Things Change
Chapter 4
by Mariye
======
Disclaimer: I don't own FF8.
======
"Zell?"
Zell looked up at the doctor. He hadn't been aware that while he thought time had passed.
"I think I'd prefer chemo. I'm gonna be enough trouble already. I don't want you to have to get a whole huge machine brought into Garden all for me."
"Alright. You do understand that it would be no problem at all if that was the treatment you would prefer."
"Yeah, still."
"Fine then. Well, then you have some more options with chemotherapy. You could take pills or you could have injections..."
"Pills. I don't really like needles..."
"Then how did you end up with that tattoo?"
Zell turned. Sionna was looking right at him. One of 'them.'
"None of your business."
"Fine then. Be that way." She stuck her tongue out at him and faced Kadowaki again, tossing her auburn red hair back. Zell saw Aeron nudge her with his elbow and her whisper something back to him. Whatever she said shut him up, and now aside from a quick glance at Zell, Aeron was trying to look focused and mature.
"Anyway. We would be able to arrange for you to possible take pills. Of course I'd want you to take them here, under the supervision of Sionna, Aeron, or myself. Also, despite the fact that the chemo will cause some side effects, there is a possibility that we can reduce the effects of some of them."
"Are you sure that 'they' would be able to handle this?" Zell asked. Dr. Kadowaki looked at her two students and nodded.
"Yes, I believe they would. Aeron has studied with me for four years now, and Sionna for three. And despite the fact that Aeron is studying psychiatry, he still is very good in general medicine. And Sionna has always worked well here. I trust them completely, and eventually I think you will too."
~Fat chance.~
"Fine. So when can I start treatments?"
"I think it may be possible for you to start them by the week's end if you'd like. Barring any unforseen circumstances of course." Dr. Kadowaki stood up.
"Circumstances?"
"Since the cancer is reducing the number of white blood cells in your body, you may become more prone to catch viruses or infections. I'm guessing that if you were to get sick, Lheia would be hesitant to start your chemo treatments." Sionna said, rising also.
"Lheia?" Zell looked at Sionna.
"Since Aeron, Sionna, and I work so close together, I insisted that they call me by my first name. I also request that you do the same, since we now will be seeing so much of each other."
"Oh. So if I'm sick, you don't wanna start all this yet."
"I would want to hold it off. Even though the chance of there being an odd reaction to the drugs is slight, I still wouldn't like you to have to go through your first treatment session while you're ill. I would hate for you to have to suffer with the illness and the side effects on treatment."
~Makes sense I guess...~
"Fine."
"Also, when are you planning on telling everyone?" Lheia asked as she pulled her coat off of a wall and put it back on.
~I hadn't thought about that....~
"Do I have to?"
"Well, I think they'll notice if you start losing your hair and you're continually ill." Sionna said while walking out.
"Wait a moment Sionna." Lheia said as she walked in front of the three of them. "I have two things to say before we adjorn. Zell, I suggest you tell your close friends only. They will probably be the only ones who really need to know. If you need help figuring out how to deal with that, talk to Aeron. He is very good at listening and offering ideas. The second thing I ask is a request. Zell, these two SeeDs will become a very big part of your life in the coming months. You will probably be seeing them at least once a day. I would like the three of you to spend some time together. "
Dr. Kadowaki walked out of the small office. Zell looked at Aeron and Sionna.
~Yeah right. Like I want to deal with either of them.~
"Well, I'm free next period. Its my lunch. What about you two?" Aeron asked, looking from Sionna to Zell.
"I could probably make it. I have a study period, but the instructor in charge is a friend of mine. He'd probably let me out if I told him it was infirmary business." Sionna said, while leaning against the door. "What about you?"
"Sorry, but I have other things I have to do. More important things. Excuse me." Zell walked out of the office slowly.
~Let them see that they are nothing to me. Take my time.~
"Well excuse me hotshot. Hyne, if I'm willing to miss a class, then you think he'd be willing to try to meet us halfway." Sionna said, her blue eyes turning cold. Zell walked a little slower, so she would realize he had heard, but still think he didn't care.
"Come on Sionna, lighten up. He's got cancer!"
Zell walked out and down the hall.
~Huh, I wonder what she said after that.~ He wondered as he walked out into the main hallway.
"Yo Chicken-Wuss! Where you think you're going?"
~Damn it.~ Zell turned around to see Seifer and his lackeys walking up.
"What do you want?"
"VIOLATION."
"Yeah, Fuj's right ya know. No walking through the halls during passing period without a note." Raijin said, placing his hands on his hips.
