Chapter 1: Best Friends
Tifa and Vincent laughed as they sat on the dying grass on the lawn. Actually, Tifa was laughing and Vincent was just smiling at the joke she told. He never laughed, but Tifa knew that and understood that he really was laughing with her, but in his own, much quieter way.
They'd been friends for as long as they could remember. They'd grown up together in the Nibelheim orphanage ever since Tifa arrived. She was only a little one year old with a mother on the verge of dying, but Vincent was her very first friend. He was only two years old then.
Sure, she had others, but she'd only hang out with Vincent. He never spoke with anyone but her and she just couldn't leave him to be alone. Besides, all of her friends get adopted. But never Vincent. She wondered why. He was smart, athletic (although he never showed it to anyone else) and, she had to admit, not bad looking. At the age of thirteen, he already stood a grand height of five feet and ten inches. His ebony hair went down to the nape of his neck and his pale skin contrasted greatly to it.
"Do you ever wonder why we're never adopted?" Tifa asked her friend unexpectedly. Vincent glanced at her and then looked back to the setting sun. All was silent for a while except for the light breeze softly blowing against them.
"I can't imagine a day without you... you're my best friend." she told Vincent. It was true though. They were the very best of friends. No matter the day, they'd spend it together. When one got sick, the other would stay by their side and help out with anything possible. When one was sad, the other would comfort them.
Yes, they were the very best of friends.
Vincent sighed. "Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without you..." he said, this time looking at Tifa.
The passing moments were spent in silence, but it was not awkward. They were just enjoying each others' company, the knowledge that one day they'll be separated making them need to appreciate the silent connection there.
An hour later, the sun had almost fully set and darkness was approaching.
"It's getting dark, Tifa." Vincent stated, "We should get back to the orphanage."
Tifa nodded and Vincent hoisted her up to her feet by the hand. Together they walked to the simple-looking house they called their home, making small talk here and there, but otherwise in a comfortable silence. When they arrived at Tifa's room, she went on her tip-toes and hugged Vincent tight. Somehow she felt that tomorrow wouldn't be the same and she wanted Vincent to know that, if ever they were separated, that she'd miss him dearly.
"I'll never forget you, Vincent." she told him sincerely. "You're the best friend that I've ever had."
This statement made an air of sadness surround them and Tifa began to cry. Yes, her instincts told her that tomorrow would change everything.
"I won't ever forget you either, Tifa." Vincent whispered, his own throat constricted with the tears that threatened to fall. Softly, he stroked her silky chestnut hair.
Together they stood there until the attendants called for lights out. Tifa let go of Vincent and wiped her eyes.
"Goodnight, Tifa." Vincent said.
"Goodnight, best friend." Tifa said, a genuine smile on her tear-streaked face. She went on her tip-toes again, but this time to give him a kiss on the cheek.
He smiled softly to her before slowly turning on his heel and walking down the hall. Tifa still stood outside her door, tears not falling, but emotions sweeping through her heart.
"Miss Tifa?" a small voice addressed her. Tifa looked down to the little four year old girl before her and knelt down.
"Yes, Marlene?" she answered.
"Why are you crying?" the little girl asked in innocent concern.
"Because I'm sad." Tifa replied while reaching out and stroking Marlene's soft brown hair.
"Why are you sad?" Marlene inquired.
"I don't know..." Tifa said, falling into a state of being far away, but then snapping right out of it immediately.
"It's late." she told Marlene gently. "It's lights out already. Mrs. Macready will be mad if she finds us here."
"Okay, night night." Marlene said. "I hope you feel better in the morning." Then she skipped down the hall to her own room.
Tifa sighed sadly before wiping the tears away and finally entering her pale green room. Something about Vincent and her goodnight felt more like good-bye. And good-bye was just too hard to imagine.