Chapter 3: "Geez"

Part II: What a day

"Geez Kairi! Stop making a scene! Come with me this way…," Namine said as she directed me away from everyone's curious gazes. Tifa and Larxene followed us into the girl's bathroom and I checked all the stalls to make sure they were empty before signaling the okay to lock the door. Larxene obliged and we were all shut up in the bathroom.

"Now. What the heck were you going on about Kairi?" Namine asked. By this time my anger was cooled and replaced with sadness.

"You need to tell Sora about you and Riku or tell Riku to shove off because I'm not going to keep acting like nothing's going on! It's making me sick, literally, and my conscience can't take it! I know you think it doesn't concern me but… it kinda does when I have to defend you from people who go around spreading rumors and even Sora! I can't stand facing him knowing what I know! It's killing me! So tell him or I swear to bob that I'll do it for you!" Everyone was quiet. Larxene and Tifa exchanged looks before looking at Namine who was keeping a steady gaze with me.

"…Who's spreading rumors?" She inquired.

"What? Does it matter? I've got it handled!"

"Kairi! Who is spreading the rumors?" Her face was neutral. She seemed calm, but at the same time her voice resembled a beach before a tsunami struck. I never saw her so serious; consequently, her attitude completely stumped me. I was curious about seeing her reaction if I told her, but at the same time I didn't want to know what she'd do…

"Kairi. Who is it?" Her eyes pierced to the core of my soul. I felt like couldn't not answer, so very feebly I said, "…Yuffie… She was talking to Sora about you in first hour…"

"And? What'd she say?"

"…She uh… she was basically calling you a whore and saying that you sleep around with all of Sora's friends…" Namine's face lost its sternness and became mellower. Her gaze drifted to the mirror and I saw her looking at herself. She was just staring at her reflection trying to find something. Something that was lost. Tears were evident in her eyes and I looked at Larxene and Tifa for guidance. They just shrugged.

"Namine. He still doesn't know. He thinks Yuffie's just a dumb whore…," I offered as condolence. Her watery eyes didn't drift away from her reflection, but she did contemplate the words I said.

"…Right… But… how does she even…? When did she find out about…?" My sister stuttered. Larxene put a hand on her shoulder in comfort.

"Don't worry. We'll find out and get that slut back. Come on Tifa," she said. Tifa followed her out of the bathroom and I stared at Namine feeling sorry for her.

"… I did punch her in the face though…"

"Yea... I guess. I guess you win sis'. I'll end things with Riku before this gets out of hand anymore than it has." Her reflection changed. She was no longer solemn but more determined and she stomped out of the restroom. I followed behind her dumbly. Riku was just outside and Namine barely glanced at him. My heart was beating real fast but I decided not to make eye contact with him either for fear that I'd feel even worse than I felt.

Namine went to class without saying anything to anyone and so had I. What was there to say? It was all a big mess. I was preoccupied all throughout the school day about the matter and barely got any work done.

When I went to my locker after last hour, I saw Demyx leaning against it leisurely. A crescent moon grin appeared on his face when he saw me coming.

"What happened? I thought you were meeting up with me after second hour? Got caught up in some stuff?" He questioned. I blushed with embarrassment.

"Yea. Sorry…"

"It's alright. I got you tomorrow. Right?" He pushed himself off of the locker and I realized that I didn't really notice just how tall he actually was until that moment.

"Yea… look. I feel really bad about today. Let me make it up to you?" Demyx seemed to think about this for a moment before he smiled and said, "Sure. Why not? How about coming with me to that party at Seifer's place tomorrow? It's gonna be hype." I sighed heavily and shook my head.

"I don't do parties," I stated firmly. He seemed disappointed.

"But I saw you at Raajin's party the other day. Why not go to Seifer's party?" I forgot that he was there. The only reason I was there was by force. Namine left a message to our parents saying that we had to stay late at school. Not that they'd be home to see us anyway, but if they did come home and I was the only one home, Namine would get into trouble. Our folks still considered her a "virgin" and so she wasn't allowed to be alone with boys. For example, our parents knew that Sora gave us rides and if one of us was riding with Sora, then we both were. But anyway, there was no way to talk her out of the party so the only solution was to join her and I regretted it.

"Yea… but…"

"Kairi. Can I ask you something completely off topic and none of my business?"

"Uh… sure. I guess…"

"Okay. Are you gay?" My eyes widened and my jaw dropped.

"Ex… excuse me?"

"Uh… are you gay? I was just asking because well, you seem to get along better with girls and I haven't seen you with too many guys… Have you even had a boyfriend before?" My head was spinning. I couldn't believe he was questioning my sexuality!

"No! No I'm not!"

"Hey! No need to get angry! I mean… it's okay right?"

"No! I can't believe this! Are you asking because you expect every girl to drop her pants in your presence or something? Sorry, but I'm no groupie. If you were looking for easy prey you picked the wrong person guy!" Demyx's eyes widened and I glared at him before stomping away.

