aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 Naminé watched him leave, a light blush dusting her cheeks. They would meet again. She mused with a budding smile. Like we always do. A handful of devoted fans huddled around the center of the stage; a large wooden half circle with lights decorating the outside to keep performers visible as the sky faded into night. "This should be fun," Sora commented as he followed their group towards an open space near the right side. He tried to keep his eyes away from Noel. If he didn't, it would be hard to maintain his cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 Lightning looked around, seeing that there was quite a crowd. "How many people are performing?" she wondered. "Five?" Kairi answered, lifting an eyebrow. "Roxas mentioned it, but I don't remember." She had other things on her mind. Or, well, other people. Kairi briefly glanced at said person, recognizing his lack of attention in her and Noel's direction. She understood. It was hard... Roxas bounced on the balls of his feet as he prepared to go out onstage. He was second-to-last, but he knew the other performances would go quickly. Don't freak out, he told himself. Don't freak out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 "Five sounds about right," Riku said, "Naminé?" Naminé dug through her pastel colored purse until she found the program Roxas had given her earlier. "Five," she confirmed, skimming through the contents. Her eyes lingered on Roxas's name the longest. "I think the others should be good though." "Do we know anyone else?" Sora asked, motioning for Naminé to hand him the program. The blonde obliged, and Sora read over the names until he stumbled across one that was familiar. "Tuna? Don't we know a Yuna from somewhere or is that just me?" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 Kairi wracked her brain for the name. "I feel like Tidus may have mentioned her at some point..." she mused aloud. She wasn't for sure, though. There wasn't time left to ponder it, though, since the lights dropped. Fangirls cried out in excitement, and then a few seconds later, a cute guy stood at the microphone. The first perfomance began. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 (edited) Riku nudged Lightning as the first performer came onto the stage; a boy with golden curls and a pearly smile. He grabbed the microphone and started singing an upbeat pop hit that Riku did not know the lyrics to at all. "He's pretty good. Not the best but decent" Edited August 25, 2018 by aoi hoshi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 Lightning smirked. "Maybe you could make it a duet," she suggested over the music. Her eyes found Riku at the remark about his karaoke session with Sora a week ago. She still laughed about that sometimes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 Riku shot Lightning a glare, but there was no fire in his eyes. "Very funny. I think you'd make a better partner though." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 Lightning chuckled, though she doubted it could be heard over the music. "I don't sing, remember?" she replied. She lightly nudged him with her shoulder, since they were standing so close. The crowd was pretty big, but then again, so was the college. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 "I think you'd have a pretty voice," Riku declared, nudging her back. He already loved her voice when she spoke, so she had to be a decent singer. Better than him. Not that that's much of a challenge. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 Lightning's smile softened at the words. She didn't reply due to the applause from the first performance. She clapped politely, even though she didn't really pay attention to the song. Of course, her attention was elsewhere--on Riku. Kairi danced to the upbeat music of the next couple performances, and after the last round of applause, she heard Roxas's name called. She cheered loudly for her friend as he came onstage, illuminated by the bright lights. He pulled up a stool and strapped on his guitar. It was going to be an acoustic performance from him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 "Do you know the song?" Sora asked Naminé, whose blue eyes were fixed on the boy onstage. She didn't even bother looking at the brunet. "Not this one. He wouldn't let me listen." She wasn't sure why he was being quite so secretive, but she was excited to know the song Roxas had crafted for his performance. What would it be about? His fanbase seemed enthusiastic as well; one girl screamed his name even before the first note could be sung. Sora cringed. "Big fan already," he said to Kairi out of the corner of his mouth. Back on the islands, some of the other kids had become obsessed with a local singer. Her songs were, of course, good, but Sora never understood their zeal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 (edited) Kairi laughed. "That's putting it lightly," she joked back. These girls were crazy. Roxas acknowledged the fan that screamed his name with a faint smile. He then focused on the guitar in his hands. With the instrument, he felt more comfortable. Don't think, just play. He began to strum, and that was when a few girls cried out. He tried not to let it go to his head. Roxas put his mouth to the microphone and began to sing, adrenaline carrying him through for now. But much like karaoke night, not too long after he started, he relaxed. Edited August 25, 2018 by Forever Love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 "Nice ego boost," Riku joked. It really did surprise him how well Roxas was able to sing. "Too bad he didn't share any of that singing talent with you, Sora." "I resent that," the brunet shot back with a pout, "besides, Ariel thinks I have an excellent singing voice." Maybe not pop star level, but hey, I can carry a tune well enough to get through Sebastian's practice sessions. Riku only laughed. How he had wished to be witness to Sora's musical affairs! Lowering his