Why hello fanfiction world! Here I am, with yet another fanfiction! I honestly wasn't going to post this yet, but it's late and for some reason, I feel like posting it already! But before I let you get to reading it, I'm going to bore you all on the first chapter and give you some background information! Yay, right?!

I got the idea for this story while I was... um, procrastinating, actually. You see, I was supposed to be writing up an interview (with a certain special someone. XD) that I had to write for a contest, when the idea for this story struck. And so, I decided to write it.

Now, this is the kind of story that I've wanted to write for years. It has a lot of things in it that I think I have used more and more in my fanfics, but this one is different in the fact that you'll realize pretty early on that Yuna is a stronger character than what I usually make her. (Or... maybe not. Haha, it all depends on your interpretation.) Also, I looove magazines. I want to work for one someday! (Maybe. I have like a hundred dream jobs right now...) But seriously, The Mode is pretty much my dream job... but yeah, I'll stop blabbing and let you read the story already, before I ruin it all or something!

Oh, and also, this is my first fanfic in years that is written in first person POV. It's all told from Yuna's POV. No Tidus. No no one. Just Yuna. I started out in third person, or whatever it is, and I actually wrote the whole first chapter (minus the end) in third person. BUT, it was impossible to write for complicated reasons and it took me waaaay longer than needed. SO, if there's anything off about POVs, that's why. I apologize. I'm a horrible editor, so my work is probably never perfect. Again, I apologize...

ALSO (I know, I know, I said I'd stop blabbing!) I might not be able to update this as often as I'd like. (I like to update every-other-day, especially in the summer.) I currently have two jobs (okay, so one of them is only 8 hours a week and the other is teaching tennis...) that are rather demanding, so I'll write when I can. I'm about halfway done with chapter 2 as I write this. I like to be completely done with a few chapters before I post a new story, but I decided to make an exception for this one...

Anyway, now that all of that is taken care of (oh, and I'll throw a disclaimer too: I own NOTHING. (but the plot and the words. I can own that, right?) If I did, I'd be making movies, not fanfictions) I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1: The Internship

My fingers were moving as quickly as they possibly could. It was hard to send a text message though, for my hand was shaking too much. I was holding my phone out in front of me with my right hand, my fingers pushing the keys madly. In my left hand, I held a letter that I had just opened.

Dona, we got the internship. With my smile growing, I hit the green button to send the message, and let out a little squeal of happiness. Then, I fell over onto my back, and stared at the high ceiling above me. We had done it. We had won.

I sat back up and crossed my legs on my pink comforter of my bed, and then began to go through my contacts. Telling Dona was easy. Dona would be just as ecstatic as I was. It was telling my boyfriend that would be the difficult part. But he would just have to understand.

My bottom lip curled underneath my front teeth as I waited for him to pick up. The dial tone rang loudly in my ear, and seemed to echo within my brain. Finally, I heard his voice as he said, "Hello Yuna."

"Baralai!" I yelled out, before remembering that I had to hide my excitement. "Um, I mean, hey."

"Um, hey," he said, sounding a little confused on the other line, since I hadn't exactly been the smoothest in hiding the excitement that was bubbling within me.

"Hey," I simply said again. "Um, are we still on for dinner tonight?"

"Of course," he said. "We have a lot of things we have to plan."

"Right…" I said, and my lip curled back under my teeth. "Um Baralai, something has actually come up."

"Did you decide to take that summer class after all?" Baralai didn't bother to hide his annoyance. "I told you, Paine doesn't know what I's talking about."

"No-No, it's not that," I said quickly. "Do you remember back in January how Dona and I applied to be interns for The Mode?"

"Yeah, I remember. Didn't you two apply to a lot of interns? And you got that one in Luca."

"Yeah, I did get that one in Luca," I said, my voice growing soft. "But the one I really wanted was with The Mode. And I… I found out today that Dona and I got it. They want us to come as soon as possible Baralai!"

Baralai was silent. As expected. My lip once again found its way under my teeth.

"Where's that at?" Baralai asked.

I swallowed loudly. "Zanarkand."

"Zanarkand?" Baralai cried, his voice rather loud in my ear. "Yuna, what about all of our plans?"

