Five:
It was 3:00. He sat in the car for most of the afternoon. His mom was at work, and his father was still at home, but he wasn't stepping on the accelerator anytime soon. It was tranquil out in the park any ways. He picked up his disgusting test and began looking over the corrections. A little better than last time. He wasn't feeling frustrated anymore. Now that family, and friends were giving him hard times lately, it was easier to take his mind off of them, and concentrate on other things. Work became his escape. If no one else thought he was improving, then they all could kiss his ass.
A drive into the next town would do him good. Unlike the radio. Even music wasn't helping him for some reason. The days were becoming duller. He hadn't gotten a chance to talk to Yuna. It wasn't killing him, but boredom was. There a stalemate going on in his house. No windows were breaking, and that was what worried him the most. His folks didn't let steam just blow off. When they were quiet, they only gathered up more anger.
He stopped and turned around when he heard her voice. She was running towards the car. The rain soaking her uniform. Her bag slinging around in the air. She stopped right by the window and tapped on the glass rapidly with her open palm. Tidus quickly unlocked all doors and rolled down the window
" Yuna...hey."
She tried to smile for him as usual but it had been obvious that she'd been looking rather morose all day. He didn't even know that she had shown up at school. He couldn't think of what else to tell her as she stood in the rain.
" Here get inside." He opened the side door wide open. she climbed in, pulling the water out of her hair, and out of her eyes. The car was silent for the next few seconds.
" How's life?" Tidus was hoping that he wouldn't eat his words, but he was beginning to assume that, as Yuna wasn't responding.
" You sure you won't tell anyone?" Her eyes begged as she looked at him.
It was a lot to consider. She had a million words for him, and didn't know where to start. Tidus nodded his head, and promised that what he heard would never leave the car. He waited for her to speak but her fingers were knotting again.
" Wow. Something on your mind? No wait...it was the folks again?"
Something inside her told her to show him. Another voice in her head was telling her that she was crazy for doing it, but she had to talk to someone, and there was no one else in the entire town that she knew well enough to talk to. He was someone who had been in her very own house, and stayed by her side once. It would seem weird, but could she really hole up her pain forever?
Tidus eyes exploded out as she turned her back to him and pulled up her sweater, and shirt. Moving up the back strap of her bra he was able to get a better glimpse of the lashing across her back. Seeing it sent a tingle down his own spine. He sucked air through his teeth. Yuna flinched as he touched it.
" Aw geez. I'm sorry....when'd it happen?"
" Last night." Yuna sobbed
He could tell the whole story from that bruise, but what he wanted to know was who did it. He was still reluctant to ask.
" Somebody's got a mighty temper....uh who did it?" He asked
" Mu..mh..m..da-dddy." She barely got out
" Aww shitt." He wiped the tears out of her eyes as she turned to face him pulling her sweater back down, and held her as she buried her head in his arms.
"You sure you don't want to tell somebody about this? Even if it's your folks...it's still abuse." He suggested but turned his head to look back down, ducking for the response.
" I couldn't go." She breathed out and shook her head " They'll get over it. Everything'll be better soon. I know it."
"Don't lie to yourself. I mean sure we both go home to this stuff everyday but it's still not good that our folks are always so fighting mad. I tried to talk to Jecht, but it's hard....I'm afraid of what he might do to my mom. If he was some stranger I'd beat the crap out of him in a second, but he's my...dad."
It was his statement that made her realize that it was okay to come out a little more. He had actually told her that he was considering hurting his own father to save his mother. You couldn't say such things to anyone. Any other person would have felt alienated towards him for thinking violence especially since Tidus was no weakling but a very well built kid for his age. She knew that he had risked stepping over a border to open his mouth. She couldn't step out of the car or make him feel worse. Both of them were worried.
" You gotta do something."
" I guess we both do." He sighed, and chuckled nervously. " It's funny. I thought that the next time I saw you, I was planning not to bring this stuff up no matter what, but then you showed up, and I just froze...."
" Couldn't hide something like this." She assured him while looking away from him, straight out the window.
" What are we going to do? We can't go home anymore." She cried again. Tidus hugged her again. There had to be a solution. He was just too worn out to think of it.
" Wanna drive somewhere?" He offered her. It may have been raining, and she liked the outside, but there was only one other option, and none of them wanted to take the latter.
"I just feel like staying here."
That was Yuna. She wouldn't sacrifice the outdoors just because of a little water. He sure was learning a lot about how to better himself by listening to her at times. Mabye he needed a walk in the rain. He moved back to look at her for a long time, but couldn't take the silence. If they could just think of something else to discuss that felt a bit more comfortable then perhaps they wouldn't feel so tense, but the silence was taking him somewhere. he was too afraid of going. If he did then he couldn't stop.
Everything on his face was saying that it was too complicated, but she didn't resist at all. She waited, and drew herself towards him. The idea that he was still somewhat of a stranger and not her best pal for seven years had drifted away. She would run wherever she could find solace.
