Blue
Chapter 1
by Mariye
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Disclaimer: I don't own FF8 or its characters.
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Quistis rolled over in her bed.
~What is wrong with me?~
She threw the covers off her and slowly rose up. She spun around and used her feet to feel around on the ground for her slippers.
She jumped at the feel of the cold floor.
~What time is it even?~
She reached for her clock and strained to read the numbers.
"It can't be 2:43 am... I need to be up at 5." She mumbled.
She got up and walked to her window, looking out into space.
~This is the fifth night this week... something must be wrong. Maybe its stress. I have been working a lot lately. Teaching 6 classes, tutoring, and taking SeeD missions.~
She flipped the latch and unlocked the window, then pulled it open.
~Maybe the fresh air will help me sleep.~
She slowly trudged back to her bed and sat down, kicking off her ragged and beaten rabbit slippers.
~I just have to relax and clear my mind.~
She leaned back and let her arm fall down below the edge of the bed.
She felt something cold touch her hand, and she jolted up with a start.
~Okay, its just a paper or a book or something that fell or got moved by the wind...~
She pushed her bangs out of her face with her other hand and slowly looked toward the end of her bed.
She peered over.
A huge shadow leapt up and grabbed her shoulders, holding her down.
"LET ME GO! RELEASE ME!"
She struggled in its grasp, but it held her tightly.
As she moved, she elbow bumped her end table.
"OUCH!"
She woke up with a start and looked around.
Her covers were wrapped around her, binding her tightly. She looked around the darked room. All shadows.
She worked herself free of her blankets and looked around.
~It was all a dream?~ She looked at her clock.
2:50.
"UGH!" She collapsed back down and pulled a pillow over her face.
~Why can't I sleep?~
She rolled onto her side, eyes wide open.
Her eyes fell on the window. She looked at it for a second, then slowly sat up.
Her window was wide open.
~But, wasn't it closed when I went to sleep?~
She threw off her covers and walked over to it, not bothering with her slippers. She touched the latch.
"Its still warm..." She whispered astonished as she touched the normally cool metal switch.
Usually it was stone cold.
~But, that was a dream. Did I sleep walk?~ She wondered as she pushed the window shut and locked it.
She stepped back.
Something brushed behind her.
Quistis jumped and spun around to see an old coat hanging on the wall.
~Imagine what everyone would think if they saw this.~ Quistis smirked and took the coat off the hook. She held it up and rehung it.
~The mighty brilliant instructor terrified of a coat and her covers.~
She laughed to herself out loud as she turned to walk back to her bed.
A huge shadow stood behind her and grabbed her again.
She tried to scream, but the sound was caught in her throat.
"I've been waiting for you Instructor." An icy cold voice said.
"No." Quistis wanted it to sound like a demand, but it came out as a plea.
"NO!" She screached.
She moved back, and felt her head hit against something. She shut her eyes against the pain. When she opened them, she was back in her bed.
"What in the hell?" Quistis sat up. She looked around her room.
The window was shut.
Her clock read 3:01.
"That's it." She announced out loud.
She gathered up her pillow and a blanket and walked out of the room.
~I can't take this. Who cares if they think the instructor's lost it. I've gotta get out of here.~
She opened the door and walked out into the hall. She looked around, then walked to the student lounge, threw her blanket and pillow and the couch, and looked around.
"I can't believe I'm reduced to this." She said as she sat down on the couch.
She brushed some potato chip crumbs off of the couch and the arm rest, then positioned her pillow and laid down.
She quickly fell fast asleep.
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"Funny, I thought only us men had the joy of getting kicked out of our rooms and forced to sleep on the couch."
Quistis raised her head slightly at the sound of the voice. She moaned and rolled over.
"What's the matter? Is her dorm room not good enough for the precious instructor?"
"Ugh, good morning to you Seifer. What time is it?" Quistis rubbed her head as she sat up, looking around. Seifer was standing behind the couch, dressed for once in his SeeD uniform.
"What's the matter, couldn't drag your clock out here too? Its 4:30."
"In the morning?" Quistis asked shocked. "I thought light would kill you."
"Why?"
"Well, you're obviously not human, so I figured you were a vampire. Aren't you supposed to be in your coffin?"
"Hilarious Instructor. Just hilarious." Seifer continued walking down the hall.
~I can't believe its so early... I slept so well out here too... I can't get away with a few more minutes though. I'd probably over-sleep.~
She rolled off the couch and landed on the floor on all fours. She pushed herself up to her knees and started grabbing her things.
~What a way to start my day. My back hurts. My feet hurt. I'm tired. And already I've pissed someone off. Oh yeah. I'm off to a great start.~
She walked slowly down the hall to her room, but stopped at the door.
~I closed this last night... I'm sure of it...~
Quistis pushed her door open slowly and peered inside.
"Hello? Is anyone here?"
She slowly walked in and investigated all corners of the room.
~Get a hold of yourself Instructor.~
She wandered around until she was satisfied that she was alone, then collapsed on her bed.
~How old am I?~
She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, listening to the calming sound of the heater kicking in.
"Come now Instructor. This is no way to act. I need you now."
She kept her eyes clenched shut as she heard the icy steel voice.
"My dear Quistis."
She felt a hand graze hers.
"NO!"
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Is it only Seifer, playing a cruel joke?
Is it all a dream?
Is it caused by being overworked and stress?