Disclaimer: I don't own FF8. So sorry. But this story IS dedicated to one like myself, who adores Zell/Irvine. Whoot, Tanta Green! The prologue is short. Gomen!
-1/2 - Room mates are evil
Zell's arm hung limply at his side. 'This can't be true.' He thought, eyes darting from the sheet to the door. 'MY room. Given to some GIRLS. At least I get to room with Irvine.' It was true, Zell had been moved to Irvine's room to make room for two new SeeD members, two new female SeeD members, nonetheless. Of course, you wouldn't hear Zell complaining, oh no. Not to Squall.
Banging rather loudly on the door in front of him, he waited. "Irvine, open up." He stated, and to his surprise, the door swung open. "Where's the fire?" came the cowboys sleepy voice, as Zell entered the room and tossed his little pile of belongings onto the couch. "In our room." He stated, holding the piece of paper to the cowboy's face. "So there are more girls to stare at. Why the sour 'tude, Zell?" Zell sighed, following his belongings to lay across the couch. "I like having my own room, thank you very much. " Irvine rolled his eyes. "So sorry you've been assigned to me. Push over, will you?" Nudging Zell's leg, his eyes roamed towards the clock. "They couldn't have picked a better time, anyways. We've got classes to teach, Mr. Dincht." Zell groaned. "Do we have to?" he asked, sitting up. "Yes, I think we do." Irvine stated, pulling Zell up.
"Class, please be seated." Zell glared at the group of students before him. Half of them paid little attention to the barked command, a few students sat obediently, and the few who adored him (or, adored him as any well off teenager could) Smiled at him and sat quietly. "I said sit the hell down!" Like deer's caught in headlights, the remaining students turned to look at the estranged teacher, then seated themselves, if not only in fear that the famous fighter would crack down on them. "That's better. We have some new transfers today. Please meet…" Checking the note in his hand, he glanced to where the two new girls, who had so contentedly taken his room, sat. One, the one with long dark hair, sat cheerfully at her desk, paying close attention to him. The other, who's short hair was trimmed to frame her face with purple streaks, sat nibbling on something that looked oddly like a cold hot dog wiener, glasses sliding down her nose as she scribbled ferociously in a sketchbook. "Tanta Green and Tobias Reid." The long hair girl smiled. "Don't mind Tobias, Instructor Dincht, she's always a little preoccupied." Zell waved his hand toward the girls. "Of course," he stated, somewhat grouchily, "Don't let this important lesson get in your way, Miss. Reid." The girl looked up, just realizing she was being spoken too. "Oh! Sorry, Instructor. Won't happen again." She stated, slipping the book into her bag. "Good. Today, we'll be taking a trip outside of the Garden. Everyone should have their weapon's with them?" Several students nodded enthusiastically to this. Tanta grinned, producing a quarterstaff from seemingly under her seat. "Miss Reid?" Zell asked, as the students rose from their seats to leave the classroom. "Yessum?" the girl asked, bouncing slightly as she bounded down the stairs. "Your weapon? Squ- the Headmaster did tell you that you needed one, didn't he?" The girl nodded, hand plummeting into the bag at her side. "Of course! A SeeD is always prepared!" she exclaimed, triumphantly pulling a pair of rather nice gloves from her bag. "Your…a martial artist?" the blonde asked, as they headed out the door as well. "Yeah huh. Kinda weird, right? But I wasn't good at anything else, and I've always been a fighter so…" Zell rolled his eyes. 'So they gave my room to a female version of me? Although Tanta doesn't seem half bad.'
Later, the new SeeD's were seated in their room, eyes on the wall, ears to the grind stone. Well, not literary. "I think he's lonely. Why else would he be so mean to those poor kids?" Tanta's reasoning fell on deaf ears. "I think he's mad at something! Maybe it's because we took his room! Because, ya know, I heard this was his room!" Tobias' hand nearly missed Tanta's face as she spun around. "What if he fails us on this because of it? Man, me mam'll kill me!" Tanta made a face. "Don't be stupid. He's just lonely. We should find out who he likes! And set them up!" Tobias frowned. "We shouldn't get involved in his love life, should we?" Tanta grinned a Cheshire grin, and Tobias blinked as the other explained a plan..
"Uhm...Selphie? Why are there two girls following you?" Irvine asked, peering over the girls shoulder at the two newest members of the SeeD family. "I'm not to sure. I think they want something." The bubbly girl stated, grinning happily as she picked at her apple pie. The cafeteria, while crowded, served as a perfect place for Tobias and Tanta to corner the other SeeD members. "Oi, Miss…uh…Selphie?" Tobias stated, sliding into the empty seat beside Irvine carelessly. "Yeah?" Selphie asked, blinking at the girl. "You know Dincht, right? I mean, you've worked with him, yeah?" the girl asked, plucking one of Irvine's fries into her mouth. Selphie looked at her. "Yeah, I know him pretty good. Why?" Tanta shrugged. "We were wondering if he's seeing anyone." She stated, and Tobias nodded, grabbing a few more fries, much to Irvine's dislike. "No, I think Zell's pretty single." Selphie stated, giggling. "He's not much into dating lately, anyways. Why? Do you guys like him?" Irvine asked, semi-threateningly. Tanta shook her head, and Tobias muttered, "No, but I think someone does, Mr. Snappy pants." Tanta looked at Irvine a moment. " We're planning on setting him up with someone, because he's taking his anger out on us. It's not fun at all." She stated, sizing Irvine up. "Well, he can't date anyone I don't like, because…he'd have to bring them back to our room." Came Irvine's rushed response. Tobias grinned a feral grin, and Tanta smirked. "Oh, no, I think we may have found the perfect person…do you think Zell would date a male? Or a friend?" Selphie thought a moment. "Well, he's bi, and I'm pretty sure he'd maybe date a friend…why?" Tanta pulled Tobias up. "No reason. Thank you for your time." She stated, pulling Tobias towards the exit as she explained that Irvine most defiantly liked their instructor. Tobias laughed a somewhat evil, if not freighting, laugh, and other students who were milling around gave her an odd look. "I have an idea…" she stated, pulling Tanta towards the library.
So, what do you think? What ARE we planning for poor Zell? And what's with Irvine's protective streak? All these answers and more on chapter two: Confessions of a teenaged drama king!