One School, One Destiny
Sweetest thing
Sora and Seifer walked side by side in the hallway, heading towards the cafeteria.
"Man, sure is good to be back!" Sora smiled and stretched his arms. "God, it was so boring at home."
"Tell me about it. I feel like a king here." Seifer grinned.
When Sora wished to sit in their usual table, he noticed that none of his friends were present, and some students he didn't know sat there instead. "Hey, where is everybody?"
"We're sitting at the big table today." Seifer pointed.
Sora turned around and stared at the table that was making the loudest noise; it belonged to the Cheerleaders and the Blitz-Ball Team Players, but Seifer and his own group liked to join them every once in a while.
"Aw, sweet!" Sora quickly ran to the big group; the guys greeted him back with high fives, while most of the girls hugged him as they giggled.
"We're full house today, huh?" One of the Players grinned. "Aside from our Captain, of course."
"Ah, let me tell you, I know you like him and all, but I'm glad Leon isn't with us during lunch-time." Sora groaned.
The group laughed; Seifer shook his head with a grin.
"That fight… Wow, you guys sure are something!"
"We knew you disliked each other, but that random fight really caught us off guard." One of the Cheerleaders giggled as she held Sora's hand.
"I just hope we won't have to choose between you two…" Another Player voiced his feelings.
"Hmm…" Sora scratched the back of his head.
"Don't think too much. It'll all work itself out." Another girl with soft pink lip-gloss advised and kissed his cheek.
"Girls, girls, please." Seifer grinned. "He has a girlfriend."
Whispers and 'oh, right! That's why they fought' were heard.
"She is not my girlfriend!" Sora blushed. "Thanks a lot, Seifer!"
Seifer laughed as one of the Players whistled. "I admit it's a nice move, but stealing someone's girl ain't right, Sora."
"I wasn't stealing!"
"Give him a break!" One Cheerleader stood up from her seat. "He didn't do anything! He simply acted on his own feelings and I think it is dead romantic!"
"Yeah!" Her friend agreed. "If it is anyone's fault, then it is Kairi's! She shouldn't have done it!"
"That's not… Kairi's fault, either…" Sora tried to calm everyone down.
"What did he find in her, anyway…? I mean, her hair is amazing and she's pretty nice, but…"
"Guys, shut it. We don't know what happened exactly in there and who exactly started the kiss."
"I… Started it." The brown-haired boy admitted.
"Well, see then? It's Sora's fault!"
"Oh, I'm sure she kissed him back! She probably begged for more!"
"Sora." The same guy who accused him faced him again. "After the party, did you two kiss again?"
"Uh… Yeah. When I was walking her home."
"And you kissed her, right?"
"Uh, no. She kissed me."
"What?" He yelled.
Some laughed and some cheered.
"See?" The blond Cheerleader spoke again.
"Guys, guys, stop…" Sora tried to shut them up. That table always was loud and noisy, but that time he admitted they went too far. All the other students stared at them. "Stop!"
Everyone stopped and looked at Sora.
"I don't want to think about Leon right now. Nor do I want to think about Kairi. I'll… Fix everything somehow. For now, I just want to hang out with you guys!"
"Awww!" The girls squealed and the guys smiled.
"Ain't you some hot topic today." Seifer patted his back.
"You're the one to talk. People still talk about your manly-man musical fight, you know that?" Sora smiled back.
"Hey! That guy was going for my pants!" He laughed.
"Speaking of the guy… Ain't it that one?" Hayner pointed at two figures at the entrance of the cafeteria.
"Ooh, it's Xion!" A Cheerleader beamed.
"Hey, Xion!" A Player called.
Xion turned to stare at the group. She waved and smiled cutely. But then she shook her head and walked away with Roxas to sit somewhere else.
"…The Hell?"
"What is she doing with freaky-freak?"
"Are they dating?"
"Idiot! She's with Axel!"
"Yeah, and the minute before she hooked up with Axel, she was with Marluxia! So what?"
"Axel's smoking hot."
"If that freaky guy is dating anyone, then it should be Xion's twin. They both are so quiet that it's creepy."
"Naminé? I think she's cute." Some boy said.
"That guy is cute himself, but… He sure is bizarre." A female Cheerleader pouted.
"'Bizarre'? I think he's fucking awesome! The way he hit Seifer!" Another laughed.
"You know, Axel's amazing and all, but I still really think Xion and Leon should date each other."
"Totally. She's the Captain of the Cheerleaders' Team; he's Captain of the Blitz-Ball Team—meant to be!"
"Oh my God, that is so stupid! Just 'cause they're both Captains doesn't mean anything!"
"I heard they went on a date once."
"It was a hung-out, they said."
"You know what's weird? That Xion and Riku never knew each other."
"Oh, fucking yes! They were, like, the top, but always missed each other and were oblivious and what not."
"But what is she doing with him?" A girl yelled and pointed at Roxas and Xion's table. "I wanna know!"
"I heard he's super poor or something."
"Someone told me his Mom is a cleaner or something like that."
"He's kind of—"
"I hate that guy." Sora whispered but caught everyone's attention.
"…" The group exchanged looks.
"Uh… I get it, it's irritating, but aren't you overreacting?" Hayner raised an eyebrow. "You're Sora! You don't hate anyone. You don't even hate Leon, even though you're practically enemies."
"Well, then I really, really, really, really, really dislike this guy."
"I've never seen you this mad. Look, if it bothers you that much, then we can ask Xion to sit with us…" Hayner offered.
"No! He's just so… Ugh!"
"Roxas?" Seifer raised an eyebrow. "He's my friend now! He's pretty cool."
"What did he do to you?" Cloud—who kept quiet during the entire time—spoke calmly.
"Nothing, I just… Never mind, it's stupid." Sora sighed. 'How am I supposed to explain that I'm jealous because he grabbed Riku's attention?' He thought to himself.
"Well…" A girl pouted. "Guess your Captain ain't the only one who's missing."
"Can't believe she actually ditched us for that new guy…" Another one pouted.
"Cheer up, ya know!" Rai grinned. "One time ain't means she's ditching ya! Ya'll know Xion fuckin' loves ya!"
"Yeah, that ain't ditching. You know what is ditching? Ditching is acting the way he does." A Player looked towards a distant table.
Everyone turned around and Sora noticed Tidus sitting next to Wakka, as he usually did.
"He barely goes out with us now! And when he does, he brings that loser in."
"What does he even see in him? That Wakka kid is just… A complete loser."
"Aw, come on. This isn't fair." Sora said. "They're friends since they were born."
"So? You and Riku used to be friends, too! But now you have new friends!"
"I didn't ditch my old friends, though! I still am in touch with Tidus and Wakka and Kairi…!"
"Yeah!" A green-eyed beauty helped Sora. "Besides, I think it's Riku's fault. Ever since he got sick, he pushed everyone aside! He didn't want anything to do with us!"
"Definitely!"
"Agree!"
"Guys…" Sora pleaded.
"Face it, Sora. Whenever we'll think about 'Sora's best childhood friend', Riku will immediately pop into our heads. But now you two aren't friends anymore. And all you did during the past year is fight like a married couple."
"We're not… I mean, yeah, we are going through a bad time, but I'm not…"
"Hehe. You talk as if you're dating him!" A girl giggled.
"Please." Another boy rolled his eyes. "Sora here is straight, as he should be. He is not some gay fucking fag like that fat kid."
"Pence." A boy who was eating chips nodded. "Hate him."
Hayner immediately gulped and felt his entire body burning up. Luckily, nobody seemed to pay attention.
"When he is walkin' down the halls, it's like a huge cartwheel is rollin' by, ya know?" Rai said and many laughed.
Hayner bit his lip nervously. His head was spinning and his heart was beating fast. When he started to taste blood coming from his lip, he stopped biting it and prayed that the group would jump to a different subject as soon as possible.
