Standard Disclaimer Applied.

Entry...33 (this could not be happening to me)

A-Inn (a place where animals are kept in the Garden)

6:34 am

Pup slowly lifted his tiny head and then bowed it again, as he resumed in his sleep.

I smiled as I watched him from where I was positioned. This place, was well, a place for animals and you could just imagine how stinky this could be. But since I adored him that much, awful, pungent, stinky or what, I opted to stay.

I opted to stay to somehow play with him, and unlucky me, I found him cuddled in his sleep. Same with my dog Angelo, who, most of the times, was more of a heavy-sleeper than I.

I should have not woken up this early. My body clock was disoriented for no reason at all.

Pup (oh he was named that way because he was a puppy, but honestly I believe that he was just finding it hard to think of a more adorable name than Pup) lifted his head again, and moved somewhere near me. Hey—I was making progress!

Then he peed. In my skirt. And with all my innocence, he went back to where he originally was, as if nothing happened.

Talk about making progress.

Maybe I should have given up on the idea to woo this animal. Besides, nobody told me to do so. And of course, I already have Angelo to take care of and solely give my attention to. And if ever I wanted another, I could have a chocobo. That could be better.

BUT, I just adored Pup that much. Sigh. I couldn't possibly let go of this that easy.

…Like I was finding it hard to let go of his owner.

It was the 23rd of August.

It meant only one thing, and that was, it was his birthday.

So there we went to a place in the square, with a very big dilemma bounded in our shoulders. Everyone had their eyebrows met together, except Seifer, and we were seriously thinking.

"We should have done this a long time ago," Zell said.

"Yeah," I agreed with a sigh.

"Where's Selphie?" Quistis asked.

"Gone off somewhere with her dear Irvy. Some loving in this blasted hot weather," answered Seifer with that I-don't-care impression, as he was the only one in the group who was making no effort to join in solving our predicament. As he pointed out to me, they may have negotiated and had peace talks, but that wouldn't erase the fact that they are meant rivals for life.

"Of all the dates to go and have some loving!" I said and then again, that was followed by a sad sigh.

I told myself that this shouldn't have been this big as in big problem. After all, everybody had their own personal gifts to give him, but I don't know; it already became our tradition that apart from that, we ought to give another present, one big present, from all of us.

So we were stuck.

"I could help."

That voice was Seifer's and then I was bewildered by the fact that on a second, he didn't care and then on another, he offered help out of the blue.

We all turned to him, and noticed that mischievous look on his eyes. Okay, what was he thinking?

"Let's give him a chance, shall we?" I said. (Oops, that was biased.)

He smirked. "If I were you, I'd put Quistis, clad in a sexy outfit, in a box wrapped with colorful ribbons," he said, his words almost dissolved into fits of laughter.

Zell instantly put himself in between Quistis and Seifer, who were seated side-by-side originally.

I reminded myself to give Seifer a good long scolding later.

"Are you insane!" Quistis retorted with her voice one range higher but her manner was composed still. She knew how to deal with one Seifer Almasy.

"Instructor dear, what took you so long to find out? That, apparently, is old news. Besides, that image would make any guy feel like he's in heaven," Seifer said and mockingly imitated a dreamy look.

"That includes you then, huh? Unless you plan to go and have 'them' changed," Quistis replied to him calmly, but stressed on the word 'them'.

He threw one scathing look at her and that made him shut up.

I may be not as old as both of them were, but I got the hint. (And he should not have them changed.)

Just in time, love-dazed Selphie and Irvine came to our table. I was glad that they missed the action.

"What did we miss?" Irvine said as he pulled a chair for Selphie.

"Other than their,"—Zell pointed to the two other persons beside him—"catfight, nothing."

"Quistis probably won. It's always like that," Selphie said, stucking her tongue out at Seifer, who snorted in response.

"Enough. That was over." Quistis said, and she threw an apologetic look at me and Seifer. (I was included in the apology, of course.)

"You should have heard my brilliant idea for a fabulous present to give to Commander Pub—Squall," he muttered under his breath and that earned him an irritated look from the other blonde.

"Not again!" Zell said and that saved the world.

"Oh, how could I forget! Today is Squall's big day right? Silly me! What would we give him? Are your personal presents ready?" Selphie said in panic.

"Yeah, we were only left to think of a present that would come from all of us," I said.

"I thought Seifer had a brilliant idea?" Irvine asked.

"Please!" That was me and Zell.

Selphie and Irvine, thank Hyne, got it.

Then after a few minutes of silence, Selphie shouted at the top of her lungs.

"I knew it!"

"Quisty, hurry! He might come!"

"Wait, I'm trying my best!"

"Man, this is insane."

"Shut up."

The doors opened and Irvine checked if anybody was in. When it was clear, we all entered.

We sneaked into Squall's office. How lucky of us to barge in without difficulty.

And then, I found myself walking farther and further, as a sense of familiarity came back to me. I remembered myself in this same room; there cuddled in the sofa, seated in that chair at his table, in…

Something caught my eye.

A piece of paper was on the top of the random files at his table. I kind of expected it to be a love letter or something, but I found it to be a doodle. A doodle with a very messy handwriting of his, but with very clear words...

I guess you heard, I guess you know

In time I'd have told you, but I guess I'm too slow.

And it's overly romantic but I know that it's real

I hope you don't you mind if I say what I feel.

It's like I'm in somebody else's dream,

This could not be happening to me.

Don't be alarmed, no don't be concerned.

I don't want to change things

Leave them just as they were.

I mean nothing's really different

It's me who feel strange.

I'm always lost for words when someone mentions your name.

I know I'll get over this for sure

I'm not the type who dreams there could be more.

Can I take your smile home with me,

or the magic in your hair?

