Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, but I own this plot.
Recap:
He wouldn't remember this. She could give him what his drunken mind wanted for now and in the morning they would be back to being best friends like they always were. But for now… she craved him as much as he craved for her.
For tonight, they were finally on the same page. Even for a little while.
As Roxas sucked on the bit of skin above her collarbone, Namine whispered, "I want you…" and for once, she didn't feel confused at her reactions or his. She wasn't disappointed in false pictures of glamour or slices of heaven. Everything made sense.
!
Casual?
!
Chapter 14: What Happens on the Beach, Stays on the Beach
Day 3
The sun shone through the blinds as Namine opened her eyes peacefully to the midday. She sighed peacefully, loving her big plush bed. Namine glanced over to her left; expecting Demyx and his proactive self on the phone or watching TV but all she saw was blond spikes and a lazy kid softly snoring.
Namine's eyes got a little bigger, remembering the night before. Thank god Roxas was drunk and got really tired after an hour. He had ended up literally passing out on top of her when Namine told him no for the hundredth time. Namine had shoved him off her, tucked him in bed, and, just for safe measure, made a barrier of pillows to separate the two. Quickly, Namine checked her side of the bed, happy to see that everything was still as she left it.
"Roxas?" Namine whispered.
He let out a small grunt and kept snoring. He must be hungover. He never snored unless he was sick or hungover. Namine smiled and ran her fingers threw his soft hair. It really was peaceful…Until there was a knocking on her door.
Knocking soon turned into banging, but Namine didn't jump out of bed until she heard Riku's voice.
"Hey, Nams, open the door! I gotta talk to you!"
Namine climbed out of bed and was about to go to the door when she heard a snore. That brought back her senses.
"Uh, just a minute…" she yelled.
Namine went over to Roxas, whispering for him to get up. When he didn't move, she grabbed his arm and pulled. Roxas just swatted at her and rolled onto his back, cuddling with his pillow. Namine huffed, leaped onto the bed, and pushed Roxas. He hardly moved, but when she pushed with all her weight, he went tumbling down onto the floor.
"Huh? What?" a groggy Roxas let out.
Namine covered his mouth. "Shhhh!" she whispered, putting a finger to her lips.
She stepped down from the bed and slid him with all her weight under the bed. She heard a thump and a low groan before his whole body disappeared.
Riku knocked at the door again. "Seriously, Nam, how long does it take to get decent? It's not like you have a lot to hide…"
"Sorry…" she said to Roxas, realizing he must have bumped his head. Namine moved the covers so no one could see his feet. Seriously, the boy was tall!
"I feel like… I'm gonna… throw… up…" he moaned.
"Just stay there and hold it in until I figure out what to do," she whispered fiercely, running to the door and opening it.
"Hi," Namine said breathlessly. "What's up?"
"Its 3 in the afternoon…" Riku said slowly.
"Yeah…?"
Riku looked at her curiously, but shook it off, deciding that he had more important things to think about. Namine fiddled with her sweatshirt while Riku launched into a long story. She could hardly concentrate on what he was saying, knowing that Roxas had gone back to snoring under the bed. How was it that Riku didn't hear it?
"…Did you hear me?"
"Huh?"
Namine snapped her head up to look at Riku.
"I said me and Xion… We're together now!" he said, looking like a kid who just won Candyland. Namine gave a small smile.
"Riku, when you say… together… you… didn't deflower my friend, did you?"
"Wah? No! God, Namine, talk about lack of confidence in your best friend," Riku said with mock outrage.
Namine laughed. "Well then, I'm happy for you. I know how much you liked her."
"I still can't believe it! None of my other tricks worked with her…" Riku said, looking awed.
"I already told you: your 'tricks' suck!" chuckled Namine.
"Yeah, yeah… Hey, is that my sweatshirt?" he asked, looking at her closely.
Namine started. "No, it's Sora's," she lied smoothly, looking at his hair instead of his face.
"Huh… Well I won't tell him he's missing it. I'm missing mine… maybe Roxas has it. I don't think he turned up last night."
"Re-really?" Namine asked, startled. Riku noticed her discomfort and misinterpreted it.
"Hey…" he started, putting a hand on her shoulder soothingly. "I'm sure he's in a ditch somewhere, remembering all the fun times from last night…"
Namine laughed. "Oh, shut up! You must of had some fun times last night with Xion since you got a hickey."
"So? At least you and I both know who gave me this. You gave you your hickey?" laughed Riku.
"What?" Namine said, hands shooting to her neck.
