A Twisted Love Story
I'm back! Chapter 7 is now up! I'd like to thank everyone who's been reviewing so far. I'll put a proper list up of everyone's name around chapter 10, so keep the reviews coming! I would like to say a special thankyou, though, to CrazyTurkey who has been very supportive of me, and pushed me into faster writing by a combination of pressure and blackmail! Just kidding, but it is thanks to them that this chapter is up, so thanks CrazyTurkey! You rock! Now, on with the story!
Chapter 7
"Zell, don't worry. Keep still for a moment and try to eat something" Selphie tried to calm Zell down, but he wasn't eating and kept glancing at the cafeteria doorway. He was obviously nervous about seeing Rinoa again. Selphie wouldn't admit it, but she too was worried about how everyone would get along. She stared down at her plate. She didn't feel hungry, either.
Selphie and Zell were the first out of the group to get to the cafeteria. They both sat, stealing glances at the door and making a little conversation, too wrapped up in their own thoughts to concentrate much.
Finally, Squall walked through the cafeteria doors. He wasn't with Rinoa, though. Zell let out a deep breath. He had been expecting Rinoa to be with Squall, as they usually went everywhere together. Perhaps Rinoa wasn't even coming Zell thought. He was so nervous about seeing her again.
"Squall looks a little strange" Selphie whispered to Zell as Squall approached their table. Zell started to panic. 'Rinoa's told Squall!' he thought 'and now I'm dead'
Squall reached their table and sat opposite Selphie.
'He does look different' Zell thought 'he looks almost-nervous about something'
"Hi Squall," Selphie said cheerfully, managing to keep a positive, cheery welcome despite the circumstances "where's Rin?"
"Still in bed. She's coming soon"
"You alright, Squall?" Zell asked nervously, although he was pretty sure that Rinoa hadn't told Squall anything, as Squall would probably be attempting to kill Zell by now.
Squall nodded, pulling a plate of food towards him and starting to eat. He avoided Selphie's and Zell's eyes. He couldn't stop thinking about what he was going to say to Rinoa. He didn't have a speech or anything prepared. Even if he did, he doubted he would remember it. He'd end up messing everything up like last time.
Irvine and Quistis came through the cafeteria doors. They were talking between themselves quietly. They stopped as soon as they reached the table where Selphie, Zell and Squall were sat. Normally, Irvine would sit next to Selphie, but he wanted to sit next to Quistis. His eyes roamed the table and he was glad to find that Zell was already in the seat next to Selphie, and Selphie was sat on the edge of the table, giving him a good excuse. He took his place next to Quistis, who was already sat next to Squall.
Everyone said a quick hello to each other, too lost in their own thoughts to concentrate on everyone else.
Finally, Rinoa arrived. She strode over to the table, her heart sinking when she realised the only spare seat was next to Zell. She took a deep breath and sat down next to him, saying a polite hello to everyone and flashing Squall a special smile, just for him. Squall only just managed to return it. Smiling wasn't his speciality at the best of times. Even though the whole group was now present, nobody spoke much.
Squall kept his head down, trying to come up with an opening sentence for his proposal speech. Next to him, Quistis was trying to forget about Seifer, which wasn't easy. His head kept popping up in her mind. What was wrong with her? Why didn't he like her? She raised her eyes and turned to Irvine, sat next to her. She thought it was slightly strange that he wasn't sitting next to Selphie. Normally, they were lost in their own world, but now Quistis hardly ever saw them together. Irvine saw her turn and smiled slightly at her. She returned the smile and went back to her food, realising that when Irvine smiled at her, she wasn't thinking of Seifer at all.
Next to her, Irvine was trying not to think of Quistis. It was hard, as she was sat right next to him, then she turned and Irvine gave her a small smile, to boost her spirits. She smiled back and Irvine's stomach gave a small flip. Irvine tried to ignore it and returned to his food, bullying his brain to obey and not to think of her.
Opposite him, Rinoa was having, if possible, a worse time. She wasn't comfortable sitting so close to Zell. Sure, the tables actually had plenty of room, but Rinoa felt squashed. She didn't expect to be sat next to Zell. How had this happened? She was accidentally going to burst out with the truth. She just knew it. This was so awkward for her. She lowered her head and chewed faster.
Next to Rinoa, Zell had problems. Rinoa was sat right next to him, something he hadn't been expecting at all. He didn't have strong feelings for her anymore, but he still didn't think it was a good idea for them to be sat so close. Perhaps Squall would guess something was up, especially since they were avoiding each other's eyes. It must look so obvious.
