Chapter 4

YUNA

I hardly can recall what had happened. My memory seemed to be so mottled; I could not remember much, whatsoever. All I could ever put together was the raunchy smell of alcohol and cigarettes. And the feeling of being defiled, defiled in the most putrid way. I felt dizzy and violated. I could feel his skin all over me, his filthy hands felt as if they were still covetous; they were still grasping onto me so tight that I could not control my tears. I felt used, simply used.

"Yuna?"

His voice was so pure, his tone so velvety. I believed he was a god for a second, possibly my redeemer. And when opening my eyes, I found myself lost in oceans; beautiful, alluring oceans. His eyes almost made me feel better, they almost reassured me that everything was going to be all right. And the fact that he was squeezing my hand so affectionately, it convinced me that he was somewhat worried.

But what panged me the most was that I couldn't tell him why I was in such a broken state. He would just assume that I was crazy, that I had gone nuts. Truly, I hadn't. Any other person would be in the same exact lunatic state being approached in such vulgar ways. Yet, I could never be strong enough to actually tell Tidus. I could not tell him that his father was a sick, perverted man, who attempted and succeeded to take advantage of me, a young teenage girl. Tidus wouldn't believe me, not for a second. And this killed me.

"You're awake! Are you all right? Rikku and Lulu had to leave, the storm was getting bad."

He continued, the distress still prominent in his eyes. I began to sit up, but my body wouldn't bare with me. It pained me just to lift myself. Tidus took notice of this, and began to help me up, lifting my body for me. I felt so weak, so credulous. I needed someone to help me, I was suddenly incapable of using my own potency, I needed his.

"Yuna, you have to tell me what happened."

His words suddenly seemed so rigorous, so demanding possibly. He was concerned, yes, but he also was frustrated with not knowing what truly happened, why I was in this mess. I sighed in response to his regard, and began to lie as well as I could, keeping my eyes glued on him, pleading that he'd believe me,

"I fell."

"You fell?"

I sounded impotent; I couldn't even believe my own words. And I knew that I hadn't convinced him. He gaped at me, as if it was simply a joke, as if I was just trying to make a fool of him. I didn't mean to sound so weak, so little. I was just broken and confused, I needed to get away from this family, from this house. I disliked it here, I wanted my old life back.

"Yes, I fell off the porch. I was going to get the newspaper, and I slipped and fell."

I explained, my words filthily erroneous. Tidus looked away from me, and for a second, I wasn't sure whether he believed me or not.

"Do you think you broke anything?"

He suddenly inquired. He had bought in. He sounded a bit unsure, yet I knew that he wasn't that cognizant. He wouldn't of caught me in a lie, even if he had known me for most of his life. Tidus just wasn't that acute with these type of things. And right now, I was somewhat glad of that.

"No, just a bit sore. I will be all right."

He was vincible towards my lies. He believed in them, and I could tell that I had fooled him. He looked as if he had just realized I didn't need him, as if he just realized that he could leave. I did not want him to leave, I wanted the support, the comfort of knowing someone was protecting me, but I had no choice but to let him go.

"Well, if you don't need me anymore, I'm gonna head out. I have a date tonight."

He mumbled, beginning to get up, his voice oppressed. My heart ached as he mentioned his date. I swallowed the vile saliva that I hadn't swallowed earlier; the saliva that tasted like alcohol and cigarettes. I practically choked at the disgusting flavor that lingered in my mouth. I didn't say anything further, not knowing what to say in response. Tidus always had a date, and there was no stopping his constant admiration towards women.

I watched him leave, closing the door on his way out. I hastily got up, locking the door. I felt so defenseless so suddenly. Within his leaving, I was left alone. I was solitary; I had no one to protect me, no one to stop that malicious man from taking advantage of my body.

I had to protect myself.

My phone went off, deafening my ears. The ring tone 'The Saltwater Room' by Owl City was playing instantaneously. I turned it off, opening my phone up.

"Yuna? Are you okay?"

Rikku's high-pitched voice sounded so discomposed, it seemed abnormal. I could hear Lulu and Wakka in the background, laughing and talking to each other. It troubled me that Lulu wasn't half as concerned as Rikku was. Lulu was my best friend, why hadn't she been more worried? Why did she act as though I was just a screwball, as if she hadn't ever known me? Was she humiliated that I was acting like this? Or was she just astray towards my behavior, not knowing how to react towards it? I didn't know, but I wanted to know.

