A/N: Hellooooo!!! This is Chapter 4 of the story and it focuses mostly on Zell and Selphie. Hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading! And please keep sending reviews.
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"Oooooooouch!!!" Selphie screamed as the curling iron burned the back of her neck.
She was being pampered and all dolled up for the night's big party.
"I can't understand what you're trying to tell me!" She screamed in frustration. Her hairstylist was foreign and couldn't speak a word of English.
"Take a pill? What? Don't spill? Huh?" Poor thing was confused beyond reason.
"SIT STILL! SIT STILL!" She heard Zell yell at her.
"Oh." She was quite embarrassed and tried to avoid eye contact with the other at all costs.
Meanwhile, Zell had his own problems at the other side of the room. He was trying to fight off his psycho stylist. Standing on his chair with a bottle of gel in his hand he was attempting to get the man to lay off his head of blonde hair.
"Can you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? DO NOT TOUCH MY HAIR!!!" Backing away, Zell finally had the chance to jump to the floor.
The stylist, reaching for the bottle, received a rather strong message from his 'client'. Really, it made his work easier. All he had to do was find him a tux, so why was he complaining. That was Zell's reasoning, at least.
Back across the room Selphie was having communication problems again.
"I don't want the red dress. It is way too flashy! Ugh, can you say, tacky?"
Zell walked over to the feuding girls after his nightmare from hell stylist took leave.
With his arms crossed, he leaned up against a wall, and laughed at the ongoing fight.
"Selph, I think she wants you to try it on so she knows what size you are."
Selphie turned a scarlet red color that filled her whole face.
"O-oh. Sorry." She said taking the hideous, polyester dress from her hands.
"I'll go try it on." She entered timidly into the walk-in closet and closed the doors behind her.
A few minutes passed and she heard Zell's voice from behind the closed doors.
"The lady left. Said she couldn't take listening to you. She left three dresses on the bed for you to choose from, though."
"O.k."
She walked out pulling the fabric of the dress away from her body.
"What was the point of me even trying this disgusting, cheap dress on anyway if she was just gonna leave?"
"C'mon, Selph, look at all the clothes you have to choose from." He said playfully hitting her shoulder.
Walking over to the bed, where all the dresses were nicely put out, she looked over them. Like candy to her eyes, she excitedly picked up the one that caught her utmost full attention.
The top was in a corset style that was attached to a big, puff-puff skirt that ended just above the knees. How cute, she thought.
The skirt was made out of beautiful tulle fabric, and the top was all silk. The criss-crossed ties of the corset that ran down the center and stopped at the waist were in black satin. She just loved it! It was definitely the one.
She picked it up, disregarding the rest, and held the fabrics in her hand.
Without a word, she happily skipped into the closet and tried it on.
"Zell!!!" He heard Selphie screech. He had barely put his tie on when he arrived at the closed doors. The collar to his white shirt was up and not even buttoned.
"What's the matter? Are you o.k.?" He thought perhaps she had hurt herself. Unlikely to happen in a closet, but keep in mind, this was Selphie in there, and you had to expect anything when dealing with her.
"I, um, well, I can't zipper the back of the dress. Can you help me?"
The tie Zell held in his hand fell to the ground. And he just couldn't seem to process what she had just said.
"Zell, are you there?" He wasn't responding, he was still in shock. For some reason, Zell got very shy all of a sudden. And here was Selphie asking him to zip her up as if it were no big deal.
"S-sure."
He went inside and saw her fidgeting around. She kept hopping up and down, with both arms reaching for her back. She spun around to face him.
This was the first time he had ever seen her with a different hairstyle.
The brown locks swept across her face, as if they were dancing upon her. She tried blowing them away, but it was as if they were magnetized to her face, as his eyes were. She smiled at him.
"For a minute there I thought you ran out on me."
"Y-y-yea. Uuu, I mean no. No, I'm still here."
She laughed.
"Yep, you are. Could you give me a hand?" Turning around she waited for him to zip it up, but he just stood there. His eyes transfixed on her petite body.
"Hello? Are you gonna do it or what?"
He walked over to her and took the zipper into his hand. But instead of doing what he was supposed to, he put his hand on her bare back. It was so smooth, like silk.
