Chapter 4
"Making up"
It felt nice to pretend that everything was going to be alright. It felt great to believe that maybe, just maybe the baby would be welcomed by her family. By her friends. Most importantly by Cloud. The acceptance of her baby was all Tifa could ask for, nothing else and nothing more.
Even though this pregnancy was unplanned, Tifa could not bring herself to punish the unborn child within her. It wasn't right, not to her at least. She would have to be responsible; she was smart and hardworking- perhaps one day she would open a business and support her child that way. It would take a lot of time and work, but deep down Tifa believed she could do it. This is what Tifa contemplated that night while alone in her room, even though she had sworn that she would not think about it.
Keeping it out of her mind was fruitless. After all, she was sixteen and having a baby in high school! with no money of her own saved up. Everything she owned was courtesy of her poppa and her stepmother Noa, none of the possessions she had were purchased with her own money. except for the little trinkets she had, some clothes and the fiction books she owned, but only from baby-sitting a few neighborhood kids. Even though her family was well off, pocket money was rarely given it out. It had to be earned her father had told her, there is nothing more satisfying than earning your own money papa would often say.
The only money papa had put away for Tifa was specifically for college, a university was his hope. Tifa was not sure if that money would even be hers now.
Thought's like this depressed her. There was nothing Tifa could do but fear the future. Stress turned into weariness; weariness made her eyes heavy. Tifa fell asleep around midnight. She had a dream. It was a pleasant one too, almost euphoric even.
In her dream, Tifa was sitting under a tree with Cloud. Cloud was holding Tifa's hand, but he had a guilt ridden look on his face. Tifa could not hear what he was saying but he was trying to get something off his chest, it looked as if he were apologizing. Tifa put a hand on his cheek, the action relaxed him, and Cloud opened his eyes, his sky-blue peepers entranced her. He was leaning in for a kiss when Tifa felt a jerk at her feet.
Tifa opened her eyes; and was blinded by the sunlight creeping into her room from half opened shutters. she wiped at her eyes to block them from the rays and found her stepsister Yuffie jumping up and down on her bed.
"The nerve of that girl!" thought Tifa. Although still groggy, Tifa opened her mouth and yelled out "Stop it!"
Yuffie complied by bouncing off the bed and continued to hop up and down on Tifa's carpeted floor, in doing so she made loud thumps.
"Up and Adam sleeping beauty! Time for breakfast" Yuffie said with cheer, Tifa groaned in annoyance.
"What are you doing Yuffie?" Tifa sat up in her bed, her blankets wrinkling as she did so. Yuffie crossed her arms and looked at her sister. Yuffie sighed then walked to Tifa's bed and sat down next to her on the edge.
"It's past 6:40, I figured it was time to wake you since you usually wake up at six twenty." She began, Tifa blinked and looked curiously at Yuffie, almost glaring at her. Glares from Tifa usually meant a bona-fide ass kicking-of which Yuffie had gotten 7 in the past few years.
"You could have just tapped me on the shoulder to wake me up Yuffie, you didn't have to jump on my feet to do so." Tifa explained as calmly as she could muster, which made Yuffie pout.
"I tried to wake you up that way, but you wouldn't budge! It was like you were put under a deep spell like sleeping beauty!" Yuffie threw her hands up in the air dramatically, Tifa still looked at her sister unconvinced and Yuffie rolled her eyes and then smiled "You're just lucky I decided on jumping on the bed sis! Cuz I was this close to splashing ice-cold water on you!"
At that Tifa had to chuckle, Yuffie's behavior was cute at times. It was times like this that made Tifa grateful to have such an optimistic little sister.
"Well then, you've succeeded, what now?" Tifa questioned her precocious sister.
"We go eat breakfast with mom and dad" Yuffie said flatly as if it were obvious.
"But..." Tifa paused and looked up at the clock a top of her TV "It's almost 7! Dad eats at 6:30!" Tifa was aghast. Her papa rarely ever broke his morning routine.
"I know, but dad wouldn't let us start without you, he wants both of his daughters at the table" Replied Yuffie.
"Why?" Tifa asked confused.
"Because a family has to be together on days like this, and I quote" Yuffie said while pointing up at the ceiling, she cleared her throat to make it sound deeper "Your mother and I only have one day off a week together! And all we ask of you and your sister is to eat breakfast with us so that we can have this one day to show that we are a family! So, go and wake Tifa up or else no one eats anything!"
Tifa chuckled at Yuffie's impression of their dad. Gosh, it felt like an eternity since she had last laughed.
"Poppa sure is stubborn." Tifa said calmly.
"He sure is! So, hurry up and change into your uniform and get your butt downstairs! I need my nutrition or else I won't be able to concentrate in school!" Yuffie crossed her arms, Tifa sighed.
"As if you ever really go to school." Tifa said with disapproval in her voice. Yuffie stuck her tongue and put her hands on her hips.
"Well...I still need my nutrition, don't I?" Yuffie said with a grin and winked at Tifa.
"I'll get changed then, you head on downstairs and tell dad I'll be there in five ok?" Tifa told Yuffie who nodded, Yuffie left without another word and Tifa relaxed.
