Disclaimer: I do not own Kingdom Hearts and/or any of its affiliates.

A/N: I found my notebook, which means that I could work on this story! Anyway, I finished beta-ing a chapter for a friend, and sent it off to her, and then I got to cracking on this. Two-and-a-half POVs. I am proud of myself. Anyway, this chapter is done, in record time considering how bad I am at updating. HTLAS... don't talk to me about HTLAS, please. BLP... I've never been to a festival, so it's gonna take some time, plus I did something really depressing in it and it's got me going all emo right now.

Dedication: To the 12 people who reviewed the first chapter. That's the most I've ever recieved for a first chapter ever! I'm glad that ya'll love the names, too. I worked hard on finding those names.

Warning: Innapropriate use of cuss words. I know, but some kids are like that.

Chapter Two: Taking a Step in the Right Direction

Riku

When Sora strode towards me on the sunny morning of our second day of our new school year, I knew something was wrong.

Where Sora usually skipped or ran, he now strode, with a purpose, as though his life depended on getting where he was going. Where Sora usually smiled, there was now a scowl, or maybe it was just a frown, because Sora can't really scowl. Where Sora usually had a twinkle in his eye, there was now only a fierce determined spark lightened deep within their depths.

So, this was not normal Sora behavior, and because of it, I was deeply perturbed and concerned.

I'm not trying to make it sound like Sora is a sugar-addicted, high twenty four seven, happy-go-lucky idiot normally, or anything like that. It's just that Sora is a happy person, or tries to maintain that persona always. Sora has a motto: 'Everything in life is not so bad if you have someone smiling for you'. He sticks very well to this motto, trying to keep up the image that he is always happy, and will always be there for others in their time of need.

So, if you'd understand, please, that seeing Sora in a not-so-happy mood, completely disregarding his motto, greatly worries me, I'd be much appreciative.

I was in the cafeteria of our school, waiting for the bell to ring for first period to start. This is the place where most kids converge to, waiting for that ring that signals hell is about to start. It was only natural for Sora to try and find me here.

How do I know that Sora is looking for me? I'm not his best friend for nothing, and I do know that the only reason he would come here is for me, not to sound stuck up or anything- although I am proud to say that I'm friends with Sora.

… Somehow, that came out wrong.

Either way, I know that I am the one Sora is looking for, and so I flag him down, waving a hand and flashing a smile. No, I'm not being cheesy, or girly. I'm just making sure my friend knows where to find me. After all, it looks like he's in need of a friend, and who better to comfort him than me?

….

It's obvious, isn't it?

You're probably nodding your head right now, pitying look crossing your face, completely understanding what I'm talking about.

Yes, I'm in love with my best friend. No, I don't consider it a bad thing. Yes, he doesn't know that I'm in love with him. No, I'm not going to do anything about it. Does that clear up any questions that you might possibly have had?

Good, because Sora is now sliding into the seat across from me, and he smiles for me, although it doesn't reach his eyes and is therefore not a 'Sora Smile'. Yes, it has a title, and no, it's not patent pending.

"Something's eating at you, Sora. Gonna tell me what it is, instead of smiling when we both know that it's not real?" Call me tactless, call me an ass, I call it being straightforward with a friend that appreciates it.

Why do I know he appreciates it? Why, I know because he then smiles for me, and it's that wonderful 'Sora Smile', the non-patent pending smile that reaches his eyes, and makes them glow.

No, I do not sound obsessed. Not in the least.

"I can't fool you on anything, can I, Riku?" Yep, Sora; can't fool me. I'm just such a genius, after all. I mean all geniuses pine after their best friends and don't do a fucking thing about it.

Ahem, moving on.

"Nope, Sora; you can't fool me. So, what's goin' on?"

"It's Roxas." Wow, now there's a surprise. Should have known it had something to do with Roxas. While Sora is a naturally caring person, and loves all, Roxas is his brother and his only sibling, and therefore, Sora cares more for Roxas than anyone else. Roxas would be the only one that could get Sora so down that he wouldn't smile, real or not.

"And Roxas…?"

