Finally, after a year and almost a month of not updating. I finally manage to pull this chapter out of my brain and update!

-cheers-

Anyway. I should give you all some warning. I spent this past year working on my problems with grammar, punctuation, and spelling. But in the process I lost my ability to write well, so that is what kept me from writing this chapter.

But because of me losing touch with my writing abilities, and then regaining them slowly. The way I write is a little different.

Also, from this chapter forward I'm going to be concentrating on four main couples, not just Roxas and Axel. AkuRoku, Soriku, Zemyx, and Cleon; are the couples you'll be reading a lot about.

AND if you notice that this chapter begins with an intro; this will not be a regular thing. I will use intros when I need to explain something I don't want to put in the chapter.

Anyway you probably--after a year of waiting--don't want to be reading this so on with the chapter...after my disclaimer!

Disclaimer: I NO OWN! I only own the plot...sort of!

Intro:

Cloud sighed having just been told Sora's predicament with Riku.

"All I can say Sora is talk to Riku; he may not be mad at all.

Chapter Seven:

(Sora's P.O.V)

"Can you see him Rox?" I asked from my convenient hiding place—inside a bush.

"I do…"

"Well…what's he doing?"

Roxas sighed and sat down by the bush I was hiding in. "He's walking to school Sora; something we should be doing too."

"I know, I know; we'll start once Riku has passed."

I know what you are all wondering—or maybe you're not… "Sora why are you in a bush?" Well friends; I'm obviously hiding from Riku! "Why Sora?" Because dear readers—I'm scared to face him.

"Hey Roxas…"

Riku's voice pulled me from my internal conversation with the readers of this story.

"Hey Riku…"

I held my breath not wanting to give away my hiding spot.

"Why is…"

Roxas put his index finger up to his lips.

"What can I do for you Riku?"

Riku looked over at the bush I was hiding in. I was silently praying he didn't notice I was in here.

"Um…have you seen Sora? I went to pick him up this morning—like always—but he had already left."

Roxas shook his head sadly; "sorry Riku, I haven' seen him."

Riku sighed glancing at my bush sadly. "Alright; if you see him, tell him I'd like to talk."

I watched as Riku walked away; my heart aching with every step he took. "I'm sorry Riku, I really am…"

Roxas stood up and pulled me out of the bush. "Do you remember what Cloud told you?"

I nodded dusting off my knees.

"Well maybe you should take his advice."

I grabbed my backpack out from the bush and threw it over my shoulder. "I know I should…but I'm scared to."

Roxas sighed; "well you can't keep avoiding him forever."

"Why not?"

"You're horrible at it…"

"Whad'da mean?"

"He knew you were in the bush…"

"Aw man!" I whined; "I was sure it was a genius hiding place!"

Roxas laughed and started walking again. "It would have been, if it weren't for your hair poking out of the top of it."

0-0-0

(Roxas' P.O.V)

I leaned against the locker next to Namine's. "He Nam…"

Namine looked over at me and smiled; "Hey Roxas; how was your summer?"

I sighed; "eventful…"

"Was it now?"

I nodded; "you missed a lot while you were at art camp."

She closed her locker and leaned against it; "Did I?"

I nodded again.

"Care to share?"

I shook my head; "I'll tell you later."

She nodded; "so…how's Blake?"

"Gone."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"How's the whole situation with Steffen and Axel?"

"They broke up…"

"Oh that's wonderful Roxas!"

I shook my head; "I'm currently not talking to Axel."

She gave me a confused look; not that I blame her. Axel and I…are inseparable…were inseparable.

"How come?"

"He's a jerk who doesn't know what he wants!"

She frowned and pushed away from her locker. "Well there is always my plan!"

I fallowed her down the hall; "No thanks Nam. Your plan scared me the first time…"

She pouted; "I think it's a genius idea!"

"I'm sure you do."

She playfully punched me in the arm. "Shut up Rox, it so is a genius plan!"

I laughed; "Alright it's a genius plan. But we're still not doing it…"

"How come?"

"Because Axel has to beg for my forgiveness!"

She gave me a puzzled look; "care to share the story now?"

I sighed; "It all started with a "Mental Corps" concert…"

0-0-0

(Normal P.O.V)

"A bush, are you serious?"

Riku nodded running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, it's pretty pathetic actually…"

Axel looked across the hallway at Sora—who was currently talking to Tidus.

"He doesn't seem to be avoiding you…"

"Yeah, that's because I'm not trying to talk to him. If I were to walk over there, he'd run."

"Man that sucks dude…"

"Riku…can I talk to you?"

Riku turned around to find a nervous Kairi.

"Sure Kai, what can I do for you?"

She took in a deep breath; "Riku...for a long time now…I…I've liked you…as more than a friend."

Axel snickered; Riku sighed. "I'm sorry Kai…I can't return your feelings."

Something snapped inside Kairi. "Is it somebody else?"

Riku nodded; "I'm afraid so…"

"They can't have you!" She snapped all traces of "nice" Kairi completely gone.

Riku sighed; "I'm trying to get THEM right now…"

"I'll make sure it doesn't happen!"

"Oh my god Kairi shut up!" Axel said leaning over Riku's shoulder.

Kairi glared, ignoring Axel. "Every girl in this school is scared of me. I'll make sure they all stay away from you."

"Oh come on, not every girl is scared of you Kairi, plus have you ever thought that maybe it's not a girl Riku likes?"

"Oh shut up Axel, Riku is so not gay!"

