Chapter 4: Seven Truths

"Oh," Roxas began. My face froze in shock.

"Why hello there, Namine," he fidgeted with his soccer ball. "What an um, pleasant.. surprise." He forced a smile, rubbing his spikes with his hand.

I gaped in horror at the sight of a tall, dark-cloaked adolescent male beside him, with bright flaming hair, and stacks of beer loaded up between his arms.

But perhaps even more threatening was a smaller, fresh-faced girl about my age, also donning a pitch-black cloak, with short black hair to match. She smiled cheerfully at me from her enviable position along Roxas' opposite side.

Could.. Could that be his girlfriend? I glanced downwards, fidgeting with my hands.

"So, uh, I'd like to introduce you to some childhood friends of mine," he struggled. "This here's Axel-"

"What he means is, the highly sexy Prince of Flame," Axel smirked, offering me a wink. "The pleasure's all mine, my lovely lady. Got it memorized?"

"Um.. yeah, exactly.." Roxas interrupted, blood flowing abruptly to his cheeks. "And this here's Xion." He gestured. "She'd be um, great to get to know.."

"I'm very pleased to meet you," she finished for him, shaking my hand with glee. "But I do have just one small question for you, if you'd excuse my manners," she looked sincerely into my eyes. "Could you tell me where the boy named Riku might have gone?" she ended, with a look of concern.

Slightly startled, I pulled myself together and responded to her request. I then expressed my delight at their arrival.

I held open the door to welcome them inside, limbs jittering as Roxas had passed me.

But then, he turned his back to face me, and paused. "Um- Wait, uh, Namine.." he was rubbing the back of his head. I felt as if I'd soon have a heart attack.

"I'd like to meet with you later today.. I mean, if you'd like to," he smiled shyly. "Just come find me with the others when you're ready," he added.

He waved warmly before disappearing down the hall.

I stood, waiting for my heart to calm down, as I finally caught my breath.

"Details, Nam! Details!" Kairi squealed, tugging at my long blonde locks from behind. "Tell me all about your little moment with Roxas!" she giggled excitedly.

I continued in silence, still flustered from before.

She poked at me playfully from my side. "He didn't touch you, now, did he-?"

My face was now several shades of red.

I turned towards my torturous friend, and jumped at her with a tickle attack. "How can you say such blasphemy?" I squealed, pinning her at her weak spots.

She got me back, but then I countered, and we continued our sport of giggles, gasping for air between our smiles.

"Okay, Nam, let's go already!" She was pulling at my arm. I hurriedly stashed the drama DVDs we were watching in the drawer where they belonged, before allowing her to drag me down the stairs.

I froze again as we came to a halt in front of a tall blue door, with no clues as to what could possibly be occurring behind it.

But Kairi wasted little time in twisting at the knob. She threw the door open excitedly with a bright, cheerful face.

"Sora! Riku! Would you mind if we joined you?" She rushed in, unable to wait on their answer. She plopped herself down onto the armrest by Sora, calling claims on the controller in his fingers.

Suddenly, I felt a large hand wrap firmly along my arm, with warmth pulsing eagerly through its veins. I looked up, and was met with the intimidating gaze of the one-and-only Axel.

"Well hey there, little Miss," he peered into my eyes, swiftly releasing my arm.

I trembled from his penetrating gaze. "Don't just stand there! Come in! 'N join the party!" he smirked, passing me a beer from the table.

I nodded humbly in acceptance, and popped off the cap.

"Namine!" A bright-faced boy called out to me from afar, sprinting hastily towards me. "Hey, you know, I was looking for you-," he began, panting as he rested on his knees.

I looked up into his deep sapphire eyes, feeling weak at the sight of his gaze. "I'm so glad you finally came," he smiled, slowly catching his breath.

"And you definitely won't need that," he smirked, returning my bottle to the table. He did a quick fist-bump with Axel before grabbing my arm, and leading me towards the entrance.

After a half-hour jog down the street, we rested at the entrance to a bright, spacious park.

"Nostalgic, isn't it?" He smiled, resting his hands on his knees. "I'll race ya!" he screamed, dashing forward. I tagged behind him towards an empty set of swings up ahead.

-x-

We were in my wondrously sunny neighborhood park, which we always used to play in as kids. But it's been a really long time since I've been here, especially since entering high school.

-x-

"Y'know," he began, plopping himself up on the wooden swing behind him. "We've never really had the chance to get to know each other," He mentioned, swinging forward over the sand.

I took the swing next to his. "That's right," I agreed, pushing gently into motion, enjoying the thrill of the ride.

"So how about a game?" he yelled from the air, barely audible.

"Sure!" I screamed back.

We giggled, continuing to swing for some time.

Having satisfied our childish tendencies, we now sat on a remote bench, overlooking the green hills of grass. The sunlight cast shadows on us through the trees, and my heart continued cycling within my chest.

"Ten Questions," he exclaimed, reminding me of the game. "And this time.. I'll start," He gazed downwards, hiding his expression within his hair.

-x-

He always used to do that as a kid. To hide under his hair, I mean. But it worked so much better when his hair was as long as it was then, sprawling down across the length of his shoulders.

I often watched him discreetly from afar- as he made sand castles on the beach, or played soccer on the fields with Sora. I never really spoke to him then. But still, I wondered what sort of emotions he kept hidden.

Actually, I wondered what sort of emotions everyone kept hidden. And I truly wished (and this might sound strange), that I had mystical powers, which could tap into peoples' memories from the start.

-x-

"Why are you on your sketchpad all the time?" he asked, resting his arms idly on the back of his head.

"Huh?" I shook my head, realizing that the game had begun.

I was glad he wasn't looking into my eyes. Since if he was, I might not have been able to answer.

"I really.. love art," I expressed, twiddling my fingers. "Why do you play soccer all the time?"

"Heh," he grinned. "Because I've always loved a challenge." He paused.

"What's your.. favorite color?"

I stopped, aware that no boy has ever asked me that before. "White, I guess," I replied, uneasily.

"What are you thinking of right now?" I froze, in disbelief of what I just asked.

I caught sight of pink blush across his cheeks, and my heart began to pound.

"Uhm.." he began, adjusting his back against the bench. I noticed that his leg began to shake, and I grew largely uneasy myself-

"O-of why… we never did this before," he stumbled, looking stiffer than he did all day.

"Namine," his voice grew strong- "Have you ever.. considered me?" He burst out, before turning his body away. "Uh-I mean! Even as a friend.. or, even.. even as something close to a friend," he finished, resting his hands on the back of the bench.

I was at a loss for words from where I sat, and I waited for my heart to stop spinning.

"I-I.. the truth is," I paused, halting my fidgeting fingers.

"I think about you all the time, Roxas," I finished. "I just wondered.. what you thought about me."

He turned towards me, and I sensed the warmth from his face.

His eyes met mine, and we both glowed red as the sun. "I like you, Namine.." He gazed upon my hands.

"And I was wondering.." he grabbed one in reach, holding it dearly against the warmth of his own. "If you would consider dating me."

A/N: So.. how was it? Hope you guys have been enjoying the story so far. ^^

Thanks so much for those who gave reviews. Please stay tuned, future chapters in progress. :3