Author's Notes: I've been messing around with the concept of this for awhile now and am happy I've finally managed to write the first chapter! Yes, first. Which means, there's more. Roughly about ten in total.

Before you turn away, NO, this is not a cliché version of "high school romance." It's quite the opposite. It's very different in the fact that this takes place when Sora leaves home for a Catholic, all boys boarding school. Catholicism, (I'm Catholic myself, so trust me, it won't be offensive,) as well as most other religions, preaches against homosexuality. It's based off of part of a manga I have- guess the manga and you win a prize. So chew on that. And it's also got a side plot along with the forbidden love thing. Also, the rating is at a T for now. This will be bumped up to an M rating within the next couple of chapters.

Hopefully it's not too confusing, and it may start off a bit slow at first- but things will pick up! Trust me, read, and please please review! Without reviews, I get discouraged and stop writing in most cases. Be prepared for love, hate, angsssst, fear, and all the good in-betweens. Love, Therese.

Diabolical Rapture Chapter 1: Maelstrom of Beauty

"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. Sinned so deeply, I am afraid God himself will never dismiss me of such a heinous crime."

"Dear, lamb. God is divine- the very essence of such redemption you seek. No matter the level of corruptness a sin, he shall grant to you salvation."

"I know that, Father."

"Then why say such a thing, lamb."

"It is a crime I cannot stop committing. Like that of a master criminal, I will indulge upon this recklessness until the very day I venture from this Earth."

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I suppose I should open this recital by telling you my name. I am not so keen on knowing my birth name, but what I do know is that those close to me call me Sora. The meaning of my name is "sky," which leads me to assume I withhold all of the divinities and constellations of the never-ending, yet always changing sky.

I would go more into detail, however, I am afraid I lack the privilege of knowing who I am myself. This is the time in my life in which everything switched, emotions dancing about my brain, intoxicating me with their high levels of endorphins and other poisons. Truthfully, I cannot tell you anymore than the basic facts at this moment. I was seventeen at the time- a small, brunette boy with large sapphire eyes filled with a surge of emotion I'm unable at this moment to identify. Hope maybe? Excitement?

The beginning of this experience is what puzzles me most, for I cannot remember the finer details of just how it all happened. What I do remember, however, was the awareness of being relieved from a heavily weighted burden resting upon my shoulders. Being forced into going there was a blessing in disguise- not a curse.

Perhaps I'll try harder to explain my situation in more detail.

Like a distant star in the sky- burning brightly by itself, I was not alone in the vast world. Loneliness, however, flowed through me as if it were a necessary toxic chemical required to function. I grew up this way- alone. My parents were never home, and it was a rare occasion in which I could share a lunch table with other kids my age during school.

I hadn't heard them, my parents that is, speak as many words to me in all seventeen years of my existence as that did that one night.

"Sora. We're sending you to an all-boys boarding school. It's called Saint Helena's and it's taught under the Catholic faith. You're leaving first thing next week. Pack adequate clothing and anything else you'll need soon."

"Okay, Mom."

However, where my story begins is where that night came to an end.

I have made sure to remember this date for as long as I am alive- August Sixteenth. It was when my life finally began to perpetuate, the momentum of what that day's events created could rival no other.

Awestruck. Yes, awestruck truthfully described the emotions flooding the rapid processing thoughts of my brain. Nothing short of amazing surrounded me that August Sixteenth. My neck bent in at least a forty-five degree angle- simply gazing at the elegant structures about me. In that moment, I stood at the steps of Saint Helena's Catholic, all-boys boarding school.

Any stereotype of a dirty, run down boarding school was erased in that moment. Blinding white walls climbed over thirteen stories high, gold steeples almost disappearing amongst the stars. Black and gold swirls enveloped archways, doors, and windows- a sleek exterior illuminated and reflecting against the images of the stained glass windows. Those were by far the most beautiful. Their highlights bore striking contrast against the black sky, shadows embracing their darkness.

And it only took a moment's glance to be in such amazement of this exquisite beauty.

"Sora, let's get you settled!"

The clicking sound of approaching heels on marble grew louder as the woman who had spoken to me squeezed the sleeve of my shoulder gently. This was soon followed by a warm smile at the edges of her red painted mouth.

She had introduced herself to me earlier as Ms. Aerieth Gainsborough. Whether she was a teacher, a secretary- I wasn't sure, but she was nice none the less. Returning the smile, I followed the now distant "clicks," a bag of luggage carefully tucked under each arm.

"We'll drop off your things first, dear. Your room number is 7-0-5."