"Zell, what are you doing?"
He quickly pulled away, and zipped her up.
Selphie turned around and they were face to face. He could feel her breathing on him, and even had the pleasure of having her bangs brush up against his forehead.
They just stood there, looking at each other. It seemed like an eternity before Zell could muster up the courage and lean in to kiss her. But he did.
Pounding was heard at the door, and Zell flew out of the closet. Selphie put her hand to her mouth and felt her lips.
She smiled to herself.
"Zell Dincht kissed me!!!" She couldn't help but dance around like a little pixie.
Zell went to open the door, and before him stood a breathtakingly beautiful Rinoa.
"Zell, you're not ready yet! Let's move it, o.k.?" She said snapping her fingers.
She walked into the room and looked around.
"Now, I know these rooms are big, and Selphie's pretty tiny, but I know she couldn't have gotten lost. Could she?"
He was speechless from before. He couldn't do anything except put his tie on and lace his shoes.
But soon enough, Selphie came prancing out looking like an absolute doll.
"Hey, you look so cute!" Both girls giggled and finally left the room. As they walked down the hallway a strange silence fell upon them. And Rinoa, poor thing, was stuck in between the two love birds.
Rinoa caught sight of Seifer's room and bolted in that direction. She sensed tension going on between Selphie and Zell, and thought it best to let them work it out alone.
"I'm gonna wait for Seifer. I'll catch up with you guys at the party."
She watched them walk away together and, she didn't know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but she could've sworn she saw Zell grab Selphie's hand.
But by the time she went back for a double-take they had already turned the corner.
She leaned up against the door and ran her hands through her hair.
"Could it be possible? Selphie and Zell……………… a couple?"
Just then the door opened and she fell straight into the arms of Seifer.
"Well, don't you look rather ravishing." She said with a smirk.
She kicked the door closed with her foot and then stood up.
"Really, you clean up quite nice. I better put in my request to dance with you now, because once we hit the party I may not have a chance."
"Oh yea, I'm sure all the girls will just be flocking to me."
"You bet they will be. So do we have a deal? Am I promised a dance?"
"Don't know, have to check my schedule. Maybe I can fit you in."
"C'mon, you big show-off."
"Of course you're promised a dance. I wouldn't have it any other way."
She laughed. She felt so relaxed and just herself when she was around Seifer. And he always seemed to look happy in her presence.
"Let's go before my father has another mini-heart attack."
He put his arm over her neck and they left.
The party was held outside on the grounds of the building.
It was gorgeous, with the night sky being the drop background.
The stars seemed to be burning brighter than ever before and there was a full moon hung in place.
People flooded the property of Caraways', and photographer's littered the sidewalks outside of the tall iron gates.
Only a few were let in to snap away, the rest would have to wait until the guests began to leave if they wanted any pictures.
As Seifer and Rinoa made their way down to the party she saw Quistis and Squall talking by the gazebo. Quistis held a champagne glass in her hand while Squall opted to try and stay sober during the remainder of the party. She saw him looking around. She knew who he was searching for, it was her.
"Hey, Seifer, could I leave you for a few?"
"You're breakin' my heart, Rin."
She blushed uncontrollably for longer than she thought normal. She walked away and as she did she turned around to wink at Seifer. He looked confused, but smiled anyway and waved.
"Squall!" She yelled, running down the grassy hill towards the gazebo.
This was the first time she could actually tell that he was happy to see her. His facial expression didn't change, it never did, but the answer lied in eyes. They held a sort of glimmer at the sight of Rinoa, and she could see that. She knew she was melting away at the ice built around his heart.
"Hey, Quistis, you look so amazing!"
"Can't compare to you though."
She really meant what she had said. She knew she would never compare to Rinoa. Sure, she was beautiful, but she would never possess the beauty Squall saw in Rinoa. Which was most important to her. She was good at camouflaging her feelings for Squall, she had been doing it ever since she could remember.
There was moments in her life when she really had wished she told him how she felt before he had the chance to meet Rinoa, but it was too late for that. If only Rinoa wasn't on that train, where they first met. If only, if only, if only. It was all she seemed to think.
