Yay! Another chappie! Thankies for your reviews!
ENJOY! (or die)
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I'm sorry, is there something on my face? I thought while shifting my eye brows at Riku's stare continued to unnerve me.
"N-No, just – um…Your hair looks good wet." He looked away from my face concentrating on a speck of dust that had decided to perch upon the dash board.
Are my thoughts that obvious?
He was blushing.
And that made me blush too.
After a long silence, I wished that I could break that uncomfortable barrier between us. It turns out Riku finally made up his mind to say something.
"You're not wearing a shirt you know…"
What!?
I looked down to see tan skin, wet, and heaving as I panted to catch my breath from the run. I also saw that mark, the one the woman made before she killed-
"Sora, what's that? The scar…" He reached to touch it, and I reacting as any other organism would to stimuli, slapped his hand away then covered the disfigurement that had been placed on my skin all those years ago.
It's nothing! I thought so intensely I believed he could hear me.
My past is not a place to explore, nor is it a place to stare at with question.
Riku however, only seemed even more curious due to my actions and leaned over to try and pry off my hand while I failed miserably at defending with my other appendage. He grabbed my wrist and held it, and when I used my other hand I lost my guard and he grabbed that one too.
"Sora, do you know where this came from?" his eyes gazed into mine, making me look away uncomfortably. "I know who made it, do you?" I shook my head, I didn't want to remember, those painful things that haunted everything I did and took away my voice…"Or were you four years old at the time?"
I wanted more than anything to run away right then. I could feel tears welling up in my eyes, being as scared as I was, trying desperately to hold back those memories with the iron gate I had built. That gate was always weakening, and seemed to get weaker around Riku.
I sniffed, nearly defenseless.
"You don't know do you?" he said in a quieter, more soothing tone while his grip lessened.
I shook my head again, and looked into those eyes.
The eyes that made me think of her.
That woman who killed dad.
While I watched.
Hanging my head, I coughed as Riku let go of my hands and pulled me in for a hug.
And I cried.
I cried until I couldn't hear the screams.
The sound of blood dripping onto a concrete floor.
I cried until those raging fires inside me were turned to minor burns.
"You shouldn't go to school without a shirt," he commented, trying to lighten the dark haze that had settled around us. "I have a hoodie, but you may not like it…"
He rustled in the back for it. I wiped my tears away with the back of my hand, only succeeding in making my face even wetter.
He turned around carrying a detestable piece of cloth.
It was yellow.
I detest yellow.
Yellow is happy.
I am not a happy person.
I glared and I could tell that my lower lip was protruding, forming the infamous pout.
He sighed.
"I thought you would feel that way. Hold this," he commanded, handing over the hoodie.
He started to take off his black shirt that proclaimed in bold pink letters, 'too hot to handle' and revealed a clean shapely torso of abs.
Then his elbow got stuck in the neck hole of his shirt, which I found hilarious. He however, thought otherwise and pleaded,
"Sora, a little help please?"
I shifted and put down the hoodie to 'help' him. I have a feeling this would be easier if I could talk…
I pulled his arm indicating to move it left, but of course he moved the other way.
"Like this?" he asked.
No, remind me to slap you.
"Um, do I put my arm here or there?"
What do you think?
"Sora, you sure you got this?"
No, I don't. Stop asking.
"finally. Here you go." I snatched the shirt, feeling that I hand earned it going through all that crap.
I put on the shirt easily, inside-out of course to hide the ghastly pink lettering.
"Can I have my hoodie back then?" I picked it up feeling damp cloth between my fingers.
Arg, I shouldn't have put it down on my jeans, now it's soaked…
I gave it back to him, color rising in my face with embarrassment.
He just laughed when I handed it back.
"I should have thought of that, sorry."
Why was he apologizing? I was the one who got it wet, not him!
Both of us in wet clothes and staring at each other in silent laughter, you might have guessed it was raining, but the sun was shining and the sky was clear.
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When we finally did get to school, (I mean, the hellhole) I was happy to be in gym class…but not for long.
"Why are you late? Explain yourselves!"
