Sorry I haven't updated sooner! I've been taking part in four different competitions for YFC (Young Farmer's Club - strange, there is no farm near us...) so I've been up to my neck in cow shit cleaning udder wash containers and smelly welly boots! Plus my general laziness...
Anyways, thanks to I-love-my-dog-96 for my first EVER review!!! I was leaping around the room when I saw it! Cheers! That goes the same to Vent Silencioux who gave me my second room - I was just as jumpy when I saw that one too!
Lastly, Thankyou to RyanKathrynCelia - my best bud ever! Without you this chapter would never have gotten done and I would still have writer's block! You're my inspiration and my muse! Plus, smiley wars are just no fun without you! Thanks.
Hopefully this chapter won't suck too much.... Here you go!
Chapter 7
'Yunie. Yunie...wake up'.
'Huh...?'
'It's almost 11 o'clock already! Are you planning on sleeping all day?'
Rikku.
'No wonder you were always late to school - you sleep like a log!'
Pulling herself into a sitting position, Yuna scratched her head, ignoring her knotted and tousled hair. Blearily she wiped sleep from her eyes and groaned at her cousin.
'Hurry up and get ready! We'll be waiting,' Rikku said teasingly before gliding out of the room, leaving Yuna to reluctantly leave her comfy bed and stumbling over to the polished wardrobe. She pulled out a pair of dark blue cut - offs and a wine red shirt. Pulling them on haphazardly Yuna hopped over to the sink. Splashing water on her face and pulling her fingers through her hair, she made her way into the kitchen.
'Morning', she muttered sleepily meeting the gazes of her roommates who all looked eager to leave,' sorry for keeping you waiting', she apologised. Gulping down a glass of juice, Yuna spotted her trainers in the corner near the door. She slipped them on and then pulled on her jacket.
'Ready?' Shuyin joked.
Nodding, Yuna apologised once again,' I'm really sorry! It's such a bad habit of mine...'
'No worries! You and Tidus have something in common then. In fact I think this is him now!' Shuyin replied. A door burst open, causing the whole group to look in surprise as Tidus jumped out of his room, still buttoning up his dark shirt. Feeling everyone's gaze beating down on him, he looked up, obviously just as rushed as Yuna and asked self - consciously, 'what?'
Yuna, Rikku and Lenne all giggled, making Tidus look down at his shoes in humiliation.
''Kay, let's go,' Shuyin called, a slight grin on his face.
After everyone sidled out of the apartment the group continued to walk down the hall to the elevators. Minutes later they were all outside looking around at all the busy people walking past, going about their daily journeys. Then it occurred to Yuna, she had no idea where they were going. So walking over to Lenne she asked.
'Shopping and a tour! It was Tidus' idea. He said you were scared about getting lost...plus, we heard you needed an alarm, sleepyhead!' Lenne chuckled, enjoying Yuna squirm.
A cool wind swept over the group. Although it was early in the year, the temperature was still quite low. Lenne and Shuyin walked hand in hand guiding the group through the maze like route they were taking. Upon reaching a particular street somewhere near the apartment still, the group divided into three; Paine and Lulu in one - obviously they preferred shopping by themselves, the boys in one and Lenne, Rikku and Yuna in the last. Agreeing to meet at the park down the street the groups went their separate ways.
***
'So, what do you think of Yuna and Rikku', a dark voice spoke evenly.
'Haven't got to know them much, but they seem ok,' Paine's husky voice replied as she continued to stare into the window of a shop selling a pair of black boots, coming up to just below the knee with extra folds of the material split to the front and back.
'Rikku seems a bit loud, but Yuna is the complete opposite,' Lulu pondered, fiddling with one of her long braids that trailed down her back.
'We'll soon find out, wont we?' Paine agreed mysteriously before entering the small shop.
***
'So, uh... the new girls seem nice, ya?' Wakka stated trying to create some conversation between the two silent brothers.
