A/N: Hey guys, finally the first day for weekly updates! Excited? (okay, maybe not. But you know) My second to the last Entrance Exam is today so please pray for me (I really really really need to get into that school!), anyway as for Perhaps Love—this chapter is a bit longer, probably because I got a long time to write it. How's everyone? I hope everything's good in your side. Now, on to the story!
Perhaps Love
Miss Me?
It's been a month, three weeks and four days since I last saw Sora, and I can officially say "I'm losing it." There are a lot of complications happening, and not even one came in the gentlest of ways. The rays of sunlight passed through the thin layer of curtains I placed on my office (well my corner/cubicle), the computer screen's flashing with undone work and my rightful EIC online Im-ing me for my work to be done. This is what I call real work.
Some of you might be thinking, 'Rightful EIC? Does that mean Roxas came back?' Honestly, I was surprised myself. I just went in Café Oblivion and there he was wearing a white polo with a loose red tie around his collar and black slacks; the next thing I knew he was asking for us to 'walk' to work together. I say 'walk' because we took his Impreza instead of literally 'walking'.
Ding!
RoxasStrife: Kairi Features for the November issue? Report by the end of the day—provide lists for possible topics and chosen writers.
I do oh-so-love my work, KairiHeartily: What about the October issue, I haven't finished revising ONE (your) feature article. We're going to have a run through of points later? Is he trying to kill me or something? I've been working so hard on that article and he just scraps it to the side?
RoxasStrife: We could scrap it. Write about another heir or heiress—or we could push through, if you want to take your permanent leave early.
You could've just said 'no' Roxas instead of threatening me of being 'fired'. KairiHeartily: Yes sir. I'll write it on who? Fine, I'll do your 'renew features article' deal, but at least don't make me start from scratch give me who to do research on. If he says Sora Hikari, I'm quitting my job; no questions asked.
"Well who do you want to write it on?" I spun my chair around, "Morning." He greets and hangs his arm over the cubicle divider with a pile of paper (for me) on his hand. He leans there like he owns the place…oh wait, he does. "Why can't I get used to this?" This, being him ordering me around, to think I used to snipe and ignore him for being a café boy.
He laughs, "Exactly why I didn't want to go back." I quirk my brow, he smiles guiltily and drops the pile on my desk, then crosses his arms. "That and a lot more reasons you don't need to know." I don't need to know? I wrote a two thousand word article on that and I don't need to know? I gave time and effort and practically placed myself in the line of being fired and you've got the nerve to say 'I don't need to know'? I object, I deny this, I NEED to know. "Don't look at me like that!" he says, without even hearing a single word from my mouth. He knows me too well, "Let me guess, does this include a certain blonde friend of mine and you?" and it's the same with me.
The red blush on his face proved it, "Wh-what are you talking about?" he stutters in denial. Oh, so this is how I act when he teases me—turning the tables IS fun.
"Naminé and you." More blushing; he can act great and really be apathetic about things but when it comes to her, he just breaks like glass. Amusing, "If there's one thing I know is that Naminé's starting to be a frequent customer of Café Oblivion." Well I don't really know, but it seems like the usually mask wearing Roxas seems more genuinely happy then before. Of course I noticed it, how can you not when he greets you like some excited teenager who just got a date with his dream girl. "It's all too … given?"
He scowls, "I'll give you given. That report on my desk ASAP, the new topic? Ask yourself" and walks away, what a lousy sport. At least I don't walkout on him when he goes too personal—now that I think about it…it was more of a can't since I'm too busy trying to lay low.
I roll my eyes and tried to go back to work, but then my phone rings. Looking at the screen, "…What the?!" it's Selphie, what could she want? "Selphie what's up?" I couldn't hear anything other than her hushed breathing.
"Kairi! I'm so glad you finally picked up! Geez… you're in big trouble!! Rinoa found out!" She WHAT?! And I thought I finally found some place to finally live a quiet and normal life. Now everything's just catching up from behind, what more should I sacrifice? I already gave my social life and everything else. "Ugh… why won't they just leave me alone?"
"Uh… I don't know, because you're the rightful person to own TCI?" wow, sarcasm from a slow person like Selphie… I AM losing it.