I couldn't explain myself, so I hid behind Riku, tugging on his hoodie.
"We were sick this morning, and um, we came to school anyway to honor you with our presence. Sorry your grace," he said bowing slightly.
She turned away, her short fiery hair standing on end.
"To the showers then. Off with you and …his royal highness."
Once again I was left in peace. With Riku.
I yawned and made my way across the vast plain of freshly waxed wood floor. I could feel the stares of my so-called classmates as I dragged Riku along with me. His squeaky shoes made a horrid noise.
When we did make it to the door that proclaimed MEN'S LOCKER ROOM, I took in a big breath before I dared to even touch the handle. Open says me!
Oh dear lord and heaven, the smell leaks to the very brain and decapitates my soul!
The stench, smell, odor, horrid fragrance, whatever you choose, was a lethal combination of sweat, backed-up toilet, dirty socks, and cheap cologne.
I turned around, took in another breath and made a sprint to the showers. The only safe place. It was protected from the great stink by the soap that the school provided and kept in extremely good stock.
I looked about the stalls, found the one with minimal mold and no football gear.
Turn on shower.
Get soaked again.
Feel like I'm standing in the rain.
"Sora, what are you-"
I'm taking a shower with my clothes on.
He had a strange look on his face. It clearly stated, OMFG that was the most horrendous smell I've ever encountered in my seventeen years of life. I merely smiled at his expression.
"Well, it beats gym class."
Riku got in with me, adjusting the shower head so we could both get equally wet.
He made a small yelp, startled by how cold it was. He seemed amazed that I could stand there taking it in without a frown or a grimace.
"How do you stand this!?" Riku asked rubbing his arms while his lip wobbled.
His hair became gray in the wetness, looking like the clouds on a stormy day.
"Does it have hot water?" His hand went off to mess with the knob, turning the cold to heat.
The needles of ice cold water faded into liquid sunlight, heating us. I stared at the ceiling now. With condensation, it had become a map of stars and constellations, giving me an opportunity to create pictures from the drops. I thought of a time when cloud was kind, an eight year old, and my best friend.
"Sora, look, an ice cream cone!"
I nodded, noticing that the ice cream had a caramel swirl in it. I looked up to those stars and traced out fairies and griffins, mermaids and Indians, Peter Pan. Back then Peter Pan was my hero, and I wanted to fly off to never land and stay with cloud forever. I pointed to a familiar imaginary constellation and tugged Cloud's sleeve. He looked.
"Yeah, Dad's watching over us isn't he?" He said ruffling my hair.
"Sora, hello? You threre?"
I blinked. What do you want? I thought staring into those aqua eyes.
"Aren't you going to take off your clothes?"
While I was day dreaming I suppose he got undressed and wait, he just asked what?!
I made a small squeak noise.
…
I made a noise-I haven't made a noise in 12 years-
Riku had a dumbfounded look on his face.
"You… did something"
Damn right I did!
So I nodded. My body was pulsing with the excitement of this discovery.
I made a noise-got to tell Leon-tell Kairi-Cloud-Mom-my journal-
To say the least I was about to explode with excitement.
I'm on top of the world!
I jumped in my enthusiasm, and in doing so I slipped (of course, how stupid could I be?) on the slick tile. Before I fell completely I grabbed Riku's…hand (1) pulling him down with me. In surprise he grabbed the shower head and pulled it off. Hot water shot everywhere as I hit my head on the side of the shower stall.
"Ow, Sora, you ok…? Um,"
What happened? My head burns.
I looked up into Riku's eyes. He was upside down and blushing furiously while biting his lower lip.
What now?
Oh.
My head was needless to say close to…that thing…you know…on guys…and uh,
I froze.
And turned every shade of red known to man and stopped breathing.
Awkward silence…
Finally I tried to move, taking in a deep breath and lifting my head so as not to touch his…thing.
"Thanks," he said very quiet.
I got up all the way and offered a hand to Riku.
What's next, a flying hippo?! Today is just full of odd occurrences.
Riku took my hand and using the shower wall to brace myself I pulled him up.
"Sora, you are a strange sort of wonderful."
