Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts belongs to Tetsuya Nomura, Square Enix and Disney Interactive Studios

Title: Silentium
Author: Nada
Rating: T for Teen
Genre: Angst, Romance, Friendship, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Sarcasm
Pairings: Sora/Roxas, Riku/Kairi, Hayner/Olette
Warning: OOC-ness, Shounen Ai, Cursing, Crap Quality, RE-POST

Nada: Due to popular demand, Silentium has been RE-POSTED UNCHANGED. Which means, every little mistake I had in the original is still there, including the switching of tenses! Sorry guys XD Just far too lazy to thoroughly edit this and besides, it's the original, why change it?

Silentium Veterans, know this: I divided Silentium into three parts! Part One has chapters 1-5; Part Two has chapters 6-10 and Part Three has chapters 11-14.

Silentium Freshman: Please enjoy!

Part One

Darkness.

Heavy.

Silent.

Black, inky darkness . . .

I see nothing. I hear nothing. I feel nothing. Just complete utter darkness.

"Onii . . . chan . . . wake . . . already . . ."

Sound. Muffled. Inaudible. Reverberating within the black veil of nothing.

Who?

What?

"Onii-chan! Wake . . . UP!"

It's growing louder, closer, audible . . .

Someone's coming . . .

Thump. Thump. Thump.

"Onii-chan!"

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk!

"We'll be late for school!"

The dark veil lifts. Black turns to gray to white to light to the semi-lit mess that is my bedroom.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

"Wake up Roxas! Breakfast is ready!"

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk!

I want to tell her to shut up, that I'm up and awake but my lips don't move and my throat is dry. I'm always like this.

I pull off my sheets; my feet slipping out of the comfort of my blankets and embrace the frozen floor beneath.

One step. Two steps. Three steps. Four.

I reach the door and yank it open, scowling right into the angelic face of my twin. She's already dressed in uniform: blue plaid tie resting neatly on top of a white wrinkle free blouse, matching blue plaid skirt too high above the knees teasing beneath the shirt. Golden locks of hair resting softly against her shoulder, gleaming lightly underneath the light of the hall and those eyes, those crystal azure eyes glowering right back at me because neither am I ready for school, I'm still in my pajamas.

"We're going to be late for school Roxas." She huffs, pushing me aside to enter my room. "Mom already left for work and the bus will be here any minute. Why aren't you already dressed? We have freshman orientation!"

She reached for my closet, skimming through the mess of clothes until she threw pieces of my school uniform over her shoulders. They littered the floor in front of me; my eyes too focused on my sister to do anything.

From up here, I can smell the faint scent of eggs and bacon our mother made for us before she left for work. I can even hear the distant sounds of moving dishes from our older brother downstairs. It feels like the first day of school alright, I just wish I had been more prepared.

"Come on you bonehead," said my sister. "Hurry up and get dressed before the bus arrives."

She shoved the pile of clothes into my arms and pushed me out the door toward the bathroom. I'm still lost in a daze by the time the door slams behind me. I don't think I remember what I was dreaming about.

-x-X-x-

When I finally made it into the kitchen, my sister shoved a slice of toast smothered with jam into my hand.

"No time to eat, the bus is here!" She squealed, grabbing our bags before she pushed me out the door.

Sure enough, the dreaded yellow school bus stopped beside our neighbors front door and threw open its doors.

"See you at school Cloud!"

"Stay out of trouble Naminé. You too Roxas!"

We climbed into the half-empty bus before Naminé finally returned my school bag. We separated soon after, me taking a spot alone near the back and Naminé joining one of her brunette haired friends near the front.

I nibbled on my toast quietly; eyes focused on the outside. I watched my older brother slip on his goggles (does he ever wear a helmet?) over his eyes before speeding out of the driveway in his motorcycle. The bus jerked forward, nearly making me drop my breakfast on my lap in the process, and continued on its way to my new high school.

-x-X-x-

Twilight High School is huge, overpopulated and the only high school in the district. Most of the kids I went to Junior High with are coming to Twilight High. Not that it matters much; most of my classmates don't even know I exist.

I spent most of my summer indoors watching crappy cartoons, blockbuster movies and eating sea-salt ice cream until I puked. No one in my house ever really noticed.

My mom was busy with work. My brother spent most of his time working part-time and my sister was almost always at a friend's house. I was alone throughout my summer vacation, just like I was in Junior High and just like I'll be now.

So when the bus finally pulled up to Twilight High, I was not surprised by the crowd of lingering upperclassmen or the nervous looks of the incoming freshman. From where I sat, I spotted several familiar faces. I even found my brother Cloud sitting with a bored expression on his face by the stairs.

Leaning against the wall beside him was his friend Squall Leonhart (Cloud calls him Leon though) with his arms crossed and a smirk on his face. In front of them was a girl I had never seen before, jumping up and down on the grass with Aerith Gainsborough giggling and another longhaired brunette standing beside her.

Ahead of them I spotted a head of silver hair, dazzling emerald eyes and a smirk of amusement gracing handsome features as a red headed girl and a brunet haired boy greeted the teen cheerfully. I blinked.

The silveret was named Riku Morikawa. He moved to Twilight Town back in third grade and graduated before my class did. The red head in front of him is Kairi Uchida and the brunet is Sora Leonhart. (Guess who his older brother is?) The three of them have been friends since I have no idea when and it looks like they'll be friends for years to come.

There are other familiar faces: Hayner, Pence, Tidus, that guy with the weird hair, my sister's friends Olette and Selphie, but I don't care. None of them knows who I am, let alone remember I exist.

"Hey Kid! Get the hell outta my bus before I end up takin' yer ass with me!" the bus driver yelled.

I really need to stop daydreaming.

-x-X-x-

I sat near the back during orientation and almost fell asleep three times. I would have passed out cold if it weren't for the two idiots giggling and poking each other next to me. (Sheesh, how can anyone be so energetic this early?)

When orientation was over, I followed my schedule to homeroom. I never lost my way (when you don't talk like I do, you tend to focus more.) and ended up being one of the few early birds in the class. I took a seat near the back of the class and glanced at my schedule completely.

I blanched.

History (So early? I'll fall asleep!)

Biology (no comment)

Algebra I (Bleh)

Lunch (the only 'class' I'm looking forward to)

English I (Pleeaase let there be interesting books!)

Art I (Art with Naminé? Ugh.)

Foods (Foods?! What the hell is "foods"?)

Gym (I'll be too tired to walk home now)

I sighed. It could have been worse; I could have had my brother's schedule. He has physics first thing in the morning.

I folded my schedule away just as a bunch of students filed into the room. I glanced up at the door, spotting many familiar faces and many unknowns. My sister came into the room laughing with her friends. She spotted me and gave me a wave, but ended up sitting near the front with Olette DiCicco and Selphie Keck.

