A Heart Renewed
By: CrimsonCrome
Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or SquareSoft/SquareEnix. I do own Patience Lyndenburg, Yuki's Deli (the one in my story) and any other made up ideas/original characters. Thanks. Oh, and if Green Lighting is a soda, I don't own that either.
A/N: So did you like the whole last chapter? Different, huh? Please note that when I say football, I mean the American version. We call the European version soccer, here in the U.S.
Warning: Religious material! Ooh! Scary! LOL! No, but please do not be offended, all of it is nice and from a First Church of Christ Christian point of view. Also, there is an alcohol reference.
Chapter Three"So you were the one that picked the fight?" The principle asked him.
"I called him stupid," Sora confessed.
The principle shook his head. "Sora, I know you are a good boy, what made you act this way?"
The brunette shrugged. "They were disrespecting Kairi. I couldn't just stand there and let them badmouth her. They were being stupid, so I called them that."
The principle shook his head. "It's the first day of school Sora and I have to give you a detention! Well, you better get to lunch." The principle sighed and waved him away. Sora stood and headed down the hallway where Riku, Selphie, and Tidus were waiting for him. Tidus had a black eye.
"Sorry guys," Sora apologized. "I got you guys into this mess."
"Nobody asked us to help you, we did it on our own free will," Riku stated flatly. "No need for unnecessary apologies."
Tidus laughed. "C'mon man, battle scars! How awesome is that!"
Sora laughed.
The lunchroom was nearly empty, but Kairi had waited on them to return. "Oh! You guys, I bought you lunches so you wouldn't have to stand in line!" She handed them the food and they sat down and ate at a table, Kairi stayed with them.
"Thanks, Kairi," Riku said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
She smiled fondly at him. "Your welcome."
Sora scowled.
"Thank you for standing up for me, Tidus," Selphie said, scooting closer to him.
Tidus scooted away from her. "Don't mention it again."
Selphie frowned and finished her lunch.
The bell rang for second lunch to get out. The boys ate faster, but Selphie was already finished. Kairi helped them throw away their leftovers.
"Let's get to class," she said.
Sora looked at her, ready to strike up a conversation. "So what –"
"What do you have fifth period, Kairi?" Riku asked, cutting Sora off.
"French 2," Kairi said. "If I learn French, I'll know, Russian, English, and Japanese!"
Sora laughed. "I'm in computer class during fifth period. But I didn't get to surf the web because Selphie talked my ear off."
Selphie shrugged. "Sorry."
Nearly everyone turned to her.
Riku was the first to bring out the sarcastic remark everyone was thinking. "Sorry? Since when do you say you're sorry?"
Selphie shook her head and Sora thought he saw a tear in her eye. Kairi walked beside her.
"Why don't you guys go on ahead, see you later at the deli," Kairi waved.
Sora, Tidus, and Riku walked on as Kairi talked to Selphie.
"We should spy on them," Tidus said nastily.
"No," Riku kept walking. "We're probably late already. Besides, girls are all emotional and that I can't stand."
Sora shook his head. "That's really mean, Riku."
"Your point?" Riku said, turning around and frowning at Sora.
They kept walking, each branching off to their own classroom.
The rest of the day, Sora couldn't help but think about Selphie. Did he offend her when he said she talked his ear off? He was only joking, anyway. Why was she acting the way she did? Why did any girl act the way they did? His last two classes were Algebra 2 and English. None of his friends were in his math class, but Selphie, Roxas, Tidus, and Kairi were in his English class.
After the last bell, everyone exited the school. Sora walked beside Kairi and Riku.
"So, are we going to Yuki's deli?" Riku asked.
"Yeah, grab us some sodas before we go to youth group," Kairi smiled.
Sora felt around in his pockets. "Crud, I left all my money at home. Oh well, I'll just go with you guys."
Riku and Kairi exchanged looks.
When they got to Yuki's deli, Tidus, Selphie, Wakka, and Roxas were waiting for them. Selphie looked pale and almost sick.
Kairi began to talk to her and the guys got a booth. Sora noticed Selphie was pointing at Tidus a lot, but the blond boy didn't even notice.
"So are we just getting sodas?" Tidus asked. "I'm up for some food."
Roxas shrugged his shoulders. "I'm getting a burger and fries with my soda. I don't know about you guys. I haven't eaten yet."
Selphie and Kairi came over and sat down with the guys.
Wakka put a comforting arm around Selphie's shoulders. "Ya alright, girl?"
