Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII characters ect. I do however own Kristen, Jasleen, Crystal, and all of Crystal's story ideas. I also own the story itself.

Chapter 3

Jasleen placed Hearts on Fire in her bag. It had been a month, she'd spent 100 percent of her free time writing on her story. She'd finished early because of it, and been late to some of her classes too. Fortunately she was excused...always had a good excuse of course. She was nervous though, and why shouldn't she be? She was going on a date with Seifer Almasy the bad boy of Balamb, a trouble maker, and worse what if he didn't like the book?

"Jasleen?" Kristen knocked on the door, it was open, but she was polite always knock.

"Come on in, Kristen," She hollered from her bathroom.

Kristen smiled a bit noticing how Jasleen was getting dressed up, she had to ask. "So a date, moving on?"

Jasleen nodded, putting in her earrings, cute little rose ones, she'd been saving these for a special occasion, a date with Kevin, but that hadn't happened. So she wore them now for her date with Seifer. "I figure it's about time." She replied, straightening out her top and skirt.

"Who's the lucky guy?" Kristen asked, watching the girl finish and, helping tuck her hair back when a rose fell out of her hair.

"Seifer..." She replied quietly, "Thank you for the help Kristen." She left the room, grabbing her bag.

Kristen just stared at her, but smiled a bit, "I wish you the best of luck," She whispered.

While they waited for dinner, the two were silent. Who would break the silence first was the real question. It really seemed as if both of them were afraid to speak.

"I brought you something," Jasleen finally stated, breaking the silence, as she got into her bag. "It isn't even on the shelf yet." She handed him Hearts on Fire, as their fingers touched, she felt a slight spark, she blushed.

"Hearts on Fire, just like you said...but how did you get a copy so quickly?" He asked, looking over the cover, and the back.

"I know Crystal personally," She replied, it was true after all. "She bounces ideas off me, and such."

"So she is a SeeD." He replied, watching as she nodded. "Does she go to Balamb?"
"I'm not going to share that, just that she's a close friend." Jasleen replied, she smiled softly.

He knew he wouldn't get any more from her then that. Jasleen was a stubborn one, of course that's what Seifer liked about her. He opened the book and read the signature, then.

To Seifer Almasy, there's a very special lady sitting across from you. Take good care of her. Thanks for being a fan. Have a wonderful night. Crystal Line

"Here you are the special," The waiter came by and set their plates before them. "Please enjoy."

"Seifer, could you put the book down, for a while?" She smiled at him. "Oh yes, Crystal told me that she named Sari's partner Almasy."

"Oh? Partner?" Seifer set the book down, after all he knew to be polite.

"Yeah, I told her about you," She replied twirling her linguine on her fork. "She was really grateful that a guy admitted to liking her work, and she wanted to give Sari a partner...and a male partner seemed like the best choice."

"You know, I've noticed something, about you," Seifer looked at her, noting her attire as well. "You and Sari are a lot alike."

She chuckled softly then. "Crystal designed her to be like me, we both work in elements. Crystal wanted to make a character to look and be like her close friends or fans." She placed the fork in her mouth then.

After dinner the two walked around town, not there was much town to walk in. Jasleen watched Seifer while he read Hearts on Fire, he seemed very engrossed in it. At least that meant he liked it, she hoped. She didn't want to bother him, but they really needed to get back to Balamb, curfew would be in a few hours.

"Seifer, we need to be getting back," She placed her arm through his then, looking up at him.

When they reached the area to get a car, they were stopped by two guards. Both of them smiled at Jasleen, who frowned a bit, what was going on? They were being polite of course, as they normally were.

"We're sorry, but we can't allow you to leave." The taller one of the two told them.

"Why not?" Jasleen asked, angry and concerned of course.

"We had an accident on the road miss, and it won't be cleaned up until tomorrow," The younger one replied. "We're very sorry for the inconvenience, but the hotel should have a room for you."

"Its alright, thank you sirs." She smiled, and walked away, pretty much dragging Seifer with her. "Come on Seifer we have to get a room...or two."

"We're sorry we only have one room available, with the accident and all." The owner apologized.

Jasleen just smiled. "That's alright, thank you." She took the key from her, and started up the stairs.

Seifer followed her, still reading, she was surprised he didn't bump into anything. She opened the room then, and walked in, setting her bag down she pulled out another outfit to wear to bed.

"What else do you carry in that purse?" He asked, looking over his book.

She walked into the bathroom, but was still able to hear him. "I carry everything a girl could need in cause of emergency." She replied. "So what's happen so far?"

"Kari just passed away," Seifer stated, hearing his own voice crack slightly, he hoped she had not noticed.

"My mom passed away when I was Albert's age," She replied, coming out of the bathroom she put her cloths in her bag. "Seifer?" She looked at him, she noticed the tears in the young man's eyes.

He looked at her, growling slightly at himself for showing a weakness in front of a girl, especially Jasleen. Her night gown was a fire red, he looked back in the book, reading the passage again.

Sari had cried, until she could cry no more. She had to get up, she had to get some sleep. Almasy helped her stand. "Let me help you, Sari," He guided her to the wash room.

She proceeded to wash her face then, looking at herself in the mirror she barely recognized herself. She cleaned up quickly, putting on her dark red night gown, she brushed her hair back, letting the rose petals fall to the floor.

"You and Sari wear the same cloths." He stated, "Earlier you were wearing what she was wearing when Albert came to her."

Jasleen just smiled a bit. "I told you, Sari is designed after me...after all we have good taste." She winked at him then. "Crystal took letters from my name and made Sari. She took her favorite letters though, and she wasn't sure how it would sound, but she likes it."

"So in other words you are Sari, the character?" He asked,

Jasleen sat down on the bed, and nodded. "Basically yes."

"I can't believe I'm telling you this, I have a crush on you."

Jasleen giggled slightly, glad to hear that. "Well then, I guess its good we had dinner then." She stated, smiling. "If you don't mind I'm going to get some sleep, enjoy your book." She pulled the covers back and getting in to bed.

Seifer nodded and continued reading his book.

"Thanks Almasy," She smiled at him, and took the hand he had offered. "I really needed this."

Indeed she had, the night out had gotten her over the horrible nightmares from losing Kari.

He nodded, smiling at her, when they reached her house, he pulled her slightly closer to him. His embrace was warm, comforting, but at the same time she felt she wasn't ready to except it just yet.

"If something were to happen to you, Sari," His voice was a low whisper.

"Almasy...we barely know each other." She spoke softly as well, her face slightly red.

He returned those soft spoken words with a soft kiss, instead of backing away, Sari returned the kiss, eagerly.

Jasleen woke up she snuggled more under the covers, but froze when she felt an arm around her. She was fully awake in an instant. Seifer was still sleeping and he groaned a little when she moved.

"Seifer?" she sat up and shook him. "Wake up!"

"What...what is it?" He asked, smiling at her.

"Dreaming about Sari again?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips, as she next to him. "Its time to snap out of it, so we can go home." She stated, getting up and heading to the bathroom.

Seifer shook his head chuckling a bit, as he watched Jasleen walk out of the room. She came back in a few minutes.

"Still in bed Almasy...?" She asked, before leaning close to him, close enough to kiss him. "I have a secret...think you can keep it?" She asked, her lips almost brushing his.

He was surprised at her closeness, and could feel his cheeks flushing a light pink. "Y..yea...yeah." He managed to stutter out.

"I'm Crystal Line." Was all she said.