It was nighttime.

Everyone was either in their beds sleeping or on the deck talking or just hanging out.

I was sitting on the dock's edge alone, making my bracelet.

I was making it in Auroch colors to support our team. It was looking really nice.

A few feet away, I could hear Yuna giggling about something the Luca Goers said.

They all pissed me off. I just wanted to be alone for now.

I was working on the last couple knots of my bracelet whenever I heard Tidus enter the conversation.

"What are you all talking about?"

Bickson, the ginger, looked at him.

"Who are you supposed to be?"

One of the Goers spoke up, "Ah, I remember him. Guy from Kilika."

Bickson ignored him and gazed at Yuna, "Hmm?"

What a horn dog.

"You know, one of the Besaid Aurochs. Said somethin' about winning the cup."

Bickson looked at Tidus, "Oh, right. You're that idiot."

Idiot? Oh boy, you're in for it.

Yuna and I both snapped, "Don't call him that!"

I walked over and stood beside Tidus.

Bickson protested, "But he is an idiot. They don't got what it takes to win the cup."

Tidus "Well, they do now that I'm here!"

I butted in, "Yeah! Me too!"

Yuna nodded, "Yes, they will win! He used to be the star player of the Zanarkand Abes!"

The Goers began to chuckle to themselves.

"Yeah, as if anyone lived in those ruins."

Yuna argued, "It's not ruins, there's a big city there! There is!"

Everyone stared at her. She wasn't letting this go.

Tidus scratched the back of his neck, "I got too close to Sin and-"

Yuna kept going, "There is a city, really!"

She turned her back to all of us and looked out to the sea.

Bickson spoke up, "Right. Whatever your Ladyship says."

They all walked away and I scoffed.

"The nerve of some people."

Tidus nodded at me and went over to calm Yuna down.

I sighed and went back to my spot to finish up my bracelet.

I could hear Tidus and Yuna talking about Zanarkand.

Yuna was practically begging him to take her there.

"Oooh, I'd love to see it someday. Blah blah blah."

He'd probably take her too. I wish he would take me though…

"Hey! Whatcha doing?"

I looked up and saw the blonde admiring my bracelet.

"Oh, this? It's just a bracelet I'm making to support the Aurochs and stuff."

Why did I just become so nervous?

"It looks really cool."

I smiled, "Thanks."

"Mind if I join you?"

Oh crap, what do I say?

"Sure."

Great job, Riley.

He sat down beside me and watched me finish up the bracelet.

Above us, we could hear Wakka and Lulu get into a heated conversation.

"Well? Say something. You'll take responsibility?"

"Relax! He's bound to know someone in Luca."

"And if not?"

"He could always join a blitz team. Anyhow, it's better than just leaving him in Besaid!"

"What? Just leaving him in Luca?"

"What do you want me to do?"

She paused, "Yuna wants to make him a guardian."

Wakka groaned, "Oh yeah, geez... There's that too, eh?"

"And whose fault is that?"

Wakka shot back, "Not mine!"

I elbowed Tidus, "You know they're talking about you."

He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I know."

Wakka continued, "It is mine, huh? Why do you think she wants to make him a guardian, anyway?"

Lulu answered, "Because he's Sir Jecht's son."

"Oh, right. Wait, you sure 'bout that? He's really Sir Jecht's son?"

Lulu sighed, "It's hard to say, but Yuna seems to believe so."

"Okay."

"'Okay?' Okay? That's all you have to say?"

"Well, yeah, I mean…He's gotta decide for himself, ya? Well, him and Yuna, I guess."

'Him and Yuna? What? Are they a married couple now?'

"You're right, for once."

"Ahem!"

Lulu ignored him, "I wonder which is best...Why don't you tell him he should?"

"Should what?"

"Become Yuna's guardian."

"Why me?"

"Because Yuna can't."

"Why not?"

"He hates his father-what he was, what he did. Do you really think she can possibly say to him...
'I want you to be my guardian, like your father was to mine?'"

