I'm back, at least for another week. So, I must work like the dickens to get some more chapters going. Thanks as always for the patience and the reviews. Much appreciated as usual. Enjoy!
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YUNA
I don't know what I was expecting the project to look like. I never really questioned Tidus' ability to pull the whole thing off, but on the other hand, I wondered just how proper it was to show off photos of us so intimately posed together in front of a classroom of judging eyes. I was nervous, of course, but in a way I felt exhilarated. It felt as if Tidus and I were doing something special and unique. I suppose I'm just naturally afraid of trying new things. Now I'm glad I decided to trust Tidus' instincts.
I still remember the look on everyone's face when I unveiled our project, which until that moment had also been concealed from me. There was a general expression of shock, and then of course confusion. I saw amusement, uncertainty, satisfaction . . . I even saw a bit of anger, though I'm not sure why.
By the end of the day, Tidus and I are once again the subject of gossip. There are so many mixed opinions and theories about the photographs that I can barely keep any of them straight. So, for the sake of my mental health, I decide to ignore it as it swarms around me like a river of 'scandal'. Apparently Professor Faradi even told some of the other teachers, she was so impressed with our theme.
Tidus takes everything in stride, as he always does. When people buzz relentless questions at him, he just brushes them aside with a cold glare or a select choice of words.
I do note, however, that Dona's attitude towards me has become much more distant. Before, she would hug me tightly always link arms with me whenever she saw me. But today at lunch, when I walk towards her and her friends, she pretends not to see me and hastily draws her little group away before I can reach them.
Surprised and confused, I stop and watch as they chatter at each other, disappearing from me in the crowded hall. I know for a fact that Dona did see me approach. I caught the quick glance she threw at me over her shoulder. Why would she blatantly ignore me?
And then I realize that someone must have told her about the project, and understanding washes over me. I cannot help but feel somewhat hurt that Dona could be so quick to drop me simply because she feels threatened by my being friends with her ex-boyfriend. For there is no doubt in my mind that that's the reason for her spiteful behaviour. I don't understand her jealousy. I highly doubt Tidus would be interested in me when he could just as easily take Dona back.
I suddenly remember my new clothes that I bought with Dona and her friends a while back. I haven't even taken them out of their bags. For some odd reason, whenever I consider wearing one of my fresh new outfits to school, I become embarrassed and hesitant. I don't belong in clothes like that! They were made for girls who really had bodies to show off. I'm . . . far too plain. At least that's the way I see myself.
This morning I came close to finally leaving the house in a more revealing outfit, but when I saw myself in the mirror, I immediately ripped it off and changed to a more 'Yuna' look. Who knew clothes could be so complicated?
So, my clothes lie in wait for the moment when I finally overcome my silly superficial worries. Until then, I suppose I must content myself to merely blend in with the crowd. Still, part of me really does want to take a step outside wearing the clothes Dona wears. I wonder what people would think or say to see me walk into the building dressed like that. What would Tidus think?
With a frustrated sigh I turn around and head towards the parking lot. Usually Tidus and the gang hang out there at lunch, sometimes just to admire my Porsche. I've developed a habit of driving to school myself everyday, whereas before Auron used to drive me in the limousine. I don't want to cause a scene or anything by showing up in a limo, but then again, arriving to school in an expensive silver Porsche is any better.
Sure enough, they are standing there by my car, talking idly. I notice that they are all listening with concerned expressions as Paine speaks, but I cannot hear her words. Frowning I approach them.
"What's going on?" I ask. They turn to me with solemn faces rather than their usual cheerful greeting. Paine just sighs and shakes her head.
"Nothing," she says grimly. "I'm just . . . not sure what to do about Baralai."
I wince sympathetically. It has come to my attention, as well as the rest of the gang's, that Paine is greatly confused about her feelings for Baralai.
"Well . . . do you want to be with him?" I ask tentatively. She glares at me, the obvious stupidity of my question annoying her.
"Of course I do," she snaps, running her fingers through her silver hair. "But it's more complicated than that, Yuna."
"There's Nooj to consider," Tidus tells me with a heavy sigh. I blink at them all, confused.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Baralai is a part of Nooj's gang, remember?" Lulu tells me, slipping an arm around her twin's shoulders. "After what happened to Tidus, we're not sure exactly what to think about him. He was a part of that attack, but then again, he didn't necessarily hurt Tidus."
"But . . . if he didn't hurt Tidus, what's the big deal?" I ask, still not fully sure I understand the problem. Paine rolls her eyes with exasperation and Gippal gives me a stony glance.
