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Premonitions: Uncut	By : Hippo_and_Friends_with_Benefits Category: Final Fantasy VII > General Views: 3901 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VII, and I am not making any money of of this writing.

Chapter List
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- 33
Chapter 32: Tifa Runs Away
Cloud awoke. Checking his surroundings, he realized he was in his dark bedroom. Glancing at his clock, he realized it was only 11. He noticed, through his window, that it was a clear night. The stars were clearly visible over the mountains he could see in the distance. The peaceful atmosphere almost made him forget that he had been suspended from school for fighting earlier that day.
And then, he heard two voices. And they were arguing. They were coming from beyond his wall, which would be Tifa's house. One belonged to Brian. The other belonged to Claire.
"So you think there's a magic money tree growing in our backyard?!" Brian shouted.
"No, it's just that…" Claire tried to defend, but was cut off.
"Stop that!" Brian demanded. "I'm sick of you excuses! 'It's just that…' doesn't cut it when we have a 3000 gil balance on your credit card!"
"It was an innocent mistake!" Claire pleaded. "Maybe I can get a part-time job and…."
"Once is a mistake," Brian said. "But three times?"
"I'm sorry," Claire sobbed weakly.
Meanwhile, beyond the wall, Brian and Claire continued to argue while a pajama-clad Tifa slowly peeked into the lighted bedroom.
"And how is 'sorry' going to make that balance go away?" demanded Brian. "Not to mention causing you to blast our finances again after that. And after that. And after that. I've had it!"
"Babe…" began Claire nervously, "what are you saying?"
"I'm saying I can't deal with this anymore!" Brian snapped. "We're done!"
Tifa felt her mouth dry. She had seen her parents fight before, but neither of them had ever threatened to leave. She began to tremble, and wondered if her skin was becoming pale.
"No!" exclaimed the almost equally-shocked Claire. "Listen! I promise it won't happen again! I'll cut up my credit card!"
Brian shook his head. "Leopards don't change their spots. You'll find another way to suck us dry."
Tifa could take no more of it. She quickly ran to her bedroom and grabbed her duffel bag. She opened her dresser and started emptying the contents. After stuffing it with clothes and toiletries for the next several days, she ran past the master bedroom again, where Brian was still giving Clair the dreadful talking-to.
"Now, you finish out the month and pack your belongings," Brian continued. "And if you do something, like try to ruin my job, or…"
"Why would I do such a thing?!" Claire protested tearfully.
Tifa immediately rushed down the stairs, through the parlor, and stormed out of the patio. Her parents may or may not have heard, but she didn't care.
SECONDS LATER….
Cloud suddenly heard the sound of stones being thrown at his window. He got up out of bed and made his way to the window, where he could see Tifa standing twenty or so feet below. She was in her pajamas, and her hair was a mess. She was obviously in a difficult state.
"What's up?" asked Cloud.
"Can I come up?" Tifa requested. "Something happened."
Cloud scratched his head. "It's eleven," he replied. "Don't you have to be in school tomorrow?"
"Yes," Tifa replied. "But it's not that I'm going!"
Cloud then disappeared into his window. Tifa's heart began to sink until he returned and threw a rope ladder over the window.
"Climb aboard," he said.
"Thanks," replied Tifa as she adjusted her duffel bag and climbed up and through the window.
"No problem," Cloud replied as he helped her through the window and into his room.
"Where did you get that ladder?" Tifa asked.
"My mom got it for me when I was seven," Cloud replied. "Remember that movie about fire safety we saw and it had those ladders?"
"Oh yeah," Tifa reminded herself.
"You're in your pajamas," Cloud observed aloud. He also observed that her eyes were red and bloodshot.
"I know," Tifa replied as she sat on the rug and lowered her head. "I'm so sorry to intrude," she apologized. "But I can't stay in my house right now."
"I know," Cloud said. "I heard the fighting."
"How much?" asked Tifa.
"Something about money," Cloud replied. "But it got kind of muffled after that."
"Then you didn't hear the worst of it," Tifa told him.
"I take it you need to get away from it?" Cloud asked.
Tifa nodded. "If that's okay."
"Of course," Cloud replied. "You kind of saved me back there."
"I like it better in here," Tifa continued. "Really, I feel safer."
And then, Tifa began to cry. She was not the type to cry in front of people, but this time she simply could not control herself.
"Tifa?" asked Cloud as he sat down across from her. "What happened?"
"My parents are getting a divorce," Tifa replied sadly as she wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry," Cloud replied.
"Thanks," said Tifa. "But I honestly don't know if that's a bad thing or a good thing. I've seen my mom cry more the past year than the previous eleven."
"How are you feeling?" Cloud asked. "Sorry. That was a stupid question. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here."
"I really don't know," Tifa said. "It's really the fighting I need to be away from."
"So what happens now?" Cloud asked.
"My mom's not going to live here anymore," Tifa replied. "Just my dad and I"
"What gave him the right to decide that?" Cloud asked.
"Money," Tifa replied. "He's got it. And an attorney."
"Why's he doing this in the first place?"
"She blasted the credit card again," Tifa replied.
"And he's divorcing over that?!" Cloud exclaimed.
Tifa shook her head. "That has to be a cover up," she replied. "Personally, I think he's seeing someone else."
"You think so?"
"He's always been coming home late recently," Tifa continued. "He said it was overtime, but his work is always deserted after five. It's just his nature. I heard that before he married my mom, he had almost as many partners as President Shinra."
"I'm sorry," Cloud said. "Is there anything I can do? I've never seen you cry like this."
"Would you understand?" asked Tifa. "Parents divorcing is a devastating thing!"
"I wouldn't," Cloud replied. "I don't have two parents. Knowing who your father is is a luxury in itself."
"Oh," said Tifa. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," Cloud assured her.
And as Cloud continued to sit across from her, he suddenly noticed something. Tifa was barefoot. He didn't see it as much of a big deal, but she was always a sneaker girl. The fact that she was barefoot caused him a sense of softness from her.
"Cloud," Tifa continued, "Can I please stay here tonight?"
"My mom would kill us both," Cloud replied.
"Your mom doesn't need to know, does she?" Tifa pressed. "And tomorrow, since neither of us are going to school, we can have a whole day to ourselves!"
Cloud was stunned. "You're playing hooky?!"
"Come on!" Tifa protested. "It'll be just like when it was before we started going to school. What do you say?"
"I suppose," Cloud relented. He then pointed to the sofa across the room. "It's yours."
"Thanks, Cloud," she replied with a smile. She walked over to the sofa and put her stuff down.
Meanwhile, Cloud climbed into his bed and pulled the covers over himself.
"What's wrong?" asked Tifa.
"I'm tired from the day," Cloud replied. "I was asleep before the fighting woke me up."
"I see," said Tifa. And then, to Cloud's surprise, Tifa walked over and climbed into the bed beside him.
"Hey!" Cloud exclaimed. "What are you doing?!"
"Relax!" Tifa insisted. "Don't tell me you'd rather me yell across the room for your mom to hear?"
Cloud sighed. "You have a point."
And then, he fell asleep.
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- 33
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Premonitions: Uncut