1This has nothing to do with the story whatsoever, but go to Youtube or iTunes or whatever you want to use to listen to this, but go, and listen to Truly Madly Deeply by CASCADA. It's sooo romantic. And Break Up. That's a good song too. Oh crap, on towards the next chapter!
I DON'T OWN THE SMEXY RIKU, sadly.
"Riku!" Yuffie said.
"Oh, man," Leon said. "We're so busted."
"What-no!" Yuffie said. "What are you talking about."
Riku hesitated inside the doorway, looking confused. Selphie still had one hand on the doorknob, and the other was resting lightly on Riku's shoulder as if she owned him- as if he were her car, or her horse, or her umbrella stand.
"I guess we're not going to get any privacy in here, Riku," Selphie said in a murmur that Yuffie could clearly hear.
Yuffie felt her heart sink. Riku and Selphie had been looking for privacy? Why? Did she want him back? More importantly. . . did he want her back?
She couldn't blame him. A real girlfriend sounded much better than a pretend girlfriend that he didn't want to date at all, even if that real girlfriend
was an ice queen like Selphie.
What was he thinking right then? Was he disappointed that they were interrupted? And hid he really think she and Leon . . . ?
She couldn't tell from his expression, although she thought he looked a little bit mad.
There was a tense pause, and then Riku seemed to take a breath and come back to the room, blinking. He gave his shoulders a small shake that dislodged Selphie's hand, and he stepped across the space to Yuffie.
"Hey," he said, and his smile made the knot of worry in her stomach melt away.
"Hey," she said, smiling back at him. He took her hand and turned to Selphie.
"Selphie, you remember Yuffie," he said. Selphie lifted her nose and looked down at Yuffie. She seemed even taller than Yuffie remembered, and she was also elegantly dressed, in skinny jeans, a long yellow top, and a sleek silver belt. Riku had tried to bring her out with Yuffie and Zack a couple of times, but that had been a disaster. Selphie clearly had no interest in talking to either of them, whereas Riku seemed more interested in their conversation than hers. That was close to the end of their relationship.
"Yeeeess. Naminé told me you were dating. . . her." Selphie said. "Is it true?"
No, Yuffie thought sadly. It's not true. If it were, this would be the best moment ever, you skinny little bitch.
"Yup," Riku said with no hesitation. "Yuffie is my girlfriend." He shot a glare at Leon, as if that was a reminder for him, too.
"That's right," Yuffie said. "He's with me." she couldn't resist giving Selphie an enormous smile - a smile that said, That's right, you lost him and now he's mine.
Still, Yuffie wondered if Riku felt as confident as he looked. The whole scheme had been for Naminé's benefit, to protect him at summer camp. He probably hadn't expected the entire school to find out. Now everyone, including Selphie and whatever girl he'd like next, really would think he'd dated her. Was he embarrassed about that?
The patio door opened and Naminé came in, followed by a handful of other people. One of them being Zack, who wandered over to Yuffie with a plate full of mini food.
"It's about time you showed up," she hissed.
"Believe it or not, someone actually spoke to me," he said. "I wish I could tell you who, but it wasn't that memorable a conversation."
"Oh, there you are, Riku," Naminé said. "I saw Selphie whisking you away and I was like, 'Oh no, we're not going to see them again for the rest of the night!'" She gave Yuffie a sly look.
"We just couldn't resist the air-conditioning," Riku said.
"Me, too," Naminé chirped. "Hey, who wants to play Truth or Dare?"
There was a chorus of "ooh, me!"s.
"Truth or Dare?" Riku said skeptically. "That's a little childish, don't you think?" Screw you Riku, some of us still like to play Truth or Dare, even at 14. XD
"Not if you play it right," Naminé said with a coquettish smile. She plopped herself down on one of the fluffy white couches. "Come sit here with me, birthday boy." She patted the cushion next to her.
Riku glanced at Yuffie. "We can go back outside," he said in a low voice.
"Wait, I want to play," Zack interjected in a whisper. "I've never been to a party with Truth or Dare before."
'I don't think you want to play Naminé's version," Yuffie said softly to him.
"Come on guys," Zack whined. "Just for a minute? Please?"
"It's up to you, Yuffie," Riku said. "Whatever you decide."
"Um-okay," Yuffie said. "Maybe it'll be fun." Doubtful. . . but if it cheers Zack up, it might be worth it.
Selphie and Leon were already settling on beanbags on the floor, and other people had taken the other couches and chairs. Naminé patted the cushion beside her again, batting her eyelashes at Riku.
