"You didn't have to stand up, to greet me," Irvine said, as the door slammed behind him. He slowly made his way towards her desk, taking a seat in front of it. Xu sat back, as she crossed her arms across her chest.
"It's about your results," she uttered, glancing down at a sheet of paper, that sat in front of her.
He smiled, awkwardly, "My HIV tests?"
Xu quickly looked up, surprised, "Even if it were, it's not a laughing matter." Irvine shook his head, glancing down at the marble floor, as he slouched back in his seat. He then placed his hand on on his chin, cupping it.
"So what's the results?"
She glanced down at the paper, then back up, "Well, you got 80%...." Irvine smiled, as he quickly stood up, with a pleased grin, "Out of a 200% scoring tile," she finished. Irvine's eye brows slowly lifted up, as he leaned over the table, repeating her words.
"200%???" he questioned, when Quistis walked into the room. She stopped for a brief moment, noticing how close Irvine's face was to Xu.
She wet her lips, as she began walking backwards, "I'll leave you two alone." Xu quickly stood up.
"No, I don't think that's necessary," she uttered, walking over towards her. Quistis stopped, as she stood in front of her. She then glanced over to Irvine, then back to Xu.
"Kinneas and I, were just discussing about the exam that he had taken. And well," she turned around to face him, with a grim look, "He didn't pass. Which means that," she quickly faced Quistis, "he'll have to spend a week studying for the secondary exam. Which, might I add, is much harder than the one you took, Irvine."
Quistis smiled, looking over to Irvine, who sat slouched back, with his hands below his chin, "And I know he'll enjoy it as well."
"That's the problem," Xu added, "of all the former Instructors, I'll have to rely on you to help him."
Quistis' eyes widened, as she stared at Xu, confused, "Help?"
She nodded, "Tutor." Irvine let out a laugh, as he slowly stood up.
As the doors behind them closed, Quistis stood beside Irvine, with an uncertain expression on her face, as she glanced around the corridor.
"So....when do we get started?" Irvine asked, stretching. Quistis rolled her eyes, as she turned back to him.
"This is strictly business," she said, "you," Quistis placed her index finger against Irvine's chest, "and I, are going to be at least 2 feet away from eachother."
He smiled, "That's a start."
Quistis smiled, raising her chin, "I'm glad you agree. Meet me at the Training Center's corridor in 1200."
"Quisty," the cheerful Selphie uttered, staring at her friend, "Why do you need so many references on SeeD?"
Quistis smiled, "Because."
"Because what? I mean Irvine's not as stupid as you think. He can be very smart at times," Selphie uttered, staring across the table at Quistis. Zell walked into the library, with an uncertain look on his face. He quickly noticed the two and walked over to them, with a grin.
"Whatcha up to?" he questioned, taking a seat on the table. Selphie looked up at him.
"Quistis is TUTORING Irvine," she exclaimed, sitting up. Zell turned to Quistis.
"Listen to her, she knows what she's talking about," she replied with a smile.
Zell looked down at Selphie, as he gently padded her on the head, "Finally." Selphie budged, as she slapped his hands off of her head.
"And what's that suppose to mean?!?" she yelped out, rolling her eyes.
Quistis smiled, as she looked around the library, "What time is it?"
Zell grabbed out a pocket watch, "It is 1200 hours approximately."
Quistis quickly grabbed at the stacks of books on the table, "Damn. Sorry you guys, I have to go." Zell and Selphie's eyes followed her out the rest of the way.
"Whoa, she's in a rush," Zell uttered. Selphie smiled, looking up him.
"And where did you get that pocket watch?" she questioned, knowing that was definitely not the Zell she knew.
"And what the hell is this?" Irvine questioned, pulling out a book by the cover. Quistis quickly snatched it from him.
"It's a book, Irvine. Or haven't you heard of that?" she asked, sarcastically.
"I don't know what a book is, but I sure would like to know more about it," Irvine uttered, leaning his face towards Quistis with a grin, suddenly making her lean back. She then placed the book in her hands in front of his face, Irvine grabbed for it and held it in his hand. Irvine adjusted his hat, smiling.
"Seriously," Quistis uttered, taking it back from him, as she stacked it on the pile that she held onto. Irvine licked his bottom lip, as he stared at her intently.
"All right, so where be?" he questioned. Quistis looked up at him.
"The Quad, duh," she uttered, walking away. Irvine smiled, as he thought about that side of her, that he hadn't seen.
