Seven:
She sat up only to look at herself in the mirror. Recalling everything that she saw. Part of her wanted to believe that it was all an illusion and that she was peeking in on the wrong couple.
Of course the couple was wrong. He wasn't supposed to be with her.
...and she wasn't supposed to be running around either.
She had absolutely no idea what to think of him now. Was he just a rotten character or was he a person who was still searching for love only because he needed someone to cushion the fall of his loss? There were times during that night that she asked herself if everything that happened was a bunch of bullshit. She didn't want to believe that kisses meant nothing but that was the road that her story of her junior year was leading down. She had her heart broken so many times, and didn't want this cycle to continue hopelessly, but she could count them all.
Cecil had abused her. Ever since Braska's anger had come out towards her. He yelled in outrage wondering how she could be so stupid as to let someone else crawl into the family home, and terrorize his property. She was a sucker for love, just like everyone else, but she wasn't searing on the inside like many of her girls were. She was accepting whatever suitable that she saw come her way more like the guys. Maybe that was one common thing that her and Tidus still had. Like it mattered right then. It only had her crying more as she buried her head into her arms sitting down on the floor. She fought to keep her tears silent since the folks were home, hoping that none of them would suddenly come in and do anything to her.
There was Seymour. He was suave, cool at first, tempting. He gave her a surplus of gifts. All the things she had dreamed of getting though she ended up being modest around him telling him that he didn't need to break his back making such efforts for her. Boy were those the worse choice of words. Flashing back, she could remember the blue haired senior's reaction.
" So no matter WHAT I try to do nothing's good enough or you huh?! You say I should pay attention to you more often, but when I do it's always something new to complain about, and that I should leave you alone. Yuna this wasn't the girl that I met."
" What do you want?" She asked nervously. Knowing it was going to happen again
" I WANT YOU TO MAKE UP YOUR FUCKING MIND AND STOP PLAYING WITH ME!"
He lifted the entire dinner table over, crashing everything right there at the restaurant in front of everybody. Storming off out the door, getting into his car and leaving her right there. Sitting in the chair weeping while other people stared at her wondering what the matter was. Sympathy for the common battered young woman had gotten her a ride back but it also led to confrontation with two stingy people who were already in the middle of their own domestic civil war but just had to come out and say 'We told you so.' The only time they allied that night was against her.
Now there was Tidus. Well what did she have against him. He never laid a violent hand on her. He had the worst judgment when intoxicated even less than others, he would run to others to heal his heart when she demanded things of him, and he did it all over again. She thought that she had evened the score by agreeing to throw on the video to the school. Evidence hadn't traced it back to her yet and the school would be searching forever but as she sat there in her room, she had come to realize that even though another war had started at least things hadn't been as difficult with him as it had with the others. Who knew?
Maybe he had kissed the girl that she remembered from the concert as a means of getting back at her. Maybe he knew that she was out shopping.
No. She had to get ahold of herself. That was just a coincidence that he had been there and she knew it. He wasn't planning anything though it would have sounded like perfect revenge, and he probably caught onto the idea that he was tricked by now.
So could she continue to play games with him all day? Or was there going to a time where she would automatically come out back to a person that she had been having dreams about ever since she declared separation.
Nah. Not yet.
Who was that bitch that he was with though? Some college junior. What made a supposed three or four years of older age a better woman to guys than people like her? That was simple. Adolescents were self centered, indecisive and difficult. Celes was still lovely, young but she had matured mentally, and was willing to accept so many things that he said. She had her kindness. No she was better at what Yuna was known for. It made her almost want to abandon herself. Either that or kill her. Whatever the case she knew that she wasn't the same old girl anymore, still running up in downtown hot spots, breaking an UN-enforced curfew, and trying out different guys in town. Beatrix, and Rikku told her that she was doing much better, and she was getting an attitude.
She didn't know if she still wanted it.
She didn't know what she wanted either.
