Wow, so this is sad. This is the FINAL chapter of Zanarkand A-East. I know I was really excited to just finish this story, but now that I'm posting the final chapter, I'm kind of upset. I really did enjoy writing this story...and now...it's over. I kinda changed this final chapter a little bit...(BatousaiX, I hope you like this!) but I am happy with the way it ended up. I'm sure most of you will like this ending better than the original one that I had planned...it would've been too much like the "perfect ending" of X-2...lol. You would've been like, "That's it? THAT'S IT!" This one gives me more satisfaction as well; it feels like an ending. The other one would've left ya hanging. Anyway, thank you all so much for reading and reviewing on this fic. I believe that this story has made me a better writer...and I had a lot of fun writing it.

37. Dream Come True

"Welcome to the Homecoming dance of this year!" Tatts, the head of the Homecoming committee, exclaimed as he spoke into the microphone. Everyone let out a laugh when he attempted his best 'announcer style' voice as he talked. "I hope you're all having fun and enjoying yourselves out there. However, before we start dancing and whatnot, I believe that there are a few matters that need our attention. First of all, I think we need to give our very own Zanarkand A-East Abes a huge round of applause for their amazing 6-3 win this week!" The spotlight moved to where all the blitz guys were standing and they all waved and struck poses as the crowd loudly cheered. "Great job, you guys. You're awesome. Now without further ado, I'm going to turn the mic over to Baralai, our senior class president, so he can announce this year's Homecoming King and Queen!"

The crowd calmed their talking down a few notches into excited whispering as Baralai walked up to the microphone with a red envelope in his hand.

"Come on, Yuna!" Calli urged as Yuna remained sitting. "Let's go closer to the stage!"

"Nah, I can see fine from here," she said as she motioned to Calli to follow the others. "You go on ahead." Reluctantly, Calli hobbled away from Yuna on her crutches as she followed the other girls that they came with. I don't want to be close enough to glare at Tidus when he's crowned king…I better keep my distance…

"Hey, everyone, how ya doing!" Everyone shouted out answers as Baralai flashed everyone a smile. "I hope you all are enjoying yourself, and all that good stuff. This is the moment that you've all been waiting for, I know! So I guess I better stop killing time by my inane babbling and reiterating what Tatts said and get on with the crowning part. So, our Homecoming King for this year is…" He started to slowly open up the envelope and everyone waited in annoyance because they knew who it was going to be. Baralai pulled out the white sheet of paper and smiled when he saw the name on it. "Well, here's a shock. Tidus, come up here!"

Everyone applauded and cheered as Tidus walked up to the stage. He flashed everyone his trademark cocky grin as a blonde girl on the homecoming committee giddily placed the crown on his head. Heh, did I have sex with her too? Tidus thought as he looked over the girl. He knew she looked familiar, but decided it was irrelevant to know from where.

Baralai grabbed a second envelope from Tatts and walked back up to the microphone, gently patting Tidus on the back on the way. Tidus smiled as the anticipated hush washed through the crowd again as they waited for Baralai to speak.

"And now, our Homecoming Queen is…" To make the situation even more dramatic, a sound of a drum roll played from the speakers that were lined along the walls of the building. Baralai slowly opened the envelope, he even pretended like it was hard to open, receiving a few laughs from the crowd. Rikku, who was surrounded by the rest of the cheerleaders who were 'anti-Yuna' (or as Yuna liked to call them, "The Rikettes"), quickly reapplied some more makeup and fixed her hair as she waited for Baralai to call her name out.

This is ridiculous… Yuna thought from her seat. Her arms were across her chest and her legs were crossed. Unlike her usual perfect posture, she slumped in her chair and a frown adorned her face. She impatiently tapped her manicured nails against her arm as she watched everyone wait to see who the most popular girl in school was.

She looked at her sash that had the words "Homecoming Court," embroidered on it and scoffed at herself. Three weeks ago, this would've been the most amazing event ever. Now, I know that it was fruitless to even try to run because Rikku is the most popular girl in this school; she's head of the cheerleading squad, she's the most beautiful girl in school…every girl wants to be her, and every guy wants to do her.

Yuna looked down at her nails as she reevaluated everything that she just thought. She wins. First she gets my boyfriend and then she gets the crown. Must be nice to live a charmed life like that…

She was so occupied with her anger that she didn't even hear Baralai announce the winner. She snapped out of her contemplation state when she heard the crowd burst into cheers and applause. I can just hear Rikku shrieking in delight now…Yuna thought as she listened closer to the crowd. Wait a minute. No…I can't…

"Yuna!" Baralai said over the microphone when he spotted her. She whipped her head up and when he locked eyes with her, he waved her up to the stage. "Get your royal butt up here!"

How in Yevon's name…She numbly stood up and nervously smiled. She made her way up to the stage as everyone made a path for her. Homecoming Queen? Me?

She giggled as Baralai put out his hand to help her up the stairs. She blushed at the intensity of the applause that was in her honor and couldn't help but keep the silly grin that was on her face. She looked out into the crowd and saw Rikku storming out of the room with her Rikettes not far behind. Yuna wasn't sure how to react, so she decided that it wasn't worth her energy to feel remorse.

Baralai moved out of the way and Tidus walked up to Yuna with the delicate tiara in his hands. She froze and turned pale as he let his lips curl into a swoon worthy smile; she didn't know what to do. She nervously swallowed as he gently placed the sparkling crown on her head, letting his fingers lightly brush her cheek as he brought his hand down.