The seven, I guess, meant floor seven because we immediately hopped into an old elevator and rode it upwards for a couple of minutes in silence. The darkness of the inside of the building was a bit shocking. The stunning white and purity of the outside was almost blinding, yet I found myself having to adjust my vision in order to see now in the interior. It wasn't pitch black like the sky, yet the atmosphere was dim, orange lights and candelabras lining the dark red walls.

We arrived at room 705 shortly afterwards. Ms. Aerieth handed me a silver, ornate key explaining "Do not under any circumstances give this out to other people. This may be a school of God, but you'd be quite surprised at the alarming amount of thievery that goes on here!"

A turn of the key, a click of the lock and the door silently cracked open. I'm sure I must have gasped upon seeing the room's accommodations. If the exterior of the school had been impressive, the interior could be described as that multiplied by ten. As I ventured towards the center of the room, the eye of the fairy-tale-like fortress, I turned about, making sure this wasn't a dream I was doomed to wake from.

The walls were painted deep red, with intricate gold leaf like patterns swirling about the top. The furniture, which included a bed, a large vanity mirror, a desk, and one towering wardrobe, was stained in dark, wooden tones. There was a huge window, complete with a balcony on the opposite side I was standing, with gold curtains gently caressed to the right hand side and tied in a single, large bundle.

It appeared that I stood in the maelstrom of beauty.

Ms. Aerieth's hurried glances broke me from my enchantment. I turned around, for the first time noticing not one- but two beds on opposing sides of the room.

"You did realize you would be rooming with a fellow student, didn't you?" She paused at the door frame before continuing to walk towards me and grabbing one of my bags from my grasp. "... A very neat student at that!" she stated while arching a single brow in curiosity.

After she dropped the bag onto the bare bed, I followed suit and placed the luggage I held next to hers. "Um. Well... no?" was all I could manage, and I'm sure I must have appeared really stupid in that moment.

"Don't worry, Sora," she stated while leveling her height with mine. "Ninety-nine percent of the time, students become best friends with their dorm mate. After all, you'll be spending most of your time with this person."

"What if we're that one percent?"

She gently chuckled, "You won't be."

"Okay..."

"Well, now that you're here... I hate to break this to you, dear, but you have one last- well, first class, before the night's yours." She handed me a yellow, crumpled paper. Scanning the sheet briefly, I realized my last/first class would be French I. Greeeat... English was hard enough to communicate to others in... let alone French.

"French?"

"Second floor, room number 2-1-7."

"Um, could you please-"

"I will not!" Her abruptness frightened me for a moment. "I won't baby you, Sora. If I introduce you in each of your classes, you'll regret it later on. Trust me. But, if you'd like to talk- you know, to get used to this new lifestyle, please visit me. I'm located in the guidance counceler's office on the first floor."

Well, she was probably right. I didn't want to be perceived as a baby...

"I guess you're right." I felt a twinge of mixed emotions in that response.

"Goodbye then! I hope you enjoy yourself here! Oh, and be sure to put on a uniform- there should be one on the desk over in the corner. Never be caught during the weekdays without one on." Sora caught a glimpse of her leaving, the only trace of her left being her hand still holding onto the door frame.

"Erm. Thanks, Ms. Ae-" I stopped, noticing the bright red nails, including the fingers attached had vanished.

And I was once again alone in this maelstrom of beauty.

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Finding my way about this maze of a school was going to prove to be extremely challenging. It had taken me dozens of attempts at turning right, left, backwards, forwards, and strangely enough diagonally at times to reach room 217. I had even managed to circle around the same hallway a total of three times already- only knowing this because the same portrait of a deathly pale priest stared sinisterly at me through black eyes each time I passed it.

Making a mental note as to not pass by that corridor ever again, (unless absolutely necessary!) I read the name plate on the side of the door- "Madame Beasley: French for Beginners."

Breathe, Sora.

And breathe I did.

Turning the gold lacquer handle of the door, I tried remaining as calm as possible before having to plunge myself into this room full of people- guys my age, I didn't know. I'm sure it was the creak of the door that immediately gave away my presence when I saw every single head snap backwards in my direction.

Perhaps it was the awkwardness of being "the new kid," or the stupid uniform I was not used to that made me so self conscious. The uniform wasn't too bad, but it was a little tight. It consisted of black, fitted pants, with a white cotton, button down shirt. On the edge of the shirt lay sewn the emblem of Saint Helena. The shirt was to be tucked in during class, a black tie adorned at the neck, and a matching black jacket to be worn as well.

Feeling my cheeks already formulating pink, I shuffled towards the lone female- assuming her to be Madame Beasley.