"I think I'll go and find Cid. You know how he gets when he drinks. He's not one for holding his liquor." With that said she left.
"So how about you?"
"How about me what?"
"Are you one to hold your liquor?" He shot a nasty glance at her and responded,
"Whatever."
"Whatever? Is 'whatever' all you have to say to me?"
"Pretty much so."
"Well, if you don't want a drink, how does a harmless dance sound?"
Another nasty glance was sent her way. She seemed to have taken the hint.
"Maybe later, huh." She said cautiously.
"Whatever."
"Howdy there, little lady." It was Irvine speaking with an extremely exaggerated country accent.
"Irvine! I didn't know you were here." She said giving the cowboy a hug.
"hick'! Well, I didn't……… know hick I was here …………… hick either." He was drunk out of his face.
"Maybe you should lay off the champagne a little, huh?" She took the glass out if his hand.
"Yea, hick maybe. ……………… Hey, hey, Rinoa, what you doin' hick wit my glass?"
"C'mon, you need to lie down."
"Yep, wit you!" She rolled her eyes and took him by the arm over to Quistis.
"I'll find you later, Squall." She said before leaving with the drunkard.
"Quistis." Before another word was spoken she witnessed her Headmaster dancing on top of a table singing "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow." to himself.
Quistis already had her hands full trying to contain the intoxicated Cid, so she went to the next best thing. Edea.
She saw her lying down on a bench by the lake. "Edea!" She yelled trying to hold Irvine up. She walked towards the former sorceress and found her to be past out.
"Well, this is just great! Everyone in charge had to get drunk! Stupendous!"
But she soon felt the weight of Irvine being lifted from her. And to her surprise Seifer had taken hold of him.
"Thanks. I started to feel my shoulder going numb. I was afraid I wouldn't find a single sober person here."
"Good thing I found you, then. I'll bring him inside. See you around."
"Bye."
The rest of the night passed smoothly with Cid contained back in his room and Edea right there with him.
Selphie sat at a table alone, thinking to herself about the kiss.
"Hey, Selph." She heard Rinoa say pulling up a chair next to the brunette.
"Oh, hi."
She wasn't her usual self, Rinoa thought. Normally, she would have jumped up and given her a big hug. She seemed morbid and lost in her mind.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Who me?" The tiny thing pointed to herself.
"Awww, nothing. Just……… I guess, well, …………… could I tell you something, Rinny?"
"Isn't that what I'm here for?"
"Back in the room, when I was getting dressed, I asked Zell for some help, and well to make a long story short, he kissed me."
Rinoa's eyes widened like an owls'.
"Really?" She didn't know what to tell her, but she didn't have to say much, for Selphie continued on.
"All those times people thought I was pining for Irvine I was really thinking about Zell. I just never knew he felt the same way. He hasn't talked to me since, though. I think he's to shy. Oh, what should I do?!" She banged her head on the table and then looked up at Rinoa as if she held the answers.
"Well, um, let's see." She said twirling her hair around the tip of her finger. She was clueless. What kind of advice could she possibly give to her?
Just then, Zell approached them.
"Hey guys." He stammered, looking at Selphie.
Rinoa, feeling quite uncomfortable, got up and turned to Zell.
"I was just leaving. See ya around. Oh yea, be on the look-out for photographers, they'll snap you if you don't."
As she turned around, a bright light flashed before her eyes and she felt all dizzy.
Squall, catching sight, rushed to her side. Knocking the photographer out of the way he caught Rinoa in his arms.
"Rinoa are you o.k.?"
She brought her hand to her forehead and held it there for a while. Then she turned her face to look at Squall. She touched his cheek, everyone was looking, and pictures of them were being snapped left and right.
"I'm fine now that you're here." She said in a low whisper.
Still holding her in his arms, he lifted her from the ground and headed for the doors.
"Oh, how romantic!" Selphie exclaimed, her eyes fixated on Zell.
Squall brought Rinoa inside the house and took her to her bedroom.
After being placed on her bed she said,
"You know, this is the second time I had to be carried in here. I feel so useless."
"You're not useless."
"I know, but I feel like I rely on others to much. If you were to ever leave me how would I go on?"
