One

(At Ceres' Shop) Alina's POV

"Thank you for coming!" I smiled at the last customer of the night. As he walked out of the door, the clinging of two bells hitting the door rang throughout the tiny shop. All day, a thousand times a day. Finally I was able to call it 'quits' for today. "Yay! Closing time!" I hopped across the counter and as soon as I flipped the sign hanging in the window to 'closed' my sister called me from out back.

"Alina! Come here a second!" I went outside to see what she wanted. It was no surprise to see her with a cigarette in her mouth.

"You're going to die of lung cancer if you don't quit those smelly death sticks." I held the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger.

"Stop trying to be my mom and listen to me." she snapped. "Look, I got a phone call last night."

"And?" I hated it when she paused like that, expecting me to know what she's going to say next.

"I have to leave for a couple of days, so...." I cut her off.

"Oh, let me take a wild guess. You're going to go shack up with your boyfriend and leave me to stay here and run this ragged joint by myself until you get back?" it was more of a statement than a question.

"Wow wee, you hit the nail on the head. So yeah, thanks onee-chan!"

"Esmeralda, you've got to be kidding me! You made it sound like an emergency! You're so full of crap!" I stormed back inside slamming the door behind me.

"I'm glad you've decided to help me!" I could here Esmeralda yell.

I muttered under my breath, although I don't know why. "Annoying."

"I'm done packing Ali." my sister came into the room with 3 suitcases, my guess would be that she'd be gone for at least a whole week, possibly longer.

"Congratulations. I am so glad you could pack your own bags. You're such a big girl now." I said cooing her sarcastically.

"It's not my fault I've found my soul mate." she teased. "You don't even try looking."

She was right. But it's still irritating when your little sister has a life, while you're running a crummy old potion shop.

"I don't have time to look for a playmate, looking after you and keeping this dump up and busy is a full-time job. Just be careful, and DON'T let Kane push you around."

"I know. I'm almost 20 Ali, please, you can trust me. I'll call you later. Have fun!" then she was gone.

I sat in silence for a while, thinking about what my sister said, "you don't even try looking."

"She's so right. I do nothing but work. Geez, I'm 21 for crying out loud! She's got it all." I sighed.

The Next Day

Nothing interesting happened today. Most of the customers that came had been here before so I didn't have any trouble at all. All of the potions were in stock, and everything was in order. It was quiet, lonely, and I knew I'd be exhausted before the 3rd day. I'd have to clean, check inventory, stock up if I needed, make phone calls, possibly do some paper work, and only get a few hours of sleep.

I went outside to catch some fresh air. It was about 5 or so, only 4 more hours until I had to get a few hours of sleep, then, get back up at 7 and do it all over again.

Someone walked through the door because the bells started ringing, so I ran back to my usual spot behind the counter to help out another customer.

"Hey Alina!" a familiar friend greeted me.

"Hi, Yuffie. How have you been?" I asked the -always-hyper ninja. She may be small, but she's not at useless and puny as people take her for. She can fight.

"Great! Aw are you here alone? I don't hear Esmeralda." she asked me with pouted lips.

"Yeah. All alone." I sighed.

"Poor Ali." she teased. "Want me to stay here with you? Keep you company? I'm good at that you know."

"I know. Thanks for the wonderful offer, but no you don't need to do that." I told her. It would be nice to have company, but I didn't want her staying just to make me feel better.

"You need a boyfriend." she said in her chipper high-pitched voice.

"Ugh. Yuffie, either buy something, or beat it." I was tired of the 'boyfriend] deal. "I'm fine without the extra baggage."

She laughed.

"Scram." I said, pointing to the door.

"Fine. C'ya later Ali!"

Later

"Ah, finally! 3 days down! I love Wednesday!" I was singing joyfully to myself.

*ding* *ding* The door flew open, making the nice, cool breeze from outside rush into the stuffy room.

"Welcome–" I didn't finish my sentence, glancing up to flash a quick smile at the customer -like I always do, I got distracted. I could only stare at the glowing angel-like figure coming up to the counter. I'm sure I looked pretty stupid with my eyes wide, and my mouth hanging open in an 'o' shape.

"Um, are you okay?" the glowing creature asked me.

I was officially in a daze now. Not only did the amazing figure glisten, the melody pouring out of his mouth was the best sound I've heard in the 3 days of being here by myself. Usually when Esmeralda's here, it's mass confusion, and never quiet, so I don't pay a lot of attention to the people that come in. I just listen to the orders they place and ring up their items. Regardless of how well I pay attention, I know I've never seen him come in, or heard such an angelic voice. I caught myself still staring, so I instantly pulled my mind away, and tried to focus once more and do my job. Hopefully without drooling.

"I'm sorry, I... um... may I help you?" I thought to myself after I asked the usual question. 'Or better yet, would you hug me and tell me that you're here to rescue me from my boredom?" but I shouldn't even think about things like that, he's a customer.

"Actually, I was just walking around... I've never been to any of the shops around here, and this one looked interesting. So, this is my first stop." he smiled. Beautiful would be an understatement, but... there was no other way of describing his perfection. Perfect and beautiful...

"Really? Wow. If it was me, I wouldn't even consider looking through the window of this dump." I said seriously.

"Nah, I like it. Plus, it seems like there are more attractive things pulling me into this little store." he smiled at me.

"Oh? What?" I looked around, trying to act like I didn't notice that he was talking about me. It worked, because he started to laugh. Then, leaning forward across the counter top, he said, "well, you are attractive."

"Hm, you aren't so bad yourself. Those eyes... they're amazing." I said looking at them, holding in the blue color. "But, are you going to buy something, or do you always flirt with girls like that?"

He smiled. "No, I don't. But, I think I will look around." he walked up and down the aisles searching the shelves. Every now and then, he'd mumble a 'hm' or 'nice.' I could only smile at him. I was instantly captured by him. I couldn't help but wonder if he had a pretty girl waiting at home for him, and I was probably just imagining him 'flirting' with me earlier. That thought upset me for some reason.

I shook away that thought when he asked me, "so, what's your name?"

"Why do you want to know?" I asked, keeping conversation. I enjoyed this.

"Hm. I just have a feeling that I'll be coming back." he said smiling. Then, he came up to the counter and handed me an elixir.

"Really? Well, in that case... my name is Alina. And yours?"

"Zack. I like that name...Alina."

The way he said my name made my face turn red. I could feel the heat rising through my cheeks.

"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Zack. To be honest, you look really strong... do you even need anything from this shop?" I handed him the bottle as he handed me the money to pay for it.

"Well, 'to be honest', Alina," he smiled, mocking my words. "Probably not, but I have another reason for coming." he winked, then walked out of the door. I didn't even hear the bells hit the door that time.