"I know Baralai but this is such a fantastic opportunity! This is the magazine, Baralai! This is what I've dreamed of! You understand, don't you?"

"But what about Luca? We have an apartment and everything!"

"I know," I said, flopping onto my back. "But… I want this so much."

Baralai was silent again. The only thing breaking the silence was a beeping noise, signaling that Dona was undoubtedly trying to call. Dona was just going to have to wait.

"When will you leave?" Baralai said, his tone completely emotionless.

I swallowed again, and said, "As soon as possible. Tomorrow maybe."

"Tomorrow?" Baralai said, his voice growing loud with every word. "What am I supposed to do? Just go to Luca like planned? I can't back out on my intern."

"No, of course not!" I said quickly, and I sat back up again. "You'll have to go to Luca, of course."

"While you're all the way in Zanarkand?"

"Yeah, I guess."

"So that's it then? Our summer together is just over? Just like that?"

"Baralai, you have to understand," I said, and I found myself attempting to make my voice a little more babyish, perhaps a little more convincing. "I've wanted this for so long. If they like me, they'll hire me when I finish school! It's my dream job, Baralai!"

Baralai must have grown a little more relaxed, for he let out a loud sigh, and said, "Of course I understand, Yuna. I'm just… I'm just disappointed."

"I know, me too," I said, glad that it seemed as if I was getting somewhere. "But we can still see each other, right?"

"Yeah, I get a week off sometime," Baralai said.

"You'll have to come visit me!" I said, my voice growing higher in pitch due to excitement. And not just because Baralai was going to come visit me, but because I knew I was finally getting his understanding. Knowing that he supported me would just make me even happier than I already was about the internship.

"I will," Baralai said. He still didn't sound completely happy or convinced, but I knew he would get over it.

"So, um, are we still on for dinner?" I asked.

"You'll probably need to pack and stuff, won't you?" Baralai said, his voice sounding much less happy than mine. "How about I'll get take-out somewhere and bring it to you? I can help you pack and stuff then."

A small smile grew on my lips, and I said, "That'd be great."

"We can talk more then," Baralai said.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Talk to you later then."

"Yeah. Bye. Thanks for being understanding, Baralai."

"Hey, this means a lot to you," Baralai just said, and I wondered if he was trying to convince himself that it was the right thing for him to do.

"It does," I said, deciding to just be agreeing. It did mean a lot to me, anyway.

"Okay, I'll see you later then."

"Yeah," I said a smile growing on my lips. "Bye."

"Bye."

I hurriedly hung up with him, and instantly called Dona, who was not only one of my roommates, but also my best friend.

"Yuna, it's about time you answered!" Dona's voice shrilled in my ear. "Are you serious? We really got the internship? Both of us?"

"We did!" I cried, glad that I could finally share my excitement with someone. "We can leave as soon as possible."

"Yevon, I can't believe it!" Dona said, her voice still shrilling. "I'm coming home right now! So what took you so long to answer? Were you talking with the boyfriend? I bet he's pissed."

"Well, he's not very happy," I said, sighing, although my smile didn't fade. "But he just has to understand. I can't turn down this opportunity!"

"No, you so can't!" Dona said. "Just think… a whole summer in Zanarkand, working for Spira's hottest magazine! It's going to be like a dream!"

"I know!" I agreed, as I flopped onto my back again.

"Still, I can't blame Baralai for being a little upset. I mean, you two were going to live together in Luca for the summer and everything. You really want to pass that up?"

"Of course," I said, sitting up again. "This internship means everything to me. And yes, it does ruin a lot of Baralai and my plans, but we have plenty of time. Like the rest of our lives."

"Very true," Dona said. "And this is a once-in-a-life opportunity!"

"Definitely!" I agreed. "I cannot believe we got it!"

"Me neither!" Dona's voice was again shrill in my ear. "Read the letter to me! What does it say?"

"It says," I began, "'Congratulations! We think the two of you would make an excellent addition to our team as summer interns. We would like for you to come to Zanarkand as soon as possible, and once you arrive, we will show you where you will be staying, as well as give you your first task! Signed, Leblanc."

