"Kimi no soba de nemurasete, donna basho demo kekkou."
("Please let me sleep next to you, any place will do.")
Beautiful World
Chapter Thirty-Five
Irvine didn't know how to react.
Selphie's small arms held tightly around his neck pulling her as close as possible. Her small body against his felt amazing sending excitement to his every end. Irvine's arms wrapped around her back sneaking his fingers into her wet hair. Finally, after a few moments of intimacy Selphie slid away making contact with the floor again. She gazed upward dreamily to Irvine, whose hand was still in Selphie's soggy hair.
After returning to his senses, Irvine noticed just how cold Selphie was. Although she smiled cutely to him, Irvine couldn't shake the frozen feeling slowly taking away the heat in his hands due to Selphie's wet locks. Her lower jaw shuddered slightly as she continued to grin. "Selphie," He said softly, "You're freezing."
Selphie blinked a few times before stepping away, she looked down at her soaked uniform clinging to her wet body. "Oh— yeah," She returned her gaze to Irvine. "I'm kind of cold Irvy."
Irvine observed Selphie a bit longer seeing a dark red mess on her calf. "Selphie, you're bleeding!"
She blinked again as she placed a hand against the injury she received after falling in the puddle earlier. A stain of blood remained on her hand as she lifted it up. It didn't stay long as the rain washed it away. "Irvy, I'm bleeding." She said softly.
Somewhat frightened by Selphie's calm appearance, Irvine blinked madly at the scene. The more she looked up into his eyes the more dizzy she seemed. Before she completely collapsed, Irvine swiftly reached under her legs and lifted her into his arms. She rested her head against Irvine's chest relaxed and comfortable.
Even if Selphie only lingered on the edge on consciousness, Irvine never felt more elated. He kissed Selphie Tilmitt; it only took a handful of months, several attempts, and countless hours of company. He nestled his head against hers as she laughed in reply.
As he walked through the pouring rain, Irvine realized the town was closer than the Garden was. It surprised him just how far Selphie had traveled on her own. Of course, she wouldn't have been alone had Irvine not taught her that the road was safe. Too happy to feel guilty, Irvine tightened his grip around Selphie and spun.
Selphie laughed as she spread her arms out. Her melodic laugh echoed in Irvine's ears… her sweet, beautiful laugh.
Irvine felt lost in the moment. Despite the freezing rain and abysmal darkness, he couldn't wipe the smile plastered across his face. Selphie too wore an expression of unbridled joy.
In the distance, the shine of the nightlife of Balamb glowed. Balamb stores closed particularly early, and the nightlife was rather nonexistent, so other than the streetlights very little lit up the rain filled streets.
The tallest building in town was surprisingly the only one still blazing through the storm, the Lovely Balamb Hotel. The cerulean building glowed like a beacon to where Irvine needed to be. With Selphie frighteningly cold, Irvine didn't want to try taking her to return her to Garden.
Before they entered the shining blue building, Irvine returned Selphie to her feet. Desiring to take in more of the moment, he spun her around one last time ending with a kiss on her lips.
When Irvine pulled away, he was met with Selphie's cheerful grin. As he began to walk into the hotel, Selphie latched onto him grabbing his hand as he entered.
"Welcome to the Lovely Balamb Hotel," The receptionist said immediately as the doors swung open. She laid eyes on the soaked couple and hollered, "Oh my! You poor dears! You're both dripping wet! Oh let me get you a towel," She signaled to another worker who quickly fetched them each a towel.
Irvine rubbed his head of long hair as he noticed Selphie who walked over to a mirror hanging on the wall. While she patted herself as dry as she could manage with one towel, Irvine stepped up the receptionist.
"Thank you for the towel miss," He tipped his wet hat to her, "could we bother you for a room as well?"
The receptionist smiled at him, "Of course it's 100 gil for the night, now would you like a room with two beds or one?"
Irvine blinked actually unsure of how to answer. He turned to Selphie, whose towel laid on her on her shoulders gazed deeply into the reflection in the mirror. He smiled at the cute little figure marveling at herself. With a small chuckle, he turned back to the receptionist.
"Two beds or one sir?"
Selphie watched as her flat heavy hair began to retrieve its buoyancy. She looked long and hard at the reflection facing her. She recalled the last time she came to this place, how different she looked. Her face slightly skinnier, paler, and much more frightened. Although, she was much dryer last time.
The image she imagined appeared in the mirror. Selphie blinked in shock as the reflection spoke. "You're prettier now." It said. Rubbing her eyes, Selphie pressed her hand to her chest as to assure the reflection was speaking to her. "Yeah, you're really pretty now! Much better than last time."
"As pretty as the ladies at the fountain?" Selphie asked quietly trying to avoid letting Irvine and the workers catch her talking to the mirror.
