I am so sorry that I have been away for so long. I swear, I've had internet troubles in this new house and it's been persistent these few weeks.
Trust me, I had an assignment due in and not being able to use the internet really makes you go back to the middle ages when it comes to research.
Forget that, I couldn't even reply to all the reviews we've been getting.
Oh that's true, but not to worry folks, we'll reply ASAP! :)
Hey Niq, I've noticed your tone has changed since before… you sound happy.
Yeah you don't seem emo any more.
Yeah, life short and all that malarky… Willpower was all I needed :D
So you're over whatever was bothering you?
Yup! ^_^
Well, this calls for a celebration, here's the next chapter.
Chapter 10 - Blood And Tears
Squall's POV
I woke up to my dimly lit room and wiped my hand over my face, stopping near my eyes and wiping away the sleep. I looked at the clock near my bedside lamp to see it displayed quarter to twelve. I was sure I had missed breakfast by now and the hotel kitchen staff were probably getting the lunch orders ready.
Hopping out my bed, I made my way to the shower room on the other side and grabbed the white cotton robe provided. I pushed the shower nozzles full way and tore my pyjama pants off, before stepping into the hot shower.
I didn't want to think about what had happened last night so I concentrated on cleaning my body and washing my hair. I stood directly below the shower with my head lowered, allowing the water to splatter onto the top of my head and drizzle down my body. Rinoa's face immediately came to my mind and the feeling of betrayal smoothly followed. I squinted my eyes, trying to focus on the image in my head, but shook myself from allowing her to get to me.
I'd stake out the remainder of my days in Deling City and then head back. I didn't need her, and yesterday was confirmation enough.
Rinoa's POV
"Sorry Ma'am, but Mr Leonhart wishes not to be disturbed, can I take a message?" The receptionist asked for the fifth time that day.
I had a meaning to go down there myself and demand for him to see me, but after what had happened yesterday, I doubt I had the courage or stupidity to do that.
"No, its alright." I said depressingly into the phone and hung up.
It was evening now, Squall had ignored my phone calls all day and there was no possible way I could think of to get him to speak to me. I had considered going down to the hotel myself, but Zone had talked me out of it, telling me that Squall needed time alone and my going there would only make things worse. I wished he was wrong, but a greater part of me knew he was right, and considering my track record in the past, I didn't always make things better.
I headed into my room and picked up my international calling card, hoping that talking to Selphie would make it all the better. I dialled in her number and then requested to the person on the phone to pass it over to her.
"Hey Rinny!" Selphie cheerfully cried on the other side.
I wanted to reply in the same excitement, but found my throat hardening and my eyes blurring.
"Oh Selphie!" I whispered before sobbing into the phone.
"Rinny, what's wrong?" Selphie asked worriedly into the phone.
I spent another half an hour explaining to Selphie everything about Squall coming down to Deling City and lying about Quistis being his girlfriend. I told her about my plan with Quistis and how it had backfired, ending up with me physically attacking Squall. Selphie listened to all of it and muttered her usual sympathetic sighs.
"Oh babe," she started saying. "You know he's not going to be upset with you for long, he just needs time apart, you both do. But once he's calmed down, he'll come back and things will go back to normal. I think you just hurt his ego," she tried laughing to make me feel better.
"Oh, how do you know? I thought things could go back to normal when he came over, but we just had this big argument," I whined.
"Yeah but Rin, don't you see? You guys really scared us, we thought you both would never speak to each other again. But then all of a sudden I hear Squall has flown to Deling City to see you. Trust me, if not talking for a year can still pull you guys together, a day will do nothing," she explained.
"I don't know Sefie. I really hurt him yesterday," I continued to whine.
"Squall is strong; he'll live," she teased. "Give him time, hun. He'll soon come round."
"What if he doesn't?" I couldn't help but be pessimistic.
"Well, give him a couple of days, if by the third day he doesn't reply to you, head on over and apologise again." she instructed.
"Okay, I guess that can work," I relented with a sigh.
"Cheer up."
"Thanks," I smiled at the empty room. "So, what are you up to?"
"A lot! Sophia's family are big on ice fishing so we're heading there in an hour. Irvine calls me daily, says he's bored and missing me," she responded.
