Hay everyone, I got this chapter done a lot quicker than I thought I would. I'm back at school now, it's going to kill all my energy, and my time too. Anyhow, my wonderful beta was just, wonderful. She gave me advise with my grammar and I improved quite a bit, and she gave me a good idea for a part of the story.
Ok, There are a few dark ideas in this, just warning you, and the date is written in the English way, so day, then month, then year. Also, the word Prat is what me and my friends use to call an idiot, just letting you know
Lightning froze, her whole body tensing up. She didn't know what to do; she had never kissed anyone before, not ever. It was a weird sensation, but she wasn't complaining. His lips were warmer then she had thought, sending a feeling of warmth all down her body. She closed her eyes slightly and kissed back, her left hand moving up to brushed a few stray strands of his hair away for his eyes, smiling as she did so.
After a few moments, Hope pulled away unwillingly, blushing slightly.
"How was it?" he whispered almost breathlessly.
Lightning opened her eyes, her cheeks tinted pink and she smiled, "Best first kiss ever." Her one hand stroke the right side of Hope's face. He lent into her touch, like he wanted to feel her warmth before she had to leave. She watched him place the guitar onto the floor and closed her eyes when his arms rapped around her, pulling her close to him. She breathed his scent in as he rested his head on hers, nuzzling her hair slightly with his nose.
They lay there for ten minutes or so, neither wanting to move. Lightning sighed and pulled away, looking disappointed.
"We need to go if I'm going to catch my train," Lightning said disappointedly. Both she and Hope wanted to stay with each other over longer, but if Lightning missed the train, she would be late for patrol tomorrow.
Hope locked the warehouse back up before he slipped his hand into Lightning's. She blushed deeply, but it soon faded away. They walked in silence, the snow is still falling and by the time they reached the station, Lightning's hair is covered of hundreds of small flakes of snow.
The station is quiet, with only some late night shoppers scrabbling with bags and a gang on drunken men singing Humpy dumpy at the top of their lungs, though this version of the nursery rhyme contained a lot of rude words in it. Hope walked Lightning to the gates. She turned to face him, a smile spread wide over her face.
"Thank you for an amazing first date, Hope," she gratefully said, her eyes shining brightly.
"And thank you for making it amazing," he smiled back, causing Lightning to giggle. She lent in a kiss on his cheek softly.
"Bye, Hope," she whispered, turning away, handing her ticket to the guard, who pressed a button, which opened the gate. She began walking, but paused for a moment.
She looks over her shoulder and yells, "I decided, me blushing is a good sign." Hope couldn't help but laugh.
His trainers hit the pavement as he ran down the road. His hair flapping around his face as he skidded to a holt in front of a girl with long chestnut hair sitting on the wall.
"New record, 4 minutes late," the girl smirked.
"Kaira, please, I couldn't find my essay. Thankfully, I found it under some dirty t-shirts."
Kaira laughed and jumped off of the wall. Her hair almost reached her waist, with a lot of it falling over her right side, making it unable to see her green eye on that side. She wore a short, deep purple dress with ripped jeans and her black sweatband on her left wrist. She also has one bright blue highlight in the front of her hair, braided and tucked behind her ear. She also carried a multi-colored bag covered with random words and a number of key rings.
"So…" she asked as they began walking towards the school, "how did the date go?"
"You always go straight to the point, don't you?" Hope laughed, swinging his rucksack back into a comfy position on his shoulders.
"HOW DID IT GO?" she yelled, jumping up and down, her key rings clanking.
"I'll tell you once we reach school," Hope said, having to grab Kaira to get her to stay still.
"Why?" Kaira moaned, crossing her arms.
"Because I know Maqui and Yuj will also ask me the same question and it will be easier for me to tell you altogether."
"Fine," she grumbled. She grabbed Hope's hand and pulled him down the road, yanking him around the corner. Hope stumbled and struggled to keep up with Kaira without having his arm ripped off.
"KAIRA, SLOW DOWN!" Hope yelled, as he just managed to dodge the lamppost. He wrenched his hand out of her grip, falling backwards and landing flat on the ground. Groaning in pain, he rubbed the back of his head, which was now pounding like hell. Pushing himself up onto his knees, he winced in pain when he put weight on the palms of his hands. Bringing them up to his face, he saw that they were grazed pretty badly, blood trickling down from the wound.
"You okay?" Kaira asked, kneeling down next to him, her playfulness almost suddenly changed to concern, and Hope could sense fear from her.
"I'm okay," Hope moaned, watching the blood on his left hand reach his wrist. Using his middle finger, he whipped the blood, making a line around the bottom of his wrist.
