Wednesday 12:34

Monday sucked...let's just face it everybody...Monday sucked...I mean, Monday in itself always sucks...but that Monday sucked especially. Well, at least I've made a new friend...but it was hard to avoid Cloud through out Tuesday. It was a nightmare.

And Aerith had cornered me.

"You still need to talk to him."

"I don't feel like it."

Aerith gave an exasperated sigh. "Listen...I know...I told him the reason you really got upset is because of him bringing up that."

"And he just assumes too much." I state, my eyes gazing off into the distance.

"And just what does that mean?"

"He automatically assumed that guy was after one thing, and one thing only...and he wasn't...it was far from it. I actually make a friend, and Cloud goes all psycho."

"Tifa." Her voice is scolding.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Tifa."

"No." I state, and walk away.

I know I'm being a bitch, trust me, I do. I'm not mean often, so I feel as if this one time I deserve to be one and stay one.

I didn't see him leaning up against my car when I walked out of the school that afternoon. It was Yuffie, who nudged my arm and grinned.

"Wow, Tifa...Zack Barrack? Go girl."

Now was not the time to be teasing me about guys, especially since she contributed to this whole fiasco.

I shove her arm, and she winks, unperturbed, as she jogs off to her car.

He does look rather handsome, though, I must admit. He's leaning with his back against the rear end of the car, his foot propped up on the tire. He's crossed his arms, and has got his head tilted back, his eyes closed...almost as if he's sunbathing on my car.

I really hadn't expected him to be there.

He hears me approach, and cracks an eye open, and then grins, pushing off the car.

"Hey." He says, and scratches the back of his head.

Any other time, I would be happy to see him. I'm just in a really freaking bad mood right now. Still, I try to opt for a smile, though I know it only comes out as a smirk.

"Hey." I state.

"What, you having a bad day too?" He asks as I stop in front of him.

"Yeah...what, are you?"

"No, I had a great day...'cept one of my friends was all...depressed today."

"Really? Mind if I ask why?"

"No," He states shrugging. "But he wouldn't tell me, and that was part of the problem...you gonna be the same way?"

I purse my lips. It's not like I can tell him about Cloud freaking out over him.

"I guess so." He says, since I'm not speaking. "Course, can't say I really blame you. We did just meet."

"Oh, it's not that." I hurriedly say.

He cocked an eyebrow in response, "Really?"

"Well...I mean...it's a long...story."

"They always are."

I nod my head in agreement. "Are you sure your friend didn't tell you because you just met?" I ask.

He laughs, "Ah...nah...we've known each other for a few years...he's been in a couple of my classes...we don't really hang out much...but he doesn't ever seem to want to do anything. He's in my chem class with me. He's a good guy."

I nod my head nonchalantly.

"Hey, maybe you know him...he's a senior too."

"What's his name?" I ask, not really paying attention.

"Strife...Cloud Strife."

I think my eyeballs just popped out of my head. I mean...they had to...I mean...my eyes...just flung open so fast.

"Cloud?"

"Yeah...you know him?"

"Do I know him..." I say under my breath.

"So you do?"

I nod my head. "Yes."

"Let me guess...you're upset, he's upset...does this involve the two of you?"

"We had a fight." I say, knowing I'm pouting my lips.

I gaze off into the distance, really wishing I wasn't having this conversation with him right now. Ugh! I'm so pissed off at Cloud now! Earlier I was just upset because I had to avoid him, but now I have legit reason to detest him. How could he just make those assumptions about Zack?! And especially since it was one of his friends! Oh wait till he hears this! ...Course, he did never know it was Zack...but still! Grr...I'm going to slaughter him.

"Yo! Earth to Teef!" Zack's waving his hands in front of my face.

"Sorry..."

"So it was bad?"

"Hmm."

"I'll take that as a yes. Well, you two better fix it then."

"Hmm."

"It's a drag sitting next to him in chem when he won't even talk! I have no entertainment!...well, not that he talks much anyways...but still, fix it."

"Hmm."

Zack gives a snort, "Oh come on, Teef, it's not that bad, right? I'm sure it was just an honest mistake, whatever he did...knowing him, he can be a bit dense sometime, right?"

I frown, he's right...I know he's right...Cloud's about as dense as a brick wall. Still...no, no still...he was just concerned about me, I know...damn...I hate it when he's right and I'm wrong. Still, we're going to have to talk about him not overreacting.

"So, you coming to Drama Club tomorrow?"

I sort of laugh, "Didn't know I was a member."

He gives a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head again. "Well...I mean...ya know..."

"Sure...I'd love to help out."

He smiles again, "Great...well, I need to get going...I'll see you around."

"Okay, later."

"Fix things with Spike, at least for me, okay?"

"Right." And he hops into his car.

I follow suit, whipping out my cell phone immediately.

Cloud doesn't answer. "Dammit Cloud! Call me back!"

...I'm sure that message will leave him eager to return my call, but still. It's another hour before he does. I'm lounging on my couch when he calls.

"What..." He says when I answer.

"We need to talk."

"..."

"Cloud."

"..."

"Why didn't you tell me you were friends with Zack Barrack?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Cloud..."

"That...was...who it was?" The guilt is leaking off his words.

"Yes..."

"...crap..." he thinks he's whispered this out of range, but no.

"Crap is right Cloud. I think you owe him an apology."

"You didn't tell him, did you? About the whole...jock thing..."

