Crush

Chapter 2

"Axel?" she repeated his name. That was different.

"Got a problem with my name?"

Aerith could sense this kid was going to get offended by anything she said. She shook her head.

"No, it's a unique name." she replied.

Axel crossed his arms and arched an eyebrow. He then looked back at the boy with blue hair. The two looked as if they were discussing something simply by gestures and looks in their eyes. Aerith assumed these two had to have known each other for a long time.

"So what are the rest of your names?" Aerith asked.

The blue haired boy stepped in, "Why does it matter you won't know us for long."

"I beg to differ," Aerith said, remaining calm. "Your names." She was not asking them.

The blue haired boy said with a note of superiority, "Saix."

She looked at the pink haired man, who turned his nose up to her before announcing, "Marluxia."

"Demyx," the blonde said before going off into his own little world.

Then she looked at the last and the youngest. He was studying her and with a smirk spreading on his face he spoke up, "Zexion."

"Was that really so hard?" she asked.

"Of course," Axel spoke up again. "I don't like you."

Aerith ignored his comment. She leaned against Ansem's desk.

"So what do you do for fun."

As if on cue a loud crash was heard followed by several choice words. The group snickered and high fives each other as if they had done something amazing. Aerith wondered if anyone was hurt. Her eyes flashed at the boys.

"Why are you destroying property?" Aerith asked, appalled. "You can cause severe injuries and there are many children here!"

Axel rolled his eyes. "What does it matter."

Aerith looked even more appalled at the teens negligence. Her eyes narrowed, fist clenching.

"Because you could hurt someone you idiot!"

Axel blinked and stared at her. "Did you just call me an idiot?"

Without backing down the young girl crossed her arms and tilted her head up. "Yes, I did!"

The other boys looked at each other with looks that said Aerith was in trouble. Axel looked at her, eyes narrowing. He got up close to her and Aerith could tell this kid was going to be trouble, more so than she already thought.

"You just made a big mistake."

His hand flew up at her and Aerith saw it coming. She ducked the incoming attack and then with her fist balled up punched the kid straight in the face. Axel went flying backwards, collapsing on the floor in front of his friends. Demyx, Saix, Marluxia, and Zexion all stared wide-eyed. Their eyes switched back and forth between the two in disbelief.

Aerith stood straight up, her fist still tightly clenched. She glared down at Axel. Axel, using his elbows for support got up and brought his hand to his cheek.

"Y-you... hit me!" he gasped.

"You think a little punk like you intimidates me? I lived in the slums for my entire life. I had friends who taught me how to defend myself. You're lucky this was my fist and not my friend Tifa's or you wouldn't be getting up!"

He scrambled for the door. The others in his posse following close behind.

"You'll be sorry for this," Saix warned before he left the room.

Once they were gone, Aerith let out a long heavy sigh. She slumped back against Ansem's desk and pinched her forehead.

"Great," she muttered. "Why do things in my life never easy."

A moment later, Ansem returned look out of breath. He adjusted his tie and smiled at Aerith, offering her a tour of the orphanage. The place looked nice, aside from the damage caused by five troublemakers. The other children seemed so good and well behaved that Aerith could not help but hope these children would get adopted one day. After the tour, Aerith was led to the kitchen where a small snack was prepared for her and Ansem to discuss things.

"Miss Gainsborough," he said. "I can tell you are a no nonsense woman. I will be frank with you, the boys have scared away all their previous caretakers."

"I know," she said, "they told me."

Ansem let out a deep breath. "I'll also be honest with you because, frankly, I do not wish to put you through their torment. They do not like the idea of a caretaker and will do anything in their power to get rid of you. They have done it before and will do it again."

"Yes, I can tell."

"So, I'm sorry for wasting your time here."

"I'll begin tomorrow."

Ansem did a double take. "What?"

Aerith smiled. "I'm up for the challenge. I have very humble upbringing honestly. I think had somethings not worked out the way they did... I may have ended up just like them. People act the way they do based on circumstances that occurred in their life."

"You do realize these five do not play harmless pranks." he said, trying to coax her out of it.

"You need a caretaker," Aerith said firmly, "And I need money it is a win win situation for us. I'll be here bright and early tomorrow."