Nuh uh! I am a mess of discombobulated thoughts, memories, ideas, and intense feelings!
"So…are you going to take off your clothes?"
Now it was my turn to blush furiously.
I think your mind is in the gutter Riku…
Sora Mimura to the office, Sora Mimura to the office, thank you.
I'm saved! I have such good luck with these kinds of things.
I ran and left Riku standing in the shower alone.
Riku is too…into my body and not into me. Humph. Ow, my nose burns. I thought as I ran thought the stench, and then it finally came to me, why was I being summoned to the office? What if they think I did something horribly wrong, and now they want to give me detention! I've never had detention before-or what if the Janitor saw me sneak that lighter in my pocket-and what if-just stop worrying.
But of course, if you tell yourself not to worry, you just worry even more.
As I walked, I thought maybe, just maybe I could make myself disappear for half an hour. Perhaps it would be just long enough so that I wouldn't have to deal with the people in the office, and long enough to get far away from school.
Darn you majik that works not! (2)
So now here I am in the office.
It's empty.
It's plain.
It's creepy.
And I think that's Cloud.
"Hey," he said in his usual monotone.
I stared. What the heck is he here for? Am I in trouble for not waking up on time?
"You forgot today is taco day, and you hate tacos…so I brought your lunch---extra cookies on the side."
My eyes widened. The office wasn't so bad now.
"Be thankful, I just saved your ass from becoming a taco zombie" He preformed an impression of the undead with his arms held out in front of him, as if he could not see where the brains that zombies so desire might be.
I made a silent laugh. The only kind of laugh possible for me to make.
I signed thank you and took my lunch. Much happier now, I turned to the door. Before I could open it however, Cloud grasped my shoulder.
"No hug for your big brother who just gave you a homemade lunch? You're crushing my soul here."
A grin spread across my lips. I glomped Cloud. He had asked for a hug after all. He held me tight and I held him too. In that moment I sensed something. A secret he wanted to tell me, but wasn't supposed to.
I 'asked' for a piece of paper.
He produced a piece out of nowhere. I took a pen from my pocket, not questioning why the darn thing was there in the first place.
Scribble scribble.
You-re hiding something, what is it?
I gave the paper back to him and he stared then put on his I-won't-tell-you-a-thing face.
Darn you, Cloud.
"Just make you sure you don't come home until five. Ok?"
And with that he went off and out the office.
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I waved to Riku as the bell rang, and he waved back of course.
I walked down the hall to Web Design.
He moved sluggishly in the other direction toward drama class.
But I think he has enough drama as it is.
Hmmm, did I mention that Kairi is in my Web Design class?
Didn't think so.
I just don't really talk to her in here, I write stuff, and be lazy. Also she doesn't sit next to me when Mister Symer is present. He is a big meanie.
"Hey Sora, guess what?"
What?
"We have a sub, so I get to sit with you!" she nearly choked on her giggles of excitement.
Yay.
I'm so excited, can't you tell?
I sat in my normal seat while Kairi took the seat next to me. Usually it belonged to some kid named Tidus, but he decided to sit with this other guy called Wakka. There isn't another seat next to me because I of course sit in the back in the corner where it's far from the teacher's eyes. I sit here because I can listen to conversation, get inspired, and write about anything I so please. However, when we have a sub, I never get the same amount of work done. In fact, I get less done 'cause Kairi has to sit next to me and talk of girly nonsense. I wonder why girls seem to speak this code. It's as if there are too many things about them I don't understand. Girls are weird, and talk too much.
Before Kairi can open her mouth, I take out my journal and begin to write.
Dear someone,
I have nothing better to do than to write on these pages, so I will try to fill up a page or two with non-coherent thoughts. Hope you don't mind.
It's because you told us we couldn't try that we are here. It's because you never took the time to tell us that we were great that we are greater now. You never said we could rock the world with our talents so we have. We've taken your ideal and turned them upside-down just to show you we can. To show you that by doing so we have achieved our dreams, your greatest fear. Because from the black and the dark sprouts light, 'cause darkness isn't everlasting. I've got two paths to take. One is paved with riches and gold, jewels and the like. The other has words, imagination, and a half painted canvas. Riches mean little to me and I have a paint brush. Maybe I can put my voice in colors and images, maybe in a language everyone can understand…
Come and listen to the chorus,
Try and understand.
