The Only Exception
... I got bored today and felt like writing, so yeah …
And thanks for the reviews! ^^ I'll reply to them here …
BiJane – XD heh, thanks. Lol, I think this story will be updated more often than TwoLSaS, just 'cause this story's chapters won't be as long as the other (I type around 20pages in TwoLSaS … so far 2 ½ here xD)
Ghost-roach – Thanks x3. Yeah, I'm glad too :/
PersonalBest – Awe thanks man :D :/ Yeah that must've sucked for you though … the counseling and all T_T And it's pretty stupid what's happening in your family at the moment -.- Yeah thnxxx
Oh, and just to clear up any possible questions, the Maker, Chocobos, and whatever else I decide on, still exist here. L'Cie, C'ieth, Fal'Cie, and Mako don't so far. Unless … I decide to incorporate some action ! :D
Annnddd on with it :P
Disclaimer: I don't own FF blah blah blah …
The Only Exception Chapter 2
Gone
Things weren't going well for the Farron family.
Claire was barely speaking anymore and began failing classes, and Serah was crying at night and acting more like her older sister.
Reason? Charlotte and James were getting a divorce.
At night, Claire heard them fighting more than usual. But she noticed her dad held back a lot; he still kept his promise. Therefore, Claire kept hers. It had been a year since they made that promise to each other.
Claire, now eleven, grit her teeth and resisted the urge to start yelling. She wasn't as sad anymore; for she had grown used to it. But anger replaced that sadness. Due to her parents spending more time away from each other, Claire had to do her parents' chores and her own, while taking care of Serah. On top of that, Claire got teased at school for having no friends, and she was failing all classes except for gym, which she got straight A+s in.
The next day, Claire was in class, when suddenly the principal walked in with Serah trailing nervously behind him.
"Excuse me Ms. Villacorte? I need to see Claire Farron." Mr. Callaghan requested.
Claire frowned as all of her classmate's gazes turned to her.
She could hear them whispering things like,
"Wow, what'd the emo kid do now?"
"Psh, I hope Callaghan makes her do detention. Little Miss Perfect would be horrified."
Claire ignored them and looked to her teacher, a young twenty-five year old with dark brown hair with lots of waves in it. She was quite short actually, about 5 ft. 4; a couple of inches taller than Claire.
"No problem Mr. Callaghan. Go ahead Claire." She said, nodding with her head towards the door as her left arm hugged a red binder and a textbook to her chest, and her right hand held a stick of white chalk.
Feeling confused, Claire stood and walked to the door. The principal stood aside so that she could pass, and instantly Serah hugged her older sister's arm.
"What's happening Claire?" she whimpered. Serah had never been called down by the principal and was horrified of getting in trouble.
"I don't know Serah." She replied honestly as the principal shut the door to her classroom just before Ms. Villacorte called the class' attention back to the chalkboard.
The two sisters followed Mr. Callaghan back to his office, Serah clinging to Claire's arm the whole way, practically trembling in fright.
Claire rolled her eyes as they entered the principal's office.
"Serah, calm down. I'm sure you're not in any trouble. You're too goody-goody to do anything wrong." Claire teased slightly, and ruffled her younger sibling's hair.
"Your sister's right Serah. You're not in trouble. However …" Mr. Callaghan took a seat in his chair. The principal was rather tall, dwarfing Ms. Villacorte. He had curly brown hair and wore a chocolate brown striped suit with a black tie. He also wore square glasses and a golden ring on his finger.
"This may come as a shock to you two," he sighed, folding his hands together with his elbows on the desk as he rested his forehead on his hands. "You're parents got in a rather … deadly car crash with a reckless street racer."
Claire's eyes widened and she felt her heart begin to race. Serah clutched her sister tighter and let out a frightened squeak, her eyes as big as saucers. "Wh-what?"
"They're in the hospital right now."
Claire's brain suddenly became unresponsive and she couldn't breathe. She hadn't spoken to them for days … maybe even a couple of weeks. And then … this?
"Ar-Are they al-alright?" Serah asked, trembling.
Claire just stared at the floor, still not breathing as she waited for the highly anticipated answer.
