Chapter 1

Renale's POV

Sophomore year

My witch of an algebra teacher flopped our tests onto our desks while giving us the usual, 'you did you best no matter what' speech. I SWEAR she shot me a glare as she placed my test on my desk. D-, oh crap my dad's gonna kill me again. If he really wanted me to get straight A's, why won't he help me like a real father would? The queen of all brats, Hikari, flips her black hair as her group of petty friends congratulates her for acing the test. The sight disgusts me, who would want to hang out with a bitch like her anyway? The final bell rings as I gather up my junk and rush out of that room, as if it were hell itself.

I yank my books out of my locker and shoved them into my messenger bag. The hall was already overflowing with teenagers, rushing to get their things and determined to get home. Unlike them, I want to avoid going home for as long as possible. I toss my bag over my shoulder and head down the hall, towards the schoolyard. On my way, I bump into Hikari and her group of snobby brats. Just what I need after almost failing my test.

"Watch it RenaLITTLE," She puts emphasis on little. I hate it when people call me short, did I mention that?

"Well then move your fat butt, it's blocking the whole hall!" I shout back.

Hikari gasps and staggers back, jokingly. "You're just jealous because I have a hotter body and I get more guys," She puts her hand on her hips and smirks.

"Do I give a sh*t? Move it," I shove past her and run to the far end of the schoolyard, away from everyone else.

I ran outside, determined to get away from everyone else. I ran away from the rest of the students, to my own corner of the schoolyard. NOBODY went near my spot, because if they did it meant a punch to the face. Believe me, I can punch…hard. The sky was grey and it was threatening to rain, but I didn't care. I sit under the freakishly tall oak tree and sigh deeply at the tranquility around me.

I dig through my messenger bag and pull out a picture of my mom, the last on ever taken of her. She gave me her golden blonde hair, but her eyes were violet. She was forty, but she looked like she was twenty-two and she wasn't even wearing make-up. She had a kind smile that told me everything was going to be okay. She had that same smile when she died, and everything was NOT okay. I can only stare at the picture as my thoughts swirl inside my head like a hurricane.

I didn't know how long I was outside or how long I was lost in my thoughts, but it was now raining. I tuck the picture back inside my pocket, safe from the rain, and take off running down the sidewalk. I feel my long hair clinging to my back on my wet shirt, but again I really don't care. I take a shortcut through the deserted Market Square and splash through the puddles scattered along my driveway. I kick the door open and stomp towards my room. I begin to close the door but a huge meaty hand grabs the door and forces it open.

My dad stands in the doorway, looking pissed. He has long black hair pulled back into a low ponytail and a five o' clock shadow across his face. He dressed in a white shirt and black slacks and his coat is tossed over his shoulder. His cold dark blue eyes stare right through me as he hold out his hand.

"Let me see you test," He growls.

I resultantly pull out my algebra test and slap it in his hand. He scowls at my grade crumples it in his chunky hands. He looks at me carefully see me completely drenched, miserable, and shivering-he must love this right now.

"How the hell did I wind up with a daughter as dumb as you? I thought you said you studied!" He screams, his voice shaking the house.

"I did! If you really want me to pass this class than why don't you help me like a real father would!" I shout back.

Before he says anything he slaps my upside my face. I fall backwards onto the floor and the taste of blood fills my mouth. He still stands there shouting and yelling curses at me.

"I'm too busy to deal with a bitchy teenager like you! You should learn to study yourself and not to reply on me!" His eyes seem to turn black. "I'm not going to support you all your life! Do your own schoolwork yourself!"

"I don't need a damned father like you to support me! I can do everything myself!" I scream.

"Don't back talk your father like that! You're grounded until your algebra grades improve!" He slams the door shut, knocking down the family portrait hanging on the wall. The glass frame shatters into a thousand pieces all over my rug.

I crawl over the shattered picture and hold the broken frame in my hand. It was taken six years ago, when I was nine. We were on standing on the beach on a bright and sunny day. My mom was wearing a white bikini with little red flower buds all over it and my dad was shirtless, his arm over my mom's shoulder. My mom was ruffling my overly long hair and I was wearing a pink tanki with white flowers all over it. It was really sunny that day, so it was squinting slightly with a smile on my face while holding a slightly melted Popsicle.

The glass cut my pinkie, making me make a tiny squeak of pain. I set the picture down and carefully wrapped a band-aid around my bleeding finger, as if my mom was doing it. The thought makes me curse at myself for bringing back memories of my mom. I drop the photo onto my bed, pull out a black t-shirt and baggy lounge pants from my bureau, beginning to shiver more violently from wearing my wet clothes.