Zell's main problem, however, was the fact that Selphie was sat so close to him. He could feel her arm brush against his every time she reached across the table for her drink. Every time this happened, a little flutter happened in his stomach. He didn't know what it was, but it made him feel very uncomfortable.
He turned to look at Selphie; she smiled back, her eyes twinkling.
Zell's stomach did a tiny flip. He lowered his head and continued to eat, trying to ignore both Rinoa and Selphie.
Selphie was too busy thinking to notice that her arm kept brushing against Zell's arm. She kept glancing down the table at Irvine. Normally, Irvine would do anything to make sure he was sat next to Selphie, but today, he had seemed happy enough with Quistis. Selphie didn't mind. She and Irvine had been steadily growing apart for a while. She still loved him, yes, but she always knew there was a possibility he would break her heart. He obviously liked someone else, and so Selphie had to make sure she was prepared to be dumped. Tears started to form in her eyes. She discreetly wiped them away, and glanced again at Irvine. He was now smiling at Quistis, and she was smiling back. Selphie looked at the two of them, smiling at each other, and something clicked at the back of her mind. Something important. Selphie gave her head a slight shake. What was it? She sighed to herself. She'd think of it later. She knew Irvine loved someone else…if only she could fit together all the pieces of the puzzle, to figure out who…she turned her head to look at Zell, at smiled. He smiled back but Selphie could see red flushing his cheeks. Selphie understood. Sitting next to Rinoa was something Zell could have done without. She really should have thought of the seating positions better. Selphie lowered her head and continued to eat.
Rinoa finished first, perhaps because she had chewed so fast, wanting to get way from the awkwardness of the breakfast table. All around them, other Balamb students were making lots of noise, eating, talking and laughing, yet on their table, it had seemed silent, blocking out noise from around them.
As Rinoa rose, the silence that lingered over the table was broken, and she could hear the rest of the cafeteria noises around her.
"I'd better be going" she announced. Rinoa didn't even wait for Squall. She half walked, half ran out of the cafeteria, and didn't stop until she was safely out of earshot, before breathing a big sigh of relief. She had survived her first encounter with Zell after the kiss. She smiled and started to walk back to her room.
Irvine finished next; he tipped his hat and was off. After him, Selphie finished, but waited for Zell, who was draining his drink. They both said goodbye to Squall and Quistis, and headed out together. Squall finished seconds later. He said a almost silent goodbye to Quistis, who was now the only one left on the table, and headed out the door.
The truth was, Quistis had finished at the same time as Selphie, but she had pretended to still be busy with her drink as everyone around her left. She had planned to confront Seifer as he left the cafeteria, so he couldn't escape. She could see the back of his grey coat now. He was at with Raijin and Fujin, as usual. She slowly stood up and walked out of the cafeteria. As soon as she was out of the doors, she gently leant against the wall outside. She now couldn't be seen until you were right out of the doors, but Quistis could easily see anyone who was coming out.
And so she waited. She tapped her foot impatiently and bit her lip, trying to think of what to say to Seifer as he came out. She had to control herself, she knew that. Minutes ticked by, and Quistis was still waiting. After about fifteen minutes, Seifer and his two 'posse members' came walking out together. Quistis stepped forward to catch them.
"Seifer, could I have a word?" Quistis asked, expecting Seifer to ignore her or turn her down. Instead, to her surprise, he turned to look at her, and gave a small nod. Quistis tried to lead him away from his posse, but Fujin and Raijin seemed determined to follow. Seifer turned and said something in a low voice to both of them. They both nodded and started to walk away. Quistis was surprised. She had been preparing herself to tell them to go away and give her and Seifer some privacy, which always ended up sounding really wrong in her head.
Quistis turned to Seifer, and opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, Seifer was talking
"I think I know what this is about, Trepe. You want to know why I've been so nasty to you lately, if I like you, and if we're going to date again"
Quistis stared. Those were the questions, or near enough, she had prepared to ask.
"Well, question one's answer is-that's just me. If you like me, I'm sure you can live with it. You've lived with it for a long time now, in the orphanage, here. You're probably the only one who really understands me. Perhaps you'll understand that, I don't know. Question two…" Seifer suddenly started to laugh. Quistis was taken aback "I don't know if you really believe I'm capable to like anyone, so I'll let you figure that out for yourself. Question three is the easiest to answer. Yes. But not right now. Now, I'm extremely busy, Trepe, so I'll be off now"
And without another word, Seifer swept away, his grey coat flowing out since he was walking so fast, leaving Quistis in a stunned silence.
Yay! I did it! I'm going to try as hard as possible to get the next chapter up as soon as I can, so review please, and look out for it. Until then, bye! Selphie Ivy x
