AN: There's some strong language and implied...err...sexual activity in this chapter.
thank you for the good reviews, they encourage me to continue writing.
Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy X, She's all that, this font I'm typing with, this website I'm submitting this fic to, or this computer I'm at right now!! (sarcasm, folks. It's a beautiful thing.)
Chapter 2- First Impressions
Yuna sighed a breath of relief, and walked into the loud cafeteria. It was 6th period, time for lunch. Her first day was not going well, but what was new? At least Dona and her gang of super bitch cheerleader friends weren't in any of her classes so far. She walked through the lunch line, they were serving chicken and rice. At least it looked like chicken anyway. She stared warily at it.
"Hey weirdo, you talking to that dead piece of chicken?". A tall boy next to her joked.
"I'm wearing rabbit fur, can you talk to the dead rabbit for me? . Another girl joined in.
" No, because your fur's fake." Yuna snapped. The students around them chuckled and the girl turned bright red. Yuna picked up a salad and a bottled water and quickly sat down at a small table, alone.
She had actually liked her classes so far, as far as teachers and subjects. The students in most of them weren't the popular or popular wannabes so they tolerated her and weren't rude. There were three super jocks in her English class, but they always ignored her. Except that weird guy, Seymour Richmond. He kept giving her weird smirks. She would feel someone watching her, look towards the back of the classroom, and see the bluehead leer at her, like he knew some dark secret about her or something. She preferred it when he would just openly insult her. The other boys, Tidus Akard and Wakka Thomas, never actually said anything to her ever.
She scanned the crowned lunchroom from her little corner and saw Dona and her cheerleader gang, and about half the blitz ball team, including the three jocks she'd just been thinking about, burst open the double doors of the cafeteria. Everyone in the cafeteria began to point and talk excitedly about their dramatic entrance. It was like they were royalty or something. Barthello, the team goalie and big muscle man, picked up and threw a small student from his chair, who had sat at the popular table by accident. The poor guy landed straight into a nearby garbage can. She couldn't fault Barthello's excellent aim. The cheerleaders and jocks filled in the table quickly. Some students from the "nerd" group of the school, ran and brought them trays of food, hoping that by becoming servants they'd be rewarded with less wedgies and not having their lunch trays slammed into their shirt as often.
"How do I get my own personal servants and table in a highschool?"
"Hm?" Yuna looked up and saw a pretty, skinny blonde girl, maybe around her age, holding a lunch tray, smiling down at her.
" You just have to be rich and play a sport, look like a model and be a complete jerk." Yuna said.
The girl smiled at her and looked around awkwardly. Yuna cocked her head at her.
"Um, can I sit here?" The girl asked shyly.
"OH!! Yeah of course, I'm sorry, it's just I don't have many friends, I mean, I'm not use to people being nice to me....and.." Yuna closed her mouth and reddened. She felt so stupid. Probably just scared the girl away.
But the girl just smiled and sat down opposite Yuna.
" My name is Rikku Monroi, my mom just got re-married this summer and moved here us to Luca. I'm a senior."
" Hi, I'm Yuna Lescing and I'm a senior too. I notice your accent, are you Al Bhed?"
"Yeah. . .if that's a problem I can leave. . .I know a lot of people don't like us."
" Oh no, believe me Rikku, I understand being different." Yuna had just met Rikku, but she felt she'd found a kindred spirit.
"My mom just got married to Jecht Akard, the famous blitz player."
"Are you serious? So Tidus Akard is your brother in law? . . Why aren't you sitting with him?"
"Well, we just actually met a few weeks ago. And I don't really like the crowd he hangs out with, but he did ask me if I wanted to sit with him. He's okay, but his friends are really shallow. . .Well the redhead with the weird accent is kinda cute. But they're super nice to me since I live with Tidus. They are all super fake. If I weren't his sis-in-law they'd treat me like dirt."
" Those people don't like me either, in fact a lot of the school doesn't, so don't feel so bad."
"Why not?"
"...Well...me, my whole family, we are mediums-"
"REALLY!!! That's so cool Yuna, wow, to have a gift like that would be awesome!!"
"Huh?"
As we Al Bhed's would say, "Oui yna y kevd vnus kut".
"Huh?"
"You are a gift from Yevon.."
"Ahh...." Yuna rarely got a reaction like that. Most people were skeptical about such things. Or too scared to ask. She felt like shedding a tear.
"Tell me all about it. . .I wish I could talk to the dead. I would apologize to my goldfish Skippy. You see I had put him in the tub with me, I was only five. I cleaned him with bar soap. I didn't know he'd die."
If it weren't for Rikku's complete look of despair Yuna would have fallen over in laughter. The girl was something else.
"Well, sometimes it can be hard, because, the spirits, human spirits only mind you... they can kinda "pop up" when you don't want them there.............." Yuna began.
