Yayyyy! I can update on time!

Holiday's over though :(

I've got intensive German course now T_T

But I promise I will get the job done! ^^

I've been having some major brainstorms these days XD

But so little time to type them -.-

Well, enjoy this chapter! I'm looking forward for the feedback!

Thank you for the reviews! I swear, they mean a whole LOT to me! Do follow and favorite ^^ and review! Your reviews are sooooo building! :D

Naminè gasped at the reaction that Roxas gave her. She couldn't really tell whether Roxas was mad that she accused his crush of such thing or was he on her side. Deep in her thought, she knew that's it's a bit unbelievable too. But she really didn't know who else to turn to.

The bell rang. The noise it's making filled the voiceless situation in between Naminè and Roxas. She looked down on her hands because she really didn't want to lose Roxas as a friend. She was afraid that if she told Roxas about Xion, then it would make him mad to her. It was a risk she just had to take.

She closed her eyes and tears started rolling down her cheeks. Then she felt a brisk of touch on her good shoulder. She looked up and found Roxas smiling helplessly to her as if he's trying to say, don't worry. It was very subtle, but it meant a lot to her.

"Why are you crying?" he asked.

She wiped her own tears and said, "I thought you'd be mad at me because I accuse your crush of such thing"

"Well, do I look like I'm mad?"

She studied the gesture he gave her and the expression on his face. It was no doubt that his eyes are emitting a very gentle care towards her and not rage. She sighed in relieve and said, "No..."

"Well then, don't cry" he said while smiling at her and patting her shoulder.

"You really are the truest best friend I've ever had" said Naminè and she really meant that.

Meanwhile, that statement was a bit disappointing to Roxas but he kept his head high. He grabbed his books and threw them in his bag. Then he stood up and offered a hand to Naminè. "Let's go to the next class?" he said.

Naminè then cleared her desk and stood up to Roxas' hand. She couldn't help to let her heart flutter in such a strange way. She was just happy that she could keep a friend.

"Okay, let's go" she said.

So, they went to their next class which was Algebra. And in class, they sat together. Even Kairi was surprised to see this. Whether it's a pleasant surprise or a horrific one, she didn't know. All she knew was that she's worried Xion might do something to Naminè.

After the Algebra class was done, Naminè had music class, and Roxas had PE class. So, they parted their ways and they promised each other to meet up at lunch. Then when Naminè was stepping into the music class, she realized something: Axel's gonna be here.

So, he was. He was sitting there cleaning his instrument and he seemed like he didn't notice Naminè was in the room. That was until the teavher greeted her and told her to sit next to Axel. Way to go, she thought.

There was an awkward silence when Naminè sat there. At least to her. It seemed like Axel was very calm. He was his usual cool headed guy. And it impressed Naminè sometimes. She somehow liked that cold stare that he wore and loved the somber stare that he gave her this morning. There's something about Axel that was probably just too complicated for everyone to notice, except Naminè.

"H-hey, Axel" she said trying to start a conversation. She didn't fully understand why she did that either.

"Yes?"

"Earlier... what did you-..."

Axel cut her words with: "I'm sorry"

"Wh-..."

"Please remember"

"Okay, class! From the top!" said the teacher. And that ended their conversation.

That's a really tough request for Naminè. She's trying her best. And even if she remembers it, why did she forget about it in the first place? It's impossible that she could forget such a memory. If it was really a memory, it must've been a dear one to her. And she never forgets a dear memory.

Naminè shook the thought off as she was walking down the hallway when she heard Roxas' voice calling. She waved back at him and was dumbstruck to find Xion standing beside him. What is she doing?

"Xion said she wants to have lunch with us, is it okay with you?" asked Roxas.

No, it's not, Roxas! But it's impossible to refuse, is it not? Xion smiled as she hung her lunch box in her can Roxas do this? He knew she was petrified of Xion. What was in his mind?

"Why of course" said Naminè while smiling. And the three of them strode to the cafeteria to eat their lunches.

When they were eating, there was a very awkward and long silence. No one said a thing and Naminè tried her best to avoid eye contact with her. And whenever she did have an eye contact, Xion just smiled at her. To her, it was very intoxicating.

