Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews and sorry for the lateness. Okay now as you very well guessed Rinoa changed somewhat. She's still Rinoa but you could imagine what would happen if you hung with Squall & Co for a month.
Sun light radiated in through the window filling the room with a warm glow. Yet the warming light wasn't welcomed by the raven-haired girl that was currently covering her head with her covers, trying to drift back to sleep. After failing to fall back to sleep, she slowly sat up rubbing her eyes. She glanced at the clock to find out it was only nine twenty, way to early in her opinion. Then again she was already and hour and twenty minutes late for school.
Rinoa tiredly rolled to the side of her bed and reached for her cell that was sitting next to her clock on her nightstand. She yawned as she flipped it open and began dialing a number she memorized. She laid back down and waited for an answer. After three rings and halfway through the forth the person answer.
"What!" The voice growled on the other end.
"I'm up Squall," Rinoa answer yawning.
"Congratulations," Squall replied sarcastically, "some of us weren't."
"Yeah well now you are."
"I hate you, did you know that?"
Rinoa couldn't help but giggle, "Yes you've told me numerous times."
"Alright just making sure you knew."
"Squall I'm gonna go take a shower, okay?" Rinoa gradually stepped out of her bed.
"Yeah whatever," Squall replied, "Just don't take forever."
"Hey you wanna join me?" Rinoa asked her voice sounding casual but she was smirking waiting for his answer.
There was a silence on the other end and Rinoa figured he was thinking. After what must have been at least a minute Squall answer, "…you serious?"
"No I'm not serious!" Rinoa exclaimed, "Hyne Squall is that all you think about."
"You fucking asked me!" Squall shouted back getting defensive, "Don't get mad if you asked."
"I was joking," Rinoa sighed.
"Yeah well haven't you ever heard don't joke about important stuff."
"Whatever," Rinoa copied Squall as she picked out her school uniform.
"Hey that's my line," Squall joked, "I worked hard to have it be mine."
"Whatever," Rinoa said again just in spite.
"I'm hanging up," Squall was apparently growing bored.
"Alright I'll be over soon," Rinoa replied before hanging up the phone.
She grabbed the normal apparel for school but her slightly modified set. She did ask the group how they never got in trouble for inappropriate wear at school. Zell shrugged when she asked and replied that the teachers just didn't want to deal with the delinquents. When Rinoa went to school on Monday – because Selphie skipped Friday – Selphie told the girl she had to change her wardrobe. Selphie went over to Rinoa's house that very day and began to change Rinoa's school uniform. Selphie warned her that the first few times she would get in trouble but soon they would just over look it.
That is exactly what happened, the entire first week Rinoa got detentions. The group tried to convince her to skip them but she refused saying that went to far. At first she thought they would be unbearable but then at least one member of the group always got a detention that day too, just to keep her company. During her detentions she was able to become pretty close to the group. Learning little things about her new friends. Irvine's parents owned a gun shop, Zell learned martial arts from his grandfather when he was young. He then later turned it into a more modern day street style fighting. Squall didn't really share any info about himself, but he did talk, which was surprising enough. Selphie just talked about the town and what fun things there were to do. All in all the time in detention was just like school, but actually fun. They just taught her things, just little tid bits of information.
The most interesting detention she ever had to serve was when Seifer happened to walk in. Lucky Selphie was with Rinoa that day so a fight didn't break out. Still it was quite the shocker…
--
Flashback
--
"Selphie when will I stop getting these, "Rinoa whined putting her head down on her desk.
"You know you could skip them," Selphie stated as if the obvious thing to do.
"Then I just get more."
"Yeah but you skip those too," Selphie added flipping open a compact mirror to check the little makeup she wore. She really only wore eye shadow and maybe cover-up on the occasion day. Rinoa always told her she was jealous and every time Selphie just gave her a doubting look. Every time Rinoa told her Selphie always replied that Rinoa had the better skin. They almost always got in an argument about who had the better skin complexion. It got the point where Squall told them to shut up because it was the dumbest argument he's ever heard.
Before Rinoa could reply the door swung open and slammed into the wall causing everyone's attention to be aimed at the person who entered. Rinoa's mouth dropped when Seifer casually strolled in. Apparently it was quite the surprise because even the teacher had shock written all over his face. This was Seifer, if he ever got a detention he would just skip it, so it was quite strange to see him in this room. Seifer turned to take a seat but stopped when he noticed Selphie and Rinoa. A smirk slowly spread across his face as he walked over to them. He took the chair in front of them and sat down, facing them with one leg on either side of its back.
"I see Leonhart is already rubbing off on you."
"Ye-yea…yeah," Rinoa was helplessly stuttering. It was probably because she only met him twice. One time he attacked her and the other time he was about to fight Squall, which according to everyone is a crazy brawl. That would usually be enough to make you afraid of someone.
Seifer noticing Rinoa's nervousness only caused him to get a special satisfying gleam in his eyes. He leaned forward resting his head on his crossed arms on the back of the chair. "So what you in for."
