Chapter seven

I stayed in bed most of the next morning. I didn't have the TV on because most of the news was about the Raines and they were the last people I wanted to hear about. Not that I was trying not to think about Roxas or anything, it's just, yesterday was a bit too much to take in. I have never been in a house that big, let alone a house full of criminals. I could hear Kairi watching the news outside the room. I only knew it was about the Raines when she stormed in and looked at me.

"Why are you on TV?" She looked at me, confused and exasperated. I raised an eyebrow at her and she ripped the remote off the nightstand, turning on the TV on the other wall.

On the screen was a picture of me digging in my purse, tucking my hair behind my ear, looking up at Roxas. Roxas was standing with an irritated look on his face, mouth open. I realized that this is when he asked me if I wanted a ride home. My mouth dropped. The news station had dubbed me the 'mystery girl'.

"Yeah, what does this mean?" She wasn't angry or anything like I was expecting her to be for hanging out with Roxas. She was just, confused more or less.

At that moment, a knock was heard at the door, and Kairi rushed over to open it while I pulled myself out of bed. I was clad in sweatpants, a bun on the top of my head. As I walked into the living room, arms crossed to keep myself warm, I saw Sora standing there.

"Hey Namine." I offered him a small smile. "Have you seen the news?"

Kairi nodded furiously. "I don't understand! Damn, paparazzi don't get it do they! Just barging into peoples lives." She huffed.

"They gossip is hilarious. 'Raines heir secret lover' or something or other." He laughed. I shot him a glare. "Okay, I'm sorry."

"Anyway, why are you here, Sora?" Kairi asked him, shrugging off the earlier predicament.

"That's right!" He dug in his pocket and pulled out an envelope that had been slightly crushed. The writing was in neat, elegant print on the cover. It was address to Kairi and myself. Ripping it open, Kairi and I saw that it was a formal invitation to the Raines Annual Winter Party.

"Eh?" Kairi shouted at the paper in her hand. "What?"

Sora smiled sheepishly while I stood off to the said with a raised eyebrow.

"Come on, even I was invited. Just accept the invitation. My brother isn't all that bad. He just tries to act badass." The party was extremely exclusive.

"But your family hates me!" Kairi pouted.

"Apparently not." Sora shrugged. "Anyway, it's this weekend. Sorry it's such short notice."

Kairi stomped her foot a little bit. "But what will I wear?"

"I'm sure anything you wear will be fine, Kairi." She sighed, but nodded. Looking at me for conformation that we were going, I nodded back at her. What could happen?


The dress that I was wearing was picked out by Kairi herself. It was mid-thigh length. The top half formed around my waist, and the bottom ballooned out slightly in ruffles. All of it was white and it was absolutely beautiful. Kairi even let me borrow her black high heels. She added some clips in my hair to make it more appealing.

Kairi's dress was the same length as mine, but it was all form fitted to her body, no straps, and a white bow held across her middle. Silver heels adorned her feet. Unlike me, she didn't do anything special with her hair, and I smiled at her.

"Sora is going to help us show up in style." She winked at me. When I raised an eyebrow, she explained. "On nights like these, his family provides transportation for him. He's picking us up."

Just as Kairi said, Sora pulled up not that long after. It sort of felt like a dream and a nightmare. Not only were we going to a high class party, in actuality, it wasn't high class at all. It was a bunch of criminals. The Raines's house had cars upon cars inside the gates. People were walking up the steps and paparazzi were trying to make their way up to take pictures. Music could be heard from the inside. When the car pulled up the steps, Sora got out first, then helping Kairi and myself out. Just to humor himself, he had us wrap our arms around his as we walked up.

We were all led to a high floor of the building. The walls were all glass, so you could see the entire city lit up in the night. People were all around, drinking, talking, you name it. It took me while to scan the crowd. I saw Hayner standing with a brunette girl near a piano. Many men in black suits.

And then I noticed Roxas.

He was making his way towards us. He had on a suit, though the shirt was black, like everything else. It made his blond hair stand out.

"I'm glad you guys came!" He said with a sheepish grin. Kairi huffed. "Aw, don't be like that!"

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine. If you insist."

Roxas scanned all of us. Going from Sora, to Kairi, to myself. He looked me up and down, making me feel a bit uncomfortable under his gaze. He smiled.

"You look pretty."

I didn't know how to show my thanks so I just smiled. A lightbulb went off in his head.

"There is someone I want you to meet!" He took my hand and started leading me around the circular room. I had to jog slightly to keep myself from being dragged. After a minute or two, we arrived at a table that had a man and woman sitting at it. The man had unruly blond hair like Roxas, though he didn't look too happy to be there. The woman had waist length black hair, a sweet smile on her face. Although, Roxas did not introduce me to the man.

"Namine, this is Tifa Lockhart. Tifa, this is Namine." She shook my hand politely. "Tifa is a historian here. I figured you like history with that expensive ass book I bought you the other day." I had so many questions to ask, but I obviously couldn't voice them as I took a seat. I looked at Roxas with a pleading look to help me out.

"You like history, Namine? What would you like to know?" Roxas chuckled.

"I'm sorry, Tifa. I forgot to mention. She can't speak at the moment." She raised a hand to her mouth in slightly shock and then put it down and apologized. Roxas dug around in his pocket for a pen and handed me it with a napkin.

Quickly scrawling down my question on the napkin, I passed it to her. She accepted it with a smile.

"The civil war? You're asking me for my opinion on a moment in history that hasn't happened yet?" I nodded in conformation. "Clever." She took a breath before continuing. "Well to be honest, forget everything you heard the media say. Forget that it is a fight over the power of the dynasty or whatnot. The media just wants a story. The war started long ago in my opinion. But, no one knows why it began or what we are even fighting for today. Someone, somewhere, got angry about something and people chose sides I suppose. Many—unknowning individuals—believe that this 'civil war' will be a war with politics. But, the most of us know what will happen."

I raised an eyebrow at that.

"Bloodshed. The people are fighting over nothing. We don't even know why we are fighting anymore. The only thing the most of us can do is protect what is left of the sane portion of this dynasty." She turned towards Roxas. "We have to protect this bloodline and let it continue to have the Raines as its leaders. Without them—murders and crimes will increase more than they already are. And they won't just increase on the suburban and civilian life. It will increase inside here as well."

I looked at her as I took it all in. It was so much different that what I had heard before. Roxas nodded solemnly at me from the side of the table. I took the napkin back and began writing on it again before passing it back to her.

"Who's side am I on?" She smiled. "The Raines of course. And if the war does turn bloody, you can guarantee that I will be on the front lines."

Roxas chuckled at my confusion. "Not only is Tifa our historian, she is a martial arts master."

Tifa held up a fist. "Damn straight!" I smiled.

Tifa looked at her watch and announced that she had somewhere to be and that it was a pleasure to speak with me. I shook her hand before she departed and sat down again in the chair, hands folded in my lap. Roxas had his arms on the table, looking at me.

I wanted to ask him why he was trying to be friends with me in the first place. What was so interesting about me that he wanted to know? I tried to open my mouth to say something. Anything.

"You don't have to force yourself, you know." He told me, smirk on his face. Though I didn't find this a laughing manner. "Although, if you could talk to me, I would ask you why you couldn't. Wait, did that make sense?" I smiled.

He took his hand and rested it on mine. "Don't force yourself to talk. Whatever trauma or something that you went through, you'll deal with it in time. I guess this is your brain's way to dealing with it."

I nodded and sighed. "Yeah." As soon as the breath escaped my lips, it was gone. I knew I wouldn't get those words back and I knew I wouldn't be able to say anything else. My throat closed up out of pure shock. It had to have been years since I heard my own voice like that. Roxas stared at me.

"You—You have a pretty voice." He said, dumbstruck. I blushed and glared. "It was a compliment." As I was about to smile and roll my eyes, ignoring the feeling of my heart thudding in my chest, the tension in the room exploded .I could feel it from everyone.

Outside the windows, I saw helicopters. Not police or military, but private helicopters. Some people gasped, others stared.

"What the hell?" Was all Roxas was able to make out.


Yay! I updated. I was really in a writing mood, which is why I updated so fast. Anywho—here you go!

Chapter Eight preview:

Roxas took me by the hand, leading me down the stairs instead of the elevator. He was rushed and agitated. Before I knew it, he threw open big double doors that led to an empty room with a long table in the center. My heels echoed on the marble floor. He held my shoulders tightly.

"Stay in here." I wanted to protest. "Please. I'll be right back."

He closed the doors behind himself and all I could hear is the sound of doors slamming open.