Lightning's whole body ached after a long day training with new recruits, she wished she hadn't agreed to meet with the gang in Lebreaus' new bar she had opened. Lightning took the lift to her apartment.
Not very often I don't take the stairs, but I think I'll need all the energy I can get for tonight.
She walked along the corridor and sighed as she reached her apartment door, she stepped inside dropped her bags to the floor almost immediately, not taking more than three steps she noticed her answer machine flashing.
Three guesses who's left me messages.
She pushes play;
You have 3 new messages. New messages;
This message was left today at 13:37pm
HEY THERE SIS! UM SORRY, - LIGHT, SERAH WONT STOP TALKING ABOUT TONIGHTS PARTY AND REALLY THINKS YOU WONT TURN UP, I KNOW IM THE LAST PERSON YOU WANA HEAR RIGHT NOW BUT I HOPE SHES WRONG AND IM SURE YOU'LL WANA PROVE HER WRONG TOO, EVERYONES COMING, BE A NICE REUNION! ANYWAYS SPEAK TO YOU LATER.
Ugh Snow... surprised he's my first message...
This message was left today at 16:43pm
HEY SWEETNESS ITS BREAU! JUS LETTING YA KNOW PARTYS STARTING EARLIER THAN PLANNED, JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE STARTING TO HANG ABOUT AT THE DOOR! CANT TURN AWAY POTENTIAL REGULARS IF THEYRE THAT EAGER HAHA YOU KNOW ME LIGHT, ANYWHO IM RINGING AROUND EVERYONE TO GET THEM TO GET HERE ASAP SO WE CAN ALL GET THE PARTY STARTED! FIRST ROOUNDS ON ME! LATERS CHICK! LUV YA!
Still nothing from Serah...wonder what's going on, maybe snow was right – she thinks ill not go, let everyone down..
This made lightning enter tense and deep thought, she's working twice as hard as she used to before the whole L'cie and fall of cocoon, Serah insisted that there was no need for her to be such a workaholic now, she lives with snow and has learnt to take care of herself after having her own journey with Noel, new addition to the family... Lightning and Serah had many of arguments about this and snow knew it..everyone was saying how she should take it easy for a while. But light had to keep herself busy all the time, she didn't like living alone, couldn't get used to life where here is nothing to do sometimes but to just sit and have time that is hers.
Lightning shook her head to stop thinking and pressed play for the final message.
This message was left today at 17:45pm
Hey Light, its me just got messages from Lebreau she said she's called you.. you wont be back from work yet but there's no need for you to pick Me and Snow up to take us to party as we planned, as soon as snow heard party was starting early everyone was wanting to get there as soon as, and with me not knowing what time you would be home I went ahead and booked us all a shuttle, you shouldn't drive Light, have some drinks with us.. don't be serious for once.. I hope to see you there sis, bye.
*BEEP* END OF MESSAGES
Serah sounded doubtful about Lightning's attendance... and this cut Lightning deep.
She knocked her head back eyes shut.."Serah..."
She then looked in the mirror on the wall... not to be serious... okay. Then looked at the clock;
18:40PM. I guess id better hurry and get ready... Serah i'll be there soon.
Lebreaus' bar.
"C'mon Yuj, pull your weight! Im getting snowed under here!" Lebreau shouted across the bar to Yuj, the boy seemed to be making small talk with a girl Lebreau recognised as a small time model for a designer store.
"Hey, Breau! - call this service?! ha haha" Snow yelled above the bustle of the bar.
"Shut up Snow, if ya gunna complain get behind here and help until Macqui gets here!"
Snow weaved in and out of the crowd surrounding the bar and reached the end where Yuj and his customer were standing.
"Hey there Yuj, shouldn't you be working?" Snow rested his hand upon his shoulder and then looked at the girl, "he gets off at 11 if you wana hang around – have a good night and enjoy the bar – your next drink is on Yuj!"The girl giggled. Snow gave her his cheeky smile as he dragged Yuj away.
"Hey! I was scoring a girl there! Snow!" Yuj nudged snow with his elbow.
"Its opening night Yuj, Lebreau would have done worse than that if shed of got hold of you! At least what I done gives you a shot with the girl" Snow directed his gaze back to the girl, still sitting there smiling at Yuj and gave a shy wave. Yuj grinned and waved back.
Snow gave a soft chuckle "...so don't worry stud, okay? Now get your butt back to work! Macqui is on his way and I'm covering until he gets here."
The bustle around the bar died off after ten minutes of taking orders yelled at them as the loud music kicked in. Macqui Then came rushing in,
"The Main star has arrived!" He shouted, "time to put in my practise with making cocktails to good use!"
Taking an order for a cocktail Macqui instantly got stuck in to show off his skills, the crowd was in uproar, cheering him on.
Snow was finally free to join the others again. "see ya on the other side guuys" With the thumbs up in the air.
Snow approached the booth where everyone had gathered greeted everyone
"Hey guys -sorry had to lend Lebreau a hand at the bar... where Serah?"
