-When T w o Are One-
Soundtrack: Let Love In; Goo Goo Dolls
--
There was something there, I knew it. I could feel it when he looked at me.
--
In retrospect, Gippal was probably not the best person to get herself involved with. He had a bad reputation around the school for being a troublemaker and breaking hearts of innocent girls who didn't know better. She was sure she had heard rumors of him even having relations with LeBlanc, a psychotic girl from the dance team, but she couldn't be sure. Rikku knew that Gippal was always cutting class and saw the principal more than his own wife did. So why was she so adamant on getting him to notice her?
Approximately one week after talking to him for the first time in detention, she found herself slipping into her shortest, and favorite, skirt. She cursed to herself and was forced to take it off because of the windy weather.
Rikku tried her hardest to steer clear of him in the hallways and isolate herself during lunch hour but he always managed to find her. Whether it be a simple brush of his hand across her arm in the hallway or a smirk when they made eye contact, she was shivering every time he entered her thoughts.
She tried to stay away from him, she really did. Rikku didn't think he would be so good at finding her.
An uncharacteristically sunny Tuesday led her to eat her lunch on the rooftop. It was empty nearly everyday and just begging for her to call it her own. She would sneak up there after everybody was in the cafeteria or parking lot and plop down onto an outcropping and read a book while eating.
She frowned when a masculine shadow blocked out the sun. She looked up with an accusatory glare and looked at the perpetrator.
And who else would it be but the mastermind perpetrator himself?
"Gippal? What are you doing here?" She swallowed her bite of apple thickly and set it down.
"I could ask you the same thing, princess," He took a seat next to her.
"How many times have I told you to stop calling me that?"
"Obviously not enough." He grinned cockily at her frustrated expression.
She huffed. "Why must you constantly push my buttons?"
He scooted closer to her and took the book from her hands. She opened her mouth to protest but he pushed even closer until her back was pressed against the wall and his hot breath was giving her exposed neck goose bumps. He trailed a hand over her cheek and tucked a stray bit of hair behind her ear.
"Because. You're cute when you're frustrated." Rikku's cheeks dusted pink and she stood up quickly.
"Oh, I'm sure," she scoffed. "I think you just like making people uncomfortable! And you like the a-attention…" she trailed off as he stood up and towered over her. She gulped and eyed him warily as his jaw flexed and he stared down at her. He had more than half a foot on her, and probably a good 50 pounds.
"You know me so well, Rikku," his smile was like sunshine breaking through a thunderstorm. He backed up until he was at the door to the stairwell. "But not that well." He opened the door and left with a loud bang.
She stomped her foot and went back to reading.
Approximately two weeks after talking to him for the first time in detention, she found herself slipping into a white v-neck along with the same skirt. What was she doing?
"Oy…this has to stop…" She mumbled to herself as she pulled on jeans.
--
"Oh, Rikku, do you really think he would?" Yuna gushed. Rikku had just finished telling her about Gippal's relations to Tidus.
"I guess if I asked him he might introduce you guys," Rikku grinned. "But you can't act lovesick and idiotic, alright?" Yuna pouted.
"Jerk!" She playfully punched Rikku in the shoulder.
"I was just kidding!" The girls laughed together.
"Hm. What's so funny?" Rikku paused in her laughter and looked up to see Gippal. She gave a small wave.
"Yuna, that's what. Speaking of Yuna, remember what you said in detention a while back?" She asked sweetly.
He put a calloused hand to his chin in thought and frowned.
"No, can't say I do," He shrugged.
"What? Gippal, I know you do!"
"Then why did you ask in the first place?" Rikku narrowed her eyes and tensed up before taking a deep breath and releasing everything. She smiled serenely.
"Nevermind then. I'm sorry to trouble you. Have a nice day!" She walked away, leaving behind an uncomfortable Yuna and hesitant Gippal. She continued walking for all of five seconds before a rush of air hit her and she felt warm hands grab her shoulders. She was turned around quickly and met with frustrated green eyes.
"Why'd you walk away?"
"I didn't have any reason to stay, did I?"
"I-well, uh…" He removed his hands from her shoulders to run through his hair. She instantly missed his warmth.
Wait, what?
"I'll introduce them, okay? Follow me." He walked off and Rikku motioned for Yuna to follow her as she trailed after him. The two girls eventually caught up to his fast pace.
"Thank you, Gippal!" Yuna told him. He looked at her and grinned.
