Disclaimer: I don't own KH, the characters, or any of the songs used!
Starlight High
Chapter 6.1 and 'X' never marks the spot
As I locked the door behind me, I sighed. I was so sick of this I could scream. It was so cold. Not outside, no no. But home. My dad being the ass he is and my mom always working, always tired. It was okay now; I was on my way out of the house, to school where I had my friends. It was okay now. Snap out of it Demyx, come on. My old (once) navy blue converse led me to the bike stand we had on our yard, I unlocked my dad's bike, since my own is broken, led it out from the drive way. If I wanted to I could've driven… If my car would've worked that is. I laughed to myself and shook my head. Stupid car. Stupid bike. Stupid life.
Don't get me wrong; I'm a happy guy. Just don't leave me alone with my thoughts, please?
I jumped on my bike and started cycling down the street. The world was still green after the summer, even though it wouldn't last much longer. At the river I saw Zexion's house at the end of the road and continued down the passing road. Any other day I would go by his house and pick him up, but today we have a sleep in, and I was gonna go for a swim before we started. It never was that many around during this time of the day. During any other school hour you could almost bet it would be nearly full, because it was always someone who had a free period or a gym class, and after school was even worse. But early mornings were good.
I continued towards the school and it hit me as I watched my surroundings. How unfamiliar this town was, even though I've grown up here. Do you know how it feels to be a stranger in your child hood town? I've seen this road, these trees every day for the last twelve years of my life and it feels like I've never seen them before. I didn't recognize them. Everything looked so... wrong. Like… like I don't belong here. It was a horrible feeling. Like something clenched in my chest, at the same time as I felt hollow and empty. Empty to be foreign in a town I grew up in, where I played in the streets. At the same time I don't even wanna be here. It's my last year of high school now and then I can finally leave this alien town. Would I miss it?
Probably not.
xXx
I reached the school ten minutes later, parked my bike by a tree and headed towards the sports hall. The changing room was to my big joy empty, and I started changing in to my Speedo like swim trunks which I hated, but they were good for the sport even though they looked like hell. Oh well. When I was standing there, shirtless, working on unbuttoning my jeans the door opened. Oh joy; it was the silver haired jock guy who harassed Sora the other day. I gave him a murderous glance and pulled my dark jeans off. In some weird way I managed to get rid of my boxers and change into the swim shorts in record time. That stupid silver haired guy thinking he was something else; probably thinking he was more worth than the rest of us, seemed to be in his own world.
I gathered my stuff and quickly left the changing room, that guy was starting to freak me out. It felt like he was checking me out, and besides I was pretty sure he had a girlfriend.
All my previous downs and heavy thoughts were washed away when I got into the water. It encircled me and lulled me calm. I took a few laps, just to calm down and warm up for my little training session. Earlier I didn't bother to fix my hair since it was gonna get wet anyway, so I must've looked like a freak. A gentle smile played on my lips at the thought and I noticed the boy from the changing room claiming the lane next to mine. He started warming up as well, but something seemed off with him. Usually he was a pretty good swimmer, since he had the body for it, tall, muscular and the broad shoulders you get from swimming, but he looked… I don't know, but it seemed like something was wrong. I did a few more laps but I still couldn't shrug the feeling of off me. Somehow I felt bad for him, don't ask why. Guess I am a sensitive guy, or whatever, but I couldn't just stand there and watch him. Or... not stand but you get my point. So I did what always cheered me up. I challenged him to a swim contest.
He accepted my challenge and I waved a friend of mine over who worked in the swim hall and asked her to time us. We decided for ten laps. My friend with the long red hair grabbed a timer and waved us of. After a few seconds he got the lead, but what can I say? I am a slow starter. It was an awesome feeling, just racing for the fun of it. The adrenaline pumped in my veins as we turned and I claimed the lead. It continued like that for the next few laps, us fighting over the lead, claiming it and then loosing it. However the race ended with me winning. He didn't look sad over this though, but he actually looked like he had had a lot of fun, and he smiled towards me as we shook hands.