"Look," he says impatiently. "I know you don't go through any of the shit we do, Yuna, but don't pretend you understand what we're going through. Where we come from, the gang is everything. It comes first before anything else. If Paine decided to go with Baralai, that could get in the way of her responsibilities with us. Plus, Baralai could get his ass kicked for being with her too. Got it, Princess?"
I flinch at his tone. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"
"Hey," Tidus cuts in, glaring at Gippal. "Cut her some slack, all right? It's not her fault she doesn't know the rules of the game."
"Rules? Game?" I say indignantly. "I may be 'sheltered' from your experiences, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid. I know that you guys would never hold Paine back from something that could make her happy. I know that Baralai is probably willing to risk everything to be with her. Paine, I saw the way he looked at you that day. I saw the way you were looking at him! Don't you forget what's really important to you. I know the gang means a lot to you, but you have a chance for something really great! Take it!"
They are stunned for a second, but I am not finished.
"I can't believe the way you guys are talking. You make the gang sound like some sort of no-return cult! Paine won't leave you, we all know that. So what if she's with Baralai at the same time? Are you going to hold her back against her will? Would you keep her tied to the gang at the cost of her happiness? Isn't she like a sister to you all?" I demand, hands on my hips. The last question was directed mostly at Tidus, since Lulu is a given.
Paine steps towards me so that her nose is almost touching mine. Her eyes are blazing. I swallow nervously at her expression.
"It's not that simple," she hisses. Before I can say anything back, she sidesteps me and swiftly walks away, fists shoves into her pockets, shoulders hunched.
The rest of the gang is staring at me. Tidus runs his fingers through his hair and whistled through his teeth.
"I know you're only trying to help, Yuna," he tells me understandingly. "But I just don't think you understand. We would never even think of holding Paine back, but Nooj is another story. If he knew Baralai was with someone from our gang, I hate to think what he would do to him. If he got hurt, Paine would be hurt too. And you're right . . . she is like a sister to me. I'd hate to see her sad."
His words sober me slightly.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so presumptuous," I say quietly. "Of course this is hard for Paine. It's hard for everyone."
To break the stillness that suddenly falls over us, Rikku pipes up suddenly. She always ends our uncomfortable silences.
"Hey, Yunie, we heard your project with Tidus was a huge hit! You'll be the center of the gossip ring again, eh?" she says teasingly, elbowing me in the side. I smile and laugh, and Tidus just blushes.
"Ya, maybe you and I could take some pictures like that together, huh, Lulu?" Wakka says with a mischievous grin at the black mage. She raises a delicately arched eyebrow and rolls her eyes.
"So, Tidus, what's the plan for today?" she asks to change the subject. Tidus strokes his chin thoughtfully.
"No idea," he says at last with a shrug. "Jecht's going to be home all weekend, drunk as usual, so my place isn't an option. Anyone got some ideas?"
"My place is being sprayed for bugs," Wakka groans, wrinkling his nose. "We've got termites everywhere."
"Well, my old man's got the house full of people," Rikku says with an even heavier groan. "Damn relatives again. I'd do anything to get away from them."
"Mom's in one of her 'moods' again," Lulu explains helplessly. "She's not in a very hospitable frame of mind right now, even though she loves the gang like her own kids." I was informed that Lulu and Paine's mother has chronic depression, and often lapses into her dark dispositions. She is apparently not the best of company during these periods.
Gippal shakes his head. "My grandparents don't want you guys crowding the apartment. They say the neighbours complain about the noise too much, and it sets off my gramp's migraines."
"I have an idea," I blurt out. "My father's out of town at Djose, and he'll be gone until Monday night. Maybe you could all come to my place for a while?"
The second these impulsive words leave my mouth, I feel like throwing myself into traffic. Why, WHY did I have to say that? Of all things, I should know better! Even though Lord Braska's gone, Auron and Belgemine will still be there, and will most likely reveal everything to my father upon his arrival home! I will be punished within an inch of my life! Instantly I mentally start scrambling to correct myself and come up with an excuse to keep them away, but I already see their eyes lighting up at the prospect, and my resolve is slowly fading away.
"Wow, you mean we'd be in a mansion?" Rikku breathes wondrously.
"Like . . . a rich person's home?" Wakka stammers. Gippal and Tidus are already grinning hugely, and Lulu nods in approval of the idea. I smile weakly at them.
"Well . . . why not?" I say, feeling sick to my stomach. NO! STOP! BACKPADDLE! U-TURN!
"So it's settled! You're place, after school," Tidus says authoritively, beaming at me gratefully.