"I-I, well-"
"She poked this bastard in the eye for bothering her," Selphie lied. An obvious lie but the point got across to Seifer.
He sat upwards and raised his hands in a surrendering notion. "Hey I'm just making conversation."
"Yeah right," Selphie wasn't buying it, "You probably saw that we were in here and you just wanna annoy us."
Seifer looked at her a second before laughing, too much laughing for Rinoa's like. "Don't flatter yourselves, it is a mere coincidence that you and me are here."
"Then why are you here," Rinoa asked, before she could stop herself.
"She speaks," Seifer exclaimed acting surprised.
"Shut up Seifer," Selphie said dryly.
"You think your hot shit don't ya," Seifer spoke in a low tone as he leaned closer to us. He rested his crossed arms on our desk. "You befriending Leonhart may keep you safe from most people but not from me. I'm not afraid to fight that little punk."
Then for some unknown reason that she still doesn't understand to present day Rinoa defended Squall, "I think you are just afraid of him, I mean I can understand. He is in top physical condition while you are starting to lean towards the heavy side. I bet he could kick your ass straight to the moon…that is if he could lift your heavy ass off the ground." Well this was quite the bluff, seeing how Seifer was also in top physical condition. Also seeing how Rinoa has seen Seifer fight and he was on par with Squall.
Seifer met her stern gaze and Rinoa found her resolve slowly dying. What did I just do? Rinoa thought. I'm such and idiot, let's just insult the most violent person in Balamb. He's probably gonna kill me now.
To Rinoa's surprise and for that matter everyone in the room's surprise, since they were listening intently to the 'conversation' between the blonde and the two girls. Seifer started laughing. Not an intimidating laugh, or even mocking laughter. It sounded like he was genuinely laughing.
"Oh man, Leonhart really picks winners doesn't he," Seifer laughed. "She hasn't even been here for a week and she's already got his attitude."
"Just shut it Seifer," Selphie sighed.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, I'm leaving," Seifer rose from his chair and made his way to the door.
"Wait why are you in here if you don't have to be," Rinoa asked curiously.
"Oh I am suppose to be in here," Seifer chuckled, "the reason why I am here is because Quistis wanted to go shopping with me after school. So in response I started an argument with a teacher until I got detention. He was ignoring me at first, but no one can ignore the old, 'your wife screamed fucking bloody murder when I did her in your bed'. That one usually gets them, anyway now I don't have to go shopping, and now since she has left school I can leave." He gave a little bow and left the room.
Rinoa glared at the teacher for not even opening his mouth to stop Seifer. Probably to scared to even acknowledge the teen. You just gotta love the educational system around here. Rinoa thought sarcastically.
--
End Flashback
--
Yeah that was a fun day, Rinoa joked to herself as she shed her clothes to the floor. She quickly stepped into the shower. Still I have to say it is fun, especially being a part of this group. Rinoa let the steamy water pound her back enjoying the tingling feeling. She began to giggle as she remembered the first day back at school. Squall was pissed for some unknown reason. Rinoa just told him she was going to school and he started cursing. He said he had to go now and Rinoa just didn't feel like asking why.
--
Flashback
--
Rinoa had to admit it felt weird with Squall next to her walking into school. He was like a fucking hawk, looming over her from behind. Squall wasn't next to her but at least a foot or two behind. He seemed almost like a bodyguard protecting her. She could only sigh and continue through the halls.
Then she suddenly felt an arm snake around her waist, she looked up to see some random boy. Déjà vu anybody.
"Hey babe I heard you are quite the rebel," the boy started, "you know I like a bad girl." The boy said with a wink.
Before Rinoa could even reject him the boy found himself pinned against the lockers, feet off the ground. He was staring into the steel blue eyes that could belong to a murderer. A slow smile spread across Squall's lips, "Do I even have to say it."
"No I read you loud and clear," the boy quickly said, "don't touch her."
"Aren't you a smart one," Squall stated. He dropped the boy on his feet and made his way to Rinoa. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her down the hallway. Wasn't that dumb, Rinoa thought, now everyone probably thinks that we're going out or something?
Rinoa was partially right, everyone now knew to lay off her. They thought that she was just Squall's current fling. It wasn't surprising for him to have someone for a little while. They figured he would just do the normal and toss her aside after a week or two. That was the normal routine.
Squall pretty much escorted her throughout the halls most of the day. Although halfway through it the message spread and no one was even talking to her, let alone touching her. The rest of the day Rinoa didn't make any new friends. She didn't really plan on it, but she figured she would at least learn a new name or two. Yet everyone avoided her like the plague. Rinoa gave up and just figured she would have to be either friends with Squall and co or everyone else. Like that was even a decision to make.
--
End Flashback
--
Rinoa twisted the knob to stop the comforting water from pouring on her. She stepped out of the shower and quickly wiped herself down with the towel. She gave a slight shiver from her body trying to get use to the different temperature. She dressed herself quickly to try and regain the warmth she was quickly losing.
