Chapter Eight
The little girl with the chestnut locks clung to the leg of her matron, sweet emerald eyes filled with the biggest of tears. The slender woman with the long ebony hair gently soothed little Selphie with a warm and comforting hug. "I know its hard sweetie but its time to go. Aren't you even just a little excited to see your new bedroom the Tilmitt's have ready for you at your new home?" The little girl shook her head into Edea's chest. "But they are so nice, remember your walk on the beach with them?" Selphie pulled back and sniffled, then nodded. "Don't you remember how much fun you had with them?" Her little face nodded up and down again, tears subsiding. "Aren't you excited to have more fun with them each and every single day?" Selphie nodded once more, finished with her tantrum, but still determined to pout.
A nice young couple stood in the doorway, eagerly waiting to take their newly adopted little girl home for the first time. They were the nicest of couples and felt they were blessed to find Selphie and be her parents. The man reached behind him and produce a box wrapped in a soft pink with a delicate white bow.
"Hey there Selph, I wanted to wait till we got you home to give you this but it looks like you could use it now." The little girl's deep green eyes grew huge with delight. Forgetting any previous anxieties she ran over to the box and tore it open, inside was a chocolate brown teddy bear, as soft as can be. Her eyes beaming she looked back up at the couple, bear in her hands. Her new daddy spoke.
"He's all yours honey." Selphie hugged the bear tightly and her new mommy crouched down beside Selphie.
"That's such a nice looking bear you have there, whatever are you going to name him?" The little girl brought her hand to her chin amidst her ponder.
"Oh I know!" She shouted. "I will call him… Humphrey!"
"I think that's the most wonderful name for your teddy bear, its suits him," the new mother smiled. Selphie then jumped into her mom's arms and hugged her like she would never let go.
A pair of very solemn green eyes were worn by the little blonde tyrant, who quietly watched all of this from a crack in his bed room door. He quietly closed the door and headed for his bed. Now it was just him and Squall… everyone else had found homes. No body wanted a quiet little brown haired, crybaby pest or an angry little blonde with a fiery temper. The little boy crawled under his covers and did his very best not to cry… he wasn't going to be a little baby like Zell or Squall.
Then there was a soft knock on the door, then the hinges began to creak as the door was opened ever so tenderly.
"Seifer.. Are you awake?" She tip-toed over to the bed and nudged his shoulder. The boy violently pulled the covers up tighter.
"Go away!"
"Seifer, I just wanted to say goodbye. I'm going to my new home now."
"I don't care.." The little girl paused, not knowing how to react and oh how she hated crying in front of him.
"I'm going to miss you Seifer. Matron said that she would bring you and Squall up to Trabia so you could visit me in my new home… My new mommy told me it snows there a lot. We could all go sledding together…"
"…" The boy was silent.
"I'm going to miss you a lot Seifer… will you miss me?"
"No! Just go ahead and leave already! We don't need anymore little cry babies around here crying all the time!" The little girl, unable to hold back the tears began crying. She couldn't see the pain and sadness behind the little boys anger, so like any four and a half year old, she reacted the only way she knew how.
"You are so mean! I hate you Seifer!"
Selphie shot up in bed, face dripping with sweat. When her eyes focused she realized she was home in her dorm room. She leaned back in her soaking sheets for a moment to catch her breath, Selphie couldn't remember the last time she'd had a decent night of sleep. Actually I slept pretty well in Dollet… well at least until that night.
It had been weeks since she'd come home from her shopping adventures, weeks since her serendipitous run in with Seifer. Coming home she knew she had two options, either: 1. Tell the gang that Seifer was still alive and out there somewhere or 2. Not tell anyone that she ran into Seifer and just let them keep on believing he was dead… she stuck with the latter. But night after sleepless night, she was beginning to wonder if this little secret of hers was the cause of all these nightmares. Right at that moment Selphie's phone began buzzing. Ugh… now what… She picked it up and saw that Rinoa was calling. Her eyes shot wide open.
"Shit!" She quickly braced herself for the catastrophe that was about to ensue. She took a deep breath and pressed the answer button.
"Selphie, why you little…" Selphie held the phone away from her ear as Rinoa was screaming and completely livid. Selphie knew she would never get a word in edge wise, so she waited for just the right moment, that pause when Rinoa would need to take a deep breath before shouting some more and… now!
"Rinoa I'll be there in 10 minutes!" She spat out and hung up the phone.
Selphie was supposed to meet Rinoa at the gym at 8 am sharp, then they were going to go to breakfast afterward, but looking at the clock it was already 9:30. Selphie dashed into the bathroom, splashed some water on her face and began brushing her teeth as she peeled off her pajamas. Being late wasn't new to Selphie, in a way she'd adapted to her lack of punctuality by being the quickest person to get ready on the planet. She was sure if there was a record book, she would be in it for this fantastic talent. She didn't know anyone else that could tie their shoes one handed. In less than five minutes she was out the door and sprinting to the gym.
Selphie was a little nervous because sure, she wasn't known for being on time, but she wasn't known for being hours late either and with her trouble sleeping lately, this extreme tardiness was becoming more of a habit. She hated more than anything that her friends were starting to notice, especially Rinoa, being Selphie's best friend and all.
Selphie was coming up on the gym really quick, she could see the door in her sights, and there was Rinoa coming out the door. Selphie nearly plowed over Rinoa amidst her mad dash.
