"Ok, before we split up, I want to make sure everyone has a cell phone," Kelly tittered, nervous at the prospect of not following us around like we're five-year-olds.

We each showed her that, yes, she could call us every two seconds. She counted how many phones there were-like that would make a difference. "We'll meet back here in an hour. Make sure to get everyone something nice. Don't eat anything until lunch," she continued. The last statement was solely for Sora's benefit; a mall offered all kinds of junk food that could ruin his health. Quarter machines filled with gumballs, greasy pizza, fudge, baked goods, a new candy store filled with a rainbow of anything sweet and processed. Maybe I'd stop there first, just to be defiant.

She dismissed us with a wary smile and Sora immediately began to pull Riku somewhere. I didn't see how that was going to work. We're suppose to get each other Christmas presents, but Kelly stressed the importance that they had to be a surprise, which is why we split up in the first place.

I walked away, heading towards the escalator. I had woken up with a massive headache, just to come here. The mall was as bad as our house, in terms of decorations. In the center, there was a Christmas tree that almost reached the ceiling, and an area was set up where you can meet "Santa." Fake snow was littered around his sleigh like garbage and elf workers stood around, looking exhausted and irritable. Christmas carols were being played in every store. I already had "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" stuck In my head, which only added to the throbbing pain of my hangover. I probably needed more aspirin. Lots more.

I stepped onto the moving stairs, thinking about Axel for a brief moment. No one would make him go Christmas shopping. Gah, this is so stupid.

I looped around upstairs a few times, not really looking at anything. I ended up at a dead end right in front of Macy's. The manikins in the store window were all wearing designer sweaters in various shades of red and green. The vents were right at the door, churning out a warm stream of air. I could see sale signs near the jewelry counter, where a bunch of middle-aged women were swarming.

I turned back the way I had come. What was I suppose to get them anyway? The mall was a gigantic building crawling with expensive things to buy, so I was bound to find something if I kept wandering. But it seemed like I was walking in circles, seeing the same stores over and over again. The employees were probably staring to give me weird looks, so I kept my head down. I checked my phone for the time. It's almost twelve, I sighed. I need to hurry up.

When I finally found a directory-thank god-I quickly scanned through all the names listed there. They had just about everything, not to mention an entire wing for the food court. I was going to head over to some toy store to get Sora a slinky or something else that would easily entertain him, but Kelly called. I had officially wasted an hour.

We met up and tried to find something healthy to eat. Everything was either fast food, or something to snack on. Kelly decided on Subway and, since no one else had a say in the matter, that's what we got.

We sat at a table, amidst the dull roar of the crowd.

"Is everyone finished?" Kelly asked, happily popping a piece of lettuce in her mouth. She was surrounded by bags of whatever she had bought. Knowing her, I thought, she probably couldn't choose and bought everything in the store.

"Not really," Riku muttered.

"Mmm-hmmm," Sora said enthusiastic, his mouth full.

"I think we need some more time," my dad suggested.

"Alright then. That's fine," she said. "Roxas? How did things go for you?"

"Um," I glanced around my empty side of the table. I was the only one who hadn't bought a thing. "Ok."

I continued to eat, staying quiet; Sora was telling my dad about the story of Saint Nicholas, while Riku and Kelly talked about peer pressures in high school, or something along those lines.

"Why are we shopping," I said, "when Santa's the one who brings the presents?" I was hoping that, by saying that, I would either crush Sora's belief on the whole thing, or hopefully get out of shopping. Cross your fingers.

Everyone looked up, surprised that I had said something, which was sad, really, but I was use to it.

"Because it's the season of giving!" Kelly promptly exclaimed.

"And we can't let Santa do all the work," Sora nodded earnestly.

"True," I agreed. Sora beamed; he could never pick up on my undertones of sarcasm. My dad and Riku, however, could and were both shooting me you-had-better-knock-it-off looks. I pressed on, undaunted. "I mean, he flies around the entire world in one night."

"Yes, he does."

"With a sleigh full of a million presents."

"Uh-huh."

