New chapter! After this, I can finally add the good stuff... well, at least I think it's good. Please review. I really want your honest ideas. I wanna make this as good as possible for you guys. I really like writing this.

"Roxyyyyyyy," Demyx pouted. "You left my house." He thrusted his pointer finger to his forehead which was a dull pink color. "I had to use the scratchy side of a sponge to get your note off!"

"Sorry, Dem," I yawned. "You never lived up to your promise. Payback."

"What promise?"

"We were supposed to talk about Axel," I stated. He frowned at me.

"Fine, I'll tell you in study hall."

He gave me a challenge. I didn't focus from then on. Even when Xion went from whispering to prodding my arm, to even throwing crumpled paper balls. One landed in my mouth. Spitting it out, I shook back to reality.

"Sorry I missed lunch. I helped Miss Aqua move some new equipment into the art room." She rubbed the back of her head and gave me the girliest grin I had ever seen. She beat Sora.

"Oh, it's fine," I said.

"Maybe today?" Her eyes sparkled a little.

"That'd be nice," I told her.

"Roxas. Xion. Please tell me about the war between the Heartless and the Nobodies*.

Xion gulped and shook her head, saying "I don't know, Sir. I'm sorry."

Lexaeus turned to look at me and I began to speak.

"It is said that two armies of men, the Heartless and the Nobodies, fought for control of the country. They both wanted to rule in fear. A totalitarian dictatorship. It was only then that a rebellion established by a force that surfaced three years after the start of the war. The Key Masters was what they were called. They destroyed any chance either side had."

Lexaeus clapped and smiled. "Bravo! Keep your eyes on me, people." Xion shrunk back into her seat as he began to write on his board again.

Demyx looked at me with his eyes wide. "Roxas, if that's how awesome you are, I am going to be serious. If I can't get my grades up, I won't graduate. Please help me." I felt sincerity slap me in the face.

"I will. But if you don't listen to me, I swear I will drop a bowling ball on your junk."

"Feisty. I like it."

"Isn't that what you said last time I agreed to help you?" I asked, scribbling on my notebook. That's amazing. Can't afford much.

"Nah, that was something else."

The bell rang and we packed up. I shuffled some papers around in my bag and stared into the small void it held. Closing it, I stood and straightened. Walking tall.

"See you tomorrow, class," Lexaeus said, erasing his board. He turned and said, "Roxas, can I see you for a moment?"

I nudged Demyx forward, to go on without me. He frowned and trudged away. Pouting like a four year-old child. He stopped at the door and stared at me with a quivering lip. I mouthed 'go on' to him and he skidded away.

"Were you paying attention this morning?"

I rubbed the back of my head and bit my lip. I wasn't paying attention; I was thinking of Axel. "Not really, Sir. I'm sorry. I just know a lot of what we're doing."

"I understand you happen to be a gifted student. You and your brother. " He sat down in his chair. It exhaled slowly.

"We were granted scholarships for learning at an accelerated rate and scoring high on your entrance exams. From what we observe, we have a high capacity to retain that knowledge," I explained.

"Brilliant. The way you explained the war of the Heartless and the Nobodies was spot on. I would like to recommend you for student teaching. Only if you're up for it."

"Can I think about it?"

"Oh, yes! That's the beauty of it. You don't need to do this. Now, I believe Demyx is waiting for you. I'll give you a pass to your study hall."

"I still have time." The bell rang right after the last syllable and Lexaeus was already scribbling on a pass. He tore it from the pad with a flourish. "Thank you for your time, Roxas." He scratched his head and began to type.

The halls were empty on the way to study hall. The only sound I heard was from my foot steps and breathing. Step, one, two three. Step, one, two, three.

"Roxas!"

I turned to look and saw Demyx running at me. He threw his arms around me, the impact sending the breath from my body. I gasped for air and he released me. Patting my back, he said "Sorry. You just seemed like you needed a hug."

"Dem, what are you doing?"

"Oh. I was sent to look for you."