After them was a blonde haired kid, that guy with the weird hair, Kairi, Sora, Hayner, Pence and a bunch of other unknowns. The seats were filled, the class was settled and the teacher walked in.

-x-X-x-

My homeroom teacher was a short, plump woman with ash brown hair tied in a sleek bun, tanned wrinkled skin and soft honey brown eyes. She looked like a teacher whose sole purpose in life was to torture her students but I couldn't be any more wrong. The moment she opened her mouth to call on attendance, I realized how deceiving looks can be. Her voice was soft as silk and sweet as cinnamon apples. (or maybe that's spicy?)

"Good morning students! My name is Mrs. Novack and I'll be your homeroom teacher for the remainder of the year." She picked up a book from her desk and said, "When I call your name please raise your hand."

She went down the list in alphabetical order, which meant that I would be one of the last students to be called. Before I knew it, I was snapped out of my daydream by Mrs. Novack's voice calling, "Uchida Kairi?"

A hand flew into the air followed by a cheerful "Here!"

Mrs. Novack checked her off. "Uchiyama Naminé?"

My sister's hand shot into the air. "Present."

"Uchiyama Roxas?"

I rose my hand reluctantly, slightly sinking further into my chair. Mrs. Novack glanced up from her attendance, honey brown eyes finding my own azure ones.

There was a brief moment of silence, eyes locked, thoughts stopped, throat dry and then...

A very sweet, soft smile.

She checked me off.

"Everyone's here, how wonderful!"

And just like that, the bell rang for the next class.

-x-X-x-

I fell asleep in history. My history teacher, Mr. Thatch, droned on and on about school expectations, homework grading, tests, quizzes, exams and something about Atlantis. (He said something about that right?) There weren't any familiar faces that I knew – okay maybe one – but the class bored me to sleep in the first five minutes.

Biology was almost the same, but I couldn't fall asleep. Ms. Del Ray's voice was too obnoxiously loud for anyone to even daydream and she kept going on and on about electric eels. She kind of reminded me of my old science teacher back in Junior High. She didn't stop me from daydreaming though.

I looked around the whole class and realized that Kairi had my same class. I never noticed before but looking at her profile had a striking resemblance to my sister. (If Naminé wasn't already my twin then she could have passed as Kairi's twin.)

Damn, I feel a little offended.

Algebra was one word: B-O-R-I-N-G. I fell asleep in the first ten minutes. I can't even remember my math teacher's name . . .

It was finally lunchtime and while most of the students were outside enjoying lunch, I was in the cafeteria waiting for mine. I stood in line for what felt like an eternity, my eyes looking over the half-empty cafeteria to alleviate my boredom.

I saw my twin socializing with an even larger group of people – most of them from our homeroom – when I felt someone ruffle my locks of hair. I scowled, glancing up into the unique blue of my brother's eyes. He smirked, withdrawing his offending hand from the gold that is my hair.

"Otouto-chan, staying out of trouble?"

I shrugged.

His eyebrow twitched slightly. It always seemed to twitch whenever my brother speaks to me. I think he hates my silence.

"Where's Naminé?"

I gestured toward the table she sat at before moving up in the line. My brother glanced at the crowd, his eyes narrowing briefly at the sight. Before he could open his mouth, one of my brother's friends – Aerith actually – appeared by his side with a sweet smile on her face.

I was about to turn away before she noticed me but I was too late.

"Oh Cloud, is that your little brother?"

"Half-brother actually," he muttered.

Cloud Strife was the son of my mother's first marriage. After Cloud's dad died a few years later, my mother re-married and had Naminé and myself shortly after. My dad walked out on us when my sister and I were only three months old. (Thanks Dad! Love you too!)

"Doesn't matter, he's still your brother." Aerith giggled. (She was always so nice – or at least that's what Cloud tells Naminé.)

"Aerith, Cloud, everyone's waiting!" called the long haired brunette from earlier.

"Coming Tifa!" Aerith touched Cloud's shoulder lightly before gracing those beautiful eyes back on us. "Don't be late Cloud. I hope to see you again Roxas." She smiled again before she joined the brunette and left the cafeteria.

Cloud sighed. "You're a first year now Roxas. High School is a boring place without friends."

". . ."

He sighed again. "Otouto-chan."

". . ."

"How long do you plan on remaining this way?"

(Forever.) ". . ."

He shook his head in defeat, grabbing the sandwich he ordered amidst our conversation and paid off. When I finally paid my lunch – it was mac and cheese – Cloud said one more thing before he left.

"Eat with imouto-chan and her friends today. You might find someone there who could make you talk."

-x-X-x-

I ate lunch alone (I never listened to my brother) and left early for my next class.

I think English was one of the worst classes I could ever have. Mrs. Maleficent, I soon found out, was one of the worst teachers in Twilight High. That and she was the scariest person in existence – well, third scariest. It was only the first day and already she gave out five detentions, a five-page essay to write and a whole book to read and vocabulary homework for a quiz on Friday.

And the scariest part of it all, she's one of the two teachers who know I exist. (The first being Mrs. Novack.)

After barely surviving the nightmare that is English, I went to Art.

My sister wasn't with her regular girl posse so I sat in a stool beside hers.

"Onii-chan," she smiled happily at me. "How's your day so far?"

I shrugged. (Boring. Long. Tiring. Scary English teachers. How was yours?) I would have told her had I felt like talking. Luckily we were twins so twin telepathy was our means of communication. Even if she was wrong half the time.

"I'm sure it wasn't too bad." She giggled, "My day has been pretty eventful so far. All my teachers are so nice. Where were you at lunch onii-chan? I wanted to introduce you to my new friends."

I shrugged my shoulders again, but was met by a cute pout on my sister's angelic face.

"You know you have to open your mouth sometimes Roxas. You can't be silent forever."

I thought it over for a second (open my mouth huh?) then gave her a sinister smirk. I opened my mouth, looking as though I was going to say something—the anticipation and shock flashed in her eyes-but I snapped my lips shut again. She glared at me spitefully. (She never said I had to speak.) I mused at the thought.

Before she could come up with a retort, two students suddenly appeared in front of our table, instantly reclaiming Naminé's attention. Her face practically lit up joyfully as the students finally sat down at our table.

"Hiya Naminé!" Came the overly jubilant greeting.

"Sora, Kairi, I didn't know you two had art too." My sister beamed.

"I'm as surprised as you are." Kairi smiled, her cerulean eyes slowly looking in my direction.

My sister must have noticed because the next thing I know, she grabbed my arm and started with the introductions.

"This is my twin brother Roxas. He's older by three minutes. Onii-chan, these are my new friends Kairi and her best friend Sora."

I waved a hand and gave a small smile before my face crumbled expressionless. They returned the gesture, smiling brightly and happily – completely oblivious to my own fallen face. But Naminé noticed and she didn't let me off the hook so easily, her grip on my arm grew tight.

