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     Click. Click. Click.

     I was just about ready to explode. I threw my shoes off in exasperation. Damn stilettos.

     "Whoa, Kat, are you okay?" I heard Zack ask nervously. It's not every day that I'm throwing my footwear across the room.

     "Not really. I don't know if I can do this alone... Especially in THIS." I replied, gesturing to the pale blue dress that came to just above my knees. I wasn't comfortable in skirts in general, and I was supposed to wear a dress. "Dammit..."

     "Is it all because he told you that you should do this without him?" The words stung, bringing back old memories from last year. I wanted him to sing with me, but he'd said no. I'd sound better without him. What a load of sh-

     "Yeah." I mumbled, "Yeah, it was..." My voice then grew louder. "It's just for him! I'll dress as I damn well please!" I stormed back into my bedroom to try and find something to wear.

     I came across a black tee-shirt with silvery-white wing decals on the back and a little bird of the same color on the front, right above the chest. It was almost the same shirt I'd worn back then. The old one had gotten torn. I then dug up a pair of jeans that were comfortable, my trusty sneakers, and a blue-green scarf that was a Christmas present from my grandma. I also put on the ring that said 'Night-Fall' on it in stylized calligraphy, as well as the one that said 'Day-Break' in the same font. I put them on my right hand, my pointer and index fingers. I stepped out of my room a much happier girl as I let my hair down out of its bun.

     "Looks like the same outfit." Zack stated, referring to the previous concert. I laughed.

     "Yeah, well, it's comfortable." I said.

     Then came one of the most important questions of the evening. "What are you going to sing?"

     "Hero by Nickelback." I said with a quick nod. He tossed me the CD.

     "No Switchfoot?"

     "Not tonight. Maybe next year."

     He looked at me, an eyebrow raised. "You're... You're really not going to do this too much without him, huh?"

     "You got it." I said, heading downstairs, "I'll see you later; Tifa and Aerith said that they'd meet me at the auditorium, so..."

     We waved a quick goodbye and I was off in my car, buzzing to the school and practicing at the same time. When I got there, Tifa and Aerith were a bit surprised by what I was wearing.

     "What happened to sweet and formal?" Tifa asked, noting my very teen-like attire.

     "Decided that I wanted something different." I said, getting out of the car, "Singing a different song too."

     "Did something happen?" Aerith questioned, apparently trying not to bite her pearl-colored nails.

     "No," I said with a smile, "Just realized something."

     With no questions asked, I made my way to the make-shift dressing room. I was just gonna relax for a little bit while I try to set things in order in my head. I re-adjusted my glasses and tucked my hair behind my ears. Typical sign that I was nervous. It's simple, while he may not sound the most professional, I like hearing his voice, and I'm not as scared when I'm around him on stage.

     "Kat, it's time." I heard Cissnei lightly tapping on the door and my stomach lurched. It was time.

     "Okay," I said, gripping the CD, then handing it to Cissnei as I walked out of the room. "It's Hero by Nickelback. Can I give a little introduction first?"

     "Sure..." I know she was wondering why, but she didn't ask.

     "Thanks." I said with a smile as I walked onto the stage.

     He was in the first row, sitting next to Zack on one side and Tifa on the other. I gripped the microphone. Cissnei nodded at me to start.

     "I find it kind of funny that you guys came all this way just to hear one girl sing one song." I said with a sigh, "But you came. And I thank you for that. I hope that you'll find me as much as an alright singer as I was... Last year." With you, I added in thought, looking directly at Cloud. He looked back at Tifa as soon as he saw me looking at him. "I know this isn't what you were expecting, but bear with me. I think you'll like this piece as much as I do." I nodded at Cissnei to start up the music.

I am so high, I can hear heaven...

     When he first asked to hear my voice, this was the song I sang. It was the one he told me sounded like a professional singer. The crowd was a bit surprised.

I am so high, I can hear heaven-

     I couldn't help but notice that his eyes had widened at the fact I was singing it, but he should know that this IS for him.

Whoa but heaven, no heaven don't hear me...

     I felt kind of alone up on stage without him. But he'd told me that he wanted me to sing alone. He didn't want to sing with me. I was apparently better than him. But I didn't believe that in the least.

And they say that a hero could save us... I'm not gonna stand here and wait! I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles; watch as they all fly away...

     I was singing with my heart and soul. I hope he knows that. But I don't think that I'd really be able to do this again unless...

Someone told me, love would all save us... But how can that be? Look what love gave us... A world full of killing and blood spilling- that world never came...

     Everyone seemed almost hypnotized. Some were swaying to the beat while others were just gawking. I couldn't help but feel like it was almost too much without him there.

And they say that a hero could save us! I'm not gonna stand here and wait! I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles; watch as they all fly away... Aaaah!

     He closed his eyes coming to this part, as did many other people. When I paused to let the music play before coming in again, I took some deep breaths. Then I sang with as much gentleness as I could.

And now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you...

     Even I closed my eyes at this point.

Sending the love of a hero- and that's why I fear it won't do...