I breath out, "Oh hush! Just tell me what they're up to." I have to get out of here as quickly as I can…on second thought, maybe I don't have to. "Selph?" she doesn't answer, I have to know—if they knew where I was living then … I'd just relocate myself, change my name (if need be) and then runaway even further than here—ultimately to Radiant Garden. I wish my grandmother was here, she'd tell Rinoa to back off and leave me be.
"Sorry, Gah—have you found him yet?" her voice echoes.
I reply whispering, "Well…I've found him, but—"I can hear her groaning. She already knew this was going to happen, actually for the first time ever Selphie said something right, "I told you didn't I?" she warns and keeps on muttering about what she had said before I left home.
"Yeah you did. But hey, listen—give me a little more time. I'll get him back." She doesn't say anything after, but what I heard was a loud groan and a click. I won't blame her; she did get the shorter end of the stick when I 'moved' out of that place.
I turned to my undone work or what I like to call it: 'My Hard Work That Was Pushed Aside' and closed it, opening a new empty document to be filled out by the same thing only the topic's a different person. Speaking of 'different person' who should I write it on? The Roxas topic is pretty much hard to top when it comes to intriguing the audience. Actually, when you look at the company's workers you'd be surprised. Almost half (or more) are already elites by birth, socialites that had gone out of their way to live a different life. Funny how I managed to end up here.
"Wish you luck, little missy." I haven't heard that powerful voice in awhile, now that Roxas's back in charge. I turn towards him with a smile, "Hey Axel." It was one of those rare days; when I feel like I had the better side of the sun shining down on me.
He smirks, "Someone's in a good mood today, got hit on by the EIC?" I felt shivers run up and down my spine, it's weird hearing that "Roxas hitting on me? I don't think so!" he's got another person in mind, but the question with that is who exactly?
He backs away and waves his hand as if to say 'forget it', "Alright, I gotcha—" I focused back on my work, "—but hey, up for lunch today?" What!? Was he…did he…did he just ask me out? "Well that's something out of the blue." I swivel back to him.
His face flushes light red, "No no no no no! Wait! You got it all wrong, man… I just want to thank you, you know for getting my man Roxas back." I do deserve to get treated out after what happened to 'My Hard Work That Was Pushed Aside'. I smiled, "It's not a date-date, got it memorized?" and nodded.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Muttering curse words, Overdrive's EIC trudges troubled to his office. He wasn't expecting Kairi to answer so accurately, he just wanted to get some small talk and do some little teasing. He sighs and sits on his chair; after the events at the theme park he and Naminé acted more decent to each other. Why wouldn't she? She blew up and humiliated herself in front of everyone—and the only person who didn't mind talking to her was Roxas (although she had wished it were Sora). Roxas didn't mind talking to Naminé, but he did mind playing 'relationship-ruiner' with her to Kairi.
His phone rings, "Morning sunshine," he greets and a pissed off 'tch-ed' sounded from the other line. "Roxas! How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that. Ugh and so early in the morning too." He laughs and spins his chair into circles; for some unknown reason he just loved annoying the heck out of her, it gives him a reason to smile every now and then.
"You're the one who called." She had already regretted calling; proved by the loud frustrated yell she let out. Naminé, as all of you might've guessed, never called unless it was something important—she doesn't get irritated that much too unless it was Roxas on the other end.
"Please tell me you made HER work like hell today…" his mouth gapes a little, and his eyes dropped from their amused position. He didn't like torturing Kairi for 'evil' reasons, if it was for his amusement he doesn't mind but when it goes further than that… "About that—"
"—You want out?" her voice was looming; intimidating the voice of reason at the back of the blonde EIC's head. "…Well…Naminé I think we're going too far." Stop blaming Kairi for something you know she never intentionally did, Roxas wanted nothing to do with sabotaging whatever relation Sora and Kairi have, but what he really wanted was to spend time with The Ex.
