Drabbles Written between 11:30 and Midnight
A/N: Hello! Happy New Year! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts.
The challenge: The story must take place in the library. Poetry Night.
Drabble 4: Poetry Night
He had sworn he would never, ever step foot in the university library between the hours of 6:30 to 7:30 on a Tuesday night.
No… he didn't have too much homework. And he certainly wasn't going out anywhere. HE had no other commitments during that Tuesday night time slot, in fact.
So, what exactly caused Axel's reluctance to leave his room and venture in to the cold night air, destination: library?
Well, there was only one explanation:
Poetry night, of course.
*!*!*
Why am I here again? Axel wondered internally, cringing at the sound of his roommate's voice, amplified by the microphone.
"The sky is blue, just like my love, so deep and true," Axel's pink-haired roommate, Marluxia, read from a slip of paper on stage.
Oh God, Axel thought, putting a palm to his forehead, looking down and refusing to make eye contact with his friend in the spotlight. That is singularly the worst piece of poetry I have ever heard, he cried inside, ready to duck out of the library study room at the next available moment.
Just then, a blonde girl and her group of friends entered the poetry arena, looking around for a place to sit.
Oh no! Axel thought, That's Larxene from my English Lit class! She knows me! I can't be seen here! Axel could only watch, horrified, as Larxene and company spotted the empty chairs next to Axel (Oh why did I have to choose the isolated, deserted back corner of the room? Axel moaned silently).
Maybe it's not her? Axel thought hopefully, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground.
"Are these seats taken?" came the high-pitched whisper, startling Axel.
Maybe she won't recognize me?
"…No…" Axel mumbled, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Oh! Axel, it's you!" Larxene exclaimed when Axel took his gaze off the ground and faced her. She sat down and laughed. "How could anybody miss that red hair! It's so… bright!"
Thanks. A lot.
Axel laughed awkwardly, "Yep, that's me, always stand out in a crowd."
Curse it.
Please don't tell anyone you saw me here, Axel begged silently, hoping she would catch on as he checked his watch and repeatedly looked at the door, implying that he wanted to leave.
"Do you know that guy up there? His poetry… stinks," Larxene put her nose up in the air.
"No, I…" Axel started, a little too loudly, earning him a few irritated stares.
Can I leave now? Axel stretched his back to his full height, surveying the room, searching for the nearest yet most well-hidden an inconspicuous exit. Axel glanced warily at the stage, and noticed that Marluxia was still talking.
"Sweet as the sun, your blonde hair blinding," Marluxia continued.
"How much more of this guy?" Larxene whispered to Axel, bored.
"I don't know," Axel replied, then returned his attention to the stage.
The empty stage.
Marluxia was gone.
OH MY GOD WHERE IS MARLUXIA, Axel wondered wildly, distraught. Oh no, if he comes back here, I…
"AXEL!" Marluxia pounced on Axel from behind. "How'd you like my poetry, roomie?"
Quite a few people were staring now, including Larxene.
"Oh… it was…" Axel strained for some gentle bending-of-the-truth words, "ummm…"
"Soooo romantic," Larxene spoke up, batting her eyelashes at Marluxia, a small smile on her lips.
"Why thank you!" Marluxia bowed grandly.
Axel, completely confused by her mood swing, stared at Larxene. She glanced at him and winked.
"Your poetry is sooo beautiful. Axel, why didn't you tell me your roommate was so verbose?" Larxene continued, smirking at Axel with a mischievous look in her eyes.
"Of course my poetry is beautiful. It was, after all, written with you in mind. Most of those lines I thought of on the spot, standing up there on stage, gazing at your beautiful face," Marluxia flirted, putting his hand on the back of her chair.
Now this is getting weird.
"Um… I have some homework to finish. See you guys later," Axel stuttered nervously, standing and making motions to leave.
"Oh, why don't you share some poetry?" Marluxia looked at Axel pleadingly.
"Oh no, really. I can't – "
Larxene cut in. "Go on, Axel."
"Maybe next time – "
"Aw. Well, I'll be sure to dedicate my next piece to you, Axel," Marluxia whispered, "Temper like fire, hair just as red," he began.
"That – that's beautiful, really, but, I really need to go. Bye!" Axel rushed out, but not before he caught the conspiratorial glances between Larxene and Marluxia.
*!*!*
Why am I here? Axel begged to know, as the spotlight was turned on him. How did I let Marluxia drag me here again?
"Fire… is red. Burning bright…" Axel spoke slowly into the microphone.
Far back in the audience, Larxene laughed heartily and patted Marluxia on the shoulder.
"Marly, your roommate writes the worst poetry!"