The Next Week
Quistis and Selphie sat on the steps of the field. The day was quite nice compared to the recent weathers. Selphie smiled, happily standing up, stretching. She grinned, cheerfully, staring down at Quistis.
"Didn't Irvy say he was gonna meet you here in 12?" she questioned. Quistis sighed, nodding her head. Selphie quickly kneeled down, leaning closer to her friend.
"I think he likes you," she uttered. Quistis stared, wide-eyed. Selphie gently shoved her, "Come on, Quistis. Everyone notices it, but you. You have to really be playing clueless or something."
Quistis smiled, "Selphie, he acts like that to every girl. What difference does it make?"
Selphie pouted, "Well, he told me." Quistis suddenly felt her heart begin to beat quickly.
"YO!" Zell yelled out, along with Irvine beside him. Quistis looked down at her feet nervously. Irvine quickly made his way towards her, sitting down on the steps. Selphie smiled, staring up at Zell.
"What is it?" she asked, grinning. Zell gave her his look.
"Nuthin'. Just came by, and Irvine said he suppose to meet Quistis here," he replied, sitting down beside Selphie.
Irvine stared at Quistis, "What are you staring at?" he questioned, glancing down at her boots.
She quickly looked up, "Who said I was staring at anything?"
Irvine smiled, "Okay, I'm sorry. But to the point, at least I passed."
"Is that what you wanted to tell her?" Zell questioned, oddly. Irvine nodded, with a grin.
"You could of just told me to tell her," he uttered, shaking his head. Selphie rolled her eyes.
"You're slow, remember?" she questioned, pointing to his head, "You're a natural blonde." Zell let out a sigh of defeat.
"What da hell?!??!? Is it mah fucken problem that I'm blonde! Hell, at least I'm smarter than a damn BRUNETTE!!!" he yelled out, standing up. Selphie stood up, her hands on her hips.
"Take that back!" she demanded, raising her chin.
Zell grinned, tauntingly, "And what if I don't???"
Selphie forced a smile, "Then I guess.....I'm just gonna have to call Squall on you!!! YOU BIG MEANIE!!!"
He smiled, "Oooooooh, and what is your big brother goin' to do to me?? He can't even protect himself from his own babbling girlfriend!"
"Don't get personal!!! Or I'll have to get personal, too......Zell......or should I say, ooooh, what was your middle name again??"
He quickly placed a hand over Selphie's mouth, leaning close to her, "You wouldn't." Selphie quickly bit his hand.
"Oh, yes, I would!" she squealed, happily, running towards the corridor, chanting his middle name, Zell paused, then quickly ran towards her. Irvine smiled, turning to Quistis.
"Damn, those two," he uttered, staring down, with a sly grin.
"Hey, Quistis, Irvine," Rinoa exclaimed, as she squeezed in between the two, cheerfully, placing an arm over their shoulders.
"Rinoa, aren't you and Squall suposse to be out somewhere?" Quistis questioned, breaking the pause.
Rinoa grinned, "Oooh, you must really want me out bad, huh? But don't worry, I won't stop you two love birds," she said, standing up.
Quistis stared at her friend, confused, "Love birds?" Rinoa nodded.
"Yea, didn't Selphie tell you? She entered your name in the charity ball, and Zell bidded Irvine's money on you. And you two have Selphie to thank," she exclaimed, happily.
"Charity ball?? What charity ball?" Quistis questioned, surprised.
Rinoa smiled, "The one the Selphie was suppose to tell you two about. But, o well, I guess she forgot."
"You know what a horrible actress you are," Quistis replied.
"And how much of my money did that guy use???" Irvine asked, nervous.
Rinoa placed a finger to her lips, "I think it was.....500,000 gil. Yeah, 500,000 gil."
"500,000 gil?!?!? You know how many good things I could get with that?!?!?!?!" he shouted out. Quistis looked up at him, offended,.
"And what is that suppose to mean??" she asked, her arms crossed, as she stood up. Irvine followed her, smiling, nervously.
"No, I mean...yeah, yeah. Quisty is worth more than that, tell Zell he could use up all the money I have. Just take it, take it all."
Rinoa smiled, "Really??? The Garden Festival Committee would be pleased. And you don't know how happy that makes Selphie."
Irvine shook his head, not wanting Quistis to notice, "No....."
With that, Rinoa added, with a sigh, "You know what, you guys are destined to be together."
Irvine grinned, practically forgetting his thoughts at the moment, "You hear that, 'We're destined to be together'."