Chapter NINE
Couples going to Fall Formal - *confirmed by Naminé
- Tidus and Selphie* as expected
- Wakka and Rikku
- Ven and Fuu* how do they even know each other
- Axel and Xion*
- Irvine and some freshman
- Riku and a senior girl !? must ask Naminé ASAP
"So you're all tired already, huh?" Coach Tellah exclaims, pacing back and forth before us. The entire cross-country team stands at the starting line of the track with hands on our knees, bent over and heaving deep breaths. After that particularly exhausting timed interval training, I barely have the mental capacity to register that Coach Tellah sounds mad.
"Coach - " Yuffie begins but is quickly cut off.
"You young spoony whippersnappers!" Coach Tellah snaps. "We're halfway through the season already and you're all already done? How are we gonna even rank in championships?" He takes a step closer, peering at us one by one. "And where are all your teammates? Why's only half of you present today?"
"We have a lot of midterms this week…" one of the freshman tentatively raises her hand and mumbles.
"THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE!" he cries. "What, just because you have something going on, you give up everything else? Yeah, I know the way new things can just grab your attention like that, but you can't just forget about your other commitments! Just because you don't show up doesn't mean I'm not here anymore, you know? Even if you have other things going on, you can't stop spending time on the important things - the stuff that matters - things that have always been there for you!"
...wait, is he still talking about us? I hesitantly exchange glances with my teammates, all of us as unsure as the other as to what's going on.
"...when he thinks he's all that, but actually, it's all a trap! Those relationships don't last, you know? You can only count on family in the end, and I'm family, right? I'm not being overbearing or needy, am I? I just want to spend time with her!"
Yeah, definitely not talking to us anymore. And if I have to take a guess...one of the few things that stresses Coach Tellah out more than anything is his daughter Anna.
Who is...here. Yup, that's her walking over from the school gate right now.
"...don't understand! Did I do something wrong? Is this my punishment for refusing to buy her that toy unicorn when she was 5? She had too many teddy bears already, we had no room for more! I was being a good, practical parent! I had no choice! It wasn't cause I didn't love her enough or anything - oh, no, God forbid anyone think that way - "
"Dad."
" - my dear Anna, I'm so sorry! I'll buy you anything you want now! Our house can fit more toys, including that oversized dollhouse I didn't buy for your 7th birthday, I - "
"Dad!"
" - my dear, sweet An - Anna?!" Coach Tellah pauses, whirling around in surprise. Instantly, a smile rises to his face. "What are you doing here?"
Anna beams. "Hi Dad. Are you embarrassing me again?"
"What? Embarrassing?" Coach Tellah's voice goes up an octave or two. "What are you talking about? I'm just sharing childhood stories! AhahahAHAHAHA!"
With a well-trained smile, Anna nods and turns towards us. "I'm sorry if his temper's particularly bad these days. I - um, recently, he's been kind of upset with me. Anyways, I brought some snacks, if you guys are hungry..."
She should know better than to offer food to starving high school kids after practice. Instantly, we burst into cheers, clamoring for the bag of snacks eagerly being passed around. I reach in and retrieve - score! - an energy bar.
"Wait, we're not - !" Coach Tellah begins, but Anna cuts him off.
"Dad, I saw you guys practicing 20 minutes ago when we drove by. I could hear you yelling at them from outside the school gates. Plus, you're already 10 minutes over time today," Anna points out.
Coach Tellah blinks, checking his watch. "Oh, I didn't realize! Of course, I need my Anna to keep track of these things for me."
Anna grins. "Again, everyone, I'm sorry if my dad's been pushing you too hard these days. Eat up - you deserve it!"
"Thanks Anna!" our team choruses in unison before quickly returning to our snacks.
"Remember to stretch!" Yuffie reminds us all as some people start sitting down and growing complacent. I bend over, hands reaching for the ground as I relish the tingling tension in my calf muscles.
I glance over at my side, where Yuffie is bent over with her hands basically wrapped around the tips of her shoes. How the hell is she so flexible? She straightens back up, swinging her arms loosely and twisting her ankles. Wait a sec…
I stand up as well. "Are you still gonna run?" I ask incredulously.
Yuffie turns over, one hand helping stretch her other arm. "Oh! Yeah." She laughs. "I feel like I need to finish the day with some good old cardio."
I blink, trying to process what Yuffie has said. "B...we just ran for 2 hours."
"Mostly interval training. I'm just gonna do a few more laps."
"Okay…" I guess that's the difference between me, just an ordinary runner, and Yuffie, an aspiring college student-athlete. "You should have the rest of the snacks," I say, dropping the plastic bag by the edge of the track.
