Its been weeks since the defeat of the sorceress and its been so long since I actually felt this happy. Rinoa and I are getting really involved and soon I want to pop the question. I know, I know, we haven't been together that long but we've been through a lot together and it brought us so close.

I guess I'll ask her soon. Not tonight though. She's been a little stressed. I'm not sure why, but its not the right time to ask her something serious. I asked Quistis, because I figured it was a female thing, if she knew why but she said she didn't quite understand the reason either. Maybe its because Seifer is at the Garden again. Actually, he's been a little weird too. He always avoids everyone. Probably because he's shamed of defeat. Whatever.

Oh well, it's not important right now. I glanced at the mirror. I hate ties. Why does this uniform have to have a tie? Who cares?

I hurried my way towards the parking lot. We agreed the best way to get to Deling City was the Ragnarok.

" Hey Zell," I yelled as I went past. To my amazement, Zell looked gloomily at me and waved with no enthusiasm. Not like Zell at all. I'll have to find out later.

When I got there I found Rinoa waiting in a dark navy dress instead of her usual white dress. The dress made her already pale skin seem like she was touched by death. Must be new. Without a great deal of conversation, we left.

" Here we are. Deling's finest," I said as soon as the waiter directed us to our table.

During the dinner, I noticed Rinoa was really withdrawn. Usually she was the one ceaselessly talking.

" Are you alright?" I asked while I was buttering my bread.

" Of course, in a way, yes. Why?"

" You haven't really said anything since we left the Garden," I answered.

" Oh, well, I haven't been exactly feeling great lately," she looked down.

" Stress?" I wondered and sipped my water.

" Yeah," Rinoa frowned," Squall, I have to tell you something very.... very important."

" What is it?" I looked at her with full attention
.
" I haven't been myself lately because, well... I'm pregnant," She said shamefully.

" That's why you've been acting strangely lately?" I said.

" Yes. But..."

" Well, I was going to wait to tell you after we were together longer."

" Squall please..."

I kneeled before her and presented the ring.

" I'm not very good at this but, Rinoa, would you marry me?"

Her eyes became so watery. She glanced away.

" What's wrong?" I asked, doubt starting to rise in me.

" I didn't want to tell you that I was pregnant. Everyone told me I shouldn't kept the secret from you. I was scared," Rinoa looked at me with saddening eyes.

" Why? I'm not upset. Especially since I just proposed to you," I replied.

" I can't marry you because of the pregnancy!" Rinoa suddenly burst at me.

" What do you mean?!" I jumped up.

" You want to know why everyone has been looking at you differently?! You want to know why I was afraid to tell you?! God knows I didn't ever plan to be put in this situation!"

" Did you cheat on me?" I looked at her in worry.

" I was completely faithful to you Squall! Believe me! Did it occur to you that we haven't been together that very long?! That I was involved with someone a summer ago!" Rinoa yelled.

" Seifer..." I mouthed. She nodded.

" I'm so sorry. I ruined everything. It's so confusing for me. For us."

" Does he know?" I sat back down.

" He does. Everyone does. Even since he returned to the Garden. I made them promise Squall. I wanted you to know from me. I'm sorry."

I couldn't say anything. It was overwhelming. Seifer and Rinoa. His child. And everyone knew but me. I couldn't just shout at her. She was loyal. But how would this turn out? Rinoa marrying Seifer because she felt disgraced. No! It wasn't supposed to be like this!

" Squall please say something. Don't shut me out," Rinoa cried. I stood up and held out my hand. She looked tempted to take it but hesitated and rejected. She walked past me out of the restaurant.

" Rinoa wait!" I called after her.

" Go home!" she screamed. I followed the direction of her voice, but I lost her in the crowd.

I returned to the Garden in despair. I immediately walked to my dorm and crashed. I pushed all the thoughts and emotions away. At some point of time, there was a knocking on the door.

" HOME?" a loud voice called.

" We know you're in there. Selphie said so, ya know," the other voice said.

Great, the displinary committee. Maybe they'll lecture me. I opened the door and Fujin and Rajun came in.

" Squall, people are worried, ya know," Rajun said.

" I'm worried too," I muttered.

" SEIFER SENDS CONDOLENCES," Fujin replied.

" Good for him," I said.

" Dude! He's confused about this too, ya know!"

" What do you want me to do about it?" I asked.

" TALK TO SEIFER."

" Yeah, what she said, ya know."

" I'll think about it," I said.

" Good, cause I might have kicked your butt, ya know," Rajun laughed. Fujin kicked his leg hard.

" Ow! You don't gotta be so violent, ya know."

" Well, tell Seifer I'll talk to him later. Please leave. Ya know," I motioned towards the door.

" Dude, I think, like Squall was mocking me, ya know!"

" MOVE RAGE," Fujin kicked Rajun out.

" I understand Squall," Fujin turned to me then," I'm losing the one I love from this too."

I sighed. Then she reluctantly left.