She wore a short black skirt, with the usually blouse that the girls had to wear. The only difference was it was jaggedly ripped all along the bottom and she only buttoned it some way. Leaving the top slightly open to give that taunting tease that girls always do. She also cut the sleeves off making it sleeveless. She put on the normal school jacket but it was shorter in the sleeves from personal cutting. Also it was shrunk down a little so her blouse would show underneath it. Not that she planned on buttoning up the jacket, still it fit her look.
She used a hair dryer to speed things up and then she made her way back to her room. She grabbed her one notebook that she always brought to school. She only carried one because she never took notes, but she would doodle to pass the time. Also a few times the gang would try to make plans and had to map out whatever they were going to do. They never brought anything so she had to at least bring some paper. Then again Squall would probably just steal some from some poor kid if she didn't have any.
Rinoa was already except for one thing. She made her way over to her dresser. She picked up her mothers ring that she put a chain through. She smiled at the memory of her mother as she put the necklace on. She took a look in the mirror for one last check of her hair. She then dashed down the stairs and out the door. She walked past her shiny red convertible, practically brand new. Yes it was hers but she still couldn't drive a stick. She didn't care either, Squall just drove her anyway.
That was one thing that really happened over the past month. Rinoa got extremely close to Squall. According to everyone else no girl has ever been on such a good terms with the delinquent. It did take some time but after a while Rinoa got use to Squall. Probably because she changed so much and could understand his actions. Or maybe Squall got use to her. There were many possibilities to when they started to become better friends. They still constantly teased each other but that was a major difference from before. They constantly teased each other, it wasn't just Squall doing the teasing.
Rinoa had become quite the little rebel. She would curse and swear now, completely fitting in with the group. She still was timid to certain things but Squall was always there to help her through whatever was frightening her. She tended to rely on Squall more and more, not in the desperate way. If it was one thing Rinoa learned over the past month was how to fight her own battles. She didn't take shit from anyone anymore. Still it reassured her knowing Squall was always there just in case.
One time when they decided to go egg this teachers house and he actually ran out and chased them. Rinoa wasn't use to the physical activity of running. Squall had to peg the teacher in the balls with an egg to stop him from chasing them. Luckily he never did recognize them since it was dark out.
Rinoa saw Squall across the street leaning against his car not so patiently waiting for her. A mischievous smile spread as she took her sweet time walking across the street. It didn't go unnoticed by Squall either, she could see him growl as he gripped the keys he was recently spinning. He sent a deadly glare at her but she was so use to those they didn't even faze her. When she reached his car she gave him a warm smile.
"Morning," she piped.
Squall didn't reply, he simply opened his door and got in the car. Rinoa pulled on the handle of the door but it was locked. She waited but he didn't unlock it. She tapped on the window, and Squall let it come down about an inch. Rinoa glared at Squall before telling him the door was locked. He gave her a warm smile and then began to pull out. Rinoa watched as he pulled into the street and at a crawling pace, headed in the direction of the school. Rinoa stamped her foot before marching after him.
It didn't take long for her to catch up since the car was moving so slow. Squall had the window down a bit more and looked to be enjoying the ride. Rinoa walked next to the car and looked through the window.
"Squall this isn't funny."
Squall glanced at her before turning on the radio to some heavy metal song. Rinoa now shouted through the music to let her in but Squall couldn't hear her, or if he could, he pretended not too. Rinoa continued to walk next to the car as it slowly rolled down the street. She could try and just stand there, hoping that he would stop the car. Still there was a possibility that he would keep going causing Rinoa to walk. It wouldn't be the first time. So she marched next to the car, and at times would bang on the window only to get no response.
I'm such a bastard, Squall thought. He was enjoying this rather immensely. Well I suppose I should at least talk to her. Now what Squall loved about his car most was that it if you don't touch the gas petal, which is what he was doing now, and leave it in first. His car will crawl at the speed of one maybe two miles per hour. He also didn't even have to touch the wheel to keep it going straight, he always made Zell help him calibrate it when it got off. Zell was fairly good with mechanics. So with such a perfect car, Squall stepped out of it as it moved. He began walking next to it as well. He glanced over at Rinoa to see her face with surprise all over it. The car continued to crawl along the road with no one in it.
"What the fuck are you doing," Rinoa hissed, "If this car runs me over I'm gonna kill you."
"Easy, easy" Squall said laughing, "it wont budge, but you kept banging on the window so I figured you wanted to talk."
"Damn right I did," Rinoa said, "why am I walking next to you car and not riding in it?"
"Well I figured you needed help losing that extra weight you've gained." Squall said before really thinking. It took him a second to realize what he said. Oh you stupid motherfucker, she's about to go ballistic.
"Squall…" Rinoa's voice low in a warning tone.
"Yeah." Squall replied meekly ready for her outburst.
"Let me in the car right now," Rinoa hissed.
