Chapter TWENTY TWO

Things to prep for Snow Ball

-figure out the shoes situation
-figure out dinner plans (prob Thai takeout at this rate)
-figure out Naminé's plans (c'mon bestie pls come thru)
-might as well try to figure out life while I'm at it

"Naminé. Naminé!"

She turns towards me with a pleasant smile, which slightly drops when she notices my panicky expression.

"Kairi…?"

I draw a deep breath, about to get my rant on when I realize the audience around us. Clearing my throat pointedly, I try to discretely stay on topic.

"So...is there anything you want to tell me?"

Naminé blinks confusedly. "Right now…?"

"Uh-huh."

"...um, your collar's wrinkled?"

"Ack!" Hastily I tug on my shirt to straighten its ends out. "Ahem. Okay, anything else?"

"Is something wrong, Kairi?" Naminé smiles nervously. "Usually you'll just tell me if you have a problem…"

"There's a problem, alright!" I exclaim, barely refraining from pointing an accusatory finger at her. I can't hold it in anymore. "So who are you going to the Snow Ball with?"

Remaining her usual calm, composed self, Naminé blinks once, then twice. Finally, I see the metaphorical lightbulb light up over her head as her eyes slightly widen.

"...oh. How'd you know? I was going to tell you - "

"Everyone knows except for me!"

Naminé's expression changes just subtly, her eyes narrowing a little, but I can feel a full blast of chilliness coming from her. "You're exaggerating, Kairi."

Her words hit a sore spot, but recognizing how the situation is growing a bit volatile, I try to get a grasp on my fluctuating feelings. As I notice people around us starting to pay attention, I recall again why I don't want to make a scene here.

"...right," I mumble, looking away from Naminé. "Let's talk during lunch."

Naminé's glare softens a little along with her tone. "Oh, I didn't...Kairi - "

Our homeroom teacher makes a most timely appearance, and we're forced to quiet down. I try not to look in Naminé's direction, afraid that I'll start getting upset again. On one hand, is it too much for her to let me know who she's going with? It's only all I've been asking about for the past few weeks. Is she holding out on me for a specific reason? Does she not trust me? I mean, besides my one slip up with Sora, who's like a harmless amoeba, I am good at keeping secrets!

By the time lunch comes around, I'm much more complacent with the situation. I know I sometimes (just sometimes) overreact to things, but that's only cause I care, you know?

I'm seated at our usual table already when I spy Naminé approaching with her lunch tray, half-empty as usual. She quietly takes the seat across from me, and we munch on our food for a few minutes.

I've never been good with silences though.

"So...you're going with Roxas?" I ask. An acceptable question, right? I'm just confirming facts here, is all.

"...yeah. I mean, Ven was hinting that Roxas wants to go with me, but you know how he is." Naminé chuckles lightly. "And I decided to take your advice and just ask someone."

My eyes brighten at the thought of Naminé taking my advice. "Right? I mean...well, I didn't think you'd ask Roxas...but I guess I can't be mad at you for doing what I suggested you do!"

The corner of Naminé's mouth quirks upward. "Why are you mad at me?"

I pout at her completely oblivious tone. "I've only been asking for weeks who you want to go with!"

Naminé laughs airily. "And I said I'd tell you when it happens."

"So, I guess it's happened now...wow, I feel dumb all of a sudden." I chuckle nervously. "I have no idea why - "

"Do you still want to get ready together?" Naminé asks with a smile.

"Huh? But...you're going with Roxas…"

"Well, we can still get ready together, right?"

Something drives itself into my gut and twists - I finally identify the painful feeling as guilt. Really, why do I keep almost screwing things up? With my track record, I'm really thinking I need a sit-down intervention, or at least to take some time and reflect.

"Kairi?" Naminé prompts.

"Oh - yeah! Yeah, let's get ready together!" I chirp eagerly. I smile at her. "Thanks, Naminé."

"Hmm? For what?"

