Chapter 2
"So how have you been Aerith?" said Sarah whipping up a couple of omelettes for Aerith and Kairi (though Aerith had continuously refused) she stirred it around in the frying pan.
"Oh…fine, fine," said Aerith, knowing Sarah was unaware of her abusive relationship with Cloud.
"That's good, so have you decided on what you're gonna do in life hmm?" said Sarah doubling checking the omelettes, murmuring, 'should I turn the cooker higher or lower?'
"Well, seeing as my flowers are growing steadily, and the results are outstanding, I might open a florist if I finally get the money," said Aerith.
"That's a great idea Aerith, you're a young woman, much younger than me I might add, you'll finally get the money…" said Sarah taking out the omelettes from the pan and placing them onto two plates. Sarah was having a slice of toast herself. Not to eat too much before her dance class.
"I'm still waiting for my pay cheque, my boss seems to have trouble sending it to me, she gets a lot of things mixed up," said Aerith.
"Mixed up? Not a very organized boss I should say," said Kairi.
"But why didn't she pay you at the end of your shift?" said Sarah.
"I have no idea, I was thinking of maybe quitting that job and just helping Tifa at the pub, maybe," said Aerith shyly.
"Pub? Tifa's pub? Aerith are you feeling all right?" said Kairi.
"It's a respectable pub, I don't expect Tifa to have a non-respectable one, I know some fights break out, but I'm sure she can handle it, with some help from me…" said Aerith.
"You could call her this afternoon, when you get home, maybe she'll be interested in hiring you," said Kairi chewing on her omelette.
"Yeah, I will," said Aerith eating her omelette.
---
Aerith trailed home later that afternoon, hurrying a little because she wanted to ring Tifa.
She got home and started dialling right away. She waited for an answer and then Cid picked up the phone.
"Y'allo, Cid speaking," said Cid.
"Cid, It's me Aerith," said Aerith.
"Yeah I know it's you," said Cid. "Whaddya want Aerith? You know us members at AVALANCHE are quite busy with somethin', somethin' that Cloud's planning."Aerith swallowed hard. "I was wondering if I could speak to Tifa?"
"Ya, hold on I'll get 'er," said Cid dropping the phone on the counter, she heard Cloud mumbling something to Cid but couldn't make it out. Suddenly she heard someone pick up the phone.
"Hello? Aerith?" said Tifa.
"Oh Tifa, sorry for disturbing you but, I wanted to talk to you about if you have any jobs available at your pub, a helping hand?" said Aerith.
"Well, I do need help, and since Yuffie's gone off hunting for more Materia I've no one else to help me, so I guess I could give you the job, you start tomorrow," said Tifa.
"That's great but…don't I have to go through any documents or such?" said Aerith.
"Nope, we're friends after all, and it's not like this is some big thing you're doing," said Tifa.
"All right then, see you then," said Aerith.
"Bye,," said Tifa and she hung up.
Aerith decided to go have an early night, she didn't want to be there when Cloud finally arrives home.
*******
8:30
Aerith rushed up to the Seventh Heaven, just in time to see Tifa at the counter and Cid sitting on one of the stools.
"You're early," said Tifa. "Well, I would've expected you to come at this time, if it were Yuffie, she wouldn't be here till about half nine."
Aerith giggled.
"Yuffie isn't one for getting up early I suppose," said Aerith, Tifa grinned.
"Well, your job is to bring the drinks to the costumers, or take their orders if I'm busy with another person, not too hard," said Tifa.
"No, not at all," said Aerith.
---
"How's the day so far Aerith?" said Tifa at around five o'clock, the pub was half full. Aerith turned to her and smiled.
"Not bad, it's better than my last job," said Aerith.
"I'm glad you're enjoying it so far¾huh? Oh god, not them-" groaned Tifa, hiding her face behind her hand, Aerith looked over at the table in the far corner. Aerith gasped.
"Who ever knew that the Turks came to your bar," Aerith whispered to Tifa as they ducked behind the counter.
"They don't! This is the first time actually, I wonder what they're up to?" Tifa whispered.
