AUTHOR'S NOTE: Just some things before we get started in this fic. This is an AU where things are slightly more realistic, there isn't any magic but characters like Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are still anthropomorphic animals. That said, I decided to make Sora, Roxas, and Ventus siblings and their parents are Cloud and Aerith. I will also be including other Disney and Final Fantasy characters that didn't quite make it in tbe original games. Feedback and suggestions are encouraged. :) Enjoy.

Waves crashing over me, the feel of two worrisome pairs of hands grabbing me. My friends. I can barely process anything as salt stung my eyes as they pulled me out of the water and closer to shore.

"Sora!"

"Sora!"

"Sora."

My eyes snapped open and I was met with the fogged up window of the bus. To my left was my twin brother Roxas, looking at me with his brows raised. "Oh good," he said, his eyes flickering back to the fake leather of the seat in front of us. "I thought you were sleeping. We're almost there."

There.

It was our first day of Sophomore year since we moved from Twilight Town. My parents thought it would be a nice new start for us, apart from my older brother Ventus who stayed at his prep school, Land of Departure. The name sounded pretty pretentious to me but when you think about it, it made sense. Classes were rigorous, preparing students for the working world, it was no joke. They kinda deserve a pretentious name and given the fact that Ventus has to live there on campus, the name was ironic. He left us to a place with "departure" in the name.

Roxas and I could never.

I'm not much of a smart kid but I don't let that hurt me too much. Wish I could say the same for Roxas.

I glanced at him but he wouldn't meet my gaze. I should be used to that by now, but Roxas was distant and it didn't sting any less. I should've known Roxas was distancing himself from me when he dyed his hair blonde and started styling it differently (funnily enough, he looked more like Ventus now.) We both had naturally brown hair, figured Rox' would want to look less like me. He wasn't like me at all. Never stopped our parents from dressing us similarly though. Even now we had similar clothes. We were both wearing baggy shorts and multilayered tops with high top shoes. We don't really shop for ourselves yet, our mom took care of that.

The bus came to a slow and stopped. I didn't need to look out the window to know we arrived at our new school.

Look out Disney High, here comes Sora.

I followed Roxas off of the bus and took one step into my new life. I was met with brisk air, causing the hair on my arms to stand.

Now what?

Roxas wasted no time, hurrying off, barely leaving time for me to catch up. Picking up my step, I called after him. "Hey Rox', wait up!" Unfortunately, he only walked faster. "Rox'!"

I heard him sigh and watched as he turned on his heel to face me, causing me to skid to a halt before I bumped into him. "We don't have to hang out at school, you know. Remember, mom encouraged us to make some new friends. I'm going to do just that." he states flatly. His eyes flicker down at my shoes and trailed down to his own. "Okay?"

"Okay," I echoed. "Uh, seeya Roxas."

"Bye."

With that, I was left alone outside until Roxas' backpack disappeared behind the school doors. My heart sank. Why was he so quick to get rid of me? Shouldn't we stick together, especially at a time like this? I exhale slowly. I should at least make the best of it. All I could think about was mom asking how my day went at dinnertime. Guess I'll have to give her something to talk about. Smiling to myself, I fixed my posture and made my way to the glass doors of the school.

Inside, Disney High was a spectacle. It looked way bigger on the inside and it was brightly lit, not a single fixture was broken. Not like my old school. Disney High obviously cared about its reputation as one of the best schools in the country. Even the walls were painted with murals, often depicting students finding their "happily ever afters." About time I found mine.

I wasn't looking where I was going as I was admiring the murals when I bumped into something hard. A sharp shoulder hit my Adam's apple causing me to gag.

"Hey," a rumbly voice had said and I looked up. "Watch it."

"Oops! I'm sorry, I didn't me to一" I had bumped into a person! And by the looks of it, he seemed pretty angry. Sharp blue eyes glowered at me from behind a curtain of silver hair and I felt my heart drop. Was he… was he going to punch me? My mind was already racing, I could picture myself in the nurse's office, having to call my mom or dad because I had gotten a black eye. But that's when a softer voice saved me. "Riku!" a hand shot out and grabbed his. "What would Principal Mouse say if you got into a fight on the first day of school!"

My eyes dropped down to look at the dainty hand gripping Riku's (I assume) hand and trailed up their arm, only to be greeted by a warm face with a kind expression. She was… pretty. The redheaded girl managed to get Riku to turn away from me with a huff. "Fine." He started strutting away, forcing the girl to trail behind him.

"Sorry about that!" she called back, turning enough towards me so that she could wave. "I'm Kairi by the way, be seeing you!"

