Strife and Lockhart- enemies or lovers?
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7; it belongs to Squaresoft, Sony and other associated groups, don't sue, and even if you did, you wouldn't get anything, I'm a flat broke student, suing me would make no sense at all. I may not own Cloud and Tifa, Yuffie and Vincent. All original ideas and characters are mine to claim. No, I do not own the hot topic website, Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Road & Track or Motor Trend magazines, Linkin Park, I did not create Bailey's with milk . . . ah dammit, I don't own nothing but my room, computer and a comfortable bed that I will be jumping into in a few minutes. I do not even own the skill to produce an extra good fanfic.
A/N: First, I am so sorry for this chapter being posted so late. I give my lovely reviewers a hearty high five. I hope you like this chapter, anyway . . . *Black Chiney grins as if she has something up her sleeve* too bad though, you won't see it until the next couple of chapters. *laughs mischievously* Feel free to leave comments, suggestions and you can email or IM me at - spiky_wong90@hotmail.com, anyway, here it is:
Chapter 4
*~*~*~*~Tifa's Evening~*~*~*~*
After about an hour, Tifa woke up at the sound of a door opening. Her instinctive battle senses felt no intrusive qi, but sensed the pleasance of her parents. She got up quickly and glanced at her image in the mirror. She saw an attractive girl there; clad in a white spaghetti-strap top and a pair of low-rise jeans shorts. Tifa sighed and stood before the large mirror and brushed out her thick, long tresses of dark-chocolate hair. She treaded stealthily towards the living room.
"Tifa honey how was school today? Make any friends?" her mother asked while she laid her handbag on the rack.
"It was fine mom; I made a few - six to be exact. They came over to do some homework, they said that wanted to meet you guys but they had to go home early. Maybe you can meet them tomorrow if you come home early" she replied to her mother while she made her way to the kitchen.
"That's great honey; it's wonderful to know that you've made some friends. You can invite them over for dinner tomorrow - if they can make it; what are their names?" she suggested while she took off her jacket and walked to the kitchen.
"Well, there's Yuffie, she was the first one I made, and then I met the others: Joanne, Alex, Serena, Ana and Chris" she said while she too went to the kitchen and began skillfully slicing some vegetables for a salad.
"Meet any cute and nice boys?" she asked with a laugh. She had always considered her mother cool. She was always telling her to get a boyfriend.
"Mom!" she exclaimed with shades of crimson red, staining her porcelain cheeks. "I have my school to worry about first" she paused for a moment as though thinking deeply, "Okay, okay - I saw one extremely hot guy there," she confessed, unconsciously referring to Cloud.
Tifa finished shredding the lettuce and reached for a tomato to slice.
Tifa's mom chuckled knowingly, "Well that's great, be sure to invite your friends over for dinner tomorrow," she said while she took out the marinating meat from the refrigerator, "Oh - you should tell your father about your first day, you should see if he needs anything too" she added.
"Sure" she agreed and aimed the knife for its block. It met its target with a sharp 'thunk.' Tifa left the kitchen and made her way past the living room, towards to her father's study. She slid the huge oak doors open and slipped silently into the large room.
"Hi Daddy" she greeted her father as he looked up at the sound if the door opening. He smiled a greeting.
"How was school Tifa?"
"It was good, I made a couple friends. Mom says that I can invite them over for dinner tomorrow" she replied while she took a seat in one of the plush, velvet armchairs.
"That's good to know," he said while began to type a document on the computer before him.
"Would you like me to get anything for you Daddy?" she asked.
"Yes, I think I need a drink. Nothing hard, at least not right now" he replied while he reached for a sheaf of typing sheets and proceeded to feed it to the printer.
"How about a Bailey's with milk?" she suggested as she slowly got up.
"That'll be just fine"
Tifa exited the room to do her father's wish and made her way to the liquor cabinet. She took out a bottle of Bailey's and went to the kitchen for the milk and a glass. The chocolate-haired girl deftly and skillfully blended the drink. Its scent alone was alluring; she was tempted to take a sip. Growing up with her parents who were heavy drinkers, Tifa was skilled as a bartender. She could hold her alcohol too - it took a lot to get her drunk.
Drink in one hand, she returned to her father's study. She entered the room and deposited the glass of thick, milky liquid onto a coaster on his desk. The drink was slightly swirling from the motion due to the walk to the room.
Tifa grinned and said in a bartender-like accent, "One Bailey's with milk sir"
"Thank you honey" he said while he took the glass and took a sip, "This is good" he continued, after he swallowed the interesting drink that tasted somewhat of chocolate. Its creamy consistency was nice and thick.
She smiled in acknowledgement. Tifa personally thought that Bailey's with milk was the best in the lower category of alcohol potency, although she preferred the smooth flavor of sake. She had an irresistible temptation for anything oriental. She mumbled something about going to help her mom with the dinner and left the room, she strolled casually to the kitchen.
Her mother was not in the kitchen.
'Probably went to take a shower' she deduced.
Tifa resumed her previous task of making the salad, when she finished that, she put some rice to steam. Her mother had already put the meat to roast. Tifa glanced at the kitchen clock, it was only a little after six. She set the clock to ring when the roast and the rice was ready.
She left the kitchen ascended the marble stairs and went up to her room. She turned on her laptop and went online, seeing that no one was on her MSN Messenger, she signed out of it and checked her mail - none. She decided to check out the hot topic website. When she clicked on the new clothing available, she saw an adorable outfit and fell in love with it.
"This is so cute!" she practically squealed as she saw it, "I have to get it; I'm going to order it. There is no way I am letting that go," she said to herself.
Tifa ordered it and smiled radiantly. She absolutely loved that hot topic site, almost all of her clothes were ordered from it - and her parents were cool with it. To add to it, the ones she chose were always different from the style everyone was into, she was always the first to see - she was always on that site, checking out what was new. She saw some accessories that would match perfectly and ordered those too.
The little 'ting' of the timer going off resounded through the mansion.
Tifa quickly disconnected and went downstairs. She took the roast out of the oven and began to carve it, she set the table and placed the fresh salad onto the table and served the food. She called out to her parents that dinner was ready.
She was pouring the water into glasses as her parents walked towards the dining room. They took their places at the table and began to eat.
"Mom, I saw this adorable outfit a-" Tifa said only to be broken off by her mother.
"- Did you order it honey?" she asked as she took a sip of water.
"Yeah, I did. It should be here in about three weeks" Tifa responded.
"I'm glad you ordered something, I was about to ask you if when was the last time you went to the mall, I was planning on dragging you there myself. It's been quite a while since you bought any clothes," she said with a laugh.
"Actually, I was invited on a mall trip - Saturday coming, and I am supposed to go on a field trip to the beach next week Friday. Do I have your permission to go?" she asked them both.
"Of course you can go" her father said, "Do you agree Lea?' he asked her mother.
"Of course she can go, I think it's a wonderful opportunity, I'll lend you one of my credit cards. You can shop to your heart's content," she agreed with a motherly smile.