As they kissed passionately, they put away the idea of how awkward the moment was, telling each other in their heads that it didn't mean anything but the reaction that went through both of their bodies argued otherwise and won them over. Tidus only pulled up for a second as he began to shower Yuna with kisses around her neck across her face. Returning to her mouth, they were giving tongue in the dark of the front seats under the cover of the park trees without a soul in sight watching. Their paranoia seemed to just lift away.
He finally convinced her, and they hit the road. He had enough money so it wouldn't be too much of a hassle. This time he had remembered to inform his mom about his staying out again. That was all he needed to do. Even the city streets didn't feel as scary as the heat that generated in his own home at times.
He found a motel off the highway, and couldn't believe he was doing this, but still hadn't much other choice. He walked to the other side of the car opening Yuna's door for her. The entire ride he had the excuse of keeping his eyes on the road but when he turned back to look at her again, he lost his train of thought again.
"Sssh. It's okay." She told him putting her finger to his lips " You don't have to say anything."
She stroked his hair. Tidus gulped and tried to get his mind back to work again.
(Okay idiot. Let's try and remember why we're here.)
" Come on. Let's get a room." He motioned with his head.
The man at the desk simply asked for the check, gave the number and key, and said nothing more off the subject, but his eyes had suggested that he was interested in what he saw. A beautiful young woman who stood by the door and another guy slightly taller than her. Both looked like private high school students. Whatever they were planning to do, he knew. His place had been used as a getaway from parents from time to time, but he rarely had any runaways or police coming up to his door asking if he'd ever seen a certain someone.
Tidus grasped the key in his hands tightly. Knowing exactly what it meant for the rest of the night. He let out a weak 'thanks' as he walked on his way out of the office down to the first door on the right.
Empty, but peaceful.
She had been watching TV the entire time. He was in the bathroom long after taking a piss. He stared at himself in the mirror. His eyes looked completely bugged out. Everything about him looked like a total mess, and he felt that he must have sounded like a complete doofus towards Yuna who occasionally turned her head away when he tried to speak. Good luck getting closer to her. Squall had been pushing him for awhile now. He offered the little things such as running errands for her, constantly talking to her, and understanding her. Well he had finally crossed whatever threshold there was and she had accepted a kiss. Did it really make anything official? Who knew? If it were some other girl around his school he wouldn't even be sweating, but for some reason, something drew him towards Yuna. She was so much easier to talk to. A person could discuss almost anything with her except her family of course. Thinking about her smile spread a short one across his face for a second as he looked down at the sink letting water droplets fall from his face. He exhaled. Turning his head upward slowly to regard his own shitty face. He had no idea what she saw in him. He was the seed of a worrisome woman, and a despicable arrogant man, but Tidus still had attributes that came from them. He moved his hand from the bathroom mirror letting the water slide down off his palm. Turning towards the door, he thought that he had the courage to face her, but he stopped again.
Where was he going with this? When he got out of the bathroom, what was the first thing she was going to do? He figured that after all this time she was waiting to give him something and he couldn't guess what it was, but suppose nothing happened, and he made another move. Would she grab her stuff, and run off? He certainly didn't want to make an enemy out of her, but then shit happened. He couldn't control it. If she had gone this far maybe she'd be willing to go further. She had to be. You didn't normally kiss a person in such a way after such a short time. That was what he believed at least.
It had been weeks and maybe she was running into things a little too fast, but she didn't know what was right or wrong anymore because he wasn't stopping. He wasn't saying no, and she wasn't either. If there was a little voice inside her head trying to convince her otherwise, then she did not hear it at all. It was hard focusing on the movie which was just starting to reach a climax when she felt there was something just as important that was going to happen right then.
Tidus walked sluggishly out of the bathroom, and stopped to look at the movie then turned to look at Yuna sitting on top of the bed on her hip side, leaning on her arm.
" You said the main character dies at the end of the movie."
" I lied. Yeah. So?" Tidus shrugged " I didn't know you were that gullible." he dropped down on the bed
" *Errghh!!* That's the tenth time tonight! You think you're so smart don't you?" She grabbed the pillow and started to beat him silly. As Tidus laughed, he could barely get out the words 'I surrender'
" Okay Okay you win. I'm sorry."
She tossed the pillow away and dropped on top of him. Her face staring right into his again. Her head resting on his chest. She curled up right by him.
The entire time they didn't fall asleep, but stayed silent in their usual staring contest.
" Can I see that bruise again?" Tidus offered to help
She didn't only lift up her shirt, she took it off. He was surprised at that, but shook of whatever sudden worries he felt and inspected the lashings.
" Does it still hurt?"
" A little." Her head hung low as she sat up.
He didn't have the magic to make it go away, but to pretend seemed to be enough for her. He'd never know why he kissed the thing, but the feeling that jolted through her, and sent a shaky reaction through her body on to where he touched her was confirmation that whatever wall was keeping them away had broken down. He revealed to her the results of serious altercations between him and Jecht. though he had actually gotten away with decking his old man once. Her skin against him actually made the irritations seem to go away. What bothered him the most were not the scars, but the fact that they reminded him of his past.
