Chapter 15

How the mind works

Tidus laid on his back, one arm propped under his head while the other continually tossed the miniature beanie blitzball into the air. His whole body ached as it cried out for relief. Two weeks of constant training certainly took its toll on his mind and body. Lazily glancing at the clock by his bedside table, he mentally noted that dinner was on its way. A smile graced upon his lips when he silently came to the conclusion of taking a long hot shower after dinner before getting that darn 'camp evaluation' started.

Although blitzers were given extensions on all assignments because of the Tournament, Tidus still had four overdue. Looking around the room, the blonde began to think of what kind of 'crap' he would make up for the essay. Before anything could come to mind, his eyes led him to his surfboard that was dumped in the corner amongst a pile of worn clothes. He suddenly stopped throwing his beanie as he slowly climbed out of bed and made his way to the surfboard.

Smiling, he realized that there was absolutely no need to make anything up, he already had too much to talk about in his essay to fit any 'crap' in.

The sound of his butler's voice interrupted his thoughts as he announced that dinner was ready. Against his aching body, he hurriedly jogged out of his room. Sprinting down the flight of stairs, he came to a sudden halt when the sight of his father sitting at the table almost made him want to run back upstairs. Too late.

"Come here boy." His voice was serious and stern.

Grudgingly, Tidus pulled himself towards the table. Funnily he wasn't hungry anymore.

'The hell is he doing home so early?'

He noisily pulled the chair from beneath the table and sluggishly sat down. He ran his gloved hand through his hair as he waited for it. He just knew that Jecht had prepared a lecture for him. It was a definite.

Jecht looked at Tidus for a brief moment before looking away and seemingly trying to calm himself down.

'Yevon, how dramatic.'

"What the shit is this about you training like a chocobo on drugs?"

Tidus' eyes widened instantly.

'Shit! Auron actually told him.'

Keeping his cool, Tidus cocked an eyebrow up in question, "Chocobo on drugs?"

"Boy shut up, you know what I mean. Now explain to me, what the hell is up with you?"

"Nothing."

"Damn it boy. This is your future we're talking about. Blitzball should be your number one-"

"-number one priority right? Shit! I've just been a little distracted lately alright? Auron's just making a big deal over it."

"Distracted! What the hell over? Let me tell you here boy, if you wanna be anything like me, you better start focusing soon or else you're always gonna be a damn amateur you hear me!"

His son rolled his eyes, being like him was the last thing Tidus wanted to be.

In an annoyed manner, he pushed his chair out before announcing, "I'm not hungry anymore."

On his way back to his room, not only did he ignore Jecht's constant lecturing, he was also mentally cursing at Auron.

'I'm not like a chocobo on drugs am I?'

He shook his head and pushed the door opened. Looking over towards his en-suite, he was tempted to just strip off all his clothes right then and there and take his long deserved shower. As if teasing him, his blue eyes looked towards his desk, making him debate whether to start the essay now or later.

Deciding to not give into temptation, he forcefully pushed his body towards his table. If he wasn't going to do it now, he'll never do it.

He lazily and carelessly brushed the miscellaneous junk off his table before he switched on his computer. As he waited for it to load, he smiled at the things he was going to write about. Hopefully this wasn't going to take him the whole night; he was still in need of a shower.

The moment the two girls heard the bathroom door closing, Rikku immediately pounced on Yuna's bed, "Okay tell me now Yunie!"

The brunette sighed, "It's really not that interesting."

"Yunie," Rikku said in a warning tone, "You only have the amount of time Seymour's in the shower to tell me what is going on between you and Tidus."

"I… Fine!" Yuna breathed out in defeat.

"Okay, hurry, you only have an entire hour!" the blonde joked sarcastically.

Nodding in understanding, Yuna finally finished her summary of everything that had occurred to her within the last two weeks.

A moment of silence passed between them before Rikku pointed out, "Yunie, I'm not siding with him, but… it just doesn't seem like Tidus to ask to talk to you, then kiss a girl in front of you, and then try to beg for your understanding. I mean, it just doesn't make sense."

