This is the second chapter. I was on a roll, so there's lots more for me to post. XD Also, the story takes place in alternate universe Spira. In other words, Sin never existed in this world. The races do still exist though.
We only came in second place against The Crimson Squad, who came in first. Not once have we ever won before them. Still, it was better than not winning anything at all though, so we were really proud of ourselves for getting close. It was hard not to think about Gippal right now, even when I had to deny my feelings more and more.
I looked over at the other table to see Gippal and his band celebrating. We always seemed to meet at the same café in Luca. Their constant yelling and cheering kept getting much louder.
"I can't believe we lost to them again," Paine scoffed angrily. "This happens every single week they hold battle of the bands too," she crossed her arms and looked away from them.
"It's not that bad," Yunie said with a light shrug. "I mean, we're lucky to get close, even if they were the winners again, isn't that right, Rikku?" she looked at me, but I paid too much attention to Gippal.
"And she swears up and down she's not in love with Gippal..." Paine let out a sigh until waving her hand in front of me. "You're not fooling anyone," she shook her head and let out another sigh.
"Wait, what?" I asked curiously while looking at them both.
"Nothing," Paine crossed her arms and scowled.
"Um, okay then..." I shrugged and continued to eat a slice of pizza.
All of a sudden, Gippal came over with a smug grin. I could tell he was about to gloat over coming in first place against us. That's what he always did every time his band had won.
"So, how does it feel to be in second place again, Cid's girl?" he smirked at me as I crossed my arms and pouted.
"We don't want to hear you brag," Paine shot at him with a huge scowl. "Go back to your band and leave us the hell alone," she glared angrily when he frowned.
Gippal noticed how upset I seemed and began pinching my cheek with a snicker. "Don't be so down in the dumps, kiddo!" he said to me when I shoved him away from me.
"Hey Paine, why don't you and I head to the bathroom?" Yunie asked her.
"I'm not moving from this spot at all," she shook her head until Yunie finally took her hand.
Gippal took a seat in front of me and looked straight into my swirling green eyes. I was fighting back the tears from earlier, and I tried to keep my brave face on. I think he knew there was something wrong with me because he understood me better than anyone.
"Rikku, what's wrong?" he asked with a serious tone.
"Nothing is wrong," I shook my head, despite the tears rolling down my cheeks.
"Don't you dare lie to me, Cid's girl," he said as I began to sniffle.
"Gippal, we're supposed to be rivals to each other," I told him as I wiped my tears away. "I can't tell you how much I miss the memories now," I sniffled again and tried not to cry even more.
"I miss them too," he said as he looked away and sighed.
"You and I used to be best friends," I began to sob lightly while rubbing my eyes.
"We still are best friends, kiddo," he took my hands and smiled at me. "We can still be best friends even if we are rivals at the same time," he ran his thumb over the back of my hand.
"Promise?" I sniffled once more when he gave a happy nod.
"I do promise, Cid's little girl," he said to me as he kissed my cheek. "I have to get going. Stay out of trouble for me, kiddo!" he winked at me when I nodded softly.
I couldn't help smiling now that I knew our friendship wouldn't change at all. Paine and Yunie came back huts after he had left the café. I looked away from them and decided to stay quiet.
"What did he want?" Yunie asked with a quizzical expression.
"Um, not much," I shrugged while wiping off my leftover tears again.
"Whatever it was though, it seemed to make you happy," she chuckled as Paine rolled her eyes.
"This is so stupid," she crossed her arms like she knew what had happened between us. "You keep forgetting he's our rival each day," she scoffed angrily.
"I know," I agreed with a nod.
I still couldn't stop thinking about home though. Us three girls parted our ways and finally went back home again. I lived on my own at our place called Home in Bikanel Desert. I would be able to see Gippal without worrying about our stupid rivalry.
"Hey kiddo, how you holding up now?" he asked after ruffling my hair.
"I'm doing alright," I giggled at him as he nodded. "Congratulations on winning first place," I told him with a wide grin on my face.
"Thanks," he nodded at me one more time. "Don't forget what I said though, okay? I don't need to have Cid's little girl sobbing on me now," he chuckled while pinching my cheeks again.
"I have a name," I pouted when he let out a big laugh.
"Stay out of trouble for me, kiddo," he patted my head like a child and walked off to his place.
I didn't really know how long I could hold onto my feelings. It was also hard to know whether or not he liked me too. I couldn't risk having my heart broken by my biggest crush, especially my own best friend. I just wanted love to eventually find a way for us, but I didn't know what was going to happen to either of us yet.
For now, I had to remain the strong happy person I always was. I would do it all for him because I wanted to show him I believed in us more than anything. Maybe someday I would be able to tell him my feelings without holding back. I waited for that day to come, but I don't know when it would.
