A/N: This story will be told from Yuna's POV and will be in the present tense only. Thank you and enjoy.

Chasing Perfection

Fuchsia Skies

CHAPTER O N E .

"Alright, Yuna, you're doing great." Belgemine, my personal gymnastics instructor, smiles from below me, encouraging me. "Just keep your toes pointed… There we go!"

I've finally trained enough to perform the next balance beam trick, even though it's my worst area in gymnastics. It's one of Belgemine's own original tricks – a back flip, followed by a quad twist, but I have to land on my hands and split my legs open. It's one of the hardest I've ever tried, but today I finally got it right!

I drop to my feet on the ground, my face flushed, but I'm beaming at Belgemine. She hands me a towel and I wipe the sweat from my face.

"Great job today, Yuna!" she compliments as I adjust my shoulder length hair. "Just make sure you come back here on Wednesday at 10AM, understand? We need to practice your dismount on the balance beam. Our next meet will be next Friday and we need to get your balance beam skills perfect or getting into championships will be impossible. We're going to practice double backs on Wednesday, okay, kiddo? Go on and take a shower now; clean yourself up."

I nod and reach over to grab my water bottle as Belgemine retreats to her office in the back. "And don't forget to stick to your diet!"

I grin and offer her a thumbs up, still panting heavily and unable to speak properly. I drink down the rest of my water and toss it into the trash can next to the bench I'm sitting on. Wiping my face once more, I head toward the exit of the gym and step into the long corridor leading to the foyer of my house.

Now, I know you're wondering: 'How the hell does she get to her house so quick from a gym?'

It just so happens that I have a very famous and wealthy father; Lord Braska. Well, of course his name really isn't 'Lord' Braska, but that's what everyone's called him since he's been in that movie where he was this great hero who saved the world from a monster named Sin, I believe. I wouldn't know because I rarely ever pay any attention to his work or any of his movies. I wouldn't be surprised if he always wanted to be called Lord Braska. It matches his conceited personality, anyway.

If you haven't figured out by now, I don't like my father. I really don't. It's a shameful thing to admit, I know, but I will not lie. Now, if my father was just any ordinary distant dad like from the families of the people I've met, I wouldn't mind. I'd have endless luxury and peace, free to do whatever I wanted. But, you see, my dad doesn't only not pay attention to me, he makes me work my butt off to satisfy him!

I have to be absolutely perfect. He looks at me more as a piece of clay that he has to mold into perfection instead of his daughter. I have to train in gymnastics at the gym, just like I was doing now, to keep my body in full shape. I have to practice the piano, violin, and flute just for the sake of when someone asks me if I know how to play friggin' instrument! I have vocal lessons just in case I want to become a singer. I have acting lessons just in case I want to be an actress (I do, however, use these acting lessons to my advantage sometimes). I have dancing lessons from every style of dance you could think of from ballroom and jazz to break dancing and modern. Sometimes, but very rarely, do I have art lessons on painting and drawing. I've also been homeschooled my entire life thus far, which is a big thing that I plan to change soon.

Now, when I do have free time, which is very scarce, I like to, surprisingly, leave my house. Or mansion. However you want to look at it. Yes, when I need to be, I am proper – I know how to act and when to, but I am a teenager at heart and no one can ever change that. I get rebellious and impulsive urges, which I do, thankfully, usually ignore. My hormones rage whenever I see an attractive boy. I like that excitement and fun that comes with doing these I enjoy with people that I like. Sometimes I just wish I was a normal, simple teenage girl dealing with the high school drama and romance like everyone else.

One person I can open up to about this kinda stuff is my Al Bhed cousin, Rikku. She and I are best friends and rarely pulled apart. She does live with me, but she's always going out with her friends from school and everything, which makes it hard for me to see her, but I'm always busy with all the stuff my father is forcing me to do anyway, so I don't blame her.

But today is one of the days I do actually see her, since she has an exam coming up soon and she needs to study a lot, otherwise she won't pass tenth grade. Oh, yes, and by the way, we're only fifteen years old… soon to be sixteen, though.

Rikku and I practically kill each other as she mauls me over with a huge textbook in her hands. I stand up, rubbing my head from the impact. "Rikku, what in the name of Spira are you doing?"

She stands up as well, closing her textbook, and smoothing out her clothes. "Um… studying, I guess?" She giggles nervously and tucks a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear, blinking her green eyes at me.

"Where were you, anyway?" she inquires, taking notice of my pink leotard. "Does Braska have you training again?" She rolls her eyes and places her free hand on her hip. She doesn't like my father very much, either.

"Shh!" I warn her, shoving my pointer finger against my lips. "Be quiet! There are surveillance cameras all over the place! You don't want him knowing that you called him just 'Braska', do you?"

Rikku's expression darkens at me and I continue, "Anyway, keep studying or whatever. I need to get the hell outta this leotard. It's killing me!"