"I bet he is, I miss you too."
"Well, when I head over to Balamb, you better come see me," she made me promise.
"Sure," I half agreed.
Squall's POV
I had spent the entire day in my room yesterday, ordering in hotel food and reading the books Rinoa had bought me. But after finishing them all and not having a desire to watch any of the films she had bought over I was heavily bored and headed to bed early.
I regretted that as soon as I woke up and saw it was six in the morning and I couldn't get back to sleep. I hated waking up without anything to do since it meant one thing. Thinking. And right now, Rinoa still occupied my mind.
I got out of bed and shuffled through some of the things she had bought me. Finding the PSP in the bag she came with, I plugged in the charger and sifted through the games. There were some games which I really couldn't be bothered to go through, since I'd have to start from the beginning, so I settled with playing Tekken 6.
After about an hour of trying to get all the secret characters, I soon got bored and switched to another game. I played Dissidia for about another hour, before I looked up to see it was already half eight.
I turned off the PSP and started getting changed, thinking I could call room service and have them send me up some breakfast.
It was while I was changing into my clothes from the day before, that I realised I hadn't received my clean laundry. I decided to call the hotel staff to check up on that.
After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I quickly picked up the phone and called room service, ordering my breakfast. After that call I called the receptionist to ask about my laundry.
"I'm sorry Mr Leonhart, but due to a fault in two of our machines there has been a delay in the laundry. I can confirm that your load should be delivered by tomorrow," she informed me.
I sighed inside my head.
"Thank you," I muttered before trying to hang up.
"Er, Mr Leonhart," she quickly piped before I could put the receiver down.
"Yes?"
"I was wondering if you'd be interested in our Gym and Healthcare services we provide, we have plenty of gym equipment you can use and there is also a sauna and spa which is free to use."
"No, thank you," I said. I hardly wanted to be around people.
"Oh, er there is also music entertainment held in the Hotel Restaurant," she offered.
"No, thank you," I repeated. It seemed as if she picked up on my being cooped up in my room all day. Either that or my the fact that I had never left the hotel other than when I went to see Rinoa.
"Ah, okay, well there is also Martial arts and Sword workshop," she suggested.
"I'd rather be alone, I don't like being around people," I decided to be honest, hoping she'd take the hint.
"Oh, well if you're interested, I can book you into a private tutorial session with our Kenjutsu instructor," she offered and immediately had my attention.
"Kenjutsu?" I asked.
"Yes, we have a qualified Kenjutsu instructor who does both training and one to one sessions. Have you ever partaken in any-"
"Book me in for tomorrow," I interrupted.
I had been in Deling bored out of my brain without Rinoa's company, I guessed I could use the remaining time I had here to pick up on my sword work before leaving. It was a good idea since I hardly had the time during school.
"Okay, I have a booking at two thirty open," she suggested.
"How long for?" I asked.
"How long would you like?" She asked.
"Hmm, I'm thinking a couple of hours."
"Well the sessions normally run from a half hour to an hour, but I guess I can stretch it for you. I can do two thirty till four."
"Perfect."
Since my laundry was held back and I was wearing yesterday's clothes, I begrudging dragged myself out of my room and headed down to the nearest shopping outlet in search for some new clothes. Unfortunately, that was the Mall.
I sighed and grunted inside as soon as I entered the masses of people all yapping and barging past, making unnecessary noise and wasting their time over frivolous things. I'd see it every time I was in the Balamb Mall with Zell and Rinoa. The same people going to the movies with same group of friends, sitting around the lobby area doing nothing. Just all merging into the noisy hustle and bustle of the busy life.
I was determined to make my stay short.
I headed into a clothing store and went straight to the men's department. I think the scowl on my face kept away all the sales assistants, since I had not one come over and offer any help. Picking up some black jeans and a couple of shirts, I headed over to the counter and picked up some socks as well.
But it was while I was in the queue, I remembered I needed more underwear. I huffed and left the queue, quickly wizzing past a couple and picked up a random packet of briefs.
Heading back to the queue, I paid for my items and left the store quickly. I then headed over to the bookshop on the other side, in hope of buying a couple of books to spend the night time reading.