Please hold your tongue,
Don't make a stand.
Hear your heat beat race,
Eavesdrop on its pace.
Help is closer than you think,
Hold on and you won't sink.
May four walls-a ceiling-a floor-
Bind you-without a door.
Write a story-maybe a book-
About that nostalgic-empty look.
Let go of what is dear,
Forget what ever you may hear.
Make you life on hollow ground-
Please don't make a sound.
Play with me-dance with me-
But never will you forget me.
Memories, lost times, and pieces of my mind, will I ever find you?
That took a page and a half. Darn small handwriting.
To the internet!
E-mail check.
You have 54 new messages! (48 BULK) (2 Kairi) (4 Corbin)
Coolio. (3)
Yes, my friends have their own filtered folders.
2luvable4ursoul says:
Sora where were you yesterday?! We had chicken tenders for lunch and you never miss out on those! Hope you are ok.
Luv, Kairi
Delete.
2luvable4ursoul says:
You haven't replied to my message in four hours! That's not like you. Hurry and reply cause now I'm worried lots.
Luv, Kairi
Delete.
Twilightdreamer2 says:
Hey Sky. Didn't see you on chat yesterday and was wondering what's up.
Reply.
silencednightmare says:
black mem, I'll tell you about it after school
Send.
Twilightdreamer2 says:
Guess what?
Delete.
Twilightdreamer2 says:
I think I found the guy. He's perfect, loving, affectionate, and has some sexy moves. Can't wait to tell you about the lollipop.
Oh dear lord.
Delete.
Twilightdreamer2 says:
Alright, so I'm sitting at the local ice cream parlor listening to my I-pod and he taps my shoulder. Take off my head phones, and he asks if he can sit with me. Then he buys me strawberry ice cream. I'm wondering how he knew my favorite flavor. He orders vanilla for himself and we talk for a few while waiting for our ice creams. Our order's up and he takes out a lollipop, dips it in his vanilla ice cream and licks it off. I'm thinking sexy…He asks If I wanna try and I do. We spent the whole day together and held hands. Romance anyone?
DELETE.
You are a sicko sometimes…
Logout.
"So um, Sora, where were you yesterday?"
She shoves a piece of paper in my general direction. I pretend not to notice.
"Come on Sora, I need to know!" she says in a pleading sort of way.
I sighed, took the paper and scrawled,
Home. Sick.
She took it back and frowned.
"Sora I know that's not true. I went to your house after school to cheek up on you!"
She handed back the paper.
Riku's house.
I pushed the paper an inch or so away from me, hoping she wouldn't notice.
But of course she did.
"No way! You have to tell me the whole story!"
So I wrote it all down, with the exception of the kissing part. I told her he felt more like a good friend.
"A good friend you can hold hands with?" She question knowingly.
I hold hands with you and you are my best friend!
"Well what about Leon then, I think you like him more."
Do not!
"Yes you do, it's written all over your face!"
Nuh uh!
"Sora, if you don't like Leon, then do you like Riku more?"
I don't know…
I trailed off in thought on that thought. Who did I like more? Platinum or chocolate moose?
BRRRING!
Thank god. Class is over.
Off to Science.
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I was happily asleep for most of the class period until my neighbor taped my shoulder.
"Sora, some girl wanted me to give this to you. Looks like a love letter."
I took it still in a daze from sleeping.
Sora Mimura to the office, Sora Mimura to the office, thank you.
What now?!
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(1) Ha, I wouldn't make that dirty, though I thought about it.
(2) I um, have a specific way of spelling magic. I like to spell it that way. -.-;
(3) I love that word for some unknown reason.
OMFG you have no idea what hell I had trying to get this to you guys. Well thank goodness for reviews to keep me going! hint hint But honestly, I do love you all for reviewing, It just makes my day.
Remember, no review means this story dies! Muhahahahaha!
Or, um, that I just delete it.