Me: thank you, everybody! everyone's kind reviews really helped yesterday. in fact, last night when i checked my email, i already had three reviews! and they all said update soon. i thought to myself, i'm going to do just that! and i had another review this morning! i can't believe my luck! so here you are! it's bright and early, though still rather short.

Kairi: nobody owns KH characters...

Fuu: no matter how much we wish we did!

Me: we hope you enjoy!

--

A Perfect Life

Chapter 10

Downhill From Here

Sora's been avoiding me lately. I got Namine to confirm my suspicions. She told that Riku had and hadn't snitched about my feelings. Her exact words were, "He told Sora, 'I think you need to re-think your feelings. You probably did have feelings for me at one time, but I think you like someone else now. What I'm trying to say is, I don't like you that way and you don't like that way anymore, either. Search your heart, Sora. You'll know who I'm talking about. And I bet he likes you back…'"

Well, I think he might as well had snitched, but at least now I can confess in my own words. But still, I hardly get to talk properly to Sora now. And every time I call over to him or try help him on his homework, he gets all red in the face and turns away. Don't get me wrong, I like him when he's blushing, but I don't like it when he runs. I never know if I should run after him, or if I should just leave him alone and go talk to Axel or something.

Today was no different than the last few days have been. I saw Sora over near the front of the school and tried calling out to him. He jumped about a foot in the air, saw me, and started running. Now I'm about at my wits end. If he's going to run, then he's going to lose in his game of tag.

I ran after him. I figured that he wasn't too good in PE since I was easily catching up to him. I reached out to grab him.

But I didn't see the stick on the ground.

…Well, I caught him, didn't I? He was flat on his face, and I was laying on top of him. The only good thing was that it was after school, and there was no one else around. At least I didn't have to explain to the teachers what I was doing on top of him.

"Ow…are you alright, Sora?" I asked, thoroughly concerned. He shook his head no. I groaned. "I'm sorry, but, well, you really don't have to run every time I try to talk to you, you know."

He didn't answer. He didn't even look at me. I felt the awkwardness rising in waves off his body. His hair was over his eyes, but his face was still red. "Come on, Sora," I pleaded, trying to get him to talk to me, "I'm really, really sorry, okay? But what was I supposed to do, with you avoiding me and all…?! Come on! You listened to me, now it's your turn to tell me what's wrong."

He finally looked at me. His eyes were watering, and tears began to fall. I stared in surprise. "Of course I've been avoiding you!" he half said half yelled. I winced; that had stung. But I patiently listened.

"I asked you to help me with my problems, and I didn't even think about your feelings! Do you know how absolutely awful I feel?! I've figured out my feelings! I love you!"

I sat there dumbstruck as he continued, "I love you and I realize that now. But I asked you to help me confess to Riku, and I know that hurt your feelings doing that! But you…you still…" He hiccupped. I nodded for him to continue. "You still sit here…wanting to know what's wrong…acting concerned because you're such a nice guy…but I don't need that…I just…I just…want you…to know how I feel and that…I'm sorry."

He was really crying by this point. I couldn't help how…relieved I felt. I stood up, and offered my hand to him. He hesitated, but took it. I pulled him into my arms. I kept him like that for a second, relishing the feel of having him in my arms. I liked it. A lot.

"I'm not acting," I told him, "and you don't have to apologize. Really. I was happy to help you."

"Why, though?"

"Because I'm happy just seeing you happy. True," I added, feeling his protest, "I would have been happier if you had returned my feelings, but…"

"What would you have done, if Riku had said…"

"I would have waited. I'm a ton stronger than when we first met, so I wouldn't go committing suicide like last time. And anyways, you figured out your feelings right?"

"Y-yeah…"

"No harm done then. No more tears, okay?"

He nodded. And from there, everything went downhill

--

Me: and there is the big confession! bum bum dum. oh and i would like to answer my reviewers.

Tsukiko Towa: i'm glad you think this is good! and you reading my fic while i was updating IS funny! i'd like to hear from you again soon.

Beebs (): i'm honoured you think so highly of my story! really! i hope your release went well, and i'm glad i was able to help you as much as you helped me!

DarkIslander01: thank you for saying so. and i'm sorry for the cliffs. many writers like them; i'm not one of them. but my reason is i'm trying to draw out my story for at least two more chapters. i'm glad i inspire you. and i will keep going!

sumanina: yes, Riku is evil--

Riku: i heard that!

--and Roxas hasn't told Nami yet. but i've got a plan on how he tells her. you'll just have to wait for the next chappy! ;P

Fuu: remember to review! see you later!