"Oh, no, I can't eat all that," Yuffie says with a laugh. "Split the rest with the team."
"Here, I'll leave these for you." I reach in to scoop out a handful, but Yuffie comes over and stops me with a hand on my arm.
"No, really, it's okay. I'm actually on a diet, so I shouldn't be snacking anyways." She grins. "You can have it."
"Yuffie! Now you're making me feel bad. If you're on a diet, then I should be on one too." Cause Yuffie's body is definitely more toned than mine.
Yuffie chuckles, shoving my handful of snacks back into the bag. "It's just a simple diet to stay fit for the season."
I laugh along. "You health nut."
"Well I can't deny that!"
I really should take a pointer or two from Yuffie's self-discipline: both to push herself in running and to restrain herself from mindless snacking. I suppose she has pretty high expectations to meet as our captain. And meanwhile...I'm just here. Nothing too exciting to boast of or aim for.
"Well, don't make the rest of us look too bad!" I exclaim, bidding her goodbye. Yuffie smirks, waving at me before commencing her laps.
Well, that's it for me. Now I can head home, grab a snack, maybe watch an episode or two of Poker Face before dinner…
I get my bag from the lockers and decide to head home in my sweaty clothes cause I'll be taking a nice hot shower anyways. I'm imagining all the snack foods awaiting me at home that I almost miss a familiar silhouette at the school gate.
"Hey Tidus," I greet, "what're you doing here?"
"Oh hey, there you are," Tidus says with a frown. "What's the point of having a cellphone if you won't pick up?"
"Huh?"
"I called you like 10 times."
"Oh, sorry, practice went a little over today…" I trail off, pulling my phone out of my bag. Indeed, a handful of missed calls are all from UR #1 COUSIN. "What's up?"
"Your dad called my mom, and you're staying at our house for a few days," Tidus says succinctly.
"Huh?"
"Something about your mom gone on a business trip and your dad needs to visit your grandparents or something?" Tidus shrugs. "Your dad said he'll call you later, he had to catch a plane."
"...oh." I sigh. You'd think I'd be used to my parents pulling these sorts of last-minute disappearing acts on me. Don't even get me started on how many times I've had to stay over at Tidus' place cause of this growing up. I already have my own toothbrush at his place.
The sudden burst of rage in my stomach rushes to my brain. It takes some willpower to resist the urge to shoot the messenger. So I give myself a mental pat on the back for keeping my mouth shut.
"...so, how was practice?" Tidus asks conversationally.
"Good," I chirp, eager to take my mind off my family. "Coach pushed us a little hard cause his daughter's dating or something."
Tidus snickers. "That's funny, Coach Fair always starts going easy on us when his dating life perks up."
"Oh right, he still does that?" I laugh at the thought. "I still remember that one time he cancelled practice but then he rescheduled it cause he got in a fight with his girlfriend?"
"Oh my god, I was so pissed that day!" Tidus exclaims. "I was gonna go to the premiere for Melting Sunset but then I couldn't make it!"
"Yeah, I remember you whining to me about it for a week."
"That's cause wouldn't stop talking about how cute the main couple was."
"That's only cause Selphie kept on - !"
I can't help stumbling over my words a little. It's awkward bringing her up, but I quickly figure it's more awkward abruptly ceasing conversation because of one name.
"...cause Selphie kept going on about how their relationship didn't make sense," I finish weakly, trailing off to a mumble.
Tidus clears his throat awkwardly. "Um, oh, huh."
Awkward glances.
Fidgeting hands.
More throats being cleared - and I'm pretty sure we're both just damaging our tracheal walls at this point.
"So, uh, do you know what we're having for dinner?" I ask. I think I'm getting a little too good at subject changes.
"My mom's making pasta tonight. Speaking of which, I have to pick up some broccoli," Tidus says.
"Ooh, sounds good. Marinara or alfredo?"
"What do you think? Red sauce all the way," Tidus cheers, leading us towards his car. The promise of warm homemade food and a night of pleasant company (yes, Tidus falls under that category) distracts me from most everything else I could be thinking of.
"Thanks, Auntie Sonnen," I say graciously as she sets down my hefty serving of pasta. I don't know what to think about the fact that I got more meatballs than Tidus except that it's obvious who Auntie Sonnen loves more.
Jokes - I joke, people.
Why am I even justifying myself to...myself?
Ahem, anyways…
"Did you talk to your dad yet?" Auntie Sonnen asks as she places all the condiments in the middle of the table. "Tidus, go get your dad," she adds, to which Tidus begrudgingly stands up and walks off, all while staring at his phone.
"Not yet," I reply to Auntie Sonnen, "I think he's still on the plane. It's a 3-hour flight to Radiant Garden."
