9. Promise
Sora slumped miserably on the sandy shore. He was quiet except for his defeated groaning. If the sand decided to swallow him up, he wouldn't have the energy to run. Falling flat on his back, he kicked up his legs. All he could do was release an aggrieved groan for his troubles.
Listlessly watching the tide, he thought about the gulf between him and Riku. He had lost another race to Riku's quick thinking and nimble feet. Shouldn't the Keyblade have made him, he didn't know, magically faster or something? Sometimes it felt like he would never reach Riku's level. It could make a guy feel real crummy.
The familiar crunch of shoes to sand came from behind him. Looking above, he saw the familiar sight of Kairi smiling warmly down on him. It was just a nice look to her that had his heart swooning. Confessing to her had been one of the greatest choices of his admittedly short life. When her eyes lit up and lips spread gently, he could only clench his fist in victory. It was a side of her that he felt was exclusive to him and he wanted to bask in its presence whenever it revealed itself. This was his girlfriend.
"Here," she said. In her hand was a cold can of juice.
He could even see the wisps of cold air seeping off the metal. As he reached to grab it, he slid his hand across her fingers with tender affection. By the looks of her warming cheeks, she was aware of what he was doing but didn't pull away or scold him.
"Thanks," sitting up, he popped the top and slowly gulped the beverage. It chilled his parched throat. Sora sighed loudly in contentment.
"Glad you enjoy it," she said with a giggle. She took a seat near him and gazed into the waters.
"Do you think I'll ever be as good as Riku?" he asked in a near quiet voice. The tenseness of his voice revealed his actual concern.
Kairi frowned, "Why are you two so competitive anyway?" It had always bothered her how her two friends were so serious about this rivalry of theirs. Most times everything was fine but there were intense moments that she felt bordered to hostility. It was alarming to say the least. She could see Riku being like that but Sora was usually so sweet.
Sora huffed in frustration before relaxing, "Before you came along, I used to follow Riku everywhere. There's just something about him that you can't help but admire. He always seemed so sure of himself. Anything he set out to do, he did it. It's inspiring. I guess I wanted to be like that. I thought if I beat him then I would be as cool as him."
Kairi shifted her hand over his and squeezed softly causing his tension to melt away. "I like you the way you are. For what it's worth, I think you're plenty cool." Scooting even closer, she rested her head comfortably on his shoulder.
"R-Really?" he asked with earnest surprise. Cool was an image he attached solely to Riku. The thought that Kairi honestly considered him cool was just so flattering. His very heart seemed to radiate joy causing him to smile widely.
"Never change," she said.
"What?" he questioned in confusion. She sounded a lot more serious than he expected. Looking in her eyes, he could see the pleading in them. It unnerved him just how intense she could be. Then again, a lot of things were being revealed about her life before Destiny Islands. Something like that would make anyone intense.
"I'm serious," she added, "People can easily lose themselves in life. You're the last person I want to see consumed. I just want you to always stay true to yourself."
Sora wrapped his arm around her waist and spoke with a soft soothing suave voice, "I promise to stay true to my heart."
Giggle broke through her lips despite her efforts to do otherwise, "I can't take you seriously with that voice, Sora. Knock it off."
Affection bubbled in his chest hearing her mood lift in a bout of laughter. It was one of the greatest sounds to grace his ears.
"Whatever you say… dearly beloved," his voice gained a noble tone not unlike an old knight.
Her giggling was turning into snorts.
"Why do you guffaw, my lady? Don't think twice of my simple and clean words. I am merely facing my fears to let you know you are my sanctuary," now his words had an air of mock pompous offense.
Sora had to make sure to support her lest she fall into the sand.