"Your sandwich is amazing, Nams" said Roxas while smiling at her.

"Her sandwich?" asked Xion looking as calm as the river water but still has the terrifying deepness.

"Yes, well... our. We made it" explained Roxas.

Naminè felt a sudden chill piercing through her ribs. She could feel the unspoken threat lying in Xion's eyes as she glided those eye balls from Roxas to her. What was he thinking? Telling Xion that they were together to make those sandwiches? She told him about how Xion threatened her and why did he do that?

"So, Naminè. You seem very chummy with Axel nowadays," said Xion driving off the topic "I didn't know a girl such as you would be interested in a broken wing"

"Broken wing? What do you mean?" asked Naminè. That title that Xion just gave Axel just sparked some interest in Naminè to know more about this 'broken wing' title.

Xion smiled. Somehow Naminè just can't differ which smile is sincere and which is not anymore. But she just kept her interest in knowing what Xion had meant. She carefully stared at her, waiting for an answer. Roxas in the other hand is casually eating his sandwich, remaining totally oblivious to the topic of the Axel Flamerose.

"He's like that, isn't he?" asked Xion leaving the question to Naminè "He's beautiful as a wing. But broken. You should know him better, Naminè"

Again, after that answer, an awkward silence drove pass them. Naminè didn't know what to do. She was scared, but she wanted to stood her ground.

"Well anyway, who will you go to the Winter Formal with, Naminè?" asked Xion so casually as she picked another food with her spoon.

This is actually the question that Naminè has been wondering herself. Who would she go with? The first name that popped up into her mind was actually Roxas. But she shook the thought off when she saw Xion. Her eyes were so eager to hear the answer.

And why would she thought of Roxas? It's not like he's gonna want to go there with her or something. He's my friend, she kept reminding herself of her position.

"I..." Naminè stopped to think, all she could cone up with is "I don't know yet"

"I see," said Xion. She moved her eyes as if she confirmed the answer. It was like she was satisfied to hear it, but not yet letting her guards down. Then she continued "Then you better hurry and find a date! The dance is in front of our eyes!"

"Yeah, I guess so" said Naminè. She wanted to roll her eyes, but she knew better to be on Xiob's bad side. So she just toss back the question "How about you, Xion?"

To her surprise, Xion was actually delighted to hear the question. She smirked and put down her spoon and fork to the sides of her lunch box and said "No. Guys have been asking me," she paused to look at Roxas "But the one I want to go with haven't done that"

"I wonder who's the lucky guy, Xion" said Roxas.

What are you up to, Roxas? You know it's you, wondered Naminè. She still couldn't see the whole point of this. Eating lunch with Xion, telling her about the rendezvous they have had this morning. What is he up to?

"You want to find out?" asked Xion almost as if she was being mischievous. Almost as if she was about to flirt with Roxas and Naminè didn't like that one bit at all.

"Well, you've got me curious" said Roxas while munching another bite of the sandwich.

"You should look into the mirror" answered Xion. Ugh, Naminè just wanted to puke to have heard that answer. That was such a lowly flirt. That and she didn't like what Xion was doing to Roxas.

But Naminè was curious to what Roxas might respond. So she dropped her sandwich carefully and looked at Roxas who was still munching on his lunch and waited to what might come out of his lips

"Well," he said lowering his sandwich "As you can see, I'm not carrying any mirror around. But I might have an idea who the guy is"

Is this real? Did Roxas just replied the flirt? Did he just flirt back to Xion? I hope you know what you're doing, Roxas... Naminè's feeling was crushed, but it was because of the worry. At least that's what she kept answering herself to. She's worried that something bad would happen to Roxas.

But then again, maybe it's just that Roxas really had a crush on Xion. And even if she might hurt Naminè, Roxas has all the rights to still want to date Xion. Naminè couldn't shake the feelings that she might lose her newfound best friend.

"Would you like to go to the Winter Formal with me?" said Roxas.

Naminè was startled because she was thinking so hard. That was really Roxas's voice, but did he just asked her or Xion? Then Naminè snapped her mind back to reality to find that Roxas was looking at Xion.

