Was It Really Hatred? Pt. 5 [FINALE]

Pairing: Roxas X OC 

Summary: These two have been at each other's throats for years. Never have they ever gotten along and they never plan to. But when the Halloween Dance comes around and they mysteriously meet, it reveals a surprising secret between the two. It leaves one of them wondering, "How did this war between us even start?"

"Just get off my case already!" Kayl screamed at her brother. "You're getting so fucking annoying!"

"Not until I see you dump that little bastard!" He scolded as she growled, "Well that's too bad because you just missed it." He gave her a look as she explained, "He confessed to me today.... I turned him down."

"That's my girl!" He lit up as she glared, "Stop being a douche... I still wanna be friends with him if anything."

"You're gonna get your heart broken again! If that's what you want then by all means go ahead--"

"Maybe it's time I start opening up again!" She stopped him. "I'm obviously not gonna follow your footsteps and step on everyone I meet. But I can't just keep locking people out of my life. Hayner showed me that!"

"Okay, go ahead. Open up to all the pain and hurt out there. Just don't come crying to me afterwards...."

"No problem. You’re not a comforting person.” she pointed out. “Look, I get that you’re too cool to care about your lil sister, but you don’t need to act like a douche.” Before he could respond, she headed out the door with her bag slung over her shoulder. “I have practice at Leon’s-”

“Kay, got a min-” Yuffie appeared at their doorway, but stopped when she saw Seifer. “Oh great, is he giving you a hard time again?”

“This isn’t any of your damn business!” he growled as she defended, “She’s my best friend, making it my business! So back off already you douche!”

“You bitch-” he gritted, grabbing Yuffie’s arm as Kaylie pushed him off her.

“Leave her alone, Seifer!” As she butted in between them, Yuffie lost her balance, falling to the ground as something slipped from her pocket.

“You dick! That fucking hurt!” Yuffie groaned, rubbing her side. She began to get up as she spotted what had fallen. However, so did Siefer and Kaylie.

“No way...” he growled as he grabbed it off the ground. Kaylie flinched as Yuffie panicked, “Hey! That’s mine!” He glanced at it, finally putting the pieces together as he looked at Kaylie, who was looking away, trying to think.

“You were her.... You were fucking Star?!” he shouted. “I gave you a direct order! You weren’t suppose to be at that dance!”

“I told you that was mine--” Yuffie began as he screamed, “Shut up! Did you think you could hide this from me forever?! Do you think I’m an idiot?!”

“Just leave-” Yuffie tried to say as she saw her best friend’s head begin to get lower and lower.

“Stay outta this!” he ordered her as he turned back to Kaylie. “This is that little bastard’s isn’t it? The one he gave you a long time ago?”

“...”

“I thought you were done with him!”

“I am!” she finally spoke up. However he continued, “Ha! If you kept this, it’s hard to believe! You don’t need this piece of shit!”

“It’s mine! I can do whatever the hell I want with it!” she argued as scolded, “I’m your guardian! You do whatever I fucking tell you!”

“You’re an asshole!” she screamed. “You just take advantage of me!”

“Sticks and Stones Kayl.” he said. “You had better get rid of this!”

“Or what? You’ll take away my toys?” she mocked as he glared, “Or you miss the winter formal dance this weekend.” She gasped, “You wouldn’t!”

“I would.” he smirked, knowing he had the upper hand. “As your guardian, I can talk to the principal about not letting you do it. And I will make sure you don’t go this time, even if I have to miss it myself.”

“You’re the worst brother in the world!” she glared, tears forming.

“I’m looking out for you Kayl! You’re just asking to get hurt again aren’t you?! This necklace, his friend-”

“The only one who’s hurting me right now is you, you dick!” she screamed, tears streaming down her face. She caught him offguard as she grabbed her necklace from his grasp and ran out.

“Kaylie! Get the hell back here!” he ran out the door but stopped at the yard.

“Kay!” Yuffie quickly went after her, only to lose her in town.

~

“Hayner...” he heard as he turned. He sat on top of the clock tower sadly looking out at the sun beginning to set. Roxas stood not too far away as he smiled, “I was beginning to think you weren’t gonna show...”

“I had to find something out.”

“Oh?”

“... I overheard you and Kaylie.” he said. “And so I went to talk to Olette and Pence... about what happened three years ago.” He sighed, getting up, “And what about it...”

