G'mornin'!

I've decided to calm down and write my chapters slowly - I realized that the more I rush chapters, the more rough and choppy they appear to me, I don't know if you guys notice anything but I can clearly pick out the flaws. Even though, I want to finish this fic fairly soon, I should pace myself and take my time. Some of the best stories in the world didn't just happen overnight.

I've also been having a tough time lately so I guess writing is one of my only escapes from reality. I just want to take a moment to thank all my friends and those I've met on here for supporting me. Thank you very much.

There aren't many chapters left - hold onto your seats, folks! Another long chappie here, though - I suggest you take a break like halfway through and have a snack or something.

Warning: Strong language included.

Please review/fave/alert

Enjoy x

Resistance

Chater Twelve: The End is Nigh (For Me Anyway)

-&-

It was the start of December and a couple of months had passed me quickly by, since I found out Sora held the same feelings as me. Of course, I kept my relationship well away from my home life and guarded my secret as best as I could.

It wasn't easy though. I told my Mum about Sora and I, when Dad was at work one day. Just to be safe, I took her outside and whispered it into her ear - if Dad was crazy enough to use me as his personal punching bag, who was to say that he also hadn't installed microphones and cameras into the house as well? Mum promised she'd keep the secret and guard it with her life. I remembered shivering at her words.

Last week I also had one of the first of my major exams - Maths. I studied as much as I could in between hiding from my father and getting occasional bruises. I was sure that I failed Maths with a passion - but I hated it so it didn't matter to me too much. Namine, Roxas and Wakka were just as bad as it as I was. We sat together at the back of the Maths classes and panicked together.

It also occurred to me that Christmas was only four weeks away and I hadn't had a chance to go shopping for presents yet - I'd been too busy and I hadn't a lot of money. I honestly didn't know how happy Christmas would be this year, with Dad acting like a madman. I pondered whether they'd let him celebrate it in an asylum.

Dad was busy at work at the office and usually had to pull all night shifts to get his huge amount of paperwork done. This is meant that the time he did have off, was dedicated to sleep and heading out for beer and heroin. He didn't have a lot of time to get at me and Mum, usually just slouching around and grunting like a dying pig.

It was the Saturday after a particularly long week and I was spending a quiet day alone at home with Mum. It had been raining on and off all day and the sky was overcastted in grey. I wanted to stay firmly in the warmth.

Mum was setting up our annual fake Christmas tree in the corner of the living room and I helped her move the furniture around to accommodate it.

"There," Mum wiped her brow and we stood back to admire the naked tree. "Gives the room a little bit of cheer already, doesn't it?"

"Sure... You can see the armchair laughing already."

She whacked me lightly on the arm with a broken branch. "Lighten up Kairi, will you? Oh hey - could you do me a favor and go down to the basement? I forgot to bring up the box of decorations."

"Ok." I muttered and left her in the living room with her happy-go-lucky attitude. It made me edgy to think that in a few days - that Christmas tree could maybe be put through the windows and the decorations torn down and be used as possible weapons against us. Although he was more tired than usual lately, whenever Dad had passed me on the stairs or in the hallway, I quickly stare at the floor and quietly shuffle by - a technique Mum taught me. But in my peripheral vision - I always caught those little smirks that he flashed. It was creepy and unnerving. I always spent a few minutes catching my breath afterwards.

It was like he was the shark, and I was the tiny little tuna. No matter how fast I swam, I couldn't escape his jaws.

I opened the door to the basement and got a face full of dust as the door swung open. My coughs wracked my body and I cursed silently. When the dust cloud had cleared, I stepped cautiously down the rickety wooden stairs that descended into the dark and fumbled around stupidly in the dark, looking for the light switch. You would think I'd have thought to bring a torch down with me.

I stepped on something bouncy and didn't even dare to stop to think what it was. In a matter of minutes, my fingers had felt along the walls and come across the switch. I flipped it and the room was suddenly flooded in blinding light. I had to cover my eyes and get used to it a few moments later.

I was still by the stairs and next to the old washer which had been down here since I was born - my parents didn't venture down here very often. The room was filled with memories from my childhood with boxes of toys, newspapers and magazines. I realized that the object the stepped on, wasn't a rat as I had thought, but a small cuddly toy that used to go by the name 'lamb chop'.