Tifa thanked them with a hearty grin and finished the rest of her dinner. She excused herself and washed up her dish and the various cooking apparatus. She bid her parents goodnight and went up to her room.
She sat on her bed and her crimson eyes wandered over the banners with her favorite anime characters printed onto them. Her eyes darted over the large decorative cupboard that held her cherished weapons and the countless medals and trophies won. Tifa lay in the comfort of her bed, thinking about many random thoughts. The first thing that popped up in her active mind was Cloud Strife.
*~*~*~*~Cloud's Evening~*~*~*~*
As he had returned from school, he saw a package for him in the mailbox of the large Strife manor. He had finished his homework and he remained in his room, slumped on his bed, reading the new Road & Track and Motor Trend magazines that had just arrived. He was reading all about the new Lamborghini Gallardo and tips on upgrading the Mazda RX-8. He lay back on his bed and his mind drifted to Tifa.
"I wonder what she's doing now. Damn, she is just stuck on my mind. Well - who in hell wouldn't be thinking about her? With those sexy eyes and that gorgeous body- aw dammit, what wouldn't I give to get together with her?" he voiced aloud.
He stared at the huge array of large swords that adorned the walls. Among the swords, many glossed and enlarged glamour shots of him, along with the large movie and anime posters that added the teenage look to the would-be plain blue walls of his room. He decided to go and take a shower. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he saw that it was six o' clock. Cloud entered the luxurious bathroom; he shed his clothes and relaxed under the calming mist of warm water. He felt the pent up tension melt away as he shampooed his thick, golden hair and swept away the uncomfortable sheen of sweat from his tanned skin.
He emerged from the bathroom clad in naught but a blue towel, wrapped around his slender waist. His hair was dripping wet - he caught sight of himself in the mirror and he smirked cockily to himself. He was visualizing himself with Tifa and his smirk grew to a smile that would make Tifa melt; it was too bad she couldn't see it. Cloud sighed and reluctantly dismissed the beautiful image of Tifa's body from his mind. Ignoring Tifa's image in his mind was harder then he thought - he'd been imagining her in a very revealing bathing suit.
After quickly toweling his hair, he donned a pair of khaki-colored shorts that reached mid-shin, his favorite shirt - a black T-shirt, decorated with the layout blueprint of a Lamborghini Diablo, and a web-like design ran over it. His hair was already drying to the natural spikes they dried to, he glanced at the gel and decided against it - gel was only to hold his spikes up properly. Satisfied with his look, he went downstairs and saw his mother opening the front door.
He made his way to the door and pulled her into an embrace. Regardless of what others would say or think, he loved his mother dearly. His father had deserted them when he was only seven, so he had grown attached to his mother. As far as Cloud could see, his mother was doing perfectly fine without his father. She managed her own company and in Cloud's eyes, she was the best mom a guy could ask for.
"Hey mom" he greeted her.
"Hello Cloud honey, can you help me with these groceries?" she greeted in return and asked him while she indicated to the backseat of the silver Porsche 911.
"Sure mom" he replied and made his way through the door.
"Oh - Cloud, park it too," she said as she tossed the keys to him.
He caught them with ease, and was on his way to the car. Cloud got the two massive grocery bags and walked briskly to the front door; he went to the kitchen and deposited the bags on the counter. With the keys in hand, Cloud grinned and practically flew through the door.
A second later, the lovely sound of a revving Porsche resounded through the still evening air; Cloud stepped on the gas and drove the car towards the shed. The driveway was long - a half mile to be exact, but at the speed he went, he was in there in two seconds flat. The sweet sound of the brakes screeching to a sudden stop echoed through the huge yard.
This was his mother's newest car; so far, it was his favorite. The exhilarating scent of the brand new car's leather interior was driving Cloud's senses over the edge. He began to think of Tifa again. He sighed and again dismissed her image from his mind. Cloud revved the engine again, approving the low, growl of the engine. He couldn't wait to get his license; he couldn't wait to get his own car. Instead of his previous favorite car, the Mercedes CLK, he wanted a dressed up silver BMW Z3. He could visualize himself with Tifa in it. He sighed again and just sat there in the car, thinking about cars and Tifa. Cloud stayed there for fifteen minutes, just thinking and constantly dismissing the image of Tifa each time his mind's eye made a depiction if her. For boredom's sake, he reversed the car, back to the front door and stepped on the gas once more. Satisfied with how far the needle went on the gauge, Cloud brought the car to an abrupt halt in the shed.
He got out of the car as though he hadn't just driven a car at 80 mph in a built up area. Cloud grinned and sauntered casually back to the mansion He saw his mother in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, slicing merrily away at some mushrooms and tomatoes.
"I'm back mom," he said.
"I'm surprised I didn't hear my car being driven all over the neighborhood" she replied with a grin.
"Aw c'mon mom I'm not that bad - need any help?" he asked with a laugh.
"No, it's okay. All I have to do is mash these potatoes"
"Okay, I'll be up in my room then"
"Alright, I'll call you when dinner's ready" she said while she sautéed the vegetables with some beef and let the mixture flambé in some white wine.
"Sure" he replied.
He went up to his room and turned on his mini-system, and put in Meteora - Linkin Park's newest CD. Cloud relaxed on his bed, drinking in the intense music and hurriedly scribbled the rest of his Geography and Biology homework. When he was finished with it, he took up his CD wallet and flipped through the pages of compact discs, all types of albums were in it, from techno to metal, j-pop to rock, instrumentals to hip-hop and R&B. There were movie soundtracks, DVDs and game discs. He voiced a random thought:
"I need new CDs"
"Cloud honey, dinner's ready!" Rebecca Strife's voice floated up the stairs to his ears.
"I'll be there in a minute!" he yelled back as he switched off the mini- system and got up from his comfortable position. He made his way downstairs and to the dining room.
He saw his mother setting the already elaborately decorated dining table.
"I'm here," he said as he got the dishes, which were loaded with tempting food. He laid the dishes on the table and took his seat. His mother took her seat in front of him and they began to eat.
"So how was school honey? Meet any new girls?" she enquired in a more sisterly fashion than any mother would.
"School was good. I met this new girl; I really like her but. . ." he trailed off and stared into his dish.
"But what honey?" she enquired, encouraging him to open up.
"Well, we're both in all the same classes so far and well; we're Biology partners for the whole school year. The teacher had to go do something, and well I was trying to be nice and I tried to make small talk with her. She kinda answered me a little angrily and well, you know" he paused, "My temper kinda, well yeah" he begun his explanation as he hung his head in shame.
"Continue" she coaxed.
"Well, we kinda had an argument and I told her that I was only trying to be nice for a change and that people like her probably didn't understand what it means and, and well I know I was wrong to say it but it just came out"
"Okay, you had a little argument, what was the outcome?" she asked.
