Most of my plans have been extremely faulty lately…if I mess this up it will be more than just the end of a relationship. Everyone is counting on this, our parents, Riku, Sora, the town…
If a Keyblade wielder of light can get taken over what's to say the darkness won't try to overcome our world again? I have to be smart about this…
Hmmm, what to do when it comes to boy problems? I opened my cell phone and sighed.
Time to call Selphie…
Don't Be a Gentleman: Exposure
Ugh, overstocking on caffeine is never a good idea. The crash after the high is horrible. I tend to forget this every time I stuff myself with cappuccino.
The truth is, I love coffee. I knew that from the time I was five. I couldn't drink it, but I had the pleasure of indulging my senses by trailing behind my mom every time she had a cup. The smell was always so mesmerizing, captivating...I could never forget that wonderful scent...
Eventually, around age ten, mom was nice enough to give me a sip of the cold variety. A new bond was formed...
I guess you could say I was kind of addicted to the stuff. But, who cares? I need my caffeine!
Unfortunately, unlike most people my body shuts down after about an hour following the sugar rush. I swear, I can never get my energy to remain stable like Sora. Then again, he doesn't need coffee. He has enough energy to last me for a week without sleeping.
Aw, great. Now I'm depressed again...ergh, caffeine boost!
I swallowed another gulp of my fifth caramel cappuccino before groaning. It was pointless for me to deny it any longer. I'm completely avoiding the main conflict at hand. Calling Selphie won't accomplish much, just another generic cheer and bout of encouragement before I'm forced to face a pit of snakes.
I don't know, maybe I just need some girl time. Or perhaps I could use a friend who won't judge me for all this Heartless crap. Normal chats might do me some good, a last chance at having refuge before I knuckle down and become the hero.
A hero addicted to melodramas and caffeine...ugh.
Another sip, another breath, and...twenty minutes fly away from the clock. Man, I'm impatient!
Gah! Selphie please hurry!
...
...
...
...well, there goes my last one. Hmmm, would it be so bad if I bought one more? With whipped cream? And sprinkles? Eh, maybe I should try the chocolate mocha...I'm not a huge fan of the flavor, but it has been pretty popular lately...
Screw this, I'm such a mess! I don't know how much longer I can stand this!
Relax, Kairi. Take a deep breath and-and...
Oh no, am I crying! NO! Don't cry, dammit!
I covered my face, hiding the tears behind fake coughs. The man behind the register must have thought his faithful customer was losing her mind as evident by the words trying to invade my poor shield. "Hey, you okay?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm perfectly fine. I'm just, you know..." I shifted my head, looking everywhere but his face.
"Ah, is it that time of the month?" He had this knowing look on his face, like a man who had probably faced such travesties on a daily basis.
"No." I said this as flatly as possible.
"Oh, uh...ahem, you can carry on then."
I glared at his retreating back, imagining an arrow stabbing him in the leg. Why do the employees here have to be so weird?
"Ah, looks like I made it just in time!" Selphie plopped in the empty seat beside me, nearly causing me to go into cardiac arrest. I swear, she is just too much!
Oh, wait a minute...I'm the one who called her. "Look, Selph. I'm in a bad mood right now so if I say something stupid or anything...it's only me."
Selphie laughed. "Alright then. Care to explain your urgent predicament?"
immediately, the tears pushed out of my eye lids. "Oh, Selphie...I'm such an idiot!"
"Kairi..." She placed a hand on my back, rubbing tendor circles before offering constructive criticism. "I'm sure it's not that bad..."
I shook my head, mumbling a confession. "I kissed Riku."
Her silence scared me. Usually, I could never get Selphie to shut up. She had a way with manipulating the conversation in her favor, even if she wasn't aware of it herself. I respected her wishes because I'm not a talker. Not like her...
But for five cruel minutes we sat there, me spewing my guts out over the whole thing while she listened. She would nod her head a couple of times but for the duration of my squabble she had been still, almost rivaling a statue.
I bit my bottom lip, chewing at the agonized skin as I waited for a response.
It was quiet for a few seconds until her fist connected with my arm, eliciting a squeal curtsy of yours truly. "Selphie? The heck?"
"Shhh!" She placed a hand over my mouth, cutting off all future protests. "So let me recap, you kissed Riku?"
Her hand was still covering my mouth, so I gave her a simple nod.
"Right, so you kissed Riku, and you did it in front of Sora, and then you and Sora engaged in a fight that may have destroyed your relationship?"
I nodded again.
"Oh, Kairi..." She giggled before beginning what was probably going to be a long lecture. "You know, boys can get annoying sometimes with all their violent urges and whining...but..." She turned her head towards me, eyes sparkling with mischief. "That's where we come in."
I sniffled before speaking, removing her hand from my lips. "Wha?"
"We always expect the men to do everything for us, but we have to put in our efforts as well. Two sides of the same coin, you get me?"
"Sure."
"No you don't, you're just saying that." She gave me a mock pout before laughing again.
I sighed. "I get you, honest. I just...I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. I'm kind of-"
"You're...?"
I looked away childishly. "I'm scared, Selph. I don't know if he'll ever forgive me..."
"Of course he will, he's Sora."
He was. I ignored the thought as a shiver crawled up my spine. "I don't know."
"Kairi, you can do this. You guys can make it work, after all," Her coy grin was wide enough to display perfect teeth, "You're his princess."
I couldn't help the small bubbles of laughter escaping from my lips. It was as if I could hear Sora bragging in my head, reaffirming Selphie's suggestion.
I smiled. "You're something else, Selph..."
"Right. So, is it time to play rescue now?" She clapped her hands as I stood up.
"Yeah, you're right. I have to do this, for both me and Sora."
"You go girl!" After the exclamation she continued clapping loudly, alerting everyone in the joint of my mission.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, smiling sarcastically. "Thank you so much."
"No problem, now shoo!" She waved her hands, indicating that it was time for me to settle what had plagued me for...I don't know, five hours? Yeah, I'm still impatient...
"Got it." With one last wave, I ran out. I was about to make the corner when Selphie shouted at me from behind.
"Kairi! I expect to see you and Sora together and in each other's laps in time for my party next week! Don't forget!"
Is she crazy? "One week?"
Guess I'm not the only one being impatient. Ah, well, it's the thought that counts.
Thank you, Selphie. I won't let you down.
Yeah, I know. Not much happening, but I figure everyone needs a chapter to wind down and sort things before the major battle.
Thank you so much for your patience!