"My pleasure, babe," A spark ran up Rikku's spine as she kept her face forward. She could feel him looking at her, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing he was messing with her. Actually affecting her.
They were quickly approaching the usual blitz crowd.
Gippal tapped the only bright blonde in the circle on the shoulder.
"Hey, man. What's up?" Tidus called to him as he looked over his shoulder. He turned fully and pounded Gippal's fist as he looked to Rikku and Yuna.
"Nothin' I guess. Just wanted you t' meet Rikku and Yuna," Gippal motioned to the each as he said their name and left Tidus to decipher the hidden meaning in the introduction.
"Nice to meet you!" Rikku chimed happily. He waved to her and smiled softly at Yuna.
"How you ladies doin'?"
"We're fine," Yuna blushed. Rikku watched them slowly walk away towards history hall and smiled to herself. The smile fell off her face when a familiar voice cut through her thoughts.
"Mm, have I missed that fine ass in detention…" she turned her eyes angrily to the group of blitzers and clenched her fists.
"Man, shutup," The orange haired boy surprisingly stuck up for her. She glanced at Gippal and knew why. He was glaring daggers at the boy who dared to make the rude comment.
"Watch it." He threatened before grabbing her arm and leading them away.
"Ouch! Gippal, you're hurting me!" He relinquished her once they reached a group of lockers and turned to her.
"Happy now?"
She glared at him. "Yes, thank you. Care to explain?" She held up her arm and cocked her head.
"Did you not see the way they were looking at you? It was like carnivores advancing on an antelope carcass," Her eyes widened as she gave him a look. "What! I speak the truth…"
She shook her head. "At least Yunie and Tidus seem to be happy, y' know?" He nodded and spared her arm a glance.
"Does it really hurt?" She shrugged and put a hand over it subconsciously. "Sorry." He mumbled.
She smiled and took his hand.
"Let's go get lunch, yeah?" She led him outside of the school.
--
Rikku sat in the passenger seat of Gippal's beat up truck observing the passing scenery. They had decided on a diner a couple miles up from the school with, surprisingly, no arguments.
"Can I unroll the window?" Rikku asked. The lack of air circulation in the car was making her hot.
"Feel free, princess," Gippal shot back. She stuck out her tongue before unrolling the window and closing her eyes. She was both looking forward to and dreading eating lunch at the diner. The idea of being alone with Gippal for lunch was giving her butterflies. After all the time she had spent trying to avoid him, she had ended up with him anyways. What did that say about them? She was dreading it for the same reason.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes. Rikku tapped her fingers on her knees to the feel-good song on the radio. Gippal pulled into the parking lot of the diner and shut the engine off.
"Ready?" He looked at her. She nodded with a smile and unbuckled her seatbelt. She unlocked the door and jumped to the ground.
"I hear they have killer burgers here," Gippal noted.
Rikku looked up to the glowing, neon sign. Dad's Diner.
Once at the door, Gippal held it open and she curtsied with a mocking smile and hurried inside as he laughed at her.
"Hello! How many?" A server questioned.
"Two, please," Gippal answered. The server led the way to a back booth by a window and handed them their menus.
"Your waitress will be here in a moment!" The server smiled and left.
"Thank you for introducing Yunie and Tidus. She really likes him, you know? I think now that they've talked it'll open up his eyes," Rikku started. "I've never met him before now, either, so I guess you killed two birds with one stone." Gippal nodded. He opened his mouth to say something but paused when a pretty brunette approached their table smiling.
"Hi! My names Vanessa and I'll be your waitress today. Can I get your drinks?" Vanessa said all of this with a sugar-coated voice as she gave Gippal all her attention. Gippal glanced at Rikku and asked for coke.
"Iced tea, please." Rikku smiled with tight lips at the waitress.
"Okay, I'll be right back with those!" The waitress smiled at Gippal and walked to the kitchen. He made a noise under his breath.
"What?"
"Nothing. She just looks familiar, that's all," Gippal frowned. "But anyway." He looked back at Rikku. He opened his mouth again to speak. "I wanted to-"
"Here you go!" Vanessa nearly shouted as she appeared out of nowhere back at the table. Gippal jumped a little and gave her an incredulous look as she slammed the drinks on the table. "Did you want any appetizers, or did you just want to order?" Gippal shook his head.
"I don't. Rikku?"
"No appetizers for me, thanks," She didn't bother to smile this time.