"For…" I trail off. That's a good question. What am I thanking her for? "Thanks for being my friend."

Naminé makes a face at me and laughs. "You're awfully sentimental for a normal school day lunch." She pauses and narrows her eyes. "Did something else happen?"

"No! No," I hastily say, "just - never mind! Let's eat!"

"...oh, are you embarrassed now, Kairi?" Naminé grins ear to ear. "I have to tease you at least a little…"

"Naminé! Just - forget it! Well, don't actually forget it, but - !"

"You're so cute, Kairi!" She reaches over and - wha - is she - ?

"Dun squiz ma cheekz!"

"Aww, baby Kairi! Even cuter!"

With the Snow Ball coming up, I finally have something to look forward to. Maybe that's why every minute at school feels torturously long. The week drags on, and when the bell signaling the last class of Friday finally rings, I don't realize what it means.

Fortunately, I remember that I'm meeting with Naminé by the lockers after school. As I slowly put away my books, she ends up surprising me with her quiet appearance.

"Naminé!"

"Hey!" She smiles gleefully. "I'm so excited!"

"Huh?"

"For tonight! The Snow Ball!" She laughs at my expression. "Why are do you look so distracted?"

"Oh, yeah! Wow, it's not that I forgot, but just now, when the teacher...oh god, don't even get me started." Thinking about the recent paper I got back for that class makes my head hurt, and that isn't how I want to start the evening. Quickly readjusting my mindset, I summon a beaming smile. "Snow Ball! Which means time for us to get ready!"

"I have to run back home and pick up some stuff, but I'll be at your place by 5ish. Is that okay?"

"Yeah! That's plenty of time! I just downloaded this new game called Rags to Riches so I'll probably be wasting my life as usual…"

Naminé grins. "Okay, sounds good! I'll see you then!"

We head out of the building together, but Naminé continues towards the gate where her driver is waiting for her. Huh, she's in a really good mood. Is she that excited to meet up with Roxas? They're in a bunch of classes together, so she must've seen him today…

Nonetheless, who am I to question why the happiness bug has bit my friend? If anything, her joy is contagious and I find myself humming along cheerfully as well. I suppose even without the Snow Ball, it is a good day. All Fridays are.

Shamelessly hosting my own solo music show inside my car, the drive home feels too short. I belt out the last few notes (more like try to) before hopping out. My first instinct is to turn on the music on my phone, but Mom's figure in the kitchen gives me pause.

"What are you doing here?" I exclaim at her presence.

Mom slowly raises a brow. "I own this house."

I roll my eyes - and she wonders where I get my attitude from? "Don't you have work?" I've been coming home to an empty house for years. In fact, I'm a little disappointed I can't continue my one-woman music show.

Mom shrugs and returns to wiping down the kitchen counters with a rag. "It's a Friday, and my boss didn't have any work for me so she let me go early."

"Lucky! I wish we can just leave school when we have no work. But I guess we always have work…" I frown, reconsidering that thought. "Anyways, I told you the Snow Ball's tonight, right?"

"Right. You and Naminé are getting ready here?"

"Yup, she's coming in a bit."

"Do you need me to get you guys anything?"

"Huh...uh, huh? Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know: bobby pins, a sewing kit...snacks?"

I stare at my mom, suddenly realizing that this is the first time she's been home while I get ready for a dance. "Uh, it's okay, Mom. Naminé's eating with Roxas - her date - and I was gonna order takeout."

"...so, no snacks?"

"On second thought, snacks sounds good." My motto is: you can never have too much food. Okay, I guess you can, but not tonight!

"Okay, snacks. Snacks, snacks…" Mom trails off mumbling that word to herself over and over. I'm a little concerned with how focused she is on the concept of 'snacks,' but the thought of Rags to Riches waiting for me on my laptop quickly lures me to my bedroom.

