Chapter Two---Secret Under the Table

Thoughts and emotions swirled inside Riku like a hurricane, tossing him this way and that, confusing him and in the end making him sick. The bitter taste of bile stung his throat as he threw up his lunch, tears streaming down his face. What had happened? Why?

It had been escalating all day but Riku had never expected his best friend to betray him in such a way. Had Seifer meant to betray him? Or was he simply caught in the middle? Deep down, he knew the truth...it had been in the back of his mind all the while Seifer had kissed him.

And what a kiss it had been.

Riku's first, in fact. Soft and firm. Warm, just like Seifer was. A small excited flitter filled him once again, the excitement of that one brief, perfect moment, just before it crashed around him.

Before he lost everything he'd held on to.

There was a knock at his door, but Riku ignored it. He couldn't bring himself to move. Zexion's outline became vaguely aware to him, as well as the fact that the younger boy was speaking. But when Zexion pulled Riku awkwardly into his lap, the older boy lost it. Sobs wracked his body and the soft sounds Zexion made in attempted comfort did not ease the pain and Riku seemed to drown in his tears.

Seifer had been the one person unphased by Riku's beauty or his fame. Riku simply was and Seifer was simply his best friend. That was it. But this...Seifer knew Riku was...like that, but he'd sworn not to utter a single word... swore to be Riku's friend no matter what.

In the end, Seifer had taken Riku's entire world, entire soul and shattered it into a million, fragmented pieces. All he had ever wanted to was to trust someone. To put himself in their hands and rest assured they would protect him, would want him and God willing, love him.

Unidentified longing left a wide, gaping hole in the center of his chest where his heart should have been. But that had been ripped out just hours before and Riku was slowly numbing himself, preparing to severe what was left from everyone around him.

And on the eve of the worst day ever, Riku died.

Zexion quietly shut the door and made his way downstairs. Trista sat at the table, looking through Riku's latest photo shoot, admiring the boy. Her green eyes suddenly focused on Zexion and narrowed.

"What the hell happened today?" Zexion shrugged.

"...I believe we'll have to transfer schools... Wouldn't want anyone to know you're precious little model's a fag now would we?" Trista glowered at the mocking tone in her sons' voice but did nothing. She had never frightened the younger boy and they both knew it.

Riku was a different story. He was her prize, her perfect boy and just like every perfect son, he listened to whatever mommy dearest told him.

"What ?! What did you do to him?" Zexion scoffed.

"I did nothing, Mother, Seifer did. And it doesn't matter. Just send the damn transfer papers." While the boy exited the room, Trista wondered just when in the hell he'd become so much like his father.

A.n: Ok! So if anyone can find the hidden reference, I'll die happy. Sad, short little update but I live! so review!!!

Sam Baku: Thanks so much for the review! yes bad Seifer, but we'll punish him later! muwahaha...reveiw! much love!

Kiba91592: Your update my lovely, thanks for the review, keep em' comin'!!!!!

-iUlti!-