CHAPTER SEVEN
Monday morning, Axel didn't turn up to school. Roxas was no longer his mentor, but neither did he have to use that as a reason to care where the redhead was anymore. His disappointment twisted throughout the day to become worry. At lunchtime, he picked at his food, not tasting, not hungry. Noticing his anxiety, Hayner nudged him with a toe.
"Just call the freak. He probably fell over those bean-pole legs on the way to school and needs help getting pulled out of a briar patch."
"Hayner, be nice," Olette scolded, poking him in the side.
"I can't call him," Roxas sighed. "I don't have his number."
"You don't? Oh, come on, what kind of boyfriend is he?"
Roxas glared. "He's not my boyfriend. And why should I care that he's not at school, anyway?"
"Oh, right, because that depressed little face you've got going on, that's just a default expression. Roxas doesn't care at all."
Sulking, Roxas took a bite of his lunch. The rest of the day passed, and still, no Axel. Roxas missed him, couldn't help but remember that the redhead had crushed his watch the day before… The watch that always had him running off for some errand or whatever, and the one time he ignores it – the next day he just doesn't turn up? He'd said just last night that he'd be there… Did he get sick? Was he doing the deadline thing today instead of coming to school? Was he – in trouble?
Work crawled by, the blond perched on the stool behind the counter, glancing up sharply every time a customer entered, hoping to see a wild thatch of crimson scrape the top of the doorframe. Never before had he hated the soccer moms and little brats that walked in like he did right now, wishing them all off the face of the planet if only Axel would be there in their place.
"Stupid Roxas," he hissed at himself, scraping a hand, frustrated, through his hair. "Can't go one day without the bean-pole? Stupid."
A week had passed, almost to the hour, since he had first collided with Axel's chest and grazed his palms. One week. One week, and he wanted to leave, one week, and he wanted the guy with stalker-tendencies to always be around, one freaking week. It was too much, too soon, and Roxas felt like he couldn't breathe not knowing where the redhead had gone.
Had he left? No. Axel wouldn't have gone without him. And if he came this minute, sweaty and out of breath, and told Roxas that it was time? What would Roxas do?
He was pretty damn sure what he'd do, and it didn't involve reseating himself behind the counter to continue his homework.
Stupid Roxas.
Stupid Axel. Why had he never shown Roxas where he lived? Why didn't the blond have his number? Why was it that, if he so chose, Axel could come and fling rocks at his window in the middle of the night, but Roxas couldn't even call him to ask if he was okay when he wasn't where he said he'd be?
Well, damn it, that was going to change. Roxas stabbed his pen moodily into his history paper. Tomorrow morning, he'd get Axel's number, his address, his blood type if necessary. The redhead liked his secrets way too much, and if he wasn't going to tell Roxas anything about himself in a personal way, he could at least allow the blond to get in touch with him when he wanted to. How one-sided was this friendship supposed to be, anyway?
Decided, slightly calmer because of it, Roxas was able to get through the rest of his shift without screaming at the cliental. Five-thirty rolled around, and Roxas could close the store. Wearily, he swept the shop, restocked the shelves, straightened everything, wiped down the counter, and set the alarm. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and locked the door, exiting into the cool night. He huffed a sigh, eyes darting around, feet taking him slowly in the hopes that maybe Axel was out wandering.
Halfway across the tram common, ten minutes from home, he slowed even further, a strange prickling at the back of his neck. He halted, letting the breeze flip his clothing, expression cautious as he glanced about. Still haunting his memories was the encounter with Seifer, yesterday in the tunnels. When Seifer found them on Sunset hill, he'd given no sign that anything had happened between them. He had said nothing of the tunnels, and Roxas was under the impression that if he asked the blond about it, all he'd receive was a blank look and an insult. Seifer hadn't been there. Not the real Seifer – not the flesh and blood one that used to pound him and Hayner back in fifth grade.
That was a scary thought, because Roxas was now forced to wonder exactly what the hell he had encountered in the tunnel. Between ghost trains, enchanted walls, living shadows and invisible steps, he wasn't sure what to think.
So now, here in the common, when that weird little tingle assaulted his hidden senses, Roxas started to feel sick. He started to feel spooked. He didn't want to get beaten up again, even if the bruises didn't linger. He turned slowly, eyes scanning the quiet area, shoes scraping the pavement. It was too late for this. He was tired, and pretty sure Axel wasn't coming to the rescue if anything went wrong.
