RING RING RING RING

Cloud opened his eyes, awoken by the sound of his phone ringing. It was Tifa again...

This is the third time she has rang me this morning. I don't feel like talking to her. I should give her a chance to explain though…But, what is there to explain. She kissed Vincent, obviously she likes him.

Cloud let the phone keep ringing until all was silent once again. He climbed back into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

Tifa put down her phone, sitting down on a nearby chair.

He could at least pick up and answer. Maybe he is asleep though. I wish I could explain what happened…I know he wouldn't understand though. Just like Cloud, making assumptions before he knows the whole story. I probably would have done the same thing anyway…

Tifa picked up her phone again, this time choosing to ring Vincent.

"Vincent, I need to talk to you about last night."

"I'm listening."

"About when we kissed last night... It was just a kiss, nothing more."

"Oh…Yeah, it was just a kiss. I know that."

"Good, I was worried you might get the wrong idea. Thanks for understanding"

"Yeah, no problem."

"Ok, talk to you later. Bye!"

"Bye…"

Vincent dropped his phone and fell onto his bed.

I was so sure that she liked me…She kissed me, and yet it meant nothing to her. How could she lead me on, and then say it was nothing.

He got up and headed towards the door.

Maybe some drinking will cheer me up.

Vincent headed down the street towards the bar. As he got inside he ordered a few beers and drank them almost immediately. A few minutes later, he was completely drunk.

"I think you've had enough."

"NO!"

"I think you should leave."

Vincent reached for his gun, but the barman saw him. He pulled out a shotgun from behind the bar.

"Leave, now."

Vincent ran from the bar.

I wasn't going to hurt him. Just persuade him to give me another beer. I should go home now…

Vincent started walking home, almost falling over a few times. Tifa was driving down the street when she saw Vincent struggling to keep his feet. She parked the car near his house and ran towards him.

"Vincent! Are you ok?"

"Just…feeling…a bit sick."

"Here, let me help you."

Tifa helped Vincent back to his house and took him inside. He lay down on the couch and closed his eyes.

"Have you been drinking?"

"Just a bit…"

"What was the occasion?"

"Oh, nothing. I just felt like a few beers."

"Ok, I have to go now. I'm on my way to visit Cloud. Bye Vincent."

She doesn't like you.

Vincent jumped up from the couch and grabbed Tifa's arm.He spun her around and tried to kiss her.

"VINCENT! What are you doing?!?!?!"

Tifa pushed Vincent away and an out the door. She hoped in her car and drove away. Vincent ran after her. He hoped in his car and sped off after her. Tifa looked back and saw Vincent right behind her.

He likes me…But he said he didn't on the phone. He must be angry because I'm going to see Cloud.

She could see Cloud's house coming up in the distance. She pulled into his driveway and quickly ran to the door. She knocked loudly, hoping that Cloud was home.

"Cloud! Answer the door, please, Vincent is chasing after me."

Cloud was sitting on the couch when he heard Tifa calling his name. He ran to the door and swung it open.

"Tifa, what's wrong?"

"Vincent is drunk and he tried to kiss me."

Cloud looked outside and saw Vincent's car turn wildly into his driveway. Vincent got out of his car and walked towards Cloud and Tifa.

"Vincent, don't come any closer. I don't want you anywhere near Tifa ever again."

"You can't stop me Cloud. You're good for nothing, always failing everybody."

Vincent pulled out his gun and aimed it at Tifa.

"VINCENT! NO!"

"What are you going to do Cloud?"

Cloud walked slowly towards Vincent.

"Put the gun down Vincent. You don't want to hurt anyone."

"SHUT UP CLOUD! You always think your better than everyone."

"Calm down, there is no need to get angry."

Cloud had almost reached Vincent, suddenly, there was a loud ringing sound in his ears.

"NO! CLOUD!"

Tifa ran to Cloud as he dropped to the floor.

"What have you done Vincent…"

Vincent dropped the gun and ran out of the house. He got in his car and drove off. Tifa ran to the phone and called for an ambulance.

The ambulance arrived a few minutes later. Tifa jumped into the ambulance, sitting next to Cloud.

"Cloud, can you hear me?"

Cloud opened his eyes and looked at Tifa. She grabbed his hand and held it tightly.

"Stay with me Cloud, please stay with me."

"Tifa… I love you, I always have."

"I love you too Cloud. I always wanted to say that, I just never realized it."

"I thought you liked Vincent…"

"That was just a one time thing. I never meant to hurt you."

"I'm sorry, I should have given you a chance to explain."

"Tifa… I hope I will see you again someday."

"Cloud! Don't talk like that."

"Goodbye Tifa."

Tifa felt Cloud's hand slip out of hers.

"NO! CLOUD! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Tifa shook Cloud, as if trying to wake him up.

He's gone, gone forever.

Tears formed in her eyes as she stared at his lifeless body. She hugged him tightly, repeating the same words over and over.

"I love you Cloud."