[chapter v]
Author's note: Hey guys! I'm back with chapter 5! I really want to thank all of my reviewers. You guys make me feel 1000 times better. I love you all! Now, this chapter is kind of fluffy, which is a break from the usual drama I like to create. I'm out of school now, so updates will be fast and furious (well, as fast and furious as someone like me can make them...) But, if you like this chapter, PLEASE review. I love those reviews. You guys are awesome! ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I don't even own a car. What makes you think I own this?
"My name is..."
I awoke with a cold sweat coating my entire body, from the top of my head to the tiny tips of my toes. The darkness of my small bedroom greeted me, and I looked at the small digital clock. 3AM. I shook the covers off of me and stared at my bare feet, tinged pink from the heat flowing in me.
"Vanitas..."
My breath came out in strained gasps, shaking my flimsy frame. Vicious pangs shot right into the center of my heart, and I felt the walls closing in on me.
"Vanitas..."
'What a terrifying name,' I shivered. I looked out of my window and noticed a thick gray blanket of snow covering mostly everything, including the winding city roads. Traffic on the Islands tomorrow was going to be terrible, and I took note to wear my bad sneakers, as I couldn't stand another slush-drenched pair.
I rested my head against the wall next to the frost-nipped window, relishing in the cool sensation that flitted briefly across my forehead.
"Vanitas."
I gingerly raised my fingertips to my chapped lips and tapped them softly.
'Why,' I once again wondered, 'Does he enjoy doing this to people?'
I sighed and closed my eyes, imagining the gentle snowfall of the outside world providing me with a moment of comfort.
"Yes, I mumbled breathlessly, "he does."
I fell to the springy mattress and clutched the blankets, trying to gain a grip on reality. I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep moments later.
...
The final bell sounded, snapping me out of my all-too-familiar daydreams, or rather, nightmares of Vanitas.
My skin tingled with anticipation for the freezing chill outside. It had stopped snowing earlier that morning, and the white-hot winter sun was coldly blazing in the hazy blue sky. The frigid air was a comfort, as I felt suffocated in the small classroom.
I gathered my belongings silently when I felt a small tug on my faded green sweater sleeve.
'Kairi,' a quiet voice inquired, "Are you okay?"
I stared blankly at Olette, who was a mousy looking thing with bright emerald eyes. Her orange shirt startled me, and I blinked a few times to regain composure.
'Okay,' I thought distantly, 'Am I okay, really?'
I forced a small smile, my face hurting from the attempt.
"Yes."
There was an uncomfortable pause, and Olette kept staring expectantly. I smiled a bit stronger.
"I'm fine. Really!" I made a weak giggling noise, and closed my eyes briefly.
A slow, uneasy nod came from her and she toddled off, never looking back. The crowds of loud and unruly teenagers surrounded me, so I quickly made my way to the school exit. The clear double doors beckoned me in all of their fingerprint smudged glory. The graffiti tagged lockers swirled around me, and I kept my eyes on the tile.
My hand lifted to touch the silver handle when I spotted chestnut brown tufts of hair above the massive ocean of students running home.
'What is that?' I squinted my eyes, trying to get a better look.
I grabbed the handle and pulled strongly, the freezing air assaulting my face. I took a few steps and noticed a group of gossiping girls surrounding the brown spikes. They were loudly whispering about how cute this head of hair attached to a body was, and I couldn't help but try to glance at the object of their affections.
I saw a navy blue uniform and those same sky blue eyes, and my heart sped up to an incredible pace. My hands grew sweaty and clammy, and my face lost color.
'It's the boy from the station!'
He was gripping a silver bicycle, smiling kindly at all of the attention he was receiving. He seemed to be asking a girl something, and I saw her face change to a pale scowl. She turned around, acid green eyes blazing through the crowd.
"Her?" I listened closely, "You came to see her?"
The girl, Larxene, looked incredibly disgruntled, so I decided to leave my spot on the outskirts of the mob and finish my trip home.
"Hey! Kairi!" The icy, high pitched voice rang out above the groups of girls. I froze mid-step and slowly teetered around to face the blonde beauty queen. I stared at her with an inquisitive look pasted on my face, wringing my thin hands uneasily.
"Someone's here to see you," she sneered.
My mind went completely blank.
His smile widened when his eyes settled on me, shooting straight through the faces of all those surrounding us like a flaming arrow, making me feel like I was alone in a blank, white room with only the two of us facing off. Each step he took toward me colored the air, making my dull, gray reality burst into a dream-like world filled with neons and pastels. He gracefully steadied in front of me, reaching out a thin, muscular arm, cloaked in a neat sleeve shaded like the midnight sky.