I walked to the fiction aisle and browsed through the books, trying to find something that seemed the least bit interesting. There were tonnes of books about magic and mythology, science fiction and romance. I wasn't particularly interested in reading anything romantic, nor was I in the mood to read about Sorceresses and their Knights. Instead, I picked up The Alchemist and Goodbye Pupururu which Zell had recommended to me.
After I chose my books, I headed to the counter to pay for my items. It was while the cashier was bagging my items and I was waiting for my change and receipt, I felt someone tug on my arm. Turning my head round, I saw Quistis and immediately let out an annoyed sigh.
"Hear me out for two minutes?" She asked pleadingly.
"Make it one," I answered, taking my bag off the counter and putting my change into my wallet.
"Please don't be angry at Rinoa. She didn't mean for all that to happen the other day, she didn't even know Seifer was capable of that."
"Half a minute left," I said to her as I walked towards the door.
"Look, she just didn't know why you were here and why you'd lie about me being your girlfriend. She wanted me to play along so she could find out," she finished and looked pleadingly at me.
"Finished?" I asked.
"Squall," she stated folding her arms. "Why are you here?"
"That's none of your-
"Your business. I get it," she huffed. "But it is Rinoa's business. She was getting on fine without you, so if you're here to-"
"What, I am here for," I interrupted, "is between me and Rinoa."
With that I pulled open and door and headed out back onto the third floor. Done with shopping and not wanting to bump into any more people, I headed out of the mall to the bus stop.
I re-enacted the scene in my head. It annoyed me that Rinoa was still bothering me, finding ways to bother me through other people. I was so mad at her, her little antics were so pathetic, her intentions just to hurt me for something which I hadn't realised before. Well the joke was on her. I came here to tell her my true feelings, and she played about with me. I didn't care now if I returned to Balamb without telling her, I'd go back to my life and carry on as I had been this year. Who needed Rinoa?
I decided to call my mum since I hadn't spoken to her for the past couple of days. After that conversation, I called Zell to see what he was up to. Since I didn't really speak on the phone much, he was pretty surprised with me calling him.
"So, how did it go with Rinoa and her boyfriend?" He asked.
"Horrible. She's changed Zell, not the Rinoa from before."
"How do you mean?" He sounded concerned.
"She set me up with this girl," I half told the truth, "and then had her boyfriend attack me during dinner."
"What?" Zell cried. "No way, Rin would never do that."
"Not the old one, but the new one did," I sulked.
"Whoa, she doesn't seem any different when she comes online." Zell replied.
I remained silent, not having anything to say to that and not bothered with how she behaved with the others. The point of this was how she had changed towards me, her actions, her speech.
"Anyways," I began, "I'm thinking of changing the date of my flight back."
"What? How come?" Zell asked.
I was quiet for a bit. Was he seriously asking why, when I just explained the dinner disaster with Rinoa?
"Why do you think?" I sarcastically replied.
"Oh Squall, c'mon man. You went on a quest to get her back, don't let one date and one small incident change your mind."
"I don't care; I didn't come here to get this Rinoa back," I replied quite hurt.
"Dude, she hasn't changed. Maybe that was pretty sly of her to do that, though I still find it completely out of character," he stated as I rolled my eyes. "That old Rin is still there, you just gotta break through her and you'll find her."
"Whatever, I'm not bothered."
"So what, you don't like her anymore?" He asked though he knew the answer.
I huffed through the receiver refusing to answer. I didn't want this conversation to be about Rinoa. Well I did, but I wanted Zell to agree with me about how much she changed and support my decision to come back.
"Well?" Zell asked.
"I feel the same way, she doesn't." I replied.
"How do you know?" He asked again and I was seriously losing my patience.
"Rinoa has a boyfriend!" I yelled and sat up as if that made some difference to my feelings on the issue.
"So?" Zell replied. "People move on when they think they don't have a chance with someone. Did you honestly think a pretty and smart girl like Rin with a fantastic personality was going to stay single for long?"
"No," I answered dishonestly.
