Six:
"You have a date with who?!" Yuna's mouth fell open, and stayed open. She watched Rikku pace back and forth in front of her bed. On it laid a variety of different clothes. Nothing formal. It made Rikku anxious. He was taking her to a restaurant and she had nothing to wear. All of her clothes screamed: Hey, I'm an Al-Bhed teenager! WEE! "Yunie..." Rikku whined.
Yuna, still in shock, folded her arms in front of her chest. "I forbid it."
Rikku stopped in her steps. She looked at her friend before taking two steps closer to her and pouted her bottom lip. "But... but why, Yunie?"
"He's an old man." Yuna said with her eyes closed. Her face was that of a concerned parents, "A drunk old man, at that."
"But it's not really a date," Rikku Twiddled her fingers in front of her, "It's a thank you."
"A thank you? A thank you for what?" Yuna asked, her eyes still closed and her arms still crossed.
Rikku crouched slightly so she was well below her friends height. This way she could smile, look innocent, and convincing all at once - or that's what she hoped. "You and Tidus requested to join his class, right?"
Yuna's eyes opened. With Rikku so close, she took a step back and rubbed her cheek. A sigh escaped her lips, "We did." she said, "Tidus was so excited to get to meet this Zell, and I couldn't let him request alone."
Rikku smiled. She stood upright, and took her turn to fold her arms across her chest, "Who else did you tell?"
Yuna looked at Rikku, confused. "Huh? I didn't say anything to anyone else."
Rikku frowned. "But he said five students were joining his class. I saw the form..."
It was then a knock came to her door. She didn't answer, but knew who it was. Especially as the door opened without an invite; It was Tidus. "Hello?" he called inside before opening the door wide.
"Tidus!" Yuna walked towards the door, "Did you tell people about Professor Masamune's class?"
Tidus blinked. He hadn't entered the room all the way, and yet, Yuna was right in his face. "Umm..." He looked at Rikku, and back at Yuna, "I did." he said, "A few guys I know in class. We all play blitzball."
Yuna's face said it all and Rikku couldn't help but laugh. They weren't surprised. As Tidus scratched his head, slightly embarrassed, he looked at Rikku, "Why? What's going on?"
Rikku smiled and walked back over to her bed. With her back turned, she answered him, "He's got a request for five new students."
"Awesome! They listened to me." Tidus exclaimed as he closed the door behind him. "This calls for celebration!"
"Oh no, don't get excited." Yuna said as she pushed Tidus back towards the door.
"What? Why not?" He asked, and frowned like a sad puppy.
Rikku turned around, her face flushed pink. "Auron is taking me to dinner as a thank you."
"A-Auron?" He stammered, "You mean Professor Masamune?"
Rikku nodded and looked back at her clothes. The room fell silent. Awkward. With his mouth wide open, he looked at Yuna for an explanation. "They're on a first name basis." Was all she said.
Tidus' eyebrows knitted together and he closed his mouth finally. With his right arm, he moved Yuna to one side and walked over to his young, Al-Bhed friend. "Hey," he said in a concerned voice, "You sure about this?"
Rikku looked back at him, surprised. She saw the worry on his face. In his eyes. He looked more like an older brother, rather than a friend. It warmed her heart to know he cared so. "Yes." she said simply, "I am."
"But," Tidus shook his head, "He's almost 40."
Rikku flushed pink once again. Not that his age excited her; It didn't concern her. The simple thought of him just made her blush, for some reason. Why? Why hadn't she felt this way days ago? "And, well... I'm an adult, you know?"
"We're only worried about you, Rikku." Yuna said as she moved to stand next to Tidus. She reached to hug Rikku tight, "We're family."
"I know, Yunie." she said. Rikku took in a deep breath and pulled out of the hug. She smiled, placed her hands on both of their shoulders and shook them slightly. "There's no need to worry, you know!" she beamed, "Besides, you two, need some... alone time." This, she leaned forward and whispered into Tidus' ear.
He blushed red, and looked over at the oblivious Yuna. She had leaned forward, attempting to hear what was being said, but couldn't. Tidus took it as a sign; She was right. "We should just let her go." Tidus said with a small smile.
Yuna's eyes went wide. "You're really agreeing to this?" she said.
"Well, we aren't her parents."
"Yeah, he's right, you know." Rikku laughed.
He was, and Yuna couldn't help but laugh. "Alright. Fine. But!" she pushed Tidus out the door - as Tidus protested and told her to stop, "I need to help Rikku get ready. So, girls only!"
