Three:
Professor Trepe was nice, but when she gave work she was a hard case. Yuna noticed it from the first assignment but Rikku had been patting her shoulder the entire time trying to be as much of a friend as possible. She offered opportunities to study with her and the rest of her gang. Which really meant late night house parties, and drugs. It amazed her how the clique still maintained straight A's but she didn't feel comfortable under the label of the bitch crew, and she could see the tension that came between them and people such as Squall, Selphie, Zidane, Garnet and Tidus who were much more unique and generous. She could see very well that Rikku wasn't being good to herself. A nice person, but perhaps she had to be the primary influence of the friendship and draw her back to a more safe lifestyle.
Tidus wasn't all that bad of a guy. He sweat really easy, but he seemed to be at peace whenever he was on the basketball court or with his favorite teachers. It was only one day and she was beggining to witness the blossoming of a fascinating character. A man with ambitions and many fears. It was not that he was afraid to express them, he just couldn't hide them. He was very readable at times, and it reminded her of someone...herself.
Sure she was more naive, and at times he could be a frequent worry wart, but he expressed his worries with the right voice, never letting his temper shoot out too early unless it was necessary. Just looking at him debate with Auron in Civics class. He knew what he wanted to say. Unlike...
Unlike Seymour.
She remembered the pig headed jerk, and was more than glad that her family moved away or else he wouldn't stop calling. On the day that the family packed into the car and went off, she looked out the back window and could see him standing in the middle of the street waving. His voice echoed out. He violated the restraining order but it was obvious that he was desperate.
" You'll never be rid of me you hear! NEVER!"
His voice echoed through the sky. She was afraid that her father would speak up right then confirming that her love trip was a load of bullshit, and that he would have to confirm the suitors from now on.
but she wanted freedom to choose.
Sure she had put her own life in jeopardy, but she knew she could find the right person if she tried harder. She didn't want to feel like the unlucky princess who had to be setup, and the odds of the person being someone she liked were a million to one.
Still, that episode was long over. She couldn't focus on such things forever. She had to get over him, and the past. Tommorow would be another day, and the day she was currently in was still fresh. There was no reason to not have a positve outlook on things it only drained her more and more.
" The paper will be fifteen pages long at maximum. Ten at least." Quistis announced. The entire class responded in exhaustion
" That's okay. Get it out of your system right now because you've still got a week to get it done, though I'd advise you to get rolling pretty soon. The more ambitious you are about these big opportunities the better of a student you will become."
The class still sighed and turned off her comment as they recieved her handouts. The bell rang as Quistis gave her thirty second last-minute announcement.
Tidus saw her walking out again and conversing with Rikku. He knew why she was trying to be her tour guide for the day. Simply because the girl wanted to draw her away from him. Him being the enemy. How rotten was that? The only reason she had gotten mean towards him was that he said no when she asked him to take her out. He tried to explain to her that he was loaded with exams to prepare for but she wouldn't listen at all , by the next year, Rikku began to seriously change.
Now she hated him with every bone in her body just because she once used to have faith, and he crushed her dreams. He wasn't trying to be mean, just realistic. He couldn't offer a chance during the summer because she would be gone ever since the last day of school. He remembered rushing to her house only to find the parking lot empty. Then he recieved the e-mail. Things had been bitter ever since. He decided the chase was useless.
Yuna was being educated by this woman. If it kept up things would only get worse for her as well. He cared ony about adrenaline sport in the past, but as his feelings towards approaching women changed, and he was scared of being left out of the fun he didn't want Rikku's stories to alienate him from another stranger. Only people like Squall, and Auron believed that he was just a normal kid. Everyone else had some sort of beef with him one day or another. Even his own parents. Who could he turn to? Who would accept him in one form or another? Feeling the need to prove that he was an okay guy led him to follow her path out the back parking lot. He knew he didn't have to let his feet carry him there when he was too choked up to know what to say, but he always did everything better when he just improvised.
He followed them out to the parking lot and heard them talking as he snuck by the bushes.
" So you wanna take my car?"
" Minivan huh? You planning to be a soccer mom in the future?" Rikku joked
" How'd you know?" Yuna asked sarcastically " This piece of shit probably won't even get me home today."
She only gave the door a light kick, and that was all it took for the thing to fall off. Students were out walking and some were watching. The boys who had been eyeing the new hot chick weren't thinking of approaching her kindly anymore as they were laughing at what they saw.
Yuna was held in shock and outrage at the same time, the frustration was enough to make her head explode. The radio deck and woofs were completely ripped away, and the windows were broken, but worst of all, the steering wheel was ruined to crap. She almost didn't want to get inside paranoid that a car bomb was planted right by the exhaust pipe or something worse.
" Good thing you always keep your wallet and phone with you huh? And you cleaned the car out too. Lucky." Rikku mentioned trying not be funny as it was a traumatic moment.
" Uhh Yuna? Yuna? It'll be okay." She tried to tell her
" H-how will it be okay? FUUUUCCCCKK!!!!" Her silence broke into a total rage as she kicked the car even harder setting off the alarm. Too many people were noticing.
Wakka rushed over almost dropping his books and inspected the mess.
" If I knew the bastards I'd strangle them for you."
" You'll have to leave that job to me Wakka..I swear to GOD if I find out I will make someone's life miserable."
" It gets rough of all the well to do families that try to move into this neighborhood as a getaway. There's still a lot of those juvies, and they only made our school look like a private institution because people were so bad. So there's still stuff like this going on. Besides that BMW down there was once totaled to shit, and even flamed. Tidus's dad went berserk on him. I'm suprised the kid's still alive."
" Hey guys." Tidus rushed up " What's going on-what in holy-? Who the fuck did this?"
Wakka shrugged.
" Come on Wakka. We know all of the fake-thug, wanna-be, white kid gangsters that live near here. Now who was it?"
" I didn't see who did this. I was inside the building all day." Wakka rose his voice
" Damn Sprint. Can't even call my fucking parents. Oh well." she tried to brush it off but it was obvious she was still burned to the core.
" You can use mine." Tidus offered his phone.
She took it while sniffling, and misdialed twice before getting the number right.
" Dad?....You won't believe this......no the car.....someone trashed it......how should I know!?....I'm going to call them.....of course I locked everything!......I told you I don't know....okay....*sigh*...okay. Listen I'll be home later than usual.....yeah she should be there..........I....okay."
" You need a ride?"
He blurted it out faster than he wanted to, and wasn't sure that he said the right thing. It didn't sound like she wanted anyone's pity.
" I really don't need charity right now."
" No really I'll take care of it. Wakka you got shop till six right?"
"Don't remind me."
"Rikku you can come along too if you want."
She heard the sound of her posse pulling up in their Grand Cherokee and shouting out her name. It scared her enough to have her hair reaching towards the sky as she turned around to face them all.
" Quit doing that! I'm coming!"
She grabbed her bookbag and ran, telling the entire story as she got there.
" See what I mean?" Tidus pointed out " Well I really oughta take you home."
" WHOA! What the hell happened?" Squall ran over
" Are you that oblivious to it all? Look man."
" Miss you don't know how sorry I am for this. I'll give you a ride if you.."
" Soorrry Squall. Be a gentleman somewhere else. This is serious."
" Aww that's mean."
" I know it is but were still friends right?"
Squall slapped hands with him but leaned in to whisper in his ear.
" Good going so far. Now make sure that you do exactly as I tell you during the drive. Report back to me in the morning."
" Huh?! Right now?"
" SSSSSHH! In the morning pal. On the DL till tommorow morning. Good luck."
Some strangers accepted hugs from other strangers. It was a sign that they were a loving person or that they tried not to shove people away when they felt bad. Yuna was tipping on the edge of shutting everyone out, but as she cried she actually trusted a stranger. He welcomed her with open arms of course, but the day felt twice halfway sour instead of total glory. This was not the situation Tidus would have chose in order to gain her trust, but then again who could control fate like that?