"Definitely prettier than them! You know what I think?" Selphie leaned in awaiting the mirror to continue. "I think it's because you're happier." The reflection dissolved as Selphie saw Irvine appear behind her. She turned around and was met with his tender embrace.
"Come on sweet stuff, let's go rest up eh?"
They linked hands again and traveled down the hall. Selphie recollected how she felt the last time she walked down here. Her heart thumped so loudly she could hear it in her ears, unlike the time before, it came from sheer excitement.
Contrary to Devin's command to go to the room, walking side by side hand in hand with Irvine felt like paradise. Everything felt opposite with this time. The opposites continued after Irvine opened the door to their room revealing the much smaller room than Devin's and contained two beds.
Irvine kissed Selphie's hand before letting it go. "Why don't you relax?"
"Why don't you go inside Selphie?"
Jumpily, Selphie turned to see Mr. Devin coming towards her. As he approached the door, he grasped the card from her hand and opened the door. While it stood wide open, Devin waited patiently for Selphie to go inside. She remained, with her feet planted outside.
"I said, why don't you inside Selphie?" Devin urged the kindness slowly droning out of his voice. Selphie felt his hand on her back slyly pushing her in. She resisted and looked at Devin with a desperate face and tears welling up. She shook her head in persistence. Finally, Devin used his normal strength and shoved Selphie passed the doorway. Selphie's small body toppled over itself and fell flatly a few feet inside. Mr. Devin closed the door behind him and started pacing the room.
"Irvy," She said finally, "Why'd you bring me here?"
Irvine looked to her almost ready to laugh, "Sefie, you're freezing! You need to get warm. If I took you all the way back to Garden, you'd be frozen to death." He chuckled as he walked into the room's bathroom. He exited holding two fluffy white bathrobes. "Come on, change out of those clothes before you get sick."
Selphie hesitantly took the robe from Irvine and stared at it. Her fingers slowly went to the collar of her uniform as she sat frozen almost ready for Irvine to knock her unconscious or pin her to the ground.
"Relax Sefie, I'm not looking." Irvine chuckled with a wink. He tossed off his coat which landed loudly on the floor with a big squash. Selphie looked up at him as he slipped off his shirt also letting it land loudly on top of his coat. His strong muscular back flexed as he reached for his bathrobe and threw it one on arm at a time.
After he slipped off his shoes, socks and pants, he wrapped the bathrobe closed and looked to Selphie who still hadn't moved. Instead, she looked at him and sneezed. "Sefie, why don't you go wash up in the bathroom? You look really uncomfortable… Oh right! Your leg!" Irvine rushed over and swept Selphie off her feet before she even uttered a word. He rested her on a bed and pulled her leg out to see her injury. He scurried off to the bathroom, grabbed a small towel, and shuffled through his wet coat pockets until he pulled out a few blue glowing bottles.
After collecting his items, Irvine returned to Selphie's side and gently elevated her injured leg. He opened one of the glowing blue bottles with his teeth and poured the contents on her wound. The area glowed for a moment and faded into her skin relieving the pain with it. Afterwards, Irvine patted her leg dry with a towel trying to remove the caked on blood. He looked into Selphie's eyes and smiled, "Feel better?"
She nodded her head as she came to her feet, "I really do." Planting a small kiss on Irvine's forehead she trotted merrily to the bathroom.
As she didn't open the lights of the bathroom, or close the door, Irvine couldn't resist the urge to sneak a peek at Selphie's faint silhouette of her small bodice removing her wet articles of clothing. She disappeared in to the dark bathroom while Irvine heard the sound of running water. A few moments later Selphie came out wrapped in the fluffy white robe.
Irvine grinned as he gestured with his head to the second bed in the room. "Let's get's some rest and warm up? If I'm cold I know you got to be double. We should probably take you to Dr. Kadowaki's tomorrow."
Selphie slipped under the covers and lay on her side facing the cowboy on the other bed. They met each other's gaze and longingly looked in each other's eyes. "Irvy?" Selphie said breaking the silence. He perked up his head in response. "I'm still so cold."
Although Irvine got two beds to be polite to Selphie and not appear headstrong and lust blinded, he'd be lying if he said he didn't want Selphie to say something like that. He slipped out of his bed and joined Selphie in hers. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, resting his head against hers.
He wanted her to call him close, but he decided to be a gentleman still and just spend the night like this, Selphie in his arms, warm, safe, and relaxed. He kissed her on the forehead and whispered, "Goodnight Selphie." She didn't reply, but Irvine realized it was due to her sleeping against him.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
"Whatever you say, Instructor." Seifer said snidely, he turned around sharply ready to exit. As he reached his door, he turned back to Instructor Trepe, whose eyes were filled with tears. "Instructor you want to be called, Instructor you will be called."
He grabbed Quistis' arm and yanked her to her feet. Before she had a minute to say anything and rebuttal, Seifer kissed her hard. He strung his hands through her hair, and although Quistis knew in her mind she wanted to push away, she couldn't fight him. She weakly let her arms fall to her side as Seifer led her to her bed.
Quistis gasped as her eyes shot open. Her heart pounded, to sooth its incessant rapid beating, she rested her hand on her chest. She looked side to side on her bed assuring it was empty. Her fingers curled around the edges of her sheet as she hesitantly lifted it over her head. Clothes on, no obnoxious blonde knight to be found.
It was a dream Quistis, relax. She exhaled loudly trying to remain calm. The night passed and Seifer was now furious with her. It wasn't a good situation, but nonetheless it was hers. Quistis glanced to the side to see her clock ticking away showing the time. She sat up and pressed a hand to her head. It'd be a long day but she'd survive, hopefully.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Selphie slowly opened her heavy eyelids to the bright light of morning pouring through the numerous windows of the hotel room. Her vision blurred, she could barely make out someone standing across the room wearing a towel around his waist. She blinked several times focusing her view with each blink. "Ir—vine?" She said finally making out the long muscular torso with the familiar face.
Irvine swung a towel over his head and rubbed his long hair. "Morning Sleepin' Beauty." He walked over to her bed and ruffled her hair. "Man, your hair is funny lookin'." He chuckled.
Selphie sat up and looked around the room. Her clothes along with Irvine's were neatly laid out on the unused bed beside her dried and ironed ready for use. The room was comfortably warm due to the moisture slipping out of the bathroom. Irvine sat himself down beside Selphie and snuck a kiss to her cheek.
"Did ya sleep well?" He asked as he tussled her hair again.
Selphie nodded, "What time is it Irvy?"
The cowboy returned to his feet and stretched his long arms out as he scanned the room for a clock. He yawned loudly at stopped as he noticed an ornate mermaid holding a clam shaped clock. "Well, let's put it this way. If we were still at Garden, we'd both be in class for about an hour."
Selphie jumped out of bed, "Oh no! Matron!" She quickly grabbed the dry clothes on the bed and scurried towards the bathroom as Irvine easily held her back with one hand.
"Relax Sefie," He laughed. "I always skip class, Rinoa takes care of that for me and this morning I called her and told her to swing by Matron's office and tell her you're sick." He removed his hand from her shoulder, "But you can still go change if ya want. Check your hair out." Irvine walked away returning to the tedious task of drying his own long hair.
Selphie watched Irvine in slow motion. She looked back to her clothes and listlessly walked towards the bathroom. With Irvine, she saw so many parallels between him and Mr. Devin. They were both so keen to take care of her— was she so helpless that she always sent out a signal that she needed care and help?
So many people helped her in her life, but did she always need it? Would she have survived without it? Why did they help her, what did they expect she could give them in return? Selphie stopped thinking at that moment, instead she looked at the frilly mess on the top of her head. Her hair not only stuck out sideways, but it represented as a mangled mess everywhere. A smile touched her lips as she laughed at her reflection.
"Saw your hair huh?" Irvine called.
Selphie quickly changed into her clothes and washed up. She ran water through her hair trying diligently to tame it in some fashion. After several attempts, it remained curly and unruly. She surrendered and came back into the room to find Irvine fully dressed and placing his signature cowboy hat on his head. He turned to Selphie as she entered the room.
"Nice and warm huh? Hotel courtesy of drying our clothes for us. Anyways, you hungry? Let's go grab something to eat before we go back to Garden."
Instead of replying to Irvine's question, she walked up to him and stared into his eyes deeply. "Irvy?" She said finally. He nodded confused but alert. "Why do you always take care of me? Is it because you feel sorry for me?"
Irvine's eyes widened. Lately Selphie had been asking the most peculiar questions; questions that Irvine always knew the answer to but felt hesitant to actually vocalize it. This time, he felt confident. He took Selphie's tiny hands and curled his long fingers between hers. He brought her small fist to his lips and kissed them softly.
"You know Sefie, I've spent my whole life just taking care of myself. Heck, I had help with that too, with Rinoa taking care of me since I was kid." Irvine returned Selphie paranoid glance with softened eyes, "I guess the thing about taking care of someone is that you enjoy doing it, just to see that other person smile." A sincere grin touched his lips, "Who knows, maybe one day you'll be taking care of me."
Selphie nodded as threw herself into Irvine's arms hugging him tightly. "Mr. Devin was like that too." She said muffled into his shoulder. "He always took good care of me. One day though… I made him mad. I don't really know what I did, but I got so scared that I ran away with you. I'm still so scared of him, and I get so worried thinking if I make you mad, you'll treat me the same way."
