Dinner that first night had been awkward.

Really awkward.

Sure, the brothers and Tifa questioned Xion about her likes and interests, but the underlying tone was still there.

She was new and different, not even Tifa's child. Just someone she had to take in because her ex-husband about to be new-husband got remarried and knocked up another girl. Xion felt bothered.

After the awkward dinner was over, Xion trudged to her room and quickly changing into a pair of stolen boxers (courtesy of Kairi and Namine's older brother Reno) and a black tank top. She plugged in her laptop's charger and wireless card and clicked on the internet.

Typing in the web address for Facebook, she saw that she had four requests waiting. From Ventus Ven Strife, Sora Strife, Roxas Strife, and Tifa Lockhart Strife. She accepted the four of them, not really thinking.

Ignoring the useless gift requests, she clicked back to her wall and saw a long declaration from her best friends, saying that they would miss her. The first one was Kairi's.

We've been the bestest of best friends forever

Xion and it's hard to see you go.

But best friends we'll forever be

This I know.

We've been through thick and thin and really chunky

We've been there for each other when things got yucky.

We're almost identical, in looks not personality

If we had a TV show, it would no doubt be a reality.

Me, you, and Nam - three best friends who if we weren't like sisters

Wouldn't even know each other.

Me the cheerleader, you the theatre nerd (haha), and Nam the secluded artist

(so mean Kai)

(shut up Nam!! Wait your turn!!)

I know I'll miss you and visit you soon.

Hope your brothers are hot!

-Kairi

Xion laughed, knowing it was something that Kairi would do. Cheesy poem and ending with something about hot guys. The three friends really were different, even though they looked identical.

Kairi tanned regularly, her eyes were a pretty ocean blue with hints of lavender (probably contacts, Xion never got the urge to ask until she had already left). Her hair was a deep mahogany and she loved pink. She was the Cheer Captain at Wonderland High, the only high school in Traverse Town because it was so small. Kairi was boy crazy and yet utterly devoted to her friends.

Namine, or Nam, or Namie wasn't as secluded as Kairi put. Sure, she would honestly rather spend her lunch period in the art room instead of in the cafeteria with the two other girls - but the three never let that separate them. She had pale skin, platinum blond hair, and sky blue eyes. She loved pastel colors, especially white and light blue. She was an excellent artist, who could draw or paint anything you set in front of her.

Xion was the 'dark' one of the group, also the nerd because she was in theatre. Her hair was black (dyed, it had been light brown like her mom's but she dyed it after she died) and her eyes were turquoise blue. She was quiet, yet she loved sarcasm and always had fun joking with her friends. She didn't enjoy shopping like Kairi did, or just sitting in silence like Namine, yet the three were really close.

Shaking off the nostalgia, Xion quickly started to read Namine's post.

We've been acquaintances since Kindergarten

Pals since first grade

Buddies since second grade

Friends since third grade

Best friends since fourth grade

And I'd-take-a-bullet-for-you best friends since fifth grade

Our friendship lasted through the drama that was middle school

And the terror that was half of high school

I don't know how I'm going to keep Kairi in line with you gone

We're like triplets

All of us the best friends we could ever be

You were there when our parents divorced

And when dad got custody of Axel

We were there when your mom died

And we helped you put the pieces back together

I love you, sis

Know that we'll always be friends.

-Namie

Xion wiped an escaped tear from her eye as she stared at Namine's post. It was soo...heartfelt and sweet, something she expected from the quiet girl. Xion let out a bubble of a laugh and made a note to call the girls after school tomorrow.

With a sigh, Xion turned off her laptop and headed to bed. Crawling under her green comforter, she hugged her stuffed sparrow to her chest and went to sleep, trying not to think about the fact that her two best friends lay asleep over a hundred miles away.