I probably shouldn't have been avoiding him the entire time before the weekend hit. Even though I didn't want to talk to him or look at him… I sort of needed to. I had agreed to go to that dumb party, and I knew that he would stalk me down if I didn't reach out and deal with it first. Once the last bell rang for school, I wandered down the hallway to find his locker. I saw that red hair from my own locker… upstairs. He was leaning against the red, metal lockers, laughing along with some silver haired guy. I swallowed and considered leaving, but I could do it, right? I could!

I walked up slowly, trying to get his attention without saying anything… and that had been the easiest thing in my life. He had looked up the moment I had started his way, his green eyes brightening almost instantly. Damn it! I cursed myself inside my own head before getting closer and sort of waving.

"Xemnas, Xemnas! This is him- Roxas," Axel stammered, walking to me even though I was only a few feet away. This guy… And Xemnas! He was obviously older than I was- a senior? I sort of panicked before forcing a smile and trying to cover up my initial heart attack.

"It's nice to meet you. I assume you're a friend of Axel's?"

"Assuming makes an ass out of you and-" he started, but Axel threw his hands up and made a little noise, trying to get him to shut up. So… he already didn't like me. That was always good. I swallowed and made me keep my smile.

"Right, right. Sorry. Um, I'm gonna go home." I turned as quickly as I could from the situation, hearing Axel stammering behind me, trying to decide on whom to check first. And of course… his friend came first. Wait- what was I expecting? He chose correctly. I was nothing. I wasn't his girl- boyfriend; in fact, I wasn't even his friend. And I didn't want to be.

Kicking stones off the sidewalk, I cursed my own existence, wondering just how far he would push me. Did I still have to go to that dumb party? I really hoped not. I sighed deeply as I ran a hand through my hair. It didn't matter! It really didn't. If he didn't care, neither did I. Upon coming home, I wasn't surprised when I had to hold in my own tears. I said I wouldn't cry over him! I wasn't- oh, no.

I leaned against the closed door, sliding down it and curling up. With my hands over my head, I started sobbing. Why…? Why did I have to care? I knew he was going to drop me at some point, they always did. Even my own family had gotten rid of me. No wonder I lived alone… Sniffling, I looked around the room, trying to catch my hiccupping breath. I needed to swallow down these feeling and compress them. I had quit caring! So… why did I still care?

This was terrible. My feelings always got the better of me. Once I had managed to get back to my feet, I didn't go far. I had quit trying once I reached the dining table, sitting with my head in my hands.

That hadn't been Axel, but he also hadn't tried to defend me… That conversation had been so short! I hadn't even given the man a chance. Was this all my fault? Of course it was, in some way. It was within the hour that I heard a knock on the door, and I couldn't help but scream at it, knowing that it was most likely just that airhead-redhead.

"Go away! I don't want to talk to you!" And though my voice had cracked and carried over no threat, there wasn't anymore knocking, and I wished I hadn't screamed. The redhead usually pushed my buttons for a minute or two, but he hadn't. Was I messing this all up? Oh, yes. Every time. I groaned in frustration, walking fast to jerk the door open.

A loud yell resonated through the room, and all I could was jump back in time to avoid the lanky teen's body slam. He was on his back beneath me, a shocked expression glued to his face. Even though I didn't really want to, I sort of laughed. Had he been leaning against the door… waiting? Did he know I was going to open it? He smiled up at me and sat up, rubbing his head a little.

"So, hey. I wanted to apologize about that asshole-y remark earlier… I don't think he meant it, but I have no idea. I don't think he's used to me making n-"

"It's fine," I interrupted. It wasn't like I cried for an hour straight or anything… He sighed in relief, shoulders slumping in relaxation. He got up then, sort of dusting off. I hadn't bothered to move or react once he fell… beside the initial jump. He faced me then, that dorky grin back on his face.

"So you'll still be going with me to that party tonight?" he asked excitedly. I couldn't stop from rolling my eyes.

"I figured that-"

"Please?" I couldn't say no anymore. I sort of gave him a half-smile before being pulled into a gentle hug. I didn't expect it, or really… return it, but I let him hold me, his warmth actually sort of… nice.

We slipped back into my room, my hands barely able to move things around as I chose clothes out for the party. I didn't know what kind of get together this was, and having Axel around to help definitely made the decisions easier. I ended up in boots and dark blue skinny jeans… a plain gray tank-top. So complicated.

But Axel's fingertips were grazing my neck, something cold running there. When I looked into the mirror, I saw a silver chain around my neck, a key hanging off of it. Looking up to see Axel, not the reflection, I felt that mouth against mine once again. And I couldn't fight it anymore, hand moving slow to rest against the back of his neck…