Riku poked at her neck, moving her sweatshirt slightly. A dull pain shot from where he touched and Namine knew he wasn't lying.
"Still not talking? Or is it that you don't know…?" he taunted. "You were wasted last night, weren't you?"
Namine glared at her friend. "None of your business!" she shouted and slammed the door in his face. Then she opened it again a little. "Oh, and congrats on being with an awesome girl. Finally, not a bimbo-ho!" she said, and slammed the door back in his face.
Namine turned around and went straight in the bathroom.
Her reflection greeted her. At first, it was the same person she was used to seeing in the morning with the wild and crazy blond hair and sleepy eyes. But after shifting her neckline, Namine gave a gasp. Right there, plain as a single cloud on the blue sky, was a big, fat, red bruise. Namine poked it lightly and was relieved that at least it didn't hurt too much. But how in the world was she going to hide this in at the beach?
Getting over her shock, she came out with an answer: Kairi.
"Well well well… Someone had fun last night…"
"I suppose I deserved that," Namine sighed. She was standing at the door of Sora's room. Xigbar was missing still from last night, so Kairi got to stay the night with her boyfriend. Sora was up and still trying to see what the girls were discussing, peaking from behind Kairi's body. Namine covered her neck again with her borrowed sweatshirt.
"So…" Namine started, flashing her eyes at Sora to signal Kairi. "Can you help me?"
"You know I can," Kairi said, smiling in understanding.
"Nam, is that my sweatshirt?" interrupted Sora.
"Sora, seriously? No, it's Riku's," Namine said, telling him the truth. She was much too stressed to lie now.
"Sora sweetie," started Kairi, "we're talking about the special woman bleeding time… You might wanna-"
"Stop! I don't want to hear anything else!" he said sternly. "God… women! Only such complex creatures would stand around talking about how you bleed for 7 days straight and not go to the hospital…" he muttered, turning on the TV.
Namine and Kairi laughed and walked into the bathroom. While Namine sat on the counter, Kairi went to the freezer and pulled out something silver before walking back into the bathroom and locking the door behind her.
"Alright, how long have you had that?" asked Kairi, holding out a frozen spoon.
Namine raised an eyebrow. "A couple of hours… A spoon, Kairi? Really?"
"Oh, shut up and let an expert handle this," she said. "Okay, step one: remove the sweatshirt."
Namine sighed and shimmied out of her beloved sweatshirt. When she did, Kairi gasped at her.
"This calls for more methods…" she muttered, shaking her head. "You guys didn't…"
"Ugh, No! God, Kai, I should be asking you that. You don't get points for sex, remember?" Namine said, wondering what she was gaping at.
"Had to ask. Even I've never had this amount in a single night…"
"This…amount…?"
Finally, she looked down. Namine was wearing only her sports bra and her shorts, but she was used to being underdressed thanks to the stupid dare 2 summers ago. What she was actually looking at was the red spots that infected her body over night. She had at least five hickies, looking like a leech got to her. Namine was starting to get angry. Hopefully Roxas wasn't having a pleasant morning either…
'I hope he's throwing up his intestines or I might kick them out of him when I get back…' Namine thought fiercely, touching the biggest one on her stomach.
"He really attacked you, huh?" laughed Kairi.
"Kairi…" Namine whined. "I gotta wear a bathing suit! And tonight's the senior roasting! I can't just put on a turtle neck!"
"Do you ever see me wearing a turtle neck? Stop doubting my skills," Kairi instructed. "Now, put this on your neck and press hard on it."
Kairi passed her the frozen spoon. Namine rolled her eyes and took the spoon. Putting it to her bruise was harder than she thought. She hissed a breath as the cold surface was pressed against her flaming skin. A burning sensation spread and Namine removed some of the pressure but Kairi tsked before pressing on her fingers to the right force.
"Alright, let's get rid of this one here…" she said, indicating the big one on her stomach. "I'm not sure if I can get rid of them completely but I can make it look like you had some sunburn or light bruising. And the way you put guys in a headlock, no one would question it."
"Why are these so dark?" Namine complained helplessly.
"Maybe you bruise easily? Again, not so surprising…" Kairi muttered.
She grabbed a tube and started spreading the contents on her stomach. Namine watched the liquid paste feeling like cream.
"What's that?"
"Vitamin K. it helps to reabsorb the blood stuck near the surface of the skin that causes the appearance of a hickey," explained Kairi. "Alright, moving to the next one…"
It went on like that for the next half hour. Kairi applied a heated cloth on the hickey on her thigh and collarbone. She used the coin method, which Namine actually yelled out during the process, on her foot.
