6/15/13 Randomness!


It was Saturday, and I was in the middle of my show when Mom flipped off the t.v. and gave me that look, putting her hands on her hips.

"Roxas, it's a gorgeous day outside. You should go play with Sora, Riku, and Kairi."

"But Mom! Today's the ninja turtles marathon!" I groaned, reaching for the remote.

"Hold it right there, mister!" My hand froze and grudgingly returned to my side. "You've watched enough t.v. for today. I'm offering you a choice now: would you rather rake the leaves or go play with your friends?"

I thought about it for a moment.

"I can rake leaves, I guess."

"And trim the hedges. And I think it's about time your father taught you how to mow the lawn."

"Dad!" I looked over my shoulder pleadingly, seeing him still glancing over the morning paper. His gaze drifted up briefly.

"Alright," he sighed. "Just let me finish this article and get changed and I'll teach him."

"Fine! Fine! I'll go outside and play!"

My mother smirked. "Good boy. Oh, and one more thing," she said as I passed. My shoulders tensed, awaiting the following order. "Take those cookies I baked over to Sora's mother, would you? You know how she loves chocolate chip."

I nodded, biting my tongue against a sarcastic comment.

I took the cookies to Sora's house, but his mom said he was sick today and couldn't play. At least he would get to watch TMNT.

No luck with the others either. Kairi had clarinet practice until 4, and Riku... well, Riku was nice enough, but he was more of Sora's friend than mine. He was cool, slightly older than the rest of us, but just the two of us hanging out would be awkward.

So finally, I got to the playground and sat down on a swing, letting it moved slowly back and forth while I dragged my feet against the wood chips. Some other kids were there, but I didn't really want to talk to them. It always made me feel nervous.

Being here on my own made me nervous. At least with Riku there, I could have felt safer. I was just hoping I didn't run into-

"Hey, brat!"

I cringed.

This was why I hated coming here.

I turned slightly to see Larxene, Marluxia, Xaldin, Axel, and his brother Reno approaching. This couldn't be good.

Four of them were smirking knowingly. Axel...well, he always looked uncomfortable being there. Kinda made me wonder why he was with them all the time.

"Please leave me alone," I said, trying to sound firm.

"Sorry, shortie. No can do, " Reno said smugly.

"Mom cut my allowance, so I can't buy ice cream today. Lend me some money?" Larxene asked, poking my arm hard. I batted her hand away.

"I don't have any money."

"Too bad for you, kid."

Xaldin shoved me off the swing, and I felt a sharp pain in my wrist when I hit the ground. It was like something was tearing. I curled into a ball as he, Marluxia, and Larxene swarmed in, kicking me hard all over. I hardly felt the blows, though. I don't think they were doing it that hard, but I might have been in shock. Even as a rambunctious kid, I hadn't felt pain like that before.

Larxene laughed shrilly, picking up a handful of chips and throwing them at me. I tried hard not to cry, but they wouldn't let up.

"Stop!" I shouted, reaching out to try and push Marluxia away. Just as my arm went out, he swung his leg back for a kick, and the force that hit my wrist next made me scream.

"Awwww, what's the matter, brat? Gonna cry?" Reno mocked.

I clutched my arm back against my chest and sobbed. It hurt so much.

Then came a voice I hadn't heard before. Well, not often anyway.

"Reno, that's enough, isn't it?" Axel? Why was he- ?

"Shut it, Axel. We're not through here."

"I think he's hurt. What if his parents call Dad?"

"Shit, your right. Back off, guys. Come on, come on! Back it up!"

The gang stopped kicking and hitting me, but I hardly noticed anymore. I just stayed on the ground, crying like a little baby. I couldn't help it. Every movement made me want to scream in pain.

Was my wrist broken?

The other kids on the playground must have heard me, but they just left. I heard the crunch of wood chips in the background as they scattered. Too scared to mess with Reno.

Said redhead looked down at me irritably, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Tell anyone and you're dead, squirt." Then to the others, he said, "Come on, guys. Let's go."

After a minute, their footsteps having long faded away, I let it out. I cried and screamed until my throat cracked and hurt. And why not? My dignity was already lost. I'd have time to be embarrassed later.

Then there was a hand on my shoulder, and the boy from before helped me up. Axel. He wasn't as old as Reno, but a year or so older than me. Like Riku.

But even if Riku could be cold sometimes, he wasn't a bully.

I bristled when Axel's hand stayed on my shoulder, even after I was up. I shrugged him off and snapped.

"I-I can take care of m-myself!"

"I'm sorry."

I looked up at him, thick tears blurring my eyes and probably making my glare really pathetic. But he really did look sorry. He reached for my wrist and after a minute of staring, I hesitantly offered it to him, wincing as his finger traced the slow-forming bruise.

"It might be sprained. If it keeps hurting really bad and swelling, you might want to go to the doctor, okay?"

I stubbornly wiped the tears from my eyes, still pouting, but I could feel my face burning. Why did he care? Why did I care?

He sighed. "Want me to walk you home?"

"I can go fine by myself!"

"Are you going to tell?"

I paused, considering. If I told, then Reno would just come and beat me up again, probably worse. But then, he might do that anyway, when he feels like it. I was doomed either way.

"I would," Axel said out of nowhere, making me jump a little. "Bro picks on everyone and gets away with it. If you told, then Dad might beat some sense into him."

"You want me to tell?" I asked, wary. "Why?"

He shrugged. "Dad wouldn't listen to me, but he'd have to listen to you. And if Reno still tries to bother you again, I'll stick up for you."

I blinked, cradling my arm close to my chest. "Why?"

The boy smiled then. It wasn't that devious smirk his older brother always wore; just a nice, warm smile. And it was giving me butterflies.

"Cause I like you."