She examined her reflection carefully while sniffling and wondering to herself if anything could get worse. Her face was worn horribly from crying. Her eyes were dead, and alien like at this point
Tidus jumped out of the car and followed Celes close behind crossing the street. She was busy informing him about the latest games at the arcade, lovely in every color she tried out from the shopping mall. Tidus was on duty carrying all of her heavy bags as they headed over to Time Blast. A new arcade circuit that was also one of the biggest in the country. They both welcomed the fresh chill and the new scent of a new store looking around at all the machines they had to choose from. There were countless rows. People running all over the place and post ups of the hottest, sophisticated, most likely to be top selling games ever.
" I think another Metal Gear will just ruin Konami" Celes commented personally
" Yeah but the Tekken series isn't dying for awhile. They'll make more of those than they made 'Nightmare on Elm Street' sequels." Tidus brightened positively. They both rushed off, set down the bags nearby, threw in change, picked their favorites and went at it."
They had been there quite awhile. Both of them had quick fingers and eyes. Thus making the win counts even at twenty, and they never grew tired even as other players who frequented to the Tekken machine came up to once again show to the world that they were the greatest when they really just knew how to hack the controls in order to beat anybody, and then try to hustle at the same time. Everyone was a robber in one form or another.
" Okay. I'm taking five. Come on let's get chow." Celes breathed out
" NO." Tidus resisted as she tried to take his arm " I've spent my share of money on other stuff, I haven't got to use it for anything I wanted all month. It's time to play."
" It's not for me. It's for the kids." Celes pointed to the people waiting behind them
" Whoops." Tidus dropped the controls and let his character get fried in one move. He couldn't be that selfish.
He was beginning to not care that much if the current relationship was a charade or not. Maybe destiny was leading him to something that he could be at peace with finally. He relaxed on Celes shoulder watching as her eyes kept focused intently on the screen. Her tongue sticking out on the side. She had her game face on. He rarely knew girls that enjoyed video games like him.
The gamer waltzed through the door as confident as usual. Shoving a newbie out of his walking path. The type of fool that was sober but still looked rather drunk. He'd won over two hundred in game betting over course of the year, and saw a girl at his favorite machine. DDRMAX. Dance Dance Revolution. Oh hell no. She was about to learn her lesson. Everybody cleared out of his area when the time came. Wiping his pencil thin nose, and sniffling, the tall kid in the black hood, snow cap and shades did his little pimp walk over to the dance game. Wondering just who had crowned her queen for the day.
" You can't try the DDR machine in high heels." Tidus was skeptical
" I pulled it off lots of times. Ballet gives you 'bal-ance'. One thing you should know."
" But there's a difference between fluttering around on tip toe and just matching the step pads."
" Dance is dance. Crank her up already will ya?"
She almost fell but Tidus was right there to grab and support her. The back of her head fell against his jaw
" Do'h!"
" Whoops. Sorry." Celes went over to help
" Muh jaw!" Tidus bawled
" Aw baby I'm sorry." She moved up and got down to kiss the spot where it hurt. Keeping her hand there " Are you okay?"
" Gee I dunno. What do you think? Wouldn't it hurt if it happened to you?"
Yuna would have lost it if he told her that. He was still waiting to see Celes get a little peeved.
" Poor boy. You seem to be so stingy today."
" Not half as stingy as I am lady." A pair of big boots stepped in front of the both of them. Tidus stepped back while Celes held her ground and addressed the newcomer politely
" Yesss? May I help you?"
" Times up. I just happened to notice you were standing in front of my machine."
" Aha." Celes nodded her head as though she were trying to understand while Tidus just looked up at the towering mass of strength that stood before him blocking out all of the sunlight that came in through the entrance. " Your machine huh? Are you buying it from here?"
" Buying it? Listen I don't know what you're getting at but everyone knows I play here, and you aren't welcome at my machine."
" Show em whose boss Adel!" came a voice from the right
" Uhoh." Tidus cringed
" My boyfriend is a 1st degree black belt. I'd watch my mouth if I were you."