"She said something like she didn't need my friendship and that she didn't want my concern. Well, I said something like, 'now I know what they mean by people have pretty faces and bad character.' Then she told me that I should find someone else to be nice to and she told me to stay out of her life; then after a while she apologized to me and told me why she answered me like that" he said with a tinge of shame in his voice.
"Okay, she apologized to you. This is the important part, did you accept her apology?" she said in her motherly tone.
"No, I didn't accept her apology. I don't even know why - I ignored her apology and then she -" he said in a choked voice "- she told me that she didn't have to apologize to me and but she still had forgiven me. She said that if I didn't want to accept it, she didn't see the need to try making it up, then she told me that she hated me," he finished with a soft, hurt tone.
"Look, Cloud honey, I see faults with on both sides of this argument. Let me guess, you feel bad about it and you want to make it up but you don't know how, right?" she asked, quite concerned for him.
"Yeah"
"Do you want to apologize to her Cloud?" she enquired
"Of course I want to apologize to her. I-I feel so bad about it, and I can't stop thinking about her," he said, eager to find a way to make it up to Tifa.
"Okay, what's her name?" she asked
"Tifa Lockhart" he answered, savoring her name on his tongue.
"Okay, Tifa was wrong to answer you like she did, but you were wrong to snap back at her. Do you realize that Cloud?"
"Yes" he replied in an unusually soft voice. His malevolent pride could never rear its ugly head in his mother's presence.
"This is going to be difficult, I know you want to apologize to her as soon as possible but this situation is delicate. Wait for about three weeks; you have to think about your apology, if you don't want her to push you away. Yes, it is a long time, but trust me, if you apologize right, it will all be worth it" she advised her son.
"Three weeks? That is too long I-I'll go crazy. Tifa's so cute and she's kindhearted too, she apologized to me - and she didn't have to. I think I'm in love with her," Cloud said.
"It's either three weeks and Tifa or one day and no Tifa, it's up to you Cloud honey," she said.
"Okay, okay, but I don't know what to say. How do I put it? What do I do?" he said in defeat.
"Well honey, you have to follow your heart, tell her what your heart tells you to say. I know that your temper will probably get in the way, but honey try not to get into any more fights or arguments with her. It would help if you just keep quiet, and be pleasant to her when you feel the time is right. Cloud, you are my son and I am very proud of you, I know you can do this. I want to meet this Tifa; she sounds like a terrific person, she's captured my son's heart, something very hard to do. As far as I remember, it's always been the girl to chase after you. Trust your heart Cloud, you'll get her, and when you do, don't ever let her go,"
She put a hand over his heart, "Believe in this"
"I will," he nodded in response.
Cloud picked up his fork and resumed eating his meal, when a sudden thought struck him.
"Hey mom, when can I go for my learner's?" Cloud asked, like a child asking for ice cream and cake.
"On your birthday" replied, laughing at his eagerness for the license, "You just turned seventeen last month Cloud. You have an entire year to wait. Speaking of your license, what car do you have in mind? No roadsters or super cars for you - at least, not yet" she stated, taking a bite of mushroom.
"I don't think I'm ready to drive a roadster - not just yet. I was thinking of getting something simple but cool - a Z3, silver - I want to dress it up, skirting and all - plus, it's a lot less expensive than a Ferrari or a Lamborghini- but if you don't mind, I wouldn't mind driving one" he said with a boyish grin playing on his lips.
"Z3 sounds good. I'll think about it" she replied.
"I can't wait to get it," his enthusiasm as of a child given permission to have cookies and candy for dinner.
"I know Cloud, but you must have patience in all situations, just like your predicament with your beloved Tifa," she said, a motherly grin adorning her face.
Cloud nodded and slowly finished his dinner.
"May I be excused?" Cloud asked as he took up his cutlery and utensils
"Of course you may honey" she replied.
Cloud got up from the table and slowly went to the kitchen and deposited the apparatus into the sink. He began the boring task of washing the dishes and cookware. As soon as he was done, he bid his mother goodnight and went upstairs to his room.
He collapsed onto his bed and lay there, thinking. A few minutes later, he fell into the peaceful void of dreams.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~In Tifa's Room~*~*~
"Cloud," Tifa muttered unconsciously.
"Who's Cloud?" Lea Lockhart's voice queried.
"Huh?"
"Who's Cloud?" the voice came back.
"Mom, do you remember when I told you that I saw a really cute guy at school?" Tifa asked, wanting to get the situation off her chest.
"Yes, I remember"
"Well, I need to talk to you about him. He is Cloud," she said, the cheer that was usually present in her voice - now absent.
"Okay honey, go ahead," she said as she sat down beside Tifa, who was now in a sitting position.
"Okay, it goes like this. . ."
Tifa relayed the entire story to her mother. The occasional string of curses was unconfined about her idiocy.
Lea Lockhart sat there and listened intently to her daughter's predicament. It was a new challenge for her, she proved it most interesting. Tifa - always caught up in her schoolwork, determined to make honor roll each term - if she wasn't busy with the copious amounts of work, she would be playing her piano. According to her, 'she had no time to mess around with relationships, her education mattered more' neither of her parents could say argue with that, but they couldn't help but wish she would act like a normal teenager with all the teen problems. It seemed as though the fateful day had finally come, Tifa was beginning to act like the average teenager.
Normally, Tifa would have ignored the similar spats with boys she got into at her previous schools. Even if she hadn't ignored them, the stubborn boys would try to gang up on her - who only ended up in them getting the cream of the crop - Tifa's daily kick boxing training.
After the grueling ten minutes Tifa took to convey the day's worth of events, Lea held her daughter in a motherly embrace. Tifa finally felt at ease with the story finally out. The pain of bottling it up slowly receded like the ebbing tide.
"Tifa honey, I am so sorry. I'm afraid that horrible temper is from me - if it weren't for that nasty temper you gained from me, I honestly believe that you would be perfect. Cloud here sounds interesting - he seems similar to you in many ways; however I have to say that I find this relationship rather cute. They say that you always hurt the one you love, yet you would do anything for each other. But Tifa Lockhart, I forbid you from fighting with Cloud - is this understood?" Lea said while
"I understand mom"
"Good, Cloud is like you. I have no doubt about it, he will try to get you. Who wouldn't? You are a very beautiful girl; however, I don't want you to act as you did today. It was uncalled for, but I understand, Cloud's attitude probably got to you and you couldn't stand it. Give him some time; he is probably trying to figure you out. Right now, he could be wondering how to apologize to you. Maybe you two are destined, by the way your descriptions sound, you sound like you're attracted to him"
Tifa remained silent.