'Yeah. They're cool,' Shuyin said, brushing a loose strand of long blonde hair from his eyes. 'What do you think Tidus? You've been really quiet lately...ever since we got back from the sphere pool yesterday. What's up?'
'Sorry man, I'm just kinda nervous bout Uni,' Tidus apologised.
'Hey its ok,' Wakka began,' so, Yuna. You like her?' he pried, elbowing Tidus in the arm, hoping to gain an answer.
'Yeah I like her. But not in that way - we only met yesterday!' the blonde protested.
'Whoa! Sorry for asking brudda!' Wakka held up his hands in surrender but began smiling broadly. 'Didn't you ever hear of the phrase ' love at first sight'?'
'Did you ever hear of the phrase ' carry on like this and I'll tell Lulu you like her!' Tidus replied smugly.
'Hey, no need to go and do that! Heh heh, I'll stop!'
Suddenly, Wakka looked around nervously, hoping no - one overheard Tidus in his moment of spite. The brothers only laughed as they carried on walking down the street.
***
'Hey, can we go in here?' Yuna called to Lenne and Rikku, pointing to a small stationary shop to her side. The two girls who were further away turned back to their friend and both nodded in approval.
Yuna pushed the steel door open and the familiar smell of paper and dust hit her senses. This was her favourite type of shop - one full of books. Yuna loved to read and write, it was one of the only things she took pleasure in when she wasn't bogged down in schoolwork or out with Rikku, Lenne and Shuyin. Now her days would be even busier that she was at Uni. Plus she had more friends to make while she was here, so why not make the most of it?
Making her way around the musty, old shop, Yuna eventually found herself by the writing pad section. One particular thing stood out amongst the other diaries and note pads - a simple blue diary with a recognisable symbol printed on the front. It looked similar to a 'J' or maybe a 'Z' written in a bold black line. Remembering that she had left her old diary in Besaid, Yuna decided to purchase this one. Maybe someone could help her recognise the symbol on the front.
After giving the cash to the Hypellan shopkeeper, she informed Rikku and Lenne that they could leave.
Sometime later the three girls found their way to the park and were now sitting themselves in the midday sun. To the left of where they sat, there was a large grey building full of people getting their hair cut, while to the right was a small café‚ with many people hiding inside and sipping from warm drinks.
After a few minutes Paine and Lulu made their way over to the girls, closely followed by the guys, Wakka and Shuyin slightly ahead of Tidus who seemed lost in his own world. Once everyone had arrived, the entire group left the park and began heading back to the apartment. Rikku and Lenne ran ahead, leaving Yuna to walk by herself, still wracking her brains to remember the symbol from her new diary.
'Hey, what do you think of Zanarkand now?' a friendly voice asked.
Looking behind her, Yuna saw a flash of blonde and met Tidus' soft eyes.
'Hi! It's great, really. It's so big I almost got lost in a bookshop - and that was only a small part of the city!' joked Yuna.
He laughed, 'it happens quite a lot here. I wouldn't worry about it, you'll find your way.'
'Thanks', Yuna said looking down to the ground. Noticing the bag she carried, she jumped.
'Oh, Tidus!'
'Yeah?' he looked to her confusedly.
Pulling her diary out of her bag, she placed it in his hands for him to see the design clearly. Maybe he would know.
'Do you know what this symbol is?'
'It's the Zanarkand Abes' sign. Why?'
'That's what it was! I knew what it was but I completely forgot where I had seen it', Yuna confessed.
'Cool', he answered.
An awkward silence fell upon the couple.
Finding the courage to break it, Tidus stopped and reached into his jacket pocket.
'By the way... I got you something,' he said pulling out a small parcel and holding it out to Yuna.
Also stopping, Yuna looked to Tidus' happy face. He seemed really excited about this.
'I wonder why?' Yuna thought.
Taking the parcel from his outstretched hand. She opened it to see that inside lay a thin silver watch, the tiny hands ticking the time away. Yuna looked amazed. No - one would ever think of doing this for her - not even her parents.
