Author's Note: I like writing notes…you know what's even more fun that writing notes? Passing notes! Yeah, anyway back on topic. So I finally started writing again for reasons still unknown to me. I'm just going to work on this one; I'm not going to start any more stories because well…I never finish them. So I'm glad to say this is the second chapter! I hope you guys remember what happened in the first chapter…if not read it again.

Chapter 2: The Gathering

"I just don't agree, I got 14 in a half out of 15? I mean yeah, maybe I forgot an 'I' but really!" Danille argued, her voice was more a pleading though.

"I'm sorry sweetie. Instructor's Code. I can't disobey and break that. You know a rule is a rule no matter how much you don't like it." Quistis explained behind her desk. She had a mountain high of assignments to mark and hand back. "And you had to write 'Galbadia' right with no errors." Danille sighed angrily with a hint of growl in it.

"Mo-om!"

"I don't want to hear it! Now head to your next class or else you're going to be late. You do lose points and marks with your attendance did you know that?" As if on cue the last student left the room. Everyone was quick for leaving the SeeD basics class, it wasn't their favourite. There were a few who did though, but only to gawk and drool over Quistis.

"I forgot my whip?"

"You can use mine. It's in the Teacher's Lounge, locker #37 code 7-37-"

"It was an excuse! You know how I disagree with fighting!" Danille said giving another growled sigh. She stumped off out of the class muttering.

Shawna was waiting patiently outside the classroom, mirror in one hand and some mascara in the other. She clicked the little pink mirror case closed as she heard her friend approach.

"Oh my god, that class went, like so-o slow! My make-up faded before Joey could see it in Combat Class!" Shawna complained, she looked extremely pissed off, more than Danille.

"You look fine Shawn-…is that my skirt you have on?" Danille enraged, seeing her pink mini skirt with the red horizontal, hour glass shaped belts on it. Of course she had more than one skirt and was wearing the one of the other many she had, but the point was it's hers.

"Yeah I know, you think Joey would like it? Or notice it?" Shawna checked herself in the reflection of a window and pleaded it out.

"Just….make sure you give it back!" Danille walked over to elevator, she didn't want another problem over her head. "And don't get it dirty or anything!"

"Great! Like, I knew you would say that! Oh my god did I show you this?" She ran in front of Danille and pointed to her nose. Danille stared at her blankly, not knowing what she was looking for. A Zit that was so professional covered by an expert or a new nose job or what. Shawna still had the stupid grin on her face.

"I got a new nose ring! This diamond is blue rather than pink! Cool hey?"

"Did you know that you could get a disease from a nose piercing? Especially when it's on the left." Danille grinned; she was usually never this bullying and mean, the test results were the results.

"You're just jealous! Anyways, we should move faster if we want to make it to class on time!" Shawna said as she picked up the pace a bit.

"Don't' worry, Joey will still be there when we get there! Besides, I got to go to the teacher's lounge and pick up my mom's whip. I forgot mine on purpose but she wants me to take this class for marks…." Danille and Shawna entered the elevator and press F1. The lounge was in the library in a room in the back. It was the most quiet area for the teachers to relax and talk to others. The elevator came to a half on the first floor as Danille exited.

"Yeah, whatever." Shawna pressed B1.

The cafeteria was dead quiet except for two figures talking loudly. Now if this was movie you'd go 'why is Squall sitting at the table with Neil from Matrix?' Well, my dear reader, allow me to answer that for you. Now, you'd be half right if you think that was Squall, but no, this is Joey. Yes, the one and only. Well, at least that's what Shawna thinks. He does look a lot like Squall, except his hair is jet black and his eyes are dark brown. He almost wears the same cloths also. The classic brown jacket, but this one has a hood on it with a greyish fur around it. He also follows the look of two belts crossing over one another with black pants. But you'd be completely wrong if you thought that was Neil, this guy's name is Jesse Loire, and like Neo, he's gorgeous. Then again, every guy with black hair and clear blue eyes is cute. He does almost go for the same look as Neo, he has a long black trench coat with a black T-shirt underneath complete with pants. Now for some odd reason he doesn't wear any big boots, just regular black runners. Your probably thinking 'this guy sounds like he's in a cult' well no he's not, just all the dark colours really bring out his eyes.

"No! Trust me! I saw the top secret files in my dad's office! We're going to be teamed with that little brat!" Joey was explaining, waving his hands around frantically like that would help anything.

