Rookie

Oh my god, the memories. Every time I hear the words 'right now' I cringe and wait for the slap. :D Unlike Axel, I loved my Phsyics teacher and will have two classes with him next year. :D

Chapter Nineteen - Day One hundred and Sixty One

xXx

Monday, February 15th

Day 161 - Second Period

xXx

'Rox, I hate physics. Teach is a crazy-ass dude.'

Axel braced himself for the next onslaught of meter-stick bashings against the top of some innocent student's desk.

"Instantaneous velocity is ... what? Axel, what is instantaneous velocity?"

"A-An object's velocity at one given time."

"One given time?"

"Right now?"

"Yes, right now."

The teacher's favorite two words. 'Right now' always induced the slamming of the stick against the top of a desk, making the entire class jump and cringe.

"Kairi, what is velocity?"

"The rate of change in an object's displacement."

The redheaded girl sitting beside Axel glanced over at him with big, blue eyes, seeing if she had caught his attention. Instead, he was gripping onto his phone and gazing at the 'stick-of-doom' as he so affectionately called it. A pout creased her lips for a second before she put her hands down to her skirt, pressing it out.

"Very good. Now, write this down."

"If we could even understand your writing, you dingbat," Axel hissed in an undertone, glancing nervously towards his phone. Kairi laughed, going red in the face when Axel looked over at her. But he didn't speak as he felt the slim, black phone in his grip begin to vibrate.

You'll manage. I bet you're having a better time than I am. I'm stuck doing group work with Hayner and Zexion. Zexion! I mean, wtf?

Axel glowered down at the message. "Is there something wrong?" Her voice was small, light, girlish. Axel knew the tone very well. How many people had used it on him, after all?

"No, everything's fine," he gritted, not looking at the flirting girl.

"You don't look very happy. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

'Tell him if he goes anywhere near you, I'll knock his fuckin' head off.'

Axel turned his emerald orbs up on the board, sighing as he realized he had just missed half a board of scrawled notes. "Is that a V? VF equals ViT plus half of AT squared? What?"

"It's the formula we need to get the final velocity. And, it isn't AT together. It's half of A times T squared." Kairi smiled happily, pointing out Axel's mistake.

"And all that bullshit means what exactly?"

"It's easy. Final velocity equals initial velocity times the time plus half of the acceleration times the time squared."

"You call that easy?"

"You'll get used to it."

"Says you," Axel pouted, jotting down the notes.

"If you need any help, you can just ask me, you know."

"What makes you all high and mighty?"

The girl looked hurt and Axel sighed. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get so grumpy. I just ... have a lot on my mind right now. And, please tell me what final velocity and instantaneous velocity have to do with one another."

"He was just running through a review for the instantaneous velocity. What's on your mind?"

"Nothing important."

"Umimportant or not, I still want to know."

Axel shifted his gaze from the redhead beside him back down to his vibrating phone. "The kid I'm with is sitting with their rapist ex right now."

Hayner's already warned him. And he wants me to hang out with him at lunch. I dunno if I want to or not.

"And so you're really jealous and worried for him?"

"Yeah."

"That's really sweet, Axel. I wish my boyfriend was as awesome as you."

"Mmm."

Axel didn't feel like talking to this girl that obviously just wanted to get in his pants. Looking back up to the board, he didn't notice he hadn't replied to the blonde. More formulas were being scrawled in messy handwriting and the grey-haired man was talking a mile-a-minute, his words coming out so fast that they slurred together.

"Aren't you going to reply to him?"

"Hunh?"

"You only read it. You didn't reply."

"Oh. Oh yeah. Thanks."

'It's completely up to you.'

You okay?

'I'll get over it.'

What's the matter?

'I'll tell you at lu- after school.'

Why not lunch?

'You're hanging out with Hayner.'

Not if you don't want me to.

'I said it was up to you.'

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Just leave me alone, Kairi."

"So, you really do know my name."

"I know a lot of people's names."

"I'm honored you know mine."

"Don't be."

There was a moment of grumpy, silent tension between the two before Kairi gave a flirtatious, innocent smile.

"I think you need to have someone that won't make you so upset."

"He doesn't upset me!" He didn't realize his growl had gotten louder until the golden-eyed teacher turned to face him.

"Do you care to tell the rest of the class what you two are conversing about, Axel?"

Axel glowered from Xemnas to Kairi to his phone and back to Xemnas. "No, sir."

"Kairi?"

She smirked over at the elder redhead, mouthing the word 'sorry' to him. "He's having issues with his boyfriend and he's telling me about it, sir. Sorry to interrupt the class."

"What the fuck are you talking about, you bitch? You don't know a thing!"

Axel stood up from his desk, shaking. Eyeing him nervously, the other students sitting around him backed away, worrying for their safety. "You don't know a thing, Kairi." He stormed up the aisle, flung open the door and slammed it shut. Throwing himself against the wall outside of the classroom, knowing he was going to get a lecture from the grey-haired man, Axel crumpled to the floor, feeling a ball of stress working its way up into his stomach.

