A/n: The story will get more serious for a while from here on. Its starts off all sweet, then it real sour. I also advanced the time in the year a bit. There's just about two more chapters after this one.
Chapter 7 - Cat's out the bag
Part one- the calm before the storm
March 19th. . . Three and a half months after the big blitz game. . . Tidus and Yuna have gotten closer, and now have decided to take their relationship to a whole new level. . .
" Are you sure you're ready for this? It's a big step. . ."
" Yeah. . .I've been ready for a long time now. . .but, um. . .err. . . don't we need some type of protection?"
"No. . ."
" What if. . .something. . . happens?"
" I've done this like a thousand times already, you'll be safe. I know this is your first time, so I will try to go slowly. . ."
With that said, Yuna grabbed both of Tidus's hand in her own.
" Wow, my first seance!!" Tidus said loudly.
" Close your eyes and concentrate. Open your mind as much as possible. . .relax, think of nothing. Your mind in an empty void." Ariel, who sat across from them instructed.
" Okay, I'm becoming a empty void." Tidus gushed stupidly. This was just like the movies!
" QUIET! You' re supposed to focus hard, focus all your mental energies on your mother! Think only of her, pulling her roaming spirit towards you!" Ariel scowled.
" Huh? But I thought I had to relax my mental energies?" Tidus let go of Yuna's hand and scratched his head. This was the weirdest Sunday he'd ever had. An afternoon of tea, cookies, and summoning his dead mother's spirit with his girlfriend and her mom.
" Yes, you do have to relax your mind, Tidus. Think of an empty void. . ." Ariel said slowly.
" But you just said I had to concentrate hard? On my mother?"
" Yes, you need to concentrate!" Ariel said even slower to him, as if talking to a child.
" Huh?"
Yuna bit back a laugh. He didn't realize Ariel was just goading him. They both knew how nervous he was about possibly speaking to his Mom, and Ariel was trying to help him loosen up. Yuna wondered if she was still in limbo, or had decided to cross over to the farplane completely. It still bothered him, but she understood about not having closure, because of her father.
" Okay, let's all join hands. I'm going to say the words." Ariel instructed. She began to recite strange words in a deep voice.
Tidus felt weirded out, but he keep concentrating as instructed. He closed his eyes and tried to get into it. It was hard to clear his mind of thoughts. After a few minutes, he felt a strange energy around him, warmth behind his back. His mind was clearing. He was doing it! He was thinking of the empty void. And now, he was thinking of his mom. Her laugh, the songs she used to sing to him. Her home made apple pie. Now he understood.
Maybe he was just imagining it, but he could have sworn he smelled a whiff of a mild perfume behind him. Maybe it was the incense burning. No. . .It smelled like what his mother used to wear. Could. . .could he have made contact? It was then he heard a frail woman's voice.
"Hello?" It was faint, but sounded very close. Like it was right in his ear. He shook in trepidation, but kept his eyes closed.
He heard the frail voice again.
" Hello?"
" M-Mom? Is that you?" He said awkwardly. He felt a cold, clammy hand touch his shoulder.
" Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"
His eyes flow open and he jumped off the floor pillow onto the hard wood floor.
" Tidus? Um, you okay?" Yuna asked, concerned.
Ariel just stared at him, shaking her head.
" Didn't you two hear that, just now? I heard my mom's voice, and I think. . . I smelled her perfume. . .She touched me!! This is GREAT!! Some miracle of Yevon!!" He stood up, facing them with a huge grin on his face. He felt like crying.
" Um.. . Tidus . . ." Ariel said softly, standing up, pointing behind him.
Tidus frowned. Was his mother behind him now? This was too unreal. What would he say? He had so much to tell her. This was unbelievable. He slowly turned around and looked down to see. . . A short elderly woman.
"Excuse me young man, I didn't mean to startle you. But I was trying to get your attention. Be a dear and reach that bottle of x-potion for me on that top shelf over there."
