I still wake up before him. He must've gone back to his room after I dozed off again, but at least I slept through the rest of the night. I step out onto the balcony, breathing the sharp scent of winter air as I reach into my pocket. That's when I realize what I'm getting a bird's-eye view of as I look down.

Central Park.

Not only is Riku rich, he's loaded. I feel like I shouldn't even be breathing the air in this place. I could never afford it. My hands shake so badly I can barely get my fingers to work. It's a relief to see the thin curl of white, quickly whisked away by the chill wind, and an even bigger relief a few moments later.

"You're the first guy I've ever met who smokes Capris."

I nearly drop my cigarette as I whirl around to face him, saving it only by virtue of practice. It's the only somewhat expensive habit I have, so god forbid I lose any of my occasional smokes. "You scared the crap outta me! What are you, a ghost? You don't make any noise!"

Riku shrugs. "I learned to walk softly when I lived at home. If you did anything but tiptoe, it would echo down some of the halls." He steps onto the balcony, resting his arms on the railing. He's still dressed in dark colors and wearing that amber heart around his neck. "Didn't figure you for a smoker."

"Yeah, well... I make a pack last more than three weeks. Really occasional smoker. If it's a problem...." I move to snuff it out on the railing, since I couldn't find an ashtray anywhere, but he stops me.

"No, it's okay. Thanks for going outside, though."

Now it's my turn to shrug. "Not my place, not my right to smoke inside. Doesn't bother me."

We stand there in silence for a long time, just watching the city pass us by. I feel almost godlike, being so far above everybody else, and yet it frightens me a little. I'm looking down at where I belong... earthbound, hidden in the streets and the snow and the grime. I'm an intruder here. I shiver and take a longer drag this time.

"If you give me directions, I'll take you home. It's no big deal, really."

The last thing I want is for Riku to see my "home." It never bothered me before, but it bothers me now. I think I'm ashamed. "... nah, it's okay. I've got a bunch of stuff to do anyway." I flick the butt of my cigarette over the railing, watching it arc and tumble to earth.

"At least let me take you out to breakfast...."

I'm squirming inside now. "Look, I really appreciate you helping me out, but you don't have to do all this."

"It's a pleasure, really." He's almost smiling, but not quite. "Call it the holiday spirit if you want, but that's just how I am."

... now I'm really bothered. This whole thing just feels... off. I don't know how or why, but something about this whole situation makes me shiver. I force myself to turn around and head inside, rather than backing into the warmth of his apartment. I'm not going to treat him like a wild animal, no matter how nervous I am. "Thanks, really... but I should just go. Don't want you getting attached." I look over my shoulder and grin, trying to soften it into a friendly tease.

"Then... maybe I'll see you around sometime?" Riku holds out his hand, offering it to me.

Deja vu explodes across my brain like a physical blow. I think I actually staggered back a step a second ago, and I can feel the color draining from my face.

What the hell is wrong with me? Oh god, please don't let me have a blackout in front of him....

"Sora?" Riku's looking at me with naked concern. "Are you okay?"

"Y-- yeah... listen, if you really wanna see me again, I work nights at this little dive. Autumn's." Before I even think about it, I'm pulling out an old bank envelope and scribbling down the address with the pen he hands to me. I hand over the envelope and the pen, trying to resist the urge to tear them out of his grasp. What am I doing? "It's a little hole. Clean, good food, but still a hole."

He smiles at me. My heart flutters, and I quickly stomp it into my stomach to shut it up. I'd better take my medication before I do something really stupid. "I'll be there. Take care of yourself, Sora."

"You too...." I'm gone as fast I can, grabbing my coat from the hook near the door. I just hope I don't run into any rich snobs on the elevator.

School was the usual hell on Monday. Everybody else goofs off and makes it hard to concentrate. Guess they don't care that some people actually want to be here. Small wonder that I'm the only one who passes the pop quiz our English lit teacher springs on us. I'm used to the dirty looks now. That's what happens when you study, guys... you can actually be top of your class.

Work was better. Teresa had a bowl of soup waiting for me, just like always... Italian wedding today. One of my favorites. I always get to work a half hour early so I can eat at a normal pace. These are probably the best meals I get all day. I talk with Lauren, the other waitress on night shift, while I eat. I feel like a beloved kid brother when she ruffles my hair and laughs at all my jokes. These people are like my family... they accept me, they worry about me, they try to make me happy, and I do the best I can to return all those little gestures.

"I got worried when you didn't come home the other night, hon." Oh man, Teresa's doing the mother hen thing again. I don't mind it, though. It's good to know I'm cared about enough to be missed. "I was gonna bring you a pot of my chicken and dumplings, but you didn't answer. For a bit, I thought you'd had another... you know...."

"Nah, I crashed with a... friend." Best thing to say. If I tell her a stranger picked me up, she'll worry that I'd gone and gotten myself molested. She says I'm too cute to wander the streets alone. "Don't worry, I took my meds."

"You really shouldn't be living by yourself, even if you are right upstairs. What if you get sick?"

"I haven't had an attack in months. As long as I keep up with my meds, I'll be fine." I turn my attention to the last of my soup. The chicken meatballs are nice and tender, and she uses real escarole instead of the spinach that a lot of places try to pass off in their soups. Heaven in a bowl, that's Teresa's soup.

"Sora love... I'm just afraid for a nice boy like you. Aren't you lonely?"

