omg. I was writing this lately, and ahhhhh. I'm freaking out because they are so perfect together! I did have a little trouble with keeping Pain in character though, but I tried my best with her. I hope it turned out okay though! I'm really proud of this!

It was battle of the bands week in Luca. Everyone gathered at the sphere dome to enjoy this wondrous event each time. The two most popular bands were our band, YRP and The Crimson Squad, which both had a strong rivalry at being better. The worst part for me was knowing the lead singer since we were just little kids too. I hated the rivalry between our bands because I really loved him.

I just wasn't sure if he shared my feelings, considering the circumstances. His name was Gippal though, and he was Al Bhed like me. I really did like him a lot, but I was afraid of the rivalry.

"Hey, if it isn't Cid's little girl!" Gippal said when he flicked my forehead.

"I have a name..." I whined at him as I rubbed my forehead.

"You two seem close," Yunie, my cousin said with a nod.

"A little too close if you ask me," Paine rolled her eyes and scoffed at us. "Don't forget. He's our rival," she reminded me once I nodded and looked away from her.

"I know that," I said rather sadly.

"There's no pouting in the battle of the bands, kiddo," he said while pinching my cheek. "I have to go practice with the others," he looked back at me with his smug grin. "Stay out of trouble now, Cid's girl!" he chuckled as I started stomping my feet up and down with anger.

"Ohhhh. You are such a big meanie!" I yelled furiously until he stuck his tongue out at me.

I did the same back to him, only for him to laugh loudly and walk away. Paine rolled her eyes again when she glared right at me again. I looked away as I finally calmed down, but my heart still raced in my chest.

"He's your rival," she shot at me.

"I know, okay? I already know!" I snapped at her.

"Then start acting like it," she sighed and walked off.

I stood there on the verge of tears all of a sudden. I didn't know why, but I felt so frustrated with myself. Here we were battling our biggest rival right now, and I'm worried over my feelings towards Gippal. I hated myself for liking someone from the rival band, yet you couldn't really blame me for it though. We've known each other since we were just little kids too.

"Are you going to be okay, Rikku?" Yunie asked me.

I took a big inhale through my mouth and out through my nose. "Perfectly fine!" I grinned widely at her and nodded.

My heart had stopped hammering my chest just in time for our performance. I had done this many times before since the band started. It was second nature for me not to be super nervous.

After our performance, The Crimson Squad came on, and they were amazing too. You could see why they were the rivals of YRP since our bands first began. I had a hard time getting over the fact Gippal was the enemy towards our band.

"Get over yourself," Paine said after noticing my melancholy expression.

"Shut up!" I snapped angrily again.

"He's our rival, Rikku! What part of that don't you understand?" she shook her head and shot an angry glare towards my way.

I began growling more as she let out a sigh. It was bad enough she had to keep rubbing it in every damn time. I hated having him as my rival, but I think even Yunie knew I really liked him.

I watched as Gippal and his band performed flawlessly. There was not a single thing wrong with their concert while they played. I couldn't help giggle at him when I watched them, only I did it when Paine wasn't around to see me doing it either. I swayed myself around in a swooning way as they played.

"Rikku, get your ass over here," Paine ordered me when I sighed and hurried towards my friends.

"I'm here. What's up?" I asked them with happy tone.

I had to hide my feelings from them, even if it meant putting on an act. I just had no idea how long I would last before I had to tell Gippal how exactly I felt. I wanted to keep them to myself though, but it was getting harder and harder. I didn't want it to get to the point where they would drive me completely crazy.

"Is everything okay?" Yunie asked me when I nodded and kept on smiling at her.

"Everything is perfectly fine," I chuckled softly to them.

"You don't have to put on the stupid act," Paine scowled at me. "We know you are in love with Gippal right now," she said in a serious tone of voice.

"I am not!" I said defensively. "He's our rival, not my biggest crush or anything," I looked away and let out a deep sigh.

"The more defensive you get about it, the obvious it gets for you," she shook her head and kept frowning at me. "You really should stay away from him. He's supposed to be the enemy, so to speak," she said to me while I bit my lip.

What was I going to do? I wanted to be with him, but I couldn't. I would end up having to risk it all between YRP and Gippal. I could never imagine ditching my friends like that, but I also can't imagine being without him at my side either.

Him and I used to be the best of friends before our bands came together. We were extremely inseparable, and nothing could break our bond either. We were still very close friends, even if we were both rivals as well. I just didn't want to lose him because of YRP at all, yet I don't want to have to choose.

Who knows, maybe love will find a way. That's what people always say, isn't it? I sure hope it does because I really do want to be with him right now. There's no denying my true feelings for him at the moment.