Happy Holidays
By: Tenshi no Nozomi (tenshi_no_nozomi@hotmail.com)
AN: Yeah, I realize that this is ahead of the holidays, but I'm going to be like K-Mart/Wal-Mart/any other department store and be prepared early. :grins: Who knows, I might even actually finish it this holiday. then I could actually I say I've completed a fic besides a bunch of one-shots! ^^;;; Unfortunately, due to my 'laziness-factor'. it's very unlikely. *pouts* Damn me.
*----------------------------* *------------------------ --*
Chapter Two
The library was what Squall considered to be his home-away-from-home at this place. At first, the musty, damp-pages smell of the place had been almost overpowering, but with time, he'd grown accustomed to it.
Honestly, it was a wonderful place to go. It was silent and virtually almost empty, with no one but the librarian to bother him or the occasional passerbys who wanted Internet access or books or privacy. It was a great place to go and study or just to go to be alone, as Squall had found, and the books there were interesting and surprisingly informative.
So Squall had begun to spend his free time between classes here, studying and reading about various things. He had hardly even realized that he'd been drifting away from his friends, and that he was missed among them. About a week ago, Usagi had brought it up on coincidence, but he still hadn't done anything about it.
Today, though. somehow, sitting in the shadows, wasting away wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to go outside, even though the weather was blustery from the onset of winter. Wanted to listen to his friends joke and poke fun at everyone, even if he didn't say anything. He just wanted to be in someone's presence.
So he'd wandered out to the courtyard, where they sat on stone and marble benches everyday, except when it was stormy out. He could hear their voices drifting over to where he stood, and listened carefully from the entry way shadows.
When Zell had suggested that Usagi was his girlfriend. He knew Usagi well enough to know that she was probably blushing while she denied it. For some reason, her denial stuck in his mind, and bothered him.
He was used to being called a loner, and the word 'recluse' had been brought up a few times- and Seifer was right, he did prefer the 'lone-wolf' term. However, they'd never called him a hermit, even when they were teasing him, and for some reason, it heated his blood with irritation.
When Usagi laughed at it, despite the fact that she scolded Seifer, it hurt him and pissed him off at the same time. Partly because he knew she had only been half-hearted when she had told him not to say those things, and partially because she had laughed at him, like he was nothing but a joke to her. Though why it mattered to him at all what she thought, he couldn't figure for the life of him.
The next thing that was said wiped his anger clear off the board- it was Selphie, of course, who told Usagi that it would be all right even though he wouldn't come; they'd find her another date. That got under his skin- the idea of Usagi dancing and laughing with some unknown guy, and it also made him wonder just what his friends were trying to get at.
His eyes narrowed absently, and he ignored the rest of the conversation, focusing in on Usagi, who was wiping away the mess she'd managed to make with her Dr. Pepper. Usagi was innocent, despite her age- if some guy made a move on her or tried something, she probably wouldn't have figured it out till it was too late.
What got him the most, though, was the thought that Selphie wasn't a half- bad matchmaker, and whoever she set Usagi up with. Usagi was going to be bound to like him, and. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.
Why did he care? Usagi was a friend, yes, but she was old enough to take care of herself. She lived in her own apartment, for Christ's sake, and worked part-time. The girl had met enough 'sleeze balls,' as she called them, at her waitress job to know one when she saw one.
And yet. despite it all, despite even the fact that he had never been able to make himself love anyone after Rinoa, the thought of her with someone else made him ache. It pissed him off, and it made him nostalgic. He felt like he was running in mental circles, and that was maddening enough on its own.
Because there was, of course, the subject of Rinoa. That was exactly how he'd lost her, too- she had met someone and fallen head-over-heels in love, and just up and left, with hardly a goodbye. There had never even been any thought about the fact that Squall was just starting to trust people again, just 'I love someone else, goodbye,' and she was gone just like that, leaving him tossed out in the cold like yesterday's newspaper.
He'd known she hadn't meant to hurt him, that had never been an objective of hers. Rinoa was just as sweet and good and honest a person as Usagi was, but she had left him. Had left his heart torn to shreds after he'd finally learned to trust and to love again.
'Again,' because all children were born innocent and naïve to the pains of the world, once, before their hearts and the skin on the bottoms of their feet toughened together. Sometimes, he wondered what that must have felt like- to love completely and totally, to love people despite all of their faults.
