A/N: See Prologue for typical disclaimer.

Now to my faithful reviewers (You guys make me so proud!):
Sorrowful Memory: Don't worry. With the way you guys are giving me reviews, I'll probably keep updating around midnight (my time) every day until the end.
rabid-yaoi-fangirl101: I'm making it a point to update fast. Thanks!
ZTX: Yes..they're holding hands. Whether you like shonen ai or not is your perogative, but for my purposes, they're simply friends in this one without girls to interfere. Riku's holding of Sora's hand is a small sign of weakness and a wish to have Sora closer to him. Besides, even boys hold hands when they're still kids.
WSgirl: Thank you and I will!
kinky kitty: You know I love to torture. Heck, look at what I'm doing to poor Riku!
Maridla24: You know..I hate them too. Thanks!

Special thanks to WSgirl for making me one of your author alerts! I feel so loved!!

And here I almost forgot to update..I guess my playlist decided to remind me by playing the song though. Here you go!

Chapter 3

As they sat in class, Riku leaned his good cheek on his hand, tucking his hair behind his ear as he scratched out a math problem that seemed easy in his notebook. They'd been given time to work in class, and his teacher was slowly wending her way down the isles, checking on their progress.

She slowed near Riku's desk, a frown marring her brow as she looked at the slightly off-colored skin of his cheek. The skin seemed cakey too, as if he'd used at least a powder. It wasn't the first time she'd seen him bruised, but she didn't think this was as bad as the others, so she moved on, stopping to check on a child with a question.

A soft sigh escaped from Riku as she didn't stop near him. He didn't want to have to explain anything, and he sat up straighter, running a hand through his hair and letting the hair fall back to cover his cheek.

School let out early due to heat, and he walked home, Sora already long gone ahead of him, having left a note in his locker that he had forgotten to get his mother to sign something for school and needing to bring it back before three, when the school closed it's doors. He paused as he watched a little boy hugging his father, a morose look making it's way to his face as the father ruffled his son's hair before lifting him into a truck to take him home. He followed it with his eyes as it turned a corner and went out of sight before shaking his head minutely and walking the rest of the way home, not so eager to come to the empty house. After dropping his book bag in the lobby-area of his front hall, he made his way upstairs, looking down at the envelope that lay just inside his door, obviously slid under, his name written on it with his mother's handwriting.

A feeling of dread filled him as he picked it up, shutting the door quietly behind him as he tore the envelope open and pulled out the pastel pink paper to read it.

"Riku,
I'm sorry honey, but I just can't take this anymore. Your father and I can't get along anymore, and we decided this morning that it's best if I left. I'm hardly around for you anyway, so it shouldn't change your life too much. Just remember that I love you honey, and if you ever need the slightest bit of help, I'll be there for you.

Love,
Mom"

He leaned back against the door and closed his eyes, the note falling from his hands with the envelope. So he didn't get a choice. He was now alone with his father and he couldn't expect his mother to be around. Silence enveloped him as he sunk down to a crouched position, the emotional strain of being hit by his father and his mother's leaving hitting him like a wrecking ball, leaving him hurt and broken and wishing only to leave.

TBC

So, what did you all think? Good enough or needs work? Ha, if you think it needs work, it won't get it. I'm done with it, but I'm going to wait a bit before posting the next chapter. The review button says feed me, I say critiques improve writing. –shrug- Whatever you want. If you just want me to post the next chapter, let me know! I'll try to give a line out to whoever says anything.