He didn't say anything. He just listened. Intently.
"Will you come back outside?" He questioned.
"Show everyone you're not weak, you can take a few pushy photographers." He gave his hand to her, and she took it with the utmost grace.
She re-appeared before the crowd looking more radiant than any of the lady's there. Almost like a fallen angel.
And she seemed especially beaming next to Squall. Rinoa then spotted Seifer. He was grabbing his hair and just appeared to be very frustrated.
"Squall." She said turning to look at him with wounded eyes. "I need to go." She sounded so hurt talking to him. As if she felt guilty for leaving him to be with Seifer. He knew where she was going. It was obvious she was leaving to be with him. Would he ever escape Seifer's shadow, he wondered. He couldn't look as she walked off to be with his rival, it was killing him.
"Hello there." Seifer heard his princess' voice. He shot straight up into the air at the sight of her. He smiled at her, but she sensed something wrong with him.
"Smile like you mean it." She told him. She knew when he was genuinely happy or when he was putting on an act.
"Smile like I mean it, huh? How about that dance I promised you, and then I'll think about it?"
He took her to a secluded part of the garden where the party was. No one was around, and you could barley hear the music being played.
He took her into his arms and she rested her shoulder on his.
As they stood there, dancing to their own little song in their heads, Seifer asked,
"Remember when I told you, you hadn't the slightest clue as to what would make me happy? Well, this is it."
"Dancing?" She said lifting her head to look at him.
"No, being with you. Just the touch of you, the sound of your voice, the silhouette of your body, it makes me feel beyond happy. I can't really express it in words, but being around you makes me feel good. At ease with myself.
She didn't say anything. She stared into his eyes a while longer and then rested her head on his shoulder again.
"I'm glad I can bring you all of that emotion, Seifer. But I won't be able to be like this with you forever. You know that, right?"
He didn't want to say anything, he just wanted the moment to last an eternity.
"Yea." He painfully whispered.
"I know."
He didn't know, but Rinoa was crying. She grabbed tighter onto his jacket collar, and buried her face into his neck.
They just stood there, embraced in each other's arms, trying to let the moment linger a few more minutes.
For both of them knew, it could never be this way again.
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"Oooooooouch!!!" Selphie screamed as the curling iron burned the back of her neck.
She was being pampered and all dolled up for the night's big party.
"I can't understand what you're trying to tell me!" She screamed in frustration. Her hairstylist was foreign and couldn't speak a word of English.
"Take a pill? What? Don't spill? Huh?" Poor thing was confused beyond reason.
"SIT STILL! SIT STILL!" She heard Zell yell at her.
"Oh." She was quite embarrassed and tried to avoid eye contact with the other at all costs.
Meanwhile, Zell had his own problems at the other side of the room. He was trying to fight off his psycho stylist. Standing on his chair with a bottle of gel in his hand he was attempting to get the man to lay off his head of blonde hair.
"Can you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth? DO NOT TOUCH MY HAIR!!!" Backing away, Zell finally had the chance to jump to the floor.
The stylist, reaching for the bottle, received a rather strong message from his 'client'. Really, it made his work easier. All he had to do was find him a tux, so why was he complaining. That was Zell's reasoning, at least.
Back across the room Selphie was having communication problems again.
"I don't want the red dress. It is way too flashy! Ugh, can you say, tacky?"
Zell walked over to the feuding girls after his nightmare from hell stylist took leave.
With his arms crossed, he leaned up against a wall, and laughed at the ongoing fight.
"Selph, I think she wants you to try it on so she knows what size you are."
Selphie turned a scarlet red color that filled her whole face.
"O-oh. Sorry." She said taking the hideous, polyester dress from her hands.
"I'll go try it on." She entered timidly into the walk-in closet and closed the doors behind her.
A few minutes passed and she heard Zell's voice from behind the closed doors.
"The lady left. Said she couldn't take listening to you. She left three dresses on the bed for you to choose from, though."
"O.k."
She walked out pulling the fabric of the dress away from her body.
"What was the point of me even trying this disgusting, cheap dress on anyway if she was just gonna leave?"
"C'mon, Selph, look at all the clothes you have to choose from." He said playfully hitting her shoulder.