"Scoot over," Riku said to her firmly, holding Yuffie's hand.
Naminé sighed huffily and slid to the side so Riku and Yuffie could both sit down. Zack dropped to the carpet at their feet.
"All right, I'll go first," Naminé said. "Selphie, truth or dare?"
Yuffie breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She'd been sure Naminé would go after her first.
"Dare," Selphie said.
"Okay" Naminé said. "I dare you to take off your shirt."
Before Yuffie could even blink, Selphie had unclipped her belt and pulled off the yellow top. Underneath she was wearing a pink polka-dot bikini top.
"No fair!" Naminé protested. "You're wearing your bathing suit!"
"As if I would have taken off my top otherwise!" Selphie said in a mockingly scandalized tone. "Okay, my turn. Riku."
Yuffie's heart sank. Would she make him kiss Naminé? Or her? She didn't want her first kiss with Riku to be on a dare in front of all these people.
"Truth," Riku said.
Also dangerous, Yuffie thought. Considering how much truth we're hiding here.
"Truth," Selphie said slowly. "All right. Of all the girls in this room, who do you think is the prettiest? Be honest."
She and Naminé both looked expectant. Of the two of them, Yuffie would probably say Selphie, because Naminé's prettiness was harder around the edges, and Selphie had really long eyelashes. But of all the girls in the room, Yuffie would actually pick the brown haired girl on the sofa opposite her. Not only was she pretty but she also looked nice instead of scary. Yuffie thought her name might be Brianna, and she might be on the dance team-
"Yuffie," Riku said. "Of course."
"Of course!" Namine parroted in an offended tone. "You don't have to say that just because she's your girlfriend. You're supposed to answer truthfully, Riku. I'm sure Yuffie wouldn't want you to lie."
"I'm not lying," Riku said, putting his arm around Yuffie's shoulders. "I'd think she was the prettiest even if she weren't my girlfriend. I love how beautiful her hair is, her pretty brown eyes, and the cutest nose, and just a sprinkling of freckles, and the best smile-"
"Gag me with an artificial sweetener already," Naminé said, rolling her eyes. Yuffie was sure she'd turned a brilliant shade of red, but she kepy her head resting on Riku's shoulder so she wouldn't have to meet anyone's eyes. Naminé waved her hands. "Fine, whatever, blah blah blah, move on. Your turn."
"Okay," Riku said. "Zack."
Zack looked pleased. He thought seriously for a moment and then said, "Dare."
"Hmmm," Riku said. "Let's see. I dare you to. . ." He looked around the room thoughtfully and pointed. "I dare you to kiss Bell."
The brown haired dancer turned pink. Brianna, Bell, I was close, Yuffie thought.
Zack stood up awkwardly and so did Bell. He stepped over the rug and leaned forward; she leaned forward, too, and they ended up bumping lips more than kissing. Still, Yuffie could tell that Zack was trying not to smile when he sat back down. She realized that Riku had done him a favor, especially by picking the nicest girl in the room. Selphie or Naminé would have refused to kiss him, which would have been terrible.
"Zack, it's your turn to ask someone," Yuffie said, poking his shoulder.
"Right, okay," he said. "Uh-"
"And don't pick your sister," Naminé said snidely. "Act like you actually know anybody else for once."
Zack flushed. "Naminé," he said.
"Dare," she said promptly.
"Um." Zack picked at the carpet. "I dare you to tell us who the hottest guy in the room is."
"That's just a truth dressed up as a dare," Naminé complained.
"That's my dare," Zack said stubbornly.
"Fine," Naminé said. "I pick Leon. Now it's my turn. Yuffie, darling, truth or dare?"
Leon was grinning. He looked for the first time like he'd noticed that Naminé was interested in him. Yuffie was surprised that Naminé hadn't picked Riku as the hottest guy, but she wasn't surprised that she was the next to go. She had a feeling that that was what this had all been leading up to. "Um, truth," she said. She did not want to do anything Naminé might dare her to do.
"Figures," Naminé said, rolling her eyes again. "Okay, let me think." She tapped her chin with a manicured fingernail. 'Yuffie, Yuffie. All right, tell us the truth." She leaned forward. "How long have you been in love with Riku?"
Cold prickles ran down Yuffie's spine. Now what? Should she lie and say it had only been a couple of weeks? Should she tell the truth and admit that it had been years? Would Riku figure she was lying no matter what she said? Or would her voice give her away?
