Trickle - 13 - Blind

[I waited until they all took their seats before I approached them.]

.

Daylight burst through my window and I awoke smiling. But when I stretched out and felt room to extend my arms, I sat up startled.

He left, didn't he?

Fumbling through my sheets and blankets, I grabbed my robe and walked towards the bathroom. My heart began beating again as I saw Seifer standing over the sink brushing his teeth with a towel wrapped around his waist.

His hair was slicked back and there were tiny water droplets splattered across his back.

Just got out of the shower; when did he wake up?

He looked at me quickly with foam around his mouth.

"I hope you don't mind." He tried speaking through the froth and ended up almost choking. "I'm using…"

I laughed, tying the robe around my waist.

"It's OK Seifer, you could use it."

He smiled and continued brushing away quickly. I glanced at my disheveled hair in the mirror, before leaving the bathroom.

.

April 20

"Well, here he is, in my bathroom. Usually, I wouldn't stand for something like that; but with Seifer using it who knows; he'll probably end up leaving it cleaner than how I had it.

It's odd. Last night at 3:30 I was dying in my bathtub and now I'm sitting here at my desk grinning like a young schoolgirl who got asked to a dance by her crush.

I want to stand on top of Balamb Garden, and yell out "I'm 10x's stronger now! Try to bring me down from this blissfulness and see if you succeed!" But, for the sake of not being taken away by guards I think I'll just cover my mouth and let out a silent cheerful scream."

.

I closed the book and leaned back into my chair.

Who knew that I would live a perfect life starting today?

Seifer came from behind me and began rubbing my shoulders.

I was surprised when he placed his fingers on me, but as he kept doing it I relaxed and enjoyed it.

"Seifer, you really should go to the infirmary to check out that cut."

He didn't say anything.

"Will you please go?"

He stopped massaging me.

"Yeah, I think I will."
"Thanks."

I eased up again and waited for him to continue. Instead, he walked over to his coat, put it on, and exited the room.

.

When I looked decent enough to face people again I walked out into the hallway. Oh how I missed the wonderful smell of breakfast being prepared in the cafeteria, and seeing the familiar faces that are always awake this early in the morning.

I placed my hands behind my back and tried doing the things I always used to do. Only now, I could do it with a smile.

Walking to the cafeteria, I wondered if they had set out a fresh pot of coffee.

.

Inside the cafeteria, there were more people than I was expecting. Oh yes, that's right. It's Thursday, Pancake Day.

From the line, I could see Squall and Rinoa holding trays, chatting with the women in hairnets and blue shirts. Squall reached for the pancakes they held out to them and Rinoa grabbed two cups of juice and placed one on Squall's tray and one on hers.

The place was packed.

It was taking so long for the students to pay for their breakfast, that some of them began munching away in line as they awaited their turn to hand over $1.45.

Selphie was further up the line. I noticed her when I heard her laughing and pointing at Zell who was slapping Irvine's hands, as he tried stealing packs of butter off of his tray.

I waited until they all took their seats, before I approached them.

.

"Howdy Quistis!"

Selphie began pouring syrup over Irvine's pancakes.

Everyone at the table looked at me and began applauding when they saw me standing there with a huge grin.

"So, what's up? How are things?" Rinoa asked pulling out a chair for me.

I sat down.

"Oh, things are good! Seifer returned. The rumors weren't true after all."

I got comfortable and took a sip from my coffee.

"Speaking of Seifer, where is the ol' meathead at?" Zell asked, clutching his fork tight, chewing noisily.

When everyone at the table finished saying things like "Oh come on Zell, be nice", or "Zell, knock it off", Irvine gave him a smack behind the head just because it's something he's always wanted to do.

"He's in the infirmary. He got attacked by something while outside of Balamb Garden and he needs to have it checked out."
"You know, I never thought I'd say this, but I hope it's nothing serious." Squall added in with his head lowered looking at his pancakes with concentrating eyes, as he made sure the syrup hit each spot evenly.
"He'll be fine, you should've seen his strength last--" I paused and thought of what I said. The table grew quiet and all eyes were on me.
"...Night."

Nice. You couldn't keep your mouth shut, could you?

Selphie covered her mouth and giggled. Irvine raised his eyebrows at me. Zell sat there with his mouth-hung open holding his frozen arm with the fork in front of it. Rinoa smiled happily, and gave me a "Good for you!" look. And Squall sat looking at me with an expressionless face; syrup still dripping out of the packet he was holding, messing up the even-ness as it spilled to the right of the pancakes.

I blushed, and covered my face in excitement and embarrassment.

"What's going on here?"

Seifer stood there, holding a packet of papers and a cup of coffee.

I searched quickly for a place for him to sit. He pulled a chair up next to me, and sat down.

"Hi Seifer." Squall said giving a weird smile and raising his fork to his mouth.

Seifer grinned and nodded. His eyes searched the table but stopped when he placed them on a nervous Zell, who was trying to finish his food quickly so he'd have an excuse to leave.

"What's up Zell?" He asked tapping his fingers on the papers he was holding.

He finally held out his hand, for him to shake.

Zell almost choked when he saw his hand out in front of him. Irvine was trying not to burst out laughing as he watched sweat drops roll down the side of his face.

"Come on Zell, he just wants a friendly handshake." Selphie responded dusting the crumbs from the muffin she was eating, off of her dress.

When Zell finally shook it and returned to looking down at his tray and eating nervously, I asked Seifer what the papers were for.

He handed them to me.

"Something Dr. Kadowaki gave to me."

I lowered my eyebrows.

"The Bite Bug and Other Poisonous Creatures"

"The Bite bug has been around for many years. Found outside of Balamb garden and hidden in the forests of Balamb, it has been known to be a very defenseless creature and at times, the most dangerous. When bitten, quickly seek medical attention. Failure to remove poison immediately could result in death."

Lifting my eyebrows, I spoke to him silently.

"Did they remove the poison from your body?"

.

[Things have never been so swell and I have never failed to feel pain.]
- Nirvana