Tidus whispered in my ear, "It's true."

I shivered. Not only because it was getting cold, but because of how he whispered in my ear.

"Aren't you being over-sensitive?"

Lulu sighed heavily.

Wakka gave in, "All right, all right. I'll try talking to him after the tournament."

Lulu sure did know how to get her way.

"Be discreet."

"I know. It's his decision."

He paused for a second, "He doesn't like his father?"

"Apparently. He told Yuna as much."

"Hating your own father, huh? Sounds like a luxury to me. I don't even remember my parents. Can't say how I feel about 'em."

Lulu sounded sad, "I...I was five then, so I remember mine a little."

Wakka punched the floor, "Damn it! Sin just takes everything away from us."

And after that, I couldn't hear anything else.

I finished the bracelet and tied it around my wrist.

I got up and walked to the front of the deck, Tidus following close behind.

I spotted a bliztball and threw it to Tidus.

"Mind showing me one of your famous moves?"

He smiled, "Sure thing."

He kicked the ball; it bounced off the pole on the front of the ship, bounced it back off of his chest and spiked it like a volleyball. He jumped into the air, spun around and kicked the ball far out into the sea.

My jaw dropped, as did his. He began to laugh and threw his fist into the air.

"The best? Yeah, right."

"That…was amazing! You need to teach me how to do that!"

"Us too!" We turned around and saw the Aurochs and Wakka standing behind us.

"Whoa! What was that called?"

"Doesn't have a name. Anyone can do it if they try."

Wakka handed him another ball, "Show us one more time, ya?"

As requested, he did the move again and another ball became lost to the sea.

"Okay, you really need to teach me that move so I can kick the Goers' butts with it tomorrow."

He laughed, "Okay, well first you need to stand with your feet like this and put your arms like this…"

He moved my arms around to show me how they were supposed to go.

"Now, kick the ball."

I did as told and kicked the ball hard so it bounced off the pole and headed straight towards my face.

"Quick! Kick it!"

I lifted my leg up high and kicked the ball into the air and bounced it back up with my head. I head butted the ball onto the ground by the pole.

"Now punch it!"

I punched the ball and it hit the nearby steps.

"Now you gotta jump and spin around!"

I gave my legs an extra bounce and jumped into the air. I spun around and timed it just right so that my foot would make contact with the ball.

I slowed down and kicked the ball with all my strength.

It flew out into the sea, just like Tidus' balls did earlier.

I came back down onto the deck and looked at Tidus.

"How was that?"

He didn't respond. He just stood there with his mouth hanging wide open.

I waved my hand in front of his face, "Hellooooo? Anyone home?"

He blinked and shook his head.

"Huh? Oh yeah, sorry about that. I totally spaced out."

I smiled, "It's okay. Did I do the move well enough?"

"Of course! It was fantastic! It was even better than mine."

I blushed, "Thanks. But I don't think I'm nearly as good as you are."

"Don't be silly. You're great. We're definitely taking home the cup tomorrow."

He hugged me tightly and I hugged back.

He was so warm compared to my cold skin.

I never wanted to let go.

TIDUS' POV

I didn't wanna let go of her.

She felt so cold; this could be an excuse to warm her up.

She really was a cute girl. Fun to be around too.

I was really glad I got to meet her and spend this time with her.

I feel like I can talk to her about anything. Maybe I should accept Yuna's offers of being a guardian just so I can be with Riley longer.

What kind of selfish person am I?

One who's falling for a perfect girl, that's who.

I slowly let go of her and looked into her deep, brown eyes.

I could swear I almost started to lean in whenever I felt something hit the back of my head.

I let her go and gripped my head.

"What was that for?"

"Show me that move again!"

I sighed and said, "Yo!"

Riley just laughed and stood back to watch me do the move yet again. I'm glad she's the supportive type.

Maybe I could take her back to Zanarkand with me and take her to all my games.

Ha! Yeah, as if there's even a stadium there anymore.

Oh well, I'll think of something.