"And he sneaks into people's houses to leave them there. When he's done, his magical flying reindeer take him to the North Pole, to his workshop that has elves for workers."

"Yeah."

"And he knows if you're awake, or if you're sleeping, and if you've been good or bad."

"That's so he can give toys to the boys and girls who have been good all year long."

"Yes...how does he know?"

"He just does," Sora insisted.

"Magic," Riku supplied.

"Yes, Santa uses magic."

"How does he get into houses?" I asked.

"Through the chimney."

"What if there is no chimney?"

"Then...then..." he glanced at Riku for an explanation.

Riku thought for a second, then said, "He uses magic to unlock the door."

"Yes, exactly," Sora said proudly.

"How does he keep track of all the presents?" I asked.

"...magic."

"How does he eat everyone's cookies?"

"That's why he's so fat."

"How is he suppose to know that you moved?"

Sora's mouth was already open, probably to say magic, but he stopped at that retort, dumbfounded. "He doesn't know where we are," he said weakly.

"I wrote him, sunshine," Kelly reassured.

"He knows," Riku nodded.

Sora paused, thinking, a piece of turkey hanging out of his mouth. He looked rather peculiar, as in ridiculous, sitting there, lost in thought, not even noticing that he was in mid-bite. I wanted to say "careful, don't hurt yourself" but instead I picked at my own sandwich. My dad didn't look too happy, so it was wise to keep my mouth shut.

Riku started to laugh, and he pushed the piece of turkey into Sora's mouth. Sora giggled, kissing Riku's fingertips.

Riku sat back in his seat, smiling. Kelly and Sora had an identical, pleased look on their faces while my dad appeared unphased. I couldn't understand how Sora and Riku could stand acting like that in public, especially after last night.

"I can't wait until Christmas," Sora sang.

He shouldn't have said anything, I thought. "Yeah," I commented, "so your imaginary saint can come."

"He isn't imaginary!" he bursted.

"Yes, he is. The whole concept of him isn't possible."

"No," Sora whimpered.

"Don't listen to him," Riku glared at me. "He doesn't know what he's talking about."

"Adults made him up so that they could get children to behave," I said. "Santa Claus isn't real. Magic isn't real. Flying reindeer aren't real."

"It...is...real," he sniffed. He was getting more upset then I thought he would; he was on the verge of tears.

"I believe in Santa and I'm an adult," Kelly said.

Riku wrapped his arms around Sora. "Santa is as real as you or me," he said softly.

"He's going to have to stop believing in fairytales sometime," I rolled my eyes. "Why do you think we're shopping? Because parents go out to buy gifts so that they can put them under the tree when everyone's asleep."

"Can you shut up for five seconds?" Riku shot at me as Sora buried his head in Riku's shoulder, now crying freely.

"Roxas," my dad warned. "stop this nonsense and apologize."

"I'm sorry, Sora," I mumbled.

"Santa is real and you know it," he continued. Oh god, I thought. Now he's doing it too. "Tell him that you didn't mean what you said."

Once my dad uttered those words, I was furious. He was the one who had ruined my childhood belief of Santa. When I was six, I began to wonder how it was all possible and he told me plainly that it was all fake. My mom enjoyed going along with the whole idea of it-but my dad said that there was no point in letting me believe in such rubbish. So that tradition stopped abruptly, much to my mom's disappointment. My dad had become such a hypocrite; he was the last person to say he believed in something he couldn't see. And here he was, trying to keep Sora's innocence after completely crushing mine. I clenched my fists under the table, my blood boiling. Everyone was waiting for my response. My dad was staring me down, Kelly was nibbling at her food, worried, Riku was switching back and forth from soothing Sora and giving me murderous looks. All the while, Sora cried.

"I didn't mean it," I spat.

"Roxas, honey, don't say it like that," Kelly said as Sora began to bawl. He could barely breathe, despite Riku's best attempts to calm him down. People around us were trying not to stare.

"Say it again," my dad demanded.

"I didn't mean it," I choked out. If I wasn't careful, I would grind my teeth until they cracked.

"Again," he commanded.

