Chapter 3: Party at Reno's

Cloud's P.O.V.

It's been one week since the fight and the break up with Tifa and I have been feeling better about being single now. Throughout this week I kept visiting Taylor to see how she was doing and help take care of her with Aerith and Selina knowing that Taylor hasn't been in school for the whole week. Today she finally comes back to school and we hope that she'll make it through the day. "Hey look who's back!" said Zack happily as he saw me and Taylor sit down in our class. "Hey guys man it feels good to be back!" said Taylor. "You have no idea how much we missed you being here." said Zack. "How much did you guys miss me?" Taylor asked. Reno, Selina, Aerith, Zack, and I got up from our seats and gave Taylor a group hug to show her how much we missed her. "I missed you guys too." said Taylor happily. "Ok students please take your seats." said Mr. Carter.

We sat back down in our seats quietly. Mr. Carter walked up to us and saw Taylor back in class. "Taylor! How are you feeling?" he asked her. "Pretty good just hate being on pain medication." said Taylor. "Do you find that this was worse than tearing your ACL six years ago in the big competition?" said Mr. Carter. "Actually I think that tearing my ACL was worse than the pain I'm in right now." she said. Zack and I looked at each other surprised. "She tore her ACL? How did she do that?" Zack asked me. "It was six years ago, she was in a big dance competition and during her team's performance she collapsed and found out she tore her ACL in her left leg. It was not a pretty sight." I said. "You were there?" said Zack. I nodded my head yes to his question. "Damn dude." said Zack. "Yeah it was rough and scary to see her fall like that but she came back and grew stronger ever since." I said. We looked and saw Taylor pick up her crutches and walk up to the teacher's desk and sit in his seat.

As we were given a study sheet on the periodic table for a quiz tomorrow, Reno poked me and Zack's shoulders to get our attention and we looked at him. "What's up?" said Zack. "You guys wanna hang out at my house after school?" Reno asked us. "Sure." I said. "Think we should bring the girls too?" said Reno. "Depends on who." said Zack. "We could bring over Selina, Aerith, Cissnei, and Taylor." said Reno. The three of us looked at the three girls seeing them talking to each other smiling and laughing. "Fine with me. How about you Cloud?" Zack asked me. "As long as I can get Taylor home on time, yeah its fine by me." I said. "Sweet! This party is gonna be good!" said Reno. "Party?" we asked him at the same time. "Well not technically a party, but the four of us with the four girls hanging out playing some good music and playing a little game with them." said Reno. "What game?" I asked him. "I'll tell you at the"party" ok?" said Reno. We turned around seeing Aerith and Selina taking Taylor to her next class. The bell rang and I walked to my math class and I saw my cousin Callie walk by. We waved at each other as she walked to her english class.

I sat down at my seat and texted Taylor asking her to come hang out with me Reno's house and she texted back yes to hang out with me. When she texted me back I felt butterflies in my stomach and I smiled happily just to see her texting me again. I looked around the room seeing a few girls staring at me but I just looked away from them. Once the school heard I broke up with Tifa last week alot of girls kept looking at me and I heard them talk rumors of the break up which weren't true at all. After an hour had passed I walked out to the cafeteria seeing Callie and Taylor there talking to each other. I walked up to them and saw that Taylor was tired. "Hey sleepyhead you ok?" I asked her. "Yeah I'm ok just a little sleepy." said Taylor. "I asked her if she wanted to go to the nurse's office to take a nap but she kept refusing." said Callie as she patted Taylor's back. "Your medicine's making you sleepy isn't it?" I asked. Taylor nodded her head yes. "Alright let's get you to the nurse's office." I said. The three of us walked into the nurse's office, told them what was going on, and found a spot for Taylor to take a little nap.

"I'll just send an e-mail to your teachers to let them know where you are and let them know what's going on ok?" said a nurse. "Ok thank you." said Callie. "You're welcome." said the head nurse. After hearing them leave the room, Callie looked at me concerned. "Hey Cloud?" she asked me. "Yeah?" I said. "How did you and Tifa really break up?" Callie asked me. "When I saw a video of her nearly killing Taylor, I was mad and upset knowing that she hurt my best friend and I broke up with her." I said. We looked at Taylor seeing her sound asleep. "I never trusted Tifa with you from the very beginning." said Callie. "How come?" I asked. "She was just nothing but trouble. She nearly destroyed your friendships with your group, especially with her." said Callie as she looked at Taylor. "I still can't believe that this happened to her. She is one of the nicest girls I've ever met and a bad thing like this happens to her even though she did nothing wrong at all. Poor Taylor why do you keep fighting this?" said Callie. I looked at her and saw tears in her eyes and I gave her a hug. "I know how you feel. Taylor's one of the bravest girls that I've ever met. I still get amazed everytime she stands back up and moves on from what beats her down. She just doesn't quit, she's a fighter." I said.

