Kairi's Diary

[AntiSora92]

please update, pretty please! Anti Sora demands Soiri moments now!

[Sora788]

Oh, I'm reallyyyy sorry!!! I was working on it and was planning on posting the third chapter tomorrow but I'm not so sure anymore. My dumb laptop is not working right. Argghh. I will try though!! I am falling behind just a tad because I only wrote 5 pages so far, when it's supposed to be at least 20. Oh gosh lolz.

But I promise, ch3 will come soon!

:]

[BloodyHell]

That was a very good story. I really like it. Please write more!!

[Sora788]

Disclaimer: I don't own Kingdom Hearts or Final Fantasy, but I do own the story line. :D
A/N: Thank you very much to those who have reviewed. It means a lot to me and I really appreciate it. So please do be kind and tell me what you think.
The pace of the story is moderate so that everyone is on the same page and so that nothing seems to sudden without reason. I have written things in the story that will show why I put it there in the future. Also, the pace allows further character development. I am going to have fun writing Marluxia, but as of right now, he's kind of like a shadow. Don't worry, he wil not be like that for long...Thanks again for reviewing XD

Kairi’s Diary

Chapter 3: It's Not Fair

A dark shadow engulfed me as I tried to get out from it. The harder I tried to bring myself out, the more it sucked me in. I wanted to let out a cry for help but my mouth refused to open to say a thing. My eyes watered from the vapor and steam that surrounded me as I struggled in the dark hole.

I was sinking and there was nothing I could do to save myself. My fingernails weren’t able to hold onto the black floor in front of me. I took a deep breath before emerging in the dark pool. Suddenly, a warm hand reached out and grabbed mine before I was completely submerged into nothingness. It held onto my shaking wrist tightly and brought me out with ease. The black, grimy substance slid off my skin as I stood up on my feet to get a glimpse of my rescuer.

“Sora!” I pulled him in for a hug. I refused to let out tears, but I was so excited to see him. It had been forever since I had seen him, that smile, that face, those blue eyes, and that unforgettable spiky, brunette hair. He wrapped his hands around me and rested his face on my wet hair. I took a deep breath and looked up around us over his shoulder. Everything was pitch black, I couldn’t see anything except for the two of us. My gleeful eyes noticed a shimmering glow enduring him and it was quite strange. I stole a quick glance at myself to find myself no different.

“Sora,” I began in a worried tone as I turned to him. Something wasn’t right. “Are you OK?” His peachy face wore a thin frown. His eyes held sorrow and grief.

“Kairi, it’s too late.” His voice was steady and hollow. There was not a single note of happiness from seeing me.

“W-what’s too late?” I didn’t understand what he was telling me. Nothing was making any sense, none whatsoever.

He bowed his head down as a transparent tear glided down his rosy cheek and splashed onto the dark floor beneath us. “Why didn’t you save me?”

What…

“Save you from what, Sora?” My shaking voice was almost inaudible now as I spoke.

He jerked his head up at me but this time his eyes looked bloodshot and miserable. I gasped, not meaning to be startled by his sudden change in appearance. I reached out to grab his hand, but he was like a ghost. I couldn’t touch him, it was impossible because my hand phased right through his clammy body.

Then, his eyes turned white and his skin turned into a deep, intense shade of black.

“Sora! What’s….what’s happening?” When I thought that it couldn’t get any worse, the center of his chest spurred out blood. A trail of red ooze streamed down from his heart and dripped into a ocean forming on the floor. I looked down and to my horror we were standing in a pool of thick, red blood.

Hot tears ran down my face. It was all too shocking, Sora…Sora was dying in front of me. His knees couldn’t hold him up any longer, he began to sink down into the bloody ocean. Red splashes of the gory fluid stained my skin and clothes as I hurriedly tried to pull him up. But then, he dug his sharp nails into my wrist and clenched it tightly when he tried to yanked me in after him.

“Let go of me!” I screamed loudly, trying to jerk my arm from his grip. But my efforts were useless, he was pulling me in with him. I decided to kick him in his rib cage and as I did, a wave of blood came over me.

It was too late, he had brought me in with him. I was suffocating in the disgusting crimson substance. Sora had wrapped his ghastly demon hands around my scarlet dripping neck, strangling me to death.

My head dipped out from the red sea and when I did, he yelled at me in a deafening tone, “Why did you betray me, Kairi!!”

He pressed his hands harder around my stained, fragile throat as he suffocated me to my death.

--xxx--

My eyes shot open within a split second, the moment another tide of blood was going to drown me, but to be only greeted by a ray of sunshine. I was lying in bed, in my room. I sat up straight, almost jerking my body forcefully forward and inspected the carpeted floor below me, but I leaned too much to the edge and I fell face first to the floor.

Ouch.

Raising my head, I let out a sigh of relief to see there was no blood on my carpet and that I was the only one in the room. My hands dabbed on the floor just to make sure there really was no blood sunken deep within.

It was just a dream…a stupid, terrible dream.

Getting up from my clumsy fall, I made my way to my desk chair and sat in front of my desk. The diary peacefully laid there. Turning to an empty page, I wrote a few words in it.

Marluxia, are you in there?

I waited, hoping he would answer me. Then a moment later, my answer came in brilliant, glossy red letters written beautifully. His handwriting put mine to shame…

Yes, my dear.

He didn’t write much, but as long as he was there in the diary, that’s all that mattered. I quickly scribbled another message to him after I saw that I was going to get late again if I didn’t hurry up.

I want you to stay in here until I tell you to come out, OK? Don’t come out till I tell you to…please?

Without waiting for his response, I shut the diary, shoved it in my bag and hastily changed my clothes (without having to worry about Marluxia watching me), then ran down the stairs with my things with me.

Upon approaching the kitchen, Leon caught my gaze. “You want some cranberry juice?” He was about to put away the clear plastic juice carton in the fridge after pouring himself a glass.

“Hell no!” The reddish color of the fluid made me nauseous because it reminded me of the horrible ocean I stood in when Sora dragged me in after him. Making a face, I reached for a doughnut from a heap piled on a glass tray placed on the counter then rushed out the door.

The weather was fairly good, a warm breeze brushed past me, calming my frightened senses. What really freaked me out was the realness of the dream, no it wasn’t a dream it was a nightmare. It felt so real, as if it was really happening. I shook my head a little. Sora wouldn’t kill me…he would never do that. Never. How could I believe such a thing even if it did happen in a nightmare?

I peered in my bag once more after taking another bite of my chocolate glazed doughnut, watching the pink book clash against my other books and whatnot as I walked at a brisk pace. “Hey, Marluxia. Can you hear me? Well, if you can, you can come out now.”