voice, Riku then commented to Lightning. "How is Noel doing? He's been pretty quiet." Not that it wasn't understandable given the lack of familiarity the brunet had with the group, but things, from what he could tell, were still relatively tense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 Lightning glanced over at the brunet at the question. He listened to Roxas quietly, but his face was otherwise blank. "Hard to tell," she told Riku, leaning closer to him so he could hear her over Roxas's voice. "He seems a little out of it." Roxas's eyes darted over the crowd until he found his friends. Of course, his gaze lingered on Namine longest. His smile grew a little at the sight of her. He sang into the microphone while looking at her, his tune a bit romantic. He may or may not have been thinking of her when he wrote it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 25, 2018 "Yeah...at least Kairi's there." Not that he wanted the two of them together, but he didn't want Noel feeling like a complete outsider either. Naminé tucked a strand of hair behind her ear shyly when their eyes met. The lyrics he sang then made her heart melt. I feel like such a fan girl myself. Minus the screaming. One of Roxas's admirers tried reaching towards the blond singer to grab onto his foot, but one of the security personnel, a senior with an impressive set of muscles, quickly intervened with a stern look. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 25, 2018 (edited) Noel lifted an eyebrow and leaned down a little to speak in Kairi’s ear. “Your friend must be popular with the ladies,” he joked. She turned her head to reply, and both were caught off guard with how close their faces were. Noel definitely wanted to kiss her...“Um, yeah. He’s got a pretty big following for a freshman,” Kairi agreed, trying to will her blush away. Noel nodded and gave her a soft smile. He then wrapped his arm around Kairi, pulling her close to his side. She didn’t mind, but suddenly she thought of Sora. Being with Noel would be difficult, simply because in her heart she wished he were Sora. Edited August 29, 2018 by Forever Love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 26, 2018 Sora had tried to keep his eyes off of them. Desperately tried to keep his gaze straight and fixed on the performers, but she was, as always, on his mind. So, he looked. The sight of them being so close together nearly made the brunet throw up. ‘As long as she’s happy.’ He chanted to himself over and over. ‘As long as she’s happy.’ He couldn’t hurt her anymore. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 26, 2018 (edited) Roxas wrapped up his song, eyes flitting to Namine as the last note rang out. The crowd went into an uproar of praise and approval. High pitched screams were deafening. Roxas smiled at the applause and lifted a hand to wave, then disappearing backstage. He figured that earned him an excellent grade. Edited August 29, 2018 by Forever Love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 28, 2018 Naminé's breath caught when their gazes connected and it felt like the moment had stopped; the screams around her muffled. But then it was gone. Naminé turned to Kairi with a wide grin, having forgotten Noel was beside her. "That was amazing! He definitely deserves an A for that!" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) Kairi felt her happiness for Roxas grow at Namine’s smile. Noel had released her and she wrapped her arm around the blonde’s shoulders. “I think the only person whose opinion matters to him is yours,” she teased lightly, also being honest. She wondered if Roxas would join them now or be stuck backstage until the final performance ended. Edited August 29, 2018 by Forever Love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 28, 2018 Naminé looked away with a heavy blush. “That’s not true...I know he cares about what you guys think too.” Though, Kairi’s assertion did make her happy. “I’m going to go find him,” Naminé called out over her shoulder; she started to weave through the throngs of fans, her focus narrow as she thought of Roxas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 28, 2018 (edited) Roxas squeezed through the mess backstage to get out into the open, though it was hard to consider it that due to the cluster of people still watching the current performance. He tried to avoid fangirls to the best of his ability, threading through the crowd to reach his friends. He remembered where they stood from his view on the stage, so he made his way there. Just as he squeezed through a few people he bumped into someone, whose frame was smaller than his. He reached out instinctively and grabbed their shoulders to steady them. That was when Roxas recognized who it was. “Namine?” Edited August 29, 2018 by Forever Love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 29, 2018 “Roxas!” Naminé exclaimed with, looking up at the boy with wide blue eyes. Fan girls watched the interaction between them with visible distaste, but Naminé found herself so happy that their scowls didn’t even tickle her skin. “You were incredible out there!” She said, using his arm to steady herself. If only her words could properly express her feelings. Even incredibly felt insufficient for artistry the skater displayed on stage. Those long notes, his falsetto, the lyrics... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Forever Love 82 Posted August 29, 2018 (edited) Roxas smiled at the words. “Thank you!” he replied over the loud music. He looked over her head to where she should have been, where their friends were. “Where are you going?” Did he stop her? If so, he would let her go. But he had to admit that seeing her face after his performance made him lighter inside. Edited August 29, 2018 by Forever Love Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aoi hoshi 3 Posted August 29, 2018 "I just came to find you," Naminé chirped in response. The others might have followed, but she wasn't sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites