The Perfect Fall

Chapter 7- Changes

It had been a couple of weeks since I forgot about hanging out with Sora. He never called and I hadn't seen him. Yuffie and my parents finally had a civil talk about Yuffie's plans to move out. They agreed upon having a roommate, some guy Yuffie knew named Vincent, to help with rent since Yuffie only got a minimum wage job at a local clothing store.

I had been hanging out with Seifer more and talked to him about every night since I went to that mini party with him. We were able to learn more about each other. He constantly showered me with compliments.

Riku, Namine, and I were in my bedroom doing some studying, but mainly talking. It was Monday after school and we were already very bored.

Namine put her English book down on my bed. "This is so extremely boring."

"I'm with you on this one." Riku sighed looking down at his history notes.

"So what do you two want to do?" I asked as I leaned into my pillows. Before either could answer my cell phone rang. Riku grabbed it before I could. He stared at it.

"I don't know who this is." He handed it to me.

"Thank you." I said with slight sarcasm. I looked down and didn't recognize it either. I figured I should answer it before it stopped ringing in case they decided not to leave me a message. "Hello?"

"Kairi?" A familiar but not face recognizable voice said.

"Yeah?"

"Hey, it's Sora." I could instantly tell he was smiling which caused me to as well.

"Hey Sora!" I said happily. Riku and Namine were trying to listen carefully once they heard it was Sora. "How are you?"

"I'm doing fine. How about you?"

"Pretty good." I sat up.

"Hey, so did you still want to hang out?"

"Of course. I still feel bad for leaving you last time."

Sora laughed. "Well you want to hang out now?"

I looked at my best friends who had no idea what was going on. "Well I'm actually with Riku and Namine right now."

"Bring them along. I'm actually with the rest of the band too." Sora said.

"Alright," I smiled. "Where are we meeting you?"

"Midnight Sun Café." He answered.

"Okay, see you in a bit." We said our goodbyes and hung up the phone.

"So what are we doing?" Namine asked.

I stood up and stretched. "We're going to meet Sora and the rest of Silent Existence at Midnight Sun."

"Finally, something better to do." Riku said standing up.

Riku, Namine, and I headed into town to Midnight Sun Café where we would meet up with the band. The atmosphere was relieving. Late October always felt nice outside. (A/N: Yeah, I know, it's already October and I didn't even realize it!) Silent Existence's music immediately entered my ears once we walked inside the building. A few people were enjoying their time listening to the locals favorite teenage band practice for an upcoming concert. My friends and I found a table while the blonde haired Rikku took our orders.

We kept interested in the four boys from Centennial. After practicing two more songs, they set their instruments aside and joined us.

"Hey!" Sora waved enthusiastically. "You actually came."

"Haha," I replied with a smile as the boys scooted a nearby table against ours. "You're going to hold it against me forever, huh?"

"Maybe." He winked. Sora and I introduced our friends to everyone else.

"Roxas," Sora patted his fellow band mates shoulder and pointed next to me.

"This is Namine." I continued pointing to my best friend. She smiled politely and I don't know if it was just me, but Roxas seemed suddenly very pleased. I smiled.

"Nice to meet you." The honey blond haired boy smiled.

"Same with you." Namine nodded happily.

"So how long have you four been playing?" Riku decided to ask.

"We formed the band about a year and a half ago." Hayner, the base player, answered.

"How long have you known each other?" Namine stared at Roxas.

"Sora's and I grew up together pretty much," Roxas replied. "His aunt and my older brother, Cloud, went to high school together."

"That's cool that you two have stayed best friends of so long." My best friend smiled sweetly. I swore I could have seen Roxas blush slightly. Namine reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. I figured she was reading a text message.

"So how did you guys come up with the name?" Riku finally spoke up.

Pence beat everyone to the answer. "Well the four of us never seemed to be noticed our whole lives so the name just kind of flowed when we became a band."

"Love the name." I nodded. "It's really neat."

"Thanks." Sora smiled. He noticed that all of our drinks were getting low. "I'm going to go get us some refills."

"I'll come with you." I said getting up as he did. The two of us walked behind the counter while we left the others to talk. I watched Sora grab a pitcher from under the counter. "Uh, are we aloud to be doing this?"

Sora laughed as he began to fill it with some ice and some water. "It's fine. Tifa loves me so I have nothing to worry about."

"Okay... if you say so." I said hesitantly.

"Hey, so was it just me or did it feel like a few sparks flew when Roxas and Namine were introduced?" Sora asked.

"I thought for sure it was only me." I said staring over at our friends talking.

"He totally likes her." Sora said confidently. He had filled the pitcher up completely now. "I can tell."

"Dang, now if only Namine was single." I laughed. Of course I'd never say that to anyone else though. I liked Clay, really, it was just that something was still bothering me about the relationship.