"We-"
"Squall," Rinoa gave a glare that might even have been deadlier then Squall's. "You are going to let me in this car. You are going to take me wherever I wanna go. You are going to listen to every command I have. Do you understand?"
Well I could say 'yes' and then just actually do it, but where's the fun in that. "Hey I'm just helping you admit your little problem. I mean now we can work together to help you get over that weight problem." Oh man you're really pushing it.
Rinoa's mouth couldn't have fallen any further. She let out a loud groan and then ran around the back of the car towards Squall. He tried to get into the car and shut the door but she got in the way of the door closing. Squall would never intentionally hurt her, so he couldn't just slam the door on her. To his surprise she climbed in on top of him, her plan being, climb to her seat. Her only mistake was kneeing the steering wheel causing it to turn. Also climbing across Squall was not the most comfortable thing for him. When she crawled over him his foot stretched and tapped the gas pedal. The car jumped to about fifteen miles per hour.
It wasn't incredibly fast but enough of a shock to cause Rinoa to shriek. Squall saw the incoming telephone pole and tried to hit the brakes. Maybe if his entire focus was on that task he might have been able to do it. However he was more worried about Rinoa's safety. She was still on his lap and no doubt go through the windshield. Using both his hands to lift her he managed to toss her in the back seat. She hit the seat before she felt the car come to an abrupt halt causing her to get airborne and hit the back of the two front seats.
"Ow that hurt," Rinoa said holding her head. "Damn it Squall." Rinoa got out of the car and walked leaned on Squall's window. "Squall?
"Fuck that hurt," Squall groaned before turning to Rinoa. "Hey you okay?"
"I'm fine, you?"
"Head hurts but that's what happens when your head smashes the fucking steering wheel."
Rinoa chuckled a little. She backed away from the window when Squall opened the door. He staggered the way to the front a little shaken up. A small crash was still enough to cause a little shock. Rinoa followed Squall to the front of the car and she shrieked when he suddenly screamed.
"Ahh Fuck!" Squall shouted only starting his rant, "Hyne's shit hole, damn I loved this car. Now it's fucking totaled into a pole. It's like my car is on crack now, fuck! How am I gonna go anywhere anymore."
"Well you shouldn't have hit the gas," Rinoa piped up before stopping herself. Oh bad idea Rinoa.
"It's your fucking fault for trying to climb over me," Squall now directed his anger at Rinoa.
"Get off it," Rinoa replied not fearing him at all. "You shouldn't have been trying to act so cool. If you just let me in the car then this wouldn't have happened."
"You climbed over me," Squall stated, "This is your fault."
"Who the fuck gets out of their car while it still is moving," Rinoa shouted back.
"I have done it a ton of times, this time a princess couldn't manage to walk a few feet."
"I'm not a fucking princess and don't even try and blame this on me."
"Well my car is fucked, so now what."
"Well we should wait here and get the car towed," Rinoa suggested.
"That could take hours," Squall grimaced.
"Yeah it will be really long since your car is off the road out of the way." Rinoa leaned against it as she spoke, "I mean if it was in the middle of the street then maybe they would come faster."
Squall leaned next to her, "Your right. If there was some danger with the accident then they would take care of it faster."
"Yeah, to bad the crash wasn't terrible," Rinoa said sarcastically.
"Shut up," Squall whined, "Look Irvine's dad drives a truck so we can tow it ourselves later."
"Fine but how are we gonna get to school?"
"Why the hell do you still wanna go to school?"
Squall couldn't quite understand her thinking. She usually never wanted to go to school she usually only went because her dad made her. So whenever he was busy she usually just skipped. Now she had a legitimist reason not to go. If it was Squall he would've milked this for all its worth. Hyne knows Laguna would try and make him stay home for a week if he ever heard his son was in an accident.
"Because we all said we would go to school today," Rinoa took a step closer to Squall pointing a finger at him. "We are not going to leave our friends hanging at school. Got that?"
"Fine whatever," Squall started walking back towards his house. I guess that's a good enough reason.
"And where are you going," Rinoa coldly asked. "The school's the other way dumbass."
"No shit Sherlock," Squall replied sarcastically, "If I'm going to school I'm sure as hell not walking," Squall shouted over his shoulder, "Come on we'll take your car."
"Oh that's a good idea," Rinoa called back.
"I know."
Rinoa jogged to catch up to Squall. He glanced as she walked next to him but didn't say anything. One thing Rinoa learned to understand was giving Squall space. If he didn't want to talk and you had nothing to say, don't speak. Others said it was awkward around him when it was just silence, but Rinoa kind of liked it. She didn't need to constantly talk with someone like others. She enjoyed silence at times, just not as much as Squall.
Rinoa quickly ran inside to grab the car keys. She just left them lying next to the door since she never needed them. She rarely brought any keys out of the house. If she couldn't get into her house she would just go to Squall's. That past month she really had gotten close enough to Squall to drop by without him even caring. She even spent the night a few times, of course nothing happened between them. There was usually someone else there anyways so she wouldn't feel to weird. She still did feel awkward around him at times, but she improved greatly since she first arrived.
