Is Love Joy or Sorrow?
CHAP. 13 Without You
As Kairi passed the halls, she saw Selphie and Tidus by their lockers chatting away like they always do….whispering sweet nothings into each others ears, then kissing sweet kisses.
Kairi just couldn't take it anymore. She HAD to call Sora after school.
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"Hey, Kai…how's it goin'?"
"Not bad, I guess," she lied. In fact she was feeling horrible. "H-How did moving go?"
"Well," Sora answered, "first of all I absolutely loathe long road trips, especially since it's just me and my mom. She would not stop singing dumb traveling songs, urging me to hum along! But, I'm used to it. That's what happens every time."
This made Kairi giggle. She sighed, "I miss talking to you."
"But…we are talking."
"You know what I mean! In person."
"Me too. Well…maybe I can come visit soon. If my mom let's me anyways."
"It better be soon."
Then, Sora thinks back to earlier that day:
Walking into his new school, he didn't actually feel, well…very welcome. People gave him some pretty weird glances, until he came near them and they turned away.
Hmmm…maybe I DO need to get smaller shoes.
"I hate school, too. No one likes me there."
"Why is that?" Kairi was curious.
"I have no idea! But, I can tell you this: NO ONE will talk to me, I sit by myself at lunch, and some of their classes are way too complicated."
"Let me guess…a private school, right?"
"Yup. My mom wanted me to try something different. Unfortunately it's a little too different for my taste."
"I'm sorry it's not going well."
"Yeah, and the worst part is…school uniforms."
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The next morning, Sora's mom couldn't contain herself as Sora came down the stairs.
"I'm sorry honey, it's just that…you look so cute in that," she said sarcastically while tears of laughter came down her face.
"C'mon, gimme a break for once! You know I would never be caught dead wearing this unless it was mandatory. At least I won't be the only one at school with this nerdy outfit on."
"Ok, now let me straighten your tie for you."
"Hello, I'm seventeen, I can do it myself thank you very much!" Sora yelled as he slammed the door to outside.
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Riku and his girlfriend came out of 3rd period and caught up with Kairi, who was not too far ahead of them.
"So, how are you doing lately?" Natalie asked her.
"Not too good."
Riku confessed, "Me either. It gets kinda boring since Tidus never wants to hang out. He always has to be with Selphie…It's always: 'Selphie this, Selphie that'! I'm sick of it!"
"Well…wouldn't you rant about me that way, too?" Natalie wondered.
"Um…yeah, but us guys never 'chill' anymore, you know? Especially just us three. Man I really miss those days."
"I have to go to my next class now. I'll…see you two later," Kairi walked down the hall to her right as they waved.
As she was on her way, she happened to pass by some of the jocks, who whistled as she walked by.
"Stop that, you perverts!" she exclaimed.
"Oooooh, miss Kairi's a little aggressive today, ain't she?" one of them spoke.
"Shut it, Miles!"
Then, the guy named Scott was walking next to her.
"You know…I heard your little 'boyfriend' is gone. Anyway I can take his place since you're on the rebound again?"
The others howled and snickered.
"Just go away, jerk."
"Aww, is the girly girl gonna cry again?"
"Leave me alone!" Kairi kicked him…somewhere unmentionable, I might add.
"AAAAAAH!" Scott screamed, "My ! I'll get you for that!"
Kairi ran out of the hall and was heavily breathing when she finally got to her desk in the science room.
What a bunch of losers…he got what he deserved.
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At dinner time, Sora had a serious talk with his mom.
"So, how are you liking your new school?"
"Do you have to ask, Mom?"
"Oh…that bad, huh? Sorry."
"Hey, Mom?...Can we…..talk about something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Have you ever missed someone so much…it hurt. I mean, deep inside?"
"Well, in fact I have. Remember when your father went to war for the first time?"
"Yeah."
"Heh, yep. I was crying so much there were puddles on my pillow every night…Little did I know that a year later, on his 5th assignment…he wouldn't come back."
"…Dad….." Sora let a tear fall before his next sentence. "Mom, I miss her. I miss Kairi."
"Why so much?"
"She's…she-"
"You love her…don't you?"
"How…could you tell?"
"I guess it's a mother's instinct."
"Or maybe you saw…what happened when I told her goodbye?"
She giggled a little, "Well…"
"Okay, okay…I just wish I could go back. Out of all the places we've been to, it actually felt like…..home."
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TWO WEEKS LATER:
Kairi flopped on her bed, crying again. You'd think she wouldn't have any tears left because of all the moisture that had been prolonging since the walk from school.
I don't know if I can handle this much longer. I need to call him…
As the phone rang, no one answered.
"That's weird. He's usually home by now."
Ding Dong!
Kairi sighed with regret, "That must be Mom…but, why would she be locked out?"
Reluctantly she forced herself out of bed and went to answer the door.
There was something unexpected waiting for her on the other side.
It can't be…
"S…Sora?"