"Well we can't just stay here, look, I'll go take their orders and you can stay here-"
"No way Aerith, I'll do the ordering, you can just serve them, it's much quicker that way and you won't be in much trouble, like Tseng trying to get you to go to Shinra!" said Tifa, she got up, fixed her shirt and bravely marched over to their table. Aerith stayed crouched under the counter, waiting for Tifa to come back. After a few minutes Tifa came back, she leaned down towards Aerith.
"OK, it's up to you now," and she told her what to give them. Aerith nodded and fixed up their drinks, instructed by Tifa of course, and carefully brought them down to the table where all four of the Turks sat. Elena, was the only one who wasn't drinking alcohol and had just requested water instead. Aerith walked sheepishly over to them, Tseng looked up at her. His look a bemused one.
"Aerith? What are you doing here?" said Tseng. Elena frowned at the soft way he spoke to her.
"I have a job here, I'm the waitress," said Aerith hastily, she put down the tray and gave them their drinks.
"Flower girl? You're the waitress at the pub?!" Reno jeered, Aerith stayed calm despite his rude comment.
"Yes," she said without looking at him. "I am actually, and I'm getting paid well enough to do so."
"Well so-rry," said Reno bitterly.
"Shut up Reno," said Elena digging her elbow into his ribs. He winced.
"F**k off Elena," he said angrily.
Aerith strode off towards the counter, Tifa looked at her nervously.
"How'd it go?" Tifa hissed.
"Ok," said Aerith, thinking that the whole thing was ridiculous and why would Tseng start asking her about joining Shinra in a crowded out pub? She decided to let that all slip by, right now she needed to concentrate on her job.
*******
Aerith arrived home quite late, she hadn't taken notice of the time and was chatting to Tifa at closing time, when she had looked at the time it was 1:30. Cloud was sure to be at home…waiting for her…
Aerith stopped at the front door, she held her breath, Cloud was sure to get really angry. And she was definitely sure he was gonna accuse her of being with someone else…she chanced opening the door. Anyways, she did live here, unfortunately.
The door creaked loudly as she opened it, Aerith winced at the sound, surely Cloud would be thundering downstairs any minute now. Unless he just wanted to catch her by surprise. She tip-toed into the hallway, it was awful having to be so careful in your own home. Home was meant to be your sanctuary, yet Aerith felt like walking into a prison. With no escape whatsoever .
And that's when she saw him…sitting on the landing…a cold look plastered on his face. Aerith didn't dare look at him properly, she didn't want to see the coldness in his eyes. She opened her mouth the explain, but was only interrupted by Cloud's demand:"Where the HELL were you!?!" he asked crudely. Aerith was taken aback by his question, only cos it was so sudden.
"I-I," she faltered.
"You what? Had a one night stand with Tseng did you? Or was it Zack this time?" said Cloud angrily.
"What do you mean by THIS time??? I've never been unfaithful to you Cloud!" Aerith snapped without even thinking.
"Shut the hell up you bitch!" Cloud yelled, sitting up so abruptly that Aerith's anger was drowned in fear.
"…I was chatting to Tifa that's all…" she said quietly.
"I'm sure you were…" said Cloud sarcastically. He stepped down from the landing and looked at Aerith.
"But I was ¾"Aerith was greeted by a punch on the face from Cloud, his fist had caught her lip and it smarted terribly. Blood oozed from the wound in her lip. She held her busted lip, blood dripping on her fingers, Cloud frowned at her.
"…You deserved it," he answered gruffly, retreating up the stairs. Seconds later she heard his bedroom door slam. Well, at least she was left alone now. Aerith fetched some Kleenex and dabbed at her poor swollen lip, the blood was easing a bit after she had held the tissue against it for some time. She disposed of the blood stained tissues and trailed miserably up the stairs to her room…thank god she didn't have to stay in the same room as Cloud.
Aerith quietly pulled out the case from the back of her cupboard, she opened it and carefully flicked through it. She dared think about what Cloud might do if he ever, EVER found it.
Note: Sorry about it being a bit short, and I do apologise about how long it took me to finish this chapter. Oh well, on with the next then J