'I feel like I've forgotten something...' Yuffie thought as she made her way down the stairs, she stopped to think in mid step 'Oh well it'll come back to me sooner or later' Yuffie smiled and ran the rest of the way to the table.
Once alone and with the door closed, Tifa slipped out of her night clothes and began to change into her school uniform, she put on the skirt and her white long sleeve first, a pair of knee length socks and black shoes were next. her blue blazer was the last thing that she slipped on.
But as Tifa began to exit her room she noticed a picture sticker that she had taken with Cloud only three weeks ago, it was laying on the carpet near the door collecting lint. Tifa knelt and picked it up. She stared at Cloud in the picture, he was smiling. Tifa remembered that day, Cloud had protested on taking sticker pics but caved in after Tifa had kissed him a dozen times on the lips, he was no push over but it was funny to Tifa that he had given up so easily this time. Cloud was not the type to flash big toothy grins, Cloud preferred to smile closed mouthed. His closed mouth smiles were cute. Tifa loved his smile more than anything, it made her melt inside-even now.
Tifa stared longingly at the picture. How could such a cute and innocent picture bring a person spirits down so fast? Tifa spotted lettering. She looked closely at the sticker. right under Cloud's face was a message. Sticker pics weren't exactly big but thanks to computers today a tiny message could be added. it said: 4ever no matter what.
4ever no matter what
He had typed that, Tifa recalled asking him why he put that on the sticker, Cloud had smiled at her and told her that it was meant to serve as a reminder for her in case they should ever have another disagreement, or if they faced interference from her father. They were in this relationship for the long run, and that nothing could stand between them, not fear, not anything.
Tifa smiled, it was a real one. She brought the sticker to her chest and a hugged it warmly, she put the sticker on her desk and then went downstairs to eat.
- ct -
Cloud woke up with a splitting headache. he was frustrated still and had spent most of the night trying to think of what he could do about the baby, or of what to say to Tifa that would make up for his actions. Not that he expected her to forgive him not after suggesting that they end the life of their unborn child.
He was going to be a dad and Tifa was going to be the mother of his baby...a baby! He still could not believe it! It sounded so unreal. Dad...someone would call him dad, or daddy or poppa or father! Hell, fifteen years from now he would be a thirty-two-year-old man with a kid in high school! The thought of kind of freaking him out.
Cloud brought his hands to his head and rubbed his temples in hopes of ridding himself of the pain, honestly how was a guy to think with a headache so massive? Was someone in there beating the inside of his skull so that he would not forget his present situation?
After a minute or so Cloud gave up on massaging his forehead and sat up on his bed, his blanket fell to his lap-limp from the gravity. He stretched his arms over his head and then lifted the blankets off him and pressed his feet onto the soft carpet of his bedroom floor.
He was not wearing a shirt; Cloud seldom wore anything but lounge pants to bed and so when he stood and walked away from the warmth and comfort of his bed it was no surprise the he felt a strong draft. He welcomed the sun rays that shown into his room from the window. He looked out to the neighborhood, it was a nice sunny day, a couple of blotchy clouds were covering the handsome blue sky, but it was still nice out.
Cloud snickered, cloud what a hippy name he had. he wondered what kind of a name his kid would have; would it be as unique as his or Tifa's?
Cloud sighed and decided that it was too early to think of names and headed towards the bathroom. His bathroom was right across the hall from his room, so it was a short trip. Cloud brushed his teeth and changed into his uniform; his uniform required a tie and he did wear it-loosely of course. He hated the feel of ties, they were just so constricting which was probably the point.
Cloud rinsed and then slung his blazer over his shoulder and made his way downstairs, he caught sight of his mother midway down the steps, it looked as if she were preparing breakfast. Cloud knew that she was preparing him a lunch for school as well. Cloud rarely ate at lunch, but he was grateful that his mother still fixed him one. most days he shared his packed lunch with Wedge who happily accepted home cooked meals whenever offered.
"I know you're there son so don't even bother with trying to sneak out" Said his mom, and she turned to face him. His mom held a small plaid cotton bag in her left hand, she held it up for Cloud and he walked over and took it from her "I made breakfast but if you sit down and eat you'll be late so I took the liberty of preparing some toast for you."
"Thank you, mom..." Cloud looked around the kitchen when he heard a clang, it was the toaster, and two pieces of delicious looking golden-brown bread sprung up from it.
"Ah! Look at that. The toaster is a psychic!" His mom laughed and grabbed the pair of toast and wrapped them in a napkin, toasted bread crumbs fell from the napkin as his mom did this making a tiny mess on the floor that could be easily cleaned up with a broom later on "I trust you'll finish these before you ride off into traffic right?"
"I will mom." replied Cloud and his mom pointed at her cheek, Cloud sighed in embarrassment, the action meant that she wanted a goodbye kiss "Mom." He whined.
"Oh, I see how it is" His mother crossed her arms disapprovingly "You're too old to give your dear old mother a kiss on the cheek aren't you? Well that's fine with me" His mother stuck up her nose and Cloud frowned.
"Mom I-"
"No! no, really it's fine honey, I only gave birth to you and all I ask for in return is a small peck on the cheek" She added and sighed "Well I guess that's what I get for going through an excruciating eighteen hours of labor- so oh well."
"Mom really i-"
"Eighteen hours! And I had no drugs!" said his mother sharply.
"Ok, ok I get it" Cloud gave up and leaned in and gave his mom a kiss on the cheek and his mom smiled triumphantly.
"There, was that so bad Cloud?" His mom joked "Now get going you'll be late for school" She patted him on the shoulder and Cloud headed for the door with his stuff, his mom watched as he left. When the door closed behind him his mother walked over to the nearest window and continued to eye him as he sped off on his bike "I really do wish he'd get rid of that motorcycle...it's a moving deathtrap. Why did I let him buy it?".
Cloud's mother sighed and went on to do some chores around the house.
Meanwhile, Cloud was speeding down the roads and took time at intersections to take large bites of the toast his mom had prepared him. he gobbled down the second piece of toast before he hit the highway that led to his school. That headache he had when he woke up seemed to dissipate as he rode.
Good old bike rides, the world's best cure. Well, for Cloud it was.
There were hardly any cars out on the road today so Cloud was about ten minutes early for school, it would have been fifteen but Cloud had a devil of a time finding a parking spot in the student lot since the motor club parking lot was sectioned off today for some reason. Cloud wondered why and figure he would check that out later with Zack.
The minute he stepped foot on campus he kept an extra eye out for his girl, he wondered if Tifa would want to talk? Cloud searched but she was nowhere to be found, was she hiding from him? It would not have surprised him after what he had done. He had maybe eight minutes left till the bell rang but he did not care.
And then he felt it, a hand on his shoulder. Cloud's eyes lit up and he spun around quickly to meet her gaze.
"Tifa!" he said her name brightly.
"Tifa? Cloud, do I look like Tifa to you?" Said a slightly amused Zack and Cloud's world sunk like a concrete block in water "If so, I guess that means you think I'm good looking, right? I feel so bashful!" Zack covered his face to mimic a red-faced girl and Cloud's eye twitched, Zack let out a hearty laugh.
"Would you stop?! It's not that funny!" Cloud murmured.
"Oh, I beg to differ" Zack protested "I think it's quite funny. Even if it's at my expense, but what can I say? A laugh is a laugh and the world needs it every now and then."
"Glad your entertained" Cloud muttered "Well have you seen her then?"
"Who? Tifa?" Zack looked at Cloud and shook his head "Sorry Cloud, haven't seen her yet why? You going to make up with her? If so good for you! You two make a nice couple and I'd hate to see you two-part ways." Zack patted Cloud on the shoulder approvingly and started walking down the hall alongside his buddy.
"Actually...well...I do want to make up with her but..." Cloud trailed off not exactly sure how to word what he was feeling.
"But? But what? You can talk to her, can't you? You two apologize to each other for whatever happened, and things will go back to normal, end of story." Zack stated. Cloud pursed his lips together practically mashing them, his eyes to the floor, great he was back to that again
"It's not that simple..." Cloud stopped himself before he blurted it out, he swore, he was that close to telling Zack about Tifa's pregnancy. That would have been bad.
"Not simple huh? Cloud" Zack's cheery expression turned grim "Wait…you didn't cheat on her? did you?!"
"No! No! God no! I would never do that to her!" Cloud shook his head frantically waving his hands back in forth in denial.
"Then what is it? I can't give you good advice without being filled in so tell me what happened." Zack said firmly, oh boy Cloud had made Zack go into soldier mode, it was a joke Soldier mode. But Cloud used that term to describe Zack when he was most serious.
"I... I" Cloud stuttered "Tifa told me something, that rattled me up a little, That's why I avoided her for two days, when she and I finally talked again I said something awful to her and it hurt her feelings and I want to make up for it but I don't know how..." Cloud finished.
"That's just like you Cloud, you always do stuff without thinking." Zack commented as he continued to stride down the hall with Cloud. Fellow students started to crowd in the little space they had, the bell was going to ring any minute now "So I'll help you out."
"What?" Said Cloud disbelievingly.
"You heard me; I'm going to help you out. I have feeling you were going to ask for my help, anyway right? " Zack said with a grin "Knowing you, a bus could crash into this building and explode and you would still be here in this spot trying to think of a way to make it up to Tifa , but luckily for you the big Buddha sent me to be your guide."
"Well yeah, I was gonna ask you" Cloud confessed "Do you have any ideas at the moment?" Cloud said with hope, he wanted to apologize to Tifa as soon as possible.
"Er...Sorry I don't have anything in mind right now" Zack sighed "well, maybe just one but I just don't know if you'll go for it"
"At this point Zack I'd do anything, just tell me what I have to do, and I'll do it." Cloud said with determination. Zack grinned widely and Cloud grimaced. Now he wondered exactly what he had just gotten himself into.
"Good, skip fifth period and meet me by the gym, trust me Cloud it'll be worth it." Zack gave Cloud a thumbs up and the two parted ways as the bell rang
Waiting till fifth period. wow, what a nightmare that was hours away.
Cloud tried his best to be patient during his classes but found it hard to do so, he would tap his foot up and down under his desk impatiently, the action caused his desks to shake slightly which made his fellow classmates glare in annoyance, not that he had actually noticed.
Finally, fourth hour came and ended, and Cloud headed for the gym. Sure, enough Zack was there by the entrance, looking as calm as always. He walked up to him.
