A/N: Sadly, I do not own Final Fantasy 8.
-= Creep =-
"Instructor Trepe, please come into my office."
Quistis looked up from her papers. "Hm?"
"I repeat. Instructor Trepe, please come into my office."
The blonde instructor sighed. "I'll never get down grading these papers." Packing up her materials, she exited the classroom.
The elevator gave out the traditional "ding" and the large metal doors slid open. Quistis stepped in and pressed for the third floor. She glanced at her watch. 4:30. Moments later, the elevator came to a slow stop and the doors slid open. Her cerulean eyes met a pair of emerald ones. She gasped. The tall blonde man noticed who she was and gave a sly smirk. Without saying anything, he walked into the elevator, waved good-bye, and descended down, leaving Quistis speechless. She stormed into Cid's office, a bewildered look plastered on her face.
"Ah, Instructor Trepe. Good evening."
"Sir, I just saw Seifer," she replied, trying to stay calm. The Headmaster smiled.
"Yes, that was what I called you up here for. Instructor, please have a seat." The citrine-haired woman took her seat.
"You know about this? What the hell is he doing back here at Garden?"
The old man chuckled. "Instructor, calm down. Seifer, well, I let him come back here at Garden; not to be a SeeD, but just to stay here as a resident of Garden. He didn't have anywhere else to go."
"But sir, don't you have any idea of such havoc he had caused to the Garden?"
"That's in the past, Quistis. Whatever Seifer did, that's in the past. Accept that."
"But what about the Balamb Hotel?"
"He doesn't have any money left, Quistis. I know that this is a surprise to you, but I bet Seifer and all of Garden will get along."
Quistis didn't have anything else to say, no, she couldn't do anything about it. The one man Quistis ever hated; the man who tried to kill her and her friends…the man who tried to kill anyone that would disrupt his power and greed; and he now resides in Garden.
"You are dismissed," Cid said. She gave a nod and walked out of the office. Seifer Almasy…that bastard. Me? Get along with him? Never. Musing bitterly in her thoughts, she headed for the elevator.
She leaned her forehead against the glass of the elevator, her warm breath crawled against the glass as she exhaled. Two figures on the first floor caught her eyes. Squinting through the glass: Squall…and Seifer. Quickly, she exited the elevator and ran to them.
"Seifer, get your fucking ass out of here," Squall snapped.
"Look, Puberty Boy, I'm staying here as long as I want, so deal with it. Don't get all furious or you'll piss in your pants."
"Whatever." Squall saw Quistis running towards them. "Quistis, help me get this bastard out of this place."
"Squall, listen," she spoke, giving an angry glare at Seifer. "I know this is a surprise to us, and I want him out just as much as you do. But I've consulted with Cid and Seifer will be residing here for a while."
The blonde man beamed at the two of them. "Well, well, Instructor, standing up for me? Aw, I'm touched."
Squall ran his fingers through his hair. "Whatever," he turned around and walked away.
Quistis glared at him. "Hyne, Seifer. Don't cause any trouble." She walked away. Seifer stood there, watching her disappear into the many people of Garden.
-= =-
Quistis read silently in her dorm room. She pushed back her golden tresses that fell in from of her face. What a beautiful love story, she thought. She closed the book, and pondered for a while. Quistis thought about Squall. He will never return his love to me for the love I have to him. Squall has Rinoa, the sorceress and her knight. Quistis couldn't help but sigh heavily. "Squall, be mine…" Ever since she started to be an Instructor, she loved Squall. Everyday she wished he would open up to him. Everyday she asked him to go out and talk for a while. And everyday he turned her down. Rinoa had opened him up. Hyne, they're madly in love with each other. How would he possibly love me? It hurts like a million knives stabbing through her heart at the sight of those two lovebirds. Setting her thoughts aside, Quistis climbed onto her bed and drifted into sleep.
-= =-
The aroma of charbroiled beef, hotdogs, the sourness and spiciness of seasonings roamed through the cafeteria. Rinoa greeted Quistis as she walked in. Rinoa, my best friend. She's so fucking lovable. How could Squall resist her? Quistis faked a smile to Rinoa.
