Chapter 5: The Beach
It was Friday night and all the girls met up at Namine's house to help her get ready.
"Sorry. I've never done this before." Selphie said attaching something to Namine's bra.
"You put it on her bra? Guys, he is gonna find that in like five minutes!" Kairi said. The three gave her a look. "Or not."
"Kairi, can you speak into the cleavage?" Rikku asked. Kairi stepped in front of Namine and bent down to get closer.
"Namine's boob cam. Testing!" Kairi said.
"You guys." Rikku said holding up a tiny screen with the feed from the camera on Namine's bra.
"Oh my gosh!" Namine said. Kairi made faces into the camera until Namine interrupted her. "Ok, that's enough." Namine said closing her bathrobe.
"You know, if we can play our cards right, we could keep this going all the way to Riku's birthday." Selphie said playing with Namine's hair.
"That may just work." Rikku said. The girls stopped and looked at her. "See, I've already made a projective heartbreak timeline. Based on Riku's average conquest compared to Namine's rising cool factor." Rikku said as Namine sat down on the bed next to her. "So it leads to two main events: the away game and Riku's birthday party. Now, I think our best chance at heartbreak is to see how much he cares about Namine. So we test him at the away game and then we-"
"-crush him at his birthday party." Kairi said. Rikku pointed to Kairi smiling. The two high-fived as Kairi squealed happily.
"Wait. How do you know he's even going to have a party?" Namine asked.
"Oh, you're so new it's cute." Selphie said making Namine turn to her. "Ok, so Riku's birthday is like homecoming combined with prom combined with MTV Music Awards." Selphie said. Namine giggled. Was Selphie serious? How popular and rich can one guy get?
"So, are you ready for him?" Kairi asked.
"Yes. Ok, so I play hard to get, I count to three. I got it." Namine said.
"No. That's when you playing hard to get. You're going out with him now. He's got you." Kairi said.
"So I count to…four?" Namine said sheepishly. The girls just looked away. "Oh my God! I don't know what I'm doing!" Namine yelled springing off her bed and pacing. "I mean, this is a really bad idea, you guys. This is-" Smack. Just as Namine turned around Rikku smacked her right on the forehead.
"Chill out!" Rikku said. Namine stepped back and rubbed her head. "Look, you're with three girls who know how he operates, ok? You'll be fine." Rikku said sitting back down.
"Ok. I'm gonna be Riku, Selphie you be Namine." Kairi said.
"I don't wanna be Namine." Selphie said.
"Can I be Namine?" Namine asked.
"Fine, let Namine be Namine. Just go." Rikku said.
"Ok. Baby, it's your lucky day. 'Cause I'm gonna take to out tonight. Where do you wanna go?" Kairi asked deepening her voice to sound more like a guy.
"I don't know, where do you wanna go?" Namine asked.
"No! You have got to be in control!" Rikku said pulling Namine's arm to make her face her. "Try it with me. Honey, you know I'm all about what makes you happy. So what movie? Anything you want." Rikku said pretending to be Riku.
"What do you think I want? And don't be wrong." Namine said. The other three exchanged glances. They all put up guns with their hands and fired them. Namine smiled and did the same and then twisted her hip to the side happily. The three grabbed a top and started to find her an outfit.
"Ok, wait. It can't hide the camera." Rikku said.
"Cleavage. It's gonna go in the sweater." Kairi said. Just then Kairi's phone went off. "Oh, hang on. Let me get that." Kairi said walking over to her bag which was oh Namine's chair and grabbed her cell phone from it. "Huh." Kairi said looking at the phone.
"What is it?" Namine asked running over to Kairi with the other two in tow.
"It's Sora." Kairi said looking at them.
"Well, answer it." Rikku said. Kairi shrugged and flipped open the phone.
"Hello?" Kairi asked.
"Hey, Kairi." Sora said on the other line.
"Hi, Sora." Kairi replied.
"So, um, you know about the party on the beach tonight, right?" he asked.
"Yeah. Everyone's been talking about it at school." Kairi said. The three gave her questioning looks. Kairi put it on speaker.
"Yeah. So, are you going?"
"I wasn't really thinking about, no." Kairi said even though she knew she'd be there for Namine.
"Oh. Well, I was gonna go, but I didn't really have anyone to go with. And, well, people are kinda lame when they don't go with anyone. So, I don't know-"
"Sora."
"Yeah?"
