Chances in Life
XO'MagickMoon'OX
.Chapter II. Mercy Me
A/N: The song is Mercy Me by Alkaline Trio.---
/Sora's POV/
Damn. He was gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous. I'd never seen anyone so beautiful as him.
He wasn't for me.
There was no way someone like him would actually be interested in someone like me. I was so plain, so boring, so average, while he was a god. An evil one. One sent down from the heavens just to spite me, to tease me and prove to me how completely pathetic I was. And Kairi was no help. Nope, not one bit.
"How do you expect me to help if you don't do your part?" I mimicked her, purposefully distorting my voice to prove how truly pointless her attempts at "helping" me were. I didn't need any help, dammit!
"Oh Sora," Kairi sighed, "stop complaining."
"I'm not complaining!"
Aerith looked through the mirror back at me, watching me pout. "What happened?" she asked.
I turned my gaze out the car window, ignoring her question. I knew Kairi would answer anyway.
"We met this drop-dead gorgeous guy at the mall. I tried to get Sora to talk to him, but he just shut-up and barely spoke a word!" Kairi said breathlessly, tossing her hands about dramatically to emphasize her words. She turned to look back at me from the front seat beside Aerith. "You totally blew it!"
"Blew what?" I asked.
"Blew your chance with him!"
"I never even had a chance to begin with!"
"Sora," Aerith said reprovingly, "don't talk like that. You're good enough for anyone."
"Hn," I grunted dubiously.
"She's right," Kairi insisted. "Really Sora, you don't know how attractive you are."
I sighed. It was hopeless to try to get them to understand. I really wasn't good enough for Riku. He probably wasn't even interested in other guys, firstly, and secondly, if he was, he wouldn't be interested in me. It was as simple as that.
"Well, I'm not giving up. I think you two would make a good couple," Kairi continued. "We're going back to the mall this weekend."
I groaned, sinking down in my seat. "Noooooo!"
"Yesssss!" Kairi teased. "We are going back and that's final!"
"And I suppose you need me to drive?" Aerith asked tiredly.
Kairi nodded.
"God, I can't wait 'til you two get your licenses."
---
True to her word, Kairi brought me back to the mall that Saturday. Or rather, dragged me kicking and screaming the whole way. I really didn't want to face Riku again. As we made our way to Hot Topic, I prayed with all my heart that he wouldn't be there.
But God must hate me. 'Cause there he was.
He smiled as we entered, looking up from some purchase he was scanning. "Hey."
/Riku's POV/
He came back! Well, I'd wager that Kairi forced him back, but still ... he came back! Had I not been standing behind the counter, attending to a customer, I would've jumped him right then and there. He probably wouldn't have appreciated that, but I wouldn't have let that hinder me. He just looked so ... perfect. I don't know what it was about him ... but I guess being deprived of him for three days ...
Wow, listen to me, I sounded like some housewife whose husband had just returned from fighting overseas.
So he was completely adorable, with a gorgeous face and very kissable lips and a nice body (from what I could see) … but I couldn't lose my composure. He'd be mine eventually. Patience was a virtue.
Screw that. Patience was a bitch.
"There you are, ma'am." I folded up the Senses Fail T-shirt I'd just rung up and tucked it into a plastic bag. "Have a nice day."
The woman smiled. "You too." She took her bag and left, and the boy behind her stepped up. I quickly glanced down the line. Two more to go after this kid.
Sora and Kairi were standing to the side of the counter, watching me work. I didn't think it was very fascinating, but whatever. As I scanned the boy's belt and sweatshirt, Kairi started talking.
"So, what's up?"
"What does it look like?" I replied with an easy smile.
"Having fun?"
"Oh, tons," I answered sarcastically. "But I guess it's not so dull now that you two are back." I met Sora's gaze, and he quickly averted his eyes, blushing. He really was adorable.
Then, a girl with bleached hair (you knew it was by her telltale black roots) approached the counter, smiling innocently. Innocent my ass. Her lips were painted maroon, her eyes coated in black mascara and eyeliner, and the collar of her shirt was so low and the bottom cropped so high that she might as well have just been wearing a bra, no shirt. Sure, she was hot in a sluttish sort of way, and I could tell by her flirtatious air that she was interested in me, but for some reason, I just wasn't having it.
