A/N: I've decided to continue this story. :) This chapter is pretty long, so I hope you all enjoy it! This is the chapter where you all meet Axel, so tell me what you think! Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!

Friday / Viernes – Christmas Eve / Navidad Vispera

I can't believe that I've already been here for almost a week. And we don't leave for yet another week. We leave on New Year's Day. That'll be pleasant. Spend the first day of the New Year getting jet-lag and stomach cramps. Lovely.

But it's Christmas Eve. Which is cool. It'll give me a nice break. There's supposed to be a big dinner/entertainment thing going on tonight. I hope it's not as bad as the entertainment that they've had for the past week. I am not going to sit through any of those shows again. No way. No how. They'll have to drag me kicking and screaming.

Suddenly my stomach growls at me. I glance down at myself from where I sit in the lobby of the hotel. My lips dive into a slight frown. Hadn't I just eaten a few hours ago? What time was it?

I push myself off of the multi-coloured cushions of the couch I was lounging on. And when I say multi-coloured, I mean multi-coloured. If the couch was in the sky, it could pass for a rainbow; I'm sure of it.

Leisurely, I head over to the front desk of the hotel. Just above the desk were three clocks; showing times for Madrid, Mexico and New York. Personally I thought it was kind of pointless, but I guess it could be useful too. The hands of the Mexico clock show me that it's already a quarter after one in the morning.

My lips pucker and release a whistle of appreciation. I managed to spend a good four hours lounging on that couch; doing nothing. I'd finished all my books days ago, so I was getting a little bored. Okay, a lot bored.

I would have been hanging out with everyone else, but Pence said he was going to venture inland to check out the locals. He decided to go even again our protests; but I'm sure he'll be fine. He's almost fluent in Spanish.

And there was no way I was going to hang with Hayner and Olette. Would you like to know why? It's because this morning, Olette said she was feeling "under the weather", and Hayner promised he'd keep her company. Even a blind man could see between those lines.

So I'm left by myself for the day.

I stretch out my back slightly and gaze upon the lobby. Even now, it still surprised me at the vivid enthusiasm the building itself seemed to convey.

The lobby was completely open to the outside. Stairs met the gravel of the road near the front. Inside, the shade gave relief from the harsh sunlight streaming down from the clear blue sky. The roof must have ended up at the fifth story; the ceiling was that far away from the ground. There were also large fans with lights on a lower ceiling above the bar area. It made the lobby seem that much larger.

Great majestic tiles covered the ground, and its surface must get cleaned about seven times a day. The walls had a certain popcorn look to them; colour, texture and everything. There was also a wooded area that contained the lobby bar, and right next to it were the wood chairs, tables and couches. The area I had been dozing.

There were four exists from the lobby. Two of them lead to the rooms; odd rooms on the right side of the hotel and even rooms on the left side of the hotel. One was the entrance, and the last lead to the "backyard" of the hotel.

That's the path I take, my hands unconsciously shoved deep into the pockets of my swim trunks. I also had a white shirt on and some sandals, but it wasn't a big deal. That's the normal fashion idea around here. Or just wandering around in your swimsuit. It's really hot around here.

Outside, a fake Christmas tree was placed at the bottom of the white stairs. Currently it wasn't lit up, but as soon as the sun set, this baby lit up pretty like a firecracker. To my right, there's a restaurant. I pause for a moment at the entrance, but I continue walking along. There's another place to eat around here. And the cool thing is that I don't have to pay for each individual meal. It comes included with the stay. Around my wrist there's a yellow wrist band; that let me have as much to eat as I wanted. The yellow colour was because I'm a legal age and can get drinks. White wrist bands are for anyone under the age of eighteen.

As I stroll along, I walk past the many flowers that are scattered around the place like the Greek goddess Demeter threw a fit. There are also plenty of palm trees that must be at least two or three stories tall. Many kids are playing in the huge pool that seemed to wrap around in a circle, while still keeping its boxlike shape. If that makes any sense at all.