"I'm fine. I just fell down the porch steps. My body is just sore."

I lied through my teeth, gimmicking Rikku also.

"Are you sure? You looked so pale, Yunie, I was so worried!"

She squealed, indecisively.

"Yes, I am okay, I promise. But thanks for asking."

I forced out the words, trying not to get frustrated with my friend's uncertainty towards my words. I couldn't imagine how sickly unwell I looked outside. I didn't know where to go; I did not want to go inside with that insane wife Jecht has. She seemed about as tasteless as he was. I did not want to be reminded of him at all, yet the scars that he placed onto my body reminded me every single second as they afflicted me.

"Oh, good! So tonight, Lulu, Wakka, Gippal, and I are going out. We wanted to know if you wanted to come with us. Gippal has a friend who we thought you might be interested in."

Rikku persuaded, her voice sanguine and gleeful. I never liked it when they tried to set me up with someone; he always ended up being an inconsiderate jerk. I didn't want to buy in. Yet I felt as if I denied it this time, that they would truly think there was something wrong with me. I never liked their setup's, but I always managed to come. I'd always end up meeting the person, despite the fact that I knew they weren't going to be Prince Charming.

"Okay."

I agreed, yet revolting the idea. I put on a convincing voice, and tried to be as optimistic as Rikku. She obviously believed it, and told me to be ready by seven.

I headed towards the bathroom, ignoring every single stab that I felt within each step. I ached, I ached in the most excruciating pain. I could not even begin to decode the emotions that I was feeling. I felt entirely numb, violated, and slightly frightened over everything. I felt as if he was going to come into the room, any second. I did not trust anything. I didn't trust the toilet, the shower, the sink. I literally searched the bathroom before even stepping into the shower.

Stripping, I choked on horrendous tears that approached within the sight of my scars. They were everywhere; he had attacked me utterly everywhere. He griped too tight, he wouldn't let go. He forced me so hard, that he had engulfed me with vivid marks of his territory. He wanted to remind me of the agony that he caused, the hurt that he caused me, the innocent seventeen year old.

He had ruined my life.

Even my private areas ached within the water falling onto them. It stung, it all stung, and I sobbed at the sudden paroxysm that I was feeling. I felt as if I was ready to just fall down to the shower's bottom and cry, to give up. I hoped that nobody heard my cries of suffering, that nobody suspected anything, nobody heard my sobs.

I did not trust anything, or anyone. And I never will.

I could hardly wash my entire body correctly, the twinging became worse every single time I attempted. I felt as if I needed to go to a doctor, to check everything out, but I knew I couldn't. Then Tidus would know, he would know something was going on. Nobody could know; I could never tell anyone. I wasn't to be a fool, I wasn't to look ridiculously insane.

I closed my eyes, tenaciously, every single time. I tried to avoid the pain, though it always came. There was no avoiding what I had encountered hours earlier. There was no forgetting the scars, and there was no dismissing what had been taken away from me. I was damaged. I was damaged for eternity.

"Yevon.. why me?"

I whimpered, hoping to possibly get a full-fledged response. However, to my dismay, I had never gotten anything. I hopped out of the shower, throwing my messy wet hair into a ponytail, fecklessly. I hadn't a care in the world. I stared into the mirror at the pasty young teenager in front of me. I did not like my reflection, or the scared look in my eyes. I wanted to destroy the mirror, to cut out my own face, to not have to look at my frightened face ever again.

I threw on a hot pink colored sweatshirt, and a pair of blue jeans. I headed back to my room and grabbed my tote, and headed downstairs, a sudden feeling of affright encountering me. I began to shake terribly, and I stopped at the second step, not wanting to face him again.

I could see him from the corner of my eyes; he was watching the television, engrossed in a show that involved shooting and riding horses. I figured it was a western, or something. I could only see the back of his head. Jessica was in the kitchen, making a recipe, possibly roast, for that's what it smelled like. The smell disgusted me, anything disgusted me. I felt as if I was going to vomit, just seeing them both.

I tried to quietly get passed them, though I knew that they would be able to notice me, considering the front door was right next to the television. I'd have to face him, I'd have to deal with him, and I did not want to be reminded.