I waited for a moment, but he didn’t appear anywhere. Figures. Fine if he wants to stay in that book instead of walking by me, ok I get it.

Sighing dramatically, I continued on my way…alone. It certainly wasn’t fun walking to school everyday while living in a street that most children didn’t live on who were my age. Otherwise, I would have probably made some new friends or something and walk with them.

“Can you stop ignoring me?” I tapped the cover of the book gently, outlining the engraved rose imprint with a finger. I had to ask Marluxia about that one day, about the roses and what it was really all about.

A flash of white gleamed from the corners of my tan colored bag, indicating Marluxia’s arrival. Finally.

He paced slowly by my side while his hair glinted from the rays of the sun and swayed slightly from the cool breeze. His black robe thing looked rather appealing on him, even if it did lack a sense of cheeriness in it. He just looked…too perfect.

I smiled radiantly at him, trying to get him to open up and talk. He peered down at me when he took note of my loving stare and smiled back, displaying a hint of his set of white, straight teeth. Finishing the last of my breakfast, I remembered what I had wanted to tell him.

“I had a terrible dream when I woke up this morning,” I began, “It was really frightening. There was blood and Sora! He was going to kill me! The most weirdest thing was that it all felt too real…And he said something about me betraying him.”

Taking the time to process what I just said, I caught a winced on his face but he hurriedly brushed it away. I raised a questioning brow at him.

“It was just a dream,” Marluxia assured, placing a gesturing hand on my back. “I wouldn’t worry too much about it.”

“Yeah, but, what do you think it means?” I wanted to know at least some, if not all, of his thoughts. Sure, it was a dream, or nightmare as I refer it to, but I just knew there was something important about it. I mean, dreams like this don’t come too often, right?

“It means you’re worrying about him too much, this Sora person.” Marluxia relaxed his hand that was on my back and moved it up to my shoulder. “You’re still tense.”

Just by feeling my shoulder, you come to the conclusion that I’m tense? But then again, I wasn’t too calm either. Taking in a quick, deep breath I tried to relax myself. Alright, so it was just a dream (I won’t call it a nightmare anymore since it doesn’t suit the whole calming thing), it didn’t mean anything, I was just worried about Sora (because he still hasn’t bothered to call me yet), and I am making a big deal about it all.

“Feel better?” Marluxia asked me in a subtle voice.

Turning to him and soaking in his beauty, I answered, “Yes, much.”

After thinking things through, things started to make more sense to me. That’s one thing I didn’t do, or need to do more often. I tended to not think certain things through and see another meaning behind something. If I just did that, maybe life will become a tad bit easier, no?

Upon reaching the school’s gates, Seifer and his “gang” (I don’t really consider Fuu or Rai to be a part of this charade game they play, calling themselves a gang!) weren’t lingering around the gates like yesterday. Good.

Without trouble, I walked into the busy court yard and scanned the crowd for Olette. We usually met at the wooden benches by the school’s entrance. A puzzled expression took over Olette’s pretty face when I saw her. Her green eyes narrowed with envy and puzzlement. She didn’t acknowledge my presence until I waved a hand in front of her face to break her gaze. Her stressed eyes blinked a few times before looking up at me. I sat beside her as Marluxia made himself comfortable next to me.

“Hey, what’s up with you?” I asked as I set my bag on the floor besides me waiting for her to tell me what was wrong.

“Look…,” she murmured, pointing a hand ahead of her. “Over there.”

I followed her finger and into the direction she wanted to look over to. I spotted Riku under the shaded tree where the Goth clan stood aimlessly. It seemed like he was talking to someone, but I couldn’t see who. It was too dark to make out any distinctive faces in the deep gloominess. All I could see was the blazing silver hair of Riku, whose back was turned to me, conversing away with whoever. It appeared that he was there for some time now because he was still standing there talking. His voice didn’t carry over to where we sat for we were too far away to hear a single word.

Rolling my eyes, I said, “Is that what’s bothering you?” Utter nonsense.

Olette nodded her head in conformation. Her frown deepened, her eyes sad. Talking a little bit louder this time, she said, “He’s talking with…them. He’d go talk to the most anti-social people ever but he’d never talk to me! That’s so frustrating.”

“I don’t see why you are so angry about something so stupid. Maybe he’s just asking about something…Who knows, and who cares really….” Sorry to say, but this was something not to fret about. Actually, I am glad that he’s there instead of here.

Olette shrugged, “I don’t know. Yeah, I guess maybe you’re right. Maybe he’s just asking harmless questions or whatever…”

She turned to me for the first time that morning, but to return a small gasp. “Kairi, why are there bags under your eyes?”

“Huh? What?” Bags? What? When? How??

I felt my skin underneath my eyes to feel if it was really bad or severe. Nothing. Olette took out her small compatible mirror and thrust it in front of my face. I looked intensely into the small circle, and sure enough there were small bags under my eyes. Putting the mirror away, Olette assured me, “Don’t worry, they’re not too noticeable. Oh…and sorry for freaking you out like that. Sorry, I just couldn’t help it.”

“It’s alright,” I muttered. Was that something to worry me about? “I just couldn’t sleep last night, so maybe that’s why.”

“Really? What happened?” Olette revealed a small smirk, “Don’t tell me you were studying, Kairi! I keep telling you to take a break from school work. Do you listen to me? No, so now you see your beauty is paying the price.”

Very funny. Not.

“I wasn’t studying all night! I just had a dream is all, a really bad one.”

Without invitation, I started to ramble on about my dream and all about it, about how Sora was standing in front of me, then the next instant he turned into this demon kind of thing. I tried to not be too vivid about the blood that gushed from his heart and how a sea of red swallowed me. His clammy hands around my neck made me shutter just thinking about it again…

When I was done, Olette asked with great interest, “Oh wow, that really is bad. So like whose Sora? I’ve never heard of him before.”

“Sora is my best friend-”

Olette suddenly interrupted. “Aw, Kairi, you’re blushing!” She reached over to pinch my cheek and smiled.

“As I was saying,” I ignored the fact that I was ’blushing’, “He’s my best friend and I haven’t seen him for a long time. He doesn’t live close by, he lives somewhere far away from here unfortunately.”

As soon as we saw the majority of the school’s courtyard dispersing and thinning, we gathered our things and walked down the crowded halls to our classes. We hadn’t talked much (because Olette was too busy staring at random guys) until she broke the silence between us.

“You still have to tell me what happened between you and Naminé,” she stated as her gleaming green eyes flashed over me. “Don’t leave me hanging!”

“Olette,” I raised a straight finger to my lips, “Shh! I don’t want people to hear about it.” We hustled around random people blocking our way as we tried to get through. Of course with a mob like that, anyone could overhear her.

