-Chapter 9-
"Later That Night"
Cloud using the speed of his fenrir, raced from store to store to pick up the items that Tifa had craved, with grin on his face he made it to her street in less than thirty minutes, calling her up, Tifa insisted that they sit on the curb at the end of their street. She told him that she would be out in a few minutes, Tifa met him at the curb wearing simple loose jeans and a cozy looking black sweater.
Cloud impulsively hugged his girlfriend, the two kissed before sitting down on the curb.
Cloud and Tifa sat on their curve, eating, well Tifa was eating, Cloud was watching her intently. Making sure that she was fulfilled, by the expression on her face it was clear that he had accomplished his mission. Tifa was glowing, she looked absolutely radiant, as she enjoyed a bowl of hot dumplings that he had bought from a twenty-four hour shop. Cloud noticed how Tifa savored each bite, happily she took her time with each dumpling; washing them down with a bottle of potion spray when she finished the bowl.
Cloud smiled proudly. Happy that he had made that little errand run.
"Are you full? Because I brought everything you were craving" Cloud reached over to his side and handed her a plastic bag. Inside it: Chips, cooked octopus that a clerk at the twenty four hour had cut up for him, pickles, two additional bottles of potion spray, and a candy bar.
"Cloud, You didn't have to get this all for me...but I'm grateful that you did." Tifa kissed him on the cheek, Cloud's cheeks turned a rosy pink. He looked down humbly, a yawn escaped his lips, coming out of nowhere.
"You're tired..."Tifa observed, but Cloud waved it off with his hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulder to pull her closer to him.
"It's nothing, I got until Sunday morning to rest up"
"Really?" Tifa beamed "That's good, you deserve a day off. But...aren't you supposed to have two days?" Tifa questioned. Cloud shrugged. He explained to Tifa that it was his mother who implored Cid to take away one relaxation day away. It was temporary though, the restriction would be lifted in three weeks. But on the plus side, Cid who followed the law (surprisingly) counted his extra day of work as overtime, meaning he got paid double for what extra work he did!.
Cloud had already made the decision to stay at Cid's shop, which delighted Cid who's business had doubled thanks to Cloud, and his extremely fast fenrir. One morning before Cloud had begun his route, Cid had mentioned how pleased his clients were with the quick shipments, that they had mentioned Cid's place to many of their own business associates.
"Things are really starting to look up." Tifa's eyes shone brightly in the moonlight, her gaze full of pride as she reached for his hand. His touch was cold. This weather they were having made her own skin icy as well.
Cloud squeezed her hand, warming the two of them a bit. Tifa leaned in and hugged Cloud, their body heat rising signifantly. Cloud held her tightly in his arms. Hoping to warm her up with his embrace, he rested his head on the top of hers as Tifa relaxed her own on his muscular chest.
"I'm scared" Tifa whispered. Cloud's eyebrows scrunched upwards-he knew why and he felt the same way, he drew away from her slightly, so that he could look her in the eye. Tifa bit down on her bottom lip as he did this. She had not wanted him to pull away, immediately she regretted wording her feelings, afraid that she had hurt him in some way.
Tifa so badly wanted to pull him close again, to feel his warmth and to erase what she had just said.
"I'm scared too. But I'm here. We're together, I don't know what will happen when we have to tell everyone…but we're going to cross that bridge together" Cloud cupped her chin with his thumb and index finger.
"I don't know how to explain it...I just have this feeling." Tifa began, her eyes drifting towards her left "I'm afraid...that our luck is going to run out soon"
"Our luck?" Cloud repeated.
"Yes" Tifa sighed sadly, her eyes closed for moment. Tifa struggled to conjure up and word the sentence that would explain what she felt. "Right now were happy, our lives are running smoothly and everything is going well, But I'm afraid of what's going to happen..."
"If someone finds out?" about the baby, Cloud had wanted to add that but decided against it; just in case someone should hear. Which was not likely since no one they knew was around, and Tifa's parents and step-sister were fast asleep.
"Not just about...'our news', if we should break up again, I'm going to be hard to deal with since my hormones are going to make me catty. And also...I worry about what we're going to do when I start to show, if we're going to see a doctor...and if we do, will our parents find out?" It was clear Tifa was stressing out over this. Cloud had no idea that she was thinking about this, he wished that she had told him sooner, for he too thought of those things too.
"You're not alone Tifa" Cloud paused "I'm afraid of you losing the baby to be honest…" he admitted. Ironic, how only a few weeks ago he was all for her having an abortion. Now here he was, afraid of her body rejecting the baby and disposing of him or her.