"You don't look like you're okay, you know," Kaira gasped.
Hope could sense how concerned Kaira is. She is one of the most cheerful and carefree people you could ever meet, but she had taken it on herself to help take care of Hope after his mother's death. She knew more about Hope than his dad and knew things that scare her more than she says.
Hope smiled and shook his head, "No." He looks at her, "Far from it." Kaira sighed and gently grabbed Hope's arm, pulling him to his feet.
"Don't scare me then," she said in a whiney voice, crossing her arms and wearing an expression that made Hope laugh.
"Sorry," he laughed, slinging his bag back onto his shoulders before walking to school.
"What the heck happened to you?" Yuj asked as Kaira and Hope walked through the gates. Hope's hands are bounded in emergency bandages that Kaira's mom makes Kaira keep in her bag.
"I fell over while Kaira was dragging me to school because I refused to tell her what happened on the date till we meet up with you two because I don't want to tell it twice," Hope muttered while Kaira just smiled.
"Well, can you tell us now?" Maqui asked, his blonde hair getting flattened by the black beanie hat pulled over his hair.
"Sure, on the way to homeroom," Hope laughed, turning to walk through the double doors at the front of the building.
"So, what was it like meeting her face to face?" Yuj asked, running after him.
"I don't know how I'll describe it. She was amazing on webcam, but in real life… I can't find anything to describe her. Maybe… perfect?"
"Where did you go?" Maqui asked, appearing on Hope's over side.
"We went to this little restaurant a few streets away from our hangout."
"Wow, nice," Kaira smiled as they began walking their way through all the younger students, who were all chatting and discussing about their weekends and whether they had done their homework or not.
"I fell asleep about halfway through the date," Hope confessed, smiling awkwardly.
"Awch," Maqui laughed.
"Did she get mad?" Yuj asked as they walked into their homeroom, which is full of students chatting in groups, most sitting down on their chairs or desks, with the rest standing.
"No, she didn't mind at all," Hope smiled brightly as he sat down at his seat by the window. Maqui sat down on the desk next to Hope's, while Kaira sat on Hope's and Yuj lent against the wall.
"Did you..." Kaira started asking, before she froze, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Prats at 6 o'clock," she whispered. They turned around to see a group of three boys walking towards them. One has short brown hair that flopped over his face. He has an evil smile curled onto his face and is wearing an expensive t-shirt and trousers. The boy behind him has brown hair too, though his is a lot lighter. He looked like he didn't want to be there. His hands into his jean pockets while the over boy shared a similar smile as the first boy. He has short blonde hair that was gelled up and wore a black jacket and jeans.
"Hey, losers," the dark brown-haired boy said.
"Hey, William," Kaira greeted sourly, giving no hint of anger, though Hope knew she wanted to punch William on the face.
"What's happening in Loser Ville?" he said, smirking as he did so, "Hope telling you how he fucked his boyfriend last night." Yuj noticed Kaira's hand curl into a fist just in time to grab her arm before her fist made contact with William's face.
"Kaira!" Yuj yelled, the brown-haired boy taking a step back as Yuj restrained Kaira, while the blonde hair boy laughed.
"Violence doesn't solve anything, Kaira," William laughed as Kaira glared at him, managing to wrench her hand away from Yuj.
"Kaira, stop it, please," Hope said, who had been staring outside of the window the entire time. Kaira scowled at the boys before sitting down on the desk, glaring at William.
"How long are you actually planning on keeping that joke running?" Hope asked, turning to face William, who smirked evilly at him.
"What do you mean?" he smirked also, knowing exactly what Hope meant.
"Well, this has been running for over a year now, and you and your little group are the only ones who seemed to find it funny. I don't understand why you even keep teasing me," Hope said.
"Why shouldn't I? You, just a useless person, who is most likely gay," William said, glaring at Hope, who started laughing.
"Okay, so just because I apparently don't flirt with girls, that somehow makes me gay?"
By this point the whole class is watching them too. It wasn't uncommon, even unheard of, for Hope to be fighting back, and be actually winning the argument.
"Yes," William said, moving closer to Hope till he was standing over him. "And, since when have you ever had the courage to stand up to anyone?" Hope looked up, and started smiling. The whole class was now listening to them now; no one is talking; no noise other than the chatter and footsteps of the final odd students running down the hallway.
"Two reasons: one, I finally know how much of a jackass you are, not just to me, but also to my friends. Secondly," he stood up so his face is only millimeters away from William's, "I have a fucking girlfriend." After he had said that, William's smile fell into a look of utmost shock. The whole class was wearing either a look of shock or excitement; it was hard to tell.
"I don't believe you," William whispered, his voice edged with anger, his eyes locked onto Hope's.
"You don't have to believe it if you don't want to, but that's the truth," Hope countered, just as the bell rings. Looking away, William grabbed his bag and stormed out of the classroom followed closely by his two friends. Hope stood there, watching them go; knowing every eye in the classroom was looking at him.
"See you guys at lunch," Hope coolly said to Yuj, Maqui and Kaira, who were looking at him with shock at what he had done. He grabbed his rucksack, swinging it over his shoulders before walking out of the classroom.
He pushed past the younger students trying to get to their lessons. He knew that story would get around pretty quickly. No one stands up to William, other than Kaira, but normally by trying to punch him. He pushed the door to his Math classroom, walked to his seat, and looked up at the board. Noticing that they will be having cover work, he sighed, realizing that it was work he had already done at home. He just sat in his seat while the rest of the students began entering the classroom.
Great, got an hour to kill, Hope thought, rummaging in his bag for a while. He managed to find his phone and pulled it out. Most of the students had also already done the work so most were chatting or texting, with the odd few pulling out there textbooks.
Hope flicked through his contacts till he found Lightning's number.
Hey, he sent, leaning back on his chair, looking out of the window, about twenty seconds later, his phone vibrated.
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
8:54 AM
Hey, aren't u supposed to be at school?
Your message:
I am, we got cover work
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
8:56 AM
So you want me to help you kill the lesson
Your message:
Pretty much
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
8:57 AM
Just be glad I got no patrols today
Your message:
How r u
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
8:59 AM
Good, though Serah got Snow coming around today
Your message:
You really hate him do you
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:00 AM
He is a total jackass who can't do anything right, he and his little group of hooligans drive me nuts
Your message:
He can't be a jackass
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:02AM
Fine he is a prat, the biggest prat I have ever met
Your message:
And ur letting him date your sister
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:06AM
Serah knows I don't like him, but she loves him so I can't exactly stop her, she is partially older than me in some ways
Your message:
That she has to take care of a stubborn kid
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:07AM Hope that was not funny
Your message:
In my opinion it was
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:09AM
well then your opinion is wrong
Your message:
Lightning just admit it you laughed
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:11AM
No I did not
Your message:
Fine
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:14AM
Hope can I ask you what you didn't want to tell me on our date
Your message:
Huh?
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:17AM
You know when you told Summer we were dating and I asked why you told her, and you said it was complicated
Your message:
You really want to know
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:18AM
Yes, ur my boyfriend and I want to know what's happening Hope
Your message:
Ok, when I first came to high school I got bullied cos I wasn't like popular, the jokes were hurtful cos they were mainly about my mum. No one had met her so they all thought she has let me and my dad, so they said mean stuff about her. One day I lost it and yelled that she had died saving 20 kids in an attack that had happened near the end of the war. After that they stop.
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:22AM
Oh
Your message:
And a year ago, this boy moved into our school, and for some reason started bullying me, the jokes were not hurtful at first, but because I didn't really talk to girls over then Kaira, he spread a rumor that I was gay, and a lot of people believed him. It took us six months to make almost everyone realize I was not gay, a few people still think I am, but I got pretty beaten up and stuff during the time
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:24AM
Omg, how could they do that to you
Your message:
Idk, they just did, I never been that strong
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:25AM
You are Hope
Your message:
How do you know
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:25AM
I feel it
Your message:
Thanks Lightning
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:26AM
Its ok
Your message:
It'll be fine now, almost everyone other than one or two odd people believe I'm gay. Anyhow the people in my homeroom knew I have a girlfriend
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:27AM
Did you tell them?
Your message:
Kindov, William came up to tease me and I stood up to him, and I said I wasn't gay and I had a girlfriend.
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:28AM
And what did he do?
Your message:
He said he didn't believe me, and I think that is partly true, though most of the class believes me
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:28AM
Hm, well if he doesn't believe you then we just have to make him believe
Your message:
Lightning what are you planning to do?
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:29AM
You'll see
Your message:
I am now scared
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:30AM
Whats the name of your school
Your message:
Palumpolum high, why
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:30AM
Youll see, now what time do you get out
Your message:
6 formers are allowed out at 2:00
Lightning (1001-4937-0884)
07/12/2013
9:31AM
Ok, well seya
Your message:
Lightning wait
Hope sighed and put his phone back in his bag, looking at the clock he saw he had five minutes left. Leaning back on his chair, he stared out of the window, not knowing whether he should be scared about what Lightning was planning or not.
