Into the Fire
*A/N* - Another wait is over. Really sorry I keep doing this to all of my readers with every story, but I also am working on other stories of sorts for another site. I really hope you find this wait worth it and enjoy the chapter.
Special thanks, again, to my BETA, Nighthill. Her continued support and EXCELLENT criticism and recommendations really help(ed) me to progress my stories, improve my writing, and encourage me to keep trying even when I think I suck, lol. Thanks!
Also, I am considering changing my pen name. I'm not entirely sure I will, but should I officially opt to, I will let you know ahead of time.
"Rinoa! Over here!" Selphie waved from her seat at the lunch table.
Rinoa stared ahead towards Selphie's table with a tense look. She had already dreaded the thought of joining the girl's friends from the very start – and now, seeing all of them together, it had only increased her hesitancy. She wanted to turn away, but she had already been spotted by Selphie.
There was no way out of this.
She gave a weak smile in the small girl's direction before making her way towards them. She strode forward steadily, her stomach churning with each step; she couldn't believe what she was doing. Why had Selphie even invited her? It seemed so odd. They didn't even know each other. The girl was too eager in introducing Rinoa to a group of complete strangers - and, while she appreciated the gesture, it had only further unnerved her.
A boy with spiky blond hair shot a quizzical look towards Selphie. "Who is that?"
"That's my new roommate." Selphie answered with a bright smile.
Her words piqued interest in a boy with auburn hair pulled into a low pony-tail, and he lifted the tip of his cowboy hat to get a better view of the unknown girl. "Hey, not bad!" A smirk formed at the edge of his mouth, but was quick to disappear when Selphie elbowed him in the stomach. "Ow!"
The young woman glared at him harshly, inducing an awkward smile from the boy.
Rinoa's eyes caught sight of a specific individual as she approached the table, and she stopped abruptly in her tracks. A slim female student sat amongst Selphie's friends - though only the side of her head was visible, the golden-blond hair and long fringes framing her face were unmistakable; there was no denying it was her.
She instantly felt her stomach drop, her anxiety increasing ten-fold. She couldn't imagine what the girl was doing here. It was too absurd to believe she and Selphie could actually be friends – they just seemed so different. She didn't know the person, but it was clear that the girl didn't like her; that was enough. She was no longer just dreading this moment…she was loathing it.
"Come on! Sit down." Selphie motioned for Rinoa to join them, pointing happily at a seat right beside the blond.
Despite every bone in her body telling her to turn back, Rinoa gave a grudging sigh and cautiously sat down without a word. She could hear a faint groan to her left in the brief silence as the blond girl turned her head away in disgust. Rinoa pretended not to notice, staring down at the tabletop in attempt to calm her nerves. Her day was already bad enough, but this moment took the cake. Of all places she could be right now, she had to wonder why it was here.
"Rinoa - this is Irvine." Selphie nodded at the long-haired boy, whom proceeded to tip his hat in respect. "Zell." The boy with spiky hair gave her a thumbs-up as he stuffed food into his mouth. "Quistis." The blonde looked up at the mention of her name, and Rinoa gave her a strained smile. Her expression shifting to a sort of frown, Quistis lowered her gaze as she gave Rinoa a curt nod.
Rinoa mentally drew back, quickly glancing down at the floor as she fidgeted in her seat.
"And, the quiet one is Squall." There was a tone of amusement in Selphie's voice as she pointed to a short-haired brunette.
It was only then that Rinoa took notice of a sixth person at the table. It was him – that same boy from her morning class sat with them, still bearing that fur-trim collar and unyielding stern look in a scene oddly similar to when she had first seen him. He didn't even attempt to look up from the table at his introduction, his eyes fixed solidly on the tray of food in front of him.
"Don't take his silence personally. He's like that with everybody." Irvine stated.
Rinoa just continued to gaze at the quiet boy, nearly spellbound by his presence.
Squall. So, that was his name; unusual yet intriguing, and providing her with insight to his character. Even now, he paid her no mind; seeming unaware she had even sat down as he continued staring tediously at his half-eaten meal.
His appearance was even more captivating at closer range - and despite his slouched head, she was still able to catch a glimpse of his masculine features. Combined with the mysterious air he possessed, the scar that marred the bridge of his nose only added to his allure - although, she couldn't help wondering how he might have acquired it.
"So, what's your story?"
The sudden voice broke through Rinoa's thoughts, and she turned her head to find Zell looking at her. "What?"