"Can I help you?" I asked as pleasantly as possible; her seductive demeanor was really starting to irritate me.
"I just wanted your opinion on something," she said, her voice so sweet it was sickening.
"Yeah?"
"What color do you think I'd look better in?" She held up a pink thong in one hand and a black thong in the other, still smiling that overly-angelic smile.
I mentally flashed on Sora and our first meeting and grinned. I glanced over at him, and I caught his eyes for a split-second before he busied himself with looking through the Napoleon Dynamite pins on the counter. He was blushing again; he did that far too easily.
I turned back to the she-devil standing in front of the counter and sighed. "Uh … black," I answered her nonchalantly. She frowned at my lack of enthusiasm and took the hint that I wasn't interested.
"Oh, well … um … thanks," she said, forcing another smile and walked away, replacing the panties on the shelf and leaving the store.
I checked my watch. It was actually almost time for me to leave to go home. Sephiroth would be here soon to take the register.
Speak of the devil.
Sephiroth stepped across the threshold and swept up the counter, looking as apathetic as ever. I saw Kairi and Sora shy away from his imposing form and smirked. I looked around quickly, making sure Leon wasn't around, and jumped over the counter while Sephiroth used the gated opening like any normal employee.
"Seph," I said, "I'm going out with my friends for a little while."
Sephiroth turned his sights on Sora and Kairi and shrugged. "Just be home by seven. Remember."
"I won't forget." I took my dazed buddies' hands and left the store.
Once we were a good ten paces away from Hot Topic, Kairi asked, "Who was that?"
"Sephiroth," I answered promptly. Then, I elaborated, "My older brother."
"That explains the resemblance." Kairi smiled.
"Yeah, I get that a lot."
"He seems scary," Sora spoke.
I turned to look at him, saying, "Yeah, he gets that a lot. That's just the way he is. But, like Leon, he really does care."
"They remind me of Mr. Strife," Sora said to Kairi.
"Yeah, me too," she agreed.
"Your … teacher?" I asked.
"Uh-huh, he's our History teacher," Kairi informed me.
"I see."
"So, what are we doing now?" Kairi asked.
"Well, I was going to go … somewhere." Actually, I had no idea where I wanted to go. I was planning on heading home and playing until our practice tonight. But now, I don't think Kairi and Sora would've had much fun listening to my noise.
On our way down the escalator, I looked down the mall and saw the flashing lights of the arcade. And suddenly, I had an epiphany. Okay, so maybe not exactly. I just like that word.
Anyway. I decided then that the arcade would be our destination. So, making the suggestion to Sora and Kairi and receiving their enthusiastic agreement, I led them towards the arcade. As we stepped inside, Sora immediately took off in a certain direction. Kairi and I followed.
"Oh, I know where he's going," Kairi said.
"Where?"
But then I knew when we found Sora standing before the DDR machine. Dance Dance Revolution. I loved that game. Apparently Sora did, too.
Kairi laughed. "I can't play this for my life, but Sora's amazing."
"Hmmm," I hummed thoughtfully. This could be interesting.
Sora pulled out his wallet and got a handful of change from a zippered pocket. We watched him slide a few coins into the slot and jump up onto the platform. Within minutes, he was playing, nailing each move with an acute accuracy that I had no idea someone who appeared so gentle and innocent could possess. The word "perfect" never left the screen. No "great", no "good", no "almost", no "o.k.", and definitely no "boo". The bar at the top was a rainbow blend, and I couldn't help but be impressed.
Once he'd finished, clearing each level with ease, he hopped off. His face was flushed and his bangs were beginning to stick to his forehead, but he was glowing with happiness and smiling brightly through his panting. Now this was a boy who looked to be the social and talkative teen his friend claimed he was.
I smirked and pulled on the chain that was attached to my wallet, sliding it from my pocket. I took out some change and held my hand out invitingly. "Play with me?" I asked.