"Oh, that's right. Don't worry, honey, it's nothing urgent. They had to reschedule your Grandpa O'Hara's operation to replace his pacemaker, so your father went to accompany him."
"Oh. That sounds kinda serious. Why didn't you go too, Auntie Sonnen?"
Okay...I think my mouth's losing its touch on keeping itself shut while my brain goes crazy. It's not un-obvious that my question upsets Auntie Sonnen just a little.
She musters a grin. "Who's gonna take care of my husband and son while I'm gone?"
Well...my dad did just up and abandon me.
"So, uh, this is some good pasta!" I exclaim instead. Yes, score 1 for Kairi's brain-to-mouth filter!
"Did you try some yet?" Auntie Sonnen asks.
"Umm...no...I mean, it smells delicious! I can tell it's gonna be great!"
Thankfully, Tidus and his dad step into the room to take the attention away from us. "Smells great, honey," Uncle Sonnen says, leaning over to kiss her on the cheek. I think it's cute, but Tidus makes a face and sticks his tongue out at me. I laugh at his childish reaction.
Since Uncle Sonnen used to play soccer, the dinner conversation largely revolves around said subject. "So, Tidus, how was practice today?"
"Good," Tidus mumbles while scarfing down his meatballs. And...oh god, how much parmesan is he gonna add? It's like more than half the dish now. "Had a few assists today during scrimmage, and almost made a point."
"The striker on your team, he's in your grade, right? That guy with the light-colored hair...Riku?"
I automatically tense up at the mention of Riku's name. After staring at my meatballs for a considerable amount of time, I look up and tentatively meet Tidus' gaze.
No words are exchanged. He then shifts over to look at his dad.
"Yeah. I need to work harder, I guess."
"Of course you do. Any sport is just about a constant pursuit of self-improvement."
"Tidus, sweetheart, can you pass me the pepper?"
"Here you go, Mom."
"Salt, Tidus."
"Magic word?"
I growl under my breath. "Please?" I hiss with a saccharine smile. Tidus rolls his eyes, sliding the salt shaker across the table, at which his mom lightly scolds him and his dad laughs.
"How's cross-country, Kairi?" Tidus asks.
I sorta bask in the attention on me, cause who doesn't like to gloat about their accomplishments? "We're getting ready for our meet next week. My mile time's improved a little, and we've been cranking up the mileage since the beginning of the month."
"You're working real hard just for a sport!" Uncle Sonnen exclaims.
"Well, it's kinda a big deal for me."
"I'd bet. You spend all your free time on it?"
"I mean, we practice everyday after school. It's like any other varsity sport."
"If practice sucks up all your time, you won't have time for a boyfriend!"
I laugh nervously. Uncle Sonnen doesn't know, so I can't exactly blame him for bringing up fresh wounds. "Yeah…" is all I can say as I trail off awkwardly, turning back to my spaghetti.
"Do you want some more water, Kairi?" Auntie Sonnen chirps. I smile gratefully as I hand her my glass, and she rises to refill my cup.
"Hey, Tidus, can I borrow an extra charger?" I remember to ask. "I left mine at home."
"Yeah, no problem."
"Oh," Uncle Sonnen interrupts, "you're staying over again, Kairi?"
"Uh, yeah." I'd thought someone would've told him? "Sorry to impose again…"
"Oh no," Uncle Sonnen insists, "that's not what I mean! You're always welcome, Kairi! I was just going to ask, where's your mom?"
"She's on a business trip, and she'll be back the end of the week," I explain. "Thanks, Auntie Sonnen," I say as she returns my filled glass of water and I take a hearty gulp.
"Wow, your mom sure travels a lot," Uncle Sonnen remarks.
"It's pretty amazing," Auntie Sonnen chirps in. "She gets to visit all sorts of lovely places. She really wishes she could bring you and your father along, Kairi."
I smile fondly at Auntie Sonnen's words. "We went to Traverse Town for a week over summer. It was pretty cool."
"Isn't it hard for her to be away from family all the time?" Uncle Sonnen asks. "I mean, honey, I know you can barely leave me and Tidus alone during our father-son bonding time!"
Tidus rolls his eyes. "That's cause Mom's worried we'll starve. A legit concern, in my opinion."
"You just gotta tough it out like a real man!" Uncle Sonnen remarks heartily, patting Tidus on the back.
The rest of the dinner conversation proceeds with Tidus questioning Uncle Sonnen what being 'a real man' entails. I help Auntie Sonnen clean the table, but when I offer to wash the dishes, she immediately ushers me off.
"I'm sure you have homework to do," she says. "Go study! Or if you don't, take the chance to relax. You deserve it. And I'm sorry about how everything turned out."