     Then I exploded with as much passionate strength in my voice as I could muster.

And they say that a hero could save us! I'm not gonna stand here and wait! I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles! Watch as they all fly away!

     I could already hear applause. Why, though, is a mystery I'll solve when I open my eyes.

And they're watching us! They're watching us! As we all fly away!

     I let my eyes begin to open as I found a lot of the crowd with closed eyes and hands clasped or clapping.

And they're watching us! Yeah, they're watching us. As we all fly away...

     I slowly came off the adrenalin rush from singing alone as I smiled softly.

Whoa..

     I stepped back, waved, then stood for a minute, and left for backstage, ignoring the cries of "Encore!" throughout the crowd. I nearly collapsed into the chair in the dressing room. That was quite a rush. But I don't really think that I want something like that without someone with me...

     "Kat? You have a visitor." Yuffie chimed.

     I wasn't in the mood for just anyone. "Who is it?" I asked.

     "It's me." That's all I needed before I nearly jumped out of my chair and opened the door myself.

     "Fancy meeting you here." I said, smiling at Cloud. He gave me a half smile in return as I let him in and closed the door behind him, not needing Yuffie's prying eyes.

     "How come you chose that song out of all of them?" He asked, taking a seat on the floor. I sat in front of him.

     "Because I was doing this for you and no one else." I sighed. "You said that I'd sound better without you, so I tried it. And I didn't like it."

     "You... Didn't? I thought you'd enjoy having the whole crowd to yourself."

     "Hell no. It wasn't fun. Too much pressure. With you, though, It was bearable since I wasn't alone."

     He looked a bit taken aback at the statement. I didn't feel the need to continue. But I DID say one more line.

     "I miss you." I said near silently as I stood up. His eyes widened again.

     "You really-"

     "Yes I do." I said, helping him up. "I miss practicing with you. I miss hearing your voice, I miss hanging out with you. It all stopped because I wanted to sing with you, but you didn't think you sounded good."

     "Then... Would it be okay if it were just... You singing, and me playing?"

     It was my turn for my eyes to widen I smiled none the less. "You play? It'd be absolutely fine!"

     Then Yuffie burst through the door, holding the 'Safe and Sound' CD. How the heck did she get that? I left it at home...

     "The fans have become hostile, guys! Please! Before they start throwing pitchforks!" She sounded rather scared. A first.

     I looked to Cloud. "For old time's sake?"

     He smiled at me. "Sure."

     And so we made our way to the stage again, together.

Description
     Click. Click. Click.

     I was just about ready to explode. I threw my shoes off in exasperation. Damn stilettos.

     "Whoa, Kat, are you okay?" I heard Zack ask nervously. It's not every day that I'm throwing my footwear across the room.

     "Not really. I don't know if I can do this alone... Especially in THIS." I replied, gesturing to the pale blue dress that came to just above my knees. I wasn't comfortable in skirts in general, and I was supposed to wear a dress. "Dammit..."

     "Is it all because he told you that you should do this without him?" The words stung, bringing back old memories from last year. I wanted him to sing with me, but he'd said no. I'd sound better without him. What a load of sh-

     "Yeah." I mumbled, "Yeah, it was..." My voice then grew louder. "It's just for him! I'll dress as I damn well please!" I stormed back into my bedroom to try and find something to wear.

     I came across a black tee-shirt with silvery-white wing decals on the back and a little bird of the same color on the front, right above the chest. It was almost the same shirt I'd worn back then. The old one had gotten torn. I then dug up a pair of jeans that were comfortable, my trusty sneakers, and a blue-green scarf that was a Christmas present from my grandma. I also put on the ring that said 'Night-Fall' on it in stylized calligraphy, as well as the one that said 'Day-Break' in the same font. I put them on my right hand, my pointer and index fingers. I stepped out of my room a much happier girl as I let my hair down out of its bun.

     "Looks like the same outfit." Zack stated, referring to the previous concert. I laughed.

     "Yeah, well, it's comfortable." I said.

     Then came one of the most important questions of the evening. "What are you going to sing?"

     "Hero by Nickelback." I said with a quick nod. He tossed me the CD.

     "No Switchfoot?"

     "Not tonight. Maybe next year."

     He looked at me, an eyebrow raised. "You're... You're really not going to do this too much without him, huh?"

     "You got it." I said, heading downstairs, "I'll see you later; Tifa and Aerith said that they'd meet me at the auditorium, so..."

     We waved a quick goodbye and I was off in my car, buzzing to the school and practicing at the same time. When I got there, Tifa and Aerith were a bit surprised by what I was wearing.

     "What happened to sweet and formal?" Tifa asked, noting my very teen-like attire.

     "Decided that I wanted something different." I said, getting out of the car, "Singing a different song too."

     "Did something happen?" Aerith questioned, apparently trying not to bite her pearl-colored nails.

     "No," I said with a smile, "Just realized something."