"Cloud! Right on time buddy" Zack was in a cheery mood as usual "Come on he should be here any minute now"
"Who?" Cloud asked.
"Vincent!" Zack said as if it were obvious. Cloud stared at Zack blankly, Vincent? Why was he bringing Vincent into this? Vincent Valentine was Zack's very intimidating twenty-seven-year-old cousin who stood tall at a solid 184 cm (about six feet tall), and the two were far from close but got along well as far as Cloud knew. Vincent was also a student teacher here at the school, not by choice of course, Vincent's college had assigned him to Nomura High out of sheer coincidence.
"Why are we going to go talk to him? I thought you two had an understanding." Cloud walked alongside Zack. The understanding that Cloud was speaking of was an agreement that Zack and Vincent had made outside of school, that Agreement meant that neither were to speak during school hours, no matter what. Why was Zack going out of his way to seek him out and break that verbal contract?
"We need to ask him for his set of keys." Zack answered, Cloud was puzzled.
"Keys? Why do we need keys?" Cloud asked.
"We need Vincent's keys so we can open the sports shed! You said you wanted to apologize to Tifa right? Well why not do it by spelling it out on the on the football field that your sixth period overlooks with the chalk they use to draw out the boundary lines and stuff? That would definitely get her attention"
Cloud's jaw dropped.
"But...But if we do that everyone in my class will see it! Not just Tifa!" Cloud shouted, and Zack nodded.
"Exactly! You'll be admitting that you were wrong and that you love her enough to admit it to the world! Girls love that kind of stuff" Zack responded with a huge smile, he was about to say something else when they both heard loud clicks coming from the gym doors, it was the locks.
The gym doors suddenly opened, and the tall intimidating Vincent was the one stepping through them. Vincent caught sight of both Cloud and Zack almost immediately Vincent's blank face grew stern and the expression did not change as the two friends stared back.
It was quiet and so tense that you could cut the air with a knife. Cloud suddenly felt the world go cold. He was not afraid of Vincent but the presence around him seemed to change for some reason, the best word for it being 'spooky'.
"Hey Vincent!" Zack called to the dark-haired man nonchalantly, Vincent stood up straight shaking his head at his cousin and at Cloud. Vincent swore that Cloud and Zack looked a lot like each other. Vincent wondered if he had another cousin that he did not know about that Zack was introducing to him just at this moment.
"What do you want Zack?" Vincent said flatly and crossed his arms, Cloud kept silent as Zack strode over to Vincent.
"Nothing! I just wanted to say hi!" Zack patted Vincent on the shoulder in a friendly gesture, though it was clear Vincent wasn't having it.
"Is that so?" Vincent uncrossed his arms and eyed Zack suspiciously "why do I not believe a word that you're saying?"
"Don't be like that Vincent! You know I mean you no harm." Zack was smiling, Vincent shook his head again.
"That's what you said at Aunt Gertrude's wedding, you know I'm still paying of that suit you ruined" Said Vincent.
"Vincent, I swear it wasn't my idea! I only planted the bucket full of wine, it was meant for the groom not you." Zack explained "I didn't expect you to walk in front of him."
"Even so, I'm still paying for the damage on that rental." Vincent grumbled and caught Zack's eye "Wait a minute, your study hall isn't this period is it? I remember hearing that you had computers at this time...why aren't you in class?"
"Well, you see we had to go drop off some books at the library and I guess we got a bit sidetracked...right Cloud?" Zack nudged Cloud on the shoulder, Cloud nodded in agreement while keeping his silence, he figured if he stayed quiet, they would not get in as much trouble.
"So, I'm guessing neither of you have a pass, right?" Vincent interrogated, Zack got quiet and then nodded.
"We don't" Zack shrugged his shoulders "Since we've probably missed half of the class by now, I figured that you could give us one, you know to get us off the hook?"
"I don't think so Zack, go to class" Vincent turned his back on the two and began to head in the direction of the PE room when Zack grabbed his arm. Vincent gave Zack a questioning glare.
"Come on Vincent! You know I don't ask you for much! Can't you help me out just this once?" Zack pleaded; Cloud was taken aback. Zack begging?
"No absolutely not, go to class now or else I'll have to sign you both up for ditching." Vincent ordered them.
"Okay, we'll go." Zack sighed and snapped his fingers in defeat, Vincent walked off without another word "Can't believe that worked!" Said Zack with a grin Once Vincent was out of sight, he turned to Cloud who was dumbfounded.
"What worked? You didn't even ask for the keys to the equipment shed" Cloud pointed out the obvious, how would he gain Tifa's forgiveness now? It all seemed hopeless to Cloud that is until he noticed Zack swinging a small chain with his index finger, the chain was stocked with silver and gold keys each with small stickers on flat base.
"Are those?"
"Vince's keys? Of course! I took them while he wasn't looking" Zack started tossing the keys back in forth in his hands like a hacky sack, Cloud's eyes almost popped out-out of sheer amazement.
"H-how? I never even saw your hands go near his pockets!" Cloud scratched his head trying to figure out exactly how Zack got the keys.
