Hey guys! I probably won't be able to update at all for about two weeks after this, so without further adeiu, here's chapter 15.
Disclaimer: If I did, I sure as hell wouldn't have to put up with this whole grounding thing...
15. Revenge.
Kairi awoke quickly, after being plagued by swift nightmares, one flitting from her mind just in time for another. Her head pounding, she realized she was still curled up in the same miserable ball she was in the night before.
"Ow..." She wimpered, stretching her legs. Pain shot up them both, after having been stiff all night.
Feeling any better? Namine asked comfortingly. Kairi thought about that question incredulously. Could Namine not feel the pain stabbing her heart like a lancet with each beat?
I've always thought "heartache" was a figure of speech... She answered, putting her hand to her head.
I feel like I've got a hangover... Kairi moaned internally, not wanting to break the silence with her voice, which was undoubtedly harsh from sobbing all night.
I'm sorry... Namine apologized. But, now for the big question. What are you going to do when you see Sora today?
Kairi responded instantly. I'm going to pretend like nothing happened. I've just got to get over it. True, it'll hurt infinitely in the beginning, but nothing lasts forever, right? I may not be able to cease my feelings, but I'll ignore them as best I can.
Do you really think that's healthy? Namine asked disapprovingly.
None of this is healthy, Kairi retorted. Namine agreed grimly. Kairi changed clothes and brushed her hair and teeth quickly. She took extra time to wash her tearstained face, wanting to erase all the evidence of her sorrow. Checking her appearance in the mirror to make sure she looked as natural as she could, Kairi was faintly alarmed, yet unsurprised, at the nonemotional, dead look in her eyes.
If anyone asks, I'll say I don't know what they're talking about, she decided. With a solemn sigh, Kairi carefully arranged her features into the most convincing smile she could, then walked out the door.
Axel was standing in the hallway, talking animatedly to a new, pretty receptionist at the desk by the door. Kairi was unsurprised; she had always pictured him as a flirty type.
"Morning, Kairi," Axel greeted her, not taking his eyes off the receptionist. She replied with the most natural-sounding "Morning" as she could, yet something in her voice seemed to break through Axel's preoccupation with the girl in front of him. He whipped his head around in alarm, looking at her face. His charming smile fell.
"What's wrong?" He asked, peering into her eyes.
"Nothing," she said, feigning brightness. Axel didn't appear convinced, but the sound of a door slamming shut temporarily halted his interrogation. Lifelle joined them quickly, wearing a pair of dark jeans and a white spaghetti-strapped tank.
"Morning," she said politely.
"Morning," Axel replied.
"Good morning," Kairi responded with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. Lifelle, too, was not convinced. Kairi hoped she had enough womanly intuition to know that now was really not a great time to talk about it.
"Riku not up yet?" Lifelle asked casually, her eyes widening in concern for only a moment. Kairi breathed an internal sigh of relief.
"Actually, he's just outside. Actually, he told me to tell him when you got up... Oops," Axel grinned shiftily. Lifelle smiled and walked out the large double-doors that Kairi knew lead to the Alleyway.
"Well, I guess that's everybody," Axel said, raising an eyebrow at Kairi. She tried her best to hide her surprise quickly.
"Where's Sora?" She asked. Kairi didn't anticipate how hard it was to say his name; it came out barely a whisper.
"He's in the Third District, where Merlin used to train him for magic. Said something about needing 'alone time.' Told me to send Riku over when we were all up and ready to leave," Axel explained slowly, as if waiting for some emotion or small gasp from Kairi. She merely nodded, then looked away, trying to appear fascinated with the pale mint-green wallpaper.
"Any idea what he needed alone time for?" Axel finally asked, his bright green eyes probing her face.
"No."
Axel seemed to consider this for a moment. Finally, he sighed.
"Look, I don't know what went on between you two last night, but I just wanna let you know that I'm here for you, okay?" Axel said, putting his hand on Kairi's shoulder. She looked up in surprise.
"You're like a little sister to me, and I don't like to see you like this," Axel said, giving a small smile, which Kairi returned in earnest.
"Thanks, Axel. I'll tell you sometime... Just, not now. Okay?" She asked. Axel grinned and nodded, seeming happy to help.
Axel and Kairi met Lifelle and Riku in the Alleyway, where they were talking freely. Lifelle laughed a lot; Kairi was surprised, Riku never came across to her as the funny type.
"Wait, where's Darran?" Kairi asked once everyone was walking towards the first district, to the gummi ship.
"My dear brother..." Lifelle started scathingly, "Is training in the Third District."
Kairi didn't quite know why Lifelle was so obviously disgusted with Darran, but she put it out of her mind quickly; after all, it was none of her business. They reached the gummi ship, which was waiting outside the world gate, with an almost gleeful Darran waving at them. Kairi's breath caught as she saw Sora's silhouette in one of the gummi ship's windows.
"Hey, guys! Great day, huh?" Darran greeted them enthusiastically, smiling the broadest smile Kairi had ever seen. Unwillingly, the thought He's pretty good-looking when he smiles... ran through her mind.
Hey, here's an idea - you're going to actually go through with this getting-over-Sora plan, right? Namine said hopefully, no doubt hearing Kairi's previous thought.
Yeah... what's your idea? Kairi asked; even now, it was hurting less and less to hear Sora's name...
Well, to be quite frank, Darran's interested in you. Why not ask him out? Namine suggested bluntly. Kairi was shocked at her Nobody.
I can't do that! I'm not going to use someone as a meaningless rebound just so I can get over this faster, Kairi argued.
Why not? He's hot, nice, and how do you know this won't be more than a rebound...? Namine asked slyly. Kairi looked once more at Sora's spiky-haired silhouette with sudden defiance.
...You know what? You're right. Nobody makes me feel like shit. I'll get over this, and I'll do it however I please.
Kairi could feel Namine's shock at the absolute venom saturing Kairi's voice.
Um...? You okay, hun? Namine asked shakily.
Just perfect.
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Ooooooooouuuuu! Kairi's pissed! (Wouldn't you be? xD)
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Vampire love.