Walking over to the bed, where all the dresses were nicely put out, she looked over them. Like candy to her eyes, she excitedly picked up the one that caught her utmost full attention.
The top was in a corset style that was attached to a big, puff-puff skirt that ended just above the knees. How cute, she thought.
The skirt was made out of beautiful tulle fabric, and the top was all silk. The criss-crossed ties of the corset that ran down the center and stopped at the waist were in black satin. She just loved it! It was definitely the one.
She picked it up, disregarding the rest, and held the fabrics in her hand.
Without a word, she happily skipped into the closet and tried it on.
"Zell!!!" He heard Selphie screech. He had barely put his tie on when he arrived at the closed doors. The collar to his white shirt was up and not even buttoned.
"What's the matter? Are you o.k.?" He thought perhaps she had hurt herself. Unlikely to happen in a closet, but keep in mind, this was Selphie in there, and you had to expect anything when dealing with her.
"I, um, well, I can't zipper the back of the dress. Can you help me?"
The tie Zell held in his hand fell to the ground. And he just couldn't seem to process what she had just said.
"Zell, are you there?" He wasn't responding, he was still in shock. For some reason, Zell got very shy all of a sudden. And here was Selphie asking him to zip her up as if it were no big deal.
"S-sure."
He went inside and saw her fidgeting around. She kept hopping up and down, with both arms reaching for her back. She spun around to face him.
This was the first time he had ever seen her with a different hairstyle.
The brown locks swept across her face, as if they were dancing upon her. She tried blowing them away, but it was as if they were magnetized to her face, as his eyes were. She smiled at him.
"For a minute there I thought you ran out on me."
"Y-y-yea. Uuu, I mean no. No, I'm still here."
She laughed.
"Yep, you are. Could you give me a hand?" Turning around she waited for him to zip it up, but he just stood there. His eyes transfixed on her petite body.
"Hello? Are you gonna do it or what?"
He walked over to her and took the zipper into his hand. But instead of doing what he was supposed to, he put his hand on her bare back. It was so smooth, like silk.
"Zell, what are you doing?"
He quickly pulled away, and zipped her up.
Selphie turned around and they were face to face. He could feel her breathing on him, and even had the pleasure of having her bangs brush up against his forehead.
They just stood there, looking at each other. It seemed like an eternity before Zell could muster up the courage and lean in to kiss her. But he did.
Pounding was heard at the door, and Zell flew out of the closet. Selphie put her hand to her mouth and felt her lips.
She smiled to herself.
"Zell Dincht kissed me!!!" She couldn't help but dance around like a little pixie.
Zell went to open the door, and before him stood a breathtakingly beautiful Rinoa.
"Zell, you're not ready yet! Let's move it, o.k.?" She said snapping her fingers.
She walked into the room and looked around.
"Now, I know these rooms are big, and Selphie's pretty tiny, but I know she couldn't have gotten lost. Could she?"
He was speechless from before. He couldn't do anything except put his tie on and lace his shoes.
But soon enough, Selphie came prancing out looking like an absolute doll.
"Hey, you look so cute!" Both girls giggled and finally left the room. As they walked down the hallway a strange silence fell upon them. And Rinoa, poor thing, was stuck in between the two love birds.
Rinoa caught sight of Seifer's room and bolted in that direction. She sensed tension going on between Selphie and Zell, and thought it best to let them work it out alone.
"I'm gonna wait for Seifer. I'll catch up with you guys at the party."
She watched them walk away together and, she didn't know if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but she could've sworn she saw Zell grab Selphie's hand.
But by the time she went back for a double-take they had already turned the corner.
She leaned up against the door and ran her hands through her hair.
"Could it be possible? Selphie and Zell……………… a couple?"
Just then the door opened and she fell straight into the arms of Seifer.
"Well, don't you look rather ravishing." She said with a smirk.
She kicked the door closed with her foot and then stood up.
"Really, you clean up quite nice. I better put in my request to dance with you now, because once we hit the party I may not have a chance."
"Oh yea, I'm sure all the girls will just be flocking to me."
"You bet they will be. So do we have a deal? Am I promised a dance?"
"Don't know, have to check my schedule. Maybe I can fit you in."