I did think Rinoa would be single. I had hoped that she would. Even before I felt anything romantic for Rinoa, she was friend, my best friend and I didn't want her to have room for anyone other than me. Her fondness for me I didn't want to be shared with anyone. In fact I never imaged myself with anyone or Rinoa with anyone. Sure I hadn't imaged the two of us romantically involved, but my dreams for the future always depicted the two of us, friends for life and all that melodramatic crap.
"We all knew how Rinoa felt, sure I didn't figure it out till year thirteen, but we knew she felt something for you that was more than just friendship. I know that what she felt can't be lost in the space of a year," Zell softly replied.
I frowned at what point he was trying to make. Even though he was trying to make light of the situation, I wasn't feeling any better.
"Her feelings are there," he continued, "maybe she's seeing someone else because she thought you and her were never going to happen. Prove to her that she was wrong Squall, just make things right between you both. Trust me; don't leave Deling without being on good terms with her."
"Zell it's not that easy, I have a cut on my lip because of her; I can't eat properly."
"Suck it up, people go through a lot worse and I'm sure Rinoa didn't mean to get you beaten up."
"I didn't get beaten up," I cried in defence.
"Whatever, you know what I mean," he disregarded it. "Listen to me Squall; don't leave without making up with her, trust me, you'll regret it."
I just sighed. I hated talking to Zell because he always managed to change my mind. I knew by calling him he'd make me see past my anger and sober me up. But I guess subconsciously that was the reason why I called him, I wanted to stop being angry at Rinoa and know why she would do something like that. Course I still loved her, I still wanted my best friend back, but so much had happened. Could we really fix things?
Rinoa's POV
"Don't worry about it Quistis, Squall and my problems are ours to fix," I spoke to Quistis over the phone.
She had called me half an hour ago to tell me she bumped into Squall. The lone wolf had left his hotel room after all and popped into the bookshop to stock on his methods to avoid me.
"Don't be, it's not your fault. Okay, I'll see you soon, g'night," I said and hung up.
I lay down on my bed and huffed. Stupid Squall. He was overreacting and avoiding me all because of a silly mistake, one which he had a hand in too. If he hadn't of pretended Quistis was his girlfriend, then I wouldn't have played along. He still hadn't told me what he was doing here.
I knew I was wrong to be upset with him, but did he really need to avoid me? I left so many messages for him at the reception desk and he hadn't replied to any of them. Why couldn't he just tell me he was fine, or just answer one of my calls? It was unfair, every time he upset me and wanted my forgiveness, I gave in.
Why couldn't he be that way with me?
Shaking my head, I decided I'd head to the hotel tomorrow and make him talk to me.
Determined with my decision, I headed downstairs to see Zone before he left for Charlie's place.
"What are you doing?" I asked when I found him in the lounge watching some documentary on Fastitocalons.
"Oh just some documentary on the increase of Fastitocalons in Balamb and what its doing to the ecosystem of other… you're not interested, are you?" He asked looking at my raised eyebrow.
"No," I retorted.
"What's wrong?" He patted the space beside him.
I slumped down with a huge sigh and rested my head on his shoulder pouting my lips for emphasis.
"Squall still won't answer my calls and Quistis told me she saw him at the Mall today," I answered.
"Honey, I told you to give him some time," he replied, picking up the remote to the TV set and turning the volume down.
"I know, but he's so avoiding me now. He's being far too rude," I defended myself.
"Rinoa, the guy has a busted lip because of you," Zone remarked.
I rolled my eyes. Of course I still felt guilty about that, but its not like I could do anything now. If I had a time machine to go back, then I would have. In fact, if I had a time machine to go back in time, then I'd go back to the day on the beach and stop myself from telling Squall my true feelings.
"Zone, I didn't mean for all that to happen," I whined.
"I know, but Squall just needs time to realise that. Trust me, he'll be in contact once the anger and hurt have subsided," Zone tried to be comforting.
"Zone, Squall can go years without talking to someone," I said to him and sat with my legs folded in front of me. "This guy called Nida that we went to school with. He used to be Squall's sparring partner, but after trying it on with me, Squall stopped talking to him."
"You guys were kids then," Zone disregarded it.
"I'm serious; Squall is very stubborn; you literally have to beg for his mercy and forgiveness if you ever want him to talk to you again," I emphatically proclaimed.
