~I hold it dear to me

It's been so long

Yet I hold it close

Please tell me

You remember~

Chapter 3: A Valuable Friend

Naminé starred out the car window, watching the houses pass by.

'I can't wait 'till I get my licence' she thought.

"You still didn't tell me how school went yesterday," she glanced side way at her brother, who was driving.

Like her, Cloud had light blonde hair and though both had blue eyes, his were brighter, almost a sky blue.

When she didn't say anything he said, "I guess I'll just ask Kai-"

"A bit boring," Naminé interrupted, ignoring how his lips twitched with amusement. "And over whelming but I'm sure I'll get used to it."

"That's good," It looked like he wanted to add more but at that point they pulled up in front of her school.

"Will you be picking me up?" she asked, opening the door.

"Yeah. Unless something comes up. I'll text you or Kairi."

"'Kay," Naminé nodded. She had just touched both feet to the ground outside the car when he said, "Hold it."

She looked back at him, confused as he pulled something out of his pocket. He held his hand to her, opening his fingers to reveal two white pills.

"I know you didn't take any this morning," He said, his voice full of disapproval.

"Sorry, forgot," Naminé muttered. She took them, quickly popping them into her mouth.

"Swallow," he handed her a water bottle. Grimacing at the taste of the pills on her tongue, she placed the water to her lips, chugging the liquid down.

"There. Happy?" she said, throwing the bottle behind her seat and getting out.

"Very. Now hurry, or you'll be late."

Naminé watched as the black vehicle drove down the road.

Was it disappeared around the corner she spit out the two pills, crushing them with her foot before going inside.

Axel yawned as he made his way down the hall. Damn, he didn't plan on being out as late as he did last night but because of stupid rumours about another gang in the area he had to stay out twice as long.

And to top it all off, he was late for his stupid grade 10 class. He was supposed to graduate last year but because of him skipping so much he had to do another semester to get the credits he need in order to do that.

When he got to the classroom, it took him a while to remember where it was, the teacher didn't bother to look up from her papers.

"If you don't want to stay another semester I suggest you show up on time Mr. Aduro." she said. "Sit down and copy the notes off the board."

"Right," Axel rolled his eyes as he made his way to the back. He wasn't surprised at some of the students starring at him before looking away when he caught their eye, but he was surprised to see a blonde sitting at the back, next to the table he sat at.

'Hey isn't that…?' as he got closer he could tell it was her.

'So she's in this class' he thought, sitting down. He glanced at her as he opened his binder to copy the stupid notes off the board. She was pale but not really a sickly pale as he first thought. She did at least have some colour to her cheeks. She was thin though, very thin. He was sure that a paper cut could finish her off.

Naminé was aware of the guy next to her starring at her, and fidgeted uncomfortably. This was one of the guys who was with Roxas yesterday. Axel. Why was he in this class? Isn't he in an older grade?

She tried to concentrate on her work, and almost succeeded when a hand touched her shoulder, making her flinch and jump at the same time.

"Whoa, calm down," Axel said, eye brow raised at her odd movement. "I need a pencil, got one I could use?"

"S-sure," Naminé nodded. She handed him the one she was using before taking a new one for herself.

"Thanks."

"Sure," Naminé mumbled, mentally cursing herself.

'Calm down idiot. You at school. In Twilight Town. Not Radiant Garden' she thought. But no matter how many times she chastised herself she couldn't slowdown her heart rate.

"He did what!" Kairi hissed, making Sora wince.

"He was pissed, besides, you know how he get's with his temper," Sora said. On their way to Second Period he told her about Roxas's reaction to Naminé being here and she wasn't happy.

"Urg, I don't care if he's Bipolar, your cousin over reacts way too much," Kairi grumbled.

"You can't really blame him," Sora shrugged.

"Oh yes I can," Kairi said. "Once everything's better between him and Nami I'm giving him a piece of my mind."

