Hi folks! Yeah, it's me... again. (I might as well just stop trying to not write fanfiction because I always come back.) I've been working diligently on my original fics (or maybe not so diligently...) but, per usual, I kind of miss writing fanfic. And... if you were reading the synopsis of this story and thought it sounded vaguely and somehow familiar, it's because this story is based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby.

Yes, that's right. I have taken 1920s New York City as F. Scott imagined it and transferred it into Spira (and with modern-age technology and ideas). As you may or may not be aware of, a new Gatsby movie (starring Leonardo DiCaprio who was such a fantastic Gatsby) was released earlier this month (and let me tell you, I was full out obsessed-I hosted a "Gatsby Party" for the midnight showing and went to the theater dressed as a Flapper-yes, I was one of those people). If you want to know the truth, I found the movie to be an incredibly disappointing interpretation of what is my personal favorite novel.

Anywho, just because the movie was a great disappointment doesn't mean my Gatsby obsession ended. I'm currently reading "Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald" (F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife) by Therese Anne Fowler and the next book in my lineup is Trimalchio: An Early Version of The Great Gatsby. (Turns out F. Scott had written an almost completely different version of The Great Gatsby before writing what we all know and love as The Great Gatsby today!)

So anyway, I was discussing my obsession with Gatsby with 6jrz422 (who had offered to read my novelized version of CY (see my countless pleas in The Internship about that ha ha)) and all the talk about Gatsby and FFX just... well... meant that this was just ASKING to be written. And once I started, I couldn't stop.

At first, I wasn't going to post this. But it's been fun to write (I'm almost done w/ the 3rd chapter) and I figured I might as well share for anyone who wants to read it.

My hope is that the story stays true to Gatsby but yet I want it to be different. We'll see how successful I am. The first chapter is incredibly reminiscent of the beginning of Gatsby, but I promise it gets a bit different...well... starting with the fact that I made Nick Carroway a girl.

Anyway, enough of my blabbering. I hope you all enjoy!

(And if you're a huge Gatsby fan like me, I promise to do my best not to butcher anything. Haha)

I. Yuna

I had just turned twenty-two when I left Bikanel to chase some sort of dreams I had out in the city of Luca, at the very end of May, just as spring was ripening into what was to become the hottest summer I could remember. My father, reluctant to see me go, stood outside of our small, modest home surrounded by sand dunes and put his hands on his hips. I had thought that perhaps he would offer me a farewell embrace or at least some words of wisdom, but all he managed was a bitter-sounding "You'll see, Rikku, that the world isn't what you think it is." He didn't need to tell me those words, though: his scowl said enough.

By the time fall settled in, I had the realization that those words my father had said that day as I left were true. The world wasn't what I had thought it was. Sure, the city was as glimmering and full of life as I had expected and dreamed it would be, and the air was full of the sea water and there was a sense of adventure that was inexistent in the dry deserts of Bikanel. The city carried a fast tempo that I had been desiring to experience for as long as I could recall.

But the reality was just as my father said: the world wasn't what I had thought it would be. I imagined that the very souls that inhabited Luca would be as bright and shimmery as the lights that shone from the buildings when night fell. And while it is hard to argue that there wasn't a sense of glimmer and wonder about the people who walked the streets of Luca day-in and day-out, that light was a dark light—a much darker light than I had ever expected.

My summer in Luca was spent in a peculiar way; I never really felt as though I was living in Luca, mostly because I never felt as though I entirely belonged in Luca, but rather I felt as though I was an audience member, taking in a play or a musical of sorts. It was almost as though the acting troupe invited me on stage and welcomed me to take part in the play they were performing, but yet I never knew the lines. Instead, I stood there, on stage with them, and sometimes hand-in-hand with the sharp actors and actresses, but only watched them, mouth open and eyes wide, unable to guess what they would do next or unable to keep step with them. And, at the closing, it was only right that I packed my belongings and headed back to Bikanel—I was to find, after all, that even if I did memorize the lines, I still wasn't a good enough actress to fit into the dramas that they put on day after day after day.

The only other outsider who joined me up on stage was the handsome Tidus, the once-star blitzball player hailing from the North (all the way from Zanarkand, if you can imagine). And while it was also obvious (to me, at least) that Tidus was just as clueless as to what he was doing on the stage as I was, his acting abilities outdid everybody's. He had amazed me from the beginning, and not just because of his flashy personality and appearance. I suppose it was perhaps because of the comradery I felt towards him, being that, like me, he never quite belonged, no matter how hard he tried.

