A/N: Welllll I got a job and it's SO demanding! I've hardly had any time to do the things that I enjoy. I'm also a full time student just trying to figure my way through my (nonexistent) life, haha. I also bought a program over Steam to help from getting distracted while I write. It's called Nimble Writer and I think it's helping so far!
And I just wanted to say thank you for all of the wonderful feedback! Thank you so much for following this little collection. I'm sorry I'm not a very consistent writer, I'm trying to get a lot better with that before publishing an actual multi-chapter story because I know how frustrating that can be! So again, thank you all!
I also changed the title to Crayons and Keys because I thought it was more fitting. :3 Anyways here's theme #3! Hope you all enjoy! C:
Prize
A loud, alarming ding broke through the crowd of chattering voices and laughter, as red lights flashed across the top of the gaming console. Cerulean orbs brightened with excitement as a dozen of small tickets instantaneously printed from the side of the metal box. The brown-haired teen reactively pumped a clenched fist into the air, maintaining a toothy grin upon his face. "Yes! High Score again!"
Swiftly crouching to his knees, Sora held out a hand to guide the reel of paper from the narrow slot, knuckles gently brushing against its cold exterior. After silently counting and gathering all of the vouchers, he eagerly jumped back to his feet in one swift motion, curving his direction behind his shoulder. "Hey Riku, look-"
He stopped when he acknowledged that his best friend was no longer standing just a few feet away from him, at a nearby game in which the silver teen claimed as his favorite. Further in view, abroad the aisles of nostalgic tunes and coin-operated entertainment, Riku was leaning against a billiards table, arms crossed- and seemingly engrossed in a conversation with a familiar girl. Kairi. The auburn beauty he grew so close to throughout his years, humiliating himself with every dumb and erratic thing he did to impress her.
A small sigh impetuously passed through the brunette's lips. He watched the girl grab a cue stick and poorly position it against the green fabric of the board. Riku was smirking, and must have said something sarcastic because she initially shot him a glare, but laughed and lightly slapped him on the chest soon after.
Sora allowed a wistful smile grace his features for a few moments.
It always has been a competition with them.
Yet his vision subsided a short distance to the right, until it reached a cloth sheathed table accompanied by a lone girl in a white spring dress. She was absorbed in her weary, overworked sketchbook. A few broken crayons of various colors rested beside her moving arm. Always drawing and always captivatedly lost within it.
Azure eyes rolled, but a pleasant grin still appeared on the teen's face. Before he knew it, his legs started to move- taking confident steps, nearly skipping as he rushed over to the artist. As he reached her, his presence went unnoticed. Silently and serenely, he placed the bundle of paper on the table in front of her.
The blonde immediately looked up at him, casual glossed lips slightly parted. Cornflower met cerulean, colliding shades of blue and balancing them into a connected gaze. A small smile adorned her porcelain complexion, as she raised a hand to greet him with a quick wave.
Sora grinned back at her, entrusting a mutual salutation- "Hey Naminé, why are you over here by yourself?" He questioned softly, sticking his hands in his pockets, flattening the uneven clumps of additional tickets he kept stored there. He acknowledged the light pink tint that trailed along her face as she briefly looked down to her sketchpad. Lifting her chin to meet his gaze again, she positioned her index finger and tapped the paper gently.
"Just drawing."
Sora's grin seemed to grow larger, extending across his face to where his teeth were displayed. He quickly crossed his arms in front of his chest and shook his head, chuckling. His beautiful orbs were fully lidded- closed off from the girl's puzzled visage.
"That might just have to wait a bit." He cracked his eyes open, mischief clearly burning within them. Toothy grin promptly shifting into to a playful smirk, he gently placed his hand upon her wrist. "Come on."
Getting pulled up from her seat, Naminé gripped onto the strap of her handbag- hugging it to her body. "Where are we going?" She questioned, her soft voice drawn out in misperception and uneasiness.
The spikey teen stopped, but still delicately held on to her wrist- fingertips mildly brushing against her smooth skin. He turned back towards her and beamed again. "Play some games with me?"
She slowly stood, quietly chuckling. "If I knew how."
Sora let go of her hand, and quickly began to clear the table of her sketchbook and crayons. His slender fingers made their way to the torn up box- and he retained each colored wax into place. "Don't worry, I'll teach you!"
"Ah sorry!"