"Alright then, but…" She hesitates and looks up at me. "When are you ever coming to my school, Yunie? You don't want to be homeschooled for the high school years of your life, do you? Those are the best years!"

"I dunno," I answer truthfully, starting to walk away, "I'll have to talk with… father about it." I eye the camera that's recording everything going on in the foyer, reluctant to call that beastly man my father.

"Fine," she sighs, looking disappointed, "Then I'll see ya around, okay?" She walks off in the opposite direction, climbing the spiral staircase to the next floor where her room is.

I toss my towel over my shoulder and continue down the hallway on the first floor, right under the staircase and into my spare room. Yes, I do have more than one room, but I usually just use it so no one will bother me or to keep my extra clothes in the closet – Yevon knows I shouldn't need another closet, but, as much as I'd hate to admit, I do actually like shopping.

And Rikku's a shopping fanatic, so when you put those together, you get one big mess of clothes, shoes, make up, and hair products.

Once I change into a pair of shorts and a tank top, I feel much better. Even though I train basically three days a week with gymnastics, I hate the leotards more than the sport itself. Eh, but sometimes I look at other girls in the street and I feel lucky to have the kind of body I do because a lot of people would kill to be me.

So, as of right now I have a few hours of time on my hands. Usually I just wander around the manor, looking for things to do, which is not hard in my house. Sometimes I'd go for swim or maybe go tanning on the sun deck or even go and play some video games (yes, I am quite the tomboy at times).

I start to wander off and end up on the third floor. This is where my dad always stays, since we pretty much have the equivalent of a house on each floor, with some extras. But I rarely ever come up here, so now I'm wondering, 'what the hell?'

I turn to leave before my father or any of his junky friends can come out into the hallway and see me when I remember Rikku's words.

"When are you ever coming to my school, Yunie? You don't want to be homeschooled for the high school years of your life, do you? Those are the best years!"

I sigh reluctantly. I'm going to have to talk to my father sooner or later and it's better I do it sooner than later, right? I turn back around and head down to the end of the corridor where there are two double doors leading to his room. I hear a lot of shouting and booming laughter through the doors of the rec room and the game room where there's a bar and billiards, too. It figures his friends would be in those.

The double doors lead to my father's room and the only people allowed in there are him and I, with the exception of a maid or servant if it's an emergency. I hesitate before knocking gently on the polished oak wood. I knock three times, to let him know it's me and sure enough, I hear his loud voice.

"Come in!"

I bite my lip thoughtfully before I turn the handle of the right door and step in carefully. Everything seems to be in order: my father is sitting on his couch before his humongous television sphere, watching one of his latest movies… again.

"Um, father?" I say nervously, not daring to move an inch from the entrance. "Can we talk about something? It's important."

"Sure, talk away," is the absent reply. This answer angers me for some reason, though I can't place it. I clench my jaw, trying to keep my patience and sigh.

"Father, I'm serious," I say through clenched teeth, "I need to talk to you about something. How am I ever gonna do anything when you don't even look at me!? All you ever look at is that dumb television."

"Watch your mouth about my movies, girl," he says to me, waving his hand in my direction. "And what is so important that it requires conversation between us?"

This remark infuriates me even more, but I hold back from screaming. I'm not one to make a scene. Finally, he pauses the movie with his remote and turns to look at me.

"Well?" he prompts with a raise of his eyebrows.

Although I'm tempted to walk over to him and sit next to him on the couch like a normal daughter would, I stand in place. "Rikku has been asking me for some time now about when I'm going to start going to her high school with her."

"Yeah, I know," he replies, "She's all over making that happen… Of course it wouldn't, but I don't want – "

"Wait, what?" I interrupt him, widening my eyes. Hopefully, I am hearing things. He didn't just say I'd never go to high school, did he?

He chuckles lightly, obviously amused by my determination to actually go to school like the rest of the normal population. "You don't really wanna go to high school, do you? All the drama might keep you away from your…"

"Overworked schedule?" I say, folding my arms in front of my chest. "Dad, you just can't keep me away from the outside world. I am a person too, and I know you want the best for me, but making me work 24/7 without letting me be able to have a social life or do anything I want is far from 'the best'."

He looks taken aback by what I said, and I don't blame him. I've never called him 'dad' before – only father. And I've never questioned his plans for me until now. But I can't help myself – he is a person, no less or more of anyone else and I refuse to be pushed around by someone, especially a person like him. It's beneath me.

"Very well put, young lady, but I will not tolerate that kind of speech in my house," he says, his face twisting into a scowl. "Now get out of my sight. I will reply to you about the whole 'high school' issue later on."

I open my mouth to say something back, but he turns around and starts his movie again, refusing to look back at me. I sigh in frustration and leave, slamming the door behind me. I bury my face in my hands and sigh heavily. Today would be like every other from here on in.

So maybe I should go for a swim…

-

-

"So, I met this awesome guy today at the beach," Rikku explains as she blows on her painted nails, "His name's Gippal, he's Al Bhed, and he's incredibly hot. Y'know, I've never gone for the pirate look, but he makes it look so good!"