I weakly stumbled towards the door, about to turn the door knob, when that noisome voice interrupted my thoughts,

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

I did not turn around to face him, because I didn't want to. I didn't want to have to look into those swarthy colored eyes, and have to deal with the simple memory of what he can do to me when nobody is around. I didn't want to remember. I wanted to forget. Though I knew I never would.

"I was going to get a ride to the movies."

I yammered, still not looking behind me. I heard him getting up, out of his chair. I could hear his footsteps, he was walking towards me. I heard him behind me. And I could feel him suddenly breathing down my neck.

"You better not tell anyone 'bout last night."

He snapped, his voice dormant. His voice was always so scratchy, and it made my skin crawl. I despised his voice, and I took note of his usual polluted breath that sent shivers down my spline. I swallowed, nervously, nodding in agreement, then turned the doorknob, heading outside.

The rain was still pouring like it was the night before, and the skies were dark and gloomy. My mood turned even more melancholy than it had been before. I felt somber and depressed. How was I supposed to even attempt have fun? I was a wreck.

Gippal's old beat up truck comes swerving into the driveway, and I can hear country music blaring at it's loudest. It was amusing that he was into country, for I always expected him to be a rap fan. 'Hillbilly Deluxe' was blaring at top volume. I noticed Rikku's hand out the window, waving as platonic as it could. I chuckled, lightly, feeling a tad better.

Rikku swung open the door, revealing a dancing Gippal, and a young man sitting in the backseat that I hadn't ever noticed before. Everybody seemed to be having a good time. Rikku was dressed in a small jean miniskirt and a ruby-red tube-top. Her hair was down and straight, and I could tell that she was trying to impress Gippal. Gippal had his hair normal, yet it lacked the bandanna, and his outfit seemed more formal; a pair of jeans and a navy-blue t-shirt. We never seen Gippal in jeans, he always seemed to be in a pair of khaki Capri's. The young man sitting in the backseat had noticeably ultra-marine colored hair, yet it somehow looked okay on him. It was simply spiked, and in a way, he reminded me of Gippal, yet he was much more handsome in my opinion. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt. When he noticed me, he smiled at me, indulgently. I returned it, pliantly.

"Hey Yun."

Gippal greeted, shouting over the roaring music. I gave him a vapid wave, heading towards the backseat. The young man continued looking at me, as if his eyes could not look anywhere else. I felt a tad uneasy underneath his stare, but I did appreciate his interest in me. I took the seat across from him.

"Yunie, this is Baralai. Baralai, this is Yuna."

Rikku introduced us, as if she had made the biggest accomplishment ever. I smiled, attempting to come off as friendly, though my attitude still lacked it's joyfulness. I wondered if he seen right through me.

"Hey there."

Baralai gives me a heart stopping smile, which seems a tad magical. I imagined that he has swept many girls off of their feet in his lifetime. He had a certain aura towards him, it seemed quite electrifying. Though I wasn't much in the mood to be infatuated over him.

"Hello."

I responded politely, as if forced by a parent or guardian to speak with him. I might have came off a tad more primitive than I had been earlier, though I hadn't mean to. I wasn't moved by charming men, they always seemed to have a secret to them; something that made them satanic, somehow. Innocent men could never be trusted, there was always something more to them. Take for instance, Hitler. But that's a completely different history, right?

"So change of plans, we're going to the club."

Rikku announced, provocatively. It's no surprise that she's elated by this. I suddenly feel a bit irked. I never liked partying, and Rikku knew that. She looked back at me, an imploring look smacked across her childish face. I just looked out the window, ignoring her pleads. I assumed anything was better than sitting in that house with Jessica and him. I felt nauseous at the mere thought of him.

"Duh, gotta see my hot girlfriend shake her bootay."

Gippal sneered, deviantly winking at Rikku. Rikku made a face at him, then stuck her tongue out at him, frivolously. I looked over at Baralai, who wasn't saying much, but chuckling over their behavior towards each other.

"Oh, it's pretty hot when I shake my tail feather!"

Rikku responded, the same capricious tone coming from her mouth. Gippal looked a tad more excited, or possibly just callous. I could tell that he thought he was going to get some from Rikku tonight. He always seemed a bit more perverted than the rest of the guys I knew. And Rikku wasn't afraid to give anything up.

"You seem a bit down."

