CHAPTER VI
Aeris smiled, as she listened to the soothing voices that echoed in her mind. Something that seemed so strange, but yet she wasn't afraid nor curious. She stared blankly out the window, as she noticed a couple strolling down the sidewalk, hand in hand. Which made her think a lot about herself, and who she was. But all that had seemed to change, since Cloud and his friends came into her life.
She quickly swung around, when she noticed Cloud and Tifa exiting the bedroom. She hadn't wanted to know what they were discussing or doing at fact. Something she was high-strung about. But that didn't bother her.
Tifa walked over to her, with a smile, "So what do you wanna do today?"
Aeris paused, glancing over at Cloud, trying to figure out what his expression meant, "Ummm.....I don't know."
Cloud jerked, as he walked over to the couch, sitting down, "Just find something to do..." Aeris and Tifa quickly glanced over at him, startled. Tifa grinned, as she grabbed a hold of Aeris' arm, pulling her towards the door.
"What do you guys talk about?" Tifa questioned, smiling. Aeris stared at her young friend, from across the table, her arms crossed her chest. She quickly glanced around the cafe, sighing deeply.
"Not much....just when we need to," she replied, simply. Tifa turned away, pulling back.
"Oh....do you....remember anything?" she questioned, doubtfully.
Aeris looked down, as she clasped her hands together, ".....kind of....Cloud....he's really a happy person deep down. It's all a facade....," a smile soon crept onto her face, "...but what do I know? It's just things I believe is true."
Tifa forced a smile, although she was more worried than happy. Of course the two were good friends, but there always was a time when Tifa felt more angry than friendly. She hated that feeling, always trying so hard to drown it away. But to no prevail, she never won that battle. Aeris was always and always going to be topnotch in Cloud's heart. And Tifa knew that very well.
Aeris grinned, as she spoke up, "What are you thinking about?"
Tifa smiled, "Nothing....just nonsense."
Cloud shook his head, as he sat watching Aeris prance around the living room. A bit annoyed, he closed his eyes. She slowly slowed to a stop, standing before him, fixing her gaze. She took in a deep breath, as she sat down beside him.
"...Is it always this quiet around here?" Aeris questioned, sighing.
Cloud's eyes reopened, as he glanced at her, "What did you have in mind?"
She shook her head, "....I'm bored....lets do something."
He turned to her, "Do what?" Aeris' face suddenly filled with happiness, as she quickly reached over, grabbing onto his hand. She then immediately pulled him towards the door.
When he suddenly stopped, "Where the hell are we goin' to go?"
She grinned, "Somewhere!"
"You don't know how long, I've been waiting to see this play! Remember, you told me, you'd take me to go see it sometime," Aeris yelped out, excitedly, as she stared up at the billboard. Cloud paused, as he starred blankly at her.
"Told you? The only time I said that to you, was---are you feelin' okay?" he asked, surprised. She turned to him, with an odd expression.
"Of course....you promised...and doesn't my bodyguard have to go everywhere with me?" Aeris uttered, smiling. Cloud quickly grabbed onto her hands, as he squeezed them tightly, staring at her.
"Do you realize what you just said?" he questioned, startled.
Aeris' eyes fixated, as she let out a soft laughter, "What?"
The two sat quietly on the park's bench, as they stared up at the darkened sky. Aeris slowly turned to him, her eyes giving off a radiant glow.
"Cloud....," she began, whispering, "Could you ever love me?"
He paused, as he let the words seep through, "Why do you ask me that?"
Aeris shook her head, turning away, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Its just..it's just that, I never knew or felt love...or anything like that. I bet I sound real stupid about now. I'm sorry..."
Cloud smiled, as he stared straight ahead, "It's alright....you'de be surprised at what I'd say to you, if you..."
"If I what?" she questioned, curious.
"Nothing..," he replied, simply.
Aeris smiled, turning to him, "If I what? You have to tell me at least."
Cloud glanced at her, with a haunting smile, "That you're the only woman that made me feel that way everyone who's in love talks about."
She paused, as she smiled, innocently, "...you don't know how special that makes me feel...to have heard something like that, from someone who's completely cold. I guess this Aeris girl is a really lucky person. To be loved by someone so special."
Cloud let out a laugh, "Funny. That description fits you quite well."
Aeris glanced at him, with a please smile on her face, "That's the good part.