Times flies when you're absorbed in an alternate reality of video games. Before I know it, Mom's knocking on my door to let me know Naminé's already here. Which is weird, because usually Naminé texts me when she's outside my house -

Oh. Three missed calls. My bad.

As I come out of my room, I notice my mom and Naminé making small talk. "...more time to be around, which I hope is good for Kairi," Mom says. As if on cue, both of them turn towards me and my timely entrance. I strike a pose.

"Guys, I haven't even dressed up yet. You can stare all you want later."

Then, to my confusion, both of them burst out in laughter.

Since I'm missing most of the context of the situation, all I can do is pout. "You guys are doing wonders for my self-esteem."

"Your mom's just trying to be supportive. Right, Mrs. O'Hara?"

Mom grins widely. "I like to think I've done what I can. Anyways, you two enjoy yourselves. I prepared some snacks for you guys…"

"Oh, you didn't have to! Thank you so much, Mrs. O'Hara."

"Of course, Naminé. Thank you for always watching out for Kairi."

"Hey, hey," I interrupt. "I watch out for her too. This is a two-way relationship, Mom."

"Sure, Kairi. I'll be in the kitchen…"

"Wait, Mom, why do you sound so unconvinced? Mom - !"

Naminé distracts me by chuckling and pointing towards my room. "C'mon!" she beckons. Deciding whatever Mom said can wait, I help grab one of her bags along with Mom's snacks (which I'm pretty sure are the supermarket cookies put on a plate...nice, Mom) and we retreat to my room.

Finally, I get the chance to see Naminé's dress. She's shown me pictures of it, but seeing the real deal almost takes my breath away. "Oh my god, Naminé, this is gorgeous," I exhale. "And I think this shade of blue matches you really well."

Naminé smiles happily. "You think? I'm so glad. I asked my dad for days for the money to buy this dress, and then when I finally brought it home, I thought the color looked a little off…"

"No, you can definitely pull it off! C'mon, let's put on our dresses!"

"Where'd you end up getting yours?" she asks.

I snort. "Well, rental dresses were out cause of what happened last year." If you must know, basically my mom thinks I'm still an elementary school student. Either that, or she thought the dance was a ballet recital or something, because that hideous, frilly, pink mess she rented was - ahem. Anyways. "So, after that time the two of us went shopping together, I found a design I liked and found a similar one at a thrift store."

"Oh, wow! So it's a fake? I can't even tell!"

I laugh, adjusting the shoulder straps and smoothing out the wrinkles. Looking at myself in the mirror, I frown at the small bump by my stomach that makes it look like I'm pregnant or something. With a food baby, yeah. Sucking in solves the problem, but can I suck in my tummy all night?

"Ta da! We look so cute!" Naminé squeals, posing next to me in front of the mirror. We go through a compliment relay and then head to the bathroom to do hair and makeup. I help Naminé straight her hair, and she shares some of her high-end makeup products with me because #bless her kind soul.

"Oh my gosh I can't wait!" I exclaim excitedly. "Oh, do you and Roxas have plans after? You're still sleeping over, right?"

"Right, I brought all my stuff!" Naminé says. "I don't think we have plans, but I'll let you know! Did you hear about the afterparty?"

"Where's it at?"

"Wakka's house, I think. Do you wanna go?"

I sigh tiredly, considering it briefly. "Nah, probably not. Knowing Tidus and Wakka, it's just gonna be the senior boys doing dumb stuff. We can come back and watch a movie or something. And you can spill about Roxas!"

"There's nothing to spill!" Naminé insists with a laugh. "I told you, we're going as friends."

"Sureeeee...I'll let you use that excuse for now. So, what's this?" I hold up an unlabeled tube of something I'd grabbed from Naminé's pouch of everything and anything.

We end up spending way too much time applying and taking off our makeup for a variety of reasons, which does not include my shaky hands. After finally perfecting our craft (as well as two high school teens can), I remember to call my favorite Thai place for takeout. Heading out of my room, we decide to conduct an impromptu photoshoot in the living room. Specifically, there is one wall that's the only clean part of the house and a suitable backdrop for our pictures.

