here is chappie 5 and now, after all that introductions and cheesy monolouges of 'this is my life so far' yada yada, we finally have some major character interactions! yeah! *clapclapclapclap* (i'm the only one clapping, aren't i?.....)

Enjoy!!

Chapter 5 - Maybe You Like Him

When I opened my eyes, all I could see was a bright light. There were voices softly buzzing around, but I was too drowsy and sleepy to make out what they were saying. I knew I was laying down and I felt cold, as if someone took my clothes off. I wasn't sure what was going on but I drift back into sleep.

A strong smell of perfume filled my nose. I opened my eyes and found myself sitting in a grand and soft chair. Until I realized the mirror in front of me, I was fully awake. Someone dressed me in a pretty black dress with elegant lacing and ribbons. I touched my face and hair - soft and smooth at the touch. Someone also put on a diamond necklace, earrings, rings, and bracelets.

For once, I was beautiful, like a dark princess...

As I gaped at myself in the mirror, I saw Tidus' reflection smiling from behind me. I quickly turned around and saw him sitting on another grand chair, smirking.

"W-what is this?" I demanded.

He didn't say anything at first. He rested his elbows on his knees, observing me.

"100 million gils." He simply said.

"Eh?"

"It's how much I invested in you." He said. I was speechless. "The dress, 30 million. Facial and hair treatment, 10 million. The other accessories like shoes and jewelry are roughly 60 million. All together makes 100 million gils."

"You plan to loan me all this so I can be forever indebted to you?!" I asked, terrified already.

He quickly stood up and stared at me for the longest time. I didn't know what he was going to do next, but there was something in his eyes that looked almost...sorry.

"Withdraw." He said.

"...what?"

"I can give you all this...just withdraw and you can go back to you're normal dull life." He requested.

"What?! Why would you do that sorta thing?" I said. He was chuckling quietly. "What are you laughing at? You think I want this kinda stuff?" I yelled at him, trying to detach the bracelets.

"Then why were you fascinated when you saw yourself?" He asked, walking in circles around me. "You like it, don't you?"

"T-that's...because..." I fumbled, trying to find my words.

"It's ok for norms like you. They can be so easily moved by the power of wealth. And that's what you are...commoner. So smile."

He started to walk closer as well as raising his voice.

"You look pretty. Things like this can really happen. Smile...I said SMILE!" He yelled. I looked at at him, giving the best glare I can.

"There's no way I'll smile to you! You can't always get what you want with money!" I said, frowning at him. His smile disappeared. "There's no way I'll withdraw. I meant what I said and I will be in war. Don't treat me like an average girl!"

I ran out of the room and marched down the hall.

"Who does he think he is? Why would he want me to withdraw?" I said to myself. "And more importantly, where are my clothes?"

The corridors were enormous and long. I didn't know which door to open since there was so many lining up. One of the doors were opened, so I stepped inside. Only it looked just like the room I left earlier, but with different furniture. I climbed down a few stairs and found a large dining hall with a high ceiling and chandeliers.

"My whole apartment can fit in here 50 times!" I mumbled.

Finally, I found the front entrance, but someone was entering the mansion. She had a bitter look to her, as if she knew how to use her power over people. Bodyguards and assistants surrounded her as she walked in. I didn't know what to do but watch her, and then our eyes met. Even though I was beautifully dolled up, she stared down at me as if I was scum. She could see right through me.

With a wave of her hand, two bodyguards grabbed and dragged me out the door. I kissed asphalt and felt clothes and books landing on my back. I turned around to watch the massive grand doors shut closed. I picked up my school things and marched away from the...castle?!

"Unbelievable..." I whispered as I gazed up at the estate.

I sipped on my school shoes and left all the pretty shoes and jewelry at their gate. But I couldn't go naked in public, so I left with the dress on...and hating myself for it!!

As I walked down the streets, I found a small cafe and quickly used the restroom. I changed into my school uniform and dumped the dress in a nearby dumpster - with no remorse.

"Ah, absent is she? Maybe she finally gave up." I heard someone said as I opened my classroom door.

