Chapter 6

Lumaria's POV

The night of the dance had finally arrived. The night was perfect: not a cloud was in the sky and the full moon shone brightly onto Radiant Garden. I fidgeted with my tie as I examined myself in the mirror, anxious about the night. I was wearing a simple black vest over a white collared shirt, black slacks, and a silver tie that glittered slightly. I drew in my breath and pulled on my blazer, completing my look. A smile made its way across my lips as I pulled back my long pink hair into a low ponytail. Tonight was defiantly going to be a night I'll remember.

I stepped into the cool night air and began to walk to Renale's house. The fog from earlier in the afternoon had lifted and dewdrops clung to the grass. I was a little nervous; after all this was my first date with a girl I actually liked willingly. The stars shone upon the street as Renale's house came into view. My body tensed and the relaxed before I stepped up to the door and knocked.

Renale's appearance took my breath away. Instead of her normal apparel of old jeans and a t-shirt she wore a black dress that rode her curves magnificently. Silver lined the bottom and a sash was tied around the dress as well. Black ballet flats and a shrug replaced her converse and grey sweatshirt. A silver diamond necklace hung around her neck and a black clip pinned back her hair.

I found myself stuttering for words. Renale leaned against the doorframe and she smirked slightly.

"Are you going to stand there all night?" She laughed.

My mouth finally worked again. "Come on, we should get going. You look magnificent," I complemented.

"Thanks, it's not what I would usually wear," Renale replied as we walked down the street. "A good friend of mine took me to get this dress,"

"She has good taste," I nodded at her.

We were silent as we walked through the moon-soaked streets. The night air was cool and quiet but as we neared the school, the sound of music followed through the air. Renale tensed slightly and gripped my arm. I squeezed her hand reassuringly and smiled at her. Renale gave me a shaky smile in return as the school came into view.

"Are you nervous?" I asked her.

"A little, I don't like big crowds," She admitted, a blush crawling across her cheeks.

"Just stand by me and you'll be okay," I held her hand as we entered the school.

We walked down the hallway and into the gym where the dance was in full swing. A giant banner that read WELCOME hung above the doorway, green and red ribbons curling at the edges. Holiday colored streamers hung everywhere and the disco ball threw splashes of different hues everywhere. Students were dressed up and were dancing to the ear-pounding music that blasted from the massive speakers by the DJ.

Renale and I wondered through the swarm of students as the music blasted, her hand never leaving my grasp. Some students jokingly winked and whistled at us, much to our annoyance. I saw Lea leaning against the wall of the gym with Isa beside him, an eyebrow raised. The redhead quickly walked over, handing me a high-five.

"You finally got rid of Hikari? Nice dude," He nodded as Isa approached behind him.

Lea is the crazy kid that everyone seems to like. He has spiky red hair that stands up like flickering flames and green eyes. He was wearing a pair of jeans and a red shirt under a dark green vest. At least he had some holiday sprit in him. Isa, on the other hand, was Lea's complete opposite. He was calm and quiet most of the time. He had blue hair that spiked up slightly in the back and green eyes similar to Lea's. Isa was slightly anti-social, so I'm assuming Lea dragged him here only because he was wearing jeans and a dark blue hoodie with a crescent moon on the sleeve.

"Hey Lumaria, what's up?" Isa asked.

"Renale and I just got here, do you have dates?" I wondered, since most of the time girls who think they're hot are chasing them.

"Who would want to go out with a social reject like me?" Isa asked jokingly, a smile playing with his lips.

"He's dating the social reject," Renale nudged me slightly.

"I'm still single and proud of it!" Lea exclaimed as a couple girls squealed. "Gotta go! Fangirls! Have nice date!" He gave me a quick wave before he bolted with Isa behind him.

The lights dimmed as the quick beat of modern music faded and turned into a slow song. Couples around us fell into each and began to sway to the gentle music. I gently wrapped my arms around her waist as she rested her arms around my shoulders. Renale was slightly tense, but I soothed her by planting a quick kiss on her forehead. She smiled back as the soft words of the music floated through the air…

I miss the sound of your voice
And I miss the rush of your skin
And I miss the still of the silence…
As you breathe out and I breathe in

If I could walk on water, if I could tell you what's next
Make you believe, make you forget…

So come one get higher and loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just to pull me down hard, and drown me in love

So come one get higher and loosen my lips
Faith and desire and the swing of your hips
Just to pull me down hard, and drown me in love…

I miss the sound of your voice
The loudest thing in my head
And I ache to remember…
All the violent, sweet, perfect words that you said

If I could walk on water, if I could tell you what's next
Make you believe, make you forget…

"Everything that's ever caused you pain," I whispered in her ear, finishing the sentence.