"Poor Roxas when he finds out. He hasn't had much luck finding a girl that doesn't treat him like shit and take advantage of him." Sora frowned as we walked back to our tables. We sat back down in our chairs. I looked over at Roxas as him and Sora were talking. They seemed so much like Namine and I, it was crazy weird.

The bells on the door jingled happily letting the store know someone had entered. Once we notice Namine turn to look, the rest of us did too. The tall, light brown haired guy known as Clay had entered. He always gave the 'I'm too cool for anyone, you should all look at me' persona but now he seemed kind of low, like he didn't want to be seen by too many people. Namine waved him over eagerly. He sat in between Namine and Roxas.

"Guys, this is my boyfriend, Clay." Namine smiled happily as she leaned up to kiss him on the cheek. She introduced everyone around the table but I tuned it all out as I notice Sora and me watch the expression on Roxas's face change. I couldn't help but feel bad for this boy I hardly knew.

--

"So, Roxas seems like a really cool guy. Why hasn't he had much luck with girls?" I asked Sora once we stepped outside. Not too long after Clay showed up, Namine and him left. The rest of us stayed a while longer until Riku got in his car and left. Hayner, Pence, and Roxas left too. Sora offered to take me home as long as I could stay and help him clean.

"He's not very open with people, it's just the kind of guy he is. He tries to keep very few into his personal life." Sora said as we climbed into his car. "Even though he's an introvert, he still doesn't want to be alone. So since he doesn't ever let girls get too close, he makes up for it by showering them with words and gifts. Once the girl is satisfied, she leaves him with nothing but a broken heart."

I put my hand to my mouth. "Oh, my gosh. Poor guy."

"Yeah." Sora frowned. "I hate seeing him so low. He's such an amazing person once he does let you in."

"I really hope he finds someone someday soon." I sighed.

"Trust me," he said. "We all do, too."

Sora and I sat in silence for what seemed like ages. We drove through the city as I watched the many faces we passed. As I looked at all of their expressions, it made me wonder who really just had a mask on to hide who they really were and what they were feeling.

"Life really isn't what it seems to be, huh?" I finally asked.

"Huh?" I saw Sora look at me, but I just kept looking ahead.

"We all have secrets." I saw a happy couple with their little daughter at one street corner. On the following street I saw a timid girl getting yelled at by a boy, using his arms for more expression. I frowned as we passed them. "We're all hiding something from people and if we currently aren't, we will. No one seems to be truly happy or satisfied with their lives. It's sad really. We're always achieving for more and once we get something we've been wanting to have, all we want is more. Society has brainwashed us to be selfish. We should be so thankful for what we do have instead of being envious of those who have 'better', yet no one can seem to grasp that idea."

"Woah, Kairi." Sora said astonished. "That was deep. Where did that come from?"

I shrugged and stared out the passenger side window. "I don't know. Just felt the need to say it, but you know it's true." I looked over at him.

"I couldn't agree more." He nodded. We came to a stop sign heading into the suburbs I lived in. "But I don't think everyone feels like they need more. I'm sure there are some people who are very happy with what they have."

"Oh, yeah? Like who?"

Sora sat there and pondered at the thought. I smiled thinking I beat him. "Like me."

"Oh, come on, Sora." I leaned back into the seat and lightly hit him with the back of my hand. "You can't tell me there is nothing you want more than what you already have."

"After my parents died, I felt like I always needed more to be happy. Not until recently I realized I'm so grateful to even have a family member who is always there for me. My aunt, Aerith, she's one of the best people I know. She reminds me so much of my mom. There are kids in this world who don't even have any family members; kids are sitting alone wishing anything to have a mother and a father, or even an aunt. All they want is someone to love them. I have that. I have amazing friends, I keep meeting new ones and I've never been in trouble. I live in a decent sized house, we're not suffering with money, I have clean drinking water, I have food to eat when I'm hungry. Not everyone is that lucky when you look at other countries and it's so sad. So I'm very thankful for everything. I think I'm good for now." Sora smiled. I stared at him as we pulled to the front of my house.

"Why do you always have to out smart me with your amazing words?" I smirked.

"It's just a thing I'm talented at, I suppose." He laughed.

"Yes you are." I pulled him into a hug to both his and my surprise. "Don't ever change."

"I won't." His blue eyes looked into mine as I pulled back. "I'll talk to you later."

"Of course." I nodded as I climbed out of his car. Sora waited until I was in my house before driving down the street. It was nearly five and the house was empty. I always hated coming home to silence, it always bothered me because I felt so alone. I walked up the stairs to my bedroom and laid on my soft bed just wanting to sleep. Unfortunately, homework was calling my name and I knew I had to get it done.