He felt like an anvil had been dropped on his head, like in one of those old cartoons. Great, he'd just made a complete ass of himself. But what was new? He walked quickly over to the shelf and handed the x-potion to the lady, who thanked him. Yuna and Ariel stared after him with concern. He picked up his jacket and left the store, the bells on the door jiggling loudly.
He stormed down the sidewalk, nearly knocking into a flower display. Brisk air hit his face, cooling hid temper a bit. He hadn't realized how much it actually meant to him to contact his mother. He'd actually thought for a moment. . .but it had just been some customer. He felt so stupid.
" Tidus!" Wait up!" He heard the store door swing open and Yuna's voice behind him, but didn't turn around.
" Ti! I know you hear me!" She yelled in a nagging voice.
He heard her footsteps on the sidewalk pavement rapidly run up behind him, and her body press hard against his back. She rested her head on his upper back and stuck both her hands in his front jean pockets. She nearly tripped against his back trying to keep up with his long strides.
Despite himself, he smiled. They must look really stupid to anyone watching them walk down the street this way. She was trying hard not to step on the back of his sneakers and match his strides. He took pity on her and slowed down a bit. He felt her head lift up.
" We should have waited til it was closing time. Mom and I are sorry about that. But we can always try again later!"
" Yeah, it's okay. . . I just got a little too excited too fast I guess. I can laugh about it now." It was kinda funny, too bad he'd been the butt of the joke though.
" I'm sorry." She said softly. " That old woman didn't even buy anything. She just kept picking up stuff and putting it back in the wrong spot. I hate it when people do that."
He smiled despite himself. She could always make him feel better, no matter what the situation was. They had grown closer in the last couple of months, and had become best friends as well as girlfriend and boyfriend. And Seymour and Dona had seemed to take a backseat, had left them alone. Everything was going well. They'd even begun sitting together in lunch. He'd gingerly migrated from the IN table, he and Wakka, after much complaining from her and Rikku. The girls had finally let them sit at their little table. Eventually, the rest of the blitz team and some other students had migrated over as well, near surrounding tables. Everyone wanting to be near the nicer popular kids. The only ones left at the old round table were Dona and her cheer squad. And of course Seymour.
A nagging thought, one he'd pushed away for a long time, popped into his head again. He closed his eyes. He knew he had to do it, and soon. It had to come out, before they got any closer. That little thing that had led him to her in the first place, the little thing that could break them apart. It as a thorn in his side. Hell, a whole branch. A thorny branch. Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
" You know, I've got my material for my prom dress already picked out. I know its not till the end of April, but that's not actually that far off. . . five weeks. I'm wearing blue, just to let you know. . ." She said coyly.
Tidus frowned, not understanding. She picked up on his confusion.
" We have to match, duh. Or at least coordinate somewhat. . ."
Tidus smiled. " Yeah, that makes sense."
" Guys are clueless when it comes to things like that. Women are so superior." Yuna teased.
He grinned and stopped walking abruptly, causing her to slam straight into his back. He laughed but was punished by a swift kick to his calf.
" You'll pay for that one. These are prize winning blitz legs your damaging here!"
" Tidus, you sound like your Dad." Yuna said laughing at the mortally wounded expression on his face as he spun around. He touched his hand to his heart.
" Wow. . .that was harsh girl, now you'll really have to pay. . ."
She squealed and ran down the street, but there wasn't a chance of him not catching up with her. He picked her up with one hand and tickled her with the other, amid her giggles and protests. People walking along the street and people driving by in cars slowed down to stare at the young couple.
After a minute of torture Yuna's face was red from laughing.
" . . .hehehe. . .T-Tidus. . .heeheehehe. . .st-stop. . .you bully . . ."
He stopped tickling her and sat her down in front of him. She stuck her tongue out at him, feeling like a bratty kid. He winked at her.
'What the heck is that?" He yelled, looking above her head at something in the sky.
She looked up at the sky, seeing nothing, then turned back, getting caught in a kiss by Tidus. She was always falling for his kiss stealing tricks. Not that she was complaining. She sighed into his mouth and melted literally into his arms, relaxing all of her muscles, letting him hold her, knowing he would support her. He tasted like strawberries today. He broke the kiss, cupping her face in his hands and kissing her forehead.