He watched the group disperse, until only Usagi remained seated before moving. Instantly, the change from the frigid shadows to the light-gilded area made him wince; the rays of the sun were blinding, although they did warm his frozen skin.
He walked across the deadened ground and concrete sidewalk, making his way to her, wearing his usual scowl on his face. He didn't know exactly was he intended to tell her- there wasn't much to say.
Still, though, he wanted to talk- there was a feeling of irritation bubbling up inside of him, and he knew that it was at least partially her fault. She was absorbed in her work, though, up until he cast his cold, dark shadow over her.
And then, surprised and mildly harassed eyes greeted him, though the expression in them changed to a sort of pleased-excited emotion when she recognized who it was. She swept her long bangs out of her face, and offered him a small smile.
"Squall! Where've you been? Everyone just left," she said, though there was an amount of dismay in her voice, and she looked in the direction that everyone had departed in, as though she was unsure if she should be going after them before Squall disappeared back into whatever hole he'd crawled out of.
"I know," he replied simply, staring down at her with his hard, cadet blue eyes. Usagi had never been a particularly 'womanly' girl. She didn't have extraordinary curves that made men look twice, or a sexy attitude mingled with witty-banter that hinted on innuendo. But she didn't need it.
She was petite, possessing a small and girlish frame with only a few subtle curves in the right places- still she didn't look sickly thin. Her creamy golden-peach colored skin seemed to exude a healthy glow, and her complexion was unmarred. Bright cerulean eyes peered at him inquisitively, framed by golden lashes. The most dramatic thing about Usagi was her unusual and childish hairstyle, which fell down to ankles and was lavished with care despite the fact that she couldn't afford a haircut.
Right now, she was dressed in a golden sweater, thick and warm looking, that accentuated the color of her hair and helped to obscure the fact that she had been looked over in the curves department. Khaki pants hung on her tightly, though in the waist it looked as though the pants might have hung too loosely if there wasn't for the slim, black belt that held it in place. And on her feet she wore black leather hiking boots that looked comfortable and well worn.
"Then why.?" Her question petered off, unasked but understood.
He sat down in front of her, staring at her with his intense gray blue eyes. "Why did you laugh at me?" Why, he asked himself, did it matter, anyhow? People were meant to be self-sufficient- in his opinion he didn't need anyone else. Still, the thought of her head tilted back as she laughed with everyone.
"W-what do you mean," she asked, obviously flustered under his gaze. In fact, she was blushing from his inspection, and looking unsure.
Squall's eyes darkened with disgust. "You don't even remember?"
"N-no," she stammered, looking honest. At least she had the decency to look shame-faced.
"With the lot of them, earlier. Why did you defend me when you didn't mean it," he asked, gripping the edges of his seat tight, inspecting, boring his eyes past her skin to soul.
It clicked, then, what he said, and she appeared honestly confused. "What do you mean, 'didn't mean it?' Squall, I did mean it!"
He just shook his head, feeling disappointed. She hadn't, not really. If she had, she wouldn't have laughed. He got up, his angry silence his only answer, and shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his bomber jacket before starting to walk away.
"Squall," she cried startled, and in protest. She got up after him, starting after him. She reached out for his retreating form, but stopped, feeling lost and upset and as though he was out-of-reach.
She sighed, and picked up her things in preparation of leaving. No reason to stay when her classes were over for the next few hours, and she'd managed to upset the person she considered to be her best friend. She cast one last, sullen, unhappy glance in the direction he'd disappeared in, before leaving.
*--------------* *--------------*
".And he just up and left," she concluded, before taking in another drink of her hot chocolate and continuing walking. The warm stuff filled her up and made all the cold, numbed parts of her feel warm again. And right now, it wasn't just the physical sensation that plagued her, but the emotional impression that she'd screwed up badly.
Usagi didn't have a lot of people to talk to anymore, what with all the scouts having gone to other places. Meeting up with Selphie and Quistis and the others the year she'd started college had been relief- it has been more than a little scary being eighteen and all on her own.
Still, she hadn't counted on relaying the recent turn of events to Seifer. Sure, the guy could make her laugh, but she didn't know hardly anything about him. However, when she'd come to her last resort of talking to either him or Zell about it- Selphie was babying Irvine (who was probably milking the whole thing to its full potential) and Quistis being too busy preparing for midterms, she had broken down and called him.