However, I hadn't made it nearly three steps towards the woman before she sauntered over towards me, her showy skirt swishing beneath her feet. Madame Beasley's appearance was rather amusing- the same bright lipstick and nail polish as Ms. Aerieth had on was painted in the same fashion upon this blonde woman's face and fingers, complete with earrings longer than her head and neck combined.

Were all of these employees as colorful as this? Back at home, I had never seen such flashy makeup or clothing. Coming from a quaint island, most inhabitants chose modest clothing and women never wore such bright cosmetics. Perhaps the women here shared their makeup?

"Nous avons un nouvel étudiant, classe! S'il vous plaît parole bonjour au Sora," those almost scary nails had wrapped themselves around my shoulder.

"Bonjour, Sora." The entire room echoed to me. Funny, because I had no idea what the hell they had been saying. They could have been saying, "Go away, Sora," or "Go to hell, Sora." Considering, Madame Beasley continued on, I assumed it had been something polite.

"Vous pouvez prendre le siège vide à côté de Tidus. Soulevez s'il vous plaît votre main, Tidus."

Now, take into account that I had never even heard a foreign language spoken my entire life- much less could understand properly and respond to commands given in that particular tongue. French sounded much like a pair of snakes slithering about, wrapping themselves around me in twisting and looping patterns. I never liked snakes- nor did I believe I would enjoy French class.

Giving her a questioning look, Madame Beasley did nothing but spin on her heels and return back towards the front of the classroom. Not only was their makeup similar, but the ability to resist my pouty face (it was ohhh so cute, if I do say so myself!) was inevitable as well. Perhaps I would have to learn a new way to get what I wanted.

Luckily for me, I noticed someone with their hand raised, flailing away in the air.

"Sooooorrrra! Over heeeere!" the kid whispered while motioning towards the vacant seat next to him.

Not wanting to piss off Madame Beasley on my first day, I immediately rushed over towards the unoccupied desk.

"Thanks," I timidly said while situating myself and pulling out an unused notebook and pen. "I'm Sora," I smiled while holding out my hand- all in hopes we were being inconspicuous enough for the Madame.

"I know that, Sora! Jeeze, she just told us your name!"

"She did?"

What?

"You're going to have a tough time in this class if you didn't even catch that!" Mutual smiles now existed as he took hold of my outstretched hand. "But, I'll help you! I'm Tidus by the way."

We didn't speak to each other for another good thirty minutes or so. During that time, I completely ignored Madame Beasley's endless jabbering and took it upon myself to take notes from the first chapter of the French book instead.

Bonjour... hello. Okay, good! Maybe this won't be so hard, Sora! Hm. S'il vous plaît... please. Well that's not so bad, but the spelling is kinda weird. Sea.. food.. plate. Yes!

Oh, who was I kidding?

"Gah! This is so difficult!"

"It is at first, but you become used to it."

"Madame Beasley, may I please speak to you for a moment?" a mature voice echoed from across the room.

"Oui?" she left the board, and gracefully walked over to the owner of the voice. I couldn't get a look at him but I didn't really care either.

"Hey, you noticed the sea food plate thing too!" Tidus must have discovered my notes.

"Yeah! Maybe all of French can be broken up like that!"

"Let's see..." Tongue extended in thoughtfulness, he exclaimed "I always thought Bonjour looked a bit like Bon Jovi."

Tidus and I seemed to be getting along pretty well. He was a seemingly nice guy- strange enough, he even looked like me. Well, I had dark brown hair- and his was blonde, but it was even long and spiky like mine. We were both about the same size, and had deep blue, widened eyes. Weird. It was if I could have been looking forward into a mirror. If this was what one would call, "meeting your reflection," I would agree that it was possible.

The only thing I felt hatred for at this time (besides the French language,) was the concept of irony. Irony is, was, and continues to act cruel. I loved the fact that I had seemed to make a friend in almost no time flat. What I didn't love, was the fact that this was the first time in all seventeen years I had been able to make a friend.

"Class, please take the rest of the period to study. I have pressing matters to attend to."

English! Thank God!

Glancing up, I noticed that she was leaning over her rickety desk, pen furiously writing on a sheet of paper. There was someone with their back towards the room, obviously a student- the uniform giving away his identity. I couldn't see his face, as I told you- his back was turned. All I could tell was that his hair was silver in color and reached a few inches just below his shoulder blades.

Silver hair? Weird. That's not exactly a normal hair color.

"Oh please," Tidus murmured next to me.

I shot him a questioning glance. "Who's that?"

