Red + Red + Rose : Chpt. Twelve : Nothing
It was cold, the winds seemed to blow against her as she walked with Seifer. He looked pensive, confused almost. They were dressed in light clothes and she shivered as another gust of wind came. Ahead of her was Harvard University through the shadows, behind her was the Opium and familiar faces. White snow began to fall and the small crystals felt cool against her skin. All around her there was inky darkness, it was only the snow that radiated small amounts of light. There was no real gravity or atmosphere and no noise aside from the howling of the breeze. Her body felt numb, no pain but no energy either, she didn't know how she continued to keep in stride with Seifer. He stopped as they reached the front gates of the school and she wondered what he was going to do. The large, iron gates remained closed as he leaned against them, taking out a cigarette and lighting it as he looked around. The slence was loud, too awkward for her liking.
"What is this place?" Her voice echoed.
He shrugged and took a puff, exhaling through his nose and blowing out smoke that swirled around in what seemed to be the air.
"What's going on?"
"It's all just one damn dream, a constant nightmare."
"Then why are we here?"
"So many questions, Love."
"You're just another part of my dream…?"
"Or perhaps you're a part of mine. But no, unfortunately, if I was the one dreaming we'd be lying down right now." He sighed and glanced at the large university, "You'll be going there soon."
"I don't know, I've been accepted but-"
"Don't let me hold you back. You've always wanted to go."
"It's not just you." She was thoughtful, "It's everything. Everyone I've met and all the things I've experienced in these past few days."
"You worked hard, I'm surprised."
"That was before all of this happened."
"Before you met Squall."
Quistis narrowed her eyebrows at him and frowned.
"Why is Squall important? He helped me but he has Rinoa and I have you."
Seifer scoffed at the comment, smirking at her before taking another drag.
"You mean to try to tell me that you haven't fucked him yet?" He snickered.
"I'm glad you find yourself so amusing. But, no, I didn't engage in those types of things with him. I've been too busy trying to stay alive and save your ass."
"Don't lie to me, Love. It doesn't suit you."
"If you consider one kiss to be like sex, then we've fucked more times then even your 'ladies' have."
"Hardly, but don't try to tell me that you didn't enjoy that kiss."
"Alright, fine. Don't try to convince me that you haven't been with all of your hoes and didn't enjoy it." She rubbed her temple and glanced at her surrounding again.
"You're right, I did enjoy it, greatly. But none of them compared to you."
She glared at him and scowled.
"I suppose not, seeing as you filmed us and make so much money off of the damn tapes."
"Ha, Squall showed you those?"
"Squall again? What does he and Rinoa have to do with those tapes and everything else?"
"You'll see, you'll see."
"The dream is ending." Her voice reverberated once again as she began walking over to Seifer and he grabbed her hand, leading her through the gates of the school.
Behind them, the Opium and her friends began to fade as their shouts and warnings fell upon deaf ears. The doors to the university opened and they were met with a large crowd of people as they blended in and started walking through the large, long hallway.
[ Author's notes (important) : This dream has a bunch of symbolism in it. It'll be important for everyone to be able to understand it for the upcoming chapters and the ending or else you'll be really, really lost. Well, perhaps not lost but maybe a bit confused. Alright, for starters, the Opium and her friends represented how her life used to be and how it might be if Quistis chose her past life over Seifer and Harvard. Without Seifer, she would not go to Harvard University due to her intense passion/love for him. Anyway, even though Seifer has hurt her, she still will not go on without him. Though she made a resolution in one of the previous chapters to not let love rule her life, she still does not want to let go of him quite yet. Harvard basically stands for her future and her new life in a normal world without prostitution and being involved with criminals. There was nothing else around her because she had nowhere else to go, she had to make a decision there and then to confirm her actions for the upcoming chapters. Oh yes, I shouldn't forget to mention that this also hints at what how Squall may be involved in the next few chapters. This chapter has to be the shortest one in the entire story but I just didn't want to fit it in with Chapter Thirteen because lots of exciting things will be happening up ahead.]