"C'mon, you big show-off."
"Of course you're promised a dance. I wouldn't have it any other way."
She laughed. She felt so relaxed and just herself when she was around Seifer. And he always seemed to look happy in her presence.
"Let's go before my father has another mini-heart attack."
He put his arm over her neck and they left.
The party was held outside on the grounds of the building.
It was gorgeous, with the night sky being the drop background.
The stars seemed to be burning brighter than ever before and there was a full moon hung in place.
People flooded the property of Caraways', and photographer's littered the sidewalks outside of the tall iron gates.
Only a few were let in to snap away, the rest would have to wait until the guests began to leave if they wanted any pictures.
As Seifer and Rinoa made their way down to the party she saw Quistis and Squall talking by the gazebo. Quistis held a champagne glass in her hand while Squall opted to try and stay sober during the remainder of the party. She saw him looking around. She knew who he was searching for, it was her.
"Hey, Seifer, could I leave you for a few?"
"You're breakin' my heart, Rin."
She blushed uncontrollably for longer than she thought normal. She walked away and as she did she turned around to wink at Seifer. He looked confused, but smiled anyway and waved.
"Squall!" She yelled, running down the grassy hill towards the gazebo.
This was the first time she could actually tell that he was happy to see her. His facial expression didn't change, it never did, but the answer lied in eyes. They held a sort of glimmer at the sight of Rinoa, and she could see that. She knew she was melting away at the ice built around his heart.
"Hey, Quistis, you look so amazing!"
"Can't compare to you though."
She really meant what she had said. She knew she would never compare to Rinoa. Sure, she was beautiful, but she would never possess the beauty Squall saw in Rinoa. Which was most important to her. She was good at camouflaging her feelings for Squall, she had been doing it ever since she could remember.
There was moments in her life when she really had wished she told him how she felt before he had the chance to meet Rinoa, but it was too late for that. If only Rinoa wasn't on that train, where they first met. If only, if only, if only. It was all she seemed to think.
"I think I'll go and find Cid. You know how he gets when he drinks. He's not one for holding his liquor." With that said she left.
"So how about you?"
"How about me what?"
"Are you one to hold your liquor?" He shot a nasty glance at her and responded,
"Whatever."
"Whatever? Is 'whatever' all you have to say to me?"
"Pretty much so."
"Well, if you don't want a drink, how does a harmless dance sound?"
Another nasty glance was sent her way. She seemed to have taken the hint.
"Maybe later, huh." She said cautiously.
"Whatever."
"Howdy there, little lady." It was Irvine speaking with an extremely exaggerated country accent.
"Irvine! I didn't know you were here." She said giving the cowboy a hug.
"hick'! Well, I didn't……… know hick I was here …………… hick either." He was drunk out of his face.
"Maybe you should lay off the champagne a little, huh?" She took the glass out if his hand.
"Yea, hick maybe. ……………… Hey, hey, Rinoa, what you doin' hick wit my glass?"
"C'mon, you need to lie down."
"Yep, wit you!" She rolled her eyes and took him by the arm over to Quistis.
"I'll find you later, Squall." She said before leaving with the drunkard.
"Quistis." Before another word was spoken she witnessed her Headmaster dancing on top of a table singing "For he's a Jolly Good Fellow." to himself.
Quistis already had her hands full trying to contain the intoxicated Cid, so she went to the next best thing. Edea.
She saw her lying down on a bench by the lake. "Edea!" She yelled trying to hold Irvine up. She walked towards the former sorceress and found her to be past out.
"Well, this is just great! Everyone in charge had to get drunk! Stupendous!"
But she soon felt the weight of Irvine being lifted from her. And to her surprise Seifer had taken hold of him.
"Thanks. I started to feel my shoulder going numb. I was afraid I wouldn't find a single sober person here."
"Good thing I found you, then. I'll bring him inside. See you around."
"Bye."
The rest of the night passed smoothly with Cid contained back in his room and Edea right there with him.
Selphie sat at a table alone, thinking to herself about the kiss.
"Hey, Selph." She heard Rinoa say pulling up a chair next to the brunette.
"Oh, hi."
