The Stars in Your Eyes (Cloud Strife x Reader)

Chapter II

Chapter II

It was a beautiful Sunday evening; the night sky is clear, and the fresh air outside felt nice. But, for some reason, you were stuck in your own little apartment. You were sitting on your desk, working on some college projects. The deadline to presenting your homework was at the end of the month, which meant that you weren't obliged to make haste, since you still had enough time on your hands. However, you thought you'd spend the evening getting some of your work out of the way. But in spite of how hard you had tried to focus on doing your homework, your mind, along with your thoughts, were drifting somewhere else. You reached into your pocket and fished out a small folded paper. You held it gently with your fingers and gazed at the couple of words that were written on there - 'Come back tomorrow.'

It was probably the hundredth time that you had read that brief note, but it never ceased having that overwhelming effect on you. You would blush ardently at each time your eyes would settle on Cloud's handwriting. "I... I can't believe it! He... he actually gave me this!Tossed it at me... yeah... but, who cares! It's from him!" You couldn't fight the temptation to squeal with excitement. You held the paper to your lips and you breathed the fancied scent of it. You smiled widely and closed your eyes. "Why does he want me there, by the way? I wonder..."

'Wake up, _______! This isn't the time to be dreaming about Cloud!' You nearly slapped yourself reprovingly. You had always seized every opportunity of seeing Cloud and entertaining your eyes with the simple act of studying his marvelous beauty. However, and although you were granted a direct invitation from Cloud himself, you were now somewhat apprehensive, uncertain. "The feelings I have for him... he's not aware of them, I'm sure. But what I'm certain of, more than anything else, that he does not share the same feelings as me. We will end up in an unnecessary misunderstanding... and then he will... UGH! Why am I even thinking about it! I can't do this!"

Thus, you decided to stay home for the night and finish the work you've got in hand. "I'm sorry, Cloud." You whispered, as if he was there, hearing you. "But I can't." You sighed exasperatedly and placed the small paper on top of your desk. "I'm gonna need some tea. That'll make me think a bit more clearly." You rose from your chair and headed to the kitchen.

**********

As you were pouring the hot water into a cup, you heard the doorbell going off. You left everything in its place and hurried toward the entrance door, sliding it open. A foxy grin was waiting there to greet you: "Yo!"

"Hey! Reno!"

"What's up?" he stepped onto the threshold and into the house. "Nothing much." You responded.

"Up to something?" He asked.

"Not really... I was just studying." You shrugged. He tilted his head to glance at the desk in the living room. His face grimaced with disgust. "Lame."

"I know... come in." You ushered him into the living room. "I was just making some tea. Would you like to have a cup?"

"Yeah, sure." He shrugged. Leaving your red-haired friend in the living room, you disappeared into the kitchen and poured another cup of your delicious hot tea; and it was then that it hit you, only a little too late. "Uh-oh... the note! It's still on my desk, isn't it?! Oh my! I forgot to hide it!" You face-palmed yourself at the sudden realization; holding the tray over which the tea cups were placed, you hastened out of the kitchen with stumbling steps to find Reno sitting on the comfortable couch. "Here." You offered him his tea. Placing the tray on the small coffee table, you turned immediately toward the desk, trawling through the many papers and books in search for the note. But, horrifyingly enough, the small paper was nowhere to be found. "Looking for something?" Reno questioned.