After what I said to Callie, we saw Taylor wake up after an hour and a half nap. "Hey sunshine." said Callie. "Hey." said Taylor. "Feeling a little better?" I asked her. "Yeah a little better." she said. "Come on it's almost lunchtime, hopefully you'll have something to eat." said Callie. "Hopefully." said Taylor. Callie left the room and it was just me and Taylor alone. "Tay?" I said. "Hm?" she said. "You know you're my best friend right?" I asked her. "And you're my best friend too." she said. "And you know that nothing will break it apart." I said. "Uh huh." said Taylor. I took her right hand and held it tight and looked at her seeing her eyes locked onto mine. "Taylor, I-" I said. "Hey guys!" said a voice. We both jumped in shock and saw Selina at the door. "Come on let's go!" she said. We looked at each other as we blushed shyly and we left for lunch.

Taylor's P.O.V.

As I sat down at our table in the cafeteria, I kept wondering what Cloud was trying to say to me back at the nurse's office. "Taylor, I- what? What was it you wanted to tell me?" I said in my thoughts. "Something bugging you Tay?" said Selina. "No nothing's bugging me." I said. "Are you sure?" said Selina. "I'm sure." I said. As we were waiting for the guys we heard Aerith laugh a little while she was texting someone. "Who are texting?" Selina asked her. Aerith looked up and saw us with confused looks on our faces. "It's Zack. Why do you want to know that?" said Aerith. "Do you like him?" said Selina with a smirk on her face. Aerith blushed in shock. "You do like him! This is so cute! Wait 'til I tell the others about this!" said Selina. The guys walked in hearing her squeal with joy. I looked into her bag seeing a BLT sandwich, took it out from the plastic bag, and put it in Selina's mouth as she opened it to keep her quiet. The whole group looked at me wondering what just happened. "You're welcome." I said to Aerith. "Thanks Taylor." said Aerith happily.

Three hours had passed and school was done for the day. Cissnei, Selina, Aerith, and I walked out together and we saw Cid, Reno, Zack, and Cloud waiting for us in the parking lot. "Come on ladies hurry up!" Reno yelled. "Oh calm your tits Reno!" said Selina as we walked up to them. "Dammit Selina I was going to say that." I said. "Great minds think alike." said Selina. "Oh dear God if that ever happened all hell will break loose." I said. After the little chat, we all made it to Reno's house and walked down to his basement. "So anybody want anything to drink?" Reno asked us. "I'll have some water." I said. "I'll take some ginger ale." said Aerith. "Cherry soda please." said Selina. "Water please." said Cissnei. "Red Bull." said Zack. "I'll have what Zack's having." said Cid. "PowerAde." said Cloud. Reno gave us our drinks and we talked about how our days went for about two hours. I looked at Reno and saw him wink at the guys and I wanted to know what was going on. "Alright everybody sit down on the floor in a circle." said Reno. "Ok?" I said in a confused tone. We all sat in a circle on the floor. "Uh Reno why are we doing this?" Selina asked him. "I want to play a little game with you guys." said Reno. "And that game would be?" I asked. "Truth or Dare." said Reno.

My face went bright red, same with Selina, Aerith, and Cissnei and we put our heads low shyly. "Somebody hit me with a brick." said Selina quietly. "Same here." I said to her quietly. "Don't worry girls we're not going to make you crazy dares I promise you." said Reno. "You promise?" said Selina. "Promise." said Reno. Aerith, Cissnei, and I looked at Selina seeing her make a dirty smirk on her face and we got scared knowing of what she might do. "Alright let's play!" said Selina happily. "Ok then Selina why don't you start?" said Reno. Aerith and I crossed our fingers hoping she didn't pick us first. "Oh Taylor?" said Selina. "God dammit why me?!" I said in my thoughts. "What?" I said. "Truth or Dare?" Selina asked me. "Truth." I said. "Is there something you're hiding from us?" she asked me.

