It was finally presentation day.

After long hours of slaving away at their report, Naminé was proud of what they had accomplished. While it could have been written in separate places, the girls had spent the bulk of their time together. And surprisingly, it was Naminé who had often made the suggestion to meet. The artist was still uncertain of what happened that night, but the bitter atmosphere had turned toxic and was now a daily occurrence at their household. Besides Faye leaving much earlier than she should, she also hadn't spoken a word to Naminé. Were they back to square one? If Faye's call had been any indication that she cared, the blonde had thought they were making baby steps in building a relationship. But perhaps it was just her imagination.

On the other hand, their mother was now rarely seen around the house. Leaving shortly after her daughter, she was working longer hours and would return past dinner time. There was no yelling, insults, or anything similar to the like: just raw silence that was driving Naminé to the ends of her sanity. It felt wrong to ask, but yet she felt obligated. Torn between two conflicting emotions, she had decided to keep quiet in hopes that Faye and their mother would rekindle their questionable relationship somehow. Naminé had never wished for things to return to normal. Now, she wanted it more than ever.

To escape her thoughts, the young artist had asked Xion to meet up multiple times, initially using the report as an excuse. But it had soon transitioned into casual meet ups with no school work involved but the salty sweetness of sea salt ice-cream.

Sitting in the library with a good book in her hands, Naminé was flipping a page until she saw her phone lit up with a new message. The artist glanced at it and found it was from Seifer asking her for help with Cloud's engagement party. It had turned out their parents had decided to leave the ordeal to him after his exams had finished. After reading his brief rant, Naminé agreed to be of assistance. She agreed to meet with him after her project as the students received the rest of the day off after their presentations.

She had still been staring at her phone until a male voice spoke. "Hey, Naminé, is it?"

The artist looked up and saw a head of untamed red hair and green eyes. She instantly knew who it was with those trademark features of his. He was also much taller up close. "Yes," she replied softly.

"The name's Axel," the redhead said with a small grin. "Got it memorized?"

Naminé's head slightly cocked to the side. "Do you need something?"

"Xion said she was in the library with you. But since she's not here... I thought you could keep me company for the time being. What do you say?"

Naminé shifted awkwardly in her seat. "Xion's in the washroom right now… she should be back soon."

Axel glanced down at the large poster board and whistled lowly. "Did you draw this?"

Naminé felt her cheeks grow warm. "Yes, I did."

The redhead laughed. "Thought so. Xion has no drawing talent whatsoever. It looks great."

"T-thank you."

Axel glanced at the empty seat and then at her. She gestured for him to sit down and so the redhead did. It took her by slight surprise that he was polite. Despite being the basketball team's superstar, the artist had heard rumors regarding his past as a delinquent, which was–according to the rumors–ironically how he had gotten into basketball. While the rumors had died, the aftermath was just as accusatorial even if no one spoke anymore due to judgemental stares and avoidance. No one could fathom how such a wealthy and good-natured family could be so unlucky being stuck with a black lamb like Axel. And while Naminé knew that gossip and rumors had painted a bad picture of him, she couldn't wholeheartedly believe he was as bad as people say if there were people like Ria and Xion in his life.

"I take it you guys haven't presented yet?"

Naminé shook her head. "Have you?"

"Just did."

"A-any word of advice?"

There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're asking me for advice? Man, I wish everyone else was here to hear that!" Axel laughed at her blank countenance. "I'm not sure what advice you're looking for."

"Any kind, I guess."

"There's not much you can really do."

"...That wasn't the response I was expecting."

Axel leaned back and placed his feet on the empty chair across from him. "But it's the truth. You just go in and do your thing. Come out and be glad that it's all over." Naminé glanced down at her book but looked at the redhead again when he spoke. "It's all about confidence, Naminé." She didn't know what it was, but she felt attacked. "In other words, just do your best."

"Hey, Axel!"

Naminé recognized the two people alongside Xion as Riku and Kairi. They smiled and acknowledged her to which the artist responded with a soft hello.

"Oh, this is Naminé. Naminé this is Kairi and Riku," said Xion and gesturing respectively to the correct individuals.

"Here's your USB back. Thanks for letting me borrow it," said Axel. He tossed the small object to her. Xion caught it with ease. "All my stuff should be deleted off of there."

"I just don't want to see any inappropriate things," said Xion flatly.

Axel waved his hand dismissively. "Since when am I so cruel?"

Kairi rolled her eyes. "Let's leave them alone, Axel."

"Where are you guys headed now?" the redhead asked.

"We're thinking of going to the arcade after everyone's done," said Riku. "You coming?"

Axel shook his head. "I'll have to pass this time to run some errands for my sister."

"What about you, Naminé? Wanna come with us?" asked Kairi.

The artist politely explained she had other plans. To this Riku said, "It looks like it'll just be us three."

Axel raised a brow. "Roxas and Dem aren't going? That's a shocker."

"Demyx has guitar practice," said Kairi. "He's actually going and putting in extra effort because he thinks it'll score him brownie points with the cute girl that just transferred to his English class."

"You can't arm me with that kind of information," said Axel, smiling slyly. "It can get dangerous."

"As for Roxas, we don't really know what's happening," added Riku. "It feels like he's been everywhere lately. Do you know anything Xion?"

