(A/N): Yay! The latest chapter! Finally done! After two months of deliberation, I settled for this course of events. :3 My main driving point in this chapter were the character/relationship parallels, and Baralai's back story (not the full story; slowly, but surely, it shall be all revealed!). In the end, I'm quite pleased with how this one turned out. :3

Chapter 13: Jealousy

"Don't be mad when someone else starts to appreciate the person you took for granted. What you won't do, someone else will."

~ Nikhil Saluja

As Yuna stands up to leave Quickly, concerned for Baralai's well-being, Tidus slumps in his seat. He noticed the way she looked at him earlier, when she thought no one would notice; worse yet Baralai had been reciprocating her not-so-furtive looks the entire time. While everyone waited for Rikku to show up, Tidus watched them exchange secret texts and knowing smiles from across the table until his smoothie practically melted from his fumes.

"I honestly don't know what she sees in him," Paine says once Yuna walked out of earshot, "I don't even think they're that compatible in the first place."

Tidus sighs, glad someone here stands on the same page as him. "You tell me. Since when did those two become a thing? I didn't even know they had any sort of thing going on until recently. Can someone please explain what's been going on?"

"I don't know," Rikku says with a coy smile, "They did seem like they were hitting it off pretty well at the Christmas party. Didn't you know? They drew each other's name for secret Santa! It was the cutest coinkydink ever."

Tidus scowls, feeling betrayed. "Gippal, you told me he was gay back then!"

Gippal snorts, annoyed. "That was the only way I could get him to talk to her without you breathing down his neck. Baralai's pretty Hulk-sensitive about his personal space."

"You're missing the point, man. Why did you introduce them when you knew I was dating her?"

"What are you, Yuna's owner? I hate to break it to you, but there are guys everywhere. Are you gonna flip out every time she has to talk to a person with a dick? Besides, I couldn't leave my socially awkward friend at home. He wouldn't hang out with us lately, so I thought, 'hey, you know what, Yuna and Baralai are like gender swapped versions of each other. They can totally be friends.'" He stops there, sighing into his drink. "The way I see it, bro, if your relationship with Yuna was truly that solid, meeting new people wouldn't have been a problem. So, you're going to have to deal with it, T."

Paine huffs, fed up of his whining. "Why do you care anyway? If you hated the thought of her dating other guys, why didn't you fight to get back with her?"

"Believe me, I tried. But once she makes up her mind, she won't budge." Tidus places his head on the table, groaning into the cage of his arms. "And you know what, I gotta feeling it's all because of him. I just know it."

"Makes you kinda wonder why they aren't together, yet," Rikku says, humming in thought. "Yunie's pretty obvious, and Baralai looks like he's starting to like her."

Gippal scoffs. "That's because Baralai's a freakin rock. Have you seen all the girls that fawn over him? He's a cold, frigid mountain!"

"And then with Yunie's love, his icy heart will melt into a hot spring," Rikku says, giggling.

Paine rolls her eyes at their romantics. "Guys, I think we're missing the real question here. Did anyone else see that bruise on Yuna's face?"

Tidus's spine shoots straight up at the mention of it. "Yeah! Where'd it come from? I saw it a couple of days ago, and since then people won't stop talking about it."

"I tried talking to Yuna about it, but it's like she made a vow of silence," she says, annoyed, "It doesn't matter, though. I know Baralai's behind it. It's just too suspicious."

"What makes you say that, Dr. P?"

"Think about it. Yuna was her normal self last week. It wasn't until she went to Baralai's house that those two started acting differently. Besides, I've seen Baralai angry before. You two have seen him angry before. It's not pretty."

Horrified by the implications, Tidus seethes. "Then why the hell is Yuna still hanging around him? We've gotta do something!"

"For the love of Christ, guys, calm your tits," Gippal says, brushing off their gossip and concerns. "Leave those two alone. Whatever their issues are with each other, they need to sort it out between themselves. After all, it's their business... which, by the way, seems to be going quite well! Look how cozy they are."

Following Gippal's line of sight, Tidus scowls. He can see them through the giant glass wall, holding each other until they pull away to gaze into each other's eyes. They are talking too low for him to hear anything, but once Yuna starts touching his face and Baralai leans in, Tidus panics, afraid that they will kiss. Yuna says something causes him to laugh, however, and Baralai steps back to break the hug, walking to re-enter the store.

When Baralai throws a smug look his way, Tidus never wanted to strangle someone more than this moment.

"Thank you for the ride."

