I'm so glad you guys are the patient type. Sorry, I couldn't update regularly. I was busy all week.
Okay for this chapter, it's going to be a bit sad in the beginning and then go right to Valentine's Day which, if I'm right, is tomorrow in this story.
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"Hello, everyone."
"Hey, Kairi." The gang mumbled back quietly as they nibbled at their lunch. Kairi searched the circular table.
"Where's Namine?"
"She went out to lunch with Riku today. He told us that maybe it would take her mind of other 'things'."
"Oh. Thanks, Olette."
The auburn-haired girl took her place next to her boyfriend, Sora, and began to munched on her bagged lunch. Swallowing a mouthful of a roast beef sandwich, Kairi took the chance to examine her fellow peers.
They looked absolutely miserable.
No jokes from Hayner. No play fighting between Roxas, Hayner, or Pence. No advice from Olette. Even Selphie, who was always so buoyant, lacked the same playful luster in her eye.
Sora though tried desperately to liven up the party with some humor, but to no avail. Everyone was practically lifeless and benumb.
The uncomfortable, sane atmosphere was beginning to scare Kairi. No nobody was ever this silent before, but she knew exactly why they were this way.
After Namine's mother passed away, it appeared as if the whole group had lost someone dear to them. Namine's morose behavior spread like a wildfire through each and every one of her friends. The blond failed to realize this concept though.
"Can you guys believe?"
The soft, whispering voice of Kairi weaved its way around the table, earning the dark, redhead some questioning looks.
"Believe what, Kai?"
She smiled at her boyfriend's curiosity, but didn't try to look at him. She did, though, receive glances that seek the same answer, only silently.
"That its been almost a month in a half since Mrs. Yugowa died. I mean it's still kinda hard to imagine, right? She was always so strong and committed to whatever she put her mind to."
Silence.
"But Kairi," Olette started shakily, checking around a times to make sure Namine was not around yet. It was always a tender spot to talk about when Namine was around, so eventually the subject was dropped. "Why...Why are you so instant on bringing this up? You know it hurts us to keep thinking about it."
Kairi shrugged, casually leaning her elbows on the surface of the plastic.
"I remember something that my mom told me when I was little. When Grandma had died, I locked myself up in my room for hours just sitting there and moping. I refused to talk to anyone, not wanting them to know how I felt, but.."
By now, the crew edged closer to their buddy, eager to know what the moral of the story was.
"Then my mom would come up and sit me on her lap. She urged me constantly to reveal how I felt about the whole situation. Her continuous method eventually got me to open up and afterwards, I felt extremely better."
Roxas raised an eyebrow in confusion.
"Well, what's the point?"
Kairi stuck out her hand and struck the back of her noggin lightly.
"Oops. Almost forgot that part."
The table chuckled a bit from Kairi's horrible memory.
"My point is that you need to talk about whatever bothers you. I know it may seem difficult to accept the death of a loved one, but why try to neglect speaking about them or remembering the good times you had together? I'm sure they'd be upset."
Suddenly, two arms enveloped themselves around Kairi's neck. The face of a teary-eyed Namine was rested against her friend's shoulder, smiling. It was a sad smile, yes, but one of understanding too.
"Thank, Kai." Namine whispered. "I needed to hear that."
The blond detached herself from her amiga and took her designated seat next to Roxas. Beaming now, Roxas took Namine's hands in his own and looked her straight in the eye.
"You know what, Namie?"
She titled her head to the side in wonder. The spiky-haired blond blushed slightly and cooed inside his head.
'She's so cute!'
"I'm really glad and lucky to have known your mom. Even if it was for a short time. She's definitely someone worth talking about."
"Th-Thanks, Roxas."
Namine flew right into Roxas' arms, making the boy tense up. She had never hugged him before.
The murmuring of the group's acquiescing fell on deaf ears as Roxas slowly wrapped his arms around her, breathing in her strawberry-scented shampoo as he did so.
'Oh yes...I could definitely get use to this.'
After a few minutes, the gang was back to their normal selves, chattering and giggling about the funny times they spent with Mrs. Yugowa, at and away for the hospital. Finally, the bell rang, signaling the next four minutes where time to prepare for class.
