Finally, chapter 14. This is by far my favorite chapter, and I hope you guys like it as much as I do too! Haha, I was going to go on about this movie I watched yesterday, but I'll just let you get to the chapter. Enjoy!

[EDIT Also, I am not very happy with It took forever to let me up this chapter, and then I finally took a glance at it, confused by some reviews, only to find that all of my last few paragraphs were ALL GROUPED together. I'm sorry about that. I swear, just wants to take my best chapter and attempt to massacre it.

Chapter 14: The Non-Existant First Kiss

"Dude, did you see that move?" Tidus cried, "Zanarkand kicks ass. Hey, you got any beer?"

Baralai gave Tidus a disgusted look, and he said, "No."

"Why not?" Tidus asked, belching as he did so.

"I don't drink," came Baralai's reply.

"Aren't you old enough?"

"I'm nineteen."

"Isn't that old enough in Besaid?"

"No."

"Oh."

Baralai looked annoyed, and he attempted to turn his attention back to the game.

"I don't understand this game," he finally said, shaking his head.

"Dude, if you don't like blitz, what the hell do you like?" Tidus asked, giving Baralai a look that was of shock.

Baralai shrugged and said, "I like to read…"

"Damn, just like Yuna," Tidus said, leaning his head against the chair.

"I play tennis and golf," Baralai continued.

Tidus made a gagging sound. "You're kidding, right? Does anybody play those sports?"

Baralai shook his head and said, "I belong to the finest country club in Luca."

"You would," Tidus rolled his eyes, "So…You have a girlfriend?"

"No," came Baralai's answer, and he gave Tidus a suspicious look, "Do you?"

"Just dumped her," Tidus said.

"Same here," Baralai said, looking at the sphere as if that was more interesting.

"So, how many times did you do it with your girlfriend?" Tidus asked, a small smile creeping on his lips. He almost wished Yuna was there to enjoy the conversation he was sharing with her childhood friend.

Baralai gave him a glare, and he said, "I don't believe that's any of your business."

"Right, sorry," Tidus said, "You seem like a tight ass…You didn't do it, did you?"

"I'm not going to answer that," Baralai said, and his glare deepened at Tidus' insult.

"Dona and I lost count," Tidus said, smiling at the thought.

The sphere suddenly flashed off.

"Hey, what gives?" Tidus cried, "Turn that back on."

Baralai shook his head, "No."

"Why not?"

"I don't get it," Baralai just said, "Did Yuna change or something? Why's she hanging out with you?"

His words seemed to hit Tidus harder than Baralai was probably expecting, for Tidus suddenly became very serious, and said a sad little, "I don't know."

Silence settled in, and, as if unsure of what else to do, Baralai turned the sphere back on. Tidus wasn't interested anymore though.

Tidus looked at the ceiling, that whole inner-conflict deal—a new concept to him!—bothering him once again.

He finally took a deep breath and said, "Look, Baralai, Yuna and I aren't even really friends. She's nothing like me. You and her would make a great couple, you know."

Baralai looked at Tidus and then to the sphere.

He swallowed and said, "I don't think Yuna's very interested in me."

Tidus almost lost it. How could he not notice?

Tidus took a deep breath and played it cool. "Why do you think that?"

"Well, she's not, is she?" Baralai asked, giving Tidus what appeared to be a disgusted look. Tidus could see through that, though.

Tidus shrugged and said, "Like I said, Yuna and I aren't really friends. So she wouldn't really tell me if she did."

Baralai shrugged and said, "I figured she had a thing for you."

"What? We just had this conversation, remember? I'm nothing like her, and she's nothing like me." Tidus eyes slowly dimmed, and he said, "To be honest…I just used her to borrow her yard for a party."

"Does she know that?" Baralai asked.

"No," Tidus said, shaking his head.

Baralai shook his head, with an amused smile plastered across his mouth. "So, why'd you come here?"

"I couldn't stand being there," Tidus said, and it was half-true, "See, Yuna's cousin and my best friend are dating, and it's pretty much the most annoying thing ever, and Yuna' so boring."

"Why did you come here then?" Baralai asked.

"I was bored," Tidus said, "But it's been boring here too."

Baralai rolled his eyes and said, "I'm going to bed."

"The game's not over!" Tidus cried.