The night air was warm as it blew against Auron's black shirt. He dressed casual, in all black. His red jacket was laid out on the hood of his black convertible; Or, it wasn't his convertible. It belonged to Braska, who lent it to Khimari, who then lent it to Auron - it was a long story, but no one knew Auron had it in his possession. Which confused him, because it wasn't like he hid it well. He drove it around Balamb, and parked it in the school's parking lot. He treated it as his own. He figured, somehow, Braska knew but didn't worry. Somehow, their friendship was still relevant.
Auron looked down at his watch; 7:50 PM. The nervousness had set in. He had spent over an hour getting ready, insuring he was presentable and didn't smell of alcohol. He didn't want to seem so old to her, even thought it was the inevitable truth. He was old; At least, to her age he was. He always thought 30 was the new 20, until he actually hit 30 and found out it was a lie. It was more than his age that suddenly worried him, it was her. What if she didn't show? Maybe he should have just bought her a card as a thank you, and admired her from a distance. He just couldn't resist. Each day that passed, he saw her as a needed light in his life. A very beautiful light. It was because of her that he refrained from drinking so much. Thoughts of her first smile kept some - not all - of his demons away. If he could just keep her, he would be a better man, wouldn't he? Was it bad to want to be selfish for once in his life?
"Professor?" There. The voice of an angel. She came.
Rikku's voice came from behind him. He moved away from his convertible to turn around and greet her, but froze. He felt like a school boy with his first crush. They very sight of her took his breath away. Her hair was pinned to one side so all if her blonde waves draped one shoulder; A bare shoulder. She was dressed in a strapless dress that stopped just above her knees. It was pink - a color he had never seen her in. Her lips were stained a light red, nothing heavy, and her eyes were smokey and lined. Long, dangling earrings decorated both of her ears, and a smell of flowers seemed to flow from her direction. Auron was in complete awe.
Rikku looked into his eyes, and smiled nervously. She tried to calm herself. Looking at him, she felt over dressed for their date. He wore only a shirt and black slacks, and she was dressed for a dinner date - she thought it was a dinner date. It was Yuna's fault. She dressed her, and brushed her hair; She did her make-up and sprayed her in misty perfume. "Rikku." Auron said.
His voice echoed in her ears. The sound of it, deep and rough, made her heart swoon. She stopped mentally complaining about the way she looked and took the time to really look at him. Despite his casual appearance, he was very handsome. She was lost in the dark glow of his eyes. She wondered what his thoughts were, as he looked back into her eyes. Did he think she was beautiful? She took a deep breath in, walked towards him and smile. "Hi." she said.
As she got closer to him, she felt the heat raise to his face. She could hear the echo of her heartbeat in her ears. His scent made her dizzy. So dizzy, she suddenly tripped over her feet. She gasped out of desperation. "OOOOOO!"
Auron swooped down and caught her before she fell. The fear on her face made him laugh. She was embarrassed, he could tell. It didn't take her long to cover her face with her hands and hide in his chest. With her so close, he wondered if she could hear his heartbeat quicken. "Are you alright?" he asked.
His voice was so close, it made her skin tingle. No, he made he skin tingle. He was warm, and had his arms wrapped around her so easily. She had never felt so small before. Yet, she felt safe. Then it hit her, she tripped. She thought she could be in college without exposing her clumsy side, but couldn't manage a week without falling. "I'm alright." she said against his shirt.
Auron smiled as he helped her stand. He re-positioned her hair to it's original state, and put both of his hands on her shoulders. "Are you sure?" he asked reassuringly.
Rikku nodded her head with a smile. She wished he hadn't let her go. "Yes."
"Good." he said as he stood straight, "And, I thought I asked you to call me Auron."
Her eyes went wide. She had called him Professor, hadn't she? "Oh, I'm sorry," she said, "I wasn't sure if it was you."
Auron grinned, "Do you meet many boys outside the school?"
Rikku blushed scarlet, "N-No!"
He couldn't help it. He took a step closer to her. "Are you embarrassed to be out with me?"
Rikku wasn't sure her face could handle more red. She fixated her gaze to the black of his shoes. He definitely had an effect on her. Where will this go? "No." she said in a quiet voice, "I mean, this is just a thank you, right?"
Auron took in a small breath. That is what he had called it, after all. What could he say? "You're right." he said. He wouldn't get discouraged. He forced a smile on his face, and opened the passenger side door for his young friend, "After you, Miss."