"Well, Roxas has got this… love problem, okay? So… well, he found his love interest staring after someone else this morning- and you know how Roxas is in the morning without some kind of caffeine- and now Roxas is crushed. After having one of his 'famous' faces on, of course. I thought he was going to spontaneously combust or something, he was that red in the face."

Sora has this weird ability to say something so fast that you don't really notice what it was he said, or he says it so slowly that you feel like you're falling asleep before he finishes his sentence. Either way, it's difficult to understand what he's saying, because you just can't really catch it all.

This time, Sora spoke normally, in a normal tone, at a normal pace, and with no abnormal inflections in his voice. This was definitely not Sora behavior. It almost made me want to wring pretty little Roxas' neck; I wouldn't, of course, for that would make Sora that much more depressed, and a depressed Sora leads to very, very, bad things. Let's just say that the Ferret Incident has scarred us all for all time.

Long story, and I'm much too scarred to actually tell you what happened. Roxas might tell you, though, eventually, if he cuts his moody angst mood.

"So, what are you going to do?" I ask, titling my head to the side a little. I tend to do that, it's a habit, don't mention it- leave me alone.

"I… don't know, Riku. I've never seen Roxas like this. You know him; he doesn't get sad about anything. And now…; Riku, Roxas was practically crying. He never cries."

"So, what are you going to do?" Ah, I sound like a broken track record, huh?

….

Hmmm… no answer. That's not how it works, Sora. "Sora, instead of moping around and wondering what to do, why don't you do something about it? FIX it, even. If Roxas really likes this person then… get this person to like Roxas back." That seems pretty simple, right? Oh, crap, I'm not cut out for this 'give advice' crap. I have enough problems of my own.

No, I don't need to be reminded that one of my problems is my inconvenient love for my best friend since the second grade, thank you very much.

Thankfully, my advice seemed to work, because Sora instantly perked up, eyes brightening and even his hair looking spikier, like it had perked up in the last minute since my award-winning advice.

"Riku, that's a great idea! I'll get that boy to notice Roxas if it's the last thing I do! And you're going to help me, Riku!" Sora said, jumping up and hauling me out of my seat. I barely had time to grab my book bag before Sora was dragging me out of the cafeteria area, and towards the library.

Shit, I really shouldn't give people, especially Sora, advice. It invariably ends horribly for me.

Zexion

My teacher is a moron.

There's just no other way to say it. After that horrible excuse for an ice-breaker exercise yesterday, I thought that things couldn't get worse.

For probably the sixth time in my entire life, I have to admit that I was wrong. This is quite beyond 'worse'.

The partners that we chose yesterday… are our- oh, Lord, why must I say it- class partners. I shudder now, because I remember who my partner was- if only a little. He's that weird kid from the library this morning; the one that just wouldn't shut up. What was his name? I can't quite remember… oh, yes, Demyx. Then again, I only remembered because he had the grace to tell me again when he literally bounced over to me and said, "hi, again."

I have to admit, he has a nice smile, if a little blinding. That doesn't mean much, though, because I don't care what sort of attributes he has. Still… it's a nice change, I suppose.

But either way, my teacher is a moron. Demyx is to be my partner in this class… for the rest of the term. I just thank my lucky stars that our classes only last for one semester, before we go to new classes for the second semester. That's one of the good things about block scheduling, I must admit. Still… I will have to partner with Demyx for the rest of the term, until December 15th, the last day of the term. That is 137 days. Well, 136, technically, considering that yesterday has already past.

It's not really surprising. I've already stated that most of the teachers in this school are well beneath me in intelligence, so the fact that this particular teacher (a Ms. Belle, I believe she said her name was; I usually try to remember the teachers' names, if only because it's easier when answering their questions) is just like them is normal. I just wish that I wouldn't have to deal with their stupidity.

You might be wondering why I think it's so bad that we have assigned partners for the rest of the term. Well, projects make up about seventy-five percent of our grade. Every week, we have to do a project. And, every project… is partnered. That means that, for every week from now until December, I will be spending a good portion of my time with Demyx, the boy who seems slightly… different.

