I looked in the mirror. The image showed the crystal blue material of my ball gown that
shimmered as I moved. The top was of a tight like fashion (almost like a corset) and the bottom
belled out, making me feel like a princess. I had left my hair down and curled slightly. I was
finally ready to go out to dinner and then to the dance. Someone gave a quick rap on the door
so I picked up my skirts and ran to open it.

Seifer stood there ready to go. He was wearing the usual tux (minus the standard tuxedo
jacket. He refused to wear it) and a not-so-excited grin. We had talked the night earlier and
decided to go to dinner with Rinoa and them, but he still wasn't enthused about it. I smiled at
him as we walked off. "It won't be that bad. It's going to be a great night." I stopped and did
a little twirl. "How do I look?"

"You look . . . ok" I gave a little pout. I was hoping I would get a compliment. I started to
walk again but he stopped me. He slipped a corsage on my wrist. "There now you're ready."
I gave him a hug and he just rolled his eyes. "You're ruining my reputation!"

I smiled. "Fine with me."

***

We entered the restaurant. It was a fancy restaurant by the sea shore, the kind with snobbish
waiters and expensive food. Our table was in the back in a private room. Since Rinoa's dad
was a general, they agreed to the arrangement. Squall and Rinoa were already seated at the
table. As we approached them, Seifer visibly stiffened. I gave his hand a reassuring touch
before heading over. Rinoa stood up and waved at us, excited that we had come. She was
wearing a darker blue silk dress that was just above her knees. Her hair was pulled back in a
tight bun, with one tendril hanging loose. Squall looked the same as usual except he was
actually wearing a tux. The same forlorn expression covered his face. Seifer grinned. "You
look so happy Squall."

Squall just shrugged. "Whatever."

Rinoa winked at me and patted the seat next to me. "Sit here Iris and Seifer can sit next to
you." When I sat down, she whispered, "We should try to keep those two as far away from
each other as possible." I nodded in agreement. Just then Irvine walked over with Selphie on
his arm. She was wearing a sleek yellow dress that reached to the floor with a slit on one side.
She looked excited.

"Hi guys! You all look so great!"

They sat across from Rinoa and Squall. Irvine grinned. "How are ya Seifer? I'm a little
surprised to see you here. Especially with Iris. I could have sworn she was going with Zell . . .

I was afraid this was going to happen. Irvine was trying to make Seifer mad. Everyone was
tense waiting for his reply but he just shrugged. "She just knows a real man when she sees
one." Squall rolled his eyes at that but said nothing.

Selphie excitedly pointed toward the entrance of the room. "Look who's here!" Quistis was
there with Zell right behind her. They had decided to go together just as friends the day before.
Quistis finally had left her hair down and was wearing a tight satin red dress that complimented
her figure. She looked relaxed for once and not as tense as when she was teaching. She sat
down next to Irvine and smiled.

"How is everyone?"

Seifer rolled his eyes. "Just peachy." I hit him under the table. Maybe it wasn't such a good
idea to come.

***

We had just finished our main courses and were eating dessert quietly. Squall and Seifer had
been bickering the whole time, making a once pleasant evening edgy. I looked over to Selphie
and she had a gleam in her eyes. She mouthed the words "Watch this" before picking up a glob
of frosting off of her cake. She gave a little giggle before throwing it at Zell. We all looked at
her in shock. This was a high class restaurant and . . . well you're not supposed to do things
like that. Rinoa started to lecture her.

"Selphie you can't just-" Irvine flung frosting at Rinoa. She wiped it off her face calmly and set
her napkin back down. "Prepare to die cowboy!" She hurled some at him. Pretty soon
everyone was flinging food and laughing. (Well except Squall of course. He just sat there trying
not to smile.)

Finally our waiter came back. He looked down his nose at us in disgust. "I would expect
better from you Ms. Heartilly. I think you all should leave."

Rinoa stopped laughing. "If that's what you really want. But before I go . . . " She flung the
last of the cake at him. Everyone burst out laughing as we left, even Squall.

We walked down to the beach. Seifer put his arm around me and grinned. "Not a bad night
after all."

Quistis' complaint broke our thoughts. "We can't go to the dance like this! Look at our
clothes!" Sure enough she was right. The satin of her dress was stained from the food. The
cake had the same effect on the rest of our dresses. My mood sank. I was looking forward to
the dance.

Irvine gave a shrug. "Let's just stay here. It's a nice little spot." He had a point. The full moon
reflected off of the crystal blue water, while at the same time making the white sand sparkle.
Rinoa kicked off her heels and sat down. We followed her lead, sitting in a half circle on the
sand.

Quistis gave a little shiver and folded her arms over her chest, trying to keep warm. Zell
noticed and took off his tuxedo jacket. "Here Quisty." She smiled gratefully as he draped it
across her shoulders.

I leaned against Seifer's chest and sighed. Selphie was sitting in Irvine's lap looking calm and
content. Beside them Squall was talking to Rinoa quietly. Everyone was happy. I looked up at
Seifer to try to see what he was thinking. He raised an eyebrow and gestured over to where
Quistis and Zell were sitting. They were kissing! I looked back at Seifer. "I didn't know
Chicken Wuss had it in him " he mumbled.

"Chicken Wuss?" I had heard him call Zell that once before but couldn't quite understand why
he called him that.

"It's a little nickname of his. He just loves it." He raised his voice. "Isn't that right Chicken
Wuss?"

Zell abruptly stood up. "WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?"

Seifer was about to say something else but I stopped him by tipping his head down and kissing
him. He wrapped his arms around me and returned the kiss. When we broke away he gave
me that one-sided grin. I heard Zell mumble something about Irvine wasn't the only one that
was "whipped".

Selphie chimed in. "As much as I love hearing you guys fight I'm freezing my rear off!" To
prove her point she shuddered. "Let's go!"

Everyone started heading back to the car but I stayed behind, wanting to look at the ocean for
a bit. Squall walked up and stood beside me. "You and Seifer seem ok."

I turned to him. "Yeah. It was kind of an unexpected love wasn't it?"

He gave one of his rare smiles. "Yes. But that's the best kind of love. "

As if on que Rinoa came over and grabbed Squall's hand while singing loudly her favorite song.
Zell had just fallen and Quistis was helping him up. Selphie was trying to keep warm by
bouncing up and down while Irvine shook his head and watched. Each couple was odd and yet
at the same time wonderful. "Yes . . . that is indeed the best kind."

I smiled and ran over to the gang, taking Seifer's hand in mine.

THE END





Well I hoped you guys liked it!