Baralai's voice shook me out of my own thoughts. He was glancing at me with an unsettled look on his face. I must have been absentmindedly staring out the window, possibly looking a bit depressed. Though I wouldn't have noticed. I couldn't help but be captivated a bit by his azure-colored eyes. His eyes somewhat reminded me of Tidus'. But the thought of Tidus just seemed to deject my spirits even more; he was on a date at this moment.

"I'm fine."

I said for the tenth time that day, I'm sure. I may have sounded a little bit sheepish with my response, but I couldn't sound too promising without it sounding like it was forced. I needed to just sound normal, to sound like I always would. I couldn't sound abnormal, bizarre in anyway.

"You seem nervous; is something wrong?"

I was nervous. I was probably shaking dreadfully, and I couldn't keep still for anything. I didn't really know what I was so nervous about. I think all men seemed to make me slightly vigilant, except for Tidus. I was on the edge, and I didn't want to let in someone that I couldn't trust. I wasn't about to be vulnerable any further. I wasn't about to let another pestilent man into my life. Not after all of this suffering. I wasn't about to.

"No, I'm not."

I responded, bitterly. Baralai seemed to lay off, easily. He didn't press the issue, which made me feel more relieved, I didn't want to continue talking about it. If I talked about it for awhile, I may end up breaking down. I did not want to admit to my problems.

"We're here."

Gippal announced, as he pulled his truck violently into the club's parking lot. Rikku was bouncing up and down, stimulated by the arrival. I glanced around the parking lot. The many groups of people were always so unique. There were the strange, bizarre-looking groups, the possibly luxurious groups, who were just filthy wealthy and needed to have a night out, and then there were the normal-looking people, like us.

"It's always interesting; watching what kind of people walk in here."

Baralai noted, as if reading my mind. He seemed entertained by this, and had a half-smile on his lips as we all got out of Gippal's scabrous truck. Gippal walked over to Rikku, wrapping his arm around her,

"Wakka and Lulu should be at the front doors."

Rikku explained, digging through her hot-pink purse. She dug out four ID cards, that I expected were false. She grinned, knavishly. I looked at her, a worried look on my face,

"Rikku.."

"Oh, Yunie, don't even start, you know Gippal's a pro at these type of things."

She cut me off, sourly. She was being truthful though, Gippal always had a knack for creating fake ID's and getting inside of clubs. He was always good at getting alcohol also. Usually being underage, it was hard to get the opportunity, but with him around, he always made things a bit easier.

"If we get caught, I'm going to kill you."

I mumbled, so subdued that I don't think any of them noticed.

"I'll help you, if you'd like."

Gippal's voice retorted in my ear. His voice was inveigling, and it made my heart stop for a mere second. But I couldn't manage to buy into his charms.

"I'll be okay, doing it myself."

I was possibly sick and tired of people having to help me, people acting as if I was a helpless little girl who always needed a hand to hold. I did not. I was not that weak, not that naive. I positively could do things on my own, I was independent.

"Alright, alright, geez."

Baralai seemed shocked by my attitude in my tone, and the way I practically snarled it at him. I felt a bit regretful towards my action, not meaning to be so rude to someone I hadn't even known. Rikku and Gippal were too busy flirting with each other to notice my ill-bred remark, which was a plus.

"I apologize, I didn't mean to be so rude."

I whispered, as he began to walk towards the doors. He obviously hadn't heard me, but I could tell he wasn't exactly happy with my sudden anger towards him. I mean, he hadn't done anything to me. He didn't deserve to be treated roughly by someone who didn't even know him personally.

I was acting like a child.

"Yuna? You comin'?"

Gippal questioned, a baffled look on his face, as him and Rikku walked passed me, towards the doors. I swallowed, a dolorous pain engulfing my body again. I almost fainted at the mere emotion that I felt just from a swallow. What was wrong with me?

"She just needs to get drunk, let her pussy lose."

I heard Gippal mumble to Rikku, as Rikku whispered something to him. She pushed him, immaturely at his comment. I looked over at Baralai, who was waiting for us at the doors, impatiently. I sighed, deciding to follow after them.

"ID?"

The man inquired, glaring at us with venom. Rikku gave him a cheeky smile, and winked at him, obviously attempting to charm him. Gippal just folded his arms, anxiously, while Baralai stood next to me, unenthusiastic. Rikku gave him the ID's. The man stared at them for a second, then looked up at us with unsure eyes. Despite his curiosity, he let us in.