They got in the car still without saying anything. Squall turned the car on and smiled at the sound. The car was practically in mint condition. He shifted a bit just getting the feel of it and tapped the gas enjoying the sound.
"This car would be cool if it didn't scream prep," Squall commented backing out of the driveway.
"Yeah well it fits a rich guy or any girl and I just happen to be any girl," Rinoa replied looking out the window.
The drive went fairly smoothly, no accidents at least. They didn't argue, they didn't always argue it just happened a lot, especially in the morning when they both weren't in the best mood. Squall reached the school after a short drive and pulled into the usual parking space. They got out and silently walked into school. They ignored the stares out of the front office window and continued walking silently.
"Catch ya later," Squall suddenly spoke taking off down one hallway.
"Yeah later," Rinoa called back walking down her own hallway.
The only class Rinoa had with any of her friends before lunch was first period with Selphie. After that, nothing until after lunch. Then she had Irvine and Zell right after in math. Then Selphie and Zell in chemistry. Last it was just her and Squall in health. She was excited since it was almost midterms and after that she would get a whole new schedule. Hopefully she would be in more classes with her friends.
Rinoa doodled in her notebook throughout her morning just passing the time. She heard some girls talking about some party but it didn't interest her in the least. In her English class she entertained herself by trying to throw small paper balls in the teacher's curly hair. She never did land one but it kept the class interesting enough to go by fairly quickly. Well her morning past and now she was on her way to lunch.
She sat down with a paper bag filled with food from home, just like all her friends. She learned that cafeteria food was not near editable. Especially after finding a hair in her spaghetti and when she complained the lunch lady. The lunch lady just took her ungloved hands and picked the hair out saying almost in a taunting way, 'all better'.
"Yo Rinoa," Zell greeted as always stuffing a hotdog into his mouth. Only Hyne knows where he gets those for lunch. Rinoa figured he could pack them but that would mean they were cold. Does he eat cold hotdogs? Rinoa couldn't help but wonder.
"How was your morning," Selphie asked still giving the normal greeting.
It was pretty routine around here now. They always asked how her morning was and what they should do after school. They would tell stories at times, or reminisce and when they did that, they would fill Rinoa in. She was shocked by the amount of stories and adventures they had. However as she always listened she felt as though they were still hiding something. Something about there past, then again who was she to talk. She hadn't said anything about her past and they hadn't asked anything. Which could only mean they didn't want to discuss pasts.
"Well Squall crashed his car," Rinoa replied casually, "that's about it."
"Hey not my fault you were climbing over me," Squall stated not really thinking.
Everyone at the table stared at Squall with shocked expressions all over their faces. Irvine was currently opening a new bag of chips and hearing what Squall said pulled too hard. The bag ripped completely in half causing them to fall onto the table.
"Umm…is there something you guys do in the morning that you wanna tell us about," Irvine asked.
"He was being an asshole and nothing happened so don't go into it," Rinoa dryly replied knowing exactly where this was going.
"Fine," Irvine said putting his hands up defensively, "when you guys are ready you can come talk to us."
Squall sent one of his infamous death glares at Irvine who only winked in return. Squall went back to eating his food but not before glancing at Rinoa. Why, she had no idea. Still it peaked her interest, like maybe such a thought just crossed his mind. Rinoa wouldn't lie and say the occasional thought of them together didn't pop up. There relationship was a little confusing. She just figured it would never work out.
She had to admit he was hot. His shaggy brown hair was always smooth and soft. His sharp blue eyes that just shot out from behind his bangs only added to his look. He had the perfect body, muscular enough to be hot but not top heavy or bodybuilder ugly. Then his whole attitude just made him even more attractive. The whole tough guy yet still caring about close friends was extremely to Rinoa's likings. His leadership qualities were another plus. Last there was that scar, that adventurous, dangerous scar. It marked who he was and what his life was. Not that she knew much of his background, but still it was easy enough to tell it wasn't an easy life.
Now she started thinking about his scar. How'd he get it? Why'd he get it? Who gave it too him? Many questions that she wished would be answered about many things with her new friends. It always seemed she was slightly out of the loop. They would fill her in from time to time, but it felt like they were hiding something big from her. She was going to find out about that scar, if anything at all. That one scar.
"What are you looking at," Squall asked furrowing his eyebrows accusingly.
"Where'd you get the scar," Rinoa asked casually. She really wanted to know.
The others stopped eating and glanced between the two. This obviously was a soft spot Rinoa hit, or at least she thought it was. Squall didn't really react that much. He took another bite of his sandwich before responding.
"Seifer."
A one-word answer and it told her a lot. It was obviously a fight and from what she has heard their fights are pretty rough, so it made sense. What didn't make sense was that it looked like a knife cut between his eyes. If it was that close then they weren't just fighting for the sake of fighting. They must've been fighting for something.
