Well it's 2011 and as promised I'm back with a new fic. This fic is a bit more realistic and focuses on love between two friends and the hardship faced when one falls for the other. It's not so much love at first sight, but more of falling in love. I need to explain a few things. The education system follows the UK system so if you wanna Wiki A Levels you'll understand the grading system. I have some chapters that are based on Squall and Rinoa's friendship during their early years and these will be posted within the story so don't worry if you don't fully understand the strength of their friendship now. All will be explained later.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters used, they belong to Square and this disclaimer is sufficient for the entire damn story. Besides no one makes money on this site so writing this is just plain-

OK! Enjoy the story :)

Friendship Isn't Enough

After her failed love confession to Squall, Rinoa decides to leave Balamb and continue her life in Deling. But is it so easy to move on and forget your best friend? Can you simply continue life without the one person you thought you could never live without? It's up to Squall to change Rinoa's mind and return home, but in doing so, realise that sometimes friendship just isn't enough.

Chapter 1 - A Failed Confession

August

Rinoa's POV

"Come on guys! Walk faster." Selphie cried forcing us to quicken our strides on the sandy Balamb beach.

"Selphie, you waited all day, another two minutes won't kill you." I teased the brunette, grabbing onto Squall's arm and jogging up to the rest of the group.

Squall's my best friend, we've been friends since the age of ten. I moved to Balamb with my Mum when she gave up her singing career and wanted to settle for a quite life in a small town. So here we were, living on Balamb Island for about eight years, eight years which I have enjoyed immensely due to the boy next to me.

Selphie's my next closest friend, anything I can't tell Squall, I tell Selphie. Are there things I can't tell my best friend? Well, yes there are. Squall doesn't want to know that my periods last ten days, I use an epilator to remove armpit hair since I don't like razors and I never drink fizzy drinks with fast food because it gives me gas.

To be quite frank, a girl will always need the confidence and company of another girl, there are some things that guys just can't understand. Take for instance Irvine, he'd never understand how precious a hot water bottle is to me and Selphie once every month. Or that Paracetamols are a must to carry round. Nor can he understand why girls never leave the house without a handbag. Well, I guess the last one no guy understands.

Then there is Zell. If Squall wasn't my best friend, I think Zell would be. Zell is the only guy I have met who understands girls. I think it's because he's pretty close to his Mum and was there the whole nine yards when she had his younger sister. Zell always knows and understands our feelings and opinions on things. He's really cool.

We walked a little further toward the middle of the beach, until we found our spot, the same spot we came to every year since the five of us became friends. It was a small dip in the sand dunes up on one of the hills midway into the beach, looking directly into the middle of the ocean.

We sat down in a circle, our knees touching, I could see the sun settling behind Irvine's tall body, an orange glow hitting all of us, even highlighting Zell's tattoo. My knees were touching Squall's and Selphie's as we all came closer with our envelopes in hand. It was the day we'd been waiting for, the A-Level results were out, two years of hard work finally revealed in a matter of seconds. I was anxious and excited to see how I did, but more for Squall. He had worked so hard for the past few months, I had hardly seen him! I prayed silently that he'd done well.

"Well guys, we made it to the end of A Levels. Today marks our futures at Uni," Zell stated making us even more nervous.

"You know I'm glad we all decided to stay on at Balamb and spend the summer here," Squall said.

"All except Rinoa," Irvine teased.

"Hey!" I replied back. "I'm only going to be away for three weeks, I'll be back before Uni starts. Besides, I haven't seen my Dad since winter break."

"I'm joking," Irvine said, holding his hands up in defence.

"Hm." I eyed him suspiciously.

"Okay, who's going first?" Selphie asked looking at each one of us.

"I want to go first, but I don't want to open mine," Irvine said truthfully.

He made a sceptical face and offered his envelope to Selphie.

"Okay, I'll open yours and you open mine." She suggested trading her envelope.