Something in him made him desperate enough to lead his shaking hands to her skirt. He undid the zipper and pulled it off slowly. His hands led to her bra. and it came down as well. Yuna's breaths became even more rapid. Before they knew it, all of their clothes were off, and there they were making love under the covers. Yuna giggled occasionally. Still silence returned. No longer were they afraid of it. They began to accept it.
He returned home at around eight. Opening the door slightly he made sure that everything was taken care of. That his face didn't look too messed up. He tried hard to wash the lipstick off of his face as well, but was still waiting for a certain pair of people to come in scolding him as soon as he opened the door.
This was not what he found at all.
The living room was empty. No one was waiting for him, but he heard the noise coming from downstairs. Fast breaths. He knew exactly what they meant, but it could not have happened. Here? In his own home? With those two? It was impossible. Tidus thought that a law of physics had to be broken or something for those two to actually be...
When he peeked in from the stairs, that was what he saw. They didn't hear him coming in because of the stereo's loudness. That was good. He retreated upstairs quietly, set his things down on the floor, dropped into his easy chair, and began laughing to himself. It hadn't happened in years, and it felt weird, but any positive alternative to violence was okay in his book. Thank God.
Maybe everyone just needed getaway time from each other. When that happened, it really helped to clear up the hostility. Nothing else worked except this, and he was beginning to find out that when the team had time to break out and think about all the bullshit that they'd been saying they were ready to cooperate the next practice.
He still wasn't a friggin ace with school but all seemed well when Yuna was around. He started hanging out around her a lot more. Her folks were getting to be easier on her within time but she had been grounded for a few slip ups every now and then. But it had been six months since the last time she had come running to him, and he heard of rarely any sob stories yet.
It was one Saturday afternoon that he pulled up to the house. She had called him earlier telling him that her folks would be gone for the weekend again. Tidus didn't honk. He knew that she would be playing sentry by the window.
Yuna climbed down wearing the same Linkin Park black concert T shirt that he had. The guys were coming local on their tour, and neither Tidus or Yuna would miss the event for the world. though another family disagreement had blocked her chances of going. Well.......officially, but not 'technically'.
Squall was in the back singing along to ' In the End' as usual
" Son?" Tidus rolled his eyes
" Whutcha want dingus?" Squall stopped
" Could you put a lid on it? Everyone knows you're the greatest voice in chorus class okay?"
He only encouraged Squall to start singing in his face.
" Alright." Squall finally gave in, " I gotta thank you for helping me win all four of those tickets on EBay, but what I still don't get is why we had to bring HER along." Squall pointed to Lulu
" She found out about all our schemes last year. I'm not trying to get any rumors spread you know that right?" Tidus tightened his grip on the wheel.
Yuna jumped from the window to the tree and climbed down. She rushed over to the car while rummaging through her purse, then zipped it up and jumped inside.
" It's been awhile." Tidus smiled
" Hasn't it darling?" She joked in the sexiest voice she could possibly bring out.
" Mmm. Dang, I forgot to give you something last time." Tidus muttered before leaning in to kiss her. Not even concerned that the others were watching. Lulu tried to not pay attention. Squall mentioned to her by signaling with his fingers that he was the orchestrator, or the one behind what she was currently witnessing.
"Wow. If we had popcorn to watch this with, I'd take this over a soap Opera any day of the week." Lulu admitted
" Lulu!" Yuna scolded
" Oh...come on already. It's not like I wouldn't find out sooner or later, now are we going or what? The driveway view is nice I'm sure but I'd rather be looking at the stage when we get there."
" Yeah. I kinda figured you would be excited." Squall said annoyed
" Chester Bennington. " She said dreamily
" Oh God. Here we go again." Squall rolled his eyes
" Those thick glasses....."
" Hey Tid? My window won't work could you help me out? I think I'm gonna barf right now."
" You jealous of the lead singer?"
" Hell no. They're all cool. I just don't like GROUPIES!!"
Yuna and Tidus both laughed as they pulled out into the street, and drove off. It was going to be a long drive.
It had begun to rain, but they had supplied Umbrellas and weren't budging from their spots which were pretty good for seeing the band but also a good chance you would be moved up to close and have your face mashed up against the fence while others were having the time of their lives thrashing around. It was a little too humid, but no one cared. Amongst the thousands there were people lifted up on shoulders to get a better view. Obviously girls had a better chance to flash tits from there.
" Go ahead!" Tidus yelled
" What!?" Yuna yelled back
" I'm not jealous! Go ahead! Go ahead!!"
" Do it!" Squall yelled enthusiastically
He swore that some of the band noticed. Five seconds of acknowledgment was all they needed, and everything was bliss.
Things toned down on that empty, large stretch of green land. It was only a few acts but much safer than Woodstock. Some people were off in their own camps. Tidus went back to check the car occasionally with the binoculars he snuck in.
" Is it fucked up yet?" Lulu asked
" Nah. I think we hid it pretty good."
