Title: With or Without You

Author: Katie 4 Clorith

This is a response to Beeria's Clorith challenge

Reviews are welcome and I don't mind criticism so long as you tell me how to improve. Flame me if you want but I'll just ignore them because they don't give me anyway of improving.

In regards to the story, instead of going from High School to the present, I'm going to do flashbacks. I just think it'll be better that way.

Ok, that is all.

Prologue

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He walked through the school gates, his innocent blue eyes wide with fear as he looked around him. He felt a hand on his back as he was gently pushed forward and he turned his head to see his mother and father smiling at him. He swallowed as he looked back at the towering building and ran back, hugging his father's leg. He heard the man sigh and felt him kneel before him.

"Come on Cloud, don't be afraid." His father said. Cloud sniffed and hugged the leg tighter.

"Cloud, school is exciting. You'll have loads of fun." He heard his mother assure him. He peeked up a little, teary blue eyes showing from beneath spiky blonde hair.

"But people don't like me." Cloud replied quietly. As his father was about to reply, a girl approached.

"Hello, is he new here?" She asked, looking at Cloud whose eyes had grown even wider at the sight of her. His mother smiled at the young girl.

"Yes he is just starting primary one."

"Me too." The girl cried happily, voice filled with pride. "I'm Aerith."

"This is Cloud." His father replied, unhooking his son from him. "Go with the nice girl Cloud." He urged. Cloud looked up in embarrassment, his cheeks flushing as the girl took his hand. She smiled at him.

"We're gonna be best friends." She said simply, smiling innocently at him.

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Cloud sat bolt upright in bed, still shaken from the dream. He could faintly hear his phone ringing and rolled out of bed. He glanced at the clock, surprised that it was nine o clock in the morning. He entered his living room that was a tip at the moment and leaned over to his phone.

"Hello?"

"Hey there gorgeous." The flirtatious voice replied. Cloud laughed.

"Hey Teef. What's up?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to go for dinner tonight." She said. Cloud scratched his head as he drew the curtains, narrowing his eyes at the sudden blaze of light that hit him.

"Cloud?" his girlfriend's voice snapped him back to the conversation.

"Uh, yeah sure."

"Great!" She cried. "I'll meet you at your house tonight at half seven. Is that okay?"

"That's fine."

"Bye," She said and he could practically sense her smile.

"See ya later." He replied as he put the phone down. His smile faltered as he looked at the photo frame beside the phone.

A brunette girl, her hair in a braid, was leaning her head on his shoulder as he had an arm around her shoulder. They wore identical blue school shirts and had their ties tied to their necks. He picked it up and stared at it, remembering the day vividly.

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"Okay, just finish the sentence you're on and go to the hall for the photographs." The teacher explained before she sat down at her desk and continued marking. Aerith turned to Cloud.

"Will you get a friends photograph with me?" She asked sweetly. Cloud blushed and nodded dumbly.

"Aerith," He started slowly. She turned from her sentence exercises and smiled at him. "I love you. Will you marry me? When we're older?"

"Of course I will." She replied happily.

"Right Primary one let's head to the hall." The teacher smiled as she stood and waited by the door. The class got up and formed a line of pairs. Aerith and Cloud were together, obviously.

"Hold hands with your partners then children." The teacher said brightly. Cloud blushed as his hand laced with Aerith's and even her cheeks turned a little pink as they started walking down the corridor.

"Hello children." The photographer greeted the class of five-year olds. "Wow, we've got some beauties in this class haven't we? And my, the boys do look handsome." He continued with a smile.

"Okay, I'll do friend's photographs first and then individual. Who wants to go first?" He offered. Aerith's hand was straight up in the air. He chuckled.

"Well sweetie, who is the friend you want a photo with?" He asked.

"Cloud." She replied instantly. "He's my best friend." She explained before she added proudly. "We're getting married one day." The photographer smiled.

"Lucky man." He said to Cloud as he led them to the bench, hidden by a large white screen.

"Okay Cloud if you sit here and Aerith sit next to him." They did as they were asked and the photographer smiled.

"Right Aerith, move a little closer to Cloud…and put your head on your shoulder. Cloud put your hand around her shoulders…perfect." He said once they were in position.

"Smile," He chuckled as the camera flashed.

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Cloud sighed as he put the frame down. He walked to his window and stared out at the bustling city below him. Why, all of a sudden, was he unable to forget Aerith? She was gone, had been for over seven years. He scratched his head as he thought about her. He shook himself quickly from his thoughts, knowing the hurt it would cause. He walked back into his room and stopped. He looked at the chest of drawers in the corner and frowned. He just stared for a moment before he crossed over and opened the top drawer, taking out a small velvet box. He smiled as he opened it and saw a diamond ring. He closed it quickly and placed it in his pocket.

"It's time to move on." He whispered to himself.

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A.N: Reviews would be nice. I tried to make Cloud and Aerith act like six-year olds. Well, this was the six-year olds I remember from primary school. And the photographer too. Lol