"Can you please get to the point? I'm kinda in the middle of something." Kairi said glancing at Namine and seeing she was still in her bathrobe.
"Well, um, would you wanna go with me?" Sora asked. Kairi's eyes widened. She had always kinda liked Sora, but Riku got to her first. She looked at the other three. Namine immediately shook her head yes. Rikku and Selphie responded slowly, but eventually nodded their heads. Kairi smiled.
"That sounds great. Pick me up at Namine's at seven?" Kairi said.
"Sure. See you then."
"Bye." Kairi hung up the phone.
"Well, you seem overly happy." Rikku pointed out.
"What? No, it's just Sora. Namine, can I borrow some clothes?" Kairi asked.
Namine stepped onto the semi-crowded beach at exactly 7 o' clock. She was wearing jeans, a light blue tank top, a green blue shrug, and silver flats. She started walking towards the water when she heard her name being called. She turned around to see Riku running towards her.
"Hey." Namine said smiling.
"Hey, you made it." Riku said putting his arm around her.
"Yeah." Namine replied. They started walking up the beach and Namine was greeted by many people as was Riku.
"Looks like I'm going out with the most popular girl in school." Riku said smiling.
"Lucky you." Namine said looking away. She spotted Kairi walking onto the beach hand-in-hand with Sora. They were talking and laughing.
"So, tell me about yourself. I wanna know everything. Your whole story." Riku said taking her attention back.
"My story…is still being written." Namine said playing with her hands.
"So, it's a mystery." Riku said.
"Mmhmm." Namine replied.
"I like mysteries."
"Really? I mean, what do you like about them?"
"I don't know. I guess I like secrets."
"I bet." Namine said looking at Kairi again. The two were sitting by the water holding hands and watching the sunset.
"Ok. You're right. Too much talking ruins the moment. Let me just stand here and enjoy this." Riku said stepping in front of Namine.
"Riku-"
"Shh." Riku said holding his finger up.
"The sunset is that way." Namine said pointing behind him.
"I know. I'm just watching everyone staring at me with jealousy because they wish they were out on a date with a girl like you." Riku said making Namine smile. He grabbed her hand and they continued walking.
"So how did I end up with the most amazing girl in school? I mean, was it my irresistible charm or my really nice abs." Riku said.
"I think it was your incredible modesty." Namine said.
"Liar!" Riku said jokingly.
Back in the bushes were Selphie and Rikku watching the boob cam.
"Oh shit! He's in the zone tonight. I just hope she can handle it. The beach, the sunset." Selphie said watching the screen.
"At least there's no romantic fire." Rikku offered.
Riku and Namine were sitting together roasting marshmallows later that night. Namine looked across the fire and saw Roxas. He was watching them. She offered him a smile, but he just looked away and talked to his friend, the person who everyone called Axel. Kairi was at the next fire over with Sora. Riku turned to Namine. She looked like she was cold. He took his jacket off and draped it over her shoulders. She smiled at him and pulled the jacket tighter around her.
"Thank you." She said smiling.
"No problem. So, um, can I give you a ride home?" he asked.
"Now? Yeah." Namine said standing up. He took her hand and started to lead her to the car. "I have to pee." She blurted out. "That was too much information." She said.
"It's ok. Your secret's safe with me. I gotta make sure Roxas has a ride home anyways. I'll meet you at the Jeep."
"Ok." Namine said walking in the other direction as Riku. She went where nobody was around and pulled the camera close to her face.
"Hello? I need some help here!" she whispered.
"We didn't prepare her for this." Rikku said. Rikku whipped her cell phone out of her pocket and quickly texted Kairi.
"I'm really glad you came tonight." Sora said putting his arm around Kairi. She leaned into him. This moment was perfect for her. Bzzz. Bzzz. Kairi groaned and pulled out her cell phone. She had a text from Rikku. She flipped open her phone and looked at it.
kai, nam needs help stat! she's at riku's car. get there now!!
"Everything alright?" Sora asked from her expression.
"No. I've gotta go. I'm really sorry. I had a lot of fun, though! Thanks for inviting me." Kairi gave him a quick peck on the cheek and ran up the beach.
Namine climbed into the passenger seat of Riku's Jeep almost hyperventilating. She sat there trying to take deep breaths. All of a sudden Kairi opened the window on the driver's side. "Hi!" she said happily.
"Hey. Ok, a ride home? What do I do?" Namine asked.
"Just breathe. This is really good; it means he's into you."
"Is he gonna try and make a move?" Namine asked frantically.
"No. If anything, it's just gonna be a kiss. He likes to keep it PG-13 on the first night." Kairi said. "Ok, are you a good kisser?"
"I don't know. How does anybody know?"
"Do guys tell you you're a good kisser?" Kairi asked. Namine thought.
"Oh my God! I'm a bad kisser!"
"Ok, stop!" Kairi whisper yelled. "All we need is one kiss and then you leave him wanting more, ok? It is not that hard." Namine made a face. "Oh my God, I'm gonna have to show you aren't I?" Kairi said opening the door quietly and climbing into the car.
"Right now?" Namine asked.
"Ok, come here. You lock in on him!" Kairi said grabbing the back of Namine's neck. "You grab onto that gorgeous head of hair and take control. Hold his gaze. Your lips might just touch, but not yet." Kairi said moving her face closer to Namine's. "It's just gotta be the temptation. And then you give him one, like kiss." Kairi said leaning and gently putting her lips on Namine's.
"Holy jamma llama!" someone said. They both abruptly pulled back and gasped. "Kiss her again. Do it." the boy said.
"Get out of her you perv!" Namine yelled flipping on the headlights. The boy darted and then Namine and Kairi saw Riku walking up the sandy hill.
"Shit!" they both yelled. Namine quickly tried to push Kairi into the back. Kairi fell in a heap and covered herself with Riku's school jacket.
"Hey, babe, can you turn off the lights?" Riku asked walking around to his door.
"U-uh, hey." Namine said not being able to think of anything. He got into the car and turned it on.
"Hey." He said.
"Hi." Namine said looking out the window.
"What's wrong?" Riku asked seeing how heavily Namine was breathing.
"N-nothing, nothing. I was just breathing. I breathe a lot." Namine said.
"Right." Riku said before starting to pull out.
Rikku and Selphie were sitting in Rikku's van nearby. Rikku gasped. Selphie looked up from her magazine.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Kairi's still in the truck." Rikku said shocked.
"What?" Selphie screamed.
"Slut in truck!" Rikku yelled jumping up and putting the car in gear. They drove after Riku's car.
"So, what kind of music do you listen to?" Riku asked once they were on the road.
"Good music." Namine said.
"I think I might have some of that." Riku said reaching into the back of his car almost hitting Kairi. Namine looked back and saw Kairi curled in a ball trying to avoid Riku's hand. He grabbed a CD and put into the CD player. Instantly My Chemical Romance flooded the car.
"You like My Chemical Romance?" Namine asked.
"Tell me you don't and I'm kicking you out of the car right now." Riku said smiling at her. He knew in his mind that Roxas was the one who told him about the band. He personally despised it, but if Namine liked it, then he would suffer through it.
"N-no! I love them!" Namine said. Kairi smacked her arm. "I mean, they're ok. I guess. Whatever." Namine said.
"So, what are some of your other secrets?" Riku asked.
"Well, if I told you I have to kill you." Namine said. Riku just smiled at her.
Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of Namine's house. Riku turned to Namine.
"I'm glad we did this. I had a good time." He said.
"Me too." Namine said unbuckling her seatbelt. She glanced at Kairi in the process. Kairi mouthed "Help! Make him walk you up!"
"Umm, walk me to my door." Namine said to Riku.
"Sure." He replied getting out of the car. Rikku and Selphie pulled up behind and shut off the lights.
"Namine. I could walk you to your door, but then I'd be too tempted to kiss you." Riku said. Namine looked over and saw Kairi getting out of the car. "And I really like you. And I don't wanna risk anything by moving too fast." He said. Namine looked back over and saw that Kairi had gotten out of the car, but her skirt got caught on the side of it. She tried to rip it off, but it wouldn't budge. "So, rather than torture myself, I'm just gonna say goodnight. So, goodnight." Namine looked at Kairi and she had a frantic look on her face begging Namine to buy her more time. Riku went to turn around, but Namine grabbed his shoulder to pull him back into a kiss. She missed a little and their heads knocked together.
"Ow!" they both exclaimed in unison.
"I-I think I bobbed when you weaved." Namine said.
"Yeah." Riku said.
"She's going off book! What's going on?" Rikku asked looking at the screen. Selphie popped her head up and saw Kairi attached to Riku's car.
"Is that Kairi?" Selphie asked. Rikku's head popped up.