"I think it's because Vanitas actually gave him some work to do."

Everyone laughed. The time was almost forgotten before Xion spoke up about leaving to be a few minutes early. Riku and Kairi wished the girls good luck, and Axel teased of being careful not to mess up in front of the 'strict judge of a teacher that was Mr. Delaney.'

Shortly after, Naminé and Xion were walking side by side toward their presentation room. As they approached their designated room, they managed to catch Roxas and Vanitas walking out from the one across from theirs. Naminé felt a rush of excitement. She greeted them as they passed her but the artist had instantly noticed the small smile Roxas had given her never reached his eyes. He also looked quite tired. Putting the thought aside, she decided to focus on the task at hand as she entered the room with Xion.

"Could you tell what anyone was thinking?" asked Xion after their presentation had come to an end. "I thought they looked bored, honestly."

"So, you saw Mr. Delaney dozing off too?"

"It looked like he was daydreaming!"

Naminé couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, I thought so too."

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day?"

"I'm helping Seifer plan my sister's engagement party," said Naminé. "You know… the guy from a few days ago."

Xion's eyes widened, clearly surprised. "Wait, what? Is your sister getting married to his brother?"

Naminé nodded. "So I've been told."

"Wow, so you guys are going to be in-laws! Seifer's a nice guy, so that's pretty neat."

This wasn't the first time that Seifer's relationship with the DeCastros had aroused her curiosity. The artist hadn't missed how the slight shift in Seifer's tone sounded when he told encouraged her to stay for dinner at the Decastro house. She also recalled how insistent he sounded to pick her up. But what took the cake was he hadn't asked for an address and hung up almost immediately.

"How do you guys know him?"

"I wasn't really close with him," began Xion. "Talked with him a few times since he was pretty close with Roxas until they just drifted apart." Xion looked at the artist and continued playfully, "Maybe that'll rekindle their friendship somehow." Naminé pulled out her phone that had just rung. "Is he here to pick you up?" The artist nodded. "Well, have fun! I hope we'll hang out again soon."

Xion's cheerful countenance made Naminé smile as she said, "Yes, let's!"

~x~

The engine to Seifer's car roared to life once the young artist was seated with her seatbelt on.

"How was your presentation?" he asked.

"I think it went well." She chuckled. "I think we bored them to death, though."

"And that doesn't scare you?"

Naminé looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"I don't really know. Boring them to death doesn't sound like it'll get you a good grade."

"I guess we did all we can. There's nothing else we can do now."

"Was it fun?"

The artist turned to him who still kept his eyes on the road. "Y-yeah, it was."

Seifer laughed. "Xion always manages to make things fun, huh?"

Naminé glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Seifer's foot lightly pressed the brake as the car approached a red streetlight. "You're wondering how we met, aren't you?" Her cheeks grew warm which he responded with a brief chuckle. "I met her through Roxas. But I never got a chance to get to know her very well. She seems like a nice girl, though."

"She is."

"I see you guys became good friends."

"Don't you guys still talk?"

Seifer chuckled. "You're awfully curious today, Naminé. A few months ago you wouldn't say a word to me, and now you're wanting to know so much."

"It's not like that."

The car slowly moved forward as Seifer continued, "And a few months ago, I bet you wouldn't have imagined spending time with me."

"Stop teasing me, please," said Naminé sternly.

Seifer laughed. "Okay, sorry. It's just it seemed like you changed a lot."

Her voice was quiet when she said, "You haven't answered my question."

"I still say hi when I see her. But we don't really keep in contact otherwise. Most of our conversations happened when Roxas was around." Seifer glanced at her. "You have a crush on Roxas, don't you?"

Naminé was at a loss for words. "W-what are you talking about? I do not!"

"I noticed you became fidgety when I mentioned him. And now you're redder than a tomato." His tone was neither teasing or playful but surprisingly serious.

"He's a nice guy," said Naminé quietly.

"Can I give you a word of advice?" The artist looked his way. "It's best if you don't get too involved with him."

~x~

Axel held out the bag of belongings that was once a part of the clutter that was occasionally found in his sister's apartment. The redhead stared at the man with little interest, briefly wondering what Ria had seen in him. In exchange, the man handed him the bag of his sister's belongings.

"Thanks," the man said monotonously. "Tell your sister that I wish the best for her."

Axel rolled his eyes as he watched him walk off. Just as he was about turn the other way, he caught a glimpse of a familiar head of blonde hair and blue eyes on the other side of the busy street. It didn't take the redhead long to recognize the other blonde male walking beside him. Axel's eyes narrowed and wondered what the notorious Decastro sibling was doing with someone as good-natured as Hayner.

~x~

Seifer had pulled into the driveway of his home with the backseats and trunk of his car full of supplies. He glanced at the blonde beside him as the car came to a full stop. Their shopping trip had been faster than expected, to Naminé's dismay. What had Seifer meant? The words echoed in the back of her mind. What had been unforgettable was his cautionary tone and stern countenance, a look that had surprised and sparked her curiosity. What slightly bothered her was her inability to ask throughout their time together.

With bags on her arms and in her hands, Naminé approached her home with Seifer following close behind. It wasn't until they heard a loud crash from within did her thoughts instantly vanished from her mind.