*sigh* This really is getting nowhere. It's like a million filler chapters. I apologize. I keep having so much to do and yet trying to force out chapters and I feel like I'm just losing my writing skills...

Chapter 13: Oops

Axel entered the house and sighed, plopping down on the couch.

Zexion thought he had heard the door open and silently left the bedroom Samantha had lent to him and Axel. He made sure to look both ways before creeping towards the stairs and peaking down to the first floor. He nearly ran down the steps when he saw the familiar red head of hair sitting on the couch.

"VIII, I am going with you next time. I cannot stay here alone with-"

"Zexion? Who are you talking to?" came Samantha's voice. Zexion jumped up from the couch but Samantha had already entered the room.

"Oh, hey, Axel. I didn't hear you come in." she said with a smile.

Axel looked up at Zexion with confusion and pulled him back down on the couch.

"Yeah, I just got in a few seconds ago. Did Zexion behave himself?" Axel asked with mock seriousness.

"Oh yeah, totally." Samantha said, turning her head to roll her eyes. Axel tipped his head at her, not missing the expression. She turned back to them with a peppy smile on her face.

"Hey, do you guys like pizza?"

Ariel peered through the peep hole of her front door, slightly afraid of whomever was knocking so insistently on her door. Her mom had just stepped out literally a minute ago. She opened the door and Tyler flew in the house.

"Tsuin! I.. lost.. my.. phone.. but… the guy!" she gasped out, finally pausing to catch her breath.

"What guy? Did someone chase you or something?" Ariel asked, immediately going into protective mode. Tyler shook her head.

"No! When I was going to my bus, a guy with bright red hair came looking for you. Bright red hair,"

Ariel's eyes went wide and she quickly locked the door.

"Where did he go after that?" she asked.

"I don't know. I ran to the bus. Guess I dropped my phone then." the other girl responded with frustration.

Right then and there, Ariel's cellphone rang. She went and grabbed it off the couch, looking at the screen with an unreadable expression before looking up at Tyler.

"You're somehow calling me right now."

"I do not want to."

"Come on! Don't be such a jerk off!"

"This is your beloved XIV, you call her." Zexion replied, shoving the phone back into Axel's face. "I told you I do not react well to cellular device components."

"It's your beloved's phone! Ah! Just do it. I'm all awkward and you're all… smart!"

"…You are bold and loud and-"

"Okay! I just don't want to do it! I don't want to be proven wrong if it isn't her." Axel said, tossing the phone to Zexion. "Just press the button."

Zexion stared at Axel for a long time before sighing and pressing the button and putting the phone to his ear. As soon as the person on the other end answered, he froze, not expecting that voice at all.

"Hello? You picked up my phone whoever you are, and why are you calling my friend? This is that redhead isn't it?"

"Tr-Tryxel?" Zexion said.

"Tyler!" Axel whispered, far too loud for an actual whisper.

"Tyler, my apologies. Um, yes, I do seem to have your phone, I, uh…" he trailed off his words and ran a hand through his hair.

"So, I'm guessing you were with that guy? What is with the Tryxel stuff? Gah, it doesn't matter, I would like my phone please." Tyler said.

"What's she saying?" Axel loud-whispered again. Zexion shushed him and pushed his face away.

"Would you like to, to meet somewhere to retrieve your phone?" Zexion asked. Axel was nearly jumping up and down.

"Tell her to bring her friend! Tell her Zexion!"

"….Look, I don't even know you… I mean, you guys could be trying to kidnap us and…."

"The park… by the, mall I believe it is called? We could meet there. An abundance of people will be there if you do not trust that I am safe. I will not attempt to bring harm to you." Zexion said.

There was a pause on the other line.

"Okay, but seriously. I'm bringing someone with me. And weapons. Just saying." Tyler said finally. Zexion chuckled.

"You will not be needing them. I will head out right now."

He ended the call and handed the phone back to Axel..

"She informed me that she will be bringing someone along," he said with a smirk, "Now stop gawking, you have to go."

After exchanging a few words with Samantha, the two left the house.

"Make sure you control yourself." Zexion reminded Axel.

"Me? Make sure you remember how to properly function." Axel retorted.

The girls arrived at the park a little before Axel and Zexion did.

"Maybe this wasn't a good idea, we should go back. I mean, I can just get another phone. This is really dumb." Tyler said, grabbing Ariel's arm. Ariel shook her head.

"Something keeps telling me we need to stay here." she said.

"What? The part of you that wants to see if this is your dream guy?" Tyler asked. Ariel felt her face heat up slightly.

"Don't put it that way!" she exclaimed before seeing a tall redhead and gasping.

It was the same exact guy from her dreams.

"It is him." she said quietly but Tyler was hardly paying attention.

"Hey! You're who I ran into the other day." Tyler said, pointing at Zexion.

"I… yes I am…" Zexion said, once again stumbling over his words. Axel elbowed him before stepping closer to Ariel who stepped back. He chuckled, putting his hands up in surrender before attempting to converse.

"So, Tyler is it? I am Zexion." the slate haired boy said, extending her phone out to her hand but pulling it away right before she grabbed it. "Wait, do not run away immediately after I give you this, please."

Tyler looked at him quizzically and mumbled a compliance before he once again handed her the phone.

She examined her phone for awhile, trying to ignore Zexion's stare before looking at him again, this time directly. Her heart nearly started beating out of her chest. She quickly looked at the ground.

"Do I… know you or something? You seem familiar. And not just from the mall…" she said, pocketing her phone.

"I-I…. well, in a way…" Zexion said. Tyler tipped her head.

"What do you mean?"

He turned toward the redhead who seemed to be having no trouble chatting with Ariel. It made Zexion want to go strangle the two for being so at ease.

"Number…. A… Axel?" he said to get his attention. Zexion stumbled over the name, knowing it would be odd to refer to him by number. Axel gave him a bewildered look when he turned around.

"Yes, Zexion?" he asked. Zexion nearly got flustered by the look Axel was giving him.

"May I speak with you, over there?" he asked, pointing away from the girls.

"Oh, um, okay. Hey, don't leave." Axel said, holding his hands up to the girls as if they were about to flee at any moment. When they stepped away, Ariel looked at Tyler.

"Why are they treating us to delicately? It's weird." Ariel asked.

"Exactly. They're weird." Tyler responded. Ariel nodded her head in agreement.

After a while of watching, the two appeared to be arguing about something. Axel looked toward the two and pointed, nearing yelling at Zexion. Ariel and Tyler exchanged looks before going inot hysterics.

"See! Now they're laughing at you!" Axel shouted.

"What? You are the one being loud and gesturing like a madman." Zexion responded coolly.

"Because you are ridiculous! We can't just tell them!" Axel exclaimed and then, realizing what he said, quickly covered his mouth.

"Wait, tell us what?" Ariel asked, no longer laughing.

Axel and Zexion stood and stared at the girls with blank expressions.

"What are you talking about?" Zexion inquired. Tyler glared at him.

"I'm talking about whatever you two just were." Ariel said. "What can't you tell us?"

"Oh shit, we've got a pie in the oven. Whoops!" Axel exclaimed, grabbing Zexion and pulling him along. "Come on, Zex! Dessert is calling!"

Ariel and Tyler watched Axel run, literally dragging Zexion, until they faded into the distance.

"They're so weird…" Tyler said. "I like them." she added with a smile.

"Agreed," Ariel said.