He heard a long row of 'tsk's surround him from the phone, "Roxas~…we both know that they're a mistake! Me and Sora…now that's a match made in heaven!" yeah right. What am I, chopped liver? It's clear to anyone that Roxas likes Naminé, anyone who knew them and what their past was like can easily say that. Roxas was Naminé's childhood friend; they were inseparable, up until junior high. The blonde boy was naturally liked by almost all of the female population (anyone who played Blitzball would be), he wasn't as good as Tidus but he's a close third. He was known for his cheerful ways and of course his 'can never get mad' attitude to anyone, but unbeknownst to them the unknown quiet and short fused Roxas (or what can be called as the Real Roxas) only appears to one person—Naminé.
To say that they were simply happy would be an understatement, everyone loved Roxas and everyone that loved Roxas hated Naminé. That's how things were; no Sora to ruin the moment, no Sora that halved the blonde girl's attention, and more importantly no Sora the boyfriend. It was just Roxas and Naminé…that is until that one day:
"Roxas!" the voice that called behind me was panicked; it sounded relieved when it finally caught up to me. I readied myself to whoever it was and plastered a smile on my pale apathetic face, "Hey there" I said in my most friendly tone.
It was Olette, her green eyes burning with worry "Oh god…" she whispered in relief and started to cry. I didn't know what to do, or what the hell was going on and to ask her in this state won't give me answers. I waited for her to calm down; for her to breathe regularly and talk to me normally. "Have you seen her? I'm so so sorry…" she said in apologetic tones, which didn't make me comfortable in any way.
I put her apologies aside, "What's going on Olette, I can't understand you." I snapped. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, as if to avoid what I might say, as if to just skip to the part where I accept what she was going to say.
"Naminé… Naminé… s-she got into… into an accident—"that's all I needed to hear to get my behind running towards the school clinic. She was more important to me than anything, than blitzball or studies…she didn't know me as Roxas Strife the son of Cloud Strife, or number 13 of the Abes. She only knew me as plain and simple Roxas, and I didn't intend to lose that.
I felt like I was running for my life (oddly I thought I was) like everything was falling apart, then finally the wonderful sign of 'Clinic' caught my view. I felt myself relax, only to have my heart beating a lot faster. I pushed the glass door open and was greeted by the student volunteer.
"Hey Roxas, I knew you'd be coming."I nodded. She points to one of the private single rooms and punched in my name on the visitor's list. "Go ahead, I'll handle Ms. Yunalesca." She smiled and I rushed to Naminé's room.
I thought I was just visiting, I thought I was just there to make sure she's okay, what I got was my heart ripped out. The room was clean and plain, she was sitting on the bed her head bandaged up. It had small stains of rust like colors on the side; her blonde hair was messy and short. It wasn't the stylish kind of cut either; it was rushed…it was done because it had to be. I wiped the sorry look on my face, and thought that 'at least she's okay' and sat beside her.
"Hey you…" I said softly and leaned in closer to her on the bed, placing my arms comfortably on the soft cushion. "Want to tell me what happened?" she looked at me like I was some strange guy she doesn't know. Oh yeah… that's right.
Her scrunched up face confused me, "I'm sorry… but do I know you?" and her words shot right through me. I matched her face, "Well sorry I wasn't here right after the accident—I had a game—but that's no reason to 'ignore' me." I said sarcasm flowed in my words.
"Game? What? I—I don't know… you or what you're talking about." I didn't want to listen, or to accept it. It was staring at me, screaming, begging for my attention but I stubbornly ignored her. I willed for her to be the same Naminé I know, the same Naminé that went through hell because I was her friend, the same Naminé I have fallen in love with.
"You…you…don't remember?" she shook her head 'no' and amidst the situation, I felt I was the one in the accident, I felt like I was the one all broken and bandaged up. I heard myself break and yell out "…are you kidding… this isn't funny anymore, it's me Naminé—!" I wasn't able to finish. Yunalesca dragged me out of her room and what's worst, I allowed her to. Instead of standing my ground and trying toshake her out of that stupid memory loss, I choose let her go just like that. I let her go because I wasn't used t the feeling of getting hurt, and I… didn't like getting hurt.