"Can we crash there overnight?" Gippal asks eagerly.
"Perhaps . . ." I reply, making some vague gesture in hopes that the answer might satisfy them.
Then, quite suddenly, the topic is mercifully changed once again. I stand stock still amidst the gang as they talk around me, my mind refusing to follow the conversation.
Sweet Yevon, what have I gotten myself into?
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After quickly excusing myself from class to 'go to the bathroom', I grab my cell phone from my purse and stand in the girls' washroom to make my call.
"Auron? It's Yuna," I say in a hushed voice, as if worried someone might be listening.
"What is it, Yuna? Why are you whispering?" he asks me on the other end.
"I don't know," I say in response to his second question, neutralizing the volume of my voice once more. "Listen, I've done something incredibly stupid and I don't have the heart to go back on it. I desperately need your help."
"Tell me happened, and I'll do my best," he says, in that calm trusting voice of his.
"Okay. I . . . sort of . . . invited Tidus Lorac and his friends over to the house for the weekend, since Father's out of town." I hear stunned silence on Auron's end of the line, and I quickly take advantage of it. "I know that it was very careless and irresponsible of me, but Auron, they're my friends, and I can't go back on my word to them! Please, PLEASE promise me you and Bel won't tell Father about this. You know how upset he was before, but if he finds out he'll kill me!"
"You realize how unbelievably deceitful this is?" he asks me coldly.
"I do, and I'm so sorry to drop this on you now on such short notice," I say, rubbing my eyes in agitation.
"You also realize that you're asking me to lie to my oldest friend for an impulsive teenager desperate to impress her friends?"
Something about that statement angers me, but now is not the time to talk back.
"Yes," I reply meekly.
"And that I would be allowing a gang of hooligans into the house?"
"Yes, Auron."
I hear him give a prolonged sigh into the receiver.
"You are so damn lucky I can't say no to you, kiddo," he says grudgingly. "I'll talk to Bel about it, and we'll do our best to keep our mouths shut."
I feel like sobbing with relief. If he was standing right in front of me, I would throw my arms around him and smother him with kisses.
"Thank you, thank you, THANK you!" I laugh, jumping up once in my excitement.
"But let me warn you, Yuna," he says sternly, cutting me off. I stop smiling to listen gravely. "If anything . . . ANYTHING . . . goes wrong, I'm going straight to Braska. If your friends break or damage anything, they're gone. If they make a mess in the house, they're gone. If they try to steal anything, they're gone. It'll be YOUR job to cover this whole thing up. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, of course. I understand perfectly, and I swear I won't let anything happen. They're not wild criminals, you know. They'll behave," I tell him, doing my best to give him my sweetest and most agreeable tone.
"You owe me big time, kiddo," he tells me. I can already tell that he is in disbelief at his own judgement. I smile into the phone.
"Tell me about it. I'll make it up to you later, okay?"
"I'll hold you to it."
"I know."
"I'll pick you guys up after school and later I'll grab your Porsche."
"Thank you so much. Bye, dear accomplice!"
"Hmmph."
He hangs up, and I spend a few seconds doing a happy dance in the middle of the bathroom. A girl walks in and stops, staring warily at me, but I only grin back and wave at her. She smiles back hesitantly and edges her way to the nearest stall, eyeing me worriedly. I hurry back out into the hall towards my class, feeling as though a great weight has left my shoulders. I have full confidence in Auron and Bel's confidentiality. As long as they have anything to do with it, I know my father will never hear a peep about this whole thing.
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"Oh, dude!" Gippal laughs. We all turn to follow his gaze at the parking lot and watch as the black limousine pulls up in front of us. I smile and walk over to the window. Auron lowers it and smirks at me, nodding once. Then I turn around and gesture for everyone to hop inside. Paine was quickly filled in on our plans, and she seemed eager to forgive me for the way I spoke to her earlier today.
Almost hesitantly they approach the limo, having never even been near one before. I open the door and stand aside for them to climb in. There is more than enough room for us all to nestle in comfortably.
Once inside, Rikku, Gippal, and Wakka begin busily examining every luxury in the limo, from the small bar (for my father) to the telephone to the DVD player near the front with the wide-screen TV. Lulu and Paine are admiring the leather seats, and Tidus, sitting next to me, is just staring in wonder at everything.
"This is . . . something I never expected to happen to me," he tells me honestly, chuckling slightly at the whole situation. He stretches his legs out in the vast space before him and sighs comfortably. I smile and squeeze his hand over his knee understandingly and turn to look out the window at the passing scenery.
It is going to be an interesting weekend.