Class ended and the students began to flood out into the hall, skirting around the still-curled redhead, worried he may lash out at them or take off their heads. Satisfied that enough people had filed out of the classroom, Axel sauntered back in, avoiding the teacher and the one student left standing by his desk.

"Axel, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I just think that you deserve someone better than Roxas. You deserve a girl that loves you, rather than a prick that uses you."

Shoving his notebook into his book bag, only to throw the bag back a few desks, Axel glared dangerously at the girl. "You don't know what the fuck you are talking about."

"I was at Leon's Halloween party. It was me that came over to you guys. He's a whimp. You shouldn't be with him. Someone like you should be with me."

She grabbed his arm as he tried to turn away so as not to grip her neck and strangle her. "Let go of me, Kairi. You need to get to class. And out of my sight."

"I'll leave in a minute." Her voice was a breathy whisper and she yanked him down, reaching a hand around his neck to make sure he couldn't back away as she forced their lips together. He struggled against her once the shock had worn away. By now, students were filing into the class and he was pushing against her. "I'll see you soon, Axel."

"You fuckin' bitch!" Axel cried, noticing the eyes of his fellow classmates on him. Even Xemnas was staring with mild amusement. Sick bastard, Axel thought angrily, moving to sit in his seat. "Bet you want me out of your class now, don't you?"

"I will be speaking to you after class, Axel. Don't think this will be going unpunished."

"Do you not think that was punishment enough?"

Xemnas just smirked, waiting for the class to get settled.

xXx

Monday, February 15

Day 161 - lunch

xXx

"Fuck this shit. Fuck this fuckin' shit." Axel slammed his book bag down before following it onto the floor. Demyx gaped at his sudden outburst as he slammed into the music room. Xigbar just watched from behind his drums.

"What happened?"

"Kairi's a bitch, Rox's with Hayner and I just got afterschool detention for a fuckin' week."

"Is there anything we could do to help?"

"Sing? Play? Something? I need something to take my mind off this shit."

Demyx nodded, looking back to Xigbar who began to slowly beat away at the drums while Demyx moved over to grab his guitar. Soon, that sweet voice was rocketing around the room along with the instruments and Axel started to feel just a little better. He closed his eyes, letting himself be carried away in the melodies.

"They're amazing."

Axel jumped at the woman's voice above him. "Uh, yeah. Yeah, really awesome. What brings you down here, Yuffie?" He had gotten on good terms with the science teacher long ago.

"Well, you know how I'm on the graduation committee, right? Well, you guys voted for local talent for your soundtrack this year. Came here to see if there was anyone interested."

"And?"

"I'm definitely going to as-"

"Ms. Kisaragi? Hi!" Demyx lunged off the stage, guitar still swinging around on its strap as Xigbar halted in his slamming of the drums.

"Demyx! Xigbar! How are you guys?"

"Great, ma'am! You?"

"Well, I think I just got a lot better. Are you two thinking of going to the Prom?"

Xigbar was already behind his blonde. His face fell visibly. "No."

"Yes!"

They looked at each other and Demyx raised a blonde eyebrow. "No?"

"I'd ... I'd have no one to go with."

Demyx's heart shattered. "Wh-What?"

"My birthday. It's before graduation. Yours is about a month after mine, remember."

"S-So?"

"Dem ..."

"So, who cares, Xig? We're still going to the Prom together, aren't we?"

"Dem ..." It was obvious that the reality was killing the two. Demyx pushed away from the black-haired teen, going over to hide behind the raven-haired teacher.

"I-I'm still going to the Prom. Why?"

Demyx had tears in his aquamarine orbs. Yuffie turned to him before looking back at the black-haired teen who had his gaze averted.

"Well, I was wondering if you two would like to be our entertainment this year. But, if there is going to be a problem ..."

"No, it would be an honor to play. Thank you for the consideration. It means a lot."

"Xigbar? Are you okay with it?"

"O-O'course. I'm up for anythin' if the lead man is."

"Great, well, I'll have to tell the committee about this. We'll put it to a vote and see what those attending have to say."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you! Thank you both! I wish you luck!"

And she was off, the smile on her face dimmer than it normally would have been after such a victory. Demyx crouched down to sit beside the redhead while Xigbar went back to his drums, tapping on them idly. Axel turned to his best friend.

"It's only a month, get over it."

"A-Axel?" Demyx's voice began to break as the tears left his eyes. "What the heck do you mean?"

Axel's jaw tightened, glaring at the younger teen. "You only have to spend a month away from him. You guys still get to hang out since it's only a month. What about me, huh? What about poor Axel and Roxas? Three years, man. Three fuckin' years I have to go without him. You think you've got it hard? This is the first time I've ever even felt something like this for someone. And I have to fuckin' leave him. Which means that I'll have to leave so much."

"Axel ... I'm sorry. I'll be strong then. I'll be strong, to prove that you two can pull through it too, okay?"

"Sure, whatever."