"I know." She sighed tiredly in response, "But I was angry, I didn't think clearly."

"I guess I would've reacted the way you did."

As much as Yuna was glad and relieved that Rikku wasn't judgmental or biased about the situation, she couldn't help but roll her bi-coloured eyes. Years of knowing her cousin taught her one thing: Rikku acted on impulse, and that would basically mean if Rikku were Yuna, Tidus would be in the hospital as they were speaking.

"…Wait! So does that mean you've forgiven him already?"

"I-I think so. But it's just so awkward now. I don't know why though. It was easier back then when we were always arguing. Now..it's just different." She concluded with a sigh.

Snapping her head up at Rikku, she gave her a questioning look before asking, "Have you heard anything, um, like anything weird about.. you know… lately?"

"Well," her cousin hesitated, "a little rumor's going around saying that Tidus seems, well, distracted during blitzball training. He's injured a few blitzers already including Wakka and himself. Nothing serious of course." Rikku looked up and nearly giggled at the look of urgency on Yuna's face.

She continued, "They're afraid it might affect his performance on the day of the tournament."

Yuna was a mute from then on with a surprised look on her face.

Rikku reached out and gently touched Yuna's left arm, an attempt to capture her attention, "You…You have feelings for him don't you?"

Yuna looked up at Rikku, this time, slightly confused at the question.

"You said it yourself before. You feel awkward around him, well that's because instead of always being at each other's throat, you haven't adapted to this new feeling yet, and because you've had such a rough start, you'd probably have a whole heap of mixed feelings in you right now…do I make sense to you?"

Smiling, Yuna replied, "Yes…it makes so much sense it kinda scares me coming from you." She joked.

"Hey!"

They had their brief moment of laughter before the atmosphere was once again a tranquil one.

"Rikku," Yuna looked up worriedly at her smiling cousin, "I-I think I really do have feelings for him."

Rikku's smile of understanding went by unnoticed as Yuna's mind was occupied with the white piece of paper she found in her locker.

'I'll do it for you.'

Leaning back in his chair, Tidus re-read his essay for the umpteenth time that night. He looked at the time on his computer and mentally patted his back for finishing the essay in two hours. For once, he didn't struggle nor did he blank out during typing the evaluation. Although there were times when he would pause briefly, contemplating whether to write about a particular incident or not. However almost all the times when he pondered about doing it or not, he always ended up adding it in, but he was cautious to leave out the little fist fight between Justin and himself.

10.07pm

Dragging his mouse over towards the toolbar, he quickly saved it onto a disc before ejecting it and dumping it into his bag. He arched his back until he heard it pop and slowly got off his chair. With the amount of bad luck he's been having with Yuna and the pressure of the tournament weighing heavily on his shoulders, he still managed a smile while his was making his way towards the en-suite.

After the raging water was adjusted to the temperature suitable for his bare flesh, he carelessly slid his t-shirt over his head before removing his gloves and the bottoms of his Blitzball uniform. He stepped into the shower stool as he eagerly embraced in the warm water beating down on his worn out body. Just as his mind was finally giving him a little rest, the water running down his bare flesh only reminded him of his blitzball training.

Along with that, words of warning from Jecht, Auron AND Wakka swarmed his head.

He wasn't that bad was he? He was just a bit quieter than usual, a bit fiercer than normal and a bit more heated than during an ordinary session…. shit.

Running both hands though his blonde locks, he begged the water trailing down his face to consume his mind, but that only triggered more questions.

Suddenly fed up with the questioning, he pounded his fist against the tile wall.

All these built up emotion and tension needed release. He was angry, but he had no reason to be. So Blitzball practice was the only lame excuse to sub-consciously let it all out.

So that was it. So that was why he had been so odd lately during the practices.

'Pfft, and they think it's bad for me. They have no clue what they're saying to me. This is good; I can actually find solace in Blitzbal… Idiots.'

"Whoo! The shower was the best! Like always of course."

"Finally." Rikku mumbled quietly.

Glancing at his little blonde friend seated on the kitchen stool reading a magazine, he smirked as he quickly snatched it off her.

"Hey!" she protested.