"learned it from an uncle in Wu Tai, now come on Cloud we're on a mission here! We have to get to the shed before the next PE class starts." Zack patted Cloud on the shoulder and the two friends headed towards the shed. The equipment shed was to the east of the gym, At least the isolated area would provide perfect cover for them as they went on about their covert mission.
Zack had trouble finding the right key for the lock on the door, it took about five minutes or so for both Cloud and Zack to realize that the letters on the keys were actually abbreviations of words, and there was only one key that had the abbreviation of shed, which was SHD.
After screeching open the door, the two headed for the chalk that maintenance men usually used to paint the baseball, soccer, and football fields. The powder that went into the grater was kept separately in a small box, what a hell of time they had looking for that! Course, time was crucial. They had to get the message out before sixth period began.
Cloud took a deep breath as he summed up what he was about to do, that message; everyone was going to see it! Tifa, and all his classmates, and the teachers! Duh! Of course, the teachers would see something like that, it made him stop and really think this through.
"Hey Zack" Cloud paused "Think we'll get into trouble for this?" Zack looked at Cloud.
"Yup." Zack said flatly while nodding his head, Cloud sighed.
"And you're not troubled by that at all?" Cloud asked him.
"Course not! I'm helping two of my close friends settle their differences, to me getting in trouble is the least of my worries" Zack said with a smile "You're not having second thoughts, are you?"
Cloud looked at Zack, and then shook his head, a smile crossed his lips.
"No way, I'd do anything for Tifa." Cloud said confidently and threw Zack a thumbs up. Zack grabbed the grater and the two left the shed.
… - -
Tifa had indeed been late for school that morning as she had predicted, her dad was more than happy to give her a ride to school of course. She had barely made it to first period but at least she had made it onto campus before the hall monitors began writing up slips.
Tifa had a hard time concentrating while in each of her classes, her thoughts were on Cloud and on the baby. It was hard to even write down her name on quiz sheets with her mind so busy. Tifa knew that she had to straighten up and get serious, it was easier said than done.
After each class let out, Tifa would look for that spiky haired blond boyfriend of hers, she would keep calling him her boyfriend for now. Tifa was not sure if he wanted to break up with her just yet. She dreaded it but was prepared for him to say he wanted out of the relationship. The difference today being that Tifa did not go looking for him like she had before, though she did keep an eye out for him. She did her best not to keep her hopes up, seeing how things had gone down the past few days she figured the outcome would be bleak.
"Just forget it Tifa, just keep walking forward" Tifa told herself at lunch, she ate alone. Tifa had many friends and male admirers, the male admirers annoyed her and so she often did her best to avoid them. She hated their constant flirting knowing damn well that she had a boyfriend. She hated how girls would gossip about her once they did flirt with her, gossipy bitches.
Tifa ate a lunch that her stepmother had prepared for her. Tifa was pleased to see that her mother had packed a hardy looking sandwich with a side of baby carrots, and fresh strawberries with yogurt and a small bottle of Potion spray. Normally Tifa would not have finished it all, It was a lot of food, but after reading an article that said that fruits and vegetables were an essential source of nutrition for an unborn child, she had changed her mind about leaving left overs.
She was going to be a mother, and a mother had to take good care of her child. Tifa figured that she could start by feeding her baby good healthy brain food, Tifa ate every ounce of food-even savoring every bite. the Strawberries tasted sweeter than she thought they would, every morsel was far more satisfying than before. she hoped that her baby would enjoy the meal as she had. Tifa had to laugh, what a silly thing to think about! She wondered if she was the only one who thought like that, she than wondered what Cloud would have said about the way she was thinking, would he have laughed too?
Tifa suddenly felt depressed again, damn it! Why did she have to think about Cloud now? Now when she was starting to cheer up? Tifa than thought of what the sticker had said...
4ever no matter what
Had he even meant it? Tifa sighed, and looked up at the sky high above her, she breathed in and relaxed.
"Take each day by day Tifa" Tifa said to herself as she stood up and brushed off her skirt, she grabbed her backpack and headed for her next class.
Pretty much everything until sixth period was a blur; Tifa had even stopped at one point to figure out how she even made it to her last class of the day.
"Miss Lockhart are you well? "Tifa apparently looked so dazed that her sixth period teacher had stopped her as she walked into class to ask this.
"Y-yes miss Marle, I'm fine." Tifa assured her teacher and took her seat in the middle row. Soon the class was full, and the bell rang, Tifa looked over to where Cloud sat, he was not there. Tifa sighed, even though she was upset with him (she was sure he was upset with her too) she had still hoped to see him, his presence would have been comforting even if he wouldn't talk to her.
"Alright class, today you will be studying the Wu Tai history and culture. There will be a test, so everyone takes plenty of notes" said the teacher from in front of the classroom, upon hearing this Tifa grabbed her book bag and searched for her notebook and pencil as collective groans filled the room.
Wu Tai history, Tifa thought. Her sister Yuffie was of Wu Tai decent, in fact Yuffie's biological dad still lived in the capital of the Wu Tai nation. Tifa had an upper hand here at least. Tifa was ready to get down to work.
"Teacher! Teacher!" A girl suddenly started yelling, everyone in the class including Tifa turned to look at the girl, the teacher had her hands on her hips.
