Chapter 6: Fly Me to the Moon

Fly me to the moon

And let me play

Among the stars

Let me see what spring is like

On Jupiter and Mars

In other words

Hold my hand

In other words

Darling kiss me

Fill my heart with song

And let me sing forever more

You are all I long for

All I worship and adore

In other words

Please be true

In other words

I love you

Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra

Shera was delighted at the prospect of the open mic night.

"This is great opportunity to practise your public performances. I really recommend that you sign up." She encouraged the group. Some people started to talk excitedly.

Yuffie went to Aeris.

"Want to practise vocals now?"

"Yeah, sure. I looked through the sheet music."

"I figured you might like Sinatra."

"Not really, but I do love this song." Aeris said sheepishly, looking at 'Fly Me to the Moon'. Yuffie shrugged and said,

"Let's go then."

They practised for about half an hour. Yuffie really was a good singer. When they finished with vocals, they did some piano pieces. Yuffie looked extremely proud of herself. Aeris smiled.

"You're doing really well, Yuffie."

"I know." She said smugly. Aeris pushed her, laughing. Yuffie went to speak with Shera and Aeris started to play 'Fly Me to the Moon'. James leant on the top of the piano. He was a violinist and a very good one. Aeris had heard him practising sometimes.

He had sandy coloured hair and bright blue eyes. He watched her, smiling. She stopped and raised an eyebrow. He put his hands up in surrender.

"Just listening."

"It's OK. I need to get used to letting people hear me."

"Want me to play too?" He asked, holding up his violin. Aeris smiled and nodded. She played the opening bars and he joined in, reading the music over her shoulder. After a few tries, they started to play in unison. As they reached the end, James sat down on the stool with her.

"So, you going in for this open mic thing?" He asked

"Nope. You?"

"Thought I might. With the guitar."

"You play guitar too?"

"Yeah. Not as well as with the violin, but it's easier to sing to." James explained.

"What are you going to play?"

"Don't know yet. I'll have to decide quickly though. It's tomorrow night, right?"

"Yeah. I think we might get a good turnout at this rate."

James nodded. He looked awkward for a second.

"Hey, um, Aeris…"

"Yes?" Aeris said, gathering her sheet music together. James had gone pink. And was rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.

"I don't suppose you want to… I don't know, do you want to get a coffee or something after class?"

Aeris' fingers slipped on the keys, making a jarring note. She turned to stare at him.

"What?"

"Sorry. I just thought that-"

"Hey, I didn't say no did I?" Aeris said, smiling slightly. He looked up at her.

"So, is that a yes?"

"Yes. It's a yes."

"Good. I mean, cool." James said, laughing. Aeris smiled widely.

"You've gone all pink."

"Don't be unfair. It's not everyday that I have to ask a girl as cute as you out."

Now it was Aeris' turn to go pink. Shera called everyone to the circle.

"OK, we need to sort out the Christmas Concert. OK, correction, YOU need to sort out the concert. All organisations will be done by you. You have 1500 Gil to spend as you like, on the concert. So get going."

No one spoke. Shera looked around at them.

"You don't seem to be going anywhere fast." They laughed. A girl, Bernadette, put up her hand.

"Maybe we should choose a leader, to be in charge."

"That's a good idea." James agreed. Yuffie put up her hand too.

"Ooh! I nominate Aeris!"

"Yuffie!" Aeris said, her heart jumping. James said,

"I second the nomination!"

"Hey!" Aeris protested.

The rest of the class seemed that it was easiest to lay all responsibility on Aeris too. They started to applaud. Aeris groaned and Shera asked,

"Aeris? Will you be the head organiser?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No!" Said most of the class as one. Aeris laughed, albeit somewhat shrilly.

"Fine… OK."

More applaud. Shera sat back.

"OK, Aeris. Get this lot organised."

"OK…"

An hour later they were sat around still discussing the subject. Aeris had made a list.

"OK. We need a venue, refreshments, an audience, tickets, programmes…" She felt slightly overwhelmed. She looked up at Shera.

"Do you think we can use the Auditorium?"

"Probably. You'll have to ask the Dean about that."

"OK, I'll do that after class. What about the tickets and programmers, oh and we'll need posters too."

"We take I.C.T. We can make those and print of a few prototypes." Bernadette said, gesturing to herself and another girl. Aeris nodded and wrote their names down.

"OK… a date. I'll have to find out when the Auditorium is free. Um… refreshments. We can go into town and get some stuff closer to the date. And we need to find out who's playing what and when as well."

Yuffie had been scribbling on a piece of paper. She held it up in triumph.

"Here! Let's say the concert is two hours long. Time slots. Just fill in your name and what you're playing and we can use that for the programmes."

Aeris nodded.

"Yeah, that's good. Anybody else got ideas?"

They all started talking at once. Shera clapped her hands.

"OK, that's enough. Class dismissed."

"Well, can we meet here tonight and carry on for a while?" Aeris asked. Shera nodded and Aeris turned to the others.

"7:30 OK?"

"Make it 8." Yuffie said. Aeris nodded.

"OK, meet here at 8. Thanks everyone."

Yuffie ran off to her Media Production class. James and Aeris picked up their notes, talking amiably.

"I should hate you for nominating me." Aeris told him.

"Hey, I only seconded the nomination."

"OK, I only half hate you."

"Gee, I feel so much better." James said wryly.

They walked to the café, still discussing the Concert.