"That only applies when someone's supposed to be in a class. If someone has a free period they're allowed to roam the main hallways." Zell said matter of factly.
"But you have a class now, don'tcha Chicken-Wuss?" Seifer asked, while walking up to Zell. Breaking away from his group.
~Wrong day for this Seifer.~
"BUT I have been excuse for the day by Matron."
"Did she give you a note to back up this 'notion?'"
"Well..."
"BUSTED." Fujin and Raijin looked at each other and nodded.
"Listen Seifer, today is just not the right day to do this, K? Cause I'm not exactly in the mood to take you and your whole little I'm better than anyone attitude. So just back off Lapdog." Zell started to walk towards the dorms.
"Oooooo, he's gonna get it, ya know...." Raijin said to Fujin.
"AFFIRMATIVE..." Fujin and Raijin stood on the side and watched while Seifer stormed forward and blocked Zell's path.
"Listen you little Cry-Baby Brat! No one talks to me like that, especially you! Gimme your ID."
Seifer stuck his hand out, but kept the other on the handle of his gunblade.
"You couldn't listen, could you?" Zell ran forward and gave Seifer a knee to the chest. As Seifer hunched over, he landed an uppercut right to his face. Then he swept Seifer's legs out from under him. Zell stood up, brushed off his coat and walked past.
~Well, I did warn him. Been meaning to do that for years. Funny how a little thing like possibly dying makes you do things you always wanted to and never would.~ He ignored the commotion Raijin and Fujin made as they went to aid Seifer, and Seifer's cries of how 'Now he was in deep trouble.'
~Ooo, I'm so scared I'm shaking.~ He turned into the dorms and walked up to his room.
~Funny, after everything that's happened, instead of trying to go tell everyone and agonizing over what I should do, I'm actually keeping my promise to Selphie. Why do I always have to be such a nice guy?~ He thought as he unlocked his door.
~Here a guy who always gets on my nerves and tries to intentionally get a rise outta me and the girl who debates over whether to call me Pig-Wuss and Chicken-Wuss ask me to do something and I actually do it. I guess its kinda funny.~
Zell collapsed onto his bed and stared at the ceiling.
~So... now what?~ After sitting for about five minutes and realizing he wasn't ready to settle down just yet, he got up and went over to his punching bag. He started hitting it with quick jabs.
~Hmm, so I can't imagine this as Seifer's face now, since I just beat him up and all. So who....?~ The images of Sionna and Aeron's faces popped into his head.
~Didn't take long at all to think of replacements...~
Just then there was a knock at the door. Zell stopped and opened it. Cid walked in shaking his head.
"Zell... I assume you know why I'm here."
"Well, you could be here for two reasons. Does it have to do with me dying or me beating up Seifer?"
"The latter. Zell, I can understand your attacking him..."
"No you can't. I told Seifer Matron cleared me. I even gave him a fair warning. Then he decided to dare try me again." Cid looked at him surprised.
"You warned him?"
"Yeah. I told him I was having a bad day and to basically bck off. Raijin and Fujin heard. They were there too."
"Really? The whole Disciplinary Committee told me that you just attacked Seifer the second you saw him."
"What? ...Figures..." Zell walked over to his punching bag.
~Great, how can I envision five faces one one bag? Not enough room... I guess I'll have to switch off...~
"Well, this changes things around. I had a feeling there was a good explanation. Nevermind all this then. But... I will have to take away three demerits from you."
~Now six faces?~
"Because of the fighting. There is no fighting in the halls, no matter how good a reason you have. Off the record though, I'm glad you finally stood up to him. I have to be going now. Good bye Zell." Cid walked out of the room.
~Hmmm, is it still wrong to want to punch someone after he says he agreed with what you did? He did take away three demerits though... Eh, doesn't matter.~
Zell went back to focusing on his punching. So naturally when someone came knocking again he didn't really hear it.
"Zell? Its Aeron. Do you mind if I come in? Hello?"
Zell stopped punching momentarily and stared at the door.
~Maybe if I don't answer he'll just leave.~
"Zell? Listen, I wanted to talk to you about how you're going to tell everyone. If you want I can help you figure it out."
~Come on, doesn't he ever give up?~
"Are you home? Come on. I know we got off to a bad start. But who knows, maybe we can be friends."
~Leave. Just leave.~ Zell tried to project thoughts into Aeron's head.
"Well... if you're home and just ignoring me, I live in dorm #38. I won't be home till later tonight though, I'm going T-boarding with some friends."