"Why… the hell… do I have a fucking hickey… on my… foot?" gasped out Namine while Kairi scraped the bruise.
Kairi continued to scrap her like spreading butter on toast. "I don't know," she said, talking as if they were discussing scarves. "It is considered an intimate spot though."
"Kairi, it's a foot."
"Yes, one of the most ignored spots on the body," Kairi chuckled, giving one more good scrap and shutting Namine up.
"You guys okay in there?" asked Sora, knocking on the door. "Nami never really screams…"
"Fine," both girls yelled out before going back to the matter at hand.
"Alright, I think that's the last of them…" Kairi said, giggling as Namine breathed out a sigh.
They weren't gone completely, except the one on her neck. But they looked like days old marks, as if she bummed into a table. They were in places that didn't look to suspicious and Namine was at least grateful for that much. Although the pain she suffered, she was about to make sure Roxas felt the same amount.
"Oh… Nami, we missed one…"
"Another one?" Namine groaned. She had just pushed off the counter to look at her reflection.
"Yeah, it's on your back…"
"What?" she squeaked.
Kairi laughed at her expression. "Do you not remember?"
Namine thought about it, but every time she remembered last night, her face turned red from embarrassment and she quickly banished the memories.
"Ah… Nami… you're blushing!"
"Oh, shut up… Can we not do the coin thing? I feel like you enjoy hurting me," Namine said, shaking her head to let out the memories that were flooding her mind.
Kairi just laughed while she pressed a frozen spoon on her back and twisted it. Namine bit her lip to stop from shouting. 'Never again,' she swore. 'Never staying with a drunken Roxas alone again.'
When Kairi was satisfied, she applied the finishing touch. She put a light amount of waterproof cover up on her bruises and to the naked eye; the events of last night were only in the mind where they belonged. Namine hugged her friend.
"So I can still go in water?"
"Yep! Just don't rub the spot, or the makeup will disappear. But even if it does, it won't look like this morning…"
Namine grinned. "Kairi, you're a lifesaver."
"Oh, I try."
Suddenly there was a knock on the door. "Okay, guys, I tried to wait, but I really gotta pee…" came Sora's voice.
The girls laughed as they opened the door and Namine put back on her sweatshirt. Namine was about to head back to her room (and make sure Roxas wasn't puking under her bed) when Kairi asked her a question that had her sitting back down next to her.
"So, tell me… why you aren't with Roxas again?" asked Kairi.
"What makes you think that I like Roxas like that?" Namine answered- asked.
"You can't tell me that you don't like him a little in that way after I just spent the last hour getting rid of the evidence," Kairi pointed out.
Namine didn't have an answer to that one. She was starting to think that maybe she did like him… but how was she supposed to know? The summer was almost up. What happens if she was to go out with him and not feel the same when the dare was over and done with…?
"I don't think I like him like that. If I was to go out with him, I don't see myself making out with him on a daily basis. We're just doing it now cause of the dare," Namine said instead.
"There are many types of couples, Nam. Not everyone is as… public about their relationship as me and Sora," Kairi said, choosing her words carefully. "Look at Hayner and Olette."
"Yeah, let's look at them," Namine agreed. "There not together, remember? I don't want to get to a point where I can't even be in the same room with Roxas. He's my best friend…"
"I heard they're back together," Kairi said thoughtfully. "I wonder why they broke up in the first place… They're perfect for each other."
"Sometimes, people are just a perfect fit as friends and nothing more," said Namine.
"Touché," allowed Kairi. "But you and Roxas aren't one of those couples… If you ask me, you guys are already in couple stage, but you both are too scared to tell each other. It's as if you both are in the same maze but you're too scared to tell each other you're lost so you don't call each other to find the other. Your just gonna be lost until you run into each other.
Namine gave her a look. "Such an odd analogy…"
"Really?" asked Kairi. "I can think of another one if you want."
"Nah, I'm okay… I think I'm gonna find Olette," Namine decided, standing up.
Kairi grinned. "Ah, gonna see if it's still awkward with her and Hayner?"
Namine made it to the door before turning around and sticking out her tongue. "Stop reading my mind, Kai!" she said before shutting the door behind her.
Kairi chuckled before turning back to the TV. "I give her 2 weeks…"
Finding Olette was proving to be difficult. She wasn't in her room, but neither was Hayner. She wasn't in the lobby, nor at the beach. Finally, Namine thought she might be at the pier. Namine walked over and sure enough, she spotted a girl in an orange top waiting on the dock. Namine was going to go over just to talk but noticed that Olette seemed to be waiting on something.