Ansem scratched the bottom of his chin. Aerith looked at him feeling confident that she was the right person for this job.

The next morning, dressed in a modest sundress, Aerith stared in the mirror giving herself a pep talk. She needed to make sure to not let her guard down. She needed to make sure she was on her toes because those boys would eat her alive if she was not.

"Always look before you sit down," she said, already anticipating glue or paint ending up on a chair. "Make sure your shoes don't end up with tacks in them. No eating or drinking anything they give you Aerith or you'll probably be throwing up all night."

She twisted her long hair into a braid and tied it with a ribbon on top and a band on the bottom. Afer she brushed her teeth she spun around in front of the mirror, making sure she was perfectly ready to start the day. If she looked her best, she would be at her best. Not to mention image was everything to people.

"Alright Aerith!" she said to herself, making her hands into tiny fists. "You can do this!"

Grabbing a light jacket to wear, she tucked a handkerchief in one pocket and in the other bandages. The bandages were for just in case. Ready, Aerith grabbed her car keys and hurried out the door.

When she arrived at the orphanage, she came in to find another caretaker, a rather short and rounder lady, leading several of the younger kids to the dining hall. She must have been Fauna's other sister, perhaps. She had black hair and wore a bright sky blue dress.

"Ms. Merriweather!" one of the kids called after her. "What are we having for breakfast."

"I hope it's not oatmeal!" one the little boys said aloud. "Ms. Fauna's oatmeal is so lumpy!"

"And it sticks to the bowl!" another kid added.

Aerith chuckled as the filed one by one behind their caretaker. When Merriweather spotted her she gave her a polite bow with her head.

"You must be the new caretaker," she said, while she walked past, "Good luck."

Aerith smiled, "thank you!"

"You're gonna need it."

Aerith felt her positive attitude drop. She knew this job was not going to be easy but putting her down did not make it any better. Then again, she also hoping she would not need any luck. Once all the little tykes passed by to the lunch room, Aerith found Ansem looking at her from the hall, holding a clipboard.

"I see you returned." he said. "There is still time to run."

"I get it," Aerith sighed with slight frustration, "these boys aren't angels. However, I must stress that I will not take nonsense from these boys."

She was fired up again and ready to tackle this challenge. Ansem smiled at her enthusiasm. He handed her the clipboard. Aerith looked at it.

"The boys have a schedule they must follow and since it is summer vacation you lucked out on schooling. However, they do have summer projects they must finish by the end so please have them start on it as soon as possible. The boys have a tendency to refuse to wake up for breakfast which is always at eight until nine. Then they raid the kitchen for junk food. It is unhealthy."

"So in other words make sure they are always on schedule, finish projects, and make sure their nutritional needs are fulfilled." Aerith repeated.

Ansem nodded as he continued, "Yes, also, they need activities to do that will keep their interest while also providing some educational elements to it."

Aerith smirked, "Find something that won't rot their brains, check!"

"Also physical activity is needed. However, I must stress that the boys are not always how should I say this... on the same side. When they have a difference of opinions fights tend to break out. Usually between Saix and Marluxia. Please find something the boys can do that will not cause them to go to the ER."

Aerith swallowed hard, was he joking? The seriousness on his face was enough indication that he was not. She had to make sure that no fights between them ever broke out. She was not a fragile person but she was not strong enough to break two growing boys apart. Maybe she could coax them into some sport that would tire them out.

"So where are the boys bedroom?" she asked.

"Oh, the boys have their separate." Ansem replied.

Aerith looked at him in confusion, "Why?"

"Pranks on one another. They also use to sneak out at night as well. Keeping them separate makes it harder for them to plan any nighttime outings."

So they had to have sneaked out of the orphanage before. Where would they go? None of them could drive and this place was outside of the big city and the property was large. The closest development would be a good half hour walk. Aerith pondered this for a moment.

"Lunch is served at noon and dinner is at six. Bedtime is at eight and that is when your shift will end. Now if you decide to stay through after the summer your shift will start at three when the boys return from school until eight."

Aerith jotted memos for herself as Ansem talked. "I think I can work my schedule around that."

"I hope so," Ansem muttered. Aerith ignored the comment. "Anyways, anything else you need to know is in the clipboard."