"My brother doesn't say much." She smiled apologetically. "A lot of people think he's rude because he doesn't talk, but he's very kind and sweet and—OUCH!"

She jumped in her stool, my fingers still hovering where I pinched her. I kept my face turned away but I knew she was glaring at me. Sora and Kairi giggled but they were nice enough to keep quiet after that.

After Art was "foods" (whatever that is) and it led me all the way to the last floor before the basement (why did Twilight High had to have FOUR freaking floors!?)

It turns out that "foods" is home economics and to my surprise, it's one of the few classes that mix the upper and underclassmen.

Upon entering, my eyes shot towards my brother sitting next to Leon in a table at the farthest corner of the room. On the other side of the room was the silveret Riku sitting with the blonde haired boy from homeroom (I think his name was Tidus something), the kid with the weird hair was with them too. (I should really figure out his name.) More students piled into the room and since I hardly knew anyone else, I sat next to my brother.

The moment I sat down, my brother's hand was already ruffling up my hair. He gave me his rare smirk before eyeing the clock.

"Who's this?" Leon eyed me up and down before answering his own question. "Since when did you have a little brother?"

"Since fifteen years ago."

"I've known you for five years and I find out you have a brother now?"

"You never asked."

"Tch." The brunet crossed his arms. "Smart ass."

Cloud smirked again.

"Leon! Cloud!" A familiar voice rang throughout the room.

The moment I stared up at the new comer, my eyes caught sight of familiar chocolate brown spikes, bright ocean blue eyes and a who-knows-how-many-thousands watt smile.

"And Roxas right? I didn't know you guys signed up for foods!"

Cloud and Leon exchanged exasperated expressions before saying, "We didn't" in unison. Sora grinned complacently, scratching the back of his head at the third years' reply.

"Requirement for graduation huh?"

"That's right." Leon nodded before he suddenly smirked and added, "You might learn something here Sora. If we're lucky, you might actually learn how to cook without burning anything."

"Yeah well—HEY! No fair! That was only one time Leon!"

"You almost burnt down the kitchen."

"It was really complicated!" The young brunet huffed.

"It was water, Sora." Leon shook his head.

My brother managed to hide his snickering from the Leonhart's, but I had to bite my lip and fight back the urge to laugh. (I will not make a sound. Will NOT!)

Sora scowled like a dejected puppy at his brother, but the sound of his name being called by the silveret quickly had the boy smiling again. He bid us farewell and joined the silveret at the other side of the room. Just then, our teacher – Mrs. Potts – entered the classroom at the sound of the bell.

-x-X-x-

Gym could never come faster than it did. Foods went well enough, Mrs. Potts turned out to be a really nice teacher but I wasn't comfortable with all the staring the second years were giving me.

It turned out that Cloud and Leon were the only third years in Mrs. Potts' class, and them being one of the most popular third years earned me forty minutes of recognition.

It. Sucked. Bad.

Even Riku gave me a dirty look (or was that my imagination?)

Anyway, I was grateful when gym came. I was able to get away from the prying eyes and slipped into the locker room, but now I was faced with a new problem . . .

Locker showers.

I wasn't shy or anything, it was just . . . (They might see.)

. . . a horrific shrill voice. . .

. . .the burning of agonizing pain. . .

. . .a blood curdling scream. . .

. . .maniacal gleaming green. . .

. . .triumphant sinister sapphire. . .

My upper back suddenly flared in pain.

I winced. Once. Twice. Three times max before I shuddered and stepped back into the gym without second thoughts.

-x-X-x-

We didn't do much in gym either. Our gym teacher Phil (he's so short and stubby he looks like a satyr) assigned the class lockers for the rest of the year and reminded us – in two words – Lock. Up. The. Valuables. (Seriously, he said that.) After that, he let us go.

I returned back to the locker room to find a locker that was close enough to the bathroom but far enough from the showers.

That didn't work out too well.

"I can't believe your brother's in Foods with us." Said an oddly familiar voice from behind a row of lockers. "He wouldn't stop giving me the stink eye either. Your brother still hates my guts doesn't he?"

"Yep!" came an enthusiastic reply.

"Gee, thanks for making me feel better."

The voice laughed, followed by what sounded like a locker door slamming. "Don't worry about it Riku—" (Riku?) "—Leon doesn't hate you; he hates what your brother did to him when he was a first year."

There was a moment of silence, which I took to my advantage and found a locker close enough to the bathroom stalls. I spun the combination into the lock, opened it, snagged it unto the locker then locked it once more.

"Hey, who was that blonde kid sitting with your brother and Cloud?"

I heard them moving toward the exit. I quickly vanished into the next row of lockers so they wouldn't see me.

"Oh, his name is Roxas. He's Cloud's brother."

"Cloud has a brother?"

"Well, he says half-brother, but brothers nonetheless! He's in almost all of my classes except for Biology and History."

They left the locker room before I could hear more, but I was too shocked to care. I was busy mulling over the possibility that somebody—SOMEBODY—noticed me. The corners of my mouth twitched, threatening to formulate a smile. That is, until someone's shadow loom over my body and a hot breath caressed the side of my ear. The scent of flowers teased my nostrils, awakening my senses and shooting terror throughout my veins—the smell of dahlias . . .

"Nice uniform you have there," whispered the taunting voice. (I promised. I promised.) "My little flower." The voice blew into my ear teasingly.

My. Heart. Stopped.

My. Back. Seared.

But. My. Body. Ran.

I ran away from the locker room.

I ran away from the gym, from the halls, from the school, from the lawn.

I ran until the pain stopped.

(I promised. I promised. I'll never tell anyone.)

"How was school kids?" my mother asked us.

It was dinnertime now and while I usually stuffed my face with food, I found myself simply not hungry. So there I sat; poking the mashed potatoes with my fork and staring at it with such interest the rest of the food just vanished.

Naminé was the first to reply. "I made new friends. Well, we've known each other since Junior High but we've never been friends until now."

"And you Roxy? Did you make any new friends?"

I shrugged my shoulders, which only made my upper back hurt more.

I winced.

Cloud pretended not to notice.

Naminé and mom definitely didn't notice.

"I introduced onii-chan to Kairi Uchida and Sora Leonhart though." Naminé smiled.

"You two should think about joining clubs like your brother did when he was a first and second year."

Cloud grunted, stuffing his face with a mouthful of mash potatoes.

"I was thinking about joining the art club with Kairi, Olette and Selphie." Naminé grabbed her cup of Kool-Aid before her eyes locked onto my own. "You should think about joining the Dueling club, onii-chan. I heard Sora might sign up."

I scowled at her. (Does she think I care about clubs?)

Naminé only grinned back at me before taking a gulp of her juice.