Irvine thought back to the wretched night that he found Selphie lying miserably on the cold floor of her shack home. The night changed his life forever. Her entire body bloomed red fresh a severe beating. Was that all the doing of the infamous Mr. Devin Selphie spoke so highly of?
"Sefie," He said quietly patting her head, "I never want to do anything to hurt you, and I'm going to do my best to make sure you never get hurt again."
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Quistis rubbed her temples feeling glad the class had ended. Her students assembled their items and headed out at varying paces. Without much voluntary control, Quistis let her eyes peer over towards the back row where Seifer sat at one end, and Squall on the other.
Seifer sat rather stubbornly without appearing to have the intention of moving. Squall on the other hand packed his items contently as he looked towards the doorway with a look of pleasure in his eyes. Confused, Quistis turned to the entrance of her classroom to see Rinoa entering cheerfully.
It took amazing self-control to keep her jaw from completely dropping and hitting her desk with a loud clamor. Rinoa walked to Squall and linked her arm with his casually and comfortably. Unsure of just when exactly it happened, Quistis realized if she still did pursue Squall her chances were shot now.
Before she pondered too long, Quistis shot a quick glance to Seifer to see how he was taking the shocking event happening five yards away from him. To her surprise, Seifer didn't pay the slightest attention to Squall, but instead his eyes stared coldly on her. She blushed and turned back to her face back to the surface of her desk.
She closed her eyes waiting for Seifer to pass over her, leave class, and possibly throw his frustration on Squall or some other pathetic kids who crosses his path. As she waited, a paper slid across her desk stopping right in front of her downcast head. She read the name at the corner said 'Seifer Almasy.'
"My report, Instructor." Seifer's voice callously echoed in her ears.
"Thank you Seifer." She uttered quietly. The electronic humming of the doors sounded signaling Seifer's leave. After a few minutes, the familiar sound of the Trepies gathering around her desk finally forced Instructor Trepe to look up.
"Can you believe Rinoa? She moved on fast!" Baku shouted.
"You know, even though she came to the ball with Seifer, she was seen dancing with Squall." Narissa expanded.
"Maybe they were both having an affair and Seifer was the first to get caught." Lena concluded.
Instructor Trepe gazed irritably at the three of them. "If you three have nothing better to do than waste my time with idle chatter and gossip then please leave now!"
Narissa cupped her hands over her mouth, "Oh Instructor! You sound so upset. Is there something wrong? Anything we can do for you?" Lena grasped her friend's shoulder and beamed her watering eyes at her icon. "Oh please tell us Instructor, we're here to help!"
Baku grabbed both girls from their collars and began yanking them away from Quistis' desk. "Leave dear Instructor alone! Come on gang!"
"You know what I heard just after I left class?" Lena chirped recovering from Instructor Trepe's dismissal. "I heard Irvine Kinneas walked into Garden holding hands with some girl. He even kissed her in front of everyone!"
"Is it Scarlet? They were together at the ball." Baku asked genuinely curious.
"Nope, some new girl from Galbadia or maybe Trabia I think. I don't know her name, but from what I heard they're together a lot. Do you think it's serious? How weird would that be?" Lena continued.
"Poor thing, she has no idea that crazed cowboy is going to break her heart!" Narissa cried out dramatically.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Selphie and Irvine confronted the entrance of Balamb Garden, hand in hand. Before stepping inside, Irvine stopped them and pulled Selphie over to a bench to sit down. Looking concerned, Selphie faced her cowboy with confusion as if to say 'what's wrong'.
"Before we go in there, I just wanted to ask you—Selphie, do you want to be my girlfiend?" Irvine immediately felt like an idiot as the words slid passed his lips. He felt like a ridiculously pathetic nerd trying to ask a girl out as teenager for the first time.
Meanwhile Selphie thought deeply about the question Irvine just asked. While he sat fuming in his own humiliation, she recollected the only times she'd encountered the world 'girlfriend'.
There of course was Rinoa who had her boyfriend, Seifer. When Selphie first came to Garden, they seemed happy enough with each other. As time went by, she saw and heard less and less of him. Then there were random women at the fountain who would abruptly have short relationships calling them their boyfriend. Jaxon Ogleworthy wouldn't have any of that and immediately terminated any relationship he had wind of between any of the ladies of his fountain.
Although there was no good example of boyfriend and girlfriend relationships that Selphie could think of, but still there was something glamorous about the word. Not giving the idea much more thought, her mouth opened and the word yes came out.
Irvine blinked; surprised his measly attempt and frank wording actually got him the answer he wanted. He gave no retort fearing it would change her mind; instead, he gripped his hand around Selphie's and led through the entrance of the Garden.
A part Irvine knew the reaction students would give him as he so blatantly showed off his new girl. He only hoped of course, that Selphie didn't notice it. Unfortunately, for him, Selphie did spot the odd stares and whispers following her. Watching the judgmental people around him, Irvine felt agitated and angry. He wanted to defy and tick them off.
