Here we are. Last chapter. This was fun to write, aishiteru! I got some new stuff coming, so sit tight and be a good moogle, ya hear?

Rikku nearly threw Lenne over her shoulder and sent her flying to the airport. They were finally going home! Home, where her pillows were just the right fluffiness! Where her puppy, Scoot, was waiting for her! He was probably so big now. Lenne was packing all her things at a glacial pace. Rikku danced on the spot.

"Rikku, you can go if you want. I'm sure the guys are all down there already. Except Lai, who's gotta do his prayers… and say grace before he eats any airplane food." Lenne said. She sounded annoyed, but understanding at the same time. Rikku rushed out of the room and flew down the stairs. She came out of the lobby and was surprised to see Baralai there with the others. She scuttled over to the group.

"Morning." They didn't answer. She humphed and put down her bag. She got ready and then threw her arms around Gippal's neck from behind, jumping up and putting her legs around his waist. "MORNING!" She said more loudly this time. He started to say something that was inaudible but then held onto her legs so they both wouldn't go toppling down to the ground. He spun around until they were both dizzy and Rikku was laughing helplessly. Baralai and Shuyin were grinning but Tidus looked confused.

"G… plus… R… equals… GR… that's a bad omen!" Tidus said. He pulled a miniature ladder out of his pocket. "QUICK! THROW THIS OVER YOUR SHOULDER! Wait, that's the wrong one… ummm…" he pulled out a jumble of cats, ladders, salt shakers, mirrors, and a building. They were all miniature. "Hold this." He said, tossing things into Rikku and Gippal's hands. Rikku got the building and the cat. She counted the windows on the building and learned that there were thirteen floors. She grinned. Tidus then took back the cat and building and gave her the salt shaker. "It may not have salt in it, but it might still work." He said breathlessly. Rikku played along, and tossed the entire shaker over her shoulder with a grin. "No! Now you spilled more than you did before!" Tidus said, chasing after his lost salt. Baralai put a finger up.

"He is giving himself to the Devil. Superstitions are extremely sacrilegious." He stated. Rikku and Gippal both sighed. Shuyin shook his head and turned away. There was a bing behind them and the other three girls came out of the elevator. Tidus's distressed expression changed to one of excitement and he rushed over to Yuna, taking her hands and whispering in her ear. She grinned discreetly. Shuyin took Lenne's bag and she smiled at him and kissed him on the cheek. Baralai tried to do the same, but Paine whipped her bag away. Poor guy wasn't getting lucky today. Rikku felt Gippal's arm slither around her waist and his head rested on hers. She took a deep breath, and then relaxed. She leaned against him until they were ready to go. They actually had called ahead and got a van that would hold them all this time. They went to the airport and loaded onto the plane. Rikku nestled into her seat. California, here she came.

Their flight finally dropped them off at Arizona, as Rikku remembered halfway through the flight with an exasperated screech that scared Gippal that they still needed their cars back. They got into their cars and started off on the highways. They sped along, and didn't stop for a long time. But the rides were reasonably high spirited, because everybody was glad they were going home. Rikku eventually sprawled across the backseat with her head on Gippal's armrest. But, it was comfortable, because there was a pillow tucked behind her head. She had quiet conversation with him for awhile until he settled down to fall asleep.

"You're never gonna get on a normal schedule when schools rolls around." Rikku whispered to him when he closed his eyes.

"Not true. I can do fine with the nocturnal schedule." He said. Rikku scoffed. Stay awake all night, sleep all day. Typical. And he still manages to pass.

Three days later, they were finally only five miles away from home. Rikku was immensely excited. She started texting with Lenne after awhile. (Rikku's bold, Lenne italicized.)

So, how's your ride going???

Pretty good. Yours?

Alright. Tidus and Gip are asleep and Yuna won't talk while she's driving. It's kinda funny and kinda annoying at the same time.

Lol. So, what's up? How's life?

Pretty good. How're you and Shuyin? –wink wink, nudge nudge-

Lol, we're okay. He's all like thinking that I cheated on him and I said that I would never cheat on him, but he said he saw me cheat on him.

Well… you and Gip were sorta… tight for a bit.

Oh that was all in good fun! Besides, it's hard not to when he's so hot

Uh huh…

Oh cheer up.

Do you like him?

Huh?