"Maybe Tidus had her dealt with." They laughed.

"Like that will happen!" I yelled at them. They were surprised at first, but continued to bully me.

"You know it'll be better if she quit school now." One girl spoke.

"Maybe just quit being alive!" They all laughed and left me alone in the class.

Shelinda and I met eyes, but she quickly left too. When I arrived at the cafeteria, everyone was gazing up at graffiti drawn on the walls. It was splashes with red and black saying horrible things about me.

'Rikku is a slut'

'She has Malboro breath'

'Rikku can afford water for showers'

"Oh my! Who could have done this?" Pink Ears said loudly.

"So dirty! It must be true." Green Ears commented.

"I would never want to talk to a person like that, right?" Blue Ears said.

I want to teach those bratty girls some manners, but I can't even lay a finger on them if they weren't so rich and powerful! I wish I could punch them, but instead I ran down the hall and burst my way into the fire escape. I was kicking the walls, shaking with angry, and screaming to the sky. Suddenly, I looked down the next flight of stairs, but no one was there. Gippal wasn't there. I sighed...almost disappointed.

"Is that a habit?" I heard his voice from behind me. "Shaking and screaming like that?"

"E-eh...w-well. Uh, that is, uh..." I said, unable to form words. He leaned on the railing, reading a magazine.

"Do you know the time difference between here and Bevelle?" He asked.

"Eh? Bevelle?" I tilted my head. "I don't know."

"Oh, I see." He said, still looking at the magazine with a warm smile. "Oh well."

And he climbed up the stairs and left before I could say another word. For some reason I felt my heart beating fast...

"Thank you. Enjoy them." I heard Yuna said to a customer.

I was sitting behind the counter, munching on powered sweets and reading a books about travel. I couldn't help but look through half the books LeBlanc has until I finally found a section where it shows time difference.

"Ah! I found it!" I mumbled to myself. "Bevelle and Luca...8 hours different. Hehe! Tomorrow I'll tell him."

"You look happy." Yuna smiled. "Isn't he one of F4? He might be the horrible person who gave you the red notice."

"No no! Gippal is not like that. It must have been Tidus, the root of all evil." I said. Just thinking of Tidus makes me angry. "Gippal is definitely different." I smiled suddenly.

"Hmmm? How so?" Yuna said, smiling.

"Well...I can't really understand him." I started. "He sometimes have this cold look in his eye. But he's very tall, and a wonderful smile, and such a bright green eye." I sighed. "He looks so innocent."

"Maybe...you like him?" Yuna whispered in my ear.

"What?!" I said, "Are you kidding!? Well, what about you? Didn't you say you're going out with someone?"

Yuna just smirked and started acting all bashful. I knew something was up.

"What? Something happened?" I asked.

"I did...it." She said.

"Whaaat?!" I screamed, but so did LeBlanc right next to me.

"You are too young?!" LeBlanc screeched. "How can I let such a shameful girl work in my sweet shop? Rikku, you do you're best to stay an innocent virgin!"

"Oh, no no. I didn't mean that. I meant kiss! I did my first kiss!" Yuna quickly explained. LeBlanc sighed of relief.

"Ah! So young. You haven't experience a kiss before til now." LeBlanc said.

"I'm kinda jealous." I sighed.

"Remember this though...never kiss a boy who never kissed before going to high school." She said.

"What do you mean?"

"I once had an ex-lover." She said.

"Here we go." Yuna whispered.

"He was such a sweet and innocent man. But you never know what he's thinking. Then one day he killed a man and is now in jail." She finished her story. "Ah, I was guilty too." And she disappeared.

"Who is she?" I asked.

"Well, I don't know about that, but...I think someone's here to see you." Yuna said, pointing outside the store.

Shelinda was waiting outside

i end here. it's not much of a cliffhanger, but shelinda and rikku will have confrontation next chappie.

so how you think of tidus and rikku's first real conversation? it may seem hateful now, but it'll grow.

also about the Pink Ears, Green and Blue Ears thing. those are the girls with the colored earrings. i just decided to call them that to make it easier. and that's their nicknames rikku imagines. get it? oh well.