Remembering Noel (A FFXIII Fan Fiction)

Chapter 15

        Serah awoke yet again in the hotel hallway. This time she knew where she was going. She strode purposefully to the first door she'd noticed in the hallway. Noel's door. When she woke up this time, she'd know who he was. She wouldn't dissapoint him this time. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway. When she arrived at the door, she tried the handle, but it wouldn't budge. She turned and tried the one before it. It wouldn't budge either. She tried the doors all the way back to the beginning of the hallway, and the only one to open was the one straight across from Lightning's. Hope. She tried the handle, and it was warm. The door glided smoothly open. 

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        "Welcome to Academia."

        "This is....She's my assistant."

        "Find the graviton cores."

        "We came forward in time."

        Hope and Serah had had a simple relationship. Hope used to have a slight crush on....wait what? Who was she talking about again? Oh yeah, Hope. She'd helped him to sort out his feelings for someone, she couldn't remember who.

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        Serah woke safely in bed and remembered everything she and Hope had ever shared. She'd had some conversations with him that were still fuzzy and slightly blocked because of names that she hadn't been through the doors of. Assuming each of the doors was an influential person in her life, it would take another 2 weeks to get to Noel's door, if she went in a door every night. Serah would have to do it. Her life had been too mundane, no one trying to help her, she couldn't remember anything and there was nothing to do, so she'd sort it out herself.

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        "So. Noel. What are you doing recently?" Maqui said in the silence between the four. 

        Noel looked up. He hadn't participated in the conversation at all and suddenly being included suprised him. Then he saw Maqui's accusing expression. Since the hospital, Maqui and Noel hadn't really spoken. He was definitely mad.

        "Nothing." Noel said dully. Maqui frowned. Noel shot him a glare, saying not here with his glare.

        "Anyway!" Midna squeaked. "I have this great idea Maqui..."

        Noel zoned out again and before he knew it it everyone was standing up and he wasn't sure what was happening.

        "Um, what's going on?" he asked obliviously.

        "We're leaving, dumbass." Yuj said playfully. 

        "Ah." he stood up with them and gave Midna a fake smile. He knew she'd be able to see through it, even after knowing her for only a few days. She was very motherly, and your mother can usually tell when you're lying. She wouldn't say anything. She was also a pretty great friend.

        They left the coffee shop and Midna and Yuj walked in front of Noel and Maqui, making them walk together. Maybe Midna knew that they needed to discuss things, but it's not like they were going to talk about it right now, this was definitely a thing to do in private.

        When they finally arrived back at Hope's, Yuj and Midna left them to go back to NORA house but Maqui stayed. Noel gave him a look like, um, why are you still here this is awkward why don't you just leave?

        "Noel." Maqui said decisively. He wasn't nervous or awkward about this because he was fueled by anger. "You know what I'm here to talk about."

        Noel didn't say anything in return.

        "You need...to give the necklace to Serah." Maqui enounciated every word. Noel could tell he was fuming but was keeping it in. 

        "Maqui I can't hurt her like that, even if I did give it to her it would hurt her more than just waiting. If she remembered Snow, and then remembered that he was dead, she would be devastated." Noel explained.

        "I don't care what you think, there's nothing worse than not remembering. If you don't do it I will figure out a way--" The front door opened, interrupting Maqui, and Serah stood at the door.

        "Sorry did I interrupt you? I don't really care though because I have great news!" Serah was incredibly excited, so Maqui and Noel glanced at eachother, coming to a silent agreement to talk about this later.

        "Come inside, I haven't told Hope yet either." Serah opened the door wider and let them in.

        Hope was sitting at the table expectantly. Serah gestured for Noel and Maqui to join him, so they did.

        "I have great news." Serah paused for dramatic effect. "Hope I remember you! I remember everything about you and everything about Lightning that happened since my birthday! Well I mean unless it has anything to do with the other people. I do know that in the next few weeks I will remember everyone. Don't ask me how I know, it's probably some weird medical thing, but basically I'm having these dreams, and remembering people."

        They gaped at her for a moment and then Hope stood up and hugged her. 

        "That's fantastic, Serah. My Serah. You remember what I looked like back in the day, huh?" He laughed. "It was...ah...fun, I guess."

        "Haha you looked fine, but now you look better." Serah leaned into his ear. "Maqui sure looks great doesn't he?"

        Hope gasped playfully and pushed her away. "You really do remember, don't you?"

        "I do."

        Noel shot a glance at Yuj and Maqui looked defeated, yet angry. They both stood up to congratulate Serah on remembering, the tension only obvious to them.

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EY WELCOME BACK ME! So I'm hoping this will be done in 5 or less chapters, so I'll see you next time! Thank you for reading!