Sora knew there was no point in arguing with her. Once Kairi sets her mind to something you could never change. Then again that's one of the things he loves about his girlfriend.

When they got to the class room they were surprised to see Naminé had gotten there first, considering her last class was farther than theirs.

"Nams, how'd you get here before us?" Sora asked, sitting in the desk beside hers.

"Oh, we got dismissed early." she said. "We only had to copy notes and since the teacher didn't have anything else planned we got out ten minutes early."

"Figures. There are only two or three teachers in this school that do that and you get one of 'em while I get none," Kairi complain, sitting in the desk on Naminé's other side. She would have complained more but by then the teacher came, ordering silence as he did.

Roxas yawned, coming out of the change room.

'Urg, I can't believe I have to do gym. I'm so tired' he thought. Not only did he have to stay out late last night, when he finally did get home and to bed his stupid mind wouldn't shut off so he ended laying there and when he did fall asleep Sora woke him up an hour later.

"Roxas! Wow, you look so dead."

"Thanks Sora. Really appreciate the compliment." he rolled his eyes.

"What time did you get home last night anyway?" Sora went on, ignoring his cousin's sarcasm. "I didn't hear you come in."

"I don't know. Wasn't really paying attention," Roxas shrugged.

"Well, make sure you stay longer this time. Mom hasn't seen you for three days and she's worried."

"Right," Roxas scratched the back of his head awkwardly. His mother lived in Travers Town while his father lived in Hollow Bastion so he stayed with Sora and his mom. When he wasn't crashing with Axel or the gang that is. Thinking about Sora's mom, his aunt, made him feel bad She let him stay for free and he kept disappearing for a few days without warning. Speaking of feeling bad…

"Er, listen…" he said. "Sorry for-er-losing my, um, temper…yesterday."

Sora gave him a surprised look before grinning at him.

"Don't worry about it," He said, putting his hands behind his head. "Forgive and Forget, right? Though Kairi might not. She's pretty mad at you."

"Right, when isn't she?" Roxas said, but couldn't help but chuckle. He couldn't help it. He wished he was as easy going as the Burnett.

"Hey, have you talked to Nams yet" At that, Roxas's face went completely blank.

"No."

"Seriously? Don't you have Fifth together?" Sora said in disbelief.

"Just because we have one class together doesn't mean I have to talk to her," Roxas muttered, remembering what happened yesterday.

He walked to his class, his mood getting worse then the minute before.

When he got to Art he was surprise-and annoyed- to see her standing there with Riku.

"Excuse." he muttered. She jumped slightly before moving out of the way. As he passed he was aware of the hard look the guy beside her was giving him.

"You guys act like strangers now."

"People…People grow apart," he heard her say as he took his seat, which happens to be at the table closest to the door. Once more guilt and anger filled him.

When she came in he saw her look around before her eyes landed on an empty seat at his table. He saw he take a deep breath before she sat down there.

All through class they had avoided looking at each other. She never asked him about the class or for help, even when he knew she didn't understand something by the way her brow furrowed.

"You know, you should talk to her. She's up there and class won't start for another five minutes," Roxas blinked as he was taken out of his thought. His eyes followed where Sora was pointing before his gaze landed on a blonde in the stands.

"Why is she here?" He said, his eyes widening slightly.

"Technically she's supposed to have gym so she has to show up but it's more like a free period."

"That is so-" Roxas started before clamping his mouth shut. Sora's lips twitched as he tried to fight off a smile(Or smirk). He knew it. As much as his blonde cousin act like he didn't care about Naminé any more, he did. You just had to find a way to get him to show it.

Roxas, who had a feeling what his cousin was thinking, kept silent though he did keep his gaze on the blonde in the stands. Worry filled his eyes when he saw her stumble slightly on the steps, only to regain her balance by grabbing the pole.

'She just missed a step' he told him self. 'Or lost her balance. That's all'

For the rest of the period he wished it was just that.

