At the Back of The Class

Silence Can Speak Volumes.

"Where's everyone else?" You cocked your head, your hands on the table- supporting the weight of your body as you lazily leaned onto them. "Left already while you were in your 10-year stasis," Ven said, but his eyes seemed to have been looking past you- to his brother. The mischievous smile he wore sort of reminded you of a cheap dollar-store version of Yzma. But if he was Yzma- who'd be Kronk from home? You immediately glanced towards Roxas. Not exactly what you had in mind.

Then Sora's head popped out from the classroom door, "Hey! Are you guys coming? Kairi wants to go to the arcade, Street Fighter as usual." Yeah, definitely a Kronk.

"Yeah, in a minute," Ven replied, putting the last of his things in his bag, "We're still allowed after what Terra did to that boxing machine thing like a week or two ago?"

"Probably," Riku said, standing behind the brown-haired boy at the door.

"Not sure bout' that," Axel shrugged. Xion raised her eyebrow, "You're only saying that so you don't lose again, aren't you?" His eyes narrowed, "Perhaps. In my thorough defense, can ya' blame me?"

"I suppose no one can blame you for being what you are- an absolute loser," An unfamiliar and cold voice entered the scene, the owner of it (looked a bit less of a toothpick than Axel but enough to be a beanpole) walking past Sora into the classroom. "How many times have you lost to her? 70?"

"Thanks for the ego boost, Saix."

"It's simply the truth for my 'best friend'," Saix said dryly.

"Aww, I'm your best friend?" Axel asked in a kind of teasing gush.

The other shook his head tragically as if he were a stage actor playing a random role in Hamlet. "Regrettably so."

"Love you too, Saixophone."

"I wish you'd die already."

You've seen the Saix-guy for less than a minute but it didn't take 5 Einsteins to figure out their dynamic. These were character tropes found in 3 in every 5 soap operas- at least you'd presume so.

"So, [Name]," Roxas turned to you as the two tree twigs bickered, "Wanna come with us?" Xion perked up with a gleam in her eyes facing you, "It's not that far from here, just down the street."

"Oh yeah, [Name] can come and then we can give her a taste of sea salt ice cream," Sora pointed out, his smile widening, "Rox loves that stuff. They say you aren't truly at home here yet until you've tasted sea salt ice cream,"

You subtly bit your lip, that comment sure rubbed the salt into a still-bleeding wound. You could that salt came from you guessed it- salty ocean water (no you don't get any points for that). You remembered reading about this place's famed specialty ice cream flavor on a pamphlet on the car ride to your new home.

Well, you didn't have anything else to do, did you?

Wouldn't it be nice to go out for a change? Well yes, yes it would. It would be nice to make some friends. It would be nice to have fun. Well yes, you wanted to but it was just that something was crawling and clenching your stomach in a death grip, whatever it was- it was unpleasant.

Would it be alright to say yes? Would it be okay to go? Would it be safe? Would they end up disappointed if you did come?

"Can't. Sorry, I have to head straight home-" You sucked in a cheek and excused yourself as casually as you could.

"Oh. Alright then, that's fine," Sora's smile wavered a tiny bit like a gut punch. You swore he squinted

"We'll be going now," Ven told you as he put on his backpack, "Bye [Name]."