A shaky yelp was followed by a roar of boyish laughter. Sora whipped his head back in a fit of giggles, hand placed on his chest- azure orbs fully lidded. The blonde girl beside him kept her hands laced together in disconcertment, her face red from the sudden outburst she released when the machine made a loud, horn-like sound: an indication that it was game over.
"Don't- apologize- Naminé! Sora let out in between his intervallic laughter. As he finally calmed down, he quickly added: "You're doing fine!"
The game consisted of a lever and a moveable cannon-like contraption, navigated to aim artificial paopu fruit to a few desired places. There were several holes sited within a layer of fabricated "sand," containing a number of points able to be achieved. The teenage girl attempted to target the highest value in the back, resulting in an ultimate defeat.
The blonde pursed her lips, pouting as she looked at her friend. He smiled at her, and gently put his hand on her head, gently ruffling her hair without messing it up too much. "Let's try again. I'll guide you."
Naminé advanced towards the game and placed her hands on the cold, metal bars of the cannon. She rotated it a bit, twisting the hinges up and down to get a better feel of her controls. After slightly sliding it back and forth, left and right- Sora handed her a single, golden token that he had dug from his pocket moments before. The sensation of his fingertips was enough to make the girl blush.
"You gotta be… kind of strategic." He explained as he watched her slide the coin into the receiving slot. Cheerful melodies began to play from the speakers, and the panel of artificial gravel began to move, changing the course of the game. "They move so you have to watch them and time it carefully.
Nodding, Naminé watched the circling gapes for a few moments before she let go of the trigger. The yellow shape of the "fruit," bounced off the edge of the hole and was claimed by the bottom gate. She bit her lip mildly and shook her head, "Maybe I'm just not cut out for-"
"Nope! You got this!" Sora interrupted, chuckling as he stepped forward, alongside her. His tall figure nearly towered over her, and his hands lightly toppled over hers on the handle- causing her stomach to jump and flutter repeatedly. His chest gently bumped into her elbow, and she could feel his breath on her ear as he spoke. "Here, you gotta position it right."
He guided her hands to steady the cannon a little bit to the right, and once it was in position, Sora stepped away from her. His lingering touch still burned her skin. She turned her head to look back at him and he smiled. "Keep it there."
She blushed and hastily warped her direction back to the game. "R-right." She stammered. After taking a few moments to watch the revolving coasters, she closed her eyes and released the trigger, in hopes of avoiding any sort of embarrassment for the tenth time.
It went silent.
Then a loud churn echoed through the room- causing her squinted eyes to snap open.
Jackpot
Clear vision traveled along a wall of wonders- stuffed animals, action figures, board games- she may have even saw a small bike resting in the corner. She turned her head to direct her gaze at the acquainted young man standing next to her, fixated on the various prizes that was stored behind a registered clerk in a silly bowtie.
"Looks like you got 300 tickets here."
She gasped, eyes darting in between the clerk and the machine he used to quickly count the heaps of tickets they had carried over moments before. It didn't seem like they had that many.
The pair simultaneously glanced at each other, eyes locking in an instant. A toothy grin enhanced Sora's lips and the blonde let a blush spread across her face. "What are you gonna get?"
"Me? What are you going to get?" Sora exclaimed. "You earned them!"
"Half of them are yours…" She muttered, her voice soft with gratitude.
"Doesn't matter! You got the jackpot." He probed, grinning as he watched her turn her direction back to the wall.
There was a lone stuffed bunny hanging on the edge of the railing, pushed away from all of the other plushies. Its white fur blended in with the wall behind it- but its bright, blue beaded eyes were protruding, inviting her to welcome it with open arms. Naminé smiled and shyly lifted her index finger to point at the bunny, her face flushed with bashfulness.
Sora's eyes followed her finger, and once his gaze reached the plushie- he smiled. "We'll take that white bunny up there, sir."
"Thank you, Sora."
Cornflower met cerulean once again, and he could have sworn his heart skipped a beat when she beamed up at him. Her upper lip rose slightly, exhibiting her teeth. She looked stunning in all her simplicity. His heart was in his throat- and he had to swallow the knot before hoarsely mumbling a quiet, 'you're welcome'.
He didn't even realize the clerk had come back with the bunny. She was already holding it in her arms, hugging it against her body.
His mind was racing.
Naminé
Naminé
Naminé
Stealing a quick glance at his two best friends at the billiards table, a kind and knowing smile graced the boy's features. There was no need for competition anymore- for his prize was standing right beside him.