Final Fantasy XIII
"What are you doing? Our lives aren't some tragic story to tell the world!" Lightning peered over Serah's shoulder as she typed away on her computer. "Lightning, you can't stop me! And don't be silly! I'm not writing a story. It's my diary, now get out of here" she playfully pushed her older sister away.
Lightning's parents were both enlisted in the military, and died during a mission. That was three years ago, when Lightning was fifteen, and Serah was twelve. Ever since then Serah went to therapy once a month, while Lightning busied herself with rugby practice. Lightning was currently the captain of Cocoon High School rugby team. Rugby was her passion, while Serah loved to draw.
Lightning went back to the kitchen and finished washing the dishes. "Why do you keep seeing the therapist? It's…been two years" she said softly to Serah, going to sit on the couch next to her. "Because…it helps. It really does. I wish you would go to one session with me Light, oh please?" she knew her sister was going to say no. She always did, Lightning didn't like expressing her feelings.
"I'm sorry Serah. You know I have work tomorrow" Lightning hated telling her sister no, but she truly did have work. "The police department doesn't let interns in often, and I can't mess this up. If I lose my job we go to foster homes" she leaned back and turned on a rugby game.
"I'm gonna go work on the last of my summer homework, then go to bed. Night Cl- um…Lightning" she rushed off before her sister could scowl at her for using her real name. After watching a couple games Lightning finally got tired and went off to bed.
The next morning Lighting woke up to her sister shaking and smiling at her. "What's wrong" she sat up quickly and looked at Serah. "Nothing's wrong silly! Remember? It's the first day of school! I'm so excited" she almost skipped off as Lightning sat up scratching her head. "So much energy, where do you get it?" she slowly got out of bed and got dressed.
"Hurry up slowpoke!" Serah was fifteen, but had the energy of a seven year old. "Relax Serah. It's just school" she walked out of the house and to her SUV. Unlocking the doors with a single click she climbed in. "Oh come on. It's your last year, aren't you excited? Plus I'm not a freshman anymore" she laughed, glad to be out of that awkward stage. "Yeah yeah" a faint smile appeared on Lightning's face at her sister's excitement.
Once they arrived at school Serah instantly ran off to find her friends, and Snow. Snow was a senior with Lightning, and dating her younger sister. Lightning hated it more than anything. He was older, and was always causing trouble around campus. Lightning stepped out of the car and grabbed her backpack. She knew everyone at school, and everyone knew her. It wasn't exactly easy to avoid a beautiful young woman with rose colored hair. Not to mention she was always in the announcements for rugby achievements.
Several people waved and greeted her, while Lightning merely nodded, or ignored them. Her first period class was advanced conditioning. It allowed her to push herself to the limit, and improve her stamina and strength. "Yo, Light" Snow walked up next to her a bright smile on his face. "Long time no see. I was wondering if you know where Serah is" he smiled sheepishly at her. "I kinda broke my cell phone jumping into a pool" he chuckled at the memory.
Lightning kept walking, heading towards the female locker room. "Oh come on. You can't still hate me. I haven't done anything wrong!" he sighed, feigning hurt as she ignored him. "You haven't done anything right either" she gave him a cold glare before walking into the locker room. In there she saw the same faces she had seen for the past four years. But two of them were new.
"Fang! Look they have showers! Oh my gosh, this is great!" a red hair young girl squealed as she looked around. "Really now? This school is turning out better than I expected" a taller dark haired woman placed her hands on her hips, scanning the area. Walking backwards the younger girl bumped into Lightning, and fell to the ground. "Oh no. I'm so sor-" she was cut off when she saw Lightning. Moving back the girl hid before her taller friend. "She's scary" she whispered, as she looked up. "Oh come now Vanille, she's not scary" the taller woman commented with a coy smirk on her face.
"I'm Oerba Yun Fang. But you can just call me Fang. And this is my friend Oerba Dia Vanille, just call her Vanille" Fang held out her hand for Lightning to shake. Lightning merely looked at her hand before walking off without a word. "Hey!" Fang went around in front of Lightning. "If ya gonna be a jerk, at least let me know your name" she leaned down to look Lightning in the eyes. Light glared back at the taller woman, "I'm not being a 'jerk'. I just didn't feel like sharing my name" she brushed past Fang who clenched her jaw.
