Chapter 8: Played like a Fool

Part I: Dangerous Games

Sora and I got back to the table a little while after everyone else and everyone gave us suspicious looks especially when they noticed how angry we were, but no one said anything. After we left the restaurant, my dad drove around the island, showing Rikku the rest of the sights. When we got back home it was late and I was worn out. I climbed the stairs to my room and fell into my bed. A few minutes later, Namine came in.

"What did you and Sora talk about?"

"Nothing. He was just worried about something that's all."

"Something like…?"

"He doesn't like Demyx."

"Oh. Okay then." As she proceeded to close the door and leave, I called out, "Namine wait!" She popped her head back in and asked, "What?" I sat up and struggled with what to say to her.

"If… if someone was potentially harmful to you… would you want me to tell you… even if it hurt you really badly?" Namine gave me a look and came back into the room.

"What do you mean?" I took a deep breath.

"… I mean… I know something about Sora…" Namine crept closer.

"What about Sora?" I started playing with the ruffles on my shirt offhandedly and answered in a small voice, "… He's using you." My sister gave me a befuddled look and shook her head.

"How so?" Ugh! What was with all her questions? Why couldn't she just believe what I told her?

"He… likes someone else and is just using you to get to that person…" Darn it! I didn't mean to be so vague. I thought that if I was upfront about it all, we could work something out, but no, I chickened out and now my sister was going to play the guessing game.

"Who is it? Tifa?"

"No…"

"Larxene?"

"Uh… no… but about Larxene…"

"What about Larxene? Kairi, what the hell is going on?" She was starting to get irritated. If I continued this discussion, she'd have my ass instead of hurting the people who really deserved it. Sighing, I shook my head.

"Forget it." She frowned angrily.

"Dammit! Why go and waste my time like that then? If you know something then spit it out you chicken shit." Wow. I did not deserve that. Frowning I said, "Forget it. It's not important."

"Ugh!" She grabbed a pencil from off my vanity and chucked at me before she angrily stomped out of my room. Oh boy. If that was what she had in store for her actually enemies, they were in trouble. I lay back down and proceeded to close my eyes. Sleep was hard to come, and when it finally had, I just dreamt about Sora. It was weird. I kept hearing his voice repeatedly saying, "We should be together", but he was no where in sight. I could feel myself yearning to be with him and even looking all over and whenever I felt like I was getting closer, something held me back. Then one time, I felt a hand grabbing my arm. Turning around, I saw that it was Demyx. I tried to pull away but his grip was deadly.

"Lemme go Demyx!"

"No! I want you Kairi! If I can't have you then no one can!" The last thing I saw was his hand around my neck before I woke up in a cold sweat. The sun brightly glistened through the window shades and I used my arm to shield my eyes from the light. I had this strange feeling in my heart, like the dream was meant to be taken as a premonition. Shaking my head, I decided to shrug it off and got up. Careful not to wake Rikku up, I went to the bathroom and splashed water on my face. It was cold and refreshing. But it wasn't enough to erase the ominous feeling from me.

Sunday went by slowly. Everyone woke-up late and proceeded to spend the majority of the day to prepare for the rest of the week. Namine wasn't acting pissy anymore. I guessed that I just caught her at a bad time. But with an attitude like that, I decided that I shouldn't tell her anything that I know. Such information might push her over the edge and she might end up on the same boat as Paine. Anyway, Rikku spent the majority of the day talking with Riku on the phone. She laughed a lot and I noticed that she was carefree in her conversation with him. They talked about nothing and everything.

"Have you ever noticed how your second toe is bigger than all the rest?... Heeheehee. I don't think I'm strange for noticing something like that, after all, such a fact makes it hard to wear sandals and that's bad news when you live on an island. … Well, I know a couple of guys with foot fetishes so yea, they would notice my feet so take that smart alec!" I laughed a little to myself. I didn't know Riku would talk about things like that because I always thought he was too cool to. Namine listened too and she angrily looked at me. I shrugged. What did she to be angry about? She chose Sora if I remembered correctly. I continued to do my laundry, secretly listening to Rikku and Riku's conversation while enjoying Rikku's happiness.

Namine had a couple of phone calls herself from the bitch squad. She vented her frustrations to them about Rikku and Riku's apparent attraction for one another. She was so mad that her cheeks were red. I felt like I should warn her about telling Larxene but I kept my mouth closed. It's not like Larxene could do anything now. She could tell Sora about Namine and Riku's once upon a time, but it wouldn't matter because he liked me and Riku liked Rikku. I blushed. Sora…

Maybe I had overreacted. Who was Namine not to deserve a little misery? It might actually do her some good. Perhaps I was angered by the fact that I had put so much effort in trying to protect my sister and him from pain and then finding out that pain was inevitable. They just weren't a good match. Maybe me and Sora did make more sense… But… to use someone like that… Maybe he and Namine were more similar after all. How could I trust him? Would he hurt me if I gave him the chance? Given, he had hurt me already. But… but still…

I distracted myself by playing video games in the den with Rikku. We played various game titles for hours until I got bored. Then I got a phone call.

"'S for you," Namine told. She entered the den and extended the phone towards me. I took it and asked, "Hello? Who's this?"

"It is Garnet." Whoa. I had no idea she had my number.

"What's up?" I inquired. There was silence for a few moments and then she said, "This is so embarrassing seeing to how we barely know each other and all… But… Kairi can I ask you a favor?" I handed the controller to Rikku and got up from my seat.

"It depends… what is it?"

"Well… I am leaving for Daguerreo soon since school is almost out for winter break and there is not going to be anyone home to take care of my little sister Eiko…"

"You have a little sister? Seriously?"

"Yea. She was at a friend's house when you came over. She is a good kid, just a little obnoxious at times. Anyway, my mother is never at home because of her job so usually I am the one watching her. Well, since I am going to be leaving soon and my mother cannot get off work, I was wondering if you could watch her." I felt my mouth drop in shock and then I laughed. I heard an irritated grunt on the other end and calmed myself down.

"What is so funny Kairi?"

"The fact that you want me to watch your little sister. Why can't you just hire someone?"

"About that… My mother is very… how should I put this… paranoid? She does not just let anyone into the house because she is worried her rivals might try to spy on her or whatever. And all our close family is back in Alexandria. It would be foolish to buy a two-thousand dollar ticket to fly over all the way over here just to stay for two weeks."

"Whoa… well, I mean. Garnet, I… uh… emphasize with your situation but uh… I don't see what good I could be actually. I've never baby sat before and to put it frankly, I hate kids."

"Oh come on Kairi. You were a kid once yourself. Besides, she is twelve and that is hardly the age of a small child."

"Yea. That's almost the age of a damn teenager. Why can't she stay home alone again?"

"Oh God… well, you would find out anyway, but she is uh… well, Eiko is semi-retarded. She nearly drowned in a pool once and well… yea. She can function normally and think and everything but she kind of lacks common sense and all that."

"Well. Now, you realize not only have I not had any experience watching kids but I haven't even come close to a mentally disabled one before. This is a helluva thing to drop in a person's lap all the sudden. Why can't she go with you?"

"Ugh… Kairi! She cannot go with me because my two way ticket cost a pretty penny and there is no way my mother would spend more than necessary on another one. I mean, Kairi. She is just a kid, nothing to be scared of and not only that but you would not even be watching her that long. You will just have to spend three hours a day with her because most of the day she has to stay at a special school. … We are going to pay you of course. Nine dollars an hour Kairi. Think about that. You work three hours for a total of two weeks. That's twenty-one hours. Now multiply that by nine and you get a grand total of one-hundred and eighty-nine dollars."

"Whoa… I never had a hundred and eighty-nine dollars to myself before… That's a lot of money to be made in just two weeks… How do you know you're mother would let me since she's so paranoid?" There was a pause and I nearly thought that Garnet had hung up on me.

"Uh…Hello?"