"What?" she asked. Kairi looked back at them and was pointing to her skirt.
"Ok. Bye." Riku said turning to walk away again. Namine got a good hold and pulled him back this time to meet her lips.
"I always like a little risk." Namine whispered before kissing him. She held his neck and when she broke the kiss his eyes were still closed. She looked over at his car and saw that Kairi wasn't stuck to it. She let Riku go and stepped back. Just then the sprinklers turned on.
"Oh my gosh! Crap!" Namine gasped as the two ran up the front stairs. The two back in the van were watching the screen which was going fuzzy at this point.
"Something is not right." Rikku said.
Riku looked into Namine's eyes and swept her bangs out of her face. He leaned in and kissed her. Just as Riku was about to deepen the kiss they heard someone trip on the sidewalk and Namine pulled back. Roxas had been walking up her street to make sure Riku didn't do anything and when he saw the two of them kissing he lost his footing and tripped.
"Roxas?" Namine asked. Roxas sprung up.
"H-hey, you guys. Sorry if I was interrupting anything." He said.
"Actually, y-" Riku started
"No! Umm, thanks, Riku. I had a lot of fun. I-I'll see you at school. Bye." She said opening the door and walking inside. Just as she was about to shut the door she stuck her head out. "Bye, Roxas." She smiled and shut the door.
The van's sliding door opened abruptly. Kairi was climbing into the car clutching what was left of skirt to her legs.
"It's not even my date and he still gets me out of my skirt!" Kairi said with frustration slamming the door shut.
Riku pounded down Namine's stairs towards Roxas. He had an awful glare on his face and Roxas started to back up. Unfortunately for him, he backed right into a tree.
"What the hell is your problem?" Riku almost screamed in Roxas' face.
"Wh-what are you talking about?" Roxas asked praying that his own brother didn't beat him up.
"You just happened to be here just as Namine and I were about to make out?" Riku yelled.
"I-I was just taking a walk." Roxas said sheepishly.
"Right by Namine's house? What were you doing here?" Riku demanded.
"I told you! I was just taking a walk!" Roxas yelled back. Riku punched him in the jaw. Roxas quickly clutched his jaw in pain.
"Just stay the hell out of this!" he yelled before walking to his car. Roxas followed him.
"Can you at least give me a ride home?" Roxas asked.
"You got this far, didn't you? I'm sure you'll be just fine walking home." Riku said slamming his door shut and zoomed off with part of Kairi's skirt hanging from the back tire. Roxas stared awkwardly at it. He recognized it as Kairi's skirt from that night. But what was it doing on Riku's car. Roxas shrugged away the thought and started on his journey back to his house.
Namine went inside to her kitchen where there was a laundry basket with clean towels sitting on the floor. She grabbed a blue one form it and started dabbing her face with it as her mom walked in with a dirty plate.
"Ohh, honey, what happened?" her mom asked looking at her daughter all wet.
"Oh, sprinklers." Namine said.
"Oh, well that can ruin a date." Her mom said walking to the sink.
"It wasn't a real date, Mom."
"Right. Umm, listen." Her mom said rinsing off a dish. "I don't think this is such a good idea. You know, pretending to like a guy. I just, I don't wanna see you get hurt." Her mom said.
"I'm not gonna get hurt. He is." Namine said starting to walk out of the kitchen.
"My advice-" her mom said making her turn and walk back. "- is not to do this."
"Mom, there are a lot of things that I come to you for advice about. But this is not one of them." Namine said dabbing herself again. Her mom stood up straight. "I'm sorry, but how many Riku Davis' have pulled a hit and run on you?"
"You know, that is not fair. I have met some pretty nice guys lately." Her mom defended.
"Oh yeah. The drummer, the guy from rehab, and throw in that one from the tanning salon and you've hit the trifecta." Namine said thoughtfully.
"When did you get like this? A month ago you wouldn't like you right now." her mom said.
"A month ago nobody liked me." Namine said.
"I did." Her mom said raising her eyebrows.
"Sorry. I'm just a little…" Namine said shaking her hand.
"Yeah, I get a little of that too." Her mom said repeating Namine's actions.
"Night." Namine said walking out again.
"Namine." her mom called after her. She turned around. "Just be careful for you pretend to be. I mean, I'd hate it if you forgot who you are."
"I was nobody. So, there's really no risk in losing anything." Namine said turning again and heading upstairs.