Disclaimer: Time and time again, I've said it; I shall repeat it no more, for it's just far too much to bare. *swoons*

A/N: He, he, hi, everybody. So, long time no read, huh! Er... yeah, this is awkward (if only in my mind). So, what's a reader gotta do to get some reading material around here, huh! Apparently not much of nothing, since there's plenty to go around. Just not by me. Anyway, I could probably apologize 'til the cows come home but it's late at night and they're already home... somewhere. It's kind of like that it's 5 o' clock somewhere mantra. I'm really rambling, aren't I? Sorry about that. Anyway, things got completely in the way of getting this done, up to and including my lack of time, lack of interest, and lack of readers interest. I know, it's stupid to be upset when you don't receive the amount of reviews you expected, but, well, I can't help it where this one's concerned, since it's easily my most popular piece... well, it used to be. I have taken quite a while to getting back to it, so I can only imagine that people forgot about little me. Anyway, here it is, the long awaited chapter 5.

I do have a beta for this, but I decided to just get this out now, since it's been so long. I haven't re-checked this, but since I've been beta-ing it for over a year, since I started writing it, I'm hoping that there's nothing too awful in it. If there is, just tell me and I'll fix it.

Chapter 5: Plans in Action

Demyx

I actually did it.

I can't believe that I actually did it. I, Demyx Mizu, actually asked a guy out.

In all honesty, this is pretty much a first for me. I've never even been on a date before, let alone asked the guy out myself.

And, to make things even rarer, I basically blackmailed him into doing it! Well, maybe blackmail is a bit harsh… it was more like coercion. After all, it wasn't as though I had dirt on the guy: I just made him feel like a heel.

Okay, so I feel more than just a little bit guilty about what I did. Who wouldn't? Well, maybe an ax-murderer wouldn't feel guilty about killing people with large… giant… axes, but hey, I am no ax-murderer! I can take comfort in that, I guess.

Still, Zexion had sat beside me during English class, and it was absolute heaven. Every time he moved, I'd get a small whiff of whatever cologne he's wearing and it was like a shot through my body. It was worth the price I paid.

I've never acted more like a girl in my life; although, I guess that's kind of a harsh view on the female population, huh?

Still, my actions aren't very manly. I was practically swooning, and the guy wasn't even talking to me! In fact, I think had he looked at me, he would've given me a glare worthy of killing me. Luckily for me and my life, he didn't look at me.

I think, to some degree, he was sulking. After all, I had gotten the better of him. No one has ever gotten the better of Zexion. He's practically… untouchable, the man is so smart. But I did it. I have bragging rights for… at least an hour, if not more! I'd say for longer, but I'm a bit afraid for my extremities.

I passed English by without Zexion acknowledging my presence once. I'm a bit astounded by the fact that I let him do that: I'm nothing if not stubborn.

But, I guess, I felt that maybe he deserved a little bit of time to 'lick his wounds' or so to speak. Or, well, who knows what my sub-conscious thinks at all, or why I do what I do when I'm not really thinking about it. I don't usually speculate this much, you understand, so that's why it's all over the place.

Or is it just because I'm all over the place?

Anyway, off topic, sorry; I apparently make a bad habit of it.

When English was over, so was school. I don't think I've ever seen Zexion pack so quickly to get out. Usually, he has papers that he very neatly places in his notebook, and then he gently places everything in its proper place (I know it's the proper place, at least to him, because he never differentiates with how he puts his notebooks and such in his book bag), before zipping the bag closed and then making his way out of the class.

Today, he stuffed the papers in his notebook, and he stuffed the notebook and book and pencils all willy-nilly in his book bag before scurrying out of the classroom.

I've never seen him move so fast. I guess I must've really upset him.

Is having a date with me so…terrible? Surely there are plenty of people who'd want to date me. Why, I could be considered to be a catch! I'm hot, I'm interesting, I've got a great sense of humor… people like me!

Zexion's just… he's not like people. He's different, and I think that's what I like about him. I think that's what makes him so interesting. Kind of like I want to figure him out… or something.

