Chocolates and Charcoal
Chapter 1: Flaws of Life
---------------------------------
Hurriedly and professionally, the limp body was heaved onto the saturated stretcher.
Bodies were running around in the intense rain.
Panicked footsteps made contact with the wet ground.
And though the streetlights were dim, it was certain that the crystal puddles were now contaminated with a crimson red substance.
Quickly hoisting the stretcher into the ambulance, paramedics gathered around the unconscious body.
"Male. –"
"-place the oxygen mask on him –"
"car accident –"
"-cut his shirt open -"
"Blood type A." The paramedic paused faintly as she realized her colleague had suddenly halted in his actions.
For a split second, his face was filled with shock as for the first time the paramedic took a glimpse at the casualty during his examination of the forced-opened eyelid.
Immediately snapping from his surprised state, he silently scolded himself for losing concentration for that brief moment and instantly converted back to his professional demeanor. His female co-worker also mirrored his action as she prepared herself to check the victim's face and head for any injuries.
Once her eyes diverted to the male on the stretcher, it widened in realization before two words escaped her lips.
"Tidus Farren."
--------------------------------
Inside an expensively designed conference room, twenty-three professionally dressed employees sat around a long rectangular table, in the midst of a heated debate.
The clothes that hung perfectly on the people were all designer wear. The watches around wrists, the necklaces around necks and the rings around fingers, nothing under two grand. These people were respected in society. These people had a status in society. These people were accepted in society.
"Mr. Danwood, with all due respect, I believe I have the same amount of ability to undertake this project as Steven. I have met the client myself and we've already established a very steady understa-,"
"Mr. Danwood, I have not yet met the client, but that is hardly a problem. Keep in mind; I have many more years of experience than Lulu in this company." Looking at Lulu, he continued, "You're only what? Twenty-four? You'll have many more years to shine sweetheart, just not now."
The debate continued as Lulu's team tried desperately to win this project over. But their futile attempts came to a premature end when the CEO of Zanarkand's advertisement corporation concluded in Steven's favour.
When Lulu and Steven were the only two left in the once chaotic conference room, Steven looked up at Lulu as he grabbed his black suitcase, "Sorry sweetheart, I was bound to get it, although I admire your determination." He spoke with fake sincerity.
Lulu looked up at him, an expression that was unreadable, he continued, "After all, you're just a woman."
----------------------------------
"Where the fuck is he? Shit, Coach is gonna blow at him!"
"Have you called his cell yet?"
"No shit!"
"Well what about his apartment?"
"Do you think I'm fucking stupid? Of course I have!" he retorted angrily as he gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Oblivious to the two-people search team, Wakka continued with what he was doing. Drink bottles were scattered around his already messed up apartment as he drowned in alcohol and self pity. Shakily getting up from his worn out bean bag, he dragged his feet towards the bath room, along the way silently cursing at the one he used to call 'his'.
'She's gone. She's gone with that bastard.'
Once he got to his destination, he unknowingly glanced at his own reflection through the small mirror on top of the stained bath sink. An overwhelming feeling of self disgust washed over him as he clenched his fist into a tight ball before smashing it into the mirror.
He wasn't strong. He couldn't handle it alone. He needed help. He was doing it again.
He was chroming.
---------------------------------
Rikku walked into her nicely furnished house before dumping her bag onto the couch. She heaved out a loud sigh as she made her way into her room. Taking her bag with her would only remind her of school.
She was a 17 year old. Popular, good-looking and confident. So what was wrong? Popular? There were always those narrow minded people who didn't find her that great. Pretty? Sure she was, but she wasn't the best. Confident? That made people mistake her to be bitchy.
In all honesty, she was greedy. She wanted more. She wanted everyone to love her. But why wouldn't they, Rikku was truly a nice person inside, but after years of being told she was pretty, she couldn't help but allow her ego to soar a tad. But there was seriously nothing wrong with her attitude. She was a friendly girl.
"Rikku, can you come out for a second?" her Uncle Cid called from the kitchen.
Tiredly getting off her bed, she grudgingly made her way to the kitchen.
"Yes?"
"Is there something I should know about? Your teacher called today, told me your grades have been dropping for a while now."
Closing her eyes in slight annoyance, she answered, "I'll be fine."
Hesitating for a bit, her uncle asked, "Is it your friends?"
Opening her eyes, this time more agitated, she gritted, "I'm tired, I'm going to go take a nap now." before storming off to her room.
As soon as she fell onto her single bed, she heard her uncle soothingly yet bitterly say, "I'm sorry Rikku if I've offended you, but… but, we're different."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stuffed her face in the pillow, hoping that in the process, the pillow would absorb all her misery away.