"Hello Kairi! I'm Sora. Nice to meet you!"
The hand awaited mine and slowly my small hand touched his large, rough fingers. I gasped quietly at the new sensation.
"H-hello," I stuttered, "Nice to m-meet you too."
I tried to avoid making eye contact with him, so I focused on his large bike that looked untouched by the wintery mix covering the roads. He stared at me, simply observing, perhaps memorizing each detail of my heart-shaped face. Moments passed, and I grew anxious.
"Well, Sora...I need to get home. N-nice meeting you...?"
He grinned happily, and I thought he looked as beautiful as starlight.
His lightly tanned skin glowed in the afternoon light, and his small nose was flushed pink at the upturned tip. His cheeks radiated warmth, and I felt strangely at ease. My body seemed to relax a bit when he smiled at me, and I felt my face heat up. I prayed that I wasn't blushing unattractively. His cerulean eyes met mine, and I felt as if I had taken a glimpse into something much more important and beautiful than anything I had ever come into contact with before.
"Can I join you?"
He shined so brightly that I was momentarily blinded.
"What?"
I stood, trying to understand the current situation. It was almost too much for me to grasp.
'Why would he want to do that,' I reeled, 'Why is he here on Destiny Islands, with a very strange girl, offering to walk her home?'
He stepped in a bit closer, with an incredible aura of confidence.
"Please?"
He gently touched my hand, holding it within his. I felt so small and helpless, yet unbelievable happy. My face changed to it's regular neutral appearance, and I replied,
"Okay."
We began to walk, stares from the students cocooning us, slush slipping and sloshing beneath our feet.
...
"So, Kairi," he said my name slowly, almost tasting each letter and sound, "How old are you?"
I was too busy keeping my eyes glued to the snow-laden ground to hear his question. I blinked a few times and stopped my steady pace. The squeaking of his bicycle wheels halted to a stop soon after.
"Huh?"
"How old are you?"
I paused, racking my brain, which was not really functioning as well as it could have been at that moment. It was truly a bizarre experience - walking with a beautiful stranger in the worst part of Radiant Garden. He must've felt a bit uncomfortable, as I assumed he had never been in this area before.
"I will be sixteen on the thirtieth."
He looked off into the distance and stayed silent for a few moments. He then grinned happily and yelled,
"Happy birthday!"
I gave him an incredulous stare, and mumbled my thanks. We resumed our walk to my apartment, each step growing more difficult for me. He then stopped suddenly and looked around him. I turned my head and gave him a sideways glance.
"What's wrong?"
"Do you hear running water?"
I nodded slowly.
"That's the river that runs into the Atlantica. It goes to the pier in Traverse Town, where the ferris wheel and gift shops are."
He smiled exuberantly.
"That's awesome! There's no running bodies of water in Twilight Town, aside from all of the pools."
I gave him a tired look, confused at why that was important.
"I think a clean pool is better than a polluted river, Sora."
He grinned even wider, if possible, and laughed sweetly.
"Says you! You know, people always want what they can't have," his starry eyes twinkled, "The grass is always greener, right?"
My cheeks tingled and I felt at ease once more. My heart swelled when I heard his laugh, and I felt the urge to break out into a smile. I was always very self conscious of my face, so I swallowed it down and regained my composure.
"Can we go see it?"
I looked at him and made a grunt of approval. We walked a few more feet in comfortable silence, and I spotted our destination.
"You see that bridge over there," I pointed forward, pinpointing a small metal and concrete structure, "We'll go under it. That's where the river is."
He walked briskly ahead of me with a jovial spring in his step, wheeling his bike along his left side. I leisurely made my way, silently observing the beautiful boy. He parked his bike next to the bridge and turned to me warily.
"Do you think anyone will steal this?"
I grimaced and responded, "Bring it under the bridge."
He nodded, and lifted the toy above his shoulders. I stood in awe of his strength, and quickly adverted my eyes, blushing an unflattering shade of red. I though I saw the corners of his mouth twitch, as if he saw my amorous gaze and felt a bit flattered. I tried to push that thought out of my mind, already embarrassed beyond belief. He stood, bike resting on his back, his smile beckoning me.
"After you, miss."
I nodded, took a deep breath, and began my descent. He slowly stumbled behind me, tripping over various stones that lay on the path to the rocky river.
There was trash everywhere you looked - plastic soda bottles, empty cigarette cartons, condom wrappers, you name it. The litter mixed in with the stones framing both sides of the river, and I heard the cars whizzing above us, shaking the bridge. The concrete walls that held up the bridge were tagged with Tidus and Wakka's messily written names. I sighed, used to such a sight. I kicked a round pebble into the small, rushing river and refused to make eye contact with Sora. I was too ashamed. I heard his soft breathing and imagined the rise and fall of his thin chest in tempo.
