Chapt 6
Grace followed the tall Commander who'd asked her name through the corridors. She and another hyperactive brunette were the only ones left out of the group. The rest have all been led to their dormitories, probably unpacking what they have of their luggage, and talking and making friends, having fun...
"Ok, this is your room," Squall stopped at the last door, "To go in enter 8620 at this keypad over here. Unpack, get used to each other, then meet at the front directory in 20 minutes," he walked off.
Grace watched the dark leather-clad figure walk down the hallway, then disappeared behind the corner. She turned back towards her companion, just to see the tiny brunette fiddling with the keypad.
"What was it again? 8620 right?"
Bweep bweep bweep bweep...DING!
Password accepted. Access confirmed.
The heavy-weighted doors slid open, to reveal an airy room with a double desk, drawers and a bunk-bed.
"Wow...it's a bunky!" squealed the brunette in delight, "Can I have the top, please please please?"
Grace shrugged her acceptance and walked in, noticing her small bags of clothing and accessories placed neatly next to the bed. Sighing, she began to place her belongings into one of the drawers.
Why did I, out of all people, have to be stuck with an over-hyperactive, brown-haired shorty?
"Hurry up and unpack, we've only got 18 minutes left, and I don't want to be late for our first meeting."
"Oh yeah...good idea!" she ran to the other side of the bunk, and heaved a semi-large suitcase onto the bed, immediately breaking into loud chatter once again, "You should see this gorgeous shirt of mine. It's so pretty!! Yellow, with honey bees all over it!"
Sighing, Grace looked at her mini-collection of clothing. All are in dark colours, perhaps with one or two white shirts buried somewhere in there. She began to stuff them in without folding.
"So...what's your name?"
"Grace."
"Really? That's such a nice name. I'm Kylie. I can't wait until our first class. I heard that Instructor Trepe is really professional!"
"Ok."
"I'm really looking forward to choosing our own weapons too! I love the nunchaku. It's so cuuute!"
Ok, now this girl really has a problem. How can a WEAPON be CUTE?
"..."
"The gunblade looks really mysterious though. But apparently it's really heavy. I probably won't be able to lift it! And the whip, how awesome is it? There are sooo many choices, and I've got no idea what to choose!"
"..."
"Well...uh...what do you think you might be using, Grace?"
Grace shrugged.
"Hmm...I think you'll probably fit a blade or some sort...maybe like a gunblade. Oh have you heard? We have a Garden Festival every year at this school, that will be sooooo cool, maybe you should join-" BANG! Grace slammed the drawers shut, having finally had enough of the non-stop blabber coming from that annoying voice.
"Sorry, but I think I'd better get going," she walked out of the room, fuming, but wtill managed to hear Kylie mumble.
"Geez, what's her problem. There's still like, 10 whole minutes left!"
Grace smiled to herself, not caring that she's pissed someone off already. She walked out of the dormitories, turned to her right, and headed towards the cafeteria, longing for some food before the meeting.
* * *
Quistis braced herself for the first meeting with her new students. She has agreed to take up the position of instructor again but told Cid that she's like to teach the junior classmen instead. Cid had agreed immediately.
"Quistis?" came a voice behind her. She spun around, half expecting it to be Keave again.
"Oh...hey Squall."
"Are you alright? You look extremely restless," and she, indeed, was white-knuckledly clutching her Save The Queen, which was tied securely to her belt.
"No, just a bit nervous. I've never taught the junior classmen before. How are they? Are they disciplined or rowdy? Are they loud or quiet? Are they-"
"Quistis! You're over-reacting! They're all really nice kids. I couldn't see one mischievous face anywhere, you'll be fine Quistis."
"I can't believe that Squall, out of all people, is comforting me right now!"
"Whatever..."
Quistis giggled. Squall would always be Squall, no doubt about that.
"Well, here comes one of your pupils," Squall indicated towards the left hall, where Grace was starting to emerge.
In a minute or so, most of the class has assembled at the directory, all of them looking a lot calmer now that they have adapted to the Garden.
"Students. I hope you all still remember me, especially since I last saw you all only about half an hour ago. This lady here is your instructor, Quistis Trepe, and she will be giving you theory and practical classes everyday. I am only your leader, an advisor, and am available to answer your personal questions about the Garden, a student, or yourself. All questions of studying purposes should be directed to Instructor Trepe. Classes will be starting tomorrow at 0900 hours. I expect you all to be on time. Navigation within the garden can be assisted by this directory. If you have any problems you can come to me or an available SeeD. You are free for the remainder of the day. Curfew is at 2100 hours. Dismissed," nodding, the students dispersed.
"You know Squall, I think you should try out for a junior classmen instructor. That was superb handling you just demonstrated," commented Quistis, relieved that they weren't the monsters she had first imagined.
* * *
Grace sifted through her drawers.
That's strange...it's not here...
She threw her clothes and other belongings over her shoulder and buried her face even deeper into the darkness of her drawers to look for her beloved companion.
Kirsty? Kirsty...come out!
A toy worn out by generations of play, passed on to her by her mother, the brown teddy bear with glittering red eyes has never once left her side. Not a night has she slept peacefully without the bear next to her pillow...but now it was gone.
Strained, Grace slumped against the gray metal pole of her bunk, and burst into quiet tears.
Kirsty...
Author's Note: Kirsty is the name of the teddy bear. I suck at making up names. All the other names in this story were NOT made up by me except for this one, so if it doesn't fit, then please tell me and I'll change it!!