"I didn't mean it."

"We can sit here all day if that's what it takes."

"I didn't mean it," I forced myself to say, with no traces of venom.

"See, Sora? He was just kidding," Riku said.

Sora looked up. "Really?"

"Yeah, really," I said. My dad mouthed "I'm waiting", so I continued. "I made that stuff up. Santa exists."

Sora wiped the tears off his face and began to smile. Then, something occurred to him, and he was back to howling.

"What's wrong?" Riku asked, the relief that had poured into him vanishing.

"Roxas is going to get coal for lying!" Sora exclaimed.

No one seemed to have an explanation for that; my dad and Kelly looked at each other warily, while Riku shot me dirty looks. I picked at my food, trying not to smirk.

"Sora," Kelly finally said, "Santa is really forgiving."

"Yeah," Riku chimed. "He knows that Roxas said sorry."

"Oh, so...so...Roxas isn't on the...naughty list?" Sora sputtered, his sobs making it hard to talk.

"No, he's not."

Within a few moments, Sora was back to his cheerful self and I was back to sitting there, silent.

When we were done eating, Kelly gathered all her bags, telling us when and where to meet. We all went our separate ways.

I went towards the east section of the mall, the part I hadn't gotten to yet.

I entered some toy store where children were running and screaming and arguing. I grabbed the first thing I saw and bought it.

This continued for a while. I'd go into a store, and buy whatever I saw first.

So far I had gotten Sora a box of crayons, and a black coffee cup for my dad. I was about to go into F.Y.E when my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket, holding my single bag in my other hand.

"Hello?" I said.

"Morning," Axel greeted.

My heart leapt to my throat, and I started grinning. What's wrong with me, I thought, disgusted. It's just Axel. "Hate to break this to you," I said, "but it's already one o' clock."

"Oh, whoops," he laughed. "I guess I slept in."

"You guess?"

"You'd be tired too if you stayed at Demyx's house for as long as I did."

"The second I got home, I fell asleep."

"I'm sure. How's your head?"

"Painful." I rubbed my forehead at that, cringing slightly. "Yours?"

"I didn't drink, so I feel great."

"Weren't we going to do something today?"

"You mean study?"

"Oh, yeah."

"That is why I called."

"I can't now. Kelly dragged us to the mall to go Christmas shopping."

"Which mall?"

"I don't know."

"Roxas!" Sora exclaimed, running up to me. "Who you talking to?"

"Go away," I hissed.

"Roxas?"Axel asked.

"Sorry, it's Sora."

"Is that Axel? Tell him I said hi," Sora beamed.

"No. Anyway, maybe we can hang out later," I said.

"Yeah," Axel agreed.

"But, Roxas," Sora whined. "Mom wants to make snowmen."

"Shouldn't you be shopping?" I exclaimed, exasperated.

"I was shopping with Riku, but he said I had to leave, and I don't like shopping alone, 'cause there's no one to talk to, so he told me that I could shop with you!"

"Great," I muttered. "I have to go, Axel. I'll call you later."

"Ok," he said. "See ya."

"So you were talking to Axel! What are you going to get him?" Sora said after I hung up.

"Get him?" I asked blankly.

"For Christmas!"

"Oh…I haven't given it much thought," I said truthfully. I had given my friends Christmas presents only when I found something they would love; like the year I got Hayner a cap gun, or the year I got Olette that frog-shaped alarm clock. They would always get me things, but I can never figure out what people would want. What would Axel want for Christmas? I have no idea.

"I'm sure you'll think of something," he smiled. "Are you done shopping?"

"Um…no."

"I can help you."

He grabbed my arm and pulled me into F.Y.E. I tried to ditch him in the children's section but…that really didn't work out. Anyway, I ended up getting some bloody action movie for Riku. My reasoning behind that was that him and Sora always watched what Sora wanted to watch. As in, lovey-dovey romanticized cartoons. It would be a nice change of pace for him...I guess.

"Sora, go shop with your mom," I complained as he continued to skip alongside me.

"I don't know where she is," he hummed.

