, surprised as well.

He completely forgot to sound and to look angry. The attractive boy turned around as well. She could tell from his face that he was wondering what she was up to. Unfortunately, she had no idea. She wasn't that good at lying, but now she had no choice.

"He... just told me what you had written on the board, because I can't read it from here. So he was actually helping me. I didn't want to insult your lesson, so I asked him if he could help me. Please don't send him to the headmaster. Send me. It was all my fault. I'm very sorry."

Wait, what the hell was she saying? Why should she go to the headmaster... again? She didn't even do anything wrong yet!

The boy looked also astonished at her. He understood that she was just trying to help him. So apparently, he tried to save her butt, too.

"Mr. Riku, is she telling the truth?"

"Yeah, that's right. She's telling you the truth. Wow, it sure feels good knowing that your teachers always wish the best for you and always trust you, no matter what."

Some students giggled. Hailey could see that Mr. Even was thinking about this question. He had his doubts about both kids.

But suddenly she felt very strange. She had a headache all of a sudden and she heard a voice saying something.

Hmm... what shall I do. Xehanort told me to be nice to the girl. But the boy is a problem. He is such a spoiled brat. If he was helping her - suppose that I believe them both - then she's the one who has to visit the headmaster. But then it's off with my head and I can't risk my own life...

It was Mr. Even who said all this. At least, that's what she thought, since it was his voice.

"What?" Hailey asked surprised, interrupting him.

She wondered why he said that loud, since it only revealed what Xehanort had whispered to him. Now everybody knew, so it wasn't a secret anymore...