Early morning sunshine hit my eyes, and I cursed softly, tipping my hat to block out the painful rays. Hyne, why was I doing this anyways? It's too damn early in the morning to be up and about risking your life. Squall had awarded me with the most dangerous duty: waking up the other teammates. Figures that he'd want to spend this bright morning cuddled in bed with Rinoa. 'Course I didn't say that to his face. Can't risk losing my life in more than 3 accounts today.
I guess I'll go and wake up Selphie first. I veered off and headed down the direction to her dorm and smiled. I needed some happiness this morning, and Selphie was always there to give me some. I could always count on her for some laughter.
"Selphie?" I asked as I came to her door. I lifted my hand and rapped gently on the smooth wooden surface. "Selphie, come on, time to get up."
I frowned when there was no answer. Usually there was at least a muttered exclamation of some sort-Selphie was an early riser. Deciding to use my master key card, I swiped it and entered her neat room. What caught my eyes left me breathless.
Her emerald eyes were closed in slumber and her chocolate hair falling gracefully around her rosy face. Her yellow dress was still on, and rumpled-she had been tossing and turning. Selphie must have fallen asleep before she even changed. The blankets were hugged around her curves jealously; the ones that weren't on the floor anyway, and her white arms flung carelessly over her face and pillow. She was gorgeous.
"Selphie, come on," I muttered, shaking my head to clear those thoughts. "Get up."
Reluctant to disturb her slumber, I leaned forward to shake her awake, but stopped as my breath caught in my throat. She was shaking. I looked closer and drew in a shuddering gasp. Dried tear marks ran down her flushed cheeks. She had been sobbing all night.
"Oh, Sefie," I whispered, brushing her hair out of her face tenderly. I hated to see her cry. "What happened?" Something caught the corner of my eye and I bent to pick it up.
It was a picture; taken the night we celebrated the defeat of the sorceress, and the end of the war. I recognized the two blurry figures in the background as Rinoa and Squall on the balcony, and the back of one of the people standing nearby as Quistis. It was Selphie and I; she was wearing my cowboy hat. Tears formed in my eyes as I stroked the shattered glass- she was so gorgeous. Zell had taken the picture...she threw it against the wall? I thought it was one of her favorite pictures...and then I understood.
"Oh, Selphie," I murmured, piecing together the shattered frame. Frozen in time was her bright smile, her glowing jade eyes, the loving air she had around her...and I was looking at some other girl as the camera shot. I glanced at the girl next to me, asleep and unaware that she had broken my heart. I was always looking at some other girl. "I'm so sorry."
She was always there for me, and I took her for granted. We probably had a dinner date like I always promised her we would. Where was I last night? Partying with some girl probably. Last night was too blurry for me to remember clearly, but I was sure I had let her down again. Here was a girl who loved me; who had given me her trust and heart and soul countless times. Why did I always manage to find a way to break her heart?
Because I loved her. Yes, me, the biggest flirt ever known to man. I love her. And that fact scares me more than any encounter with any T-Rex or angry Squall ever could. I drew in a breath and kissed her softly on the lips, smiling a bit sadly as she stirred.
"Irvine?" she muttered, rubbing her unfocused eyes. "What're you doing here?"
"Hey, Sefie," I said as I looked into her jade eyes, tears pooling in mine. "I'm sorry."
And I held her as she sobbed, hitting and cursing me while I soothed her as best I could.
I'm so sorry...