"Uh, see you!" I smiled, helplessly waving back until I couldn't see the pair anymore.

Well that was weird but I sure am glad I did not end up getting punched. I kinda wish Roxas had stayed with me.

(x) (x) (x)

So far, my first day was going by smoothly. I didn't end up in any classes with Roxas, though I managed to make at least one friend in every class. In 1st period English I met a girl named Alice and we shared our collective grief over homework. In 2nd period History, I met another girl named Ariel who was mute. So, we just passed notes to each other since she sat right next to me. Surprisingly, we were never caught. 3rd period Home Ec there was a girl named Snow White who giggled at me. Well一 she giggled at everyone, Snow White was nice like that I guess.

Speaking of Home Ec, my stomach rumbled. Luckily, I had lunch next. I don't think I could have suffered a class about food for much longer. All I could think about was the lunch mom packed us. It was always a surprise and she always insisted she'd pack it for us. Mom would never let her kids eat school lunch, much less make our own lunch much to dad's dismay. He thinks she spoils us too much, which I guess is true.

When I made it to the cafeteria (I was almost lost but I just followed the large mass of students), I just stood there with my hand gripping my backpack strap. Where should I sit? Should I sit with Roxas? I wasn't even sure he had the same lunch as me and with one quick sweep of the cafeteria, I couldn't see him. Maybe I'd sit next to Alice… or Snow White, or Ariel even. I flashed back to earlier that day. Maybe that Kairi girl will let me sit next to her. Even if it meant I had to sit next to Riku. I spotted the two huddled up together in a corner一sitting on the floor of all places一and started to make my way over when cold wind blew past me, signifying people were rushing beside me. I could only make out the backsides of these people. Two girls, one in a denim jacket and another in a pale yellow sweater followed by a tall muscle...ly guy.

"She said leave her alone, Gaston." said the girl in the denim jacket. She had brown skin and a long black braid down her back. Her expression was annoyed.

"I wasn't talking to you Jasmine, I was talking to Belle."

"And now I'm talking to you, go away and stop harassing us."

"Who's harassing you?"

"Leave it alone Jasmine." yellow sweater interjected as she adjusted her glasses. Strands of brown hair hovered over her eyes. "He's obviously not going to listen, so let's just go." She hugs a book closer to her chest sheepishly. The other girl, Jasmine frowned. "If… you say so."

Jasmine threw a dirty glance back at Gaston before whisking Belle away, leaving Gaston to turn away and give up.

I didn't really know how to process what I had just witnessed and it momentarily distracted me from what I was going to do in the first place. Some first day, huh Sora?

I must've looked so out of it because I felt a new presence lean on me, placing their elbow on my shoulder.

"Man, if girls don't go for guys who look like that, what luck do we have huh?"

"Huh?" I glanced at this stranger, a slightly older boy. Brown skin, dark hair, dark eyes that shone with amusement.

"Oh y'know, I figured plenty of girls prefer guys with big muscles." he replies, chuckling to himself. He was making a joke about how thin we were, I think. Either way, it wouldn't be so wrong. He bit back his laughter and looked at me, offering his hand to shake, introducing himself. "Aladdin."

I firmly take his hand. "Sora."

"Nice to meetcha Sora, care to sit with me?" Aladdin asks warmly. He didn't wait for a reply and simply led me to some empty spots at a table. "I don't think I recognize you from last year." He sat across from me and watched me sit down as he leaned across the table.

I take off my backpack and place it on my lap so I can get my lunchbox out. "You didn't," I responded before amending less flaty. "I uh, I actually moved here recently."

Aladdin looked intrigued. "Oh really? From where?"

"Twilight Town."

"Nice!" Aladdin smiled at me. "Well, glad to have you here in Traverse Town Sora, welcome to Disney High."

Returning the smile, I brought out my lunch. I felt really comfortable around Aladdin and enjoyed listening to him talk. We went back and forth before realizing with a jolt, Aladdin wasn't eating anything.

"Don't you have any lunch?" I ask, shamefully looking down at my carefully uncrusted peanut butter and banana sandwich (thanks mom.)

Aladdin flinched. "Oh uh… I ate already."

"Yeah?" I raised a brow.

"...no."

"Why don't you go get something?"

"I can't."

I tilt my head curiously. "Why not?"

"I don't have any lunch money." Aladdin murmured and I nearly choked.

Oh my Walt!

"Here," I hand him half of my sandwich and some fruit my mom snuck. Aladdin initially shook his head, putting his hands up in front of him. "Oh no Sora, I can't accept this."