"Exactly the one person you don't want to meet while you're here."

"Why?"

Tidus turned to face me, the center of both our pupils meeting in exactly the same radius. He looked almost indignant that I had even questioned his opinion. "His family's really wealthy."

The silver-haired guy turned to face towards us. Even more shocking than his hair were his eyes- the lightest shade of aqua I had ever gazed upon in my life. Narrowing those haunting eyes, he continued to walk towards the door I had just entered almost an hour ago. He was handsome, appeared to be well built. A shock of jealousy rang through me as I glanced back down at my own puny set of arms.

Where do these people COME from!

"So... that makes him a bad guy?"

"Nope."

Bang!

The onomonepia echoing from the door signified he was gone.

He didn't have to slam the door...

"Then what?"

"His family invests a lot of money in this school. They practically own it. That being said, he believes he DOES own this school. Stay away from him, he's bad news. If you're on his bad side, he'll be sure to make life for you here a living hell."

"Oh. I get it." But I didn't really.

"Basically, he gets whatever he wants- when he wants. He skips class, never does his homework, leaves campus, and yet it's all okay. There hasn't been a single rule broken by that guy. I haven't really talked to him, but I get the impression he's probably a snob. Personalities aside, it's still frustrating when you do everything you're told and someone else is getting by without having to do anything! No doubt he just got out of class early to go off and do whatever it is he does."

Oh I understood now. How frustrating that was!

What's his name?" I asked, hoping my questions wouldn't bother Tidus any further.

"Riku."

"Well, as long as he doesn't bother me.. what's with his hair?"

"Yeah. Well. I'm not sure about that one. But there are a few weird looking people here."

We paused in silence.

"Hey, Sora! Where are you rooming?"

"Room 7-0-5!"

"Ah, I'd come to visit you, but I don't like the seventh floor. It's creepy." Tidus motioned to me with his interpretation of a zombie like posture.

"How so?"

"Ah, nothing. You'll eventually figure it out on your own anyway."

Before I could continue trying my best to pry anymore information out of Tidus, the bell rang- school was over, French was over, my first day of school was officially at an end.

Being closest to the door, we made it out of French class first. Doors on every side of the hallways were swinging open, masses of black and white pouring out from their depths. I hadn't realized that the school was in fact quite large. I assumed from about the fifth floor on up consisted of purely student and teacher dormitories. If I had to guess, I'd say there were a total of probably five hundred boys attending Saint Helena's boarding school.

Actually, that was a small number compared with my own high school back home.

"Sora, catch you later! Be sure to find me tomorrow at lunch- I won't be at dinner tonight!" Tidus was already halfway down the hall before I could reply.

Suddenly, a warm sensation filled my insides. Like my blood had immediately turned into a bubbly, pink liquid, flowing through my veins- sending, for once, positive emotions towards my brain, fingertips... my heart.

I felt, for the first time, a sense of purpose and love. Meager love and purpose- Tidus and I weren't that close after all.

According to the clocks (there seemed to be one on each corridor,) the time was now 7:30. I had a couple of hours to kill before deciding to return to my room and sleep.

But I really didn't have any idea as to what I should be doing- the only person I knew well enough to talk to was Tidus, and it wasn't likely that I would manage finding him at this point.

Dinner was a no- shower, a definite no. Being naked, even though behind a concealed shower, around a whole bunch of males didn't sound very appealing to me at the moment. I made up my mind to shower first thing tomorrow morning. Besides, sleeping on wet hair with such gravity defying spikes as mine were- not a good idea.

With nothing else TO do, I ventured back up the five flights of stairs I had just descended from upon arriving at Saint Helena's. Luckily I had found a pattern for finding room 705. If taken the flight of steps right next to Madame Beasley's room and continued upwards by using those steps only, I would arrive in a hallway very close to my room. Taking the first right, and then one left, I would be on the exact wing where my room existed. I tried remembering this by making notes of some objects along the way. There was a rusty set of nails, all puncturing the walls in a circular pattern next to the staircase I was to use- and even a loose floorboard that would make a loud "creak!" when stepped upon next the first "right turn" hallway.

Disturbingly enough, I seemed to be one of the very few people on the seventh story.

Perhaps what Tidus had mentioned about this particular floor being rather "creepy," was true. Perhaps not many people occupied rooms up here because something sinister lurked about.

This was a Catholic church after all. Many legends and horror stories could be given birth to in such a setting...

"Oh knock it off, Sora!" I muttered to myself, while turning the silver key in my door. "You're too old for ghost stories."