To her great surprise, he'd actually agreed to come to the mall with her- a place that she figured no man could really relish- and talk to her about her emotional burdens. Seifer had always struck her as a witty guy, but it turned out there was a sweeter, more sentimental side to him- he'd even bought her the hot chocolate that she was currently drinking.
She cast a sidelong glance at him, taking in his appearance. His rakish, short blonde hair didn't look bad on him. Like Squall, his expression always seemed to be set into a serious frown, cold bright-blue eyes narrowed constantly under his eyebrows. His mouth was caught in that perpetual look of resentment, and he held himself with an air of importance and dignity, maybe even cruelty.
"It sounds like," he said at last, "Squall's found who he wants to be his next girlfriend."
Usagi snorted in surprise, and found the burning liquid caught in the wrong tub. Usagi coughed, and Seifer waited until she had gotten her bearings again. Usagi flushed at the looks a few passerbies were giving her, but tried to ignore them. "What," she finally managed to rasp, "did you say?"
Seifer flashed her a rare grin, and repeated himself. "I said, 'Squall's found who he wants to be his next girlfriend,'" he said pointedly, looking at her.
Usagi's cheeks lit up into flames. "You're not suggesting that."
"Well, don't you think it's odd, that he won't even bother to talk to the rest of us, and he lets his panties get all twisted out of shape over the fact that you laughed at him?" Usagi shook her head, unsure what to believe.
"That's no true," she denied. "Squall's never even hinted at something like that- we're just friends. And I don't think he wears panties either."
"And THAT would be because Squall has the worst set of communication skills that I've ever seen anyone possess. Not to mention that he still has those ideas running around in his head that he doesn't need anyone but himself to get along in life."Seifer looked serious, and he'd even looked over the 'panties' comment for the moment. She had thought for sure he'd rise to the bait on that one.
Usagi watched Seifer's face for a few minutes, as though waiting for him to bust up into laughter and say, 'you actually thought I was serious? Ha!' but he had resumed his serious attitude. "That's just." Usagi couldn't find the words, and merely shook her head.
"That's not possible," she finally said, her words sounding almost self- condemning. "Squall hasn't said a single thing in two years, or even hinted that he likes me- not even in body language. I'd be better off asking you out on a date," Usagi spat out. After a few minutes, she realized what she said sounded mean, and she amended for it, blushing with shame. "Sorry," she apologized.
He merely waved it off with the brush of his hand. "Bah, everybody knows that girls prefer guys like Squall to the rest of us- though God only knows why, I'll never know; just why the hell would you want all that extra mental and emotional baggage. Rinoa chose him over me, too, so it's no surprise. Though Rinoa did choose some other guy over him, too," he said almost thoughtfully.
That was a small surprise to Usagi. Just how many times did this Rinoa switch 'serious boyfriends,' anyhow? She hadn't just dated Squall, but Seifer, too? In the back of her mind, she felt a nagging, guilty sensation like she should be comforting Seifer, saying that he just hadn't met the right kind of girl yet, but she never really got the chance.
He placed an arm around Usagi's shoulders, which surprised her to no end. "But never mind that- it's been kind of sickening watching you follow him around like a little lost puppy." Usagi made an indignant noise, though he shushed her with a snort. "Doing his grocery shopping for him? I know the guy's a recluse and wants to be all by himself, but don't help him to hole up on himself, my dear.
"What you, need," he continued as he steered her back outside, " is a plan to get the moron to wake up and smell the coffee, and spill the beans or whatever. And you're just in luck- you came to the right person." He seemed to puff up with pride, and Usagi couldn't help but giggle slightly.
"So just leave it to me, and I'll help you win that blind little anti- social head-case over," he said, before strolling off.
Usagi waved goodbye to him in return when he turned back to wave to her, and then ran through the parking lot to car, feeling light and giddy. It was true; despite the fact that she had worked hard to throw herself at other men for the past two years, she had been very 'hung-over' Squall Leonheart.
It ran deeper than a crush, of course, but it wasn't an obsession that took up all of her day. No, rather it was a nagging, dull ache in her chest that made itself known at the beginning and end of each day. The thought of these emotions being reciprocated made her feel hot and cold all over at once, and as though new energy was bubbling through her with no source but itself.
What, though, she couldn't help but wonder, was his big plan?
*-----------------------* *--------------------------*
Kwa! Chappie two's done. What do you people think? Should I drop it, and just work on some of my other fics?
