Cloud bit down his bottom lip, searching around the hallway frantically for the familiar swish of silver. Cloud had stopped near Sephiroth's locker so he could see Sephiroth's expression when he read the letter. Would he be surprise? Or maybe happy?

Ten minutes had already passed and the crowd of people was slowly thinning. The students were all gather now at the cafeteria, comparing gifts and stories of their amazing dates tonight. Cloud leaned against the rows of metal locker feeling anxious and slightly jealous. He also wished that he had an amazing date tonight. And his wish could be achieve if only Sephiroth accepted his feelings. But, where is Sephiroth?

Cloud was about to give up when his eyes caught sight of a flash of silver. Sephiroth! Cloud's heart leapt in excitement as he turned around. Disappointment surged inside Cloud as his eyes landed on three silver haired guys. None of them was Sephiroth. They were Kadaj, Yazoo and Loz. False alarm.

Cloud tried to inch past them without attracting their attention. Nothing good ever came out from it when he's near those perverted brothers. Cloud half thought that he had succeeded in avoiding them. He was just giving himself a pat on the back for a job well done when a soft velvety voice entered his ears.

"Hello, Cloud."

Startled, Cloud spun around to look right into a pair of cat like emerald eyes, the same shade as Sephiroth.

Kadaj's face was just inches away from Cloud, his breath tickling Cloud's cheek. The smirk on his face widened when he saw Cloud's expression.

"Not someone you are expecting?" Kadaj whispered, his breath hot on Cloud's ears.

Instinctively, Cloud took a step back, hoping to get some space away from Kadaj. Instead of empty air, Cloud backtracked into something soft behind him.

"Where are you going, brother?" Yazoo inquired, his voice low and soothing.

"I-I was just-" Cloud stammered, trying to find an escape route. Cloud scanned his eyes quickly around his surroundings. Ahah. There's an empty gap between Kadaj and the lockers. If Cloud acted fast, he would be able to slip through. But before Cloud could make any moves, his hopes were dashed by a huge burly figure. A smirking Loz filled in the last empty gap, his arms crossed in front of his broad chest. Uh-oh. He was being surrounded by the three of them and they were closing in on him.

"What are you doing around Sephiroth's locker?" Kadaj asked.

"I was just passing by," Cloud replied hastily, the back of his throat felt dry.

Students continued to pass them but neither of them stopped to help Cloud. They merely whispered behind the backs of their hands and moved swiftly away, hoping that they wouldn't be the next target.

"Oh, but Yazoo said you had been walking around in circles here since just now." Kadaj leaned in close.

What are they going to do to me? Cloud thought, his heart beating frantically against his ribcage. So hard that Cloud thought his heart was going to burst out from his chest.

"Why are you not saying anything?" Kadaj asked quietly, one finger lifting up Cloud's chin. Cloud blushed at being such a close proximity with Kadaj. If only he was Sephiroth, Cloud would have been in seventh heaven right now. "Answer me, Cloud," Kadaj murmured, his gaze penetrating.

"I-I have to go," Cloud turned his head away.

"I haven't finished speaking to you yet," Kadaj said haughtily. "You are not allow to go until I say so."

Cloud took a quick glimpse at his watch, another five precious minutes of break time had already passed. If he planned to get anything to eat today, he should plot his escape soon. "I don't think so," Cloud replied firmly, shoving Kadaj away from him.

Kadaj was taken aback by surprise and stumbled a few steps. That was the only opening Cloud needed, for he rushed out from their tight circle and raced down the hallway, his breathing haggard.

Catching sight of a toilet sign, Cloud took a sharp turn and pushed open the wooden doors. Luckily, there was nobody in the toilet. Cloud occupied a cubicle to himself, locking the door so that he could catch his breath. The door to the toilet suddenly opened causing Cloud to suck in his breath deeply.

Could they hear my breathing? Cloud thought, trying to hear what they were saying. There was a low whisper discussion and then the bathroom door was shut. Cloud stayed frozen for a few minutes, trying to hear for sound of any movements. Cautiously, Cloud opened the door and peeked out from it. When Cloud certain there was nobody there, Cloud released out his breath in relief and exited from the toilet.

