A/N: Hello all, sorry for the long wait. Here we are now moving toward the concluding chapters of this section of the story. I was wondering if anyone would like to see Squall/Cloud's section in this story. Also if people wanted a happy or a sad ending. See you next update!

Forsaken Love
POV Irvine
Part 3: Revelations

I was brought back into the present when the auburn double doors, which I had been staring burn-holes into, finally opened, temporarily blinding me in the late afternoon light. I held up a hand to try and fend off the opposing light and as I did so I could hear the organ begin to sing the famous "Bridal March". Then the entire room began to breathe in sharp intakes of breath and whispered out awes. I was mystified by it all until the light eased off in your direction and I could see the glow of pride and adoration in your eyes as you stared off into the foreboding light unleashed by the auburn doors. It was then I was enlightened to what, or I should say whom, brought the room to life. It was then that my chest began to tighten painfully as I could hear your echoed words come back from the past, "I hope you fall in love someday, Irvine."

Your voice held as much joy then as I could see now so clearly on your face. Your voice came back to me again eve more clearly from so long ago, when really it was only about a month ago; at your bachelor party actually. It was getting later in the evening and everyone was having a good time and everyone was already really far gone on the booze. You came and sat at my side at the bar. We ordered drinks and watched the others with light interest. It was then you spoke your words of hope to me and followed up with, "When you love someone and you know they love you too, its one of the most amazing feelings in the world… I really hope you can experience it someday, Irvi."

I recall laughing with false humor as I responded offhandedly, "As if that would even happen."

You looked to me in shock, and I blushed embarrassed, "I-I mean, come on! Forget this girly talk—Lets drink!" with that I had called the bartender over and order rounds for everyone. The night ended quickly enough from there though those words you spoke would not stop ringing in my ears for days to come. Though I remembered a quote I found online once which seemed to suit my own mishap situation, "It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return," though it was more the second part that hit home the hardest, "but what is most painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let the person know how you feel."

I am a coward, through and through, and I know that. I have known it for awhile now. I've known it so long that at some point I had decided it was not my place to be Zack's lover. I was pitiful in my selfish actions which had only grown worse the following summer he had come home from school. He had invited me to the movies with him and only him and though I felt apprehension as though the evening would end badly, I went anyhow. I was still bitter about your spring break from school when you had told me via email that you wouldn't be able to come home because you were so backed up on school work and yet I overheard Aerith telling Tifa about the week you two had spent together. Though when she turned and noticed me there I could tell she was not supposed to let me know. I had simply walked away then and decided to not bring it up to you or her. Though I figured she would tell you about her mistake to cover her own tracks you never brought it up to me and yet held up your lie about how busy you were as we grab some pizza before the movie. It made me realize she must not have told you. But it was fine I thought, I shouldn't be so childish. You wanted to spend your time off uninterrupted with your girlfriend, as your friend I should respect that…right?

And I did, up until the point we got our tickets and snacks and were on our way down the aisle to our find the room that held the action film we decided to see. It was then that your phone begin to ring and you looked to the caller ID before turning to me and asking me to hold the popcorn for a second. You answered, "What is it, Aer?"

It was then my apprehension levels rose tremendously and I lost the feeling in my hands and dropped the popcorn. You looked to me and then the floor and to me again confused and then concerned though at the time I hadn't realized had I had done. I just watched you, waiting for you to do you modest plea to her before submitting, closing the phone, and leaving me behind…

Though I hadn't expected for you to press the phone to your shoulder and look to me awkwardly before asking, "Do you mind if Aerith comes to see the movie with us?"

Honestly, I don't know what happened. I lost it, in the most ungraceful way possible. Initially I said noting, I only looked to you stunned. My only thought was, he can't be serious…

It was then, you spoke my name, and broke me, "Irvine?"

"What…the fuck do you think?" I spoke quietly, and looked to meet his gaze. Shock, as I expected, though I probably looked broken.

"What?" You asked, completely taken aback.

"You heard me. No." I used unnecessary emphasis and venom in my words, "Do you think this is some game? Do you think I'm an idiot? I know you weren't at school for your spring break but with Aerith doing Shive-knows-what and—" I paused because I could see the shock in your face and the guilt.

"What? How did I know? Your little pet should learn to keep her mouth shut at school. She was drooling and giggling over you at how you spent the entire week together as you showered her in gifts and adoration. Look you don't get it, obviously, since you both keep asking me to hang out with you both so I'll make it easy and spell it out. I don't want to sit here and watch you two make-out all night ok? I thought it was suppose to be our night, not another one of your twos date nights. Can't you two ever be apart for one fricken day!"

"Irvine—"No! I'm tired of your bull-shit and lies! Just tell me the truth! Look I know I been a shitty friend lately, especially ever since you two started dating—and I'm sorry. I know I'm in the wrong but I cant help it." I paused because the truth of my own words hurt even me. I had been a terrible friend lately, no wonder he lied to me…

"Look…I'm sorry for being such a pain in the ass lately. I-I guess I'm just jealous and a bit lonely. I know you care for her more than me and I guess it made me a little… look it doesn't matter…I guess I just wanted to say I'm sorry and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to hang out with me anymore. I'll make it easy. I'll stop calling, txting, emailing… and if it works out better that way ok. But it you txt me… I'll respond." I turned ready to leave; I could hear the popcorn crunch beneath my feet as I moved. It was then you touched my shoulder and I felt everything collapse as tears rushed to my eyes. I couldn't face you, I'd confess and it was too late I-I had to go. I ran from your touch, out the theaters doors, I ran across a busy street and down two other streets and I didn't stop until I knew you weren't behind me. All the track I had been doing in high school to relieve my pent-up frustrations really seemed to be paying off. In helping me run from my problems, right, good one Irvine, haha. But as I caught my breath I began to choke on the sobs that had been threaten but know were taking over. Choking back sobs I quickly hit speed dial for Squall and in a few rings the phone picked up.

"Hello—"Squuuaaallll!"

There was a muffling with the phone and then, "Irvine?"

"Squall –sniff- what are you—"You know you called Cloud's phone right?"

"I wha…oh that's why it didn't sound like you at first –sniffle- oh…must've hit five instead of two…"

"What?"

"Speed dial…you're two and Cloud's five…must've hit too low—"Yeah, whatever. Where are you?"

I looked around and then noticed a street sign near by, "Mountain View Ave?"

"Mountain View—What are you doing there? Aren't you supposed to be at the movies with Zack?"

"Yeah well…Aerith called and—"Do you know that's the street Aerith lives?"

I looked around and noticed Aerith down the street in a yard tending to a garden, a pushed further under the tree I was taking shelter under.

"Hello? Irvine?—"Why does God hate me!"

I heard a sigh over the phone, "We're almost there."

It wasn't more than a few moments before Squall's grey sedan pulled up to the curb adjacent to my tree and I got into the car. After an embarrassing breakdown in the car, they dropped me off at home. Zack apologized to me that night over the phone and we pretty much went back to normal after that. But –

It was then the music stopped and I was brought back again to the present. I looked away from Zack and right below us was Aerith and Zack's father was giving her away in the place of her deceased father. My heart began to pound in my chest as the weight in my hand began to grow heavier and heavier. My heart sank as she took a set up and accepted Zack's hand. It was then the ghost of Zack's hot lips on my neck ran ravage in my mind. Booze thick on his breath as he whispered salutary in my ear, "I love you, Irvine."

It just so happen the priest was beginning to speak as I shouted out without warning to even myself, "Stop! I can't do this!"