"So, Zexion, looks like we're going to be spending some quality time together," Demyx said to me, smiling brightly.

Someone, please strap me to an atom bomb and detonate it. I beg of you. There is something about this Demyx person that makes me want to run screaming from the room, entirely abandoning all of my dignity.

This does not make any sense. I do not run from people- they run from me. Well, they more avoid me, to be perfectly honest. It's not because I'm frightening or anything, but rather that I have this certain look on my face that I have perfected that keeps people far away. I do not like people, so I taught myself the glare.

However, it doesn't seem to be having any effect on Demyx. He's still here, still talking, and still smiling.

"Would you be so kind as to shut your mandibles, Demyx?"

Demyx does exactly as I ask, although I feel that it was more from surprise instead of really understanding what I'm saying. Either way, there's blissful silence… for all of about ten seconds.

"What are mandibles, Zexion?"

I stare at him coldly. "Your jaw, Demyx. Your mouth. You know; that strange contraption that allows you to eat and pass words from your vocals?"

Demyx looks chagrinned, then smiles. "Oh, I didn't know that. That's wonderful. I love learning new things."

I delicately raise an eyebrow at him. That certainly wasn't the reaction I was expecting from him.

"You like to learn?"

Demyx nods, smile still plastered on his face. Does the boy not know how to not smile? It's as though he has one face. It's not… that bad, though. A smile looks good on him.

Ah, what am I saying?!

I do not, under any circumstances, like this boy. He's merely a thorn in my side; just a thorn that I'll have to deal with for another 136 days. That's all.

"Yeah. I'm of the opinion that if you don't learn something, anything, new on any give day, than you haven't made full use of the day."

I've never had any interest in another from the population. It takes a while for me to even learn peoples' names, simply because I have no inclination to learn them. What makes this boy so different; that I am thinking so much about him? There's nothing to him that's really any different from the rest….

Well, except for that smile: that smile is really… really nice.

And it's now that I realize that I might have a slight problem. Still, it can easily be dealt with. It won't be hard to ignore the boy.

What? You think that I should actually give him a chance? I don't think so. While I may find him a bit interesting (mind you, I said a bit), I have no true intentions of furthering our interaction beyond our group projects in this class.

No matter what this boy may think.

"So, we have to do this project on Hamlet, right? Well, I'm sure we can't get it all done during school. Why don't we meet at the library in town after school? Then we'll decide what we want to do: which person's house we'll go to, I mean." Demyx is surprisingly the take-charge type, apparently.

I suppose I have to admit to something else that I shouldn't have assumed. I just figured, from our earlier conversation, that Demyx wasn't the type to take charge in anything. He just sounds more the type to let everyone do what they want, even if it means being led, instead of being the leader.

"That sounds do-able, I think. How about we… meet at the end of school at the library? Then, we'll go to the library in town together, and go from there."

Demyx flashed his blinding smile again and extended his hand. "That sounds like a good plan, Zexion- will do."

We shook hands, but I got this foreboding feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something about this just feels wrong.

I don't know what's going on, or why I'm feeling like I want to do more than touch Demyx's hand, but… I think I have to admit, at least to myself, that I might have, for the first time ever, a slight crush on someone.

Although I'd never thought of this before, I find myself quite surprised that my crush is, in fact, another man.

Oh, I wonder what my mother would say.

For good measure, I curse Ms. Belle once more.

Somehow, I'm going to find a way to pin all of this on her.

Hayner

Roxas is my best friend, there's no doubt about that. So, it's pretty much a given that I would know practically everything about him- even the things that he doesn't think I know about.

You see, Roxas is gay. He hasn't told anyone, really, that wasn't family, but it's pretty obvious. Also, to make Roxas' secrets just that bigger, Roxas was in complete and total lust with Axel Edan, resident bad-ass of the senior class.

I get why Roxas hasn't told us, though: another perk to being his best friend. Roxas is scared. He hides it behind this tough persona, but really, Roxas is a big softie, and he hates getting hurt.