"Good morning Quistis," Rinoa welcomed her in a sweet voice. She led her to a table where the rest of the gang sat. Quistis took her seat, watching Rinoa and Squall go about their intimacies. How she would love it if Squall looked at Quistis the way he looked at Rinoa. It just made her sick to the stomach. She quickly turned away to avoid shedding tears.
"Yo, 'sup Quistis," Zell flashed her a smile, halfway devouring his precious hotdogs.
"Seifer's back," she said bluntly.
All attention at the table focused on her. Quistis looked at Squall; he nodded. "He's staying here, in Garden."
As on cue, a cocky, blonde ex-knight strolled into the cafeteria. "Chicken-wuss! Puberty Boy! Why, the gang's all here!"
Infuriated, Zell shot up from his seat. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!"
"Relax, Chicken-wuss. I'm in no mood to start any trouble," Seifer leaned towards the table and picked up Zell's half-eaten hotdog. "Thanks." He placed it in his mouth and began to chew it slowly, mocking the reddened face martial artist. You could practically see steam coming from his ears.
"Mmm, isn't this good, huh Chicken-wuss?" Seifer snickered as he swallowed the hotdog, and walked away.
"That son of a bitch," Irvine spat out bitterly.
"Booyaka! Let's see him taste the steel of my nanchakus!"
Rinoa seemed calm throughout the rest of the table. "C'mon you guys. Maybe he had changed over the past year. Don't think too negatively of him."
Squall pulled her close. "You're such an optimist." He smiled. It was a miracle to see Squall smile, and Rinoa was the reason for it all. Quistis stared at the coupled. Rinoa, how I wished I was in your place. They six of them went about their breakfast.
-= =-
It was the early evening. The sun cast a orangey glow through the heavens, a tinge of blue wanders through the vibrant evening colors. The salty breeze of the ocean blew gingerly through the Quad, where Quistis sat alone, letting her mind set on the tranquility. The Garden was the most tranquil in the evening; many students were up in their dorms studying, making the Garden seem quiet and peaceful. The Quad was Quistis's favorite place to be at to ease her tension.
The gentle wind brushed against Quistis's fair skin, as she closed her eyes and relaxed.
"Get out of my face, Almasy!"
"Shut up, Chicken-wuss. You're in my way."
The abrupt voices were near. What is it now? Grudgingly, Quistis cleared her mind of the tranquility and roamed about the Quad to the voices. Zell, calm down. She giggled inwardly at the thought of Zell fuming over Seifer. She spotted them; on the stage. Quistis figured Zell was helping with the Garden Festival Committee, it took Selphie many weeks convincing Zell to join.
"We don't want you here, Seifer," Selphie informed. "Please leave."
"Yeah, get your ass out of here."
"Damn it Chicken-wuss, I've had it with your shit." He pointed to everybody. "I've had it with all your fucking shit. You people all think I'm still some crazed maniac!" Quistis never head Seifer call Zell by his real name before.
"Stop calling me that!" Enraged, Zell prepared to punch the living daylights out of Seifer. Quistis saw this coming and hurriedly dashed to the two of them.
"Zell, don't!" She stood in front of Zell, blocking Seifer. It was too late. Zell's fist made a sickening sound when if came across Quistis's right cheek.
All jaws were hung open when Zell realized what he had done. Everyone stood in surprise, even Seifer, who caught Quistis's body when Zell struck her.
"Quisty! Oh shit! Man, I'm so sorry!" The martial artist placed his hands on his head, eyes wide with shock.
The Instructor regained her composure and touched her cheek. It stung painfully.
"Quisty! Are you all right?" Selphie came running up to her. Zell stood behind Selphie, repeating apologies.
"It's okay, Zell, Selphie. I'm fine," Quistis responded. She walked clumsily past the gawking onlookers, still dazed of what had happened. Fuck this crap, she thought. Hell, I need a drink. Behind her, Seifer smiled.
