"Hey dude, I know it's been a couple of weeks since we last spoke but, work has been rough. I have some free time now and I was wondering if you'd like to meet up with me and my girlfriend. I'd like you to finally meet her. But anyways, call me when you're free okay?"
Zack pressed the end button on his cell phone, waited a few seconds and dialed his friend's number. He already knew where Cloud was going; he'd been going on about his 'wonderful girlfriend' for months, and to be honest, he wasn't that anxious to meet her. Last time he talked about 'wonderful', turned out she was a whore.
"Hey Zack!" answered Cloud's soft voice on the other line.
"Hey Cloud, what's up?"
"Have any free time?"
"Sure thing man, what are you planning?" replied a not-so-intrigued Zack.
"Well, you've been my best friend for as long as I can remember and I'd like you to take part in a very special moment in my life"
"Whoa dude, don't tell me you're—","Yes, I'm getting married!" Zack's blue eyes widened, and for a second he forgot he should be acting happy.
"W-wow, I mean, seriously? Um, congrats man!" It's not that he wasn't happy; it's just that he wasn't prepared to hear that his best friend was getting married.
"Yeah, well, it's not confirmed yet but that's basically why I'm calling you. I'd like you to also be there when I ask her to be my wife." said Cloud, and Zack could feel the nervousness in his voice.
"Then I'll be there to support you man, just name the time and place"
"Great! How about Friday at seven? Does 'Le Barqe di amour' sound good?"
"Awesome place, I'll see you there"
"Oh, and feel free to bring your girlfriend, see ya'!" with that, Cloud hung up the other line. Girlfriend? It sure had been a long time since they'd talked; he'd broken up with her months ago. That or he'd totally forgotten to tell him about it. Fact is, he rarely talked about her anyways. Sitting down on his bed, he settled his cell phone on his desk and looked at a picture of him and Cloud back at college.
"Well, I surely hope she's as wonderful as you say Cloud, I wouldn't want you to get hurt again"
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Zack walked by carefully, trying to spot Cloud in the restaurant. Boy, did he have to pick such a crowded place? He reached the reception.
"Table sir?" said a refined looking waiter.
"Actually, someone is waiting for me"
"Name sir?"
"Zack Fair." The waiter read a list and spotted his name. With that, he signaled Zack to follow him through the tables. He was so distracted with the nice decoration that he didn't notice the young lady walking right towards him, who was just as distracted as he was. Then, the inevitable occurred and they crashed into each other.
"Oh God I'm so sorry!" said Zack as he helped the girl stay on her feet, and that's when it happened. That's when her soft viridian eyes found his electric blue ones, and his heart skipped a beat. For the first time in his life, Zack felt his knees grow weak. And just when he thought he couldn't melt more, she spoke.
"No, please forgive me. I should've seen where I was going." and her voice was as soft as velvet, sweet as honey and light as a feather. He opened his mouth to speak, but he couldn't find his voice anywhere. Great, he thought, I must look like a retard now.
"Ah, well, I wasn't really paying attention either." To top it all, she laughed, and he felt so light-hearted. Like music to my ears, he thought with a smile. A smile she returned with one of her own, and he was sure it could brighten the darkest of nights. "Well, I better get going." she said with yet another smile, slowly walking away from where he was. He then took a moment to look at her; waist-long hazel hair and soft curves accented by a knee-length black dress. Funny huh? I felt like I could wake up to that gorgeous face every morning and wouldn't mind at all. Okay, that's enough. Back to earth now.
He noticed the waiter had been long gone and chuckled. Looking around, he soon spotted a spiky blonde head in the distance, and he wasn't alone. Oh, Cid and Reno too? Cool. Wait, not cool. They've got girls, thought Zack grimacing as he made his way towards their table. They were all dressed similar to him; long sleeved button shirts and pants.
"Hey guys!"
"Oh Zack, you made it! I thought you weren't coming." expressed Cloud as Zack hugged him and took a seat besides Cid.
"Hey kid, how you doing?" ah, the dude still insists on calling me a kid even though he's just 5 years older than me huh?, thought Zack as he chuckled and shook Cid's extended hand. "Yeah Zack, it's been a long time!" said Reno as eager as ever, patting Zack's shoulder.
"Same old, same old you guys. Glad to see you too. So, who are the ladies?"
"This is Shera, my woman," said Cid, pointing to the brown haired lady besides him.
