Summer Days *4*

The walk home from Cid’s garage wasn’t a very long one but it was silent with disappointment. After walking through the front door of the home everyone was greeted by a new voice.

“Hey Roxas have you seen my-” At the top of the stairs was a boy who looked identical to Roxas. He paused in his statement when he saw you though.

“Hey.” You waved meekly at who you knew to be Ven.

“Uh hi. Who are you?” Ven questioned as he walked down the stairs towards the four of you.

“Ven! Don’t be rude.” Tifa chastised.

Roxas stepped forward with a silent sigh and introduced him to you, “[Name] this is my twin brother Ventus. Ventus this is [Name], she’s staying with us.”

Ven nodded with a smirk playing on his lips, “Sweet. You can call me just Ven by the way.”

You nodded when Cloud stepped past you towards Ven, “Where were you today Ven?”

“Yeah we didn’t see you at Cid’s.” Tifa added to Cloud’s firm comment.

Ven rolled his eyes and shrugged, “I was hanging with my friends. Does it matter?”

Cloud didn’t reply and shook his head walking into the kitchen area. Tifa sighed looking at her boyfriend and followed him leaving you with Ven and Roxas.

“So [Name], are you going to HBA?” Ven asked taking a seat on the sofa.

Roxas gave you the single seat sofa and sat beside his brother.

“Yeah I'm a junior.” You answered with a smile.

Ven nodded, “What are your classes?”

Your smile faltered as you shrugged, “I don’t know yet. I don’t find out until Monday.”

“Well”, He grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV, “Let’s hope I got some classes with you.”

“I hope so…” Yo murmured.

The whole reason you chose to go to school was to meet more characters and hang out with them. If you didn’t get any classed with them then your entire plan basically backfires on you.

The phone handing on the wall in the kitchen area rang. Cloud an Tifa had walked upstairs moments ago so Roxas jumped up from his seat to get it.

“Got it!” He yelled up the stairs so the others could hear.

Ven watched his brother leave before turning back to you, “So how do you like Hollow Bastion so far?”

“It’s alright I guess. I still haven't seen much of it really.” You said sheepishly.

“Don’t worry. It’s a nice place and all, it just gets really boring sometimes.” Ven groaned with a shake of his head. His eyes were at the TV screen again. After a moment though he cut his eyes back to look at you.

“But maybe you’ll change that.” He said mostly to himself.

You couldn’t help but blush at the comment though. Roxas walked back towards you guys stopping at the stairs first.

“Hey Tifa! It was the guys from the mall! They said Cid turned in your request and that they’ve finished working on Seventh Heaven! They want you to come take a look at it to make sure everything is all right!”

Cloud came down the stairs first with a smile on his face, Tifa was quickly behind him with a grin etched across her lips.

“When?” She asked excitedly.

“Right now.” Roxas replied.

She nodded and turned to Ven and you, “Do you guys wanna come? I'm pretty sure [Name] hasn’t seen the mall yet. Right?”

You stood up, “I’d love to come.”

Ven stood up and turned off the TV. Him and Roxas both replied at the same time, “I’ll come.”

Tifa giggled while shooting Cloud a knowing look. Cloud sighed with a casual roll of his eyes and pointed up the stairs, “Why don’t you and Roxas go change out of your bathing suits [Name]?”

You nodded noticing both Tifa and Cloud had already changed.

It didn’t take you long to change and before you knew it everyone was walking down the street towards the mall. You had to walk past the registration building to get there, but as you continued down a few blocks you noticed the looming figure rise up in the distance. Upon closer inspection you noted that this mall they talked about was absolutely the largest mall you’ve ever seen. It was only one story but it stretched out as far as your eyes could see. Strangely though you noticed that it didn’t look very busy. Your amazement at the building only increased as you stepped inside. The floors were a royal blue carpet and the ceiling was high and dome shaped.

“This is amazing.” You gushed taking in all the sights.

“You like?” Ven smirked.

You grinned, “Heck yes!”

Everyone laughed as you continued to look around. You walked down the wide hallway some passing a few shops before you came to a wide open circle that was surrounded by some potted plants and benches. In the middle of the circle was a large fountain carved in a cool gray stone, but it wasn’t on. There were more shops straight ahead and to the right, but you followed everyone to the left. Passing more shops the food court eventually came into sight. The floor changed to a white and gray tile that was covered with different sized tables. Around the food court were different food stores, obviously.

“How come this place is abandoned?” You asked.

“They close the mall down about a month before summer starts before they open the first day of summer break. It’s so all the shops and stores can prepare.” Roxas answered.

“Only people who own shops can come right now.” Ven shrugged.

“Seventh Heaven is Tifa’s shop?” You questioned.

Both the twins nodded as Cloud and Tifa walked ahead to a small shop off to the right. The outside of the shop looked like it was built out of wood and it wasn’t open like most other stores, but instead was closed off with a double doors.

“It’s Tifa new bar.” Ven said.

“Do you guys work here?” You asked.

“We’re gonna help out but we have other jobs.” Roxas nodded as Cloud and Tifa walked into her bar.

As you turned to follow them in your eyes noticed the largest store in the food court that sat against the furthest wall away. It covered the entire wall all the way up to the ceiling. It consisted of different 3D pictures of different places. In bright cursive letters ‘Around the Worlds’ was written out above the entrance.

“That’s Around the Worlds”, Roxas said noticing you staring, “It’s the hottest restaurant in all of Hollow Bastion.”

Ven nudged you in the arm, “Wanna go take a look?”

You nodded and led the way towards it. Inside was nearly as amazing as the outside. The entrance was dimly lit and it led to either a small bar or a bunch of other rooms.