Sora rose out of bed feeling as if he hadn't gotten any sleep in ages. His mind was constantly swirling around with thoughts of Kairi. Sex. Sex and Kairi. 'What is wrong with me? She's not the type of girl that I want to get involved with.' But his body was definitely telling him otherwise. In an effort to justify his attraction towards the girl he attributed it to the fact that it was probably because he knew who and what she was. Something off limits for him. Like a sweet forbidden fruit that he had yet to try. He angrily shook his head and tried to think of a way. Any way at all that would get her out of his mind. He walked out of his room taking a cold shower that for the time being helped cool him down, in more ways than one.

Kairi stood at the window of her bedroom looking out at the island's beauty. She couldn't believe all that she had been missing out on. Like Rapunzel caged up in her room at Twilight Town. Had it not been for Namine there it would have been unbearable. Namine. She missed her already despite having talked to her on the phone only minutes before. They had talked about how Mel reacted after finding out she had left. Surprisingly he had already been expecting her to beg for a vacation and was only counting the days. She guessed she hadn't been as discreet about her dissatisfaction as she thought. Naturally he had been understanding. It was Kairi after all, his favorite. Kairi had also shared with Namine all that had happened between the time that they had last seen each other. She started with telling her about where the train had dropped her off at, her meeting with Audrey, where she was staying, and lastly Sora. If Kairi could take back the last subject she would do it in a heartbeat. Namine had taken an enthusiastic interest about what she had said about him and used it as ammunition to tease Kairi. She smiled to herself remembering their conversation. They had one of those rare friendships that would last forever. One which they would never allow anything to come in between.

Eager to get her day started she grabbed her towel and made her way to the bathroom. She stopped on a dime when the door opened and revealed a dripping Sora who was clad in nothing but a flimsy towel wrapped around his waist. She caught herself staring at those hard abs and found herself wondering if there was anything else that was rock hard under that towel. She sure as hell wanted to find out. 'Oh my God Kairi! What are you thinking? Snap out of it girl.' She told herself, not wanting to embarrass herself by getting caught staring.

Just one look at her had his hormones raging. His sex deprived body had instantly gone into overdrive. He quickly brushed past her and into his room, afraid that if he had stayed any longer he might end up doing something he would later regret.

After getting dressed and making his untamable hair as presentable as it could get he went into the kitchen and took an almond croissant that his mother had made earlier that morning with a bottle of orange juice and left the house. He decided to walk to work today instead of taking his car. He was having a hard time not thinking about Kairi as it was, so he didn't want to stick around until she finished her shower. He had to block the mental pictures manifesting in his mind about her naked and wet in his shower, and using his products on her body because just the thought of it was too much for him to take. He sped up his walk, anxious to get near the ocean which never failed to clear his mind.

Kairi was walking around the public square that she had come across the previous day while she was looking for a place to stay. Now that she had no more worries about where to settle down she was free to do what she loved doing most, shopping, and she knew exactly where to start. At the clothing store located at the heart of the public square. Upon entering the shop her eyes glowed with excitement at seeing that she was in some sort of beach paradise. All around her it seemed as if there was an endless array of sunglasses, flip flops, swimwear, and sundresses. It gave her an idea about spending a lazy afternoon at the beach that day so she first headed to the bikinis. She had been picking several out for quite some time until a friendly looking girl about her age with short brown hair and green eyes approached her.

"Hello", Kairi greeted her.

"Hey! I'm Selphie! You must be the new visitor everyone has been talking about. It's so nice to meet you!" Kairi held out her hand to shake the over energetic girls'.

"It's nice to meet you too. My name is Kairi."

"Well Kairi, I'm sure we will be great friends! I am telling you, you will love it here!"

Kairi smiled, happy that it looked like she had made a new friend and wouldn't end up being so lonely after all. "Thanks, I'm sure I'll enjoy it here too."

"You bet. Anyway...", she began while eyeing the numerous swimsuits that Kairi was holding, "It looks like you're preparing to go to the beach. Mind if I join you?"

"I would love the company, thanks." Kairi smiled.

"No problem, and oh! You must absolutely try these on. They will look just fabulous on you!"

After doing tons of shopping the two girls headed to Kairi's temporary place of residence to drop off all of their newly bought clothing and to get ready for their day at the beach. Upon approaching the house Selphie stopped in her tracks and excitedly asked "Oh my gosh! How come you didn't tell me you were staying here with the dreamy lifeguard?"

"Dreamy lifeguard?" asked a very confused Kairi.

"Mr. tall dark and handsome?"

"Sora?"

"Yeah!"

"Oh." Kairi simply stated while making her way back into the empty house.

"Well why didn't you ever mention it?" Selphie pressed, while catching up to Kairi.

"I guess I just didn't think that it was that big of a deal" she shrugged.

"Not a big deal? You two are living in the same house. Just think of the possibilities!". The statement had caused Kairi to let out a big laugh.

"What's so funny?" Selphie asked, genuinely puzzled.

"What you just said. There really aren't any possibilities. I don't think he likes me very much." What she really meant to say was that she thought he hated her, but she believed saying it would be admitting it was reality.

"What gave you that impression?"

"For now let's just say a less than perfect first meeting. I'll explain everything later on our way to the beach." They were now in Kairi's room setting down the shopping bags next to her bed.

"Oh please. I bet he already has a slight crush on you. I mean come on how can anyone not like you? I guess I would have to see it to believe it. And oh! Wear this one!" she said while handing Kairi a plain white bikini.