That was the last time I ever saw my Naminé, all there was left of her was another person. She became really loud, and befriended other people. We stopped hanging out, we stopped talking, we stopped being friends, but I never stopped watching over her. It was the only thing I could do to quell whatever regrets I was having. I was always hoping that maybe someday, she'd be back, she'd be my Naminé again and greet me with a whack to the head and quick remorseful hug after realizing blitzball took from me more energy than I needed just to keep standing. Then I'll say, "It's alright. It's just you anyway." she'd smile and call me names, taking the comment in the wrong way. She never was the quick to process kind; she was as dense as an anvil.
And then came one day, after nine or ten years, I was taking a break from work and came across a Café. I went inside and was instantly greeted by a brunette at the counter she looked at her thirties but was still very pretty. I sat at the window seat, where Kairi now sits, and wouldn't you believe it, She walks by. She was on her phone talking away, while I was questioning my sanity. I never really said a proper 'sorry for freaking out on you, ten years ago' so I thought it was just my consciences playing tricks on me. She enters the café, and I stopped doubting all at once.
'Tch, and I thought finally finding her would change anything; I gave it a month already…she won't remember me.' "I really miss her though..." His eyes went wide when he heard what he said. He fumbles on words, "Uh…forget that" he adds and remains quiet. The ticking in the blonde girl's head could be mistaken as a time bomb count down, and Roxas is tied to it. He inhales deeply, waiting for her reaction.
He gets a very loud "Miss who? Forget what? Damn it Roxas! Can't you stay focus on something other than yourself!?" Laughing to himself, he ignores the fiery blonde on the other end of the line. This not only angers her further, but also broke the last of her restraining strings "That's it! You're in your office right? Stay! Don't you dare move a muscle!" End call.
Not even a reply of 'okay' or 'yeah' was exchanged, she just loses it and bam! She's coming over. He shakes his head forcing the smile off of his face, he heard a knock on the door "That was fast." Weirdly enough he hadn't move since the end of her call.
The door flings open, "Roxy!! I missed you soooo~…much!!" and in comes a hurricane they all know as Yuffie. His chair swivels round and round with Yuffie clinging on his neck, he chokes and only then did the black-haired heiress let go. She steps off of the chair (and him) and proceeds on what she's really there about. He takes a few deep breaths, trying to steady his breathing and spinning sight.
Yuffie grins, "Sorry~ I just really missed ya!" his whole body tenses and retreats backwards. Afraid of another 'attack' he's not taking his guard down so quickly, he continues to stare at the girl that titters from heel to heel waiting for something.
"Anything else?" he asks quietly, remembering a surprise visit from you-know-who.
She gapes, "Oh yeah! It's about this thing…" she stares off in a distance. He looks at her blank face and couldn't help but sigh, "You forgot again, didn't you Yuffie?" She huffs and turns her back towards him.
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking!!" of course you are, when have you ever not? His thoughts were getting the best of him. Good thing he's got a good grip on what to say and what not to say in front of the people he criticized. "A-hah! Got it! It's about that new kid Xero or something— Anyway, Axel suggested her for a new branch…and guess what? She's sorta winning." What do you want me to do about that?Geez… I just got back and you're already putting this on me? Talk about 'no pressure'.
"So you want me to pull her out?" he concludes.
She shakes her head, "Well…Not really." Then what? She grins "Cloud just wanted to make sure she deserves it. So…here I am, Yuffie Kisaragi at your service!" How subtle old man; as if I didn't know what this is all about. He frowns, and then asks her to take a seat; he was going to deal with this like Cloud is. "Giving him a taste of his own medicine, should do the trick."
"Aww… c'mon Rox, Cloud's just concerned—I promise not to get into your business!" Wow?! Really? You…the company's snoop isn't going to get into my business? Another lie that was. Yuffie's known for her uncanny ability to spy on everybody. Whether or not they intrigue her, she just lives for it. If a kleptomaniac is an uncontrollable thief, then she's the equivalent of it when it comes to snooping.
Just when he's about to say a smart aleck comment, the door swings open again. In came a very vexed, yet well-dressed blonde waiting to rain the EIC with words most hurtful to any man. "Roxas! You better be in here!" she yells right after the door closes.
Two pairs of eyes were staring at her. She crosses her arms and glares at the raven-haired woman sitting in front of her target. "Who are you?" her voice snaps and she immediately jumps off the seat and offers for her to take it.