I furrow my brow at her and ask, "What do you mean?" Inside I am mentally stabbing myself for not accompanying her this afternoon when she asked. I could've easily skipped piano practice.

"Okay, it sounds pretty weird, but he wears an eye patch over his right eye," Rikku tells me, "But, seriously… he is h-o-t." She grins happily, wringing her hands out.

It's around maybe eleven at night and Rikku and I had just finished doing our nails in my room. She is sitting on the floor next to my king sized bed and I am flipping through a girly magazine, examining the fashion section.

Rikku rambles on about her hot new friend and I barely catch any of it when Shelinda, my personal maid and piano instructor, knocks on the door and lets herself in.

"Excuse me, Miss Yuna, but Lord Braska would like to see you in his room along with Rikku." She's smiling pleasantly like she always is and her face is flushed – probably from cleaning so damn much.

"Alright, thanks," I say, nodding in her direction. She bows and leaves. It may be surprising, but one of things I hate most about Shelinda is that she has too much respect.

"Oh, great, what does he want?" grumbles Rikku disdainfully, forcing herself up from my carpet.

"Shh!" I command sharply, glancing up at the surveillance camera in my room.

"Oh my Yevon, Yunie, in your room, too!?" Rikku rolls her eyes, "That is some serious violation right there."

"Just go!" I say, nudging her toward the door.

When we arrive at his doors, I knock three times and let myself in, not paying any heed to his consent. I encourage Rikku to follow and stand there near the door.

"Yes, father?" I say, trying to get rid of the attitude I always pick up when I'm with my cousin.

I know he hears the sarcasm in my voice just as well as I do because he eyes me before standing up, trying to look important. I almost laugh.

"Rikku," he addresses her first, "You have been suggesting that Yuna attend your high school for quite some time now. May I ask why?"

"Oh, u-uh, I just think that she shouldn't wast – um, I mean I just think that she should get out more often and spend time around kids her own age instead of being cooped up here all the time," Rikku explains hastily. She bites her lip uncomfortably.

"Mmm…" My father nods his head, as if to say he understands. "And do you think she'd be better off with a bunch of hormone affected teenagers surrounding her with their drama and problems?"

"U-um… Th-that's not what I meant, sir," Rikku says cautiously, "I just think – "

Her facial expression is just screaming 'HELP ME!', so I have no other choice but to oblige.

"Father, this is not between Rikku and you," I say, stepping forward, "It's about what I want. Rikku is just trying to make it easier on me… Something that no one has ever tried before and I thank her for that. I want to go to school, Father. Rikku hasn't persuaded me into it or anything and I think that I am old enough to make my own decisions!"

"Your training and lessons aren't important enough to you?" he asks angrily. "Do you know how much I pay for everything? For you, Yuna! I want the best for you."

"Then you will let me to go to high school," I say sourly, that being my last words before I turn and take my leave of the wretched place. Rikku quickly follows, almost like a puppy at my heels.

"Listen, Rikku, I want you to get me an application to the school as soon as possible," I tell her, hurrying on light footsteps down the hall and to the stairs. "I'm going to get into that high school if it kills me, understand? I won't live my whole life trapped inside my own house!"

"Actually, y'know, about half of the population of that school would kill to be in your position," replies Rikku steadily, struggling to keep up with my quick steps.

"Rikku, just get me the application, alright," I say, suddenly feeling tired. I make my way to my room, Rikku still behind me. "No offense, Rik, but I think I'm gonna go to bed now. I'll see ya tomorrow, okay?" I practically slam the door in her face and immediately feel guilty, but I stride over to my bed anyway and collapse on to it.

I refuse to let my father control me any longer. I will continue the training and lessons and practices, for my own sake only, but I will cut back on it, since I'll be at school, but I will not let him puppeteer my life like I'm some sort of show. I will get what I want eventually, but this is my first step.

Or leap, for it feels much greater. But it is still a chance I will take.

And then it hits me – I'm gonna be going to a high school now. Where I will be able to interact with people my own age and do stuff the normal way. Maybe I'll even be asked to sign a few autographs, since my father is the rich and famous 'Lord Braska', y'know? Sometimes it is pretty cool to have a movie star dad, I guess.

And there will be boys there… I've never kissed or even really been around a boy my age.

I get this weird feeling in my stomach at the idea of it before I fall asleep and it's a real nervous 'butterflies-in-my-stomach' feeling that Rikku always talks about that I said I'd never experience.

And now I have and I always thought I would hate it…

But I actually like it.

Maybe I should just avoid boys for now.

But… will boys avoid me?

-

-

Hope you all liked the first chapter! I haven't really worked with anything quite like this before, but originality is the best policy when it comes to fanfiction! I'm sure everyone's tired of the same old 'Tidus is the popular hottie and Yuna's the shy little geek and they fall in love' thing, right?

So, anyway please review and I will give you all fudgelicious cookies!