"What's this that little Rikku is reading here?" he mocked in a childish tone.

Looking up at her in fake surprise, he mocked a gasp, "Why lookie here, '10 quick ways to get yourself a guy.' Oh you're adorable."

If looks could kill, Seymour didn't stand a chance.

"Give it back." She forcefully gritted through her teeth.

"Wow, I see veins. Now now, Riks, you don't want wrinkles at this age." He teased, neatly placing the magazine in front of her.

"Really, haven't I taught you anything? Honestly, you do NOT need a magazine to teach, or rather TELL you how to get a guy."

"Look Seymour, I'm only reading this because I'm bored, not because-"

Before Rikku could finish, the phone rang.

"I'LL GET IT!" Seymour roared.

Rikku nearly fell off her stool from the sudden fright.

Clearing his throat, he picked the phone up, "Hello?"

'Is he trying to sound seductive?'

"Hey there Braska, how are things holding up at your end? … Oh that's so not cool…yep…yep…uh huh….gotcha…yep… FOR REAL! Yunie's gonna flip when she finds out." Quickly glancing back at Rikku who was staring at him with an unreadable expression, he turned his back slightly as he covered his mouth over the speaker, "Between you and me," he said quietly and secretively, "I have a feeling these girls are getting sick of me."

Rikku rolled her emerald green eyes. For yevon's sake, he was only three feet way. She could even hear what he was thinking.

"Okay, see ya soon. Say hi to Catherine for me will ya? Right, bye!"

"What did Uncle Braska say?" Rikku asked as soon as Seymour hung up.

"He's arriving the day after tomorrow, which makes that a Thursday. Hmm, Thursday Thursday, Thursday…Nope, not doing anything that day. Good, I can go with Yunie to go pick him and Cat up. How exciting, then I can get out of this poorly accommodated hole."

Choosing to ignore the comment, Rikku could only assume that once Braska arrives, Seymour would then be tagging along with him.

"Once Yunie is out of the shower, I'M telling her the exciting news…Got it?"

"Whatever." And she continued to flip through her magazine.

"It's all my fault. He hates me now!" Myleena cried to her group.

"Well what did ya do to piss him off like that?" a group member asked.

"That's not important. He hates me. He can't even stand looking at me. I'm sorry guys. I think I'm the reason as to why he doesn't hang out with us anymore."

"Oh don't be silly My, he's just been busy with Blitzball and stuff." A blonde tried comforting.

But Myleena knew better. This wasn't supposed to happen. He was supposed to fall for her. But now, everything's back fired. Is this what they call Karma? Grudgingly, Myleena finally admitted defeat. For some reason, she was no match for Yuna. Two and half weeks of Tidus' cold shoulder were more than she could stand. Had she really been that wrong? Although back then Tidus never showed any intimate feelings towards her, he at least treated her like a… sister.

But now, she had nothing.

And she regretted it.

"Guys, I think I'm gonna find Tidus and sort this out." And with that, she hesitantly left the table.

Walking down the empty hallways, it wasn't a problem at all for Myleena to spot out the lone figure buried in his locker, seemingly trying to find his Blitzball gear.

Nervously, she walked up behind Tidus and tapped him on the shoulder. Once his body spun around in surprise, he couldn't help but roll his eyes at the sight.

It hurt. It really did hurt. But she was going to be brave. She was going to mend their friendship, even if it was as far as they could go.

Turning back around, Tidus continued looking for his shorts as he tried to ignore the unwanted company.

She cleared her throat almost inaudibly before she spoke.

"Tidus, can I talk to you?"

"Yeah sure Myleena, then are you gonna wait for Yuna to show up then grab my neck and kiss me?"

He didn't mean to be so harsh, but damn, this girl had pissed him off so much. She was the reason why these weeks have been so shit for him.

"I-I…" She was speechless at that.

"Wow," she whispered, "I guess you really do know me well."

At that, he remained silent.

"Look Tidus, I'm here to apologize. I know… I know that I'm wrong now. Just please, don't be like this."

Shaking his head, Tidus turned around after he dumped all his blitzball gear back into his locker.