The stifling atmosphere she creates made him twitch, "You sure do know how to make an entrance." She just rolls her eyes and watches him laugh his heart out. "Morning Sunshi—"her bag flies just to hit him square on the face.
He grunts; she smirks happily, "Morning."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
I felt my phone ringing inside my bag again, probably Selphie. I took it out: 'Rinoa doesn't know the exact location, but she sent SeeD out looking for you. Run girl.' SeeD?! It's that serious! "Geez… I'm the one trying to do you a favor mom!"here I am browsing the streets for any other condominiums I can rent that's far, far away from the one before, I saw one particular building that made me feel a little déjà vu. I never been to that side of town before, but oddly enough something's telling me I've been here before. "6th of 13th avenue, yup I've never been here before." That's for sure.
"Excuse me there, do you plan on coming inside anytime soon?" how awkward it must've felt to be told that, I thought to myself. Looking at the strange looking man makes me shiver; I wonder who he's talking to?
The man moves forward; right in front of me in fact. "Would you like to come in?" Oh god. Oh god, he was talking to me. The embarrassing person I was making fun of in my head was me, how ironic. Smiling at the 'doorman' I stepped inside the elegantly designed condominium. "We'll see you soon Ms. Heartily." Those words made me turn around in a panicked rush.
How could he… does he know…is he part… "What did you say?" take it easy Kairi, you're just stressing yourself out. It's not because Selphie called and said Rinoa's making a move, means that everyone's out to get or spy on you. He smiles politely, "Welcome?" great I made an innocent guy look stupid—good job Kairi. I waved the feeling of guilt in my head away and found myself walking towards the concierge, good looking man at the counter too.
"Welcome to Memory Skyscraper, how can I help you?" well now, that's a peculiar name. Not welcoming, it's like something out of a video game. Oh I should quit talking to myself, "Oh…uh… hey, I just want to ask… are there any room left for rent?" and right after I said that, I began to contemplate if I should've said that or maybe I should've eased my way in—to not look so eager, it's like I'm really running away from something….which I am.
"What's going on Rude?" he called me what? I automatically snapped my glare to him.
"Well there's a situa—"Oh, Rude… as in another person that's named Rude..Well who could blame me, he suddenly blurts out 'Rude' without even answering my question—I just stuck around because I was hoping he'd get those files available for me. "Reno, that thing.."
Thing?! Excuse me, "I beg your pardon?" I am not a thing. I completely hate this condominium, hate it, hate it, hate it, hate it! The bald man wears those dark awesome shades, I couldn't see past them, but I know he was looking at me—with hate or annoyance I just don't know. "My name's Kairi, Kairi Heartily." They both gasp, "What?!" I'm not in the mood for any of your 'that's a familiar name' if that's where you guys are going.
Reno sighs, "Heartily… nope doesn't ring any bells." He goes back into his conversation with the bald guy, and once again ignores me. Although they did turn down their voices, I could still hear bits and pieces of it. The counter was a circular type so I just slid my way nearer, but still unnoticed to hear what they're talking about—both of them stops.
Uh-oh…did they see me? I looked up, seeing another employee standing reprimanding them on what they were doing. And I, I did the mistake of sighing loudly, "Sorry…" I said and excused myself to the side. The tall man in a pony-tail approaches and continues to scrutinize me, "Reno tells me you're a client. Would you like to have a tour?"
"Ah… well…I suppose—"I was about to go on that tour with this guy, when somebody else had to cut in. Yelling, "Tseng! What's the combination again?!" oh dear god—why do all people, whether I know them or not, always-ALWAYS-love to cut me off?
I shut my eyes, keeping the deadly glare to myself when a very, very familiar voice rings beside me. My heartbeat hitches and the feeling of butterflies fills my stomach; I peeked to where the voice rang and something tells me this is God's way of making it up to me. I smiled at him, even though I really wanted to hug him then and there, but you know—ladies never lose their composure.
"K-Kairi!?" he sounds surprised, "What are you doing here?"
Looking at the concierge counter (where no one was) and back at him, I let out a sigh. "I was looking for a new place to stay. Somewhere near my office." Oh please tell me you don't live here; please please please tell me you don't live here.