"Well, you can do all the begging you need to by the end of the week if he doesn't answer your calls," he answered not the least bit bothered.
I just rolled my eyes and sulked inside while playing with my necklace.
"Anyways, go to bed; its getting late," Zone advised and turned the TV off.
"Yeah," I obeyed and led the way out to the passage way. "Are you going back to Charlie's?" I asked just as he made his way to the shoe closet.
"Yeah. I'm heading out to pick up your Gran and Granddad tomorrow, so let your Mum and Dad know that I'll be going straight from Charlie's," he informed me and I nodded in obedience. "Night, sweetie," he said to me and kissed my forehead before opening the door and heading out.
I walked back to my room and got undressed. For the x amount of time in my life since I had broken up with Squall, I went to bed depressed.
Squall's POV
Finally, after a week in Deling and a series of unfortunate events, I had something to look forward to. I made my way down to the hotel lobby at two o'clock and was shown by the receptionist the Gym facilities. I headed over to a room to wait for my instructor, apparently he was running late. But judging by the tutting of the receptionist, I guessed it was a frequent issue.
I had already changed in my room and walked into the square shaped open plan studio. It was a neat white wall painted room with wooden flooring and an equipment cupboard to one side. Since the guy was taking a while, I decided to warm up and exercise my muscles, dossing about in a hotel room for two days really makes your muscles relax. If it wasn't for all the people, I would have used the gym equipment to rid my thoughts of Rinoa.
I heard the door open behind me and someone step in with solid brisk steps.
"Mr, Leonhart? I'm Mr Almasy, I'll be your instructor for today," the voice spoke as he walked up behind me.
I finished stretching and turned around only to look at the blonde brute from the restaurant. He stopped and stepped back a little squinting at me and frowning in perplexity. Realising where he'd seen me before, he let out a chuckle and smirked.
"You gotta be kidding me," he laughed.
"I'm leaving," I stated and walked past him.
"That's fine chicken-wuss. I'd leave too if I didn't want to get my ass beaten a second time," he taunted.
I turned around to face him again, glaring at him in annoyance. I could see the bruises he had on his cheek and the corner of the eye where I had hit him.
"You didn't beat my ass, if I remember correctly, you're ass was pretty much on the floor the whole time," I remarked.
"Heh," he laughed and squared up to me. "The girls stepped in; I could have finished you off there and then."
"I bet you could," I rolled my eyes about to turn away.
"Yo!" He yelled out. "Let's finish this."
Striding past me, Seifer opened up the steel cupboard and threw a sword at me, which I caught by its handle. He picked up two pairs of gloves and threw it at me, which I also caught easily.
"Unless you're chicken?" He taunted again.
I never did get influenced by the bigger kids at school to join in a fight, I always ignored people, and it seemed to work better when handling bullies. But something about this guy's smirk, his attitude and sheer brutality was enough to make me accept his advances and shove my sword down his pie hole to shut him up.
I pulled on the yellow gloves and swiped my sword to either side of me before getting in a defensive position.
Seifer took off his fleece and chucked it to a corner of the room, taking the gloves he left between his legs and putting them on, exercising the flexibility of his fingers. Taking his sword he stepped up to me and got into position.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Of course," I answered.
"Go," he cried and immediately came at me with an upward hit.
Seifer leaped forward, spun around with a low strike which I managed to catch just in the nick of time. Another leap and he spun again bringing his sword forward and hitting my sword midway. I took two steps forward, my sword in my right hand; I attacked with a hit to the right and one to the bottom right, of which he blocked both. I tried with a slash to his left, followed by a quick bottom hit and again he managed to block them.
I realised this guy was pretty fast, faster than Zell and I would probably have my work cut out to keep up with him.
Almost immediately, his leaped forward with a straight downward slash, which I managed to block by stepping back and blocking his sword with a swift upward move of my right hand. My left hand jobless, I took another step back, before transferring the sword to both hands and hitting another strike up above Seifer's head.
He managed to block every one of my attacks, I realised I had to use some tactics. I exchanged my sword back to my right hand and swung it to my right. Seifer took a step back as I took a step forward and, at a slower speed than before, hit to his left before matching his hit to the top left and again hitting him in a swinging motion. He countered again, hitting my bokken from above, this time pushing my sword down much lower, I had to graze the metal of my sword against his to free myself from his impending trap.