“It hit me... I remember...” He said strongly. “I remember everything....” Hayner thought, but soon held something out to him, “So... I guess you remember this then?” He took the photo from his hand, staring at the two familiar friends sharing a sea salt ice cream together on the clock tower.

“Yeah...”

~

“...” Kaylie bit her lip, holding in more tears from falling as she sat on top of one of the roofs of the buildings in town. It was a spot barely anyone would look at or even notice, a place she could be all to herself. She wiped her face, soon looking at the necklace she was tightly holding in her grasp. She panted between cries, “Why... why the hell... did you have to walk... right back into my life?! Why?!” She swung her arm up, ready to throw it, but she stopped. She just couldn’t let go. More tears streamed down her face, “Why... Why can’t I just let go... I can’t take this anymore...” She took a glance, soon looking up at the beautiful clock tower, completely empty. As stealthy as possible, she snuck through the town, and headed up the tower.

“...” She stood over the edge once again, peering down to see how far the ground was. She took in a breath as she took one last glance at the necklace in her hand. She closed her eyes and just as she was about to push her weight forward, she felt a tug on her arm as someone pulled her away from the edge hugging her.

“Don’t...” she heard as she was held tightly in his grasp. “Don’t do that, Kayl...Ever.” His voice not only warmth her heart, but it pained her too. She quickly pulled away, shouting, “What the hell is your problem?! We had a ceasefire! You’re suppose to stay away from me!”

“Kay-”

“Just leave me alone!” she screamed, heading for the edge again, but he grabbed her wrist, tightly. “Let go!”

“No! I’ll never let you go! Not again!” he responded, holding her. She flinched as he said, “I’m sorry Kaylie... I’m really sorry about what happened three years ago.”

“... what the hell are you talking-”

“The accident.” he said strongly. “I know it hurt you a lot...”

“I don’t know what-”

"That wasn't the first time you tried to commit suicide..." he said, causing her to stop. "I've slowly begun remembering, Kayl... everything. The first time... was when your mom past away. You felt so alone and you hated your alcholic father and douchey brother. You were going to throw yourself off this very tower. This is three times now that I've managed to save you and I don't want that constant fear filling me."

"..."

"Kaylie.. You're feeling alone again and that's why you're doing this. So please talk to me." he said.

"It's none of your business. Just leave me alone-"

“Kaylie, please.” he stopped her. “Please, just listen to me...” She remained quiet as he continued, “That accident I was in... I wish I had been more careful. If I had, for sure these last three years would’ve gone better... all that hate and bitterness we had between us would have never formed.... I... would have never forgotten my best friend.”

“... That was a long time ago... times have changed.” she said softly as he replied, “Kaylie, please. Let’s talk about what happened. We both obviously have a lot to get off our chest.”

“You’re the last person-”

“It’s not like I had the choice to forget you Kayl. I would never have decided on that if given the choice.” he explained as she went silent. “Pence and Olette told me what happened during that accident, but there’s still one thing I’m not very clear on. What happened with you... can you please tell me?”

“...what’s the point. It’s all history...”

“Then it won’t be a problem to tell me.” he responded as she sighed, “... you're right... you didn't chose to forget me... but you did chose someone else over me. And that’s what hurt me the most...." Before he could argue, she thought back, "... It started even further than that accident. High School Orientation... if we had been in the same group, you might have avoided the accident all together." He gave her a look as she began to explain.

~Flashback~

"Well?" Kaylie lit up as Roxas approached her. It was a month before their first year of high school and unlike Kaylie, Roxas was as nervous as a rat surrounded by mouse traps. He looked through his papers as he said, "I'm in group 1."

"Damn it..." she pouted. "I'm in the second group..."

"... So we're gonna be separated..." he hung his head as she smiled brightly, "It's only for a few hours, Rox. I'm sure you'll be fine. Besides, this gives us the opportunity to make a few new friends."

"What's wrong with me?" he gave her a look as she giggled, "That's not what I meant, Rox. But it would be nice if we had more friends don't you think? You're the best friend I could ever ask for, but sometimes, I honestly wish I had a female friend." He responded, "What's so special about that? You can talk to me about anything, why does gender matter?"

"There are somethings that needs a girl's opinion alright? There's nothing more to it than that." she defended herself. "Besides, I'm sure you'd want some other guys to hang out with you, don't you?"