I walk by plenty of chairs where hotel residents lounge; soaking up sun, reading, or watching their children. I don't envy them in the slightest. A delighted squeal makes me turn my head towards the beach on my opposite side. As I watch, a teenage girl gets swept up by the waves. My steps come to a halt as I watch a teenage boy swim out to her to see if she's okay. The two of them laugh together, and then the girl wraps her arms around the boy and kisses him soundly on the lips even as another wave comes for them.

My eyes squeeze shut and my lips tighten in a grimace as my head turns away. I pick up my feet, dragging them along with my heavy heart. It's not that I'm depressed or anything. No, I'm not. It's just, being a twenty-two year old virgin guy makes you kind of lonely. Especially when you're a gay twenty-two year old virgin.

Finally, my reluctant feet lead my over to another restaurant. This one was in the form of a hut; with the pointed bamboo roof and everything. The style of the chairs and tables are the same as in the other restaurant (wood and colourful tablecloths) but this one gave a nice relaxing ocean breeze. Seeing as though there were no walls and the roof was held up by pillars.

I easily make my way inside and head over to the buffet area. Here I could just take whatever food I wanted and come back as many times as I wanted. It was nice not to have to think about what I was going to eat.

Without taking much effort I grab a plate and then begin to fill it. I don't pay attention to what I put on it, until I run out of room. Curiously, I look to see what I had assembled this time.

Beef strips stroganoff, potatoes, beans, and even some French fries. I smile slightly; that sounded like a good start. If I could get it down that is. Unfortunately, my eyes are a whole lot bigger than my stomach. But I think I can make it back for some dessert.

After getting a drink, I begin to walk over to an empty table; both my hands full. I suppose I should have seen before hand what would happen next. What with both my hands completely full, and my natural klutziness; there's no way it could have been avoided.

But it happens. I trip. Okay; that's kind of a lie. I pretty much walked straight into the side of another table. This resulted in me tripping and spilling my food and drink all over myself and the floor.

"Shit!" A voice yelps out as I let out a surprised cry as I crash to the floor.

Hands grab at the back of my shirt even as I'm still trying to recover from the shock. As I'm raised back to my feet, I start muttering. "Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! So sorry! I am…"

My words trail off as I see face of the guy whose table I rammed into; and I can't believe that I didn't notice him. His hair was a bright red and reached for the sky in crazy long spikes. He had delicate, but strong cheekbones and a firm nose; with full lips poised in a slight frown. But the most amazing thing was his eyes; they were a bright vivid green that seemed to sparkle and dance in the sunlight. And underneath his eyes, he had two scar-shaped tattoos; one under each eyes.

Ho-ly craaaaaaap.

"Sorry." I finish lamely, casting my eyes downwards for a moment as I collect myself. My gaze travels to my spilt food and my stomach growls at me; mourning the loss.

I glance around the restaurant to see that everyone had stopped eating to watch what happened. My face turns a violent shade of red and my legs begin to wobble underneath me. I slightly sink into an empty chair at the table.

"Hey Blondie? Are you okay?" The man sits down across from me, his eyes narrowed at me in worry, and his lips still in that slight frown.

"Yeah." I utter after a moment's pause. Then I rub the side of my leg. "But I'm going to have one hell of a bruise tomorrow."

The man's face breaks into a huge grin, his white teeth almost as blinding as the sun. The guy could have been a model for…well for anything.

"Well as long as you're okay kid." He leans back in his chair languidly, his eyes noticeably looking me over.

"I'm not a kid." I snap at him, a little unnerved from his blatant observation. To prove it to him, I hold up my yellow wrist band.

In return he holds his own arm up; revealing his yellow wrist band. Then he lets out another one of those blinding smiles. "I'm twenty four. You?"

"Twenty-two." Why was I talking with this guy? Shouldn't I just leave? I was only embarrassing myself further. But I couldn't tear myself away. Not only did I not want to be rude to a guy I just practically collided with, but his eyes were just way too enticing to look at.

"So," He starts and pauses to take a sip of a red drink. "Why don't you go get another plate and come back here so we can talk?"