"Where are the boy's rooms?" Aerith asked.

Ansem gave her the directions which Aerith quickly wrote down. The two then parted. The first and closest bedroom was to her left and down the hall. She walked down the hall passing doors when she came to one with a sign on it, saying "Keep Out." Undoubtedly it was one of the boys rooms. It had a skull between the words and Aerith was sure Ansem would never put that on a door.

She wondered if she should have knocked first or just enter. Deciding to be polite, she lifted her hand and gave three sharp knocks. She waited. There was no answer. She knocked again. Nothing. Aerith took a firm grasp on the door knob and turned it. The door opened and she poked her head in.. The room was dark and Aerith could only see the light coming from a hole in the curtain. The sound of rustling came from the side. Pulling open the drapes the light filled the room. A loud groan emitted and Aerith turned to see Saix shoving a pillow over his head.

"Saix," Aerith said in a syrupy tone. "Wake up it is time for breakfast."

He ignored her. Aerith took a deep breath and grasp his thick blanket and yanked it off, his pillow in tow. He got up and glared at her. His eyes were cold and fierce. Aerith crossed her arms, challenging his glare with her own.

"What the hell do you want?" he snapped.

"Watch your language," Aerith said calmly. "There are children here."

"Bite me."

Aerith rolled her eyes, "Get up you have breakfast to get to."

"I'll eat what when I want to."

Aerith arched an eyebrow. There would be no winning if she told him what to do. She was sure he would argue with her to the bitter end about anything. Aerith shrugged her shoulders.

"Alright have it your way."

Saix opened his mouth to argue, as if he expected her to demand him to go, but then shook his head.

"Wait what?"

Aerith looked back because she had begun to leave.

"I am not arguing with you." she said. "You can sleep all you want and waste your day away. Regardless what you do or don't do I still get paid."

Saix stared at her. He opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Aerith left the room, closing the door behind her. In her head she began to count backwards from three. When she reached one, the door opened and Saix came out.

"You can't just do that!" he argued.

"Why not?"

"Because... you're the caretaker!" he argued.

Aerith rolled her eyes and turned around to look at him.

"And your point?"

"It's your job to take care of me and the other guys!"

Aerith smirked. "Well, when your sleeping I don't have to do much. Just make sure your breathing I suppose. So, if you want to sleep the whole day away. I don't care. Easier for me."

Saix would have argued with her but instead went back in his room. Aerith chuckled. She then headed to the next room. The room looked as if it was supposed to be an office. Bookshelves crammed full of books filled it. In here Aerith found Zexion, already awake, dressed, and doing something.

"Good morning," Aerith greeted.

Zexion eyed her and then turned away.

"If your up, why not go get some breakfast."

He ignored her.

"Are you waiting for friends to wake up? Well if you are, Saix is awake and I'll be waking up the others as well."

Zexion who happened to be reading closed the book he was holding and tucked it under his arm.

"What are you reading?" Aerith asked.

"None of your business," Zexion replied quietly.

"I was just curious."

"It is still none of your business."

Aerith threw her hands up a bit and walked back out the door. Zexion was the quiet one in the group but she was sure he was just as conniving as the others. He was a hard one to read. She looked back and found him reading again. She was still curious to what he was reading. It was a hardback book and the cover had been removed so she had no idea what the title was. She half expected him to be reading a comic book or something along those lines.

Aerith found the next room a few minutes later. She knocked on the door but did not hear a response. She grabbed the door knob to open the door when she felt something odd. She looked down and found dirt on her hand. Confused, Aerith took a closer look to see the knob was covered in dirt. At first the young girl though it was a trick when she noticed a faint trail of dirt footsteps leading to this door.

"Who the heck plays in dirt at this age?" Aerith asked herself.

She reached into one of her pockets to white her hand with her handkerchief that she had tucked in there and used it to open the door. Inside she found the room bright and full of light. Aerith was half expecting it the be dark. A second later she noticed the pink haired boy, Marluxia crouched in a corner.

"What are you doing in my room?" he snapped closing the chest he had been crouching over.

"I knocked," Aerith replied. "It's breakfast time and I am suppose to wake you up."

