Was I always so cold-hearted? I wondered as I gazed at the group. Everyone was sat round a big campfire, their faces lit up not only by dancing flames, but also their smiles, and even their eyes. There was Yuffie and Tifa, chit-chatting fast and furiously, their arms and hands waving around excitedly. Barret was silent and looking into the night sky, but his eyes were dreamy and his features relaxed.
I looked at Vincent and realised that I was not alone. Looking at him was like looking at my own reflection. Such a sad and lonely person. Did he choose to be that way, the same way I chose to be? I could change if I wanted to. I can't blame SOLDIER for everything. Perhaps I'm cold-hearted because I'm afraid; afraid of making new friends, for new friends can easily be lost.
It's so easy to base your insecurities on something so trivial. I could change if I wanted to. And I really wanted to. I wanted to be like Aeris, so vibrant and care-free. Or like Tifa, strong and fearless but fun-loving too. But once a soldier, always a soldier. It changes a person. It builds a barrier of ice around you, so thick that only the strongest flame of vivacity would be able to melt it.
I could change. My other self, the happy, bubbly person that no one ever knew about, was there, dancing like a flame in my heart, waiting to be rekindled. I looked over at Vincent and saw a sombre face stare back at me. I could change my life here, but I could also change his. I stood up, brushed myself off, and walked towards him.
The End.