Namine observed as Olette walked awkwardly around and finally entered a small shop. Curiosity getting the best of her, Namine peaked in the window of the shop. It was a bakery. Assorted cupcakes and brownies lined the see-through counter. Namine's mouth felt like watering. She could almost smell the sugar and the chocolate. But what was Olette doing here?
Namine looked back at Olette to see with amazement that she wasn't sitting by herself, but was enjoying a cupcake with Hayner. Namine observed as Olette laughed at some unheard joke Hayner said; the two seeming to forget that they had broke up in the first place.
"Huh?" Namine let out, observing the couple.
Olette had scratched off some orange frosting from her cupcake and giggled as she touched Hayner's nose with it. When Hayner tried licking it off while she laughed, Namine had had enough. She was happy about the two, but it was just… too sweet. Besides, Roxas would most likely stuff his cupcake in her face. Namine could see it now: she'd sneeze and frosting would come out for a week…
Why was she thinking about him again? She had already decided to give herself a break right?
Before she could answer her own question, Namine heard a loud laugh. Turning around, she saw another new couple coming her way. Not knowing why, Namine went into spy mode. Namine walked quickly over to the alleyway, hidden by the corner but still in perfect hearing distance. Peeking around the corner, she saw Riku and Xion coming out of the ice cream shop.
They looked so happy, laughing at something at Namine couldn't see. Xion's face was glowing and Riku swung his arm around her waist. Namine watched, curious more so than enlightened. She couldn't imagine her and Roxas doing any of this… If anything, she could see him stuffing himself with the ice cream and her calling him a fatass. Or maybe just pushing ice cream in his face…
Why were they always pushing food in each other's faces? Namine snored at the only answer she could come up with: because it was funny.
Namine decided to look for the other couples. Maybe they'll give her insight for what to do about Roxas. It was the best next thing since she couldn't talk about it with anyone… Thinking about couples, only two came to mind quickly: Yudus and Kaiora. Since Namine was already out, she thought she'd look for Yuna and Tidus. Most likely they'd be outside, the two did love hiking. Turning to the mountain trail to her left, Namine started walking. She was already thinking about the Assassin Creed moves she was going to use.
Namine easily found the love-dovey couple, hiking on the trail as she thought. Well, it started with them on the trail. Namine was dodging them by hiding in the bushes and even climbed a tree when Tidus thought he saw her. But they ended up finding a small stream and the rest is history. The two got officially together by sharing an underwater kiss as Yuna told her (and half sighed with a goofy smile on her face).
Namine smiled at the couple but gave them some privacy… They didn't help her at all. She didn't think the next couple would help either, but she was already on a mission. Now to find Kairi and Sora…
As Namine was walking back on the trail, she heard wheels coming from behind her.
"Hey, watch out!"
Namine turned and slid over quickly as two bikes skidded to a stop beside her. Terra and Aqua smiled at her as she tried to slow her heart rate.
"What are you doing all by yourself out here?" asked Terra. "I would've thought you and Riku and Roxas would've been out and about since you're the only ones single."
That's what Namine liked about Terra. He was blunt and straight to the point.
"Riku and Xion are together… Wait a minute! What's today? Couple's retreat day?" asked Namine, smirking.
"Well, Selphie did say that she wanted today to be couple's day…" Aqua laughed, punching Terra in the arm. "And since I get sick looking at Kairi and Sora sucking face like sucking a straw, we decided to stay away from the beach 'til tonight."
"Yeah, I was just walking around… thinking, you know?" Namine said vaguely.
Terra shifted to get a better look at Namine while she was trying to cover up her expressions.
"Stop bothering her, Terra-"
"So, you and Terra?" asked Namine, chuckling.
"Huh? Yeah, we've been together for almost a month," Aqua said.
Terra smirked at Namine. "But we're not all into swapping spit and all… You know; since we're so much older than you are, squirt." With that, Terra ruffled her hair.
"Yeah, yeah… seniors. I can't wait 'til the senior roast tonight, Terra," laughed Namine.
"Well, we'll let you get back to thinking, Nami. We wanted to see the rest of the mountain before tonight," said Aqua.
"Alright, I'll see you guys tonight," said Namine, stepping back while they peddled away.
It was nice to see a couple that was realistically. They were happy, but wasn't all over themselves. Seriously, the honeymoon period can't last forever. As much as Namine enjoyed kissing, she can't see that as a lasting relationship… right?