"Okay, though I would hate to say I told you so." She replied with a sing song voice while putting on the bathing suit.

"Wow", Selphie said while circling Kairi and admiring her figure. "Trust me I'll be the one saying I told you so. I mean look at you. Doesn't that bikini make your boobs look pretty god damn amazing?"

That compliment had Kairi in a fit of giggles. "You're right they are pretty amazing huh?", she joked while covering the bikini with a purple dress. Selphie had out on a yellow bikini with an orange dress.

"They sure are. Now come on, get your sunscreen and put your flip flops on. The beach is waiting for us!" Kairi smiled and did just that. She was already growing fond of her new friend. After packing up all of their beach equipment they both hurried out on their way.

Sora was sitting on the lifeguard post laughing and having a good time with his two best friends and fellow lifeguards, Tidus and Wakka. Tidus was on his day off but usually went to the beach whenever he wasn't busy. He said that he enjoyed coming to the beach because of the perfect weather and beautiful scenery. Sora claimed that his excuse was BS and the reason he came was to check out all of the girls running around in their iitsy bitsy swimsuits which caused a roar of laughter to come out of Wakka. Tidus denied that Sora's argument had any truth in it but later admitted that it may have been a tiny part of the reason after receiving knowing looks from the other two boys.

The day had started out like any other of their average days. The three were joking and having fun until something, or someone rather, broke their daily ritual. Wakka was the first to notice her.

"Whoa, brudda. Who is that beauty?" he said while pointing off into the distance where two girls were laying down their towels. The other two boys had turned their heads into the direction that had caught Wakka's attention.

"She's the city girl, Kairi. She's staying at my place for a while. My mother took her in. I already mentioned that to you guys earlier, remember?" Sora answered. All three of the boys' eyes were still glued onto the red head.

"Yeah well, you never mentioned her being a huge sex bomb."

Sora didn't know how to reply to that. He couldn't deny just how sinfully beautiful Kairi was, but at the same time didn't want to reveal any sort of interest that he no doubt had for her, so he decided to ignore the comment. Wakka however just wouldn't let him off easily.

"So, what's she like?"

Just when Sora was about to say less than friendly things about her, Kairi had decided to lift up her dress and remove it at that moment. Sora's brain had turned into mush at seeing her in a bikini and he unintentionally answered Wakka's question with one simple word.

"Hot."

Remembering how earlier that morning Sora had complained ardently about the girl made him turn his attention away from the stunner and onto Sora. He gave him a confused look while asking if he had heard the young man correctly.

"Hot?"

Sora had instantly realized the mistake that he had made.

"Hot...headed", he slowly replied, hoping that the statement would be enough to salvage his careless slip up. "She has an explosive temper", he added.

"Whatever you say brudda." Wakka then noticed an odd silence coming from their blonde friend so he turned to look at him. The last time Tidus was quiet for this long was, well... never. He had a vacant look on his face with his mouth slightly opened. Simply put, he looked like a dimwit all stupefied like that. Wakka tried to snap him out of his daze by waving his hand in front of his face.

"Yo, Tidus. Anybody home?"

The blonde replied, "Oh. My. God. I think I'm in love."

Sora had a sly smile to his face thinking that she would never fall for a guy like Tidus. He thought she was just way out of his league; but then again, he also thought that she was way out of everyone's league.

"Isn't she just a knockout?" Tidus asked his companions while still admiring the girl.

"Beyond any doubt." Wakka said.

"She's not my type", Sora lied.

Tidus looked at him like he was crazy. "I am officially convinced that you either roll the other way or don't have a type. What sane guy would pass up on a girl with a face that would make any guy go bonkers for? Well, one less competition for me I suppose."

Sora chuckled and tried to change the subject. "Bonkers? Who the hell uses that word?"

"Whatever," Tidus said while jumping off from his seat.

"I'm gonna introduce myself, cya."

"I think maybe I should too, ya?" Wakka said a bit too eagerly.

"Man you are on duty remember? With the way you two have been distracted I wouldn't be surprised if a swimmer has already drowned. Keep lookout, and don't worry I'll be sure to introduce you to my future girlfriend."

Sora couldn't stop himself from saying, "Who? Selphie? I'm pretty sure she already knows Wakka.", he half joked.

Something in him just hated the thought of Tidus and Kairi together and the feeling was irritating him. Why did he care anyway?

"Good one man" Wakka said in between laughter. Tidus just continued walking down the beach and gave the two the finger without looking back at them.

...

Sora had been watching Tidus and Kairi with a hawk's eye for over four hours already, even glaring whenever Tidus would get too close to her. Selphie had noticed all this and came up with the conclusion that he was jealous. Even if he was in denial jealousy was still jealousy. Tidus had been showering Kairi with affection all afternoon, complimenting her, and buying her ice cream, drinks, and snacks. Through it all Sora had never taken his eyes away.

Selphie, being the hopeless romantic that she was decided that she wanted to step in and help the two get together. She wasn't too concerned about Tidus getting in the way of her plans. Kairi was oblivious to all of his approaches and was obviously interested in nothing but his friendship. After hearing from Kairi about his argument with his mother about her she knew that it wasn't going to be easy, and it might even be one of her toughest projects yet, but Selphie was determined. She loved challenges when it came to matters of the heart. She was suddenly in high spirits and was thinking to herself "Sora and Kairi, you two will be together by the end of this summer. I just know it!"