Don't Play with Fire (Turks FF7)

26) L is for Loser

"I can't believe this!" I exclaim, walking so fast that Elena has to jog to keep up. "What am I supposed to tell Reno?!"

"The truth?" She offers. I turn around to glare at her.

"And then what? Even though I told him that it might not be, he keeps acting like it's his, and getting his hopes up."

"That's his fault," she shrugs. I sigh, pushing the elevator button.

"I know, but still..."

"Kat, he's gotta know at some point, right?"

"I really need Tseng right now," I huff, leaning back against the glass wall of the elevator. She sighs, arms crossed tightly.

"I do too." But you're nothing like her.... The girl Tseng fell in love with was quiet and intelligent and gentle. I wonder... Did you ever get to say goodbye, Tseng? Or did I just steal her from you?

"What do you think he would say if he knew what was going in right now?"

"Hm... He might stare at you for a second and then," she mocks his voice. " 'Kat, what have you gotten yourself into.'."

I laugh and nod. "Maybe. Did you see the cannon?"

"Not yet. I hear it's scary. It might blow up Midgar, or something like that."

"Something like that," I nod. The elevator dings and I sincerely hope that Tyler doesn't talk to Rufus.

"Hey Kat," Reno grins when we enter the room. Rude looks over at the two of us and I offer a fake smile.

"Hey Re."

"What's up? You guys look a little... Is upset the right word?"

"Fine," Elena says quickly and I nod faster.

"Yeah, we're great."

"... Okay..."

Reno frowns at us before looking back over at someone I didn't notice before. Scarlet.

"When's the cannon going off?"

"At this very moment, Weapon is approaching," she smirks. "When he's in range, we'll fire and take both he and Sephiroth's barrier down! Kya ha ha!" Oh god...

"Nice," Reno scoffs. Rude shakes his head very slightly and Scarlet brushes past them, her hip 'accidentally' bumping Reno as she passes. With a haughty look on her face, she pushes me into a wall to get me out of the way, muttering a word that describes herself and my own mother more than me. Elena glares at her bright red dress as the Weapontry Director leaves. "I hate her, Rude."

"Me too." Elena then offers a hand to pull me up, my own accepting the offer.

"Thanks."

"So, Kat," Reno looks back at me. "How'd 'girl stuff' go?"

"That's classified information," I cross my arms.

"Even to me?" He gives me a sheepish grin.

"Especially you," Elena nods. Rude sighs and shakes his head, muttering something to Reno. The redhead rolls his eyes, saying something back that I can't hear. The elevator dings again and I turn to see Marx exiting, his grey eyes catching mine before he walks past.

"Where're you going?" I demand. He pauses and glances back at me.

"Someone has to let them know."

"I will."

"No, you won't." He keeps going to Rufus's office.

"I swear to Leviathan, Tyler," I huff, chasing after him. Rude grabs hold of my elbow and stops me with his iron grip. I glare at him and watch Tyler go into the office. Great. "Rude!"