Truly it was a twist. But the more time he spent with Tifa, the more they spoke of the child that grew inside her. The closer he felt to his unborn son or daughter. His paternal instincts were starting to develop, and he was going to protect his love while she nurtured the life they created.
"Cloud, I had no idea" Tifa breathed, Cloud pulled her close once more. Kissing the top of her forehead lovingly, shattering whatever dark wall that had emerged during their time on the curb. Tifa smiled up at him, her grip was tight, as was his. Any tighter, and the two would suffocate. Pulling away from the others embrace, the young couple laughed awkwardly.
Their way of shaking off the nerves.
"You know what else" Cloud chimed, his arm was around Tifa's shoulder once more. She tilted her head upwards as she began to drink the potion spray Cloud had brought her. Cloud chuckled, his lips were closed, so it came out sounding like a "hmph" a kiss off. Tifa knew Cloud better than that, so she waited for him to continue his sentence.
"I wish I could be pregnant." Tifa choked back a laugh, the potion spray liquid almost splashing out onto the pavement because of her reaction. Tifa swallowed the potion spray that was in her mouth and asked Cloud why. Why in the world would he want to be pregnant? He was a boy!. Why would any boy want to have a baby inside of them? Wouldn't it hurt when it time to give birth? Since a man's anatomy was not the same as a woman's.
"I say that because...I don't want my Tifa having to go through all the trouble, I'd like to make it easier for you." Cloud added. Tifa laughed.
"Your just kidding aren't you, your sounding like such a pansy babe" Tifa joked, she was amused, Cloud certainly was a wild boy when he wanted to be, it just was not his style though. Only Tifa, Aerith, and Zack were allowed to see Clouds hidden comedic side.
"Just don't tell the guys I said that" Cloud mumbled shyly "I just don't want you to go through this alone."
"But i'm not alone, I've got you, and your all I need to keep me going during my pregnancy" Tifa gazed into his eyes, her brown stones shining brightly into his cerulean blue. Cloud smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Are you sure? Are you sure i'm all you need?" Cloud asked, still full of doubt of his own worth.
"Yes Cloud, You are all I need, and everything a girl could ask for in a boyfriend" Tifa kissed him on the lips, Cloud breathed deeply, and returned her kiss.
Tifa hoped that their relationship would continue to grow, she had not mentioned it…but she was afraid of them growing apart after the baby was born. That was what she feared the most.
At a quarter to midnight. The motor club boys were still up and about. Training for the upcoming rally was out of the question-with Zack's wheel's out of shape and all. So with nothing left to do, Wedge came up with the idea of going back to his place. In hopes of fixing whatever was wrong with Zack's bike. Zack was up for this activity. As for Billy, Johnny, and Biggs on the other hand; they were not so keen on the idea of playing mechanics for Zack.
"Oh, come on guys! You know if it were one of your bikes I'd help you out."
Johnny and Biggs were stabbed with a pinch of guilt. It was true, both knew that if they were in need of assistance; whether if it were as minor as borrowing a jacket, or in a severe and life threatening situation. That Zack was the guy they could count on.
"Besides, He might tell Aerith that we didn't want to help him fix it, and that we were the reason they could not go out to dinner." Whispered Johnny.
Biggs shivered. Aerith was one of those chicks who was scary when she was mad, if Zack suffered her wrath for ruining his wheels (and using his money to pay for the damage). Surely, Zack would bring them down with him.
Better to suffer in a group than by yourself. That was the Motor Clubs motto. Somehow, the motto applied to girlfriend punishments as well. It shouldn't. But it did.
"Damn Zack!" Johnny cursed as he studied the front fork, rake and trail. The damage was not severe. Johnny was just pissed at the fact that they were spending time fixing a bike; instead of goofing off.
"Johnny, you know if I was good at fixing stuff I wouldn't waste your time." said their great-and oh so- charismatic leader. Billy threw Zack a sideways glance.
"How is it that your president of the motor club-but-you suck at fixing your own bike?"
Biggs, Wedge, and Johnny all stopped tinkering with the bike to stare, and question Zack, who shrugged his shoulders.
"Because...I'm hot" Zack laughed, the guys commented crudely, rolling their eyes in response. Biggs threw a dirty oil stained rag at Zack who caught it easily.
"If you're so hot, Why are all the girls drooling over Cloud." Wedge accented comically when he said drooling. Zack turned to Wedge, giving him a look that said "Are you kidding me?".