-x-X-x-

I knew I was in trouble the moment I finished dinner – after finally getting back my appetite – and my brother was still sitting at the table with his dirty dishes.

I cleaned off my plate first then he did his.

I went up the stairs to my room. He followed close behind.

I closed the door behind me, sat on the bed and waited.

Three. Two. One.

Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.

The knob turned.

The door opened.

He slipped in.

"Roxas." His voice was stern, authoritative. It made me shiver.

"Does it still hurt?"

I nod, but say nothing.

"It's been a month Roxas. If it's still hurting then we have to take you to the hospital."

I shook my head quickly.

Cloud's eyes narrowed. "Roxas."

I shook again.

"Roxas." He said again, eyes laced with worry, expression stony, authoritative voice breaking. "You have to—"

"No!" I croak; my voice was raspy, broken, disgusting. (I promised. I promised.) "No." I shook my head.

He sighed in defeat; his eyes falling shut for a moment of thought before fluttering open again. "Let me see."

I spun around slowly, hearing my brother take heavy steps across the cold floor before reaching the edge of my bed.

I unbuttoned the white uniform and handed it to my brother. He tossed it to the nearby chair and then lifted up the white tank I had underneath, exposing the still aching flesh of my upper back. I winced involuntarily, the cold air licking against the raw pulsing of my skin sent out throbs of pain.

I've seen it countless times when I take a shower, but I know Cloud had only seen it once before. My mom and Naminé don't even know it exists.

Etched deep into the upper portion of my back were the letters:

M

Together they spelled silentium, which was Latin for—

"Silence . . ." my brother whispered so quietly I almost missed what he said.

He hovered his finger above one of the letters but never dared to touch. Never. I wouldn't let him.

(I promised! I promised!)

I grabbed my pajama shirt and threw it over my head before my brother could do anything. He took this as a sign to leave and drifted toward the door. I slipped under the bed covers; darkness already engulfing my silent room just as my brother closed the door behind him. My head rested against my pillow, eyes wide open, thoughts frozen and a haunting familiar voice whispering in my ear.

" . . .My little flower . . ."

(I won't say a word.)

-x-X-x-

I woke up before anyone the next morning. I made breakfast for myself – the eggs and bacon I was cheated out of yesterday – got dressed into uniform and left the house an hour before the bus came.

By the time I reached my homeroom, my brother and sister were probably wondering where I was. Just because of that, I switched off my phone. I laid my forehead against the cool top of my desk and closed my eyes. A little rest never hurt anyone . . .

-x-X-x-

"He's Naminé's twin right?"

A voice. A familiar voice. Who was that again?

"Yeah Roxas."

Another. A male. Who . . .?

"Sora said he was mute."

Familiar. So familiar. Silver . . .

"SHHH! Riku! He might hear you!" Female again. Red hair . . . "How could you say that Sora? Naminé said he doesn't talk much, that doesn't mean he's mute!"

"I haven't heard him say anything. Not even a peep." A yawn. A loud one. "Anyway guys, I'm starving. Can we go grab breakfast now?"

"Sora, didn't you eat breakfast already?"

"I'm fifteen Kai; I need more food than just four pancakes! Let's go to the cafeteria."

Something warm touched my shoulders, nudging me out of the dark fog of sleep. I shifted in my head slightly, trying to fight off the offender in my mind but that didn't stop the movements.

"Sora, what are you doing?" It was the familiar voice again, the voice that made me think of silver hair and vibrant green eyes. It was Riku's voice.

"Roxas might be hungry too. If we're going to the cafeteria then we should bring him with us."

Sora nudged me again and this time, I really did snap out of my dream haze. I gazed up at the trio with blearily, sleepy eyes – I could hardly make out their faces until Sora's bright smile graced his tanned features.

"Mornin' sleepy head!" He greeted.

I blinked.

Riku cocked an eyebrow.

Kairi only smiled.

Sora didn't notice the silence.

"We were just about to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. Want to join us?"

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to go (when you're as quiet as I am, people tend to avoid you like the plague. Can't blame me for getting a little lonely, right?) But the moment my eyes glanced back to Riku, my desires quickly vanished in thin air. He kept his face void of emotions, but his eyes told me everything I needed to know.

I wasn't welcomed.

So I shook my head.

Sora thought otherwise.

"Aw c'mon! Don't be shy and join us!" He grabbed my wrist, yanked me out of my chair and pulled me toward the cafeteria with that grin on his face.

Riku was scowling the whole way.

-x-X-x-

When we reached the cafeteria, Sora and Kairi left Riku and myself to get breakfast. I sat in my chair nervously, my eyes locked completely on my hands. I don't understand it but there was something about being alone with Riku that made me nervous. (I think he's giving me the stink eye.) Nothing but silence fell between us when he suddenly rested his palms against the table and leaned closer to my head.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asked quietly, but I could still hear the traces of anger lacing his voice.

I shook my head as an answer. I don't care if he doesn't understand what I'm saying. It's not my fault I'm here.

I could still feel his intense gaze on my head, so I can only assume he's glaring at me like I'm his enemy. He leaned closer toward me and asked, "Are you gay?"

My head snapped up in shock, eyes wide, eyebrows raised, but the expression on his face was enough to tell me he was dead serious. I shook my head frantically. (No, I'm straight! I'm straight!)

"Then get out of my sight."

I froze. And I stared. I was extremely confused. (Was I supposed to say yes?) The look on his face never changed and it gave me the impression that it didn't matter if I said yes or no, he still would have told me to leave. I felt the heavy weight of disappointment drop into the pit of my stomach.

I don't know what Riku Morikawa had against me, but that look in his eyes had me running out the cafeteria in a matter of seconds. I lingered just outside the cafeteria door long enough to catch bits and pieces of Sora and Kairi's voices when they finally returned to the table Riku stood at.

"He said he had other things he forgot to do."

"He spoke to you?!" Chimed the shocked voice of Sora. (Why does he think I can't talk!?)

"Not exactly but it wasn't hard to figure out." His best friend responded and judging by the sound of it, I could tell the silveret was smirking.

There was a moment of silence that fell between them – I'm guessing they started eating breakfast – and I took that time to continue my way back to homeroom. Maybe if I hung around a little longer, I could have heard the rest of Riku's sentence when he said, "Hey Sora . . ." but it was too late now. I was already down the hall and out of earshot.

-x-X-x-

During homeroom, I found out my sister was angry with me. She refused to look in my direction throughout the whole class and whenever she did look my way, she stuck out her tongue at me. I guess I scared them this morning more than I meant to. (I hope Cloud doesn't kill me. He's scary when he's mad.)

That wasn't the only thing I noticed. Sora kept staring at me through homeroom too. Usually I don't really mind it when people stare, but his staring was so intense I think I felt myself shudder more than once. In the end, I opted to hide myself behind my book for English.

He never stopped staring.