"Be like what? This?" he asked, pointing to his face.

"Yes." She replied, almost whining.

He crossed his arms across his chest and asked, "You don't think you deserve it?"

She paused for a while before answering, "Yes, I understand that you're mad, but two weeks Tidus. It's been two and half weeks to be exact? Don't you think it's enou-,"

"No!" he interrupted.

Myleena fell silent.

"You think I haven't caught up with your little charade yet? I know Myleena, I know everything."

She was confused, "What?" The question wasn't asking him of what he knew, but instead, asking him to explain what he just meant by his words.

Tidus chuckled bitterly.

"The pranks?" he replied cockily.

Oh my Yevon, he knew! She was shocked, she couldn't' speak. Now she knew she was in a deeper mess than she had originally started out to be in.

"What? Thought I wouldn't have known? You're her only hater. Who else would've done it?"

Her silence only angered him further as it confirmed everything he said.

"Damn it Myleena! You sent two guys to try and sexually assault her! How the hell did you manage to find it in yourself to do that? Shit!"

At this point, tears were streaming down her face. Tears of shame, guilt and whatever the hell that was making her feel so bad.

Lunch had just ended as students started to pile in the hallway. Tidus didn't seem a bit fazed but Myleena was trying her hardest to hide her tears.

She continued crying, "I-I…"

But she couldn't' say anything, she was almost choking by now.

Suddenly she felt fingertips beneath her chin as it slowly and gently tilted her face upwards.

His eyes were gentler now, no longer filled with hate and disgust as it once possessed.

"Now tell me you're sorry."

Pausing for a brief moment to compose herself, she spoke with sincerity, "I am."

With that, Tidus pulled her in for a tight hug. Finally, she felt the forgiveness, from him and from herself. It felt good to stop hating, stop fighting.

Releasing her from him, she managed a smile as she wiped her tear stained face.

"Thanks."

Smiling, Tidus looked up and almost wanted to scream in frustration at what he saw. Why was Yevon being so damn cruel?

There she was, standing amongst the scattering students with a look of hurt plastered on her delicate features.

How could he be so thoughtless? Their lockers were only a few metres away. For Yevon's sake, they were in the same homeroom; of course they're bound to bump into each other.

Realizing the sudden change of attitude in Tidus, she turned to look at the culprit. Her eyes vaguely scanned the hallway until they landed on the back of the girl who had stolen her Tidus' heart.

Smiling at Tidus again she said, "I owe you one." And with that she made her way towards Yuna, who was desperately trying to hold her tears at bay whilst she busied herself with the books she needed.

Feeling a presence next to her, Yuna didn't dare look. She was almost certain that it was Tidus.

Her voice was calm but bitterness was detected. As much as Myleena loved Tidus, she couldn't bring herself to accept Yuna just yet.

"We're only friends." And she left.

Shocked, Yuna slowly turned around to look at Tidus, who had been watching the whole thing moments ago. She then looked at Myleena's retreating back and for some reason, she believed her.

The sight of Yuna's red eyes made Tidus want to run up to her and hug her and then ram his head against the lockers until he blacked out. But he couldn't, he didn't have the courage. He didn't know if he could take it if Yuna actually rejected him. He wasn't ready to risk it, not yet.

"So when are we gonna tell them?"

"Not now, not when they're like this. It's like we're rubbing it in their faces."

"Aww," Wakka whined, "Tidus won't mind."

"Wakka." Lulu warned.

"Aw, fine." He kissed her briefly on the cheek before she hurriedly walked to her next class.

Man did Wakka want to boast about Lulu. Maybe not to Squall…or Tidus yet… but if Tidus couldn't know yet, that would mean the whole school wouldn't know and damn did he want the whole school to know.

AN: Yes pointless, but I really didn't want to rush into things. But after this chapter it will be more interesting. I hope. Thank you so much for still reading this. Even I got bored typing this chapter! Now REVIEW away.

Ps: For those who are interested in stories based on real life issues like racism, sexism, drugs, sex and stuff, go check out my new fic 'Chocolates and Charcoal.' (rated R).

SkyeLight