Wow. It's getting really difficult for you guys to accept my apologies I'm sure…but I really am beyond sorry that it keeps taking me so long. I hate it when people take long to update…and here I am again not posting until 5 months after the last time. Almost half a year not hat I think about it. That's absolutely awful and again, I'm sorry…but hopefully you guys forgive me. Right now at 11:50 AM on Saturday, April 28th I'm going to sit here and type up hopefully more than one chapter for all of you, and then update soon.
Alright…enough with the rambling apologies and on with the story!
Sora
Sora had returned home after building the sandman with Tidus and Cloud, and got a shower as planned. The entire time he washed himself…his mind was spinning with thoughts of Riku more than ever. After talking to Tidus about him, answering awkward questions, etc…it was difficult not to think of him. How could he not talk to his dear friend for so long? But he knew that it was true that it would be far too awkward if he contacted him now. Really, over two years of no contact…he still couldn't figure out how they had done that. They had always been the best of friends, right? Sora had adored Riku, loved spending every moment with him. Did Riku not like that, did Riku want him out of his life? He was thinking far too much.
After showering and getting dressed, he had realized that he still had some time before he would go out to dinner with his friends. He was beyond relieved to find a letter from Sam on the table when he went downstairs and found the mail. He really needed a distraction while he waited for dinner. He opened it up to read what it said:
Dear Sora,
You're always interesting to me, no matter what you write, though you will always be a flustered 'thing' as well, dear. I love your letters as well, and I'm still so happy you replied. So happy that I'm replying late at night right now, no matter how much I want to sleep…just so you can get my letter and continue to be happy. I'm so loving. And you don't sound pathetic or needy, just as adorable as always, don't worry.
Now I have a different kind of question for you, one from my friend actually. He doesn't know about you, but he asked me a question that I told him I'd find out…and I figure that you might know. So, here it goes. My friend wanted to know if anyone named Cloud lives on Destiny Island. He's pretty tall, hair almost like yours but blonde…and he's probably one of the most gay (as in sexual preference) people alive. Do you know if he lives there, or the area? I think my friend wants us to visit him…so who knows, maybe if he lives there I'll get to see you sooner than I had expected.
Talk to you later.
Love,
Sam
He read it over a few times, wondering how Sam and Sam's friend knew Cloud. He also wondered if maybe he showed Cloud these letters…would Cloud be able to tell him who it was simply by the handwriting or style of writing? He just might have to investigate that further. He shook that ut of his mind for a moment, though so he could reply to the one person that made him truly happy this summer. Mystery-man.
Dear Sam,
You always manage to make me blush when you write to me…even if I'm the only one who truly knows it, it's still extremely embarrassing. I'm glad that you always find me to be interesting…and that you don't think I'm too pathetic or needy. I still think so, though. I would have replied sooner…but my friends pulled me away so I didn't even get the chance to notice I had received a letter.
Cloud? Yeah…I know Cloud. I know him very well, actually. He's one of my best friends…maybe the best now that R—sorry, never mind. You don't need to be hearing about the past from me, I'm sure you know some of it anyway…so yeah. Never mind. But yes, Cloud lives right down the street from me. Does that mean that you and your friend were friends with him? Who is your friend? I could ask Cloud about him or something if you want…maybe even about a visit. I'd love to meet you as soon as possible. I'd give you his phone number…but I probably shouldn't. If you know him then your probably know his cell phone number anyway.
Well, I actually have to go meet Cloud and some others for dinner…so I have to end this letter. But I hope to her from you soon.
-Sora
He sealed his letter in and envelope, addressed it, and sent it off to Sam once more. He then returned to his house to get dressed and get his coat, heading out to meet his friends.
Riku
Finally, without interruptions…he made it down into the basement. He found his box right where he had left it, and blew a little more dust off of it before rushing upstairs with it. He had to know what was inside. He started running up the stairs to the top floor when he heard someone knocking on the door again, but he ignored it. By the angry banging...it was certainly Leon again. He went and locked himself in his room. He put the box on the floor, sitting beside it and taking in a deep breath. For some reason his heart was beating fast, like this box was making him nervous or something.
He reached forward to start removing the tape.
His fingers were trembling, he didn't know if he'd be able to get it open with ease when he was so nervous…but he managed. He put the tape to the side with far too much care, as though it were sacred tape, and then took one last deep breath. His shaky hands moved to open the box as he peeked inside. There were plenty of things filing up this box, but the first thing he saw was what took up most of the top, a letter which on the envelope was demanding that he read it before looking at anything inside. He opened up the letter and read:
RIKU!!!
I can't believe you're moving. What am I going to do without you? I mean sure, we have other friends I could be with…but it just won't be the same. You're my very best friend, Riku…you always will be. Don't forget that, okay? And most importantly, don't forget about me…or I'll have to hunt you down…and do…something to you. SO I HAVEN'T PLANNED IT OUT COMPLETELY YET. YOU SHUSH.
Riku couldn't help but chuckle as he continued to read, this certainly sounded like how he had always remembered Sora being:
Yes. So here is my box of super-amazing things that I felt you needed. Some of them belong to you…that I just stole from other boxes and put in mine, and some things are special things from me. And I wrapped all of them in wrapping paper, or newspaper, or any other paper-related substance I could find so you can only see one thing at a time. Hehe. I hope you have fun with this box and appreciate all of my hard work…I mean really, this box took me ages. I expect to get a happy 'Thank You!!!' phone call, or email, or letter. Yes, a letter! I love letters. But it doesn't have to be a letter. You know, whatever. And I'm not rambling. Seriously. I'm not.
