A/N: hey guys, sorry if I'm just a little bit late. Lifes gotten kinda tough with college and stuff. I'm trying to upload once a week but 3 chaps in and I'm already off schedule. This chapter was a bitch. Its shorter than the last, but longer than the first. Thanks to all my reviewers. I really appreciate it. I did notice a lot of you have favourited and alerted the story, while I appreciate please drop a review next time, even if its just a period lol. Ok just to clarify. Thank you very much ayannaaki, your reviews are the best I get and in no way are they annoying. And faebsel I did warn you its an AU and the content is heavy and the reason I did it was because I wanted something different to do on this site, apart from the usual sap/romance that's pretty common here, so sorry if you don't like it, but you were warned. Anyway enough gab here's chapter 3! Disclaimer: if I owned it, would it be published on a site called FANFICTION?

"Now listen up all of you fucking idiots!" Professor Highwind barked at his audience. "If I tell you the vector equation of a circle is given by| r - (a - b) | what is the vector equation of a line? Well what the fuck are you looking at me like you wanna rip my pants off and suck my cock? Do the FUCKING PROBLEM!" He finished somewhat dramatically.

Cloud sat staring calmly at his lecturer. It had been the first time his vile language and raw manner had failed to cause the blonde man to wince. And he was a little too worried at the moment, having bigger problems than a particularly temperamental lecturer. He had yet to locate Zack and Aerith. They had planned to meet up during Math as usual last night, yet niether of them had pitched up as yet. Even though it had only been a week since he had known either of them, he was sure they wouldn't be skipping class.

Oh were they? He couldn't help but ask himself. Back home in Nibelheim he had always been a loner. Not always out of choice, he always felt the kids around him were way to immature for him. But he had found it strange that two people seemed to genuinely want to hang out with him. He still had trouble believing that wasn't just some extremely elaborate plan to embarass him, or some sick sadistic joke. He had never really been bullied, but the emotional trauma of constantly being overlooked and left out had taken its toll on the young man. Distrusting everyone, he had finally let his walls down to two people that were tossing it into his face.

Cloud heaved a sigh into his notes as he tried to concentrate on the problem instead of his dilemma.

XXX

"Yo Cloud!"

Cloud whipped his head in surprise as he walked under the steel canopy that covered the picnic area outside the canteen, his features softening into a smile as he recognised the brown haired youth that called out to him. Kunsel was a friend Cloud had made nearly three weeks back, once he had arrived in Midgar and was taking a tour of the city. The friendly young man was quite the loudmouth and even though Cloud had barely said a word during the entire tour, he still enjoyed the other boy's company.

As he walked towards Kunsel and the large group of kids around him, he saw the reason most of them were probably there to begin with: a hookah. A long bottle of water, topped with a long steel pipe and a ceramic pot for tobacco, it was quite popular in teenage culture. And obviously a major calling card for instant friends.

"Sup, Kunsel," he said warmly.

"Aaaaaaaah man, just living it up, as you can see," Kunsel said sweeping his arm. Cloud noticed the girl with short brown hair was eyeing him a little oddly.

"Kunsel, you rude bastard! You haven't even bothered introducing us to your friend," she said pleasantly.

"Well excuse me, Jessie," Kunsel said. "I was about to do just that!"

"Well you were taking your own time to do it, so I figured you might need reminding."

Kunsel gave a low growl in irritation.

"Cloud these are my friends, this is Cissnei," he continued gesturing to a pretty red-headed girl, who waved in response.

"Dio," a large looking dude, with biceps roughly as large as Cloud's thigh.

"These are Biggs and Wedge," Kunsel added, looking at a thin gangly fellow sitting next to a rotund looking youth.

"Elena," a blonde girl smiled dazzlingly at him.

"And the big-mouth is Jessie," Kunsel finished, earning him a scowl from said big-mouth.

"Pull up a seat," Cissnei said scooting up.

Sitting down, Cloud found himself fighting not to stare at the others.

"Give the new boy the pipe," Biggs shouted.

"You didn't have to scream in my fucking ears Biggs you prick!" Elena snapped. "Feels like you broke my eardrums. "

"Please, its not like you use those fucking ornaments anyway," Biggs replied dismissively.

Cloud took the pipe from Jessie and watched as Biggs and Elena traded insults and glares. Unfortunately it sounded to Cloud that what had started as playful banter was fast becoming something a little more personal. Clearly Kunsel picked it up too, for once Elena snarled at Biggs for being a "tight-assed faggot" he decided to step in.

"Someone play a fucking tune before these two kill each other."

"Gladly," Cissnei said pulling out her phone.