Heh, then again, if I did, would he appeal to me anymore?

All of these thoughts were just racing through my mind as I packed my own bag and made my way towards my bus. I live thirty minutes away from my high school: you can bet I'm not walking home.

I slide into the seat and I pull out my mp3 player, shrugging my earphones over my head. Music helps me calm down, strangely enough. I wouldn't say that I'm a live wire or anything, but I've been known to move and think very quickly on occasion.

It's all combated by my inherent laziness. Of course, where Zexion is concerned, I don't want to be lazy.

I finally find myself walking through my front door, and I drop my bag immediately, making my way through the dining room into the kitchen so I can finally get some food. Lunch never seems to last where I'm concerned. Probably part of the reason I'm so stick-thin, according to my mother.

I plop down on the couch in my living room and mull over what happened.

I was still proud of what I had accomplished, though worms of guilt were niggling through me with a new intensity. I'm not usually so under-handed, though I guess this proves to me that I can be quite devious if I want to be.

But I want him, and I want him to want me. What better way to do that than a date? I'm sure that if I can just get him out and on a date then he'd realize that we'd be great together, I'm sure of it. After all, who could ever resist me!

I still feel so bad, though. What if… what if what I did ruins everything?

Oh, no, what if it does! What if my coercion and underhanded tactics causes him to hate me for forever! I drop the bag of chips I had grabbed and I gasp. Had I just ruined everything! What if he doesn't come to like me? What if it's because of what I did?

I…I have to take it back. I've gotta make things right. I wouldn't be able to stand it if he hated me for what happened, for what I did.

But what if he doesn't? What if it works? Is it worth the price I'll have to pay? I settle back against the cushions. Zexion is such an enigma to me. But I'm not getting anywhere, it seems. What if this forced him to react to me in a romantic way? Perhaps he'd hate me, but I'd know, at least.

I don't know if things will work out right. I have no idea if he'll hate me or not. It's for sure that he's upset with me: he'd never reacted to anyone like that before; for all that he supposedly hates people. But, even though he's angry, will he always stay angry? This could be the push he needs.

I can't fix what I did. I just have to hope that things will work out. I did it for a reason. I knew I was doing something he wouldn't like. I took that chance anyway. I have to go through with it. I can't back out now, not when I'm so close to getting what I want.

Maybe it's selfish of me, but I've never been the type to just let things lie. Things will work out… they just have to.

Olette

I strode into the cafeteria with purpose. I wasn't there just to eat, although that much is obvious, since about the only thing edible in the cafeteria are the fries.

I knew that I wasn't going to learn much of anything from Hayner, that much was certain. The boy is so incompetent, both with his life and with the lives of his friends.

No, I had to go to a better source, one that isn't quite so incompetent.

It was obvious that I had to talk to Sora. Who better than the older brother? Roxas needed help, and I was certain that I could help, if only I could know what was wrong.

I stood by the double doors to the cafeteria and looked around, trying to find that tell-tale mop of brown spiky hair. He'd be with Riku, so I also searched for silver hair, since Riku was unique, pretty much, with his hair. His cousins had the same color, I'm told, but I wouldn't know for sure, since they had graduated before I came to this school.

Eventually, I see them sitting in a corner, Sora munching on fries and Riku sitting quietly, staring at Sora as he talked. It's almost pathetic, really, how easy it is to see how much Riku loves that boy. And Sora will never figure it out. It's also quite pathetic how much Riku wants to keep it that way. Instead of taking a risk, he'd rather keep things as they are.

I started walking towards them. I suppose, though, I can understand why he feels this way. If he can't have Sora romantically, then he'll settle for second best. Being in the friend zone hurts, though, so willingly choosing to stay that way is beyond me.

"Sora!"

The kid visibly jumped, his cup of fries jumping with him, scattering fries across the table. I can see Riku's nose turn up slightly, so I just smile harder.

I was here on a mission and I was gonna complete it no matter what.

Sora turned his head to watch me as I got closer and eventually dropped into the seat next to him.

