"Momma where are you going?"
Running past the crowded platforms of the train station, tripping and crying, I tried to run to her. Trying to stop her from going where I won't be able to see her anymore.
"Momma!"
I screamed again. "Don't leave me! I promise I'll be good!"
Panting and cringing at the pain on my ribs, I try to catch up with her… but alas, all she gave me was her back. No curt, no wave… not even a glance back. She was set on her way; she was not going to let anyone stop her. I yelled at her again, "Momma! Wait! Take me with you!" but she gave me neither favors, instead she lifted her bags from the floor and handed them to the conductor.
I ran flat out, bumping with everyone who stood in between me and my momma. I ran.
"Your efforts will be wasted little girl…"
I didn't listen I ran, and only stopped when the door to the train shut on my face. "Momma!" I pleaded, but the conductor just pushed me back. I tried to look for her… my momma. Running again, I scanned every window, glanced at anybody, and screamed her name atop my lungs.
"MOMMA! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?"
At long last, I found her. Sitting on a chair right next to the 25th window, yes the 25th, she was staring down as If crying. I jumped, trying to tap her window with my small palms, but sadly could only reach the side of the train. But as if a miracle happened, she looked at me with sad eyes.
Tears started to fall from my hazel eyes and also from her identical pair. Momma was sad, she didn't wanna leave.
"I told you she won't listen to you…"
"Momma!" I said.
But she only looked at me. Cold washed over me as I stared into her eyes.
BAM!
"Nooooo!" I scream as my vision of her started to blur.
BAM!
"Momma!"
BAM! Cold washing over me again…
Darkness creeps in….
"Hey! Rinoa! Wake up!"
"Momma!" I screamed again.
"Rinoa, I'm not you're mom I'm not even your dad." I felt someone sit on my bed, but I didn't wanna face him. My eyes were far too wet and puffed for someone to even look at them.
"Rin?"
He said again, in a much more smoother, calmer tone. But I didn't waver. I don't want him to see my eyes.
"Rin… your dad will come up here if I don't get you to go down in 5minutes." He said, as if trying to trick me to facing him. I can't, I won't.
"Rinoa,"
He keeps saying my name it's so annoying! He grabbed me by the shoulders and turned me to face him. I guess the jig is up…
"Rinoa, you cried again." He said.
"You think?" I snapped at him, annoyed to the extent of punching him.
I was expecting a retort from him, but the only thing I got was a smile. That familiar smile that I've gotten used to since I was a little girl, the smile that I loved the most, the one that's most reassuring.
He smiled at me, his cobalt eyes bore into my hazel ones. "Rinoa, don't do this, it's Monday, I don't want to be late." He said as he pulled me off the bed, tearing me from my comfy sheets, and feathery pillows.
"Noooo!" I tried to protest as he carried me to the bathroom and placed me in the bathtub. Trying to hold me down he opened the showers on me, cold water washed through me so fast that it made me get goose bumps.
"Squall….yooouuuu i-i-idididi—oot" I stutter as I complained to the culprit who turned on the heater and shut the curtains on me.
"5 minutes Rinoa." he called through the curtain, else your dad will clothe you and I assure you," he said it so jokingly that I wasn't able to suppress a "HA!"
"I assure you; he'd put on the ugly green jacket on you and let you wear the stupid pink beret that goes along with it."
I wasn't listening to him rant anymore, I shooed him out and removed my now soaked clothes. I appreciate the warm water that washed through me now, it helped calm my nerves.
Running a hand through my hair, I thought of my dream again. How I hate it. I dream of it every night…every night that I feel sad. It's annoying.
I want to end it…
"I don't want it anymore." I said to the shower head that was now running out of water and was splashing cold water to me.
"OH SHIT!" I gasped at it as I tried to close it and grab a towel. I'll be late oh yeah.
I went out of the bathroom, thinking I have to fix my bed, oh, what state should it be now. As I turned my head to the scene of the crime, I saw that it was fixed, pillows fluffed, covers tucked and mattress aligned.
"He fixed it again for me, I guess I should thank him this time." I exhaled as I threw on the navy blue uniform of a SeeD cadet. How I hate this uniform, it's itchy and it's tacky.