Selphie took a deep breath and opened up Irvine's envelope before reading out his grades.

"You got a B for History, A for English, and B for Politics," Selphie read out and handed back the sheet for Irvine to read for himself.

"Well done!" Zell and I cheered.

"That's good, Irvine." Squall agreed smiling.

"Man, that history test was hard, I sure as hell thought I got below a D!" Irvine exclaimed looking at his grades.

"Irvy, tell me mine," Selphie cried impatiently, patting his arms anxiously.

"All right," Irvine complied opening up Selphie's envelope. "You got A in English, a B in Art, an A in Drama."

I instantly hugged Selphie's body and cried into her ear. "Well done, Selph!"

Selphie was just relieved and let out a exasperated grunt. She had really hated art towards the end of the year and settled with only achieving a C grade. But at last her work was a little better and she achieved something a little higher.

"Alright I'm next," Zell yelled over the congratulations. Tearing his envelope open he read through it before shouting "Booya!"

"What'd you get?" We all followed dying to know his grades.

"Two As in History and Chemistry and an A* Biology!" He grinned proudly.

"Zell that's fantastic!" I exclaimed. Boy, he'd done really well.

"Nice one," Irvine replied high fiving Zell.

Squall just smacked Zell's back in commendation and looked to me, raising his eyebrows.

"Trade you?" I offered him and he exchanged his envelope with me.

At this moment in time I was feeling very nervous, not because whatever I read from my envelope would mark what and where I'd be studying. But because I was reading from Squall's envelope and that would indicate the go ahead of my confession. I had butterflies in my stomach just thinking about it.

"Okay Rinoa, let's see how you did," he teased opening it up and reading it.

I held my hands together in front of my face, pressing my lips together. All right, I was anxious to know how well I did, if I did well or if I completely mucked up in the exams.

"A* for English, A for Biology, and A for Geography," he replied folding the paper back.

"You're lying." I accused him my face pale and emotionless.

"See for yourself," he replied handing the sheet over to me.

I couldn't even hear the commendations I was getting, all I could concentrate was on how much my heart was racing and the fact that my sheet only displayed the grades Squall just read out. I was so relieved and proud of my work for the past two years! I knew I had to get good grades, but this was just amazing! To get As in all subjects? I was glad I mimicked Squall and kept my head down till exams were over.

After the shock was over, Squall nudged me and pointed to the last remaining envelope. I tore it open and read it in my mind, and all I could say was wow!

"Oh my God, Squall, you got all Us," I replied and looked up to his shocked face.

"What?" he asked and grabbed the paper off my hands.

"Pft." I cracked up. "Dude, you out did all of us! A*s in History, Maths, Biology and Chemistry!"

"Haha!" Zell cried and jumped on Squall with Irvine following in pursuit. Squall just cried out along with them.

I knew he was ecstatic that the year was over and he had gotten the best he could. He worked so hard and went all MIA on us during the last few months of studying. And it had paid off big time in the end. The boys had rolled around the sand and were now chasing each other and play wrestling under the warm orange sun. The fun had kicked in, the exams were over, the results were out and now we'd have a kick-ass time!

"Selphie," I called getting the brunette's attention. "I'm going to tell him now," I said breathlessly.

Selphie's green eyes went wide. "Really? Oh Rinoa!" She cried happily, clapping her hands together.

"It's the perfect time. Exams are over, he's got really good grades. Ah, Selphie, you don't know how long I've been wanting to tell him."

"Er, excuse me I do, you've gone on about it since November."

"Yeah and I only held off because of the pressure he had in order to do well," I replied defensively.

I could still remember how anxious I had been all those months, dying to tell Squall but not being able to. Every time I was brave enough to open my mouth the situation would falter and I'd have to delay my announcement.

"I know babe, I was kidding," Selphie replied comfortingly.

"I know this is the perfect time. He's so happy now Selph, and if I tell him now I just know that in four weeks time when we head off to Uni, we'll enjoy it more," I explained already going into my hundredth daydream that day.