The clique was about to disband when Selphie used Pence's shoulders to propel herself in the air while shouting:
"Oh snap! Tomorrow's Valentine's Day!"
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The day went quickly ended on a better note then when it started. Namine was feeling much better and was walking home now with a little skip in each step.
Plus, school was halfway over.
Namine pumped her fist in the air, but lowered it as she heard some laughing from behind her. Turning, she smiled.
"Hey, Riku. What's up? And where's your car?"
Riku stood there with a buttons on the top of his shirt unbutton, showing off some of his chest which made our girl blush a healthy pink. He walked up to her and slung an arm around her shoulders.
"Well, aren't you in a chipper mood. I assume you're feeling okay."
"Oh yeah, I'm fine and it's all thanks to my friends. They're just so helpful and understanding."
"I'm sure they are."
They continued to walk in silence until Riku remembered something.
"Oh and about my car," He laughed, caressing the back of his head. "I kinda crashed it into a tree."
"The hell?"
"I was out on one of my drinking escapades with some colleagues."
"Well, I'm glad you're safe. You can't be too careful these days."
"Yeah."
They trekked forth once again. After a few minutes of silence ebbing at her, Namine decided it was time to finally pop the dreaded question that plagued her constantly. She stopped and Riku followed suit.
"What's wrong, Namie?"
Azure eyes looked towards the floor, not sure sure on how to start.
"Umm, Riku...I was wondering if you remembered that night at Hayner's house when you..." She gulped, flushing. This was not something she was use to talking about.
"Yes?"
She inhaled deeply.
"When you kissed me. I wanted to know if that makes us..ahh...you know...boyfriend and girlfriend?"
Riku smirked leaning really close to Namine, making her uncomfortable. She didn't like how his eyes glinted.
So she backed up, hoping to have some distance between herself and Riku. Unfortunately, he proceeded after her.
"Maybe yes." Namine felt her back suddenly collide with something hard. Gazing over her shoulder, her front door was pressed up against her back. Riku's hands laid themselves onto her waist, closing the distance. "Maybe no."
His hot breath was brushing against her face, making her shudder. In pleasure? Or was it fear of some sort? She honestly didn't know.
"R-Riku..."
"Why don't we find out right now?"
Riku swooped down for the kill, but Namine reacted quickly by opening the door behind her and slipping in, slamming the door right in his kisser. The silver-haired man shot back, massaging his red, now bulbous nose.
He was so pissed right now, that he was about to kick open the door and show Namine how he exactly felt at this moment. But he stalked away, while wiping out his phone.
He had a call to make.
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BRIIIIIIING
Groggily, Namine successfully was able to shut off her alarm clock without smashing it to pieces. She exited her warm bed and did her daily routine before vanishing down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Upon entry, she saw her father and brother chowing down to some bacon and eggs. Mr. Yugowa glanced up from the paper and smiled.
"Morning, dear. Did you sleep well?"
"Sure did. I'm so hyped that I could probably run around town four times before getting tired."
"Glad to hear it."
Taking a seat adjacent from her brother, Namine reached for some bacon when a chestnut-colored jewelry box on her plate caught her attention. She gently fingered the box before opening it, admiring the craftsmanship.
The lid flipped open and tears welled up in Namine's eyes.
In the box, twirled a little ballerina with a tune she remembered as a lullaby her mom use to sing her before she got sick. At the feet of the dancer, sat a gold, heart-shaped necklace with a small, teardrop diamond in the middle.
"Wh-Wha..."
Namine gently removed the jewelry from case. Her father soon was behind her, latching the chain around her doughy neck.
"It was in your mother's will for me to give it to you on Valentine's Day. It was her most precious of items."
Haku was now standing besides his daddy and humming to the song from the chest. The girl hugged both figures tightly.
"I'll cherish it forever."
Glancing at the clock, Namine kissed her dad and ran out the door saying 'thanks' and 'I'm gonna be late!' She ran down the street as fast as lightning, praying to make it on time.
All the while, she grasped her mother's pendant and gazed towards the sky.
'Thanks, mom.'
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I'm sorry if I made Namine's depression stage go a little too quick. I just didn't want to upset some reviewers from all the dreariness. But...Valentine's Day is here for our girl, soooo let's see what unfolds next chapter!
Stay tuned!