"Hey, Olette," he said, smiling cheerfully as he and Riku cleaned up from the fries.

"Hey, Sora," I replied, nodding to Riku as I do so.

"What brings you over here, Olette?" Sora asked, then pausing. "Is Roxas okay?" he then said, turning fearful eyes to me.

I smiled. "Well, of a sorts. Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Sora swallowed. "Talk to me about Roxas?"

"Well, yeah," I said, resting my arms on the table top. "Although, I guess I'm more here to pump you for information on what's wrong with Roxas."

"Wrong with Roxas? And you think I know?"

"Yeah, I do. I mean, come on," I answered, "you're his brother, you've got insight into everything Roxas. And I know he's been acting weird and depressed and angry. I mean, okay, he's angry on a daily basis, but now it's even worse."

"Oh," Sora said, smiling slightly. "You're talking about Roxas' love problem."

"Roxas is in love! And he didn't tell us!"

"Uh, yeah, I guess. Well, Roxas thinks it's just lust but it's obviously so much more than that. He wouldn't be quite so depressed if it was just lust."

"Who is it? Do you know?"

This had me blown away. I had never really thought Roxas would ever be the type to want to be with another person. It was part of the reason why I had never tried to do anything about the crush I'd had on him last year. I had thought he wouldn't be interested. After all, Roxas has never shown any interest in anyone. That and it was pretty much obvious he had no interest in girls.

"It's uh… it's Axel, from the senior class."

I paused, processing it all. "Axel as in… red-head Axel? The one who likes Demyx?"

Sora's mouth dropped open. "He likes Demyx!"

I nodded. "Yeah. I saw him making goo-goo eyes at him the other day. But Demyx likes someone else, so Axel might as well be free."

He visibly relaxed. "Oh, okay, that's good. That means we can still get him and Roxas together, then."

"What do you mean; you can still get them together?" I paused, going over what he'd said. "Wait… are you telling me that the two of you are trying to get them together?"

Sora looked guilty, which is as good as giving me an answer. "Well, he's lonely! And besides, it's not as though he'll ever do anything about it! He's nothing if not a coward! He'll never go after what he wants, and we all know how much he wants Axel. The only who can't see so is Axel!" Sora paused. "Or maybe he can, I wouldn't know, I've never met the guy."

For probably the first time in my life, I felt like rolling my eyes. Sora was a good guy, there was no doubt about it, but his plans never really had much thought put into them. Case in point: Axel is interested in Demyx, not Roxas.

Riku lifted his head and interrupted Sora's endless tirade, "So, Axel's interested in Demyx? Would he be interested in anyone else, since he's probably noticed that Demyx is not interested back?"

I turned towards him as Sora does the same. "I have no idea. I only know what I know because I was in the library at the time. But Demyx is definitely not interested."

"Then we can still at least try to get Roxas and Axel together," Sora interjected. "Who knows, maybe Axel might actually like to get his mind off Demyx."

"So you want to make your brother into a rebound?"

"Wait, what! No, of course not: that's not what I meant at all!" Sora hastily replied, waving his hands around.

"Why don't we just continue with the plan to get them together?" Riku said. "At this point, worrying about whether it will work or not is not going to help us. We decided to do this; we have to stick to it."

I nodded. "I have no clue what you guys are planning, and I don't really think I want to know, but Roxas is a friend, and helping him is certainly my first priority, at least where this is concerned. A moping Roxas is a boring Roxas."

"Absolutely," Sora agreed. "But we don't really have much planned, yet, if that's what you're talking about."

Sora… not have something planned? That doesn't sound like him; not one bit. "Then what are you up to?"

"Well, I thought we'd try and get a feel for if Axel would want to go out with Roxas before we started anything," he answered, before looking down with some shame. "Honestly, I haven't really had any thoughts on what to do, so that's why we're going slowly."

I nodded. "That makes sense, and besides, getting to know Axel is the best first step we can make."

"We?" Riku interjected.

I turned to look at him. "Yes, we. You didn't really think that I wouldn't get involved now, did you? Roxas is my best friend; of course I'm going to help you. I was going to find out what was wrong and go about fixing it on my own, but joining up with you two is even better."

