Authors Note: Yes, I wrote this story. And no, you may NOT post it on your site, or use it otherwise without my permission. Please send me a message or leave a review if you desire to post it somewhere/use it for something. I will most likely allow you to use it, so don't be afraid to ask. Please Read & Review, if you don't mind.
Disclaimer: I don't own FFX, FFX-2, Rikku, Paine, Yuna, Lulu, or any of the other characters/titles used in this story. They're all copyrighted to their original owners, whom include Square Soft, Square Enix, the writers, et cetera. I don't claim any ownership to these characters. I also don't own Collide, the lyrics, the melody, the song, or Howie Day. Unfortunately.
Collide
by xDante
Chapter One: The Dawn is Breaking
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It was quiet that morning.
That's what seems so strange about it. It was quiet, and cold. They were all sleeping, and the sun had not yet risen. I just sat there, watching her sleep. She had the softest looking skin, and the most delicate wrists. It was unusual, that her wrists would be so tiny. She was small, yes, but she was also strong. It was her strength, I think, that drew me to her at first. She always spoke what was on her mind, and sometimes, that wasn't the best move. But somehow, she survived. She pulled it off. I thought I could never be that strong. But I would have to carry a burden. And she would help me.
She lay perfectly posed in sleep. On her back, on top of the covers, the toes of her left foot touching the heel of her right, her left kneebent over the top of her right. Her hips were perfectly centered on the bed, and her head turned to the right. One of her arms rested across her stomach, and the other draped delicately across her face, as though she was fatigued.
I remember my muscles tensing as she silently slid her hand away from her face. Was she waking? But she settled again, as quiet and beautiful as before. Perhaps more so, because now I could see her face properly. Her cheekbones were slightly pronounced, as they had always been, and I had always noticed. The skin that lay over them was not stretched, but smoothed across the bone in a thick layer. Her nose was small and round, rather button-ish as I recall. I knew her eyes were that odd vibrant green color with the strange black pupil that ran in the Al Bhed genes, but I could not see them, because she was, of course, sleeping. And that hair… that beautiful, soft, golden hair. I longed to run my fingers through it, to re-braid those teensy braids I knew so well. But I couldn't.
I drew my gaze away from her for a moment, to look out the window. I was rather shocked to realize that while I had been watching her, the sun had slowly risen over the peaks of the mountains that surrounded the Calm Lands. With a final gaze at my secret desire, I stood and walked quickly to the bathroom under the airship'scabin. Before turning on the light, I closed the door and went to the sink. Hands gripping the sides, I bent my head rather then look at myself in the mirror. Why should I waste my time? She'll never want me, I told myself. I was sure I would never have a chance. Never.