*ROXAS*
"Hayner what? I asked as Olette told me what happened yesterday after school.
"He got hit in the eye with a ball by Tidus. We all went to the emergency room, and he's still in the hospital," Olette explained, frowning.
"Dang, I hope he gets better soon," I said.
"Me, too. His parents showed up."
"His parents? What are they like?" It kinda surprised me that Hayner had parents, to be honest.
"Well, his mom's actually really pretty, and his dad seems really nice. They didn't blame any of us! They blamed Hayner."
"Really? Did he have an older brother there?" I asked.
"Hey, Roxas," Pence said, coming up behind me and Olette. We turned around to face him.
"Yeah? What's up?" I said.
"This girl here wants to ask you something," Pence said, gesturing to a girl standing next to him. She was about my age, with short, black hair and bright blue eyes. She seemed shy, staring at the ground.
"Hi there," I said, waving.
The girl looked up, and then jerked her head back down. "Hi," she whispered.
"I'm Roxas. Who are you?" I asked, trying to get her to talk.
"Hi, Roxas. I – I'm Xion. I'm in a few of your classes. Do you recognize me?" she asked, looking at my face.
"Uh, sorta." No, I don't.
"Well, those are advanced classes, and I was just wondering if… if maybe you might need me to t-tutor you?" Her words were short and shaky. They seemed forced.
"I'm in advanced classes? What? Since when?" I asked, honestly surprised.
"Uh, since you started school here," she said, blushing.
"Aw, man. I think I might need a tutor. How much do you cost?"
"An A."
"What?"
"If I fail, and you don't get an A, I'll work for free. But if you get an A, that's your payment," Xion said, now smiling.
"What? Alright, deal," I said and held out my hand, smiling. Xion smiled, seeming to brighten up completely, and firmly shook.
"She seemed really happy when you let her tutor you, Roxas," Pence said.
"I'm happy I get a tutor for free," I said. Pence and Olette laughed.
We were all hanging out at the park by Hayner's house, wasting time. We sat at the top of the playground. Occasionally, little kids running by would stop and stare at us before they continued running by.
"Man, I wonder how Hayner's doing," I said, staring at the sky. I felt bad for the guy.
"Hey, I know!" Olette stood up.
"What?"
"Let's go visit Hayner! I'm sure he's lonely, and Roxas, you haven't seen him yet, have you?" I shook my head. "Let's go!"
"Okay," I said, standing up. Olette ran off, and Pence and I followed her.
Once we got to the hospital, I immediately wanted to leave. I hate hospitals. They just smell and look weird.
"This should be his room, right here," Olette informed us, pointing at a closed door in front of us that looked like any other in this long hall.
Before Olette could open the door, it was pulled open, and a boy with black hair and hateful eyes quickly walked past us.
"Who was that?" I asked after he had passed.
Olette looked worried as she said, "I have no idea."
"Me neither," added Pence.
"C'mon, he was wearing our school uniform. At least one of us has to know him," I said.
Olette frowned, and Pence shrugged.
"Oh, well. Let's see Hayner."
We walked into his room, and I gasped. Hayner lay on the hospital bed, seemingly lifeless. He had wires and tubes sticking out of his arms, and a thick eye patch on his right eye.
"Is he…dead?" I asked, scared.
Olette shook her head. "The doctor said he has a concussion."
"He should be fine in a while. He's just sleeping, don't worry," Pence said. I gulped. How couldn't I worry?
"Pence?" a weak voice called.
"Yeah? I'm here," Pence answered, walking over to Hayner.
"Why are you here? Did we have homework?"
"Nah. We're just here to see you. Roxas is here, too."
"Really? Where's Kairi? Is she here?"
"No…why?"
"Oh, never mind."
"See, Hayner? I told you that Roxas isn't bad," Olette lectured.
"Whatever. I'm in the hospital, don't nag me," Hayner said.
"Are you alright? I thought you were dead when I first came in," I confessed.
"Do I look alright to you? I've got a blind eye, and look at these things sticking out of my arms!"
"Calm down, it's not his fault!" Olette cried.
"It's not mine either," Hayner muttered.
"Hayner?" I asked.
"What?" he snapped.
"Who was that guy that was just in here?"
"There was someone in here?" Hayner sounded surprised.
"Yeah, he had black hair, and he looked really ticked," I explained.
Hayner paused before saying, "I don't know anyone like that."
"Neither do Olette or me," Pence chimed in.
Neither did Kairi, Sora, Riku, Selphie, Tidus, or Wakka.
Who was this guy?
What was he doing in Hayner's hospital room?