"I am already awake," he snapped again. "I am not Axel or Saix. Also, I did not say you could come into my room."

Aerith placed her hands on her hips. "Well you should have called out to me."

"I don't have to do anything."

Aerith rolled her eyes. "It have been polite and courteous to tell me instead of making me wonder and barging in on you. Anyway, be down in breakfast, the others will be there shortly."

She turned on her heels to leave but stopped for a second. "Also, when you make a mess clean it up. You left a trail of dirt."

With that she left Marluxia to whatever he was doing.

The fourth room Aerith found belonged to Axel. She knew that after knocking, calling, and then entering that this person slept like the dead. True enough she found Axel, like Saix, sleeping. Aerith had to admit that while he was asleep he looked at ease. In fact she did not even feel intimidated by him. She felt kind of bad for punching him the day before. His cheek was swollen but not as bad had it been her best friend Tifa who hit him. Although she was sure he would never have gotten up if Tifa had punched him.

"Axel," Aerith said gently. "Wake up."

The boy did not even flinch. Aerith shook him by the shoulders. Axel made a noise and rolled over.

"Wake up!" Aerith said.

Still he did not wake up.

Aerith grabbed his covers and yanked them off. Axel grunted a bit but still continued snoozing. Aerith looked at him and then got a sly idea. She brushed her long fingernails along the bottom of his feet. Aerith chuckled as he slept. She continued to do it until Axel began kicking his feet. He began to laugh hysterically, slowly opening his eyes. However, when they focused on Aerith he instantly stopped laughing.

Axel shot out of bed, getting up and glared at her. He pointed one of his fingers at her and began sputtering words and sentences that made no sense. Aerith hid her smirk.

"You!" he hissed. "You my room, out get out! Attack me. My room. Room out."

"Axel take a deep breath." Aerith said. "And form logical sentences."

Axel glared at her. "You attacked me in my own room. Get out of my room!"

"You are not sleeping in. You are getting breakfast. You and your friends are going to work on your summer studies."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Axel demanded.

"YOUR CARETAKER!" Aerith stressed very loudly.

"You keep telling yourself that." the red haired boy chuckled. "Sooner or later you won't feel the same way."

Aerith turned to leave but stopped for a second. "I'm ready for anything."

Aerith felt triumphant as she walked away from Axel's room. She would not back down to this kid nor let him walk all over her. Neither would the rest of those boys. Yet, her triumphant feeling dissolved when she attempted to find the last room. Demyx's room was next to impossible to find. That was because it was tucked away up a staircase, down a hall, through a door, and up six or seven steps more.

This was the attic. Aerith wondered why Demyx would be put up here but the moment she opened the door to his room she could hear why. Music was playing, a soft rock. Aerith walked up four steps and then she saw Demyx lying face down on his bed with half his covers on the floor.

She wondered if he was a heavy sleeper like Axel and Saix. She moved closer to him, intending to wake him up when his eyes opened.

"You know it's rude not to knock." he said looking directly at her.

"I'm... sorry." Aerith apologized. She had forgotten to knock because she didn't know if this room was his or just another long hallway to travel.

He got up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "It's okay."

Aerith did a double take. She was sure to get a snappy comeback like the others.

"It is?" she asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

Aerith shrugged. Demyx looked at her and then for a second looked past her and then back at her. He smiled.

"So do you like rock music?" he asked.

"Oh... well I don't know much about music but I guess I like whatever sounds good." Aerith replied. "So you listen to music a lot?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he asked.

Aerith blushed. "I guess so."

Demyx looked away from her again and his smile grew larger. "So is breakfast done?"

"Uh yeah!" Aerith said, grateful he was not giving her trouble. "The others should be waiting."

"I bet they are." he said. "Cool, I'll see you down there."

He then rushed out the door. Aerith felt relief wash over her and was glad she came to this room last. No arguing, no issues, it just all worked out perfectly.

This boy seemed less of a troublemaker, perhaps he was more interested in his own world. Aerith found herself liking him and hoped that maybe if her and Demyx got along the other boys would follow suit. She smiled and went to go out the door. The moment she stepped into the hallway she felt water pour all over her.

