Chapter 01

The First

Summary:

Roxas goes to a new school and meets friends and foes alike.

Roxas' first day to his new school had him nervously sitting on the bus, chewing nails and gazing out the window.

He watched the scenery and urban life roll past, stealing glances at the new passengers that got on at various stops. Would they be his new classmates? Would he make friends with them or become mortal enemies?

He didn't really believe the latter would occur, but it paid to be vigilant and have all his worst case scenarios covered.

The bus jostled along the streets, and gradually filled with the chatter of other kids. Roxas hoped he would stay unnoticed as the new guy, and kept eyes fixated on his portion of the window whenever the bus was in motion.

Some kid who sat down next to him elbowed him sharply. Roxas' head snapped, to glare menacingly, even though it came out looking more like terror. But the kid hadn't done it on purpose. He were busy chatting to the two girls who sat behind Roxas. It was some small relief and his attention returned to the window, which was starting to fog up as the inside grew warmer with bodies, while the outside retained its frosty chill from the onset of winter.

The closer he got to where his new school was, the more kids he saw on foot, all heading the same way. All of a sudden something familiar made itself known to Roxas. The bus stopped at a red light and Roxas looked at the bundled up kid as he crossed the road, sporting a backpack with characters from one of Roxas' favorite TV shows. Seeing anyone sporting merchandise from Twilight World was too strange. That show was about three times as old as Roxas was. He had grown up on a diet of retro and classic sci-fi and fantasy genres, which had long faded into obscurity. Or so Roxas always assumed.

As the bus began moving again, his wistful gaze trailed and lingered for as long as it could on the kid with the backpack. A small hope bubbled that they would be classmates.

But this didn't turn out to be the case. As Roxas arrived at his school - an old brick multi-storey building - with each floor assigned to a specific grade - he caught no sight of familiar characters and awfully dated sci-fi special effects printed on a backpack canvas.

It was disappointing, but he didn't have much time to dwell on it. As the new kid on the floor Roxas was kept busy being introduced to his classmates, teachers, and how the whole place ran. He was buddied up with a girl named Olette who took good care of him over the first few weeks. She introduced him to everyone, particularly her close friends Pence and Hayner. And then she, and her close knit group, continued to hang out with Roxas long after he had settled in. They all became fast friends, bonding over liking the same odd flavors of ice cream, listening to particular music together and ganging up on Hayner in their daily lunchtime games out in the school's courtyard.

Roxas liked his friends, but he continued to wistfully look out the buses window and watch Twilight Kid - as he had dubbed him in his own head - on their daily commute to school.

Turns out Twilight Kid actually had a name - Axel Lethbridge. He was in the year above Roxas - literally and figuratively - and appeared to be quite studious.

Once a month, in the morning, a school wide assembly was called in the large gymnasium where updates were given and awards handed out. Sadly it was also the place they announced all new arrivals to the school, and for maximum embarrassment Roxas was called up to the stage.

He tried to be as cool about it as possible. His three 'friends' - now turned betrayers - had eyed him and giggled quietly before the assembly had started, apparently finding it fun to not inform him of what would take place. So Roxas had no time to adequately prepare himself as he was called up to the front of the entire school.

Nervous jitters flooded him. Swallowing became a chore. All he was able to squeeze out into the microphone when he reached the stage was, "Um… hi," accompanied by an inward cringe, as his tiny voice cracked over the PA system. Then he remained up there, in the back with another kid - Philippe - who was also new.

After that awfulness more kids got called up to the stage, which served as a small reprieve from the hundreds of eyes he felt boring into him and Philippe. The school apparently liked to embarrass whoever did the best in their grade. The second last person to be called up was Axel Lethbridge.

Much to his surprise Roxas recognized the clothes this kid was wearing. They were unique - because who in their right mind would wear lime green overalls? He had seen Twilight Kid walking to school wearing that exact same shade and covered up everywhere else by a gray jacket and woolly hat for the entirety of winter.

So finally Roxas had a name to put to Twilight Kid. That was pretty awesome, and elevated an embarrassing morning to one that was pretty good.

Roxas found it difficult to tear his eyes off the guy. He had seen him around the place - for how could you miss a shade of red that color. But he had never paid him much mind. Yet for some reason - now that he knew that this was the guy he had been staring at from the bus for the past month - he liked that color. He liked the way his hair stuck up. He wanted to pay attention.

So he watched Axel nonchalantly wander down the aisle and up to the stage where he received an award for having come first in the latest pop quiz his grade had endured. He shook the principal's hand like it was nothing and sauntered casually up beside Roxas, whom he flashed a chill smile to and the tiniest of winks, before settling and staring out over the sea of other students.

Roxas thought he would pop with how cool Axel was. A good foot taller than him - awesome green eyes and an attitude which Roxas already admired from just having seen him interact with other human beings for 30 seconds. He wanted to say something - but instead found himself frozen, staring ahead and just feeling the cool aura radiating beside him.

When the assembly was all finished Roxas felt like he could finally breathe again. And he made sure to use his regained lung capacity to grill his friends as much as possible about Axel Lethbridge.

Now that Roxas knew what to look out for he could spot Axel way more easily through his school days. Down by the cafeteria, out by the playground, occasionally wandering up and down the stairs.

Month after month Axel was called up to assembly - having aced yet another exam - winning some award for a science competition the school had entered - getting the school placed in one of the top three spots of whatever competition was going around. Axel always looked unfazed. He never seemed to get shit from anyone else either about being academically gifted and the poster child for his grade. It just made Axel even cooler in Roxas' eyes.

"I didn't even know our school had a competitive chess club," Roxas pondered aloud.

"More options open up with each grade. Right now we've only got arts and crafts and spelling bee's," Olette informed as they hoisted their bags to head off to their floor and get the day started.

"You like chess, Roxas?" Pence enquired.

Before Roxas could answer Hayner jumped in with a derisive tone, "Of course he likes chess if Axel likes it."

Roxas received an eyeroll and a fairly gentle shove.

"Not true, Hayner. I like chess. Dad and I used to play it. I even beat him a couple of times without him losing on purpose," he grinned somewhat triumphantly. "Do you think they'd let me join even though I'm not in that grade?"

The guys shrugged and Hayner groaned openly. Roxas was used to it by now. Hayner used to tease Roxas about his idolization of Axel but lately he just bemoaned it instead.

"You could always go talk to Ms. Statson and see if she could talk to the other teachers," Pence suggested as they headed towards the stairwell with everyone else.

"Maybe I will. Dad's not got much time for me anymore. He's busy at work. A promotion or something, and mom's no fun and doesn't play chess. Wonder how Axel got into chess," he mused.

Another frustrated groan sounded from Hayner.

"Why don't you go and just ask him, Rox? Your crush is right over there by the water fountain." Hayner shoved him lightly, causing Roxas to stumble and cough as he choked lightly on his own saliva.

"Don't be gross, Hay. I don't have a crush on him. No way."

"Whatever, buddy. It's a crush and we all know it," Hayner jeered and dragged Roxas by his backpack until Olette stepped in and punched Hayner in the chest.

"C'mon Hayner. Quit it."

"He talks about that guy non-stop. It's driving me crazy. How're we supposed to know what songs he likes or what styling products he uses? Just go ask him!" Hayner stormed off, taking two stairs at a time, and leaving the other three at the bottom of the stairwell.

"What's his problem?" Roxas muttered, straightening out his backpack from where it had been pulled into an uncomfortable position.

"Hay just really likes you, Roxas. He wants to be your BFF but you keep talking about Axel." Pence patted Roxas' shoulder and got them all moving again.

Roxas felt a bit stunned at that. "No I don't."

"You totally do," Olette corrected.

Roxas frowned and grumbled. "So what if I do? All you guys are my best friends. I haven't even talked to Axel. I - just think we'd be really good friends if we did talk."

"You do talk about him a lot. I mean… it's fine, but I get why Hayner might be grumpy," Olette offered up gently.

"I'll… be less annoying. Promise."

And Roxas did his best to keep to that promise. He kept his wonderings inside and tried to keep his eyes and attention focused on his friends when they were in shared spaces with other grades and Axel happened to be nearby.

Roxas didn't really understand what his fascination with Axel was. He definitely didn't have a crush. No matter how often Hayner would say it while shoving him towards the general vicinity of Axel whenever they did pass by the redhead and his group of friends. Liking girls was gross - to which Olette objected. Liking guys was even more gross.

There was just something infinitely cool about Axel. The way he wore his hair, carried himself, and the fact that he seemed to be achieving things in all the subjects that Roxas liked most and considered himself slightly above mediocre at.