I could hear the music blaring with just walking in. Multi-colored lights were flashing every where, and there were so many people dancing, it was unearthly. Rikku seemed enticed by the dance floor, and Gippal was eying the bar, with hunger in his eyes.

"Yo!"

Wakka's voice echoed. We turned to face Wakka and Lulu. Wakka sported his usual rusty-colored hair, spiky and styled. He wore a pair of khaki pants that seemed a tad baggy on him, and an orange t-shirt that seemed to match his hair. Lulu's raven-black hair was attractively hanging loose on her back. It was wavy, and made her look the much more alluring. She was wearing a pair of black leather pants and a matching black tube-top. She looked like she was ready to party, quite frankly.

"Wow! Lookin' sexy, Lulu!"

Rikku complimented, jokingly. Lulu just shrugged, indifferently,

"It's the first thing that I found."

"Well, girl, you look fine."

Gippal snickered, appreciatively. Wakka threw a glare at him, holding Lulu closer towards him, while Rikku smacked Gippal's arm, puncturing his comment.

"Sorry babe, you look fabulous, also."

Gippal commented, whispering seductively in her ear. I was about to vomit from all of the lovey dovey eyeballing and whispering. Wakka and Lulu were doing the same, holding onto each other, romantically. I glanced at Baralai, who also looked a bit uncomfortable.

"Baralai! Brudda, what you doin' here?"

Wakka asked, high-fiving Baralai, a chummy attitude overcoming him. I stood next to them, silently, not really knowing what to say.

"Eh, somehow got sucked into this trap, you know?"

Baralai responded, hesitant with his words. Wakka looked at Rikku accusingly,

"Rikku, what did Lu and I tell you about tryin' to fix Yuna up?"

I blushed a bit, looking away from them, feeling awkward. Baralai had a similar look on his face, while Gippal just snickered, obviously amused by the situation. Rikku just looked guilty, and Lulu was just rubbing her head, aggravated.

"Aw, Wakka! I had to! She needs a nice guy!"

Rikku defended, reprehensibly.

"I'm sure Yuna can find a guy herself, Rikku."

Lulu drawled, discomfiture noticeable in her tone.

"Guys, are we going or not? I really want a drink."

Gippal murmured, eagerly.

"Yes we are! Lulu, you gotta come dance with me!"

Rikku exclaimed, persuasively. Lulu just nodded, coming alongside her. Rikku looked over at me, a soliciting look smacked across her face. I looked at the men, who were heading towards the bar.

"I'm.. just going to go to the bar."

I responded, tenderly. They looked at me with an erratic expression, but didn't further question it. They headed towards the dance floor, Rikku looking more excited than she had earlier. And Lulu just looking unenthusiastic, as always.

I took a seat by Baralai at the bar. It wasn't that I wanted to get utterly and disgustingly drunk with the men, I just did not want to dance around like an idiot with the women. I didn't like to drink, and after all the encounters with Jecht, I disliked alcohol more than anything in my life.

"One Tequila Joven Abocado, Gold."

Gippal mutters, digging through his wallet for money. I glanced over at Baralai who was already sipping on an Apple Martini. Wakka hadn't begun drinking yet, he was surfing through the menu.

"Aren't you going to drink, Yuna?"

Baralai's voice caught me off guard, and the way he said it was the more compelling. I did not want to. I disliked alcoholic substances, for it reminded me of Jecht and the many things that alcohol can do to people, and make them do.

"No thanks, I'm fine."

"You're joking, right? They have some excellent drinks here!"

He sputtered, as if I had just insulted the entire bar. I shrugged, and looked over to Gippal, who was drinking Tequila like there was no tomorrow. Gippal had always been a huge Tequila drinker, though I always knew he had a strong stomach for alcohol to begin with. He always bought the top-notch drinks, and he was always the one getting hammered before anyone else.

I looked over at Lulu and Rikku, who were dancing, or more like grinding on random men, who looked as though they had far too many drinks. They were stumbling, and it looked like they kept accidentally stepping on each other's feet. I noticed a woman was walking around, half-naked, supplying shots of vodka. Rikku and Lulu seemed to be enjoying the woman's furnishing, and were drinking them as if they would be gone in an hour. I sighed, feeling dejected, and looked around the place. There were so many people, dancing, laughing, smiling, having a good time. Why couldn't I just be one of them?

"That fuckin' slut."