Xion and Roxas were spending time together during their fifth period in the cafeteria. When she first came in, her group of friends—that mostly contained the Cheerleaders and the Blitz-Ball Team Players—called her to sit by their side, as usual. However, she simply shook her head with a smile, pointed at Roxas and walked away with him.
Roxas tried to ignore the nasty looks he got from her friends as she declined their offer and settled with sitting next to him that day; if Xion noticed her friends' confused and fierce looks, she definitely hid it well.
Xion didn't regret choosing to sit next to the boy. And although she could've easily taken him over to her usual table, with the rest of the guys, she wanted to be alone with him and get to know him better. What did bother her, though, was the silence. She didn't find it awkward, rather boring. She was used to loud noises, laughs and cheers. She herself was jumpy and feisty. She felt as if she was about to explode from the lack of life, and the fact that the big group was obviously talking about some hot topic didn't do her any good.
"You sure don't speak a lot, huh?" She half-smiled.
"Uh…" He played with his food. "I just… You know…"
She laughed. "Lighten up! I ain't gonna bite ya! Well, unless you want me to." She winked and laughed harder at the appearance of the faint blush on his face.
"Actually, I… Kind of feel odd."
"What do you mean?" She asked seriously.
"I… Didn't want… You to ditch your friends for me…"
"Oh!" She smiled. "You're worried about that! Don't worry; although it is obvious that I am awesome and necessary for the society, I doubt they'd die because I'm not sitting next to them today."
Roxas looked at her in awe and couldn't determine whether or not she was joking. She looked serious, as if she actually believed in what she said.
'Well… I would believe that, too.' He thought to himself. 'She is pretty amazing… And popular.'
"Hey, don't overthink it!" She playfully punched his arm.
"Hehe… Sorry." He smiled.
"Oh, finally! A smile! Ah, this is getting better and better."
"Say, Xion…"
"Aw, you're so cute when you call my name!" She yelled happily.
"S-Stop doing that! You make me—"
"—Blush and look like an awkward tomato?" She guessed with an innocent smile.
"…Damn." He puffed his cheeks and she then found him even cuter.
"Hahaha! Okay, sorry. What did you want to say?"
"Oh, right." He looked up. "Why don't you have much food on your tray?" They both looked down and examined her meal; apple, water and salad. "Are you on a diet or something?"
"Although I am supposed to be on one, since I'm a Cheerleader, I am not dieting." She explained softly. "I just… Don't like eating in school, I guess… But you gotta see me at home, nothing can stop me there!"
He grinned back. "So… The school simply makes you feel sick, or what?"
"Meh. I don't know." She played with the green apple in her hand. "I do know that if Naminé were with me during this period, I'd eat the entire building."
"Naminé?" He cocked his head to the side.
"Aw, so damn cute!" She grinned again. "Anyway, yeah. My twin sister."
"Wow! You have a twin sister?" He asked amazed.
"Yeah! Wait till you'll see her. I guarantee you'll fall head over heels for her."
"But you're twins!" He chuckled. "If I'll fall for her, then that means I'm falling for you, too!"
"But we're still different, you know. Her hair is blonde, for example. And her personality is quieter and gentler. But I don't mind if you'd fall for me." She leaned her chin in the palm of her hand and stared at him with cloudy eyes.
"S-Stop it…" He scratched the back of his head.
"Haha, okay, I'm sorry! I'll stop doing that. Plus, I have a boyfriend."
He narrowed his eyes and looked to his left, as if trying to recall something. "Wait… Is it that redheaded guy from the day we were suspended?"
"That's the one!"
"Yeah, I remember him and some pink-haired guy. But you seemed angry at that guy, so I figured it's the first."
"Just to make things easier—pink hair is Marluxia and red hair is Axel. And Marluxia is my ex. I am currently dating Axel."
"Oh!" He nodded. "I don't really remember what he looks like, but I try to picture you two together and you look good!"
"Thanks, darling!" She felt proud. "He is supposed to come back today, too. I wonder where he is… Haven't seen him in here today."
"You didn't see him for an entire week?"
"Yeah, right." She rolled her eyes. "That guy practically lives in my house."
"Where is your house, by the way? If I'm allowed to know, that is."
"You're allowed anything 'cause you're such a damn cutie." She stretched her arms and yawned. "Anyway, I don't live far away from here. Know the Major Marine area, next to the Main Island?"
"You live next to there?"
"I live there."
"…In Major Marine?"
"Yep!"
"…Dude."
"No. Chick."
"That's like… Fancy!" He exclaimed.
"I guess." She shrugged and bit her apple. "Where do you live?"
"Uh…" He immediately felt faint and warm; his head was spinning and his palms started to sweat. "It's pretty far away from here. On the other side of the Island."
"Oh. Is it a good place, though?"
"Huh… Yeah, definitely." He lied with a bright smile.
"Oh, your smile is charming!" She looked deeply into his eyes. "Wow, I think I'll have to break-up with Axel because of you."
"D-Don't!" He held his hands in front of his body. His cracked voice held panic and concern.
Xion lively laughed again.
He stared at her in silence again, still trying to understand when she spoke truthfully and when she joked around. Slowly, he himself started to chuckle lowly as he ruffled his own messy hair. "You… Sure do laugh a lot."
"And you don't laugh enough." She responded quickly.
"I—"
The bell rang and Xion groaned loudly and put her head against the table. "Oh, God damn, I have fucking History now!"
"I have English… It's boring."
"Tell me about i—wait, English?" She quickly lifted her head up and stared at him.
"Uh, yeah… I think that's my schedule. Why?"
"Please tell me you're in group A with that pretty young teacher who wears way too much red lipstick but still looks smokin' hot."
"That's the one!" Roxas immediately confirmed.
Xion smiled happily and clapped her hands together. "If I remember her schedule correctly, Naminé is in that group!"
"Your twin sister?"
She nodded quickly. "Go to your classroom, Roxas!"
"But I—"
"Go!" She pulled him to his feet and dragged him out of the cafeteria. "Oh my God, this is exciting and I don't even know why. Look for a blonde who looks like me."
"Um, okay, I guess, but I really…"
"Go!" She ordered.
"Fine, don't yell at me!" He puffed his cheeks and began to walk towards his class.
"No, wait!" She called back loudly.
He turned around with a teasing frown. "Really, Xion?"
"Hehe, sorry!" She giggled and approached him. "I was wondering if you wanna hung out with me after school today."
"Oh." He relaxed his tensed muscles. "I'd love to… But I have this stupid detention…"
"For how long?"
"Until Thursday."
"No. I mean, for how many hours are you staying today?"
"Oh! God, I'm stupid. Umm… I think that one hour and a half…?"
"Well, we can go out afterwards! It ain't late."
"Ugh… I don't know… I told my Mom I'd come back as soon as I can and I… Yeah, I don't want to make her worried."
"Then call her." She shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't have a cellphone." He answered sincerely. Once he realized the words he voiced, he quickly panicked. "I-I mean… I forgot it at home!"
"You can use mine." She offered kindly.
"She doesn't have a phone, either." Again he panicked and talked quickly. "S-She… Dropped it somewhere and it needs to be fixed. And I don't remember the number of her work place by heart…"
"Oh, what a pity!" She pouted and played with her hair. "I really wanted to hang out with you some more…"
"Me too…" He sighed sadly and stared at the floor.
"Can't you, like… I dunno, go home, call her and come back?"
"I—"
"No, wait, yeah. You told me you live at the other side of the Island… Aw, damn!"
"Sorry… B-But we can go out tomorrow, when I'll let her know!" He smiled happily.
She didn't show the same happiness. "I already have plans for the rest of the week. My stupid friends think I ditch 'em."
"Hehe… I can understand why…" He chuckled.