The next two lessons went quickly. Nothing exciting happened when it became a bit when halfway through Science, during the experiment, Lewis's pen exploded in his mouth and ink went everywhere and he had to go to the bathroom to get the ink off of his hands and out off of his mouth. The bell for lunch rang and the class started packing up their bags. While Hope is packing his, his phone vibrated and he check to see if Lightning had replied only to see Maqui's name. Opening the message, it read:
Maqui (1025-9284-1736)
07/12/2013
11:45 AM
Kaira got the recording room for lunch, meet you there.
Putting his phone back into his bag, he swung it over his shoulder and started walking towards the recording room. When he got there, he found Yuj and Maqui leaning against the recording booth, sharing a giant packet of cheesy Doritos.
"Want one?" Maqui asked, holding out the packet. Hope shook his head and sat down next to them.
"Why are we in here?" Hope asked.
"Because I got my exam coming up in 3 weeks and I want to practice," Kaira answered, sticking her head out of the recording booth.
"Also, we wanted to make sure you didn't get asked about what happened this morning," Yuj stated, sticking his and into the Dorito bag, pulling a few chips out before stuffing them in his mouth.
"Thanks for the consideration," Hope gratefully said, opening his bag and pulling out his can of coke.
"Right. You got to be quiet now cos we are going to be recording." Kaira replied
"Who's manning the recording thing?" Yuj asked.
"No one. I set it up so one of you just needs to click record and start the music. I got everything else set up. And, it's just a practice so I don't need anyone else." Said Kaira, who grabbed the headphones and pulled them over her head
"Okay, I'll go man the recording then. Just tell me when you're ready," Yuj volunteered, standing up and going into the control room. Kaira got into position in front of the microphone, and gave Yuj the thumbs. The music started playing. Hope didn't recognize it, but he knew Kaira must have picked it for a reason.
Well, I know the feeling
Of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge
And there ain't no healing
From cutting yourself with the jagged edge
As soon as that Hope heard that line, his hand went to straight to his chest
I'm telling you that, it's never that bad
Take it from someone who's been where you're at
Laid out on the floor
And you're not sure you can take this anymore
So just give it one more try to a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
'Cause I can't get you on the telephone
So just close your eyes
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby
Hope slipped his hand under his t-shirt. His fingers touched the two deep lines that run across his chest.
Please let me take you
Out of the darkness and into the light
'Cause I have faith in you
That you're gonna make it through another night
Stop thinking about the easy way out
There's no need to go and blow the candle out
Because you're not done
You're far too young
And the best is yet to come
So just give it one more try to a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
'Cause I can't get you on the telephone
So just close your eyes
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby
He traced the marks on his chest, running along the almost perfectly straight scars, like they would magically disappear.
Well, everybody's hit the bottom
Everybody's been forgotten
When everybody's tired of being alone
Yeah, everybody's been abandoned
And left a little empty handed
So if you're out there barely hanging on...
Just give it one more try to a lullaby
And turn this up on the radio
If you can hear me now
I'm reaching out
To let you know that you're not alone
And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell
'Cause I can't get you on the telephone
So just close your eyes
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby
Oh, honey here comes a lullaby
Your very own lullaby
Hope grabbed his bag and ran out of the room, tears starting to fall from his eyes. He ran down the hall, pushing past all the students hanging around, eating there lunch or chatting. He continues to run, till he finds the door on the top floor, fiddling with the lock on the door. He enters the combo and the lock clicks open. Pulling the door open, he ran up the steps, tears streaming out of his eyes, his lip trembling. He gasps as he met the cool air as he reached the roof of the school.
He sat down, leaning against one of the pipes, wiping the tears from his eyes. Pulling his t-shirt, he examined the scars he wished he had never added to his body. They were pure white against his skin, running from the side of his body to just above his belly button, the two scars are so close they are almost touching. He sat there, just feeling the air in his body. He didn't know how long he sat there, but after a long time, he sighed and pulled his t-shirt over his head and checked his phone, 1:48pm it read. Hope Sighed and put his phone back into his bag. He had missed most of the last lesson and there was no point joining the lesson, as he would just be asked question on why he missed almost the whole lesson.
Pulling himself to his feet, he looked out over the courtyards, and was taken back with what he saw. Lightning is standing by the gate; she is wearing a black hoodie, with brown shorts and black tights and trainers. She is looking at her phone, obviously keeping an eye on the time. Hope grabbed his bag and ran down the stairs. When he reached the corridor, he turned to lock the door again, then running down the corridor. As he ran down the steps to the third floor, he almost ran right into a teacher.
"Hope, aren't you supposed to be in class?" the teacher asked.