He doesn't believe that I, or Olette, or Pence, will accept him if he tells us he bats for the same team. He doesn't realize that we've known about his sexuality since the seventh grade, when even he didn't know that he was gay. Of course, 'cause we're so close to him, we noticed that he didn't pay any attention towards the girls of our class, but was all too willing to check out the guys in the locker room. At the time, I believe he wanted to believe that he was just checking out their physique to see how he compared to them.

Complete crap, of course. Roxas has this great way of deluding himself into believing what he wants, no matter what that is.

Therefore, when I walked into second period Geometry (standard math class for all sophomores, unfortunately), and saw that Roxas was completely depressed and emo like, I kinda already knew what was going on.

Then again, who hadn't noticed Axel following Demyx like a puppy to the library? Besides Demyx, I mean. And, again, who hadn't noticed that Roxas had followed Axel with hungry eyes, practically devouring him with the power of his mind only?

It's somewhat funny how obvious everyone is being with their interests in each other now. It's like none of them can act, or something.

Thankfully, I can act, and so I only slide into the seat next to Roxas, sending one of my bright smiles to him, acting as though nothing was wrong. I mean, I'm not goin' to tell him that I know he's gay, and totally pining for Axel, who's so out of Roxas' league that there's no chance in hell that they'll get together ever. Roxas will tell me in his own time.

I know; I'm so wise, right?

Anyway, Roxas looks right at me, and he puts this film over his eyes, like he doesn't want me to see the pain I know he feels right now.

"Heya, Roxas. Man, I'm really angry about having to be in here. How 'bout you?" Wow, what a conversation starter, right? Still, it's only about nine in the morning, I just went through an hour and a half of Honors English II (so I like to read- no big deal), and it's the second day of classes. I'm not exactly at my best, so give me a break.

Roxas blinks at me dumbly, like he has no idea what the hell I'm talking about. Then, he breaths slowly, and goes to open his mouth (probably going to answer my question, right?), when our Geometry teacher strides in, and class starts.

I really hate Geometry. I'm a lot better at Algebra, to be truthful. There's just something about formulas, and putting numbers into formulas, that I understand a lot more than theories and shit like that in Geometry. I don't like to think more than I have to.

So, I'm sitting through an hour and a half of Geometry, absolutely bored out of my mind as my teacher drones on and on about something that has to do with proof (I'm not really listening, 'cause no one listens this early on in school), when I get this brilliant idea.

Ah, okay, so it's not so brilliant, but my mind is running on no caffeine, no sleep, and way too much schoolwork. Yeesh, second day and already I'm piled up with loads of homework. Where does that leave me time to hang with my friends?

So, anyway, I start to pass notes with Roxas. I mean, I'm not going to let on to the fact that I know anything's wrong, but I do want to see how he's holding up.

Yo, Roxas, how you holding up?

Let no one say I'm not blunt and to-the-point when I want to be. I fold the notebook sheet into squares, and then pass it on to Roxas, who doesn't look to be paying any more attention to the class lecture than I am, or any of the other students, for that matter. Hell, I think I see one student listening to an mp3 player. It's not long before a note is winging its way onto my desk. I open it up and look at what he's written in his blocky, dark letters.

I'm fine… why wouldn't I be?

I'm practically rolling my eyes, but I answer anyway.

'Cuz you look like your grandmother died, which would be a really good reason if either of them hadn't already kicked the bucket long ago.

Hayner, do you have to be so fucking blunt? Yeesh, you know, I did love my grandparents. Have some tact, at least. Anyway, I don't look anything like that. I'm perfectly fine.

Oops, I guess I'm not known for being tactful anymore than I am for being blunt. Ah, but Roxas is such a bad liar. At the word 'fine' you can see the extra graphite shards where he'd pressed down on the paper so hard that they'd left marks. I smirked.

If you say so, Rox.

Damn you, Hayner. Why do you think something's wrong?

Damn, I'm good. I mean, Roxas just can't accept when people let things be. Ah, yet another perk to being his best friend.

'Cuz you look like a kicked puppy or something. What's going on, Roxas? Why don't you want to tell me? I mean… we're best friends, right? Doesn't that mean we tell each other everything?