He pulled Selphie close to him, catching her off guard, and in front of the entire Garden, he kissed his new girlfriend. Selphie blushed as Irvine pulled away, he whispered softly in her ear, knowing the image it gave to the gossipers around him. "Hey I'm going to go catch up with Rinoa. I'll meet you later."
Selphie felt a little light headed, but happy. Irvine disappeared behind the bend of the hall. Time went by and for a while, she lingered around the halls wandering about bored. Free for the day, Selphie finally decided to head to the library. As she made her way towards the blue hall, she noticed several students also rushing their way there. Selphie hadn't reached the library before Rinoa's familiar face appeared exiting.
"Selphie!" She called cheerfully. "You're back." In a friendly manner, Rinoa hugged her friend and began walking with her opposite of the library. "You don't want to go in there, it's really loud. Some hot new gossip has them all chirping."
"I wonder what." Selphie said reluctantly following Rinoa away from the crowding hall.
"It's all about you, didn't you know?"
Rinoa and Selphie turned around to face a girl they both vaguely knew, but neither liked very much. Scarlet, with her vivacious curls and tight clothing stood a few feet away from them. A sly smile touched her plump lips. She walked towards them slowly, habitually prepared for a man's gaze to linger on her at any moment. "Your entrance with Kinneas caused quite a stir toothpick." She stopped inches to Selphie's side, "I wouldn't worry of course. He'll be bored with you soon enough."
"No one likes a sore loser Scarlet." Rinoa snapped feeling belligerent towards seductive brunette.
Scarlet ignored Selphie for a moment and turned to Rinoa with a cunning smile. "Why, look who it is! Rinoa, I haven't seen you since I was—what was it," Scarlet feigned thought and snapped her slender fingers as if she'd discovered something, "That's right, when I was sleeping with your boyfriend, Seifer right?"
Rinoa put her hands on her hips and shook her head, "No hard feelings Scarlet, you just helped me push aside some dead weight I called my relationship. I'm over it." She winked. Although Rinoa knew she was lying straight through her teeth, she refused to let Scarlet know just how much it bothered her she was with Seifer.
Scarlet raised an eyebrow and returned her attention to Rinoa's quiet companion, Selphie. "You know tiny, the rumors will never stop, but the relationship— will. Enjoy your time with your precious Kinneas now because as much as you like to think your some kind of exception, he'll toss you out like an old shirt too." She turned sharply and walked away leaving Selphie with a face of distraught.
Rinoa shook Selphie's shoulder madly, "Don't listen to that harlot! She just likes causing trouble. That evil siren!" Rinoa stared darkly at the vixen strutting back towards the library. Her eyes welled with tear of pure hatred and anger.
"Rinoa, are you alright?" Selphie asked meekly.
"Just don't listen to her okay?" Rinoa snapped. She grabbed Selphie's arm and pulled her down the hall to an empty corner to a bench. Once they sat down alone from the massing crowds Rinoa released Selphie's arm and took in a deep breath. "Selphie, I've been pretending like it hasn't really bothered me but it's killing me okay? Scarlet is the reason I broke up with Seifer— I mean sure I know we weren't going to last much longer anyways." She stopped and wiped her eyes as preemptive attempt to prevent crying. "It doesn't matter, okay… just don't listen to that jerk! She's pure evil. I'm going to go." Rinoa stamped to her feet and rushed away.
Selphie didn't have much time alone to ponder about Scarlet and Rinoa's words before another familiar face and interrupted her.
"Selphie, how good to see you." Greeted Nida.
Unfortunately for Selphie, she hadn't seen or spoken to Nida since the night of the ball almost a week ago. Anytime Nida crossed her mind, little as it was, it only brought distaste and discomfort. She never decided what she'd tell Nida when they finally came face to face, even when she scouted him the other day. Selphie simply predicted she'd improvise or let Nida do most the talking, as he seemed to be very good at doing.
"Hi Nida." She said finally.
"I haven't spoken to you since the ball, is everything alright?" He continued politely.
"Course'!" Selphie replied happily, and honestly.
Nida looked around, after deciding Selphie was obviously alone he turned to her and said, "Would you mind if we went a talked for a bit? Alone if you don't mind."
With a small shrug, Selphie came to her feet and followed Nida down the hall.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Rinoa stormed loudly into her dorm, not at all phased by Irvine who already made himself comfortable. He watched with a raised eyebrow as Rinoa furiously thrashed about the room.
"You okay?" Irvine asked hesitantly.
"What the hell is Scarlet's problem? Are you her property or something?" Rinoa snapped.
Irvine held up his hands defensively. "Whoa calm down there now little chicabo, what's bothering you?"