The two spent the rest of the lunch period chatting about Yuna's gift and Rikku's culture. Yuna laughed and smiled for the first time in a long time.
Elsewhere. . .
Over on the other side of the lunch room, Tidus watched Yuna curiously. Why was Rikku sitting with her? She was actually quite pretty when she laughed, from what he could see of her face not hidden by those horrible glasses.
"Tidus, baby, what are you looking at?" Dona pouted from her seat next to him, placing her hand on his thigh, lightly scratching him with her long fake nails.
"Um. Nothing Dona." Tidus pushed her hand away and began talking to Wakka, ignoring her completely. Dona scowled.
'Something's distracting you from me Tidus, and I aim to find out what.' she thought.
Seymour watched from across the table at the exchange between Tidus and Dona. Soon, very soon, he would take Tidus's place. On the blitz team, on the social ladder of popularity, and in Dona's heart...if the girl even had one. But hell, that was why he was in love with her.
Later. . . .
Tidus scrambled into his last period of the day, Computer Science, late. The popular group, or simply "The IN" as they preferred to be called, had all compared schedules at the lunch table earlier. Tidus was happy because lunch was the only class he shared with Dona. But no one from The IN was in this class with him, which upset him. But at least Wakka, his best friend, was in about half of his classes with him.
"So nice of you to join us." Mr. Letty, a young teacher fresh out of college snapped as Tidus loudly entered the room, disrupting whatever he'd been saying to the class. Tidus smirked at him and searched for a chair with a computer in front of it. There was only one empty. He sat down and some of the students snickered.
"What?" He said goofily, grinning and flashing dimples, earning him some laughs. The teacher stared angrily at Tidus, muttering something under his breath.
"Oh." Tidus said softly as he noticed who he was next to. Yuna whatever-her-last-name was. No way. She was in the last chair in the row and next to a wall. Was this perfect or what? He was sitting right next to the mark, with no interruptions from The IN. It was perfect, he could sweet talk her and move in on her in no time flat. She had her head down, staring very hard at the keyboard in front of her.
" Your first assignment is on the board. When you are done, print it out and place it on my desk. And these will be your permanent seats until I learn your names." Mr. Letty said. He passed around a sign in sheet, with row and desk numbers, and then sat at his desk in front of the classroom.
'Who gives assignments the first day?' Tidus thought.
The assignment was on the board, but all the students were busy just surfing the internet and talking, since Mr. Letty couldn't see their screens anyway. The teacher sat at his desk with his computer, with the back of it facing the class.
'He's probably downloading porn or something.' Tidus thought.
Tidus watched Mr. Letty look up, eyes darting around the room to make sure no one was watching him. He moved his hand off the side of the desk and placed it in his lap, a weird grin on his face. Tidus chuckled softly. Wait till he told Wakka about this one. He turned his chair around and focused on Yuna.
"So hi. . .Yuna, how you doing?" Tidus faced her and put on his best smile, complete with boyish dimples. No answer. He looked at her screen.
Yuna was looking up Playstation 2 games on yahoo.com and didn't seem to notice he had spoke. He chuckled a little. From all the mean things people said about her, he expected her to be looking up how to make bombs or how to cook humans or something weird like that. Her face was really pretty close up. She had defined cheekbones and pink lips. Pretty. But that long loose ponytail and glasses hide a lot of it. How'd she look without all of that? He looked down at her large, shapeless shirt and skirt. He wondered briefly what type of body was hidden under those hippy clothes.
"So. . .how's your day been?"
Still no answer.
" Nice weather, huh?"
"..................................."
"How about those terrible Besaid Aurochs?"
Utter silence. Was she mute?
"So, you like being a senior?"
When Yuna still didn't reply, he answered for her in a high pitched girl voice.
"Yes, I enjoy being a senior here at Luca High."
He knew she had heard him, because she was fighting off a small smile on her lips.
Tidus watched her hand move over the computer mouse. Her nails were long, but they were real, unlike Dona's. They were neatly trimmed and colored a light blue. She had a silver dolphin ring on her ring finger. Her hand was very feminine, as far as hands can look anyway. Feeling daring, he placed his hand over hers. Her hand was warm and soft. He liked the way his own hand fit over it.
Yuna flinched and turned and looked at Tidus. Her glasses slipped down to her nose. He stared into her eyes. They were beautiful. The deepest, brightest green and blue he'd ever seen. They seemed to pierce his soul. Suddenly his own blue eyes seemed boring.
Yuna broke the spell by pushing the glasses back over her face and frowning at him. She yanked her hand away, as if stung.
"What do you want, to make a dig about me being a freak, answers to the assignment, what?" Yuna snapped. She abruptly got up and grabbed her books, walking quickly to the front of the room.