" Good thing you switched your fancy sedan for my 88 Civic huh? Just left that babe in my garage. See? The real 'HEADZZZ" respect the non-flashy type vehicle. If you kept driving that dream car down here...WHOO! Your pops would maim you. You'd be in the exact same condition as the car."
" As much as I want to retort right now....I can't." Tidus gave up
" Why's that cowboy?" Squall asked
" Because you both are right!"
Squall laughed again
" Hey come on. My friends from college are here. I want you to meet a few." He yanked him up by the arm
" You won't be too long will you?" Yuna asked
" Nah." Tidus bent down to kiss her on the cheek once more before leaving
There's Locke, Issaru, Setzer,...... Zell, and Selphie well not actually these two, and they're both transferring to be with us soon."
" Oh really? Well ain't that some shit WZUUP!??" Tidus extended one hand while pretending to give the 'grab the balls' gesture with the other as he approached the guys. He didn't normally do that, but the others didn't know that he was not a stud. They exchanged greetings and laughed.
" Squall?!"
" Over here baby!" He yelled
It was the very same blonde that he met on the road. If only he had known that Squall was with her, but when he thought about it for awhile he wasn't all that surprised. He wondered how she was able to sneak through the crowd looking so hot damn sexy in a black dress, and long boots that still showed the curves in her legs. She stepped through the muddy waters. Almost trying to jog but carefully. She ran into his arms. Squall lifted her up in the air and swung her around before bringing her down for a kiss like the gentleman he was. They kissed for a pretty long time making everyone else wonder if an introduction was in order at all.
" Somebuddy wanna introduce her?" Tidus asked among the rest of the silent crew that continued to stare.
"Oh." Squall stood up and scratched his head as he chuckled. The mystery blonde lowered her head, and blushed red " Dude you know her. This is the James Madison chick that I was talking about. Sorry I didn't tell you that I was leading you onto my babe, but I had to orchestrate the whole thing for you. It was part of the test."
" Aww!" Tidus leaned over as though he was going to deck Squall, but faked it. He then turned back to his girl
" I'm Celes. Nice to meet you."
" Same here." Tidus smiled " You better keep a leash on your man before he gets in trouble."
" Don't worry I will." she said after LOL'ing
" Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Squall burst out. Everyone laughed
It'd been awhile since him and Yuna had been going out, and he could already sense the temptation coming, but he was ready for it. Sure she was sexy. sure he'd hit that if he had the chance, but imagining Yuna at her best reminded him how lucky he was to have her as well. So he couldn't fall for any tricks. Not tonight. No sir. He was tapping no other ass than the one where he knew he was welcome.
Celes was still kinda cute though.
Being with a different group made him feel older. More mature. Though he couldn't leave the girls hanging for too long, he wanted to spend time with these concert rats, and not have the idea of being just some high school kid with just some high school girl get to him.
" Those your friends over there?" Celes asked
" *sigh* Yeah." Tidus answered
" Well bring them over. Come on."
She was sure anxious to meet new people, but that was the mark of a kind person, and she was proving that she was that type of person to him already.
" Who's she?" Yuna asked. Lulu still hadn't shown up yet
" My girl." Squall obviously couldn't hide it with Celes wrapping herself around him playfully. He whispered to Yuna.
" Don't tell Lulu. As you can see... I'm trying to physically separate the both of us right now so I can keep lying to her."
" Why would you want to do that?"
" It's been two years and I don't think she's gotten over it."
" You haven't told her yet? But you're a smart kid. You should know perfectly well how to break it to her."
" Of course I know. I just trying to figure out how to do it, and have the LEAST bit of pain inflicted on me as possible."
" Did you dump-"
" She dumped me. That was when I realized I wasn't made to deal with this generation of young women so I had to move up a few levels, relate to someone who shared the same concerns." He pointed to Celes who just smiled
" You know about thi-" Yuna pointed at her
" Yep." Celes nodded " Drunk at a dorm party. He was still sobbing about it. That's where I first met him. "
" Well isn't that quite the story." Tidus chuckled." Squall? Crying?"
" Hey shut up." The wise man became sensitive
" Wish I had a camera for that one." Tidus laughed
" Don't bother. I still got photos right in my purse."
" LEEMMMEE SEEE!!!" Tidus rushed over while Squall struggled to block him.
" Have some consideration will ya!?"
" Revenge! Bitch!" Tidus told him, still laughing as he turned to Celes " Gimmedh' pictures! Gimmedh' pictures!"
Yuna stepped back holding her soda high in the air as the three of them wrestled around laughing. It was funny how Tidus seemed dull faced around her lately, but right then he was as happy as she had ever seen him laughing with Celes while Squall was losing his composure. She hadn't seen him so happy lately. she thought that maybe she was being a little too paranoid about everything and simply decided to back off.
It happened later in the year when a house party was going on Zell's place, and the rest of the crew that Tidus met at the concert was there. He had what he once again declared 'the greatest nights of his life." Dancing wildly. Of course he never forgot her, but she began to remember the moments they spent together at school or outside of school. Back when he would pursue her with kisses every chance that he got. Currently he had to go out to be happy.