" I'm sorry."
Her father and mother were both away on serious business. She usually went home on her own and greeted the housekeeper who usually didn't pick her up. She had been self sufficient enough to handle a lot of things on her own.
(Maybe when she's in better spirits she can coach me on being resilient), but nothing hurt like having your property trashed, and for the first time he witnessed the wall that Yuna was break down before his eyes.
She was silent for most of the ride, and she lived rather far away. Tidus swore he knew his area from top to bottom, but soon enough he was convinced that he had to pull of a road map. He couldn't have looked anymore shameful.
" Whose CD is this?" Yuna sniffled as she heard the powerful vocal cuts of young 'J5' Micheal Jackson singing over Kay Gee's acid jazzy beat World Go Round.
" Squall's but he let me copy them."
" Naughty By Nature? Never listened to them but....it sounds nice."
" Once again I'm really fucking sorry that had to happen to-"
" If I keep thinking about it, it'll be too unhealthy for me."
" You told the police everything you could right?"
She nodded and sniffled again.
" Mmm. Poor thing...Hey you've always got friends in us. We got Wakka and Cid from shop working on your van. It's their new project."
" Amateur repair?" She asked weakly
" Hah. They're the best for miles!! If they had the parts they could probably've fixed mine, but then of course my dad was sore about it. He wanted to send the car to best people on earth to get repairs, and the bill was a bite in his ASS."
" Good to know." She tried to smile but wounds didn't heal in seconds
" Awww he left Busta Rhymes in here! MONNEEEYY!! Loud and therapeudic. I recommend GREATLY." He chuckled evilly as he handed the case to her to switch CDs as he pulled off the highway.
" I'd better not." She widened her eyes and gave him a nervous smile. Though she was open to new styles, her thing was LeeAnn Rimes, Dido, Avril Lavigne, U2, and Pink Floyd. Already he was beggining to know so much about her, and it would be a short drive home, then he had to say goodbye.
But the moment felt good as he felt himself being taken over singing 'Everybody Rise' till his voice box put a stop on him. Yuna sat there and wondered if he was sane enough to get her home, but if she died right then it wouldn't matter. Eventually it cracked a real smile on her face, and she began to burst out laughing even with the tears drying on her face.
It wasn't hard to tell that he was a fan when he memorized so many of the lyrics and didn't mess up once.
" All right I've got Dido here. Let's see you kick a few notes. You were in chorus weren't you?"
" Are you trying to cheer me up?"
" What a coincidence. Does it look like it? I just get really musically inclined when I drive. Helps a person relax. I think it's working what about you? "
It took her a long while. She was so reluctant at first but as he kept pressing she almost forgot that something seriously messed up had happened, but as she was victim to happiness once again she couldn't hold back. Therefore she sang.
" Ohhh I'm jealous. Keep it up!"
She hit highs that he didn't even know she could reach, and dazzled him with her skill. He felt a dream coming true in a strange way, but it was happening. Who would sing for a dumbass like him? Either she was really nice or there was a closeness happening a little TOO fast. Just how many friends did she make out of complete strangers anyways? That was sure to endanger a person quick, but reason her car suffered was because of neighborhood initiation. There was no way he was telling her about that shit because he knew the frat boys who were most likely responsible, but he needed them alive for a few months to take of a few favors and then he'd kill them himself for disrespecting his friends.
He pulled up to her house. The feeling of an empty parking lot seized Yuna. He knew the feeling all too well and offered his hand.
" What a first day huh?"
" Shit. Nanny'll be on my back about it all night." She breathed out
" I got your back if you want me to go in and explain."
She paused for a long time.
" You don't understand my family. They expect so much of me. Everyone. I don't know what I'm going to tell them Tidus."
" You mean...you don't wanna go in yet?" He questioned and she shook her head.
" Maybe that wasn't a long enough drive. Maybe it'll be best if we just go somewhere. You need a drink."
