Days Go By

Roxas Hikari hated the sun. As he stumbled down the stairs on a bright Monday morning, he glared balefully at the cheerful way the curtains fluttered in the breeze from an open window, glared at the clock that read 7:16 AM and then glared at his twin sitting at the kitchen table. Not surprisingly, Sora Hikari looked wide-eyed and exuberant, his smile open, warm, and enthusiastic. It didn’t even falter as Roxas scowled at him. Sora was used to his brother’s opinion of the morning. “Cloud made some coffee. It should be sludge by now.”

Roxas perked up ever so slightly. He liked Cloud’s coffee. Stomping over to the pot, he stared down in satisfaction at the pot. Coffee wasn’t coffee unless it threatened to eat the pot. He dumped the thick brew into a cup and let out a satisfied sigh as he took a sip. Heaven.

Sora polished off the cereal in his bowl and poured more into the already sweetened milk. “How can you eat that stuff?” Roxas asked in horror as he watched the little marshmallows float around on the top of the milk, which was turning a funny color. “Doesn’t it bother you that your milk is a color no man has seen before?”

Sora looked at him with amusement. He was also used to the comments about his choice of food. “No, it doesn’t bother me, and it tastes good.” He smiled sunnily at Roxas. “Besides, I need the sugar to keep my energy up.”

Roxas snorted. Sora needed more energy like he needed a hole in his favorite shirt. Sora was abundant in energy, enthusiasm and optimism. Most of the time it amused Roxas and endeared him toward his twin, but early in the morning, Roxas found himself scowling at Sora’s cheer. “You have ENOUGH energy. Why are you so awake? The sun barely came up.”

Sora raised an eyebrow at him. “Rox, we’re going to school today. I couldn’t sleep if I wanted to.”

Roxas sighed. School. He didn’t want to think about school. He liked school about as much as he liked the early morning sun. “You.” He informed his twin. “Are a freak.”

Sora looked hurt at his comment, and Roxas instantly regretted saying it. “It’s not normal for ANYONE to be excited about school.”

Instantly Sora looked more cheerful. “I LIKE school. Besides, we’re finally leaving the islands. We’ll be going with Cloud and spend time on the mainland! Aren’t you excited?”

Roxas was…when he was awake…but he saw no point in indulging his twin. “Not really. It’s still school.”

“Liar.” Sora replied knowingly. “You’re excited.” He polished off the cereal in record time and eyed the box.

“How many bowls have you already eaten?” Roxas asked his brother, picking up an apple from the bowl in the middle of the table.

“Four.” Sora replied instantly, still eyeing the leprechaun on the box with eyes bright as sapphires.

Roxas couldn’t help it, he gave in and laughed. “Finish it off, it’ll just go stale and Mom will throw it away.”

Happily, Sora obeyed and dumped the rest of the box into his extremely sweet milk. “Roxas…” Sora looked at him seriously for a moment. “Are you nervous about school?”

Roxas shrugged. “Sora, its school. Why would I be nervous? Just new classes for me to sleep through.”

Sora bit his lip. “Yeah…but what if I don’t make any friends? What if my roommate doesn’t like me? What if…”

Roxas darted forward and pressed his hand to his twin’s mouth, cutting off the anxieties. “Sora.” He replied quietly but firmly. “They’re going to love you.” Everyone loved Sora. His heart shone like a beacon out of his eyes and nobody could resist his infectious personality. He was everything bright, warming all he came in contact with. “And…what if they don’t?” He asked gently. “You’re not alone. You always have me…and Cloud.”

“What about me?” The twins looked up as the kitchen door flew open and their older brother stood in the doorway. There were fresh sweat stains darkening his gray T-shirt beneath the armpits, and a sheen of sweat coated his face. His blue eyes gleamed at them.

“You go for a run?” Sora asked, taking a bite of his cereal. Roxas cringed as he watched the thick layer of sugar on top of the milk solidify the moment he took his spoon out.

Cloud inclined one eyebrow. “Yeah. I wanted to get a run in before we go.” He looked at his brothers for a long moment. “You two okay?”

Roxas shrugged. “It’s 7:30 in the morning and its Monday. I’m still asleep. I was assuring Sora that he has us. In case nobody likes him.”