The room was exactly how I had left it- neat, organized. Well, minus one thing. Whoever my roommate was had left a folded uniform on top of their bed. Letting curiosity get the best of me, I ventured over to the uniform and looked at it's neat state.

Exactly like mine. Well, it looked a little bigger.

Ah, well. I had French homework that needed to be complete and the time was now 8:00.

Eight? It took me half an hour to get up here!

Time seemed to slip away even more quickly, disappearing into invisible negatives of the universe as I poured through my French book. The assignment seemed simple enough, yet, coming to French three weeks after school had started, I was behind the entire introductory chapter.

Write a letter to a parent telling them how you feel about your experiences at boarding school thus far.

Let it be known I had spoken maybe a total of fifty words to my parents ever since I was born. Much less, written a letter or not to them telling them about something as fragile as my feelings.

Dear Mom and Dad. I hate you. Please never speak to me ever again for as long as I live, but you probably won't have any difficulty with that task. Thanks. Your son, Sora.

Somehow sensing that was inappropriate for Madame Beasley, I quickly changed it, writing to a set of idealistic parents whom love was a mutual understanding between the three of us.

I finally finished the assignment in about an hour and a half. I wasn't sure if I had correctly written the letter or not, nor did I care. What was enticing my senses at the moment, however, was my new bed. I undressed, slipping into a white tee-shirt and dark red boxers. I let myself slide completely under the sheets, allowing them to engulf my entire body in a haven of comfort and warmth.

Sleep would not arrive. I wished for nothing more than it to bear it's peaceful mane and allow me to reach out and grasp it- however, sleep as much as irony, was cruel that night.

Another hour passed, marking the time at 11:30. I had completely given up on sleep, and instead had been formulating hypotheses in my mind as to where my roommate was. Miss. Aerieth had informed me early this morning that all students were to be in bed by 10:00, and no later.

"Maybe he's sick. Or maybe he's in trouble... maybe he snuck out. Or maybe everyone here isn't a goody-goody like you, Sora, and doesn't obey the rules to an exact t."

No sooner had I been voicing my opinions had I heard a loud commotion outside of the door. Obviously, my roommate was about to arrive, but what should I be doing? Acting casual no doubt.. yet I didn't want to just sit up in bed and stare at the door. That would probably make him believe I was the horror of floor seven and needed the local exorcist to come immediately down and rid me of such weird behavior.

Ultimately, I decided to lay down and keep my eyes fixated on the dark, wooden ceiling. Not two seconds later, the door loudly crashed open, followed by an even louder, "THUD!"

I didn't dare move.

"Hey, stop! He's sleeping!" A familiar voice grew distantly from my bed. My ears perked up, straining to hear the hushed conversation.

"Okay, okay! We're leaving- but remember, don't tell a soul!"

"Yeah, I know. Take it to the grave."

"Goodnight, Riku. I hope the bed bugs bite the fuck out of you."

"So it's mutual. Now get out."

RIKU?

My roommate was RIKU? The one Tidus had warned me to stay away from like the plague? Destiny herself was becoming bitchier by the progressing seconds, and I seemed to be number one on her hit list.

I shut my eyes tightly as soon as the light from outside had slowly trickled away from the room. It was pitch black for only a few seconds, before a lamp on the opposite side of the room was flicked on.

"Sorry if I woke you up," his voice called from the right.

I didn't answer him.

"Falling asleep before I got here? That's not very polite, Sora."

He knew my name?

"I guess I'll excuse it this time."

Excuse it?

"Who knows? Maybe we'll be friends. Maybe."

And perhaps we would. I could sense some shuffling about the room, but didn't dare open my eyes in order to see what he was doing.

"Goodnight- even though you can't hear me. It's kind of cool to have a roommate now."

Riku didn't seem so bad. In fact, I felt a bit ashamed that I hadn't answered him. In the morning, I decided, I would talk to him. I couldn't avoid this person forever, just as I couldn't escape many other things far worse in life- death, destiny. Irony.

"Goodnight," I silently whispered to myself.

I slept not one minute August Sixteenth.

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Author's Note: I hope that was a good start. Probably a slow one, but things get down right heated- and soon. It's summer so I'll be having plenty of time to work on this, so don't fear- I'm not an author who abandons her work for years and years. :) LAST NOTE be sure to let me know if the format appears messed up- symbols and such. I'm typing this on an Apple computer so I'm not sure how will like that. Also, be sure to let me know if the French mentioned here was extremely messed up in anyway. I don't take French, I'm actually going into my 5th year of Spanish so I was relying quite heavily on online translators- which can be not so trustworthy.