The Journey or The Destination?

-



“So,” Kairi asked, sipping from her soda, “What do you guys wanna do this week?”



The two blondes shrugged from across the table in the other side of their booth. They were sitting in their usual hang out spot waiting for Riku and Sora. It had taken them most of Saturday to recover from the party and a good chunk of their Sunday to clean Kairi’s house, as well three full bottles of air freshener.



“The fair doesn’t come to town until August,” Namine said, somewhat disappointed.



“Yea, I can’t wait until it finally gets here,” Kairi replied wistfully, “I hope we get the Tornado again.”



“And candy apples,” Roxas added, “You can’t buy them anywhere here.”



The three of them hummed in agreement, each thinking of their favourite parts of the travelling carnival. Just then an imaginary light bulb appeared over Namine’s head.



“The beach.” She said simply, thinking out loud.



“Oh yeah! That’s the best way to start off summer!” Kairi said excitedly, her eyes bright.



“How are going to get to the beach?” Roxas asked.



“Aw Roxas, don’t be a wet blanket,” Kairi pouted, crossing her arms on the table.



“It’s not like I don’t want to go,” Roxas said defensively, “I’m just being practical.”



The red head sighed, “Yea, I know.”



“Doesn’t Riku have a car?” Namine asked, stirring her milkshake with her straw.



“That’s true,” Roxas said nodding his head, “But what about food and stuff? That costs money.”



“I have money left from after the party…” Kairi said but her brow furrowed, “I don’t think I have enough to cover more than just me though.”



“I have my job so I’m good.” Namine chipped in.



“And I’m flat broke,” Roxas sighed, “And the stuff at the beach venders are expensive. It’s like fifteen bucks for some watermelon.”



“Pretzels are only five,” The other blonde said, trying to help the situation, “Can’t you ask your Mom for a little spending money?”



Roxas shook his head, “We’re just making it by. She’s been having some trouble with work and it wouldn’t feel right if I asked for more money from her.”



“Hey I know,” Kairi said, “Some people at the plaza are looking for people. Like, a part time job but short term.”



“Really?” Roxas asked, perking up.



“Yea, real easy stuff too. Like putting up posters and delivering mail, you get like up to fifteen dollars depending on how good you did.” The red head explained, sipping her soda, “It doesn’t sound like much but the work is so easy it’s like stealing money.”



The blonde boy propped his chin on his hand, looking out the window thoughtfully. If he did some part time he’d have some extra money on hand and wouldn’t have to ask his mother for money.



“Sure, sounds good,” He replied. His eyes then caught on a familiar head on spiky brown hair beside a tall boy with silver hair, “Oh, they’re here.”



“Finally,” Kairi said happily.



The two boys came into the restaurant in fervent conversation but kept it down as they approached the booth, both smiling.



“Sorry we were late,” Sora said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at Riku, “Bozo over here needed to get gas.”



The taller boy rolled his eyes, “Says the guy who kept yelling at me to race the old lady in the other lane.”



“Dude, you totally should have done it! The old bitty could’ve been one mean racer.” Sora pushed, sitting down next to Kairi with Riku behind him.



“Well I didn’t want to get arrested,” Riku replied then turned to the group, “So what were you guys talking about?”



“The beach, we were thinking we could go,” Namine said, “Would you mind if we went in your car?”



“No problem,” The boy agreed with a nod of his head, “That’s what sucks about leaving Destiny Islands. Back home the beach was a ten minute walk, here it’s a half hour drive.”



“It’s not so bad here,” Roxas said trying not to blush as Riku turned to him. He didn’t know why his face heated up, it just did.



“Yea, but it still doesn’t beat home I guess.” Riku shrugged.



“Oh c’mon,” Kairi said, reaching over Sora to swat Riku in the arm, “This is your home now, with me and Sora.”



“And Roxas and Namine,” Sora added, nudging his friend in the side with his elbow.



The platinum haired boy laughed softly, “Iunno, back home my friends weren’t so abusive.”



“Baby,” Sora smirked then turned to the group, “I think the beach is great idea!”



“When are we going to go?” Riku asked as the waitress came to the table.



“As soon as Roxas gets some money,” Kairi said as Riku ordered a drink and Sora ordered the blue-plate special.



When the waitress left, Roxas frowned slightly. It looked like he was the only one short on cash.



“Don’t have a job?” Riku asked turning the blonde who shook his head.



“My Mom doesn’t want me working anything long term,” He explained, “She doesn’t like the idea because she’d feel like she isn’t properly supporting my needs.”



“Ah,” Riku answered, “Sorry to hear that.”



“It’s okay,” Roxas said shyly.



“He’s going to apply at the plaza for some quick jobs,” Namine said then turned to Roxas, “So should we go this weekend? That way there’ll be plenty of time for you to get some money.”



“Sounds good to me,” Kairi grinned cheerfully, “This’ll be great!”



“I’m down,” Sora piped up and Riku nodded his head just as the waitress appeared again, placing drinks in front of them.



“Wait a second,” Namine said, eyebrows raised, “Isn’t your birthday this month Sora?”



“Yep! Sweet sixteen here I come!” Sora cheered, puffing out his chest.



“Don’t forget about me smart ass, I’m a week before you are,” Riku butt in, bumping Sora with his knee.



“Oh?” Namine looked the the tall boy, “How old are you Riku? Er... how old will you be?”



“The big one seven,” He answered with an eye roll, taking the straw out of his drink and drinking straight from the glass.



“Didn’t you just graduate?” Roxas asked, surprised he had graduated so young. He was sitting with a hell of a smart guy.