Sure he took martial arts awhile before concentrating on B-Ball, but he was no Jackie Chan! He HATED it when girls referred to him as 'Superman' in desperate situations. He only wanted to ask his woman one thing. He pulled her back for a huddle conference.
" Sorry for interrupting but HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND!? If you're predicting a David and Goliath type finish I can easily tell you that may not be the outcome. Just let that Jolly Green Giant dance the frickin machine to death and let's get out of here!"
" Awww." Her eyes were becoming forlorn. She looked as though she would begin to whimper. She knew that he understood she was playing with his mind again.
" Ohh no. Ohhhh no. Don't start with them tears. We had a good time, now we have to let the nice man play his game-Celes?"
" You promised." She muttered.
" Sssh baby. Look at this way. Were tiny little lemmings and this pig is tall enough to give Andre the Giant nightmares. Now follow the lead lemming and whatdya say we head back to the car eh?!" Tidus tried to guide her, but she wouldn't budge.
" Please you have to do this for us." She begged him
" Are you nuts? Are you THAT oblivious to this man's size? Were gonna DIIEEE!"
" Oh come on already." She shoved him towards the bully, she pretended to smile but was sweating bullets. Tidus never enjoyed being the hero, and he could only predict that things would get worse that day.
" Uhh..(God help me. I don't even know why I'm doing this) I'm sorry but you'll have to uhh..back away and find another game to play sir. If you'll be patient, we'll be done in a few-"
" Don't say it like a sissy." Celes nagged
" Get the fuck away from our booth or I'll bury you headless!" Tidus said. Only for the purpose of satisfying Celes. He didn't realize what had slipped out of his mouth until the giant tower became full of hot steam, and his shadow cast a heavy eclipse over him and her. Tidus gazed up. He began to chuckle.
" Hey big guy. Don't take it personal or anything. It was just a hypothetical...come on now. Heh-heh. Heh-heh."
*EEERRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!*
" Okay! Okay! I won't tell you how to feel!" He turned to face Celes while sweating " You're surprisingly overconfident about this."
" Well you've got to defend your woman." She told him
" Hold on. There was nothing in the boyfriend job description that specifically required me to DIE for you."
"Well it's implied. I'm sure they wouldn't just come out and say it."
*EERRRRRAAAARRRRGGGGHH!*
" Could you roar your stinky breath in the other direction for two seconds!? I'm having an important conversation over he-yhak!"
" Ooooh that did it." Celes covered her eyes while her escort was yanked up into the air by his shirt collar.
" You wanna repeat those words again shrimp?!" The gamer looked dead into Tidus's eyes
" I think I'd rather do this."
The noise almost sounded like a crack as Tidus stamped on Adel's feet hard causing him to hop around, bawling out in pain.
He didn't waste anytime trying another move. He grabbed the bags motioned for Celes to follow, and they hi-tailed it out of the arcade before 'the great obstacle' had recovered.
" Nice one. I usually try the fake and punch, but I've never seen that technique before." She was still showing enthusiasm as they got into the car.
" It's called the 'make-a-move-and-get-the-fuck-outta-dodge-before-you-get- your- ass-kicked' style.' You should try it sometime. Gets you away with a lot of flawless victories like the way were doing right now." Tidus told her hastily as he threw everything into the back seat, got in and started the car up. Other people watching had come to the entrance to see the couple rushing off. They were cheering madly. Soon after, rebels were crowding the spots at the DDR machine.
Another break in traffic convinced Tidus to continue pushing ahead. He exhaled.
" Well well well. Not the way I expected but still good. I like a man with good rationale. A little advice though...you could've been tougher."
" Tougher? Oh ho ho! Did you see that?! You purposely threw me into a fight that we both could have avoided!"
" Oh come oonnnnn!" Celes broke up into hysterics. " What would you have wanted me to say? Pardon me for getting in your way sir, but could you please inspire us with your professional step ensemble, by the way...might I request a few thirty seconds of enthralling game play. After all I was not rewarded such an opportunity when you came in-"
"Alright Alright! I get your point but...yeah. Something exactly like that was what I had in mind."