Well, no matter how much Namine was dreading it, she knew the next person she needed to see. Kairi and Sora have been together forever… well, five years. But in high school years, that really is forever!
With Aqua's suggestion, Namine made her way down to the beach. It didn't take long at all. Namine watched in secret from behind a car, not wanting anyone knowing that she was willingly observing the honeymoon couple.
Namine was a bit surprised to see them not sucking face (seriously, they did it all the time!) but instead was just looking at each other in deep conversation. Who knew Sora could hold a serious conversation for longer than 10 minutes. The two seemed to be having a beach picnic, complete with sushi. That reminded Namine she hadn't eaten all day. She took one more glance at the duo before heading into town to get something to eat.
Around the corner, Namine got a quick corndog and started to head to the hotel. The relationships she witnessed were still bouncing around in her head. She didn't know what to think anymore. Could she be the girlfriend material? Did she want to be? Did Roxas see her that way? How was she supposed to act around him?
'Let me know what's on your mind.'
She thought back to what Roxas had said to her when he went on a date with Olette. She had blown up something so simple and nothing to show for it except a few nights where she couldn't sleep and an underlining thought that Roxas didn't trust her. Namine sighed, she was going to have to talk to him; let him know her fears. Squeezing her eyes closed, she took another bite of her corndog, thinking about how to talk about her feelings. She never really had to do that, especially with the guys. They just had a language that was like unwritten rules… like the bro plus chick code or something.
Namine was scared.
'Nami, you know I wouldn't hurt you right?'
She had to believe that. It was the only reason she was doing this retarded dare in the first place…
Namine took her time getting back to the hotel, still thinking about what she was going to say. She didn't want it to sound rehearsed but she at least wanted to know where she stood.
"Nam!"
She turned around to see Pence running to her. Namine smiled, spotting Selphie practically bouncing to her also.
"Hey, what's up?" greeted Namine, putting her hands in her pockets.
Pence shrugged. "Not much. Me and Selphie were just looking around."
"Yeah, they have so much shopping here versus T-town. I just have to see it all!" said Selphie, excited.
"Well, I hope your wallet is fat enough to see it all," laughed Namine.
"Oh, Daddy's helping with that a bit," Selphie said slyly.
"What are you up to? You look like you got a lot on your mind," said Pence.
Namine grinned. "Yeah, I do, but I'm okay. Just walking to clear my head."
"Well, we'll see you at the bone fire roasting. The seniors are all at the poker tables in the lobby if you wanna see them," said Pence.
"Thanks, I'm sure Xigbar is schooling everyone," chuckled Namine.
"Actually, I think Tifa is ahead, last I saw," said Selphie. "You ready?" she asked Pence.
The two bid her bye as they headed where she came from. Namine watched them for a minute, wondering if they were going out; however, the way they moved next to each other told her that they were just friends (or really good at hiding what they actually were). Namine wondered when she had developed the technique to notice when people were together or not, and if she and Roxas, in fact, looked like a couple to outsiders. She was comfortable around him and last night just added a whole new zone for her.
Namine shook her head. She was getting off track again.
She walked into the lobby and sneaked away before someone else could distract her from her final mission. She spotted Xigbar leading the tables with Demyx, Ven, and Zexion next to him. At another table were Paine, Rikku, Wakka, and Tifa who just won the jackpot and doing a happy dance on the table itself. Namine slowly shook her head, but disappeared into the elevator.
The walk to the room was miserable for Namine. She was certainly freaking herself out, but she couldn't help it. The closer she got to the room, the more she wanted to run in the other direction. Perhaps he wouldn't be there. Perhaps he puked up so much that he went back to his room… then she wouldn't see him until the bon fire, and she wouldn't talk to him alone until tomorrow evening because the drive back he couldn't corner her there… Maybe he was asleep…
'Oh, please be asleep...' Namine found herself praying.
"Namine?"
Namine looked up from her walk of shame to see Roxas sitting outside of the room. At least he was dressed. He looked tired, but sane.
"What are you doing out here?" asked Namine, sticking her key in the slot.
Roxas stayed silent until Namine opened the door. He walked past her to his wallet on the dresser. He opened it and took out his key card.
"Couldn't get into my room…," he reluctantly admitted.
Namine gave a light chuckle, but her heart wasn't in it. She sat down on her bed, feeling exhausted. All the stress and worry was eating at her the whole way here and now, her mind forgot everything she thought about saying. Forget sounding rehearsed, she was completely winging it.
"Hey… do you need to talk?" asked Roxas, halfway out of the room.