"I'm back - whoa!" Dad exclaims, having stepped into the house just as the flash on the camera goes off. He ducks back out of the door, checks the sign, and looks in again confusedly. "This is my home, right?"

I roll my eyes. "Just come in, Dad, you're letting all the heat out."

"Hi, Mr. O'Hara," Naminé greets politely.

"Hi Naminé. You girls getting ready for the dance?"

"Yup, we're all set!" I respond. "Just taking pictures now and waiting for my food."

"Sounds good. Where's your mom?"

"Mom? Oh, right, she was home earlier...not sure." I frown. Considering our house is only so floor, she can only be in the bathroom or my parents' room.

"Okay...do you girls need help taking pictures?"

"Oh yeah, you can take some pictures for both of us! So Naminé doesn't have to keep adjusting her tripod!"

Naminé laughs, handing her camera to my dad and explaining which buttons to press. We strike a few elegant poses, a few dumb poses, and a few normal ones. There's gotta be at least one that I can use as a new profile picture! We end up spending quite awhile with Dad as our photographer - I blame the fact that he keeps making lame jokes to try to make us smile (to his credit, they actually work cause of how bad they are).

We're interrupted by the doorbell ringing, and since I'm closest to the door, I leap towards it, thinking it's my takeout. To my surprise, a familiar blond-haired boy is at our doorstep.

"Thanks for - oh, hey, Roxas," I greet, my enthusiasm instantly diminishing. Only because I feel deceived that it isn't my food. Roxas raises a brow, and since I have nothing to say to him, I turn around and holler, "Naminé!" like I'm a kid calling for mom cause some stranger is at our door.

Naminé blinks when I explain that Roxas is here already. "Oh! He's early," she notes, stuffing all her things into her clutch. "I'm sorry I have to leave you, Kairi. I'll see you at the place!"

"Yup!" I give her a tight hug, hoping I'm not ruining either of our outfits. "See you there!"

When we turn around, I realize Dad's struck up a conversation with Roxas in the meantime. How does he, a 40-something year old man find things to talk about with the most antisocial kid I know?

"Oh, hey. Naminé, this is your date, right?" Dad asks. I giggle in the background and Naminé laughs airily.

"Ah, right...we're going as friends," she explains.

Dad grins. "Alright. Are you kids in a rush? Why don't we get some pictures for you two?"

Naminé's eyes widen, as if the idea had just occured to her. "Oh! Um, I think we're good on time. Our reservation's at 7, right, Roxas…?"

"Oh...yeah." Roxas glances around shiftily. "Uh, pictures?"

"Yeah!" Dad says encouragingly. "Making memories, right? To remember that time you looked dapper in your suit with a cute girl by your side." Dad elbows Roxas teasingly, and he actually gets Roxas to blush? Why is Roxas acting like a normal teenager today? I mean, I guess he is normal….but…?!

"Okay...Roxas? Do you wanna take a few pictures?" Naminé asks with a small smile. I sorta feel like I'm watching a movie and I'm the audience holding its breath as Roxas hesitates for a moment before agreeing with a curt nod.

Throughout their photoshoot, I have to resist squealing at how cute they are. Even though it's Roxas. So mainly because it's Naminé. They are. Too. Cute! I join in with some directing, telling them how to pose and telling my dad how to angle the photo. This is so gonna be the most precious thing ever!

"I think...we're good?" Roxas says hesitantly, withdrawing his hands from Naminé's waist.

"Aww c'mon, just a few more!" I insist, beckoning at my dad and telling him to try a different zoom.

"No, I'm done," Roxas says once more.

I roll my eyes at his attitude, but Naminé quickly concedes as well and I can only follow suit. Dad returns her camera and heads off to find Mom I guess. Naminé and Roxas then set out, and I'm super envious of how gorgeous Naminé looks as she and Roxas get in what looks like a rented car and head out into the night. So that leaves…

The takeout delivery guy. He needs to pick up the pace. I'm starving.

