Rookie

Chapter Two - Day Two

Wow, a lot of people are really liking this! You don't know how happy I am to hear that! Although it seems like no one knows about the 'Rookie'ing tradition. Maybe it is just a Canadian thing? And! Good news! Got the deleted chapter rewritten and I think it is even better than before! Enjoy the chapter!

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Wednesday September 9th

Day Two - Second Period

--

Already it was his second day at the high school and already he had been ransacked by the redhead. Although today was a less severe marking, just Axel's name written on his forehead. He hadn't even struggled, going so far as to push his bangs back while the redhead had marked him as his own. Why did he shiver when he felt that warm breath rushing over his nose? Why did he raise his chin ever so slightly towards the elder male, besides the obvious thought of Axel being so much taller than he?

"Roxas, man, snap out of it! It's break!"

The younger blonde groaned slightly when his best friend shook his shoulder. "Hey, I'm awake. You don't need to shout in my ear, Hayner! Leave me alone for a second, kay?"

"Ugh, what now?! You had an hour to think about whatever you're thinkin' about!"

"It's called getting my books, dinkus."

"How old are you again?"

"I'm a bit distracted right now."

The elder blonde smirked, tugging the black-haired teen coming up beside him into a headlock. "By what? That redhead creeper?"

"Ugh, no. Disgusting."

"You are so into him, Roxas!"

"Am not! Now leave me the hell alone!"

"Why, you gonna call him? Bet you have his number memorized already, right? You are so into him. Right, Pence? Tell him he's in love!"

Pence just looked away, his chubby cheeks blazing red for some unknown reason to his two best friends. Roxas took no notice of this, instead grabbing up his book bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "C'mon. I don't want to be late for Math."

"Ugh, don't remind me. I'm not interested in listening to Ms. Lockhart for an hour about how one plus one is two." Hayner groaned, his mind on a one-track circuit. He argued mildly when the smaller blonde pressed past him but stopped when Pence grabbed his shoulder, holding him back. Face going blank, he called to Roxas. "Yo, man, we'll catch up in a minute. Go on to class without us, kay?"

Roxas paid them no mind and departed down the hall, sitting off in the back corner to avoid the anxious glances of his black-haired Math teacher. Hayner caught up to him just before class started. "Hey, where were you?"

"Uh, Pence. He ... needed something."

"What type of something?"

"Something something, that's what. Leave me alone."

"Oh, shut up! You yell at me for wanting to be left alone and now you give me the cold shoulder?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

"Okay, no talking, class! The lesson is about to start!"

Roxas rolled his cerulean orbs, sighing loudly at Hayner's stubbornness. The minutes slowly ticked by until somewhere in the middle of class he felt something vibrating in his pocket. He almost groaned. Hayner was sitting right beside him, so he didn't need to be texting him and Pence's phone was out of commission. Slowly, so as not to attract too much attention from the ranting woman at the front of the class, the blonde reached in his pocket, flipping out his flashing cell phone.

One new message, it stated. Opening the phone, Roxas read the short message.

Hey, hot stuff.

His eyes grew wide. Oh God, who was it? He didn't recognize the number. 'Who's this?' he responded. He only had to wait a minute for the reply.

Give you a hint. I want you, bad. Say that prick, Axel, though, and I'll have to punish you.

Impossibly, Roxas' eyes grew wider. He chanced a glance at his best friend sitting beside him but decided it better not to involve the elder blonde. He would just think it some grand laugh anyways. He had to think, definitely not wanting to be 'punished'. Finally, with slightly trembling fingers, he typed 'How'd you get this number?' Another minute ticked by before the sleek phone showed a fresh message.

Tell you once you tell me who I am.

'Lose-lose situation, now, Rox,' he told himself nervously, tapping his fingers against his desk. Say it was Axel and get hurt, say it was Seifer -the only person in the school that he knew to dislike Axel and brave enough to say so - and have to deal with the fact that he got his hands on his number or not reply at all and hope that the 'mystery' person went away. He chose the last option. Just as he was about to slip his phone back into his pocket, it started vibrating once more. Tentatively did he check the message inside.

I would answer now, if I were you, Roxas. You are in Math right now. Next is lunch. Don't answer me by then and there will be some pretty nasty consequences.

The blonde winced, hissing under his breath. Hayner looked over at him quizzically, an eyebrow raised but he waved him off. 'Fine. It's Axel, right?'

Another long pause and he hoped that the stalker had given up on him. No such luck.

