Why Do I Love You? Ch. 8
Professor Hotaru continued reading his book, pretending his whole class wasn't glaring daggers at him. Great, two months into school and his whole class already hates him. They'll get over it…eventually. It's not like they can hold a grudge forever…well, except for Roxas.
The rest of the class finished their punishment within a week but they're still pissed with the redhead.
To everyone's enjoyment, the bell rang. Everyone quickly exited the classroom, not wanting to stay any longer than needed. Kairi said goodbye to Roxas before quickly leaving.
Roxas packed up his stuff before moving to the desk next to Professor Hotaru. Roxas fell down in his seat, opening the Dictionary to the M section.
"Strife, I'm not going to have you copy the dictionary," Axel said, closing it.
"Does this mean I'm going to have detention even longer?"
"No, you're not going to continue with this punishment. Instead I want to talk to you."
Roxas raised a skeptical brow. "I don't want to talk to you. I hate you."
"I want to eliminate the problem so nothing like this happens again."
"How do you propose to do that?"
"We should…understand each other. We need to talk and become…"
"Friends? You want to be my friend?" Roxas asked incredulously.
"Exactly. So, what do you say?" Axel asked nervously.
"Sure," Roxas said, smiling at the teacher.
A smile spread across the redheads face. "So…how was your weekend?"
"Axel, why'd you get a VIII tattooed on your hip?" Roxas asked after their laughter died down.
"VIII is my lucky number. I guess I always want it with me. What's your lucky number?"
"XIII. I should get it tattoo of it," Roxas said thoughtfully.
"When do you turn eighteen?"
"November 18th," Roxas murmured.
"I'll take you to get it done."
"Promise?" Roxas asked, eyes wide.
"Promise," Axel said, smiling at the happy expression on Roxas' face.
"Well, I have to go," Roxas said, looking reluctant. "My parents are taking me out to dinner."
Roxas gave Axel a quick smile before hurrying out of the classroom. Axel smiled, looking out the window. That was a lot easier than he thought.
Roxas sat at the foot of the grand staircase in his home, dressed in a nice suit. The blond stared at the front door expectantly, waiting for his parents. Roxas quickly looked at his watch. Midnight.
"Master Roxas," his maid, Coraline, whispered.
"I know," Roxas whispered, standing up.
She watched him walk up the stairs with sad eyes. "Sweet dreams Master Roxas," she murmured, truly feeling sorry for the kid.
"You look like hell!" Kairi said in shock as she met up with Roxas before class.
"Thanks," Roxas muttered, walking toward their first period math class.
The blond did look awful. His hair more disheveled than usual, dark purple bags under his blood shot eyes, clothes crinkled and sloppily put on, Roxas dragged himself to class. Kairi followed behind him, worried.
"Roxas? What's wrong?" Professor Inazuma asked as Roxas took his seat.
Roxas just let his head drop on his desk, drawing invisible circles with his finger tips. Kairi opened her mouth to talk to Roxas but stopped when Larxene gave her a death glare.
"Everyone is to leave Roxas alone. Now, pop quiz time," Larxene said, handing out the pop quiz.
The class groaned in unison. Why is it that they always have a quiz when Roxas is too depressed to take one?
"Roxas," Kairi hissed, leaning over.
"Toushi! Do you want detention?" Professor Inazuma demanded, leering at her.
"N-No Professor Inazuma," Kairi whimpered, looking away.
"Then leave Roxas alone and finish your test!" Professor Inazuma screeched.
"Yes ma'am," Kairi muttered, beginning her test.
"Roxas, just tell me what's wrong!"
Axel looked up as Kairi's shrill voice rang through the silent classroom. Roxas has his head lying on his desk as he read his book, ignoring Kairi completely.
"Kairi, he is obviously depressed. Just leave him alone and he'll tell you when he wants to," Zexion said without looking up from his novel.
Kairi opened her mouth to say something but shut it as Axel told her to be quiet. Kairi stuck out her lip, pouting like a small child. Axel stared at Roxas, waiting for him to make eye contact.
Feeling his eyes on him, Roxas looked up to meet Professor Hotaru's gaze. Roxas attempted a smile, looking like he was in pain. Axel frowned, giving Roxas a significant look.
"What's wrong?" Axel asked as he graded papers.
Roxas stopped twirling his pencil and looked at the redhead. "Why do you care?"
"Because I do. What's wrong?"
"That's not a valid reason," Roxas pointed out, trying to avoid the subject.
"Stop trying to change the subject! What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I had a fun time all by myself last night while I was sitting on the stairs for hours waiting for my parents! It was just splendid! Sitting on the stairs for hours hoping my parents will come!" Roxas said in a sickingly sweet voice.
Axel opened his mouth to speak but Roxas continued. "It doesn't matter that I'm their son! All that matters is money and the stupid family business! Who cares if we don't have dinner together like every other normal family? Who cares if I spend Christmas alone every year? Who cares if I go on family vacations with my maid?" Roxas asked in the same cheery voice.
"Who cares if I live with complete strangers? I don't and they certainly don't give a flying fuck!"
"I care," Axel whispered.
Roxas' head snapped up. "What?"
"I said, I care," Axel repeated.
Roxas' lip quivered as he fought the smile that threatened to break free. He lost. A huge smile spread across the blonds face.
"That makes one of us," Roxas murmured, leaning forward to hug the redhead.
Axel hesitated for a moment before returning the hug. "If you ever need to talk, I'll be there," Axel whispered into Roxas' yellow spikes.
The two looked up as the classroom door opened. Xemnas stood in the doorway, a shocked expression on his face. Roxas quickly let go of Axel.
"Strife, don't you think it's time to go home?" Xemnas asked, staring at Axel.
Taking the hint, Roxas hurried out of the classroom. Xemnas closed the door behind him before walking up to Axel.
"Axel, I told you"—
"It's not what it looks like. We're just friends," Axel said.
"…not to start any relationships with your students. It won't end well. It never does. Do your self a favor and end it now before it turns into something else," Xemnas advised.
"It won't turn into anything more."
"For your sake, I hope not," Xemnas said before leaving.