She wasn't her usual self, Rinoa thought. Normally, she would have jumped up and given her a big hug. She seemed morbid and lost in her mind.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Who me?" The tiny thing pointed to herself.
"Awww, nothing. Just……… I guess, well, …………… could I tell you something, Rinny?"
"Isn't that what I'm here for?"
"Back in the room, when I was getting dressed, I asked Zell for some help, and well to make a long story short, he kissed me."
Rinoa's eyes widened like an owls'.
"Really?" She didn't know what to tell her, but she didn't have to say much, for Selphie continued on.
"All those times people thought I was pining for Irvine I was really thinking about Zell. I just never knew he felt the same way. He hasn't talked to me since, though. I think he's to shy. Oh, what should I do?!" She banged her head on the table and then looked up at Rinoa as if she held the answers.
"Well, um, let's see." She said twirling her hair around the tip of her finger. She was clueless. What kind of advice could she possibly give to her?
Just then, Zell approached them.
"Hey guys." He stammered, looking at Selphie.
Rinoa, feeling quite uncomfortable, got up and turned to Zell.
"I was just leaving. See ya around. Oh yea, be on the look-out for photographers, they'll snap you if you don't."
As she turned around, a bright light flashed before her eyes and she felt all dizzy.
Squall, catching sight, rushed to her side. Knocking the photographer out of the way he caught Rinoa in his arms.
"Rinoa are you o.k.?"
She brought her hand to her forehead and held it there for a while. Then she turned her face to look at Squall. She touched his cheek, everyone was looking, and pictures of them were being snapped left and right.
"I'm fine now that you're here." She said in a low whisper.
Still holding her in his arms, he lifted her from the ground and headed for the doors.
"Oh, how romantic!" Selphie exclaimed, her eyes fixated on Zell.
Squall brought Rinoa inside the house and took her to her bedroom.
After being placed on her bed she said,
"You know, this is the second time I had to be carried in here. I feel so useless."
"You're not useless."
"I know, but I feel like I rely on others to much. If you were to ever leave me how would I go on?"
He didn't say anything. He just listened. Intently.
"Will you come back outside?" He questioned.
"Show everyone you're not weak, you can take a few pushy photographers." He gave his hand to her, and she took it with the utmost grace.
She re-appeared before the crowd looking more radiant than any of the lady's there. Almost like a fallen angel.
And she seemed especially beaming next to Squall. Rinoa then spotted Seifer. He was grabbing his hair and just appeared to be very frustrated.
"Squall." She said turning to look at him with wounded eyes. "I need to go." She sounded so hurt talking to him. As if she felt guilty for leaving him to be with Seifer. He knew where she was going. It was obvious she was leaving to be with him. Would he ever escape Seifer's shadow, he wondered. He couldn't look as she walked off to be with his rival, it was killing him.
"Hello there." Seifer heard his princess' voice. He shot straight up into the air at the sight of her. He smiled at her, but she sensed something wrong with him.
"Smile like you mean it." She told him. She knew when he was genuinely happy or when he was putting on an act.
"Smile like I mean it, huh? How about that dance I promised you, and then I'll think about it?"
He took her to a secluded part of the garden where the party was. No one was around, and you could barley hear the music being played.
He took her into his arms and she rested her shoulder on his.
As they stood there, dancing to their own little song in their heads, Seifer asked,
"Remember when I told you, you hadn't the slightest clue as to what would make me happy? Well, this is it."
"Dancing?" She said lifting her head to look at him.
"No, being with you. Just the touch of you, the sound of your voice, the silhouette of your body, it makes me feel beyond happy. I can't really express it in words, but being around you makes me feel good. At ease with myself.
She didn't say anything. She stared into his eyes a while longer and then rested her head on his shoulder again.
"I'm glad I can bring you all of that emotion, Seifer. But I won't be able to be like this with you forever. You know that, right?"
He didn't want to say anything, he just wanted the moment to last an eternity.
"Yea." He painfully whispered.
"I know."
He didn't know, but Rinoa was crying. She grabbed tighter onto his jacket collar, and buried her face into his neck.
They just stood there, embraced in each other's arms, trying to let the moment linger a few more minutes.
For both of them knew, it could never be this way again.