Chapter 9

The following week was extremely busy, just as the band had expected it to be. As organised, we met up every night at 6pm in the band room practising the two songs we had chosen for the audition, until some of us crashed out of the couch or we were too tired to play anymore. More than two occasions did Zack sleep on that old couch rather than returning to his dorm with Vincent. He was more than determined to make our recordings perfect and also the main driving force behind every improvement. Getting only a couple hours of sleep wasn't unusual for us that week. Cloud and I hardly had any time to study either. That week in General Studies, the professor had suggested that each tutorial class should form groups of two or more for the next assignment. Cloud and I were already paired for it, however, neither of us had even thought about the assignment at all that week.

As usual, Yuffie and Aerith joined us during the rehearsals when they could, giving me encouraging comments and smiles during each song. However, I didn't doubt the kind words, as they seemed so genuine, and every day I grew more and more confident with my role. The Friday when I first heard of the audition, I made sure to download the two songs and listen to them on replay, back to back. I was pretty sure Yuffie would have been absolutely sick of the tunes, as I practised every morning before each of my classes in our dorm. I was even considered as her personal alarm.

On the Tuesday, one of the nights that Zack actually found his way back to his own bed, Cloud and I stayed for a little longer, practising.

"Make sure you keep that note a little lower," he said overhearing me quietly sing to myself. "Remember that these songs are sung by men."

"That's actually a good thing," I laughed. "Thanks."

"How are you finding 'Twilight Driving'?" He asked, curious. "You seemed a little shaky earlier."

"I'm struggling a little with the timing in each of the choruses," I explained.

"Here, practice with me," he suggested gesturing to the drum kit he was sitting at. "We'll play it a little slower."

I nodded, taking a deep breath, readying myself, before he counted me in about two times slower than what the song would normally be played at. I wasn't sure why I felt so shy singing in front of him, I guess it was the way I caught he eyes intensely trained on me, even when he played. The songs seemed incredibly easy for him, as he always seemed to be looking elsewhere, not needing as much focus as me.

He suddenly stopped playing during the second verse, cutting me off, "you seem slightly ridged in your voice. Loosen up."

"How do you know so much about this?" I questioned.

"My mother used to sing, she taught me a few tips and tricks, but my voice was never as nice as hers, or yours for that matter," he shrugged.

I laughed, "you're just saying that."

"No I mean it," he said seriously. "You need to have more confidence; have fun with it."

I took another deep breath, closing my eyes too, "okay."

He begun again. The second run was much better, he even smiled when I finally hit the timing perfectly into the first chorus. Every time we ran through it, I felt my voice improving, and by 3am we were playing the song at the correct speed.

"I reckon we'll call it a night," he said as he finished last beat to the song. "End it on a good note?"

I nodded with a smile, finally feeling as if I was getting somewhere with the two songs.

He walked back to the dorms with me, like we usually did, before pausing in front of his door.

"I hope you didn't mind me helping you tonight," he said turning back toward me. "You did good."

"No, no, I really appreciate it," I reassured him. "I'll take everything you said on board, I think I even began to have a little fun toward the end, tonight."

"That's good," he said with another of his perfect crooked smiles. "I'll see you tomorrow for General Studies then?"

I nodded, "of course, goodnight."

"Night'" he said, opening the door to his room.

I continued down toward my room too, making sure not to wake Yuffie as I changed out of my jeans and got into my bed. If I already felt this exhausted, who knows how I was going to feel by Saturday for the recordings.

The next day I took my seat next to Cloud during General Studies taking notes about the basic concepts from that week's lecture material. Cloud didn't even bother, he seemed too tired to even focus.

That night's rehearsal was exceptional, even Zack noticed the difference. After the first practice of "Twilight Driving" we all applauded, knowing that was probably the best run through yet. I smiled at Cloud who directed his applause toward me, looking impressed. I was finally having fun with being the singer of an emerging band. I'd have never imagined in my wildest dreams that this would be what I'd do here at the academy and enjoy it.

When Friday finally made it way to us, my nerves began to kick in again, luckily they didn't interfere with the practise runs, however I felt intense butterflies the entire evening…my voice had to be recorded tomorrow.

Our practise session ended fairly early that night, and by early, we put down the instruments by midnight. We all then decided to make our way to each of our dorms, Aerith being on the fourth floor, and the rest of us being on the floor below. As Cloud and I made our way down the corridor, he paused before his door, just like he always did. However, this time he didn't wish me goodnight.

"You know you'll get wrinkles there if you don't stop stressing," he said pointing to the creases formed on my forehead.

I furrowed my brows, "who said I was stressing?"

"Oh please," he rolled his eyes. "It's pretty easy to see."

