Things Change Chapter 5
by Mariye
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Disclaimer: I don't own FF8.
A/N: I know right now everyone hates Sionna and probably thinks Aeron is cool. Just wait. Nevermind why I'm smiling... Let me just tell all of you now that in this series Sionna ______ is my favorite character to write.
Also, visit my new website! http://seeds.moonfruit.com
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"Don't push me right now."
It was more of an order than a warning or request. Sionna looked at him defiantly, then walked away.
"Know what? I don't care. Hate Aeron and me for no good reason if you want. It's your life, and you're the one missing out." Zell turned to face her. Suddenly a throwing dagger flew only an inch from his face and hit the wall behind him.
"Oh, and I'm not someone you wanna push around either." Sionna pushed the door open and walked out.
~Okay, she is now on par with Seifer. And if Seifer suddenly decides to avoid me because he's afraid I'll beat him up, well, who knows. We may have a new all time worst arch-enemy.~
Zell walked over to his bed and sprawled out.
~Hyne there's nothing to do around here. Maybe I should just take a quick nap...~
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:::BZZZ BZZZ BZZZ:::
~Wha the?~ Zell rolled over and looked at the clock.
~7:30AM? I slept all that time? Guess I really am sick.~ He rolled out of his bed and cracked his neck. ~What day is it? Saturday? Must have forgotten to turn off the alarm.~ He brushed off his clothes and looked at them.
~These are okay for another day. I'm not really all that hungry, but I probably should go and choke down something.~
He grabbed his trademark jacket off of the chair where he had left it and pulled it on. He walked out into the hall and toward the cafe, taking his time. Very few people were in the halls, probably because it was a three-day weekend. A lot of students had opted to go on weekend getaways rather than spend three days of freedom in the school.
~What about everyone? Squall, Rinoa, Quistis, Irvine, and Selphie? How am I going to tell them about all this? They'll make a huge deal out of it. And the pity. Hyne everyone's gonna stare at me like I'm a freak.~
Zell turned into the hall that led to the cafe.
~Yeah, just what I'm gonna want. Pity. And then they'll probably go on a 'let's all support Zell' kick. Show how much we love him. Gag me. Like I want to be followed around everyday when I feel rotten after chemo by a goodwill committee.~ He walked through the doors and looked around the cafeteria. His group was sitting at their usual table, all together laughing and smiling and happy. Seifer and his posse were brooding in a corner.
~Probably trying to plot revenge.~ Zell thought as he went into the line and waited.
"Hey Zell. We have hot-dogs this morning. The usual? 2 hot-dogs, fries, and a shake?"
"Nah, I just want something light today."
"Oh, are you feeling alright?"
"I'm fine. How about one of those ham and cheese hot pocket things, an apple, and a soda."
"Okay..." The cafeteria lady quickly got his breakfast and handed it to him. Zell took it and looked around.
~Should I sit with them? They might guess something's wrong if I do. Course they probably will notice something's wrong if I don't sit with them.~
He saw an empty table by the door and sat down at it.
~Better to let them think something's up without being around to give them hints as to what's wrong.~
As he started to try to eat his ham and cheese, he felt eyes staring at him. He looked up. At a table near his normal table, Aeron, Sionna, and a group of their friends were sitting and talking. Aeron kept pointing at Zell and nudging Sionna. Sionna appeared to be chastising him. And trying to ignore him.
~Great. I bet all their little friends already know what's wrong with me.~
He looked up again to see Aeron walking over to his table.
"Hey Zell. I guess you weren't in last night. I was trying to get a hold of you. Have you told your friends yet?"
"No."
~How can I get him to go away?~
"Listen, its better if you tell them sooner. If you wait they may think that you were going to hide it from them. They also could think you don't trust them or care about them." Aeron put down his lunch. "Any reason why you're trying to isolate yourself?"
"... I just feel like being alone right now..."
~Since he can't seem to take a hint.~
"That's normal."
"How would you know what's normal?"
"I've worked with two other cancer cases before in Trabia Garden. Its better if you try to be around friends, even if you don't want to talk."