Music filled the air, Cloud felt his head bobbing along to the tune, it sounded like a Dance number he wasn't familiar with. This seemed to be a ritual in this group, for as soon as the song had reached its end Cissnei turned it off and Dio, who sat next to her, began playing a song of his own. It went on like this for a while, until it came time for Cloud's turn. He fervently began scrolling through his playlist, unsure if his choice of music would go down well in this group. Finally finding a decently butch song he began playing.

"Yeah?" Jessie asked as Usher's voice filled the air. "Good choice, Cloud."

"Kinda old though," Dio muttered.

"Good music is timeless," Jessie snapped.

"Well, geez. I'm sorry Jessie, had no idea you hit on guys this soon after meeting them," Dio grumbled as Jessie flushed a deep scarlet. Cloud in the meantime looked simply confused.

"What'd you say?" He asked Dio.

"Nothing, nothing," Jessie answered. "Dio just talks through his ass is all!"

"Now hold on just a second," Dio began.

"Ahhh, I think I got to go now," Cloud said. "I have class."

"So soon?" Cissnei asked.

"Yeah, I'll be back," Cloud replied.

"Wait, before you go you need to add us on BBM," Jessie said.

"Oh right," Cloud replied bulling out his Blackberry and took all the PINs that came before leaving.

XXX

"Where the fuck were you guys?" Cloud snarled as soon as he set his eyes on his two "friends".

Aerith gave him a serious fish eye before saying, "Nice to see you to Cloud. And here we thought he'd forget us Zack."

"Guess we were wrong, huh Aerith? Guess there's more brains under that spikey head than we thought," Zack replied.

"Both of your sarcasm is in poor taste," Cloud spat. "I was worried sick about you two ungrateful bitches!"

"Oh geez Cloud, if you must know the train broke down and Zack came to walk me as the slums can get a little dangerous."

"Oh," Cloud said, he's anger vanishing. "I'm sorry I didn't know."

"It's prefectly alright," Aerith said. "We should have told you, but things were a bit hectic and well we didn't want anyone else missing class."

"Yeah, we're sorry too Spike," Zack said running his hand through his hair in embarassment. "We shoulda told you."

"Nah, it's cool, we're all okay now right? No harm done," Cloud smiled.

"Now that's the spirit, Spikey!" Zack yelled, his signature grin whipping back into place. "And it's Chem now, wonder what Scarlet's gonna be wearing today?"

Aerith sighed inwardly as Cloud's face lit up at the prospect, but tried to smile faintly along with the boys, despite her disapproval, and ire.

XXX

"I tell you, nothing can go wrong today!" Zack exclaimed, stretching as soon as they piled out of chemistry. "Cheers to the freaking WEEKEND!"

"I'll drink to that," Cloud joined in.

Aerith rolled her eyes, nonetheless the boys' good spirits were infectuous. "There's a party at the bar, everybody put your glasses up!"

To her surprise both Cloud and Zack whipped around and gave her a weird look.

"Aerith? Are you okay," Cloud asked tentatively.

Slightly put out, Aerith glared at the boys. "I am perfectly capable of having a good time you know?" She snarled. "Just because I don't run around with a stupid smile on my face all the time doesn't mean I'm a complete grouch!"

"Well, I never would have thought you liked that song, much less knew the lyrics," Cloud said.

"Oh fuck off the both of you," she snapped in reply, before striding to the canteen in a foul mood.

Shrugging, they took after her. Soon their happy smiles and cheery faces got to her and a smile reappeared on her face.

"Y'know, I think today was a truly perfect day!" Zack gushed. "I mean what could go wrong?"

Almost as if in answer, the clouds that had been creeping across the sky burst and began pouring on them.

"You had to say it?" Aerith asked.

"Don't blame me, blame Mother Nature. Bitch seems to be having a particularly bad case of PMS this month," he added thoughfully gazing at the sky.

Amost as if Mother Nature had heard him, and fully intended to show Zack just what a bitch she could be, the rain came down harder and lightning lit up the grey sky.

"Let's get outta here!" Cloud yelled, as the three ran to the canteen and sanctuary of the steel canopy.

"Whoaa, it's really coming down, huh?" Zack said as raindrops the size of bullets pelted the canopy above them causing a massive ruckus.

"Let's just get a place to sit," Aerith said, sounding tired.

They soon found a bench, but Cloud's eyes lit up as he saw a familiar group of people.

"Hey, I'll be right back," he said to Zack and Aerith as he stood up. "Just gotta go say hello to a few friends."

"Sure thing," Aerith said, trying to squeeze the water out of her long braid.

"Hey guys," Cloud said striding up to the table. "How's it going?"

