Tifa had laughed then. Cloud had always been so funny, always. She knew him as a child. They were and always best friends, all her emotions and dark secrets poured out to him. She trusted him completely.
When they got to class, she had no idea what she should feel with Aerith by Cloud's side like that. As if- as if- they were together. Cloud could love who he wanted, but she felt silly and childish for getting mad over the situation. Cloud was just carrying Aerith's text-books.
She crossed her pale legs under her desk and wrote down some extra notes. She had always been such the study nerd. Tifa hated being lost in class and during one of their lessons.
She sat behind Aerith, and it made her take it personally. She felt that she was Aerith's shadow; like a dark side of Aerith. Aerith was like an angel. Pure and fragile, with perfect everything. Tifa was a broken doll.
She shook her thoughts out of her head. No need to be so negative, Lockhart. Or else everyone will sense it and they'll worry about you.
She caught a glimpse of Cloud. Sunlight peeked from the dark clouds and it hit him as he looked outside the window. He was just so perfect.
Smiling to herself, Tifa closed her text-book and looked at the clock. Cloud didn't belong to anyone but himself. If he chose to love someone that wasn't her, she will learn to accept it.
Tifa ducked her head. Just as long as if it isn't Aerith.
The bell rang. Class over.
Tifa gathered her text-books and bit her lip. This wasn't like her. She would never, ever think those thoughts. It was selfish, and it was as if she was controlling Cloud on over who he should love! That was wrong. It made her sick to the stomach.
"Tifa?" It was Zack this time. "You alright?"
She hated being the open book. Lie. Don't tell them. Tifa nodded with a smile. "Yeah. I was just thinking about things..."
"Things?" Cloud repeated from behind her.
Unfair. You're unfair, Cloud.
By the time she blinked, her friends watched her in concern.
"Yeah." Tifa held her smile. "I was just thinking of roses."