Some more world building and a little one-on-one time with our MC Roxas.

~StickyDough

Chapter 3

For the last four days, I have been spiraling due to my fixation with Axel. The ease with which he infiltrated my mind whilst hooking up with Riku had me avoiding each and every sexual encounter, but I could not do without it any longer or I would vent it out on everyone else. The itching in my veins and the fever on the back of my neck were a telltale sign that if I did not get someone into me immediately, it would not be just my burden anymore.

I dab my face with a damp paper towel before gargling with water in the wash basin. Luxord, the fitness teacher, was one of the few ups at an institution that has various downs. He is, by nature, a creep, but he is also a fantastic lay. He has a rustic quality about him. However, his obsessiveness and attempts to strike up a conversation with me, on the other hand, have been a significant drawback of the arrangement. I no longer have Hayner as a sex friend, so when Luxord tries to confine me in his office to prolong our meetings together with mundane chit chat, I protest at his incompetence, but return to him nonetheless. He has no awareness for the circumstance, and for someone who is meant to bear the accountability in the room, he demonstrates otherwise again and again. I cannot afford to lose another dick to touch, so I cut things early every time and escape before my shoes are ever laced. Nobody here, not even Riku, is privy of Luxord and my connection. My gaze is drawn to the mirror, I appear somewhat disoriented, and my hair is in disarray. The tension and heat my body had worn only this morning, had melting away and I felt like myself again. I comb my fingers through the tuffs of my messy hair. Luxord appreciates pulling on it, and I am not about to deny him such pleasures. I also revel in the sensation. I live for a touch of pain combined with my pleasure.

"Roxas Laurier, to the principal's office." The secretary's voice crackles over the aging speakers above me as she reads the page aloud. I am slamming the restroom door and dragging my ass to the office by the moment she repeats the instruction. I go down the corridor, passing a few other students, my gaze diverted as they stare at me. I have a small number of friends on campus and a few more outside of the schoolyard. I inspect the fluorescent-lit corridors shoehorned with science labs. My strides pause somewhat when I round a corner and approach the school's atrium, which is teeming with school pride. I bow out to the right and enter the front office.

"You've summoned me?" I inquired after being made to wait in front of the secretary's, Mrs. Hall' s, desk. There are a few mugs scattered about her desk as well as more than a dozen sticky notes. I get lost in the lettering of the plaque slightly askew on the desk that is adorning her name; Larxene Hall. She motions for me to sit down for a minute. My hands are in my pockets, and I fidget with the lighter and a few pieces of trash inside. I contemplate sitting in the marred furniture, they barely have any fabric left from the number of asses that have sat here. I slouch in a chair. I can just see her blonde hair peeking over her desk, and I wonder whether there is enough time for a slight nap. My answer is made evident by an ear-piercing, grating noise to my right, the principal's egress opening.

"Roxas." It was not a statement or a question, but an acknowledgment. It did not take much for me to recognize that I would be following him inside the room. He always reminded me of a character from a fantasy video game. With his extraordinarily long, well-groomed greying beard, he could pass as the mage. With their worn, sagging skin under them, his eyes carried so much wisdom. I enter his office, and he carefully closes the creaking wood as I take my seat.

"I spoke with your parents at the beginning of this week. Did they speak with you?" He asks while sweeping his fingers down his chin and then through the course hair of his beard. He settles into his chair and rests his palm on his stomach. His other hand was rearranging the folders that were stretched over his desk. I gave him a nod. "I told Sofie and Gilbert we had a plan and that you would keep your head down and work hard in school for the rest of the year. I presented you with numerous options. So, you can only blame yourself for this result."

Every day, I manage to avoid bashing Seifer with the closest fire extinguisher. Every week, he really tests my ability to remain patient. Mr. Sid flattens the files by moving them around. He hums to himself when he picks up a specific piece of paper.

"We have another pressing matter to discuss. Your grades have always been superb, and your standardized tests have always placed you at the head of the class. They have, however, been progressively falling during the prior month. Would you please explain why?" He asks, and his expression urges me to divulge all my secrets. Instead, I shrug, unsure how to convey to him that I have a gnawing propensity that eats at me daily, and my concentration is only on my next hookup, not if I can solve for X.

"These files demonstrate that you have greater potential than you are exhibiting. This is your final year of high school. And if things don't improve, you could have to stay for another year, which you obviously don't want. You have the capacity and the time to turn things around, Roxas. This is only the beginning of the first semester. It should be a simple year, one filled with fond recollections of successes"—He smiles at me genuinely— "If they are declining for personal reasons, it is not my responsibility to pry, but rather to provide solutions to improve the situation…" While he speaks, my thoughts are elsewhere, on lunch and what plans I can make for the afternoon. I have been trying to keep myself distracted since Sunday, telling myself not to get too caught up in the glitch my imagination created that night with Riku. Said glitch, was nowhere to be found today with my midmorning romp with Luxord.