There didn't appear to be anything in the immediate vicinity… And his ears told him nothing was coming from further out… So where was this coming from? Had he just turned paranoid overnight, or what?
A speck of white caught his attention, a slight amount of movement from the high walkway overlooking the common. There was a person there… Roxas' eyes narrowed, gaze sharpening in an attempt to make them out… Some girl?
Just as some whisper of memory was brushing the edges of his mind, she turned away, continuing on, and Roxas lost sight of her. He hesitated. If he started running now, he'd probably be able to catch up to her… and… get pepper-sprayed for frightening her.
Man, he was losing it. He shook his head, dispelling the last of the creepiness, fixing his eyes firmly on the sidewalk, feet moving one in front of the other.
As he reached home, he paused, frowning over at the lit windows, eyes travelling automatically up to his own. He twisted, looking up and down the road for a long minute.
When Axel still didn't appear, he headed inside.
.o.O.o.
Another day. Still no Axel. Roxas was becoming distracted. He slouched low in his chair at the lunch table, hearing the chatter go on around him but taking in so few words that nothing was making sense.
"What do you think, Roxas?"
Roxas was staring at his sandwich. White bread. Amazing.
"Roxas? Earth to Roxas, come in, Roxas."
"Heh, no, try this: Axel. Axel, Axel, Axel, Axel, Axel."
Roxas blinked, looked up, frowning. "What – ? What about Axel?"
"Oh, for Pete's sake. Told you it'd work." Hayner balled up the wrapper from his burger and tossed it expertly at the blond's head. It bounced off, down onto his lap. Roxas scowled.
"What?"
Pence rolled his eyes. "We were asking if you think we should go ahead with the mansion this afternoon. You know, even though Axel's not around."
"You figure out what happened to bean-pole yet?" Hayner asked disinterestedly, chair rocking back on two legs, gripping the table with one hand and the back of Olette's chair with his other.
"No," said Roxas dully. "I've looked around, but I haven't seen him since Sunday."
"I'm sure he's okay," Olette comforted. "Maybe he caught a bug or something. You could always ask at the admin office. His mom would have to call him in sick for attendance."
Roxas froze, hands flat on the table, staring at the brunette. "That's it," he breathed, amazed he hadn't thought of it himself. "Olette, you're a genius! I can ask the school!"
"Of course she is," Hayner scoffed. "She's my girl – she's as close to perfect as they come."
"Is that because she's your girl, or because she's Olette?" Pence grinned.
"A little bit of both," Hayner admitted with false modesty. "After all, we have to take my own perfection into account."
"Or lack thereof," Roxas added absently, already gathering his things and standing. "I'll see you guys in class." He was running before Hayner could even formulate a reply, leaving the blond spluttering indignantly.
Roxas burst out of the cafeteria, hurrying for the administration building, still zipping up his bag. He rushed over the grass, up the stone steps, and down the long hallway to the main office. The same secretary was there, the one who'd introduced him to Axel in the first place. Breathlessly, remembering at the last minute to smile and be polite, he asked, "Miss Charon, can you tell me what happened to Axel, the new student? He's the one I've been mentoring. He hasn't been to class yet this week, and I wanted to know why."
"Oh, hello, Roxas; yes, I remember the one. Who could forget that hair?" She gave a tinkling laugh. "Now, let me see…" She tapped a pen to her lips. "Now, I know he hasn't been at school, because of the absentee slips we've been getting from his classes. Nobody's called for him, either, so I'm afraid I can't help you with that. We tried calling his home, but no one's picking up."
Roxas' face fell. "So – you don't know where he is, either?"
She shook her head. "I'm afraid not. I hope it doesn't last long, or he'll fall behind. After only a week, too!"
"Oh." Roxas fell silent, thinking for a moment, a worried frown in place. "Well, in that case, can you tell me his address, please? That way I can swing by his place maybe after school…"
Regretfully, she replied, "I can't do that, Roxas, sweetie. We're not allowed to give out student details like that, not even to other students. It's a confidentiality thing."
"But we have an assignment due," he attempted desperately. "We need his notes. Please, it's really important."