I picked my way through the piles of crap and junk. Honestly - if I hadn't found the light safely, I could have easily toppled over into this moth-eaten rubbish and hurt myself. Maybe I'd talk Mum in to clearing up one day.

As I figured, the big box of Christmas decorations was located in the far corner of the room and behind many annoying obstacles. I hurriedly skipped through and shoved the bigger items away.

I shifted the box to my right and prepared to haul it into my arms, when something caught my eye.

I left the box and pushed aside an old silver trolley to find three suitcases - the newest things in the whole room. I frowned and recalled if they'd been put here recently or not. I didn't remember Mum or Dad entering the basement since last Christmas.

One of the suitcases was open slightly and I gave it a small tug to find clothes spilling out in my arms. I shifted through the strange materials. Men's clothes. Lot's of them. I checked the other two suitcases as well. They were just the same.

"Kairi - where are you?"

"Coming Mum!" I yelled back and hurriedly replaced the clothes into the suitcase again, leaving all three tucked out of sight behind the trolley again. I grabbed the decorations and carefully picked my way through the junk, before locating the light switch and thundering up the creaky stairs into the house.

-&-

"I need you guys to hurry up and finish your coursework - the due date is January 15th and optional classes are available after school, should you need help from me."

Groans and whispers met Mr. Winsor's words and he told us to pack up and go to our next class. It was the end of a painfully slow double Geography period and the students up until a few seconds ago, were wilting in their seats. Riku yawned next to me and shoved his things in his bag. We walked together out of the room and headed for the Science department, where we both had Physics with Namine.

As soon as Namine and I were seated together at the back of the room as usual, Riku in front of us - we began whispering excitedly about the next day. Tomorrow we would simultaneously carry out our plans on Selphie, Jessica and Lauren.

"What have you got planned?" Namine giggled. "Tifa had some great ideas for Lauren."

"Ahh we aren't telling," Riku tapped his nose and smiled at me. "Are we Kai?"

"Nope," I nodded. "It'll be hilarious though. Riku's bringing his video camera to film the whole thing."

"You bet I am."

Namine snorted. "In that case, I'll get Wakka to get his and we'll film ours too. We should get Tidus's group to film too."

"Yes!" I agreed. "Then we can all have a movie night around somebody's house with popcorn and snacks - we can watch them altogether."

"That's a pretty good idea, Kairi. I've taught you well." Riku was impressed.

"It should be at your house Kairi, you've got a big bedroom and a TV." Namine suggested.

"No," I said instantly and watched their confused expressions. "I..I mean I don't think I'll be allowed. My parents are pretty busy at the moment." I gabbled quickly and directed my attention to Mr. Fox as he begun to teach the class.

I imagined all of my friends crowded into my room and seated on the bed and floor, cracking jokes with each other and devouring the food and drink. Sora and I were seated on my bed and leaned against the wall, as we cackled and giggled at the three girls on screen. Mine and Sora's hands were entwined and gently stroking each others fingers. During the video clips, I imagined him leaning closer and pressing his lips softly against mine. Then my Dad bursts in with a baseball bat and my sight turns to crimson as everyone tries to escape, some not so lucky. He catches sight of Sora and shoves me to the floor, we were alone now and my Dad slowly raises the bat and brings it heavily down on Sora's skull..

I jolted in my stool and quickly covered my mouth with my fingers to stop myself from screaming hysterically. I made sure my hair covered my head so that I could cry silently without either Nam or Riku seeing and getting all worried. The daydream seemed so real. The crack of Sora's head echoed in my own. I shuddered deeply.

Was it really okay for me to date Sora? Ever since we started to go out a couple of months ago, I asked myself this question every single day and always came up with the same response; 'What Dad doesn't know, won't hurt Sora.'

I usually chanted it in my head like a mantra until it calmed me down. But after my really realistic daydreaming, I just felt more alarmed.

Option one: Dump Sora for his own safety. Option two: Continue dating Sora until Dad finds out.

No win.

Either way Sora would end up hurt and I'd end up a wreck. It was like a modern day Romeo and Juliet. Except of course, my mother adored his mother and vice versa.

And then these thoughts led me of course, the men's clothing in the suitcases I'd found in the basement last weekend. Would I ever stop worrying?

-&-

The next day, I left my house extra early that morning and left a quick note for Mum to find when she woke up. The note said I was sorry and told her not to worry, I was just meeting Riku and Sora.

