Disclaimer- I do not own Final Fantasy

Last Christmas

Chapter 2

Aerith clutched her books to her chest, her head bent low. School seemed to drag longer and longer each day she attended. Yet, she was dreading this time of year the most. It was November 30th, the last day of November. Tomorrow would be the first day of December, and only twenty-five days from Christmas. She did not want Christmas to come this year, and wished that she could have bypassed it altogether, as well as the rest of the school year.

With school over for the day, Aerith was determined to zigzag her way through the crowds of students to get home as quickly as possible. She wanted to avoid everyone, even her best friends, even though she knew that they would come to visit later. She just could not bring herself to be happy in school, when she knew at any moment, They could appear before her.

As luck would have it, they did appear, standing outside the main entrance, holding hands, and looking every bit as in love as yesterday. Aerith leaped behind a corner, clutching her books to her even tighter. She reluctantly bit her lip to keep herself from crying, something she had been doing a lot when she knew this time of year was coming.

Peering around the corner, she saw no sign of them. Instead of taking the chance of seeing them again, she walked off to go out the back exit of the school. Once exiting, she let out an exasperated sigh and looked up at the gray sky, which threatened to blanket the city in snow. Aerith popped the collar of her jacket, hoping it would keep the wind off her, as she made her long trek home alone.

Alone, that was how she felt this past year. She did not understand why she was so upset. She knew why she was upset, but why did it cause her so much pain? Why did it not go away? Aerith frowned as she stared at the ground while walking. It would not go away because there was ALWAYS a reminder.

Almost a year ago, Aerith Gainsborough had suffered the most painful feeling she ever felt. She had had her heart broken in a terrible way. On Christmas Day last year, she had given her heart to a boy she had fallen in love with, Zack Fair. After his own painful breakup the two became so close that Aerith wanted to become more than just friends. However, the day after after admitting her feelings to him, she met him at a park in the city, and was blindsided by the sight that befell her.

Zack was kissing a girl, and not just any girl. No, he was kissing his ex-girlfriend Cissnei! Aerith found out from Tifa and Yuffie that Cissnei had returned because she loved Zack so much. The two reconciled the day after Christmas. That day Aerith cried more than she thought possible. Even though Yuffie and Tifa tried to comfort her, it did little to help.

What made the scene even more heartbreaking was that Zack saw her there in the park. Zack knew she witnessed their reconciliation. He turned from her and did not utter a word to her from then on. Their close friendship was nothing more than a memory.

Aerith sniffled. She hated feeling this vulnerable, yet the reminder was painful. Maybe had she and Zack talked it out, she would have felt better. Yuffie and Tifa wanted to beat him to a bloody pulp, but Aerith asked them to leave him alone. Although they protested, Aerith refused to allow them to confront him. It was after all Zack's decision to be with Cissnei.

She kicked the snow on the ground in front of her. She wondered why she bothered wearing a flimsy dress in this weather. Oh that was right, after that day Aerith wore dresses or skirts all the time. She never even took her hair down from its braid (except during showers). She wanted to forget that day and everything that reminded her of it even if it meant changing her own appearance. She hated wearing jeans and letting her hair flow freely.

As Aerith walked, she came to a crosswalk with the sign clearly saying, "Don't walk." However, she did not look up, being too lost in her own thoughts to pay attention to the world around her. She walked across the street, her mind racing with the events that she tried so hard to suppress; so much, in fact, that she did not notice a car racing toward her. The driver of the car beeped his horn as he slammed down on the breaks, yet, what with the roads being icy, the car continued to slide towards her.

Upon hearing the car horn, Aerith snapped from her daze. She looked over and saw the car heading toward her. Aerith's eyes widened. Then she felt an impact, sending her flying into a snow bank.

The young girl groaned, feeling something heavy lying on top of her. The wind had been knocked out of her, even with the snow cushioning her fall. She felt as if she hit a wall. She groaned again.

"Are you alright?" someone asked very loudly, to her face.

The voice was male, his breath warm on her cold face. Aerith opened her eyes. When she did, she found a pair of beautiful blue eyes staring at her. Those eyes, she knew those eyes! The only person she had ever seen, who had such beautiful eyes like that was…

"Zack?" She moaned.

The person moved back, giving Aerith ample view of his face, and shook his head. Aerith half expected to see spiky black locks, a gentle warm face, and sheepish grin along with those blue eyes. Instead, she found a pale face, spiky blond locks, and lips that were set in a straight line. It was the complete opposite of Zack.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he asked.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You crossed the street without looking! Are you insane?" he scolded. "A car was coming right at you! I pushed you out of the way."