She didn't know that she had become much bitchier lately. Snapping at him for small mistakes that weren't even his fault, and he would just back away silently most times. He didn't choose to argue because that was what his father did. What a surprise. The sins of the father did not pass on but encouraged peace within the child.
That was only one of the few things that he was excelling at. Sure she didn't care what he did on other days where his mind wandered when he was busy. It was nice to know that she was considered in his thoughts when he was away doing other things, but when they were together, even though she had shunned him in the past, she wanted him right there, thinking of her.
At school, Rikku saw the pair. They were only a pair of silhouettes but she knew that it was them kissing. Taking a quick peek through the crowds she rushed back around the corner to the lunch hall where the rest of the crew was chatting.
" I found them sir."
" Do I look like Peppermint Patty to you?" Beatrix gave her the cold eye
" Sorry sir." Rikku apologized
The conversation was stuck on Charlie Brown (the only comic they ever read in their lives) for the next few minutes
" I never read the newspaper. News is Icky, but I saw the Charlie Brown Christmas special." Rinoa brightened up on the last statement
" Hey wait a second!" Beatrix called the court to order. " We were supposed to be discussing something important."
When she paused, everyone else was silent.
" Now if only I could remember what it was..." She pounded her forehead twice " Do'h. That's it! It's THOSE two."
" Oh Yuna is such a bitch for hanging around HIM." Belgemine sighed out
" Oh now you're honoring her?!" Dona snapped. Belgemine shut up quickly. There was no point in even attempting to explain.
The chat circle became even louder until Beatrix could hardly even think and once again called everyone to order.
" Lisssseeenn!! Thank you. Anyways I hate that big mouthed son of a bitch too. Whoops. I mean son of an ass....okay whatever! The POINT is..were all sick of Yuna flaunting around the halls with Mr. Big and bad Basketball star right?"
" Right." The others responded unanimously
" and what are going to do about it?!"
" Absolutely nothing." Came a voice from the right
" Who speaks such blasphemy in my presence!?" Beatrix searched around as every head nearby ducked
" Over here dumbass." Squall walked by
"Thought it was in your honor code to be nice to ladies." Beatrix challenged casually
"Exactly, and you don't qualify. You're wrong about something else too 'BeatBox'. It's 'Ladies that I'm interested in."
" You mean the Anna Nicole Smith type?"
The lunchroom was responding even louder.
"Please. You've been staring at my gorgeous ass all week. I've seen you." She fired back.
" Well Guiness told me I had to make sure it was the nastiest looking one in the world. I had to make sure you were Godzilla in the flesh because part of me still can't believe how ugly you are."
( Ohhhh!!!) came the response from many tables. Squall didn't even laugh at his own joke. He was that smooth
" I think you'll need a much thicker pair of 'extra eyes' Squall." she pointed to his glasses " It's obvious you couldn't get with any one of us because your ashy face is horrible enough to break mirrors."
(Ohhhh!) Tables still responded but it was the girls that gave the most support. Medium range funny.
" Please now. No time to get immature. I know you're still mad because I chose to fuck your 47 year old mama over you-"
The feedback came before he even finished the sentence
"But I don't get down with endangered species, rabies and all that stuff."
The support fell over to Squall's side in a massive wave. He needed no backup
" Just who do you think you are?"
" I AM your father." Squall told her in his best 'Darth Vader' voice " and it looks like mama done beat the shit out of my sperm, giving birth to a
smelly Ogre like you....Like God declared it or something- (AND SHE WILL BE UGLY!!)" He mocked her.
As the lunch hall rocked with cheers and laughter a new respect fell over him. Rikku was not there to watch her leader's shunning. She was already off at another table.
"Wow." Yuna observed " I'm almost in love with him for that." she said it while remembering the time Beatrix spilled Pepsi on her report making her read through blotched ink to the class. That was the second worst moment of her seventeen year existence.
" Hey." Tidus said sensitively, but not loud or mean. He was always careful with his tone around her.
" I'm sorry. I didn't forget you too." They exchanged a short peck while hearing someone say 'eeww' from up above.
" Nice to see you Rikku." Tidus greeted her as though nothing happened. He wasn't sweating outside commentary anymore. " Not sitting with your comrades are you?" He asked. He wasn't teasing but Rikku still took it that way
" Duh."
" You better run back before Beatty kicks you square in the ass. Being a traitor is DAN-GER-OUS." he advised with a chuckle, and he meant every word
" Tidus." Yuna scolded " You can stay here Rikku."
He hadn't seen her so serious before. He knew that girls were like that sometimes but he had made sharp jokes before, and she wasn't the slightest bit angered by them in the past.
" Nah...I'm saying though...you don't wanna mess with that woman!....I'd rather be dumb enough to call Mike Tyson a 'sissy' in his face than wrestle with HER."
He tried to sound serious, but when Wakka laughed it became obvious on Yuna's face that it wasn't working.
