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They were seated at the kitchen table, munny piled unceremoniously at the center.

"This is all the munny I have in the world," Roxas said.

"It's not much," Sora observed.

"No," Roxas shook his head, "it isn't. We aren't going to be able to pay the rent next month, and definitely not living expenses, not with what I make and definitely not with what mom brings home."

"Okay," Sora nodded, "I'll go find a job."

Roxas looked at his brother and Sora saw something in his eyes that he'd never seen before, but it was gone in an instant; replaced by the stoicism that had gradually grown on him over summers past.

"You don't have to do that, I'll handle it," he said.

Sora raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan on doing that?"

"Don't worry about it, just keep doing what you're doing little bro," Roxas smiled.

There it was. Sora felt the irritation that had been gnawing at him claw ever more ferociously at his innards. He clenched his fists.

"How are you going to get enough money for us to pay the rent and have enough to eat at night?" he asked.

"I said don't worry about it. I haven't let us down before, have I?" Roxas smiled.

"Why shouldn't I get a job? I'm old enough; I'm three months behind you. I would've done it a long time ago," he muttered.

"I don't want you to have to worry about it, that's all," Roxas assured him. "Don't you wanna be a kid?"

"I want to help. Do you really expect me to sit around all day and do nothing while you're out there? Even mom does better. What's your problem exactly?"

Roxas stared at him. "Nothing's my problem. It was just a suggestion," he shrugged.

"Well, why don't you worry about yourself and leave your suggestions wherever the fuck."

There was a moment of stunned silence before Roxas leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes at him. Sora suddenly found it very difficult to hold his gaze.

"You weren't always so angry."

Sora had no retort. Understanding their conversation to be over, Roxas stood up from his chair and made for the door.

"Where are you going?" Sora asked as his brother stepped into the hall.

"Out," he replied.

"Where's out?"

"Out," the door closed behind him.

"Thanks for sticking up for me at lunch by the way!" Sora shouted after him, standing up so quickly that his chair crashed onto the floor behind him, "You were a real fucking help!"

Silence responded in kind. There was nothing and nobody. He was alone. He glanced down at the munny on the table and sighed. He ambled down the hall into the bathroom and stared at his reflection in the mirror.

He had always been more on the scrawny side, but he could see that his chest had become more defined, its outline pressing into his shirt. His bright blue eyes and wildly spiky hair that he could never seem to tame, his slightly tanned skin and the faded dimples on his cheeks; he wasn't anything special.

"Just another kid," he murmured, smirking humorlessly. He thought back to what Roxas had said. He didn't really get angry often, did he? Maybe when the situation called for it, but surely he didn't possess an actual temper. People had always commended him on his laid back nature.

Images of his encounter with Kairi flashed through his mind. He had been fairly calm then. Yes, he nodded to himself, very calm.

Contrary to what he had said to her, he hadn't really seen her around in the week that had followed their encounter. Sure, he saw her walking the halls, usually alongside Riku and the other high status kids, and maybe he had tried to get her attention a few times, staring at her a bit longer than what would have been deemed socially acceptable. But she never looked his way.

It was to be expected, he supposed. She came from the affluent Carroll Gardens over on the west side, which she had spoken quite highly of when they were giving their introductions in English. She had been forced into Brooklyn High like all the others when every other school had been torn down. He, on the other hand, was just another kid from Brownsville. It was a miracle that she had even spoken to him.

He heard the click of the front door opening. Roxas must've come back for something. Oh well, he had nothing to apologize for.

A loud crash startled him from his thoughts. He rushed out into the living room and was greeted by the sight of his mother on the floor, arms wrapped around their television. Her head was swaying from side to side and a groan escaped her lips.

"Sora…"

"What the hell are you doing?" he chided, grabbing the television from her hands and placing it back in its place on the stand.

"I just…need a little munny," she croaked.

"You've got enough," he said, looking at the little pouches sticking out from her pockets. "Were you trying to steal our tee-vee?"

"This is my house too," she whined. "Why you gotta treat me like this?"

Something inside him snapped at her remark and he grabbed at her munny pouches, digging through her pockets and ripping them out in spite of her violent protests. She grasped at his arms, but her grip was weak. She was weak.

"Go. Get out," he pointed at the door, having seized everything in her pockets and tossing them onto the kitchen table. "I want you gone."

"Do you know what I've done for this family?" she hissed at him, just barely managing to pull herself up.

"Nothing," Sora shook his head. "You've done nothing. And you're not going to do it anymore, so go. Keep what you earn."

"I'm not going anywhe-"

He grabbed her arm, hauled her across the room, and pushed her out the door. She cried out and he slammed the door closed. Stepping back, he watched the door rattle under her futile outburst. He listened to her shout and shout, expletives and abuse pouring out of her, until finally, she was gone.

