Author's Note: I'm glad most of you are enjoying the story so far. Without further ado here's chapter two enjoy :3
Also, just a slight reminder that Hope's inner thoughts are formatted like this, "Hope" in italics with quotations.


Chapter 2 Exchanging Secrets

Two weeks had now passed since Hope began his extra practice sessions with Snow, and everyone was amazed at how Hope had vastly improved within such a short amount of time.

Even Coach Rygdea was impressed and offered up praise. "Well Estheim, you've even impressed me, and let me tell you that is not an easy thing to do."

"See? I told everyone that I would get him up to speed, and I did so am I a great instructor or what?" Snow said boastful.

"Yeah, it's true I wouldn't have been able to get this far if it wasn't for Snow's help." Hope said delighted.

"No, the real reason that I got this far wasn't because of your great or masterful instructor skills, but because of all the extra hours of practice that I put in after you left each day."

But Hope decided to let Snow continue to think that conceited thought. There was no need to burn any bridges.

Coach Rygdea cleared his throat before proceeding. "I think it can be safely said, that Estheim here no longer requires the extra practice sessions, and as of today is no longer bound to them."

A resounding cheer headed particularly by Noel, Vanille, Fang, Snow, and Serah resonated throughout the room. Hope's gaze immediately found Lightning's, and he saw her lips form into a soft small smile and was directly smiling at him. Hope could feel his face flushing red.

Out of the corner of Hope's eye he could see that Cid as usual had that indifferent look plastered onto his face. "Does this guy show any other emotions at all?"

After swim practice

On Hope's way to the locker room he was in awe that Lightning Farron actually smiled directly at him. He was so deep in thought that he didn't even realize that he had walked into the girls' locker room.

Hope took one quick look at his surroundings, and saw that he was in the wrong locker room. "It was a good thing that no one was in here, or this could have become a very embarrassing situation." Hope was about to storm out of there, but he stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Lightning's and of all people Cid's voice coming from a little further within the room.

Hope's curious mind got the better of him, and he decided to stay and listen in on their conversation. Hope quietly made his way closer to where they were and peered behind a row of lockers. Now, Hope had a perfect discreet view of both Cid and Lightning, and was within perfect earshot of their conversation.

Abruptly, Cid had Lightning pinned between his two arms his face just inches away from hers. Lightning was strangely calm about the whole situation.

"Dammit Lightning! I just can't take it anymore! You know that I harbor romantic feelings for you, and I can't fully concentrate on my swimming lately because you're always on my mind. In the past, I've tried to ignore it, but now I can't only you can quell these feelings of mine."

"Cid, the timing just isn't right, and I don't know if I'm ready to be in a serious romantic relationship right now…"

"Well, maybe this will change your mind." Cid said rather seductively. In one smooth motion Cid pulled Lightning into a deep passionate kiss as his arms slowly wrapped around Lightning's hips.

At that very moment, Hope could feel his heart shatter into a million pieces, and he immediately got the hell out of there so that he wouldn't have to witness anymore.

"This is officially the worst day of my life."

The next day

Today, Hope decided that he was going to arrive at the academy a little earlier than usual in the hopes of somehow clearing his mind of yesterday's horrific event.

Hope always took the side path to the academy because he liked to view the beautiful scenery that it possessed. Which consisted of a beautiful lush meadow, and a vast amount of cherry blossom trees it was spring after all.

As Hope was taking in the beautiful scenery he was in for a surprise when he saw Lightning sitting in the shade under one of the cherry blossom trees. Flashes of Cid kissing Lightning rushed through Hope's mind, but he instantly shook them off and approached Lightning.

Upon closer inspection Hope saw that Lightning had on a short-sleeve red t-shirt, black shorts, and black ankle boots. "Damn! Lightning just looked good in anything she wore."

Hope fought back all of his nerves, and decided to try and strike up a casual conversation with her. "Hi, Lightning." Lightning looked up at him and said, "Hey, Hope."

"Uhm, do you mind if I join you?"

"No, not at all." Hope took a seat next to Lightning, outstretched both of his legs, and continued the conversation.

"So…do you come here often?"

"Hmm…I guess in a way you could say that. I like to come here to think when I have a pressing matter on my mind." Hope was amazed at the fact that Lightning was even opening up to him it was surreal.

"Really? And just what kind of pressing matter could be on the star swimmer of our swim team's mind if you don't mind me asking of course."

Lightning let out a sigh before she answered. "Yesterday, that bastard Cid Raines cornered me in the locker room, and even confessed his feelings towards me."

"Oh…" Hope knew the incident that she was referring to as he had a front row seat of it, and he was desperately trying to erase that very event from his memory. "So, what did you do?"

"I flat out rejected him because I didn't feel the same way about him, and he's just way too possessive and clingy for my taste." It then dawned on Hope that he didn't fully witness the aftermath of the confession. He had left about half-way through the viewing, and so all of this time his was worried over nothing. Hope let out a small chuckle and a sigh of relief.

Lightning started to wonder why the hell was she even telling Hope all of this to begin with? Why did she feel like she could let her guard down in front of him? She had never felt this way around anyone before besides her sister of course, and when did it first start? Could it have been when she saw him tirelessly practicing after school that day?

"Hey, Hope. Could you do a favor for me?"

"Sure."

"Can I…borrow your lap?"

Hope could feel the heat rise in his cheeks, but he gave Lightning a nod of approval to do so.

Lightning gingerly laid and rested her head on Hope's lap with her face facing away from Hope's body and closed her eyes. "Am I in heaven? I might as well be."

The gentle spring breeze ruffled Lightning's silky pink hair, and there was a growing urge inside of Hope to touch it.

Hope eventually gave into the urge and began to softly stroke Lightning's hair. Hope was genuinely surprised that Lightning didn't tell him to stop or slap his hand away.

Lightning felt at ease at Hope's touch. She liked the feel of his touch on her hair. Today this kid was surprising her in all kinds of ways.

Hope just wanted to stay in this position forever, but the fantasy had to end sometime.

Not too long after they had gotten comfortable in that position Lightning shifted, and lifted her head off of and out of Hope's lap.

She stood up and dusted herself off before offering up a word of thanks to Hope.

"I'll see you at practice."

"Definitely."

Lightning gave Hope a small smile before walking away. Hope just watched her receding form with renewed confidence.