"Not a problem. Have a good night."

Yuna knows he didn't have to drop her off last, and wants to hope that he did so in order to steal another private moment with her. Going by the sound of his weary sigh, a girl can only hope. She hesitates with her hand on the door, and turns back around to face him. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

He deliberates for a moment, before turning the ignition off. "Sure. What's on your mind?"

Watching him lean against his arm to rub his temple, Yuna wonders if maybe this kind of thing can wait. But then again, when will there be a next time they are alone like this without prying eyes? She must take the chance now, or else risk losing it.

"You know, it's been a whole week since I slept over. Time flies, doesn't it?" she says, wanting to ease into it.

"Yeah." He shifts to rest his cheek against his fist now, staring out into space. A soft smile creeps at the corners of his mouth, betraying his thoughts. "A lot has happened since then, good and bad."

Yuna nods, and stares at her lap, wringing her hands. "I wanted to ask you an uncomfortable question. I hope you don't mind…"

"Today's a better day than any, honestly." Baralai sighs, sick and tired of the day, but feels an odd sense of comfort that he can endure anything at this point. Straightening up in his seat, he turns to give her his full attention.

"Do you, um… I want to know. Why do you feel so guilty for hitting me? Maybe I missed something, because I still don't understand."

"Yuna, I never wanted to hit you in the first place. I mean, you are the last person I would ever want to hurt. Do not get me wrong, though. I still feel justified in my anger then. However…" He averts his eyes, remorseful. "I hate seeing you suffer, for any reason. I lost my temper, and for that I am sorry. You did not deserve to be treated that way."

Her eyes moisten, touched by his heartfelt apology. "Oh, you… How can I ever resent you? I'm equally at fault."

"No, you're not," he says, vehement. "It's all my fault."

"No, it's not. It's both our fault." Yuna frowns, recognizing this cycle of self-blame they somehow started, and decides to put an end to it right here and now. "Can't we just agree on one thing and say we both did stupid things that day?"

"Stupid?" He chuckles, amazed by her ability to break the tension. "That's one way of wording it."

"But you agree, don't you?" She tilts her head to smile at him and he lifts his eyes to look at her. They catch themselves in each other's gazes, and a long moment passes before Baralai's the first to look away.

"Yuna, can I ask you something? Would you call us close friends?"

She rises in her seat, startled. "What do you mean?"

"I know that we haven't known each other long enough to call ourselves that, but… A part of me really wants to be closer than we are now." Nervous of her staring, he attempts to recompose himself. "I must sound silly–."

"No, not at all! I-I've been thinking the same thing."

This catches him by surprise, and he eases back into his seat. "Really?"

"Yeah." She smiles, bashful, until solemnity dims her blush. "I'm kind of jealous of Paine sometimes. She can be herself around you, and you… I haven't seen you act so unrestrained with anyone else, especially around girls. I don't know, I was just thinking…"

"It is nice to know at least one of us thinks that way," he says with a sigh. "But honestly, I wouldn't go as far as to call her my ideal girlfriend. I don't have any strong feelings for her beyond that of friendship, and I say that to destroy any and all questions you may still have about us. Yuna, you have nothing to be jealous about."

"Oh… Okay." She looks down at her lap, stifling the relieved smile. "Um, what made you want to ask that anyway? About us being close friends? I mean, I kind of thought we were already on the path of becoming just that. Or am I getting ahead of myself...?"

"Oh, no, not at all. You're right, I... You know, it angers me when someone like Tidus goes around professing that they know you better than me, because I consider you my friend as well. Even though there lies some truth to his statement, I still find myself wishing I have known you just as long to say the same."

"But it isn't the truth."

He looks at her, bemused. "What do you mean?"

"Even though Tidus and I grew up together, he doesn't understand me the way you do. It's sad, because he's such a great friend, but… You and I enjoy most of the same things and we even share some of the same values. I don't want you to feel jealous either, because... I think you're amazing." She confesses that last part with a bashful smile, and looks up to catch him speechless. "A-Anyway, it's getting late. Goodnight."

"Right." Baralai clears his throat, averting his eyes. "Goodnight."

Stepping out of his car, she closes the door and runs over to reach his side.

Confused by this, he rolls down his window, only for her to surprise him with a kiss on the cheek.

"Sweet dreams," she says, enjoying the shocked look on his crimson face, and with a smile rushes to her door.

"Yoohoo! There you are. I've been looking all over for you."

Tidus looks up from his open locker, appraising the outfit LeBlanc managed to squeeze past the dress code, and swings it shut. This blonde and bodacious senior happens to be a good friend of his, someone who understands his love for fun and partying, and he grins in greeting. "Hey! How you doing?"

"Fabulous as ever." She sidles up to his side, stroking his arm. "But anyways, I need you to hook me up with another party. There's someone I have set my eyes on, and I need to put him under my spell."

"Not a problem," he says, detaching himself from the locker to stroll down the hallway. LeBlanc struts to match his stride, linking arms with him so they can wade through the thin crowd. Lunch started seven minutes ago, and he has been craving Weinersnitchel for the past two hours. "Who's the poor sap this time?"

"Not a sap. A man in denial. Usually he's such a stiff, so you'd think he'd be easy to break, but he keeps rejecting my advances without fail! Can you believe that? It's utterly infuriating. But that's where you come in. I believe you're acquainted with our beloved valedictorian of the year."

"Uh, who?"

"Baralai, you simpleton. Baralai!"

Tidus snorts. "Oh. That guy. Yeah... but I wouldn't call us friends, though."

"Hmph. That's a darn shame… He's the only one I have yet to take in my conquest to sleep with every guy in this school. Well, among the juniors and seniors, that is, because the freshmen and sophomores just scream 'jailbait' to me–."

"Wait a sec," Tidus says, halting in his tracks. "You haven't slept with me."

LeBlanc grins, patting his cheek. "You boys are so cute when you don't remember."

"What?!" He flounders, flabbergasted. "But– You've slept with so many guys, surely you're not–."

"I always keep protection handy. You don't have to worry about that! Mmhmm."

He sighs, giving up on this altogether. "Whatever. At any rate… Don't tell me you're into Baralai, too."

"Oh, no, not personally. He's such a bore! But at the same time, so fascinating… What kind of man rebuffs a woman's seduction without batting an eye? A gay one, that's what! Or perhaps an asexual?"

Tidus snorts. "You may be a nymphomaniac, but Baralai's a saint. Good luck cracking that wall." As they exit the building and stroll past the library, he spots the last two people he wanted to see alone together. They are eating food by the stone memorial, sharing quiet conversation. He stops for a heartbeat, because he does not want LeBlanc to see how much it frustrates him to watch them, and pulls her along. While waiting in line for his food at the cafeteria, Tidus nods off to LeBlanc's extensive list of invitations until an idea begins to form in the pits of his resentment.

"You know what," he says with a sly smile. "Yuna would be able to help you out."

"With what? I didn't even know the prude liked sex toy parties–."

"No, not that! I meant your Baralai problem."

"Oh? And what makes you say that?"

Tidus clucks his tongue. "Because they're fuck buddies."

"My goodness! I never would have thought…"

"That what, straight A students wouldn't have their own pent-up energy to vent? They might not look like it, but those two are into some pretty hardcore shit. S&M and all that stuff. Cuz those goody two-shoes who study day in and day out, they gotta release them frustration somehow, right?"

"Fuck buddies! My word… No wonder I don't turn him on. He's got the perfect sex fantasy right there, served on a silver platter! I'm so jealous… Do you think I can get in on some of that action? C'mon, do a girl a favor!"

"I don't know..." Tidus says with a dramatic roll of his eyes, noticing how LeBlanc's voice carries volume in an otherwise crowded, noisy cafeteria. The people around them are already staring, craning their ears to listen in on their conversation, and he smirks. "I mean, Yuna can be pretty possessive. Plus, I gotta warn you. You might not be into Baralai's kink these days. I mean, did you see that bruise on Yuna's face?"

"So that wasn't a rumor! And he's the sugar daddy responsible! Wait till the others hear about this..."

Tidus smiles, happy to hear LeBlanc spin the nefarious, fat threads of Baralai's demise.

Yuna exits the school library around four thirty, done with homework for the day. Making her way down a flight of stone steps, she cuts through the portable classrooms and slows her walk once she notices Baralai outside the boys' locker room. Lounging against the bench with an open water bottle, he looks fresh and clean, if not exhausted, staring out at empty space, and Yuna assumes he must have finished basketball practice for the day.

"You look depressed."

He looks up to acknowledge her approach, unsmiling. "Just tired, is all." Spreading his arms out across the top of the bench, Baralai folds his legs and leans his head back, closing his eyes to block out the bright, blue sky.

Yuna walks around the bench to stand behind him, cradling his head. "Why are you so tired, hm?"

He opens his eyes to gaze upon her smile, swearing at the irony, and sighs again. "Let me just say that I did not exactly have the best kind of sleep last night."

"Why don't you go home if you're tired?"

"Because I can't," he says, annoyed, and sits back up, feeling her hands drop to his shoulders. When she begins to knead them with her thumbs, hitting all the tight knots, he sighs in pleasure. Only very few linger at school at this hour, and for this reason he feels comfortable enough to let her massage him like this. Plus, he has been in desperate need of one lately. "That feels nice. Thank you."

"You're welcome." She smiles, glad to know she can alleviate at least some form of his stress. His brooding worries her, though, and wonders if he wants to be alone right now. If Baralai wanted to talk to her, he would have done so by now, and so she decides to remain quiet.

A long moment passes until he finally looks at her, eyes wide as if struck by a brilliant idea. "Will you go out with me?"

Yuna blushes bright red, unable to control the unnatural, high pitch of her voice. "To where?!"

"Shelinda's house. You are friends with her, right?" Baralai stands up, slinging his backpack over his shoulder with a smile. "She hasn't been feeling well lately, and I thought she might like the extra company. Besides, I have been meaning to drop off her homework anyway. Would you like to come with me and say hello?"

"Oh…" She sighs, feeling her heart deflate with disappointment, and attempts to mask up her embarrassment by smiling. "No, I don't mind."

"Excellent," he says, leading the way to his car. "Let me call Shelinda to let her know we are coming."

They congregate in the living room after her mother insisted they come inside, sitting down across the carpet floor. Shelinda places the hot, steaming plate of cookies down on the table between them, smiling. "My mom made cookies! She says you can have as many as you like."

"Thank you." Baralai leans forward to grab the first cookie, taking a dainty bite.

Yuna follows suit, lured by the delicious aroma. The moment she tastes rich chocolate melt on her tongue, she moans in epicurean delight. "Yummy. These taste amazing!"

"Thanks!" Shelinda beams, delighted. "But don't forget to say thank you to her later. It would make her really happy. She went all out."

"I'll be sure not to forget," she says, drinking from her glass of milk. "Oh, but what about your dad? I saw a glimpse of him in the backyard. Is it just me, or does he seem kind of… unfriendly?"

"Oh, well…" Shelinda frowns, anxious. "That's because he's mad at me. Give him a while to calm down."

Yuna frowns, worried by her off-handed comment and the furtive looks she sends Baralai's way. Because they sit in a loose triangle, Yuna watches her eyes shift back and forth between them until Shelinda can no longer contain her nervousness.

"D-Does she know? Did you tell her?"

"No. I thought it would make you more comfortable if you told her. That is, if you wanted to."

Shelinda squirms in her spot, indecisive, and rushes to stuff her face with cookies to stall for time, swallowing it hard ten seconds later. Wiping her mouth, she clears her throat. "W-Well, I don't know if you heard anything at school, yet, but… I-I'm…" Too scared to voice the rest, she whimpers. "C-Can I whisper it in your ear?"

"Oh, sure." Yuna scoots over, leaving no room for doubt, and what she hears surprises her. Looking to Baralai for help, a scandalous thought suddenly strikes her breathless.

Catching the question in her frantic eyes, Baralai deadpans. "Banish it. Banish that thought from existence."

Yuna sighs in pure relief, and claps her hands together. "Okay! So, um, Sh-Shelinda... I hope you don't mind me asking, but... Do you know who it is?"

"Y-Yes…"

"Does he know?"

"N-No."

"Are you planning on telling him?"

"I-I don't know... I mean, my mom said that if I wanted to keep the baby, she will support me in any way she can, but my dad… He's torn between getting rid of it and forcing the father to support me. As for me, I really don't know what to do…"

"Okay. Well…" Yuna looks to Baralai again for assistance, who pretends not to notice her beseeching eyes. As he sits there in silence, munching on another cookie, she decides to take the initiative. "Have you thought about what you want to do? Oh, wait, never mind. You already told me you didn't know. Um... Oh! Right. How do you feel about it?"

Shelinda rubs her stomach in thought. "Well, I... I-I'm really scared, but at the same time... A part of me really wants to keep it. Does that sound crazy?"

"No, not at all! I think it's normal to feel that way. I mean, I would feel the same if I had a little life growing inside of me," she says, smiling a little. "Do you love him? The father of your child, I mean."

She twiddles with a piece of her hair, blushing. "...Y-Yes. It's really complicated, but I do."

"If that's the case, mm... I think you should tell him. This is the kind of decision both of you need to make together."