He casts me a (heart-melting) grin, "Oh—well I don't think we have anymore rooms in this building." Wait a minute, 'we'? Don't tell me… "Sora?" he looks at me innocently, his blue eyes solely on mine. "Do you, own this place?"
He pauses and looks down, "Well…yes, but I can't really do anything about the 'no vacancy' thing. Don't worry, I promise I'll find you a better flat in the other buildings—"other buildings? OH DEAR GOD…he owns this? He owns a whole chain of properties…so that's why he's so busy. I get it now. "Kairi?" he says snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Do you really need a place, as in right now?" uh… well…What am I suppose to say? Yes, because I'm being hunted down by my crazed mother? I don't think so. Although that is true, I should really get to a new place as soon as I can. I looked up back at him, "…Uhm…yeah."
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
He drags me with him to the main office. It wasn't long before the people there started acknowledging our presence. The first one to react was a strawberry blonde …general manager, her name is Cissnei. Sora explains the situation and she quickly sends her team working on it. In the end she regrettably tells us that there doesn't seem to be any vacancies anywhere at all. He sighs and up until now, continues to avoid my gaze. It's like I'm some sort of gorgon that's going to turn him into stone if our eyes would meet. It's both depressing and annoying.
"Sora." He doesn't answer, "Sora!" he 'hmms', which did not make me feel any better. I groaned, we were sitting at his office and it's about 8 pm and yet I'm still here in his office. Why? I don't know for some reason, he wouldn't allow me to go. "Would you talk to me? If not then just let me leave." Now normally, I wouldn't even begin to THINK of saying that, but I apparently have paperwork to do and an article to rewrite.
"I am talking to you." No you're not, talking and not looking at me means you're just saying idle things without heart. That's not talking, that's muttering useless things.
Sighing loudly I decided to tick him off; I know, 'WTF? Kairi…you like him don't you, Why are you going to tick him off?' ugh…you know when you're with that person you like and nothing's happening between you two, you tend to do crazy things just for that person to notice you? Well this is one of those things. How often do I get stuck in a room—his office no less with him here? That's right, not too often. A giddy smile creeps up my face.
"Hey Sora."
"Hmm…"
"Hey Sora."
"Mhmm?"
"Hey Sora."
"Mhmm.."
"Hey Sora."
"MHM?"
"Hey Sora."
"Yeah?" oh he's answering; I think this is going to end soon. Must resist urge to smile evilly, must resist the urge to laugh out loud. I paused, smiling at the wonderful effect the feat did. A little more, just a little more.
"Hey So—" and bam! He cracks.
He drops his pen and looks up with a red puffed face, "What! Kairi. What?!" I couldn't help but laugh, real loud—to the point where breathing got difficult and my eyes starts to tear up. Even though I know I annoyed the crap out of him, somehow at the middle of that laugh-filled moment I could've sworn he was laughing with me.
It took me awhile to regain composure, but once I did the feeling of 'What the heck did you think you were doing?' sunk in. Let me tell you, guilt mixed with embarrassment is not a good feeling when you're with Sora. One look of his perfect blue eyes and you'd know you're bound to do something stupid. I lowered my gaze and stared at the floor, looking at my reflection I thought I heard myself say: See what did? Now what? Sora's obviously annoyed with you—and he's the only person that can help you now, tsk-tsk. You're so smart Kairi. I wanted to slap myself silly, I am running away from someone that's bent on finding me, and the only person that can really help me is either Roxas or Sora. I would've chosen Roxas, if only we were as close as before, and Sora…I never really counted him. It just so happened that coincidence has been kind for us to meet like this. "…Thanks…and sorry, I'm just really—"
Really… I don't know how to explain it. I felt really thankful for the favor he's doing for me, and at the same time really guilty since I know I'm getting in the way. I let out a sigh, "Just. Thanks, Sora." Perfect. Not to clingy, not to fluffy, just smack in the friends-zone. He's been staring at me since for how long, and I couldn't help but shy away from that gaze.
He stands up and looks back at me, "I'm getting bored, are you?"