Yes, Tidus ended up being all right in the end. He had us all fooled, even when I thought I could see through him, but in the end, I will always remember him as someone I, at the very least, ought to admire.

I flew into Djose, where I stayed momentarily with my mother's mother and father, my grandparents whom I had not seen since I was very young. Both of them seemed just as disappointed that I was heading south to Luca as my father. After staying only two days, I then drove from Djose down to Luca; a long, but very refreshing jaunt.

I first determined that I would not easily fit into Luca the moment I hit the city limit. I drove into Luca in a Mercury Lynx that had once belonged to my grandfather and immediately realized that no one else in the city of Luca was driving a car that was older than five years. Shiny Mustangs, BMWs, Audis, Range Rovers, Mercedes, Camaros, Ferraris, Lamborghinis… I stopped paying attention after a while, because eventually the cars began to blend together, a blur of sparkling metal.

Ocean-front property in Luca is outrageously expensive, but I managed to find a small cabin to rent in the outskirts of the city. Even though I had never been to Luca before, I was well aware that my cabin was situated on a plot in West Luca, the least fashionable of East and West Luca. East Luca, therefore, was the more fashionable of the two. I was aware of this fact because it just-so-happened that my cousin and her husband of only five months had just moved into East Luca.

It also helped that to reach West Luca, I first had to drive through East Luca. The homes that I passed were absolutely breathtaking. Names and monograms littered the mailboxes that were encrusted with gold and carved out of marble. Seymour Guado, the youngest Maester of Spira. Sir Maechen, the renowned scholar. Maester Kinoc, the retired Maester.

I stopped momentarily as I discovered the home—"home" was an understatement, really; the better word would be "mansion"—belonging to my cousin. I looked up the long drive and could see the home towering in the distance. My eyebrows rose. I wasn't close to my cousin (I had not seen her since her father had passed away years and years ago, just as she was finishing high school) but I did know her husband. We had been students together at the prestigious Bevelle University. I smiled momentarily at my memory of him, but that smile was fleeting.

I had been surprised to receive the invitation from my cousin inviting me to her wedding, already five months prior. I had been even more surprised to discover who she was marrying. While we had been chummy, my cousin's husband and I, back in school, that was all I wanted to be with him. And being "chummy" with him was enough to know that, if it were my choice, I would not want to marry him.

But, I decided with a decisive nod as I continued on my trek to my new home, if my cousin's money needed company, than my old chum from college was the perfect company for her. Thinking of the amount of money they must have between them caused me to feel dizzy.

Eventually I got lost and pulled over to the side of the road. I pulled out my grandfather's old atlas that had been tucked in the backseat and tried to figure it out, wishing I had been able to buy a GPS or at least a smartphone before heading down south. I blew my bangs out of my face and took the opportunity to fan myself with the map. The air conditioning in the old Mercury had stopped working just as I started crossing the plains known as the Mi'ihen Highroad and I'd been suffering without ever since. The temperatures were growing, despite the fact that the sweltering sun was finally disappearing behind the trees that lined the western side of Luca.

Finally, I managed to find the road I was looking for, a narrow, gravel, dusty road that led me far away from the city and into a strange, thick forest. Just as I was thinking there were no signs of civilization anywhere, I saw a large iron-gate off to the right. I slowed down, realizing that I must be close to my cabin. But as I squinted past the gates, I realized that they were hiding the entrance to a house off in the distance, much, much larger than most of the homes I had passed in East Luca. I followed the gate up, wondering why it was so tall.

A strange shiver went down my spine—who was that landowner trying to keep out? Or, I thought as I finally drove quickly away—who was he trying to keep in.

Only a few yards later did I discover my cabin. Feeling relieved, I pulled into the driveway and pulled out my few belongings from the trunk. From where my cabin was situated, I had an even better view to the large, looming mansion.

I gulped—apparently, this mansion was my neighbor.

I had moved all of my belongings into the little three-room cabin just as dusk was settling in. I opened all of my windows, hoping it wasn't going to rain, in hopes of airing the place out and welcoming a nice, cold breeze.

Just as I was about to settle in for the night, my old flip-phone began to buzz on the table. I rushed to it, wondering if my father had cared enough to call to make sure I'd made it alright, but it was a number I didn't recognize—but, a Luca number.