Cloud snorted. “Sora.” He replied dryly. “EVERYONE likes you. I’m going to be beating people OFF of you.”

Sora only blinked at him. That was something Roxas loved about his twin…Sora had no idea how appealing he was to everyone. “But in case the world turns upside down and for some reason everyone hates your guts,” Cloud mused, peeling an orange. “Roxas is right…you always have us.”

Sora smiled at him. “Thanks, Cloud. Rox.” He finished his cereal and sighed in contentment.

Cloud rolled his eyes. “Tell me you didn’t just eat that whole box.”

Sora blinked at him. “I didn’t eat that whole box.” He replied instantly with a wicked glint in his blue eyes.

Cloud sighed. “Sora, do you realize how much sugar is in those things? It’s like sugar coated cardboard.”

Sora smiled at him. “I know.” He replied cheerfully. But SOMEONE has to eat the sugar you and Roxas avoid. I feel it is my duty to consume the sugar so that you are not tempted.”

Even Cloud had to laugh.

0 0 0

Sora loved Twilight Town. He loved the quaint seaside houses that dotted the shore as they pulled into the dock, he loved the trains that supported most of Twilight Town’s commerce, he loved that there were hundreds of people whose faces he didn’t know…people who hadn’t seen him in diapers.

He had always loved Destiny Islands too, loved the small, tight knit community who would always be there if someone was going through trouble, loved the mild weather and the glittering ocean…but Twilight Town was new, exciting, fresh. He bounced slightly on the balls of his feet. “Where’s the school?”

Roxas didn’t respond, his iPod blaring rock music, head bobbing slightly as he tapped out a rhythm on the railing. His eyes were fixed on the train waiting for them in the station near the top of a hurricane wall separating the boardwalk from the sandy beach and the docks. Cloud snorted. “Calm down, Sora.” He ordered calmly. “It’ll be another hour or so before we get to the campus. From here we get on the train and get off in the heart of Twilight Town at Station Heights. Then we get on the school train which will take us to the castle.”

A castle. Sora felt his heart skip a beat. A real castle. That was the most exciting part of the whole thing, in his opinion. He was going to live in a CASTLE. Away from home. He felt like Harry Potter, on his way to a magical castle on a train.

0 0 0

It really was a castle, stretching up into the sky, white and gleaming. Buildings dotted the grounds around the castle, looking like a mini town. “It’s like its own little country.”

Cloud smiled slightly. “It sort of is. Radiant Garden is set up outside of Twilight Town proper. In fact, we have to have a special pass to go into Twilight Town. Usually around Christmas or if you have shopping to do.” He sighed and watched the campus grow nearer. “Are you two planning on going out for the dueling team?”

Roxas pulled his headphones out of his ears. The twins exchanged glances. “You should think about it.” Cloud murmured casually. “It would get you recognized at school anyway.” He eyed them. “You’re both good enough. Don’t bother telling me you’re not. In fact…” He tugged on one of his blond spikes of hair. “…I expect you both to be at tryouts tonight. And don’t hold back because if I’m the one trying you out, I won’t.”

Roxas shrugged and focused his attention out of the window again. “So about the roommate thing…”

Cloud shrugged. “They like to put new people with people who have already been here before. That way if you get lost or need help, you have someone who knows the area. Most of the kids from Twilight Town have been going here since they were little…only Traverse Town and Destiny Islands commute for high school. If you get along with your roommate you’ll stay with them until one of you graduates. If you don’t, they’ll split you up and find someone new at semester once they’re sure you can find your way around on your own.”

Sora found himself wondering, not for the first time, if his roommate would like him. He had been dismayed to find that he would not be rooming with Roxas and then had swung between anxiety and excitement at the idea of living in close quarters with someone totally new. What if they didn’t like him?

“Sora.” As if Roxas could read his mind, he was looking bored. “Everyone likes you. Your roommate may want to kill you in the morning, but he’ll like you. Relax.”

Sora smiled at his brother. “I’m okay.” He assured his twin.

Cloud nodded. “We’re almost there. Looks like they’re getting a lot of the new people together.” Sora could see a small crowd of teenagers milling about around a tall brunet and a slender girl.

Cloud led them off of the train as it stopped, crossing his arms over his chest. “Leon.” He greeted dryly. “Good to see you.”

