Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts, it all belongs to Square-Enix and Disney.
A/n: Sorry if there's any mistakes in this chapter, it's late and I'm tired. And thanks binii binii, I can't believe I actually got a review for that. Here's the next chapter and all that, I hope you people like it. There's a little Namine+Reno going on, I couldn't help myself... I just love them both so much...
Chapter Two: Nevermind
The room was spinning wildly, the ceiling changing places with the floor and causing her stomach to lurch painfully. She knew she had thrown up again, but she couldn't feel it anymore. The lights flicked on and she groaned as she felt her limp body being lifted off of the bed, the soft covers sliding off after her. Everything faded to black again and her head began to pound viciously.
She was jolted back to her senses moments later when her head slammed into the doorframe violently. A male voice nearby cursed and a hand rested on the back of her head gently. Squinting down to the floor, she realized she was being carried. The floor shifted up towards the wall and her body shook as she coughed.
There were people all around her now, fading in and out of her sight. Loud music boomed in her ears and she hissed in pain, trying to put her hands up to shut out the sound. Her arms flailed uselessly and she tried to focus on them, finally giving up when she started dry heaving again. A blast of cold air slammed into her shaking form and whoever was carrying her turned to close the door behind them. She caught a glimpse of silver hair blowing in the wind, but everything turned black as soon as she settled her gaze on it.
xXx
"Can you hear me?"
She forced her eyes open in panic, bolting up from the bed. Bright light glared in at her from the window and her arms shot up instinctively to block the light.
"Where am I? What happened?" She peered out at the room from behind her hands, noticing several dark figures nearby. A hand rested gently on her arm and she lowered them to look into her sister's worried face.
"It's alright, Namine, you're home now. You're going to be fine." Kairi's soft voice broke through her fear, helping her relax back against the bed. She shoved several pillows behind the blonde girl's back to help her sit up.
"Namine, what did you think you were doing?" She stared up at her mother with wide eyes, still feeling dizzy from the night before.
"I'm not sure…" She held a hand to her forehead and Kairi leaned over to her mother.
"Tifa said she didn't know the punch was spiked, it's not her fault!" She pleaded, squeezing Namine's hand worriedly. Their mother rolled her eyes.
"Alright, but she still shouldn't have even been at that stupid party." The woman brushed her long blonde hair from her face angrily. She leaned in towards Namine. "Just tell me who it was that deflowered my little baby and I can make it all better!" She whispered loudly. Namine stared at her in horror.
"Oh my god!!" She shrieked, hands flying to her face as she realized what had happened. So that was why that hurt…
She threw the blankets back and dove out of the bed, landing shakily on the floor and wobbling across the room to the door.
"What are you talking about?" She whimpered, bracing herself in the doorway as Kairi rushed over to help her.
"Namine, someone raped you last night." Kairi whispered, grabbing the girl's arm to steady her.
Her mind spun, there was no way that could be true. She felt like she was going to throw up. Pulling away from Kairi, she dashed into her bathroom and slammed the door behind her. Namine fell back against the door, face in her hands, and cried.
She cried until her chest hurt and she had collapsed on the floor, body shaking from the stress. Even then she curled into a fetal position on the carpet, hugging her knees as if they could offer comfort. Finally falling asleep again, she welcomed the darkness around her.
xXx
It was dark by the time Namine dragged herself back downstairs. She wouldn't have gone, but she was starving and knew that her parents weren't home. After digging around in the kitchen, she emerged into the living room with a sandwich. She noticed Kairi sitting in front of the fireplace and approached her bravely. Neither girl spoke as she took a seat beside her sister and they watched the flames dance in front of them.
Kairi peeked over at the girl, noting how pale and miserable she looked. She felt responsible, she shouldn't have let her go. Or at least she should have gone with her.
"It's going to be okay." She said softly, smiling at her little sister. Namine chanced a glance at Kairi and tried to return the smile.
"How did I get home?" She asked, taking a small bite from her sandwich. Kairi smiled sadly.