She shook her head firmly. "I'm sorry, Roxas, but it's against the rules. The school doesn't have permission to give out student details, not to anyone." She gave a sympathetic smile. "I'm sure if you explain it to your teacher, you'll get a break, or some extra time at least. Don't you worry." She patted the fingers clutching the high desk in a reassuring manner.
"But you told Axel where I lived," Roxas argued. "Why can't you do the same for me?"
Her eyebrows shot up, a startled look on her face. "I did no such thing! And neither would anyone else here, for that matter. I told you, it's just not allowed. Anyone that gave out that sort of information would be in a whole heap of trouble."
"But… he said it was you…" Roxas was bewildered. Miss Charon scowled.
"Then he lied to you, Roxas, dear. I don't know why he'd say such a thing, but I promise you, I didn't tell him where you live."
The blond stared at her perplexedly. "Then – how did he know where I live?"
The secretary shrugged. "That's something you'll have to ask him yourself. Sorry I couldn't be more help to you, sweetie."
Roxas left the office, stood outside on the pathway for a long minute, gazing at nothing as his mind raced, touching from memory to memory, theory to theory, trying to find a reason why Axel would lie – or how he knew where to find Roxas at three in the morning, three days after meeting him the first time.
All Roxas had to do was not lie. That was it. Just don't fucking lie, Roxas, because Axel will believe the lies. You can say whatever the fuck you want, and he won't question it.
"Look, Roxas, it's nothing to get paranoid over, okay? The school told me, when they made you my mentor. Apparently, we only live a few blocks apart, so they told me your address. Okay?"
"…you're making me feel like the world's creepiest stalker, Roxie. I didn't want to give you fuel for that."
"World's creepiest stalker," Roxas muttered. Axel had lied. He had smiled, and lied.
He was going to find Axel and kick his ass.
And then demand answers, damn it.
It wasn't fair. It wasn't fucking fair.
Roxas slung his bag over his shoulder and stomped across the grass, leaving the school grounds behind as he headed into town, determined to find Axel, wherever he was hiding. He checked everywhere he could think of, the toy store, the ice cream stand, the station, he even ventured into the tunnels, calling the redhead's name, hearing it echo back mockingly.
After maybe two hours, he was pulling himself hopelessly up the stairs of the clock tower. Sure enough, reaching the top, he found himself alone on the monument. A brisk wind blew. Sighing, Roxas went to the low wall and knelt down, leaning his elbows against it, gazing out mutely at the spread of Twilight Town, wondering where, in amongst the ant-like structures, the lying, hurtful teenager waited. He was tired, and knew there'd be hell to pay once he got home – from his parents, from his friends, from his school. Nothing was going right, and it was all Axel's fault.
One last chance remained on Roxas' map of possibilities: the old mansion. Perhaps, maybe, there was the slimmest chance that Axel remembered that they were meant to be meeting there… maybe he would be there. He'd broken a deadline to stay with Roxas to complete the wonders… It might be enough to draw him out. Wearily, Roxas descended the long steps and made for the tram common.
The road to the mansion, which had belonged to one of the founders of Twilight Town, had been closed off decades ago. It had been abandoned for so long that, with no one interested in renovating or preserving it, the town officials decided the safest thing to do would be to make it inaccessible. This way, no pesky teenagers would go get drunk and pregnant on its sagging floors, no mischievous pyros would find it funny to set it alight, no hardy adventurers would be able to tumble down a creaking staircase and snap their necks. It was shut away, presumed forgotten, the forest growing thick around it with the passing years.
Roxas didn't know who had knocked the hole in the side of the tram common, or when – rumour had it one of the trams had skipped its track and rammed the wall, but as well as that theory fit the hole, Roxas hadn't ever heard of the trams being anything but perfectly safe and controlled. Either way, the hole led directly into the woods. Being in a tucked-away corner, no one official enough had noticed enough to get it fixed. Besides which, with the stories of its haunted state, not many were eager to go check it out. You'd think that they would, that the fear factor would make the rebellious experience just that bit spicier, but something about the place left a creeping in your gut, a bad taste in your mouth. The woods were rarely frequented.
Roxas ducked through the gaping mouth in the wall, the temperature dropping instantly as he passed into the trees on the other side. He hesitated, glancing back, wondering if he should wait and see if the others were coming… But this might be the only time that Axel would be here. This was all he could do to try and talk to the redhead.
He picked through the forest, the old trees widely spaced enough to leave a decent path to follow. The tram common entrance had got him in pretty close to the ancient mansion, the light filtering through the leafy canopy becoming lighter after only ten minutes.
Roxas emerged from the woods, the derelict manor standing before him, its rusty gates hanging open a few feet. He approached the bars, touching them hesitantly, running his hand across the cold, rusted metal. He glanced around nervously. Now that he was here, all he could think of was the freaky stuff that had happened to him since they began this hunt of wonders, and the fact that he'd come to the biggest one all alone.
"Damn it, Axel," he muttered. Then he raised his voice, turning angrily to the silent trees. "Damn it, Axel! Where are you? You great – big – fucking – liar!"
"Hello, Roxas."
Letting out a shrill scream, Roxas flung himself around, falling to the overgrown grass in his panic. A girl stood there, a pale eyebrow raised in curiosity, blue eyes dubious. "I'm sorry," she said. "Did I scare you?"
"Who're you?" he choked.
Her fingertips gently rested together, cupid's-bow mouth curving into a sweet smile. "I'm Naminé. I heard you shouting. Is everything okay?"
"Oh, uh… yeah." Roxas reached up to scratch his head awkwardly.
The girl didn't stop smiling as she said, "You might want to get up. There's an ants nest really close to your left leg."
Roxas yelped, scrambling to his feet, shaking off the one or two insects that had managed to cling to his jeans. He laughed uneasily, the pale girl still watching him and – smiling that damn smile. Then he frowned. "Wait – how do you know my name?"
Her eyebrows rose in gentle surprise. "Roxas, we used to go to school together. Don't you remember me?"
Roxas froze, head tilting to the side. "We…"
"You think I don't know by now the way you look at your crushes? This is just like that Naminé chick all over again, only with a redhead who's a dude, and looks like he wants to molest you behind some bushes."
"Naminé!" Roxas was startled. How was it that Hayner had recalled her so easily? How was it that Roxas had forgotten her? She was, like, his huge fifth-grade crush. That was fifth-grade in a nutshell: getting beat up by Seifer, and pining after the delicate blonde girl that wore a lot of white. But… he hadn't thought about her in a couple years. He hadn't even… realised she was gone. What the hell?
"Naminé – I remember you." She smiled, nose scrunching happily.
"It's been a while," she admitted. "But I'm glad I wasn't too far gone from your memories yet."
Roxas blinked, shook his head. "I can't believe this. What are you even doing here? You left, right? You left Twilight Town?"
She nodded, hands lowering to the hem of her short ivory sundress. "That's correct. I left two years ago, when we were sixteen."
She'd left. She'd found a way to – to get out. Come to think of it, that was roughly around when Roxas had started feeling out of place. Sixteen – that was the last time he'd been happy, before realising he was trapped. Had Naminé's departure brought that on? Was she the catalyst to all this?
"Why the hell are you back?" Roxas blurted. Then he blushed. "I mean… sorry. It's just…"
She shook her head. "How about we go inside to talk? It gets pretty chilly out here."
"Oh, right – you're just in that dress. Uh…" He cast a doubtful look up at the mansion. "Inside? You mean, in there?"
She laughed softly. "Silly, of course in there. There's nothing to be frightened of, I come here all the time. It's a nice, lonely place."
Roxas nodded slowly. "Well, okay then."
It was only once he was through the gates, following Naminé's little steps, that he remembered: this was supposed to be a haunted mansion.
Enter the girl, out of nowhere, that no one had seen for two years. Add to that the fact that she remembered him so clearly, when his memories of her were still so fuzzy. Add to that her ethereal, pale appearance, and suddenly Roxas wasn't feeling so confident.
He drew back, stopping partway to the massive house. She sensed his hesitation, turned inquisitively. "Roxas? Is something the matter?"
He was staring up at the mansion. "This is the seventh wonder," he said aloud. His gaze shifted to the girl and narrowed. "Where have you been all this time, anyway?"
"If you come inside, I can show you," she offered. Roxas back off sharply.
"Thanks all the same," he said, voice hard. "But I think I'll stay out here. Maybe some other time."
She frowned, coming back towards him. "Roxas, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, nothing at all," he snapped. "Are you going to let me go or not?"
