Chapter 3 - Rival??

I woke up the next day with an unusual bounce in my step. I was excited to get to school... I thought back and remembered my comment about people who enjoy going to school and shrug it off...

The day started off pretty much in the same fashion. Zack had of course tried passing notes in class, which I at first tried to brush off but once I tried to give him a annoyed glare I couldn't help but smile softly at the puppy dog look on his face. So, with a soft sigh which I tried to make sound annoyed, we started passing notes in class.

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"Oi, Spike so what are you doing after school today," Zack asks casually.

I tilt my head slightly,"...It depends on what you're about to ask me...And didn't I say I don't like being called spike?"

Zack Grinned leaning forward hands at his sides, "O.K. Would you rather me call you Chocobo Head?"

I crossed my arms and sighed shaking my head, "Fine by me," Zack beamed thinking he won, "But only If I can call you Pup."

Zack shrunk, "Aw, now thats no fair.. Oi, you're knocking me off topic Cloudy!"

My brow twitches at his 'new' nickname and I let out a breath in defeat. " I don't really have set plans..."

Zack smirked widened and before he could open his mouth he was aburtly pushed forward into me by some unknown force. My eyes widened as I was smothered by Zack's black mane. I feel him place his hands on my shoulders shortly after to help steady himself. He's apologizing but I can't hear a word of it... His hair..just smells so good..

Its completely... Intoxicating...

The warmth of his hands on my shoulders begin to weaken my knees and I can feel my body relax under his steading grip. My eyes close slowly in this short moment as he floods my senses completely.

If only you knew what you do to me.. I laugh in my mind... You'd hit me if you knew what I'd like you to do to me...

A few seconds pass until he pushes himself back into a standing position and twists to see exactly what knocked him nearly flat to his face. I hear Zack laugh softly and a females voice coyly answer him with a witty remark...

Female... My eyes open quickly in question and I can't hid my agitation at the slim arms wrapped around Zack's slender waist.

"Geezzz Aerith.. If it weren't for Cloudy over there I would've been kissing tiles!!"

" Oh stop, you're just being over dramatic love!"

My brows tense tightly together. So much so that I can almost feel them almost touching...

Love...??

"I am not, think about it you could've damaged my impecible features," Zack pretends to be looking at himself in a make believe mirror. Posing his face with pouty lips and framing his face with his hand. Aerith extracts a small "Ouff" from Zack with a soft elbow to his side.

Zack smiles and rubs the back of his head before looking over at a very confused Cloud, "You alright Cloud?"

When he uses my name, and not my nickname, I learned its usually because he thinks I'm upset or some things wrong. I force my face to relax, " Yeah. Fine."

I'm not fine...Who is that?! Love? ... Who the hell is this Aerith girl?? ...

I note my jealous thoughts and bite my lip...

For Christ sake Cloud shut up, you knew this guy wasn't gay, and he's too attractive to be single... should this surprise you?? Think back, he did say he was popular with the ladies... key word being ladies not men!!

Aerith obiviously annoyed at the sudden loss of attention from her boyfriend poked Zacks side. "So...You going to introduce me??"

"Oh! Sorry, almost forgot," he started," Aerith meet Cloudy. Spike meet Aerith."

Another small elbow prodded another sentence out of Zacks mouth. One that truly crushed me, even though I knew it was coming, hearing it was still devastating, "My girlfriend." A small smile graced his face. While mine remained more or less flat. Still I extended my hand slowly to greet her formally. "Pleasure...," she took my hand in a very dominating shake and smiled, "Pleasures all mine, it's always nice to meet another one of Zack's friends."

She quickly drew her attention from me and shot back to Zack pressing herself to his chest and staring up at him, "So are you busy tonight? I'd really love to spend some time with you... Maybe watch a movie at my place..?" She traced her pointer finger over his chest tracing the well toned muscles under Zack's shirt, "If it gets too late.. You can always stay the night..."

That made my heart sink, her words, the way she spoke them... I knew the subliminal intent in her voice, and I felt my stomach knot.

"Well, actually um... I kinda already asked Cloudy here if he was doing anything, and well you know I hate to break off plans... Can we plan it for another time," Zack asked nervously knowing her response would be less than pleased.

My head shot up and I looked at Zack in question.. Not many guys would turn down such a obivious invitation... especially for a friend.. and most certainly not for a friend they just met... Either Zack was just a really honorable guy or maybe... He really rather hang out with me instead...

Thats ridiculous he must just be honoring his invitation...

The look she gave him was nothing less than pure agravation, which she quickly shot towards me with a glance from the corner of her eye. Turning back to him, "...Well alright...Give me a call if you change your mind...," she leaned up on her toes and kisses him. I had to look away as he kissed her back holding the small of her back. I'm sure my face was flushed with anger, I couldn't let them see that, I started to walk out of the building.

Zack picking up on my quick retreat broke his kiss and gave Aerith a quick squezze on her shoulder, " I'll see you later, " with that he jogged after Cloud, "Yo Cloudy! Wait up!!"

Aerith stood elated staring at the door her boyfriend had just left out of to follow Cloud. Her tiny fists balled at her sides turning her knuckles white. And childish puff of annoyance was extracted from her lips. "I can't believe the nerve of him!" She turned to storm back down the hall to get her things from her locker thinking to herself along the way.

I'll just have to find out who prick Cloud is...

with that thought she whipped her cell phone out of her locker and dialed one of her girlfriends.

" Hey... Yeah, Tifa...What do you know about the new kid, Cloud? "

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sorry not as long... I might add another tonight or at least I'm starting it any who thanks for the subs! leave me feedback next chapter Clouds Confused... Zacks straight...right??