"I don't care," Baralai just said, and he started toward his stairs in his house, which was laid out very similar to Yuna's.

"You know," Tidus said, sitting up, "I feel guilty imposing like this."

Baralai gave him a very annoyed look.

"S-So, I'm gonna go back to Yuna's. Sorry about annoying you and stuff."

Baralai just shook his head with a look of intense confusion and said, "Alright. See you around."

"Yeah, bye bud!" Tidus said, holding back a smile, for he couldn't help but notice distaste in Baralai's voice as he said that he'd see him around.

Tidus was still grinning as he made his way back to Yuna's place. He opened the door, only to feel his smile fade as he saw Rikku and Gippal, quite close, watching the blitzball game.

"Oh, hey Tidus," Gippal said, looking to see who entered, "Zanarkand's still ahead. Where were you?"

"Getting drunk with the Besaid team," Tidus lied, "Where's Yuna?"

"Asleep," Rikku said, now looking at him as well, "I suggest leaving her alone." Tidus glared at Rikku, for he noticed some pent up hostility toward him.

"Rikku," Tidus said, smiling sweetly, "I was just curious where she was."

"Whatever Tidus, come watch the game," Gippal said, turning to watch the sphere again. Rikku did the same.

"Yeah, I have to take a shit, and then I'll be right back!" Tidus ran away quickly, toward the stairs, glad the bathroom was upstairs. He also found himself happy for once that Gippal and Rikku were too interested in each other, for they didn't even think to follow.

Tidus of course went straight to Yuna's room, finding the door shut.

"Hey Yuna," he said, knocking lightly. There was no answer. Tidus frowned, feeling once more some inner-turmoil going on inside his stomach. He could even almost imagine shoulder consciences appearing on his shoulder, like he had all day. So far, he had done the right thing. He had listened to the angel. He hadn't told Baralai of Yuna's secret crush, and he hadn't told Yuna that he had used her for the party (okay, so maybe that wasn't the right thing, but for the time being, it wasn't hurting), and now he had to decide if he was going to just wait until the morning to tell Yuna his observations, or simply enter and wake her up. Choosing his choices earlier was much easier, and Tidus couldn't help but feel that he did the right thing. So, he smiled toward the devil on his shoulder and decided that for once, he was going to do what his gut told him not to do, and simply enter the room. Besides, she'd thank him in the long run.

He opened the door smoothly and walked into the dark room. "Yuna!" he whispered, but she didn't move. Tidus shut the door behind him softly and walked closer to her. Judging by her even breathing, she was fast asleep.

"Yuna, it's only nine o'clock!" Tidus said in a loud whisper, despite the fact that she probably didn't hear him. She didn't, for she didn't move.

"Yuna, what the hell is with the pink in this room?" Tidus asked then, looking at all of the pastel shades in the room, that were visible even in the dark. She still didn't move.

"Yuna!" Tidus said again, walking up to her, "Wake up! I have something really exciting to tell you!" He laughed though, surprised at how fast asleep she was. "Of course, what could be more exciting than waking up to my face?" Tidus asked, glancing at himself in Yuna's mirrored-dresser.

Finally, Tidus made an annoyed face, and he leaned close to her, only to stop.

"You smell really good, Yuna," he said, inhaling her scent, "Aw, and your hair's wet? Just get out of the shower? Now, did you get in the shower before or after Rikku and Gippal got back?" Tidus laughed. He was now attempting to carry on a conversation with a sleeping Yuna.

"Okay, get up before I really go crazy," Tidus said, "Besides, I'm fighting a strange urge to…ah, never mind. Maybe I'll just tell you in the morning."

He started toward the door then, but stopped. "But I really have something important to tell you!" he cried, running back to her side. He shoved her gently, saying, "Yuna!"

She turned away from him, mumbling something, causing him to smile. Finally, she was waking up.

Her eyes opened, but by that time, she was facing the opposite direction of Tidus.

"Yuna, over here!" he said, putting on a smile.

She sat up and stared at him, covering her mouth to conceal a scream.

"Tidus!" she cried.

"Sh! Don't let Gippal and Rikku know I'm here!" Tidus said in a loud whisper.

"What are you doing here?" Yuna said, dropping her voice only slightly.

"I wanted to tell you what Baralai said!" Tidus said, still smiling.