“Sorry,” she apologized as we climbed up the stairs. “But, anyway, you still need to tell me what happened between you two.”

I bit my lower lip in reluctance, the pain numbed my lips. “I don’t want to talk about it, Olette.” I felt Marluxia’s cold hand over my shoulder. The severe coldness seeped into my skin, a chill came over me.

I felt a cool presence approaching my ear. “You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to. You can tell me when you’re ready,” Marluxia’s velvety voice echoed in my mind, numbing it just as my lips were as he whispered to me.

Sighing dramatically, Olette said, “Fine, tell me later.” She smiled and gave me half a hug as we parted ways. Waving to me while she walked away, she exclaimed, “But you’re going to have to tell me soon! OK!”

“Um…”

She was out of sight and I was relieved. I didn’t have to get pressured to say anything at the moment. Phew.

Marluxia’s hand never left my side as I walked dreadfully towards my math class. Taking my usual seat by the window in the back of the room, I took out my notebooks and waited for class to begin.

I looked around the room, Marluxia seemed to be doing the same. It seemed like we both were thinking the same thoughts because he said exactly what was on my mind.

“There are so many lame, uninteresting people in here,” he whispered even though we both knew well that no one could hear him but me.

I nodded my head in agreement. My eyes swept over the people in our room but stopped upon a group of nerds who stared at me. Their blue and green braces gleamed in the luminous light as they smiled at me. Err…um. I wasn’t quite in the mood to smile at them, but they looked really hopeful. So, I forced my lips to smiled back, but a quick and short one. Then I looked away, but the image of their unappealing mismatching plaid shirts and their high water pants reaching above their ankles stayed in my mind for a moment or two.

Turning away, I paid more attention to what was being taught today: quadratic equations. Something I already knew, but I took notes regardless. I stared out at the window occasionally.

--xxx--

“These fries are so good,” Olette mused as she put a few in her mouth during our lunch break. She sipped her large bottle of Coke and ate more fries. If anyone had an appetite, it was Olette. She would eat all the fattiest foods ever and would hardly gain any weight.

I grabbed some of the oily fries from her and sipped some of my own Coke. Opening a packet of ketchup, she spread the garnet colored substance on top of her left over fries.

Involuntarily, I flinched. She noticed, her lips changed into a frown. “What? You don’t like ketchup?”

I shook my head side to side to interpret the misunderstanding. “No, no. I like it, it’s just maybe I still remember the gory images from my bad dream,” I said quickly, choosing my words carefully because I still refused to call it a nightmare.

“What bad dream?”

I hesitated, not knowing what to think. Didn’t I just tell her this morning what it was all about? Could she have forgotten so easily? I pouted, “The one about Sora?”

“Sora?” She took a bite of her double cheese pizza. “Do I know him?”

“Olette!! I told you about Sora, my other best friend, and that stupid dream in which he tried to kill me? And there was blood everywhere? You don’t remember that?!” I didn’t mean to sound so sudden, but how could she forget?

“Geez, Kai! I am eating, can’t you wait to tell me all that when I’m done? If it makes you feel better, I remember some of it now.” Olette looked disgusted. Why, I don’t know.

“Sorry my highness,” I began sarcastically, “My bad.”

“Oh, well, it’s alright,” she replied, apparently not getting the hinted sarcasm in my words.

“Kairi,” Marluxia said from beside me, “I think she was tired in the morning. Don’t get so worked up about it.”

Not completely satisfied with his answer, I pondered over it. How could she be the one tired? She was busy staring at Riku.

“Or she was distracted by something,” he added, “Something that hurts her inside.”

Ok, so even if I don’t like Riku, Olette does. She’s like, crazy about him. So maybe she felt hurt about him not talking to her and would rather talk to the “most anti-social people around” over her. Ok, I suppose I could understand. But, I still had my doubts.

I let it go for the mean time. I guess it would do me good if I forgot about the dream anyhow.

“Kairi, are you going to tell me now?” she asked me after a moments of silence.

I knew exactly what she meant. “No, not yet. Maybe later alright?”

She sighed. “Ok…”

I took another sip of my drink, glad that I wouldn’t have to explain anything at that moment.

“But tell me this,” she started again in between mouthfuls of fries, “Why do you hate Riku?”

“How come you don’t?” I inquired in return. I still couldn’t see what she saw in him.

“He’s really hot.”

“Not news to me,” I said skeptically. How could I forget how many times she’d told me about his looks.

“He’s talented.”

“Yeah right.” What talent could he possibly possess that would be useful? Skateboarding doesn’t count.

“Riku has great clothes.”

Clothes mean nothing. “I think he needs a new look, not like I care though.”

“Riku is just Riku. You can’t really question that.” She smiled and beamed at me at her last remark.

“Funny, then why am I questioning about his existence?” Again with the sarcasm that she failed to detect.

“Kai, your complaints are besides the point.” She sighed, “If only he would talk to me, I might have a chance with him.”

Well, I will hope for that not too happen. Come to think of it, I didn’t see him stalk me yet. Maybe I shouldn’t hold my luck out so hastily.

--xxx--

Our English teacher, Ms. Riggs, began her lecture about the proper uses of grammar and whatnot. Of course this stuff was easy, but I took notes about them in my English notebook regardless. Then she went on ranting about similes and metaphors. I jotted a few points on those too even though everyone should know about those as well.

She fumbled through the mounds and piles of papers scattered about on her desk to find the right stack of papers to pass out next. As I waited tiredly, I glanced back at Olette. To my astonishment, she was passing a folded note to Naminé, who was in the same class as us unfortunately for me. To make it even more to my disliking, they sat so close to each other, only one desk was separating them.

Naminé got hold of the note when the boy sitting in between them gave it to her from Olette. Her quick hands opened the note noiselessly. Her eyes darted from each word written from Olette.

Alright, no big deal…maybe she was talking about something or wanted to know something. But, wait, they weren’t supposed to be making any contact to each other in any shape or form.

I jumped from my seat when a strict voice called my name. “Kairi! Are you paying the slightest attention to me? You’re one of my best students now don’t slip up.”

A hot, red wave of humiliation came over me. I never had to be called out before, ever, well not in this class. I faced forward unwillingly. Lucky for me, Naminé and Olette were so involved with their little note passing and writing that they did not see me peering over at them.

“As I was saying,” Ms. Riggs continued, “You will work with another person and write the book report together. It could be about any book on the list I will hand out to you and you must follow the prompt. I would like for it to be creative, full of color, and on a poster board….”

The rest was lost by me because I was panicking about what was going on behind me. I hated it so much that I sat in the front row and those two sat in the back. From worry, I began to chew on the end of my eraser on my pencil. What was Olette writing to Naminé? What was Naminé writing back to Olette? Oh how I wanted to turn around one more time, no one knew.

