Chapter 39: Closest Thing To Crazy

How can I think I'm standing strong?

Yet feel the air beneath my feet

How can happiness feel so wrong?

How can misery feel so sweet?

How can you let me watch you sleep?

Then break my dreams like you do

How can I have got in so deep?

Why did I fall in love with you?

This is the closest thing to crazy

I have ever been

Feeling twenty two, acting seventeen

This is the nearest thing to crazy

I have ever known

I was never crazy on my own

And now I know that there's a link between the two

Being close to craziness and being close to you

Closest Thing To Crazy – Katie Melua

It had gone midnight. Aeris stared up at the ceiling, listening to the tick of her clock and the soft breathing of Tifa. Sighing Aeris rolled over, but it was no good. She had tried every single position in an attempt to get to sleep, but it simply wasn't happening.

The constant ticking was driving her crazy. That and the thought of Vincent alone in the apartment. Ever since Yuffie had left, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. She had to see him. Now.

Silently she climbed out of bed and pulled on some clothes. It was freezing cold so she put on a scarf and coat. Then she started to walk towards the apartment. The night sky was beautiful. Stars shone brightly against a black sky. Aeris quickened her pace.

Unlocking the door to the apartment, she slipped in. Going into the bedroom she saw a mound under the covers. Vincent's pale face frowned in his sleep. Aeris took of her coat and went to the bed. Vincent rolled over, still sleeping. Aeris couldn't help smiling. He looked so innocent. She didn't want to wake him. She turned to go and sleep on the sofa.

"Aeris?" His voice didn't make her jump. She turned slowly. He sat up. Aeris swallowed hard.

"I… I couldn't sleep. I needed to see you."

He didn't say anything, but he got out of bed and stood, looking at her from across the room. She took a deep breath.

"Vincent… I'm sorry for what I said. I guess I'd just had a rough day. And I started taking it out on you, when you where the person trying to help. I was going to come in the morning but I was going crazy, thinking that you were mad at me. I mean, if you want me to go, I can come back in the morning-"

Vincent crossed the room in less than two seconds and kissed her. As he pulled away, Aeris gaped at him, speechless. He smiled, pushing hair back from her face.

"You are crazy. If you think that I would ever not want to see you."

She smiled and opened her mouth, but he pressed a finger to her lips.

"Don't say a word. There's nothing left to say."

The alarm clock went off at 8:30. Aeris screwed up her face as the shrill beeping pierced her dreams. Vincent leaned across her and turned the alarm off. She smiled and rolled over to face him. He smiled and kissed her.

"Good morning."

"G'morning." She whispered. He traced her features with a finger. Aeris giggled as his fingertip tickled the skin.

"Have you got class?" He asked.

"Yeah… music. And a meeting this afternoon. You?"

"Art this morning. Then I'm free. Hey, did you sign up for the Open Mic Night?"

"No. I might do."

"You should. You can do it now. I'm going to buy you breakfast."

"OK. I love you."

He smiled and kissed her again.

"And I love you. You go and have a shower."

"'K." She slid out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Vincent stretched and then smiled to himself.

"There you are! Where the hell were you? I went to the toilet in the middle of the night and you were gone! I was so worried!" Tifa hissed at Aeris as she entered the café. Then Vincent came in and a look of dawning realisation spread over Tifa's face.

"Oh… right…"

She returned to the counter, red in the face. Aeris snorted with laughter as she and Vincent sat down. Vincent smiled and said,

"Aeris, about yesterday-"

"Shh. It doesn't matter. You did the right thing. And I should thank you. Nothing matters. Eric is leaving and everything is OK. OK?" Aeris said. Vincent nodded and sipped some coffee.

"OK."

When Aeris got to music that morning she had a shock. The whole class was sitting down, staring at the front of the room when she and Yuffie walked in. Aeris followed their eyes and saw…

"Tseng! What are you doing here?" She said in surprise. Tseng smiled.

"Hey Aeris. Just checking out the class."

"You didn't tell me you were coming! You are so rude." She said indignantly. Tseng snorted and Yuffie poked her.

"Come on." They sat down as Shera stood up.

"OK, you guys. Say hello to your substitute for when I start my maternity leave. This is Tseng, as I think you can guess. Tseng, obviously you already know at least one member of the class. Why don't you tell us about yourself?"

Tseng scratched his chin nervously.

"Well, I'm in the Turks, obviously… we're gonna be taking a break for a couple of months. Getting real jobs and everything. And I just wanted to try my hand at teaching. So when I heard Shera was having a baby, I came and applied for the job here. I'm here today to check out the class and everything. Well, except for Aeris obviously. Had enough of her already." He grinned. Aeris stuck her tongue out at him. Bernadette put her hand up.

"When are you starting here?"

"In three weeks. I've got some stuff to finish up first. The company wants to film a documentary about 'I'll Be There For You' and we're meeting with Rufus Shinra. He wants to use the song for his new movie."

Shera said,

"Tseng, we're going to start with our own music in a moment. Why don't you just walk around and get to know everybody? People, work on your private projects. Yuffie, piano practise, Jack I want you on the drums and Aeris, the saxophone. The rest of you, spread out."

Aeris went to the Saxophone corner and took hers out. As she pieced it together, she watched Tseng wander the classroom, talking to the students. She spread some music and started to play some jazz. Tseng stopped to speak with Jack, the main drum player of the class. Since Tseng was the percussionist for the band, Aeris expected him to stop here. Yuffie waved at Aeris.