"Wh-What?" Yuna said, the anger quickly disappearing from her face, "What did he say?"

"He doesn't have a girlfriend!" Tidus said.

"I already knew that!" Yuna cried, her anger reappearing.

"He doesn't think you like him," Tidus said.

"Well, I would hope not," Yuna said.

"I told him you two would make a cute couple," Tidus said, his eyes dimming slightly. It was impossible to tell in the dark room, though.

"What did he say to that?" Yuna asked, her face brightening.

Tidus looked thoughtful, and said, "Uh, he said he thought you had a thing for me."

Yuna threw herself back down in the bed. "I figured he thought that."

Tidus laughed and said, "Yuna, he's an idiot!"

"What?" Yuna cried, sitting back up, "Tidus, he goes to the most prestigious college! How is he an idiot?"

Tidus swallowed and said, "Anybody can see that you don't have a thing for me."

Yuna's face slowly fell, and she looked down at her lap.

Tidus, not liking the silence, quickly began again, "I-I told him we had nothing in common. He was afraid you were like me."

"Oh?" Yuna said, although it sounded more like a gasp.

"Anyway," Tidus said, smiling a little smile, "He's pretty much perfect for you. Quiet, doesn't drink, likes to read…" Tidus swallowed, and said, "I have the perfect plan to hook you two up."

"Really?" Yuna asked.

Tidus nodded. "Yeah. I-I'll tell it to you in the morning, okay?"

"Alright," Yuna said, smiling, "Thanks, Tidus."

Tidus smiled and said, "Yeah, no problem. See you in the morning."

"Goodnight."

"Sure you don't want to share the bed with me?" Tidus asked, smiling.

"I'm positive," Yuna said, turning the opposite way, "Goodnight."

"I'll be on the couch then," Tidus said, "Goodnight."

Yuna didn't say anything, so Tidus simply slipped out, and shut the door. He looked up, smiling, only to have his smile instantly fade when he saw Rikku standing across from him, with her arms crossed across her chest.

"Hey Rik," Tidus said, walking past her.

"What were you doing in there?" Rikku asked, her voice full of suspicion.

"What do you think I was doing in there?" Tidus asked, a sly smile across his lips.

"I don't even want to know," Rikku said.

"Then why'd you ask."

"I'll ask her myself!" Rikku cried.

"Don't," Tidus said, grabbing her arm, "I was giving her love advice."

Rikku snorted. "You could at least make up a believable lie."

Tidus laughed and said, "Yeah, sorry. Goodnight Rikku! Hey, did Zanarkand win?"

"Yes," Rikku said, and then she entered Yuna's room, and shut the door hard. Tidus looked at Gippal's shut door, and decided to go downstairs before he could start questioning him.

Tidus took a deep breath, and climbed onto the couch, watching highlights of the game that he had missed. "No more missing games for you, Yuna," he said out loud, flipping the switch on the sphere to turn it off, "I'm helping you get Baralai, and then it's over." With that, he closed his eyes, and drifted off into an uneasy sleep.

-

The next morning, Yuna wouldn't leave Tidus alone.

"What's your plan?" she asked him, right away as soon as Rikku and Gippal looked at each other and not at them.

"I can't tell you right now," Tidus said, smiling at her.

"Why not?" Yuna asked.

"Because," Tidus said, "I'll tell you tonight."

"I can't wait that long!" Yuna cried, her eyes bright.

"You're going to be all over him, just like those two," Tidus said, nodding toward Gippal and Rikku who were now enjoying a romantic staring moment, so intense that they didn't even notice that Tidus and Yuna were there.

"I am not," Yuna said.

"You're the happiest you've been since I've known you," Tidus said, shaking his head.

"I'm always happy!" Yuna argued.

"Tidus, turn your speakers off!" Tidus said, making his voice high-pitched and girly.

"Well, you were being annoying!" Yuna cried, "Please tell me the plan!"

"Tonight!"

"Fine," Yuna finally said, "But when tonight?"

"When it gets dark."

"It doesn't get dark until nine!"

"Well, don't go to bed so early, and maybe I'll tell you." Tidus gave her a sweet smile and Yuna just pouted. Oh well…She'd have to wait.

-

"Okay, tell me now!" Yuna cried, running up to Tidus, "It's dark!"

