Chapter 13

Angry green eyes watched the droplets of rain gather and slide down to the bottom of the window pane, which agitated the young adolescent all the more. The rain had been pouring down ever since the transporter had docked in the city of Dollet. The young blonde had been longing for this trip, anything that could get him out of those prison like classrooms back at Balamb Garden.

When he found out about the weekend jaunt to the new garden that had just been erected in Galbadia, he had done everything in his power to be eligible for the trip. He spent countless hours studying for make up exams and writing extra credit reports, anything that would raise his failing grades. He also picked up odd jobs around garden either with the janitorial staff or behind the kitchen line in the cafeteria. He did anything he could to raise the money for the trip. Unlike most of the other students at garden, Seifer didn't have loving parents that sent him there for a better education, in fact, he didn't even have spiteful parents that just wanted to discipline him. He just didn't have any parents at all which is why he was dumped there. He glanced over at another boy with dark shaggy hair sitting in the corner of the room, his name was Squall Leonhart. He didn't have parents either, but that was about all the two had in common. Seifer couldn't stand how all the instructors raved over that kid, like he was some sort of prodigy. It irritated him to no end that he had to work his ass off to earn the funding for the trip, yet all that Squall had to do was exist and sponsors threw themselves at him.

He resented the hell out of all the spoiled brats he was surrounded with on a daily basis, kids that just had everything handed to them because their parents had money and somehow he had become some sort of misfortunate charity case that was supposed to be grateful for the tattered hand-me-downs the garden could afford to give him . This new Galbadia Garden captured his attention and it was his dream to transfer his records and attend there. He had hopes to achieve a special scholarship the Garden would be offering to one student, to be specific, an orphan student. Seifer had already figured that Squall would get picked up for the scholarship even if he didn't apply, but Seifer knew he had to try anything to get him out of Balamb.

The rain continued to tap on the glass and Seifer groaned. The chaperones had made it clear they had no intention of letting a bunch of prepubescent teenagers run the streets of Dollet in the middle of a rainstorm, which meant they were confined to the hotel for the time being. Squall gave Seifer an apathetic look. Seifer moved from his perch, he decided roaming the halls of the hotel sure as hell beat being stuck in a room with another rain cloud.

While strolling down the hall he casually stuck his hands in his pockets where he handled some coins. He pulled them out and counted, with a smirk he realized he had just enough to buy a soda. Making his way through the puzzling halls he found what he was looking for but he also found so much more. In front of his soda machine stood a pair of delicious slender legs. He cocked his head in query when one of those legs hauled out and kicked the machine. Seifer then began his approach with caution.

The slim girl nearly yelped at the realization she was not alone, then turned a furious shade of red. Seifer could only smirk at the girl's antics and the range of emotions she covered in a mere 10 seconds, this one would be fun to play with.

"You know if you want a soda this thing works a lot better if you put money in it." That got her attention. The young girl spun around and flashed some desperate green eyes at Seifer. His heart stopped. Those eye.

"That's just the thing! I have put money in this stupid machine! I'm not an idiot!" This temper tantrum was all too familiar, and those pleading green eyes...

"Cool your jets, its just a soda," he gave her a once over, "You're here for the Galbadia Garden trip aren't you?" She nodded.

"Yeah, I'm from the Trabia Garden up north."

"I'm from Balamb Garden."

"Balamb! Oh I have always wanted to go there! It gets so cold up in Trabia, I bet the weather in Balamb is just a dream! Do you have beaches? I bet you go to the beach all the time! Do you surf? I have always wanted to learn how to surf!" Seifer stood gawking at the brown haired girl whose mouth was going a mile a minute. He had to find a way to shut her up and fast.

"What's your name?"

"Oh excuse my manners," she shot him a sweet smile and curtsied, "My name is Selphie. What's yours?" He knew it was her, he would never forget those eyes.

"Oh uh…" He wasn't sure if he wanted her to know it was him. She didn't seem to recognize him but how would she react if she knew the truth?

"Well? Spit it out."

"Seifer… my name is Seifer." She paused a moment. He braced himself for impact, by his account if he remembered correctly she would want to slug him.

"Oh, that's a nice name, I really like it." And that was it. Seifer felt a pang of disappointment. Had he not left enough of an impression on her? After all the years since she had left the orphanage he remembered her, but she couldn't remember him? His disappointment soon turned to anger. He raised an eye brow and flashed her a smile. Then he pulled the money out of his pocket and purchased a soda. The machine hummed and spat the can of sweet liquid out at him. Seifer snatched it up and halfway handed it to Selphie. A smile was wide on her face and she beamed at the chivalrous act. Just as fast as he had offered the soda to her he ripped it back, cracked it open and took the biggest chug his preteen body could muster. Then in infamous Seifer fashion he flashed her an arrogant smirk, turned on his heel and walk off leaving a boiling red Selphie behind. He chuckled inwardly when he could hear the sound of a foot kicking a soda machine echoing through the halls of the hotel. "She'll remember me next time."

What was dark soon became lighter as Seifer blinked open his eyes. As he drifted out of his slumber panic began to set in and his eyes darted around the room. He quickly began piecing the events together to try and remember how he had gotten here. He remembered sneaking back into Balamb and meeting with Squall. After wiping some of the sleep out of his eyes he focused on the room. The infirmary? What on earth? Then he noticed Selphie in the chair by his bed, slumped over, head resting on her folded arms, and fast asleep. Oh that's right. The training center… Seifer went to feel for his head and felt a tug when he noticed an IV sticking out of his arm. He relaxed a bit and glanced back toward Selphie.

The orange glow of sunrise was peaking through the window and warming her silhouette. He watched as her body grew and shrank with every breath she took. He found himself studying her in this moment. It was a real rarity to see Selphie this calm and quiet. He was privileged enough to have witnessed the many faces of Selphie. Seifer was all too familiar with her angry face and disappointed face. He frowned, like everyone else was able to see her pseudo excited face. But here in this peaceful moment he felt like he really got to see and feel serenity as she slept inches away from him. As if his hand were being controlled by someone else entirely, Seifer reached out and brushed the fallen strands of chestnut hair behind Selphie's ear. Her skin was so smooth, it was almost intoxicating. He indulged himself and let his hand continue to brush her cheek.

Seifer felt a pang of remorse as she lay there sleeping before him. He was grateful to be back in Garden. This place felt more like home to him than anywhere else he could imagine, but he realized that ever since he had stepped foot back into this place he had fell back into that same old Seifer that got him into all the trouble in the first place. It was the old Seifer that got to see Selphie's angry face and while he couldn't say he didn't enjoy that fiery look in her eyes, this peaceful and content Selphie was like an infection. It was almost like a secret that he wasn't suppose to know about. He remembered the Selphie he got to encounter back in Dollet. She was so kind and nurturing towards him, and how he chose to thank her for it was by getting under her skin and pushing ever button he possibly could? He shook his head. Things were going to be different. He wanted to see that smile on her face again, like the one she had back in Dollet. He hadn't noticed that his hand was still caressing her cheek until she stirred.

"Stop it Irvine, that tickles…" And that was what it took to steal him right out of that moment. He found a clock on the far wall and it looked to be about 5:20. If Garden hadn't changed too much since his hiatus it meant that only a handful of individuals would be up at this hour, if he played his cards right he and Selphie could still make it back to her dorm room without too much trouble. He knew damn well that Leonhart was not ready to be dealing with any sort of controversy over Seifer being back in Garden, not to mention alive and well. Seifer knew he would only have one more chance to make things right and he wasn't about to screw it up by blowing his cover prematurely.

With that in mind he eased himself out of bed. No matter the time he took and the caution he paid, the blood rushed to his head and he instantly felt dizzy, but the way Seifer saw it, a little dizziness was a small price to pay. He pulled the IV out of his arm and moved over to Selphie and knelt down.

"Selphie, come on we gotta go." She groaned. "Come on, wake up. We have to get back to your dorm before everyone starts waking up."

"Uhhhhh, I don't wanna." Seifer fisted his hands, she can't be serious! I thought she was an early bird! What is this! He nudged her but to no avail, she would only mumble incoherently and slap at his hand. "Oh for hells sake!" At that he threw his hood over his head and readied himself for the long walk back to the dorms. He grabbed one of her limp arms and wrapped it around his neck, then he carefully slid his other arm under her legs and then lifted her with effortlessly. He breathed slowly, he still felt pretty dizzy and carrying her all the way back didn't sound the least bit pleasant. In habitual formation she reached her other arm up and hugged his neck while he carried her out of the infirmary and toward the dormitories. Call me Irvine one more time and I swear I'll drop you…

Amidst the lightheaded feeling he breathed a smile down at Selphie who was still sleeping peacefully but this time safely nestled in his arms. He made it all the way to Selphie's room without running into a single person which Seifer was more than grateful for at this point, he had more than his fair share of mishaps this evening. It took some maneuvering but he managed to swipe her key card and continue cradling Selphie all in the same instant. Just as he was about to step into her room an image flashed through his mind of a smiling and laughing Selphie, still slung in his arms, but this time wearing a white dress. Seifer nearly dropped Selphie as the thought had rendered him numb. The thought popped in his head and as quick as it was there it was gone, but to say that the image had left him rattled was quite the understatement.

At least Seifer's luck had taken a turn for the better, he didn't drop Selphie and she was still asleep. He breathed a deep breath and crossed the threshold with her in his arms. He drug his feet across her floor and took small steps to avoid bumping into anything. Finally his leg hit something soft, the side of her bed. He gently set her down and with ease she rolled over as if she had been sleeping there in her bed the entire time. When he slowly made the motion to stand up he noticed that a fist full of his hoody was being tugged on. Then he heard a tired whisper.

"Don't go." The act had him questioning as to what he should do. Hyne forgive me, but if she calls me Irvine one more time… Seifer had a sick feeling until…

"Seifer… please don't leave me." If there was anything Seifer was beginning to realize about this hellish mess that was his life, it was that he had to live in the moment because he never knew when he would have an opportunity to feel this feeling again. Seifer's life was one alternating cycle of regret, guilt, and remorse, but he was going to be damned if he was going to look back on this and regret not surrendering to the tiny bit of happiness this moment could make him feel.

He gently laid himself down next to Selphie and found it much easier than he would've thought to snuggle up next to her. His arm fit around her waist while the other wound up serving as a pillow for her head. Finally laying down once more he could feel his eyes grow heavy, however he fought to keep them open. He didn't want to waste this moment by sleeping through it, but slumber has a way of making all warriors succumb at some point. His eyes grew weary but this mind fluttered with one more thought before he drifted off. Hyne let this last…

AN: Yay for an update that didn't take me a year to write! Accordingly there may be some typos and plot holes, but I just couldn't help myself. I started writing the chapter and then more or less gave up, then logged on and found a review from DemonRyu and THANK YOU! Right after I read that I felt super motivated to finish this chapter. I must commend you on reading it all in one go, I mean, kudos, I've written a lot! Ha ha. Also a thanks goes out to my other loyal fans who stick with me even though I take ages to write! Oh, and while I'm pouring out the apologies, have some more! I just realized that I have taken about 3 (maybe 4) chapters and devoted it to a time spand from about 11pm to 5 in the morning... I mean, come on right? I know some of you are wondering why Squall knows about Seifer and what on earth is going on, but I promise you... all shall be revealed. Oh and if Seifer seemed a little OOC in this chapter then GOOD, it is my personal belief that if Seifer stayed true to his character all the time he would never like Selphie, but then that would be sad and we would never have any Selphers! Wow, big authors note, okay, I'm done, but tune in next time!