I'll Always Remember
Summary: He doesn't like to let anyone in, he shuns them instantly. But then he meets Rinoa, for some reason, he feels like he can open up to her. But only tragedy can end true love.
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CHAPTER 1
SQUALL
I despise this place. It was never really a place where I liked to be. Nobody really knew how much I loathed it, yet nobody really cared to ask. They were all to wrapped up in their own little lives. I was just commander—in charge of everything and everybody. Nobody noticed what I did much, and I didn't want them to. I was fine alone, better off if anything. I was never sociable, and I never would be. I was the quiet, commander that just did everything unconventionally. Nobody attempted to help—and if they did, I'd shun their support. It was, after all, my job to be commander, not theirs.
It was lunch time. . . the time I hated the most. I never really liked to converse with Zell Dincht and his gang of friends, but somehow they always managed to stalk me and find exactly where I was sitting. Honestly, I think Zell just needed somebody to pester, and I was around, so he found it a great opportunity.
"Yo, Squall, what's up, man?"
He asked, lifting a knuckle up to acknowledge my presence. I didn't respond, just continued eating. Selphie Tilmitt nudged him playfully,
"Squall's grumpy again, leave him alone, Zell!"
I rolled my eyes. They always tried to taunt me or they would just try and irritate me on purpose. They always successfully did. I noticed Irvine Kinneas coming towards our table. . .Oh God.
"Irvine!"
Selphie exclaimed excitedly, practically jumping in his arms. The two were extremely close friends, and I knew that Irvine really liked Selphie, though I think Selphie just liked Irvine as a friend. . .she was just overly friendly sometimes, I'd guess.
"Wow, I can understand you all missing me so much! But I can only take so much affection!"
Zell and I exchanged expressions with annoyance. Irvine always thought he was a stud—that he could have anybody wrapped around his finger, and so when someone actually took notice of him, he'd brag about it. It got extremely aggravating eventually.
He took a seat by Selphie.
"Squall, long time buddy, what's been new?"
I continued eating, not acknowledging his questions. He tipped his hat with agitation and then casually put his arm around Selphie,
"No response, eh? Who-dah seen that comin'?"
"Man, Squall, I dunno how you stay quiet so much. . .I'd go crazy."
Zell announced, looking at me with a fanatical expression. I just shrugged and continued eating. I sometimes wonder if they forgot that the cafeteria was used for eating and not socializing.
"So! Did you guys hear that we're going to have a new student here? I heard she's rather good."
Selphie began, excitement in her tone. She always spoke so enthusiastic—it was kind of irritating sometimes. Irvine looked clearly interested,
"Really?! A woman, perhaps?"
Oh, and did I mention Irvine is a complete woman-fanatic? I'm sure you would've guessed that. He was always trying to get with someone. And all he ever talked about lately was Selphie, but I'm sure he was up for anything.
"Her name is Rinoa Heartilly. . ."
A voice caught us all off-guard. Quistis Trepe, my old instructor, was standing by our table, her golden-blonde hair in a bun as usual. She was extremely tall and peaked over Selphie easily. Her and Irvine could be a match made from heaven—I'm sure he's thought that also.
"Hmm, that's a pretty name, eh?"
Irvine commented, looking off into the distance. He made me sick the way he always preyed on girls. I never had time for girls, being the commander, plus, never was really interested in the whole "relationship" thing. . .I could do fine by myself.
"Sweet, dude! What's she like?"
Zell inquired, practically jumping up and down. I swear, he needed ADD pills or something. . .he was far too hyper for anybody to handle.
"She's nice, met her this morning. She is one of my students now, you know? Very pretty, if you must know."
I really didn't know what Quistis was getting at. She was a very strange, random woman. She always liked me for some reason though. I was her favorite student when she was my instructor. I'm positive she wanted to be something more. Now, don't get me wrong. . .Quistis was outrageously attractive, you could ask any guy. . . but I was never into getting serious with girls. It was a complicated situation. I usually blocked them out—refusing to get close to them. Plus, Quistis was much older then me, and was my instructor at one time. . .that'd just be weird.
She was winking at Zell and Irvine. She knew better then to even try and attempt to hook me up with someone—she knows I wouldn't show up, or I'd make excuses to get away. She knew me very well. And I was grateful that for once, she didn't try and get me involved.
Zell and Irvine seemed extremely excited. And I knew that they probably would try and hit on this new girl. I didn't really care to meet new people, and I assumed that I probably never would meet her. As commander, I didn't really interact with any students except for this group.
