Warnings: Yaoi (which means guys are loving guys), more than likely bad language, horrible school grades, stereotypical high school B.S., possible OOC, and alternate universe. Oh and clichés. Lots and lots of clichés.

Pairing: ZexSo (HOLY SNAP!!), possible mentions of AkuRoku, RiSo, LeCl and more… I think

Author's Note: Well, I doubt any of you have read it, but I reuploaded the last chapter. Added a bit more. You might wanna reread that first before this one. THANK YOU ALL TO THE REVIEWS (as few as they were)

Academia

Chapter Four: Devil and the Deep Dark Ocean

Saturday came much faster than Zexion expected. It was four in the afternoon when Zexion stood in front of his closet, towel wrapped around his waist and hair plastered to his skin from the shower. The senior was mumbling to himself, going over the weather report for that evening and any other things that could occur that night.

His older brother stood in the doorway, shaking his head. His ice blue hair fell down his back, a couple random spikes here and there down his back. There was a pair of scars that ran from above his eyebrows and to the apple of his cheeks. Yellow eyes winkled at the edges in a smile. "I'm surprised you're even bothering to go." Zexion's eyes turned to watch his brother, a scowl across his face.

Zexion heaved a sigh. "Not planning on being there very long, Saïx." Zexion pulled out a pair a black dress pants and a lavender button down shirt. Saïx shook his head, moving to sit on Zexion's overly messy single. "I'll just go so everyone sees me, and I'll be gone." Zexion moved to stand in front of the small 6 by 6 inch mirror hanging off the edge of his dresser. He stared at the large lock of bangs hanging in his eyes.

"It's all for that one boy right?" Zexion glared at his brother through the mirror. Even Saïx, Zexion's brother who graduated three years before hand knew about the stupid crush. How in the world did that happen? Saïx ignored the glare and glanced over at the clock. "When does the party start?"

"I was told to arrive around six." Zexion ran his fingers through the still wet locks. Should he change his hair for tonight? Would anyone recognize him? Probably not. Stick with the normal. Sora would recognize him that way. That's all that really matters. Zexion quickly dried his hair and slipped into his shoes.

"Need a ride?" Zexion paused just outside his door, Saïx still on the bed. When did his brother decide to be such a gentleman? The slate haired senior shook his head, his older brother chuckling. "Okay, but you know you can call me anytime you need a ride."

"What is this?" Zexion questioned, walking down the hall. He could hear Saïx following. "Since when are you the protective older brother?"

"Since you decided to go to a party." Saïx grabbed his arm, Zexion still grabbing his house keys. "I'm serious. If you need to leave early or anything, call me." Zexion looked dubious. Saïx grinned creepily, "Even when I'm getting tutored by Xemnas."

Zexion held back the shudder. He knew that wasn't tutoring. "Later, Saïx." His brother's creepy laugh followed him outside after the car after the front door was shut. That was disturbing.

.:.:.

Zexion stared at the large house the Miyami's lived in. It was easily one of the largest houses on the island. He could hear the sound of dance music pumping through high grade speakers.

Zexion didn't bother knocking on the door, no one would have heard him. Inside there were groups of students lining the halls, laughing and joking with one another. Zexion maneuvered through the clusters. He noted a few watched him pass by. Trying to make his way through one of the larger groups of people, he was tugged out of it.

Axel, the spiky haired senior, had a serious air as he led him to a corner. He stopped near the doorway to the kitchen. "Zex," Axel's tone had no hint of joking whatsoever. "I think you should leave. The party is only just starting but some serious shit is going on."

"Whatever do you mean?"

Axel lowered his voice, the nasally sound barely heard over the bass pumping. "They are talking about you."

Zexion's eyes widened. "Me?" Axel's green glass bottle eyes darted to the group of athletes occupying the opposite corner.

"I'll watch them, try to keep them inline." His eyes flickered back to Zexion. "Go say hi to Sora and get your smart ass outta here. Especially before someone says something about your love sickness." Zexion's periwinkle eyes tried to spot the spiky hair of Sora. He was standing near Riku ("should have known") inside the kitchen, laughing with Kairi, Namine and Roxas. Zexion stepped inside.

He didn't even open his mouth to great them when Sora's bright blue eyes found him. "Hey Zexion!" He made his way over. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up." Zexion shrugged; technically he could leave now. Anyone worth seeing had noticed him; he 'went' to a party. "Come over here, I want you to meet someone."