Afterwards he sat of again, doing more laps, while I stayed at the edge, deciding to change a few words with Ariel, the girl who timed us. She smiled towards me.
"Great job Demyx. It was such an interesting lap I almost forgot to check the watch." A laugh escaped from her and it sounded like bells chiming in the wind. My smile actually felt real.
"Thanks. It was fun; a friendly race is always great." She nodded.
"Yeah, it's awesome to just let everything go and just focus on the race, without having to worry about medals and time and stuff." I was just about the answer when the stupid speakers started tingling, announcing that out dear headmaster had something on that little mind of his. Both me and Ariel, and everyone else in the swim hall for that matter, raised our heads towards the speakers. That's pretty funny actually; you raise your head towards the speakers, as if to look at the person who's talking even though there's no one there.
"This is Principal Xemnas speaking. I want every junior and senior student in the auditorium at the beginning of second period. Back to class." Ariel and I looked at each other, confusion in our eyes. What was he now plotting in that little sick mind of his?
xXx
On my way out of the gymnasium I ran in to Zexion who was walking calmly towards the cultural C building. Just because I could, I snuck up behind him and covered his eyes with my hands. A smile once again tugged at the corners of my lips and I had to work hard not to laugh when he froze, taken aback before he quickly regained his composure.
"Why hello to you too, Demyx." I can't describe my disappointment with the fact the he directly knew it was me. I withdrew my hands and looked at him with a fake pout, which I failed miserably as I softly laughed. "How did you know it was me?" I asked. He smiled and started walking again, me following his steps.
"You're the only one I know that still does that." Came the slate haired boy's amused reply. I stopped in my tracks, thinking over this a few seconds before I caught up with my friend again. A cheery melody came from my messenger bag and we stopped while I searched through my bag. Finally I was able to fish up my cell and answer it.
"Demyx." From the other line came Axel's voice.
"'sup bitch, where are you?" I couldn't help but laugh at Axel's way of answering the phone. Presentation much?
"hah, I'm with Zexion, we're on our way towards C house." I heard Zexion's phone go off and he walked away and took the call. Axel's voice brought me back.
"Kay, stay there, we're on our way."
"Okay…Wait, we?" Axel snickered at the other side of the line.
"Yeah, you know; me and my rabid fan girls. No, but seriously, I found Roxas on the way to school and then came Sora and Pence out of nowhere." I shook my head; typical Axel to show off and make everything a joke.
"Anyway, you guys coming?"
"Yeah, meet at the fountain in five." I flipped my phone shut only seconds before Zexion did the same.
"We're gonna meet Axel and company in five minutes at the fountain."
"Sounds good, since we're gonna meet Fuu there too." We nodded towards each other and started walking to the fountain. A thought hit me while we waited.
"How come you knew about this meeting, weren't you home?" I knew he had had a sleep in too since his class for the morning was cancelled and he shrugged.
"Fuu was in the library, studying for the history project, heard the message and called me. I called the rest of the gang and informed them since I figured they'd all be home, sleeping." He hadn't called me. Why didn't he call me? As if he heard my thoughts he squirted some water on me from the fountain and chuckled.
"The reason I didn't call you was the fact that I figured you already were here in the swim hall." A nervous laugh came from me and I scratched my neck.
"Busted eh? You know me too well Zexy." Zexion made a face at the nickname as we saw Fuu come along the road and Zexion waved towards her. She raised her hand and I saw Reno's black car drive past us, probably ten mph over the speed limit. Fuu sat down next Zexion and I saw how Axel and company came walking from the parking lot.
"How come you drive Axel? I thought Reno didn't let you near the car?" Axel fired off his Mr. Player smile.
"Well, since someone called me a little late and I was sleeping, I asked Reno to borrow the car since he had the day off anyway. Then I just found these guys on the street." With a laugh he nodded towards Roxas, Sora and Pence who came walking behind him. Roxas didn't look too pleased with this statement.
