A/N Sup guys. Well...EXAMS ARE OVER. A:LDSFKJHEOIUW 8D. Yeah, I'm that happy. Funnily enough, English was my lowest exam, but my teacher's a jerk, so it makes sense. Try answering a multiple choice question that has four right answers... _

Disclaimer: FOR THE BILLIONTH TIME, I DON'T OWN KH. KTHXBAI. .

Previously...

With every passing day and every tick of the clock, his insatiable curiosity and confusion increased. It drove him nuts to sit still and think about it. He wished this stalemate would end soon.

Little did he know that a storm was brewing as our teenage hero moved into the month of December.

"Hang it over there, idiot!"

"I'm trying, alright!?"

"Guys, you're too loud."

"YOU try hanging this thing up while balancing on your tiptoes on a wobbly stool!"

"Hey, somebody help me set up the table!"

"No can do, Olette! I can't lose to Hayner this time!"

"NO, hang it on that nail, not the shelf!"

"Shut up, Axel! I heard you the first ten times!"

Furrowing his eyebrows in concentration, Roxas lifted the flimsy Christmas wreath off the shelf and made his way to the nail that was placed at a distance just barely out of his reach. He put one hand on the bottom of the wreath to keep it from falling and frantically thrust it at the nail, hoping that the string attached to the decoration would get caught onto it. Just as the string met the end of the nail, a large voice exploded from the TV screen in the living room accompanied by a triumphant shout and a loud groan, causing Roxas to stagger and nearly fall off the stool. He reached out for something to grab onto just in case, but his finger collided with the wall, which forced him to let out a yelp.

"First, they bust open my Wii in my own house, and now they're not even helping set up." Roxas muttered to himself.

Every Christmas, Roxas and company would throw a party to celebrate the annual event. Although he constantly voiced his disapproval for having his house be the location ever year, the gang always ended up at his pad. Before, it was only Hayner, Olette, and Pence who came, but now more people soon got caught into the tradition. Axel started joining the fray two years ago, and then his best friend Demyx arrived last year.

Demyx was the polar opposite of Axel. Like Roxas, he was not as devious as his best friend, and unlike Roxas, was surprisingly an A-student, despite his appearance. He acted as the negotiator between the principal and Axel every time the hooligan was in danger of being suspended, but would get in trouble himself since he was a trouble-magnet.

The tradition was simple: Olette would do most of the cooking, since she was the best at the culinary arts out of the teens, and because last time Axel had brought over a container full to the brim with gasoline. He insisted that he use it to barbeque steaks.

Every year, Pence would challenge Hayner to a game competition. As the years passed, the games they played also changed. From games like Mortal Kombat to Mario Party, and so on. If there was a multiplayer option, the two were all over it. However, the party favorite was undoubtedly Brawl. Ever since the four earned enough money, they pooled their profits and purchased the game a week after it had been released. Hayner denies it, but he had to wrestle the last copy of the game out of an old lady's hands.

Roxas would keep the game since he paid for most of it, and secondly, he was the only one who owned a Wii. Therefore, his friends would make up any excuse just to come over and "play a bit".

That was another reason why Roxas's house was always the place where they held the party: free Brawls.

Another reason was the quality of Roxas's not-so-humble-abode. His house consisted of two floors, a basement, and a wine cellar. The bedrooms were in the second floor, all joined by a single hallway. At the end was a washroom, which was strange since it seemed to have been added on as an afterthought. The lobby boasted a glass chandelier that dangled from the ceiling of the second floor, but with age the masterpiece slowly deteriorated and lost its former grandeur. Joined to the lobby was a cavernous room that contained an upright piano and a fireplace. A rug was placed on the carpet floor and a glass table was set in the middle to anchor it.

What was most delightful was the fact that the kitchen, dining room, and living room were conjoined together to form a straight line. If one were to turn on the TV in the living room, they would be able to whip up a snack in the kitchen and still be able to view the TV programme. Roxas remembered his parents commenting on how the structure of the three rooms were similar to the rooms in the Masque of the Red Death, but he had no idea by what they meant.

At that time, Roxas was busy decorating the various rooms with cheap tinsel and drab ornaments that originated from a dollar store. Axel was sitting in a leather armchair, observing the fight between Hayner and Pence, and Demyx was playing an assortment of Christmas tunes on his blue and custom-made guitar. There was a light and relaxing feel on that night, as the worries of every single person were suspended for that party.

