Chapter One

It's a quarter 'til four o'clock, as indicated in her watch. Her day's work will soon come to an end. As a sigh came out from the fair-skinned woman's shapely lips and a strand of spun gold slid from behind her ear, she bobbed her head to gaze despairingly at the paper work piled before her. She wore a forlorn expression as if facing a death sentence whenever she faced that dreadful task. The classroom clock chimed its toll while she's pleading and begging for the hands of time to just stop inching towards the dreaded hour, although the rest of the day is futile, she did anyway. Then, as always, the signal would ring through out the halls telling every students and teachers alike that all class sessions are over, but to her, it's telling her that another continuous hours of torment is just beginning.

She dismissed her students cordially as they filed out of the exit, some are reluctant but most are eager to leave. Once all were gone, she returned to her seat. She situated herself at the head of the room, before her is a fully mechanized computer-desk and a big screen behind where she sits. She began to flip through the pile of documents and lecture sheets mindlessly, unenthusiastic about the loathsome task.

Since she does not often display her distress, it would not occur to anyone that the poised, self-assured Quistis Trepe is tormented by dry, monotonous, and too repetitive boredom. It took her sweat and blood to gain and re-gain her rank, but the prize only proved to be so lifeless. Aside from paper cuts and kids, the most appealing challenge she had faced lately was split ends. Field exams have become just plain routine. Even the training center had proved to be uninteresting. It's been four years since the Time Compression and three years since Timber was at peace with Galbadia. It's been two years since she almost got laid. And last year's highlight would be when she cut her hair. But now, it grew to its former straight and dull length. Maybe this year's highlight would be her, switching to decaf.

Many nights, in her room, dark and bleak, where she would lie on her back, arms extended as if crucified, only to stare blankly at the ceiling above, she would wonder what her life could have been had she simply declined the position of re-admitted instructor and instead, stepped out from the military confines of Garden. Having been involved with the Ultimecia episode, she would have expected at least a higher promotion. What a bummer! Being re-hired was the best reward she can get.

She let out a plaintive sigh as she gathered the work before her to pile them together and hesitantly rose from her comfortable seat. Quistis could only dream of miscellaneous adventures she can never experience, the romance she'll never have and the life she could have had. Her career is not as promising to her now as was before. Before when she had so much vigor, and the spontaneity of being live in action. The exhilaration in every mission, the heady thrill of danger at the pit of her stomach was stimulating. Where has it gone? Has she experienced too much too soon that there's nothing left for challenge? It has suddenly been peaceful times and there's no more battles to fight except diseases and human stupidity. Everyone is pleased. Everyone is getting laid. Everyone is getting old. Another wistful groan escaped her as her eyes caught an attractively embossed envelope. Everyone is getting married.

She collected the wedding invitation as well and tossed it in her attaché to join with her bills and other missives. With a pile of folders on one arm and the other holding a briefcase, she was ready to leave.

"Umm, M-Ms. Trepe?" The voice jolted her from her reverie.

"Yes?" She looked down to meet a small, doe-eyed young boy. "What can I help you with?"

"Umm…M-my name is Ty, and I-I'm your new s-s-student." He straightened himself as if to make up for his stuttering. The boy appeared to be only eight and yet he possessed a willful glint.

She was overwrought with sympathy to hear him struggle with words. Although he faltered in speech, she couldn't help but be impressed with his courage. "Well, I'm certainly glad to meet you, Ty." The smile she wore only caused the child to blush.

"M-may I help you w-w-with tho-those?" Before she could refuse, the child's able arms stretched out to the folders and carefully wrapped them around the pile.

She couldn't help but obliged the impressionable young man. "I could only hope for more students like you." They left the classroom together once Quistis switched the lights out and walked the halls together towards her dorm hall

"I u-usually d-don't st-st-stutter, y'know. I-I g-grew out o-of it." She listened politely as the boy poorly excuses himself. "O-only when I'm n-nervous."

Nervousness is an understatement. Quistis clearly understood a child's perspective in adapting to new surroundings and a new school. She'd seen it many times. Aside from the challenge of making new friends, institutions like Balamb and other Gardens have high demands and expectations from promising young SeeD cadets. "It's alright, Ty. I'm sure you'll do very well with your training and you'll soon have the other kids wanting to be friends with you." The boy looked at her awkwardly as they neared her dorm hall. "Well, over there are the instructors' private lodgings. I'm afraid students are restricted from that area, but thank you for helping me with these."

He kindly returned her folders as he continued to explain himself. "I-I'm not nervous b-because of that." He looked up to her and smiled. "It's because I've never seen anyone so pretty." His shyness became apparent as he flushed red. "Well, bye Ms. Trepe. See you tomorrow morning." He shocked her with that faultless farewell; not even a broken statement was uttered. He ran through the hall towards the elevator.

Fancy that. A potential Trepie. She could only hope he wouldn't run into the Disciplinary Committee as she continued her trek towards her room.

AN: This story was originally "Just Once" which I've pulled down only to render it into improvement. As I red through it all, I decided to release a new edition. I just hope you'll like it better this time.