Selphie sniffed and nodded. Tidus narrowed his eyes at her and put the menu up so that he couldn't see her.
Kairi sighed and shifted in her seat. She was squished between Selphie and Riku.
Yuki's deli was a place where most of the teenagers on Vision Shores spent their time. Since the small town didn't have a movie theater or bowling alley, the deli shop's arcade games and attached bookstore were the only sources of entertainment. The deli part had about seven booths and four tables. There were plenty of pictures of the family that owned it on the walls. The desk at which you paid displayed in a glass case underneath the cash register all the meat and cheese choices. The arcade games were on the opposite wall from where Sora and his friends were sitting. There were three of them, an alien shooting game, a pinball machine, and a racing game. There was also a jukebox beside them that played some fast techno songs. On Friday nights, the deli owners would push aside the four tables in the middle and create a small dance floor for the high school teenagers to dance on.
Sora looked at the menu and then remembered he had no money and put it down. His stomach grumbled. The waitress came over as Sora was looking at his menu. He heard her gasp and then looked up to see Patience standing there.
Wakka was the first to react. "Hey! What's happening, mon?"
Patience nervously tucked a piece of hair behind a pale ear. "Oh, hello guys. How is everyone?"
The group nodded their hellos and answered her question with their automatic "good".
"May I take your order?" Patience face was bright red.
"You okay?" Tidus asked her, sort of confused.
"Yeah, y-yes, thank you for ask-k-king," she stuttered. Sora could tell she wasn't okay.
Riku waved a hand as if dismissing her actions and spoke his order. "I want the hamburger. Extra pickle. And a soda."
"What kind of soda," she asked; gluing her eyes to the pad of paper she was writing on to take down their orders.
"Uh – Green Lightning," he said, handing her his menu.
She took it quickly and then turned to Kairi. They each gave her their orders, passing their menus to her. When she was finished with them, she began to turn away and dropped all the menus. Sora got up to help her.
"Oh," she said, her face burning. "I'm so clumsy."
"It's okay," Sora said soothingly. "We all make mistakes." He grabbed up three menus, handing them to her. She took them and picked up the rest as fast as she could, then walked away hastily.
"Aw," Kairi said sympathetically. "She's really nervous. Maybe she didn't expect to run into us here. I know I didn't expect to see her here."
Riku laughed. "She's cute, but she's clumsy."
"She's got a nice butt," Tidus said.
Selphie opened her mouth in disgust and Kairi crossed her arms over her chest, but Wakka and Roxas nodded their heads in agreement.
"That's awfully rude," Selphie said bitterly.
Tidus shrugged. "I just speak the truth."
Kairi shook her head.
Sora and Riku exchanged looks.
They began talking about their days at school, the new gang, and of course, Patience. But they stopped when she came back with a tray full of drinks. Her hands were shaking badly. She put them down on the table and everyone watched her in silence, which of course made her more nervous.
When she finally got to Tidus' drink (the last one on the tray) she began to take it off the tray but the edge of the cup caught on the lip of the tray and went flying – all over Sora's lap. He stood up quickly, ice and soda splashing on the ground below him. Kairi gasped and grabbed the napkins. Patience just stood in shocked silence, her forefingers on her temples. The others didn't know how to react as Kairi leaned over and tried to wipe up the mess on Sora's area of the table. Sora took one look at Patience and his heart melted.
She was in tears.
He smiled broadly at her and said loudly for the others to here. "And I thought I wasn't going to get a soda."
The others laughed and Patience giggled a bit through her tears. She bent down to the floor and began mopping up the mess with napkins. Sora stooped to help her.
"I'm so sorry, I don't know why I'm so clumsy, please forgive me. I'll pay for all of their lunches and buy you lunch. I –" Patience stopped when she saw a man towering over her and Sora.
"Patience? What have you done? That's the third time this week! Look, I can't have anymore angry customers and you're wasting our soda! When your finished serving them, I need to talk to you privately in my office," the man's belly fat jiggled as he waved his arms around for more emphasis on his words.
Sora stood upright. "Sir, it was an accident, and I'm not mad."
The man closed his eyes and pinched the top of his nose with his fingers. "Look, it would be okay if it were the first time, but three times? She's not going to have a paycheck by the time this is over with. I just can't have this going on in a respectable restaurant. You know what Patience," the man opened his eyes and clenched his fists. "I'm done. Just leave. You're fired."