Tidus stared stupidly after her. "Well that went well. So why did you just flip on me?" he said to her retreating back. He quickly sniffed his armpits, and blew his breath into his hand and smelled. "Nope, no offensive odor, so what's the problem?" he muttered to himself. Oh well, he had all year.
Yuna walked quickly towards Mr. Letty who looked at her alarmed, and quickly yanked his hand from underneath the desk. He clicked rapidly on his mouse, closing whatever internet window he'd had opened.
"Der. . .ah. . .yes, Miss, what do you need?"
'Why does he sound out of breath?' Yuna wondered.
"I've finished my assignment, and was wondering if I could leave early. I also wanted to know if I could switch seats." She asked, turning around and staring back at Tidus, who was staring at her, a bemused look on his face.
"Um, well, yes, you can leave early I guess, but only for today. I'm new here and don't want to mess up any school policies or anything. But no, you can't change seats, not yet anyway. Then I'd have to let everyone else in the class move."
Yuna sighed. She knew he'd say that. " Well thanks anyway Mr. Letty. And by the way I'm Yuna. And I look forward to your class, and I know you'll make a great teacher."
Yuna held her hand out and shook Mr. Letty's.
'Why is his hand all sweaty?' She thought as she walked away from him. She looked back in the room again to see Tidus still staring at her curiously. Yuna exited the classroom, wiping her hand on her skirt. She looked around the hallway. There were silver and black logos everywhere on the walls for the blitzball team. There was a large statue of a unicorn, the school mascot, in the center of the hall. Kids were always sticking bra's or underwear over its head. This year would probably be no different. Luca was so huge on blitz. And Tidus was huge on blitz.
Tidus Akard had spoken to her. She'd had a small crush on him since. . .well, forever. She had first saw him when she was in sixth grade, always watching him from afar. He seemed. . .a little different than the others, and was very attractive. She sometimes could get energy vibes from people. His was more positive, more happy than his other friends, unlike Dona and the creepy Seymour, who had very negative energy all the time. She loved blond surfer looking guys with deep tans. But knew he'd never see her as more than the school recluse. He'd never actually spoken at all to her, not even to tease her. But she knew he'd only spoken to her today to tease her or goad her in some way. And she didn't feel she could handle him making fun of her, so she had put on her emotional defensive shield and gotten outta there fast. Why did people have to be so mean? What was wrong with being different?
"Please don't look so sad Yuna."
"Huh? Oh, hi Shelinda." she said to the young, brown haired girl leaning against some lockers.
"I know things will get better for you, they will realize what a wonderful person you are," The girl told her brightly.
"Yeah maybe..." Yuna muttered.
"Hey Yuna!!" looked up to see Rikku running towards her. "Who are you talking too?" Rikku looked around the empty hallway. She shivered as she felt a chill.
" It's really cold in here." Rikku whined.
Shelinda waved bye to Yuna and vanished into a nearby wall.
" Who were you talking too?" Rikku pressed, rubbing the goose bumps on her arms with her hands.
"Nobody." Yuna said slowly, then laughed at her little joke. It wasn't a lie, Shelinda didn't have a body anymore.
Shelinda had died if a seizure at age 16 in the school about 20 years ago. But she had refused to let Yuna send her to the other side. She was happy to stay in the school and watch others live their lives. She also was a huge prankster. If someone tripped or spilled something, it wasn't always an accident of their own doing. Another reason why Yuna didn't have many friends. Believing that she talked to spirits, which was a big part of her life, was a hard thing for most to swallow.
" I just got outta the guidance office. They messed up my schedule and I had two lunch periods. I didn't have a problem with that but my guidance counselor found out, and my whole schedule's changed now." Rikku gushed excitedly.
"Wait, you don't have 6th period lunch anymore?" Yuna's heart dropped.
"Hu,Hu, I still have 6th period lunch, I made sure."
"What? Hu what?
"Hu means no. Sometimes I slip into my native tongue. But lets compare schedules, ugyo?"
Yuna frowned at Rikku.
"Ugyo means okay." Rikku whispered to Yuna, earning a giggle. The two girls compared schedules.
"Hey!! You're in my 1st and 7th period." Rikku said happily.
"I wish you were in this class with me that I have right now. The teacher is weird... But I'm more glad you're in my English Lit class, Rikku."
" I'm happy too. Yuna." The girls jumped a little as the loud speaker roared to life, and a muffled voice began to speak.
[ Students, we now come to the end of our first day of classes. I hope you all
enjoy yourself as we embark on this learning experience. We expect great things
from our champion blitzball teams this year. I, Principal Mika, am pleased to
welcome all newcomers and return students to Luca High. Now lets all have a
respectable, productive and constructive, fun filled year at Luca High. And
remember, these years are the best years of your lives. Thank you.]
The P.A. cut off.
Yuna and Rikku laughed loudly.
" If these are the best years of my life, than just shoot me dead right now." Yuna said.
"What's with that guy?" Rikku asked.
