A/N: Holy cows, thanks everyone so much! I really appreciate your time and effort to help me lol. I'm using all of your answers to help me get my plot straight. It's hard to write a story when you're freaking out if what you're writing will make logical sense with the game o.0

I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

I don't feel well.

No, it's not a fever.

No, it's not a tummy-ache.

No, it's not a headache.

No, it's not something I ate.

No, it's not my imagination.

No, it's not you.

I think I have Gippalgitus. I feel like a dead bolder lying on my bed with an eating disorder. I've raided the fridge of everything that wasn't expiredor cooked by Brother. I've gotten drunk from soda cans and shakes. I've been lying in my bed since the afternoon, and I've been unable to think of anything but him and them.

… Oh, you know who they are.

… Oh, no you don't. Hmm… Well, I'm not doing anything really productive. Might as well waste my evening with you.

Ouch… Okay, I didn't mean that! Sorry! (Frowns) It's the Gippalgitus talking. It's making me feel just horrible. Just horribly horrible. Sighh…

Oh, you don't want to hear it…

No, really, you don't. You're better off raiding your own fridge than listening to my tale of humiliation and depression.

…Aww. You'd stay here for me? Thanks so much. There's no one else I'd rather spend a lonely, boring, and dreadfully miserable evening with, than you.

(Pauses) Okay, that didn't come out right. I'm telling you, it's the illness talking.

Well I might as well start off with telling you that it was Mr. Youknowwho's sixteenth birthday today. Yep, big party with all his friends.

Do you think I'm ugly?

Oh – wait – Um, sorry. Wrong time to ask. (Sigh). But do you?

I mean, I know I'm not a goddess or anything, and I know that my lack of make-up doesn't help beautify me. But I'm pretty slim, right? I have all my body parts and everything, and plus, OH! I have shiny white teeth!

… Don't give me that look.

(Sniffs) Okay, so I'm not Miss Al Bhed material or anything but like, I'm not a hairy scary witch, right? I'm pretty cute, right?

… Thanks, but you don't have to lie. Tell me the truth. (Winces and places the back of the hand on forehead) I can handle the truth!

… Owchie. Hey, that was mean.

But you're probably right anyway. Compared to the other girls his age, I just look like a little kid. Cid's Little Girl. That's what they call me; that's how they look at me.

Geezz… They're ONLY older by a year and suddenly they're called 'Women' while I'm still 'Girl'. Sucks, you know?

You're a bit confused aren't you? Yep, I can see the eyebrow arching over your eye and your lips twitching at the corner edges of your mouth.

HEY! You're not giving me The Bitch's Glare, are you!

(Glares back) Aww, no I can't do it. You're all still too kind in my eyes. I guess I might as well tell you what happened that's been bugging me this whole damned day.

Well, I was on my merry way to his home in the middle of the afternoon where he had called up all his friends. We were all planning to just go hang out and stuff. I for one was pretty excited. It made me feel so grown up that he had asked me to come along with his friends. I mean, I was gonna be the only fifteen year old there! But that statement didn't sound so good coming out of someone else's mouth.

"She's only fifteen, Gippal," I heard his friend, Zysac, tell him.

Yes, I was eavesdropping from behind the corner. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! But it was so tempting to hear what Gippal would reply.

I heard him give a light chuckle. "So?"

Ya, you go Gippal!

"So, what's wrong with you? Of all girls you chose Cid's daughter? I dunno, man…"

Gippal went silent.

Zysac placed a hand on his shoulder. "I mean, she's not – like she's… she's just a kid. She's like the annoying little sister."

(Frowns) He deserves the Bed Bugs to bite him tonight.

"Gippal, c'mon. Why not Ledia or Khlana?" he laughed. "I mean, look at them… damn…"

Gippal scratched the back of his neck. He seemed undecided.

Zysac punched him. "Get a life man. You're sixteen. Don't be hanging around fifteen year olds, and especially an Al Bhed leader's fifteen year old. You know that Khlana and them are more your type. Admit it man, admit it."

I stared at my friend, hoping to death that he'd stick up for me. I knew he was the flirtatious type. I knew he owned the hearts of the majority of Al Bhed girls in Home. And everyone knew that guys like him went for the prettiest girls. The most gorgeous. The most hottest. The most sluty-EST.

Ugh, men and their horny hormones.

Suddenly, a pack of 'women' came rushing to their side all of them swarming over Gippal telling him happy birthday and all that crap. One told him, "I got you a greeeat present hot stuff." And she began what looked like nibbling on his ear.

I hope she gets sick.

Ugh, women and their horny hormones.

Ouu, I wanted to shove them all off the cliffs of The Forbidden Caves.

… NO! I was NOT jealous. No sirrrieeee.. EW! Why would I ever for the love of Chocobos, be jealous of THEM?

Look at them! ACK! Just look at them! One, two, three, seventy-hundred and eight of them trying to get his attention. For my eyes' sakes, grab a jacket and some decent shorts will ya?

Zysac didn't seem as disgusted as I was. "C'mon Gippal," he said. "Admit it."

I waited for what felt like decades and decades for his answer. And when the words finally spilled out of his mouth, I wished I had waited longer.

"I guess," he replied.

Jackass.

And I left the scene to return home. If he didn't want me there, then fine. Besides, I'm having more fun here in my room, in the dark, with my Gippalgitus.

… Yep, it's as much fun as constipation.

(Sigh, buries head in pillow) No, I'm not! I feel miserable. I feel sad. I feel insulted. I feel like eating again.

I got up and was about to go raid the cupboards when I heard a sound from my window.