"Oh, look, there she is," I pointed to a Claire's and shoved him away from me.

"Ok!" He ran off.

Thank god, I thought, rubbing my temples. I finally got rid of him.

How long will it take him to realize that she's not there? I glanced behind my shoulder nervously, picking up the pace.

I wandered into the next store, and got Kelly a statue of an turtle...like I said, I'm not good at finding gifts. And she'd probably like anything I give her.

There, I thought, shoving everything in one large bag. I'm done.

I looked up, and blinked. Riku was striding towards me, carrying a golden retriever puppy.

"Roxas, take it," he shoved the bundle of fur in my arms, making me drop the shopping bag.

"You got him a puppy?" I asked flatly. It began to lick my face feverishly and I tried to give it back to him.

"Consider this payment," Riku scowled, angry.

"Payment for what?"

"For being such a selfish jerk. I have to go before Sora realizes that I left."

"What do I do with it?" I asked, aghast.

"It's a her," he said, distracted. "Hide her until Christmas."

"What?" I exclaimed. "How-"

He turned on heel, leaving me standing there, my stuff sprawled out on the ground, and the puppy trying to give me a bath.

I gathered the bag, thinking, what am I going to do now? The fleabag was squirming, trying to slip out of my arms; it gave a little yap, and I held it tighter. I debated about just giving it to Sora-it had to be for him-but Riku would slaughter me. It was amazing that he hadn't done anything to me after I mocked Sora...repeatedly...had Demyx lock him in a closet...inadvertently told everything that he's gay...made Sora cry...repeatedly...

Huh. How had he not beat the crap out of me yet? Maybe because that would upset Sora…then again, this mongrel posed a big enough problem. I could get rid of it and piss Riku off, or I could hide it...somehow.

I made a decision, and went to the front of the mall. The glass door revealed how dreary and miserable it looked outside; dark clouds suppressed the sun, and snow clung to cars and sidewalks like mold. The trees seemed to shiver as the wind picked up and bent their branches into awkward angles.

I pulled my phone out, and pressed one. I was forced to set the bag down, so that I was able to clutch the puppy with one arm and hold my phone in the other.

"Hey, Roxie."

"Hi Axel. I'm done, come get me."

"I'd be there in five seconds, but, alas, I still don't know where you are."

"Wait a second," I craned my neck to see the sign outside. "I'm at Arundel Mills."

He whistled. "You guys drove all the way out there?"

"Yeah," I said slowly.

"Why?"

"I don't know. It's probably Kelly's favorite mall or something."

"Heh, probably. I am unlocking my car as we speak."

"Did you do anything today? There's no way you got ready that fast."

"I got Xaldin to make me breakfast, then I was sitting around watching Demyx and Zexion trying to play Pacman. I'm surprised Demyx isn't grounded."

"Why?"

"His parents came home early and we weren't done cleaning."

"What?"

"God, you're slower than usual today."

"I thought his parents were there."

He laughed. "Of course not. Demyx planned the bonfire for when his parents had a conference in Pittsburgh. After I dropped you off last night, I took Larxene and Jessica home. It was an odd experience actually," he said thoughtfully. "Larxene passed out sooner than usual, and Jessica and I had to carry her to the car. Jessica was acting...not like herself. She was saying the weirdest things."

My breath caught in my throat. What did she tell him, I thought, panicking. The same thing she told me? How did he react?

"Roxas? Are you there?"

Calm down, I told myself sternly. It doesn't mean anything; Jessica is being stupid, that's all. "Yeah," I said. "What was she saying?"

"She kept asking where you went, and she kept smirking at me. It was creepy."

"Really?"

He paused for a second, then came the inevitable question. "Are you ok?"

"What do you mean?"

"You sound like you're choking."

"I'm fine," I cleared my throat, ignoring my churning stomach.

"Ok then," he said, unconvinced. "After I dropped them off, I went back to help Demyx clean up the mess. I was taking the beer cans out, mind you, I was recycling, when they pulled up. They weren't suppose to get home until tomorrow."

"And he didn't get in trouble?"