"Maybe you should talk to the guidance counselor. Aerith—Ms. Feiffer, offers a wealth of materials to help you achieve this year, for your own sake. I recommend starting there, as well as with your professors. Request suggestions about how to improve your grades. Maybe some additional credit if it's available? So, if there is nothing further, I can do for you, please feel free to go. However, make a note of my warning: we will not be having this conversation again." His smile fades and he shares a guise familiar to my father's when he is discussing spending habits with my mother. I nod in agreement and lift myself from the chair. "And Roxas, have higher hopes for yourself, will you?" Before I leave the room, I gently bob my head up and down, signifying to him that I understand, and he waves. My head dips as I bid Larxene farewell, who just grunts in response.

Wasn't the principal meant to be terrifying and the secretary to be sweet? Oh, how the turns have tabled.

As I meander to the classroom, my feet scuff on the polished checkered tile of the hallways. Everyone in this building has a concept of what they want to do with the remainder of their life. It is unfortunate, but whenever I consider something, I come up short. My current plans deviate from toddler Roxas' inflated expectations. I cannot seem to find anything more engaging than sex, whether I am fire-fighter or an astronaut.

Prostituting or porn looks like a promising profession right now.

A glimpse of Axel, the prude, has ignited my mind. Axel very undoubtedly knew what he wanted to be for the rest of time from the onset. Mr. Vespertine had fostered in Axel the necessity of long-term planning and aspiring high since he was a youngster. In moments like this, I yearned for Hayner, who had relocated a hundred miles west to a more diverse place, and I envied him. I had no method of getting to him, so I had to be appreciative for any phone call he could grant me. Hayner, Riku, Luxord, and Axel. They were the only people in town who genuinely knew who I was. It stung me to realize that Axel was still the one who knew me best. But the instant he saw Hayner and I rutting on each other, he flung me to the curb. And I did not have any special ability to travel to the past and prevent it all from unfolding.

The sandblasted glass on the AP History door hinders my view of the classroom. I enter by gripping the rusty, bronze knob. I glance at the clock just above the lesson board and discover I have missed the majority of the lecture. I deliver the instructor my pink slip, which Mr. Sid had given me to justify my delay, and he accepts it with a nod. Mr. Xehan excuses me, and I take my seat next to my dear friend, Xion. I strut up to my chair, which scuffs noisily on the flooring as I settle myself for the short spell my ass will remain in it.

"Hello there, troublemaker." Xion whispers, and I unintentionally roll my eyes.

"Xion, I'm not a troublemaker." I say under my breath, leaning across my desk to make sure she hears me.

"Oh, like that hasn't been the fourth time in a month that you've been called on the intercom. Don't be silly. I see you, bad boy." She snickers into her palm. The bell sounds, and I notice how ironic it is that I have wasted a whole lesson where I might have been learning, instead to discuss about how I am having problems studying. Perhaps if they did not exert so much energy hauling me out of class, I would be performing better.

As we proceed towards my locker, Xion clings to me like Velcro. This year, she has made her flirtation with me much more blatant. I feign being a loveless idiot and ignore her efforts in the hopes that she would move on. The kids lining up at their lockers have become less discrete in their spying. My fist collides with Seifer' s jaw and whenever it connects, my name is hailed on the overhead. Everyone knows he deserves it, but no one has the guts to speak up about it.

I thought bullies were so early 2000's?

We take our meal trays from the auditorium and proceed to our court yard table. The sun shone, and it was that season when it was perfectly comfortable at midday and freezing in the night. Xion ordered a salad, while I purchased a pizza. I toss her my apple juice and take a seat atop the table, waiting for the rest of the party to arrive.

"So, I heard they might skip prom this year to save money for the senior trip." Xion says while drizzling her salad with the portable packet of sauce.

"What senior trip? This town isn't big enough for those. It's most likely a journey to your own backyard. 'Look at that, kids, it's a native tree to here—and anywhere else—but we have them here too'!" I express this in a deeper, more scratchy tone of voice.

Xion giggles and raises her hand shaking it from left to right fitfully.

"Who knows what they have planned? However, I do know," The remaining of her sentence is spoken in a sing song voice, "There will be a Christmas ball." She bats her thick lashes at me. Aside from Riku and me, this tactic could work on any other male in the vicinity. I just stare at her blankly, causing the atmosphere to go stale.