I jumped slightly back and struck a pose again. I just needed to slow him down.
Rinoa's POV
I parked up in the hotel car park and picked up my hand bag off the passenger seat. The hot weather in Deling City was slowly dying out and the breeze was picking up now. I made a good decision to wear my navy blue jeans, grey long sleeved top and a sleeveless black vest over it.
I walked to the main entrance of the hotel and went straight to the reception desk. A man was behind the desk sorting out some papers. Once I had his attention, I asked to see Squall.
"I'm sorry, Mr Leonhart isn't in his room at the moment," he answered.
"Oh, do you know where he's gone?" I asked in hope of finding him.
Times like this I wish Squall had bought a phone. But then again, I doubt he'd pick up if he knew I was calling.
"No I don't, ma'am," the receptionist answered, taking a coffee cup from the female receptionist who just came behind the desk.
"Did he leave any messages of where he'd be going?" I asked.
"Er, no sorry ma'am, not to my knowledge."
"Okay. Can you tell him Rinoa Heartilly came by," I asked, smiling at them both.
"Oh, ma'am," the woman called for my attention. "Are you here for Mr. Leonhart?" She asked looking at me with a smile.
"Yes," I answered anxiously, hoping she knew where he was.
"Mr. Leonhart's booked into a Kenjutsu lesson at the moment. You've been calling frequently."
"Yes, I'm a friend and I need to speak to him… urgently," I tried blagging.
"Well, I can take you to him, if it's that important," she offered setting her cup down and walking around the desk.
"Yes please," I smiled at her and followed her down the hotel lobby and in through some double doors.
We walked through the large gym until we reached another set of grey double doors. The receptionist's pager started beeping and she stopped walking.
"Oh, excuse me but I have to get back to the desk, Mr. Leonhart is in there," she said and quickly ran back as far as her heels could carry her.
I walked up to the double doors and opened it a crack.
Squall's POV
We came at each other again, only I had more of an advantage and quickly took the opportunity to strike a couple of hits which he managed to block anyways. We were both panting, the room was hot and I was sweating in my black t-shirt.
Seifer managed to make a sudden quick hit to my top left which I block, knocked his sword back, and turned full circle to meet with a hit he directed at my bottom left and another quickly up top. He was going at a slower pace than before, but I was still finding it hard to keep up. I managed to work out his moves and the timings of his attacks. He was fast and quick with his blocks, but Seifer was predictable.
I spoke too quickly as Seifer came at me again, only this time hitting my sword and locking it in place in between us. I looked at him, struggling to free my sword as it was held down firmly by the grip on his.
"You catch on fast, but not fast enough," he smirked.
I struggled, but managed to free my sword as I stumbled back and he came at me again. My reflexes working as quick as they could, I managed to block every one of his attacks. Where he picked up the sudden speed, I didn't know. The room was hot, I was sweating shed loads under my top and the hair on my head was starting to mat down.
I looked at him as came again, I couldn't have him attack as my tiredness would soon kick in and I knew I would slow down. I knew I had to keep him on defence until I found an opening.
Our swords were at it constantly, the only noise we could hear were the rasps of breath we were taking, our trainers squeaking along the polished studio floor and the clanks of our swords hitting each other.
I did as much as I could in defence, blocking each of his attacks while rotating my sword between my right hand and both hands for extra helps. I had to use the same techniques as I used with Zell back when we'd train, spinning away from my opponent to make him take wider strides to get to me, slowing him down so I could manage a couple of attacks myself.
Another couple of hits to the top left, I blocked and spun around countering with my own before Seifer's sword came down hard and locked me into another struggle. Bending my knee, I kneeled down and using all the strength in my upper body, pushed him off.
I was about to get up when I heard my name being called out. Startled, I turned to see the caller only to see Rinoa's horrified face look in amazement and point out in front of her. I turned again to look as Seifer's sword coming down right in front of my eyes and slice the skin in between my brow and down past the bridge of my nose. Immediately, blood came gushing forth and splattered onto the clean polished floor.