"Ha, shows how much YOU know!"

"AXEL, KAIRI, both of you SHUT UP!"

Both Axel and Kairi looked over at Riku wide eyed.

"Axel, I can fight my own battles. Kairi, fuck off! I don't like you; I never liked you, and never will like you. I'm sorry, get over it and leave me the hell alone!" Riku yelled and stormed off.

The hallway was dead quiet after Riku's little outburst.

Sora slowly walked over to Axel and stared up at him. "What was that all about?"

Axel sighed; "Kairi confessed."

"AH!"

0-0-0

"Welcome students to English ten. I'm your teacher Mr. Strife, but call me Cloud please."

"WOAH! I know you! You're Roxas' older brother!"

Cloud sighed already feeling a headache forming. "Yes, and I know you. You're Demyx, Roxas' annoying friend."
Demyx grinned form the back of the room; "yep, that's me!"

Cloud sighed; "that's…great… Alright class; for the first term we'll be concentrating on poetry."

Everybody in the class groaned with the exception of Demyx—who loved poetry—and Zexion—who didn't care.

"For your first assignment, I want you guys to write Haikus—presuming you know how to write one—about yourself, partner up and read it to them once you are done.

Demyx smiled and quickly wrote his haiku; he then proceeded to bounce over to Zexion.

"Hey Sexy – Zexy; be my partner pretty please?"

Zexion looked up, not too pleased about the use of his horrid nick name "Sexy-Zexy."

"Sure Demyx."

Demyx grinned and sat down in front of him.

Not a lot of people knew; but Demyx had the biggest crush on Zexion.

He was thrilled when he found out that Zexion was attending the same high school. Demyx had spent most of the summer worrying about never seeing the short blunette again.

"Well Demyx…let's hear your Hakiu."

Demyx grinned and held up his paper.

"My name is Demyx.

I love water and cake.

Axel is my best friend."

Demyx looked up from his paper and grinned. "So whatcha think Zex?"

Zexion sighed; "your mind is so simple."

Demyx pouted.

"But…it was good."

Demyx grinned and lunged himself over Zexion's desk and attached himself to his neck.

"Demyx, stop trying to rape Zexion in the middle of class!"

0-0-0

(Roxas' P.O.V)

After the hectic summer; I felt at peace surrounded by my friends during lunch. That was until Axel walked over with Riku.

Right now I wasn't on good terms with Axel; and Sora was avoiding Riku.

So when they walked over to our table; Sora got up quickly.

"I have to go see Cloud!" Sora quickly spouts before funning away.

"What's up with him?" Demyx asked.

Riku sighed sitting next to me—which I was thankful for, because it kept Axel from sitting next to me.

"I would like to know too Dem…"

"He's scared." I said leaning against my hand.

Riku looked at me; "Of what?"

"Rejection duh; he's like you for so long and now you know he's gay so he's scared. And it doesn't help that he's watched my rejection tear apart a strong friendship."

The last part of my sentience was laced with a bit of venom and shot at Axel.

"He's scared I'm going to reject him?"

I nodded; "yep, pretty much."

"Is he really going to Cloud's room?"

I nodded again; "go get him. I'm sure Cloud will help you keep him cornered."

Riku nodded and got up, leaving the spot next to me empty. And of course Axel took the opportunity to slide in next to me.

"Still sour huh Roxy?"

I was going to ignore the read head; but Namine—who was on my other side—elbowed me in the ribs.

"Of course I am Axel."

"Good."

I gave him a puzzled look; that wasn't the answer I wanted from him. I wanted him to apologize and beg me to forgive him.

"Good?"

He nodded; "yes. It gives me a reason to show you how sorry I am. Of course, if you give me the opportunity."

I was honestly shocked; I didn't expect that kind of answer. But the thought of him working hard pleased me.

"We'll see Axel."

Axel grinned and kissed my cheek. "Thanks Roxy." He got up and quickly walked inside.

When Axel was inside Namine looked over at me. "There is always MY plan."

I shook my head along with the rest of our group; "No Namine."

0-0-0

(Sora's P.O.V)

I was sitting in the back of Cloud's room thinking about my "avoid Riku the rest of the day" plan; when Riku walked in.

He walked over to Cloud and whispered something; and before I could escape, Cloud got up and left—most likely guarding the door.

I looked around the room for any way to escape, but there was none. I silently curse Cloud for having one of the windowless rooms.

Riku looked over at me, sadness filling his eyes.

"I've finally cornered you."

I gulped as he started to walk toward me.

"I'm sorry Riku; I know it's creepy that I'm gay. But you weren't supposed to find out! You're friendship means more to me than being out of the closet. So if you could please forget about it…I'd appreciate it."

By the time I was finished, Riku was right in front of me.

He was standing so close to me I could feel his tantalizing (1) breath on my cheeks.

His aquamarine colored eyes were burning holes into me, as he stared down at me.

"No Sora, I don't think I can forget."
"What, Riku I know…"

I was cut off by Riku softly pressing his lips against mine.

It took me a few milliseconds for it register in my brain that Riku was kissing me. But before I got the opportunity (2) to kiss him back; he had pulled away.

"I like you Sora…a lot."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around his waist; "I really like you too!"

(1) I am pretty much obsessed with that word! Honest to goodness!

(2) I noticed while writing this, that near the end my favorite word to use is opportunity! LOL; I'm to lazy to use a thesaurus.

Anyway; thank you for reading!

Love it? Hate it? Review it anyway!