She laughed with him and her face brightened up in an instant. "Aw, what the Hell! We'll still see each other at school every day, right? And starting from next week, we'll hang out even more!"
"Sure! It's a deal."
"Yay!" She hugged him.
"Uh…" He froze and heated up. 'Such a cute girl hugging me… Something is not right.' He thought to himself.
She let go of him and pushed him away again. "Now go look for my sister and tell her that I miss her and love her a lot!"
"W-Will do!" He ran to his classroom.
Roxas did as he was told and already sat in his place. He examined the classroom quickly, scanned the students as they entered and took their seats and tried not to stare for too long; he didn't want another embarrassing occasion in the English lesson.
He gave up when the young teacher entered the classroom and asked everyone to settle down. He sighed and puffed his cheeks. "Damn… Where is that blonde chick?" He whispered.
He looked at the board. 'Maybe she ain't even in this class, anyway… But today was fun. Xion is amazing… But why would she just want to hang out with me? I'm obviously not like her friends… But I don't think she teases me or runs a prank on me, either… She is just… Amazing.' He smiled gently. 'I've already made two friends in school. Riku and Xion are my friends. And they don't give me hard time over our financial status… Well, I didn't tell Xion but... She won't turn her back on me, right…?'
He sighed again and placed his head in his arms as he rested it on the table. 'Why would a pretty girl like her take interest in me, anyway?'
When he sighed for the third time, he felt a light touch on his shoulder. He flinched.
"S-Sorry… But are you okay? You sighed and… Is everything fine?"
'Angelic voice… So familiar…' He looked to his left. "Yeah, it's all good. Just a bit tired, I guess." He chuckled. "Thank—oh, blonde!" He yelled as he noticed the person he talked with. The excitement and adrenaline rushed through his veins; he stood up alarmed and accidentally knocked his chair backwards.
All eyes were on him and some students laughed. The teacher raised her eyebrow.
"What, freaky kid has fetish for blondes?" One guy asked and the students laughed even more.
"Uh…" He blushed yet remained frozen in his place.
The girl cocked her head to the side. "Roxas? Are you okay?"
'She knows my name!' He yelled in his head. 'She's that girl who was reading from the book the other day. When I stormed out like a total Drama Queen.' He blushed even more as he recalled that day. 'Can't believe she was sitting next to me the entire time. Can't believe I actually forgot how she looked like. Can't believe I didn't notice how Xion looks just like her!'
He allowed himself to stare at the girl in front of him, not realizing that others found it weird or rude.
She obviously had golden hair, like Xion stated, but it was longer than Xion's. A lot longer. He couldn't really determine how long it was, since she collected it in a high ponytail. Her skin was even paler than Xion's, yet they both shared the same amazing eyes. Her lips were slightly fuller than her sister's, but they held less color.
Aside from all those dissimilarities, they were definitely similar twins.
'God, I really am stupid. But it ain't my fault! I wasn't really paying attention to her looks that day. I was too freaked out! And I kinda tried to block the day out of my head.' He sighed.
"R-Roxas…?" She asked again and he detected fear in her voice. Her face looked as if they held more color and Roxas realized that he was spending the last minute staring at her like a stalker.
"Dude, stop staring at her. You're freaking her out!" A guy ordered.
"Ah, sorry, sorry!" He lowered his head in front of her as a way to apologize, quickly lifted his chair and sat back. "I… Sorry."
The teacher nodded slowly. "Right… Okay. Let's… Get back to business. Come on, people, look back at me. I am aware I'm not that pretty, but please."
"You're the prettiest!" Another guy shouted and everyone cheered.
Roxas sighed in relief. He looked back at the girl, who had a small smile on her face, but she wasn't staring back, nor did she notice his stare.
'God. That day, when I ran out of the classroom, that nasty guy even said her name. He said something like, "Freak, shut up, Naminé's speaking"… Man, I have the worst memory ever…'
"N-Naminé…?" He whispered.
"Hm?" She turned around shyly. "Y-Yes…?"
"Sorry… About that."
She giggled silently. "It's okay. Are you okay, though?"
"Yeah. I was… Actually, I was looking for you."
"For me?" She raised one eyebrow gently.
"Yeah… Um, Xion told me to look for ya…"
Her face immediately brightened up, just like Xion's did minutes before. "You've met my sister?"
"Y-Yeah… I guess it's hard not to… I've kind of figured out she's popular around here." He chuckled.
She giggled the softest laugh ever, which wasn't as loud or vivid as Xion's. "I guess you're right."
He looked at the teacher for a second, to make sure they weren't making much noise.
'Ah.' He thought. 'They really are different in personality. Xion is the popular one, the loud, the jumpy with the many friends. Naminé is quiet, gentle, shy… And I guess not that popular.'
He turned back to look at the blonde.
'Xion told me I'll fall head over heels for her and practically said that Naminé's prettier than her… But I don't think so. They both are beautiful… But there is something in Xion… Maybe it's because she has dark hair and blue eyes. Wait, how come one has dark hair and the other has light hair? Is it natural? Did one of them dye her hair?'
"Roxas? Are you listening?" The twin asked.
"Huh? What? No. Sorry." He bubbled quickly.
She smiled kindly again. "I asked, did Xion ask you to tell me something?"
"Wha—? Oh, yeah!" He yelled again.
"Seriously, Roxas?" The teacher sighed. "I've noticed that you and Naminé chat there and I didn't complain. But, please, let me explain to those who want to learn."
"I-I am listening! I just… S-Sorry."
She showed a sign of displeasure, but returned to her lesson nevertheless.
Roxas messed his hair. "Yeah. She, um… She told me to tell you that she misses you… And loved you a lot."
"Aww…" Naminé breathed deeply, held her warm cheeks and smiled. She seemed as if she was in a trance, hypnotized, not present in their reality. She seemed in her own world.
'Hehe… She looks in love.' He laughed mentally.
When Xion's school day ended, she put the books back in the locker. She sensed the presence of a person behind so she turned around. "Oh, hey there, Sora!"
"Hey." He nodded with what seemed like a mad frown.
She raised her eyebrow. "Huh… Is something wrong?"
"Well, you tell me."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"You totally blew us up for that new guy!"
When realization hit her, she cracked a smile. "Oh, I get it… You're jealous of Roxas?"
"No, I'm not jealous! But just so you know, you made many people upset. Especially the girls."
"Wow, aren't you guys overreacting? So I didn't sit with you for, like, once in my life. Big deal." She rolled her eyes.
He crossed his arms against his chest as she leaned against the lockers. He came closer to her and stared at her. "When exactly did you become such good buddies?"
"Today." She grinned.
"Awesome." He rolled his eyes.
"Ah, Sora, he is so amazing!"
"Xion, stop."
"No, listen. He is super quiet and it can really drive me off, but he is just… So damn pretty!" She sighed dreamily. "His smile… Ah, God, his smile!"
"Xion!" Sora held her hand. "Don't you see what's going on?"
"Uh… Yeah, I see. You're jealous and you're kind of hurting my arm."
He immediately let go. "You sound like all those girls who drool over a guy. And you're Xion! You never get this excited over someone. Can't you see what's going on?"
"Hmm…"
"He is obviously from outer-space!"
"Wait, what?"
"He uses his weird alien-abilities to make you fall for him!" He threw his hands in the air desperately. "I bet tomorrow you'll sleep next to his picture and you'd get jealous over every girl who looks his way. Including his Mother!"
Xion blankly stared at his panicked figure. He couldn't read what was going on in her mind.
Although the two were pretty close since they usually had the same group of friends, he always found it impossible to read her. She was the best actress in Drama—that he knew for sure. But he was still amazed by her abilities every single time. When he used to think for a second that he was able to figure her out and predict her moves, she surprised him with a wild move.
"Sora…?" She whispered.
"Y-Yes?"