"Leblanc!" Dona screamed, and this time, I really did have to pull the phone away from my ear. "As in THE Leblanc?"

"I suppose so," I said, laughing. "She is the head of The Mode, after all."

"Yevon, this is so exciting!" Dona just said. "I just can't believe we got it… I thought for sure we didn't make it."

"Yeah, me too, obviously," I said, and I gave a little, nervous sounding laugh.

"Yeah, so what did Baralai say? He's not dumping you or anything is he?"

"Oh please Dona, Baralai and I wouldn't break up over something like this! He's just disappointed, that's all. And, rightfully so, really. I mean, we had so many plans… we'll have to cancel all of them."

"Not to mention Paine and I will have to cancel our bet on when you two are going to get engaged…" Dona muttered.

I simply rolled my eyes at this remark, and said, "You know we wouldn't even think to get married until after we graduate."

Dona just laughed, and I said, "Well, I'll be there soon. I guess we have a lot to do tonight, huh?"

"Yeah," I said. "See you soon."

"Bye."

With that, I hung up, and looked at the letter that I was still clutching in my hand. Everything I had ever wanted was literally in my hand. For as long as I could remember, I had wanted to work for a magazine, and since I was at least thirteen, I'd dreamed of working for The Mode, Spira's only magazine for women, by women. I'd grown up reading The Mode: For Girls, and then I'd moved on to The Teen Mode, and finally The Mode. My dream was to someday work for them.

As I stood up off of my bed however, realization hit: I would be leaving in less than twenty-four hours. My stomach clenched. How was I going to pack up everything in less than twenty-four hours! I had so much to do!

"I don't even know where to start," I mumbled to myself as I glanced around my organized bedroom. I sighed, and went to my closet, and pulled out my large suitcase. At least that was a start.

I heard the door open, and it wasn't long before Dona appeared in my doorway.

"Yuna, what are we going to do with this place? I thought I'd be spending the summer here!"

"Paine will just have to take care of everything," I said with a shrug.

"And we'll still have to help pay the bills and everything on it? That sucks."

"Well, we get our lodgings and everything paid for in Zanarkand, so I guess it's just a trade-off we have to take."

"Yeah, I guess," Dona murmured. "So what all are you packing? I'm thinking we're going to have to go shopping as soon as we get to Zanarkand. Well, as soon as we get settled and everything. So what do you think our first task will be?"

"Probably something silly," I said with a laugh. "Like making coffee runs, or making copies—you know, typical intern stuff."

"Well I hope we get to do something more fun than that," Dona said, and I walked over to my bed and picked up the letter. "I still can't believe we got it. I'm still in denial."

"I think I am too," I laughed.

"So what time are we leaving?" Dona asked. "Have you told Paine yet?"

"I haven't," I said. "Where is she, anyway?"

"I'm not sure," Dona said with a frown. "Was she still trying to get you to do that summer class with her?"

"Yeah," I said, a smile on my face. "Good thing I definitely have a good excuse now!"

"Paine's going to be jealous!" Dona cried, and with that I started toward the door. "So what time are we leaving tomorrow?"

I looked thoughtful, before I finally said, "Do you think we'll be ready to go sometime early afternoon?"

"Oh, I'll be ready!" Dona just said, and with a quick smile, she disappeared toward her own room. I simply smiled, and turned back to my suitcase. I did, after all, have a lot to do.

-

"So you're really going to Zanarkand?" Baralai said, his voice soft.

"Yeah," I said. "I'm all packed and ready to go. Dona and I are going to have to do some shopping when we get there though."

"I really don't know if this is such a good idea, I. I know this means a lot to you, but Zanarkand's a big city. It's dangerous, it's…"

I laughed. "Baralai, please! I'll be just fine!"

"It's just so sudden and unplanned Yuna. Does your father even know about it?"

I's stomach fell. My father…

"No, but I couldn't tell him. You know he doesn't support my journalism major, let alone this career field."

Baralai laughed, and said, "That's true. And you know I wouldn't either, if you weren't so passionate about it. Not to mention a journalist genius."

I laughed. "Please, I'm not a journalist genius!"

"You've been the editor of the school newspaper since your freshman year, you've been published in at least ten magazines and journals… how are you not a journalist genius?"