"You play videogames. You aren't totally girly. I'm fine just being friends with you." he said as she sighed, "Rox, you need to expand your horizons. Someday I might get tired of games and might want to be girly sometimes, you know? We're gonna grow up and start thinking about boyfriends and girlfriends--"

"Well then we can talk about that when we get there." he stopped her as she sighed, "Just... keep an open mind today. You're a great guy, Rox and I know anyone would be dying to be your friend."

"Yeah right..." he said depressed. "You know how shy I can be. No one-"

"Hey, I'm friends with you aren't I?" she interrupted. He nodded as she told him, "Then believe me when I say, I couldn't have asked for a better best friend than you. You've done wonders for me the seven years I've known you and if not for you, my life wouldn't be the same."  A smile finally formed on his face as they soon heard a loud voice, "Listen up fresh meat!"

"Urgh... of all people..." Kaylie sighed. "I wish my brother didn't need the extra hours so we wouldn't need to deal with him..."

"If you're in group 1, follow me. I'll be your guide for the day." he said as people began leaving. Kaylie gave him an apologetic smile as he groaned, "I have the worse luck today... I get separated from my best friend and then I get stuck with the douchiest guide ever."

"Just stay in the back, you should be fine." she told him. Before he left, she called, "Rox!"

"Yeah?"

"Clock tower at sunset?"

"Like always." he beamed, running off after the group. Kaylie smiled, as if watching her child going off on his own for the first time, but soon headed off with her own group.

~

"So you wanna hang out after this? A bunch of us are heading to the mall to shop for the first day of school." Some girls said to Kaylie during their lunch break. "If we want to hang out with the pops, we gotta look like we would fit in." She replied, "I wish, but I already have plans. Maybe another day?" They shrugged, "Your loss. What are you doing?"

"I'm hanging out with my best friend." she beamed. "It's kinda a tradition we have... sorry. Speaking of which, I should find him. I'll see you guys around." She waved them off soon looking around for Roxas. Surprise filled her face as she saw him hanging out with a few kids. Although he was quiet while the others were talking and laughing loudly, he had a serene smile on his face. She beamed to herself, "Good for you Rox. I knew you'd make friends..."

"Hey! There you are!" she heard as she groaned, "Oh, great... " She checked her pockets, "Now what are you trying to steal?"

"Whoa, relax for a second." she beamed. "Hands are clean, I swear."

"Hard to believe after you almost stole my wallet." she glared as she replied, "Aww, what's a little cash between friends?"

"I don't even know you..." she said. "What makes you think we're friends?"

"I like you kid. You know how to speak your mind and you're pretty tough." she smiled. "Name's Yuffie. Other girls are all into their nails and makeup. Unlike us…”

"Yeah, don't go lumping me up with you. I for one, am not a thief." Kaylie said as Yuffie corrected, "I'm not a thief. I'm just borrowing without permission." Kaylie gave her a look as she sighed, "You're just wasting my--" She stopped as they both heard some music. Before Yuffie could even say anything, Kaylie went off soon following the sound into a classroom.

"Wow! That was amazing!" she said when the guy on the turntable finished the mix. He turned to look at them as she beamed, "You're really good!"

"... You into DJing?"

"Is that what that was? You really have a way with music don't you?" she beamed. "I love listening to music, but I never heard anything as great as that!" He smirked, "Wanna give it a go?"

"Hell yeah!" she beamed as he gave her directions as she began playing. Yuffie grinned, "That sounded pretty good!"

"For a beginner." the guy said. "The name's Leon. What's yours?"

"Kaylie."

"And I'm her friend, Yuffie!" she cut in as Kaylie gave her a look. Leon asked, "You go here?"

"I will as soon as school starts." she beamed.

"Well, if you ever wanna work with me, give me a call." He handed her his number on a paper as she lit up, "I'd be so psyched! I'll definitely hit you up." He smiled, "I'm looking forward to it..."

~

"... Why are you still following me?" Kaylie gave Yuffie a look as they waited outside the school after Orientation. She smiled, "Come on. One bad impression and it scars you for life. I'm really not that bad of a girl you know..." Before Kaylie responded she said, "Besides, I think we definitely bonded. You felt it too didn't you? You, me, and that Leon guy...  I get the feeling we'll be the best of friends in no time." She was quiet as Yuffie sighed, "Come on. Give me the chance. I'll show  you just how much fun it will be having me around!" She sighed with a smile, "Alright, I'll admit, the last half of the day with you was pretty fun... but it's not just gonna be you and that Leon guy. I have a friend who's going here too. He's gonna be part of the group too."