"You wanna know why?" Zack took out his wallet "Because she'll hurt the flirts!" he then flipped it open with a flick of his wrist, and out came a long wallet photo album, flipping open one by one until finally stopping at twelve photo's. First picture: Aerith, in a sweet-innocent pose in front of a garden of lilies. Second picture: Aerith smiling. Third: Aerith in a mini skirt. Aerith, More Aerith...More Aerith.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" Wedge rolled on the floor, his stomach bursting from utter amusement "And I thought Cloud was bad"
"Dude, If your girlfriend was as hot, and cool as Aerith, you'd be obsessed too...oh wait! I forgot, you can't get a girlfriend!" Johnny wisecracked, and the garage exploded with laughter, Wedge's face immediately turned red..
"I can get a girlfriend. The girls at our school just don't get me." Wedge defended.
"Oh really?" Billy piped up and cleared his throat "Hey girl, you know if I could re-arrange the alphabet. I'd put U-and-I together" Billy did his best impression of Wedge, the guys were laughing their asses off.
"OH girl if I were phone case and you were a phone, I'd like to keep you wrapped safely" jested Johnny and the guys roared once more. Wedge gritted his teeth.
Sadly, that was Wedge's idea of attracting a girl. Bad pickup lines. No matter how often the guys, and girls of the club,. Would mention how unattractive pickup lines were, Wedge still used them, believing wholeheartedly that they would work for him eventually.
"Hell. Why do you guys pick on me all the time? Your just jealous of my good looks?" Said Wedge.
"Good looks?" Zack repeated with a snicker. At the same time he was looking ahead, the garage door was open. Allowing full view of the street, a girl, casually dressed in black pants and a jade shirt, with a heavy looking denim jacket to repel the cold to complete her look. She was walking on the sidewalk with both hands in her jacket pockets, unaware of their presence.
Zack knew her. She was Nicki, Jesse's best friend and fellow motor club member. She was pretty, with flaming red hair, and dark green eyes. He was about to call out her name and invite her in when...
"Nicki!" Billy squeaked, his face turned red, and his palms began to sweat. Soon Billy was dropping the wrench he held in his hand and was bolting through the door into Wedge's house. Johnny and Biggs chuckled, knowing well that Billy had a monster crush on this girl Nicki, sadly he was super shy. Making it hard for Billy to approach her and ask her for a date.
Fortunately for Billy, he was spared of further humility as he had run out of sight before Nicki turned her attention on the guys. How? Not Zack, or any of his friends would ever really understand. Maybe it was because Billy grew up raising and racing with Chocobos on foot. That was a possibility.
"Hey." she accented "Wonder boys."
That was her nickname for them.
"What's up?, Did you find an old bike in the junkyard to fix up?" Nicki smirked, Zack arched his eyebrows; slightly amused by her comment.
"Why do you always have to talk trash about my bike? You know it's top of the line, It's not my fault you don't earn enough at that pizza joint to buy your own fenrir."
It was all in good fun. There was no real insult here, as far anyone knew of. If there was any real animosity it certainly did not come from Zack.
"So why are you tinkering with your bike? I thought you had it upgraded a few weeks ago." She tilted her head and eyed the Fenrir.
"Yeah, but your friend Jesse ruined it." Muttered Zack, his tone smug.
"How did she manage that?" Nicki was baffled.
"Zack and Cloud were racing to the diner that Jesse works' at, and then right as Zack was about to park and beat Cloud for the first time at a race-" Johnny stopped and pointed at Wedge.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERCH! SCREEEEEEECH!" Wedge imitated the sound that Zack's beloved Fenrir had made when he braked it to avoid hitting Jesse.
"Zack popped a front wheelie and stopped right in front of her, it was awesome" snickered Biggs, he and Johnny pumped fists with him in agreement. Nicki rolled her eyes.
"Well you should have been paying attention Zack, you know how Jesse feels about Cloud. She'd get in the way just to preserve his name." Nicki backed her friend Jesse, and Cloud. Nicki respected Cloud, he was the Crazy Wolf, and to disrespect him was blasphemous in her eyes.
"Wait, are you siding with Jesse or with me? Because your giving me mixed signals red." Zack stood up, stretching his arms and then resting the palm of his hands on the back of his head lazily, so that his arch forarms stood out on each side of his head like giant triangles.
"I'm not taking sides you dolt. I'm just reminding you what lengths Jesse will go to, to get her man" Nicki was all for Jesse hooking up with Cloud, they just looked so cute together! Not that Jesse and Cloud had ever gone out, sadly.