"Listen honey, it's a part of growing up. Some kids go through this when they are only twelve or so, just because you are sixteen, it doesn't mean a thing. You don't have to feel indifferent. What I see here between you and Cloud, is a major misunderstanding, you both need to communicate - but not right now; males tend to feel that communication isn't necessary. Yes, he was a little prejudice but I'm sure he didn't mean one word of it. However, I don't believe that you meant it when you said you hated him; I think that it was a natural reflex, a little harsh but I'm sure you didn't mean it. If he doesn't say anything to you for a while, don't feel anyway. He needs to figure you out; I have a strange feeling that Cloud is the one"
"Hmm. . . I don't know. . .maybe. Anyway, mom I'm glad that you had the time to talk to me about Cloud"
"Sure honey, anytime. Make sure you tell me what happens between you and Cloud, get some sleep now, you have school tomorrow"
" 'Night mom" Tifa said while she settled down into her thick, down comforter"
"Good night honey"
Lea Lockhart slipped out of her daughter's room, flipping the light switch as she left. A smile adorned her face, her daughter was now the average teen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~Next Morning~*~*~
Cloud woke up at the ungodly hour of 5:00 AM. An hour he had only dreamed of waking up. Unfortunately, this was no dream.
"What the hell am I doing up at this hour?" he murmured to himself, glancing at his alarm clock as he ran slender fingers through his wild, unruly mop of spiky golden hair.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and seized an enormous sword from a rack that held many similar swords. He made his way out the back door and did some warm-ups. He was quite awake now and was now wielding the large sword in intricate and dazzling cuts, spins and chops. Cloud was airborne for a second with the weapon spinning menacingly in his hands. In his descent, he brought the weapon down to face the earth, as though he were going to split a fissure into the ground. He fell into a battle crouch, the sword - mere centimeters away from the ground. Cloud was satisfied, the outsized weapon lived up to the nickname - Buster Sword, and it was actually a smaller version of the single Japanese Zanbattou. The weapon weighed an approximate hundred pounds. The inhumane, whopping weight alone was enough to scare away people, much less an individual even attempt to lift it up.
He decided that his training for the morning was finished and stalked to the bathroom. Cloud took a cold shower and brushed his teeth. Upon emerging from his bathroom, clad in his plush, royal blue bathrobe, Cloud sat at his desk and stared at the laptop before him. He sat there, meditating a bit - shutting out all other thoughts, even Tifa and concentrated on clearing his overly confused subconscious.
After the deep half an hour of meditation, he decided to get ready for school. Cloud felt like he could take on the world after the deep thought he had previously engaged in. He sighed and thrust his equipments into his schoolbag.
"Math, History, English Language . . . God I hate these subjects" he said as he looked over his timetable. "At least I have P.E. today," he muttered under his breath.
He took out a pair of heavy blue jeans and a white T-shirt with some sapphire graphic lettering on the back, saying ZUM with a picture of a blue McLaren F1. He put on a pair of blue and white Adidas sneakers. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was six thirty. Cloud grabbed a pair of basketball shorts and another T-shirt and tossed those into a gym bag along with a towel. He went downstairs and dropped the bags onto the huge armchair in the living room.
"Good morning Cloud, you're up early" his mother's voice broke the silence.
"Morning mom" he said as he made his way to the kitchen.
"I baked some blueberry muffins, they're on the rack; help yourself to them" she called out to his retreating form.
"Sure, thanks mom" he replied.
Cloud made a cup of coffee and had two of the muffins. He downed a glass of orange juice and glanced at his watch, five minutes to seven.
'Better leave now, I don't want to be late again' he thought He caught sight of his mother, who was now dressed in a navy blue business suit, sipping on a cup of black coffee. She held a muffin and an apple in a paper napkin in her hands.
"Cloud honey, do you need a ride to school?" she asked while she took a bite of her muffin.
"Nah . . . I'm okay, I need the exercise anyway. I'll only make you late" he declined and opened the door for her.
"Okay honey," she said as she kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for opening the door.
"See you later mom," he said as he too headed out the door and locked it.
Cloud walked casually to school, listening to his Discman, he was listening to Evanescence's Fallen. He turned the corner of his street and came across his longtime best friend, Vincent.
"Yo Vince" he greeted him with a hearty high-five.
"Yo" Vincent replied.
"What's up man?" Cloud enquired, seeing that Vincent was not his normal self.
"I've got something on my mind" he replied curtly
Cloud knowing Vincent for his almost entire life, knew that if something was on his mind it would have to be a girl.
"Who is it this time?" Cloud asked with a slight grin on his face.
"Yuffie Kisaragi" was his simple reply.
"Kisaragi . . . you mean the ninja?" Cloud pondered for a minute.
"Yeah, that's her" he replied as he absently kicked a pebble from the sidewalk.
"Vince, Yuffie's been going to the same school as us since third grade and you've never even spoken to her man, what's with the sudden attraction towards her?"
"Her soul is calling to me," Vincent said in his low voice
Cloud remained silent; whenever Vincent was like this is, it was better to stay out of it and just let him be. The two walked in silence to the direction of their school.
As they approached their high school, Cloud caught sight of Tifa walking with Joanne, Serena and Alex. She was wearing a black No Fear T-shirt, which was tied in a knot at her midriff, exposing her toned, flat stomach. Her shirt had red lettering, which read, 'FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF FRIGHT' the sleeves were pulled up, leaving her arms bare and the little white No Fear logo decorated the top left corner of the shirt. She wore a pair of blue hipster jeans, which flared at her ankles with slits running up to her knees, showing off her toned legs. Her long hair was tied in a half ponytail with a crimson band, leaving some of the rich, dark chocolate strands to form a ring of spikes.
Cloud could have stared at her for the entire day that is if Vincent's constant elbowing hadn't made its painful presence known in his ribcage.
"What are you staring at?" Vincent asked out of sheer curiosity.
"Tifa Lockhart," he replied as though in a dream.
"Let's go man" Vincent urged his friend.
Cloud snapped out of his trance and muttered a 'yeah, sure, whatever' and began to walk towards the eleventh grade block. Vincent opened a locker and dropped his second bag into it. Cloud too went to his locker and tossed his Adidas gym bag in. The two walked casually to the classroom with girls gawking after them, but never seeming to realize that Cloud and Vincent were ignoring them.
Both of them had problems with the girls who were holding their hearts, Cloud's predicament with Tifa, and Vincent's 'soul-calling' Yuffie.
They all somehow made their way to the classroom and participated in the usual, daily routine - answering to the register, assigned duties, lectures . . . which all boiled down to four words: A LOAD OF CRAP.
Since it was Tuesday, the day with the long homeroom period, the students of 11/56 took the opportunity to chat with their friends.
Tifa Lockhart turned around to get something out of her bag and felt eyes on her. She looked around to see a very handsome Cloud Strife looking at her. Eyes seething with an unknown emotion, which seemed to be hate. The two glared at each other, forgetting anything said about each other before.
A/N: A bit of a cliffhanger, yes, I know, it's a very long and boring chapter. I have nothing much to say, except that I'll try my best to get the next chapter out soon. I have all the ideas ready but I need time to type it . . . these days, all I have time to do is homework - yes the horrible thing that my teachers love to kill me with. Anyway, I need to get some sleep . . . please review, email, IM me, whatever. I would love to hear what you think of my fic.
