Chapter One: Leaving Banora
Banora; it's mid-summer and randomly the dumb apples started growing - the spontaneity of the things always got the better of me. There was a hazy mist of purple and white surrounding the early morning, the sun was just drifting over the trees, creating an eerie feeling of someone watching me.
I remember sitting on the cliffs, overlooking the factory. I just sat there, polishing my buster sword with wonder in my eyes and an unknown tune coming from my lips. Today was something special; I was going to be inducted into SOLDIER... I couldn't believe it, all this hard work and all of the hardships I caused my parents have finally paid off. Me, a SOLDIER...? Was I really made of the right stuff to actually be put in the same league as someone like Sephiroth? That was my goal, to achieve that title of being "1st Class SOLDIER"
This was going to be my first day leaving Banonra and I was worried, really really worried. I kept wondering what I should do before I left, I only had a few hours in Banora before I had to meet Genesis and ship out. And I wondered if I should tell...
"ANGEAL!! Hello!!" -- Her. I turned my head and there she was - my childhood companion and probably the love of my life. Her long, ponyt-tailed brown hair was blowing in the wind and that horribly goofy smile was plastered on her face. I couldn't place it, probably never will, what I did find so utterly attractive about her but honestly I couldn't care. Adelaide- my sweet Adelaide, she wanted nothing more than to see me make 1st Class. And I wasn't going to let her down.
"Adelaide, could you not be so loud?" I snapped. I shook my head and crossed my arms, staring at her with a bit of immaturity.
"Oooh, touchy today, aren't we Mr. Hewley?" she replied with a laugh. I chuckled and stood up, shoved my buster into the ground and walked toward her with my hands on my hips. She leaned in toward me and wagged a finger in my face, with a smile she lectured me. "Soon enough you won't be ordering people around. I mean with Sephiroth hanging around your troop and all, you'll be so over-shadowed! Think you can handle not being in the spotlight that long?" she laughed a bit, her innocence was priceless.
"Pride can be a... horrible burden sometimes." I whispered. I remember just standing there for a moment, unable to really say anything to her - I didn't know what to say honestly. She was the only one who could ever really leave me speechless.
I placed my hands in my pockets and shook my head; untamed black bangs over-shadowed my worry filled eyes. She grabbed my arm and looked at me in wonder, "Is everything alright, Angeal?" she asked. I rubbed the back of my head and turned away, I didn't know if I should tell her. "Yeah, everything is OK." I replied, leaning back with my head up toward the sun. My mind was so scattered that day, I couldn't think clearly let alone tell her I loved her. It would have to wait.
"Hey, Angeal" my head shot down toward the distant plain ahead of me. Behind the trees, shrouded in the mist was a figure of a young man. Adelaide turned, surprised by the sudden appearance of this young person. She she fell into my arms, I held her and laughed a bit - not loud enough for her to hear - but enough to bring a smile to my face.
I blinked and then sighed, "Genesis! Don't yell, it's disrespectful this early in the morning." I lectured. That was my biggest personality downfall, always being respectful and lecturing people. Ah, pride can be quite a burden sometimes, can't it?
"Bah," Genesis shook his head. "There you go again, do you honestly think that these crazy Banorans will be sleeping when two of their youngest and best looking guys are heading out to join SOLDIER!? I don't think so, c'mon we gotta go!" he flailed his arms like a mad-man, he was smiling and so optimistic. I hadn't seen him this happy in a really long time.
I laughed and nodded, a grin stretching from ear to ear was plastered on my face and I didn't think it left for a while. Adelaide grabbed my arm and pulled me down the hill, I barely had enough time to snatch my buster sword from the ground before she yanked my arm off. Genesis was running ahead of us and soon he was so far gone we lost him in the haze. My mind was so boggled though from the suspense that I could have really cared less about it, but Adelaide - competitive as always - wasn't going to let Genesis reach the town entrance before us.
Apple Orchard; Once we reached our destination, a lot of it was a blank after in my mind - I remember being hugged and congratulated by every villager in town. Genesis kept soaking up the attention like a rag, same old goofball. We were showered with packs of odd items to help us on our trip to Midgar, and of course we were embarrassed by our parents with endless sobbing and "I'm so proud!" cheers. That went on for a good few hours. Then, everything quieted down. Genesis, Adelaide and myself were all that stood at the apple orchard entrance. And it went quiet.
"Well, go get em!" Adelaide said, hitting me hard in the arm. I laughed emotionlessly and sighed.
I should just say it... I thought. I swallowed my pride and went to speak, "Adelaide, I - oomph!" she silenced me with a kiss and then she held me. I could hear Genesis breaking out into fits of laughter behind me.
"Take care of yourself, OK?" she whispered. "Both of you!"
"Adelaide, I need to -" and then Genesis interrupted me. He grabbed me by the arm and started dragging me out toward the village outskirts. Adelaide waved as we left, I wasn't ready to leave just yet but Genesis had other plans. I'd just have to tell her some other time then.
Chapter One End