I don't know what it was, rage, humiliation, retaliation? But something in me snapped as got up from my kneeling position, taking my sword in both hands and in an upward move swishing across Seifer's face, mirroring his same move. I looked down to the floor to see another splatter of blood fall close to my own.
I guess due to the sight of blood and tiredness, I fell to my knees and slumped down into a sitting position. I heard Rinoa run towards me, yelling at Seifer and asking if I was all right.
She came in front of me, holding my bloodied face in her hands and inspecting my cut. She kept turning around to look at Seifer and babbled some obscenities at him and other threatening antics.
I looked at her again as her eyes looked back in worry. I didn't know why she was worried, it wasn't like I was hurt… that much.
"Where's the First Aid kit?" She yelled at Seifer.
I heard the door to the room open again and someone walk in, only for them to shriek and call out to other members of staff. Someone called for an ambulance and someone else shouted for the First Aid kit.
"No," I said snapping out of my daze. "I'm fine," I said, getting up.
"Squall!" Rinoa cried, following me as I walked down the room toward the hotel's main area.
I walked past the gym ignoring the pleas of protest from Rinoa and other members of staff. Rinoa had run up and tried stopping me from leaving, but I pushed her arm away and continued up toward the lift.
I thought she was about to follow me in, but she turned around and ran back toward the Hotel staff and I quickly selected the floor I was staying at.
I got into my room and immediately walked into my bathroom, looking into the mirror and seeing my bloodstained face. That Seifer sure did cup deep, I had a slash of blood covering the left side of my face completely.
I went back to my room and picked up the fruit bowl from the middle of the dining table, taking the fruit out and leaving it on the table. I took the bowl into the bathroom and filled it with the hottest water the tap could provide.
I took my face towel off the railing just as I heard a knock at the door. I peered at the keyhole to see Rinoa, clutching a First Aid box against her chest. I almost didn't want to open the door to her, but she was holding something very valuable to me.
I opened the door and walked back into the room and set the bowl of water on the table and sat on my bed. She walked in and placed the First Aid kit on the bed and bent her head down to peer at me.
"Will you let me help?" She asked sincerely.
I just sighed and shrugged in reply.
Rinoa's POV
Picking up some cotton wool I dabbed it in the water bowl Squall had probably gotten from the bathroom. I edged myself closer to him and brought his face down closer to me. Holding him firmly on the chin I proceeded to clean the blood off his face first before working my way to his cut.
I used a fair amount of cotton wool since the blood had kind of dried on certain parts of his face. I took special care to wipe the blood around his eye area, as some of it seemed to be sitting comfortably at the corner of his left eye, I was wondering why he wasn't squinting to see properly. Maybe it hadn't entered into his eye; that would have been gross.
I gently wiped his face, all the while looking at him with his eyes downcast not moving, not speaking, just the noise of his deep even breathing.
The cut wasn't too deep, but I could tell it would take a long time to properly heal. I used the water at first to clean the blood off, but one wipe and I could still see the coagulated blood break and the fresh redness seep out again. Looking down at the bed, I found the alcoholic wipes and tore one.
"This might hurt," I warned him as I bought the wipe closer to him.
As soon as it hit his cut, I felt him flinch under me but he stayed put, balling his fists on his pants and keeping his gaze lowered.
After I had cleaned his cut and gotten all the blood off his face I took out a bandage, folding it in several layers and applied it on the diagonal cut in between his eyes. Being the spontaneous one, I moved my head forward and kissed the bandage before moving his head up to make him look at me.
"That should make you feel better," I smiled at him.
He looked uncomfortable and lowered his eyes again.
"Thank you," he said finally.
"No problem," I whispered.
Neither of us said anything, I just kept looking at him waiting for him to tell me to get out. I quickly glanced around his room noticing new items placed on the bedside table and my PSP charging in one corner.
He looked at me in the eye and then looked away again. Finally sighing and getting up off the bed.
"What're you doing here?" He asked, taking the bowl of water and discarding it in the bathroom.
"You weren't answering my calls, replying to the messages I left for you at the reception desk. So, I thought I'd come and see…" I couldn't finish.
I didn't know why I was here. He walked back into the room and looked at me expectantly, waiting for me to go ahead and explain.