" What do you wanna do now?" He said softly.
She sighed turned and started walking away, flipping her hair with the back of her hand and exaggerating her hip movements like women did in those cheesy romantic movies. But unfortunately, this was real life. She felt herself trip over a curb while her head was turned. She felt like she was falling in slow motion. ' Now I know I've fallen for this guy, literally. I'm usually a graceful person.' But somewhere in her deeper conscious, she knew he would catch her.
And so he did. He saw her foot lose balance and had quickly jumped in front of her, but he wasn't quick enough to stop the fall completely. Instead, he fell himself, breaking her fall and landing hard on the grass. She landed in a heap on top of him, grinning stupidly, and he grinned back.
" We've gotta stop meeting like this."
He joked, and they both laughed. He slowly got up of the grass, pulling her up with him.
She hugged him then, and felt weepy for some reason. But it wasn't everyday a guy would take a fall for her, literally. She just felt so happy now. And they were only just standing around. It was always that way with him. She just liked being near him.
' I wanna tell him I love him, but I'm not sure how he'll react yet. I think he loves me.' She thought.
Cars were lining up at the traffic light, people staring at them. Some honking or yelling lewd things. But neither noticed.
He placed his hands around her waist. He smiled down at her and just stared at her face, saying nothing. He found himself doing that a lot with her. Just staring at her. He rested his forehead against hers, and leaned forward til their noses were touching. They made eye contact, their eyelids nearly touching.
Her heart started racing. He always did that, saying it was the closest he could possibly get to seeing inside her eyes. Eyes were the window to the soul, he'd say. He said he could see all her hopes and dreams, all her fears and triumphs inside them. His own eyes were a very dark blue today, and glittered into her own. They were filled with longing, desire, and pain. She could see pain there too. Like an old wound, that had been festering for a long time and was remembered again. What was bothering him? Didn't he trust her enough to talk to her about it?
" What's wrong? She asked softly. She watched his eyes cloud over a bit.
" I don't deserve you. . ."
" What?"
". . . Promise me something. . .whatever happens, you won't leave me. . ." He said quietly. She stared at him, in silence. He had never looked so serious before.
" Yes, I won't leave. I promise." She said quickly, wanting to question him, but knowing he wasn't ready to give her answers. What was going on?
" You wanna go get something to eat?" He asked quickly in a cheerful voice, walking towards his car, breaking the intense mood.
" Yeah okay," She said, grabbing his hand in hers. That was a quick change in mood. What was happening to him? To them?
" Hey, you wanna drive?" He asked, dinging the keys in front of her.
" YESSS!" She squealed, snatching the keys out of his hands as he laughed and hoped in the passenger side.
They'd been so happy these past few months together. They'd go out on double dates together with Rikku and Wakka, he'd watch her sing every Friday night at Yevon's coffee house. They'd walk and talk together in school, amid all the owes and sighs of the student body. They'd kept thier status as favorite couple of the school.
She sped off, suddenly getting a feeling of dread. Things were too perfect between them. They never even had a major argument or fight or anything. People were never this happy, not without something bad happening. It was a rule of nature. Strong love like she felt for him was always tested by fate in someway. Maybe he sensed that too. She wondered when they would be tested, and if, they could survive it.
Part two - remember that bet we made?
~
Two days later, Tuesday, Luca High. . .
Yuna hummed a melody she had just made up softly down the quiet hallways on her way to 8th period Computer Science, late.
" Yuna!"
"Uh? Oh, hi girls." Yuna turned around to see a group of five freshman girls heading towards her.
" We just heard the news. You've been nominated for prom queen!" One of the girls, a brunette gushed.
"It's so exciting!" A blonde said.
" WHAT? Really?. . .I mean, I knew the top nominees were announced today in the lunch period, but I wasn't there in lunch today. I'm in the running? Wow. . ." Yuna was speechless. Her? Prom queen nominated? What bizarre world was this? She had made a lot of friends recently, but still. . .Wait til she told Tidus. No doubt he was nominated for King. She stared off into space for a moment.