-x-X-x-

Mr. Thatch was still droning on and on about something I don't care to remember, but I wasn't the only one not paying attention. Most of the students were passing around notes, whispering to each other and generally giving me random looks. Somehow, I felt that whatever they were talking about had something to do with me.

I suddenly wish I really were invisible.

"Psst, Hayner, pass this to him."

Remember when I said I only knew one familiar face? That was Hayner Cowden. He's been in every one of my homeroom classes since Junior High and now he was the only kid I knew in History.

Hayner grabbed the note from the desk behind him and tossed it carelessly over toward my desk before dropping his head back in his arms to sleep.

I glanced at the folded note for a moment, my mind wondering the possibilities that it was something bad. I looked around the room—everyone looked away—so I opened it.

Cloud Strife wants you to meet him at the back of the school during lunch period.

Oh crap I'm in trouble.

-x-X-x-

The rest of my classes were a blur. I think I was in some sort of haze until the lunch bell rang. I didn't go to meet my brother (I'm so dead.) and instead went to the cafeteria like the delinquent little brother Cloud always thinks that I am. (In this case, he might be justified.)

Naminé sat with her new friends again, laughing and jabbering away with that careless look in her eyes. She looked so innocent and oblivious to the fact that she's about to be the only Uchiyama twin in Twilight High in about thirty seconds. Maybe as my last dying request, I could spend the remainder of my life with her friends? Say a few famous last words before Cloud wipes my existence off the face of the Earth.

I shuddered. He's very scary when he's mad.

Suddenly, the front doors of the cafeteria slammed open, silencing the usually loud lunchroom in a startled stillness. And there, standing at the doorway with a stoic expression and arms stretched out when he opened the doors was my very demonic brother. I calmed down only for a millisecond when I noticed he had brought his friends along, but fear instantly ignited in the pit of my stomach—his eyes found mine.

His stoic expression erupted into anger; distorting his usually handsome face and making him look like he was about to commit murder. (Oh wait, he was.) He didn't have to say a word, I knew he was going to kill me for making him and Naminé worry this morning.

Because I'm a complete genius at life, I did the only thing I knew I could do.

I ran.

I don't know what the hell I'm thinking. I ran outside like a mouse being chased by a vicious, pissed off cat. Only this vicious, pissed off cat was more like a vicious, rabid wolf and that rabid wolf was my completely pissed off half-brother. I didn't even take time to notice that the cafeteria suddenly erupted into chaotic laughter. I was too busy making sure my brother doesn't kill me in cold blood!

Worst part is he chased me. My own freaking brother chased me!

"Catch that first year, Cloud!" yelled a red headed third year with a long sleek ponytail.

"Look at that chicken wuss run." Grinned a blonde haired beanie wearing third year.

"He's your brother Cloud! Don't kill him!" Tifa cried.

"Catch him!"

"Whoop his ass!"

"That first year is gonna get owned."

Stupid upperclassmen are plotting against me, I swear.

"Roxas!"

Someone grabbed onto my wrist and yanked me into the corner behind the trash. I closed my eyes out of reflex, feeling someone's hands press against my mouth as if I were going to scream for help. (Of course not!)

I heard my brother's footsteps run past the hiding place. He didn't seem to notice.

Silence descended on us before the hand fell away from my mouth and I opened my eyes. There, peeking secretly over the edge of the trash cart was the spiky haired brunet. He flashed his trademark smile once he realized the coast was clear before he turned to me and said, "We lost him. You okay?"

I nod. (Why did he help me?)

"Good." He nodded. "I would have helped you sooner but I couldn't get away from the guys." He reached for the back of his head again, his smile growing more apologetic by the second. "Hey, um, listen, sorry about homeroom. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

(Well you did.)

"It's just Riku told me something this morning and it made me wonder if it was really true, you know?"

My eyes narrowed. (What the hell did he say?)

"But I thought he was just paranoid or something," He laughed lightly. I could tell not even super optimistic Sora was buying his own words. "He said that maybe you didn't like us and that's why you were always alone, but I told him that he was being ridiculous. He always gets jealous when we make new friends."

My left eye twitched.

"That bastard." I hissed under my breath.

"Huh? Did you say something?"

I shook my head quickly. Sora pouted for a second until those ocean blue eyes flashed mischievously in thought.

"Hey Roxas," he began, a sinister grin spreading across his lips. "I heard Cloud and Leon were going steady."

I couldn't help it. My brain only registered "Cloud, Leon, and steady" before my mouth flew open and I practically yelled, "My brother has a boyfriend?!"

Two things happened at once. Thing number one: Sora suddenly burst out in laughter, wrapped his arms against his stomach and managed to yell "I KNEW YOU WEREN'T MUTE!" between breaths.

Thing number two came the form of something—or someone—suddenly removing the trash cart, exposing our hiding place and pulling me towards them by the neck. I was instantly pulled into the worst noogie of my life.

"What the HELL are you yelling, you brat?!"

Ow! Ow! Ow!

"H-he-hey C-C-Cloud—bwahaha!" Sora stammered between fits of laughter.

He fell to the ground, arms still clutching his stomach and tears streaming down his face when Leon appeared behind him and bonked him hard on the head.

"OUCH! Leon!"

"Stop spreading rumors Sora before I throw out the last of your sea-salt ice cream."

Now that shut the brunet up.

Cloud finally released me from his death grip but I wasn't off the hook yet.

"Do you have any idea how worried sick you made us?" He growled. "Naminé spent an hour looking everywhere for you! If you plan on going to school early—" He dug his hand into my pocket to retrieve my phone "—leave your damn phone on!" He tossed the, now turned on, phone back into my clutches.

And just because my brother's cruel, he dug his knuckles into my already aching head for extra measure—making me cringe under the pain—and then flashed me a smirk of satisfaction. He walked away with that smirk still on his face.

"Bye Cloud! Bye Leon!" Sora waved goodbye until he whipped around to face me, his eyes gleaming with that same naughty look he had before.

I raised an eyebrow.

"So," he began casually, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "You can talk huh?"

I glared. (I should have seen that coming.) I patted his shoulders in a form of silent gratitude, spun around with my head held high then marched back into the high school without looking back.

-x-X-x-

However that didn't stop Sora from following me around.

In English, he ended up trading seats with my desk neighbor so now it was him and I at the back of the class. Luckily, Mrs. Maleficent over loaded us with work. He hardly got the chance to speak to me.

In Art, Naminé and Kairi kept probing Sora with questions about what happened after I was caught. He ended up spending the whole class time re-telling the story and had to repeat it over and over whenever some random student caught wind of it. He never noticed that I managed to sneak out of art before the bell rang.

He was easy to ignore in Foods. Mrs. Potts kept us busy working on safety sheets and what NOT to do when your food catches fire. (I swear Leon circled everything on Sora's paper with red marker.)