No, I'm not above guilt-tripping my best friend, either. I have no qualms with doing it, to be perfectly honest. Hey, if it works, than it was worth it.

I could see he was crumbling, 'cause he gave this huge sigh, and started writing. I didn't get back until a few minutes later, and, let me tell you, there were a lot of things scribbled out.

Hayner… I'm-the next part was fuzzy, having been so scratched out that nothing could be seen of it, but then it went on to say- look, I can't tell you everything right now. But, I swear, I'll tell you-yet another scribbled out section of paper, though not as hard. If I look hard enough, I think I can see him asking to meet me at lunch to probably discuss something- Okay, here's the deal. I haven't been really truthful with you, about some things. I'm no-ah, wow, he's really good at covering up what he doesn't want seen. I can't believe that he doesn't realize I know his little secret- Okay, so I like someone, but it's kinda obvious that they don't like me- ooh, notice that ambiguous 'they'? Hah, he cracks me up- so, I'm just gonna have to get over this person, and move on. I'll be fine at some point. I'm just angsting right now. Don't worry, I'll be fine later on.

Ah, guilt-tripping works every time. Well, I guess this isn't a complete victory, 'cause he still hasn't told me that he's gay, or that he's completely over the moon for this Axel guy- knowing Roxas, he probably just thinks it's lust (it's so much more)-, but I'm gonna have to settle with what I did get out of him. At least he told me that something was wrong, which is more than he's ever done before.

Roxas has this tendency to bottle things up inside. He's a very private person, and doesn't like to go to others with his problems, no matter that none of us have any problem with listening to him spill his guts. Great blackmail material, and all that. But, besides that, we're his friends, and we're there for him. I just kinda wished that he would believe that as much as we do.

I know that's a total sap thing to say, but it's kinda true. Roxas doesn't let many people in, 'cause he's so secretive and afraid of getting hurt, and the fact that he's this way with his best friends, the ones who are supposed to be there for him through thick and thin, kinda hurts.

Alright, call me a sap- at this point, I don't care.

Either way, this is more than Roxas has ever said before about his problems. I write back:

Nice black marks there, Roxas. Anyway, sounds complicated. So long as you're fine, I'm happy.

Soon after, I received my reply.

I'm fine, Hayner. I'll get over it soon enough.

I suppose I can't do any more for him right now. Still, I want to help him. Roxas just has this kicked puppy look to him.

I just don't know how.

Axel

Okay, so Demyx isn't interested in me. I get that- I totally understand that. He's… he's interested in that Zexion guy- you know, the guy that everyone has avoided since he first came here freshman year? Well, his freshman year. I'm a senior, after all, and he's only a junior.

Still… I can understand why Demyx is interested in Zexion. He's got this… certain quality that screams 'I am mysterious, and while I may be glaring, it just means that I want you to break down my barriers and get to know me'. Okay, well, maybe not all of that, but you get what I mean, right? Zexion has this mysterious air to him that just intrigues everyone. No one, besides his creepy little sister, Fuu, knows what really makes him tick.

Zexion is so mysterious, that no one actually knows what his personality is like. Obviously, he's okay with being alone, but what is it about him that makes him hate people? I mean, he has to hate being around people, at the least, to avoid them so much, right?

Is it this that intrigues Demyx? Is this why my crush (yech) is interested in Zexion?

Okay, so I've got a problem. I can deal with that. I'm just gonna have to get over Demyx. I mean, I don't even really know why I like Demyx. Is it because he's blond? I mean, I know I've been more attracted to blonds since about the eighth grade, but is that the only reason? No, it can't be. After all, if that had been the case, I would have set my sights on Demyx long before now. No, something else attracted me to him.

Maybe it was that smile of his. That smile practically glows, leaving nothing to hide. With that smile, he can hold no artifice.

Then again- Sora Kiran has just such a smile. Yeah, I know who Sora is- Sora is not exactly popular, but he is well known. Optimistic to a fault, always willing to smile, probably the bubbliest and brightest guy this high school and its population has seen.