Sora's eyes widened in utter astonishment and he nodded tentatively, seeming to slip back into that shell which I'd normally seen him hide inside. Not the reaction I'd expected, but at least he'd agreed. Stepping back onto the platform, he pulled out some change of his own and deposited it into the machine. I jumped on and did the same.
And the game began.
Setting it to "versus" and "heavy", we started dancing. We were basically evenly matched. The fast-paced techno music pulsed through the speakers. Our feet were moving faster than I could register, my limbs moving automatically to the game's dictations. Kairi cheered in the background, and I could hear other people cheering as well, some whistling approvingly. I heard Sora laugh delightedly, and I couldn't help but laugh myself. We passed level after level, our scores almost equal. He was beating me.
But it was exhilarating, consuming, exciting! I could feel sweat beading at my brow, hair spinning around my face and sticking to my neck, my heart working overtime to accommodate the strain, and my throat tight as I gasped for air. It was over all too soon.
"I win!" Sora jumped up and down, punching the air triumphantly. I stood there, catching my breath and watching him in his glory. It made me smile to see him so happy. He was just too adorable for words.
"Nice game!" I said, extending my hand. He stopped jumping and looked up at me before a grin broke anew over his face and he took my offering, shaking my hand zealously. The crowd behind us cheered louder, and Kairi jumped up with us, slinging arms around our shoulders. She laughed giddily, and we couldn't help but join in. "I don't think I've ever had so much fun!" I gasped out between laughs. "I've never met anyone who could match me in DDR, much less beat me."
Sora nodded. Then he took a deep breath, stepping off the platform. "Phew! I need some air," he said.
We followed him as he exited the arcade. After picking up a couple of water bottles at a nearby pretzel stand, we left the mall and stepped into the cool December air. After being in the stuffy mall, the frosty temperature felt indescribably good.
I checked the time. "Wow, it's already six thirty."
"Do you have anything else planned tonight?" Kairi wondered.
"Yeah … we're having practice at seven," I answered.
"'Practice'?" Kairi gave me a funny look.
"Band practice," I clarified.
"You're in a band?" Sora and Kairi asked simultaneously.
"Oh yeah … didn't I tell you?" How could that have slipped my mind? Music was one of the most important things in my life, after all. "I'm the bassist and lyricist."
"Who else is in it?" Kairi asked.
"Wait, before I get into the details, do you guys wanna come over and watch?"
"Sure!" Kairi agreed.
Sora didn't look too certain, but Kairi didn't seem to leave room for argument.
"Great!" I said. "My car's this way." As we started towards where I'd parked, I answered Kairi's question. "Tidus, Leon, and Sephiroth are in it. So are our other friends, Yuffie and Wakka." I ticked them off on my fingers. "Tidus sings, Wakka does drums, Yuffie does keyboard, and Leon and Sephiroth are on guitar. Yuffie and I sing backup. And although I'm the lyricist, that doesn't mean that I write all of the songs by myself. Everyone collaborates. But a lot of the songs are written solely by me, and then we all come up with the notes together depending on what we think the mood of the song is, based on the words."
"That's awesome." Kairi was bubbling with enthusiasm. Sora appeared to have shut himself up again, much to my disappointment. For some reason unknown to myself, I liked to see him happy and active. It just didn't suit him to be so taciturn.
So I grabbed his hand and pulled him over between Kairi and me. He gave a startled yelp before that typical blush filled his cheeks. Kairi looked away for a moment, and I could tell she was stifling a giggle. I just smiled and didn't release Sora's hand, although I could tell he was furtively trying to pull it out of my grasp. I pretended not to notice. As we neared my car, I pulled out my keys and unlocked it, going to the passenger side to open the door for Sora. He looked at me questioningly before sliding in. Kairi jumped in the back as I took the driver's seat and started up the engine.
"Where do you live?" Kairi asked.
"Oh, about ten minutes from here." I pulled out of the parking space and took off for home.