"Axel… You make us sounds like street hookers."
"Why ROXAS, that was my intention." To my great amusement Roxas looked like he was gonna blow up and everyone laughed. Together we walked to the culture hall. As soon as Axel flung the door opened, he looked around and screamed.
"'Sup bitches! Axel's in the house!" It's hard not to laugh when you're around Axel. Everyone in the whole hall laughed and Axel continued.
"Everyone can calm down, we're back!" The laughs slowly calmed and we seated us in a nearby staircase. I leaned against the wall, Axel above me, Roxas opposite of him, Zexion under Roxas, Fuu under him. Sora and Pence was on the step below me and we knew that many of the eyes in the hall were trained on us. It was sort of a nice feeling, at the same time as I hated it. Why did they have to stare at us? I can take everyone's eyes on me while I'm on stage, but when it's like this it only makes me feel uncomfortable.
Finally we all were let in to the huge auditorium and principal Mansex came out on stage. He started talking about this new thing we were gonna do in the following to weeks, and Axel being Axel, just couldn't keep his mouth shut. He started screaming and we all laughed. I admit; it was fun but he was so gonna get in trouble for it later. I tugged at his sleeve and tried to hold back my laughter.
"Come on Axel, drop it and sit down." As always he didn't listen to me when I asked him to calm down. I saw Zexion clench his fists at Axel continued. He hated when we go in to trouble because it was always him that had to help us get out of it. The whole theatre cheered and gave catcalls, giving fuel to Axel's fire, making him go on even more. I really wished he would stop and just as I was gonna stop him, Zexion raised, looking furious and pushed Axel back into his seat.
"Sit down and shut the hell up before you make an even bigger fool of yourself stupid." The furious slate haired boy whispered to the surprised redhead. Xemnas continued with his little speech and Axel just sat there, looking thunder struck.
When we were let out of the theatre we walked towards the cafeteria, there was a chilly silence around Zexion. Axel felt it, and we all knew it was his fault. This was what happened when you pissed Zexion off, at first he gave you the cold shoulder until you annoyed him even further and he blew and that was rarely pretty. Zexion's usually calm and quiet, but he could have one nasty temper when we acted like fools. Right now, we were just waiting for the bomb to drop.
"Guys, I need to talk to Axel in private… Do you mind?" I quickly understood.
"Come on guys, let's go and grab something to eat." Fuu stayed behind with Zexion, but we all knew she wouldn't interfere, she would just stay there as a silent moral support. Axel gave me a begging look, but he was on his own on this one. I had tried to make him shut up, but he just wouldn't listen to me and therefore pulled out the wrath of Zexion. We walked away swiftly and left the combatants to themselves.
xXx
I skimmed through the menu for something worth eating since I'm starting to give up on the fries. Axel won't let me keep them to myself anyway. With a sigh I decided to go for them anyway, in the lack of something else that seemed edible. I got a little left behind since Sora and Roxas got done before me, and I saw a red shadow rush past me with an enormous ruckus following. Screams were heard but I figured it was just Roxas blowing up on Axel. I filled my cup with some coke and walked they way Axel had run only to see one of the preppy girls looking like someone threw a can of water on her, Roxas standing with his hand on her chest, the silver haired guy and Axel standing toe to toe, arguing. Sora looked at me when I reached them and just shook his head. The whole thing ended with Axel taking MY cup of soda and throwing it at the jock, before kneeing him and telling us that we were leaving.
Once again we were walking quickly from the scene, and I could tell Axel was furious. What I couldn't tell was if he was furious due to whatever Zexion said or if it was something that happened between him and the jock. Speaking of which; where is Zexion anyway?
We found a spot under a three and seated there. Axel lit a cigarette and I started munching on my fries.
"So… What happened back there anyway?" I dared to ask after a good ten minutes of silence. Axel just glared at me and lit another cig. Silence kept lingering until Sora finally spoke.