Roxas got down to adjust the position of the stool, and once again attempted to adorn the wall with the accursed wreath. Just as the loop of string managed to hook onto the nail, a high-pitched screech and surprised yelps came from the kitchen, causing Roxas to topple over. Luckily, the wreath stayed on, but just barely.

He would need an ice pack for his head later.

Since he was already finished with the decorations, Roxas made his way to the dining room, only for him to see an unconscious Olette in Hayner's arms.

"What happened here?"

"Olette saw a spider, and now she's out cold." Hayner simply replied.

"Geez, Rox, you should clean up the place once in a while!" exclaimed Axel playfully.

"I don't want to hear that from you of all people!"

"What about Olette? We can't just leave her here!"

"Put her down on the couch. She needs some space."

With that Hayner carried the unconscious brunette over to the couch and started fanning her with his jacket.

Everybody crowded around her to see if she was okay. Even Demyx stopped his strumming to his own beat and craned his neck to look over the crowd.

"How long do you think it'll take for her to wake up?" Pence asked in a worried tone.

"Well, it usually takes her about an hour before she wakes up..." thought Roxas out loud.

"WHAT!? Then who's gonna cook!? The turkey's still in the fridge!" exclaimed Axel.

It was then that the situation was fully realized. Without Olette, there would be no food, since none of the boys could cook even if their lives depended on it. Roxas did not even know how to work the oven, since he hardly ever set foot in his own kitchen.

If Olette didn't wake up soon, they would have to survive a night without food, which would be a horrible way to celebrate Christmas.

As if on cue, the band panicked all at once.

"Oh my GOD."

"Olette! Snap out of it!"

"WHAT'RE WE GONNA DO!?"

"Somebody call 911!"

"I can't find the phone!"

"Somebody call the National Guard!"

"I just said that I can't find the phone!"

"Use your cell!"

"It's out of batteries!"

"You think that plant is edible?"

"Don't you dare touch those, Axel!"

"Mommy..." croaked Demyx in a weak voice.

"Don't be such a weakling, Demy!"

"You're not one to talk. You're out cold for hours just by getting jabbed in the head."

"You wanna start a fight, Pence?"

"It wouldn't be much of a fight, Hayner." Pence retorted, sticking out his tongue out.

"Why I oughta...!"

The two boys stared each other down, while Axel was comforting and trying to prevent Demyx from breaking down into a sobbing fit. Roxas just assumed the fetal position and stared out a window.

He hoped that this party would end soon.

A moment later, there was a ring at the doorbell. Roxas turned his head and looked at the front door, wondering who it could possibly be. His parents were to an Adults-only party, so they wouldn't be home for a while. It couldn't be Sora or Kairi, since they were having a special date that night.

Roxas looked back at his friends and none of them seemed to have heard the doorbell. In fact, they were still in their respective roles. It was a good thing Leon didn't come to the party, or he would have to have met his friends.

Knowing that nobody else would greet the newcomer, Roxas got up and walked over to the wooden double doors. He tried to look out the eyehole, but it was too dark outside to see. There was a faint silhouette of a person standing outside, that much was clear, but no discernible characteristics could help Roxas with revealing the stranger's identity.

Roxas warily grasped the doorknob, and cautiously opened the front door just enough for his head to poke through the gap. His eyes searched darkness, and they soon met a pair of pale blue orbs.

His jaw nearly dropped, for Namine was standing outside his house, shivering in the freezing cold. She had on a face that was neither happy nor cold, which sent a chill down Roxas's spine. Seeing her look like that was very unsettling, to say the least.

"N-namine? What...?"

Namine reached into her satchel bag that was slung over her shoulder and took out a battered two-inch binder.

"You left it in class yesterday. I called your house, but you didn't pick up, so I looked up your address on the student profiles and decided to bring it to you in person." She explained.

Feeling like an immature five-year-old being looked down upon by an adult, he bowed his head in shame and thanked her for taking to time to bring it to his house.

Namine nodded and took in her surroundings, while Roxas stood at the doorway and fidgeted with his fingers.

"It's surprising." Namine spoke, after a moment's silence. Roxas looked at her with a questioning look.

