Chapter 6: But, I Love Him

BY: CSluvGCY :)

Author's Note: Alright, sorry guys. I been kinda busy these past weeks/months. Some personal problems & stuff (read Happiness Is Hard to Find for that stuff). I don't know if this is my best work, but it's been done for about, 2 months ago. Also, my laptop crashed, so yeahh... Enjoy! :)

I woke up with a huge headache. I slowly opened my eyes and scratched the back of my head. What I saw next was a big surprise. Sitting at the edge of my bed was Cloud's mother. I quickly sat up, straightening up my back. "Ow!" I yelped. A shock of excruciating pain shot through me like a lightning bolt. Cloud's mom quickly came to me and placed her hand on my back, supporting me.

"Where does it hurt?" she asked, surprisingly concerned.

I looked up at her. "Right around here..," pressing my back to find the spot where the pain had come from.

"We'll fix that right up." I gave her a small smile and looked down at my hands. The events of last night played in my head. Although, there was a point where I couldn't see anything at all. It was all just pitch black. But, I heard his voice. Cloud...

My head shot up. "Where's Cloud? Is he okay?" I asked, almost yelling.

"Cloud's fine," she explained. "he's checking up on his friend. Aerith if I can recall. The little girl was scared out of her wits! She wouldn't go home until Cloud agreed to walk her home. Poor girl.. Her parents must've been worried sick at the sight of her."

Oh. "Oh... Well, he came back all right, right? No injuries, no scratches, not anything?"

She brushed back my hair with her hand. "Don't worry too much about Cloud. He's fine. You should be more worried about your health and injuries, am I right?" I nodded. "Now, I..I hope you're feeling better because I have some..good news to tell you." I looked at her with curious eyes. "As you know, you've been with us for 6 days now. Well, one of those days you were asleep the whole time, but anyways. I..I found someone who would like to, umm..adopt you. And we've arranged for your leaving tonight," I abruptly stood up, worried that I wouldn't have time to tell Cloud, or does he already know about this? She gently pulls me back down "You'll have enough time to tell Cloud about your decision. I know its technically not your decision, but as you've noticed, ever since you have arrived here, my son has been very distracted and he's been getting into so much trouble. It's not like him... Would you, please just say a silent farewell to him?"

So much pain.. How could this have happened? I tried so hard to be normal. To be loved again But this, this is worse then being abandoned. Why does fate hate me so? What have I ever done wrong? I'm sorry I love him, I really am. But, it's unfair.. Everyone I love, I lose. What does the future hold for me? I don't have enough strength left in me to trust again. Because I know that I will never meet a guy like Cloud again. And it hurts, knowing I have to leave him without him knowing. Maybe this is fate. This is a sign; we weren't meant to be together. And yet, fate is cruel..

"Yes. A silent farewell is fine. But," My eyes swelled up with tears, blurring my vision, "nothing is going on between us. He's just been very nice to me. And I appreciate that. Because I have no friends left. At least, in this world..,"

She reaches out and grasps my hands. "You truly are an angel. I hope your mother and father are watching you now because you are growing up to be a beautiful woman. I apologize for anything my son or I have done to offended you. I truly am sorry."

"It's-"

"Madam, your 4 o'clock appointment is here."

I look down at my hands, my heart racing faster and faster. This can't be happening. This can't be happening! Wake up. Wake up, Tifa..

I feel something touch my hand and I open my eyes. Cloud's mom looked me in the eyes with deep concern. "If there is anything you want, anything at all, just tell me. I feel so insanely guilty about this..," she said, her voice sounding quieter and quieter each passing second.

Anything I want..? To stay? No, that's too much. "Can I..have more time to say good-bye?" I ask.

"How much time are you wishing for?" she asked, eyeing me in suspicion.

"Just..just one day. Please, I just need one day with him. Just one..and I'll be gone. You'll never see me again."