"You are sssuch a worry wart. Why can't you just relax sometimes? Just the way I'm doing. See? You can get through life a lot easier when you aren't stressed out."
" It's my nature. Is there something wrong with the way I think all of a sudden?"
" Yes." Celes agreed vehemently
"What's that supposed to mean?"
" How come a simple day of shopping is turning into such a big thing? Don't you feel happy doing such things for other people?"
There was a certain person who he had gotten nice things for but didn't even have to spend a third as much as he did for Celes.
"...and you told me Yuna was high maintenance." He scuffed while turning left in an intersection. " I thought you would be a little more self sufficient."
" Hooold on."
She honestly couldn't believe what she was hearing. Never before had she ever heard of a man who was honest enough to tell a woman straight to her face that he had a problem spending money for her.
Any other girl would have asked for the car to stop right there. He thought that with Celes it would be an advantage since she most likely would not request that, but with her there, she continued to keep on talking to him. He couldn't stand it much longer.
Maybe he wanted someone who would argue with him differently. someone who would not ask him to go out of his way to get into fights that he wasn't made for. He wanted the perfect cushion.
" You know you're really becoming a pain lately."
" Thank you." Tidus shrugged off her comment, and she turned away from him crossing her arms. Tidus knew that she couldn't stay angry forever. It was not in her nature.
The rest of the ride home wasn't one of the most spectacular events in the world. Tidus found himself sneering behind the wheel the entire time. Inside, he was still wondering
(Why is this so difficult? Why can't I just be with someone who really understands me or at least tries to when we don't see things eye to eye.)
Celes eventually considered getting off his back about the whole ordeal. Of course she was the real black belt of the couple but seeing the way that Adel stormed out of the arcade chasing them, it was obvious that the guy would get a chance to wreak unimaginable havoc upon their little bodies.
" Hey listen. I'm sorry about it okay?" She moved up to look at him dead in the face while they were at the stop sign.
When Tidus turned around he didn't see what he expected. Sure the same outfit, and build but there was a different head on that person, and he didn't think he was day dreaming.
"Okay? I'm really sorry that I asked you." Her hand stroked across his back again
Two eyes. One colored blue, the other colored green.
They weren't contacts after all.
The disparity was showing on her face. He still longed to see her. Again?! She had made it obviously clear where and who her interests were , and she embarrassed him in front of the entire school. Well almost but there was still a mighty good chance that someone would find out who was on that tape if they knew who the owner of the blue T shirt was.
Cruising down the highway and getting off on an exit that led to an empty road on the river, Tidus thought that the rest of the ride could be peaceful, but he didn't know what to think right then except that if he was really going insane, that all he could do was accept it. Yuna was still there in the passenger seat talking in Celes's voice There was something seriously messed up going on. With him mostly.
" Dude's an idiot." She was looking at the road further up ahead " Merge into that other lane and pass him."
The small speck was standing in the middle of the road. Just what the day needed. A suicidal bum. The person who began side-seat driving, no longer had Yuna's head. She kept coaxing Tidus to slow down but since he was already pressing seventy five with out a soul around to bear witness, why not got further? He didn't even merge into the next lane.
" Excuse me Tidus?.....Are you listening to me!? Slow down or move over! Jesus!"
His face was solid and he was unreachable, but his eyes began to widen as he grew a heavy teethed grin on his face. He upped the acceleration a tad bit extra.
" You're fucking crazy! Gimme that wheel!!"
She tried to swerve but Tidus blocked her, and intentionally pulled back into the lane where the person stood. Unwilling to step aside. It all seemed good to Tidus. He wasn't giving up his lane either.
She really felt the car when he slammed on the brakes. A good thing they were seat belt wearers or it would have been curtains for the both of them. Tidus was still coming towards the freak. His foot was on the brakes, and burning rubber, as the person came into view she shrieked and covered her eyes.
The car stopped right in front of the pony tailed guy who looked as though he were dressed for a movie remake of 'Deliverance' or 'High Noon' He walked over to Tidus's side, took off his cowboy hat and knocked harshly on the car window.