"I don't know, Squall," I said in defeat. "I was missing you and I didn't like what had happened between us."
He didn't answer. He licked his dry lips and sat on the bed again. I watched him as he fluffed up a pillow and sat down with his back resting against it and his legs out flat. He propped his arms up behind him and closed his eyes. I waited a couple of seconds for him to open his eyes again, but he didn't.
Realising my mistake for coming over, I got up and made my way to the door. I couldn't believe that we had been friends for so long, yet we couldn't get past this stupid speed bump in the way. It just seemed that the both of us were trying to prove something to the other, but what we were proving was unknown. I don't know why I lied about Zone being my boyfriend, I sure as hell didn't know why Squall was acting so cold to me.
I got to the door and opened it when I heard Squall call out my name.
"Rinoa," he said and sat up properly.
I turned to look at him, his shy and melancholy eyes staring at me in distress.
"Don't go," he said.
It wasn't what I expected; it took me a couple of seconds to process what he had said. But I eventually shut the door and walked back to his bed. I sat down next to him as he went back to his half sitting, half lying position and turned slightly to look at me, though he was looking more at my legs then at my eyes.
"I'm sorry," I said, hoping my words were of some consolation.
He nodded at me and sighed again.
"Tell me honestly," he started saying. "Did you know Seifer was going to be at the restaurant?" He asked looking straight into my eyes.
"No," I answered with as much integrity as I could.
"Okay," he said seemingly accepting my answers.
"Squall, why did you pretend Quistis was your girlfriend?" I couldn't help but ask.
He looked at me with apprehension, so I smiled back at him. I just wanted the honest truth, whatever it was. I didn't care anymore what it was for; I wanted it to be for him to salvage our friendship. I wanted him to want me back as his best friend; not having Squall talk to me these past few days just reminded me of what I was giving up when I came here. Now that Squall was back in my life, I wasn't so sure I could ever let him go. Now I was so scared and regretful that I ever did. I started doubting my reasons, though I knew they were credible, but the thought of Squall not talking to me again. It was scary and unpleasant.
"I came back to get you," he answered.
I smiled at him as my eyes welled up.
"Really?" I asked, happy that he still cared about me.
"Really. It's been so dead without you, I've been like a zombie without you," he replied.
That did it, I started bawling like a baby and putting my head in my opened hands crying into them.
"Hey, shh." Squall said comfortingly and scooted closer to me.
He put his hands behind me and pulled me in; I grabbed onto his shirt and cried into his chest again.
"I hate it when we fight," I muffled into his t-shirt.
"Let's not do it again," he said as if it was so easy.
But I nodded in agreement.
Once I had calmed down a bit I looked at him and smiled again. I hoped this was the last of our arguments. I hated arguing with Squall, I hated having him mad at me.
"You have any plans tomorrow?" He asked wiping a tear away from my cheek.
"Er, yeah. My grandparents are coming over. That's kinda why I came over today, Mum wants you to come over for dinner. Well, I do too," I said cheerfully.
"Ok." He answered. "Is Zone going to be there?"
I hesitated at first. Maybe this was the time I could have told Squall that Zone wasn't my boyfriend. I wanted to. He had honestly answered my question; the least I could do was tell him that Zone wasn't my boyfriend. But then again, what would that accomplish? Squall didn't have romantic feelings for me, and it would probably end with us arguing again. The sickening feeling in my gut was telling me to leave it for another time, even though my heart and conscience was telling me to be truthful.
"Yeah, Zone will be there," I said smiling.
Squall's POV
After Rinoa left my room, I took out my calling card and dialled Zell's number. Four rings and he finally picked up.
"Hello," he spoke cheerfully.
"Zell, it's me," I said.
"Hey Squall, wassup?"
"Not much, I made up with Rinoa," I told him quickly.
"Cool. I knew you guys would kiss and make up," he answered.
"Listen Zell, how morally conscious are you?" I asked vaguely.
"Er, well depends on what the situation calls for," he laughed it off.
"Hmm, how about stealing Rinoa away from her boyfriend?"
Wow, Squall is really going to try and steal Rinoa away?
Maybe.
What else happens next update?
You'll fine out when I update.
Will it be soon? Like tomorrow?
No.
Ok.