"Listen to me though, if those were top secret, you wouldn't be able to see them, ya know?" Jesse thought out loud, "And besides that, she's way too young. I mean I wouldn't date her or even take her out or anything."

"It doesn't matter if you'd date her or not! Point is, she's small, strong, annoying, squeaky and on our team." Joey stretched on the chair. He just ate lunch and was trying to make more room. "I'll show you the file if you don't belie-"

"There you are you fat lazy people!" Came a voice that sounded like a mice being stepped on. Joey frowned.

"Speak of the Devil…we were just talking about you, Amy." He sighed. He threw Jesse an annoying look. Amy came pouncing over, the chain wrapped around her calf made a clinging noise as she did so. The bright orange belt around her waist and bottom of her blue capri's as well on her vest, which had red flames around the rims, made her very noticeable and colourful.

"I hope it was nothing bad! I just came over cuz I forgot my shoes at your dorm, Jesse."

Joey shot and an immediate glare at Jesse. 'I wouldn't go out with her or even take her out!' he heard him say in his head. Jesse knew this is what he was thinking and thought of a lie quickly.

"Yeah…When. You. Came to get that…book…right?" Amy stared at him confused.

"…su-ure." Amy stated "But I really do need them. We have fighting class next together you guys and are you going to finish that?" she pointed to a hotdog on Joey's plate that was loaded with everything on the condiment table.

"Sure?" Amy snatched it off the plate and took a big bite.

"Aneewayth. Shoooth, Jethe, A.Ath. A. P?" She walked away while taking another bite. Joey was glaring at Jesse again.

"What?" He asked innocently as if he didn't do anything.

"Dude…she's like 15."

"Shut up, ya know?"

"Ok, ladies. Today's class will consist of sparring. We will have 4 pairs going at it at once. We'll place everyone not fighting at the moment to go to the right side of the arena." Seifer raised and arm and pointed to the area he was talking about. "Rules are simple. No magic and no lethal attacks."

Krystal nudged Liz.

"Since you have nothing, you can watch from the sidelines." She whispered. Liz looked at her very offended."

"I know Martial Arts!" She growled back quietly.

"-Now first up, we'll have…Jeremy! Get over to ring 1. Against you will be…" Liz raised her hand.

"New kid? You're up for it?" Seifer asked, curiously and surprised. Mostly students on the first day are just comfortable with watching from the sidelines.

"Of course! If you don't mind that is…" Liz seemed to talk with great respect in her voice. Seifer nodded.

"Alright then, get over to ring one. Now for ring 2 can I get Azura and …Shawna." A red haired girl with a long black dress walked out. She clutched a metal staff in her hands. Shawna came next pleading out her skirt again, looking for any sign of her crush in the crowd.

"Ring 3 will be…Mida and …..I'll get you Jesse. And no time hoodoo voodoo stuff, understand?" Seifer warned Jesse, he knew he liked to play around with time. That's why he was never late for class. Trevor nodded though and didn't argue with him. Mida was going to be easy to beat for him.

"Ring for will be Krystal and Joey." Seifer said without even thinking about it.

"WHAT?" Joey yelled.

"JOEY?" Shawna yelled and looked around frantically.

"15 minutes on the click! Get in position and do warm-ups." Seifer dug a stop watch out of his pocket. The eight students rushed to their spots. For every ring there was a circle with a little circle in the middle and two markers on each h side. Jesse thought it looked like a pokemon ball with two eyes. Krystal walked onto the marker with Joey approaching on the other side.

"Funny, I wonder why he chose you for me. Weren't we supposed to find someone that's a challenge to us?" Krystal asked sneering. She put her hair in a quick ponytail.

"I know…You're not even a sweat for me." Joey stood ready, waiting for any sign that they could start.

"Cocky as usual…"

"Not cocky, just better."

Shawna whipped out her two nunchaku's as she pleaded her skirt out one last time and fluffed her hair up a little bit. She looked around for a mirror or reflection but didn't see any, and then she turned to Azura.

"Hey, Azura? Is Joey looking over here?" She asked as she did a little pose. Her opponent shook her head.

"Weapons up!" Seifer should, over hearing Shawna. Krystal stood ready as well as all the other students. Joey saw the determination in her eyes. He didn't see his eyes looked the same way though.

"Go!"