"Do not think I am strange for this or anything, but I told her about you and she likes you. So, no, she would not mind if you watched Eiko."

"Hm. Now, when does this start?"

"The two weeks for winter break. So, are you in?"

"Hm… yeah. Yeah I guess I am. I mean, I can't deprive you of your chance to see the guy you love and all that."

"Oh thanks Kairi! You are truly a good person."

"Yeah, yeah I guess."

"Well I will give you the details tomorrow okay? Later then."

"Yeah. Okay, bye." We hung up and I tossed the phone beside me and lay down on the cough, sighing. Namine looked at me curiously.

"Who in the hell was that?"

"Garnet. Looks like I've gotta a job to do over winter break." Namine shrugged and grabbed the phone and then left the den. Rikku cried when she died.

"Man! Dang it!!"

"Ha ha! You suck!"

----

Waking up the next day, I got ready for school and waited until Demyx came to pick me up. Sora and Riku came before he did and Namine grinned.

"What's up guys?" She asked.

"Nothin'. Glad to be going back to school Namine?" Riku said. For a moment, she was taken aback by the sound of his voice. Her cheeks turned a rosy color and she answered in a little voice, "Yeah…" He smiled.

"I bet. Hey Kairi. Hey Rikku." Just like that, he'd dismissed Namine and ended their small talk. She winced and looked at her feet embarrassedly. Sora ignored the both of them. In fact, he seemed to be in his own world where he was oblivious of everyone's presence.

"Good morning Riku. Geez, it's still so weird saying my own name ya know?"

"I came first so it was my name originally."

"Whatever. It suits me better!" She screeched and climbed into the back seat of Sora's car. My sister watched her disdainfully.

"What the hell are you doing? Aren't you riding with Kairi and Demyx?" She asked coldly. Rikku gave her a look.

"No" Came her simple reply.

"Is there a problem Namine?" Riku smugly asked. My sister's blush increased and she grumbled angrily under her breath. Reluctantly, she crawled into the seat next to Rikku but tried to maintain as much distance from her as possible. I watched them unsure if I should let them all ride in the same car together.

"Are you coming Kairi?" Riku asked. I shook my head.

"I'm riding with Demyx," I answered. Sora's eyes drifted away from the road and he looked at me.

"Oh. Okay. Then I guess we're done here. Let's go," Riku said. Sora continued to watch me for a moment, not saying anything and then he took the car out of park and put it in drive and stepped on the accelerator. I watched them drive off and felt hurt, which I didn't understand since I had really just brought it on myself. I stood out in the cold a little longer, watching my breath create small puffs of air, until Demyx finally came. I entered his car, thankful for the warmth, and greeted him. He kissed me and we stayed lip to lip for a good five minutes. As we kissed, I felt uncharacteristically subconscious. When he moved his hand to my leg, I abruptly pulled back and he looked at me. I looked back at him and then laughed a little to play off my discomfort.

"Uh… we should go to school now," I said. He watched me a little longer and then he drove me to school.

It was boring at school since all the teachers had become laxed. It was the week before break and they knew that any assignments they gave out wouldn't be completed. Kids were cleaning out their lockers, throwing away things from first semester. I was with my friends cleaning out lockers and we had a competition to see who had the cleanest locker. The winner got two dollars from each of the participants. Rikku wasn't included because she hadn't been there long enough to trash her locker. Olette was the first one out. Her locker was junky with sports stuff. Fujin's locker was less messy then Olette's but more messier than Selphie's whose locker was jacked up more than mine was. Just when I thought I won, Garnet decided she wanted to play. She had come to give me the details about the babysitting. I thought, "Fine. More money for me." I was foolish. If only I had recalled how neat her room was… When Garnet opened her locker, it was like seeing the Garden of Eden or something. We all looked inside and became dumbstruck.

"What the hell is this? This ain't no locker," Fujin claimed. Garnet laughed.

"Sorry to disappoint you but it is actually. And I believe that makes me the winner. Pay up." Without protest, we each handed her two dollars. She grinned and pocketed the money.