A few days had passed and everything was nice and smooth. Seifer and I still talked every night which was great. Sora and I even talked on the phone once. School was even treating me swell. I was in the kitchen eating some toast with Yuffie next to me reading the newspaper. My dad had already gone to work and my mom was cleaning some dishes before she left.

"Hey girls," My mom said from the kitchen sink. I looked up to see her staring out the window. "Do you know who that is?" Yuffie and I stood up and peeked outside. A dark blue sports car was parked out front with very tinted windows. Soon my phone rang.

"Hello?" I asked not even looking at who it was since I was more curious as to who was idling outside my house.

"Hey," Seifer said. "Come on, I'm going to take you to school today. I'm already outside."

"Um," I was taken aback. "Alright. Be out in a second." We hung up the phone but I continued to watch Seifer's sports car.

"You know who that is?" My mom asked drying off her hands with a kitchen towel.

"Yeah, Seifer." I nodded putting away my phone.

"Oh, that one you told us about over dinner the other night. Aw, is he taking you to school?" Yuffie smiled with a slight twist of evil.

I stared at her. "Yeah..."

"You better not keep him waiting." She said peeking out the window again. "He could actually be your first boyfriend. Get out there."

"Hey!" I said. "Riku and I dated."

"Hardly." She rolled her eyes. Yuffie walked over to where I was seated and reached for my bag before handing it to me. "Go." She put her hands on my shoulder and led me to the front door.

"Bye Kairi! Have a good day!" My mom called after me. Before I could reply, I was shoved out the door. Talk about rude. I slowly made my way down the walkway toward Seifer's car. Once I reached for the handle, I heard it unlock.

"Hey beautiful." Seifer greeted me as I got inside and buckled up.

"Hi." I smiled. He started the car and I looked out the dark windows thinking about something that had just hit me. "What are you doing here randomly?"

"I said I was going to take you to school today. I've been waiting to do it for a while."

"That's slightly stalker-ish. Don't you think?" I laughed a little.

"Hey, you got to do, what you got to do." Seifer smirked.

"You could have asked me about it." I smiled

"That would be way too easy." He winked. "I like challenges."

"I don't know if that's a good or bad thing." I replied as we headed toward Douglas High.

"Why's that?" He asked.

"I just like the easier things, I suppose." I shrugged.

Seifer looked at me with a soft smile. "Well, with me, I'll make sure everything is easy then." I turned and smiled at him.

I arrived to school about ten minutes later where Seifer promised to pick me up out front after school. I walked into the commons where Riku and Namine were waiting for me.

"Wow, you seem happy." Namine smiled as I took a seat next to her at the table.

"How could you tell?" I asked innocently, trying to play it cool.

Riku, who was on the other side of Namine, raised an eyebrow as he leaned in. "Hum, what has gotten into you?"

"Seifer drove me to school. It just put me in a good mood, that's all." I smiled. Their reactions were completely opposite from each other. Namine suddenly perked up with a huge smile and eager to hear more. Riku scooted back slowly with wide eyes at first before narrowing them displeasingly.

"Why?" He asked. I could sense the annoyance in his voice already.

"I really don't know why, honestly." I replied nervously. "He just showed up this morning in front of my house waiting for me."

"That's so sweet!" Namine gleefully. I smiled apprehensively at her reply before looking back to see Riku thinking about what to say.

"I still don't know about this guy, Kairi." Riku crossed his arms and leaned back into his chair. He shook his head disapprovingly.

"Riku," I tilted my head a little and sighed. "Relax. I can take care of myself. You don't need to worry about me, I'm a big girl."

Namine looked at him. "You're not jealous, are you?"

"What gives you that impression?" He asked bitterly.

She raised an eyebrow, "Your tone for instance. Plus, why don't you like him?"

"None of us know him. He gives me a bad vibe and I just don't like him." Riku sat up stiffly. "What makes him think he deserves someone like Kairi?"

"You're just making yourself seem more jealous." Namine sighed under her breath, but Riku heard her.

"I'm not jealous!" He replied. "I care about Kairi but it doesn't mean I want to date her or anything. We tried that, remember?"

"Yeah, but still."

"Oh my god, Namine. Just- whatever. I'm leaving. See you two at lunch." Riku stood up and left down the hall. Namine and I watched him go.

"Did you have to go there?" I asked quietly after he disappeared into the crowd.

"Riku will get over. I know he doesn't like you that way." Namine said looking back at me. "I just wanted to see if he'd say any more about why he doesn't like Seifer. That's all. I'll apologize to him about it when I see him next."

"That would probably be the best idea." The bell finally rang for us to leave for class.