" We so want you to win, Yuna. And Tidus too, of course. You two are like the hottest couple in the senior class. Oh, but Dona-whatever-her-last-name-is, is running too. Whatever. She is so fake. You're real Yuna, just like one of us." The shortest girl in the group said.
" That's really sweet girls. But I'm kinda overwhelmed. I'm not really prom queen material-" Yuna said awkwardly. The girls gave her starry eyed looks.
" That is such a Yuna thing to say. You're so modest and gracious!"
"That's how the prom queen really should be. Maybe if I act more like you I could be prom queen in a few years."
The girls walked away from her, chattering loudly about how much better she was then Dona. Yuna shook her head in bemusement, blushing slightly. She still hadn't gotten used to being adored. Everyone treated her well now, except Dona and her friends of course. But Dona had stayed out of her way for awhile, strangely enough.
She got up to the front of her classroom room door when a man's voice called her name. She turned around to see Seymour smiling at her and running towards him. She didn't know what to make of him. The last few months he would occasionally seek her out to have idle conversations, usually he would catch her in the hallways at school. He seemed to want to be her friend, and had never hit on her or anything, but something about him still bothered her. And Tidus didn't seem to care for him too much.
He stopped in front of her.
" Hey, I heard about your prom queen nomination, you deserve it." He said softly.
Yuna turned towards the door, then back to him.
" Thank you Seymour. . .I just found out a few minutes ago, I'm actually really surprised still. . .but, I'm kinda late for class, so -"
" I was nominated too, for King, anyway." He said quickly, taking a step towards her.
" BET you never thought this would happen, huh?" he said in an odd voice.
" No, I never did." Yuna wrinkled her forehead in confusion.
'Why did he practically shout the word bet? He always talks to me like this, like his words are supposed to mean more than what he actually says.' She thought.
" Well. I really gotta-"
" Wouldn't it be weird, if you won Yuna? I'd have a lot to lose. I like my car. . . ." He said almost angrily.
" Huh?" Yuna was confused. What was he talking about anyway? Where was all this was coming from?
" Hey SEYMOUR!!" Dona yelled to them from down the hall. She started power walking towards them, her stilettos clicking rapidly. Seymour swore and Yuna used the diversion to head into the classroom. She was not dealing with both of them at the same time.
" That was weird. But it's always weird with Seymour." she muttered as she walked into the classroom.
Seymour watched Yuna close the door behind her and swore loudly again. Oh well. He was just trying to play mind games anyway. He watched a pissed Dona approach him and sneered.
" Were you gonna tell her then? You told me you'd let me watch it you son of a bit-"
" Don't you ever talk to me that way again." Seymour snapped, stopping Dona's tirade.
" But you told me about the bet so I could watch you tell her, so I could watch her heart break and laugh in her face about it." Dona whined in a sultry voice.
She remembered the day, a few weeks ago, when Seymour had told her about the little wager. He had called her, begging for a date, and she'd been about to hang up. Until he told her he knew a bad secret concerning Tidus and that stupid girl. She had been all ears, and delighted. She knew Tidus couldn't really be interested in such trash. Her and Seymour had kept a low profile, planning a scene where Tidus. Freak girl, Seymour, herself, and hopefully half the school would be center stage. Seymour would expose Tidus for the bet, Yuna would be laughed out of Luca, and hopefully just commit suicide or something. And Tidus would come running, no, groveling back to her . It was all so perfect. But she hated waiting. Seymour narrowed his eyes as he watched her facial expressions.
" You're not still thinking about Akard, are you?" Seymour demanded, growing more angry.
" Oh, of course not, Seymour baby. You know it's only you I want." She put on her best coy face. Then something else occurred to her.
" You don't mean. . . to have her for yourself. . .do you?" She snarled, her face twisting.
" No." He said flatly.
"I'll have both of you." He muttered.
" What?" She winkled her face in confusion, making her look very unattractive.