The bitter air raked against my skin like needles as I jogged to the school to keep myself warm. My clothes were only flimsy and barely held any protection against the blistering winter wind. I'd soon turn into a snowman.

My bag was also heavy than usual on my shoulders. For today, I brought my grey and white backpack which was considerably a lot stronger than my shoulder bag and held a lot my room for my school stuff plus some of the key ingredients needed for our plan. By the end of the day, the three girls would be humiliated and probably fuming at us. The sheer thrill sent adrenaline to my body and I felt a whole lot warmer.

It didn't take a lot of time to reach school and by then, my empty stomach was growling. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar I stole from the kitchen this morning. It was devoured quickly and kept me going.

I walked round to the back of the school where the parking lot was and saw my silver-haired and brunette friends leaning against the Science block wall. They caught sight of me and waved. I approached them and jiggled my bag.

"Got everything." I murmured. The cold was making my voice all throaty. Sora held out his gloved arms for me and I gratefully walked into them, butterflies fluttering within me. I still hadn't gotten used to the close contact between us yet.

"That's good," Riku's voice was hoarse too. I noticed he had a takeaway cup of coffee that he held protectively in his hands. "Jessica arrives early to sign in at the office and check in with the cheerleading coach. She has practice cheerleading pretty much all day, so we'll be able to get her at some point, if something stops us this morning."

"So why did you make us meet so early? You know how much I hate early mornings.." Sora yawned and cuddled me tighter.

Riku smirked. "I plan on making this an undercover job," he nudged his bag on the floor with his shoe. "I'm going to film it as planned - but I had a brainwave last night!"

"Oh god." Sora and I groaned at the same time. We knew all too well what Riku's excellent brainwaves meant.

"No really guys," he tried to assure us. "This really is a great idea!"

"Even better than your 'Naked Carwash' idea?" Sora chucked.

"Definitely. How about we gather all three films together and.." He paused. "Show them on the big screen at the end of school, assembly?"

My mouth dropped open in a mix of amusement and confusion. "Riku! None of the teachers would let us do that!"

"Who said we were going to tell them?" He shrugged. "I was planning on sneaking into the technical studio and uh.. hijacking a few things.. Think about it - Selphie, Jessica and Lauren getting owned in front of the whole school. Tell me it doesn't sound tempting."

"It does," Sora sighed. "But we could get into a lot of trouble for it, man.."

"Then we cover our tracks, so to speak. There are ten of us in the group - I think we could slip in and out quite easily, just in time to see everyone in hysterics.."

Riku was suddenly cut off by the sound of a car fast approaching. He pulled us behind a big pile of black rubbish bags and told us to get down. I peeked curiously out of the side to see a black Mercedes pull into the parking lot and stop near the entrance. It was silent for a few moments, before a blonde girl climbed out in a maroon and white long dress. I smirked as I realized it was Jessica. She said goodbye to whoever was in the Mercedes, and it speedily drove away. She adjusted the bag on her shoulders and picked up her pom-poms, before strutting into the school building with a swish of her short skirt.

"It begins.." Riku whispered dramatically and pulled me off the floor, Sora clambering up beside us.

We waited a couple of seconds and checked our equipment. This part of the plan involved Riku and his camera entering the front of the building, where he'd quickly make his way to the girl's locker rooms and wait outside. Sora and I were supposed to go through the back of the Gym and head around.

"Good luck, guys - break a leg!" Riku patted us on the backs and quickly strolled away to reception. As soon as he disappeared, Sora and I clutched hands and scaled the sides of the school, until the Gym back doors came into view and we quietly pulled them open. Sora poked his head in and gave me the all-clear. I stepped forward and gently pressed my cold lips against his warm ones. He moved the hair away from my eyes as we kissed, pulling away from me and smiling warmly.

"I'm going to head into the equipment room and find somewhere where Riku can set up the camera. Will you be alright getting in and out the locker room without her seeing you?"

"I'll be fine." I promised, and kissed him again. We both entered the gym and he swung the door shut behind us. The huge room was dark and morning light spilled through the huge windows. Sora let go of my hand and hidden by the shadows, he sprinted over to the equipment room and slid inside. I gulped, suddenly feeling very alone and nervous. I really hoped I wouldn't screw this up. If we were caught, Sora and Riku would be in waaay more trouble than I would - after all, they were males and were planning to film the cheerleaders. To outsiders, it would scream 'perverts'.