He gave up trying to catch my attention after the third time he got caught by Mrs. Potts too. She may be as sweet as a grandma, but she's got that grandmother glare when somebody does anything wrong. (You know that glare your grandmother gives you when you say her oatmeal cookies taste like horse dung? Yeah, that's the glare.)

I was home free until Gym. It was then I realized that I forgot my gym uniform. I ended up sitting on the sidelines when Coach Phil had the rest of the first years running laps.

Everyone kept giving me the stink eye throughout the four laps.

On the other side of the gym, I watched the second years do pushups and jumping jacks while their gym coach checked off their names in teams. I kept my eyes on Riku the whole time.

To say I wasn't pissed for what he said would be an understatement. I was beyond pissed and the moment opportunity struck, I'd take it.

"Hrrmph. These first year pip-squeaks get smaller and smaller every year." Our coach grumbled under his breath. "All right you first years! As Twilight High tradition, your all gonna face off your superiors in a fair game of dodgeball."

I blinked. Then I scowled. I just had to forget my gym clothes today.

"Line up for your teams."

Just like the second years on the other half of the gym, Phil broke the class in half and stupid me had to watch in disappointment.

The first team against 2-B was the "Twilight Knights" (I can't believe Phil let us name our teams.) Sora and Kairi were on the same team (They called themselves the KUPO RAIDERS!) while Riku's team—The Nobodies—(what. The. Hell.) went up against class 1-B.

"Twilight Knights versus The Nobodies!" Phil called, his face scrunching at the "creative" names that belonged to classes 1-B and 2-B. "We want to see a fair game! Begin!"

I tuned out reality. At this point in time, I'd give anything to see Riku get his ass kicked in dodgeball, but since I'm not the one kicking his ass it wouldn't be as much fun. So I tried daydreaming, but of course, someone had other plans.

"Hey Roxas, did you pick a club you want to join yet?"

Sora's voice snapped me out of my daze in an instant. I don't know what's up with him but every time that kid says a word, I'm instantly reminded of that creepy kid who can see dead people. (What was the name of that movie again? Six—something—sense?)

I sighed heavily and shook my head in reply.

"Really?" (Oh god, why are his eyes bright like that?) "You should sign up to the Dueling Club with me then! Coach Phil supervises it too."

I want to ask him if he's crazy. I also want to ask him why he keeps talking to me when he knows I'm not going to answer. But I also want to ask him if Riku is in the Dueling Club too. Unfortunately, I never get a chance to do anything because suddenly, the side of my head burst into thought numbing, eye blinding pain.

My vision hazes momentarily, something bright red, large and round flashes in the corner of my eyes and the bleachers beneath me completely vanish. Then—THUMP!

"Roxas!"

"WHO THREW THAT!?"

"Oh god, he's bleeding!"

"Call the nurse!"

Intense throbbing pain rippled throughout my whole head. One side hurt more than the other did . . .

But . . .

But . . .

I don't remember getting up.

I don't remember what I was hearing.

I do remember seeing his face.

I do remember seeing him snickering.

I don't remember how he got rammed into the bleachers or how blood started spewing from his nose, but I do remember meeting the bad end of his fist before my vision returned to the black veil.

Throbbing.

Pulsing.

Pain. Pain. Pain.

I feel sick.

Throbbing. Throbbing.

Pulsing. Beating.

Pain, pain, pain.

" . . . sion . . . "

Darkness. Nothing. Veil of black.

Sickness.

Pulsing.

Pain, pain, pain . . .

" . . . okay?"

Voices. I hear voices. Muffled. Distant. Voices. Where . . .?

I feel sick to my stomach.

" . . . hold . . . tissue . . . nose . . . bleed . . ."

Nose. Bleed . . .?

I feel like . . .

The darkness is fading. The lights are returning. Brighter and brighter and brighter . . .

The voices grow louder and louder and louder . . .

Reality, the world, existence, memories . . .

Red, ball, smacking, pain, falling, gravity, smashing, attacking, nose, blood, punching, Riku, Sora, Kairi, Phil, voices, gym, dodgeball.

Did I just get my own ass handed to me by Riku?

And just like that, I was snapped out of whatever unconsciousness I was floating in and emptied my stomach contents right onto the nurse floor.

Someone shrieked, high, shrill and severely annoying in my ringing ears. It sounded like Kairi to me, but it wasn't. I think . . . was that Selphie?

"Ewwww! Gross!"

"He's awake!" cried another. (Ugh, why is everyone yelling?)

I felt someone gently push me back against the hard bed. A sweet, yet familiar scent of flowers offending my senses for a moment as soft fingers gently tilted my head from side to side.

"Roxas are you awake?" inquired the soft, familiar voice.

"He doesn't talk Aerith." Replied another; it sounded like Sora's brother.

Wait . . . Sora . . .

My eyes snapped open, taking in the blurry, double vision of familiar faces etched with worry hovering over my head. Aerith's green eyes caught my attention first. She smiled kindly at me before finally stepping aside from the bedside to clean up my pool of sick still left on the tile floor.

Sitting at the foot of my bed was Naminé, her usually cheery face tear stained and flushed. Her eyes glassy, red and puffy from crying and standing beside her were not only Selphie and Olette, but Kairi too. Kairi patted my sister's back gently, Selphie inched further away from my pool of sick while both Olette and Naminé smiled brightly at me.

I couldn't return the favor. My head hurt too much function.

My eyes wandered toward the door where Cloud stood leaning against the doorframe. His arms were crossed against his chest, his blue eyes focusing on something out of my own line of vision. I think he was watching someone out there in the waiting room. With my luck, I hope it's Riku.

Aerith returned with a mop, a bucket and some gloves—all of which she handed to my brother and sent him on cleaning duty. She ushered the remaining girls out of the room, all of them wishing me get well's, feel better's and whatever people tell someone when they're sick.

"Now, now, you girls should be returning to the clubs. I have to make sure he's well enough to speak first."

I had to roll my eyes. What's with people and making me talk?

The moment the curtains slipped shut, Aerith spun around to face me, her smile never once leaving her face. She sat down on the chair beside my bed, taking sure not to step on the wet tile that Cloud continued to clean with the mop.

"Roxas, I'm the assistant nurse aid during after school activities. If you really want to go home, you have to answer my questions. Okay?"

I nodded.

She went on. "Do you feel confused? Nauseous? Irritable? Restless?"

I shook my head. No. No. No. No.

"Headaches? Sensitivity to light?"

I nod. Yes. Yes.

She nodded in turn. "Double vision? Blurry vision?"

I shook my head. (She's naturally fuzzy, I swear.)

"I see," She glanced over at Cloud for a moment, her green eyes watching my brother's solemn expression as he finally finished cleaning the pool of sick and dumped the dirty mop into the bucket. She returned her gaze toward me and said, "You have a minor concussion Roxas. Luckily, it wasn't severe but I would like you to be careful from now on. Okay?"