He sat up on his knees. Aerith mirrored his actions, shivering from landing in the snow. He stood up and held his hand out to help the girl up. Aerith took it and felt a gentle jerk as he lifted her to her feet. When she stood up, she stumbled, feeling dizzy.

"Careful," he instructed, while looking back over his shoulder. "That jerk driver didn't even stop to see if you were alive or not."

"Oh, I landed hard," she muttered.

She looked up at him, only to find her cheeks burning. Those eyes were just like Zack's. They were that deep blue that seemed too impossible to own. It was almost as if they glowed. She looked at him, noting his height. The man before her had to be around her age.

"Of course you landed hard," he sighed. "Had I been a second late, you would have been splattered on the side of the road."

Aerith looked down and then noticed she was still holding his hand; his very warm hand. She let go quickly, noting that he had a very strong but gentle grip. Abruptly, she realized that she forgot something.

"Oh! Thank you for saving my life!" Aerith said.

She bowed her head to him, apologetic, though a second later, she wished she had not, because her head was pounding and it made her dizzy. The man nodded and gently patted her shoulder.

"Will you be alright getting home?" he asked.

"I think so," Aerith winced.

"You don't look it," he noted.

Aerith blinked, this person looked so familiar. "Do I know you?"

"Maybe, I do go to your school." He admitted, "Cloud Strife."

"Oh, you're that new kid you transferred a few weeks ago!"

How could Aerith forget? He was in two of her classes, and many of the girls in her school were already crushing on him. Aerith, however, had not noticed him like that. She was too busy avoiding a certain someone to be paying much attention.

Looking over at Cloud, she had to admit he was handsome. He had a nice physique and a very handsome face. The blonde spikes in his hair seemed impossible, somehow defying gravity. She wondered how much hair gel he used.

"I'm…" she began to introduce herself.

"Aerith Gainsborough." Cloud finished. "I know, we have two classes together. The teachers always call on you."

Alright, so he knew her too. The two looked at each other and then turned away. An awkward silence fell over them.

"Well, thanks." Aerith said unsure what else to say. "I have to be getting home and all."

Aerith moved over the snow bank. Cloud watched her, when suddenly he found himself catching her in his arms. During the process of attempting to get out of the snow, Aerith failed to notice the sleek ice on the sidewalk.

"Uh… thanks." Aerith said, blushing madly.

"I think I better walk you home." He replied.

"No need; I'm perfectly fine."

Aerith stood up, only to step on the same sleek ice. She slipped backwards, straight into Cloud's arms again. He shook his head as he looked down at her. Aerith could have died from embarrassment. Cloud helped her off the ice and onto a clear patch of sidewalk.

Quietly, he escorted her home, the two walking silently side-by-side. Aerith found it weird to be walking with someone she did not know. Well, she knew him, but just barely. She knew he was her age, in two of her classes, had extremely pretty eyes, and had saved her life. Shivering slightly, due to a cold wind blowing against her wet snowy back, Aerith tightened her hold on her jacket, as if it would do any good. Cloud noticed and took his seemingly dry coat and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"Eh, I don't need it!" Aerith insisted, trying to shrug it off her.

"You'll freeze if don't," he retorted.

"What about you?"

"I got layers."

Cloud tugged at his thick hooded sweatshirt. She could see the white shirt underneath. Cloud did not seem bothered by the cold. As Aerith stared at Cloud, she noticed he dressed like someone similar. He wore black pants with side pockets and an interesting assortment of belts on them. His sweatshirt was a deep plum with a zipper down the front. Aerith could also clearly see his ear pierced with a strange earring adorned on him.

After realizing, she was staring at him, she averted her eyes straight ahead only to discover she was at her home. Aerith sighed with relief. Now she could get out of her wet clothes and out of this awkward situation… or so, she thought.

A moment later, the door to the house opened wide an older woman came hustling out. She was a round faced woman with tiny wrinkles around the eyes, and with hair short and jet-black. She wore a yellow blouse and a floral skirt.

"Mom!" Aerith called in alarm.

"Oh, Aerith, you were late; I was so worried for you!" She looked at Cloud. "Oh hello! Who are you?"

"Cloud," he muttered.

"Oh, are you Aerith's boyfriend?"

The moment those words escaped her mom's lips, Aerith wished that the car had, indeed, hit her. Her face began to burn deep red. She did not even know this man. He just happened to save her. Before either Aerith or Cloud could correct the mother, she began to talk rapidly.

"It is so nice to meet you! Aerith has been so unlike herself for a while but I guess she is just being self-conscious. So, how long have you and Aerith been going out? How old are you? That is so sweet, he let you take his coat! Sweetheart, you are soaking wet. Come in, come in!"