"Maia what is it that is so important that you have to interrupt the class?" the teacher asked calmly but the student was animated, Maia the girl leaped out of her seat "Someone is outside desecrating the football field! He's writing something in chalk!"
The class became a buzz, almost simultaneously the entire class jumped out of their seats and rushed over to the windows to see what the girl Maia was talking about, The Teacher ran over to the curious students trying to sit them all back down, Tifa still sat awkwardly at her desk; with a pencil poised in her hands, did she feel foolish! Here she was ready to do schoolwork and the class was busy with some stunt.
"I knew those boys from the motor club were trouble!" Miss Marle screeched and quickly ran over to the intercom and called for the school security. right then another female student ran towards Tifa.
"Tifa! Tifa! You have to come look at this!" The girl then grabbed Tifa's arm, it caused Tifa to drop her pencil. And before Tifa could protest the girl had forcefully pulled her from her seat and towards the window.
"What is it?" Tifa said as the girl leading her to the window shoved a couple of boys out of the way to it, once the girl leading her cleared a spot she placed Tifa in front of it, Tifa looked over her shoulder at her classmate one last time and then out the window, what she saw made her gasp.
Tifa! I love you, please forgive me!
-Cloud
Tifa was not sure of what to say, instead she stood at the window with her mouth gaping. A lot of the girls next to her ran up and started shaking her with excitement this girlie action brought her back into the real world.
"Tifa! You're so lucky!" A girl squealed.
"I wish my boyfriend would do that for me!" another said to Tifa, her tone envious.
Tifa blushed and looked down at the message and right by the message stood Cloud, with Zack right next to him.
…-
Cloud looked up at the building and saw Tifa at the window-he smiled at her. He wondered if she could see his smile from her floor.
"Think she'll forgive me?" Cloud said to Zack who was waving up at the kids in Tifa's class, clearly, he was enjoying the class's reaction to Cloud's message, he stopped waving suddenly and turned to face Cloud.
"I think she will...but I know he won't!" Zack motioned toward their right, Cloud looked in the direction Zack pointed at and saw a very unhappy Vincent running towards them with clenched fists; seeing his cousin coming at them Zack dropped his weight into his foot and ran in the opposite direction.
Cloud shook his head as Vincent chased Zack around the field, he was sure Zack was going to be in for it this time they both were.
…..-
It took a while for her class to calm down, Miss Marle had regained control over the students shortly after Zack and Cloud had been taken to the principal's office. Tifa could not believe that Cloud had done that, she had not expected behavior like that from Zack or Cloud. Zack was not shy and but even she could not see him proclaiming something like that to her friend Aerith, Cloud on the other hand…He was never the type to make public displays like that.
Tifa! I love you, please forgive me!
the picture just stayed in her head and she could not shake it off. It was worse by the time when the final bell of the day rang. Because when she stood up, she could still see the message on the field, parts of it any way as it was being cleaned up by a few workers. She thought it over as she walked out of the school with her backpack in her hands, she held her bag in front of her so it lightly hit her knees every couple of steps or so, she did not mind.
She sighed as she made her way to the front gates, from there it would be a 45-minute walk to her home. It was a hot day and Tifa regretted declining that ride home from her parents for the afternoon, a nice car with air conditioning sounded just heavenly right about now. Tifa neared the sidewalk, there was a group of terribly slow girls in front of her.
If it were not for those girls, Tifa probably would have missed him, she probably would have missed the gleam that came from his bike. For that she would always be thankful to the slow chatty gals.
Tifa rubbed her eyes and glanced up and saw Cloud sitting patiently on his Fenrir, He had his arms crossed over his chest and looked as if he had been outside of the school for quite some time. Clearly Cloud was waiting for someone.
It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who that person was that Cloud was waiting for.
Tifa inhaled deeply and bit down on her bottom lip to help her gather some courage. she found it and then walked over to him. he uncrossed his arms as she neared.
"Hey." Cloud said simply.
"Hey" Tifa said back, she felt a little awkward standing there talking to him after everything that had happened.
"Can I give you a ride home?" Cloud asked her. Tifa smiled at him her eyes big and shiny with hope she stepped closer to him eager to accept his offer for a lift home, just as quickly she remembered that her parents were home and her heart sank.
"I don't know about that, my dad might see you if you dropped me off at the front gate, he likes to walk around the neighborhood at this time so i don't think you can drop me off at the curb like usual…I don't want to get you into trouble" Tifa looked down, she did want that ride but she was afraid.
"Oh…I forgot all about this being his day off" Cloud replied nervously. and slowly a small, calming smile formed on his face " I guess I'll have to take you somewhere else to talk privately won't I?"
His smile that beautiful smile that Tifa loved so much. It was the first time in a week that she had seen it, it made her happy. She felt a smile form but looked down shyly trying to hide it.
"I guess we don't have much of a choice." Tifa held out her hand and Cloud reached out and touched it, slowly he wrapped his slightly larger hand around Tifa's and gripped it gently. he then helped her up onto his bike and started up the engine. Cloud put on his goggle's moments later. when he felt Tifa wrap her arms around his lean waist, he smiled and touched her hand again before riding off into the distance with his girl.
The roar of the Fenrir's engine signaling their escape.