*~*~*~*~Click That Button~*~*~*~*
Black Chiney
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 7; it belongs to Squaresoft, Sony and other associated groups, don't sue, and even if you did, you wouldn't get anything, I'm a flat broke student, suing me would make no sense at all. I may not own Cloud and Tifa, Yuffie and Vincent. All original ideas and characters are mine to claim. No, I do not own the hot topic website, Lamborghini, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Road & Track or Motor Trend magazines, Linkin Park, I did not create Bailey's with milk . . . ah dammit, I don't own nothing but my room, computer and a comfortable bed that I will be jumping into in a few minutes. I do not even own the skill to produce an extra good fanfic.
A/N: First, I am so sorry for this chapter being posted so late. I give my lovely reviewers a hearty high five. I hope you like this chapter, anyway . . . *Black Chiney grins as if she has something up her sleeve* too bad though, you won't see it until the next couple of chapters. *laughs mischievously* Feel free to leave comments, suggestions and you can email or IM me at - spiky_wong90@hotmail.com, anyway, here it is:
Chapter 4
*~*~*~*~Tifa's Evening~*~*~*~*
After about an hour, Tifa woke up at the sound of a door opening. Her instinctive battle senses felt no intrusive qi, but sensed the pleasance of her parents. She got up quickly and glanced at her image in the mirror. She saw an attractive girl there; clad in a white spaghetti-strap top and a pair of low-rise jeans shorts. Tifa sighed and stood before the large mirror and brushed out her thick, long tresses of dark-chocolate hair. She treaded stealthily towards the living room.
"Tifa honey how was school today? Make any friends?" her mother asked while she laid her handbag on the rack.
"It was fine mom; I made a few - six to be exact. They came over to do some homework, they said that wanted to meet you guys but they had to go home early. Maybe you can meet them tomorrow if you come home early" she replied to her mother while she made her way to the kitchen.
"That's great honey; it's wonderful to know that you've made some friends. You can invite them over for dinner tomorrow - if they can make it; what are their names?" she suggested while she took off her jacket and walked to the kitchen.
"Well, there's Yuffie, she was the first one I made, and then I met the others: Joanne, Alex, Serena, Ana and Chris" she said while she too went to the kitchen and began skillfully slicing some vegetables for a salad.
"Meet any cute and nice boys?" she asked with a laugh. She had always considered her mother cool. She was always telling her to get a boyfriend.
"Mom!" she exclaimed with shades of crimson red, staining her porcelain cheeks. "I have my school to worry about first" she paused for a moment as though thinking deeply, "Okay, okay - I saw one extremely hot guy there," she confessed, unconsciously referring to Cloud.
Tifa finished shredding the lettuce and reached for a tomato to slice.
Tifa's mom chuckled knowingly, "Well that's great, be sure to invite your friends over for dinner tomorrow," she said while she took out the marinating meat from the refrigerator, "Oh - you should tell your father about your first day, you should see if he needs anything too" she added.
"Sure" she agreed and aimed the knife for its block. It met its target with a sharp 'thunk.' Tifa left the kitchen and made her way past the living room, towards to her father's study. She slid the huge oak doors open and slipped silently into the large room.
"Hi Daddy" she greeted her father as he looked up at the sound if the door opening. He smiled a greeting.
"How was school Tifa?"
"It was good, I made a couple friends. Mom says that I can invite them over for dinner tomorrow" she replied while she took a seat in one of the plush, velvet armchairs.
"That's good to know," he said while began to type a document on the computer before him.
"Would you like me to get anything for you Daddy?" she asked.
"Yes, I think I need a drink. Nothing hard, at least not right now" he replied while he reached for a sheaf of typing sheets and proceeded to feed it to the printer.
"How about a Bailey's with milk?" she suggested as she slowly got up.
"That'll be just fine"
Tifa exited the room to do her father's wish and made her way to the liquor cabinet. She took out a bottle of Bailey's and went to the kitchen for the milk and a glass. The chocolate-haired girl deftly and skillfully blended the drink. Its scent alone was alluring; she was tempted to take a sip. Growing up with her parents who were heavy drinkers, Tifa was skilled as a bartender. She could hold her alcohol too - it took a lot to get her drunk.
Drink in one hand, she returned to her father's study. She entered the room and deposited the glass of thick, milky liquid onto a coaster on his desk. The drink was slightly swirling from the motion due to the walk to the room.
Tifa grinned and said in a bartender-like accent, "One Bailey's with milk sir"
"Thank you honey" he said while he took the glass and took a sip, "This is good" he continued, after he swallowed the interesting drink that tasted somewhat of chocolate. Its creamy consistency was nice and thick.
She smiled in acknowledgement. Tifa personally thought that Bailey's with milk was the best in the lower category of alcohol potency, although she preferred the smooth flavor of sake. She had an irresistible temptation for anything oriental. She mumbled something about going to help her mom with the dinner and left the room, she strolled casually to the kitchen.
Her mother was not in the kitchen.
'Probably went to take a shower' she deduced.
Tifa resumed her previous task of making the salad, when she finished that, she put some rice to steam. Her mother had already put the meat to roast. Tifa glanced at the kitchen clock, it was only a little after six. She set the clock to ring when the roast and the rice was ready.
She left the kitchen ascended the marble stairs and went up to her room. She turned on her laptop and went online, seeing that no one was on her MSN Messenger, she signed out of it and checked her mail - none. She decided to check out the hot topic website. When she clicked on the new clothing available, she saw an adorable outfit and fell in love with it.
"This is so cute!" she practically squealed as she saw it, "I have to get it; I'm going to order it. There is no way I am letting that go," she said to herself.
Tifa ordered it and smiled radiantly. She absolutely loved that hot topic site, almost all of her clothes were ordered from it - and her parents were cool with it. To add to it, the ones she chose were always different from the style everyone was into, she was always the first to see - she was always on that site, checking out what was new. She saw some accessories that would match perfectly and ordered those too.
The little 'ting' of the timer going off resounded through the mansion.
Tifa quickly disconnected and went downstairs. She took the roast out of the oven and began to carve it, she set the table and placed the fresh salad onto the table and served the food. She called out to her parents that dinner was ready.
She was pouring the water into glasses as her parents walked towards the dining room. They took their places at the table and began to eat.
"Mom, I saw this adorable outfit a-" Tifa said only to be broken off by her mother.
"- Did you order it honey?" she asked as she took a sip of water.
"Yeah, I did. It should be here in about three weeks" Tifa responded.
"I'm glad you ordered something, I was about to ask you if when was the last time you went to the mall, I was planning on dragging you there myself. It's been quite a while since you bought any clothes," she said with a laugh.
"Actually, I was invited on a mall trip - Saturday coming, and I am supposed to go on a field trip to the beach next week Friday. Do I have your permission to go?" she asked them both.
"Of course you can go" her father said, "Do you agree Lea?' he asked her mother.
"Of course she can go, I think it's a wonderful opportunity, I'll lend you one of my credit cards. You can shop to your heart's content," she agreed with a motherly smile.
