AUTHOR'S NOTE:Since I cannot respond to you directly Arika Koski 2021, yes I am aware of Tifa/Cloud and Aerith/Zack but I just though Aerith and Cloud made more sense to be Sora, Roxas, and Ventus' parents since the boys have brown and blonde hair like they do. :/ I don't even prefer that pairing over Tifa/Cloud but I am willing to make that sacrifice. And who knows, I might have plans.

Salt stinging my eyes and throat. I was swallowing water, I don't remember how I got here. I feel two bodies hoisting me up. My waterlogged ears could barely process what they were saying.

"Sora, what were you thinking!" I heard one of them say.

Wakka.

"You could've drowned!" said the other.

Tidus.

My friends from summer camp.

I could faintly hear Selphie yelling from the shore and when Tidus and Wakka turned me around, I could see her blurry form waving her arms frantically. All I could do was cry.

I woke up in my bed with a jolt as real tears streamed down my face. I had that dream again. Looking over to my alarm clock, I realized I had woken up fifteen minutes before my alarm. Might as well get ready for school. I throw my covers off of me and swing my legs over the side of the bed. I paused before I could get up and stared at the toys on my bed. I know it's silly but I feel like they were watching me sadly. I frowned at my toys Winnie and Woody, their stares piercing into my heart. "I'm sorry," I croaked. It was like they were judging me for having another fitful night of sleep.

Trying to be as quiet as possible, I slowly open my door. No point in trying to wake Roxas. I start my morning routine and enter the bathroom for a quick shower. After I shower, I get dressed and head downstairs for some breakfast. Mom was already awake as per usual. She always got up early to water her plants and then to make Roxas and I some food. I didn't see my dad around, he must've found some odd job and left the house early.

"Good morning Sora," my mom said from the stove. "Would you like some eggs?"

"Uh, always." The sounds of my stomach punctuate my sentence and my mom laughed in response. "Oh alright you, sit down. You seem to be up early."

Sinking into my seat, I rub the back of my neck awkwardly. Warmth stinging the tips of my ears. "Yeah… couldn't sleep for much longer so I just decided to get out of bed."

"Must be excited to see all your new friends at school again." Mom settled in a gentle voice. I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth so I just nodded. She smiles. "I'm glad you've settled in so quickly. That's my boy, always making friends wherever he goes."

"Uh-huh."

She walks over and sets down my plate of food. "I wish Roxas was the same." she notes with an air of sadness.

"Wish Roxas was what?"

We both turn our heads to see my brother standing at the foot of the stairs, his hair still a little damp from his shower. I quickly covered for my mom. "She said一 she said that she wished you were up earlier."

Roxas rubbed the last bit of sleep out of his eyes. "Did the clocks change or something…?"

I smile teasingly. "Nope," I pat the chair next to me. "Just sit down."

"Ookay then…" Roxas rolls his eyes and takes his seat. "Morning mom."

"Good morning Roxas, eat your eggs."

"Yes mom."

(x) (x) (x)

When I got to school I was surprised to be met with Kairi at the front doors. Riku wasn't anywhere in sight. Did she send him away on purpose? I know he could've punched me yesterday but he seemed pretty cool with me at the end of the day. He opened up just enough to tell me he was adopted. I've only met the principal once when registering for the school year, but Mr. Mouse was kind. I can see why he adopted Riku.

"Hey…" I wave, "Kairi, right? I hope that's right and I didn't totally butcher your name."

Kairi giggled in response. "No, no. That's right. And you're… Roxas?"

"Er, no." From the corner of my eye I could tell that Roxas had already disappeared. "That's my brother. I'm Sora."

Kairi bit back her laughter with a grin and stared at me. "I know, silly. It was a joke."

"Ohh!" I let out a forced laugh. "Haha." I wanted to laugh genuinely but I've been hit with that joke so many times, I was desensitized to it by now. It might have been funny when I was much younger, before Roxas bleached his hair, but now… not so much. Kairi facepalmed. "I'm sooo sorry. Stupid joke, huh?"

I flick my hand, letting the subject go. "Don't worry about it, it was actually kinda clever. You had me there."

Kairi laughed again, followed by a light shiver. "Shall we head inside? Getting a bit chilly out." She folded her arms to conserve some warmth. She had on a pink button up sweater but the material seemed too thin to keep her warm.

"Of course," I go over to the door and open it for her, gesturing for Kairi to go inside. Mom taught me how to be a gentleman and I had to use it well (sometimes I feel like she's going to find out about it and talk my ear off if I don't.) The two of us head inside and I decide to ask her about Riku.

"Oh, he's talking with his mom," Kairi replies, "So I decided to come talk to you."

"Hm, sweet."

Kairi folded her hands and continued the conversation as we walked. "So, Sora, tell me about yourself. You're lucky to have a brother."

"Actually I have two brothers and a uh一" I bite my tongue, feeling it swell in my mouth.

"And?" Kairi looked at me curiously.