"Roxas tripped and spilled out his soda on that girl, making Riku flip, then Axel accidentally pushed Rox when he was handing her a napkin, making him grope that poor girl and then Axel and Riku started arguing and the rest is history." He explained and I nodded. We kept quiet and I looked away, chewing on a fry.
"Where's Zexion and what did he say?" I know; curiosity killed the cat, but I just had to know. He's my friend too and I sincerely hoped it wouldn't turn out as last time Axel and Zexion had a fight. Axel's features darkened and he looked away. My inner thoughts told me it was probably gonna end up as last time and I figured I just had to talk to Zexion later to know what happened.
The silence that laid over us was heavy and I sighed softly. Even though it was kinda annoying when Axel was like this, it felt nice also to just have some quiet time. Axel was always such a handful it was kinda hard to calm down so we sat there and enjoyed the sun, still shining brightly. I know I can be rather wild too, and rarely care about the consequences, but that's out of the point. I leaned against the tree and I think I must've fallen asleep because later on when Sora poked I woke up.
"Come on, next lesson start in ten minutes." Axel looked pleadingly at me.
"Skip it with me; it's just English anyway…" I thought this over. On one hand we were probably gonna get back our test results from last week, but that was also the only thing I was interested in. But then on the other hand we had a free period right after. After thinking this through I shook my head.
"Come on Axel… Let's just go to the stupid lesson. You don't need to get into any more trouble than you already in." Axel crossed his arms and muttered a "fine" under his breath before we rose and headed to the main building. Sora waved to us before he and Roxas walked towards the blue D building.
xXx
We sat through the whole English lesson, bored out of our minds, writing some stupid essay about what we knew about global warming. I saw Axel doodling on the paper and checking out the teacher every now and then, through the corner of my eye and I smiled to myself and continued with the essay. I didn't know all too much about global warming; I know the basic idea and what happens, but I'm a quick learner.
When the lesson finally was over, me and Axel left the classroom quickly and found a bench in the hallway where we sat down. The redhead next to me sat quiet and I didn't really know what to say; if he even wanted to talk to me that is. After a while the silence started to choke me and I just couldn't take it any more.
"So..?" Axel looked at me.
"So what?"
"So are you gonna tell me what happened between you and Zexion?" Axel's gaze glued itself on the opposite wall.
"No."
"Tell me Axel, you're both my friends and you can't be like this forever. Tell me and let it go."
"You know what Demyx," the redhead's green eyes were one again on me. "just shut up about things that's none your business." He rose and walked away, left me alone in the hallway. And he was the one who wanted me to skip with him. You know what? Axel can be a great friend but he can also be terrible when he's angry.
I sat there for a few minutes, students passing me on their way to the classroom, bathroom or lockers and I rose; deciding to just skip the last lesson and go home. My steps were heavy out of the school and towards my bike, which still stood chained against the three where I left it earlier this morning.
All the way home my heart felt heavy and I just wanted to just break down and cry. I hate conflicts, I just can't argue; it breaks my heart all the time. Maybe it's because I've never argued with my parents; I used to try when I was younger but it just ended with my dad going "Why does everything have to turn in to a discussion?" and ever since I've never tried. Even if I had a decent argument to my dad why he didn't let me be out a little longer on the evenings, he just came with that reply and it was the end of it. There was no use in trying because then he just got mad.
I reached the bridge where Zexion and I often sat and just watched the river beneath, enjoying each other's company and chitchatted and I continued on. Zexion wasn't there so I went home. I unlocked the door and walked inside. Nobody was home yet so I walked into my room, grabbed my laptop and booted it up in the living room. The soft hum from the computer lulled me and I soon fell asleep on the couch.
I don't really know for how long I slept but I woke up by my mom's soft voice.
"Hello Dem, are you sleeping?" She laughed slightly as I sat up.
"Yeah, I must've fallen asleep…" I scratched my neck awkwardly as mom tore around in the hallway.
"I want some tea… I'm gonna make some tea… You want some tea Demyx?" a laugh bubbled inside of me.