"They have literally almost killed each other." Irvine's words rang throughout Rinoa's head. So this must be what he was talking about. If that went deeper it could've done some serious damage.
"Can you tell me a little more," Rinoa pushed.
"No."
Rinoa sighed, "Fine leave me all by myself again."
The other members of the group looked around. She figured they wanted to tell her but because of Squall they weren't. Or maybe it was something else that was stopping them from speaking. From what it sounded like, it wasn't anything legal. They still protected Rinoa from the more 'dangerous' things. She was wet behind the ears still and they didn't want her to dive straight into everything that might smudge her name forever.
The rest of the day went fairly smoothly, nothing big happened. The afternoon classes went faster as they always do. Their friends were shocked in the parking lot seeing Squall and Rinoa get into the red convertible. The shock wore off quickly and they all got in their separate cars, except Zell on his bike. Instead of normally hanging out at Squall's house they were just doing their separate thing. Rinoa would normally read a magazine at her house or still go to Squall's. This time she felt like going shopping at the mall for a while. She wanted to drag Squall a long but he didn't want to go 'bitch shopping' as he put it. So she would go by herself.
Squall dropped her off and told her to call when she was done. It would be a while, she had her father's credit card and that pretty much meant a blank check. She shopped buying clothes and jewelry. Some shirts, skirts, earring, jean, the works. After a while she decided she wanted a snack and went to buy some food at the food court. She also just wanted to sit for a while since she was walking around a lot. She expected it to be busy, which it was. She expected to see people she recognized from school, yet didn't care for enough to engage in conversation. Not that they would talk to her anyway, she was part of Squall's gang.
What she didn't expect however was seeing AJ there. Standing in line buying a burger from a fast food restaurant. She saw him and had to double take to make sure it was actually him. She couldn't believe it was him. She hadn't seen him in years, and he just popped up out of the blue. Just standing there completely normal. She wasn't sure what she expected to see the next time she saw him. It just seemed weird to see him in a line to a fast food joint. He looked around bored when he laid eyes on Rinoa. He squinted as if trying to place her face with a name. It didn't take long for him to get a wide smile on his face and walk over.
"Rinoa!" he shouted embracing her in a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"I live here now," Rinoa laughed.
"What?" AJ looked astonished, "why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't know it just slipped my mind." Rinoa answered. That's right, Rinoa thought, one of the main reasons why I didn't care about going to Balamb was seeing AJ. Wait Squall promised to help me find him, I completely forgot. Oh he's in trouble when I get back.
"Well doesn't matter now," AJ laughed, "hey lets grab some food and you can tell me what you've been up too."
Rinoa agreed and they both got a burger with a drink. They sat down in the metal chairs in the food court. Rinoa couldn't help but smile seeing AJ sitting across from her. He got better looking since the last time she saw him. He had short spiky black hair with brown eyes. He got tanner since last time and looked a bit better in shape. Also if possible his teeth were whiter.
"So how long have you been in Balamb?" AJ asked taking a sip of his drink.
"About a month," Rinoa replied.
"You liking it?"
"Yeah I love it here, way better then the city."
"I agree it's so beautiful here," AJ said with a smile.
Rinoa felt great meeting him again. This was the one person when her life was going down the drain that made her happy again. He made her feel special and important. When all others left her to her misery, he came as a savior.
"So what have you been doing," AJ asked.
"Nothing really, just hanging out," Rinoa causally replied.
"I figured you would make friends quickly," AJ complimented causing Rinoa to smile slightly. "Who ya hanging out with, I get around, I might know them."
"Well there's Squall, Zell, Irvine, and probably my best friend Selphie," Rinoa answered taking a sip of her drink. She waited for an answer of 'oh I know them' or 'I don't know them'. Well honestly she expected the former since Squall knew AJ. Then again maybe he just had seen AJ from time to time and knew his name.
"Rin," AJ's voice was low and cautious sounding. Rinoa got slightly worried hearing the sudden change in tone and her nickname used in that way. She could feel the entire mood shift at the small plastic white table. "You don't really hang out with them, do you?"
"Umm yeah, I do," Rinoa answered her tone slightly changing also. Not from happy to worried but to almost angry. She could tell where this was going to go. More bad words about her friends and why they suck. She wouldn't sit here and listen to someone bad mouth her friends that have been so kind to her.
"Rin listen to me," AJ brought his hand across the table and rested it on hers in a supporting matter. "They are bad news, they are bad kids who will only bring you down."
Rinoa jerked her hand away, "Yeah because you know them so well," Rinoa hissed back.
"I do," AJ exclaimed.
Rinoa stood up, "It was nice seeing you again but I have to go." She wasn't going to sit around and listen to someone bad mouth her friends. Even if it was AJ.
"Okay I'm sorry," AJ quickly said grabbing her hand and gently pulling her back down, "Listen you've been here for a month so you might know everything and honestly I hope you don't."
"Why is that," Rinoa asked sharply.
