Author's Note: Thank you for your reviews here, readers! And here is the next! The title for this chapter was gotten from Queen of Sugarplum Fairies' one shot. Really nice! Oh and by the way, starting in this chapter, everything may be now Cloud's, Aerith's or anyone's point of view, however, we are still going to focus on Cloud due to some reasons. Oh, and some bonus part. It is a Tifa/Zack humor…
Something in Seven
You Paint Me Blue
I don't even want to believe if this is the reality or a dream.
This time, I really wish this was only a dream. Her ocean waved eyes that usually made me feel with the lack of words, happy just pained me. Why?! How did this happen? This is totally not my day…
The way she used to heal my wounds with her sweet and soft voice now happened to crash and burn my wholeness. And there she was, waiting for me to say something. And no doubt, she is still the most beautiful person I've ever met.
It hurt me to see her.
"You're so cruel." My mind yelled. Was it even real?
Could she really have…forgotten me? "Don't you remember your friends?" I asked her, my voice cracked. My eyes are beginning to water, and I all suddenly felt cold. But I can't cry now. I can't go on and break down. She then raised her brows and looked at me anxiously. "I'm sorry, but as far as I can remember, I don't even have friends." The same reply gave me the nostalgic feeling of our first meeting. "Oh."
No, I can't cry now, I know I've been nagging it to myself. No matter how much it was actually crashing me through, I can't cry. She had been my weakest and she saw it. But haha, if she can't remember me…nothing happens. And then this thought came across my mind, it was just merely a wish; it would've been better if she didn't come back. She can't be a stranger or a shadow to me, the harder I'll try, I know the harder I will keep on with this risk.
No better words to define what I'm feeling right now.
I guess, every feeling of mine was scrambled like egg. Despite the fact she doesn't know me, I cried inside. For several years I haven't seen her, there was this tint of bliss. For what have been years had come, I was able to see her and make the habit of staring at her again.
The only thing I can do now is to pretend that I don't know her. And maybe, if I can regain our friendship back, I'll try to have our memories back.
"Let me walk you to your class." I offered her shyly. She thanked me and smiled. The silence I'm screaming was unstoppable. I wanted to tell her so much about…everything, like the way we used to, I wanted to feel her warmth again. But it will have to take time for now. "You're so nice." She told me. I cannot help but to slightly smile. The Aerith in the day we met was like this. "Thank you." I uttered from my breath as I walked her to class. She then looked at me and smiled. "You're the third one who asked me as if you know me. The first one was the long black haired woman and this spiky black haired guy. Hah, you're spiky too!" she exclaimed and pointed at my blonde hair. "Your hair looks like a chocobo's..." she said while trailing off. I silently laughed. I found it ironic, she was actually giving off the same expressions the first time I met her.
Same as always. Now she mentioned two raven haired people, I reckon, they already know Aerith's dumbfounding comeback. In casual silence, we just walked around the hallways, she would say something and I would just listen. I remember a lot of the things we both do when she used to know me. My feelings started to blend and hit frappe. "You're name is Cloud, is it?" she asked. "Cloud Strife." I told her. I looked like a fool. She used to know me and now she's asking my name. I don't know why, but I really feel terrible. "Cloud. What a name." she said with a laugh. We've reached the corridor of her class. "Thank you for helping me on my way, Cloud!" she thanked and smiled at me. She wasn't entering yet, but she just looked at me. "For some reason, I think I met you before." She whispered. I ironically smiled. You don't know how right you are. She put her hand on the doorknob and looked at me. "Again, thank you." She repeated and went in. On front of me the door closed. I stuffed my hands on my pocket and I just forgot to go to classes. With no definite direction, I roamed around the school until I ended up outside at the holly tree near the flower field. Hah, I should show this to her sometime again.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked with a laugh. I couldn't help but to smile. "You'll see." With our hands holding each other's, we walked out of the school and led her to our destination. And finally reaching it, she was in awe and started to walk around the place. "So beautiful!" she exclaimed.
"Not as beautiful as you." I whispered, unaware of the heck I was saying. I sat down on the fence.
I watched her looking around.
She then put a hand on the holly tree. "It's glowing!" she happily exclaimed as I saw child in her eyes.
I raised a brow suspiciously. The last time I went here, it wasn't giving off any glow. Really.
"I didn't know it glows." I told her. She looked at me and suddenly, her eyes widened. I gave her a questionable look.
She then smiled and ran on my direction. I was confused on her sudden action, but then, she leaned on the fence and her smile grew more. Her mouth was slack jawed, but she didn't say anything. Her eyes swerved left to right, captivated by the panorama. "I say you like it." I told her. She then nodded.
"So beautiful! Cloud, thank you!" she thanked gratefully. I grinned at her direction, her cheeks was softly tinted with peony.
"When I have free time, I go here. The first time I saw this place, I was very happy. This spot is also our spot. I showed it to Zack and Tifa, but, the two of them don't seem to even mind going here." I told her. She approached me and put her hand on mine. My blood started to rise up.
"Don't worry Cloud, this will be our spot." She affirmed. And oblivious we both started to play on each other's hands.
"You know what; I didn't know the holly tree can glow. The time I touched it, it wasn't. I guess it only glows on you." I said. She suddenly was flushed. She didn't reply anything but she gave a faint smile across her lips and leaned her head against my shoulder. I know I just flushed again---it already became an unwanted habit when I met her.