"No Cloud, I didn't...though I probably should've, I didn't."

"Thanks Teef."

My heart immediately warms as he calls me that, and I feel a blush spreading across my face. My God, I'm like a girl with her first crush...we still haven't resolved him overreacting yet.

"Listen Cloud...I know you were concerned...I really appreciate that too...but..."

"I got to let you live."

"Hmm."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I understand."

We're silent for a bit, but it's a good silence, a companionable silence, even if it is over the phone.

"So...everything's going to be okay?" I think his voice shakes as he asks this.

Honestly, I don't think I knew I meant so much to him. To have him broad in silence all day, and then still be worried that I'm angry at him...it's strange...He'd just acted with such vehemence yesterday...it was hard to believe the only reason he was reacting was because...of...well, that. He almost sounded...jealous...but why would he be jealous? I sigh, annoyed with myself. Honestly Tifa, you're just looking for a bit of hope...what are you going to do with that shred of hope when you see Aerith and Cloud kiss next time? You're pathetic.

"Teef?"

I realize I haven't answered his question. "Of course Cloud...things will always be okay between us, no matter what."

We talk for a few more minutes before I have to go eat supper. It's a relief to be back on good terms with him again. I mean, he's my best friend...how can I live without him?...That and I'm in love with him; that always makes a difference.

After supper Aerith calls, hyper and happy that Cloud and I made up. She asks if I want to come over to see her prom dress. I tell her sure, and head for my car. I bought my dress last year, and no, I was not that excited about prom. Last year, I ordered my dress offline, and I was afraid it wouldn't get here in time, so I bought a back up dress. My original dress was in time for prom, so I'm wearing my back up dress for this year. It's white, and strapless. It bunches up on my left hip, where it splits, and there's this mesh, sparkly material that shows through. It's hard to explain.

Well, the reason I'm telling you this...I get over to Aerith's house, and she's all excited saying her dress is pink and strapless. She pulls out the bag and lifts it up, and I think I just died.

It's the same dress.

Granted, it's pink...shudder...pink...

And the sparkly mesh material is the material of the dress, but still...it's the same design and everything. I feel everything fall apart, as if the world is crashing down on me.

"Aerith..." I swallow, still in a state of shock. "You do realize...that's...the same dress...that I've got."

"What?"

"You've seen it...it's that same style and everything."

"No it's not." She replies hotly, pulling the bag back down over it.

I'm numb...literally...numb. I swallow, my heart is still stuck in my chest.

"I don't know what jewelry to get with it though..." She states, tapping her chin.

Stay friendly, Tifa...stay friendly.

"I'm going to get some white gloves, and I'm wearing pearls."

"Pearls! That's it!"

Oh...

My...

What...just...

"Pearls would look great with this."

I'm still in shock, I know my mouth is hanging wide open...and I just want to cry. Let me explain. Yes, it is absolutely horrid that my best friend picked out the same dress as me, and is stealing my choice of jewelry, but that's not the worst part. Remember how I said I was going with Cloud? I thought, just maybe, that prom would be a good chance for me to just sort of stand out, ya know? A chance for Cloud to actually see me, let me have just one night that might actually have some importance about me; I mean, sure we're friends, but I am his date and everything. You know, see me in the dress and think, wow, she's beautiful...or pretty or something like that! Now, I've got to compete with the girl of his dreams, wearing the same dress and everything. I mean sure, I know he'll think I'm pretty, or look nice...but how am I going to compare to Aerith? How am I going to pale in comparison? When he sees me...he'll think, she's pretty...but then...with Aerith in that dress...my dress...he'll think she's gorgeous...I'll just look like the knock off brand of Aerith...Oh...no...

"Listen, Aerith...I uh...I gotta go...I'll see you later..."

Aerith frowns, but says good bye.

I swear, she's as dense as Cloud is sometimes. Swallowing, I get into my car. Scratch the Monday sucking...

Life sucks period.

I'm trying to calm myself down, I really am. I'm trying to not get angry, I really am. But I just don't know how much more I can take.

Everything is falling apart, like I'm standing on glass and it's just shattered. It's been cracking for weeks now, but...I didn't know how much longer I could hold on before I crack, before I snap, before I break.

But it's official now:

I'm broken.

Deep breaths now,
Calm down...
You've made it this far before
You can make it there again.
It doesn't matter what you do,
It doesn't matter what you say,
This is your life, and you're screwed
Even if you pray.
There's no reason to scream your head off
Or to lose your cool,
There's no reason to try and win;
You'll only look like a bigger fool.
Cause everything they do,
They do it against you.
They'll stab you in the back.
They're traitors, who knew?
And every time you'll see them
You'll know what they did;
But they won't have a clue,
So just clamp down your lid.
Just keep your mouth closed,
And just start to hope
That you won't snap,
And there's no reason to mope.
I mean, they lie to everyone,
Saying how they were alone.
When you were the one beside them
Till it was all said and done.
They're buying for sympathy
From people that they don't know
And they're losing the one that did,
Delivering the harshest of blows.
But you'll be alright.
There's no reason to be outspoken,
That's what they'll tell you,
You're not really broken!

A/N: So fellas! Thanks for the great reviews...do not worry, Tifa's past will soon be revealed...there will be more interaction with Zack...and NO I am not telling you whether or not htis will be a CloTi...but come on you guys, look at my track record...what do you think? Honestly. Another poem by me...update soon! see ya, loves!