"Go on, Yuffie, tell us," Naminé said.
Yuffie's eyes went to Selphie, who was pretending to look bored. Would it be embarrassing to admit that she'd liked him while he had been dating Selphie? She tipped back her head and looked at Riku.
His smoky-gray eyes were watching her. He leaned his head against hers and whispered, "Don't worry."
Whatever that mean, it decided her. She would tell the truth.
"As long as I've known him," she said, lowering her gaze to meet Naminé's.
She felt his arm tighten around her, and he rubbed her shoulder in a way that she found reassuring.
"Aww," Naminé said. "How adorable. Or perhaps I mean pathetic."
"I don't think so," Riku said. "I feel the same way."
"Whatever, it's not your truth," Naminé snapped. "Yuffie, hurry up."
"Leon," Yuffie said. A great idea had just occurred to her. If Riku did think anything had been happening with Leon, this should convince him otherwise.
"Dare," Leon said, smiling crookedly.
"I dare you to kiss Naminé," she said.
He looked surprised. So did Naminé. So did Riku. A perfect trifecta of startled expressions.
But Leon got up without protesting and sauntered over to their couch. As he leaned over Naminé, Riku whispered to Yuffie," Let's get out of here."
She nodded and pulled herself up, tapping Zack on the shoulder.
"Where are you going?" Naminé said, shoving Leon away mid-kiss. "Riku, you can't leave your party- it's just started."
"Sorry," Riku said. "I promised my parents I'd be home for a birthday dinner." He lifted he palms up as the others groaned. "What can I do? If I'd known about this, I would have planned differently." He helped Yuffie to her feet.
"Well, then Yuffie should stay," Naminé said with narrowed eyes. "Since she didn't schedule you better."
"She's invited for dinner," Riku said smoothly. "You know. . . because she's my girlfriend."
Naminé scowled, and Yuffie hid her smile. How did he manage to be so perfect?
"Have fun, guys!" Riku said. "Thanks for the party!"
"Bye," Zack said with a wave. Bell wiggled her fingers at him and he blushed back.
"See you tomorrow," Yuffie said. Leon half saluted at her. He looked lazy and carefree, as if their intense conversation earlier hadn't happened.
The flustered maid let them out, and as the front door closed behind them, all three let out relieved sighs. Yuffie started laughing.
"What's so funny?" Zack asked.
"We're such freaks," Yuffie said. "Normal kids would be psyched about a party, but we can't wait to leave."
"That's because it's a Naminé party," Riku said. "I'd rather not be normal than be like those boring people in there. Oh, oops-I forgot my jacket."
"The expensive leather jacket?" Zack asked.
"Yeah, the one Naminé just happened to have lying around," Riku said. "Quick, let's go before she realizes and chases after us with it."
"But it's your birthday," Yuffie said. "Don't you want to hang out with everyone?"
"Yes," Riku said, "if by 'everyone' you mean you guys."
"Sadly, I can't," Zack said. "I've, uh, got stuff to do."
They had reached their bikes now. Zack's was hidden in back of the garage, next to a couple of others.
"What stuff?" Yuffie asked. "What stuff could you possibly have to do in the middle of the summer?"
"Just stuff, okay?" Zack said defensively.
"Our hardworking friend Zack," Riku said. "Is it film-related?"
"No," Zack said. "And maybe if I weren't a moron, I wouldn't have to work so hard." He kicked off his bike and pedaled away fast.
Yuffie and Riku exchanged puzzled glances.
"Any idea what that was about?" she said.
"Nope."
"He's been acting like that for a week," she said. "I wish he'd tell me what's going on."
"At least you're not ditching me yet," he said. "Want to get ice cream?"
"You don't really have to be home for dinner?"
"Not till nine," he said. "Mom's on call until then." His mother was a nurse at the local hospital. "And I assume you told yours that you were going to a party."
Yuffie laughed. "She couldn't have been more excited if I'd told her I'd won an Oscar. 'My Yuffie! A party!' If I'd given her time to shop, I can't imagine what she would have come up with."
"But then I'd have been suspicious," Riku said.
"Exactly," Yuffie said. "So instead you got shlubby T-shirt-and-shorts girlfriend."
"You mean adorable girlfriend," he said with a grin, and pushed off.
Yuffie's heart ached as she watched him sail down the block. Why does he have to be so cute? Why can't this be real? When is it going to end?
And. . . what's going to happen to me when this is over?