Cloud drove right past Tifa's street and neither cared, Tifa did not even protest when the two zoomed past the Edge border, the farewell sign shook at the speed of Cloud's Fenrir. Tifa almost did complain about her skirt; she had a devil of a time keeping it from showing of her underwear, what a sight that would have been for bystanders!
Cloud did not stop driving for another hour. He drove in the direction of the nearest beach. He and Tifa had visited this one a long time ago when a race was held here.
Exactly why he was headed toward that beach he could not answer, he just wanted to be alone with her. The sun was still up, but by the color of the sun it was clear to both that it was nearing maybe five o clock.
They arrived at the beach and Cloud parked his bike near a set of old logs, fallen trunks from trees in the nearby lush forest.
Both Cloud and Tifa took a seat on one of the logs, stillness followed. It was still awkward for them, sitting here at this beach together after all the drama that had transpired in the past few days. Tifa knew that if she either wanted to clear the air and mend things between them that now was the time to do that.
So, she spoke first.
"Zack… got you to write that message on the field didn't he Cloud." Tifa asked him, a slight smile formed on Cloud's lips and went away almost as quickly as it had formed.
"He wanted to help me out."
"Help you out?" Tifa repeated and Cloud nodded.
"I was having a hard time...thinking of a way to make it up to you." Cloud glanced towards the ocean, a breeze followed, and his blond locks flew in the wind "I saw that clip you sent me by the way" Cloud added silently.
Tifa was surprised, a clip? That is right she had sent him a link a couple of days ago, it was on abortion...how could she have forgotten?
"After I had watched that clip...I wondered why I ever suggested something so cruel." Cloud grabbed her hand and held it tightly "I don't want that. I don't want that to happen to our baby Tifa..." Tifa looked at Cloud with wide surprised eyes.
Our baby...were her ears deceiving her? Her heart began to beat faster, and hope filled her being for the first time in days. Yet, she still could not shake off what had been said and done this past week.
"You still suggested it Cloud, and you avoided me for two days!" Tifa took her hand away from Cloud and placed both her hands on her lap, her fingers gripped the hem of her skirt. "Do you have any idea how much that hurt me?"
"I do now…and I'm sorry. I know a simple apology isn't going to cut it, but it's all I can say right now." Cloud looked down towards the sand, Tifa looked away for a split second and then focused her attention on Cloud. Almost studying him, Tifa could tell that he was being sincere.
"I just wish that you hadn't walked away." Tifa looked up at the ocean "I had never thought that you would ever turn your back on me and walk out like that…I'm scared Cloud...about having this baby, I really am!" Tifa turned to Cloud, their eyes met simultaneously "You're the only one that I can count on right now...I know that-that it is a lot of pressure to put on someone but it's true...You were the only one I thought I could really trust right now-"
"And you still can!" Cloud interrupted, his blue eyes investigated her brown ones pleadingly "I'm still here Tifa, And I'm going to be there for you!" Tifa was shocked, she was impressed as well.
"C-Cloud I..." Tifa trailed off and tore her gaze away from Cloud's eye's, she felt her heart nearly jump out of her chest.
"I'm Sorry...I... I didn't mean to interrupt you like that." He apologized "But I mean it, I want to be there for you Tifa." Cloud felt Tifa's eyes on him and continued "I'm not ready to take care of a family, I'll admit that...but I'll do what I can to take care of you." he finished honestly.
Tifa paused momentarily, to think over his words. The wind howled significantly in the background as she took her time. Finally, she found the right words.
"I have no doubt in my heart that you mean what you say..." Tifa began "But you are not answering my question though...why did you walk away from me like that? This is what I want to know the most…"
Silence followed, but only for a moment.
"Do you want me to be honest?" Cloud asked her with a forlorn look on his face.
"Yes, please." Tifa said with a nod.
"I wanted to get away from where you were." he paused tilting his head down to look at his girlfriend in the eyes "I wanted to run I'll admit...that i was scared." Cloud kicked the sand under him, causing the small grains to go flying in the wind. he stood up- Tifa did as well "I was scared of what would happen to you, Complications happen during pregnancies and like I said before...I'm not ready for such a huge responsibility. I don't even know if I'm capable of being a good father…My dad left when I was born, I don't know what a real dad acts like. I don't know how to be a man."
There was a pause, it ended with a slight snicker from Cloud it made Tifa arch an eyebrow, how could he snicker after such an intense confession, Cloud looked at her with a sad smile.
"You know, I haven't even thought about what I want to become? I don't even have a job! I want to race professionally- but that's just a dream. it's not a realistic career, last year only two guys were recruited to race professionally…two! That only happened because the company they signed with lost two recruits, even the crazies like me have a hard time getting signed." Cloud said quickly.
"You never know, I bet you'll get signed eventually. I mean you only became a crazy two years ago." Tifa tried to encourage cloud.
"Yeah…that's my downfall." Cloud said sadly "A lot of companies aren't sure about me, a lot of them don't like my look. Some of them don't want a Crazy that's still in high school either…god knows what those bastards will think of me-when they find out I'm going to be a dad at 17."
"Cloud…" Tifa balked at Cloud's confession, she had always believed being a crazy made things easier to get a lucrative contract in the racing world.
"I know I just said that I will be there for you but...I don't know if I can take care of you, that's what really scares me." Cloud admitted.
