Only the Demented
Chapter 2: Singing and Eating
Disclaimer: Squaresoft is the owner of FF8. "Standing Still" belongs to Jewel.
Author's Note:
Ø I am on a writing stampede! Oh yeah, I have a problem with tenses so don't flame over that.
Ø Lyrics in italic.
The suitcases were all packed and loaded into the trunk of the rented car. Among the three men are three medium-sized pieces of luggage. Among the four women are seven large valises. After everything is crammed inside, including the people, Squall starts the ignition. The engine sputters but does not roar to life. He tries again. And again. The engine flat out refuses to start.
"C'mon already Squall!" Selphie urges. "If we don't get moving, we'll miss the train AND have to pay extra for delaying them."
Simply hearing "pay" makes Squall go into a frenzy. He swears as he takes out the key and rams it into the keyhole. Cruelly, he twists it into place and finally the engine starts. Soon, the car begins driving down the road from Balamb onto the newly built intercontinental highway to every continent except for Trabia. Trains are the only source of public transportation to the snowy continent with its many mountain ranges covered in snow.
After approximately twenty minutes, Irvine breaks the quiet with a question. "How long is it going to take to drive to Deling City?"
"Rinoa, can you please compute that into the computer?" Squall asks offhandedly as he keeps both gloved hands on the wheel like any dependable driver should. She complies happily and selects the destination from a set list on the location system (like an OnStar).
The raven-haired girl pales just the slightest fraction. "Two to three hours depending on traffic."
"TWO TO THREE HOURS?" Zell yells in frustration. "I'M HUNGRY ALREADY! WHERE'S THE NEAREST HOT DOG STAND? I WANT TO EAT SOME HOT DOGS NOW BEFORE I STARVE TO A BARE SKELETON!"
Quistis glances irritably at Lydia to get her to tell Zell to stop squirming and bellowing but the librarian is too busy being awed by Zell to notice. Frowning, the Instructor tries to move over closer to the side but there's hardly any space even though the vehicle has three rows of seats. Being the staunch seatbelt supporter Squall was, and there being two rows of two seats each and one row of three seats, it was natural that couples sat together. Quistis felt rather uncomfortable, like a fifth wheel. Literally, she was. The odd one out. What's wrong with this picture? The blonde woman doesn't have a boyfriend to cuddle and exchange hugs and kisses with. Shaking her head bitterly, Quistis took off her glasses and placed them neatly in her case.
Zell finally quiets down, realizing there is nothing but salty ocean water and asphalt about. Sighing, he sinks down onto the plush seat and leans his head back against the cushion. The twenty-six hot dogs he had digested before had the little nutrition in them absorbed and his stomach felt hollow and empty, churning every now and then to protest the void.
Meanwhile in the seat in front of them, Irvine is digging excitedly through Selphie's bright yellow knapsack. "Sefie, did you pack my CDs?" He asks.
"'Course I did, Irvy." She takes the bag from him and pulls out a CD wallet. "Here ya go." She chirrups. Irvine flashes a grin at the easygoing girl as he hands a CD to Rinoa who in turn feeds it to the CD player.
"Oh no… not again…" Quistis groans inwardly. The last time Irvine played one of his CDs was one of the most memorable events in Quistis's nineteen years in the world. A karaoke contest had erupted out of an otherwise normal lunch in the cafeteria with Irvine belting out lyrics to just about every song. Unsurprisingly enough, Irvine and Selphie had "convinced" everyone to try the limelight and sing their heart out. She shuddered over the memory of her forced singing of "'I'm a Slave 4 U' by the disgustingly ubiquitous singer Britney Spears.
Predictably, Selphie began singing, with Irvine doing the chorus. Soon enough both Lydia and Rinoa joined them as the song's melody wrapped itself in the atmosphere of the car. Squall even helped out by echoing the last word in each line and Zell was bored enough to join them in the repeated lines. Only Quistis kept her mouth shut in a firm, determined line. She would refuse their pleading. She would not sing.
Cutting
through the darkest night are my two headlights
Try to keep it clear, but I'm losing it here
To the twilight
There's a dead end to my left
There's a burning bush to my right
You aren't in sight
You aren't in sight
Do you want me
Like I want you
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by
Or am I standing still
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by
Mothers on the stoop
Boys in souped-up coupes
On this hot summer night
Between fight and flight
Is the blind man's sight
And a choice that's right
I roll the window down
Feel like I'm gonna drown in this strange town
Feel broken down
Feel broken down
Do you want me
Like I want you
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by
Or am I standing still
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by
Sweet sorrow - He said call tomorrow
Sweet sorrow - He said call tomorrow
Do you want me
Like I want you
Or am I standing still
Beneath a darkened sky
Or am I standing still
With the scenery flying by
Or am I standing still
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you passing me by
"…me by." Zell finishes a clear ten seconds after the official end of the song, causing everyone to laugh. Shrugging, he then resumes his daydream of hot dogs with limbs that are walking around in his mind. "Hot dogs… so hungry…" Lydia is still looking fondly at him, as if that's all she ever does.