"Where'd you come from?" Zell asked, moving his hand as though it would illustrate his curiosity. "You know, how'd you get here?"
His question brought the painful recollection to her mind once more, and she lowered her eyes to the tabletop woefully. She didn't understand why this had to keep happening; every time she tried to forget that moment, it would always find its way back to the front of her mind – and it made her heart break more.
Memories of home and her parents filled her head in an instant; and with them, the fervent desire to be reunited. She could only wonder what they might be doing at this very moment, wishing tirelessly, hopelessly, that she could somehow be there with them again.
"I'm…from Galbadia…"
Seemingly oblivious to her sullen mood, Zell proceeded to happily shove a hotdog into his mouth. "Galbadia, huh? I guess 'ere's no 'ance of 'ou conhuhing 'en."
"Oh, that's real mature, Zell…" Quistis muttered, rolling her eyes in mortification of his childish conduct.
Rinoa merely ignored his behavior, dropping her head in a moment of further grief. "…No." She fought to hold back the tears that welled up inside of her. She didn't want to cry now – she couldn't; not in front of these people she barely knew. She was already uncomfortable enough around them as it was - and with Squall and Quistis nearby, waterworks would only leave her completely humiliated. It was just best to avoid actions that would only bring questions she preferred not to answer.
"I know how you feel." Irvine stated, matter-of-factly. "I'm originally from Galbadia myself."
His words caught Rinoa off-guard, and she lifted her head in his direction. The remark had come as such a surprise to her that she couldn't contain her interest, and she looked at the cowboy curiously. "…Really?"
Irvine nodded in affirmation before continuing his story. "Yeah. I transferred here from Galbadia Garden about…five years ago. It was hard at first – you know, adjusting to life away from home – but, it's not so bad once you get used to it." There was a faint twinkle in his eyes as he adjusted the brim of his hat again. "Especially if it means there will be more cute girls like you roaming the halls every day."
He gave an impish smile in her direction with that last remark, causing mixed emotions within Rinoa, and she glanced down at her lap in attempt to hide her blushing cheeks.
Irvine's playful antics did not go without consequence, however, and his smile instantly ceased when he felt another smack from behind. Holding the back of his head, he looked at Selphie to find the brunette glaring at him again. Angered by the boy's thoughtless behavior, she nodded towards Rinoa crossly in a motion for him to stop – but, her attempt was only met by a flippant response as he smiled innocently at her.
"Don't mind Irvine – he can be a little impulsive at times." Zell said, having just guzzled a glass of milk to wash down the food in his mouth. "You'll learn to ignore him." Though he had said it with a joking manner, his tone bore a semblance of revulsion as he nodded towards the cowboy in annoyance.
A slight curl formed at the edge of Rinoa's lips, and she smiled awkwardly as she continued staring down at her lunch. Her meal was a rather unique combination, consisting of a ham sandwich, a small pile of potatoes, a carton of milk, and a bag of chips. She caught a whiff of the enticing aroma, and her stomach emitted a faint grumble.
Suddenly overcome with hunger, she remembered she had not yet eaten today; and unable to resist the rich scent, she proceeded to grab her fork before quietly inserting some potatoes into her mouth.
Irvine made a nonchalant shrug as he leaned back in his chair. "So? I'm a romantic. It's just how I roll."
"You're a womanizer." Zell argued before stuffing another hotdog into his open maw. "An' un iko'gikible f'ir', Squau woul agree wi'h he". He chewed on the frank for a few moments before swallowing it with a single gulp. "Right, Squall?" He turned to the silent boy with an expectant look.
Squall didn't respond, still silent as ever. His attention remained drawn to the tray before him; he poked at the few scraps of meat that added up to his lunch. The fork in his hand stilled as he glanced at the clock to the far right, then resumed its dreary activity.
Rinoa observed Squall closely for a moment, studying the aloof boy's expression. He just seemed so detached; even the ruckus of his friends and the presence of a complete stranger being unable to break his concentration. It was as if he had shut the world out with a wall so thick that nothing could penetrate it. She had to wonder if he still had yet to realize she was even there.
"Whatever, man." Zell uttered, casually dismissing his companion's snubbing. He pointed his fork towards Irvine. "It's true - and you know it." He was distracted almost immediately when something caught his attention, and he glanced down at the fork to find traces of uneaten meat. Without a second thought, he swiftly returned the utensil to his mouth and proceeded to down the small remains.