If they were in the same grade - if they were able to talk - Roxas knew they would be best of friends. They'd get on great and talk about all their favorite junk together and stay up late at each other's houses, binge watching their favorite shows and coming up with fun crackpot theories about shit. And Axel would invite Roxas to do cool things - like trespass on properties just because there was an awesome tree to climb or the rumor of a cave to go and explore.

He kept thoughts like that secret, not wanting to hurt Hayner's feelings. He really loved his friends and had a great time with them.

As the summer break came, being away from school helped Roxas detach his thoughts somewhat from Axel. But not completely. Roxas tried to grow his hair out and spike it. Hayner's feedback was that he looked stupid, and Roxas reluctantly had to agree with him. He would have killed to dye it bright red - thinking that would somehow improve things - but his father would have murdered him, and he definitely wanted to see what teenagehood was like before he died, so he gave up his dream and got a haircut before school resumed. Though he did continue to spike his hair a little bit and find his own style.

He didn't do it because of any lame crush. No. He desperately wanted to be Axel's friend. They'd get on great. They'd be the best of friends and talk about all their favorite junk together and stay up late at each other's houses binge watching their favorite shows and coming up with fun crackpot theories about shit. And Axel would invite Roxas to do cool things - like trespass on properties just because there was an awesome tree to climb or the rumor of a cave to go and explore.

As Roxas grew up so did his determination to definitely go talk to Axel. One day. Before he left for middle school. Definitely. Roxas had to do it before then.

When he was in 4th grade, and was allowed to finally join the chess club he did so with great enthusiasm.

There he met Zexion, who was rather quiet but brilliant. Roxas often watched Axel challenge him to matches - which he mostly lost. He liked watching the matches because it was the closest he could get to Axel without feeling completely embarrassed and out of his depth. The guy seemed to always be surrounded by other kids.

Roxas' plan was to befriend Zexion, who seemed a safe choice, and then consequently to be introduced to Axel.

The plan seemed to be working. He ingratiated himself with Zexion by asking for tuition and spouting over the top accolades.

One late afternoon Roxas' wish came true. He was chatting with Zexion about a video replay from the world championships when Axel waltzed up to them.

"Zexy! How about it? I've got a new move I want to pull on you," he grinned.

Roxas' skin prickled with nerves and sweat. He'd been watching Axel from afar for well over a year like some demented stalker. Now was the time for proper introductions.

"Not today, Axel. I have research of my own to do."

"Oh c'moooon!" he bemoaned

Roxas cleared his throat drawing Zexion's attention and with it an expression of understanding suddenly dawned on normally cool and unfazed features.

They had spoken about this. Roxas hadn't explicitly voiced his obsession with the redhead, but he had spoken about wanting to face Axel one day, and how overlooked he felt.

"I am busy today, Axel. But Roxas here is coming along nicely. He might pose a challenge for you."

Green eyes drew onto Roxas, as if they had never seen him before. Roxas smiled, and hoped that he didn't look like a nervous wreck right about now. He couldn't croak or choke. He couldn't look like a miserable uncool loser. Not in front of the guy he wanted to impress.

Hard lump was swallowed. "Hey, pleased to meet you." Roxas offered his hand but didn't have it taken. Green eyes just scrutinized and frowned.

"How long've you been here for?"

"Eh… I - joined the club beginning of the year."

"A newbie. Zex, c'mon, you can't be serious."

"Give him a chance, Axel." Zexion got up and gathered his things. "I'll be going to the library if you need me," and with that he left.

"H-how about it, Axel? You can practice on me." Roxas tried to squeeze out a confident smile.

Axel sighed and clicked his tongue. "Nah. Sorry er -"

"Roxas," he said quietly.

"Yeah, sorry. Maybe another time." He waved without casting any more glances at Roxas and walked back to the front of the room where a match was in full swing.

Roxas wasn't good enough. Complete defeat and humiliation began to lap at his psyche.

So he grew determined to get called up to the front of assembly - because he was going to top everything that Axel ever got called up for.

Roxas applied himself over the next few months before school finished for the year, and before Axel would leave for middle school. At this point Roxas didn't even care about being friends. He just wanted to be thought of as worthwhile and maybe rub Axel's attitude in his face.

'Roxas Barton.'

'Roxas Barton.'

'Roxas Barton.'

'Roxas Barton.'

He stood proudly on that stage - next to Axel and some other kids from the grades below him. Axel always smiled at him the same way - casual, uncaring, unrecognizing - and in silence.

