Final Fantasy Short Stories | (2016-2017)

Story three: Cloud in... "Never trust Kadaj" (2016)

A/N: This was originally dedicated to @XNightThinkerX for a birthday gift, but I decided to put in here, since it is a short story after all. Old story though, so the writing isn't as refined, but it's still pretty cute ^^'
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My name is Cloud Strife. Currently I'm staying in a university called Theatrhythm, with all the other people of Final Fantasy. I've been here for a while now and... I actually fell in love with somebody. And it's not Tifa, so let's get that out of the way. Her name is Terra, from the sixth Final Fantasy realm. I don't know how or even when I fell in love with her, but she's stolen my heart completely. Today, I wanna tell her how I feel... but...

"Oh, what do we have here?" The most annoying voice ever interrupts my thoughts. Of course it's none other than the one and only... Kadaj.

"Go away," I groan. I did not feel like getting picked on by my former enemy. Apparently, Kadaj had got transferred to this university as well.

Kadaj looks over straight in front of us. "Hmm... Staring at miss Terra, huh?"

"Shut up..." I slightly blush and turn my gaze away from Terra.

In the corner of my eye I can see Kadaj's smile grow bigger. Suddenly he puts his gloved hand on my shoulder.

"You know..." Kadaj begins, his voice sounding a bit mischievous. "...I could help get her interested in you."

"What could you possibly do to help?" I push Kadaj's hand off my shoulder.

He just chuckles. "Wait here." Kadaj suddenly bolts off in Terra's direction. I think about running after him, but then again I don't wanna cause any scenes in front of Terra. Go ahead, call me paranoid. I just really want her to like me, too. I'm afraid if I mess up the slightest thing, I'll lose my chances of making her mine. I guess I'll just have to trust Kadaj and... whatever his plan is.

I watch Kadaj speak to Terra with a sly brow planted on my face. What the heck is he up to? To me, it just looks like he's trying to sell her an expensive product over there. I then see Kadaj head back over to me, dragging Terra along with him. There could only be one thing going through Terra's mind right now: 'Get me away from this weirdo.'

Kadaj harshly shoves Terra in front of me. "So. You. Cloud. Meet in the Theatrhythm garden. Tonight. What do ya say?"

Terra just blinks at Kadaj, then turns her head towards me. "Well..." she begins. I bite the bottom of my lip. "Sure, why not? I've been wanting to spend more time with you anyway, Cloud."

I just stare at Terra's beautiful face. Does she really wanna spend more time with me? God, she's so sweet. Before I get the chance to say a word to her, Kadaj squeezes in between us.

"Great!" He exclaims. "Cloud will see you later then! Buh-bye!" Kadaj pushes Terra away until she's a fair distance from us.

I frown at Kadaj. "You didn't have to shove her."

"That's not the point, Chocobo Head," Kadaj fires back at me. I always hate it when someone calls me Chocobo Head. "I just got you a date, so you should be thanking me." Kadaj then crosses his arms over his chest, as if he's offended.

I roll my eyes at him. "Thanks... I guess."

"No problem! Just don't forget your date tonight. I have something special planned!" Kadaj happily takes his leave, doing his signature catwalk down the hall.

Hmm, he has something planned? I should be worried... right?

Hours later, it's finally time to go meet Terra in the Theatrhythm garden. It's right behind the university, so if things go badly between me and Terra I can make a run for it and go hide in my room. No, I'm just kidding.

Once I reach the garden I see a slim, medium height figure in the darkness of the night. I recognize that it's Terra right away. My heart starts to beat faster as she turns around to look at me, her sparkling eyes staring straight into mine. I don't hesitate at all to walk closer to her.

"Hello, Cloud!" Terra smiles at me, and closes her eyes for a brief moment.

"Hey Terra," I reply, mastering a sweet smile.

I'm actually on a date with Terra Branford. Somebody pinch me. Suddenly, pinching is no longer needed when Terra and I notice Kadaj walking towards us. Yeah, if this was a dream, Kadaj would definitely not be in it.

"Just having some small talk, huh?" are the first words that come out of his mouth.

"We were doing just fine until you showed up," I mumble, not caring if he hears that or not.

"What are you so grumpy about Cloud? I'm making this date ineresting," Kadaj tells me as he steps aside, as if he's making way for someone.

Terra and I share a bewildered glance. The next thing I know, there's a gang of squirrels running straight for us. I'm right about to bolt and bring Terra with me, but the squirrels stop in front of us. They all blink with their crazy huge eyes.

"Kadaj, what the heck? Why are there squirrels staring at us?" I give Kadaj the best death glare I can master.

Kadaj laughs and says, "Hit it, boys!"

Out of no where, funky disco music starts to play and the squirrels instantly bust some moves. I watch them with a completely shocked expression as they dance like some weirdos from the 1980's. Forcing myself to look away from the dancing squirrels, I notice Terra's reaction. Her eyes are sparkling even more than when she saw me. Her dropped jaw now turns into a wide smile.

"Oh, how cute! Dancing squirrels!" Terra exclaims, as she hurries closer to the squirrels. Terra looks as though she's having a good time as she dances along with them. I deeply admire that she's having a good time, but...

I glare at Kadaj, who is now standing close behind me. I can't believe he set this whole thing up... A gang of squirrels are taking Terra away from me? Now, I'm mad.

Kadaj waves at me with his fingers, sporting the most annoying smile on the planet. I grit my teeth and start to growl.

"KADAJ, YOU IDIOT! WHAT THE HECK IS THIS?!" I start running towards Kadaj wanting to smash him to a billion pieces.

Kadaj simply runs from me, laughing the entire time. Turns out my date with Terra ended up being a full speed chase, and a squirrel dance party. I definitely learned something from this experience...

Never. Trust. Kadaj.

End of story three