I must apologize IMMENSELY for the long wait you guys! Ugh, I feel so horrible! To be honest though, I just couldn't get this chapter out. You see, this is the last chapter. I was feeling rather depressed, because not only is this the last chapter in this story, but also the last chapter in...Well, what this story is based off of. I didn't want it to be over. -sigh- But it is over, and I've finally managed to move on, and also move on with this update! I'm going to have some author commentary on the bottom, so feel free to read that if you want. In the meantime, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And I hope you enjoyed the story! Thank you ALL of you for the sweet and kind reviews. You guys make me so happy!

Chapter 15: The Unwanted Goodbye

The three were quiet as they walked into the hotel. They hadn't uttered a word to each other since that final buzzer.

As they walked into the hotel, Gippal finally said, "You know, Tidus is gonna be pissed. I vote we all leave him alone for the night."

"Won't he go party with the rest of the guys?" Rikku asked, "I mean, sure, they lost, but it's not necessarily his fault."

Gippal looked at the ground and said, "Tidus isn't part of the team anymore…"

"Gippal, don't be stupid," Yuna said, shaking her head, "Of course he's still part of the team."

"Yuna, he doesn't look at it like that," Gippal said, shooting her a nasty glare.

"Well he shouldn't!" Yuna said, "He was on this team this entire season! He doesn't leave for some time yet!"

"Everybody's ticked at him leaving!" Gippal just argued, "Next year we don't stand a chance. I know you said we have to get used to not having him, but this really was our one and only chance."

"You can't blame him," Yuna said, shaking her head, "You guys have no right to do that."

Gippal sighed and said, "You're right, I'm sorry. Go talk to Tidus if you want, and he'll say the same stuff. He won't want to hang out with us, because he'll be ashamed. Really, go ask him yourself."

"He has nothing to be ashamed of," Yuna said surely, "Especially if he's the one that got you guys this far."

Gippal simply shrugged and said, "I'll be out with the team. You guys can come or stay, your choice."

"I'm coming!" Rikku said quickly, and she cast a nervous glance at Yuna.

"I'll stay," Yuna said, crossing her arms.

"Alright, but I warned you," Gippal said, shaking his head, "Come on Rikku. We'll go find the guys and see what's up."

"See you later Yunie!" Rikku said to her cousin, and then ran after Gippal, who had gone rushing into the hotel.

Yuna sighed. Was Gippal upset at Tidus for losing? Why couldn't the team get it through their heads that they couldn't rely on one guy? Shaking her head, Yuna followed them into the hotel. Perhaps Tidus wasn't as large of a baby as Gippal made him out to be. After all, wasn't Gippal the one that was acting like a baby?

Yuna walked into her room and sat on her bed. What was she going to do? Perhaps Gippal was wrong and Tidus wanted to go party with the team? She wasn't in the mood to party. She had her own problems to worry about, really.

The season was over. Blitzball was done for. She would be forced to have to go back to her normal life. No more weekend outings. It was almost as if the entire relationship was over. It wasn't though, Yuna convinced herself. Or was it?

For the longest time, she felt as if she was dreaming. It was all just a dream, wasn't it? Hugging her pillow, she shook her head. Of course it wasn't a dream. Even still, what if it just ended? Everything could just end, just like a dream.

Sighing, Yuna stood up, and walked out into the hall. She wondered if Tidus was in his room. Swallowing, she made her way there, and knocked.

To her surprise, he answered immediately.

"You didn't go party?" she asked, trying to remain light.

"Of course not," Tidus said, shutting the door behind her, "They don't want me to, anyway."

"It's not your fault," Yuna said quickly.

"Of course it is," Tidus said, "I let 'em all down."

Yuna took a deep breath and said, "Something told me you weren't going to play very well."

Tidus didn't say anything, but he continued to look at the ground.

"Want to explain yourself?" Yuna asked, crossing her arms. She didn't mean to sound cross, but she wondered if that was how she was presenting herself.

"I wanted to win so bad," Tidus said, "I really did. But for some reason…I couldn't play. I just…couldn't. I kept looking around, looking at my teammates, thinking, "Wow, this could be the last game I play with them…" That's a horrible thing to think: I have never thought before, "Hey, I'm going to lose." But tonight, I did. I thought that, and I did lose."

"Why even think it?" Yuna asked, and then she shook her head and said, "Tidus…You didn't do that because…Because you thought that people would think you needed another year in college, did you?"