Halfway through the dance, I just want to head home. Mainly, it's my heels that are killing me.

Only in hindsight do I realize that everything leading up to dance had been the fun part. And perhaps I've built up my expectations too high for the dance to be anything but a disappointment.

I mean, now that I'm here, I'm just chilling by myself with a plastic cup of fruit punch in hand. The chaperones have been on it like a hawk, and no one's been able to steal any of the food or spike the drinks for that matter. So it's all just clean, harmless high school fun.

Fun, right?

I don't know, sulking with my drink in a dark corner of the rented event space isn't particularly fun. The most fun I've had so far is teasing Naminé and Roxas about how cute they are together, Naminé being the cutest little tomato, and Roxas scowling like he always does.

"Oh, excuse me," I mumble as I shift towards the side to make room for someone grabbing a drink behind me. That leads to me accidentally bumping into the person next to me and more apologies spilling from my tongue.

"Hey. Kairi."

The recognition in the speaker's voice makes me do a double take at the silhouette in the dark. "Oh...hey Sora," I greet, instantly relaxing and glad I've bumped into another familiar face. At least I'm not just standing here like a loner anymore. "I forgot you were coming."

"I forgot you were coming too," he returns easily, and I grin. Before I can say something, however, he glances awkwardly around as if looking for someone. That's nice, Sora, to disregard the person right in front of you.

"Did you come with someone?" I ask expectantly, figuring the only acceptable excuse for this blatant ignoring is if he's looking for his date. Sora turns back towards me and blinks owlishly.

"Oh, no. Didn't really have anyone to ask." He laughs hollowly, and I wonder if that's a self-deprecatory comment I'm supposed to immediately refute? Before I can speak, he asks, "What about you?"

"Huh? Me? Well, same, I guess," I say slowly, and after phrasing it like that, I realize I really can't say anything now. We're just two sad single souls. Sad.

He goes back to his looking around, and I'm getting frustrated at this point. "Sorry I'm not good company. Who are you looking for?"

Sora focuses on me again. "Oh!" he exclaims. "Oh no. C'mon, Kairi, that's not it. Uh." He clears his throat, and I'm still confused by his awkward behavior.

"What's up? Say something."

"I - err, I just wanted you to know, I saw Riku here awhile ago…"

Ah, that's right. Riku. It's funny how I've conveniently forgotten about him up until now. I guess a defense mechanism? He's a messy part of my life I just don't like thinking about. I try to keep things simple - I mean, so what if he's an ex? We parted on good - on okay terms. We're...friends…

Which is what I decide to say.

"We're friends," I say as confidently as I can, which isn't much.

"...err, right. You didn't say anything to him last time we bumped into each other at the mall..."

"Okay - well - look, he caught me off guard. You caught me off guard! I didn't know you guys would be there!"

And of course, it's just my luck that I spy familiar silver hair passing by. Sora notices it too, and he gestures for me to...what, does he want me to hide? Does he think I'm a coward and can't face my ex or something?

"We're friends!" I repeat, though I'm sounding a little less confident even to myself.

Sora nods along. "Okay, okay. Look, he's gonna turn this way - "

"Stop it, Sora, you're being childish. We're fine, okay? Look!"

Summoning a blinding smile, I wave in Riku's direction as we make eye contact. He's halfway across the room, and in the dark, I can't make out his expression. Nonetheless, he slowly waves back and - oh god, he's heading this way. That's not part of the plan - I just want to prove I can say hi to him - what am I gonna actually say to him -

"We're friends," I repeat, though more to myself now.

What the shitting hell did I do?

A/N: Ooh, look it's Clogallie back at it with her inconsistent updates! XD But never fear, readers, I always come back. Eventually. (I know I suck I don't even have an excuse but I swear this story will reach an end.)