~Yeah, I hope you fall off.~
"Zell?"
"Oh give it up Aeron, if he's there he's not gonna answer."
"Sionna? But, I thought you had Study Hall."
"I told you my instructor liked me."
"Oh. Well, wanna go to lunch with me?"
"Sorry, I already ate. Besides, I told Selphie I'd try to come help with stage effects for the Garden Festival if I had free time."
"Okay, then I'll see you later."
"Yeah, bye."
~Well, guess Sionna moved up a spot and took over Raijin's former spot on the hatred list.~
"Okay Zell, I know you're in there. Open up. And don't think I'll just chicken out like Aeron did, I'm a lot tougher than that."
~And she's back at her old position. What to do, open the door and deal with that? Or pretend I'm not here.~
"I was the one who treated Seifer when he came in and I just saw Cid leaving here."
~Dang it. Maybe I can still fake her out....~
"Did I mention I know how to pick locks?"
Zell gave in and opened the door.
"So what do you want?"
"To congratulate you. You broke Seifer's nose and bruised three of his ribs. Very impressive. I take it that was the important thing that caused you to decide to ditch Aeron and me?"
Sionna walked in like she owned the room.
"You sure I didn't break those three ribs?"
"Positive. Nice room, you spray it with lysol and clean it with ammonia everyday too?"
Zell watched in awe as she sat down at his desk.
"Listen, is there any other reason you're here other than to insult a dying man?"
"Yeah, I'm a little mad about the way you're treating Aeron and me."
"Well, you two don't exactly belong in this little situation. You have no right to be involved in my treatments. And I don't like your attitudes. I mean I'm sick with a deadly disease and what do you do? You come here and insult me? And don't think I didn't hear your little comment in the infirmary?"
"You deserved it. Listen." Sionna got up and walked up to Zell. "I know Aeron is a dork, and you're not exactly 'thrilled' that we're going to be helping Lheia treat you, but Aeron is my friend, and Lheia thinks we are capable enough to help you. You have no right to treat Aeron and me like dirt."
"If you don't shut up..."
"What? You'll do the same thing to me that you did to Seifer?"
======
What will Zell do to Sionna?
And when will he tell his friends about his disease?
Will Seifer want revenge?
Chapter 4
by Mariye
======
Disclaimer: I don't own FF8.
======
"Zell?"
Zell looked up at the doctor. He hadn't been aware that while he thought time had passed.
"I think I'd prefer chemo. I'm gonna be enough trouble already. I don't want you to have to get a whole huge machine brought into Garden all for me."
"Alright. You do understand that it would be no problem at all if that was the treatment you would prefer."
"Yeah, still."
"Fine then. Well, then you have some more options with chemotherapy. You could take pills or you could have injections..."
"Pills. I don't really like needles..."
"Then how did you end up with that tattoo?"
Zell turned. Sionna was looking right at him. One of 'them.'
"None of your business."
"Fine then. Be that way." She stuck her tongue out at him and faced Kadowaki again, tossing her auburn red hair back. Zell saw Aeron nudge her with his elbow and her whisper something back to him. Whatever she said shut him up, and now aside from a quick glance at Zell, Aeron was trying to look focused and mature.
"Anyway. We would be able to arrange for you to possible take pills. Of course I'd want you to take them here, under the supervision of Sionna, Aeron, or myself. Also, despite the fact that the chemo will cause some side effects, there is a possibility that we can reduce the effects of some of them."
"Are you sure that 'they' would be able to handle this?" Zell asked. Dr. Kadowaki looked at her two students and nodded.
"Yes, I believe they would. Aeron has studied with me for four years now, and Sionna for three. And despite the fact that Aeron is studying psychiatry, he still is very good in general medicine. And Sionna has always worked well here. I trust them completely, and eventually I think you will too."
~Fat chance.~
"Fine. So when can I start treatments?"
"I think it may be possible for you to start them by the week's end if you'd like. Barring any unforseen circumstances of course." Dr. Kadowaki stood up.
"Circumstances?"
"Since the cancer is reducing the number of white blood cells in your body, you may become more prone to catch viruses or infections. I'm guessing that if you were to get sick, Lheia would be hesitant to start your chemo treatments." Sionna said, rising also.
"Lheia?" Zell looked at Sionna.
"Since Aeron, Sionna, and I work so close together, I insisted that they call me by my first name. I also request that you do the same, since we now will be seeing so much of each other."
"Oh. So if I'm sick, you don't wanna start all this yet."