Namine didn't trust her voice. She felt like her tongue was made out of an airhead. Sticky, floppy, and chewable. Namine just nodded, her arms wrapping around her legs and leaning forward.
Roxas gave a nod and smoothly pulled up a chair to sit in front of her, sitting on it backwards. He leaned forward on the chair, his arms resting on the back of the chair, and gave Namine his attention. She reached out and gently grabbed his hair, rubbing her fingers through the soft locks. When Namine didn't start spilling the beans, he let out a sigh. She released him, bowing her head.
"You can start anytime," he said unnecessarily.
"You're heartless."
Roxas, taken back, continued to look at her. "Can you explain that?"
"You're really heartless."
"Seriously, Nam, you're gonna have to tell me what's wrong. I can't read your mind—"
"Do you remember anything from last night?" asked Namine, dreading the answer.
Roxas sighed. "Yeah, for the most part…Is that what's bothering you? I'm sorry things got out of hand."
Namine got up from her position and crossed her arms. "It's not that."
"Well, then what is it?" asked Roxas, starting to get ticked. "If it made you uncomfortable, we can just forget about it. I won't bring it up, if you don't."
"How can you be so laid back about it? You really just want to forget everything?" asked Namine, taken back.
"If you want to. I don't care either way," Roxas said, shrugging.
Namine could feel herself shaking from too many emotions building themselves up in her body. Outrage, disappointment, anger, sadness, shame, regret, and this stupid butterfly feeling she felt whenever she thought about how she woke up.
"Nam?"
"God, you are such… such a dickface!" Namine said, trying hard not to shout his head off. "You just want to forget everything? Seriously?"
"I was just suggesting it—"
"Are you serious right now?"
"Are you on the rag or something?" asked Roxas, completely bewildered.
Namine took a deep breath. This wasn't going as planned…
"Why did you come to my room last night, if you just wanted to forget the whole thing?"
"Riku and Xion were in my room," answered Roxas simply, still looking perplexed.
Namine shook her head. "Roxas, Riku came over earlier today. He told me about Xion… They both never made out of the lobby," she said, glad to remember that little bit from this morning. She waited to see if he was going to say anything, but when he remained silent, Namine spoke up.
"Why don't you tell me the truth?"
It felt like a lifetime passed, but Roxas never said anything. Namine groaned, uncrossing her arms and throwing herself on Demyx's bed. Face buried deep in the comforter, Namine finally let out a thought that has been surfacing since she went and saw Kairi.
"I don't think I can do this anymore…," she said, not looking at Roxas. When Roxas didn't say anything, she continued. "It's messing with our friendship. And not just me, but with the others. Do you know I didn't want to come to my room, thinking you'd be here? I bumped into two tables today because I had so much on my mind," she sighed.
Namine heard Roxas let out a short chuckle. "I think I'm buried too deep in this… all for a stupid dare. I don't want to become those people that can't hang out with their best friend after they break up. I can't lose you… not like that," she finished, finally turning her head to look at her blond friend.
Roxas looked over at her. He gave a small grin, before getting up and lying next to her on his back.
"I don't want to lose you either," he finally said, looking up at the ceiling. "I keep forgetting that you've never been in a relationship before… one that's lasted for longer than two weeks, I mean," he said when he saw her about to correct him. "A relationship for me… Well, they always feel so much more complicated than what it is. I've never really felt comfortable in one. I'd always feel like I'm competing or in a time limit, like a mission or something, and if I didn't do things right, I'd miss out on some big opportunity.
"But when we're working on the dare… an actual mission," he chuckled, looking at her, "it doesn't feel rushed or complicated. It's simple… harmless… sometimes relaxing. It reminds me of the high I get when I eat those apple and cinnamon buns…"
"Seriously, Roxas?" laughed Namine.
"Better than pizza, right?" he chuckled. "I'm not good at this whole talking out what you feel sorta thing… but this all feels natural in comparison to the others and it's because it's with you."
Namine looked down, a small brush creeping on her cheeks. "Where does that put us?" she asked in a small voice.
Roxas sighed. "Well, that really matters to you, right? You're the one doing me a favor, remember?"
"Not the dare, stupid. You know I wouldn't really quit… I mean," Namine paused. What did she mean?
"You can't lose me. Our friendship, it's too much a part of who we are… something like this won't push me away and I won't let you leave like that," Roxas said, smiling at her and touching her stained cheeks. "Satisfied?"
"I do feel better…," she admitted.
"Good. Now, is there anything else that needs to be said?"