"Hey, don't hate the player." Irvine remarked drolly. He glanced towards Rinoa again, giving a playful smirk while winking.
Not used to such advances, Rinoa's cheeks flushed faintly once more upon catching Irvine's eye and she slowly removed the fork from her mouth. Feeling uneasy now from his constant flirting, she lowered her eyes to her lunch tray before carefully setting the utensil down.
"Irvine!" Selphie scolded, her voice loud and irate. She placed her hands on her hips as she scowled intensely at him, officially tired of his endless quirks. While she could understand his actions were habitual, she couldn't help but think he was purposely failing to remember she was sitting right next to him.
Zell joined her in the reproach, pointing his fork at the long-haired boy again in an aggressive manner. "Stop hittin' on her, man, or I'm gonna knock you back to Galbadia!"
The awkwardness of the moment left Rinoa restless, and she shifted timidly in her seat at his words.
Squall kept quiet through it all, numbly listening to the inane chatter of his classmates. Exhaling under his breath, he abruptly excused himself and departed from the table without a word. His actions caused the commotion to cease immediately, and they all watched in bewilderment as he gradually made his way to the doors.
Quistis emitted a scoff under her breath. "I guess some people just aren't as comfortable around others." She gave Rinoa a pointed look before quietly following Squall out of the cafeteria.
Rinoa felt her heart sink at the blonde's remark and hung her head. Staring down at her food, she emitted a heavy sigh before pushing the tray away.
She wasn't hungry anymore.
"I'm really worried about her." Edea gazed at the floor with a disturbed look as she uttered those words. Their meeting with Rinoa had been bothering her for the past few hours, and she had been trying to understand the situation. The poor girl, so young and innocent; Edea had wanted to inform her, but had found herself unable to do so as it could affect Rinoa's peace of mind.
"That Heartilly girl?" Cid's voice carried over from the corner of the room. "She seems like a nice young lady."
"I know…" Edea replied, closing her eyes at his words. "That's what troubles me. She doesn't know."
Cid quietly finished pouring his tea before carrying both cups over to join his distraught wife at her chair. Although she was shaken by recent events, he couldn't help but smile. He had always loved her benevolent nature, especially when it came to children; it was one of the reasons he had married her. She was only ever concerned about the well-being of those around her, never sparing another thought for herself.
She truly was one-of-a-kind. Even now, he couldn't help but fall more in love with her.
"Careful. It's hot." He warned, handing her a cup.
Edea lifted her head in question to find Cid holding the mug out to her. Carefully taking it in her hands, she absent-mindedly used her sorcerous powers, cooling the drink at the moment of contact.
Cid couldn't help but chuckle amusedly upon seeing that. Though having witnessed her power at work countless times over the many years of their marriage, it still managed to amaze him the same way every time. He had become so adjusted to her preternatural quality that sometimes he would forget what she was.
He sat down on the couch across from her, emitting a sigh of relief before carefully sipping his tea.
Edea ignored the drink in her hands, unable to take so lightly to the situation they faced. Seemingly in a stupor, her gaze remained fixed on nothing in particular as she continued to ponder the ordeal. "I just can't help thinking there must have been some mistake. I can't imagine they could be so clueless about their own daughter…"
Cid exhaled into his cup before slowly lowering it to his lap. While he could understand his wife's turmoil, he still couldn't help but think Edea was putting too much thought into the matter. He was aware of the circumstances and the potential risks they posed - but, given the Heartilly's situation, it was evident where their intentions laid.
"I'm sure she'll be fine. She's a smart girl, and her parents seem to have a good head on their shoulders."
Edea sighed under her breath, staring drearily into her mug. "Still…if the other students were to find out, she would be in no less danger here than she would be in Galbadia."
"I'm sure we'll think of something." Cid replied, confidently.
Edea lifted her head in earnest towards the placid man, a solemn look in her eyes as she stared at him closely. "So, you do believe me?" She nodded her head faintly with her words, her tone of voice pleading for reassurance.
Cid didn't respond for a moment, closing his eyes as he quietly placed his cup on the table between them. He looked back at Edea calmly, a warm smile forming on his face as he gave a frank retort. "I believe in you." He nodded gently in affirmation of his words.
With nothing left to say on the matter, Cid rose to his feet and departed from the room.