I shook away my passive nervousness and quickly headed over to the door that would lead me to the girl's locker room. By Riku's calculations, Jessica should either be still at reception, or should be heading over right now - so I basically didn't have a lot of time to loose.

The locker room was as dark and as cold as the gym - I didn't envy the cheerleaders this morning in their short outfits. Thankfully it was also empty as well. I quickly rushed over to the rows of dark green lockers and quickly scanned up and down the aisles - looking for 3304 - Jessica's locker.

My heart beat increased as I was running out of lockers - and time. I was considering doubling back on myself and checking the rows one more time. One the last row, I was sweating in fear and irritation. My eyes locked onto one of the lockers and my soul jumped in excitement - I found it.

None of these lockers were ever locked, so I easily pulled 3304's door open and scanned inside until my eyes fell upon the awful blue and yellow cheerleading outfit. I ducked down behind one of the benches behind me and quickly pulled various jars out of my schoolbag. I tipped one tin labeled 'Itch your way to hell' into the top half and another tin - 'Cheap Hooker scent' was poured into the skirt. Riku had provided these items for me, from a joke shop on one of the other islands. It was supposed to dry fairly quickly in the material - Jessica would be none the wiser. I took one more jar from my bag and leaned on my knees, to grab her white shoes from the open locker. In the jar, was outdated mayonnaise that held a yellowish lumpy texture. I almost vomited as I emptied it into the shoes and replaced everything into the locker and slammed the door shut. Jessica would also be wearing matching white socks with her outfit which were supposed to be quite thick, she wouldn't feel the mayonnaise meshing against her foot.

"Work those legs baby!" I froze as Riku's voice sounded clearly from outside the door. Damn, that meant Jessica was just about to enter and see me! I was practically a blur as I gathered up my items and made it to the far end of the room and hid behind a shower stall. I heard Jessica tell Riku to get lost and the locker door slammed loudly as she entered. We were alone.

I tried to control my breathing and keep it silent; my heart was drumming in my ears.

I didn't dare try and peek around the stall - Jessica's locker faced the showers and she would easily see me if I tried. I waited patiently for her to finish dressing in her cheerleading clothes. I half expected her to scream 'WHAT THE HELL' as she noticed my tampering with her clothes. Luckily, she was too much in a rush to notice anything and quickly dressed. I heard her stop out of the locker room and into the Gym door that I had entered through earlier. Silence filled the gap.

I wasted no time in grabbing my bag and quickly escaping the room. I entered through the other door and found myself in the hallway. Riku was leaned against the wall, looking a bit worried.

"All good?"

I nodded. "All systems a go-go."

"Good," he sighed happily. "Truth be told Kairi, I had no idea if that would work or not, I'm just glad she didn't see you. You suck at fighting."

"Thanks," I commented drily. "Anyway, Sora's in the equipment room waiting for us."

Riku nodded. "I guess we should be quick then. We need to be in and out quickly."

We both hurried down the short hallways towards reception, where the second door to the equipment room was. I noticed that more students seemed to have arrived since we came. They didn't notice us as we hurried along.

Luck really did seem to be with us. The receptionist was in her office, filing some paperwork and didn't notice us sneak past her desk and hide in the tiny alcove between an array of doors. The reception was quiet and the teachers were still in the staff room. Riku stretched his hand out behind him and grasped for the doorknob to the right of the alcove. We double checked again for witnesses and quickly slipped into the room, locking it behind us.

We found Sora crouched behind a stack of basketballs. Relief washed over his face as he hugged us.

"Man, I am glad you guys are here," he whispered. "The coach came in and I had to hide behind the gymnastics bench! I swear he saw the top of my head, but he left and went back into the gym!"

"I had a tough time too," I admitted. "It took me ages to find her locker!"

"It's too late to turn back now," he glanced at Sora. "Are the cheerleaders in the hall?"

"There was only Jessica and coach a few moments ago. But since you left the locker rooms and came here, more have arrived." He pointed to the small misty window by the floor. We all lay down on our stomachs and peered through to see the cheerleaders doing stretches to warm up.

"We all nearly got caught at moments then," I breathed. "Riku, this was one heck of a dangerous plan.."

"Yeah, yeah - revenge is sweeter than detention though, remember that Kairi." He was busy touching his fingers to the video camera and pressing various buttons. He pulled the LCD screen outwards so we could see what was being filmed. He pressed another button and the camera zoomed in closer to Jessica doing star jumps.