"I would want to hold it off. Even though the chance of there being an odd reaction to the drugs is slight, I still wouldn't like you to have to go through your first treatment session while you're ill. I would hate for you to have to suffer with the illness and the side effects on treatment."
~Makes sense I guess...~
"Fine."
"Also, when are you planning on telling everyone?" Lheia asked as she pulled her coat off of a wall and put it back on.
~I hadn't thought about that....~
"Do I have to?"
"Well, I think they'll notice if you start losing your hair and you're continually ill." Sionna said while walking out.
"Wait a moment Sionna." Lheia said as she walked in front of the three of them. "I have two things to say before we adjorn. Zell, I suggest you tell your close friends only. They will probably be the only ones who really need to know. If you need help figuring out how to deal with that, talk to Aeron. He is very good at listening and offering ideas. The second thing I ask is a request. Zell, these two SeeDs will become a very big part of your life in the coming months. You will probably be seeing them at least once a day. I would like the three of you to spend some time together. "
Dr. Kadowaki walked out of the small office. Zell looked at Aeron and Sionna.
~Yeah right. Like I want to deal with either of them.~
"Well, I'm free next period. Its my lunch. What about you two?" Aeron asked, looking from Sionna to Zell.
"I could probably make it. I have a study period, but the instructor in charge is a friend of mine. He'd probably let me out if I told him it was infirmary business." Sionna said, while leaning against the door. "What about you?"
"Sorry, but I have other things I have to do. More important things. Excuse me." Zell walked out of the office slowly.
~Let them see that they are nothing to me. Take my time.~
"Well excuse me hotshot. Hyne, if I'm willing to miss a class, then you think he'd be willing to try to meet us halfway." Sionna said, her blue eyes turning cold. Zell walked a little slower, so she would realize he had heard, but still think he didn't care.
"Come on Sionna, lighten up. He's got cancer!"
Zell walked out and down the hall.
~Huh, I wonder what she said after that.~ He wondered as he walked out into the main hallway.
"Yo Chicken-Wuss! Where you think you're going?"
~Damn it.~ Zell turned around to see Seifer and his lackeys walking up.
"What do you want?"
"VIOLATION."
"Yeah, Fuj's right ya know. No walking through the halls during passing period without a note." Raijin said, placing his hands on his hips.
"That only applies when someone's supposed to be in a class. If someone has a free period they're allowed to roam the main hallways." Zell said matter of factly.
"But you have a class now, don'tcha Chicken-Wuss?" Seifer asked, while walking up to Zell. Breaking away from his group.
~Wrong day for this Seifer.~
"BUT I have been excuse for the day by Matron."
"Did she give you a note to back up this 'notion?'"
"Well..."
"BUSTED." Fujin and Raijin looked at each other and nodded.
"Listen Seifer, today is just not the right day to do this, K? Cause I'm not exactly in the mood to take you and your whole little I'm better than anyone attitude. So just back off Lapdog." Zell started to walk towards the dorms.
"Oooooo, he's gonna get it, ya know...." Raijin said to Fujin.
"AFFIRMATIVE..." Fujin and Raijin stood on the side and watched while Seifer stormed forward and blocked Zell's path.
"Listen you little Cry-Baby Brat! No one talks to me like that, especially you! Gimme your ID."
Seifer stuck his hand out, but kept the other on the handle of his gunblade.
"You couldn't listen, could you?" Zell ran forward and gave Seifer a knee to the chest. As Seifer hunched over, he landed an uppercut right to his face. Then he swept Seifer's legs out from under him. Zell stood up, brushed off his coat and walked past.
~Well, I did warn him. Been meaning to do that for years. Funny how a little thing like possibly dying makes you do things you always wanted to and never would.~ He ignored the commotion Raijin and Fujin made as they went to aid Seifer, and Seifer's cries of how 'Now he was in deep trouble.'
~Ooo, I'm so scared I'm shaking.~ He turned into the dorms and walked up to his room.
~Funny, after everything that's happened, instead of trying to go tell everyone and agonizing over what I should do, I'm actually keeping my promise to Selphie. Why do I always have to be such a nice guy?~ He thought as he unlocked his door.
~Here a guy who always gets on my nerves and tries to intentionally get a rise outta me and the girl who debates over whether to call me Pig-Wuss and Chicken-Wuss ask me to do something and I actually do it. I guess its kinda funny.~
Zell collapsed onto his bed and stared at the ceiling.