I wonder if Zack is still in the cafeteria, Cloud thought, his stomach grumbled in hunger. Halfway towards the cafeteria, a dark shadow shot past Cloud, bumping his shoulder.

"Ouch." Cloud gripped at his shoulder, turning around to see who the stranger was. To Cloud's immense surprise, the person was none other than Zack. But Zack didn't seem to realize Cloud's presence. Zack looked like a lost and abandoned puppy. Worry and fear were etched on his face as he looked from one corner to the other. Like he was finding something.

"Zack, what's wrong?" Cloud asked, slipping his hands into Zack's. Zack's palm was cold and wet with sweat.

"Who?" Zack muttered in surprise, pulling his hand roughly away from Cloud.

Cloud was taken aback by Zack's hostility, it was as if Zack was in a trance. When Zack's eyes landed on Cloud, recognition lit up in Zack's eyes and his shoulders started to relax slightly.

"Cloud."

Zack suddenly gripped him by the shoulders with such force that Cloud recoiled slightly in pain.

"I lost the letter," Zack stammered fearfully, his eyes darting around.

"You mean the letter to Mr Hewley?" Cloud winced.

"Sorry." Zack seemed to have just realized his strong grip and he released his hold over Cloud. "Yes," Zack said, his voice trembling. "If somebody picked the letter up, I would be in deep trouble. Besides that it would involve Mr Hewley as well. He might get fired or…" Zack's voice trailed off as his body started to shake silently.

"Zack, Zack, look at me," Cloud said sharply, forcing Zack to lock eyes with him. Cloud felt a pang in his heart as he looked right into Zack's cerulean orbs. There was so much fear in those eyes. Zack looked so vulnerable, just like a little defenseless kid that Cloud must protect. "It's ok. We are going to find the letter together. It's going to be ok." Cloud patted Zack gently on the back, trying to calm him down.

"Really?" Zack asked in a hopeful voice.

"Yup, we are going to start our hunt right now." Cloud smiled warmly.

"Thanks a lot, spiky," Zack said gratefully, squeezing Cloud's hand.

"Where had you started the search? Let's split the school's territory so that we would have enough time to cover the entire school grounds," Cloud said briskly.

"Well, I have covered the school canteen, part of the hallway, the classrooms we had our lessons this morning." Zack counted off his fingers one by one.

"Alright, I will take the west part of the school and hunt the hallways and classrooms," Cloud said.

"Cloud, you are the best friend anyone could ever have." Zack beamed at Cloud, lunging towards him and hugged him tightly. "Thanks," Zack whispered into Cloud's ears. Cloud could feel his own ears getting rapidly warm.

"No problem," Cloud muttered, pulling away slightly. "Now, let's not waste any time. See you in class later."

"Hopefully we will have the letter by then," Zack shouted, already running towards the other end of the hallway.

Zack looked so cute when he was on a hunt like a puppy sniffling out clues, Cloud thought with a grin. Cloud badly wanted to wait for Sephiroth until he showed up but he guessed he had no other choice now. Something just weren't meant to be, Cloud told himself, quickening his footsteps across the hallway. Even if things didn't turn out well for Cloud in the end, he hoped that Zack would have a better ending compared to him.

xxxx

"Cid?" Vincent suddenly said in a tight voice, his head bowed down as he rummaged through his bag.

"Yup?" Cid asked, blinking his eyes in a daze. Cid was just daydreaming about Vincent, thank goodness Vincent didn't realize how intent Cid was staring at him just now.

"I couldn't find my algebra book." Vincent's voice sounded muffled.

"Oh, er…" Cid was at lost for words, wondering how to respond. All he could see was Vincent beautiful body shape bend over his bag, the beautiful and slim waistline, Vincent's silky black hair tumbling down in waves…

"Cid, did you hear what I said?" Vincent's sharp voice suddenly cut into Cid's fantasies.

Vincent was glaring at Cid, one arm perched at his waist. "This is serious, I have only about five more minutes and I have lab later. And you know how far the science labs are located from the lockers, I…" Vincent rambled on, his crimson red eyes filled with worry.

