The town of Balamb, a peaceful, quiet town by the sea, home to the wonderful Balamb Inn and one of the best high schools in the world, Garden High, where students such as Squall Leonhart learn about life, friendship, and love. Enjoy, and R&R please
Chapter 1: Enrollment
Balamb was a small town. Everyone knew each other, and whenever something new happened, everyone found out about it almost simulteanously. An example was when Quistis Trepe, a young girl, had run away from home. About an hour after she left, the entire town was looking for her, and that probably saved her life. She had tried to run through the forest and had run into a T-Rexaur when a few of the neighbors found her.
The little town had heard about a brilliant new student from an orphanage in Centra, and for that reason many eyes were on the 14 year old boy walking down the street. The brown-haired boy walked uneasily; he didn't like being the center of attention. He was accompanied by a young woman who couldn't have been more than 25. They reached the entrance to Balamb High, and the boy stopped.
Edea Kramer looked over at Squall. "Come, Squall." He looked at the main office. It was a small building, situated between another office and what he guessed was a building where classes were held. It was painted sky blue, apparently to go with the whole ocean theme all of Balamb seemed to have. He walked on; he had already been talked into it, and he couldn't back out now.
"But, Matron, I don't like Balamb very much." Squall said quietly.
Edea looked at Squall, surprised. "But, Squall, we agreed it was best for you to go to a real school, get a real education. And your friend, Zell Dincht, is very excited about having you come to live with him." Squall looked around. He had been at the orphanage too long. All his friends had come and gone. It was true that out of all the friends Squall had kept in touch with, Zell was by far the friendliest. He would tell Squall everything about his day, and he never stopped talking about his new parents. But if he was so excited to see Squall again, why wasn't he here to greet him?
"I...I don't want to leave the orphanage. I want to stay with you and Mr. Cid. Please, Matron?"
Matron looked at him, and smiled. "It's okay to be nervous about going to a new school, Squall. But look at the bright side, all your friends are here. How lucky is that? And this is a very good school. You'll be happy here, I know it." He nodded. Zell, Irvine, Selphie, Quistis, even Seifer were all at this school. He looked foward to seeing them again. She took his hand and they walked into the office together.
The registration process was faster than Squall had expected. He had filled out a form (with Matron's help) and the secretary was very nice to him. She introduced herself as Lily Tilmitt.
"My daughter Selphie is a student here, and she's been talking about seeing you again. She's looking foward to it, and if you ever need help with anything you can ask me or her." she laughed. "She would be a better bet, she's more involved in this school than I am." Squall smiled shyly, but he couldn't help raising an eyebrow. Just how many people knew he was coming here? He signed the bottom of the form and she gave him a copy. "Welcome to Balamb High." she said.
Afterwards, Edea led Squall to a small house almost right next to the Inn. She knocked on the door.
"Whatever it is you're selling, we're not interested!" a boy shouted.
"Zell, you fool, don't you remember? Mrs. Kramer and Squall were coming today!" a woman's voice said.
"WHOA! That was today?" the boy's voice asked incredulously. Steps pattered across the floor and the door flew open. Squall looked at a young boy, with a tattoo on his face and blond spiky hair.
"Hey, Squall!!" Zell exclaimed, and he shook hands with Squall.
"Man, it's great to see you again!!"
Squall smiled and said, "Hey, Zell. It's been a while." A hefty woman with a blue bandanna over her head and a white apron walked up behind Zell.
"Mrs. Kramer! It's good to see you again." she looked down at Squall. "And this must be Squall."
As they shook hands, Squall said to her, "Thanks for letting me stay with your family, Mrs. Dincht."
Mrs. Dincht laughed. "Oh, just call me Ma. Everyone else does. Titles make me feel old." Squall nodded. "Well, go show Squall his new room, Zell," Ma Dincht said. "You'll be sharing a room with Zell." she explained. Squall grabbed his bag and he followed Zell up the stairs to his new room.
Ma Dincht looked at Edea. "You raised him well. He seems like a polite, nice young man."
Edea smiled sadly. "And yet he has so much to learn. That's why he's here. I know that high school will teach him so much more than math or science."
Edea stayed for dinner. Ma Dincht cooked a succulent chicken, and Zell and Squall ate hungrily. As Edea and Ma Dincht caught up, Zell asked Squall if he knew anything about Garden High. Squall shook his head.
"Well," Zell said between mouthfuls, "Garden High was declared the top school in grades last year. It's really exclusive, and it's hard to get in unless you're a Balamb resident. We have a great weapons program, too."
Squall blinked. "And?"
"Nope, that's it." said Zell.
Squall looked down at his chicken. "Thank you, Mr. Know-It-All Zell." he muttered.
"Hey, no problem!" Zell exclaimed, missing the sarcasm.
As they finished their food, Edea looked at her watch and said, "Well, thank you very much for the meal, but I have to catch the train to Centra, so I have to go." She rose to leave. Squall got up to leave with her, but Edea said, "But, Squall, don't you remember? You're going to stay here." A lump formed in Squall's throat as Edea walked out of the room. She was halfway through the door to the house when Squall ran and threw himself at her.
"I don't want you to leave," he said sadly, "Matron, don't go." Edea looked at him, at his eyes, which, for the first time in his life, showed fear and sorrow. Her eyes filled with tears.
"I'm so sorry, Squall." she hugged him tight. He held onto her, as though he were hanging on for dear life. But she pulled away, and she walked out the door. "Good-bye, Squall. I love you." Her voice broke, and she ran down the street, leaving behind the only child she had always taken care of, the one who had never left, the only one that truly felt like a son.