A thought came to me. I couldn’t look back, but surely Marluxia could. Flipping to the next clean page in my already open notebook, I hastily scribbled my message for him.

“Go back there and read what the hell they are writing, then tell me!”

He already knew what was on my mind before he even completely read my note. He swiftly went passed me and towards the two. He said nothing, nothing at all when he was gone. I became more anxious about what the two were writing. C’mon Marluxia, stop leaving me hanging, say something!! Anything, just talk no one can hear you.

I didn’t dare to look back again, Ms. Riggs had a keen eye on me. It frightened me, her hawk like eyes hardly left my worrisome pair.

“….I don’t want any sloppy work….” I was only able to catch words and phrases from her ranting about our book report project.

“…due next month,” I tried harder to pay attention, but without prevail. “…you will have… time…reading the book….”

Please Marluxia, hurry up.

As if on cue, he reappeared. I sat up straighter in my chair, waiting for his feedback. I didn’t look at him, but he sat on top of my desk and thought carefully.

Stop making me wait longer, just tell me dang it!

“They are talking about-”

“You can chose one partner, so please do so now.” Ms. Riggs finally said, her words overshadowed Marluxia’s.

The moment she said ‘now’ I jerked up from my seat and turned around to make a dash towards to Olette. Maybe the note was about being partners for the silly project. If that happened, God forbid, would I be ready to accept the fact that Naminé and Olette would be together for a whole month?

Before I could answer my own question, my face hit the floor. Stupid me, I tripped in the rush. I raised myself up, but to see a class full of students staring hard at me…laughing.

Ms. Riggs turned a beat red color and she sounded pretty upset about my sudden movement. “Kairi! What do you think you are doing jumping around like that?”

If I said I was running to Olette before Naminé could, that would sound pathetic and I can bet on it that she would not let me be partners with Olette as “punishment“ for “class disturbance”.

Getting up, I waited for the laughter to die down before I could speak. “I…” Kairi, think of a good excuse…hurry!

“I had to go to the bathroom,” I lied quickly. “Really badly. It‘s an emergency.” I added the last part to make it sound more believable. More laughter sounded around me, I dared not to look over at the demon, afraid to see her laughing at me too. No doubt she was, but what was the need to see it too?

“Oh…” Ms. Riggs calmed down a tad bit. I think she took my word for it since I was one of her favorite, trusted students. “Let me write you a pass then.”

Oh darn, what did I get myself into? If I went to the bathroom, that would be more than enough time for that dreadful brat to get a hold of Olette!! Crap. What did I get myself into? If I said that I didn’t have to go to the bathroom anymore, that would definitely make me look a liar. On top of that, if I went to Olette right away, that would give me away.

Damn, Kairi, damn. What did you do?

I took the little girl’s room pass that Ms. Riggs wrote up for me and reluctantly walked to the door with Marluxia close behind me. Before heading out, I went to Olette’s desk first.

“I’m your partner, alright?” I whispered hurriedly to her as I slowly walked passed where she sat.

She smiled inreturn, “Of course!”

Thank God. Problem solved. If that foolish girl went to Olette now, she would be told that I was already her partner and she’d have to find a new one.

I wanted to laugh with victory. Yes, this was going to work out. Relief came over me as I walked out the classroom and to the bathroom.

I whispered to Marluxia, “Go back in there and check on them.”

Without asking why, he went back to where we came from as I reached the bathroom. I will find out what was in that note soon, so soon. But what really mattered now was that I was Olette’s partner and not that witch.

The girl’s bathroom was empty when I went inside. Of course I didn’t have to go, but I had to stay in here for at least a few minutes since my silly excuse, or lie, caused this mess. The dark pink walls were bare and the mirrors were a bit cloudy.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My reflection showed a bright, dedicated girl who was trying to make it through school without that jerk ruining everything for me once again. My auburn hair looked darker and gorgeous. I smiled at myself because I thought that I looked much better than Naminé.

I made some funny faces in my reflection to kill time faster. After some time with that, I paced around the paper toweled covered tiled floor. I glanced at my watch, it had only been forty-five seconds. Time just couldn’t go any slower. I headed for one of the empty stalls and locked it behind me as I stood in there.

Sometimes there were hearts around names written in various Sharpie colored pens. It was interesting to see how some were so pressed over each other that they would write their names and arrows around in a bathroom.

Besides names, there were also gossip inscribed on the bathroom stalls. I bent down a little to read some or find some at least.

“My boyfriend sucks hell.”

“Riku is mine.” I rolled my eyes when I read that rubbish.

“Call me!”

Hmm, no gossip yet. I saw a few curse words written randomly about, but nothing much more.

“Hugs are overrated.”

“Can someone tutor me?”

“Detention is a second HELL!!”

“I heard that toilet paper is made from our recycled homework.”

This was boring. Maybe I chose the wrong stall to read stuff. Rest of the messages meant nothing to me. If I had a marker I would have written something as well. For fun, I ripped a piece of our supposedly recycled homework toilet paper and folded it. I held onto it and used it to hold onto the handle of the toilet without really touching it with my hand.

I flushed it once. The loud whooshing sound echoed in the bathroom as the water swirled around. It was silent again. I flushed once more, and again and again until I felt that I spent enough time in the bathroom. It wasn’t until it was quiet again that I heard a disturbing noise.

I was drop dead still and quiet. I didn’t move a muscle, my breathing staggered as the unpleasant sound reached my ears. I gulped, this was not something I was thinking that would happen.

The girl in the stall down from me continued to throw up, her never ending vomiting and constant hurling disturbed me. She flushed it all away and was out of the stall. I was afraid to get out from my stall to see who it was. I was curious and nervous to find out who it was in the bathroom with me. I stayed where I was until the running faucet toned down to a steady dripping and her footsteps were faint and distant. I stepped out from the stall I was out in a second after I washed my own hands (because I didn’t want germs from touching the handle).

As I walked back towards my classroom, I tried to get a hold of myself. I didn’t see anyone when I went in there, so why didn’t I notice when she, whoever she was, come in? Maybe I was too busy with my toilet flushing to hear her.

But why was she throwing up? She couldn’t have any food disorders, right? Kairi, stop jumping to conclusions. Perhaps she was only sick from what she ate at lunch, which wasn’t too long ago. We all feel sick sometimes, correct? But, wait, if she felt nauseous, wouldn’t she have gone to the nurses office instead? Or maybe it was too far away for her to reach it…yes, that’s it. She felt sick, wanted to go to the nurse, but couldn’t because it was too far away. So, instead, she came to the bathroom.

