GAH! Stupid FFNet wouldn't let me upload! I tried and I tried and... (sob) here it is. Finally.
Woo! Sorry the update took so long, and it isn't even that great of a chapter. (Shakes head in disapproval) Oh well. At least it's finally here. Anywhoozzzz, I finally got something up as far as recommendations go, unfortunately, so far, there are only three stories. But fear not! I will find more to recommend to you! I promise! Anyways, music that helped me write this chapter: Thunder Acoustic by Boys Like Girls; The Kill by 30 Seconds To Mars; I Want To Know You More by SonicFlood; and Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer. darn nichole for getting me hooked on those first two
Of course you all know I own nothing. So that goes without saying. But I said it anyway. Coz I rock.
Chapter 11:
"Namine?" He asked, seeing as how I had spaced out. "What happened?"
A gift from God, the very best thing ever, my own personal miracle in the making. "Your cousin."
I closed the door without waiting for him to reply and began to change, not bothering to turn the lock. I was standing right by the door, and they knew I was changing, so I was safe. The clothes were too big, and they fit funny, being for a guy and whatnot. I used the sink to clean the food off of my face and examined myself in the mirror. My hair was still a mess, and I pulled the small rubber band out of it. Why even bother? The shorts fit comfortably after I retied the draw string, and the shirt hung loosely off of me, touching only my shoulders, and a little of my chest.
A small knock sounded at the door and I turned to find Roxas poking his head through. He smiled. "That always was my favorite shirt," He said, opening the door and leaning against the frame. "It looks better on you." I smiled. I didn't have to be pretty for him to make me feel pretty.
"Thanks," I said, quietly.
"So, Sora says you spaced out on him," He said, and Sora grinned at me from behind his blonde cousin. He walked into the bathroom and fished through a drawer until he found what he was looking for. He pulled out a black brush that didn't even look used, and held it out to me, closing the drawer with a touch of his hip as he turned. I silently took the brush and began to work it through my tangled mess of hair. Small bits of chocolate floated to the ground when they were chipped away, but mostly the brush just softened my locks. I ended up tying it into a ponytail anyway.
The four of us- me, Roxas, Sora, and the little girl- walked down the stairs when Sora's mother called "Children!!" Roxas and I ended up hopping from the bottom stair together as Sora helped the little girl who was wobbling along slowly as she focused on moving down and down and down. We waited for them at the bottom.
"She's so cute," I mumbled to Sora when we were walking into the kitchen.
"She looks cute," He grumbled back. "But the little monster can be completely heartless." (AN- lololol, pun.) I smiled. He was overreacting.
"Who is she?"
"My little cousin. She's staying with us for a while, but she'll be leaving soon. Then I'm free." I muffled my laughs as Sora's mother bonked him on the head.
"Living under my roof, you are never free." He gave her a goofy grin. Sora was so cute, he looked just like Roxas. I loved the way he could smile at you sometimes, just leaving you temporarily blinded, no matter who you were. I shuddered to think of the extra effect it might have on Kairi. Sora hung back with me while everyone was sitting around the table. It was a big table, I hadn't noticed it's size before, but there was room enough for everyone, and possibly a few more. "Slave child!" Sora's mother called humorously. "Come sit, and bring Namine." I opened my mouth to protest, to nix Roxas's claims that I would be staying, but it didn't happen. The doorbell rang. I turned to glance back at it, and my gaze went back to the table. Nobody moved.
"Are you coming?" Roxas asked.
"Are you... are you going to get that?" I asked, uncomfortable with all the eyes on me.
"Family rule," Roxas said, smiling. "Once we're at the table, we can't get up until we're excused."
"Would you mind getting the door, Namine?" Roxas's mother asked.
"Um... no." I walked over to the door, confused, to say at the least and opened it. Olette smiled at me. I let out a sigh. "Olette, save me," I mumbled.
"Olette!" A booming voice rang out from behind me. I didn't recognize that voice, had never heard it. I flinched a little at the sound.
"Good evening." Olette smiled sweetly. "I was told that Namine had stopped by, and would wait here for me until I arrived at home, but I got home early, so I decided to stop by and get her." She motioned to the door. Smooth, I thought to myself. "May we?"
"Nonsense," That same voice grunted. "You'll stay as well."
"Dad," Roxas breathed out, low under his breath.
"Olette it's always a pleasure to have your company. Please join us," Roxas's mother cut in. Olette mouthed 'sorry' and I frowned. There apparently was no resisting Roxas's parents.
I walked with Olette back into the kitchen and took the seat Roxas motioned for me to sit in. On his right side. Across from his mother. And next to his father, I assumed, because he was the only person at the table I had never seen before.
For the most part, we ate in silence. There were a few 'please pass the mashed potatoes' here, and perhaps a 'would you like salt?' there, but nobody really talked during the meal. Afterwards, Mr. Hikari and Roxas's father walked into the family room and I heard the television switch on. Sora stood up and asked if we wanted to go somewhere, so we could all hang out, but I told them I wanted to help clear the table.
"You want to help?" Sora gawked as I grabbed glasses and plates and made my way over to the sink. I looked at him over my shoulder.
"I don't mind. Especially after Roxas's parents were so sweet about inviting me over. I owe them for their hospitality." That part was true, though Sora was right. I didn't want to. I hadn't even wanted to be at the meal, but some of the manners taught in my family were hard to ignore.
"Why thank you, Namine, but really, you don't have to. We have this covered," Roxas's mother smiled at me, warmly.
"Oh, I insist," I pressed. There was a clinking of dishes from behind me. I turned and saw Roxas piling up plates, and Olette picking up glasses to follow his example. With all of us(except Sora) working, it took hardly any time at all.
"Thank you so much, kids." Sora's mother said, staring at him without a smile all the while she said it. He shrugged, and we laughed lightly for a moment before running off to the door.
Just as Roxas put his hand on the knob, there were footsteps behind us. He turned back for just a second, and then smiled apologetically at me. I didn't know what that meant, so I turned around and his father was standing behind us, arms folded and smiling. Roxas's father was tall and he looked muscular, with light blonde hair and deep blue eyes; He was intimidating. He had a friendly face, clean shaven and happy looking, but it was well in contrast with the rest of his body.
"Namine," He presumed, and I nodded a little. "Oh finally!" He boomed, laughing. He reached out, and unlike Roxas's mother who gently shook my hand, he grabbed my shoulder and pulled me in for a bear hug. I clenched my teeth as his arms barricaded me, and then lifted me off the ground for just a second. Nobody behind me seemed surprised. He set me back down and ruffled my hair, which I was too embarrassed to fix. "Good to know you, kiddo. I was wondering when Roxas would bring you home." He gave Roxas a thumbs up and a wink. "Good for you." Then he shooed us out of the house, giving Roxas extra money for whatever we decided to do.
We walked outside, Sora giving the little girl a piggy back ride. I realized I still didn't know her name. "Sora," I said suddenly, and he looked over at me. "What's your cousin's name?" I asked, and I was vaguely aware of Roxas smoothing my hair out for me.
He furrowed his eyebrows then looked around me for a second. When his eyes fell on me again, he said "Roxas. Geez, Namine, it's one thing to forget, but to ask right in front of him is kinda..."
I rolled my eyes. "I meant your little cousin."
"Oh!" He laughed a little. "Oh, her. Her name is actually Shaelyn."
"But we call her Shadow," Roxas finished. "She likes it more. Right, baby?" He asked, pushing her bangs out of her face and pulling her hat up a little more. She smiled at him and nodded.
I couldn't help myself. "Aw, Roxas she's so cute!" I squeaked, and turned to him, shaking my head. He laughed.
"Yeah, she is." He looked at me kinda funny, and I knew he was trying to tell me that he thought I was cute, too. I blushed and turned away.
After a while of walking with no place to go, we passed an ice cream shop. Shaelyn gasped at the door, so we went in. She was bouncing up and down on Sora's back, and Olette laughed with me, both of us entertained with her display of adorability. When we were inside, Sora let her down and she grabbed Roxas's hand, running off to the other side of the store and pulling him with her. I smiled, but I wanted Roxas to come back.
"Small vanilla cone," Sora said to the lady at the counter, then ordered two more and turned to me and Olette.
"I don't like cones," I said. "So I'll just have the Sea Salt Ice," I looked over to where Roxas was inserting multiple quarters into a machine that dispensed plastic jewelry. After every quarter, he allowed Shaelyn to twist the little metal handle and reach in to get the jewelry, which he helped her to put on. He looked up at me, and I caught him smile as I turned away, pretending he hadn't noticed me, and slightly embarrassed that he had. Sora handed me and Olette our ice cream, or popsicle, in my case, and carried the others over to Roxas and Shaelyn.
He held one out to Roxas, and I heard him say, "'Kay, Shadow, which one do you want?" She picked the chocolate. I turned around, feeling out of their circle as I walked with Olette to the door. We stood around outside and waited. I heard the door open, but didn't turn around. I was startled when I felt something around my neck, and a hand pushed my hair aside. A cold chain fell to the back of my neck, and I looked down. There was a small, plastic, blue ring on a chain hanging from my neck. Roxas smiled at me and walked ahead, hand in hand with Shaelyn. Olette walked with them and Sora hung back with me.
"You know, Namine, don't tell Roxas I said this, but I think he likes you." I smiled, laughing inwardly.
"I had a feeling," I said. "I like him, too."
"I had a feeling." I looked over at him, and he was licking his ice cream, looking far away in terms of thoughts. He didn't speak again until I realized we were coming up on Kairi's house. "Are you gonna tell him?" He asked, finally, stopping at the edge of the grass with me, just as Roxas was walking back. Olette went to the door.
"He already knows," I said just as Roxas slid his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him.
Sora looked at both of our faces, smiled, and went to greet Kairi. Roxas pressed his lips to my forehead, letting out a deep breath. "Who knows what now?"
I blew off his question. "Thank you, Roxas." I fiddled with the chain that held the ring. "I love it."
His breath fanned my face as he laughed. "I'm glad."
"Well now," Kairi's voice cut in. "What's all this?"
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OMG! They have to confess what's going on!! SCANDALOUS! No, not really, but that (hopefully) makes for a better next chapter.
Anyway, that's it for now, unless I can magically pull another chapter out of my bucket-o-gravy, which... I don't think I can.
No, I don't really have a bucket-o-gravy.
O yeah. Thanks.