Disclaimer: Alas, Seifer belongs to Square Enix. I just like playing with him. Wouldn't you:-P And yes, Square Enix owns FFVIII.
Author's Note: The action in this story takes place before the game but unlike my other story, Dancing with Fire, this one isn't meant to flow smoothly into the events of the game. You will notice that certain characters will be introduced well before they are actually introduced in the game. I have done this on purpose since it's more fun to write about actual FFVIII characters than create new ones just to maintain the authenticity of the story line in the game. This story will stand on its own and plot/character development will not be impacted by my creative license in introducing the characters early.
(Thanks for the comment, Ms. Starlight! I knew I probably should have included the above note as soon as I first posted the story.)
Chapter 1—Breaking Out
Quistis Trepe felt her insides twist into little knots of nervousness and excitement as she automatically ran the brush through her long golden hair for the fiftieth time. She gasped as Selphie's make-up compact that was sitting on the edge of the bathroom sink toppled over with a deafening clatter onto the tile floor. Relax, Quistis she said to herself firmly. She reached to retrieve it, her cold, clammy hands shaking slightly with nervous energy. Good, it didn't crack she thought as she slowly pried open the clasp. She had to give it to Selphie. The girl had more lip gloss and eye shadow than half the beauty shops in Balamb. As Quistis was sifting through her collection, a pretty peach-colored lip gloss caught her eyes. This might work thought Quistis without much conviction. She underestimated her choice. The effect was stunning as Quistis slowly spread the wet, shimmery shade over her full lips. After some deliberation, Quistis chose the eye shadow—a soft, glittery silver that accented her large azure eyes. Now for Selphie's secret ingredient she thought with a smile as she spread shimmer lotion over cheekbones, chest, and shoulders. Quistis' own make up collection consisted of clear lip gloss and loose powder. She liked to keep things simple. As the youngest instructor Balamb Garden has seen in nearly a hundred years, she didn't have time to primp or act in a manner she considered immature and childish. Tonight was different though. How? Quistis didn't exactly know. However, what she did know is that for once she wanted to be someone other than herself. Always in control, always serious, and always determined to excel. That was Quistis. Boring. Just for once in her life, Quistis wanted to do something bad. Something that would turn heads and inspire hushed whispers of awed indignation as she walked into a crowded room. What would they say if they saw her half naked, dancing on a bar countertop, moving her shapely hips to the sound of raunchy bar music as she lustily unbuttoned her shirt for the ogling onlookers? Quistis smiled at the absurdity of the image. Still, if there was one thing that Quistis really liked about herself, it was her body. She prided herself on her long, well-formed legs, tight abs, and slender but muscular arms that she acquired through years of intensive training. Her beauty and her talent have not gone unnoticed among the cadets, some of whom even formed a fan club around her known as the "Trepies." They idolized her, worshipped her every move. To them she was the image of perfection, a flawless ice sculpture—as beautiful to behold as she was impossible to attain. Quistis snapped out of her daydream and taking one last look at herself in the large oval mirror, she exited the bathroom. Selphie should be here any minute. She looked around her room. It was impeccably clean—neat photographs hanging symmetrically in their frames, perfectly manicured plants, a stack of papers she finished grading last night sitting in a neat pile on her desk. Quistis got up and threw her peach robe carelessly on the bed. That's better. Not a second later, she heard someone knocking loudly at her door.
"Coming, Selphie," she called. I can't believe I got myself into this. The nervousness was beginning to come back. Quistis was definitely out of her comfort zone.
"Wow, Quisty! You look amazing! I love that top!" said Selphie, her voice bubbling over with unrestrained excitement. Selphie had spunky aurburn hair and pretty hazel eyes that sparkled with life and at times almost uncanny enthusiasm. She replaced her usual short yellow dress with a shiny black miniskirt and a fuzzy bright pink tank that made her mildly reminiscent of a firecracker.
"Thanks, Selph," responded Quistis turning slightly pink.
"Oooh! We are gonna have sooo much fun tonight! You're gonna love it! After tonight, you will forget all about that asshole Adrian. You might even meet someone new, you know?" continued Selphie with a wink.
"Yeh, right…" Somehow she didn't think that she would so easily forget Adrian. Adrian. Just saying his name made Quistis' blood boil with anger although it has been nearly three months since he unceremoniously broke up with her without so much as an explanation. Later she found out that he had been calling her the Ice Queen behind her back the entire time they were together. Together? Well, at least that's what she thought until she overheard a conversation between him and his buddies that still made her insides burn with anger and shame."
"Admit it, Adrian, you lost," taunted a young cadet. He cast a weak ice spell against Adrian as his buddies looked on, laughing hysterically.
"Ooh, look, the touch of the Ice Queen pierced you right through," he continued mockingly. "So, what will it be? Doing my dirty laundry for a month or 500 gil?" Adrian pushed him away, a touch of color flushing his cheeks.
"Yeh, she is good looking enough, all right," he finally said. "But the only person who's seen what's under that skirt of hers is probably Dr. Kadowaki. And even she is a woman! I'd be willing to bet my allowance for the entire year that you wouldn't do any better with that brick of ice than me."
Quistis shuddered uncontrollably. She hated him. Until he broke up with her, he was nothing but charming and attentive—showering her with flowers, dinners out at Balamb, telling her he had never met someone so intelligent and beautiful. And she believed him—believed him with all her heart. How many sleepless nights did she spend wondering what she did wrong before she knew the truth? What if he is there tonight? The knot in Quistis's stomach seemed to double as she breathed in deeply to calm herself.
"Relax, Quisty! It's gonna be awesome! Plus, you look absolutely stunning!" she noted as she admired Quistis' low-cut black shirt, denim jacket, and a beautiful ivory mini skirt which she accented with a pair of slightly pointed knee-high boots. Maybe Selphie is right. Maybe this is my chance to try something new. If nothing else, it could be a learning experience. She stopped herself. Old habits die hard, eh, Quistis?
"Now come on! Let's go!" Selphie was nearly jumping out of her skin as she grabbed Quistis' arm and pulled her toward the door.
Feeling slightly nauseous, Quistis gave Selphie a feeble smile and fumbled with the lock. At last they were ready to go.