My thoughts were forgotten when I walked back into my classroom. Naminé was sitting next to Olette. The two were talking…and it seemed too friendly. In fact, everyone was with their chosen partners discussing about their project.

Heading towards the two, I did my best to stay as calm as possible without showing the slightest trace of fear or dread on my face. Marluxia stood behind them, listening to every word they spoke. At least I have someone who will let me in of what they were talking about.

“Hello, Olette.” I greeted casually, taking a seat next to Olette.

“Kairi, finally, you’re here! I can’t wait until the three of us get started.” She flashed a smile and glanced at Naminé.

“The…three of us?” Oh no, Kairi, don’t lose a hold of yourself. By three, she better not mean Nam--

“You, me, and Naminé of course!” She gestured at Naminé who didn’t bother to look at me directly.

“How…” I could finish my question, which was ‘How the hell did this happen?’

“Naminé didn’t have a partner, so Ms. Riggs said that she could work with us.” Olette handed me a few papers regarding the report and the list of books that we were to chose from.

I still had no idea was this was really all about because I was too busy worrying when the teacher was explaining everything. Forcing myself to look up from the papers gripped into my shaking hands, I laid my eyes on the two.

Marluxia clarified for me a little bit about the three of us. “There was an odd number of students, so she was put with you two.”

I nodded at him, taking in this bit of information. Curse it. If I had been here, perhaps this might not happened. Maybe she would have chosen a different pair of students. Damn it.

“We have decided to read the play called Romeo and Juliet,” Naminé said bluntly at me. “Is that alright with you, Kairi?”

I abhorred the way she said my name, it was full of hatred and disgust. But of course, I was the only one who noticed because she had a way of making it sound so casual.

“Yeah, sure.” I didn’t have time to worry about what book we read. I had a much bigger problem on hand.

This was not happening. I was not going to work with her. This is just a bad dream. I am still asleep. I am not awake yet. This is just all a bad dream. Right now, I am still in bed asleep…or unconscious.

“Good.” Olette stated, “Then we should split up what we are going to do. That way, we could finish up faster.”

“Great idea, Olette. I like how you think,” Naminé grinned as she kissed up to my friend.

“Sit down, Kai! No need to be standing!” Olette pulled a chair for me from behind her and I obediently took the seat and forced myself to sit in it.

“We need to talk about the themes, plot, and character development from the book.” Olette spoke to us as she glanced at the bullets on the paper. “I will work on the plot.”

“I will write the character development.” Naminé stated hastily before I had a say in anything.

How rude, none of them asked me what I wanted to do. “I believe I am stuck with themes.” I wasn’t going to complain about it though. I gritted my teeth and pretended not to mind their ignorant behavior.

You know what, I don’t think I am dreaming anymore. This is a nightmare, or the beginning of one.

The bell rang, indicating the end of class. Naminé said her good byes (OK, well mostly to Olette because I know she hates me) and was on her merry way out.

Olette was occupied gathering her things together as the rest of the class dispersed. I grabbed my belongings and got her attention at the door. “Why did you agree to let her work with us?”

One month of us three working together. Could I handle that?!

“She didn’t have any other choice,” she mused. “Besides, I don’t see the big deal.”

The big deal? The big deal was, Olette, that my best friend was endangered to going to the dark side…

“But you know I don’t like her!” I fought back, I had to let her know some way that I just didn’t like that woman.

“Yeah, but you didn’t tell me why, Kairi!” she interjected as we made our way downstairs. “How could I not talk to her when you don’t tell me anything?”

“I told you I would tell you want happened, later! You have to give me time! Why can’t you just understand that?” I cried aloud, hoping that something would get in her mind.

“Kai…”

There was an eerie silence between us as students pushed their way around. I broke the silence when we reached her locker. She fumbled with the dial as I leaned against a locker. “Tell me something.”

“Yeah?” She tossed a few books in and shut it closed.

“Are you guys friends?” I hoped the answer would be the opposite of ‘yes’.

Giving me a quick glance, she sighed. “Kairi, we don’t even know each other that well.”

That doesn’t answer my question!

“OK, but are you friends with her?”

“No, we’re not. I don’t know why you’re so worried about it either.” She twirled a lock of hair around her finger.

Phew.

“Promise me,” I started. I had to chose my words very, very carefully. “Promise me that you won’t become her friend.”

Olette looked down as she and I briskly walked towards our next class. Peering over at me, she gave me her answer. “I…”

“Olette, I want you to understand. If you and her become friends…” I cut off, trying not to get emotional again like before. “I don’t want to lose you, Olette. You’re my best friend.”

Placing a hand on my shoulder, she gave it a squeeze. “You and I will always be best friends, Kairi. Remember that. If it makes you feel better, I give you my word that I will not befriend Naminé.” She grinned ear to ear. “I promise.”

Thank goodness. She understands!! I trust Olette, I know that she will not betray me.

“Thanks Olette.” I gave her a great hug before we parted ways to our next period. “This means so much to me.” I meant it, I really did.

“No problem!”

For the rest of the day, I had nothing pestering my mind. I thought about what Olette said. She believed that we would be best friends no matter what. That means that not even the evil devil could screw this up for me, like what she did to me before.

--xxx--

The clashing of the small bells above rang as I opened the door to the ice cream place after school was over. Olette followed behind me as we joined the long line to get our ice creams.

“He’s so cute,” Olette said to me as we stood in the end of the line.

“Who?” I glanced about to see who she was talking about even though I didn’t really care. Heck, she thought that almost every boy was cute.

“The guy standing behind the counter.”

I frowned when I saw the familiar face she was referring to. “My brother?”

“HE’S your brother?” She felt like she got an invisible slap in the face. “Darn…”

“What?” I questioned, even though I knew I should not have bothered after hearing how ‘cute’ my brother looked to Olette.

“I don’t have a chance with him. The ‘Don’t-ever-date-your-best-friend’s-brother’ rule says so.” She sighed with defeat.

“Oh,” I muttered. Apparently, I wasn’t up to date about the dating rules that were around. “Well, he has a girlfriend anyhow.”

Olette pouted. “I don’t see how he would not. He’s so hot looking.”

“I thought you were crazy over Riku.”

“I am.”

The line moved forward so we went ahead. The line was going too slow. I wished Leon would hurry it up with his assistant.

“Can’t we cut?” Olette inquired. She was becoming as impatient as I was. Her foot was tapping against the floor faster now. She heaved another long, periodic sigh.

“Um…no?”

Another sigh and pout from Olette. “But you know him…”

I shrugged. It wasn’t too long before it was our turn. “You know what I want,” I told Leon before he could ask anything.

“What about your friend?” He inquired as he looked at her.

“I’ll have the same, Sea Salt.” She tried to make her voice as playful as possible. Oh please.

