So previously this was intended to be a one-shot. But, it's been a while ( a bloody long while ) and after returning to this story for nostalgia's sake and seeing the positive feedback, I've decided to expand on this story. I am sorry to the reviewers who can identify with that first chapter, I did not anticipate that reaction and I hope that your predicaments have come to a resolution since then. 3
Chapter Two: Where it's greener
From Aerith's point of view:
It has been six months since I transferred from that nameless high school in the Forgotten City. For those of you who are still in high school, or lucky you – have finished it so long ago as to forget how trying high school can be, six months is a long time, it's the equivalent of two school terms and boy the friendship dynamics and cliques can change drastically in that time.
But my experience here as the new girl in the prestigious Midgar High school was not trying. It has been almost a dream come true after what happened back there, and I feel like I can truly be myself now; outgoing and upbeat and somewhat quirky without being judged. Wait, what am I saying, it HAS been a dream come true, thanks in major part to finding my high school darling. The friendship group that Tifa invited me into has been wonderful and I love to feel like I truly belong, but I cannot deny that getting with Cloud has been the highlight of my time here.
We are almost up to our five month anniversary, and he never forgets. In fact two months ago he had to remind me as to why I was sitting behind him on Fenrir and being taken to the Gold Saucer. He is absolutely adorable and I can't see how he was so taken by me from the start; but what baffles me more is how no girl had taken him before I came into the scene. I mean he is not in the 'popular' clique, that group only admits the people with status and second hand fame – Rufus, Rude, Elena and Scarlett, the queen bee. But Cloud is beloved. I know that many girls adore him from afar, and not so far too. But guess what my honeybees I'm the lucky girl who gets to help him gel his spikes in the morning-
"Miss Gainsborough!" bellows Professor Hojo .
I snap out of her reverie and blink confusedly at the stuffy old math teacher. Also all my classmates have turned to stare at me, including Cloud who has been forced to sit at the front all semester, because apparently I distract him with my incessant chatter. He is giving me a smirk, a gorgeous one, I want to melt into my seat and –
" You seem to have an unfixable propensity for being a disruption to the class don't you, I bet you weren't even listening to me! I asked you a question, but never mind I won't bother waiting for an answer " the old bat yells.
I smile sweetly because I'm trying not to burst out laughing. Professor Hojo is my math teacher. He is also my Advanced Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Chemistry teacher. I just can't get enough of him you know, and what is so funny is that he cannot rightfully berate me because I get over 95% in all my tests for every subject. Oh yes, I am a nerd too, that is my salvation, well it got me out of that place.
Hojo proceeds with his lesson and everyone continues dozing off, because clearly everyone except me was paying attention to him before. But Cloud looks so attractive with that cheeky smirk, we are sharing a moment. He turns back to the front and I turn my head to the window and oh crap! She is looking at him too, her admiring features possibly reflecting the exact same adoring thoughts I had just then. Suddenly my stomach has an unpleasant feeling and my heart beats a little faster.
This thing with Tifa has been only one the downsides since coming to high school. She was my first friend here, and was the one who introduced me to Jessie, Reno, Barret and Cloud. She is the sweetest and kindest and most adorable girl I have EVER met. I did not know at first, she told me they were just friends when I first met him. By the time we became 'official' at the beach it was a little late for me to do anything because it was only then that I saw, in her face, how she truly felt about US. But then, the bond I had built with Cloud in the first four weeks can't be undone. It has led to this, the here and the now.
My phone vibrates, it's on silent of course.
" Hobo is an old geezer. 'Unfixable propensity' lmao. Can't wait 4 cinema after this xx."
This temporary distraction makes me giggle inwardly. I'm about to text but notice Hojo glaring fixedly at me again so I refrain. I glance again at Tifa, her face is expressionless and she appears to be concentrating furiously on the board notes. She hides it so so well, that is why no one notices. But I notice, because once I was in her shoes. It feels like a long time ago though. I thought I was skilled at hiding it, but it's so obvious. Now I wonder, did she notice me staring at Zack like that? Did I use to stare at him like that? Suddenly this class seems so tedious, I can't wait for it to end.
Review notes:
Wow I cannot believe this! I didn't believe I could actually write from Aerith's point of view. Any willing reviewers, let me know if I have captured her personality appropriately . And this is a challenge for any rabid er I mean avid Cloti fan. What would you do if you were Aerith in this situation? Can you really dislike her and begrudge her for going for what makes her happy? I hate Tifa's pain, but I certainly can't hate Aerith. So much grey….