"Actually…." Yes, I don't enjoy being stuck inside a room with nothing to do when I have a lot to do. On the other hand, he IS here with me. Nah… "I am." Bored and not his presence can change that. I was still looking at the floor, feeling the heat go down from my face; I took the chance to peek at him.
He walks towards his coat and puts it on, fiddles with his phone and then walks back to his desk. Why I remained stationary, I still question to this very moment. Getting lost in thought isn't a good thing when you're trying to act cool in front of your crush. Crush? This is so high school…well…he's so high school too. I heard someone clear their throat (most probably him), "Wha'cha waiting for? I thought you were bored?"
"Well I am…" but that doesn't mean you HAD to go with me, not that I mind. I love the thought actually, it's just…I think he's just not into it fully. "But…you sound like you're just forced to go out" and I don't want to force anything on you, especially if it's me—you just broke up with your college girlfriend and rebound is something I won't settle for.
He laughs and shakes his head, "Nah, I'm not!" he denies and smiles at me; it drove to spreading the blush all throughout my face and neck, "I really missed you, Kairi."
Heart attack, I swear my heart stopped beating. My blue-violet eyes must have looked at him in clear awe, and obviousness. "I-I…Uhm…T-thank you…" What the heck!? THANK YOU? What kind of answer is that to 'I really missed you'? Geez…brain can you work decently when he's around? It just so happens that I get all the bad luck in my life bubbling out when I'm with Sora. Surprisingly, he never says anything about it.
He raises his brow, "Uh…you're welcome?" he adds and starts to laugh. I don't blame him, cause really? What kind of reply was 'Thank you'; I'll tell you its some weird out of the blue reply. He takes his eyes off me and eyes his phone, then smiles at me oddly.
"What?" stop looking at me like you have some evil plot unfolding!
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Far as I know, Sora and I were never really that close to be called friends. We just happen to get along with each other, and I happen to see him as my perfect man. While he, I don't know really know what he thinks of me…hopefully it's along the lines of being good friends. So thinking, and supposing we ARE good friends, and nothing more would it be crossing the line when he asks you out for dinner? And would it also be bad if I actually wanted to say yes?
If so, then god forbids I read the wrong signals and that this is some practical joke he's playing. As of now, walking to some place called 'Merlin's wasn't that comforting to know. He doesn't seem to signal the 'holding hands while walking' thing, and he looks at the darkened sky rather than sneaking glances at me—from what I recall from romantic novels, if he doesn't exhibit those things, then you're just on a friendly-friend-dinner, it's unworthy of the word 'date'.
I let out dejected sigh, "Hey Sora…" I couldn't face him still so I just kept looking straight ahead. His voice was a little unsure and careful, "You are going to answer this time right?" I had the urge to look at him, he sounds so cautious… like he's really tired of something yet he still wanted it. I kept my will strong and didn't give in "Yeah."
Looking at the zooming cars that pass by us, I wonder "Why didn't we take your car to go Merlin's?" we have been walking for some time now. He laughs and I see him shrug in my peripheral view.
"Well, I like the view. I was hoping you'd like it too, I did keep you locked in with me in my office." Does he know how much I love the dark night sky, or the fact that I don't really mind being stuck in any stuffy office as long as he's with me? He doesn't know, of course, but that doesn't stop him from being the perfect guy I envisioned him to be.
"You're really nice you know. Too nice." He stops walking, I stopped talking.
He smiles guiltily when I looked back at him, "You caught me." how? I didn't even know I was trying to catch you. "I...well, Kairi. I've been trying to work out on how I should say this...but—" OHMYGOSH is he stammering? Is he actually feeling nervous? Did that sweet innocent smile just flash while he was trying to confe—er explain to me? OH this is may be it~!
"Go on, just say it!" I said too eagerly. Oh shame.
He grins, "Well Kairi…I, I…" he inhales deeply and looks at me in the eye with a serious face on, "I couldn't get you a flat." He mutters more words but that's all I heard.
