Disclaimer: Sony and SquareSoft's FF7 characters were used in this story for non-profitable purposes. No infringement intended.

To cloti4ever, lee, dreamergirl, fudgieangel, MaRiKo, wrexsoul, foxyroxy, rokusan and zelda6– who are all kind enough to leave a review and show me that there are people who are interested in this story. I may not be after reviews, but then with if it would inspire me and help point out mistakes, then I can only thank you all for leaving these messages. ^_^ Here is the first chapter, I sure hope I'm not letting anyone down.

The Night a Star Fell

Part One: Now

I'm always somewhere in the background, though you never fail to notice me. I don't know how you do it, how you come to me just when I need you... I remember asking you once, and you said that's only the least you can do. That you do what any friend would do for me.

After hearing that, I just remained silent. I never asked again. Since I know your answer would be the same, tomorrow, in the next year, in the next decade, forever... Because I am me, and you are you.

"Tifa, can you please fix my hair for me?" You ask me, and I simply cannot refuse. You and I have relied on each other since I can remember. Growing up with you, I can say I know you better than anyone, even your own mother. I know all your habits, both good and bad, your taste, be it in food or in girls... perhaps, every single thing about you.

It seems as if the two of us have known each other forever, if that is possible.

"Your hair looks like a nest."

You grin at me, and I smile back. "I take that as a compliment."

And I can see you know me just as well. That you see past the remark and into the endearment. I brush back a few strands of hair grazing your eyes, letting my fingers linger on your hair for only a second longer.

"Thank you, Tifa."

I step away from you and head towards the door. "No problem, Cloud." The familiar words flow from my heart and out of my lips. You know I'm willing to do anything for you.

With that, you and I continue on our daily routine. After you pick me up at my house, the two of us would walk to school. And before you head to your classroom, you always drop me off at mine. A comfortable silence settles, merely showing that words need not be said.

You and I pretend not to notice all the girls staring at you and glaring at me. They assume I have taken you from them, that you are mine, but the ironic part is that I have you, yet I don't have you...

"See you later, Tifa." You wave to my friends and I before walking out the door. I look at the direction you disappear into, long after you have left.

My friends look at me knowingly, most of them with their eyes glazed with sympathy. It is hard enough that I love you, but it is much more difficult that everyone but you can see it...

"So... Have you told him yet?" One of them asks me as soon as the others have gotten tired of my silence.

"Yuffie - "

"Are you going to deny it again?" My friend asks me, rolling her eyes in exasperation. "Tifa, Cloud is going to find someone soon if you won't open your mouth! When are you going to tell him how you feel, when you're eighty?!"

At that moment, the teacher walks in the room and Yuffie scampers over to her seat, giving me no time or opportunity to retaliate from the assault. The questions leave me pondering thinking about you again... and a lot more.

I don't care if you already have your eyes set on someone... I just want to be able to tell you how I feel someday. And maybe, that time will come, when I find the courage to do so.

But the time hasn't come yet. I can't tell you now.

TBC

Author's Notes: Thank you all for the warm welcome... ^_^ I mean, this isn't my first fic, but then this is the first personal story I would be posting on the net... :) I posted the next chapter as soon as I could, and I hope I didn't let any one of you down. One of the reviews said something like the first person perspective thingee is hard to pull off, and I cannot agree more. ^_^ Though, I guess I am lucky enough that the muse still is inspiring me to write more. :) Thank you all for reading.