Tifa thanked them with a hearty grin and finished the rest of her dinner. She excused herself and washed up her dish and the various cooking apparatus. She bid her parents goodnight and went up to her room.
She sat on her bed and her crimson eyes wandered over the banners with her favorite anime characters printed onto them. Her eyes darted over the large decorative cupboard that held her cherished weapons and the countless medals and trophies won. Tifa lay in the comfort of her bed, thinking about many random thoughts. The first thing that popped up in her active mind was Cloud Strife.
*~*~*~*~Cloud's Evening~*~*~*~*
As he had returned from school, he saw a package for him in the mailbox of the large Strife manor. He had finished his homework and he remained in his room, slumped on his bed, reading the new Road & Track and Motor Trend magazines that had just arrived. He was reading all about the new Lamborghini Gallardo and tips on upgrading the Mazda RX-8. He lay back on his bed and his mind drifted to Tifa.
"I wonder what she's doing now. Damn, she is just stuck on my mind. Well - who in hell wouldn't be thinking about her? With those sexy eyes and that gorgeous body- aw dammit, what wouldn't I give to get together with her?" he voiced aloud.
He stared at the huge array of large swords that adorned the walls. Among the swords, many glossed and enlarged glamour shots of him, along with the large movie and anime posters that added the teenage look to the would-be plain blue walls of his room. He decided to go and take a shower. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he saw that it was six o' clock. Cloud entered the luxurious bathroom; he shed his clothes and relaxed under the calming mist of warm water. He felt the pent up tension melt away as he shampooed his thick, golden hair and swept away the uncomfortable sheen of sweat from his tanned skin.
He emerged from the bathroom clad in naught but a blue towel, wrapped around his slender waist. His hair was dripping wet - he caught sight of himself in the mirror and he smirked cockily to himself. He was visualizing himself with Tifa and his smirk grew to a smile that would make Tifa melt; it was too bad she couldn't see it. Cloud sighed and reluctantly dismissed the beautiful image of Tifa's body from his mind. Ignoring Tifa's image in his mind was harder then he thought - he'd been imagining her in a very revealing bathing suit.
After quickly toweling his hair, he donned a pair of khaki-colored shorts that reached mid-shin, his favorite shirt - a black T-shirt, decorated with the layout blueprint of a Lamborghini Diablo, and a web-like design ran over it. His hair was already drying to the natural spikes they dried to, he glanced at the gel and decided against it - gel was only to hold his spikes up properly. Satisfied with his look, he went downstairs and saw his mother opening the front door.
He made his way to the door and pulled her into an embrace. Regardless of what others would say or think, he loved his mother dearly. His father had deserted them when he was only seven, so he had grown attached to his mother. As far as Cloud could see, his mother was doing perfectly fine without his father. She managed her own company and in Cloud's eyes, she was the best mom a guy could ask for.
"Hey mom" he greeted her.
"Hello Cloud honey, can you help me with these groceries?" she greeted in return and asked him while she indicated to the backseat of the silver Porsche 911.
"Sure mom" he replied and made his way through the door.
"Oh - Cloud, park it too," she said as she tossed the keys to him.
He caught them with ease, and was on his way to the car. Cloud got the two massive grocery bags and walked briskly to the front door; he went to the kitchen and deposited the bags on the counter. With the keys in hand, Cloud grinned and practically flew through the door.
A second later, the lovely sound of a revving Porsche resounded through the still evening air; Cloud stepped on the gas and drove the car towards the shed. The driveway was long - a half mile to be exact, but at the speed he went, he was in there in two seconds flat. The sweet sound of the brakes screeching to a sudden stop echoed through the huge yard.
This was his mother's newest car; so far, it was his favorite. The exhilarating scent of the brand new car's leather interior was driving Cloud's senses over the edge. He began to think of Tifa again. He sighed and again dismissed her image from his mind. Cloud revved the engine again, approving the low, growl of the engine. He couldn't wait to get his license; he couldn't wait to get his own car. Instead of his previous favorite car, the Mercedes CLK, he wanted a dressed up silver BMW Z3. He could visualize himself with Tifa in it. He sighed again and just sat there in the car, thinking about cars and Tifa. Cloud stayed there for fifteen minutes, just thinking and constantly dismissing the image of Tifa each time his mind's eye made a depiction if her. For boredom's sake, he reversed the car, back to the front door and stepped on the gas once more. Satisfied with how far the needle went on the gauge, Cloud brought the car to an abrupt halt in the shed.
He got out of the car as though he hadn't just driven a car at 80 mph in a built up area. Cloud grinned and sauntered casually back to the mansion He saw his mother in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, slicing merrily away at some mushrooms and tomatoes.
"I'm back mom," he said.
"I'm surprised I didn't hear my car being driven all over the neighborhood" she replied with a grin.
"Aw c'mon mom I'm not that bad - need any help?" he asked with a laugh.
"No, it's okay. All I have to do is mash these potatoes"
"Okay, I'll be up in my room then"
"Alright, I'll call you when dinner's ready" she said while she sautéed the vegetables with some beef and let the mixture flambé in some white wine.
"Sure" he replied.
He went up to his room and turned on his mini-system, and put in Meteora - Linkin Park's newest CD. Cloud relaxed on his bed, drinking in the intense music and hurriedly scribbled the rest of his Geography and Biology homework. When he was finished with it, he took up his CD wallet and flipped through the pages of compact discs, all types of albums were in it, from techno to metal, j-pop to rock, instrumentals to hip-hop and R&B. There were movie soundtracks, DVDs and game discs. He voiced a random thought:
"I need new CDs"
"Cloud honey, dinner's ready!" Rebecca Strife's voice floated up the stairs to his ears.
"I'll be there in a minute!" he yelled back as he switched off the mini- system and got up from his comfortable position. He made his way downstairs and to the dining room.
He saw his mother setting the already elaborately decorated dining table.
"I'm here," he said as he got the dishes, which were loaded with tempting food. He laid the dishes on the table and took his seat. His mother took her seat in front of him and they began to eat.
"So how was school honey? Meet any new girls?" she enquired in a more sisterly fashion than any mother would.
"School was good. I met this new girl; I really like her but. . ." he trailed off and stared into his dish.
"But what honey?" she enquired, encouraging him to open up.
"Well, we're both in all the same classes so far and well; we're Biology partners for the whole school year. The teacher had to go do something, and well I was trying to be nice and I tried to make small talk with her. She kinda answered me a little angrily and well, you know" he paused, "My temper kinda, well yeah" he begun his explanation as he hung his head in shame.
"Continue" she coaxed.
"Well, we kinda had an argument and I told her that I was only trying to be nice for a change and that people like her probably didn't understand what it means and, and well I know I was wrong to say it but it just came out"
"Okay, you had a little argument, what was the outcome?" she asked.
"She said something like she didn't need my friendship and that she didn't want my concern. Well, I said something like, 'now I know what they mean by people have pretty faces and bad character.' Then she told me that I should find someone else to be nice to and she told me to stay out of her life; then after a while she apologized to me and told me why she answered me like that" he said with a tinge of shame in his voice.
