Be My Hero
The rain was coming down hard, pounding against her window but she didn't pay attention. Instead, she pulled the covers closer around her body. At least here, in her bed, she felt protected from fate's cruel hands. She raised her eyes a little to the bedside cabinet, catching sight of a small object that hung on the edge. She felt her heart sink. It was positive.
"Aerith!" her father called, making her leap out and grab the object before he came barging in to her room. "Your dinner is ready," he barked. He took one glance around the place and shook his head. "Get this place tidied!"
Then he slammed the door. Aerith forced herself to stand, though she wanted nothing more than to curl up and die. She stared at herself in the mirror, grimacing at her reflection. Her eyes were bloodshot and surrounded with black bags and her skin was so pale, she was practically as white as a sheep. She glanced again at the object that now lay on her bed, hoping that it had miraculously changed. It hadn't.
She left her room, walking quietly into the kitchen and taking her place opposite her father. He didn't even glance at her. She was used to it, since it happened every morning but it still hurt. She wished her real parents were still here but they had died in a car crash when she was three. She was adopted and had been living with Professor Hojo ever since. She did not even know his first name, she had never been allowed to see any mail that arrived for him, and nobody ever addressed him in an impersonal manner if they visited the house.
"You weren't in school today," he said suddenly. "Why?"
Aerith continued to play with her food as she replied. "I wasn't feeling well."
"You look fine to me," he snapped. "You're going tomorrow even if I have to drag you there!"
Aerith didn't reply. She just kept her eyes focused on her plate. Although she hadn't eaten all day, she wasn't hungry at all. She just felt sick as she thought about the result of the test that was lying on her bed.
Hojo soon finished and left the table to put his plate in the kitchen. As soon as he went down the corridor into his study room, she got up and dumped her dinner in the bin. If she was hungry later, she would sneak down and steal something to eat. She started on the washing up as the doorbell rang but she didn't move to answer it. Hojo was always the one to answer the phone or door first incase it was something to do with his work.
"Aerith, your friend's here. Tina!"
"Tifa," the brunette muttered through gritted teeth as she finished the last plate.
Sometimes she wondered why Hojo had even adopted her but she knew why really. He wanted to boost his status. She could imagine the headlines 'Nice Scientist Adopts Orphan Girl' and scoffed to herself. With the exception of Tifa, Aerith didn't know any nice people at all. Speaking of Tifa, the dark-haired girl popped her head around the door.
"Hey," she greeted softly. "You weren't in school today so I thought I'd pop round and see how you were. There's this really cute guy in our History class. I'm telling you Aer, whatever your illness, you'll feel better looking at him!" she giggled slightly but quickly stopped and put on a serious face. "What's wrong?"
Aerith shook her head. "Nothing," she replied.
Tifa tilted her head to the side, indicating that she knew the brunette was hiding something. Aerith gave her a look to ask her to be quiet before they made their way upstairs. As they reached her door, Aerith turned to her.
"Don't freak out!" she whispered urgently before she opened the door. Tifa raised a brow but stepped into the room with no persuasion. Immediately, her eyes fell on the bed and after walking closer to get a closer look, she turned back to the girl at the door with wide eyes.
"You're pregnant?" she whispered, her voice high even at such a low level. Aerith twisted her fingers together nervously and looked around the room. Tears were gathering in her eyes from frustration. Tifa saw her struggled and quickly crossed the room to hug her friend.
"It's okay!" she soothed, leading Aerith to the bed. "Is it…Sephiroth's?" she asked hesitantly. Aerith shot her a look that clearly stated there was nobody else. Tifa held up her hands in defense before she put one arm around her shoulders.
"What am I going to do?" Aerith wailed helplessly. Tifa bit her lip as she tried to think of a solution. After a moment, she squeezed Aerith's shoulder.
"Well, I'm guessing you don't want me to kick Sephiroth's ass for you?" she joked and Aerith gave a meek laugh through her sobs. Tifa continued. "However, he has to know what's going on."
"He might just think it's a way to get him back though," the older girl replied, wiping her eyes. Tifa sniggered.
"If his head gets any bigger it might explode. Not that it would be such a bad thing but I'd feel sorry for whoever has to clean it up."
Aerith smiled gratefully and nodded. "Thank you Tifa," she whispered, hugging the girl in thanks. Tifa nodded.
"What are friends for?" she asked with a small smile. "Will you be in school tomorrow? Cute guy is single, hint hint!" she teased and Aerith rolled her eyes.
"I don't think so," she murmured. Tifa shrugged.
"All the more for me!" she answered with a big grin.
They continued to talk about how arrogant all the males they had ever dated were. Aerith felt a lot better knowing that Tifa, who, in her opinion, was so much prettier than she was, had been treated badly by the boys she had dated in the past.
Then, she returned to talk about the new boy at school. Aerith was beginning to think it was more than a crush and reaching the point of exaggeration. She didn't think any boy could be as cute and attractive as Tifa was making him out to be. She didn't say anything though, just continued to listen. It was better that way because she could forget about the pregnancy test.
Even if the nightmare would start all over again in the morning.
Characters belong to SquareEnix