So, you'll take punishment, Rox-as?

'It was the only way I'd be right. Now, tell me how you got this number.'

Oh, babe, I told you yesterday to watch out for Pence, didn't I?

Roxas groaned audibly, causing a few people around him to turn and look at him. "Sorry, stomach just growled funny," he lied, his hands shaking from both nerves and anger. Trembling fingertips typed up his next message. 'You should pick on someone your own size. What do you want?'

I would, but everyone fails. XP I only want you, Roxybaby. And also to see if you wanted to hang out at lunch today.

'Ugh, not interested. I would have to ask the guys.'

Pence already said he'd be more than glad. Besides, I kinda meant just you and me.

'Definitely not then.'

Aww, Roxy, it'd be fun! Please? -puppyeyes-

'Aren't you a little old for that?

Never. Just say yes, please, Rox-as? That can be your punishment.

'Compared to what?'

The next message took a lot longer to come through and Roxas almost thought he had discouraged the redhead enough.

Sorry bout that. Teach showed me fire. Fire is really pretty. I like Fire. Anyway, uh, yeah. I will find you and kiss you right where you are if you don't hang out with me. Now, I'll meet you at the cafe, kay? More fire. I won't be talking back anymore. See you soon, Rox-as.

He could hide, couldn't he? He didn't want to be kissed by Axel! Not in front of anyone! He shuddered at the thought. Then again ... he gazed at the wall, imagining himself in the elder's strong embrace, their lips meeting as they stood under some giant, leafy tree, the sun setting in the background. He saw those emerald orbs and felt something inside him flicker. Something clumped in his throat and he heard his name being echoed from the barely moving lips in front of him.

"Roxas? Earth to Roxas! You in there? Lunch time!"

Moaning, the younger blonde let his face fall to his desk. Hayner kneeled down beside him in an attempt to look into those cerulean orbs.

"Axel?"

"Y-Yeah," Roxas croaked, knowing it was best just to tell his best friend the truth right there.

"What about him?"

"I'm being forced to hang out with him."

"You'll like it. Just don't make a habit of it, kay?"

"Can you stay with me? I don't trust him all that much."

"Sorry, Rox. I'm busy today."

"Doing what?"

"Meeting the local babes."

"Oh screw you! You would rather go chick-hunting than help your best friend live through the day?"

"Yeah, pretty much. The babes don't complain as much as you."

Roxas glared heated daggers at what he had thought was his best friend. "Like you'll get anyone with that shit all over your face."

Hayner just gaped at the angry blonde as he stormed from the room.

--

Day Two - Lunch

--

"There's my Foxy Roxy. And here I thought you weren't gonna show!"

Roxas held his glare as he approached the redhead standing at the end of the cafeteria line-up. "I had no choice. I have to buy my lunch today."

"So, you didn't come to hang out? I get to kiss you now?"

"Again, I have no choice. It's either hang out with you or wander around the school alone. Hell only knows where Pence is and Hayner is away flirting with the entire female population," Roxas moped, taking up a spot in front of the redhead who proceeded to lean on him, much to the displeasure of the smaller teen. "Get off me, Axel. I'm not in the mood right now."

"Meaning you would be sometime?"

"Maybe. Now get off." The blonde tried to turn in his elder's embrace, but found it nearly impossible as Axel ground his face into those blonde spikes.

"Oh, Roxy, I knew you loved me back."

"No, I think you are a perverted, creepy, pedo-stalker that just wants to get in my pants."

Axel stood to his full height, able to easily dominate Roxas right then and there if he wished it. A pout set on his lips, the redhead removed his hands from around Roxas' chest. "You know, that actually kinda hurt somewhere in my chest. Is that healthy?"

"Means you actually care about my opinion of you. Weird, I wasn't expecting that."

"Why not? You don't believe me when I say I love you?"

"Nope, not really," the blonde stated simply, opening the door to the revolving heater that held the pizza, grabbing a slice that was bigger than his head. They moved farther down and Roxas groaned, turning to Axel and shoving the pizza into his hands. "Make yourself useful and hold that for me, would you?" Without waiting for a reply, Roxas lowered himself to the floor, sliding open the door to the milk, taking out a small carton of chocolate. When he stood upright once more, Axel shoved the pizza back to him, a small blush lining his cheeks as he looked away.

"Don't do that again, Rox-as. Not unless you want that pretty little face of yours fucked."

The blonde stared at the redhead in alarm, knowing full well that the threat would hold true. "Uh, okay. I'll ... try to remember that."