"Go for it Rinoa, go tell him." Selphie encouraged me.

We both got up brushing the sand from out backs and ran after the boys. Selphie starting calling and Irvine and Zell towards her, both of them giving chase running after my short brunette friend. Squall had his back to me, so I ran up to him and pounced on him like a wild hunter in a jungle. I wrapped my legs round his waist and my arms around his neck yelling "Ride horsy, ride into the sunset!".

Squall chuckled and started walking with me on his back. "Rin, for a teetotaller you sure do act drunk sometimes." He observed and started to spin around with me on his back. I cried out in glee until he stopped, making us both dizzy that we staggered in the soft sand for a couple of seconds.

"I could say the same to you, Mister," I finally replied as he plopped me onto the sand and sat down next to me.

"I can't believe it, Rinoa. This year is finally over, all that hard work I did, it paid off," he said looking into the horizon adoringly.

"I'm happy for you, Squall," I replied, and I really was.

"I just knew if I worked hard I'd get the grades. I'm not one of those people Rin, the ones that hardly work and just get the As," he said modestly. He looked at me then and smiled. "Next year will be awesome, us five at Uni. Maybe you and I will be in the same lectures."

I smiled at him realising he'd given me an opening. "Squall, there's something I wanted to tell you." I said softly.

"Yeah?" he asked looking back at the sunset.

"Erm, it's kinda embarrassing," I said looking at my fingers and playing around with my nails.

"You can tell me. I'm your best friend, aren't I?" he replied turning his body to face me and pulling my chin up.

I looked into his eyes and immediately my heartbeat quickened, my breath catching at my throat. I felt nervous and scared to tell him, but at the same time anxious and excited. I could feel my cheeks growing red and my palms sweating from the anticipation.

"Er, well I wanted to say this a long time ago but, you were busy with coursework and then exams. I thought I'd put it off in case it sidetracked you but I don't think I can keep it in any longer," I said looking back at the setting sun.

"I'm listening, Rin," Squall spoke, waiting to hear what I had to say.

I looked at him straight in the eye and took a deep, steady breath, pausing for a few moments to calm myself and then finally releasing it.

"Squall…" I just looked at him while he stared at me with concern. "I'm… I-I'm in love with you, Squall," I finally blurted out.

He immediately moved his head back a bit and looked at me oddly. I didn't say anything, waiting for him to respond to my revelation, show me some kind of excited emotion, but he just continued looking at me in puzzlement.

"Oh," he said finally after a moment's silence. "Rin, look," strike one and I felt my heart thud once, "I do love you, but" strike two and my face dropped in despair, "I'm just not in love with you," he said slowly unable to get the words out properly. Strike three, and I'm outta there! My heart completely sunk at his words. That wasn't how I imagined him to react.

"Oh," I mumbled embarrassedly, looking at the sand around us as if noticing it for the first time. Ashamedly I lowered my head.

"I'm sorry, Rin."

"No!" I said quickly, a bit too quickly perhaps. "I just thought I should tell you because…" But I had no reason. I just thought I'd tell him because a huge part of me actually believed he'd say it back.

"How long have you felt this way?" he asked with a curious frown.

"I... don't know," I answered truthfully. "I wanted to tell you back in November, but you had coursework due in and then you kept going on about the exams coming up. I thought it would be best to bring it up when everything had settled."

All the time I kept my head lowered too embarrassed to look at him. I just kept my eyes focused on his trainers, observing the loops and ties of his shoelaces, trying to rid myself of the hurt his answer had caused. Trying to rid myself of the embarrassment I just faced.

"Well, thanks for thinking about me. I mean, my education," he replied.

You're welcome, I thought in bitter disappointment.

"Rinoa, getting those grades, it showed me that I'm going to have work twice as hard if I want to get grades like that at Uni. I can't have anything distract me," he tried to explain to me.

"Squall, it's fine I understand. I just wanted you to know how I felt," I said, the whole time wishing I could go back in time.

I guess as conceited as it sounded, I never imagine Squall to reject me. Somehow, I thought he'd feel the same way, like we were meant to be together and he'd tell me he liked me all along. But he did love me. We got along great, we'd been best friends for years and practically did everything together. Everyone would go on about how we were joined at the hip and inseparable. Was loving me not the same as being in love with me. Just in what way did he love me?

"Rinoa, you're my best friend, and I can't imagine not having you in my life. You mean a lot to me, and I really mean that. You're always there supporting me and lending a helping hand and I wouldn't have gotten those grades without your help. But I'm not ready for a relationship, I need to concentrate on my education if I wanna make it in life," he continued, as painful as it was for me hearing it.

I wished for him to stop, to just put an end to my misery. I could already feel the pill like form surfacing on my throat and the stinging at the sides of my eyes. There was no way I could cry in front of him. God, he'd think I was such a loser.

"Squall, just forget it," I said trying to laugh it off.

"Can we just go back to normal?" he asked bending his head to look at me properly. "I'm still your best friend, right?"

I looked at him with a fake grin. "Right."

He smiled at me and offered me a hug. I forcefully put my arms around him and rested my head on his shoulders. Blinking furiously I made the tears die down.

"Let's get back to the others, they'll be wondering what we're doing here," I said laughingly and getting up off the sand.

"Yeah." Squall agreed and grabbed my hand. "Race?" he asked.

I giggled giving him my answer as he tightened his grip on me and ran towards the others. I promised myself not to cry. I promised myself that once I got home I'd let tears have their moment of grief. Putting on a brave face I ran with Squall to join the others.

Unlocking my front door, I entered the house and took off my shoes. Heading upstairs I took two steps at a time and reached my bedroom under five seconds. Once in my room, I walked over to my bed and dropped my body like a ten tonne weight. I grabbed my pillow and cuddled it waiting for the tears to come. But they didn't. Not until I ran the scene in my head and got to the point where he said he wasn't in love with me.

It hurt. Just what kind of love did Squall have for me? Or did he just say that to make me feel better? Kinda like those job interviews where they say, 'We thought you were excellent, but we decided to go a different way.'

There was a knock on my door before it opened. Mum came in with a big smile on her face. "How did you-oh Rinoa, why are you crying?" she asked, making her way to me and holding my head in her hands.

I tried to speak but the attention just made my situation worse and the huge pill was back in my throat.

"Oh honey, sometimes we don't always get the grades we want," Mum tried being comforting, only she was wrong on the subject.

"No Mum," I spoke choking down the pill at my throat. "It wasn't the exams," I clarified.

"What is it, hon?" she asked worried.

I wiped away my tear stained cheeks only for them to be replaced with more tears. They were streaming down. "I told Squall I loved him," I said and started sobbing again.

"Oh sweetheart." Mum's voice melted into sympathy. I didn't need to continue.

We just stayed like that for a few minutes, Mum letting me cry out my rejection, as she rubbed my back in a soothing comfort. I couldn't believe that what I thought would turn into one of the best days of my life, turned into a shambles. I couldn't believe that I actually thought Squall would have that kind of feelings towards me. Who was I kidding? If he did he would have showed them ages ago! I couldn't believe I was so deluded.

"You know, it might hurt now, but you'll get over it. Its hard loving someone when they don't love you back, but pretty soon you'll be able to handle it." Mum tried comforting me.

"Mum, I don't think I'm ever going to get over him," I said striking new tears.

"Oh you will sweetie, with time. Right now everything is fresh, it's hard to digest. But soon you'll be okay."

"I don't think so. I couldn't even look at him, I felt so embarrassed, to think he actually liked me." I continued sobbing into her, feeling sorry for myself. "I don't think I can ever see him again."

"Oh Rinoa, he's your best friend, he'll understand if you need some time. Besides you're going away tomorrow, the time apart will do you both some good."

I didn't reply, I just held on to her and cried.

Squall's POV

I got into my house and heard my Mum calling me from the kitchen. Walking into the kitchen I found her chopping vegetables on the middle island where we normally ate breakfast.

"So?" she asked with her eyes alight

"All A*s." I smirked handing her the envelope.

Her eyes got wider and she shrieked with joy. "Oh Squall, I'm so proud of you!" she rejoiced, kissing me on the cheek and looking at the sheet displaying my grades.

I sat down at the breakfast bar and picked at the bowl of grapes before popping some into my mouth.

"Oh, you're Dad is going to be proud of you," Mum continued still staring at the paper. She looked up at me and smiled again. "How did the others do?"

"Pretty well. Rinoa got two As and an A*," I answered.

"Great, smart girl I wouldn't put it passed her," she replied happily.

Mum really liked Rinoa, well everyone did, it was kind of hard not to. She was always bubbly and positive, always looking out for people. That's kind of why I liked her, that's why she was my best friend.

"Yeah, Rinoa said something funny to me today," I began thinking back to our encounter on the beach.

"Yeah?" Mum asked.

"She told me she was in love with me," I answered amused, still a bit baffled myself.

Mum put the knife she was using down and put her hand to her mouth letting out another cry. "Oh! She finally did it."

"What?" I asked confused. "How did you-"

"Oh Squall! Everyone knows how that girl feels, it's written all over her. Every time you walk into a room her eyes light up. Since she first met you she hasn't been able to get rid of those starry eyes of hers," she ranted on.

"Huh?" I could only reply back. "So you knew she liked me all this time?"

"Of course. Oh Squall, you two have always been so close, inseparable. I'm so happy for you both-"

"Ma!" I interrupted her. "Ma, I didn't tell Rinoa…" I couldn't finish.

"Oh no," she replied not needing the explanation. Her face dropped as she realised my answer. "Oh poor Rinoa, she must be heartbroken."

"No, she was fine. We promised to stay as friends," I replied trying to excuse myself.

Truth was, now the more I thought about it, the more guilty I felt. Would Rinoa really be disappointed in how I responded? She'd understand, she knew I loved her, she knew she would always be my best friend. Surely that meant a lot more to her.

"Still, I'm sure she's not feeling ecstatic that you don't feel the same way."

"I do love her. She's my best friend, but I just don't think I love her in that way," I explained but more to myself.

"If that's true, then you did the right thing by telling her," Mum replied putting her hand over mine. "Trust me, you do not want to go down the 'leading you on' road."

"I should call her," I said getting up off my seat and making my way towards the threshold of the kitchen door.

"No Squall. Let her be alone for now, I know as a girl, she'll want to be alone."

"But she's leaving tomorrow," I said, pausing in stride and remembering she was going back to Deling City for two weeks.

"Get up early and head over to her place, you can catch her before her flight. Trust me Squall, she needs to be alone right now," Mum said with the saddest of smiles.

I nodded and walked to the stairs making my way towards my room. I did the right thing by telling her the truth. Sure it hurt now, but with time she'd get over her feelings. We'd remain as best friends and things would go back to normal. She just needed to be alone right now. I'd see her the next day.

Even though I told myself that, I still felt guilty.

Rinoa's POV

I hugged my Mum at the security stand telling her that I'd call her as soon as I landed in Deling City.

"You got everything?" Mum asked me.

"Passport, boarding pass, and hand luggage right here." I showed each one to her so she had some closure that I would get stuck beyond the barriers.

"All right, you have a safe journey and tell your father I'll be there in two weeks. Give him a big sloppy kiss from me when you see him."

"Eww!" I said in disgust.

"What, I haven't seen him in two months," she replied as if that was an excuse.

"So! I'm not kissing Dad for you."

"Fine, I'll do it myself when I get down there," she teased raising her eyebrow. "All right love, have a wonderful time with your father. Erm, but make sure he rests every now and then," she said, and I thought I saw just the hint of worry in her eye.

I wanted to ask her why but the announcement for my flight was made and so I hugged my Mum and hurried to board my flight.

Finally sitting down on my seat, I looked out of the plane window at the Balamb hills below me. It was a six hour flight to Deling City and I'd be home to see my Dad. Three weeks without Squall and the gang. It was ironic really. Yesterday I was in a dilemma because I really wanted to see my Dad but I didn't want to be away from Squall. Yet now I was sitting her silently thanking God that I was actually on my way to Deling City. There's no way I could look at Squall again, not after what I confessed.

I shook my head feeling the tears already perk up. There was no way I'd let anyone on this flight see me cry.

Squall's POV

"Squall. Squall!"

I felt someone shake me roughly. I squinted my eyes at the bright sunlight shinning through my open curtains.

"Hm. It's morning already," I asked Mum.

She looked at me sympathetically before speaking. "Squall, I had to run errands this morning. I woke you up before I left, I think you fell asleep again."

I didn't remember her waking me up, but normally it took a couple of attempts to wake me from my slumber.

"I'm awake now," I said to her, putting my arms behind my head and trying to keep my eyes open. I was greedy for more sleep.

"Squall, it's half eleven," Mum said to which I nodded. "Rinoa's flight leaves in twenty minutes."

"Oh crap!" I cried, immediately jumping out of my bed and looking around my room for clothes.

"Honey, by the time you get there, she'll have taken off."

I grabbed my jeans off the chair it was hanging on and began putting them on, taking off my shirt and grabbing a clean one from the closet I quickly dressed myself in a hasty state.

"Ma, I have to see her before she goes," I said while getting my grey socks from my bottom draw and quickly slipping them on.

She watched as I frantically gathered my keys, wallet and phone off my desk and into my pockets.

"Come on, I'll drive," she said and started for the door.

Five minutes later and we were speeding down the street. I was praying we'd be there soon, that Rinoa's flight had somehow been delayed and I'd catch her on time. I just wanted to go and promise her that I'd be here when she'd get back, that she was still my best friend and things would go back to normal.

Mum suddenly slowed down and I had to asked her why.

"That was Julia's car parked on the side road," she said. "Squall, lets just ask Julia if Rinoa's at the airport."

"No Ma, lets just go and see ourselves," I answered, I just wanted to get to Rinoa in case her flight was delayed.

My Mum didn't listen to me, she just parked her car and ordered me out. Walking up to Mrs Heartilly's car we spotted her walking out of one of the café's a cup of latte in her hand.

"Julia," Mum called out to her. She spotted us and smiled.

"Raine, how are you," she asked quickly hugging my Mum in the process.

"Good, yourself?" she asked getting a well reply. "Has Rinoa already flown off, we were on our way to the airport."

"Oh," she said looking at me and putting her hand to her mouth. "I'm sorry Squall, she already boarded by the time I left, they'll be flying in about fifteen minutes," she answered looking at her watch.

"We can still make it," I said looking at my Mum in plea.

"Squall, the airport is another half an hour drive," she said sternly.

"Hey, she said she'll call me when she lands, I'll get her to give you call," Mrs Heartilly suggested sympathetically.

"Thanks," I mumbled in defeat.

I just looked at the road ahead of us depressingly. I didn't get to say goodbye to her. I didn't get to tell her to have a nice time and that I'd be waiting when she got back. What a lousy friend I turned out to be.

Rinoa's POV

Six hours later and I landed at Deling City International Airport. Galbadia was about three hours ahead of Balamb so by the time I landed it was already 9pm. I made my way over to the arrivals and baggage reclaim, picking up my checked luggage and then heading to the front of the airport.

Dad had called before my flight and said he was sending someone to pick me up. I walked around the queue of people until I noticed a medium built guy with dark black hair holding a sign with my name on it. The closer I got to him I realised that he couldn't be one of my Dad's drivers. Firstly, he looked pretty young, secondly, he was wearing civilian clothing instead of uniform they normally wear.

"Hi," I said to him as I walked up and dropped my bags.

"Hi, Rinoa right?" he asked. I nodded and awaited his introduction. He surprised me by hugging me and patting my back. "Oh it's been so long," he said.

I was startled by the sudden personal contact and broke from the hug, looking at him curiously. My eyebrows were raised and seeing this the guy faltered, rubbing the back of his head nervously.

"Sorry," he replied seeing my odd look. "You probably don't remember me. I'm your uncle Zone."

"Uncle?" I asked surprised.

"Heh, yeah. Let's get out of here and I'll explain everything."

I reluctantly followed him out of the airport and into the car park. He put my bags into the boot of his Jeep and I made my way into the passenger side of the car. Once he'd gotten in and put his seat belt on, he started the car and drove off. I came to Deling City as often with Mum as I could. So from the airport it was about an hour's drive to my Dad's mansion.

My father was the General of Galbadia, he was in charge of the army and defensive system for Galbadia and worked most of the time. When I was ten years old Mum and I moved to Balamb for a quiet life away from the spotlight of her singing career which she gave up, returning every so often to be with my Dad.

I had learnt through time that through my childhood my mother had regretted not always being there. By the time I hit nine, she was desperate not to let the remainder of my youth pass by her and wanted a fresh start. So Dad contacted some people in Balamb and we decided to carry on with our life there, though it was hard with Dad being in another country. But Squall had made up for that.

"So," Zone started speaking. "You probably want to know all about me huh?"

"I guess," I said, still not sure what to make of this guy.

"Well, you know about the conflict between your Dad and your Grandfather right?" he asked me, while switching lanes.

"Erm, no. I only know that Dad and Granddad stopped talking before I was born and they haven't spoken since," I said, remembering back to a youthful day when I asked my Mum why I didn't have a Granddad.

"Actually, that's not completely true," he replied. "See, when your Dad was about seventeen, your Granddad and Grandma got divorced. They had their issues and once your Dad was old enough they agreed to separate."

I turned my body slightly to face Zone, interested to hear the family history.

"Well, a year after that, your Grandma fell ill and it got worse. Your Dad blamed your Granddad for your Grandma's death and the two stopped talking for a good couple of years. Your Granddad then got remarried, to my Mum, and had my older sister Rosa."

"Granddad got remarried?" I asked.

"Yeah. Your Dad didn't come to the wedding though, I guess he was still angry with Dad. Anyways, a couple of years later, my older brother Watts was born, and then a year after that I was born," he added smiling.

"Oh, so you're my Dad's half-brother," I asked following along with the story.

"Yep. The youngest. I have another brother and sister around the same age as Fury from my Mum's first marriage, but that's another story," he joked.

"So, what happened after that?" I asked wanting him to continue. By this time we had already reached the main town.

"Well, when your Dad made General, that's when he met your Mum. I guess she insisted he make up with your Granddad and he ended up inviting him to the wedding. A year later you were born; that's when I first saw you," he said smiling at me.

I smiled back in respect, but it wasn't like I could recollect the memory.

"Anyways, it was some time in the summer when you were nearing two, an argument had ensued and to be honest, to this day I still don't know what it was about. All I remember was my Mum telling me to get my stuff together and Dad storming out of Caraway mansion," he said sadly. "And we never went back."

"Wow. All these years, must have been some argument," I retorted. "But, how comes you're here now?" I asked curiously.

"That's what brings me to my next point," he said, his face a bit apprehensive.

I rushed out of the car before Zone even parked up and ran for the mansion doors. I repeatedly rang on the door hurrying the maids to open up. One finally opened it and I pushed past her and ran for my Dad's study.

Once in, I spotted him sitting on his chair with his feet up on one of the footstools, he had a cotton overthrow wrapped around him with a book in his hand and his reading glasses on. I ran to him and hugged him, causing him to let out a hearty laugh.