"Okay, she apologized to you. This is the important part, did you accept her apology?" she said in her motherly tone.
"No, I didn't accept her apology. I don't even know why - I ignored her apology and then she -" he said in a choked voice "- she told me that she didn't have to apologize to me and but she still had forgiven me. She said that if I didn't want to accept it, she didn't see the need to try making it up, then she told me that she hated me," he finished with a soft, hurt tone.
"Look, Cloud honey, I see faults with on both sides of this argument. Let me guess, you feel bad about it and you want to make it up but you don't know how, right?" she asked, quite concerned for him.
"Yeah"
"Do you want to apologize to her Cloud?" she enquired
"Of course I want to apologize to her. I-I feel so bad about it, and I can't stop thinking about her," he said, eager to find a way to make it up to Tifa.
"Okay, what's her name?" she asked
"Tifa Lockhart" he answered, savoring her name on his tongue.
"Okay, Tifa was wrong to answer you like she did, but you were wrong to snap back at her. Do you realize that Cloud?"
"Yes" he replied in an unusually soft voice. His malevolent pride could never rear its ugly head in his mother's presence.
"This is going to be difficult, I know you want to apologize to her as soon as possible but this situation is delicate. Wait for about three weeks; you have to think about your apology, if you don't want her to push you away. Yes, it is a long time, but trust me, if you apologize right, it will all be worth it" she advised her son.
"Three weeks? That is too long I-I'll go crazy. Tifa's so cute and she's kindhearted too, she apologized to me - and she didn't have to. I think I'm in love with her," Cloud said.
"It's either three weeks and Tifa or one day and no Tifa, it's up to you Cloud honey," she said.
"Okay, okay, but I don't know what to say. How do I put it? What do I do?" he said in defeat.
"Well honey, you have to follow your heart, tell her what your heart tells you to say. I know that your temper will probably get in the way, but honey try not to get into any more fights or arguments with her. It would help if you just keep quiet, and be pleasant to her when you feel the time is right. Cloud, you are my son and I am very proud of you, I know you can do this. I want to meet this Tifa; she sounds like a terrific person, she's captured my son's heart, something very hard to do. As far as I remember, it's always been the girl to chase after you. Trust your heart Cloud, you'll get her, and when you do, don't ever let her go,"
She put a hand over his heart, "Believe in this"
"I will," he nodded in response.
Cloud picked up his fork and resumed eating his meal, when a sudden thought struck him.
"Hey mom, when can I go for my learner's?" Cloud asked, like a child asking for ice cream and cake.
"On your birthday" replied, laughing at his eagerness for the license, "You just turned seventeen last month Cloud. You have an entire year to wait. Speaking of your license, what car do you have in mind? No roadsters or super cars for you - at least, not yet" she stated, taking a bite of mushroom.
"I don't think I'm ready to drive a roadster - not just yet. I was thinking of getting something simple but cool - a Z3, silver - I want to dress it up, skirting and all - plus, it's a lot less expensive than a Ferrari or a Lamborghini- but if you don't mind, I wouldn't mind driving one" he said with a boyish grin playing on his lips.
"Z3 sounds good. I'll think about it" she replied.
"I can't wait to get it," his enthusiasm as of a child given permission to have cookies and candy for dinner.
"I know Cloud, but you must have patience in all situations, just like your predicament with your beloved Tifa," she said, a motherly grin adorning her face.
Cloud nodded and slowly finished his dinner.
"May I be excused?" Cloud asked as he took up his cutlery and utensils
"Of course you may honey" she replied.
Cloud got up from the table and slowly went to the kitchen and deposited the apparatus into the sink. He began the boring task of washing the dishes and cookware. As soon as he was done, he bid his mother goodnight and went upstairs to his room.
He collapsed onto his bed and lay there, thinking. A few minutes later, he fell into the peaceful void of dreams.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~In Tifa's Room~*~*~
"Cloud," Tifa muttered unconsciously.
"Who's Cloud?" Lea Lockhart's voice queried.
"Huh?"
"Who's Cloud?" the voice came back.
"Mom, do you remember when I told you that I saw a really cute guy at school?" Tifa asked, wanting to get the situation off her chest.
"Yes, I remember"
"Well, I need to talk to you about him. He is Cloud," she said, the cheer that was usually present in her voice - now absent.
"Okay honey, go ahead," she said as she sat down beside Tifa, who was now in a sitting position.
"Okay, it goes like this. . ."
Tifa relayed the entire story to her mother. The occasional string of curses was unconfined about her idiocy.
Lea Lockhart sat there and listened intently to her daughter's predicament. It was a new challenge for her, she proved it most interesting. Tifa - always caught up in her schoolwork, determined to make honor roll each term - if she wasn't busy with the copious amounts of work, she would be playing her piano. According to her, 'she had no time to mess around with relationships, her education mattered more' neither of her parents could say argue with that, but they couldn't help but wish she would act like a normal teenager with all the teen problems. It seemed as though the fateful day had finally come, Tifa was beginning to act like the average teenager.
Normally, Tifa would have ignored the similar spats with boys she got into at her previous schools. Even if she hadn't ignored them, the stubborn boys would try to gang up on her - who only ended up in them getting the cream of the crop - Tifa's daily kick boxing training.
After the grueling ten minutes Tifa took to convey the day's worth of events, Lea held her daughter in a motherly embrace. Tifa finally felt at ease with the story finally out. The pain of bottling it up slowly receded like the ebbing tide.
"Tifa honey, I am so sorry. I'm afraid that horrible temper is from me - if it weren't for that nasty temper you gained from me, I honestly believe that you would be perfect. Cloud here sounds interesting - he seems similar to you in many ways; however I have to say that I find this relationship rather cute. They say that you always hurt the one you love, yet you would do anything for each other. But Tifa Lockhart, I forbid you from fighting with Cloud - is this understood?" Lea said while
"I understand mom"
"Good, Cloud is like you. I have no doubt about it, he will try to get you. Who wouldn't? You are a very beautiful girl; however, I don't want you to act as you did today. It was uncalled for, but I understand, Cloud's attitude probably got to you and you couldn't stand it. Give him some time; he is probably trying to figure you out. Right now, he could be wondering how to apologize to you. Maybe you two are destined, by the way your descriptions sound, you sound like you're attracted to him"
Tifa remained silent.
