Someone To Lean On
Chapter 3


There was an uncomfortable silence. I didn't expect him to ask such a question. No one had asked that to me before, so I wasn't sure how to answer. Wait, why did I have to answer him anyway? Why did I have to answer to such a personal question asked by practically a stranger? "Tidus…" I began but was interrupted.

"You know, you don't have to answer the question if you don't want to. I'm not trying to pry; I'm only trying to get to know you better. I'm sorry if I offended you." Tidus stated simply but sincerely.

"I think it's time for us to go back." I said quietly. We walked back towards the hospital ward together in silence. Was he patronizing me by giving me a way out of the question? Or was he just being kind? I couldn't tell; he confused me.

By the time we got back, it was practically time to go home. I watched Tidus say goodbye to the kids he saw that day. It was a very sweet and adoring moment. Several little girls asked if he really had to go, and a few boys asked the same question again moments later. I watched him reassure them, that he'd see them tomorrow. Did he come here everyday? That surprised me; his dedication to the kids.

When he finally came out to join me, we picked up our stuff and turned to leave the hospital. "Wow Tidus, I didn't know you were so popular with the girls." I joked.

He smiled sheepishly, "They didn't see me all last week so they kinda miss me, I guess. It'll be all right, I'm coming to see them every day of this week."

I was puzzled. As a volunteer for the Raven Gates Foundation, you had to show up at least once a week. "Why didn't you come all last week?" I asked, curious.

I watched his face harden. "Personal reasons," was all he said.

The rest of the car ride home was quiet. I was anxious, had I offended him when I asked? I tried starting a conversation but for some weird reason I couldn't think of anything important to say. I didn't understand the way guys worked; sometimes they could be real sweethearts and other times they can be well... cold and heartless. But that just didn't seem to be Tidus. I mean, he couldn't be cold and heartless because he worked with young children all the time, could he? Or was it just me?

I guess this was the exact reason why I didn't quite want to be in a relationship with a guy. Supposedly a girlfriend is supposed to be there for them, but at times like these, I just didn't know what to say to make things all right again. (That and I didn't believe in love.) Besides, I had just met him the week before, and it wasn't as if we talked about ourselves or any other personal matters, we were mainly partners in our work. I could hardly call him a friend, maybe an acquaintance or a 'co-volunteer', but not a friend. And that was exactly why I felt so uncomfortable with the silence.

We finally pulled up to my house and half of me was glad to get out of this uncomfortable environment, but the other part of me wanted to stay and ask if I had done anything to upset him. I suppose it was none of my business; if he wanted to talk about it, he would have, instead of keeping quiet this whole time. Because of that, I said the only thing that could come to mind, "Good night Tidus. Thank you for taking me home, see you at school tomorrow."

He didn't reply at all, which obviously didn't make me feel any better. I decided to just get home and go to bed before I did anything else to offend him. Getting out of the car, I grabbed my stuff and headed towards the house but not before watching him drive off. Guys... I'll never understand them, nor do I really want to.

When I entered my bedroom, I saw that there was a message on the answering machine. Hoping it was good news that would cheer me up a little, I pressed the play button to listen to the message.

"Yuna! Pick up the phone! Ugh... I'll take it that you're not home. I can't believe that you're not home to talk to your cousin, who's just arrived home from Zanarkand!" A moderately high-pitched but melodic voice said in mock frustration. It was Rikku. Rikku Deardroff, my cousin. "I guess I'll see you at school tomorrow, then! You and your good heart are probably at the hospital right now volunteering, am I right?" She giggled girlishly before she continued, "I bought you tons of stuff that I'll show you tomorrow! I guess I'll go to bed now to prevent jet lag. Later, Yuna!"

I smiled, it was impossible to stay down with Rikku around. She was a very sweet and cheerful girl that could bring a smile to even the grumpiest old men. Sometimes, I envied her. She sang in the school choir and was always given the solo part. Her singing voice was calming and touched you in such a way that you'd never forget it once you've heard it. Rikku was the girl that every girl looked up to because it was impossible not to.

I couldn't wait to see her the next day. Suddenly, I wondered if she'd be able to help me figure out what was going on with Tidus. Not that I was socially inept, she was just better at socializing than I was. I was the quiet, smart girl that everyone wanted to copy their homework off of; Rikku was the cheerful, bright girl that everyone wanted to be friends with.