Yeah. Sent. He probably had a fucking heart attack when I didn't come a moment after he entered the room. But you have to commend him. He doesn't want a relationship with me, but loves me like a little brother. I love him already, just like I love Riku.

"Lexaeus wanted to know if I wanted to be a student teacher." The words felt unfamiliar coming from my own mouth.

"No shit?"

"Umm... no shit."

"That's great." Demyx stopped suddenly and I watched his eyes grow wide. "Oh my fucking god. I'm gonna be taught by the greatest teacher ever before he's an actual teacher!" He hugged me again. This time I hugged back. It stopped when I felt a whole-palm grab of my ass.

"What the hell?"

"I'm sorry. I just wanted to do it once."

"I'm starting to think you're the one who needs watching and not Zexion." He punched my shoulder and laughed.

"Maybe, sweet-ass."

I knew my face was red when my mouth dropped, but I brushed it off. I was so excited, Demyx didn't even have the chance to sit when we arrived in the classroom. "So, does Axel like me?"

Demyx sighed. "You've only known him for three days."

"Dem, there are people who get married after a couple of hours**. People who just start dating after thirty minutes," I sat in one of the open chairs at a circular table. Demyx sat across and cracked his knuckles at me.

"You sound like you watch soap operas or something."

"I've caught a couple... walking through the stores. I also skim those tiny magazines at the cash registers. The point is that I like him," I whispered.

"What was that, Roxy? I was yawning." Liar.

"I like him," I repeated.

"What was that?"

"Sora already made me do this stupid shit. I like Axel. God."

Demyx laughed at me. "You are one funny fucker. I don't know if I'll tell you, though."

I stuck my tongue out and folded my arms over my chest. I was actually pouting. I'm sixteen years old and I'm pouting. A small moan slipped out, but I didn't break. A moment later Demyx crossed his arms and sat back.

"I can do this all day, Roxy," he said.

I narrowed my eyes at the mullet man. His mouth turned up into a crooked smile.

"Demyx..." He sat forward. "I won't be your friend if you don't tell me." I was ashamed to go so elementary school, but I know it was the only way to snap him.

"No! You can't not be my friend! You're like that sibling that I hate to not love! Fine, you little asshat, I'll tell you."

"Demyx, I love you!" I jumped up and hugged him quickly, and sat back down immediately and stared at him with sparkling eyes.

Demyx huffed and cleared his throat. "Let me weave you a tale, he said in a mock old man's voice. "It's the tale about a young boy named Roxas who-"

"Cut the shit and tell me."

He laughed and swatted at air. He wiped tears from his eyes and I was tempted to kick him in the baby-maker again.

"Demyx, just tell me. Please." I was being sincere, very serious right now. He grabbed my hand like we were old women trying to support each other. His eyes were clear.

"Roxas... Axel is fucking crazy about you. Not in love... yet. The other day when you and Sora left us alone, I wanted to tape my goddamn ears shut; he wouldn't stop talking about you. 'Does he have someone already?', 'I wonder if he'd like me.', 'He probably won't want me. Not being able to see and all.' That was the last thing Zexion and I could take. That was when we hit him. To think that YOU of all people are fucking shallow like that," he took a moment to breathe and I tried to speak, but he held his hand up. "I didn't tell them about you our your family. But he's so close to being in love with you without being in love. You need to go for it, Roxas."

I sighed with relief at what I was just told. He did. He was almost in love with me. "I've been in a relationship before where we thought we could be in love. Three years wasn't enough, I guess***. We knew each other for three years, I mean. But, I should be happy right now and not try to bring up old memories. I really like Axel."

Demyx smiled at me. "So, this tutoring thing should be the time to break the ice."

Break the ice? I'm going to be so fucking nervous.

*- I had to add them somewhere in the story.

**- I really love Dharma and Greg. _

***- Who's Roxy's ex? Guesses?

New chapter should be up before Sunday... of my time. (9:57 p.m., September 18, 2012)