P.K.: Er, I'm not totally used to writing fan-fics. Indeed, this is only my fourth ever, and the first I've ever put up for others' eyes to scrutinize. But, so long as it's about something I adore (Final Fantasy VIII! :3 ) everything should turn out quite nicely. Also, I would like to note that I'm fully aware that a Zell/Irvine pairing isn't very likely, but I can fantasize all I want, right? Isn't that the point of fan-fiction? Anyhoo, thankies for reading! Now, for your entertainment pleasure, I present Kazu the talking cat to read the disclaimers! Pulls kitten out of pocket and drops it in front of you

Kazu: Huh? What?

P.K.: Read the paper I gave you, silly!

Kazu: How many times do I have to tell you, I CAN'T read!

P.K.: Read it.

Kazu: Uh, um…pulls out paper Pee-kay duz nort oon finnel fat-assy or tu-hee char actors ov su-chuh.

P.K.:No, that's not what it says! It says, 'P.K. does not own Final Fantasy or the characters of such'!

Kazu: … … … …Whatever. I'll start reading when you start buying me name-brand cat food.

"Sorry, we're all out today."

"Again?!" Exclaimed Zell with desperation. He could've sworn he ran to lunch faster than ever before, too.

"Well, those hot dogs just go so darn fast!" Replied the lunch lady. "Maybe tomorrow, right?"

"That's what you said yesterday, and the day before that." Sighed Zell. "What do you have left?"

"Some nice potato salad," Offered the lunch lady. "Or maybe some gelatin?"

"Nah, it's fine." Said Zell. He turned and walked over to an empty table, flopping down in the hard plastic chair. He rested his chin on his hands and looked around the near-empty lunchroom, not noticing someone approaching from behind him.

"Well, you look like a ray of sunshine." Zell turned, startled, to see Irvine grinning at him. And, in Irvine's hand was nothing other than a cafeteria hot dog!

"Hey, Irvine. Um…You gonna eat that?"

"Of course!" Replied Irvine, sitting down across from Zell. Noticing Zell's look of disappointment, he added, "Say, I can split it with you if you'd like."

"Like? I'd love it!" Zell quickly grabbed the piece of hot dog from Irvine, devouring it in one bite. "Thanks!"

"No problem." Replied Irvine. "I---"

"Emergency!" A voice blared over the PA, "Monsters have broken out of the training center! All students except SeeD members report to the second-floor classroom!"

Irvine stood, his trenchcoat sweeping the ground. "That'd be our call. C'mon, Zell."

Zell leapt to his feet, and the two ran from the cafeteria at full speed, heading into the panicking mass outside the doors.

End Chapter One