Demyx stood, the tears still slowly dripping down his cheeks before he moved back over to the black-haired teen that had heard everything. They pressed their lips together, proving that they would stay strong. Slowly, Demyx moved away, picking up his guitar once more before singing into the mic.

xXx

Monday February 15

Day 161 - Evening

xXx

Axel had shut himself up in his room ever since he drove the little blonde home. Currently, he was sprawled over the bed, catching up on the physics he had missed at the end of class that Xemnas had been so great to give him. There was a soft knock on the door and Roxas moved in.

"Axel? Are you okay? You didn't return my text."

The redhead stiffened as Roxas came up beside him, rubbing at his back in slow circles.

"I was busy."

"Too busy for me?"

"A lot happened to me today. Can I just have some alone time?"

"Axe ... You ... we've been apart all day. You want to be alone some more?"

Axel nudged away from the touch, feeling the sorrow coming from the blonde. "I just need to be alone, Roxas."

"I...Roxas? What did I do to get that?"

"I'm a little ticked, can't you tell?"

Axel glared back at the blonde, not realizing what he was doing. "Was it something I did?"

"A bit of it. Just leave me alone, would you?"

He sat up, moving farther from the blonde. Cerulean orbs shone out, hurt evident in their bright color. "Axel,-"

"It's because you're short, isn't it?"

"What?"

"The reason you're being so difficult with me now. I tell you I want to be alone and you go touching me. It's because you're short and are tired of looking up at me, isn't it?"

"What the hell type of logic is that?"

"You think that I'm so much better than you! You always look up to me and you're jealous!" Axel was shaking, knowing full well he was spouting pure nonsense. "Just, leave me alone."

"Axel? What the hell has gotten into you?"

"Get out!"

The blonde almost feared for his safety, but the rage was building in him too. He was being yelled at to get out of his boyfriend's room and it confused him greatly.

"Where do you get off on telling me what to do?"

"Get out, Roxas, before I make you get out."

"Ooh, I'm so scared. What's the big, bad Axel gonna do to me? Gonna knock my fuckin' head off?"

"Roxas, please. I-I'm ... I'm breaking down so get the fuck out of my room before I hurt you."

Noticing for the first time the panic that had seeped into the redhead's emerald orbs and the way that he cling to himself, gripping his arms to hold himself back, Roxas stood, backing slowly to the door, knowing that Axel wasn't lying about having one of his attacks. It'd been so long since he'd had one, Roxas was afraid that something really bad would happen.

He slipped away without another word and Axel broke, shattering to the floor in a million tiny pieces, realizing for the first time how horribly he could just have hurt his Rox-as. Not just physically but emotionally as well.

xXx

"R-Rox? Rox, I'm sorry about earlier. Please, let me in? I need to talk to you."

There was still silence from the other side of the door that Axel leaned against. He had tried the knob, but found it securely locked. The redhead slammed his crimson spikes back against the door in frustration.

"Fine. If you aren't gonna let me in, I'm just gonna make you listen anyways. I had a really shitty day today and I took it out on you and I'm sorry. A snotty bitch tried to steal me away from you, causing me to have an outburst and get a week of afterschool detentions. Then you ditch me for Hayner while sitting beside your ex that tried to rape you and cheated on you. Then your science teacher came to the music room and got Dem and Xig to play at the Prom. But they almost refused by shoving it in my face that you won't be mine for much longer. Our birthdays are coming up, Rox, and then I'll have to go. I won't want to, but I'll have to. You know that, don't you? I don't want to leave you."

Axel sighed, trying to get back his breath, more tears slipping down his cheeks. He heard tentative steps over to the door and Roxas slammed himself against it, sifting to the floor. Fingers reached under the door and Axel laid his own on them gently.

"How long are they apart for?" His voice was small, broken, weak. It was obvious he had been crying as well.

"A month."

"How long are we apart for?"

"Three years and two months, pretty much."

"Then what are we still doing together? If you're just leaving me in the end, what's the point of being together now?"

Axel felt his heart break. Butterflies rocked around in his stomach and he felt like he was going to be sick. How could he answer that? He wanted to spend all the time he could with Roxas. He hadn't planned on it, but he had truly fallen in love with the little blonde.

"Do ... do you ... do you want me to ... to leave? Do you want me to leave now instead of later?"

He heard the sharp intake of breath on the other side of the door that signaled that the blonde was crying once more. "Don't. Please don't. I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry, Axe."

Those fingers that were gripping onto his so tight released and slid out from under the door before Axel heard the lock being undone. Falling back as his support vanished from behind him, Axel turned over, sitting up before standing. Roxas plowed into him, gripping him in a tight hug. He dug his nose into the elder's chest as Axel began to kiss the top of his head; happy to have his Rox back in his arms again.

"I'll come back for you. I promise; I'll be your present on your eighteenth birthday."

xXx

To Be Continued

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So, um, yeah, anyone got any rockin' ideas for the band name? Because what's a band without a name? And I fail, so, I can't even think of any. So, if you think you have a cool one, PM me or leave it in the review you're gonna give me. :D Thanks guys! :D

~xbuttonsx~