"Oh nothing, a cousin." I replied simply. It wasn't a complete lie. I just didn't want to say the alternative. "But why do you say that?"

Kairi shrugs. "Well,I only have my grandmother. I kinda wish I had some siblings."

"You might wanna take that back," I tease, gently elbowing her. "Siblings can be a bit of a pain." As soon as the words left my mouth I felt an iron hand grip my chest. I kept up the charade for Kairi. I kept up my smile.

Kairi scoffs a bit. "Maybe you're right, but I wish I had someone to bother."

"What about Riku?" I suggest.

"Hm… maybe." Kairi looked like she zoned out when she said that. Maybe I had overstepped a boundary.

"Something wrong?"

Kairi shook her head. "Oh no, not at all. You're right, I do have Riku. He's my closest friend. It's just hard to make other friends when he's around because he's so…"

"Prickly?"

Kairi chuckled and stopped in her tracks. "Now that wouldn't be the exact words I'd use but yeah." She glanced up at the clock in the hall. "Bell's about to ring, see you in art class?"

"See you in art class." I confirm.

(x) (x) (x)

Once again I met up with Aladdin for lunch just as I did yesterday. I caught him sitting alone and decided to go over. He didn't appear to notice my approach, nor did he acknowledge my presence.

So, I clear my throat. "Heyy, Aladdin?"

Nothing.

I set my backpack down with a thud, hoping the noise would snap him out of it

Still nothing.

"Al!"

He didn't even look at me but he responded in a delightful tone. "Oh hey Sora, what's up?" His eyes were glossy as he stared across the cafeteria, head held in his hand.

"Nothing?" I sat down. "What's up with you? I follow Aladdin's stare to a group of girls sitting in a group. They were chatting amongst themselves and from here I can recognize Alice, Belle, and even Ariel who was frantically signing with her hands and writing in a notebook to keep up with the conversation. Jasmine was also there but the rest I don't know the names of. "Ohh, I see. You're ignoring me for a girl then."

I never really understood romance at face value. Sure I understood that my parents love each other and they would do sweet things for each other because they cared but… Maybe I'm still childish in that regard. At least that's what my mom says. She wants me to stay innocent because I'm a kid, no need to rush into anything. Besides, I'd much rather play games than go on dates. What kind of girl would want to date a boy who still owns toys anyway?

"A girl?" Aladdin echoed longingly. "Oh no…" he regretfully tore his gaze away from the girls' table. "Not just any girl… Jasmine."

I looked back at the group and spotted Jasmine reading Ariel's handwriting.

"Why don't you go talk to her then?" I say flatly.

His eyes widened. "No! I can't!"

Taking out my lunch, I divided the portions in half and offered it to Aladdin wordlessly. "... why not?"

Aladdin looks down at the table as he receives my food, his hair casting a shadow over his eyes so that I could barely read his expression. "She's out of my league anyway. She's rich, her dad practically founded Little Agrabah here in Traverse Town for people like me who immigrated from Agrabah."

I scratched my head in a confused manner. "I still don't see why that's stopping you."

"She'll never talk to a guy like me, Sora." Aladdin mumbled.

"Like you?" I question. "What's like you?"

Aladdin opened his mouth up in reply but stopped himself wordlessly. He looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it. I could have probed but I had only known him since yesterday and didn't want to pry. I respected his wishes. I shake my head. "Nevermind."

(x) (x) (x)

After Art, Kairi had walked me to gym class. We were chatting about a girl in her class who was obviously too good to be there. Rapunzel's artwork was so inspiring, I tried asking her what her secret was but she wouldn't tell. She had just given an awkward laugh and played with her extremely long hair.

So many talented and unique students at this school. I wonder what their stories are.

"Well," I stop in front of the gym. "This is me, see you later Kairi."

Kairi smiled and waved. "Seeya later Sora!"

As she turned away and left, Riku came into sight. "Hey Riku!" opened the door for him. "How're一" Riku brushed past me and entered without so much as a glance at me. "Oh, okay… bye!" I tried not to let it bother me but I couldn't help but sigh. What has happened since yesterday? Why was Riku cold all of a sudden?

"Is he bothering you, Sora?" I recognized the voice immediately and turned to look up at him with a smile. "Herc!"

Hercules smiled down at me. He was easily one of the tallest people at school, strongest too. He was the Senior who warmly welcomed me into this class. Herc was like a paragon, you couldn't help but feel drawn to him. It's a shame he would be graduating by the end of the year. Every student deserves a Senior friend like Hercules.

"You okay?" Herc asked again and I shrugged. "I'm fine, I guess Riku is just being Riku."

The older student looked genuinely confused. "Who?"

"Uh, y'know…" I immediately gave up. "Nevermind."

The bell rang and we could hear Coach Phil yelling at us to get inside. "If yous two dally for one more second I got two words for ya! Detention!"

I knit my brows together, "But that's一"

Hercules shook his head. "Forget it Sora, let's just go."