I can't help grinning. "Why not match me up with Lauren? I'm sure her boyfriend won't mind." I hear the sound of Lauren's playfully indignant shriek and duck the wet rag she throws at me. Heh, my reflexes still work. I pick up my bowl to sip the last of my soup, barely paying attention to the sound of the door opening and closing.

"Oh my...." Teresa's murmur sounds pretty surprised. Maybe the mayor just walked in? Her soup really is that good.... I put down the empty bowl and swivel in my seat.

My heart skips a beat, then does two almost at the same time to make up for it.

Riku.

He takes a few more steps toward us and stops to smile at me. He's wrapped in a black leather duster this time, making him look almost sinister somehow. I force myself to swallow past the lump in my throat. "Wh-- what're you doing here...?"

"You told me I could see you again if I wanted to. I wanted to."

I can see the girls looking at me strangely from the corners of my eyes. My face is getting hot, along with the tips of my ears. "... yeah, I guess I did. Not that I can figure out why you'd want to waste your time on me."

"Call it a compulsion."

I barely bite back a laughing snort. "Well, the object of your compulsion has to work."

Riku just keeps smiling at me. Now my neck feels hot, too. "I'll just have something to eat while I wait, then."

I roll my eyes and slide off my stool, flicking a dismissive wave in his direction. "Suit yourself. Lucky for you it's a short shift tonight."

I can't believe it. Five hours later, he's still sitting at the bar. Not only that, he's chatting with Teresa and they're both laughing like they're old friends. And every time I come out of the kitchen, he glances at me. If I get flustered and drop a tray, I'll be really unhappy. I never drop anything on shift. I nudge the door open, carrying a tray of dirty dishes to the sink. Lauren is right behind me with her own tray.

"Sooo?"

"So what?"

She grins at me. That's the grin that means trouble. "So... where'd you meet him?"

Already I'm wary about this line of questioning. "... don't tell Teresa, but he picked me up at the bus stop. The bus broke down, so he gave me a ride."

"But you never made it home." Her grin's getting even wider, and now I'm really worried. "He took you back to his place, didn't he?"

"Yeah...."

"A-ha! I knew it!" Oh god, help me. She's giggling. A giggling woman is a bad sign.

"Knew what? Have you been breathing the oven cleaner again?"

Lauren swats at me, and I manage once again to avoid her playful wrath. "So, how was it?"

"It was a ride, Lauren...."

"I bet it was! But how was it?"

"... okay, now you lost me." I roll my eyes and start rinsing dishes, loading them into the washer.

"Geez, Sora! You're such a virgin! Well... not anymore, riiiiight?"

I drop the handful of silverware I'm holding into the sink; the clatter makes my ears ring. "What?!" I take one look at her giggling into her hands and realization all but bashes me in the forehead. "Y-- you think... he... I... we... we slept together?! I barely know the guy! We just met!"

"I think it's romantic... the shy young man and a mysterious, handsome stranger...." She winks at me and picks up her next tray. "Don't let him get away! And don't be ashamed... I had you pegged from day one. That's why my boyfriend doesn't get jealous when he sees me hugging you!" And with that, she's gone, the door swinging gently behind her.

I bang my head on the edge of the sink. Repeatedly.

He's still sitting there when I finish my shift. Damn, I banged my head pretty hard. I think I have a headache. I really hope I didn't leave a mark, because I don't feel like answering questions. Lauren giggles at me from across the room, and I resist the urge to pull my coat over my head. I'd just end up smothering myself, which could be a good thing anyway at this rate.

"Your friend is quite charming, Sora." Teresa's got her "approval" smile firmly in place. Damn. How am I supposed to shake Riku off my back now? For the first time, I'm wishing the girls weren't so open-minded.

"Yeah, he's something." I shove my hands in my pockets and scuff my toe into the floor. If I just play it cool, I'll eventually stop blushing.

"It was nice meeting you both. I'm sure I'll see you again sometime."

I gape at Riku as he shakes hands with Teresa. See you again? But that means he'd have to come here... to see me.... Before I even think about it, I snag Riku by the arm and none too gently pull him out, calling back some vague goodbye to the girls. Only after the door closes do I look up at his bemused expression. Now I'm beet red again. Wonderful. "Making friends with the little folk?"

Riku sighs. "Sora, my money has nothing to do with my friends. Besides, it's my father's money, and if you really want to know, I don't really talk to him much."

Oh. I can't really take back that little stab, can I? I drop my gaze to the pavement and shrug. "I wouldn't know what that's like. I don't have any real family. The girls are the closest thing I have."

"It must be lonely."

Again, I shrug. It's like I'm developing a nervous twitch. "I don't mind being alone. I don't have to worry about making a good impression."

"Not a people person, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess." I look up just in time to get a snowflake in my eye. God, will it never stop snowing? And it's only the beginning of December. "Got hurt too many times. Guess I look like a target or something... you know, the sweet, innocent little kid."

Riku chuckles. "So you don't like people. I see."

"See what?" I glare at him, but it just doesn't quite feel right, like I can't really be irritated with him.

"Why you're still holding onto my arm."

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Riku laughs again, a quiet sound that swirls away into the falling snow as we walk. "I still owe you a cup of coffee, at least."

He holds onto my arm, quite gently, as we leave our footprints on the snowy sidewalk. And all I can think about is why I didn't pull away when I had the chance.

TBC