" After this I'll need a thousand."
" Hey listen don't drown yourself okay? This'll be taken care of soon you've got my word on it." This time he was really attempting to cheer her up.
" You've been really nice about this. Thanks."
" Well I couldn't...you know I couldn't...aw heck it was nothing."
She pulled him in for a warm tight hug again. That same hug that melted him like butter in a frying pan. Quick, and swiftly. He was almost out but he liked the feeling and moved his hands up her back to accept the feeling. Sure it was too early for even such things as this but rarely a soul he knew had legitimate levels of friendship anymore. Love was a little too free, but as it was already happening, and not by his decision, he decided to let it all take it's course. Her face stroked across his slightly as she moved her head away, and it made him wonder what sort of message she was trying to get out with that movement. He stoped searching for signs as he continued driving and found Squall's cabin again, then knocked on the door.
" Well hello there Miss Yuna" He turned and whispered irately to Tidus with bulging, bloodshot eyes "What the HELL do you think you're DOING!?"
" Thought I'd show her the neighborhood. Heh-Heh....heh-heh." Tidus faked a laugh and made Squall read his lips.
" Smile and Nod. Just Smile and Nod."
" Ohhh. I see! Well welcome to my humble abode. You will excuse me of course, the place is a bit of a mess."
" Is that a real grapevine out there in the yard?"
" Why yes. I've taken into a bit of the green thumb as you can see but you know us Leonharts have ways of mastering so many things." Even his laugh sounded disturbingly elegant. He was still slinging her in, and it was annoying him. Tidus slapped his forehead. They both heard it, and turned around.
" It was just a fly." He lied
(A pal, but sometimes he can be such a dipshit) Tidus thought as he sighed and walked along to the garden.
" So what brings you here Yuna?"
" Just visiti-" Squall cut Tidus off
" I was TALKIN t' Yuna."
" Couldn't go home. It's dangerous back there. Too unsafe for me, I wanted to wait till the heat cooled down."
" You'll hafta face them eventually. Besides it's not even your fault." He reminded her.
" They can MAKE IT my fault."
" Dang. I'm glad MY mom understands when shit happens."
" Squaaalll!! Could you be any more inconsiderate?" Tidus warned out loud.
" Whups. Sooorry. Hee-Hee." He gave a little wave hoping he would still be seen as a good guy.
He let them stay for the rest of the night. Going up to his room and going over his coin collection he left the refigerator all to Tidus. Even the drinks. Bacardi? Absolutely NOT. Champagne? This wasn't a proposal, and he wasn't James Bond. Heineken? Pretty casual. No sweatin that."
There was still distance between him and her as they watched TV. He knew how to remedy that from Squall's tips. He had to change the station to something that would get her off her feet, and would make the perfect excuse to fill the gap.
" I love the Daily Show." the words came out of mouth drunken, and soon she was laughing at the corny jokes.
" You okay?" Tidus asked
" I don't know. Are you?" she smiled again, and it made him crack up. Never in his life had he witnessed an entire personality all in one day and it's many sides. Then came that irresistible smile.
Her hair was tossed around. Her face looked even more vibrant as she raised her eyebrows while laughing. Her teeth clasped against her lower lip as she tried to fight an incoming laugh but couldn't resist. She never stoped looking at him for a long time. Suddenly it didn't feel so wierd anymore. The field was open.
He put his arm around her as she leaned in towards him. She was drunk, but more than he was obviously .Sure they had laughs he still was not entirely ready to go the next level. His head hurt a bit as she planted a light kiss on his cheek. No something was wrong. Love EVOLVED. It was the rules. This shit never happened in a day. Never at all. But he wasn't too scared to accept her. With the way this was going he probably wouldn't show up early enough for his parents to not bug out, but then his dad was probably rejoicing, and her parents would be out till tommorow afternoon. Oh the joy of freedom.