"They gave the whole we're-very-disappointed speech, and then let it slide. They're pretty cool, actually. His dad said "boys will be boys" and went upstairs to unpack. I left, came home, and fell asleep. Any other questions, now that I have finished narrating my life?"

"Um, no. Just hurry up."

"It'll take me a while, even if I speed."

"Which you are?"

"Yep."

"Go faster."

"I don't want to get a ticket. You can wait, no matter how badly you want to see me. It may be hard, but I have faith in you."

"Nice speech. Are you here yet?"

"No. What parking garage are you at?"

"Uh, I'm in front of the parking lot that's outside."

"On the east side?"

"Maybe?"

"What's across the street?"

"Safeway."

"Ok then."

"I'll be here."

"Bye."

"Bye."

I put my phone away, trying to ignore the fact that my heart was racing. It made no sense. Why had I freaked out when he mentioned Jessica? The worst that could have happened was she told him that we (meaning him and I) would make a cute couple. He would easily scoff that away. But what if Jessica said something else? She could have told him my reaction last night...or she could have told him that I like him or...

I stiffened, my grip on the puppy tightening. I never said that. I never said that I like him...had I?

No, I thought. I didn't. Jessica was messing with us; that's the kind of person she is, so I shouldn't take what she said seriously. Axel and I are friends. I might know him better than Hayner, and I might hang out with him whenever humanly possible, but that meant nothing. Baltimore sucks, and he is the only thing here that doesn't make me want to throw up...so yeah. That's why we're such good friends.

The puppy started to struggle, and I set her down after she almost succeeded in wiggling out of my arms. She proceeded to untie my shoe and began to yank at it.

"Stop it," I scolded. She didn't even look up.

Thankfully, by the time Axel pulled up, she had worn herself out and fallen asleep. Not to mention, I had calmed myself down.

I scooped everything up and ran outside.

"You got a dog?" Axel raised his eyebrow.

I settled the bag at my feet and the puppy curled up on my lap, yawning. "I didn't. Riku did."

"Why do you have it then?"

"He wants me to hid it until Christmas."

"And you actually agreed?"

"So Riku won't sock me, yeah."

"Where are you going to..." His eyes traveled up from the puppy until they met mine and he immediately understood. "No."

"Please, Axel!" I begged. "It'll only be for two weeks!"

"Hide him in your own house," he grumbled.

"Her," I corrected. "I can't, Sora will find her."

"Put her in your room."

"He snoops through the entire house!"

"How do you know he goes in your room?"

"One day I came home and he was told me that a quote from To Kill A Mockingbird is said by Atticus. He actually said the quote, word for word."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"I had that particular English test in my room, and that was one of the questions I got wrong."

"That doesn't mean he was in your room."

I shot him a look. "Yes, it does."

"That book is so boring."

"I wouldn't know."

"You didn't read it?"

"Nope."

"Roxas!"

"What?" I asked, irritated.

"You have to read the book to pass the class."

"No, as long as I answer the questions with common sense-"

"Why didn't you read it?"

"Because I didn't feel like it."

"Read the stupid thing."

"Ok, whatever. You're distracting me again."

"You're the one who brought it up."

"What am I going to do this with this?" I held the puppy up.

"From my understanding, you are going to hide her somewhere."

"You'd only have to-"

"I can't," he said quickly. "Larxene is allergic."

"But I need somewhere to put her."

"Have Kelly hide her."

"I don't think anyone knows about her, besides me and Riku."

"She'll do it if you ask."

"I don't want to ask."

"That's not my problem."

"Please?"

"No."

"Please!"

"No."

"It's not for that long. I can owe you…"

"What am I going to get in return?"

"What do you want?"

"How about the next time we get food, it's on you."

"Fine."

"No guarantees, though. Xemnas has to be ok with it."

"And Larxene?"

"She'll live."

I laughed at that.

XxXxX

"I'll see what I can do. Xemnas!" Saix called. He didn't really strike me as an animal-lover, or a lover of anything for that matter, but he had picked the puppy right up. He tried to act like he didn't care. When the puppy had began to teethe his fingers, however, his face softened and he started to stroke her chin.