"What do you mean?"

"It's Christmas, isn't it? Shouldn't you be spending quality time with your family and friends?"

"Oh, that. Actually, I am. My friends are here right now."

"Really? It's awfully quiet inside."

"Guh-!" The boy choked out, remembering that his friends were in an unstable condition.

"Well, we're just experiencing some minor difficulties."

"Oh. If that's all, then I'll take my leave. Merry Christmas." Namine said tonelessly.

Without another word, she turned her back on Roxas and walked down the driveway without another glance. As Roxas watched her receding figure, he was wondering why he could not move. It was as if his feet had blended with the concrete doorstep, keeping him in place. He tried opening his mouth, but invisible hand clenched his throat with an iron grip, refusing to let him make out an audible sound.

The snow that danced in the night sky slowly swallowed up Namine, but Roxas could only stand and watch her walk away.

For the past several weeks, Roxas had been looking for a chance to talk to her, to ask her what the problem was. He would blame everything on the avoidance issue, but deep down he was afraid. Roxas Hikari was afraid of what would happen. How would he start? What would he say? Although he was a bit disheartened by Namine avoiding her, he was also a bit relieved, since it meant that the conversation could be delayed for another day.

In the end, the two had reached a stalemate. Nothing was resolved, yet the problem between them was also unclear, making the dilemma infinitely more complex. He always prayed for one lucky encounter, and today, on Christmas Eve, the opportunity was being handed to him on a silver platter. So why couldn't he move? Why couldn't he speak? Just why?

A sudden memory emerged from his subconsciousness, and an image of a boy with silver hair combed at the middle invaded his mind.

Just as I thought. You ARE good for nothing.

Calling upon courage and resolve he never knew he had, Roxas ran after the girl he could never let go of.

Within seconds, he could already make out the details of her back. The pale blonde hair flowing down her back, her graceful steps, and the cloud of her breath rising above her head.

"Wait! Hold up a minute!"

Namine stopped in her tracks, and pivoted on her heels. She faced Roxas, waiting for him to say something.

Roxas slowed down to catch his breath, then inhaled deeply and looked straight into Namine's eyes.

He was going to say it. This was it. He could finally confront her about the why she had been avoiding him. All he had to do was spit out the words, the long-awaited words.

"At least give me the chance to say something!"

"...Yes?"

Say it.

"There's something I've wanted to know for a while..."

Say it!

"And that is?"

"Why..."

SAY IT!!!!

"Why...are you leaving so soon?"

For the love of...!

"Excuse me?" Namine asked, with a perplexed look.

"Like you said, it's Christmas, right? Why not join us?"

"I'm meeting some friends."

To make her stay, Roxas used an underhanded move.

"You're lying. I'm your first friend, remember? I would know if you had any other friends."

Namine's eyes widened, and Roxas could tell that she inwardly cursed herself for slipping up like that. He was caught between grinning in triumph and punching himself for using that kind of tactic.

"Shouldn't you be spending quality time with your family and friends?" Roxas asked gently.

There was no response. The two stood out in the snow for what seemed like an hour. Namine remained faithful to her unreadable expression, and Roxas remained standing in front of her, patiently waiting for her answer.

Just when he thought that Namine had fallen asleep, she stirred, and replied.

"I am your teacher and your friend. Be that as it may, I cannot get too involved with any of my pupils."

Although he never asked for a reason, Roxas now knew the reason why she had been avoiding him.

"Sorry, Miss Kanzaki, but you're wrong. You're only my teacher in that classroom."

Namine shivered, but quickly regained her composure.

"...Alright. I'll stay for a bit...but you're walking me home." Namine added, and this time, Roxas felt the girl he fell in love with beginning to return.

A flare of hope flickered inside Roxas upon hearing those words.

"I'd be delighted, ma'am."

Reader: OMG WTF TOOK YOU SO LONG YOU NOOB!?

Me: I'm sorry...

Reader: SHUT UP AND WRITE MORE SO I CAN BE SATISFIED!

Me: :( Anyways, since exams are over, you can expect weekly updates, but since this a one man show, there will most likely unforeseen circumstances that will prevent me from doing just that. R&R!

Reader: YOU DON'T GET ANY! BAWWWWW!

Me: D: