Chapter 4

I couldn't concentrate on anything. Physics sounded like gibberish, calculus hardly registered in my mind, everything was going through one ear and out the other. By the time lunch came, I still wasn't any better. I picked at the corn at the corner of my lunch tray, moving it around with my fork.

"Roxas," Sora sat down in front of me but I didn't pay him any attention. They movement of food on Styrofoam was far more interesting. "Roxas!" as he got louder, I had no choice but to look up. "You need to eat."

I rolled my eyes at my brother and pushed the tray away. "I'm not hungry."

Sora shoved the tray back in front me. "You should eat anyway," he pressed.

"I don't want to."

Riku was watching the passive aggressive exchange, no doubt confused. "If he doesn't want to eat then you shouldn't make him."

"Thank you, Riku," I looked at the silver head for a split second before returning my glare back to Sora.

But Sora wasn't letting up. "You have to eat, Rox," He moved to sit next to me and leaned in close to my ear. "You're not just eating for yourself anymore and you know it."

I stabbed one of the chicken pieces and stuffed it into my mouth. "Happy?" I growled through the mouthful.

Sora gave me a wide smile, as if we hadn't just been arguing thirty seconds ago. "Very."

Riku looked between us, chewing slowly on his sandwhich. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Sora and I responding simultaneously.

Riku pointed at both of us. "See, that? That's creepy."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I shoveled more food into my mouth. I was hungrier than I thought. "We can't help it," I tried to say through the food.

Sora shrugged. "It's a twin thing."

I loved this. Joking around with my brother and his boyfriend. It felt almost like nothing had changed. Even though I knew everything had changed, I felt like, at this moment, I could pretend this parasite didn't exist. Thinking of it as a parasite makes me feel a little guilty though. It's not like it's its fault.

I felt a hand rub up and down my back. Looking over, I saw Sora giving me a sad look. "You're crying," he whispered to me. I reached a hand up, feeling wetness on my cheeks. When did I start crying? Now that I knew, though, it seemed I couldn't stop it.

"I'll be right back," getting up from the table quickly, I rushed out of the cafeteria and to the nearest bathroom. Leaning against the door, I let out a heavy sigh and allowed the tears to flow.

"You're more emotional than I remember."

I looked up into acid green eyes and, before I could do anything about it, I started to sob even more.

"Why are you everywhere I go today?" I croaked at Axel. "You are the last person I want to see right now."

He looked hurt. "And why is that?" I noticed he was holding a lit cigarette. I stared at it was if I could absorb the nicotine just from one look.

"You shouldn't be smoking in here," was all I could say, wiping at my nose.

Axel chuckled in real amusement. "You're going to lecture me on something you used to do yourself?" he walked closer to me, taking another of his smoke. He reached a hand up to brush a piece of hair out of my eyes, exhaling away from me.

"Why are you doing this, Axel?" I whispered.

His expression didn't change. "Doing what?" it seemed as if his eyes were glued to mine; he wouldn't look away.

"Why are you being so nice to me? Is it because you got me pregnant?" I laughed out the second question. "I have done nothing but ignore you since we started high school. You have no reason to be so kind."

He sent me a sad smile. "We've been best friends for years, Roxy."

I forced myself to look away. "Don't call me that."

Axel ignored my statement and kept talking. "I have loved for years, as well. You know that," a thick blush spread across my cheeks, covering up the tear marks. "And I don't regret a single part of that night. Not even this," he gestured to my stomach.

I wanted to say something but the words were caught in my throat. My skin was warm and I hated it. I wanted him to hold me, like he used to, and calm me down.

As if he could read my mind, Axel wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. I couldn't help but break down, gripping onto his shirt as I sobbed into it. "I'm scared, Axe."

I felt him rub a hand up and down my spine, the other massaging against my skull. His cheek pressed against the side of my head.

"I don't want to do this," my words were barely recognizable through the tears.

I felt Axel sigh into my hair. "I'm not leaving you alone in this, Rox. No matter how much you want me gone," his tone was soft and sweet.

I missed this. Axel used to always do this. No matter what, he knew how to make me feel better.

I pulled away a little, still clinging to his shirt, and looked up at him with watery eyes. "Will you come with me to tell my parents?"

Axel gave me a small smile and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Absolutely."

I was about to thank him, but the announcement bell rang. Due to the severe weather, we are ending the day early. Please do not attempt to walk home. If you cannot find a ride, there will be extra buses on standby.

I let go of Axel. "I should get my stuff," I turned to the door, wiping under my eyes. "Do you want to come over for dinner?" I asked, innocently.

"Sure," he responded, picking up his dropped cigarette and tossing it in the trash can by the sink.

Walking back into the cafeteria, I noticed through large windows just how dark it had gotten.

"Sora," I called to my brother, jogging to where he was standing and holding my stuff. "I thought it wasn't supposed to rain until next week?"

He didn't respond. His gaze was far too focused on the person standing behind me.

I rolled my eyes. "He's coming over for dinner," I put on a fake smile.

"Does he-"

"Yes!" I interrupted him, knowing what he was going to say. "And you're not going to say anything, right, Sora?" My tone was kind, but I knew he could that my intentions were not. I heard Axel chuckle behind me.

My brother pretended to zip up his mouth and throw away the key.

"What's going on? You guys never keep secrets," Riku spoke up. I had completely forgotten he was there.

I opened my mouth to speak, but Sora beat me to it. "Roxas and Axel are dating!"

Axel and I spoke at the same time. "What?!"

Perfect. Just perfect.