"Aeris, I can't do it!"

"What can't you do?"

"This piece. Look, it does this weird thing right here and I can't get it." Aeris sat with her for twenty minutes, taking her through it key by key. Eventually she grasped the concept and tried it with the other hand. This just confused her even more and she glared at the piano.

"Bloody thing."

"Don't blame the piano! The piano has done nothing wrong." Aeris said, patting the top of the piano. Tseng came over.

"Hey Aeris, Yuffie. Aeris, you coming to the meeting today?"

"Of course. So, this documentary thing… what's it about?" Aeris asked nervously. Tseng tapped the piano top as he explained.

"They just follow the artists around for a couple of days, collecting footage. They'll be particularly interested in you."

"Great. Yay. Fun." Aeris said, nervously. Tseng grinned.

"Don't worry about it. Reno will show you exactly how to act. You know how much he loves the camera."

"Not the only thing he loves." Yuffie grinned, elbowing Aeris in the ribs. She glared at her.

"Come on, Yuffie. Reno is only a friend. He knows it, I know, Tseng knows it and Vincent knows it."

"He thinks Vincent is out to get him now." Tseng said. Aeris laughed and Tseng asked quietly,

"Which one is James?"

"The one playing the violin over there." Aeris muttered. Tseng looked around casually, and then turned back.

"Is he still bothering you?"

"Not really. I haven't spoken to him in ages. Oh, actually I spoke to him yesterday. I bumped into him and dropped all my stuff. But that's it."

Shera clapped her hands.

"OK, let's come back to the centre. Aeris, you go first." She picked up her saxophone and played the piece she had been playing earlier. She was improving. The new saxophone was better than her old one but she still wasn't quite used to it. Tseng listened in interest to the different musical talents of the class.

As the class ended Aeris said,

"Tseng, Yuffie and I were going to get a coffee. Do you want to come?"

"Sure. I'll see you later Shera."

"Bye. Stay out of trouble."

"What makes you think I'd get into trouble?"

"Knowing you." Shera said lightly. At that moment Cid Highwind came in. He paused.

"Tseng Wulong?"

"Good to see you Mr Highwind." Tseng said. Cid nodded and then looked at Shera.

"Ready to go? Don't wanna keep the doc waiting."

"Give me a moment."

"If I give you a moment we'll be here for hours." Cid grumbled as Tseng, Yuffie and Aeris left.

As they sat in Barret's, Aeris suddenly remembered.

"Oh, Mike wanted me to bring my lyrics with me today. I left them in my room. Can you tell Vincent I'll be back soon when he gets here?" Yuffie nodded. Tseng said,

"Don't take too long. I'm tempted by that cake you just ordered."

"Hands off. Back soon."

She hurried to her dormitory. She let herself into the room and seized the lyrics book from her desk. As Aeris turned into the street that led to the café she bumped into James. He grinned, rubbing the back of his head.

"Got to stop bumping into each other like that."

"Yes, we really must." She said, walking past.

"Aeris, hang on. I accidentally picked this up yesterday. I meant to give it back in music but I didn't get a chance to talk to you." He passed her a few pieces of paper, clipped together. Aeris hesitated and then took them.

"Thanks."

"No problem." He said, smiling. Aeris felt extremely uncomfortable and said,

"Well, I've got to go."

"I… I was kinda hoping to talk to you."

"I can't. I'm meeting Vincent." His face fell.

"Maybe another time?" He asked. Aeris didn't say anything but walked down towards the café. Standing outside was Vincent, waiting for her. He was looking at James, who was standing forlornly at the end of the road.

"Everything alright?" he asked her. She nodded.

"Yeah. I bumped into him yesterday and he accidentally picked up something of mine. He was just returning it."

"So I don't need to get inappropriately violent?"

"No. And there's no need to look so hopeful." Aeris laughed as a flash of disappointment crossed his face. He shrugged and they went inside.

"Tseng."

"Vincent." They nodded to each other. Vincent ordered a coffee and said,

"What time is your meeting?"

"Four. Do you want to meet up afterwards?" Aeris asked, sipping coffee.

"Aeris, you're singing in the Open Mic Night tonight!" Yuffie reminded her. Aeris clapped a hand to her mouth.

"I forgot! I only signed up this morning… what am I going to do?"

"Aeris, calm down. You'll be OK." Yuffie said. Aeris dived into her bag and flipped through her lyrics book in desperation.

"I can't believe I forgot."

"What about this one?" Yuffie said, holding one up. Aeris shook her head.

"I don't know it well enough."

"This one?" Tseng suggested.

"It's not finished."

"This one looks good." Vincent said.

"Guys!"

They all stared at her. She felt rather guilty.

"Sorry." She returned to the book and took out a song.

"OK, this one. I know this one pretty well."

"Closest Thing to Crazy. Interesting title." Yuffie said. Tseng read through the song and nodded.

"Looks good."

"OK, sorted. Are you coming tonight?" She asked Tseng. He considered for a moment.

"I should be able to. I'll have to talk to Mike first." Tifa handed Vincent a coffee and said,

"Aeris, you're on at 9:15. That OK?"

"Yeah. I need to practise." She said, rubbing her head. Tifa shrugged.

"You'll be great anyway. Can I get anyone anything?"

(A/N: Yeah, like I'd break them up! I'm not that mean. Anyway, what did you think? Feel free to review. Reviews make me happy. LOL, I'll try and update soon.)