Hey everyone! This is a slightly different version of my original chapter! I have a new Beta reader, and she rules! Go Padfot-rawr! This is her changes! Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 7
Denzel's
December 19,
It's almost Christmas, and the break has been out for a week now. Most schools only have a break of two weeks, but our school does it for a month. I guess the reason for that is that most of the kids at my school have parents who are involved in Shinra or the WRO. I guess that I'm just lucky, because although my family is in AVALANCHE, they're still there to take care of me.
This is my first real Christmas with my family; actually, this is the first real holiday that I will properly experience. When I used to live in Sector Seven, I was lucky if I got to see my parents at all. I never had any siblings, and both of my parents worked. After I got home from school, my babysitter would come over. She was supposed to help me with my homework and chores, but you know how life was back in Sector Seven; it was a fight to survive sometimes. Obviously, she wasn't very well off, or she wouldn't make me do all of the work while she stole and ate our food. Sometimes, she would even get her boyfriend to physically harm me... I remember their names were Kelley and Fred. I once got fed up with them, and told my parents to come home early one night. Kelley had heard me talking on the phone, and called Fred to "… give me a lesson…," as she put it. I received a broken arm, three broken ribs, and several bruises and cuts; some which needed stitches, before my parents showed up. Kelley and Fred told me to watch out, because one day, I would get what I deserved; It was Christmas Eve then. Next year, on December 24th, both of my parents were murdered. I haven't told anyone yet, because I wouldn't want them to worry. I was planning to go to their graves by myself and get back before anyone noticed that I had gone. I visit my family every year on Christmas Eve and tell them what has happened over that course of time. As for my parents getting murdered, I know exactly what happened, and I know very well who did it.
But, enough of that depressing talk; I am extremely excited that the entire gang is getting together for Christmas. Tifa and Yuffie have been busy trying to get Seventh Heaven ready in time. Vincent and Yuffie have also finally got together, just as everyone thought; the same with Tseng and Elena. But what really made me and Marlene happy was that Cloud and Tifa have finally hooked up. Marlene was happy because Cloud will stay home more often and he's not as moody as he used to be. I'm genuinely happy because I really look up to Cloud... and maybe, just maybe, in time he will think of me as a friend.
I haven't decided wh--
"Denzel... Denzel, are you there?"
I start as I here Tifa's voice echo up the stairs. How long had I been writing? Where was everyone?
"Denzel?"
Boy does Tifa sound worried. Maybe that's because the planet has just gotten over the Geostigma, and Cloud has just come back.
"Denzel!"
"Here, Tifa!" I answer as quickly as I could, trying to make it seem as if I hadn't heard her.
"Well, why didn't you answer?" I freeze and immediately cover up my journal as the voice suddenly becomes louder. I turn around to see Tifa standing in the middle of the doorway.
"I didn't hear you." That was partially true. I didn't hear her come up the stairs, and as she didn't specifically ask if I had heard her speaking to me or not, I figured that I was safe.
"Alright, but could you come downstairs please? Yuffie and Vincent are here and you have been holed up in this room all day. What is it that you do up here?"
You see, I couldn't tell her that I was writing in you because she might think that something is wrong, when, ironically enough, there is something that is troubling me. In a couple of days, I will go and visit my parents' grave. I don't know what will be waiting for me there, but I have a hunch that it's not going to be pleasant.
"Denzel?" I look up at Tifa, and she has this weird look on her face. I know full well that it's because I haven't been myself these past few days. Here I go again, spacing out. I put on my best calm face and turn toward Tifa saying that I will be downstairs in just a few minutes. She gives me another look, but leaves me alone, thankfully. I'll finish the entry and go and grace everyone with my presence.
I haven't decided what to get most of my "family" for Christmas, but there is still time, and I can go out whenever I want. If there is any final buying that I need to do, I can buy it when I go to see my parents.
That's all for now, but I know that later tonight I will need to confide in you again.
Denzel.