" Are you going to keep up with this all day?" she whispered to him sharply " Can't you see you're upsetting her?
" Sorry." Tidus tried to apologize, but as Rikku got up and walked off, Yuna followed. He didn't know what to think
" Yuna." Rikku sat by her locker. She didn't sob but there was a tear coming down her eye. " They're all like this. They seem nice at the start, but they all have so much attitude. Like they're just above everything." Yuna listened intently wondering if she was going to cry. She actually was really loyal to her friends and their image.
" Yuna you can't stay with him. I tried to get closer to him, and the girls all warned me that he was out of my league."
" That's crazy Rikku. We're all the same age. We like the same things."
" But eventually they start to take advantage of people. Look at Lulu and Squall. He left to hang around college people only because they were older, more matured and more well off than he was. He knew he'd be out of his mind to mess with them, but he could take advantage of Lulu. He had the car, the money, the bigger brains, the ego, and the man power."
" So you joined the Crew as a means of letting people know that you weren't to be messed with huh? Is that feminism for you or what? Well did anyone get hurt around here?"
" Wakka hit Lulu once....He just loses it sometimes. One time at the shopping mall, but he could get so ...ferocious." Rikku paused. It was hard to keep going. Not with people going down the halls who could watch
" Could you be more specific about this?"Yuna tried to coax her to keep going. Rikku still wanted to hold back but she had to tell it sooner or later.
" Lots of them had already had sex okay!?"
" I know ten year olds in my old neighborhood that've done it." Yuna still didn't fully understand.
" Yuna....some people around here just violate. It's happened...I..I didn't want to mention it but the thing with your car...."
" Yes." Yuna's eyes grew wider
" It wasn't somebody from our school, but guys at this school know those punks, and they've become a real influence here. Probably thought you were sexy, and gave you a message, only their pranks are always over the line."
" Hundreds of dollars over the line." Yuna breathed out.
If this was the case...what did it mean about Tidus? He had been hanging with Wakka before she knew him. What kind of a man was he within?
" I heard you left him." Yuna mentioned Tidus.
She took the dare to say it, and was hoping the answer wouldn't smack her across the face. Was it only because he said he was too busy for you.
" I..just..saw him and Wakka talking last year about me....he told him that I wasn't worth going after...that I didn't know what I was getting into for even asking...like they were actually planning to..."
" My goodness." Yuna breathed out
" I had to leave." Rikku kept going. " I couldn't go with someone who was being taught to use me. I just don't want any part of it."
She tried to swallow. It was a lot to consider.
" Rikku? Yuna? Hey guys." Tidus approached. She had to think of something to say, but the distress was on her face.
" Forgot. I've got to see my advisor! Sorry!" Yuna rushed off
" Uh okay....uh Rikku I just wanted to apo-"
The bell rang
" Sorry." She shrugged. " See you around." she said. She didn't look too friendly about it. They had never acted like this before. It made him wonder just what they were up to.
" Yeah so it's been kind of sour for the past month. I can't call her as much as I used to. I even start with my best apology." Tidus leaned up by his locker.
" Can't call her too much." She warned him.
" I know. I don't want to scare her." Tidus waved his hands
" You aren't going to your best buddy for advice?" Beatrix asked
" He's on vacation out of state. I'd get the CIA to hunt down his phone number if I could." Tidus shrugged.
"Hmph. You're kinda funny when you're not hanging with those guys." Beatrix noticed
" I am? Well...thanks, and....lotsa thanks for accepting my apology. Tell Rikku that I really wanted to say I'm sorry too."
" That's okay." she tousled his hair. He didn't know why he let her.
" You look bushed out. When's the last time you had fun any ways study boy?"
" Fun? What is fun?"
" You should come down to Point Zero this Friday. Work that stress off."
" Hmm. Maybe."
Watching him walk off, she knew that she had one of those arrogant enemies right in the palm of her hand. Now it was time to decide whether or not she would finish him off.
He didn't want to upset her when she was looking so nice in her skirt. Montell Jordan's 'This is How We Do it' was playing in his car, and he was just feeling the vibe. It was a pain seeing her sneak out, but he'd still take a chance anyway he could get it. He began to sing along. As he could hear her high heels clip clopping and watched her in that tight light blue dress he couldn't help keep his eyes peeled open. He hoped that she wasn't still mad at him. If there was any heat. He had to work to get rid of it before the night would go downhill.
Looking at him sitting in the car waving, she tried to smile, but it would hurt him to know she was faking it. She was still antsy towards him, but had fought to keep from boiling up all week. When he called to see how she was doing. She just knew that whatever she was hiding was slipping out. He knew that she was worried about something but what was it. She couldn't let it out. She had to keep it on the DL. That was her.
" Hey Hey!" Tidus greeted her joyously as he honked the horn
" Watch it will you?" She snapped
Tidus lowered his head knowing that he must have made the wrong move.
" Sorry about that. I won't get carried away."
Yuna sighed
" It's okay. Just be careful from now on."