She stared at him some more before she started laughing hysterically.
"X-Xion! Enough, I'm dead serious!"
"Oh my God, are you for real?" She laughed hard and held her belly, taking unsteady breaths. At some point, she slid against the lockers and sat on the floor. "Oh, wow!"
"Xion! Listen to me! I know you don't see what's going on, since his alien-powers affected you!"
"Ah… Ah!" She smiled. "Oh, God damn, Sora, I love you so much."
"Okay, this is good, this is good!" He said excitedly as he sat next to her. He took her hand in his and kissed it. "Keep it this pace. Love others and not him. Everything's going to be alright."
"Sora… Calm down." She chuckled. "…I still love you."
He kept quiet for a few seconds. "…Thanks." He sighed and closed his eyes.
Xion smiled softly as she caressed his cheek. "Want to talk about it?"
"I don't like the guy…"
"Why is that?"
"I didn't know him at first… Until that day at the Nurse's Room. And even then I didn't care about him, because nobody else seemed to…"
"But…?"
"But… Somehow, this boy who nobody cares about manages to grab his attention, and I just… Don't get it."
Xion was about to open her mouth and present a question, however she quickly managed to put the pieces of puzzle together. She smiled sadly and sighed. "Riku."
"Riku…" He nodded slowly.
"You know… Only that day, when all of you had this huge fight… That was the first time I've met him."
Sora chuckled. "I always thought it was weird that you two don't know each other. You two were, like, our King and Queen. Everybody loved you two."
"I dunno… I guess we still had our own group of friends. But, God, I remember how everyone used to talk about the amazing Riku who lost everything… Only now I make the connection."
"Nah, it's okay. You were busy with your own problem that day." He smiled slightly.
She nodded. "So… Why exactly did you two fight?"
"I dunno… I guess he felt that I'm changing because I've made new friends, and he himself felt different to me since he started pushing everyone aside…"
"Do you want to know what I think?" She asked. "I think that you two still want to be friends. And the only reason you had this fight was because both of you were changing and it was hard to cope with everything all at once."
"He made it pretty clear he doesn't want to be my friend anymore… He probably thinks I'm a huge jerk." He clenched his teeth.
"Everyone knows that's not true."
"Well, maybe it is!" He sharply turned to look at her. "Xion, I… I wasn't this popular and loved before! I was… Just me. But suddenly, in high school… Things changed. Suddenly, I was in the spotlight and not Riku. Maybe I did become a blown jerk without noticing."
"Do you really think that?" She furrowed her eyebrows. "Because I don't. Sora… You… You are not like the rest. You never make fun of others. You are nice to everyone. You smile to everyone, even though you don't know them. You managed to keep your old and new friends by your side."
"Yeah, but—"
"No, listen. I really need to get it off."
He understood and nodded.
"You… You showed us that no, you don't have to smoke in order to be cool. You don't have to do drugs, or make fun of others, or date countless of girls and ditch them, you don't have to be mean… You show us a new world, Sora. If someone here is the King, then it is you. You are the greatest example we could get. God damn, Sora… You're so fucking extraordinary."
Sora felt his eyes burning and he couldn't tell if he was simply tired or if he was about to cry. "You're the one to talk… All those things you say, about not smoking, not making fun of others… You do the same things."
"Nah, I ain't that great." She shrugged. "I like making fun of ugly people."
Sora laughed. "I do that sometimes, too."
"Hehe… So… Riku's the guy with the Geostigma, huh?"
"Yeah…"
"Humph…" She smiled. "That's why he looked so sick that day…"
"Wait, he looked way too sick?" He jumped in his place.
"I thought he was about to die…" She whispered truthfully.
Sora looked horrified.
"D-Don't worry! Moments later he was fully alive, breaking a fight between two stubborn guys."
"Ah… Right…" He recalled and settled his breath. "And a few days later I saw him running around the neighborhood, looking more than good."
She chuckled lightly. "I adore you so much, Sora… I adore you."
"Ah, now I really think you were influenced by alien-powers. You're Xion, you don't get so emotional and talk about feelings… You were supposed to make fun of me and tell me I'm a chick!"
"Hey! You just said that I am good because I don't make fun of others! If I want to be your Queen, I need to improve myself."
"Heh." He smiled and stroked her hair. "You're way better than me. You say I am not mean towards anyone, yet here I am, hating on this new kid, even though I don't know him."
"Hey, don't worry… It's typical you'd get jealous. From what I collected, Riku basically pushed everyone aside and refused to make friends. And suddenly he starts befriending this new kid."
"Exactly!" Sora nodded quickly. "This is exactly what I feel! God, finally someone who gets it."
"I get it, I get it… I know you don't do it on purpose. You are amazing, Sora, but I do think you need Riku by your side. Look how hurt you are."
"I don't know how to get him back…"
"Talk to him. Say exactly what you told me."
"I tried, trust me that I tried… But it doesn't work."
"No, Sora… Tell him exactly what you told me; not only that you think he has changed, but that you think you—yourself—changed, too. Show him you can look at things from his point of view."
"Yeah… Thanks, Xion. Really, thank you. I mean… Finally, someone who takes me seriously and doesn't make stupid 'ooh, you're in love with Riku' jokes… Even Kairi won't take me seriously."
"I'm always here for you." She smiled warmly.
"Which still is very unlike you. What's going on?" He smirked.
"Don't worry." She rolled her eyes and smirked back. "I am not under the influence of alien-powers."
"Are you sure…? I mean… Yeah, I do admit that he's… Yeah, h-he's cute." He shrugged, trying to act casual.
"Oh, Sora!" The dark-haired girl laughed again. "He is extra cute. But I am with Axel right now. And I am very happy." She smiled genuinely.
"Oh. My. God." A voice came.
Xion gradually paled and closed her eyes painfully. "Oh, no."
"Unbelievable." The voice spoke again.
"Please, kill me."
"I can't believe you actually think that of me, Xion!"
"Axel… What are you doing here?"
"Well, I was just passing by when I suddenly saw my girlfriend and that guy sitting on the floor, being too close to my liking. Right after I thought, 'what, she cheats on me with chocolate boy?' I heard that you, Xion Trepe, are happy with me." Axel kneeled down next to Sora and Xion and smiled. "Sweetest thing you've ever told me. Even sweeter than the time you told me, and I quote, 'you look like a gay porn star'."
"Uh, you make me sick."
"You love me."
"No, I don't."
"Oh, baby girl!" He grinned and pinched her cheeks.
"Let go!"
"Am I… Ruining the moment, or something?" Sora asked. "And wait, 'chocolate boy'?"
"You're not ruining any moment, Sora." Xion spoke.
"And yeah, 'cause, you know, you're sweet." Axel answered with a shrug.
"Oh… Thank you, then!" He smiled brightly.
"Hey, where have you been?" Xion asked her boyfriend. "Haven't seen you all day."
"Uh, sorry. My friends drugged me around. They didn't let me breathe, 'cause apparently I'm a ditcher or something?"
"Oh, you poor thing!" She faked concern. "Just… 'Buhu, look at me, I'm Axel and I have friends… Oh, no! Buhu'…"
"Xion?"
"Yes, baby boy?" She grinned.
"Shut up." He rolled his eyes.
She chuckled yet instantly paused. "Say… Where is Marluxia? Haven't seen him all day… I saw Seifer, Roxas… I'm pretty sure I've seen Leon walk with a serial-killer look down the halls… But no sign of Marluxia."
"Meh." Axel shrugged casually. "Probably was too lazy to get back to school. Who cares?"
"Hmm…" Xion nodded. "So! You two now have your detention, right?"
"Yeah…" Sora sighed. "This is gonna be Hell."
"Tell me about it." Axel agreed.
"Oh, Sora, this is brilliant! You can use that time to get to know Roxas better!" Xion clapped her hands together.