Zexion was led to where Riku and Roxas were leaning again the kitchen counter, Kairi sitting on it, and Namine occupying a stool nearby. "You already know Riku and Roxas and Kairi," the trio gave their respective normal greeting, "but this is Namine." Namine leaned over and shook Zexion's hand. "She's Kairi's cousin."

"Nice to meet you." Namine intoned, clutching a sketchbook close to her chest. Zexion murmured the same before glancing around once more. He could hear the athletes hooting; as they got closer and closer to being drunk, they got louder.

Roxas glanced to the open kitchen door. "Zex, did you see Axel?" The senior nodded, pointing to just beyond it.

"He led me over here."

"Great!" Roxas leaned over and gave his twin a quick hug. "See you later!" The blond ran outside the room to tackle Axel. It was such a normal thing the rest of the group just gave short waves.

"Did you find my house okay?" Riku spoke, his aqua eyes watching Zexion's expressions very carefully. It would be useless however. The duo frequently got caught into conversations that neither truly knew what the other was thinking. It was an unspoken mind game, and both boys had a way with words.

"Yes, it was moderately easy." Zexion watched Riku's lips tilt upward in a smirk. Oh, were they not playing their game? Too bad. "Did you invite the whole school?"

"Everyone but the teachers," Kairi laughed. "I really think just about everyone is here." Her purple eyes flashed to Sora. It was then Zexion noticed it as well. Sora hadn't moved from Zexion's side. Their hands were almost touching. "Good thing our school is so small."

"Or it appears so small because Riku's house is so big," Namine's smile was small, but the true amusement shone in her eyes. Sora erupted in a fit of giggles, Riku shushing the two girls.

"It's not that big."

As Kairi and Namine playfully argued with Riku, Sora tugged on one of Zexion's sleeves. Periwinkle met azure. "Wanna go outside?" Zexion was perplexed, why would Sora want to speak to him? Alone even? Nevertheless Zexion nodded. At Sora's bright smile, Zexion once again felt his heart stop. Sora took Zexion's hand in his own and led him out the sliding glass door in the kitchen.

Riku's backyard was as elaborate as the house. The gardener either really enjoyed the Miyami's or hated them with how many plants there were. Sora and Zexion sat down on a cement bench. Zexion's gaze rose to the sky. It was clear, a wondrous full moon shone with an aura. "Zexion," Sora's voice wavered slightly. "I just wanted to thank you." Zexion glanced at the athlete curiously.

"Whatever for?"

"You helped me a lot." Sora's smile was large, but he glanced away slightly. "If you hadn't tutored me, I would have failed Mr. Lionheart's last quiz."

"You're welcome, Sora." Zexion bit his bottom lip. Maybe now was the time. Maybe he could tell Sora about these feelings that were plaguing him.

There was a roar of laughter from inside. Sora and Zexion whipped around. The loudest was from Seifer and his goons. Zexion frowned. Those three were never up to any good. "So everyone knows right?" A loud giggle came from a female this time. Oh no. Zexion could feel the dread building in his stomach.

"Seifer," Axel's voice said, "everyone knows and nobody cares. So shut up." This was why Axel told him to leave. Zexion began to mutter curses beneath his breath.

"Nonsense! If nobody cares then I can say whatever I want." Seifer's voice picked up, one of his goons shutting off the stereo. "Sora probably wants to hear!" Sora's curiosity perked. Oh god. "Everyone's been keeping it secret for so long."

Sora's eyebrows were knit together. "What is he talking about Zexion?" Zexion felt his insides squirm. There would be no way for his words, no matter how good he was at making lies sound like truth.

"Zexion Illusier loves Sora Hikariko." Sora gasped, his azure eyes turning to Zexion in shock. Zexion clamped his eyes shut, turning his head away. Fuck.

And here is a preview of the next chapter!

Chapter Five: Bye Bye Beautiful

It didn't matter, Zexion thought to himself. He continued to write. The ink was covering the page with layers and layers of worlds. "It doesn't matter," his whispered, holding back the depression that loomed over him. Illusion had always been his gift.

Too bad the one he wished dearly to come true would never happen.

"I guess even illusionists get caught in their web of lies." Zexion pretended he didn't hear his voice crack.; another lie to add to his pile of worlds.