Chapter 1: Welcome

'Oh dear', 'I wish I won't piss off the interviewer'...

Such were the thoughts of a young, naïve, innocent looking Cloud Strife. He had forgotten that this was the
test/interviewing day he had been waiting... For atleast 3 months now.
Claudia, his mother, had already spent all of her tears - savings also- to send him to this prestigious school.

He is not, under pain of the old-fashioned whacking of his mother's spatula, would he fail this last strain.
To think they got half scholarship to this school is highly any chance they would ever get. EVER. So if he
won't man it up. It's the, death by fear or death by spatula abuse.

He laughed a little at the latter thought. This made his nerves loose somehow.

Little did he know that while musing on his own thoughts, a certain white-haired student is watching him
from above the bridge connecting the Administration building and the Secondary/Tertiary levels. Curious is
the word that lingered on this student's mind. He didn't knew that this would be the start of a roller coaster
ride of his life.

Cloud looked up suddenly when he felt eyes on him, but to no luck did he found to whom those eyes were
that he felt just seconds ago. 'I'm not even in school yet and someone will try to sock my face inside out
already, this is so unbecoming'. He was snapped out of his inner musing as SOMEONE was suddenly in front
of him. Smiling like an idiot for all he's worth. Not that Cloud had any hots for him but he can't help feel a bit
attracted to this beauty in front of him.

"The name's Zack, First Class Student. Seems like you are new here!", what a chippy voice he had. How
wonderfully ingrating it is to his ears. Might as well take his chances. "Hi, I'm Cloud Strife. I'm actually
searching where the interview/test will be held. I woke up late so I'm running late now actually", Zack visibly
paled at that time which only made Cloud's nervousness comeback with more intensity. "Am I-I-I T-Too late
alre-already?" tears were on the verge of falling from his bright cerulean eyes. "Dontcha worry spikey, I'll be
yer best friend here from now on, so don't worry about it 'k?" Cloud to say the least, was still unsure of this
meeting. Much more the promise made. Ok, so he has issues with trusts and promises. And sexuality. And
bullying. And so much more.

'I'm here being helped out already and I'm being such a drama queen. This is so unbecoming.'

"Spiiiikeeeey~. Hey Cloooooud~!" Zack is waving his hand just a few inches from Cloud's face. Trying to get
his attention so that he can already get to the interview/test room. "I'm sorry, you were saying?" a bit dazed
with his own musings but still has enough presence of mind to pay attention this time to his new 'friend'.
"Thought for a moment I'd have to kiss you to get you back" he stilled had that cheeky grin even after saying
those things like it was the normal everyday banter between them. "E-excuse me?!" Cloud was shocked... and
relieved somehow. "Yeah you heard me but I ain't gay all the way. I'm bi!" urging Cloud to follow him with a
slight nod of his head. "Uh... Ok..." He was unsure how he shoud react to this new information. "What? Don't
tell me yer against it" looking a bit skeptical at his new friend, Zack thought maybe he shouldn't have blurted
it out. Although Cloud would eventually know it later on, he just can't help be straightforward with his
friends.

Even though this is just a newbie. A deliciously innocent newbie.

'What the hell? Where did that came from?' looking a bit taken back by his friend's reactions, Cloud
reassured his newly found friend that he does swing that way. "Na~h 'is cool" with that he sealed their
friendship with an all knowing wink of his left eye. Not one too slow to catch on Zack made a fanfair of delight
inside his mischievous spikey head.

All of this was seen by the same student who was eyeing this blonde from a distance. He's just curious about
the boy. Certainly no more than that yeah?

The instructor for the incoming hopefulls were the least amused by this latest addition to the group. He
immediately knew that this one will stick out and would probably cause a lot of trouble. Heck, he already has
Zack to deal with. He doesn't need another spiked maniac running around the campus wrecking havoc and -
erm, gorgeousness.

Gawd he got a half erect already. The two of them looked so. Yummy? Delicious? Fuckable? Whatever the
term is, it's already decided. He is not adding another fuc- student in this campus.

"Hey Vincent! Got another one for ya!" Zack's voice echoed in the library, raising a few heads. Most of it were
from love struck men. Others were from annoyed women. And one petrifying gaze coming from the schools
librarian Anita. God knows what she's been through to give the kind of look.