The day went by kind of slow at first just because I was so apprehensive about what happened earlier in the morning. Namine and Riku did apologize to each other for both of their reactions. Riku still wasn't too pleased about Seifer taking me home and even offered to take me himself. I assured him that everything would be fine but I could tell he still wasn't very convinced.

I walked out front after saying goodbye to my friends after school. Seifer's car was parked where he left me this morning. I smiled and got inside.

"These are for you." Seifer said once I looked at him. He reached into his backseat and handed me a six-inch tall, brown teddy bear and a single red rose.

I gasped as I stared at them. "Oh, my gosh. Seifer, this is amazing." I leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"I was hoping you'd think so." He grinned.

"What are they for?" I asked, inhaling the sweet aroma of the rose and hugging my teddy bear.

"Just because."

"I like just because things." I smiled happily.

He laughed. "I'll remember that. So how was school?" We pulled out of the school parking lot before the busses came and headed toward my house.

"Uh," I stalled for a bit. "It was alright."

"You don't sound too convincing."

"Riku wasn't too happy that you took me to school and came to pick me up." I don't know what caused me to tell him that.

Seifer thought about it for a little while. It really just made me very nervous. "Why's that?"

"I don't know." I answered. "He just doesn't like you."

"That's not fair to judge. He doesn't know me." He said shaking his head. "Whatever, he better learn to deal with it because I'm not going to stop hanging around you. I don't need his approval."

In a way it was sweet because it showed determination and proved nothing would stand in his way to be with me, but I knew Riku would not be happy to hear about this. I swallowed and stared out the window until we finally got to my house. I turned to look at Seifer as I pushed the door open. "Thanks again for driving me to school and back and thanks for my just because gifts."

"Anytime." He leaned over and pulled me into a kiss. His kisses always made me forget everything, especially when since they were always passionate ones. He slowly pulled back and I frowned. "What?" Seifer laughed.

"I was just getting into it." I sighed. I couldn't believe I even admitted that. I mentally slapped myself.

"I only stopped because it looks like we have company." He pointed outside. I turned to see my sister leaning against the door with her arms crossed and a very pleased grin on her face. I rolled my eyes.

"That's just my sister. I better go. Thanks again." I smiled and climbed out. Seifer waved at me before driving off. I headed up toward the front door. "Thanks a lot, Yuffie."

"No problem." She smiled. Her eyes wandered down to my gifts. "Aw! How sweet! You need to invite him over sometime so I can meet him."

"Uh, yeah... sure." I nodded sarcastically before walking past her.

---

The night was a cool one, a little chillier than most nights lately. Namine had come over to do our English homework together which we finished quickly. We were wrapped up in a large blanket outside my bedroom window. Thankfully it was a clear night so the stars were in perfect view. We didn't talk right away because there was no need to. I had a CD I made for us a year ago playing in my room for background music.

"So how are you and Clay?" I asked Namine after nearly twenty minutes of silence.

She sighed happily. "Everything's great. He always puts his hand to my stomach wondering if the baby feels him. It's so sweet."

"That's good that he's actually there for you and the baby. He needs to take that responsibility."

"Of course!" Namine said. "It's his kid after all."

Before I could answer, a little rock flew up at us. It barely missed my head. "Hey!" I said sitting up quickly. As I was leaning down to see where it came from, another one shot up. I was surprised to see who was doing it.

"Hey, that was quick. I haven't even managed to hit your window." Seifer said looking up at me. He dropped the handful of little rocks into the bushes.

"That's because Namine and I are outside and you nearly hit me in the head with them." I replied.

"Oops," He said suddenly. "Sorry about that."

"What are you doing here?" I scooted to the edge of the roof to get a better look at him. Seifer was dressed in a baggy, black hoodie, and dark blue jeans.

"I came to see you, duh." He smiled.

I stared around the quiet neighborhood making sure no one was spying out their window. "This is random of you."

"Yeah, well," He shrugged. I looked back at Namine, who was smiling.

"So..." I said looking around before looking back at him.

"I have something to ask you." Seifer called up to me.

"Yes?"

"Will you go out with me?" I was stunned. I quickly was joined by Namine at my side who also looked down.

"Wha- are you serious?" I asked in a loud whisper.

"Of course." Seifer grinned. "Kairi, I really like you a lot. I think you're the most amazing girl who is completely down to earth with a great head on her shoulders. I want to make you mine."

Riku instantly appeared in my mind from earlier. I knew for a fact he wouldn't be pleased with my decision, but he would support me no matter what. At least I hoped... "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend."

"I was hoping to hear you say that." He smiled softly.

A/N: So yeah, that is chapter 7. Finally, the good stuff is coming! I updated sooner than I actually thought I would, but there are reasons for that. My boyfriend's leave date is being moved to April 24. To find out reasons why and updates on my life, visit the Dear Diary website in the Progresssection. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!