By: Tenshi no Nozomi (tenshi_no_nozomi@hotmail.com)
AN: Yeah, I realize that this is ahead of the holidays, but I'm going to be like K-Mart/Wal-Mart/any other department store and be prepared early. :grins: Who knows, I might even actually finish it this holiday. then I could actually I say I've completed a fic besides a bunch of one-shots! ^^;;; Unfortunately, due to my 'laziness-factor'. it's very unlikely. *pouts* Damn me.
*----------------------------* *------------------------ --*
Chapter Two
The library was what Squall considered to be his home-away-from-home at this place. At first, the musty, damp-pages smell of the place had been almost overpowering, but with time, he'd grown accustomed to it.
Honestly, it was a wonderful place to go. It was silent and virtually almost empty, with no one but the librarian to bother him or the occasional passerbys who wanted Internet access or books or privacy. It was a great place to go and study or just to go to be alone, as Squall had found, and the books there were interesting and surprisingly informative.
So Squall had begun to spend his free time between classes here, studying and reading about various things. He had hardly even realized that he'd been drifting away from his friends, and that he was missed among them. About a week ago, Usagi had brought it up on coincidence, but he still hadn't done anything about it.
Today, though. somehow, sitting in the shadows, wasting away wasn't what he wanted. He wanted to go outside, even though the weather was blustery from the onset of winter. Wanted to listen to his friends joke and poke fun at everyone, even if he didn't say anything. He just wanted to be in someone's presence.
So he'd wandered out to the courtyard, where they sat on stone and marble benches everyday, except when it was stormy out. He could hear their voices drifting over to where he stood, and listened carefully from the entry way shadows.
When Zell had suggested that Usagi was his girlfriend. He knew Usagi well enough to know that she was probably blushing while she denied it. For some reason, her denial stuck in his mind, and bothered him.
He was used to being called a loner, and the word 'recluse' had been brought up a few times- and Seifer was right, he did prefer the 'lone-wolf' term. However, they'd never called him a hermit, even when they were teasing him, and for some reason, it heated his blood with irritation.
When Usagi laughed at it, despite the fact that she scolded Seifer, it hurt him and pissed him off at the same time. Partly because he knew she had only been half-hearted when she had told him not to say those things, and partially because she had laughed at him, like he was nothing but a joke to her. Though why it mattered to him at all what she thought, he couldn't figure for the life of him.
The next thing that was said wiped his anger clear off the board- it was Selphie, of course, who told Usagi that it would be all right even though he wouldn't come; they'd find her another date. That got under his skin- the idea of Usagi dancing and laughing with some unknown guy, and it also made him wonder just what his friends were trying to get at.
His eyes narrowed absently, and he ignored the rest of the conversation, focusing in on Usagi, who was wiping away the mess she'd managed to make with her Dr. Pepper. Usagi was innocent, despite her age- if some guy made a move on her or tried something, she probably wouldn't have figured it out till it was too late.
What got him the most, though, was the thought that Selphie wasn't a half- bad matchmaker, and whoever she set Usagi up with. Usagi was going to be bound to like him, and. He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts.
Why did he care? Usagi was a friend, yes, but she was old enough to take care of herself. She lived in her own apartment, for Christ's sake, and worked part-time. The girl had met enough 'sleeze balls,' as she called them, at her waitress job to know one when she saw one.
And yet. despite it all, despite even the fact that he had never been able to make himself love anyone after Rinoa, the thought of her with someone else made him ache. It pissed him off, and it made him nostalgic. He felt like he was running in mental circles, and that was maddening enough on its own.
Because there was, of course, the subject of Rinoa. That was exactly how he'd lost her, too- she had met someone and fallen head-over-heels in love, and just up and left, with hardly a goodbye. There had never even been any thought about the fact that Squall was just starting to trust people again, just 'I love someone else, goodbye,' and she was gone just like that, leaving him tossed out in the cold like yesterday's newspaper.
He'd known she hadn't meant to hurt him, that had never been an objective of hers. Rinoa was just as sweet and good and honest a person as Usagi was, but she had left him. Had left his heart torn to shreds after he'd finally learned to trust and to love again.
'Again,' because all children were born innocent and naïve to the pains of the world, once, before their hearts and the skin on the bottoms of their feet toughened together. Sometimes, he wondered what that must have felt like- to love completely and totally, to love people despite all of their faults.
