Light Unto My Path

By: Ayato Kamina

Chapter 2: The Jacket

Disclaimer: Characters affiliated with Final Fantasy 8 are not in my possession, but they are Square Enix's.

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Squall silently enjoyed having classes with Rinoa. He had first period with her, and Instructor Trepe was now tolerable. He had the excruciatingly hard Calculus class with her. He also had Macro Economics with her in third period and had Human Anatomy in sixth period with her. During his classes, he studied Rinoa through the way she interacted with her fellow peers. He was in Macro Economics currently, and the bell was about to ring.

She's modest. She does not seem to enjoy the continuous flirting of the other males. The males are trying to claim their territory. She is a piece of land to them. My, my… they seem to have some raging hormones. She can't be conquered though. She is like the mountains and the wilderness. They won't ever have her. So innocent too.

"Ms. Heartilly, would you like to go out sometime on Friday perhaps?" a voice practically begged.

"No," she said with a smile. "I'm not dating right now."

Interesting, Seifer Almasy trying to get Rinoa… She's hard to get as well.

Rinoa realized that Squall was watching her, but Squall smoothly looked away as soon as his cover was about to be blown.

That was close. She seems to be uncomfortable.

"Ms. Heartilly, I can show you a fun time." snickered Seifer. "You can enjoy staying at my house afterwards."

Disgusting. He's practically flaunting himself over her. I wonder what she'll do. This is none of my business. Why am I even listening to this?

"As long as my father comes with me." she said wryly. "Which means never."

Yes!

The bell rang. The class was dismissed, and Squall grabbed his backpack and left. He started to walk to his next class. He walked through the hallway and received stares that made him uncomfortable. He heard giggles, and he immediately did not want to walk near the girls that were checking him out. He sped up and hurried even faster to his next class.

Freaky girls. Always feel like they are undressing me in their minds. I hate them. I despise them all. Wait… How am I any different? I think of Rinoa. Then again, I don't think of those kinds of thoughts. I want to respect her. I do not want to think of her in that way. She's too good for that.

As he entered the next class, he realized that he left his jacket back in third period.

Great, that jacket was my favorite too… Better go get it.

"Instructor Martine, I left my jacket back in Macro." Squall stated politely. "May I go get it back quickly?"

I know that he knows that I am trustworthy. Does that even make sense? I just hope he lets me get it. Despite the little time I have left.

"Mr. Leonhart, I will write you a pass, but don't abuse it." Martine strictly said.

Thank you!

Squall nodded and left the room. He walked down the halls and enjoyed the silence.

I am so glad that no one is here in these hallways.

"Seifer, I'm already late, just let it go."

Great there is someone in these…RINOA… What's she doing in the hallways right now? Is Seifer continuing to bother her? It's not your business. Just get your jacket.

"Kiss me, and I'll let you go." Seifer said dangerously.

"No." Rinoa stated desperately.

No, I can't let that happen. She's in trouble. I have to stop it.

Squall followed the direction of the voices.

"Seifer, stop." Rinoa pleaded. "I don't like you, and honestly, I don't want this."

"No, I want you now!" said Seifer.

Great. He has the nerve to do this at school!

Squall turned to the left of the corridor, and there he saw Rinoa. She was being embraced by Seifer, and she was struggling. Seifer had an insane look on his face. Squall was horrified at this sight. He stood there glaring intently and then spoke.

"Almasy, what do you think you're doing?" Squall spat venomously. "Get your hands off her."

"What's this? When have you ever cared?" Seifer countered.

He's right. When have I ever cared? But Rinoa was different. She mattered.

"Don't change the subject." Squall stated. "She's a friend of mine… now stop."

Squall was getting ready to perhaps turn this situation violent. His body gestures and facial features showed that he was indeed not afraid of what was to come. Squall glanced at Rinoa. She looked so afraid.

I hope you never have to experience something like this ever again.

Rinoa had an astonished look on her face. She barely knew Squall, but she was being saved by him. She was called a 'friend' according to Squall. She recalled that Squall didn't have friends. She saw how shy Squall was around her, but she also saw something deeper. She saw the way he never really had friends at school. He was always alone. He kept to his own council. Sometimes when Rinoa looked at Squall, she swore that he was in his own world. She observed that when she looked into his icy eyes, she would see him focusing on something distant almost.

Seifer did not process this information well either. He knew that it was strange for Squall to act this way. Seifer became slightly intimidated, so he backed off.

"Geez, I never knew you had it in you," mocked Seifer. "You report me, you're dead."

Good he's gone. I'm glad nothing serious happened.

Seifer ran off leaving Rinoa there alone with Squall. They stared at each other for a second until Rinoa broke the silence.

"Thank you for that, Squall." Rinoa said gratefully. "I don't know what would have happened if you didn't come."

Great going. You called her a 'friend'. She's probably freaked. Respond normally.

"Yeah, well..uh.. I was getting my jacket that I left in third period. But then, I heard some voices, so I decided to check it out." Squall nervously said.

"So you wanted to eavesdrop?" Rinoa asked.

"No, I heard your voice," Squall said. "And Seifer isn't sane, so I put two and two together."

"I see, well thank you." Rinoa giggled. "Friends?"

Rinoa extended her hand into a form of a handshake. Never had Squall done something like this before.

I'm being offered her friendship. Stop shaking in your boots and start shaking her hand. Hey a pun…

Squall returned the handshake firmly but not too firm.

"Friends." Squall said.

I still don't have my jacket either… How will I explain this?

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Squall had his first cross country practice. He was actually the best in the team. Zell Dincht was second fastest on the team, and he was in good shape. However, Squall miraculously beat him last year.

Goodness, Zell just won't shut up.

Zell was babbling insignificant things about how he was going to beat Squall this time, and how he was in better shape than him. Squall just ignored him and kept his silence.

Irvine Kinneas, another runner, laughed as Zell was joking.

These guys mean no harm… I just don't like all this small talk. Can't they just stop!

Some new members of the cross country team appeared. Squall didn't recognize them.

Okay, they look like nothing good.

Then Zack came. He was wearing the shorts, the shoes, and even the under-armor.

Okay, I guess he runs too… He's got the attire and everything… His name was Zack… I think. He looks like someone I know.

"Okay, this is the start of a whole new season," said Coach Nida. "And I want it to be the best. You guys have what it takes to get to state, but you have to work hard every step of the way. Okay, let's do a warm-up."

Everyone started to do the warm-up course which was approximately two miles. They ran around the school. They would trot over rolling hills and go explore through forests. Squall noticed the trees and their stability.

I wish one day that I can be like that big tree. What am I thinking? I want to be like a…

"…tree?" Squall suddenly said.

Luckily, no one noticed that Squall said something to himself. Zell kept on flaunting on how he was in front of everyone else. He was perspiring profusely however. Squall made a small grin.

It's a warm-up bud. You're not supposed to run fast. You're just going to waste your energy… then again… you never run out of energy anyways…

Zack was doing quite well, and he had the runner's build.

He's got the right height. Form isn't too bad. Stride is just right. He's doing pretty well. Just some sprucing here and there.

As the warm-up ended, many of the newcomers were tired. They had their heads directed towards the ground as if they were trying to catch their breath. Zack seemed to know what he was doing, and he did not exert a lot of energy, but fulfilled the warm-up's purpose… to get warmed up!

Idiots wasted all their energy on the WARM-UP…

"Now time for the workout," Coach Nida said. "Varsity, run quarters. JV, jog 3 more miles. Squall, run each quarter in about 75 seconds. Zell, 80 seconds. Irvine and Zidane, 85 seconds. Wakka, 90 seconds. You guys are running twelve of these."

There was a groan.

Easy, I just need to keep that pace, and I'm straight.

JV ran their 3 miles around, but they wouldn't be suffering as much as the varsity team. While they were running their quarters, they had about 70 seconds of rest between each quarter. Squall was doing exceedingly well. The others could not meet their time prerequisites. As practice was over, everyone was exhausted. They stretched various muscles. During this stretching period, everyone sighed with relief. They were glad it was over. Some drove back home; while, some had their parents pick them. Squall noticed that Zack was flustered. He could not get a ride.

Should I help him? It's his business… not mine. Well, helping never hurt.

"Need a ride?" Squall said abruptly.

What is it that I find in this kid to help him?

"Maybe…ermm… yes." Zack replied

Squall gave Zack a ride. As he was driving, they remained silent for the whole time. The only time Zack spoke was when he was giving directions.

He doesn't live too far away from me. That's good at least; I won't waste gas.

He pulled up on the driveway. Zack's house was very nice and ornate. The brickwork was astounding, and the grass was evenly mowed.

The house seems new, and it looks like he just moved in probably during the summer. Zack's parents must be rich.

"Want to come in?" Zack asked.

"No." Squall answered almost rudely.

Zack waved and pulled out his keys. He opened his front door and went in. Squall backed out of the driveway and headed home. His house was only a street away.

I need to stop getting all mushy. I actually gave someone a ride! When have I ever cared?

There was just something about Zack he could not get over.

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Author's Notes:

I am trying to show detail somewhat, but it's a bit hard. Suggestions and critique still welcome.