"Are we going to show the whole video at the assembly?" Sora whispered next to me.

Riku shook his head. "I'll gather Namine's and Yuffie's videos and merge them all together into a music video or something," he adjusted his position so he was facing me. "Hey you're good at singing Kai - fancy featuring?"

"You wish," I grunted and leaned my head on my arms. "What the hell am I supposed to sing to match this situation anyway?'I wanna take you to the gay bar'? No thanks, Riku."

"You guys - it's starting!" Sora hissed and we all pressed our attention to the small window before us. Riku's pressed 'play' and we lay there in a mix of excitement and anticipation.

The coach signaled at them to stop their warm up stretches and he called them all into a small huddle.

"Cheerleading is not a sport.." He said.

".. It's a life choice and a talent," the cheerleaders replied obediently. "Only the best will make it. The worst will fake it."

I think it was one of their weird.. 'Team spirit' things.

"Yes!" He roared in approval and told them to get into the stances of their first routine. He thundered over to the back of the wall and fumbled for a little while over what looked like a battered CD player. Music was suddenly blasting our ears. It was some kind of Pussycat Dolls song. I wad faintly worried that I even knew it - I despised the band. What was even more worrying, was that Riku and Sora were both mouthing the words silently either side of me.

"Alright!" Coach roared over the music. "Let's see who's been practicing, ladies."

Jessica nodded her head along to the music and then suddenly burst out into well executed back flip and then began doing a high-speed routine along with the others, whose names I didn't know. She looked focused and concentrated as she effortlessly was lifted into the shoulders of two girls. They wobbled and one of the girls accidently dropped her hand, while led to Jessica toppling off onto one side and onto the floor. Riku, Sora and I tried to contain our giggles.

"Focus!" Jessica screamed over the music. "You stupid girl - You'll loose us the cup if you keep making mistakes!"

And so the whole team started again with their combination of dancing, gymnastics and cheering. Coach was watching them like a hungry hawk and swooped on them whenever they made the slightest mistake. I wondered vaguely why a male teacher would want to coach the school cheerleading team? I realized I didn't really want to know.

"Footwork, FOOTWORK!" Our girl was again screaming at someone else, her face flushed bright red with frustration. Why on earth did these girls take that from her? I wanted to slap them..

"Relax Kai," Sora rubbed my arm gently. "She'll get our payback soon."

I grumbled silently and turned my attention onto the girls again. They had now split into threes and were lifting one onto their shoulders again. This time, The higher girls did complicated arm movements and shouted something too quiet for us. Simultaneously, they were catapulted into the air and landed comfortably. They all moved forward to form a line and kicked their legs up in unison, followed by their opposite legs and then they let themselves fall to the floor in the splits.

"Good good!" Coach clapped. "Now keep it up!"

"Yeah, I bet he wants them to.." Riku muttered. "Hey - cheerleaders are so hot, why didn't I ever date one of th-.."

"JESSICA - STOP ROLLING AROUND, AND GET UP!"

Our heads snapped towards the small window again. Jessica had stopped mid-kick and was now writhing on the floor comically, her hands scrabbling at her uniform. i had to bury my head in Sora's back to keep myself from bursting out laughing. Riku was cackling so much, the camera was shaking.

Jessica bit her lip and tried to stand up and continue. She soon found herself stepping out of time with the rest of the cheerleaders and grumpily itching every inch of her that she could access. Coach was getting seriously angry now and he thundered all the way across the hall.

"What's wrong?" He barked.

"I-I dunno.." She generally looked confused and started to scratch her arms so hard, they had red marks from her nails. Coach looked incredulous and pushed her back in line again. It wasn't long before the song ended and everyone gathered together again.

I noticed that Jessica was standing, semi-arrogantly on her own and the rest of her team had gently ventured off to the side, holding their noses. It looks as if the Hooker's Scent had finally appeared prominent.

Jessica glared at them angrily and folded her arms, still itching like crazy. The team began to laugh and titter amongst themselves as they surveyed her, most of them clapping their hands over their mouths and noses.

"JESSICA MORRIS," Coach roared right into her face. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? STOP THAT FIGETING AT ONCE!"

"I can't!" She said angrily. "I can't help it.. It's.. WHAT THE HELL?" She stared in horror at her feet to see that there was a white substance dripping out of her shoes. It was the outdated mayonnaise mixed with her sweat - a dangerous combo, along with her 'stink' and the itching. This wasn't Jessica's day.

Her peers had thought it was something else entirely though and began collapsing to the floor in giggles, laughing so hard they were struggling to breath and holding in their sides. I don't think they could quite believe it either. Coach was even beginning to crack a smile.

Jessica clenched her fists and turned on her sticky heels and ran right from the Gym and back into the locker rooms again, leaving a trail of white in her wake. I could see Coach shake his head in shame and he waited for the other girls to calm down from their fits of laughter, so they could begin training once again.

Riku, Sora and I got up and stretched the aches out of our bodies. It felt like forever since we'd arrived this morning - thankfully, first period hadn't even started yet!

"To a job well done!" Riku patted us on the backs and we all high-fived. He turned to me. "That was brilliant Kairi, I really wasn't sure if you'd have enough time to pull it off or not - but you did!" He hugged me.

"Yeah well," I was smiling now. "You both had such good ideas."

Sora hugged me too and gave me a kiss. "Yes but you were the only one, able to get to Jessica's locker without being arrested for being a pervert."

Riku nodded. "Come on guys, we only have a few minutes before we have to check in at form room," he placed the video camera safely back into his bag. "Don't tell the others that we've already carried our revenge out, right? Or they'll want to see the footage. I want a chance to edit it all first, before the grand unveiling."

I laughed. "You're such a perfectionist, Riku."

"I know." He sighed grimly.

We returned to the door that led to the office again and Riku went out first, looking casual and busy. We waited and I went second, entering the now busy room and watching everyone - students and teachers alike milling around the receptionist desk and staff room. I felt Sora nudge me in the back silently and we moved into the hallway and up the flights of stairs, to form room.

Neither Namine of Yuffie's groups would tell us what they had planned OR if or when they were carrying them out. I suppose it was just, as we were also lying. All through Chemistry, Biology and English - I was thinking of Jessica's angry and humiliated face in the Gym. I had no lessons with her so I couldn't tell if she'd returned to her normal school day or not. Part of me felt a bit sorry for her - especially as we were planning to show the whole school! But then I remembered the dreaded Coke incident and my mind was smug.

At the end of the day, most of the students had already gone home and our group was sat waiting in the quad, for Riku, Yuna and Yuffie to come out. By now, our plans must have been taken out - but no one spoke of it.. Yet.

"KAIRI!" We all looked over to see our three missing friends sprinting quickly over to us from the doors. My smile faded when I saw their expressions.

"We just saw Selphie," Tifa panted. "All three of them are convinced it was just you - that did all of that to them, Kairi. They're furious."

"Why me?" I gasped.

"Because Jessica apparently saw you."

"Wha-.." I stopped and recalled this morning. At one point, I remembered laughing so hard that my whole body was moving. I was laying in between both boys and therefore the easiest to see.. Damn - she must have caught sight of my hair moving in the window!

The wind was suddenly knocked out of me and I fell to the grass, winded. My mind flashbacked to my living room - my dad beating me senseless - until I had no hope.. Dad?

My eyes opened to see Selphie breathing down on me like an angry bull. She was covered in what seemed to be dried mash potato and glaring at me as if I was a piece of dirt on her shoe. My friends stood motionless around me - Selphie had come running out of nowhere! In the distance I could see Jessica and Lauren slowly making their way towards us.

Selphie lifted her fist and brought it down onto my face. I kicked her stomach and she staggered back, long enough for me to clamber off the floor and glare at her. She recovered quickly and tried to scratch my face off with her long nails.

I wasn't going to be beaten around anymore. I wasn't a fucking ragdoll. I'm no-ones punching bag.

My anger was now controlling my body and I found myself yelling and throwing my whole body into punching and kicking her. I could feel various friends try to pull us apart from each other - but when I caught a fistful of her brown hair and yanked it with all my might, I felt strong.

She caught my fingers and bent them back so far, they creaked. I quickly whipped my head round and sank my teeth deep into the flesh of her arm. She screamed and punched me across the head till I collided with the brick wall. I could feel Jessica and Lauren had decided to join in now. They smirked and slapped at me until I roared and threw one of them across the floor with all my might. Sora was right behind me and was firmly holding my waist, while Riku, Yuffie, Tifa, Tidus and Wakka were having trouble restraining our enemies. Namine was as mad as me and decided to join in the fight - raking her nails across Lauren's forehead until she screamed.