Lips met again. He held her as she pressed her big tits against his body his hand was reaching for her belt buckle. They kissed until their breaths became fast. Clumsy figers couldn't get all of their clothes off, because of this a smashed couple of teens lay there on the couch on top of each other next to pack of beers and sat there laughing
" You clumsy little..."
" Well you aren't doing any better. As for me I can just reach under you."
He did. Fingering through her bra he touched her tit, and was suprised totally by the fact he heard no response but only giggles from her. She began to keep whispering repeatedly for him to stop.
"Okay. Okay. Hold on." He exctracted his index finger, and she dropped back on top of him. Her legs curling up around one of his. A feeling that sent jolts through every bone of his body.
But no matter how real the night was it wouldn't stay that way for long. When she woke up with a hangover she'd come to realize what happened, and things wouldn't be happy.
Around 5:00 AM it was her cell phone that served as her alarm. Nanny called. At least she wasn't furious. The constant correspondence helped, and the old woman was probably convinced that Yuna had been at the station answering questions all night. She did mention that she visited a few classmates homes, but she would still be upset. Getting up she lifted herself from the face of another. When she recognized who it was, she jumped back off the couch seized in fear. Looking up to her left she saw there was another presence in the room. A woman who seemed to be in her thirties. holding a bag of groceries she stared at her with intense eyes the entire time. Yuna jolted as she spoke.
"Squall!!" she called upstairs
Now she knew she was in trouble.
" Yes mommy dearest?" Squall joked in his most disgusting accent yet.
Here it came.
" You could've at least saved a few beers for me you know. What happened to being considerate? Did you have a house party while I was gone?"
" This early in the year? Impossible-Oh geez I'm sorry I forgot." He collected every last one " but I'll make a note of it to save up and replace that six pack for you. Hey Yuna." he turned to face her
Tidus woke up with the weight on top of him. As his sight went from blur to normal he shot up but a hand kept him back down on the couch.
" Awww. Someone tell me it didn't happen."
" It didn't I'm sure." Yuna assured him
" Hey mom where's the mouthwash? The smell of old booze is getting on my nerves." Came Squall's voice down the hall. He was always up and about on the mornings
" I'm telling you it's in the bathroom closet. Use your eyes." Raine advised him. Eventually he came back down and offered the bottle to both of them.
" Gargle, and rinse you remember how to do that right y' old bastard?"
The phone rang. Even though it was Squall's house, he was still paranoid that it was his folks.
"Tidus it's for you.(Dum Dum Dum Dum DUUMMM!!!)" He laughed as he handed the cordless over. Tidus snatched it up.
" Oh mom. Aw geez I'm sorry I forgot to tell you I was studying with him again.....Yeah our civics project again.....I told
you it would take all week....I'm coming right now. Okay just a few.....sure.....I'm really really sorry.......... love you too....see you later."
" Liar." Squall scuffed under his breath. Yuna gasped but Squall warned her to keep it down.
" She could've heard you on the line and wondered what was going on over here."
" Oh."
" Well anyways you've got two hours, and I know you girls need every single second of that time to prepare for school so now that our chaffeur is up and at em. I shall see see you in class."
" Thanks for taking us in."
" People've been retreating to my place to getaway for years. I guess maybe once in awhile it doesn't hurt to be open to my fellow man and woman."
The parking lot was still empty as he pulled up. Destiny lay beyond the front door
" I'll be out here waiting for you if you want." Fortunately I don't hafta change."
" I've got news for you. Your hair is still messy." She held up here hand mirror
" Damn."
" Come on in. I'll need you for back up." She pulled on his hand as he stepped out of the car.
It had already happened. Part of him was happy that it was with her, but he was still worried of how troublesome their friendship would be. Was it still a friendship or was it something deeper? Who wouldv'e thought? All in one day?
A/N:There's going to be a SERIOUS family confrontation when Tidus gets home. You may just bear witness to Jecht at his worst as a father. You'd pick Jack Nicholson over him by the time you see the next chapter. Thanks for reading if you did. R&R pleeze