It makes Monday feel like an eternity!
"Why do we have to wear this Hyne-forsaken uniform every Monday?" I breathed as I attached the yellow ribbon to complete the ensemble. I look ridiculous.
I sighed as I reached for the pair of boring black boots that were under my bed. I wore them and finished in a record breaking time of: 4mins, 35secs.
As I descended down the stairs, a pair of manly voices can be heard from the kitchen. The voices fluttered to my ears, with the sweet aroma of maple syrup and butter. Pancakes, yum. Squall cooked.
"Thanks m'boy, I don't usually find the time to cook."
"No problem General."
I can hear the sound of plates being set and utensils being grabbed haphazardly from the cupboard. Dad shouldn't be home today.
"You shouldn't be here today." I said to the elderly man that was sitting in front of Squall, munching on some pancakes that were deliberately gotten from my share.
His voice muffled by the pancakes he tried to answer me, "Good morning Rinoa."
"I say again, why are you here? Shouldn't you be in Galbadia tending to the BIG JOB you got?" I widened my eyes as I said BIG as to annoy him; he was so easy to piss off that it becomes fun.
"I am supposed to be in Galbadia but," he cut off to drink some coffee. He's just so disgusting it's hard to believe that he was my father, and that he was brought up by aristocrats.
"But what?" I snapped, hands on my waist and an eyebrow raised.
"But," he said as he cleared his throat. "They decided to move the time to this evening."
"So you'll be having me here for a couple of hours more, after that you'll have this place for yourself for 6 months straight."
I took a seat beside Squall and munched on my share of pancakes which were drenched in maple syrup and 2 large chunks of butter on top. Marvelous.
"Just the way you like them Rin." Squall said as he smiled at me and winked.
I know what that means; it means I'll just have to go along with his conversation.
"General," he began as he sliced his pancake with so much grace that I sometimes forget he's a man. "For the 6 months duration… will Rinoa be alone here?" he looked up at my disgusting man of a father.
Dad just nodded and swallowed a large amount of pancakes. "Well, yeah… I was going to talk to you guys about that today," grabbing the maple sauce and threateningly holding it against him, I asked.
"But?"
"Careful with that I don't want to turn into a pancake!" he said to me, forgetting the original topic.
The other man beside me just coughed and raised his hand to lower mine. "Let him finish Rin."
I nodded, and think, why can't my father be like him? Why can't my dad be modest?
"As I was saying,"
"I need someone to stay with Rinoa here and make sure she behaves."
My mouth hung open as he finished his sentence. I wanted to protest but I can't betray Squall.
"I was thinking of getting a baby sitter or a care taker, you know, just so someone can keep an eye on her." He said it while chewing on some pancakes.
I wasn't gonna just let him win without me protesting. I was about to open my mouth when Squall kicked me. "Ow!" I exclaimed at the sudden pain on my shins. "Damn you." I mouthed to Squall then I turned to face my dad.
I knew he wasn't going to let me stay here alone, it was far too good! Too impossible! Now he wants a maid or a caregiver to take care of me and the house? What the ef!
Squall still had his leg on my shins, as though trying to stop me. And then he spoke,
"Sir, can I say something?" he said as he placed his coffee cup on his clean plate.
My dad just nodded and tried to remove the remnants of pancake that were stuck in between his teeth. Disgusting.
"Well, since you don't mind paying for a caregiver and you don't also mind to pay for Rinoa's food and electricity bill," Squall was making circles on his plate.
"Are you saying I just leave her alone?"
Dad is sooo annoying! Grrr! If he interrupts Squall one more time, I'll interrupt him with a butter knife! As if sensing my sudden interest with the butter knife, Squall grabbed it and placed in on his plate. Damn.
"No sir, what I am saying, maybe I could stay with her, or if not, see to it that she wakes and sleeps on time, and also gets 3 meals a day." Then he looked at dad.
"That way you won't have to pay. All of these are just to help ease the load on you sir, you don't want to entrust your daughter to herself, what more to a complete stranger."
I was nodding all the way but suddenly stopped as Squall tried to imply I was irresponsible! Me irresponsible? Grrr!
"Hmm, you offer a very good wager there sonny…alright I'll consider it. I'll tell you on tonight before I leave for Galbadia."
He gave a sharp look at me and smiled at Squall.
I gave my dad a goofy smile, hoping that he doesn't think of my smile as weird. Squall then tugged at my arm and said, "We better go, we'll be late."
"Let's take your car." I told him as we went down to the garage of this Hyne big house.
"Sure… I have extra clothes there." he said as he threw me a candy. I thanked him with a nod.
Wait, extra clothes? For what? What is he not telling me?
"Extra clothes? Trying out for the soccer team?" I asked him like a mom.
"No, because you'll need them when we get to school." And then he opened the door of his Porsche Carrera Convertible.
Oh crap. "It's TUESDAYYYYY!"
Fuming I climbed into his car. He was laughing at me… damn him! He's always like this!
"I can't believe you fell for my Monday wake up call. Didn't you notice how long we ate breakfast?"
I hate him…too angry to reply I shot him an evil glance. He just laughed at me, like he always used to.
I had my arms crossed on my chest and made a face that could scare even a snake. We're not supposed to wear uniforms! It's Tuesday!
"Oh, cmon… I just stole your planned outfit and changed it into this one." He said as he tried to touch my necktie. We were speeding down the road when it started to rain.
"Beats your convertible."
"Wow, you spoke! I was sure I'm not going to be able to talk to you until lunch." He raised up the roof of the car and turned on the air-conditioning.
". . ."
I'm not going to lose to you! MUAHAHAHA I was still fuming from what he did and I am not going to lose so easily!
"Whoa!" I suddenly exclaimed as he lowered my seat to the back area. I gave him the what-gives look and shot him a super cold glare.
Then I realized that he just wanted me to reach to the back and change into my "planned" clothes.
The day before yesterday was rainy, yesterday was rainy, and today was rainy. I predicted this! I chose super warm and comfy clothes. On my list:
A navy blue sleeveless top, a denim mini skirt, a pair of black leggings, of course I wouldn't forget about the sky blue cotton padded jacket and a pair of navy blue fur winter boots. CUTE!
"Rin, when you are finished ogling at your clothes you might want to wear them, we're nearing the school."
Oh shut up Squall. I climbed to the back of the car and started unbuttoning my uniform. Squall never peeks so I know, we've been friends for more than 10 years now, I know.
"You look, err, wintery."
I just shot him a glance and noticed that he was wearing a plain white shirt, his usual leather jacket, minus the fur, some faded denims and boots. He didn't look like he was getting cold at all. While I looked like I'd turn into a Popsicle.
We parked at the usual spot, right between Seifer's Alfa Romeo and Selphie's Beetle. The Bug's engine was still alive, signifying that Selphie was still in there. As soon as Squall released the locks, I opened the door and went to knock her window.
She smiled at me and killed her engine. The usual Selphie would've yelled inside the car, I guess something's up.
"Hey Selph!" I greeted her as she grabbed her bag from the passenger seat and brought it beside her.
"Hey."
Selphie's answering flatly. Highly unusual I shall investigate later.
BOOM BOOM BOOM.
"Irvine's here." Squall said as he locked his car and approached me. "Your things."
Crap. I left my things in his car. What would I do without my stupid best friend. I grabbed my backpack from his grasp and stood there patiently as Irvine parked his car right beside Seifer's.
"Oi Kinneas!"
Oh no, the blonde guy is here. "Loud sounds my man!"
"What?"
Squall snorted as we heard Irvine's reply. He wasn't able to hear anything because his sounds were too loud. Stupid Seifer.
"Hey Squall, Rin." He said as he greeted us with his booming voice. Everyone turned their heads towards me. Dammit Seifer!
"Your old school Mustang sure is hawt."
I let the conversation of cars drown out as I carried my bag to go to the "Special Class" parking sign. It never ceases to amaze me, that I and this motley crew are part of that so-called "Special SeeDs".
Technically we are the best among the pool of students from our year. Quistis has the highest GPA and Squall is the most notoriously cool and talented SeeD; while the rest of us are just…well free riders.
Oh look there's the color crew, the most colorful and "whorey" group in school. They've been aiming to get Squall for quite sometime now, but I think they're aiming for me; he's got no color at all.
He's not even bubbly…he's always gloomy; I don't even know why we're best friends.
"Hey, staring into nothing is bad."
"Quistis you almost made me yelp, I didn't hear your car…where'd you park?" I asked the beautiful pink wearing blonde. Her blonde hair is so envious; it just frames her face in a manner that makes her goddess like. She was wearing a black tank top and bell bottom jeans, which she accessorized with a hot pink leather jacket and her hair was let down. No matter how I accessorize, I cannot match her.
"Yeah, I know. You seem to find the weather, bitterly cold." She was commenting on my ensemble, and I had to say, "Well, I hate cold weathers."
"I know." She trailed off as Seifer pulled her to his side. How envious again to have someone like that. I never accepted any of my suitors… I wonder why, but I can't seem to fall for any of them. Sigh. I guess I meant to tread alone.
"Hey, Rinny! Sorry about earlier… I was pissed with my little brother; anyway can we walk to class together? I'm kinda feeling cold."
There we go. The usual bubbly Selphie is back. She's wearing a trench coat over her red mini dress. She also wore some leg warmers over her red pumps.
"You look cute today; sadly it's just too cold."
"And slippery." She added as she held onto me for balance.
Xu and Zell, arrived together, I guess Xu's car broke down. It was kind of old.
"Xu!"
Zell grabbed her by the collar of her sweater as he pulled her back onto the motorcycle. His Ducati was brutally fast and I don't think Xu'd be able to survive it.
"I'm alive! C'mon guys, we have class." She said it as though we're late; in fact we're 20mins early. But nevertheless we walked to our homeroom. So annoying that we have to have homeroom everyday, we don't do anything in it anyway… we just do the topics for the next meeting of the upcoming subjects and end up bumming around or training. It's just too tedious…
"Hey! Why don't we all go a café later?"
Eyeing him suspiciously Quistis asked, "Where is it?"
Everyone's attention focused on him, like synchronized or something, we all stopped in front of the classroom for the attendance, and awaited his reply.
"Trepe."
"Leonhart."
"Heartilly."
"Dincht. BOOYAH!"
"Almasy. Shaddup Zell."
"Johnsons."
"Tilmitt. Hey Irvy."
"Kinneas."
"So Irvine, where is it?" Quistis suddenly snapped at him as he placed his things on his desk.
"Well, it's right next to that tiny hat shop at the end of Bolini St."
It's kind of weird but when Quistis inquires to anyone of us, we all stutter, well except Squall.
"Xu, we all hope you can come."
Speaking of the devil, he spoke. I wonder what he'll give me on lunch. I'm craving for some pudding; I guess I'll ask for that.
Xu just laughed and said, "I can't I have chores… besides, I ruined my damn car, I'm grounded."
"Hon, we don't get grounded." Quistis said as she sat beside Seifer. "And our professor won't be attending homeroom, again." She informed the class as she filed her nail.
"I do. Sorry."
Everyone including me forgave Xu but told her to make it up to us by cutting all her subjects with us. She's the only one who can't stand being bum in school; she thinks it's a waste of money. But we don't, we think it's cool.
"Special or not I am going to attend Calculus!" I recall her saying that on our first day back. We all wanted her to cut. But noooo she just had to attend and the professor ended up crying.
Squall seemed to be seriously talking with Seifer now, Quistis was left alone, Xu was reading in one corner and Zell and company were playing poker. Everyone seemed to be busy as hell, but not with school stuffs, we're far over those.
Seifer now began to scowl as if Squall told him to do something important again; he slumped his back and stood up.
"Hey babe, I gotta jet earlier, I won't be able to join you guys, my dad needs someone to man the company for a while." He's always like this to Quistis, as if a baby pleading to his mom. Damn I remembered the dream again.
I wonder why I dreamt of mom again and why is it always like that, mom died…she didn't travel to some far away country… but I dream of it that exact same way… I don't know…
"Hey Rin! It's lunch now." Selphie called after me as she beckoned me to come to the door.
"I'll follow up you guys, I need to think for a while." I said, hoping they'd leave me alone. But alas, my ever so persistent best friend yanked me by the arm and said, "We're having lunch, c'mon my treat."
Remembering that I hate him, I quickly changed my shocked look to the look of fury. "Oh, c'mon Rinny, don't tell me you still hate me because of the Monday uniform joke?"
I didn't reply thinking he'd be able to find someway to make me smile. No, I won't lose, I won't give in until I get my chocolate pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, topped with chocolate syrup and chocolate sprinkles!
I will not lose!
As we entered the cafeteria, a lot of the students turned to look. Especially at Quistis, we're thankful that she gathers all the unnecessary attention, and she is used to it… it's because her dad is one of the most notorious lawyers there is and her mom is a supermodel. Who wouldn't get that attention?
I sat with Selphie as the others got their food. Irvine ordered for Selphie and scolded her as she demanded to get one huge slice of mango cake.
"You can't have mangoes! You're allergic!" Irvine pointed out that truth and it irritated Selphie so much that she threatened to scream. We all know how she screams and nobody likes it. In the end it's Irvine – 0 and Selphie – 1.
"You always win with Irvine huh?" I commented as Irvine grudgingly went back to the dessert line and ordered a slice of mango cake.
Hoping that Squall remembers to get me my favorite dessert, I search for his brown head and when I finally located him near the dessert line, he turned his head to me as if confirming my want, he raised up the dreamy chocolate pudding. I felt my mouth hung open as I saw the mouth watering dessert on Squall's tray.
"You know," Quistis said as she took a bite of her Tuna Melt. "If we didn't know you loved chocolates or you're best buds with Squall, we'd think you're drooling over him." then she bit her sandwich again.
Oh no…me and Leonhart? Squall Leonhart? Na-ah. He's a rock and I am water, we'll always clash. I reached for Quistis hand to slap but she removed it to grab her sandwich once again. And as if on cue, Squall placed the tray of food in front of me. With all the goodies in front of me, I can't help but drool.
"So are we good?" he asked me as he settled beside me and opened his can of soda.
I just gave a smile and a nod. "Thanks for the Dreamy Choco Pudding." Then I took a huge bite of my burger.
"You guys had a fight?" Zell and Xu asked in unison.
"Yeah, he made me wear the uniform on a Tuesday!" I said. And then me and Squall retold our little fight that morning.
"You know, you guys are like siblings." Selphie suddenly blurted out as she coughed on her soda. She never knew when to breathe and when to drink, but hey that's Selphie for you!
Everybody had fun at the table except for Squall, who was oddly thinking of something. He will usually steal a bite from my pudding but this time he didn't even accept my offer. There's definitely something up.
After lunch, we had no more classes to attend because we already finished our "upcoming" lessons and exercises, and it'll be pointless to go to class.
"GRRRRR!" Zell suddenly growled at the watch in class.
As usual he's complaining on how slow the time is, Irvine would back him up in… 3,2,1…
"Let's get outta here! There're no more classes!"
Squall just lifted his head from the pamphlet he was reading and Quistis just nodded. Everybody stood up, including Xu. I wanted to ask Squall if Xu could ride with us, but Quistis already had dibs for the Aston Martin.
I laughed as I saw her reaction when Irvine offered to take her home. Selphie's face was priceless as her eyes widened ready to strike Irvine with the slightest movement.
"If you do something to my dear Xu, Irvine, I will break up with you!" she yelled as he offered to take Xu home again.
Irvine retreated and just smiled. In the end, me and Squall got stuck with each other and Xu and Quistis rode with Selphie.
Irvine led us to this tiny café at the heart of town. It was really cute but it was amongst the most notorious pubs there is in our area. I never wanted to set foot here but hey, I have Squall's protection and Porsche. I laughed at the thought of his car.
He suddenly noticed me giggling and raised his eyebrow at me. "What's up?"
I just smiled at him, seeing his look become more and more confused. It's too much fun. "Nothing."
*cut*
We arrived at the café in 30minutes time, but that was because the convoy had to take a detour to Xu's house and drop her off.
I never thought that Xu'd be that engrossed in her studies to even miss out on these types of events. It's so fun to watch her, she's so nice.