"Shit!" Naminé hissed, grabbing the railing. What was that? Did she just loose her balance or was it-

No. She just lost her balance, that's all. The steps were close together after all. Still, she decided to sit near the stairs, just in case.

Once she sat down, she looked to see if she could find Olette in the group of student, who were now crowding around two teachers.

She found her, with the help of one of the teachers who scolded her and Selphie for talking. Not far off she also saw Sora, who she didn't notice was also in this class and beside was…him.

'The world hates me…' she thought, pulling a book out and hiding behind it for rest of the period.

Roxas rubbed his forehead where the frizzbee hit him. That's what he get's for not paying attention in gym.

"Oy, Roxas!" he turned to see Axel on the other side of the hall, walking towards him. "Heard you got smoked by a flying disk?"

"Shut up," He grumbled.

"That girl is in my science class," Axel said, making Roxas frown.

"Your point?"

"Nothing. Just that I've never seen such a timid girl. She's so quiet." he glanced sideways at the blonde, seeing his frown deepen.

"She didn't used to be," He said quietly that Axel almost missed it. He was going to comment on it when something caught his eye.

"Oof!" Axel threw his arm out, stopping Roxas from walking and winding him at the same time.

"What the hell was that for?" he hissed. Axel responded by nodding down the hallway on his left.

Roxas looked, and felt himself stiffen.

Naminé was on the floor, picking up her books and the stuff that fell out of her binder with Selphie's help.

"Think she just-" Axel started before noticing he was standing by himself now. "-tripped."

Naminé sighed in annoyance, throwing her things into her bag.

"Yeah, you should watch out for that tile." Selphie told her. "It sticks out of the floor slightly so you don't notice it unless you already know it's there or you trip."

"Thanks for the warning."

"Here." Naminé blinked as her math textbook appeared in front f her. her eyes widened when she saw who was holding it.

"Th-Thank you," She said, taking it. Roxas nodded, helping pick up her stuff.

"Be more careful, or you'll hurt yourself." he muttered quietly so only she could here.

"S-sorry," she said back. "I tripped on that-that tile."

"Well, just-just pay more attention May." Roxas said. He didn't realise what he said until he saw Naminé's eyes widened slightly. He almost slapped himself for his slip-up.

"Here," he handed her the last thing off the floor. This time, his eyes widened slightly at what it was. A silver charm bracelet. There were four charms on it. A Paopu Fruit, A silver cat, a gold pencil, and a black key he knew was called Oblivion.

After he handed it to her he quickly made his way to Axel, who was watching with interest. Watching him go made Naminé's heart clench. this was the most they've spoken in two years!

"Oh, that's so pretty Naminé," Selphie said, looking closer at it. "Where did you get it?"

"A-An old friend, gave it to me." In the corner of her vision she saw Roxas stop, as though he walked into a wall. "It's a very valuable gift…from a…a valuable friend."

A/N: I know I said the dislike towards Riku would start here but it'll have to be next chapter…or the one after that…

No matter how much I plan for things to go in this story it seems to take a slight different direction from what I intended. Oh well, makes it interesting for me.

As you can tell I don't really focus on their classes as much. So, sorry about that if it bothers you.

Chapter Fact

Two things about this chapter. one, that last part, where Namine told Selphie where she got the charm bracelet, was taken from the awesome and sad exchange between Kira and Athrun in Gundam Seed. If you haven't watched the series yet, I suggest you do. Its so good!

Second, it was difficult writing this chapter because my cat kept walking across the keyboard. I love him but he can be a little shit sometimes.

Because I'm in a good mood, here's a preview of the next chapter.

Perview

They turned down the alley way and froze.

Her normal neat blond hair was messy, even from where he stood he could see that. Her black coat was thrown to the side, the normally white letters an eerie dark red.

Four guys were holding her down, two for each arm while a fifth was on top of her. Despite all the weight on her she still struggled.

"Tell me."

"Why should I?" she snapped. "It's none of your business-"

"Yeah it is!"

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