Chapter 10:
Axel's POV
I sit in the passenger seat of the car while Roxas borrows my phone. The the tone repeats it's self about three times before a feminine voice picks up.
"..." I can't exactly hear what she asks him, but I hear Namine rush a question before Roxas can even say hi.
"Huh? Ask me about what?" With his inquire, my breath stops in my chest. Great, Namine probably thought it was me on the line. Looking pointedly out of the window, I pause as I hear her skip the question by using another one. Hesitating before giving his response, Roxas sighs.
"Well, I'm fine, but this guy needs to get a license before I turn into a taxi driver or something." he claims. A moment passes, and suddenly Roxas holds the phone away from his ear wincing.
"Wait...YOU'RE DRIVING?! Are you even okay to drive?" Cursing under his breath, Roxas puts the phone to his (other) ear.
"Yeah, I'm fine. A little tired, but Axel talks enough to keep me up months after no sleep. Really, I'm okay." I grin as he tries to convince Namine that he's alright. After a moment's hesitation, her voice comes back through the receiver.
"Okay... well alright then. If you're up to it." Sighing in relief, Roxas flips the turning signal and turns the wheel, slightly faltering as the car changes streets.
I just wanted to let you know that we're headed towards Axel's house. Are you there yet?" Roxas asks.
"Yeah, just got here."
"Then I guess I'll see you soon."
"Bye."
"Bye." Roxas concludes, ending the call and handing back the phone. As I stuff the device into my pocket, I look out of the front window. Even though his stiffness affects his turns, he's a pretty good driver.
Terra's POV
According to the text, I was supposed to meet Vanitis here... where is he? I glance around at the abandoned park, as I dig deeper into my thoughts. Ventus has stopped replying to the texts, and I'm not that surprised. He's not the type to join things like this. Vanitis just dragged him in, to try to toughen him up. Checking my watch, I flinch as a voice calls out.
"Hey Terra." I look up to see the late member walking closer, kicking a broken piece of the swing along with him.
"Hey Vanitis. What was it that you wanted?" I sigh. Scowling at my lack of interest, Vanitis goes on.
"Remember that blondie we spotted with the other guy?" He asks. Chills running down my spine as I recall Vanitis chasing him into his own house, just to beat him up... well after he threw a punch at me, of course. Vanitis had a reason to fight, but he went overboard.
"Yeah, why?" I ask, itching to get away from the guy.
"Well I ran into him again, while teaching Axel a lesson, and decided to group him in with the red-head again." My eyes widen.
"Again?" I ask, a little frightened. He nods proudly.
"Yup. Hit him so hard, that I think I loosened a few screws in his head." At the thought, Vanitis bursts into laughter. He was so consumed in his fit, that he doesn't notice me turn towards Axel's house. I should check up on Roxas. Enraged scowl lighting my expression, I walk off.
Enough is enough.
Axel's POV
"When did you learn how to drive?" I asks, just passing time while staring at the passing houses. Taking a brief glance in my direction, he grins before turning back to the road.
"Well, I got my license on my sixteenth birthday and-"
"On your sixteenth birthday?!" Didn't you have to get your PERMIT when you turned sixteen?" I ask, surprised. He just shrugs like it's no big deal.
"While Namine was learning to drive, I joined her when she would practice, so I picked up some stuff. When I went to get my permit, Namine asked if I could take the test right then, and I did... and passed like a natural." After explaining himself rather proudly, a moment passes, and his eyes widen. Stammering, he turns to me.
"A-although I didn't mean to rub it in." For the next minute or two, I assure him that I didn't take it that way, and after that time, he calms down. I slump myself in the seat in a half awake state. I stay like this for a time, until I see Roxas accidentally pass the house.
"Roxas, you just passed it...Roxas?" I look over to him, and grow concerned of his blank expression. Sitting up, I shake his shoulders a bit, frowning.
"Hey, Roxas. You alright?" The question seems to have reached him, because he blinks a few times and puts a hand to his head.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Closing the subject, Roxas stops the car, turns to face behind us, and backs up to the drive way he missed. Parking in the space saved for us, he twists the key out of the ignition slot, and sighs.
"You sure you're alright?" I ask cautiously. Waving a hand through the air, Roxas grins.
"Yeah, I'm good. Although I've got this massive headache." His grin falters as he rubs at his temples. Nodding, I open my door, and climb out as Roxas clips out of his seat belt. Swinging my door shut, I watch as he opens his own. Roxas doesn't seem dizzy or anything that would affect his walking ability. He walks perfectly fine to my side of the car, but his face is pale, and his mouth tied up in a halfhearted grimace. But, even with the headache, he looks excited... almost like a little kid waiting in line for a ride.
"Ready?" I ask.
Roxas' POV
Stepping outside of the car, I can't prevent a slightly pained expression from clouding my eyes, but I'm still excited either way. A little bounce in my step, I walk over the Axel's side of the car. He seems a bit concerned by the look, but he goes on.
"Ready?" He asks. Am I ready? A sleep over! With... Axel. A nervous feeling eats away at my confidence, but pushing it aside, I sigh. I move to nod, but, deciding against it, grin.
"Yup. Let's go!" Not waiting to give myself time to hesitate, I grab Axel's arm and march up the side walk. I can feel my face heating up, and looking through the corner of my eye, I can see that Axel's is as well.