Feeling confused, I cautiously answered it: "Hello?"

"Rikku? I just caught word that you are in Luca for the summer!"

I had no idea whose voice was chirping in my ear.

"Your brother got a hold of me earlier today. He said he'd been trying to call you but wasn't getting service, or something. I can't possibly imagine how your family has managed to stay in Bikanel all these years. I mean—it's positively medieval there!"

My mind was running as I tried to think of a polite way to ask who was calling.

"Anyway, as soon as I heard you were here for the summer, Baralai and I decided you absolutely must come visit at once!"

Baralai. It was Yuna who was calling me!

I let out a sigh of relief at my realization of who was talking to me and said a cheerful, "I'd love to visit you!"

"You must absolutely come right now!" Yuna said. "We're having a bit of a late dinner. You'll come, won't you?"

"Yes, I will come right now!" I said. I felt elated at the idea of seeing Yuna (despite not having seen her in so many years) and Baralai (despite the fact that the last time I had seen him had been a tad awkward). Mostly, as night was settling into Luca, I began to realize how lonely it was out here, with just me and the quiet mansion next door.

I swiped my keys off of my counter and practically jogged out to my car. I stopped though, as I squinted into the night, toward my neighbor. In the little light that there was, I saw the soft silhouette of what appeared to be a man, standing out on the dock, staring into the ocean.

I shook my head and continued to my car.

I expected Yuna to greet me, but it was instead Baralai.

"Rikku!" he said, putting on a dazzling smile that I had seen many times. He pulled me into a quick hug and gave me a very light peck on my cheek. He was being careful, I realized, and I was grateful for that.

"How are you?" he asked, ruffling my hair as though I was a child. I was three years younger than him and he had always—or, well, mostly—treated me as such.

"I'm doing alright," I managed.

"What brings you out here?" he asked. We were standing on the front porch of his mansion and my eyes couldn't stop scouring every inch of it.

"I got a job," I said, shifting my gaudy and outdated purse to the side. "Just a simple administrative job."

"Administrative job? You should have told me you were looking and I would have set you up with something better."

I gave him a small, wry smile. I didn't really want to owe Baralai anything for any favors. I had figured that much out during my one year with him in college.

"Well, come on in," Baralai said. "Yuna's been excited to see you."

He led the way into the large, open verandah, and then into a lounge room of sorts.

"Rikku!" I was suddenly being smothered by a hug before I knew what was happening. "It's so good to see you! How long are you here for?"

"Permanently," I said, surely, as my cousin pulled away from me. "How are you, Yuna?"

Yuna made a face at me, and said, "Call me Yunie. Remember? Like when we were children!" She was still holding my hands and she looked so entirely happy to see me that I felt as though I might actually disappoint her.

"Sure, Yunie," I said, smiling meekly.

"Oh, Rikku, this is Baralai's best friend, Gippal."

I hadn't noticed anyone else was in the room, but slouched on one of the long leather sofas was a very tall man with blonde hair. I felt my expressions soften as I noticed from his fashion that he was Al Bhed.

He was watching a huge, flat-screen sphere that was on the wall, which I realized was playing a blitzball game. He seemed much more interested in the game than me.

But eventually he tore his eyes away from the game and gave me a quick, short nod.

"Nice to meet you," he said.

"Let's have some supper," Yuna said then, clapping her hands together as though the idea of having dinner was so exciting. I put on a smile for her sake and followed her to the dining room, which was open into the air on one side. I noticed Gippal had turned the TV off and seemed to be reluctantly following us.

Baralai was already in the dining room sitting down. He seemed to be going through some mail but he smiled at both Gippal and I as we walked in the room. He seemed, though, to ignore Yuna, which I felt odd.

I wasn't entirely sure how their relationship worked, and I figured ten minutes wasn't long enough to properly form an opinion on the matter. But I had known Yuna my entire life and had known Baralai long enough that I felt as though I had a good sense of his character. And, basing my opinion on those two facts, I felt as though the only thing Yuna and Baralai really had in common was their money.

Then, just as some servants brought out food (which shocked me—I didn't know people in this day and age actually still had servants), Baralai suddenly stood up, pulling his cell phone out of his pocket as he did so.

"Excuse me," he said, smiling politely and walking away.

There was a strange, heavy silence at the table that followed as Baralai walked away. Gippal and Yuna exchanged a glance that I didn't understand and Yuna smiled at me and said, "I'll be right back, Rikku. I'm so glad you're here."

Then, her smile disappeared and was replaced by a serious expression. She stood up hastily, tossing her cloth napkin carelessly onto her plate. She seemed to be heading in the same direction that Baralai had just disappeared.

The heavy silence that had followed Baralai's departure was now replaced with an awkward silence. I looked at my empty plate, wondering if it would be so impolite as to help myself to some of the baked pasta that had been placed on the table—I was, after all, starving. Then, feeling awkward at the silence, I smiled at Gippal and said, "I have to ask, are you originally from Bikanel as well?"

But Gippal appeared distracted. I noticed he was looking into the house, where Baralai and Yuna had disappeared. He laughed then, and leaned back in his chair.

"Yuna's gonna be pissed," he said, still chuckling to himself. He leaned forward then and grabbed a dinner roll off of its platter and began to eat it without even buttering it.

"Um, pissed about what?" I asked, nervously tucking my long bangs behind my ear.

"Hm?" Gippal said, now looking at me, as though he had forgotten I was ever there. "Oh, because she's calling."

"Who?"

Gippal chucked to himself again and finished the roll.

"His mistress."

"Baralai has a mistress?" I said this as though it surprised me. In reality, I had never known Baralai to be the faithful type. Appearances suggested otherwise, but once I had gotten to know him, it had become quite clear that having a girlfriend did not stop Baralai from, well, exploring. I supposed having a wife didn't make it any different.

My heart sank, though. I had hoped to find Baralai and Yuna in a state of married bliss. They had, after all, only been married for a few months!

"Yup," Gippal said, taking another roll. "In the city."

I was about to ask him who it was or why he had a mistress or how Gippal knew it was Baralai's mistress who was calling, but at that moment, both Baralai and Yuna returned to the table, Yuna wearing an over-exaggerated smile and Baralai appearing rather bored.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting," Yuna said, smiling at me. "Were you in Bevelle at all, Rikku?"

"No, I took an airship straight from Bikanel to Djose," I answered.

"What a shame," Yuna said. "I miss Bevelle so terribly."

"What caused you two to move here?" I asked. Last I knew, they were getting married in Bevelle. I had assumed they would live there forever. From what I recalled, Baralai had a fantastic family estate that Yuna and he were moving into in Bevelle. But suddenly they were hastily swept away to Luca.

This question caused Yuna to let out a bit of nervous laughter, which she tried to cover by transforming it into a more casual laugh, but the nervousness was still apparent in her light laugh.

But then she turned serious and her eyes went to Baralai.

"Why don't you explain it, honey," she said, scooping some pasta onto her plate. The strange, tense feeling in the air was back.

"Do we really have to do this, Yuna?" Baralai just said and he gave me an eye roll as though he expected me to be on his side of things.

"Well, how do you two know each other?" Gippal suddenly said, sitting straight up and pointing from me to Baralai.

"We were classmates at Bevelle U," Baralai said, shooting me a smile. "Rikku was in the poly-sci honorary society. She was the youngest member we allowed in."

"You were a poly-sci major?" Yuna's attention as turned to me. She suddenly looked sad and said, "We need to get to know each other better."

This I agreed with. We had been quite close as girls.

I smiled and nodded warmly.

"Well, we'll have all summer," Yuna said.

I thought it odd that Yuna seemed to only assume I would be in Luca for the summer. I kept trying to explain to her that it was permanent—that I expected to live in Luca for perhaps my entire life. That night, sitting outside in the warm Luca air, overlooking the ocean, I definitely felt as though I could stay forever. I was enchanted by the lights emitting from the mansion, I was enchanted by the delicious food that was scattered around the table, and I was even rather enchanted by the tall, blonde Gippal who appeared so wonderfully bored…

Yuna seemed to notice that I was having trouble taking my eyes off of Gippal, too, for at one point she caught my eye, raised her eyebrows as me, and nodded ever-so-slightly towards Gippal. I answered with a blush in my cheeks.

We finished the night with dessert and glasses of wine (which I attempted to protest; my last experience with Baralai and alcohol had not been the most pleasant) and then I was on my way back to the west, where I once again passed the iron gates that closed off my neighbor's drive.

I paid the mansion next to me no attention though, and instead walked into my dark, creaky cottage. The bed was uncomfortable, but feeling happy that I had at least reconnected with Yuna (we were scheduled to have lunch the following day), I drifted off into a fairly nice slumber.