"Well let's hope I can be a "journalist genius" at this internship. Because I think if they like me, they'll keep me. So I have to really impress them."

"Would you really want to live in Zanarkand though?" Baralai questioned.

"You know, I've actually never been there," I admitted then.

"Seriously?" Baralai asked. "Well, you're not missing much. All that's there is blitzball and big buildings."

I laughed. "That's not what Dona said. I said it was by far Spira's trendiest city, with constant excitement."

"Dona's just over-optimistic," Baralai said with a smile on his lips.

"Yeah sure," I said, giving him a light shove. "You're just jealous because I'll be in Spira's trendiest city while you're in Luca!"

"Oh yes, I'm so jealous that you'll be trendy while I'm relaxing on the beach."

I just laughed and said, "You do understand why I have to do this, right?"

"Of course," Baralai said, smiling at me. "I've known all along that your career is the number one thing on your mind."

I smiled and turned to him, only to feel my smile disappear. Baralai was looking away from my, his eyes staring straight ahead, and a frown on his face.

"Baralai please!" I said, prodding him in the shoulder. "You're making this so much more dramatic than it needs to be. I didn't think you'd turn this matter into a magazine versus you kind of thing."

"Well, which would you choose, Yuna? Me or the magazine?" Baralai said, his eyes intense on mine, and his tone not happy at all.

"Baralai, you know I'd choose you!" I said. "But this isn't about choosing. I can have both!"

Baralai rolled his eyes and turned away from my. "We had so many plans Yuna, and you're just throwing it all away for the magazine. I'd say that's you choosing the magazine over me."

"Don't do this to me," I said, shaking my head. "I told you back when Dona and I applied for this internship that it was in Zanarkand and that it was my dream intern, my dream chance, and you were completely supportive of it then! I already confirmed that Dona and I are going to be there!"

"It didn't take you much thought to decide," Baralai said, shaking his head. "Weren't you looking forward to spending your summer with me?"

"Of course I was," I said. "Baralai, you're not being fair!"

"I'm not being fair? I'm not the one who just cancelled all of our plans and expected you to just "understand."'

"Don't do this now," I said, shaking my head at him. "I can't go to Zanarkand knowing you're mad at me."

"Then don't go!"

"Think of how disappointed everybody would be!"

"Like who? Yourself? Dona? What about me, I? What about my disappointment?"

"Come visit me!" I just said pleadingly.

"Come visit you? But you can't come visit me?"

I closed my eyes and shook my head. "I thought you'd support me."

Baralai let out a sigh and he said, "Sorry. You're right. I should support you. I mean, it's not like I'm dropping my own internship to go to Zanarkand with you or anything. I'm sorry. I'm just…"

"Disappointed," I finished for him. "I know. Honestly, I am too. I was looking forward to our summer together. But it'll just have to be next summer. And besides, the internship is only through the end of July. So we'll still have all of August together!"

A small smile grew on Baralai's face, and he just nodded. "You're right. I'm sorry for acting like such a jerk."

"It's okay," I said, smiling brightly. "I'm just glad I don't have to leave with you mad at me! So are you going to come visit?"

"Of course," Baralai said.

I just smiled at him, and he smiled back at them. Silence fell over us then, causing us both to look away from each other, as if that made the silence any less awkward. It was always like this. For the last three years now, it was always like this. It was complicated, and not something we talked about, but whenever there was silence, it was always the awkward type.

We heard laughter behind us then, and we both turned around, just as my third roommate, Paine, walked into the room.

"Could you two be any more awkward?" she asked, her arms crossed across her chest and an amused smile on her lips. "Seriously, how were you two supposed to spend a whole summer together."

Baralai just laughed, and, apparently choosing to ignore her, said, "Well, it's getting late. I should probably get going. Are you all packed and ready to go?"

"Yeah," I said, nodding slowly. Baralai stood up, and I did as well, deciding that I'd follow him out.

We walked down the hall and toward the door in silence, Baralai in front of me, leading the way. My eyes were on the ground, my mind rather blank. I could feel tension between us, despite the fact that for the time being, we were on good terms.