I need to bolt that thing down.

I saw a figure struggle with the lock and push himself in. "Rikku? Hey, Rikku." He dropped his bag on the ground against the wall and walked over to me.

Oh, kill me now.

OH, yes, the door – my escape! I raised a leg and was about to run like crazy when he grabbed my arm. Got to say, I wasn't surprised.

"Hey, Rikku," he laughed. He spun me gracefully into his arms and held me close. "And where were you planning to run off to?"

I looked down. "Nowhere…"

He didn't press it further and instead played with my hair. "Where were you today?" he asked.

I looked down. "Nowhere…"

"Are you okay, Cid's Girl?"

I slipped out of his hold and sat down on my bed.

He sat down with me. "Are you sick?"

Gippalgitus. "Yes."

He caressed my cheek. "Is that why you didn't come?" He looked sad.

"Yes."

He kissed me softly on my forehead. "Aww, poor little Rikku had to stay inside all day."

I remained emotionless. He said 'little'. I told you everyone thinks I'm just thispunykid.

He brushed his lips against my neck as he slowly lowered me down on the bed. "You're too cute to stay inside all day," he whispered.

Oh, this guy talks too much for my ego. I had to smile.

He got up and straightened himself. "But not that cute, so it's probably best if you don't go outside."

…That is, if he gave my ego a chance to grow.

"Mean Meanie." I frowned and rolled my eyes. At least he managed to cheer me up for a short while. "So where are you taking me tonight?" I asked him tiredly, forcing myself to forget about the day's events.

I couldn't tell him whatI heard.

He fell back down on my bed and replied, "Nowhere."

I raised my eyebrow. "Right… Really, sowhere?"

"No, really. Nowhere."

I was confused. "So why'd you come here for?"

He slapped my thigh.

What the heck? Owwie!

"I wouldn't have had to come if you didn't forget my birthday."

I rubbed my sore skin. "I didn't forget."

He stared at me.

I turned away. "Happy birthday," I said in a practically unhappy tone.

He chuckled softly and I knew he didn't take it personally.

"So why'd you come for?"

He hesitated. "To say bye."

I froze. "Bye?"

He sat up and rubbed the back of his neck uneasily. "Yeah... Umm... Crimson Squad accepted me."

Damn you Mr. Crimson! Are you dumb? I mean, look at this guy! He's a self-centered jackass with an ego the size of Spira and a brain the size of a peanut. He can only see with one eye and the other one is always looking for girls. He's the most arrogant, conceited, bum you'll ever meet and he's… he's…

Well, he's my Gippal.

Why are you taking away my Gippal? I mean, I hate him, but I don't hate him, you know?

I didn't know what to say. "And you're going?"

He nodded.

"Why do you want to leave m– I mean, Home?"

He gave me a sympathetic look and messed up my hair. "It's complicated, Rikku."

How complicated can it be? Did he think I was that stupid? That young of a child that I won't understand his 'sixteen year old ways'? "Just tell me."

He turned away. "There's lots goin' on out there, Cid's Girl. A lot of corruption out there." He turned back to me. "I can't stay here forever. It doesn't feel right. I gotta get out there and help."

Stupid Sin – what bit his ass?

I sighed. "So when are you goin'?"

He poked me in the shoulder slightly. "I'll be gone when you wake up tomorrow."

Then I'll never wake up.

"So…" He looked around my room. "Anything to say before I never see you again?"

I stared at him.

"Jokin'," he laughed and collapsed beside me. "Of course, I'll see you again, Cid's Girl."

I punched him, and then I leaned against him for comfort. "Why'd you have to turn sixteen for?"

He blinked. "I'm sorry it was my birthday?"

I tried to sort out my feelings.

I think the one thing that hurt me the most about his leaving was not the fact that I wouldn't see him for who knows how long; but the fact that he might see others. You know,what if he finds someone else? What if he finds another Khlana, or Ledia, or worse… another Rikku? An older one. One who's not looked upon as being childish and young like me.

He really made me confused. He told Zysac that he wanted the prettier, more mature girls but look-! Hisarm is around my waist and what the - is hesmelling my hair?

Oh Gippal... Why do you have to confuse me so?

If I ever do see him next time, I'll prove to him that I'm not a child. That I can be drop dead gorgeous too. Nobody would ever call me Cid's Little Girl again. Nobody...

...And he'll never want to leave me again. Never.

I twitched my mouth. "So you came just to say goodbye? Did you climb into all your other friends' rooms to say goodbye?" Ouu… I sounded bitter.

"Only the girls," he answered.

OH, he SO deserved my bitterness!

"But I came to you last."

"Why?"

"So I could spend the rest of the night wit cha."

Awe, that sounded sweet… and umm… dirty. (Gulps, shakes thoughts out of head) "And what exactly did you plan to do with me tonight?" I glared death at him.

And he responded with the most angelic grin and in the most innocent tone, "Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

And then he kissed me.

I pulled away and gave him a look. "I thought you said nothing."

"Rikku, even nothing is something."

And while I tried to figure that sentence out, he kissed me again.

-

I awoke the next morning to find a cold, empty spot beside me, and the warmth of my sunrise-y scraf around my neck.

Thanks for reading. Please Review.

Feel like helping a desperate writer?

1) What/Who is Vegnagun?

2)How does Gippal/Rikku generallyfight?The whole dressspheres thing kinda confuses me.

3) Fiends are...?

Ackk...gots too many questions, too detailed. Neone out there want to bethe person(s) I can email to when I need help? I'll pay you with my gratitude. LOL

Thanks anywayyy :D