Cloud's POV---------------

During biology, I asked Tifa,
"Wanna sit with me at lunch today?" Her head snapped up, her brown eyes wide.
"Um..sure?" she replied, sounding doubtful.
"I don't bite." I said.
She blushed slightly. "Never said you did." she replied icily.
I smirked and sat down at my table. She hadn't had to, it was obvious she was nervous around me.

Tifa's POV------------

I followed Cloud to lunch, which was outside.
We sat down at a small table. "So..." I said.
I could tell my tone was still doubtful. "So..." he repeated.
I didn't get this at all.
All that bullshit, and now he wants to sit and eat lunch like nothing fucking happened?
"Well, tell me about yourself." I said. Cloud smiled. "Ok then. I came from Nibelheim. I got in trouble there a lot. Both my parents are dead, I live with my dad's best friend Barrett Wallace, and his other adoptive daughter, Marlene. My favorite color is silver."

I reeled all this info in.
"Wow. I'm sorry about your parents." I said. "Yeah..but it's ok. They died together, never to be apart...or so Barrett says." Cloud muttered.
I bit my lip and touched his bare arm. "It's ok. I'm sure they did, and so even though they miss you, I'll bet they're glad they went together since it was destined to be that way."

Cloud glanced at me, then my hand. "Thanks." he said, slipping my small hand into his.
I blushed and caught the eyes of Elena, Scarlet, Tseng, and Zack.
Elena looked elated, Tseng indifferent, Scarlet looked jealous, and Zack looked heartbroken.
I looked back into Cloud's eyes. "Is this ok?" he questioned, lifting our entwined hands.

It's more than okay, it's fucking perfect.

I nodded. He smiled, his sad mood gone, and leaned closer.
"If I were to kiss you right now, would that be okay?"

I almost stopped breathing right there.
His face was so close. His blue eyes were right in front of mine. Our noses were practically touching.
"Y-yes." I whispered, afraid to be louder than that. He backed away.
"Well then I won't. I'd rather catch you off-guard." he said, smiling.
"As if." I muttered. His grin grew wider. "Oh, don't worry...I will." he swore.
I looked down at the table.

Cloud's POV-----------------

I didn't want to be away from Tifa during gym.
But it was boy against girl dodge ball. Dodgeball? What are we, ten? C'mon!

Tifa smirked at me, her hair pulled back into a ponytail.
"Try your best, Strife." she teased. I smirked back.
"You better like losing, Lockhart!" I threw back.

When the game started, she threw the ball as hard at me as she probably could.
I jumped away from it. Then I threw one back, and she stepped nimbly out of the way.

I saw Scarlet roll her eyes, and Zack just looked pissed.

Then she got me out. I grinned impishly. Then once they selected who would go back in for the penalty, I ran in.
Then I hit her with a ball and she was out. The game was over.

Tifa came running up, her black hair bouncing.
"Sore loser?" I teased.
Tifa glared at me, before standing on her tip-toes and pulling me into a kiss.
"Looks like I got you off guard." she said, once she pulled away.

I was positive that my face was the picture of shock. Her soft, oh so soft lips had been against mine. And her breath really did taste as good as it smelled, even though I had only gotten a slight taste...

She laughed loudly in my direction, and the class started snickering.
"Oh, that's it!" I exclaimed, running forward.
Her eyes widened unbelievably, and she ran from me.

I caught up to her, and picked her up, spinning her around.
Then when I lowered her, I kissed her.

We wouldn't have broken apart if it hadn't been time to go.
We walked to our lockers hand in hand, even though everyone was staring.
I didn't mind their stares, their whispers. I needed this clumsy, beautiful girl.
The few times when she almost fell, I'd keep her up.
She also made me laugh a lot, which was extremely unusual in my case.

Tifa Lockhart was exactly what I've been needing.