Chapter 5
"We're here!" Amy said happily as she and Zell reached the park. As soon as the T-board stopped moving, she jumped off and ran toward the fountain in the park's center. "It's so big," Amy said looking at all of the water.
Zell laughed. "Yeah," he said, "they installed it last summer. People go swimming in it sometimes. It's about 5 feet (152.4 cm) deep."
"Wow…" Amy said quietly. Then she walked over to a nearby tree and sat in its shade. Zell followed her, sitting beside her. He put his arm around her.
Amy flinched unexpectedly, but then snuggled closer to Zell. He was warm and she loved being close to him. She smiled, closing her eyes, and resting her head in the curve of his shoulder. A bird sung softly in the branches above their heads. Zell smiled and shut his eyes too. He rested his head on Amy's. He felt so peaceful every time he was able to hold her like this.
Slowly, Amy looked shyly up at Zell's face. Sensing her gaze, Zell looked tenderly back down at her. Amy blushed. Zell smiled and breathed a laugh. Amy leaned up slowly and kissed his cheek. As she pulled away slightly, she saw that Zell's cheeks were a softly into her cheek.
Amy's eyes shot open as she felt Zell's lips touch her own. At first, she blushed, but almost immediately, she melted into him and returned his kiss.
The wind blew gently, causing Amy's hair to brush Zell's cheek. He felt it, but paid it no mind.
Just as the lingering wind died down, the two pulled slowly away from one another. Amy blushed, looking down and away. Zell smiled and ran his hand over Amy's hair; then he played with it, twirling it gently in his fingers. Amy blushed even more, continuing to look down.
"Thank you…" Zell's voice broke the silence.
"Hmm?" Amy asked, looking up, "Thank you? For what? What have I done to be thanked?" She smiled carelessly up at Zell.
Zell smiled back, but then tears filled his eyes. How could she not know she had shared her gift with him…?
Zell leaned his head on Amy's shoulder and cried silent tears. Amy hugged him tightly, suddenly concerned.
"Zell…" she whispered, "Zell…what's wrong? Did I do something? Zell…please tell me if I have…Zell? Zell!" Amy was starting to worry even more. She began to cry, feeling helpless. She cried into his shoulder just as he cried into her's. She hated seeing him cry, and felt worse because she didn't know how to help.
"Amy…no..." Zell whispered through tears, "You haven't done anything wrong…" He held her closer to him and then said, "If anything…you've shown me…love… I guess that's what I meant when I said 'thank you'." His tears had stopped now, and he hugged Amy tightly. He took in the scent of her hair and relaxed.
Amy looked up slightly, surprised. Then, not knowing what to say or how to react, she melted into Zell. She hugged him tightly, wiping her tears on his shoulder. They stayed in that position until Zell leaned back against the tree trunk. He didn't take his arm from around Amy. She rested her head lightly on his chest and smiled.
"Amy," Zell whispered, "…look."
"Huh?" Amy whispered back, sitting up and looking toward the fountain in the direction Zell was pointing to. Her eyes widened.
"It's a chocobo!" she said happily.
"Yeah…maybe we can get it to come over here," Zell said, reaching his hand in his pocket. "I thought we might see one by chance, so I brought some chocobo food with me," he explained, opening his hand to reveal the seed.
"Come here…" Zell said, clicking his teeth and holding out his hand toward the chocobo.
"Zell! It's not a dog!" Amy laughed, "It won't come just because you click your teeth!"
"Well…I thought– –………!" Zell stopped in mid-sentence and looked down. The chocobo was staring curiously up at him. Amy looked at them, surprised. Zell blinked down at the chocobo and offered the seed again. The bird continued staring at him, then slowly bent forward and started pecking at the food.
Zell smiled up at Amy proudly. She smiled back, giggling. Suddenly, the chocobo flew up, landing in Zell's hair.
"Eh!" Zell jumped back, startled. The chocobo flew off, scared away by Zell's sudden reaction.
Amy doubled over in laughter. "I think it liked your hair, Zell!"
"Heh…yeah…so do I; a bit too much," he replied, fixing his hair.
Amy continued laughing, and then said, "Well, it's about noon now. I think we should go back to your house now and get ready to go back Balamb Garden tomorrow."
"Yeah…I guess so…" Zell agreed. They walked back to the park entrance and got on the T-board to go back to Zell's house.
Amy woke up the next morning dazed. She got dressed and ready then went downstairs to see if Zell was up.
When she rounded the corner of the stairs, she was Zell's mother.
"Oh…hello," Amy said.
Zell's mother smiled and said, "Good morning. Zell's not up yet, but would you like to sit down and talk?"
"Uhm…okay…" Amy replied nervously. They sat down at a table and Zell's mother served hot tea. As Amy sipped at her cup, Zell's mother said, "Zell loves you, you know. I can tell…"
"What!" Amy said, surprised. She put down her cup and looked at Ms. Dincht, blushing horribly.
Ms. Dincht laughed at Amy's reaction and continued. "Yes," she said, "you make him happy. He talks about you a lot! Thank you…for being so kind to him."
Amy blushed even more and opened her mouth to say something when Zell interrupted.
"Good morning!" he said, stretching as he came down the stairs.
Amy looked up, blushing now more than ever and said, "Oh! Good morning."
Zell yawned and got some tea and toast. He ate and then asked, "Are you ready to go back to the Garden now, Amy? I figured that we have all day, so maybe we could walk back…I hope you don't mind."
"No, not at all," Amy replied. "I'll just go upstairs and get my pack."
As she walked up the stairs, Ms. Dincht turned to Zell and said, "Don't let that one get away, Zell. She's a good catch. Take care of her."
Zell blushed and laughed, rubbing his head, "Alright, Ma."
"Okay! I'm ready," Amy announced as she returned. She and Zell then left the house, walking toward the city entrance, and started the walk back to Balamb Garden.
To my reviewers: Wah! I'm soooo sorry that I haven't kept updating! I tried to hurry this time! heh...Anyways, in the next chappy, I'm starting out in the middle of a training session...But I won't spoil it! Just wait! heeheehee!