'It's beautiful. But you didn't have to do this. I mean, thankyou, but, I, uh -'.
'It's ok, I get what you mean, besides I, er, heard you needed an alarm, so...' he smiled embarrassedly.
She looked deeply into his eyes,' thankyou'.
'Your welcome, Yuna'.
That was the first time he had said her name, and it surprised her for some reason. It seemed to sound as if he really cared for her, the way you say it only when you are truly and madly in love. It had that kind of dreamy tone to it... but he couldn't - she had only met him yesterday.
Noting her surprise, he looked down to the parcel,' can I help?'
Following his eyes down, Yuna realised he wanted to help her with the watch. Nodding, she allowed him to move closer to her and begin to slip the watch around her wrist, attempting to clip it in place.
His gentle fingers brushed against her skin, making Yuna shiver inwardly. He seemed to tremble as he completed the daunting task. Her eyes took in the subtle details of his features - the way his eyes sparkled as he concentrated on her hand, the few freckles beginning to cumulate along the bridge of his nose, the way his mouth was slightly open...
Tidus looked up at her and couldn't help but smile as his gaze caught hers. He really was handsome the way his centre parting splayed blonde spikes everywhere, the way his eyes seemed focused only on her, the way his hand still lingered on her wrist, making butterflies whiz round her stomach.
'Uh oh', Yuna thought.
***
Her wrist was smooth and silky under his fingers as he struggled to get the clasp done up. He could feel himself trembling, or maybe she was? He couldn't tell and he didn't seem to care. Tidus felt Yuna's eyes scanning him, and when he looked up all he could do was smile awkwardly. But before he could look away he got caught in the depths of her enchantingly strange eyes. Feeling his stomach sink to his feet and his mouth go dry he began to look at Yuna more deeply, noticing how her shoulder length hair shook teasingly at him in a gentle wind.
He realised his hand was still holding her arm, but he could do nothing to make it move. He was trapped and there was nothing he could do to stop what he was feeling for his new friend.
***
So, how was it and was it long enough for you V.S? Reviews are deeply appreciated! Thanks!
Anyways, thanks to I-love-my-dog-96 for my first EVER review!!! I was leaping around the room when I saw it! Cheers! That goes the same to Vent Silencioux who gave me my second room - I was just as jumpy when I saw that one too!
Lastly, Thankyou to RyanKathrynCelia - my best bud ever! Without you this chapter would never have gotten done and I would still have writer's block! You're my inspiration and my muse! Plus, smiley wars are just no fun without you! Thanks.
Hopefully this chapter won't suck too much.... Here you go!
Chapter 7
'Yunie. Yunie...wake up'.
'Huh...?'
'It's almost 11 o'clock already! Are you planning on sleeping all day?'
Rikku.
'No wonder you were always late to school - you sleep like a log!'
Pulling herself into a sitting position, Yuna scratched her head, ignoring her knotted and tousled hair. Blearily she wiped sleep from her eyes and groaned at her cousin.
'Hurry up and get ready! We'll be waiting,' Rikku said teasingly before gliding out of the room, leaving Yuna to reluctantly leave her comfy bed and stumbling over to the polished wardrobe. She pulled out a pair of dark blue cut - offs and a wine red shirt. Pulling them on haphazardly Yuna hopped over to the sink. Splashing water on her face and pulling her fingers through her hair, she made her way into the kitchen.
'Morning', she muttered sleepily meeting the gazes of her roommates who all looked eager to leave,' sorry for keeping you waiting', she apologised. Gulping down a glass of juice, Yuna spotted her trainers in the corner near the door. She slipped them on and then pulled on her jacket.
'Ready?' Shuyin joked.
Nodding, Yuna apologised once again,' I'm really sorry! It's such a bad habit of mine...'
'No worries! You and Tidus have something in common then. In fact I think this is him now!' Shuyin replied. A door burst open, causing the whole group to look in surprise as Tidus jumped out of his room, still buttoning up his dark shirt. Feeling everyone's gaze beating down on him, he looked up, obviously just as rushed as Yuna and asked self - consciously, 'what?'