" I'm gonna do it tomorrow, in lunch, like the original plan. I'm pretty sure he hasn't told her yet." He smiled slowly. Akard was always taking what he wanted. Now, he would take something of Akard's. He hadn't told Dona of his side plans to hook up with Yuna, sleep with her, then dump her.
" Yes, tomorrow. Tomorrow it's going down. . ."
~
Mr. Letty spotted Yuna walking into the classroom and his right hand jack knifed from under his desk.
" Ms. Lescing! You're late! Just because you've been nominated prom queen doesn't mean you can stroll in here 15 minutes late!" He snapped, his face flustered.
Yuna ignored him and walked towards her seat. The guy had some nerve being all uppity all the time, considering what he was always doing during class.
She took her seat next to Tidus, who was on the internet looking at different colleges.
Tidus turned briefly from his screen to watch his girlfriend scoot next to him.
" Have you decided on one yet?" She asked, pushing her chair closer to his.
" I'm between Zanarkand University and Bevielle University. They both offered the best scholarship deals and have top teams. But, Bevielle is really heavy with the religion stuff, on the other hand Zanarkand's the biggest city in Spira! I'd be overwhelmed. I don't know yet. . . Got to send in an acceptance letter by Friday to one of them. Deadline week." He kept his eyes on his computer screen.
" What about you?" He asked.
" Well, Besaid College is small, but they have an excellent music program, the best actually. And its where my father was raised, in Besaid Village. I think I'll go with them, I have my letter ready to drop in the mailbox. Think about it, one little letter will decide our futures for the next four years or so." She sighed.
They'd had the college talk before. They both had been accepted to colleges, but never both of them at the same one. They wanted to be together, but they both decided they couldn't jeopardize their chances at their dream colleges either. It was tough. He supposed all couples who were seniors went through the same stuff.
" I know we aren't going to the same college, but we can make it work between us, Yuna. I know it."
He reached for her hand.
" I know we will. . .so much is happening, so fast. In like five weeks, there's prom, and then after that, graduation. And so many things will change. . .Oh! Speaking of prom, Tidus, you won't believe it. I was nominated for prom queen!" Yuna said excitedly, tapping Tidus's shoulder. She squeezed his shoulder and his muscles went taught.
Prom queen. She was actually nominated for prom queen? The bet. It'd just gotten worst. He never thought about her being nominated, should have known she would have, everyone liked her. Now the bet was really going his way. Dammit. He couldn't stall anymore, the more he waited the worst it got. He couldn't honestly be with her, couldn't say he actually deserved her until he came clean completely. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if he'd told her earlier, instead if letting it fester and grow like mold on an old sandwich. And she was so huge on trust and honesty. Really, really big on trust and honesty. She sensed his withdrawal.
" Are you. . .upset about me being nominated? I know its weird. . ."
" No, I'm not surprised. You've gotten so popular around here. . .you deserve it. . .I'm just, stressed out about something right now. . ." Tidus sighed and buried his head in his hands.
"What? What is it, you know you can tell me anything. . ." She said softly. He looked up and stared into her eyes, reading concern.
" I know. But am I brave enough too? That's the real question. I look at you, and I. . .lose all nerve. I don't wanna see you upset. . .especially if I'm the reason." He said very quietly, oddly. Yuna frowned at him.
" Tidus, what are you trying to say?" This was just like a few days ago.
" Yuuuna, Tiiiidus. Heard the good news!" Gatta sashayed over to their seats, with his trademark camera hanging around his neck.
" Wanna get some pics in the paper for next month? It'll look good for your campaign. You should run together. You guys automatically will be a shoe in. Seeing as you're a couple."
He began to adjust his camera lens. Yuna was annoyed. This always happened whenever they were having a deep conversation in school. Interruptions. And half the time it was Mr. School Photographer and gossip himself.
" Campaign? I'm not running for president here, Gatta. It's not that big of a deal." Yuna said, amused. Gatta snorted loudly.