I don't know if I want to smack him or grab his face and kiss him…She thought as they looked into each other's eyes. She knew that doing either would cause a scene in front of the entire school, and that was something she didn't want. It was bad enough that everyone in the school knew that they dated and broke up and she didn't want to make the situation worse. Just looking into those eyes again…He gently smiled at her as they both listened to the applause. Yuna looked away from him and Baralai walked up to the microphone again.

"Now, the King and Queen will share the first dance together." Baralai nodded at the DJ and a familiar song played over the speaker system.

Oh no…Yuna thought when she realized instantly what the song was. It was Eyes On Me. Any song but this one…

"Hey, whaddaya know," Tidus said with a smile as he placed his hands around her waist and she put her arms around his neck. "It's our song. "

"No, it was our song," Yuna mumbled quietly as she stood a decent distance apart from Tidus as they danced. This is a lot different than the last time that we danced to this song…She thought as she remembered the first night they made love.

Whenever sang my songs
On the stage, on my own
Whenever said my words
Wishing they would be heard…
I saw you smiling at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?

She felt him move his fingers more toward the middle of her back to bring her closer, but the icy glare she shot in his eyes stopped him.

"I'm sorry," he apologized and her look softened. "That tiara suits you."

"Um, thanks," Yuna said shyly as her cheeks flushed a rosy pink. She nervously chewed on her lip as she looked around. Everyone else started to embrace their dates and sway to the music, no longer making Yuna and Tidus the center of attention, and that made Yuna very happy.

"Yuna, I never meant to hurt you."

"Yeah, well, ya did." She could feel the tears start to fill her eyes as she heard his gentle voice speak to her. I want him to hold me again, but I can't give in…

"I've been so miserable without you," he continued as he once again started to bring her closer to him. This time she moved a few inches closer, but they were still about four inches away from each other. Yuna's lip started to quiver as she tried her best to hold back the tears that were ready to fall. She didn't want to ruin her makeup or make a fool out of herself in front of the entire school by crying. Although everyone was now dancing, she and Tidus were still very noticeable with the spotlight on them and by standing on the stage. She didn't want to take any chances. Instead, she looked away from him and listened to the song.

My last night here for you
Same old songs, just once more
My last night here with you?
Maybe yes, maybe no…

"I really miss you."

"J-Just stop, Tidus," she said as she looked up at him. By the hurtful look in his eyes, she could tell that he was telling the truth, but she couldn't accept it. "If you really cared about me, you wouldn't have cheated on me in the first place. I have decided to accept the fact that I was just a toy to you."

"You weren't a toy, don't even think that." He kept bringing her closer, and now he was close enough to place his cheek against her temple as they swayed to the music. Tidus was able to sing the words of the chorus gently in her ear, so he took full advantage of the opportunity.

Darling, so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you're never hurt
As if you're never down
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinches you softly but sure?
If frown is shown then
I will know that you are no dreamer…

"Why are you doing this to me?" She asked as she looked at him. They were only an inch away from each other, and Yuna bit her lip to prevent him from kissing her.

"You look so beautiful tonight," he said, completely ignoring her question. He brought her closer and again placed his head against hers. He gently pressed his lips against her temple as she let out a breathy sigh. "I just wish I was here with you."

"You lost your chance, Tidus," she said as firmly as she could as she still held in her tears, listening to the words of the song carefully as she gathered her thoughts.

So let me come to you
Close as I want to be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart beating fast
And stay there as I whisper
How I loved your peaceful eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had mine on you…

"I wish I could say that we were still together, but you hurt me so deeply that I can't describe it. You were the one who told me you didn't believe in relationships, so don't take it back. It didn't work the first time, so why would it work now?"

"Because I realized that I can't live without you in my life," he said softly, his breath tickling her ears. "And if I'm not mistaken, I also told you that I can't lose you."

"But you were the one who decided to let your best friend strip down and make out with you," Yuna said as he trailed his fingers up and down her back. "If I was that important to you, I think you would've thought of that before you did what you did."

"I can't take back what I did—"

"No, you can't."

"Let me finish," he said as she looked at him in the eyes. "The look on your face as you were crying over what I did broke my heart into so many pieces that I'm finding it impossible to mend it. When you drove off in your car, I wanted to follow you so badly, but instead I picked up the tattered shreds of my dignity and walked back inside. When I was sitting in my room, just sitting there thinking, I realized that…"

"You realized what?" She asked as he trailed off.

"I love you, Yuna." Her eyes widened at his words and a tear streamed down her cheek. He lightly brushed the tear away with a kiss, tasting the bitter saltiness. "I try to stop, but I just can't."

Yuna couldn't say anything; she simply looked at him as he kissed down her cheek and gently caressed her lips with his own. She closed her eyes and surrendered to his kiss, letting her fingers entwine the blonde hair on the back of his head. They were both so lost in the moment that they jumped at the same time as the rest of the student body started to applaud and cheer.

"You go, brudda!" They heard Jassu say over the crowd as they whipped their heads toward the audience. Both Yuna and Tidus flushed considerably as they faced each other again.

"You know," Tidus started as he flashed her his trademark smile. "I did reserve a hotel room for tonight…"

"Don't," she said as he trailed off.

"Don't what?" He asked when Yuna placed a finger over his lips.

"Don't ruin the moment." She saw his face fall but she continued to wear a smile on her face as she added, "but okay." They both let out a chuckle and she placed her head on his shoulder. He rested his head against hers as he heard her sing the rest of the song under her breath.

Darling, so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Your tears if you're holding back
Or pain if that's what it is…
How can I let you know
I'm more than the dress and the voice?
Just reach me out then
You will know that you're not dreaming…

The End