Hi all! Me again, with another roleplay. Through Discord I found another RP partner, so this is strictly 1x1. It is a College AU, though it has some canon tidbits included.

 

Please refrain from posting in this topic, but feel free to read along and join us for this journey!

 

Thanks!

 

Hoshi, take it away!

Edited July 24, 20187 yr by Forever Love

Naminé debated the idea, chewing on her lip. Of course she wanted to spend more (alone) time with Roxas, but she couldn't just leave Kairi either. Not with the tension between the boys. "I think...we should head back," Naminé finally said with a wry smile, "I don't want to leave Riku and Lightning with the whole Sora and Noel thing."

Roxas's smile softened. "Good idea," he agreed with a nod. He then motioned behind her. "After you." He would follow her back. He hoped things with Sora and Noel cooled off, but he got a feeling that they hadn't.

"Thank you," Naminé bowed her head politely and led them through a maze of bodies until they found their friends still off to the side. Sora was stiff next to Riku and Lightning, and there was a far-off look in his eyes. "We're back," the blonde announced.

 

Riku smiled in relief and waved at the two. "Good. Nice job out there, Roxas."

Roxas smirked. "Thanks. I think I got an A," he boasted with pride. He stood next to Namine and looped his arm loosely around her shoulders, his hand hanging lightly over her shoulder. One of his classmates still performed, and Roxas mentally recognized how he sang a little off-key, but that was just his inner critic. 

 

Kairi giggled softly. "A plus!" she corrected. Roxas passed with flying colors, if she had any say in it. Of course, she also noticed how Roxas touched Namine. It was casual and yet it was...flirtatious. She wondered if Namine noticed.

"He definitely earned it," Naminé added with a giggle. Goosebumps blossomed on her skin with the weight of his arm around her shoulders, but Naminé tried to school her expression into something that, like his gesture, she hoped was nonchalance. 

 

Sora clapped Roxas on the shoulder lightly. "You did good. Never expected you to be a singer though." He noticed the arm hanging off of Naminé's shoulders lazily and smiled in spite of Noel's presence. Sora wanted to be happy for his friend on the outside too. 

"Hidden talent," Roxas replied with a small shrug. He didn't really know he could either, not until he sang for the first time. And then music just called to him. It wasn't something he could really help. "But hey, it is a boost to my ego. Can't go wrong with that, right?"

 

At Roxas's smug smile, Kairi rolled her eyes. "Okay, bigshot, tone it down," she scolded lightly. She then lifted her hands to clap for the performance that just wrapped. That was the last one for the night. The festival would continue as normal.

Sora yawned after the clamor of the audience died down. The night was still pretty young, but Sora already felt exhausted by everything that had happened. And I don't think I can watch them anymore... "I'm gonna head back to the dorms now. I have some homework to finish up."

Kairi fought the urge to yawn when Sora did; yawns were contagious. Even so, she was pretty tired. It had been an exhausting day between the excitement of the festival and the emotional encounter with Sora. "Hey...you care if I walk back with you? I'm pretty tired," she said, voice softer now that the noise had lessened. 

 

Noel blinked in surprise. "Wait, you're leaving?" he asked. And with Sora too...

 

Kairi grimaced. "Um...yeah," she nodded. "You said you wanted to catch up with a few friends of yours anyway, right? It's no big deal. Besides, if I go with Sora, there won't be any creeps that sneak up on me." She chuckled nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear.

 

Noel lifted an eyebrow but nodded anyway. "Right. Text me when you get back to the dorm, alright?" When Kairi agreed, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Talk to you later." He took a step back and waved to her friends. "See you guys around."

 

Roxas lifted his hand hanging lazily over Namine's shoulder in a faint wave as Noel started off. He arched an eyebrow at his sudden departure, though. That was a bit weird.

Sora grimaced when Noel kissed Kairi's cheek, but her question made him smile (though he tried his best to be subtle). "Sure. I don't mind," he then waved to Noel as the other boy departed, "I can take things from here, so have a good night."

 

Riku released a nervous laugh. "Heh, well, that settles that, then, huh? Kairi will go back with Sora; Naminé will go back with Roxas, and Lightning..." he trailed off to look for the pink haired girl's confirmation. 

"I go back with you," Lightning confirmed with a smirk. She knew the drill. That was how dates worked, after all. Apparently Kairi and Noel were a different story, though. She had to tear her eyes from his hypnotizing gaze, however, when her phone chimed. She pulled up a text from her sister. 'Snow and I are over. Need you asap.' Lightning frowned instantly. Oh no...

 

Roxas looked down at the blonde under his arm at Riku's words, not objecting in the slightest. He was completely okay with some alone time with Namine.

"What's wrong? Something happen?" Riku asked, voice laced with concern. He couldn't see the message Lightning just received, but by the look on her face, it wasn't anything good.

Lightning closed her eyes with a quiet sigh. I hate to do this but... "Serah and Snow broke up," she explained lowly, looking up at her date. His concern flattered her, but she felt bad for having to ditch. "She needs me..." 

"It's fine. You're fine," Riku assured with a kind smile, "Your sister needs you. I understand, so go take care of her alright? Just text me when you have time for that second date." Riku winked at her, ignoring the snicker of Sora beside him. 