Patience stood and silent tears rolled down her cheeks. She carefully undid her nametag, gasping as the clip pinched her skin. She put it on the counter along with her apron and pad of paper. Then she slowly, slowly, shuffled out the door.
Sora turned and faced the man. "Well that was pretty ridiculous. Can't you cut the girl some slack?" Without waiting for a response, Sora took off after Patience.
Kairi and the rest followed him outside, completely forgetting their food, to see Patience standing in the middle of the parking lot, shaking. Her sobs were soft, but heavy. Sora went over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She jumped.
"Thank you for standing up for me, you didn't have to do that. Especially since I spilled soda all over you. I'm so s-s-s-sorry," she covered her face, trying to conceal herself from him.
He took her hands and moved them away from her face. She had mascara running down her pale cheeks and Sora was a little frightened by her piercing green eyes.
"Look, I'm not mad. There are other places to work here on Vision Shores. I could help you find a job if you want," Sora suggested, trying desperately to make her stop crying. He wasn't sure how to handle it. He pulled at his wet clothing, listening to the squishy suction sound it made when coming off his chest.
Kairi came over and placed a hand on Patience's shoulder. "Why don't you come to youth group with us tonight? You could spend the night with Selphie and me! It would be so much fun! I'm sure my mom wouldn't mind, she's very understanding."
Patience smiled, but in a sad way. "Thank you, but I don't want to be a burden. I appreciate you trying to make me feel better but –"
Kairi stopped her. "Oh please! You wouldn't be a burden. Come on, if you don't come I'll be really upset." Kairi gave her puppy dog eyes and Patience full out laughed.
Sora smiled again. "Good work Kairi! You made her laugh!"
Riku came over and stared at Patience, then looked to Kairi. "I'm going to the church with the guys. We'll see you there." He took another look at Patience and then turned his back and walked away.
"Um… okay, I will come, I guess. I don't want to be in the way. I know I'm clumsy. I'll do my best not to move much," Patience turned bright red when Kairi laughed.
"It's alright, you're so nervous! Just relax! Sora and I won't bite!" Kairi giggled.
"Speak for yourself!" Sora said, as he pretended like he was going to bit Kairi's shoulder.
"Eek! Stop!" She pushed him away and then giggled some more. Patience gave another smile.
"Thank you for your kindness," Patience whispered.
"What?" Kairi asked.
"I said, thank you for –"
Sora shivered. "Okay, I'm cold now." The sun was setting and a strong, chilly wind had picked up. Selphie, Tidus, Wakka, and Roxas had all left with Riku earlier, so the Sora, Kairi, and Patience all decided to go home and get ready for youth group.
When Sora arrived at the church at the edge of Vision Shores, the youth pastor, Garrett, was waiting for him outside the door.
"Hey Sora, I heard Kairi invited someone new to youth group. Who is it?" Garrett questioned him excitedly.
"Oh," Sora ran a hand through his hair. "Her name is Patience Lyndenburg. I think she's a refugee from the Dusk Islands. She's kind of clumsy and she's really nervous, but I think you'll like her."
Garrett smiled. "Why is she nervous? Is she shy or something? We can break her of that!"
"Ooh – just be gentle," Sora warned. "She was fired from her job today because she accidentally spilled soda all over me, so I'd try not to be overly cheerful around her."
Garrett nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Might turn her off if I do. Okay, I got an idea. Why don't we introduce ourselves to her, but not make her say anything about herself, so we don't put her on the spot. Then, when we do our game for tonight, I'll tweak it so that we can learn more about her without it being uncomfortable."
"What's the game?" Sora asked curiously.
Garrett tapped his nose and smiled. "I'm not telling!"
Sora frowned. "Aw, why not? That's not fair!"
Garrett winked. "You'll see what it is soon enough! Now go on inside and I'll wait for Kairi to show up with Patience."
Sora did as he was told and saw his friends sprawled out on the couches in their meeting room. Selphie was sitting upright and stone faced on one of the comfy chairs, making eye contact with no one. Sora seated himself on one of the couches beside Roxas.
"Is Patience coming?" Wakka asked.
"Yeah, isn't that great?" Sora asked.
The room fell silent. Riku sniffed.
"Well I think it's great, Sora," Selphie said reassuringly. "She's a nice girl."
"But she's clumsy!" Riku said nastily. "She's way too skinny, her eyes are freaky, she can't talk, she can't hold anything, and she's just weird! Maybe she got the disease from the Dusk Islands. That would explain her actions."