Deciding that it would be best if I just went to bed and try to forget the whole situation with Tidus until the next morning, I took a short shower and changed into clean clothes. My bed was comfortable and warm, but I just couldn't fall asleep. I guess my conscience wouldn't let me fall asleep. All I could think about was what I had said that made Tidus so quiet the night before.


The next morning at school, even though I was feeling like a zombie since I didn't sleep all night, I ran towards Rikku and welcomed her back home. She squealed and hugged me tightly. I winced, but smiled right afterwards. I swear, there is this aura around her that doesn't allow you to have negative emotions.

When she finally let go, I asked the same question I ask every year when she visits Zanarkand, "So how was Zanarkand, Rikku?"

Rikku made a face, "Ah, it is the same every year. You know the only reason I go is to see pops. Other than that, it's pretty boring. There's nothing really to do except shop, shop and shop some more."

I rolled my eyes, "Unbelievable! You are the only girl I know who never gets tired of shopping and gets bored of Zanarkand, one of the most romantic cities in Spira."

"And since when did you care about romance, dear Yunie?" Rikku laughed good-naturedly.

"I don't!" I said indignantly, "I just meant-"

Rikku was smiling, "Whatever you say! Anyway, like I promised, I bought you a bunch of stuff from Zanarkand that I know you'll love! Let's hurry to English so I can show them to you." Without waiting for an answer, she dragged me towards our English class, just in time to escape from Issaru who was coming our way.

Rikku could never stop to amaze me. She had bought me several bags of stuff. Where she got the money for all of it was beyond me, but it was there and all of it was for me. I felt so spoiled that day. "How did you get the money to buy all this stuff? We both know that Zanarkand does not exactly give out these things for free."

"That's my little secret," Rikku replied innocently. "Besides, you should appreciate your presents better! Maybe someday I won't go to Zanarkand, and you won't have all these nice things anymore." She shook her head and laughed a little, "Not that, that would ever happen anyway."

As I explored the bags, I found everything a girl would need for any occasion: the latest styles of clothes, matching accessories, make-up, and perfume. I smirked, "You know, just because I don't necessarily dress in the latest trends doesn't mean you have to go all out and buy all the latest trends for me. You could've just given me a little hint."

"And what would be the fun in that?" Rikku asked, again in that innocent tone of hers that all the guys seemed to adore. "Are you busy after school today? You can come over, and I can show you this way of doing your make-up so it'll nicely accent your auburn colour hair."

I hadn't seen Rikku for over a month, so that actually sounded nice. That way, I could also discuss Tidus in private with her. I didn't exactly want anyone overhearing our conversation and relaying it back to him. And it didn't help that I had every class with him either.

Glancing at the clock, the bell was going to ring in a few minutes, signalling the beginning of class so I started putting everything away. Seeing what I was doing, Rikku helped me clean my desk area up without asking. Then the bell rang, and our English teacher came in. By that time, we had everything cleaned up so that the teacher wouldn't have any reprimand to give us.

Rikku went to go sit down in the only available seat left, which happened to be Tidus' seat. Wait a minute... Tidus wasn't in class yet? There wasn't a time when I remembered he was late. Then again, I didn't even know he was in our class until yesterday, maybe I just didn't notice.

However, when the teacher took roll, he marked Tidus absent. Throughout English, he never appeared, and I was getting anxious and worried. What if it was because of me that he didn't show up? Was what I asked him really that offensive to him? Then I took a deep breath: why was I worrying about a guy again? I thought I was through with worrying about guys... ever since... well I'd rather not get into that.

I tried to put Tidus out of my mind, I really did. But when he continued to be absent from his classes, period after period, I couldn't help but think if it was really me that caused his absence. And for the first time of my life, Rikku's cheerful chatter didn't allow me to forget my problems, it only made me more nervous.

That day seemed to drone on and on. What I really wanted to do was go home and call Tidus to apologize and to see if he was all right. At lunch, I couldn't take it anymore and secretly used my cell phone to call his house to see if he was home sick or something. It kept ringing and ringing before the answering machine finally picked up.

Maybe I was being extremely paranoid because of the guilt I felt from last night, but I kept thinking that something was terribly wrong. I continued to go to my classes that day in a worried state, knowing Tidus wouldn't be in any of them. One question remained in my mind: where the heck was Tidus?


Thats all I have for now, keep on reading to find out what happens next lol