Handing him the cash, he gave us each a sea salt ice cream bar. “Thanks,” I mumbled, taking a bite.

“I’m coming home late tonight,” Leon informed me before I left the counter. “Just so you know.”

“How come?” I took another bite of my ice cream as I heard a woman grunting behind me. She was impatient I believe.

“I’m gonna be with my friends.” He tried not to be overheard by the people around us.

“But you’re not supposed to be out late at night,” I reminded him firmly. “It’s against Aunt’s rules.”

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. “She’s not here, so it doesn’t matter. I am going to take advantage of this time before she comes back in the next few days or so.”

“So how come you’re telling me?” If he was going to disobey, why tell me what wrong thing he was doing?

“I don’t want you to get worried or anything and call the police to search for me,” he answered irritated. If he thought I would call the police, that may mean that he was planning to stay out late for a long, long, long time.

“Whatever.”

I left with Olette behind me, still gazing at my ‘cute-slash-hot’ brother. We took a seat at a nearby table and ate in silence.

“I wish I lived in your house,” Olette remarked dreamily.

“Yeah right…” Um, ew?

I took another bite. The savory flavor lingered in my mouth for an instant before I swallowed. I looked around the crowded place for Marluxia. A small crept onto my face when I saw him curiously peering over at the many colors and flavors of ice cream from different people’s ice cream cones. He took a few bites from a chocolate Rocky Road and another from Cookie Dough using his finger instead of a spoon so that he wouldn’t be so obvious. Apparently he was really careful, no one noticed the invisible grim reaper sampling from their ice creams.

It looked like he didn’t like some, because he made a sour face. Or maybe it was from the severe coldness of the ice cream. Or…brain freeze?

I diverted my attention back at Olette. “You want to go to the library to pick up a few copies of Romeo and Juliet so we can get started?”

Olette glanced at the watch on my arm. “I can’t. Sorry.”

I didn’t ask why, she was probably busy. I understood. “Ok, some other time then.”

She nodded, “Another time would be better.”

“Alright…” I was a tad bit disappointed, I wanted to get started right away, but at the same time I didn’t want to go by myself to the library.

Out of nowhere, Olette brought on the subject of the devil. “You really don’t like Naminé right?”

I didn’t hesitate to answer. “No, I really don’t like her.”

“How do you think you will manage working with her then?” She was talking about the three of us and the ridiculous project that caused this mayhem.

“I’ll manage,” I replied, but not being confident with my answer because I myself did not know how I was going to keep a straight face with her nearby.

“I hope so.”

What was that supposed to mean?

I caught her vicious eyes glance one more time at my watch. Then she hurriedly ate her ice cream bar within minutes. “I have to go, Kairi! Sorry! See you later, OK?”

She dashed outside before I could get any more information about what she meant. I was sitting by myself at the table. Great. I hated being alone.

I wanted to chase after her to see where she was going, but that was none of my business. I couldn’t just ran after her and track her down. I wasn’t in the mood for it.

Sighing, I hoisted my school bag on my shoulder and trudged outside as well and headed home. But the thing was, I didn’t want to go home. No one was there and I didn’t know what to do with myself. My ice cream bar was melting again.

Hell with it, I threw it away in the closest trash can available. I sighed and looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brilliantly and a cool breeze was loose. It felt so relaxing.

I glanced behind me to look at Marluxia and ask him what we should do. I saw someone else instead. Marluxia was no where to be found.

Riku.

He waved at me when he saw my glare. He quickened his pace as well, coming to me faster. I stayed where I was, I should have ran away from him, but I didn’t. How stupid of me.

“Hey!” he greeted me warmly and stood close.

“What do you want?” My arms crossed over my chest as I took a step back.

“Nothing.”

“Ok, bye.” I scowled fiercely and twirled away from his smiling face. I began to walk away until he held onto my arm.

Turning me towards him, I was forced to look at his face once again. “Let go of me!”

My cry made him let go of me right away, his eyes seemed confused. “No need to freak out.”

“I’m not.” I gathered my composure and tried to sound casual. “Just don’t touch me.”

Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him all day until now. I wish it had continued to stay like that.

“Sorry,” he seemed confounded, or puzzled at my reaction. “I want to talk to you.”

“Here I am, talking to you.” My lips turned into a frown.

“Can we sit down and talk?” he prompted, eagerness dwelling in his aquamarine eyes.

Immediately, I sat down on the cobblestone ground in the middle of the market plaza. “ I don’t have all the time in the world. Sit down so we can be over with his.” I patted a bare space next to me for him to sit down as well. A few passing shoppers looked at me funny when they passed by.

“That’s not what I meant.” He bit his lower lip.

“Oh?” I got up again. Of course I knew he meant go somewhere else to have our little chitchat, but I wanted to mess with him and his words. “Well, then, where would you like for us to talk?”

What a waste of time. I should have just gone home. Now I was regretting my silly desires.

“How about…,” he placed a thoughtful finger on his chin. “We could go to park.”

Park? No, I would never go there with him. I wasn’t liking this at all. What were we going to do in the park? I knew very well how boys his type work. I was not going to tell him use me like this for his cheap pleasures.

“No.” I told him sternly, my frown deepening.

“Well…”

“We could go to the library,” I suggested with a special thought in mind.

“I guess that could work,” he mumbled. His face looked somewhat disappointed.

“Great, let’s go.”

I ignored him all the way from the Market Plaza to the library. He rambled about whatever and I simply didn’t listen. He asked about my studies and what I was interested in achieving. Hell, like he really cared about that.

We reached the library in no time and I guided him to where I wanted us to sit. This was going to work perfectly. I chose the table near the most strictest librarian who worked behind the checkout desk. No one liked to sit by her because she was very, very strict about the rules of the library, especially the one regarding no talking.

Yes, this was going to be perfect.

“Come, sit.” I took a seat facing away from the librarian as he took a seat across from me. When we got settled, I whispered as quietly as I possibly could, “Now, tell me what it was that you wanted to talk about.”

He took in a deep breath as he looked around us. “Can’t we sit somewhere else? Somewhere more private?”

I shook my head in disagreement.

He looked hesitant, very doubtful. His eyes seemed to be delirious. “Um…”

‘Um’. Was that what he wanted to say? UM?

“I can’t hear you,” I whispered softly. I did heard him, but the lady behind me couldn’t.

He fumbled with his thumbs over the white table before he began his rant. “I just want you to have an open mind when I speak to you.”

I nodded my head and said nothing. My arms were still crossed over my chest. I tapped a foot up and down as well. I waited.

I cupped a hand around my ear to tell him that I couldn’t hear him. Taking in the gesture, he leaned towards to me.