" It's for prom queen. HELLO. A memory that you can show your kids and their kids and their kids. You're going against Dona Markos, for Yevon's sake. And she's gonna play dirty to win this thing, already there's posters of "vote for Dona" popping up everywhere. Sure, you've got the wholesome girl next door thing going on, and you're dating the biggest name in high school, but that only goes so far. . ." He pressed.
Tidus drowned out his voice and Yuna's as they talked about the prom "campaign". He was feeling really sick. Of all the times he could have told her, so much sooner. Why had he waited so long to say anything? He was sick of agonizing over it already. He would tell her, today. After class.
"Well Tidus, what do you think?" Gatta said loudly, cutting into his thoughts. Tidus looked up at him.
" Huh?"
"I'll run your poster together. A picture of both of you, and underneath it'll say, " Your Prom King and Queen". That would look great. Oh, with your names signed underneath. And Yuna, I've gotten the word out about how you sing every week at that little coffee house. That kind of stuff looks good for publicity. I've decided to do all your p.r. work. I charge a flat fee. . ."
Tidus and Yuna exchanged bemused looks. Gatta lifted his camera.
"Say Tonberry!"
Knowing they had no other choice when it came to pushy Gatta, they smiled and leaned in for the photo.
"Tonberry !!"
Tidus heard the loud ahhs and whispers he had long grown accustomed to from the other students in the class.
" They are such the perfect couple."
He heard a girl behind him sigh. Yup, he'd tell her the truth today.
The next day, 6th period lunch. . .
Tidus sat across the rectangular lunch table, watching Yuna slip a can of juice. So he hadn't told her yet. He'd never been so scared in his life. Whenever he'd look into her eyes, and saw the way she looked back at him, he'd lose his nerve. He remembered, a long time ago, when he would tease Wakka about Rikku. About how he basically ate outta her hand, had even wore speedos for her. And he remembered how Wakka had defended himself. He understood now what his best friend had been talking about. Would she ever look at him the same after he told her? Maybe he was blowing it out of porportion. Maybe she wouldn't mind so much. But that was a lie.
He sat with her, Wakka and Rikku. The blitz team and some other friends were at the tables next to them.
" What's wrong Ti? You look major bummed." Rikku said, munching on some nachos.
" Nothing much." He muttered. He picked up a packet of mustard and squeezed it onto his plate, staring into space.
"You just put mustard on your pizza." Yuna said to him, staring at him.
" Blondy's been acting weird all week, ya?" Wakka said, knowing the reason.
" I can't take it anymore, Yuna, we need to go talk somewhere, lets-" Tidus burst out, standing up , then sinking back down in his chair as he looked up. His stomach dropped to his feet. He felt numb.
" Hi, guys, mind if we join you?" Seymour and Dona stood next to the table, smiling down at Tidus and Yuna. Half the lunchroom stopped to stare at the scene. Both head contenders for the title of King and Queen talking to each other. Very interesting indeed.
Tidus's stomach lurched. What the hell was he going to do? If he said no they would both make a huge scene. They didn't wait for a reply, both pulling chairs up to the small table and sitting.
" Hi Wakks, Rikku. It's been a while." Seymour saluted them both. Rikku narrowed her eyes at him and waved a fist at Dona, who squirmed quite abit, unconsciously touching her left eye.
" We just came to congratulate you Tidus." Seymour purred.
" The bet is going well, didn't think you could do it, you sly fox you. But hell, you're half way there."
Yuna turned to Tidus, who was stone faced.
" You don't have to pretend with her anymore, Tidy-baby. We don't have to keep our affair a secret anymore. We can be together all the time now. You won't have to call me late at night anymore, complaining about how stupid and boring she is." Dona said loudly.
" What are you talking about?" Yuna said, getting angry. Why wasn't Tidus saying anything? He looked angry, but he was quiet.
' All of this is my fault. . .I could have avoided all of it. . ." he thought.
" Tidus doesn't call you, you slut." Rikku spat at Dona angrily. Wakka touched her arm to quiet her. It just wasn't her fight.
" We don't have an affair Dona." Tidus said softly.