-= =-
Here's to my life. Quistis swigged down her drink. She winced at the strong taste of bitter alcohol. "Ugh," she touched her cheek again, having no care to put any ice on it. Shit, Zell. Control yourself. Quistis gave a light chuckle when she saw Zell's face. "Hey," she called to the bartender, "hit me another one."
"I don't know lady, that was your seventh drink," the bartender cautioned.
"Just give me another one, damn it," she snapped back. The bartender did as he was ordered. Already, Quistis was getting a bit drowsy. Her eyelids were getting heavy. "This is some good stuff," she mused to herself while she drunk the alcohol down. Seifer, Squall, Rinoa…you guys just had to make my life difficult.
The pub door swung open and Seifer stepped in. He looked around and laughed quietly when he saw his instructor. Ignoring the crude stares from the people of the pub, he took a seat next to the half-drunk woman.
Quistis took another swig. Squall…"You can kiss my ass!" she shouted out loud.
"Really?" Seifer remarked.
The instructor turned her head and was greeted by a pair of jade eyes. "Oh! Seifer…no, that's not what I meant." Seifer could smell the strong alcohol in her breath.
"Quistis, why are you drinking? Obviously, you're drunk."
Quistis woozily raised her index finger. "Now, listen. I'm not drunk. Don't meddle in my problems, Seifer."
"I'm guessing that you're drowning your sorrows by drinking? Why, Instructor, aren't you a tad bit on the wild side? The instructor I know would bitch about it," he sneered.
"I'm not the same person you remembered, Seifer." She let out a burp.
The cocky blonde smirked. "You're right. You're not the same person I remembered." He turned to the bartender. "Hey, give me your best beer." The bartender set his drink on the table. Seifer took his glass. "Here's to you, Quistis." He placed the cup to his mouth, but Quistis grabbed it out of his hands.
"Quistis, I think that's too strong for you."
"Whatever Seifer," she said, and drunk it down with one gulp. Making a face at the taste, she set the glass down.
"What's the hell is wrong with you?" Seifer inquired, a tinge of worry in his voice. "You're drunk, Quistis. I think that's enough for you tonight."
"It's nothing," she waved her hand in the air. "You wouldn't understand."
Seifer thought for a moment. "It's Squall, isn't it?"
Quistis gazed at him for a moment. Seifer rolled his eyes.
"Geez, Quistis. Why the hell do you care? He has Rinoa, for Hyne's sake. You can't do anything about it. Shit, and you come here to drown your pitiful sorrows by getting drunk? Might as will kill yourself in the process."
"Go away, Seifer. I don't want you here," Quistis mumbled, her head in her hands. "Just go away."
Seifer's face was serious, a hurtful expression in his eyes. "Fine…nobody wants me here anyway." He stood up from his seat and began to walk to the door.
"Hey baby, wanna unwind together?" a suave voice spoke to Quistis. Seifer turned around, only to see a stranger taking his chance on Quistis.
"Get the fuck away from her," Seifer threatened as he walked up to the man, towering him a full five inches.
"Hey, hey. Sorry man. She's all yours," the stranger cowered away.
"Tch, asshole," he retorted. He looked at Quistis; the bruise on her cheek was getting worse. "C'mon Quistis, I'm taking you home."
She looked up at him with drunken eyes. "Seifer, you're taking me home? Nah, that's all right, I can walk myself home." Her speech was slurred. Quistis Trepe…is drunk.
The drunk, young woman rose from her seat and clumsily headed for the pub door, only to trip at her own feet. With a swift motion, Seifer grabbed her arm and pulled her. She came up quick and her body bumped into Seifer's, a close contact between their faces. Seifer let out a small moan.
"What?" Quistis asked quietly.
"Quistis…get off my foot."
She looked down, and saw that her heels dug into Seifer's foot. "Oh, sorry." Quistis got off and turned around, and exited the pub. The ex-knight sighed and followed her.
-= =-
TBC..A/N: This fic is actually a songfic. The song will come along later. "Creep," by Radiohead. I love that song.