 

I've never seen Riku like this before... Sora mused, throwing his friend a teasing grin. 

Lightning looked up at Riku with shocked eyes. Did he really mean that? Her lips formed a small, grateful smile. "Thank you," she said, placing a hand on his arm and giving it a light squeeze. "I'm sorry." She leaned up in her haste and gave him a peck on the cheek, that wink bringing the bold act out of her. She would definitely text him later, once things with Serah calmed down.

Stunned, Riku touched his cheek carefully as if pressing too hard would somehow erase the feather light touch of her lips. "Um...yeah."

Lightning released Riku's arm and took a step back. She then waved to the remaining couples and started off, cheeks reddening almost immediately. Did she really just kiss him?! Was it too soon?! No...Lightning couldn't start doubting herself; it wasn't who she was. Regardless, she replied to Serah's text as she walked, letting her sister know she would be there soon.

"Riku's got a girlfriend," Sora teased in a sing-song voice. The words were so childish, but the brunet couldn't help himself. This was his best friend, so he had to enjoy this moment as much as possible. 

 

"Whatever," Riku said, brushing Sora's words off with a growing blush. He did like the insinuation of Lightning being his girlfriend though... "We're just dating." 

 

"Uh, huh," Sora pressed, "Exactly."

Kairi tilted her head. "Well..." she started in disagreement, "I wouldn't say that's exactly how it works, Sora. Noel and I are 'dating' but we aren't exclusive." They never really discussed it. He never officially claimed her as his girlfriend nor did she ever call him her boyfriend. The dating scene could get pretty technical. "It's...complicated."

 

Lightning decided a shortcut was necessary in this case, so she cut through the festival and across the darker lawns of campus to get to her sister's dormroom. It was a bit...creepy, she had to admit, since the campus was practically a ghost town with the festival going on. She looked behind her and stopped short upon thinking she saw a shadowy figure, but after a minute she figured it was just her imagination. So she kept going. Another minute later, laughter--sinister laughter. Drunken laughter. She bet it was a group of lightweights from Snow's frathouse nearby. Idiots.

Sora visibly deflated at the mention of Noel. Why did his name have to come up now? "Right," Sora said more quietly now, "I guess that's true." It also made him wonder then: would they become boyfriend and girlfriend one day? Did Kairi like Noel that much? They already seem awfully close now...

 

"Hey, there, beautiful," one of the boys crowed between his drunken laughter. His figure was more visible now, exposing a tall and toned body with greasy dark hair and a malicious smile. He was flanked by two equally intoxicated frat boys armed with glass bottles of beer that they had likely snuck into the festival. "Miss me?"

Kairi bit her lip at Sora's expression. Right... Noel. She shouldn't have brought him up. Stupid, she scolded herself silently. But...didn't he realize that she wasn't with Noel, technically? Wait...why was she hopeful for Sora in this? I'm so confused...

 

Light rolled her eyes and kept walking. "Not hardly," she grumbled. This guy again? She should have known. What, did he want to talk to her about how he embarrassed her in front of everyone? She wasn't interested.

Edited August 29, 20187 yr by Forever Love

"Aww, c'mon, baby," another of the jock's cooed, "don't be like that." They stumbled faster towards her, their laughter sounding more and more deranged the closer they got. Nearby, one of the street lamps flickered until it fizzled out into darkness.

 

"We don't bite!" the lead jock hollered. His whole body reeked of alcohol, and there beer stains decorating his once pristine white shirt. "Don't act like you don't want me!"

Lightning hated to admit it, but she felt her natural fight or flight response kicking in. Did she face these creeps or make a run for it? No, she had training for situations like this. She could handle it. She stopped where the street light had gone out, but that only seemed to intensify her feeling of dread. "Look, buddy," she said, turning around to face them. "I don't 'want' you like that, okay? All I 'want' you to do is leave me alone." These guys were...incredibly drunk. Wasted. This wasn't good.

Edited August 29, 20187 yr by Forever Love

"Why is she lying, Chase?" one of them slurred to the dark haired boy whose eyes roved over her body hungrily. As if he wanted to devour her. The boy who had spoken leered at Lightning then, squinting his bleary eyes. "We don't like liars, pinky. Just give my boy here some, and we'll leave."

 

Chase teetered even when standing still; his eyes were eerily bloodshot. "You owe me after what you did. You and your little boy toy," Chase sneered. He was closer now, less than a few feet away. The closest building was now shrouded in darkness, and no students or staff filtered in or out.

Light put a hand to her hip. “Excuse me?” she asked in confusion, the words low as she fought the urge to shudder at the way the three eyed her. Again they saw her as nothing more than a piece of meat for them to enjoy. At the mention of Riku she stiffened, but she had to play it cool. If they knew they got to her, it was over.

Edited August 29, 20187 yr by Forever Love

“You heard me,” Chase glowered, finally snatching one of her wrists, “you humiliated me! I’ve been the laughing stock of the campus since then.” His grip on her wrist tightened and he swung her towards a wall roughly. “I don’t take that too well, pinky” he spat the word ‘pinky,’ and curled his upper lip. Chase had never been rejected like that before. Not by any girl. He was hot and popular.