" But we do have a bet, right Tidus? Remember, our bet that you coud turn any girl into a prom queen, make any girl popular in school? Well, I didn't think you'd get so far, and I have to say, on a sincere note, that you should just stop now." Seymour leaned into the table, putting on his best sincere face. " I'm sick of you using this girl Tidus, I can't take it anymore. It's not fair to her, she deserves better. . .I care about her Tidus, even though she wants nothing to do with me since you're around. But it's not right Tidus, for you to just use her as a toy. People have feelings. "
He touched his hand to his heart for effect. By this time the whole lunch room was quiet.
Tidus balled his fists. He was mad as hell. But it was true, part of it anyway. He couldn't bad mouth Dona and Seymour for being liars, when in truth, wasn't he?
" What are you talking about? That's the stupidest bunch of lies I've ever heard." Yuna said angrily, forcing a laugh. She stood up, shaking her head.
" Pathetic. Is that the best you can do?" She turned to Dona.
" He doesn't want you, get over it. Doesn't matter how many lies or fantasies you come up with. And Seymour, everyone knows you are just jealous of Tidus. So both of you are pathetic, you deserve each other. Tidus, come on, lets get out of here."
She wanted to get out of here, it was hot, and people were staring. They were whispering amongst each other, seeming to believe what Yuna was saying. She smiled weakly at Tidus, grabbing his hand, and he numbly followed her out of the lunchroom.
Rikku watched them walk out, and watched Dona storm away in a huff.
" It's not over yet, not that easily." Seymour smiled smuggly, leaning back in his chair.
" You are stupid, just like Yunie said." Rikku yelled at Seymour, who just shrugged his shoulders.
" You-"
" It's true. Ask your boy toy. He saw us shake on it, the first day of school, right Wakks?" The bell rang and Seymour got up, winking at Wakka and Rikku.
He walked away and Rikku stared at Wakka, reading the guilt in his eyes.
" It's true? Isn't it?" She yelled. He nodded, eyes low. She was so angry she couldn't even think straight. She shot up from the table and walked away from him. She hoped he wouldn't chase after her, because she would hit him if he touched her. She ran out into the hall. How could Tidus do something like that, it didn't make any sense at all. And why didn't Wakka tell her? Yuna was her best friend, like her sister. She wanted nothing more then to demand answers from Tidus right now, but she needed to see to Yuna. She knew Yuna would need her now, more than ever. And that was the most important thing.
~
She led him into an empty classroom. They ignored the ringing bell. Class wasn't as important as this right now.
She closed the door, and watched Tidus walk numbly towards a window.
" That was so stupid. Me a bet. . . I knew they were trying something, they were too quiet. But I. . .we survived it, Tidus. I felt something like this would happen. I knew we'd have people standing in our way, but we have trust between us."
She walked slowly towards him, stopping in the middle of the room, watching his rigid back. She began to cry softly.
" I'm just so. . .we're together Tidus, and I trust you, we trust each other. There wasn't a doubt in my mind, the whole time they were talking, Tidus, not one. We survived it, the test. It's going to be okay now. Isn't that what was wrong? I felt it to, that something was going to happen. But, its okay. I believe in you. I've. . .wanted to tell you something now, for a long time. . ."
She took another step towards him. She was ready now, to tell him that she loved him. Why wasn't he facing her? His head was lowered. His whole body was shaking.
" Tidus? Whats wrong? I-"
" It's true." His voice came out rasped, hard.
Silence. Only the sound of the wall clock was heard in the room for several long moments.
She blinked several times, his words not hitting. And then they did. She felt like she'd been just hit by a bus. Her stomach dropped and twisted and she felt dizzy.
" What?" She said softly. She cocked her head to the side.
" . . .it started as a bet. It's true. I bet, that I could make any girl popular. . .Seymour choose you and I -" He stopped talking, turning to face her. His eyes were red, his face sunken.
A full minute passed, and he only stared at her, watching her take it all in. Her face fell as she slowly backed away from him, shaking her head violenty. He walked towards her, his voice cracking with emotion.