She blinked, eyebrows shooting high. "I – well…" She looked unhappy. "Okay, if that's what you want. I mean…" She glanced over her shoulder. "Is it the house? Because if you're uncomfortable, we could always just go into town for a coffee or something… Unless – you're just not interested." She watched uncertainly, a little disappointed. Her narrow shoulders shrugged slightly. "Okay, Roxas, I mean, it's your choice. I just wanted to… you know… catch up."
Manipulation alert. Was she trying to guilt him into staying? Or was she honestly not a ghost and just wanted to see her old classmate?
Suspiciously, Roxas asked, "Is coffee really okay? I mean, if I don't enter the house at all – that's cool?"
She brightened. "Well – sure, Roxas." She gave a small laugh. "I personally don't find it scary, but I still remember all the stories… If you'll hold on for a second for me to get my bag, we can just walk back into town – you'll wait, won't you?" She shot him a hesitant grin. "You're not going to run off while my back's turned, right?"
Roxas shook his head with a nervous laugh. "No, I won't run. Not unless you turn out to be a soul-sucking ghost."
"Oh – well, I don't know about that, but I might put you out of pocket a little – I don't have any change or anything, can you spot me the coffee this time? And I'll buy next time?"
Roxas paused, assessing her sincerity. This didn't seem like an act, and she didn't really look like a ghoul. She seemed… nice. She looked just like she used to, only – older. Cautiously, he relaxed. "No problem. Go get your bag. I'll wait outside the gate."
She nodded happily and trotted up to the mansion's wide front door, pushing it open and disappearing in. Roxas quickly vacated the premises, not quite at ease until he had a few meters between himself and the intimidating structure. When Naminé reappeared a few minutes later, a large messenger bag hooked over her shoulder, he was actually feeling a little better than he had been on the way over. And he – oh.
"Oh, shit," Roxas said miserably. Naminé paused, startled.
"What is it? Did you leave your money at home?"
He shook his head gloomily. "Naminé, I'm so sorry, I just remembered I came here looking for someone. I was hoping… he'd be here, but – " He looked out at the trees and sighed. "I don't know if I should leave yet. I really want to see him."
"Do you mean – Axel?" she asked curiously.
Roxas jolted, eyes widening. "What? You know Axel?"
She smiled and shook her head. "No, but it was the name you yelled out earlier… I figured, since you seemed upset at the thought of not seeing whoever you wanted to meet, it must be that boy."
"He's disappeared," Roxas told her dejectedly. "He's my friend. He was meant to be at school yesterday, but I haven't seen him since Sunday, and not even the school can get in touch with him, and no one will tell me where he lives, and – "
"Whoa, Roxas, slow down." Naminé patted his arm comfortingly. "If you want, we can stay here and wait for your friend. I really don't mind. It means you'd have to be brave and come inside, though, because I'm kind of freezing my ass off with all this shade everywhere. And there's a mosquito breeding ground nearby – I'm being eaten." She offered up an arm, displaying several small welts. "See?" She drew her black bag up, the contrast almost startling against her pale colouring and clothing, arms clutching it to her chest. "So, please? Make a decision?"
Roxas was torn. Ghost house, or risk missing Axel? Old crush back from oblivion, or the liar?
Did Roxas really want to hang around until he was sure Axel wasn't going to be there?
He muttered, "Come on, let's go. I could do with a caffeine hit."
Damn it, Axel.
.o.O.o.
"What did you mean when you said you could 'show me'?"
Naminé looked up from her coffee, pulling the cup from her lips, the tip of her tongue darting out to clean her bottom lip of the clinging drops. "Hm?"
Roxas drummed his fingers moodily on the table, holding his chin in the other hand. "When I asked where you'd been all this time, you said you could show me if I went inside with you. Did you, like, commandeer the mansion for the last two years?"
She giggled behind her hand, shook her head, perfect hair swinging slightly. "No, look, I can show you here as well." She drew the messenger bag up onto her knees and unclipped it, carefully withdrawing a sheaf of thick paper. She set it down on the table, spreading the pieces apart, allowing Roxas to look.
"Wow, Naminé," he breathed, eyes widening as he picked one up. In blue pencil, she had sketched a series of panoramas the likes of which Roxas had never seen before, meadows and forests and cities and rivers. "I didn't know you were an artist."
