What If We Had A Chance…

Chapter 25

..To Say Hello

Back to school after Christmas break and the same old faces, same old routine. Cloud went through each class, nearly dozing off. He hasn't been getting much sleep, with all the craziness. But, it was a welcomed change. Things have been going well so far this year, and even if Cloud couldn't admit it, he enjoyed how things between him and Tifa have changed. For a while they have been meeting each morning, and they have been getting closer. They were already at a stage of holding hands and arms. He didn't understand what they were, or how to define themselves. Just that he enjoyed their silent moments.

"Cloud!" Aerith found him in the halls and latched onto his back.

Cloud yelped in surprise, and kept his balance.

"English is next! I'm so happy! I hear the new teacher is a world renowned professor at Midgar University!"

"Y-yeah?" he uttered a reply "Guess it's good to have some structure in that class"

"Tell me about it! I miss reading stories"

"You know Zack isn't going to like it"

"Yeah…" her voice softened.

Speaking of, Cloud hasn't seen his buddy all day.

"Yo...Aerith have you?-" the bell rang.

"Ek! Cloud lets go, I want to see our new teacher" Aerith pulled on Cloud through the halls.

Cloud didn't object and was dragged to their classroom.

"I hear he's sooo hot!" Aeirth gleefully giggled.

Geez. Who is this guy? They finally arrived at their English room, inside Tifa and Vincent greeted them with a simple wave. It was Cloud's small group, and he felt a sense of comfort seeing them there. It felt like it had been so long since they've been together like this...Cloud shook his head. It wouldn't change, would it? He had his friends, his family at least till this school year is over.

To Aerith's disappointment, the new teacher wasn't there yet. She huffed and took a seat at her desk. Her face showing utter distaste at the tardiness of this teacher.

"What kind of teacher is late himself!" she scoffed.

"You should feel happy, if he was here on time you two would've been late" Tifa opened her bag.

"No, I'm sure he would take pity on a cute school girl like me" Aerith was acting dramatic.

Vincent had no say and laid his head down on his desk, snoozing away. Cloud took his seat and looked over to Zack's empty desk. He was growing worried.

Time dragged slowly. In reality it couldn't have been more than 5 minutes before footsteps entered. Aerith perked up and was instantly let down. A girl entered- wait….that girl!

Cloud stood up recognizing the girl and the girl responded in turn with a haughty scoff.

"It's you!" they said at the same time.

Tifa looked at Cloud.

"You okay?" she eyed him curiously.

The girl stomped over to Cloud and crossed her arms.

"What do you want?" Cloud grumbled.

"I'm a woman of honor! You should know that!" she said loudly, with the whole class watching.

"Hey...hey maybe you should…" Cloud didn't like all eyes towards them.

"I want to tell you. Thank you! For last time!" the girl replied

"You know her!?" Aerith and Tifa whispered to Cloud.

"No...I mean...Yes?"

"Quiet, I'm trying to nap" Vincent groaned.

Cloud could hear the other students chattering and eyeing both Cloud and this new girl. It raised his heart rate.

"Just...just go" Cloud sighed.

"Huh? I'm in this class you know. Newly transferred!" The girl showed her schedule to the kids.

Aerith and Tifa took interest in this girl and looked at her schedule.

"Well, I'll be. She is in our block" Tifa said.

"Huh...how is that possible? This class is full-" Cloud couldn't finish his sentence.

The class immediately turned and an eerie silence filled the air. A tall man entered the room. No doubt the new English teacher. Cloud could barely make out his face, only that he tugged on his white collar, his long silver swung behind his back…

"Take a seat…" he softly told the girl.

"Hmph!" she proceeded to sit at Zack's desk.

"No-not!-" Cloud spoke up.

"Is there a problem Mr. Strife?" the new teacher called him out. His voice held a strong authority and all eyes went to Cloud. Cloud trembled as they all looked to him, and for the first time Cloud looked at this new teacher.

He had a long face, and dead green eyes. Cloud swore this man's pupils were that of a cat's. It held a piercing glare. Along with a long and slender body, Cloud noted his muscular arms and wondered how this man ever passed as a teacher.

"No...I'm sorry…" Cloud put his head down.

"That's more like it," the teacher said and turned to the board.

Cloud shook at his seat, filled with anger and embarrassment. He turned to Aerith who looked as if she was entranced with this new teacher. How could she be okay with Zack not here, with this new girl sitting at his desk.

"Now, I have a few announcements. From here on out I will be your new English teacher" the man began to write on the board.

Cloud tilted his head, confused. Was it a first name? A last name? Was that even a name? Tifa raised her arm.

"Excuse me...how do we address you? Is that your last name?"

The teacher cleared his throat. Vincent raised his head and glared up at the teacher.

"I don't care for formal titles. You may just address me by my first name. Sephiroth".