"Alas … I don't know Serah. I just received a call from the hospital stating that your parents are in the infirmary … with extremely bad injuries."
Claire grit her teeth, breathing once more. She glared up at her principal, and the next thing she knew she was yelling.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW? IT'S A SIMPLE QUESTION! ARE THEY ALIVE OR ARE THEY … or are they …" Claire took a deep breath, unable to say the last word.
Mr. Callaghan grimaced as the oldest Farron who used to get the best grades in the school – all A+s – looked down once more, her strawberry blonde hair curtaining her face as her body visibly shook. He was not surprised by her sudden outburst, though his secretary was outside.
"I'm very, very sorry Miss Farron." The principal sighed, rubbing his temples with his index fingers.
Serah had let go of her sister in surprise when she began shouting, but afterwards she quickly wrapped her arms around the eleven year old again, feeling her body shake each time she breathed. She gave her sister a squeeze, trying to comfort her.
"There's a car outside to drive you to the hospital." Mr. Callaghan told them quietly. "A family friend of your mother's apparently."
Serah nodded while Claire just stood there, immersed in her thoughts.
I didn't talk to them for two weeks … they knew I was mad at them. I completely ignored their existences … and now … now they might be gone forever …
"She said her name is Kate Trudel."
Serah nodded.
"We know her." She said, voice slightly trembling.
Claire remained unresponsive.
"Good. You can both go now." Mr. Callaghan said.
This time Claire nodded as she turned away and opened the door, head still down. Serah followed, still hugging her as they exited the office and went outside.
In front of the school was a black Honda Civic. A tall, thin woman leant against it. She had long black hair that seemed blue in the sunlight. Her skin was freckled and albino, and her eyes were covered by black sunglasses. She wore dark blue skinny jeans and a black leather jacket despite the fact it was summer. Claire and Serah had met her twice before. Serah was fond of her and Claire felt awkward around the woman. While Kate looked like a punk rule-breaker sometimes, she was actually very sweet and caring. But .. you just didn't want to get on her bad side. Claire did once and it was a long and heated fight, with Kate coming out victorious. The fight had been over what color was the best. It had happened when Claire was seven, and Kate had been teasing her the whole fight. The twenty-nine year old was very childish at heart, but could be mature when she wanted to.
She gave the two Farrons a sad smile as she saw them approach her.
"Are you two okay?" Kate asked gently.
Serah let go of her sister and ran at the woman, hugging her around the waist. Kate stroked her hair gently, and hugged her back.
Claire just stood there, watching Kate and her sister. Kate was pretty much like her much older sister in ways, but at the same time she was like a stranger.
"Claire? You alright?" she asked, looking up at the silent young girl.
Does it look like I'm alright? Claire wanted to yell at her. But it wasn't Kate's fault that her parents may die. Kate was a nice person. She didn't deserve to be yelled at.
So, in response, Claire merely locked gazes with the older woman and shrugged.
Kate grimaced and pulled away from Serah.
"Alright you two. Get in the car and we'll drive to the Hospital. Okay?" Kate said, opening the back door.
Serah nodded and hopped in, sitting in the middle seat.
Kate looked at Claire, and approached the strawberry blonde girl.
"Hey." She smiled weakly, bending down to Claire's height. "Come on, you want to see your parents right?"
Claire looked up at Kate once more and nodded. "Yeah."
Happy that she got a response out of the silent Claire, Kate stood up straight and gestured to the car. Grudgingly, Claire entered the car and slammed the door.
Kate sighed as she walked over to the driver's side and climbed in.
"You both got your seat belts on?" she asked as she slammed her own door and pulled on her own seat belt.
Claire nodded, eyes downcast again. Serah nodded too.
"Alright. We should be there in five. 'Kay?"
Two nods again.
Running a hand through her hair, Kate started the car and turned on the radio. A second later they were driving out of the school parking lot.
"What kind of music do you guys like?" Kat asked as she looked up and down the street before turning on her blinker and turning right.
Tick, tick, tick, click. The blinker went as it shut off.
"Pop!" Serah exclaimed, grinning despite the situation.