"That's Lightning Farron. The coolest, and possibly coldest chick on campus" a voice came from behind Fang. She turned and scoffed, "Yeah. You could say that again" she smiled when the other girl laughed. "I'm Lebreau, and don't let her bother you, she won't let you bother her" Lebreau shook hands with Fang and Vanille as they exchanged greetings and introductions. Vanille, Lebreau, and Fang talked as the Conditioning teacher issued lockers to the students. It was an uneventful class, and it didn't take long before everyone was on their way to the next class.
The campus was large because when it was first built it was designed to be a junior college. Going from one end of the campus to the other was a trek through winding sidewalks. It was a beautiful place, large grass fields that students loved to lay in during the spring and summer. Lightning's next class was right next to the Gym, and had a few minutes to spare before going to class. So she took the chance to pull out her police hand book and start studying.
It wasn't for a while, but Lightning had the chance to go to the police academy and become an officer. She would be the youngest female to join the force. "Whatcha readin?" Serah peeked over the book, and laughed as she saw her sister flinch. "Serah…you almost got punched" Lightning huffed as she put the book away. "You don't have this class right now. Why are you over here?" she looked around, knowing that the art building was nowhere close. "So you do pay attention when I talk" she laughed as Lightning rolled her eyes. "I'm waiting for Snow. I have painting class next to his metal shop class" her eyes shined brightly at the mention of Snow.
She was head over heels for Snow, her boyfriend of six months. They started dating before summer after Snow asked her to the junior dance. Lightning sighed heavily, "You know I don't like Snow…" she clenched her jaw as her sister almost skipped off. "You'll see Light. He's a really good guy" she ran off when she saw Snow and wrapped him up in a loving hug. "Why hello Miss Farron" he chuckled and picked her up. She giggled happily as they walked off to class, leaving Lighting fuming at the sight.
Lighting's next class was Calculus, something she wasn't good at, but wasn't bad at. "Oh no" she heard a familiar accent behind her as she walked into class. "If it isn't Miss Badass" Fang smirked as Lighting picked a random seat and ignored her. "Lightning, it's scary how you always know where your seat is" the teacher chuckled. "And you are?" he spoke to Fang, looking over the top of his glasses.
"I'm Oerba Yun Fang. New student this year, sir" she smiled, not wanting the teacher to get the wrong impression of her by starting off with slang or disrespect. "Yes Miss Oerba…you sit right next to Lightning" he smiled and addressed the other students who walked in. Lightning sat there pulling out her notebook and pencil as Fang sat down. "We got off on the wrong foot" Fang said sincerely, as she leaned over. She offered a smile at Lightning who just glanced at her.
"It doesn't matter" Lightning bluntly stated just as class started. Fang kept trying to hold a conversation with Lightning but was stopped by the teacher, or Lightning's cold shoulder. After class ended Lightning slipped out of class without a single glance at Fang. "Whoa! Come back! I don't know where my next class is!" she chased after Lightning and easily caught up with a few long strides. "Come on. You can't just leave the new kid hangin" she smirked at the rose-haired girl. Stopping, Lightning took Fang's schedule and held back a look of surprise. "Your next class is English…with me" she groaned as Fang laughed and walked next to Lightning.
All through English class Fang still tried to talk to Lightning, who just ignored her. When the bell rang it was lunch time and Lightning knew exactly how to lose Fang. She rushed out of class and used the busiest walk way. Taking a turn she easily disappeared and watched from a distance as Fang tried to search for her. "Finally" she mumbled as she walked off to her designated hang out spot.
Lightning didn't exactly have friends, so she usually sat alone during lunch. Her sister came by every once and a while to see how she was doing. So it didn't surprise her when Serah walked up to eat lunch with her. What did shock the woman was who she brought along. "Don't worry Vanille. My sister's nice, and would love to eat lunch with you. You too Fang" the three girls walked up to Lightning. Vanille looked frightened as she saw Lightning and Fang merely smirked. "I knew you two were related somehow. Not many people have your rose colored hair" Fang chuckled and sat down on the bench next to Lightning. "Serah…" Lightning glared at her sister who stood there confused.
"You guys already know each other?" Serah started to smile before Lightning took her away behind a corner. "Get those two out of here. Especially her" she pointed towards Fang. "What why? They're new to the school and don't have any friends. They're sisters like us, and don't have parents. I just thought it would be nice to make them feel welcome. Stop being rude Lightning" Serah stood in front of her sister with a determined look on her face.