I nodded.

She smiled again then jumped out of the chair cheerfully. "You can take him home now Cloud."

-x-X-x-

Okay, now I kind of regret not being truthful to Aerith.

Club activities were still going on when Cloud and I left the nurses office. (To my disappointment, Riku had already checked out long before I woke up.) So I never got the chance to see the damage I did to Riku's face . . . and I wasn't actually eager to see the look of Sora's face either. I know they're best friends and having me punch Riku's face to the point of bleeding isn't exactly a friendly gesture.

But I didn't feel the effects of my concussion until halfway home when I almost fell off my brother's bike because I was too dizzy and nauseous to hang on any longer. I think I blacked out again because the next thing I remember, I was already snuggled in my bed, but still dressed in my uniform.

Judging by the darkness outside my bedroom window, I can guess I was out for a long time. One look at my clock proved my guess it was 4AM.

I fell back against my pillow, my brain still throbbing from whatever it was that I smacked into, my eyes focused blankly on the ceiling. I felt . . . weird thinking about what happened. Somehow, I thought that replaying bits and pieces of what I could remember from fighting Riku would make me feel happy but I felt dissatisfied and disappointed in a way.

Something in the back of my mind kept nagging at me. It kept telling me that maybe . . . it wasn't Riku who had knocked me with the dodgeball in the first place and that maybe it was somebody else.

The thought of it made me shudder underneath my bed sheets. I don't know why or how, but whenever I kept thinking about it, I kept seeing sinister emerald green eyes glaring down back at me.

My upper back throbbed in pain.

Maybe that concussion was a lot more serious than I thought it was.

I was right; it did get a lot worse. For the remainder of the week, my mom forced me to stay home after she got word of what happened (thanks to Naminé's big mouth!). I can't say I didn't mind it though, after my mom left for work the latent effects of my concussion attacked me in full throttle throughout the whole day. I couldn't sleep much and I spent like my whole damn morning in the bathroom teetering between throwing up stomach acid and dry heaving.

I swear if I ever see Riku again, I'm going to make him payback three times worse for making me go through this utter bullshit!

When I did get healthy enough to spend the whole day in bed, Cloud became my personal slav—housekeeper for a few hours at a time. He brought up my snacks, my dinner, pulled out clean clothes to wear, cleaned up my room, changed my sheets, gave me a foot massage and dumped a whole bowl of cereal on me after he found out my plan of exploiting his help that Friday.

Naminé took pity on me too, or at least, she stopped being angry with me and did all my homework for every one of my classes. (I didn't even ask her for that, she did that on her own!) Sometimes it's good to have a smart twin! I just hope she didn't dot her "I's" with those stupid Mickey ears she always does. (I should probably check my English homework before school on Monday)

That's how the rest of the week went for me. Get weighed hand and feet by my own siblings, have my mom fond over me, checking my pulse, checking my pupils—did I ever mention my mom worries too much for the littlest of things? And get left to do whatever the hell I want without worry of school for the rest of the day. Oh yeah, that was the life! Well, it was the life until Friday came around, and after the whole dunking my cheerios on my head incident, I think this surprise almost gave me a heart attack.

It was after I checked my clock and noticed that school had ended not even thirty minutes ago. Naminé said she joined the Art Club with her girl posse so I figured I wouldn't be seeing her for another thirty minutes and since Cloud works part-time after school, I wouldn't be seeing him until later than that.

So imagine my surprise that afternoon when I heard the doorbell ring. Thinking that it was Cloud forgetting his keys again, even though he hasn't done it since he was fourteen, I unlocked the door and threw it open—half expecting to be greeted by my brother's milky sullen face. But instead, I'm greeted by someone completely opposite from Cloud—someone who has tanned skin, a round face, crystalline blue eyes and a nest of Hershey brown spiky hair.

(Did I seriously compare Sora's hair to a chocolate bar?)

"Hey Roxas!" came the forever-more-cheery greeting. "How ya feeling?"

(Well gee, if I wasn't in school today then obviously I still feel like shit!) I couldn't tell him that—obviously—so I opted for my second best answer. I glared at him. I tried making my eyes as verbal as I could—to make him know that his question was beyond idiotic and that he should turn around and go back home.

Keyword: tried.

He didn't get the message. He looked right through my glaring and gave me such a bright, clueless smile that I gave up on the spot and invited him into the house.

I stood in the hallway with my arms crossed, absolutely refusing to go upstairs to my room or anywhere else in the house. I didn't want Sora to stay long, especially since I'm pretty sure he's here to give me a lecture about breaking his best friend's beautiful, smug face, but the words that came out of his mouth stunned me completely.

"I'm sorry for what happened in Gym the other day," he murmured, his eyes oddly interested on his shoes. "I mean, I know I didn't do anything but it was my best friend who knocked you out so I thought…" He trailed off, his right hand automatically finding its place in the back of his head.

I noticed that he does that a lot.

"Well, Riku's sorry too and don't worry, Kairi, Naminé and I knocked some sense into him after that." He grinned, his eyes finally meeting mine. "Oh yeah!"

He reached into his school bag and pulled out something wrapped in pink cloth with white bunny decorations and a yellow ribbon knotting the whole thing together. He handed me the item, his smile never once faltering, and I found myself captivated by the sheer brilliance of his smile. How can a normal person smile that much anyway?

"They're apology cookies. When Naminé told us you still weren't feeling well, Kairi, Selphie and Olette decide to bake cookies." He laughed suddenly, almost as if he were remembering some hilarious memory. (He probably was.) "Naminé was supposed to give it to you today but she had Art Club."

It must have been Naminé who told him where we lived too. Even my twin is plotting against me. (Not that I mind though—wait, what?! What the hell am I thinking!?) I mentally slapped myself. Throwing my thoughts aside, I untied the yellow ribbon and watched the pink cloth unfurled itself to reveal various multi-shaped cookies. There were stars, demented bunnies, hearts and one weirdly shaped cookie that kind of reminded me of a mouse with ears. And again, I'm instantly reminded that I still have to check my English homework.

I picked up one of the demented bunny shaped cookies and bit off its ears. It tasted like ginger.

My eyebrows rose upward. Hey, they weren't half-bad. Actually, they were pretty good!

I took another one of the cookies and tossed it into my mouth, chewing away in delight but still never once moving from the hall. Sora didn't seem to mind though; he kept his eyes watching my expressions whenever I bit into another cookie. He seemed amused by it, but I knew he couldn't fool me.

Sora was expecting something. He was expecting me to say thank you—vocally—but I won't do it. I'll thank him the way I usually do and usher him out of my house before he gets too comfy.