"Because if you did know everything and still hung out with them," AJ paused for a second, "Then I would have to stop hanging out with you. I've thought about seeing you again Rinoa, and I wished to see you again. Today is a dream come true, but if your friends with them. Then sadly I can't be friends with you."
"Why, because they aren't cool."
"No!" AJ shouted causing Rinoa to jump slightly, "That has nothing to do with it. I honestly don't feel safe around them and are deathly afraid of them. Rinoa tell me right now if you know of their past. Honestly."
Rinoa thought for a moment. She looked down at the table not daring to look up into AJ's eyes fearing she might lose herself. She hadn't really known them, a few things here and there but not about their past which seemed to be the big mystery.
"No…I don't."
To her surprise AJ actually sighed. "Thank Hyne I haven't lost you yet."
"What?"
AJ took a deep breath before leaning on the table. "Okay Rinoa I know you don't really pay attention to worldly news and stuff. But a couple years ago it got pretty bad here."
"What do you mean 'pretty bad'," Rinoa asked also leaning forward. Finally someone was revealing the past to her. She remembered Squall saying something about not bringing the past up because others wouldn't like it. That could only mean that something on a fairly large scale must have happened for people throughout Balamb not speaking of it.
"It was dark times for Balamb," AJ's voice dropped to a whisper for what Rinoa assumed no one to hear. It was unnecessary since they were in a noisy food court, but she wasn't about to bring that up. "See I don't know how it started exactly but soon gangs began to form. I mean they didn't go around killing people, they aren't terrorist groups or anything. But they did some things here and there."
"Okay there are gangs everywhere," Rinoa replied rolling her eyes.
"No you don't understand," AJ said shaking his head, "gangs are like bums on the street or drug dealers. Not high school students-"
"How is that worse?"
"Let me finish!" AJ yelled.
"Well hurry up," Rinoa shot right back.
AJ took another breath, "High school kids see each other all the time and they cross each other 'territories' as they say. Which means they fight a lot, and it gets bad. As you know, soon people who aren't in gangs usually have to choose a side somewhere. They can't just go back and forth. I don't know if you noticed but there are almost as many kids here as adults. Also when there are gangs back in like Deling is just some minority people that usually don't affect anyone. These gangs here affect everyone, everywhere. Imagine half the population having some relation to a gang. You couldn't go drive through certain areas. You would walk down a street and suddenly a brawl would start in front of you. This city was a war zone."
"So I am assuming Squall was in a gang I know that," Rinoa interjected causing AJ to clench his fists. He apparently didn't like hearing Squall's name.
"Well it matters because there were two gangs that were the worst of all of them. They were the Disciplinary Committee and the Griever Gang."
"Amazing," Rinoa said sarcastically. She was getting tired of this. Sure it was interesting but she didn't want to hear bad things about her friends. If they did something bad then she would want them to tell her, not from some other person.
"You don't get it," AJ shouted actually slamming a fist on the table causing Rinoa to jump and earn a few weird looks at him. "It wasn't a little boxing fight, your friend Leonhart fought with a knife. I'm pretty sure he has killed someone before. He has stolen, killed, and probably raped. I'm not telling you to leave them Rinoa…I'm begging you. They are a dangerous bunch, not with being a bad influence on like drinking or some shit, but you might actually go to jail."
"..no he wouldn't," Rinoa said barely audible.
"Yeah and that that blondie I am pretty sure was deep into drugs," AJ continued. "Ever seen him stop moving…no you haven't, not because he's hyper but because it's the effects from all the drugs. Then theirs that fucking cowboy, he's a playboy and that could be worse because I hear he drugs girls to sleep with him. So he's a cheating playboy. Then that hyperactive girl, yeah she sleeps around as much as the cowboy, except she into kinky stuff I hear. Biggest slut I ever met."
Rinoa was speechless. She never thought Squall would have killed someone. Not the Squall she knew. Sure he could be a jerk at times and was quite the delinquent but to kill someone was a murderer. That just wasn't Squall. Zell a druggie, Irvine drugs women, Selphie kinky? That doesn't sound like any of them, maybe at one point but not anymore.
Should she hate them now? Because of what AJ said. He always did seem to have her best interests in mind. Yet so did Squall and her other friends. They did hide their past, is this why? She still is hiding her past from them. Why should she get mad about this? She knew they did bad things, what if it only happened once? What if AJ was exaggerating? The real question was, what should she do?
She jumped in her seat when her phone vibrated; she pulled it out looking at the screen. Squall. She slowly answered her phone.
"Hey I'm in the mall," his voice was happy, "we decided to hang at my place tonight and Laguna said he might cook us something."
"…umm I don't know," Rinoa said slowly glancing between AJ and the table.
"What, why not!"
"I just don't feel like it tonight," Rinoa stated trying to hold her voice.
"Where are you?" Squall asked.
"Squall…just not tonight."
"Rinoa," Squall's voice turned stern and serious, "is something wrong."