"No it wouldn't," Wakka countered. "Do you even know what that disease does? It turns your insides into mush. It's like the Ebola virus, except slower and more painful. Plus it makes you have seizures every once in a while until you die."
Selphie had her hand over her open mouth, her eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Oh that is horrible!"
"Yeah, all the children over at the Dusk Islands have it!" Tidus shouted.
Selphie's face went pale. "All of them?"
"No," Sora said quickly. "Not all of them, mainly the ones in the city on the south shores. They haven't found a cure yet, but they're close. They can even treat it now, I'm told. I think the disease is called t –"
Garrett opened the door with a loud crash. "Riku, I need to see you outside please."
Kairi was standing outside, her hands on her hips, her eyebrows pointed downward in anger.
"What?" Riku asked, confused.
"Patience heard what you said and I heard what you said about her," Garrett crossed his arms over his chest. "What kind of example are you setting for this girl? This is not how Christians act. I'm very disappointed in you."
"Where is she?" Selphie asked, concern covering her cute features.
Kairi frowned. "She ran off, muttering something about needing to get home. She was crying Riku! I can't believe you! You're so… heartless!" Kairi turned her back to him, making Riku frown.
Sora got up. "Okay, everybody just calm down. Let's just pick her up from her house in the church van. Riku can apologize and then we can do something fun."
Garrett smiled. "Good idea, Sora. Why am I the youth minister? You're the one that has all the good ideas!"
Riku rolled his eyes.
Sora shrugged. "Well, we better get going before things get really bad. Does anyone know where she lives?"
Kairi turned back around and raised a hand, smiling. "Oh! I do! I can show you where she is."
Everyone got up from the couch and headed out toward the church van they used to go to Christian functions and outings. They all piled in and Riku made sure to sit next to Kairi, who turned her head away from him. Garrett got in the drivers seat and started up the car.
"Okay, guys. Let's rock and roll!" Garrett got to the edge of the parking lot, where the road was connected to it and stopped. "Left or right, Kairi?"
"Left," Kairi said, pointing. She gave Garrett directions to her house. The teenagers looked out the windows, recognizing the place. They were in the poor section of Vision Shores, where the houses were run down and older men sat on the porch with blank eyes and a can of beer. No one spoke the whole ride, afraid to lighten the heavy mood, lest they receive no answer and look cold.
Garrett slowed the van as Kairi indicated that Patience's house was on the left. They stopped and Kairi got out. She knocked on the door and Sora saw a lady who looked exactly like Patience (except older) answer. He watched her lips move and her face become angry, then her face softened and Kairi turned around and smiled at the van. Riku got out and went over to the woman. Patience appeared behind her and Sora could tell Riku was apologizing because he spread his hands wide and hung his head a bit. Then Patience stepped out of her house and nodded. Her mother went into the house and then reappeared with some money in her hand. Patience smiled and walked with them back to the van.
Sora squished up against Selphie as Patience squeezed in the back with him. Kairi and Riku took their seats up front with Roxas. Wakka and Tidus got the short middle seat.
Garrett put the van into gear again and began driving down the road. "You know guys, there is a front seat up here."
"Oh," Patience said, obviously just noticing it. "I'm sorry, I should have taken that seat."
Garrett laughed. "That's alright. I bite anyway."
Roxas chuckled and then snorted, which got the whole van in an uproar, breaking the ice.
Patience cleared her throat and then asked the question that had been on her mind since Garrett's comment. "What is it with you people and biting?"
Kairi giggled again. Garrett looked in the rearview mirror in complete confusion. "Huh?"
Riku's stomach growled. "Hey, can we go somewhere to eat. We just left all our food at the deli."
Patience folded and unfolded her hands nervously.
"Yeah," Garrett took a right turn. "Let's go to that new pizza place. I heard they have really good Italian food. I'll tell you what. Supper is on me guys."
Wakka pumped a fist in the air. "Mon, I knew you were my favorite youth group leader."
Garrett laughed. "I'm your only youth group leader, Wakka."
"What's your point? Narrows down your competition, ya?" That brought Wakka a few laughs, mainly from Kairi.
Garrett took another right turn and they were back in the commercial area of town. They passed Yuki's deli and other restaurants and shops, then they came to a pizza joint with a big flashing red sign that read: "NOW OPEN". Garrett pulled into the parking lot and parked the van. Everyone got out, nearly knocking each other over.
Roxas took in a big whiff. "Mmm, smells good!"
