Friday's at the shop were really boring. And I mean REALLY. Especially when your psychotic boss is making you work three hours of overtime, which, in all truthfulness, was very unnecessary. I already finished my romance novel, so I stood behind the counter, almost praying that a customer would come. The store was completely silent...except for the annoying 90s rock playing over the speakers...

...and the annoying voice singing along to it.

"Yuffie...aren't you supposed to be meeting your date?" I muttered, rubbing my temples. "Oh, hush, you. I'm about to leave. I just wanted to know what you thought about my outfit!!" She hopped away from the counter, sticking out her hip and raising her arm in a ridiculous fashion. "Well?? How do I look?" She was sporting a tiny mini skirt and a neon pink polo that made my eyes water. I stared dumbly at her.

"Yuffie...why the hell do you think I'd be able to help you with fashion advice?"

She wrinkled her nose at me, looking me up and down. "Well, I guess you're right. I'm talking to the man who's wearing that on what could be one of the most important nights of his life." "...What are you talking about? I always wear this to work." I looked down at my faded jeans and maroon sweater. It had gotten colder, and I switched from tshirt to sweater so I wouldn't freeze my butt off. Yuffie snorted. "Well, yeah, but I assumed you might dress up for your date, even if it means doing a little more laundry the night before. Honestly, Squall, I knew you were lazy, but seriously..." She huffed, frowning at me. "What are you talking about? My date is on Friday the 16...not..." I looked at the calendar. "Friday the...16th..." Yuffie nodded.

...Shit.

My date was tonight at 6. And it was currently...I looked at the tacky cat clock on the wall that was taunting me. 6:45.

...Double shit.

"Dammit, Yuffie, I gotta go." I grabbed my coat from its hook and jumped the counter. "I need you to take over for me tonight, okay?" "What!??!" She screeched. I could practically see the smoke coming out of her ears. "Yuffie, this is seriously important! Just call your date and tell him you'll have to reschedule!!" "Why can't YOU reschedule?" She retorted. following me as I packed all my stuff up. "Because I'm a dumbass, that's why! You can dock my pay later, okay? Thank you! You won't regret this!!" I managed to push past her and ran out of the store, leaving Yuffie to pout at the counter.

Dammitdammitdammit, there was NO WAY I was gong to make it to the coffee shop before seven. I didn't even know why I was bothering, considering the chances that Cloud was still there was slim to none. But I still had to try, because being the jerk that I am, if I stood him up completely there would be no way I would have a chance with him.

So I lost a shoe, almost ran over an old woman, tripped over a small dog, and got my coat caught in the bus doors.

But I made it to the coffee shop in 7 minutes flat.

I slammed into the coffee shop, the dingle of the bell alerting people to my presence. Well, that, and the fact that I was breathing heavily and missing a shoe. I scanned the room of college students staring at me, until my gaze caught on a tiny blond, holding a cup of coffee and wearing one adorable blue scarf. "S-Squall?"

"...Hey Cloud...sorry I'm late..."

Oh. Smooth.

I made my way over, ignoring the stares I got, and sat down next to him on the lumpy couch. "So...hey. What's up." Cloud set his coffee down, smiling at me. It was blatantly obvious that he was holding down a laugh. "You know..." He said, "I was going to chew you out for being an hour late, but I think the public humiliation you've just put yourself through has been punishment enough."

"...Gee. Thanks."

He chuckled, pointing at my socked foot. "It's nice to know I'm worth running around out in public without a shoe, though. I'm flattered." I continued my child-like grumbling, blushing. "Yeah...well...I'm sorry anyway. I'm sure you were thinking there for awhile that I was going to set you up." Cloud nodded, picking up his coffee again and taking a sip, his breath visible even in the warm shop. "It crossed my mind. But then I realized, if i had been asked out by me, there's no way I would leave me hanging out in a coffee shop all by myself. I'd take the opportunity to have a wonderful, intellectual conversation filled date with a man who shares the same interests as me. So no, I knew you'd show." He took another sip, readjusting his scarf. Wow. Guy thinks pretty highly of himself.

Oh he was bs-ing the whole explanation. That's always possible, too.

"Ah. I see. So, you waited here for an hour because you knew your superior logic would conquer over the idea that I could have possibly been a complete dumbass and forgotten." Cloud thought a moment, stroking his chin in a goofy manner. "Yeah. Pretty much. And I knew you were a dumbass when you forgot to give me my change the other day."

Ouch. Touchee.

