Chapter 20
Little Boat Ride
Point of View: Selphie/Kairi
--
The icy, bronze liquid poured easily into the just cleansed glass.
I took my ice tea, yes, with the lemon, and slipped outside, beyond the glass double doors, and out onto our little balcony, the one with the gorgeous view—the one that faced the ocean.
It truly was a gorgeous day.
The sun sunk slowly, dipping into the platinum sea, letting the beach bathe in its apricot glow for a long while. The foamy waves lapped softly at the shore, gently rearranging the sand particles beneath them. The late autumn breeze wisped about, carrying along crunchy garnet, orange, and brown leaves.
The trees bordering the path from UArt had all been losing their leaves, as well as the rest of the island, carpeting the pathway in the royal colors.
And I love the sound they made when I walk over them.
Crunch.
I took a sip though the straw from my beverage.
Okay, okay, fine, it just was a nice Snapple lemon iced tea I had just poured out of the glass bottle, fresh from the fridge.
"Hey Selph!"
I turned my head, not really bothering to move the rest of my body. "Oh hey Tidus, what's up?"
"Not much, just came to check on you."
He walked over next to me, leaning across the railings. His gorgeous smile shot through my dreamy, fantasy-ish realm, and circulated throughout my veins like an arrow. I couldn't help but beam as I stood on my toes and slipped him a light kiss on the cheek.
And we just stood on that balcony for a while, absorbing the sun's rays, while my mind wandered off to the events which had occurred prior today…
--
It was around eleven, eleven thirty maybe. I had already come back from my morning classes at the university; Tidus had too, and so we walked back to the house, fingers intertwined. We passed by the beach—we always go by the beach because I just insist, and Tidus can't resist! The shoreline reminds me of our island home, and I no longer see the need to feel homesick.
The ferry which comes through twice a week had docked upon the pier. I wondered who would be coming at this time of year, after all, tourist season has long passed, and it's well known most of the natives here have never left their homeland. Why? Well, I'm sure I'll never know.
A limited number of passengers disembarked the ship; few with simple backpacks swung over their shoulders, or just bearing nothing at all; even fewer with suitcases and duffle bags. A couple of the passengers appeared quite young...perhaps the same age as I! They seemed to be in quite a hurry, as they sprinted off the ship. Hmm...skipping class, eh?
One man in particular caught my eye. He didn't seem to be in much of a rush; this man walked leisurely toward the shore, grace within every step. I found I had stopped to watch this man. There was just something about him I couldn't exactly place... Then he stopped and looked directly at me. Gasp. His beautiful aqua eyes pierced me, silver hair whipping slightly against his face.
Oh. My. God.
"Riku!" I cried, leaving the path we had tread and stumbling slightly as I made my way through the sand and towards him.
Riku's serious expression vanished, a huge grin immediately plastered upon his face. I leapt into his open arms, Tidus right behind me, his excitement obvious. It's been months since we've last seen him!
"Hey Tidus and Selph," he said, emphasizing my name, with a light chuckle for my enthusiasm.
Well he explained his intentions of coming, about the whole Sora, Janice deal. So then came our each exchange of 'what's been going on,'-s 'how've you been,'-s, ladedadeda... We had to be on our way back, and I had even invited Riku to come with us, but he had decided to wait for Kairi, after all, she should have been heading our way in a matter of minutes.
Just before we left him, Riku whispered one last secret into my ear. Tidus tugged slightly at my hand, signaling it was time we went. He called back goodbyes as we headed back down the path we had been sidetracked from. I looked behind me at the still-smiling Riku, and a slight sense of sadness settled over me.
Oh Riku...
I sighed, turning away from him, as we headed back.
Maybe you should reconsider...
(end Selphie's PoV)
--
I raised my head, consenting the salty November breeze to freely cascade through my long auburn locks. This sense of excitement had taken over me. This sense of excitement had overwhelmed me. This sense of excitement... Well, I haven't felt this sense of excitement in years.
Riku and I just happened to be the only passengers aboard the ferry to Pearl Island. We had a lovely view of the ocean from the empty deck; Riku on one side, and I on the other opposite to him.
I inhaled deeply, the crisp autumn air flowing into my veins. Ah… The simple pleasures of life… I've been so busy with the university and everything that's been going on lately…well, I guess I've forgotten to just sit back and enjoy and appreciate the little things.
Clank, clank.
I could hear the Riku's gentle footsteps heading my way. I needed not turn, or to look to him. His voice spilled over the edges, silky and lovely. "Nervous?" he whispered.
The icy breeze whisked me, sending chills up and down my spine. "Yeah..."
"Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
"Kairi...?"
"I don't know..."
I don't know... Those words just tumbled out unexpectedly. I shocked myself a bit. I don't know?! What kind of an answer is that?! 'Of course I want to go through with this!' would a far more decent answer!