" Yuna." He looked at her seriously though she didn't exchange eyes with him " I know I've been a jerk lately, but I don't want I to jeopardize our friendship or anyone else. I tried to apologize to the girls."
" What'd they say?"
" Still silent. Gave me that look, but that's what I get."
" Yeah."
Tidus dropped his head again.
" But I forgive you."
It brought a heavy smile on his face. She really was amazing. Understanding in so many ways. He couldn't neglect her. Not when she was beautiful at the same time. Glorifying her was monotonous when he couldn't think of new words to use, but she had amazed him once again. Some girls wouldn't even give him an eye. He felt the confidence to step on the gas. While staring into her eyes and watching her returning smile stretch out the most he had ever seen.
" I'm in eternal debt to you now. Don't know what to say."
" It's nothing." She rubbed her hand across his back " Come on. Let's drive."
She saw her girlfriends. She danced with them, and the guys for awhile. Maybe the techno was too loud for her. Maybe she wasn't ready to party at all. Maybe she would have been better if she stayed at home feeling sick. She wouldn't be as sick as she felt right then. She didn't have as much to drink as Tidus. The ID's passed easily. Maybe the bartender was really siked up about getting service on this particular Friday.
She wondered what he was thinking while he was dancing with them the entire night. He had come over to ask her if she would hit the floor during his favorite song, but when she warned him that they had to go home he called her a spoiled sport and went back to the floor.
There he was working it while the Crew was spreading their legs for him. Their hair tossing in the wind as their heads moved. Fallen into their trap like a fool. She swore that she didn't know him anymore, she couldn't get anywhere near him, but she had to admit that she had shunned him a little too much. She thought that she could lure him to her, and that he would chase her.
Tidus would.
A drunk wouldn't
That's what he was right then.
All those girls. All on him. He looked for his queen occasionally but after searching he discovered that she was nowhere to be found. He decided it would only ruin the night to keep looking for her. She would make the night perfect, and it was a shame that she couldn't light it up. Something didn't but another opportunity came before him. All of the crew. They lived to hate him, but soon he felt their bodies against him. They challenged him with their eyes wondering if he knew how to freak dance, and were dazzled upon finding out that he could work it. They only tried harder to impress him, but soon enough he was being swarmed by their bodies. He was feeling a bit of moisture in the place, but he could guess they were too. He decided to take it further.
" Beatty. You gotta do better." He told her in her ear as he put his head on her shoulder. Her posterior was on him, and she looked awesome to say the least.
Some people argued that nothing worse happened. Wakka had the wheel taking him back. Though he wasn't the best designated driver. Something was missing obviously. They were the only two in the car. The club had been cleared out in a wild rush after a fight broke out all to make sure that there were no more people getting hit in stampedes, he was pushed out by security. They didn't recognize any problems with his money or card, but he had a feeling he wouldn't be coming back, but as he was drunk he didn't care.
He fell asleep rather fast. Feeling good, he was hoping to greet a better morning.
When the hangover came the next morning he was not surprised to find the world angry at him again. His folks pissed again for forgetting a number of home tasks. Not even hinting at the fact that he went to a club. Most likely they didn't know exactly where he went. He had gotten undressed at least. He tried not to open his mouth for fear his chronic breath would give him away when his mother had talked to him.
Yuna hadn't returned his calls. He called more than he wanted to. HE said 'screw the advice.' He was given and he desperately tried to get in touch with her. She wasn't around all weekend. He remember hearing the words of her mother when he came up to the door.
" She's not here, and from the looks of it she doesn't want to see you...Oh by the way 'neighbor' if you've got any 'Fruitcake' to offer as a welcome to the hood gift you can just leave it outside in the bushes
The door slammed in his face.
He knew she was upset. He didn't have to hope otherwise. There was no reason to at all, but then again, nothing much really happened as far as he could remember. He just danced with the bitch crew. That wasn't much. He caught a glimpse of her at church on Sunday and she was looking more fine than she had ever, but as her and her family were already walking off to the car, he couldn't say anything. He stopped, and hit his head. What was he thinking?
It was after school when he finally caught her by her locker. He rushed over.
" Thank goodness! Yuna I've been looking for you all weekend." He tried to look happy, but he knew he was going to get it. While the halls were silent.
"Did you have a good weekend?" She collected her things but she wasn't looking at him
" I..."
It dawned on him. It would be just plain stupid to be so optimistic about everything. He had to be down to earth to get her.
" I didn't. I was thinking about you the whole time."
" Ah." Yuna pretended to understand. They went through a long pause, and she spoke again
" Not going to work this time."
" What do you mean? Not going to work?" Tidus squinted his eyes. Yuna tried to break it to him easier
" You little shit." She blew in hysterics unable to believe a man like him would deny it. Whatever honest person he proved to be earlier, he sure made a good disguise. He almost fooled her " You don't have any idea what you did do you? Touching Beatrix up the butt, embarrassing me in front of everyone. Is this who you really are? Letting Wakka get his hands on me. Who do you THINK you are? A pimp or something?"