I practically push the food into his hands. "Why not? Think of it as a thank you for letting me sit with you."

"I'm not sure if I let一"

"Come onnn, eaaat."

"Fine."

Aladdin finally accepted half of my lunch and a warm feeling grew in my chest. Helping people feels… nice. Maybe this is how I'll spend my school year. I can be productive socially and academically.

It's not like I had a problem making friends before. With a pang I remember Tidus, Wakka, and Selphie from summercamp. But if Roxas doesn't want me around, I'll make my own friends.

(x) (x) (x)

The rest of the day went on smoothly. I made an effort to befriend more people and found out I had art class with Kairi and gym with Riku. Kairi talked to me but I didn't get so many words in with Riku as he kept to himself. Instead I spent time with a Senior named Hercules. He was pretty cool, he wanted to do everything he could to make me feel comfortable. Especially with a prickly instructor like Coach Phil.

Our bus was late so I stayed inside with Roxas and the other kids who rode our bus. Roxas and I didn't have phones一our dad didn't think we needed them even though kids younger than us had them already一so I busied myself with people watching.

I looked around and watched as the janitor mops the floor while humming a happy tune. I squinted my eyes to get a good look at his nametag.

Goofy.

Huh, I guess that name fits.

I was about to turn my head to find a new candidate when I saw Riku exit a classroom and lean against the lockers across from Roxas and me. "Hey!" I greeted, grinning a bit. "Your bus late too? Or do we ride the same one? I didn't notice you in the morning."

Maybe I rambled a bit too much because Riku didn't smile at me. "I don't ride the bus," he replies, his voice ever the unchanging.

"Oh? You're a car rider then."

"No."

"Er… club?"

At this point Riku sounded exasperated. "No."

"Oh." I frown.

With a sigh, Riku threw me a bone. "Principal Mouse is my dad."

I blink. "Wha一 But isn't he… y'know…"

"A mouse." Riku replied as if he was tired of being asked that same question. I would be too. Riku continues, "I'm adopted."

I felt Roxas shift beside me as he joined in on our conversation. "Must suck being the principal's son."

"Nah," Riku shook his head. "Sucks more to be the counselor's son."

I nearly leapt out of my shoes. "You mean to tell me that the principal and school counselor are married?!"

Both Riku and Roxas looked at me as if I were slow.

"Uh… yeah."

Roxas softly shook his head. "Looks like our bus is here, let's go." He didn't even wait for me to follow, he just went, confident I'll get there eventually. At least I know he'll save me a seat.

Before I could go, I turned toward Riku. "It was nice talking, I'm Sora by the way!"

It was funny. I could almost see a ghost of a smile on his face. "Seeya Sora."

(x) (x) (x)

Barely even able to enter our house, Roxas and I were met with many hugs and kisses from our mother. Her brown hair was tied back in her favorite red ribbon and her pale pink house dress was topped with a white apron. As I breathed in her scent when it was time for my hug, I can confirm that she indeed had been cooking. She smelled like stew and the unmistakable smell of buttery bread.

"At least let the boys get past the doorstep, Aerith." came the gruff voice of my father. He stood behind our mother, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Oh, of course." Mom dips her head and moves aside to let us in.

Our house barely had time to look lived in since we moved here like a week ago. There weren't any boxes though, it just looked too… perfect. No personality. But I couldn't complain. Soon enough it'd look like the Strife family lives here.

My mom, Aerith Strife is a florist who unfortunately had to close up shop in Twilight Town. Currently she's trying to strike a deal with the owner of the coffee shop to try and turn it into a floral/coffee shop type deal. We haven't heard back yet.

My dad though, Cloud Strife was an ex-soldier. He told us that he left on his own accord but when he returned home to us I remember a lot of tears… and they weren't happy ones. Ventus thinks he's not telling us the whole truth but since then, it was never brought up again. My dad just did odd jobs wherever he could, mostly involved heavy lifting.

Even then, we were pretty well off. We had to be able to send Ven to prep school and afford to move.

Don't forget me, Sora.

I swallowed hard, I could barely focus on my parent's faces but I snapped myself out of it.

Now that it was just me and Roxas, we didn't have to share a room anymore. It was pretty exciting at first until I realized how much I missed him. He wasn't there when I had nightmares anymore and vice versa. A couple times this week I thought about heading over to his room when I woke up, but the mere thought was embarrassing. I've been wanting to go to mom and dad's room even less so.

For some reason I feel ashamed. Just thinking about it caused my skin to burn.

Before mom could ask how my day was, I excused myself to my room before dinner