Huffing loudly, Rinoa threw herself into a chair. Her force swung the chair to lean until it collided with the chair Irvine sat on. Rinoa's head landed on Irvine's lap as she sighed as she tried to relax. "I've just been ignoring this issue… Irvine why do you think Seifer was with Scarlet the night of the ball?"
Irvine thought of several possible ways of answering Rinoa's questions, most of them jokes and mean puns against Seifer though. He looked down at Rinoa's sprawled hair over his lap and sighed. "Rin, I can't answer that for you, you know that. I know you guys broke up but if you don't talk to Seifer about it you're gonna think the worse of it."
Rinoa shot her head up, "The worse of it? What do you think that is Irvine? That I pushed him to Scarlet? That I'm the reason things got so awfully boring between us? That maybe if I had spent just a little more attention to my actual boyfriend I might still be happy with him?"
Hesitant to answer, Irvine looked away and thought again before answering. He didn't like being in his head so much, especially during conversation. It reminded him too much of Squall. "Rin, I know it was probably nothing personal. I mean it could've been any girl."
"That makes me feel so much better Irvine!" Rinoa screamed as she leapt to her feet.
"I didn't mean it like that—" The cowboy protested nervously, "I mean like, maybe he wasn't thinking at all. You guys weren't together that night, he probably had too much to drink or something like that." Irvine halted his rambling and rested a hand on Rinoa's shoulder forcing her to look deeply in his eyes. "You owe to yourself to talk this out with Seifer, and not beat yourself up about it until then."
Rinoa's eyes trembled as she weakly responded, "What if he says exactly what I'm afraid of? What if I'm doomed to ruin my relationship with Squall too? Let's face it, I haven't been making the best decisions lately…"
"You learn from your mistakes Rin, even if Seifer says something you don't want to hear, you're not going to repeat them with Squall."
"How can you be so sure?" Rinoa shouted shrilly.
"Because, in just a few days you're happier with Squall than I've ever seen you with Seifer. Squall's not Seifer Rinoa, and your relationship isn't going to be the same." Irvine rested his other hand on Rinoa's shoulder as well and smiled. "Talk to Seifer, learn the truth, but then don't worry about it anymore."
Rinoa finally grinned back and hugged Irvine gently. "You know Irvine, I believe you. You know why? Because I already see proof, you with someone who makes you happy, is already turning you into a better person. Ever since Selphie's been here, you're actually becoming a model citizen." She pulled away, "I'm happy for you, and I'm sorry I ever discouraged you."
She began to walk towards the exit to her dorm.
"Say Rinoa, have you seen Selphie?" He asked.
"Yeah, I think I saw her talking to Nida last. He'll probably know where she is." With that, Rinoa left in a much cheerier mood.
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Nida closed his room door after him and Selphie entered. The small brunette looked around the room intrigued with the neat display of his items. The Garden Faculty always did a fantastic job of giving SeeDs wonderful rooms to start out with; the upkeep was in their hands, however.
After looking about, Selphie took a seat and looked towards Nida waiting to hear what he had to say. The two of them had been rather quiet the entire way here, although it didn't bother Selphie, who spent the entire time thinking about Irvine.
Nida breathed in deeply as he gazed nervously towards Selphie, "I suppose you're wondering why I brought you all the way here to talk…" He chuckled hesitantly.
Selphie didn't look concerned but she did appear confused and somewhat bored. She tilted her head and replied, "Um sorta. Is something wrong? I know we haven't talked since the ball."
"Yes the ball!" Nida responded, gracious to have some help into his conversation. "I wanted to ask if you had enjoyed your night at the ball," He added quietly under his breath, "with me."
Lighting up like a star, Selphie nodded like a bobble head. "I did! It was great, I wish there were more balls like that. Is the committee going to have more parties like that?"
Nida pulled at his collar as he took a seat, "Before we discuss that, could I ask why you left in such a hurry?"
Selphie pouted and looked at the floor guiltily. She never did come up with an answer to this, even to herself. Sighing softly, she forced a grin towards Nida. "I'm sorry Nida, I guess I just got nervous because Irvy showed up."
"But you were my date!" Nida protested somewhat like a child.
To this, Selphie just stared blankly unsure of how to reply.
Exhaling loudly, Nida look away bashfully, "I suppose then, there's no way you'd consider going out with me again." He inhaled deeply and met eyes with Selphie again, "Is there?"
"Well sure!" Selphie said, much to Nida's surprise.
"Really?" He nearly gagged.
"Yeah! I mean I really like the Student Festival Committee. I totally want to stay in there, so we'll hang out a lot during meetings. Plus I'm sure I'll want to go to every party the committee has!"
Nida blinked realizing Selphie was not referring to exclusively dating him. He choked a groan in his throat and forced a smile, "Yes, of course. We will still see plenty more of each other then."
Selphie came to her feet, "So is that all you wanted to talk about?"
"Actually," Nida looked up hopefully, desperate. "Since we were interrupted that night at the ball, do you think…" He gulped as he stood up, "Perhaps we could share one more kiss?"
"Um…okay." Selphie said rather hesitantly.
Nida beamed as he gently put an arm around the petite girl. He closed his eyes and leaned in gingerly placing his lips against hers. Selphie stood still and uncomfortably. She felt tense and uneasy; it was nothing like kissing Irvine.
With Irvine, everything flowed smoothly. She felt content and happy to be in his embrace, to be so close to him. Irvine caressed her so strongly, she felt safe. Nida on the other hand felt didn't seem to have a great handle on it.
Nida's door burst open and Irvine allowed himself in, "Hey Ni—" He stopped in place, his face frozen to the words he meant to say before laying eyes on Nida kissing his incredibly new girlfriend. Of course not just any girlfriend, the girl he'd been falling head over heels for over the passed half year.
Immediately subsequent to Irvine's entrance, Nida and Selphie broke away. Selphie turned a blooming red as she observed Irvine's shocked appearance.
Nida massaged his temples and groaned, "Of course Kinneas, who else but you would show up at this very moment? Ever heard of knocking?" He squinted his eyes irritably not sure on why Irvine looked so surprised.
"What the hell is going on here?" Irvine said finally.
"As I said to you last time Irvine, why is this any of your business?" Nida sounded as though he was growling.
"I'll be happy to show you Donner!" Irvine hissed. He reared his arm back and socked Nida in the middle with all his might. Completely taken off guard, Nida fell to Irvine's blow and landed flatly on his back. "STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY GIRLFRIEND!"
Irvine grabbed Selphie's arm roughly and dragged her out of the room leaving Nida completely stunned.
Selphie watched Irvine nervously as her heart raced. Now she'd done it, she'd finally ticked him off. After punching Nida, she knew she was next to face Irvine's wrath. Irvine however power walked with Selphie's arm tight in his grasp for a while until he found himself in an empty corridor. He released Selphie and paced frustrated.
"Wha—what the hell was he doing?" He sputtered. He kept his volume low but couldn't fight his confusion. "Did he hurt you?" Irvine looked desperately at Selphie who looked terribly frightened. "What did he do? Why were you in there with him?"
Selphie's eyes welled, "I'm sorry Irvy… he asked for a kiss a-and said because we were interrupted—"
"You kissed him?" Irvine disrupted, his voice hitting an octave he didn't know he could make. "Why?"
Selphie stayed silent truly confused and unsure to respond. After staring at her new furious boyfriend in stillness for a few moments, she finally meekly uttered, "Did I do something wrong?"
Irvine blinked, several times. Did Selphie actually not realize what she'd done? Remember where she came from… Irvine eyed her carefully observing her fear and forming tears. He didn't mean to completely attack her like this, although he didn't particularly mind punching Nida. Trying to make sense of the situation, Irvine breathed in deeply and exhaled loudly.
"Selphie… I'm your boyfriend." He said quietly. "Right?"
"C-course' Irvy, we said so this morning." Selphie replied in the same meek voice.
"Then why were you kissing Nida?"
"He asked me to."
Although Irvine was still mildly angry at the situation and could easily take Nida to a duel and destroy him to no end of joy, a smile cracked on his face and he broke into laughter. Selphie, of course, still madly confused looked at him as though he'd lost his mind.
Irvine gently grasped Selphie's shoulders. "Selphie, don't you know what it means to have a boyfriend?" To this, his small little companion shook her head. He leaned his head until his forehead leaned against hers. "It means that, I'm the only guy who gets to kiss you." He puckered his lips letting them just barely brush Selphie's nose. "And you, my little lady are the only girl who gets to kiss me."
Easily, Irvine swept Selphie into his arms, carrying her bridal style. "Do you get it now?"
Hesitantly nodding Selphie replied, "I'm sorry Irvy."
Irvine pecked his girlfriend's cheek, "Don't worry about it none." But Nida should… "Now that it's all straightened out, where to?"
"Can we go to Instructor Trepe's classroom? I want to see if I can still make a class with her."
"To Instructor Trepe's class!"
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
Instructor Trepe gripped her red pen tightly as she irritably scanned over Seifer's report. The entire paper leaked of innuendos directed towards her. Some subtle, however most of the comments would let even the daftest person figure out the situation.
Esther's security, what to say about it? It's perfect, no countries armies have been able to break into it… unlike me who broke right into someone's the other night. Marvelous, and quite a sight, oh and Esther is pretty impressive too. Some securities hold up well, but what can I say? I know how to bring them down.
After a few paragraphs of Seifer's inaccurate writing of Esther, he finally broke off tangent and ignored the subject completely.