I sighed in defeat. He could read me well, or maybe I was just easy to read.

"I know a place that'd put your mind to ease," he said with a small grin on his face.

I cocked my head, confused, "you do?"

He nodded, "ever been on a motorcycle?"

I shook my head; the butterflies increased.

Leading me out to the student parking lot behind the main building, with two helmets under his arms, we came to a glossy black and gold bike. It seemed so modern and sleek.

"This is yours?" I raised my eyebrows, letting my fingers glide over the back mudguard.

"Yeah, my pride and joy," he said pushing the black helmet over my head and giving it a slight wobble. "I build it myself."

My eyes widened, "how long did it take you to build?"

"A couple of years," he said with a smirk as he slid his own helmet over his head and straddled his bike, kicking the stand up and starting the beast.

I stood, heart pounding, just staring at him.

"You coming?" he asked, his voice muffled by his helmet and the roar of the bike.

I nodded timidly.

He held out his pinkie to me then, "I promise I'll go slow."

I smiled, taking his small finger with mine, giving it small shake. He read me way too well.

I stepped closer, slipping my right leg over and seating myself behind him. Taking a deep breath, I then wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his back. Being this close to him was made me even more nervous than the recordings. I shut my eyes as he pulled off the curb and kicked the bike up a few gears effortlessly as we turned onto the western freeway.

It was exhilarating, that was for sure, even if he wasn't pushing as fast as he'd normally go – which I was extremely thankful for – I felt free. The wind was fresh as it beat against my exposed cheeks, but my arms locked around his torso were warm from his heat. Under his jumper I could even make out some of the strong muscles around his ribs. Playing the drums as hard as he did, obviously was better than the gym.

We rode for about ten minutes before he turned left onto a dirt lane which seemed to lead up a small hill lined by oak and evergreen trees. The lane was a no-through-road, with a locked gate at the very end. As he killed the engine and kicked his stand down, we both took our helmets off.

"Where are we?" I asked, looking around.

"One my favourite places," he replied, sliding his helmet onto the handlebar.

Clumsily hoping off, he too slid graciously off the bike, taking my helmet and settling it on the seat.

I followed him silently as he paced along the fence line, obviously looking for something. Upon reaching a small tear in the chain-link fencing, he slid through to the other side, helping me along the way. We then made our way a short distance up the hill where a lonely pear tree stood on the peak overlooking the city of Midgar. You could even see the academy and the two freeways winding their way in opposite directions.

"It's beautiful," I said amazed. "How did you find this place?"

"I actually became lost during one of the very first weeks at the academy," he stated scratching the back of his neck. "Upon finding the road, I also found the small hole in the fence. Curiosity got the better of me I guess."

"Happy accident then," I added, lowering myself onto the lush grass under the tree.

He nodded, taking a seat beside me, his shoulder touching mine.

We stayed that way, for the next half hour just watching the city below us. It felt as if we were watching the world go by. He was right though; it did take my mind of the recordings tomorrow.

"Don't be so nervous," he finally said turning toward me. "You're much better than you think you are, trust me."

A lump formed in my throat, I had never taken compliments very well, "you truly think that?"

"I know that," he corrected. "Why didn't you take up singing earlier?"

"I never thought it was ever an option," I shrugged fiddling with a blade of grass. "It was hard enough just playing piano."

He furrowed his brows, "what do you mean?"

I sighed, leaning my head on the trunk of tree, "it's a long story."

"I like stories," he said with a laugh leaning back on the trunk with me.

Taking a breath, I then explained to him my entire story including my dad and how mum sneaked me out to the academy with my dad believing that I was actually in Costa Del Sol with my aunt Elisa.

He sighed, "jeez, you definitely have determination then, and that's how it should be. I mean, good on you for not giving up. You should be proud that you stuck to your goal."

"Ha, thanks," I laughed focusing on the blade of grass woven around my fingers. "If only my dad thought the same way."

With that, silence surrounded us, however it was never uncomfortable with Cloud and I was always thankful of that.

By 1:30am, we decided to head back. I really did enjoy the ride on the motorcycle, and I hoped it wouldn't be the last as he parked the bike back in that same spot behind the building.

Before opening his door in the corridor, he turned back toward me.

"You know, I've never taken anyone with me to that place, let alone anyone on the back of my bike," he said with a grin.

"Well then, I feel extremely honoured," I said matching his grin. "You know that was my first time on a bike."

"Well, I feel honoured," he mimicked with a laugh. "I really do hope you feel better though."

"No, I do," I assured him. "Thank you, I really enjoyed tonight."

With a brief pause, he smiled, wishing me goodnight before closing the door behind him, leaving me alone in the corridor with a different kind of butterflies.