The feeling was…for the lack of better word-right.
About the holly tree…glowing…it really is, only if she's touching it though. I then took a glance at it. The holly tree is blue, weird color for a tree, I know. When she still knew us and Midgar, she was a white mage. A very good one to be exact. She would voluntarily help on some outreach, at the orphanage and Shin-Ra SOLDIERS, a company where they take first class cadets and make them as SOLDIERS. Going back on Aerith, she was really intelligent; I don't argue with that, everyone in the campus loved her. And when I mean, everyone, yes, even Sephiroth loves her that he didn't even dare to threat her. She really is kind and with no other words, she's heaven sent. And speaking of love, when she left, it was the ever first time I saw Zack break down and hit down the rocks. He felt like the whole world just collapsed onto his shoulders. But I did not thought of him uncanny. She really did touch hearts.
"Zack you're such a meanie!" she snapped at him. Zack chuckled as he started to drink down Aerith's milkshake. Tifa and I were laughing along, but I don't doubt to tell, I was feeling out of place. "You know what Aerith? Chocobo head has the hotts for you!" Zack blurted out. I started to worry. I hope he was going to make a joke about it. "Stop teasing him Zack, he didn't do anything to you." Tifa defended. Thank you. But that didn't stop him.
"No really!!!" he persisted. Then I looked at him.
"Stop making things up Zack, not really funny anymore." Aerith warned. I then looked at her. She was burning up. Is it really warm in here? This is an ice cream parlor!!!! "Trust me." Zack really wasn't going to let this topic off. I know he has the hotts for Aerith, but he told me to trust him on who I like…so much for friendship. I thought Tifa or Aerith would say something. They didn't. Instead, the three were having this awkward aura around me. I looked up to them, glancing at Zack, Tifa, and then Aerith. I quickly glared at Zack and then, looked at my hands. I was avoiding their gaze.
"I don't think Cloud likes me." Aerith broke off the silence, three of us surprised of her outcome. "I don't think Cloud likes me." She repeated as she locked her eyes on me. She then smiled. "Uh…what are you talking about?" Tifa asked, confused of what she was concluding. "Well, he seems so unbothered about your stupid joke, Zack." She answered bitterly. Zack then rolled his eyes and then casually put an arm across Tifa's shoulders.
Speaking of Tifa and Zack, sometimes I don't understand if they like or hate each other. Then, there was something red on Tifa's face. I don't know what it is…did she put make up? I then started to eat my banana split. Weird things were coming from my mind. How come they named this 'banana split' if the banana is not really split?
SLAP!
I suddenly jerked from my seat. Aerith burst out laughing. I looked at her confused. She then smiled at me then pointed to Tifa and Zack. I looked at them and my eyes started to widen. There was this bright red hand imprint on Zack's face.
"Pervert." Tifa spat at his face. Zack then started to mimic her in annoyance. "You think you're so pretty because you have a large chest!" he retorted to her. Aerith and I were shocked on his retort. Was he checking her out? I then looked at Tifa. "You are a pervert." I, out of the blue told Zack. He cocked a brow at me. "Whose side you are anyway?" he snapped. "He's on Tifa's side of course." Aerith said with a chuckle. I looked at Tifa. She was already fixing herself and packed her books already. "I better go." She said as she stood from her seat.
Zack was about to pull up her skirt, but she caught his hand and started to twist his wrist. That was really scary of Tifa…
"You really deserve that Zack…" Aerith told him. He glared at her. "I'll be seeing you guys tomorrow." She bid goodbye and went off. Then, the first thing I know when I finally gathered up every detail, Aerith stood up from her seat with her bag and waved at us. "I remembered Tifa and I have to do something…bye Zack! Cloud!" she then left, Zack and I were staring at each other. We went like that for half a minute.
"Wanna race?" he asked with a smirk. When Zack is with you, your day is restless.
Hey Cloud!
Firstly off, I apologize for suddenly disappearing without telling you guys. If you're angry at me, I have a reason, but I reckon it will be better off unsaid. Sorry for being cheap, but I can only do this on haste by email than letters. Moving on, I'm going to the Northern Continent. Sadly for you and me…I cannot have any contacts from outside. Haha…you know what, I'm already crying. You, Tifa and Zack are the only friends I have. Hah, you know what, there's a part of me wanting you to cry, because, honestly, I never seen you cry before. Are you really:) Haha, I wish I can see you!
Let's say, this won't be the last time we shall meet. I'm quite in doubt I can write or phone you as well…and…this might be the last you shall hear from me…who knows. Oh, and one last note, don't reply to this. I won't forget you.
Love,
Aerith
And right after reading her email, I was surprised to find myself my eyes stinging. Then all I noticed was I am already crying. I shouldn't been seen crying…
It seemed like I just found something…then lost it.
And I think I just found it again. I found it, already incomplete. I guess, that fragment was her memories in Midgar. I've finally recollected myself. I guess I really need to move on from the past. However, no matter how much shallow it may be, there was always this part of me that I wish she remembered, even just the day we met.
Leaning myself on the fence, I broke down. I thought this was so out of my character. But I can't help it.
Oh, poor Cloud!!! The next chapter would be on Aerith's view…the story is finally beginning!!!
Beeria: Can you update Date with Destiny sooner? I'm dying of what's going to happen to Cloud…o
Achii