Shelinda smiles. "That's what Baralai said, too."

Yuna turns to him, surprised. "Really?"

"Yes. It is only fair, after all," he says, wiping his mouth with a clean napkin. "No matter how unpleasant, it involves the two of you alone. Nobody else. I think the best kind of decision to make is one that respects both of your feelings. Basically, a compromise."

Sitting here in the living room of Shelinda's house raises all sorts of questions for Yuna, such as how long he had known about this and how he chose to comfort the poor girl, as well as the more paranoid thought process, 'How close are you two? How often do you spend time together?' But then again, Shelinda needs a kind and supporting friend, not a jealous and judgmental one, and Yuna chooses to suppress her inner green monster. "Baralai, what do you think about all this?"

He hums, thoughtful. "I believe my opinion is rather obvious, so I will refrain."

Knowing him as the logical type, Yuna keeps it to herself.

Nervous of the awkward air, Shelinda attempts to lighten the atmosphere. "So, Baralai! I want to hear a guy's opinion. What do you think about having children?"

"Me? Well…"

Yuna gulps, leaning forward with anticipation.

He wipes his hands on a clean napkin and folds his arms atop of the table, contemplating. Soon enough, the fond smile reveals itself. "Believe it or not, I like the idea of being a father. If I have to say, I wouldn't mind having children as soon as I hit my early twenties."

Yuna stares, dumbfounded by this startling confession, and dares to imagine him five years older with an adorable, doe-eyed baby. Cradling a toddler in his protective arms, teaching his little girl how to read or dressing his little boy for a nap, Baralai would make a wonderful father. Yuna wonders what would it be like, walking together in a park with their child in tow, both holding a tiny hand in each of their fists as they lift the shrieking, ecstatic child into the air, looking at each other with loving eyes–

"You don't have any goals or anything?" Shelinda pipes up, shattering Yuna's daydream.

Baralai chuckles, self-conscious. "I don't normally tell people this, but… I have already graduated from University with a Masters degree in English at the age of twelve. After that, I spent three years of my life touring the world to perform my music. I used to be a professional pianist; a soloist, to be precise. So, I think it's safe to say I accomplished everything I wanted to do by the time I was fifteen."

Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of his childhood accomplishments, Yuna wonders why he lives all the way out here in the middle of a quiet and quaint town when he can pick any place in the entire world. "Then, why are you in high school?"

"For the social experience," he says, trying to pass off as nonchalant even though Yuna's humble look of disbelief makes him self-conscious. "You don't… find that odd, do you?"

"Not at all!" Shelinda says, cutting Yuna off. "I'm not that surprised, given how amazing you already are."

Caught off guard by her sheer enthusiasm, Baralai smiles. "Thank you. You flatter me."

"If I must be completely honest…" Shelinda holds her pink cheeks, all giddy. "I kind of had this huge crush on you since I met you, all throughout last year. You were super nice and smart, and athletic, too! You could do anything you put your mind to, but you were never conceited about it, always so serious and mature. You're like the perfect guy! A lot of girls fell head over heels in love with you. Didn't you know? The competition pool is ginormous!"

Baralai blushes now, embarrassed. "R-Really…"

"Yeah." She beams, proud of herself and her newfound confidence. "But you know, that's okay, because I found true love and happiness with somebody else. He may not look like it first, but he's a huge softie! My own personal cuddly-wuddly teddy bear. He makes me so happy... Oops, sorry! I drifted off there."

"Just by a lot." Baralai smiles, fighting back the laugh until Yuna elbows him.

"She's in love!" She interjects in spite of her giggles. "Don't make fun of her for that."

"Me? Making a fool out of a high school girl in love? I think you are confusing me with Gippal."

"Quiet, you." She gives him a playful slap on the arm, stifling her smile.

"Oh. Quiet, me." He chuckles, mocking her.

"That's not the least bit funny."

"You say that, but why can I not take you seriously?"

Yuna opens her mouth, but no retort comes to mind, and she pouts.

Baralai balances his chin on the palm of his hand, looking quite pleased with himself.

"So, that's pretty much my life right now," Shelinda says with a dreamy sigh, oblivious to their teasing, "A whole mess of drama and romance."

"You appear awfully upbeat about it," Yuna says, impressed by her optimism, and Baralai nods in agreement.

"I guess I am! I mean, just a couple of days ago I felt like the sky was falling down on me as God's way of punishing me, but now…" She takes a deep breath, liberated. "I don't know, I feel a lot better about it now. I am blessed to have such great friends like you guys."