I can't believe you're making me write this, I fully believe I deserve extra credit. How many students do you have made you cry out like you did with me? Who cares about this report, fail me go ahead… I think I'll try remaking it up later.
Quistis crumbled the report and squeezed the ball of paper in her clasped hands as tightly as she could. She breathed in soundly trying her best to remain calm. She remained, her eyes closed, keeping her composure. Seifer could not keep acting like this.
Whether or not Instructor Trepe felt ready to see anyone, her classroom doors slid open and in came Selphie along with the infamous Irvine Kinneas. "Hi Instructor!" Selphie greeted cheerfully, her mood elevated drastically since her talk in the hallway with Irvine.
"S-Selphie," Quistis responded flustered, "What're you doing in here?"
"Class?" She replied questionably.
"Oh, right." With a small forced laughed Quistis pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "You still have this week off, it's the last day but enjoy it."
Selphie exchanged glances with Irvine behind her. She shrugged and turned back to Instructor Trepe, "Tee-hee, great. See you next week Instructor!" She waved happily and made way to the door.
"Hey instructor," Irvine said before exiting.
Quistis looked up to him. She'd spent very little of her time ever conversing with Irvine, but thanks to her Trepies she'd heard enough of him. "Yes?"
"There's someone waiting outside your class for ya, should I tell them to buzz off? Ya seem kinda busy."
"N-no that's fine, actually tell them to come in."
Irvine nodded and let himself out. Shortly after he'd disappeared, Seifer appeared through the door. "That's right come in." He said with a snicker.
Instructor Trepe darted her eyes towards the obnoxious blonde pace the space between her desk and the rows of study panels. He smiled slyly her way as he smoothly landed in a chair in front of her desk.
"Ah Seifer, I'm glad you came." She a slight tone of aggression growing in her voice.
"I'm sure you are." Seifer purred as he gazed at her, his eyes thin.
Crossly, Quistis tossed the wad of paper she'd held at Seifer's forehead. She smirked and crossed her slender arms, "I'm sorry to say you failed your assignment."
Seifer watched as the paper that had just hit him bounced onto the floor. He chuckled and turned back to the clever lady sitting elegantly before him. "Grading me so harshly, Instructor? It seems hardly fair."
"That's all I needed to say to you. Now if you please, take that filth away with you as you leave." She turned away sharply and occupied herself with another report.
"Why Instructor, is that any way to refer to the work of one of your beloved students, and I thought you'd appreciate my," He paused waiting for Quistis to finally meet eyes with him again, "unique perspective."
With a small huff, Quistis stacked her papers and clipped them together. She tucked them under her arm and came to her feet. "Enough of your nonsense Seifer. Please leave."
Seifer swiftly came to his feet and before Quistis. "Not before I get a chance to have a remake. I believe I mentioned that in my paper."
"Seifer," Quistis repeated her voice stern.
"Surely you don't actually think my work is filth, after all," He leaned his head to bring his lips to her ears, "It was all about you."
"I said leave." Instructor Trepe repeated firmly.
Seifer ran his hand from the back of Quistis' head, through her free golden locks, across her smooth cheek to her chin. "I don't think you really want me to." He said in the same squalid undertone.
"I do." With that, Quistis sharply turned her head freeing it from Seifer's strokes.
Seifer clicked his tongue, "Then this might be unpleasant." Within a fraction of a moment, he grabbed Quistis and pressed his lips against hers. Quistis released a muffled squeal. In response, Seifer tightened his hold, positive she couldn't resist for long.
Quistis almost lost her train of thought in Seifer's tight hold. Her eyes shot open as she fisted her hands and beat against Seifer's shoulders trying to break free. Knowing she was on the verge of completely giving up, she finally raised her hand and slapped Seifer's cheek as hard as she could manage from her angle.
Seifer, forcefully torn away from the kiss, shot up and looked at Quistis, his face appalled. He observed Instructor Trepe who rubbed her lips against her arms feigning disgust. She looked at him darkly and shouted hoarsely,
"I SAID LEAVE!"
Seifer shook his head as he squinted his eyes. "You are such a hypocrite. I've seen you hitting on Squall, what would you have done if he kissed you? I can guarantee you Instructor it wouldn't have been as fantastic as it was with me." He grinned evilly, "You want to push me away?" He raised his arms in the air, "Push, but don't expect me to fight you forever, Instructor. I won't fight someone who knows what they want but purposely doesn't listen. It's a futile battle, even for a knight."
He turned towards the door. Just before he activated the automated doors, he stopped. Without facing Quistis he said, "Enjoy as you get to watch the blast from your past and the chance of your future move along without you. Choose your priorities wisely, Instructor."
I'm sorry I've been out so long, but THIS STORY WILL BE FINISHED NO MATTER WHAT! Even if no one reviews or reads it ever again! ...NO WAIT I WAS KIDDING PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!