I heard Gippal spat, looking up from his drink of Tequila that was practically gone. I knew that he was already wasted, his simple slurring gave it away automatically. He was glaring at his girlfriend with vicious, envious eyes. I knew he noticed the guy that was working up on her, and he wasn't proud of it. He easily got out of his seat, slamming the bar stool into the headboard, careless of the ruckus he caused. Wakka looked shocked, just obtaining his Captain Morgan, he got up after Gippal, as if to stop the fight that was about to be caused.

"Did your boyfriend dump you or something?"

Baralai's voice was curious and weak. I could tell that he himself was getting affected by the alcohol also. I did not want to reply, I disliked talking to people under the influence, but I responded, instead,

"No. I'm just not a drinker."

I didn't want to be persuaded into doing something I didn't want to. I wanted to get up and walk away, but before I could even stand up, I noticed a familiar blonde-haired boy approaching the bar, a young blonde haired girl tagging by his side. My heart disintegrate within his arrival.

Tidus.

I looked away from the couple, hoping Tidus wouldn't notice me. He had his arm sluggishly wrapped around her waist, and he was smiling, buoyant to be next to her. She seemed to be wanting a drink, I could hear her talking about it. Her voice was audible, and kind of annoying to me. I noticed Baralai looking over towards the two, then looked back at me, as if he was sentient towards my own pain.

"Him?"

He asked, as if Tidus was a nobody, or some kind of mistake to the world. I did not reply, just continued looking into the distance, praying and pleading that Tidus would not notice me.

Fortunately, the young girl just downed a shot, then decided to force him onto the dance floor. She was literally dragging him along. I heard him cry back retorts, saying he couldn't dance, while laughing at her attempt to pull him. She just ignored him, smiling demoniacally. They looked perfect together, yet every single girl that Tidus took out looked perfect with him. He just knew his type, so well.

I felt the need to do something to remove the unpalatable feeling that was cringed inside of me. I looked towards Baralai, who was still watching me, inquisitively.

"I don't know them."

I lied, mythologically. Baralai seemed unconvinced.

"May I have a drink?"

I asked the bartender, leaning over far enough to get his attention. He looked at me with surprised eyes, as if he didn't expect me to drink, either. Baralai's jaw dropped,

"Thought you said you didn't drink."

"I am too mundane. I need to try something new."

I responded, indomitably. The bartender looked at me with a curious expression,

"What would you like, my dear?"

I looked to Baralai, then back to the bartender,

"Absolut Vanilla sounds nice."

I responded, hesitantly. I wasn't a drinker, and I didn't know what was good, and what was bad. I hadn't known much of the types either. I knew of Absolut, Smirnoff, UV, Captain Morgan, Grey Goose, and obviously Tequila types and beers. I was not experienced in the alcohol department, but every single time I thought of Jecht's encounters and the heartache that I felt when seeing Tidus with another girl—I could not help but want to drown my sorrows.

"Here you go, darlin'."

The bartender was a tad odd, and he was kind of ominous, though I tried to ignore the fact that the person serving me a drink was peculiar, that could not be a good thing. He gave me a glass, and poured the vodka in. I was irresolute at first, but then went for it. I swallowed it quickly, remembering that vodka usually burns.

It was a bit massive, considering I never drank, but I felt a bit more confident with each and every gulp that I took. I didn't know why confidence seemed to sink into me, but I almost felt as if I could jump off of a tower, that's how brash I really felt.

"Hmm, good."

I commented, continuing to drink. I hadn't noticed that every single time the glass went empty, the bartender instantly filled it up when I wasn't looking. I wondered if Baralai was the one who was secretly attempting to get me so drunk I couldn't even stand up straight. I didn't know if I was a outgoing drunk or a mean drunk, but something made me stand up after the end of the glass,

"I want to dance.. take me."

I slurred, oblivious to what I might be saying. The world seemed hazy, possibly blurry. I could hardly see Baralai as he stumbled towards me, grabbing me by the hands. I wondered if he was quite possibly seeing blurs also. I felt like I was about to vomit, but stepped towards the dance floor with him anyways.

I didn't really remember much, except for the song 'Forever' by Chris Brown playing loudly in the background. The lights took me away to some forlorn place that I had never been before, and the music seemed to captivate my body, along with Baralai's grip, which was on my waist. I began to move in time to the music, not really caring about anything that surrounds me.

"Damn, I didn't know that you could dance so well."