For the entire ride, Sora kept his eyes trained on the window, his hands securely in his lap. He barely moved. Hell, I think he barely breathed. Could he really be that nervous? I was a nice guy … what was there to worry about? Okay, so maybe, ultimately, my goal was to get into his pants, but he didn't know that, and even if he did, that was nothing to worry about, anyway. He should be looking forward to it. I know I was.
All right, well, enough of that.
Before I knew it, I was pulling into my driveway. It was almost seven. We got out of the car and I locked it behind us. I welcomed them inside as I went to fetch my instrument, inviting them to sit in the living room. I was back ten minutes later, bass guitar in hand and my notebook in the other.
"Say Riku," Kairi said, "where're your parents?"
"Oh," I waved my hand dismissively, my notebook flopping to the side as I did so, "they're always working. Hardly around. Seph's always here though, when he's not at school or work. He goes to the community college and then works at Hot Topic in his free time, and also plays in our band."
"Wow, busy guy."
"I guess you could say we both are, seeing so I have the same schedule as him. Well, slightly different, since I'm in high school, but you get the idea." I gave a small grin. "But since winter break is almost here, we'll have a little extra time on our hands. And Mom and Dad will be home for a few days, Christmas Eve and Christmas, and then New Year's Eve and New Year's." I checked the time. "All right, time to go."
"Where?" Kairi asked.
"We practice at Leon's, since he has the most commodious garage. He lives about seven minutes from here."
They stood from the couch and followed me out the door. Sora tried to slip into the backseat of my car, but Kairi forced him up front. God bless that girl. He still seemed uneasy. So, on the short car ride, I tried to strike up a conversation.
"Hey, Sora, d'you have any siblings?"
He shook his head. Maybe I should steer clear of the "yes or no" questions in order to get him to speak.
"Erm … what kind of music do you like?"
"Any kind, I guess."
"…" I waited for him to say more, but he just looked out the window. For a moment, the image of him, happy and smiling after playing DDR, flashed through my mind. How was I supposed to get him to show himself like that again? To get him to open up to me?
Wait, why did I care? It wasn't like we were good friends or anything akin to it. I wanted him because of his appearance, nothing more. I wasn't interested in anything other than that. Really, I wasn't.
I resisted the sudden urge to bash my head against the steering wheel.
Then, we thankfully arrived at Leon's, and the Car Ride From Hell came to an end. Okay, so maybe I was over-exaggerating a little, but I just didn't know what to do! It was slowly driving me insane.
"Riku? Are you okay?"
I looked up suddenly from whatever I had been doing to see Sora, watching me concernedly. It was then that I became aware of the dull pain throbbing through my forehead and realized that I had, indeed, been bashing my head against the steering wheel in the midst of my mental ramblings.
But he'd spoken! Praise the Lord, Sora had spoken! To me! Okay, so it hadn't been the first time, but … did he look worried? For my health, perhaps? Did that mean he cared?
Hmmm … okay, anyway, we probably should've been out of the car at that point, so I said, "I'm fine," with a characteristic smile, stepping out of the car and grabbing my bass from the trunk. With Sora and Kairi in tow, I walked up onto the porch and knocked once before letting myself in and heading towards the door that led to the garage.
"Finally!"
I jumped as Sephiroth snapped at me. But I knew he didn't mean anything by the sharp tone; that was just the way he tended to talk.
"Sorry, I got kinda held up." Kinda … sorta … not really, I was just late. By five minutes. Oh wow, the world's coming to an end! Ahem. "We have an audience today, boys!"—Yuffie grunted—"And girl."
"And who would this audience be …?" Leon quirked an eyebrow.
I stepped aside to reveal Sora and Kairi. Kairi waved in greeting and Sora just smiled somewhat sheepishly.
"Hey, I remember those two," Tidus said. "They came to the store the other day."
"And today," Leon added. "I saw them."
"They're the friends you went out with, yes?" Seph asked me.
I nodded. "Yup. I invited them to watch our practice."
"Oh boy," Wakka groaned. "We're a cacophony, ya."
"We are not," Yuffie argued. "We sound fine."