Sora… he's practically a fucking martyr. But, he's a good guy, and there's no such thing as anyone hating him. But, his smile definitely wins over Demyx's in brightness and inartificiality. Is that even a word? Eh, who cares? I'll make it a word if I want.

Anyway, so it's not Demyx's smile that's got me interested.

Maybe it's the whole package? Demyx has a great body- tall, but not as tall as me, so I don't feel dwarfed or anything- is blond- that's a definite plus-, he's got a great smile, and he's fun to hang around. So is that what draws me to him? It must be.

Still, Demyx isn't interested in me, and I just don't feel like fighting Zexion for Demyx- wow, that sounds kinda Middle Age-y, doesn't it? Yeesh, it's like I'm turning into a girl or something, all willing to let go of the one I love to another, just so they can be happy.

Okay, so I'm a sap- it happens.

Anyway, I'm in the one class that has other students from different grades but doesn't have Demyx, and I see that blond from this morning.

I don't know him- I've never met him before- but I remember that expression he'd had on his face this morning. It was so angry, like everything he'd ever wanted was just taken away, and he was acting like a petulant child. Of course, I have no idea what was wrong, so I have no right to judge.

Even so, I notice him again, and I wonder. What was going on with him this morning? Even Sora, resident lover of everybody, was avoiding him. Right now, he's not angry looking. It's as though now… he's just sad. There's this look in his eyes that just screams that he's not there- that he's somewhere far away, just contemplating what went completely wrong in his life that morning.

He looks absolutely crushed.

And looking crushed in choir (yeah, I sing- what of it? It's not a girly thing to do. I'm a very manly tenor) is probably not the smartest idea. You see, our teacher (Mrs. Ella, did she say her name was? Ah, screw it- I've never cared to figure out teachers' names) is definitely the type to pick up the fact that one blond blue eyed tenor isn't singing, and looks as though his puppy died by being run over by a car, and then eaten by bears. Completely forget the fact that we live in a small city, and bears don't actually live around here- that is not the point of my description.

Anyway, Mrs. Ella- in all her 'I-sing-with-birds' personality- swoops in to save the day when she finally notices that blond guy isn't singing.

"Roxas? Is everything all right?" Ah, so that's his name.

Roxas. Rox-as. Rox-ass. Oh, yeah. I definitely see potential.

He looks up, and by now everyone has stopped singing, basically because without a conductor, we don't know what the fuck we're doing. Come on, it's only the second day of class, and we just started learning the song today. We're not going to be able to carry it by ourselves so soon, you know?

"Oh, Mrs. Cinders, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to not sing. I was just concentrating on the notes," he mumbled, pale skin burnished by a raging blush.

Mrs. Cinders? Oh, Ella must be her first name. Chya, yeah, I suck at this names thing. Roxas, on the other hand, I'll definitely be remembering. I mean- who has a name like Roxas? Of course, it's not exactly that big of a deal. There are a lot of names in this school that don't make sense. I mean- look at me: my name is Axel. It's a freaking car part, for crying out loud.

And, the real reason behind my name is even worse. My parents really liked the name Lea, and were planning on naming their daughter it. Well, lo and behold, they didn't have a girl. They had me, so they anagrammed the name. And thus, the car part name was born. Oh, the absolute shame.

Still… at least my name doesn't sound like rox ass. And, Demyx isn't exactly common, nor is Kairi (I think my aunt and uncle were high when they named her. Aunt Arielle, I can understand- that epidural was probably strong as fuck, but Uncle David? Yeah, what was his excuse?), and theirs aren't so bad. Some of the teachers have the oddest names.

That's not really the point, though. The point, is that I now know blond guys name, but still have no clue why he decided not to participate in class, or why he looks so sad.

"Oh, okay then, Roxas. Just remember to sing next time, instead of just staring at the music sheets." She flittered away, back up to her podium.

Roxas, blush finally dying down, stares back down at the sheet music in his hands (Ave Maria, would you believe it? I'm so not the Catholic type but I love to sing, so I deal with it).