I leaned forward to kiss her, but something pulled me back. I whirled around and came face-to-face with a very pissed off Hikari. She was dressed in a really short (and by short I mean that if it were a hundredth of an inch shorter, you would see her underwear) dark green dress with a layered skirt. She was wearing way too much make-up, with at least three bottles of mascara alone.

"Lumaria, what the hell are doing with her?" She demanded.

"Beat it, Hikari. I thought this was a strict no bitches party," Renale growled as students began to gather around. Just what I needed: a fight between my ex-girlfriend and Renale.

"Same with me, I thought you would be so busy getting beat up by your dad to come," Hikari teased as Renale's hand shook. "You are just like him, a violent-"

"Shut the hell up!" Renale screamed at Hikari, who smirked. "Lumaria hated you, why do you keep coming back?"

"I should get whatever I want! I have the best grades, the best talent, and what is my reward? Nothing!" Hikari yelled. "You just come here, thinking you're better than me, and steal my boyfriend!"

"I'm not a complete slut like you! Lumaria likes me who I am, and not because I forced him too!" Renale shouted over the muttering voice of the students that surrounded us.

"You just want someone that makes you feel loved! Your dad hates you because you're just a teenage dirt bag! You don't have a life or any friends!" I could see Renale shaking slightly. "Nobody loves you because you're a violent jerk! You're afraid to get close to anyone because you're afraid they're going to leave you just like your mom!"

Renale just stood there, a hand over her heart. I could see her trying to fight back the tears, but her green eyes were welling up with tears. Hikari smirked, thinking she had won when she had just crossed the line.

"At least I'm not slutty and ungrateful! I'm actually happy with my looks and don't need two bottles of make-up to cover up the ugliness!" Renale screamed as she walked towards Hikari. "I actually know what to appreciate and don't expect anything! At least I'm not a spoiled, thickheaded, stuck-up, anorexic baby!" Renale's anger soared as she pushed Hikari. Hikari lost her balance on her five-inch heels and fell backwards into the refreshment table, breaking it im half. Fruit punch and hot coco spilled all over her dress and a small cake went flying and landed right on her head. Renale shot at her the final I'll-kill-you-later glare before she stomped out of the gym.

I ran after her, some of students muttering about the fight. I didn't care if it was about me; I just wanted to find Renale. The night outside had grown colder and my breath was like fog. Quiet sobs echoed through the night and they guided me towards Renale. She was sitting under the tall oak tree out front; tears flowing freely down her cheeks. I sat beside her and draped my blazer over her shoulder, making her look up in surprise.

"Lumaria…?" Her voice sounded unsteady.

"I know you're disappointed but you gave Hikari what she deserved back there: just deserts. Hikari was only saying that to make you feel bad," I put my arm around her shoulders.

"But s-she's right. I h-have no friends and I'm afraid to get close to anyone, because I'm a-afraid they'll leave me like my mom," Renale sobbed. "And if it wasn't for Arina, I wouldn't even be here right now…"

I hugged her tight. "I love you Renale, I don't need anything else when I'm around you. Not money, fame, or anything else…just you," I played with her beautiful blonde hair. "And you were right about Hikari, she is REALLY anorexic,"

Renale was silent for the longest time. I couldn't what she was thinking but she threw her arms around me and pulled me into a tight hug. Tears still flowed down her face and dripped onto my shirt as snow began to fall over the town. Renale sobbed a couple more times before her green orbs met mine.

"Lumaria, I may not be the girl you want after you see this…" Renale turned her wrist over to reveal a mark that was a pale shade of red that went down to the crock of her elbow. It even looked recent and self-inflicted…my mouth fell open. I could only stare at her in shock.

"Y-Y-You…" I couldn't even finish the sentence.

"Yes, I even tried to commit suicide. Just before you met me," She finished.

Larxene looked at the ground. "Yeah, Renale felt so tormented and lost. She thought the world would've been better off without her,"

"Renale did have a little bit of Zexion in her," Marluxia laughed.

"And Lumaria was such a pretty boy back then, now that I look at it," Larxene rested a hand on her hip. "Namine was right: remembering one thing leads to another, exactly like a chain of memories. Reminisce can bring back so many memories that have been locked away inside out hearts for years. I wonder…would we dig up even more memories if we continue?"

Marluxia smirked playfully. "You're starting to sound like Vexen,"

"You're starting to sound like a smart-ass," Larxene replied. "Should we continue? We're only getting to the good part, Romeo,"

Author: I've been struck by insperation! When Lumaria told her that he didn't money, fame...etc I got that from the song "If I Had You" By Adam Lambert. Speaking of him, I just saw him in concert and he was AMAZING! I feel really motivated now and I typed this whole thing up in literally and hour. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

~yukihikari99

PS The song Lumaria and Renale danced to was "Come on Get Higher" By Matt Nathanson