"Oh, I've always loved to draw, but I never really got into it until I left." She leaned forward, peering down to see which one he was viewing. "These are some of the places that I've been. That one's from a city called Zanarkand. Very beautiful, lots of lights and people." She shrugged self-deprecatingly. "These ones haven't been coloured yet, so you can't really feel it, but the ones at the mansion are complete."
"Oh…" Realisation dawned over Roxas' features. "Oh, so that's why you wanted me to come in to show me…" He grinned sheepishly. "I'll have to see them next time."
"You want to see my pictures of other places?" Her head tilted to the side, watchful.
"If you'll let me, sure," Roxas enthused, still sorting through the images. "These are really great, Naminé. You should sell them."
"I do, sometimes, but I really just do it because I love to, not to make a living." She sighed. "It's got a little more difficult lately. There are travel restrictions…"
"Man." Roxas shook his head in dismay, eyes shifting from one drawing to the next. "You've spent the last two years of your life travelling, visiting all these amazing places… And through it all, I've just been going to school, living my boring old life." He gave her a crooked, sad smile. "I envy you that, seriously."
"You don't have to envy me, Roxas," she scolded lightly, crossing her arms on the table. "All you have to do is do it yourself. Maybe not the drawing part, I don't know if you like to do that sort of thing, but the places are real – you could leave anytime you wanted."
Roxas was silent for a few minutes, studying the pictures, lost in thought. "It's funny," he said at last. "You're the second person in two weeks to turn up out of nowhere, and try and convince me to leave Twilight Town."
"I guess it must just be that time of your life," she replied, eyes crinkling up at the corners. "After all, it's not like you're a little kid anymore. If you wanted to, you could pack up and leave tomorrow – no one would stop you."
He nodded slowly, then slipped the papers together into a neat pile and met her blue gaze. "What was it like for you? What made you want to go?"
She looked around carefully. "Well," she said, "It just felt like a good time for it. I was feeling restless, just sitting around here. All the other girls were busy dating boys and putting on make-up…" She gestured a hand at her unadorned features and shrugged. "It doesn't sound like much of a reason to just up and go, but it was lots of different things. Being a sixteen-year-old girl in Twilight Town isn't much fun if you're not part of the herd."
Roxas blinked, straightening slightly, surprised. "But you were always so popular. Everyone wanted to be your friend, and all the guys had crushes on you…"
"When we were in middle-school, sure," she conceded, "but the older we got, the less I fit in. I changed, and everyone else stayed the same. There's nothing wrong with this life – it's just not for me." She gazed out at the few pedestrians ambling past in the dim light. "I mean, look at this place, Roxas – it's five o'clock, and the town's shutting down already, just because it's getting a little dark out." She shook her head, expression distant. "It's a nice, pretty, sleepy little town, and the people that live here are usually happy, but when you're wanting more out of life, this nice, pretty, sleepy little town… it's like a prison." She flattened her hands on the table, a perplexed expression on her heart-shaped face. "That's how it felt to me back then. It's why I left. Don't you – feel it, too?" When Roxas just stared, Naminé flushed, a hand fluttering to her mouth. "I'm sorry, Roxas," she said quietly. "I shouldn't have said those things. This is – your town."
"No, no – please," he replied, equally softly, with desperation. "Don't stop talking, Nam. You – you're right. You're… the first person I've ever met that felt the same way as me." His eyes lowered. "Well, except for Axel. But he's not even from here."
"Tell me about him," she commanded curiously, hands curling together.
"What's to tell?" Roxas scowled, face turning sharply down and to the side. "I thought he was my friend, but I found out today he's been telling me lies. I mean…" He wiped his eyes tiredly. "He is my friend, and his lies don't really change how I feel about him… But…" He sighed. "I just wish I could speak to him. I wish I knew where he was."
"You sound pretty worried," Naminé said softly. "Are you two close?"
Roxas laughed a little, a brittle sound. "Oh, Nam, I don't even know how to answer that. Not without talking to him first."
"I see," she said cautiously. "Well, I'm in town for a little while, so anytime you want to talk, you know where to find me."
Roxas raised an eyebrow. "You're actually staying there? At the mansion?"
"Sure, why not?" She gathered her pictures, arranging them carefully as she spoke. "If there's one thing you learn while you're travelling, it's to take a bed where you can find it. That old house is just a house, Roxas. No ghosts." She smiled, slipping the papers away. "Promise."