"Rock and metal …" Claire grumbled, just loud enough for Kate to hear.
Kate thought it over. I need Claire to cheer up … so … I'll choose her music.
"Okay, we'll listen to rock and metal on the way to the hospital -" Serah let out a squeal of complaint. "- And on the way back we'll listen to some pop. Sound good?" Kate asked as she switched the radio to a rock and roll music station.
Claire nodded, staying silent as usual. Serah nodded vigorously.
Claire's eye twitched at her sister's happy personality. Did she not realize that after this, their parents may never come back?
A second later, Claire's favorite band, Rocking Chocobos, came on and filled the car with electric guitar and shattering beats. And occasionally some screaming. The car ride was silent other than that. The depressed eleven year old looked out the window of the car, seeing the tree filled street side of her home town, Bodhum. Not many people were outside, as it was still school hours, and all the adults were still at work. Kate's car zoomed past the beach, a popular tourist destination in Bodhum. The sky was cloudless, allowing the sun to cast light all over the beach. Kate rolled down the windows as they drove by, letting Claire hear the gentle crash of the waves in the distance. The smell of sea salt and fresh air entered the car and Claire inhaled it deeply. The ocean water was the precise color of Claire's eyes, and it sparkled in the distance. In about five seconds, the beach disappeared from view, though the smell lingered. Kate took a right, another right, a left, and a right, and soon they were at the Bodhum Hospital.
Kate parked the car near the entrance of the huge building, and shut off the engine. Wordlessly, they all exited the car and walked towards the double doors that led inside the Hospital. Kate pulled out her keys, which jingled at the action, and plucked out one that looked like a mini remote. She aimed it at her car and clicked it, hearing a satisfying beep from it as it locked.
"Alright," Kate said, breaking the silence. "Let's go."
Kate talked to the secretary at the front desk, and found out that James and Charlotte were on Floor 8; Car Related Injuries.
Thanking the secretary quietly, Kate beckoned Claire and Serah over to the elevator where three other people were waiting to get on.
Ding.
The elevator rang, and opened its doors. Seven different people filed out, two being nurses. The Farrons, Kate, and the other three people boarded the elevator, which dinged again as its doors shut. Kate quickly pressed the number 8 on the pad by the door, which turned orange on contact. After the other people pressed their floor numbers (2, 9, and 5) the elevator began to move.
Once it reached the eight floor, Kate, Serah, and Claire exited the elevator and walked down the eerily silent hallway. There were three different doors in the hallway, each having a different sign on them. The first one read, STORAGE CLOSET. The next said, BATHROOM. The last one at the end of the hall said in big black letters, CAR RELATED INJURIES. With a list of names underneath. Claire scanned it, and saw her parents' names. Farron, James, and Farron, Charlotte.
Claire nodded to Kate, who silently opened the door to reveal a large white room with ten different hospital beds. Six of them had a curtain drawn around them, while two other beds were empty. However, at the end of the room, were two beds with nurses crowding around them.
Suddenly, a female nurse in mint green scrubs with short curly hair approached the three newcomers, and gave them a bright smile, flashing perfect white teeth.
"Hello. And who are you visiting this fine day?" she asked brightly. The nurse was rather short, around Ms. Villacorte's height. She came up to Kate's shoulder and had to look up at her.
"James and Charlotte Farron." Kate said, removing her sunglasses to reveal her dark compassionate jade green eyes.
The Nurse's face fell at the two adults' names.
"Right this way." She almost whispered, her smile gone.
Kate grimaced and looked down at a nervous Serah and a scared Claire.
The trio followed the nurse, whose hair bounced with each step she took.
A lump formed in Claire's throat as they approached the bed surrounded by the doctors and nurses. Oh Maker … please don't be them. Please don't be them …
But it appeared that the Maker didn't want to give the eleven year old that wish.
The short nurse approached a man with gray hair and a mustache who appeared to be the doctor, and whispered something in his ear. The man nodded to her, and took a glance at Serah, Kate, and Claire.
"Alright, all of you please leave for a while. Angus will call you back in later." He announced.
The other nurses all nodded and left, some giving sympathetic looks to the two children. After they all dispersed, the doctor walked over to Kate, talking quietly.