The rain has stopped, the storm has passed

Look at all the colors now the sun's here at last.

I supposed that you'll be leaving but I want you to know

Part of you stays with me even after you go.

Like an actor playing someone else's scene

This could not be happening to me.

But you were there, and you were everything I'd never seen.

You woke me up from this long and empty sleep.

I was alone.

I opened my eyes and I'm not alone.

I opened my eyes and you were there.

of his heart. I knew he never felt this way for me. I felt there were tears that threatened to fall but I managed to stop them and took the piece of paper from the desk. I resolved to keep it hidden beneath his things, as somebody else with me in that room, might find it and get whatever of it. That was not a good idea since Quistis was with us, and most likely she didn't know this.

I opened the first drawer of his desk and when I thought I already escaped the sad feeling awhile ago, I saw a bunch of pictures placed there. They were pictures of the two of them, some she alone, some he alone, but most he and she together. They must have been memories of the missions, happy memories of the missions they had gone through together.

Then I saw a picture of Quistis alone, and Hyne I thought, she is really beautiful.

I let myself one tear to fall, then finally, placed the paper with the pictures and closed the drawer.

Too much for reminiscing.

I breathed hard and composed myself. Back to business, that's what I did.

"Where did you get that?" I heard Selphie say.

I looked up to see Quistis eating a very delicious apple as she leaned on a door frame that must be the door that led to the kitchen.

The luxury of being commander, that is.

"In the fridge?" Quistis replied, and moved towards the box we placed on a table in the room.

"Don't those have security codes too?" Zell said, and I was thinking maybe he was hoping there were hotdogs on Squall's fridge too.

"Of course, she knows it," Seifer said, and threw Zell a pitied look.

Oh yeah, of course.

"He's coming!" Selphie jumped up and down and we all positioned ourselves near our surprise.

He came with that what-are-you-all-doing-here look.

He stood still at the doorway and expected an answer, but we were at a loss of words. Then Quistis saved us.

"I invited them in…"

At that Squall entered finally and we moved accordingly with him, trying our very best to keep the gift away from his sight yet.

"…because I thought there might be a party…?"

"Party?" His first word ever for this conversation.

"Yeah, party!"

"I thought you don't like parties."

"Well…"

"Well?"

This conversation was interesting as it was. I could bet we were all thinking the same thing: so this is how they do it…

"There is an exception to that."

"Really. Like when?"

"Today."

"…What's with today?"

"A birthday perhaps?"

"Whose birthday?"

Well, we have so much time really. They could take all the time they wanted.

"Her birthday, idiot," Seifer said, obviously tired of Squall's clueless ness or feign clueless ness, we had no idea.

At that, Selphie shouted, "Surprise!"

Voila, there was the box!

"What is that?" Squall said and he moved towards it.

"You've got to open it!" Selphie said, excitement edged on her voice.

It was suspense, really, as he slowly untangled the ribbon on the big box. Zell looked at me and both chuckled, as the image of Seifer's brilliant idea came to our mind.

"A puppy." He smiled a little.

"Did you like it?" Quistis asked.

"Yeah, though I am not…a very huge fan of dogs."

"Hey Squall, be honest; don't say that just because it was Quistis who asked!" Irivne teased him, and we all laughed at his comment.

"Really, did you like it?" Selphie politely inquired.

"Yeah…thanks."

"Happy Birthday Squall," I said and they all followed. Everybody else cheered.

"On one condition though…"

"I knew it!" Selphie said.

"You are all going to take care of…Pup."

"Who is Pup?" Zell said.

"Him," said Squall pointing at the sleeping puppy.

We understood that Squall appreciated our efforts, but it was different from liking the puppy. He never really liked those things anyway. But maybe, just maybe, he would just take back the custody from us.

"I told you, my idea would have made him blissful than he is now," Seifer said.

That earned him a painful step on the foot from the instructor.

I remember clearly that fateful day when I felt there were a lot of things, signs, big big signs, thrown at me.

But a vow is a vow. And I already had what I needed and asked for.

So I resolved that I could no longer love him that way, but I could share that love to Pup. Well, I wouldn't end up marrying this dog anyway. It is still safe for me.

And in the stillness of the chill of the morning on the 24th of August, I let the last tears fall.

For the last time, I will let this happen to me.

xxx Rinoa

end

A/N: 7 pages. Whew. Firstly, the piece above was from a song, You Were There by Southern Sons, I kind of edited it a bit, but still it's theirs so all the credit goes to them. bows I was listening to that song a while ago, and then the inspiration came to me. Alas. Second, this was supposed to be the entry before the sixth but then I only thought of this just now, so…it's kind of late, apologies. Third, I don't know if Squall really loved dogs or animals but for this story, it's fiction, let's assume he doesn't have a liking to it. Fourthly, I can't think of a proper name for a place where they kept all the animals in Garden, if ever there was one. But since it's fiction, let's assume again they have one. Fifth, apologies for any technical errors, such as grammar and spelling. I am in a disoriented mode as Rinoa. Sixth, apologies too for the OOC of the characters, I tried my best, honest! Last but definitely not the least, thank you thank you thank you for all the reviews! I felt so appreciated really, so I will happily mention everyone who were there, then, now, or then and now; namely, Linette, Artimid, Ray, cha, Charl Maxwell, Spiritblade, Drakulya, WashedOut, Cailin Skylary, FFFreak, quistis'.alter.ego, gblaine, Spring's Rose, Quisty Almasy, Tro-Tro, Krigersk; those who listed me or my story on anywhere too: alaurasummerfield87, DivineAngel143, lil-battousai girl and Waves of Eternal Doom. I hope to see your reviews in this recent chapter although I was really sad this week. So make me happy and drop by! Many many many thanks thanks thanks to everyone! Cheers! 