Yuna, Rikku and Lenne all giggled, making Tidus look down at his shoes in humiliation.
''Kay, let's go,' Shuyin called, a slight grin on his face.
After everyone sidled out of the apartment the group continued to walk down the hall to the elevators. Minutes later they were all outside looking around at all the busy people walking past, going about their daily journeys. Then it occurred to Yuna, she had no idea where they were going. So walking over to Lenne she asked.
'Shopping and a tour! It was Tidus' idea. He said you were scared about getting lost...plus, we heard you needed an alarm, sleepyhead!' Lenne chuckled, enjoying Yuna squirm.
A cool wind swept over the group. Although it was early in the year, the temperature was still quite low. Lenne and Shuyin walked hand in hand guiding the group through the maze like route they were taking. Upon reaching a particular street somewhere near the apartment still, the group divided into three; Paine and Lulu in one - obviously they preferred shopping by themselves, the boys in one and Lenne, Rikku and Yuna in the last. Agreeing to meet at the park down the street the groups went their separate ways.
***
'So, what do you think of Yuna and Rikku', a dark voice spoke evenly.
'Haven't got to know them much, but they seem ok,' Paine's husky voice replied as she continued to stare into the window of a shop selling a pair of black boots, coming up to just below the knee with extra folds of the material split to the front and back.
'Rikku seems a bit loud, but Yuna is the complete opposite,' Lulu pondered, fiddling with one of her long braids that trailed down her back.
'We'll soon find out, wont we?' Paine agreed mysteriously before entering the small shop.
***
'So, uh... the new girls seem nice, ya?' Wakka stated trying to create some conversation between the two silent brothers.
'Yeah. They're cool,' Shuyin said, brushing a loose strand of long blonde hair from his eyes. 'What do you think Tidus? You've been really quiet lately...ever since we got back from the sphere pool yesterday. What's up?'
'Sorry man, I'm just kinda nervous bout Uni,' Tidus apologised.
'Hey its ok,' Wakka began,' so, Yuna. You like her?' he pried, elbowing Tidus in the arm, hoping to gain an answer.
'Yeah I like her. But not in that way - we only met yesterday!' the blonde protested.
'Whoa! Sorry for asking brudda!' Wakka held up his hands in surrender but began smiling broadly. 'Didn't you ever hear of the phrase ' love at first sight'?'
'Did you ever hear of the phrase ' carry on like this and I'll tell Lulu you like her!' Tidus replied smugly.
'Hey, no need to go and do that! Heh heh, I'll stop!'
Suddenly, Wakka looked around nervously, hoping no - one overheard Tidus in his moment of spite. The brothers only laughed as they carried on walking down the street.
***
'Hey, can we go in here?' Yuna called to Lenne and Rikku, pointing to a small stationary shop to her side. The two girls who were further away turned back to their friend and both nodded in approval.
Yuna pushed the steel door open and the familiar smell of paper and dust hit her senses. This was her favourite type of shop - one full of books. Yuna loved to read and write, it was one of the only things she took pleasure in when she wasn't bogged down in schoolwork or out with Rikku, Lenne and Shuyin. Now her days would be even busier that she was at Uni. Plus she had more friends to make while she was here, so why not make the most of it?
Making her way around the musty, old shop, Yuna eventually found herself by the writing pad section. One particular thing stood out amongst the other diaries and note pads - a simple blue diary with a recognisable symbol printed on the front. It looked similar to a 'J' or maybe a 'Z' written in a bold black line. Remembering that she had left her old diary in Besaid, Yuna decided to purchase this one. Maybe someone could help her recognise the symbol on the front.
After giving the cash to the Hypellan shopkeeper, she informed Rikku and Lenne that they could leave.
