Just Like in Soap Operas, but Worse

Summary: AU. Riku's mother died a few months ago, and already his father has moved on and is engaged. To make matters worse, his soon-to-be stepmother has a son.
Rating: R - swearing and some sexuality (eventually)
Pairing: Riku/Sora
POV: Riku's

Much thanks to: AkuRokulove, k612, RandomChick, and Kitteh.

Thanks so much! =]


**

Sora is probably the prettiest boy I ever met. Honestly, it ought to be outlaw for a boy to be prettier than most girls.

I never realized this until we were standing across from each other, and it was the first time I ever really looked at the kid. I knew he was short, but I never noticed how small he was. But cute. Very cute. And my god, I'm starting to wonder if I'm going crazy to suddenly have these thoughts.

"What? Do I have something on my face?" his annoyed voice booms in my head, and I drop the gaze on him that I didn't realize I had on him.

"I-er--no--" I stuttered, taken back. Fuck, I can't fucking believe he caught me staring. So the kid was cute, doesn't mean a thing. I still wish he never was born.

He raised a brow, "Erm. Can you move? I like to use the restroom."

The restroom? Ah, yes. I remember. I had just finished taking my shower when I heard an annoying knock on the door. I had been frustrated over the fact I had to share my bathroom now, I flung the door open and here I am now--

"Right, of course," I say, thankful my voice had come back to me, moving aside.

The door slammed shut abruptly behind me.

**

I go down the stairs to be met with the pleasant smell of waffles and bacon. Alright, so Amy isn't a complete nuisance. The woman can cook. But I still hate her guts. A gourmet cook doesn't win me over.

I walk by the table, ignoring my father making out with Amy. Disgusting. I reach over to fill my plate up when a loud shrieking voice causes me to cringe,

"Riku! I didn't see you there!" Amy exclaimed, flustered and fixing her hair, pushing my father away.

I'm sure you didn't, I thought, I'm sure my father's tongue down your throat might've 'distracted' you.

"I hope you like the breakfast," she continued, smiling at me. God, this woman need to stop doing that. It's unnerving that someone smiles that damn much.

"Erm, yeah, thanks," I managed to mumble.

"I really appreciate you taking Sora to school with you. He's new and all, which will be so hard on him, but at least he'll know you," she said, reminding me of that promise I had made to my father.

Take Sora to school, he told me. I don't remember him mentioning being friendly. Honestly, I was just going to drop him off and pretend he didn't exist.

My father stood up, announcing he better get to work or else he'll be late. Amy stood up and pecked him on the cheek, fixing his tie and cooing at him. Argh. I lost my appetite.

"Have a good day, son," he said, clapping me on the back on his way out.

An awkward silence filled the room, and judging by Amy's squirming, I could tell she was nervous. Good. I really hoped her son took as long as he needed, because I was really enjoying this. Even though I fully expected him to come down and join us so we could have a nice 'family' brunch. Heck, hopefully he'll be down soon from putting on his make-up or whatever he’s doing upstairs so we can hold hands and sing camp songs. Lovely, lovely...

"Riku, I know this is uncomfortable for you right now," she said.

"I know this must extremely hard on you." My, my, aren't you a bright one? My god someone hand this woman a Noble prize for stating the obvious!

"Losing a parent is tough; I lost my mother when I was fifteen."

Ok, so this automatically meant I was supposed to like her now? We had a history of losing our mothers at a young age, so what?

"I'm not trying to replace your mother; she was a wonderful mother and wife. I'll never take her place." Fuck right you couldn't. You're a fat bitch.

This was about the time she stood up, walked over to me. Taking my hands and looking deeply into my eyes. Is this where I’m suppose to start crying and saying I miss my mommy and soon she'll be tucking me in bed? Fuck that!

“Will you help me try to make this work?" No.

I nodded. Fake smiled and she bought it and gave me a hug. I patted her back stiffly as I rolled my eyes. God, she needs to dye her hair color back to its natural roots.


**
You know when a guy spills his guts out to his friends, he expects to be greeted with sympathy and understanding. Lesson one: Don’t expect jackshit from your friends, you’ll be in for major disappointment.

But of course, this is real life and not the movies. In the movies, the friends are supportive and understanding.

"You're really acting immature," Kairi told me the moment I finished the latest news of my father's impromptu engagement.

Kairi is a childhood friend. We even once dated our freshman year. It didn't work out; it had been too awkward and weird. When we kissed, I never had a sister, but I bet if I did, it would've grossed me out just as much as it did with Kairi. But now that's behind us. And we're friends. Of course, Axel teases me about this all the time. He's thinks I am her 'fag bag' or something. Why the fuck do certain people think I'm gay?

"How am I being immature? I like to you see you lose your mother and less than five months have your father be engaged to some freak at the supermarket with a fag son," I sneered, crossing my arms sourly.

"Honestly, Riku! Just because a guy writes poetry doesn't make him gay. You're so---argh! Typical stupid guy," she said, shaking her head in disgust. "Besides, have you even talked to him?"

"No," I said quickly. "Not to each other at least. It's more like her asking us questions every time we eat. Is it too much to ask to fucking eat without someone nagging at you?"

"Well, maybe you should. Haven't you always wanted a brother?" she said, ignoring the rest of my lament.

"Yeah, when I was five. I'm fucking eighteen now," I sighed heavily. "And this? Was the last fucking thing I needed."

I had originally thought talking to Kairi would be my best option. She's a girl, and girls are known to be understanding and supportive. More so than guys. I'm sure when Tidus and Axel find out, they'll be roaring with laughter over my situation. Besides, I think Kairi got kicks out of me talking to her about my 'emotional' problems. She claims she wants to be a therapist.

"You should talk to him, Riku. It's the best thing to do. I know this is hard for you, I imagine it's just as hard for him. His parents divorced when he was young, and now his mother is engaged to another man. Plus," she said, pausing, "he's starting at a new school. Did you at least consider that? Yeah, the situation sucks for both of you. But I think he has the worst deal."

"Worst deal? Are you shitting me? So his slut mother and him can live off my father's income? How is that a worse deal? I'm the one who's mother died."

Kairi flashed me a glare, throwing her hands up in the air. "You really need to stop using that as an excuse. It's getting tiring and really pathetic. I'm sure your mother would upset if she knew you were using her death as your excuses."

She stood up, pushed in her chair and gathered her books. "Come talk to me when you're less...of a jerk." Ooh, good insult. I think my heart broke.

"The only problem is my mother is dead to be upset!" I called after her retreating back.

I angrily kicked the chair in front of me. So much for understanding, supportive friends.

21 days left. I really hope I'm dead in a ditch somewhere by then.

**
tbc
next chapter: Roxas and Axel make an appearance.