"Yeah sure, tea sounds nice." She went to the kitchen and I stretched my limbs out, which were pretty sore after I had slept, curled into a ball on the couch before I followed her. As we waited for the water to boil, we sat down, she on a small chair, me on the floor and mom extended her cigarette package towards me, I took one and lit it before she took one of her own and we sat there.
"So, how was your day Demyx?" I flinched but I don't really think she noticed.
"Oh, you know the usual… I practised a little swimming this morning and challenged a guy to a little contest, the principal announced that all seniors and juniors are gonna have some weird theme weeks about global warming. Otherwise we've had English and we got back our test results from last week and I got an A."
"Oh Demyx that's wonderful! I have no idea how you manage since I never see you with a textbook but that's awesome." She smiled towards me.
"Oh… I just focus in class and somehow it all gets stuck." The kettle announced that the water was done and as mom searched for tea I found two cups, milk and honey. Mom finally came with the teabags and I decided to go for raspberry tea and mom chose blackcurrant. The tea slowly coloured the water brown and we waited for the tea to get done we stubbed our cigarettes on a small ashtray mom kept in the kitchen before we poured in the milk and honey and left the kitchen to go sit in the living room.
Something on the computer screen caught my attention; it was a blinking messenger conversation.
Ibroughtsexyback says: Hey Dem, I'm sorry for earlier…
Not dishwasher safe says: Eh, don't mention in.
Ibroughtsexyback says: Sure youre ok?
No, I'm not but I don't have the energy to start arguing, he said sorry, right?
Not dishwasher safe says: Sure I'm fine. Just a little tired, lol
Ibroughtsexyback says: k lol
Not dishwasher safe says: anyway, see you around, having a cup of tea with mom.
Ibroughtsexyback says: and you people call me gay, lol. K, see you around.
Not dishwasher safe appears to be offline.
xXx
Just as we finished our cups of tea, dad came home.
"Hello." Both mom and I nodded our greetings.
"Hi."
"How was work?"
"Like always. Are we going to the supermarket?" Mom nodded.
"Yes. Are you coming with us Demyx?" I shook my head.
"Nah, I'm good. I have a few tings to take care of."
They left the house and I moved in to my room to play some guitar. The notes were like balm to my soul and I quickly forgot time and place. The music was all that mattered. I got lost in beautiful melodies and I slowly began humming.
"You are one of God's mistakes
You crying, tragic waste of skin
I'm well aware of how it aches
And you still won't let me in
Now I'm breaking down your door.
To try and save your swollen face,
Though I don't like you anymore,
You lying, trying waste of space...
Before our innocence was lost,
You were always one of those ,
Blessed with lucky sevens ,
And the voice that made me cry .
My Oh My.
A song to say Goodbye."
I was torn from my song by the front door opening and my parents came back home. With a sigh I put the guitar away and placed myself in front on the laptop again.
An hour or so passed without anything special happening. I wasted it in front of the computer, mom ran around in the kitchen, preparing dinner and dad sat by his computer. When mom called to dinner I had written two song lyrics. We placed the table, I moved the laptop to the floor and we sat down. It was a nice dinner; mom hade made potato gratin, meat, béarnaise sauce and a salad. Dinner was eaten in relative silence, we watched some TV, but nothing good was on.
Dad checked the TV magazine.
"Poseidon is on later." I glanced at my mom.
"Isn't that the movie you told me not to watch?" Okay look; I'm claustrophobic, and watching a movie where people are trapped under water in tight spaces with my vivid imagination seems like a bad idea, and therefore my mom advised me not to watch it. Dad just laughed.
"We have never forbid you to watch any movie." This annoyed me so I just had to make a comeback, and also explain myself.
"No, not forbid but she advised me not to watch it since they're trapped under water in tight spaces and I have claustrophobia." Not even mom supported me in this; she was on dad's side even though I know she told me.
"I haven't said that."
"Yes you did, you advised me not to watch it." Dad snorted.