"STOP!" Someone roared. "STOP ALL OF THIS RABBLE NOW!"

I didn't even register who is was. Someone had tried to come between all of us. I struggled with Sora until I was free and leaped forward, grabbing Selphie by her stupid head and sending us sideways, into the hard concrete. We landed heavily - but we didn't care. I raised my fist and was just about the deal the final blow until someone got a hold of me under the armpits and held onto me. A strange teacher had gotten a hold of Selphie and she was jerking and spitting at them like a cat. I bit my lip and screamed at my assailant to get off me. I realized that it was another teacher and that Mr. Kasey was now standing before us all.

"It was her!" Jessica and Lauren pointed accusingly at me. "She started it!"

"Piss off!" I yelled. "I'm gonna fucking kill her!"

"YOU WISH!" Selphie screamed back. "I HATE YOU, YOU LITTLE BITCH."

"THEN COME AT ME. I DARE YOU!" I kicked backwards at the teacher holding me, in vain. It didn't connect and he was holding my arms so hard, I could feel the blood clotting in my shoulders.

"Take them to separate empty classrooms to cool down for ten minutes," Mr. Kasey instructed. "I'm going to find out what's been going on."

And so we were led away from the dumbstruck group and into the school building again. I went limp in the teacher's arms - I could almost feel the gazes of my friends on my back as I stepped inside away from the sunlight. We went down the first hallway we could find and I was suddenly in my Physics classroom. My teacher let me go free and I stood there, cradling my sore arms. I glared at the teacher to find it was Mr. Fox.

He tutted and leaned against the door. "You're pretty strong Kairi."

I shrugged and didn't answer, making my way to the back of the room and sitting in my normal seat. I placed my head on the desk. Seeing that he wasn't going to get a word out of me, Mr. Fox silently left the classroom and locked the door behind him until Mr. Kasey came to shout at me. I closed my eyes and wallowed in my own misery.

How awful must I have looked to my friends - my boyfriend, by fighting like that and screaming my head off?

I shuddered just thinking about it.

I also felt ashamed that I could loose control of myself so easily - but I just couldn't help it. I was really sick of being beaten up all the time and not being able to do anything about it. Selphi ewas just unlucky that she was the one that I had to take my anger out on. I was sickened with myself.

My shame was also driven from the fact that I thought my father had arrived at school and knocked me onto the floor. I didn't want to admit it, but I was now so scared of him that he was beginning to appear everywhere I went. Could I honestly not just have a little fight with him showing up and scaring the life out of me?

I didn't want to live like this anymore. I just wanted to curl up and die. I wanted to hurt everyone around me so the pain was more bearable.

And the suitcases.

What the hell was up with them?

Filled with men's clothing. All three of them. Hidden in the basement. Where people hardly go.

My eyes flapped open at the desk and I slowly rose up in my stool, my expression confused. Why would there be perfectly good men's clothes in my basement - where junk went to die? Who on earth would have placed them down there in order to get rid of them? It didn't make a lot of sense.

Dad hasn't been hurting us lately because he's been so busy at work. But he worked in a tiny PR office at the edge of town - how busy could his paperwork possibly be? What could he be working on that would take so much of his home life away and make him so tired.

And those awful little smirks he gives me daily.

"Oh. My. God."

Realization hit my like a full speed bullet train. I had to spend a few moments catching my breath and letting it get around my body. Oxygen felt scarce in this room..

I can't believe I didn't see it before. It was so clear and lay so easily in front of me.

What if those clothes were Dad's clothes in the suitcases? What if he purposely put them in the basement because no one went down there and would find them. What if he was using the excuse of work to cover what he was really doing? Something that took so much time and work that he'd dedicated his life to it. An escape maybe. And what if he gave me those deadly little smirks because he knew something that I didn't? Or did I?

I made up my mind and kicked my lab stool aside. I clambered onto the counter at the back of the room and opened the window as far as it would open. I prayed to God that no teachers would burst in at that second and restrain me. Time was short. I couldn't afford to loose it.

I easily jumped the short way from the window to the ground and as soon as my feet hit the concrete, I began to run.

If I guessed correctly, and Dad had some sort of plan of his own..

And that meant he was going to..

Oh crap.