Rikku smiled at his polite gesture and sat in the car without another word. She watched him as he grabbed his jacket off the hood of the car, open his side door and sit to start the car. She couldn't help but watch the lines of the muscles in his arms move as he walked; She watched the way his hair waved in the wind. She couldn't help but admire him. Every second she spent looking at him, was another added beat to the speed of her heart. She didn't know what to say to him, and Auron to her - So they rode in silence. The restaurant Auron spoke of wasn't so far from the school. It was right in the center of Balamb, just near it's train station. He stopped the car a few feet away and escorted her to the door; Still, they were silent.
Once inside, Rikku was in awe. The sweet, passionate sound of a piano played in the back area of the restaurant. She could hear a woman sing, just as Auron had told her. The lights were dim throughout the area in a way that wasnt dark, but romantic. At each table Rikku could see candles lit, waiting for people to sit and enjoy dinner. They were greeted by a waiter, an older gentleman with all white hair and lines on his face. "For two." Auron said to him
They were seated at the table in the corner, near the piano playing songstress. Their waiter, who introduced himself as Leo, brought them water and bread, along with the restaurant menus. "The usual, sir?" He spok to Auron.
Auron's eyes went wide for a moment and he shook his head after. "Not tonight." He said, "Just bring your finest wine, and give us a few minutes."
"Of course, Sir."
When their waiter walked away, Auron looked at Rikku as she sat across from him. Her eyes were glues to the chandeliers that hung from the ceiling, and the specks of decorative mirror pieces alongside them. She could see her reflection in them. Their reflection. "You're usually quiet." Auron said as he moved his finger around his water glass.
Rikku lowered her gaze to him. He sat, just slightly slumped against his seat, with one arrm around the back and the other on the table. His dark eyes peered at her from above his sunglasses. She had never really been attracted to anyone before, or had a real relationship. She struggled to find a word to describe him. As she thought about it, she settled on delicious. "What's your usual?" She asked.
Auron couldn't help but smile, "There she is. The girl with the hungry mind."
Rikku blushed a light shade of pink and looked away. Instead of twirling her thumbs out of a nervous tick, she reached for a pice of bread. When he stared at her, she pressed the bread to mouth and took a big bite to keep from whimpering. Ohhhh boy.
Auron snickered in a devilish tone. It was then that Leo returned with two glasses and red bottle; On its label was something Rikku couldn't pronounce. "My usual is scotch." He said, "Scotch, and a steak with potatoes."
"Nothing else?" She asked.
Auron shook his head, "No."
"No one else?" Wait... Why would it bother me if there was someone else?
Auron shifted his weight in his chair so he could lean forward. He moved his glasses from his face to ontop his head, so he could better look into her eyes. He lost himself in theJr green swirls for a second, and then composed himself. "What would make you think I would have someone else?" When she looked away and didn't answer him, he frowned, "Is it because I'm older?"
"No..."
"My reputation?"
"No not that." She said, "It's just... this place seems really nice for you not to bring someone to."
Auron smiled softly, "I brought you here." He said.
Rikku couldn't help but smile. "I know." She said, "But... you know."
Auron closed his eyes. He pressed his back to his chair and sighed. He knew, he guessed, what she meant. "I've been alone for a long time, Rikku." He said, "There's no need to wonder if I frequent here with women."
"Why come here then?" She asked as she reached for another piece of bread, "It is a beautiful place..."
Auron raised his water glass to his lips and drank. He hadn't talked about his personal life in so long. He hadn't the need to. The few people he did talk to knew it, and knew all about him. There was no need to explain why he was alone, why he drank his days away. There was no need to tell someone why he was on his last rope. Yet, here he was with her; Rikku. Someone he would need to explain things to. "I used to come here with an old friend of mine," He said and shifted his glass over to the bar, "We would have a drink, on ocassion, after work."
Rikku looked over at the empty bar and smiled. "Oh okay." She said, "Did you lost touch with him? Her?"
Auron took in a deep, slow breath. He put his glass down, but didn't let go. He let the moisture stick to his skin. "Him." He cleared his throat, "He's passed."
Rikku frowned. She shouldn't have asked. "Oh, I'm sorry." She said, "I didn't know."
Auron looked over to the bar and sighed, "No one does, so don't worry." He said. "Let's eat."
Let's not talk about him. Please.
