Secret.
Late
by Imperial Strife

School started just like any other day. Well, almost. School started just like any other day, except for an extra desk and chair placed right at the back of the class.

The transfer student… Some of the teachers mentioned that he would be starting class this week.

She doesn't give it any further thought as her friend Yuffie drags her off to see some 'totally hot guy'.

--

Third class of the day, and surprisingly, everyone is still wide awake. Of course, the current teacher has a knack for 'motivating' his students to pay attention in his lessons. In fact, Cid Highwind has a reputation for delivering lectures that are an unparalleled bore while managing to keep his students awake at the same time. Nobody knows how, either.

Five minutes to break time, she thinks, already struggling to keep awake amidst Cid's ongoing monotony about airships and flight systems.

A sharp knock on the door, before it clicks open and light from the corridor spills into the darkened room. A student with unruly hair, school blazer and duffel slung casually over his shoulder saunters into the room, scuffed sneakers and all, before strolling across to Cid and handing him a piece of paper.

She can see Cid's face growing redder by the second.

'You're late, boy! And somebody turn on the lights!'

There is a general commotion on the far side of the room as Wedge and Biggs scrambles desperately for the wall switch. A few of the smarter ones in class grimace and retrieve earplugs from their bags. Another thing students learn quickly in Cid's class was that it usually gets very, very noisy when someone's late for class.

The room lights flicker on, and soon everyone gets their first look at the new kid.

Blue eyes. Nice features. Great physique. And blonde. Yuffie must be drooling already.

She shoots a quick glance at her friend two seats away, and sure enough, Yuffie is swallowing copious amounts of saliva down her throat. Apparently, Yuffie has already forgotten about that 'totally hot guy' from before.

Typical Yuffie behaviour, she shrugs mentally. Still, she has to admit that the guy is somewhat cute. Fine, he is extremely cute, but as far as she was concerned, all boys are jerks. Especially the better looking ones.

'Transfer student huh?'

'Yes sir.'

'Alright,' Cid growls, before looking at his watch. A few more students stuff tissue into their ears as they prepare for the inevitable. In geography, this phenomenon is otherwise known as 'calm before the storm'.

The transfer student stuffs a hand into his pocket, and his other comes up subconsciously to scratch the back of his head. Yuffie chokes and nearly fell off her chair while squealing in excitement.

'You do know what time lessons begin, right?'

Silence. Everyone covers their ears.

'Then why in freaking hell are you late? Didn't your mum ever teach you the concept of punctuality?'Cid roars, before pausing to catch his breath, hacking violently. Smoking does that to your lungs.

'What reason do you have for being late?'

'…none, sir.'

Cid looks as if he's going to explode again, but is interrupted by another coughing fit. Taking a deep breath, Cid manages to regain his composure before continuing.

'I'll deal with you after school. Find an empty seat and get your ass over there before I kick you over.'

The new student doesn't budge an inch.

'What is it?!'

'It's break time, sir,' comes the lazy reply.

--

She exchanges an exasperated look with Jessie, as the class streams back in for lesson after break. The past hour has been rather tiring for the both girls, as it mainly involved restraining a vehement Yuffie who was intent on 'introducing' herself to the new student. She really doubts that he wants to be introduced to Yuffie, from past experience.

Then it was time for lessons.

--

The bell goes, and school is out for the day. Like always she heads for the parking lot with Jessie and Yuffie, discussing the latest movies, and boybands,. They are halfway across the baking asphalt when she remembers all of a sudden that her notes are still in class.

Slapping her forehead mentally in frustration, she considers running back to class to get them.

Well, we do have a test next week…

'Hey, guys? Go on ahead without me. I left my notes in class and I've got to go get it.'

--

I hate climbing stairs. Why does homeroom have to be on the top level?

She pauses for a moment to catch her breath, before walking down the deserted corridors to her homeroom. Everyone still in school at this time would either be in the playing fields or their respective clubrooms, so there wasn't a soul to be seen. Creepy.

Pushing the heavy, wooden door open, she felt along the wall for the light switch, and nearly laughed out loud in disbelief as they buzzed to life.

And there he is, feet on table, mouth slightly open as he sleeps, with his head hanging off the back of the chair. No doubt he's exhausted after his 'extra lessons' with Cid.

Heading for her table, she grabs her notes and organises them hastily before stuffing them into her bag. She's about to turn to leave, when curiosity gets the better of her and she finds herself standing beside him, looking down and unsure of what to do.

She giggles softly as she observes him napping.

He is pretty cute after all. No wonder all the other girls were checking him out during break…

She waves a hand over his face, but he's oblivious to his surroundings as he slumbers fitfully.

She giggles again, and pokes him uncertainly in the side with a finger. His eyes fly open, his head snaps forward, and a strong hand grabs her wrist before letting ago when he realises it's only her. Frightened, she backs away, suddenly unsure of what to do.

He blinks a few times to get the sleep out of his eyes, before he speaks.

'Don't do that.'

'…sorry.'

He studies her intently for a moment, intense blue meeting soft hazel. before snatching his duffel and blazer off the floor, throwing them over his shoulder and heading for the door.

Just before he reaches the door, she calls out, softly, and he stops, but doesn't turn around.

'Hey… what's your name?'

A sudden, tense silence hangs in the air as he doesn't speak. What seems like eternity passes, before his rough voice breaches the heavy awkwardness.

'…Cloud.'

'I'm Tifa.'

A/N: Hit that review button. Please.