As we entered the café, people immediately stared. It's not common to see people like us enter these types of public areas, but hey we're just human. Squall massaged his nape as if he was stressed with the crowd's reaction towards us; he placed a protective hand on my shoulder as he led me to our table. I don't think he liked the way the men in the pub stared at me. They were disgusting. And it made me cling to Squall more.
Although the hairs on my skin didn't stand up, this place wasn't as okay as it seemed to be outside. As if thinking the same thing, Squall whispered the exact same line to me and I just nodded. Just when I was about to cling to Squall to hide me from the men behind us, Quistis and Selphie arrived with the coffee and some biscuits.
I wasn't able to hide my enthusiasm with the sweets that I actually grabbed the first biscuit I saw and dipped it in honey. It was dreamy. I saw Squall's face contort and ask me if I wanted to die of diabetes.
"Are you crazy? Don't you get enough sweets at home? I swear you'll go fat." He said the last part in a whisper but I heard him. Oh yeah I did.
I saw Selphie fidget with her dress as she tried to suppress a laugh and Quistis suddenly took interest in car parts, as she turned her attention to Irvine and Zell's heated argument of the best engine for an SUV type vehicle.
Some people turned to look at us as my face turned from pale white to hot red. As Squall's hands clasped over his mouth, I took a bread knife and threatened to kill him. His face turned red as he apologized and carefully took the knife from me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it." He said as he gave me another biscuit to make me smile. But noooo it wont work! It's the 2nd time today that I threatened to stab someone with a knife.
My attention now focused on him, I saw him flinch as I took a bite of my biscuit. Annoyed by this I snapped at him.
"What? Do you think this will make me gain an inch on my waist?" I asked him so harshly that it stung my own tongue.
"No, no."
I am getting sick of this! I am having a very bad mood swing and I would not just back down.
"This is what you get when a president as a father throws his son to live somewhere far…you get someone without breeding and without a hold on his tongue." The words were acid to my tongue but it felt so good to release stress on my favorite stress ball. Usually when I lash out, he'd just remain calm and be the rock. But this time, we were both liquid…me water, him oil. We so don't mix right this instant.
Sensing this aura from him, I cowered as he finished his sipping on his cup and turned to face me. Face stern and shoulders rigid. He was angry… and this is one of the worst. I haven't seen him so angry and I am indeed afraid to see him angry…especially at me.
Great Rinoa, why didn't you just let the fat joke slide! Oooooooh nooooo!
His hands let go of the small cup and placed it on the saucer. The atmosphere at our table turned from jolly to reprisal. Sweat started to bead on my back, cold sweat. I'm actually afraid of him…I am.
Then he took a deep breath and said, what I feared would be the last words I hear before I die…
"Well at least I don't cry in my sleep because I still cant get over my mom's death, thinking it was me to be blamed."
This was it…my fuse just sparked…and I felt hot tears slide down my cheeks. I can't take it… the room was getting smaller… the people started vanishing… my eyes…their visions are getting blurry.
I can't breathe… I need to get out… I hate Squall.
I hate him!
I forced myself to snap out of it… tears cascading down my flushed cheeks, I grabbed my bag and went out of the café, a trail of voices following me, but I didn't bother to look back. I wanted to go home, to go to my bed, to stay there, to hide there.
I ran. I don't know where I am but I kept on running thinking I might be able to run into my house like in my dreams, or even see someone familiar. But my visions were blurry from my tears, my breath was ragged, I couldn't see properly.
I ended up in a deserted alley, the stench of alcohol and trash is overpowering. It makes me wanna puke… where am I?
I hate Squall.
"That idiot!" I said to myself as I wipe the tears from my eyes.
My phone rings, it hums the ringtone especially assigned to Squall, I will not answer! I will not.
"How dare he blame me, he doesn't know! He doesn't know!"
Oh no… he doesn't know… does he?
"No he doesn't!"
"I'm afraid…" realizing the predicament I have, I sat down on the dark alley, scared as hell, hoping for someone to come.
You can't get over it can you…
I can hear that voice…the voice I hear in my dreams… it's here… who is it? What is it?