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RINOA
Balamb Garden was spacious! I absolutely adored it. And the people were extremely good-hearted and lead me to my dorm with no problem. I was extremely excited to make new friends, and learn more about fighting. All my life, I've wanted to come here and learn how to fight like a pro. And now my dream was coming true!
I was optimistic about my dream, and I had every intention of making it up to the tops. My instructor was Quistis Trepe, the nicest woman you'd ever meet. Plus, she made things easy to understand. Within the first week, I was getting better and better.
"Just don't feel like you have to compete, just relax and remember what you've learned—never try and overpower someone else's power by doing something you've never learned. . .it may hurt you."
Quistis advised, while I was fighting a T-Rex one day. I really enjoyed her company, and she had easily became one of my friends while there. Other people seemed to be nice also, but she was definitely a great instructor!
I took on the rex, targeting his head for a nice blow with my boomerang. Here we go. I thought, my heart beating faster than the speed of sound. I squinted my chocolate-brown eyes to get a better view. And then released.
I smiled with much success.
"There you go! Good job. It's lunch time though."
Quistis announced, proudly. She tapped me on the shoulder, walking passed me. I followed her suite towards the cafeteria. I usually sat by a group of SeeD's that were students also. Some of them were Eric, Maddie, Lydia, and Austin. They were kind enough. Though Eric and Austin continously kept hitting on me, and I was not interested.
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SQUALL
A few days passed, and the same routine continued. But, nothing ever changed as commander. I usually just continued doing my job—sometimes I'd have to fight off enemies for the less experienced students, but that wasn't usual.
Lunch rolled around more quickly then usual. Our table limited to talking about the new girl, since they couldn't find anything better to speak about, I assumed. I just ate my turkey sandwich and kept my nose out of it, as usual.
"She is really, really hot, man. I would do her well."
Zell commented, looking over my shoulder. My eyes extended towards the side and I seen a girl with raven-black hair and chocolate brown eyes eating with a group of people. Zell was staring intently at her, so I assumed this was the new girl. Her hair was down and straight and she had bangs that swept across her forehead. My eyes widened as her eyes crept up towards my own. She simply gave me a chaste smile and I couldn't ignore the fact that she was extremely attractive. I turned away instantly and continued eating, shaking off ridiculous thoughts.
"She did not just do that."
I heard Irvine mutter with incredulity,
"Dude! What happened?"
Zell asked, obliviously. Irvine looked slightly irritated and then looked over at me with an outraged frown,
"She smiled at Mr. I-don't-talk over here."
I rolled my eyes and got up to take my tray,
"Whatever, Kinneas, I'm really getting fed up with your ignorance to the fact that I'm sitting right here. It meant absolutely nothing, so feel free to take your lead on her, just make sure you inform the rest of the population of women that you're doing so, because I'm sure they'd love to know."
I snapped, exasperated with his continuation of talking as if I wasn't sitting next to him. He looked at me with surprise, as if he wasn't expecting me to actually respond. I walked towards the trash cans, but when turning around, bumped right into the raven-haired girl,
"Oops, sorry!"
She squealed, as if it was all of her fault.
"I didn't see you. . .excuse me,"
I muttered, casually, trying to move passed her. She stopped me, getting in my face with a friendly smile. I could tell she was going to be one of those enthusiastic Selphie clones, instantly.
"I haven't seen you around here, I'm new,"
"Joy."
I responded, still trying to get passed her. She gave me confused brows and stopped me again. Wow, this is getting pretty annoying. . .I'm trying to move, woman, can't you understand that?
"You have some really nice eyes, are they real?"
"No, I bought them out of a magazine."
I said dryly, now attempting to push her out of the way. Yet, she still didn't get the hint.
"I'm Rinoa. Who are you?"
"Somebody you shouldn't worry about."
I grumbled, finally making my way passed her. I could feel her eyes boring into my back with bewilderment. I'm assuming she's never met a person who doesn't enjoy socializing with enthusiasm. Wow, get out much?
"Squall, mannn! That was my woman!"
I heard Irvine pout as I walked by my lunch table. I found it kind of amusing that they were jealous of the fact that she attempted to talk to me, and didn't attempt to talk to them. She seemed irritating enough though. . . want to dwell into other people's business? I can see her becoming somebody like a car salesman or something. That'd be funny. Just preying on people like groups of flies. Wow.
"So, have you ever had some of the hot dogs here? Man, they are scrumptious! I think I'm going to steal a few maybe. Then I can have unlimited hot dogs forever! Sounds good, huh?!"
I heard Zell exclaim as I walked away. Why do I even allow myself to be nearby such mindless idiots. . .seriously?
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END OF CHAPTER