S.O.S.

Chapter 3: Day Three

~_~_~_~Squall~_~_~_~

Cloud...He's Roxas' brother, not some creep, that I thought was stalking me. The thought of someone being so kind, as to talk to me, or buy me a soda, or even look at me...makes me want to let my guard down around him. I just don't know if I can.

After they had left, I ran back down to let Aerith know that there was a customer on the line. For the rest of the day till the shop closed, she took orders while I wrestled up some form of dinner. In the end I simply made some stir-fry with all sorts of food in it.

Once we had eaten, I resigned myself to the couch with Aerith and watched the latest news. It mainly focused on two lawyers, each fighting a different side of a case that is winning much attention up in Twilight Town. Naturally, one of those men was Seifer, and the other was some guy called Sephiroth. But after listening to Seifer's name...I took my shower and went to bed.

Rubbing at my eyes, I peer out the window across the room. The sun shines through the gossamer drapes, giving both a peaceful and stunning sense. Lying here, I feel the serenity of the day pouring into me. Just knowing that Seifer isn't around to harass me, makes me happy.

I guess that's a sign that it's over between us...I should call him.

Slipping out from under the warm covers, I get dressed for the day; in jeans, a white v-neck, coal boots, and a short ebony jacket. As I make my way down the stairs, I hear Aerith already at work in the kitchen. By the time I make it in there, she's about to walk out. Giving me a smile she nods to the stove. "There's cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Come on down once you've eaten."

I eat the roll as I move around cleaning the kitchen back up, since I know she doesn't have the time. My presence is just what she needs until she can get used to the work load. I down a glass of water before making my way down into the shop. A couple of happy customers leave, just as I make it to her side. "What do you need me to do?"

"Well, I have a delivery to make to that man, Axel, from yesterday. It's just some flowers and he's not too far away either. Oh, and I need to you to run by the bakery and pick me up some bagels. I'll call them in as soon as you leave. You remember where that is right?"

"Leave it to me. I'll go ahead and get going. Call me if you need anything else."

Aerith nods as she hands me the small, brown, hand-woven basket to me. Fresh, red roses weave through the wood of the basket, making it beyond amazing. Once I stuff the money and the paper with Axel's address into my pocket, I head out the door.

The sun's shining rays beat down on everyone that walks the sidewalks. Thankfully, the cool breeze keeps everyone from getting tired. Striding besides the embankment, I glance out over the shimmering ocean's surface. Happy families gather down on the sand, laughing and playing.

I want to be happy like that. I don't want to go back to what my life has been. I need a change and I need help.

I try to keep a medium pace, not wanting the flowers to start wilting and begin thirsting for water. If I hadn't been to Destiny Islands so many times, throughout my youth, I would completely and utterly lost. However, within minutes, I'm standing on the doorstep to a large house. I tap the doorbell and await the presence of the red head. Glancing around, I find myself admiring the light gray paint, with dark, blue-gray trim. Potted plants sit on the brick walls extending out from the house, framing the porch. Hues of green decorate the freshly trimmed grass, adding to the natural fall smell.

"Hey, it's you...Squall right?" I nod, as I turn my focus back to the man standing in the door. A grin stays on his face, as he reaches into his back pocket for his wallet. "So you're the delivery boy now?"

"I like to pull my own weight is all." I shoot back, while handing him the basket.

Bills are placed in my palm, and Axel takes the basket from me. "I'm just kidding. Look, I do want to thank you for coming all the way out here. We don't exactly live close."

I turn on my heel and begin down the few steps, "I have errands to run anyway."

A hand falls onto my shoulder, "Can I ask you a personal question?"

I pivot back, effectively making him let go of me. Before I can answer, Riku pounces out of the house, going straight to Axel. "You're bothering him. Just let him leave."

Axel's playful grin softens dramatically, into a soft side, that many probably don't see. "It's alright babe, right Squall?"

"Yeah, it's fine, go ahead."

"Why are you all the way up here in Destiny Islands?"

I bite the inside of my cheek, not wanting to give off to much of my problems to them, it's not theirs to bear. "I just needed a vacation from the life down in Halloween Town is all."

"Well, I hope you enjoy it up here."

Axel begins up to the door, but Riku idles, "I can tell even though he can't. I know you've been abused and I want you to know, that all this pain will fade into a memory when you find someone that fills you with joy, almost where you're giddy. If I can find Axel...you can find yours." and he hurries after Axel, the door shutting me off from them once more.

It hurts to watch them so happy. Axel clearly loves Riku dearly. The only time I've had someone protective...it was for the wrong reasons. But what Riku said...Can he be right?

Slowly, I make my way to the bakery, not taking as long as I thought it would. I go straight to the counter and hand the lady the money. She smiles warmly at me, as she hands me the box of bagels. In my own little world, I let my feet take me out the door.

A pain sears through me and I realize that I'm on my butt, outside on the sidewalk. The baked products lie scattered around me, causing me to sigh deeply. A hand dips into my view, "I'm sorry I didn't see..." his voice trails off as his eyes lock onto mine. "I'll buy you a new box, Squall." That blonde head of hair bends down to pick up the ruined goods, before he leaves into the shop. Within the span of a minute, he's back out. "It'll be a few minutes, come on let's sit over here."

Nothing's a coincidence, Mom always taught me that. I seem to run into Cloud a lot lately.

We sit at a small round table in a corner, shaded by a large palm tree hanging above us. His elbows rest on the small glass table, while I try to relax into the white padded chair. "Sorry I ruined those."

"No big deal, I guess." Cloud sighs, something obviously troubling him. "Something the matter?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking."

"About what?"

"About why I came back here."

"Why did you?"

"Here you are, Sir." says a young girl, as she sets the new box in between them. Cloud nods to her, and she leaves.

I stand, with the box in hand, and I intend to just walk away, not sure I can stay near him any longer. Not with this deep ache in my chest. Fingers grab my wrist and he turns me back around, so close, our noses almost touch.

"I think...I really came here, to find something I've been missing."

Heat flushes onto my cheeks and neck, and I make myself immediately pull away. "Thanks for paying for the new box." is all I say as I hurry back to Aerith.

Why...why does he do that to me? Does he even know he does? Yes, I think so.