I actually started this one for a different word but about halfway through, decided it worked better for this.

Promise

Sora sulked on the bleachers watching the blitzball team practice. He'd never been very good at the sport but now he knew he was simply terrible. Tidus and Wakka had invited him and Riku to practice and after the first round, Sora realized there was no way he'd keep up.

So now he sat on the sidelines, watching Riku play as if he practiced everyday. He may as well have been on the team. The older boy swam as if born in water despite his constant complaints of how much he disliked it.

Every turn was gracefully executed, every kick well placed. His shots rarely missed and his passes were flawless. Once again, everything the fourteen year old did was perfect.

Sora sighed. When it came to his best friend, he would always be second at best. Sora was scrawny and weak, often way too optimistic. In many ways he knew he was naïve often not realizing he'd been made fun off until Riku jumped in and beat the shit out of the person.

How many times had Riku been suspended because of him? It was likely the only reason he hadn't been expelled was the fact that Riku was a straight A student with a near perfect grade point average. Sora was lucky to pull in B's.

He would never admit it out loud, but he was so jealous of Riku he hated being around him sometimes. Sure, Sora was likable. In reality, there weren't too many who picked on him. He had a lot of friends but Riku, Riku was in a class all his own.

He knew Riku was destined for great things. There was nothing ordinary about his friend with the exotic silver hair and those intense aquamarine eyes that seemed to see everything. Riku talked frequently about leaving the islands and exploring new worlds. If anyone could pull it off, it would be Riku.

And Sora would be right there beside him. And one day, Sora would catch up to Riku. He didn't dare hope to be better but he would at least become his equal. The two of them would become an unstoppable force. Together.

As he watched Riku exit the sphere, the other looking over to him and waving, he promised himself that one day he would be just like Riku.