I sat down on the couch, while Axel leaned against the wall. I didn't want to go home anytime soon; Kelly had left a panicked message on my phone, wondering where I disappeared to. "Wondering" meaning that she had come to the conclusion that I had been mugged and beaten. I had sent her a text message saying that I was at Axel's house, and she hadn't replied yet. I normally wouldn't have done that, but I was in enough trouble already. Maybe Riku came up with an excuse for me...probably not...

"Yes?" Xemnas appeared. "Please make this quick Saix, I was going to take a bath…why, hello, Roxas."

"Hi," I greeted.

"Life has been less exciting lately, hasn't it?"

"What do you mean?" I glanced at Axel uncertainly.

"With Xion gone," he said sadly. "It's so much quieter around here."

I resisted the urge to laugh at that so that I wouldn't hurt his feelings; I mean, Xion? She never talked, how would it get quieter? "Oh," I said.

"She's in a better place now."

"She died?" I blurted. Immediately, I wish I hadn't said anything, because Xemnas now looked tormented, misery written into his face.

"No…" he grew quiet.

"She's at Sunnyville," Saix spoke. "It's a mental hospital for youth."

"Oh…I didn't know…" I said awkwardly.

"That's why Zexion was so pissed yesterday," Axel nodded. "None of us knew about what had happened to her, before she came to live with us."

I wanted to ask what happened, but felt like I shouldn't.

Axel must have figured that out, because he started to explain. "She came here a few months ago, after her mother, Aerith, died."

"Xion's uncle killed her mother, and she was forced to watch. He upset Aerith, making her have an asthma attack, and she slowly suffocated while he teased her with the inhaler."

"Her uncle then walked out of the house, and Xion called the police," Saix said.

"That's horrible," I said, feeling sorry for her. No wonder why she was so screwed up.

"Yes," Saix agreed. He turned to Xemnas. "Sir?"

"What is that?" Xemnas asked, finally taking notice of the puppy.

"Axel was wondering if we could keep her for a while."

"For how long?"

"Two weeks, sir."

"Roxas is going to give it to his brother for Christmas, and he wants it to be a surprise," Axel said.

"That's fine," Xemnas murmured. "Now…"

He gave me a small smile, then left. Saix followed him, still holding the puppy.

"That was easier than I thought it would be," Axel grinned. "Who knew Saix had a soft spot?"

I stayed over there for a while. I ordered Chinese food, paying off my debt quickly by using the money left over. Axel drove me home around ten.

"See you tomorrow," Axel said as I hopped out.

"I can get a ride to school, right?"

"Yep."

"Good. I hate getting rides from Kelly."

"Good-night," he chuckled.

"Night," I shut the door.

When I got inside, I found the house dark and silent. The only light was the TV flickering in the living room.

Riku and Sora were bundled up on the couch, a blanket wrapped around them. Sora was fast asleep, and Riku was watching some documentary.

"What did you do with it?" Riku asked.

I stopped. "Huh?"

"With the puppy."

"It's at Axel's house."

"Are you sure he'll take good care of it?" he criticized.

"Yeah," I rolled my eyes. Thankfully, he didn't see.

I was about to go upstairs when he stopped me. "Are you ok?"

"...I'm fine," I muttered, confused.

"You look funny."

"Ok?"

"You were at Axel's house all day?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, ok, that explains it." He turned back to the show.

I laid in bed that night, the same thoughts swirling in my head. I couldn't stop thinking about what Jessica had said. I had felt so awkward around Axel today, wondering what she had told him, and then Riku...

Did Axel notice? I don't think he did, I thought. No...he probably just thought I was being stupid and self-conscious and clumsy. More than likely.

I pulled my blanket up to my chin. Why was I so worried? Jessica doesn't know what she's talking about...

A/N: I don't like this chapter. It doesn't help that I've been sick and stressed over finals. BLEH no excuses. Anyway, please review and tell me what you think is going to happen next! ^-^

~KeedaxEmry