“Yea, but I started late. My Mom didn’t want to cut the apron strings just yet I guess,” Riku chuckled, placing his drink back on the table.



“Oh,” Roxas said, still a little surprised, “That’s pretty cool.”



“That I was held back?” Riku asked curiously.



Roxas blushed a little, looking away, “No, that you graduated at sixteen. I probably won’t until I’m seventeen.”



“When does that happen?” Riku asked, folding his arms on the table.



“October,” The blonde said quickly, feeling himself clam up under the other’s gaze.



“Can you believe he’s the youngest of us?” Kairi said, taking Riku’s attention away from Roxas, “Because my birthday’s in August and Nam’s is in February.”



“You’re the oldest?” Riku asked, looking at the petite girl a little surprised. He though she was by far the youngest with her aura of innocence but looks could be deceiving.



Namine smiled softly, “Hard to tell isn’t it?”



“Just a little,” Riku replied, with a smile, “You look the youngest.”



“I’m the second oldest,” Sora boasted.



“Third oldest,” Kairi cut in, “It goes, by age, Riku, Namine, you, me then Roxas.”



“So?” Sora said leaning into Kairi, “I still have seniority over you.”



“Physically, yes by two and a half weeks,” She said matter-of-factly, “Mentally? I’ve got at least five years over you.”



“Huh?” Sora said, a little confused, “I’m not that mature Kairi, geez.”



The group laughed at the poor boy’s miscalculation but decided it was better they didn’t verify. The waitress then came, placing Sora’s meal in front of him and the group was left to themselves again. They chatted a bit more before Roxas rose from his seat.



“Sorry guys, but I think I’m going to head the plaza, get a head start on the money making.” He announced.



“Aw, okay,” Sora said, a little said that the group wasn’t going to be complete. Namine had shuffled out of the booth to make way for Roxas when Riku spoke up.



“Do you want me to give you a ride over?” He asked, making Roxas freeze for a moment. His face flushed a little as he made it the rest of the way out of the booth stiffly before turning to the older boy.



“No,” Roxas’ reply came out a little high-pitched, he cleared his throat before continuing in his normal tone, “No, it’s okay. It’s only a little ways from here.”



“Okay, see you Roxas.” He said with a small wave. Every one else said their own goodbyes as Roxas left the establishment.



On the outside he was completely calm, walking through the parking lot towards the square lined with small businesses but on the inside he was berating himself for being so awkward back at the diner.



Not only had he been so flustered while talking with Riku, he even, literally, squeaked when the guy asked him a simple question! Geez, it was just one kiss, although his first, and he was off the wall whenever the guy strolled in. Why did he get so worked up?



Roxas scratched the back of his head, feeling defeated. Maybe he was just going nutty.







“It’s real simple,” The man said, brushing the crumbs of his sandwich of the fabric the covered his round belly, “I just need you to put up some posters up all over the area.”



“All over?” Roxas asked, his hands fidgeting in his pockets. He was standing in the office of the owner of the small oldies theatre. The owner was the man in front of him with his thick yellow turtleneck and trimmed handle bar moustache, looking in his late 30’s, early 40’s. He was currently eating his supper at his desk as he explained the job.



“Yep,” The owner took a large bite of his sandwich, a little mustard sticking to his moustache. He chewed loudly before swallowing and turning back to Roxas, “How free are you before Friday.”



“Completely,” Roxas replied quickly, trying not to laugh at the streak of yellow in the man’s facial hair.



“Good, good. I think I can trust you enough to give you the whole lot.” He nodded his head in approval, “Since it will be about fifty posters a day, for four days, I’ll give you fifty five dollars. That’s twenty five cents per poster and five dollars extra.”



The blonde gapped for a second, “Really?”



“You want less?” The older one asked playfully with a smile. The blonde shook his head firmly making the man laugh, “Alright, but by ‘the area’ I don’t mean just the plaza, I mean the surrounding few blocks too.”



“How far do you want me to go sir?” Roxas asked, the man then laughed in reply.



“That’s what I like to hear,” He said, “I say jump and you ask how high. I’ll give you maps for each day, and don’t get creative like posting them on people’s windows or some kid’s back, you hear?”



“Yessir,” Roxas said happily, glad he was able to get the job. With money he could he make from it he would have pocket money even after they went to beach, “Thank you so much.”



“No more of this ‘sir’ business, you make me sound old,” The man chortled, “Mr.Greenwood.”



“Thank you Mr.Greenwood,” The blonde answered politely.



“You’re very much welcome Roxas,” Mr.Greenwood said, outstretching his hand, “You start tomorrow at one pm. I’ll have a map and pile of posters waiting for you.”



“Alright then,” Roxas said, shaking the plump hand excitedly, “I’ll be here, thanks again.”



“And again you are very much welcome,” He returned the smile with a nod, “Now, shoo. I have to finish my supper then get to the reel, show starts in 20 minutes.”



“Yessi- Okay Mr.Greenwood.” Roxas corrected himself before saying goodbye and leaving the theatre, a small bounce in his step. Summer was starting to look better and better.



-



A/N: Just so you know, it is possible to graduate Highschool at the age of sixteen with out being a genius. Well at mine anyway :S It just depends on how many credits n stuff and I know people who have graduated in their junior year. I just threw this in because I knew someone would go ‘Wtf!?’ about it XP



ALSO July 1st is Canada Day but I didn’t wanna get all patriotic on all your asses and left it out of the story. There won’t be a Fourth of July either :P



And sorry for the lack of Axel in this chapter :( BUT! There will be some smuttiness because of you're awesome reviews!!! xD