AN: 4/14/17 Chapter 4 has been rewritten, with some parts edited. hope you enjoy reading!


Quistis' hand skimmed through the book spines displayed on the bookshelves. Not too long ago, she had hidden a Triple Triad Magazine in between the thick volumes, hoping other students wouldn't notice the valuable article. That magazine had been the sole reason for her eventual rise as the Card Club Master King in Balamb Garden. No one knew her secret, except for Squall, who defeated her and the lower ranking members of the club.

Xu had begged for the article, and she couldn't turn down a friend's request. But it was difficult searching for an item with the boisterous noises made by the students.

So much for the keep quiet sign, Quistis exhaled.

Moving from one book case to another, a pair of faint voices buzzed. She recognized them.

"H-He broke up with me, Selphie." Rinoa cried.

Selphie had no idea how to placate a heartbroken woman and tried her best to cheer her up. "I can't believe it too, I mean, for Squall to dump you in spite of everything you've been through. Was there a third party involved?"

Quistis breathed deeply, waiting for Rinoa's response.

"He told me there was no one else."

He had lied to Rinoa, Quistis thought. She thought Squall would actually have the guts to be honest with the Sorceress. But no.

Selphie shook her head. "Don't buy that drama. Irvine told me the same alibi, until I caught him smooching another student. Boy did I smack him hard for that! Never believe a guy when he denies a third party. There's always a third party involved!"

Quistis's hands trembled, pressing a hand on her abdomen. She wasn't liking the flow of their conversation. Better she disappeared before they discovered her, she decided.

Unfortunately, Selphie discovered her between the spaces of the bookshelves and called her attention.

"Quistis!"

Drats, she cursed.

Rinoa faced her, and Quistis was taken aback at Rinoa's haggardly appearance. She very different from the bubbly and charming lady she had conversed with the other day.

Quistis pinched the fabric of her skirt. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Selphie looked apologetic and urged her to come closer. "Someone was meant to eavesdrop. Of all the places Rinoa chose to have an emotional breakdown, she had to pick the library!"

"C-can this just be between the three of us?" Rinoa pleaded, wiping her tears with a handkerchief.

Quistis approached and gently embraced the woman. Never had she felt sick with her own hypocrisy. "I don't know what I can do or say to comfort you."

"I don't understand it." Rinoa spoke softly. "We went through a lot… and he… he said it wasn't enough."

"People change, Rinoa. Even people's feelings, change." Quistis told her.

"That's so unfair." The sorceress replied. "He promised me we'd be together... He promised."

Rinoa's sobs were uncontrollable and they decided to transfer to the infirmary to attract less attention.

Her cries haunted Quistis. An unpleasant knot formed in her abdomen, along with the realization that she indirectly destroyed Rinoa's relationship with Squall.

"You look pale, Quisty. Is anything bothering you?" Selphie asked.

Just my conscience, she grumbled to herself. "I haven't been sleeping well."

"Have you tried sleeping pills?"

"No. I prefer to working myself to exhaustion."

Selphie patted her behind the back. "Don't stress yourself too much! We can't have the best looking Instructor looking like a zombie during her classes!"

Quistis nodded, focusing on her inner turmoil once more.

Selphie excused herself, remembering an earlier appointment to attend. Alone with Rinoa, she consoled and listened to the younger woman's frustration. Once the tides of pain ebbed, Rinoa thanked Quistis for her company.

"You know, it's late. Why don't I walk you to your room?" Rinoa offered.

Quisits nearly hesitated.

"Is something wrong?"

She shook her head. "No, it's nothing. Of course you can walk me to my room."

If she had helped destroy it, then it was possible she could help repair it. It was settled. With fierce resolve, she vowed to convince Squall to return to Rinoa.

Reaching Quistis'quarters, Rinoa waved goodbye and turned around to leave. But not before seeing Squall emerge from Quistis'room.

Unaware of his ex-girlfriend's presence, he slipped his arms around Quistis and planted a kiss on her lips. Quistis froze, knowing Rinoa had witnessed the entire spectacle.

"Squall." Rinoa said in a cold voice. "No third party, huh?"

Stunned, he focused on the frail woman in front of him. Quistis removed herself from Squall's embrace and shut her eyes, hoping it was just another bad dream. It wasn't. Everything was not a dream, and the hurt and betrayal in Rinoa Heartilly's eyes was real.

Seifer inhaled, savoring the aroma of his favorite food- the famous Hotdogs of Balamb Garden. He was never fond of hotdogs before, and he had to thank Zell Dincht for introducing him to the delicacy. He considered himself lucky to purchase the last two remaining hotdogs in that crowded cafeteria that evening.

"Ah, hotdogs are the best." He munched on the freshly-baked hotdogs when he suddenly remembered how the Ice Princess ate the other day.

His face soured. Not even a word of thanks, he scowled.

Fujin set her tray beside his. "Something tells me you're thinking about her again."

"Am not."

"Yes, you are."

"I was thinking how ungrateful she was for the hotdogs I gave her."

"She found you talking shit about her."

Seifer flushed. "Don't remind me."

He was about to eat another piece of hotdog when he was distracted by the loud noises outside the cafeteria. Raijin arrived, huffing and puffing. "Seifer, there's a big problem at ladies' dormitory, ya know?"

"What?"

"It's Quistis and Rinoa….. they're fighting!"

He forgot all about his hotdog and rushed to the ladies' dormitory. Several students gathered along the hallway, curious about the ongoing altercation. Seifer aggressively pushed through them to see Squall between the two women.

The idiot was trying to restrain Rinoa from attacking Quistis with her weapon, Shooting Star. The Ice Princess didn't even bother to arm herself, knowing the prohibition against showing their weapons in school premises.

"You traitor!" Rinoa snarled.

Squall tried to pacify her. "Rinoa, calm down."

"Calm down?" she glared at him, "How can I calm down when you two are cheating on me?!"

Her last sentence drew several gasps from the bystanders.

The cat was finally out of the bag,Seifer mulled.

Gossip spread like wildfire within the Garden's premises, and it would only take a few minutes before the Headmaster and Management learned about it. Seifer knew whatever shred of dignity the Ice Princess had was crumbling underneath that elegant exterior.

Seifer stepped in. "Showing of weapons aren't allowed in school premises."

Rinoa was too angry to even think of school rules. "Get out of here, Seifer!"

"Drop your weapon." He insisted.

Rinoa still ignored his warning. "Move!"

Fujin quickly intervened from behind, knocking Rinoa's breath as she disarmed Shooting Star. Seifer confiscated the weapon as Fujin immobilized her.

"Let go! Let go!" Rinoa screamed. "I hate you Squall! I hate you Quistis! Damn you! I trusted you!"

Seifer looked at the pair. The altercation left Quistis in a daze. He wanted to leave her alone, but he had to enforce Garden Rules.

"Instructor Trepe, Squall Leonhart, and Rinoa Heartilly. The three of you are to report to Headmaster Cid for investigation, immediately."

Quistis's eyes widened and he knew what she was thinking. Without complaint, they meekly obeyed and headed to Headmaster's Cid's office.

The three were interviewed separately by the Garden Faculty. Following the individual interrogation, they waited for Headmaster Cid to catechize them as a group.

Whatever the results, Seifer thought, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and betrayed.