Kairi laughed. "You're right, it does! We should pig out since Garrett's got the bill!"
Garrett gave her a that's-so-mean face and the others laughed at his anguish.
Patience offered up her munny. "I have five, if you want it for my meal."
Garrett smiled. "Thanks, but I got you. And order whatever you want guys."
Wakka and Tidus slapped high fives. "Let's get a extra large pizza each!" They said at once, as if they had planned it.
Sora rubbed his belly. "And some pasta, ooh! How about lasagna? Or fettuccini…"
More and more of the kids added in things and watched Garrett's face drop into a worried frown.
When they finally entered the restaurant, Garrett was looking through his wallet and the others were joking about the bill being over a thousand dollars. Patience stayed quiet, but smiled, even though it was uncomfortably. They were seated at an extra large booth and got their menus from the nice waiter.
Sora was looking through the menu when he heard a familiar voice.
"What do you mean you don't have Green Lightning here? Are you crazy? What kind of pizza place is this?" A stream of curses and dishes falling off and breaking on the ground followed.
Sora got up and looked over the edge of the booth to see Axel in the face of a small waitress. She was holding up her hands defensively, and leaning away from him. Garrett stood from the booth and walked over to him. Sora watched, wondering how his youth minister would take on the gang leader.
"Sir," Garrett started calmly.
"Who are you?" Axel spat in his face. "Mind your own business! I'm busy here."
Garrett wiped the spit from his face and tried again. "Sir, please calm down. She's only trying to do her job. It's not her fault they don't serve Green Lighting here."
Axel began to cuss the youth minister out and Garrett stood and waited for the young man to fizzle out. The red head had a lot in him though. The manager and supervisor came to the aid of the waitress and Garrett. They started to warn him, telling him to calm down or get out.
Axel chose to leave, cussing out the men as he went.
The waitress was nearly in tears.
Garrett turned to her. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," she whispered. She was small with soft brown hair and gentle sky blue eyes. "Thank you for your help."
Garrett, who was six foot, towered over her. "Oh, I don't think I was much help in that situation. But I think it was unnecessary to yell at you for such a trifling thing as not having his favorite soda."
The manager and supervisor each thanked Garrett and apologized for the "inconvenience". Garrett smiled and shook their hands, then sat down at his table.
Kairi shook her head. "Man, he was really mad, wasn't he?"
Garrett shrugged. "Maybe he just had a bad day. No excuse for his actions though. I wonder if I could find him again and suggest he come to youth group."
"NO!" The whole table said, except for Patience.
"Why not?" Garrett asked, folding his arms across his chest.
Tidus held up his hands. "Didn't you see the way he was acting? He's crazy and a real jerk! Him and his gang members have already beaten up a football player!"
Garrett shook his head. "All the more reason to get him in our youth group."
Patience fiddled with a strand of hair. "He was very nice to me."
Sora looked at her in awe. "Be careful around him. He's dangerous."
Kairi giggled. "You sound like her father or something, Sora."
Patience looked away.
The door opened to the pizza joint again and Axel reentered.
"Everybody down! I've got a gun!" Axel pulled forth a shiny pistol and people in the restaurant screamed in panic.
Sora and his youth group got down on the floor as Axel came storming over, demanding they "hit the concrete".
Garrett stayed in front of the kids as Axel waved the gun over his head.
Kairi and Selphie were panicking; Patience was in shock. The boys were watching Axel, closely and with wide eyes. Axel grabbed the waitress he had been arguing with earlier and she screamed.
"Shut up! Shut up, you hear me?" Axel put the gun to her head and she whimpered, tears pouring down her face.
Garrett held up his hands. "Hey, let's talk about this. We can do this in a better way. Just put the gun down."
"Shut up or I'll shoot her!" Axel said, pressing the gun harder against the girl's temple. She screamed again.
The manager of the shop looked to him. "What do you want? Please, just don't do something stupid, kid."
"I want all your money," Axel said, his face a deep red from his shouting and ranting.
The supervisor began to get up. "I'm going to get it. Don't shoot."
Axel watched him carefully. "Don't even think about touching that phone."
The supervisor nodded.
"Please," the girl whimpered.
"Shut up!" Axel bellowed. Kairi and Selphie whimpered. Sora gritted his teeth.
"It's going to be okay," Garrett said, addressing the waitress in Axel's grasp.
"I said stop talking to her!" Axel said – and shot the gun at Garrett.
XxX End Chapter Three XxX