"Alright, alright," Tidus said, smiling, "Come on."

"Where are we going?" Yuna asked.

"To the beach."

"Why?"

"Because Rikku and Gippal are here," Tidus whispered, as Rikku and Gippal laughed over the card game they were playing.

"Fine," Yuna said, and Tidus led her into the beautiful warm weather. The night was indeed warm, with a slight cool breeze blowing off of the ocean. The stars twinkled brightly above. The two walked slowly, unspeaking, although Yuna was about to burst with curiosity as to what Tidus was going to say. For a slight moment throughout the day, she had worried that Tidus actually didn't have anything to tell her, and that he was really just leading her on. Something told her that wasn't the case though.

"With a guy like Baralai," Tidus began, slowly, "You can't be as intimidating."

"I had no idea I was intimidating," Yuna said.

Tidus licked his lips, and pinched them together, forming a thin line between them, obviously expressing unhappiness. He looked almost hurt. "I told you at the party that I found you intimidating. And I don't lie, remember?"

"Sorry," Yuna said, "But why must I be less intimidating? I don't try to be intimidating!"

"A girl like you," Tidus said, looking at her from the corner of his eyes, "knows what she wants in a man. You are not easily led astray and you keep your standards high. Any man, especially one worthy of you, knows and understands this. That intimidates him."

Yuna blushed despite herself. "Do you mind if I ask how you know this?" she asked him.

Tidus laughed and said, "Let's just say I've been around enough girls. I understand them more than I understand Gippal, my own best friend." He chuckled, and then looked at Yuna from the corners of his eyes again. Yuna too glanced at him, but she had been glancing at him left and right.

Yuna hugged her arms and smiled, looking at the stars ahead of her. She was actually quite shocked that she was having this conversation with Tidus.

"Anyway," Tidus continued, "If you want Baralai, you have to pretend that you don't have standards, even if he meets them." Tidus swallowed, and continued. "You have to let loose and flirt a little; be straightforward."

Yuna laughed and said, "I can't believe you're giving me tips!"

"You need them," Tidus said, "And I'm your friend."

Yuna shook her head and said, "I don't know how to be straightforward with a guy."

"Trust me, it's way easier than your whole hard-to-get scheme," Tidus said, "You're just…out there. Tell him flat-out what you think, like a little kid does! You know, they say whatever's on their mind with no worry about the consequences. Act like you're the most innocent person ever."

"Alright…" Yuna trailed, "But how do I do that? I don't even know the first thing to say!"

Tidus turned to her, stopping their slow-paced walk, and said, "It's really easy. Here, I'll show you. Pretend that we were standing here talking about the weather or something."

"Okay," Yuna said, nodding to show that she understood.

"Now, bite your lip like this," Tidus said, curling his bottom lip under his front teeth. Yuna followed his example and Tidus said, "Good. Keep that look in your eyes, too. That whole, I-don't-really-know-what-I'm-doing look."

"Okay," Yuna said, trying not to move too much as she said that.

"Look him straight in the eyes," Tidus said, and Yuna's eyes instantly met his. "Flick your eyes side-to-side like this." Tidus' eyes gently went from side to side, but it seemed as if he was only looking at her deeper. Yuna followed.

"Alright," Tidus said, "Now, you take his hands in yours." Tidus reached across from himself and took Yuna's hands. "But never lose eye contact," Tidus said, and Yuna noticed his voice had dropped to just above a whisper, a very husky just above a whisper.

"Now, you say…" Tidus trailed, and Yuna sensed inner turmoil. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He looked as if unable to say.

"Say what?" Yuna asked, still holding his hands.

Tidus laughed and said, "This is kind of hard to do, since I'm pretending you're Baralai and all."

"Fine then," Yuna said, her hands beginning to grow warm in his, "Be yourself, talking to me."

"Well then," Tidus said, a small smile creeping onto his lips, "Here comes the straightforward part." He didn't say anything though, for he just continued to stare into her eyes, causing Yuna to give him a little shrug, as if in attempt to urge him on.

"Yuna, I love you." His words slowly began to sink into her, and she stood there, completely numb. Could he do that? Could he just say those words as if there was no meaning behind them, although he was standing there with her hands in his and his eyes on hers? Her heart slowly began to speed, despite the fact that she still felt numb.