"Oh, don't apologize, Auntie Sonnen! It's not like it's your fault. I mean, if anything, thanks for always taking me in. I'm sure my dad owns you like a hundred meals or something by this point."
Auntie Sonnen chuckles. "Your dad does have the tendency to forget favors, if you know what I mean."
"Oh, believe me, I know what you're talking about." I grin widely. "Thanks again, Auntie Sonnen."
"Let me know if you need anything, Kairi!"
I scamper out of the kitchen, passing by Tidus and his dad, now arguing about who was the best soccer player in the history of the official Destiny Islands team. I'd join in, but Uncle Sonnen can get pretty worked up about pro sports so I decide to leave them be. Auntie Sonnen has the guest room set up for me, so I head in and turn on my laptop. I realize I don't have any homework to do tonight, so that means binge-watching to catch up with Poker Face!
Just as I've loaded the episode I'm on, my phone rings.
"Finally," I complain to the other end.
I'm greeted with my dad's chuckle. "I'm sorry I couldn't make the plane fly any faster - I tried, Kairi."
I snort at my dad's lame joke. "Sure. What happened? Auntie Sonnen said Grandpa's having surgery? Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine. It's a scheduled operation to replace his pacemaker, but his usual surgeon is gonna be out of town next month so they moved up the date to this weekend. You know your grandpa doesn't like going under the anesthesia by himself. So, to fulfill filial duty and all, I'm here to accompany him."
"Sure, but you also ditched me. Am I not part of this filial duty thing?"
"Ah, yes Kairi, you have filial duty towards me! Should we start this weekend after I get back? Maybe with massages every other day…"
"Eww, no, never mind." My dad laughs, cause he thinks he's a comedian or something.
"Haha. Anyways, I'm sorry, Kairi, for just leaving you like that. I just told your mom about the situation today, and she should call you tonight if she isn't too busy. She might have to call tomorrow, cause she's preparing for a presentation tonight..."
"Yeah, okay. No big deal. S'not like this is the first time."
Do I sound bitter? Okay, maybe I am. Just a little though. I mean, who likes to be left behind? By your parents, no less?
Am I being dramatic? Perhaps. I'm in drama club now though, so justified.
Again, why do I keep justifying things to myself? Seriously…
"...I'm really sorry Kairi."
What are you supposed to do when your parents say stuff like that?
"...it's okay, Dad. I gotta go, do homework."
"Okay, okay. Study hard! Don't slack off just cause we're gone!"
"Hey, I always work hard!"
"Of course. As always, don't study too hard. Do you want me to bring back anything from Radiant Garden?"
"Nothing in particular. I'll let you know if I think of anything."
"Sure, that sounds good. Okay, can you pass the phone to Amanda?"
"Sureeeee. Auntie Sonnen!" I holler, skipping out of the room. She's still in the kitchen dicing up fruit, predictably for us. "My dad wants to talk to you."
"Oh! Give me one minute," she says, rinsing her hands and drying them quickly. "Okay! Hello, Gabe?"
I'm not interested in what my dad and aunt have to say to each other, so I turn around to head back towards my room. Tidus and his dad are now watching television together. Surprisingly, it's not a sports channel but a featured film. Action, by the looks of it.
Tidus notices me dallying in the room. "Wanna watch?" he asks.
I pause for a moment, considering my options. "What's it about?"
"So far, the scientists have predicted that aliens are set to invade Earth in about a year, so humanity's prepping an army."
"The actor's pretty popular now, right? He looks kinda familiar," Uncle Sonnen says, pointing at the screen.
"Ohmigawd, is that Edward von Muir?" I exclaim, jumping into the seat next to Tidus. "He looks so young!"
"This came out ten years ago," Tidus says.
"I'm so in," I say.
"You like sci-fi films, Kairi?" Uncle Sonnen asks.
"Usually no, but anything for Edward von Muir. Oh, please tell me he gets to sing."
"What the - this is a sci-fi action film, Kairi," Tidus remarks. "When's he gonna get the chance to sing? At the pep rally before they fight the aliens?"
"C'mon, have you heard his voice before? It's melting."
"Kairi...what does that even mean?"
A/N: I like subplots a bit too much for my own good.
There's some background stuff and groundwork laying in this chapter, all to prep us for conflicts and angst down the road! Cause yeah, guys, I'm in for the long haul.
Reviewers are always too kind! Please leave your thoughts and let me know what you think. Is the pacing too slow? Do we want more/less minor characters? Does Sora need more appearances?
Whoops, I just checked and realized Sora hasn't actually appeared for two chapters. Will fix that ASAP - so stay tuned for the next installment!