Sora smiled widely. "The more the merrier, in my opinion! Besides, we need all the help we can get."

I returned the smile before saying, "Good, glad we agree. So, let's meet up later and go over what we're gonna do next, okay? Say, after school, in the library?"

Sora nodded. "Oh, wait," he said, "I have to go to the art class and work on my project. Do you think we could meet there instead?"

"Sounds perfect," I said, smiling as I saw Hayner sit down at our usual table. Roxas wouldn't be long after, most likely. "Gotta go, see you then!"

I bounded up from the table and waved bye to them as I made my way over to Hayner.

"Hey," I said, smiling as I sat down. "I finally learned what's wrong with Roxas!"

Hayner looked up from his food. He'd been stupid and gotten more than the fries. It looked like it might be a hot dog, but I'd never seen a hot dog with so many bumps before. He stopped poking at it.

"You mean Roxas and his Axel problem?"

I just stared. "Are you telling me you already knew!" I then said, anger starting to bubble inside of me. All of that work and he knew!

Hayner looked frighten. Good, he should be. "Um… yeah, it's kind of obvious."

"Ugh," I rolled my eyes, "why didn't you tell me! I just went to Sora because I didn't think you knew! You hadn't said anything when I asked!"

"I'm sorry!" he cried. "I was more interested in getting my arm away from you! It kind of hurt!"

"That's no excuse!" I answer. "God, Hayner, you're such a moron!"

"Hey, that's not fair!"

"And now you're being a baby!"

"Now that's hitting below the belt!"

"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on!" cried Roxas as he came up to the table. I hadn't noticed he'd arrived since I was so mad at Hayner.

I smiled. "Nothing, Roxas, don't worry. Hayner's just being a dumbass like always."

Hayner made to say something but Roxas glared, halting his mouth. It's a good thing, too; I'm still upset with him. Why can't he ever just think and make things easier for others once in a while? If he knew, why didn't he tell me?

Still, I guess it wasn't all in vain. I did find out about it in the end, and Sora and Riku will be an immense help.

"Man, what's going on with everyone today?" Roxas muttered as he sat down. He was smart and all he had were the fries.

"Nothing, Roxas, I'm not upset anymore. Don't worry about it, okay?"

"Sure, sure," he mumbled, munching on a fry.

I'm gonna help you, Roxas, I promise, and I'll do it even with Hayner being so stupid. After all, I've got Sora, and he's nothing if not a fountain of knowledge of all things you.

Riku

Olette's kind of like a bull in a china shop. She has no subtlety, that's for sure.

Still, having her help may do us some good. After all, Sora and I haven't had much luck as it is and she's best friends with Roxas. Surely having her around will help us, not hinder us.

Sora's kind of dazed about it, though.

He should really close his mouth. I'm starting to think dirty thoughts and that's never a good sign.

At least I can stare at him without being worried he'll notice. Then again, he probably wouldn't notice even if he wasn't shell-shocked.

He's just so… beautiful. I think this even as he sits there with his mouth wide open with saliva beginning to pool in the basin of his mouth. It's not a particularly appealing sight but I'm so far gone I don't even care. He's a wonderful person. Who could blame me for falling?

He's everything I'm not and everything I'll never have.

Yes, thank you, I am quite pathetic; I already knew that, but thank you ever so much for reminding me.

Sometimes, I think my brain needs to take a break. Talking to myself cannot be a good sign.

Sora shakes his head, obviously trying to rid the effects of Hurricane Olette, before turning to me. I grab a fry from his pile so he hopefully won't notice that I had been staring at him so intently.

"Should we still go ahead with what we were planning?" he asked, pouting only slightly at the fact that I stole a fry from him.

I shrug. "I don't see why not. Asking Axel about it can only do us good, right?"

Sora looked uncomfortable. "I don't know…," he said, trailing off. "It doesn't seem right, now. I mean, just how much does he like Demyx? I definitely don't want to set Roxas up with someone who'd only be looking for a rebound."