"Ooops sorry" this time he did lowered his voice to bearable decibel. Cloud was almost sure they'd get the boot
because of the noise they made. He made sure to pay attention from this point onwards. Oblivious from the
argument starting between the two students. He wandering eyes went from the each of the hopefull's heads.
One in particular had a bright flaming red hair, of which was looking at him in the eyes and then giving out a
cute smirk. Blushing like a highschool girl he stammered his name when he was asked by the man named
Vincent. "C-cloud Strife!" now that was a bit louder than he intended and got another glare from the
librarian. He swears that old hag needs a shrink and visit to a bar.

"I'm only doing this because its you who requested it personally Zack" he said that with a bit of annoyance,
Zack knew its just for show who's boss in that field. He doesn't really care at all. Cloud was getting excited
and anxious at the same time. He wasn't sure what kind of test this will be but he made sure to do his
homework back in Nibelheim. If he made the right research about this school, he is sure that he will pass the
75% of the exam. "Go grab a seat, were already behind schedule here" he gave a wave of his hand on one of
the few chairs that are left on the long table. There are two seats on either side of mr. big guy, one left of
miissus bitchy who gave him a flirty smile - not that he would fall for that, no thank you, and just beside
that red-haired hottie. He moved and sat quietly beside the said guy, thinking he made the right choice. "Yo,
the name's Reno Sinclair" a smug smile decorating those rosy lips. 'Wait a minu-' realization hit him hard, he
was sitting with a Senator's son. Tseng Sinclair's son as matter of fact.

Reno realized this and muttered something under his breath, wishing he wasn't that popular. He just gave
this new guy -Cloud was his name?- a sad smile. "Life ain't fair is it?" the blonde said that as if it's a
statement not a question at all because both knew it was true. Reno liked Cloud right away, maybe
they'll be good friends after all. Vincent was already handing the test papers and was informing them that
they only have 45 minutes to take the test. Reno already worked on his paper making audible 'hmms' and
'aaahs' as he got the answers. Cloud made sure to pay attention to his own paper lest he would be accused of
cheating. Most of the questions were about logic and abstract. Thats what bothers him, this was easy as a
pancake. Wonder he got it wrong.

Everybody was already finished before Vincent hit the stop watch at the head of the table. He ushered them
to follow him to their next test[?]. He then saw two big buff dudes just outside a massive gate. He don't
suppose they would open it manually? I mean thats friggin' big and no way will th-. If his eyes could get any
bigger they would at the moment, the bitch he saw along with other comic drawn faces laughed at his
reaction. Reno on the other hand understood his friend's reaction and put a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, you'll pass this one too. It's just physical test" somehow that didn't gave the reassuring vibe he
was relaying to the bug-eyed Cloud.

Vincent stepped forward and the group followed, there 10 of them. Vincent thought maybe 5 was ok already
for this year. After all they were training elites, soon to be officials of this country, heck this group could
even contain a leader. Anyhow it doesn't matter they'll see for sure why this is the prestigiuos ShinRa
College. "Ok ladies and gents, you better stretch up a bit before we go to the next exam" said group did began
stretching, Cloud began his own stretching and proceeded to do it beside Reno who was just did a few of his
own. Cloud kept glancing the inside of the gates. It's definitely not a room because he can see some grass
jutting out of the cement walkway. Vincent clapped his hand and walked lightly on his feet on the steps
towards the gates. Just beyond was the obstacle course. The group was presented change shirts and pants
and was pointed to the restrooms nearby. "Change into those clothes and comeback here after 10 minutes"
Cloud was handed his own change shirts and pants and looked skeptical at the bits of tears on the garments.
They got change just in time. Others made modifications on they own change clothes, Reno just let it hug his
lean profile. Cloud on the other hand got his a wee big for his size so he looked more of a child rather than a
hopefull newbie for college.

"You'll go through this obstacle course or you will not be able to move to the next test and will be asked to get
a tryout again next 3 months understood?" Vincent eyed each one carefully including Cloud who fidgeted
under his intense gaze. "Goodluck"

"And so it begins" Cloud said to himself.