Finally the song ends. "Please tell me that's it," Quistis mutters under her breath. Another song begins to play and the sickened woman closes her eyes. "If I can get some sleep…" she decides rest will help her throughout the long trip to the train station. Little does she know how much Standing Still will affect her later on…
* * *
"We're here, we're here!" Selphie proclaims in a singsong voice, looking very much younger than her eighteen years in denim overalls and a gold shirt. "Let's all board the Flakes and Flurries train now!" She stops when she notices Irvine struggling with both their suitcases and laughs awkwardly. "Hehe… Irvy, can you get them aboard the cargo car?"
Irvine mumbles incoherently as he casts Aura on himself for increased strength (I know it's for limit breaks but heck, why not?). After casting it, he found it easier to drag the bulky things onto the ramp and into the car. "Finally.." He breathes a sigh of relief as he boards the train.
After all the luggage is packed away and everyone is aboard, the conductor makes an announcement. "Good morning passengers. We will be going nonstop to Decadence of Deling in four hours. There, we will stop for three hours and then re-board the train at 0330. Afterwards, we will then go to the ski resort. Meals will be served in the food car and there is a working bathroom in each car. Thank you for riding the Flakes and Flurries Express and we hope you enjoy your ride." Then the train lets out a whistle and begins to start.
Selphie grins as she stands up and leaves the car to go to the next one, to watch the moving scenes. Already, she begins singing her little ditty and everyone groans.
"I'm hungry…" Zell complains again.
"Then go to the food car. Oh wait, I forgot, we're not eating till ten!" Irvine snaps shortly as he leaves to go find Selphie.
Zell throws a dirty look towards the now closed door. "Stupid Irvine and his stupid smugness." He begins pacing around bitterly, his hands behind his back, and going around the perimeter of the car in slow, deliberate steps.
* * *
Two hours crawl by and Zell can no longer stand it. "It's ten already! It's been five hours since we've eaten! Can we PLEASE eat NOW?"
Squall looks at him and then says his trademark word. "…whatever."
Zell crumples up in the chair, groaning softly. Lydia looks at him concernedly. "I think we should get a bite to eat." She murmurs.
"Ok let's go!" Rinoa stands up, trying to drag Squall into going with them all. He protests futilely but ultimately gives in to his persistent girlfriend with a heavy sigh. The ecstatic Zell herds them into the food car as an attendant shows them to a booth for six while handing Rinoa three menus.
"I want ten hot dogs, three hamburgers and a big plate of fries! And a Cactuar Cola (just a brand lol)!" No one other than Zell practically sings out.
"My name is Larry and I'll be your waiter for the train ride to Flakes and Flurries." He says and Zell earns glares from everyone for being so rude. Larry takes down the blonde man's request and looks expectantly towards Lydia who is seated next to him. "Yes?" He is a middle-aged man with light brown hair and a warm smile. The plain gray uniform with a stripe running down each sleeve seems slightly too large on him, but he does not notice or probably pays no mind.
She glances quickly through the menu. "Well… I would like a slice of pepperoni pizza with a Cactuar Diet Cola."
Quistis is next and she immediately states, "I'd like a salad and a lemonade."
"I want two supreme pan pizzas and one extra-large Cactuar Cola with two straws," Rinoa giggles, holding Squall's hand.
"You should be eating in no more than ten minutes," Larry smiles and goes off to the kitchen to give the order."
"Gee Quistis, you always get a salad and a lemonade. There's no award for consistency, you know?" Rinoa jokes.
Quistis can't help but crack up. "Maybe you're right. Well if we decide to get a light snack at the mall, I'll get ice cream then."
Soon Larry arrives, with a cart steaming with delicious-looking foods. "Bon appetit!" He says and they all dig in.
* * *
Squall looks at the bill. "1450 gil. Zell, you owe 550. Quistis, you owe 250. Lydia you owe 250. And I owe 400. I think we should each tip him 50." Then he wonders how much money he's going to have left but sighs. The money is collected and Squall takes it to the counter along with the tab to pay. He soon returns and takes out a hundred-note, placing it on the table. Zell, Quistis and Lydia each cough up fifty gil and then they all stand up. Larry comes by and notices the tips.
"Thanks a lot!" He says graciously.
Everyone is about to leave the car when Selphie and Irvine enter the car, hand-in-hand.
Noting the rather "interesting" event, Selphie looks around carefully. "Uh hi guys, what are you doing here?" She asks slowly.
Lydia, Rinoa and Quistis glance at Larry who is clearing the table with a cool air. They look expectantly at Squall who looks at Zell. Being the undiplomatic and hasty person he is, Zell blurts out, "Oh we just ate lunch."
"You didn't tell us you were going to have lunch?" Irvine asks dangerously.
Zell shrugs. "We thought you were planning to eat yourselves later." He speaks without an air of diplomacy, and the looks he's receiving are not helping.
Slowly, very slowly, Selphie nods. "Ok. Then. We. Will. Eat. By. Ourselves." She has a forced smile on her face but her face is twitching. Noticeably.
Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Lydia and Quistis usher themselves out in a swift manner, babbling some excuse for their leaving.
"How inconsiderate of them!" Irvine grumbles, shaking his head in shallow disgust.
Selphie agrees. "Let's pay 'em back later. I have the perfect revenge!" Her usually sweet and innocent face is darkened by malice as she smirks. She leans over the table and whispers something into Irvine's ear and he nods eagerly.
"Serves them right!"
Author's Note:
Ø Now that you've read it- I want your verdict!