Follow Me Home
Chapter Twenty-One
o.o.o
Roxas met up with Axel downtown in a mellow, low key bar. There were only a few people around, which made it better for him. He spotted Axel sitting near the bartender and watching the game on the television. Roxas made his way over there. Everyone could clearly see the stress in his face. Roxas rested his head on his forehead.
"So what happened, dude? You didn't sound too good on the phone... and now that I see you..." Axel turned to the bartender and ordered a pitcher of beer. "Drink up. Seems like you need it."
"I don't know why I'm even with Kairi anymore."
"Oh... girl problems." Axel didn't usually listen to these kinds of issues, but since Roxas was one of his best friends, he was all ears.
"What was the point of it all? Why did I ever fall in love with her in the first place?"
Roxas was really just thinking aloud with no real order in his statements and questions. Axel poured him some beer and he immediately chugged it.
"I mean, I've done so much for Kairi's sake... but..."
"Yeah, why do you stick around her? I never really understood it."
"Nobody does. Not even me."
"Well, the thing is, sometimes life just sucks." Axel took a sip of his beer. "But you either roll with it or just keep running in the same place and staying miserable."
Roxas knew that Axel was right, but it wasn't exactly easy for him to give up the only girl that had ever made him feel like he had a purpose. Now that Sora was back, all of his efforts were cast away and it was like he had nothing left to show for. All of his time and energy had been invested in Kairi over the past two years, as well as a long-time crush throughout his life. Change was not going to be pleasant, but right now he felt like he had no other choice. Even if Sora was a little different now, deep down Roxas could tell that the old, cheerful Sora was somewhere in there. Kairi had the power to bring out the best (and worst) in anybody that cared about her. Eventually, they would be back together and Roxas would once again be left in the dust.
But then he wondered why he even spent so much time on Kairi. Roxas never felt the same connection with any other girl. He knew that he had gone overboard so many times throughout his life with her, to the point of destruction where it affected everyone. Roxas felt completely responsible for ruining Kairi's life. He was the sole reason that everything happened because he was too weak to say no to his best friend's long-time girlfriend that he knew was deeply in love with her. Most of the time, Roxas was very conscious of his actions. He had plans, goals and tried his best to carry them out.
But they were all for nothing.
He heard Axel and a few others in the bar cheering, interrupting his thoughts. Roxas really just wanted some peace and quiet, but he knew that no matter where he went, he wouldn't be able to relax.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. Kairi's name appeared on the caller ID.
'I can either answer it... or don't answer and let her go with him once again...'
Ultimately, whatever decision Roxas made, he didn't believe that it would make a difference.
"What do you want to do with your life?" Axel asked randomly.
"Huh?"
"I mean... outside of this girl. You must have had something that you wanted to do in life... like a career or school or something?"
"Umm... well..."
"Why don't you take some time to get yourself together?" Axel suggested. "Get to know yourself again. Do something spontaneous. Do something you've always wanted to do that does not involve Kairi. Honestly, hearing about her is kind of annoying." Axel laughed.
"Whatever."
"Just try it."
o.o.o
Sora handed Kairi's phone back to her and walked a few steps forward in thought. Was Roxas really leaving her there with him?
Kairi was a little relieved that Roxas didn't answer, even though it did worry her a bit. She knew this must have been extremely difficult for him to do.
"I'll give you some money for the bus." Sora opened his wallet.
"N-No..." Kairi pleaded with him; she really didn't want to separate from him.
"I can't stay with you. It's impossible. Argh... I have no idea what Roxas is doing."
"...Why not...?" Kairi felt like she knew the answer, but she didn't want to accept it.
As irritated as Sora was around her, he knew that he couldn't leave her there by herself and would not feel comfortable until she was home and safe.
"Where do you live?" He asked.
Kairi didn't answer; she knew that Sora was just trying to get rid of her and that really hurt. She covered her mouth with her hand and tried really hard not to cry again. This was just too much for her. She knew that what she did was wrong and really wanted to make up for it, but Sora's anger and reluctance was really unnerving and she had no idea how to get through to him. Kairi knew that it would take a long time for him to forgive her... but she was willing to try...
Without Sora's consent, Kairi embraced him. His smell was the same; he was warm. She could stay like this forever if he allowed it to happen; she at least wanted to do this once. She rested her head on his shoulder and sniffled. Sora didn't do anything to reciprocate her actions, but that was okay. Kairi's tears finally made their way out and she was sobbing on him.
"I'm... so happy... that you're here... you have no idea... how much I regret... everything that I have done..."
Sora just listened; he had nothing to say. He had to admit that being close to Kairi like this was very nostalgic, but at the same time it made his stomach toss and turn and he didn't quite know what to do about it. Kairi's grip got tighter on him.
"Being a hostess must have been easy for you."
Kairi gasped and looked up at him with grief stricken eyes.
"It wasn't... I... hated it..."
