a few weeks later:

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

I walked down the hall that morning, slightly surprised to not see Cloud at our lockers already.
He was always there waiting for me. Instead, Zack was there.
"Hey. " I said in a friendly tone.

He just stared at me.
I glanced down to make sure nothing was on my clothes or something, then self consciously touched my face.
His expression softened the tiniest bit before the hard mask was back.
"So what's up?" I asked, trying to stay friendly.

Zack's eyes fluttered down to the floor.
"Tifa-I-"
"Yeah?" I asked impatiently.

"I love you, Tifa. And I don't like you being with Strife." he said bluntly.
My eyes widened. "Well, that's none of your business." I said coldly. I decided I couldn't deal with this...he was my best friend...this wasn't supposed to be like this.
Zack looked sad. "Tifa-" he mumbled.
I started to turn away.
But then a gentle arm was grabbing mine, and I was pulled into a kiss.

And then Zack was wrenched away from me and thrown to the floor.
"Cloud!" I shouted, somewhat happy, somewhat scared.
Cloud grabbed my hand and pulled me through the crowds to the doors, then the parking lot, then I got on the back of his motorcycle and we sped off. "Where are we going?" I shouted above the roaring wind.
Cloud smiled slightly, and said, "Anywhere. Ditching is healthy once in a while."

I remembered my thoughts earlier.

Had I liked Zack's kiss?
I know part of me was angry, but the rest of me liked it.

And also, I'd been scared when Cloud had come in.
Not because I was worried about what he would think, but because I was scared he'd hurt Zack.

God, emotions are so complicated.
And right now, mine were...confusing.

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

It was only the fact Tifa was sitting behind me that kept me from going back and beating Zack Fair to a pulp.
I was so overly pissed, I was shocked that steam wasn't coming out of my ears and my face wasn't beet red.

God, that fucking idiot,
How dare he touch my girlfriend?
She loves me...he should just get over it.

Of course, I'd love a reason to hit him just once, he really pissed me off.

But then I caught sight of Tifa's big smile as she watched the stuff zoom by us, and felt her arms tight around my waist, and I grinned.

But none of that now. Just focus on making today fun for her.

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

We got off at the amusement park.
I shot Cloud a wondering look, and he grinned back.
"Might as well skip the whole day, no?" he said.
"Skip a whole day?" I repeated slowly. The concept of that was unknown to me.
He nodded. "Um--okay." I said.
I looked at the gates to the amusement park determinedly. I could do this.
One day of missed school work would not kill me. It would not.
Cloud grinned at me. "What..you scared it'll go on your permanent record? Miss Tifa Lockhart skipped one whole day of school in her whole life!"
It was as if he had read my thoughts. But I wouldn't tell him that.
"Hell no." I said.
"So Tifa is actually okay with skipping school?"
He said, mock surprise in his voice. I punched him in the arm.
"C'mon, blondie. I can do this." I said roughly, walking through the gates, unsure if this would be fun or not.

It was fun. A lot of fun, actually.

I rode so many odd rides, ate so much junk, and over all just had fun.

Until I got home.

Zack was waiting for me.
I groaned slightly and walked past him to my front door.
He pushed in front of me, blocking my entrance to the house.
"Move out of my goddamn way." I growled. "No." he retorted.
I clenched my teeth.
Zack's expression softened. "I just want you to give me a chance, Tifa. For all you know you might like me."
I shook my head quickly. Then he stepped closer.
"Prove it. Kiss me, then tell me you don't feel anything." I grimaced.
"Will you just let me into my goddamn house?!" I shouted.
He shook his head. Dammit.

I grabbed the back of his head roughly and yanked it to mine, and kissed him.
For the goddamn second time that day, I was kissing him.

And oddly enough, I did enjoy it. I did feel something.

Dammit!! I pushed him away.

"Not a thing." I said harshly. More like lied.
His face fell, and he blinked. "Ok. You've proved it. Cloud deserves you, anyways." he muttered, walking away quickly.

Now I feel bad, but I know I love Cloud.

Is it possible to love two people at the same time?

I held back tears and let myself in the house.

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

For the next two weeks, Tifa acted weird.
She didn't look at anyone, her answers were short and simple, her eyes had this lost look in them.

I just did not get it.

That went on for a bit longer: to be exact, three more weeks.

I decided I'd take drastic measures to get her attention.

"Tifa!" I said, running up to our lockers.
Her eyes still held that far away look.
"Tifa, maybe we should take a break." I said.
Her eyes focused for a minute. "Wh-why?" she asked slowly.
"I really don't like having a zombie for a girlfriend. That's kinda annoying." I said, a bit harsher than I'd intended.

But it was true.

She got that far away look again, and nodded.
"Maybe we should. It's for the best." she said, and then she turned and walked away.

Wait---what the hell? She wasn't supposed to agree, dammit!!!!!!!!!

Now what would I do???