"He means his wife," she said as she glared at her husband.
"Whoa, am I the only unmarried one here?"
"Nah man, me and Elena are not married yet. Right baby?" said Reno, looking at the blonde lass sitting beside him. "Hey, what about your girl Zack?" asked the red haired youth. "What's her name again?"
Oh crap, he thought as he laughed nervously. What was her name again? "Um, you mean…" Think, think! "…Cissnei?"
Cid spat the beer he was having, making his wife slap him on the shoulder. "Honey, that's rude!" "WHAT? Her name is Cisne? As in 'swan'?" his laughter filled the room, earning glances from all the customers around them. "Yeah, it's kinda' like that." answered Zack uncomfortably.
"Well, where is she? I told you to bring her with you." meddled in Cloud, who shifted nervously in his seat as he looked to the side.
"She had some work to do." he lied, praying to God for a distraction or a change of topic. It seemed he'd done quite a few good deeds, as Cloud stood up frenetically and smiled broadly.
"Zack, I want your attention just for a moment," he announced. Just as ordered, Zack looked to the side, as everyone else did, and saw what he thought was the most gorgeous sight in the world. Walking towards them was the girl he tripped over minutes ago, in all of her glorious beauty and radiance. She was smiling graciously, the hem of her dress flowing along with her honey-brown locks. Zack felt a smile of his own creep to his lips, and didn't really notice his best friend walking towards her.
"Hey sweetheart." said Cloud in a voice as sweet as sugar, circling her small waist with his left arm. Zack's smile slowly disappeared as he processed the scene in front of him. Wait, this can't be…
"Zack, this is my girlfriend Aeris," spoke the blonde full of pride. He felt like smacking his forehead. I can't believe I was admiring my best friend's girl! He then heard that melodious giggle that made his heart flutter once again.
"Isn't it a small world, we meet again." said Aeris, earning a glance from Cloud.
"You two know each other?"
"Ah, I almost tripped her at the entrance. Sorry!"
"I was so amazed by the beautiful designs on the walls that I crashed onto him on my way to the restroom. Isn't that ironic?" Cloud chuckled and kissed her forehead tenderly.
"Urgh, stop it with the puppy love," remarked Cid dryly. Shera rolled her eyes and elbowed his arm.
"Like you didn't go through that phase"
"Busted!" exclaimed Reno, expertly dodging a fork thrown by Cid.
"Why don't we seat down pumpkin?"
Zack almost shuddered at the fluffiness. Had it been that long since his last relationship? Or was it that he never addressed his girlfriends in such a sweet manner?
"So Aeris, what do you do for a living?" asked Elena.
"I'm a decorator. I also run a flower shop not far from where Cloud works"
"Isn't that fitting for such an adorable girl like you Aeris!" squealed Shera, making Cid stick his tongue out in mock disagreement.
"Why, thank you! What about both of you?"
"I'm training to become a professional model one day" said the blonde, squeezing Reno's hand, "even if Reno doesn't want me to"
"Don't be silly; you do anything you want to as long as no one touches you. I'll always support you"
"Oh, sounds like someone I know; I'm a house wife, but I used to be a teacher until I married Cid"
"Yeah, well I'm the man of the house! I can keep you as a queen with my piloting!"
"I think that's a little bit selfish Cid" said Cloud, his voice full of concern.
Zack couldn't take it much longer; he really felt out of place and conversation. Aeris noticed his tense demeanor and spoke.
"Zack? What about you? Cloud told me you're a personal trainer. That's really interesting"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sometimes it gets boring, but it's what I live for"
"Wow, have you trained any celebrities?" asked Elena.
"A few" he didn't really want to talk.
"I'd like you to train me when I become a model okay?"
"Sure" He just wanted it all to be over, go back home and enjoy a nice, warm bath. But he knew the evening was just beginning. Soon, they ordered dinner and the conversation went along, from Reno's radio talk show to Cissnei's funny name, and lastly to Cloud's office work.
"He gets really stressed with work, but he always manages to spend time with me"
"Sure sounds like Cloud, responsible as always" remarked a grinning Reno. Seriously, is this ever going to end? I feel like a damn chaperone! thought Zack as he rested his chin on his hand. Just then, Cloud stood up for the second time in the night and kneeled right besides Aeris. Everyone went silent, all attention fixed on his hand reaching for his pocket. Her green eyes widened with disbelief as he held a small black box.
