LIFE FROM ALL SIDES
CHAPTER 10

Rikku laid in the middle of her bed, thoughts of her appearance and weight drifting in and out of her mind. She rolled over and looked at her clock: 7:58. She was going to be late. Rikku sighed and got up, thoughts of her weight disappearing to be replaced with others. The day before had been a busy one, with the new girl- Sara- Gippal, and add to that- there had been a murder. A body had been found around 6 o'clock. Rikku shivered at the gruesome thought and carried on with her moring routine.

She first turned on the radio, listening to her favourite song, "King for a Day." She danced around and sung along with Billie. "Started at the age of 4," she chimed, swirling around. She felt a little dizzy after the first 5 spins and stopped. She opened her drawer and pulled out some thin carrot sticks and began to munch on them. She then stopped herself, remembering her self-agreement.

Rikku sighed and shoved the carrots away from her. She pulled on some clothes, noting how bad they looked on her after a glance in the mirror. Swinging her bookbag over her shoulder, she headed downstairs and out the door. Brother was still inside, eating Count Chocula. She looked across the street to where Sora, Ryo, and Yuna were sitting in the car, waiting for Cloud. After some hesitation, Rikku crossed the street and began to talk to her cousins. She talked to Yuna and Ryo for a few moments, but not Sora. He seemed to be totally spaced out.

"Hey why don't you come with us?" Yuna exclaimed. "That way you won't have to go with Brother!"

"What? Um, okay," Rikku said and hopped in the backseat next to Ryo.

"Of course she chooses to sit by me," Ryo said. "Everyone loves me." He flashed a smile.

"Woah!"

Rikku, Yuna and Ryo all looked at Sora, who was staring at his twin as if he had two heads.

"Woah!" Sora repeated. "What are you doing here?"

Ryo blinked. "I live here... With you."

Sora narrowed his eyes. "Do you know what time it is?"

Ryo looked at the clock." 8:07...?"

"8:07!" Sora exclaimed. "Exactly!"

With that, Sora shook his head, and turned away, leaning his head against the car door.

"Are we missing something?" asked Yuna, lifting one eye brow.

"Um... Heh. No, I just feel a little light headed. I'll be fine."

Cloud opened the door and slid smoothly into the drivers seat. He put the key into the ignition, and turned it, smiling as the motor roared.

"Is that what I think it is?" asked Rikku, grinning.

"What?" asked Cloud, confused at her remark.

"You're smiling!"

"Oh, it's just because... I had alot of sugar this morning and feel peppy. It's nothing really." He frowned and went back to the thoughts that brought him happiness.

"Wow, Rikku, you look different," said Ryo, trying to find what it was.

"Yeah, I'm thinner. I've been on a diet."

"Well, that's not exaclty what I meant. You're so pale. And why lose weight? You're so skinny already!" he gasped. He felt something was wrong, and he wasn't the only one. Everyone, except Cloud, who was watching the road, was giving her weird stares.

Looking to her side, Rikku realized that actually it was only Ryo and Yuna giving her weird stares. Sora wasn't. He didn't even seem to be paying attention. She immediately realized that this could be used to her advantage.

"Sora doesn't think I look too pale. Do ya, Sora?"

"Huh? What? Oh, uh... No, of course not."

He didn't even glance her way when he said it. That little bit seemed to upset Ryo, becuase he reached across Rikku and hit Sora on the head. Rikku decided to change the subject.

"So... Why aren't Gippal, Nooj and Baralai with you guys, and what are you doing up this early, Ryo? You might actually have to go to first period for once!"

"Oh, it's just uh..."

"I get it," started Yuna, "You know that the substitute is going to be there today. We all know you have a crush on her." Ryo blushed and looked away.

"Probably because she looks so much like Jewel. Ryo loves her," Cloud spilled, laughing. Everyone snickered, except Sora, who was still lost in his thoughts.

"What's going on in that mind of yours?" asked Rikku, brushing her hair out of her face. Sora looked at her and frowned.

"If I told you that, I would have to kill you.," he said, he then smiled.

"Ha... Ha," Rikku laughed. "That's funny, Sora. Real funny."

"Actually, it's not," Yuna said disapprovingly. Sora looked at her but then made an odd, dismissive sound and turned away. "Sora, I'm serious. Didn't you hear in the news about that murder? It's not funny!"

"The murder? Yuna, that was probably just some loser who decided to drop out of a drug ring or gang without paying the money they owed. It's not like, some mass serial killer or anything. Don't be stupid."

"Sora, she was a 67 year old woman!"

The car stopped at the school. Sora rolled his eyes in response to what Yuna had said and clambered out of the car, walking away without listening to Yuna shouting behind him.

"SORA! DON'T FORGET TO-"

Sora rolled his eyes. Like he even cared.

Rikku sighed as she pulled open her locker. Rikku looked around her. Yuna was just down the hall from her at her locker. Tifa and Lulu were leaning against the lockers just a little bit away from her, picking on a young girl with bright red hair. A gang of real snooty popular guys were nearby- she recognized especially Vincent, a black-haired, rather tall boy. Gippal absolutely hated him- they were practically worst enemies. Rikku considered it for a moment. No. Gippal and Vincent were worst enemies. They hated each other. A lot. Pushing these thoughts aside, Rikku went back to getting ready for classes.

Rikku reached in to pull out a book. Her eyes widened as a tiny note fluttered to the ground. She bent down to pick it up, then looked around to see anyone who might have written it. Hesitantly, she opened it, gasping when she saw what it said.

'Meet me at the arcade at 5. If you don't come, I'll kill you. Come, and I will rape you. Your choice.'

"Oh my god, Rikku!" gasped Yuna, snatching the note out of Rikku's hands. Rikku rolled her eyes and laughed, moving towards Gippal, Yuna on her heels.

"Gippal, very funny note," said Rikku sarcastically, "But next time, don't be so immature about what is going on."

"What are you talking about, Rikku?" Gippal asked, wide-eyed. He was just lucky there was no one behind him. Rikku opened her mouth in horror as she saw Gippal's notes, seeing how the letters didn't match. Hhe ran off.

"Someone's actually going to rape me!" she screeched, opening a door to a bathroom stall. She kneeled down to the level of the toilet and threw up a green slime. She covered her mouth and started to cry. Her throat burned and her teeth turned red from the blood rolling off her gums. "What have I gotten myself into!" she screeched.