I took a long hot shower, which ceased my shivering, and threw my dry clothes on. I pulled the picture of my mom out of my jeans pocket before shoving my soaking wet clothes in the hamper. Seeing the picture again and thinking about now, I feel sadness and loneness fill my heart. Why mom, why did you need to leave us? I feel tears run down my face in steady streams. The tears keep coming and dripping onto the photo as thunder booms outside my window.

Lumaria's POV

"Hey Lumaria, who are you trying out for in the play?" My best friend, Steffan, asked as we walked into the auditorium.

"Prince Eric, because he has some pretty funny lines from the movie and he some singing parts," I replied as we took a seat along with the other students hoping to earn a spot in the Spring Musical: The Little Mermaid.

Some kids were chattering with each other and other were listening to their iPods, trying to practice their audition piece. I saw Hikari walk in and take a seat on the other side of me, flashing her world-famous smile…that makes her look like a monkey that REALLY needs to go to the dentist (Author: Really spoiled the moment, didn't I).

Let me get this straight before we continue: Hikari and I are NOT boyfriend and girlfriend, only she thinks that. She thinks were some kind of couple only because we were the Beast and Belle from Beauty and the Beast last year. After that, she always tagged along with Steffan and I, which annoys me to no end. I tell her to leave me alone, she does…but she comes crawling back to me three days later. So yeah, I got a stalker who won't get off my back.

"Okay! We're ready to start!" The drama teacher walked in, holding his notebook and stood in front of us. "You know the drill: tell me the part you're auditioning for, sing your song, and you can leave if you want to or stay and watch the rest. If you just want to be, a dancer or a person in the chorus just tell me and you're done. Who wants to go first?"

The room was dead silent. I SWEAR you could hear crickets chirping somewhere. His eyes scanned the room as if he were an eagle searching for fresh meat. I gulped and shakily raised my hand. The teacher's eyes lit up as he saw my hand.

"Ah! Lumaria, please come up," He motioned to the stage.

My heart began pounding as I approached the stage. I've auditioned for tons of school plays before and I get nervous every time no matter what. Steffan gave me a thumbs-up and flashed his normal goofy smile. I smiled back at him, feeling a little reassured. The drama teacher took a seat in the first row and pulled out a pencil.

"What song are you singing?" He asked me.

"Nothing I won't give by Vic Mignogna, one of my current favorites," I said rolling my shoulders.

The teacher smiled as I drew in my breath and began to sing. I've always been complemented on how well I can sing. I'm pretty good, but not Susan Boyle good.

"We were foolish then but our trials soon to make us strong
The burdens are not yours alone, we've sought the answers for so long
But they're not free, they cost you more than they cost me…

My brother…

I promise you, there is nothing I won't give
To see this through, return the soul to where it lives
I promise you, I'd go everywhere I'd been
To find a way, to make atonement for my sin and see…
See your smiling face again!

When we paid the price at last, and we are whole once more
Life will be the way it was, the way it was before the days just slipped…away
Together we'll redeem the day!

And I promise you, there is nothing I won't give
To see this through, return the soul to where it lives
I promise you, I'd go everywhere I'd been
To find a way, to make atonement for my sin and see…
See your smiling face again!"

I stopped singing as the crowd of teenagers burst into applause. My hearts was hammering in my rib cage, but I still smiled. Hikari stood up and shouting my name over and over as the drama teacher flashed me a thumbs-up. I bowed and hurried off stage and Steffan high-fived me.

"That was awesome dude! Have you gotten better or is it just me?" He wondered.

"I've been practicing a little," I grabbed my backpack and threw it over my shoulder.

Steffan raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you going to watch my audition?"

"I can't, I have a huge project to work on. Sorry, I'll see you later!" I apologized before I rushed out of the auditorium.

Steffan nodded as Hikari waved at me, smiling her obnoxious smile. The cold rain greeted me as I stepped out of the school. I pulled my hood over my head and began jogging home. Here's the truth: I don't have a huge project; I just wanted to get away from Hikari. I know it was rude, but I didn't want to be sitting beside her for the next hour. Is there any girl here who isn't a crazed stalker?

Author: Thanks for your reviews! They really motivated me to type this! I'll get the next chapter up ASAP! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

~yukihikari99

Kingdom Hearts (C) Square Enix

Random Characters (C) Me

Nothing I Won't Give (C) Vic Mignogna

Story (C) Me