"Oh me too! For a long time I've fe—did you say flat?" He nods, mouthing 'sorry, sorry' continuously to me. I'm sorry too…sorry heart, you've yet to be completely broken. Nevertheless, I did need that flat…I already said to the concierge I'm moving out by tomorrow morning; the show must go on. "…Oh…" that was disappointing, the feeling was apparent in my voice and Sora never looked so apologetic. "…Hey.. that's alright, I'll just find another place to stay at—I'll just ask help from Roxas—"
"Roxas?" he says in surprise, "Why Roxas?" I could've sworn I heard a muttered 'again' after but I didn't push for it. His face framed the emotion forlorn, and I just wanted to wipe it off his face. Him being all sad and serious is not what I want to see, Sora's best when he just smiles and play innocent.
"Well…if I don't get a new flat in another area, I might have to move. I mean, move farther away like to a new city. Roxas wouldn't give me that freedom after how I pestered him in the past months and all." He starts to smile, which made me nervous than happy. "So I can guess he'll help me find a new flat." I end with bated breath.
He wouldn't leave me alone with that smile of his, "What if I say, you don't have to."
"What?" I have to you… you… guy…ugh I can't say anything bad about him! Oh you.. don't you understand? If I don't get help from Roxas, nobody would help me…for the reason I shall not say anymore. Sora!!
Grabbing my hand, we took off towards the next corner and straight through the entrance of the park. Surprisingly, my frail body was able to keep up with him. Running in silence got me thinking, what DID he mean by 'you don't have to'? We continue running until we passed the park and went out to the streets surrounded by large-scale and glass like buildings. The feeling of numbness on my knees spreads and for a moment, I thought if he would've let go I think I would fall to the ground.
Sora doesn't say anything, but the smile on his face was still present. We were walking by a lot of million-munny looking buildings, and with each block the buildings only got taller and grander, I fear where we were headed. When he finally stops, we stood before an enormous building shaped like an hourglass.
"This is where you'll live now." He says confidently; my face twitches like hell. How in the planet would I pay for the rent there?! Maybe if I was still Kairi Somnium Heartily Leonheart I could, but as of now I'm not. "Sora I can't possibly pay for this place. I can barely pay for my rundown apartment!"
He turns to me like I just spoke in some other language, "Well you don't have to…" he trails; Boy what are you saying, that this place is made for homeless people that just happen to have high-class taste? "I don't understand." I replied, he only laughs at me.
"Uhm… it's like… well kind of—how should I put it." He pauses, and then snaps his fingers, "I promise that I'd help you right?" He grins playfully.
Something in my head finally works, "No you didn't." he asked me if I really needed a place to stay, and I said yes that's about it. "Sora—are you okay?!"
"I…didn't?" he turns back and looks up at either at the sky or the skyscraper. "Hmm… Okay then. I, Sora Hikari, promise to help you, Kairi Heartily whenever you need me."
Do you know the feeling when you're already screaming and squealing at the top of your lungs, but you keep it on the inside? That's what I'm doing and let me tell you...it's so hard to keep all that bottled up fluttering inside me. So hard that one little high-pitched gasp got out, my face heats up immediately. "I…I still don't understand…" what does that promise have to do with the glass place?
He chuckles, "What I'm trying to say is," he turns to me getting at least inches near me "would you want to live-in with me—" LIVE-IN WITH YOU!? "—and Xion?"
I was gasping for breath, gasping for oxygen, gasping for the 'just kidding' phrases. Did he really have to phrase it like that!? Dear god Sora, we're going to have a long talk about 'word meaning and using them in the right context' cause that there, is not the right word or was it the right context.
"L-live… in? I—I …" I can only imagine how flustered my face could be.
"I mean if that's okay with you. I promise I'm not that pervert guy you're probably concluding me to be. Hopefully not, because I'm really just trying to help you out and… and … if you don't believe me ask Xion…I mean she's my sister and she knows everything about me… and and… and I—I—"
I covered his babbling mouth with my hand. You don't have to explain… I'm sorry I was the one assuming, "It's alright Sora. I'm not thinking that, and thank you for letting me stay in." I said in my most composed tone, even though on the inside I was jumping and screaming my head off.
A/N: Okay so that's 'Miss Me?' for you. What do you guys think? Is it heading off to the cliché, but good or cliché and bad plot line? Thank you for reading and don't forget to leave a review! :D