Gippal.

Yeah.

Rikku felt herself heat up with something like anger and something like despair at the same time. She probably couldn't compete with Lenne if she put her mind to it. She didn't like to think of that.

Don't be so quiet. It's not like you might've thought that I didn't.

I did.

Well, if Shuyin and I ever broke up, then I probably would've gone out with Gippal.

It's funny…

What is?

You act as if you have no idea we're going out.

No, I know. But, what's the point in lying to you? I got over lying awhile ago. It just leads to drama, drama, drama.

Telling the truth can lead to drama too.

Least I didn't cause it.

Rikku couldn't talk to her anymore. She didn't understand why Lenne was acting like this, but she was in no mood for it. She shut her phone and put it on silent, then took out her iPod and scrolled through songs that she could listen to about girls trying to take her boyfriend, and her coming out on top with some impudent remarks.

They finally arrived at Rikku's house and all ran into the lounge screaming. Rikku thought she saw a flash of her dad, but he was gone then. Then, her puppy Scoot ran over to with his tail nearly throwing him across the room from its huge wags. Rikku lifted him up and hugged him tightly as he licked her face. She laughed and put him down to greet everyone else while she thumped down onto a couch. Lenne walked in a few minutes later and their eyes met. Lenne smiled at her, but it wasn't a friendly smile. It was more of a… challenging smile. Rikku pursed her lips and didn't smile back. This was nothing to fight over, but still. Lenne had been a little too honest about her thoughts. Rikku knew she had no right to tell Gippal, but she wished he wouldn't talk to her anymore. The more he talked to her, the more she'll take up the challenge that had silently been made between the girls. Rikku felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and she arched her back against the couch to tug it out by the antenna. She flipped it open and there was a text from Yuna.

It's a little chilly in here.

You and Lenne. I could cut through this tension with a knife.

Oh.

What happened?

Tell you later.

She flipped her phone closed and turned it off, leaving it on the coffee table. Gippal sat down on the couch next to her.

"Home sweet home." He said.

"Might not be so sweet." Rikku replied absentmindedly. He gave her a confused look but didn't ask anymore. Lenne suddenly jumped on the couch and sat next to Gippal, leaning on him subtly. She caught Rikku's eye and grinned at her. Rikku wanted so badly just to leap over Gippal at her and rip her hair at her. Lenne was one of her best friends, but best friend or not, boys were something no girl learned to share. Rikku just let her eyes flare at Lenne, and she then turned away. Gippal didn't seem to notice Lenne, and Rikku didn't seem to notice Gippal ignoring her. He took Rikku's hand and laced his fingers with hers, and she grinned faintly. She still was in a sour mood though.

The next few hours were spent by people charging their cell phones with every outlet in Rikku's house, and watching movies that were traded from girl's choice to guy's choice. Hey, it was only two in the afternoon! They weren't gonna just go home and go to bed. There were lives in California to live!

The first movie was a chick flick, of course. When it finally came time for the goody- goody protagonist to dramatically and accidentally say she loved the alluring bad boy in the rain that she loved him, Shuyin and Tidus had a hysteria attack when Baralai actually tried to make a move on Paine. Except they stopped laughing a minute later when Paine responded to his attempts very well. Lenne and Yuna were 'aww'ing at the TV, while Rikku was nestled into Gippal's arm as they both fell asleep. Chick flicks had never been a favorite of either of theirs. Then, the guys raided Rikku's DVD's -which only had chick flicks from Yuna leaving her movies behind- and tugged out War of the Worlds. Yuna and Lenne groaned while Paine and Barlai didn't respond to it at all. Moving on. Whoever thought of "Opposites attract" was spot on.

"I'm scared, so if an alien gets me tonight, it's all your fault." Lenne said to Gippal as she hooked her arm with his. He didn't respond except to tug his arm out of her grip and put it on Rikku's waist as he put small kissed along her jaw and on her cheek. Rikku would've loved to have seen Lenne's astonished face if her eyes weren't stuck closed from Gippal making her so lightheaded.

After they had watched three and a half movies, they packed everyone into their two cars and started to drive them all home. Shuyin and Tidus got out at Gippal's, and so did Rikku.

"Walking me to my door, huh? Such a gentleman." Gippal said with a wink to her. She laughed and gave him a light push.