"Why would I do that?" The words are out of mouth before I can actually think them through; and I see him raise an eyebrow.

"Because you're a nice kid and you want to be polite to the guy you nearly ran over?" His sly grin unnerves me slightly, but I can't exactly refuse. So I rise and quickly go get some more food.

This time when I walk back, I take slow, careful steps. I notice that the mess on the carpet had been cleaned up, and I feel a twinge of guilt surge through my heart; the workers here were far too overworked and I'd only made them do more.

Carefully I ease into the seat, using the ready napkin to wipe some of the food off of my shirt. Then I stuff a mouthful of the puntas stroganoff into my mouth; giving myself a reason not to speak.

"Do you always make such a dramatic entrance to catch someone's attention?" The redhead grins at me and I frown as I swallow my food.

"I was going to another table." The muttered excuse seems pathetic, even to me. "I didn't mean to run into you at all."

He snickers under his breath. "Sure you were kid. That's why you sat down at my table so quickly isn't it?"

I flinch backwards and drop my utensils down on my plate, making a clattering sound. "What's your problem?" I hiss at him. "Why are you being so rude? You don't even know me!"

For the first time, a flicker of confusion crosses his face and I can't help but stare at the alien look in his face. Then I scold myself, I didn't know this guy! I didn't know what looked alien on his face and what did!

"Rude? What do you mean?" His voice is somewhat softer, and even his features seem somewhat slackened and his eyes were inquisitive.

Is this guy serious? I should just get up and walk away. Just stand up, and walk away. Stand up. Get off the chair. Away.

I continue staring at him. "You're being a bit rude to me." I pause and I know he can see my eyes flickering over his face. "Don't you realize it?"

His face darkens a bit and his shoulder hunch over as he shoves a bit of food into his mouth. I patiently wait for him to finish and speak, but he pops another bite in once he finishes with the first one.

"Ugh" I let out a grunt of annoyance and roughly shove my chair backwards so I can stand up. If he wasn't going to try and have an intelligent conversation, why should I?

I push the chair in and begin to storm off. When I hear a voice call out, I hear but I don't turn around. Though the words soon begin float around in my head like a broken record player.

"I'm Axel by the way! Get it memorized!"

٭٭٭

8:50pm

"Come on Roxas! I'm hungry! Can we go?"

I pause a moment from doing up my tie to roll my eyes at my best friend. "Hayner you're always hungry."

He grumbles. "It's not my fault."

I raise an eyebrow at him through the mirror in my bedroom. When we checked into the hotel we took two rooms. Hayner, Pence and Olette all took one room and I got the last one. Their reasoning for it is that Hayner and Olette want to sleep together (double meaning anyone?) and I was too light of a sleeper for Pence to sleep in the same room as me because he woke up super early.

But the real reason? No one wants to share a bed with the gay guy.

"Did Olette and Pence already go downstairs?" I ask him from where he lies on one of the two beds in the middle of the room.

"Yeah, they went to go save seats for us; because you're such a slow-poke." He mutters softly. "Taking a nap before we're supposed to have dinner. Unbelievable."

"It's not my fault!" I snap at him, still a little cranky from being rudely woken up by the sound of a horn blowing in my ear. "I was just resting my eyes."

"Sure you were." Hayner mumbles.

"Sure you were kid."

My fingers fumble and what small progress I had made in doing up the tie instantly becomes undone. I grunt in frustration and glare at myself in the mirror.

"How about you forget the tie?" Hayner pipes up. "And we go downstairs to eat?"

I sigh in agreement and toss the tie into a drawer. It was supposed to be a sort of fancy night, but I guess my jeans and plaid shirt will have to suffice.

"Finally!" Hayner cries out and jumps up from the bed, quickly ushering me out of the room. "Let's go!"

The second we're outside I pat down my pockets and sigh in relief when I feel the rough outline of my card key in my back pocket.

"You're lucky I didn't leave my key in there." I glare at him, but he's already pushed the elevator button and was practically jumping up and down in his excitement.