"No." I said. "Ok just making sure." said Selina. "Alright Taylor your turn." said Cid. I looked at Selina with a dirty smirk on my face and I saw Cissnei and Aerith laughing. "Selina, Truth or Dare?" I said. "Dare." she said nervously. "I dare you to tell us about you being the one who thought that Zack and Cloud were dating." I said. "That was you?!" said Zack and Cloud surprised. "Yeah it was me. Remember that day last year when you two were holding hands walking to your gym class?" said Selina. Cloud and Zack blushed heavily all embarrassed. "So I was the one who started that rumor last year and really thought that you two were actually together." said Selina. I looked and saw Reno and Cid laughing their heads off. "To be honest you two would look really cute together." said Aerith. Cloud and Zack put their heads low hiding their faces blushing. "I pick who's next right?" I asked. "Yep." said Selina. "Yo Reno!" I said.

"Yo!" said Reno. "Your turn." I said. "Ok let's see here, Cissnei Truth or Dare?" said Reno. "I'll go with Truth." said Cissnei. "Who's your favorite person in this room?" said Reno. "It would have to be Cid." said Cissnei. "Alright!" said Cid happily. "Ok Aerith Truth or Dare?" said Cissnei. "Truth." said Aerith. "Who taught your two parrots to curse?" said Cissnei. Aerith pointed at me instantly. "Don't shoot the messenger." I said. "Well it was your fault since they only listen to you." said Aerith. "Sorry." I said. Aerith looked at Zack as he and Cloud put their heads back up.

Zack's P.O.V.

"Hey Zack, Truth or Dare?" said Aerith. "Uh… Truth?" I said nervously. "Did you used to have a crush on Taylor?" said Aerith. "You what?!" said Cloud. "Yeah I used to about three years ago but now my eyes are set on someone else." I said. "What did you like about her?" said Cid. "Her eyes, her smile, and I thought she was cute." I said. "You really thought I was cute?" Taylor asked me. I nodded my head yes. "Aww that's sweet." said Taylor happily. "You know I love you in a sibling way." I said. "I know." said Taylor. We smiled at each other happily. Cloud gave out a little growl and I looked at him concerned. "Cloud it was three years ago. I care about Taylor like a sister. You know that I like someone else." I said as I put my hand on his shoulder. He looked up at me and finally smiled. "Ok I believe you." said Cloud. "We're cool now?" I asked him. "Yeah we're cool." said Cloud. I put him in a headlock and gave him a little nuggie.

"Zack your turn to pick." said Reno. "Hey Cloud, Truth or Dare?" I asked him. "Truth." said Cloud. "Are you in love with someone right now?" I asked him. His face turned pink from my question. "Cloud?" said Selina. Aerith and I looked at Taylor seeing her on her phone texting and we looked back at Cloud. "Who do really like dude?" I asked him. He turned to Taylor and pointed at her. "You serious?" I said. Cloud nodded his head yes. "Aww Chocobo-head!" I said. "Shut up man!" he said nervously. "Your turn." I said to him. "Cid, Truth or Dare?" said Cloud. "Dare." said Cid. "I dare you to tell us who you have a crush on." said Cloud. "It's Cissnei." said Cid. We all looked at Cissnei seeing her surprised after what Cid just said. "Are you serious?" said Cissnei. "Yes I am. I've had a crush on you for the past year." said Cid. They both blushed at each other and smiled happily. "Cid your turn to pick." said Selina. "Hey Lazarus!" said Cid.

Taylor looked at Cid and we all saw her shift a little in pain. "You ok buddy?" Reno asked in concern. She shook her head no. "Do you want to lay down for a bit?" said Cid. "No it's ok." she said. "When's the last time you took your medicine?" said Selina. "Before I went to bed last night. I only took a couple Tylenol this morning." said Taylor. "I have a couple more of that if you need it." said Selina. "That would be great." said Taylor. "Here you go." she said. "Thanks girl." said Taylor. "You're welcome." said Selina.

Taylor took the Tylenol and stayed by me and Cloud. "Hey Selina?" said Taylor. "Yeah?" said Selina. "Remember when you asked me if I was hiding something from you guys?" she said. "Yeah why?" Selina asked Taylor. "Well, the truth is I've been refusing to take my medication." said Taylor. "Tay! Why?" said Selina. "It's the exact same medication that my cousin Adam overdosed on and he died from it." said Taylor. We all looked at her shocked and surprised. "Are you actually serious?" I asked her. Taylor nodded her head yes. Her cousin Adam was one of the most popular people in Nibelheim because of his charm and a Midgar University football player back when we were 10 years old. Taylor looked up to him as an older brother as he was always there for her and he was her role model when he was alive. He died from an overdose last year and it left her and her family devastated. We remember going to the funeral and saw her all upset. He was one of the nicest guys in Nibelheim you would ever meet.

Cloud's P.O.V.