"Yeah, well you don't act like you have experience. You look like some slack-jawed yokel gawking at a freak show attraction." Aeron didn't show any emotion after Zell said that.
~Look at me. I'm turning into Seifer. Insulting people.~
"Do you feel better after you insult people?"
"What, are you trying to get smart with me?" Zell glared at Aeron.
"No, it is a sincere question. Does doing that make you feel better?"
"I guess it does." Zell picked up his apple and looked over it.
"Have you thought about maybe trying to do something other than insulting others to try and take your mind off what is happening to you?"
"Not really."
~Well, people can't accuse me of being a liar. I honestly haven't thought of anything I could do to take my mind off what's going on.~
"Maybe you should try joining a choir or art class. Maybe playing an instrument. The Garden Festival needs more workers." A girl in a student uniform came over and tapped Aeron on the shoulder.
"Come on Honey, you promised you'd walk me to my train."
"Alright, one second. I'll meet you outside."
"Okay." The girl smiled and walked away.
"You shouldn't isolate yourself Zell. If you do you could end up running the risk of falling into depression. You have a great life and a chance at going into remission."
Aeron grabbed his tray and stood up. He walked away after the girl.
~So a dork like that can get a girl, but a guy like me always gets dumped on.~ Zell picked up his apple and threw it into the garbage can seven feet away. He stared at the half a hot pocket and can of half empty soda on his tray.
~Waste of money.~
He started to get up and throw out his tray when he felt a gunblade at his back.
"Hey Seifer, how's the nose?"
"You are going to pay dearly for that Chicken-Wuss." Seifer accented the last two words. Zell turned and saw Raijin and Fujin out of the corner of his eye.
"And I intend to make you pay now."
"Seifer. As commander of Garden I order you to drop it."
"Ah Puberty Boy. I was wondering if the little group was just gonna watch while I dismembered your buddy here or if you were all gonna jump in and join the fun." Seifer let Hyperion drop. Zell continued walking towards the trash with his tray.
"Seifer, weapons are not allowing in public areas. As a member of the Disciplinary Committee you should know that." Quistis stepped up alongside Squall. Zell turned to watch the situation.
"Yeah, this is a special case. I need to take revenge for this." Seifer pointed to the brace that covered his nose and most of his face.
"I think it's an improvement." Irvine said as he stood up. Selphie giggled and stood up next to him.
"Did Zell do that?" Rinoa asked as she worked her way in.
~Great. Well, maybe I should just blurt out that I have cancer now two. Two surprises in one day.~ Zell leaned against the wall and watched as Seifer fumed.
"INTOLERABLE." Fujin said, swinging her arm.
"Yeah, Zell's all hostile now, ya know. He attacked Seifer. Seifer's an innocent ya know."
Zell had to hold back his laughter when he heard that. It was then he saw Sionna and her little group walk over, all chattering and happy. When they saw Seifer and the commotion taking place, they all fell silent. Sionna walked to the front of the group.
"Is there a problem Mr. Almasy?" She looked at him through half-closed eyes. Seifer looked at her, eyed her up, then put away his gunblade.
"None. None at all. Everything's just peachy." He spit the last word out at her. She folded her arms across her chest and nodded.
"That's what I thought." Seifer seemed to wait for her and her group to leave. They all stood silent. She stared him in the eyes and he stared back.
"We'll settle this later." He said as he broke away from her stare. "And as for you Chicken-Wuss, watch your back." The Disciplinary Committee walked out of the cafe defeated. Again, all of Sionna's little group started chatting.
"How did you do that?" Rinoa asked Sionna as she walked over.
"It's a secret." Two of the guys in Sionna's group laughed when she said that, and so did Selphie. Sionna turned and nodded to the people following here, and they all walked out.
"So Zell, what is all that about?" Quistis asked as she walked up to him.
~Now?~
"It's a long story. I don't think any of you want to hear it."
Zell started to turn and walk away. He felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Squall looking at him.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yes."
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Will Zell tell everyone what's going on?
Why did Seifer back down when Sionna confronted him? Is he afraid of her?
How will Seifer get his revenge?