"Word of advice, pull that stick out your ass before you talk to me again!" I shouted back as I gave him the finger.

I honestly couldn't believe it! He really questioned my sexuality because he expected me to say yes? Tch! Whatever! I can do much, much better.

When I got to the parking lot, I was surprised to see Namine talking with Riku. I knew she was breaking up with him, but I didn't know that it was going to be so fast. Stealthily, I snuck up on them, hiding behind Sora's BMW, and listened.

"So. You wanted to talk to me?" He asked. Namine nodded and I saw a faint blush on her cheeks.

"…We need… We need to stop seeing each other," she said softly. There was silence and Riku looked at my sister, staring into her eyes.

"… Yea. I guess you're right…"

"You were there when Yuffie nearly told Sora about us right?"

"Yea…" There was more silence and Namine distracted herself by pulling on her blonde hair seemingly checking for split ends. Riku watched her intently as though he wanted to remember everything about her in this moment.

"I didn't know breaking this off was going to be so hard...," she said finally. She stopped playing with her hair and once again locked eyes with Riku.

"… If you say so."

"What's your problem Riku? Why are you acting like a jerk off? I mean… it's over! Aren't you angry or sad?? Geez!"

"What the hell Namine? You're the one acting like this isn't some big deal! You're calling it off! I mean… I'm the one that's going to have to sit back and watch Sora touch you, and kiss you, and hold you… Do you think this is what I want!? Dammit!"

"… So… you're angry?"

"I'm as fucking bright as sunshine and shitting rainbows! Geez! Of course I'm angry! I'm pissed! Why does Sora get to have you? Huh? Why can't it be me? I want you Namine! I… I…," he abruptly stopped and broke his gaze with my sister in order to look at his shaking fist. He watched it as though his eyes could stop it from moving. As though stopping it would stop the serge of emotion that caused the fist to shake. Namine followed his eyes and watched it as well.

"… I always thought… you just liked me for my body Riku… I never thought it'd grown so serious. I've imagined myself by Sora's side since middle school. I even imagined us married and what our kids might look like…," she said with a small smile. She took Riku's shaking fist into her hand and caressed it lovingly.

"When… when you first kissed me… I was… I was so surprised that I remember thinking that 'oh my gosh I've kissed my boyfriend's best friend!' When we first made love… I… I felt so… so overwhelmed with ecstasy that I remember thinking 'I had sex with Riku!' Slowly… so slowly you became someone who meant more to me than just my boyfriend's best friend. But… but… all the sneaking and dodging… all the late night talks… I… I wasn't sure that it was right. I love Sora. I knew that. And at the same time I felt… I felt… Whenever I was with you I felt so spontaneous… Needed… I felt like I was wanted as badly as I needed wanting." Riku watched her intently and tears formed in her eyes.

"I was scared. I didn't ever know… I never knew with you. You always kept me guessing. I was tired of guessing. I needed something solid. Sora was my support Riku and I know that he'll always be my support. I don't want to lose him Riku. I love him." Her tears fell freely and Riku took her into his arms. His embrace was tight and he buried his head in her hair.

"He was your support… but I was the one who actually comforted you…" Riku breathily said. Namine dug herself from his chest and looked him in the eyes. He cupped her cheek in one of his masculine hands and used his thumb to wipe her tears away.

"I always knew who you were to me Namine. I never doubted it once… Despite all the sneaking and dodging."

"Riku…"

"I could never really express myself the way Sora can so maybe I was the one who really drove you to this decision but… I never just cared about the sex… It was being in your company that really mattered to me. I was content with just a smile or a look my way. I never cared… except it bothered me, always, how whenever you looked at me… you saw the other guy. I didn't want to be the other guy Namine. Never…"

"Riku…"

"And I won't be. As much as it hurts me to say it… good bye… Namine."

"Riku!" He cocked his head slightly and caught her lips with his own. Namine moaned and kissed him back. Tears were rolling down her flushed cheeks and she dug her fingers into his arm as she sobbed. He pulled her closer and deepened the kiss to silence her; to take away her pain. I felt my eyes water. I never knew… I never knew Namine felt that way. And I never knew… I never knew that Riku truly loved my sister. When Namine broke for air, Riku pulled her head to his chest and stroked her hair affectionately.

" I love you Namine," he whispered ever so gently. She broke down in hysterical wails that wracked her body.

"No! No!" She cried. Riku held her a little longer before he finally let her go. She tried to grab onto his sleeve but he pulled away from her and walked to his car. He got in and drove off without looking back.

"Riku!" My sister called after him, but he was already gone. "Riku…" I felt my own tears roll down my face and I tried to sob silently. Was I the cause of this pain? Why had I pushed her so hard? I wanted badly to go to her and comfort her but then she'd know that I was sneaking around, butting in affairs that were none of my concern.

Suddenly all my problems seemed minimal. Geez, what a helluva day.