Characters belong to Square Enix, story belongs to me.
Inspiration from"The other side isn't so green" and "Here at the other side" By Sammy-Dee.
I hope you had a great Christmas and I wish you a happy new year 3
~DSL

The evil behind two faces

Chapter 12

"Meeting Axel" by Roxas Takeda

The first time Axel and I laid eyes on each other was on my first day at the new highschool. Sora, Cloud and I had moved into the house next to Axel's about half a week earlier and I had seen the redhead a few times in our outside his house.

Sora had somehow made a friend in the first hour of our day, being physics. The friend being Demyx, who had to help us out during our first day. Demyx had a very alive personality, a lot like Sora, so they got along right away. I, being more tentative and silent, liked the guy because he reminded me of Sora, but that's about it. He promised he'd introduce us to his friends during the lunch break and told us a little about them. Them being Zexion, Riku and Axel. Zexion was the silent one of their group, someone who became my friend quite quickly later on. Riku was a sports guy that really liked Sora in more than one way and Axel was the strangest one of their group. Demyx mostly told us about Axel and warned us to be careful around him. He wouldn't tell us why, but told us just to be careful.

When lunch break came around, Sora and I followed Demyx on our way to the cafetaria, soon seeing three boys leaning against the lockers, obviously waiting for someone. Demyx ran up to the redhead, who I assumed was Axel, and jumped on his back in a hug. Still walking up to them, I saw the redhead tense up and walked around him to face him. I didn't understand why he would tense that much, sure he could be surprised, but when one knows who's on their back the tension leaves, right? I looked him in the eye and voiced my thoughts on that he was probably Axel. Not reacting to me, but to Demyx, he told him to get off.

After Demyx introduced Sora and me to the others, Sora thought it was appropriate to glomp poor Axel, who had just recovered from Demyx jumping him. This time he didn't tense, it seemed as though his whole body just shut down. This surprised me less, as Sora was a complete stranger to the guy, but I still couldn't understand why he had freaked out like that when Demyx did so.

Axel left for the bathroom and the others didn't seem very surprised at this, like it was something he did more often after being attacked by a stranger. When he didn't come back after a while, I went to look for him, finding him in the bathroom. I noticed the scars, fresh cuts and a lot of bruises on his arms as his sleeves were rolled up. Again I wondered, but still didn't ask. Somehow I thought it wouldn't be appropriate, so decided not to ask. Sure, I was curious, and sure, I'd like to know everything, but asking such a personal question on the first day just wasn't very polite. I wouldn't like it if someone asked me about my scars either. Even more because Sora was the only one who knew. He noticed me looking at his arms and rolled down his sleeves. I decided to wash my hands, as I was there anyway. Rolling up my sleeves, my own scars and cuts were revealed, and I heard Axel gasp. He, as well, didn't ask. If we could keep this up, things would be fine, both not asking, both not telling. Drying off my hands I suggested to get back to the others and we walked back to them.

I noticed my twin being completely oblivious to the stares of the silverhaired boy Riku who was staring him without any shame whatsoever. I glared at him. He'd better be very nice to Sora, or I'd castrate him on the spot. Sora had been in a lot of pain because of our parents' death as well and deserved to be loved by someone who's intentions are pure and not because of some teenage hormones and his looks.

Demyx and Axel guided Sora and me to our art class after lunch, during which we had to draw or paint a portret of our partner. My drawing skills are rather bad, but I gave it my best shot and gave the drawing somewhat the look Axel had in his eyes when Sora jumped him. When I realised what I had drawn, I wanted to make another one, but class was over, so I couldn't. When I showed it to him his jaw dropped a little, but once again, he didn't say anything. When he showed me his, my jaw dropped a little as well. So he had seen the loneliness that hid behind somewhat of a sparkle... this could be interesting.

Once school was over, I walked towards the bus stop, surprised when he said it was too expensive for him and that he walked all the way to school and back. That was quite far, how did he manage every single day? I mean, when it's raining, or snowing... or when there's a cold wind? Right then I decided that I would give him money to get back home, at least for today. Partly because I didn't know where to get out and partly because I wanted him there with me. I gave him a smile as I handed him the money and together we walked to the bus stop.

That day I already expected something to come out of this. We had some sort of interest for each other. I wouldn't call it love, or even friendship. Just interest. Soon, that interest would change into friendship, and later it would transform into something even better.