"Uh… I'd rather not to."
"Aw, come on! Just give it a shot! I promise you you'd like him."
"Xion…" Sora gave her a pleading look.
Xion took the hint but smiled softly. "Trust me, okay? Do it for me?"
"…Ugh, fine." He gave up. "But I don't promise anything!"
"Sorry, what did I miss here?" Axel inquired.
"Axel, you do that, too. I want you both to get to know Roxas better."
"That blond guy?"
"That's the one!"
"Made a new friend, baby girl?"
She rolled her eyes. "If you must know, then yes, I have. Problem?"
"Not at all. Fine, then. I'll talk with the guy. Come on, Sora, up we go!"
"Ugh, right." He got to his feet. Then he and Axel both held each of Xion's arms and helped her up. "Xion… Thank you."
"You're welcome." She hugged him. "Bye, Axel!" She kissed him shortly. "Try to have fun!"
Sora and Axel walked into the room with bored expressions. Sora immediately noticed Roxas sitting beside the last table, next to the window. He took a breath to calm his nerves and was about to sit somewhere at the front, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up puzzled.
Axel smiled sympathetically. "Sorry, buddy. But you heard Xion."
He grimaced. "Uh… Please, no."
"I'm fucking sorry, chocolate boy." He took the annoyed brown-haired guy to the end of the classroom.
"Um?" Roxas looked gently up as he noticed two figures in front of him.
"Hey there!" Axel grinned proudly. "My name's Axel. Got it memorized?"
Roxas looked confused. His soft lips created the letter 'O' as he glanced through his long eyelashes at the two figures in front of him.
Axel gave Sora a look and the latter puffed his cheeks. "And I'm Sora…"
The blond nodded slowly. "N-Nice to meet you… I'm Roxas."
"Mind if we sit next to you?" Axel asked.
"Not at all."
Axel took the seat next to Roxas and made Sora sit next to them, at the edge of the table.
Seifer entered the classroom and looked around. "Woah, where's Teach?"
"Not here yet." Sora replied, relieved that Seifer came to save the situation. "Wait, I'll come sit next to ya—"
"Oh, Roxas, my buddy!" Seifer grinned and sat next to the trio. "Haven't seen ya even since that bitchy Xion stole you this morning. No, wait, I've seen you in lunch… That bitch stole you there, too."
"Hey! Talk nice about my girlfriend or I'll kill you." Axel threatened.
"Oh, ain't you the protective boyfriend." He smirked.
"Xion is pretty nice…" Roxas confessed.
"She is super cool, isn't she? Hehe! Just don't fall in love with my girl."
"O-Of course not!" Roxas blushed.
"Heh, I love how he gets all embarrassed and shy now, but last week he didn't have any problem going for my pants." Seifer laughed.
"S-Stop it! I wasn't doing anything! You just… Ugh!" The blond hid his head in his hands.
A middle-aged teacher with brown and curly short hair walked into the room. "Well, well, well. There is no thing I like better than seeing naughty boys get punished at the beginning of the year." She sat her files at the desk and smiled. "Hello!"
"Hey…" The boys replied.
"Oh, come on. Don't look so doomed. You can spend this time to do productive stuff. Like your homework!"
The four boys groaned in unison.
"Hehehe! Okay, how about it; you can do whatever you want, as long as you won't cause too much trouble. Sounds good?"
"Works fine with me!" Axel leaned back in his chair and grinned.
"Okay!" She nodded happily. "Let's just see you're all here…" She unfolded a little piece of paper, scanned it quickly and looked at the boys. "Boy with the hypnotizing light hair, lift your head up, please."
Roxas quickly looked up.
"My, oh my! What beautiful eyes you all have! Are you Roxas Heartily?"
"Yes."
"Okay." She nodded again. "So where are Leon Loire and Marluxia Elleve?"
"Marluxia hasn't been here all day." Axel responded. "And Leon is… Somewhere."
"Well, I'd make sure to pass it forward… Well, as you know, we will spend the next ninety minutes together, so please, no silly jokes, okay?"
Right when Xion was about to exit school, another chilling voice stopped her.
"Xion."
She turned around, slightly jumpy. "Oh! Leon! How's it going?"
He approached her and started walking with her towards the gates.
"Uh, don't you have that detention now?"
"Yeah, I'm just walking with you for a bit. What, can't I even chat shortly with an old friend?"
"Of course you can." She grinned cheekily.
"And I also want to ask you something."
"Let me guess… It's about that girlfriend of yours."
"Just tell me that I'm the right one here." He clenched his fists and his knuckles turned whiter and whiter with each passing second.
"Ah, Leon…" She looked up the sky with a sigh.
It was the end of September, but it started to get visible that days became shorter and darkness appeared sooner. The sky was colored in orange and a bit of purple. The air was chilly and Xion had to rub her arms against each other as she shivered shortly. Leon noticed it so he immediately wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer as they kept walking.
"You're short." She could feel his smirk.
"Oh, shush." She smirked. "And as for your question—"
"It's all because of that stupid Sora!"
"No, enough." She paused and pulled away from his touch. "Are you seriously blaming this on him?"
"Uh, yeah!" He stated as if it was obvious. "He kissed my girlfriend. How can nobody understand that?"
"I understand you, I really do. I don't justify his actions, but I don't think it's his entire fault, either."
"Oh, so now you're siding with him." He crossed his arms and frowned.
"See? I knew this would happen!"
"What?"
"You're gonna make everyone choose between you and Sora. I won't do that, Leon."
"Well…" He played and bit his lips. "What do you want me to do?"
"If you would stop blaming him and hate on him, then maybe you'd understand the situation." She spatted.
"Then help me out here, 'cause I'm out of it."
"Leon. Sora didn't betray you or whatever, simply because you two are so not friends." She started explaining. "Sure, what happened was… Yeah, but he owes you nothing. However, if someone here is to blame, then it is…" She waited for him to complete her train of thought.
"…Kairi." He clenched his teeth and exhaled out of them.
"Exactly." She nodded. "She was your girlfriend. She cheated on you. She is the wrong one."
"She is the slut one." He rubbed his tired eyes.
"Can't disagree on that one." She replied casually.
"Well, now what?"
"Now…" They started moving again towards the exit of the school. "Now nothing. I suggest moving on and showing her what she missed."
"Huh." He chuckled darkly. "Not gonna happen. She's gonna pay."
"Didn't you love her or whatever?"
"Please." He rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine, I liked her. A lot. But this girl just made the mistake of her life."
"Hmm um…" She agreed silently.
"By the way, how're things with you? Axel and Marluxia back?"
"Axel's here. No idea where Marluxia is, though."
"That idiot… Did he hurt you badly or anything?" He asked concerned.
"Nah… But Nami girl was affected by it, which makes it even worse." She narrowed her eyes.
"Hehe, always care for that weirdo…"
She glared at him and he froze.
"S-Sorry… Just joking here. Lighten up."
"I'll light you up if you'll badmouth her ever again."
"And I believe you." He nodded quickly. When they reached the gate, he paused.
"Well, thanks, Leon."
"Nah. Thank you. Finally someone who understands…"
She shrugged again. "What can I say? You're understandable."
"I should've listened to the guys and date ya instead." He laughed.
"If things won't work out with Axel, I'll keep you in mind." She joined him.
"Geez, thanks." He rolled his eyes. "Anyway, Xion, thanks a lot." He kissed her cheek. "Gotta go to that nightmare thing."
"Just don't kill Sora or whatever."
"I'll try."
"Oh! And tell Axel he looks like a lesbian porn star!"
Sora and Seifer were engaged in a conversation about a new movie coming out, while Axel tried to keep Xion's promise.
"So… Roxas. Tell me a little bit about yourself."
"Uh…"
"Okay, let me help ya… How was it feeling Seifer's butt?"