I just roll my eyes and let a small smile creep onto my face as we walk inside the elevator. There's another man inside, but he smiles politely at us and shuffles to the side to make room for us. As I step inside, I momentarily catch sight of the man's green eyes.

But the most amazing thing was his eyes; they were a bright vivid green that seemed to sparkle and dance in the sunlight.

Goosebumps pop up on my bare skin and I shiver in the warm enclosed space; suddenly feeling like I just wanted to skip dinner altogether. Why the hell couldn't I get him out of my head?

"Hey Rox, are you okay?" Hayner peers into my face. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine." I brush him off as the elevator comes to a stop and we begin to walk towards the lobby. We follow the crowds of people towards where the employees have set up the dinner for tonight.

Hayner catches up to me and grabs my elbow, roughly bringing me to a stop. "Seriously, Roxas, are you okay? I'm your best friend man, talk to me."

I take in a deep breath, glancing to the side at the bright Christmas tree, the sight completely dazzling. My eyes go back to Hayner's concerned face. Letting out a short sigh, I answer, "I just had an encounter with someone earlier today and I can't get him out of my head."

"Him?" Hayner raises an eyebrow as we continue walking. "You met someone?"

I glance at him out of the corner of my eye, noticing that he's expecting some sort of answer. "Not really…I just ran into him during lunch…. literally."

Hayner looks at me skeptically, and I know that I'm going to have to spill the entire story once we meet up with the others. I take a deep breath, forcing my mind not to go back to the redhead.

"Hayner! Roxas! Over here!" I glance up and see Olette and Pence waiting for us. Pence is dressed up in a nice black suit that matches the one that Hayner had on, and Olette has on a nice beige dress that goes down to her thighs. Man…I feel undressed. Should have stayed to put on that tie.

I put on a smile and head over to them, getting a ticket from a waiter in the process that had our table and seat numbers on them. Olette takes Hayner's hand and starts to lead us to the table, Pence and I following behind.

There were dozens of tables set up all over the lawn, along with a stage that was set up with a band playing some soft Mexican music from their culture. Along the border of the lawn were tables and tables set up with the food for tonight; buffet style.

Olette has everyone sit down at our table first; though I have a feeling Hayner may have influenced her a bit. My theory is proven correct a moment after the four of us sit down when Olette blurts out, "So who is he?"

"Who is who?" Oblivious Pence remarks, his confusion painfully obvious on his face.

"The guy Roxas met today." Hayner speaks up. "Come on Roxas, tell us the story!"

I roll my eyes, my stomach growling at me as I glance towards the food. Man, I completely forgot that I barely ate any lunch I'd run away from that guy so fast.

"Roxas?" Olette probes. I look into her eyes, knowing that none of them are going to relent until they get some kind of detail.

"Okay." I groan as they all grin and lean in closer before I speak. "I went to go get lunch today, and you know me, the klutz I am, I tripped and spilled my food all over some guy's table."

I pause, my mind going back to those green eyes of his. Why hadn't I stayed and talked longer? I could feel the twinge of regret settling in my stomach; I might never see him again.

"Go on." Pence urges, intrigued, as all of them were. I smile slightly and continue. "He asked if I was okay, and he kept calling me kid for some reason. I don't look that young, do I?"

I look around at them. Olette waves her hand, waving my question aside and urging me to continue. I roll my eyes. "I got a new plate of food and sat down next to him, because he asked me to. But he was really rude, so I left. End of story. I'm going to get food."

I push my chair out and leave before any of them can stop me. My stomach growls at me, pushing me forward. I grab a plate and wait in line, placing random food on my plate, not really caring what it was, just wanting to get food to eat.

"Hey there Blondie."

My body freezes up at the familiar voice, that twinge of regret I had felt moments earlier vanishing completly. "I'm Axel by the way! Get it memorized!"

I turn around to see the red spikes and brilliant green eyes of the man I met just a few hours earlier. "Axel?"

He grins a grin full of teeth. "You actually do remember me…. I'm so...flattered."