Tidus looked shocked, and then sheepish. He sighed and said, "Self consciously, it went through my head, yes. I thought if I played like shit, they wouldn't want me. Or at least not for another year. Then I wouldn't have to choose. I could stay at Bevelle for another year."

"Tidus, if that's what you really want, then stay!" Yuna said, hoping her voice wasn't too hopeful.

"I can't," Tidus said, shaking his head, "This is my decision, and I'm sticking with it."

"Alright," Yuna said, "If that's what you want, then I'm happy for you."

"Yes, it's what I want," Tidus said, nodding.

"Okay," Yuna said, "I support that completely."

Tidus just nodded, and said, "I think you're the only one."

"Gippal wants what's best for you too," Yuna said, surely, "And I'm sure the rest of your team feels that way too! Trust yourself Tidus. You can do this."

Tidus smiled a little smile, and said, "You know, I didn't want to go to Bevelle. I really didn't. I didn't want to leave Zanarkand. But I'm really glad I chose Bevelle. I couldn't play with all the stuck-up morons over at Zanarkand. But those guys are who I'll be playing with from now on. Old professional guys. Guys who worship my old man."

"Is Zanarkand the team you want to play for?" Yuna asked, "You know, if this is your career, you have to be positive…"

"Of course it's the team," Tidus said, "It's my team."

"Does Gippal have a chance to play there?" Yuna asked.

Tidus looked at the ground, and shook his head.

"Not many players get signed, you know. Gippal…More than likely won't. Especially not with a team like Zanarkand."

"Oh," Yuna said, softly.

"Why do you worry so much about him anyway?" Tidus asked then, looking at Yuna.

"Well, you worry about him, don't you?" Yuna asked, shocked by his question.

"Yeah, but don't you…Aren't you more worried about us?"

The question seemed to sweep through Yuna. Why wasn't she more worried about her relationship with him? All she seemed to think he cared about was Gippal. Perhaps that was just an excuse?

"I don't know," Yuna said, shrugging, "I guess… I don't want to think about it."

"You think it's over, don't you?" Tidus asked then, "You'll be in Bevelle, I'll be here…We'll have little time to see each other. Just like Gippal. I won't be able to see him either." Tidus shrugged and said, "Realistically, do you think it's over?"

"I don't know," Yuna said, shaking her head, "I don't want it to be, but realistically speaking…"

"You think it's over," Tidus finished for her.

Yuna felt defeated. She did think it was over. The question was, did he?

"What do you think?" she asked him, "Do you think it's over?"

Tidus shrugged and said, "I can't say. I don't want it to be over either but I…I can't really promise anything. The more I think about it, the more I realize this. A lot can happen, and I'll be constantly playing. I don't want to hurt you, Yuna…"

"You won't," Yuna said surely, "I've really gotten to the point where I'm yours, no matter what. If you think it's over, because you really truly believe it's over, then that's fine. I won't be hurt, Tidus. Well…I will, but not as badly as I would be if we waited years and then I…"

"You think I'll cheat on you, don't you?" Tidus asked.

"Well I…" Yuna trailed, unsure of what to say.

"Me too," Tidus admitted, "And I don't want to do that. I'll try hard not to, you know! I really will! But sometimes…"

"I don't care," Yuna said, swallowing hard, "Cheat on me all you want. Just…"

"I can't just cheat on you!" Tidus cried, "Are you crazy? I'd freak out if you and that Bara-what's-his-face got it on."

"Tidus," Yuna said, "I'm just trying to be realistic!"

"What's realistic about that?" Tidus asked, shaking his head, "I'm gonna be gone for so long! Busy and tired and… I really thought it through Yuna, numerous times. About everything. And the more I think about it…The more I think…"

"Tidus, don't worry about me," Yuna said, shaking her head, "I really will be fine."

Tidus swallowed and said, "I really just don't want to hurt you."

"Then don't hurt me," Yuna's mind flashed, but she pushed it out.

"I think the safest thing," Tidus continued.

"Don't say it," Yuna's mind flashed again.

"…Would be for us to just…"

"No."

"Break up. I'm sorry, Yuna."

Was it just the other day that he had told her that he loved her? Just the other day? Yesterday?

Yuna stood as strong as she could, and nodded slowly.

"I understand," she said, almost as if the words came out automatically, with no emotion whatsoever.

"Thanks for coming to see me," Tidus said again, his eyes plastered to the ground.