The tall young man turned slightly and a slight warmth filled his eyes. “Cloud.” He greeted stoically. He raised one eyebrow. “Your brothers?”

Cloud nodded. “How’d you guess?” He asked dryly.

“The hair kind of gives it away, Cloudie.” The older girl standing beside Leon put her hands on slender hips. Clad in a pair of shorts so tight and short they should be illegal and a tight shirt, she beamed at them, brown eyes sparkling. Her black hair was cut short and fit like a cap over her head. “That and those eyes. Geez, Cloudie, I thought you were the only one with pretty eyes like that.”

Cloud winced at the use of the nickname, but to Sora’s surprise, he didn’t try to kill her for it. “Sarcasm, Yuffie. Sarcasm.” He motioned to her. “Sora, Roxas, this is Yuffie and Squall Leonhart. He goes by Leon, if you value your lives you will NEVER call him Squall.”

Leon’s eyes were a cloudy mix of blue and gray, his brown hair framing his face in long layers. He didn’t smile, he didn’t do ANYTHING. “You two are the last ones. Welcome to Radiant Garden. There’s a small group of new transfers this year, so we can make this fast. Again I’m Leon, and I’m your student body president. This is Yuffie, she’s the vice president. We’re also dorm resident advisors. If you have a problem with anything you can contact one of us or any of the other resident advisors. Your roommates will give you a more thorough tour, so I’ll just make sure you get to your rooms okay. During the day you’re required to wear your uniforms. Accessories however are open, so go wild.” Leon certainly had, his black pants had four belts, his white shirt rolled up to reveal more belts on his forearms. Yuffie, obviously, had yet to change into her uniform. “Otherwise weekends and evenings once you’re out of class you can wear what you want. Your uniforms will be waiting for you in your bedroom closets. They should be in your size, if they’re not, contact your floor’s resident advisor and we’ll get it squared away before class begins tomorrow. Tonight is a back to school dance.” He sighed. Sora stared at him. He had said everything in monotone.

Cloud’s lips twitched. “Very enthusiastic.”

Leon threw him a disgruntled look. “I’m not being rude.”

“True.” Cloud replied calmly. “You’re not being ANYTHING.”

Sora glanced back and forth between his brother and Leon. They seemed to know each other well. Cloud caught his gaze. “Leon and I are roommates. Have been since my first year.” He explained. “Look, I’m going to head up to the castle. I want to talk to Auron before dinner.” He smiled reassuringly at Sora and Roxas. “Be good. Don’t worry, it’s not as big as it looks. Remember, I want you two at tryouts. See you.”

“Tryouts?” A girl asked, watching Cloud walk away. Her short red hair framed her face, violet-blue eyes sparkling. She smiled at Sora who smiled back. “I’m Kairi Takahara.”

“Sora Hikari.” Sora said, relaxing instantly. He liked the smile in her eyes. “And this is my twin brother, Roxas. We’re from Destiny Islands.”

“This is MY twin sister, Namine.” Kairi nudged a girl who looked almost exactly like her, only with white blond hair. “She dyed her hair, so you should have no problem telling the difference between us.” Kairi’s voice was cheerful. “And this is Selphie Tlimitt, and Tidus Wakamaya.

A girl with brown hair that flipped up at the ends and lively green eyes smiled at him, nudging a blond boy who looked them over before smiling slightly. “So what tryouts was he talking about?” Selphie asked.

Sora felt himself blushing. “Dueling team.”

Leon’s gray eyes focused intently on him. “You are going to try?” He asked, looking mildly surprised. “I should warn you, first years rarely make the team. What’s your specialty.”

Sora opened his mouth to reply, but Roxas cut him off. “You’ll just have to see for yourself.” He crossed his arms. “Are we waiting around here for something?”

Leon studied him for a moment before shrugging. “No. I was just waiting to get confirmation about which rooms you’re going to. Selphie, Namine, Kairi, you three are going to follow Yuffie. She’ll take you over to the girl’s wing. We share common rooms, but the dorms are separate. If you value your lives you won’t breach that. The teachers take any mixing of genders in the dorms very seriously.”

Kairi waved to Sora. “See you.” Yuffie dutifully led the girls away, motioning enthusiastically.