Namine smiled. "I don't want to forget last night…"
"Neither do I," Roxas said, smirking. "It was fun."
"I saw you with that brown haired girl yesterday at the club… That's why I started drinking," admitted Namine.
"Ironic since I prefer blondes," Roxas said truthfully. "I actually did kiss Olette when I took her out the other day. It was a three-second kiss and it didn't mean anything. Sorry I lied to you," he confessed.
Namine nodded. "It's okay. I kinda thought that might've happened. And now we're even again on numbers, since I 'kissed' Demyx."
"Also… I threw up under your bed… Sorry…"
"What?"
Namine jumped from her spot and pulled up the covers from her made bed. Sure enough, there was sick all on the floor. Namine made a face, the smell getting to her. When she unwillingly saw chunks of god knows what, she stood up.
"You're such a jerkface!" Namine shouted, heading to the phone to get it cleaned up.
"My face is a lot of things today…" Roxas muttered, smirking.
After Namine called for maid service and thumped Roxas over the head for puking on her floor, they decided to go for a walk, not wanting to be around when the unfortunate cleaner saw what was in store for them. Walking on the beach whilst it was so close to sunset was peaceful. Namine noticed Sora and Kairi were gone now. Probably were getting ready for the bon fire tonight.
"Hey." Roxas punched her arm, snapping her out of her daydream. "You still brooding, airhead?"
"No!" Namine defended. And it was true. After talking to her friend, she felt way better. "I was just wondering where Kairi and Sora went off to."
"Speaking of chocolate spikes, isn't that his sweatshirt?" Roxas asked referring to the now famous blitzball sweatshirt.
"No… it's yours," Namine lied, thinking that if Sora told Riku, she was in trouble.
"Liar, I have mine," laughed Roxas, wiggling his garment.
"Oh, shit… Riku's going to kill me!"
"Aha, so it is Riku's! This one's Sora's."
"You lied to me?"
"You started it!"
Namine and Roxas looked at each other before bursting out in laughter. It was nice; spending time with her best friend, no pressure, no confusing games. The two walked along the shore, making stupid jokes and enjoying each other's company. Before Namine knew it, it was getting dark and on the opposite side of the beach was a fire and shouts.
"We should get going… I want time to go surfing after," Roxas said, holding out a hand to help Namine from her spot in the sand.
"Got any jokes ready for tonight?" asked Namine, referring to the seniors.
"Nah, I always wing this stuff…" Roxas answered, stuffing his hands in his shorts.
They walked in silence while Namine thought about her encounters with the seniors earlier. The only one her mind kept replaying was Aqua and Terra.
"Did you know that Aqua and Terra are now Aqutrra?"
"What is that? A disease?"
Namine laughed. "You know what I mean. They're item now."
"Huh… I suppose I should have seen that. I've been distracted," Roxas said, thoughtfully.
"Hey, what do you think about us maybe… going out?" asked Namine, not noticing that Roxas stopped at her words. "Just until the dare was over? It might fix problems we keep running into."
Roxas caught up with her easily. "Namine, that would cause more complications than fix."
Namine chuckled. "So dating me would cause complications? I'm touched."
"Dating anyone for purpose of a dare easier would complications," Roxas said lightheartedly. "Besides, if I was going to date my best friend, I think I would have a bit more honor and date her because I really wanted to. I wouldn't be rushed into anything."
"If you were going to date your best friend… hypothetically, what would you do in this situation then?" asked Namine, raising an eyebrow.
Roxas stopped and looked over at her. "I'd wait to see how the summer ends. If it was my choice," he said seriously.
Namine chuckled. "That does make the most sense."
"Of course, this is all hypothetical," Roxas said, sounding lighthearted again.
As they got closer to the group, Namine felt like she wanted another moment with Roxas. Even though she had spent the most of the whole trip with him, she felt like the regular Namine didn't come out until the last few hours with him. The time where she could just breathe, not worry about anything, and know that next to her, he felt the same.
"Can I have a hug?"
The question popped out before she could think better of it. Namine watched as Roxas turned around and looked at her curiously.
"Last time you asked me, you just broke your leg and got yelled at by your dad for riding a motorcycle…" Roxas said slowly.
Namine made a face. "So?"
"Should I be worried?" he just asked simply.
Namine shrugged and shook her head, holding out her arms. She smiled when he walked into her embrace and gave her a squeeze. Namine got those dull butterflies in her stomach and she giggled, his hair tickling her cheek. She could feel him brush her hair, before pulling back, sweeping her bangs back to kiss her forehead. The butterflies multiplied, but when she looked up at Roxas, he just ruffled her hair and smiled.