"Just great and you my Spikey haired friend?" Kunsel said. He was standing near the table, rather than sitting at it. "Bullshit weather we're having right?"

"Fuck yeah," Cloud replied, it was only then that he noticed the hot chick from the fields sitting down at the table, watching him intently.

Catching the glance, and recognising the looks of vague familiarity on the pair's faces, Kunsel looked from one to the other. "You guys know each other?"

"Nope," Cloud said a little quickly. He had not noticed how large the girl's breasts were the last time. They practically filled her entire button shirt to capacity, causing it to look as if the buttons would pop and shoot the nearest observer in the eye.

The girl giggled a little. "Fuck man, it's cold Kunsel."

"Yeah, sure is!" He said as she stood next to him. He scooped her into a tight hug. "Damn, best way to keep warm is body heat!" He declared, as she giggled again.

Looking at Cloud, who seemed just a little uncomfortable at their display, he laughed. "Wanna join? Two man threesomes aren't gay as long as you don't look me in the eye," he said with a wink.

"Uhm, thanks, but I think I'll pass," Cloud laughed. He noticed the girl smile.

"Well, I gotta go see someone," Kunsel said checking his phone. "Need a new cuddle buddy, sorry Teef, but she kisses too!"

"Aww Kunsel you just gonna drop me like that," she teased. Cloud liked the way her voice wasn't high and childish like most girls, but mature and deep.

"I'll leave you two kids alone then," Kunsel said, before heading away.

Cloud sat down at the next table with the girl. "So what's your name? I know you by sight, but didn't catch any more."

"Tifa," she said. "And you, I think you were a little too stoned last time."

Cloud felt himself flush, she recognised him, and his state.

"My name's Cloud, so where you from?" He asked, eager to change the subject.

"Oh, originally the country side, but I moved from their nearly ten years ago after my mom died," she said. Her posture when sitting was very relaxed, straight backed, and with crossed legs, Cloud internally thanked God that she was wearing jeans, albeit a cut so tight, she was liable to be susceptable to deep vein thrombosis. "What about you?"

"Uhm, I'm from Nibelheim, I'm sure you haven't heard of it, its kinda far," he replied, slightly embarassed. To his surprise she seemed delighted.

"Wait! Nibelheim? No way! You know the mayor?"

"Not on a first name basis," Cloud said slowly, as Tifa extracted a cigarette from her pocket and lit it. "But yeah, I know of him."

"Well yeah, that's my grandfather," Tifa said smiling. "I lived their with them till my mum died when I was eight, after that my dad and grandad had a HUGE falling out and he left Nibelheim and took me with."

"Oh wow," Cloud said, truly amazed that he shared a home-town with this girl that was so beautiful, she seemed to come from a different planet. Like the Cetra in the stories his mother would read to him. "So where in Nibelheim did you stay?"

"Near the well," she answered.

"Wait! I was there too, now that I think about it, the mayor's private house was next to mine!" Cloud exclaimed.

"Oh my fuck, no wonder you look familiar. I do remember a small guy with spikey blonde hair that lived next door," Tifa said, smiling as she took another puff of her cigarette.

"Whoa, so that's irony," Cloud said in wonder.

"Sure is," she said with a laugh. "So what're you studying?"

"Engineering," he said. "Yeah I know it's supposed to be so difficult and I'm sure it's what I wanna do!"

She laughed in genuine mirth. "I take it a shitload of people have tried to talk you out of it? No worries, I admire you for it."

"Haha, yeah, what about you?" Cloud said with a smile. He was amazed how easy it was to talk to her, no less easy than talking to either a Zack and Aerith.

"I'm in psychology," she answered. "So, you know Zack well?"

"I guess so. We only met last week, but we pretty much hung out the entire week."

"And got stoned together?" She added in slyly.

"Well yeah..." Cloud said nervously.

She giggled. "Don't worry about it, we all gotta do it at some point in our lives. I gotta say though, I haven't seen you or Zack their since. Was it that bad?"

"No, not at all, things just got kind of hectic with work and such," Cloud explained. "We were planning on going down on Wednesday."

"So I guess I'll see you there?" She said expectantly.

"Yeah..." Cloud replied. "I guess you will..."

A/N: thanks for reading, less hectic than before, but this is that "calm before a storm" situation. I had to rewrite this thing 5 times coz my blackberry picked up a birus and kept on deleting my story! So I got tired of writing it over and over. I know it seems very oneshot, sorry if it seems rushed, but I wanted it to go somewhere, the plot was getting a little too stagnant, so I rushed this to give you guys the juice a little later. Anyway cheers, please review