"When are you and Jesse going to realize that Cloud is with Tifa? Jeez, it's been a year now. I would have taken that as a hint that they are still into each other and Jesse won't ever be able to date him." Biggs rolled his eyes. Biggs liked Jesse, he liked her a lot. More than anyone knew. She just didn't like him back, which sucked, because he was into his pal Cloud and not him. This was pretty awkward really, he didn't hold it against Cloud though, but it sucked that all the girls like him.
"Whatever, Where is Cloud anyway? Isn't Friday your, boy's night?" Nicki asked.
"He left, he had to go see-OW!" Zack kicked Johnny in the shins. Johnny glared at Zack at first, for hitting him, but relaxed when he realized why. The look in Zack's eyes said it all. If Nicki knew that Cloud left early to see Tifa, Nicki would report it to Jesse. And then Jesse would get mad, and start talking trash about Tifa in school. Zack didn't want that, as Tifa and Jesse's friend, he was intent on keeping the peace.
"Why did you kick Johnny?" a Puzzled Nicki asked.
"There was a bee." Zack shrugged.
"Right" her tongue rolled as she sarcastically stretched the word "Seriously guys, who did Cloud go see?"
Johnny, Biggs, and Wedge glanced over at Zack nervously. Silently begging him to make up something, luckily for them Zack was a quick thinker.
"He went to see his mom" He said smoothly, it just rolled of his tongue "You see she's still angry about the graffiti, you know, When Cloud and I wrote in chalk on the field. So she called him up and told him to go home because Cloud is still grounded."
"Oh, I see...By the way, what punishment did you guys get? I heard it was bad?" Nicki had accepted Zack's lie.
Zack felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. No one had asked him about what punishment he and Cloud received, he had been meaning to tell everyone in the motor club about it, but had put it off for some time now. He knew everyone would be pissed, upon hearing what they were to serve.
"Yeah...guys...I've been meaning to talk to you about that..." He paused "We didn't get suspended...because the Principal didn't just punish Cloud and me...he punished the Motor Club too."
"WHAT!" Nicki, and the guys shouted in disbelief.
"Why are all of us in trouble too?" yelled Johnny.
"Yeah! What did the club do?" Asked Wedge.
All eyes were on Zack, he shook his head, his eyes glassy and full of regret. He then went on to explain why the club was blamed for what he and Cloud had done.
Last year, the Principal who ran Nomura High for thirteen years had retired. Zack missed the guy, being a junior at the time, he had hoped the new principal would be just as cool. Sadly, he was not , the new head honcho ended up being an old, awful tyrant. This new principal hated the motor club, and the fact that most of the members rode motorbikes to and from school. The new principal also hated the fact that the club had its own parking lot.
The parking lot was a courtesy gift of the retired Principal named Mr. Uemetsu; from Zack's freshman year.
The old tyrant believed the Motor Club to be nothing but a pack of no good, aberrant hoods, with nothing but trouble on their minds. Wrong!. Everyone just assumed the worst from the club, but really, almost everyone in the group was well behaved. The only time they acted out was outside of school, like when they raced in the fields; or at the gold saucer during GSSR season.
"I hate that guy, I miss Uemetsu, he was such a cool principal" Johnny sighed, he meant it, like Zack he had been present during the golden age before it faded to gray.
"So what do we have to do Zack?" Nicki asked calmly, she was furious, but refused to show it facially. It was still noticeable from the sound of her voice.
"We have to help the dance committee. We have to help decorate for the Fall Formal...we also have to book an act, pretty much the dance committee's duties have been given to us" Zack explained. Everyone in the garage groaned "We have to report to work on the 8th of October, since the dance is on the 12th."
"This sucks" Wedge whined.
"Well, I'm not too crazy about this either, but all we have to do is decorate...Since I was hoping Nicki could ask her brother and his band to perform at the formal." Zack perked up, his left eyebrow arching slightly. Hoping to lift the tension off the room in some way.
"My brother?...I dunno, He told me they were being scouted by a record label...but I guess he might get the band to preform" Nicki responded, Nicki and her brother were close, so that was a yes on the band. Which was great!, that was one obstacle down.
"Awesome! See guys? We can do this, no need to get all upset right?" Zack cheered, the room was still dull with negative energy.
"Tell that to the club on Monday, don't think everyone will take the news as well as we did." worded Johnny, Zack bowed his head.
Suddenly he wasn't looking forward to Monday.
Authors note! I plan to add another chapter for christmas, and maybe a christmas themes story!, so don't worry everyone! I'll be back very soon. And I believe in the next chapter i'm going to return to responding in chapters, I won't do it every chapter, but everyone will be answered!
Love you all! (KISSES!)
Rina statics