Sora knew that he sounded bitter. He cringed at the thought of Kairi being all over random men at the club, drinking and laughing with them and possibly giving them extra favors. The Kairi that he used to know would never do such a thing, but so much has changed that Sora didn't know how to act anymore. Sora stepped away from her. He could see a police man approaching them, meaning that they needed to get off of the mall's property.
Kairi and Sora walked through the parking lot and towards the bus stop. Kairi wasn't sure if he would just make her get on the bus and stay there or come with her; she was really hoping for the second choice. She didn't have much time to think about it. The bus was making its last rounds to the mall and if they didn't catch this one they would have to walk a few miles to the next bus stop. It parked in front of them. Kairi reached for Sora's hand, but he pulled away and told her to hurry up and get on. She slowly walked up to the steps, but kept her eyes on Sora.
'Please come... with me...'
Kairi took the first step onto the bus... then the next and the next. She stood in front of the bus driver and looked back at Sora, who was just standing there and staring at the ground.
"Is he coming or not?" The bus driver asked.
"Umm... y-yes! Sora..."
He didn't move.
"I've gotta close the doors. On a tight schedule, ya know." She told Kairi as she reached for the handle.
"N-No! Wait... I'll get off then..." As soon as Kairi placed her foot on the step, Sora walked up to the bus and made her move back so he could get on. A little confused, Kairi went towards the middle and sat down next to a window. Sora sat across the isle from her and just stared out the other one.
A little desperate, Kairi quickly moved over to his side and sat next to him, trapping him between her and the window. This really got on Sora's nerves.
"What are you doing?" Sora's eyes suspiciously shifted over to her. She didn't touch him or anything; she just wanted to be near him. Kairi shrugged and looked forward.
"You're really bothering me." Sora admitted to her. His words were hurtful and crushing and Kairi didn't feel like she deserved this from him... not anymore... at least...
She had been through enough...
What was it going to take for Sora to realize that she truly was sorry?
o.o.o
Namine and Riku stood in their dark kitchen in silence. It was nearing midnight and they were starting to worry about Sora.
"Kairi looked... pale... and skinnier." Namine said quietly.
"I don't really care about her."
"I wonder if her reaction was because of that guy on TV..."
Riku sighed and started to walk out of the kitchen, but Namine stopped him.
"Part of me... kind of wants to see her... and I'm not sure why..."
"It's best if you didn't get involved with her at all."Riku went to the bedroom and closed the door.
Even though their 'friendship' ended on a bad note, Namine always wondered what had happened to Kairi after that hospital visit when she refused to come to Sora's memorial service. She constantly worried about her—they did used to be best friends.
She heard the door downstairs creak open. Sora must have been home.
Namine went over to the basement door. She pressed her ear against the wooden frame and and listened. Someone—rather more than one person were walking around downstairs. She then heard someone walking up the stairs and quickly moved away so that it didn't seem like she was eavesdropping. Sora opened the door shortly after, carrying a pillow and a blanket. He went over to the couch and laid down.
"Sora?" Namine whispered.
"Sorry, but Kairi's downstairs. I didn't know what to do with her. Roxas ditched us."
"What?" Namine knew that if Riku found out, he would be furious.
'Should I go and see her...?' Namine pondered, looking towards the basement door.
Sora just turned over and tried to sleep. Namine couldn't see it, but he was very much awake.
o.o.o
Kairi sat on the bed that Sora normally slept in. She was a little surprised that he actually brought her here and let her sleep in his own bed (without him, of course). She took in his scent as she held the sheets up to her nose. Kairi never realized how much she actually missed him until she finally saw him again. The fact that he didn't die was still lingering in her mind and she was still trying to believe it. This could have just been a dream for all that she knew.
Kairi lay down on his pillow. It was so comfortable. If this was the closest that she could get to him, then for now, it was okay.
To her, Sora seemed like a different person. He was a lot more serious and was easily angered around her. Then again, what did she expect? Kairi must have really hurt him. She really wanted to find a way to make it up to him...
'How...'
"Kairi?"
Kairi bolted up. Namine stood at the edge of the stairs. She walked over to her.
"...Hi."
"...How are you?"
Their conversation was awkward from the start.
"I could be better." Kairi responded.
Namine finally figured that coming down here was pointless and went back upstairs. She joined Riku in bed and went to sleep.
o.o.o
Sora lay on the couch uncomfortably and just stared at the ceiling with his hands behind his head.
'I wonder what she's doing right now...'
'No... you can't let her get to you. She cheated.'
Kairi's smiling face popped in his head.
'...she's... so... beautiful though...'
o.o.o
o.o.o
A/N: So as you can see, I changed the rating, meaning future chapters may go a little bit more into detail than the previous.
You guys are so, so awesome! I will feel better soon... maybe!
Please leave a review and don't eat too much during the Super Bowl, k?
Oh screw it, do what ya want!