"What happened???" Selphie squealed, frightened.
Quistis stared hard at her, "He's choking, Selphie!" She quickly ran to Zell's other side, as she gently patted him. Zell's hands signaled the two girls to move away. They did obediently, as his eyes stared hard at Selphie.
She smiled, nervously, "Sorry...Zell."
He paused, "You know what, I'm not gonna even bother with you." Quistis smiled, her arms crossed her chest, as she glanced up at Selphie. Who came up beside him slowly, with a nervous smile.
"Well...could I get to my good news?" she questioned, hopefully. Zell turned away, smirking, as he continued with his hot dogs, "Okay...well. As you guys know, I've been looking forward to the next Garden Festival. And well, that's exactly what's happening. So you two can help little ol' me!"
Quistis smile slowly faded, "That's the good news?"
"Yup," Selphie grinned, cheesily. As she pulled up a chair beside Zell, looking at him with that same grin. He slowly turned to look at her, then sighed.
"What?" he muttered, annoyed.
"You could help, by going to the Quad with me," she replied, joy filled. Zell rolled his eyes, as he opened his mouth to comment.
"Stop slacking, Zell!" Selphie yelled out, startling the two. Causing Zell's mouth to close immediately. With that, she quickly pulled on his arm, dragging him towards the exit of the cafeteria. Quistis shook her head, smiling, as she sat down.
"Sitting here, by yourself?" Irvine questioned, with a pleased smile, as he seated next to her. Quistis turned to him, smiling.
"I thought you'd be out, today," she replied, her head tilted to one side. He grinned, as he inched closer. But Quistis hadn't attempted to move, instead she stared back at him with somewhat of a seductive smile and gleam in her royal blue eyes.
"Can't find anything better to do," he replied, smiling, one side of his lip lifting up. Quistis shook her head, leaning back in her chair, as her arms crossed.
"Hey," Rinoa called out, approaching them, with her arms around Squall's waist, as she clanged onto him.
"Haven't seen you two for a while," Quistis replied, staring up at Squall. She couldn't help but still remembering the feelings she once held for him. But to what degree, she still kept a place for him in her heart.
"Whatever..," he replied, almost seeming to hear her thoughts. Quistis smiled, as she glanced up at Rinoa.
"Whatever...," Rinoa uttered, mocking him. Squall rolled his eyes as he sat down beside Quistis, pulling Rinoa beside him. Irvine glanced up, realizing he was probably the only one, noticing the look Quistis had in her eyes.
Dark shadows glided across the empty dance floor, as a silhouette moved slowly across the balcony. The pale moon shining ever so brightly, as stars seemed to play a tune against the night sky.
Quistis stared up at the stars, that night, as she leaned over the railing, smiling down as a gentle breeze found way to her pale skin. She looked back, as thoughts streamed through her head like a never-ending river. She couldn't help but realize how happy Squall had been, these past months. Everyone seemed to have someone, leaving her out, leaving alone in that darkness that always seemed to find way to her at night.
Quistis breathed in heavily, as she felt her eyes begin to water. It was so quiet in the ballroom that night. Considering the fact that everyone was probably asleep. She turned around, leaning her elbows back against the railing, as her eyes fixed on the ballroom, just inside. Decorations had partly been put up, but Selphie seemed to move quickly.
"Surprised seein' you here," a voice uttered. Quistis turned only to face Irvine. Who's smile seemed to fill her up with an odd feeling. Quistis turned away, as her blue eyes closed, holding back.
"It's past curfew, nearly hours ago," she uttered, her voice fragile against the night air. He paused, as he looked up at the stars overhead, squinting his cerulean eyes.
"Selphie told me to come check on you," he replied, coolly.
Quistis' eyes laid fixed on the view below, as she repeated his words, "Selphie? Did she tell you to come feel sorry for me, too?"
Irvine licked his lips, "No one's feelin' sorry for you, Quistis."
"She told you, didn't she? That I'm killing myself over the fact that a guy that I loved...doesn't even care about me...," she uttered, her voice nearly a whisper now. Irvine turned away, taking a deep breath, as though he hadn't cared much.
"Go ahead, say what you feel," he replied, walking over beside her, as he leaned back against the railing, his back pressing on it.
"You can't handle those things, Kinneas. Because you'll never understand them," Quistis replied, coldly, looking out into the horizon.
Irvine shook his head, "You don't know much, do you?" Her eyes slowly fixed upon him, at his sudden words.
"You don't know what the hell happened between me and Selphe, do you?" he uttered, knowing the answer.
"Selphie? I thought you told everyone you never took her seriously," Quistis questioned, surprised.
"And you believed me?" he asked, laughing, "It's more like she never took me seriously. Maybe, that's all me and her were meant to be, friends. But I surely don't have a problem with that. You eventually get over that person, Instructor. That's why you never get caught up with those feelings in the first place. There's always a beginning and end to everything, remember that."
Quistis paused, as she let the words seep in. She quickly turned away, as she glanced up at the stars once again, no comment to what he had said. Irvine smiled, as he turned to where she did.
"Give me your hand," he suddenly ordered. She paused, as she looked down at his gloved hand, that extended for hers. As Quistis took it willingly, Irvine gently pulled her up beside him, their face barely touching, "Put your feet on the railing."
She paused, as her blue eyes searched his carefully, "What?"
"Trust me," Irvine uttered, his tone steady. And she did just that, Quistis stepped onto the railing, then closing her eyes.
"Irvine, just wanted to tell you..," she gulped, "I'm afraid of heights." All Quistis could hear was Irvine's soft laughter, as he held onto each of her hands, then spreading them to her sides.
"Now, lean back. Put all your weight on me," he replied, feeling her fingers tighten against his very own. Quistis closed her eyes, as she felt a cool gentle breeze brushing gently against her soft skin.
"What do you feel?" he questioned, his voice calm. She kept her eyes shut, as she bit her bottom lip.
"Air..," she replied, causing Irvine to laugh.
"Deeper...," he uttered, his voice against her ear.
Quistis repeated herself, "Air."
"Quistis, you're not tryin'," he uttered, "Go deeper. Think." There was a moment of silence, as she held tightly onto his hands, feeling the warmth of his body against her very own.
"I...feel someone's touch...," she stated, nearly a whisper now. Irvine smiled, as he gently pulled her down.
"You know what that means?" he whispered into her ear, as her back was still to him. Quistis paused, as there was a long silence between the two, "It means, that no matter what...there's always someone there for you."
Quistis slowly turned around, as her blue eyes met his, in a silent gaze. She hesitated, as her eyes began to water, "How can I explain myself? I've hurted more than anything."
Irvine's hand found way to her face, as he cupped it gently, "If you let go, I'll let go too...." Quistis smiled. He stared deeply into her eyes, as he continued, "The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched...," his hand slowly moved in front of her chest, as he tapped it slightly, "They must be felt with the heart." She smiled, as she slowly leaned in, surprising Irvine. As her lips brushed softly against his, he returned the kiss.