"Yeah. Well, maybe I'll come see your pictures sometime."
"I'd like that." The wristwatch she wore beeped several times, drawing a pout from her lips. "Oh, I'm sorry, Roxas, I have to go."
"Wait, where'd you get that?" His hand snaked across the table, grabbing her wrist urgently, jerking it close, making her squeak.
"Um, I bought it, Roxas. What are you doing?"
He ran his fingertips over the face of the device, frowning. "This thing… it's just like Axel's…"
She laughed, a little incredulously. "Are you trying to accuse me of something?"
Roxas released her, startled. "No! Sorry, Naminé. I was just… surprised." He slumped back in his chair. "I'm really starting to hate watches," he muttered. He met her gaze. "Why do you have to leave?"
Regretfully, she said, "I have some errands to run. I set my alarm earlier so I wouldn't forget…"
"Oh." Roxas nodded wearily. "Well, I should be going anyway, I guess. Everyone will be wondering where I am…"
She was already standing, clipping her bag up. She gave him one last affectionate look. "This was really great, Roxas. I hope you'll come to the mansion and visit. We can order take-out or something. Just – " She giggled. "Not home-delivered."
"Sure, Naminé." He smiled. "That sounds great."
"I'll see you later." She flipped a wave, adjusting the strap of her bag over her shoulder, and left the coffee shop.
Roxas buried his head in his hands, his drink stone-cold on the table in front of him, while around him the store manager stacked chairs up onto tables. The blond wondered what it was like in a city of lights and people, where the world continued to exist beyond nightfall. Beyond Naminé's nice, pretty, sleepy little prison.
So, there were others who felt the same way as him. He wasn't alone in that respect. Naminé hadn't even held back, she'd decided life was too hard at sixteen and just left.
He wanted to ask her, what about your family? What about your friends? Why are you living in an old, ghost-ridden mansion instead of with your parents?
Did leaving make them hate her? Would leaving make all these people hate him?
What would it be like, to lose your loved ones but gain the world? Leaving with Axel would make it a little better, but…
Where was Axel? Naminé hadn't said anything about people poking around. She'd been surprised and pleased to see Roxas… You figure if she'd seen any wild redheads drifting about, she'd have mentioned it.
Two days had passed now. Two days, and no sign of Axel, not anywhere. Roxas was suddenly afraid to go home – not because of the deep amount of trouble he'd be in, but because he was scared that when he got there, Axel wouldn't be waiting. This whole situation was like pulling nails, and there was nothing he could do to make it better.
Eventually, of course, Roxas had to leave. He had to go home. There wasn't a choice in the matter, unless he decided to just ditch now and go camp out with Naminé until she left – but as much as he wanted to leave Twilight Town, he didn't want to just run away. That wasn't how he saw it in his mind. Maybe that would make the difference between the two of them – at sixteen, she had to run from home and was now a squatter in the most rickety property in town. Would the extra two years' wait mean that when Roxas went, he'd have his family and friends' blessings? Would he still have a home to come back to?
It just wasn't the same, thinking about it without knowing Axel was going to be there, too.
Roxas had got in far too deep. He could feel it, could feel the fear and anxiety clawing at him. At this point of the evening, he didn't care anymore that Axel had lied – he didn't need to know why, or how he even knew where Roxas lived. All that would come later. Roxas couldn't keep being mad when fear for the redhead was tightening his lungs. If only he understood a little more about Axel, he'd have a better idea of how to act right now. He'd know what to do with himself, other than just worry non-stop.
And speaking of worrying non-stop, he was home, and his mother was waiting in the doorway.
"Inside," was all she said, as he warily approached. She turned without waiting for an answer, body language cold with anger. Roxas sighed. It wasn't even six yet. Yes, he'd skipped school, but it wasn't like he'd gone off to drink bourbon and get high behind someone's tool shed. It wasn't like anything could have happened to him – this was Twilight Town, after all – nothing happened to people in Twilight Town.
He could feel the tendrils of her rage crawling through the house as he stepped through the door, and noticed with a sinking stomach that his dad was home early from work, and this time, it wasn't because he wasn't faking sick.
All of this was because of Axel. The redhead had better be at school tomorrow.