Now I'm uncomfortable. What am I supposed to say? It's not as though I know all the answers, but he's looking at me with those eyes. They practically look like they have the question marks stamped into the pupil. I've never been able to resist him.

"What if Axel's not looking for a rebound? It's pretty obvious that Demyx is into someone else, so maybe Axel's already shelved that dream. What if he's not looking at all and we'll just be speeding up the process of helping him get over Demyx? That doesn't make Roxas a rebound, right?"

Sora just looked doubtful and I'm sure I don't look any different. I mean, I can feel the lines etching into my face. How much more doubtful can I get?

"Look, why don't we just go ahead, and if it looks like it won't end well, we'll stop and leave things alone," I suggested, really hoping he'd stop pouting. He has no clue what exactly that pout is doing to me.

And it's like the sun's coming out, because what I said had to be practically the wisest thing ever said in the entire world in his eyes. He's smiling, and saying okay and then thanking me once again for my sound advice.

One of these days, I'll resist and just keep my mouth shut. So what if his Sora Smile makes me all warm and tingly on the inside? I'll be able to resist….

…. One of these days.

The plan was to talk to Axel during our class together after lunch.

It was plain from the moment I stepped through the door of the AP Humanities class that we both took that I was clearly uncomfortable.

And, well, I was. I don't know Axel all that well and the fact that I'm going to ask him some pretty personal questions isn't helping my nerves at all.

But Sora's pout just gets me every time… it's like I'm the moth and he's the flame. I can't help it.

I'm just lucky that I was one of the first students to step into the classroom and that Axel was not among the ones before me. This way I can steel myself before I have to talk to him.

Now, I'm not usually the nervous type. In fact, I never get nervous… never. But nonetheless, I'm nervous.

Not of Axel, really, but rather of failing. I can't stand the thought of going back to Sora empty-handed. His face will fall and he'll be upset but try to be stoic in order not to make me feel bad, which will just make me feel even worse and I just can't take Sora unhappy. It'd kill me.

I sit at my usual seat, which is conveniently located right behind Axel's seat, and I undertake the task of removing my notebooks and textbook from my book bag in a poorly concealed attempt to hide my nerves and shaky hands.

Once I've distracted myself enough, I sit patiently, waiting for Axel to appear.

Except… he never does.

I go through the entirety of AP Humanities surreptitiously checking the door every so often, wondering if he would eventually appear.

But he doesn't and I can't even begin to understand why. Though we haven't been in school for long, only about two weeks, Axel's never missed a day and he's never missed a class. I know he was in school earlier today, so where had he gone? Either way, he never came and I was now faced with telling Sora that the next step in our plans had failed.

This was not going to be easy and was the whole reason that I had been nervous to begin with. I just knew that I'd have to do this all over again tomorrow.

Why can't I ever just say no to that face?

I decided to wait until after school was over to tell Sora about the news. This was mostly because I hadn't been able to see Sora for the rest of the day. Our classes are different after lunch, so we don't even see each other until later.

I was dreading having to tell Sora so as I waited outside for him to come so we could walk home I deliberated on what, exactly, I'd say that could possibly keep me from having to witness his face crumble in sadness.

I really, really, hated that face.

But I've never been a particularly fast thinker, so Sora came along before I had the chance to come up with anything. Then again, I doubt that I would have been able to lie to him anyway. It's the face, I swear. It gets me every time.

"Hey, Riku! How'd it go with Axel?" Sora said as he came up beside me with his mega-watt smile at the ready.

Not one to beat around the bush, I guess.

"Hey," I said, dreading what I was about to say. "Well, um… Axel… never…."

Sora, still smiling, cocked his head. Oh, don't do that, Sora; you make me want to eat you. And that doesn't sound at all creepy. "Axel never…?" he pushed.

"Axel never came to class today. I didn't get a chance to talk to him about it."

Sora paused, smiling slipping slightly. "Oh, well, okay. I guess that means we'll just have to hold off on the plan for another day. Surely he'll be in class tomorrow, right? Come on, let's go home."

