CHAPTER 1:

It was a crisp, winter's day as Squall Leonhart made his way to the small store at the corner of a street in Timber. His feet crunched in the fresh blanket of snow while his hair collected the soft flurries that fluttered down from the gray, cloudy sky. He neared the store, his breath coming out in short, icy streams of mist before him while he finished his trek up the steep hill. He stopped briefly to catch his breath as a light breeze ruffled his light brown hair.

He finally got to the store and opened the door while a silver bell chimed over his head. He walked around the quaint store, browsing its shelves for the desired item he searched for while his hair turned damp with the melting flurries. He found it and briskly went to the counter, pulling out his See-D check and paying up for it. He then went out of the store, the bell jingling softly again upon his departure. He plunged outside, not getting very far from the door before a sharp pain came quickly to the left side of his face as he was nailed with a snowball.

" What the f... " he exclaimed, his light blue eyes lighting up with anger and surprise. He turned around to find a teen about the same age and height as him, although he was just a bit taller. His long reddish-brown hair flowed to just below his shoulder blades and was tied back in a neat pony-tail. That immediately jogged Squall's memory as to who it was, if not that the teen's cowboy hat helped. It was Irvine Kinneas, an old friend from Balamb Garden.

" Hey Squall! " he yelled beaming at him. " How have you been? I haven't seen you in like...forever! "

Squall groaned as he wiped the snow from his face with the sleeve of his black jacket. His cheek had turned a healthy shade of red where the snowball had hit him.

" Geez Irvine, why the hell did you do that? " he asked angrily.

" Hey, I had to get your attention some how! " he said while jumping down from the snow frosted tree in which he had hid. " So, how have you been? " he asked again.

At first Squall didn't answer, not really feeling up to this.

" Oh, just great! " he said muttered sarcastically, finally breaking the silence that hung in the air. " That is until you hit me with that snowball! "

" What's wrong with you? " Irvine asked not impressed with his friend's attitude.

" Nothing! " he snapped get very irritated with his old friend.

" Okay, okay. Fine, fine, " he said taken back by Squall's quick mood-swings.

Squall groaned again as he started to walk back to his house. He walked for a while in silence, realizing that Irvine was still following him. He stopped and quickly turned around, giving Irvine a nasty glare.

" What do you want? " he snapped angrily.

" Nothing! " Irvine retorted quickly.

" Then why are you following me? "

" No specific reason. "

Squall put his hand on his forehead and sighed, disgusted and annoyed. Before he could turn around he was nailed in the back of his head with yet another snowball.

" GAH! " he yelled more surprised than angry as he recovered from almost being knocked over by the force of the frozen projectile. He looked at Irvine who had fallen over as he busted out laughing, then he turned around to see who had thrown the snowball. When he did he saw another familiar teen laughing just as hard as Irvine, clutching at his sides.

He had bright, blond hair and a tattoo-like pattern on the left side of his face, which had turned bright pink with laughter, Zell Dincht.

" GOT'CHA! " he called loudly. He was always loud and boisterous, and always had trouble containing himself. Just plain keeping calm was a problem for him.

" Zell! " Squall yelled at him, " What'cha do that for? "

" Just a surprise. I haven't seen you in a while so me and Irvine thought it'd be nice to surprise you! " he said while walking closer, beaming just as bright as Irvine had.

Squall sighed. " You know I hate surprises, " he muttered putting his hands in his pockets for warmth, despite the black gloves the he wore.

" I know, but we did anyhow. "

Squall sighed again deciding that he might as well play along with this.

" So...how have you guys been? " he said breaking the silence.

" Hey, I asked you that first! " Irvine said matter-of-factly.

" Oh, fine I guess, " he said after another brief pause. " Just living my vacation here in Timber."

Irvine nodded to show his understanding while trying to think of another topic, but stopped thinking when Zell spoke.

" What's it like living in Timber? Do you ever miss the Garden? " he asked stopping there before he went on forever. They both knew that Squall was easy to set off with his short fuse.

" Okay. A bit more quite that what I was used to at the Garden though. I can't say I miss it that much, but after all I do have to go back in two days. " Squall said while walking towards his house again.

" Really? You come back in two days? " Zell piped up.

Squall nodded before turning into his driveway which was un-shoveled and his car was buried under the snow.

" Well I must say it was nice seeing you guys again. I really have to be going. See you all Monday. " he said finally reaching his door.

He was glad to finally be home wishing that he never ran into Zell and Irvine. It was his vacation after all: his time to be away from them. He unlocked his door and went in, a gush of warm air greeting his frozen body. Walking into the kitchen and fixed himself up a warm drink before sitting down on the leather sofa in his small living room. He sat there drowning in his own thoughts half asleep.

It was late when he climbed the stairs to his room. He climbed into his bed, the springs groaning under his weight, not even bothering to change into his pajamas. He had a long day and it wasn't long before he had drifted off to sleep.

Well what do you think? Please review! Oh, and to get to Chapter 2 for some reason the link box thing is at the top of the page...So go up there and read Chapter 2!