"Hey Rox, Xion!" Kairi follows Riku and his crush, Sora, to the table. They were inseparable, and it made me miss the days when Axel, Hayner, and I were the same.

"What are you guys talking about?" Sora chimes in, with a voice as clear as a dinner bell.

"Xion was just telling me about the Christmas ba—"

"The Christmas ball!?" Kairi shouts cheerfully as she jumps up and down. Fortunately, she had already laid her plate down; otherwise, she would have been dressed in taco trimmings.

"Yea…" I recoil into the table, disturbed by the two women's enthusiasm for something so trivial. "…She was telling me about how they may cancel prom? And a imaginary school trip for seniors."

"Oh yeah, those two things, they're not going to happen." Riku bites into his apple, shaking his head. We watch him, his expression is baffled. "What? My father is on the board of education—come on guys—you know this! And, owing to all of our fancy new technology, they'll have to start selling kidneys to pay for any of it."

"What school doesn't have a prom?" Kairi moans and Sora laughs. "Are we really that off the grid?"

"I think I looked at a map once and we weren't even on it. Are we even real? Is this a simulation!?" Sora's mouth howls and Riku clamps his hand over it, successfully shutting him up.

I chewed attentively, eager to get over this topic, painstakingly engrossed in recollections of sleeping with Riku.

"Do you know who you want to go to the dance with?" Xion leans closer, her gaze fastened on mine. I struggle with my facial features to conceal my discontent. My glance shifted from hers to Riku, who was staring me down in the lawn across from me. Our gazes exchanged a silent discussion. I urged him for rescue, and his response was to continue watching me drown.

"That's a long way off, Xion. I have no idea what I'll be doing. I'm considering getting a job at some point before then." I shrug and poke at the peaches in my plastic cup, avoiding eye contact with her and the nosy Riku.

"That's true," she sighs, "It is like…2 months away. Besides, we should be thinking about what we'll do for Halloween." Her voice is brimming with excitement, and my thoughts immediately turn to what I want to do for the weekend, it is to get as inebriated as possible. My attention moves from Riku's shoes to his gaze, and his focus is still fixed on me. He can sense my thoughts have been absent since Sunday night. The cause being that I imagined Axel railing me and not him that night. I offer the slate haired boy a chaste grin and turn away, certain that neither Axel nor Riku will ever come to find out. I lazily listen to my pals' costume-choice brags and their current studying methods.

"What are your plans for All Hollow's Eve?" Xion is prying me open once more, digging for me to communicate now, when I am armored up and snug in my solitude. "Wanna come out with us? We could dress as a Disney couple." She proposes, and Riku almost spits out his meal while coughing violently. There is activity in my peripheral vision, and I can overhear Seifer smugly taunting me.

"You and Roxas, a couple!? The guy's little peen is exclusively for dudes, so keep dreaming!" My fists clench, and I spare him a glare. I can see Riku's expression turn dim in the corner of my vision, and I remind myself of the mess I am already in because of this douche-canoe. His snarky remarks prattle on, "Even if he did swing your way, you gloomy chicks are attention sluts, which is a double turn off—"

I spring from the table and force him to the ground. My hold on his shirt collar was merciless. I vigorously shake him, and his head lurches back and forth.

"What in the actual fuck—is your problem?!" I growl through barred teeth.

"Oh, did I strike a nerve, Rox-ass?!" He provokes me even more, and I am fuming at this point.

I cannot see what my friends are doing, but I hear Xion' s short gasp and whip my fist into his cheek. His head smacks on the ground. He quickly recovers and abruptly strikes at the inner joint of my elbow. I slump forward, unsteady, and he tosses me to the side. Seifer now has the upper hand, pinning me under with his gravity on my hips, however I immediately uppercut him from underneath, and his head snaps in withdrawal, his palm cradling his jaw, and he tumbles. My entire body heaves rearwards as I am dragged across the grass to my stumbling feet, my perspective of the group and Seifer's bloody lip dwindling.

"Break it up, gentlemen!" Mr. Leonhart shouts over my head so that everyone can hear. With a stunned expression, I scan around me and notice that the wide space is unnaturally hushed. I am turned around to face the instructor, and his hands are securely gripping my biceps, mildly shaking me, asking for my attention. "You can't keep doing this!" His brow furrows beneath his dark hair, distorting the scar on his face.

"As long as he keeps running his soup hole, I'll keep flinging my fists into it!" I shout at him feeling increasingly agitated.

