"Axel, what the hell. Get up. We need to talk" I heard a grumble on the other side of the line, followed by some ruffling.
"Mphf.. it's too early Roxas. I need sleep". Axel replied in a groggy tone.
"early? Are you kidding me? It's almost noon. I've been calling you since six this morning. We need to talk" I reply angrily.
" Rox.. it's almost eight in the morning here. Can I just.. call you back when I'm up? Just give me ten minutes, I promise" he asked. I sighed heavily as I agreed.
Eight in the morning? That means.. he must be on the other side of the country! Why would he move from the East coast to the West Coast? I flipped my phone closed as I walked out the front doors of my school, heading for my car in the parking lot a short distance away.
"ROXAS!" I hear my name call behind me. I glance quickly to see my brother fast-walking towards me. "Roxas, hey" he greets me as he gets closer. His spiked brown hair is slightly ruffled, along with his red hooded jacket slipping off one shoulder, exposing the black tee shirt underneath.
"Hey. What's up Sora?" I greet, fist-pumping him. We continue to walk towards my car.
"Nothin' much. Hey, can I drive today? I really want to stop by-"
"NO" I interrupted. "you got your new PlayStation3 and laptop and all your video game shit for your seventeenth birthday. I got a car. And I pay for gas. If you want to drive, get your own car, and pay for your own gas." I snapped.
"Bur Roxaaaass, I really want to drive today. I promise I'll be careful! I'll.. I'll make you breakfast for a week! I'll clean your room! Hell, I'll let you.. I dunno,is there anything else you want me to do for you? Anything?" he pleaded.
I gave him a small glare, and replied "No. nothing. Unless..." I looked to Sora with a slight expression of triumph. "you cover for me at home."
"How long?" he replied automatically.
"I don't exactly know yet. Probably a week or two..." I trailed off.
Sora gave me a look of utter confusion, with a bit of annoyance. "Roxas, what the heck. You know I can't do that. Why two weeks? Where will you be going?" he berated.
"I'm no sure yet. Wow, I'm sorry, this is so non-descriptive. Just.. I need the car for two weeks, and then you can have it for two months. I'll even pay for gas. I just need you to come up with a way for me to be out of the house for two weeks, and not have Mom and Dad freak out. Please." I beg. I look over to Sora, to see him thinking intently of all his options for lying. As we reach my silver Mercedes, I open the trunk to haul my backpack in, Sora doing the same. I hear him sigh, and look up to meet his ocean blue eyes.
"Fine. Just tell them you're going on that France trip in a few weeks. And keep your cellphone on you. But I get to drive for the two months after, and starting now until you leave. Deal?" he reaches his hand out to me, a serious look on his face. All of a sudden, flashes of Sora getting into accidents or denting my car came flashing through my mind. I purse my lips, but reach out to shake his hand regardless.
"Fine. But one scratch on this car, and I swear to god, I will wring your neck Sora. I mean it. Don't. Destroy. This." I command with as much venom in my voice as I could muster. Sora quickly laughs this off, only to pull open the driver's door, jump in the black leather bound seat, and start up the engine.
"oohh, this is going to be so much fun! I can't wait to drive this baby for almost three months!" Sora exclaimed excitedly. I let out a long sigh as I flopp into the seat, buckle up, and look out the window.
"At least buckle your seat belt Sora. If you crash, I don't want you to ruin the windshield too." I sigh.
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"You never called me back. Asshole." I mumble into the receiver of the phone.
"Roxas, I'm really sorry, I've just been really busy. I didn't forget, I just.. I've had a lot of things going on lately."
"Axel, what could you been so busy doing? This was three weeks ago. I've texted and called and left multiple messages. What the hell are you doing.. wherever you are?" I scream. True, it had been three weeks since I had last talked to Axel. I know it seemed pushy and over the top to try to still keep in contact with him. But now my curiosity is pushing more into "worried". Axel had always been there for me in the past, and vice versa. I know we've been away for almost a year now, but he's never not talked to me for more than a week or so. But three weeks? What the hell could he be doing that's so important, he can't take five minutes to just text me? "For all I knew, you could have been dead or something Axel. Three weeks. God, do you even care anymore?"