"Listen honey, it's a part of growing up. Some kids go through this when they are only twelve or so, just because you are sixteen, it doesn't mean a thing. You don't have to feel indifferent. What I see here between you and Cloud, is a major misunderstanding, you both need to communicate - but not right now; males tend to feel that communication isn't necessary. Yes, he was a little prejudice but I'm sure he didn't mean one word of it. However, I don't believe that you meant it when you said you hated him; I think that it was a natural reflex, a little harsh but I'm sure you didn't mean it. If he doesn't say anything to you for a while, don't feel anyway. He needs to figure you out; I have a strange feeling that Cloud is the one"
"Hmm. . . I don't know. . .maybe. Anyway, mom I'm glad that you had the time to talk to me about Cloud"
"Sure honey, anytime. Make sure you tell me what happens between you and Cloud, get some sleep now, you have school tomorrow"
" 'Night mom" Tifa said while she settled down into her thick, down comforter"
"Good night honey"
Lea Lockhart slipped out of her daughter's room, flipping the light switch as she left. A smile adorned her face, her daughter was now the average teen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~*~*~Next Morning~*~*~
Cloud woke up at the ungodly hour of 5:00 AM. An hour he had only dreamed of waking up. Unfortunately, this was no dream.
"What the hell am I doing up at this hour?" he murmured to himself, glancing at his alarm clock as he ran slender fingers through his wild, unruly mop of spiky golden hair.
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and seized an enormous sword from a rack that held many similar swords. He made his way out the back door and did some warm-ups. He was quite awake now and was now wielding the large sword in intricate and dazzling cuts, spins and chops. Cloud was airborne for a second with the weapon spinning menacingly in his hands. In his descent, he brought the weapon down to face the earth, as though he were going to split a fissure into the ground. He fell into a battle crouch, the sword - mere centimeters away from the ground. Cloud was satisfied, the outsized weapon lived up to the nickname - Buster Sword, and it was actually a smaller version of the single Japanese Zanbattou. The weapon weighed an approximate hundred pounds. The inhumane, whopping weight alone was enough to scare away people, much less an individual even attempt to lift it up.
He decided that his training for the morning was finished and stalked to the bathroom. Cloud took a cold shower and brushed his teeth. Upon emerging from his bathroom, clad in his plush, royal blue bathrobe, Cloud sat at his desk and stared at the laptop before him. He sat there, meditating a bit - shutting out all other thoughts, even Tifa and concentrated on clearing his overly confused subconscious.
After the deep half an hour of meditation, he decided to get ready for school. Cloud felt like he could take on the world after the deep thought he had previously engaged in. He sighed and thrust his equipments into his schoolbag.
"Math, History, English Language . . . God I hate these subjects" he said as he looked over his timetable. "At least I have P.E. today," he muttered under his breath.
He took out a pair of heavy blue jeans and a white T-shirt with some sapphire graphic lettering on the back, saying ZUM with a picture of a blue McLaren F1. He put on a pair of blue and white Adidas sneakers. Glancing at the clock, he saw that it was six thirty. Cloud grabbed a pair of basketball shorts and another T-shirt and tossed those into a gym bag along with a towel. He went downstairs and dropped the bags onto the huge armchair in the living room.
"Good morning Cloud, you're up early" his mother's voice broke the silence.
"Morning mom" he said as he made his way to the kitchen.
"I baked some blueberry muffins, they're on the rack; help yourself to them" she called out to his retreating form.
"Sure, thanks mom" he replied.
Cloud made a cup of coffee and had two of the muffins. He downed a glass of orange juice and glanced at his watch, five minutes to seven.
'Better leave now, I don't want to be late again' he thought He caught sight of his mother, who was now dressed in a navy blue business suit, sipping on a cup of black coffee. She held a muffin and an apple in a paper napkin in her hands.
"Cloud honey, do you need a ride to school?" she asked while she took a bite of her muffin.
"Nah . . . I'm okay, I need the exercise anyway. I'll only make you late" he declined and opened the door for her.
"Okay honey," she said as she kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for opening the door.
"See you later mom," he said as he too headed out the door and locked it.
Cloud walked casually to school, listening to his Discman, he was listening to Evanescence's Fallen. He turned the corner of his street and came across his longtime best friend, Vincent.
"Yo Vince" he greeted him with a hearty high-five.
"Yo" Vincent replied.
"What's up man?" Cloud enquired, seeing that Vincent was not his normal self.
"I've got something on my mind" he replied curtly
Cloud knowing Vincent for his almost entire life, knew that if something was on his mind it would have to be a girl.
"Who is it this time?" Cloud asked with a slight grin on his face.
"Yuffie Kisaragi" was his simple reply.
"Kisaragi . . . you mean the ninja?" Cloud pondered for a minute.
"Yeah, that's her" he replied as he absently kicked a pebble from the sidewalk.
"Vince, Yuffie's been going to the same school as us since third grade and you've never even spoken to her man, what's with the sudden attraction towards her?"
"Her soul is calling to me," Vincent said in his low voice
Cloud remained silent; whenever Vincent was like this is, it was better to stay out of it and just let him be. The two walked in silence to the direction of their school.
As they approached their high school, Cloud caught sight of Tifa walking with Joanne, Serena and Alex. She was wearing a black No Fear T-shirt, which was tied in a knot at her midriff, exposing her toned, flat stomach. Her shirt had red lettering, which read, 'FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF FRIGHT' the sleeves were pulled up, leaving her arms bare and the little white No Fear logo decorated the top left corner of the shirt. She wore a pair of blue hipster jeans, which flared at her ankles with slits running up to her knees, showing off her toned legs. Her long hair was tied in a half ponytail with a crimson band, leaving some of the rich, dark chocolate strands to form a ring of spikes.
Cloud could have stared at her for the entire day that is if Vincent's constant elbowing hadn't made its painful presence known in his ribcage.
"What are you staring at?" Vincent asked out of sheer curiosity.
"Tifa Lockhart," he replied as though in a dream.
"Let's go man" Vincent urged his friend.
Cloud snapped out of his trance and muttered a 'yeah, sure, whatever' and began to walk towards the eleventh grade block. Vincent opened a locker and dropped his second bag into it. Cloud too went to his locker and tossed his Adidas gym bag in. The two walked casually to the classroom with girls gawking after them, but never seeming to realize that Cloud and Vincent were ignoring them.
Both of them had problems with the girls who were holding their hearts, Cloud's predicament with Tifa, and Vincent's 'soul-calling' Yuffie.
They all somehow made their way to the classroom and participated in the usual, daily routine - answering to the register, assigned duties, lectures . . . which all boiled down to four words: A LOAD OF CRAP.
Since it was Tuesday, the day with the long homeroom period, the students of 11/56 took the opportunity to chat with their friends.
Tifa Lockhart turned around to get something out of her bag and felt eyes on her. She looked around to see a very handsome Cloud Strife looking at her. Eyes seething with an unknown emotion, which seemed to be hate. The two glared at each other, forgetting anything said about each other before.
A/N: A bit of a cliffhanger, yes, I know, it's a very long and boring chapter. I have nothing much to say, except that I'll try my best to get the next chapter out soon. I have all the ideas ready but I need time to type it . . . these days, all I have time to do is homework - yes the horrible thing that my teachers love to kill me with. Anyway, I need to get some sleep . . . please review, email, IM me, whatever. I would love to hear what you think of my fic.
*~*~*~*~Click That Button~*~*~*~*
Black Chiney