Wait, what? That was it? Sora is not known for being so… magnanimous. Not when he didn't get what he wanted. This is actually… a bit of a let down.

"That's it? You're not going to get upset or angry about it?"

Sora stopped, turning around and cocking his head. He really should stop doing that. "Do you want me to be angry and or upset about it? Because, I guess I could do that if you wanted. I don't really understand why, though."

"But, but, you're never this cool when things don't go your way."

Sora shrugged. "True, but this is something easily fixed tomorrow. Besides, maybe this will give us more time to think about what we want to ask him next time you see him."

Well… I guess I can't argue with that logic. Besides, I'd do anything to not have to see that face: I just can't stand it.

Tifa

I was sitting at a table in the teacher's lounge, minding my own business and enjoying the hell out of my cup of yogurt, when Leon came in, looking absolutely despondent and stressed.

"Woah," I mutter around my spoon, since it's not often that Leon shows any kind of emotion, especially around other people. "What's going on with you?"

So I'm not good at minding my own business, I think I've already established that several times by now.

Leon came to sit beside me, plunking down a plastic bag that's oozing mayonnaise. If I cock my head to the side, I think I can kind of see the outlines of a sandwich somewhere in there.

Did Leon make his own lunch and did the mayonnaise container decide to explode all over it? Or did Leon do that on purpose? I don't think I particularly want to know.

"Cloud got hurt last night. He broke his leg in three different places," Leon muttered, opening up his baggy and extracting what definitely looks like a sandwich. Well, if a sandwich were literally drowning in condiments.

I think I've just about lost my appetite.

"Wow, ouch," I said, trying to distract myself from watching Leon stuff that mammoth of a sandwich in his mouth, but it's just so hard.

Then it hits me. "Wait, three places? But Cloud's our gym teacher."

Leon just looked at me. "Yeah, he's our gym teacher. It means we'll have to call in a substitute."

I spoon another bit of yogurt in my mouth, cocking my head to the side. "What was Cloud doing that broke his leg in three places?" I asked to myself.

I didn't really expect a reaction from Leon, though, but that's what I got. I can definitely tell that there's a faint hint of a blush on his face, and his eyes are skittering away, looking everywhere but at me. Well now, that tells me all I need to know.

I have really got to stop sticking my nose where it doesn't belong: I do not need to know about anything that's going on between Leon and Cloud. I really have lost my appetite.

I set the cup down and purse my lips. "Well, if Cloud's not going to be able to work, then who will?" I sigh. "I really hope they don't ask me to step in. I'm the martial arts instructor, not the gym teacher."

Leon just shrugged. "Who knows? It's completely possible that they'll just have a substitute step in."

I was about to answer when the bell rang to signify the end of lunch. I guess that's my cue to get back to my class. I gathered up my stuff, throwing away the half-eaten carton of yogurt. "Well, you tell Cloud from me that I'm sorry to hear about what happened and that I hope he gets better," I said as Leon and I made our way out of the teacher's lounge and heading towards our own classrooms.

"Yeah, I'll do that. See you later," Leon mumbled as we parted ways.

I'm not too worried about this new gym teacher. So long as it's not me, what do I care?

It had been a full day since I'd learned about Cloud's accident from Leon. Since I had not received a summons from the office or any word on my taking over Cloud's gym classes, I was pretty relieved to know that I was in the clear as far as that was concerned.

Since today was a nice and sunny day, I decided that I'd lead my morning class on an outside expedition. I do so enjoy torturing them with having to run laps all class long. 90 minutes of nothing but watching kids sweat while I sit in the shade and drink from a water bottle. I have a good job.

So there I was, enjoying myself immensely, when I see the gym class burst from the locker rooms and run out to join up with my class on the field. I can't see all of them very well, but I'm just plain curious about whom exactly the new substitute is now that Cloud's out.

But what I see doesn't make me happy at all.

Tifa?"

Ignore him, maybe he'll go away.

"Tifa, is that you? Man, wow, it's been so long!"

Note to self: don't take your own advice.