"Who are you?" I call out to nothing.
No reply came to me… only a strong wind, a cold wind.
"It's soo cold." I said as I shivered from the cold wind. And then I hear it again, the voice. It's saying something… I can't understand…
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" I scream. My bones…. My skin….they're burning!
My hands….are they…. Are they… shrinking?
"Noooooo!" I scream and yell. I thrash and kick…there's no one there! Nothing! What is wrong?
"Squall…it's too painful…" Squall help me…
I hear someone from afar, help me please. I plead with my thoughts; let my thoughts reach that person… I'm sorry Squall.
(A/N it'd be in 3rd person omniscient now)
As if jolted with thunder, the fuming Squall lifted his head from his hands. Quistis and Selphie immediately turned to look at Zell and Irvine near the jukebox. Both didn't want him to find out that they were intently staring at him.
But they all know that Quistis cannot hold back her tongue. She asked him, "Aren't you gonna follow her?"
Squall just shook his head and said something inaudible. He hated the fact that Rinoa dared compare him to his father. It was just too much… it was too annoying. It was too wrong.
"Squall, we know you got offended." Selphie began. She didn't want to spark his anger again, thus she pretended to talk to her trench coat. "But, what you said, it's… too much."
Squall shot his head up to face the two of them, making them both jump. "And it's not too much to compare me to my good for nothing father?"
"Squall," Quistis started. "At least you don't blame yourself for being like him, you don't think about it everyday… but she thinks about what you said everyday…I see it in her face…she's usually bothered by it. It hurts to think about it, but if someone else points it out… that's just too much."
She was making sense and Squall was starting to think about what he said. This could be indicated as a sudden twitch reached its way to his eyebrow. He stared at his palms and whispered, "I was too cruel… I need to find her something might happen to her."
With that Quistis beamed at Selphie and said, "I just hope he finds her, fast, this is not a good neighborhood."
Squall pushed the door so fast, that it swung back and forth a couple of times before shutting itself. Once out, he dialed her number and pleaded for her to answer.
"C'mon, Rinoa…pick up…pick up."
When no one answered he started to sprint, looking through every sidewalk and alley, but there was still no sign of Rinoa. "Rinoa!" he yelled.
But no reply came.
He was starting to panic when he heard a sudden scream coming from the dark alley on his left. "Rinoa?" He asked. Thinking it was her; he suddenly turned pale, and ran flat out to reach her in time.
"…Squall…"
He heard a small voice from the behind the trash can and thought it was her. Panic and fear washing through him, he peeked to see if it was Rinoa. Alas, all he found were clothes… no person… giving up he started to search the clothes. They looked new, and oddly familiar.
Then it hit him, they were Rinoa's! The navy blue shirt and baby blue cotton padded jacket. He frantically searched the surroundings trying to find her. Thinking she might've been raped… he got his Revolver and tried to look for any sign of someone crying or someone…something.
Cough. Cough.
He heard a child cough…but how would a kid…
Then it struck him, he lifted the baby blue jacket and saw a little girl, no older than 5, teary eyed and shaking, she had raven black hair and skin as pale as snow. Her cheeks were flushed. But more importantly she wore the necklace that had his best friend's most precious ring.
Like a crazy person he asked, "Rinoa?"
"Squally!" The little girl suddenly jumped on him clinging as if there were no tomorrow. "Squally I'm scaywed!"
Too shocked for words he scooped her up, wrapped her in her clothes. "There, there I'm here." He said as he stroked her hair. He carried her back to his car. He placed her on shotgun and strapped the seatbelt.
Running his hands to his face he gathered up the courage to start the car. But as soon as he tried to set it to first gear, his phone rang.
"Yes?"
"Squall?"
"Yes, General it's me." He replied.
"Good, I need to leave for Galbadia now, I didn't think you'd be late, anyway…I approve of it and please tell Rinoa, to take care. I gotta go now I just gave you a heads up. I'll call from time to time. Bye."
And then the line was cut.
"Great… what happened to you…?" Squall asked the tiny Rinoa beside him. She was currently enjoying the AC and playing with the power window. He set the car to gear and sped up, homeward bound.