I could understand his disappointment though. It was a big deal, really. We would have both been in Luca, and living together, even if it just was for the summer. My heart pounded at the thought. That was a big step. My eyes flickered up at Baralai as he opened the door and stepped outside into the early summer mugginess. I didn't know if I was ready for that step yet. And Paine was right. How absurdly awkward. Disappointment wasn't what I felt about not being able to spend the summer with Baralai. Relief was more like it.

It wasn't that I didn't like Baralai. It was the opposite, really. It almost felt like I liked him too much. Like we had too much in common. We were both shy, both reserved. Perhaps we were both ready for the next step, but neither of us knew how to reach that step.

Hence why I was so shocked when Baralai had originally asked me to spend the summer in Luca with him. My lip found its way under my teeth again. It had probably taken a lot of nerve on Baralai's part to ask me that, to make a notion to take us to the next step in our relationship. Of course he was disappointed. I was ultimately letting him down.

I followed Baralai out and shut the door behind me. As I turned around, I almost bumped right into him. He was standing there, his dark eyes on mine, his hands tucked in his pockets. His expression was blank, but I knew that was simply an attempt to hide the disappointment that was shining brightly in his eyes. I couldn't help but wonder: didn't he feel any sort of relief?

"Look Yuna, there was a lot… a lot I wanted to…" as soon as he started speaking, I knew that he was being very serious. And I knew he was talking about us, and that he was having a 

difficult time in doing so, just as we both always did. "A lot I wanted to establish," he finally finished. He licked his lips and finally rested his eyes on mine.

"Yuna," he started after a momentary pause, "I love you."

That was it, the l-word. That word that girls spend their entire teen years waiting to hear. And for me, it was the first time I'd heard it. Not counting the times my father had hastily said it to me, of course.

And, I did just what I'd always pictured I'd do: I smiled and said, "I love you too."

Baralai let out a loud sigh of relief. There, now he was feeling relief.

"I-I'm glad I finally got that out," Baralai said then, with a nervous little laugh. "I wanted to tell you, you know, since…"

I just smiled at the way he stumbled over his words. I wanted to tell him that he didn't need to explain it to me. I understood. We had been dating for three years. Surely it was a natural progression.

"Anyway," he finally finished, "just be careful in Zanarkand, okay?" With that, he held out his arms to me, to hug me.

I fell into his embrace and said, "Don't worry, I'll be just fine."

He laughed into my hair and said, "Don't forget me, either."

"I won't," I said, laughing back.

Baralai released me slightly, and then leaned in for a kiss. I accepted it, feeling a little shocked that he had actually taken the plunge. Usually we stood there in awkward silence before reaching that stage.

The sound of a car pulling in caused us to separate then, and I felt a tinge of red dart across my face, for I knew it was my third roommate Paine, and I was rather embarrassed knowing that she had probably just caught us kissing. It was foolish of me to feel that way, I knew, but I couldn't help it. I knew Baralai felt embarrassed as well, for he looked away from me, and were it just a little brighter, I was certain that I would find red on his cheeks as well.

"You two don't need to act all embarrassed," Paine's voice was heard as she stepped out of her car. "It's not like I'm Yuna's father or something."

"Well, I really should get going," Baralai said, ignoring Paine's words. "Goodbye Yuna. I'll let you know as soon as I know when I can come visit."

"Okay," I said.

"Be careful," Baralai told me again. I noticed then that my hand was in his. I looked down at our enclosed hands, my mouth slightly agape.

He didn't look away from me. He simply kept his eyes focused on mine, his expression still blank, his eyes still shining with disappointment. I felt as if there was something else he wanted to say to me, but he dropped my hand then, and started toward his car.

I watched him as he walked away, a slight smile on my lips. This was it. He was leaving, and then I would be going to bed, and then the next morning… my heart began to pound. This was it. My summertime in Bevelle was going to end very soon.

"Goodbye, Yuna," Baralai said then. "Call, okay?"

"I will, every night," I promised hastily.

Baralai smiled then, and with that, he crawled into his car.

I watched him as he drove away, all the way until his black, shiny car was out of sight. Then, with my smile still on my lips, I turned around, smiled even brighter at Paine, who just shook her head at me, and walked inside.