"Riku found you at the party. He carried you all the way back here. I bet you can imagine how shocked I was when I opened the door to find Sora's best friend holding my unconscious sister over his shoulder." She forced a painful laugh and Namine managed to smile.
"You don't remember what happened, do you?" Kairi asked quietly. Namine didn't answer, she had been trying all day to remember it.
"I'm sorry…" She murmured, not even looking over at the auburn haired girl beside her. Kairi put her arm around her and rested her head on her shoulder.
"It's alright. You're okay and that's what matters." They sat there quietly as she finished her sandwich. The fire danced in front of them, casting orange shadows on their skin and warming the room. The wind howled outside and Namine's heart sank as she realized she had to go to school the next day.
"Where did mom and dad go?" She finally asked.
"Oh, um.." Kairi swallowed awkwardly. "They.. Went to the clinic." She refused to look at Namine.
"What? Why?" She asked innocently. Kairi's heart fell, Namine really was too young to have to deal with something like this.
She sighed. "The doctor got some 'DNA' while you were asleep." Namine blushed darkly.
"I see.." She murmured. Kairi reached over to stop her, but the blonde girl had bolted up from her seat on the carpet and dashed from the room.
xXx
"Namine!" Tifa yelled down the hall, running towards her.
Her heart leapt into her throat and she turned and ran. People stared in confusion as she shoved past them down the crowded hallway. Teachers yelled from their doorways, but Namine refused to stop. She didn't want to talk to anyone, especially not anyone she knew. Taking a sharp turn, she jumped down the staircase to the gym and ducked inside the door. It was third period and no one would be in here, she should be safe here for a good hour. Leaning against the door, she sighed heavily and tried to calm down. This really was ridiculous, she couldn't run from her friends forever.
She settled down on the floor and pulled her textbooks out of her bag. Opening it up, she started working on her homework. She heard the bell ring for everyone to be in class and relaxed, even though she had never cut class before. Her teacher might not even notice, though, it was a computer application class and he never paid attention to her, he only talked to the kids who knew what they were doing.
Finishing her math homework, she opened her literature book and began taking notes on the chapter. She was halfway through when the sound of the door opening behind her make her jump. Leaping to her feet and scattering paper across the floor in a panic, she spun to look.
"Whoa, you're really jumpy." She pouted up at him in embarrassment.
"Sorry, you scared me.." She mumbled meekly. Cloud grinned and stepped forward to ruffle her hair.
"What are you doing in here, you should be in class." He asked, taking a seat beside her hassled bag. She kneeled down in front of him to pick up her homework.
"I just, you know, didn't want to see anyone." He nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, I heard about what happened at the party." He said quietly. He shook his head and handed her a textbook as she stuffed papers haphazardly into the bag.
"I'm really sorry, I thought Yuffie told you what was in the punch. I guess I should have stopped you anyway, though. It was a really shitty thing to do." He said seriously. The memories made her want to cry and scream, but she just sat there expressionless. She nodded sadly in response.
"What are you doing in here anyway?" Her voice shook but she was desperate to change the subject. He looked over at her slyly and laughed, as if it was some private joke.
"Cutting class, duh." She couldn't help but smile.
"Come on, as long as we're skipping together we might as well get some food. This stuff the school feeds us is worse for you than a whole bucket of French fries." She smiled again and he helped her to her feet.
He leaned out the door carefully and watched the hallway. He moved forward a few feet, then quickly moved back again. After several moments, he motioned for her to follow him and he walked casually down the hallway. Turning to look, she could see the school security guard turning a corner down the hall behind them. He must have done this a few times…
She was nervous, but followed him straight out the front doors and down the stairs to the sidewalk. He lead the way through the neighborhood across the street and she relaxed happily. Minutes later, they came out across the street from the mall, and she followed him down the sidewalk to a Carl's Jr. He bought her lunch, much to her own shy protest, and she sat cautiously in the booth as she ate it. She brought her knees up to her chin defensively and leaned against the wall.