Claire's eyes widened when she saw her parents.
Charlotte's arm was in a sling with many stitches on her exposed skin. Her eyes were shut and what seemed like a hundred of wires and IVs were hooked up to her. Her breathing was raspy and shallow. Behind her, Serah gasped and clutched Claire's arm. In the background, Claire could faintly hear the words, "Fatal", "Not", and "So".
"M-mommy?" Sera stuttered. Claire looked at her baby sister, now eight years old. Serah's eyes were brimming with tears, and her lower lip was trembling. Claire grimaced and hugged her sibling, feeling her own tears coming on.
The doctor came up behind the two sisters and said, "Your mother has many injuries. A couple of broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder -" Claire quickly covered her sister's ears, shooting a glare at the doctor as Serah began to whimper, "A punctured lung, and many cuts."
Kate shot a glare at the doctor from behind. Why is he telling them? She thought angrily, and approached her friend's bed.
"Charlotte?" Kate asked from beside Claire, grimacing at the older woman's injuries. Charlotte was three years older than Kate, and had used to stand up for her in elementary and high school, then helped her find a job when she was in college.
Mrs. Farron stirred and opened her eyes, which were a milky hazel.
"K-Kate?" she croaked hoarsely, and began coughing. "Cl-Claire and S-Serah?" she coughed again.
Kate smiled sadly at her friend and nodded, stepping back and gesturing Serah and Claire over.
Silently, Claire shuffled over, while Serah ran around her to see her mother.
"S-Ser-"–Cough-"ah …" Charlotte smiled, and raised her bandaged hand to touch Serah's cheek.
Serah sniffled.
"Mommy? Will you be okay?" Serah asked, tears flowing.
Kate bit her lip. Oh no … thinking quickly, Kate place her hands on Serah's shoulders and said, "Hey, wanna go talk to your dad?"
Serah nodded and turned to the other bed as the doctor walked away to tend to some other patients.
Charlotte gave Kate a thankful look before coughing.
Claire stood awkwardly by her mother's bed, looking down.
"Claire?" Charlotte asked rather strongly for someone who kept coughing and looked like they were about to pass out from the effort.
Claire looked up, her expression guilty.
"You've grown so much …" Charlotte whispered, smiling.
Claire swallowed and just stared at her frail mother.
"Promise me one thing …"
Claire nodded vigorously.
"Take care of Serah. Please?" she began coughing again.
"I promise mom … and I'm so sorry for not talking to you and dad for so long." Claire said quietly, her voice breaking. Tears began to fall down her face.
Charlotte smiled kindly.
"You have n-nothing to be apo-apologizing fo-for." Her coughs increased, "We were th-the one's fi-fighting …"
Claire sniffled as her mother's dangerously cold hand touched her cheek.
"Be … nice … to … K-Kate … pl-please …" and with that her mother's hand fell.
Claire's eyes widened at this.
"M-mom?" she stammered.
"Claire … she's just sleeping. It's alright." Kate whispered, crouching beside Claire, with a reassuring hand on her upper back. She took Claire's left hand, expecting it to be torn away from her. Claire just watched her mother. Guiding the young girl's hand, she placed it above Charlotte's heart. Claire calmed down a bit as she felt her mother's heartbeat. Albeit it was weak, but it was still beating.
Claire nodded and turned away, approaching her father's bed. Kate slowly stood up, grimacing. Those two are too good for this to happen to them … Suddenly the gray haired doctor approached her.
"Do they have any other family?" he asked her with a sweetish accent.
Kate shook her head sadly, eyes on Claire and Serah.
"You do know you'll have to send them to the orphanage then."
Kate's eyes widened.
"No!" She hissed angrily, glaring death at the doctor.
He grimaced.
"They need someone to look after them -"
"Then I will!" Kate snapped fiercely.
The Swedish doctor shook his head. "That won't be possible I'm afraid. You do not have permission from the parents."
Kate cursed under her breath when suddenly Charlotte began to speak again, low enough for only the doctor and Kate to hear. "Kate … can look after them …" she wheezed.
Kate nodded as Charlotte drifted back to sleep.