"Erm, maybe…"

Cid racked his brains hard to try to think of what to say that could elevate Vincent's mood. A light bulb suddenly flashed in his mind and Cid pummeled his left palm with his right fist.

"Are you alright?" Vincent raised one eyebrow.

Why didn't he think of it sooner? "How about if I go and help you fetch your algebra book?" Cid offered. Vincent furrowed his brows, staring at Cid with concern.

"But don't you have your class to go to? I don't want to bother you after all."

Vincent was always the gentleman, Cid thought dreamily as he stared at a hesitating Vincent. Cid knew that look. Vincent definitely appreciated the idea of Cid going back to take his algebra book yet he didn't want to burden Cid.

"But I-" Vincent took a quick look at his watch and was about to say something when Cid interrupted him.

"No buts, I will go and get it for you. I have French later and it's just quite near."

Before Vincent could say anything, Cid turned and walked backwards, waving at Vincent.

"See you later in class," Cid shouted.

"Thanks," Vincent murmured in a barely audible voice and then he broke into a rare smile. Cid's heart nearly melted at that second. He had the urge to just grab Vincent and kissed him hard on the lips. Cid took in a deep breath to subdue the beast inside him. Cid would have wanted to see Vincent's face longer but soon he was swallowed up by the sea of people rushing to their respective classes.

Cid released his breath noisily, massaging his head with his fingers as he jogged towards Vincent's locker. Thoughts of him doing dirty things with Vincent always entered his mind. Especially recently. Cid's face colored when he thought of his dream last night. Aaaah, last night… Vincent was lying beneath Cid, and his face was one of innocence as he wrapped his arms around Cid, pulling him close.

A loud peal of the bell jerked Cid out of his daydream. Shit. That was the last warning bell. Cid ran the last few steps, bumping into people on the hallway but all Cid could see was Vincent's locker. Cid paused by the locker, turning the familiar combo that he had saw Vincent did countless times before. 36,10,59,97. The locker door sprang opened. Gotcha. The algebra blue color text book was right on top of the pile. Cid reached out his hand to take the book when his fingers brushed against something.

It was an envelope. Cid turned the envelope over in his hand and then he gave a gasp of shock when he saw the name etched on the envelope.

'To: My Valentine'

It was as if time froze for that moment as Cid stood there looking dumbstruck. It couldn't be right. Cid shook his head hard with his eyes tightly shut and then he looked once more at the words to make sure that he didn't read wrongly.

'My Valentine.'

The letter nearly slipped from Cid's grasp. It was not a mistake. Cid's heart seized in pain and it stopped beating for about two seconds but he couldn't tear his eyes away from this horrifying sight. No. How could this be? Cid's breathing became harsh and labor as he struggled to remain standing. Someone else liked Vincent and was ready to confess to him?

"Hey you! What are you still doing here? Didn't you hear the bell?" Mr Lazard's sharp voice drifted across the empty hallway. Cid turned his head half-heartedly, expecting the disciplinary teacher, Mr Lazard to be shouting from behind him. He so didn't have the mood to face Mr Lazard. But to his surprise, there was nobody else beside him.

"Think you could hide from me? Too bad. You are coming with me to the discipline office."Mr Lazard continued to scold someone.

Now that Cid listened properly, the voice seemed to be coming from the next hallway.

Mr Lazard's voice continued to get louder as the sound of footsteps approached. They were coming his way. Cid immediately tossed the book into his backpack and slammed the locker door shut. Without looking behind, Cid fled down towards the end of the hallway with the silver letter clutched tightly in his hands.

There was no way that Cid would leave the letter for Vincent to find out. But right now, all he should worry about was that he must not be caught, Cid told himself as he ran towards his class. He must not think about the letter yet.

After all, he would have plenty of time to brood over Vincent's secret crush in French class. Plenty of time.

To be continue…

Dear readers, thanks for the constant support especially to Tobirion and fanfiction lover 228 for their reviews. ^.^ Poor Cloud, he still didn't know that Sephiroth had totally misunderstood his letter. What's going to happen later now that Cid found the letter? Stay tune for the next chapter.

p.s. As usual, please leave a review/comment. =] Thanks!