"H-H-Hey!"
"Hahaha! Sorry, man, couldn't help it." He apologized. "Anywho… You're in Xion's grade, right?"
"Uh… Yeah… You, too, right?"
"Nah." He smiled. "I'm in my twelfth year. So is Marluxia."
"Oh, really…? I didn't know that…"
"Hmm… Where did you come from?"
"Uh… I'm from Destiny Islands… But used to go to the other school…"
"You mean that annoying little one at the other side of the Island? 'Cause I think there are only two schools in overall in the entire Island."
"Uh, yeah… That one…"
"Hmm… Where do you like it better?"
"Hmm… Here, I guess…" He thought. 'Yeah. Now that I think of it, here is better. There I had no friends at all, but here I have two! Sure, some kids here are awful, too, but… But I'm glad I switched schools.'
"Sooo… Have any siblings?"
He shook his head. "No. You?"
"One older brother. But he doesn't live anywhere nearby. I live with my Mom."
"Me, too."
"Right… So…" Axel nodded yet quickly sighed and ruffled his hair, when he noticed Roxas wasn't showing any sign of enthusiasm to keep the conversation going. "Damn, you're hard to dub."
"Heh… Sorry."
"It's okay. You sure are quiet, though."
"Hehe…" He smiled gently. "Xion told me the same thing…"
"Ah, man, I'm bored!" Sora slammed his hands on the table when he finished his conversation with Seifer.
"Me too." Roxas agreed.
"Seriously, I'm so exhausted."
"Yeah, me too." Roxas nodded.
"I want this detention to end already!"
"Aw, me too." Roxas agreed quickly again.
Sora raised an eyebrow, yet quickly continued. "I think Math's the Devil!"
"Me too!" Roxas announced loudly.
"I'm a lesbian!" Sora rose from his place.
"Me too!" Roxas yelled. "Wait, no, what?"
"Hahahahaha!" Axel laughed while Seifer chuckled silently.
"Humph. Got ya." Sora smirked cutely as he sat back in place.
"D-Damn…" Roxas puffed his cheeks.
"Why, hello there!" The teacher said and they all looked around to stare at her. "Mind telling me why you're late?"
Leon was leaning against the door frame. "Just chatting with a friend."
"Even though you were supposed to be in this room more than ten minutes ago?" She fixed her glasses to grab a better look at the teen.
He simply shrugged.
"You do know I must inform about this, right?"
"Do as you please."
"Gee, talk about rude." Sora crossed his arms and pouted.
The teacher sighed as she wrote something quickly on a piece of paper. "Fine. Have a seat."
He rolled his eyes and sat one table before Seifer. "Axel. Xion told me to tell you that you look like a lesbian porn-star."
"…Did she tell you to emphasize the 'lesbian' part?"
"Yes."
"…Fuck."
"Seifer, I just want to let you know that I'm not mad at what you did." He turned to stare at his ex-best-friend. "Sure, this morning I was planning your murder, but not anymore. I admit that what you did was a pretty nice pay-back for all those years."
"Hmm… Ain't you the understanding one. What's with this change of heart?"
"No reason." He shrugged. "I recalled all the time I used to kick your ass, so I figured what you did to me is nothing compared to what I did to you."
"Heh… Nice one." He smirked. "You sound calm, yet you manage to shut me up at the same time. Impressive."
"And as for you—" He turned to Sora.
"Look, I don't wanna fight, okay? Let's just get this detention thing over with peacefully, deal?"
"I just wanted to say that I'm not mad at you, either."
"You what?" He blinked.
"Yeah. I mean, sure, what you did was fucking pathetic, but you don't owe me anything. Kairi is the one who cheated, so... Congratulations, man."
"Umm... Wow, uh... Thanks... B-But just so you know, Kairi and I… We're not together or anything, so… Yeah…"
Leon shrugged. "Don't really care."
"Wow, Leon… Wanna tell me what happened?" Axel asked curiously.
He smirked. "Your girlfriend is fucking amazing with her mouth, that's what."
"What?" He narrowed his eyes.
"Relax!" Leon rolled his eyes. "We had this… Heart to heart talk, you know."
"Oh… Surprising…"
"What's so surprising about that? We're pretty close."
"No, I meant that it's surprising that Xion has a heart." Axel rubbed his chin. "The last time I tried to make her talk about emotions, she gave me one of her purses, fixed my hair, took a picture of me and called one of her gay friends to say she found a date for him."
Seifer laughed. "Why are you even dating her?"
"Uh, maybe because she's the coolest girl ever?" Roxas asked dumbly.
Sora tried to hold back a laugh, Seifer smirked and Leon smiled.
Axel looked confused. "Seriously, dude… I think you're falling for my girlfriend."
"N-No! I'm really not! I'm not some girlfriends-stealer or anything! Uh, n-no pun intended!" He quickly sent an apologetic look to Sora.
"Hehe, relax, dude. I really don't care if you'd fall for her." He confessed. "You know what? The three of us should totally hang out together sometime."
"Uh… Why?"
"Whaddaya mean, 'why?' Because we're friends!"
"O-Oh… T-Thanks, then…"
Some more time passed as the boys simply tried to create chatty conversations; Seifer mostly spoke to Roxas and Sora, feeling edgy and suspicious of Leon; Leon spoke only when people spoke directly to him, and he seemed casual even with Sora; Roxas tried to keep quiet, but had to talk quite a lot since Axel directed many questions towards him; Sora spoke to Leon several times even though it felt odd, and even smiled a few times due to Roxas' oblivious behavior; Axel felt calm and relaxed, laughed a lot and tried to have fun. After a while, though, the conversations died and everyone kept quiet.
"Excuse me?"
"Teacher!"
Roxas and Sora called in unison before looking at each other weirdly.
"What a lovely duet." The teacher looked up from the book she was reading. "Lockhart, Heartilly. What is it?"
"Uh… Right. I just wanted to go to the bathroom."
"Umm…" Roxas played with his fingers nervously. "J-Just wanted to drink… But he can go first."
"The two of you can go out at the same time, if you promise to come back immediately and not wander down the halls."
"Promise." They both said together.
"Good." She nodded. "And no funny stuff in the bathroom, okay?"
"Oh my God…" Sora whispered as Roxas' face flushed darker than ever.
Leon, Axel and Seifer couldn't hold it in anymore, so they all burst out laughing.
"Oh, I didn't mean anything suggestive!" The teacher explained. "Teenagers and their controlling hormones… Lockhart, Heartilly, you may leave."
"T-Thanks…" Roxas mumbled quickly before practically running out of the classroom, followed by Sora.
They split when Sora entered the restroom and Roxas stayed in the hallway, drinking out of the drinking fountain. The water wet his hair, so he decided to enter the restroom and fix it in front of the mirror. As he entered, he noticed Sora washing his hands. He gave half of an awkward smile as he stood next to him and started redoing his hair.
Roxas tried to ignore the intense glances the other boy threw his way, but couldn't help but feeling hot and sweaty. He gulped nervously.
"Wow, look." The chocolate-haired teenager spoke, so Roxas followed his gaze which led to his hands; the water started to overflow from Sora's cupped hands. Sora then turned back to Roxas and looked directly at him without blinking even once. "I guess you could say… This water got out of hand… Yeaaah."
Roxas stopped before cracking a smile which turned into laughter.
Sora smiled in triumph. "Way to break the ice, huh?"
"Oh… You ain't the brightest, are you?" Roxas teased.
"Nah, I'm actually a smart guy. I just do stupid stuff." He smiled back.
"Dude, I'm bored." Seifer complained.
"It's almost over, man… You can do it." Axel encouraged, though he himself looked awfully tired.
When they heard cheery voices, the three turned around and looked at Roxas and Sora, who just entered the classroom.
"Well, look here! The lovely boys are back!" The teacher smiled. "How was your trip?"