The sound of laughter erupted. She looked up above the door and found the boys had concocted a clever trick to soak her. She felt Demyx pass her and he looked at her, a smile on his face. At that moment Aerith took back every nice thing she thought about him. He was just as mischievous as the rest of them but better at fooling her. The five boys slapped hands together as the rushed down the hall to go get their breakfast.

Aerith stood there for a moment or two before taking a handful of her dress and squeezing out the water.

"If that's the way it is going to be then... fine." Aerith said. "If you think a little water is going to get me down you got another thing coming boys."

X, X, X,

Demyx stared at Aerith and she looked back. He was older indeed, a far cry from that troublemaker little boy. He was taller than Aerith and he, like the other boys, outgrew the teenage awkwardness. His hair was a bit longer now but his face and eyes still had that boyish charm she always associated him with.

"Demyx," she said. "I'm uh...flattered."

She was unsure that was the right word to use. The words that she wanted to use would have insulted the poor boy. Weird, awkward, wrong, were better choices to the situation at hand. Demyx smiled and Aerith began to wrack her brain on how to let Demyx down gently. She opened her mouth to speak when it dawned on her.

He was joking! Of course that had to be it. He was probably testing her just to see what she would say. Aerith started laughing and playfully nudged the younger man in the shoulder.

"Who almost had me there," she said.

Demyx looked confused. "I don't understand."

"Oh come on," Aerith smirked. "You are just messing with me. Well good one Demyx now if you'll excuse me I have to get home. See you soon."

Demyx grabbed Aerith by her arm. Aerith looked back at his hand and up at him. The younger man released her. He awkwardly looked at the ground.

"You promised me," he said softly.

"Stop playing around." she answered back.

Demyx looked up at her. "I'm not joking!"

"Demyx that was years ago. You cannot seriously be telling me you waited all this time to go on a date with me."

He stared at her. It came quite apparent to Aerith that he was not joking. She felt unsure of herself, felt scared. Why on earth would Demyx want to date her was beyond her. She was much older than him. She was in the time of her life when she should be settling down with someone while he was still in his youth and no where near settling down with someone.

"Aerith," he began rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "It's just one date. It's not as if you have to marry me or anything after it."

Everything in her gut said "no, no, no" but one look into those seemingly innocent eyes made Aerith feel incredibly guilty if she did.

"Demyx..." Aerith pleaded.

Demyx stuck his finger up in her face. Aerith looked wide eye at him.

"I'm not going to take no for an answer!" he said. "You promised you would go on a date with me. You can decide what day too."

Demyx then put his hand down and smiled at her.

"Call me when you decide on the day." he then grabbed her hand and placed piece of paper in it.

He took a few steps away from her and turned to leave. Aerith opened her mouth to plead once more for Demyx to give up on this idea of a date when he turned once more. He marched back toward her chuckling.

"Oh yeah I forgot," he grinned. "No, putting it off either!"

Aerith stared at him unable to say a word. He had stunned her to silence. The younger man then left. Aerith looked down at her hand and found Demyx's cell phone number scribbled on the paper. The brunette wondered if he had planned this from the beginning. She could not believe this. In fact it was insane.

The brunette returned to her apartment. She kicked off her shoes and made her way to her bedroom. She fell over and landed face first into her pillow. She laid there for several minutes before turning to the side to look out of her window.

"What am I going to do?" she whispered.

Go on a date with Demyx? That was absurd. He was so much younger than her. How old was he now, twenty, twenty-one? Aerith could not remember at the moment. She knew she was nearing thirty and at this stage in life she thought by now she would have settled down and gotten married, maybe even have a kid. Yet, her five year long relationship had just ended several months ago. She truly thought he was the one, the perfect match for her.

Aerith hugged her pillow to her remembering her heartbreaking end. She had not dated since nor even looked at a guy. In fact she kept herself busy to keep herself from thinking about it. That is until this very moment. Aerith wondered what to do. Could she honestly tell Demyx that she did not want to go on a date because of her ex? No, that would give him more ammunition. He would use the excuse of helping her get over her ex. Demyx may have been more carefree and goofy but he was smarter than most people gave him credit for.

"I need advice." Aerith said to herself.

Tomorrow she would call her best friends to sit and talk with her. Hopefully, they would give her the answer she needed.