"I didn't mean it like that. I just, I want my son to be at his happiest. To succeed so he can grow up to run his father's business. Distractions are too risky," she says, looking away into the distance. I sit there, waiting for an answer to my question; my one wish. "...One day. Tomorrow night, your new "father" will come and escort you to your new home. Get your things packed and ready. You may take any of your belongings and things we've given you," she kisses my forehead,"if this one wish satisfies you so, I am proud to have met you, Tifa. You're like the daughter I never had. Don't you ever forget that."

And with that, she walked out the door. Daughter she never had? I thought she hated me? I thought I was nothing but a burden; an orphan girl with no hope and trust, and no future. I fall back down on my bed. One day..just one day with Cloud. I've been here, only six days. This place truly is heaven. I know now, that I can be loved again. Pulling the sheets back over my head, I drift off into an endless sleep.

x-x :O

I woke up around night time, and noticed a letter on the pile of clothes and such on my drawer. I opened it up, and it read:

You sleep too much. Wake up and meet me at the well in the center of town. Don't be late. Bring me a sandwich while you're at it.

-Cloud

P.S. I was just kidding about the sandwich. Unless you're up for it :)

I rolled my eyes and got off the bed. I guess Cloud had picked an outfit for me to wear. Picking it up, I noticed it was a dress. A blue dress. Are you kidding me? It's a well, not a fancy restaurant. Sighing, I slipped the dress on, and struggled balancing trying to put the matching heels on. He is SO gonna get it!

Tiptoeing down the stairs toward the front doors, I glance around, hoping Cloud's mother wasn't down here. I made it past the door and out into the warm air.

x-x :O

Turning around the curve of the well, I finally spot Cloud sitting on the edge, his legs swinging back and forth. "You wanted to tell me something?" I asked, sitting down beside him.

He brought his arm up behind his head and scratched his neck. "Uhh, yeah," he cleared his throat,"how did you sleep?"

I looked at him, annoyed. He put his hands out and waved them. "No, I meant..," he bit his lip,"do you hurt? Anywhere?"

"You didn't have to bring me here to ask me that, Cloud. I know something's wrong." Placing my hand lightly on top of his, I say, "Just tell me."

"I love you," he blurted.

I was stunned. We had only known each other for what, not even a week?, and he's confessing his love for me? I wanted to tell him that I love him too, but I will have to leave him soon. I don't want to hurt him... But, I should be honest here, right?

Gulping, I reply, "Cloud, I think this is going a little too fast. I mean, we're just kids, right?" He nodded, his eyes locked on mine. Trying not to hesitate to prove him of my honesty, I state, "Many relationships end fast. During middle school and high school, I mean. We're still building a friendship here. I don't wanna ruin anything, and-"

Suddenly, he leaned in towards me, our nose almost touching. "I know you like me. Please don't deny that fact." He bit his lip. My eyes locked onto his lips as he bit them. It was so hard not to watch. Almost...irrestible. How can such a weird action make me so distracted? Or is just the fact that it's Cloud doing it? "Will you go out with me?"

"I-..what?"

He leaned back, cupped his mouth with his hands and yelled, "TIFA! WILL YOU GO ON A DATE WITH ME TOMORROW?"

I felt something warm come down my face and I finally realized they were tears. I quickly wiped them away just as Cloud looked at me. I cupped my mouth and yelled in reply,"YES, CLOUD! I WILL GO ON A DATE WITH YOU TOMORROW!"

Wiping my (hopefully) last tears away, I turn to him and smile. He looked at me with a suspicious look, but I ignored it, hoping he would just act like it was nothing. He gently pushed my head on his shoulder as he leaned against a pole behind him. As the night passed, all my worries were washed away. Just for the moment. I knew that tomorrow would be when karma gets back at me. Just because it wants to torment me.

I guess I sank down sometime during the night because I remember hearing his heartbeat. Thump..thump..thump...

Author's Note: It's been awhile, hasn't it? I hope you guys haven't forgotten me, cause I haven't given up on you guys yet! How'd you like my element of SURPRISE? Lol. I promise I'll try to post up sooner! Like, way WAY sooner. May the force be with you :O 3