"Maybe you should quit swimming." Mom raised an eyebrow.
"Why should he do that?"
"It is under water." Something inside of me snapped.
"Thanks for dinner." I rose, took my plate and left the room before I grabbed my bag and headed out. The irony in his voice was just too much to take. I wanted to cry, scream, crash something but I know it would just catch unwanted attention, both from by passers and my parents. It hurt me, it hurts. I was always your baby boy. What happened?
My steps headed towards the small bridge where I sank down and leaned my head towards the railing. A tear fell down my cheek, but I didn't notice it until it had fallen and I dried it before I lit a cigarette. The water under me rippled softly as I took drag after drag. How could this day, that started out so well, end so weirdly? Zexion and Axel fighting, and my dad being his old ass self. Sure, I can take it when he ignores me. It hurts, yes, but it's still easier than downright irony.
"Demyx? What are you doing here?" My head snapped up at the voice behind me and my gaze was met by Zexion's blue eyes. I didn't know what to say. What did I do here?
"I ehh… I needed to just get out a little." I flashed him a smile but I'm not sure if he believed me. "What are you doing here?" He sat down next to me and I flicked away the remainder of my cigarette.
"I just happened to pass by since I was on my way home."
"Where have you been?" A small branchlet in his hair caught my attention and I removed it without thinking too much about it. He shook his head.
"Just out walking… I've been at Fuu's place a little while." I nodded. Fuu, hmm. Oh well, even if that girl didn't like me, she and Zexion were still friends.
We sat there in silence; the only sounds came from the small river and a sporadic bird every now and then. The silence was, to my big surprise, broken by Zexion.
"Did… Did Axel tell you?" His gaze was trained on the rock at the bottom of the shallow river when I glanced over at him.
"No… I asked him but he just yelled at me." I shrugged and Zexion nodded. After a while of stillness Zexion started talking again.
"I kinda just lost it at him. I was so mad I didn't know what to do with myself so I totally snapped. Look; I don't mind that you guys have fun and come up with a bunch of crazy stuff, but I do mind that you take it out on the rest of us, making me have to clean up after you." I lowered my gaze.
"I am sorry Zexion."
"Ah, never mind. At the same time its fun, it's just that this time Axel crossed the line." I nodded. He sure as hell did, but he just didn't listen to us.
"But seriously Dem, sure you're okay?" I waved him off with my hand.
"Never mind, it's just my father." Zexion patted my back.
"I'm sorry."
"Nyah, never mind, it's okay. I have calmed down and when I come home everything's gonna be back to normal and I won't talk to my dad for the rest of the day. Not that it's that much left of the day and not that he will care but still." Zexion gave me a sad look but I just shrugged my shoulders.
"Eh, he never cares anyway. Should we start walking home?" Zexion nodded and rose and I did the same. After I lit another cig we walked the short, small road to our separate homes. We didn't say much, I guess we were both lost in our own thoughts.
xXx
When I got home, no one noticed as I had suspected. My mom greeted me but I just grabbed the laptop and walked in to my room. I signed in on messenger and checked through my online contacts list and noticed that Sora was online.
Not Dishwasher Safe says: Hey Sor
Dear, your name here says: Hi Dem. How are you?
Terrible.
Not dishwasher safe says: Eh, I'm fine. Like always. You?
Dear, your name here says: yeah, I'm fine too.
The conversation kinda died after that. Maybe none of us were feeling that social. I decided to call it an early night and sleep so I went in to the bathroom, grabbed my toothbrush and walked back to my room while brushing my teeth. Bored out of my mind I started at the computer screen as I brushed up, and brushed down, behind and front. Yeah, I've never found it that exciting to brush my teeth. I hummed to myself and slowly rocked from side to side before I ran to the bathroom to spit.
Back in my room I stripped down to my boxers, turned the laptop off, turned off the lights and cuddled in to a ball under my cover. The last thing that left my mind was that Zexion had pretty nice eyes. I like blue.