Amid the sound of Celes rapid breaths came the whirring noise of the power windows lowering as Tidus pressed the button casually, and turned to regard his guest. He even recognized the man. Connected with the mischievous Frats. He had seen them at one of their parties.
"What can I do for you Billy the Kid?"
His thoughts were blackened out by an inevitable force coming through the glass harder than wind. It was this very force that hit him in the jaw.
" Could've slowed down faster you bastard. Seifer'll hear of this shit. Not to mention the money you owe."
Irvine reached in, unlocked the door and single-handedly tossed Tidus's body out of the car with incredible strength. He walked over to the dormant figure lying in the road.
If a speeder came by it would have been the work of the devil.
Celes eventually jumped out rushing to Tidus's aid but was stopped as a hand grasped her by the neck and choked her.
" Don't even think about it missy." Irvine glared at her as Celes tried to free herself. Through all of the pain she sensed a shadow coming over her back, but she knew what to do. Kicking out with her shoe she heard a gurgling sound as she hit something with a soft thud.
The other punk dropped the baseball bat and hit the ground, gasping for air while holding his balls.
"Kuja! Get your ass up here! We've got to finish these two off." He was digusted at the fact that a girl had KO'ed his partner in only one second. He began to tighten his grip. She raised her fists but her efforts became useless as her energy was being drained.
The cowboy didn't see the response coming. The fist came at him with the power of an anvil knocking him right off his feet to the ground as Celes freed herself. Tidus ran over to Irvine and began to beat him senseless as the cowboy squirmed under his grasp.
" You pig headed rich assholes ever mess with me or her again and you'll end up in the morgue! You hear me?!"
Celes didn't even try to pull him off. She simply stood there watching, and backed away as Tidus got up letting the cronies attend to their bruises on the side of the road as he walked back towards the car.
During all that time, it started to rain. Tidus got in but Celes stayed out there. She shuddered even more when Tidus honked the horn impatiently.
" Come on already!" He yelled. Celes stepped back
" Oh for crying out loud-" Tidus stepped out and walked towards her.
" Get in." He ordered
" No!" She objected
" Why the hell not?!"
" You're fucking CRAZY! Forget it!"
Tidus couldn't help but explode into laughter after that one.
" Isn't this the guy you wanted?! Agressive, wild? Pretty please with sugar on top? This is YOUR creation. It's been a month and here's what your love experiment has come down to..Yes...I AM crazy. I didn't need your help though. I learned it from my careless asshole of a father, but see here's the thing, I don't enjoy being like this. I don't take pleasure in revealing how wild I can really be. I used to be careful about things. I actually had a code of chivalry before all this you know, and even you were a lot closer to me when I was like that. Don't ask me to be a man of Rage."
Celes felt it coming again. Someone else that would make her cry. It was strange how Tidus was so good at things like this. She crossed her arms, lowered her head, and backed away while soaking in the rain.
Tidus would take the shit no longer. She freaked when he pulled her over, and raised her fist to combat possible abuse, but when he pulled her into a warm hug, and moved up to kiss her she resisted no longer. Insecurities began to vanish rapidly. He gradually broke up the kiss to look at her stunned expression. Right then he could tell she was in a state of mixed emotion, any other girl would have tried to beat the crap out of him.
" Thats it...yes." She whispered at first, but her words became more clear eventually.
" What's it?" Tidus was confused. He saw her face breaking up into chuckles and tears at the same time and began to worry all over again
" That's it! That's the man I love." She stared up in his face unable to control her emotion. Tidus was dumbfounded. His lower lip hit the floor. He stayed the same way as she jumped onto him. Her legs crossing around his body as she hugged him tightly and kissed him repeatedly. The expression of confusion was stuck on his face as he walked back to the car.
" There really is no phasing you is there?" He gave up. Now every single part of him was missing Yuna.
Thatsh All Fo'ks. Have you sum good muthafuckin readn's? Igh't then. Hit me up with a review.PEEEEECCEE.