"Yeah, please commit it to memory. It wouldn't be too good if I raped you."

A shiver ran over the blonde as he set his food items down on the counter to get his money from his pocket. Axel gripped each of Roxas' shoulders, pressing his hips lightly against the smaller boy's back as he squeezed past said boy to escape from the line. Roxas gasped at the contact, but Axel paid it no mind, obviously intending to touch the younger boy.

"Axel, don't do that! Please! It feels awkward."

"Kinda the point, squirt. Need me to carry anything?"

"I'm fine," Roxas hissed, voice laced with venom. "Where're we going, anyways?"

"You'll get to hear Dem sing."

"That helps a lot."

"Music room, genius. Here, let me get that for you," Axel sighed, moving in front of the struggling blonde to push open the door.

"I could have gotten that."

"I'm sure you could have, babe, but I wanna help you out somehow."

"Don't call me that. I'm not some little slut, you know!"

"I've already realized you aren't. Just relax, Rox. I'm not gonna hurt you."

"How do I know that for sure?"

"Just trust me."

The two walked the remaining halls in silence, Roxas eyeing his pizza hungrily and Axel tapping his fingers against the walls to unheard music. A beautiful voice reached the blonde before he entered the music room, Axel brushing past him as he stalled in the doorway. "C'mon, Rox. It's okay. No one's gonna bite ya'." Axel beckoned softly, holding his hand out to the younger teen as he hovered in the doorframe. A sense of peace and serenity washed over Roxas with the combination of instruments, Demyx's voice and Axel's warm smile.

A few other students were gazing in awe at the duo on the small stage set up at the back of the room.

"You're giving me too many things, lately. You're all I ne- Axel! Took you long enough! Jeez, man! Ooh, you brought Roxas along!" The elder blonde jumped from the stage, leaving the unplugged mic stand to totter dangerously as he lunged onto the redhead, hugging him close before releasing him to grab a hold of his junior blonde. Roxas yelped and just barely moved his pizza away before he was tackled by the exuberant singer.

"Dem, Dem, calm down a bit. C'mere. Get off him." Axel coaxed, gripping Demyx's shoulders before pulling him back into his chest. "I don't want him to run away, alright. Continue with practice. We can talk after."

"Yeah, I guess. Fine, ya' big meanie. Okay, Xigbabe, ready for them drums?" Demyx turned from the redhead, dancing his way back to the mic, moving his hips to the beat of the pounding drum. Roxas stood in amazement, feeling the music wash over him.

"C'mon. Let's sit before that pizza gets cold. They make really good pizza here."

Roxas could only nod as he was led to the opposite wall, sliding down easily, in a daze. "Hey, Rox, you alright?"

"Wha-? Uh, yeah, yeah. Sorry. Just ... I've never actually been to a concert before so hearing drums and stuff ... it's weird."

"But in a good way?"

"Yeah."

Axel smirked, ruffling those blonde spikes farther before moving to sit beside him. "Hey, Rox?"

"What now?" The blonde sighed through a mouthful of pizza. Axel's lip curled in a mix of mock disgust and amusement.

"Can I see your phone?"

"Why?"

"I wanna do something."

"Like?"

"You'll see."

"No way then."

"Please? I'll let you hold onto my phone the whole time! Then you can even do it to mine! Please?"

"What are you gonna do to it?"

"It's a surprise!"

"Fine. Hand me your phone."

"Ooh, Roxy, I love you."

"No you don't. Just hand it over." Roxas droned as the redhead quickly dug into his jeans pocket to pull out a slim, flashy, expensive-looking phone. The blonde could only gape at it.

"What's the matter?"

"T-Those aren't even supposed to be out yet!"

"Nope. My brother designed them, though, so I got to try it out for him."

"Your brother is a God then."

Axel rolled his emerald orbs, smirking slightly as his fingers gingerly closed around Roxas' baby. The blonde could only admire the device in between his own shaking fingers, cooling, greasy pizza forgotten for the moment. He didn't register the beeping or slight noises emanating from his own phone as he raised the redhead's for closer inspection.

"Kay, Rox. Done. Now, let me see my phone for a minute."

Tentatively, not wanting to let the one-of-a-kind phone out of his grasp, he raised it, taking his own back in nervous fingers. "What did you do to it?"

