AN: My initial plan for the beginning of this story is to start it out a bit slow to get the characters where I want them to be. After two or three chapters of this, my ideas will start to flow and the real story will come. Since this is just a prologue, it doesn't have all of the characters present or too much dialogue. This is just to get the story going as I assure you the next chapter and remaining chapters will have a lot more depth, detail, and dialogue. I hope you will read and bear with me so I can make this the best fanfiction it can be.

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8 or any of the characters, places, or events written about.

Prologue

Three months had passed since the downfall of Ultimecia and the end of the second Sorceress Wars. With the way Balamb Garden was operating now, one would never suspect such an event had occurred. Squall and his comrades returned and got on with their lives. Squall and Rinoa became somewhat of an item, although it was obvious to everyone that Squall didn't possess the faintest idea on how to be a boyfriend. Headmaster Cid felt that the SeeDs that had saved Edea, the world, and conquered Ultimecia deserved a noticeable token of his gratitude. Squall and Zell were made instructors at the Garden. Cid also made Rinoa a SeeD as well as an instructor. This raised some eyebrows in the Garden but Cid assured everyone after the announcement that he wouldn't make such a drastic decision if he wasn't completely confident in the outcome. Selphie and Irvine were offered similar positions but Selphie had other plans that day.

Selphie walked gingerly out of the elevator on the third floor, hoping her request would not anger the Headmaster. When she opened the door, the Headmaster looked up from his chair. Selphie took a quick look around before proceeding, not remembering the last time there was a chair there and not an elevator going up to the "bridge".

"Ahh Selphie, what can I do for you? You know that I am indebted to you for your services so please, speak." Cid calmly said.

"Um, well…I am greatly honored by your offer to make me an instructor, but there is something I'd much rather do for the garden." She responded nervously.

"Oh?" Cid questioned as he raised an eyebrow. "What would that be?" he continued.

"Um…" she paused and took a deep breath, hoping to find her nerves somewhere, "I want to form an Events Committee to handle parties and such in the garden….like the garden festival…but more organized.." She almost blurted this out

Cid's eyebrow fell back into position as he smiled, "That sounds like a splendid idea. I suppose Irvine wishes to join you on this committee? I'd expect so seeing as how he hasn't decided on the instructor position." Selphie nodded, feeling nervous again. Cid however, continued to smile warmly, "On one condition, the first event I want you to plan is my retirement party."

Selphie perked up upon hearing this, "Retirement party? You're retiring?!?!"

"Yes yes, I figure in the last months I've had a big enough adventure to last me several lifetimes, and I'm just too old to do this job now. SO! I want you to plan the party for me, deal?"

Selphie nodded, remaining silent, a mixture of both happiness and sadness visible on her face.

"Oh don't get down over this! Cheer up! I'm sure you and the others will get along fine once I settle into a nice small home in Balamb and you have someone…well…a lot younger and able sitting here in this chair."

Selphie smiles, "Thank you Sir, and thank you for being such a great headmaster to all of us. I'll plan one hell of a retirement party!" She exclaimed, pumping her fist into the air to show her enthusiasm.

Cid continued his warm smile and stood up, "Thank you, now I must go ponder on who I will choose to take my position!"

"Alright." Selphie finished, closing the door behind her. She walked over to the elevator and hit the button for 1F. When she stepped out, Irvine was waiting there to hear what happened.

"So?!?! What'd he say?" Irvine asked energetically.

Selphie smiled, "Well we can form it, and our first event to be planned is Cid's retirement celebration" She said, her voice drifting off at the end a bit

"Ah, well….I don't know what to say." Irvine said, crossing his arms over his chest

"Don't worry, he's been good to us and this Garden, so we'll throw him a party to remember!" Selphie said ecstatically, pumping her fist in the air again to show her obvious enthusiasm.

"Right!" Irvine said, secretly letting his eyes drift over Selphie's body as he usually did. "One step closer to making her mine. " he thought as a smile cracked across his face. "Shall we get to planning?" he continued.