The door opened and she looked up in horror as Tifa, Selphie, and Yuffie walked in and stood in line to order. Cloud watched her in surprise, glancing from Namine to Tifa and back again. The two girls finally noticed them sitting in the booth and waved happily, making Namine sink lower and watch them sadly. Yuffie began making her way over to them, and at the last minute Cloud swung around and took the seat beside Namine. Yuffie hesitated, but took the seat across from them.
"Hey guys! I didn't know you skipped school, Namine." She smiled cheerfully and Namine cringed. "Did you have a good time at the party?" Her face turned crimson and she leapt to her feet on the bench.
"Maybe it would have been better if someone had told me that there was alcohol in that god damned punch, and then maybe I wouldn't have passed out and gotten raped!!" She shrieked.
The entire restaurant went dead silent and everyone stared at her. She huffed angrily and tears started rolling down her cheeks. Yuffie watched her in horror as realization dawned on her. Tifa ran over and Selphie looked on helplessly as Namine leapt from the bench and ran towards the door. She ran towards the mall, the sobs already making her chest hurt again. She knew someone was running after her, and she could hear Tifa yelling at Yuffie behind her in the restaurant.
Under the eaves of the mall entrance, Cloud grabbed her arm and swung her around into a hug. Selphie collided with them and quickly joined in, brushing the sobbing girl's hair from her face.
"Oh my god, Namine, are you serious?! That's horrible, how could someone do that?" Selphie looked like she was about to burst into tears herself and Cloud stared down at them in disbelief.
"I swear, Namine, if I had known that would happen I never would have let you go to that stupid party! I'm gonna find out who did it, okay? I'm gonna make him pay for it…" The words sounded weak, even to him, and she sank down to her knees on the pavement.
Her body went limp and her two friends sat there with her until Tifa finally caught up to them. Yuffie watched in horror from the sidewalk behind them, a hand over her mouth.
"You guys, get off, come on, this isn't going to help make her feel any better." Tifa said quietly, taking Namine's hand and forcing the girl to her feet.
"I'm going to take her home, you guys should stay here." She whispered to the others as she moved back towards the neighborhood, holding Namine's hand.
xXx
Namine rubbed a tired hand across her face, it had been a long walk home and she was glad to finally be sitting on her bed in her pajamas. She had cried until she couldn't cry anymore, and after talking to Tifa, she felt a lot better. The older girl had encouraged her to cry and scream all she wanted, and she had ruined several pillows letting out her emotions. The feathers lay scattered around the room, leaving an interesting moment when Kairi got home from school and found them there, yelling at a pillow with a pack of cookies under one arm.
It was getting late, and they had brought a TV into her room so they could watch a movie together and relax. She rested her head in Kairi's lap and the girl alternated brushing her blonde hair and braiding it. Once their parents had gotten home, it had taken a little bit of convincing to get them to let Tifa stay, but they gave up in the end. After a nap and several slices of pizza, she felt like maybe she would be able to face the world again tomorrow. Maybe, she'd have to wait and see.
xXxXxXx
It was November 29th, four weeks after Namine's Halloween nightmare. She had been sent to see a therapist, against her will, of course, and he had concluded that she wasn't about to face any severe trauma from the incident. Her parents still weren't convinced, but she was allowed to go hang out with friends again, only if Kairi was there, though. Not that she really had any complaints, people sometimes tried to make fun of her for what had happened, but they would have to get through her screaming, terrifying sister first.
It was lunchtime, and she had finished all her homework for the next class. Leaning back in her chair happily, Selphie wandered up and nudged her.
"Take me outside." She mumbled miserably. Namine gave her a questioning look, but nodded and followed her out the doors to the football field.
"What's the matter?" She asked, leaning over to the brunette. Selphie glowered up at the clouds.
"I hate boys." She growled angrily. Namine felt like she should back away a few steps. "Stupid Tidus has a date to the dance!" She cried, hitting a nearby tree in anger. Namine rolled her eyes.
