Final Fantasy XIII: Cursed Past

Chapter 19 of my Final Fantasy XIII story, enjoy.

Reviews

Lightslighting: Yup, trust me I can be evil with cliffhangers, here's the answer anyway, enjoy :)
ziel101: Actually Lightning looks at Caius in a specific way in this story, it will be revealed at the end of the chapter, don't worry about Hope, if you read on you'll see what happens. Yeah well, if you mess with Fang's girlfriend you face her wrath, simple as that :)

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII belongs to Square Enix.

Chapter 19: Uncomfortable Situation

Hope sighed as he entered the cafeteria with Alyssa, while he was initially glad to see her again her topics of conversation and become increasingly uncomfortable. Add to that he was no longer angry at Lightning and was already regretting losing his temper at her, yet he was unable to apologize due to Alyssa not allowing him to have a single moment alone with Lightning. He had been stiff during Physics because Alyssa had been bad-mouthing Lightning beforehand and e could feel her eyes on them as they sat.

"C'mon Hope, let's go sit down." Alyssa said smiling sweetly, leading him to a nearby table.

"What about the others?" He asked, confused, why were they sitting away from his friends.

Alyssa laughed and shook her head, "You don't wanna sit with them, they'll take her side and you know it."

Hope groaned, Alyssa was referring to Lightning, he shook his head, "I don't see why that's a problem, I shouldn't have shouted at her."

"Hope, don't even think you need to apologize to that girl, it's her fault, she was trying to control you, you don't need her, or any of that lot."

Hope sighed and sat down next to her; he looked around and saw that Lightning was sitting separately from the others.

'Light,' He thought forlornly, he knew he had made a mistake, he just wished he could fix it.

As he sat with Alyssa he saw Snow and Serah walk over and begin talking to her.

"Oh just look at that, yeah nice try," He heard Alyssa remark bitingly.

"What's wrong," He asked, "So Serah and Snow are talking to her, Serah's her sister and Snow's Serah's boyfriend."

Alyssa laughed, "Are you dense Hope, c'mon, you know she wants to sabotage us, she's trying to get them to help her."

Hope shook his head; unable to believe what he's hearing, "Light isn't like that, I hardly think…"

"Oh come on, just admit it, you know the truth, so why deny it."

Hope shook his head, Alyssa was just being paranoid. Some time passed in silence, Hope looked over at Lightning and then heard Alyssa.

"Stop looking at her Hope, honestly, don't you see what's she's doing." She snapped, Hope sighed.

"What does it matter who I look at, Lightning's my friend why shouldn't I…" Hope tried to reason with her but Alyssa snapped back, cutting across him.

"You still call her a friend; you saw what she did to you!"

Hope shook his head, "I overacted, I should apologize."

"No you shouldn't if you do then she's got you," Alyssa explained, "You shouldn't have gotten close to her in the first place, she's such a slut…"

"Don't call her that!" He shouted, angry at what she had just said, 'How dare she say that about Light.'

"She wants you away from me, just so she can sleep with you, isn't it obvious," Alyssa said with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"She's not like that, honestly, what's wrong with you." Hope replied glaring at her, 'Light was right about her, she's so selfish, she doesn't want me to be near anyone but her.'

Alyssa was suddenly coy and smirked, "Oh come on Hope, you know we'd be perfect for each other, if you just give it a chance."

Hope shook his head, "I don't think so, maybe if you were still the same as you were when we last met, but you've changed so much, too much."

Alyssa rolled her eyes and laughed, "Maybe you're the one who's changed but…we can still make it work."

With that she suddenly leaned in and kissed him.

Hope froze, shocked at what was happening.

'What is she doing, she just, she wasn't listening, no wait, she was, she juts didn't care, this was her plan' He realized that Lightning had been right, Alyssa had been controlling him, but worse still, he had let her.

He couldn't believe how stupid he had been lightning had tried to warn him but he hadn't listened. All because of his feelings and the fact he noticed she seemed to be conflicted in hers had complicated things and led him to believe she was lying. But instead she had been looking out for him, almost immediately he felt more regret than ever, he couldn't take it anymore.

'Alyssa, I was right, you have changed…too much.'

With that he pushed her off him, jumping back, his seat hitting the ground. Alyssa stared at him surprised.

"Hope, what's wrong?"

"You are," He said angrily, "I was right, you have changed too much, you're manipulative, you stop from being with my friends because you want me for yourself, you're selfish and don't care about others, you just want to make yourself happy."

Alyssa glared at him, "How dare you, I was friendly to you, those 'friends' abandoned you the moment you yelled at Lightning and I was all you had!"

"No, I still had them as friends; you wouldn't let me go talk to them, because it didn't suit you."

"Hope…" He shook his head and cut across her, "Enough, I don't wanna hear, we should never have spoken to each other again, I don't wanna see you again, don't try to bother me, got it!"

With that he turned, ignoring her when she tried to respond. He saw Lightning standing up at her table staring at him in surprise, he shook his head. He still couldn't talk to her, things were too awkward between them he wouldn't be able to get the words out. He left the cafeteria, ignoring Alyssa who was calling after him, the pain of betrayal still stung.

Lightning was surprised at this; she hadn't expected Hope to snap like that. More importantly however, she realized he believed her and now saw the truth. While relieved that he as away from Alyssa she knew that the awkwardness was too much, they still weren't able to sort things out. Alyssa suddenly stomped over to her.

"You bitch, how dare you, you turned him against me!" She began screaming but Lightning just gave a small smile, "Stop trying to blame others for your own failings, I haven't spoken to Hope all day, I've not had the chance to talk to him."

Alyssa's face went scarlet as she growled and then turned and stalked out of the cafeteria. Lightning sighed and turned to face the rest of the group, the bell rang before she could walk over to them however so she began to head off to Maths. As she walked with the crowd she realized she was walking next to Vanille, Lightning swallowed nervously and decided to set things right.

"Vanille I um…I just wanted to say…"

Vanille smiled, "It's alright, I'm fine."

Lightning smiled gratefully and headed to Maths. Apart from a few glares and muttered empty threats from Alyssa the day passed without further incident, however after gym Hope was nowhere to be seen so Lightning headed straight home with Serah. Once home she headed inside and sat down on the couch, Serah slowly walked into the room and hesitantly sat down next to her.

After a brief moment of silence Serah spoke.

"Light, I know you don't like asking for help but…"

Lightning smiled, "It's alright Serah, I know I was wrong, I guess I just…got what I deserved."

Serah suddenly glared, "Since when did my sister become a quitter, Lightning, you still have a chance, just be honest to yourself, be true to your heart."

Lightning sighed, "I wish it were that easy Serah, I just…don't know what I feel."

"You'll figure it out, just talk to Hope about it, okay," She paused and then added, "Don't forget, he likes the fact that you do have some vulnerability despite being so strong."

Lightning nodded, she knew what Serah was talking about, her scars, signs of her past torment, she smiled.

"I guess you're right, I'll try and talk to him."

Serah nodded, "All I'm asking, is for you to try, you do deserve to be happy Light."

With that Serah stood up and headed through to the kitchen to start on dinner.

'Maybe, maybe she's right, but happiness isn't something I've had…not since he disappeared,' She thought to herself, 'After Dad died…Caius is the closest thing I've had to a Father.'

Her resolve strengthened Lightning made up her mind, as soon as she could sort her feelings out she would talk to Hope and pray that everything turned out alright.

End of chapter, what do you think? We have now reached the end of the Alyssa Arc, Alyssa will appear again but she'll no longer be a main character, the spotlight's finally off her. Hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.