"Well, class, since we've been doing so well today, I think we'll have a ten minute break, okay? I'll be in my office next door if you need me for anything. Don't hesitate to ask!"

Nothing wrong with Mrs. Cinders, or anything, but she seems a little too perky for me. I can almost see the halo on those blonde curls of hers. You know- blonds aren't actually all that common: why're they cropping up so much lately? Anyway, this is my perfect opportunity.

Hey, I'm a nice guy- for the most part-, and the guy's depressed. Like hell I wouldn't do something to change it! Well, okay, normally I wouldn't, but Roxas is different.

Okay, so I'm gonna go over there and ask him what's wrong. Knowing how he looked earlier, and how he looks now, I have a feeling that either one of two things will happen: he'll try and eat me in anger, or tear up and start crying.

Why am I doing this again?

Talking to underclassmen; what has the world come to?

Roxas

Oh, hell, that was so fucking embarrassing. Thanks, Mrs. Cinders, for that oh-so-wonderful display of caring teacher crap you just expelled out of your every pore. It definitely helped me.

Yeah.

Okay, so I wasn't paying attention in class- big deal. So what? That does not- I repeat, does not- mean that she has the right to call me out to the class and fucking embarrass me in front of all my classmates- one of which is Axel.

Fuck. Fuckity fuck fuck. Fuck you, Mrs. Cinders.

Oh, dear God, I'm gonna bust a blood vessel acting like this.

Okay, Roxas, calm down. Breathe in and out, just like your yoga and counseling teachers have told you to. Calm your inner spirit, and control your anger. In… out… in… out….

Alright, I think I'm better. Yeah… control, Roxas. It's all about the control….

Yeah, okay, I'm better now. Well, if better means I won't kill my choir teacher. Okay, so I wouldn't kill her in the first place; man the guilt I'd feel. Plus, I'd go to jail, and at my age, that's just not something that I want to go through right now.

Yeah, I'm calm. Especially since now we have a ten minute break. Score; that was completely because of me, classmates- you know that, right?

Still, I'm not getting any thanks, so I guess they don't see things my way.

I'm looking up now, when what do I see but Axel Edan coming my way… oh, shit, Axel Edan is coming up to me, this weird look in his eyes. If I didn't know better, I'd say it was concern.

But, Axel doesn't get concerned about the people he doesn't know; especially when that somebody-he-doesn't-know is an underclassman with anger issues. Then again, he doesn't know about my anger issues.

Either way, why is he coming over to me? Axel doesn't know I exist, and he definitely doesn't know that I'm in lust with him- oh, God. He knows that I wanna sex him up and is coming over to beat me up!

Oh, shit- how'd he find out?!

Wait… Roxas, get a hold of yourself. Okay, only one person knows that you like Axel, and your brother isn't going to tell on you. If there is one thing that Sora isn't, it's a tattletale. He's like a saint, or something.

Okay, Sora has his problems, I know that. Of course I know this- I fucking live with the guy.

"Hey, is this seat taken?"

Oh, shit, he's talking to me. Wait, Roxas, you're not a girl, stop spazzing!

"Um, at the moment, no; any other time, yeah."

"Well, all I need is 'at the moment'." And with those words, Axel sits down next to me!

Get a hold of yourself, Roxas; he's not such a big deal. Get that? Get the fuck over him. He's interested in that pansy ass Demyx. Who strangely is a lot like Sora? Anyway….

"Any particular reason why you need that chair?" Ooh, nice, Roxas, totally make it seem like you're not interested.

He smirks, and I nearly feel like creaming, it's so bad.

"Oh, no particular reason. Just need to talk with some blond blue eyed kid. You know of any that fit that description, Blondie?"

Is he… is he flirting with me?! Ho, shit: if he is, I've died and gone to heaven. Or maybe hell, 'cause this is really like mocking me and my desires. Then again, I don't think hell or heaven would choose the generic background of my choir room as their main torture area.

I just lift an eyebrow (the only one that I can, my right) and wait for him to get to why he's here.

