My eyes were sore and I was generally exhausted from the remainder of the stupid weekend. I cried for the majority. If she and Cloud are hanging out so much, what the hell am I supposed to think? Okay...maybe I'm being a bit too paranoid..I don't know anymore.

I sat at my desk, doodling little pictures, waiting for the bell to ring. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone sit next to me. I kept my focus on the paper. I didn't care who it was.

"Tif...listen. I'm sorry that I hurt you. Cloud and I...we're just friends. I understand why it hurt you but nothing went on between us. And it won't. I don't--"

"I don't like feeling jealous...I really don't, but...what am I supposed to think? You guys have been friends longer than we have. I feel like I can't compete."

"Don't. Don't say that. I only have feelings for you. No one else. I just wish you'd trust me more."

"Right now...I don't think I have a reason to..." Picking up my books, I sat at a seat far away from her. When class started, I kept my eyes on my books and papers, trying not to look at her.

Was I being too harsh? No...I'm not letting myself be stepped on anymore. I was hurt by the situation. Of course I'm not being harsh. Maybe I should just keep my distance for a few days. That way we can both cool down. As for Cloud and I, I didn't really feel like talking to him, either. They can think I'm being too uptight about it all they want.

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The end of the day couldn't have arrived any slower. I threw my backpack into the back seat of my car and hopped in before I could be greeted by anymore confrontation today.

Speak of the devil.

"Hey, Tifa..."

I glared. "What do you want, Cloud?" I said, looking down at the steering wheel.

"Since you won't listen to your own girlfriend, maybe you'll acknowledge what I say. Nothing went on with Aeris and I and there won't be anything. I'm your friend and I respect you enough to steer clear."

There was silence before I spoke again.

"I'll see you later," and drove off to go home, the only place I wanted to be right then.

It's not like they kissed or...anything else. It was just a hug, right? Jealously is not an attractive quality in a person. And I don't want to make a mistake and push her away by being jealous over something so...meaningless. Perhaps I was being too sensitive. Too paranoid. Things could've been worse.

I tossed my bag onto my bed and pulled my cell phone out of my pocket, deciding to just send her a quick text message.

--Tomorrow morning, meet me at my house before school. We can talk then.

-"Message sent!"

I closed the phone and plopped down on the bed, a million thoughts running through my mind before I finally drifted off into sleep.

It was dark. Total darkness in the room. Nothing mattered at that moment. It was just her and I and the world seemed to stop. Her kiss seemed to make everything stop in it's track. This feeling...was it real? It was indescribable. She draped her arms around my neck and pulled me on top of her, continuing to kiss me with all the passion she felt. Those arms...they held me so tightly. She was so warm. The feeling I had when I was with her was like nothing else I had ever felt. Those arms...

My eyes flickered awake when I felt a hand running through my hair. Those same arms from my dream...

My eyes adjusted to the sight of Aeris next to me on my bed. My eyes widened and I shot up, cursing myself afterwards from the dizziness I felt from the impact.

"What're you doing here?" I mumbled, rubbing my eyes.

"I had to see you. To clear things up."

"There's nothing to clear up. I was wrong. It's just...hard for me to trust people." I said quickly as I got up to straighten myself out.

"Tifa...I know you were hurt. Stop pretending like you're invincible."

There was silence. I heard her appproaching me until I felt her breath on my neck and felt her eyes on me.

"Tifa, I love you." I turned around and looked into her eyes before pulling her face to mine and kissed her deeply. I relived my dream as she wrapped those arms around me again and pulled me back, continuing that dizzying kiss that drove me crazy. Being with her was the only thing that mattered right then.

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"Holy shit!!" Reno screamed. Kadaj was in mid-air about to land on him while jumping on the old, ugly trampoline in the backyard. I wondered why the hell we still had it.

He landed and Reno groaned from the impact but then flipped Kadaj under him and tackled him, kissing him passionately. I opened the sliding door, staring at them in amusement.

"What the hell? Don't you guys have something better to do?" I said, a bowl of cereal in hand. I was still upset that last night ended so abruptly. But hey, when you sneak out, there's no choice but to get back early, which is what she had to do.

"Mmm, no actually, we don't. Now run along and let us fondle eachother,"

"Hm, on a freakin' trampoline?"

"Why the hell not?!" Reno said. I laughed, rolling my eyes while walking back inside to chill out. The minute I sat down to enjoy some TV, there was a knock on the door. I whined and got up, once again, to answer it. What a saw was some fluffy blonde hair and a pair of ocean blue eyes.

"Hi Cloud..."

"How is everything?" Silence.

"Just fine..Did you want something?"

He shrugged. "I just needed an update on how you were. I feel horrible for making things hard."

"It's all good...everything's fine now. Thanks for being concerned, though..."

He stepped into the house.

"I'm not going to deny that I once had a thing for her, but,"

"Is there something you're getting at?" I said, frustrated. I didn't want this conversation to make things bad again.

"But she's totally yours,"

"I know that,"

"And I'll stay clear of her" he continued quickly.

"Yeah well, you better. We have enough problems that if one thing goes wrong, we could be ruined. Do me a favor and don't make yourself one of them." I said.

"You don't have to worry about that.."

"...Good."

I smiled slightly and patted him on the shoulder before he walked out the door. I was starting to feel like some of the weight on my shoulders was being lifted.