Right, of course it was Xion. Why would she think that Roxas would ask her? Somewhere in her heart, she did hope that it was her. Even if she knew it was impossible from the start.

Xion looked at Naminè with her coldest stare. But this one looked like she just claimed her victory. Naminè could feel the mock shooting through her ribs.

After Xion made sure Naminè heard the proposal, she said "Why, I'd love to, Roxas"

"Okay, but I can't pick you up. We'll just meet at school. Is that okay?" asked Roxas.

"Absolutely" said Xion while looking at Naminè "Absolutely fine"

"So, congrats then you two" said Naminè while forcing her best smile she could ever generate. Xion was pleased to see this and it seems like Roxas didn't realize.

"I think Axel will ask you, Naminè" said Xion suddenly.

And at the mention of Axel's name, Roxas went back to munch his lunch. It's a bit off, but Naminè didn't seen to realize it. Roxas was never such a fan of the Axel topic.

"You're just the girl, you know? The only one who could melt Axel Flamerose's cold heart" said Xion again.

"His heart is not cold!" defended Naminè. This surprised both Roxas and Xion. And she was shocked herself to hear her saying that. She lowered her voice and said "He has a fragile heart... I guess. That's why he seemed inapproachable"

"I see now you understand what broken wing means" said Xion while smirking.

Namine looked at Xion. She studied her remarks well enough to know that Xion was happy to hear how Naminè was really drawn into the talk of Axel. She was interested, but she just felt something weird deep inside her heart.

"I... I think I need to go to the teacher's office. You know, for tomorrow's substitute test" said Naminè. She lied. She just felt like she wanted to be alone at the moment. She wanted to take in all of the things that happened that day.

"Naminè, I..." Roxas almost caught Naminè's hand when she got up. But he realized that Xion was anticipating what could happen next. Naminè also turned her face back to Roxas and waited for what he would say. He finally drew his arm back and said "I'll see you later"

What was I expecting? she thought. She walked through the corridors like nothing else was in her way. She didn't even recognize Kairi calling up to her. She just walked like she didn't have any soul inside her eyes.

She finally decided to sit on the bench under a big tree in the school park. Once there she just laid her back and looked up to the tree. Then she had a pretty crazy idea to climb it. She remembered that she loved to be on top of the tree. The height excites her and the view was amazing.

So she did. She climbed the tree. She felt really calm up there. She could even forgot the chain of events that tire her mind. But still, she could not shake that feeling that she got when Roxas asked Xion. What was that piercing feeling? I didn't like it one bit.

The school bell suddenly rang and surprised her. She lost balance! She tried to grab the nearest branch l, but it broke. Expecting the crash, she closed her eyes. But after so long, she didn't feel the crash.

She opened her eyes. Then she saw those glimmering red eyes that matched the flaming hair. Axel, she exclaimed in her heart.

"You really are an angel, aren't you?" he said while chuckling. Naminè's clumsiness must have amused him. And also the fact that she just decided to climb the tree.

"Wh- What are you doing here?" she said while he landed her on the ground safely.

"I just happened to walk here," answered Axel "What? Is it so weird that I just happen to walk past here?"

"Ummm, no..." said Naminè while looking down, trying to avert Axel's gaze. She could still see the silver locket dangling around his neck. It's pretty weird. He usually hides it in his shirt. Maybe it slipped out when he caught her midair.

"The real question here is what were you doing climbing that tree?" asked Axel while inserting each of his hands into his side pockets.

"I was..." Naminè searched for an answer to that question.

But Axel beat her thought and said "It doesn't matter. Just be careful next time"

Naminè nodded and a question slipped out of her tongue "Axel, are you going to the Winter Formal?"

"I don't know. Should I?"

"You haven't asked anyone?"

"No. Should I?"

"Uugghh. Why is it so hard to talk to you normally?"

"Isn't it more fun this way?"

Naminè looked directly at him. She really needed an answer, Axel needed her to have the answer that he had. But he didn't want to give it to her. She let out a sigh and said "Why are there so many versions of you?"

"I'll text you tonight. Let's see if it'll be normal" he said while walking away leaving the confused Naminè in the school park alone.

-TBC-