"Oh...yeah...sorry about that...I just assumed that we had made a lot more money that day." The blush deepened. "Why didn't you say anything about it?" Cloud smiled. "You were cute. And I figured you could use a tip with that psychotic boss of yours." I laughed sarcastically to myself, nodding. "Yeah, she does tend to be a handful at times. Thanks. And here." I dug in my pocket and pulled out the five dollars that was supposed to be his change. "I was going to pay for your coffee anyway, and since you got here first..." Cloud smiled, and I almost expected him to protest, but he took it, pocketing it. "Thanks."

We sat chatting for the next couple of minutes. It was idle chatter, but the warmth that came from Cloud was unmistakable, and created an amazing and comfortable atmosphere. I found myself relaxing and laughing along with him, completely forgetting about the rest of the shop full of people. It was just me and Cloud. The Romeo and Juliet of modern day.

Well...that is if Juliet was an adorable 19 year old man and Romeo was a flaming homosexual, and neither had families bent on feuding the other to take control of the country.

...But other than that, it was complete Shakespeare.

I don't think either of us realized how late it had gotten until we noticed that the workers were shutting down the equipment. I tore my eyes off of Cloud and looked around. The shop was completely empty, and half of the lights were off. The employees were waiting until the last possible minute until they had to kick us out. "Oh...wow...it's already 9:30..." I said, checking my watch. We had talked for two and a half hours? Dear Lord...

Cloud sighed. "I really ought to be getting home anyway. I'm staying with my mother for a few weeks, helping her get ready for the family that's staying with her until Thanksgiving. It's a nightmare if she doesn't have at least three sane people helping her prepare." He chuckled. "Oh, I understand. It's no problem. I would offer you a ride home, but I walk to work, and I ran all the way here, so..." Oh, that will get you brownie points, Squall. Way to go. Cloud shook his head, standing up and stretching. "Oh, it's no problem. I can actually give you a lift home, if that wouldn't wound your pride too much." I took one look outside at the dark, and most likely freezing, streets, and smiled sheepishly. "I think the thought of having any pride at all after tonight is out the window. I would love a ride home."

Cloud, surprisingly, was a very calm driver. I almost expected him to speed, or have road rage of some kind, but once again he overcame my expectations and drove very well. The atmosphere was nice too, as he kept music playing softly over the speakers.

"What is this?" I said curiously, turning up the volume knob slightly so the music was more audible. "Justin King. You heard of him?" I listened to the amazing acoustic guitar flowing throughout the vehicle. It was amazing to me. It sounded like five different guitarists at once, all playing a different part of the song, and each one putting their heart and soul into each performance. "Can't say I have. This is one guy?" Cloud smiled. "Yeah. He's a real inspiration for me, actually. I hope I can be as good as him one day." Another shocker. "You play guitar?" Cloud chuckled, nodding. "I'm a moderate player. I don't have skills, but the one thing I do have is passion."

Cloud was getting more and more amazing by the minute. I was starting to feel a little more inferior as time went on, but I didn't really care. I was just excited to get to know him.

Cloud found the way to my house easily. He was good at taking in directions, and never got frustrated when I was horrible at explaining where he should go next. Seriously, I have never seen anyone have so much patience. I rushed out as soon as the car came to a stop, running around to the front to open Cloud's door and help him out. He grinned, taking my hand. "You're as gentlemanly as I expected. Thank you, sir." I closed the door, and released the grip on my hand to give him my final thanks and goodbyes, but he kept his grip in place and began walking towards the door.

Oh God. Oh godohgodohgod. I felt like a middle school girl, with her date leading her to the porch. I prayed to God that Sora was upstairs in bed and not waiting up for me, even though I was waaaay later than expected and he usually stays up in those situations to make sure that I hadn't died in a car wreck on the way home or something.

The walk to the porch seemed to take forever, and once we got there, I fumbled to get my keys out. "Hey Squall?"

I nearly dropped them, but managed to keep them from falling out of my sweaty palm. "Y-Yes?" I said, directing my attention on Cloud.

"I was wondering...do you want to come to my house for dinner next week?" Dinner? With his mother? Ooh...wow...normally, I would have made some excuse to get out of it, considering I'm horrible in 'meet the parents' situations, but Cloud's puppy face was making it really difficult to turn him down. Eventually I sighed, and put on my best face. "Sure. I'd love to have dinner."

The look on Cloud's face after I accepted could only be compared to that of a little boy's on Christmas after he got his beebee gun. His eyes lit up, and a giant grin spread across his face. "I'll call you later and tell you more about it, okay? Oh, and I had a lot of fun tonight. Really." He blushed, and before I had time to think, I felt a warm breath on my face, and a split second later warm lips on my own.

Before I even had time to react it was over, and Cloud was walking back to his car. I'm pretty sure I stood on the porch for a few minutes, even after he had driven away, but the tingling sensation I felt on my lips just wouldn't go away.