I looked at Taylor and saw tears form in her eyes. "Come here bud." I said. I held her in my arms as she cried on my shoulder. "I miss him so much." she said. "I miss him too." I said. "Hey Cloud, do you want to take her home now?" Reno asked me. I looked down at Taylor as she looked up at me and our eyes met again. "Do you want me to take you home?" I asked her. She wiped off her tears and calmed down. "Yeah." said Taylor. "Ok let's get our stuff and go." I said. We got our bags, said bye to the group, got on my bike, and rode off to Taylor's house. Once we walked inside we saw both our parents looking at us. "Everything ok you two?" my Dad asked us. "Yes everything's ok." I said. Taylor's parents walked up to her seeing that she was a little upset. "What's the matter Taylor?" her mother asked. We told them about Adam and they understood. "We miss him too sweetie, we miss him too." said Taylor's Mom.

I still remember seeing him the day before he died. He was visiting Taylor and her parents as he was heading home from work at the construction building. My Dad and I visited them seeing Adam all happy to get out of work for the day. His green eyes lit up when he saw me and Taylor together hanging out in her backyard. We saw him walk up to us with a smile on his face. To him I was the only guy he trusted to be with Taylor knowing how protective Adam was of her. "Hey Cloud can I talk to you for a few minutes?" he said. "Sure what's up?" I asked him. "How've you been man? Doing well in school?" said Adam. "Yeah I've been good. School's going well too." I said. "Got a girlfriend?" he said. "Yeah I got a girlfriend, this is her." I said. He really didn't approve of Tifa (and I don't blame him). We looked up and saw Taylor wearing his high school varsity jacket, his signature green bandana, and his high school snapback hat talking with my Dad and her parents as her father was cooking outside. He looked at me seeing me smile at Taylor. "You really like her don't you Spike?" said Adam. I looked up at him and he saw my face turn red.

I nodded my head yes to his question. He smiled happily to my answer. "Don't worry man, you have my approval of dating my cousin when that happens one day." said Adam. "Th-thanks Adam." I said shyly. "You're the only friend of hers that makes her truly happy. Everytime I see you with her, she's always smiling like she is now. I've never seen her this happy around my family, but with you she's smiling and laughing all day long you know." said Adam. "Yeah I get what you're saying. She makes me really happy too. Everytime I see Taylor smile I feel happier than I ever would." I said. "Do you love her?" Adam asked me. "I love Taylor with all my heart. She means everything to me, but I don't know how to say that to her." I said. "Well let your feelings for her grow a little bit more and one day you can finally tell her how you feel. I'm pretty sure she might do the same for you." said Adam. "Y-you really think so?" I asked him shyly. He nodded his head yes.

"Come on boys, time to eat!" my Dad said happily. We walked inside and ate dinner for an hour. After that my Dad and I went home and Adam left to go back home as well. The next day I woke up, walked to my kitchen and saw my Dad all shocked and upset. "Dad! Are you alright?" I asked him. "I can't believe it." he said. "Can't believe what Dad? What happened?" I asked. "Taylor's father just called me and he told me that Adam just passed away." said my Dad. My eyes widened in shock. "How did this happen?! He was just fine yesterday, what happened to him?" I said. "It was a drug overdose." he said. I looked out the window and saw Taylor and her parents outside all devastated. We walked outside and stayed with them for the day. It was one of the saddest days of our lives.

After our parents talked with us, I walked home with my parents after saying goodnight to Taylor and her parents, walked up to my room, finished my homework, and finally fell asleep for the night. During the middle of the night, I woke up to my parents arguing with each other about something and their fighting woke up my Dad's parent's and the argument probably lasted for about an hour. After it ended I went back to sleep still curious about the fight downstairs but I'll ask them another time.

Thank you for reading Chapter 3 of the series! So ever since that fight Taylor went through, the whole group has pretty much moved on from it and trying to get back to their normal lives, especially Taylor and Cloud. Seeing now that he is single, he's been noticing alot of girls trying to ask him out but he just ignores it.

The "party" at Reno's was ok but I think it could've gotten better, but maybe next time it will be better. A new character has appeared! Taylor's cousin Adam! Adam is from her father's side of her family and he was one of the popular people in Nibelheim. Adam was the eldest child of Zeus' brother Marx and was a huge role model to Taylor. He was 12 years older than her. He died on October 10th from his drug overdose and it left her and her family devastated for a few months. Adam was the first one to know of Cloud's crush on Taylor.

Next time, Chapter 4: Confession. It's Halloween at NHS and it will be the night that the group will never forget!