He watched the group disperse, until only Usagi remained seated before moving. Instantly, the change from the frigid shadows to the light-gilded area made him wince; the rays of the sun were blinding, although they did warm his frozen skin.
He walked across the deadened ground and concrete sidewalk, making his way to her, wearing his usual scowl on his face. He didn't know exactly was he intended to tell her- there wasn't much to say.
Still, though, he wanted to talk- there was a feeling of irritation bubbling up inside of him, and he knew that it was at least partially her fault. She was absorbed in her work, though, up until he cast his cold, dark shadow over her.
And then, surprised and mildly harassed eyes greeted him, though the expression in them changed to a sort of pleased-excited emotion when she recognized who it was. She swept her long bangs out of her face, and offered him a small smile.
"Squall! Where've you been? Everyone just left," she said, though there was an amount of dismay in her voice, and she looked in the direction that everyone had departed in, as though she was unsure if she should be going after them before Squall disappeared back into whatever hole he'd crawled out of.
"I know," he replied simply, staring down at her with his hard, cadet blue eyes. Usagi had never been a particularly 'womanly' girl. She didn't have extraordinary curves that made men look twice, or a sexy attitude mingled with witty-banter that hinted on innuendo. But she didn't need it.
She was petite, possessing a small and girlish frame with only a few subtle curves in the right places- still she didn't look sickly thin. Her creamy golden-peach colored skin seemed to exude a healthy glow, and her complexion was unmarred. Bright cerulean eyes peered at him inquisitively, framed by golden lashes. The most dramatic thing about Usagi was her unusual and childish hairstyle, which fell down to ankles and was lavished with care despite the fact that she couldn't afford a haircut.
Right now, she was dressed in a golden sweater, thick and warm looking, that accentuated the color of her hair and helped to obscure the fact that she had been looked over in the curves department. Khaki pants hung on her tightly, though in the waist it looked as though the pants might have hung too loosely if there wasn't for the slim, black belt that held it in place. And on her feet she wore black leather hiking boots that looked comfortable and well worn.
"Then why.?" Her question petered off, unasked but understood.
He sat down in front of her, staring at her with his intense gray blue eyes. "Why did you laugh at me?" Why, he asked himself, did it matter, anyhow? People were meant to be self-sufficient- in his opinion he didn't need anyone else. Still, the thought of her head tilted back as she laughed with everyone.
"W-what do you mean," she asked, obviously flustered under his gaze. In fact, she was blushing from his inspection, and looking unsure.
Squall's eyes darkened with disgust. "You don't even remember?"
"N-no," she stammered, looking honest. At least she had the decency to look shame-faced.
"With the lot of them, earlier. Why did you defend me when you didn't mean it," he asked, gripping the edges of his seat tight, inspecting, boring his eyes past her skin to soul.
It clicked, then, what he said, and she appeared honestly confused. "What do you mean, 'didn't mean it?' Squall, I did mean it!"
He just shook his head, feeling disappointed. She hadn't, not really. If she had, she wouldn't have laughed. He got up, his angry silence his only answer, and shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his bomber jacket before starting to walk away.
"Squall," she cried startled, and in protest. She got up after him, starting after him. She reached out for his retreating form, but stopped, feeling lost and upset and as though he was out-of-reach.
She sighed, and picked up her things in preparation of leaving. No reason to stay when her classes were over for the next few hours, and she'd managed to upset the person she considered to be her best friend. She cast one last, sullen, unhappy glance in the direction he'd disappeared in, before leaving.
*--------------* *--------------*
".And he just up and left," she concluded, before taking in another drink of her hot chocolate and continuing walking. The warm stuff filled her up and made all the cold, numbed parts of her feel warm again. And right now, it wasn't just the physical sensation that plagued her, but the emotional impression that she'd screwed up badly.
Usagi didn't have a lot of people to talk to anymore, what with all the scouts having gone to other places. Meeting up with Selphie and Quistis and the others the year she'd started college had been relief- it has been more than a little scary being eighteen and all on her own.
Still, she hadn't counted on relaying the recent turn of events to Seifer. Sure, the guy could make her laugh, but she didn't know hardly anything about him. However, when she'd come to her last resort of talking to either him or Zell about it- Selphie was babying Irvine (who was probably milking the whole thing to its full potential) and Quistis being too busy preparing for midterms, she had broken down and called him.
To her great surprise, he'd actually agreed to come to the mall with her- a place that she figured no man could really relish- and talk to her about her emotional burdens. Seifer had always struck her as a witty guy, but it turned out there was a sweeter, more sentimental side to him- he'd even bought her the hot chocolate that she was currently drinking.
She cast a sidelong glance at him, taking in his appearance. His rakish, short blonde hair didn't look bad on him. Like Squall, his expression always seemed to be set into a serious frown, cold bright-blue eyes narrowed constantly under his eyebrows. His mouth was caught in that perpetual look of resentment, and he held himself with an air of importance and dignity, maybe even cruelty.
"It sounds like," he said at last, "Squall's found who he wants to be his next girlfriend."
Usagi snorted in surprise, and found the burning liquid caught in the wrong tub. Usagi coughed, and Seifer waited until she had gotten her bearings again. Usagi flushed at the looks a few passerbies were giving her, but tried to ignore them. "What," she finally managed to rasp, "did you say?"
Seifer flashed her a rare grin, and repeated himself. "I said, 'Squall's found who he wants to be his next girlfriend,'" he said pointedly, looking at her.
Usagi's cheeks lit up into flames. "You're not suggesting that."
"Well, don't you think it's odd, that he won't even bother to talk to the rest of us, and he lets his panties get all twisted out of shape over the fact that you laughed at him?" Usagi shook her head, unsure what to believe.
"That's no true," she denied. "Squall's never even hinted at something like that- we're just friends. And I don't think he wears panties either."
"And THAT would be because Squall has the worst set of communication skills that I've ever seen anyone possess. Not to mention that he still has those ideas running around in his head that he doesn't need anyone but himself to get along in life."Seifer looked serious, and he'd even looked over the 'panties' comment for the moment. She had thought for sure he'd rise to the bait on that one.
Usagi watched Seifer's face for a few minutes, as though waiting for him to bust up into laughter and say, 'you actually thought I was serious? Ha!' but he had resumed his serious attitude. "That's just." Usagi couldn't find the words, and merely shook her head.
"That's not possible," she finally said, her words sounding almost self- condemning. "Squall hasn't said a single thing in two years, or even hinted that he likes me- not even in body language. I'd be better off asking you out on a date," Usagi spat out. After a few minutes, she realized what she said sounded mean, and she amended for it, blushing with shame. "Sorry," she apologized.
He merely waved it off with the brush of his hand. "Bah, everybody knows that girls prefer guys like Squall to the rest of us- though God only knows why, I'll never know; just why the hell would you want all that extra mental and emotional baggage. Rinoa chose him over me, too, so it's no surprise. Though Rinoa did choose some other guy over him, too," he said almost thoughtfully.
That was a small surprise to Usagi. Just how many times did this Rinoa switch 'serious boyfriends,' anyhow? She hadn't just dated Squall, but Seifer, too? In the back of her mind, she felt a nagging, guilty sensation like she should be comforting Seifer, saying that he just hadn't met the right kind of girl yet, but she never really got the chance.
He placed an arm around Usagi's shoulders, which surprised her to no end. "But never mind that- it's been kind of sickening watching you follow him around like a little lost puppy." Usagi made an indignant noise, though he shushed her with a snort. "Doing his grocery shopping for him? I know the guy's a recluse and wants to be all by himself, but don't help him to hole up on himself, my dear.
"What you, need," he continued as he steered her back outside, " is a plan to get the moron to wake up and smell the coffee, and spill the beans or whatever. And you're just in luck- you came to the right person." He seemed to puff up with pride, and Usagi couldn't help but giggle slightly.
"So just leave it to me, and I'll help you win that blind little anti- social head-case over," he said, before strolling off.
Usagi waved goodbye to him in return when he turned back to wave to her, and then ran through the parking lot to car, feeling light and giddy. It was true; despite the fact that she had worked hard to throw herself at other men for the past two years, she had been very 'hung-over' Squall Leonheart.
It ran deeper than a crush, of course, but it wasn't an obsession that took up all of her day. No, rather it was a nagging, dull ache in her chest that made itself known at the beginning and end of each day. The thought of these emotions being reciprocated made her feel hot and cold all over at once, and as though new energy was bubbling through her with no source but itself.
What, though, she couldn't help but wonder, was his big plan?
*-----------------------* *--------------------------*
Kwa! Chappie two's done. What do you people think? Should I drop it, and just work on some of my other fics?