I do want to see Sora...right...?
FREEZE.
You are pathetic. You don't even know what you want.
Of course I know what I want! I just...
You're just in hesitation. You're not sure if Sora even wants to see you.
No... I just--
Just face it. He's probably too busy to even care. After all, he's got Janice now—
STOP IT!!! Shut up, just shut up!
Kairi, Kairi, Kairi... When will you ever be able to stand up upon your own two feet, and stop hiding away like a lost child?
Just go away...
Oh, but I'm never gone...
I hate you, my conscience.
GO.
"Well I'm always here for you if—"
"Yeah, I know," I interrupted him, "Thanks...Riku..."
I turned to face him, the corners of my mouth shifting to a full-out grin. After all, you never know how far a smile can go...
A slight blush rose on his face. Wow, I must have really caught him off guard! I've never known Riku to blush for anything!
"Kairi..."
"Hm?"
"I love you."
Oh. My. God.
When I said 'you never know how far a smile can go,' I really didn't think it could go this far!
PAUSE.
Was it just me...or did time really stop...?
It was like an illusion or something. I watched as all the color of the scene was slowly drained away— like when I'm shutting off my laptop. I heard the seagulls silence; their cheery cries simply fade away. I felt my movements halt, my energy shriveling away. It was like for that split second, I was frozen in time...
REWIND.
"I love you." He said.
"I-I love Sora."
And that moment, I felt our glass friendship hit the planks and shatter into a million pieces which would never be put together again.
STOP.
You shouldn't have said that.
I know, I know!
BACK UP.
"I-I love Sora." The words just slipped. They had slipped out before I could stop myself.
"I know."
Huh?
The first word that ran through my mind was 'huh.'
Wow, he's taking this all rather well for a guy I just told I loved his best friend.
"I know you love Sora. But you don't know how long I've felt this way."
I opened my mouth to say something, but no words would come. After all, how would you react if one of your longest all-time best guy friends (nothing more) just confessed his long time feelings for you?
"It's never been enough..." he continued, "No matter what I did to impress you, it's never been enough to top Sora. I've had many chances to make you mine, yet I do nothing about it; because I know your heart belongs to Sora."
And there I was, shocked to my very core, frozen to the spot, rendered speechless.
"And now..." he went on, phased not the least, "Here we are again. I'm not stopping you from going to Sora, but helping you. You know why? Because I care so damn much about you, I'm willing to give up my own happiness to make you happy."
I could feel my eyes welling up, my breathing shaky. I wanted to say 'thank you,' but I knew that simply wasn't enough.
"It's alright if you never feel the same way I do," Riku almost whispered, "I'll always love you."
And then, my friends, I burst out in tears. I stumbled over to Riku's turned figure, throwing my instable arms around him. He closed his eyes, soaking in the moment. And you know what? I'm not sad or disappointed that I was put in this predicament, I was thankful for the people around me who cared so much about me.
"I'm so glad..." I choked, "...I'm so glad I have you for a friend..."
Riku was a true friend. He gave up his everything for me. But the sad thing was, well, I just wasn't in love with him. He deserves so much, and I truly hope he finds his someone special...
He's helped me through these tough times, and I am forever grateful to him. When I wanted to cry, he would be there for me. When I needed someone to help me out, he was there.
I was so scared about confronting Sora, and Riku knew it. And so he held my hand the whole way there...
--
Author's Notes:
Oh dear Lord, could it be? Have I actually updated...? WELL, YES I HAVE!!! I promised myself I would finish my next chapter, and I finally stuck by myself! Today's my 6 month anniversary on this site! ::throws confetti:: I've been on this site for exactly half a year, and I cannot believe how many friends I've made along the way! I love you guys, and thanks for sticking by me all this time!
I was gonna post a new one shot today, but it's pretty late right now, and I have school tomorrow... ::shouts curses at school::
I'll try to organize my updating schedule a bit...that is...if anyone's still interested in what's gonna happen! Ya know...I could just end this story right here, right now, and nobody would know what would happen next! Mwahahahahaha...
Okay, so this was kinda semi-pointless, but I'm gonna squish together about 2 or 3 chapters worth of storylines, 'cause I'm so sick of dragging out the plot...
Well, thanks everyone who reviewed last chapter, oh and meeeee-stir-eeee,I hate not knowing who you are!!! ::rips out hair::
Okay, some writers I highly recommend ('cause they're awesome, and 'cause I love them):
x Dashie
x Freya Sama
x Kinoarashi
x Marie Annette
x ShadowKairi
x WSgirl
x YuToMe
x Zaliassa
Okay, I'm sure I forgot some people...but I'll get you sooner or later!
Now, see the purple button, like the purple button, press the purple button!