"See?"
"Yes, okay. You'll have to sign some paper work then."
Kate nodded and glanced back at the two kids. "Gladly." She said as she looked back at the doctor.
James Farron was in worse condition then Charlotte.
His head was bandaged, with multiple cuts and stitches. He had a cast on his neck and his foot was in a harness, all wrapped up. Claire looked at the clipboard by his head, and grimaced. It said he had a bad concussion, possible memory loss, a broken foot, a sprained neck, lots of glass in his skin, a broken nose, two missing teeth, and a dislocated knee.
Serah had had enough and was sitting in a waiting chair, her head in her hands as she kicked her legs above the floor.
"Claire?"
Claire looked up as she heard her name be whispered, to see her father watching her.
"D-dad! I'm sorry I didn't talk to you or mom for so long!" she exclaimed, new tears falling from her face.
Her dad began to give her a weak smile but grunted from the pain and stopped.
"It's okay honey … it wasn't your fault. Remember that promise we made to each other?" he asked
Claire nodded.
"Try and keep it while looking out for your sister. It might just …" he took a sharp intake of breath, "Save your life … be good okay?" he asked before going unconscious.
Claire whimpered and nodded, whispering, "I promise."
They stayed in the Hospital for three more hours, Kate signing some sort of paper work. Serah had fallen asleep, and Claire was on the verge of sleep too. Maybe if I fall asleep I'll wake up, and this'll just be some horrible nightmare … Just as she began to close her eyes, Kate approached them, finally finished with the documents.
"Claire? Are you still awake?" she asked softly.
Claire groggily opened her eyes and nodded.
"Great. Come on, time to go."
Claire groaned and got to her feet, rubbing her eyes with her fist. She looked up to see Kate lifting Serah in her arms, just like dad used to.
"You two are going to stay at my place for a while, okay?"
Claire nodded and looked at where her parents were. They now had a curtain around their beds.
It was still bright out, Claire noticed as she and Kate got into the older woman's car in silence, Serah in the twenty-nine year old's arms. Kate strapped Serah in, and went around the car to the driver's side. Claire climbed in and put on her seat belt as Kate started the engine.
Somewhere along the way, Claire drifted into a dreamless sleep.
When Claire awoke, she found she was in an unfamiliar apartment in an unfamiliar bed with Serah. She looked around and got up, feeling groggy and depressed as the day's memories came back at her like a brick to the face.
Claire opened a door and found herself in a cozy little room with a brown leather couch facing a old looking TV. The room had dark red walls and hard wood floors. In front of the couch was a glass table went up to her kneecap, there was also a white tiger styled carpet beneath it.
She could hear clattering of glass from a room nearby. Walking around silently, Claire walked into a short hallway, the walls littered with photos. On the left, was a doorless threshold. Walking into it, Claire found Kate on a cordless phone, her expression sad and horrified. She noticed Claire and nodded to her, raising her index finger at her, signaling one minute.
Kate sighed. "Al-alright. Okay. Yeah. Thanks. Bye …" she pulled the phone away from her ear and clicked the off button as the pitter-patter of raindrops hit the window behind her.
Kate looked up at Claire with a sad expression, and said sadly in a slightly trembling voice, "Claire … you're parents just passed away."
Awe … poor Claire and Serah. The scene in the Hospital was actually quite easy for me to write … I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing O_o
Uhm, Cloud shall appear soon … if I threw him in now I'd be rushing the story. Soo no Cloud yet :P
I based Kate on my cousin and me … so yeah I like her :D
Uhm, that's it for now I guess. Here's a preview of the next chapter.
Preview:
She had to be strong for Serah … but she couldn't do that if she was the weak and emotional Claire.
Lightning flashed in the sky, lighting up Kate's bedroom.
Claire looked up at the sky thoughtfully as it rumbled and was lit up again.
Lightning … it can't protect. Only destroy …
Well … she could destroy things. That's it! She'd destroy for Serah; to protect her. Keep her safe.
That was it. She'd become Lightning.
Lightning Farron.
Until next time!
R&R please! All support shall be directed to Claire, Serah, and the OC Kate!