"See?" Selphie tried to catch her breath. "I told you… I would… be here… 10... Minutes…" Rinoa stood before Selphie arms crossed, tapping her white sneaker on the ground, feigning anger. Selphie fell to her knees, clasped her hands and began mocking her best plea of forgiveness. Rinoa could only sigh.
"Well at least you're already warmed up now…" Selphie had a huge smile, leapt up, and gave Rinoa the biggest hug. "Selphie, too tight, can't breath.." Selphie was definitely awake and ready to work out.
"Come on, let's go stretch. I wanted to work on legs today but after that run I'm thinking we should do chest and shoulders."
"Whatever you say Selphie, but just think, had you been on time we'd be finishing up our breakfast right about now."
"You're going to give me hell about this all day aren't you?" Rinoa flashed a sinister grin.
"You made me wait for an hour and a half… you bet I'm going to give you hell." At that both the girls began laughing.
Once the two began their work outs they agreed not to go the full hour, all thanks to Selphie's tardiness. Selphie didn't mind a half work out though, she found herself doing lots of solo works outs when she couldn't sleep late at night. Rinoa would throw fits about Selphie's perfect tummy and wonder why hers wasn't as nice as Selphie's. Selphie knew, a hundred sit ups here, another hundred push ups there, it added up over the course of a few weeks. So the fact that they were only working out for half an hour today didn't really phase Selphie.
Just as the two girls had finished up and were exiting the gym, in walked a tale handsome cowboy. His thick red mane was pulled back in a loose ponytail, those deep violet eyes piercing Selphie's soul. The man gave a nod to Rinoa and a slight glance a Selphie before moving passed her to get through the door, Selphie just bowed her head stared a quick pace for the dormitories. Rinoa quickly fell into step with Selphie, one brow arched in confusion.
"Um… what was that all about?"
"Nothing, don't worry about it," Selphie curtly replied.
"Are you kidding me? You two have been acting weird ever since you got back from Dollet." Selphie sighed. It was really hard for her to talk about. She told herself the little trip to Dollet was strictly for Christmas shopping, but deep down she just needed to get away from Irvine. She couldn't explain what had come over her, or what her heart was feeling, but she just had to leave. As of late she was finding it difficult to let her heart love him. The pain was just becoming too much. To Selphie it seemed like there was one thing on Irvine's mind and one thing only. In a way she couldn't blame him, he was a young adult male, it was part of his chemical make up, it was natural, his entire being was created for this one purpose… well, that was the way Irvine liked to put it.
She remembered the first night that Irvine had told Selphie that he loved her. Selphie burst into tears of joy and was so overwhelmed with happiness, she kissed him like she had never kissed him before, with so much passion and love. Irvine took this as a cue that it was time to take their relationship to the next level. Selphie soon realized where he was going with things and she broke the kiss and stepped back. Irvine adorned a very puzzled and angry look, spouting off about how he was sick and tired of waiting around for her. How quickly tears of utter bliss could turn into sorrow. She hadn't really pictured things turning out that way, him taking her to his dorm room, deciding one ordinary night to confess his love for her, and then trying to consummate the relationship right then and there on his grungy old bed? Not how she had imagined it at all.
Weeks went on and their relationship grew strained , Selphie loved Irvine so deeply, all she wanted to do was make him happy, the thought of losing Irvine terrified her more than anything. She finally made a decision that keeping Irvine was worth more to her than anything. So one not so special night she gave in to him and gave him what he wanted… but she found she wasn't happy. She thought things would get better… but they didn't. Selphie was sick with herself and she hated herself for giving him her one greatest treasure. With her self loathing came a resentment toward Irvine. In a way Selphie blamed it all on him. He was the one that had pressured her and took advantage of her love for him. With such a bitter taste left in her soul, it was no wonder that she was distancing herself from Irvine, he was no longer that mysterious cowboy with the smile that could melt her heart. He was now the villain who had stolen her most prized possession.
"Helloooo? Anyone home?" Rinoa began taunting Selphie, bringing her out of her deep thought. She glanced at her best friend. She just couldn't tell Rinoa about her and Irvine, she was too ashamed and couldn't find the courage say it out loud.
"Selphie seriously what is going on? I'm really worried about you. You always look so tired and upset, like you're about to burst into tears any second. Come on, you can tell me anything, you know that right?" Selphie just couldn't find the words nor did she feel this was the right setting for such a discussion anyway.
"Selphie you'll feel better if you just let it out, whatever it is you're hiding…" Selphie started to panic, Rinoa was really pressing her. No way was she going to tell Rinoa what happened between her and Irvine, Selphie couldn't bring herself to do that.
"Selph, its me… come on, we're best friends." Why wont she just let up! Oh man, I've gotta think of something to say to her.
"Selphie please…" ANYTHING!
"Seifer is alive!"
AN: Dun, dun, dun! What has Miss Selphie gotten herself into now? Thanks again to all my fans that have been reviewing, and to my fans that have not been reviewing? SHAME ON YOU! Seriously though, I'd like to get a little feedback on this chapter, especially the whole Selphie/Irvine situation. I tried to do things a little differently than most have gone and I'd just like to hear some thoughts on in.. even if you hate it. Anywho! I promised another chapter within a month and I fullfilled that promise, but will there be a nother chapter before March? Perhaps... we'll see if I have the right inspiration.