Pretty. She was told that. Popular. She had earned that. Confident. She wanted to believe that. Different. She knew that.
And there were still those people who gave her hell for it.
She was different. She was Al Bhed.
----------------------------------
"You give it back now or Yevon forbid I will beat you to the ground."
Gritting his teeth, he hissed back, "I did not take it."
"You fucking Liar! If you didn't then who did? Because of you, your own sister left! You're a shame to this family!"
A sobbing noise was heard from his mother at the mention of his sister.
"She left 'cause she couldn't stand you! The way you walk around the house like we're nothing but ants. The way you jump to conclusions, never trying to listen to us. They way you fucking beat mom when you're drunk!!" He roared.
There was a pause, and the only sound heard was the heavy breathing of his own breath.
"Get out of my house you gambling piece of shit." His father hissed dangerously.
At this point, his mother had started begging his father to take back his words.
Shocked and taken aback, he stood there paralyzed.
"I SAID GET THE FUCK OUT!"
"No! Stay. He doesn't mean it. Gippal, he's sorry, he really is. Don't go."
Snapping from his state, he briefly looked at his mother before storming out of the so called house, probably better described as sticks of wood holding up a chunk of metal to form a square-like box. He didn't need anything. He didn't have anything. Deafened by rage, he almost didn't hear his mother's desperate pleas for him to stay. Turning around, he looked at his frail mother.
'It's okay mom. He loves you. I know he won't hurt you if he's not drunk. And when I'm gone, he has no reason to be drunk. I'm sorry, but I'd rather live on the streets than with him. And please believe me when I say I didn't take his money. I love you mom."
And with that, he turned and left. Aimlessly walking in the dangerous neighborhood.
Yes, he was once a heavy gambler. But he stopped. He stopped for his sister. An attempt that actually worked to keep her under the same roof as his… for a while. And now, he finally understood why she left. No one understood him but her. No one believed that he was no longer a gambler except her.
Yes, he was once a heavy gambler, but not anymore. Why couldn't anyone see that? Why couldn't anyone forgive his past and let him live?
The looks of disgust, the unwillingness to forgive, the expression of shame. It was all too much. It was suffocating him.
----------------------------------
Rushing in through the front door of her decent apartment, Yuna flung her bag onto the kitchen counter as she lunged for the answering machine.
Pushing the button to check her messages, it said in a robotic tone, "You have no new messages."
Sighing loudly, she walked over to her mini living room and plopped herself onto the couch. Why weren't any of the job offerings calling her back? At this rate, if she doesn't get her job as an apprentice advertisement designer, she was going to lose this apartment as well. She certainly cannot pay off all the bills by simply working at the café two blocks away from her apartment.
Deciding to rid her mind of her problems, she reached for the remote control, bringing the television to life. Coincidentally the channel she was on was a music video of some kind of Zanarkind singer. She recognized her face as she realized that the girl dancing in the clip was her cousin, Rikku's favourite singer. Rikku had once mentioned that this singer was 22 years old… just like Yuna.
The brunette sighed in admiration. Both were 22, and yet the girl in the TV seemed to have already accomplished so much.
'Duh, she's beautiful. And look at her body.'
Immediately switching the TV off, Yuna opted to read a magazine. Looking at that girl was depressing…for her. Randomly grabbing a magazine, Yuna glanced at the first page and read all the sub titles.
'How to lose 10 pounds for that party!'
'101 tips to look beautiful.'
'Find out how much your guy loves you.'
The front page had a slim, tanned and beautiful model, and as Yuna quickly flipped through the pages, she realized that there were so many beautiful people with body figures like a Barbie.
Dumping the magazine on the couch, she dreadfully made her way to her bedroom and looked at her body-length mirror.
'Am I too fat?'
----------------------------------
A story of how society has played a part in the world today. The impact of it and how it has shaped people's lives. Together, they fight to overcome their fears, habits and past, as one by one, their roads intersect. Along the way, they will learn to love, laugh and most importantly, they will learn to live.
------------------------------------------------------
AN: Hey guys! First of all, if you're reading this, I just wanted to say a gigantic thank you for giving this fic a go! It means a lot. So here it is, this is my new fic that I mentioned in my AN in 'Changing Me'. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. It may seem depressing now, but just bear with me for a while. This is a Romance/drama instead of 'angst' 'cause I hate the word 'angst'. It sounds so sad. This isn't supposed to be sad; this is simply supposed to be realistic.
Leave a review and give me your opinions please! Thanks. Also, there's a longer and more detailed summary in my bio.
SkyeLight
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters etc. They belong to Squaresoft/enix.