By the way, where'd you meet him?
I met him at the candy store.
He turned around and smiled at me. You get the picture?
Yes we see.
Thats when I fell for
The leader of the pack.
I was in a great mood that day. Of course, I was practically always in a great mood back then. I was the sweet girl, everyone's friend, polite, and respectful to adults. Nothing was different. The weather was amazing, the ideal summer day. School had just let for summer break two days before and I was living on top of the world. Also, I had just turned eighteen, which meant I was practically seen as an adult.
I had spent the day before with Tifa and Yuffie, no surprises there. It was a rare summer day that we did not spend together, someplace or another. However this summer would turn out to be a new experience. Yuffie was going to some kind of Wutai ninja camp and Tifa was vacationing with her parents. They both would be gone all summer long. They apologized over and over the night before, but I told them not to worry about it. I could entertain myself just fine.
It was noon by the time I awoke. Sleeping in was my specialty, but so was being outside on a day as beautiful as this one was. I quickly changed into my normal pink dress. Carefully I braided my chocolate-colored hair in the usual fashion and completed it with my signature ribbon tied in an elegant bow. I didn't bother to check my hair for bumps or tangles, I had been doing the same hairstyle since I was about seven years old. Eventually these things become second nature.
I hurried out of my house, well my parent's house, and onto the quiet street outside. The warmth of the sun on my face was beyond welcome. I began walking down the lane. As I did, I heard a jangling in the pocket of my dress and remembered the munny that I had earned a few days earlier from my job at the flower shop. Aha. My first stop of the day, Radiant Sweets.
Ever since I was a child I always blew all of my munny on candies from that heaven called Radiant Sweets. As I turned onto a main street, this one much more populated with people and vehicles, I could see the familar lollipop-shaped sign that marked the candy store. I quicked my pace and reached it in no time.
When I walked on the sidewalk I noticed a familiar sight, three motorcycles leaned against the wall. Everyone in Radiant Garden knew of the boys that rode the motorcycles; rebels, they were. Loud, nonconforming guys who never followed the rules. Basically, they were the type of guys that my parents warned me to stay away from. I had never heard of them actually hurting anyone, but that was just me.
If anything ever came close to keeping me away from Radiant Sweets is was the presence of these guys within the store, loitering, no doubt about it. Still, I never much worried about such things and the scent of melted chocolate drew me to the glass door. I opened it and heard a jingling bell, announcing my arrival. I smiled at the shop keeper as I entered.
There were the three rebels, loitering in the corner of the store as I had expected. I wasn't sure if I recalled exactly their names but by guessing I connected the spiky haired blonde with the name Cloud, the black haired guy as Zack, and the brown-haired, Squall, the self-appointed leader. Realizing they were blocking the path to my favorite chocolate covered almonds, I quickly hurried past them, brushing against one as I passed.
I found them there in a small container on the shelf, the most perfect candy ever invented. I took a small bag and with the scooper poured many into the bag until it was full. Then, I sealed the bag and continued along the shelf, looking at candies and wondering whether or not to purchase anymore. As I did, however, I could not help but feel as though I was being watched.
Looking back over my shoulder, I found my suspicions to be true. Squall was practically boring holes in me with his eyes. When he realized I was looking back, he gave a smile. I recognized that look, how could I not? I had been with my fair share of boys, and even more times I had been flirted with. Secretly, I will admit, I hoped that I was wrong, but I felt a warmth in my cheeks of a blush. I turned back away quickly, hoping he hadn't noticed.
I walked further into the shop, further away from the guys. Apparantly as I did, however, they were talking about me.
"Who is that pretty girl?" Leon asked his two friends. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.
"Aerith Gainsborough, but I wouldn't fall for her if I was you. She is one of the nicest girls in school," Cloud said.
"...which means she would never fall for a guy like you," Zack finished.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"She is completely out of your league," Zack added.
"Pft, what girl could refuse me?"
"She could."
Leon pushed Cloud roughly but in a joking manner.
"I bet she would like me."
"Good luck with that," Zack smirked.
Meanwhile, I had finished my sweets shopping, deciding to go only with the almonds. I made my way to the cash register, nervously passing the three as I did. I quickly threw my purchase down on the counter, and the shop keeper rang up the price.
But, before I could pay myself, Squall came up from behind me and put more than enough munny down to pay for my candies. I looked at him with surprise, picking up the bag and turning around to face him.
"Thanks," I said quietly.
"Don't mention it. Aerith, is it?"
"Yes...and you are Squall, correct?"
"I go by Leon, actually."
"Well, thanks again Leon, but I really have to get going," I lied. I just wanted to get away as soon as possible. He seemed nice, but I did not want to be involved. I could hear his friends laughing behind me and I did not understand why. I turned to leave.
"Wait, Aerith," he began, and lightly touched my arm. "I was wondering, would you like to go out with me on a date, tonight?"
"Umm..." I was very close to saying no, but something strange got a hold of me. "Sure." I believed at that point that I had made a huge mistake.
"Great, I'll pick you up around 8," his face lit up as he said so.
"Sounds good, see you tonight, then." I responded, and with a final wave I hurried out of the shop.
That entire day I fretted over what I would possibly do about my date that night. If only Tifa and Yuffie had been around I could have consulted with them. Of course, they weren't, so I was left by myself with the information. I held off on telling my parents, although it was a first. I hardly ever kept information concealed from them. After all, it was just one date, and I doubted anything would follow from there. No need to get them all worried about me over that, I decided.
The fretting was for nothing, however. The date went amazingly well. He was right on time to pick me up at 8, on his motorcycle. I will admit that riding on the back of that metal contraption frigtened me half to death, but Leon was a better driver than I expected...or perhaps he was just driving slower than usual out of consideration for me. Anyway, he brought us to a casual little restaurant not far from home.
I was surprised to find that Leon was easy to talk to. I was even more surprised that we had definite chemistry that could not be ignored. It all led to a wonderful good night kiss, as well, and I agreed to go on a second date. A summer romance, even if it was with someone the opposite of me, did not seem like such a bad thing.
o--------------------o
A/N: Okay, so when finding other guys to be the motorcyclists with Leon I wasn't so sure. I knew off the back that Cloud was in, but I wanted someone besides him. I have never played Final Fantasy so I was unfamiliar with the characters. However, I remembered reading somewhere that Cloud and Zack were friends, so I chose him. I looked online to see what he looked like, the black hair. There we go.
I hope you liked this chapter. Please review!