One point for team Roxas.
Namine's POV
Heading down the stairs, finished with setting up Roxas' belongings, I sigh and run a hand through my hair. Concerned, Sora sticks his head out of the kitchen doorway, damp hair forming tiny puddles on the floor.
"You alright, Namine?" He asks. Pushing unwanted thoughts away, I grin, the expression authentic, and flash a thumbs up.
"Yup. All good. Do you need a hand making lunch?" I ask. He shakes his head politely and smirks.
"Nah, I'm lazy, so I'm just slapping some sandwiches together." We both chuckle before jumping at a yell from the front door.
"KNOCK, KNOCK! ABRA-KADABRA! LITTLE PIGGIES, LITTLE PIGGIES, LET US IN..." I guess the injured knuckles kept his from knocking. Sighing, I wave Sora over, and motion for us to respond.
"NOT BY THE HAIRS ON OUR CHINY-CHIN-CHINS!" We laugh in unison. Sora sighs.
"Are you sure he's a senior?" He asks teasingly. Nodding, I turn to the door. I can almost HEAR Axel rolling his eyes out there as I walk over and grab the knob. Pulling it open, I smile as I catch the sight of an eager Roxas.
"Can we come in? Huh, can we?!" His excited request ringing through the house. Suppressing an 'aww' at his adorable stance, I nod. He steps in and laughs.
"Yay, sleepover! This is going to be so much f-"
My eyes cloud over with concern at his abrupt pause.
Axel's POV
Dragged up the stairs to my porch by none other than Roxas, I try to shake off the blush that had risen in my cheeks. I'm surprised when he lets go of my arm, and loot up to see his raising his hand to knock on the door. He brings his fist to the door, and winces as his knuckles hit the wood. The shock kept the volume of the hit down, so I reach forward to knock instead, but his hand stops me. Smirking, Roxas clears his throat. Before I can wonder what he's doing, Roxas is shouting something at the door.
"KNOCK, KNOCK! ABRA-KADABRA! LITTLE PIGGIES, LITTLE PIGGIES, LET US IN..." Startled, I take a step back as he finishes. Not after too long, I hear a sigh from inside. Soon, two voices call out after.
"NOT BY THE HAIRS ON OUR CHINY-CHIN-CHINS!" I roll my eyes as Namine and Sora's voices call out. Foot steps approach the door, and it opens to reveal an amused Namine.
"Can we come in? Huh, can we?!" His excited request ringing through the house. Relieved by his not pained, but adorable stance, Namine nods. He steps in and laughs.
"Yay, sleepover! This is going to be so much f-"
Namine frowns at his abrupt pause. Stepping in myself, I look at Roxas. His expression is unreadable as his gaze travels around the room. His line of sight stops on the sofa,the stairs, and towards the middle of the room. His feet shuffle back slightly.
"Roxas?" I shake his shoulders like before, worried that he had regained his memories, but he snaps out of it. Shaking his head, he grins like nothing happened.
"Yay, sleepover! This is going to be so much fun!" He yells. Attracted by the excited squeal, Sora steps into the room.
"Well, hi there Roxas. Have you recovered from earlie-" Before he can finish, I rush forward, grabbing his arm, I drag him towards the kitchen.
"Okay Sora! Let's go finish in the kitchen. Knowing you, we have some sandwiches to make." Stopping once we're clear from Roxas, I turn towards Sora, expression serious.
"Okay. You are in dire need of an update."
Roxas' POV
I watch, frowning as Axle takes a hold of the brown haired boy's arm. Who is he to Axel? And how did he know my name? I shrug off the second question, telling myself that Namine probably told him. But really... who is he to Axel? Turning to Namine, who's expression clouds at the sight of my scowl, I walk forward and ask.
"Is that guy his boyfriend?" I ask, impatient for an answer.
Namine's POV
Blinking a few times at his question, I frown as I read his expression. Anger? Curiosity?
Oh... jealousy.
Shaking my head, I explain that Sora's his cousin, and that there's nothing going on between them.
"Why? Do you like him Roxas?" I ask, not caring about prying. The next moment, this expression goes from relieved, to guarded.
"NO! I don't like him!" he claims.
"Why cause you think boys dating boys is gross?" I ask, taking a risk with my inquiries. His head snaps towards me, and his brows furrowed.
"Of course I don't think that gay people are gross. I'M not gross!" He clears up. My eyes widen. Did he just imply what I think he did? Obviously realizing what he just said, he sighs.
"Forget I asked." He snaps, moving away from me.
So he is into guys...
Better report this.
Axel's POV
After filling Sora in on the whole memory thing, I walk back into the room, not staying to answer any questions.
"Hey, Roxas. I think we left the ice cream in the car." At the mention of ice cream, Roxas' seemingly cross demeanour went happy ans he walked towards the door.
"I'll get it!" he says before closing the door behind him.
Turning to Namine, I ask about Roxas.
"What went down while I was out?" I ask, concerned.
Nothing... just investigating your case." After a few moments, my eyes widen at the meaning. Turning back to her, I question.
"Did you figure anything out? I ask, hands gripping and relaxing.
"Yup." She states proudly. Before she can reveal her answer, I turn my head towards a sudden scream from Roxas outside.
"GO AWAY!" I hear his outburst and hurry outside.