"So what now?" asked Braska, pushing his dirty blonde hair behind his ears. It was too short to stay there, however, and flopped to his face once more. He blew it back in vain, then gave up and looked to the others.
"Maybe we can get you a haircut," teased Aura.
"Are you kidding?" Jecht suddenly exclaimed. "It's about time he grows it out! I don't want to be the only boy with long hair in this outfit!"
"Well, mine is kinda long," tried Vidina.
"Yeah but it goes up. That doesn't count," shot Jecht.
"Hey, how about we drop this and go find something normal to do?" interrupted Leiko.
The others all gave noises of assent, however, Braska and Jecht soon began arguing about what they should all do, while Aura tried to prevent a fistfight and Alex glared at Senylma contemptuously. It was late afternoon, almost evening, and the sun was setting beautifully on the water. Leiko could see it coming in through the window and she gave a longing sigh.
"You okay?" asked Vidina gently.
Leiko looked around, startled, but nodded happily. Vidina walked towards the door, motioning with his head for her to follow. She obeyed, looking behind to make sure no one was following her, but they were all too busy watching Braska and Jecht making cracks at each other and arguing, Aura holding her arms in between them exasperatedly. Vidina held the door open for her, and they walked slowly and quietly down to the sea. An empty boat was swaying soothingly on the water, ornate wooden boxes and chests littering the dock, along with several metal tubs and a few nets. It wasn't exactly romantic, but at least she and Vidina were alone. They stood in a small, hidden pathway between some crates, obscured almost completely from passersby and nosy friends. They simply stared out at the water for a few seconds before Vidina gave a heavy sigh.
"Something wrong?" Leiko asked, concerned.
"No," he said, looking down at the water morosely.
Leiko made a face and nudged him gently. Vidina looked up, saw her expression, and smiled in spite of himself. He gazed out at the water again, his right hand fiddling with something in his pocket.
"Leiko," he began (his saying her name sending shivers down her spine as usual), "Did you ever think – I don't know – maybe, once you're out of school and everything, maybe… moving to Spira?'
She wasn't sure where he was headed with this, but decided to play along.
"Sometimes," she admitted. "I mean, I'd still like to visit my Mom and Dad and Alex and everything, but Spira – Spira's nice. Why do you ask?"
"No reason."
"I see."
They experienced another awkward silence, during which time Vidina's words with Braska about her the other day weighed heavy on her mind.
"Listen, if Leiko found out, yeah, she might get upset, but at least she'll know!" Braska had argued. Vidina had rebutted with, "But I don't wanna hurt her!"
"How can you possibly hurt her?"
"She might… I don't know… feel different."
Feel different, she thought. But how am I supposed to know how you really feel?
She gazed up at him, tall, handsome, kind. What could she have to lose? It was better to find out right now rather than think about it until the end of break when Vidina had told Braska he would. They sighed in unison. Leiko was dreading and yet anticipating what would happen, her heart rising and falling, rising and falling, like the waves from the sea against the posts of the dock. She opened her mouth, ready to spill what she had been feeling for almost two years, but closed it almost immediately as something warm and soft brushed against her hand. She looked down, sideways, to see – and feel – Vidina's hand closing around hers. Her heart leapt straight up into her throat and for a brief but eternal second all she wanted to do was scream in joy, but the thought of Vidina's face kept her mind and feet both grounded. She was trying not to smile, afraid that he might take it the wrong way, but was failing miserably. Their fingers suddenly interlaced and Leiko couldn't help but look up into his face. He smiled and brought his hand out from his pocket.
Leiko saw that it was the shell he had shown her last night, dangling beautifully from the silver chain upon which he had strung it, and she barely had time to think before he slid it over her head, hanging it delicately from her neck. She gasped against her will – the shell was warm against her heart, and the surprise of it truly shocked her. She looked back up at Vidina, but his face was deep and troubled. She looked into his eyes imploringly, and he sighed.
She shook her head.
She knew.
It was done.
Vidina gazed at her longingly, a way she had never seen him look at her before, and she smiled gently, her warm brown eyes glittering with the setting sun. Vidina took both of her hands in his now, his palms supporting hers, running his thumbs along her soft skin. Her hands twitched with his touch, and she felt the familiar shivers up and down her spine as they stepped closer to each other. They simply stared into each others' eyes for a few seconds before Vidina began to slowly lean forward. Leiko's lips parted and the last thing she saw before she did the same thing was Vidina closing his eyes. There was a sudden explosion of happiness and pure, indescribable joy as their lips met, finally, and they kissed for the first time, the sweet and salty breeze from the sea enveloping them softly.