He smirks again, checking his nails nonchalantly. Yeah, I bet you didn't think I knew such big words, did you? Then he drops his hands to his Indian-style crossed legs, and the smirk is gone, and that gleam in his eyes that looks a lot like concern is back in his eyes.

"I couldn't help but hear the convo' between you and Mrs. Cinders. I thought maybe you wanted to talk about it? I mean, I don't think I've ever seen anyone look so spacey before."

Any and all euphoric feelings that are bumping around my stomach have now fizzled out and died. Might be all the stomach acid already taking up residence in that organ. Then again, it might be the mock-concern that he's expressing right now.

I narrow my eyes. "What are you, my shrink? You're not my friend, and you definitely don't know me, so you can take your pseudo-concern and shove it up your ass."

Oh, look, he can raise an eyebrow, too. Ooh, did I say something a little too harsh? Damn, I really need to learn to curb my tongue. Then again, he needs to learn not to mock me just because I look sad and got called out for it during class. Crush or no crush; the guy way overstepped the boundaries between non-talking classmates.

"Okay, total burn. Wow, you've got some bite to you. Seriously, though, it's not fake or anything. I can't be concerned about someone?"

I scoff, quite heavily, too. "You're Axel… you're the senior bad-ass; you don't get concerned about those you don't know. I'm Roxas… the invisible sophomore who's brother's with Sora… the class martyr. You don't know me, I don't know you. Whether your concern is genuine or not, I don't see how it's any of your business how I feel." Damn, is that me saying those entirely nasty things? This is taking it to a whole new level. Suppose I've gotta say something now. "Look… it's not that it's unappreciated or anything, it's just… even if I did believe you were doing this for more than kicks, I still wouldn't feel comfortable talking to you about it." There, that was nice and diplomatic, right?

The guy scrunches his face up and mutters under his breath, "Okay, so it's not totally being eaten, but at least it's not crying, either."

What the fuck? That makes absolutely no sense. Is he… is he talking about me?! I wouldn't cry! I'm no pansy!

"Okay… well, can't say I didn't try. Look… if you ever wanna talk, I'm right behind you. Tenors stick together, right?" he then says, getting up and walking back to his own seat. Good thing, too, 'cause Mrs. Cinders is back and we've still got another forty-five minutes of torture in this place.

Yeah, I sing, but that doesn't mean I like it. I hate singing- I do it because my mom says that I have a good singing voice and practically coerced me into taking the class.

I turn around from watching Axel practically sway- damn, hips like that shouldn't be on males; it's wrong- and look back towards the front, towards our really nice choir teacher.

I don't like Mrs. Cinders, but she's a nice person. I just get the feeling that she'd rather be singing with birds and mice than teaching a choir class.

For the next forty-five minutes of our last class of the day, I don't pay attention like Mrs. Cinders would have liked me to do. Instead of doing the usual watch-the-clock routine that I've perfected, I'm instead thinking about Axel, and why he had talked to me.

Did I really look that pathetic? Was I just that sad?

I mean- I know that Axel being interested in Demyx was a low blow to self-esteem, but still… I mean, it's not like I was in love with the senior. I just want to have sex with him. I mean, with muscles like that and those hips, he's gotta know some moves, right? Off topic, sorry. Anyway, why would he come up to me? He wanted to talk to me? He even offered to listen if ever I needed to talk with someone.

This isn't normal Axel behavior. Axel doesn't give a damn about anyone that he doesn't know, and there's definitely no way he knows me. This was our first interaction ever.

Out of all the questions running through my head, one stood out the most:

What was Axel thinking about while talking to me?

A/N: I will not ask, nor demand, reviews from you. However, if you do decide to review, know that they are very much appreciated.

Reviewers from Chapter One: Sadist-Schemer, TheaBlackthorn, kong is king., Twisted Reflection, 13loves8loves9loves6, Riku-stalker, terra hotaru, fullofmisery, Crystal Royale, Sora17, Anya Urameshi, and TwintailCat.

If I got your name wrong, please tell me. If there are any grammar or spelling errors, please tell me. I can't get any better if I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Thank you for all the wonderful comments, and all the alerts and favorites. They seriously made my day, month, year, life, etc.