"Well, you could say it got… Out of hand." Sora winked shamelessly.
"Oh, wow." The teacher widened her eyes.
Axel raised an eyebrow, Seifer looked shocked and amused, and Leon simply shook his head.
"S-Sora!" The embarrassed Roxas called.
In response, Sora simply laughed and sat back in his place.
"Anyway, Roxas, come sit back next to me! I was starting to miss ya." Axel smiled friendly.
Roxas smiled gently back and took his seat, finally starting to feel comfortable.
"Anyway, dude, I really meant it when I suggested the three of us hanging out. You know, you, me and Xion."
"O-Oh… Yeah, thanks… I'd love to. But from what I understood, Xion is busy the entire week."
"Leave it to me." Axel rolled his eyes.
"N-No, really, I don't want her to ditch her friends for me again…"
"'Again'? What did I miss?"
"Xion basically blew us all off for Pantsy-Boy here during lunch." Seifer explained.
"Ah! No biggie, man! Xion does it every once in a while, but only for Naminé. Oh, that's her sister, by the way."
"Y-Yeah…" Roxas recalled. "I got the chance to meet her…"
"Hmm." Axel nodded. "Guess Xion really likes you, then. So don't worry about it. That's what friends are for, right?"
"Hey, he's my friend, too. And I saw him first, so you and your girlfriend should beat it."
"Oh, what are you, five, Seifer?" Axel rolled his eyes.
"Count me in, too!" Sora jumped in his place. "He looks like a person that is easy to prank! So I'm a friend, too!"
"You all sit in your places. Up till further notice, he belongs to Xion and me." Axel declared.
"Dream on!" Seifer rolled his eyes.
Roxas let himself smile freely as the two continued to argue. 'Five. I can't believe it—five. I'm going to tell Mom I've already made five friends in here.'
"Olette, please." Riku pleaded into the phone.
He was in his room, sitting on his prince-sized bed. With his index finger he traced circles on the blanket, which was spread perfectly on the white mattress.
When Riku had spare time on hand he liked to make his bed. Which meant he used to do it very often. He didn't like organizing his books, CDs, clothes or whatever. Just his bed. It felt familiar and brought him lots of memories. However, he could never really recall those memories fully.
"No need to worry about me, Riku." Her voice was as soft and quiet as a wet whisper.
Riku sighed lowly. "Listen to yourself. You can barely speak without sounding so… So sick." He looked at his index finger and removed it from the blanket. He got up from his place and walked towards the closet. "And weak."
"I'm fine."
He knew she wanted to sounds intimating and assuring. He heard it lots of times during the past months: 'I'm fine. Everything's fine. Stop worrying!'
She used to scream those words once, frustrated at him. But then, he noticed how weak she sounded. Her words came out as a pleading whisper against his ear.
"Your voice's cracking."
"Riku…"
"Olette, I'm worried!" He slammed a hand against the cupboard, but not hard enough for her to hear it from the other side of the phone. "For how long are you going to keep this up, huh? What, do you want to kill yourself?"
"Stop over-reacting!" She raised her voice as far as her mental and physical conditions allowed her. "I'm okay, really."
Riku, with his free hand that had recently hit the wooden closet, rubbed his face desperately at her lack of acceptance. He messed up his silver eyebrows in the process, but he didn't care. "You didn't come to school for ages now."
"Two weeks, mind you. Plus, I am coming tomorrow."
"What?" With his sleeve he quickly rubbed his tired eyes and opened his mouth slightly. "But you're—"
"Told you, I'm fine." She definitely sounded more frustrated than before.
"Oh please, Olette. Give me a break!" He narrowed his eyes. "You need to stay there and heal."
Knowing her, she probably closed her eyes and shook her head. "There's no use. I'm okay. I need to get back to school… Lost lots of days…"
"Olette, you can't come back!"
"So… Haha… You don't want me around?" Her laugh used to once be one of his strongest memories. It was always so cheerful, loud and contagious. But as time passed, it simply sounded faint and fragile. He hated it.
"Stop being stupid. I just worry. If you'll come back, you'll end up… Please, stay there and listen to the doctors."
"Riku, stop. I'm coming back and it's final. I'll, huh… See you tomorrow." She quickly hung up the phone.
Seconds before she did, Riku heard light footsteps, so he guessed someone—a relative or a doctor—entered the room.
He let his cellphone slide on his desk, as he simply stared at it; weak and tired. 'How did Olette manage to convince her family to let her back to school?'
He closed his eyes gently, stopped his breath for seven seconds, opened his eyes and took a deep sniff from the welcoming air.
"Almost… Over! God, the pain!" Sora screamed with exaggeration.
"Man, I swear, the moment I'll get hope, I'll take a hot shower." Axel promised.
"In this hot and dry weather?" Roxas asked.
"No worries, man. I'll use cold water."
"Huh… Then it's not a hot shower anymore."
"Huh? Oh, right, forgot you're a newbie." He explained with a smile. "Hot shower is a normal shower, but with me inside. Got it memorized?"
"O-Oh…" Roxas nodded. "Um, y-yeah…"
~It's known that everyone search their lives for their desires.~
"What?" The five boys turned to the teacher.
"Oh!" She yelled in surprise and started searching for something in her bag.
~No one has yet found the answer. Maybe I know, you know, born to be a lady.~
"Found it!" She yelled happily and turned her phone off.
"Hehehe! Nice ringtone!" Sora giggled.
"Oh, keep it down! It's an awesome song and you know it!"
"Are you suggesting I'm a lady?"
"I don't judge people by their inner feelings."
"Gee, thanks, Teacher!" He pouted like a little child.
The Gainsborough family sat at the dining-room and held their daily dinner. The three girls sat silently and chewed their food.
Yuna exchanged quick glances between her sister and her Mother, as she sipped silently her vegetable soup. She could still feel the tension that awoke between Aerith and Kairi, and she didn't like the heavy atmosphere. She decided to try and fog it with a throat clear. "So… How was school today, Kairi?"
Kairi looked up from her plate and stared at her smiling sister. She shrugged her shoulders and poked the steamed vegetables with her spoon. "I don't know… Fine, I guess."
"I don't understand why you go to school if you don't have a clue about what you're doing there." Their Mother spoke.
Yuna mentally sighed. She knew that Aerith's tone of voice would set Kairi's nerves and a fight shall start. Not wanting to ruin the mood she started to form, Yuna quickly spoke before her sister had the chance to answer. "Do you have any exams this week?"
"Huh… I don't think so."
"She doesn't even know if she has any exams!" Aerith exclaimed.
"Mom, please!" Yuna pleaded.
"Well, excuse me!" Kairi glared at her Mother with narrowed eyes. "What do you care if I remember my tests or not?"
"Oh, gee, why would I care, I wonder." The brown-haired woman rolled her eyes.
"Girls, stop." Yuna sighed. "Can't we just have a quiet dinner for once?"
"You're right, darling." Aerith smiled fondly. "Eat your soup, girls. I've made broccoli pasta as second dish."
The older sibling smiled at the quick cooperation their Mother showed for once. She beamed quietly and took a big spoon of her soup into her mouth. "Hmm, the soup is amazing, Mom!"
"Thank you, love."
"Kairi, don't you think the soup is great?"
"Yeah…"
"Then why aren't you eating it?" Aerith accused.
Yuna sighed, dropped her spoon and leaned back onto her chair.
"I am! I need to breathe, too, you know." Kairi explained.
"Fine, fine." Aerith gave up quickly.
When some seconds of calm silence passed, Yuna assumed that everything was back to normal. She decided to refill her hopes as she smiled again and took the spoon back to hand.
"When do you start studying, Yuna?" Kairi asked.
Thrilled that her little sister started a conversation with her, Yuna grinned. "I have to take some more exams on September, and if I'll pass them, I'll start during next November."