It's not that I have anything against him, actually I kind of like hanging out with him (d-did I just say that?) but he's gotta be at leasta little pissed that I punched out his best friend? I mean, there's no way a nice guy like him—and let's face it, Sora's just way too nice for his own good—can forgive me just like that.

Why am I worrying anyway? It's not like I care.

By the time I'm halfway finished with the cookies, Sora's sudden shift in movement snapped me back to reality. He stuffed his hands into his pockets; those bright eyes of his locked back onto his feet. He looks uncomfortable for some reason and I can't help the feeling in the pit of my stomach that I know what's coming next.

"Actually I, um, I wanted to ask you something…about…" he hesitated before he urged on, "about what happened on Tuesday."

I knew it.

He didn't wait for a reply, probably because he knows he wasn't going to get one or probably because he could sense my irritation. "Just hear me out okay? I'm not accusing you of anything and I'm not mad about what happened either—" (Yeah right, whatever.) "—I…we just want to know what happened."

"Riku honestly believes that it wasn't him." He continued on when my silence grew too much for him. "He says that he was busy trying not to get hit when the next thing he sees is a dodgeball fly past his head and straight towards you. Nobody else saw what happened or who threw it, but I have a feeling that Riku's telling the truth. He might get jealous but he wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose. Riku would never do that!"

I scoffed. Loudly.

Sora's eyes shot back to mine so fast, it took me a couple of seconds to realize he was staring at me. Well, he was glaring at me but it doesn't matter.

"You don't believe he didn't do it?"

I shook my head and crossed my arms to prove a point. It was a little hard with the cookies in my hand but he got the message loud and clear.

His brows furrowed downward in disappointment. "Riku never lies. If he says he didn't do it then I believe him! I don't know why you don't like him; he's never done anything wrong to you Roxas. I think you're being a little unfair."

Now it's my turn to scowl. I spun away from him, clutching the apology cookies tightly as agitation surged through my veins. Of course he'd take sides with Riku; they are best friends after all.

I want him to go, to leave me in my silent fuming agitation but the kid doesn't take the hint. So he stays by the front door with his eyes threatening to burn holes into the back of my head. I won't give him the satisfaction of turning around, if he wants to stick up for his BFF then he could say it to my back!

Instead, I heard him heave a sigh. Not just any sigh, a sigh so weighted down with various mixed emotions it almost made me want to turn around and see the look on his face. I never do though. I'm too stubborn and prideful to let him win this round.

"I'm sorry. I didn't come here to pick a fight. You're supposed to be getting better, not getting worse."

(Damn right.)

"But…don't hate Riku for what happened. I've known him since we were kids; I know he would never lie to me, especially about something like this. I just know in my gut that he's innocent. But even so…that doesn't give him the right to punch you back."

"He's lucky I didn't break his nose…" I muttered to myself. It didn't register in my brain that I actually said it out loud until Sora started chuckling behind me.

"Y-yeah, you almost did though."

I couldn't help myself, the corners of my mouth tugged upward into a smile at the sound of his laughter. It was nice to hear him laugh, it was almost soothing… and it made me feel like everything was going to be okay. That everything was right in the world, as it should be… as it was before.

I finally turned back around, catching him compose himself from his chuckle fit when another toothy grin spread across his face.

"That's the second time I heard you talk." He still thinks I'm mute? "I didn't notice before, but you sound really familiar."

I quirked a curious eyebrow. He thinks I sound familiar? Somebody get me a tape recorder so I can hit replay and have him listen to how he sounds. Sheesh, he still reminds me of that kid from that weird horror movie!

"I know it sounds really weird, but you kind of remind me of a singer." He said with a shrug. "Jess—something." His eyes suddenly lit up as a thought clicked into his mind. "Hey! We should go to a karaoke bar! I bet you have a great singing voice." He gave me an impish grin that I felt the back of my neck grow hot in embarrassment.

Oh. Hell. No.

(I will not make a sound! I will NOT make a sound!)

I shook my head quickly, almost violently, that the golden spikes of my hair bounced around frantically from side to side. His devious grin only broadened with my reaction. That little devil is enjoying this!

"Aw c'mon Roxy," (ROXY?!) "I'll tell you what; me, Riku and the others are planning on going to town this weekend. If you say you'll come, I promise I won't drag you into a karaoke bar."

(Must…not…say…any-)

"I wouldn't sing even if you forced me to!" I slapped a hand against my mouth, my eyes horror stricken and my face pale. I didn't mean to say anything! I tried so hard to force it back down but . . . how does he keep making me blurt out like that? It's like he's not even trying!

And now Sora's got this triumphant expression on his face, like he's won something amazing. Who knows, he probably has, it takes a lot to make me say anything.

His triumph quickly fell into a frown at the sight of my paling face. I know what he's going to ask, but a part of me hopes he doesn't because at least then I wouldn't have to give him an answer. I wouldn't be able to lie to him either, that's why I'm afraid of saying anything more.

He doesn't need to know the truth. He wouldn't understand what happened. This is something I can't tell anyone . . . (I promised.)

"Why do you always look so scared when you say something?" His question was so curious, so innocent—so oblivious to the pain he was inflicting in me.

He had no clue of the memories he was provoking.

"It feels like . . ." His eyes clouded over in thought, like he was struggling to find the right words to express what he saying. "It feels like you're trying to hide something. Like maybe you're afraid that you might say something wrong?"

He looked deeply into my eyes. So much concern, worry and curiosity swimming deep within his own ocean colored eyes. I felt something inside me stir, something that wanted me to just spill out every secret that I knew, but I gripped my mouth shut tightly.

I won't break my promise.

I won't say anything.

Not even to someone like Sora.

"Silentium. Know what it means? It's Latin for silence. So you better keep that pretty little mouth of yours shut unless you want me to slit that sleek little neck. Got it?"

. . . sadistic twinkling green . . .

. . . burning, throbbing, sharp . . .

. . . red, warm, blood . . .

. . . Pain, pain, pain . . .

"Roxas!"

I was snapped out of my daze, flashes of green, red, silver still teasing my vision like haunted memories that they were. My back is on fire again, but I keep my face void of any pain. Sora's voice still echoed in my mind, he had been watching me, his eyes pooled with worry.

I can only imagine how I look like to him: face pale, body trembling slightly, and a sheet of cold sweat on my forehead. He probably thinks it's because of the concussion. Good. I would rather have him think that than tell him the truth. Anything is better than that . . .

"Maybe you should rest a bit. You're starting to look sicker than before."

I nodded in agreement and allowed him to lead me up the stairs to my room. A part of me begs to tell him everything, the whole truth about myself and what torments me but the other half of me wants him to go away and leave me be. I ignore both my wants. I'm too tired to fight, too tired to think and too damn tired to care that he took my cookies and laid them on top of the nightstand.

I'm out like a lot before he even tucks me in. And for a moment, I thought I saw him smile.