"How are you, sweetie?" he asked, and I could hear laughter in his voice. "You must be very happy to see me." He started coughing causing me to lessen my hold on him.

"Not at all," I replied sternly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh." My Dad looked like he was going to continue but Zone walked in then. "You told her then?" he asked the younger man.

"Sorry. I had to."

"Dad, you had a stroke and you didn't think to tell your own daughter?" I cried, hurt at being left in the lurch.

"Rinoa, you had exams and coursework." He tried excusing himself.

"So! That's not as important as your health. I would have left all my exams and come straight here," I said angrily.

"Exactly. Which is why your mother and I didn't tell you," he replied.

"That's why Mum came down here in a rush two months ago, right? I can't believe she didn't tell me," I said hotly.

"Rinoa, don't you dare blame your mother, I told her not to tell you."

"Look, maybe Rinoa should get refreshed upstairs and Fury you can take your medication now," Zone said from the doorway. "We can talk about this through a nice cup of tea," he said, winking at me.

Squall's POV

I heard my Mum calling me from downstairs so followed her voice to the landing.

"Ma, did you call me?" I yelled.

"Yes, Rinoa's Mum is on the phone."

I ran down the stairs to find my Mum saying her goodbyes and finally passed the phone on to me. "Hello." I spoke into the receiver.

"Hi, Squall. I just called to let you know that Rinoa landed safely. She's a bit tired now and said she'll call you some time later," she explained.

"Oh. Okay, thanks Mrs Heartilly."

"No problem, I'll let you get back to your evening," she said and finally said goodbye.

I depressingly put the receiver back in its place and headed back upstairs. Rinoa was never too tired to call me. We'd talk on the phone for hours some nights until one of us eventually fell asleep, resulting in the other to hang up. She was probably hurt by what happened yesterday, that had to be it.

I took my phone from my desk and started tapping in a text to her. I just wanted her to know that I was missing her and she was still my best girl.

Hey Rin.

How's DC? Missing you lots, can't wait till you get back.

Don't make any new friends, got it? Don't want anyone taking my place. :P

I had almost typed 'love you', but thought against it. There was no way I wanted to send her mixed messages. I guess without the mentioning of love, and the three weeks she'd be away it would be easy for her to get over her feelings. Then things would return back to normal.

Rinoa's POV

I was so tired the night before I nearly nodded off while Zone and Dad were talking. I think I did at one point as I felt Zone shake me and tell me to head to bed. I slept the entire night straight without any interruptions.

Waking up to my bedroom I looked around the light blue room. Four walls were painted sky blue, the furniture was all oak wood varnished with the darkest colour. To one side of the room was a writing desk just underneath the white rimmed window. To another side was a bean bag next to a book shelf. This room hadn't been redecorated since I turned ten. There was no point really, my main bedroom was back in Balamb so there was no point sprucing this one up. Not like I'd be here forever.

I got up from my bed and grabbed my phone. I saw I got a text message so began to read it. My heart did a flip when I saw Squall as the sender. I hadn't spoken to him since the night at the beach.

I read his message a few times, and every time I read it, it made me less upset about the incident and more angry. What did he mean, don't make any new friends? I'd do what I liked. And what was with 'I don't want anyone taking my place'? So he wasn't in love with me, yet he didn't want anyone else to be. The douche! Just what did he think of me? That I'd be away for three weeks mourning after him and pining for him for the rest of my life.

Whatever, I was in Deling City for three weeks. I was going to make sure I made new friends.

Best friend or not, Squall Leonhart wasn't going to hold me back.

Author Notes: 27th May 2011, Coming back to fix these mistakes that I wasn't aware of before. Mainly it's the dialogue grammar that I'm fixing. Also, I've noticed these first few chapters really lack detail which kind of is a contrast to the later chapters. Oh well, progression is a dandy thing.