"Yeah, that's cool." she beamed. "When do I get to meet this guy?"

"Soon. He should be-" she stopped as she felt her phone vibrate. She read it as she said, "Or next time. I guess he went ahead."

"Oh, you meeting up with him? Mind if I tag along?" she wondered as Kaylie replied, "Sorry, this is kinda our tradition. And we haven't really talked about included other people in it just yet. Maybe next time?"

"Sure. As long as we get to hang out tomorrow." she bartered as Kaylie giggled, "Sure..."

"Then I'll see you then."  Yuffie headed off as Kaylie stared at her phone thinking, "Why didn't you wait for me?" She headed towards the clock tower when she saw Roxas  at the top. However he wasn't alone. Three other figures sat alongside him, the four laughing happily as they shared seasalt ice cream together. A pain filled her chest as she stared up at them, Roxas sharing their tradition with others gave her the feeling of replacement. She held back her emotions as she told herself, "You told him to make new friends... Don't get so hurt because he did what you told him..." As much as she wanted to go up there and join them, she texted him saying she had something important to do and left them to have their fun.

~

"I wasn't trying to replace you Kaylie." he said strongly. "You are the one who wanted me to expand my horizons."

"I know, I know. That's wasn't why I've been so bitter to you all these years." she stopped him. "I was hurt because I turned down so many people to hang out with you when you ended up bring other people. That was our tradition. For us to share. Not with anyone else, at least not until we talked about it." Before he could argue, she said, "While I was wallowing away in self-pity, I didn't think  about how you'd be getting home. I didn't know they lived on another side of town so you ended up taking the tram on your own. And.. that's how you were caught in that accident."

"Yeah, Olette explained that to me." he stated. "They saw me off at the platform and didn't hear about the accident until the next day. They came to the hospital as soon as they could."

"They did..." she said. "I remember. I was there all night." He gave her a surprised look as she said, "I waited for you. We lived right next door to each other so when you didn't come after the sun was gone, I got worried. I called you so many times and after a few hours, the hospital answered your phone and told me what happened. I ran right out towards the hospital and I stayed there until you woke up."

"... But Olette was the first person I saw..." he said as she bit her lip. She took in a breath as she nodded, sniffling, "And that's why I haven't been able to forgive you...That's the reason why I was so hurt by you..."

~Flashback~

"... Come on, Rox..." Kaylie's red eyes were completely dried out of crying, but were still super red. She sat by his hospital bed, holding his right hand tightly, waiting for him to wake up as she said, "I shouldn't have left you alone. I should've been there with you..." It was now early morning, the day after the accident and Roxas was completely bandaged up. His left arm was broken and he had a bad concussion, but the rest of his body was a fine with a few bruises and cuts. Roxas slept quietly as she soon heard the door open behind her and Olette walked in. She questioned, "Has he woken up yet?"

"No not yet..." she said softly.

"I came as soon as I heard. Will he be ok?" she questioned as Kaylie thought back to what the doctor had told her. "The doctor said that he'll be fine, but he took a bad hit to his head. They won't know if he had any brain damage until he wakes up." She sighed a bit in relief as she stood by his bedside, "We're here for you, Roxas. Don't worry about a thing." As she put her hand on top of Roxas's, the same hand she was holding, Roxas twitched. he two flinched as Kaylie stood up, "Rox..." His eyes began to flutter open as a smile appeared on her face. Olette called, "Nurse! Nurse, he's  up! Please get someone in here!"

"Roxas... How are you feeling?" Kaylie questioned relieved to see him ok. He glanced at her and but looked to Olette and said, "Olette, what happened?" A hurt expression grew on her face as he just skipped over her, as if she wasn't there. Olette answered, "You were in an accident. Do you remember what happened?"

"Urgh... I think. I was heading home... after we hung out on the clock tower..." he thought about it, while grasping his head.

"Roxas...." Kaylie called once again as he gave her a look, "W... Do I know you?" Her heart ripped to pieces as those words emerged from the mouth of her best friend. Olette turned to her, "You're a friend of his... Aren't you?"

"... " More tears somehow managed to form as it streamed down her face and she bit her lip. She shook her head, "I have to go..."

"Ah, wait-" Olette tried to stop her as she ran out, crying her eyes out.