"Can you believe we still have eleven weeks left of summer?" Rikku said as they walked slowly to the house while Shuyin and Tidus raced each other in there. Gippal put a hand to his head.

"Whoa there. I'm not doing any math for awhile." He said.

"You do math everyday." She stated.

"You sound like a teacher."

"No, just your conscience."

"Dammit… thought I got rid of that too." They got to the doorstep. Rikku looked up at him expectantly.

"Waiting. Sweep me off my feet, like all those guys in the movies we watched." She said. He thought for a second, and then pushed her lightly by her shoulders against the wall.

"Well… if we're going for a more flirtatious sweep… then I can't just go in for it. First, I have to get you in the mood." He said, tracing her jaw till he got to the center of her chin, then trailing it down her throat until he got to the neckline of her shirt. "Or, we could go for the Chocolat approach." He said, kissing her swiftly. She wrapped her arms around his neck and relaxed completely until he pulled away and she came back to her senses. His lips brushed against her ear.

"Or we could always go for The Notebook." He whispered to her. She could just tell he was smirking. She scoffed.

"I don't think so." She said. She kissed him again, but was shocked away from him when Yuna slammed on the horn. Rikku giggled and waved to Gippal as she jogged back to the car. Yuna smirked at her and drove on to the next house.

Rikku was silent until Lenne spoke up.

"Rikku. Could you come with me for a minute?" She asked. Rikku realized that they were at Lenne's house. She jumped out of the car with Lenne reluctantly. Lenne stared at the ground.

"Sorry…" she mumbled. Rikku just watched for her to say something else. "Sometimes I get pretty competitive. Two years ago, Gippal told me that he liked me and somehow it felt like a security blanket or something to have a back up plan. And then he started flirting with you awhile ago and I guess it just started getting to me…" Lenne said. Rikku felt pangs in her chest that Gippal used to like her. What if he liked her again? She grinned and hugged Lenne.

"You just gotta find a way to make it up to me." She said, grinning and waving to her as she ran back to the car.

Four Months Later

Rikku felt a tap on the back of her head and turned as her friends giggled. They were all looking at her and laughing. She bent down and picked up a balled up piece of paper. She hurled it at Shuyin and their laughs only got harder. The teacher whipped down his book and everybody immediately stopped. Rikku rolled her eyes with a grin and turned back to her homework. It had been a miracle that they had all been put into the same study hall, but it didn't really matter since that was only forty minutes. Gippal leaned forward in his chair. He tapped the girl in front of him's shoulder and gave her a folded up note. She grinned widely at her and he smiled back, and then pointed to Rikku. Her brown curls seemed to droop with her smile as she turned and gave it to Rikku with a sarcastic smile. Rikku grinned sincerely back, took it and unfolded it.

We need to talk.

Rikku just stared blindly at it and the small heart that was at the end of the sentence. She felt her pulse quicken and stop at the same time. She looked back at him, but he was busy drawing very erotic stick figures, then drawing lines from them that said "Baralai" and "Paine". He then folded it up and flicked it at Baralai, it landing neatly in his desk. Gippal considered paper throwing an art. Baralai unfolded it and sneered at Gippal before turning back to his homework. Gippal started drawing new things with a proud smirk. Rikku finished her homework and proceeded to text silently with Yuna.

The period finally ended. Rikku sighed and started walking out the door and didn't get by when Gippal grabbed her arm and pulled her into a corner. She smiled at him.

"What's up?" she asked as happily as she could. He leaned against the wall after he shifted his backpack.

"Um…" he started. "We have a problem. And it's not me. It's you." He said, looking completely solemn. Rikku just stared at him until he continued. "You see… my teachers don't believe that it's my parents signing my tests. We're gonna have to work on that." Rikku thought she was hallucinating for a minute. Then it dawned on her on what he said.

"You mean… ARGH! JERK OFF!" she yelled, smacking him nice and hard on the arm. He stared at her in astonishment as he rubbed his arm.

"What?!" he asked.

"I thought you were gonna… never mind. Let's go. I want a ride home." She said, quickly forgetting about it all.

"I always give you a ride home." He said with a smirk. She smiled back at him as he wrapped his arm around her waist. "Why don't we round up the crew and go to the beach today?" he asked. She nodded, not really listening. Highschool.

...Fin…

This is Ginny, signing out.