Lightning blinked, it wasn't often when her sister stood up to her. Scowling Lightning walked off back to her spot and sat down. She sipped from her water as she read her police study guide. Serah smiled at her sister and started actively talking to Vanille. They found quite a few things in common, and were already starting to plan when they would hang out.
Half way through lunch Snow showed up with Lebreau, and a young boy by his side. "Hey Babe! Hey Sis!" he smiled and waved brightly at the Farron sisters. "I'm not your sister" Lightning nearly snarled. Serah laughed and hugged her boyfriend, "Fang? Hey! Glad you didn't get lost going from class to class" Lebreau teased as she sat next to Fang. Vanille noticed the boy and smiled brightly. "Hi! I'm Vanille" she stood up and shook his hand energetically. "H…Hi. I'm H- Hope" he stuttered as Vanille nearly dislocated his shoulder. "Oh you're new. You must be a freshman" Serah smiled. "Yup! I found him moping around the campus! Lemme introduce the gang! This is Serah, my beautiful girlfriend, and Lightning, my sister-in-law-to-be" he chuckled as Lightning threw a pebble at his head.
Serah shook Hope's hand gently, "It's a pleasure to meet you! Snow I have new friends as well. This is Vanille and Fang Oerba" she pointed to both the sisters. It wasn't long until the entire gang was talking and laughing together. Lightning sat there reading her book and trying not to drag Snow away from her sister. "Lighten up, Light" Fang leaned back on her elbows as she stretched out. "You'll get wrinkles if you keep that up" she poked Lightning's furrowed eyebrows, and got a venomous glare. "Relax, enjoy the summer air, and the laughter of your sister. I know I enjoy it when Vanille laughs. It means she's happy" Fang smiled gleefully as she watched Vanille.
Taking a moment to look at her sister, Lightning couldn't remember the last time Serah had laughed so much since their parents had died. She almost smiled at the sight. Snow placed a kiss on Serah's cheek and ruined the small chance of her smiling. Another scowl appeared on Lightning's face and Fang made an "Ah" sound. "Overprotective sister I see" she mumbled softly. Lightning stood up and walked off, "Where are you go-" the bell rang and answered Fang's unfinished question.
Lightning was ahead on her credits so the last three classes she had free periods. She took the time to change into her rugby gear and stood on the rugby field. It was completely empty, and Lightning finally felt comfortable. When she played rugby nothing mattered except for the next tackle, the next ruck, the next try. She didn't worry about her sister, didn't worry about work, or school. She was free from all feelings, and focused solely on one thing. She stood in the middle of the field and inhaled slowly. The smell of the freshly cut grass, filled her senses and relaxed her body and mind.
Putting down the rugby ball she looked up at the goal posts and smirked. Her old enemy. To her it didn't matter how big or how fast her opponent was, she could always best them. But this goal post, that never moved, always seemed to elude her. Her kicks made it in sometimes, but that wasn't good enough for Lightning. She took a deep breath and rushed forward for the kick. The rugby ball sailed through that air, end over end, and hit the far left side of the post, bouncing out of the uprights.
"Nice kick! You just need to relax a little more" Lightning nearly flinched as she heard a voice. Turning she saw Fang standing there, her arms crossed and a smirk on her lips. "It's official. You're a stalker" Lightning commented as she went to retrieve the ball. "No. I just love rugby. And if you point your toe in the direction you want the ball to go you'll make more shots!" Lightning got the ball and trotted back, she scoffed at Fang's words. It was surprising to know that the dark haired woman liked rugby.
Setting the ball again she looked at the ball. She tried everything to get her kicks to gain accuracy. Light looked over at Fang who nodded, "Relax, and point" she reiterated softly. Lightning internally rolled her eyes. 'This isn't going to work. But why the hell not' she thought to herself. Rushing forward she didn't relax but she did point her toe. The ball just barely sailed between the posts. Lightning stood there, gawking at the ball as it bounced on the ground.
"I told you" a soft voice whispered at her side, making Lightning turn around swiftly. She saw Fang standing there looked at the ball. The look on her face wasn't one of cockiness. Fang truly looked happy, a genuine smile on her face as she slowly looked back at Lightning. "If you ever want a rugby mate, just give me a shout out" she winked and walked off. Lightning stood there, a dumbfounded look on her face.