"You ready?" he asked, holding out his arm.
Namine nodded. "Let's rock this shit," she said, taking his arm and walking to the group.
The two blondes were still laughing when they reached the group, trading ideas for the roast. Riku and Xion spotted them first.
"What took you so long?" asked Riku, Xion winking at Namine as if she knew exactly what was going on.
"I was building a sandcastle," Namine answered, opting not to tell him about the vomit under her bed nor the fight. "So, everyone ready? I see Sora is trying to start with the fireworks as usual…"
Sora, who was in a heated battle with Terra, perked up at his name. He gave his goofy grin as Namine waved at him.
"Finally, everyone's here. Lets light this bitch!" he shouted, taking out a lighter.
"Whoa, there, coco-spikes!" Roxas intervened, snatching the fire out of his hands. "If we light this now, we'll have to go inside because of the new law. Axel's not here so we don't have backup."
When Sora was still reaching for the lighter, Roxas thumped him on the head. Kairi decided to step in.
"Sora, next year!" she yelled at him. "Geez…everyone line up!"
The large group of seniors, looking apprehensive, lined up. Namine looked at her targets: Xigbar with his usual smirk and daring eyes; Demyx and Rikku, their sweet faces grinning mischievously; Zexion and Paine looking bored as usual; Ven and Wakka still wet from the surf and looking like good sports; Tifa looking like she was trying very hard not to run or smack them all; and finally Aqua and Terra, laughing at some joke.
"Alright, on behalf of the juniors of the previous year, we thought we'd send you off with something to remember your time with us…" Kairi started.
"You know, sticky…"
"Slimy…"
"And wiggly!" finished Sora, holding out a huge cage of Jell-O.
"Everyone remember the rules?" asked Xion. "You laugh, you are a target. Last person to get splashed with jell-o gets the honor of lighting the first firework!"
Namine laughed with the rest of her crazy group. She still remembered when Axel came up with this stupid tradition. He had thought of throwing stuffing at Xaldin and Vexen and spitting out insults for a "roasting." She'll have to tell Axel that they choose Jell-O this year instead of mashed potatoes for his year.
With Hayner starting with "I'll hit you so hard…" jokes, Sora lead the campaign by just being his goofy self, making faces at everyone. Kairi was the most vulgar next to Riku and Roxas; Namine decided to take a step back this year, opting to be a thrower instead. It was easy prey, Demyx flinching and finally running, screaming that he couldn't have Jell-O in his hair. Namine chased him and got him square in the back of the head, red goo sticking to his hair.
Zexion snored at Demyx's tactics, making him a target. Selphie and Pence both got him. Rikku was easy, everyone taking a turn of the giggling girl, but the real challenge of the night was Tifa. Tifa had studied martial arts and was practicing, smacking away the substance with ease. However when Namine threw a little to the right, Tifa blocked and red Jell-O ran into Aqua's face. Everyone watched as Terra lost his cool and let out a chuckle before Aqua stuffed the goo in his face.
"I think that makes me a winner…" Xigbar said coolly.
"As if!" Xion shouted, throwing the red Jell-O for kicks.
But looking around, Xiggy was right. Ven and Wakka were already heading into the water to rinse off.
"Well, new seniors, be good now!" Xigbar wished them before lighting a firework and watching it shoot into the sky.
The new seniors: Kairi, Olette, Hayner, Xion, Riku, Sora, Namine, and Roxas grinned at each other, knowing with Xigbar giving the blessing; the last year was going to be a wild one. Namine beamed, taking Roxas' hand. She was content knowing that whatever was thrown her way, she'd be able to get through it. As long as she had her friends with her…
A/N- Well... that was a LONG chapter. If people are still complaining about length after this, then I'm sorry. This was 20 freakin pages!
Anyways, I'd like to finish this story by summer. That way it'll be a summer flick, one someone can finish during summer. I like reading winter fics durning winter and summer fics in summer. I can't imagine going to the beach when its snowing outside. Just how I think... So thats my goal. Don't bother me about it, I have a lot going on in my life so if I decide to upload the last 7 chapters (or something like that) all at once in 3 months, I'll do it. (I'll try not to, but I hate those reviews that just say "Update NOW or I'm going to stop reading..." Seriously, that's making me not want to write for people who feel that way...)
I hope you liked the real chapter and enjoyed the joke! -Ice
P.S.- ...and you all thought Namine really was going to take advantage of Roxas! lol shame on you! (I got a lot of laughs from your reviews!)