Fast Food Madness: The Epic Return

The wind blew Namine's ponytail slightly, her long blond hair lifting off the back of her neck faintly. The blond girl ignored it, eyes wandering downward. Her light blue tank top and blue jeans came into view, but she wasn't really seeing them. She was trying to think of something--anything--that would help her get through this crisis. She had to force herself to remember somehow, or she would go insane.

 

Roxas kept walking, aware of his surroundings but at the same time not knowing where he was going. He just let his legs take him wherever they led him. Wherever he ended up, it was where he was meant to be. From behind his sunglasses he watched out for other people so he didn't bump into them; his sense of hearing was occupied, so his eyes would have to be ready for anything.

 

"Hey...Namine..." a voice said from about five feet from Namine's side.

Namine lifted her head off of Ty and looked over, her dog gazing over in that direction as well. A boy was standing there--a cute, bright-eyed, muscular boy about her age. But Namine didn't really register that; this boy knew her, but she didn't remember him. How was she going to explain that to him...? "Hi," she greeted softly, keeping things as simple as possible.

 

Roxas listened as another song began to play, the boy rounding a corner subconsciously. He suddenly found the park before him, and he smiled slightly. Somehow, he wasn't too surprised to find himself here. This place always brought him a sense of peace. The boy carried on, continuing down the sidewalk to reach the crosswalk at the end of the street.

 

"How are you?" he asked her, obviously not noticing that Namine seemed to be at a loss for words. "Is Roxas with you?"

Namine gave him a strange look, disregarding the first question. "Roxas? Why would he be?" she asked curiously. Either she didn't have the answer to his question because of her memory loss or because he was just asking a strange question. Roxas...?

"No reason," he said, quickly waving it off as he took two steps forward. His face changed, showing some concern. "You okay? You don't look so good."

 

Roxas crossed the street when given the signal and made his way onto a path that wound around the park and the lake. The sun made the water sparkle and the sunshine warmed his form as he began his walk through the park. He let the music play in his ears, absorbing the comfort this place brought him.

 

Namine looked up at the boy, stroking her dog subconsciously. "...Not really," she confessed. She quickly came up with an explanation in her head, hoping it would suffice. "I hit my head the other day...I can't remember anything. Not even my friends."

The boy shook his head slightly, frowning. "So...does that mean...you don't remember me?" he asked softly, almost as if he were afraid of the answer.

Namine nodded slightly. "I'm really sorry, I--"

The teen brought up a hand, interrupting her. "Don't be sorry; stuff happens," he said with a shrug. "I'm Jeff. We...had a relationship for a little while." Jeff lied like a pro, knowing that if Namine wasn't pulling his leg, then he would have a chance to make her his girl again. And revenge on Roxas; he didn't know how the teen was related to this whole situation, but if he could get Namine on his side, then that would be perfect for him.

 

Roxas casually strolled along the path, noticing that the park wasn't very populated today. He figured it was because of Summer vacation, and most were out of state. But at the same time, he recognized some of the tourists, realizing that they must have been on vacation to NYC. It didn't surprise him; they got tourists all the time. The city was pretty popular, after all.

 

"We did?" Namine asked breathlessly, at a loss. If that were the case, then she was very sorry she couldn't remember him. She must have made him feel awful...But then again, he didn't look that way. In fact, he looked a little happy. It was strange.

Jeff nodded, appearing somber. "Yeah. We were dating for a year and half but I moved away two months ago and we broke it off." Jeff was tempted to smile, feeling oh-so clever with his lies. "But now that I'm living here again, I was kind of hoping..." He trailed off and then cleared his throat. "But if you don't remember, then I guess we can't pick up where we left of, can we?"

 

Roxas listened as the songs shuffled again, the boy's eyes flicking across the park behind his dark polarized sunglasses. Even though it wasn't heavily crowded, the park still had quite a few people. His eyes traveled over the people casually, spotting an old couple, a few middle-aged men and women, and some teenagers. The teenagers were scattered in various places, from the water, next to a tree trunk, playing catch in an open area... Roxas stopped walking, doing a double-take. Over there, by the tree trunk... Namine?

 

Namine gazed up at him, saddened by his words. "I'm sorry..." she said again. She set a hand on the ground and started to rise to her feet. Jeff came over closer and offered her a hand, which she accepted with a weak smile. Ty growled softly beside her, but Namine ignored her pet.

Jeff smiled kindly. "It's alright," he said again, not releasing her hand. "Maybe we can create new memories together..."

 

Roxas lowered his sunglasses a little so he could see normally, looking over near Namine with his blue eyes. His eyes widened. Jeff?! Roxas felt one of his hands form a fist at the interaction between Namine and the guy, the boy setting his shades back on his eyes. This was bad...

 

"But I feel so bad about this," Namine whispered, getting teary-eyed. "I don't want to have forgotten about you; you seem really sweet."

"We'll have plenty of time to get to know each other," Jeff said sympathetically, squeezing her hand. "That is, if you say yes to my question."

Namine tilted her head slightly in confusion. Huh? What's that supposed to mean? "What question...?" she asked cautiously. Then she looked down at her hand in his. Ty was sitting right at her side, staring up at the hands as well.

 

This guy just never gives up, does he? Roxas felt his jaw flex, not understanding what Jeff could possibly want now. Didn't he learn his lesson from the last time? Roxas had hurt Jeff and then did the same to his brother. What wasn't clicking in this guy's mind?

 

Jeff smiled warmly, stroking Namine's hand with his thumb. "Namine, will you be my girlfriend?"

Namine's eyes widened at the question. How was she supposed to answer that?! She didn't even know the guy, and yet he wanted to date her? She was confused. "I..." she started weakly without finishing. She needed a moment to compose her thoughts.

 

Roxas felt his blood begin to boil at the touching going on here. Namine didn't know any better... Not with her condition. But Jeff? He knew plenty. So what were his intentions? To get Namine or something? Yeah, like that's happening, Roxas thought, standing there as he stared at the couple. Thankfully they couldn't see him, but he was close enough to assist Namine if she needed him.

 

Jeff noticed her hesitation and panicked on the inside, unsure if all his lies were working or not. He looked down at her hand and then released it slowly. "Namine," he started softly, his bright eyes wandering upward. "I love you."

Namine was even more at loss than she was a few moments ago thanks to Jeff's twist. "I..." she started again, trailing off. What could she possibly say? She hardly knew what was going on!

Jeff stepped closer and wrapped Namine in his arms, holding her tightly. But not too tightly; he didn't want to hurt the girl he was working so hard to get. And Namine, not knowing any better, gasped softly while her dog let out a low growl.

 

Roxas gasped in disbelief and uncertainty, taking a few steps forward. Come on, Nam, he silently encouraged. You know deep down not to believe his lies, even without your memories of him... The boy could only pray that somehow she realized the same thing.

 

Namine didn't hug Jeff back. "Something doesn't feel right," she said without thought, pulling away from the boy that embraced her. She was confused; what was this emotion stirring in her heart? Confusion was a huge one, but there was something else....

Jeff took back his hands, keeping them at his side as he looked at Namine. "Namine, please," he pleaded. "I know you can't remember, but just give it a try...for me." He reached out a hand for her.

Namine didn't budge. She stared into his eyes fora moment, trying to understand what was going on. If she just had one moment to think...

 

Roxas lowered his head slightly, his sight falling to the path beneath his feet for a second before he looked back up at the girl yards away. She was the love of his life, and he had complete and total trust in her; he felt that deep down she knew this was wrong. And by her actions, he had a feeling he was right on the mark.