     With no questions asked, I made my way to the make-shift dressing room. I was just gonna relax for a little bit while I try to set things in order in my head. I re-adjusted my glasses and tucked my hair behind my ears. Typical sign that I was nervous. It's simple, while he may not sound the most professional, I like hearing his voice, and I'm not as scared when I'm around him on stage.

     "Kat, it's time." I heard Cissnei lightly tapping on the door and my stomach lurched. It was time.

     "Okay," I said, gripping the CD, then handing it to Cissnei as I walked out of the room. "It's Hero by Nickelback. Can I give a little introduction first?"

     "Sure..." I know she was wondering why, but she didn't ask.

     "Thanks." I said with a smile as I walked onto the stage.

     He was in the first row, sitting next to Zack on one side and Tifa on the other. I gripped the microphone. Cissnei nodded at me to start.

     "I find it kind of funny that you guys came all this way just to hear one girl sing one song." I said with a sigh, "But you came. And I thank you for that. I hope that you'll find me as much as an alright singer as I was... Last year." With you, I added in thought, looking directly at Cloud. He looked back at Tifa as soon as he saw me looking at him. "I know this isn't what you were expecting, but bear with me. I think you'll like this piece as much as I do." I nodded at Cissnei to start up the music.

I am so high, I can hear heaven...

     When he first asked to hear my voice, this was the song I sang. It was the one he told me sounded like a professional singer. The crowd was a bit surprised.

I am so high, I can hear heaven-

     I couldn't help but notice that his eyes had widened at the fact I was singing it, but he should know that this IS for him.

Whoa but heaven, no heaven don't hear me...

     I felt kind of alone up on stage without him. But he'd told me that he wanted me to sing alone. He didn't want to sing with me. I was apparently better than him. But I didn't believe that in the least.

And they say that a hero could save us... I'm not gonna stand here and wait! I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles; watch as they all fly away...

     I was singing with my heart and soul. I hope he knows that. But I don't think that I'd really be able to do this again unless...

Someone told me, love would all save us... But how can that be? Look what love gave us... A world full of killing and blood spilling- that world never came...

     Everyone seemed almost hypnotized. Some were swaying to the beat while others were just gawking. I couldn't help but feel like it was almost too much without him there.

And they say that a hero could save us! I'm not gonna stand here and wait! I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles; watch as they all fly away... Aaaah!

     He closed his eyes coming to this part, as did many other people. When I paused to let the music play before coming in again, I took some deep breaths. Then I sang with as much gentleness as I could.

And now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you...

     Even I closed my eyes at this point.

Sending the love of a hero- and that's why I fear it won't do...

     Then I exploded with as much passionate strength in my voice as I could muster.

And they say that a hero could save us! I'm not gonna stand here and wait! I'll hold onto the wings of the eagles! Watch as they all fly away!

     I could already hear applause. Why, though, is a mystery I'll solve when I open my eyes.

And they're watching us! They're watching us! As we all fly away!

     I let my eyes begin to open as I found a lot of the crowd with closed eyes and hands clasped or clapping.

And they're watching us! Yeah, they're watching us. As we all fly away...

     I slowly came off the adrenalin rush from singing alone as I smiled softly.

Whoa..

     I stepped back, waved, then stood for a minute, and left for backstage, ignoring the cries of "Encore!" throughout the crowd. I nearly collapsed into the chair in the dressing room. That was quite a rush. But I don't really think that I want something like that without someone with me...

     "Kat? You have a visitor." Yuffie chimed.

     I wasn't in the mood for just anyone. "Who is it?" I asked.

     "It's me." That's all I needed before I nearly jumped out of my chair and opened the door myself.

     "Fancy meeting you here." I said, smiling at Cloud. He gave me a half smile in return as I let him in and closed the door behind him, not needing Yuffie's prying eyes.

     "How come you chose that song out of all of them?" He asked, taking a seat on the floor. I sat in front of him.

     "Because I was doing this for you and no one else." I sighed. "You said that I'd sound better without you, so I tried it. And I didn't like it."

     "You... Didn't? I thought you'd enjoy having the whole crowd to yourself."

     "Hell no. It wasn't fun. Too much pressure. With you, though, It was bearable since I wasn't alone."

     He looked a bit taken aback at the statement. I didn't feel the need to continue. But I DID say one more line.

     "I miss you." I said near silently as I stood up. His eyes widened again.

     "You really-"

     "Yes I do." I said, helping him up. "I miss practicing with you. I miss hearing your voice, I miss hanging out with you. It all stopped because I wanted to sing with you, but you didn't think you sounded good."

     "Then... Would it be okay if it were just... You singing, and me playing?"

     It was my turn for my eyes to widen I smiled none the less. "You play? It'd be absolutely fine!"

     Then Yuffie burst through the door, holding the 'Safe and Sound' CD. How the heck did she get that? I left it at home...

     "The fans have become hostile, guys! Please! Before they start throwing pitchforks!" She sounded rather scared. A first.

     I looked to Cloud. "For old time's sake?"

     He smiled at me. "Sure."

     And so we made our way to the stage again, together.