"Aeris, there's another reason why I brought you here. I feel as we've been through so much together, that it's time to take a much more serious step. Aeris, I love you, and nothing would make me happier than you accepting this" he said as he opened the box, revealing a bright heart-shaped diamond ring, with two small emeralds at both sides. "Aeris, will you marry me?" Her eyes brightened at his words, watering almost instantly, and she kneeled besides him. "Yes Cloud, I'll marry you!" she exclaimed, tears now falling down her blushing cheeks. Cloud couldn't hold his excitement and pulled her in for a kiss. Everyone cheered for the newly engaged couple. With trembling hands, he slipped the ring on her finger, and they kissed once more. Getting up, he received a brotherly hug from his best friend.
"Congrats Cloud! I never doubted she'd say yes" said Zack, nudging the shorter man on the head.
"Thanks Zack, but there's more; I want you to be my best man"
"Whoa, really? That's awesome!"
The evening concluded shortly after, everyone bid their farewells as Cloud promised to stay in contact to announce the wedding date. And Zack finally reached his apartment, remembering he'd promised to bring his 'girlfriend' next time, since Aeris wanted to meet her badly. Women, he thought. Ah, at least she doesn't seem that bad. Who am I kidding? Anyone would like to marry her! She's gorgeous, nice, sweet, smart, charming, and there you go again Zack!
"Seriously dude, stop thinking like that" he said out loud as he got in the shower, turning on the hot water. Feeling instantly refreshed, he relaxed and let his mind wander on its own. I hope Cloud knows what he's doing. He looked pretty confident about the whole marriage thing. And her, well, she looked really content about it. And pretty. Urgh! Anyway, I have to tell Cissnei about the girlfriend thing. I can't show up next time without a girl or I'll be the hot topic of the night. I just hope she understands it's fake. Tomorrow's going to be a looong day.
Afterwards, he got ready for sleep. Surrendering to the bed, he closed his vivid blue eyes and let out a relieved sigh. Then, much to his disappointment, his cell phone rang.
"What the hell?" he said as he reached for it. He got slightly surprised to see 'Cloud' written on the caller id. I wonder what's wrong. He pressed the answer button.
"Hello?"
"Zack, sorry I'm calling you this late. I just wanted to ask you; how was she?"
"Aeris? She's wonderful Cloud, just like you described her" and he wasn't lying.
"She seems too perfect to be real right?"
"If you want to put it that way" he really wanted to say she looked perfect, but kept it to himself.
"Well, that concerns me"
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"We've been going out for a year now and, we rarely argue. She never does anything wrong, she always seems to have all the patience in the world; she even manages to stay calm when other girls make remarks about me. She never goes out without me, she tells me everything; she's just too perfect!"
"What's wrong with that? It seems to me you hit the jackpot bro" no, seriously, what's wrong with that?
"Zack, I don't want to get hurt again" ah, yes. Tifa Lockheart. Now it all makes sense. That girl seemed perfect too, and it turned out that she was cheating on poor Cloud.
"Cloud, listen; Aeris seems like a good girl. I warned you about what's-her-name. I don't get the same feeling about Aeris. Calm down okay? You're overanalyzing things"
"Zack? Can I ask you a favor?"
I don't like where this is going, "Sure thing"
"Could you go out with her?"
"WHAT?"
"I don't mean a date or anything. Look, I want you to ask her to meet you somewhere and not to tell me anything"
"Aw come on Cloud, like a trust-test thing?"
"Exactly. If she's as good as she's made me believe, and as I hope she really is, she'll tell me. If she doesn't tell me, and you actually do go out, then I know you'll tell me how she behaves, right?"
"Um, sure, but isn't this a little bit extreme Cloud?" and kind of psycho?
"Please Zack, it's the only way I'll be calm. This is a big step I'm taking, and I want to take it with the right girl. Besides, you know how insecure I am about myself"
"Fine, tell me what to do" what am I getting myself into?
"Great! But first, don't tell Cissnei about it okay? I wouldn't want for them to meet and spoil it or something"
"I've got that covered. So, what's on your mind?"
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I'd like to know what you think of my story; was it a good first chapter? Was it bad? Please, I appreciate constructive criticism; it helps me grow as a writer. So go ahead and leave a review; you'll make me happy and I'll give you a cookie :3