"No, no" Rinoa answered quickly, "nothings wrong I-"
"Where are you," Squall asked again. Rinoa could tell he was losing his patience.
"Squall I'm in the middle of shopping right now."
"Mommy I don't want a Pepsi, I want a Coke!" this little boy screeched behind Rinoa.
"You're in the food court," Squall hissed," Why are you fucking lying to me."
The line went dead and Rinoa instantly knew he was coming this way. It wouldn't be to long, maybe a minute since he would probably be running. She looked back at AJ and could see he looked concerned.
"Well Squall's going to show up here any minute," Rinoa sighed.
"Whoah what!" AJ shouted standing up, "Shit I gotta get outta here."
Rinoa wanted to say he didn't have too. She wanted to say Squall wasn't going to kill him, but in all honesty she wasn't sure what he would do. It seemed they weren't on best terms and Squall always seemed to go over board.
"I'm sorry to ditch ya Rin but things will get heated if I don't leave," AJ bent down and kissed her on her check. "It was really nice to see you again, and remember what I said."
Before Rinoa could respond in a flash AJ was lying on the table with Squall standing over him. He had one arm gripping the top of his shirt right near his neck. Squall looked extremely pissed and AJ, who Rinoa thought would be scared, looked calm.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing," Squall hissed.
"I'm at the mall Leonhart," AJ smiled tauntingly, "last time I checked I could do that."
"You know what I mean, why are you talking to her." Squall's eyes pointed at Rinoa.
"It's a free world."
"Not my world," Squall threatened.
Rinoa glanced around and saw that almost, if not everybody, was staring at them. Squall really doesn't think about his surroundings when he does this shit. I mean look at everyone just staring. Wait…I have never cared about that before. Am I just thinking up reasons to not like Squall?
"So what are you gonna do Leonhart," AJ's taunting voice brought Rinoa back. "You gonna beat the shit out of me in a crowed mall?"
"Yeah that's the plan," Squall smirked.
"Squall stop," Rinoa finally spoke up.
"Don't worry we can make a break for it after," Squall told her not looking away from AJ. "It's worth it to beat the shit out of him."
"No I don't' want you to," Rinoa firmly stated.
This is when Squall looked at her. "What?"
"Squall let him go," Rinoa crossed her arms over her chest.
"Rin do you know who this is," Squall asked.
Hearing her nickname made her want to soften. It brought back fun memories she had with the gang. It only meant more when Squall was using it. He used it from time to time but when he did it always made Rinoa feel special. Like it was her little nickname. Sadly he seemed to call her princess a lot still.
"Yes his name is AJ and he is my friend," Rinoa looked Squall squarely in the eye.
"Don't give me that shit," Squall let go of AJ and advanced on Rinoa. "You don't know him at all. This shit-kicker is a terrible, horrible person, he deserves to get his ass kicked."
"Squall no," Rinoa said harshly once again. She didn't care if people were watching anymore. She was only concerned with Squall and AJ. "You can't just beat up everyone you don't like."
"It has nothing to do with that," Squall shouted, "You don't know what he has done."
"Well it can't be as bad as half the things I heard about you."
Squall stopped completely. Just everything about him froze. His breath came to a sudden hault and he didn't even blink, just stared at Rinoa. "You think you know me now because of the shit he told you?" his voice was low and scary telling Rinoa that he took great offence to what she said. "Listen princess if you want to defend him. Then fine but don't come back to me when he screws you over."
"Hey man ease off her a bit," AJ spoke up for the first time in a while. He was sitting up right on the table with his legs dangling off.
Squall swiftly turned around and hooked him in the face with a left. AJ rolled off the table hitting the metal chair. He rolled down that until he fell to the ground under the table. He cupped his jaw and was letting out whines. Rinoa quickly squatted down to help him. She glared back up at Squall.
"Why don't you just fucking leave!" she shouted at him.
"Fuck this shit," Squall said dryly, "you wanna fuck yourself go ahead."
Rinoa watched him leave. He pushed his way through the crowd storming off. She knew he was pissed about her taking AJ's side, but Squall was in the wrong this time. Yet he was in the wrong many times and she didn't stop him. She only did it this time because it was against AJ. She wasn't about to let Squall beat up one of the few people who actually cared about her.
Still she couldn't ignore the pain in her stomach. The one that was telling her to ditch AJ and go and apologize to Squall. Did she make a wrong choice? It didn't seem like Squall was someone to forgive easily. Was the past month a waste? Did she just screw herself over completely? She might have just chosen the wrong side in the battle.
No Rinoa, you didn't choose a side. You just stopped Squall from beating up someone you care about. He can't be too mad about that…I hope he's not too mad.
Okay so there's another one. Before you get mad at me for Rinoa being dumb and siding with AJ. I know it seems like she would side with Squall but things will be explained in time. We are starting to get into the juicy stuff. A lot of people's past are gonna be revealed.
And once again a big thanks too Fallout1990 my beta. God knows I need someone checking all my work.