"That's okay, just ask someone else." 'Anyone else' she added silently. Selphie huffed.
"But I wanted to go with him…" She glared daggers across the football field and Namine followed her gaze curiously. The lacrosse team was out practicing, running back and forth across the field.
"There she is, miss perfect." Selphie spat. "I wish I could rip her hair out!" Namine almost laughed.
"You mean Yuna? She's nice." She gulped nervously when Selphie's hateful gaze shifted over to her.
"She's faking it." She whispered knowingly. This time Namine did laugh.
"I'll take you to the dance, Seeelphie." An irritating voice drawled from behind them. Namine jumped, but Selphie just snapped back furiously.
"Get away from me, Reno!" She slapped his hand away when he offered it to her. Namine stared up at him curiously and he shifted his gaze from the angry brunette down towards her.
"Hey kid, how's it goin?" He smiled. She shrugged absently.
"Honestly, I feel sick." She said, face falling.
He had begun talking to her a lot more often after she nearly fell on him on the stairs, and she was starting to wonder why. None of her friends really talked to him, except Yuffie. He mainly sat around with Elena and some other guy, looking threatening as people tried to rush past them to class every morning. He gave her a mock pout and pulled the cigarette from his mouth.
"This'll make you feel better." He grinned and Selphie yelled in disgust.
"Ugh, no thanks…" Namine muttered, wrinkling her nose at it. He laughed.
"I wouldn't have given it to you anyway." He said haughtily and popped it back into the corner of his mouth.
"What are you even doing out here?" Selphie growled, watching him suspiciously as he lit his cigarette.
"Checking out the scenery." He stated plainly, motioning out towards the football field. Selphie just shook her head.
"You're pathetic!" She said.
"Thanks." He blew a puff of smoke in her direction and she yelled.
"I'll see you in class, Namine, I'm out of here!" She waved her hand in front of her face and marched away towards the school. Namine stared after her, but didn't make any move to follow.
"Who are you taking to that stupid dance?" Reno asked suddenly. Namine jumped, but spun around to look back up at him.
"Oh, I don't know, nobody ever really talks to me. I wasn't going to go." She said quietly.
"Hm, you should go, it's the only one I'm going to this year." He looked back out over the field, laughing morbidly as a girl tripped and two other girls fell over her.
Namine watched him in surprise. "You mean, you want to see me there..?" She blushed lightly as he glanced down at her from the corner of his eye.
"Yeah, sure, kid. I'll take you if you want." She couldn't believe he had said that, one of the most intimidating guys in the school wanted her to go to the dance with him, and he wasn't even being direct about it.
"Sure, I'll go then…" She smiled up at him and he stared down at her in surprise.
"Seriously? Won't it hurt your popularity?" She forced a painful laugh.
"We can hope…" She muttered darkly. "I'm getting really tired of everyone knowing who I am."
"Yeah, me too." He coughed, extinguishing his cigarette and turning back towards the school as the bell rang.
"You better get to class." He said motioning towards the school.
She shrugged. "I guess. What are you doing?"
He watched her suspiciously. "I don't have a fifth period, I was gonna go hang out at the mall or something. Boring, cool kid stuff, you know?" She shook her head.
"Why, did you want to tag along?" He asked jokingly. She smiled and he nearly slapped a hand to his forehead. ' This girl is really clingy…'
"You can't skip, I saw you working on your homework and everything, you're a good kid." He shoved his hands in his pockets.
"You were watching me during lunch?" She asked accusingly. He laughed.
"I saw you working on it, that doesn't mean I was watching you. Anyway, go to class." He made a shooing gesture, but she didn't move.
"What if I don't want to go?" She asked. He sighed and leaned his head back.
"Well why the hell would you want to come with me?" he asked, pulling a new cigarette from his pocket. She shrugged again and he gave up.
"Fine, fine, but it's not my fault if you get caught." He waved a hand in the air and walked away, Namine following him curiously.
End of Chapter Two