Edea sat in her chair without a word, reflecting on her husband's remark while she stared down at the cup in her hands. Lifting the mug to her lips, she slowly exhaled as she felt the taste of the now lukewarm content on her tongue. She tried to relax, her nerves easing slightly in the dual comfort her beverage and chair provided.
Life at Balamb Garden had taken an unexpected turn overnight. But she did her best to hold to the belief that they could keep the situation at bay, for the sake of the students; and for Rinoa.
It was all she could hope for.
"The number you are trying to contact is currently unavailable. Please-" Rinoa disconnected the line, placing the phone down onto her lap. Truthfully, she had expected as much, but that still didn't make it any easier to deal with. She just wanted to hear their voices again, needed it so badly.
She returned the device to its cradle, sighing as she stared down at the patterns on the floor.
"There you are!" A tone of relief emanated from Selphie's voice as she entered the dorm. Closing the door behind her, she strode quickly towards Rinoa's room and stopped in the doorway. "You disappeared after lunch today. I was wondering where you went."
Rinoa's eyes remained on the floor. "Sorry... I just…wanted to get to class."
Selphie studied her roommate for a moment, a look of concern forming on her face. That same sense of gloom and disinterest as before pervaded the air. She could tell Rinoa was troubled - but because of their prior conversation, she remained hesitant to speak.
The silence lingered, longer and harsher than before, and Selphie's stomach tied up in knots in the uncomfortable atmosphere. She tried to search for the right words, eager to break the stillness between them.
"Hey… I'm sorry about Irvine. I could tell he really made you uncomfortable today." She crossed her arms and huffed. "He can be so insensitive sometimes; I'm still working on him."
"It's alright…" Rinoa mumbled in a disheartened tone.
Another stifling silence consumed the air, and Selphie started twiddling her fingers. An invisible pressure weighed down on her as she stole a glance at Rinoa. The stealthy action was unneeded though as the other girl showed no sign of wanting to lift her head, only sighing almost tiredly.
Not one to fare well in such a sullen mood, Selphie attempted to lighten it. "Are you hungry? I noticed you didn't eat much at lunch."
"…Thanks, but…I'm alright." Rinoa responded, with a light shake of her head.
Selphie pouted at Rinoa, who never spared a glance away from the floor, before quietly exiting the doorway. Opening the zipper on her duffel bag, she began sifting through her belongings.
Rinoa sat still, afraid she might have hurt the other girl; but then again, she didn't care. She kept a steady gaze on the floor, drowning herself in an endless sea of thoughts, when a bag of chips suddenly made its way onto her lap.
Surprised, she lifted her head to find Selphie standing in front of her, a friendly smile on the girl's face. "Just in case."
There was another brief silence between them as Rinoa glanced down at the bag. Given her lack of nourishment for the day, she should be hungry - but instead, the sight of food nearly sickened her. Selphie was just being annoying now - she had already made it clear that she wasn't hungry. They ate lunch together one time and suddenly they were friends? Rich.
Nevertheless, she choked back on those thoughts, throwing a weak smile at Selphie.
The small girl leaned forward onto her knees, lowering her head to Rinoa's level. "Do you want to talk about it?" The child-like voice in which she spoke sounded like a cat clawing at slate to Rinoa's ears and she nearly cringed. Clearly, a more fervent bid to get her to open up, it wasn't going to work. She had lost the need for words the moment hers became unimportant.
Staring at the bag of chips in her lap, Rinoa merely shook her head. Unfazed by the girl's seeming disinterest, Selphie stood straight again. "Well, you seem pretty tired anyway. Catch some z's, and we'll talk later. Sleep tight!" Tilting her head cutely, she waved and headed for the door.
Rinoa turned the bag of chips over in her hand a couple times before finally setting it on the nightstand. With silence now her only companion, she lied down and buried her head into the foreign scent of her pillow. Giving a short sigh, her thoughts briefly wandered as she gazed at the shadows on her wall that acted as a lullaby for her tired eyes.
In her peripheral vision, something caught her attention, and she was drawn to the chips again. Forlorn, she stared at the bag blankly until the ticking of her clock grew vivid and she could no longer refrain.
She reached for the small bag, opening it surreptitiously and popped a single chip into her mouth. Savoring its salty flavor for a moment, she chewed until it was completely ground before swallowing.
Satisfied, she set the bag aside again and returned her head to the pillow. With a light pull of the lamp string, she blanketed her room in darkness before quietly turning over and slowly drifted off.