As Wakka and Yuffie continued to bicker, I unpacked my bass and plugged it into one of Leon's three amps with the cable I'd brought. Tuning up, I turned to Sora and Kairi. "You guys can sit over there, if you want." I motioned to a couch in the far corner. "And feel free to cover your ears; we won't take it into offense. We're just a little loud is all."
Kairi nodded. "All right."
I then pulled out my earplugs and stuck them in my ears. After tuning up themselves, Leon and Seph did the same, followed by Wakka, Tidus, and Yuffie. Yeah, we weren't stupid. None of us wanted to go deaf at such a young age. I mean really, our musical careers would've gone no where if that ever were to happen. It's not like we were Beethoven reincarnations. How that guy ever composed such brilliant pieces without his hearing, I'll never know.
Wakka counted off. "One, two … one, two, three, four!"
And immediately we plunged into our music.
/Sora's POV/
Oh my god. They sounded awesome! Their melody, their rhythm … it was amazing! And just watching Riku … he seemed so into the music, with his fingers moving across the neck and plucking nonstop at the strings and his head bobbing slightly as he smiled faintly.
And then Tidus took the mike and began singing.
"It's been a long day living with this,It's been a long time since I felt so sick.
I took a long walk straight back home,
I could've walked back to San Francisco.
I used to long for time alone,
I used to long for a place of my own.
And I'm losing faith in everything,
I'm lost, so lost, I'm lost at sea, you'll see."
Tidus stopped, swaying to the music as the instruments went solo again. Then he sang back into the microphone:
"I used to long for broken bones,I used to long for a casket to call my own.
I never had a problem facing fear,
But I'm done, over and out my dear and …"
Riku and Yuffie stepped up to their mikes and started singing backup for the chorus. Their harmony was perfect.
"Oh mercy me,God bless catastrophe.
There's no way in Hell,
We'll ever live to see through this so,
Drive yourself insane tonight,
It's not that far away and I just,
Filled up your tank earlier today.
(Yeah!)"
I was speechless. I couldn't help but begin to tap my foot, my head bobbing to the beat. They just sounded so … so awesome! I wondered if Riku had written this song …
"It's been a long day living with this,It's been a long time since I felt so sick.
I took a long walk straight back home,
I could've walked back to Chicago.
I used to long for time along,
I used to long for a place of my own,
And I've lost faith in everything,
I'm lost, so lost, I'm lost without you."
I still couldn't believe how good Riku was at the bass. He really seemed to know what he was doing, and he really seemed to love every second of it. I wish I had that sort of passion for music. I wish I had that sort of passion for anything really. He stepped back up to his microphone.
"Oh mercy me,God bless catastrophe.
There's no way in Hell,
We'll ever live to see through this so,
Drive yourself insane tonight,
It's not that far away and I just,
Filled up your tank earlier today.
(Yeah!)"
The song was nearing it's end, I could tell. The thought sort of depressed me. I never wanted them to stop playing. I never wanted to stop watching Riku, with that whole excited demeanor and impassioned air. He seemed all the more beautiful when doing what he loved.
"So drive yourself insane tonight,It's not that far away and I just,
Filled up your tank earlier today.
(Yeah!)
(Yeah!)"
The sound stopped with a few final descending chords, and I clapped. I couldn't help it. I just jumped to my feet and started clapping, grinning from ear to ear. "That was amazing!" I said.
The band was quiet for a moment. Then, they began smiling, too, and laughing (save for Leon and Sephiroth, but that was apparently only to be expected).
"You really think so?" Yuffie asked.
"Totally! That was just … great! You guys sound so good!"
My eyes found their way to a pair of aqua orbs, and I felt a blush creep across my face as Riku studied me in that way he tended to do. He cocked his head and grinned. "Thanks, Sora."
"Will … Will you play it again?" I asked meekly.
"Yeah!" Kairi cheered. "Encore!"
"You really want to hear it again?" Tidus wondered. "Well sure, I don't see why not."
I clapped. "All right!" Sitting back down, I watched them start up again and play the song anew, with the same vigor and flare. And Riku seemed to be simply glowing with happiness. If given the chance, I think I would've sat there and watched him forever.
---
TBC
Revieweth my fair readers, and I shall be most delighted ... eth.