I frown slightly, turning around and ignoring him, continuing to put food on my plate. "You hungry?" Axel speaks up from behind me. "You didn't eat much during lunch." I ignore him and walk back to my table, noticing that only Pence is there. I look back to see Olette and Hayner in line to get food…and I also see Axel following me.

I narrow my eyes at him and walk a little faster to my table, sitting down across from Pence. He grins up at me as I put my plate down on the table. "Hungry Roxas?"

"Roxas." Axel grins and sits down in the empty seat next to me. I look over at him in disbelief as he takes out his ticket and places it on the table; the seat number the one next to mine. "Thanks for the name kid." He grins at Pence.

Pence cocks his head slightly. "And you are…?"

Axel reaches his hand out toward Pence. "Axel. Got it memorized? I met Roxie here earlier today."

Pence shakes his hand, throwing me a look, but I'm not paying attention. I just can't help but notice how nicely Axel was dressed. He had a black tuxedo on, which greatly heightened his white face and red hair. And his green eyes seemed to practically glow with his smile.

"So, Axel, what're you doing here?" Pence asks, leaning forward in his seat. I shoot him daggers, but he ignores them. I resist the urge to growl and instead I stuff my mouth with the food that I'd gotten.

"I'm down here doing some research for this manga I'm in the middle of writing." Axel grins brightly. Man, his smile was absolutely stunning.

"You're a manga artist?" Pence leans back in his chair, impressed. "How's that profession?"

Axel shrugs. "Well, I'm not going to get rich off it, but you know, who cares? It's what I love to do. I'm just absolutely astounded my editor managed to save up enough money to send me down here for an entire week. This is my first day here, and I've just been chillin' around for the day before I get down to my research."

"Roxas, you have to admit that's cool!" Pence looks at me, trying to bait me into conversation. But I'm smarter than your average lab rat, and I simply nod and continue eating, avoiding that trap layered with cheese.

"What's cool?" Hayner questions as he walks back to the table with Olette and a plate full of food.

They both sit down and Pence stands up, clearly about to go get food. He must have been watching everyone's drinks. "This is Axel," He points to the redhead. "He's the guy Roxas met earlier today, and he's a manga artist."

Pence walks away, and I glare at his retreating figure as Olette pounces on Axel. "So you met Roxas earlier today then?"

Axel nods, as he swallows a mouthful of food he'd been chewing. "That's right. He nearly ran over me in the process, but hey, I don't mind." He turns his head slightly to catch my eye. "He's cute."

Olette sends me a meaningful look, and I simply concentrate on breathing normally. He thought I was cute? But is he even gay? I glance at him again. He's certainly dressed well enough to be gay…but I don't know…

"So what kind of manga do you write?" Hayner questions him, honest curiosity plain on his face.

Axel's face turns a slight pink, and he runs his hand through the spikes on his head. "Ahh…you'll think it's weird."

"No we won't." Olette smiles brightly at him, clearing taking a liking to the redhead. "We're all friends here."

"Friends huh..." I hear him mutter under his breath, though I don't think anyone else caught it. It perked my interest a little bit. Just a little though. Not enough to ask about it…

"Ah, fine." Axel takes a swig of the red wine in front of him. "I write yaoi and yuri manga."

Gay. That clinched it. This guy was totally gay. That's when I start freaking out. Here was an honest to god gay guy, who was not only completely stunning but who actually thought I was cute! Ho-ly craaaaaaap!

"Would you all excuse me?" I stand up and push my chair in, thankful that I'd eaten the majority of my meal by then. "I'm exhausted, and I think it would be best for me to go to sleep now."

This is when Pence arrives back at the table. "Aw, Roxas, why do you have to go? It's Christmas Eve for pete's sake!"

"All the more reason for me to go to sleep." I smile at my friends. "It's okay, you guys have fun. I don't drink anyway, you'll have more fun without me."

I turn around to walk away, realizing that I'm leaving Axel in the company of my scheming friends, but taking deep breaths the entire way back to my room and ignoring the idea. I fall asleep as soon as I collapse on my bed, still in my clothes; the last thing running through my head an image of those bright green eyes of his. Axel.