The bell rang, officially ending the school day and the girls began to walk towards the nearest exit as students piled out of classroom doors.
" Well, Principal Mika has been principal for about 50 years. He has old fossil life values to go along with his old fossil body I guess...It's said that no students actually seen him in more than 20 years, he's always behind closed doors in his office. Which is on the forth floor. What principal has an office that high up? It's said that he died years ago and only his brain remains, preserved in a pickle jar somewhere in the school basement." Yuna said, smiling at Rikku's face.
"Are you for real, you are lying!! Hu fyo!!" Rikku stared at Yuna in delighted outrage.
" No its true! This school has some pretty weird stuff going on a lot".
"Hey look!! The little freak has a friend!! Oh how cute!!" A nasty voice called out. Yuna looked over in a corner at Dona and her bitch squad, laughing and snickering at her. Why couldn't she just be normal and happy for more than 5 minutes without someone bringing her crashing back down to Spira?
Dona walked over to Yuna, pushing moving students out of the way. Rikku spun around and faced Dona, a angry look on her face. Dona looked at Rikku and froze.
"Oh...hi Rikku. Didn't see you there. . .so how do you like school. . .you know, you're welcome to hang out with The IN."
Yuna's mouth dropped. Dona? Dona being nice?
"No thank you. And you lay off my friend, or maybe I should tell Tidus you're being a snob as always?" Rikku threatened.
"No! Don't tell Tidus anything bad about me. . .why do that? I've got other things to do. Bye Rikku!! Yuna. . ." Dona said Yuna's name with heavy resentment and staked away.
Yuna didn't question Rikku until they were outside. They stopped walking and sat on a bench in front of the school building. The sun was high in the sky and a warm breeze passed through.
" She has a huge thing for Tidus," Rikku began, already knowing what Yuna was going to ask. "And since I'm his new stepsister, she thinks being nice to me will score points with him. Pathetic, right?"
" Yeah, pathetic," Yuna said quietly, still stunned by a tame Dona.
" How are you getting home?." Rikku said loudly, to snap Yuna out of her thoughts.
" Oh, I walk."
"I can give you a ride home. I have a car now. My step dad brought it for me to suck up to my mom. It's great being me."
" Okay." Yuna agreed, happy.
"HEY RIKKU!!!!!!" A male voice yelled.
Yuna watched Tidus Akard run from the school doors towards her and Rikku. Great.
He stopped about a few feet in front of the girls.
"What's up step sis...Yuna." He emphasized her name slightly.
"Tidus." Rikku said suspiciously. 'Why did he run over to me? We can just see each other at home.' Rikku thought.
Rikku and Yuna both stared at Tidus, waiting for him to speak.
He put his arms behind his back and looked around nervously. He should have thought about this more. He'd seen Yuna and Rikku together and jumped at the chance to have an excuse to be near Yuna again. But he should have thought about what to say first. Now he looked like a idiot.
"Um.....so...sis....." Tidus began to turn red. Why couldn't he think of something to say? God, he looked like an ass. Yuna made him feel self conscious. . .nervous. He never got nervous over anything.
The girls continued to stare at Tidus, neither wanting to bail him out of the awkward mess he had made for himself. Two torturous minutes passed. Rikku began to tap her fingers loudly on the bench. Yuna yawned loudly.
"Well......?" Rikku snapped. Tidus grinned stupidly and scratched his head.
"Oh!! err. .yeah, um my. . .yeah my ride broke down, 4 flat tires . . .massive oil leak, engine destroyed . . .something wrong with...yeah!! I need a ride home Rikku.". Tidus grinned sheepishly at the girls, nodding his head up and down, pleased with his lie. They seemed to buy it (wishful thinking) . Until Wakka pulled up in the street next to them in a sleek black sports car .Tidus's black sports car.
"Hey Tidus!!! I got tired of waiting for you, so I just brought your car around. You left your keys right in there man. Someone couda stole it ya?"
Tidus turned bright red all over and Yuna and Rikku laughed hysterically. He felt like a complete heel. He quickly jumped into the passengers seat.
"Hey Tidus, you sure got your car fixed up quickly. . ." Rikku teased between laughs.
"Fixed what? Nothing wrong with blondy's ride, it runs perfect all the time." Wakka said, confused.
Tidus punched Wakka hard in the arm and ordered him to drive off. The car speed off leaving skid marks.
Tidus buried his head in his hands.
" God Wakka, thanks a lot. I made a complete ass of myself in front of her, twice today. "
Wakka laughed at his friend, slowing his speed as they got into heavy traffic.
"Say man, your sister, think she digs me? She's really hot you know."
"What? I got bigger issues than your love life, man."
"Relax, man, you got all year to win the bet, ya? First impressions aren't that important."
"Whatever." Tidus mumbled. This was going to be harder than he thought.
END CHAP TWO