"I missed it," is all he can say, sidestepping her and continue running down the corridor. He knew he would be getting in trouble for missing class, but he didn't care at the moment. He just wanted to hug Lightning. As he continues running, a class is walking back from using a computer room. He has no choice but to slide step all of them, till the teacher stop him. Gritting his teeth, Hope tried to not swear at the teacher who was glaring at him.
"Mr. Estheim, why are you not in class?"
"I skipped it," Hope plainly said, staring at the teacher.
"And why is that?" the teacher asked, glaring back, the whole class of year 8 had stopped and stared at them.
"Well, sir… I… Hmm…" Hope didn't continue what he has to say. He tried to sidestep the teacher, but the teacher blocked him.
"Mr. Estheim, just because you're an A student doesn't mean you can skip classes."
Hope remained silent. He moved backwards and ran past the teacher. He doesn't care if that teacher will yell at him the next time they meet as long as he sees Lightning.
He ran past the reception and pushed the double doors open. He saw Lightning look up from her position at the gate, shocked that he was out five minutes early. He ran over to her, and before she could say anything, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her. She looked completely shocked, but when Hope buried his noise into the hair covering her shoulder, she hugged him back. Hope closed his eyes. He felt safe in Lightning's arms. He could feel her breathing in his ear and her heart beating.
"I've missed you," he whispered, as they separated, their eyes locking.
"Same," Lightning smiled. They heard the bell inside the school ring and they look at the building.
"So this was your plan?" Hope asked, turning back to her.
Lightning nodded, smiling at him, "If they see me in flesh and bone, they will have to believe you." Hope smiled back and took her hand, letting their fingers interlink.
"Thanks, Lightning, for all of this."
"It's okay," she smiled, kissing his cheek. They turned to see the first set of set of 6 formers leaving though the double doors. Hope saw that William is among them, chatting with Callum and Isaac.
"That's them," Hope whispered, pointing at William, Callum and Isaac.
"Okay," Lightning whispered, squeezing Hope's hand gently, before letting it go. Hope took a deep breath then began walking towards William, while Lightning waited by the gate, her arms wrapped around her waist.
"Hey, William," Hope yelled as he walked towards them. William's head turned. When he saw Hope, he glared at him.
"Hey, loser," the bully called, as Hope stopped in front of him, "How's the whole pretending-not-to-be-gay coming along."
"I'm not gay," Hope retorted.
"Oh, poor thing, you thought that what you said earlier would make me believe you're not. Well unfortunately, Hope, even if you weren't gay, you would never get a girlfriend, so that kind of back fired."
Hope smirked, and Lightning, who had been listening to the conversation, began walking towards them.
"And what makes you say that?" she asked confidently, standing in front of William and glared at him.
"Who are you?" William snarled, his attention now drawn to her.
"I am Hope's apparently imaginary girlfriend who doesn't exist," she answered, her voice heavy with anger. Before William can reply, Callum spoke, "William, don't you know who that is?"
"No," William replied, turning to face Callum.
"That's Lightning Farron. My brother worked in the Bodhum Guardian Corp for a little while. I had to go with him one day and he said Lightning was the scariest person in the whole Guardian Corp and not to mess with."
"Glad to know I get around," Lightning smiled, her arms crossed. William turned around, now looking slightly scared. "Now, you leave my boyfriend alone, if I find out you have said anything to hurt him, I will personally beat you up so hard you won't be able to walk for a very long time."
William turned slightly white after Lightning has made her threat. Backing away a few steps, he said to Hope, "How can you date her if she's that scary?"
"Simple," Hope smiled, "I like her."
"I guess you just admit defeat," someone called behind William and his friends, and they turned to see Kaira, Yuj and Maqui standing there. William looked at them and his surroundings. Almost everyone in six form was glaring at scowled at everyone before he turned and walked out of the gates.
Lightning turned to face Hope, smiling brightly, blushing slightly.
"Thank you, Lightning," Hope expressed his thanks, leaning up and kissing Lightning. Lightning kissed back, her rapping around his neck while he placed his hands on her waist. After a minute of two, they broke apart, both smiling brightly.
"Better than the first kiss?" he asked, fiddling with Lightning's hair.
Lightning laughed, "Last time, we didn't have over thirty pairs of eyes watching us." Hope laughed too, and lent in and kissed her again.
Ok, I Hope you injoyed the chapter, Please review, it makes me want to write more. Like I said, im back at school, and currently not obsessing over HopeXLightning at the moment (Something is wrong with me at the moment), and I not really in writing mood, but I Hope I can start this weekend or next weekend, but it may take a while