"Zack," I said as I craned my head back to look at him, smiling (although he can probably tell it's fake). "What are you doing here?"

He smiled, approaching me. "I'm the new gym teacher! Well, substitute. Apparently the regular teacher broke his leg in a ton of places, so he's out of commission for the rest of the year, so they asked me to come in."

What are the odds? I guess I should have been worried about Cloud's replacement after all.

"That's… that's great," I enthused, lying through my teeth. Only he ever had the ability to make me lie and do it badly.

He smiled. "Oh, Tifa, you never were able to lie very well."

"Eheh, guess you caught me," I muttered before looking out to the field where my kids were running.

He dropped down beside me, the smile still firmly affixed to his face. He'd never understood just how uncomfortable he made me feel: had always made me feel. It's probably not in him to ever think that anyone could be uncomfortable around him.

He just has this… affable personality. Who could hate him?

And it's not that I hated him… oh, no, I could never hate Zack Fair. It would be far easier, though, if I did.

The years hadn't done anything to distance myself from him and the regrets I had concerning him.

"So, what've you been up to?" he asked, blatantly not looking at me. Maybe he could tell that I didn't want him around after all.

"Uh, what haven't I been up to," I muttered. "I'm the martial arts teacher here: yeah, I know, it's weird, but the school wants to give kids a 'well-rounded' education. We have regular gym, obviously, since you're substituting for it, but this is a more advanced class for those who feel gym just doesn't cut it."

"I remember you used to be into that kind of stuff in high school," he murmured, looking out towards the field.

"What about you?" I was determined to not look at him. I felt like I was back in high school, back when my heart would squeeze painfully any time he came near me. I had such a crush on him, it was so horrifically apparent to everyone that I did.

"I don't know: I'm a substitute gym teacher: what else is there to say?" he chuckled. "I went to college, graduated, and became a substitute teacher. My life's pretty good," he went on.

I nodded. "So, no… uh… Mrs. Fair yet?" I asked awkwardly, feeling like maybe he'd take that the wrong way.

He glanced at me. "Uh, no, no Mrs. Fair yet, aside from my mother: I haven't found… you know, the one," he said, scratching at the back of his neck. He really hadn't changed, I thought.

"Well, we're young," I said. "We've got plenty of time to find that person."

"Yeah, yeah," he said before grinning widely. "Well, I'm off to whip my kids into shape. Have fun!"

Oh, you were also so good at that, too, weren't you? At diverting a conversation and then leaving it behind; it's practically your specialty.

Zack had always been the one I could never get out of my head. Would it be sad to say that he was the one that I compared all other guys to? I suppose I hadn't changed any more than he had.

Rai

This isn't what I'd consider a date, y'know?

But what Fuu wants, Fuu gets, y'know? It's not like I have any will where she's concerned. So, yeah, I'm gonna go along with what she's gonna do and I'd better like it, she's saying with her eyes. Those eyes are freaky, y'know? I can't say no.

So that's the big reason why I'm here, still at school even though it let out thirty minutes ago, waiting for chicken-head Hayner. It's all because of Fuu: why'd I have to like her? If I wasn't dating her, I wouldn't be here right now, y'know?

She's pacing down on the gym floor, clearly angry, while I'm just sitting in the bleachers, minding my own business. Y'know, I don't need this kind of stuff. I've got a reputation to keep up! I can't be seen helping chicken-head Hayner with his love life. This is girl stuff, y'know!

"Fuu, do I gotta stay here?" I call out. She doesn't answer, course; should've known better than to think she would.

I sigh, laying my head back on the bleacher behind me. I'm bored! This isn't my kind of idea of a good time. Plus, the guy's late. It don't take that long to get to the gym after the last class.

I can see Fuu starting to get even more upset than usual because of it. Hayner's not winning any bonus points with us, that's for sure!

I look down to see Fuu standing still with her body faced towards the gym doors. She hear something I didn't? Y'know, I wouldn't be surprised if she had. She's like a hawk or… whatever animal that's got good hearing: y'know, she's a good hearer.