Axel didn't pay Roxas any attention and never asked to play chess against him - though he'd ask plenty of others. It made Roxas grit his teeth, made him hot and cause his heart to pound. He would come home grumpy so he threw himself into his studies because he was going to outshine Axel in everything he did.

But nothing changed and the last day of school arrived, bringing with it the last chance to be friends. It only dawned on Roxas that this had been his goal all along for the last two years but he had poured all his energy into trying to outdo the guy.

He had gotten up in a panic, raced around his room and ended up grabbing a duplicate he had of a rare trading card from Twilight World. He popped it into an envelope with some fanart he had done a while ago and raced off to his bus stop.

The day passes without much opportunity or courage to speak to, or walk up to Axel, and hand the parting gift to him. But it was all right because there would be one last opportunity.

There was an end of day assembly to wish the going-out grade all the best. Speeches were given, awards handed out and then everyone rose as music played and the grade walked down the aisle and back outside to mingle, take photos and say goodbye to teachers and fellow students.

Walking out of the assembly hall, students could be seen mulling around with their parents. Roxas was on the lookout for Axel and spied him… standing alone, looking at the pile of certificates he had been awarded at the ceremony.

Roxas frowned but breathed in some courage and walked towards him. This was his last chance.

"Axel."

"Hmm?" He turned around, a look of interest on his face, which fell as soon as he saw Roxas.

"I, ah. I wanted to give this to you." He handed Axel the envelope. This was it. Axel would open it and it would also open up their friendship.

Green eyes scrutinized, but took the envelope. "What's this."

"I know you like Twilight World so…" Roxas looked down at the backpack Axel had parked at his feet.

The glance was acknowledged with Axel's own, and then he opened the envelope and pulled out the drawing.

Roxas suddenly felt exceptionally nervous.

"Cool," were the words which drawled out of Axel. "That's Layla, right?"

"Yeah. Smashing Prantix." A nervous smile flicked onto Roxas' face, which grew into a big grin when Axel laughed.

"Yeah, he totally sucks, doesn't he!"

Roxas nodded. He thought his face would bend out of shape of he kept smiling like this.

"Well thanks for this. Layla's awesome and kicks so much butt."

"Oh there's also -," Roxas pointed at the envelope, making Axel take another look.

His eyes went wide as he pulled out the card. "No freaking way! Atroni Station! This is like super rare. You're giving it to me?" Wide green eyes of disbelief hit Roxas.

Those green eyes were just so freaking cool. Roxas pulled himself out of that thought. He shrugged, trying to be as chilled as possible. "I've got a second one. It's no big deal."

Axel scoffed at that and held the card aloft. "Whatever dude. It kinda is a big deal. But if you're happy for me to have it - instead of making a bajillion munny with this, then I won't say no."

"Keep it."

"Awesome. Thanks." Axel put the card and drawing back in the envelope and stuffed it into his backpack, which he then hoisted onto his shoulder. Smiling eyes returned to Roxas. "So how you even know the show? It's kinda older than both of us put together."

They both laughed at that. Roxas was internally fist pumping and cheering like crazy. He should totally have done this two years ago. "Well my dad sat me down and basically forced me to watch it until I fell in love with it. Which didn't take long," he beamed. "What about you? Did your dad show it to you, too?"

It's like a cold wind blew through. Axel's eyes narrowed. "Who are you again?"

Roxas felt taken aback and coughed slightly. "Roxas Barton."

Axel looked confused. "Are you new to the school?" it seemed like a genuine question, and not just something Axel was putting out there to be mean.

Roxas shook his head. What was happening right now? They were about to become the best of friends and now… "We were in the same chess club. I'm the one who always stood next to you at assembly this year…" His voice grew smaller and smaller.

Axel's expression remained confused looking. His brow furrowed as he seemed to struggle to place Roxas.

He should have gotten mad. How dare Axel not remember him. But all he felt was worthless and it dug deeply into him, bringing with it a tightening of his face and a choking sob.

Axel's face lightened. "Are you… crying?"

"No," Roxas squeaked, rubbing at eyes and trying to wear an angry scowl.

Axel laughed. "You totally are!" And he laughed more.

That was all Roxas could bare. The sting in his eyes grew bigger, the tears spilled. He turned and walked away as fast as he could without having to resort to running, while Axel's laugh continued to ring through the air.

Author Notes

There's 12 chapters in total.

If you're enjoying, please leave some love. :)

And I wrote this at a hectic time in my life so excuse messy typos or spelling mistakes. I never got a beta to check it for me. Woops.