"You'll both be grownups before you know it. In the near future, acts like this result in assault charges, Roxas. I am taking you to visit the counselor." He swivels towards the luncheon's entrance, dragging me along by one arm. In any altercation, Mr. Leonhart makes the ideal mediator. For anyone who defy commands, he possesses brute strength and a tight leash.

"May I finish my food first?" Mr. Leonhart motions to my pals, and Riku throws my apple to him, who hastily places it in my empty palm. "Thanks." I grumble insincerely, while glaring up at him. My temples start pounding.

"You're welcome." He tugs on my forearm gruffly, and I return my attention to my friends. Xion mouths and apology at me. And all I can do is lean my head back and moan in despair as he escorts me away.

I had been advised twice in eight hours that I needed to see a counselor. And I was beginning to believe it myself. However, not for the reasons they mentioned. After all that had transpired in the previous 24 hours, I was more fixated on Axel than on anything else that was going on. Perhaps I had some deep-seated issues with how our friendship dissolved, and it was worthwhile to get therapy. It was a momentary idea. Nevertheless, it is a strong theory. My subconscious conjured up a dirty scenario about someone who would sooner leave the country than sleep with me.

I access the pantry closet in my kitchen and pull out a honey bun from its hiding place. When the confection reaches my tongue, it is a pure treat. I take a seat on the bar stool that is situated near the peninsula counter. I sift through my phone aimlessly. I have two hours until my parents return home. My finger hovers above Riku's icon, and I wonder whether a little ride on his dick will relieve some of my stress. After what transpired the last time we spent alone, I determined to just smoke some pot instead.

I consume my snack idly and swivel on the stool to view the bay window that overlooks the backyard. In front of it is a kitchenette constructed of shiny cherry wood. I smack my palm on the counter and get out of my seat. I dispose of my garbage and enter the living room on the left. I contemplate the manner in which I want to indulge myself, my hand on the handle of the sliding rear exit.

What's better, paper or glass? Paper, it's simpler.

My steps lead me to the shed in the furthest corner of the yard, where I hunt for my concealed tin. I find it and return to the porch swing across the landscape. I rummage through the tight pockets of my denim jacket to find my lighter. I pinch the blunt, light it, and pull hard. My lungs inflate, and a hot burn spreads to my uvula. I exhale the smoke, and a tingling sensation passes from my eyelids to my ears. My head feels heavier on my spine after a few more draws, so I recline to fully decompress. With my lashes shut, the late-afternoon sun turns my lids a translucent orange. I can hear the birds chittering and the trees rustling in the air. My leg sways back and forth, swinging the bench, and I remember how much I miss Hayner. I sit up, take out my phone, and send him a quick text.

Big dope: Hey man! I miss you too! I am visiting winter break to see my cousins. So, not much longer and we get to hang. You gonna be in town then?

I respond saying 'Yea' and that I 'Look forward to it.' I ask him if he is available to call, and he tells me he is not, but pledges to call soon. Loneliness creeps into me, so I ponder texting Riku. I brush the notion aside and remind myself that I do not want a repeat of Sunday, I had my fill with Luxord this morning and that should suffice for now. I snuff out the blunt and return my tin to the shed before walking into the house. I hurdle over the posterior of the couch, landing on it with a thud. I lie down and occupy the rest of the early evening scrolling through social media. Axel and I are considered friends on these platforms, but we cannot bring ourselves to utter a simple greeting at one another in person. He is two years older than me, and we did not go to high school together, but we made efforts to see each other often until a few years ago.

How do two individuals who were once so close become utter strangers?

I have so many suppressed sentiments that I wish I could let free. Perhaps I would not turn to fights and drugs, and maybe sex would be less tempting if I could find the grit to tell everyone how I truly felt. I am convinced Axel has never had a disparaging blemish smear his renowned moral reputation. He does not even consume meat. He is friendly and harmless, yet my mind wanders to when we used to faux wrestle. He had me pinned captive more times than I could count. My mind receives a sharp warning from the memories. My skin warms up and my cheeks flush.

Come on Roxas, we were just playing around back then. It was completely innocent. No need to pitch a tent over it.

I bolt from the sofa and make a quick dash to the restroom. The platform beneath my room creates an awning, which contains my parents' room and a half-bath. I step in and close the access. My breathing becomes laborious, and I hurriedly turn on the faucet. Splashing chilled water on my face, I stare at myself in the reflection. My pupils are flared as a result of the sexual tension I am emanating. My irises are glassy, and I chastise the high for these filthy stimulations.

Fine. One time, and one time only.