"There's so much work to do. I'll go into town at the weekend and look into the refreshments area. How many people do you think will come?" Aeris asked.

"Well, the last concert had around 350 people."

"You're kidding? Oh my god, we are never going to be able to do this!"

"Yes we will. Just calm down. We'll sort it out between us." James said.

Barret was on duty. They could see a lot of people from the music class signing up for the open mic night. Barret grinned at her.

"You are an angel."

"I know. Got a lot of people?"

"We're almost completely full! I can't believe it."

"That's great!" Aeris said, smiling. Barret grinned.

"Let me get you a free coffee and a piece of cake. And one for your friend too. This is going to do a lot for business!"

"So you're going to start by giving away free stuff? Interesting marketing technique." Aeris said, smiling. She and James got a table and sat down to drink their coffee.

They had been there for nearly an hour when the door opened. Vincent walked in and went to his usual table at the back of the café. Aeris picked up a bag.

"I'll be right back."

She went over and he looked up.

"Hi. Here's your coat." She said, holding up the bag. He nodded.

"Thank you."

"No, thank you for letting me stay at your place yesterday."

"It's nothing. Who's he?" Vincent asked, nodding towards James. He was watching them.

"That's James. He's from my music class."

"Oh."

"Well, I'd better be getting back to him. Thanks again Vincent."

She rejoined James. He smiled.

"Isn't that Vincent Valentine?"

"Yeah. I borrowed something off him, and I just returned it."

"Oh, OK. Thought you were dumping me before the date was even over." He joked. Aeris laughed.

"Hey, I'm not that mean!"

"Oh, I don't know. You seem like the sort of person who would-"

"Who would what?" Aeris asked dangerously. James smiled, a mock-anxious look on his face.

"Who would go out for dinner with me at the Mako Restaurant tomorrow night?"

Aeris stared at him.

"The Mako Restaurant? But it's impossible to get in there!"

"My cousin owns it. Not so impossible for me." James grinned. Aeris couldn't help smiling.

"OK… then yes. I'd love to."

"Great! Now, when do you want to meet my parents?"

"James!"

"Hey, just kidding!" James said, drinking his coffee and laughing at the same time. Proving the process to be extremely messy.

When Aeris got back to her room she just had time to start her Literature paper before going to the music meeting. Tifa was studying too when Cloud arrived. He grinned at Aeris.

"Ready to go?"

"Go?" Aeris said, her heart sinking. Had she made plans? Cloud's smile seemed to stick.

"We were going to movies, remember?"

"Oh my god, I completely forgot!"

"Yeah, I guessed that." Cloud said, glancing around at the work that lay around her.

"I'm so sorry; I have a music meeting in half an hour and this literature paper to finish." Aeris said, looking she like she was about to burst into tears. Cloud patted her shoulder.

"It's ok. We can go another time."

"But you already bought the tickets!" Aeris pointed out. Cloud shrugged.

"I'll find someone else to come. You go on, have a good time. But we're having breakfast tomorrow, OK? I've barely seen you for the past two days." Aeris jumped up and hugged him.

"Oh, thanks so much Cloud! Is that the time? I have to go!" She seized a jacket, and her bag, and sheaf of papers and ran out.

Tifa laughed.

"That is what you call being rushed off your feet."

"Yeah. She's really taken a lot on, hasn't she?" Cloud said. Tifa nodded, chewing the end of her pencil. Cloud looked at her.

"Hey, wanna see a movie?"

"What and abandon my work? Hell yes!" Tifa said, jumping up and grabbing her coat.

When Aeris finally got out of the music meeting it had passed 10 at night. She walked the pathways to her Dormitory, reading through a list of things to do the next day.

She dropped a book and sighed. Bending to pick it up, she heard voices. Looking up, Aeris saw Tifa and Cloud walking back to the dormitory. She was about to call out but Cloud suddenly stopped. She could see Tifa stop too. Curiosity overwhelmed Aeris and she stayed in the shadows, watching. Had Cloud taken Tifa to the cinema?

And then they were kissing! Aeris's jaw dropped. Suddenly Tifa jumped back. Aeris strained her ears to listen.

"Cloud, we can't!"

"Why not?" Cloud asked, confused.

"Well… you're Aeris's best friend. She's my roommate! I don't want to mess things up between us all." Tifa said, looking awkward. Cloud was frowning.

"Tifa… I already thought about this stuff. And I know I've only known you for a couple months but I really like you. I've been trying to work up the nerve to ask you out for ages."

"Really?" Tifa said, looking hopeful.

"Yeah. And I know things could go wrong, but even if they did we could stay friends. I wouldn't lose you for anything."

They stared at each other for a few moments. Aeris groaned and said under her breath,

"Just kiss him! What are you waiting for?"

And then they were. After a little while, they walked away. Aeris waited until they were out of earshot before bursting into laughter. They were so ridiculous. Getting worked up about nothing. She waited for a few minutes to let them get a head start, before walking back to the dorm.

When she opened the door, Cloud and Tifa were sitting on Tifa's bed. Both looked rather pink. Aeris put on her innocent face.

"Hey guys."

"Hi Aeris. Well, I'm going to go. See you at breakfast, Aeris."

"Sure Cloud. Goodnight!"

She closed the door behind him. She turned to Tifa.

"What you been doing?"

"Oh… I went to the cinema with Cloud."

"Cool. Have a good time?"

"It was OK." Tifa said, going into the bathroom. Aeris couldn't help grinning.