"You'll see. There ... Three, two, and there it -"

So baby keep my heart beat b-beat beat beating and the sole reason I keep believing we're gonna die like this you know oh oh oh; Roxas almost had a heart attack as his own phone emitted a fast, happy, techno-y song. "Wh-What's this?" He gasped, flipping the phone open, causing the music to cease its loud playing.

"A ringtone, silly. Now you'll now it's me callin' ya!"

"Great," he groaned, gazing at the redhead in mild confusion as he pressed his own phone into Roxas' hand.

"Your turn. Give me a ringtone. It's all already set up for you."

Roxas racked his brain for a minute, just staring at the phone lying open in his hand. Axel's ringtone was some sort of bizarre love song; he had figured that much out. But he didn't love Axel. So, he couldn't very well give him a love-dovey song too. It's not like he's my boyfriend... An idea struck the blonde and he smirked, a small pang of guilt burning at his heart. Okay, so maybe it would be a little mean, but it would hopefully get the point that he wasn't interested across to the redhead.

"There," the blonde sighed. "Wait ... What's your number? You know mine."

"I wrote mine on your arm yesterday, babe, remember? ... I didn't think you would. Here. I put it in your contacts. I'm only a few clicks away. Got it memorized?"

"Yeah, yeah. Mister Knight in Shining Armor and all."

"That's me. If that's what you want, anyway."

I'm not your boyfriend, baby. I ain't your cute little sex toy. I'm not your lion or your tiger. Won't be your nasty little boy; Axel's face visibly fell when the lyrics washed over him in their aggressive tone. Roxas wouldn't let his smirk slip, no matter how hurt Axel looked. What did it matter? It wasn't like they were even friends. They were complete strangers. So why did that expression make him feel sick? Why did it make him regret his choice of music?

Axel gave a shot of laughter, flipping his phone open and closed to rid himself of the man's voice, although Roxas secretly knew that it wouldn't be leaving the elder's thoughts for at least another ten minutes. "So, that is really how you feel then, Roxas? You are that determined?" The blonde gulped. No gushy nicknames once more. He was in trouble now. And the one thing able to protect him was what was threatening him. His breath came in shudders. "Well, I'll tell you this. I'm not so easily deterred. I'm really stubborn, Rox. I will have you."

"Why? You don't even know me."

"Exactly. But I will. Or at least I want to. I want to get to know you, Rox."

"I'm a 'little kid'."

"You're cute."

"So I was right. You do just want to get into my pants."

"Hell yeah. I bet even you would want to get into your pants. Or maybe that's just me. But, man, would you believe me if I said that I've been with over twenty people, both male and female?"

"Yes," Roxas answered without hesitation, causing Axel to laugh lightly, snaking his hand down to where Roxas' sat on the blonde's knee, the pizza having been completely forgotten about. When the blonde tried to pull his hand away, long, strong fingers dug into him, forcing him to stay.

"Okay. Now, would you also believe me if I said that I never felt enough for any of them to stick around for more than one night?"

Again, Roxas was quick to answer. "Yeah."

"Oh thanks. I'm not really that big of a whore, you know. But, I guess it's true. None of those people ever put up a struggle. It was just a quick, in-out deal and there was no lasting obligation. Because none of them made me feel whole. You, Roxas, spur something inside me. It burns, really bad, whenever I see you. Is it supposed to feel that way? Even just sitting here like this ... it's unbelievable what you do to me. I know, I know, we just met. But, this is the longest I've felt lust for someone without getting them."

Roxas was quiet for a really long time, the thumping from the drum and the sweet lullaby of Demyx's voice had disappeared and the blonde gazed around the room to find the two of them completely alone. He gazed at his watch. Class would be starting soon. Another five minutes. He still felt that something burning in his chest once more as Axel squeezed his hand in an attempt to drag his focus back onto the redhead.

"Rox-as ... Give me a chance."

The blonde shook his head. "I-I ... I can't, Axel. It's too quick. I just can't." Forcing himself to stand, Roxas grabbed at his wasted pizza and hauled his book bag over his shoulder, wrenching his hand from Axel's grip.

"Roxas?"

The blonde stopped just as he set his foot out the door. "See you tomorrow?"

He didn't answer, afraid his voice might fail him.

-

To Be Continued

-

Axel's ringtone for Roxas is Heartbeat by StereoSkyline and Roxas' for Axel is I'm Not Your Boyfriend Baby by 3oh!3. Both really awesome songs. And, don't yell at me for later when Leon and Cloud come in. They are an exception that Axel decided to leave out of his rant. Thanks so much for all the support! I love you all!

~xbuttonsx~