I accept defeat and succumb to the dire urge to alleviate the pressure beneath my zipper.

I slink against the frame, slipping to the floor, and remove my pants hurriedly. The sticky area over my blue boxer's chill in the air and makes me quiver and my hand begins its uncouth ministrations. As I feel myself pulsing against my palm, my pelvis lifts off the floor. I draw myself out of the cotton slit, spitting into my cupped palm and slowly massage my swelling tip. My dick drips into my fist, and I release a shaky gasp. The nape of my neck is damp, my extended legs are wobbly, and my knees are on the verge of collapsing from fatigue. I am disoriented and my eyelids are clenched tight.

I visualize Axel with me. His long fingers trace the clean angles of my hips and collarbone, his palm caresses the contours of my thigh and eager ass, his brilliant orbs never departing from my own. He is tugging on himself between my spread legs, while I unashamedly open up my tight core for him. The redhead's wrist twists furiously, his hand raising and dipping, stroking his engorged heat from tip to base, his sturdy thighs quivering in response to the stimulus. My tongue languidly swipes across my bottom lip, as though I am doing so for Axel to see.

My spine strains against the solid door, and my pelvis elevates to gain greater access to myself. I buck forward for him, and he thrusts into his fist, the V in his pelvis flexing and releasing. In actuality, my body is flawlessly enacting the scene, and I can immediately feel my thigh muscles spasm, signifying my climax. My saliva-slick fingers pry the ring to my insides open vigorously, and my entire body quivers. I bash my head against the room's aperture, convinced that I am going insane.

I stifle a moan as my other palm concentrates on jerking myself hard with a tight fist. My dream Axel is sliding his hand up my chest, plucking at my nipples, and I yelp in feigned torment. His lips are uttering encouraging platitudes, and my head is swinging from side to side. My animosity for him continues to lurk beneath my existing attraction towards him, which feels indecent. His fingertips drop lower tickling my pelvis then the sensitive skin below my sack, and he inserts a long finger into my opening, joining my own frantic actions, and that was all I needed to finish this mistake. I feel myself capturing his name on my tongue once more as my seed spills from the tip of my cock.

"Supper is ready." My father mutters into to my room. I retreated here for a post-jack off snooze. I fiddle with my sleep-ridden hair, grab my sweatpants off the bed's edge, and leave my room. As I descend the stairs, my sight is drawn to a huge family photo from my childhood on the wall below. A doorway is located in the foyer of the entry, across from the cubby pocketing a coat closet. My mother is preparing the meal with a sizzling pot of roast and potatoes. I scratch my head once again and yawn bitterly. I walk into the dining room, scratching at my bare stomach.

"Imagine my astonishment, Roxas, when I received a call at work stating that you had done exactly what you had told me you would not do. To top it all off, your grades are slipping like frosting on the cake. This is a lot worse than you lead me to expect! Things are not 'fine,' are they?" Her jaw is clenched, and her chin is flushed with anger. Her round eyes are peering directly into my spirit, and I greatly regret getting out of bed. I clear my throat, fully conscious from the barrage of words coming at me.

"Mom, I'm not sure what you're banking on! He is a bully. And a damned grade-A one at that. He taunts me, and I'm simply meant to accept it? Screw that! I told you I would try, and I did. I always do." I explain, and her brow furrows in annoyance as she forcefully shovels food upon my father's plate.

"It's not just the fighting! It's your grades too! We can work on your ineptitude to withhold your fists, but your schoolwork suggests that there are bigger issues at hand. Your father and I concur with Ms. Feiffer and Mr. Sid, and I will make some calls to get you to a specialist." She does not bother to even regard my standing here when she speaks.

"You're also grounded till further notice." My father adds sparing me no glances.

"What does that even mean?" I cannot keep the plaintive tone out of my shaking voice.

"Exactly what it sounds like, until Christmas or spring? That is dependent on what you show us." He is casually browsing through the paper and sipping from his glass.

I am livid. I stomp around the table, along the left wall, and enter the kitchen through the opening. I rip open the cabinet and take out a pop-tart. This evening, dining with the parents was out of the cards. I race up the stairs and slam my door closed, sealing them out for the remainder of the night, ignoring my mother's objections. I texted Riku, begging with him to let me see him.

Riku: Sure, what's going on?

Me: When can I come over to hang out?

Riku: Whenever, my parents are out. Like hang out, or 'hang out?' ;)

Me: Both. I always want both.

Riku: Just let me know when you are heading out. I look forward to 'both.'

AN: Edited because the line break answer was there all along. Here's to not giving up ya'll! Bless lol.

~StickyDough :3