" Yuna. Apparently I was drunk. I've never known a single angel under the influence, and thanks for reminding me I'm a little shit. It's my morning ritual after praying to God. I've been the same little shit that loves you."
" You don't get it do you?"
" So I've upset you. So I've proved that I can be a pain. Runs in the family, but I can't tell you how much more I am dedicated to making you happy. I tried to be friendly. I tried to make up for my faults but I guess nothing'll be good enough."
It sounded like she was beginning to understand. She had nothing to argue back. That was weird
" You're right...Tidus. Who were those men that TRASHED MY CAR!"
She was onto whatever little secrets he had. He had to just keep coming out, and hoping it could simmer things down. His hopes were sinking
"...skinhead frat boys. I don't mess around anywhere near them. All a bunch of tough, intoxicated fools who are high on gangster music."
" You told me everything else. Why hold this out on me?"
" You want to fight them?"
" It's MY car! I should know these things, but I guess arrogant rich boys all have each other's back. You talk about your father as though he's a monster. To tell you the truth....I don't think you're much different. None of you are."
He kept trying to talk to her
" Stay away from me Tidus. Just leave me alone for now."
That was all it took. She would be gone for a very long time. He fought as hard as possible for the next weeks . Nothing worked. He was surprised there was no restraining order. Wait a second. There were boyfriends that slapped girls up. That did horrible things to them. How did he end up in trouble with her. He was still positive that things would change at times, but to be honest, he wasn't hearing any response.
" I just want to be honest with you." Squall told her right in her own dorm. " You and I, we run around way too much, and I've....got to say that if we continue to be irresponsible, and offer free love then we don't have much of a relationship. We are just two people searching for something you know."
Celes tried to understand but she was crying. Her long straightened hair covering her eyes. She looked miserable...and highly attractive as usual.
" I just think we oughta head separate ways before something horrible happens to us." He tried to explain to her. She shuddered as she asked him.
" W..why?"
" Hey." He offered his hand as he tried to cheer her up with a smile. "I know we may be going into 'friend mode (usually what you girls do) but you've got so much to look for. You may even find a millionaire to live under. There's your education...everything so I want you to be positive about this okay. There's still a part of me that loves you."
" Sure." She said getting up and walking off. She didn't understand. Dedication was a big thing. He didn't understand it yet. Who was he to give help to people?"
He couldn't explain it to her, but he had to find himself. HE wouldn't try any other women in the dorm that night. He had to leave. Tidus could drive himself back. It was no problem and surely he would understand if the doctor had to take a leave of absence. He couldn't very well help the guy if he had his own problems to solve.
Tidus was laid out on the couch watching a movie silently while everyone else was still socializing and drinking. One of the guys came out in panic.
" Dude!"
Everyone turned around hoping that nothing was on fire
" Celes is real down, anyone wanna take over for me. She won't talk to me, and this is getting to be real frustrating."
Eveyone else had given it a shot. There was only one freeloader who was sitting on his ass, and hadn't made an effort the whole night
" Issaru...come ON!" Tidus begged. It would take a crane to move him. That was what he declared but apparently no crane was needed. They lifted him up on his hands and legs and carried him over to the door.
" So uh...listen...you going to open the door or not?" Tidus was too tired to imagine the safest approach.
" No." She said it loud enough to hear him. This was the moment. Everyone was cheering him on from outside. This was the moment. Make or break. He had to get the door open.
" Squall left your purse out the table. Zidane's fishing through it right now."
She opened the door quickly
" Gotcha!" He said exhaustedly loud and stuck his foot in between at the cost of having his feet not experience incredible pain. The force of the door drove through his shoe almost and he yelped
" Oh. Geez. I'm sorry." Celes tried to apologize as she went over to attend to the source of his yelping.
That was his border pass, but Tidus closed the door. No one else was getting in.
" So I uh...It's been awhile but I don't think she's coming back."
He couldn't believe he was sobbing it out to her, but she had just exposed herself , and he was beginning to see her as beautiful. From her sleeveless top down to her Jean skirt that showed her legs through a big slit. He hadn't even drank as much but something confused him. He was beginning to see everything that impressed him about Yuna in her.
It was her that leaned towards him at first. He knew that it was dangerous, but he felt that he had lost already. Who was to say that no one else would cheat if they were in his shoes? Maybe even Yuna. Okay so that was a mean thought but it was clear that he had to move on.
When their lips locked, they kissed tight and desperately. Giving serious tongue. The tears still in Celes eyes. One would wonder if they were tears of victory or sadness. Tidus knew what his represented but he was still in doubt were they....freedom?
Their previous crying became happiness eventually. Tidus learned just how girls Squall left hanging. He didn't dump but he definitely left them hanging. Celes had it the worse of them all. Squall would probably not drive so far again just to see her again, but she would be alone again. Tidus knew he was exaggerating to put her at peace. As her clothes came off he touched her as gently and lovingly as possible. Even more than he had done to Yuna.
Where was this leading?