"Roxas" he replies in an angry, more serious tone. "Don't you ever think that I don't care about you. Ever. You are everything to me, Roxas. Do you hear me?" he harshly replied. I couldn't think of anything to say. I let the silence hover between us for a few seconds, taking in all he said. I hear a slight crashing sound in the background, and some ruffling.
"Axel? Is everything okay?" I ask. I hear some swear words from the other end, a bit more crashing, as the ruffling gets louder. "Axel?"
"S-sorry Rox, I gotta go. Talk to you later. I love you" and hang up. I felt a slight numbness crawl over me, my face bright red, glaring towards the window on my right.
But besides the point, what in the world was going on in the background? Where is Axel? I know he's somewhere on the West Coast.. but where? I pick up my phone again, and decided to call Naminé, and try to get some answers. As her phone rang, I heaved a small sigh. She picked it up with a slight whisper, "Roxas?"
"Hey, Naminé. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a few minutes. About Axel." I say. I make myself more comfortable in my bed, turning the lamp off on my nightstand to my left.
"Roxas.. I don't know if this is such a good idea at the moment." she replied hesitantly. "This.. this could really hurt you. I mean, if Axel didn't tell you before, about why he left, and he still hasn't, I don't think he really wants you to know."
I could feel my frustration growing, tears pricking me eyes. "Please, Nami. I need to see him. I just.. need to know why he left. It's been driving me crazy for almost a year now. I need to know. Please." I beg. I try to wipe away at the onslaught of tears now silently streaming down my face. I take a deep breath, and hear Naminé heave a heavy sigh on the other end.
"fine. But don't tell him I told you. And don't you dare think of going to see him. I mean it Roxas. Don't." she commanded. Slight static interrupts our conversation, but goes away quickly. "Axel.. he moved because his mom had some problems with his dad. I mean like... full out spouse abuse. And serious drug abuse on her end. She had to get away from him, but didn't want to leave Axel behind. Trust me, Roxas, he tried to beg her to stay here, but she wouldn't let him. and I'm guessing he didn't want to tell you, because he didn't want to worry you." silence stretched as I let what Naminé told me sink in.
"but.. he.. he could have told me. He shouldn't have left me in the dark! Where is he? Where is he, Naminé?" I urge.
"Roxas, I can't tell you. I know you're going to probably plan to see him or something. But don't. Don't make it harder on him. Please." she begged.
I sniff loudly, holding back more tears. I clear my throat momentarily, and take a deep breath. "Naminé" I start " please, just tell me. I need to know. I need to know if he's okay. You can come with me too, if you want! Please! I need to see him. I need to know..i can't let him forget about me. About us. Just a visit. Please. It would mean so much to not only me, but to him too. Please" I ball my left hand in my comforter, blinking away fresh tears. Silence hung on the other end, Naminé deliberating whether or not she should tell me.
"Santa Monica, California." my eyes went wide at hearing the location. California? I'll give you the address tomorrow morning. But I'm coming with you. We're supposed to go on our trip to France tomorrow anyways." she mumbled. "I'll meet you in the school parking lot tomorrow at seven thirty." I stared into the darkness of my room, not believing the words coming through my phone.
"Thank you, Naminé. Thank you." I reply.
"Good night, Roxas. See you tomorrow morning." and hung up.
Well, this is going to be exciting.
AN: my thought process today - "wow. I haven't updated this in so long. I'l update it today!" *checks publish date on last chapter* "it's.. it's exactly one year old."
so, happy new chapter day! :D haha, no, I'm kidding. I'm just lazy. I'll try to update this more. I really will. I have it all planned out. I just can't write it all down pretty enough for you guys D: