Chapter 3

They arrived at the coffee shop with only a few minutes to spare before the contest. Sora, wet from the pouring rain, attempted to find a towel or something to dry his hair.

-Don´t worry about your hair. It makes you look cute.- Riku whispered into Sora´s ear.

His face heated up and turned to the shade of a beet and all Sora could think was of how happy he was that the room was too dark to see. He quickly turned away, heading up onto the back stage so that he could sign in.

Riku found his seat near the front of the stage where he would be able to watch Sora. He was sad because the two had been friends since they were children…but ever since Sora moved out of his house, he didn´t seem to trust anybody.

The lights dimmed to complete darkness and one single light shown on the emotionless face, eyes closed and mouth open nearly an inch. Bongo drums in the background, setting the mood for the brunette boy.

Opening his eyes, his face was dark and empty.

-If a star can be a sign that the light is breaking thru,
and the child in your arms makes the whole world seem brand new.
We can embrace all the grace we've been given,
stand in the light of the wonder we live in.-

He paused for dramatic effect, looking down at the crowd. Riku knew that he was looking for him, so he simply lifted his eyes which were know to reflect from the stage light. They locked eyes, and Riku´s smile filled Sora´s heart with joy and hope.

-This is your gift, this brand new day.
So take it to heart, take it on faith.
Open your eyes, don't be afraid to learn how to live.
This is your gift. This brand new day. This is your gift.-

Riku clenched his pocket, feeling the round metal just buzzing with excitement. Today is the day he planned to confess his love for Sora and ask him to marry him. How long he had waited…

-When it's hard to say a prayer, when you're overcome by fear,
and you see each day through a thousand fallen tears,
Hope takes your hand and it picks up the pieces.
Love …-

There was an awkward silence, everybody could feel the tension as the drums quit playing and the artist looked up with eyes of shock and sorrow towards somebody in the back. Then without a moment more of hesitation, the boy leaped from the stage, running out the back door and out into the pouring rain.

Riku, only taking a glimpse of the man who sat in the back of the room, followed after Sora who ran back towards the train station.

-Sora! Sora!- called Riku, continuing to chase after the brunette. Catching up to him, he pulled Sora into a comforting hug, keeping him from running any further. –Sora. What´s wrong?-

The boy continued to cry, refusing to open his eyes.

-Sora! Sora, Calm down!-

-I can´t do this!- yelled Sora, trying to push Riku away.

-Please Sora! Don´t run anymore!-

Sora looked up at Riku´s eyes, refusing to lock for too long. Finally, once he felt Riku´s grip loosen, he broke free and ran.

-Sora! Please!-

However, it was too late as Sora had disappeared in the mist of the rain.

-I love you-

Sora ran and ran until he finally reached his home back on Destiny Islands. Then he laid down in bed after locking all of the doors and fell asleep.

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-Do you know what Sora does?- asked a hooded figure where Riku stood, the same one who was in the bar.