A.N: This chappie is in Aeris' POV. I might decide to do more than one in her POV, as well.
I sat at the table glaring at my mother, my arms folded across my chest.
"I know..she's your friend. But from the moment you started hanging out with her, you've been gone almost every night."
"Yeah, she is my friend. And who cares? You and dad are always gone. Getting drunk and forgetting about your only daughter, anyway."
"How do I know you don't get drunk when you're with her?! What, does she have guys over every night?"
"No, mom! All we've been doing is hanging out. You can even ask Cloud and Zack...we went to a club last night and didn't have one drink or random hookup. There's no reason for you to be yelling at me!"
"Bottom line, Aeris. She's a bad influence on you and you need to get some new friends, seriously." I stood up and got in her face.
"What're you gonna do, mom?! You can't keep me away from her!"
Her hand shot up and hit me right in the face. I looked at her, disgusted, before running to my room.
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I gently touched the red streak forming across my face. Right then, I needed someone. I pulled out my cellphone and called Cloud. I asked him if he could come over and talk to me. I needed a friend. He agreed right away. I clicked the cellphone shut and continued to look in the mirror at my face. It was getting worse. I couldn't believe she actually hit me...
It was about 8:00 when Cloud showed up. I opened the front door and made sure my mom didn't hear him come in. From where she was in the house, I was confident she wouldn't notice. I grabbed his arm and ran upstairs.
"Cloud...we need to talk,"
"I hear for ya. I'll listen to anything you have to say,"
"Well, my mom is already starting to...suspect. And she's trying to keep me away from her. So, I need your help in order to be able to see her more."
"You want me to be a decoy in this situation?"
I looked at him with worry in my eyes. "What's in it for me?" he continued.
"Anything you want," I saw a michevious gleam in his eyes.
"NOT THAT!" I said. I knew what he was thinking. "Anything...but nothing sexual! Pervert!" I laughed. He folded his arms and turned away dramatically.
"I'm sorry, then. I can't help you,"
"Cloud!"
"I'm kidding. I'll do it."
"Thank you, Cloud! I owe you one!" I ran over to the bed and gave him a hug.
There was no way I was going to let my mom come between our friendship. It was too much to just throw away and I was more than willing to do whatever it took to keep seeing her. No doubt about it. I would just go into school tomorrow and talk to her about the situation. We could figure things out. We've come this far. We can do this.
"Thanks again for taking the time to help me out, Cloud" I led him out the door and stood on the porch with him until he left.
"Anytime..." he hugged me again. But it was more than a friendly hug. It was more of a "I care for you a lot" hug. He finally let go and walked home. I went back inside and breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow I knew things were going to be okay...I hoped they were going to be okay.
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The next morning with my mother was awkward. I sat at the table and quietly finished breakfast, avoiding her glances and her attempts to start conversation. Once I was finished, I grabbed my bag and told her I'd take the bus. Trust me, I'd much rather sit with a bunch of freshman than sit in the car with her for half an hour. I mean, who does she think she is? Trying to stop me from hanging out with Tifa. I won't let her. Not without a fight.
The bus ride to school was worse than I thought it'd be. It was full of freshman boys...who wouldn't stop looking at me. It...sickened me, to say the least. I sat in the far corner, away from anyone who would bother me and awaited the moment I could see Tifa and explain what happened last night. I hoped and prayed she wouldn't be upset. My mom was being completely foolish. She's probably going to put me in therapy. Or try to exorcise me or something. Knowing her, she definetly would. Whenever Tifa told me about her relationship with her mom, I was thankful that my mother wasn't that way. But now...she's completely turned her back on me...
I shook the thoughts out of my head when the bus finally stopped at the front of the school. I hurried out of the bus and ran inside, to find Tifa standing by her locker. I approached her and she turned and smiled at me.
"Hey...I tried to call you. What happened?" she asked.
"My mom took my cell. She's acting completely ridiculous just because I'm hanging out with you a lot..."
She frowned. I was so scared she'd be hurt. I didn't want to upset her.
"Hey...I don't care what she says. I'm going to stay with you. No matter what," she looked up and smiled once more. I smiled back and kissed her. By this point, I didn't care who saw us in the hallway. They let the straight couples do it, they have to let the gays do it...right?
Reno and Kadaj walked by holding hands. They were friends with virtually everyone in school. There was no one who hated them. I wondered how they did it. Tifa was lucky to have a brother like Reno. In my opinion, anway. All the girls thought they were adorable and all the guys thought they were fun to hang out with. Reno and Kadaj were in between feminine and masculine. They could be manly in certain situations. But when it came to going out, they were on the femme side. Always wanting to look "stunning". Tifa always tells me that she enjoys having Reno as a brother because, whether she wants to look casual or feminine, he's always there to help her pick the right outfit.
"I was planning on going out to dinner with you tonight but...maybe some other time?" Tifa asked.
"Of course. In a couple of days...my mom will hopefully back off." I answered.
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Like everyday, we all sat together at lunch. Talking about...the usual. Most of the time making fun of teachers we didn't like and praising the teachers who were the coolest. And, like everyday, Cloud copied Zack's homework for the next classes. Although, he didn't call it "copying". He called it "living in someone else's frame of mind". In other words, he was trying to be smart and get a good grade. I knew that if he really tried, he could get things right. He just didn't bother to.
Yuffie sat beside Kadaj and Reno with her head resting on one hand, looking extremely engaged in conversation with them. I wasn't surprised. Reno and Kadaj were some of the best people to have a conversation with. They'd give their full ideas or opinions but also listen to what you had to say. And, let's face it, they were adorable. All other thoughts instantly left my head, drowned out by guilt. I felt horrible that I had to keep Tifa away. I didn't even want to think of the pain she was more than likely experiencing.
"Aeris...I'll be okay...I know it's what you need to do. I'll be fine. Promise,"
"What?"
"I see your face. You're upset...don't worry about me..." she answered.
"It's hard not to..."
"Listen, everything will be fine. I promise..." she said.
I smiled at her. Her words were always comforting. But I was still worried about my mother's actions. And worst of all, it was going to be extremely hard to be away from Tifa for the next few days. I'd, by now, become so attached to her. I didn't want to leave her. And I wasn't going to...
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Gah! ok...it's a little short. But for the next few chappies I have some interesting things in store for my fellow readers. So hang in there, it'll get better. Thank you so much for taking the time to read!!! LOVE YOU ALL
Meg chan