Leon sighed. “Okay, come with me. I’ll make sure you get to your rooms. I’ll be your floor’s resident advisor or you can bug Cloud Hikari if you can’t find me. If you can’t stand your roommate we’ll switch you, but give it a few weeks at least. Once you get to your rooms you’ll get a small cell phone you’ll carry on you at all times. You’ll have your own extension and teachers will upload changes in schedule or homework there. If you get caught ON your phones during class, you’ll end up in detention until you die.”

Sora glanced at Roxas, who was staring at Leon. The man had spoken these last words so blandly it was hard not to believe him.

“You’ll also be given laptops. It’s your choice if you’d rather carry your computer to each class or use spiral notebooks. Either are acceptable.” Leon led them through a set of massive doors and up a set of stairs. “Over on your left is the library. On your right is the cafeteria. To get to the upper floors what you need to do is walk back here and get on the lift. It will take you where you need to go.” Leon sounded bored, as if he had given this speech too many times to count. “You’re all located on the seventh floor. Your roommates will explain about the times we have meals.”

“What about sports?” Tidus asked, looking a bit overwhelmed by all of the information.

Leon turned slightly. “We offer blitzball and the dueling team. Otherwise there are a plethora of clubs, art, music, mechanics, whatever interests you.”

Tidus’ eyes had lit up. “Blitzball!” He almost crowed.

Leon blinked at him. “You’ll like your roommate then.” He led them off of the lift and stopped at 703. Knocking lightly, he opened the door to reveal a tall, tanned boy whose red hair was cut short save for a long cowlick at the front of his head. He turned as they entered. “This is my new roommate, ya?”

Leon pushed Tidus forward. “Meet Wakka Hongo, captain of the blitzball team. Wakka, this is Tidus Wakamaya. He’s interested in the team.”

“Wakamaya…you’re not related to Jecht, are ya?” Leon led them out as Tidus scowled at Wakka’s question and answered. Leon let the door fall shut behind them.

“So you two are interested in the dueling team?”

Roxas crossed his arms. “Cloud thinks we’re good enough.”

“What about you?” Leon asked calmly. “Do YOU think you’re good enough?”

Roxas just stared at him and Sora groaned. He recognized his twin’s best, “I don’t want to talk to you” stare. Nothing would make Roxas be sociable now. Leon inclined one eyebrow but shrugged it off. “My room is here.” He motioned to 710. “Roxas, you’re next.”

He didn’t bother knocking on the door marked 711, just pushed it open. The twins stared, Sora’s mouth dropping open. Half of the room was painted black, posters covering the wall. The bed was covered with black sheets, a soft looking black comforter rumpled atop the bed. Candles covered every available surface on his side of the room, small pricks of light glittering atop the desk and nightstand. A figure lounged on the bed, a lighter in one hand. His red hair flamed on the black pillow, tanned skin bright against the black. Black teardrops were tattooed beneath emerald green eyes. “Leon don’t you freaking KNOCK?!” The redhead demanded.

Leon smirked. “For you? No. Axel, meet Roxas Hikari. Roxas, this is Axel Uotani.”

Roxas stared at Axel, his blue eyes narrowing as Axel’s eyes flicked from his head to his toes and then went back up. A smirk crossed the older teen’s face. “He’ll do.”

Leon rolled his eyes. “You’re under strict orders not to molest your roommate, Axel.” Sora’s eyes went wide and Roxas choked.

Axel only laughed. “Relax, Rox. It’s a joke.

Roxas threw Axel a look that normally he only reserved for brussel sprouts. “Get. Stuffed.”

“Well I can see you’re going to get along well.” Leon said dryly. “Axel, make sure you escort Roxas down to tryouts BEFORE dinner. Nobody wants to step in it if he gets hit in the belly.”

Axel’s eyes lit up. “He’s trying out?”

Roxas scowled at them both. “Just for that.” He muttered. “I’m going to kick your ass.”

Leon smirked. “Good luck.” He nodded to Sora. “Let’s go.”

Wordlessly, a little overwhelmed by the scene he had just witnessed, he followed Leon one door over. “Your room and Roxas’ room share a common door. We thought it would be easier to keep twins close together.” Leon explained. “You’re 713.” Knocking once, he opened the door and Sora stepped in.