"Cloud..."Tifa said his name softly and touched the side of his face, Cloud's bright blue eyes watered as he she touched his cheek, her hand was so warm, so nurturing "You are not the only one with those feelings...I have them too" Tifa leaned closer towards him.
"I'm not?"
"No..." Tifa's eyes faltered "I wasn't cool about this at first, being pregnant...To be honest, the more I think about becoming a mom the more worried I become, but when you think about it. Everyone has those feelings" she continued "I have good grades, but I don't know if that will be enough. I know I can still get an academic scholarship and go to university, but raising a baby at the same time? I had always envisioned waiting till after college for children. like poppa told me too" Tifa's face faltered as did Cloud's.
Cloud felt guilty. so many of their plans would have to be changed, changed because of one night of reckless passion. His racing dreams, her education, how would they achieve their goals now? It was clear that Tifa was thinking the same thing. As Cloud felt Tifa grab his hand, she held onto him tightly.
"All we can do is work harder. We must keep moving forward and try and be the best parents we can possibly be with our situation." Tifa felt a heavy pressure build behind her eyes "It's going to be a lot of work, a lot struggling. But I'm willing to go through it all, but only if you're with me. I know I won't be as scared to face the future if I am with you."
Tifa closed her eyes. she drew in a deep breath; she did not want to cry. Not now. Tifa felt a hand on her shoulder, it was Cloud's of course, Cloud gently pulled her to him and hugged her tightly.
"Then from now on, I promise to be the best man that I can be." Cloud spoke into her ear. "From this day forward I'm an adult and I'm going to provide for you and the baby all the way, You are going to keep going to school, you are going to college no matter what. I'll work ten times harder if I have too to get you there. Tifa; I know this sounds half baked, but I'm going to do my best to help you finish your education. We both will." Cloud declared as he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, He held her tightly in his arms, and Tifa's tears finally fell, she tilted her head upwards and spontaneously pressed her lips against his, Cloud welcomed her kiss full-heartedly. His heart thudded as he reciprocated her action, they kissed for what seemed like a blissful eternity with the sun setting beside them. The ocean waves crashed gently, matching the beat of their hearts.
And nothing else mattered. They would face whatever this world had to throw at them together.
Hi everyone Rina here, I'm sorry it took so long for this chapter to come out after i had promised weekly updates but i have been bedridden I've been sick for quite a while now and only now am I getting better, I still have a sore throat but at least i can sit up and type neh? Well i hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and tell me what cha guys think, also don't be afraid to speak up on anything I like constructive criticism I figure it makes you a better writer ne?
Okie dokie then, I know this is the fourth chapter but the story truly picks up from here, There will be romance, there will be drama and there will be a lot of flashbacks, hope that's okay with you guys.
Ok now onto responses!
Bianka-Chan – I'm glad that you are enjoying this story, I'm going to take your advice to heart and try my best to take my time with the chapters...it's a shame I'm so impatient though heheh, anyway i hope you continue to read as the plot gets thicker.
Rend- Ah Rend! One of my favorite reviewers! Your right Cloud should not have gotten her pregnant if he could not own up to it, but at least now he is right? Course not all stories are happy though are they, hint, total drama for Cloud ahead.
Kiome Yasha- Oh yes, things are going to get crazy, I have already written the part where Tifa's parents find out about the baby and... oh wait i must keep that part secret! Sorry heheh, I am glad you are still reviewing this story; I value your reviews big time.
Amaranthos- Ah...heheh Ama-chan I hope you are not mad at me! I Know i promised weekly updates and I'm sorry I was not able to live up to them, but i hope this chapter makes up for the wait, it's the longest one i have ever written about thirteen pages and 776 something words long. I hope you enjoyed, and I am loving your story so far, cannot wait to see chapter twelve!
Skyline102- Oh let us not be so harsh on Cloud, Cloud's never been one to think things through, anyway hope to see you review again!
Starwishes- Awesome? Really! yay! I am glad you liked it, hope to see you review again!
Chibeh- I updated for you! I only hope you like this chapter.
Demon lou- Yay! So happy to see you review again! I hoped this chapter lived up to the last one, kiss DLL and review again! please?
Lockhart16- Yes you did get mentioned...and you have been mentioned again! haahah!ok teehee, Your right a baby cloti would look cute...the only problem is that I'm stuck on whether the baby should have blond hair or dark hair...oooh the decisions! any way review!
ArEAF Rules- I hate abortion too, it's not right to kill the baby, but that is other people's decisions I guess, thanks for the compliment though!
Furubafreak01- Yes, they should get married...if only Tifa's dad lightened up though...sad sigh...
Gothica's Heart- I am glad you are enjoying this story, and do not worry I will keep on writing!
Angel Anna- really? The best story ever? SQUEEE! I'm so happy! I've always dreamed of getting a review like that, course there are waay better stories than mind but it's still nice to get that kind of compliment and as for the little kiss at the end, yup i credit you for that idea! I was just gonna have them hug at the end but thanks to you there was a cloti kiss included.
Uchiha Aywin- Uchiha CHAN! I'm happy to see you review! Thank you for all your compliments and do not worry about reviewing late, if I see your review in later chapters everything is cool.
See you all in the next chappie!
Rina