“I thought that I should let you know--”

He was cut short by a loud, irritated yell from behind me. The librarian who was strict stopped her computer work and hissed in a low, but audible voice, “Young man! You know the rules. Be quiet! Shh!”

Strike one.

I wanted to laugh, but I remained in my mood-less, bored state.

Riku toned his voice down. I guess he’s never been in a library before to know that he shouldn’t have been talking so loudly. “You should know that…”

I cupped my ear again as if I didn’t understand him at all. “Speak up.”

The fool raised his voice higher. “I am trying--”

“Young man!” The grouchy lady interrupted again, she was more fiercer this time with her warning. “Be quiet.”

Strike two.

He did his best to whisper even lower now and paused between every word, “I…would…appreciate…it…”

I whispered really low to him again. “Can’t hear you!”

The idiot spoke louder. “…if…you’d…tell…me--”

“Get out!” the old hag bellowed, her thunderous voice echoed in my mind. “You are a nuisance to the library. A disgrace! Leave my presence at once!”

Strike three and he was gone like a sucker.

Sighing with defeat, he stood up and looked down at me. It made sense to him now. He was framed. It was me who tricked him into coming here and getting him in trouble. Why did I do this? Easy, I was bored and wanted to have a little fun since I was by myself.

He clenched his teeth together. “You’re a difficult girl.”

I shrugged and nodded.

“Aren’t you going to listen to what I have to say?”

I shook my head and got up as well. I walked pass the aisles of books and computer, then out the doors while he followed behind me. Hmm, he wasn’t going to give up easily. I didn’t care what he wanted to tell me, I just didn’t want to hear it.

We were barely away from the library when he yanked me again to face him. I wanted to spit in his face.

“Boy, what did I tell you about touching me?” I jerked my arm out from his grip.

“Oh now you talk to me!” His brows turned to a furious line. “Can you just hear me out?”

“What if I don’t want to ‘hear you out‘?” I took a few steps back and balled my hands into fists.

He took in a deep breath and placed a hand over his forehead. “Ok…ok…,” he muttered more to himself. “I can do this.”

What the hell was he talking about?

He looked over at me again. “First, I want to know why you hate me so much.” This time he sounded steady and his words held sincerity.

I thought about what I was going to say first. “Why do you care about what I think of you?” Come to think of it, this was the second time today I was asked this question.

“Because…” He waited until I calmed down a little. “Because I want us to be good friends. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Hurt? From? What? Did he just say that he wanted us to be ‘friends’? Oh hell no.

“You’re crazy,” I grumbled under my breath and glared at his aquamarine eyes. “What could I possibly get hurt from?”

He took a step or two towards me, I retreated in response. He stopped dead where he was and decided against coming forwards even more to me. It seemed like my question kept him silent and speechless for a little while.

I turned away and began to walk away from him, leaving him behind in the dust. I didn’t care what he thought about me, or what he wanted to not see me get “hurt” from. He was like every other boy I knew. They would gain your trust and then use you. After that, they don’t care about you until they had their fun. I don’t know if this was what he wanted, but I wasn’t going to find out.

I just didn’t like the kid. What more does he want?

“Whatever it is you carry around you all the time, I hope it doesn’t get out of hand,” he warned me in a low, dark and hard tone. “Be careful.”

I halted. My feet came to a complete stop at his words. Fear drenched my mind. This wasn’t making any sense. Did he knew about Marluxia? The diary? I clutched my bag tighter around my shoulder and didn’t let it go.

What did he mean? I didn’t know and was afraid to find out.

I half turned to him, but not completely. “Whatever.”

--xxx--

Dear Sora,

I can’t believe the day I had. This morning I had a terrible nightmare about you trying to kill me and asking me why I betrayed you? I don’t know what it was all about, but Marluxia told me it was nothing. It probably was nothing also. I hope I don’t have another dream like that ever, ever again. I don’t like seeing you in pain, even though it was just a dream. But what really knocked me out was how real it all felt. I thought for a moment that you actually were dying in front of me…

The stupid devil, Naminé (curse her damned name) is ruining everything once again…I have to work with her for our silly book report. This is unfair. Why me?! I made Olette promise me not to become her friend. I have her word so I have nothing to worry about. Olette is pestering me about the past, something that I really want to forget, but it keeps coming up in front of my face. Why can’t I just erase it with a magic wand or something? Yeah, like that is going to happen. Life isn’t that easy, but I wish it was. If I had my way, I would still be living in Destiny Islands with my parents. I miss them so much too…We could have been a happy family and you would have been the only friend I needed to make my day every day.

That idiot Riku is bugging me. He’s stalking me just to tell me something. Like I care!! I don’t, but now I am thinking that if I heard what he wanted to say, then he would leave me alone. Maybe not. But I don’t want him near me. All boys (except for you!) are the same. They just use you until they had their fun. I am not going to let him do that to me. Never.

I think Riku knows about the diary and that Marluxia really lives in it and that he’s around me all the time. He’s kind of like my invisible friend that only I could see. That is a good thing though because I am the only one who could see his beauty. Sora, he’s so gorgeous. I wish you could see him too!! I have so many questions to ask him. I will do so tomorrow or something like that. He smells so good, like a perfume!! His skin glows with such brilliant radiance. He isn’t very talkative…yet, but I know once we get to know each other more, we will be the greatest best friends (you too!)

It’s getting pretty late, so I guess I will say my goodbye and write more to you tomorrow. G’Nite!

Love you,

Kairi.

-End Chapter 3-

A/N: Well? How was it? Did you like it? I hope so!! I will try to have the next chapter ready by next week. I have three major exams to study for, oh geez. I hate exams. Well, wish me luck

Hmm, when will Sora call? I wonder, maybe in the next chapter!? Anyways, I hope to clear up some more in the oncoming chapters. I am really looking forward to your feedback, so please don't hesitate to tell me what you don't like/do like, and so on.

Bye till then

Sora788

[AntiSora92]

This is excellent, something tells me Riku has a thing for Kairi. Come on Sora, call her or visit her!

[Sora788]

lol, yes I think Riku does have a thing for Kairi. :] But I don't know if she likes him too much.

Sora better call...soon...

[AntiSora92]

Originally Posted by Sora788

lol, yes I think Riku does have a thing for Kairi. :] But I don't know if she likes him too much.

Sora better call...soon...

f*** that, make him get his butt to Kairi so they can have a fluffy moment! I will feed up rep until you post more!

[Xuan]

Hi, Sora788. In case you've forgotten, I've reviewed your story in fanfiction.net :D Apparently you update faster over there

Anyway, just saying that it's a bloody good job you've did on this chapter, especially where the part Sora 'demonise' and choked Kairi to death. Felt like real.