Turns out I'm right: she did hear something I hadn't, 'cause now Hayner's bursting through the doors at a full run. He stops in front of Fuu and leans down, panting.

"S-sorry: stupid teachers… they always want to talk and… be concerned," he panted. "Like anyone needs to hear their bullshit worry," he continued as he straightened up.

Fuu stayed silent, waiting for me to come down.

"Yo, we ain't on your time schedule, Hayner," I call out as I make my way down. "We're doing you a favor and you can't show up on time? Now how that does make us feel, y'know? Makes us feel like you don't care."

"Agreed," Fuu chimed in.

"I can't help the stupid teachers, but you know what, you're right, I don't care," Hayner said as he glared at us. "How am I supposed to when I know nothing about what you want?"

"Well, we can't tell you nothing if you're not here," I say. "We can't be expected to stick around forever, y'know? We've got lives that have nothing to do with you."

"And I have mine that has nothing to do with you," he says, "so how about you quit blathering and just tell me about what you want. That way, we both can go on our way as quickly as possible."

I glare but he doesn't seem fazed. "Well, Fuu and me, we wanted to warn you about Seifer."

"Warn me? When have you ever cared if Seifer's gonna come after me for a fight? Hell, you're usually right along with him."

I shift uncomfortably. "Maybe if it were about a fight, I wouldn't be warnin' you. And I wouldn't be warnin' you anyway, 'cept for Fuu wants you to know what you're gonna be gettin' in to, y'know? She's got a soft heart, y'know?"

"If it's not about a fight, then what is it about?"

See now, why do I have to do this? Fuu hasn't said anything. Why do I gotta do all the dirty work, y'know?

"Seifer… likes you, y'know?" I grind out. I don't like talkin' about this kind of stuff.

Hayner bursts out laughing: he should know better than to think that I'd do anything to give him a laugh.

"Not kidding," Fuu finally pipes in. "True."

And Hayner just stops like that. "Wait… wait, wait wait… seriously? You're serious?"

"Why would I waste my time to warn you if I wasn't serious?"

"You've got a point there, for once," he admitted.

"Hey, every now and then, I do good."

"So, wait, why are you warning me about Seifer? Why would ever like me?" he asked, obviously confused. "I mean, come on, this is Seifer we're talking about: he's been picking on me since we were five."

I shrug. "I don't know why: I don't get it, either. But that doesn't change the facts."

"Alike," Fuu says.

"What she said," I agree.

"Alike, huh? So, what, Seifer likes me because we're… similar. I should be offended by that," he mused. He crossed over to the bleachers, plunking down on them. "Wow, it's just… wow. This is not what I was expecting when you told me to meet you."

Hayner looked at us. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Self-explanatory."

"Yeah, what she said, y'know? Just… you know, don't get involved, got it? Seifer don't need you. He's got us, we're good enough," I say.

"So, what, if Seifer comes up to me and 'asks me out on a date', I need to say no?" Hayner smirked. "What if I say yes? Are you gonna beat me up?"

"Why would you want to date Seifer, y'know!" Not good, not good.

Hayner just pauses. "I've never thought of it, really. I mean, about this kind of stuff. It's not like I think I'm gay or anything, or that I wanna go out with Seifer, just… why should I say no just because you don't like it? Aren't you the best friends? Don't you want him to be happy?"

"Happy is all the same whether you're in the picture or not. So, yeah, he might not like it for a while, but he'll get over it. He can deal without you and it'll make everyone happy in the long run, y'know? So, just, say no, got it?"

"I'll think about it: but Seifer's gonna be the one to decide in the end, got it?" Hayner says mockingly. "I'd probably never say yes, but it's never going to matter if he doesn't even try."

I snort. "Oh, he'll try alright."

Fuu decides to contribute once again, shrugging all the while. "Love."

A/N: Please review. I'm not the kind of author to withhold chapters for a certain amount of reviews, and I never will do that, ever, but it does get discouraging when it takes over a year to accumulate 13 reviews. Although 13 is a lovely amount of reviews and I love every single one of them. You guys have been huge support to me every time I feel like deleting everything I've got.