"At least look at me," Yuna's mind screamed, "At least let me see those eyes one more time…"

"I really…" Tidus trailed, "I leave next week you know. So more than likely, this will be the last time I see you."

"Okay," Yuna said, nodding.

"I could have waited a little longer," Tidus said, "But I didn't think that would be fair."

"It's fine," Yuna said. Now she was growing angry. She looked at the ceiling, and knew that without a doubt she'd have to leave.

"I should go," she said, "I really wish you luck, Tidus. Goodbye." She pushed past him, and he didn't say anything. He just kept looking at the ground.

"Yuna!" he suddenly said, just as she opened the door, "I really…Love you, Yuna. That's why I'm doing this. You realize that, right?"

"Of course," Yuna said, hoping the sarcasm didn't show in her voice.

"I don't want you to think I just played you."

"I don't think that at all," Yuna said, although she was unsure of whether or not this was the truth.

"Goodbye," Tidus said then.

Yuna didn't say anything back to him. She simply shut the door and walked down the hallway.

She didn't think she would cry, but a tear slid down her cheek. She had assumed it was coming, she really had, but now that it was truly over, she couldn't seem to compose herself.

It was all over.

-

Yuna sighed and taped the box shut. Then, she slid it under her bed. It was about time she stored that jersey somewhere. It was doing her no good sitting on her dresser.

She stood up and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Two months had passed since that day in Zanarkand. It was now late-spring, and another school year was disappearing.

Her days with Tidus seemed like eons ago.

She had watched him many times on the sphere. He had just made his first career goal about a week ago, and had looked extremely ecstatic on the sphere, as his team all patted him on the head, and they then swam their victory swim.

He looked nice in his new jersey, but not nearly as nice as he had looked in the Basilisk jersey.

Rikku said that Gippal had taken Tidus' leave rather hard at first, claiming that he didn't think he'd ever actually go. But he had. Tidus was gone.

Both Yuna and Gippal had spent a good month lamenting, thinking that perhaps he would come home. Rikku, Gippal, and Yuna would watch his games, hoping to see some sign of unhappiness. That goal though made it clear to all of them though: Tidus was there to stay.

Often Yuna would consider calling him, but she didn't want to seem as if she couldn't live without him. He obviously could live without her, so what was the point? She wondered often how he was doing, and how life was treating him. He was already a celebrity, as he had been before his Zanarkand days. All of that was clear to Yuna now.

As for Yuna, she seemed rather lost. She had run into Baralai about a month after the end of the blitz season, only to find that he had a new girlfriend, a stylish girl from Luca whose name was Paine. He didn't need her anymore.

Yuna's father already had another guy ready in line, but Yuna wasn't interested. She knew she had to move on eventually, but for the time being, she was just fine. Or at least, she told herself that she was fine.

It had been a long time. Tidus had been right. That night in Zanarkand had been the last night she had seen him. She ran it through her mind. At first, she had been completely unable to let him go, and she would think, "Well, it's been one week since I last saw Tidus. It's been two weeks now since I last saw Tidus…" The days had all blended together though, and she couldn't remember exactly how many weeks it had been. All she knew that it had been too many.

She often wondered if she should have done something differently. She had tried though, hadn't she? If Tidus was worried that he couldn't be faithful, that was alright. Wasn't it? As long as she didn't know about it? Yuna knew she'd feel crushed if she had found out, but would she have been more crushed than she was now that he was gone?

The doorbell rang then, and Yuna sighed to herself. With one more glance in the mirror, she headed downstairs, and answered the door.

Rikku stood there, and she greeted her cousin, and then walked in.

"Ready to go?" Rikku asked. The two were heading out on a quick shopping expedition to find a nice dress for Rikku. It was the final party for the blitzers, and Rikku was escorting Gippal.

In a way, it hurt Yuna. She could have been going to that party as well, all dressed up, and with Tidus. But Tidus nor she would be attending the party.

"Just a second," Yuna answered Rikku's question, "I have to go grab my purse."

Rikku nodded, and Yuna left the room, heading back upstairs to grab her purse. Once she reached the stairs, the doorbell rang again.

"Um, Yunie?" Rikku called up to her, "I think it might be Gippal…"

"Gippal?" Yuna called down the stairs, "Why's he here?"

"Because I invited him to come with," her cousin said sheepishly, "Is that alright?"

Yuna sighed. For the past month or so, Gippal had been rather drifty. It seemed as if he didn't know what to do with himself now that he didn't have to make Tidus dinner and whatnot.