"Okay! So, you need a couple more minutes to decide, then?" Gippal nodded at her and she bounced away. He watched her a moment then turned to Rikku with a raised eyebrow.
"Someone's had too much sugar." Rikku giggled and pushed some hair behind her ears. When she quieted down he turned serious. "I really like hanging out with you, Rikku."
The girl in question blushed faintly.
"This is the first time we've hung out. I mean, really hung out." She corrected. He shrugged in response.
"Either way. I like your company." He grinned at her. "Makes me glad I met you in detention," The grin turned into a smirk. "You stuck out like a sore thumb, it would have been hard not to meet you." She huffed and feigned anger as he laughed at her.
"Yeah, well, wish I could say the same for you!"
"Aw, Rikku, that hurts," He placed a hand over his heart as if in pain. "I thought I fit in quite well!"
"No, you idiot! E sayhd ypuid saadehk oui..." She crossed her arms over her chest. Rikku was pretty sure she was one of the few dozen students that spoke Al Bhed at her school, even though a decent amount of the student body was Al Bhed.
"Yc ev dryd sygac dra pmuf macc byehvim." He leaned in and whispered.
Rikku turned to him in surprise.
"You speak Al Bhed too?"
"Yeah, of course! Any self-respecting Al Bhed should be able to speak their native language. 's a shame that more people don't know how." She smiled at him.
"Yn ouu nato dfu utan?" Rikku cringed. Oder…?
Vanessa was at the table again, appearing out of nowhere like before, and speaking Al Bhed. The girl was clearly Spiran and couldn't speak the language to save her life.
"Uhh…yeah, sure," Gippal chuckled. "I'll have a burger, medium."
"Si!"
What? That was Spanish, not Al Bhed!
"And I'll have…mm, a chicken sandwich." Vanessa nodded. Rikku waited in tense silence as Vanessa took her time writing the "oder" down. Once she was done she took a deep breath and stared at Gippal. He took a moment to notice her eyes and stared back. He furrowed his brow.
"…yes?"
"You don't remember me, do you?" Vanessa's voice had changed from sweet to flat and angry in a matter of seconds. Gippal looked perturbed for a moment before shaking his head.
"Can' say I do," He answered only half apologetically. Rikku cocked her head and leaned back into the seat.
"You mean we went out for half a year and you can't even remember my face?" Vanessa shook with anger and looked ready to tear Gippal's hair out. He looked at her with wide eyes as recognition flashed across his eyes.
"Katie? You look…different,"
"Yeah, well, you don't, and it appears you're still an ass." She glared at him and turned towards Rikku. "Have fun dating a jerk who won't remember you once you break up, bitch!" Rikku was shocked and a tad angry at Vanessa's (or was it Katie's?) outburst. She girl stormed off and the two were left in silence.
"Well…that was-" Gippal started.
"Save it." Rikku cut him off and stood up. It was clear Vanessa/Katie wasn't going to be serving them anymore, and Gippal was a jerk just as she had suspected, so why bother staying? Her stomach rumbling only fueled her anger as she made her way to the door. The bell rang as she shoved her way out and rang right after as Gippal followed.
"Rikku, wait up!" He caught up to her and grabbed her arm.
"Stop grabbing me!" His hand instantly fell off of her. "What was that, Gippal? Am I going to be another girl in a long line?" He kept his face carefully blank as she ranted. "I liked you before, but I refuse to be a damn trophy for you to show off!" He smiled. "I'm not going to let you use me and leave me in the dust, okay?" She all but shouted.
Rikku breathed in the dusty air and stared him down.
"Okay, for starters-that girl dyed her hair and changed her name and did a lot of growing since I last saw her. She moved away but obviously came back, because I haven't seen her for about four years. And also, what makes you think I'm using you? You're not a trophy, okay?" He pulled a hand through his hair and looked away. "I like you. Enough to really want to not screw this up."
Rikku held her tongue. If she liked him, and he liked her, then they could really…the two of them could-
"Okay," she breathed. "Let's pretend like that never happened." He let out a big lungful of air. "Well, not pretend it never happened, but let's shove it to the back of our minds, okay?"
He nodded.
"'Cause if we both like each other, then we could…well, you know?" She struggled for words, but he seemed to grasp her meaning.
"Yeah, I know what you mean, princess," She grinned for once at the nickname. "Let's go back to school."
He put an arm around her shoulders and led her to his truck as she sighed in happiness.