~

"It wasn't that you forgot me. It wasn't even that you lost any of your memories. What hurt me the most was that you remembered them. Three people you didn't even know for 24 hrs, yet you didn't remember the one person you spent seven years with." she sniffled. "I was the only thing you forgot. You remembered everything, but me. You even remembered my asshole of a brother, but not me!"

"Kayl--"

"Honestly... I was planning on suicide again at that moment, but fortunately enough, my brother came to check up on me. Because I was living alone since my mom died two months before that, he thought he should check up on me every now and then." she explained. "If he hadn't talked me into paying you back with four years of torture, I might not even be here. He convinced me to completely obliterate you from my memories... just like you had done with me. And when school started, he'd let me be in the disciplinary committee and I can mess with you in any way that I want. Which I did, but it never made things better. I destroyed everything we had together, severed every tie..."

"Except the necklace." he said as she flinched.

"It's been stuck in my head ever since I saw it with Star." he stated looking at her fist that her necklace was buried in. "I know Kaylie... I know you were her. I probably knew it since the beginning which is why my head’s been killing me since then."

"But-"

"Before you came here... I was talking to Hayner. But... you knew he was going to talk to me didn't you?" he said as she went quiet as he began to explain what had happened just a few hours before.

~

".... we... were friends...." he said, staring at the photo of him and Kaylie smiling happily together on the clock tower. "And after the accident.... I couldn't remember her... At least not fully."

"You remembered everything you did with her... All the memories.... You just couldn't remember her, herself." Hayner responded. Roxas nodded, "Seasalt ice cream, the sunset, being here on the clock tower... This was her tradition. We created so many memories here."

"You still can...." Hayner told him. "Kaylie's emotions have been out of control because you have been getting closer to her when she's been trying so hard to push you away. I can tell.... You both really treasure those times you had together. You have to talk to her."

"But you-"

"I want her to be happy, Rox. So I'll back off, but you need to make your move or we'll both lose her." He told him strongly. "Who knows how long it will be before she tries to throw herself off here again."

"...she hates my guts.... And I don't blame-"

"With that attitude you'll never win her back!" He replied. "You've got to make her listen. Tell her how you really feel... And just apologize. If anyone is gonna get through to her, it's gonna be you." He was silent as Hayner put a supporting hand on his shoulder. "I know you can do this Rox. I know you. Despite losing your memories of her, I know you never lost the feelings you have for her. It's been pretty obvious since meeting her as Star."

"... You knew??" He said surprised as Hayner smiled, "Sorry. I kept it from you but you know how I felt about Kaylie.... But this is your chance." He began heading off as he said, "If we know her like I think we do. She'll be here in no time."

~

"And he was right, Kayl. This long war of hate we've had that last almost three years, it was just a cover." He explained. "I'm sorry that I remembered them over my best friend, but because you weren't there anymore, my emotions got the better of me and that's why we're like this. You're upset that I didn't remember you, I was angry that I was missing a huge part of my life."

"What's your point? It's not like anythings gonna cha--"

"Everything's changed Kayl!" He stopped her. "With everything's that happened, that accident, these past years, and now... It's obvious things aren’t going back to how they were when we were kids..."

"That life is already behind me." She stated strongly. "You've already made your choice on who you want in your life and I--" Surprise filled her as he suddenly grabbed her, pulling her into him and their lips met. As she finally processed what was happening, she pulled away, red as a frostbitten nose as she scolded, "What the hell was--"

"As cute as I remember..." He beamed as she became even redder. "It was obvious then Kayl. How I felt about you... I mean why else was I reluctant to make new friends? I didn't want to lose the one I treasured the most..."

"I-"

"I love you, Kayl." He said strongly. "Please...." She then notice a bag hanging around his wrist as he reached into it, he pulled out something that brought tears to her eyes. A smile soon formed on her face as he handed her a sea salt ice cream, "Like how it used to be, let's create amazing memories together."

"....how will I know….” she said a bit doubtful. “That you won’t hurt me again…”

“... I can’t promise that I won’t. I don’t know what will happen in the future.” he said doubtfully. “But I can promise that I will do my best to bring you happiness. Whether you take the risk… is on you.”

“...” She pondered it for the longest moment Roxas had ever felt. When she finally reached out and took the ice cream, relief filled him as she said, “Fine. But if you do, be sure to remember that I’m not gonna jump off this tower. I’ll be pushing you off.”