"Much obliged. See ya." She walked away. We all exchanged looks.

"What the hell? Being that clean ain't natural," Fujin said.

"I agree…," Olette stated. I nodded my head in agreement with my friends.

At lunch we talked about possible baby names for Olette's future kid. She had some picked out already but took any she liked from the suggestions we made. After that, we talked about what we were gonna do over vacation.

"Working," I said.

"I'm going to Twilight Town to visit some of my relatives and spend the holidays," Olette told.

"I'm gonna be busy with practice. The tournaments are over break and the Blitzball Team wants me in shape for them," Rikku interjected.

"I still can't believe you're joining…," I muttered.

"Oh leave her alone Kairi. Just because you can't play…," Selphie teased. I pinched her.

"What are you doing then?"

"Uh… you know what I'm doing Kairi. The same thing I do every year. Go to Treno for Christmas and then spend New Years at Traverse Town. Now, those two cities are off the chain during the holiday seasons," my best friend said.

"Oooh. We might see you on TV during the count down!" Olette cried excitedly. I rolled my eyes and looked at Fujin.

"What are you gonna be doing Fujin?" She sighed.

"…I'm… I'd rather not say…" With that, she dropped the discussion and opted for a change of subject.

"Since this will be the last week we see each other, I suggest we have a party. Only us of course…"

"But the Blitzball Team is gonna have a party this weekend to celebrate them winning the districts this year," Rikku explained. Fujin sighed.

"Well, whatever then. I guess that'll have to do. Where is it gonna be at?"

"Demyx wants to have it on the little island. It's gonna be a beach party." Rikku answered.

"In December??" Fujin exclaimed.

"It's not cold on the smaller island. You know it's always hot over there. I guess that's cool. Who's all going besides us now?" Olette said. Rikku thought about it.

"I guess anyone the team invites." They all started talking about what bathing suits to wear. Rikku explained that she needed to buy a new one. I couldn't gather enough enthusiasm to take part in the discussion because I didn't like the idea of a beach party. They weren't uncommon and yea, I didn't like parties in general, but this one was different. My boyfriend had decided to throw it. I was expected to show up and showing up meant that I would have to be half dressed. Remembering the time Demyx kissed me against my will, I recalled how he wanted to take me swimming. I couldn't believe it. I didn't plan on ever going with him to some place where I'd be half naked. I remembered that I was vehemently against the idea at the time. What had changed? I still didn't trust him to behave himself while I flaunted my stuff on the beach. He couldn't even handle himself when we were alone in a room.

Perhaps I didn't think about it enough when I decided to be his girlfriend. Why was I just now second guessing the decision? I always knew what kind of person he was. Maybe it was the dream. No matter how hard I tried to ignore it, the foreboding feeling in my gut wouldn't leave. I decided to be his girlfriend because he was there for me when I felt like the whole world was against me. Had he used my fragile situation to his advantage?

"I feel so strongly about you Kairi… You're the only one I want…" What he told me Wednesday replayed in my mind. He seemed so sincere… Maybe… Maybe I had it all wrong…

"Kairi? Kairi are you in there?" I snapped back and looked at Selphie who was waving her hand in my face. I looked around at everyone else and noticed they were all watching me with curious gazes. I sheepishly grinned.

"S… sorry. I was thinkin' about something…"

"You want to share it with the rest of us?" Fujin asked. I shook my head.

"It's nothing really. I was deciding which bikini to wear," I lied. They exchanged looks before continuing their discussion. This time I joined in. I pushed the auspicious feeling away and chatted.

The week went by fast and pleasantly. I had no more surprises and no more guilt trips. Everything seemed at peace although my relationship with Sora was nearly nonexistent and the closer I got to Demyx the deeper that crap feeling in my gut got. Whenever he took me into his arms or kissed me Sora's words rang in my mind, "He's full of shit. You don't know him the way I do." It was foolish to fight such a battle with my conscience, so I didn't try. I just continued to play like everything was alright.