Looking around at everyones faces seeing them not being confident where she had gone, until his gaze met Hopes'
"Shes gone outside with Vanille, keeping an eye out for Light." Hope smiled.
"Still no Light then huh...Surely shell be on her way by now"
"Snow!" Snow looked back at the bar, seeing Fang waving him over.
"Hi Fang! How you be-"
"Enough chatter, more drinkin'! what ya havin hero?" Fang smiled at Lebreau who was patiently waiting for her order. Snow noticed Lebreaus actions whenever Fang was around.. Not that he dared to mention anything even to Serah but he could see how Lebreau was around Serah and her sister also and to be honest made him uneasy thinking to leave her alone with any of them, as much as he liked Lebreau and had been good friends with her, when that departnent is concerned he wouldnt want to risk it.
A hand flashed infront of his eyes, snapping him out of the train of thought "Wake up Hero! whats your order?!"
"Oh, shot of whiskey please Fang, as long as you let me get the next round." Snow waited and helped Fang collect drinks and take to table. Once placed he turned for the door to find Sazh behind him shaking his head
"Sit down and have ya drink Snow, Serahs fine outside. Evrybodys running around and we arranged this a month ago and we've hardly spoken to each other!Leave the Girls to it, trust me – being the old man at the table you gotta listen to me when it comes to that."
Hope and Noel Laughed, Snow laughed and added "is that so? Old man?"
Outside the bar was a small patio where Serah an d Vanille sit chatting. Fang comes up with drinks.
"Here ya go Ladies,"
"Thanks Fang, ill get you a round when I get paid, sorry I have nothing at the moment"
"Dont worry about it darlin', main thin is were all here" Fang gave Serah a reassuring smile.
"Not everyone is here... you know I really wanted to NOT doubt shed come.. but I do and more time passes and she isnt here I know that she isn't coming."
Vanille put an arm around her, setting her drink down. "Heey lets not have any negativeness.. its early yet!"
Serah looked at the clock tower across the road. 19:45. "Maybe.. she has time still, but I got everyone together and made all the plans and everyone is here before my sister, I mean it makes me mad enough when she doesn't turn up to our house when we've invited Yuj Macqui Gadot and Lebreau, but to do this with everyone else.. it hurts. And I don't think she sees it."
Fang paced forward to the roadside.. looked up and down the street.
She turned and shrugged "No sign.. Vanille take Serah inside,I know Snows nattering and feels bad for leaving to help at the bar, I'll wait here and keep watch."
Vanille nodded "Yeah cm'on serah, stop worrying. Me and Fang know Light will come. Now lets go and party!" Serah was picked up and Vanille took her hand as they headed inside.
Fang sighed. She watched the two girls disappear further into the bar. Footsteps approached the pavement on the roadside just where shed been stood.
"Time d'ya call this? Lightning?" Fang turned to face Lightning. But had to do a double take – not accustomed to seeing the stoic soldier in attire such as what she was wearing now;knee high boots, flat which was so lightning, dark blue jeans that hugged to her legs so well with a white tshirt and waistcoat. Fang was rendered speechless with the sight.
"I call it I came as soon as I could, Nice to see you too Fang" Fang snapped out of her daze.
"I was this close to callin' ya Light, I know its not late but Serahs been sat out here since me n Vanille arrived just watching for ya..." Fang saw Lighting wince at her mentioning Serah "But hey, its good to see you again Light, glad your here"
"I feel bad enough as it is Fang, I got over run at work I got home got ready and came, bare in mind I walked... I know somethings wrong with Serah and I intend to find that out"
"Try being around more of'n then sunshine, now that's all I'll say, now let me get you a drink, follow me an i'll take you to everyone"
Lightning followed Fang through the bar, looking around noticing the number of customers that crowded around the bar, this being the first night for the bar, it was certain that this bar will do well . Wow quite the turn out for opening night, Lebreaus done well, I just hope Serah is okay I will make it better, 2 weeks left with the new recruits and then i'll cut hours down.
Fang turned into a booth and put her hand up "Look what I found lurkin outside guys!" She then stepped aside and Lightning entered the booth
"Sorry I'm late." The whole gang cheered, Noel and Snow giving a whistle
"Now let the real party start – full attendance we are good to go!" Snow stood to his feet.
"I'm heading to the bar – time to start on the pitchers!" Fang shook her head
"No you don't. This rounds mine" Lightning caught eye contact with Fang who winked and gave a cheeky grin as she took a seat next to Vanille and Serah.
Vanille screeched which made Lighting jump, surprised at the reception she was getting, "How much has everyone had to drink?"
Vanille giggled not much just happy to have everyone togetha again! Right Serah?"
"Yeah, this is nice. Im so glad you came Lightning."
"We all are, good to see you soldier gurl" Sazh raised his glass to Lighting and drank the last drop from his glass.
"Good to see you too Sazh" Lightning smiled, Maybe she could let her hair down just for one night, and who knows, maybe she could manage a few more nights like this more often.