When they exit Shelinda's house, waving goodbye to her as she closes the door, they cross the stone path to his car.

Yuna trails behind him, staring at his back. Just an hour ago, she felt so close to him, happy to see their friendship growing, but after hearing about his wonderful and accomplishing lifestyle casts insecurity into her self-worth. Baralai lived his whole life without equal, a solitary existence full of bright and limitless potential. He feels so distant from her all of a sudden, as if the person she came to know as her friend has become a stranger, and that frightens her.

She clasps the hem of his shirt, halting his stride. "Is what you said in there true? About how you grew up?"

He turns to face her, confused. "You think I would lie to you, especially about something like that?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant! That is, I, um…" She drops her hand, anxious. "D-Does Gippal and Paine know, too?"

"To an extent, yes," he says with a sigh. "They know that I have rich parents and that I attended University, but that is all. I didn't want this to spread around for fear of people alienating me, so I forced them to swear an oath of secrecy. Speaking of which, can you keep what I said in there a secret? I would be eternally grateful."

"Of course." She hesitates afterwards, scared of voicing her inner feelings. "Do you ever miss it?"

This question catches him off guard, and he stops before his car to face her again. "What?"

"Do you ever think about going back? To touring the world and playing your music? Or think about settling down somewhere in a big city to pursue your career? You're so talented, and you could do anything you wanted. Why stay here?"

"That is true." He sighs, as if he had been swamped by that line one too many times. Perching himself on the hood of his car, he folds his arms across his chest, clenching his keys in hand. "There was a time I used to miss it. It was a simple and straightforward life. Believe it or not, my parents never forced me to do anything I didn't want to do. University was the result of my love for learning. In my desire to understand the world around me, I would read a lot. I had a knack for the technical arts, such as classical music and foreign languages, so my parents thought traveling the world would help me nurture those talents. But, to be honest, I don't consider any of the things I have done as extraordinary, because it felt normal to me. I always gave my best, because I never saw a reason to hold myself back. That was my life. Very eventful, but very lonely sometimes."

Yuna moved at some point to sit next to him, captivated by his tale. When he pauses there to take a breather, resting his hands on his lap to fiddle with his keys, she reaches out for him only to lose the nerve. Baralai appears to be lost in thought, as if he wants to say more.

"Although it felt like my childhood came to a short end, it also felt like I experienced a whole lifetime simply doing the things I loved. Once I came here, though... I thought I finally found the place I wanted to call home. I still feel that way, if not stronger. I have family here; although of distant relation, I am close with them. And I have made some friends here, too; the longest friendships I have ever forged in one place without moving. So, to answer your question… No. I don't think about ever going back. I am content here. I want to look towards the future more, not the past. At least, that was the New Year's resolution I made."

"...I see." She sighs, smiling in content.

Amused by her obvious look of relief, he smiles. "Were you afraid I would leave you behind?"

"What? N-No..."

"It's alright. I cause people to feel inferior all the time, so I'm used to it. But even so..." He sighs, saddened by the thought. "I never wanted you to feel that way."

"I'll admit, I did kind of feel that way about half an hour ago, but... not anymore," she says. "If anything, I'm more upset at the fact that I don't know anything about you. I want to ask you all sorts of things, but I was afraid to ask in case you don't like talking about yourself..."

"Well, from now on, you can ask me anything." He smiles, flattered by her honest confession. "After all, I consider you one of my closest friends."

Yuna blushes, self-conscious. "Me? R-Really? You really think so? I, um..." Embarrassed by his kindness, she plops her head on his shoulder, smiling like a fool. When she feels him wrap an arm around her shoulders, tucking her head beneath his cheek, she fights to keep the blush at bay. He feels so tender and warm, she wants to stay like this forever.

On the ride back to her house, they enter a comfortable lull in conversation, which leads Yuna to steal a glance in his direction. Baralai stares straight ahead at the road, keeping one hand on the wheel while the other rests on the edge of the armrest, tempting her with its proximity. Sensing her gaze, he gives her a smile, causing butterflies to assault her stomach. Before she can work up the courage to hold his hand, Baralai finally pulls up on her driveway.

"Here you are."

"Thank you. Um, see you tomorrow, I guess?"

He nods with a smile. "Of course."

Yuna returns the smile with less enthusiasm, stepping out to shut the door behind her. Waving goodbye to him as Baralai drives away, she recalls the smiling image of a young woman in love and wishes she had an ounce of her courage.