~So... now what?~ After sitting for about five minutes and realizing he wasn't ready to settle down just yet, he got up and went over to his punching bag. He started hitting it with quick jabs.
~Hmm, so I can't imagine this as Seifer's face now, since I just beat him up and all. So who....?~ The images of Sionna and Aeron's faces popped into his head.
~Didn't take long at all to think of replacements...~
Just then there was a knock at the door. Zell stopped and opened it. Cid walked in shaking his head.
"Zell... I assume you know why I'm here."
"Well, you could be here for two reasons. Does it have to do with me dying or me beating up Seifer?"
"The latter. Zell, I can understand your attacking him..."
"No you can't. I told Seifer Matron cleared me. I even gave him a fair warning. Then he decided to dare try me again." Cid looked at him surprised.
"You warned him?"
"Yeah. I told him I was having a bad day and to basically bck off. Raijin and Fujin heard. They were there too."
"Really? The whole Disciplinary Committee told me that you just attacked Seifer the second you saw him."
"What? ...Figures..." Zell walked over to his punching bag.
~Great, how can I envision five faces one one bag? Not enough room... I guess I'll have to switch off...~
"Well, this changes things around. I had a feeling there was a good explanation. Nevermind all this then. But... I will have to take away three demerits from you."
~Now six faces?~
"Because of the fighting. There is no fighting in the halls, no matter how good a reason you have. Off the record though, I'm glad you finally stood up to him. I have to be going now. Good bye Zell." Cid walked out of the room.
~Hmmm, is it still wrong to want to punch someone after he says he agreed with what you did? He did take away three demerits though... Eh, doesn't matter.~
Zell went back to focusing on his punching. So naturally when someone came knocking again he didn't really hear it.
"Zell? Its Aeron. Do you mind if I come in? Hello?"
Zell stopped punching momentarily and stared at the door.
~Maybe if I don't answer he'll just leave.~
"Zell? Listen, I wanted to talk to you about how you're going to tell everyone. If you want I can help you figure it out."
~Come on, doesn't he ever give up?~
"Are you home? Come on. I know we got off to a bad start. But who knows, maybe we can be friends."
~Leave. Just leave.~ Zell tried to project thoughts into Aeron's head.
"Well... if you're home and just ignoring me, I live in dorm #38. I won't be home till later tonight though, I'm going T-boarding with some friends."
~Yeah, I hope you fall off.~
"Zell?"
"Oh give it up Aeron, if he's there he's not gonna answer."
"Sionna? But, I thought you had Study Hall."
"I told you my instructor liked me."
"Oh. Well, wanna go to lunch with me?"
"Sorry, I already ate. Besides, I told Selphie I'd try to come help with stage effects for the Garden Festival if I had free time."
"Okay, then I'll see you later."
"Yeah, bye."
~Well, guess Sionna moved up a spot and took over Raijin's former spot on the hatred list.~
"Okay Zell, I know you're in there. Open up. And don't think I'll just chicken out like Aeron did, I'm a lot tougher than that."
~And she's back at her old position. What to do, open the door and deal with that? Or pretend I'm not here.~
"I was the one who treated Seifer when he came in and I just saw Cid leaving here."
~Dang it. Maybe I can still fake her out....~
"Did I mention I know how to pick locks?"
Zell gave in and opened the door.
"So what do you want?"
"To congratulate you. You broke Seifer's nose and bruised three of his ribs. Very impressive. I take it that was the important thing that caused you to decide to ditch Aeron and me?"
Sionna walked in like she owned the room.
"You sure I didn't break those three ribs?"
"Positive. Nice room, you spray it with lysol and clean it with ammonia everyday too?"
Zell watched in awe as she sat down at his desk.
"Listen, is there any other reason you're here other than to insult a dying man?"
"Yeah, I'm a little mad about the way you're treating Aeron and me."
"Well, you two don't exactly belong in this little situation. You have no right to be involved in my treatments. And I don't like your attitudes. I mean I'm sick with a deadly disease and what do you do? You come here and insult me? And don't think I didn't hear your little comment in the infirmary?"
"You deserved it. Listen." Sionna got up and walked up to Zell. "I know Aeron is a dork, and you're not exactly 'thrilled' that we're going to be helping Lheia treat you, but Aeron is my friend, and Lheia thinks we are capable enough to help you. You have no right to treat Aeron and me like dirt."
"If you don't shut up..."
"What? You'll do the same thing to me that you did to Seifer?"
======
What will Zell do to Sionna?
And when will he tell his friends about his disease?
Will Seifer want revenge?