“Heh, I’ll keep that in mind.” he smiled, soon wrapping his arms around her. He soon unclenched her fist, pulling the necklace out as he beamed, “... You don’t know how happy it makes me to see you treasuring this so much.”

“What do you expect idiot?” she replied. “It was from you.” He put it around her neck, clasping it on as she said, “Even if it does cause me a lot of trouble…”

“Heh, sorry about that. I guess I was pretty annoying with returning it.”

“Heh, you were. But that’s not what I was talking about…” she sighed. He gave her a questioning look as she began to explain as the two sat on the clock tower, eating their ice cream.

“He just never changes…” Roxas sighed. She nodded, “So… now plummets my dream of playing solo on stage. I guess there’s always next year…”

“There is another option.” he thought as she gave him a look, “What do you mean?”

“You are making money off this gig right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I might have just the solution.”

~

“What the hell is going on?!” Seifer growled as he left his room, soon seeing a bunch of boxes outside of Kaylie’s room. She, Roxas, and Yuffie were packing up a couple more boxes as Kaylie smiled, “Come on, idiot. Use your head. I’m moving.”

“Ha! That’s a laugh. You’re as broke as shit!”

“I’ve been making money with all the side performance I’ve done with Leon.” she stated. “I just didn’t tell you because you’d take it. Not to mention I’ll be making plenty this weekend at the dance.”

“No way is that gonna happen! I told you-”

“She’s independent now, Seifer. She doesn’t need permission from you anymore.” Roxas stated as he glared, “What the hell is this dweeb doing here?! Kayl, he hurt you!”

“And he’s making up for it.” she said “I’ve been used by you for too long Siefer. It's about time you stop relying on your little sister. Because I'm not always gonna be there to take care of you. I'm growing up." She turned to Yuffie, "Leon should be outside with his truck. Can you start loading? Roxas and I can finish here." She nodded as Siefer growled, "You are not leaving this house, Kayl! Where the hell would you go?!"

"Back home." She smiled. "Where my best memories were made. Next door to Roxas. We already talked to the landlord and he's happy to have me back there." As they packed the last of her things, they carried the last boxes out as Siefer said, "Kayl! You bring all those boxes back inside or I swear--"

"See you at the dance this weekend Siefer." She smiled as they finished loading. They all piled into Leon's truck as Siefer said, "Fine, go on and get outta here! But don't expect me to take you back when everything goes downhill for you!"

"I don't." She said as Leon drove off towards her old home.

~

"Wohoo!" "Yeah!" " "OMG. I love this song!" Students excitedly danced to Kaylie's playlist that Saturday night, the Winter Formal. A rush filled Kaylie as she did a few remixes for the songs. She looked out into the crowd, Leon standing not too far in case she needed him, drinking some soda while chatting with Yuffie, dressed beautifully to the occasion as she was Leon's date. She heard the loud energetic scream of Hayner, in a tux waving widely in the center of the dance floor with Olette dressed in a beautiful blue gown and Pence in semi-formal clothes. And then with them of course, Roxas in his attractive tux smiled brightly as he danced with his friends to his girlfriend’s music. He glanced at her, giving her a wink as she smiled in return.

"Alright guys, lets slow it down a bit...." she said into the mic as the music began to descend to a soft peaceful tune. “Grab your partner and if you came alone, now’s the time to make your move with that special someone you’ve had your eyes on. Leon?” Leon came up and watched over her set as she quickly moved through the crowd in search of her special someone. When she finally reached where Hayner, Pence, and Olette were, she was surprised to see him missing.

“Looking for me?” she jumped a bit as she heard his voice behind her. She smiled in relief, “Don’t do that you idiot.”

“Thanks for saving me a dance.” he beamed taking her hand. As the two began to slowly sway to the music, enjoying the moment, Kaylie felt a tap on her shoulder. Olette smiled, “Hey, you two. We’re gonna take off in a bit.”

“What? But I’m gonna have a killer finale!” Kaylie pleaded.

“Well, it’s just that the sun’s almost set.” she pointed out. “We don’t want to miss out on the amazing tradition you’ve shared with us. I know you have to finish the dance, but as soon as its done, meet up with us ok?”

“We’ll catch up.” Roxas smiled.

“You can-”

“The faster I help you pack, the faster we can join the others.” he told her as she hugged him. “I’m glad that you’re back by my side, Roxas.”

“Right back at you.” he smiled.

~FIN~