Aerith and Cloud tried to interrupt but could only get out either an "Um" or an "Err", all of which went unnoticed. Soon Aerith's mother was pushing them inside the house before either could interject. Inside, Aerith was pushed up into her room after discarding her boots to change, and Cloud was dragged into the kitchen to have some hot cocoa and cookies.

Once in her room, Aerith let out an exasperated sigh. She tossed Cloud's coat on her bed and stripped from her wet garments. Her mom was way overreacting. Sure, her mom knew Aerith had not exactly been herself since last year, but actually thinking this random person was her boyfriend was absurd. Realizing this situation could get worse if her mom knew what really happened, Aerith quickly dressed into a soft pink dress and a long cardigan and ran down the stairs to the kitchen. She burst in to see her mom serving Cloud a plate of Christmas themed cookies.

"MOM, CLOUD IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND!"

Her mother blinked, "Yes, I know. Cloud told me everything. He said you slipped into a snow bank. Now Aerith, calm down and have some cookies."

Aerith stared at Cloud who was sipping at his hot cocoa. Inside she was sighing with relief that he did not mention that she was nearly hit by a car. She sat down at the round kitchen table.

"So, how long have you known my daughter, Cloud?" she asked turning to the counter to pour Aerith some cocoa.

"I've known her since I came here. We have two classes together, after all."

Aerith stared at Cloud.

"We just met," Aerith whispered.

"She asked how long I've known you, not when I actually met you." He whispered back. "These cookies are really good Mrs. Gainsborough."

"Oh, call me Elmyra. All of Aerith's friends do."

Elmyra placed a steaming mug of cocoa in front of Aerith. The young girl stared at her mom. Cloud was not exactly her friend either. She did not even know anything about him. Aerith watched as Elmyra and Cloud chatted but what they were chatting about went through one ear and out the other. All Aerith could do was stare at the random teenaged boy sitting in her kitchen. Aerith found herself wondering about him, particularly his eyes. How could someone have such eyes, eyes just like Zack's?

Cloud's eyes shifted to Aerith, catching her gawking at him. Aerith blushed and turned her gaze at the table. Cloud pushed his chair back, causing Aerith to look back at him.

"Thank you for the cookies and cocoa," Cloud said to Elmyra. "I have to get going, though."

"Of course, of course," Elmyra replied. "Aerith, see Cloud out."

Aerith nodded reluctantly. She led Cloud to the front door and opened it. Cloud looked down at the girl who was avoiding all eye contact with him, and tilted his head as she spoke.

"So, why didn't you tell my mom that a car almost hit me?" She questioned, getting right to the point. He shrugged, rubbing his arm.

"It's not my place to say, besides it would worry your mom... Your mom is really nice." He complimented.

"Yes, she really is."

"I can't believe she thought I was your boyfriend." He chuckled.

Aerith arched an eyebrow at him. Cloud noticed the look, easily reading what she was thinking.

"To think you didn't have a boyfriend already," he said, "especially someone as cute as you."

Aerith gasped, cheeks burning again. She looked away. Cloud stepped outside and Aerith stared at his back. He turned his head slightly so he could see her out of the corner of his eye.

"Well how about it?"

"How about what?" she inquired.

"Since you don't have a boyfriend, how about going on a date with me?"

"WHAT?"

Cloud smirked. "Tomorrow, meet me at the park in the city."

"No, no way! I have plans tomorrow."

Of course, Aerith did not have plans. How could she go on a date with a person she hardly even knew? It was simply ridiculous. Cloud shrugged his broad shoulders and walked away from the door. Aerith then realized he did not have his coat.

"Hey, wait your coat!"

"I'm in a hurry," Cloud grinned. "So I guess you'll have to give it back to me tomorrow. I'll see you there at two!"

Just as he finished saying that, Yuffie and Tifa were coming up the walkway. Aerith wanted to protest but found herself unable to respond. Cloud walked past Yuffie and Tifa. The two girls watched him walk off and then stared at each other in utter confusion. Then they looked at Aerith who was frozen in her spot. The two best friends ran to Aerith, flooding her with questions.

"Aerith, what was the new kid doing here?" Tifa asked.

"What did he mean 'two'?" Yuffie questioned.

"Do you like him?"

"Are you two going out on a date?"

"What is going on?"

Aerith looked at Tifa first and then at Yuffie. She shook her head and then let out a small laugh. Clever, Cloud Strife was very clever.

"I guess I have a date tomorrow."

X, X, X,

Author Note- There are probably a ton of questions (or maybe none) running through your head after this chapter and all will be revealed in the next one. Also, like I said before this story will only be about four or five chapters so if it seems a little rushed, I am sorry. This is not going to be a long story, just a cute Christmas story. Thanks for reading and thanks for the reviews.

Princess~~