[Fanfic] To Learn Something New (ch 25)

Title: To Learn Something New

Author: Vianna Orchidia / Annasthacy Chashyme
Fandom: Final Fantasy XIII Series
Character: Hope Estheim, Elida
Rating: K
Genre: General
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy XIII is property of Square Enix. I do not own the series and the characters, and I do not gain any profit from this fanfiction

Warning: Me trying to write soulmate AU. Light is not even mentioned here, oh la la.

signal /sig·nal/ n something (such as a sound, a movement of part of the body, or an object) that gives information about something or that tells someone to do something

It was not supposed to be like this. Hope stared at his mark, a small red lightning bolt on the outside of his left wrist, in horror. Next to him, an equally horrified girl clenched the seams of her skirt until her knuckles went white. Both were silent, drown in their thoughts, until Hope gathered his courage and turned to his girlfriend.

“Elida.”

The girl flinched, fearing what he was going to say. The soul mark had not appeared on her skin. Besides, that lightning bolt really had nothing to do with her, so it was a dead give away. He was not her soulmate, nor was she his. She knew Hope loved her, at least as much as a teenager could mean, but she also knew the silver-haired boy believed in the power of soulmates.

He was so going to break up with her.

“No, Hope. I don't wanna break up with you!” she screamed before her boyfriend could say anything else. Soon her breath turned into light sobs and she covered her face with her hands. “I don't wanna lose you...!”

On the other hand, Hope was completely thrown off. He didn't expect Elida to react so strongly. But then again, they had been childhood friends before lovers, so it might have been a given she understood what he was going to tell her. What he had decided deep in his heart. Such a world-changing decision, which people might find ridiculous, but it was something he had personally believed in since forever. He was going to find the lightning bolt girl. No matter what Elida said, no matter how badly he hurt her.

“I'm sorry, Elida,” he muttered. Oh how he meant it.

“No,” she whimpered. “No. Please.”

Hope sighed, not knowing how to console the broken-hearted girl. For a second he considered pulling her into an embrace, but he threw the idea out right away because in this state, such action would only scar the girl further. He didn't need to remind her that the affection, the adoration for her was still there; nothing'd changed, except that Hope was ready to store them away as friendly feelings while he searched for his soulmate. In the end, he opted to repeat the apology. “I'm sorry.”

Elida slowly raised her head. Her eyes were red and the sight made Hope's heart sting. “Is there no other way?” she whispered brokenly.

“You know I promised my mother to find my soulmate.”

“B-but there is no guarantee you'll find her soon, or that you'll love her and marry her or—” the poor girl choked on her tears. “At least let me stay until you find her?”

Hope grimaced. “It's just gonna hurt you more, Elida. You can't.”

“This is stupid, Hope!” she screeched, throwing a comforter at him. “What's so special about a mark, huh? Why should it dictate us? Why should it tear us apart?”

She was answered by a silent, guilty-looking Hope. His down-turned lips showed his dismay at the turn of events, but his eyes were resolute. Nothing would budge him. The path was set on stone as soon as the mark appeared on his skin. Elida cursed indignantly because she had lost her chance to some unknown being even after working hard building chemistry with her silver-haired childhood friend. Without sparing another glance to Hope, she snatched her handbag and bolted for the door.

Just before the door closed behind her, she heard the boy spoke.

“I wish it was you.”

But then everything would be simple, and the world never chose easy.

.:.:.

A/N: Oh wow. Halfway there!
Reviews are much welcomed.