"I suppose that's alright," Yuna said, although she wasn't sure. She liked Gippal, she really did, but it was almost sickening to see them happily together. Perhaps she was just bitter.

Yuna faintly heard the door close, and assumed Gippal had entered the house, waiting for her. Yuna picked up her purse and headed back down the stairs.

"If you two just want to go without me," Yuna started, but she stopped. She was standing halfway down the stairs, when she saw just who was at the door.

Looking at her with his hands shoved in his pockets was Tidus.

"T-Tidus?" Yuna managed, and she walked down the rest of the stairs, "Wh-What are you doing here?"

He shrugged and said, "Going to the blitz party. I was wondering if you wanted to come as my escort?"

Yuna didn't know what to say or do. She just stood there, motionless. She wanted to cry; she wanted to jump in his arms. But she couldn't do anything. She just stood there.

"How did you come? Aren't you busy?" she asked, realizing she must have sounded as if she wasn't happy to see him.

Tidus just smiled and he said, "I'm back."

"What do you mean?" Yuna asked, her voice shaking.

He laughed and he said, "I'm back. I'm here for another year."

She shook her head, and managed a soft little, "Why?"

Tidus laughed again and said, "According to the Zanarkand coach, I'm 'too immature'. I think it was probably me walking into practice with a teddy bear under my arm…"

Yuna laughed and said, "You didn't really, did you?"

"Of course I did!" Tidus said, although Yuna could sense the jest in his eyes, "And none of the guys would make me breakfast! What was I supposed to do?"

Yuna now had a smile plastered across her mouth, but she shook her head and said, "But you just made a goal and everything!"

"I know," Tidus said, "Wanna know my honest opinion? I think I'm too good. It makes them scared." He chuckled and said, "Well, you never answered my question. Will you be my escort?"

"Of course not," Yuna said, "We're 'over', remember?"

Tidus gave her a frown and said, "I'm sorry Yuna. I was…Overly emotional and unable to think clearly. I really feel horrible."

Yuna smiled and said, "I'm just kidding, Tidus! Of course I'll be your escort!"

"Good!" Tidus said, "Who else could I find on such short notice?"

Yuna found herself walking nervously up to him, and she said, "Are you really back? For all of next year."

"Yes," he said, nodding slowly, and wrapping his arms around her waist, "I'm back. Number thirty-seven is mine again." With that, he pulled her into a kiss.

The door creaked open and Rikku's head stuck in, and she just laughed and said, "Come on Yunie, we'll need to get dresses!"

Tidus and Yuna pulled apart, and Yuna nodded.

"Right," she said, "And you, Tidus, need to go make Gippal make you dinner or something. He's been lost without you."

"Already on it!" Tidus said, patting his stomach, "I swear, no one in Zanarkand cooks like that guy!"

Rikku grabbed Yuna's arm, and she said, "Okay, come on!"

Tidus followed them out, and Yuna couldn't help but look back at him. Was he really back?

The familiar dream-like aspect of everything suddenly hit Yuna as she crawled into Rikku's car, while Tidus crawled into his own.

"So, did we totally surprise you?" Rikku asked.

"How long have you known?" Yuna questioned quickly.

"Only a day," Rikku said, "Tidus called us and said that he was coming back. So we cooked up this plot."

Yuna smiled and sank down in her chair. So it was true? She had an entire year with him… An entire year.

Even though it all seemed like a dream, Yuna realized that perhaps it was a dream. A great dream that she would never end. She just would never wake up.

Closing her eyes dreamily, Yuna let out a sigh. How had things worked out? She decided she wasn't going to think about it. He was hers. Number thirty-seven…He was all hers. That was all there was to it.

--

I started to write this chapter to help me forget about a certain obsession I was seeming to have. That was the obsession with number thirty-seven, the number of a college hockey player who I had fallen in love with. This story is based off of some real events (and some very NOT so real events). It's all twisted though, and everything I've written is pretty much my own characterizations. I'm pretty sure the real number thirty-seven and Tidus aren't all that similar. (Although they kind of in a really odd way look the same...Maybe it's just their hair or something...) Anyway though...it did all start when my dad bought his jersey...

Well, I hope you enjoyed this story! I really enjoyed writing it. Now that hockey is over and this story is over, I don't know what to do with myself! Haha, I'm sure I'll find something...

Again, thank you everybody! I hope this story didn't let you down too much, if at all.