" I was just about to tell you-"
"NO! Tell me it's a lie Tidus. Please. Please tell me it's a lie. . . "
She gasped loudly at his silence.
". . .It can't be true. It just can't be fake. A be-bet? I- I have to matter to you. It. . .this is. . .We- us, we had to mean something. It can't be fake." Her voice was shaking badly and she stood trembling in front of him.
His face looked sunken and solemn. " I-. . .Yu. . It only started that way. . ." He said stupidly, putting his head down.
" I'm a bet? She backed away from him. "I'm A BET!"
Yuna backed away from him some more, feeling very dizzy. Everything, all the times they had spent together. The first time he touched her. The first time he heard her sing. The times in Computer Science class. The time when he' d fallen out of his chair and taken her with him. Yevon's Café. Kilika beach, their first group date. The first time they had kissed, under the moonlight on that swing. The blitz ball game. The move he named for her. And just last Sunday, the things they had did. The things he'd said to her. She should have known, that it'd been too much fun. Too perfect. For someone like her, to be with someone like him. How much she'd changed. All for him. It had all been a lie.
A prank.
She backed away, feeling nauseated. The room was spinning. She closed her eyes. She heard him run over, felt him grab unto her arms. Her eyes shot open and she jerked violenty against him. She felt like vomiting. Her stomach was doing flips.
"Don't t-touch me!! N-n-never touch m-me again! How-How could you do this? Do y-you even care? Do I matter to you at -at all? Were you seeing Dona on the side? Laughing at m-me. . . Do you have any idea . . .what this f-feels like? To have your heart ripped out of you?" She asked in a small voice.
She hated the way he was staring at her. With false concern. . .and what else. . . fear? Yes, probably fear because he would lose his bet now. How could she have been so stupid?
" Yuna, Yuna please-" He saw her hand shoot forward. He could have blocked the slap, but he didn't. He ignored his stinging, red cheek as he looked down at her.
" SHUT UP! I don't wanna hear anymore lies. Why d-did you pick my heart to trample on? Why me? God, I trusted you. I put my heart on a sil-silver platter for you, and you thr- throw it back in my face. YOU KNEW how hard it was for me to trust you. You knew. Were you laughing at me after every time we spent together? D-did you and Seymour, and hell, may-maybe even Dona, compare no- notes about me and just laugh? Laugh at the stupid reject girl? T-The girl dumb enough to think Tidus Akard actually cared about her."
" Yuna, it wasn't like that at all. Please, let me-". He stopped talking as he looked down into her red tear stained eyes. He saw nothing but hurt in them. Hurt and betrayal. . .and pain. And he had caused all of it. He wished for her anger. For her to hit him again. To lash out. Her hurt was far, far worse. He had never felt so low in his life. If he'd only told her sooner. If only he'd never made. . .
He tried again, desperate for her to listen to him.
" Dona was lying-"
"So were you!"
" Yuna, please. . .you promised me, remember, you promised you wouldn't leave. Sunday, you said it. . ."
He said stupidly, in a weak, desperate voice.
She stared at him, hatred burning in her eyes.
" And you told me, you promised me you wouldn't hurt me. Remember? In computer science, all those months ago? I put my hand in yours, and you said you wouldn't hurt me. I trusted you Tidus, with everything. And you lied. So as far as that I think we're even. I was right from the beginning about you, but against my best judgement, I took the plunge . And drowned. Stay away from me. I hate you, Tidus Akard. I HATE YOU!" She whirled away from him, fumbling with the door handle, opening it and storming out in sobs.
Minutes later, he numbly walked to the closed door, touching it. He felt hot tears fall down his face, and smiled bitterly at his own patheticness. He hadn't cried since his mother died. He'd always cried when he was little. Now he had reason to cry again. She was gone. He had lost her. The best thing that had ever happened to him, was gone. And he had no one to blame but himself.
End chapter
next chapter preview: Yuna's down. But she won't let herself be out. She's determined to finish the rest of the school year, Tidus free. But will her heart listen to her? And why won't Tidus just leave her alone?