Well, I didn't want this letter to end…because I feel like it's a goodbye letter. But I don't want it to be. I mean…you're leaving...but we'll still see each other…we'll still talk. I don't want to ever have to say a final goodbye to you, okay? So make sure you contact me everyday. Or if your busy at least every other day…and at the very, very least it must be once a week. I'll probably call or write everyday whether you answer or not…because I don't know how long I can last without talking to my best friend.
So I'll talk to you soon!
Love, Your bestestestestest friend EVER,
Sora
This letter had been over a page long, as when he was that age he had an obsession with writing rather large. Riku felt his heart sink as he read it, though…it made him beyond sad. He hadn't given him his 'Thank You!' call, or email, or letter…or anything. He hadn't even remembered that the box existed. He hadn't even called, emailed…or technically written for any reason. Not including the Sam letters, as they weren't really from him. How could he do that to his 'bestestestestest friend EVER'? He felt terrible. Though, then again…Sora hadn't contacted him either. So he really shouldn't feel that bed, right? That was probably bad thinking…but he couldn't help himself. Sure, Sora hadn't gotten his thank you…but he hadn't kept his promise to contact him everyday. It seemed that he really was trying to find out how long he could last without speaking to him…2 years was a damn good record. Sora hadn't forgotten about him, had he? Or gotten a new best friend…like Tidus? Or…if he in fact lived there, Cloud?!
Now Riku was the one thinking too much. He took in a deep breath and released it, telling himself to calm down and figure out what was inside this box full of randomly shaped, wrapped objects. He picked one up and started to open it.
Sora
Sora got to Cloud's house, and then they walked to Tidus's house where Tidus, Kairi, Selphie, and one or two others were all waiting for them. They immediately headed off through the night to go to a nearby restaurant. They were capable of driving, but they really did enjoy just walking along this island.
Now Sora thought this would be a fun night that would get his mind off of Riku…but all because of Cloud, he was apparently incorrect. Cloud had called Tidus and told him to tell the others to start poking and prodding about Riku at dinner…without mentioning that Clod knew him. Cloud couldn't help but want to get as much information as he possibly could get, plus…everyone knew that Riku and Sora had definitely been in love, just in major denial.
They arrived at the restaurant and got seated at a large table, all looking at the menus to see what they wanted to eat while they talked about their days. They ordered their dinner before it was time for Sora to be driven crazy by questions.
"So, Sora..." Kairi started, "I haven't talked to Riku in ages. After him not accepting my crush on him since he had feelings for someone else…I guess I just wasn't as good of friends with him since it was rather awkward. But you two were always best of friends, I'm sure you've already spoken to him today, how is he?" she asked innocently.
Sora's eyes widened slightly and his cheeks flushed, and he looked rather ashamed. "I actually haven't spoken to him in a while.." he said softly.
Selphie decided to join in the conversation, "Really? How long? I'm sure it's only ben a week or two, right? That seems like it would be ages for you. Maybe you should call him when you get home." She suggested.
"Not two weeks, Selph…two years..." he said even more quietly than before.
"TWO YEARS?!?!" Kairi exclaimed…she honestly hadn't expected that one at all.
"What is this? 'Lets-ask-Sora-about-Riku day? You two are the second and third people to ask me about him…Tidus asked me earlier." He said with a little frown.
"No, it's not 'ask about Riku day' or whatever…we just can't help but wonder how he's been. We all feel guilty about not talking to him…but man, we can't feel that bad anymore after finding out that his best friend hasn't talked to him in so long." Selphie said.
"Shut up, Selphie! It's none of your business! And it's not like he's tried to contact me, anyways!" he said, "And I could have lot his phone number….but I didn't move, Riku has been calling me all of his life…so he couldn't have lost mine! So it's not my fault!" he exclaimed, more so trying to get himself to believe that.
"But Sora, you love him!" Kairi exclaimed without even thinking about it.
Sora's cheeks flushed deeply in embarrassment, "What?! I do not love him. I don't. What would make you think that?!" he asked.
Selphie rolled her eyes, "Oh really, Sora. The entire town knows it. You used to follow him around like a lost puppy.."
"Your eyes would light up more than ever when he was around.." Kairi added.
"And though I'm a guy, and I don't care about any of this…you smiled so much sweeter and brighter to him then you ever have to anyone else..." Tidus cautiously added.
Sora stood up, "I don't have to listen to this. You guys are being ridiculous, I'm leaving." He said, grabbing his things.
"Sora, you're the one being ridiculous! You haven't been the same since he moved…and the fact that you haven't spoken to him is probably the main reason!" Kairi said.
"Goodbye, thanks for ruining my night. It was a blast." Sora said sarcastically with a roll of his eyes.
"JUST CALL HIM!" Kairi and Selphie yelled together at his retreating back.
Woo. New chapter. And the box has been opened! Hopefully all of you have forgiven me and are willing to keep reading and reviewing. I'll get a new chapter up either later tonight or tomorrow…though reviews would certainly make the new-chapter process go quicker. Even if I don't deserve them…they really are what make me continue to write. So, leave me a review. You can yell at me in it, but as well as yelling at me…please let me know what you think of the new chapter. Please and Thank You!