"I'm sure you'll pass them!" She encouraged her. "Though I really don't understand how you love that Math thing… It's annoying."
"Really? I think it's wonderful and enchanting. And you said so yourself, I love it. That's why I chose this subject."
"When a hobby turns into a profession, it loses its magic."
"But you need to like your job, or else you'll be miserable." Aerith announced.
"Hmm…" Kairi kept quiet since she didn't have a response.
"So… how was your day?" Xion asked as she sat on her sister's bed.
"Extra nice." Naminé stopped her painting and smiled.
"'Extra'?" Xion raised an eyebrow. "That's a new. What happened?"
"I don't know… I just went through the day, like I usually do, and suddenly… I felt… I don't know, good? More relaxed?"
"In school? Wow, Nami girl… That sure is new."
"Hehehe…" She giggled softly. "I even chatted a bit with the Blitz-Ball Players."
"Wait. You… Chatted with them?" She narrowed her eyes.
"Hmm um." The blonde nodded. "They always say 'hello' to me, but I always say a quick 'hi' back, and then run away. But today I actually stopped and asked how they were doing and all… They seemed happy today for some reason."
"Naminé." Xion walked over to Namine's desk and out a hand on her shoulder. "You know I don't like you talking to them…"
"Why?" She laughed. "They're your friends."
"Yeah, but… I know them and they can be really jerky and all. I don't want you to get hurt."
"I am not d-dating them or anything…" She laughed sheepishly. "I just said 'hi'…"
"Um. Okay. You're right." Xion smiled and took her hand away. "That's nice, Nami girl. But what with this change?"
"I don't know… I even started a conversation with Roxas."
"Oh, so he found you!" The dark-haired twin beamed.
"Hehe, I think it's more, like… I found him… But, yeah."
"Isn't he the sweetest?" Xion practically yelled.
"He seems really nice." The girl nodded. Then she started to blush. "I got your message, by the way… And I love you too."
"Oh, Nami girl!" Xion hugged her tightly. "Uh, you're so fucking adorable!"
"T-Thanks… Hehe."
"So." Xion broke off the hug, not noticing Namine's sour face. "What are you drawing?"
"I don't know…" She turned back to her painting. "I lack inspiration today. So you could say this day is kind of wasted."
"I think it's nice." Xion examined the painting; a field of flowers and a single tree in the middle, with birds on it. "You make the simplest thing turn into the most extraordinary beauty."
Naminé smiled. "You think?"
"I know." She assured before throwing herself back on her sister's bed. "~The reason why flowers smell good, the reason why birds sing… Born to be part of the world.~"
"That day—" Naminé stopped her sister. "During our Movie Night… You sang to me. That you could make me happy. And I said—" She clenched her little fists. "I said you already make me happy. And it's true. Everytime you say those little things to me, I feel stronger, more powerful… Better. I think that's why today I had the courage to talk with those boys… You give me this courage. This… This power. That's why I always want to be with you."
Xion paused and stared at the back of her sister. 'Ever since you were little…' She thought to herself. 'You always counted on me. I don't know if I'd be able to protect you forever. But I promise to try. You thank me countless of times, but I never saved you. Besides that time, when we were little… Maybe you don't know, but I sort of hate myself sometimes. But when I think that I saved your life—even though you don't even know about it—I start liking myself all over again… You are the one that give me power.'
"Try not to leave me behind. Please. I know it's selfish, but… I love you."
"I'll never leave you." Xion quickly said. "I promise."
After dinner, Kairi quickly entered her room and locked the door. Even though she and her Mother didn't fight, she still felt mad and angry for some reason. She punched her pillow three times before stopping and letting out a low groan. She held her head in her hands and sighed. Without meaning to, she immediately began to cry.
The tears instantly came down from her eyes. She tried to stop by biting her lip and holding her breath, but the only effect it had was her face getting redder and warmer. So she continued to cry some more, simply sitting by her desk and letting all of her hidden feelings take shape.
Her breath became uneven and she felt the urge to talk to someone. There was only one person that came to her mind.
She quickly took her phone in her shaking wet hands and dialed the number. "H-Hey…"
"Oh, Kairi! How are you doing?"
"I'm…" She cried hysterically again. "I'm…"
"Kairi, what happened?" Selphie almost screamed into the phone when she noticed that her best-friend was sobbing.
"I don't know... I'm sorry that I call you and—" She breathed. "—And bother you and—"
"Kairi, you never bother me! What happened?"
"Nothing…"
"Don't lie to me!"
"No... I don't... I swear. Selphie..."
"Kairi, please..." Selphie held the phone tightly with trembling hands. "I-I'm coming over to your place right now."
"No... No, there is no reason, I'm fine... I just...I don't know." She took a deep breath and licked her dry lips. "I don't know. I just felt... Sad. I felt like I need to talk to someone…"
"What happened, though?"
"Nothing... You know how I get emotional over little stupid things." She laughed.
"Are you sure you're fine?"
"Yeah. Yeah." She nodded and sat on her bed. "Thank you so much... I'm sorry for worrying you. I just feel... Small."
"Kairi. We all feel small every once in a while. Unwanted... As if our lives are not in the right place. As if that's not the lives we asked for."
"Exactly! That's exactly what I felt like…"
"It's okay... It's okay to cry and call someone. Always call me when you feel sad and this small, okay?"
Kairi started crying again and nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah... I promise, I swear."
"Good..." Selphie herself started shedding tears. "I love you, girl."
"Ha." Kairi smiled happily. "I love you too... So much... Selphie?"
"Um?"
"Sing me something?"
The orange-haired girl smiled. "Sure. Lay in bed and cover yourself tightly, okay? The breeze sure is amazing this night and this song will forever be yours."
Kairi quickly did as she was told. She covered her head with the blanket and ignored the fact that it was more difficult breathing this way. "Ready."
"~Even though right now you're a little powerless girl…~" Selphie started singing.
Kairi always loved Selphie's voice. When she talked casually, it sounded high and lively, loud and cherry. It could get to people's nerves sometimes. But when she sang, it immediately turned lighter and softer, almost angelic. Kairi never heard Selphie sing in front of others; whenever she did sing, Kairi was the only one in the room. But she still couldn't figure out whether Selphie only sang to her, or if she simply never had the chance to witness her best-friend singing in front of a crowd.
"~One day you'll become strong.~"
Kairi immediately relaxed, closed her eyes and cried some more silently.
"~Even though right now your small dream don't come true, one day they sure will.~"
Kairi winced and let out a cry. She passed her hand through her hair and held her breath.
"~The reason why flowers smell good. The reason why birds sing. The reason why the wind shines. The reason why the moon turns around. The reason why I show my love to you like this, is so that one day you'll truly love someone.~"
"I love you." Kairi cried. "I love you so much, Selphie... I love you, thank you, I love you."
"…I love you too, my girl... So much... ~the hope is love, love, love... Love is all.~ Never forget it, Kairi. As long as you love, you'll be able to hope. Then, all your greatest dreams will come true. I promise, my girl…"
"I promise to remember it."
When Riku laid in bed that night, he couldn't stop shifting from side to side. He was slightly sweating, but felt cold from the inside, so he pulled the blanket closer to his torso.
Just thinking about seeing Olette the next day sent him shivers.
"~The reason for you to get stronger, is so that one day you'll protect someone,~ was it? What a joke… I wished to protect the things that matter, the people I care about… But I failed. Big time. Is there a bigger loser than me?"
Music: Born to be a Lady, by Girls' Generation. Note that this song is half in Korean, half in Japanese, and I freely translated it into English. My Korean really ain't the best, so the translation is probably not the best, so don't catch my words too tightly, okay? (:
I'd be more than happy if you'd decide to Review and tell your opinion. Thank you so much for reading and I really hope you enjoyed it!