Winter break, the first day
Despite the progress he had made, Sora still ended up on the mattress on the floor Thursday night. He didn't get to sleep right away, just thinking. It was the first time he had wandered back to rational thinking since this had all happened. Roxas needed to call their grandparents and ask what was supposed to happen. They had to have a memorial service. Financial aid would help them finish the year at RGU, but what about the dogs? Roxas and Sora could probably save money by moving to an apartment off campus, but would they sell the house? The idea of selling their house was painful. There were too many memories, too many important things, not to mention just too much stuff. He'd definitely need that part time job, now.
Still, the hardest thing was his wounded heart. He had so much that he wanted to say to his parents, and so much time that he wanted to spend with them that was now impossible. So many things he wanted to share with them. Graduation, making his business, being a son that they could really be proud of, maybe even getting married at some point. Maybe even children. Who knew? Who could he go to when he just needed that unconditional love, the support and advice? It was so hard.
Sora breeze through the Chemistry final, promptly forgetting everything that he learned once he walked out of the classroom. It didn't take long for him and Riku to pack up and be on their way to Hollow Bastion. Riku probably appreciated the silence in the car a little, and indeed Sora had been especially silent that morning thus far, just looking out the window at the passing scenery. The closer they got to Riku's house the more and more nervous he felt, and the more he wished he was going home to his parents.