Author's Note: I just randomly thought of this story in those moments of boredom. Creative criticism is highly valued. Oh, and FFXIII belongs to Square Enix, not me (although it would be pretty cool if it did).

According to Snow, I've been thinking too much lately; I've been looking too deep into things. One of the most, and I quote Snow, "efficient" ways of relieving myself of my overwhelming thoughts is to write them down." Even lightning abetted his opinion by urging me to write. I immensely dislike the prospect of recording my thoughts into a journal, so I'm solely doing this on Lightning's recommendation of getting my thoughts together. I don't really know who else will be reading this (it better not be Snow), but whatever.

So here goes…

I immensely dislike predicaments in which one of those cheesy, self-help, one-liners comes into your life. A perfect example is "be yourself;" when you realize that being yourself no matter what is the most important factor in making your friends; if you cannot be yourself around them, then they are not compatible with who you are. Therefore, the above mentioned two words establish their already existing-but-never-acknowledged-before-with-greater-understanding presence in your life… in terms of friendship. Or whatever else to which they are applicable. Okay, I know that I'm starting to overanalyze simple things. But I guess that's just me, right?

Anyway, the reason that I dislike the common-knowledge quotations is because when you finally do experience them, or understand them, you really can't really mention that feat in a normal conversation in fear of people raising their eyebrow and saying 'yeah, so?'

Fine, I know that I don't need to mention personal accomplishments to friends, and true friends wouldn't make you feel bad about discovering something that would enable you to be a better person…I guess I'm just frustrated with myself sometimes…for the times when everyone has concrete conversation with an innate and mutual understanding, and I am the odd one out. I try not to single myself out, but it's just that I feel that their mature demeanor outweighs my immature way of life. I can't really participate in those deep conversations because I feel as though what I have to say would just be a juvenile phase which everyone has surpassed. It's like pitching in two rusty pennies when everyone's thoughts are worth gold. Yes, that was a silly analogy, but it kinda works.

Yes, I do acknowledge that everyone is older than me. They already have experiences that outweigh the years of my own life. They were more responsible- Snow was doing his best in taking care of his small family with Serah, Lightning watched out for Serah. Sazh looked out for Dajh, Fang for Vanille…and they all looked out for me too.

I guess that I want to be on the same level as them. Why though?

As Hope finished the last sentence, he put down his pen on his desk and leaned back in his chair with his hands resting behind his head. He stared at the bumps on the ceiling of his room before turning his attention to his written entry; his handwriting was different from his usual print to the long, jagged letters. Although the words were not easy to read at first glance, he was somewhat satisfied by his effort of writing nonstop. He wrote whatever that came into his mind, something which one could rarely have the means to express in the 'real world.'

Sighing, Hope closed his journal, pressing down on the front cover to make the used pages align with the unused ones.

He looked towards his right, where his calendar emanated from the wall, pausing on a circled date.

Author's note: Whew! You made it! How was the first chapter? Boring? Cool? ADD-ish? Was Hope out of character? Reviews are welcome, since I would like to improve as a writer….although I will not grovel at your feet for them (since I'm writing for myself too).