"And then," Tidus finally continued, "You pull him close to you until your lips meet." He performed these actions as he spoke, and slowly pulled Yuna close to him, and sure enough, their lips met.

Yuna couldn't move. She couldn't close her eyes or anything. She just stood there, feeling completely dumfounded as her lips pressed tightly against Tidus'. Slowly his hands parted from hers, leaving behind what seemed like a fistful of warmth in her hands. He separated from her as their hands had, and she leaned back to where she had been, her expression completely of shock.

"And that's how you do it," Tidus said, shrugging.

It took Yuna a good ten seconds more before she finally came to her senses. "Tidus!" she cried, her voice angry as he started to walk away from her, "You just stole my first kiss!"

"Ah, so you hadn't kissed anybody before," Tidus said, "I totally bet on that with Gippal."

"You and your stupid bets!" Yuna cried, and to show her dismay she ran her arm over her mouth to wipe the kiss off, an action she immediately regretted. Even as the feeling left her lips because of her action, she felt a want--a desire almost!--to get that warmth back. The tingling in her hands was suddenly beginning to disappear as well.

Tidus was paying no attention to her though, for he was sitting down a ways from her, on to sand, close to the water, staring off thoughtfully across.

"Sorry for stealing your first kiss," he finally said as Yuna walked up to him, her arms crossed to show that she wasn't completely at peace with him.

"I can't exactly forgive you," Yuna said, "But maybe it doesn't count?"

Tidus shrugged and said, "I won't tell anybody."

For some reasons unknown to her, Yuna knew she felt a red blush painting her cheeks. She sighed softly and took a seat next to him, staring off into the distance, attempting to follow his gaze. "If you don't tell Gippal, doesn't that mean you lose the bet?" Yuna finally asked, unsure of what else to say.

"That doesn't really matter to me right now," Tidus said, and he looked at her, but only fleetingly. Silence followed then, and only the light breeze could be heard, along with the sound of a few light waves rolling up onto the sand.

"Thanks a lot for the tips," Yuna finally managed to sputter out, after what seemed like years of silence, "But I'm not sure I can pull it off."

Tidus shrugged nonchalantly, "If it's how you feel, it's not that hard."

Yuna gulped. What exactly did he mean by that? Yuna took a few deep breaths, telling herself that she was definitely thinking too deep into everything. She gave him a suspicious glance out from beneath the shield of her hair, wondering if he was purposely attempting to play with her. She shook her head, reminding herself that he was just her friend, and trying hard--possibly too hard--to be helpful.

"What if I don't feel that way?" Yuna asked then, realizing that Tidus may start to question her silence.

"You want to tell Baralai how you feel, right?" Tidus asked, "Because you feel guilty about not telling him sooner, and you want to tell him before it's too late."

Yuna looked at Tidus, and was surprised that he was looking back at her, with an expression that was impossible to read.

Nodding, Yuna said, "Well, yes, but…"

"Then trust me when I say this, Yuna: Don't wait any longer." He gave her a little smile that was slightly crooked, and stood up, stretching. "Gippal and Rikku are going to be wondering where we are," he said surely, "And if you want to win our bet, you can't let them be alone too long." He smiled and started back toward the house.

"Go ahead," Yuna said, leaning forward, "I need to think."

Tidus stopped and looked at her, and then said, "Alright. 'Night, Yuna."

"Goodnight, Tidus."

"Oh, and Yuna," Tidus said, "Sorry about stealing your first kiss."

"It didn't happen, remember?" Yuna said, smiling back at him.

Tidus slowly nodded, and he said, "Right." He walked off then, leaving Yuna alone.

Yuna sighed and looked at the ground. She couldn't help but hear disappointment in Tidus' voice. She took a deep breath and reminded herself that she was just forcing herself to hear that disappointment. Of course, that didn't settle things. Why would she want to hear that disappointment. She looked at that sky again. Even though she was attempting to deny it, she knew very well that no matter how she looked at it, he either liked her and she tried to tell herself that she was imagining it, or she really was imagining it, and in that case, she liked him.

Hugging her knees to her chest, she rested her head on her knees and sighed. She needed to go to sleep before she thought anything more of it. With that as her final thought, she started off toward her summer lodging, being sure to follow slowly behind Tidus.