Kingdom Sweethearts [Kingdom Hearts AU High School Fanfic]

Chapter 2: The Catalyst

At first I was nonchalant about the idea of switching schools, but after almost finishing packing my luggage, I came to a realization as I had this prickling feeling on my spine. I was nervous. It was like one of those feelings that haven't kicked in yet until it was finally happening.

As I went over a last check on all of the possessions I planned to bring, my mom walked in without permission. "Hey, Naminé. Are you all packed for tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I guess," I nonchalantly replied.

"You sure you got everything you need? Your toothpaste, extra shoes, a bathing suit..."

"Yes, I'm good on all of those things... Except for bathing suit."

"Well go ahead and add it in there," she insisted.

"I would... If I had a swim suit to begin with."

"No swim suite?" My mother sternly stated with her knuckles firmed on her hips. "Well it's not too late to buy one."

"Mom, I'll be too focused on my studies. I won't have time to go swimming." Not to mention, I have asthma. Swimming is a sport which involves excessive breathing and exercise.

"Nonsense! You'll never know when the time comes when you'll need a bathing suit. Just go to the shopping district and buy a swim suit there."

I sighed, knowing that mom would always win the battle in the end. "All right..."

I grabbed my purse from my chair and walked out of my room.

The sunset warmed the streets of Twilight Town, shading the roads and buildings in a hue of golden orange. As I walked through the shopping district, some shops were beginning to close up for the day. I better hurry before the beach store closes.

In my steady paced walk, I headed straight for the summer store when a brunette walked out of the shop next to it. It was a girl with curly hair and emerald eyes, wearing an orange tang top and tanned shorts.

"Hey, Naminé!" she greeted as she approached me with a cheerful smile.

"Oh, um... hey, Olette," I greeted back. We had the same class together in freshman year, which was about the only relationship we had. Although she was nice and did talk to me a few times, so we're practically acquaintances. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was supposed to be out shopping with Hayner and Pence, but I have no idea where those two have gotten. You know how they are, right?" she laughed.

"Y-yeah," I nodded and agreed, even though I didn't fully mean it. I wouldn't know what, because they aren't my friends. I've seen them goof off frequently at school though, so I could sort of get the idea.

"What about you?" she asked.

"Me? Oh, I'm going to be moving soon, so I need to buy some new clothes," I quietly replied.

"What?!" Olette gasped in shock. I didn't even think that it would be such a big deal to her. "Then you're going to be transferring to a new school?" I silently nodded in response. Olette managed to calm down a little. "Awe, that's sad. We're going to miss you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, of course," she lightly punched my shoulder with her fist. I was startled at first, for I never had a friendly gesture like that before. I always new that Olette was so outgoing, but it took me now to realize how friendly she was.

I couldn't help but giggle. "Thanks. I guess I'm gonna miss seeing Hayner always trying to beat you guys."

"Well he is the competitive type. You know how he is. Too stubborn to lose." We both shared laughs after that remark. I suddenly felt this light, fluffy feeling inside of me, which made me feel really happy. Maybe if I had tried interacting with Olette more, we could've been great friends.

"Hey, Naminé," Olette began. "I know you don't really get in the crowd much, but if there's one good thing about switching schools, it's that you can start a new life." Her eyes began gleaming with hope. "It may be especially hard in a new school, but try to make friends, okay?" She then took my hands in hers, not breaking her solid line of eye contact. "I want you to make the best memories of your high school life, but not alone. Okay?"

I was lost for words. No one has ever spoken to me like that before. And for someone who's a classmate who rarely talks to me, why would she be saying such things to me? Could it be that someone has cared about me all this time? "I-I'll try," was the only response I could think of.

"Great!" She then let go of my hands and began walking passed me. "I gotta get going. I hope you'll have fun at your new school." She waved goodbye as she inched farther away.

"Thanks, Olette!" I called out before she left for good.

All of a sudden, I had this new feeling inside of me. Something changed inside of me that made me wanted to do something different. I have always been alone, but maybe it was because I unconsciously made it that way. I made less an effort to get to know people because I've always been afraid that they would leave me behind some day. Maybe it's time to try to catch up.