[Sora788]

^ Hello Xuan Oh, no, I haven't forgotten!! I still remember! Yes, thank you for the review! :] I update there first and then here second.

Thank you for the encouraging comment! I tried to make it sound good and not over do it at the same time. My only fear is that I don't want the pace to go too fast or too slow. I'm trying to make it in the middle. I wrote chapter 3 a long time ago, but then I thought it was too sudden so I had to rewrite everything!! Yeah, that was hell because I had already written 16 pages and then I had to rewrite the whole thing...

[madammina]

I decide to check in and see that one of my favorite fan fics has updated. Thanks!

[Sora788]

^ Hey! Thank you!! I have Chapter 4 done. I am so glad. My stupid Internet isnt working at home so Imight not be able to update ch5 and right now it's half way done!! This sucks.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this :]

[Sora788]

Kairi’s Diary

Chapter 4

I felt a cool, sweet aroma heaving onto my face constantly. Prying my eyes open slowly, I found myself lying in bed next to Marluxia. His arms were clasped around me, his eyes were closed, undisturbed. My head was gently resting against his cold chest as he breathed on me. Daylight hardly arrived but the weak sun did look inviting as a few streaks of light illuminated upon his face.

My breathing ceased, almost noiseless as I tried hard to stay still. I didn’t want him to know that I was awake. The surrounding scent of the pleasant roses seeped into my mind and relaxed me. I didn’t want to move, I didn’t want to get out of bed or away from his arms. I sighed inwardly, trying to grasp this moment.

His chin moved slightly on top of my messy auburn hair. I gulped, I hoped he didn’t wake up, this moment was too good to give up. A smooth groan escaped from his lips, his arms tightened around me as he brought me closer to his chilly chest. A shivering ripple passed through my cheek and the rest of my body.

“Kairi?” he asked melodically in a quiet voice.

“Hmm…”

He ran his hand up against my back, up my neck, then through my knotted hair while he mused quietly to himself. “Did you sleep well?”

I nodded my head for my answer and clutched closer to him. My hands gripped hard around the zipper of his black cloak. My body pressed harder against his. I felt the stiffness in his body increasing.

“Any bad dreams?” His words were carefully chosen, trying not to upset me from my disturbing dream from yesterday.

I shook my head and he sighed in relief. No, I didn’t have any bad dreams, I slept peacefully for once.

After mustering my courage, I spoke, breaking the shock that I was temporarily in. “H-how long have you been sleeping with me?” I waited patiently for him to talk.

His humble chuckle vibrated in the air above us. “Only when I saw you toss and turn in your sleep.”

“Was I really that restless?” I didn’t remember sleeping recklessly.

He shifted his cheek on top on my hair as he continued to play with locks of my hair. “I thought I would help by laying next to you.” He paused to chuckle again before going on. “You clung onto me almost instantly.”

“Oh,” was all I managed to say on the matter because I could feel myself blushing like crazy. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome sweetheart.” He sighed into my hair again and pulled me tighter to him as if we weren’t tight enough already. “I wanted to see you. It’s hard for me to stay in there---,” obviously he was talking about my diary now, “for a long time.”

After giving it a seconds thought I gasped, “Oh Marluxia! You don’t have to go back in there!” Guilt ate my conscience. “You have suffered enough in there, why do you go back anyway?! Don’t go back! Please, do whatever makes you feel better.”

“Thank you, Kairi, but I will do what is necessary.”

I felt the tension in his body loosen a bit as he spoke his assuring words. My body relaxed a notch as well, but stiffened again as the thought of Sora entered my mind suddenly.

Prying myself away from Marluxia’s comforting embrace, I politely excused myself and headed to the bathroom, but stopped at the edge of my door. I gazed at his face for a moment, taking in his breathtaking features. As I looked away, my face turned a beat red color when I walked down the hall and locked the bathroom door behind me.

What the hell was I doing? I knew Sora wouldn’t be happy if he found out that I was getting too comfortable with some guy, no scratch that, he wouldn’t like it if I was beginning to fall for a grim reaper.

I shook my head slightly, I couldn’t loose myself. I needed to make sure I didn’t do anything irrational, nothing that would make me stray away from Sora to other people. I looked into the mirror as my shoulders dropped down. No, I wasn’t that kind of person, I wasn’t a cheater.

---xxx---

On our walk to school, Marluxia kept his distance close to me, his shoulder occasionally brushing against my arm. I left the diary home on my desk instead of bringing it with me as I usual do. I didn’t think that it wouldn’t be pleasant for Marluxia to be reminded of it if I carried it around me everywhere.

He whistled an unfamiliar tune that soothed my mind as we strolled down the sun lit pathway. It was as if invisible musical notes were flowing from his mouth.

I took in the gorgeous surrounding engulfing me. The leaves from the large trees were a collage of warm colors, various shades of reds, oranges, browns, and yellows mixed in together. Autumn was such a beautiful season, the colors of the leaves brought such vibrancy in the atmosphere. I took in a deep breath of the forest scent and exhaled slowly.

I glanced at the sky ahead, the clouds were clear and not a single rain cloud was visible. A small grin curled onto my face at this thought. The change of weather was great, compared to the raining days.

My focus was diverted to my companion when he reached for my hand that lingered by my side. He wrapped his fingers through mine and held onto my hand securely, not wanting to let go.

My eyes darted from our joined hands to his smiling face. His rosy pink hair glistened in the sun, it looked like it glittered. He came a few steps closer towards me as we walked in silence.

I wanted to pull my hand away but at the same time I didn’t want to let go. Sora would most definitely not approve of this, but I couldn’t just tell Marluxia off without any apparent reason. He didn’t know who Sora was and how I felt about him. What to do…

As I pondered over my options, Marluxia had already released my hand as if he read my mind. His smile faltered as he looked at the compulsory frown that was engraved upon my face. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but I mean, Sora would kind of get hurt if I did things like this, whether he was watching or not. In my heart, I knew I was trying to be as loyal as possible and I wanted it to stay like that.

Oh, but the temptation, it was too hard to resist. My willing eyes trailed his hand retreating back to his side, I wanted to grab it again and hold it forever. The touch of his skin was so soft and smooth, I hadn’t felt anything like it before.

I bit my lower lip in frustration as I continued to watch his neglected hand and thought about how lonely it would get if I didn’t hold onto to it that instant. Apparently Marluxia noticed my worried state of mind because he broke the quiet chain between us.

“Is there something wrong, Kairi?” he began in his velvety voice, he continued, “Did I make you feel uncomfortable?”

I shook my head vigorously in disagreement. “No, no!! You weren’t making me feel anything like that, it’s just that…” I trailed off, not knowing how to