He felt himself shaking. He had never acted so forcefully, so decisively. He wasn't sure what had compelled him to do it, but he knew he hadn't thought it through like any rational actor would; hadn't thought it through like he normally would; usually did. He looked at the pouches of munny on the table, complementing Roxas's contribution.

He smiled.

He was seated in Trig, staring out the window at the misty skyline. The rain was pattering onto the window and he watched with vague interest as the droplets slid down the window and left wet trails in their wake. He was dimly aware of the teacher going on about something.

"Sora?"

He had hidden the pouches under his bed. He couldn't have Roxas finding them and asking where they came from. His brother had taken to ignoring him, at least, ignoring him as much as he could. That was fine as far as Sora was concerned. But there weren't very many people to talk to other than Roxas.

"Sora?"

What would he have done, had he come home and found their mother waiting outside, tossed out by her own son? Roxas would've given him an earful, that's for sure.

"Sora."

He snapped to attention. His teacher, and the rest of the class, was staring at him. He felt that hated heat rising to his cheeks once again.

"Yes?"

"Can you answer the question, please?" his teacher asked irritably.

"Um…can you repeat it?" Sora asked. Someone snickered.

"Forget it," his teacher sighed. "Anyone?"

He slouched miserably in his seat. He had it coming, he thought; can't let your guard down in high school. Suddenly, a tiny white paper slid onto his desk. He glanced to his right and his eyes met those familiar violet ones that he had failed to extirpate from his thoughts. Kairi was looking at him and gave him a small smile. He looked down at the paper and unfolded it. It was a note.

He's really a jerk :)

His stomach did a little somersault. Her handwriting was very nice, cursive and feminine. Somehow he had expected it of her, the smiley face she drew bringing a smile onto his own. He tore a tiny piece of paper out of his notebook and picked up his pen.

I know. I have no idea what he's saying.

He looked to Kairi, who was watching him expectantly. She was seated two rows over; a girl with long brown hair that curved up on either side was seated between them. He hesitated, unsure of what to do. Kairi motioned towards the girl, and after making sure that the teacher wasn't looking, he hesitantly handed the note to her.

She gave him an odd look that clearly indicated she wasn't pleased with being the intermediary, but took it and passed it to Kairi anyway. He watched her open the note and was happy to witness her suppress a giggle. She wrote something else and passed it on.

Do you always space out like that, you lazy bum?

He couldn't help but chuckle.

I try not to but this class is making it very difficult

I see. It's quite boring isn't it?

Very much so.

So how are you?

He wasn't sure what to make of that one, but he went along anyway.

I'm fine. You?

I'm great.

Their miniscule amount of topics conducive to small talk had all but run out. He wasn't sure what to say, but she seemed like she was enjoying their clandestine back-and-forth. Before he could stop himself, he took them into what he knew was risky territory.

Are you friends with Riku?

He didn't watch for her reaction and she did not respond as quickly as she had before. That's a wrap, he thought to himself. Just as he was giving up hope of ever receiving a response, the paper slid into view.

Yes.

He felt a sinking feeling in his chest. He looked over at her, but she was staring down at her desk. Never before had he imagined how much one word could hurt, but here he was. Besides, it wasn't exactly new information, she was always with him. He responded in similar fashion.

Why?

The inanity of the situation was beginning to make itself apparent. All available sensory data suggested she was one of them; popular, rich, attractive. Yet she took the time to initiate conversation with him. There was something wrong with this picture.

It's complicated.

Complicated. He had heard that word used before and in many different contexts. But this was something else.

How?

The bell rang and he jumped in surprise. The teacher was reminding his students to study, the kids were chatting and laughing, and Sora could no longer make out Kairi in the crowd that swallowed her as it pushed its way towards the exit.

He sat alone.

He arrived home to find Roxas drawing excitedly on a piece of paper at the table.

"What's up?" Sora asked hesitantly, closing the door behind him.

"We're having a party," Roxas proclaimed without looking up. He scribbled hurriedly on his paper.

"Um, no we're not," Sora said.

"Why not?" Roxas whined, looking up at him. Sora stared at him incredulously.

"Are you living in the same apartment as me?" Sora asked, gesturing at the walls around them.

"Yes, that's why we're gonna have to clean up. And this," he held up his paper, "is everything we're going to need."

"Weren't you the one just saying how dire our financial straits are?"

"Let me worry about the munny, just help me do this, please, I'm begging you here," Roxas pleaded.

"It's not a good idea."

"C'mon Sora, do I ever ask you for anything?"

"Why do you even want to have a party? Who would come here?"

"Just some people from school, friends. That's all," Roxas assured.

"Friends? How many?" Sora questioned.

"Not a lot, I promise. I just think this could be good, you know. For us."

"For us," Sora made a face. "How?"

"I don't know," his brother shrugged, "You can get to know some people, it's not such a bad thing."

"A party," Sora repeated.

"Yeah, a party," Roxas nodded.

"I-"

He had nothing to lose.

"Okay."