Sometime later the three girls found their way to the park and were now sitting themselves in the midday sun. To the left of where they sat, there was a large grey building full of people getting their hair cut, while to the right was a small café‚ with many people hiding inside and sipping from warm drinks.
After a few minutes Paine and Lulu made their way over to the girls, closely followed by the guys, Wakka and Shuyin slightly ahead of Tidus who seemed lost in his own world. Once everyone had arrived, the entire group left the park and began heading back to the apartment. Rikku and Lenne ran ahead, leaving Yuna to walk by herself, still wracking her brains to remember the symbol from her new diary.
'Hey, what do you think of Zanarkand now?' a friendly voice asked.
Looking behind her, Yuna saw a flash of blonde and met Tidus' soft eyes.
'Hi! It's great, really. It's so big I almost got lost in a bookshop - and that was only a small part of the city!' joked Yuna.
He laughed, 'it happens quite a lot here. I wouldn't worry about it, you'll find your way.'
'Thanks', Yuna said looking down to the ground. Noticing the bag she carried, she jumped.
'Oh, Tidus!'
'Yeah?' he looked to her confusedly.
Pulling her diary out of her bag, she placed it in his hands for him to see the design clearly. Maybe he would know.
'Do you know what this symbol is?'
'It's the Zanarkand Abes' sign. Why?'
'That's what it was! I knew what it was but I completely forgot where I had seen it', Yuna confessed.
'Cool', he answered.
An awkward silence fell upon the couple.
Finding the courage to break it, Tidus stopped and reached into his jacket pocket.
'By the way... I got you something,' he said pulling out a small parcel and holding it out to Yuna.
Also stopping, Yuna looked to Tidus' happy face. He seemed really excited about this.
'I wonder why?' Yuna thought.
Taking the parcel from his outstretched hand. She opened it to see that inside lay a thin silver watch, the tiny hands ticking the time away. Yuna looked amazed. No - one would ever think of doing this for her - not even her parents.
'It's beautiful. But you didn't have to do this. I mean, thankyou, but, I, uh -'.
'It's ok, I get what you mean, besides I, er, heard you needed an alarm, so...' he smiled embarrassedly.
She looked deeply into his eyes,' thankyou'.
'Your welcome, Yuna'.
That was the first time he had said her name, and it surprised her for some reason. It seemed to sound as if he really cared for her, the way you say it only when you are truly and madly in love. It had that kind of dreamy tone to it... but he couldn't - she had only met him yesterday.
Noting her surprise, he looked down to the parcel,' can I help?'
Following his eyes down, Yuna realised he wanted to help her with the watch. Nodding, she allowed him to move closer to her and begin to slip the watch around her wrist, attempting to clip it in place.
His gentle fingers brushed against her skin, making Yuna shiver inwardly. He seemed to tremble as he completed the daunting task. Her eyes took in the subtle details of his features - the way his eyes sparkled as he concentrated on her hand, the few freckles beginning to cumulate along the bridge of his nose, the way his mouth was slightly open...
Tidus looked up at her and couldn't help but smile as his gaze caught hers. He really was handsome the way his centre parting splayed blonde spikes everywhere, the way his eyes seemed focused only on her, the way his hand still lingered on her wrist, making butterflies whiz round her stomach.
'Uh oh', Yuna thought.
***
Her wrist was smooth and silky under his fingers as he struggled to get the clasp done up. He could feel himself trembling, or maybe she was? He couldn't tell and he didn't seem to care. Tidus felt Yuna's eyes scanning him, and when he looked up all he could do was smile awkwardly. But before he could look away he got caught in the depths of her enchantingly strange eyes. Feeling his stomach sink to his feet and his mouth go dry he began to look at Yuna more deeply, noticing how her shoulder length hair shook teasingly at him in a gentle wind.
He realised his hand was still holding her arm, but he could do nothing to make it move. He was trapped and there was nothing he could do to stop what he was feeling for his new friend.
***
So, how was it and was it long enough for you V.S? Reviews are deeply appreciated! Thanks!