Tori returned to her room. Axel was waiting for her.

"So," he got straight to the point. "What'd Dem say?"

"H-he told me to stay just as I am. 'Don't change' he said."

"That's all?"He tried to keep his voice as casual as possible.

"Basically." She shrugged. "What'd you expect?" I won't tell him.

I can't believe I got so upset over that. I mean, she's smiling. How bad could it be?

Axel laughed. "I'm just having trouble imagining Demyx saying something so smart."

She laughed too.

Her eyes light up when she laughs... Wait, what?

His smile is so warm… Huh?

Why do I think that?

Life is good.

After Tori left he went back to his room and pulled off his cloak. He was seated comfortably on his mattress with a Mountain Dew. He didn't need the sugar, but it was only one…

"Yo Tori?"

"Y-yeah?"

"What's with that look?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're haven't taken your eyes off me."

"Neither have you." She pointed out.

"That's true. Are you blushing?" he asked teasingly.

"No!" she jumped. "I mean no." she said more calmly. "No I'm not." She straightened.

"Really?" Axel raised his eyebrows.

"I would know wouldn't I?" she said reasonably.

"I guess." Axel shrugged. "You don't seem like you know yourself very well."

Tori was silent.

He's right. I don't even know why I-

What is it now? I don't feel like myself.

Axel watched the girl intently. What could she be thinking? Is it about me? She keeps staring.

I want. What do I want? I'm not sure but, I want it. More than anything I want…

"You."

Axel was caught off guard. She had been so quiet. He hadn't expected her to speak.

Tori blinked. She had surprised herself. "You're the reason," she continued. "The reason for my suffering, my thoughts come from you, your ever present air."

He didn't understand. Why does she have to use all that technical language? Doesn't she know English?

"My dreams are always of you. Always the same. Always searching. Always you. I haven't been myself for days, because of you. I don't know me. I never will. Not until I figure out…" she stopped.

Is there something she wants to say? Is it something I want her to say?

"Not until I figure out--" she began again. "Figure out that Axel, you were right."

He cocked his head to the side.

"When you said that there's more to life than books." She looked down, gathering strength. She had to say it now. "I didn't realize what it meant. Now I think I do." It was tearing at her. "It's unfamiliar. Not at all what I expected. Especially not to happen in this way."

"So what you're saying is…?"

"I like--no not like," she corrected herself. "I care about what happens now. I find myself thinking of you all the time. Even when you're not here." She was angered by her lack of words. "I don't know what you'd call it. Obsession maybe. Interest."

"Or, Tori, I'd call it…"

Love.

Back to IX; Five Mountain Dews later:

"Hi!" Demyx jumped up behind the boy.

"AHHH!!" the boy ran.

"Sorry, Roxas!" the elder blonde called after him.

"Wonder what Tori and Axey are doing?" he thought out loud to himself.

Why doesn't he approach me? I feel warm…

She was serious, right? Maybe I should keep my distance.

Come near me, please.

"You're awfully quiet." Tori said bitterly.

"I was waiting for you," Axel replied.

"And I was waiting for you." Tori countered. The quiet was uncomfortable. "Say something!"

"Ladies first."

Tori raised her eyebrows.

Axel smiled. "You know, you're kinda cute when you do that."

Tori felt red. "Am I really?"

He nodded. "And did you know you're blushing?"

"I—yeah," she smiled. "Yeah I know." She paused, "You are too."

"Well I—it's hot in here okay?"

Excuses, excuses.

"You know, I'm a little chilled."

"Huh?"

"And—and, if you're warm and I'm cold…"

"Tori?"

"Yes?"

Demyx half-walked, half-skipped his way to number eight's room. (By now the sugar had almost completely taken effect.) Other members that happened to be out took a different route.

Normally, he would've knocked but—I don't feel like it this time. He just opened the door.

Huh? Wha-what?

Replacement: sorry if you had trouble following. the italics were both axel and tori's thoughts. i couldn't figure out how to distinguish the two parts.

I WILL NOT UPDATE UNTIL THIS IS REVIEWED AT LEAST TWICE. (I need to know if it was any good or if I'm getting lazy.)