"Kairi," he began breathlessly, "This is amazing!"
I felt my heart freeze, and I whirled around to face him.
"What?"
He had a look of awe on his face as he observed his surroundings.
"This is so cool! Look at how fast the water moves!"
I stared at him, running toward the river, bending down and dipping his big fingertips within the murky green water. I was in shock for a few moments. He turned around to face me, and I felt something as refreshing as summer rain sweep over my body. His smile made me feel so open and content. It made me feel worthwhile and new. I was the person he was smiling to - nobody else. I felt a small smile tug at the corners of my mouth.
"Hey, Sora..."
He stared.
"Have you ever skipped rocks before?"
He gave me a curious glance, and frowned a bit.
"No."
I leaned over and picked up a smooth, flat rock and handed it to him. I led him to the edge of the river and said, "Here, it's easy. Let me show you."
The water rushed ahead of us, like an orchestra tuning itself before a grand performance. A few minutes and trials passed, Sora never giving up. I kept handing him rocks to throw, each plopping unsuccessfully in the water. His hair seemed to droop every time he failed, and a small frown dressed his face. I could tell he was incredibly annoyed. He looked so hopeless, and I couldn't help but start to smile.
I started giggling at his frustration and then I began to laugh.
And I laughed, and I laughed. A look of surprise was etched upon his face and he stood their quietly, watching me. I took a rock and skipped it gracefully, smiling at him.
"Don't give up," I grinned, "You can do it."
His eyes were big and focused when I handed him the last flat rock I could find. I gazed into those shining eyes, letting my handles softly pass over his.
"You can do it."
He nodded seriously, and skipped the rock, the echos of each pass against the green water ringing clearly against the freezing winter air.
He turned and smiled, and I smiled in return.
I was the happiest in that brief moment, that brief skip of time, than I had ever been in my entire life.
And then, of course, the river began rushing even louder, and the sky began to darken.
"What time is it," I inquired unsteadily.
"4:30."
'There was something important today, wasn't there...' I thought. 'What was it...'
He sighed loudly and stretched his long arms upward.
"I should probably start going back home. I don't want to be stuck here when it gets too dark."
I smirked and nodded in agreement.
"That's a good idea, Sora."
No words were spoken for a few moments as we listened to the sound of the city and river. I heard a car alarm go off in the distance, and the rays of the setting sun glared in my eyes.
I began walking and muttered, "Let's go."
He lifted his pristine metal bike above his head and smiled softly in reply.
...
The walk to my apartment took a bit longer than expected, and we arrived a few blocks away around 5:15. It was a quiet and calm walk, with neither of us saying a word. The world around us provided all the noise we needed, as if we were listening to some bizarre soundtrack of Destiny Islands. Children ran by us, screaming about a snow day tomorrow, while others wandered the streets aimlessly, looking for warmth or shelter. We passed by Cid, who was sitting on a stoop in front of the liquor store with a cardboard sign and a bucket full of spare change.
I told him to leave me at the corner store, as my block was a bit more dangerous than most.
"I don't want you getting mugged or anything."
He grinned a bit softly now, I noticed. I distantly wondered if he was okay.
"Nice meeting you, Sora," I smiled softly, and began to turn around. He reached out and tapped my shoulder.
"Kairi," he began hopelessly, and my eyes grew cloudy.
"Kairi, you should smile more."
I blinked a few times and looked startled. Before I could say anything in response he nodded and tapped my head.
"You look really pretty when you smile."
I felt my face grow hot and my mouth go dry. My hands began to shake and I felt my vision fog up.
"Sora..."
He quickly turned around and hopped on his bike, only to stop a few feet ahead and say one more thing.
"Don't give up, Kairi."
I stared at him, glowing in the streetlights like an angel.
"You can do it."
And then he sped off, the sloshing of his wheels against the slushy road still audible miles away.
I held my hand to my face, unsure of what had just occurred.
'Did that really just happen?'
I don't remember how long I stood there in a daze, confused and in wonder. I thought that perhaps I died or I was dreaming, or something otherworldly had happened. Was I visited by an angel? Was Sora a real person?
I slowly walked down the sidewalks to my apartment, still in a lovely daze.
It was then that I saw a sleek, black car parked in front of the stoop, and that same tall, black, menacing figure leaning against the dirty brick wall.
I saw two golden gleaming eyes shining dangerously at me, and pale lips forming the slow, sickeningly sweet words,
"You're late."