I heard Baralai mutter, disbelieving my dance moves. We grind against each other for what seems like forever. My body seems to move itself, and even the burns that come throughout my body with every single touch seems to be hazy to me. The scars hurt, and I feel the pain, but I just don't care. My mind isn't in it's right place, it's out there. Everything seems to be tripping, and Baralai's body on mine is surprisingly pleasing for no apparent reason.

And I won't let you fall, girl, let you fall girl, oh.

Oh, oh. Yeah, yeah. I won't let you fall, let you fall, let you fall.

Oh, oh, oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

It's like.. it's like I waited my whole life, for just one night.

I suddenly felt so dizzy I couldn't do anything but fall into Baralai's arms, muttering something I didn't even understand. I feel lightheaded and the rest of the world goes blank, the beginning of 'Disco Inferno' by 50 Cent beginning as I fade out.

00000000000000000000000000000

"I don't know what happened; she just blacked out, man."

"Yeah, well that's not good enough, did you give her something?"

I heard two acquainted voices saying. I couldn't see much, my vision was blurry when I opened my eyes, and I did not feel good at all. I didn't know where I was, or who was standing in front of me, examining me thoroughly.

"No, she wanted to drink, so the guy gave her a drink.."

"How many?"

The voice was persistent, as if they were upset. I knew the other one was Baralai, and I knew who the second one was when I opened my eyes and seen a bundle of golden-blonde hair. My heart skipped a beat. But it stopped when I noticed his blonde girlfriend standing right next to him, annoyed that they were observing the state that I was in.

"Tidus, can we just go?"

She whined, obnoxiously. Tidus glared at her, as if she was the most harebrained person he had ever met. She shrugged at his glare and looked down at her feet, embarrassed for the suggestion. I heard the song 'What I Got' by Sublime playing in the background. I did not know where I was, and the environment did not look familiar. We were in someone's house.

"She's awake!"

Baralai exclaimed, staring at me with wide eyes. Tidus moved towards me, the same expression on his face. I find myself in his ocean eyes again, and his expression softens when I look into his eyes. He places a hand on my face,

"How are you feeling?"

"... Fine, did something happen?"

I inquired, a languid tone following my voice.

"You blacked out in the middle of the dance floor. Sheila and I were just passing by and Baralai looked like he didn't know what to do."

Tidus responded, scowling at Baralai disapprovingly as he explained. Sheila? So that was her name? I felt numb.

"Rikku should have known better than to take you out in a state like this."

He mumbled, impediment raging through his tone. I noticed that he looked a bit annoyed by all of this. I did not know what to say, or how to make it better. I felt as if I was going to vomit any second. I turn to my side, searching frantically for a trash can or something to throw up on. I couldn't find anything. I released the putrid emetic from my saliva, unfortunately all over Sheila.

"Oh my gosh, Tidus! Eww, gross!"

She squealed, an abominable expression present on her face. She was jumping up and down in hysteria. Tidus looked shocked, and somewhat disgusted.

"What is wrong with your friend, Tidus?"

Sheila asked, repulsively, a repugnant scowl on her face. Tidus threw her an apologetic look, then looked at me, emotions shown on his face that I had never seen before; distaste, antipathy, and surfeit. He was disgusted with me.

"I'm sorry."

I weeped, my voice so puny and small that I'm sure nobody even heard me. Sheila was still freaking out over the vomit that was all over her, and Tidus was beginning to back up, pulled back by Sheila's grip. Baralai watched them with an unreadable look on his face.

"Yuna.. I don't know what's been up with you lately, but, I can't handle this."

Tidus suddenly mumbled, his voice disappointed and frustrated. Though it seemed as if he was more upset with himself then me when he began to walk away,

"Get her out of my house, please?"

Sheila begged to Baralai, her voice filled with vexation. She threw me an extra glare as her and Tidus walked out of the bedroom. Baralai looked to me with penitent eyes,

"I'm gonna take you home."

He whispered, picking me up from the bed. It took awhile for the previous events to register in my mind. Tidus thought I was crazy, he couldn't deal with me anymore, and he was with that girl. I almost vomited at the pure thought. I had to hold back the tears from forming. My best friend was upset with me, frustrated with me. I had no one to turn to.

"I can't believe your friends with that guy. He seems like such a jerk."

Baralai mumbled on the way towards Gippal's truck,

"We're picking up Gippal and them on the way."

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END OF CHAPTER.